its later increase and
the creation of countless streets and houses.[9] Those large and massive
towers, in which you may notice loopholes, and which stand immediately
upon the Scheldt, were the ancient fortifications of the city. That small,
graceful spire is the Convent of Faucon; it is called here, Our Lady of
Valkenbroek. Yonder, near the river, is the church of Borgt, the oldest
temple of our city; for in 642 a wooden chapel stood on the spot, and in
1249 it was consecrated as a parish church, just as it now is.[10] That
lofty edifice at the foot of the gigantic tower of Notre Dame is the
entrepot of Spain. Every nation has its own manufactories and magazines,
where every one may claim the protection of his flag. The massive,
unfinished tower belongs to the church of Saint James; the original plan
was to elevate it above the spire of Notre Dame, but the work has been
long discontinued for want of funds. Do you see, a little further on, that
square building surmounted by a dome? It is the palace of Fugger, the
Croesus of our times: he was elevated to the nobility by Maximilian on
account of his wealth. Furnishing money to kings and nations, he sees gold
daily pouring into his coffers, and if God does not interfere, the royal
power will bow before that of the opulent banker. On the right you have
the church of Saint Andrew, and near it the convent of Saint Michael,
where our Emperor Charles stays when he visits his good city of
Antwerp."[11]

While the gondola was skimming over the surface of the water, and Mr. Van
de Werve was explaining to Signor Deodati the various edifices which were
worthy of remark, there stood upon the shore, at a corner of the
dock-yard, a man who coolly followed the boat with his eyes, and who
endeavored to comprehend what was passing in the gondola, and to discover
what might be the emotions of the young man and the young girl who were
seated within it.

Notwithstanding the fine weather, the man was enveloped in an ample cloak,
and wore a hat with broad brim, over which fell a purple plume. His
doublet was of gold cloth, and his breeches were of brown satin. At his
side glittered the jewelled hilt of a sword.

He was of lofty stature, and his whole bearing indicated noble birth; his
style of dress and black hair and eyes attested his Italian origin. The
most remarkable thing about his person was a long narrow scar across his
face, as though he had been wounded by a sharp blade. The mark wa