And at one moment the enthusiasm became so intense that several women stripped themselves of their adornments, flung their own purses on to the platform, and emptied their pockets even to the very coppers they had about them.

One lady, tall and slender, very beautiful and very dark, wrenched her watch from about her neck, pulled off her rings, and threw everything upon the carpet.

Had it been possible, they would have torn away their flesh to pluck out their love-burnt hearts and fling them likewise to the demi-god.

They would even have flung themselves, have given themselves without reserve.

It was a rain of presents, an explosion of the passion which impels one to strip oneself for the object of one's cult, happy at having nothing of one's own that shall not belong to him.
And meantime the clamour grew, vivats and shrill cries of adoration arose amidst pushing and jostling of increased violence, one and all yielding to the irresistible desire to kiss the idol! But a signal was given, and Leo XIII made haste to quit the throne and take his place in the _cortege_ in order to return to his apartments.