第13章

CHAPTERI。

DELIRIUM。

ClaudeFrollowasnolongerinNotre-Damewhenhisadoptedsonsoabruptlycutthefatalwebinwhichthearchdeaconandthegypsywereentangled。Onreturningtothesacristyhehadtornoffhisalb，cope，andstole，hadflungallintothehandsofthestupefiedbeadle，hadmadehisescapethroughtheprivatedoorofthecloister，hadorderedaboatmanoftheTerraintotransporthimtotheleftbankoftheSeine，andhadplungedintothehillystreetsoftheUniversity，notknowingwhitherhewasgoing，encounteringateverystepgroupsofmenandwomenwhowerehurryingjoyouslytowardsthePontSaint-Michel，inthehopeofstillarrivingintimetoseethewitchhungthere，——pale，wild，moretroubled，moreblindandmorefiercethananightbirdletlooseandpursuedbyatroopofchildreninbroaddaylight。Henolongerknewwherehewas，whathethought，orwhetherheweredreaming。Hewentforward，walking，running，takinganystreetathaphazard，makingnochoice，onlyurgedeveronwardawayfromtheGrève，thehorribleGrève，whichhefeltconfusedly，tobebehindhim。

InthismannerheskirtedMountSainte-Geneviève，andfinallyemergedfromthetownbythePorteSaint-Victor。

Hecontinuedhisflightaslongashecouldsee，whenheturnedround，theturretedenclosureoftheUniversity，andtherarehousesofthesuburb；but，when，atlength，ariseofgroundhadcompletelyconcealedfromhimthatodiousParis，whenhecouldbelievehimselftobeahundredleaguesdistantfromit，inthefields，inthedesert，hehalted，anditseemedtohimthathebreathedmorefreely。

Thenfrightfulideasthrongedhismind。Oncemorehecouldseeclearlyintohissoul，andheshuddered。Hethoughtofthatunhappygirlwhohaddestroyedhim，andwhomhehaddestroyed。Hecastahaggardeyeoverthedouble，tortuouswaywhichfatehadcausedtheirtwodestiniestopursueuptotheirpointofintersection，whereithaddashedthemagainsteachotherwithoutmercy。Hemeditatedonthefollyofeternalvows，onthevanityofchastity，ofscience，ofreligion，ofvirtue，ontheuselessnessofGod。

Heplungedtohisheart’scontentinevilthoughts，andinproportionashesankdeeper，hefeltaSataniclaughburstforthwithinhim。

Andashethussiftedhissoultothebottom，whenheperceivedhowlargeaspacenaturehadpreparedthereforthepassions，hesneeredstillmorebitterly。Hestirredupinthedepthsofhisheartallhishatred，allhismalevolence；and，withthecoldglanceofaphysicianwhoexaminesapatient，herecognizedthefactthatthismalevolencewasnothingbutvitiatedlove；thatlove，thatsourceofeveryvirtueinman，turnedtohorriblethingsintheheartofapriest，andthatamanconstitutedlikehimself，inmakinghimselfapriest，madehimselfademon。Thenhelaughedfrightfully，andsuddenlybecamepaleagain，whenheconsideredthemostsinistersideofhisfatalpassion，ofthatcorrosive，venomousmalignant，implacablelove，whichhadendedonlyinthegibbetforoneofthemandinhellfortheother；

condemnationforher，damnationforhim。

Andthenhislaughtercameagain，whenhereflectedthatPhoebuswasalive；thatafterall，thecaptainlived，wasgayandhappy，hadhandsomerdoubletsthanever，andanewmistresswhomhewasconductingtoseetheoldonehanged。

Hissneerredoubleditsbitternesswhenhereflectedthatoutofthelivingbeingswhosedeathhehaddesired，thegypsy，theonlycreaturewhomhedidnothate，wastheonlyonewhohadnotescapedhim。

Thenfromthecaptain，histhoughtpassedtothepeople，andtherecametohimajealousyofanunprecedentedsort。

Hereflectedthatthepeoplealso，theentirepopulace，hadhadbeforetheireyesthewomanwhomhelovedexposedalmostnaked。Hewrithedhisarmswithagonyashethoughtthatthewomanwhoseform，caughtbyhimaloneinthedarknesswouldhavebeensupremehappiness，hadbeendeliveredupinbroaddaylightatfullnoonday，toawholepeople，cladasforanightofvoluptuousness。Heweptwithrageoverallthesemysteriesoflove，profaned，soiled，laidbare，witheredforever。Heweptwithrageashepicturedtohimselfhowmanyimpurelookshadbeengratifiedatthesightofthatbadlyfastenedshift，andthatthisbeautifulgirl，thisvirginlily，thiscupofmodestyanddelight，towhichhewouldhavedaredtoplacehislipsonlytrembling，hadjustbeentransformedintoasortofpublicbowl，whereatthevilestpopulaceofParis，thieves，beggars，lackeys，hadcometoquaffincommonanaudacious，impure，anddepravedpleasure。

Andwhenhesoughttopicturetohimselfthehappinesswhichhemighthavefounduponearth，ifshehadnotbeenagypsy，andifhehadnotbeenapriest，ifPhoebushadnotexistedandifshehadlovedhim；whenhepicturedtohimselfthatalifeofserenityandlovewouldhavebeenpossibletohimalso，eventohim；thattherewereatthatverymoment，hereandthereupontheearth，happycouplesspendingthehoursinsweetconversebeneathorangetrees，onthebanksofbrooks，inthepresenceofasettingsun，ofastarrynight；

andthatifGodhadsowilled，hemighthaveformedwithheroneofthoseblessedcouples，——hisheartmeltedintendernessanddespair。

Oh！she！stillshe！Itwasthisfixedideawhichreturnedincessantly，whichtorturedhim，whichateintohisbrain，andrenthisvitals。Hedidnotregret，hedidnotrepent；allthathehaddonehewasreadytodoagain；hepreferredtobeholdherinthehandsoftheexecutionerratherthaninthearmsofthecaptain。Buthesuffered；hesufferedsothatatintervalshetoreouthandfulsofhishairtoseewhetheritwerenotturningwhite。

Amongothermomentstherecameone，whenitoccurredtohimthatitwasperhapstheveryminutewhenthehideouschainwhichhehadseenthatmorning，waspressingitsironnoosecloseraboutthatfrailandgracefulneck。Thisthoughtcausedtheperspirationtostartfromeverypore。

Therewasanothermomentwhen，whilelaughingdiabolicallyathimself，herepresentedtohimselflaEsmeraldaashehadseenheronthatfirstday，lively，careless，joyous，gaylyattired，dancing，winged，harmonious，andlaEsmeraldaofthelastday，inherscantyshift，witharopeaboutherneck，mountingslowlywithherbarefeet，theangularladderofthegallows；hefiguredtohimselfthisdoublepictureinsuchamanner。thathegaveventtoaterriblecry。

Whilethishurricaneofdespairoverturned，broke，toreup，bent，uprootedeverythinginhissoul，hegazedatnaturearoundhim。Athisfeet，somechickensweresearchingthethicketsandpecking，enamelledbeetlesranaboutinthesun；

overhead，somegroupsofdappledgraycloudswerefloatingacrossthebluesky；onthehorizon，thespireoftheAbbeySaint-Victorpiercedtheridgeofthehillwithitsslateobelisk；andthemilleroftheCopeauehillockwaswhistlingashewatchedthelaboriouswingsofhismillturning。Allthisactive，organized，tranquillife，recurringaroundhimunderathousandforms，hurthim。Heresumedhisflight。

Hespedthusacrossthefieldsuntilevening。Thisflightfromnature，life，himself，man，God，everything，lastedalldaylong。Sometimesheflunghimselffacedownwardonthe，earth，andtoreuptheyoungbladesofwheatwithhisnails。

Sometimeshehaltedinthedesertedstreetofavillage，andhisthoughtsweresointolerablethathegraspedhisheadinbothhandsandtriedtotearitfromhisshouldersinordertodashituponthepavement。

