me, by the Palatine Bridge? (The
picturesque ruins shown at this day as having once been the habitation
of the celebrated Cola di Rienzi, were long asserted by the antiquarians
to have belonged to another Cola or Nicola. I believe, however, that the
dispute has been lately decided: and, indeed, no one but an antiquary,
and that a Roman one, could suppose that there were two Colas to
whom the inscription on the house would apply.) there we can converse
undisturbed and secure."

"Be it so," said Montreal, falling back.

With a quick and hurried step, Rienzi passed through the town, in which,
wherever he was discovered, the scattered citizens saluted him with
marked respect; and, turning through a labyrinth of dark alleys, as
if to shun the more public thoroughfares, arrived at length at a broad
space near the river. The first stars of night shone down on the
ancient temple of Fortuna Virilis, which the chances of Time had
already converted into the Church of St. Mary of Egypt; and facing the
twice-hallowed edifice stood the house of Rienzi.

"It is a fair omen to have my mansion facing the ancient Temple of
Fortune," said Rienzi, smiling, as Montreal followed the Roman into the
chamber I have already described.

"Yet Valour need never pray to Fortune," said the Knight; "the first
commands the last."

Long was the conference between these two men, the most enterprising of
their age. Meanwhile, let me make the reader somewhat better acquainted
with the character and designs of Montreal, than the hurry of events has
yet permitted him to become.

Walter de Montreal, generally known in the chronicles of Italy by the
designation of Fra Moreale, had passed into Italy--a bold adventurer,
worthy to become a successor of those roving Normans (from one of the
most eminent of whom, by the mother's side, he claimed descent) who
had formerly played so strange a part in the chivalric errantry of
Europe,--realizing the fables of Amadis and Palmerin--(each knight,
in himself a host), winning territories and oversetting thrones;
acknowledging no laws save those of knighthood; never confounding
themselves with the tribe amongst which they settled; incapable of
becoming citizens, and scarcely contented with aspiring to be kings.
At that time, Italy was the India of all those well-born and penniless
adventurers who, like Montreal, had inflamed their imagination by the
ballads and legends of the Roberts and the Godfreys of old; who had