—"It has happened," rejoined Mathieu, "that Josèphe died this morning of the contagion! ... that"—
—"What's that you say?"
—"'Tis just so, Dorot; and as Geneviève and I were anxious to save the other one, I have brought her to you."
—"And Heaven reward you for the thought!" said the sergeant; "the child is dearly welcome."
He had offered his hand to Mathieu; but the latter did not take it.
—"Think well what it is I am asking you," said he; "perhaps the child may be bringing here disease and desolation upon you!"
"I hope there will be nothing of the kind," returned Dorot; "but God's will be done!"
—"Bear in mind also," continued the quarter-master, insisting, "that if the thing gets wind, you run a risk of punishment for having violated the quarantine."
—"Then the will of man be done!" was the sergeant's simple observation.