He was then bid to go and fetch the burgomasters and magistrates.
Presently they appeared--a dismal group, weeping and woe-begone--the same board of strict Calvinists forcibly placed in office but three months before by Leicester, through the agency of this very Stanley, who had so summarily ejected their popish predecessors, and who only the night before had so handsomely feasted themselves.

They came forward, the tears running down their cheeks, crying indeed so piteously that even Stanley began to weep bitterly himself.

"I have not done this," he sobbed, "for power or pelf.

Not the hope of reward, but the love of God hath moved me." Presently some of the ex-magistrates made their appearance, and a party of leading citizens went into a private house with Tassis and Stanley to hear statements and explanations--as if any satisfactory ones were possible.
Sir William, still in a melancholy tone, began to make a speech, through an interpreter, and again to protest that he had not been influenced by love of lucre.

But as he stammered and grew incoherent as he approached the point, Tassis suddenly interrupted the conference.