第11章

TheyounggirlallowedPhoebustohavehisway。Shedidnotappeartoperceiveit。Theeyeoftheboldcaptainflashed。

Suddenlysheturnedtowardshim，——

"Phoebus，"shesaid，withanexpressionofinfinitelove，"instructmeinthyreligion。"

"Myreligion！"exclaimedthecaptain，burstingwithlaughter，"Iinstructyouinmyreligion！~Corneettonnerre~！Whatdoyouwantwithmyreligion？"

"Inorderthatwemaybemarried，"shereplied。

Thecaptain’sfaceassumedanexpressionofmingledsurpriseanddisdain，ofcarelessnessandlibertinepassion。

"Ah，bah！"saidhe，"dopeoplemarry？"

TheBohemianturnedpale，andherheaddroopedsadlyonherbreast。

"Mybeautifullove，"resumedPhoebus，tenderly，"whatnonsenseisthis？Agreatthingismarriage，truly！oneisnonethelesslovingfornothavingspitLatinintoapriest’sshop！"

Whilespeakingthusinhissoftestvoice，heapproachedextremelynearthegypsy；hiscaressinghandsresumedtheirplacearoundhersuppleanddelicatewaist，hiseyeflashedmoreandmore，andeverythingannouncedthatMonsieurPhoebuswasonthevergeofoneofthosemomentswhenJupiterhimselfcommitssomanyfolliesthatHomerisobligedtosummonacloudtohisrescue。

ButDomClaudesaweverything。Thedoorwasmadeofthoroughlyrottencaskstaves，whichleftlargeaperturesforthepassageofhishawklikegaze。Thisbrown-skinned，broad-

shoulderedpriest，hithertocondemnedtotheausterevirginityofthecloister，wasquiveringandboilinginthepresenceofthisnightsceneofloveandvoluptuousness。Thisyoungandbeautifulgirlgivenoverindisarraytotheardentyoungman，mademeltedleadflowinhis-veins；hiseyesdartedwithsensualjealousybeneathallthoseloosenedpins。Anyonewhocould，atthatmoment，haveseenthefaceoftheunhappymangluedtothewormeatenbars，wouldhavethoughtthathebeheldthefaceofatigerglaringfromthedepthsofacageatsomejackaldevouringagazelle。Hiseyeshonelikeacandlethroughthecracksofthedoor。

Allatonce，Phoebus，witharapidgesture，removedthegypsy’sgorgerette。Thepoorchild，whohadremainedpaleanddreamy，awokewithastart；sherecoiledhastilyfromtheenterprisingofficer，and，castingaglanceatherbareneckandshoulders，red，confused，mutewithshame，shecrossedhertwobeautifularmsonherbreasttoconcealit。Haditnotbeenfortheflamewhichburnedinhercheeks，atthesightofhersosilentandmotionless，onewouldhave。

declaredherastatueofModesty。Hereyeswerelowered。

Butthecaptain’sgesturehadrevealedthemysteriousamuletwhichsheworeaboutherneck。

"Whatisthat？"hesaid，seizingthispretexttoapproachoncemorethebeautifulcreaturewhomhehadjustalarmed。

"Don’ttouchit！"shereplied，quickly，"’tismyguardian。

Itwillmakemefindmyfamilyagain，ifIremainworthytodoso。Oh，leaveme，monsieurlecapitaine！Mymother！

Mypoormother！Mymother！Whereartthou？Cometomyrescue！Havepity，MonsieurPhoebus，givemebackmygorgerette！"

Phoebusretreatedamidsaidinacoldtone，——

"Oh，mademoiselle！Iseeplainlythatyoudonotloveme！"

"Idonotlovehim！"exclaimedtheunhappychild，andatthesametimesheclungtothecaptain，whomshedrewtoaseatbesideher。"Idonotlovethee，myPhoebus？Whatartthousaying，wickedman，tobreakmyheart？Oh，takeme！takeall！dowhatyouwillwithme，Iamthine。Whatmatterstometheamulet！Whatmatterstomemymother！

’TisthouwhoartmymothersinceIlovethee！Phoebus，mybelovedPhoebus，dostthouseeme？’TisI。Lookatme；

’tisthelittleonewhomthouwiltsurelynotrepulse，whocomes，whocomesherselftoseekthee。Mysoul，mylife，mybody，myperson，allisonething——whichisthine，mycaptain。

Well，no！Wewillnotmarry，sincethatdispleasesthee；andthen，whatamI？amiserablegirlofthegutters；whilstthou，myPhoebus，artagentleman。Afinething，truly！A

dancerwedanofficer！Iwasmad。No，Phoebus，no；Iwillbethymistress，thyamusement，thypleasure，whenthouwilt；

agirlwhoshallbelongtothee。Iwasonlymadeforthat，soiled，despised，dishonored，butwhatmattersit？——beloved。

Ishallbetheproudestandthemostjoyousofwomen。AndwhenIgrowoldorugly，Phoebus，whenIamnolongergoodtoloveyou，youwillsuffermetoserveyoustill。Otherswillembroiderscarfsforyou；’tisI，theservant，whowillcareforthem。Youwillletmepolishyourspurs，brushyourdoublet，dustyourriding-boots。Youwillhavethatpity，willyounot，Phoebus？Meanwhile，takeme！here，Phoebus，allthisbelongstothee，onlyloveme！Wegypsiesneedonlyairandlove。"

Sosaying，shethrewherarmsroundtheofficer’sneck；shelookedupathim，supplicatingly，withabeautifulsmile，andallintears。Herdelicateneckrubbedagainsthisclothdoubletwithitsroughembroideries。Shewrithedonherknees，herbeautifulbodyhalfnaked。TheintoxicatedcaptainpressedhisardentlipstothoselovelyAfricanshoulders。

Theyounggirl，hereyesbentontheceiling，assheleanedbackwards，quivered，allpalpitating，beneaththiskiss。

Allatonce，abovePhoebus’sheadshebeheldanotherhead；

agreen，livid，convulsedface，withthelookofalostsoul；

nearthisfacewasahandgraspingaponiard——Itwasthefaceandhandofthepriest；hehadbrokenthedoorandhewasthere。Phoebuscouldnotseehim。Theyounggirlremainedmotionless，frozenwithterror，dumb，beneaththatterribleapparition，likeadovewhichshouldraiseitsheadatthemomentwhenthehawkisgazingintohernestwithitsroundeyes。

Shecouldnotevenutteracry。ShesawtheponiarddescenduponPhoebus，andriseagain，reeking。

"Maledictions！"saidthecaptain，andfell。

Shefainted。

Atthemomentwhenhereyesclosed，whenallfeelingvanishedinher，shethoughtthatshefeltatouchoffireimprinteduponherlips，akissmoreburningthanthered-hotironoftheexecutioner。

Whensherecoveredhersenses，shewassurroundedbysoldiersofthewatchtheywerecarryingawaythecaptain，bathedinhisbloodthepriesthaddisappeared；thewindowatthebackoftheroomwhichopenedontheriverwaswideopen；theypickedupacloakwhichtheysupposedtobelongtotheofficerandsheheardthemsayingaroundher，"’Tisasorceresswhohasstabbedacaptain。"

