Meanwhile，thedancerremainedmotionlessuponthethreshold。Herappearancehadproducedasingulareffectupontheseyounggirls。Itiscertainthatavagueandindistinctdesiretopleasethehandsomeofficeranimatedthemall，thathissplendiduniformwasthetargetofalltheircoquetries，andthatfromthemomenthepresentedhimself，thereexistedamongthemasecret，suppressedrivalry，whichtheyhardlyacknowledgedeventothemselves，butwhichbrokeforth，nonetheless，everyinstant，intheirgesturesandremarks。

Nevertheless，astheywereallverynearlyequalinbeauty，theycontendedwithequalarms，andeachcouldhopeforthevictory——Thearrivalofthegypsysuddenlydestroyedthisequilibrium。Herbeautywassorare，that，atthemomentwhensheappearedattheentranceoftheapartment，itseemedasthoughshediffusedasortoflightwhichwaspeculiartoherself。Inthatnarrowchamber，surroundedbythatsombreframeofhangingsandwoodwork，shewasincomparablymorebeautifulandmoreradiantthanonthepublicsquare。Shewaslikeatorchwhichhassuddenlybeenbroughtfrombroaddaylightintothedark。Thenobledamselsweredazzledbyherinspiteofthemselves。Eachonefeltherself，insomesort，woundedinherbeauty。Hence，theirbattlefront(maywebeallowedtheexpression，)wasimmediatelyaltered，althoughtheyexchangednotasingleword。Buttheyunderstoodeachotherperfectly。Women’sinstinctscomprehendandrespondtoeachothermorequicklythantheintelligencesofmen。Anenemyhadjustarrived；

allfeltit——allralliedtogether。Onedropofwineissufficienttotingeaglassofwaterred；todiffuseacertaindegreeofilltemperthroughoutawholeassemblyofprettywomen，thearrivalofaprettierwomansuffices，especiallywhenthereisbutonemanpresent。

Hencethewelcomeaccordedtothegypsywasmarvellouslyglacial。Theysurveyedherfromheadtofoot，thenexchangedglances，andallwassaid；theyunderstoodeachother。Meanwhile，theyounggirlwaswaitingtobespokento，insuchemotionthatshedarednotraisehereyelids。

Thecaptainwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。"Uponmyword，"saidhe，inhistoneofintrepidfatuity，"hereisacharmingcreature！Whatthinkyouofher，faircousin？"

Thisremark，whichamoredelicateadmirerwouldhaveutteredinalowertone，atleastwasnotofanaturetodissipatethefemininejealousieswhichwereonthealertbeforethegypsy。

Fleur-de-Lysrepliedtothecaptainwithablandaffectationofdisdain；——"Notbad。"

Theotherswhispered。

Atlength，MadameAloise，whowasnotthelessjealousbecauseshewassoforherdaughter，addressedthedancer，——"Approach，littleone。"

"Approach，littleone！"repeated，withcomicaldignity，littleBérangère，whowouldhavereachedaboutashighasherhips。

Thegypsyadvancedtowardsthenobledame。

"Fairchild，"saidPhoebus，withemphasis，takingseveralstepstowardsher，"IdonotknowwhetherIhavethesupremehonorofbeingrecognizedbyyou。"

Sheinterruptedhim，withasmileandalookfullofinfinitesweetness，——

"Oh！yes，"saidshe。

"Shehasagoodmemory，"remarkedFleur-de-Lys。

"Come，now，"resumedPhoebus，"youescapednimblytheotherevening。DidIfrightenyou！"

"Oh！no，"saidthegypsy。

Therewasintheintonationofthat"Oh！no，"utteredafterthat"Oh！yes，"anineffablesomethingwhichwoundedFleur-de-Lys。

"Youleftmeinyourstead，mybeauty，"pursuedthecaptain，whosetonguewasunloosedwhenspeakingtoagirloutofthestreet，"acrabbedknave，one-eyedandhunchbacked，thebishop’sbellringer，Ibelieve。Ihavebeentoldthatbybirthheisthebastardofanarchdeaconandadevil。

Hehasapleasantname:heiscalled~Quatre-Temps~(EmberDays)，~Paques-Fleuries~(PalmSunday)，Mardi-Gras(ShroveTuesday)，Iknownotwhat！Thenameofsomefestivalwhenthebellsarepealed！Sohetookthelibertyofcarryingyouoff，asthoughyouweremadeforbeadles！’Tistoomuch。

Whatthedevildidthatscreech-owlwantwithyou？Hey，tellme！"

"Idonotknow，"shereplied。

"Theinconceivableimpudence！Abellringercarryingoffawench，likeavicomte！aloutpoachingonthegameofgentlemen！thatisararepieceofassurance。However，hepaiddearlyforit。MasterPierratTorterueistheharshestgroomthatevercurriedaknave；andIcantellyou，ifitwillbeagreeabletoyou，thatyourbellringer’shidegotathoroughdressingathishands。"

"Poorman！"saidthegypsy，inwhomthesewordsrevivedthememoryofthepillory。

Thecaptainburstoutlaughing。

"Corne-de-boeuf！here’spityaswellplacedasafeatherinapig’stail！MayIhaveasbigabellyasapope，if——"

Hestoppedshort。"Pardonme，ladies；IbelievethatI

wasonthepointofsayingsomethingfoolish。"

"Fie，sir"saidlaGaillefontaine。

"Hetalkstothatcreatureinherowntongue！"addedFleur-de-Lys，inalowtone，herirritationincreasingeverymoment。Thisirritationwasnotdiminishedwhenshebeheldthecaptain，enchantedwiththegypsy，and，mostofall，withhimself，executeapirouetteonhisheel，repeatingwithcoarse，na？ve，andsoldierlygallantry，——

"Ahandsomewench，uponmysoul！"

"Rathersavagelydressed，"saidDianedeChristeuil，laughingtoshowherfineteeth。

Thisremarkwasaflashoflighttotheothers。Notbeingabletoimpugnherbeauty，theyattackedhercostume。

"Thatistrue，"saidlaMontmichel；"whatmakesyourunaboutthestreetsthus，withoutguimpeorruff？"

"Thatpetticoatissoshortthatitmakesonetremble，"

addedlaGaillefontaine。

"Mydear，"continuedFleur-de-Lys，withdecidedsharpness，"Youwillgetyourselftakenupbythesumptuarypoliceforyourgildedgirdle。"

"Littleone，littleone；"resumedlaChristeuil，withanimplacablesmile，"ifyouweretoputrespectablesleevesuponyourarmstheywouldgetlesssunburned。"

Itwas，intruth，aspectacleworthyofamoreintelligentspectatorthanPhoebus，toseehowthesebeautifulmaidens，withtheirenvenomedandangrytongues，wound，serpent-like，andglidedandwrithedaroundthestreetdancer。Theywerecruelandgraceful；theysearchedandrummagedmaliciouslyinherpoorandsillytoiletofspanglesandtinsel。Therewasnoendtotheirlaughter，irony，andhumiliation。Sarcasmsraineddownuponthegypsy，andhaughtycondescensionandmalevolentlooks。OnewouldhavethoughttheywereyoungRomandamesthrustinggoldenpinsintothebreastofabeautifulslave。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemelegantgrayhounds，circling，withinflatednostrils，roundapoorwoodlandfawn，whomtheglanceoftheirmasterforbadethemtodevour。

Afterall，whatwasamiserabledanceronthepublicsquaresinthepresenceofthesehigh-bornmaidens？Theyseemedtotakenoheedofherpresence，andtalkedofheraloud，toherface，asofsomethingunclean，abject，andyet，atthesametime，passablypretty。

Thegypsywasnotinsensibletothesepin-pricks。Fromtimetotimeaflushofshame，aflashofangerinflamedhereyesorhercheeks；withdisdainshemadethatlittlegrimacewithwhichthereaderisalreadyfamiliar，butsheremainedmotionless；shefixedonPhoebusasad，sweet，resignedlook。

Therewasalsohappinessandtendernessinthatgaze。Onewouldhavesaidthatsheenduredforfearofbeingexpelled。

