should at once repair to Palestrina, and there fortify themselves; while
one of the chiefs should be selected to enter Rome alone, and
apparently submissive, to examine the strength of Rienzi; and with the
discretionary power to resist if possible,--or to make the best terms he
could for the admission of the rest.

"And who," asked Savelli, sneeringly, "will undertake this dangerous
mission? Who, unarmed and alone, will expose himself to the rage of the
fiercest populace of Italy, and the caprice of a demagogue in the first
flush of his power?"

The Barons and the Captains looked at each other in silence. Savelli
laughed.

Hitherto Adrian had taken no part in the conference, and but little in
the previous contest. He now came to the support of his kinsman.

"Signors!" said he, "I will undertake this mission,--but on mine own
account, independently of yours;--free to act as I may think best, for
the dignity of a Roman noble, and the interests of a Roman citizen; free
to raise my standard on mine own tower, or to yield fealty to the new
estate."

"Well said!" cried the old Colonna, hastily. "Heaven forbid we should
enter Rome as foes, if to enter it as friends be yet allowed us! What
say ye, gentles?"

"A more worthy choice could not be selected," said Savelli; "but I
should scarce deem it possible that a Colonna could think there was an
option between resistance and fealty to this upstart revolution."