invited to take at once the oath of obedience to the laws, and
subscription to the Buono Stato."

So great was the popular fervour, and so much had it been refined and
deepened in its tone by the addresses of Rienzi, that even the most
indifferent had caught the contagion: and no man liked to be seen
shrinking from the rest: so that the most neutral, knowing themselves
the most marked, were the most entrapped into allegiance to the Buono
Stato. The first who advanced to the platform and took the oath was the
Signor di Raselli, the father of Nina.--Others of the lesser nobility
followed his example.

The presence of the Pope's Vicar induced the aristocratic; the fear
of the people urged the selfish; the encouragement of shouts and
gratulations excited the vain. The space between Adrian and Rienzi was
made clear. The young noble suddenly felt the eyes of the Tribune were
upon him; he felt that those eyes recognised and called upon him--he
coloured--he breathed short. The noble forbearance of Rienzi had touched
him to the heart;--the applause--the pageant--the enthusiasm of the
scene, intoxicated--confused him.--He lifted his eyes and saw before
him the sister of the Tribune--the lady of his love! His indecision--his
pause--continued, when Raimond, observing him, and obedient to a
whisper from Rienzi, artfully cried aloud--"Room for the Lord Adrian di
Castello! a Colonna! a Colonna!" Retreat was cut off. Mechanically, and
as if in a dream, Adrian ascended to the platform: and to complete the
triumph of the Tribune, the sun's last ray beheld the flower of the
Colonna--the best and bravest of the Barons of Rome--confessing his
authority, and subscribing to his laws!