Phoebuslaughed，andtookthegypsy’spartwithamixtureofimpertinenceandpity。

"Letthemtalk，littleone！"herepeated，jinglinghisgoldenspurs。"Nodoubtyourtoiletisalittleextravagantandwild，butwhatdifferencedoesthatmakewithsuchacharmingdamselasyourself？"

"Goodgracious！"exclaimedtheblondeGaillefontaine，drawingupherswan-likethroat，withabittersmile。"Iseethatmessieursthearchersoftheking’spoliceeasilytakefireatthehandsomeeyesofgypsies！"

"Whynot？"saidPhoebus。

Atthisreplyutteredcarelesslybythecaptain，likeastraystone，whosefallonedoesnotevenwatch，Colombebegantolaugh，aswellasDiane，Amelotte，andFleur-de-Lys，intowhoseeyesatthesametimeatearstarted。

Thegypsy，whohaddroppedhereyesontheflooratthewordsofColombedeGaillefontaine，raisedthembeamingwithjoyandprideandfixedthemoncemoreonPhoebus。Shewasverybeautifulatthatmoment。

Theolddame，whowaswatchingthisscene，feltoffended，withoutunderstandingwhy。

"HolyVirgin！"shesuddenlyexclaimed，"whatisitmovingaboutmylegs？Ah！thevillanousbeast！"

Itwasthegoat，whohadjustarrived，insearchofhismistress，andwho，indashingtowardsthelatter，hadbegunbyentanglinghishornsinthepileofstuffswhichthenobledame’sgarmentsheapeduponherfeetwhenshewasseated。

Thiscreatedadiversion。Thegypsydisentangledhishornswithoututteringaword。

"Oh！here’sthelittlegoatwithgoldenhoofs！"exclaimedBérangère，dancingwithjoy。

Thegypsycroucheddownonherkneesandleanedhercheekagainstthefondlingheadofthegoat。Onewouldhavesaidthatshewasaskingpardonforhavingquitteditthus。

Meanwhile，DianehadbentdowntoColombe’sear。

"Ah！goodheavens！whydidnotIthinkofthatsooner？

’Tisthegypsywiththegoat。Theysaysheisasorceress，andthathergoatexecutesverymiraculoustricks。"

"Well！"saidColombe，"thegoatmustnowamuseusinitsturn，andperformamiracleforus。"

DianeandColombeeagerlyaddressedthegypsy。

"Littleone，makeyourgoatperformamiracle。"

"Idonotknowwhatyoumean，"repliedthedancer。

"Amiracle，apieceofmagic，abitofsorcery，inshort。"

"Idonotunderstand。"Andshefelltocaressingtheprettyanimal，repeating，"Djali！Djali！"

AtthatmomentFleur-de-Lysnoticedalittlebagofembroideredleathersuspendedfromtheneckofthegoat，——

"Whatisthat？"sheaskedofthegypsy。

Thegypsyraisedherlargeeyesuponherandrepliedgravely，——

"Thatismysecret。"

"Ishouldreallyliketoknowwhatyoursecretis，"thoughtFleur-de-Lys。

Meanwhile，thegooddamehadrisenangrily，——"Comenow，gypsy，ifneitheryounoryourgoatcandanceforus，whatareyoudoinghere？"

Thegypsywalkedslowlytowardsthedoor，withoutmakinganyreply。Butthenearersheapproachedit，themoreherpaceslackened。Anirresistiblemagnetseemedtoholdher。Suddenlysheturnedhereyes，wetwithtears，towardsPhoebus，andhalted。

"TrueGod！"exclaimedthecaptain，"that’snotthewaytodepart。Comebackanddancesomethingforus。Bytheway，mysweetlove，whatisyourname？"

"LaEsmeralda，"saidthedancer，nevertakinghereyesfromhim。

Atthisstrangename，aburstofwildlaughterbrokefromtheyounggirls。

"Here’saterriblenameforayounglady，"saidDiane。

"Youseewellenough，"retortedAmelotte，"thatsheisanenchantress。"

"Mydear，"exclaimedDameAloisesolemnly，"yourparentsdidnotcommitthesinofgivingyouthatnameatthebaptismalfont。"

Inthemeantime，severalminutespreviously，Bérangèrehadcoaxedthegoatintoacorneroftheroomwithamarchpanecake，withoutanyonehavingnoticedher。Inaninstanttheyhadbecomegoodfriends。Thecuriouschildhaddetachedthebagfromthegoat’sneck，hadopenedit，andhademptiedoutitscontentsontherushmatting；itwasanalphabet，eachletterofwhichwasseparatelyinscribedonatinyblockofboxwood。Hardlyhadtheseplaythingsbeenspreadoutonthematting，whenthechild，withsurprise，beheldthegoat(oneofwhose"miracles"thiswasnodoubt)，drawoutcertainletterswithitsgoldenhoof，andarrangethem，withgentlepushes，inacertainorder。Inamomenttheyconstitutedaword，whichthegoatseemedtohavebeentrainedtowrite，solittlehesitationdiditshowinformingit，andBérangèresuddenlyexclaimed，claspingherhandsinadmiration，——

"GodmotherFleur-de-Lys，seewhatthegoathasjustdone！"

Fleur-de-Lysranupandtrembled。Thelettersarrangeduponthefloorformedthisword，——

PHOEBUS。

"Wasitthegoatwhowrotethat？"sheinquiredinachangedvoice。

"Yes，godmother，"repliedBérangêre。

Itwasimpossibletodoubtit；thechilddidnotknowhowtowrite。

"Thisisthesecret！"thoughtFleur-de-Lys。

Meanwhile，atthechild’sexclamation，allhadhastenedup，themother，theyounggirls，thegypsy，andtheofficer。

Thegypsybeheldthepieceoffollywhichthegoathadcommitted。Sheturnedred，thenpale，andbegantotremblelikeaculpritbeforethecaptain，whogazedatherwithasmileofsatisfactionandamazement。

"Phoebus！"whisperedtheyounggirls，stupefied:"’tisthecaptain’sname！"

"Youhaveamarvellousmemory！"saidFleur-de-Lys，tothepetrifiedgypsy。Then，burstingintosobs:"Oh！"shestammeredmournfully，hidingherfaceinbothherbeautifulhands，"sheisamagician！"Andsheheardanotherandastillmorebittervoiceatthebottomofherheart，saying，——

"Sheisarival！"

Shefellfainting。

"Mydaughter！mydaughter！"criedtheterrifiedmother。

"Begone，yougypsyofhell！"

Inatwinkling，LaEsmeraldagathereduptheunluckyletters，madeasigntoDjali，andwentoutthroughonedoor，whileFleur-de-Lyswasbeingcarriedoutthroughtheother。

CaptainPhoebus，onbeingleftalone，hesitatedforamomentbetweenthetwodoors，thenhefollowedthegypsy。

CHAPTERII。

APRIESTANDAPHILOSOPHERARETWODIFFERENTTHINGS。

ThepriestwhomtheyounggirlshadobservedatthetopoftheNorthtower，leaningoverthePlaceandsoattentivetothedanceofthegypsy，was，infact，ArchdeaconClaudeFrollo。

Ourreadershavenotforgottenthemysteriouscellwhichthearchdeaconhadreservedforhimselfinthattower。(Idonotknow，bythewaybeitsaid，whetheritbenotthesame，theinteriorofwhichcanbeseento-daythroughalittlesquarewindow，openingtotheeastattheheightofamanabovetheplatformfromwhichthetowersspring；abareanddilapidatedden，whosebadlyplasteredwallsareornamentedhereandthere，atthepresentday，withsomewretchedyellowengravingsrepresentingthefa？adesofcathedrals。Ipresumethatthisholeisjointlyinhabitedbybatsandspiders，andthat，consequently，itwagesadoublewarofexterminationontheflies)。

Everyday，anhourbeforesunset，thearchdeaconascendedthestaircasetothetower，andshuthimselfupinthiscell，wherehesometimespassedwholenights。Thatday，atthemomentwhen，standingbeforethelowdoorofhisretreat，hewasfittingintothelockthecomplicatedlittlekeywhichhealwayscarriedabouthiminthepursesuspendedtohisside，asoundoftambourineandcastanetshadreachedhisear。