BOOKEIGHTH。

CHAPTERI。

THECROWNCHANGEDINTOADRYLEAF。

GringoireandtheentireCourtofMiraclesweresufferingmortalanxiety。ForawholemonththeyhadnotknownwhathadbecomeoflaEsmeralda，whichgreatlypainedtheDukeofEgyptandhisfriendsthevagabonds，norwhathadbecomeofthegoat，whichredoubledGringoire’sgrief。Oneeveningthegypsyhaddisappeared，andsincethattimehadgivennosignsoflife。Allsearchhadprovedfruitless。SometormentingbootblackshadtoldGringoireaboutmeetingherthatsameeveningnearthePontSaint-Michel，goingoffwithanofficer；

butthishusband，afterthefashionofBohemia，wasanincredulousphilosopher，andbesides，he，betterthananyoneelse，knewtowhatapointhiswifewasvirginal。Hehadbeenabletoformajudgmentastotheunconquerablemodestyresultingfromthecombinedvirtuesoftheamuletandthegypsy，andhehadmathematicallycalculatedtheresistanceofthatchastitytothesecondpower。Accordingly，hewasateaseonthatscore。

Stillhecouldnotunderstandthisdisappearance。Itwasaprofoundsorrow。Hewouldhavegrownthinoverit，hadthatbeenpossible。Hehadforgotteneverything，evenhisliterarytastes，evenhisgreatwork，~Defigurisregularibusetirregularibus~，whichitwashisintentiontohaveprintedwiththefirstmoneywhichheshouldprocure(forhehadravedoverprinting，eversincehehadseenthe"Didascalon"ofHuguesdeSaintVictor，printedwiththecelebratedcharactersofVindelindeSpire)。

Oneday，ashewaspassingsadlybeforethecriminalTournelle，heperceivedaconsiderablecrowdatoneofthegatesofthePalaisdeJustice。

"Whatisthis？"heinquiredofayoungmanwhowascomingout。

"Iknownot，sir，"repliedtheyoungman。"’Tissaidthattheyaretryingawomanwhohathassassinatedagendarme。

Itappearsthatthereissorceryatthebottomofit，thearchbishopandtheofficialhaveintervenedinthecase，andmybrother，whoisthearchdeaconofJosas，canthinkofnothingelse。Now，Iwishedtospeakwithhim，butI

havenotbeenabletoreachhimbecauseofthethrong，whichvexesmegreatly，asIstandinneedofmoney。"

"Alas！sir，"saidGringoire，"IwouldthatIcouldlendyousome，but，mybreechesareworntoholes，and’tisnotcrownswhichhavedoneit。"

Hedarednottelltheyoungmanthathewasacquaintedwithhisbrotherthearchdeacon，towhomhehadnotreturnedafterthesceneinthechurch；anegligencewhichembarrassedhim。

Thescholarwenthisway，andGringoiresetouttofollowthecrowdwhichwasmountingthestaircaseofthegreatchamber。Inhisopinion，therewasnothinglikethespectacleofacriminalprocessfordissipatingmelancholy，soexhilaratinglystupidarejudgesasarule。Thepopulacewhichhehadjoinedwalkedandelbowedinsilence。Afteraslowandtiresomemarchthroughalong，gloomycorridor，whichwoundthroughthecourt-houseliketheintestinalcanaloftheancientedifice，hearrivednearalowdoor，openinguponahallwhichhisloftystaturepermittedhimtosurveywithaglanceoverthewavingheadsoftherabble。

Thehallwasvastandgloomy，whichlatterfactmadeitappearstillmorespacious。Thedaywasdeclining；thelong，pointedwindowspermittedonlyapalerayoflighttoenter，whichwasextinguishedbeforeitreachedthevaultedceiling，anenormoustrellis-workofsculpturedbeams，whosethousandfiguresseemedtomoveconfusedlyintheshadows，manycandleswerealreadylightedhereandthereontables，andbeamingontheheadsofclerksburiedinmassesofdocuments。

Theanteriorportionoftheballwasoccupiedbythecrowd；

ontherightandleftweremagistratesandtables；attheend，uponaplatform，anumberofjudges，whoserearranksankintotheshadows，sinisterandmotionlessfaces。Thewallsweresownwithinnumerablefleurs-de-lis。AlargefigureofChristmightbevaguelydescriedabovethejudges，andeverywheretherewerepikesandhalberds，uponwhosepointsthereflectionofthecandlesplacedtipsoffire。

"Monsieur，"Gringoireinquiredofoneofhisneighbors，"whoareallthosepersonsrangedyonder，likeprelatesincouncil？"

"Monsieur，"repliedtheneighbor，"thoseontherightarethecounsellorsofthegrandchamber；thoseontheleft，thecouncillorsofinquiry；themastersinblackgowns，themessiresinred。"

"Whoisthatbigredfellow，yonderabovethem，whoissweating？"

pursuedGringoire。

"Itismonsieurthepresident。"

"Andthosesheepbehindhim？"continuedGringoire，whoaswehaveseen，didnotlovethemagistracy，whicharose，possibly，fromthegrudgewhichhecherishedagainstthePalaisdeJusticesincehisdramaticmisadventure。

"Theyaremessieursthemastersofrequestsoftheking’shousehold。"

"Andthatboarinfrontofhim？"

"HeismonsieurtheclerkoftheCourtofParliament。"

"Andthatcrocodileontheright？"

"MasterPhilippeLheulier，advocateextraordinaryoftheking。"

"Andthatbig，blacktom-catontheleft？"

"MasterJacquesCharmolue，procuratorofthekingintheEcclesiasticalCourt，withthegentlemenoftheofficialty。"

"Comenow，monsieur，saidGringoire，"praywhatareallthosefinefellowsdoingyonder？"

"Theyarejudging。"

"Judgingwhom？Idonotseetheaccused。"

"’Tisawoman，sir。Youcannotseeher。Shehasherbackturnedtous，andsheishiddenfromusbythecrowd。

Stay，yondersheis，whereyouseeagroupofpartisans。"

"Whoisthewoman？"askedGringoire。"Doyouknowhername？"

"No，monsieur，Ihavebutjustarrived。Imerelyassumethatthereissomesorceryaboutit，sincetheofficialispresentatthetrial。"

"Come！"saidourphilosopher，"wearegoingtoseeallthesemagistratesdevourhumanflesh。’Tisasgoodaspectacleasanyother。"

"Monsieur，"remarkedhisneighbor，"thinkyounot，thatMasterJacquesCharmoluehasaverysweetair？"

"Hum！"repliedGringoire。"Idistrustasweetnesswhichhathpinchednostrilsandthinlips。"

Herethebystandersimposedsilenceuponthetwochatterers。

Theywerelisteningtoanimportantdeposition。

"Messeigneurs，"saidanoldwomaninthemiddleofthehall，whoseformwassoconcealedbeneathhergarmentsthatonewouldhavepronouncedherawalkingheapofrags；

"Messeigneurs，thethingisastrueasthatIamlaFalourdel，establishedthesefortyyearsatthePontSaintMichel，andpayingregularlymyrents，lord’sdues，andquitrents；atthegateoppositethehouseofTassin-Caillart，thedyer，whichisonthesideuptheriver——apooroldwomannow，butaprettymaidinformerdays，mylords。Someonesaidtomelately，’LaFalourdel，don’tuseyourspinning-wheeltoomuchintheevening；thedevilisfondofcombingthedistaffsofoldwomenwithhishorns。’Tiscertainthatthesurlymonkwhowasroundaboutthetemplelastyear，nowprowlsintheCity。

Takecare，LaFalourdel，thathedothnotknockatyourdoor。’OneeveningIwasspinningonmywheel，therecomesaknockatmydoor；Iaskwhoitis。Theyswear。Iopen。

Twomenenter。Amaninblackandahandsomeofficer。Oftheblackmannothingcouldbeseenbuthiseyes，twocoalsoffire。Alltherestwashatandcloak。Theysaytome，——’TheSainte-Marthechamber。’——’Tismyupperchamber，mylords，mycleanest。Theygivemeacrown。Iputthecrowninmydrawer，andIsay:’Thisshallgotobuytripeattheslaughter-houseoflaGlorietteto-morrow。’Wegoupstairs。

