第10章

ItiscertainthatJehanhadmadeaverybadchoiceofnamesforhistwofriends。Herealizedittoolate。

"Andthen，"pursuedthesagaciousClaude，"whatsortofaninfant’soutfitisitthatistocostthreeforms，andthatforthechildofaHaudriette？SincewhenhavetheHaudriettewidowstakentohavingbabesinswaddling-clothes？"

Jehanbroketheiceoncemore。

"Eh，well！yes！IneedmoneyinordertogoandseeIsabeaulaThierryeto-night；intheVal-d’Amour！"

"Impurewretch！"exclaimedthepriest。

"~Avayveia~！"saidJehan。

Thisquotation，whichthescholarborrowedwithmalice，perchance，fromthewallofthecell，producedasingulareffectonthearchdeacon。Hebithislipsandhiswrathwasdrownedinacrimsonflush。

"Begone，"hesaidtoJehan。"Iamexpectingsomeone。"

Thescholarmadeonemoreeffort。

"BrotherClaude，givemeatleastonelittleparisistobuysomethingtoeat。"

"HowfarhaveyougoneintheDecretalsofGratian？"

demandedDomClaude。

"Ihavelostmycopybooks。

"WhereareyouinyourLatinhumanities？"

"MycopyofHoracehasbeenstolen。"

"WhereareyouinAristotle？"

"I’faith！brotherwhatfatherofthechurchisit，whosaysthattheerrorsofhereticshavealwayshadfortheirlurkingplacethethicketsofAristotle’smetaphysics？AplagueonAristotle！Icarenottotearmyreligiononhismetaphysics。"

"Youngman，"resumedthearchdeacon，"attheking’slastentry，therewasayounggentleman，namedPhilippedeComines，whoworeembroideredonthehousingsofhishorsethisdevice，uponwhichIcounselyoutomeditate:~Quinonlaborat，nonmanducet~。"

Thescholarremainedsilentforamoment，withhisfingerinhisear，hiseyesontheground，andadiscomfitedmien。

AllatonceheturnedroundtoClaudewiththeagilequicknessofawagtail。

"So，mygoodbrother，yourefusemeasouparisis，wherewithtobuyacrustatabaker’sshop？"

"~Quinonlaborat，nonmanducet~。"

Atthisresponseoftheinflexiblearchdeacon，Jehanhidhisheadinhishands，likeawomansobbing，andexclaimedwithanexpressionofdespair:"~Orororororoi~。"

"Whatisthemeaningofthis，sir？"demandedClaude，surprisedatthisfreak。

"Whatindeed！"saidthescholar；andheliftedtoClaudehisimpudenteyesintowhichhehadjustthrusthisfistsinordertocommunicatetothemtherednessoftears；"’tisGreek！’tisananapaestofAEschyluswhichexpressesgriefperfectly。"

Andhereheburstintoalaughsodrollandviolentthatitmadethearchdeaconsmile。ItwasClaude’sfault，infact:

whyhadhesospoiledthatchild？

"Oh！goodBrotherClaude，"resumedJehan，emboldenedbythissmile，"lookatmywornoutboots。Isthereacothurnusintheworldmoretragicthantheseboots，whosesolesarehangingouttheirtongues？"

Thearchdeaconpromptlyreturnedtohisoriginalseverity。

"Iwillsendyousomenewboots，butnomoney。"

"Onlyapoorlittleparisis，brother，"continuedthesuppliantJehan。"IwilllearnGratianbyheart，IwillbelievefirmlyinGod，IwillbearegularPythagorasofscienceandvirtue。Butonelittleparisis，inmercy！Wouldyouhavefaminebitemewithitsjawswhicharegapinginfrontofme，blacker，deeper，andmorenoisomethanaTartarusorthenoseofamonk？"

DomClaudeshookhiswrinkledhead:"~Quinonlaborat~——"

Jehandidnotallowhimtofinish。

"Well，"heexclaimed，"tothedevilthen！Longlivejoy！I

willliveinthetavern，Iwillfight，IwillbreakpotsandIwillgoandseethewenches。"Andthereupon，hehurledhiscapatthewall，andsnappedhisfingerslikecastanets。

Thearchdeaconsurveyedhimwithagloomyair。

"Jehan，youhavenosoul。"

"Inthatcase，accordingtoEpicurius，Ilackasomethingmadeofanothersomethingwhichhasnoname。"

"Jehan，youmustthinkseriouslyofamendingyourways。"

"Oh，comenow，"criedthestudent，gazinginturnathisbrotherandthealembicsonthefurnace，"everythingispreposteroushere，bothideasandbottles！"

"Jehan，youareonaveryslipperydownwardroad。Doyouknowwhitheryouaregoing？"

"Tothewine-shop，"saidJehan。

"Thewine-shopleadstothepillory。"

"’Tisasgoodalanternasanyother，andperchancewiththatone，Diogeneswouldhavefoundhisman。"

"Thepilloryleadstothegallows。"

"Thegallowsisabalancewhichhasamanatoneendandthewholeearthattheother。’Tisfinetobetheman。"

"Thegallowsleadstohell。"

"’Tisabigfire。"。

"Jehan，Jehan，theendwillbebad。"

"Thebeginningwillhavebeengood。"

Atthatmoment，thesoundofafootstepwasheardonthestaircase。

"Silence！"saidthearchdeacon，layinghisfingeronhismouth，"hereisMasterJacques。Listen，Jehan，"headded，inalowvoice；"haveacarenevertospeakofwhatyoushallhaveseenorheardhere。Hideyourselfquicklyunderthefurnace，anddonotbreathe。"

Thescholarconcealedhimself；justthenahappyideaoccurredtohim。

"Bytheway，BrotherClaude，aformfornotbreathing。"

"Silence！Ipromise。"

"Youmustgiveittome。"

"Takeit，then！"saidthearchdeaconangrily，flinginghispurseathim。

Jehandartedunderthefurnaceagain，andthedooropened。

CHAPTERV。

THETWOMENCLOTHEDINBLACK。

Thepersonagewhoenteredworeablackgownandagloomymien。ThefirstpointwhichstrucktheeyeofourJehan(who，asthereaderwillreadilysurmise，hadensconcedhimselfinhisnookinsuchamannerastoenablehimtoseeandheareverythingathisgoodpleasure)wastheperfectsadnessofthegarmentsandthevisageofthisnew-corner。

Therewas，nevertheless，somesweetnessdiffusedoverthatface，butitwasthesweetnessofacatorajudge，anaffected，treacheroussweetness。Hewasverygrayandwrinkled，andnotfarfromhissixtiethyear，hiseyesblinked，hiseyebrowswerewhite，hislippendulous，andhishandslarge。WhenJehansawthatitwasonlythis，thatistosay，nodoubtaphysicianoramagistrate，andthatthismanhadanoseveryfarfromhismouth，asignofstupidity，henestleddowninhishole，indespairatbeingobligedtopassanindefinitetimeinsuchanuncomfortableattitude，andinsuchbadcompany。

Thearchdeacon，inthemeantime，hadnotevenrisentoreceivethispersonage。Hehadmadethelatterasigntoseathimselfonastoolnearthedoor，and，afterseveralmomentsofasilencewhichappearedtobeacontinuationofaprecedingmeditation，hesaidtohiminaratherpatronizingway，"Goodday，MasterJacques。"

