The outer portal of the house was opened, the numerous servitors of the Bishop held on high their torches, and he had just termed from Rienzi, who had attended him to the gate, when a female passed hastily through the Prelate's train, and starting as she beheld Rienzi, flung herself at his feet.
"Oh, hasten, Sir! hasten, for the love of God, hasten! or the young Signora is lost for ever!" "The Signora!--Heaven and earth, Benedetta, of whom do you speak ?--of my sister--of Irene?
is she not within ?" "Oh, Sir--the Orsini--the Orsini!" "What of them ?--speak, woman!" Here, breathlessly, and with many a break, Benedetta recounted to Rienzi, in whom the reader has already recognised the brother of Irene, so far of the adventure with Martino di Porto as she had witnessed: of the termination and result of the contest she knew nought.
Rienzi listened in silence; but the deadly paleness of his countenance, and the writhing of the nether lip, testified the emotions to which he gave no audible vent.
"You hear, my Lord Bishop--you hear," said he, when Benedetta had concluded; and turning to the Bishop, whose departure the narrative had delayed--"you hear to what outrage the citizens of Rome are subjected.
My hat and sword! instantly! My Lord, forgive my abruptness." "Whither art thou bent, then ?" asked Raimond.
"Whither--whither!--Ay, I forgot, my Lord, you have no sister.

Perhaps too, you had no brother ?--No, no; one victim at least I will live to save.

Whither, you ask me ?--to the palace of Martino di Porto." "To an Orsini alone, and for justice ?" "Alone, and for justice!--No!" shouted Rienzi, in a loud voice, as he seized his sword, now brought to him by one of his servants, and rushed from the house; "but one man is sufficient for revenge!" The Bishop paused for a moment's deliberation.

"He must not be lost," muttered he, "as he well may be, if exposed thus solitary to the wolf's rage.

What, ho!" he cried aloud; "advance the torches!--quick, quick! We ourself--we, the Vicar of the Pope--will see to this.