But at that moment the cause and lord of all that splendour, recovered from his late exhilaration, sat moody and abstracted, remembering with a thoughtful brow the adventure of the past night, and sensible that amongst his gaudiest revellers lurked his intended murtherers.

Amidst the swell of the minstrelsy and the pomp of the crowd, he felt that treason scowled beside him; and the image of the skeleton obtruding, as of old, its grim thought of death upon the feast, darkened the ruby of the wine, and chilled the glitter of the scene.
It was while the feast was loudest that Rienzi's page was seen gliding through the banquet, and whispering several of the nobles; each bowed low, but changed colour as he received the message.
"My Lord Savelli," said Orsini, himself trembling, "bear yourself more bravely.

This must be meant in honour, not revenge.

I suppose your summons corresponds with mine." "He--he--asks--asks--me to supper at the Capitol; a fri-endly meeting--( pest on his friendship!)--after the noise of the day." "The words addressed also to me!" said Orsini, turning to one of the Frangipani.
Those who received the summons soon broke from the feast, and collected in a group, eagerly conferring.

Some were for flight, but flight was confession; their number, rank, long and consecrated impunity, reassured them, and they resolved to obey.