Chapter 9.VI. The Events Gather to the End.

While this the state of the camp of the besiegers, Luca di Savelli and
Stefanello Colonna were closeted with a stranger, who had privately
entered Palestrina on the night before the Romans pitched their tents
beneath its walls. This visitor, who might have somewhat passed his
fortieth year, yet retained, scarcely diminished, the uncommon beauty of
form and countenance for which his youth had been remarkable. But it was
no longer that character of beauty which has been described in his first
introduction to the reader. It was no longer the almost woman delicacy
of feature and complexion, or the highborn polish, and graceful suavity
of manner, which distinguished Walter de Montreal: a life of vicissitude
and war had at length done its work. His bearing was now abrupt and
imperious, as that of one accustomed to rule wild spirits, and he had
exchanged the grace of persuasion for the sternness of command. His
athletic form had grown more spare and sinewy, and instead of the brow
half shaded by fair and clustering curls, his forehead, though yet
but slightly wrinkled, was completely bald at the temples; and by its
unwonted height, increased the dignity and manliness of his aspect. The
bloom of his complexion was faded, less by outward exposure than inward
thought, into a bronzed and settled paleness; and his features seemed
more marked and prominent, as the flesh had somewhat sunk from the
contour of the cheek. Yet the change suited the change of age and
circumstance; and if the Provencal now less realised the idea of
the brave and fair knight-errant, he but looked the more what the
knight-errant had become--the sagacious counsellor and the mighty
leader.

"You must be aware," said Montreal, continuing a discourse which
appeared to have made great impression on his companions, "that in this
contest between yourselves and the Senator, I alone hold the balance.
Rienzi is utterly in my power--my brothers, the leaders of his army;
myself, his creditor. It rests with me to secure him on the throne, or
to send him to the scaffold. I have but to give the order, and the Grand
Company enter Rome; but without their agency, methinks if you keep faith
with me, our purpose can be effected."

"In the meanwhile, Palestrina is besieged by your brothers!" said
Stefanello, sharply.

"But they have my orders to waste their time before its walls. Do you
not see, that by this very siege, frui