Page 226 of 1118

Renzo, who was the most self-possessed of the party, thought it

best to follow his advice. "Let us follow him," said he, to the

females. They silently obeyed, and the little company moved on.

They hastily crossed the churchyard, passing through a private

street, into the fields. They were not many paces distant, before

the people began to collect, each one asking of his neighbour

what was the matter, and no one being able to answer the

question. The first that arrived ran to the door of the church:

it was fastened. They then looked through a little window into

the belfry, and demanded the cause of the alarm. When Ambrose

heard a known voice, and knew, by the hum, that there was an

assemblage of people without, he hastily slipped on that part of

his dress which he had carried under his arm, and opened the

church door.

"What is all this tumult? What is the matter? Where is it?"