Special leper-houses were built near every town, where such unfortunates might obtain accommodation.

They were allowed to beg, but it was considered dangerous to go very near them, so that in most cases alms or food would be thrown to them only, instead of being put into their hands.
Now when the victim of leprosy in this romance is first afflicted by the disease, he happens to be far away from his good friend.

And none of his own family is willing to help him; he is regarded with superstitious as well as with physical horror.

There is nothing left for him to do but to yield up his knighthood and his welfare and his family, to put on the leper's robe, and to go begging along the roads, carrying a leper's bell.
And this he does.

For long, long months he goes begging from town to town, till at last, by mere chance, he finds his way to the gate of the great castle where his good friend is living--now a great prince, and married to the daughter of the king.