The clock struck half-past seven. "Come, gentlemen," said Dr. Griffon, and he commenced his visits, followed by a numerous train. On arriving at the first bed of the range of the night, of which the curtains were closed, the sister said to the doctor, "Sir, number one died this morning at half-past four." "So late? that surprises me; yesterday morning I would not have given her the day: has the body been claimed?" "No, doctor." "So much the better--we can proceed with the autopsy; I can make some one happy;" then, addressing one of the students, the doctor added, "My dear Dunnoyer, you have wished for a subject for a long time; you are the first on the list; this one is yours." "Ah! sir, how kind you are!" "I could wish oftener to recompense your zeal, my dear friend; but mark the subject, and take possession." And the doctor passed on. The student, with the aid of a scalpel, cut very delicately on the arm of the actress an F and a D, in order to take possession, as the doctor said. "La Lorraine," whispered Jeanne Duport to her neighbor, "who are all these people that follow the doctor?" "They are pupils and students." "Oh! will all these young men be there when he examines me?" "Alas! yes." "But it is on my chest I am injured. Will they examine me before all these men?" "Yes, yes, it must be so--they wish it. I wept enough the first time--I was dying with shame; I resisted, they threatened to turn me away; I was obliged to summit, but it affected me so much that I was worse. Judge, then, almost naked before so many people--it is very painful." "Before the physician alone--I comprehend that--if it is necessary--and even that costs much. But why before all these young men?" "They are learning; they teach them with us. What would we have? we are here for that; it is on this condition that we are received here." "Ah! I comprehend," said Jeanne Duport, with bitterness; "they do not give us something for nothing. But yet, there are occasions where this could not be. Thus, if my poor daughter Catharine, who is but fifteen, should come to a hospital, would they dare before all these young men? Oh! no, I think I would prefer to see her die at home." "If she came here, she would have to obey the rules, like you, like me." "Hush, La Lorraine; if this poor little lady who is opposite should hear us--she who was rich, who perhaps has never before left her mother--it is going to be her turn--judge how confused and unhappy she will be." "It is true, it is true; I shudder when I think of it, poor child!" "Silence, Jeanne, here is the doctor!" said La Lorraine. CHAPTER XIX. CLAIRE DE FERMONT. After having rapidly visited several patients whose cases presented no great interest, the doctor at length reached the bed of Jeanne Duport.