A handsome boy, whose tears ran fast down his cheeks, and who rode his palfrey close by the side of the Colonna, drew forth his sword.

"My Lord," said he, half sobbing, "an Orsini only could have butchered a harmless lad like this; let us lose not a moment,--let us on after the ruffians." "No, Adrian, no!" cried Stephen, laying his hand on the boy's shoulder; "your zeal is to be lauded, but we must beware an ambush.

Our men have ventured too far--what, ho, there!--sound a return." The bugles, in a few minutes, brought back the pursuers,--among them, the horseman whose spear had been so fatally misused.

He was the leader of those engaged in the conflict with Martino di Porto; and the gold wrought into his armour, with the gorgeous trappings of his charger, betokened his rank.
"Thanks, my son, thanks," said the old Colonna to this cavalier, "you have done well and bravely.

But tell me, knowest thou, for thou hast an eagle eye, which of the Orsini slew this poor boy ?--a foul deed; his family, too, our clients!" "Who?
yon lad ?" replied the horseman, lifting the helmet from his head, and wiping his heated brow; "say you so! how came he, then, with Martino's rascals?
I fear me the mistake hath cost him dear.