第12章

Heresumed，——

"OnedayIwasleaningonthewindowofmycell。WhatbookwasIreadingthen？Oh！allthatisawhirlwindinmyhead。Iwasreading。ThewindowopeneduponaSquare。I

heardasoundoftambourineandmusic。Annoyedatbeingthusdisturbedinmyrevery，IglancedintotheSquare。WhatIbeheld，otherssawbesidemyself，andyetitwasnotaspectaclemadeforhumaneyes。There，inthemiddleofthepavement，——itwasmidday，thesunwasshiningbrightly，——acreaturewasdancing。AcreaturesobeautifulthatGodwouldhavepreferredhertotheVirginandhavechosenherforhismotherandhavewishedtobebornofherifshehadbeeninexistencewhenhewasmademan！Hereyeswereblackandsplendid；inthemidstofherblacklocks，somehairsthroughwhichthesunshoneglistenedlikethreadsofgold。Herfeetdisappearedintheirmovementslikethespokesofarapidlyturningwheel。Aroundherhead，inherblacktresses，thereweredisksofmetal，whichglitteredinthesun，andformedacoronetofstarsonherbrow。Herdressthicksetwithspangles，blue，anddottedwithathousandsparks，gleamedlikeasummernight。Herbrown，supplearmstwinedanduntwinedaroundherwaist，liketwoscarfs。Theformofherbodywassurprisinglybeautiful。

Oh！whataresplendentfigurestoodout，likesomethingluminouseveninthesunlight！Alas，younggirl，itwasthou！

Surprised，intoxicated，charmed，Iallowedmyselftogazeuponthee。IlookedsolongthatIsuddenlyshudderedwithterror；Ifeltthatfatewasseizingholdofme。"

Thepriestpausedforamoment，overcomewithemotion。

Thenhecontinued，——

"Alreadyhalffascinated，Itriedtoclingfasttosomethingandholdmyselfbackfromfalling。IrecalledthesnareswhichSatanhadalreadysetforme。Thecreaturebeforemyeyespossessedthatsuperhumanbeautywhichcancomeonlyfromheavenorhell。Itwasnosimplegirlmadewithalittleofourearth，anddimlylightedwithinbythevacillatingrayofawoman’ssoul。Itwasanangel！butofshadowsandflame，andnotoflight。AtthemomentwhenIwasmeditatingthus，Ibeheldbesideyouagoat，abeastofwitches，whichsmiledasitgazedatme。Themiddaysungavehimgoldenhorns。ThenIperceivedthesnareofthedemon，andInolongerdoubtedthatyouhadcomefromhellandthatyouhadcomethenceformyperdition。Ibelievedit。"

Herethepriestlookedtheprisonerfullintheface，andadded，coldly，——

"Ibelieveitstill。Nevertheless，thecharmoperatedlittlebylittle；yourdancingwhirledthroughmybrain；Ifeltthemysteriousspellworkingwithinme。Allthatshouldhaveawakenedwaslulledtosleep；andlikethosewhodieinthesnow，Ifeltpleasureinallowingthissleeptodrawon。Allatonce，youbegantosing。WhatcouldIdo，unhappywretch？Yoursongwasstillmorecharmingthanyourdancing。

Itriedtoflee。Impossible。Iwasnailed，rootedtothespot。Itseemedtomethatthemarbleofthepavementhadrisentomyknees。Iwasforcedtoremainuntiltheend。

Myfeetwerelikeice，myheadwasonfire。Atlastyoutookpityonme，youceasedtosing，youdisappeared。Thereflectionofthedazzlingvision，thereverberationoftheenchantingmusicdisappearedbydegreesfrommyeyesandmyears。

ThenIfellbackintotheembrasureofthewindow，morerigid，morefeeblethanastatuetornfromitsbase。Thevesperbellrousedme。Idrewmyselfup；Ifled；butalas！

somethingwithinmehadfallennevertoriseagain，somethinghadcomeuponmefromwhichIcouldnotflee。"

Hemadeanotherpauseandwenton，——

"Yes，datingfromthatday，therewaswithinmeamanwhomIdidnotknow。Itriedtomakeuseofallmyremedies。

Thecloister，thealtar，work，books，——follies！Oh，howhollowdoessciencesoundwhenoneindespairdashesagainstitaheadfullofpassions！Doyouknow，younggirl，whatI

sawthenceforthbetweenmybookandme？You，yourshade，theimageoftheluminousapparitionwhichhadonedaycrossedthespacebeforeme。Butthisimagehadnolongerthesamecolor；itwassombre，funereal，gloomyastheblackcirclewhichlongpursuesthevisionoftheimprudentmanwhohasgazedintentlyatthesun。

"Unabletoridmyselfofit，sinceIheardyoursonghummingeverinmyhead，beheldyourfeetdancingalwaysonmybreviary，feltevenatnight，inmydreams，yourformincontactwithmyown，Idesiredtoseeyouagain，totouchyou，toknowwhoyouwere，toseewhetherIshouldreallyfindyouliketheidealimagewhichIhadretainedofyou，toshattermydream，perchance，withreality。Atallevents，I

hopedthatanewimpressionwouldeffacethefirst，andthefirsthadbecomeinsupportable。Isoughtyou。Isawyouoncemore。Calamity！WhenIhadseenyoutwice，Iwantedtoseeyouathousandtimes，Iwantedtoseeyoualways。

Then——howstopmyselfonthatslopeofhell？——thenInolongerbelongedtomyself。Theotherendofthethreadwhichthedemonhadattachedtomywingshehadfastenedtohisfoot。Ibecamevagrantandwanderinglikeyourself。

Iwaitedforyouunderporches，Istoodonthelookoutforyouatthestreetcorners，Iwatchedforyoufromthesummitofmytower。EveryeveningIreturnedtomyselfmorecharmed，moredespairing，morebewitched，morelost！

"Ihadlearnedwhoyouwere；anEgyptian，Bohemian，gypsy，zingara。HowcouldIdoubtthemagic？Listen。I

hopedthatatrialwouldfreemefromthecharm。AwitchenchantedBrunod’Ast；hehadherburned，andwascured。I

knewit。Iwantedtotrytheremedy。FirstItriedtohaveyouforbiddenthesquareinfrontofNotre-Dame，hopingtoforgetyouifyoureturnednomore。Youpaidnoheedtoit。

Youreturned。Thentheideaofabductingyouoccurredtome。OnenightImadetheattempt。Thereweretwoofus。

Wealreadyhadyouinourpower，whenthatmiserableofficercameup。Hedeliveredyou。Thusdidhebeginyourunhappiness，mine，andhisown。Finally，nolongerknowingwhattodo，andwhatwastobecomeofme，Idenouncedyoutotheofficial。

"IthoughtthatIshouldbecuredlikeBrunod’Ast。Ialsohadaconfusedideathatatrialwoulddeliveryouintomyhands；that，asaprisonerIshouldholdyou，Ishouldhaveyou；thatthereyoucouldnotescapefromme；thatyouhadalreadypossessedmeasufficientlylongtimetogivemetherighttopossessyouinmyturn。Whenonedoeswrong，onemustdoitthoroughly。’Tismadnesstohaltmidwayinthemonstrous！Theextremeofcrimehasitsdeliriumsofjoy。

Apriestandawitchcanmingleindelightuponthetrussofstrawinadungeon！

"Accordingly，Idenouncedyou。ItwasthenthatIterrifiedyouwhenwemet。TheplotwhichIwasweavingagainstyou，thestormwhichIwasheapingupaboveyourhead，burstfrommeinthreatsandlightningglances。Still，Ihesitated。

Myprojecthaditsterriblesideswhichmademeshrinkback。

"PerhapsImighthaverenouncedit；perhapsmyhideousthoughtwouldhavewitheredinmybrain，withoutbearingfruit。Ithoughtthatitwouldalwaysdependuponmetofollowupordiscontinuethisprosecution。Buteveryevilthoughtisinexorable，andinsistsonbecomingadeed；butwhereIbelievedmyselftobeallpowerful，fatewasmorepowerfulthanI。Alas！’tisfatewhichhasseizedyouanddeliveredyoutotheterriblewheelsofthemachinewhichI

hadconstructeddoubly。Listen。Iamnearingtheend。

"Oneday，——againthesunwasshiningbrilliantly——Ibeholdmanpassmeutteringyournameandlaughing，whocarriessensualityinhiseyes。Damnation！Ifollowedhim；youknowtherest。"

