sirous of trying phosphorus. It is a unique occasion. Promise me,
at least, that I shall have the care of her, and take her where you
like, since you are determined to deprive us of so valuable a clinical
subject."

"If you were not a madman, you would be a monster!" replied the count.

Clemence listened to these words with increasing anguish, but the crowd
was so dense around the bed that the governor was obliged to say, in a
loud voice:

"Make way, if you please, for the Marquise d'Harville, who has come to
see No. 17."

At these words, the pupils made way with equal haste and respectful
admiration when they saw Clemence's lovely face, which was radiant with
so much emotion.

"Madame d'Harville!" exclaimed the Count de Saint-Remy, pushing the
doctor rudely aside, and going hastily towards Clemence. "Ah, it is God
who sends one of his angels here! Madame, I knew you took an interest in
these two unfortunate beings, and, more happy than me, you have found
them, whilst it was chance only that led me hither, to be present at a
scene of unparalleled barbarity. Unhappy child! See, madame; and you,
gentlemen, in the name of your sisters and daughters, have pity, I
entreat, on a girl of sixteen, and leave her alone with madame and these
good sisters; when she recovers her senses, I will have her conveyed
hence."

"Very well, let it be so; I will sign her discharge!" exclaimed the
doctor; "but I will not lose sight of her; she is a subject of mine, and
I will attend her, do what you will. I'll not risk the phosphorus, I
promise that; but I will pass my nights, if needs be, as I passed them
with you, ungrateful Saint-Remy, for this fever is as curious as yours
was; they are two sisters, who have an equal right to my interest."

"Confound the man! Why has he so much science?" said the count, knowing
that he could not confide the young girl to more able hands.

"Eh! It is simple enough," said the doctor, in a whisper. "I have a
great deal of science because I study, because I experimentalise,
because I risk and practise a great deal on my subjects; and so, old
fellow, I shall still have my slow nervous fever,--eh?"

"Yes; but is it safe to move this young girl?"

"Certainly."

"Then, for the love of heaven, disappear with your train!"

"Come, gentlemen," said the prince of science, "we shall be deprived of
a precious study; but I will make my reports on it to you." And Doctor
Griffon, with his suite, continued his