He was ushered with due state into the apartment of the Signora.  He found her pale, and with the traces of illness upon her noble and statuelike features.  She rose as he entered; and when he approached, she half bent her knee, and raised his hand to her lips.  Surprised and delighted at a reception so new, the Cardinal hastened to prevent the condescension; retaining both her hands, he attempted gently to draw them to his heart.

“Fairest!” he whispered, “couldst thou know hear I have mourned thy illness—­and yet it has but left thee more lovely, as the rain only brightens the flower.  Ah! happy if I have promoted thy lightest wish, and if in thine eyes I may henceforth seek at once an angel to guide me and a paradise to reward.”

Nina, releasing her hand, waved it gently, and motioned the Cardinal to a seat.  Seating herself at a little distance, she then spoke with great gravity and downcast eyes.

“My Lord, it is your intercession, joined to his own innocence, that has released from yonder tower the elected governor of the people of Rome.  But freedom is the least of the generous gifts you have conferred; there is a greater in a fair name vindicated, and rightful honours re-bestowed.  For this, I rest ever your debtor; for this, if I bear children, they shall be taught to bless your name; for this the historian who recalls the deeds of this age, and the fortunes of Cola di Rienzi, shall add a new chaplet to the wreaths you have already won.  Lord Cardinal, I may have erred.  I may have offended you—­you may accuse me of woman’s artifice.  Speak not, wonder not, hear me out.  I have but one excuse, when I say that I held justified any means short of dishonour, to save the life and restore the fortunes of Cola di Rienzi.  Know, my Lord, that she who now addresses you is his wife.”

The Cardinal remained motionless and silent.  But his sallow countenance grew flushed from the brow to the neck, and his thin lips quivered for a moment, and then broke into a withering and bitter smile.  At length he rose from his seat, very slowly, and said, in a voice trembling with passion,

“It is well, madam.  Giles d’Albornoz has been, then, a puppet in the hands, a stepping-stone in the rise, of the plebeian demagogue of Rome.  You but played upon me for your own purposes; and nothing short of a Cardinal of Spain, and a Prince of the royal blood of Aragon, was meet to be the instrument of a mountebank’s juggle!  Madam, yourself and your husband might justly be accused of ambition—­”

“Cease, my Lord,” said Nina, with unspeakable dignity; “whatever offence has been committed against you was mine alone.  Till after our last interview, Rienzi knew not even of my presence at Avignon.”

“At our last interview, Lady, (you do well to recall it!) methinks there was a hinted and implied contract.  I have fulfilled my part—­I claim yours.  Mark me!  I do not forego that claim.  As easily as I rend this glove can I rend the parchment which proclaims thy husband ’the Senator of Rome.’  The dungeon is not death, and its door will open twice.”