You see," continued Montreal, turning to Adrian, in whose youth he expected a more warm ally than in the his hoary kinsman: "you see, at a glance, how feasible is this project, and what a mighty field it opens to your House." "Sir Walter de Montreal," said Adrian, rising from his seat, and giving vent to the indignation he had with difficulty suppressed, "I grieve much that, beneath the roof of the first citizen of Rome, a stranger should attempt thus calmly, and without interruption, to excite the ambition of emulating the execrated celebrity of a Visconti or a Pepoli.
Speak, my Lord! (turning to Stephen)--speak, noble kinsman! and tell this Knight of Provence, that if by a Colonna the ancient grandeur of Rome cannot be restored, it shall not be, at least, by a Colonna that her last wrecks of liberty shall be swept away." "How now, Adrian!--how now, sweet kinsman!" said Stephen, thus suddenly appealed to, "calm thyself, I pr'ythee.

Noble Sir Walter, he is young--young, and hasty--he means not to offend thee." "Of that I am persuaded," returned Montreal, coldly, but with great and courteous command of temper.

"He speaks from the impulse of the moment,--a praiseworthy fault in youth.

It was mine at his age, and many a time have I nearly lost my life for the rashness.

Nay, Signor, nay!--touch not your sword so meaningly, as if you fancied I intimated a threat; far from me such presumption.