第8章

ShewasverymuchfrightenedbytheEgyptians，andwept。

ButhermotherkissedhermorewarmlyandwentawayenchantedwiththegoodfortunewhichthesoothsayershadforetoldforherAgnes。Shewastobeabeauty，virtuous，aqueen。

SoshereturnedtoheratticintheRueFolle-Peine，veryproudofbearingwithheraqueen。Thenextdayshetookadvantageofamomentwhenthechildwasasleeponherbed，(fortheyalwaysslepttogether)，gentlyleftthedooralittlewayopen，andrantotellaneighborintheRuedelaSéchesserie，thatthedaywouldcomewhenherdaughterAgneswouldbeservedattablebytheKingofEnglandandtheArchdukeofEthiopia，andahundredothermarvels。Onherreturn，hearingnocriesonthestaircase，shesaidtoherself:’Good！thechildisstillasleep！’Shefoundherdoorwideropenthanshehadleftit，butsheentered，poormother，andrantothebed——Thechildwasnolongerthere，theplacewasempty。Nothingremainedofthechild，butoneofherprettylittleshoes。Sheflewoutoftheroom，dasheddownthestairs，andbegantobeatherheadagainstthewall，crying:’Mychild！whohasmychild？Whohastakenmychild？’Thestreetwasdeserted，thehouseisolated；noonecouldtellheranythingaboutit。Shewentaboutthetown，searchedallthestreets，ranhitherandthitherthewholedaylong，wild，besideherself，terrible，snuffingatdoorsandwindowslikeawildbeastwhichhaslostitsyoung。Shewasbreathless，dishevelled，frightfultosee，andtherewasafireinhereyeswhichdriedhertears。Shestoppedthepassers-byandcried:’Mydaughter！mydaughter！myprettylittledaughter！Ifanyonewillgivemebackmydaughter，Iwillhehisservant，theservantofhisdog，andheshalleatmyheartifhewill。’ShemetM。leCuréofSaint-

Remy，andsaidtohim:’Monsieur，Iwilltilltheearthwithmyfinger-nails，butgivemebackmychild！’Itwasheartrending，Oudarde；andILsawaveryhardman，MasterPonceLacabre，theprocurator，weep。Ah！poormother！Intheeveningshereturnedhome。Duringherabsence，aneighborhadseentwogypsiesascenduptoitwithabundleintheirarms，thendescendagain，afterclosingthedoor。Aftertheirdeparture，somethinglikethecriesofachildwereheardinPaquette’sroom。Themother，burstintoshrieksoflaughter，ascendedthestairsasthoughonwings，andentered——A

frightfulthingtotell，Oudarde！InsteadofherprettylittleAgnes，sorosyandsofresh，whowasagiftofthegoodGod，asortofhideouslittlemonster，lame，one-eyed，deformed，wascrawlingandsquallingoverthefloor。Shehidhereyesinhorror。’Oh！’saidshe，’havethewitchestransformedmydaughterintothishorribleanimal？’Theyhastenedtocarryawaythelittleclub-foot；hewouldhavedrivenhermad。Itwasthemonstrouschildofsomegypsywoman，whohadgivenherselftothedevil。Heappearedtobeaboutfouryearsold，andtalkedalanguagewhichwasnohumantongue；therewerewordsinitwhichwereimpossible。LaChantefleurieflungherselfuponthelittleshoe，allthatremainedtoherofallthatsheloved。Sheremainedsolongmotionlessoverit，mute，andwithoutbreath，thattheythoughtshewasdead。

Suddenlyshetrembledallover，coveredherrelicwithfuriouskisses，andburstoutsobbingasthoughherheartwerebroken。

Iassureyouthatwewereallweepingalso。Shesaid:’Oh，mylittledaughter！myprettylittledaughter！whereartthou？’——anditwrungyourveryheart。IweepstillwhenI

thinkofit。Ourchildrenarethemarrowofourbones，yousee——MypoorEustache！thouartsofair！——Ifyouonlyknewhowniceheis！yesterdayhesaidtome:’Iwanttobeagendarme，thatIdo。’Oh！myEustache！ifIweretolosethee！——AllatoncelaChantefleurierose，andsetouttorunthroughReims，screaming:’Tothegypsies’camp！tothegypsies’camp！Police，toburnthewitches！’Thegypsiesweregone。Itwaspitchdark。Theycouldnotbefollowed。

Onthemorrow，twoleaguesfromReims，onaheathbetweenGueuxandTilloy，theremainsofalargefirewerefound，someribbonswhichhadbelongedtoPaquette’schild，dropsofblood，andthedungofaram。ThenightjustpasthadbeenaSaturday。TherewasnolongeranydoubtthattheEgyptianshadheldtheirSabbathonthatheath，andthattheyhaddevouredthechildincompanywithBeelzebub，asthepracticeisamongtheMahometans。WhenLaChantefleurielearnedthesehorriblethings，shedidnotweep，shemovedherlipsasthoughtospeak，butcouldnot。Onthemorrow，herhairwasgray。Onthesecondday，shehaddisappeared。

"’Tisintruth，afrightfultale，"saidOudarde，"andonewhichwouldmakeevenaBurgundianweep。"

"Iamnolongersurprised，"addedGervaise，"thatfearofthegypsiesshouldspuryouonsosharply。"

"Andyoudidallthebetter，"resumedOudarde，"tofleewithyourEustachejustnow，sincethesealsoaregypsiesfromPoland。"

"No，"saidGervais，"’tissaidthattheycomefromSpainandCatalonia。"

"Catalonia？’tispossible，"repliedOudarde。"Pologne，Catalogue，Valogne，Ialwaysconfoundthosethreeprovinces，Onethingiscertain，thattheyaregypsies。"

"Whocertainly，"addedGervaise，"haveteethlongenoughtoeatlittlechildren。IshouldnotbesurprisediflaSméraldaatealittleofthemalso，thoughshepretendstobedainty。

Herwhitegoatknowstricksthataretoomaliciousfortherenottobesomeimpietyunderneathitall。"

Mahiettewalkedoninsilence。Shewasabsorbedinthatreverywhichis，insomesort，thecontinuationofamournfultale，andwhichendsonlyafterhavingcommunicatedtheemotion，fromvibrationtovibration，eventotheverylastfibresoftheheart。Nevertheless，Gervaiseaddressedher，"AnddidtheyeverlearnwhatbecameoflaChantefleurie？"

Mahiettemadenoreply。Gervaiserepeatedherquestion，andshookherarm，callingherbyname。Mahietteappearedtoawakenfromherthoughts。

"WhatbecameoflaChantefleurie？"shesaid，repeatingmechanicallythewordswhoseimpressionwasstillfreshinherear；then，makinganefforttorecallherattentiontothemeaningofherwords，"Ah！"shecontinuedbriskly，"nooneeverfoundout。"

Sheadded，afterapause，——

"SomesaidthatshehadbeenseentoquitReimsatnightfallbytheFléchembaultgate；others，atdaybreak，bytheoldBaséegate。Apoormanfoundhergoldcrosshangingonthestonecrossinthefieldwherethefairisheld。Itwasthatornamentwhichhadwroughtherruin，in’61。ItwasagiftfromthehandsomeVicomtedeCormontreuil，herfirstlover。

Paquettehadneverbeenwillingtopartwithit，wretchedasshehadbeen。Shehadclungtoitastolifeitself。So，whenwesawthatcrossabandoned，weallthoughtthatshewasdead。Nevertheless，therewerepeopleoftheCabaretlesVantes，whosaidthattheyhadseenherpassalongtheroadtoParis，walkingonthepebbleswithherbarefeet。But，inthatcase，shemusthavegoneoutthroughthePortedeVesle，andallthisdoesnotagree。Or，tospeakmoretruly，IbelievethatsheactuallydiddepartbythePortedeVesle，butdepartedfromthisworld。"

"Idonotunderstandyou，"saidGervaise。

"LaVesle，"repliedMahiette，withamelancholysmile，"istheriver。"

"PoorChantefleurie！"saidOudarde，withashiver，——"drowned！"

"Drowned！"resumedMahiette，"whocouldhavetoldgoodFatherGuybertant，whenhepassedunderthebridgeofTingueuxwiththecurrent，singinginhisbarge，thatonedayhisdearlittlePaquettewouldalsopassbeneaththatbridge，butwithoutsongorboat。

