htens the flower. Ah! happy if I have promoted thy lightest wish,
and if in thine eyes I may henceforth seek at once an angel to guide me
and a paradise to reward."

Nina, releasing her hand, waved it gently, and motioned the Cardinal to
a seat. Seating herself at a little distance, she then spoke with great
gravity and downcast eyes.

"My Lord, it is your intercession, joined to his own innocence, that has
released from yonder tower the elected governor of the people of Rome.
But freedom is the least of the generous gifts you have conferred;
there is a greater in a fair name vindicated, and rightful honours
re-bestowed. For this, I rest ever your debtor; for this, if I bear
children, they shall be taught to bless your name; for this the
historian who recalls the deeds of this age, and the fortunes of Cola
di Rienzi, shall add a new chaplet to the wreaths you have already won.
Lord Cardinal, I may have erred. I may have offended you--you may accuse
me of woman's artifice. Speak not, wonder not, hear me out. I have
but one excuse, when I say that I held justified any means short of
dishonour, to save the life and restore the fortunes of Cola di Rienzi.
Know, my Lord, that she who now addresses you is his wife."

The Cardinal remained motionless and silent. But his sallow countenance
grew flushed from the brow to the neck, and his thin lips quivered for
a moment, and then broke into a withering and bitter smile. At length
he rose from his seat, very slowly, and said, in a voice trembling with
passion,

"It is well, madam. Giles d'Albornoz has been, then, a puppet in the
hands, a stepping-stone in the rise, of the plebeian demagogue of Rome.
You but played upon me for your own purposes; and nothing short of a
Cardinal of Spain, and a Prince of the royal blood of Aragon, was meet
to be the instrument of a mountebank's juggle! Madam, yourself and your
husband might justly be accused of ambition--"

"Cease, my Lord," said Nina, with unspeakable dignity; "whatever offence
has been committed against you was mine alone. Till after our last
interview, Rienzi knew not even of my presence at Avignon."

"At our last interview, Lady, (you do well to recall it!) methinks there
was a hinted and implied contract. I have fulfilled my part--I claim
yours. Mark me! I do not forego that claim. As easily as I rend this
glove can I rend the parchment which proclaims thy husband 'the Senator
of Rome.' The dungeon is not death, and its do