The passage was open for the fleet, and the fleet, lay below with sails spread, and oars in the rowlocks, only waiting for the signal to bear up at once to the scene of action, to smite out of existence all that remained of the splendid structure, and to carry relief and triumph into Antwerp.
Not a soul slept in the city.

The explosion had shook its walls, and thousands of people thronged the streets, their hearts beating high with expectation.

It was a moment of exquisite triumph.

The 'Hope,' word of happy augury, had not been relied upon in vain, and Parma's seven months of patient labour had been annihilated in a moment.

Sainte Aldegonde and Gianibelli stood in the 'Boors' Sconce' on the edge of the river.