Onarrivingattheupperchamber，andwhilemybackisturned，theblackmandisappears。Thatdazedmeabit。Theofficer，whowasashandsomeasagreatlord，goesdownstairsagainwithme。Hegoesout。Inaboutthetimeittakestospinaquarterofahandfulofflax，bereturnswithabeautifulyounggirl，adollwhowouldhaveshonelikethesunhadshebeencoiffed。Shehadwithheragoat；abigbilly-

goat，whetherblackorwhite，Inolongerremember。Thatsetmetothinking。Thegirldoesnotconcernme，butthegoat！Ilovenotthosebeasts，theyhaveabeardandhorns。

Theyaresolikeaman。Andthen，theysmackofthewitches，sabbath。However，Isaynothing。Ihadthecrown。Thatisright，isitnot，MonsieurJudge？Ishowthecaptainandthewenchtotheupperchamber，andIleavethemalone；

thatistosay，withthegoat。Igodownandsettospinningagain——Imustinformyouthatmyhousehasagroundfloorandstoryabove。IknownotwhyIfelltothinkingofthesurlymonkwhomthegoathadputintomyheadagain，andthenthebeautifulgirlwasratherstrangelydeckedout。Allatonce，Ihearacryupstairs，andsomethingfallsonthefloorandthewindowopens。Iruntominewhichisbeneathit，andIbeholdablackmasspassbeforemyeyesandfallintothewater。Itwasaphantomcladlikeapriest。Itwasamoonlightnight。Isawhimquiteplainly。Hewasswimminginthedirectionofthecity。Then，allofatremble，I

callthewatch。Thegentlemenofthepoliceenter，andnotknowingjustatthefirstmomentwhatthematterwas，andbeingmerry，theybeatme。Iexplaintothem。Wegoupstairs，andwhatdowefind？mypoorchamberallblood，thecaptainstretchedoutatfulllengthwithadaggerinhisneck，thegirlpretendingtobedead，andthegoatallinafright。

’Prettywork！’Isay，’Ishallhavetowashthatfloorformorethanafortnight。Itwillhavetobescraped；itwillbeaterriblejob。’Theycarriedofftheofficer，pooryoungman，andthewenchwithherbosomallbare。Butwait，theworstisthatonthenextday，whenIwantedtotakethecrowntobuytripe，Ifoundadeadleafinitsplace。"

Theoldwomanceased。Amurmurofhorrorranthroughtheaudience。

"Thatphantom，thatgoat，——allsmacksofmagic，"saidoneofGringoire’sneighbors。

"Andthatdryleaf！"addedanother。

"Nodoubtaboutit，"joinedinathird，"sheisawitchwhohasdealingswiththesurlymonk，forthepurposeofplunderingofficers。"

Gringoirehimselfwasnotdisinclinedtoregardthisasaltogetheralarmingandprobable。

"GoodyFalourdel，"saidthepresidentmajestically，"haveyounothingmoretocommunicatetothecourt？"

"No，monseigneur，"repliedthecrone，"exceptthatthereporthasdescribedmyhouseasahovelandstinking；whichisanoutrageousfashionofspeaking。Thehousesonthebridgearenotimposing，becausetherearesuchmultitudesofpeople；but，nevertheless，thebutcherscontinuetodwellthere，whoarewealthyfolk，andmarriedtoveryproperandhandsomewomen。"

ThemagistratewhohadremindedGringoireofacrocodilerose，——

"Silence！"saidhe。"Ipraythegentlemennottolosesightofthefactthatadaggerwasfoundonthepersonoftheaccused。GoodyFalourdel，haveyoubroughtthatleafintowhichthecrownwhichthedemongaveyouwastransformed？

"Yes，monseigneur，"shereplied；"Ifounditagain。Hereitis。"

Abailiffbandedthedeadleaftothecrocodile，whomadeadolefulshakeofthehead，andpasseditontothepresident，whogaveittotheprocuratorofthekingintheecclesiasticalcourt，andthusitmadethecircuitofthehail。

"Itisabirchleaf，"saidMasterJacquesCharmolue。"A

freshproofofmagic。

Acounsellortookuptheword。

"Witness，twomenwentupstairstogetherinyourhouse:

theblackman，whomyoufirstsawdisappearandafterwardsswimmingintheSeine，withhispriestlygarments，andtheofficer。Whichofthetwohandedyouthecrown？"

Theoldwomanponderedforamomentandthensaid，——

"Theofficer。"

Amurmurranthroughthecrowd。

"Ah！"thoughtGringoire，"thismakessomedoubtinmymind。"

ButMasterPhilippeLheulier，advocateextraordinarytotheking，interposedoncemore。

"Iwillrecalltothesegentlemen，thatinthedepositiontakenathisbedside，theassassinatedofficer，whiledeclaringthathehadavagueideawhentheblackmanaccostedhimthatthelattermightbethesurlymonk，addedthatthephantomhadpressedhimeagerlytogoandmakeacquaintancewiththeaccused；anduponhis，thecaptain’s，remarkingthathehadnomoney，hehadgivenhimthecrownwhichthesaidofficerpaidtolaFalourdel。Hence，thatcrownisthemoneyofhell。"

ThisconclusiveobservationappearedtodissipateallthedoubtsofGringoireandtheotherscepticsintheaudience。

"Youhavethedocuments，gentlemen，"addedtheking’sadvocate，ashetookhisseat；"youcanconsultthetestimonyofPhoebusdeChateaupers。"

Atthatname，theaccusedsprangup，herheadroseabovethethrong。GringoirewithhorrorrecognizedlaEsmeralda。

Shewaspale；hertresses，formerlysogracefullybraidedandspangledwithsequins，hungindisorder；herlipswereblue，herholloweyeswereterrible。Alas！

"Phoebus！"shesaid，inbewilderment；"whereishe？O

messeigneurs！beforeyoukillme，tellme，forpitysake，whetherhestilllives？"

"Holdyourtongue，woman，"repliedthepresident，"thatisnoaffairofours。"

"Oh！formercy’ssake，tellmeifheisalive！"sherepeated，claspingherbeautifulemaciatedhands；andthesoundofherchainsincontactwithherdress，washeard。

"Well！"saidtheking’sadvocateroughly，"heisdying。

Areyousatisfied？"

Theunhappygirlfellbackonhercriminal’sseat，speechless，tearless，whiteasawaxfigure。

Thepresidentbentdowntoamanathisfeet，whoworeagoldcapandablackgown，achainonhisneckandawandinhishand。

"Bailiff，bringinthesecondaccused。"

Alleyesturnedtowardsasmalldoor，whichopened，and，tothegreatagitationofGringoire，gavepassagetoaprettygoatwithhornsandhoofsofgold。Theelegantbeasthaltedforamomentonthethreshold，stretchingoutitsneckasthough，perchedonthesummitofarock，ithadbeforeitseyesanimmensehorizon。Suddenlyitcaughtsightofthegypsygirl，andleapingoverthetableandtheheadofaclerk，intwoboundsitwasatherknees；thenitrolledgracefullyonitsmistress’sfeet，solicitingawordoracaress；buttheaccusedremainedmotionless，andpoorDjalihimselfobtainednotaglance。

"Eh，why——’tismyvillanousbeast，"saidoldFalourdel，"Irecognizethetwoperfectly！"

JacquesCharmolueinterfered。

"Ifthegentlemenplease，wewillproceedtotheexaminationofthegoat。"Hewas，infact，thesecondcriminal。

