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"Who? I! old sorceress! be silent," cried Renzo, as he approached

her in order to compel her to be so. But he soon perceived that

it was best to think of himself, as the cry of the woman had

gathered people from every quarter; not in so great numbers as

would have been seen three months before under similar

circumstances, but still many more than one man could resist. At

this moment, the window was again opened, and the same

discourteous woman appeared at it, crying, "Seize him, seize him;

he must be one of the rascals who wander about to poison the

doors of people."

Renzo determined in an instant that it was better to fly than to

stop to justify himself. Rapidly casting his eyes around to see

on which side there were the fewest people, and fighting his way

through those that opposed him, he soon freed himself from their

clutches.