"Andthelittleshoe？"askedGervaise。

"Disappearedwiththemother，"repliedMahiette。

"Poorlittleshoe！"saidOudarde。

Oudarde，abigandtenderwoman，wouldhavebeenwellpleasedtosighincompanywithMahiette。ButGervaise，morecurious，hadnotfinishedherquestions。

"Andthemonster？"shesaidsuddenly，toMahiette。

"Whatmonster？"inquiredthelatter。

"ThelittlegypsymonsterleftbythesorceressesinChantefleurie’schamber，inexchangeforherdaughter。Whatdidyoudowithit？Ihopeyoudrowneditalso。"

"No。"repliedMahiette。

"What？Youburneditthen？Insooth，thatismorejust。

Awitchchild！"

"Neithertheonenortheother，Gervaise。MonseigneurthearchbishopinterestedhimselfinthechildofEgypt，exorcisedit，blessedit，removedthedevilcarefullyfromitsbody，andsentittoParis，tobeexposedonthewoodenbedatNotre-

Dame，asafoundling。"

"Thosebishops！"grumbledGervaise，"becausetheyarelearned，theydonothinglikeanybodyelse。Ijustputittoyou，Oudarde，theideaofplacingthedevilamongthefoundlings！Forthatlittlemonsterwasassuredlythedevil。

Well，Mahiette，whatdidtheydowithitinParis？Iamquitesurethatnocharitablepersonwantedit。"

"Idonotknow，"repliedtheRémoise，"’twasjustatthattimethatmyhusbandboughttheofficeofnotary，atBern，twoleaguesfromthetown，andwewerenolongeroccupiedwiththatstory；besides，infrontofBern，standthetwohillsofCernay，whichhidethetowersofthecathedralinReimsfromview。"

Whilechattingthus，thethreeworthy~bourgeoises~hadarrivedatthePlacedeGrève。Intheirabsorption，theyhadpassedthepublicbreviaryoftheTour-Rolandwithoutstopping，andtooktheirwaymechanicallytowardsthepilloryaroundwhichthethrongwasgrowingmoredensewitheverymoment。Itisprobablethatthespectaclewhichatthatmomentattractedalllooksinthatdirection，wouldhavemadethemforgetcompletelytheRat-Hole，andthehaltwhichtheyintendedtomakethere，ifbigEustache，sixyearsofage，whomMahiettewasdraggingalongbythehand，hadnotabruptlyrecalledtheobjecttothem:"Mother，"saidhe，asthoughsomeinstinctwarnedhimthattheRat-Holewasbehindhim，"canIeatthecakenow？"

IfEustachehadbeenmoreadroit，thatistosay，lessgreedy，hewouldhavecontinuedtowait，andwouldonlyhavehazardedthatsimplequestion，"Mother，canIeatthecake，now？"ontheirreturntotheUniversity，toMasterAndryMusnier’s，RueMadamelaValence，whenhehadthetwoarmsoftheSeineandthefivebridgesofthecitybetweentheRat-Holeandthecake。

Thisquestion，highlyimprudentatthemomentwhenEustacheputit，arousedMahiette’sattention。

"Bytheway，"sheexclaimed，"weareforgettingtherecluse！ShowmetheRat-Hole，thatImaycarryherhercake。"

"Immediately，"saidOudarde，"’tisacharity。"

ButthisdidnotsuitEustache。

"Stop！mycake！"saidhe，rubbingbothearsalternativelywithhisshoulders，which，insuchcases，isthesupremesignofdiscontent。

Thethreewomenretracedtheirsteps，and，onarrivinginthevicinityoftheTour-Roland，Oudardesaidtotheothertwo，——

"Wemustnotallthreegazeintotheholeatonce，forfearofalarmingtherecluse。Doyoutwopretendtoreadthe_Dominus_inthebreviary，whileIthrustmynoseintotheaperture；therecluseknowsmealittle。Iwillgiveyouwarningwhenyoucanapproach。"

Sheproceededalonetothewindow。Atthemomentwhenshelookedin，aprofoundpitywasdepictedonallherfeatures，andherfrank，gayvisagealtereditsexpressionandcolorasabruptlyasthoughithadpassedfromarayofsunlighttoarayofmoonlight；hereyebecamehumid；hermouthcontracted，likethatofapersononthepointofweeping。Amomentlater，shelaidherfingeronherlips，andmadeasigntoMahiettetodrawnearandlook。

Mahiette，muchtouched，steppedupinsilence，ontiptoe，asthoughapproachingthebedsideofadyingperson。

Itwas，infact，amelancholyspectaclewhichpresenteditselftotheeyesofthetwowomen，astheygazedthroughthegratingoftheRat-Hole，neitherstirringnorbreathing。

Thecellwassmall，broaderthanitwaslong，withanarchedceiling，andviewedfromwithin，itboreaconsiderableresemblancetotheinteriorofahugebishop’smitre。Onthebareflagstoneswhichformedthefloor，inonecorner，awomanwassitting，orrather，crouching。Herchinrestedonherknees，whichhercrossedarmspressedforciblytoherbreast。

Thusdoubledup，cladinabrownsack，whichenvelopedherentirelyinlargefolds，herlong，grayhairpulledoverinfront，fallingoverherfaceandalongherlegsnearlytoherfeet，shepresented，atthefirstglance，onlyastrangeformoutlinedagainstthedarkbackgroundofthecell，asortofduskytriangle，whichtherayofdaylightfallingthroughtheopening，cutroughlyintotwoshades，theonesombre，theotherilluminated。Itwasoneofthosespectres，halflight，halfshadow，suchasonebeholdsindreamsandintheextraordinaryworkofGoya，pale，motionless，sinister，crouchingoveratomb，orleaningagainstthegratingofaprisoncell。

Itwasneitherawoman，noraman，noralivingbeing，noradefiniteform；itwasafigure，asortofvision，inwhichtherealandthefantasticintersectedeachother，likedarknessandday。Itwaswithdifficultythatonedistinguished，beneathherhairwhichspreadtotheground，agauntandsevereprofile；herdressbarelyallowedtheextremityofabarefoottoescape，whichcontractedonthehard，coldpavement。

Thelittleofhumanformofwhichonecaughtasightbeneaththisenvelopeofmourning，causedashudder。

Thatfigure，whichonemighthavesupposedtoberivetedtotheflagstones，appearedtopossessneithermovement，northought，norbreath。Lying，inJanuary，inthatthin，linensack，lyingonagranitefloor，withoutfire，inthegloomofacellwhoseobliqueair-holeallowedonlythecoldbreeze，butneverthesun，toenterfromwithout，shedidnotappeartosufferoreventothink。Onewouldhavesaidthatshehadturnedtostonewiththecell，icewiththeseason。Herhandswereclasped，hereyesfixed。Atfirstsightonetookherforaspectre；atthesecond，forastatue。

Nevertheless，atintervals，herbluelipshalfopenedtoadmitabreath，andtrembled，butasdeadandasmechanicalastheleaveswhichthewindsweepsaside。

Nevertheless，fromherdulleyesthereescapedalook，anineffablelook，aprofound，lugubrious，imperturbablelook，incessantlyfixeduponacornerofthecellwhichcouldnotbeseenfromwithout；agazewhichseemedtofixallthesombrethoughtsofthatsoulindistressuponsomemysteriousobject。

Suchwasthecreaturewhohadreceived，fromherhabitation，thenameofthe"recluse"；and，fromhergarment，thenameof"thesackednun。"

Thethreewomen，forGervaisehadrejoinedMahietteandOudarde，gazedthroughthewindow。Theirheadsinterceptedthefeeblelightinthecell，withoutthewretchedbeingwhomtheythusdeprivedofitseemingtopayanyattentiontothem。"Donotletustroubleher，"saidOudarde，inalowvoice，"sheisinherecstasy；sheispraying。"

Meanwhile，Mahiettewasgazingwithever-increasinganxietyatthatwan，withered，dishevelledhead，andhereyesfilledwithtears。"Thisisverysingular，"shemurmured。

Shethrustherheadthroughthebars，andsucceededincastingaglanceatthecornerwherethegazeoftheunhappywomanwasimmovablyriveted。

Whenshewithdrewherheadfromthewindow，hercountenancewasinundatedwithtears。

"Whatdoyoucallthatwoman？"sheaskedOudarde。

Oudardereplied，——

"WecallherSisterGudule。"