Heceased。

Theyounggirlcouldfindbutoneword:

"Oh，myPhoebus！"

"Notthatname！"saidthepriest，graspingherarmviolently。"Utternotthatname！Oh！miserablewretchesthatweare，’tisthatnamewhichhasruinedus！or，ratherwehaveruinedeachotherbytheinexplicableplayoffate！

youaresuffering，areyounot？youarecold；thenightmakesyoublind，thedungeonenvelopsyou；butperhapsyoustillhavesomelightinthebottomofyoursoul，wereitonlyyourchildishloveforthatemptymanwhoplayedwithyourheart，whileIbearthedungeonwithinme；withinmethereiswinter，ice，despair；Ihavenightinmysoul。

"DoyouknowwhatIhavesuffered？Iwaspresentatyourtrial。Iwasseatedontheofficial’sbench。Yes，underoneofthepriests’cowls，therewerethecontortionsofthedamned。Whenyouwerebroughtin，Iwasthere；whenyouwerequestioned，Iwasthere——Denofwolves！——Itwasmycrime，itwasmygallowsthatIbeheldbeingslowlyrearedoveryourhead。Iwasthereforeverywitness，everyproof，everyplea；

Icouldcounteachofyourstepsinthepainfulpath；Iwasstilltherewhenthatferociousbeast——oh！Ihadnotforeseentorture！Listen。Ifollowedyoutothatchamberofanguish。

Ibeheldyoustrippedandhandled，halfnaked，bytheinfamoushandsofthetormentor。Ibeheldyourfoot，thatfootwhichIwouldhavegivenanempiretokissanddie，thatfoot，beneathwhichtohavehadmyheadcrushedIshouldhavefeltsuchrapture，——Ibehelditencasedinthathorribleboot，whichconvertsthelimbsofalivingbeingintoonebloodyclod。Oh，wretch！whileIlookedonatthat，Iheldbeneathmyshroudadagger，withwhichIlaceratedmybreast。Whenyouutteredthatcry，Iplungeditintomyflesh；atasecondcry，itwouldhaveenteredmyheart。Look！Ibelievethatitstillbleeds。"

Heopenedhiscassock。Hisbreastwasinfact，mangledasbytheclawofatiger，andonhissidehehadalargeandbadlyhealedwound。

Theprisonerrecoiledwithhorror。

"Oh！"saidthepriest，"younggirl，havepityuponme！

Youthinkyourselfunhappy；alas！alas！youknownotwhatunhappinessis。Oh！toloveawoman！tobeapriest！tobehated！tolovewithallthefuryofone’ssoul；tofeelthatonewouldgivefortheleastofhersmiles，one’sblood，one’svitals，one’sfame，one’ssalvation，one’simmortalityandeternity，thislifeandtheother；toregretthatoneisnotaking，emperor，archangel，God，inorderthatonemightplaceagreaterslavebeneathherfeet；toclasphernightanddayinone’sdreamsandone’sthoughts，andtobeholdherinlovewiththetrappingsofasoldierandtohavenothingtoofferherbutapriest’sdirtycassock，whichwillinspireherwithfearanddisgust！Tobepresentwithone’sjealousyandone’srage，whileshelavishesonamiserable，blusteringimbecile，treasuresofloveandbeauty！Tobeholdthatbodywhoseformburnsyou，thatbosomwhichpossessessomuchsweetness，thatfleshpalpitateandblushbeneaththekissesofanother！

Ohheaven！toloveherfoot，herarm，hershoulder，tothinkofherblueveins，ofherbrownskin，untilonewrithesforwholenightstogetheronthepavementofone’scell，andtobeholdallthosecaresseswhichonehasdreamedof，endintorture！Tohavesucceededonlyinstretchingherupontheleatherbed！Oh！thesearetheveritablepincers，reddenedinthefiresofhell。Oh！blessedishewhoissawnbetweentwoplanks，ortorninpiecesbyfourhorses！Doyouknowwhatthattortureis，whichisimposeduponyouforlongnightsbyyourburningarteries，yourburstingheart，yourbreakinghead，yourteeth-knawedhands；madtormentorswhichturnyouincessantly，asuponared-hotgridiron，toathoughtoflove，ofjealousy，andofdespair！Younggirl，mercy！atruceforamoment！afewashesontheselivecoals！Wipeaway，Ibeseechyou，theperspirationwhichtricklesingreatdropsfrommybrow！Child！torturemewithonehand，butcaressmewiththeother！Havepity，younggirl！Havepityuponme！"

Thepriestwrithedonthewetpavement，beatinghisheadagainstthecornersofthestonesteps。Theyounggirlgazedathim，andlistenedtohim。

Whenheceased，exhaustedandpanting，sherepeatedinalowvoice，——

"OhmyPhoebus！"

Thepriestdraggedhimselftowardsheronhisknees。

"Ibeseechyou，"hecried，"ifyouhaveanyheart，donotrepulseme！Oh！Iloveyou！Iamawretch！Whenyouutterthatname，unhappygirl，itisasthoughyoucrushedallthefibresofmyheartbetweenyourteeth。Mercy！IfyoucomefromhellIwillgothitherwithyou。Ihavedoneeverythingtothatend。Thehellwhereyouare，shallheparadise；thesightofyouismorecharmingthanthatofGod！

Oh！speak！youwillhavenoneofme？Ishouldhavethoughtthemountainswouldbeshakenintheirfoundationsonthedaywhenawomanwouldrepulsesuchalove。Oh！ifyouonlywould！Oh！howhappywemightbe。Wewouldflee——I

wouldhelpyoutoflee，——wewouldgosomewhere，wewouldseekthatspotonearth，wherethesunisbrightest，theskythebluest，wherethetreesaremostluxuriant。Wewouldloveeachother，wewouldpourourtwosoulsintoeachother，andwewouldhaveathirstforourselveswhichwewouldquenchincommonandincessantlyatthatfountainofinexhaustiblelove。"

Sheinterruptedwithaterribleandthrillinglaugh。

"Look，father，youhavebloodonyourfingers！"

Thepriestremainedforseveralmomentsasthoughpetrified，withhiseyesfixeduponhishand。

"Well，yes！"heresumedatlast，withstrangegentleness，"insultme，scoffatme，overwhelmmewithscorn！butcome，come。Letusmakehaste。Itistobeto-morrow，Itellyou。

ThegibbetontheGrève，youknowit？itstandsalwaysready。Itishorrible！toseeyourideinthattumbrel！Ohmercy！UntilnowIhaveneverfeltthepowerofmyloveforyou——Oh！followme。YoushalltakeyourtimetolovemeafterIhavesavedyou。Youshallhatemeaslongasyouwill。Butcome。To-morrow！to-morrow！thegallows！yourexecution！Oh！saveyourself！spareme！"

Heseizedherarm，hewasbesidehimself，hetriedtodragheraway。

Shefixedhereyeintentlyonhim。

"WhathasbecomeofmyPhoebus？"

"Ah！"saidthepriest，releasingherarm，"youarepitiless。"

"WhathasbecomeofPhoebus？"sherepeatedcoldly。

"Heisdead！"criedthepriest。

"Dead！"saidshe，stillicyandmotionless"thenwhydoyoutalktomeofliving？"

Hewasnotlisteningtoher。

"Oh！yes，"saidhe，asthoughspeakingtohimself，"hecertainlymustbedead。Thebladepierceddeeply。IbelieveItouchedhisheartwiththepoint。Oh！myverysoulwasattheendofthedagger！"

Theyounggirlflungherselfuponhimlikearagingtigress，andpushedhimuponthestepsofthestaircasewithsupernaturalforce。

