In vulgar souls disillusion leaves only a frightful egoism.
This victory of Francis had been so sudden that he desired to complete it; a few days later he went to the lazaretto.[16] One can imagine the stupefaction of these wretches at the entrance of the brilliant cavalier.

If in our days a visit to the sick in our hospitals is a real event awaited with feverish impatience, what must not have been the appearance of Francis among these poor recluses?
One must have seen sufferers thus abandoned, to understand what joy may be given by an affectionate word, sometimes even a simple glance.
Moved and transported, Francis felt his whole being vibrate with unfamiliar sensations.

For the first time he heard the unspeakable accents of a gratitude which cannot find words burning enough to express itself, which admires and adores the benefactor almost like an angel from heaven.
FOOTNOTES: [1] 1 Cel., 3; cf.Bon., 8, and A.SS., p.

563c.
[2] It is enough to have lived in the country of Naples to know that there is nothing exaggerated in this picture.

I am much surprised that intelligent and good men fancy that to change the religious formula of these people would suffice to transform them.