On the fourth day of the siege, and after beating back to those almost
impregnable walls the soldiery of the Barons, headed by the Prince of
the Orsini, the Senator returned to his tent, where despatches from Rome
awaited him. He ran his eye hastily over them, till he came to the last;
yet each contained news that might have longer delayed the eye of a man
less inured to danger. From one he learned that Albornoz, whose blessing
had confirmed to him the rank of Senator, had received with special
favour the messengers of the Orsini and Colonna. He knew that the
Cardinal, whose views connected him with the Roman Patricians, desired
his downfall; but he feared not Albornoz: perhaps in his secret heart
he wished that any open aggression from the Pontiff’s Legate might throw
him wholly on the people.
He learned further, that, short as had been his absence, Pandulfo di
Guido had twice addressed the populace, not in favour of the Senator,
but in artful regrets of the loss to the trade of Rome in the absence of
her wealthiest nobles.
“For this, then, he has deserted me,” said Rienzi to himself. “Let him
beware!”
The tidings contained in the next touched him home: Walter de Montreal
had openly arrived in Rome. The grasping and lawless bandit, whose
rapine filled with a robber’s booty every bank in Europe--whose
Company was the army of a King--whose ambition, vast, unprincipled,
and profound, he so well knew--whose brothers were in his camp--their
treason already more than suspected;--Walter de Montreal was in Rome!
The Senator remained perfectly aghast at this new peril; and then said,
setting his teeth as in a vice,
“Wild tiger, thou art in the Lion’s den!” Then pausing, he broke out
again, “One false step, Walter de Montreal, and all the mailed hands of
the Grand Company shall not pluck thee from the abyss! But what can I
do? Return to Rome--the plans of Montreal unpenetrated--no accusation
against him! On what pretence can I with honour raise the siege? To
leave Palestrina, is to give a triumph to the Barons--to abandon Adrian,
to degrade my cause. Yet, while away from Rome, every hour breeds
treason and danger. Pandulfo, Albornoz, Montreal--all are at
work against me. A keen and trusty spy, now;--ha, well thought
of--Villani!--What, ho--Angelo Villani!”
The young chamberlain appeared.
“I think,” said Rienzi, “to have often heard, that thou art an orphan?”
“True, my Lord; the old Augustine nun who reared my boyhood, has told me
again and again that my parents are dead. Both noble, my Lord; but I am
the child of shame. And I say it often, and think of it ever, in order
to make Angelo Villani remember that he has a name to win.”
“Young man, serve me as you have served, and if I live you shall have no
need to call yourself an orphan. Mark me! I want a friend--the Senator
of Rome wants a friend--only one friend--gentle Heaven! only one!”
Angelo sank on his knee, and kissed the mantle of his Lord.
“Say a follower. I am too mean to be Rienzi’s friend.”
“Too mean!--go to!--there is nothing mean before God, unless it be a
base soul under high titles. With me, boy, there is but one nobility,
and Nature signs its charter. Listen: thou hearest daily of Walter de
Montreal, brother to these Provencals--great captain of great robbers?”
“Ay, and I have seen him, my Lord.”
“Well, then, he is in Rome. Some daring thought--some well-supported and
deep-schemed villany, could alone make that bandit venture openly into
an Italian city, whose territories he ravaged by fire and sword a
few months back. But his brothers have lent me money--assisted my
return;--for their own ends, it is true: but the seeming obligation
gives them real power. These Northern swordsmen would cut my throat if
the Great Captain bade them. He counts on my supposed weakness. I know
him of old. I suspect--nay I read, his projects; but I cannot prove
them. Without proof, I cannot desert Palestrina in order to accuse
and seize him. Thou art shrewd, thoughtful, acute;--couldst thou go to
Rome?--watch day and night his movements--see if he receive messengers
from Albornoz or the Barons--if he confer with Pandulfo di Guido;--watch
his lodgment, I say, night and day. He affects no concealment; your task
will be less difficult than it seems. Apprise the Signora of all you
learn. Give me your news daily. Will you undertake this mission?”
“I will, my Lord.”
“To horse, then, quick!--and mind--save the wife of my bosom, I have no
confidant in Rome.”