hter
load--he took his sister in his arms, and descended the winding stairs.
Nina remained passive--she heard her husband's step behind, it was
enough for her--she but turned once to thank him with her eyes. A tall
Northman clad in armour stood at the open door. Rienzi placed Irene, now
perfectly lifeless, in the soldier's arms, and kissed her pale cheek in
silence.

"Quick, my Lord," said the Northman, "on all sides they come!" So
saying, he bounded down the descent with his burthen. Adrian followed
with Nina; the Senator paused one moment, turned back, and was in his
room ere Adrian was aware that he had vanished.

Hastily he drew the coverlid from his bed, fastened it to the casement
bars, and by its aid dropped (at a distance of several feet) into the
balcony below. "I will not die like a rat," said he, "in the trap they
have set for me! The whole crowd shall, at least, see and hear me."

This was the work of a moment.

Meanwhile, Nina had scarcely proceeded six paces, before she discovered
that she was alone with Adrian.

"Ha! Cola!" she cried, "where is he? he has gone!"

"Take heart, Lady, he has returned but for some secret papers he has
forgotten. He will follow us anon."

"Let us wait, then."

"Lady," said Adrian, grinding his teeth, "hear you not the crowd?--on,
on!" and he flew with a swifter step. Nina struggled in his grasp--Love
gave her the strength of despair. With a wild laugh she broke from him.
She flew back--the door was closed--but unbarred--her trembling hands
lingered a moment round the spring. She opened it, drew the heavy bolt
across the panels, and frustrated all attempt from Adrian to regain her.
She was on the stairs,--she was in the room. Rienzi was gone! She fled,
shrieking his name, through the State Chambers--all was desolate. She
found the doors opening on the various passages that admitted to the
rooms below barred without. Breathless and gasping, she returned to the
chamber. She hurried to the casement--she perceived the method by
which he had descended below--her brave heart told her of his brave
design;--she saw they were separated,--"But the same roof holds us," she
cried, joyously, "and our fate shall be the same!" With that thought she
sank in mute patience on the floor.

Forming the generous resolve not to abandon the faithful and devoted
pair without another effort, Adrian had followed Nina, but too late--the
door was closed against his efforts. The crowd marched on-