ThesesoundscamefromthePlaceduParvis。Thecell，aswehavealreadysaid，hadonlyonewindowopeningupontherearofthechurch。ClaudeFrollohadhastilywithdrawnthekey，andaninstantlater，hewasonthetopofthetower，inthegloomyandpensiveattitudeinwhichthemaidenshadseenhim。

Therehestood，grave，motionless，absorbedinonelookandonethought。AllParislayathisfeet，withthethousandspiresofitsedificesanditscircularhorizonofgentlehills——withitsriverwindingunderitsbridges，anditspeoplemovingtoandfrothroughitsstreets，——withthecloudsofitssmoke，——withthemountainouschainofitsroofswhichpressesNotre-Dameinitsdoubledfolds；butout。ofallthecity，thearchdeacongazedatonecorneronlyofthepavement，thePlaceduParvis；inallthatthrongatbutonefigure，——thegypsy。

Itwouldhavebeendifficulttosaywhatwasthenatureofthislook，andwhenceproceededtheflamethatflashedfromit。Itwasafixedgaze，whichwas，nevertheless，fulloftroubleandtumult。And，fromtheprofoundimmobilityofhiswholebody，barelyagitatedatintervalsbyaninvoluntaryshiver，asatreeismovedbythewind；fromthestiffnessofhiselbows，moremarblethanthebalustradeonwhichtheyleaned；orthesightofthepetrifiedsmilewhichcontractedhisface，——

onewouldhavesaidthatnothinglivingwasleftaboutClaudeFrolloexcepthiseyes。

Thegypsywasdancing；shewastwirlinghertambourineonthetipofherfinger，andtossingitintotheairasshedancedProven？alsarabands；agile，light，joyous，andunconsciousoftheformidablegazewhichdescendedperpendicularlyuponherhead。

Thecrowdwasswarmingaroundher；fromtimetotime，amanaccoutredinredandyellowmadethemformintoacircle，andthenreturned，seatedhimselfonachairafewpacesfromthedancer，andtookthegoat’sheadonhisknees。Thismanseemedtobethegypsy’scompanion。ClaudeFrollocouldnotdistinguishhisfeaturesfromhiselevatedpost。

Fromthemomentwhenthearchdeaconcaughtsightofthisstranger，hisattentionseemeddividedbetweenhimandthedancer，andhisfacebecamemoreandmoregloomy。Allatonceheroseupright，andaquiverranthroughhiswholebody:"Whoisthatman？"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth:

"Ihavealwaysseenheralonebefore！"

Thenheplungeddownbeneaththetortuousvaultofthespiralstaircase，andoncemoredescended。Ashepassedthedoorofthebellchamber，whichwasajar，besawsomethingwhichstruckhim；hebeheldQuasimodo，who，leaningthroughanopeningofoneofthoseslatepenthouseswhichresembleenormousblinds，appearedalsotobegazingatthePlace。Hewasengagedinsoprofoundacontemplation，thathedidnotnoticethepassageofhisadoptedfather。Hissavageeyehadasingularexpression；itwasacharmed，tenderlook。"Thisisstrange！"murmuredClaude。"Isitthegypsyatwhomheisthusgazing？"Hecontinuedhisdescent。Attheendofafewminutes，theanxiousarchdeaconentereduponthePlacefromthedooratthebaseofthetower。

"Whathasbecomeofthegypsygirl？"hesaid，minglingwiththegroupofspectatorswhichthesoundofthetambourinehadcollected。

"Iknownot，"repliedoneofhisneighbors，"Ithinkthatshehasgonetomakesomeofherfandangoesinthehouseopposite，whithertheyhavecalledher。"

Intheplaceofthegypsy，onthecarpet，whosearabesqueshadseemedtovanishbutamomentpreviouslybythecapriciousfiguresofherdance，thearchdeaconnolongerbeheldanyonebuttheredandyellowman，who，inordertoearnafewtestersinhisturn，waswalkingroundthecircle，withhiselbowsonhiships，hisheadthrownback，hisfacered，hisneckoutstretched，withachairbetweenhisteeth。Tothechairhehadfastenedacat，whichaneighborhadlent，andwhichwasspittingingreataffright。

"Notre-Dame！"exclaimedthearchdeacon，atthemomentwhenthejuggler，perspiringheavily，passedinfrontofhimwithhispyramidofchairandhiscat，"WhatisMasterPierreGringoiredoinghere？"

Theharshvoiceofthearchdeaconthrewthepoorfellowintosuchacommotionthathelosthisequilibrium，togetherwithhiswholeedifice，andthechairandthecattumbledpell-mellupontheheadsofthespectators，inthemidstofinextinguishablehootings。

ItisprobablethatMasterPierreGringoire(foritwasindeedhe)wouldhavehadasorryaccounttosettlewiththeneighborwhoownedthecat，andallthebruisedandscratchedfaceswhichsurroundedhim，ifhehadnothastenedtoprofitbythetumulttotakerefugeinthechurch，whitherClaudeFrollohadmadehimasigntofollowhim。

Thecathedralwasalreadydarkanddeserted；theside-aisleswerefullofshadows，andthelampsofthechapelsbegantoshineoutlikestars，soblackhadthevaultedceilingbecome。

Onlythegreatrosewindowofthefa？ade，whosethousandcolorsweresteepedinarayofhorizontalsunlight，glitteredinthegloomlikeamassofdiamonds，andthrewitsdazzlingreflectiontotheotherendofthenave。

Whentheyhadadvancedafewpaces，DomClaudeplacedhisbackagainstapillar，andgazedintentlyatGringoire。

ThegazewasnottheonewhichGringoirefeared，ashamedashewasofhavingbeencaughtbyagraveandlearnedpersoninthecostumeofabuffoon。Therewasnothingmockingorironicalinthepriest’sglance，itwasserious，tranquil，piercing。Thearchdeaconwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。

"Comenow，MasterPierre。Youaretoexplainmanythingstome。Andfirstofall，howcomesitthatyouhavenotbeenseenfortwomonths，andthatnowonefindsyouinthepublicsquares，inafineequipmentintruth！Motleyredandyellow，likeaCaudebecapple？"

"Messire，"saidGringoire，piteously，"itis，infact，anamazingaccoutrement。Youseemenomorecomfortableinitthanacatcoiffedwithacalabash。’Tisveryilldone，Iamconscious，toexposemessieursthesergeantsofthewatchtotheliabilityofcudgellingbeneaththiscassockthehumerusofaPythagoreanphilosopher。Butwhatwouldyouhave，myreverendmaster？’tisthefaultofmyancientjerkin，whichabandonedmeincowardlywise，atthebeginningofthewinter，underthepretextthatitwasfallingintotatters，andthatitrequiredreposeinthebasketofarag-picker。

Whatisonetodo？Civilizationhasnotyetarrivedatthepointwhereonecangostarknaked，asancientDiogeneswished。Addthataverycoldwindwasblowing，and’tisnotinthemonthofJanuarythatonecansuccessfullyattempttomakehumanitytakethisnewstep。Thisgarmentpresenteditself，Itookit，andIleftmyancientblacksmock，which，forahermeticlikemyself，wasfarfrombeinghermeticallyclosed。Beholdmethen，inthegarmentsofastage-player，likeSaintGenest。Whatwouldyouhave？’tisaneclipse。

ApollohimselftendedtheflocksofAdmetus。"

"’Tisafineprofessionthatyouareengagedin！"repliedthearchdeacon。

"Iagree，mymaster，that’tisbettertophilosophizeandpoetize，toblowtheflameinthefurnace，ortoreceiveitfromcarrycatsonashield。So，whenyouaddressedme，Iwasasfoolishasanassbeforeaturnspit。Butwhatwouldyouhave，messire？Onemusteateveryday，andthefinestAlexandrineversesarenotworthabitofBriecheese。Now，ImadeforMadameMargueriteofFlanders，thatfamousepithalamium，asyouknow，andthecitywillnotpayme，underthepretextthatitwasnotexcellent；asthoughonecouldgiveatragedyofSophoclesforfourcrowns！