"AndI，"returnedMahiette，"callherPaquettelaChantefleurie。"

Then，layingherfingeronherlips，shemotionedtotheastoundedOudardetothrustherheadthroughthewindowandlook。

Oudardelookedandbeheld，inthecornerwheretheeyesofthereclusewerefixedinthatsombreecstasy，atinyshoeofpinksatin，embroideredwithathousandfancifuldesignsingoldandsilver。

GervaiselookedafterOudarde，andthenthethreewomen，gazingupontheunhappymother，begantoweep。

Butneithertheirlooksnortheirtearsdisturbedtherecluse。

Herhandsremainedclasped；herlipsmute；hereyesfixed；

andthatlittleshoe，thusgazedat，broketheheartofanyonewhoknewherhistory。

Thethreewomenhadnotyetutteredasingleword；theydarednotspeak，eveninalowvoice。Thisdeepsilence，thisdeepgrief，thisprofoundoblivioninwhicheverythinghaddisappearedexceptonething，produceduponthemtheeffectofthegrandaltaratChristmasorEaster。Theyremainedsilent，theymeditated，theywerereadytokneel。ItseemedtothemthattheywerereadytoenterachurchonthedayofTenebrae。

AtlengthGervaise，themostcuriousofthethree，andconsequentlytheleastsensitive，triedtomakethereclusespeak:

"Sister！SisterGudule！"

Sherepeatedthiscallthreetimes，raisinghervoiceeachtime。Thereclusedidnotmove；notaword，notaglance，notasigh，notasignoflife。

Oudarde，inherturn，inasweeter，morecaressingvoice，——"Sister！"

saidshe，"SisterSainte-Gudule！"

Thesamesilence；thesameimmobility。

"Asingularwoman！"exclaimedGervaise，"andonenottobemovedbyacatapult！"

"Perchancesheisdeaf，"saidOudarde。

"Perhapssheisblind，"addedGervaise。

"Dead，perchance，"returnedMahiette。

Itiscertainthatifthesoulhadnotalreadyquittedthisinert，sluggish，lethargicbody，ithadatleastretreatedandconcealeditselfindepthswhithertheperceptionsoftheexteriororgansnolongerpenetrated。

"Thenwemustleavethecakeonthewindow，"saidOudarde；

"somescampwilltakeit。Whatshallwedotorouseher？"

Eustache，who，uptothatmomenthadbeendivertedbyalittlecarriagedrawnbyalargedog，whichhadjustpassed，suddenlyperceivedthathisthreeconductressesweregazingatsomethingthroughthewindow，and，curiositytakingpossessionofhiminhisturn，heclimbeduponastonepost，elevatedhimselfontiptoe，andappliedhisfat，redfacetotheopening，shouting，"Mother，letmeseetoo！"

Atthesoundofthisclear，fresh，ringingchild’svoice，thereclusetrembled；sheturnedherheadwiththesharp，abruptmovementofasteelspring，herlong，fleshlesshandscastasidethehairfromherbrow，andshefixeduponthechild，bitter，astonished，desperateeyes。Thisglancewasbutalightningflash。

"OhmyGod！"shesuddenlyexclaimed，hidingherheadonherknees，anditseemedasthoughherhoarsevoicetoreherchestasitpassedfromit，"donotshowmethoseofothers！"

"Goodday，madam，"saidthechild，gravely。

Nevertheless，thisshockhad，sotospeak，awakenedtherecluse。Alongshivertraversedherframefromheadtofoot；herteethchattered；shehalfraisedherheadandsaid，pressingherelbowsagainstherhips，andclaspingherfeetinherhandsasthoughtowarmthem，——

"Oh，howcolditis！"

"Poorwoman！"saidOudarde，withgreatcompassion，"wouldyoulikealittlefire？"

Sheshookherheadintokenofrefusal。

"Well，"resumedOudarde，presentingherwithaflagon；

"hereissomehippocraswhichwillwarmyou；drinkit。"

Againsheshookherhead，lookedatOudardefixedlyandreplied，"Water。"

Oudardepersisted，——"No，sister，thatisnobeverageforJanuary。Youmustdrinkalittlehippocrasandeatthisleavenedcakeofmaize，whichwehavebakedforyou。"

SherefusedthecakewhichMahietteofferedtoher，andsaid，"Blackbread。"

"Come，"saidGervaise，seizedinherturnwithanimpulseofcharity，andunfasteningherwoolencloak，"hereisacloakwhichisalittlewarmerthanyours。"

Sherefusedthecloakasshehadrefusedtheflagonandthecake，andreplied，"Asack。"

"But，"resumedthegoodOudarde，"youmusthaveperceivedtosomeextent，thatyesterdaywasafestival。"

"Idoperceiveit，"saidtherecluse；"’tistwodaysnowsinceIhavehadanywaterinmycrock。"

Sheadded，afterasilence，"’Tisafestival，Iamforgotten。

Peopledowell。Whyshouldtheworldthinkofme，whenI

donotthinkofit？Coldcharcoalmakescoldashes。"

Andasthoughfatiguedwithhavingsaidsomuch，shedroppedherheadonherkneesagain。ThesimpleandcharitableOudarde，whofanciedthatsheunderstoodfromherlastwordsthatshewascomplainingofthecold，repliedinnocently，"Thenyouwouldlikealittlefire？"

"Fire！"saidthesackednun，withastrangeaccent；"andwillyoualsomakealittleforthepoorlittleonewhohasbeenbeneaththesodforthesefifteenyears？"

Everylimbwastrembling，hervoicequivered，hereyesflashed，shehadraisedherselfuponherknees；suddenlysheextendedherthin，whitehandtowardsthechild，whowasregardingherwithalookofastonishment。"Takeawaythatchild！"shecried。"TheEgyptianwomanisabouttopassby。"

Thenshefellfacedownwardontheearth，andherforeheadstruckthestone，withthesoundofonestoneagainstanotherstone。Thethreewomenthoughtherdead。Amomentlater，however，shemoved，andtheybeheldherdragherself，onherkneesandelbows，tothecornerwherethelittleshoewas。

Thentheydarednotlook；theynolongersawher；buttheyheardathousandkissesandathousandsighs，mingledwithheartrendingcries，anddullblowslikethoseofaheadincontactwithawall。Then，afteroneoftheseblows，soviolentthatallthreeofthemstaggered，theyheardnomore。

"Canshehavekilledherself？"saidGervaise，venturingtopassherheadthroughtheair-hole。"Sister！SisterGudule！"

"SisterGudule！"repeatedOudarde。

"Ah！goodheavens！shenolongermoves！"resumedGervaise；

"isshedead？Gudule！Gudule！"

Mahiette，chokedtosuchapointthatshecouldnotspeak，madeaneffort。"Wait，"saidshe。Thenbendingtowardsthewindow，"Paquette！"shesaid，"PaquetteleChantefleurie！"

Achildwhoinnocentlyblowsuponthebadlyignitedfuseofabomb，andmakesitexplodeinhisface，isnomoreterrifiedthanwasMahietteattheeffectofthatname，abruptlylaunchedintothecellofSisterGudule。

Thereclusetrembledallover，roseerectonherbarefeet，andleapedatthewindowwitheyessoglaringthatMahietteandOudarde，andtheotherwomanandthechildrecoiledeventotheparapetofthequay。

Meanwhile，thesinisterfaceoftherecluseappearedpressedtothegratingoftheair-hole。"Oh！oh！"shecried，withanappallinglaugh；"’tistheEgyptianwhoiscallingme！"

Atthatmoment，ascenewhichwaspassingatthepillorycaughtherwildeye。Herbrowcontractedwithhorror，shestretchedhertwoskeletonarmsfromhercell，andshriekedinavoicewhichresembledadeath-rattle，"So’tisthouoncemore，daughterofEgypt！’Tisthouwhocallestme，stealerofchildren！Well！Bethouaccursed！accursed！accursed！

accursed！"

CHAPTERIV。

ATEARFORADROPOFWATER。

Thesewordswere，sotospeak，thepointofunionoftwoscenes，whichhad，uptothattime，beendevelopedinparallellinesatthesamemoment，eachonitsparticulartheatre；one，thatwhichthereaderhasjustperused，intheRat-Hole；

theother，whichheisabouttoread，ontheladderofthepillory。Thefirsthadforwitnessesonlythethreewomenwithwhomthereaderhasjustmadeacquaintance；thesecondhadforspectatorsallthepublicwhichwehaveseenabove，collectingonthePlacedeGrève，aroundthepilloryandthegibbet。