"Begone，monster！Begone，assassin！Leavemetodie！

Maythebloodofbothofusmakeaneternalstainuponyourbrow！Bethine，priest！Never！never！Nothingshalluniteus！nothellitself！Go，accursedman！Never！"

Thepriesthadstumbledonthestairs。Hesilentlydisentangledhisfeetfromthefoldsofhisrobe，pickeduphislanternagain，andslowlybegantheascentofthestepswhichledtothedoor；heopenedthedoorandpassedthroughit。

Allatonce，theyounggirlbeheldhisheadreappear；itworeafrightfulexpression，andhecried，hoarsewithrageanddespair，——

"Itellyouheisdead！"

Shefellfacedownwardsuponthefloor，andtherewasnolongeranysoundaudibleinthecellthanthesobofthedropofwaterwhichmadethepoolpalpitateamidthedarkness。

CHAPTERV。

THEMOTHER。

Idonotbelievethatthereisanythingsweeterintheworldthantheideaswhichawakeinamother’sheartatthesightofherchild’stinyshoe；especiallyifitisashoeforfestivals，forSunday，forbaptism，theshoeembroideredtotheverysole，ashoeinwhichtheinfanthasnotyettakenastep。

Thatshoehassomuchgraceanddaintiness，itissoimpossibleforittowalk，thatitseemstothemotherasthoughshesawherchild。Shesmilesuponit，shekissesit，shetalkstoit；sheasksherselfwhethertherecanactuallybeafootsotiny；andifthechildbeabsent，theprettyshoesufficestoplacethesweetandfragilecreaturebeforehereyes。Shethinkssheseesit，shedoesseeit，complete，living，joyous，withitsdelicatehands，itsroundhead，itspurelips，itssereneeyeswhosewhiteisblue。Ifitisinwinter，itisyonder，crawlingonthecarpet，itislaboriouslyclimbinguponanottoman，andthemothertrembleslestitshouldapproachthefire。Ifitissummertime，itcrawlsabouttheyard，inthegarden，plucksupthegrassbetweenthepaving-stones，gazesinnocentlyatthebigdogs，thebighorses，withoutfear，playswiththeshells，withtheflowers，andmakesthegardenergrumblebecausehefindssandintheflower-bedsandearthinthepaths。Everythinglaughs，andshinesandplaysaroundit，likeit，eventhebreathofairandtherayofsunwhichviewitheachotherindisportingamongthesilkyringletsofitshair。Theshoeshowsallthistothemother，andmakesherheartmeltasfiremeltswax。

Butwhenthechildislost，thesethousandimagesofjoy，ofcharms，oftenderness，whichthrongaroundthelittleshoe，becomesomanyhorriblethings。Theprettybroideredshoeisnolongeranythingbutaninstrumentoftorturewhicheternallycrushestheheartofthemother。Itisalwaysthesamefibrewhichvibrates，thetenderestandmostsensitive；

butinsteadofanangelcaressingit，itisademonwhoiswrenchingatit。

OneMaymorning，whenthesunwasrisingononeofthosedarkblueskiesagainstwhichGarofololovestoplacehisDescentsfromtheCross，therecluseoftheTour-Rolandheardasoundofwheels，ofhorsesandironsinthePlacedeGrève。

Shewassomewhatarousedbyit，knottedherhairuponherearsinordertodeafenherself，andresumedhercontemplation，onherknees，oftheinanimateobjectwhichshehadadoredforfifteenyears。Thislittleshoewastheuniversetoher，aswehavealreadysaid。Herthoughtwasshutupinit，andwasdestinednevermoretoquititexceptatdeath。

ThesombrecaveoftheTour-Rolandaloneknewhowmanybitterimprecations，touchingcomplaints，prayersandsobsshehadwaftedtoheaveninconnectionwiththatcharmingbaubleofrose-coloredsatin。Neverwasmoredespairbestoweduponaprettierandmoregracefulthing。

Itseemedasthoughhergriefwerebreakingforthmoreviolentlythanusual；andshecouldbeheardoutsidelamentinginaloudandmonotonousvoicewhichrenttheheart。

"Ohmydaughter！"shesaid，"mydaughter，mypoor，dearlittlechild，soIshallneverseetheemore！Itisover！

Italwaysseemstomethatithappenedyesterday！MyGod！

myGod！itwouldhavebeenbetternottogivehertomethantotakeherawaysosoon。Didyounotknowthatourchildrenarepartofourselves，andthatamotherwhohaslostherchildnolongerbelievesinGod？Ah！wretchthatIamtohavegoneoutthatday！Lord！Lord！tohavetakenherfrommethus；youcouldneverhavelookedatmewithher，whenIwasjoyouslywarmingheratmyfire，whenshelaughedasshesuckled，whenImadehertinyfeetcreepupmybreasttomylips？Oh！ifyouhadlookedatthat，myGod，youwouldhavetakenpityonmyjoy；youwouldnothavetakenfrommetheonlylovewhichlingered，inmyheart！

WasIthen，Lord，somiserableacreature，thatyoucouldnotlookatmebeforecondemningme？——Alas！Alas！hereistheshoe；whereisthefoot？whereistherest？Whereisthechild？Mydaughter！mydaughter！whatdidtheydowiththee？Lord，giveherbacktome。Mykneeshavebeenwornforfifteenyearsinprayingtothee，myGod！Isnotthatenough？Giveherbacktomeoneday，onehour，oneminute；oneminute，Lord！andthencastmetothedemonforalleternity！Oh！ifIonlyknewwheretheskirtofyourgarmenttrails，Iwouldclingtoitwithbothhands，andyouwouldbeobligedtogivemebackmychild！Haveyounopityonherprettylittleshoe？Couldyoucondemnapoormothertothistortureforfifteenyears？GoodVirgin！goodVirginofheaven！myinfantJesushasbeentakenfromme，hasbeenstolenfromme；theydevouredheronaheath，theydrankherblood，theycrackedherbones！GoodVirgin，havepityuponme。Mydaughter，Iwantmydaughter！Whatisittomethatsheisinparadise？Idonotwantyourangel，I

wantmychild！Iamalioness，Iwantmywhelp。Oh！Iwillwritheontheearth，Iwillbreakthestoneswithmyforehead，andIwilldamnmyself，andIwillcurseyou，Lord，ifyoukeepmychildfromme！youseeplainlythatmyarmsareallbitten，Lord！HasthegoodGodnomercy？——Oh！givemeonlysaltandblackbread，onlyletmehavemydaughtertowarmmelikeasun！Alas！LordmyGod。Alas！LordmyGod，Iamonlyavilesinner；butmydaughtermademepious。

Iwasfullofreligionfortheloveofher，andIbeheldyouthroughhersmileasthroughanopeningintoheaven。Oh！

ifIcouldonlyonce，justoncemore，asingletime，putthisshoeonherprettylittlepinkfoot，Iwoulddieblessingyou，goodVirgin。Ah！fifteenyears！shewillbegrownupnow！——

Unhappychild！what！itisreallytruethenIshallneverseehermore，noteveninheaven，forIshallnotgotheremyself。Oh！whatmiserytothinkthathereishershoe，andthatthatisall！"

Theunhappywomanflungherselfuponthatshoe；herconsolationandherdespairforsomanyyears，andhervitalswererentwithsobsasonthefirstday；because，foramotherwhohaslostherchild，itisalwaysthefirstday。Thatgriefnevergrowsold。Themourninggarmentsmaygrowwhiteandthreadbare，theheartremainsdark。

Atthatmoment，thefreshandjoyouscriesofchildrenpassedinfrontofthecell。Everytimethatchildrencrossedhervisionorstruckherear，thepoormotherflungherselfintothedarkestcornerofhersepulchre，andonewouldhavesaid，thatshesoughttoplungeherheadintothestoneinordernottohearthem。Thistime，onthecontrary，shedrewherselfuprightwithastart，andlistenedeagerly。Oneofthelittleboyshadjustsaid，——

"Theyaregoingtohangagypsyto-day。"

