CHAPTERV。

THEKEYTOTHEREDDOOR。

Inthemeantime，publicminorhadinformedthearchdeaconofthemiraculousmannerinwhichthegypsyhadbeensaved。Whenhelearnedit，heknewnotwhathissensationswere。HehadreconciledhimselftolaEsmeralda’sdeath。

Inthatmatterhewastranquil；hehadreachedthebottomofpersonalsuffering。Thehumanheart(DoraClaudehadmeditateduponthesematters)cancontainonlyacertainquantityofdespair。Whenthespongeissaturated，theseamaypassoveritwithoutcausingasingledropmoretoenterit。

Now，withlaEsmeraldadead，thespongewassoaked，allwasatanendonthisearthforDomClaude。Buttofeelthatshewasalive，andPhoebusalso，meantthattortures，shocks，alternatives，life，werebeginningagain。AndClaudewaswearyofallthis。

Whenheheardthisnews，heshuthimselfinhiscellinthecloister。Heappearedneitheratthemeetingsofthechapternorattheservices。Heclosedhisdooragainstall，evenagainstthebishop。Heremainedthusimmuredforseveralweeks。Hewasbelievedtobeill。Andsohewas，infact。

Whatdidhedowhilethusshutup？Withwhatthoughtswastheunfortunatemancontending？Washegivingfinalbattletohisformidablepassion？Washeconcoctingafinalplanofdeathforherandofperditionforhimself？

HisJehan，hischerishedbrother，hisspoiledchild，cameoncetohisdoor，knocked，swore，entreated，gavehisnamehalfascoreoftimes。Claudedidnotopen。

Hepassedwholedayswithhisfaceclosetothepanesofhiswindow。Fromthatwindow，situatedinthecloister，hecouldseelaEsmeralda’schamber。Heoftensawherselfwithhergoat，sometimeswithQuasimodo。Heremarkedthelittleattentionsoftheuglydeafman，hisobedience，hisdelicateandsubmissivewayswiththegypsy。Herecalled，forhehadagoodmemory，andmemoryisthetormentorofthejealous，herecalledthesingularlookofthebellringer，bentonthedanceruponacertainevening。HeaskedhimselfwhatmotivecouldhaveimpelledQuasimodotosaveher。

Hewasthewitnessofathousandlittlescenesbetweenthegypsyandthedeafman，thepantomimeofwhich，viewedfromafarandcommentedonbyhispassion，appearedverytendertohim。Hedistrustedthecapriciousnessofwomen。

Thenhefeltajealousywhichbecouldneverhavebelievedpossibleawakeningwithinhim，ajealousywhichmadehimreddenwithshameandindignation:"Onemightcondonethecaptain，butthisone！"Thisthoughtupsethim。

Hisnightswerefrightful。Assoonashelearnedthatthegypsywasalive，thecoldideasofspectreandtombwhichhadpersecutedhimforawholedayvanished，andthefleshreturnedtogoadhim。Heturnedandtwistedonhiscouchatthethoughtthatthedark-skinnedmaidenwassonearhim。

EverynighthisdeliriousimaginationrepresentedlaEsmeraldatohiminalltheattitudeswhichhadcausedhisbloodtoboilmost。Hebeheldheroutstretchedupontheponiardedcaptain，hereyesclosed，herbeautifulbarethroatcoveredwithPhoebus’sblood，atthatmomentofblisswhenthearchdeaconhadimprintedonherpalelipsthatkisswhoseburntheunhappygirl，thoughhalfdead，hadfelt。Hebeheldher，again，strippedbythesavagehandsofthetorturers，allowingthemtobareandtoencloseinthebootwithitsironscrew，hertinyfoot，herdelicateroundedleg，herwhiteandsuppleknee。

AgainhebeheldthativorykneewhichaloneremainedoutsideofTorterue’shorribleapparatus。Lastly，hepicturedtheyounggirlinhershift，withtheropeaboutherneck，shouldersbare，feetbare，almostnude，ashehadseenheronthatlastday。Theseimagesofvoluptuousnessmadehimclenchhisfists，andashiverrunalonghisspine。

Onenight，amongothers，theyheatedsocruellyhisvirginandpriestlyblood，thathebithispillow，leapedfromhisbed，flungonasurpliceoverhisshirt，andlefthiscell，lampinhand，halfnaked，wild，hiseyesaflame。

Heknewwheretofindthekeytothereddoor，whichconnectedthecloisterwiththechurch，andhealwayshadabouthim，asthereaderknows，thekeyofthestaircaseleadingtothetowers。

CHAPTERVI。

CONTINUATIONOFTHEKEYTOTHEREDDOOR。

Thatnight，laEsmeraldahadfallenasleepinhercell，fullofoblivion，ofhope，andofsweetthoughts。Shehadalreadybeenasleepforsometime，dreamingasalways，ofPhoebus，whenitseemedtoherthatsheheardanoisenearher。Shesleptlightlyanduneasily，thesleepofabird；amerenothingwakedher。Sheopenedhereyes。Thenightwasverydark。

Nevertheless，shesawafiguregazingatherthroughthewindow；alamplightedupthisapparition。ThemomentthatthefiguresawthatlaEsmeraldahadperceivedit，itblewoutthelamp。Buttheyounggirlhadhadtimetocatchaglimpseofit；hereyesclosedagainwithterror。

"Oh！"shesaidinafaintvoice，"thepriest！"

Allherpastunhappinesscamebacktoherlikeaflashoflightning。Shefellbackonherbed，chilled。

Amomentlatershefeltatouchalongherbodywhichmadehershuddersothatshestraightenedherselfupinasittingposture，wideawakeandfurious。

Thepriesthadjustslippedinbesideher。Heencircledherwithbotharms。

Shetriedtoscreamandcouldnot。

"Begone，monster！begoneassassin！"shesaid，inavoicewhichwaslowandtremblingwithwrathandterror。

"Mercy！mercy！"murmuredthepriest，pressinghislipstohershoulder。

Sheseizedhisbaldheadbyitsremnantofhairandtriedtothrustasidehiskissesasthoughtheyhadbeenbites。

"Mercy！"repeatedtheunfortunateman。"Ifyoubutknewwhatmyloveforyouis！’Tisfire，meltedlead，athousanddaggersinmyheart。"

Shestoppedhistwoarmswithsuperhumanforce。

"Letmego，"shesaid，"orIwillspitinyourface！"

Hereleasedher。"Vilifyme，strikeme，bemalicious！Dowhatyouwill！Buthavemercy！loveme！"

Thenshestruckhimwiththefuryofachild。Shemadeherbeautifulhandsstifftobruisehisface。"Begone，demon！"

"Loveme！lovemepity！"criedthepoorpriestreturningherblowswithcaresses。

Allatonceshefelthimstrongerthanherself。

"Theremustbeanendtothis！"hesaid，gnashinghisteeth。

Shewasconquered，palpitatinginhisarms，andinhispower。Shefeltawantonhandstrayingoverher。Shemadealasteffort，andbegantocry:"Help！Help！Avampire！

avampire！"

Nothingcame。Djalialonewasawakeandbleatingwithanguish。

"Hush！"saidthepantingpriest。

Allatonce，asshestruggledandcrawledonthefloor，thegypsy’shandcameincontactwithsomethingcoldandmetal-

lic-itwasQuasimodo’swhistle。Sheseizeditwithaconvulsivehope，raisedittoherlipsandblewwithallthestrengththatshehadleft。Thewhistlegaveaclear，piercingsound。

"Whatisthat？"saidthepriest。

Almostatthesameinstanthefelthimselfraisedbyavigorousarm。Thecellwasdark；hecouldnotdistinguishclearlywhoitwasthatheldhimthus；butheheardteethchatteringwithrage，andtherewasjustsufficientlightscatteredamongthegloomtoallowhimtoseeabovehisheadthebladeofalargeknife。