Thatcrowdwhichthefoursergeantspostedatnineo’clockinthemorningatthefourcornersofthepilloryhadinspiredwiththehopeofsomesortofanexecution，nodoubt，notahanging，butawhipping，acroppingofears，something，inshort，——thatcrowdhadincreasedsorapidlythatthefourpolicemen，toocloselybesieged，hadhadoccasionto"press"

it，astheexpressionthenran，morethanonce，bysoundblowsoftheirwhips，andthehaunchesoftheirhorses。

Thispopulace，disciplinedtowaitingforpublicexecutions，didnotmanifestverymuchimpatience。Itamuseditselfwithwatchingthepillory，averysimplesortofmonument，composedofacubeofmasonryaboutsixfeethighandhollowintheinterior。Averysteepstaircase，ofunhewnstone，whichwascalledbydistinction"theladder，"ledtotheupperplatform，uponwhichwasvisibleahorizontalwheelofsolidoak。Thevictimwasbounduponthiswheel，onhisknees，withhishandsbehindhisback。Awoodenshaft，whichsetinmotionacapstanconcealedintheinteriorofthelittleedifice，impartedarotatorymotiontothewheel，whichalwaysmaintaineditshorizontalposition，andinthismannerpresentedthefaceofthecondemnedmantoallquartersofthesquareinsuccession。Thiswaswhatwascalled"turning"

acriminal。

Asthereaderperceives，thepilloryoftheGrèvewasfarfrompresentingalltherecreationsofthepilloryoftheHalles。

Nothingarchitectural，nothingmonumental。Norooftotheironcross，nooctagonallantern，nofrail，slendercolumnsspreadingoutontheedgeoftheroofintocapitalsofacanthusleavesandflowers，nowaterspoutsofchimerasandmonsters，oncarvedwoodwork，nofinesculpture，deeplysunkinthestone。

Theywereforcedtocontentthemselveswiththosefourstretchesofrubblework，backedwithsandstone，andawretchedstonegibbet，meagreandbare，ononeside。

TheentertainmentwouldhavebeenbutapooroneforloversofGothicarchitecture。ItistruethatnothingwaseverlesscuriousonthescoreofarchitecturethantheworthygapersoftheMiddleAges，andthattheycaredverylittleforthebeautyofapillory。

Thevictimfinallyarrived，boundtothetailofacart，andwhenhehadbeenhoistedupontheplatform，wherehecouldbeseenfromallpointsofthePlace，boundwithcordsandstrapsuponthewheelofthepillory，aprodigioushoot，mingledwithlaughterandacclamations，burstforthuponthePlace。TheyhadrecognizedQuasimodo。

Itwashe，infact。Thechangewassingular。Pilloriedontheveryplacewhere，onthedaybefore，hehadbeensaluted，acclaimed，andproclaimedPopeandPrinceofFools，inthecortegeoftheDukeofEgypt，theKingofThunes，andtheEmperorofGalilee！Onethingiscertain，andthatis，thattherewasnotasoulinthecrowd，notevenhimself，thoughinturntriumphantandthesufferer，whosetforththiscombinationclearlyinhisthought。Gringoireandhisphilosophyweremissingatthisspectacle。

SoonMichelNoiret，sworntrumpetertotheking，ourlord，imposedsilenceonthelouts，andproclaimedthesentence，inaccordancewiththeorderandcommandofmonsieurtheprovost。

Thenhewithdrewbehindthecart，withhismeninliverysurcoats。

Quasimodo，impassible，didnotwince。Allresistancehadbeenrenderedimpossibletohimbywhatwasthencalled，inthestyleofthecriminalchancellery，"thevehemenceandfirmnessofthebonds"whichmeansthatthethongsandchainsprobablycutintohisflesh；moreover，itisatraditionofjailandwardens，whichhasnotbeenlost，andwhichthehandcuffsstillpreciouslypreserveamongus，acivilized，gentle，humanepeople(thegalleysandtheguillotineinparentheses)。

Hehadallowedhimselftobeled，pushed，carried，lifted，bound，andboundagain。Nothingwastobeseenuponhiscountenancebuttheastonishmentofasavageoranidiot。

Hewasknowntobedeaf；onemighthavepronouncedhimtobeblind。

Theyplacedhimonhiskneesonthecircularplank；hemadenoresistance。Theyremovedhisshirtanddoubletasfarashisgirdle；heallowedthemtohavetheirway。Theyentangledhimunderafreshsystemofthongsandbuckles；

heallowedthemtobindandbucklehim。Onlyfromtimetotimehesnortednoisily，likeacalfwhoseheadishangingandbumpingovertheedgeofabutcher’scart。

"Thedolt，"saidJehanFrollooftheMill，tohisfriendRobinPoussepain(forthetwostudentshadfollowedtheculprit，aswastohavebeenexpected)，"heunderstandsnomorethanacockchafershutupinabox！"

TherewaswildlaughteramongthecrowdwhentheybeheldQuasimodo’shump，hiscamel’sbreast，hiscallousandhairyshoulderslaidbare。Duringthisgayety，amanintheliveryofthecity，shortofstatureandrobustofmien，mountedtheplatformandplacedhimselfnearthevictim。Hisnamespeedilycirculatedamongthespectators。ItwasMasterPierratTorterue，officialtorturertotheChatelet。

Hebeganbydepositingonanangleofthepilloryablackhour-glass，theupperlobeofwhichwasfilledwithredsand，whichitallowedtoglideintothelowerreceptacle；thenheremovedhisparti-coloredsurtout，andtherebecamevisible，suspendedfromhisrighthand，athinandtaperingwhipoflong，white，shining，knotted，plaitedthongs，armedwithmetalnails。Withhislefthand，henegligentlyfoldedbackhisshirtaroundhisrightarm，totheveryarmpit。

Inthemeantime，JehanFrollo，elevatinghiscurlyblondeheadabovethecrowd(hehadmountedupontheshouldersofRobinPoussepainforthepurpose)，shouted:"Comeandlook，gentleladiesandmen！theyaregoingtoperemptorilyflagellateMasterQuasimodo，thebellringerofmybrother，monsieurthearchdeaconofJosas，aknaveoforientalarchitecture，whohasabacklikeadome，andlegsliketwistedcolumns！"

Andthecrowdburstintoalaugh，especiallytheboysandyounggirls。

Atlengththetorturerstampedhisfoot。Thewheelbegantoturn。Quasimodowaveredbeneathhisbonds。Theamazementwhichwassuddenlydepicteduponhisdeformedfacecausedtheburstsoflaughtertoredoublearoundhim。

Allatonce，atthemomentwhenthewheelinitsrevolutionpresentedtoMasterPierrat，thehumpedbackofQuasimodo，MasterPierratraisedhisarm；thefinethongswhistledsharplythroughtheair，likeahandfulofadders，andfellwithfuryuponthewretch’sshoulders。

Quasimodoleapedasthoughawakenedwithastart。Hebegantounderstand。Hewrithedinhisbonds；aviolentcontractionofsurpriseandpaindistortedthemusclesofhisface，butheutterednotasinglesigh。Hemerelyturnedhisheadbackward，totheright，thentotheleft，balancingitasabulldoeswhohasbeenstungintheflanksbyagadfly。

Asecondblowfollowedthefirst，thenathird，andanotherandanother，andstillothers。Thewheeldidnotceasetoturn，northeblowstoraindown。

Soonthebloodburstforth，andcouldbeseentricklinginathousandthreadsdownthehunchback’sblackshoulders；andtheslenderthongs，intheirrotatorymotionwhichrenttheair，sprinkleddropsofituponthecrowd。

Quasimodohadresumed，toallappearance，hisfirstimperturbability。Hehadatfirsttried，inaquietwayandwithoutmuchoutwardmovement，tobreakhisbonds。Hiseyehadbeenseentolightup，hismusclestostiffen，hismemberstoconcentratetheirforce，andthestrapstostretch。Theeffortwaspowerful，prodigious，desperate；buttheprovost’sseasonedbondsresisted。Theycracked，andthatwasall。Quasimodofellbackexhausted。Amazementgaveway，onhisfeatures，toasentimentofprofoundandbitterdiscouragement。Heclosedhissingleeye，allowedhisheadtodroopuponhisbreast，andfeigneddeath。

