A few, however, remained in order to discover the real object of so large a concourse of people.
An old gray-headed peasant, after having listened to the conversation going on among the peasants, recognized in the crowd a man from his own village, who had been residing for some time in the city, near the church of Saint James, and who consequently, he thought, must be better informed than the others in regard to Miss Van de Werve.
He elbowed his way through the crowd until he reached his friend, struck him on the shoulder, and said: "What is going on here, Master John, to collect such an assembly?
I heard some one say that Miss Van de Werve was about to leave for Italy." "Ah! Master Stephen," said the other, "call her Madame Geronimo Deodati." "Is she married ?" "One would say, Master Stephen, that our village is at the other end of the world.

Even the children of Antwerp bless this marriage as a striking proof of God's justice." "I did hear, friend John, that God had visibly avenged virtue and punished crime.

The assassin dies by a frightful death, and the victim becomes the husband of the noblest and wealthiest young lady in the marquisate.

Do you know her, Master John ?" "Do I know her?
She passes my house twice every day in going to church.

I furnish the family with bread, and I have frequent opportunities of speaking with this amiable young lady." "I would like to see her," said the old man, "but if I wait, I shall arrive too late at the public square." "You need not fear," replied Master John.