第2章

Wasitnottheleastthatonecoulddotoswearatone’seaseandrevilethenameofGodalittle，onsofineaday，insuchgoodcompanyasdignitariesofthechurchandloosewomen？

Sotheydidnotabstain；and，inthemidstoftheuproar，therewasafrightfulconcertofblasphemiesandenormitiesofalltheunbridledtongues，thetonguesofclerksandstudentsrestrainedduringtherestoftheyear，bythefearofthehotironofSaintLouis。PoorSaintLouis！howtheysethimatdefianceinhisowncourtoflaw！Eachoneofthemselectedfromthenew-comersontheplatform，ablack，gray，white，orvioletcassockashistarget。JoannesFrollodeMolendin，inhisqualityofbrothertoanarchdeacon，boldlyattackedthescarlet；hesangindeafeningtones，withhisimpudenteyesfastenedonthecardinal，"~Capparepletamero~！"

Allthesedetailswhichweherelaybarefortheedificationofthereader，weresocoveredbythegeneraluproar，thattheywerelostinitbeforereachingthereservedplatforms；

moreover，theywouldhavemovedthecardinalbutlittle，somuchapartofthecustomswerethelibertiesofthatday。

Moreover，hehadanothercauseforsolicitude，andhismienaswhollypreoccupiedwithit，whichenteredtheestradethesametimeashimself；thiswastheembassyfromFlanders。

Notthathewasaprofoundpolitician，norwasheborrowingtroubleaboutthepossibleconsequencesofthemarriageofhiscousinMargueritedeBourgoynetohiscousinCharles，DauphindeVienne；norastohowlongthegoodunderstandingwhichhadbeenpatchedupbetweentheDukeofAustriaandtheKingofFrancewouldlast；norhowtheKingofEnglandwouldtakethisdisdainofhisdaughter。Allthattroubledhimbutlittle；andhegaveawarmreceptioneveryeveningtothewineoftheroyalvintageofChaillot，withoutasuspicionthatseveralflasksofthatsamewine(somewhatrevisedandcorrected，itistrue，byDoctorCoictier)，cordiallyofferedtoEdwardIV。byLouisXI。，would，somefinemorning，ridLouisXI。ofEdwardIV。"ThemuchhonoredembassyofMonsieurtheDukeofAustria，"broughtthecardinalnoneofthesecares，butittroubledhiminanotherdirection。

Itwas，infact，somewhathard，andwehavealreadyhintedatitonthesecondpageofthisbook，——forhim，CharlesdeBourbon，tobeobligedtofeastandreceivecordiallynooneknowswhatbourgeois；——forhim，acardinal，toreceivealdermen；——forhim，aFrenchman，andajollycompanion，toreceiveFlemishbeer-drinkers，——andthatinpublic！Thiswas，certainly，oneofthemostirksomegrimacesthathehadeverexecutedforthegoodpleasureoftheking。

Soheturnedtowardthedoor，andwiththebestgraceintheworld(sowellhadhetrainedhimselftoit)，whentheusherannounced，inasonorousvoice，"MessieurstheEnvoysofMonsieurtheDukeofAustria。"Itisuselesstoaddthatthewholehalldidthesame。

Thenarrived，twobytwo，withagravitywhichmadeacontrastinthemidstofthefriskyecclesiasticalescortofCharlesdeBourbon，theeightandfortyambassadorsofMaximilianofAustria，havingattheirheadthereverendFatherinGod，Jehan，AbbotofSaint-Bertin，ChancelloroftheGoldenFleece，andJacquesdeGoy，SieurDauby，GrandBailiffofGhent。Adeepsilencesettledovertheassembly，accompaniedbystifledlaughteratthepreposterousnamesandallthebourgeoisdesignationswhicheachofthesepersonagestransmittedwithimperturbablegravitytotheusher，whothentossednamesandtitlespell-mellandmutilatedtothecrowdbelow。TherewereMasterLoysRoelof，aldermanofthecityofLouvain；MessireClaysd’Etuelde，aldermanofBrussels；

MessirePauldeBaeust，SieurdeVoirmizelle，PresidentofFlanders；MasterJehanColeghens，burgomasterofthecityofAntwerp；MasterGeorgedelaMoere，firstaldermanofthekuereofthecityofGhent；MasterGheldolfvanderHage，firstaldermanofthe~parchous~ofthesaidtown；andtheSieurdeBierbecque，andJehanPinnock，andJehanDymaerzelle，etc。，etc。，etc。；bailiffs，aldermen，burgomasters；burgomasters，aldermen，bailiffs——allstiff，affectedlygrave，formal，dressedoutinvelvetanddamask，hoodedwithcapsofblackvelvet，withgreattuftsofCyprusgoldthread；goodFlemishheads，afterall，severeandworthyfaces，ofthefamilywhichRembrandtmakestostandoutsostrongandgravefromtheblackbackgroundofhis"NightPatrol"；personagesallofwhombore，writtenontheirbrows，thatMaximilianofAustriahaddonewellin"trustingimplicitly，"asthemanifestran，"intheirsense，valor，experience，loyalty，andgoodwisdom。"

Therewasoneexception，however。Itwasasubtle，intelligent，crafty-lookingface，asortofcombinedmonkeyanddiplomatphiz，beforewhomthecardinalmadethreestepsandaprofoundbow，andwhosename，nevertheless，wasonly，"GuillaumeRym，counsellorandpensioneroftheCityofGhent。"

FewpersonswerethenawarewhoGuillaumeRymwas。A

raregeniuswhoinatimeofrevolutionwouldhavemadeabrilliantappearanceonthesurfaceofevents，butwhointhefifteenthcenturywasreducedtocavernousintrigues，andto"livinginmines，"astheDucdeSaint-Simonexpressesit。

Nevertheless，hewasappreciatedbythe"miner"ofEurope；

heplottedfamiliarlywithLouisXI。，andoftenlentahandtotheking’ssecretjobs。Allwhichthingswerequiteunknowntothatthrong，whowereamazedatthecardinal’spolitenesstothatfrailfigureofaFlemishbailiff。

CHAPTERIV。

MASTERJACQUESCOPPENOLE。

WhilethepensionerofGhentandhiseminencewereexchangingverylowbowsandafewwordsinvoicesstilllower，amanofloftystature，withalargefaceandbroadshoulders，presentedhimself，inordertoenterabreastwithGuillaumeRym；onewouldhavepronouncedhimabull-dogbythesideofafox。Hisfeltdoubletandleatherjerkinmadeaspotonthevelvetandsilkwhichsurroundedhim。

Presumingthathewassomegroomwhohadstolenin，theusherstoppedhim。

"Hold，myfriend，youcannotpass！"

Themanintheleatherjerkinshoulderedhimaside。

"Whatdoesthisknavewantwithme？"saidhe，instentoriantones，whichrenderedtheentirehallattentivetothisstrangecolloquy。"Don’tyouseethatIamoneofthem？"

"Yourname？"demandedtheusher。

"JacquesCoppenole。"

"Yourtitles？"

"Hosieratthesignofthe’ThreeLittleChains，’ofGhent。"

Theusherrecoiled。Onemightbringone’sselftoannouncealdermenandburgomasters，butahosierwastoomuch。Thecardinalwasonthorns。Allthepeoplewerestaringandlistening。FortwodayshiseminencehadbeenexertinghisutmosteffortstolicktheseFlemishbearsintoshape，andtorenderthemalittlemorepresentabletothepublic，andthisfreakwasstartling。ButGuillaumeRym，withhispolishedsmile，approachedtheusher。

"AnnounceMasterJacquesCoppenole，clerkofthealdermenofthecityofGhent，"hewhispered，verylow。

"Usher，"interposedthecardinal，aloud，"announceMasterJacquesCoppenole，clerkofthealdermenoftheillustriouscityofGhent。"

Thiswasamistake。GuillaumeRymalonemighthaveconjuredawaythedifficulty，butCoppenolehadheardthecardinal。

"No，crossofGod？"heexclaimed，inhisvoiceofthunder，"JacquesCoppenole，hosier。Doyouhear，usher？Nothingmore，nothingless。CrossofGod！hosier；that’sfineenough。

