e Pope's Legate left Sienna:--prayed that
Republic to withdraw its auxiliary troops from Rome--proclaimed me a
rebel and a heretic;--thence repaired to Marino;--now in council with
the Barons. Why, have my dreams belied me, then--false as the waking
things that flatter and betray by day? In such peril will the people
forsake me and themselves? Army of saints and martyrs, shades of heroes
and patriots, have ye abandoned for ever your ancient home? No, no, I
was not raised to perish thus; I will defeat them yet--and leave my name
a legacy to Rome; a warning to the oppressor--an example to the free!"

Chapter 5.V. The Rottenness of the Edifice.

The kindly skill of Nina induced Irene to believe that it was but the
tender consideration of her brother to change a scene embittered by her
own thoughts, and in which the notoriety of her engagement with Adrian
exposed her to all that could mortify and embarrass, that led to the
proposition of her visit to Florence. Its suddenness was ascribed to the
occasion of an unexpected mission to Florence, (for a loan of arms and
money,) which thus gave her a safe and honoured escort.--Passively she
submitted to what she herself deemed a relief; and it was agreed that
she should for a while be the guest of a relation of Nina's, who was the
abbess of one of the wealthiest of the Florentine convents: the idea of
monastic seclusion was welcome to the bruised heart and wearied spirit.

But though not apprised of the immediate peril of Rienzi, it was with
deep sadness and gloomy forebodings that she returned his embrace and
parting blessing; and when at length alone in her litter, and beyond the
gates of Rome, she repented a departure to which the chance of danger
gave the appearance of desertion.

Meanwhile, as the declining day closed around the litter and its troop,
more turbulent actors in the drama demand our audience. The traders
and artisans of Rome at that time, and especially during the popular
government of Rienzi, held weekly meetings in each of the thirteen
quarters of the city. And in the most democratic of these, Cecco del
Vecchio was an oracle and leader. It was at that assembly, over which
the smith presided, that the murmurs that preceded the earthquake were
heard.

"So," cried one of the company--Luigi, the goodly butcher,--"they say
he wanted to put a new tax on us; and that is the reason he broke up the
Council today, because, good men, they were honest, and had bowe