Fromthatmomentforth，hestirrednomore。Nothingcouldforceamovementfromhim。Neitherhisblood，whichdidnotceasetoflow，northeblowswhichredoubledinfury，northewrathofthetorturer，whogrewexcitedhimselfandintoxicatedwiththeexecution，northesoundofthehorriblethongs，moresharpandwhistlingthantheclawsofscorpions。

AtlengthabailifffromtheChateletcladinblack，mountedonablackhorse，whohadbeenstationedbesidetheladdersincethebeginningoftheexecution，extendedhisebonywandtowardsthehour-glass。Thetorturerstopped。Thewheelstopped。Quasimodo’seyeopenedslowly。

Thescourgingwasfinished。Twolackeysoftheofficialtorturerbathedthebleedingshouldersofthepatient，anointedthemwithsomeunguentwhichimmediatelyclosedallthewounds，andthrewuponhisbackasortofyellowvestment，incutlikeachasuble。Inthemeanwhile，PierratTorterueallowedthethongs，redandgorgedwithblood，todripuponthepavement。

AllwasnotoverforQuasimodo。HehadstilltoundergothathourofpillorywhichMasterFlorianBarbediennehadsojudiciouslyaddedtothesentenceofMessireRobertd’Estouteville；

alltothegreatergloryoftheoldphysiologicalandpsychologicalplayuponwordsofJeandeCumène，~Surdusabsurdus~:adeafmanisabsurd。

Sothehour-glasswasturnedoveroncemore，andtheyleftthehunchbackfastenedtotheplank，inorderthatjusticemightbeaccomplishedtotheveryend。

Thepopulace，especiallyintheMiddleAges，isinsocietywhatthechildisinthefamily。Aslongasitremainsinitsstateofprimitiveignorance，ofmoralandintellectualminority，itcanbesaidofitasofthechild，——

’Tisthepitilessage。

WehavealreadyshownthatQuasimodowasgenerallyhated，formorethanonegoodreason，itistrue。TherewashardlyaspectatorinthatcrowdwhohadnotorwhodidnotbelievethathehadreasontocomplainofthemalevolenthunchbackofNotre-Dame。Thejoyatseeinghimappearthusinthepilloryhadbeenuniversal；andtheharshpunishmentwhichhehadjustsuffered，andthepitifulconditioninwhichithadlefthim，farfromsofteningthepopulacehadrendereditshatredmoremaliciousbyarmingitwithatouchofmirth。

Hence，the"publicprosecution"satisfied，asthebigwigsofthelawstillexpressitintheirjargon，theturncameofathousandprivatevengeances。Here，asintheGrandHall，thewomenrenderedthemselvesparticularlyprominent。Allcherishedsomerancoragainsthim，someforhismalice，othersforhisugliness。Thelatterwerethemostfurious。

"Oh！maskofAntichrist！"saidone。

"Rideronabroomhandle！"criedanother。

"Whatafinetragicgrimace，"howledathird，"andwhowouldmakehimPopeoftheFoolsifto-daywereyesterday？"

"’Tiswell，"struckinanoldwoman。"Thisisthegrimaceofthepillory。Whenshallwehavethatofthegibbet？"

"Whenwillyoubecoiffedwithyourbigbellahundredfeetunderground，cursedbellringer？"

"But’tisthedevilwhoringstheAngelus！"

"Oh！thedeafman！theone-eyedcreature！thehunch-

back！themonster！"

"Afacetomakeawomanmiscarrybetterthanallthedrugsandmedicines！"

Andthetwoscholars，JehanduMoulin，andRobinPoussepain，sangatthetopoftheirlungs，theancientrefrain，——

"~UnehartPourlependard！

UnfagotPourlemagot~！"*

*Aropeforthegallowsbird！Afagotfortheape。

Athousandotherinsultsraineddownuponhim，andhootsandimprecations，andlaughter，andnowandthen，stones。

Quasimodowasdeafbuthissightwasclear，andthepublicfurywasnolessenergeticallydepictedontheirvisagesthanintheirwords。Moreover，theblowsfromthestonesexplainedtheburstsoflaughter。

Atfirstheheldhisground。Butlittlebylittlethatpatiencewhichhadborneupunderthelashofthetorturer，yieldedandgavewaybeforeallthesestingsofinsects。ThebulloftheAsturiaswhohasbeenbutlittlemovedbytheattacksofthepicadorgrowsirritatedwiththedogsandbanderilleras。

Hefirstcastaroundaslowglanceofhatreduponthecrowd。

Butboundashewas，hisglancewaspowerlesstodriveawaythoseflieswhichwerestinginghiswound。Thenhemovedinhisbonds，andhisfuriousexertionsmadetheancientwheelofthepilloryshriekonitsaxle。Allthisonlyincreasedthederisionandhooting。

Thenthewretchedman，unabletobreakhiscollar，likethatofachainedwildbeast，becametranquiloncemore；onlyatintervalsasighofrageheavedthehollowsofhischest。

Therewasneithershamenorrednessonhisface。Hewastoofarfromthestateofsociety，andtoonearthestateofnaturetoknowwhatshamewas。Moreover，withsuchadegreeofdeformity，isinfamyathingthatcanbefelt？Butwrath，hatred，despair，slowlyloweredoverthathideousvisageacloudwhichgrewevermoreandmoresombre，evermoreandmorechargedwithelectricity，whichburstforthinathousandlightningflashesfromtheeyeofthecyclops。

Nevertheless，thatcloudclearedawayforamoment，atthepassageofamulewhichtraversedthecrowd，bearingapriest。

Asfarawayashecouldseethatmuleandthatpriest，thepoorvictim’svisagegrewgentler。Thefurywhichhadcontracteditwasfollowedbyastrangesmilefullofineffablesweetness，gentleness，andtenderness。Inproportionasthepriestapproached，thatsmilebecamemoreclear，moredistinct，moreradiant。ItwaslikethearrivalofaSaviour，whichtheunhappymanwasgreeting。Butassoonasthemulewasnearenoughtothepillorytoallowofitsriderrecognizingthevictim，thepriestdroppedhiseyes，beatahastyretreat，spurredonrigorously，asthoughinhastetoridhimselfofhumiliatingappeals，andnotatalldesirousofbeingsalutedandrecognizedbyapoorfellowinsuchapredicament。

ThispriestwasArchdeaconDomClaudeFrollo。

TheclouddescendedmoreblacklythaneveruponQuasimodo’sbrow。

Thesmilewasstillmingledwithitforatime，butwasbitter，discouraged，profoundlysad。

Timepassedon。Hehadbeenthereatleastanhourandahalf，lacerated，maltreated，mockedincessantly，andalmoststoned。

Allatoncehemovedagaininhischainswithredoubleddespair，whichmadethewholeframeworkthatborehimtremble，and，breakingthesilencewhichhehadobstinatelypreservedhitherto，hecriedinahoarseandfuriousvoice，whichresembledabarkratherthanahumancry，andwhichwasdrownedinthenoiseofthehoots——"Drink！"

Thisexclamationofdistress，farfromexcitingcompassion，onlyaddedamusementtothegoodParisianpopulacewhosurroundedtheladder，andwho，itmustbeconfessed，takeninthemassandasamultitude，wasthennolesscruelandbrutalthanthathorribletribeofrobbersamongwhomwehavealreadyconductedthereader，andwhichwassimplythelowerstratumofthepopulace。Notavoicewasraisedaroundtheunhappyvictim，excepttojeerathisthirst。Itiscertainthatatthatmomenthewasmoregrotesqueandrepulsivethanpitiable，withhisfacepurpleanddripping，hiseyewild，hismouthfoamingwithrageandpain，andhistonguelollinghalfout。Itmustalsobestatedthatifacharitablesoulofabourgeoisor~bourgeoise~，intherabble，hadattemptedtocarryaglassofwatertothatwretchedcreatureintorment，therereignedaroundtheinfamousstepsofthepillorysuchaprejudiceofshameandignominy，thatitwouldhavesufficedtorepulsethegoodSamaritan。

Attheexpirationofafewmoments，Quasimodocastadesperateglanceuponthecrowd，andrepeatedinavoicestillmoreheartrending:"Drink！"

Andallbegantolaugh。

"Drinkthis！"criedRobinPoussepain，throwinginhisfaceaspongewhichhadbeensoakedinthegutter。"There，youdeafvillain，I’myourdebtor。"