MonsieurtheArchdukehasmorethanoncesoughthis~gant~*

inmyhose。"

*Gotthefirstideaofatiming。

Laughterandapplauseburstforth。AjestisalwaysunderstoodinParis，and，consequently，alwaysapplauded。

LetusaddthatCoppenolewasofthepeople，andthattheauditorswhichsurroundedhimwerealsoofthepeople。Thusthecommunicationbetweenhimandthemhadbeenprompt，electric，and，sotospeak，onalevel。ThehaughtyairoftheFlemishhosier，byhumiliatingthecourtiers，hadtouchedinalltheseplebeiansoulsthatlatentsentimentofdignitystillvagueandindistinctinthefifteenthcentury。

Thishosierwasanequal，whohadjustheldhisownbeforemonsieurthecardinal。AverysweetreflectiontopoorfellowshabituatedtorespectandobediencetowardstheunderlingsofthesergeantsofthebailiffofSainte-Geneviève，thecardinal’strain-bearer。

Coppenoleproudlysalutedhiseminence，whoreturnedthesaluteoftheall-powerfulbourgeoisfearedbyLouisXI。

Then，whileGuillaumeRym，a"sageandmaliciousman，"asPhilippedeCominesputsit，watchedthembothwithasmileofrailleryandsuperiority，eachsoughthisplace，thecardinalquiteabashedandtroubled，Coppenoletranquilandhaughty，andthinking，nodoubt，thathistitleofhosierwasasgoodasanyother，afterall，andthatMarieofBurgundy，mothertothatMargueritewhomCoppenolewasto-daybestowinginmarriage，wouldhavebeenlessafraidofthecardinalthanofthehosier；foritisnotacardinalwhowouldhavestirreduparevoltamongthemenofGhentagainstthefavoritesofthedaughterofCharlestheBold；itisnotacardinalwhocouldhavefortifiedthepopulacewithawordagainsthertearsandprayers，whentheMaidofFlanderscametosupplicateherpeopleintheirbehalf，evenattheveryfootofthescaffold；

whilethehosierhadonlytoraisehisleatherelbow，inordertocausetofallyourtwoheads，mostillustriousseigneurs，Guyd’HymbercourtandChancellorGuillaumeHugonet。

Nevertheless，allwasoverforthepoorcardinal，andhewasobligedtoquafftothedregsthebittercupofbeinginsuchbadcompany。

Thereaderhas，probably，notforgottentheimpudentbeggarwhohadbeenclingingfasttothefringesofthecardinal’sgalleryeversincethebeginningoftheprologue。Thearrivaloftheillustriousguestshadbynomeanscausedhimtorelaxhishold，and，whiletheprelatesandambassadorswerepackingthemselvesintothestalls——likegenuineFlemishherrings——hesettledhimselfathisease，andboldlycrossedhislegsonthearchitrave。Theinsolenceofthisproceedingwasextraordinary，yetnoonenoticeditatfirst，theattentionofallbeingdirectedelsewhere。He，onhisside，perceivednothingthatwasgoingoninthehall；hewaggedhisheadwiththeunconcernofaNeapolitan，repeatingfromtimetotime，amidtheclamor，asfromamechanicalhabit，"Charity，please！"And，assuredly，hewas，outofallthosepresent，theonlyonewhohadnotdeignedtoturnhisheadatthealtercationbetweenCoppenoleandtheusher。Now，chanceordainedthatthemasterhosierofGhent，withwhomthepeoplewerealreadyinlivelysympathy，anduponwhomalleyeswereriveted——shouldcomeandseathimselfinthefrontrowofthegallery，directlyabovethemendicant；andpeoplewerenotalittleamazedtoseetheFlemishambassador，onconcludinghisinspectionoftheknavethusplacedbeneathhiseyes，bestowafriendlytaponthatraggedshoulder。Thebeggarturnedround；therewassurprise，recognition，alightingupofthetwocountenances，andsoforth；then，withoutpayingtheslightestheedintheworldtothespectators，thehosierandthewretchedbeingbegantoconverseinalowtone，holdingeachother’shands，inthemeantime，whiletheragsofClopinTrouillefou，spreadoutupontheclothofgoldofthedais，producedtheeffectofacaterpillaronanorange。

Thenoveltyofthissingularsceneexcitedsuchamurmurofmirthandgayetyinthehall，thatthecardinalwasnotslowtoperceiveit；hehalfbentforward，and，asfromthepointwherehewasplacedhecouldcatchonlyanimperfectviewofTrouillerfou’signominiousdoublet，heverynaturallyimaginedthatthemendicantwasaskingalms，and，disgustedwithhisaudacity，heexclaimed:"BailiffoftheCourts，tossmethatknaveintotheriver！"

"CrossofGod！monseigneurthecardinal，"saidCoppenole，withoutquittingClopin’shand，"he’safriendofmine。"

"Good！good！"shoutedthepopulace。Fromthatmoment，MasterCoppenoleenjoyedinParisasinGhent，"greatfavorwiththepeople；formenofthatsortdoenjoyit，"saysPhilippedeComines，"whentheyarethusdisorderly。"

Thecardinalbithislips。Hebenttowardshisneighbor，theAbbéofSaintGeneviéve，andsaidtohiminalowtone，——"Fineambassadorsmonsieurthearchdukesendshere，toannouncetousMadameMarguerite！"

"Youreminence，"repliedtheabbé，"wastesyourpolitenessontheseFlemishswine。~Margaritasanteporcos~，pearlsbeforeswine。"

"Sayrather，"retortedthecardinal，withasmile，"~PorcosanteMargaritam~，swinebeforethepearl。"

Thewholelittlecourtincassockswentintoecstaciesoverthisplayuponwords。Thecardinalfeltalittlerelieved；hewasquitswithCoppenole，healsohadhadhisjestapplauded。

Now，willthoseofourreaderswhopossessthepowerofgeneralizinganimageoranidea，astheexpressionrunsinthestyleofto-day，permitustoaskthemiftheyhaveformedaveryclearconceptionofthespectaclepresentedatthismoment，uponwhichwehavearrestedtheirattention，bythevastparallelogramofthegrandhallofthepalace。

Inthemiddleofthehall，backedagainstthewesternwall，alargeandmagnificentgallerydrapedwithclothofgold，intowhichenterinprocession，throughasmall，archeddoor，gravepersonages，announcedsuccessivelybytheshrillvoiceofanusher。Onthefrontbencheswerealreadyanumberofvenerablefigures，muffledinermine，velvet，andscarlet。Aroundthedais——whichremainssilentanddignified——below，opposite，everywhere，agreatcrowdandagreatmurmur。Thousandsofglancesdirectedbythepeopleoneachfaceuponthedais，athousandwhispersovereachname。Certainly，thespectacleiscurious，andwelldeservestheattentionofthespectators。Butyonder，quiteattheend，whatisthatsortoftrestleworkwithfourmotleypuppetsuponit，andmorebelow？Whoisthatmanbesidethetrestle，withablackdoubletandapaleface？Alas！mydearreader，itisPierreGringoireandhisprologue。

Wehaveallforgottenhimcompletely。

Thisispreciselywhathefeared。

Fromthemomentofthecardinal’sentrance，Gringoirehadneverceasedtotrembleforthesafetyofhisprologue。Atfirsthehadenjoinedtheactors，whohadstoppedinsuspense，tocontinue，andtoraisetheirvoices；then，perceivingthatnoonewaslistening，hehadstoppedthem；and，duringtheentirequarterofanhourthattheinterruptionlasted，hehadnotceasedtostamp，toflounceabout，toappealtoGisquetteandLiénarde，andtourgehisneighborstothecontinuanceoftheprologue；allinvain。Noonequittedthecardinal，theembassy，andthegallery——solecentreofthisvastcircleofvisualrays。Wemustalsobelieve，andwesayitwithregret，thattheprologuehadbegunslightlytowearytheaudienceatthemomentwhenhiseminencehadarrived，andcreatedadiversioninsoterribleafashion。Afterall，onthegalleryaswellasonthemarbletable，thespectaclewasthesame:theconflictofLaborandClergy，ofNobilityandMerchandise。Andmanypeoplepreferredtoseethemalive，breathing，moving，elbowingeachotherinfleshandblood，inthisFlemishembassy，inthisEpiscopalcourt，underthecardinal’srobe，underCoppenole’sjerkin，thanpainted，deckedout，talkinginverse，and，sotospeak，stuffedbeneaththeyellowamidwhitetunicsinwhichGringoirehadsoridiculouslyclothedthem。

