CHAPTER 3.I.The Return of Walter de Montreal to his Fortress.
When Walter de Montreal and his mercenaries quitted Corneto, they made the best of their way to Rome; arriving there, long before the Barons, they met with a similar reception at the gates, but Montreal prudently forbore all attack and menace, and contented himself with sending his trusty Rodolf into the city to seek Rienzi, and to crave permission to enter with his troop.

Rodolf returned in a shorter time than was anticipated.

"Well," said Montreal impatiently, "you have the order I suppose.

Shall we bid them open the gates ?" "Bid them open our graves," replied the Saxon, bluntly.

"I trust my next heraldry will be to a more friendly court." "How! what mean you ?" "Briefly this:--I found the new governor, or whatever his title, in the palace of the Capitol, surrounded by guards and councillors, and in a suit of the finest armour I ever saw out of Milan." "Pest on his armour! give us his answer." "'Tell Walter de Montreal,' said he, then, if you will have it, 'that Rome is no longer a den of thieves; tell him, that if he enters, he must abide a trial--'" "A trial!" cried Montreal, grinding his teeth.
"'For participation in the evil doings of Werner and his freebooters.'" "Ha!" "'Tell him, moreover, that Rome declares war against all robbers, whether in tent or tower, and that we order him in forty-eight hours to quit the territories of the Church.'" "He thinks, then, not only to deceive, but to menace me?
Well, proceed." "That was all his reply to you; to me, however, he vouchsafed a caution still more obliging.