Farther on, Turchi said: "I acknowledge, however, that I am hurt and irritated by the disrespect and audacity of the populace.

One might be tempted to suppose that they considered me capable of killing my best friend! My blood boils at the idea of such a suspicion!" Simon gladly availed himself of the opportunity thus offered of attributing to a just indignation the cruel anxiety which tortured him.

He had anticipated the announcement just made him by the bailiff, and in consequence had taken suitable measures to screen himself in case of discovery; but now a terrible doubt as to the result of the search, and as to the confidence which might be reposed in his statements, arose in his mind.

The least unforeseen accident, the slightest oversight in his arrangement, might be his ruin.
"It is scandalous!" he exclaimed, shaking his fist.

"To express publicly the opinion that a nobleman could so far degrade himself as to become a secret assassin! I will know who my insolent calumniators are, and I will then see if justice has power at Antwerp to protect an innocent stranger against the defamation of the people!" "Calm yourself, signor," said Messire Van Schoonhoven; "I comprehend your well-founded indignation; but you are mistaken if you think the perquisition ordered by the burgomaster and constables be, in your regard, aught but a condescension to the clamors of the multitude.