Nevertheless，whenourpoetbeheldquietreestablishedtosomeextent，hedevisedastratagemwhichmighthaveredeemedall。

"Monsieur，"hesaid，turningtowardsoneofhisneighbors，afine，bigman，withapatientface，"supposewebeginagain。"

"What？"saidhisneighbor。

"Hé！theMystery，"saidGringoire。

"Asyoulike，"returnedhisneighbor。

Thissemi-approbationsufficedforGringoire，and，conductinghisownaffairs，hebegantoshout，confoundinghimselfwiththecrowdasmuchaspossible:"Beginthemysteryagain！beginagain！"

"Thedevil！"saidJoannesdeMolendino，"whataretheyjabberingdownyonder，attheendofthehall？"(forGringoirewasmakingnoiseenoughforfour。)"Say，comrades，isn’tthatmysteryfinished？Theywanttobeginitalloveragain。That’snotfair！"

"No，no！"shoutedallthescholars。"Downwiththemystery！Downwithit！"

ButGringoirehadmultipliedhimself，andonlyshoutedthemorevigorously:"Beginagain！beginagain！"

Theseclamorsattractedtheattentionofthecardinal。

"MonsieurBailiffoftheCourts，"saidhetoatall，blackman，placedafewpacesfromhim，"arethoseknavesinaholy-watervessel，thattheymakesuchahellishnoise？"

Thebailiffofthecourtswasasortofamphibiousmagistrate，asortofbatofthejudicialorder，relatedtoboththeratandthebird，thejudgeandthesoldier。

Heapproachedhiseminence，andnotwithoutagooddealoffearofthelatter’sdispleasure，heawkwardlyexplainedtohimtheseemingdisrespectoftheaudience:thatnoondayhadarrivedbeforehiseminence，andthatthecomedianshadbeenforcedtobeginwithoutwaitingforhiseminence。

Thecardinalburstintoalaugh。

"Onmyfaith，therectoroftheuniversityoughttohavedonethesame。Whatsayyou，MasterGuillaumeRym？"

"Monseigneur，"repliedGuillaumeRym，"letusbecontentwithhavingescapedhalfofthecomedy。Thereisatleastthatmuchgained。"

"Cantheserascalscontinuetheirfarce？"askedthebailiff。

"Continue，continue，"saidthecardinal，"it’sallthesametome。I’llreadmybreviaryinthemeantime。"

Thebailiffadvancedtotheedgeoftheestrade，andcried，afterhavinginvokedsilencebyawaveofthehand，——

"Bourgeois，rustics，andcitizens，inordertosatisfythosewhowishtheplaytobeginagain，andthosewhowishittoend，hiseminenceordersthatitbecontinued。"

Bothpartieswereforcedtoresignthemselves。Butthepublicandtheauthorlongcherishedagrudgeagainstthecardinal。

Sothepersonagesonthestagetookuptheirparts，andGringoirehopedthattherestofhiswork，atleast，wouldbelistenedto。Thishopewasspeedilydispelledlikehisotherillusions；silencehadindeed，beenrestoredintheaudience，afterafashion；butGringoirehadnotobservedthatatthemomentwhenthecardinalgavetheordertocontinue，thegallerywasfarfromfull，andthataftertheFlemishenvoystherehadarrivednewpersonagesformingpartofthecortege，whosenamesandranks，shoutedoutinthemidstofhisdialoguebytheintermittentcryoftheusher，producedconsiderableravagesinit。Letthereaderimaginetheeffectinthemidstofatheatricalpiece，oftheyelpingofanusher，flinginginbetweentworhymes，andofteninthemiddleofaline，parentheseslikethefollowing，——

"MasterJacquesCharmolue，procuratortothekingintheEcclesiasticalCourts！"

"JehandeHarlay，equerryguardianoftheofficeofchevalierofthenightwatchofthecityofParis！"

"MessireGaliotdeGenoilhac，chevalier，seigneurdeBrussac，masteroftheking’sartillery！"

"MasterDreux-Raguier，surveyorofthewoodsandforestsofthekingoursovereign，inthelandofFrance，ChampagneandBrie！"

"MessireLouisdeGraville，chevalier，councillor，andchamberlainoftheking，admiralofFrance，keeperoftheForestofVincennes！"

"MasterDenisleMercier，guardianofthehouseoftheblindatParis！"etc。，etc。，etc。

Thiswasbecomingunbearable。

Thisstrangeaccompaniment，whichrendereditdifficulttofollowthepiece，madeGringoireallthemoreindignantbecausehecouldnotconcealfromhimselfthefactthattheinterestwascontinuallyincreasing，andthatallhisworkrequiredwasachanceofbeingheard。

Itwas，infact，difficulttoimagineamoreingeniousandmoredramaticcomposition。Thefourpersonagesoftheprologuewerebewailingthemselvesintheirmortalembarrassment，whenVenusinperson，(~veraincessapatuitdea~)presentedherselftothem，cladinafinerobebearingtheheraldicdeviceoftheshipofthecityofParis。Shehadcomeherselftoclaimthedolphinpromisedtothemostbeautiful。Jupiter，whosethundercouldbeheardrumblinginthedressing-room，supportedherclaim，andVenuswasonthepointofcarryingitoff，——thatistosay，withoutallegory，ofmarryingmonsieurthedauphin，whenayoungchildcladinwhitedamask，andholdinginherhandadaisy(atransparentpersonificationofMademoiselleMargueriteofFlanders)cametocontestitwithVenus。

Theatricaleffectandchange。

Afteradispute，Venus，Marguerite，andtheassistantsagreedtosubmittothegoodjudgmentoftimeholyVirgin。

Therewasanothergoodpart，thatofthekingofMesopotamia；

butthroughsomanyinterruptions，itwasdifficulttomakeoutwhatendheserved。Allthesepersonshadascendedbytheladdertothestage。

Butallwasover；noneofthesebeautieshadbeenfeltnorunderstood。Ontheentranceofthecardinal，onewouldhavesaidthataninvisiblemagicthreadhadsuddenlydrawnallglancesfromthemarbletabletothegallery，fromthesoutherntothewesternextremityofthehall。Nothingcoulddisenchanttheaudience；alleyesremainedfixedthere，andthenew-comersandtheiraccursednames，andtheirfaces，andtheircostumes，affordedacontinualdiversion。Thiswasverydistressing。WiththeexceptionofGisquetteandLiénarde，whoturnedroundfromtimetotimewhenGringoirepluckedthembythesleeve；withtheexceptionofthebig，patientneighbor，noonelistened，noonelookedatthepoor，desertedmoralityfullface。Gringoiresawonlyprofiles。

Withwhatbitternessdidhebeholdhiswholeerectionofgloryandofpoetrycrumbleawaybitbybit！Andtothinkthatthesepeoplehadbeenuponthepointofinstitutingarevoltagainstthebailiffthroughimpatiencetohearhiswork！

nowthattheyhadittheydidnotcareforit。Thissamerepresentationwhichhadbeenbegunamidsounanimousanacclamation！Eternalfloodandebbofpopularfavor！Tothinkthattheyhadbeenonthepointofhangingthebailiff’ssergeant！Whatwouldhenothavegiventobestillatthathourofhoney！

Buttheusher’sbrutalmonologuecametoanend；everyonehadarrived，andGringoirebreathedfreelyoncemore；

theactorscontinuedbravely。ButMasterCoppenole，thehosier，mustneedsriseofasudden，andGringoirewasforcedtolistentohimdeliver，amiduniversalattention，thefollowingabominableharangue。