Withtheabruptleapofthatspiderwhichwehaveseenflingitselfuponaflyatthetremblingofitsweb，sherushedtoherair-hole，whichopenedasthereaderknows，onthePlacedeGrève。Aladderhad，infact，beenraisedupagainstthepermanentgibbet，andthehangman’sassistantwasbusyinghimselfwithadjustingthechainswhichhadbeenrustedbytherain。Thereweresomepeoplestandingabout。

Thelaughinggroupofchildrenwasalreadyfaraway。Thesackednunsoughtwithhereyessomepasser-bywhomshemightquestion。Allatonce，besidehercell，sheperceivedapriestmakingapretextofreadingthepublicbreviary，butwhowasmuchlessoccupiedwiththe"lecternoflatticediron，"thanwiththegallows，towardwhichhecastafierceandgloomyglancefromtimetotime。SherecognizedmonsieurthearchdeaconofJosas，aholyman。

"Father，"sheinquired，"whomaretheyabouttohangyonder？"

Thepriestlookedatherandmadenoreply；sherepeatedherquestion。Thenhesaid，——

"Iknownot。"

"Somechildrensaidthatitwasagypsy，"wentontherecluse。

"Ibelieveso，"saidthepriest。

ThenPaquettelaChantefleurieburstintohyena-likelaughter。

"Sister，"saidthearchdeacon，"doyouthenhatethegypsiesheartily？"

"DoIhatethem！"exclaimedtherecluse，"theyarevampires，stealersofchildren！Theydevouredmylittledaughter，mychild，myonlychild！Ihavenolongeranyheart，theydevouredit！"

Shewasfrightful。Thepriestlookedathercoldly。

"ThereisoneinparticularwhomIhate，andwhomIhavecursed，"sheresumed；"itisayoungone，oftheagewhichmydaughterwouldbeifhermotherhadnoteatenmydaughter。

Everytimethatthatyoungviperpassesinfrontofmycell，shesetsmybloodinaferment。"

"Well，sister，rejoice，"saidthepriest，icyasasepulchralstatue；"thatistheonewhomyouareabouttoseedie。"

Hisheadfelluponhisbosomandhemovedslowlyaway。

Thereclusewrithedherarmswithjoy。

"Ipredicteditforher，thatshewouldascendthither！

Thanks，priest！"shecried。

Andshebegantopaceupanddownwithlongstridesbeforethegratingofherwindow，herhairdishevelled，hereyesflashing，withhershoulderstrikingagainstthewall，withthewildairofafemalewolfinacage，whohaslongbeenfamished，andwhofeelsthehourforherrepastdrawingnear。

CHAPTERVI。

THREEHUMANHEARTSDIFFERENTLYCONSTRUCTED。

Phoebuswasnotdead，however。Menofthatstampdiehard。WhenMasterPhilippeLheulier，advocateextraordinaryoftheking，hadsaidtopoorEsmeralda；"Heisdying，"

itwasanerrororajest。Whenthearchdeaconhadrepeatedtothecondemnedgirl；"Heisdead，"thefactisthatheknewnothingaboutit，butthathebelievedit，thathecountedonit，thathedidnotdoubtit，thathedevoutlyhopedit。Itwouldhavebeentoohardforhimtogivefavorablenewsofhisrivaltothewomanwhomheloved。

Anymanwouldhavedonethesameinhisplace。

ItwasnotthatPhoebus’swoundhadnotbeenserious，butithadnotbeenasmuchsoasthearchdeaconbelieved。Thephysician，towhomthesoldiersofthewatchhadcarriedhimatthefirstmoment，hadfearedforhislifeduringthespaceofaweek，andhadeventoldhimsoinLatin。Butyouthhadgainedtheupperhand；and，asfrequentlyhappens，inspiteofprognosticationsanddiagnoses，naturehadamusedherselfbysavingthesickmanunderthephysician’sverynose。Itwaswhilehewasstilllyingontheleech’spalletthathehadsubmittedtotheinterrogationsofPhilippeLheulierandtheofficialinquisitors，whichhadannoyedhimgreatly。Hence，onefinemorning，feelinghimselfbetter，hehadlefthisgoldenspurswiththeleechaspayment，andhadslippedaway。Thishadnot，however，interferedwiththeprogressoftheaffair。Justice，atthatepoch，troubleditselfverylittleabouttheclearnessanddefinitenessofacriminalsuit。Providedthattheaccusedwashung，thatwasallthatwasnecessary。NowthejudgehadplentyofproofsagainstlaEsmeralda。TheyhadsupposedPhoebustobedead，andthatwastheendofthematter。

Phoebus，onhisside，hadnotfledfar。HehadsimplyrejoinedhiscompanyingarrisonatQueue-en-Brie，intheIsle-de-France，afewstagesfromParis。

Afterall，itdidnotpleasehimintheleasttoappearinthissuit。Hehadavaguefeelingthatbeshouldplayaridiculousfigureinit。Onthewhole，hedidnotknowwhattothinkofthewholeaffair。Superstitious，andnotgiventodevoutness，likeeverysoldierwhoisonlyasoldier，whenhecametoquestionhimselfaboutthisadventure，hedidnotfeelassuredastothegoat，astothesingularfashioninwhichhehadmetLaEsmeralda，astothenolessstrangemannerinwhichshehadallowedhimtodivineherlove，astohercharacterasagypsy，andlastly，astothesurlymonk。

Heperceivedinalltheseincidentsmuchmoremagicthanlove，probablyasorceress，perhapsthedevil；acomedy，inshort，ortospeakinthelanguageofthatday，averydisagreeablemystery，inwhichheplayedaveryawkwardpart，theroleofblowsandderision。Thecaptainwasquiteputoutofcountenanceaboutit；heexperiencedthatsortofshamewhichourLaFontainehassoadmirablydefined，——

Ashamedasafoxwhohasbeencaughtbyafowl。

Moreover，hehopedthattheaffairwouldnotgetnoisedabroad，thathisnamewouldhardlybepronouncedinit，andthatinanycaseitwouldnotgobeyondthecourtsoftheTournelle。Inthishewasnotmistaken，therewasthenno"GazettedesTribunaux；"andasnotaweekpassedwhichhadnotitscounterfeitertoboil，oritswitchtohang，oritsheretictoburn，atsomeoneoftheinnumerablejusticesofParis，peopleweresoaccustomedtoseeinginallthesquarestheancientfeudalThemis，barearmed，withsleevesstrippedup，performingherdutyatthegibbets，theladders，andthepillories，thattheyhardlypaidanyheedtoit。Fashionablesocietyofthatdayhardlyknewthenameofthevictimwhopassedbyatthecornerofthestreet，anditwasthepopulaceatthemostwhoregaledthemselveswiththiscoarsefare。Anexecutionwasanhabitualincidentofthepublichighways，likethebraising-panofthebakerortheslaughter-houseoftheknacker。Theexecutionerwasonlyasortofbutcherofalittledeeperdyethantherest。

HencePhoebus’smindwassoonateaseonthescoreoftheenchantressEsmeralda，orSimilar，ashecalledher，concerningtheblowfromthedaggeroftheBohemianorofthesurlymonk(itmatteredlittlewhichtohim)，andastotheissueofthetrial。Butassoonashisheartwasvacantinthatdirection，Fleur-de-Lysreturnedtoit。CaptainPhoebus’sheart，likethephysicsofthatday，abhorredavacuum。

Queue-en-Briewasaveryinsipidplacetostayatthen，avillageoffarriers，andcow-girlswithchappedhands，alonglineofpoordwellingsandthatchedcottages，whichbordersthegrandroadonbothsidesforhalfaleague；atail(queue)，inshort，asitsnameimports。

Fleur-de-Lyswashislastpassionbutone，aprettygirl，acharmingdowry；accordingly，onefinemorning，quitecured，andassumingthat，afterthelapseoftwomonths，theBohemianaffairmustbecompletelyfinishedandforgotten，theamorouscavalierarrivedonaprancinghorseatthedooroftheGondelauriermansion。

HepaidnoattentiontoatolerablynumerousrabblewhichhadassembledinthePlaceduParvis，beforetheportalofNotre-Dame；herememberedthatitwasthemonthofMay；

hesupposedthatitwassomeprocession，somePentecost，somefestival，hitchedhishorsetotheringatthedoor，andgaylyascendedthestairstohisbeautifulbetrothed。

