emptation of
following the old woman's pursuers, as did numbers of others who were
near at the time. Her courage was worthy of a better cause, not that
any one really attempted to injure her--though she, as she went up the
church, seized whatever came in her way, and hurled it at the heads of
her assailants. The shouts of the rabble attracted others from a
distance, and thus in a short time the cathedral was full of people;
some, like Barbara Trond's first assailants, inclined for mischief, but
a large number merely spectators, as we were. The mob began to shout
now one thing, now another. "Down with these Romish mummeries! down
with the idols!" were the cries we chiefly heard. The crowd surged to
and fro, but contented themselves with merely shouting, without
attempting to commit any mischief. It was evident, however, that to
this they would soon proceed, as several persons had already hurried off
to the Town House to give information of the outbreak to the
magistrates. In a short time a body of these dignitaries, in their
robes of state, were seen entering the cathedral, headed by the Margrave
of Antwerp--John Van Immerzeel--the two burgomasters walking on either
side of him, and the senators following. He stopped in the centre of
the church, and harangued the mob. By his persuasions those on the
outside agreed to take their departure, hoping that their example might
be followed by the rest. But the hour of evening service was
approaching, and the ragamuffin crew, who certainly cared very little
for masses or services of any sort, declared that they could not think
of leaving the church until they had enjoyed the benefit of that about
to be performed. In reply, they were told that no vespers would be held
that night, and were again entreated to disperse.

"If we go, the people will follow," observed one of the burgomasters to
the Margrave. "Let all the doors be closed, except the one out of which
we go, and the people will swarm out like bees from their hive."

Thankful to get out of the church with whole skins, the magistrates
marched forth in as dignified a manner as they could assume. The
Margrave, however, remained behind, endeavouring to persuade those who
were still in the church to retreat. But the rabble were not in a
humour to be persuaded. Something said by the Margrave offended them,
and, in spite of his threats and exhortations, they rushed on him and
sent him ignominiously flying out of th