HenceRaphael，MichaelAngelo，JeanGoujon，Palestrina，thosesplendorsofthedazzlingsixteenthcentury。

Thoughtemancipatesitselfinalldirectionsatthesametimeasthearts。Thearch-hereticsoftheMiddleAgeshadalreadymadelargeincisionsintoCatholicism。Thesixteenthcenturybreaksreligiousunity。Beforetheinventionofprinting，reformwouldhavebeenmerelyaschism；printingconverteditintoarevolution。Takeawaythepress；heresyisenervated。

WhetheritbeProvidenceorFate，GutenburgistheprecursorofLuther。

Nevertheless，whenthesunoftheMiddleAgesiscompletelyset，whentheGothicgeniusisforeverextinctuponthehorizon，architecturegrowsdim，losesitscolor，becomesmoreandmoreeffaced。Theprintedbook，thegnawingwormoftheedifice，sucksanddevoursit。Itbecomesbare，denudedofitsfoliage，andgrowsvisiblyemaciated。Itispetty，itispoor，itisnothing。Itnolongerexpressesanything，noteventhememoryoftheartofanothertime。Reducedtoitself，abandonedbytheotherarts，becausehumanthoughtisabandoningit，itsummonsbunglersinplaceofartists。Glassreplacesthepaintedwindows。Thestone-cuttersucceedsthesculptor。

Farewellallsap，alloriginality，alllife，allintelligence。

Itdragsalong，alamentableworkshopmendicant，fromcopytocopy。MichaelAngelo，who，nodoubt，felteveninthesixteenthcenturythatitwasdying，hadalastidea，anideaofdespair。ThatTitanofartpiledthePantheonontheParthenon，andmadeSaint-Peter’satRome。Agreatwork，whichdeservedtoremainunique，thelastoriginalityofarchitecture，thesignatureofagiantartistatthebottomofthecolossalregisterofstonewhichwasclosedforever。WithMichaelAngelodead，whatdoesthismiserablearchitecture，whichsurviveditselfinthestateofaspectre，do？IttakesSaint-PeterinRome，copiesitandparodiesit。Itisamania。

Itisapity。EachcenturyhasitsSaint-Peter’sofRome；intheseventeenthcentury，theVal-de-Grace；intheeighteenth，Sainte-Geneviève。EachcountryhasitsSaint-Peter’sofRome。Londonhasone；Petersburghasanother；Parishastwoorthree。Theinsignificanttestament，thelastdotageofadecrepitgrandartfallingbackintoinfancybeforeitdies。

If，inplaceofthecharacteristicmonumentswhichwehavejustdescribed，weexaminethegeneralaspectofartfromthesixteenthtotheeighteenthcentury，wenoticethesamephenomenaofdecayandphthisis。BeginningwithFran？oisII。，thearchitecturalformoftheedificeeffacesitselfmoreandmore，andallowsthegeometricalform，likethebonystructureofanemaciatedinvalid，tobecomeprominent。Thefinelinesofartgivewaytothecoldandinexorablelinesofgeometry。Anedificeisnolongeranedifice；itisapolyhedron。Meanwhile，architectureistormentedinherstrugglestoconcealthisnudity。LookattheGreekpedimentinscribedupontheRomanpediment，andviceversa。ItisstillthePantheonontheParthenon:Saint-Peter’sofRome。HerearethebrickhousesofHenriIV。，withtheirstonecorners；

thePlaceRoyale，thePlaceDauphine。HerearethechurchesofLouisXIII。，heavy，squat，thickset，crowdedtogether，loadedwithadomelikeahump。HereistheMazarinarchitecture，thewretchedItalianpasticciooftheFourNations。

HerearethepalacesofLouisXIV。，longbarracksforcourtiers，stiff，cold，tiresome。Here，finally，isLouisXV。，withchiccoryleavesandvermicelli，andallthewarts，andallthefungi，whichdisfigurethatdecrepit，toothless，andcoquettisholdarchitecture。FromFran？oisII。toLouisXV。，theevilhasincreasedingeometricalprogression。Arthasnolongeranythingbutskinuponitsbones。Itismiserablyperishing。

Meanwhilewhatbecomesofprinting？Allthelifewhichisleavingarchitecturecomestoit。Inproportionasarchitectureebbs，printingswellsandgrows。Thatcapitalofforceswhichhumanthoughthadbeenexpendinginedifices，ithenceforthexpendsinbooks。Thus，fromthesixteenthcenturyonward，thepress，raisedtothelevelofdecayingarchitecture，contendswithitandkillsit。Intheseventeenthcenturyitisalreadysufficientlythesovereign，sufficientlytriumphant，sufficientlyestablishedinitsvictory，togivetotheworldthefeastofagreatliterarycentury。Intheeighteenth，havingreposedforalongtimeattheCourtofLouisXIV。，itseizesagaintheoldswordofLuther，putsitintothehandofVoltaire，andrushesimpetuouslytotheattackofthatancientEurope，whosearchitecturalexpressionithasalreadykilled。Atthemomentwhentheeighteenthcenturycomestoanend，ithasdestroyedeverything。

Inthenineteenth，itbeginstoreconstruct。

Now，weask，whichofthethreeartshasreallyrepresentedhumanthoughtforthelastthreecenturies？whichtranslatesit？whichexpressesnotonlyitsliteraryandscholasticvagaries，butitsvast，profound，universalmovement？whichconstantlysuperposesitself，withoutabreak，withoutagap，uponthehumanrace，whichwalksamonsterwithathousandlegs？——Architectureorprinting？

Itisprinting。Letthereadermakenomistake；architectureisdead；irretrievablyslainbytheprintedbook，——slainbecauseitenduresforashortertime，——slainbecauseitcostsmore。Everycathedralrepresentsmillions。Letthereadernowimaginewhataninvestmentoffundsitwouldrequiretorewritethearchitecturalbook；tocausethousandsofedificestoswarmoncemoreuponthesoil；toreturntothoseepochswhenthethrongofmonumentswassuch，accordingtothestatementofaneyewitness，"thatonewouldhavesaidthattheworldinshakingitself，hadcastoffitsoldgarmentsinordertocoveritselfwithawhitevestureofchurches。"~Eratenimutsimundus，ipseexcutiendosemet，rejectavetustate，candidaecclesiarumvestemindueret~。(GLABERRADOLPHUS。)

Abookissosoonmade，costssolittle，andcangosofar！

Howcanitsurpriseusthatallhumanthoughtflowsinthischannel？Thisdoesnotmeanthatarchitecturewillnotstillhaveafinemonument，anisolatedmasterpiece，hereandthere。Wemaystillhavefromtimetotime，underthereignofprinting，acolumnmadeIsuppose，byawholearmyfrommeltedcannon，aswehadunderthereignofarchitecture，IliadsandRomanceros，Mahabahrata，andNibelungenLieds，madebyawholepeople，withrhapsodiespiledupandmeltedtogether。Thegreataccidentofanarchitectofgeniusmayhappeninthetwentiethcentury，likethatofDanteinthethirteenth。Butarchitecturewillnolongerbethesocialart，thecollectiveart，thedominatingart。Thegrandpoem，thegrandedifice，thegrandworkofhumanitywillnolongerbebuilt:itwillbeprinted。

Andhenceforth，ifarchitectureshouldariseagainaccidentally，itwillnolongerbemistress。Itwillbesubservienttothelawofliterature，whichformerlyreceivedthelawfromit。Therespectivepositionsofthetwoartswillbeinverted。Itiscertainthatinarchitecturalepochs，thepoems，rareitistrue，resemblethemonuments。InIndia，Vyasaisbranching，strange，impenetrableasapagoda。InEgyptianOrient，poetryhasliketheedifices，grandeurandtranquillityofline；inantiqueGreece，beauty，serenity，calm；inChristianEurope，theCatholicmajesty，thepopularnaivete，therichandluxuriantvegetationofanepochofrenewal。

TheBibleresemblesthePyramids；theIliad，theParthenon；

Homer，Phidias。DanteinthethirteenthcenturyisthelastRomanesquechurch；Shakespeareinthesixteenth，thelastGothiccathedral。

Thus，tosumupwhatwehavehithertosaid，inafashionwhichisnecessarilyincompleteandmutilated，thehumanracehastwobooks，tworegisters，twotestaments:masonryandprinting；theBibleofstoneandtheBibleofpaper。Nodoubt，whenonecontemplatesthesetwoBibles，laidsobroadlyopeninthecenturies，itispermissibletoregretthevisiblemajestyofthewritingofgranite，thosegiganticalphabetsformulatedincolonnades，inpylons，inobelisks，thosesortsofhumanmountainswhichcovertheworldandthepast，fromthepyramidtothebelltower，fromCheopstoStrasburg。