Towardsthehourofsunset，heexaminedhimselfagain，andfoundhimselfnearlymad。Thetempestwhichhadragedwithinhimeversincetheinstantwhenhehadlostthehopeandthewilltosavethegypsy，——thattempesthadnotleftinhisconscienceasinglehealthyidea，asinglethoughtwhichmaintaineditsuprightposition。Hisreasonlaytherealmostentirelydestroyed。Thereremainedbuttwodistinctimagesinhismind，laEsmeraldaandthegallows；alltherestwasblank。Thosetwoimagesunited，presentedtohimafrightfulgroup；andthemoreheconcentratedwhatattentionandthoughtwaslefttohim，themorehebeheldthemgrow，inaccordancewithafantasticprogression，theoneingrace，incharm，inbeauty，inlight，theotherindeformityandhorror；

sothatatlastlaEsmeraldaappearedtohimlikeastar，thegibbetlikeanenormous，fleshlessarm。

Oneremarkablefactis，thatduringthewholeofthistorture，theideaofdyingdidnotseriouslyoccurtohim。Thewretchwasmadeso。Heclungtolife。Perhapshereallysawhellbeyondit。

Meanwhile，thedaycontinuedtodecline。Thelivingbeingwhichstillexistedinhimreflectedvaguelyonretracingitssteps。HebelievedhimselftobefarawayfromParis；ontakinghisbearings，heperceivedthathehadonlycircledtheenclosureoftheUniversity。ThespireofSaint-Sulpice，andthethreeloftyneedlesofSaintGermain-des-Prés，roseabovethehorizononhisright。Heturnedhisstepsinthatdirection。Whenheheardthebriskchallengeofthemen-at-armsoftheabbey，aroundthecrenelated，circumscribingwallofSaint-Germain，heturnedaside，tookapathwhichpresenteditselfbetweentheabbeyandthelazar-houseofthebourg，andattheexpirationofafewminutesfoundhimselfonthevergeofthePré-aux-Clercs。Thismeadowwascelebratedbyreasonofthebrawlswhichwentontherenightandday；itwasthehydraofthepoormonksofSaint-Germain:~quodmouachisSancti-Germainipratensishydrafuit，clericisnovasemperdissidiorumcapitasuscitantibus~。Thearchdeaconwasafraidofmeetingsomeonethere；hefearedeveryhumancountenance；hehadjustavoidedtheUniversityandtheBourgSaint-Germain；hewishedtore-enterthestreetsaslateaspossible。HeskirtedthePré-aux-Clercs，tookthedesertedpathwhichseparateditfromtheDieu-Neuf，andatlastreachedthewater’sedge。ThereDomClaudefoundaboatman，who，forafewfarthingsinParisiancoinage，rowedhimuptheSeineasfarasthepointofthecity，andlandedhimonthattongueofabandonedlandwherethereaderhasalreadybeheldGringoiredreaming，andwhichwasprolongedbeyondtheking’sgardens，paralleltotheIleduPasseur-aux-Vaches。

Themonotonousrockingoftheboatandtherippleofthewaterhad，insomesort，quietedtheunhappyClaude。Whentheboatmanhadtakenhisdeparture，heremainedstandingstupidlyonthestrand，staringstraightbeforehimandperceivingobjectsonlythroughmagnifyingoscillationswhichrenderedeverythingasortofphantasmagoriatohim。Thefatigueofagreatgriefnotinfrequentlyproducesthiseffectonthemind。

ThesunhadsetbehindtheloftyTour-de-Nesle。Itwasthetwilighthour。Theskywaswhite，thewateroftheriverwaswhite。Betweenthesetwowhiteexpanses，theleftbankoftheSeine，onwhichhiseyeswerefixed，projecteditsgloomymassand，renderedeverthinnerandthinnerbyperspective，itplungedintothegloomofthehorizonlikeablackspire。Itwasloadedwithhouses，ofwhichonlytheobscureoutlinecouldbedistinguished，sharplybroughtoutinshadowsagainstthelightbackgroundoftheskyandthewater。Hereandtherewindowsbegantogleam，liketheholesinabrazier。

Thatimmenseblackobeliskthusisolatedbetweenthetwowhiteexpansesoftheskyandtheriver，whichwasverybroadatthispoint，produceduponDomClaudeasingulareffect，comparabletothatwhichwouldbeexperiencedbyamanwho，recliningonhisbackatthefootofthetowerofStrasburg，shouldgazeattheenormousspireplungingintotheshadowsofthetwilightabovehishead。Only，inthiscase，itwasClaudewhowaserectandtheobeliskwhichwaslyingdown；but，astheriver，reflectingthesky，prolongedtheabyssbelowhim，theimmensepromontoryseemedtobeasboldlylaunchedintospaceasanycathedralspire；andtheimpressionwasthesame。Thisimpressionhadevenonestrongerandmoreprofoundpointaboutit，thatitwasindeedthetowerofStrasbourg，butthetowerofStrasbourgtwoleaguesinheight；somethingunheardof，gigantic，immeasurable；anedificesuchasnohumaneyehaseverseen；atowerofBabel。

Thechimneysofthehouses，thebattlementsofthewalls，thefacetedgablesoftheroofs，thespireoftheAugustines，thetowerofNesle，alltheseprojectionswhichbroketheprofileofthecolossalobeliskaddedtotheillusionbydisplayingineccentricfashiontotheeyetheindentationsofaluxuriantandfantasticsculpture。

Claude，inthestateofhallucinationinwhichhefoundhimself，believedthathesaw，thathesawwithhisactualeyes，thebelltowerofhell；thethousandlightsscatteredoverthewholeheightoftheterribletowerseemedtohimsomanyporchesoftheimmenseinteriorfurnace；thevoicesandnoiseswhichescapedfromitseemedsomanyshrieks，somanydeathgroans。Thenhebecamealarmed，heputhishandsonhisearsthathemightnolongerhear，turnedhisbackthathemightnolongersee，andfledfromthefrightfulvisionwithhastystrides。

Butthevisionwasinhimself。

Whenhere-enteredthestreets，thepassers-byelbowingeachotherbythelightoftheshop-fronts，produceduponhimtheeffectofaconstantgoingandcomingofspectresabouthim。

Therewerestrangenoisesinhisears；extraordinaryfanciesdisturbedhisbrain。Hesawneitherhouses，norpavements，norchariots，normenandwomen，butachaosofindeterminateobjectswhoseedgesmeltedintoeachother。AtthecorneroftheRuedelaBarillerie，therewasagrocer’sshopwhoseporchwasgarnishedallabout，accordingtoimmemorialcustom，withhoopsoftinfromwhichhungacircleofwoodencandles，whichcameincontactwitheachotherinthewind，andrattledlikecastanets。HethoughtheheardaclusterofskeletonsatMontfau？onclashingtogetherinthegloom。

"Oh！"hemuttered，"thenightbreezedashesthemagainsteachother，andminglesthenoiseoftheirchainswiththerattleoftheirbones！Perhapssheisthereamongthem！"

Inhisstateoffrenzy，heknewnotwhitherhewasgoing。

AfterafewstrideshefoundhimselfonthePontSaint-

Michel。Therewasalightinthewindowofaground-floorroom；heapproached。Throughacrackedwindowhebeheldameanchamberwhichrecalledsomeconfusedmemorytohismind。Inthatroom，badlylightedbyameagrelamp，therewasafresh，light-hairedyoungman，withamerryface，whoamidloudburstsoflaughterwasembracingaveryaudaciouslyattiredyounggirl；andnearthelampsatanoldcronespinningandsinginginaquaveringvoice。Astheyoungmandidnotlaughconstantly，fragmentsoftheoldwoman’sdittyreachedthepriest；itwassomethingunintelligibleyetfrightful，——

"~Grève，aboie，Grève，grouille！

File，file，maquenouille，Filesacordeaubourreau，Quisiffledanslepre(au，Grève，aboie，Grève，grouille~！

