Read it, will you," and the Colonna put a scroll into his kinsman's hand.
"I have received the like," said Adrian, glancing at it.

"It is a request of Rienzi's to attend at the Church of St.John of Lateran, to hear explained the inscription on a Table just discovered.

It bears, he saith, the most intimate connexion with the welfare and state of Rome." "Very entertaining, I dare to say, to professors and bookmen.

Pardon me, kinsman; I forgot your taste for these things; and my son, Gianni, too, shares your fantasy.

Well, well! it is innocent enough! Go--the man talks well." "Will you not attend, too ?" "I--my dear boy--I!" said the old Colonna, opening his eyes in such astonishment that Adrian could not help laughing at the simplicity of his own question..