Thepastmustberereaduponthesepagesofmarble。Thisbook，writtenbyarchitecture，mustbeadmiredandperusedincessantly；butthegrandeuroftheedificewhichprintingerectsinitsturnmustnotbedenied。

Thatedificeiscolossal。Somecompilerofstatisticshascalculated，thatifallthevolumeswhichhaveissuedfromthepresssinceGutenberg’sdayweretobepiledoneuponanother，theywouldfillthespacebetweentheearthandthemoon；

butitisnotthatsortofgrandeurofwhichwewishedtospeak。Nevertheless，whenonetriestocollectinone’smindacomprehensiveimageofthetotalproductsofprintingdowntoourowndays，doesnotthattotalappeartouslikeanimmenseconstruction，restingupontheentireworld，atwhichhumanitytoilswithoutrelaxation，andwhosemonstrouscrestislostintheprofoundmistsofthefuture？Itistheanthillofintelligence。Itisthehivewhithercomeallimaginations，thosegoldenbees，withtheirhoney。

Theedificehasathousandstories。Hereandthereonebeholdsonitsstaircasesthegloomycavernsofsciencewhichpierceitsinterior。Everywhereuponitssurface，artcausesitsarabesques，rosettes，andlacestothriveluxuriantlybeforetheeyes。There，everyindividualwork，howevercapriciousandisolateditmayseem，hasitsplaceanditsprojection。

Harmonyresultsfromthewhole。FromthecathedralofShakespearetothemosqueofByron，athousandtinybelltowersarepiledpell-mellabovethismetropolisofuniversalthought。Atitsbasearewrittensomeancienttitlesofhumanitywhicharchitecturehadnotregistered。Totheleftoftheentrancehasbeenfixedtheancientbas-relief，inwhitemarble，ofHomer；totheright，thepolyglotBiblerearsitssevenheads。ThehydraoftheRomanceroandsomeotherhybridforms，theVedasandtheNibelungenbristlefurtheron。

Nevertheless，theprodigiousedificestillremainsincomplete。

Thepress，thatgiantmachine，whichincessantlypumpsalltheintellectualsapofsociety，belchesforthwithoutpausefreshmaterialsforitswork。Thewholehumanraceisonthescaffoldings。Eachmindisamason。Thehumblestfillshishole，orplaceshisstone。RetifdèleBretonnebringshishodofplaster。Everydayanewcourserises。Independentlyoftheoriginalandindividualcontributionofeachwriter，therearecollectivecontingents。Theeighteenthcenturygivesthe_Encyclopedia_，therevolutiongivesthe_Moniteur_。Assuredly，itisaconstructionwhichincreasesandpilesupinendlessspirals；therealsoareconfusionoftongues，incessantactivity，indefatigablelabor，eagercompetitionofallhumanity，refugepromisedtointelligence，anewFloodagainstanoverflowofbarbarians。ItisthesecondtowerofBabelofthehumanrace。

BOOKSIXTH。

CHAPTERI。

ANIMPARTIALGLANCEATTHEANCIENTMAGISTRACY。

Averyhappypersonageintheyearofgrace1482，wasthenoblegentlemanRobertd’Estouteville，chevalier，SieurdeBeyne，Barond’IvryandSaintAndryenlaMarche，counsellorandchamberlaintotheking，andguardoftheprovostshipofParis。Itwasalreadynearlyseventeenyearssincehehadreceivedfromtheking，onNovember7，1465，thecometyear，*thatfinechargeoftheprovostshipofParis，whichwasreputedratheraseigneurythananoffice。~Dignitas~，saysJoannesLoemnoeus，~quoecumnonexiguapotestatepolitiamconcernente，atqueproerogativismultisetjuribusconjunctaest~。Amarvellousthingin’82wasagentlemanbearingtheking’scommission，andwhoselettersofinstitutionranbacktotheepochofthemarriageofthenaturaldaughterofLouisXI。withMonsieurtheBastardofBourbon。

*ThiscometagainstwhichPopeCalixtus，uncleofBorgia，orderedpublicprayers，isthesamewhichreappearedin1835。

ThesamedayonwhichRobertd’EstoutevilletooktheplaceofJacquesdeVilliersintheprovostshipofParis，MasterJehanDauvetreplacedMessireHelyedeThorrettesinthefirstpresidencyoftheCourtofParliament，JehanJouveneldesUrsinssupplantedPierredeMorvilliersintheofficeofchancellorofFrance，RegnaultdesDormansoustedPierrePuyfromthechargeofmasterofrequestsinordinaryoftheking’shousehold。Now，uponhowmanyheadshadthepresidency，thechancellorship，themastershippassedsinceRobertd’EstoutevillehadheldtheprovostshipofParis。Ithadbeen"grantedtohimforsafekeeping，"astheletterspatentsaid；

andcertainlyhekeptitwell。Hehadclungtoit，hehadincorporatedhimselfwithit，hehadsoidentifiedhimselfwithitthathehadescapedthatfuryforchangewhichpossessedLouisXI。，atormentingandindustriousking，whosepolicyitwastomaintaintheelasticityofhispowerbyfrequentappointmentsandrevocations。Morethanthis；thebravechevalierhadobtainedthereversionoftheofficeforhisson，andfortwoyearsalready，thenameofthenoblemanJacquesd’Estouteville，equerry，hadfiguredbesidehisattheheadoftheregisterofthesalarylistoftheprovostshipofParis。Arareandnotablefavorindeed！ItistruethatRobertd’Estoutevillewasagoodsoldier，thathehadloyallyraisedhispennonagainst"theleagueofpublicgood，"andthathehadpresentedtothequeenaverymarvellousstaginconfectioneryonthedayofherentrancetoParisin14……

Moreover，hepossessedthegoodfriendshipofMessireTristanl’Hermite，provostofthemarshalsoftheking’shousehold。

HenceaverysweetandpleasantexistencewasthatofMessireRobert。Inthefirstplace，verygoodwages，towhichwereattached，andfromwhichhung，likeextrabunchesofgrapesonhisvine，therevenuesofthecivilandcriminalregistriesoftheprovostship，plusthecivilandcriminalrevenuesofthetribunalsofEmbasoftheChatelet，withoutreckoningsomelittletollfromthebridgesofMantesandofCorbeil，andtheprofitsonthecraftofShagreen-makersofParis，onthecordersoffirewoodandthemeasurersofsalt。

Addtothisthepleasureofdisplayinghimselfinridesaboutthecity，andofmakinghisfinemilitarycostume，whichyoumaystilladmiresculpturedonhistombintheabbeyofValmontinNormandy，andhismorion，allembossedatMontlhéry，standoutacontrastagainsttheparti-coloredredandtawnyrobesofthealdermenandpolice。Andthen，wasitnothingtowieldabsolutesupremacyoverthesergeantsofthepolice，theporterandwatchoftheChatelet，thetwoauditorsoftheChatelet，~auditorescastelleti~，thesixteencommissionersofthesixteenquarters，thejaileroftheChatelet，thefourenfeoffedsergeants，thehundredandtwentymountedsergeants，withmaces，thechevalierofthewatchwithhiswatch，hissub-watch，hiscounter-watchandhisrear-watch？

Wasitnothingtoexercisehighandlowjustice，therighttointerrogate，tohangandtodraw，withoutreckoningpettyjurisdictioninthefirstresort(~inprimainstantia~，asthecharterssay)，onthatviscomtyofParis，sonoblyappanagedwithsevennoblebailiwicks？Cananythingsweeterbeimaginedthanrenderingjudgmentsanddecisions，asMessireRobertd’EstoutevilledailydidintheGrandChatelet，underthelargeandflattenedarchesofPhilipAugustus？andgoing，ashewaswonttodoeveryevening，tothatcharminghousesituatedintheRueGalilee，intheenclosureoftheroyalpalace，whichheheldinrightofhiswife，MadameAmbroisedeLore，toreposeafterthefatigueofhavingsentsomepoorwretchtopassthenightin"thatlittlecelloftheRuedeEscorcherie，whichtheprovostsandaldermenofParisusedtomaketheirprison；thesamebeingelevenfeetlong，sevenfeetandfourincheswide，andelevenfeethigh？"*

*Comptesdudomaine，1383。

AndnotonlyhadMessireRobertd’EstoutevillehisspecialcourtasprovostandvicomteofParis；butinadditionhehadashare，bothforeyeandtooth，inthegrandcourtoftheking。Therewasnoheadintheleastelevatedwhichhadnotpassedthroughhishandsbeforeitcametotheheadsman。ItwashewhowenttoseekM。deNemoursattheBastilleSaintAntoine，inordertoconducthimtotheHalles；andtoconducttotheGrèveM。deSaint-Pol，whoclamoredandresisted，tothegreatjoyoftheprovost，whodidnotlovemonsieurtheconstable。

