"Why, that if you've had it once you'll never have it a second time."

"Yes, but if I should be ill of it now?" and he glanced at Alice, who
blushed.

"Why, in that case," replied O'Connor, "it's in bed you ought to be; no
man with an epidemic on him should be permitted to go abroad among his
majesty's liege subjects."

"Yes, Ferdora," said Alice, "but I don't think Mr. Woodward's complaint
is catching."

"God forbid that the gentleman should die of it, though," replied
Ferdora, "for that would be a serious loss to the ladies."

"You exaggerate that calamity, sir," replied Woodward, with the
slightest imaginable sneer, "and forget that if I die you survive me."

"Well, certainly, there is consolation in that," said O'Connor,
"especially for the ladies, as I said; isn't there, Alley?"

"Certainly," replied Alice; "in making love, Ferdora, you have the
prowess of ten men."

"Do you speak from experience, now, Miss Goodwin?" asked Woodward,
rather dryly.

"O! no," replied Alice, "I have only his own word for it."