was on vacancy, and he was evidently abstracted and self-absorbed. At
length, as she concluded, he said, "Well, Nina, you have acted as ever,
kindly and nobly. Let us to other themes. I am in danger."

"Danger!" echoed Nina, turning pale.

"Why, the word must not appal you--you have a spirit like mine, that
scorns fear; and, for that reason, Nina, in all Rome you are my only
confidant. It was not only to glad me with thy beauty, but to cheer me
with thy counsel, to support me with thy valour, that Heaven gave me
thee as a helpmate."

"Now, our Lady bless thee for those words!" said Nina, kissing the hand
that hung over her shoulder; "and if I started at the word danger, it
was but the woman's thought of thee,--an unworthy thought, my Cola, for
glory and danger go together. And I am as ready to share the last as the
first. If the hour of trial ever come, none of thy friends shall be so
faithful to thy side as this weak form but undaunted heart."

"I know it, my own Nina; I know it," said Rienzi, rising, and pacing the
chamber with large and rapid strides. "Now listen to me. Thou knowest
that to govern in safety, it is my policy as my pride to govern justly.
To govern justly is an awful thing, when mighty barons are the culprits.
Nina, for an open and audacious robbery, our court has sentenced Martin
of the Orsini, the Lord of Porto, to death. His corpse swings now on the
Staircase of the Lion."

"A dreadful doom!" said Nina, shuddering.

"True; but by his death thousands of poor and honest men may live in