Nothingmoresimpleinthosedaysthanasuitofsorceryinstitutedagainstananimal。Wefind，amongothersintheaccountsoftheprovost’sofficefor1466，acuriousdetailconcerningtheexpensesofthetrialofGillet-Soulartandhissow，"executedfortheirdemerits，"atCorbeil。Everythingisthere，thecostofthepensinwhichtoplacethesow，thefivehundredbundlesofbrushwoodpurchasedattheportofMorsant，thethreepintsofwineandthebread，thelastrepastofthevictimfraternallysharedbytheexecutioner，downtotheelevendaysofguardandfoodforthesow，ateightdeniersparisiseach。Sometimes，theywentevenfurtherthananimals。

ThecapitulariesofCharlemagneandofLouisleDébonnaireimposeseverepenaltiesonfieryphantomswhichpresumetoappearintheair。

Meanwhiletheprocuratorhadexclaimed:"Ifthedemonwhichpossessesthisgoat，andwhichhasresistedallexorcisms，persistsinitsdeedsofwitchcraft，ifitalarmsthecourtwiththem，wewarnitthatweshallbeforcedtoputinrequisitionagainstitthegallowsorthestake。

Gringoirebrokeoutintoacoldperspiration。Charmoluetookfromthetablethegypsy’stambourine，andpresentingittothegoat，inacertainmanner，askedthelatter，——

"Whato’clockisit？"

Thegoatlookedatitwithanintelligenteye，raiseditsgildedhoof，andstrucksevenblows。

Itwas，infact，seveno’clock。Amovementofterrorranthroughthecrowd。

Gringoirecouldnotendureit。

"Heisdestroyinghimself！"hecriedaloud；"Youseewellthathedoesnotknowwhatheisdoing。"

"Silenceamongtheloutsattheendofthehail！"saidthebailiffsharply。

JacquesCharmolue，bytheaidofthesamemanoeuvresofthetambourine，madethegoatperformmanyothertricksconnectedwiththedateoftheday，themonthoftheyear，etc。，whichthereaderhasalreadywitnessed。And，byvirtueofanopticalillusionpeculiartojudicialproceedings，thesesamespectatorswhohad，probably，morethanonceapplaudedinthepublicsquareDjali’sinnocentmagicwereterrifiedbyitbeneaththeroofofthePalaisdeJustice。Thegoatwasundoubtedlythedevil。

Itwasfarworsewhentheprocuratoroftheking，havingemptieduponaflooracertainbagfilledwithmovableletters，whichDjaliworeroundhisneck，theybeheldthegoatextractwithhishooffromthescatteredalphabetthefatalnameofPhoebus。Thewitchcraftofwhichthecaptainhadbeenthevictimappearedirresistiblydemonstrated，andintheeyesofall，thegypsy，thatravishingdancer，whohadsooftendazzledthepassers-bywithhergrace，wasnolongeranythingbutafrightfulvampire。

However，shebetrayednosignoflife；neitherDjali’sgracefulevolutions，northemenacesofthecourt，northesuppressedimprecationsofthespectatorsanylongerreachedhermind。

Inordertoarouseher，apoliceofficerwasobligedtoshakeherunmercifully，andthepresidenthadtoraisehisvoice，——"Girl，youareoftheBohemianrace，addictedtodeedsofwitchcraft。You，incomplicitywiththebewitchedgoatimplicatedinthissuit，duringthenightofthetwenty-ninthofMarchlast，murderedandstabbed，inconcertwiththepowersofdarkness，bytheaidofcharmsandunderhandpractices，acaptainoftheking’sarchesofthewatch，PhoebusdeChateaupers。Doyoupersistindenyingit？"

"Horror！"exclaimedtheyounggirl，hidingherfaceinherhands。"MyPhoebus！Oh，thisishell！"

"Doyoupersistinyourdenial？"demandedthepresidentcoldly。

"DoIdenyit？"shesaidwithterribleaccents；andsherosewithflashingeyes。

Thepresidentcontinuedsquarely，——

"Thenhowdoyouexplainthefactslaidtoyourcharge？"

Sherepliedinabrokenvoice，——

"Ihavealreadytoldyou。Idonotknow。’Twasapriest，apriestwhomIdonotknow；aninfernalpriestwhopursuesme！"

"Thatisit，"retortedthejudge；"thesurlymonk。"

"Oh，gentlemen！havemercy！Iambutapoorgirl——"

"OfEgypt，"saidthejudge。

MasterJacquesCharmolueinterposedsweetly，——

"Inviewofthesadobstinacyoftheaccused，Idemandtheapplicationofthetorture。"

"Granted，"saidthepresident。

Theunhappygirlquiveredineverylimb。Butsheroseatthecommandofthemenwithpartisans，andwalkedwithatolerablyfirmstep，precededbyCharmolueandthepriestsoftheofficiality，betweentworowsofhalberds，towardsamedium-sizeddoorwhichsuddenlyopenedandclosedagainbehindher，andwhichproduceduponthegrief-strickenGringoiretheeffectofahorriblemouthwhichhadjustdevouredher。

Whenshedisappeared，theyheardaplaintivebleating；itwasthelittlegoatmourning。

Thesittingofthecourtwassuspended。Acounsellorhavingremarkedthatthegentlemenwerefatigued，andthatitwouldbealongtimetowaituntilthetorturewasatanend，thepresidentrepliedthatamagistratemustknowhowtosacrificehimselftohisduty。

"Whatanannoyingandvexatioushussy，"saidanagedjudge，"togetherselfputtothequestionwhenonehasnotsupped！"

CHAPTERII。

CONTINUATIONOFTHECROWNWHICHWASCHANGEDINTOADRYLEAF。

Afterascendinganddescendingseveralstepsinthecorridors，whichweresodarkthattheywerelightedbylampsatmid-day，LaEsmeralda，stillsurroundedbyherlugubriousescort，wasthrustbythepoliceintoagloomychamber。

Thischamber，circularinform，occupiedthegroundfloorofoneofthosegreattowers，which，eveninourowncentury，stillpiercethroughthelayerofmodernedificeswithwhichmodernParishascoveredancientParis。Therewerenowindowstothiscellar；nootheropeningthantheentrance，whichwaslow，andclosedbyanenormousirondoor。Nevertheless，lightwasnotlacking；afurnacehadbeenconstructedinthethicknessofthewall；alargefirewaslightedthere，whichfilledthevaultwithitscrimsonreflectionsanddeprivedamiserablecandle，whichstoodinonecorner，ofallradiance。Theirongratingwhichservedtoclosetheoven，beingraisedatthatmoment，allowedonlyaviewatthemouthoftheflamingvent-holeinthedarkwall，thelowerextremityofitsbars，likearowofblackandpointedteeth，setflatapart；whichmadethefurnaceresembleoneofthosemouthsofdragonswhichspoutforthflamesinancientlegends。Bythelightwhichescapedfromit，theprisonerbeheld，allabouttheroom，frightfulinstrumentswhoseuseshedidnotunderstand。Inthecentrelayaleathermattress，placedalmostflatupontheground，overwhichhungastrapprovidedwithabuckle，attachedtoabrassringinthemouthofaflat-nosedmonstercarvedinthekeystoneofthevault。

Tongs，pincers，largeploughshares，filledtheinteriorofthefurnace，andglowedinaconfusedheaponthecoals。Thesanguinelightofthefurnaceilluminatedinthechamberonlyaconfusedmassofhorriblethings。

ThisTartaruswascalledsimply，TheQuestionChamber。

Onthebed，inanegligentattitude，satPierratTorterue，theofficialtorturer。Hisunderlings，twognomeswithsquarefaces，leatheraprons，andlinenbreeches，weremovingtheironinstrumentsonthecoals。

