erfs and churls forgive an
injury. Proceed, Lady."

"Hast thou heard the last news from Rome?" asked the Signora.

"Surely," replied the Cardinal, in some surprise, "we were poor
statesmen to be ignorant of the condition of the capital of the papal
dominions; and my heart mourns for that unfortunate city. But wherefore
wouldst thou question me of Rome?--thou art--"

"Roman! Know, my Lord, that I have a purpose in calling myself of
Naples. To your discretion I intrust my secret--I am of Rome! Tell me of
her state."

"Fairest one," returned the Cardinal, "I should have known that that
brow and presence were not of the light Campania. My reason should have
told me that they bore the stamp of the Empress of the World. The state
of Rome," continued Albornoz, in a graver tone, "is briefly told. Thou
knowest that after the fall of the able but insolent Rienzi, Pepin,
count of Minorbino, (a creature of Montreal's) who had assisted in
expelling him, would have betrayed Rome to Montreal,--but he was neither
strong enough nor wise enough, and the Barons chased him as he had
chased the Tribune. Some time afterwards a new demagogue, John Cerroni,
was installed in the Capitol. He once more expelled the nobles; new
revolutions ensued--the Barons were recalled. The weak successor of
Rienzi summoned the people to arms--in vain: in terror and despair he
abdicated his power, and left the city a prey to the interminable feuds
of the Orsini, the Colonna, and the Savelli."

"Thus much I know, my Lord; but when his Holiness succeeded to the chair
of Clement VI.--"

"Then," said Albornoz, and a slight frown darkened his sallow brow,
"then came the blacker part of the history. Two senators were elected in
concert by the Pope."

"Their names?"

"Bertoldo Orsini, and one of the Colonna. A few weeks afterwards, the
high price of provisions stung the rascal stomachs of the mob--they
rose, they clamoured, they armed, they besieged the Capitol--"

"Well, well," cried the Signora, clasping her hands, and betokening in
every feature her interest in the narration.

"Colonna only escaped death by a vile disguise; Bertoldo Orsini was
stoned."

"Stoned!--there fell one!"

"Yes, lady, one of a great house; the least drop of whose blood were
worth an ocean of plebeian puddle. At present, all is disorder, misrule,
anarchy, at Rome. The contests of the nobles shake the city to the
centre; and prince and people, wearied of so many experiments to