I was searching for a lancet in good condition, when a clap of thunder, such as I had never heard in my life, terrified us all so much, that we nearly fell down.

This burst of thunder had not been preceded by any lightning, but was accompanied by two immense forked columns of fire, which seemed to stretch from the sky to our very feet.

We all cried out, even my poor wife; but the silence of terror succeeded, and seemed to be the silence of death.

I flew to the bedside, and found my dear patient in a state of total insensibility.

I was convinced that she was dead, and I was dumb with despair.