lovers surrendered themselves to the delight
of reunion, while new explanations called forth new transports.

"And now," murmured Irene, "now that we have met--" she paused, and her
mask concealed her blushes.

"Now that we have met," said Adrian, filling up the silence, "wouldst
thou say further, 'that we should not part?' Trust me, dearest, that is
the hope that animates my heart. It was but to enjoy these brief bright
moments with thee, that I delayed my departure to Palestrina. Could
I but hope to bring my young cousin into amity with thy brother, no
barrier would prevent our union. Willingly I forget the past--the death
of my unhappy kinsmen, (victims, it is true, to their own faults;)
and, perhaps, amidst all the crowds that hailed his return, none more
appreciated the great and lofty qualities of Cola di Rienzi, than did
Adrian Colonna."

"If this be so," said Irene, "let me hope the best; meanwhile, it is
enough of comfort and of happiness to know, that we love each other as
of old. Ah, Adrian, I am sadly changed; and often have I thought it
a thing beyond my dreams, that thou shouldst see me again and love me
still."

"Fairer art thou and lovelier than ever," answered Adrian, passionately;
"and time, which has ripened thy bloom, has but taught me more deeply to
feel thy value. Farewell, Irene, I linger here no longer; thou wilt, I
trust, hear soon of my success with my House, and ere the week be over I
may return to claim thy hand in the face of day."

The lovers parted; Adrian lingered on the spot, and Irene hastened to
bury her emotion and her raptures in her own chamber.

As her form vanished, and the young Colonna slowly turned away, a tall
mask strode abruptly towards him.

"Thou art a Colonna," it said, "and in the power of the Senator. Dost
thou tremble?"

"If I be a Colonna, rude masker," answered Adrian, coldly, "thou
shouldst know the old proverb, 'He who stirs the column, shall rue the
fall.'"

The stranger laughed aloud, and then lifting his mask, Adrian saw that
it was the Senator who stood before him.

"My Lord Adrian di Castello," said Rienzi, resuming all his gravity, "is
it as friend or foe that you have honoured our revels this night?"

"Senator of Rome," answered Adrian, with equal stateliness, "I partake
of no man's hospitality but as a friend. A foe, at least to you, I trust
never justly to be esteemed."

"I would," rejoined Rienzi, "that I could apply to myself unreservedly