"Greeting，master，"repliedthemaninblack。

Therewasinthetwowaysinwhich"MasterJacques"

waspronouncedontheonehand，andthe"master"bypreeminenceontheother，thedifferencebetweenmonseigneurandmonsieur，between~domine~and~domne~。Itwasevidentlythemeetingofateacherandadisciple。

"Well！"resumedthearchdeacon，afterafreshsilencewhichMasterJacquestookgoodcarenottodisturb，"howareyousucceeding？"

"Alas！master，"saidtheother，withasadsmile，"Iamstillseekingthestone。Plentyofashes。Butnotasparkofgold。"

DomClaudemadeagestureofimpatience。"Iamnottalkingtoyouofthat，MasterJacquesCharmolue，butofthetrialofyourmagician。IsitnotMarcCenainethatyoucallhim？thebutleroftheCourtofAccounts？Doesheconfesshiswitchcraft？Haveyoubeensuccessfulwiththetorture？"

"Alas！no，"repliedMasterJacques，stillwithhissadsmile；"wehavenotthatconsolation。Thatmanisastone。

WemighthavehimboiledintheMarchéauxPourceaux，beforehewouldsayanything。Nevertheless，wearesparingnothingforthesakeofgettingatthetruth；heisalreadythoroughlydislocated，weareapplyingalltheherbsofSaintJohn’sday；

assaiththeoldcomedianPlautus，——

~’Advorsumstimulos，laminas，crucesque，compedesque，Nerros，catenas，carceres，numellas，pedicas，boias~。’

Nothinganswers；thatmanisterrible。Iamatmywit’sendoverhim。"

"Youhavefoundnothingnewinhishouse？"

"I’faith，yes，"saidMasterJacques，fumblinginhispouch；

"thisparchment。Therearewordsinitwhichwecannotcomprehend。Thecriminaladvocate，MonsieurPhilippeLheulier，nevertheless，knowsalittleHebrew，whichhelearnedinthatmatteroftheJewsoftheRueKantersten，atBrussels。"

Sosaying，MasterJacquesunrolledaparchment。"Giveithere，"saidthearchdeacon。Andcastinghiseyesuponthiswriting:"Puremagic，MasterJacques！"heexclaimed。

"’Emen-Hétan！’’Tisthecryofthevampireswhentheyarriveatthewitches’sabbath。~Peripsum，etcumipso，etinipso~！’Tisthecommandwhichchainsthedevilinhell。

~Hax，pax，max~！thatreferstomedicine。Aformulaagainstthebiteofmaddogs。MasterJacques！youareprocuratortothekingintheEcclesiasticalCourts:thisparchmentisabominable。"

"Wewillputthemantothetortureoncemore。Hereagain，"addedMasterJacques，fumblingafreshinhispouch，"issomethingthatwehavefoundatMarcCenaine’shouse。"

ItwasavesselbelongingtothesamefamilyasthosewhichcoveredDomClaude’sfurnace。

"Ah！"saidthearchdeacon，"acrucibleforalchemy。"

"Iwillconfesstoyou，"continuedMasterJacques，withhistimidandawkwardsmile，"thatIhavetrieditoverthefurnace，butIhavesucceedednobetterthanwithmyown。"

Thearchdeaconbegananexaminationofthevessel。

"Whathasheengravedonhiscrucible？~Och！och~！

thewordwhichexpelsfleas！ThatMarcCenaineisanignoramus！Iverilybelievethatyouwillnevermakegoldwiththis！’Tisgoodtosetinyourbedroominsummerandthatisall！"

"Sincewearetalkingabouterrors，"saidtheking’sprocurator，"Ihavejustbeenstudyingthefiguresontheportalbelowbeforeascendinghither；isyourreverencequitesurethattheopeningoftheworkofphysicsisthereportrayedonthesidetowardstheH？tel-Dieu，andthatamongthesevennudefigureswhichstandatthefeetofNotre-Dame，thatwhichhaswingsonhisheelsisMercurius？"

"Yes，"repliedthepriest；"’tisAugustinNyphowhowritesit，thatItaliandoctorwhohadabeardeddemonwhoacquaintedhimwithallthings。However，wewilldescend，andIwillexplainittoyouwiththetextbeforeus。"

"Thanks，master，"saidCharmolue，bowingtotheearth。

"Bytheway，Iwasonthepointofforgetting。WhendothitpleaseyouthatIshallapprehendthelittlesorceress？"

"Whatsorceress？"

"Thatgypsygirlyouknow，whocomeseverydaytodanceonthechurchsquare，inspiteoftheofficial’sprohibition！

Shehathademoniacgoatwithhornsofthedevil，whichreads，whichwrites，whichknowsmathematicslikePicatrix，andwhichwouldsufficetohangallBohemia。Theprosecutionisallready；’twillsoonbefinished，Iassureyou！A

prettycreature，onmysoul，thatdancer！Thehandsomestblackeyes！TwoEgyptiancarbuncles！Whenshallwebegin？"

Thearchdeaconwasexcessivelypale。

"Iwilltellyouthathereafter，"hestammered，inavoicethatwasbarelyarticulate；thenheresumedwithaneffort，"BusyyourselfwithMarcCenaine。"

"Beatease，"saidCharmoluewithasmile；"I’llbucklehimdownagainforyouontheleatherbedwhenIgethome。

But’tisadevilofaman；heweariesevenPierratTorteruehimself，whohathhandslargerthanmyown。AsthatgoodPlautussaith，——

’~Nudusvinctus，centumpondo，esquandopendesperpedes~。’

Thetortureofthewheelandaxle！’Tisthemosteffectual！

Heshalltasteit！"

DomClaudeseemedabsorbedingloomyabstraction。HeturnedtoCharmolue，——

"MasterPierrat——MasterJacques，Imean，busyyourselfwithMarcCenaine。"

"Yes，yes，DomClaude。Poorman！hewillhavesufferedlikeMummol。Whatanideatogotothewitches’sabbath！

abutleroftheCourtofAccounts，whooughttoknowCharlemagne’stext；~Strygavelmasea~！——Inthematterofthelittlegirl，——Smelarda，astheycallher，——Iwillawaityourorders。Ah！aswepassthroughtheportal，youwillexplaintomealsothemeaningofthegardenerpaintedinrelief，whichoneseesasoneentersthechurch。IsitnottheSower？Hé！

master，ofwhatareyouthinking，pray？"

DomClaude，buriedinhisownthoughts，nolongerlistenedtohim。Charmolue，followingthedirectionofhisglance，perceivedthatitwasfixedmechanicallyonthegreatspider’swebwhichdrapedthewindow。Atthatmoment，abewilderedflywhichwasseekingtheMarchsun，flungitselfthroughthenetandbecameentangledthere。Ontheagitationofhisweb，theenormousspidermadeanabruptmovefromhiscentralcell，thenwithonebound，rusheduponthefly，whichhefoldedtogetherwithhisforeantennae，whilehishideousproboscisdugintothevictim’sbead。"Poorfly！"

saidtheking’sprocuratorintheecclesiasticalcourt；andheraisedhishandtosaveit。Thearchdeacon，asthoughrousedwithastart，withheldhisarmwithconvulsiveviolence。

