But now, overspread as it was by groups of people gaunt
with famine and hideous with disease; startled as it was, at gloomy
intervals, by contending cries of supplication, defiance, and despair--
its brightest beauties of Nature and Art appeared but to shine with an
aspect of bitter mockery around the human misery which their splendour
disclosed.
Upwards of a hundred people--mostly of the lowest orders--were
congregated before the senator's devoted dwelling. Some few among them
passed slowly to and fro in the street, their figures gliding shadowy
and solemn through the light around them; but the greater number lay on
the pavement before the wall of Numerian's dwelling and the doorways of
the lofty houses by its side. Illuminated by the full glare of the
light from the palace windows, these groups, huddled together in the
distorted attitudes of suffering and despair, assumed a fearful and
unearthly appearance. Their shrivelled faces, their tattered clothing,
their wan forms, here prostrate, there half-raised, were bathed in a
steady red glow.
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