“Step forth, Angelo Villani!”
“You are my betrayer, then?” said Montreal steadily. “I deserved this. I beseech you, Senator of Rome, let this young man retire. I confess my correspondence with the Colonna, and my desire to restore the Barons.”
Rienzi motioned to Villani, who bowed and withdrew.
“There rests only then for you, Walter de Montreal, to relate, fully and faithfully, the details of your conspiracy.”
“That is impossible,” replied Montreal, carelessly.
“And why?”
“Because, doing as I please with my own life, I will not betray the lives of others.”
“Bethink thee—thou wouldst have betrayed the life of thy judge!”
“Not betrayed—thou didst not trust me.”
“The law, Walter de Montreal, hath sharp inquisitors—behold!”