"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 tumult that has arisen, and, moreover, the rank of the deceased, without taking into account the religious considerations, put us under obligation to proceed ... in conjunction with you, let it be well understood...." Leon comprehended little by little. The commissioner finished by explaining to him, always in the administrative style, that it was incumbent upon him to have M. Fougas taken to the town cemetery. "But Monsieur," replied the engineer, "if you have heard people speaking of Colonel Fougas, they ought to have told you withal that we do not consider him dead." "Nonsense!" answered the Commissioner, with a slight smile. "Opinions are free. But the doctor whose office it is to attend to the disposition of the dead, and who has had the pleasure of seeing the deceased, has made us a conclusive report which points to immediate interment." "Very well, Monsieur, if Fougas is dead, we are in hopes of resuscitating him." "So we have been told already Monsieur, but, for my part, I hesitated to believe it." "You will believe it when you have seen it; and I hope, Monsieur, that that will be before long." "But then, Monsieur, have you fixed everything in due form?" "With whom?" "I do not know, Monsieur, but I suppose that before undertaking such a thing as this, you have fortified yourself with some legal authorization." "From whom?" "But at all events, Monsieur, you admit that the reanimation of a man is an extraordinary affair. As for myself, this is really the first time that I ever heard it spoken of. Now the duty of a well regulated police, is to prevent anything extraordinary happening in the country."