tumultuous rapture, he could not help asking himself the question
whether they were not still to be divided! Stefanello Colonna, the
grandson of the old Stephen, and (by the death of his sire and brother)
the youthful head of that powerful House, had already raised his
standard against the Senator. Fortifying himself in the almost
impregnable fastness of Palestrina, he had assembled around him all
the retainers of his family, and his lawless soldiery now ravaged the
neighbouring plains far and wide.

Adrian foresaw that the lapse of a few days would suffice to bring the
Colonna and the Senator to open war. Could he take part against those
of his own blood? The very circumstance of his love for Irene would
yet more rob such a proceeding of all appearance of disinterested
patriotism, and yet more deeply and irremediably stain his knightly
fame, wherever the sympathy of his equals was enlisted with the cause
of the Colonna. On the other hand, not only his love for the Senator's
sister, but his own secret inclinations and honest convictions, were on
the side of one who alone seemed to him possessed of the desire and the
genius to repress the disorders of his fallen city. Long meditating, he
feared no alternative was left him but in the same cruel neutrality to
which he had been before condemned; but he resolved at least to make
the attempt--rendered favourable and dignified by his birth and
reputation--to reconcile the contending parties. To effect this, he saw
that he must begin with his haughty cousin. He was well aware that were
it known that he had first obtained an interview with Rienzi--did it
appear as if he were charged with overtures from the Senator--although
Stefanello himself might be inclined to yield to his representations,
the insolent and ferocious Barons who surrounded him would not deign
to listen to the envoy of the People's chosen one; and instead of being
honoured as an intercessor, he should be suspected as a traitor. He
determined, then, to depart for Palestrina; but (and his heart beat
audibly) would it not be possible first to obtain an interview with
Irene? It was no easy enterprise, surrounded as she was, but he resolved
to adventure it. He summoned Giulio.

"The Senator holds a festival this evening--think you that the
assemblage will be numerous?"

"I hear," answered Giulio, "that the banquet given to the Ambassadors
and Signors today is to be followed tomorrow by a mask, to which all
ranks a