f to danger. Nina,
let us move on; methinks we might now mix among the maskers--masked
ourselves."

The music played loud and cheerily as the Senator and his party mingled
with the throng. But still his eye turned ever towards the grey domino
of Adrian, and he perceived that it followed his steps. Approaching the
private entrance of the Capitol, he for a few moments lost sight of
his unwelcome pursuer: but just as he entered, turning abruptly, Rienzi
perceived him close at his side--the next moment the stranger had
vanished amidst the throng. But that moment had sufficed to Adrian--he
had reached Irene. "Adrian Colonna (he whispered) waits thee beside the
Lion."

In the absorption of his own reflections, Rienzi fortunately did not
notice the sudden paleness and agitation of his sister. Entered within
his palace, he called for wine--the draught revived his spirits--he
listened smilingly to the sparkling remarks of Nina; and enduing
his mask and disguise, said, with his wonted cheerfulness, "Now for
Truth--strange that in festivals it should only speak behind a vizard!
My sweet sister, thou hast lost thine old smile, and I would rather see
that than--Ha! has Irene vanished?"

"Only, I suppose, to change her dress, my Cola, and mingle with the
revellers," answered Nina. "Let my smile atone for hers."

Rienzi kissed the bright brow of his wife as she clung fondly to his
bosom. "Thy smile is the sunlight," said he; "but this girl disturbs me.
Methinks now, at least, she might wear a gladder aspect."

"Is there nothing of love beneath my fair sister's gloom?" answered
Nina. "Do you not call to mind how she loved Adrian Colonna?"

"Does that fantasy hold still?" returned Rienzi, musingly. "Well, and
she is fit bride for a monarch."

"Yet it were an alliance that would, better than one with monarchs,
strengthen thy power at Rome!"

"Ay, were it possible; but that haughty race!--Perchance this very
masker that so haunted our steps was but her lover. I will look to this.
Let us forth, my Nina. Am I well cloaked?"

"Excellently well--and I?"

"The sun behind a cloud."

"Ah, let us not tarry long; what hour of revel like that when thy hand
in mine, this head upon thy bosom, we forget the sorrows we have known,
and even the triumphs we have shared?"

Meanwhile, Irene, confused and lost amidst a transport of emotion,
already disguised and masked, was threading her way through the crowd
back to the staircase of the Lio