peace. It is not that which troubles me: the Barons resent the deed, as
an insult to them that law should touch a noble. They will rise--they
will rebel. I foresee the storm--not the spell to allay it."

Nina paused a moment,--"They have taken," she then said, "a solemn oath
on the Eucharist not to bear arms against thee."

"Perjury is a light addition to theft and murder," answered Rienzi, with
his sarcastic smile.

"But the people are faithful."

"Yes, but in a civil war (which the saints forefend!) those combatants
are the stanchest who have no home but their armour, no calling but the
sword. The trader will not leave his trade at the toll of a bell every
day; but the Barons' soldiery are ready at all hours."

"To be strong," said Nina,--who, summoned to the councils of her lord,
shewed an intellect not unworthy of the honour,--"to be strong in
dangerous times, authority must seem strong. By shewing no fear, you may
prevent the cause of fear."

"My own thought!" returned Rienzi, quickly. "You know that half my power
with these Barons is drawn from the homage rendered to me by foreign
states. When from every city in Italy the ambassadors of crowned princes
seek the alliance of the Tribune, they must veil their resentment at the
rise of the Plebeian. On the other hand, to be strong abroad I must seem
strong at home: the vast design I have planned, and, as by a miracle,
begun to execute, will fail at once if it seem abroad to be intrusted
to an unsteady and fluctuating power. That design (continued Rienzi,