ivered. _He_ then was inclined to take the initiative. He had
been to Tessa. She led the way through the nearest door, set down her
lamp, and turned towards him again.

"You must not think despairingly of the consequences," said Tito, in a
tone of soothing encouragement, at which Romola stood wondering, until
he added, "The accused have too many family ties with all parties not to
escape; and Messer Bernardo del Nero has other things in his favour
besides his age."

Romola started, and gave a cry as if she had been suddenly stricken by a
sharp weapon.

"What! you did not know it?" said Tito, putting his hand under her arm
that he might lead her to a seat; but she seemed to be unaware of his
touch.

"Tell me," she said, hastily--"tell me what it is."

"A man, whose name you may forget--Lamberto dell' Antella--who was
banished, has been seized within the territory: a letter has been found
on him of very dangerous import to the chief Mediceans, and the
scoundrel, who was once a favourite hound of Piero de' Medici, is ready
now to swear what any one pleases against him or his friends. Some have
made their escape, but five are now in prison."

"My godfather?" said Romola, scarcely above a whisper, as Tito made a
slight pause.

"Yes: I grieve to say it. But along with him there are three, at least,
whose names have a commanding interest even among the popular party--
Niccolo Ridolfi, Lorenzo Tornabuoni, and Giannozzo Pucci."

The tide of Romola's feelings had been violently turned into a new
channel. In the tumult of that moment there could be no check to the
words which came as the impulsive utterance of her long-accumulating
horror. When Tito had named the men of whom she felt certain he was the
confederate, she said, with a recoiling gesture and low-toned
bitterness--

"And _you_--you are safe?"

"You are certainly an amiable wife, my Romola," said Tito, with the
coldest irony. "Yes; I am safe."

They turned away from each other in silence.

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.

WHY TITO WAS SAFE.

Tito had good reasons for saying that he was safe. In the last three
months, during which he had foreseen the discovery of the Medicean
conspirators as a probable event, he had had plenty of time to provide
himself with resources. He had been strengthening his influence at Rome
and at Milan, by being the medium of secret information and indirect
measures against the Frate and the popular party; he had cultivated