Awomanhurledastoneathishead，——

"Thatwillteachyoutowakeusupatnightwithyourpealofadammedsoul。"

"He，good，myson！"howledacripple，makinganefforttoreachhimwithhiscrutch，"willyoucastanymorespellsonusfromthetopofthetowersofNotre-Dame？"

"Here’sadrinkingcup！"chimedinaman，flingingabrokenjugathisbreast。"’Twasyouthatmademywife，simplybecauseshepassednearyou，givebirthtoachildwithtwoheads！"

"Andmycatbringforthakittenwithsixpaws！"yelpedanoldcrone，launchingabrickathim。

"Drink！"repeatedQuasimodopanting，andforthethirdtime。

Atthatmomenthebeheldthecrowdgiveway。Ayounggirl，fantasticallydressed，emergedfromthethrong。Shewasaccompaniedbyalittlewhitegoatwithgildedhorns，andcarriedatambourineinherhand。

Quasimodo’seyessparkled。Itwasthegypsywhomhehadattemptedtocarryoffontheprecedingnight，amisdeedforwhichhewasdimlyconsciousthathewasbeingpunishedatthatverymoment；whichwasnotintheleastthecase，sincehewasbeingchastisedonlyforthemisfortuneofbeingdeaf，andofhavingbeenjudgedbyadeafman。Hedoubtednotthatshehadcometowreakhervengeancealso，andtodealherblowliketherest。

Hebeheldher，infact，mounttheladderrapidly。Wrathandspitesuffocatehim。Hewouldhavelikedtomakethepillorycrumbleintoruins，andifthelightningofhiseyecouldhavedealtdeath，thegypsywouldhavebeenreducedtopowderbeforeshereachedtheplatform。

Sheapproached，withoututteringasyllable，thevictimwhowrithedinavainefforttoescapeher，anddetachingagourdfromhergirdle，sheraiseditgentlytotheparchedlipsofthemiserableman。

Then，fromthateyewhichhadbeen，uptothatmoment，sodryandburning，abigtearwasseentofall，androllslowlydownthatdeformedvisagesolongcontractedwithdespair。

Itwasthefirst，inallprobability，thattheunfortunatemanhadevershed。

Meanwhile，behadforgottentodrink。Thegypsymadeherlittlepout，fromimpatience，andpressedthespouttothetuskedmonthofQuasimodo，withasmile。

Hedrankwithdeepdraughts。Histhirstwasburning。

Whenhehadfinished，thewretchprotrudedhisblacklips，nodoubt，withtheobjectofkissingthebeautifulhandwhichhadjustsuccouredhim。Buttheyounggirl，whowas，perhaps，somewhatdistrustful，andwhorememberedtheviolentattemptofthenight，withdrewherhandwiththefrightenedgestureofachildwhoisafraidofbeingbittenbyabeast。

Thenthepoordeafmanfixedonheralookfullofreproachandinexpressiblesadness。

Itwouldhavebeenatouchingspectacleanywhere，——thisbeautiful，fresh，pure，andcharminggirl，whowasatthesametimesoweak，thushasteningtothereliefofsomuchmisery，deformity，andmalevolence。Onthepillory，thespectaclewassublime。

Theverypopulacewerecaptivatedbyit，andbegantoclaptheirhands，crying，——

"Noel！Noel！"

Itwasatthatmomentthatthereclusecaughtsight，fromthewindowofherbole，ofthegypsyonthepillory，andhurledatherhersinisterimprecation，——

"Accursedbethou，daughterofEgypt！Accursed！accursed！"

CHAPTERV。

ENDOFTHESTORYOFTHECAKE。

LaEsmeraldaturnedpaleanddescendedfromthepillory，staggeringasshewent。Thevoiceofthereclusestillpursuedher，——

"Descend！descend！ThiefofEgypt！thoushaltascenditoncemore！"

"Thesackednunisinoneofhertantrums，"mutteredthepopulace；andthatwastheendofit。Forthatsortofwomanwasfeared；whichrenderedthemsacred。Peopledidnotthenwillinglyattackonewhoprayeddayandnight。

ThehourhadarrivedforremovingQuasimodo。Hewasunbound，thecrowddispersed。

NeartheGrandPont，Mahiette，whowasreturningwithhertwocompanions，suddenlyhalted，——

"Bytheway，Eustache！whatdidyoudowiththatcake？"

"Mother，"saidthechild，"whileyouweretalkingwiththatladyinthebole，abigdogtookabiteofmycake，andthenIbititalso。"

"What，sir，didyoueatthewholeofit？"shewenton。

"Mother，itwasthedog。Itoldhim，buthewouldnotlistentome。ThenIbitintoit，also。"

"’Tisaterriblechild！"saidthemother，smilingandscoldingatoneandthesametime。"Doyousee，Oudarde？Healreadyeatsallthefruitfromthecherry-treeinourorchardofCharlerange。Sohisgrandfathersaysthatbewillbeacaptain。Justletmecatchyouatitagain，MasterEustache。

Comealong，yougreedyfellow！"

EndofVolume1。

VOLUMEII。

TABLEOFCONTENTS。

BOOKSEVENTH。

I。TheDangerofConfidingOne’sSecrettoaGoatII。APriestandaPhilosopheraretwoDifferentThingsIII。TheBellsIV。~ANArKH~

V。TheTwoMenClothedinBlackVI。TheEffectwhichSevenOathsintheOpenAircanProduceVII。TheMysteriousMonkVIII。TheUtilityofWindowswhichOpenontheRiverBOOKEIGHTH。

I。TheCrownChangedintoaDryLeafII。ContinuationoftheCrownwhichwasChangedintoaDryLeafIII。EndoftheCrownwhichwasChangedintoaDryLeafIV。~LasciateOgniSperanza~——Leaveallhopebehind，yewhoEnterhereV。TheMotherVI。ThreeHumanHeartsdifferentlyConstructedBOOKNINTH。

I。DeliriumII。Hunchbacked，OneEyed，LameIII。DeafIV。EarthenwareandCrystalV。TheKeytotheRedDoorVI。ContinuationoftheKeytotheRedDoorBOOKTENTH。

I。GringoirehasManyGoodIdeasinSuccession——RuedesBernardinsII。TurnVagabondIII。LongLiveMirthIV。AnAwkwardFriendV。TheRetreatinwhichMonsieurLouisofFrancesayshisPrayersVI。LittleSwordinPocketVII。ChateauperstotheRescueBOOKELEVENTH。

I。TheLittleShoeII。TheBeautifulCreatureCladinWhiteIII。TheMarriageofPinnbusIV。TheMarriageofQuasimodoNoteaddedtoDefinitiveEditionCHAPTERI。

THEDANGEROFCONFIDINGONE’SSECRETTOAGOAT。

Manyweekshadelapsed。

ThefirstofMarchhadarrived。Thesun，whichDubartas，thatclassicancestorofperiphrase，hadnotyetdubbedthe"Grand-dukeofCandles，"wasnonethelessradiantandjoyousonthataccount。Itwasoneofthosespringdayswhichpossessessomuchsweetnessandbeauty，thatallParisturnsoutintothesquaresandpromenadesandcelebratesthemasthoughtheywereSundays。Inthosedaysofbrilliancy，warmth，andserenity，thereisacertainhouraboveallothers，whenthefa？adeofNotre-Dameshouldbeadmired。

Itisthemomentwhenthesun，alreadydecliningtowardsthewest，looksthecathedralalmostfullintheface。Itsrays，growingmoreandmorehorizontal，withdrawslowlyfromthepavementofthesquare，andmountuptheperpendicularfa？ade，whosethousandbossesinhighrelieftheycausetostartoutfromtheshadows，whilethegreatcentralrosewindowflamesliketheeyeofacyclops，inflamedwiththereflectionsoftheforge。

