aspired to usurp the prerogatives of Heaven. But the rector of the
parish did not hesitate to say, in five or six houses, that the cure of
a man as desperately sick as M. Fougas, would be an evidence of the
power and mercy of God.

The garrison of Fontainebleau was at that time composed of four
squadrons of cuirassiers and the 23d regiment of the line, which had
distinguished itself at Magenta. As soon as it was known in Colonel
Fougas' old regiment that that illustrious officer was possibly going to
return to the world, there was a general sensation. A regiment knows its
history, and the history of the 23d had been that of Fougas from
February, 1811, to November, 1813. All the soldiers had heard read, at
their messes, the following anecdote:

"On the 27th of August, 1813, at the battle of Dresden, the Emperor
noticed a French regiment at the foot of a Russian redoubt which was
pouring grape upon it. He asked what regiment it was, and was told that
it was the 23d of the line. 'That's impossible!' said he. 'The 23d of
the line never stood under fire without rushing upon the artillery
thundering at it.' At that moment the 23d, led by Colonel Fougas, rushed
up the height at double quick, pinned the artillerists to their guns,
and took the redoubt."

The officers and soldiers, justly proud of this memorable action,
venerated, under the name of Fougas, one of the fathers of the regiment.
The idea of seeing him appear in the midst of them, young and living,
did not appear likely, but it was already something to be in possession
of his body. Officers and soldiers decided that he should be interred at
their expense, after the experiments of Doctor Martout were completed.
And to give him a tomb worthy of his glory, they voted an assessment of
two days' pay.

Every one who wore an epaulette visited M. Renault's laboratory; the
Colonel of cuirassiers went there several times--in hopes of meeting
Clementine. But Leon's betrothed kept herself out of the way.

She was happier than any woman had ever been, this pretty little
Clementine. No cloud longer disturbed the serenity of her fair brow.
Free from all anxieties, with a heart opened to Hope, she adored her
dear Leon, and passed her days in telling him so. She herself had
pressed the publication of the bans.

"We will be married," said she, "the day after the resuscitation of the
Colonel. I intend that he shall give me away, I want him to bless me.
That is certainly the leas