"MasterJacques，"hecried，"letfatetakeitscourse！"

Theprocuratorwheeledroundinaffright；itseemedtohimthatpincersofironhadclutchedhisarm。Thepriest’seyewasstaring，wild，flaming，andremainedrivetedonthehorriblelittlegroupofthespiderandthefly。

"Oh，yes！"continuedthepriest，inavoicewhichseemedtoproceedfromthedepthsofhisbeing，"beholdhereasymbolofall。Sheflies，sheisjoyous，sheisjustborn；sheseeksthespring，theopenair，liberty:oh，yes！butlethercomeincontactwiththefatalnetwork，andthespiderissuesfromit，thehideousspider！Poordancer！poor，predestinedfly！Letthingstaketheircourse，MasterJacques，’tisfate！

Alas！Claude，thouartthespider！Claude，thouarttheflyalso！Thouwertflyingtowardslearning，light，thesun。

Thouhadstnoothercarethantoreachtheopenair，thefulldaylightofeternaltruth；butinprecipitatingthyselftowardsthedazzlingwindowwhichopensupontheotherworld，——upontheworldofbrightness，intelligence，andscience——blindfly！senseless，learnedman！thouhastnotperceivedthatsubtlespider’sweb，stretchedbydestinybetwixtthelightandthee——thouhastflungthyselfheadlongintoit，andnowthouartstrugglingwithheadbrokenandmangledwingsbetweentheironantennaeoffate！MasterJacques！MasterJacques！letthespiderworkitswill！"

"Iassureyou，"saidCharmolue，whowasgazingathimwithoutcomprehendinghim，"thatIwillnottouchit。Butreleasemyarm，master，forpity’ssake！Youhaveahandlikeapairofpincers。"

Thearchdeacondidnothearhim。"Oh，madman！"hewenton，withoutremovinghisgazefromthewindow。"Andevencouldstthouhavebrokenthroughthatformidableweb，withthygnat’swings，thoubelievestthatthoucouldsthavereachedthelight？Alas！thatpaneofglasswhichisfurtheron，thattransparentobstacle，thatwallofcrystal，harderthanbrass，whichseparatesallphilosophiesfromthetruth，howwouldstthouhaveovercomeit？Oh，vanityofscience！howmanywisemencomeflyingfromafar，todashtheirheadsagainstthee！Howmanysystemsvainlyflingthemselvesbuzzingagainstthateternalpane！"

Hebecamesilent。Theselastideas，whichhadgraduallyledhimbackfromhimselftoscience，appearedtohavecalmedhim。JacquesCharmoluerecalledhimwhollytoasenseofrealitybyaddressingtohimthisquestion:"Come，now，master，whenwillyoucometoaidmeinmakinggold？Iamimpatienttosucceed。"

Thearchdeaconshookhishead，withabittersmile。"MasterJacquesreadMichelPsellus’’~DialogusdeEnergiaetOperationeDaemonum~_。’Whatwearedoingisnotwhollyinnocent。"

"Speaklower，master！Ihavemysuspicionsofit，"saidJacquesCharmolue。"Butonemustpractiseabitofhermeticsciencewhenoneisonlyprocuratorofthekingintheecclesiasticalcourt，atthirtycrownstournoisayear。Onlyspeaklow。"

Atthatmomentthesoundofjawsintheactofmastication，whichproceededfrombeneaththefurnace，struckCharmolue’suneasyear。

"What’sthat？"heinquired。

Itwasthescholar，who，illatease，andgreatlyboredinhishiding-place，hadsucceededindiscoveringthereastalecrustandatriangleofmouldycheese，andhadsettodevouringthewholewithoutceremony，bywayofconsolationandbreakfast。

Ashewasveryhungry，hemadeagreatdealofnoise，andheaccentedeachmouthfulstrongly，whichstartledandalarmedtheprocurator。

"’Tisacatofmine，"saidthearchdeacon，quickly，"whoisregalingherselfundertherewithamouse，"

ThisexplanationsatisfiedCharmolue。

"Infact，master，"hereplied，witharespectfulsmile，"allgreatphilosophershavetheirfamiliaranimal。YouknowwhatServiussaith:’~Nullusenimlocussinegenioest~，——forthereisnoplacethathathnotitsspirit。’"

ButDomClaude，whostoodinterrorofsomenewfreakonthepartofJehan，remindedhisworthydisciplethattheyhadsomefiguresonthefa？adetostudytogether，andthetwoquittedthecell，totheaccompanimentofagreat"ouf！"fromthescholar，whobegantoseriouslyfearthathiskneewouldacquiretheimprintofhischin。

CHAPTERVI。

THEEFFECTWHICHSEVENOATHSINTHEOPENAIRCANPRODUCE。

"~TeDeumLaudamus~！"exclaimedMasterJehan，creepingoutfromhishole，"thescreech-owlshavedeparted。Och！

och！Hax！pax！max！fleas！maddogs！thedevil！Ihavehadenoughoftheirconversation！Myheadishumminglikeabelltower。Andmouldycheesetoboot！Comeon！Letusdescend，takethebigbrother’spurseandconvertallthesecoinsintobottles！"

Hecastaglanceoftendernessandadmirationintotheinteriorofthepreciouspouch，readjustedhistoilet，rubbeduphisboots，dustedhispoorhalfsleeves，allgraywithashes，whistledanair，indulgedinasportivepirouette，lookedabouttoseewhethertherewerenotsomethingmoreinthecelltotake，gathereduphereandthereonthefurnacesomeamuletinglasswhichmightservetobestow，intheguiseofatrinket，onIsabeaulaThierrye，finallypushedopenthedoorwhichhisbrotherhadleftunfastened，asalastindulgence，andwhichhe，inhisturn，leftopenasalastpieceofmalice，anddescendedthecircularstaircase，skippinglikeabird。

Inthemidstofthegloomofthespiralstaircase，heelbowedsomethingwhichdrewasidewithagrowl；hetookitforgrantedthatitwasQuasimodo，anditstruckhimassodrollthathedescendedtheremainderofthestaircaseholdinghissideswithlaughter。OnemerginguponthePlace，helaughedyetmoreheartily。

Hestampedhisfootwhenhefoundhimselfonthegroundonceagain。"Oh！"saidhe，"goodandhonorablepavementofParis，cursedstaircase，fittoputtheangelsofJacob’sladderoutofbreath！WhatwasIthinkingoftothrustmyselfintothatstonegimletwhichpiercesthesky；allforthesakeofeatingbeardedcheese，andlookingatthebell-

towersofParisthroughaholeinthewall！"

Headvancedafewpaces，andcaughtsightofthetwoscreechowls，thatistosay，DomClaudeandMasterJacquesCharmolue，absorbedincontemplationbeforeacarvingonthefa？ade。Heapproachedthemontiptoe，andheardthearchdeaconsayinalowtonetoCharmolue:"’TwasGuillaumedePariswhocausedaJobtobecarveduponthisstoneofthehueoflapis-lazuli，gildedontheedges。Jobrepresentsthephilosopher’sstone，whichmustalsobetriedandmartyrizedinordertobecomeperfect，assaithRaymondLulle:~Subconservationeformoespeciftoesalvaanima~。"

