l, one
cry of my voice would soon turn the odds against thee. Thou art now in
the quarter of my tribe; thou art surrounded by the habitations of the
Colonna: yon palace swarms with men who sleep not, save with harness
on their backs; men whom my voice can reach even now, but from whom, if
they once taste of blood, it could not save thee!"

"He speaks true, noble Lord," said one of the band: "we have wandered
too far out of our beat; we are in their very den; the palace of old
Stephen Colonna is within call; and, to my knowledge," added he, in
a whisper, "eighteen fresh men-of-arms--ay, and Northmen too--marched
through its gates this day."

"Were there eight hundred men at arm's length," answered Martino
furiously, "I would not be thus bearded amidst mine own train! Away with
yon woman! To the attack! to the attack!"

Thus saying, he made a desperate lunge at Adrian, who, having kept his
eye cautiously on the movements of his enemy, was not unprepared for the
assault. As he put aside the blade with his own, he shouted with a loud
voice--"Colonna! to the rescue, Colonna!"

Nor had it been without an ulterior object that the acute and
self-controlling mind of Adrian had hitherto sought to prolong the
parley. Even as he first addressed Orsini, he had perceived, by the
moonlight, the glitter of armour upon two men advancing from the far end
of the street, and judged at once, by the neighbourhood, that they must
be among the mercenaries of the Colonna.

Gently he suffered the form of Irene, which now, for she had swooned
with the terror, pressed too heavily upon him, to slide from his left
arm, and standing over her form, while sheltered from behind by the wall
which he had so warily gained, he contented himself with parrying the
blows hastily aimed at him, without attempting to retaliate. Few of the
Romans, however accustomed to such desultory warfare, were then well
and dexterously practised in the use of arms; and the science Adrian had
acquired in the schools of the martial north, befriended him now, even
against such odds. It is true, indeed, that the followers of Orsini did
not share the fury of their lord; partly afraid of the consequence to
themselves should the blood of so highborn a signor be spilt by their
hands, partly embarrassed with the apprehension that they should see
themselves suddenly beset with the ruthless hirelings so close within
hearing, they struck but aimless and random blows, looking every mo