"~Labellecordedechanvre！

Semezd’Issyjusqu’áVanvreDuchanvreetnonpasduble(。

Levoleurn’apasvole(

Labellecordedechanvre~。

"~Grève，grouille，Grève，aboie！

Pourvoirlafilledejoie，Prendreaugibetchassieux，Lesfenêtressontdesyeux。

Grève，grouille，Grève，aboie！"*

*Bark，Grève，grumble，Grève！Spin，spin，mydistaff，spinherropeforthehangman，whoiswhistlinginthemeadow。Whatabeautifulhempenrope！Sowhemp，notwheat，fromIssytoVanvre。Thethiefhathnotstolenthebeautifulhempenrope。

Grumble，Grève，bark，Grève！Toseethedissolutewenchhangontheblear-eyedgibbet，windowsareeyes。

Thereupontheyoungmanlaughedandcaressedthewench。

ThecronewaslaFalourdel；thegirlwasacourtesan；theyoungmanwashisbrotherJehan。

Hecontinuedtogaze。Thatspectaclewasasgoodasanyother。

HesawJehangotoawindowattheendoftheroom，openit，castaglanceonthequay，whereinthedistanceblazedathousandlightedcasements，andheheardhimsayasheclosedthesash，——

"’Ponmysoul！Howdarkitis；thepeoplearelightingtheircandles，andthegoodGodhisstars。"

ThenJehancamebacktothehag，smashedabottlestandingonthetable，exclaiming，——

"Alreadyempty，~cor-boeuf~！andIhavenomoremoney！

Isabeau，mydear，IshallnotbesatisfiedwithJupiteruntilhehaschangedyourtwowhitenipplesintotwoblackbottles，whereImaysuckwineofBeaunedayandnight。"

Thisfinepleasantrymadethecourtesanlaugh，andJehanlefttheroom。

DomClaudehadbarelytimetoflinghimselfonthegroundinorderthathemightnotbemet，staredinthefaceandrecognizedbyhisbrother。Luckily，thestreetwasdark，andthescholarwastipsy。Nevertheless，hecaughtsightofthearchdeaconproneupontheearthinthemud。

"Oh！oh！"saidhe；"here’safellowwhohasbeenleadingajollylife，to-day。"

HestirredupDomClaudewithhisfoot，andthelatterheldhisbreath。

"Deaddrunk，"resumedJehan。"Come，he’sfull。A

regularleechdetachedfromahogshead。He’sbald，"headded，bendingdown，"’tisanoldman！~Fortunatesenex~！"

ThenDomClaudeheardhimretreat，saying，——

"’Tisallthesame，reasonisafinething，andmybrotherthearchdeaconisveryhappyinthatheiswiseandhasmoney。"

Thenthearchdeaconrosetohisfeet，andranwithouthalting，towardsNotre-Dame，whoseenormoustowershebeheldrisingabovethehousesthroughthegloom。

Attheinstantwhenhearrived，panting，onthePlaceduParvis，heshrankbackanddarednotraisehiseyestothefataledifice。

"Oh！"hesaid，inalowvoice，"isitreallytruethatsuchathingtookplacehere，to-day，thisverymorning？"

Still，heventuredtoglanceatthechurch。Thefrontwassombre；theskybehindwasglitteringwithstars。Thecrescentofthemoon，inherflightupwardfromthehorizon，hadpausedatthemoment，onthesummitofthelighthandtower，andseemedtohavepercheditself，likealuminousbird，ontheedgeofthebalustrade，cutoutinblacktrefoils。

Thecloisterdoorwasshut；butthearchdeaconalwayscarriedwithhimthekeyofthetowerinwhichhislaboratorywassituated。Hemadeuseofittoenterthechurch。

Inthechurchhefoundthegloomandsilenceofacavern。

Bythedeepshadowswhichfellinbroadsheetsfromalldirections，herecognizedthefactthatthehangingsfortheceremonyofthemorninghadnotyetbeenremoved。Thegreatsilvercrossshonefromthedepthsofthegloom，powderedwithsomesparklingpoints，likethemilkywayofthatsepulchralnight。Thelongwindowsofthechoirshowedtheupperextremitiesoftheirarchesabovetheblackdraperies，andtheirpaintedpanes，traversedbyarayofmoonlighthadnolongeranyhuesbutthedoubtfulcolorsofnight，asortofviolet，whiteandblue，whosetintisfoundonlyonthefacesofthedead。Thearchdeacon，onperceivingthesewanspotsallaroundthechoir，thoughthebeheldthemitresofdamnedbishops。Heshuthiseyes，andwhenheopenedthemagain，hethoughttheywereacircleofpalevisagesgazingathim。

Hestartedtofleeacrossthechurch。Thenitseemedtohimthatthechurchalsowasshaking，moving，becomingenduedwithanimation，thatitwasalive；thateachofthegreatcolumnswasturningintoanenormouspaw，whichwasbeatingtheearthwithitsbigstonespatula，andthatthegiganticcathedralwasnolongeranythingbutasortofprodigiouselephant，whichwasbreathingandmarchingwithitspillarsforfeet，itstwotowersfortrunksandtheimmenseblackclothforitshousings。

ThisfeverormadnesshadreachedsuchadegreeofintensitythattheexternalworldwasnolongeranythingmorefortheunhappymanthanasortofApocalypse，-visible，palpable，terrible。

Foronemoment，hewasrelieved。Asheplungedintothesideaisles，heperceivedareddishlightbehindaclusterofpillars。Herantowardsitastoastar。ItwasthepoorlampwhichlightedthepublicbreviaryofNotre-Damenightandday，beneathitsirongrating。Heflunghimselfeagerlyupontheholybookinthehopeoffindingsomeconsolation，orsomeencouragementthere。ThehooklayopenatthispassageofJob，overwhichhisstaringeyeglanced，——

"Andaspiritpassedbeforemyface，andIheardasmallvoice，andthehairofmyfleshstoodup。"

Onreadingthesegloomywords，hefeltthatwhichablindmanfeelswhenhefeelshimselfprickedbythestaffwhichhehaspickedup。Hiskneesgavewaybeneathhim，andhesankuponthepavement，thinkingofherwhohaddiedthatday。

Hefeltsomanymonstrousvaporspassanddischargethemselvesinhisbrain，thatitseemedtohimthathisheadhadbecomeoneofthechimneysofhell。

Itwouldappearthatheremainedalongtimeinthisattitude，nolongerthinking，overwhelmedandpassivebeneaththehandofthedemon。Atlengthsomestrengthreturnedtohim；itoccurredtohimtotakerefugeinhistowerbesidehisfaithfulQuasimodo。Herose；and，ashewasafraid，hetookthelampfromthebreviarytolighthisway。Itwasasacrilege；buthehadgotbeyondheedingsuchatriflenow。

Heslowlyclimbedthestairsofthetowers，filledwithasecretfrightwhichmusthavebeencommunicatedtotherarepassers-byinthePlaceduParvisbythemysteriouslightofhislamp，mountingsolatefromloopholetoloopholeofthebelltower。

Allatonce，hefeltafreshnessonhisface，andfoundhimselfatthedoorofthehighestgallery。Theairwascold；theskywasfilledwithhurryingclouds，whoselarge，whiteflakesdriftedoneuponanotherlikethebreakingupofrivericeafterthewinter。Thecrescentofthemoon，strandedinthemidstoftheclouds，seemedacelestialvesselcaughtintheice-cakesoftheair。

Heloweredhisgaze，andcontemplatedforamoment，throughtherailingofslendercolumnswhichunitesthetwotowers，faraway，throughagauzeofmistsandsmoke，thesilentthrongoftheroofsofParis，pointed，innumerable，crowdedandsmalllikethewavesofatranquilseaonasum-

mernight。

Themooncastafeebleray，whichimpartedtoearthandheavenanashyhue。

Atthatmomenttheclockraiseditsshrill，crackedvoice。

Midnightrangout。Thepriestthoughtofmidday；twelveo’clockhadcomebackagain。

"Oh！"hesaidinaverylowtone，"shemustbecoldnow。"

Allatonce，agustofwindextinguishedhislamp，andalmostatthesameinstant，hebeheldashade，awhiteness，aform，awoman，appearfromtheoppositeangleofthetower。

Hestarted。Besidethiswomanwasalittlegoat，whichmingleditsbleatwiththelastbleatoftheclock。

