acute Roman took care, on the one hand, how he betrayed to the
Knight more than he yet knew, or he disgusted him by apparent reserve on
the other. Crafty as Montreal was, he possessed not that wonderful art
of mastering others which was so preeminently the gift of the eloquent
and profound Rienzi, and the difference between the grades of their
intellect was visible in their present conference.

"I see," said Rienzi, "that amidst all the events which have lately
smiled upon my ambition, none is so favourable as that which assures
me of your countenance and friendship. In truth, I require some
armed alliance. Would you believe it, our friends, so bold in private
meetings, yet shrink from a public explosion. They fear not the
patricians, but the soldiery of the patricians; for it is the remarkable
feature in the Italian courage, that they have no terror for each other,
but the casque and sword of a foreign hireling make them quail like
deer."

"They will welcome gladly, then, the assurance that such hirelings shall
be in their service--not against them; and as much as you desire for the
revolution, so many shall you receive."

"But the pay and the conditions," said Rienzi, with his dry, sarcastic
smile. "How shall we arrange the first, and what shall we hold to be the
second?"

"That is an affair easily concluded," replied Montreal. "For me, to
tell you frankly, the glory and excitement of so great a revulsion would
alone suffice. I like to feel myself necessary to the completion of high
events. For my men it is otherwise. Your first act will be to seize the
revenues of the state. Well, whatever they amount to, the product of
the first year, great or small, shall be divided amongst us. You the one
half, I and my men the other half."

"It is much," said Rienzi, gravely, and as if in calculation,--"but Rome
cannot purchase her liberties too dearly. So be it then decided."

"Amen!--and now, then, what is your force? for these eighty or a hundred
signors of the Aventine,--worthy men, doubtless,--scarce suffice for a
revolt!"

Gazing cautiously round the room, the Roman placed his hand on
Montreal's arm--

"Between you and me, it requires time to cement it. We shall be unable
to stir these five weeks. I have too rashly anticipated the period. The
corn is indeed cut, but I must now, by private adjuration and address,
bind up the scattered sheaves."

"Five weeks," repeated Montreal; "that is far longer than I
anticip