Here，assuredly，ismorethansufficienttorenderalifehappyandillustrious，andtodeservesomedayanotablepageinthatinterestinghistoryoftheprovostsofParis，whereonelearnsthatOudarddeVilleneuvehadahouseintheRuedesBoucheries，thatGuillaumedeHangestpurchasedthegreatandthelittleSavoy，thatGuillaumeThiboustgavethenunsofSainte-GenevièvehishousesintheRueClopin，thatHuguesAubriotlivedintheH？telduPore-Epic，andotherdomesticfacts。

Nevertheless，withsomanyreasonsfortakinglifepatientlyandjoyously，MessireRobertd’EstoutevillewokeuponthemorningoftheseventhofJanuary，1482，inaverysurlyandpeevishmood。Whencecamethisilltemper？Hecouldnothavetoldhimself。Wasitbecausetheskywasgray？orwasthebuckleofhisoldbeltofMontlhérybadlyfastened，sothatitconfinedhisprovostalportlinesstooclosely？hadhebeheldribaldfellows，marchinginbandsoffour，beneathhiswindow，andsettinghimatdefiance，indoubletsbutnoshirts，hatswithoutcrowns，withwalletandbottleattheirside？

Wasitavaguepresentimentofthethreehundredandseventylivres，sixteensous，eightfarthings，whichthefutureKingCharlesVII。wastocutofffromtheprovostshipinthefollowingyear？Thereadercantakehischoice；we，forourpart，aremuchinclinedtobelievethathewasinabadhumor，simplybecausehewasinabadhumor。

Moreover，itwasthedayafterafestival，atiresomedayforeveryone，andaboveallforthemagistratewhoischargedwithsweepingawayallthefilth，properlyandfigurativelyspeaking，whichafestivaldayproducesinParis。AndthenhehadtoholdasittingattheGrandChatelet。Now，wehavenoticedthatjudgesingeneralsoarrangemattersthattheirdayofaudienceshallalsobetheirdayofbadhumor，sothattheymayalwayshavesomeoneuponwhomtoventitconveniently，inthenameoftheking，law，andjustice。

However，theaudiencehadbegunwithouthim。Hislieutenants，civil，criminal，andprivate，weredoinghiswork，accordingtousage；andfromeighto’clockinthemorning，somescoresofbourgeoisand~bourgeoises~，heapedandcrowdedintoanobscurecorneroftheaudiencechamberofEmbasduChatelet，betweenastoutoakenbarrierandthewall，hadbeengazingblissfullyatthevariedandcheerfulspectacleofcivilandcriminaljusticedispensedbyMasterFlorianBarbedienne，auditoroftheChatelet，lieutenantofmonsieurtheprovost，inasomewhatconfusedandutterlyhaphazardmanner。

Thehallwassmall，low，vaulted。Atablestuddedwithfleurs-de-lisstoodatoneend，withalargearm-chairofcarvedoak，whichbelongedtotheprovostandwasempty，andastoolontheleftfortheauditor，MasterFlorian。Belowsattheclerkofthecourt，scribbling；oppositewasthepopulace；andinfrontofthedoor，andinfrontofthetableweremanysergeantsoftheprovostshipinsleevelessjacketsofvioletcamlet，withwhitecrosses。TwosergeantsoftheParloir-

aux-Bourgeois，clothedintheirjacketsofToussaint，halfred，halfblue，werepostedassentinelsbeforealow，closeddoor，whichwasvisibleattheextremityofthehall，behindthetable。Asinglepointedwindow，narrowlyencasedinthethickwall，illuminatedwithapalerayofJanuarysuntwogrotesquefigures，——thecapriciousdemonofstonecarvedasatail-pieceinthekeystoneofthevaultedceiling，andthejudgeseatedattheendofthehallonthefleurs-de-lis。

Imagine，infact，attheprovost’stable，leaninguponhiselbowsbetweentwobundlesofdocumentsofcases，withhisfootonthetrainofhisrobeofplainbrowncloth，hisfaceburiedinhishoodofwhitelamb’sskin，ofwhichhisbrowsseemedtobeofapiece，red，crabbed，winking，bearingmajesticallytheloadoffatonhischeekswhichmetunderhischin，MasterFlorianBarbedienne，auditoroftheChatelet。

Now，theauditorwasdeaf。Aslightdefectinanauditor。

MasterFloriandeliveredjudgment，nonetheless，withoutappealandverysuitably。Itiscertainlyquitesufficientforajudgetohavethe。airoflistening；andthevenerableauditorfulfilledthiscondition，thesoleoneinjustice，allthebetterbecausehisattentioncouldnotbedistractedbyanynoise。

Moreover，hehadintheaudience，apitilesscensorofhisdeedsandgestures，inthepersonofourfriendJehanFrolloduMoulin，thatlittlestudentofyesterday，that"stroller，"

whomonewassureofencounteringalloverParis，anywhereexceptbeforetherostrumsoftheprofessors。

"Stay，"hesaidinalowtonetohiscompanion，RobinPoussepain，whowasgrinningathisside，whilehewasmakinghiscommentsonthesceneswhichwerebeingunfoldedbeforehiseyes，"yonderisJehannetonduBuisson。ThebeautifuldaughterofthelazydogattheMarché-Neuf！——Uponmysoul，heiscondemningher，theoldrascal！hehasnomoreeyesthanears。Fifteensous，fourfarthings，parisian，forhavingworntworosaries！’Tissomewhatdear。~Lexduricarminis~。Who’sthat？RobinChief-de-Ville，hauberkmaker。Forhavingbeenpassedandreceivedmasterofthesaidtrade！That’shisentrancemoney。He！twogentlemenamongtheseknaves！AigletdeSoins，HutindeMaillyTwoequerries，~CorpusChristi~！Ah！theyhavebeenplayingatdice。WhenshallIseeourrectorhere？Ahundredlivresparisian，finetotheking！ThatBarbediennestrikeslikeadeafman，——asheis！I’llbemybrotherthearchdeacon，ifthatkeepsmefromgaming；gamingbyday，gamingbynight，livingatplay，dyingatplay，andgamingawaymysoulaftermyshirt。HolyVirgin，whatdamsels！Oneaftertheothermylambs。AmbroiseLécuyere，IsabeaulaPaynette，BérardeGironin！Iknowthemall，byHeavens！Afine！afine！

That’swhatwillteachyoutoweargildedgirdles！tensousparisis！youcoquettes！Oh！theoldsnoutofajudge！deafandimbecile！Oh！Florianthedolt！Oh！Barbediennetheblockhead！Thereheisatthetable！He’seatingtheplaintiff，he’seatingthesuits，heeats，hechews，hecrams，hefillshimself。Fines，lostgoods，taxes，expenses，loyalcharges，salaries，damages，andinterests，gehenna，prison，andjail，andfetterswithexpensesareChristmasspicecakeandmarchpanesofSaint-Johntohim！Lookathim，thepig！——Come！

Good！Anotheramorouswoman！Thibaud-la-Thibaude，neithermorenorless！ForhavingcomefromtheRueGlatigny！Whatfellowisthis？GieffroyMabonne，gendarmebearingthecrossbow。HehascursedthenameoftheFather。AfineforlaThibaude！AfineforGieffroy！A

fineforthemboth！Thedeafoldfool！hemusthavemixedupthetwocases！Tentoonethathemakesthewenchpayfortheoathandthegendarmefortheamour！Attention，RobinPoussepain！Whataretheygoingtobringin？Herearemanysergeants！ByJupiter！allthebloodhoundsofthepackarethere。Itmustbethegreatbeastofthehunt——awildboar。And’tisone，Robin，’tisone。Andafineonetoo！

~Hercle~！’tisourprinceofyesterday，ourPopeoftheFools，ourbellringer，ourone-eyedman，ourhunchback，ourgrimace！

’TisQuasimodo！"

Itwasheindeed。

ItwasQuasimodo，bound，encircled，roped，pinioned，andundergoodguard。Thesquadofpolicemenwhosurroundedhimwasassistedbythechevalierofthewatchinperson，wearingthearmsofFranceembroideredonhisbreast，andthearmsofthecityonhisback。Therewasnothing，however，aboutQuasimodo，excepthisdeformity，whichcouldjustifythedisplayofhalberdsandarquebuses；hewasgloomy，silent，andtranquil。Onlynowandthendidhissingleeyecastaslyandwrathfulglanceuponthebondswithwhichhewasloaded。

