Stephen shaded his face with his hand as he answered: But this, noble Montreal, requires means:money and men.
Of the last, you can command from me enowmy small company, the best disciplined, can (whenever I please) swell to the most numerous in Italy: in the first, noble Baron, the rich House of Colonna cannot fail; and even a mortgage on its vast estates may be well repaid when you have possessed yourselves of the whole revenues of Rome. You see, continued Montreal, turning to Adrian, in whose youth he expected a more warm ally than in the his hoary kinsman: you see, at a glance, how feasible is this project, and what a mighty field it opens to your House.
Sir Walter de Montreal, said Adrian, rising from his seat, and giving vent to the indignation he had with difficulty suppressed, I grieve much that, beneath the roof of the first citizen of Rome, a stranger should attempt thus calmly, and without interruption, to excite the ambition of emulating the execrated celebrity of a Visconti or a Pepoli. Speak, my Lord! (turning to Stephen)speak, noble kinsman! and tell this Knight of Provence, that if by a Colonna the ancient grandeur of Rome cannot be restored, it shall not be, at least, by a Colonna that her last wrecks of liberty shall be swept away.
How now, Adrian!how now, sweet kinsman! said Stephen, thus suddenly appealed to, calm thyself, I prythee. Noble Sir Walter, he is youngyoung, and hastyhe means not to offend thee.
Of that I am persuaded, returned Montreal, coldly, but with great and courteous command of temper. He speaks from the impulse of the moment,a praiseworthy fault in youth. It was mine at his age, and many a time have I nearly lost my life for the rashness. Nay, Signor, nay!touch not your sword so meaningly, as if you fancied I intimated a threat; far from me such presumption. I have learned sufficient caution, believe me, in the wars, not wantonly to draw against me a blade which I have seen wielded against such odds.
Touched, despite himself, by the courtesy of the Knight, and the allusion to a scene in which, perhaps, his life had been preserved by Montreal, Adrian extended his hand to the latter.
I was to blame for my haste, said he, frankly; but know, by my very heat, he added more gravely, that your project will find no friends among the Colonna. Nay, in the presence of my noble kinsman, I dare to tell you, that could even his high sanction lend itself to such a scheme, the best hearts of his house would desert him; and I myself, his kinsman, would man yonder castle against so unnatural an ambition!
A slight and scarce perceptible cloud passed over Montreals countenance at these words; and he bit his lip ere he replied:
Yet if the Orsini be less scrupulous, their first exertion of power would be heard in the crashing house of the Colonna.
Know you, returned Adrian, that one of our mottoes is this haughty address to the Romans,If we fall, ye fall also? And better that fate, than a rise upon the wrecks of our native city.
Well, well, well! said Montreal, reseating himself, I see that I must leave Rome to herself,the League must thrive without her aid. I did but jest, touching the Orsini, for they have not the power that would make their efforts safe. Let us sweep, then, our past conference from our recollection. It is the nineteenth, I think, Lord Colonna, on which you propose to repair to Corneto, with your friends and retainers, and on which you have invited my attendance?
It is on that day, Sir Knight, replied the Baron, evidently much relieved by the turn the conversation had assumed. The fact is, that we have been so charged with indifference to the interests of the good people, that I strain a point in this expedition to contradict the assertion; and we propose, therefore, to escort and protect, against the robbers of the road, a convoy of corn to Corneto. In truth, I may add another reason, besides fear of the robbers, that makes me desire as numerous a train as possible. I wish to show my enemies, and the people generally, the solid and growing power of my house; the display of such an armed band as I hope to levy, will be a magnificent occasion to strike awe into the riotous and refractory. Adrian, you will collect your servitors, I trust, on that day; we would not be without you.
And as we ride along, fair Signor, said Montreal, inclining to Adrian, we will find at least one subject on which we can agree: all brave men and true knights have one common topic,and its name is Woman. You must make me acquainted with the names of the fairest dames of Rome; and we will discuss old adventures in the Parliament of Love, and hope for new. By the way, I suppose, Lord Adrian, you, with the rest of your countrymen, are Petrarch-stricken?
Do you not share our enthusiasm? slur not so your gallantry, I pray you.
Come, we must not again disagree; but, by my halidame, I think one troubadour roundel worth all that Petrarch ever wrote. He has but borrowed from our knightly poesy, to disguise it, like a carpet coxcomb.
Well, said Adrian, gaily, for every line of the troubadours that you quote, I will cite you another. I will forgive you for injustice to Petrarch, if you are just to the troubadours.
Just! cried Montreal, with real enthusiasm: I am of the land, nay the very blood of the troubadour! But we grow too light for your noble kinsman; and it is time for me to bid you, for the present, farewell. My Lord Colonna, peace be with you; farewell, Sir Adrian,brother mine in knighthood,remember your challenge.
And with an easy and careless grace the Knight of St. John took his leave. The old Baron, making a dumb sign of excuse to Adrian, followed Montreal into the adjoining room.
Sir Knight! said he, Sir Knight! as he closed the door upon Adrian, and then drew Montreal to the recess of the casement,a word in your ear. Think not I slight your offer, but these young men must be managed; the plot is greatnoble,grateful to my heart; but it requires time and caution. I have many of my house, scrupulous as yon hot-skull, to win over; the way is pleasant, but must be sounded well and carefully; you understand?
From under his bent brows, Montreal darted one keen glance at Stephen, and then answered:
My friendship for you dictated my offer. The League may stand without the Colonna,beware a time when the Colonna cannot stand without the League. My Lord, look well around you; there are more freemenay, bold and stirring ones, tooin Rome, than you imagine. Beware Rienzi! Adieu, we meet soon again.
Thus saying, Montreal departed, soliloquising as he passed with his careless step through the crowded ante-room:
I shall fail here!these caitiff nobles have neither the courage to be great, nor the wisdom to be honest. Let them fall!I may find an adventurer from the people, an adventurer like myself, worth them all.
No sooner had Stephen returned to Adrian than he flung his arms affectionately round his ward, who was preparing his pride for some sharp rebuke for his petulance.
Nobly feigned,admirable, admirable! cried the Baron; you have learned the true art of a statesman at the Emperors court. I always thought you wouldalways said it. You saw the dilemma I was in, thus taken by surprise by that barbarians mad scheme; afraid to refuse,more afraid to accept. You extricated me with consummate address: that passion,so natural to your age,was a famous feint; drew off the attack; gave me time to breathe; allowed me to play with the savage. But we must not offend him, you know: all my retainers would desert me, or sell me to the Orsini, or cut my throat, if he but held up his finger. Oh! it was admirably managed, Adrianadmirably!