Hehadstrengthenoughtolook。Itwasshe。

Shewaspale，shewasgloomy。Herhairfelloverhershouldersasinthemorning；buttherewasnolongeraropeonherneck，herhandswerenolongerbound；shewasfree，shewasdead。

Shewasdressedinwhiteandhadawhiteveilonherhead。

Shecametowardshim，slowly，withhergazefixedonthesky。Thesupernaturalgoatfollowedher。Hefeltasthoughmadeofstoneandtooheavytoflee。Ateverystepwhichshetookinadvance，hetookonebackwards，andthatwasall。

Inthiswayheretreatedoncemorebeneaththegloomyarchofthestairway。Hewaschilledbythethoughtthatshemightentertherealso；hadshedoneso，hewouldhavediedofterror。

Shedidarrive，infact，infrontofthedoortothestairway，andpausedthereforseveralminutes，staredintentlyintothedarkness，butwithoutappearingtoseethepriest，andpassedon。Sheseemedtallertohimthanwhenshehadbeenalive；

hesawthemoonthroughherwhiterobe；heheardherbreath。

Whenshehadpassedon，hebegantodescendthestaircaseagain，withtheslownesswhichhehadobservedinthespectre，believinghimselftobeaspectretoo，haggard，withhaironend，hisextinguishedlampstillinhishand；andashedescendedthespiralsteps，hedistinctlyheardinhisearavoicelaughingandrepeating，——

"Aspiritpassedbeforemyface，andIheardasmallvoice，andthehairofmyfleshstoodup。"

CHAPTERII。

HUNCHBACKED，ONEEYED，LAME。

EverycityduringtheMiddleAges，andeverycityinFrancedowntothetimeofLouisXII。haditsplacesofasylum。

Thesesanctuaries，inthemidstofthedelugeofpenalandbarbarousjurisdictionswhichinundatedthecity，wereaspeciesofislandswhichroseabovethelevelofhumanjustice。

Everycriminalwholandedtherewassafe。Therewereineverysuburbalmostasmanyplacesofasylumasgallows。

Itwastheabuseofimpunitybythesideoftheabuseofpunishment；twobadthingswhichstrovetocorrecteachother。Thepalacesoftheking，thehotelsoftheprinces，andespeciallychurches，possessedtherightofasylum。Sometimesawholecitywhichstoodinneedofbeingrepeopledwastemporarilycreatedaplaceofrefuge。LouisXI。madeallParisarefugein1467。

Hisfootoncewithintheasylum，thecriminalwassacred；

buthemustbewareofleavingit；onestepoutsidethesanctuary，andhefellbackintotheflood。Thewheel，thegibbet，thestrappado，keptgoodguardaroundtheplaceofrefuge，andlayinwatchincessantlyfortheirprey，likesharksaroundavessel。Hence，condemnedmenweretobeseenwhosehairhadgrownwhiteinacloister，onthestepsofapalace，intheenclosureofanabbey，beneaththeporchofachurch；inthismannertheasylumwasaprisonasmuchasanyother。Itsometimeshappenedthatasolemndecreeofparliamentviolatedtheasylumandrestoredthecondemnedmantotheexecutioner；butthiswasofrareoccurrence。Parliamentswereafraidofthebishops，andwhentherewasfrictionbetweenthesetworobes，thegownhadbutapoorchanceagainstthecassock。Sometimes，however，asintheaffairoftheassassinsofPetit-Jean，theheadsmanofParis，andinthatofEmeryRousseau，themurdererofJeanValleret，justiceoverleapedthechurchandpassedontotheexecutionofitssentences；butunlessbyvirtueofadecreeofParliament，woetohimwhoviolatedaplaceofasylumwitharmedforce！

ThereaderknowsthemannerofdeathofRobertdeClermont，MarshalofFrance，andofJeandeChalons，MarshalofChampagne；andyetthequestionwasonlyofacertainPerrinMarc，theclerkofamoney-changer，amiserableassassin；

butthetwomarshalshadbrokenthedoorsofSt。Méry。

Thereinlaytheenormity。

Suchrespectwascherishedforplacesofrefugethat，accordingtotradition，animalsevenfeltitattimes。Aymoirerelatesthatastag，beingchasedbyDagobert，havingtakenrefugenearthetombofSaint-Denis，thepackofhoundsstoppedshortandbarked。

Churchesgenerallyhadasmallapartmentpreparedforthereceptionofsupplicants。In1407，NicolasFlamelcausedtobebuiltonthevaultsofSaint-JacquesdelaBoucherie，achamberwhichcosthimfourlivressixsous，sixteenfarthings，parisis。

AtNotre-Dameitwasatinycellsituatedontheroofofthesideaisle，beneaththeflyingbuttresses，preciselyatthespotwherethewifeofthepresentjanitorofthetowershasmadeforherselfagarden，whichistothehanginggardensofBabylonwhatalettuceistoapalm-tree，whataporter’swifeistoaSemiramis。

ItwasherethatQuasimodohaddepositedlaEsmeralda，afterhiswildandtriumphantcourse。Aslongasthatcourselasted，theyounggirlhadbeenunabletorecoverhersenses，halfunconscious，halfawake，nolongerfeelinganything，exceptthatshewasmountingthroughtheair，floatinginit，flyinginit，thatsomethingwasraisingherabovetheearth。

Fromtimetotimesheheardtheloudlaughter，thenoisyvoiceofQuasimodoinherear；shehalfopenedhereyes；thenbelowhersheconfusedlybeheldParischeckeredwithitsthousandroofsofslateandtiles，likearedandbluemosaic，aboveherheadthefrightfulandjoyousfaceofQuasimodo。

Thenhereyelidsdroopedagain；shethoughtthatallwasover，thattheyhadexecutedherduringherswoon，andthatthemisshapenspiritwhichhadpresidedoverherdestiny，hadlaidholdofherandwasbearingheraway。Shedarednotlookathim，andshesurrenderedherselftoherfate。

Butwhenthebellringer，dishevelledandpanting，haddepositedherinthecellofrefuge，whenshefelthishugehandsgentlydetachingthecordwhichbruisedherarms，shefeltthatsortofshockwhichawakenswithastartthepassengersofavesselwhichrunsagroundinthemiddleofadarknight。Herthoughtsawokealso，andreturnedtoheronebyone。ShesawthatshewasinNotre-Dame；sherememberedhavingbeentornfromthehandsoftheexecutioner；thatPhoebuswasalive，thatPhoebuslovedhernolonger；andasthesetwoideas，oneofwhichshedsomuchbitternessovertheother，presentedthemselvessimultaneouslytothepoorcondemnedgirl；sheturnedtoQuasimodo，whowasstandinginfrontofher，andwhoterrifiedher；shesaidtohim，——"Whyhaveyousavedme？"

Hegazedatherwithanxiety，asthoughseekingtodivinewhatshewassayingtohim。Sherepeatedherquestion。

Thenhegaveheraprofoundlysorrowfulglanceandfled。

Shewasastonished。

Afewmomentslaterhereturned，bearingapackagewhichhecastatherfeet。Itwasclothingwhichsomecharitablewomenhadleftonthethresholdofthechurchforher。

Thenshedroppedhereyesuponherselfandsawthatshewasalmostnaked，andblushed。Lifehadreturned。

Quasimodoappearedtoexperiencesomethingofthismodesty。

Hecoveredhiseyeswithhislargehandandretiredoncemore，butslowly。

Shemadehastetodressherself。Therobewasawhiteonewithawhiteveil，——thegarbofanoviceoftheH？tel-Dien。

ShehadbarelyfinishedwhenshebeheldQuasimodoreturning。

Hecarriedabasketunderonearmandamattressundertheother。Inthebaskettherewasabottle，bread，andsomeprovisions。Hesetthebasketonthefloorandsaid，"Eat！"

Hespreadthemattressontheflaggingandsaid，"Sleep。"

Itwashisownrepast，itwashisownbed，whichthebellringerhadgoneinsearchof。

Thegypsyraisedhereyestothankhim，butshecouldnotarticulateaword。Shedroppedherheadwithaquiverofterror。