Hence，Iwasonthepointofdyingwithhunger。Happily，IfoundthatIwasratherstronginthejaw；soIsaidtothisjaw，——performsomefeatsofstrengthandofequilibrium:

nourishthyself。~Aleteipsam~。Apackofbeggarswhohavebecomemygoodfriends，havetaughtmetwentysortsofherculeanfeats，andnowIgivetomyteetheveryeveningthebreadwhichtheyhaveearnedduringthedaybythesweatofmybrow。Afterall，concede，Igrantthatitisasademploymentformyintellectualfaculties，andthatmanisnotmadetopasshislifeinbeatingthetambourineandbitingchairs。But，reverendmaster，itisnotsufficienttopassone’slife，onemustearnthemeansforlife。’’

DomClaudelistenedinsilence。Allatoncehisdeep-seteyeassumedsosagaciousandpenetratinganexpression，thatGringoirefelthimself，sotospeak，searchedtothebottomofthesoulbythatglance。

"Verygood，MasterPierre；buthowcomesitthatyouarenowincompanywiththatgypsydancer？"

"Infaith！"saidGringoire，"’tisbecausesheismywifeandIamherhusband。"

Thepriest’sgloomyeyesflashedintoflame。

"Haveyoudonethat，youwretch！"hecried，seizingGringoire’sarmwithfury；"haveyoubeensoabandonedbyGodastoraiseyourhandagainstthatgirl？"

"Onmychanceofparadise，monseigneur，"repliedGringoire，tremblingineverylimb，"IsweartoyouthatIhavenevertouchedher，ifthatiswhatdisturbsyou。"

"Thenwhydoyoutalkofhusbandandwife？"saidthepriest。

Gringoiremadehastetorelatetohimassuccinctlyaspossible，allthatthereaderalreadyknows，hisadventureintheCourtofMiraclesandthebroken-crockmarriage。Itappeared，moreover，thatthismarriagehadledtonoresultswhatever，andthateacheveningthegypsygirlcheatedhimofhisnuptialrightasonthefirstday。"’Tisamortification，"

hesaidinconclusion，"butthatisbecauseIhavehadthemisfortunetowedavirgin。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"demandedthearchdeacon，whohadbeengraduallyappeasedbythisrecital。

"’Tisverydifficulttoexplain，"repliedthepoet。"Itisasuperstition。Mywifeis，accordingtowhatanoldthief，whoiscalledamongustheDukeofEgypt，hastoldme，afoundlingoralostchild，whichisthesamething。Shewearsonherneckanamuletwhich，itisaffirmed，willcausehertomeetherparentssomeday，butwhichwillloseitsvirtueiftheyounggirlloseshers。Henceitfollowsthatbothofusremainveryvirtuous。"

"So，"resumedClaude，whosebrowclearedmoreandmore，"youbelieve，MasterPierre，thatthiscreaturehasnotbeenapproachedbyanyman？"

"Whatwouldyouhaveamando，DomClaude，asagainstasuperstition？Shehasgotthatinherhead。IassuredlyesteemasararitythisnunlikepruderywhichispreserveduntamedamidthoseBohemiangirlswhoaresoeasilybroughtintosubjection。Butshehasthreethingstoprotecther:

theDukeofEgypt，whohastakenherunderhissafeguard，reckoning，perchance，onsellinghertosomegayabbé；allhistribe，whoholdherinsingularveneration，likeaNotre-Dame；

andacertaintinypoignard，whichthebuxomdamealwayswearsabouther，insomenook，inspiteoftheordinancesoftheprovost，andwhichonecausestoflyoutintoherhandsbysqueezingherwaist。’Tisaproudwasp，Icantellyou！"

ThearchdeaconpressedGringoirewithquestions。

LaEsmeralda，inthejudgmentofGringoire，wasaninoffensiveandcharmingcreature，pretty，withtheexceptionofapoutwhichwaspeculiartoher；ana？veandpassionatedamsel，ignorantofeverythingandenthusiasticabouteverything；

notyetawareofthedifferencebetweenamanandawoman，eveninherdreams；madelikethat；wildespeciallyoverdancing，noise，theopenair；asortofwomanbee，withinvisiblewingsonherfeet，andlivinginawhirlwind。Sheowedthisnaturetothewanderinglifewhichshehadalwaysled。Gringoirehadsucceededinlearningthat，whileamerechild，shehadtraversedSpainandCatalonia，eventoSicily；

hebelievedthatshehadevenbeentakenbythecaravanofZingari，ofwhichsheformedapart，tothekingdomofAlgiers，acountrysituatedinAchaia，whichcountryadjoins，ononesideAlbaniaandGreece；ontheother，theSicilianSea，whichistheroadtoConstantinople。TheBohemians，saidGringoire，werevassalsoftheKingofAlgiers，inhisqualityofchiefoftheWhiteMoors。Onethingiscertain，thatlaEsmeraldahadcometoFrancewhilestillveryyoung，bywayofHungary。Fromallthesecountriestheyounggirlhadbroughtbackfragmentsofqueerjargons，songs，andstrangeideas，whichmadeherlanguageasmotleyashercostume，halfParisian，halfAfrican。However，thepeopleofthequarterswhichshefrequentedlovedherforhergayety，herdaintiness，herlivelymanners，herdances，andhersongs。Shebelievedherselftobehated，inallthecity，bybuttwopersons，ofwhomsheoftenspokeinterror:thesackednunoftheTour-Roland，avillanousreclusewhocherishedsomesecretgrudgeagainstthesegypsies，andwhocursedthepoordancereverytimethatthelatterpassedbeforeherwindow；andapriest，whonevermetherwithoutcastingatherlooksandwordswhichfrightenedher。

Thementionofthislastcircumstancedisturbedthearchdeacongreatly，thoughGringoirepaidnoattentiontohisperturbation；tosuchanextenthadtwomonthssufficedtocausetheheedlesspoettoforgetthesingulardetailsoftheeveningonwhichhehadmetthegypsy，andthepresenceofthearchdeaconinitall。Otherwise，thelittledancerfearednothing；shedidnottellfortunes，whichprotectedheragainstthosetrialsformagicwhichweresofrequentlyinstitutedagainstgypsywomen。Andthen，Gringoireheldthepositionofherbrother，ifnotofherhusband。Afterall，thephilosopherenduredthissortofplatonicmarriageverypatiently。Itmeantashelterandbreadatleast。Everymorning，hesetoutfromthelairofthethieves，generallywiththegypsy；hehelpedhermakehercollectionsoftarges*andlittleblanks**inthesquares；eacheveninghereturnedtothesameroofwithher，allowedhertoboltherselfintoherlittlechamber，andsleptthesleepofthejust。A

verysweetexistence，takingitallinall，hesaid，andwelladaptedtorevery。Andthen，onhissoulandconscience，thephilosopherwasnotverysurethathewasmadlyinlovewiththegypsy。Helovedhergoatalmostasdearly。Itwasacharminganimal，gentle，intelligent，clever；alearnedgoat。NothingwasmorecommonintheMiddleAgesthantheselearnedanimals，whichamazedpeoplegreatly，andoftenledtheirinstructorstothestake。Butthewitchcraftofthegoatwiththegoldenhoofswasaveryinnocentspeciesofmagic。Gringoireexplainedthemtothearchdeacon，whomthesedetailsseemedtointerestdeeply。Inthemajorityofcases，itwassufficienttopresentthetambourinetothegoatinsuchorsuchamanner，inordertoobtainfromhimthetrickdesired。Hehadbeentrainedtothisbythegypsy，whopossessed，inthesedelicatearts，sorareatalentthattwomonthshadsufficedtoteachthegoattowrite，withmovableletters，theword"Phoebus。"

*AnancientBurgundiancoin。

**AnancientFrenchcoin。

"’Phoebus！’"saidthepriest；"why’Phoebus’？"

"Iknownot，"repliedGringoire。"Perhapsitisawordwhichshebelievestobeendowedwithsomemagicandsecretvirtue。Sheoftenrepeatsitinalowtonewhenshethinksthatsheisalone。"

"Areyousure，"persistedClaude，withhispenetratingglance，"thatitisonlyawordandnotaname？"

"Thenameofwhom？"saidthepoet。

"HowshouldIknow？"saidthepriest。

"ThisiswhatIimagine，messire。TheseBohemiansaresomethinglikeGuebrs，andadorethesun。Hence，Phoebus。"

