scorns fear; and, for that reason, Nina, in all Rome you are my only
confidant. It was not only to glad me with thy beauty, but to cheer me
with thy counsel, to support me with thy valour, that Heaven gave me
thee as a helpmate."

"Now, our Lady bless thee for those words!" said Nina, kissing the hand
that hung over her shoulder; "and if I started at the word danger, it
was but the woman's thought of thee,--an unworthy thought, my Cola, for
glory and danger go together. And I am as ready to share the last as the
first. If the hour of trial ever come, none of thy friends shall be so
faithful to thy side as this weak form but undaunted heart."

"I know it, my own Nina; I know it," said Rienzi, rising, and pacing the
chamber with large and rapid strides. "Now listen to me. Thou knowest
that to govern in safety, it is my policy as my pride to govern justly.
To govern justly is an awful thing, when mighty barons are the culprits.
Nina, for an open and audacious robbery, our court has sentenced Martin
of the Orsini, the Lord of Porto, to death. His corpse swings now on the
Staircase of the Lion."

"A dreadful doom!" said Nina, shuddering.

"True; but by his death thousands of poor and honest men may live in
peace. It is not that which troubles me: the Barons resent the deed, as
an insult to them that law should touch a noble. They will rise--they
will rebel. I foresee the storm--not the spell to allay it."

Nina paused a moment,--"They have taken," she then said, "a solemn oath
on the Eucharist not to bear arms against thee."

"Perjury is a light addition to theft and murder," answered Rienzi, with
his sarcastic smile.

"But the people are faithful."

"Yes, but in a civil war (which the saints forefend!) those combatants
are the stanchest who have no home but their armour, no calling but the
sword. The trader will not leave his trade at the toll of a bell every
day; but the Barons' soldiery are ready at all hours."

"To be strong," said Nina,--who, summoned to the councils of her lord,
shewed an intellect not unworthy of the honour,--"to be strong in
dangerous times, authority must seem strong. By shewing no fear, you may
prevent the cause of fear."

"My own thought!" returned Rienzi, quickly. "You know that half my power
with these Barons is drawn from the homage rendered to me by foreign
states. When from every city in Italy the ambassadors of crowned princes
seek the alliance of the Tribune, they must veil thei