a thing
transpires. Madame, being a mother, ought to be less astonished at it
than any one else; she has experienced, at the fourth month of
pregnancy, the effect of those irregular movements which will, possibly,
soon be presented to us on a larger scale. I am quite hopeful, however,
that the first spontaneous contractions will take place in the fibres of
the heart. Such is the case in the embryo, where the rhythmic movements
of the heart, precede the nervous functions."

He again began making systematic compressions of the lower part of the
chest, rubbing the skin with his hands, half opening the eyelids,
examining the pulse, and auscultating the region of the heart.

The attention of the spectators was diverted an instant by a hubbub
outside. A battalion of the 23d was passing, with music at the head,
through the Rue de la Faisanderie. While the Sax-horns were shaking the
windows, a sudden flash mantled on the cheeks of the Colonel. His eyes,
which had stood half open, lit up with a brighter sparkle. At the same
instant, Doctor Nibor, who had his ear applied to the chest, cried:

"I hear the beatings of the heart!"

Scarcely had he spoken, when the chest rose with a violent inspiration,
the limbs contracted, the body straightened up, and out came a cry:
"_Vive l'Empereur_."

But as if so great an effort had overtasked his strength, Colonel Fougas
fell back on the sofa, murmuring in a subdued voice:

"Where am I? Waiter! Bring me a newspaper!"

CHAPTER XI.

WHEREIN COLONEL FOUGAS LEARNS SOME NEWS WHICH WILL APPEAR OLD TO MY
READERS.

Among all the persons present at this scene, there was not a single one
who had ever seen a resuscitation. I leave you to imagine the surprise
and joy which reigned in the laboratory. A triple round of applause,
mingled with cheers, hailed the triumph of Doctor Nibor. The crowd,
packed in the parlor, the passages, the court-yard, and even in the
street, understood at this signal, that the miracle was accomplished.
Nothing could hold them back, they forced the doors, cleared all
obstacles, upset all the philosophers who tried to stop them, and
finished by pouring into the chamber of Science.

"Gentlemen!" cried M. Nibor, "Do you want to kill him?"

But they let him talk. The wildest of all passions, curiosity, had long
held dominion over the crowd: every one wanted to see, though at the
risk of crushing the others. M. Nibor tumbled down, M. Renault and his
son, in at