"MessieursthebourgeoisandsquiresofParis，Idon’tknow，crossofGod！whatwearedoinghere。Icertainlydoseeyonderinthecorneronthatstage，somepeoplewhoappeartobefighting。Idon’tknowwhetherthatiswhatyoucalla"mystery，"butitisnotamusing；theyquarrelwiththeirtonguesandnothingmore。Ihavebeenwaitingforthefirstblowthisquarterofanhour；nothingcomes；theyarecowardswhoonlyscratcheachotherwithinsults。YououghttosendforthefightersofLondonorRotterdam；and，Icantellyou！youwouldhavehadblowsofthefistthatcouldbeheardinthePlace；butthesemenexciteourpity。Theyoughtatleast，togiveusamoorishdance，orsomeothermummer！Thatisnotwhatwastoldme；Iwaspromisedafeastoffools，withtheelectionofapope。WehaveourpopeoffoolsatGhentalso；we’renotbehindhandinthat，crossofGod！Butthisisthewaywemanageit；wecollectacrowdlikethisonehere，theneachpersoninturnpasseshisheadthroughahole，andmakesagrimaceattherest；timeonewhomakestheugliest，iselectedpopebygeneralacclamation；

that’sthewayitis。Itisverydiverting。Wouldyouliketomakeyourpopeafterthefashionofmycountry？Atallevents，itwillbelesswearisomethantolistentochatterers。

Iftheywishtocomeandmaketheirgrimacesthroughthehole，theycanjointhegame。Whatsayyou，Messieurslesbourgeois？Youhavehereenoughgrotesquespecimensofbothsexes，toallowoflaughinginFlemishfashion，andthereareenoughofusuglyincountenancetohopeforafinegrinningmatch。"

Gringoirewouldhavelikedtoretort；stupefaction，rage，indignation，deprivedhimofwords。Moreover，thesuggestionofthepopularhosierwasreceivedwithsuchenthusiasmbythesebourgeoiswhowereflatteredatbeingcalled"squires，"thatallresistancewasuseless。Therewasnothingtobedonebuttoallowone’sselftodriftwiththetorrent。

Gringoirehidhisfacebetweenhistwohands，notbeingsofortunateastohaveamantlewithwhichtoveilhishead，likeAgamemnonofTimantis。

CHAPTERV。

QUASIMODO。

Inthetwinklingofaneye，allwasreadytoexecuteCoppenole’sidea。Bourgeois，scholarsandlawclerksallsettowork。Thelittlechapelsituatedoppositethemarbletablewasselectedforthesceneofthegrinningmatch。Apanebrokenintheprettyrosewindowabovethedoor，leftfreeacircleofstonethroughwhichitwasagreedthatthecompetitorsshouldthrusttheirheads。Inordertoreachit，itwasonlynecessarytomountuponacoupleofhogsheads，whichhadbeenproducedfromIknownotwhere，andperchedoneupontheother，afterafashion。Itwassettledthateachcandidate，manorwoman(foritwaspossibletochooseafemalepope)，should，forthesakeofleavingtheimpressionofhisgrimacefreshandcomplete，coverhisfaceandremainconcealedinthechapeluntilthemomentofhisappearance。Inlessthananinstant，thechapelwascrowdedwithcompetitors，uponwhomthedoorwasthenclosed。

Coppenole，fromhispost，orderedall，directedall，arrangedall。Duringtheuproar，thecardinal，nolessabashedthanGringoire，hadretiredwithallhissuite，underthepretextofbusinessandvespers，withoutthecrowdwhichhisarrivalhadsodeeplystirredbeingintheleastmovedbyhisdeparture。

GuillaumeRymwastheonlyonewhonoticedhiseminence’sdiscomfiture。Theattentionofthepopulace，likethesun，pursueditsrevolution；havingsetoutfromoneendofthehall，andhaltedforaspaceinthemiddle，ithadnowreachedtheotherend。Themarbletable，thebrocadedgalleryhadeachhadtheirday；itwasnowtheturnofthechapelofLouisXI。

Henceforth，thefieldwasopentoallfolly。Therewasnoonetherenow，buttheFlemingsandtherabble。

Thegrimacesbegan。Thefirstfacewhichappearedattheaperture，witheyelidsturneduptothereds，amouthopenlikeamaw，andabrowwrinkledlikeourhussarbootsoftheEmpire，evokedsuchaninextinguishablepealoflaughterthatHomerwouldhavetakenalltheseloutsforgods。

Nevertheless，thegrandhallwasanythingbutOlympus，andGringoire’spoorJupiterknewitbetterthananyoneelse。A

secondandthirdgrimacefollowed，thenanotherandanother；

andthelaughterandtransportsofdelightwentonincreasing。

Therewasinthisspectacle，apeculiarpowerofintoxicationandfascination，ofwhichitwouldbedifficulttoconveytothereaderofourdayandoursalonsanyidea。

Letthereaderpicturetohimselfaseriesofvisagespresentingsuccessivelyallgeometricalforms，fromthetriangletothetrapezium，fromtheconetothepolyhedron；allhumanexpressions，fromwrathtolewdness；allages，fromthewrinklesofthenew-bornbabetothewrinklesoftheagedanddying；allreligiousphantasmagories，fromFauntoBeelzebub；

allanimalprofiles，fromthemawtothebeak，fromthejowltothemuzzle。LetthereaderimagineallthesegrotesquefiguresofthePontNeuf，thosenightmarespetrifiedbeneaththehandofGermainPilon，assuminglifeandbreath，andcominginturntostareyouinthefacewithburningeyes；allthemasksoftheCarnivalofVenicepassinginsuccessionbeforeyourglass，——inaword，ahumankaleidoscope。

TheorgygrewmoreandmoreFlemish。Tenierscouldhavegivenbutaveryimperfectideaofit。Letthereaderpicturetohimselfinbacchanalform，SalvatorRosa’sbattle。Therewerenolongereitherscholarsorambassadorsorbourgeoisormenorwomen；therewasnolongeranyClopinTrouillefou，norGillesLecornu，norMarieQuatrelivres，norRobinPoussepain。

Allwasuniversallicense。Thegrandhallwasnolongeranythingbutavastfurnaceofeffrontryandjoviality，whereeverymouthwasacry，everyindividualaposture；

everythingshoutedandhowled。Thestrangevisageswhichcame，inturn，tognashtheirteethintherosewindow，werelikesomanybrandscastintothebrazier；andfromthewholeofthiseffervescingcrowd，thereescaped，asfromafurnace，asharp，piercing，stingingnoise，hissinglikethewingsofagnat。

"Hohé！curseit！"

"Justlookatthatface！"

"It’snotgoodforanything。"

"GuillemetteMaugerepuis，justlookatthatbull’smuzzle；

itonlylacksthehorns。Itcan’tbeyourhusband。"

"Another！"

"Bellyofthepope！whatsortofagrimaceisthat？"

"Holahé！that’scheating。Onemustshowonlyone’sface。"

"ThatdamnedPerretteCallebotte！she’scapableofthat！"

"Good！Good！"

"I’mstifling！"

"There’safellowwhoseearswon’tgothrough！"Etc。，etc。

ButwemustdojusticetoourfriendJehan。Inthemidstofthiswitches’sabbath，hewasstilltobeseenonthetopofhispillar，likethecabin-boyonthetopmast。Heflounderedaboutwithincrediblefury。Hismouthwaswideopen，andfromitthereescapedacrywhichnooneheard，notthatitwascoveredbythegeneralclamor，greatasthatwasbutbecauseitattained，nodoubt，thelimitofperceptiblesharpsounds，thethousandvibrationsofSauveur，ortheeightthousandofBiot。

AsforGringoire，thefirstmomentofdepressionhavingpassed，hehadregainedhiscomposure。Hehadhardenedhimselfagainstadversity——"Continue！"hehadsaidforthethirdtime，tohiscomedians，speakingmachines；thenashewasmarchingwithgreatstridesinfrontofthemarbletable，afancyseizedhimtogoandappearinhisturnattheapertureofthechapel，wereitonlyforthepleasureofmakingagrimaceatthatungratefulpopulace——"Butno，thatwouldnotbeworthyofus；no，vengeance！letuscombatuntiltheend，"herepeatedtohimself；"thepowerofpoetryoverpeopleisgreat；Iwillbringthemback。Weshallseewhichwillcarrytheday，grimacesorpoliteliterature。"