ThepriestfanciedthatheperceivedtheformofQuasimodo。

Heassumedthatitcouldbenoonebuthe。Herememberedtohavestumbled，asheentered，overabundlewhichwasstretchedacrossthedoorontheoutside。But，asthenewcomerdidnotutteraword，heknewnotwhattothink。Heflunghimselfonthearmwhichheldtheknife，crying:

"Quasimodo！"Heforgot，atthatmomentofdistress，thatQuasimodowasdeaf。

Inatwinkling，thepriestwasoverthrownandaleadenkneerestedonhisbreast。

FromtheangularimprintofthatkneeherecognizedQuasimodo；butwhatwastobedone？howcouldhemaketheotherrecognizehim？thedarknessrenderedthedeafmanblind。

Hewaslost。Theyounggirl，pitilessasanenragedtigress，didnotintervenetosavehim。Theknifewasapproachinghishead；themomentwascritical。Allatonce，hisadversaryseemedstrickenwithhesitation。

"Nobloodonher！"hesaidinadullvoice。

Itwas，infact，Quasimodo’svoice。

Thenthepriestfeltalargehanddragginghimfeetfirstoutofthecell；itwastherethathewastodie。Fortunatelyforhim，themoonhadrisenafewmomentsbefore。

Whentheyhadpassedthroughthedoorofthecell，itspaleraysfelluponthepriest’scountenance。Quasimodolookedhimfullintheface，atremblingseizedhim，andhereleasedthepriestandshrankback。

Thegypsy，whohadadvancedtothethresholdofhercell，beheldwithsurprisetheirrolesabruptlychanged。Itwasnowthepriestwhomenaced，Quasimodowhowasthesuppliant。

Thepriest，whowasoverwhelmingthedeafmanwithgesturesofwrathandreproach，madethelatteraviolentsigntoretire。

Thedeafmandroppedhishead，thenhecameandkneltatthegypsy’sdoor，——"Monseigneur，"hesaid，inagraveandresignedvoice，"youshalldoallthatyoupleaseafterwards，butkillmefirst。"

Sosaying，hepresentedhisknifetothepriest。Thepriest，besidehimself，wasabouttoseizeit。Buttheyounggirlwasquickerthanbe；shewrenchedtheknifefromQuasimodo’shandsandburstintoafranticlaugh，——"Approach，"shesaidtothepriest。

Sheheldthebladehigh。Thepriestremainedundecided。

Shewouldcertainlyhavestruckhim。

Thensheaddedwithapitilessexpression，wellawarethatshewasabouttopiercethepriest’sheartwiththousandsofred-hotirons，——

"Ah！IknowthatPhoebusisnotdead！

ThepriestoverturnedQuasimodoonthefloorwithakick，and，quiveringwithrage，dartedbackunderthevaultofthestaircase。

Whenhewasgone，Quasimodopickedupthewhistlewhichhadjustsavedthegypsy。

"Itwasgettingrusty，"hesaid，ashehandeditbacktoher；

thenheleftheralone。

Theyounggirl，deeplyagitatedbythisviolentscene，fellbackexhaustedonherbed，andbegantosobandweep。Herhorizonwasbecominggloomyoncemore。

Thepriesthadgropedhiswaybacktohiscell。

Itwassettled。DomClaudewasjealousofQuasimodo！

Herepeatedwithathoughtfulairhisfatalwords:"Nooneshallhaveher。"

BOOKTENTH。

CHAPTERI。

GRINGOIREHASMANYGOODIDEASINSUCCESSION——RUEDESBERNARDINS。

AssoonasPierreGringoirehadseenhowthiswholeaffairwasturning，andthattherewoulddecidedlybetherope，hanging，andotherdisagreeablethingsfortheprincipalpersonagesinthiscomedy，hehadnotcaredtoidentifyhimselfwiththematterfurther。Theoutcastswithwhomhehadremained，reflectingthat，afterall，itwasthebestcompanyinParis，——theoutcastshadcontinuedtointerestthemselvesinbehalfofthegypsy。Hehadthoughtitverysimpleonthepartofpeoplewhohad，likeherself，nothingelseinprospectbutCharmolueandTorterue，andwho，unlikehimself，didnotgallopthroughtheregionsofimaginationbetweenthewingsofPegasus。Fromtheirremarks，hehadlearnedthathiswifeofthebrokencrockhadtakenrefugeinNotre-Dame，andhewasverygladofit。Buthefeltnotemptationtogoandseeherthere。Hemeditatedoccasionallyonthelittlegoat，andthatwasall。Moreover，hewasbusyexecutingfeatsofstrengthduringthedayforhisliving，andatnighthewasengagedincomposingamemorialagainsttheBishopofParis，forherememberedhavingbeendrenchedbythewheelsofhismills，andhecherishedagrudgeagainsthimforit。HealsooccupiedhimselfwithannotatingthefineworkofBaudry-le-

Rouge，BishopofNoyonandTournay，_DeCupaPetrarum_，whichhadgivenhimaviolentpassionforarchitecture，aninclinationwhichhadreplacedinhishearthispassionforhermeticism，ofwhichitwas，moreover，onlyanaturalcorollary，sincethereisanintimaterelationbetweenhermeticismandmasonry。Gringoirehadpassedfromtheloveofanideatotheloveoftheformofthatidea。

OnedayhehadhaltednearSaintGermain-l’Auxerrois，atthecornerofamansioncalled"For-l’Evêque"(theBishop’sTribunal)，whichstoodoppositeanothercalled"For-le-Roi"

(theKing’sTribunal)。AtthisFor-l’Evêque，therewasacharmingchapelofthefourteenthcentury，whoseapsewasonthestreet。Gringoirewasdevoutlyexaminingitsexteriorsculptures。Hewasinoneofthosemomentsofegotistical，exclusive，supreme，enjoymentwhentheartistbeholdsnothingintheworldbutart，andtheworldinart。Allatoncehefeelsahandlaidgravelyonhisshoulder。Heturnsround。

Itwashisoldfriend，hisformermaster，monsieurthearchdeacon。

Hewasstupefied。Itwasalongtimesincehehadseenthearchdeacon，andDomClaudewasoneofthosesolemnandimpassionedmen，ameetingwithwhomalwaysupsetstheequilibriumofascepticalphilosopher。

Thearchdeaconmaintainedsilenceforseveralminutes，duringwhichGringoirehadtimetoobservehim。HefoundDomClaudegreatlychanged；paleasawinter’smorning，withholloweyes，andhairalmostwhite。Thepriestbrokethesilenceatlength，bysaying，inatranquilbutglacialtone，——

"Howdoyoudo，MasterPierre？"

"Myhealth？"repliedGringoire。"Eh！eh！onecansaybothonethingandanotheronthatscore。Still，itisgood，onthewhole。Itakenottoomuchofanything。Youknow，master，thatthesecretofkeepingwell，accordingtoHippocrates；~idest:

cibi，potus，somni，venus，omniamoderatasint~。"

"Soyouhavenocare，MasterPierre？"resumedthearchdeacon，gazingintentlyatGringoire。

"None，i’faith！"

"Andwhatareyoudoingnow？"

"Yousee，master。Iamexaminingthechisellingofthesestones，andthemannerinwhichyonderbas-reliefisthrownout。"

Thepriestbegantosmilewiththatbittersmilewhichraisesonlyonecornerofthemouth。

"Andthatamusesyou？"

"’Tisparadise！"exclaimedGringoire。Andleaningoverthesculptureswiththefascinatedairofademonstratoroflivingphenomena:"Doyounotthink，forinstance，thatyonmetamorphosisinbas-reliefisexecutedwithmuchadroitness，delicacyandpatience？Observethatslendercolumn。Aroundwhatcapitalhaveyouseenfoliagemoretenderandbettercaressedbythechisel。HerearethreeraisedbossesofJeanMaillevin。Theyarenotthefinestworksofthisgreatmaster。

