“I have heard of her,” said Cellini. “I hope our Roman dames will follow her example. But hush!” he exclaimed, stepping towards the battlements, “I see two tall figures approaching the walls. They come nearer. Do you not distinguish them?” “Perfectly,” replied Marcelline. “Be silent, and we can hear what they say,” whispered Cellini. And after listening intently for a few moments, he added, “They have discovered the breach. It is here the assault will be made to-morrow morning.” “How know you that?” demanded Renzo da Ceri. “I could hear nothing.” “My ears never deceive me,” said Cellini. “Who are they, think you?” “The tallest of the two is Bourbon,” replied Marcelline, in a whisper, “I recognise his voice and figure.” “Bourbon!” exclaimed Cellini. “Then his hour is come.” And kneeling down, he placed his arquebuss on the battlements and took deliberate aim at the duke. But just as he was about to fire, Marcelline caught hold of his hand and stopped him, and ere he could take fresh aim the two personages were gone. “Maledizione! why did you interfere, sister?” cried Benvenuto, turning angrily upon her. “I should have killed him, and delivered Rome. I never miss my aim.” “I would not have him die now,” she rejoined. “Well, he shall not escape me,” said Cellini. “I heard him say he would be first to scale the walls.” “And if he said so he will keep his word,” rejoined Marcelline. “I will be ready for him. What says your excellency now?” he added to Renzo. “I have little doubt that the assault will be made to-morrow morning, and at this point,” replied Renzo. “Since the breach cannot be repaired, I will send a sufficient force to defend it.” “Be mine the privilege to fire the first shot,” said Benvenuto. “Agreed,” replied Renzo. “Not an arquebuss shall be discharged till you have fired.” IX. THE FIRST SHOT FROM THE WALLS. |Dawn was at hand--the dawn of the direst day that ever Rome beheld. Already the entire host of Bourbon was under arms, and impatient for the assault. The captains were forming their men in masses before the long dark line of walls which they were about to scale. Grim and menacing did those walls and bastions look now, as they were thronged with armed men, and bristled with cannon. But they inspired no terror on the bands gathered before them. Sullen and stern in the grey light of morning loomed the Castle of Saint Angelo, but the fierce host Had no dread of its guns. As the shades of night disappeared, and daylight revealed to them the fierce bands gathered before the Aurelian Wall, and forming a long line, extending from the Janiculum Hill to the rear of the Basilica of Saint Peter's and the Vatican, those stationed on the ramparts and bastions, though valiant men, were seized with dread, the aspect of the host being truly formidable.