Thiswasthehour。

Oppositetheloftycathedral，reddenedbythesettingsun，onthestonebalconybuiltabovetheporchofarichGothichouse，whichformedtheangleofthesquareandtheRueduParvis，severalyounggirlswerelaughingandchattingwitheverysortofgraceandmirth。Fromthelengthoftheveilwhichfellfromtheirpointedcoif，twinedwithpearls，totheirheels，fromthefinenessoftheembroideredchemisettewhichcoveredtheirshouldersandallowedaglimpse，accordingtothepleasingcustomofthetime，oftheswelloftheirfairvirginbosoms，fromtheopulenceoftheirunder-petticoatsstillmorepreciousthantheiroverdress(marvellousrefinement)，fromthegauze，thesilk，thevelvet，withwhichallthiswascomposed，and，aboveall，fromthewhitenessoftheirhands，whichcertifiedtotheirleisureandidleness，itwaseasytodivinetheywerenobleandwealthyheiresses。Theywere，infact，DamoiselleFleur-de-LysdeGondelaurierandhercompanions，DianedeChristeuil，AmelottedeMontmichel，ColombedeGaillefontaine，andthelittledeChampchevriermaiden；alldamselsofgoodbirth，assembledatthatmomentatthehouseofthedamewidowdeGondelaurier，onaccountofMonseigneurdeBeaujeuandMadamehiswife，whoweretocometoParisinthemonthofApril，theretochoosemaidsofhonorfortheDauphinessMarguerite，whowastobereceivedinPicardyfromthehandsoftheFlemings。Now，allthesquiresfortwentyleaguesaroundwereintriguingforthisfavorfortheirdaughters，andagoodlynumberofthelatterhadbeenalreadybroughtorsenttoParis。ThesefourmaidenshadbeenconfidedtothediscreetandvenerablechargeofMadameAloisedeGondelaurier，widowofaformercommanderoftheking’scross-bowmen，whohadretiredwithheronlydaughtertoherhouseinthePlaceduParvis，Notre-

Dame，inParis。

Thebalconyonwhichtheseyounggirlsstoodopenedfromachamberrichlytapestriedinfawn-coloredFlandersleather，stampedwithgoldenfoliage。Thebeams，whichcuttheceilinginparallellines，divertedtheeyewithathousandeccentricpaintedandgildedcarvings。Splendidenamelsgleamedhereandthereoncarvedchests；aboar’sheadinfaiencecrownedamagnificentdresser，whosetwoshelvesannouncedthatthemistressofthehousewasthewifeorwidowofaknightbanneret。Attheendoftheroom，bythesideofaloftychimneyblazonedwitharmsfromtoptobottom，inarichredvelvetarm-chair，satDamedeGondelaurier，whosefiveandfiftyyearswerewrittenuponhergarmentsnolessdistinctlythanuponherface。

Besideherstoodayoungmanofimposingmien，althoughpartakingsomewhatofvanityandbravado——oneofthosehandsomefellowswhomallwomenagreetoadmire，althoughgravemenlearnedinphysiognomyshrugtheirshouldersatthem。Thisyoungmanworethegarbofacaptainoftheking’sunattachedarchers，whichbearsfartoomuchresemblancetothecostumeofJupiter，whichthereaderhasalreadybeenenabledtoadmireinthefirstbookofthishistory，forustoinflictuponhimaseconddescription。

Thedamoiselleswereseated，apartinthechamber，apartinthebalcony，someonsquarecushionsofUtrechtvelvetwithgoldencorners，othersonstoolsofoakcarvedinflowersandfigures。Eachofthemheldonherkneeasectionofagreatneedleworktapestry，onwhichtheywereworkingincompany，whileoneendofitlayupontherushmatwhichcoveredthefloor。

Theywerechattingtogetherinthatwhisperingtoneandwiththehalf-stifledlaughspeculiartoanassemblyofyounggirlsinwhosemidstthereisayoungman。Theyoungmanwhosepresenceservedtosetinplayallthesefeminineself-

conceits，appearedtopayverylittleheedtothematter，and，whiletheseprettydamselswerevyingwithoneanothertoattracthisattention，heseemedtobechieflyabsorbedinpolishingthebuckleofhisswordbeltwithhisdoeskinglove。

Fromtimetotime，theoldladyaddressedhiminaverylowtone，andherepliedaswellashewasable，withasortofawkwardandconstrainedpoliteness。

FromthesmilesandsignificantgesturesofDameAloise，fromtheglanceswhichshethrewtowardsherdaughter，Fleur-de-Lys，asshespokelowtothecaptain，itwaseasytoseethattherewashereaquestionofsomebetrothalconcluded，somemarriagenearathandnodoubt，betweentheyoungmanandFleur-de-Lys。Fromtheembarrassedcoldnessoftheofficer，itwaseasytoseethatonhisside，atleast，lovehadnolongeranypartinthematter。Hiswholeairwasexpressiveofconstraintandweariness，whichourlieutenantsofthegarrisonwouldto-daytranslateadmirablyas，"Whatabeastlybore！"

Thepoordame，verymuchinfatuatedwithherdaughter，likeanyothersillymother，didnotperceivetheofficer’slackofenthusiasm，andstroveinlowtonestocallhisattentiontotheinfinitegracewithwhichFleur-de-Lysusedherneedleorwoundherskein。

"Come，littlecousin，"shesaidtohim，pluckinghimbythesleeve，inordertospeakinhisear，"Lookather，do！seeherstoop。"

"Yes，truly，"repliedtheyoungman，andfellbackintohisglacialandabsent-mindedsilence。

Amomentlater，hewasobligedtobenddownagain，andDameAloisesaidtohim，——

"Haveyoueverbeheldamoregayandcharmingfacethanthatofyourbetrothed？Canonebemorewhiteandblonde？

arenotherhandsperfect？andthatneck——doesitnotassumeallthecurvesoftheswaninravishingfashion？HowIenvyyouattimes！andhowhappyyouaretobeaman，naughtylibertinethatyouare！IsnotmyFleur-de-Lysadorablybeautiful，andareyounotdesperatelyinlovewithher？"

"Ofcourse，"hereplied，stillthinkingofsomethingelse。

"Butdosaysomething，"saidMadameAloise，suddenlygivinghisshoulderapush；"youhavegrownverytimid。"

Wecanassureourreadersthattimiditywasneitherthecaptain’svirtuenorhisdefect。Buthemadeanefforttodowhatwasdemandedofhim。

"Faircousin，"hesaid，approachingFleur-de-Lys，"whatisthesubjectofthistapestryworkwhichyouarefashioning？’

"Faircousin，"respondedFleur-de-Lys，inanoffendedtone，"Ihavealreadytoldyouthreetimes。’TisthegrottoofNeptune。"

ItwasevidentthatFleur-de-Lyssawmuchmoreclearlythanhermotherthroughthecaptain’scoldandabsent-mindedmanner。Hefeltthenecessityofmakingsomeconversation。

"AndforwhomisthisNeptuneriedestined？"

"FortheAbbeyofSaint-AntoinedesChamps，"answeredFleur-de-Lys，withoutraisinghereyes。

Thecaptaintookupacornerofthetapestry。

"Who，myfaircousin，isthisbiggendarme，whoispuffingouthischeekstotheirfullextentandblowingatrumpet？"

"’TisTriton，"shereplied。

TherewasaratherpettishintonationinFleur-de-Lys’s——

laconicwords。Theyoungmanunderstoodthatitwasindispensablethatheshouldwhispersomethinginherear，acommonplace，agallantcompliment，nomatterwhat。Accordinglyhebentdown，buthecouldfindnothinginhisimaginationmoretenderandpersonalthanthis，——

"Whydoesyourmotheralwayswearthatsurcoatwitharmorialdesigns，likeourgrandmothersofthetimeofCharlesVII。？Tellher，faircousin，that’tisnolongerthefashion，andthatthehinge(gond)andthelaurel(laurier)embroideredonherrobegivehertheairofawalkingmantlepiece。

Intruth，peoplenolongersitthusontheirbanners，I

assureyou。"

Fleur-de-Lysraisedherbeautifuleyes，fullofreproach，"Isthatallofwhichyoucanassureme？"shesaid，inalowvoice。

Inthemeantime，DameAloise，delightedtoseethemthusbendingtowardseachotherandwhispering，saidasshetoyedwiththeclaspsofherprayer-book，——

"Touchingpictureoflove！"

Thecaptain，moreandmoreembarrassed，fellbackuponthesubjectofthetapestry，——"’Tis，insooth，acharmingwork！"

heexclaimed。

WhereuponColombedeGaillefontaine，anotherbeautifulblonde，withawhiteskin，dressedtotheneckinbluedamask，venturedatimidremarkwhichsheaddressedtoFleur-de-Lys，inthehopethatthehandsomecaptainwouldreplytoit，"MydearGondelaurier，haveyouseenthetapestriesoftheH？teldelaRoche-Guyon？"