Invaindidthepoorgirlsummonuphercourage；onenteringthischambershewasstrickenwithhorror。

Thesergeantsofthebailiffofthecourtsdrewupinlineononeside，thepriestsoftheofficialityontheother。Aclerk，inkhorn，andatablewereinonecorner。

MasterJacquesCharmolueapproachedthegypsywithaverysweetsmile。

"Mydearchild，"saidhe，"doyoustillpersistinyourdenial？"

"Yes，"shereplied，inadyingvoice。

"Inthatcase，"repliedCharmolue，"itwillbeverypainfulforustohavetoquestionyoumoreurgentlythanweshouldlike。Praytakethetroubletoseatyourselfonthisbed。

MasterPierrat，makeroomformademoiselle，andclosethedoor。"

Pierratrosewithagrowl。

"IfIshutthedoor，"hemuttered，"myfirewillgoout。"

"Well，mydearfellow，"repliedCharmolue，"leaveitopenthen。"

Meanwhile，laEsmeraldahadremainedstanding。Thatleatherbedonwhichsomanyunhappywretcheshadwrithed，frightenedher。Terrorchilledtheverymarrowofherbones；

shestoodtherebewilderedandstupefied。AtasignfromCharmolue，thetwoassistantstookherandplacedherinasittingpostureonthebed。Theydidhernoharm；butwhenthesementouchedher，whenthatleathertouchedher，shefeltallherbloodretreattoherheart。Shecastafrightenedlookaroundthechamber。Itseemedtoherasthoughshebeheldadvancingfromallquarterstowardsher，withtheintentionofcrawlingupherbodyandbitingandpinchingher，allthosehideousimplementsoftorture，whichascomparedtotheinstrumentsofallsortsshehadhithertoseen，werelikewhatbats，centipedes，andspidersareamonginsectsandbirds。

"Whereisthephysician？"askedCharmolue。

"Here，"repliedablackgownwhomshehadnotbeforenoticed。

Sheshuddered。

"Mademoiselle，"resumedthecaressingvoiceoftheprocucratoroftheEcclesiasticalcourt，"forthethirdtime，doyoupersistindenyingthedeedsofwhichyouareaccused？"

Thistimeshecouldonlymakeasignwithherhead。

"Youpersist？"saidJacquesCharmolue。"Thenitgrievesmedeeply，butImustfulfilmyoffice。"

"MonsieurleProcureurduRoi，"saidPierratabruptly，"Howshallwebegin？"

Charmoluehesitatedforamomentwiththeambiguousgrimaceofapoetinsearchofarhyme。

"Withtheboot，"hesaidatlast。

TheunfortunategirlfeltherselfsoutterlyabandonedbyGodandmen，thatherheadfelluponherbreastlikeaninertthingwhichhasnopowerinitself。

Thetormentorandthephysicianapproachedhersimultaneously。

Atthesametime，thetwoassistantsbegantofumbleamongtheirhideousarsenal。

Attheclankingoftheirfrightfulirons，theunhappychildquiveredlikeadeadfrogwhichisbeinggalvanized。"Oh！"

shemurmured，solowthatnooneheardher；"Oh，myPhoebus！"

Thenshefellbackoncemoreintoherimmobilityandhermarblesilence。Thisspectaclewouldhaverentanyotherheartthanthoseofherjudges。Onewouldhavepronouncedherapoorsinfulsoul，beingtorturedbySatanbeneaththescarletwicketofhell。Themiserablebodywhichthatfrightfulswarmofsaws，wheels，andrackswereabouttoclaspintheirclutches，thebeingwhowasabouttobemanipulatedbytheharshhandsofexecutionersandpincers，wasthatgentle，white，fragilecreature，apoorgrainofmilletwhichhumanjusticewashandingovertotheterriblemillsoftorturetogrind。Meanwhile，thecalloushandsofPierratTorterue’sassistantshadbaredthatcharmingleg，thattinyfoot，whichhadsooftenamazedthepassers-bywiththeirdelicacyandbeauty，inthesquaresofParis。

"’Tisashame！"mutteredthetormentor，glancingatthesegracefulanddelicateforms。

Hadthearchdeaconbeenpresent，hecertainlywouldhaverecalledatthatmomenthissymbolofthespiderandthefly。

Soontheunfortunategirl，throughamistwhichspreadbeforehereyes，beheldthebootapproach；shesoonbeheldherfootencasedbetweenironplatesdisappearinthefrightfulapparatus。

Thenterrorrestoredherstrength。

"Takethatoff！"shecriedangrily；anddrawingherselfup，withherhairalldishevelled:"Mercy！"

Shedartedfromthebedtoflingherselfatthefeetoftheking’sprocurator，butherlegwasfastintheheavyblockofoakandiron，andshesankdownupontheboot，morecrushedthanabeewithalumpofleadonitswing。

AtasignfromCharmolue，shewasreplacedonthebed，andtwocoarsehandsadjustedtoherdelicatewaistthestrapwhichhungfromtheceiling。

"Forthelasttime，doyouconfessthefactsinthecase？"

demandedCharmolue，withhisimperturbablebenignity。

"Iaminnocent。"

"Then，mademoiselle，howdoyouexplainthecircumstancelaidtoyourcharge？"

"Alas，monseigneur，Idonotknow。"

"Soyoudenythem？"

"All！"

"Proceed，"saidCharmoluetoPierrat。

Pierratturnedthehandleofthescrew-jack，thebootwascontracted，andtheunhappygirlutteredoneofthosehorriblecrieswhichhavenoorthographyinanyhumanlanguage。

"Stop！"saidCharmoluetoPierrat。"Doyouconfess？"

hesaidtothegypsy。

"All！"criedthewretchedgirl。"Iconfess！Iconfess！Mercy！"

Shehadnotcalculatedherstrengthwhenshefacedthetorture。Poorchild，whoselifeuptothattimehadbeensojoyous，sopleasant，sosweet，thefirstpainhadconqueredher！

"Humanityforcesmetotellyou，"remarkedtheking’sprocurator，"thatinconfessing，itisdeaththatyoumustexpect。"

"Icertainlyhopeso！"saidshe。Andshefellbackupontheleatherbed，dying，doubledup，allowingherselftohangsuspendedfromthestrapbuckledroundherwaist。

"Come，fairone，holdupalittle，"saidMasterPierrat，raisingher。"YouhavetheairofthelamboftheGoldenFleecewhichhangsfromMonsieurdeBourgogne’sneck。"

JacquesCharmolueraisedhisvoice，"Clerk，write。YoungBohemianmaid，youconfessyourparticipationinthefeasts，witches’sabbaths，andwitchcraftsofhell，withghosts，hags，andvampires？Answer。"

"Yes，"shesaid，solowthatherwordswerelostinherbreathing。

"YouconfesstohavingseentheramwhichBeelzebubcausestoappearinthecloudstocalltogetherthewitches’sabbath，andwhichisbeheldbysocerersalone？"

"Yes。"

"YouconfesstohavingadoredtheheadsofBophomet，thoseabominableidolsoftheTemplars？"

"Yes。"

"Tohavinghadhabitualdealingswiththedevilundertheformofagoatfamiliar，joinedwithyouinthesuit？"

"Yes。"

"Lastly，youavowandconfesstohaving，withtheaidofthedemon，andofthephantomvulgarlyknownasthesurlymonk，onthenightofthetwenty-ninthofMarchlast，murderedandassassinatedacaptainnamedPhoebusdeChateaupers？"