Thenhesaidtoher-

"Ifrightenyou。Iamveryugly，amInot？Donotlookatme；onlylistentome。Duringthedayyouwillremainhere；atnightyoucanwalkalloverthechurch。Butdonotleavethechurcheitherbydayorbynight。Youwouldbelost。Theywouldkillyou，andIshoulddie。"

Shewastouchedandraisedherheadtoanswerhim。Hehaddisappeared。Shefoundherselfaloneoncemore，meditatinguponthesingularwordsofthisalmostmonstrousbeing，andstruckbythesoundofhisvoice，whichwassohoarseyetsogentle。

Thensheexaminedhercell。Itwasachamberaboutsixfeetsquare，withasmallwindowandadoorontheslightlyslopingplaneoftheroofformedofflatstones。Manygutterswiththefiguresofanimalsseemedtobebendingdownaroundher，andstretchingtheirnecksinordertostareatherthroughthewindow。OvertheedgeofherroofsheperceivedthetopsofthousandsofchimneyswhichcausedthesmokeofallthefiresinParistorisebeneathhereyes。Asadsightforthepoorgypsy，afoundling，condemnedtodeath，anunhappycreature，withoutcountry，withoutfamily，withoutahearthstone。

Atthemomentwhenthethoughtofherisolationthusappearedtohermorepoignantthanever，shefeltabeardedandhairyheadglidebetweenherhands，uponherknees。Shestarted(everythingalarmedhernow)andlooked。Itwasthepoorgoat，theagileDjali，whichhadmadeitsescapeafterher，atthemomentwhenQuasimodohadputtoflightCharmolue’sbrigade，andwhichhadbeenlavishingcaressesonherfeetfornearlyanhourpast，withoutbeingabletowinaglance。Thegypsycoveredhimwithkisses。

"Oh！Djali！"shesaid，"howIhaveforgottenthee！Andsothoustillthinkestofme！Oh！thouartnotaningrate！"

Atthesametime，asthoughaninvisiblehandhadliftedtheweightwhichhadrepressedhertearsinherheartforsolong，shebegantoweep，and，inproportionashertearsflowed，shefeltallthatwasmostacridandbitterinhergriefdepartwiththem。

Eveningcame，shethoughtthenightsobeautifulthatshemadethecircuitoftheelevatedgallerywhichsurroundsthechurch。Itaffordedhersomerelief，socalmdidtheearthappearwhenviewedfromthatheight。

CHAPTERIII。

DEAF。

Onthefollowingmorning，sheperceivedonawaking，thatshehadbeenasleep。Thissingularthingastonishedher。

Shehadbeensolongunaccustomedtosleep！Ajoyousrayoftherisingsunenteredthroughherwindowandtouchedherface。Atthesametimewiththesun，shebeheldatthatwindowanobjectwhichfrightenedher，theunfortunatefaceofQuasimodo。Sheinvoluntarilyclosedhereyesagain，butinvain；shefanciedthatshestillsawthroughtherosylidsthatgnome’smask，one-eyedandgap-toothed。Then，whileshestillkepthereyesclosed，sheheardaroughvoicesaying，verygently，——

"Benotafraid。Iamyourfriend。Icametowatchyousleep。ItdoesnothurtyouifIcometoseeyousleep，doesit？WhatdifferencedoesitmaketoyouifIamherewhenyoureyesareclosed！NowIamgoing。Stay，Ihaveplacedmyselfbehindthewall。Youcanopenyoureyesagain。"

Therewassomethingmoreplaintivethanthesewords，andthatwastheaccentinwhichtheywereuttered。Thegypsy，muchtouched，openedhereyes。Hewas，infact，nolongeratthewindow。Sheapproachedtheopening，andbeheldthepoorhunchbackcrouchinginanangleofthewall，inasadandresignedattitude。Shemadeanefforttosurmounttherepugnancewithwhichheinspiredher。"Come，"shesaidtohimgently。Fromthemovementofthegypsy’slips，Quasimodothoughtthatshewasdrivinghimaway；thenheroseandretiredlimping，slowly，withdroopinghead，withoutevendaringtoraisetotheyounggirlhisgazefullofdespair。

"Docome，"shecried，buthecontinuedtoretreat。Thenshedartedfromhercell，rantohim，andgraspedhisarm。

Onfeelinghertouchhim，Quasimodotrembledineverylimb。

Heraisedhissupplianteye，andseeingthatshewasleadinghimbacktoherquarters，hiswholefacebeamedwithjoyandtenderness。Shetriedtomakehimenterthecell；buthepersistedinremainingonthethreshold。"No，no，"saidhe；

"theowlentersnotthenestofthelark。"

Thenshecroucheddowngracefullyonhercouch，withhergoatasleepatherfeet。Bothremainedmotionlessforseveralmoments，consideringinsilence，shesomuchgrace，hesomuchugliness。EverymomentshediscoveredsomefreshdeformityinQuasimodo。Herglancetravelledfromhisknockkneestohishumpedback，fromhishumpedbacktohisonlyeye。Shecouldnotcomprehendtheexistenceofabeingsoawkwardlyfashioned。Yettherewassomuchsadnessandsomuchgentlenessspreadoverallthis，thatshebegantobecomereconciledtoit。

Hewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。"Soyouweretellingmetoreturn？"

Shemadeanaffirmativesignofthehead，andsaid，"Yes。"

Heunderstoodthemotionofthehead。"Alas！"hesaid，asthoughhesitatingwhethertofinish，"Iam——Iamdeaf。"

"Poorman！"exclaimedtheBohemian，withanexpressionofkindlypity。

Hebegantosmilesadly。

"YouthinkthatthatwasallthatIlacked，doyounot？

Yes，Iamdeaf，thatisthewayIammade。’Tishorrible，isitnot？Youaresobeautiful！"

Therelayintheaccentsofthewretchedmansoprofoundaconsciousnessofhismisery，thatshehadnotthestrengthtosayaword。Besides，hewouldnothaveheardher。Hewenton，——

"NeverhaveIseenmyuglinessasatthepresentmoment。

WhenIcomparemyselftoyou，Ifeelaverygreatpityformyself，poorunhappymonsterthatIam！Tellme，Imustlooktoyoulikeabeast。You，youarearayofsunshine，adropofdew，thesongofabird！Iamsomethingfrightful，neithermannoranimal，Iknownotwhat，harder，moretrampledunderfoot，andmoreunshapelythanapebblestone！"

Thenhebegantolaugh，andthatlaughwasthemostheartbreakingthingintheworld。Hecontinued，——

"Yes，Iamdeaf；butyoushalltalktomebygestures，bysigns。Ihaveamasterwhotalkswithmeinthatway。

Andthen，Ishallverysoonknowyourwishfromthemovementofyourlips，fromyourlook。"

"Well！"sheinterposedwithasmile，"tellmewhyyousavedme。"

Hewatchedherattentivelywhileshewasspeaking。

"Iunderstand，"hereplied。"YouaskmewhyIsavedyou。Youhaveforgottenawretchwhotriedtoabductyouonenight，awretchtowhomyourenderedsuccoronthefollowingdayontheirinfamouspillory。Adropofwaterandalittlepity，——thatismorethanIcanrepaywithmylife。

Youhaveforgottenthatwretch；butheremembersit。"

Shelistenedtohimwithprofoundtenderness。Atearswamintheeyeofthebellringer，butdidnotfall。Heseemedtomakeitasortofpointofhonortoretainit。

"Listen，"heresumed，whenhewasnolongerafraidthatthetearwouldescape；"ourtowershereareveryhigh，amanwhoshouldfallfromthemwouldbedeadbeforetouchingthepavement；whenitshallpleaseyoutohavemefall，youwillnothavetoutterevenaword，aglancewillsuffice。"

Thenherose。UnhappyaswastheBohemian，thiseccentricbeingstillarousedsomecompassioninher。Shemadehimasigntoremain。

"No，no，"saidhe；"Imustnotremaintoolong。Iamnotatmyease。Itisoutofpitythatyoudonotturnawayyoureyes。IshallgotosomeplacewhereIcanseeyouwithoutyourseeingme:itwillbebetterso。"