"IsnotthatthehotelinwhichisenclosedthegardenoftheLingèreduLouvre？"askedDianedeChristeuilwithalaugh；forshehadhandsometeeth，andconsequentlylaughedoneveryoccasion。

"Andwherethereisthatbig，oldtoweroftheancientwallofParis，"addedAmelottedeMontmichel，aprettyfreshandcurly-headedbrunette，whohadahabitofsighingjustastheotherlaughed，withoutknowingwhy。

"MydearColombe，"interpolatedDameAloise，"doyounotmeanthehotelwhichbelongedtoMonsieurdeBacqueville，inthereignofKingCharlesVI。？thereareindeedmanysuperbhighwarptapestriesthere。"

"CharlesVI。！CharlesVI。！"mutteredtheyoungcaptain，twirlinghismoustache。"Goodheavens！whatoldthingsthegooddamedoesremember！"

MadamedeGondelauriercontinued，"Finetapestries，intruth。Aworksoesteemedthatitpassesasunrivalled。"

AtthatmomentBérangèredeChampchevrier，aslenderlittlemaidofsevenyears，whowaspeeringintothesquarethroughthetrefoilsofthebalcony，exclaimed，"Oh！look，fairGodmotherFleur-de-Lys，atthatprettydancerwhoisdancingonthepavementandplayingthetambourineinthemidstoftheloutishbourgeois！"

Thesonorousvibrationofatambourinewas，infact，audible。

"SomegypsyfromBohemia，"saidFleur-de-Lys，turningcarelesslytowardthesquare。

"Look！look！"exclaimedherlivelycompanions；andtheyallrantotheedgeofthebalcony，whileFleur-de-Lys，renderedthoughtfulbythecoldnessofherbetrothed，followedthemslowly，andthelatter，relievedbythisincident，whichputanendtoanembarrassingconversation，retreatedtothefartherendoftheroom，withthesatisfiedairofasoldierreleasedfromduty。Nevertheless，thefairFleur-de-Lys’swasacharmingandnobleservice，andsuchithadformerlyappearedtohim；butthecaptainhadgraduallybecomeblase’；theprospectofaspeedymarriagecooledhimmoreeveryday。Moreover，hewasofafickledisposition，and，mustwesayit，rathervulgarintaste。Althoughofverynoblebirth，hehadcontractedinhisofficialharnessmorethanonehabitofthecommontrooper。Thetavernanditsaccompanimentspleasedhim。Hewasonlyathiseaseamidgrosslanguage，militarygallantries，facilebeauties，andsuccessesyetmoreeasy。Hehad，nevertheless，receivedfromhisfamilysomeeducationandsomepolitenessofmanner；

buthehadbeenthrownontheworldtooyoung，hehadbeeningarrisonattooearlyanage，andeverydaythepolishofagentlemanbecamemoreandmoreeffacedbytheroughfrictionofhisgendarme’scross-belt。Whilestillcontinuingtovisitherfromtimetotime，fromaremnantofcommonrespect，hefeltdoublyembarrassedwithFleur-de-Lys；inthefirstplace，because，inconsequenceofhavingscatteredhisloveinallsortsofplaces，hehadreservedverylittleforher；

inthenextplace，because，amidsomanystiff，formal，anddecentladies，hewasinconstantfearlesthismouth，habituatedtooaths，shouldsuddenlytakethebitinitsteeth，andbreakoutintothelanguageofthetavern。Theeffectcanbeimagined！

Moreover，allthiswasmingledinhim，withgreatpretentionstoelegance，toilet，andafineappearance。Letthereaderreconcilethesethingsasbesthecan。Iamsimplythehistorian。

Hehadremained，therefore，forseveralminutes，leaninginsilenceagainstthecarvedjambofthechimney，andthinkingornotthinking，whenFleur-de-Lyssuddenlyturnedandaddressedhim。Afterall，thepooryounggirlwaspoutingagainstthedictatesofherheart。

"Faircousin，didyounotspeaktousofalittleBohemianwhomyousavedacoupleofmonthsago，whilemakingthepatrolwiththewatchatnight，fromthehandsofadozenrobbers？"

"Ibelieveso，faircousin，。"saidthecaptain。

"Well，"sheresumed，"perchance’tisthatsamegypsygirlwhoisdancingyonder，onthechurchsquare。Comeandseeifyourecognizeher，fairCousinPhoebus。"

Asecretdesireforreconciliationwasapparentinthisgentleinvitationwhichshegavehimtoapproachher，andinthecarewhichshetooktocallhimbyname。CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers(foritishewhomthereaderhashadbeforehiseyessincethebeginningofthischapter)slowlyapproachedthebalcony。"Stay，"saidFleur-de-Lys，layingherhandtenderlyonPhoebus’sarm；"lookatthatlittlegirlyonder，dancinginthatcircle。IssheyourBohemian？"

Phoebuslooked，andsaid，——

"Yes，Irecognizeherbyhergoat。"

"Oh！infact，whataprettylittlegoat！"saidAmelotte，claspingherhandsinadmiration。

"Arehishornsofrealgold？"inquiredBérangère。

Withoutmovingfromherarm-chair，DameAloiseinterposed，"IsshenotoneofthosegypsygirlswhoarrivedlastyearbytheGibardgate？"

"Madamemymother，"saidFleur-de-Lysgently，"thatgateisnowcalledthePorted’Enfer。"

MademoiselledeGondelaurierknewhowhermother’santiquatedmodeofspeechshockedthecaptain。Infact，hebegantosneer，andmutteredbetweenhisteeth:"PorteGibard！PorteGibard！’TisenoughtomakeKingCharlesVI。

passby。"

"Godmother！"exclaimedBérangère，whoseeyes，incessantlyinmotion，hadsuddenlybeenraisedtothesummitofthetowersofNotre-Dame，"whoisthatblackmanupyonder？"

Alltheyounggirlsraisedtheireyes。Amanwas，intruth，leaningonthebalustradewhichsurmountedthenortherntower，lookingontheGrève。Hewasapriest。Hiscostumecouldbeplainlydiscerned，andhisfacerestingonbothhishands。Buthestirrednomorethanifhehadbeenastatue。

Hiseyes，intentlyfixed，gazedintothePlace。

Itwassomethingliketheimmobilityofabirdofprey，whohasjustdiscoveredanestofsparrows，andisgazingatit。

"’TismonsieurthearchdeaconofJosas，"saidFleur-de-Lys。

"Youhavegoodeyesifyoucanrecognizehimfromhere，"

saidtheGaillefontaine。

"Howheisstaringatthelittledancer！"wentonDianedeChristeuil。

"Letthegypsybeware！"saidFleur-de-Lys，"forhelovesnotEgypt。"

"’Tisagreatshameforthatmantolookuponherthus，"

addedAmelottedeMontmichel，"forshedancesdelightfully。"

"FaircousinPhoebus，"saidFleur-de-Lyssuddenly，"Sinceyouknowthislittlegypsy，makeherasigntocomeuphere。

Itwillamuseus。"

"Oh，yes！"exclaimedalltheyounggirls，clappingtheirhands。

"Why！’tisnotworthwhile，"repliedPhoebus。"Shehasforgottenme，nodoubt，andIknownotsomuchashername。Nevertheless，asyouwishit，youngladies，Iwillmakethetrial。"Andleaningoverthebalustradeofthebalcony，hebegantoshout，"Littleone！"

Thedancerwasnotbeatinghertambourineatthemoment。

Sheturnedherheadtowardsthepointwhencethiscallproceeded，herbrillianteyesrestedonPhoebus，andshestoppedshort。

"Littleone！"repeatedthecaptain；andhebeckonedhertoapproach。

Theyounggirllookedathimagain，thensheblushedasthoughaflamehadmountedintohercheeks，and，takinghertambourineunderherarm，shemadeherwaythroughtheastonishedspectatorstowardsthedoorofthehousewherePhoebuswascallingher，withslow，totteringsteps，andwiththetroubledlookofabirdwhichisyieldingtothefascinationofaserpent。

Amomentlater，thetapestryportièrewasraised，andthegypsyappearedonthethresholdofthechamber，blushing，confused，breathless，herlargeeyesdrooping，andnotdaringtoadvanceanotherstep。

Bérangèreclappedherhands。