"But to the point," said one of the crowd, the richest of the set; "the
tax is the thing.--The ingratitude to tax us.--Let him dare to do it!"

"Oh, he will not dare, for I hear that the Pope's bristles are up at
last; so he will only have us to depend upon!"

The door was thrown open--a man rushed in open-mouthed--

"Masters, masters, the Pope's legate has arrived at Rome, and sent for
the Tribune, who has just left his presence."

Ere his auditors had recovered their surprise, the sound of trumpets
made them rush forth; they saw Rienzi sweep by with his usual cavalcade,
and in his proud array. The twilight was advancing, and torch-bearers
preceded his way. Upon his countenance was deep calm but it was not the
calm of contentment. He passed on, and the street was again desolate.
Meanwhile Rienzi reached the Capitol in silence, and mounted to the
apartments of the palace, where Nina, pale and breathless, awaited his
return.

"Well, well, thou smilest! No--it is that dread smile, worse than
frowns. Speak, beloved, speak! What said the Cardinal?"

"Little thou wilt love to hear. He spoke at first high and solemnly,
about the crime of declaring the Romans free; next about the treason of
asserting that the election of the King of Rome was in the hands of the
Romans."

"Well--thy answer."

"That which became Rome's Tribune: I re-asserted each right, and proved
it. The Cardinal passed to other charges."

"What?"

"The blood of the Barons by San Lorenzo--blood only shed in our own
defence against perjured assailants; this is in reality the main crime.
The Colonna have the Pope's ear. Furthermore, the sacrilege--yes, the
sacrilege (come laugh, Nina, laugh!) of bathing in a vase of porphyry
used by Constantine while yet a heathen."

"Can it be! What saidst thou?"

"I laughed. 'Cardinal,' quoth I, 'what was not too good for a heathen
is not too good for a Christian Catholic!' And verily the sour Frenchman
looked as if I had smote him on the hip. When he had done, I asked him,
in my turn, 'Is it alleged against me that I have wronged one man in my
judgment-court?'--Silence. 'Is it said that I have broken one law of
the state?'--Silence. 'Is it even whispered that trade does not
flourish--that life is not safe--that abroad or at home the Roman
name is not honoured, to that point which no former rule can
parallel?'--Silence. 'Then,' said I, 'Lord Cardinal, I demand thy
thanks, not thy censure.' The Frenchman looked