ence!" said Stephen,
solemnly stroking his grey beard. "What an example I set you! But a
truce to this light conversation,--let us resume our theme. You must
know, Adrian, that it is to the brave band of my guest I am indebted for
those valiant gentlemen below, who keep Rome so quiet, though my poor
habitation so noisy. He has called to proffer more assistance, if need
be; and to advise me on the affairs of Northern Italy. Continue, I pray
thee, Sir Knight; I have no disguises from my kinsman."

"Thou seest," said Montreal, fixing his penetrating eyes on Adrian,
"thou seest, doubtless, my Lord, that Italy at this moment presents to
us a remarkable spectacle. It is a contest between two opposing powers,
which shall destroy the other. The one power is that of the unruly and
turbulent people--a power which they call 'Liberty;' the other power is
that of the chiefs and princes--a power which they more appropriately
call 'Order.' Between these parties the cities of Italy are divided.
In Florence, in Genoa, in Pisa, for instance, is established a Free
State--a Republic, God wot! and a more riotous, unhappy state of
government, cannot well be imagined."

"That is perfectly true," quoth Stephen; "they banished my own first
cousin from Genoa."

"A perpetual strife, in short," continued Montreal, "between the
great families; an alternation of prosecutions, and confiscations, and
banishments: today, the Guelfs proscribe the Ghibellines--tomorrow, the
Ghibellines drive out the Guelfs. This may be liberty, but it is the
liberty of the strong against the weak. In the other cities, as Milan,
as Verona, as Bologna, the people are under the rule of one man,--who
calls himself a prince, and whom his enemies call a tyrant. Having more
force than any other citizen, he preserves a firm government; having
more constant demand on his intellect and energies than the other
citizens, he also preserves a wise one. These two orders of government
are enlisted against each other: whenever the people in the one rebel
against their prince, the people of the other--that is, the Free
States--send arms and money to their assistance."

"You hear, Adrian, how wicked those last are," quoth Stephen.

"Now it seems to me," continued Montreal, "that this contest must end
some time or other. All Italy must become republican or monarchical. It
is easy to predict which will be the result."

"Yes, Liberty must conquer in the end!" said Adrian, warmly.

"Pa