The announcement was made to the populace that the champions had come to terms and the trial was about to take place.

At this news the people calmed down, in the hope of being compensated at last for their long wait; but at that very moment a storm which had long been threatening brake over Florence with such fury that the faggots which had just been lighted were extinguished by the rain, leaving no possibility of their rekindling.

From the moment when the people suspected that they had been fooled, their enthusiasm was changed into derision.

They were ignorant from which side the difficulties had arisen that had hindered the trial, so they laid the responsibility on both champions without distinction.

The Signoria, foreseeing the disorder that was now imminent, ordered the assembly to retire; but the assembly thought otherwise, and stayed on the piazza, waiting for the departure of the two champions, in spite of the fearful rain that still fell in torrents.