"Thatmakesnodifferencetome，"saidJehan，"’tisIwhohavethepurse。"

Atthatmomentheheardapowerfulandsonorousvoicearticulatebehindhimaformidableseriesofoaths。"~SangDieu！Ventre。Dieu！Bédieu！CorpsdeDieu！NombrildeBelzebuth！Nomd’unpape！Comeettonnerre~。"

"Uponmysoul！"exclaimedJehan，"thatcanonlybemyfriend，CaptainPhoebus！"

ThisnameofPhoebusreachedtheearsofthearchdeaconatthemomentwhenhewasexplainingtotheking’sprocuratorthedragonwhichishidingitstailinabath，fromwhichissuesmokeandtheheadofaking。DomClaudestarted，interruptedhimselfand，tothegreatamazementofCharmolue，turnedroundandbeheldhisbrotherJehanaccostingatallofficeratthedooroftheGondelauriermansion。

Itwas，infact，CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers。Hewasbackedupagainstacornerofthehouseofhisbetrothedandswearinglikeaheathen。

"Bymyfaith！CaptainPhoebus，"saidJehan，takinghimbythehand，"youarecursingwithadmirablevigor。"

"Hornsandthunder！"repliedthecaptain。

"Hornsandthunderyourself！"repliedthestudent。"Comenow，faircaptain，whencecomesthisoverflowoffinewords？"

"Pardonme，goodcomradeJehan，"exclaimedPhoebus，shakinghishand，"ahorsegoingatagallopcannothaltshort。Now，Iwasswearingatahardgallop。Ihavejustbeenwiththoseprudes，andwhenIcomeforth，Ialwaysfindmythroatfullofcurses，Imustspitthemoutorstrangle，~ventreettonnerre~！"

"Willyoucomeanddrink？"askedthescholar。

Thispropositioncalmedthecaptain。

"I’mwilling，butIhavenomoney。"

"ButIhave！"

"Bah！let’sseeit！"

Jehanspreadoutthepursebeforethecaptain’seyes，withdignityandsimplicity。Meanwhile，thearchdeacon，whohadabandonedthedumbfoundedCharmoluewherehestood，hadapproachedthemandhaltedafewpacesdistant，watchingthemwithouttheirnoticinghim，sodeeplyweretheyabsorbedincontemplationofthepurse。

Phoebusexclaimed:"Apurseinyourpocket，Jehan！

’tisthemooninabucketofwater，oneseesittherebut’tisnotthere。Thereisnothingbutitsshadow。Pardieu！letuswagerthatthesearepebbles！"

Jehanrepliedcoldly:"HerearethepebbleswherewithIpavemyfob！"

Andwithoutaddinganotherword，heemptiedthepurseonaneighboringpost，withtheairofaRomansavinghiscountry。

"TrueGod！"mutteredPhoebus，"targes，big-blanks，littleblanks，mailles，*everytwoworthoneofTournay，farthingsofParis，realeagleliards！’Tisdazzling！"

*Anancientcoppercoin，theforty-fourthpartofasouorthetwelfthpartofafarthing。

Jehanremaineddignifiedandimmovable。Severalliardshadrolledintothemud；thecaptaininhisenthusiasmstoopedtopickthemup。Jehanrestrainedhim。

"Fye，CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers！"

Phoebuscountedthecoins，andturningtowardsJehanwithsolemnity，"Doyouknow，Jehan，thattherearethreeandtwentysousparisis！whomhaveyouplunderedto-night，intheStreetCut-Weazand？"

Jehanflungbackhisblondeandcurlyhead，andsaid，half-

closinghiseyesdisdainfully，——

"Wehaveabrotherwhoisanarchdeaconandafool。"

"~CornedeDieu~！"exclaimedPhoebus，"theworthyman！"

"Letusgoanddrink，"saidJehan。

"Whereshallwego？"saidPhoebus；"’ToEve’sApple。’"

"No，captain，to’AncientScience。’Anoldwomansawingabaskethandle*；’tisarebus，andIlikethat。"

*~Uneviellequiscieuneanse~。

"Aplagueonrebuses，Jehan！thewineisbetterat’Eve’sApple’；andthen，besidethedoorthereisavineinthesunwhichcheersmewhileIamdrinking。"

"Well！heregoesforEveandherapple，"saidthestudent，andtakingPhoebus’sarm。"Bytheway，mydearcaptain，youjustmentionedtheRueCoupe-Gueule*Thatisaverybadformofspeech；peoplearenolongersobarbarous。Theysay，Coupe-Gorge**。"

*Cut-WeazandStreet。

**Cut-ThroatStreet。

Thetwofriendssetouttowards"Eve’sApple。"Itisunnecessarytomentionthattheyhadfirstgatheredupthemoney，andthatthearchdeaconfollowedthem。

Thearchdeaconfollowedthem，gloomyandhaggard。WasthisthePhoebuswhoseaccursednamehadbeenmingledwithallhisthoughtseversincehisinterviewwithGringoire？Hedidnotknowit，butitwasatleastaPhoebus，andthatmagicnamesufficedtomakethearchdeaconfollowthetwoheedlesscomradeswiththestealthytreadofawolf，listeningtotheirwordsandobservingtheirslightestgestureswithanxiousattention。Moreover，nothingwaseasierthantoheareverythingtheysaid，astheytalkedloudly，notintheleastconcernedthatthepassers-byweretakenintotheirconfidence。Theytalkedofduels，wenches，winepots，andfolly。

Attheturningofastreet，thesoundofatambourinereachedthemfromaneighboringsquare。DomClaudeheardtheofficersaytothescholar，——

"Thunder！Letushastenoursteps！"

"Why，Phoebus？"

"I’mafraidlesttheBohemianshouldseeme。"

"WhatBohemian？"

"Thelittlegirlwiththegoat。"

"LaSmeralda？"

"That’sit，Jehan。Ialwaysforgetherdevilofaname。

Letusmakehaste，shewillrecognizeme。Idon’twanttohavethatgirlaccostmeinthestreet。"

"Doyouknowher，Phoebus？"

HerethearchdeaconsawPhoebussneer，benddowntoJehan’sear，andsayafewwordstohiminalowvoice；

thenPhoebusburstintoalaugh，andshookhisheadwithatriumphantair。

"Truly？"saidJehan。

"Uponmysoul！"saidPhoebus。

"Thisevening？"

"Thisevening。"

"Areyousurethatshewillcome？"

"Areyouafool，Jehan？Doesonedoubtsuchthings？"

"CaptainPhoebus，youareahappygendarme！"

Thearchdeaconheardthewholeofthisconversation。Histeethchattered；avisibleshiverranthroughhiswholebody。

Hehaltedforamoment，leanedagainstapostlikeadrunkenman，thenfollowedthetwomerryknaves。

Atthemomentwhenheovertookthemoncemore，theyhadchangedtheirconversation。Heheardthemsingingatthetopoftheirlungstheancientrefrain，——