"Thatdoesnotseemsocleartomeastoyou，MasterPierre。"

"Afterall，thatdoesnotconcernme。LethermumbleherPhoebusatherpleasure。Onethingiscertain，thatDjalilovesmealmostasmuchashedoesher。"

"WhoisDjali？"

"Thegoat。"

Thearchdeacondroppedhischinintohishand，andappearedtoreflectforamoment。AllatonceheturnedabruptlytoGringoireoncemore。

"Anddoyousweartomethatyouhavenottouchedher？"

"Whom？"saidGringoire；"thegoat？"

"No，thatwoman。"

"Mywife？IsweartoyouthatIhavenot。"

"Youareoftenalonewithher？"

"Agoodhoureveryevening。"

PornClaudefrowned。

"Oh！oh！~SoluscumsolanoncogitabunturorarePaterNoster~。"

"Uponmysoul，Icouldsaythe~Pater~，andthe~AveMaria~，andthe~CredoinDeumpatremomnipotentem~withoutherpayinganymoreattentiontomethanachickentoachurch。"

"Sweartome，bythebodyofyourmother，"repeatedthearchdeaconviolently，"thatyouhavenottouchedthatcreaturewitheventhetipofyourfinger。"

"Iwillalsoswearitbytheheadofmyfather，forthetwothingshavemoreaffinitybetweenthem。But，myreverendmaster，permitmeaquestioninmyturn。"

"Speak，sir。"

"Whatconcernisitofyours？"

Thearchdeacon’spalefacebecameascrimsonasthecheekofayounggirl。Heremainedforamomentwithoutanswering；

then，withvisibleembarrassment，——

"Listen，MasterPierreGringoire。Youarenotyetdamned，sofarasIknow。Itakeaninterestinyou，andwishyouwell。NowtheleastcontactwiththatEgyptianofthedemonwouldmakeyouthevassalofSatan。Youknowthat’tisalwaysthebodywhichruinsthesoul。Woetoyouifyouapproachthatwoman！Thatisall。"

"Itriedonce，"saidGringoire，scratchinghisear；"itwasthefirstday:butIgotstung。"

"Youweresoaudacious，MasterPierre？"andthepriest’sbrowcloudedoveragain。

"Onanotheroccasion，"continuedthepoet，withasmile，"I

peepedthroughthekeyhole，beforegoingtobed，andIbeheldthemostdeliciousdameinhershiftthatevermadeabedcreakunderherbarefoot。"

"Gotothedevil！"criedthepriest，withaterriblelook；

and，givingtheamazedGringoireapushontheshoulders，heplunged，withlongstrides，underthegloomiestarcadesofthecathedral。

CHAPTERIII。

THEBELLS。

Afterthemorninginthepillory，theneighborsofNotre-

DamethoughttheynoticedthatQuasimodo’sardorforringinghadgrowncool。Formerly，therehadbeenpealsforeveryoccasion，longmorningserenades，whichlastedfromprimetocompline；pealsfromthebelfryforahighmass，richscalesdrawnoverthesmallerbellsforawedding，forachristening，andminglingintheairlikearichembroideryofallsortsofcharmingsounds。Theoldchurch，allvibratingandsonorous，wasinaperpetualjoyofbells。Onewasconstantlyconsciousofthepresenceofaspiritofnoiseandcaprice，whosangthroughallthosemouthsofbrass。Nowthatspiritseemedtohavedeparted；thecathedralseemedgloomy，andgladlyremainedsilent；festivalsandfuneralshadthesimplepeal，dryandbare，demandedbytheritual，nothingmore。Ofthedoublenoisewhichconstitutesachurch，theorganwithin，thebellwithout，theorganaloneremained。Onewouldhavesaidthattherewasnolongeramusicianinthebelfry。Quasimodowasalwaysthere，nevertheless；what，then，hadhappenedtohim？Wasitthattheshameanddespairofthepillorystilllingeredinthebottomofhisheart，thatthelashesofhistormentor’swhipreverberatedunendinglyinhissoul，andthatthesadnessofsuchtreatmenthadwhollyextinguishedinhimevenhispassionforthebells？orwasitthatMariehadarivalintheheartofthebellringerofNotre-Dame，andthatthegreatbellandherfourteensisterswereneglectedforsomethingmoreamiableandmorebeautiful？

Itchancedthat，intheyearofgrace1482，AnnunciationDayfellonTuesday，thetwenty-fifthofMarch。ThatdaytheairwassopureandlightthatQuasimodofeltsomereturningaffectionforhisbells。Hethereforeascendedthenortherntowerwhilethebeadlebelowwasopeningwidethedoorsofthechurch，whichwerethenenormouspanelsofstoutwood，coveredwithleather，borderedwithnailsofgildediron，andframedincarvings"veryartisticallyelaborated。"

Onarrivingintheloftybellchamber，Quasimodogazedforsometimeatthesixbellsandshookhisheadsadly，asthoughgroaningoversomeforeignelementwhichhadinterposeditselfinhisheartbetweenthemandhim。Butwhenhehadsetthemtoswinging，whenhefeltthatclusterofbellsmovingunderhishand，whenhesaw，forhedidnothearit，thepalpitatingoctaveascendanddescendthatsonorousscale，likeabirdhoppingfrombranchtobranch；whenthedemonMusic，thatdemonwhoshakesasparklingbundleofstrette，trillsandarpeggios，hadtakenpossessionofthepoordeafman，hebecamehappyoncemore，heforgoteverything，andhisheartexpanding，madehisfacebeam。

Hewentandcame，hebeathishandstogether，heranfromropetorope，heanimatedthesixsingerswithvoiceandgesture，liketheleaderofanorchestrawhoisurgingonintelligentmusicians。

"Goon，"saidhe，"goon，goon，Gabrielle，pouroutallthynoiseintothePlace，’tisafestivalto-day。Nolaziness，Thibauld；thouartrelaxing；goon，goon，then，artthourusted，thousluggard？Thatiswell！quick！quick！letnotthyclapperbeseen！Makethemalldeaflikeme。That’sit，Thibauld，bravelydone！Guillaume！Guillaume！thouartthelargest，andPasquieristhesmallest，andPasquierdoesbest。Letuswagerthatthosewhohearhimwillunderstandhimbetterthantheyunderstandthee。Good！good！myGabrielle，stoutly，morestoutly！Eli！whatareyoudoingupaloftthere，youtwoMoineaux(sparrows)？Idonotseeyoumakingtheleastlittleshredofnoise。Whatisthemeaningofthosebeaksofcopperwhichseemtobegapingwhentheyshouldsing？Come，worknow，’tistheFeastoftheAnnunciation。Thesunisfine，thechimemustbefinealso。PoorGuillaume！thouartalloutofbreath，mybigfellow！"

Hewaswhollyabsorbedinspurringonhisbells，allsixofwhichviedwitheachotherinleapingandshakingtheirshininghaunches，likeanoisyteamofSpanishmules，prickedonhereandtherebytheapostrophesofthemuleteer。

Allatonce，onlettinghisglancefallbetweenthelargeslatescaleswhichcovertheperpendicularwallofthebelltoweratacertainheight，hebeheldonthesquareayounggirl，fantasticallydressed，stop，spreadoutonthegroundacarpet，onwhichasmallgoattookupitspost，andagroupofspectatorscollectaroundher。Thissightsuddenlychangedthecourseofhisideas，andcongealedhisenthusiasmasabreathofaircongealsmeltedrosin。Hehalted，turnedhisbacktothebells，andcroucheddownbehindtheprojectingroofofslate，fixinguponthedancerthatdreamy，sweet，andtenderlookwhichhadalreadyastonishedthearchdeaconononeoccasion。Meanwhile，theforgottenbellsdiedawayabruptlyandalltogether，tothegreatdisappointmentoftheloversofbellringing，whowerelisteningingoodfaithtothepealfromabovethePontduChange，andwhowentawaydumbfounded，likeadogwhohasbeenofferedaboneandgivenastone。

