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"You had best wait in the church," said the friar; "perhaps that

may be of service to you. Into the convent you do not enter at

present." So saying, he hastily closed the window, leaving Renzo

to receive the repulse with the best grace he could. He was about

to follow the advice of the porter, when he was seized with the

desire to give a glance at the tumult. He crossed the square, and

advanced towards the middle of the city, where the disturbance

was greatest. Whilst he is proceeding thither, we will relate, as

briefly as possible, the causes of this commotion.

CHAPTER XII.