The repast finished, the Duke ordered his horse.

The animal was restive, and so, strenuously resisted being mounted that, although it was his usual charger; it was exchanged for another.

This second horse started in such a flurry that the Duke lost his cloak, and almost his seat.

He maintained his self-possession, however, and placing himself at the head of his bodyguard and some troopers, numbering in all three hundred mounted men, rode out of the palace-yard towards the Kipdorp gate.
This portal opened on the road towards Borgerhout, where his troops were stationed, and at the present day bears the name of that village: It is on the side of the city farthest removed from and exactly opposite the river.

The town was very quiet, the streets almost deserted; for it was one o'clock, the universal dinner-hour, and all suspicion had been disarmed by the energetic protestations of the Duke.