“Robber be dumb!” cried Rienzi, passionately; “Guards, bear back the prisoner.  At sunrise, Montreal—­”

“Sets the sun of the scourge of Italy,” said the Knight, bitterly.  “Be it so.  One request more; the Knights of St. John claim affinity with the Augustine order; grant me an Augustine confessor.”

“It is granted; and in return for thy denunciations, I, who can give thee no earthly mercy, will implore the Judge of all for pardon to thy soul!”

“Senator, I have done with man’s mediation.  My brethren?  Their deaths are not necessary to thy safety or thy revenge!”

Rienzi mused a moment:  “No,” said he, “dangerous tools they were, but without the workman they may rust unharming.  They served me once, too.  Prisoner, their lives are spared.”

Chapter 10.V.  The Discovery.

The Council was broken up—­Rienzi hastened to his own apartments.  Meeting Villani by the way, he pressed the youth’s hand affectionately.  “You have saved Rome and me from great peril,” said he; “the saints reward you!” Without tarrying for Villani’s answer, he hurried on.  Nina, anxious and perturbed, awaited him in their chamber.

“Not a-bed yet?” said he:  “fie, Nina, even thy beauty will not stand these vigils.”

“I could not rest till I had seen thee.  I hear (all Rome has heard it ere this) that thou hast seized Walter de Montreal, and that he will perish by the headsman.”

“The first robber that ever died so brave a death,” returned Rienzi, slowly unrobing himself.

“Cola, I have never crossed your schemes,—­your policy, even by a suggestion.  Enough for me to triumph in their success, to mourn for their failure.  Now, I ask thee one request—­spare me the life of this man.”

“Nina—­”

“Hear me,—­for thee I speak!  Despite his crimes, his valour and his genius have gained him admirers, even amongst his foes.  Many a prince, many a state that secretly rejoices at his fall, will affect horror against his judge.  Hear me farther.  His brothers aided your return; the world will term you ungrateful.  His brothers lent you monies, the world—­(out on it!)—­will term you—­”

“Hold!” interrupted the Senator.  “All that thou sayest, my mind forestalled.  But thou knowest me—­to thee I have no disguise.  No compact can bind Montreal’s faith—­no mercy win his gratitude.  Before his red right hand truth and justice are swept away.  If I condemn Montreal I incur disgrace and risk danger—­granted.  If I release him, ere the first showers of April, the chargers of the Northmen will neigh in the halls of the Capitol.  Which shall I hazard in this alternative, myself or Rome?  Ask me no more—­to bed, to bed!”

“Couldst thou read my forebodings, Cola, mystic—­gloomy—­unaccountable?”

“Forebodings!—­I have mine,” answered Rienzi, sadly, gazing on space, as if his thoughts peopled it with spectres.  Then, raising his eyes to Heaven, he said with that fanatical energy which made much both of his strength and weakness—­“Lord, mine at least not the sin of Saul! the Amalekite shall not be saved!”