Shewasalonewithhermother。

Thesceneofthewitch，hergoat，hercursedalphabet，andPhoebus’slongabsences，stillweighedonFleur-de-Lys’sheart。

Nevertheless，whenshebeheldhercaptainenter，shethoughthimsohandsome，hisdoubletsonew，hisbaldricksoshining，andhisairsoimpassioned，thatsheblushedwithpleasure。

Thenobledamselherselfwasmorecharmingthanever。Hermagnificentblondhairwasplaitedinaravishingmanner，shewasdressedentirelyinthatskybluewhichbecomesfairpeoplesowell，abitofcoquetrywhichshehadlearnedfromColombe，andhereyeswereswimminginthatlanguoroflovewhichbecomesthemstillbetter。

Phoebus，whohadseennothinginthelineofbeauty，sinceheleftthevillagemaidsofQueue-en-Brie，wasintoxicatedwithFleur-de-Lys，whichimpartedtoourofficersoeagerandgallantanair，thathispeacewasimmediatelymade。MadamedeGondelaurierherself，stillmaternallyseatedinherbigarm-

chair，hadnotthehearttoscoldhim。AsforFleur-de-Lys’sreproaches，theyexpiredintendercooings。

TheyounggirlwasseatednearthewindowstillembroideringhergrottoofNeptune。Thecaptainwasleaningoverthebackofherchair，andshewasaddressinghercaressingreproachestohiminalowvoice。

"Whathasbecomeofyouthesetwolongmonths，wickedman？"

"Isweartoyou，"repliedPhoebus，somewhatembarrassedbythequestion，"thatyouarebeautifulenoughtosetanarchbishoptodreaming。"

Shecouldnotrepressasmile。

"Good，good，sir。Letmybeautyaloneandanswermyquestion。Afinebeauty，insooth！"

"Well，mydearcousin，Iwasrecalledtothegarrison。

"Andwhereisthat，ifyouplease？andwhydidnotyoucometosayfarewell？"

"AtQueue-en-Brie。"

Phoebuswasdelightedwiththefirstquestion，whichhelpedhimtoavoidthesecond。

"Butthatisquitecloseby，monsieur。Whydidyounotcometoseemeasingletime？"

HerePhoebuswasratherseriouslyembarrassed。

"Because——theservice——andthen，charmingcousin，Ihavebeenill。"

"Ill！"sherepeatedinalarm。

"Yes，wounded！"

"Wounded！"

Shepoorchildwascompletelyupset。

"Oh！donotbefrightenedatthat，"saidPhoebus，carelessly，"itwasnothing。Aquarrel，aswordcut；whatisthattoyou？"

"Whatisthattome？"exclaimedFleur-de-Lys，raisingherbeautifuleyesfilledwithtears。"Oh！youdonotsaywhatyouthinkwhenyouspeakthus。Whatswordcutwasthat？

Iwishtoknowall。"

"Well，mydearfairone，IhadafallingoutwithMahèFédy，youknow？thelieutenantofSaint-Germain-en-Laye，andwerippedopenafewinchesofskinforeachother。Thatisall。"

Themendaciouscaptainwasperfectlywellawarethatanaffairofhonoralwaysmakesamanstandwellintheeyesofawoman。Infact，Fleur-de-Lyslookedhimfullintheface，allagitatedwithfear，pleasure，andadmiration。Still，shewasnotcompletelyreassured。

"Providedthatyouarewhollycured，myPhoebus！"saidshe。"IdonotknowyourMahèFédy，butheisavillanousman。Andwhencearosethisquarrel？"

HerePhoebus，whoseimaginationwasendowedwithbutmediocrepowerofcreation，begantofindhimselfinaquandaryastoameansofextricatinghimselfforhisprowess。

"Oh！howdoIknow？——amerenothing，ahorse，aremark！

Faircousin，"heexclaimed，forthesakeofchangingtheconversation，"whatnoiseisthisintheCathedralSquare？"

Heapproachedthewindow。

"Oh！~MonDieu~，faircousin，howmanypeoplethereareonthePlace！"

"Iknownot，"saidFleur-de-Lys；"itappearsthatawitchistodopenancethismorningbeforethechurch，andthereaftertobehung。"

ThecaptainwassothoroughlypersuadedthatlaEsmeralda’saffairwasconcluded，thathewasbutlittledisturbedbyFleur-

de-Lys’swords。Still，heaskedheroneortwoquestions。

"Whatisthenameofthiswitch？"

"Idonotknow，"shereplied。

"Andwhatisshesaidtohavedone？"

Sheshruggedherwhiteshoulders。

"Iknownot。"

"Oh，~monDieu~Jesus！"saidhermother；"therearesomanywitchesnowadaysthatIdaresaytheyburnthemwithoutknowingtheirnames。Onemightaswellseekthenameofeverycloudinthesky。Afterall，onemaybetranquil。

ThegoodGodkeepshisregister。"Herethevenerabledameroseandcametothewindow。"GoodLord！youareright，Phoebus，"saidshe。"Therabbleisindeedgreat。Therearepeopleonalltheroofs，blessedbeGod！Doyouknow，Phoebus，thisremindsmeofmybestdays。TheentranceofKingCharlesVII。，when，also，thereweremanypeople。Inolongerrememberinwhatyearthatwas。WhenIspeakofthistoyou，itproducesuponyoutheeffect，——doesitnot？——theeffectofsomethingveryold，anduponmeofsomethingveryyoung。Oh！thecrowdwasfarfinerthanatthepresentday。

TheyevenstooduponthemachicolationsofthePorteSainte-

Antoine。Thekinghadthequeenonapillion，andaftertheirhighnessescamealltheladiesmountedbehindallthelords。Irememberthattheylaughedloudly，becausebesideAmanyondeGarlande，whowasveryshortofstature，thererodetheSireMatefelon，achevalierofgiganticsize，whohadkilledheapsofEnglish。Itwasveryfine。AprocessionofallthegentlemenofFrance，withtheiroriflammeswavingredbeforetheeye。Thereweresomewithpennonsandsomewithbanners。HowcanItell？theSiredeCalmwithapennon；JeandeChateaumorantwithabanner；theSiredeCourcywithabanner，andamoreampleonethananyoftheothersexcepttheDucdeBourbon。Alas！’tisasadthingtothinkthatallthathasexistedandexistsnolonger！"

Thetwoloverswerenotlisteningtothevenerabledowager。Phoebushadreturnedandwasleaningonthebackofhisbetrothed’schair，acharmingpostwhencehislibertineglanceplungedintoalltheopeningsofFleur-de-Lys’sgorget。

Thisgorgetgapedsoconveniently，andallowedhimtoseesomanyexquisitethingsandtodivinesomanymore，thatPhoebus，dazzledbythisskinwithitsgleamsofsatin，saidtohimself，"Howcananyoneloveanythingbutafairskin？"

Bothweresilent。Theyounggirlraisedsweet，enrapturedeyestohimfromtimetotime，andtheirhairmingledinarayofspringsunshine。

"Phoebus，"saidFleur-de-Lyssuddenly，inalowvoice，"wearetobemarriedthreemonthshence；sweartomethatyouhaveneverlovedanyotherwomanthanmyself。"

"Iswearit，fairangel！"repliedPhoebus，andhispassionateglancesaidedthesinceretoneofhisvoiceinconvincingFleur-de-Lys。

Meanwhile，thegoodmother，charmedtoseethebetrothedpairontermsofsuchperfectunderstanding，hadjustquittedtheapartmenttoattendtosomedomesticmatter；Phoebusobservedit，andthissoemboldenedtheadventurouscaptainthatverystrangeideasmountedtohisbrain。Fleur-de-Lyslovedhim，hewasherbetrothed；shewasalonewithhim；

hisformertasteforherhadre-awakened，notwithallitsfresh-

nessbutwithallitsardor；afterall，thereisnogreatharmintastingone’swheatwhileitisstillintheblade；Idonotknowwhethertheseideaspassedthroughhismind，butonethingiscertain，thatFleur-de-Lyswassuddenlyalarmedbytheexpressionofhisglance。Shelookedroundandsawthathermotherwasnolongerthere。

