nd dexterous an order, that they
were not long detained; and now in the broad place or court of that
memorable building, they saw the open doors of the great justice-hall,
guarded but by a single sentinel, and in which, for six hours daily,
did the Tribune hold his court, for "patient to hear, swift to redress,
inexorable to punish, his tribunal was always accessible to the poor and
stranger." (Gibbon.)

Not, however, to that hall did the party bend its way, but to the
entrance which admitted to the private apartments of the palace. And
here the pomp, the gaud, the more than regal magnificence, of the
residence of the Tribune, strongly contrasted the patriarchal simplicity
which marked his justice court.

Even Ursula, not unaccustomed, of yore, to the luxurious state of
Italian and French principalities, seemed roused into surprise at the
hall crowded with retainers in costly liveries, the marble and gilded
columns wreathed with flowers, and the gorgeous banners wrought with the
blended arms of the Republican City and the Pontifical See, which blazed
aloft and around.

Scarce knowing whom to address in such an assemblage, Ursula was
relieved from her perplexity by an officer attired in a suit of crimson
and gold, who, with a grave and formal decorum, which indeed reigned
throughout the whole retinue, demanded, respectfully, whom she sought?
"The Signora Nina!" replied Ursula, drawing up her stately person, with
a natural, though somewhat antiquated, dignity. There was something
foreign in the accent, which influenced the officer's answer.

"Today, madam, I fear that the Signora receives only the Roman ladies.
Tomorrow is that appointed for all foreign dames of distinction."

Ursula, with a slight impatience of tone, replied--"My business is of
that nature which is welcome on any day, at palaces. I come, Signor, to
lay certain presents at the Signora's feet, which I trust she will deign
to accept."

"And say, Signor," added the boy, abruptly, "that Angelo Villani, whom
the Lady Nina honoured yesterday with her notice, is no stranger but a
Roman; and comes, as she bade him, to proffer to the Signora his homage
and devotion."

The grave officer could not refrain a smile at the pert, yet not
ungraceful, boldness of the boy.

"I remember me, Master Angelo Villani," he replied, "that the Lady
Nina spoke to you by the great staircase. Madam, I will do your errand.
Please to follow me to an apartment more fitting your