The train of horsemen and wagons stretched almost beyond the range of vision, for it comprised the whole world-renowned orchestra of the Emperor Charles, and Queen Mary's boy choir.
Only the leaders were absent.

Gombert had left Brussels later than the others, and hastened after them with post-horses, overtaking them about an hour before, when he induced Appenzelder, the leader of the boy choir, to enter his carriage, though the latter was reluctant to leave the young singers who were intrusted to his care.

As to the other travellers, the Queen and Don Luis Quijada had made a great mistake in their calculations--the number considerably exceeded a hundred.

Neither had thought of the women and children who accompanied the musicians.
Most of the women were the wives of the members of the orchestra, who had availed themselves of this opportunity to see something of the world.

Others, from motives of love or jealousy, would not part from their husbands.