Nevertheless，thenaivete，thesweetnessofthefaces，thegayetyoftheattitudesanddraperies，andthatinexplicablecharmwhichismingledwithallthedefects，renderthelittlefiguresverydivertinganddelicate，perchance，eventoomuchso。Youthinkthatitisnotdiverting？"

"Yes，certainly！"saidthepriest。

"Andifyouweretoseetheinteriorofthechapel！"resumedthepoet，withhisgarrulousenthusiasm。"Carvingseverywhere。

’Tisasthicklyclusteredastheheadofacabbage！Theapseisofaverydevout，andsopeculiarafashionthatIhaveneverbeheldanythinglikeitelsewhere！"

DomClaudeinterruptedhim，——

"Youarehappy，then？"

Gringoirerepliedwarmly；——

"Onmyhonor，yes！FirstIlovedwomen，thenanimals。

NowIlovestones。Theyarequiteasamusingaswomenandanimals，andlesstreacherous。"

Thepriestlaidhishandonhisbrow。Itwashishabitualgesture。

"Really？"

"Stay！"saidGringoire，"onehasone’spleasures！"Hetookthearmofthepriest，wholethimhavehisway，andmadehimenterthestaircaseturretofFor-l’Evêque。"Hereisastaircase！everytimethatIseeitIamhappy。ItisofthesimplestandrarestmannerofstepsinParis。Allthestepsarebevelledunderneath。Itsbeautyandsimplicityconsistintheinterspacingofboth，beingafootormorewide，whichareinterlaced，interlocked，fittedtogether，enchainedenchased，interlinedoneuponanother，andbiteintoeachotherinamannerthatistrulyfirmandgraceful。"

"Andyoudesirenothing？"

"No。"

"Andyouregretnothing？"

"Neitherregretnordesire。Ihavearrangedmymodeoflife。"

"Whatmenarrange，"saidClaude，"thingsdisarrange。"

"IamaPyrrhonianphilosopher，"repliedGringoire，"andI

holdallthingsinequilibrium。"

"Andhowdoyouearnyourliving？"

"Istillmakeepicsandtragediesnowandthen；butthatwhichbringsmeinmostistheindustrywithwhichyouareacquainted，master；carryingpyramidsofchairsinmyteeth。"

"Thetradeisbutaroughoneforaphilosopher。"

"’Tisstillequilibrium，"saidGringoire。"Whenonehasanidea，oneencountersitineverything。"

"Iknowthat，"repliedthearchdeacon。

Afterasilence，thepriestresumed，——

"Youare，nevertheless，tolerablypoor？"

"Poor，yes；unhappy，no。"

Atthatmoment，atramplingofhorseswasheard，andourtwointerlocutorsbehelddefilingattheendofthestreet，acompanyoftheking’sunattachedarchers，theirlancesbornehigh，anofficerattheirhead。Thecavalcadewasbrilliant，anditsmarchresoundedonthepavement。

"Howyougazeatthatofficer！"saidGringoire，tothearchdeacon。

"BecauseIthinkIrecognizehim。"

"Whatdoyoucallhim？"

"Ithink，"saidClaude，"thathisnameisPhoebusdeChateaupers。"

"Phoebus！Acuriousname！ThereisalsoaPhoebus，ComtedeFoix。IrememberhavingknownawenchwhosworeonlybythenameofPhoebus。"

"Comeawayfromhere，"saidthepriest。"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。"

Fromthemomentofthattroop’spassing，someagitationhadpiercedthroughthearchdeacon’sglacialenvelope。Hewalkedon。Gringoirefollowedhim，beingaccustomedtoobeyhim，likeallwhohadonceapproachedthatmansofullofascendency。TheyreachedinsilencetheRuedesBernardins，whichwasnearlydeserted。HereDomClaudepaused。

"Whathaveyoutosaytome，master？"Gringoireaskedhim。

"Doyounotthinkthatthedressofthosecavalierswhomwehavejustseenisfarhandsomerthanyoursandmine？"

Gringoiretossedhishead。

"I’faith！Ilovebettermyredandyellowjerkin，thanthosescalesofironandsteel。Afinepleasuretoproduce，whenyouwalk，thesamenoiseastheQuayofOldIron，inanearthquake！"

"So，Gringoire，youhavenevercherishedenvyforthosehandsomefellowsintheirmilitarydoublets？"

"Envyforwhat，monsieurthearchdeacon？theirstrength，theirarmor，theirdiscipline？Betterphilosophyandindependenceinrags。Iprefertobetheheadofaflyratherthanthetailofalion。"

"Thatissingular，"saidthepriestdreamily。"Yetahandsomeuniformisabeautifulthing。"

Gringoire，perceivingthathewasinapensivemood，quittedhimtogoandadmiretheporchofaneighboringhouse。Hecamebackclappinghishands。

"Ifyouwerelessengrossedwiththefineclothesofmenofwar，monsieurthearchdeacon，Iwouldentreatyoutocomeandseethisdoor。IhavealwayssaidthatthehouseoftheSieurAubryhadthemostsuperbentranceintheworld。"

"PierreGringoire，"saidthearchdeacon，"Whathaveyoudonewiththatlittlegypsydancer？"

"LaEsmeralda？Youchangetheconversationveryabruptly。"

"Wasshenotyourwife？"

"Yes，byvirtueofabrokencrock。Weweretohavefouryearsofit。Bytheway，"addedGringoire，lookingatthearchdeaconinahalfbanteringway，"areyoustillthinkingofher？"

"Andyouthinkofhernolonger？"

"Verylittle。Ihavesomanythings。Goodheavens，howprettythatlittlegoatwas！"

"Hadshenotsavedyourlife？"

"’Tistrue，pardieu！"

"Well，whathasbecomeofher？Whathaveyoudonewithher？"

"Icannottellyou。Ibelievethattheyhavehangedher。"

"Youbelieveso？"

"Iamnotsure。WhenIsawthattheywantedtohangpeople，Iretiredfromthegame。"

"Thatisallyouknowofit？"

"Waitabit。IwastoldthatshehadtakenrefugeinNotre-Dame，andthatshewassafethere，andIamdelightedtohearit，andIhavenotbeenabletodiscoverwhetherthegoatwassavedwithher，andthatisallIknow。"

"Iwilltellyoumore，"criedDomClaude；andhisvoice，hithertolow，slow，andalmostindistinct，turnedtothunder。

"Shehasinfact，takenrefugeinNotre-Dame。Butinthreedaysjusticewillreclaimher，andshewillbehangedontheGrève。Thereisadecreeofparliament。"

"That’sannoying，"saidGringoire。

Thepriest，inaninstant，becamecoldandcalmagain。

"Andwhothedevil，"resumedthepoet，"hasamusedhimselfwithsolicitingadecreeofreintegration？Whycouldn’ttheyleaveparliamentinpeace？WhatharmdoesitdoifapoorgirltakesshelterundertheflyingbuttressesofNotre-

Dame，besidetheswallows’nests？"

"Therearesatansinthisworld，"remarkedthearchdeacon。

"’Tisdevilishbadlydone，"observedGringoire。

Thearchdeaconresumedafterasilence，——

"So，shesavedyourlife？"

"Amongmygoodfriendstheoutcasts。AlittlemoreoralittlelessandIshouldhavebeenhanged。Theywouldhavebeensorryforitto-day。"

"Wouldnotyouliketodosomethingforher？"

"Iasknothingbetter，DomClaude；butwhatifIentanglemyselfinsomevillanousaffair？"

"Whatmattersit？"

"Bah！whatmattersit？Youaregood，master，thatyouare！Ihavetwogreatworksalreadybegun。"

Thepriestsmotehisbrow。Inspiteofthecalmwhichheaffected，aviolentgesturebetrayedhisinternalconvulsionsfromtimetotime。

"Howisshetobesaved？"

