And these with threats and curse and gleaming eyes stood fast, even Tavannes' dare-devils recoiling before the tonsure.

The check thus caused allowed those who had budged a breathing space.

They rallied behind the black robes, and began to stone the pikes; who in their turn withdrew until they formed two groups, standing on their defence, the one before the window, the other before the door.
Count Hannibal had watched the attack and the check, as a man watches a play; with smiling interest.

In the panic, the torches had been dropped or extinguished, and now between the house and the sullen crowd which hung back, yet grew moment by moment more dangerous, the daylight fell cold on the littered street and the cripple's huddled form prone in the gutter.

A priest raised on the shoulders of the lean man in black began to harangue the mob, and the dull roar of assent, the brandished arms which greeted his appeal, had their effect on Tavannes' men.