In its centre stood a basin of water flowing from a stone fountain of quaint and charming design.
"Look at all those people sleeping," said Emma, as we passed five or six forms that, very small and quiet, lay each under a blanket beneath one of the arches.

"Why, there are a lot more just lying down over there.
What funny folk to go to bed in public in the afternoon," and she pointed to a number of men, women and children who seemed to be getting up, throwing themselves down and turning round and round upon mattresses and beds of leaves in the shadow of the arcade which we approached.
Presently we were within three paces of this arcade, and as we rode up an aged hag drew a blanket from one of the prostrate forms, revealing a young woman, over whom she proceeded to pour water that she had drawn from a fountain.

One glance was enough for me.

The poor creature's face was shapeless with confluent smallpox, and her body a sight which I will not describe.

I, who was a doctor, could not be mistaken, although, as it chanced, I had never seen a case of smallpox before.