As he went along, he could hear the people shouting his name, and saw numberless men and women and children in blue come swarming up the staircases in the central path, gesticulating and shouting.

He could not hear what they shouted.

He was struck again by the evident existence of a vulgar dialect among the poor of the city.

When at last he descended, his guards were immediately surrounded by a dense excited crowd.

Afterwards it occurred to him that some had attempted to reach him with petitions.