Sheraisedherlarge，staringeyestothemagistrate，andreplied，asthoughmechanically，withoutconvulsionoragitation，——

"Yes。"

Itwasevidentthateverythingwithinherwasbroken。

"Write，clerk，"saidCharmolue。And，addressingthetorturers，"Releasetheprisoner，andtakeherbacktothecourt。"

Whentheprisonerhadbeen"unbooted，"theprocuratoroftheecclesiasticalcourtexaminedherfoot，whichwasstillswollenwithpain。"Come，"saidhe，"there’snogreatharmdone。Youshriekedingoodseason。Youcouldstilldance，mybeauty！"

Thenheturnedtohisacolytesoftheofficiality，——

"Beholdjusticeenlightenedatlast！Thisisasolace，gentlemen！Madamoisellewillbearuswitnessthatwehaveactedwithallpossiblegentleness。"

CHAPTERIII。

ENDOFTHECROWNWHICHWASTURNEDINTOADRYLEAF。

Whenshere-enteredtheaudiencehall，paleandlimping，shewasreceivedwithageneralmurmurofpleasure。Onthepartoftheaudiencetherewasthefeelingofimpatiencegratifiedwhichoneexperiencesatthetheatreattheendofthelastentr’acteofthecomedy，whenthecurtainrisesandtheconclusionisabouttobegin。Onthepartofthejudges，itwasthehopeofgettingtheirsupperssooner。

Thelittlegoatalsobleatedwithjoy。Hetriedtoruntowardshismistress，buttheyhadtiedhimtothebench。

Nightwasfullysetin。Thecandles，whosenumberhadnotbeenincreased，castsolittlelight，thatthewallsofthehallcouldnotbeseen。Theshadowsthereenvelopedallobjectsinasortofmist。Afewapatheticfacesofjudgesalonecouldbedimlydiscerned。Oppositethem，attheextremityofthelonghail，theycouldseeavaguelywhitepointstandingoutagainstthesombrebackground。Thiswastheaccused。

Shehaddraggedherselftoherplace。WhenCharmoluehadinstalledhimselfinamagisterialmannerinhisown，heseatedhimself，thenroseandsaid，withoutexhibitingtoomuchself-complacencyathissuccess，——"Theaccusedhasconfessedall。"

"Bohemiangirl，"thepresidentcontinued，"haveyouavowedallyourdeedsofmagic，prostitution，andassassinationonPhoebusdeChateaupers。"

Herheartcontracted。Shewasheardtosobamidthedarkness。

"Anythingyoulike，"sherepliedfeebly，"butkillmequickly！"

"Monsieur，procuratorofthekingintheecclesiasticalcourts，"saidthepresident，"thechamberisreadytohearyouinyourcharge。"

MasterCharmolueexhibitedanalarmingnotebook，andbegantoread，withmanygesturesandtheexaggeratedaccentuationofthepleader，anorationinLatin，whereinalltheproofsofthesuitwerepiledupinCiceronianperiphrases，flankedwithquotationsfromPlautus，hisfavoritecomicauthor。Weregretthatwearenotabletooffertoourreadersthisremarkablepiece。Theoratorpronounceditwithmarvellousaction。Beforehehadfinishedtheexordium，theperspirationwasstartingfromhisbrow，andhiseyesfromhisbead。

Allatonce，inthemiddleofafineperiod，heinterruptedhimself，andhisglance，ordinarilysogentleandevenstupid，becamemenacing。

"Gentlemen，"heexclaimed(thistimeinFrench，foritwasnotinhiscopybook)，"Satanissomixedupinthisaffair，thathereheispresentatourdebates，andmakingsportoftheirmajesty。Behold！"

Sosaying，hepointedtothelittlegoat，who，onseeingCharmoluegesticulating，had，inpointoffact，thoughtitappropriatetodothesame，andhadseatedhimselfonhishaunches，reproducingtothebestofhisability，withhisforepawsandhisbeardedheadthepatheticpantomineoftheking’sprocuratorintheecclesiasticalcourt。Thiswas，ifthereaderremembers，oneofhisprettiestaccomplishments。Thisincident，thislastproof，producedagreateffect。Thegoat’shoofsweretied，andtheking’sprocuratorresumedthethreadofhiseloquence。

Itwasverylong，buttheperorationwasadmirable。Hereistheconcludingphrase；letthereaderaddthehoarsevoiceandthebreathlessgesturesofMasterCharmolue，"~Ideo，domni，coramstrygademonstrata，criminepatente，intentionecriminisexistente，innorninesanctoeecclesioeNostroe-

DominceParisiensisquoeestinsaisinahabendiomnimodamaltametbassamjustitiaminillahacintemerataCivitatisinsula，tenoreproesentiumdeclaremusnosrequirere，primo，aliquamdampecuniariamindemnitatem；secundo，amendationemhonorabilemanteportaliummaximumNostroe-Dominoe，ecclesioecathedralis；

tertio，sententianiinvirtutecujusistastyrgacumsuacapella，seuintriviovulgariterdicto~laGrève，~seuininsulaexeunteinfluvioSecanoe，juxtapointamjuardiniregalis，executatoesint~！"*

*Thesubstanceofthisexordiumiscontainedinthepresident’ssentence。

Heputonhiscapagainandseatedhimself。

"Eheu！"sighedthebroken-heartedGringoire，"~bassalatinitas~——bastardlatin！"

Anothermaninablackgownroseneartheaccused；hewasherlawyer——Thejudges，whowerefasting，begantogrumble。

"Advocate，bebrief，"saidthepresident。

"MonsieurthePresident，"repliedtheadvocate，"sincethedefendanthasconfessedthecrime，Ihaveonlyonewordtosaytothesegentlemen。HereisatextfromtheSaliclaw；

’Ifawitchhatheatenaman，andifshebeconvictedofit，sheshallpayafineofeightthousanddeniers，whichamounttotwohundredsousofgold。’Mayitpleasethechambertocondemnmyclienttothefine？"

"Anabrogatedtext，"saidtheadvocateextraordinaryoftheking。

"Nego，Idenyit，"repliedtheadvocate。

"Putittothevote！"saidoneofthecouncillors；"thecrimeismanifest，anditislate。"

Theyproceededtotakeavotewithoutleavingtheroom。

Thejudgessignifiedtheirassentwithoutgivingtheirreasons，theywereinahurry。Theircappedheadswereseenuncoveringoneaftertheother，inthegloom，atthelugubriousquestionaddressedtothembythepresidentinalowvoice。Thepooraccusedhadtheappearanceoflookingatthem，buthertroubledeyenolongersaw。

Thentheclerkbegantowrite；thenhehandedalongparch-

menttothepresident。

Thentheunhappygirlheardthepeoplemoving，thepikesclashing，andafreezingvoicesayingtoher，——"Bohemianwench，onthedaywhenitshallseemgoodtoourlordtheking，atthehourofnoon，youwillbetakeninatumbrel，inyourshift，withbarefeet，andaropeaboutyourneck，beforethegrandportalofNotre-Dame，andyouwilltheremakeanapologywithawaxtorchoftheweightoftwopoundsinyourhand，andthenceyouwillbeconductedtothePlacedeGrève，whereyouwillbehangedandstrangledonthetowngibbet；andlikewiseyourgoat；andyouwillpaytotheofficialthreelionsofgold，inreparationofthecrimesbyyoucommittedandbyyouconfessed，ofsorceryandmagic，debaucheryandmurder，uponthepersonoftheSieurPhoebusdeChateaupers。MayGodhavemercyonyoursoul！"

