"She was my mother, your Eletto's mother. To the cathedral, forward!"
"It is closed, and will remain so to-day, for the bishop. . . ."
"Then burst the doors! We'll show them who has the power here."
"Are you out of your senses? The Holy Church!"
"Forward, I say! Let him who is no cowardly wight, follow me!"
Ulrich drew the commander's baton from his belt and rushed forward, as if he were leading a storming-party; but Ortis cried: "We will not fight against St. Martin!" and a murmur of applause greeted him.
Ulrich checked his pace, and gnashing his teeth, exclaimed: "Will not?
Will not?" Then gazing around the circle of comrades, who surrounded him
on all sides, he asked: "Has no one courage to help me to my rights?
Ortis, de Vego, Diego, will you follow me, yes or no?"
"No, not against the Church!"
"Then I command you," shouted the Eletto, furiously. "Obey, Lieutenant de
Vega, forward with your company, and burst the cathedral doors."
But no one obeyed, and Ortis ordered: "Back, every man of you! Saint Martin is my patron saint; let all who value their souls refuse to attack the church and defend it with me."