~LesenfantsdesPetits-CarreauxSefontpendrecornmedesveaux~*。

*ThechildrenofthePetitsCarreauxletthemselvesbehunglikecalves。

CHAPTERVII。

THEMYSTERIOUSMONK。

Theillustriouswineshopof"Eve’sApple"wassituatedintheUniversity，atthecorneroftheRuedelaRondelleandtheRuedelaBatonnier。Itwasaveryspaciousandverylowhailonthegroundfloor，withavaultedceilingwhosecentralspringresteduponahugepillarofwoodpaintedyellow；

tableseverywhere，shiningpewterjugshangingonthewalls，alwaysalargenumberofdrinkers，aplentyofwenches，awindowonthestreet，avineatthedoor，andoverthedooraflaringpieceofsheet-iron，paintedwithanappleandawoman，rustedbytherainandturningwiththewindonanironpin。Thisspeciesofweather-vanewhichlookeduponthepavementwasthesignboard。

Nightwasfalling；thesquarewasdark；thewine-shop，fullofcandles，flamedafarlikeaforgeinthegloom；thenoiseofglassesandfeasting，ofoathsandquarrels，whichescapedthroughthebrokenpanes，wasaudible。Throughthemistwhichthewarmthoftheroomspreadoverthewindowinfront，ahundredconfusedfigurescouldbeseenswarming，andfromtimetotimeaburstofnoisylaughterbrokeforthfromit。Thepassers-bywhoweregoingabouttheirbusiness，slippedpastthistumultuouswindowwithoutglancingatit。

Onlyatintervalsdidsomelittleraggedboyraisehimselfontiptoeasfarastheledge，andhurlintothedrinking-shop，thatancient，jeeringhoot，withwhichdrunkenmenwerethenpursued:"AuxHouls，saouls，saouls，saouls！"

Nevertheless，onemanpacedimperturbablybackandforthinfrontofthetavern，gazingatitincessantly，andgoingnofurtherfromitthanapikernanfromhissentry-box。Hewasenvelopedinamantletohisverynose。Thismantlehehadjustpurchasedoftheold-clothesman，inthevicinityofthe"Eve’sApple，"nodoubttoprotecthimselffromthecoldoftheMarchevening，possiblyalso，toconcealhiscostume。

Fromtimetotimehepausedinfrontofthedimwindowwithitsleadenlattice，listened，looked，andstampedhisfoot。

Atlengththedoorofthedram-shopopened。Thiswaswhatheappearedtobewaitingfor。Twobooncompanionscameforth。Therayoflightwhichescapedfromthedoorcrimsonedforamomenttheirjovialfaces。

Themaninthemantlewentandstationedhimselfonthewatchunderaporchontheothersideofthestreet。

"~Corneettonnerre~！"saidoneofthecomrades。"Seveno’clockisonthepointofstriking。’Tisthehourofmyappointedmeeting。"

"Itellyou，"repeatedhiscompanion，withathicktongue，"thatIdon’tliveintheRuedesMauvaisesParoles，~indignusquiintermalaverbahabitat~。IhavealodgingintheRueJean-Pain-Mollet，~invicoJohannisPain-Mollet~。Youaremorehornedthanaunicornifyouassertthecontrary。

Everyoneknowsthathewhooncemountsastrideabearisneverafterafraid；butyouhaveanoseturnedtodaintieslikeSaint-Jacquesofthehospital。"

"Jehan，myfriend，youaredrunk，"saidtheother。

Theotherrepliedstaggering，"Itpleasesyoutosayso，Phoebus；butithathbeenprovedthatPlatohadtheprofileofahound。"

Thereaderhas，nodoubt，alreadyrecognizedourtwobravefriends，thecaptainandthescholar。Itappearsthatthemanwhowaslyinginwaitforthemhadalsorecognizedthem，forheslowlyfollowedallthezigzagsthatthescholarcausedthecaptaintomake，whobeingamorehardeneddrinkerhadretainedallhisself-possession。Bylisteningtothemattentively，themaninthemantlecouldcatchinitsentiretythefollowinginterestingconversation，——

"~Corbacque~！Dotrytowalkstraight，masterbachelor；

youknowthatImustleaveyou。Hereitisseveno’clock。

Ihaveanappointmentwithawoman。"

"Leavemethen！Iseestarsandlancesoffire。YouareliketheChateaudeDampmartin，whichisburstingwithlaughter。"

"Bythewartsofmygrandmother，Jehan，youareravingwithtoomuchrabidness。Bytheway，Jehan，haveyouanymoneyleft？"

"MonsieurRector，thereisnomistake；thelittlebutcher’sshop，~parvaboucheria~。"

"Jehau！myfriendJehan！YouknowthatImadeanappointmentwiththatlittlegirlattheendofthePontSaint-

Michel，andIcanonlytakehertotheFalourdel’s，theoldcroneofthebridge，andthatImustpayforachamber。Theoldwitchwithawhitemoustachewouldnottrustme。Jehan！

forpity’ssake！Havewedrunkupthewholeofthecuré’spurse？Haveyounotasingleparisisleft？"

"Theconsciousnessofhavingspenttheotherhourswellisajustandsavorycondimentforthetable。"

"Bellyandguts！atrucetoyourwhimsicalnonsense！Tellme，Jehanofthedevil！haveyouanymoneyleft？Giveittome，~bédieu~！"orIwillsearchyou，wereyouasleprousasJob，andasscabbyasCaesar！"

"Monsieur，theRueGaliacheisastreetwhichhathatoneendtheRuedelaVerrerie，andattheothertheRuedelaTixeranderie。"

"Well，yes！mygoodfriendJehan，mypoorcomrade，theRueGaliacheisgood，verygood。Butinthenameofheavencollectyourwits。Imusthaveasouparisis，andtheappointmentisforseveno’clock。"

"Silencefortherondo，andattentiontotherefrain，——

"~Quandlesratsmangerontlescas，Leroiseraseigneurd’Arras；

Quandlamer，quiestgrandeetle(eSeraalaSaint-Jeangele(e，Onverra，par-dessuslaglace，Sortirceuxd’Arrasdeleurplace~*。"

*Whentheratseatthecats，thekingwillbelordofArras；

whentheseawhichisgreatandwide，isfrozenoveratSt。

John’stide，menwillseeacrosstheice，thosewhodwellinArrasquittheirplace。

"Well，scholarofAntichrist，mayyoubestrangledwiththeentrailsofyourmother！"exclaimedPhoebus，andhegavethedrunkenscholararoughpush；thelatterslippedagainstthewall，andslidflabbilytothepavementofPhilipAugustus。Aremnantoffraternalpity，whichneverabandonstheheartofadrinker，promptedPhoebustorollJehanwithhisfootupononeofthosepillowsofthepoor，whichProvidencekeepsinreadinessatthecornerofallthestreetpostsofParis，andwhichtherichblightwiththenameof"arubbish-

heap。"ThecaptainadjustedJehan’sheaduponaninclinedplaneofcabbage-stumps，andontheveryinstant，thescholarfelltosnoringinamagnificentbass。Meanwhile，allmalicewasnotextinguishedinthecaptain’sheart。"Somuchtheworseifthedevil’scartpicksyouuponitspassage！"hesaidtothepoor，sleepingclerk；andhestrodeoff。

Themaninthemantle，whohadnotceasedtofollowhim，haltedforamomentbeforetheprostratescholar，asthoughagitatedbyindecision；then，utteringaprofoundsigh，healsostrodeoffinpursuitofthecaptain。