Gringoiresaidtohim；"Master，Iwillreplytoyou；~Ilpadelt~，whichmeansinTurkish，’Godisourhope。’"

"Howisshetobesaved？"repeatedClaudedreamily。

Gringoiresmotehisbrowinhisturn。

"Listen，master。Ihaveimagination；Iwilldeviseexpedientsforyou。Whatifoneweretoaskherpardonfromtheking？"

"OfLouisXI。！Apardon！"

"Whynot？"

"Totakethetiger’sbonefromhim！"

Gringoirebegantoseekfreshexpedients。

"Well，stay！ShallIaddresstothemidwivesarequestaccompaniedbythedeclarationthatthegirliswithchild！"

Thismadethepriest’sholloweyeflash。

"Withchild！knave！doyouknowanythingofthis？"

Gringoirewasalarmedbyhisair。Hehastenedtosay，"Oh，no，notI！Ourmarriagewasareal~forismaritagium~。I

stayedoutside。Butonemightobtainarespite，allthesame。"

"Madness！Infamy！Holdyourtongue！"

"Youdowrongtogetangry，"mutteredGringoire。"Oneobtainsarespite；thatdoesnoharmtoanyone，andallowsthemidwives，whoarepoorwomen，toearnfortydeniersparisis。"

Thepriestwasnotlisteningtohim！

"Butshemustleavethatplace，nevertheless！"hemurmured，"thedecreeistobeexecutedwithinthreedays。Moreover，therewillbenodecree；thatQuasimodo！Womenhaveverydepravedtastes！"Heraisedhisvoice:"MasterPierre，Ihavereflectedwell；thereisbutonemeansofsafetyforher。"

"What？Iseenonemyself。"

"Listen，MasterPierre，rememberthatyouoweyourlifetoher。Iwilltellyoumyideafrankly。Thechurchiswatchednightandday；onlythoseareallowedtocomeout，whohavebeenseentoenter。Henceyoucanenter。Youwillcome。Iwillleadyoutoher。Youwillchangeclotheswithher。Shewilltakeyourdoublet；youwilltakeherpetticoat。"

"Sofar，itgoeswell，"remarkedthephilosopher，"andthen？"

"Andthen？shewillgoforthinyourgarments；youwillremainwithhers。Youwillbehanged，perhaps，butshewillbesaved。"

Gringoirescratchedhisear，withaveryseriousair。

"Stay！"saidhe，"thatisanideawhichwouldneverhaveoccurredtomeunaided。"

AtDomClaude’sproposition，theopenandbenignfaceofthepoethadabruptlycloudedover，likeasmilingItalianlandscape，whenanunluckysquallcomesupanddashesacloudacrossthesun。

"Well！Gringoire，whatsayyoutothemeans？"

"Isay，master，thatIshallnotbehanged，perchance，butthatIshallbehangedindubitably。

"Thatconcernsusnot。"

"Thedeuce！"saidGringoire。

"Shehassavedyourlife。’Tisadebtthatyouaredischarging。"

"ThereareagreatmanyotherswhichIdonotdischarge。"

"MasterPierre，itisabsolutelynecessary。"

Thearchdeaconspokeimperiously。"

"Listen，DomClaude，"repliedthepoetinutterconsternation。

Youclingtothatidea，andyouarewrong。IdonotseewhyIshouldgetmyselfhangedinsomeoneelse’splace。"

"Whathaveyou，then，whichattachesyousostronglytolife？"

"Oh！athousandreasons！"

"Whatreasons，ifyouplease？"

"What？Theair，thesky，themorning，theevening，themoonlight，mygoodfriendsthethieves，ourjeerswiththeoldhagsofgo-betweens，thefinearchitectureofParistostudy，threegreatbookstomake，oneofthembeingagainstthebishopsandhismills；andhowcanItellall？Anaxagorassaidthathewasintheworldtoadmirethesun。Andthen，frommorningtillnight，Ihavethehappinessofpassingallmydayswithamanofgenius，whoismyself，whichisveryagreeable。"

"Aheadfitforamulebell！"mutteredthearchdeacon。

"Oh！tellmewhopreservedforyouthatlifewhichyourendersocharmingtoyourself？Towhomdoyouoweitthatyoubreathethatair，beholdthatsky，andcanstillamuseyourlark’smindwithyourwhimsicalnonsenseandmadness？Wherewouldyoube，haditnotbeenforher？

Doyouthendesirethatshethroughwhomyouarealive，shoulddie？thatsheshoulddie，thatbeautiful，sweet，adorablecreature，whoisnecessarytothelightoftheworldandmoredivinethanGod，whileyou，halfwise，andhalffool，avainsketchofsomething，asortofvegetable，whichthinksthatitwalks，andthinksthatitthinks，youwillcontinuetolivewiththelifewhichyouhavestolenfromher，asuselessasacandleinbroaddaylight？Come，havealittlepity，Gringoire；begenerousinyourturn；itwasshewhosettheexample。"

Thepriestwasvehement。Gringoirelistenedtohimatfirstwithanundecidedair，thenhebecametouched，andwoundupwithagrimacewhichmadehispallidfaceresemblethatofanew-borninfantwithanattackofthecolic。

"Youarepathetic！"saidhe，wipingawayatear。"Well！

Iwillthinkaboutit。That’saqueerideaofyours——Afterall，"hecontinuedafterapause，"whoknows？perhapstheywillnothangme。Hewhobecomesbetrotheddoesnotalwaysmarry。Whentheyfindmeinthatlittlelodgingsogrotesquelymuffledinpetticoatandcoif，perchancetheywillburstwithlaughter。Andthen，iftheydohangme，——well！thehalterisasgoodadeathasany。’Tisadeathworthyofasagewhohaswaveredallhislife；adeathwhichisneitherfleshnorfish，likethemindofaveritablesceptic；adeathallstampedwithPyrrhonismandhesitation，whichholdsthemiddlestationbetwixtheavenandearth，whichleavesyouinsuspense。’Tisaphilosopher’sdeath，andIwasdestinedthereto，perchance。Itismagnificenttodieasonehaslived。"

Thepriestinterruptedhim:"Isitagreed。"

"Whatisdeath，afterall？"pursuedGringoirewithexaltation。

"Adisagreeablemoment，atoll-gate，thepassageoflittletonothingness。SomeonehavingaskedCercidas，theMegalopolitan，ifhewerewillingtodie:’Whynot？’hereplied；’foraftermydeathIshallseethosegreatmen，Pythagorasamongthephilosophers，Hecataeusamonghistorians，Homeramongpoets，Olympusamongmusicians。’"

Thearchdeacongavehimhishand:"Itissettled，then？

Youwillcometo-morrow？"

ThisgesturerecalledGringoiretoreality。

"Ah！i’faithno！"hesaidinthetoneofamanjustwakingup。"Behanged！’tistooabsurd。Iwillnot。"

"Farewell，then！"andthearchdeaconaddedbetweenhisteeth:"I’llfindyouagain！"

"Idonotwantthatdevilofamantofindme，"thoughtGringoire；andheranafterDomClaude。"Stay，monsieurthearchdeacon，noill-feelingbetweenoldfriends！Youtakeaninterestinthatgirl，mywife，Imean，and’tiswell。YouhavedevisedaschemetogetheroutofNotre-Dame，butyourwayisextremelydisagreeabletome，Gringoire。IfIhadonlyanotheronemyself！Ibegtosaythataluminousinspirationhasjustoccurredtome。IfIpossessedanexpedientforextricatingherfromadilemma，withoutcompromisingmyownnecktotheextentofasinglerunningknot，whatwouldyousaytoit？Willnotthatsufficeyou？IsitabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldbehanged，inorderthatyoumaybecontent？"

Thepriesttoreoutthebuttonsofhiscassockwithimpatience:"Streamofwords！Whatisyourplan？"

