re admitted. By Bacchus, (Still a common Roman expletive.) if the
Tribune only invited nobles, the smallest closet in the Capitol would
suffice to receive his maskers. I suppose a mask has been resolved on in
order to disguise the quality of the visitors."

Adrian mused a moment; and the result of his revery was a determination
to delay for another sun his departure to Palestrina--to take advantage
of the nature of the revel, and to join the masquerade.

That species of entertainment, though unusual at that season of the
year, had been preferred by Rienzi, partly and ostensibly because it
was one in which all his numerous and motley supporters could be best
received; but chiefly and secretly because it afforded himself and his
confidential friends the occasion to mix unsuspected amongst the throng,
and learn more of the real anticipations of the Romans with respect
to his policy and his strength, than could well be gathered from the
enthusiasm of a public spectacle.

The following night was beautifully serene and clear. The better to
accommodate the numerous guests, and to take advantage of the warm and
moonlit freshness of the air, the open court of the Capitol, with the
Place of the Lion, (as well as the state apartments within,) was devoted
to the festival.

As Adrian entered the festive court with the rush of the throng, it
chanced that in the eager impatience of some maskers, more vehement
than the rest, his vizard was deranged. He hastily replaced it; but not
before one of the guests had recognised his countenance.

From courtesy, Rienzi and his family remained at first unmasked. They
stood at the head of the stairs to which the old Egyptian Lion gave the
name. The lights shone over that Colossal Monument--which, torn from its
antique home, had witnessed, in its grim repose, the rise and lapse of
countless generations, and the dark and stormy revolutions of avenging
fate. It was an ill omen, often afterwards remarked, that the place of
that state festival was the place also of the state executions. But at
that moment, as group after group pressed forward to win smile and word
from the celebrated man, whose fortunes had been the theme of Europe,
or to bend in homage to the lustrous loveliness of Nina, no omen and no
warning clouded the universal gladness.

Behind Nina, well contented to shrink from the gaze of the throng, and
to feel her softer beauty eclipsed by the dazzling and gorgeous charms
of her brothe