tate, to learn it from thy lips, it was my happy
necessity to convey thee hither;--but I will be thy companion. Nay, why
that timid glance? my people, also, shall attend us."

"My thanks, noble Lord, are of little worth; my brother, who is not
unknown to thee, will thank thee more fittingly. May I depart?" and
Irene, as she spoke, was already at the door.

"Art thou so eager to leave me?" answered Adrian, sadly. "Alas! when
thou hast departed from my eyes, it will seem as if the moon had left
the night!--but it is happiness to obey thy wishes, even though they
tear thee from me."

A slight smile parted Irene's lips, and Adrian's heart beat audibly
to himself, as he drew from that smile, and those downcast eyes, no
unfavourable omen.

Reluctantly and slowly he turned towards the door, and summoned his
attendants. "But," said he, as they stood on the lofty staircase, "thou
sayest, sweet lady, that thy brother's name is not unknown to me. Heaven
grant that he be, indeed, a friend of the Colonna!"

"His boast," answered Irene, evasively; "the boast of Cola di Rienzi is,
to be a friend to the friends of Rome."

"Holy Virgin of Ara Coeli!--is thy brother that extraordinary man?"
exclaimed Adrian, as he foresaw, at the mention of that name, a barrier
to his sudden passion. "Alas! in a Colonna, in a noble, he will see no
merit; even though thy fortunate deliverer, sweet maiden, sought to be
his early friend!"

"Thou wrongest him much, my Lord," returned Irene, warmly; "he is a man
above all others to sympathize with thy generous valour, even had it
been exerted in defence of the humblest woman in Rome,--how much more,
then, when in protection of his sister!"

"The times are, indeed, diseased," answered Adrian, thoughtfully, as
they now found themselves in the open street, "when men who alike mourn
for the woes of their country are yet suspicious of each other; when to
be a patrician is to be regarded as an enemy to the people; when to
be termed the friend of the people is to be considered a foe to the
patricians: but come what may, oh! let me hope, dear lady, that no
doubts, no divisions, shall banish from thy breast one gentle memory of
me!"

"Ah! little, little do you know me!" began Irene, and stopped suddenly
short.

"Speak! speak again!--of what music has this envious silence deprived my
soul! Thou wilt not, then, forget me? And," continued Adrian, "we shall
meet again? It is to Rienzi's house we are bound now