Sickened at the sight, I turned away and said no more.
On reaching one of the more important thoroughfares I perceived several knots of people collected, who glanced at one another with eager yet shamed faces, and spoke in low voices.

A whisper reached my ears, "The king! the king!" All heads were turned in one direction; I paused and looked also.

Walking at a leisurely pace, accompanied by a few gentlemen of earnest mien and grave deportment, I saw the fearless monarch, Humbert of Italy--he whom his subjects delight to honor.

He was making a round of visits to all the vilest holes and corners of the city, where the plague raged most terribly--he had not so much as a cigarette in his mouth to ward off infection.

He walked with the easy and assured step of a hero; his face was somewhat sad, as though the sufferings of his people had pressed heavily upon his sympathetic heart.