"Yes，"resumedGringoire，talkingtohimselfandtouchinghisnosewithhisforefingerinsignofmeditation，——"that’sit！——Thethievesarebravefellows！——ThetribeofEgyptloveher！——Theywillriseatthefirstword！——Nothingeasier！——Asuddenstroke——Undercoverofthedisorder，theywilleasilycarryheroff！——Beginningto-morrowevening。

Theywillasknothingbetter。

"Theplan！speak，"criedthearchdeaconshakinghim。

Gringoireturnedmajesticallytowardshim:"Leaveme！

YouseethatIamcomposing。"Hemeditatedforafewmomentsmore，thenbegantoclaphishandsoverhisthought，crying:"Admirable！successissure！"

"Theplan！"repeatedClaudeinwrath。

Gringoirewasradiant。

"Come，thatImaytellyouthatverysoftly。’Tisatrulygallantcounter-plot，whichwillextricateusallfromthematter。

Pardieu，itmustbeadmittedthatIamnofool。"

Hebrokeoff。

"Oh，bytheway！isthelittlegoatwiththewench？"

"Yes。Thedeviltakeyou！"

"Theywouldhavehangeditalso，wouldtheynot？"

"Whatisthattome？"

"Yes，theywouldhavehangedit。Theyhangedasowlastmonth。Theheadsmanloveththat；heeatsthebeastafterwards。

TakemyprettyDjali！Poorlittlelamb！"

"Malediction！"exclaimedDomClaude。"Youaretheexecutioner。Whatmeansofsafetyhaveyoufound，knave？

Mustyourideabeextractedwiththeforceps？"

"Veryfine，master，thisisit。"

Gringoirebenthisheadtothearchdeacon’sheadandspoketohiminaverylowvoice，castinganuneasyglancethewhilefromoneendtotheotherofthestreet，thoughnoonewaspassing。Whenhehadfinished，DomClaudetookhishandandsaidcoldly:"’Tiswell。Farewelluntilto-morrow。"

"Untilto-morrow，"repeatedGringoire。And，whilethearchdeaconwasdisappearinginonedirection，hesetoffintheother，sayingtohimselfinalowvoice:"Here’sagrandaffair，MonsieurPierreGringoire。Nevermind！’Tisnotwrittenthatbecauseoneisofsmallaccountoneshouldtakefrightatagreatenterprise。Bitoucarriedagreatbullonhisshoulders；thewater-wagtails，thewarblers，andthebuntingstraversetheocean。"

CHAPTERII。

TURNVAGABOND。

Onre-enteringthecloister，thearchdeaconfoundatthedoorofhiscellhisbrotherJehanduMoulin，whowaswaitingforhim，andwhohadbeguiledthetediumofwaitingbydrawingonthewallwithabitofcharcoal，aprofileofhiselderbrother，enrichedwithamonstrousnose。

DomClaudehardlylookedathisbrother；histhoughtswereelsewhere。Thatmerryscamp’sfacewhosebeaminghadsooftenrestoredserenitytothepriest’ssombrephysiognomy，wasnowpowerlesstomeltthegloomwhichgrewmoredenseeverydayoverthatcorrupted，mephitic，andstagnantsoul。

"Brother，"saidJehantimidly，"Iamcometoseeyou。"

Thearchdeacondidnotevenraisehiseyes。

"Whatthen？"

"Brother，"resumedthehypocrite，"youaresogoodtome，andyougivemesuchwisecounselsthatIalwaysreturntoyou。"

"Whatnext？"

"Alas！brother，youwereperfectlyrightwhenyousaidtome，——"Jehan！Jehan！~cessatdoctorumdoctrina，discipulorumdisciplina~。Jehan，bewise，Jehan，belearned，Jehan，passnotthenightoutsideofthecollegewithoutlawfuloccasionanddueleaveofthemaster。CudgelnotthePicards:~noli，Joannes，verberarePicardos~。Rotnotlikeanunletteredass，~quasiasinusillitteratus~，onthestrawseatsoftheschool。

Jehan，allowyourselftobepunishedatthediscretionofthemaster。Jehangoeveryeveningtochapel，andsingthereananthemwithverseandorisontoMadamethegloriousVirginMary——Alas！whatexcellentadvicewasthat！"

"Andthen？"

"Brother，youbeholdaculprit，acriminal，awretch，alibertine，amanofenormities！Mydearbrother，Jehanhathmadeofyourcounselsstrawanddungtotrampleunderfoot。

Ihavebeenwellchastisedforit，andGodisextraordinarilyjust。AslongasIhadmoney，Ifeasted，Ileadamadandjoyouslife。Oh！howuglyandcrabbedbehindisdebauchwhichissocharminginfront！NowIhavenolongerablank；Ihavesoldmynapery，myshirtandmytowels；nomoremerrylife！

ThebeautifulcandleisextinguishedandIhavehenceforth，onlyawretchedtallowdipwhichsmokesinmynose。Thewenchesjeeratme。Idrinkwater——Iamoverwhelmedwithremorseandwithcreditors。

"Therest？"saidthearchdeacon。

"Alas！myverydearbrother，Ishouldliketosettledowntoabetterlife。Icometoyoufullofcontrition，Iampenitent。Imakemyconfession。Ibeatmybreastviolently。

YouarequiterightinwishingthatIshouldsomedaybecomealicentiateandsub-monitorinthecollegeofTorchi。AtthepresentmomentIfeelamagnificentvocationforthatprofession。ButIhavenomoreinkandImustbuysome；I

havenomorepaper，Ihavenomorebooks，andImustbuysome。

Forthispurpose，Iamgreatlyinneedofalittlemoney，andIcometoyou，brother，withmyheartfullofcontrition。"

"Isthatall？"

"Yes，"saidthescholar。"Alittlemoney。"

"Ihavenone。"

Thenthescholarsaid，withanairwhichwasbothgraveandresolute:"Well，brother，Iamsorrytobeobligedtotellyouthatveryfineoffersandpropositionsarebeingmadetomeinanotherquarter。Youwillnotgivemeanymoney？No。InthatcaseIshallbecomeaprofessionalvagabond。"

Asheutteredthesemonstrouswords，heassumedthemienofAjax，expectingtoseethelightningsdescenduponhishead。

Thearchdeaconsaidcoldlytohim，-

"Becomeavagabond。"

Jehanmadehimadeepbow，anddescendedthecloisterstairs，whistling。

Atthemomentwhenhewaspassingthroughthecourtyardofthecloister，beneathhisbrother’swindow，heheardthatwindowopen，raisedhiseyesandbeheldthearchdeacon’ssevereheademerge。

"Gotothedevil！"saidDomClaude；"hereisthelastmoneywhichyouwillgetfromme？"

Atthesametime，thepriestflungJehanapurse，whichgavethescholarabigbumpontheforehead，andwithwhichJehanretreated，bothvexedandcontent，likeadogwhohadbeenstonedwithmarrowbones。

CHAPTERIII。

LONGLIVEMIRTH。

ThereaderhasprobablynotforgottenthatapartoftheCourdeMiracleswasenclosedbytheancientwallwhichsurroundedthecity，agoodlynumberofwhosetowershadbegun，evenatthatepoch，tofalltoruin。Oneofthesetowershadbeenconvertedintoapleasureresortbythevagabonds。Therewasadrain-shopintheundergroundstory，andtherestintheupperstories。Thiswasthemostlively，andconsequentlythemosthideous，pointofthewholeoutcastden。Itwasasortofmonstroushive，whichbuzzedtherenightandday。

Atnight，whentheremainderofthebeggarhordeslept，whentherewasnolongerawindowlightedinthedingyfa？adesofthePlace，whennotacrywasanylongertobeheardproceedingfromthoseinnumerablefamilies，thoseant-hillsofthieves，ofwenches，andstolenorbastardchildren，themerrytowerwasstillrecognizablebythenoisewhichitmade，bythescarletlightwhich，flashingsimultaneouslyfromtheair-holes，thewindows，thefissuresinthecrackedwalls，escaped，sotospeak，fromitseverypore。

