"Perhaps not. Still, as a matter of prudence, I would avoid it. Let the opium have a full chance, and all will be right again." An opium pill was swallowed, and Mr. Hobart went back to his place of business. It had the intended effect. That is, it cured one disease by producing another--suspended action took the place of over-action. He was, therefore, far from being in a state of health, or free from danger in a cholera atmosphere. There was one part of the doctor's order that Mr. Hobart did not comply with. The free use of brandy for a few days rekindled the old appetite, and made his desire for liquor so intense, that he had not, or, if he possessed it, did not exercise the power of resistance. Sad beyond expression was the heart of Mrs. Hobart, when evening came, and her husband returned home so much under the influence of drink as to show it plainly. She said nothing to him, then, for that she knew would be of no avail. But next morning, as he was rising, she said to him earnestly and almost tearfully. "Edward, let me beg of you to reflect before you go further in the way you have entered. You may not be aware of it, but last night you showed so plainly that you had been drinking that I was distressed beyond measure. You know as well as I do, where this will end, if continued. Stop, then, at once, while you have the power to stop. As to preventing disease, it is plain that the use of brandy has not done so in your case; but, rather, acted as a predisposing cause. You were perfectly well before you touched it; you have not been well since. Look at this fact, and, as a wise man, regard its indications." Truth was so strong in the words of his wife, that Mr. Hobart did not attempt to gainsay them. "I believe you are right," he replied with a good deal of depression apparent in his manner. "I wish the doctor had kept his brandy advice to himself. It has done me no good." "It has done you harm," said his wife. "Perhaps it has. Ah, me! I wish the cholera would subside." "I think your fear is too great," returned Mrs. Hobart. "Go on in your usual way; keep your mind calm; be as careful in regard to diet, and you need fear no danger." "I wish I'd let the brandy alone!" sighed Mr. Hobart, who felt as he spoke, the desire for another draught. "So do I. Doctor L--must have been mad when he advised it." "So I now think. I heard yesterday of two or three members of our Order who have been sick, and every one of them used a little brandy as a preventive." "It is bad--bad. Common sense teaches this. No great change of habit is good in a tainted atmosphere. But you see this now, happily, and all will yet be well I trust." "Yes; I hope so. I shall touch no more of this brandy preventive. To that my mind is fully made up."