Hecastthesameglanceabouthim，butitwassodullandsleepythatthewomenonlypointedhimouttoeachotherinderision。

MeanwhileMasterFlorian，theauditor，turnedoverattentivelythedocumentinthecomplaintenteredagainstQuasimodo，whichtheclerkhandedhim，and，havingthusglancedatit，appearedtoreflectforamoment。Thankstothisprecaution，whichhealwayswascarefultotakeatthemomentwhenonthepointofbeginninganexamination，heknewbeforehandthenames，titles，andmisdeedsoftheaccused，madecutanddriedresponsestoquestionsforeseen，andsucceededinextricatinghimselffromallthewindingsoftheinterrogationwithoutallowinghisdeafnesstobetooapparent。Thewrittenchargesweretohimwhatthedogistotheblindman。Ifhisdeafnessdidhappentobetrayhimhereandthere，bysomeincoherentapostropheorsomeunintelligiblequestion，itpassedforprofunditywithsome，andforimbecilitywithothers。Inneithercasedidthehonorofthemagistracysustainanyinjury；foritisfarbetterthatajudgeshouldbereputedimbecileorprofoundthandeaf。Hencehetookgreatcaretoconcealhisdeafnessfromtheeyesofall，andhegenerallysucceededsowellthathehadreachedthepointofdeludinghimself，whichis，bytheway，easierthanissupposed。Allhunchbackswalkwiththeirheadsheldhigh，allstutterersharangue，alldeafpeoplespeaklow。Asforhim，hebelieved，atthemost，thathisearwasalittlerefractory。Itwasthesoleconcessionwhichhemadeonthispointtopublicopinion，inhismomentsoffranknessandexaminationofhisconscience。

Having，then，thoroughlyruminatedQuasimodo’saffair，hethrewbackhisheadandhalfclosedhiseyes，forthesakeofmoremajestyandimpartiality，sothat，atthatmoment，hewasbothdeafandblind。Adoublecondition，withoutwhichnojudgeisperfect。Itwasinthismagisterialattitudethathebegantheexamination。

"Yourname？"

Nowthiswasacasewhichhadnotbeen"providedforbylaw，"whereadeafmanshouldbeobligedtoquestionadeafman。

Quasimodo，whomnothingwarnedthataquestionhadbeenaddressedtohim，continuedtostareintentlyatthejudge，andmadenoreply。Thejudge，beingdeaf，andbeinginnowaywarnedofthedeafnessoftheaccused，thoughtthatthelatterhadanswered，asallaccuseddoingeneral，andthereforehepursued，withhismechanicalandstupidself-possession，——

"Verywell。Andyourage？"

AgainQuasimodomadenoreplytothisquestion。Thejudgesupposedthatithadbeenrepliedto，andcontinued，——

"Now，yourprofession？"

Stillthesamesilence。Thespectatorshadbegun，meanwhile，towhispertogether，andtoexchangeglances。

"Thatwilldo，"wentontheimperturbableauditor，whenhesupposedthattheaccusedhadfinishedhisthirdreply。"Youareaccusedbeforeus，~primo~，ofnocturnaldisturbance；

~secundo~，ofadishonorableactofviolenceuponthepersonofafoolishwoman，~inproejudiciummeretricis；tertio~，ofrebellionanddisloyaltytowardsthearchersofthepoliceofourlord，theking。Explainyourselfuponallthesepoints——Clerk，haveyouwrittendownwhattheprisonerhassaidthusfar？"

Atthisunluckyquestion，aburstoflaughterrosefromtheclerk’stablecaughtbytheaudience，soviolent，sowild，socontagious，souniversal，thatthetwodeafmenwereforcedtoperceiveit。Quasimodoturnedround，shrugginghishumpwithdisdain，whileMasterFlorian，equallyastonished，andsupposingthatthelaughterofthespectatorshadbeenprovokedbysomeirreverentreplyfromtheaccused，renderedvisibletohimbythatshrugoftheshoulders，apostrophizedhimindignantly，——

"Youhaveutteredareply，knave，whichdeservesthehalter。

Doyouknowtowhomyouarespeaking？"

Thissallywasnotfittedtoarresttheexplosionofgeneralmerriment。Itstruckallassowhimsical，andsoridiculous，thatthewildlaughterevenattackedthesergeantsoftheParloi-

aux-Bourgeois，asortofpikemen，whosestupiditywaspartoftheiruniform。Quasimodoalonepreservedhisseriousness，forthegoodreasonthatheunderstoodnothingofwhatwasgoingonaroundhim。Thejudge，moreandmoreirritated，thoughtithisdutytocontinueinthesametone，hopingtherebytostriketheaccusedwithaterrorwhichshouldreactupontheaudience，andbringitbacktorespect。

"Sothisisasmuchastosay，perverseandthievingknavethatyouare，thatyoupermityourselftobelackinginrespecttowardstheAuditoroftheChatelet，tothemagistratecommittedtothepopularpoliceofParis，chargedwithsearchingoutcrimes，delinquencies，andevilconduct；withcontrollingalltrades，andinterdictingmonopoly；withmaintainingthepavements；withdebarringthehuckstersofchickens，poultry，andwater-fowl；ofsuperintendingthemeasuringoffagotsandothersortsofwood；ofpurgingthecityofmud，andtheairofcontagiousmaladies；inaword，withattendingcontinuallytopublicaffairs，withoutwagesorhopeofsalary！DoyouknowthatIamcalledFlorianBarbedienne，actuallieutenanttomonsieurtheprovost，and，moreover，commissioner，inquisitor，controller，andexaminer，withequalpowerinprovostship，bailiwick，preservation，andinferiorcourtofjudicature？——"

Thereisnoreasonwhyadeafmantalkingtoadeafmanshouldstop。GodknowswhereandwhenMasterFlorianwouldhavelanded，whenthuslaunchedatfullspeedinloftyeloquence，ifthelowdoorattheextremeendoftheroomhadnotsuddenlyopened，andgivenentrancetotheprovostinperson。AthisentranceMasterFloriandidnotstopshort，but，makingahalf-turnonhisheels，andaimingattheprovosttheharanguewithwhichhehadbeenwitheringQuasimodoamomentbefore，——

"Monseigneur，"saidhe，"Idemandsuchpenaltyasyoushalldeemfittingagainsttheprisonerherepresent，forgraveandaggravatedoffenceagainstthecourt。"

Andheseatedhimself，utterlybreathless，wipingawaythegreatdropsofsweatwhichfellfromhisbrowanddrenched，liketears，theparchmentsspreadoutbeforehim。MessireRobertd’EstoutevillefrownedandmadeagesturesoimperiousandsignificanttoQuasimodo，thatthedeafmaninsomemeasureunderstoodit。

Theprovostaddressedhimwithseverity，"Whathaveyoudonethatyouhavebeenbroughthither，knave？"

Thepoorfellow，supposingthattheprovostwasaskinghisname，brokethesilencewhichhehabituallypreserved，andreplied，inaharshandgutturalvoice，"Quasimodo。"

Thereplymatchedthequestionsolittlethatthewildlaughbegantocirculateoncemore，andMessireRobertexclaimed，redwithwrath，——

"Areyoumockingmealso，youarrantknave？"

"BellringerofNotre-Dame，"repliedQuasimodo，supposingthatwhatwasrequiredofhimwastoexplaintothejudgewhohewas。

"Bellringer！"interpolatedtheprovost，whohadwakedupearlyenoughtobeinasufficientlybadtemper，aswehavesaid，nottorequiretohavehisfuryinflamedbysuchstrangeresponses。"Bellringer！I’llplayyouachimeofrodsonyourbackthroughthesquaresofParis！Doyouhear，knave？"

"Ifitismyagethatyouwishtoknow，"saidQuasimodo，"IthinkthatIshallbetwentyatSaintMartin’sday。"

Thiswastoomuch；theprovostcouldnolongerrestrainhimself。

"Ah！youarescoffingattheprovostship，wretch！Messieursthesergeantsofthemace，youwilltakemethisknavetothepilloryoftheGrève，youwillfloghim，andturnhimforanhour。Heshallpaymeforit，~têteDieu~！AndI

orderthatthepresentjudgmentshallbecried，withtheassistanceoffoursworntrumpeters，inthesevencastellaniesoftheviscomtyofParis。"

Theclerksettoworkincontinentlytodrawuptheaccountofthesentence。

"~VentreDieu~！’tiswelladjudged！"criedthelittlescholar，JehanFrolloduMoulin，fromhiscorner。

TheprovostturnedandfixedhisflashingeyesoncemoreonQuasimodo。"Ibelievetheknavesaid’~VentreDieu~’Clerk，addtwelvedeniersParisianfortheoath，andletthevestryofSaintEustachehavethehalfofit；IhaveaparticulardevotionforSaintEustache。"

