Gradually one perceived that the crowds of soldiers who loitered about without muskets were not mere spectators.

Almost imperceptibly they closed round the patrol, pushed back by the bystanders not in uniform, and then retreated, forming a clear ring for the guard to move in.

There was no pushing, no hustling, no cries of any kind.

After a few minutes the drums and fifes struck up, the drum-major whirled his staff round in the air, the ring of soldier- spectators parted, driving the crowd back on either side, and through the clear space thus formed the patrol marched up the square, divided into two columns, one going to the right, and the other to the left, and so passed down the length of the Corso.

The crowd made no sign, and raised no shout as the troops went by, and only looked on in sullen silence.