of ceremony to an important person at the
farther end of the city, he set forth on horseback, attended by Master
Clough, two of his other secretaries, and several attendants, all
well-armed. Ernst, as the Lady Anne thought, having suffered from being
deprived of the free air, was carried along with the party, being placed
on the saddle in front of one of the serving-men. Ernst gazed about
him, enjoying the free air and the warm sun, which shone down from the
blue sky. The scene in the streets, however, was at no time lively; the
dresses both of men and women being of a sombre hue, the latter wearing
the large dark cloaks with hoods which had been introduced from Spain,
while a gloomy expression sat generally on the countenances of the men.
The visit was paid, Ernst remaining in the hall with the attendants,
while Master Gresham with his secretaries proceeded into the audience
chamber of the great man. They were on their way back, when,
approaching the wide thoroughfare of the Mere, a crowd of persons was
seen proceeding in that direction. It was necessary for Master
Gresham's party to proceed through the Mere, or he would have turned
aside to avoid the throng. As they entered the place, a procession was
seen advancing down one of the streets which led into it. First came a
band of acolytes, swinging censers and chanting hymns to the honour of
the Virgin. Next to them marched on either side of the street a guard
of soldiers, having in their midst a large party of priests, between
whom were seen four persons with their hands fastened behind them, their
heads bare, and clothed in long coarse robes; blood-red banners were
borne aloft by some of the priests. Then came a brotherhood, also in
dark garments, with cowls on their heads and their faces masked. A
party of officials on horseback, magistrates, and others, with another
body of troops, brought up the rear. Slowly the procession wound its
way into the Square, on one side of which was now seen a scaffold with a
pulpit raised above it, and a booth or stand, covered with cloth, with
seats arranged within. At one end were two lofty gibbets; while below,
in the open space, two stout posts appeared fixed in the ground, with
iron chains hanging to them, and near at hand large piles of faggots.

So completely closed round by the throng were the English party, that
they could neither move forward nor recede. The procession reached the
stage, when the prisoners were l