I have learned sufficient caution, believe me, in the wars, not wantonly to draw against me a blade which I have seen wielded against such odds." Touched, despite himself, by the courtesy of the Knight, and the allusion to a scene in which, perhaps, his life had been preserved by Montreal, Adrian extended his hand to the latter.
"I was to blame for my haste," said he, frankly; "but know, by my very heat," he added more gravely, "that your project will find no friends among the Colonna.

Nay, in the presence of my noble kinsman, I dare to tell you, that could even his high sanction lend itself to such a scheme, the best hearts of his house would desert him; and I myself, his kinsman, would man yonder castle against so unnatural an ambition!" A slight and scarce perceptible cloud passed over Montreal's countenance at these words; and he bit his lip ere he replied: "Yet if the Orsini be less scrupulous, their first exertion of power would be heard in the crashing house of the Colonna." "Know you," returned Adrian, "that one of our mottoes is this haughty address to the Romans,--'If we fall, ye fall also ?' And better that fate, than a rise upon the wrecks of our native city." "Well, well, well!" said Montreal, reseating himself, "I see that I must leave Rome to herself,--the League must thrive without her aid.

I did but jest, touching the Orsini, for they have not the power that would make their efforts safe.

Let us sweep, then, our past conference from our recollection.

It is the nineteenth, I think, Lord Colonna, on which you propose to repair to Corneto, with your friends and retainers, and on which you have invited my attendance ?" "It is on that day, Sir Knight," replied the Baron, evidently much relieved by the turn the conversation had assumed.