Thecellarthen，wasthedram-shop。ThedescenttoitwasthroughalowdoorandbyastaircaseassteepasaclassicAlexandrine。Overthedoor，bywayofasigntherehungamarvellousdaub，representingnewsonsanddeadchickens，*

withthis，punbelow:~Auxsonneurspourlestrépassés~，——Thewringersforthedead。

*~Solsneufs:pouletstués~。

OneeveningwhenthecurfewwassoundingfromallthebelfriesinParis，thesergeantsofthewatchmighthaveobserved，haditbeengrantedtothemtoentertheformidableCourtofMiracles，thatmoretumultthanusualwasinprogressinthevagabonds’tavern，thatmoredrinkingwasbeingdone，andlouderswearing。OutsideinthePlace，there，weremanygroupsconversinginlowtones，aswhensomegreatplanisbeingframed，andhereandthereaknavecrouchingdownengagedinsharpeningavillanousironbladeonapaving-stone。

Meanwhile，inthetavernitself，wineandgamingofferedsuchapowerfuldiversiontotheideaswhichoccupiedthevagabonds’lairthatevening，thatitwouldhavebeendifficulttodivinefromtheremarksofthedrinkers，whatwasthematterinhand。Theymerelyworeagayerairthanwastheirwont，andsomeweaponcouldbeseenglitteringbetweenthelegsofeachofthem，——asickle，anaxe，abigtwo-edgedswordorthehookofanoldhackbut。

Theroom，circularinform，wasveryspacious；butthetablesweresothicklysetandthedrinkerssonumerous，thatallthatthetaverncontained，men，women，benches，beer-jugs，allthatweredrinking，allthatweresleeping，allthatwereplaying，thewell，thelame，seemedpileduppell-mell，withasmuchorderandharmonyasaheapofoystershells。Therewereafewtallowdipslightedonthetables；buttherealluminaryofthistavern，thatwhichplayedthepartinthisdram-shopofthechandelierofanoperahouse，wasthefire。

Thiscellarwassodampthatthefirewasneverallowedtogoout，eveninmidsummer；animmensechimneywithasculpturedmantel，allbristlingwithheavyironandironsandcookingutensils，withoneofthosehugefiresofmixedwoodandpeatwhichatnight，invillagestreetsmakethereflectionofforgewindowsstandoutsoredontheoppositewalls。Abigdoggravelyseatedintheasheswasturningaspitloadedwithmeatbeforethecoals。

Greataswastheconfusion，afterthefirstglanceonecoulddistinguishinthatmultitude，threeprincipalgroupswhichthrongedaroundthreepersonagesalreadyknowntothereader。

Oneofthesepersonages，fantasticallyaccoutredinmanyanorientalrag，wasMathiasHungadiSpicali，DukeofEgyptandBohemia。Theknavewasseatedonatablewithhislegscrossed，andinaloudvoicewasbestowinghisknowledgeofmagic，bothblackandwhite，onmanyagapingfacewhichsurroundedhim。Anotherrabblepressedclosearoundouroldfriend，thevaliantKingofThunes，armedtotheteeth。

ClopinTrouillefou，withaveryseriousairandinalowvoice，wasregulatingthedistributionofanenormouscaskofarms，whichstoodwideopeninfrontofhimandfromwhencepouredoutinprofusion，axes，swords，bassinets，coatsofmail，broadswords，lance-heads，arrows，andviretons，*likeapplesandgrapesfromahornofplenty。Everyonetooksomethingfromthecask，oneamorion，anotheralong，straightsword，anotheradaggerwithacross——shapedhilt。Theverychildrenwerearmingthemselves，andtherewereevencripplesinbowlswho，inarmorandcuirass，madetheirwaybetweenthelegsofthedrinkers，likegreatbeetles。

*Anarrowwithapyramidalheadofironandcopperspiralwings，bywhicharotatorymotionwascommunicated。

Finally，athirdaudience，themostnoisy，themostjovial，andthemostnumerous，encumberedbenchesandtables，inthemidstofwhichharanguedandsworeaflute-likevoice，whichescapedfrombeneathaheavyarmor，completefromcasquetospurs。Theindividualwhohadthusscrewedawholeoutfituponhisbody，wassohiddenbyhiswarlikeaccoutrementsthatnothingwastobeseenofhispersonsaveanimpertinent，red，snubnose，arosymouth，andboldeyes。Hisbeltwasfullofdaggersandponiards，ahugeswordonhiship，arustedcross-bowathisleft，andavastjugofwineinfrontofhim，withoutreckoningonhisright，afatwenchwithherbosomuncovered。Allmouthsaroundhimwerelaughing，cursing，anddrinking。

Addtwentysecondarygroups，thewaiters，maleandfemale，runningwithjugsontheirheads，gamblerssquattingovertaws，merelles，*dice，vachettes，theardentgameoftringlet，quarrelsinonecorner，kissesinanother，andthereaderwillhavesomeideaofthiswholepicture，overwhichflickeredthelightofagreat，flamingfire，whichmadeathousandhugeandgrotesqueshadowsdanceoverthewallsofthedrinkingshop。

*Agameplayedonachecker-boardcontainingthreeconcentricsetsofsquares，withsmallstones。Thegameconsistedingettingthreestonesinarow。

Asforthenoise，itwasliketheinsideofabellatfullpeal。

Thedripping-pan，wherecrackledarainofgrease，filledwithitscontinualsputteringtheintervalsofthesethousanddialogues，whichintermingledfromoneendoftheapartmenttotheother。

Inthemidstofthisuproar，attheextremityofthetavern，onthebenchinsidethechimney，sataphilosophermeditatingwithhisfeetintheashesandhiseyesonthebrands。ItwasPierreGringoire。

"Bequick！makehaste，armyourselves！wesetoutonthemarchinanhour！"saidClopinTrouillefoutohisthieves。

Awenchwashumming，——

"~Bonsoirmonpèreetmamere，Lesdernierscouvrentlefeu~。"*

*Goodnight，fatherandmother，thelastcoverupthefire。

Twocardplayersweredisputing，——

"Knave！"criedthereddestfacedofthetwo，shakinghisfistattheother；"I’llmarkyouwiththeclub。YoucantaketheplaceofMistigriinthepackofcardsofmonseigneurtheking。"

"Ugh！"roaredaNorman，recognizablebyhisnasalaccent；

"wearepackedinherelikethesaintsofCaillouville！"

"Mysons，"theDukeofEgyptwassayingtohisaudience，inafalsettovoice，"sorceressesinFrancegotothewitches’

sabbathwithoutbroomsticks，orgrease，orsteed，merelybymeansofsomemagicwords。ThewitchesofItalyalwayshaveabuckwaitingforthemattheirdoor。Allareboundtogooutthroughthechimney。"

Thevoiceoftheyoungscamparmedfromheadtofoot，dominatedtheuproar。

"Hurrah！hurrah！"hewasshouting。"Myfirstdayinarmor！Outcast！Iamanoutcast。Givemesomethingtodrink。Myfriends，mynameisJehanFrolloduMoulin，andIamagentleman。MyopinionisthatifGodwerea~gendarme~，hewouldturnrobber。Brothers，weareabouttosetoutonafineexpedition。Laysiegetothechurch，burstinthedoors，dragoutthebeautifulgirl，saveherfromthejudges，saveherfromthepriests，dismantlethecloister，burnthebishopinhispalace——allthiswewilldoinlesstimethanittakesforaburgomastertoeataspoonfulofsoup。Ourcauseisjust，wewillplunderNotre-Dameandthatwillbetheendofit。WewillhangQuasimodo。DoyouknowQuasimodo，ladies？HaveyouseenhimmakehimselfbreathlessonthebigbellonagrandPentecostfestival！~CorneduPère~！’tisveryfine！Onewouldsayhewasadevilmountedonaman。Listentome，myfriends；Iamavagabondtothebottomofmyheart，Iamamemberoftheslangthiefganginmysoul，Iwasbornanindependentthief。Ihavebeenrich，andIhavedevouredallmyproperty。Mymotherwantedtomakeanofficerofme；myfather，asub-deacon；myaunt，acouncillorofinquests；mygrandmother，prothonotarytotheking；mygreataunt，atreasureroftheshortrobe，——andIhavemademyselfanoutcast。Isaidthistomyfather，whospithiscurseinmyface；tomymother，whosettoweepingandchattering，pooroldlady，likeyonderfagotontheand-irons。Longlivemirth！IamarealBicêtre。Waitress，mydear，morewine。Ihavestillthewherewithaltopay。I

wantnomoreSurènewine。Itdistressesmythroat。I’daslief，~corboeuf~！garglemythroatwithabasket。"