Inafewminutesthesentencewasdrawnup。Itstenorwassimpleandbrief。ThecustomsoftheprovostshipandtheviscomtyhadnotyetbeenworkedoverbyPresidentThibautBaillet，andbyRogerBarmne，theking’sadvocate；

theyhadnotbeenobstructed，atthattime，bythatloftyhedgeofquibblesandprocedures，whichthetwojurisconsultsplantedthereatthebeginningofthesixteenthcentury。Allwasclear，expeditious，explicit。Onewentstraighttothepointthen，andattheendofeverypaththerewasimmediatelyvisible，withoutthicketsandwithoutturnings；thewheel，thegibbet，orthepillory。Oneatleastknewwhitheronewasgoing。

Theclerkpresentedthesentencetotheprovost，whoaffixedhissealtoit，anddepartedtopursuehisroundoftheaudiencehall，inaframeofmindwhichseemeddestinedtofillallthejailsinParisthatday。JehanFrolloandRobinPoussepainlaughedintheirsleeves。Quasimodogazedonthewholewithanindifferentandastonishedair。

However，atthemomentwhenMasterFlorianBarbediennewasreadingthesentenceinhisturn，beforesigningit，theclerkfelthimselfmovedwithpityforthepoorwretchofaprisoner，and，inthehopeofobtainingsomemitigationofthepenalty，heapproachedasneartheauditor’searaspossible，andsaid，pointingtoQuasimodo，"Thatmanisdeaf。"

HehopedthatthiscommunityofinfirmitywouldawakenMasterFlorian’sinterestinbehalfofthecondemnedman。

But，inthefirstplace，wehavealreadyobservedthatMasterFloriandidnotcaretohavehisdeafnessnoticed。Inthenextplace，hewassohardofhearingThathedidnotcatchasinglewordofwhattheclerksaidtohim；nevertheless，hewishedtohavetheappearanceofhearing，andreplied，"Ah！

ah！thatisdifferent；Ididnotknowthat。Anhourmoreofthepillory，inthatcase。"

Andhesignedthesentencethusmodified。

"’Tiswelldone，"saidRobinPoussepain，whocherishedagrudgeagainstQuasimodo。"Thatwillteachhimtohandlepeopleroughly。"

THERAT-HOLE。

ThereadermustpermitustotakehimbacktothePlacedeGrève，whichwequittedyesterdaywithGringoire，inordertofollowlaEsmeralda。

Itisteno’clockinthemorning；everythingisindicativeofthedayafterafestival。Thepavementiscoveredwithrubbish；

ribbons，rags，feathersfromtuftsofplumes，dropsofwaxfromthetorches，crumbsofthepublicfeast。Agoodlynumberofbourgeoisare"sauntering，"aswesay，hereandthere，turningoverwiththeirfeettheextinctbrandsofthebonfire，goingintorapturesinfrontofthePillarHouse，overthememoryofthefinehangingsofthedaybefore，andto-daystaringatthenailsthatsecuredthemalastpleasure。

Thevendersofciderandbeerarerollingtheirbarrelsamongthegroups。Somebusypassers-bycomeandgo。Themerchantsconverseandcalltoeachotherfromthethresholdsoftheirshops。Thefestival，theambassadors，Coppenole，thePopeoftheFools，areinallmouths；theyviewitheachother，eachtryingtocriticiseitbestandlaughthemost。

And，meanwhile，fourmountedsergeants，whohavejustpostedthemselvesatthefoursidesofthepillory，havealreadyconcentratedaroundthemselvesagoodlyproportionofthepopulacescatteredonthePlace，whocondemnthemselvestoimmobilityandfatigueinthehopeofasmallexecution。

Ifthereader，afterhavingcontemplatedthislivelyandnoisyscenewhichisbeingenactedinallpartsofthePlace，willnowtransferhisgazetowardsthatancientdemi-Gothic，demi-RomanesquehouseoftheTour-Roland，whichformsthecorneronthequaytothewest，hewillobserve，attheangleofthefa？ade，alargepublicbreviary，withrichilluminations，protectedfromtherainbyalittlepenthouse，andfromthievesbyasmallgrating，which，however，permitsoftheleavesbeingturned。Besidethisbreviaryisanarrow，archedwindow，closedbytwoironbarsintheformofacross，andlookingonthesquare；theonlyopeningwhichadmitsasmallquantityoflightandairtoalittlecellwithoutadoor，constructedontheground-floor，inthethicknessofthewallsoftheoldhouse，andfilledwithapeaceallthemoreprofound，withasilenceallthemoregloomy，becauseapublicplace，themostpopulousandmostnoisyinParisswarmsandshrieksaroundit。

ThislittlecellhadbeencelebratedinParisfornearlythreecenturies，eversinceMadameRolandedelaTour-Roland，inmourningforherfatherwhodiedintheCrusades，hadcausedittobehollowedoutinthewallofherownhouse，inordertoimmureherselfthereforever，keepingofallherpalaceonlythislodgingwhosedoorwaswalledup，andwhosewindowstoodopen，winterandsummer，givingalltheresttothepoorandtoGod。Theafflicteddamselhad，infact，waitedtwentyyearsfordeathinthisprematuretomb，prayingnightanddayforthesoulofherfather，sleepinginashes，withoutevenastoneforapillow，clothedinablacksack，andsubsistingonthebreadandwaterwhichthecompassionofthepassers-byledthemtodepositontheledgeofherwindow，thusreceivingcharityafterhavingbestowedit。Atherdeath，atthemomentwhenshewaspassingtotheothersepulchre，shehadbequeathedthisoneinperpetuitytoafflictedwomen，mothers，widows，ormaidens，whoshouldwishtopraymuchforothersorforthemselves，andwhoshoulddesiretointerthemselvesaliveinagreatgrieforagreatpenance。Thepoorofherdayhadmadeherafinefuneral，withtearsandbenedictions；but，totheirgreatregret，thepiousmaidhadnotbeencanonized，forlackofinfluence。Thoseamongthemwhowerealittleinclinedtoimpiety，hadhopedthatthemattermightbeaccomplishedinParadisemoreeasilythanatRome，andhadfranklybesoughtGod，insteadofthepope，inbehalfofthedeceased。ThemajorityhadcontentedthemselveswithholdingthememoryofRolandesacred，andconvertingherragsintorelics。Thecity，onitsside，hadfoundedinhonorofthedamoiselle，apublicbreviary，whichhadbeenfastenednearthewindowofthecell，inorderthatpassers-bymighthalttherefromtimetotime，wereitonlytopray；thatprayermightremindthemofalms，andthatthepoorrecluses，heiressesofMadameRolande’svault，mightnotdieoutrightofhungerandforgetfulness。

Moreover，thissortoftombwasnotsoveryrareathinginthecitiesoftheMiddleAges。Oneoftenencounteredinthemostfrequentedstreet，inthemostcrowdedandnoisymarket，intheverymiddle，underthefeetofthehorses，underthewheelsofthecarts，asitwere，acellar，awell，atinywalledandgratedcabin，atthebottomofwhichahumanbeingprayednightandday，voluntarilydevotedtosomeeternallamentation，tosomegreatexpiation。Andallthereflectionswhichthatstrangespectaclewouldawakeninusto-day；

thathorriblecell，asortofintermediarylinkbetweenahouseandthetomb，thecemeteryandthecity；thatlivingbeingcutofffromthehumancommunity，andthenceforthreckonedamongthedead；thatlampconsumingitslastdropofoilinthedarkness；thatremnantoflifeflickeringinthegrave；

thatbreath，thatvoice，thateternalprayerinaboxofstone；

thatfaceforeverturnedtowardstheotherworld；thateyealreadyilluminatedwithanothersun；thatearpressedtothewallsofatomb；thatsoulaprisonerinthatbody；thatbodyaprisonerinthatdungeoncell，andbeneaththatdoubleenvelopeoffleshandgranite，themurmurofthatsoulinpain；——nothingofallthiswasperceivedbythecrowd。

Thepietyofthatage，notverysubtlenormuchgiventoreasoning，didnotseesomanyfacetsinanactofreligion。

Ittookthethingintheblock，honored，venerated，hallowedthesacrificeatneed，butdidnotanalyzethesufferings，andfeltbutmoderatepityforthem。Itbroughtsomepittancetothemiserablepenitentfromtimetotime，lookedthroughtheholetoseewhetherhewerestillliving，forgothisname，hardlyknewhowmanyyearsagohehadbeguntodie，andtothestranger，whoquestionedthemaboutthelivingskeletonwhowasperishinginthatcellar，theneighborsrepliedsimply，"Itistherecluse。"