Hedrewfromhispocketalittlemetalwhistle。

"Here，"saidhe，"whenyouhaveneedofme，whenyouwishmetocome，whenyouwillnotfeeltooranchhorroratthesightofme，usethiswhistle。Icanhearthissound。"

Helaidthewhistleonthefloorandfled。

CHAPTERIV。

EARTHENWAREANDCRYSTAL。

Dayfollowedday。CalmgraduallyreturnedtothesouloflaEsmeralda。Excessofgrief，likeexcessofjoyisaviolentthingwhichlastsbutashorttime。Theheartofmancannotremainlonginoneextremity。Thegypsyhadsufferedsomuch，thatnothingwasleftherbutastonishment。Withsecurity，hopehadreturnedtoher。Shewasoutsidethepaleofsociety，outsidethepaleoflife，butshehadavaguefeelingthatitmightnotbeimpossibletoreturntoit。Shewaslikeadeadperson，whoshouldholdinreservethekeytohertomb。

Shefelttheterribleimageswhichhadsolongpersecutedher，graduallydeparting。Allthehideousphantoms，PierratTorterue，JacquesCharmolue，wereeffacedfromhermind，all，eventhepriest。

Andthen，Phoebuswasalive；shewassureofit，shehadseenhim。ToherthefactofPhoebusbeingalivewaseverything。

Aftertheseriesoffatalshockswhichhadoverturnedeverythingwithinher，shehadfoundbutonethingintactinhersoul，onesentiment，——herloveforthecaptain。Loveislikeatree；itsproutsforthofitself，sendsitsrootsoutdeeplythroughourwholebeing，andoftencontinuestoflourishgreenlyoveraheartinruins。

Andtheinexplicablepointaboutitisthatthemoreblindisthispassion，themoretenaciousitis。Itisnevermoresolidthanwhenithasnoreasoninit。

LaEsmeraldadidnotthinkofthecaptainwithoutbitterness，nodoubt。Nodoubtitwasterriblethathealsoshouldhavebeendeceived；thatheshouldhavebelievedthatimpossiblething，thathecouldhaveconceivedofastabdealtbyherwhowouldhavegivenathousandlivesforhim。But，afterall，shemustnotbetooangrywithhimforit；hadshenotconfessedhercrime？hadshenotyielded，weakwomanthatshewas，totorture？Thefaultwasentirelyhers。Sheshouldhaveallowedherfingernailstobetornoutratherthansuchawordtobewrenchedfromher。Inshort，ifshecouldbutseePhoebusoncemore，forasingleminute，onlyonewordwouldberequired，onelook，inordertoundeceivehim，tobringhimback。Shedidnotdoubtit。Shewasastonishedalsoatmanysingularthings，attheaccidentofPhoebus’spresenceonthedayofthepenance，attheyounggirlwithwhomhehadbeen。Shewashissister，nodoubt。

Anunreasonableexplanation，butshecontentedherselfwithit，becausesheneededtobelievethatPhoebusstilllovedher，andlovedheralone。Hadhenotswornittoher？Whatmorewasneeded，simpleandcredulousasshewas？Andthen，inthismatter，werenotappearancesmuchmoreagainstherthanagainsthim？Accordingly，shewaited。Shehoped。

Letusaddthatthechurch，thatvastchurch，whichsurroundedheroneveryside，whichguardedher，whichsavedher，wasitselfasovereigntranquillizer。Thesolemnlinesofthatarchitecture，thereligiousattitudeofalltheobjectswhichsurroundedtheyounggirl，thesereneandpiousthoughtswhichemanated，sotospeak，fromalltheporesofthatstone，acteduponherwithoutherbeingawareofit。

Theedificehadalsosoundsfraughtwithsuchbenedictionandsuchmajesty，thattheysoothedthisailingsoul。Themonotonouschantingofthecelebrants，theresponsesofthepeopletothepriest，sometimesinarticulate，sometimesthunderous，theharmonioustremblingofthepaintedwindows，theorgan，burstingforthlikeahundredtrumpets，thethreebelfries，humminglikehivesofhugebees，thatwholeorchestraonwhichboundedagiganticscale，ascending，descendingincessantlyfromthevoiceofathrongtothatofonebell，dulledhermemory，herimagination，hergrief。Thebells，inparticular，lulledher。Itwassomethinglikeapowerfulmagnetismwhichthosevastinstrumentsshedoverheringreatwaves。

Thuseverysunrisefoundhermorecalm，breathingbetter，lesspale。Inproportionasherinwardwoundsclosed，hergraceandbeautyblossomedoncemoreonhercountenance，butmorethoughtful，morereposeful。Herformercharacteralsoreturnedtoher，somewhatevenofhergayety，herprettypout，herloveforhergoat，herloveforsinging，hermodesty。

Shetookcaretodressherselfinthemorninginthecornerofhercellforfearsomeinhabitantsoftheneighboringatticsmightseeherthroughthewindow。

WhenthethoughtofPhoebuslefthertime，thegypsysometimesthoughtofQuasimodo。Hewasthesolebond，thesoleconnection，thesolecommunicationwhichremainedtoherwithmen，withtheliving。Unfortunategirl！shewasmoreoutsidetheworldthanQuasimodo。Sheunderstoodnotintheleastthestrangefriendwhomchancehadgivenher。

Sheoftenreproachedherselffornotfeelingagratitudewhichshouldclosehereyes，butdecidedly，shecouldnotaccustomherselftothepoorbellringer。Hewastoougly。

Shehadleftthewhistlewhichhehadgivenherlyingontheground。ThisdidnotpreventQuasimodofrommakinghisappearancefromtimetotimeduringthefirstfewdays。Shedidherbestnottoturnasidewithtoomuchrepugnancewhenhecametobringherherbasketofprovisionsorherjugofwater，buthealwaysperceivedtheslightestmovementofthissort，andthenhewithdrewsadly。

OncehecameatthemomentwhenshewascaressingDjali。Hestoodpensivelyforseveralminutesbeforethisgracefulgroupofthegoatandthegypsy；atlasthesaid，shakinghisheavyandill-formedhead，——

"MymisfortuneisthatIstillresembleamantoomuch。I

shouldliketobewhollyabeastlikethatgoat。"

Shegazedathiminamazement。

Herepliedtotheglance，——

"Oh！Iwellknowwhy，"andhewentaway。

Onanotheroccasionhepresentedhimselfatthedoorofthecell(whichheneverentered)atthemomentwhenlaEsmeraldawassinginganoldSpanishballad，thewordsofwhichshedidnotunderstand，butwhichhadlingeredinherearbecausethegypsywomenhadlulledhertosleepwithitwhenshewasalittlechild。Atthesightofthatvillanousformwhichmadeitsappearancesoabruptlyinthemiddleofhersong，theyounggirlpausedwithaninvoluntarygestureofalarm。Theunhappybellringerfelluponhiskneesonthethreshold，andclaspedhislarge，misshapenhandswithasuppliantair。"Oh！"hesaid，sorrowfully，"continue，I

imploreyou，anddonotdrivemeaway。"Shedidnotwishtopainhim，andresumedherlay，tremblingallover。Bydegrees，however，herterrordisappeared，andsheyieldedherselfwhollytotheslowandmelancholyairwhichshewassinging。

Heremainedonhiskneeswithhandsclasped，asinprayer，attentive，hardlybreathing，hisgazeriveteduponthegypsy’sbrillianteyes。

Onanotheroccasion，hecametoherwithanawkwardandtimidair。"Listen，"hesaid，withaneffort；"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。"Shemadehimasignthatshewaslistening。Thenhebegantosigh，halfopenedhislips，appearedforamomenttobeonthepointofspeaking，thenhelookedatheragain，shookhishead，andwithdrewslowly，withhisbrowinhishand，leavingthegypsystupefied。

Amongthegrotesquepersonagessculpturedonthewall，therewasonetowhomhewasparticularlyattached，andwithwhichheoftenseemedtoexchangefraternalglances。

Oncethegypsyheardhimsayingtoit，——

"Oh！whyamnotIofstone，likeyou！"

