self guard your city from foreign foe and civil disturbance,
with my gallant swordsmen. Not a Roman citizen should contribute a
'danaro' to the cost."

"Viva Fra Moreale!" cried Bruttini; and the shout was echoed by all the
boon companions.

"Enough for me," continued Montreal, "to expiate my offences. Ye know,
gentlemen, my order is vowed to God and the Church--a warrior-monk am I!
Enough for me to expiate my offences, I say, in the defence of the Holy
City. Yet I, too, have my private and more earthly views,--who is above
them? I--the bell changes its note!"

"It is but the change that preludes execution--the poor robber is about
to die!"

Montreal crossed himself, and resumed:--"I am a knight and a noble,"
said he, proudly; "the profession I have followed is that of arms;
but--I will not disguise it--mine equals have regarded me as one who has
stained his scutcheon by too reckless a pursuit of glory and of gain.
I wish to reconcile myself with my order--to purchase a new name--to
vindicate myself to the Grand Master and the Pontiff. I have had hints,
gentles,--hints, that I might best promote my interest by restoring
order to the Papal metropolis. The Legate Albornoz (here is his letter)
recommends me to keep watch upon the Senator."

"Surely," interrupted Pandulfo, "I hear steps below."

"The mob going to the robber's execution," said Bruttini; "proceed, Sir
Knight!"

"And," continued Montreal, surveying his audience before he proceeded
farther, "what think ye--(I do but ask your opinion, wiser than
mine)--what think ye, as a fitting precaution against too arbitrary a
power in the Senator--what think ye of the return of the Colonna, and
the bold Barons of Palestrina?"

"Here's to their health!" cried Vivaldi, rising.

As by a sudden impulse, the company rose. "To the health of the besieged
Barons!" was shouted aloud.

"Next, what if--(I do but humbly suggest)--what if you gave the Senator
a colleague?--it is no affront to him. It was but as yesterday that
one of the Colonna, who was Senator, received a colleague in Bertoldo
Orsini."

"A most wise precaution," cried Vivaldi. "And where a colleague like
Pandulfo di Guido?"

"Viva Pandulfo di Guido!" cried the guests, and again their goblets were
drained to the bottom.

"And if in this I can assist ye by fair words with the Senator, (ye
know he owes me monies--my brothers have served him), command Walter de
Montreal."

"And if fair words fail?" said