Everythingwasthenviewedwithoutmetaphysics，withoutexaggeration，withoutmagnifyingglass，withthenakedeye。

Themicroscopehadnotyetbeeninvented，eitherforthingsofmatterorforthingsofthemind。

Moreover，althoughpeoplewerebutlittlesurprisedbyit，theexamplesofthissortofcloistrationintheheartsofcitieswereintruthfrequent，aswehavejustsaid。TherewereinParisaconsiderablenumberofthesecells，forprayingtoGodanddoingpenance；theywerenearlyalloccupied。Itistruethattheclergydidnotliketohavethemempty，sincethatimpliedlukewarmnessinbelievers，andthatleperswereputintothemwhentherewerenopenitentsonhand。BesidesthecellontheGrève，therewasoneatMontfau？on，oneattheCharnierdesInnocents，anotherIhardlyknowwhere，——attheClichonHouse，Ithink；othersstillatmanyspotswheretracesofthemarefoundintraditions，indefaultofmemorials。

TheUniversityhadalsoitsown。OnMountSainte-GenevièveasortofJoboftheMiddleAges，forthespaceofthirtyyears，chantedthesevenpenitentialpsalmsonadunghillatthebottomofacistern，beginninganewwhenhehadfinished，singingloudestatnight，~magnavoceperumbras~，andto-day，theantiquaryfanciesthathehearshisvoiceasheenterstheRueduPuits-qui-parle——thestreetofthe"SpeakingWell。"

ToconfineourselvestothecellintheTour-Roland，wemustsaythatithadneverlackedrecluses。AfterthedeathofMadameRoland，ithadstoodvacantforayearortwo，thoughrarely。Manywomenhadcomethithertomourn，untiltheirdeath，forrelatives，lovers，faults。Parisianmalice，whichthrustsitsfingerintoeverything，evenintothingswhichconcernittheleast，affirmedthatithadbeheldbutfewwidowsthere。

Inaccordancewiththefashionoftheepoch，aLatininscriptiononthewallindicatedtothelearnedpasser-bythepiouspurposeofthiscell。Thecustomwasretaineduntilthemiddleofthesixteenthcenturyofexplaininganedificebyabriefdeviceinscribedabovethedoor。Thus，onestillreadsinFrance，abovethewicketoftheprisonintheseignorialmansionofTourville，~Siletoetspera~；inIreland，beneaththearmorialbearingswhichsurmountthegranddoortoFortescueCastle，~Fortescutum，salusducum~；inEngland，overtheprincipalentrancetothehospitablemansionoftheEarlsCowper:~Tuumest~。Atthattimeeveryedificewasathought。

AstherewasnodoortothewalledcelloftheTour-Roland，thesetwowordshadbeencarvedinlargeRomancapitalsoverthewindow，——

TU，ORA。

Andthiscausedthepeople，whosegoodsensedoesnotperceivesomuchrefinementinthings，andlikestotranslate_LudovicoMagno_by"PorteSaint-Denis，"togivetothisdark，gloomy，dampcavity，thenameof"TheRat-Hole。"Anexplanationlesssublime，perhaps，thantheother；but，ontheotherhand，morepicturesque。

CHAPTERIII。

HISTORYOFALEAVENEDCAKEOFMAIZE。

Attheepochofthishistory，thecellintheTour-Rolandwasoccupied。Ifthereaderdesirestoknowbywhom，hehasonlytolendaneartotheconversationofthreeworthygossips，who，atthemomentwhenwehavedirectedhisattentiontotheRat-Hole，weredirectingtheirstepstowardsthesamespot，comingupalongthewater’sedgefromtheChatelet，towardstheGrève。

Twoofthesewomenweredressedlikegood~bourgeoises~ofParis。Theirfinewhiteruffs；theirpetticoatsoflinsey-

woolsey，stripedredandblue；theirwhiteknittedstockings，withclocksembroideredincolors，welldrawnupontheirlegs；thesquare-toedshoesoftawnyleatherwithblacksoles，and，aboveall，theirheadgear，thatsortoftinselhorn，loadeddownwithribbonsandlaces，whichthewomenofChampagnestillwear，incompanywiththegrenadiersoftheimperialguardofRussia，announcedthattheybelongedtothatclasswiveswhichholdsthemiddlegroundbetweenwhatthelackeyscallawomanandwhattheytermalady。Theyworeneitherringsnorgoldcrosses，anditwaseasytoseethat，intheirease，thisdidnotproceedfrompoverty，butsimplyfromfearofbeingfined。Theircompanionwasattiredinverymuchthesamemanner；buttherewasthatindescribablesomethingaboutherdressandbearingwhichsuggestedthewifeofaprovincialnotary。Onecouldsee，bythewayinwhichhergirdleroseaboveherhips，thatshehadnotbeenlonginParis——Addtothisaplaitedtucker，knotsofribbononhershoes——andthatthestripesofherpetticoatranhorizontallyinsteadofvertically，andathousandotherenormitieswhichshockedgoodtaste。

ThetwofirstwalkedwiththatsteppeculiartoParisianladies，showingParistowomenfromthecountry。Theprovincialheldbythehandabigboy，whoheldinhisalarge，flatcake。

Weregrettobeobligedtoadd，that，owingtotherigoroftheseason，hewasusinghistongueasahandkerchief。

Thechildwasmakingthemdraghimalong，~nonpassibusCequis~，asVirgilsays，andstumblingateverymoment，tothegreatindignationofhismother。Itistruethathewaslookingathiscakemorethanatthepavement。Someseriousmotive，nodoubt，preventedhisbitingit(thecake)，forhecontentedhimselfwithgazingtenderlyatit。Butthemothershouldhaverathertakenchargeofthecake。ItwascrueltomakeaTantalusofthechubby-checkedboy。

Meanwhile，thethreedemoiselles(forthenameofdameswasthenreservedfornoblewomen)werealltalkingatonce。

"Letusmakehaste，DemoiselleMahiette，"saidtheyoungestofthethree，whowasalsothelargest，totheprovincial，"Igreatlyfearthatweshallarrivetoolate；theytoldusattheChateletthattheyweregoingtotakehimdirectlytothepillory。"

"Ah，bah！whatareyousaying，DemoiselleOudardeMusnier？"interposedtheotherParisienne。"Therearetwohoursyettothepillory。Wehavetimeenough。Haveyoueverseenanyonepilloried，mydearMahiette？"

"Yes，"saidtheprovincial，"atReims。"

"Ah，bah！WhatisyourpilloryatReims？Amiserablecageintowhichonlypeasantsareturned。Agreataffair，truly！"

"Onlypeasants！"saidMahiette，"attheclothmarketinReims！Wehaveseenveryfinecriminalsthere，whohavekilledtheirfatherandmother！Peasants！Forwhatdoyoutakeus，Gervaise？"

Itiscertainthattheprovincialwasonthepointoftakingoffence，forthehonorofherpillory。Fortunately，thatdiscreetdamoiselle，OudardeMusnier，turnedtheconversationintime。

"Bytheway，DamoiselleMahiette，whatsayyoutoourFlemishAmbassadors？HaveyouasfineonesatReims？"

"Iadmit，"repliedMahiette，"thatitisonlyinParisthatsuchFlemingscanbeseen。"

"Didyouseeamongtheembassy，thatbigambassadorwhoisahosier？"askedOudarde。

"Yes，"saidMahiette。"HehastheeyeofaSaturn。"

"Andthebigfellowwhosefaceresemblesabarebelly？"

resumedGervaise。"Andthelittleone，withsmalleyesframedinredeyelids，pareddownandslasheduplikeathistlehead？"

"’Tistheirhorsesthatareworthseeing，"saidOudarde，"caparisonedastheyareafterthefashionoftheircountry！"

"Ahmydear，"interruptedprovincialMahiette，assuminginherturnanairofsuperiority，"whatwouldyousaythen，ifyouhadseenin’61，attheconsecrationatReims，eighteenyearsago，thehorsesoftheprincesandoftheking’scompany？Housingsandcaparisonsofallsorts；someofdamaskcloth，offineclothofgold，furredwithsables；othersofvelvet，furredwithermine；othersallembellishedwithgoldsmith’sworkandlargebellsofgoldandsilver！Andwhatmoneythathadcost！Andwhathandsomeboypagesrodeuponthem！"

"That，"repliedOudardedryly，"doesnotpreventtheFlemingshavingveryfinehorses，andhavinghadasuperbsupperyesterdaywithmonsieur，theprovostofthemerchants，attheH？tel-de-Ville，wheretheywereservedwithcomfitsandhippocras，andspices，andothersingularities。"

