"I fear," said he to Adeline, "that I have already detained you too late
in the night air: but selfishness is little considerate."

"Nay, you see we are prudent," said Adeline, pointing to Montreal's
mantle, which his provident hand had long since drawn around her form;
"but if you must part, farewell, and success attend you!"

"We may meet again, I trust," said Adrian.

Adeline sighed gently; and the Colonna, gazing on her face by the
moonlight, to which it was slightly raised, was painfully struck by its
almost transparent delicacy. Moved by his compassion, ere he mounted
his steed, he drew Montreal aside,--"Forgive me if I seem presumptuous,"
said he; "but to one so noble this wild life is scarce a fitting career.
I know that, in our time, War consecrates all his children; but surely
a settled rank in the court of the Emperor, or an honourable
reconciliation with your knightly brethren, were better--"

"Than a Tartar camp, and a brigand's castle," interrupted Montreal, with
some impatience. "This you were about to say--you are mistaken. Society
thrust me from her bosom; let society take the fruit it hath sown. 'A
fixed rank,' say you? some subaltern office, to fight at other men's
command! You know me not: Walter de Montreal was not formed to obey.
War when I will, and rest when I list, is the motto of my escutcheon.
Ambition proffers me rewards you wot not of; and I am of the mould as
of the race of those whose swords have conquered thrones. For the rest,
your news of the alliance of Louis of Hungary with your Tribune makes it
necessary for the friend of Louis to withdraw from all feud with Rome.
Ere the week expire, the owl and the bat may seek refuge in yon grey