Alas！hehadbeenleftthesolespectatorofhispiece。

Itwasfarworsethanithadbeenalittlewhilebefore。Henolongerbeheldanythingbutbacks。

Iammistaken。Thebig，patientman，whomhehadalreadyconsultedinacriticalmoment，hadremainedwithhisfaceturnedtowardsthestage。AsforGisquetteandLiénarde，theyhaddesertedhimlongago。

Gringoirewastouchedtotheheartbythefidelityofhisonlyspectator。Heapproachedhimandaddressedhim，shakinghisarmslightly；forthegoodmanwasleaningonthebalustradeanddozingalittle。

"Monsieur，"saidGringoire，"Ithankyou！"

"Monsieur，"repliedthebigmanwithayawn，"forwhat？"

"Iseewhatweariesyou，"resumedthepoet；"’tisallthisnoisewhichpreventsyourhearingcomfortably。Butbeatease！yournameshalldescendtoposterity！Yourname，ifyouplease？"

"RenauldChateau，guardianofthesealsoftheChateletofParis，atyourservice。"

"Monsieur，youaretheonlyrepresentiveofthemuseshere，"saidGringoire。

"Youaretookind，sir，"saidtheguardianofthesealsattheChatelet。

"Youaretheonlyone，"resumedGringoire，"whohaslistenedtothepiecedecorously。Whatdoyouthinkofit？"

"He！he！"repliedthefatmagistrate，halfaroused，"it’stolerablyjolly，that’safact。"

Gringoirewasforcedtocontenthimselfwiththiseulogy；

forathunderofapplause，mingledwithaprodigiousacclamation，cuttheirconversationshort。ThePopeoftheFoolshadbeenelected。

"Noel！Noel！Noel！"*shoutedthepeopleonallsides。

Thatwas，infact，amarvellousgrimacewhichwasbeamingatthatmomentthroughtheapertureintherosewindow。

Afterallthepentagonal，hexagonal，andwhimsicalfaces，whichhadsucceededeachotheratthatholewithoutrealizingtheidealofthegrotesquewhichtheirimaginations，excitedbytheorgy，hadconstructed，nothinglesswasneededtowintheirsuffragesthanthesublimegrimacewhichhadjustdazzledtheassembly。MasterCoppenolehimselfapplauded，andClopinTrouillefou，whohadbeenamongthecompetitors(andGodknowswhatintensityofuglinesshisvisagecouldattain)，confessedhimselfconquered:Wewilldothesame。Weshallnottrytogivethereaderanideaofthattetrahedralnose，thathorseshoemouth；thatlittlelefteyeobstructedwithared，bushy，bristlingeyebrow，whiletherighteyedisappearedentirelybeneathanenormouswart；ofthoseteethindisarray，brokenhereandthere，liketheembattledparapetofafortress；ofthatcallouslip，uponwhichoneoftheseteethencroached，likethetuskofanelephant；ofthatforkedchin；andaboveall，oftheexpressionspreadoverthewhole；

ofthatmixtureofmalice，amazement，andsadness。Letthereaderdreamofthiswhole，ifhecan。

*TheancientFrenchhurrah。

Theacclamationwasunanimous；peoplerushedtowardsthechapel。TheymadetheluckyPopeoftheFoolscomeforthintriumph。Butitwasthenthatsurpriseandadmirationattainedtheirhighestpitch；thegrimacewashisface。

Orrather，hiswholepersonwasagrimace。Ahugehead，bristlingwithredhair；betweenhisshouldersanenormoushump，acounterpartperceptibleinfront；asystemofthighsandlegssostrangelyastraythattheycouldtoucheachotheronlyattheknees，and，viewedfromthefront，resembledthecrescentsoftwoscythesjoinedbythehandles；largefeet，monstroushands；and，withallthisdeformity，anindescribableandredoubtableairofvigor，agility，andcourage，——strangeexceptiontotheeternalrulewhichwillsthatforceaswellasbeautyshallbetheresultofharmony。Suchwasthepopewhomthefoolshadjustchosenforthemselves。

Onewouldhavepronouncedhimagiantwhohadbeenbrokenandbadlyputtogetheragain。

Whenthisspeciesofcyclopsappearedonthethresholdofthechapel，motionless，squat，andalmostasbroadashewastall；squaredonthebase，asagreatmansays；withhisdoublethalfred，halfviolet，sownwithsilverbells，and，aboveall，intheperfectionofhisugliness，thepopulacerecognizedhimontheinstant，andshoutedwithonevoice，——

"’TisQuasimodo，thebellringer！’tisQuasimodo，thehunchbackofNotre-Dame！Quasimodo，theone-eyed！Quasimodo，thebandy-legged！Noel！Noel！"

Itwillbeseenthatthepoorfellowhadachoiceofsurnames。

"Letthewomenwithchildbeware！"shoutedthescholars。

"Orthosewhowishtobe，"resumedJoannes。

Thewomendid，infact，hidetheirfaces。

"Oh！thehorriblemonkey！"saidoneofthem。

"Aswickedasheisugly，"retortedanother。

"He’sthedevil，"addedathird。

"IhavethemisfortunetolivenearNotre-Dame；Ihearhimprowlingroundtheeavesbynight。"

"Withthecats。"

"He’salwaysonourroofs。"

"Hethrowsspellsdownourchimneys。"

"Theotherevening，hecameandmadeagrimaceatmethroughmyatticwindow。Ithoughtthatitwasaman。

SuchafrightasIhad！"

"I’msurethathegoestothewitches’sabbath。Onceheleftabroomonmyleads。"

"Oh！whatadispleasinghunchback’sface！"

"Oh！whatanill-favoredsoul！"

"Whew！"

Themen，onthecontrary，weredelightedandapplauded。

Quasimodo，theobjectofthetumult，stillstoodonthethresholdofthechapel，sombreandgrave，andallowedthemtoadmirehim。

Onescholar(RobinPoussepain，Ithink)，cameandlaughedinhisface，andtooclose。Quasimodocontentedhimselfwithtakinghimbythegirdle，andhurlinghimtenpacesoffamidthecrowd；allwithoututteringaword。

MasterCoppenole，inamazement，approachedhim。

"CrossofGod！HolyFather！youpossessthehandsomestuglinessthatIhaveeverbeheldinmylife。YouwoulddeservetobepopeatRome，aswellasatParis。"

Sosaying，heplacedhishandgaylyonhisshoulder。Quasimododidnotstir。Coppenolewenton，——

"YouarearoguewithwhomIhaveafancyforcarousing，wereittocostmeanewdozenoftwelvelivresofTours。

Howdoesitstrikeyou？"

Quasimodomadenoreply。

"CrossofGod！"saidthehosier，"areyoudeaf？"

Hewas，intruth，deaf。

Nevertheless，hebegantogrowimpatientwithCoppenole’sbehavior，andsuddenlyturnedtowardshimwithsoformidableagnashingofteeth，thattheFlemishgiantrecoiled，likeabull-dogbeforeacat。

Thentherewascreatedaroundthatstrangepersonage，acircleofterrorandrespect，whoseradiuswasatleastfifteengeometricalfeet。AnoldwomanexplainedtoCoppenolethatQuasimodowasdeaf。

"Deaf！"saidthehosier，withhisgreatFlemishlaugh。

"CrossofGod！He’saperfectpope！"

"He！Irecognizehim，"exclaimedJehan，whohad，atlast，descendedfromhiscapital，inordertoseeQuasimodoatcloserquarters，"he’sthebellringerofmybrother，thearchdeacon。

Good-day，Quasimodo！"

"Whatadevilofaman！"saidRobinPoussepainstillallbruisedwithhisfall。"Heshowshimself；he’sahunchback。

Hewalks；he’sbandy-legged。Helooksatyou；he’sone-eyed。

Youspeaktohim；he’sdeaf。AndwhatdoesthisPolyphemusdowithhistongue？"

"Hespeakswhenhechooses，"saidtheoldwoman；"hebecamedeafthroughringingthebells。Heisnotdumb。"

"Thathelacks，"remarksJehan。

"Andhehasoneeyetoomany，"addedRobinPoussepain。

"Notatall，"saidJehanwisely。"Aone-eyedmanisfarlesscompletethanablindman。Heknowswhathelacks。"

