Rienzi by Edward Bulwer-lytton

Fretting his proud heart, as a steed frets on the bit, old Colonna regained his palace. To him, innocent of the proposed crime of his kin and compeers, the whole scene of the night and morning presented but one feature of insult and degradation. Scarce was he in his palace, ere he ordered couriers, in whom he knew he could confide, to be in preparation for his summons. "This to Avignon," said he to himself, as he concluded an epistle to the Pontiff. -- "We will see whether the friendship of the great house of the Colonna will outweigh the frantic support of the rabble's puppet. -- This to Palestrina, -- the rock is inaccessible! -- This to John di Vico, he may be relied upon, traitor though he be! -- This to Naples; the Colonna will disown the Tribune's ambassador, if he throw not up the trust and hasten hither, not a lover but a soldier! -- and may this find Walter de Montreal! Ah, a precious messenger he sent us, but I will forgive all -- all, for a thousand lances. " And as with trembling hands he twined the silk round his letters, he bade his pages invite to his board, next day, all the signors who had been implicated with him on the previous night.

The Barons came -- far more enraged at the disgrace of pardon, than grateful for the boon of mercy. Their fears combined with their pride; and the shouts of the mob, the whine of the cordeliers, still ringing in their ears, they deemed united resistance the only course left to protect their lives, and avenge their affront.