"Goodheavens！"saidshe，blushinganduneasy，"howverywarmIam？"

"Ithink，infact，"repliedPhoebus，"thatitcannotbefarfrommidday。Thesunistroublesome。Weneedonlylowerthecurtains。"

"No，no，"exclaimedthepoorlittlething，"onthecontrary，Ineedair。"

Andlikeafawnwhofeelsthebreathofthepackofhounds，sherose，rantothewindow，openedit，andrusheduponthebalcony。

Phoebus，muchdiscomfited，followedher。

ThePlaceduParvisNotre-Dame，uponwhichthebalconylooked，asthereaderknows，presentedatthatmomentasingularandsinisterspectaclewhichcausedthefrightofthetimidFleur-de-Lystochangeitsnature。

Animmensecrowd，whichoverflowedintoalltheneighboringstreets，encumberedthePlace，properlyspeaking。Thelittlewall，breasthigh，whichsurroundedthePlace，wouldnothavesufficedtokeepitfreehaditnotbeenlinedwithathickhedgeofsergeantsandhackbuteers，culverinesinhand。Thankstothisthicketofpikesandarquebuses，theParviswasempty。Itsentrancewasguardedbyaforceofhalberdierswiththearmorialbearingsofthebishop。Thelargedoorsofthechurchwereclosed，andformedacontrastwiththeinnumerablewindowsonthePlace，which，opentotheirverygables，allowedaviewofthousandsofheadsheapedupalmostlikethepilesofbulletsinaparkofartillery。

Thesurfaceofthisrabblewasdingy，dirty，earthy。Thespectaclewhichitwasexpectingwasevidentlyoneofthesortwhichpossesstheprivilegeofbringingoutandcallingtogetherthevilestamongthepopulace。Nothingissohideousasthenoisewhichwasmadebythatswarmofyellowcapsanddirtyheads。Inthatthrongthereweremorelaughsthancries，morewomenthanmen。

Fromtimetotime，asharpandvibratingvoicepiercedthegeneralclamor。

"Ohé！MahietBaliffre！Isshetobehungyonder？"

"Fool！t’isherethatsheistomakeherapologyinhershift！thegoodGodisgoingtocoughLatininherface！

Thatisalwaysdonehere，atmidday。If’tisthegallowsthatyouwish，gototheGrève。"

"Iwillgothere，afterwards。"

"Tellme，laBoucanbry？Isittruethatshehasrefusedaconfessor？"

"Itappearsso，LaBechaigne。"

"Youseewhatapagansheis！"

"’Tisthecustom，monsieur。Thebailiffofthecourtsisboundtodeliverthemalefactorreadyjudgedforexecutionifhebealayman，totheprovostofParis；ifaclerk，totheofficialofthebishopric。"

"Thankyou，sir。"

"Oh，God！"saidFleur-de-Lys，"thepoorcreature！"

Thisthoughtfilledwithsadnesstheglancewhichshecastuponthepopulace。Thecaptain，muchmoreoccupiedwithherthanwiththatpackoftherabble，wasamorouslyrumplinghergirdlebehind。Sheturnedround，entreatingandsmiling。

"Pleaseletmealone，Phoebus！Ifmymotherweretoreturn，shewouldseeyourhand！"

Atthatmoment，middayrangslowlyoutfromtheclockofNotre-Dame。Amurmurofsatisfactionbrokeoutinthecrowd。Thelastvibrationofthetwelfthstrokehadhardlydiedawaywhenallheadssurgedlikethewavesbeneathasquall，andanimmenseshoutwentupfromthepavement，thewindows，andtheroofs，"Theresheis！"

Fleur-de-Lyspressedherhandstohereyes，thatshemightnotsee。

"Charminggirl，"saidPhoebus，"doyouwishtowithdraw？"

"No，"shereplied；andsheopenedthroughcuriosity，theeyeswhichshehadclosedthroughfear。

AtumbreldrawnbyastoutNormanhorse，andallsurroundedbycavalryinvioletliverywithwhitecrosses，hadjustdeboucheduponthePlacethroughtheRueSaint-Pierre-

aux-Boeufs。Thesergeantsofthewatchwereclearingapassageforitthroughthecrowd，bystoutblowsfromtheirclubs。

Besidethecartrodeseveralofficersofjusticeandpolice，recognizablebytheirblackcostumeandtheirawkwardnessinthesaddle。MasterJacquesCharmolueparadedattheirhead。

Inthefatalcartsatayounggirlwithherarmstiedbehindherback，andwithnopriestbesideher。Shewasinhershift；

herlongblackhair(thefashionthenwastocutitoffonlyatthefootofthegallows)fellindisorderuponherhalf-baredthroatandshoulders。

Athwartthatwavinghair，moreglossythantheplumageofaraven，athick，rough，grayropewasvisible，twistedandknotted，chafingherdelicatecollar-bonesandtwiningroundthecharmingneckofthepoorgirl，likeanearthwormroundaflower。Beneaththatropeglitteredatinyamuletornamentedwithbitsofgreenglass，whichhadbeenlefttohernodoubt，becausenothingisrefusedtothosewhoareabouttodie。Thespectatorsinthewindowscouldseeinthebottomofthecarthernakedlegswhichshestrovetohidebeneathher，asbyafinalfeminineinstinct。Atherfeetlayalittlegoat，bound。Thecondemnedgirlheldtogetherwithherteethherimperfectlyfastenedshift。Onewouldhavesaidthatshesufferedstillmoreinhermiseryfrombeingthusexposedalmostnakedtotheeyesofall。Alas！modestyisnotmadeforsuchshocks。

"Jesus！"saidFleur-de-Lyshastilytothecaptain。"Lookfaircousin，’tisthatwretchedBohemianwiththegoat。"

Sosaying，sheturnedtoPhoebus。Hiseyeswerefixedonthetumbrel。Hewasverypale。

"WhatBohemianwiththegoat？"hestammered。

"What！"resumedFleur-de-Lys，"doyounotremember？"

Phoebusinterruptedher。

"Idonotknowwhatyoumean。"

Hemadeasteptore-entertheroom，butFleur-de-Lys，whosejealousy，previouslysovividlyarousedbythissamegypsy，hadjustbeenre-awakened，Fleur-de-Lysgavehimalookfullofpenetrationanddistrust。Shevaguelyrecalledatthatmomenthavingheardofacaptainmixedupinthetrialofthatwitch。

"Whatisthematterwithyou？"shesaidtoPhoebus，"onewouldsay，thatthiswomanhaddisturbedyou。"

Phoebusforcedasneer，——

"Me！Nottheleastintheworld！Ah！yes，certainly！"

"Remain，then！"shecontinuedimperiously，"andletusseetheend。"

Theunluckycaptainwasobligedtoremain。Hewassomewhatreassuredbythefactthatthecondemnedgirlneverremovedhereyesfromthebottomofthecart。ItwasbuttoosurelylaEsmeralda。Inthislaststageofopprobriumandmisfortune，shewasstillbeautiful；hergreatblackeyesappearedstilllarger，becauseoftheemaciationofhercheeks；

herpaleprofilewaspureandsublime。Sheresembledwhatshehadbeen，inthesamedegreethatavirginbyMasaccio，resemblesavirginofRaphael，——weaker，thinner，moredelicate。

Moreover，therewasnothinginherwhichwasnotshakeninsomesort，andwhichwiththeexceptionofhermodesty，shedidnotletgoatwill，soprofoundlyhadshebeenbrokenbystuporanddespair。Herbodyboundedateveryjoltofthetumbrellikeadeadorbrokenthing；hergazewasdullandimbecile。Atearwasstillvisibleinhereyes，butmotionlessandfrozen，sotospeak。

Meanwhile，thelugubriouscavalcadehastraversedthecrowdamidcriesofjoyandcuriousattitudes。Butasafaithfulhistorian，wemuststatethatonbeholdinghersobeautiful，sodepressed，manyweremovedwithpity，evenamongthehardestofthem。