We，likethem，willleaveJehantoslumberbeneaththeopensky，andwillfollowthemalso，ifitpleasesthereader。

OnemergingintotheRueSaint-André-des-Arcs，CaptainPhoebusperceivedthatsomeonewasfollowinghim。Onglancingsidewaysbychance，heperceivedasortofshadowcrawlingafterhimalongthewalls。Hehalted，ithalted；heresumedhismarch，itresumeditsmarch。Thisdisturbedhimnotovermuch。"Ah，bah！"hesaidtohimself，"Ihavenotasou。"

HepausedinfrontoftheColleged’Autun。Itwasatthiscollegethathehadsketchedoutwhathecalledhisstudies，and，throughascholar’steasinghabitwhichstilllingeredinhim，heneverpassedthefa？adewithoutinflictingonthestatueofCardinalPierreBertrand，sculpturedtotherightoftheportal，theaffrontofwhichPriapuscomplainssobitterlyinthesatireofHorace，~Olimtruncuseramficulnus~。Hehaddonethiswithsomuchunrelentinganimositythattheinscription，~Eduensisepiscopus~，hadbecomealmosteffaced。

Therefore，hehaltedbeforethestatueaccordingtohiswont。

Thestreetwasutterlydeserted。Atthemomentwhenhewascoollyretyinghisshoulderknots，withhisnoseintheair，hesawtheshadowapproachinghimwithslowsteps，soslowthathehadampletimetoobservethatthisshadowworeacloakandahat。Onarrivingnearhim，ithaltedandremainedmoremotionlessthanthestatueofCardinalBertrand。

Meanwhile，itriveteduponPhoebustwointenteyes，fullofthatvaguelightwhichissuesinthenighttimefromthepupilsofacat。

Thecaptainwasbrave，andwouldhavecaredverylittleforahighwayman，witharapierinhishand。Butthiswalkingstatue，thispetrifiedman，frozehisblood。Therewerethenincirculation，strangestoriesofasurlymonk，anocturnalprowleraboutthestreetsofParis，andtheyrecurredconfusedlytohismemory。Heremainedforseveralminutesinstupefaction，andfinallybrokethesilencewithaforcedlaugh。

"Monsieur，ifyouarearobber，asIhopeyouare，youproduceuponmetheeffectofaheronattackinganutshell。I

amthesonofaruinedfamily，mydearfellow。Tryyourhandnearbyhere。Inthechapelofthiscollegethereissomewoodofthetruecrosssetinsilver。"

ThehandoftheshadowemergedfrombeneathitsmantleanddescendeduponthearmofPhoebuswiththegripofaneagle’stalon；atthesametimetheshadowspoke，——

"CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers！"

What，thedevil！"saidPhoebus，"youknowmyname！"

"Iknownotyournamealone，"continuedthemaninthemantle，withhissepulchralvoice。"Youhavearendezvousthisevening。"

"Yes，"repliedPhoebusinamazement。

"Atseveno’clock。"

"Inaquarterofanhour。"

"AtlaFalourdel’s。"

"Precisely。"

"ThelewdhagofthePontSaint-Michel。"

"OfSaintMichelthearchangel，asthePaterNostersaith。"

"Impiouswretch！"mutteredthespectre。"Withawoman？"

"~Confiteor~，——Iconfess。"

"Whoiscalled——？"

"LaSmeralda，"saidPhoebus，gayly。Allhisheedlessnesshadgraduallyreturned。

Atthisname，theshadow’sgraspshookthearmofPhoebusinafury。

"CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers，thouliest！"

Anyonewhocouldhavebeheldatthatmomentthecaptain’sinflamedcountenance，hisleapbackwards，soviolentthathedisengagedhimselffromthegripwhichheldhim，theproudairwithwhichheclappedhishandonhisswordhilt，and，inthepresenceofthiswraththegloomyimmobilityofthemaninthecloak，——anyonewhocouldhavebeheldthiswouldhavebeenfrightened。TherewasinitatouchofthecombatofDonJuanandthestatue。

"ChristandSatan！"exclaimedthecaptain。"ThatisawordwhichrarelystrikestheearofaChateaupers！Thouwiltnotdarerepeatit。"

"Thouliest！"saidtheshadowcoldly。

Thecaptaingnashedhisteeth。Surlymonk，phantom，superstitions，——hehadforgottenallatthatmoment。Henolongerbeheldanythingbutaman，andaninsult。

"Ah！thisiswell！"hestammered，inavoicestifledwithrage。Hedrewhissword，thenstammering，forangeraswellasfearmakesamantremble:"Here！Onthespot！Comeon！Swords！Swords！Bloodonthepavement！"

Buttheotherneverstirred。Whenhebeheldhisadversaryonguardandreadytoparry，——

"CaptainPhoebus，"hesaid，andhistonevibratedwithbitterness，"youforgetyourappointment。"

TheragesofmenlikePhoebusaremilk-soups，whoseebullitioniscalmedbyadropofcoldwater。Thissimpleremarkcausedtheswordwhichglitteredinthecaptain’shandtobelowered。

"Captain，"pursuedtheman，"to-morrow，thedayafterto-morrow，amonthhence，tenyearshence，youwillfindmereadytocutyourthroat；butgofirsttoyourrendezvous。"

"Insooth，"saidPhoebus，asthoughseekingtocapitulatewithhimself，"thesearetwocharmingthingstobeencounteredinarendezvous，——aswordandawench；butI

donotseewhyIshouldmisstheoneforthesakeoftheother，whenIcanhaveboth。"

Hereplacedhisswordinitsscabbard。

"Gotoyourrendezvous，"saidtheman。

"Monsieur，"repliedPhoebuswithsomeembarrassment，"manythanksforyourcourtesy。Infact，therewillbeampletimeto-morrowforustochopupfatherAdam’sdoubletintoslashesandbuttonholes。Iamobligedtoyouforallowingmetopassonemoreagreeablequarterofanhour。I

certainlydidhopetoputyouinthegutter，andstillarriveintimeforthefairone，especiallyasithasabetterappearancetomakethewomenwaitalittleinsuchcases。Butyoustrikemeashavingtheairofagallantman，anditissafertodeferouraffairuntilto-morrow。SoIwillbetakemyselftomyrendezvous；itisforseveno’clock，asyouknow。"HerePhoebusscratchedhisear。"Ah。~CorneDieu~！Ihadforgotten！

Ihaven’tasoutodischargethepriceofthegarret，andtheoldcronewillinsistonbeingpaidinadvance。Shedistrustsme。"

"Hereisthewherewithaltopay。"

Phoebusfeltthestranger’scoldhandslipintohisalargepieceofmoney。Hecouldnotrefrainfromtakingthemoneyandpressingthehand。

"~VraiDieu~！"heexclaimed，"youareagoodfellow！"

"Onecondition，"saidtheman。"ProvetomethatIhavebeenwrongandthatyouwerespeakingthetruth。HidemeinsomecornerwhenceIcanseewhetherthiswomanisreallytheonewhosenameyouuttered。"

"Oh！"repliedPhoebus，"’tisallonetome。Wewilltake，theSainte-Marthechamber；youcanlookatyoureasefromthekennelhardby。"

