, after
executing his orders, Alvarez withdrew. "They would burn a man--but only
on the Bible? They are worth conciliating, if the triple crown be really
worth the winning; were it mine, I would add the eagle's plume to it."

And plunged into the aspiring future, this bold man forgot even the
object of his passion. In real life, after a certain age, ambitious men
love indeed; but it is only as an interlude. And indeed with most men,
life has more absorbing though not more frequent concerns than those of
love. Love is the business of the idle, but the idleness of the busy.

The Cesarini was alone when the Cardinal's messenger arrived, and he
was scarcely dismissed with a few lines, expressive of a gratitude which
seemed to bear down all those guards with which the coldness of the
Signora usually fenced her pride, before the page Angelo was summoned to
her presence.

The room was dark with the shades of the gathering night when the youth
entered, and he discerned but dimly the outline of the Signora's stately
form; but by the tone of her voice, he perceived that she was deeply
agitated.

"Angelo," said she, as he approached, "Angelo--" and her voice failed
her. She paused as for breath and again proceeded. "You alone have
served us faithfully; you alone shared our escape, our wanderings,
our exile--you alone know my secret--you of my train alone are
Roman!--Roman! it was once a great name. Angelo, the name has fallen;
but it is only because the nature of the Roman Race fell first. Haughty
they are, but fickle; fierce, but dastard; vehement in promise, but
rotten in their faith. You are a Roman, and though I have proved your
truth, your very birth makes me afraid of falsehood."

"Madam," said the page; "I was but a child when you admitted me of your
service, and I am yet only on the verge of manhood. But boy though I
yet be, I would brave the stoutest lance of knight, or freebooter, in
defence of the faith of Angelo Villani, to his liege Lady and his native
land."

"Alas! alas!" said the Signora, bitterly, "such have been the words
of thousands of thy race. What have been their deeds? But I will trust
thee, as I have trusted ever. I know that thou art covetous of honour,
that thou hast youth's comely and bright ambition."

"I am an orphan and a bastard," said Angelo, bluntly! "And circumstance
stings me sharply on to action; I would win my own name."

"Thou shalt," said the Signora. "We shall live yet to reward th