ThetumbrelhadenteredtheParvis。

Ithaltedbeforethecentralportal。Theescortrangedthemselvesinlineonbothsides。Thecrowdbecamesilent，and，inthemidstofthissilencefullofanxietyandsolemnity，thetwoleavesofthegranddoorswungback，asofthemselves，ontheirhinges，whichgaveacreaklikethesoundofafife。Thentherebecamevisibleinallitslength，thedeep，gloomychurch，hunginblack，sparelylightedwithafewcandlesgleamingafaroffontheprincipalaltar，openedinthemidstofthePlacewhichwasdazzlingwithlight，likethemouthofacavern。Attheveryextremity，inthegloomoftheapse，agiganticsilvercrosswasvisibleagainstablackdraperywhichhungfromthevaulttothepavement。Thewholenavewasdeserted。Butafewheadsofpriestscouldbeseenmovingconfusedlyinthedistantchoirstalls，and，atthemomentwhenthegreatdooropened，thereescapedfromthechurchaloud，solemn，andmonotonouschanting，whichcastovertheheadofthecondemnedgirl，ingusts，fragmentsofmelancholypsalms，——

"~Nontimebomilliapopulicircumdantisme:exsurge，Domine；

salvummefac，Deus~！"

"~Salvummefac，Deus，quoniamintraveruntaquoeusqueadanimammeam~。

"~Infixussuminlimoprofundi；etnonestsubstantia~。"

Atthesametime，anothervoice，separatefromthechoir，intoneduponthestepsofthechiefaltar，thismelancholyoffertory，-

"~Quiverbummeumaudit，etcrediteiquimisitme，habetvitamoeternametinjudiciumnonvenit；sedtransitamorteimvitam~*。"

*"HethathearethmywordandbelievethonHimthatsentme，hatheternallife，andhathnotcomeintocondemnation；butispassedfromdeathtolife。"

Thischant，whichafewoldmenburiedinthegloomsangfromafaroverthatbeautifulcreature，fullofyouthandlife，caressedbythewarmairofspring，inundatedwithsunlightwasthemassforthedead。

Thepeoplelisteneddevoutly。

Theunhappygirlseemedtolosehersightandherconsciousnessintheobscureinteriorofthechurch。Herwhitelipsmovedasthoughinprayer，andtheheadsman’sassistantwhoapproachedtoassisthertoalightfromthecart，heardherrepeatingthiswordinalowtone，——"Phoebus。"

Theyuntiedherhands，madeheralight，accompaniedbyhergoat，whichhadalsobeenunbound，andwhichbleatedwithjoyatfindingitselffree:andtheymadeherwalkbarefootonthehardpavementtothefootofthestepsleadingtothedoor。

Theropeabouthernecktrailedbehindher。Onewouldhavesaiditwasaserpentfollowingher。

Thenthechantinginthechurchceased。Agreatgoldencrossandarowofwaxcandlesbegantomovethroughthegloom。Thehalberdsofthemotleybeadlesclanked；and，afewmomentslater，alongprocessionofpriestsinchasubles，anddeaconsindalmatics，marchedgravelytowardsthecondemnedgirl，astheydrawledtheirsong，spreadoutbeforeherviewandthatofthecrowd。Butherglancerestedontheonewhomarchedatthehead，immediatelyafterthecross-bearer。

"Oh！"shesaidinalowvoice，andwithashudder，"’tisheagain！thepriest！"

Itwasinfact，thearchdeacon。Onhislefthehadthesub-

chanter，onhisright，thechanter，armedwithhisofficialwand。Headvancedwithheadthrownback，hiseyesfixedandwideopen，intoninginastrongvoice，——

"~Deventreinfericlamavi，etexaudistivocemmeam~。

"~Etprojecistimeinprofundumincordemans，etflumemcircumdeditme~*。"

*"OutofthebellyofhellcriedI，andthouheardestmyvoice。Forthouhadstcastmeintothedeepinthemidstoftheseas，andthefloodscompassedmeabout。"

Atthemomentwhenhemadehisappearanceinthefulldaylightbeneaththeloftyarchedportal，envelopedinanamplecopeofsilverbarredwithablackcross，hewassopalethatmorethanonepersoninthecrowdthoughtthatoneofthemarblebishopswhokneltonthesepulchralstonesofthechoirhadrisenandwascometoreceiveuponthebrinkofthetomb，thewomanwhowasabouttodie。

She，nolesspale，nolesslikeastatue，hadhardlynoticedthattheyhadplacedinherhandaheavy，lightedcandleofyellowwax；shehadnotheardtheyelpingvoiceoftheclerkreadingthefatalcontentsoftheapology；whentheytoldhertorespondwithAmen，sherespondedAmen。Sheonlyrecoveredlifeandforcewhenshebeheldthepriestmakeasigntoherguardstowithdraw，andhimselfadvancealonetowardsher。

Thenshefeltherbloodboilinherhead，andaremnantofindignationflashedupinthatsoulalreadybenumbedandcold。

Thearchdeaconapproachedherslowly；eveninthatextremity，shebeheldhimcastaneyesparklingwithsensuality，jealousy，anddesire，overherexposedform。Thenhesaidaloud，——

"Younggirl，haveyouaskedGod’spardonforyourfaultsandshortcomings？"

Hebentdowntoherear，andadded(thespectatorssupposedthathewasreceivingherlastconfession):"Willyouhaveme？Icanstillsaveyou！"

Shelookedintentlyathim:"Begone，demon，orIwilldenounceyou！"

Hegaveventtoahorriblesmile:"Youwillnotbebelieved。

Youwillonlyaddascandaltoacrime。Replyquickly！Willyouhaveme？"

"WhathaveyoudonewithmyPhoebus？"

"Heisdead！"saidthepriest。

AtthatmomentthewretchedarchdeaconraisedhisheadmechanicallyandbeheldattheotherendofthePlace，inthebalconyoftheGondelauriermansion，thecaptainstandingbesideFleur-de-Lys。Hestaggered，passedhishandacrosshiseyes，lookedagain，mutteredacurse，andallhisfeatureswereviolentlycontorted。

"Well，diethen！"hehissedbetweenhisteeth。"Nooneshallhaveyou。"Then，raisinghishandoverthegypsy，heexclaimedinafunerealvoice:——"~Inunc，animaanceps，etsittibiDeusmisenicors~！"*

*"Gonow，soul，tremblinginthebalance，andGodhavemercyuponthee。"

Thiswasthedreadformulawithwhichitwasthecustomtoconcludethesegloomyceremonies。Itwasthesignalagreeduponbetweenthepriestandtheexecutioner。

Thecrowdknelt。

"~Kyrieeleison~，"*saidthepriests，whohadremainedbeneaththearchoftheportal。

*"Lordhavemercyuponus。"

"~Kyrieeleison~，"repeatedthethronginthatmurmurwhichrunsoverallheads，likethewavesofatroubledsea。

"Amen，"saidthearchdeacon。

Heturnedhisbackonthecondemnedgirl，hisheadsankuponhisbreastoncemore，hecrossedhishandsandrejoinedhisescortofpriests，andamomentlaterhewasseentodisappear，withthecross，thecandles，andthecopes，beneaththemistyarchesofthecathedral，andhissonorousvoicewasextinguishedbydegreesinthechoir，ashechantedthisverseofdespair，——

"~Omnesgurgitestuietfluctustuisupermetransierunt。"*

*"Allthywavesandthybillowshavegoneoverme。"

Atthesametime，theintermittentclashoftheironbuttsofthebeadles’halberds，graduallydyingawayamongthecolumnsofthenave，producedtheeffectofaclockhammerstrikingthelasthourofthecondemned。

ThedoorsofNotre-Dameremainedopen，allowingaviewoftheemptydesolatechurch，drapedinmourning，withoutcandles，andwithoutvoices。

Thecondemnedgirlremainedmotionlessinherplace，waitingtobedisposedof。OneofthesergeantsofpolicewasobligedtonotifyMasterCharmolueofthefact，asthelatter，duringthisentirescene，hadbeenengagedinstudyingthebas-reliefofthegrandportalwhichrepresents，accordingtosome，thesacrificeofAbraham；accordingtoothers，thephilosopher’salchemicaloperation:thesunbeingfiguredforthbytheangel；thefire，bythefagot；theartisan，byAbraham。