Inthemeantime，allthebeggars，allthelackeys，allthecutpurses，joinedwiththescholars，hadgoneinprocessiontoseek，inthecupboardofthelawclerks’company，thecardboardtiara，andthederisiverobeofthePopeoftheFools。Quasimodoallowedthemtoarrayhiminthemwithoutwincing，andwithasortofprouddocility。Thentheymadehimseathimselfonamotleylitter。Twelveofficersofthefraternityoffoolsraisedhimontheirshoulders；andasortofbitteranddisdainfuljoylightedupthemorosefaceofthecyclops，whenhebeheldbeneathhisdeformedfeetallthoseheadsofhandsome，straight，well-mademen。Thentheraggedandhowlingprocessionsetoutonitsmarch，accordingtocustom，aroundtheinnergalleriesoftheCourts，beforemakingthecircuitofthestreetsandsquares。

CHAPTERVI。

ESMERALDA。

Wearedelightedtobeabletoinformthereader，thatduringthewholeofthisscene，Gringoireandhispiecehadstoodfirm。Hisactors，spurredonbyhim，hadnotceasedtospouthiscomedy，andhehadnotceasedtolistentoit。Hehadmadeuphismindaboutthetumult，andwasdeterminedtoproceedtotheend，notgivingupthehopeofareturnofattentiononthepartofthepublic。Thisgleamofhopeacquiredfreshlife，whenhesawQuasimodo，Coppenole，andthedeafeningescortofthepopeoftheprocessionoffoolsquitthehallamidgreatuproar。Thethrongrushedeagerlyafterthem。"Good，"hesaidtohimself，"theregoallthemischief-

makers。"Unfortunately，allthemischief-makersconstitutedtheentireaudience。Inthetwinklingofaneye，thegrandhallwasempty。

Totellthetruth，afewspectatorsstillremained，somescattered，othersingroupsaroundthepillars，women，oldmen，orchildren，whohadhadenoughoftheuproarandtumult。Somescholarswerestillperchedastrideofthewindow-sills，engagedingazingintothePlace。

"Well，"thoughtGringoire，"herearestillasmanyasarerequiredtoheartheendofmymystery。Theyarefewinnumber，butitisachoiceaudience，aletteredaudience。"

Aninstantlater，asymphonywhichhadbeenintendedtoproducethegreatesteffectonthearrivaloftheVirgin，waslacking。GringoireperceivedthathismusichadbeencarriedoffbytheprocessionofthePopeoftheFools。"Skipit，"saidhe，stoically。

Heapproachedagroupofbourgeois，whoseemedtohimtobediscussinghispiece。Thisisthefragmentofconversationwhichhecaught，——

"Youknow，MasterCheneteau，theH？teldeNavarre，whichbelongedtoMonsieurdeNemours？"

"Yes，oppositetheChapelledeBraque。"

"Well，thetreasuryhasjustletittoGuillaumeAlixandre，historian，forsixhivres，eightsols，parisian，ayear。"

"Howrentsaregoingup！"

"Come，"saidGringoiretohimself，withasigh，"theothersarelistening。"

"Comrades，"suddenlyshoutedoneoftheyoungscampsfromthewindow，"LaEsmeralda！LaEsmeraldainthePlace！"

Thiswordproducedamagicaleffect。Everyonewhowasleftinthehallflewtothewindows，climbingthewallsinordertosee，andrepeating，"LaEsmeralda！LaEsmeralda？"

Atthesametime，agreatsoundofapplausewasheardfromwithout。

"What’sthemeaningofthis，oftheEsmeralda？"saidGringoire，wringinghishandsindespair。"Ah，goodheavens！

itseemstobetheturnofthewindowsnow。"

Hereturnedtowardsthemarbletable，andsawthattherepresentationhadbeeninterrupted。ItwaspreciselyattheinstantwhenJupitershouldhaveappearedwithhisthunder。ButJupiterwasstandingmotionlessatthefootofthestage。

"MichelGiborne！"criedtheirritatedpoet，"whatareyoudoingthere？Isthatyourpart？Comeup！"

"Alas！"saidJupiter，"ascholarhasjustseizedtheladder。"

Gringoirelooked。Itwasbuttootrue。Allcommunicationbetweenhisplotanditssolutionwasintercepted。

"Therascal，"hemurmured。"Andwhydidhetakethatladder？"

"InordertogoandseetheEsmeralda，"repliedJupiterpiteously。"Hesaid，’Come，here’saladderthat’sofnouse！’andhetookit。"

Thiswasthelastblow。Gringoirereceiveditwithresignation。

"Maythedevilflyawaywithyou！"hesaidtothecomedian，"andifIgetmypay，youshallreceiveyours。"

Thenhebeataretreat，withdroopinghead，butthelastinthefield，likeageneralwhohasfoughtwell。

Andashedescendedthewindingstairsofthecourts:"A

finerabbleofassesanddoltstheseParisians！"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth；"theycometohearamysteryanddon’tlistentoitatall！Theyareengrossedbyeveryone，byChopinTrouillefou，bythecardinal，byCoppenole，byQuasimodo，bythedevil！butbyMadametheVirginMary，notatall。IfIhadknown，I’dhavegivenyouVirginMary；youninnies！AndI！tocometoseefacesandbeholdonlybacks！

tobeapoet，andtoreapthesuccessofanapothecary！ItistruethatHomerusbeggedthroughtheGreektowns，andthatNasodiedinexileamongtheMuscovites。ButmaythedevilflaymeifIunderstandwhattheymeanwiththeirEsmeralda！

Whatisthatword，inthefirstplace？——’tisEgyptian！"

BOOKSECOND。

CHAPTERI。

FROMCHARYBDISTOSCYLLA。

NightcomesonearlyinJanuary。ThestreetswerealreadydarkwhenGringoireissuedforthfromtheCourts。Thisgloompleasedhim；hewasinhastetoreachsomeobscureanddesertedalley，inordertheretomeditateathisease，andinorderthatthephilosophermightplacethefirstdressinguponthewoundofthepoet。Philosophy，moreover，washissolerefuge，forhedidnotknowwherehewastolodgeforthenight。Afterthebrilliantfailureofhisfirsttheatricalventure，hedarednotreturntothelodgingwhichheoccupiedintheRueGrenier-sur-l’Eau，oppositetothePort-au-Foin，havingdependeduponreceivingfrommonsieurtheprovostforhisepithalamium，thewherewithaltopayMasterGuillaumeDoulx-Sire，farmerofthetaxesoncloven-footedanimalsinParis，therentwhichheowedhim，thatistosay，twelvesolsparisian；twelvetimesthevalueofallthathepossessedintheworld，includinghistrunk-hose，hisshirt，andhiscap。

Afterreflectingamoment，temporarilyshelteredbeneaththelittlewicketoftheprisonofthetreasureroftheSainte-

Chappelle，astotheshelterwhichhewouldselectforthenight，havingallthepavementsofParistochoosefrom，herememberedtohavenoticedtheweekpreviouslyintheRuedelaSavaterie，atthedoorofacouncilloroftheparliament，asteppingstoneformountingamule，andtohavesaidtohimselfthatthatstonewouldfurnish，onoccasion，averyexcellentpillowforamendicantorapoet。HethankedProvidenceforhavingsentthishappyideatohim；but，ashewaspreparingtocrossthePlace，inordertoreachthetortuouslabyrinthofthecity，wheremeanderallthoseoldsisterstreets，theRuesdelaBarillerie，delaVielle-Draperie，delaSavaterie，delaJuiverie，etc。，stillextantto-day，withtheirnine-storyhouses，hesawtheprocessionofthePopeoftheFools，whichwasalsoemergingfromthecourthouse，andrushingacrossthecourtyard，withgreatcries，agreatflashingoftorches，andthemusicwhichbelongedtohim，Gringoire。

Thissightrevivedthepainofhisself-love；hefled。Inthebitternessofhisdramaticmisadventure，everythingwhichremindedhimofthefestivalofthatdayirritatedhiswoundandmadeitbleed。

