nswered the Tribune, affably, "names do not alter
natures. When I forget that to be delegate to the Pontiff is to be the
guardian of his flock, forsake me. As for the first, let me but see five
hundred Romans sworn to stand armed day and night for the defence of
Rome, and I dismiss the Northmen."

Cecco del Vecchio was unsoftened; honest, but uneducated--impracticable,
and by nature a malcontent, he felt as if he were no longer necessary
to the Senator, and this offended his pride. Strange as it may seem, the
sullen artisan bore, too, a secret grudge against Rienzi, for not
having seen and selected him from a crowd of thousands on the day of his
triumphal entry. Such are the small offences which produce deep danger
to the great!

The artisans still held their meetings, and Cecco del Vecchio's voice
was heard loud in grumbling forebodings. But what wounded Rienzi yet
more than the alienation of the rest, was the confused and altered
manner of his old friend and familiar, Pandulfo di Guido. Missing
that popular citizen among those who daily offered their homage at the
Capitol, he had sent for him, and sought in vain to revive their ancient
intimacy. Pandulfo affected great respect, but not all the condescension
of the Senator could conquer his distance and his restraint. In fact,
Pandulfo had learned to form ambitious projects of his own; and but for
the return of Rienzi, Pandulfo di Guido felt that he might now, with
greater safety, and indeed with some connivance from the Barons, have
been the Tribune of the People. The facility to rise into popular
eminence which a disordered and corrupt state, unblest by a regular
constitution, offers to ambition, breeds the jealousy and the rivalship
which destroy union, and rot away the ties of party.

Such was the situation of Rienzi, and yet, wonderful to say, he seemed
to be adored by the multitude; and law and liberty, life and death, were
in his hands!

Of all those who attended his person, Angelo Villani was the most
favoured; that youth who had accompanied Rienzi in his long exile,
had also, at the wish of Nina, attended him from Avignon, through his
sojourn in the camp of Albornoz. His zeal, intelligence, and frank and
evident affection, blinded the Senator to the faults of his character,
and established him more and more in the gratitude of Rienzi. He loved
to feel that one faithful heart beat near him, and the page, raised to
the rank of his chamberlain, always attende