His charity, therefore, was true charity indeed, and his friendship without fear.

But it was going to be put to a test more terrible than any ever endured before.

To comprehend what followed, you must know that there was one horrible superstition of the Middle Ages--the belief that by bathing in human blood the disease of leprosy might be cured.

Murders were often committed under the influence of that superstition.

I believe you will remember that the "Golden Legend" of Longfellow is founded upon a mediaeval story in which a young girl voluntarily offers up her life in order that her blood may cure the leprosy of her king.