"Oh！’tisadream！"shemurmured；andshefeltroughhandsbearingheraway。

CHAPTERIV。

~LASCIATEOGNISPERANZA~——LEAVEALLHOPEBEHIND，YEWHOENTERHERE。

IntheMiddleAges，whenanedificewascomplete，therewasalmostasmuchofitintheearthasaboveit。Unlessbuiltuponpiles，likeNotre-Dame，apalace，afortress，achurch，hadalwaysadoublebottom。Incathedrals，itwas，insomesort，anothersubterraneancathedral，low，dark，mysterious，blind，andmute，undertheuppernavewhichwasoverflowingwithlightandreverberatingwithorgansandbellsdayandnight。Sometimesitwasasepulchre。Inpalaces，infortresses，itwasaprison，sometimesasepulchrealso，sometimesbothtogether。Thesemightybuildings，whosemodeofformationandvegetationwehaveelsewhereexplained，hadnotsimplyfoundations，but，sotospeak，rootswhichranbranchingthroughthesoilinchambers，galleries，andstaircases，liketheconstructionabove。Thuschurches，palaces，fortresses，hadtheearthhalfwayuptheirbodies。

Thecellarsofanedificeformedanotheredifice，intowhichonedescendedinsteadofascending，andwhichextendeditssubterraneangroundsundertheexternalpilesofthemonument，likethoseforestsandmountainswhicharereversedinthemirror-likewatersofalake，beneaththeforestsandmountainsofthebanks。

AtthefortressofSaint-Antoine，atthePalaisdeJusticeofParis，attheLouvre，thesesubterraneanedificeswereprisons。

Thestoriesoftheseprisons，astheysankintothesoil，grewconstantlynarrowerandmoregloomy。Theyweresomanyzones，wheretheshadesofhorrorweregraduated。Dantecouldneverimagineanythingbetterforhishell。Thesetunnelsofcellsusuallyterminatedinasackofalowestdungeon，withavat-likebottom，whereDanteplacedSatan，wheresocietyplacedthosecondemnedtodeath。Amiserablehumanexistence，onceinterredthere；farewelllight，air，life，~ognisperanza~——everyhope；itonlycameforthtothescaffoldorthestake。Sometimesitrottedthere；humanjusticecalledthis"forgetting。"Betweenmenandhimself，thecondemnedmanfeltapileofstonesandjailersweighingdownuponhishead；andtheentireprison，themassivebastillewasnothingmorethananenormous，complicatedlock，whichbarredhimofffromtherestoftheworld。

Itwasinaslopingcavityofthisdescription，inthe~oubliettes~excavatedbySaint-Louis，inthe~inpace~oftheTournelle，thatlaEsmeraldahadbeenplacedonbeingcondemnedtodeath，throughfearofherescape，nodoubt，withthecolossalcourt-houseoverherhead。Poorfly，whocouldnothaveliftedevenoneofitsblocksofstone！

Assuredly，Providenceandsocietyhadbeenequallyunjust；

suchanexcessofunhappinessandoftorturewasnotnecessarytobreaksofrailacreature。

Thereshelay，lostintheshadows，buried，hidden，immured。

Anyonewhocouldhavebeheldherinthisstate，afterhavingseenherlaughanddanceinthesun，wouldhaveshuddered。

Coldasnight，coldasdeath，notabreathofairinhertresses，notahumansoundinherear，nolongerarayoflightinhereyes；snappedintwain，crushedwithchains，crouchingbesideajugandaloaf，onalittlestraw，inapoolofwater，whichwasformedunderherbythesweatingoftheprisonwalls；

withoutmotion，almostwithoutbreath，shehadnolongerthepowertosuffer；Phoebus，thesun，midday，theopenair，thestreetsofParis，thedanceswithapplause，thesweetbabblingsoflovewiththeofficer；thenthepriest，theoldcrone，thepoignard，theblood，thetorture，thegibbet；allthisdid，indeed，passbeforehermind，sometimesasacharmingandgoldenvision，sometimesasahideousnightmare；butitwasnolongeranythingbutavagueandhorriblestruggle，lostinthegloom，ordistantmusicplayedupaboveground，andwhichwasnolongeraudibleatthedepthwheretheunhappygirlhadfallen。

Sinceshehadbeenthere，shehadneitherwakednorslept。

Inthatmisfortune，inthatcell，shecouldnolongerdistinguishherwakinghoursfromslumber，dreamsfromreality，anymorethandayfromnight。Allthiswasmixed，broken，floating，disseminatedconfusedlyinherthought。Shenolongerfelt，shenolongerknew，shenolongerthought；atthemost，sheonlydreamed。Neverhadalivingcreaturebeenthrustmoredeeplyintonothingness。

Thusbenumbed，frozen，petrified，shehadbarelynoticedontwoorthreeoccasions，thesoundofatrapdooropeningsomewhereaboveher，withoutevenpermittingthepassageofalittlelight，andthroughwhichahandhadtossedherabitofblackbread。Nevertheless，thisperiodicalvisitofthejailerwasthesolecommunicationwhichwasleftherwithmankind。

Asinglethingstillmechanicallyoccupiedherear；aboveherhead，thedampnesswasfilteringthroughthemouldystonesofthevault，andadropofwaterdroppedfromthematregularintervals。Shelistenedstupidlytothenoisemadebythisdropofwaterasitfellintothepoolbesideher。

Thisdropofwaterfallingfromtimetotimeintothatpool，wastheonlymovementwhichstillwentonaroundher，theonlyclockwhichmarkedthetime，theonlynoisewhichreachedherofallthenoisemadeonthesurfaceoftheearth。

Totellthewhole，however，shealsofelt，fromtimetotime，inthatcesspoolofmireanddarkness，somethingcoldpassingoverherfootorherarm，andsheshuddered。

Howlonghadshebeenthere？Shedidnotknow。Shehadarecollectionofasentenceofdeathpronouncedsomewhere，againstsomeone，thenofhavingbeenherselfcarriedaway，andofwakingupindarknessandsilence，chilledtotheheart。Shehaddraggedherselfalongonherhands。

Thenironringsthatcutherankles，andchainshadrattled。

Shehadrecognizedthefactthatallaroundherwaswall，thatbelowhertherewasapavementcoveredwithmoistureandatrussofstraw；butneitherlampnorair-hole。Thenshehadseatedherselfonthatstrawand，sometimes，forthesakeofchangingherattitude，onthelaststonestepinherdungeon。

Forawhileshehadtriedtocounttheblackminutesmeasuredoffforherbythedropofwater；butthatmelancholylaborofanailingbrainhadbrokenoffofitselfinherhead，andhadleftherinstupor。

Atlength，oneday，oronenight，(formidnightandmiddaywereofthesamecolorinthatsepulchre)，sheheardaboveheraloudernoisethanwasusuallymadebytheturnkeywhenhebroughtherbreadandjugofwater。Sheraisedherhead，andbeheldarayofreddishlightpassingthroughthecrevicesinthesortoftrapdoorcontrivedintheroofofthe~inpace~。

Atthesametime，theheavylockcreaked，thetrapgratedonitsrustyhinges，turned，andshebeheldalantern，ahand，andthelowerportionsofthebodiesoftwomen，thedoorbeingtoolowtoadmitofherseeingtheirheads。Thelightpainedhersoacutelythatsheshuthereyes。

