zi's page was seen gliding
through the banquet, and whispering several of the nobles; each bowed
low, but changed colour as he received the message.

"My Lord Savelli," said Orsini, himself trembling, "bear yourself more
bravely. This must be meant in honour, not revenge. I suppose your
summons corresponds with mine."

"He--he--asks--asks--me to supper at the Capitol; a fri-endly
meeting--(pest on his friendship!)--after the noise of the day."

"The words addressed also to me!" said Orsini, turning to one of the
Frangipani.

Those who received the summons soon broke from the feast, and collected
in a group, eagerly conferring. Some were for flight, but flight was
confession; their number, rank, long and consecrated impunity, reassured
them, and they resolved to obey. The old Colonna, the sole innocent
Baron of the invited guests, was also the only one who refused the
invitation. "Tush!" said he, peevishly; "here is feasting enough for one
day! Tell the Tribune that ere he sups I hope to be asleep. Grey hairs
cannot encounter all this fever of festivity."

As Rienzi rose to depart, which he did early, for the banquet took place
while yet morning, Raimond, eager to escape and confer with some of his
spiritual friends, as to the report he should make to the Pontiff, was
beginning his expressions of farewell, when the merciless Tribune said
to him gravely--

"My Lord, we want you on urgent business at the Capitol. A prisoner--a
trial--perhaps (he added with his portentous and prophetic frown) an
execution waits us! Come."

"Verily, Tribune," stammered the good Bishop, "this is a strange time
for execution!"

"Last night was a time yet more strange.--Come."

There was something in the way in which the final word was pronounced,
that Raimond could not resist. He sighed, muttered, twitched his robes,
and followed the Tribune. As he passed through the halls, the company
rose on all sides. Rienzi repaid their salutations with smiles and
whispers of frank courtesy and winning address. Young as he yet was,
and of a handsome and noble presence, that took every advantage from
splendid attire, and yet more from an appearance of intellectual command
in his brow and eye, which the less cultivated signors of that dark
age necessarily wanted--he glittered through the court as one worthy to
form, and fitted to preside over, it; and his supposed descent from the
Teuton Emperor, which, since his greatness, was universally bruited