"Comethen，"saidtheshadow。

"Atyourservice，"saidthecaptain，"IknownotwhetheryouareMesserDiavolusinperson；butletusbegoodfriendsforthisevening；to-morrowIwillrepayyouallmydebts，bothofpurseandsword。"

Theysetoutagainatarapidpace。Attheexpirationofafewminutes，thesoundoftheriverannouncedtothemthattheywereonthePontSaint-Michel，thenloadedwithhouses。

"Iwillfirstshowyoutheway，"saidPhoebustohiscompanion，"IwillthengoinsearchofthefaironewhoisawaitingmenearthePetit-Chatelet。"

Hiscompanionmadenoreply；hehadnotutteredawordsincetheyhadbeenwalkingsidebyside。Phoebushaltedbeforealowdoor，andknockedroughly；alightmadeitsappearancethroughthecracksofthedoor。

"Whoisthere？"criedatoothlessvoice。

"~Corps-Dieu！Tête-Dieu！Ventre-Dieu~！"repliedthecaptain。

Thedooropenedinstantly，andallowedthenew-cornerstoseeanoldwomanandanoldlamp，bothofwhichtrembled。

Theoldwomanwasbentdouble，cladintatters，withashakinghead，piercedwithtwosmalleyes，andcoiffedwithadishclout；wrinkledeverywhere，onhandsandfaceandneck；herlipsretreatedunderhergums，andabouthermouthshehadtuftsofwhitehairswhichgaveherthewhiskeredlookofacat。

Theinteriorofthedenwasnolessdilapitatedthanshe；

therewerechalkwalls，blackenedbeamsintheceiling，adismantledchimney-piece，spiders’websinallthecorners，inthemiddleastaggeringherdoftablesandlamestools，adirtychildamongtheashes，andatthebackastaircase，orrather，awoodenladder，whichendedinatrapdoorintheceiling。

Onenteringthislair，Phoebus’smysteriouscompanionraisedhismantletohisveryeyes。Meanwhile，thecaptain，swearinglikeaSaracen，hastenedto"makethesunshineinacrown"assaithouradmirableRégnier。

"TheSainte-Marthechamber，"saidhe。

Theoldwomanaddressedhimasmonseigneur，andshutupthecrowninadrawer。ItwasthecoinwhichthemanintheblackmantlehadgiventoPhoebus。Whileherbackwasturned，thebushy-headedandraggedlittleboywhowasplayingintheashes，adroitlyapproachedthedrawer，abstractedthecrown，andputinitsplaceadryleafwhichhehadpluckedfromafagot。

Theoldcronemadeasigntothetwogentlemen，asshecalledthem，tofollowher，andmountedtheladderinadvanceofthem。Onarrivingattheupperstory，shesetherlamponacoffer，and，Phoebus，likeafrequentvisitorofthehouse，openedadoorwhichopenedonadarkhole。"Enterhere，mydearfellow，"hesaidtohiscompanion。Themaninthemantleobeyedwithoutawordinreply，thedoorcloseduponhim；heheardPhoebusboltit，andamomentlaterdescendthestairsagainwiththeagedhag。Thelighthaddisappeared。

CHAPTERVIII。

THEUTILITYOFWINDOWSWHICHOPENONTHERIVER。

ClaudeFrollo(forwepresumethatthereader，moreintelligentthanPhoebus，hasseeninthiswholeadventurenoothersurlymonkthanthearchdeacon)，ClaudeFrollogropedaboutforseveralmomentsinthedarklairintowhichthecaptainhadboltedhim。Itwasoneofthosenookswhicharchitectssometimesreserveatthepointofjunctionbetweentheroofandthesupportingwall。Averticalsectionofthiskennel，asPhoebushadsojustlystyledit，wouldhavemadeatriangle。

Moreover，therewasneitherwindownorair-hole，andtheslopeoftheroofpreventedonefromstandingupright。Accordingly，Claudecroucheddowninthedust，andtheplasterwhichcrackedbeneathhim；hisheadwasonfire；rummagingaroundhimwithhishands，befoundonthefloorabitofbrokenglass，whichhepressedtohisbrow，andwhosecool-

nessaffordedhimsomerelief。

Whatwastakingplaceatthatmomentinthegloomysoulofthearchdeacon？Godandhimselfcouldaloneknow。

InwhatorderwashearranginginhismindlaEsmeralda，Phoebus，JacquesCharmolue，hisyoungbrothersobeloved，yetabandonedbyhiminthemire，hisarchdeacon’scassock，hisreputationperhapsdraggedtolaFalourdel’s，alltheseadventures，alltheseimages？Icannotsay。Butitiscertainthattheseideasformedinhismindahorriblegroup。

Hehadbeenwaitingaquarterofanhour；itseemedtohimthathehadgrownacenturyolder。Allatoncebeheardthecreakingoftheboardsofthestairway；someonewasascending。Thetrapdooropenedoncemore；alightreappeared。

Therewasatolerablylargecrackintheworm-eatendoorofhisden；heputhisfacetoit。Inthismannerhecouldseeallthatwentonintheadjoiningroom。Thecat-facedoldcronewasthefirsttoemergefromthetrap-door，lampinhand；thenPhoebus，twirlinghismoustache，thenathirdperson，thatbeautifulandgracefulfigure，laEsmeralda。

Thepriestbeheldherrisefrombelowlikeadazzlingapparition。Claudetrembled，acloudspreadoverhiseyes，hispulsesbeatviolently，everythingrustledandwhirledaroundhim；henolongersawnorheardanything。

Whenherecoveredhimself，PhoebusandEsmeraldawerealoneseatedonthewoodencofferbesidethelampwhichmadethesetwoyouthfulfiguresandamiserablepalletattheendoftheatticstandoutplainlybeforethearchdeacon’seyes。

Besidethepalletwasawindow，whosepanesbrokenlikeaspider’swebuponwhichrainhasfallen，allowedaview，throughitsrentmeshes，ofacornerofthesky，andthemoonlyingfarawayonaneiderdownbedofsoftclouds。

Theyounggirlwasblushing，confused，palpitating。Herlong，droopinglashesshadedhercrimsoncheeks。Theofficer，towhomshedarednotlifthereyes，wasradiant。Mechanically，andwithacharminglyunconsciousgesture，shetracedwiththetipofherfingerincoherentlinesonthebench，andwatchedherfinger。Herfootwasnotvisible。Thelittlegoatwasnestlinguponit。

Thecaptainwasverygallantlyclad；hehadtuftsofembroideryathisneckandwrists；agreateleganceatthatday。

ItwasnotwithoutdifficultythatDomClaudemanagedtohearwhattheyweresaying，throughthehummingoftheblood，whichwasboilinginhistemples。

(Aconversationbetweenloversisaverycommonplaceaffair。Itisaperpetual"Iloveyou。"Amusicalphrasewhichisveryinsipidandverybaldforindifferentlisteners，whenitisnotornamentedwithsome~fioriture~；butClaudewasnotanindifferentlistener。)

"Oh！"saidtheyounggirl，withoutraisinghereyes，"donotdespiseme，monseigneurPhoebus。IfeelthatwhatIamdoingisnotright。"

"Despiseyou，myprettychild！"repliedtheofficerwithanairofsuperioranddistinguishedgallantry，"despiseyou，~tête-Dieu~！andwhy？"