Whensheopenedthemagainthedoorwasclosed，thelanternwasdepositedononeofthestepsofthestaircase；amanalonestoodbeforeher。Amonk’sblackcloakfelltohisfeet，acowlofthesamecolorconcealedhisface。Nothingwasvisibleofhisperson，neitherfacenorhands。Itwasalong，blackshroudstandingerect，andbeneathwhichsomethingcouldbefeltmoving。Shegazedfixedlyforseveralminutesatthissortofspectre。Butneitherhenorshespoke。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemtwostatuesconfrontingeachother。Twothingsonlyseemedaliveinthatcavern；thewickofthelantern，whichsputteredonaccountofthedampnessoftheatmosphere，andthedropofwaterfromtheroof，whichcutthisirregularsputteringwithitsmonotonoussplash，andmadethelightofthelanternquiverinconcentricwavesontheoilywaterofthepool。

Atlasttheprisonerbrokethesilence。

"Whoareyou？"

"Apriest。"

Thewords，theaccent，thesoundofhisvoicemadehertremble。

Thepriestcontinued，inahollowvoice，——

"Areyouprepared？"

"Forwhat？"

"Todie。"

"Oh！"saidshe，"willitbesoon？"

"To-morrow。"

Herhead，whichhadbeenraisedwithjoy，fellbackuponherbreast。

"’Tisveryfarawayyet！"shemurmured；"whycouldtheynothavedoneitto-day？"

"Thenyouareveryunhappy？"askedthepriest，afterasilence。

"Iamverycold，"shereplied。

Shetookherfeetinherhands，agesturehabitualwithunhappywretcheswhoarecold，aswehavealreadyseeninthecaseoftherecluseoftheTour-Roland，andherteethchattered。

Thepriestappearedtocasthiseyesaroundthedungeonfrombeneathhiscowl。

"Withoutlight！withoutfire！inthewater！itishorrible！"

"Yes，"shereplied，withthebewilderedairwhichunhappinesshadgivenher。"Thedaybelongstoeveryone，whydotheygivemeonlynight？"

"Doyouknow，"resumedthepriest，afterafreshsilence，"whyyouarehere？"

"IthoughtIknewonce，"shesaid，passingherthinfingersoverhereyelids，asthoughtoaidhermemory，"butIknownolonger。"

Allatonceshebegantoweeplikeachild。

"Ishouldliketogetawayfromhere，sir。Iamcold，Iamafraid，andtherearecreatureswhichcrawlovermybody。"

"Well，followme。"

Sosaying，thepriesttookherarm。Theunhappygirlwasfrozentoherverysoul。Yetthathandproducedanimpressionofcolduponher。

"Oh！"shemurmured，"’tistheicyhandofdeath。Whoareyou？"

Thepriestthrewbackhiscowl；shelooked。Itwasthesinistervisagewhichhadsolongpursuedher；thatdemon’sheadwhichhadappearedatlaFalourdel’s，abovetheheadofheradoredPhoebus；thateyewhichshelasthadseenglitteringbesideadagger。

Thisapparition，alwayssofatalforher，andwhichhadthusdrivenheronfrommisfortunetomisfortune，eventotorture，rousedherfromherstupor。Itseemedtoherthatthesortofveilwhichhadlainthickuponhermemorywasrentaway。

Allthedetailsofhermelancholyadventure，fromthenocturnalsceneatlaFalourdel’stohercondemnationtotheTournelle，recurredtohermemory，nolongervagueandconfusedasheretofore，butdistinct，harsh，clear，palpitating，terrible。

Thesesouvenirs，halfeffacedandalmostobliteratedbyexcessofsuffering，wererevivedbythesombrefigurewhichstoodbeforeher，astheapproachoffirecausesletterstraceduponwhitepaperwithinvisibleink，tostartoutperfectlyfresh。Itseemedtoherthatallthewoundsofherheartopenedandbledsimultaneously。

"Hah！"shecried，withherhandsonhereyes，andaconvulsivetrembling，"’tisthepriest！"

Thenshedroppedherarmsindiscouragement，andremainedseated，withloweredhead，eyesfixedontheground，muteandstilltrembling。

Thepriestgazedatherwiththeeyeofahawkwhichhaslongbeensoaringinacirclefromtheheightsofheavenoverapoorlarkcoweringinthewheat，andhaslongbeensilentlycontractingtheformidablecirclesofhisflight，andhassuddenlyswoopeddownuponhispreylikeaflashoflightning，andholdsitpantinginhistalons。

Shebegantomurmurinalowvoice，——

"Finish！finish！thelastblow！"andshedrewherheaddowninterrorbetweenhershoulders，likethelambawaitingtheblowofthebutcher’saxe。

"SoIinspireyouwithhorror？"hesaidatlength。

Shemadenoreply。

"DoIinspireyouwithhorror？"herepeated。

Herlipscontracted，asthoughwithasmile。

"Yes，"saidshe，"theheadsmanscoffsatthecondemned。

Herehehasbeenpursuingme，threateningme，terrifyingmeformonths！Haditnotbeenforhim，myGod，howhappyitshouldhavebeen！Itwashewhocastmeintothisabyss！

Ohheavens！itwashewhokilledhim！myPhoebus！"

Here，burstingintosobs，andraisinghereyestothepriest，——

"Oh！wretch，whoareyou？WhathaveIdonetoyou？

Doyouthen，hatemeso？Alas！whathaveyouagainstme？"

"Ilovethee！"criedthepriest。

Hertearssuddenlyceased，shegazedathimwiththelookofanidiot。Hehadfallenonhiskneesandwasdevouringherwitheyesofflame。

"Dostthouunderstand？Ilovethee！"hecriedagain。

"Whatlove！"saidtheunhappygirlwithashudder。

Heresumed，——

"Theloveofadamnedsoul。"

Bothremainedsilentforseveralminutes，crushedbeneaththeweightoftheiremotions；hemaddened，shestupefied。

"Listen，"saidthepriestatlast，andasingularcalmhadcomeoverhim；"youshallknowallIamabouttotellyouthatwhichIhavehithertohardlydaredtosaytomyself，whenfurtivelyinterrogatingmyconscienceatthosedeephoursofthenightwhenitissodarkthatitseemsasthoughGodnolongersawus。Listen。BeforeIknewyou，younggirl，Iwashappy。"

"SowasI！"shesighedfeebly。

"Donotinterruptme。Yes，Iwashappy，atleastIbelievedmyselftobeso。Iwaspure，mysoulwasfilledwithlimpidlight。Noheadwasraisedmoreproudlyandmoreradiantlythanmine。Priestsconsultedmeonchastity；doctors，ondoctrines。Yes，sciencewasallinalltome；itwasasistertome，andasistersufficed。Notbutthatwithageotherideascametome。Morethanoncemyfleshhadbeenmovedasawoman’sformpassedby。Thatforceofsexandbloodwhich，inthemadnessofyouth，IhadimaginedthatI

hadstifledforeverhad，morethanonce，convulsivelyraisedthechainofironvowswhichbindme，amiserablewretch，tothecoldstonesofthealtar。Butfasting，prayer，study，themortificationsofthecloister，renderedmysoulmistressofmybodyoncemore，andthenIavoidedwomen。Moreover，I

hadbuttoopenabook，andalltheimpuremistsofmybrainvanishedbeforethesplendorsofscience。Inafewmoments，Ifeltthegrossthingsofearthfleefaraway，andIfoundmyselfoncemorecalm，quieted，andserene，inthepresenceofthetranquilradianceofeternaltruth。Aslongasthedemonsenttoattackmeonlyvagueshadowsofwomenwhopassedoccasionallybeforemyeyesinchurch，inthestreets，inthefields，andwhohardlyrecurredtomydreams，Ieasilyvanquishedhim。Alas！ifthevictoryhasnotremainedwithme，itisthefaultofGod，whohasnotcreatedmanandthedemonofequalforce。Listen。Oneday——

Herethepriestpaused，andtheprisonerheardsighsofanguishbreakfromhisbreastwithasoundofthedeathrattle。