ruins glided again the form of the son of Montreal. Later yet--the Moon
is sinking--a grey light breaking in the East--and the gates of Rome, by
St. John of Lateran, are open! Villani is conversing with the sentries!
The Moon has set--the mountains are dim with a mournful and chilling
haze--Villani is before the palace of the Capitol--the only soldier
there! Where are the Roman legions that were to guard alike the freedom
and the deliverer of Rome?

Chapter The Last. The Close of the Chase.

It was the morning of the 8th of October, 1354. Rienzi, who rose
betimes, stirred restlessly in his bed. "It is yet early," he said to
Nina, whose soft arm was round his neck; "none of my people seem to be
astir. Howbeit, my day begins before theirs."

"Rest yet, my Cola; you want sleep."

"No; I feel feverish, and this old pain in the side torments me. I have
letters to write."

"Let me be your secretary, dearest," said Nina.

Rienzi smiled affectionately as he rose; he repaired to his closet
adjoining his sleeping apartment, and used the bath, as was his wont.
Then dressing himself, he returned to Nina, who, already loosely robed,
sate by the writing-table, ready for her office of love.

"How still are all things!" said Rienzi. "What a cool and delicious
prelude, in these early hours, to the toilsome day."

Leaning over his wife, he then dictated different letters, interrupting
the task at times by such observations as crossed his mind.

"So, now to Annibaldi! By the way, young Adrian should join us today;
how I rejoice for Irene's sake!"

"Dear sister--yes! she loves,--if any, Cola, can so love,--as we do."

"Well, but to your task, my fair scribe. Ha! what noise is that? I hear
an armed step--the stairs creak--some one shouts my name."

Rienzi flew to his sword! the door was thrown rudely open, and a figure
in complete armour appeared within the chamber.

"How! what means this?" said Rienzi, standing before Nina, with his
drawn sword.

The intruder lifted his visor--it was Adrian Colonna.

"Fly, Rienzi!--hasten, Signora! Thank Heaven, I can save ye yet! Myself
and train released by the capture of Palestrina, the pain of my wound
detained me last night at Tivoli. The town was filled with armed
men--not thine, Senator. I heard rumours that alarmed me. I resolved to
proceed onward--I reached Rome, the gates of the city were wide open!"

"How!"

"Your guard gone. Presently I came upon a band of the retainers