iewed all women from the same
stand-point--respected them for their virtues, and often spoke of the
goodness of heart of the sex, but never dreamed of taking to himself a
wife. The unequalled beauty of Clotelle had dazzled his eyes, and every
look that she gave was a dagger that went to his heart. He felt a
shortness of breath, his heart palpitated, his head grew dizzy, and his
limbs trembled; but he knew not its cause. This was the first stage of
"love at first sight."

He who bows to the shrine of beauty when beckoned by this mysterious
agent seldom regrets it. Devenant reproached himself for not having
made inquiries concerning the girl before he left the market in the
morning. His stay in the city was to be short, and the yellow fever was
raging, which caused him to feel like making a still earlier departure.
The disease appeared in a form unusually severe and repulsive. It
seized its victims from amongst the most healthy of the citizens. The
disorder began in the brain by oppressive pain accompanied or followed
by fever. Fiery veins streaked the eye, the face was inflamed and dyed
of a dark dull red color; the ears from time to time rang painfully.
Now mucous secretions surcharged the tongue and took away the power of
speech; now the sick one spoke, but in speaking had foresight of death.
When the violence of the disease approached the heart, the gums were
blackened. The sleep broken, troubled by convulsions, or by frightful
visions, was worse than the waking hours; and when the reason sank
under a delirium which had its seat in the brain, repose utterly
forsook the patient's couch. The progress of the fever within was
marked by yellowish spots, which spread over the surface of the body.
If then, a happy crisis came not, all hope was gone. Soon the breath
infected the air with a fetid odor, the lips were glazed, despair
painted itself in the eyes, and sobs, with long intervals of silence,
formed the only language. From each side of the mouth, spread foam
tinged with black and burnt blood. Blue streaks mingled with the yellow
all over the frame. All remedies were useless. This was the yellow
fever. The disorder spread alarm and confusion throughout the city. On
an average more than four hundred died daily. In the midst of disorder
and confusion, death heaped victims on victims. Friend followed friend
in quick succession. The sick were avoided from the fear of contagion,
and for the same reason the dead were left unb