Meanwhile，therabbleapplaudedwithshoutsoflaughter；

andseeingthatthetumultwasincreasingaroundhim，thescholarcried，。

"Oh！whatafinenoise！~Populidebacchantispopulosadebacchatio~！"Thenhebegantosing，hiseyeswimminginecstasy，inthetoneofacanonintoningvespers，~Quoecantica！quoeorgana！quoecantilenoe！quoemeloclioehicsinefinedecantantur！Sonantmellifluahymnorumorgana，suavissimaangelorummelodia，canticacanticorummira~！

Hebrokeoff:"Tavern-keeperofthedevil，givemesomesupper！"

Therewasamomentofpartialsilence，duringwhichthesharpvoiceoftheDukeofEgyptrose，ashegaveinstructionstohisBohemians。

"TheweaseliscalledAdrune；thefox，Blue-foot，ortheRaceroftheWoods；thewolf，Gray-foot，orGold-foot；thebeartheOldMan，orGrandfather。Thecapofagnomeconfersinvisibility，andcausesonetobeholdinvisiblethings。

Everytoadthatisbaptizedmustbecladinredorblackvelvet，abellonitsneck，abellonitsfeet。Thegodfatherholdsitshead，thegodmotheritshinderparts。’TisthedemonSidragasumwhohaththepowertomakewenchesdancestarknaked。"

"Bythemass！"interruptedJehan，"IshouldliketobethedemonSidragasum。"

Meanwhile，thevagabondscontinuedtoarmthemselvesandwhisperattheotherendofthedram-shop。

"ThatpoorEsmeralda！"saidaBohemian。"Sheisoursister。Shemustbetakenawayfromthere。"

"IsshestillatNotre-Dame？"wentonamerchantwiththeappearanceofaJew。

"Yes，pardieu！"

"Well！comrades！"exclaimedthemerchant，"toNotre-Dame！

Somuchthebetter，sincethereareinthechapelofSaintsFéréolandFerrutiontwostatues，theoneofJohntheBaptist，theotherofSaint-Antoine，ofsolidgold，weighingtogethersevenmarksofgoldandfifteenestellins；andthepedestalsareofsilver-gilt，ofseventeenmarks，fiveounces。

Iknowthat；Iamagoldsmith。"

HeretheyservedJehanwithhissupper。Ashethrewhimselfbackonthebosomofthewenchbesidehim，heexclaimed，——

"BySaintVoult-de-Lucques，whompeoplecallSaintGoguelu，Iamperfectlyhappy。Ihavebeforemeafoolwhogazesatmewiththesmoothfaceofanarchduke。Hereisoneonmyleftwhoseteetharesolongthattheyhidehischin。Andthen，IamliketheMarshaldeGiéatthesiegeofPontoise，Ihavemyrightrestingonahillock。~Ventre-

Mahom~！Comrade！youhavetheairofamerchantoftennis-

balls；andyoucomeandsityourselfbesideme！Iamanobleman，myfriend！Tradeisincompatiblewithnobility。

Getoutofthat！Holahé！Youothers，don’tfight！What，BaptisteCroque-Oison，youwhohavesuchafinenosearegoingtoriskitagainstthebigfistsofthatlout！Fool！

~Noncuiquamdatumesthaberenasum~——noteveryoneisfavoredwithanose。Youarereallydivine，JacquelineRonge-Oreille！’tisapitythatyouhavenohair！Holà！

mynameisJehanFrollo，andmybrotherisanarchdeacon。

Maythedevilflyoffwithhim！AllthatItellyouisthetruth。Inturningvagabond，Ihavegladlyrenouncedthehalfofahousesituatedinparadise，whichmybrotherhadpromisedme。~Dimidiamdomuminparadiso~。Iquotethetext。I

haveafiefintheRueTirechappe，andallthewomenareinlovewithme，astrueasSaintEloywasanexcellentgoldsmith，andthatthefivetradesofthegoodcityofParisarethetanners，thetawers，themakersofcross-belts，thepurse-makers，andthesweaters，andthatSaintLaurentwasburntwitheggshells。Isweartoyou，comrades。

"~Quejenebeuvraidepiment，Devantunan，sijecyment~。*

*ThatIwilldrinknospicedandhoneyedwineforayear，ifIamlyingnow。

"’Tismoonlight，mycharmer；seeyonderthroughthewindowhowthewindistearingthecloudstotatters！EventhuswillIdotoyourgorget——Wenches，wipethechildren’snosesandsnuffthecandles——ChristandMahom！WhatamIeatinghere，Jupiter？Ohé！innkeeper！thehairwhichisnotontheheadsofyourhussiesonefindsinyouromelettes。Oldwoman！Ilikebaldomelettes。Maythedevilconfoundyou！——A

finehostelryofBeelzebub，wherethehussiescombtheirheadswiththeforks！

"~Etjen’aimoi，Parlasang-Dieu！

Nifoi，niloi，Nifeu，nilieu，Niroi，NiDieu。"*

*AndbythebloodofGod，Ihaveneitherfaithnorlaw，norfirenordwelling-place，norkingnorGod。

Inthemeantime，ClopinTrouillefouhadfinishedthedistributionofarms。HeapproachedGringoire，whoappearedtobeplungedinaprofoundrevery，withhisfeetonanandiron。

"FriendPierre，"saidtheKingofThunes，"whatthedevilareyouthinkingabout？"

Gringoireturnedtohimwithamelancholysmile。

"Ilovethefire，mydearlord。Notforthetrivialreasonthatfirewarmsthefeetorcooksoursoup，butbecauseithassparks。SometimesIpasswholehoursinwatchingthesparks。

Idiscoverathousandthingsinthosestarswhicharesprinkledovertheblackbackgroundofthehearth。Thosestarsarealsoworlds。"

"Thunder，ifIunderstandyou！"saidtheoutcast。"Doyouknowwhato’clockitis？"

"Idonotknow，"repliedGringoire。

ClopinapproachedtheDukeofEgypt。

"ComradeMathias，thetimewehavechosenisnotagoodone。KingLouisXI。issaidtobeinParis。"

"Anotherreasonforsnatchingoursisterfromhisclaws，"

repliedtheoldBohemian。

"Youspeaklikeaman，Mathias，"saidtheKingofThunes。

"Moreover，wewillactpromptly。Noresistanceistobefearedinthechurch。Thecanonsarehares，andweareinforce。Thepeopleoftheparliamentwillbewellbalkedto-morrowwhentheycometoseekher！GutsofthepopeI

don’twantthemtohangtheprettygirl！"

Chopinquittedthedram-shop。

Meanwhile，Jehanwasshoutinginahoarsevoice:

"Ieat，Idrink，Iamdrunk，IamJupiter！Eh！Pierre，theSlaughterer，ifyoulookatmelikethatagain，I’llfillipthedustoffyournoseforyou。"