"Forhavingfollowedyou！"

"Onthatpoint，mybeauty，wedon’tagree。Ioughtnottodespiseyou，buttohateyou。"

Theyounggirllookedathiminaffright:"Hateme！whathaveIdone？"

"Forhavingrequiredsomuchurging。"

"Alas！"saidshe，"’tisbecauseIambreakingavow。I

shallnotfindmyparents！Theamuletwillloseitsvirtue。

Butwhatmattersit？WhatneedhaveIoffatherormothernow？"

Sosaying，shefixeduponthecaptainhergreatblackeyes，moistwithjoyandtenderness。

"DeviltakemeifIunderstandyou！"exclaimedPhoebus。

LaEsmeraldaremainedsilentforamoment，thenateardroppedfromhereyes，asighfromherlips，andshesaid，——

"Oh！monseigneur，Iloveyou。"

Suchaperfumeofchastity，suchacharmofvirtuesurroundedtheyounggirl，thatPhoebusdidnotfeelcompletelyathiseasebesideher。Butthisremarkemboldenedhim:

"Youloveme！"hesaidwithrapture，andhethrewhisarmroundthegypsy’swaist。Hehadonlybeenwaitingforthisopportunity。

Thepriestsawit，andtestedwiththetipofhisfingerthepointofaponiardwhichheworeconcealedinhisbreast。

"Phoebus，"continuedtheBohemian，gentlyreleasingherwaistfromthecaptain’stenacioushands，"Youaregood，youaregenerous，youarehandsome；yousavedme，mewhoamonlyapoorchildlostinBohemia。Ihadlongbeendreamingofanofficerwhoshouldsavemylife。’TwasofyouthatI

wasdreaming，beforeIknewyou，myPhoebus；theofficerofmydreamhadabeautifuluniformlikeyours，agrandlook，asword；yournameisPhoebus；’tisabeautifulname。Iloveyourname；Iloveyoursword。Drawyoursword，Phoebus，thatImayseeit。"

"Child！"saidthecaptain，andheunsheathedhisswordwithasmile。

Thegypsylookedatthehilt，theblade；examinedthecipherontheguardwithadorablecuriosity，andkissedthesword，saying，——

Youaretheswordofabraveman。Ilovemycaptain。"

Phoebusagainprofitedbytheopportunitytoimpressuponherbeautifulbentneckakisswhichmadetheyounggirlstraightenherselfupasscarletasapoppy。Thepriestgnashedhisteethoveritinthedark。

"Phoebus，"resumedthegypsy，"letmetalktoyou。Praywalkalittle，thatImayseeyouatfullheight，andthatI

mayhearyourspursjingle。Howhandsomeyouare！"

Thecaptainrosetopleaseher，chidingherwithasmileofsatisfaction，——

"Whatachildyouare！Bytheway，mycharmer，haveyouseenmeinmyarcher’sceremonialdoublet？"

"Alas！no，"shereplied。

"Itisveryhandsome！"

Phoebusreturnedandseatedhimselfbesideher，butmuchcloserthanbefore。

"Listen，mydear——"

Thegypsygavehimseverallittletapswithherprettyhandonhismouth，withachildishmirthandgraceandgayety。

"No，no，Iwillnotlistentoyou。Doyouloveme？Iwantyoutotellmewhetheryouloveme。"

"DoIlovethee，angelofmylife！"exclaimedthecaptain，halfkneeling。"Mybody，myblood，mysoul，allarethine；

allareforthee。Ilovethee，andIhaveneverlovedanyonebutthee。"

Thecaptainhadrepeatedthisphrasesomanytimes，inmanysimilarconjunctures，thathedelivereditallinonebreath，withoutcommittingasinglemistake。Atthispassionatedeclaration，thegypsyraisedtothedirtyceilingwhichservedfortheskiesaglancefullofangelichappiness。

"Oh！"shemurmured，"thisisthemomentwhenoneshoulddie！"

Phoebusfound"themoment"favorableforrobbingherofanotherkiss，whichwenttotorturetheunhappyarchdeaconinhisnook。"Die！"exclaimedtheamorouscaptain，"Whatareyousaying，mylovelyangel？’Tisatimeforliving，orJupiterisonlyascamp！Dieatthebeginningofsosweetathing！~Corne-de-boeuf~，whatajest！Itisnotthat。Listen，mydearSimilar，Esmenarda——Pardon！youhavesoprodigiouslySaracenanamethatInevercangetitstraight。’Tisathicketwhichstopsmeshort。"

"Goodheavens！"saidthepoorgirl，"andIthoughtmynameprettybecauseofitssingularity！Butsinceitdispleasesyou，IwouldthatIwerecalledGoton。"

"Ah！donotweepforsuchatrifle，mygracefulmaid！

’tisanametowhichonemustgetaccustomed，thatisall。

WhenIonceknowitbyheart，allwillgosmoothly。Listenthen，mydearSimilar；Iadoreyoupassionately。Iloveyousothat’tissimplymiraculous。Iknowagirlwhoisburstingwithrageoverit——"

Thejealousgirlinterruptedhim:"Who？"

"Whatmattersthattous？"saidPhoebus；"doyouloveme？"

"Oh！"——saidshe。

"Well！thatisall。YoushallseehowIloveyoualso。

MaythegreatdevilNeptunusspearmeifIdonotmakeyouthehappiestwomanintheworld。Wewillhaveaprettylittlehousesomewhere。Iwillmakemyarchersparadebeforeyourwindows。Theyareallmounted，andsetatdefiancethoseofCaptainMignon。Thereare~voulgiers，cranequiniers~andhand~couleveiniers~*。IwilltakeyoutothegreatsightsoftheParisiansatthestorehouseofRully。

Eightythousandarmedmen，thirtythousandwhiteharnesses，shortcoatsorcoatsofmail；thesixty-sevenbannersofthetrades；

thestandardsoftheparliaments，ofthechamberofaccounts，ofthetreasuryofthegenerals，oftheaidesofthemint；adevilishfinearray，inshort！IwillconductyoutoseethelionsoftheH？telduRoi，whicharewildbeasts。Allwomenlovethat。"

*Varietiesofthecrossbow。

Forseveralmomentstheyounggirl，absorbedinhercharmingthoughts，wasdreamingtothesoundofhisvoice，withoutlisteningtothesenseofhiswords。

"Oh！howhappyyouwillbe！"continuedthecaptain，andatthesametimehegentlyunbuckledthegypsy’sgirdle。

"Whatareyoudoing？"shesaidquickly。This"actofviolence"hadrousedherfromherrevery。

"Nothing，"repliedPhoebus，"Iwasonlysayingthatyoumustabandonallthisgarboffolly，andthestreetcornerwhenyouarewithme。"

"WhenIamwithyou，Phoebus！"saidtheyounggirltenderly。

Shebecamepensiveandsilentoncemore。

Thecaptain，emboldenedbyhergentleness，claspedherwaistwithoutresistance；thenbegansoftlytounlacethepoorchild’scorsage，anddisarrangedhertuckertosuchanextentthatthepantingpriestbeheldthegypsy’sbeautifulshoulderemergefromthegauze，asroundandbrownasthemoonrisingthroughthemistsofthehorizon。