t he can do for me, after all I have done for
him. It is certain that, but for my opposition, you would have sent him
to the museum of the _Jardin des Plantes_. I will tell him all this,
Sir, as soon as he can understand us, and he will cut _your_ ears off,
in _his_ turn! I love you!"

"But," answered Leon, "why do you make my happiness dependent on the
success of an experiment? All the usual formalities are executed, the
publications made, the notices given: no one in the world can prevent
our marrying to-morrow, and you are pleased to wait until the 19th! What
connection is there between us and this desiccated gentleman asleep in
his box? He doesn't belong to your family or mine. I have examined all
your family records back to the sixth generation, and I haven't found
anybody of the name of Fougas in them. So we are not waiting for a
grandfather to be present at the ceremony. Who is he, then? The wicked
tongues of Fontainebleau pretend that you have a _penchant_ for this
fetich of 1813; as for me, who am sure of your heart, I trust that you
will never love any one as well as me. However they call me the rival of
the Sleeping Colonel in the Wood."

"Let the fools prate!" responded Clementine, with an angelic smile. "I
do not trouble myself to explain my affection for poor Fougas, but I
love him very much, that's certain. I love him as a father, as a
brother, if you prefer it, for he is almost as young as I. When we have
resuscitated him, I will love him, perhaps, as a son; but you will lose
nothing by it, dear Leon. You have in my heart a place by itself, the
best too, and no one shall take it from you, not even _he_."

This lovers' quarrel, which often began, and always ended with a kiss,
was one day interrupted by a visit from the commissioner of police.

This honorable functionary politely declined to give his name and
business, and requested the favor of a private interview with young
Renault.

"Monsieur," said he, when he saw him alone, "I appreciate all the
consideration due to a man of your character and position, and I hope
you will see fit not to interpret unpleasantly a proceeding which is
prompted in me by a sense of duty."

Leon opened his eyes and waited for the continuation of the discourse.

"You are aware, Monsieur," pursued the Commissioner, "of what is
required by the law concerning interments. It is express, and admits no
exception. The authorities can keep their eyes shut, but the great
tumu