r resentment at the
rise of the Plebeian. On the other hand, to be strong abroad I must seem
strong at home: the vast design I have planned, and, as by a miracle,
begun to execute, will fail at once if it seem abroad to be intrusted
to an unsteady and fluctuating power. That design (continued Rienzi,
pausing, and placing his hand on a marble bust of the young Augustus)
is greater than his, whose profound yet icy soul united Italy in
subjection,--for it would unite Italy in freedom;--yes! could we but
form one great federative league of all the States of Italy, each
governed by its own laws, but united for mutual and common protection
against the Attilas of the North, with Rome for their Metropolis and
their Mother, this age and this brain would have wrought an enterprise
which men should quote till the sound of the last trump!"

"I know thy divine scheme," said Nina, catching his enthusiasm; "and
what if there be danger in attaining it? Have we not mastered the
greatest danger in the first step?"

"Right, Nina, right! Heaven (and the Tribune, who ever recognised,
in his own fortunes, the agency of the hand above, crossed himself
reverently) will preserve him to whom it hath vouchsafed such lofty
visions of the future redemption of the Land of the true Church, and the
liberty and advancement of its children! This I trust: already many of
the cities of Tuscany have entered into treaties for the formation
of this league; nor from a single tyrant, save John di Vico, have I
received aught but fair words and flattering promises. The time seems
ripe for the grand stroke of all."

"And what is that?" demanded Nina, wonderingly.

"Defiance to all foreign interference. By what right does a synod of
stranger princes give Rome a king in some Teuton Emperor? Rome's people
alone should choose Rome's governor;--and shall we cross the Alps to
render the title of our master to the descendants of the Goth?"

Nina was silent: the custom of choosing the sovereign by a diet beyond
the Rhine, reserving only the ceremony of his subsequent coronation for
the mock assent of the Romans, however degrading to that people, and
however hostile to all nations of substantial independence, was so
unquestioned at that time, that Rienzi's daring suggestion left her
amazed and breathless, prepared as she was for any scheme, however
extravagantly bold.

"How!" said she, after a long pause; "do I understand aright? Can you
mean defiance to the Empero