CHAPTERIV。

~ANArKH~。

ItchancedthatuponafinemorninginthissamemonthofMarch，IthinkitwasonSaturdaythe29th，SaintEustache’sday，ouryoungfriendthestudent，JehanFrolloduMoulin，perceived，ashewasdressinghimself，thathisbreeches，whichcontainedhispurse，gaveoutnometallicring。"Poorpurse，"

hesaid，drawingitfromhisfob，"what！notthesmallestparisis！howcruellythedice，beer-pots，andVenushavedepletedthee！Howempty，wrinkled，limp，thouart！Thouresemblestthethroatofafury！Iaskyou，MesserCicero，andMesserSeneca，copiesofwhom，alldog’s-eared，Ibeholdscatteredonthefloor，whatprofitsitmetoknow，betterthananygovernorofthemint，oranyJewonthePontauxChangeurs，thatagoldencrownstampedwithacrownisworththirty-fiveunzainsoftwenty-fivesous，andeightdeniersparisisapiece，andthatacrownstampedwithacrescentisworththirty-sixunzainsoftwenty-sixsous，sixdenierstournoisapiece，ifIhavenotasinglewretchedblackliardtoriskonthedouble-six！Oh！ConsulCicero！thisisnocalamityfromwhichoneextricatesone’sselfwithperiphrases，~quemadmodum~，and~verumenimvero~！"

Hedressedhimselfsadly。Anideahadoccurredtohimashelacedhisboots，butherejecteditatfirst；nevertheless，itreturned，andheputonhiswaistcoatwrongsideout，anevidentsignofviolentinternalcombat。Atlasthedashedhiscaproughlyonthefloor，andexclaimed:"Somuchtheworse！

Letcomeofitwhatmay。Iamgoingtomybrother！I

shallcatchasermon，butIshallcatchacrown。"

Thenbehastilydonnedhislongjacketwithfurredhalf-

sleeves，pickeduphiscap，andwentoutlikeamandriventodesperation。

HedescendedtheRuedelaHarpetowardtheCity。AshepassedtheRuedelaHuchette，theodorofthoseadmirablespits，whichwereincessantlyturning，tickledhisolfactoryapparatus，andhebestowedalovingglancetowardtheCyclopeanroast，whichonedaydrewfromtheFranciscanfriar，Calatagirone，thispatheticexclamation:~Veramente，questerotisseriesonocosastupenda~！*ButJehanhadnotthewherewithaltobuyabreakfast，andheplunged，withaprofoundsigh，underthegatewayofthePetit-Chatelet，thatenormousdoubletrefoilofmassivetowerswhichguardedtheentrancetotheCity。

*Truly，theseroastingsareastupendousthing！

Hedidnoteventakethetroubletocastastoneinpassing，aswastheusage，atthemiserablestatueofthatPérinetLeclercwhohaddelivereduptheParisofCharlesVI。totheEnglish，acrimewhichhiseffigy，itsfacebatteredwithstonesandsoiledwithmud，expiatedforthreecenturiesatthecorneroftheRuedelaHarpeandtheRuedeBuci，asinaneternalpillory。

ThePetit-Ponttraversed，theRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevièvecrossed，JehandeMolendinofoundhimselfinfrontofNotre-

Dame。Thenindecisionseizeduponhimoncemore，andhepacedforseveralminutesroundthestatueofM。Legris，repeatingtohimselfwithanguish:"Thesermonissure，thecrownisdoubtful。"

Hestoppedabeadlewhoemergedfromthecloister，——"WhereismonsieurthearchdeaconofJosas？"

"Ibelievethatheisinhissecretcellinthetower，"saidthebeadle；"Ishouldadviseyounottodisturbhimthere，unlessyoucomefromsomeonelikethepopeormonsieurtheking。"

Jehanclappedhishands。

"~Bécliable~！here’samagnificentchancetoseethefamoussorcerycell！"

Thisreflectionhavingbroughthimtoadecision，heplungedresolutelyintothesmallblackdoorway，andbegantheascentofthespiralofSaint-Gilles，whichleadstotheupperstoriesofthetower。"Iamgoingtosee，"hesaidtohimselfontheway。"BytheravensoftheHolyVirgin！itmustneedsbeacuriousthing，thatcellwhichmyreverendbrotherhidessosecretly！’Tissaidthathelightsupthekitchensofhellthere，andthathecooksthephilosopher’sstonethereoverahotfire。~Bédieu~！Icarenomoreforthephilosopher’sstonethanforapebble，andIwouldratherfindoverhisfurnaceanomeletteofEastereggsandbacon，thanthebiggestphilosopher’sstoneintheworld。"’

Onarrivingatthegalleryofslendercolumns，hetookbreathforamoment，andsworeagainsttheinterminablestaircasebyIknownothowmanymillioncartloadsofdevils；

thenheresumedhisascentthroughthenarrowdoorofthenorthtower，nowclosedtothepublic。Severalmomentsafterpassingthebellchamber，hecameuponalittlelanding-place，builtinalateralniche，andunderthevaultofalow，pointeddoor，whoseenormouslockandstrongironbarshewasenabledtoseethroughaloopholepiercedintheoppositecircularwallofthestaircase。Personsdesirousofvisitingthisdooratthepresentdaywillrecognizeitbythisinscriptionengravedinwhitelettersontheblackwall:"J’ADORE

CORALIE，1823。SIGNEUGENE。""Signé"standsinthetext。

"Ugh！"saidthescholar；"’tishere，nodoubt。"

Thekeywasinthelock，thedoorwasveryclosetohim；

hegaveitagentlepushandthrusthisheadthroughtheopening。

ThereadercannothavefailedtoturnovertheadmirableworksofRembrandt，thatShakespeareofpainting。Amidsomanymarvellousengravings，thereisoneetchinginparticular，whichissupposedtorepresentDoctorFaust，andwhichitisimpossibletocontemplatewithoutbeingdazzled。Itrepresentsagloomycell；inthecentreisatableloadedwithhideousobjects；skulls，spheres，alembics，compasses，hieroglyphicparchments。Thedoctorisbeforethistablecladinhislargecoatandcoveredtotheveryeyebrowswithhisfurredcap。Heisvisibleonlytohiswaist。Hehashalfrisenfromhisimmensearm-chair，hisclenchedfistsrestonthetable，andheisgazingwithcuriosityandterroratalargeluminouscircle，formedofmagicletters，whichgleamsfromthewallbeyond，likethesolarspectruminadarkchamber。

Thiscabalisticsunseemstotremblebeforetheeye，andfillsthewancellwithitsmysteriousradiance。Itishorribleanditisbeautiful。

SomethingverysimilartoFaust’scellpresenteditselftoJehan’sview，whenheventuredhisheadthroughthehalf-

opendoor。Italsowasagloomyandsparselylightedretreat。

Therealsostoodalargearm-chairandalargetable，compasses，alembics，skeletonsofanimalssuspendedfromtheceiling，agloberollingonthefloor，hippocephalimingledpromiscuouslywithdrinkingcups，inwhichquiveredleavesofgold，skullsplaceduponvellumcheckeredwithfiguresandcharacters，hugemanuscriptspiledupwideopen，withoutmercyonthecrackingcornersoftheparchment；inshort，alltherubbishofscience，andeverywhereonthisconfusiondustandspiders’webs；buttherewasnocircleofluminousletters，nodoctorinanecstasycontemplatingtheflamingvision，astheeaglegazesuponthesun。

Nevertheless，thecellwasnotdeserted。Amanwasseatedinthearm-chair，andbendingoverthetable。Jehan，towhomhisbackwasturned，couldseeonlyhisshouldersandthebackofhisskull；buthehadnodifficultyinrecognizingthatbaldhead，whichnaturehadprovidedwithaneternaltonsure，asthoughdesirousofmarking，bythisexternalsymbol，thearchdeacon’sirresistibleclericalvocation。

