ustrious family, was one of the most skilful warriors in Italy. He
and his brother Galeotto had been raised to the joint-tyranny of Rimini
by the voice of its citizens. After being long the foes of the Church,
they were ultimately named as its captains by the Cardinal Albornoz.)
broke up my camp, and made me render to him all my booty? There fell the
work of years! But for that, my banner now would be floating over St.
Angelo. I will pay back the debt with fire and sword, ere the summer has
shed its leaves."

The fair countenance of Montreal grew terrible as he uttered these
words; his hands griped the handle of his sword, and his strong frame
heaved visibly; tokens of the fierce and unsparing passions, by the aid
of which a life of rapine and revenge had corrupted a nature originally
full no less of the mercy than the courage of Provencal chivalry.

Such was the fearful man who now (the wildness of his youth sobered, and
his ambition hardened and concentered) was the rival with Rienzi for the
mastery of Rome.

Chapter 7.VIII. The Crowd.--The Trial.--The Verdict.--The Soldier and
the Page.

It was on the following evening that a considerable crowd had gathered
in the streets of Avignon. It was the second day of the examination
of Rienzi, and with every moment was expected the announcement of the
verdict. Amongst the foreigners of all countries assembled in that seat
of the Papal splendour, the interest was intense. The Italians, even of
the highest rank, were in favour of the Tribune, the French against him.
As for the good townspeople of Avignon themselves, they felt but little
excitement in any thing that did not bring money into their pockets; and
if it had been put to the secret vote, no doubt there would have been a
vast majority for burning the prisoner, as a marketable speculation!

Amongst the crowd was a tall man in a plain and rusty suit of armour,
but with an air of knightly bearing, which somewhat belied the
coarseness of his mail; he wore no helmet, but a small morion of black
leather, with a long projecting shade, much used by wayfarers in the
hot climates of the south. A black patch covered nearly the whole of
one cheek, and altogether he bore the appearance of a grim soldier, with
whom war had dealt harshly, both in purse and person.

Many were the jests at the shabby swordsman's expense, with which that
lively population amused their impatience; and though the shade of the
morion concealed his