021 - Chapter 20

In Zanoni, we meet a timeless Rosicrucian brother who faces an impossible dilemma to love is to risk losing his precious gift of immortality. His heart, however, is captured by the enchanting Viola Pisani, a promising opera singer from Naples and the daughter of a misunderstood Italian violinist. Complicating matters is Glyndon, an English gentleman also in love with Viola, who struggles with indecision and ultimately turns to the pursuit of the occult instead of proposing. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous French Revolution in 1789, Zanoni, who has lived since the days of the Chaldean civilization, is warned by his master Mejnor about the dangers of love. Ignoring this counsel, Zanoni marries Viola and they welcome a child into the world. As he embraces his humanity, Zanoni begins to realize that his immortality may be slipping away.