Gringoire，tornfromhismeditations，begantowatchthewildandnoisyscenewhichsurroundedhim，mutteringbetweenhisteeth:"~Luxuriosaresvinumettumultuosaebrietas~。

Alas！whatgoodreasonIhavenottodrink，andhowexcellentlyspokeSaint-Benoit:’~Vinumapostatarefacitetiamsapientes！’"

Atthatmoment，Clopinreturnedandshoutedinavoiceofthunder:"Midnight！"

Atthisword，whichproducedtheeffectofthecalltobootandsaddleonaregimentatahalt，alltheoutcasts，men，women，children，rushedinamassfromthetavern，withgreatnoiseofarmsandoldironimplements。

Themoonwasobscured。

TheCourdesMiracleswasentirelydark。Therewasnotasinglelight。Onecouldmakeoutthereathrongofmenandwomenconversinginlowtones。Theycouldbeheardbuzzing，andagleamofallsortsofweaponswasvisibleinthedarkness。Clopinmountedalargestone。

"Toyourranks，Argot！"*hecried。"Fallintoline，Egypt！

Formranks，Galilee！"

*Menofthebrotherhoodofslang:thieves。

Amovementbeganinthedarkness。Theimmensemultitudeappearedtoforminacolumn。Afterafewminutes，theKingofThunesraisedhisvoiceoncemore，——

"Now，silencetomarchthroughParis！Thepasswordis，’Littleswordinpocket！’ThetorcheswillnotbelightedtillwereachNotre-Dame！Forward，march！"

Tenminuteslater，thecavaliersofthewatchfledinterrorbeforealongprocessionofblackandsilentmenwhichwasdescendingtowardsthePontanChange，throughthetortuousstreetswhichpiercetheclose-builtneighborhoodofthemarketsineverydirection。

CHAPTERIV。

ANAWKWARDFRIEND。

Thatnight，Quasimododidnotsleep。Hehadjustmadehislastroundofthechurch。Hehadnotnoticed，thatatthemomentwhenhewasclosingthedoors，thearchdeaconhadpassedclosetohimandbetrayedsomedispleasureonseeinghimboltingandbarringwithcaretheenormousironlockswhichgavetotheirlargeleavesthesolidityofawall。DomClaude’sairwasevenmorepreoccupiedthanusual。Moreover，sincethenocturnaladventureinthecell，hehadconstantlyabusedQuasimodo，butinvaindidheilltreat，andevenbeathimoccasionally，nothingdisturbedthesubmission，patience，thedevotedresignationofthefaithfulbellringer。Heenduredeverythingonthepartofthearchdeacon，insults，threats，blows，withoutmurmuringacomplaint。Atthemost，hegazeduneasilyafterDomClaudewhenthelatterascendedthestaircaseofthetower；butthearchdeaconhadabstainedfrompresentinghimselfagainbeforethegypsy’seyes。

Onthatnight，accordingly，Quasimodo，afterhavingcastaglanceathispoorbellswhichhesoneglectednow，Jacqueline，Marie，andThibauld，mountedtothesummitoftheNortherntower，andtheresettinghisdarklanturn，wellclosed，upontheleads，hebegantogazeatParis。Thenight，aswehavealreadysaid，wasverydark。Pariswhich，sotospeakwasnotlightedatthatepoch，presentedtotheeyeaconfusedcollectionofblackmasses，cuthereandtherebythewhitishcurveoftheSeine。Quasimodonolongersawanylightwiththeexceptionofonewindowinadistantedifice，whosevagueandsombreprofilewasoutlinedwellabovetheroofs，inthedirectionofthePorteSainte-Antoine。

Therealso，therewassomeoneawake。

Astheonlyeyeofthebellringerpeeredintothathorizonofmistandnight，hefeltwithinhimaninexpressibleuneasiness。Forseveraldayshehadbeenuponhisguard。Hehadperceivedmenofsinistermien，whonevertooktheireyesfromtheyounggirl’sasylum，prowlingconstantlyaboutthechurch。Hefanciedthatsomeplotmightbeinprocessofformationagainsttheunhappyrefugee。Heimaginedthatthereexistedapopularhatredagainsther，asagainsthimself，andthatitwasverypossiblethatsomethingmighthappensoon。Henceheremaineduponhistoweronthewatch，"dreaminginhisdream-place，"asRabelaissays，withhiseyedirectedalternatelyonthecellandonParis，keepingfaithfulguard，likeagooddog，withathousandsuspicionsinhismind。

Allatonce，whilehewasscrutinizingthegreatcitywiththateyewhichnature，byasortofcompensation，hadmadesopiercingthatitcouldalmostsupplytheotherorganswhichQuasimodolacked，itseemedtohimthattherewassomethingsingularabouttheQuaydelaVieille-Pelleterie，thattherewasamovementatthatpoint，thatthelineoftheparapet，standingoutblacklyagainstthewhitenessofthewaterwasnotstraightandtranquil，likethatoftheotherquays，butthatitundulatedtotheeye，likethewavesofariver，orliketheheadsofacrowdinmotion。

Thisstruckhimasstrange。Heredoubledhisattention。

ThemovementseemedtobeadvancingtowardstheCity。

Therewasnolight。Itlastedforsometimeonthequay；

thenitgraduallyceased，asthoughthatwhichwaspassingwereenteringtheinterioroftheisland；thenitstoppedaltogether，andthelineofthequaybecamestraightandmotionlessagain。

AtthemomentwhenQuasimodowaslostinconjectures，itseemedtohimthatthemovementhadre-appearedintheRueduParvis，whichisprolongedintothecityperpendicularlytothefa？adeofNotre-Dame。Atlength，denseaswasthedarkness，hebeheldtheheadofacolumndebouchfromthatstreet，andinaninstantacrowd——ofwhichnothingcouldbedistinguishedinthegloomexceptthatitwasacrowd——spreadoverthePlace。

Thisspectaclehadaterrorofitsown。Itisprobablethatthissingularprocession，whichseemedsodesirousofconcealingitselfunderprofounddarkness，maintainedasilencenolessprofound。Nevertheless，somenoisemusthaveescapedit，wereitonlyatrampling。Butthisnoisedidnotevenreachourdeafman，andthisgreatmultitude，ofwhichhesawhardlyanything，andofwhichheheardnothing，thoughitwasmarchingandmovingsonearhim，produceduponhimtheeffectofarabbleofdeadmen，mute，impalpable，lostinasmoke。Itseemedtohim，thathebeheldadvancingtowardshimafogofmen，andthathesawshadowsmovingintheshadow。

Thenhisfearsreturnedtohim，theideaofanattemptagainstthegypsypresenteditselfoncemoretohismind。

Hewasconscious，inaconfusedway，thataviolentcrisiswasapproaching。Atthatcriticalmomenthetookcounselwithhimself，withbetterandprompterreasoningthanonewouldhaveexpectedfromsobadlyorganizedabrain。Oughthetoawakenthegypsy？tomakeherescape？Whither？Thestreetswereinvested，thechurchbackedontheriver。Noboat，noissue！——Therewasbutonethingtobedone；toallowhimselftobekilledonthethresholdofNotre-Dame，toresistatleastuntilsuccorarrived，ifitshouldarrive，andnottotroublelaEsmeralda’ssleep。Thisresolutiononcetaken，hesettoexaminingtheenemywithmoretranquillity。

Thethrongseemedtoincreaseeverymomentinthechurchsquare。Only，hepresumedthatitmustbemakingverylittlenoise，sincethewindowsonthePlaceremainedclosed。

Allatonce，aflameflashedup，andinaninstantsevenoreightlightedtorchespassedovertheheadsofthecrowd，shakingtheirtuftsofflameinthedeepshade。QuasimodothenbehelddistinctlysurgingintheParvisafrightfulherdofmenandwomeninrags，armedwithscythes，pikes，billhooksandpartisans，whosethousandpointsglittered。Hereandthereblackpitchforksformedhornstothehideousfaces。