Perhaps, too, I am apt to take things too much _au grand serieux;_ but I could not help thinking, while you were speaking, how sad it was that people were utterly ignorant of matters so vitally necessary to health." "And I, perhaps, ought not to jest over the subject: but, indeed, with cholera staring us in the face here, I must indulge in some emotion; and as it is unprofessional to weep, I must laugh as long as I dare." The Major dropped his coffee-cup upon the floor, and looked at Thurnall with so horrified a gaze, that Tom could hardly believe him to be the same man.

Then recollecting himself, he darted down upon the remains of his cup: and looking up again--"A thousand pardons; but--did I hear you aright?
cholera staring us in the face ?" "How can it be otherwise?
It is drawing steadily on from the eastward week by week; and, in the present state of the town, nothing but some miraculous caprice of Dame Fortune's can deliver us." "Don't talk of Fortune, sir! at such a moment.

Talk of God!" said the Major, rising from his chair, and pacing the room.

"It is too horrible! Intolerable! When do you expect it here ?" "Within the month, perhaps,--hardly before.

I should have warned you of the danger, I assure you, had I not understood from you that you were only going to stay a fortnight." The Major made an impatient gesture.
"Do you fancy that I am afraid for myself?
No; but the thought of its coming to--to the poor people in the town, you know.