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Fortunately no one heard him. Renzo hastened onwards by the wall,

crossed the bridge, passed the convent of the capuchins, and then

perceived the angle of the lazaretto. In front of the inclosure a

horrible scene presented itself to his view. Arrived in front of

the lazaretto, throngs of sick were pressing into the avenues

which led to the building; some were seated or lying in the

ditch, which bordered the road on either side, their strength not

having sufficed to enable them to reach their asylum, or who,

having quitted it in desperation, were too weak to go further;

others wandered by themselves, stupified, and insensible to their

condition; one was quite animated, relating his imaginations to a

miserable companion, who was stretched on the ground, oppressed

by suffering; another was furious from despair; a third, more

horrible still!