ables with my resolve."

Scarce were these words spoken, ere, as previously concerted with
Brettone, the chief constable of the mercenaries appeared at the door.
"Senator," said he, with a rough semblance of aspect, "your orders to
march have reached me, I have sought to marshal my men--but--"

"I know what thou wouldst say, friend," interrupted Rienzi, waving
his hand: "Messere Brettone will give you my reply. Another time, Sir
Captain, more ceremony with the Senator of Rome--you may withdraw."

The unforeseen dignity of Rienzi rebuked and abashed the constable; he
looked at Brettone, who motioned him to depart. He closed the door and
withdrew.

"What is to be done?" said Brettone.

"Sir Knight," replied Rienzi, gravely, "let us understand each other.
Would you serve me or not? If the first, you are not my equal, but
subordinate--and you must obey and not dictate; if the last, my debt to
you shall be discharged, and the world is wide enough for both."

"We have declared allegiance to you," answered Brettone, "and it shall
be given."

"One caution before I re-accept your fealty," replied Rienzi, very
slowly. "For an open foe, I have my sword--for a traitor, mark me, Rome
has the axe; of the first I have no fear; for the last, no mercy."

"These are not words that should pass between friends," said Brettone,
turning pale with suppressed emotion.

"Friends!--ye are my friends, then!--your hands! Friends, so ye
are!--and shall prove it! Dear Arimbaldo, thou, like myself, art
book-learned,--a clerkly soldier. Dost thou remember how in the Roman
history it is told that the Treasury lacked money for the soldiers? The
Consul convened the Nobles. 'Ye,' said he, 'that have the offices and
dignity should be the first to pay for them.' Ye heed me, my friends;
the nobles took the hint, they found the money--the army was paid. This
example is not lost on you. I have made you the leaders of my force,
Rome hath showered her honours on you. Your generosity shall commence
the example which the Romans shall thus learn of strangers. Ye gaze at
me, my friends! I read your noble souls--and thank ye beforehand. Ye
have the dignity and the office; ye have also the wealth!--pay the
hirelings, pay them!" (See the anonymous biographer, lib. ii. cap. 19.)

Had a thunderbolt fallen at the feet of Brettone, he could not have been
more astounded than at this simple suggestion of Rienzi's. He lifted
his eyes to the Senator's face, and saw