"Whatareyousaying，neighbor！"exclaimedGervaise。

"Itwaswithmonsieurthecardinal，atthePetitBourbonthattheysupped。"

"Notatall。AttheH？tel-de-Ville。

"Yes，indeed。AtthePetitBourbon！"

"ItwasattheH？tel-de-Ville，"retortedOudardesharply，"andDr。ScourableaddressedthemaharangueinLatin，whichpleasedthemgreatly。Myhusband，whoisswornbooksellertoldme。"

"ItwasatthePetitBourbon，"repliedGervaise，withnolessspirit，"andthisiswhatmonsieurthecardinal’sprocuratorpresentedtothem:twelvedoublequartsofhippocras，white，claret，andred；twenty-fourboxesofdoubleLyonsmarchpane，gilded；asmanytorches，worthtwolivresapiece；

andsixdemi-queues*ofBeaunewine，whiteandclaret，thebestthatcouldbefound。Ihaveitfrommyhusband，whoisacinquantenier**，attheParloir-auxBourgeois，andwhowasthismorningcomparingtheFlemishambassadorswiththoseofPresterJohnandtheEmperorofTrebizond，whocamefromMesopotamiatoParis，underthelastking，andwhoworeringsintheirears。"

*AQueuewasacaskwhichheldahogsheadandahalf。

**Acaptainoffiftymen。

"SotrueisitthattheysuppedattheH？tel-de-Ville，"

repliedOudardebutlittleaffectedbythiscatalogue，"thatsuchatriumphofviandsandcomfitshasneverbeenseen。"

"ItellyouthattheywereservedbyLeSec，sergeantofthecity，attheH？telduPetit-Bourbon，andthatthatiswhereyouaremistaken。"

"AttheH？tel-de-Ville，Itellyou！"

"AtthePetit-Bourbon，mydear！andtheyhadilluminatedwithmagicglassesthewordhope，whichiswrittenonthegrandportal。"

"AttheH？tel-de-Ville！AttheH？tel-de-Ville！AndHusson-le-Voirplayedtheflute！"

"Itellyou，no！"

"Itellyou，yes！"

"Isay，no！"

PlumpandworthyOudardewaspreparingtoretort，andthequarrelmight，perhaps，haveproceededtoapullingofcaps，hadnotMahiettesuddenlyexclaimed，——"Lookatthosepeopleassembledyonderattheendofthebridge！Thereissomethingintheirmidstthattheyarelookingat！"

"Insooth，"saidGervaise，"Ihearthesoundsofatambourine。Ibelieve’tisthelittleEsmeralda，whoplayshermummerieswithhergoat。Eh，bequick，Mahiette！redoubleyourpaceanddragalongyourboy。YouarecomehithertovisitthecuriositiesofParis。YousawtheFlemingsyesterday；youmustseethegypsyto-day。"

"Thegypsy！"saidMahiette，suddenlyretracinghersteps，andclaspingherson’sarmforcibly。"Godpreservemefromit！Shewouldstealmychildfromme！Come，Eustache！"

AndshesetoutonarunalongthequaytowardstheGrève，untilshehadleftthebridgefarbehindher。Inthemeanwhile，thechildwhomshewasdraggingafterherfelluponhisknees；shehaltedbreathless。OudardeandGervaiserejoinedher。

"Thatgypsystealyourchildfromyou！"saidGervaise。

"That’sasingularfreakofyours！"

Mahietteshookherheadwithapensiveair。

"Thesingularpointis，"observedOudarde，"that~lasachette~

hasthesameideaabouttheEgyptianwoman。"

"Whatis~lasachette~？"askedMahiette。

"Hé！"saidOudarde，"SisterGudule。"

"AndwhoisSisterGudule？"persistedMahiette。

"YouarecertainlyignorantofallbutyourReims，nottoknowthat！"repliedOudarde。"’TistherecluseoftheRat-Hole。"

"What！"demandedMahiette，"thatpoorwomantowhomwearecarryingthiscake？"

Oudardenoddedaffirmatively。

"Precisely。YouwillseeherpresentlyatherwindowontheGrève。ShehasthesameopinionasyourselfofthesevagabondsofEgypt，whoplaythetambourineandtellfortunestothepublic。NooneknowswhencecomesherhorrorofthegypsiesandEgyptians。Butyou，Mahiette——whydoyourunsoatthemeresightofthem？"

"Oh！"saidMahiette，seizingherchild’sroundheadinbothhands，"Idon’twantthattohappentomewhichhappenedtoPaquettelaChantefleurie。"

"Oh！youmusttellusthatstory，mygoodMahiette，"saidGervaise，takingherarm。

"Gladly，"repliedMahiette，"butyoumustbeignorantofallbutyourParisnottoknowthat！Iwilltellyouthen(but’tisnotnecessaryforustohaltthatImaytellyouthetale)，thatPaquettelaChantefleuriewasaprettymaidofeighteenwhenIwasonemyself，thatistosay，eighteenyearsago，and’tisherownfaultifsheisnotto-day，likeme，agood，plump，freshmotherofsixandthirty，withahusbandandason。

However，aftertheageoffourteen，itwastoolate！Well，shewasthedaughterofGuybertant，minstrelofthebargesatReims，thesamewhohadplayedbeforeKingCharlesVII。，athiscoronation，whenhedescendedourriverVeslefromSillerytoMuison，whenMadametheMaidofOrleanswasalsointheboat。TheoldfatherdiedwhenPaquettewasstillamerechild；shehadthennoonebuthermother，thesisterofM。

Pradon，master-brazierandcoppersmithinParis，RueFarm-

Garlin，whodiedlastyear。Youseeshewasofgoodfamily。

Themotherwasagoodsimplewoman，unfortunately，andshetaughtPaquettenothingbutabitofembroideryandtoy-makingwhichdidnotpreventthelittleonefromgrowingverylargeandremainingverypoor。TheybothdweltatReims，ontheriverfront，RuedeFolle-Peine。Markthis:

ForIbelieveitwasthiswhichbroughtmisfortunetoPaquette。

In’61，theyearofthecoronationofourKingLouisXI。

whomGodpreserve！Paquettewassogayandsoprettythatshewascalledeverywherebynoothernamethan"laChantefleurie"——blossomingsong。Poorgirl！Shehadhandsometeeth，shewasfondoflaughinganddisplayingthem。Now，amaidwholovestolaughisontheroadtoweeping；handsometeethruinhandsomeeyes。SoshewaslaChantefleurie。Sheandhermotherearnedaprecariousliving；theyhadbeenverydestitutesincethedeathoftheminstrel；theirembroiderydidnotbringtheminmorethansixfarthingsaweek，whichdoesnotamounttoquitetwoeagleliards。WherewerethedayswhenFatherGuybertanthadearnedtwelvesousparisian，inasinglecoronation，withasong？Onewinter(itwasinthatsameyearof’61)，whenthetwowomenhadneitherfagotsnorfirewood，itwasverycold，whichgavelaChantefleuriesuchafinecolorthatthemencalledherPaquette！*andmanycalledherPàquerette！**andshewasruined——Eustache，justletmeseeyoubitethatcakeifyoudare！——Weimmediatelyperceivedthatshewasruined，oneSundaywhenshecametochurchwithagoldcrossaboutherneck。

Atfourteenyearsofage！doyousee？FirstitwastheyoungVicomtedeCormontreuil，whohashisbelltowerthreeleaguesdistantfromReims；thenMessireHenrideTriancourt，equerrytotheKing；thenlessthanthat，ChiartdeBeaulion，sergeant-at-arms；then，stilldescending，GueryAubergeon，carvertotheKing；then，MacedeFrépus，barbertomonsieurthedauphin；then，ThéveninleMoine，King’scook；then，themengrowingcontinuallyyoungerandlessnoble，shefelltoGuillaumeRacine，minstrelofthehurdygurdyandtoThierrydeMer，lamplighter。Then，poorChantefleurie，shebelongedtoeveryone:shehadreachedthelastsouofhergoldpiece。WhatshallIsaytoyou，mydamoiselles？Atthecoronation，inthesameyear，’61，’twasshewhomadethebedofthekingofthedebauchees！Inthesameyear！"

*Ox-eyedaisy。

**Easterdaisy。

Mahiettesighed，andwipedawayatearwhichtrickledfromhereyes。

"Thisisnoveryextraordinaryhistory，"saidGervaise，"andinthewholeofitIseenothingofanyEgyptianwomenorchildren。"

"Patience！"resumedMahiette，"youwillseeonechild——In’66，’twillbesixteenyearsagothismonth，atSainte-

