warrant me!"

The artisan grinned scornfully. He was one of those who distinguished
between the middle class and the working, and he loathed a merchant as
much as he did a noble. "The day wears," said the little man; "he must
be here anon. The Senator's lady, and all his train, have gone forth to
meet him these two hours."

Scarce were these words uttered, when the crowd to the right swayed
restlessly; and presently a horseman rode rapidly through the street.
"Way there! Keep back! Way--make way for the Most Illustrious the
Senator of Rome!"

The crowd became hushed--then murmuring--then hushed again. From balcony
and casement stretched the neck of every gazer. The tramp of steeds was
heard at a distance--the sound of clarion and trumpet;--then, gleaming
through the distant curve of the streets, was seen the wave of the
gonfalons--then, the glitter of spears--and then from the whole
multitude, as from one voice, arose the shout,--"He comes! he comes!"

Adrian shrunk yet more backward amongst the throng; and, leaning against
the wall of one of the houses, contemplated the approaching pageant.

First came, six abreast, the procession of Roman horsemen who had gone
forth to meet the Senator, bearing boughs of olive in their hands; each
hundred preceded by banners, inscribed with the words, "Liberty and
Peace restored." As these passed the group by Adrian, each more popular
citizen of the cavalcade was recognised, and received with loud shouts.
By the garb and equipment of the horsemen, Adrian saw that they belonged
chiefly to the traders of Rome; a race who, he well knew, unless
strangely altered, valued liberty only as a commercial speculation. "A
vain support these," thought the Colonna;--"what next?" on, then, came
in glittering armour the German mercenaries, hired by the gold of the
Brothers of Provence, in number two hundred and fifty, and previously
in the pay of Malatesta of Rimini;--tall, stern, sedate,
disciplined,--eyeing the crowd with a look, half of barbarian wonder,
half of insolent disdain. No shout of gratulation welcomed these sturdy
strangers; it was evident that their aspect cast a chill over the
assembly.

"Shame!" growled Cecco del Vecchio, audibly. "Has the people's friend
need of the swords which guard an Orsini or a Malatesta?--shame!"

No voice this time silenced the huge malcontent.

"His only real defence against the Barons," thought Adrian, "if he pay
them well! But their number is not