Jehanaccordinglyrecognizedhisbrother；butthedoorhadbeenopenedsosoftly，thatnothingwarnedDomClaudeofhispresence。Theinquisitivescholartookadvantageofthiscircumstancetoexaminethecellforafewmomentsathisleisure。Alargefurnace，whichhehadnotatfirstobserved，stoodtotheleftofthearm-chair，beneaththewindow。Therayoflightwhichpenetratedthroughthisaperturemadeitswaythroughaspider’scircularweb，whichtastefullyinscribeditsdelicateroseinthearchofthewindow，andinthecentreofwhichtheinsectarchitecthungmotionless，likethehubofthiswheeloflace。Uponthefurnacewereaccumulatedindisorder，allsortsofvases，earthenwarebottles，glassretorts，andmattressesofcharcoal。Jehanobserved，withasigh，thattherewasnofrying-pan。"Howcoldthekitchenutensilsare！"hesaidtohimself。

Infact，therewasnofireinthefurnace，anditseemedasthoughnonehadbeenlightedforalongtime。Aglassmask，whichJehannoticedamongtheutensilsofalchemy，andwhichservednodoubt，toprotectthearchdeacon’sfacewhenhewasworkingoversomesubstancetobedreaded，layinonecornercoveredwithdustandapparentlyforgotten。Besideitlayapairofbellowsnolessdusty，theuppersideofwhichborethisinscriptionincrustedincopperletters:SPIRASPERA。

Otherinscriptionswerewritten，inaccordancewiththefashionofthehermetics，ingreatnumbersonthewalls；sometracedwithink，othersengravedwithametalpoint。Therewere，moreover，Gothicletters，Hebrewletters，Greekletters，andRomanletters，pell-mell；theinscriptionsoverflowedathaphazard，ontopofeachother，themorerecenteffacingthemoreancient，andallentangledwitheachother，likethebranchesinathicket，likepikesinanaffray。Itwas，infact，astrangelyconfusedminglingofallhumanphilosophies，allreveries，allhumanwisdom。Hereandthereoneshoneoutfromamongtherestlikeabanneramonglanceheads。

Generally，itwasabriefGreekorRomandevice，suchastheMiddleAgesknewsowellhowtoformulate——~Unde？Inde？——Homohominimonstrurn-Ast’ra，castra，nomen，numen——MeyaBibklov，ueyaxaxov——Sapereaude。Fiatubivult~——etc。；sometimesaworddevoidofallapparentsense，~Avayxoqpayia~，whichpossiblycontainedabitterallusiontotheregimeofthecloister；sometimesasimplemaximofclericaldisciplineformulatedinaregularhexameter~Coelestemdominumterrestremdicitedominum~。TherewasalsoHebrewjargon，ofwhichJehan，whoasyetknewbutlittleGreek，understoodnothing；

andallweretraversedineverydirectionbystars，byfiguresofmenoranimals，andbyintersectingtriangles；andthiscontributednotalittletomakethescrawledwallofthecellresembleasheetofpaperoverwhichamonkeyhaddrawnbackandforthapenfilledwithink。

Thewholechamber，moreover，presentedageneralaspectofabandonmentanddilapidation；andthebadstateoftheutensilsinducedthesuppositionthattheirownerhadlongbeendistractedfromhislaborsbyotherpreoccupations。

Meanwhile，thismaster，bentoveravastmanuscript，ornamentedwithfantasticalillustrations，appearedtobetormentedbyanideawhichincessantlymingledwithhismeditations。ThatatleastwasJehan’sidea，whenheheardhimexclaim，withthethoughtfulbreaksofadreamerthinkingaloud，——

"Yes，Manousaidit，andZoroastertaughtit！thesunisbornfromfire，themoonfromthesun；fireisthesouloftheuniverse；itselementaryatomspourforthandflowincessantlyupontheworldthroughinfinitechannels！Atthepointwherethesecurrentsintersecteachotherintheheavens，theyproducelight；attheirpointsofintersectiononearth，theyproducegold。Light，gold；thesamething！

Fromfiretotheconcretestate。Thedifferencebetweenthevisibleandthepalpable，betweenthefluidandthesolidinthesamesubstance，betweenwaterandice，nothingmore。

Thesearenodreams；itisthegenerallawofnature。Butwhatisonetodoinordertoextractfromsciencethesecretofthisgenerallaw？What！thislightwhichinundatesmyhandisgold！Thesesameatomsdilatedinaccordancewithacertainlawneedonlybecondensedinaccordancewithanotherlaw。Howisittobedone？Somehavefanciedbyburyingarayofsunlight，Averro？s，——yes，’tisAverro？s，——

Averro？sburiedoneunderthefirstpillarontheleftofthesanctuaryoftheKoran，inthegreatMahometanmosqueofCordova；butthevaultcannotheopenedforthepurposeofascertainingwhethertheoperationhassucceeded，untilafterthelapseofeightthousandyears。

"Thedevil！"saidJehan，tohimself，"’tisalongwhiletowaitforacrown！"

"Othershavethought，"continuedthedreamyarchdeacon，"thatitwouldbebetterworthwhiletooperateuponarayofSirius。But’tisexceedinghardtoobtainthisraypure，becauseofthesimultaneouspresenceofotherstarswhoseraysminglewithit。Flamelesteemeditmoresimpletooperateuponterrestrialfire。Flamel！there’spredestinationinthename！~Flamma~！yes，fire。Allliesthere。Thediamondiscontainedinthecarbon，goldisinthefire。Buthowtoextractit？Magistriaffirmsthattherearecertainfemininenames，whichpossessacharmsosweetandmysterious，thatitsufficestopronouncethemduringtheoperation。LetusreadwhatManonsaysonthematter:’Wherewomenarehonored，thedivinitiesarerejoiced；wheretheyaredespised，itisuselesstopraytoGod。Themouthofawomanisconstantlypure；itisarunningwater，itisarayofsunlight。Thenameofawomanshouldbeagreeable，sweet，fanciful；itshouldendinlongvowels，andresemblewordsofbenediction。’Yes，thesageisright；intruth，Maria，Sophia，laEsmeral——Damnation！alwaysthatthought！"

Andheclosedthebookviolently。

Hepassedhishandoverhisbrow，asthoughtobrushawaytheideawhichassailedhim；thenhetookfromthetableanailandasmallhammer，whosehandlewascuriouslypaintedwithcabalisticletters。

"Forsometime，"hesaidwithabittersmile，"Ihavefailedinallmyexperiments！onefixedideapossessesme，andsearsmybrainlikefire。IhavenotevenbeenabletodiscoverthesecretofCassiodorus，whoselampburnedwithoutwickandwithoutoil。Asimplematter，nevertheless——"

"Thedeuce！"mutteredJehaninhisbeard。

"Hence，"continuedthepriest，"onewretchedthoughtissufficienttorenderamanweakandbesidehimself！Oh！

howClaudePernellewouldlaughatme。ShewhocouldnotturnNicholasFlamelaside，foronemoment，fromhispursuitofthegreatwork！What！IholdinmyhandthemagichammerofZéchiélé！ateveryblowdealtbytheformidablerabbi，fromthedepthsofhiscell，uponthisnail，thatoneofhisenemieswhomhehadcondemned，wereheathousandleaguesaway，wasburiedacubitdeepintheearthwhichswallowedhim。TheKingofFrancehimself，inconsequenceofoncehavinginconsideratelyknockedatthedoorofthethermaturgist，sanktothekneesthroughthepavementofhisownParis。Thistookplacethreecenturiesago。Well！

Ipossessthehammerandthenail，andinmyhandstheyareutensilsnomoreformidablethanaclubinthehandsofamakerofedgetools。AndyetallthatisrequiredistofindthemagicwordwhichZéchiélépronouncedwhenhestruckhisnail。"

"Whatnonsense！"thoughtJehan。

"Letussee，letustry！"resumedthearchdeaconbriskly。

"WereItosucceed，Ishouldbeholdthebluesparkflashfromtheheadofthenail。Emen-Hétan！Emen-Hétan！

That’snotit。Sigéani！Sigéani！MaythisnailopenthetombtoanyonewhobearsthenameofPhoebus！Acurseuponit！Alwaysandeternallythesameidea！"

Andheflungawaythehammerinarage。Thenhesankdownsodeeplyonthearm-chairandthetable，thatJehanlosthimfromviewbehindthegreatpileofmanuscripts。Forthespaceofseveralminutes，allthathesawwashisfistconvulsivelyclenchedonabook。Suddenly，DomClaudesprangup，seizedacompassandengravedinsilenceuponthewallincapitalletters，thisGreekword~ANArKH~。

