m giant, known well amongst the
people, say, as he wiped his brow,--'These will see work soon!'"

"Arms! Are you sure of that?" said Adrian, anxiously. "Nay, then, there
is more in these schemes than I imagined! But (observing Irene's gaze
bent fearfully on him as his voice changed, he added, more gaily)--but
come what may, believe me--my beautiful! my adored! that while I live,
thy brother shall not suffer from the wrath he may provoke,--nor I,
though he forget our ancient friendship, cease to love thee less."

"Signora! Signora! child! it is time! we must go!" said the shrill voice
of Benedetta, now peering through the foliage. "The working men pass
home this way; I see them approaching."

The lovers parted; for the first time the serpent had penetrated into
their Eden,--they had conversed, they had thought, of other things than
Love.

Chapter 2.III. The Situation of a Popular Patrician in Times of Popular
Discontent.--Scene of the Lateran.

The situation of a Patrician who honestly loves the people is, in those
evil times, when power oppresses and freedom struggles,--when the two
divisions of men are wrestling against each other,--the most irksome and
perplexing that destiny can possibly contrive. Shall he take part with
the nobles?--he betrays his conscience! With the people?--he deserts
his friends! But that consequence of the last alternative is not the
sole--nor, perhaps, to a strong mind, the most severe. All men are
swayed and chained by public opinion--it is the public judge; but public
opinion is not the same for all ranks. The public opinion that excites
or deters the plebeian, is the opinion of the plebeians,--of those
whom he sees, and meets, and knows; of those with whom he is brought
in contact,--those with whom he has mixed from childhood,--those whose
praises are daily heard,--whose censure frowns upon him with every
hour. (It is the same in still smaller divisions. The public opinion for
lawyers is that of lawyers; of soldiers, that of the army; of scholars,
it is that of men of literature and science. And to the susceptible
amongst the latter, the hostile criticism of learning has been more
stinging than the severest moral censures of the vulgar. Many a man has
done a great act, or composed a great work, solely to please the two
or three persons constantly present to him. Their voice was his public
opinion. The public opinion that operated on Bishop, the murderer, was
the opinion of the Burk