58

HewasonthepointofturningtothePontSaint-Michel；

childrenwererunningabouthereandtherewithfirelancesandrockets。

"Pestonfireworkcandles！"saidGringoire；andhefellbackonthePontauChange。Tothehouseattheheadofthebridgetherehadbeenaffixedthreesmallbanners，representingtheking，thedauphin，andMargueriteofFlanders，andsixlittlepennonsonwhichwereportrayedtheDukeofAustria，theCardinaldeBourbon，M。deBeaujeu，andMadameJeannedeFrance，andMonsieurtheBastardofBourbon，andIknownotwhomelse；allbeingilluminatedwithtorches。

Therabblewereadmiring。

"Happypainter，JehanFourbault！"saidGringoirewithadeepsigh；andheturnedhisbackuponthebanneretsandpennons。Astreetopenedbeforehim；hethoughtitsodarkanddesertedthathehopedtothereescapefromalltherumorsaswellasfromallthegleamsofthefestival。Attheendofafewmomentshisfootcameincontactwithanobstacle；hestumbledandfell。ItwastheMaytruss，whichtheclerksoftheclerks’lawcourthaddepositedthatmorningatthedoorofapresidentoftheparliament，inhonorofthesolemnityoftheday。Gringoireborethisnewdisasterheroically；hepickedhimselfup，andreachedthewater’sedge。AfterleavingbehindhimthecivicTournelle*andthecriminaltower，andskirtedthegreatwallsoftheking’sgarden，onthatunpavedstrandwherethemudreachedtohisankles，hereachedthewesternpointofthecity，andconsideredforsometimetheisletofthePasseur-aux-Vaches，whichhasdisappearedbeneaththebronzehorseofthePontNeuf。Theisletappearedtohimintheshadowlikeablackmass，beyondthenarrowstripofwhitishwaterwhichseparatedhimfromit。

Onecoulddivinebytherayofatinylightthesortofhutintheformofabeehivewheretheferrymanofcowstookrefugeatnight。

*AchamberoftheancientparliamentofParis。

"Happyferryman！"thoughtGringoire；"youdonotdreamofglory，andyoudonotmakemarriagesongs！Whatmattersittoyou，ifkingsandDuchessesofBurgundymarry？

Youknownootherdaisies(~marguerites~)thanthosewhichyourAprilgreenswardgivesyourcowstobrowseupon；whileI，apoet，amhooted，andshiver，andowetwelvesous，andthesolesofmyshoesaresotransparent，thattheymightserveasglassesforyourlantern！Thanks，ferryman，yourcabinrestsmyeyes，andmakesmeforgetParis！"

Hewasrousedfromhisalmostlyricecstacy，byabigdoubleSaint-Jeancracker，whichsuddenlywentofffromthehappycabin。Itwasthecowferryman，whowastakinghispartintherejoicingsoftheday，andlettingofffireworks。

ThiscrackermadeGringoire’sskinbristleupallover。

"Accursedfestival！"heexclaimed，"wiltthoupursuemeeverywhere？Oh！goodGod！eventotheferryman’s！"

ThenhelookedattheSeineathisfeet，andahorribletemptationtookpossessionofhim:

"Oh！"saidhe，"Iwouldgladlydrownmyself，werethewaternotsocold！"

Thenadesperateresolutionoccurredtohim。Itwas，sincehecouldnotescapefromthePopeoftheFools，fromJehanFourbault’sbannerets，fromMaytrusses，fromsquibsandcrackers，togotothePlacedeGrève。

"Atleast，"hesaidtohimself，"Ishalltherehaveafirebrandofjoywherewithtowarmmyself，andIcansuponsomecrumbsofthethreegreatarmorialbearingsofroyalsugarwhichhavebeenerectedonthepublicrefreshment-stallofthecity。

CHAPTERII。

THEPLACEDEGREVE。

Thereremainsto-daybutaveryimperceptiblevestigeofthePlacedeGrève，suchasitexistedthen；itconsistsinthecharminglittleturret，whichoccupiestheanglenorthofthePlace，andwhich，alreadyenshroudedintheignobleplasterwhichfillswithpastethedelicatelinesofitssculpture，wouldsoonhavedisappeared，perhapssubmergedbythatfloodofnewhouseswhichsorapidlydevoursalltheancientfa？adesofParis。

Thepersonswho，likeourselves，nevercrossthePlacedeGrèvewithoutcastingaglanceofpityandsympathyonthatpoorturretstrangledbetweentwohovelsofthetimeofLouisXV。，caneasilyreconstructintheirmindstheaggregateofedificestowhichitbelonged，andfindagainentireinittheancientGothicplaceofthefifteenthcentury。

Itwasthen，asitisto-day，anirregulartrapezoid，borderedononesidebythequay，andontheotherthreebyaseriesoflofty，narrow，andgloomyhouses。Byday，onecouldadmirethevarietyofitsedifices，allsculpturedinstoneorwood，andalreadypresentingcompletespecimensofthedifferentdomesticarchitecturesoftheMiddleAges，runningbackfromthefifteenthtotheeleventhcentury，fromthecasementwhichhadbeguntodethronethearch，totheRomansemicircle，whichhadbeensupplantedbytheogive，andwhichstilloccupies，belowit，thefirststoryofthatancienthousedelaTourRoland，atthecornerofthePlaceupontheSeine，onthesideofthestreetwiththeTannerie。Atnight，onecoulddistinguishnothingofallthatmassofbuildings，excepttheblackindentationoftheroofs，unrollingtheirchainofacuteanglesroundtheplace；foroneoftheradicaldifferencesbetweenthecitiesofthattime，andthecitiesofthepresentday，layinthefa？adeswhichlookedupontheplacesandstreets，andwhichwerethengables。Forthelasttwocenturiesthehouseshavebeenturnedround。

InthecentreoftheeasternsideofthePlace，roseaheavyandhybridconstruction，formedofthreebuildingsplacedinjuxtaposition。Itwascalledbythreenameswhichexplainitshistory，itsdestination，anditsarchitecture:"TheHouseoftheDauphin，"becauseCharlesV。，whenDauphin，hadinhabitedit；"TheMarchandise，"becauseithadservedastownhall；and"ThePillaredHouse"(~domusadpiloria~)，becauseofaseriesoflargepillarswhichsustainedthethreestories。ThecityfoundthereallthatisrequiredforacitylikeParis；achapelinwhichtopraytoGod；a~plaidoyer~，orpleadingroom，inwhichtoholdhearings，andtorepel，atneed，theKing’speople；andundertheroof，an~arsenac~fullofartillery。ForthebourgeoisofPariswereawarethatitisnotsufficienttoprayineveryconjuncture，andtopleadforthefranchisesofthecity，andtheyhadalwaysinreserve，inthegarretofthetownhall，afewgoodrustyarquebuses。TheGrèvehadthenthatsinisteraspectwhichitpreservesto-dayfromtheexecrableideaswhichitawakens，andfromthesombretownhallofDominiqueBocador，whichhasreplacedthePillaredHouse。Itmustbeadmittedthatapermanentgibbetandapillory，"ajusticeandaladder，"astheywerecalledinthatday，erectedsidebysideinthecentreofthepavement，contributednotalittletocauseeyestobeturnedawayfromthatfatalplace，wheresomanybeingsfulloflifeandhealthhaveagonized；where，fiftyyearslater，thatfeverofSaintVallierwasdestinedtohaveitsbirth，thatterrorofthescaffold，themostmonstrousofallmaladiesbecauseitcomesnotfromGod，butfromman。

Itisaconsolingidea(letusremarkinpassing)，tothinkthatthedeathpenalty，whichthreehundredyearsagostillencumberedwithitsironwheels，itsstonegibbets，andallitsparaphernaliaoftorture，permanentandrivetedtothepavement，theGrève，theHalles，thePlaceDauphine，theCrossduTrahoir，theMarchéauxPourceaux，thathideousMontfau？on，thebarrierdesSergents，thePlaceauxChats，thePorteSaint-Denis，Champeaux，thePorteBaudets，thePorteSaintJacques，withoutreckoningtheinnumerableladdersoftheprovosts，thebishopofthechapters，oftheabbots，ofthepriors，whohadthedecreeoflifeanddeath，——withoutreckoningthejudicialdrowningsintheriverSeine；itisconsolingto-day，afterhavinglostsuccessivelyallthepiecesofitsarmor，itsluxuryoftorment，itspenaltyofimaginationandfancy，itstortureforwhichitreconstructedeveryfiveyearsaleatherbedattheGrandChatelet，thatancientsuzerainoffeudalsocietyalmostexpungedfromourlawsandourcities，huntedfromcodetocode，chasedfromplacetoplace，hasnolonger，inourimmenseParis，anymorethanadishonoredcorneroftheGrève，——thanamiserableguillotine，furtive，uneasy，shameful，whichseemsalwaysafraidofbeingcaughtintheact，soquicklydoesitdisappearafterhavingdealtitsblow。