"Mybrotherismad，"saidJehantohimself；"itwouldhavebeenfarmoresimpletowrite~Fatum~，everyoneisnotobligedtoknowGreek。"

Thearchdeaconreturnedandseatedhimselfinhisarmchair，andplacedhisheadonbothhishands，asasickmandoes，whoseheadisheavyandburning。

Thestudentwatchedhisbrotherwithsurprise。Hedidnotknow，hewhoworehisheartonhissleeve，hewhoobservedonlythegoodoldlawofNatureintheworld，hewhoallowedhispassionstofollowtheirinclinations，andinwhomthelakeofgreatemotionswasalwaysdry，sofreelydidheletitoffeachdaybyfreshdrains，——hedidnotknowwithwhatfurytheseaofhumanpassionsfermentsandboilswhenallegressisdeniedtoit，howitaccumulates，howitswells，howitoverflows，howithollowsouttheheart；howitbreaksininwardsobs，anddullconvulsions，untilithasrentitsdikesandburstitsbed。TheaustereandglacialenvelopeofClaudeFrollo，thatcoldsurfaceofsteepandinaccessiblevirtue，hadalwaysdeceivedJehan。Themerryscholarhadneverdreamedthattherewasboilinglava，furiousandprofound，beneaththesnowybrowofAEtna。

Wedonotknowwhetherhesuddenlybecameconsciousofthesethings；but，giddyashewas，heunderstoodthathehadseenwhatheoughtnottohaveseen，thathehadjustsurprisedthesoulofhiselderbrotherinoneofitsmostsecretaltitudes，andthatClaudemustnotbeallowedtoknowit。

Seeingthatthearchdeaconhadfallenbackintohisformerimmobility，hewithdrewhisheadverysoftly，andmadesomenoisewithhisfeetoutsidethedoor，likeapersonwhohasjustarrivedandisgivingwarningofhisapproach。

"Enter！"criedthearchdeacon，fromtheinteriorofhiscell；"Iwasexpectingyou。Ileftthedoorunlockedexpressly；enterMasterJacques！"

Thescholarenteredboldly。Thearchdeacon，whowasverymuchembarrassedbysuchavisitinsuchaplace，trembledinhisarm-chair。"What！’tisyou，Jehan？"

"’TisaJ，allthesame，"saidthescholar，withhisruddy，merry，andaudaciousface。

DomClaude’svisagehadresumeditssevereexpression。

"Whatareyoucomefor？"

"Brother，"repliedthescholar，makinganefforttoassumeadecent，pitiful，andmodestmien，andtwirlinghiscapinhishandswithaninnocentair；"Iamcometoaskofyou——"

"What？"

"Alittlelectureonmorality，ofwhichIstandgreatlyinneed，"Jehandidnotdaretoaddaloud，——"andalittlemoneyofwhichIaminstillgreaterneed。"Thislastmemberofhisphraseremainedunuttered。

"Monsieur，"saidthearchdeacon，inacoldtone，"Iamgreatlydispleasedwithyou。"

"Alas！"sighedthescholar。

DomClaudemadehisarm-chairdescribeaquartercircle，andgazedintentlyatJehan。

"Iamverygladtoseeyou。"

Thiswasaformidableexordium。Jehanbracedhimselfforaroughencounter。

"Jehan，complaintsarebroughtmeaboutyoueveryday。

Whataffraywasthatinwhichyoubruisedwithacudgelalittlevicomte，AlbertdeRamonchamp？"

"Oh！"saidJehan，"avastthingthat！Amaliciouspageamusedhimselfbysplashingthescholars，bymakinghishorsegallopthroughthemire！"

"Who，"pursuedthearchdeacon，"isthatMahietFargel，whosegownyouhavetorn？~Tunicamdechiraverunt~，saiththecomplaint。"

"Ahbah！awretchedcapofaMontaigu！Isn’tthatit？"

"Thecomplaintsays~tunicam~andnot~cappettam~。DoyouknowLatin？"

Jehandidnotreply。

"Yes，"pursuedthepriestshakinghishead，"thatisthestateoflearningandlettersatthepresentday。TheLatintongueishardlyunderstood，Syriacisunknown，Greeksoodiousthat’tisaccountednoignoranceinthemostlearnedtoskipaGreekwordwithoutreadingit，andtosay，’~Groecumestnonlegitur~。’"

Thescholarraisedhiseyesboldly。"Monsieurmybrother，dothitpleaseyouthatIshallexplainingoodFrenchvernacularthatGreekwordwhichiswrittenyonderonthewall？"

"Whatword？"

"’~ANArKH~。"

Aslightflushspreadoverthecheeksofthepriestwiththeirhighbones，likethepuffofsmokewhichannouncesontheoutsidethesecretcommotionsofavolcano。Thestudenthardlynoticedit。

"Well，Jehan，"stammeredtheelderbrotherwithaneffort，"Whatisthemeaningofyonderword？"

"FATE。"

DomClaudeturnedpaleagain，andthescholarpursuedcarelessly。

"Andthatwordbelowit，gravedbythesamehand，’~Ayáyvela~，signifies’impurity。’YouseethatpeopledoknowtheirGreek。"

Andthearchdeaconremainedsilent。ThisGreeklessonhadrenderedhimthoughtful。

MasterJehan，whopossessedalltheartfulwaysofaspoiledchild，judgedthatthemomentwasafavorableoneinwhichtoriskhisrequest。Accordingly，heassumedanextremelysofttoneandbegan，——

"Mygoodbrother，doyouhatemetosuchadegreeastolooksavagelyuponmebecauseofafewmischievouscuffsandblowsdistributedinafairwartoapackofladsandbrats，~quibusdammarmosetis~？Yousee，goodBrotherClaude，thatpeopleknowtheirLatin。"

Butallthiscaressinghypocrisydidnothaveitsusualeffectonthesevereelderbrother。Cerberusdidnotbiteatthehoneycake。Thearchdeacon’sbrowdidnotloseasinglewrinkle。

"Whatareyoudrivingat？"hesaiddryly。

"Well，inpointoffact，this！"repliedJehanbravely，"Istandinneedofmoney。"

Atthisaudaciousdeclaration，thearchdeacon’svisageassumedathoroughlypedagogicalandpaternalexpression。

"Youknow，MonsieurJehan，thatourfiefofTirecbappe，puttingthedirecttaxesandtherentsofthenineandtwentyhousesinablock，yieldsonlynineandthirtylivres，elevensous，sixdeniers，Parisian。ItisonehalfmorethaninthetimeofthebrothersPaclet，butitisnotmuch。"

"Ineedmoney，"saidJehanstoically。

"Youknowthattheofficialhasdecidedthatourtwenty-onehousesshouldhemovedfullintothefiefoftheBishopric，andthatwecouldredeemthishomageonlybypayingthereverendbishoptwomarksofsilvergiltofthepriceofsixlivresparisis。Now，thesetwomarksIhavenotyetbeenabletogettogether。Youknowit。"

"IknowthatIstandinneedofmoney，"repeatedJehanforthethirdtime。

"Andwhatareyougoingtodowithit？"

ThisquestioncausedaflashofhopetogleambeforeJehan’seyes。Heresumedhisdainty，caressingair。

"Stay，dearBrotherClaude，Ishouldnotcometoyou，withanyevilmotive。Thereisnointentionofcuttingadashinthetavernswithyourunzains，andofstruttingaboutthestreetsofParisinacaparisonofgoldbrocade，withalackey，~cummeolaquasio~。No，brother，’tisforagoodwork。"

"Whatgoodwork？"demandedClaude，somewhatsurprised。

"TwoofmyfriendswishtopurchaseanoutfitfortheinfantofapoorHaudriettewidow。Itisacharity。Itwillcostthreeforms，andIshouldliketocontributetoit。"

"Whatarenamesofyourtwofriends？"

"Pierrel’AssommeurandBaptisteCroque-Oison*。"

*PetertheSlaughterer；andBaptistCrack-Gosling。

"Hum，"saidthearchdeacon；"thosearenamesasfitforagoodworkasacatapultforthechiefaltar。"