The officer remained for some time motionless with astonishment at the frightful aspect of the unfortunate man so completely disfigured by leprosy.
“I willingly remain,” said he, “if you will accept the visit of a man led here by chance, but detained by a lively interest.”
“Interest!—I have never excited anything but pity.”
“I should be happy to offer you any consolation.”
“It is a great one to behold a human face and hear the sound of a human voice, for every one flies from me.”
“Allow me, then, to converse with you awhile and to visit your house.”
“Very willingly, if it can afford you any pleasure.” Saying which, the leper put on a large felt hat, the flattened brim of which covered his face. “Go to the south,” added he. “The few flowers I cultivate may please you. There are some rather rare. I have procured the seeds of every kind that grow among the Alps, and try to make them grow double and more beautiful by cultivation.”
“You have flowers which are indeed entirely new to me.”
“Look at this little rose-bush. It is a rose without thorns, which only grows on the higher Alps, but it is already losing its peculiarity, and putting forth thorns in proportion to its cultivation and growth.”
“It should be considered the emblem of ingratitude.”