CHAPTERIII。

KISSESFORBLOWS。

WhenPierreGringoirearrivedonthePlacedeGrève，hewasparalyzed。HehaddirectedhiscourseacrossthePontauxMeuniers，inordertoavoidtherabbleonthePontauChange，andthepennonsofJehanFourbault；butthewheelsofallthebishop’smillshadsplashedhimashepassed，andhisdoubletwasdrenched；itseemedtohimbesides，thatthefailureofhispiecehadrenderedhimstillmoresensibletocoldthanusual。Hencehemadehastetodrawnearthebonfire，whichwasburningmagnificentlyinthemiddleofthePlace。Butaconsiderablecrowdformedacirclearoundit。

"AccursedParisians！"hesaidtohimself(forGringoire，likeatruedramaticpoet，wassubjecttomonologues)"theretheyareobstructingmyfire！Nevertheless，Iamgreatlyinneedofachimneycorner；myshoesdrinkinthewater，andallthosecursedmillsweptuponme！ThatdevilofaBishopofParis，withhismills！I’djustliketoknowwhatuseabishopcanmakeofamill！Doesheexpecttobecomeamillerinsteadofabishop？Ifonlymymaledictionisneededforthat，Ibestowituponhim！andhiscathedral，andhismills！Justseeifthoseboobieswillputthemselvesout！

Moveaside！I’dliketoknowwhattheyaredoingthere！

Theyarewarmingthemselves，muchpleasuremayitgivethem！Theyarewatchingahundredfagotsburn；afinespectacle！"

Onlookingmoreclosely，heperceivedthatthecirclewasmuchlargerthanwasrequiredsimplyforthepurposeofgettingwarmattheking’sfire，andthatthisconcourseofpeoplehadnotbeenattractedsolelybythebeautyofthehundredfagotswhichwereburning。

Inavastspaceleftfreebetweenthecrowdandthefire，ayounggirlwasdancing。

Whetherthisyounggirlwasahumanbeing，afairy，oranangel，iswhatGringoire，scepticalphilosopherandironicalpoetthathewas，couldnotdecideatthefirstmoment，sofascinatedwashebythisdazzlingvision。

Shewasnottall，thoughsheseemedso，soboldlydidherslenderformdartabout。Shewasswarthyofcomplexion，butonedivinedthat，byday，herskinmustpossessthatbeautifulgoldentoneoftheAndalusiansandtheRomanwomen。Herlittlefoot，too，wasAndalusian，foritwasbothpinchedandateaseinitsgracefulshoe。Shedanced，sheturned，shewhirledrapidlyaboutonanoldPersianrug，spreadnegligentlyunderherfeet；andeachtimethatherradiantfacepassedbeforeyou，asshewhirled，hergreatblackeyesdartedaflashoflightningatyou。

Allaroundher，allglanceswereriveted，allmouthsopen；

and，infact，whenshedancedthus，tothehummingoftheBasquetambourine，whichhertwopure，roundedarmsraisedaboveherhead，slender，frailandvivaciousasawasp，withhercorsageofgoldwithoutafold，hervariegatedgownpuffingout，herbareshoulders，herdelicatelimbs，whichherpetticoatrevealedattimes，herblackhair，hereyesofflame，shewasasupernaturalcreature。

"Intruth，"saidGringoiretohimself，"sheisasalamander，sheisanymph，sheisagoddess，sheisabacchanteoftheMeneleanMount！"

Atthatmoment，oneofthesalamander’sbraidsofhairbecameunfastened，andapieceofyellowcopperwhichwasattachedtoit，rolledtotheground。

"Hé，no！"saidhe，"sheisagypsy！"

Allillusionshaddisappeared。

Shebeganherdanceoncemore；shetookfromthegroundtwoswords，whosepointssherestedagainstherbrow，andwhichshemadetoturninonedirection，whilesheturnedintheother；itwasapurelygypsyeffect。But，disenchantedthoughGringoirewas，thewholeeffectofthispicturewasnotwithoutitscharmanditsmagic；thebonfireilluminated，witharedflaringlight，whichtrembled，allalive，overthecircleoffacesinthecrowd，onthebrowoftheyounggirl，andatthebackgroundofthePlacecastapallidreflection，ononesideupontheancient，black，andwrinkledfa？adeoftheHouseofPillars，ontheother，upontheoldstonegibbet。

Amongthethousandsofvisageswhichthatlighttingedwithscarlet，therewasonewhichseemed，evenmorethanalltheothers，absorbedincontemplationofthedancer。Itwasthefaceofaman，austere，calm，andsombre。Thisman，whosecostumewasconcealedbythecrowdwhichsurroundedhim，didnotappeartobemorethanfiveandthirtyyearsofage；nevertheless，hewasbald；hehadmerelyafewtuftsofthin，grayhaironhistemples；hisbroad，highforeheadhadbeguntobefurrowedwithwrinkles，buthisdeep-seteyessparkledwithextraordinaryyouthfulness，anardentlife，aprofoundpassion。Hekeptthemfixedincessantlyonthegypsy，and，whilethegiddyyounggirlofsixteendancedandwhirled，forthepleasureofall，hisreveryseemedtobecomemoreandmoresombre。Fromtimetotime，asmileandasighmetuponhislips，butthesmilewasmoremelancholythanthesigh。

Theyounggirl，stoppedatlength，breathless，andthepeopleapplaudedherlovingly。

"Djali！"saidthegypsy。

ThenGringoiresawcomeuptoher，aprettylittlewhitegoat，alert，wide-awake，glossy，withgildedhorns，gildedhoofs，andgildedcollar，whichhehadnothithertoperceived，andwhichhadremainedlyingcurledupononecornerofthecarpetwatchinghismistressdance。

"Djali！"saidthedancer，"itisyourturn。"

And，seatingherself，shegracefullypresentedhertambourinetothegoat。

"Djali，"shecontinued，"whatmonthisthis？"

Thegoatlifteditsforefoot，andstruckoneblowuponthetambourine。Itwasthefirstmonthintheyear，infact。

"Djali，"pursuedtheyounggirl，turninghertambourineround，"whatdayofthemonthisthis？"

Djaliraisedhislittlegilthoof，andstrucksixblowsonthetambourine。

"Djali，"pursuedtheEgyptian，withstillanothermovementofthetambourine，"whathourofthedayisit？"

Djalistrucksevenblows。Atthatmoment，theclockofthePillarHouserangoutseven。

Thepeoplewereamazed。

"There’ssorceryatthebottomofit，"saidasinistervoiceinthecrowd。Itwasthatofthebaldman，whoneverremovedhiseyesfromthegypsy。

Sheshudderedandturnedround；butapplausebrokeforthanddrownedthemoroseexclamation。

Iteveneffaceditsocompletelyfromhermind，thatshecontinuedtoquestionhergoat。

"Djali，whatdoesMasterGuichardGrand-Remy，captainofthepistoliersofthetowndo，attheprocessionofCandlemas？"

Djalirearedhimselfonhishindlegs，andbegantobleat，marchingalongwithsomuchdaintygravity，thattheentirecircleofspectatorsburstintoalaughatthisparodyoftheinteresteddevoutnessofthecaptainofpistoliers。

"Djali，"resumedtheyounggirl，emboldenedbyhergrowingsuccess，"howpreachesMasterJacquesCharmolue，procuratortothekingintheecclesiasticalcourt？"

Thegoatseatedhimselfonhishindquarters，andbegantobleat，wavinghisforefeetinsostrangeamanner，that，withtheexceptionofthebadFrench，andworseLatin，JacquesCharmoluewastherecomplete，——gesture，accent，andattitude。

Andthecrowdapplaudedlouderthanever。