Paule’sday，Paquettewasbroughttobedofalittlegirl。

Theunhappycreature！itwasagreatjoytoher；shehadlongwishedforachild。Hermother，goodwoman，whohadneverknownwhattodoexcepttoshuthereyes，hermotherwasdead。Paquettehadnolongeranyonetoloveintheworldoranyonetoloveher。LaChantefleuriehadbeenapoorcreatureduringthefiveyearssinceherfall。Shewasalone，aloneinthislife，fingerswerepointedather，shewashootedatinthestreets，beatenbythesergeants，jeeredatbythelittleboysinrags。Andthen，twentyhadarrived:andtwentyisanoldageforamorouswomen。Follybegantobringherinnomorethanhertradeofembroideryinformerdays；foreverywrinklethatcame，acrownfled；winterbecamehardtoheroncemore，woodbecamerareagaininherbrazier，andbreadinhercupboard。Shecouldnolongerworkbecause，inbecomingvoluptuous，shehadgrownlazy；andshesufferedmuchmorebecause，ingrowinglazy，shehadbecomevoluptuous。

Atleast，thatisthewayinwhichmonsieurthecureofSaint-Remyexplainswhythesewomenarecolderandhungrierthanotherpoorwomen，whentheyareold。"

"Yes，"remarkedGervaise，"butthegypsies？"

"Onemoment，Gervaise！"saidOudarde，whoseattentionwaslessimpatient。"Whatwouldbeleftfortheendifallwereinthebeginning？Continue，Mahiette，Ientreatyou。

ThatpoorChantefleurie！"

Mahiettewenton。

"Soshewasverysad，verymiserable，andfurrowedhercheekswithtears。Butinthemidstofhershame，herfolly，herdebauchery，itseemedtoherthatsheshouldbelesswild，lessshameful，lessdissipated，ifthereweresomethingorsomeoneintheworldwhomshecouldlove，andwhocouldloveher。Itwasnecessarythatitshouldbeachild，becauseonlyachildcouldbesufficientlyinnocentforthat。Shehadrecognizedthisfactafterhavingtriedtoloveathief，theonlymanwhowantedher；butafterashorttime，sheperceivedthatthethiefdespisedher。Thosewomenofloverequireeitheraloverorachildtofilltheirhearts。Otherwise，theyareveryunhappy。Asshecouldnothavealover，sheturnedwhollytowardsadesireforachild，andasshehadnotceasedtobepious，shemadeherconstantprayertothegoodGodforit。SothegoodGodtookpityonher，andgaveheralittledaughter。Iwillnotspeaktoyouofherjoy；itwasafuryoftears，andcaresses，andkisses。Shenursedherchildherself，madeswaddling-bandsforitoutofhercoverlet，theonlyonewhichshehadonherbed，andnolongerfelteithercoldorhunger。Shebecamebeautifuloncemore，inconsequenceofit。Anoldmaidmakesayoungmother。Gallantryclaimedheroncemore；mencametoseelaChantefleurie；shefoundcustomersagainforhermerchandise，andoutofallthesehorrorsshemadebabyclothes，capsandbibs，bodiceswithshoulder-strapsoflace，andtinybonnetsofsatin，withouteventhinkingofbuyingherselfanothercoverlet——MasterEustache，Ihavealreadytoldyounottoeatthatcake——ItiscertainthatlittleAgnes，thatwasthechild’sname，abaptismalname，foritwasalongtimesincelaChantefleuriehadhadanysurname——itiscertainthatthatlittleonewasmoreswathedinribbonsandembroideriesthanadauphinessofDauphiny！Amongotherthings，shehadapairoflittleshoes，thelikeofwhichKingLouisXI。certainlyneverhad！Hermotherhadstitchedandembroideredthemherself；shehadlavishedonthemallthedelicaciesofherartofembroideress，andalltheembellishmentsofarobeforthegoodVirgin。Theycertainlywerethetwoprettiestlittlepinkshoesthatcouldbeseen。Theywerenolongerthanmythumb，andonehadtoseethechild’slittlefeetcomeoutofthem，inordertobelievethattheyhadbeenabletogetintothem。’Tistruethatthoselittlefeetweresosmall，sopretty，sorosy！rosierthanthesatinoftheshoes！Whenyouhavechildren，Oudarde，youwillfindthatthereisnothingprettierthanthoselittlehandsandfeet。"

"Iasknobetter，"saidOudardewithasigh，"butIamwaitinguntilitshallsuitthegoodpleasureofM。AndryMusnier。"

"However，Paquette’schildhadmorethatwasprettyaboutitbesidesitsfeet。Isawherwhenshewasonlyfourmonthsold；shewasalove！Shehadeyeslargerthanhermouth，andthemostcharmingblackhair，whichalreadycurled。Shewouldhavebeenamagnificentbrunetteattheageofsixteen！

Hermotherbecamemorecrazyoverhereveryday。Shekissedher，caressedher，tickledher，washedher，deckedherout，devouredher！Shelostherheadoverher，shethankedGodforher。Herpretty，littlerosyfeetaboveallwereanendlesssourceofwonderment，theywereadeliriumofjoy！

Shewasalwayspressingherlipstothem，andshecouldneverrecoverfromheramazementattheirsmallness。Sheputthemintothetinyshoes，tookthemout，admiredthem，marvelledatthem，lookedatthelightthroughthem，wascurioustoseethemtrytowalkonherbed，andwouldgladlyhavepassedherlifeonherknees，puttingonandtakingofftheshoesfromthosefeet，asthoughtheyhadbeenthoseofanInfantJesus。"

"Thetaleisfairandgood，"saidGervaiseinalowtone；

"butwheredogypsiescomeintoallthat？"

"Here，"repliedMahiette。"OnedaytherearrivedinReimsaveryqueersortofpeople。Theywerebeggarsandvagabondswhowereroamingoverthecountry，ledbytheirdukeandtheircounts。Theywerebrownedbyexposuretothesun，theyhadcloselycurlinghair，andsilverringsintheirears。Thewomenwerestilluglierthanthemen。Theyhadblackerfaces，whichwerealwaysuncovered，amiserablefrockontheirbodies，anoldclothwovenofcordsboundupontheirshoulder，andtheirhairhanginglikethetailofahorse。Thechildrenwhoscrambledbetweentheirlegswouldhavefrightenedasmanymonkeys。Abandofexcommunicates。

AllthesepersonscamedirectfromlowerEgypttoReimsthroughPoland。ThePopehadconfessedthem，itwassaid，andhadprescribedtothemaspenancetoroamthroughtheworldforsevenyears，withoutsleepinginabed；andsotheywerecalledpenancers，andsmelthorribly。ItappearsthattheyhadformerlybeenSaracens，whichwaswhytheybelievedinJupiter，andclaimedtenlivresofTournayfromallarchbishops，bishops，andmitredabbotswithcroziers。

AbullfromthePopeempoweredthemtodothat。TheycametoReimstotellfortunesinthenameoftheKingofAlgiers，andtheEmperorofGermany。Youcanreadilyimaginethatnomorewasneededtocausetheentrancetothetowntobeforbiddenthem。ThenthewholebandcampedwithgoodgraceoutsidethegateofBraine，onthathillwherestandsamill，besidethecavitiesoftheancientchalkpits。AndeverybodyinReimsviedwithhisneighboringoingtoseethem。

Theylookedatyourhand，andtoldyoumarvellousprophecies；

theywereequaltopredictingtoJudasthathewouldbecomePope。Nevertheless，uglyrumorswereincirculationinregardtothem；aboutchildrenstolen，pursescut，andhumanfleshdevoured。Thewisepeoplesaidtothefoolish:"Don’tgothere！"andthenwentthemselvesonthesly。Itwasaninfatuation。Thefactis，thattheysaidthingsfittoastonishacardinal。MotherstriumphedgreatlyovertheirlittleonesaftertheEgyptianshadreadintheirhandsallsortsofmarvelswritteninpaganandinTurkish。Onehadanemperor；

another，apope；another，acaptain。PoorChantefleuriewasseizedwithcuriosity；shewishedtoknowaboutherself，andwhetherherprettylittleAgneswouldnotbecomesomedayEmpressofArmenia，orsomethingelse。SoshecarriedhertotheEgyptians；andtheEgyptianwomenfelltoadmiringthechild，andtocaressingit，andtokissingitwiththeirblackmouths，andtomarvellingoveritslittleband，alas！tothegreatjoyofthemother。Theywereespeciallyenthusiasticoverherprettyfeetandshoes。Thechildwasnotyetayearold。Shealreadylispedalittle，laughedathermotherlikealittlemadthing，wasplumpandquiteround，andpossessedathousandcharminglittlegesturesoftheangelsofparadise。