Atlast，onemorning，laEsmeraldahadadvancedtotheedgeoftheroof，andwaslookingintothePlaceoverthepointedroofofSaint-JeanleRond。Quasimodowasstandingbehindher。Hehadplacedhimselfinthatpositioninordertosparetheyounggirl，asfaraspossible，thedispleasureofseeinghim。Allatoncethegypsystarted，atearandaflashofjoygleamedsimultaneouslyinhereyes，shekneltonthebrinkoftheroofandextendedherarmstowardsthePlacewithanguish，exclaiming:"Phoebus！come！come！

aword，asinglewordinthenameofheaven！Phoebus！

Phoebus！"Hervoice，herface，hergesture，herwholepersonboretheheartrendingexpressionofashipwreckedmanwhoismakingasignalofdistresstothejoyousvesselwhichispassingafaroffinarayofsunlightonthehorizon。

QuasimodoleanedoverthePlace，andsawthattheobjectofthistenderandagonizingprayerwasayoungman，acaptain，ahandsomecavalierallglitteringwitharmsanddecorations，prancingacrosstheendofthePlace，andsalutingwithhisplumeabeautifulladywhowassmilingathimfromherbalcony。However，theofficerdidnotheartheunhappygirlcallinghim；hewastoofaraway。

Butthepoordeafmanheard。Aprofoundsighheavedhisbreast；heturnedround；hisheartwasswollenwithallthetearswhichhewasswallowing；hisconvulsively-clenchedfistsstruckagainsthishead，andwhenhewithdrewthemtherewasabunchofredhairineachhand。

Thegypsypaidnoheedtohim。Hesaidinalowvoiceashegnashedhisteeth，——

"Damnation！Thatiswhatoneshouldbelike！’Tisonlynecessarytobehandsomeontheoutside！"

Meanwhile，sheremainedkneeling，andcriedwithextraor-

dinaryagitation，——

"Oh！thereheisalightingfromhishorse！Heisabouttoenterthathouse！——Phoebus！——Hedoesnothearme！Phoebus！——Howwickedthatwomanistospeaktohimatthesametimewithme！Phoebus！Phoebus！"

Thedeafmangazedather。Heunderstoodthispantomime。

Thepoorbellringer’seyefilledwithtears，butheletnonefall。Allatoncehepulledhergentlybytheborderofhersleeve。Sheturnedround。Hehadassumedatranquilair；

hesaidtoher，——

"Wouldyouliketohavemebringhimtoyou？"

Sheutteredacryofjoy。

"Oh！go！hasten！run！quick！thatcaptain！thatcaptain！

bringhimtome！Iwillloveyouforit！"

Sheclaspedhisknees。Hecouldnotrefrainfromshakinghisheadsadly。

"Iwillbringhimtoyou，"hesaid，inaweakvoice。Thenheturnedhisheadandplungeddownthestaircasewithgreatstrides，stiflingwithsobs。

WhenhereachedthePlace，henolongersawanythingexceptthehandsomehorsehitchedatthedooroftheGondelaurierhouse；thecaptainhadjustenteredthere。

Heraisedhiseyestotheroofofthechurch。LaEsmeraldawasthereinthesamespot，inthesameattitude。Hemadeherasadsignwithhishead；thenheplantedhisbackagainstoneofthestonepostsoftheGondelaurierporch，determinedtowaituntilthecaptainshouldcomeforth。

IntheGondelaurierhouseitwasoneofthosegaladayswhichprecedeawedding。Quasimodobeheldmanypeopleenter，butnoonecomeout。Hecastaglancetowardstherooffromtimetotime；thegypsydidnotstiranymorethanhimself。Agroomcameandunhitchedthehorseandledittothestableofthehouse。

Theentiredaypassedthus，Quasimodoathispost，laEsmeraldaontheroof，Phoebus，nodoubt，atthefeetofFleur-de-Lys。

Atlengthnightcame，amoonlessnight，adarknight。

QuasimodofixedhisgazeinvainuponlaEsmeralda；soonshewasnomorethanawhitenessamidthetwilight；thennothing。Allwaseffaced，allwasblack。

QuasimodobeheldthefrontwindowsfromtoptobottomoftheGondelauriermansionilluminated；hesawtheothercasementsinthePlacelightedonebyone，healsosawthemextinguishedtotheverylast，forheremainedthewholeeveningathispost。Theofficerdidnotcomeforth。Whenthelastpassers-byhadreturnedhome，whenthewindowsofalltheotherhouseswereextinguished，Quasimodowasleftentirelyalone，entirelyinthedark。TherewereatthattimenolampsinthesquarebeforeNotre-Dame。

Meanwhile，thewindowsoftheGondelauriermansionremainedlighted，evenaftermidnight。Quasimodo，motionlessandattentive，beheldathrongoflively，dancingshadowspassathwartthemany-coloredpaintedpanes。Hadhenotbeendeaf，hewouldhaveheardmoreandmoredistinctly，inproportionasthenoiseofsleepingParisdiedaway，asoundoffeasting，laughter，andmusicintheGondelauriermansion。

Towardsoneo’clockinthemorning，theguestsbegantotaketheirleave。Quasimodo，shroudedindarknesswatchedthemallpassoutthroughtheporchilluminatedwithtorches。

Noneofthemwasthecaptain。

Hewasfilledwithsadthoughts；attimeshelookedupwardsintotheair，likeapersonwhoiswearyofwaiting。Greatblackclouds，heavy，torn，split，hunglikecrapehammocksbeneaththestarrydomeofnight。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemspiders’websofthevaultofheaven。

Inoneofthesemomentshesuddenlybeheldthelongwindowonthebalcony，whosestonebalustradeprojectedabovehishead，openmysteriously。Thefrailglassdoorgavepassagetotwopersons，andclosednoiselesslybehindthem；

itwasamanandawoman。

ItwasnotwithoutdifficultythatQuasimodosucceededinrecognizinginthemanthehandsomecaptain，inthewomantheyoungladywhomhehadseenwelcometheofficerinthemorningfromthatverybalcony。Theplacewasperfectlydark，andadoublecrimsoncurtainwhichhadfallenacrossthedoortheverymomentitclosedagain，allowednolighttoreachthebalconyfromtheapartment。

Theyoungmanandtheyounggirl，sofarasourdeafmancouldjudge，withouthearingasingleoneoftheirwords，appearedtoabandonthemselvestoaverytendertête-a-tête。

Theyounggirlseemedtohaveallowedtheofficertomakeagirdleforherofhisarm，andgentlyrepulsedakiss。

Quasimodolookedonfrombelowatthisscenewhichwasallthemorepleasingtowitnessbecauseitwasnotmeanttobeseen。Hecontemplatedwithbitternessthatbeauty，thathappiness。Afterall，naturewasnotdumbinthepoorfellow，andhishumansensibility，allmaliciouslycontortedasitwas，quiverednolessthananyother。HethoughtofthemiserableportionwhichProvidencehadallottedtohim；thatwomanandthepleasureoflove，wouldpassforeverbeforehiseyes，andthatheshouldneverdoanythingbutbeholdthefelicityofothers。Butthatwhichrenthisheartmostinthissight，thatwhichmingledindignationwithhisanger，wasthethoughtofwhatthegypsywouldsuffercouldshebeholdit。

Itistruethatthenightwasverydark，thatlaEsmeralda，ifshehadremainedatherpost(andhehadnodoubtofthis)，wasveryfaraway，andthatitwasallthathehimselfcoulddotodistinguishtheloversonthebalcony。Thisconsoledhim。

Meanwhile，theirconversationgrewmoreandmoreanimated。

Theyoungladyappearedtobeentreatingtheofficertoasknothingmoreofher。OfallthisQuasimodocoulddistinguishonlythebeautifulclaspedhands，thesmilesmingledwithtears，theyounggirl’sglancesdirectedtothestars，theeyesofthecaptainloweredardentlyuponher。

Fortunately，fortheyounggirlwasbeginningtoresistbutfeebly，thedoorofthebalconysuddenlyopenedoncemoreandanolddameappeared；thebeautyseemedconfused，theofficerassumedanairofdispleasure，andallthreewithdrew。

Amomentlater，ahorsewaschampinghisbitundertheporch，andthebrilliantofficer，envelopedinhisnightcloak，passedrapidlybeforeQuasimodo。

