ake vengeance on the unhappy people who perpetrated them. I
cannot but grieve also that so much rich carving and beautiful
decoration should have been destroyed."

I agreed with Aveline in that respect; at the same time I echoed her
remark with regard to the idols which had been pulled down. So quickly
passed the time, that the shades of evening stole on us unawares, and we
were quite surprised when we saw the towers and stout walls of Antwerp
looming through the gloom. It was almost dusk as we rode under the deep
gateway, on either side of which was the entrance to the narrow passage
between the two walls surrounding the city. The streets were more
crowded than usual, and we passed numerous groups of men talking eagerly
together. News had arrived, we found, that the example set in Antwerp
had been followed in many other cities; but of that I will speak anon.

I was well pleased with the reception which Madam Clough gave Aveline.
Master Clough was thankful also to see Sir Thomas, for the difficulty of
obtaining money at that time was very great; and he knew that the
Queen's agent would be better able personally to make the required
arrangements than he could himself. One thing Sir Thomas saw--that
Antwerp would no longer be the city it formerly was for commerce with
England; and I may here remark, that he shortly afterwards wrote home,
advising that in such brabbling times as these were, some other city
should be fixed on, to which British manufactures might be sent.

We had lately had a somewhat dull time in Master Clough's house. He was
out of spirits at the turn affairs were taking, not knowing what might
next happen, although, England and Spain, having hitherto been on
friendly terms, he was under no apprehension that the English would
suffer personally. We had occasionally official banquets, but they were
very dull compared to those to which we had formerly been accustomed,
while no maskers or mummers were allowed to present themselves. As may
be supposed, the arrival of Sir Thomas Gresham and Aveline Radford
produced a very pleasant change. As Aveline had been advised to take
horse exercise, she rode out, by the desire of Sir Thomas, every day;
and A'Dale and I were her constant attendants, Madam Clough occasionally
accompanying her, while Mistress Margery was always her companion.

One bright morning Madam Clough had been tempted to ride forth; Sir
Thomas and Master Clough, having business of importan