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In the mean while the people of the house had opened the door, so

as to permit the entrance of so desired a guest; taking care,

however, to contract the opening to the space his body would

occupy. "Quick, quick!" said he, "open, so that I may enter; and

you, brave men, keep back the people, do not let them come behind

me-for the love of Heaven! Open a way for us, presently.-Eh! eh!

gentlemen, one moment," said he to the people of the house;

"softly with this door; let me pass. Oh, my ribs, take care of my

ribs. Shut now-no, my gown, my gown!" It would have remained

caught within the door if Ferrer had not hastily withdrawn it.

The doors, closed in the best manner they could be, were

nevertheless supported with bars from within. On the outside,

those who had constituted themselves the bodyguard of Ferrer

worked with their shoulders, their arms, and their voice to keep

the place empty, praying from the bottom of their hearts that

they would be expeditious.