Therewasconsiderabledifficultyindrawinghimawayfromthatcontemplation，butatlengthheturnedround；and，atasignalwhichhegave，twomencladinyellow，theexecutioner’sassistants，approachedthegypsytobindherhandsoncemore。

Theunhappycreature，atthemomentofmountingonceagainthefatalcart，andproceedingtoherlasthalting-place，wasseized，possibly，withsomepoignantclingingtolife。

Sheraisedherdry，redeyestoheaven，tothesun，tothesilveryclouds，cuthereandtherebyabluetrapeziumortriangle；thensheloweredthemtoobjectsaroundher，totheearth，thethrong，thehouses；allatonce，whiletheyellowmanwasbindingherelbows，sheutteredaterriblecry，acryofjoy。Yonder，onthatbalcony，atthecornerofthePlace，shehadjustcaughtsightofhim，ofherfriend，herlord，Phoebus，theotherapparitionofherlife！

Thejudgehadlied！thepriesthadlied！itwascertainlyhe，shecouldnotdoubtit；hewasthere，handsome，alive，dressedinhisbrilliantuniform，hisplumeonhishead，hisswordbyhisside！

"Phoebus！"shecried，"myPhoebus！"

Andshetriedtostretchtowardshimarmstremblingwithloveandrapture，buttheywerebound。

Thenshesawthecaptainfrown，abeautifulyounggirlwhowasleaningagainsthimgazedathimwithdisdainfullipsandirritatedeyes；thenPhoebusutteredsomewordswhichdidnotreachher，andbothdisappearedprecipitatelybehindthewindowopeninguponthebalcony，whichclosedafterthem。

"Phoebus！"shecriedwildly，"canitbeyoubelieveit？"

Amonstrousthoughthadjustpresenteditselftoher。SherememberedthatshehadbeencondemnedtodeathformurdercommittedonthepersonofPhoebusdeChateaupers。

Shehadborneupuntilthatmoment。Butthislastblowwastooharsh。Shefelllifelessonthepavement。

"Come，"saidCharmolue，"carryhertothecart，andmakeanendofit。"

Noonehadyetobservedinthegalleryofthestatuesofthekings，carveddirectlyabovethearchesoftheportal，astrangespectator，whohad，uptothattime，observedeverythingwithsuchimpassiveness，withanecksostrained，avisagesohideousthat，inhismotleyaccoutrementofredandviolet，hemighthavebeentakenforoneofthosestonemonstersthroughwhosemouthsthelongguttersofthecathedralhavedischargedtheirwatersforsixhundredyears。ThisspectatorhadmissednothingthathadtakenplacesincemiddayinfrontoftheportalofNotre-Dame。Andattheverybeginninghehadsecurelyfastenedtooneofthesmallcolumnsalargeknottedrope，oneendofwhichtrailedontheflightofstepsbelow。Thisbeingdone，hebegantolookontranquilly，whistlingfromtimetotimewhenablackbirdflittedpast。

Suddenly，atthemomentwhenthesuperintendent’sassistantswerepreparingtoexecuteCharmolue’sphlegmaticorder，hethrewhislegoverthebalustradeofthegallery，seizedtheropewithhisfeet，hiskneesandhishands；thenhewasseentoglidedownthefa？ade，asadropofrainslipsdownawindow-

pane，rushtothetwoexecutionerswiththeswiftnessofacatwhichhasfallenfromaroof，knockthemdownwithtwoenormousfists，pickupthegypsywithonehand，asachildwouldherdoll，anddashbackintothechurchwithasinglebound，liftingtheyounggirlabovehisheadandcryinginaformidablevoice，——

"Sanctuary！"

Thiswasdonewithsuchrapidity，thathadittakenplaceatnight，thewholeofitcouldhavebeenseeninthespaceofasingleflashoflightning。

"Sanctuary！Sanctuary！"repeatedthecrowd；andtheclappingoftenthousandhandsmadeQuasimodo’ssingleeyesparklewithjoyandpride。

Thisshockrestoredthecondemnedgirltohersenses。Sheraisedhereyelids，lookedatQuasimodo，thenclosedthemagainsuddenly，asthoughterrifiedbyherdeliverer。

Charmoluewasstupefied，aswellastheexecutionersandtheentireescort。Infact，withintheboundsofNotre-Dame，thecondemnedgirlcouldnotbetouched。Thecathedralwasaplaceofrefuge。Alltemporaljurisdictionexpireduponitsthreshold。

Quasimodohadhaltedbeneaththegreatportal，hishugefeetseemedassolidonthepavementofthechurchastheheavyRomanpillars。Hisgreat，bushyheadsatlowbetweenhisshoulders，liketheheadsoflions，whoalsohaveamaneandnoneck。Heheldtheyounggirl，whowasquiveringallover，suspendedfromhishornyhandslikeawhitedrapery；

buthecarriedherwithasmuchcareasthoughhefearedtobreakherorblighther。Onewouldhavesaidthathefeltthatshewasadelicate，exquisite，preciousthing，madeforotherhandsthanhis。Thereweremomentswhenhelookedasifnotdaringtotouchher，evenwithhisbreath。Then，allatonce，hewouldpressherforciblyinhisarms，againsthisangularbosom，likehisownpossession，histreasure，asthemotherofthatchildwouldhavedone。Hisgnome’seye，fasteneduponher，inundatedherwithtenderness，sadness，andpity，andwassuddenlyraisedfilledwithlightnings。Thenthewomenlaughedandwept，thecrowdstampedwithenthusiasm，for，atthatmomentQuasimodohadabeautyofhisown。Hewashandsome；he，thatorphan，thatfoundling，thatoutcast，hefelthimselfaugustandstrong，hegazedinthefaceofthatsocietyfromwhichhewasbanished，andinwhichhehadsopowerfullyintervened，ofthathumanjusticefromwhichhehadwrencheditsprey，ofallthosetigerswhosejawswereforcedtoremainempty，ofthosepolicemen，thosejudges，thoseexecutioners，ofallthatforceofthekingwhichhe，themeanestofcreatures，hadjustbroken，withtheforceofGod。

Andthen，itwastouchingtobeholdthisprotectionwhichhadfallenfromabeingsohideousuponabeingsounhappy，acreaturecondemnedtodeathsavedbyQuasimodo。Theyweretwoextremesofnaturalandsocialwretchedness，comingintocontactandaidingeachother。

Meanwhile，afterseveralmomentsoftriumph，Quasimodohadplungedabruptlyintothechurchwithhisburden。Thepopulace，fondofallprowess，soughthimwiththeireyes，beneaththegloomynave，regrettingthathehadsospeedilydisappearedfromtheiracclamations。Allatonce，hewasseentore-appearatoneoftheextremitiesofthegalleryofthekingsofFrance；hetraversedit，runninglikeamadman，raisinghisconquesthighinhisarmsandshouting:"Sanctuary！"

Thecrowdbrokeforthintofreshapplause。Thegallerypassed，heplungedoncemoreintotheinteriorofthechurch。Amomentlater，here-appearedupontheupperplatform，withthegypsystillinhisarms，stillrunningmadly，stillcrying，"Sanctuary！"andthethrongapplauded。

Finally，hemadehisappearanceforthethirdtimeuponthesummitofthetowerwherehungthegreatbell；fromthatpointheseemedtobeshowingtotheentirecitythegirlwhomhehadsaved，andhisvoiceofthunder，thatvoicewhichwassorarelyheard，andwhichheneverheardhimself，repeatedthricewithfrenzy，eventotheclouds:"Sanctuary！

Sanctuary！Sanctuary！"

"Noel！Noel！"shoutedthepopulaceinitsturn；andthatimmenseacclamationflewtoastonishthecrowdassembledattheGrèveontheotherbank，andthereclusewhowasstillwaitingwithhereyesrivetedonthegibbet。

BOOKNINTH。