Thebellringerallowedhimtoturnthecornerofthestreet，thenheranafterhimwithhisape-likeagility，shouting:

"Heythere！captain！"

Thecaptainhalted。

"Whatwantsthisknavewithme？"hesaid，catchingsightthroughthegloomofthathipshotformwhichranlimpingafterhim。

Meanwhile，Quasimodohadcaughtupwithhim，andhadboldlygraspedhishorse’sbridle:"Followme，captain；thereisoneherewhodesirestospeakwithyou！

"~Cornemahom~！"grumbledPhoebus，"here’savillanous；

ruffledbirdwhichIfancyIhaveseensomewhere。Holà

master，willyouletmyhorse’sbridlealone？"

"Captain，"repliedthedeafman，"doyounotaskmewhoitis？"

"Itellyoutoreleasemyhorse，"retortedPhoebus，impatiently。

"Whatmeanstheknavebyclingingtothebridleofmysteed？

Doyoutakemyhorseforagallows？"

Quasimodo，farfromreleasingthebridle，preparedtoforcehimtoretracehissteps。Unabletocomprehendthecaptain’sresistance，hehastenedtosaytohim，——

"Come，captain，’tisawomanwhoiswaitingforyou。"Headdedwithaneffort:"Awomanwholovesyou。"

"Ararerascal！"saidthecaptain，"whothinksmeobligedtogotoallthewomenwholoveme！orwhosaytheydo。

Andwhatif，bychance，sheshouldresembleyou，youfaceofascreech-owl？TellthewomanwhohassentyouthatIamabouttomarry，andthatshemaygotothedevil！"

"Listen，"exclaimedQuasimodo，thinkingtoovercomehishesitationwithaword，"come，monseigneur！’tisthegypsywhomyouknow！"

Thisworddid，indeed，produceagreateffectonPhoebus，butnotofthekindwhichthedeafmanexpected。ItwillberememberedthatourgallantofficerhadretiredwithFleur-

de-LysseveralmomentsbeforeQuasimodohadrescuedthecondemnedgirlfromthehandsofCharmolue。Afterwards，inallhisvisitstotheGondelauriermansionhehadtakencarenottomentionthatwoman，thememoryofwhomwas，afterall，painfultohim；andonherside，Fleur-de-Lyshadnotdeemeditpolitictotellhimthatthegypsywasalive。

HencePhoebusbelievedpoor"Similar"tobedead，andthatamonthortwohadelapsedsinceherdeath。Letusaddthatforthelastfewmomentsthecaptainhadbeenreflectingontheprofounddarknessofthenight，thesupernaturalugliness，thesepulchralvoiceofthestrangemessenger；thatitwaspastmidnight；thatthestreetwasdeserted，asontheeveningwhenthesurlymonkhadaccostedhim；andthathishorsesnortedasitlookedatQuasimodo。

"Thegypsy！"heexclaimed，almostfrightened。"Lookhere，doyoucomefromtheotherworld？"

Andhelaidhishandonthehiltofhisdagger。

"Quick，quick，"saidthedeafman，endeavoringtodragthehorsealong；"thisway！"

Phoebusdealthimavigorouskickinthebreast。

Quasimodo’seyeflashed。Hemadeamotiontoflinghimselfonthecaptain。Thenhedrewhimselfupstifflyandsaid，——

"Oh！howhappyyouaretohavesomeonewholovesyou！"

Heemphasizedthewords"someone，"andloosingthehorse’sbridle，——

"Begone！"

Phoebusspurredoninallhaste，swearing。Quasimodowatchedhimdisappearintheshadesofthestreet。

"Oh！"saidthepoordeafman，inaverylowvoice；"torefusethat！"

Here-enteredNotre-Dame，lightedhislampandclimbedtothetoweragain。Thegypsywasstillinthesameplace，ashehadsupposed。

Sheflewtomeethimasfaroffasshecouldseehim。

"Alone！"shecried，claspingherbeautifulhandssorrowfully。

"Icouldnotfindhim，"saidQuasimodocoldly。

"Youshouldhavewaitedallnight，"shesaidangrily。

Hesawhergestureofwrath，andunderstoodthereproach。

"Iwilllieinwaitforhimbetteranothertime，"hesaid，droppinghishead。

"Begone！"shesaidtohim。

Helefther。Shewasdispleasedwithhim。Hepreferredtohaveherabusehimratherthantohaveafflictedher。Hehadkeptallthepaintohimself。

Fromthatdayforth，thegypsynolongersawhim。Heceasedtocometohercell。Atthemostsheoccasionallycaughtaglimpseatthesummitofthetowers，ofthebellringer’sfaceturnedsadlytoher。Butassoonassheperceivedhim，hedisappeared。

Wemustadmitthatshewasnotmuchgrievedbythisvoluntaryabsenceonthepartofthepoorhunchback。Atthebottomofherheartshewasgratefultohimforit。

Moreover，Quasimododidnotdeceivehimselfonthispoint。

Shenolongersawhim，butshefeltthepresenceofagoodgeniusabouther。Herprovisionswerereplenishedbyaninvisiblehandduringherslumbers。Onemorningshefoundacageofbirdsonherwindow。Therewasapieceofsculptureaboveherwindowwhichfrightenedher。ShehadshownthismorethanonceinQuasimodo’spresence。Onemorning，forallthesethingshappenedatnight，shenolongersawit，ithadbeenbroken。Thepersonwhohadclimbeduptothatcarvingmusthaveriskedhislife。

Sometimes，intheevening，sheheardavoice，concealedbeneaththewindscreenofthebelltower，singingasad，strangesong，asthoughtolullhertosleep。Thelineswereunrhymed，suchasadeafpersoncanmake。

~Neregardepaslafigure，Jeunefille，regardelecoeur。

Lecoeurd’unbeaujeunehommeestsouventdifforme。

Ilyadescoeursoul’amourneseconservepas~。

~Jeunefille，lesapinn’estpasbeau，N’estpasbeaucommelepeuplier，Maisilgardesonfeuillagel’hiver~。

~Hélas！aquoibondirecela？

Cequin’estpasbeauatortd’être；

Labeautén’aimequelabeauté，AvriltourneledosaJanvier~。

~Labeautéestparfaite，Labeautépeuttout，Labeautéestlaseulechosequin’existepàsademi~。

~Lecorbeaunevolequelejour，Lehibounevolequelanuit，Lecygnevolelanuitetlejour~。*

*Looknotattheface，younggirl，lookattheheart。Theheartofahandsomeyoungmanisoftendeformed。Thereareheartsinwhichlovedoesnotkeep。Younggirl，thepineisnotbeautiful；itisnotbeautifullikethepoplar，butitkeepsitsfoliageinwinter。Alas！Whatistheuseofsayingthat？

Thatwhichisnotbeautifulhasnorighttoexist；beautylovesonlybeauty；AprilturnsherbackonJanuary。Beautyisperfect，beautycandoallthings，beautyistheonlythingwhichdoesnotexistbyhalves。Theravenfliesonlybyday，theowlfliesonlybynight，theswanfliesbydayandbynight。

Onemorning，onawaking，shesawonherwindowtwovasesfilledwithflowers。Onewasaverybeautifulandverybrilliantbutcrackedvaseofglass。Ithadallowedthewaterwithwhichithadbeenfilledtoescape，andtheflowerswhichitcontainedwerewithered。Theotherwasanearthenwarepot，coarseandcommon，butwhichhadpreservedallitswater，anditsflowersremainedfreshandcrimson。

Iknownotwhetheritwasdoneintentionally，butLaEsmeraldatookthefadednosegayandworeitalldaylonguponherbreast。

Thatdayshedidnothearthevoicesinginginthetower。

Shetroubledherselfverylittleaboutit。ShepassedherdaysincaressingDjali，inwatchingthedooroftheGondelaurierhouse，intalkingtoherselfaboutPhoebus，andincrumblingupherbreadfortheswallows。

ShehadentirelyceasedtoseeorhearQuasimodo。Thepoorbellringerseemedtohavedisappearedfromthechurch。

Onenight，nevertheless，whenshewasnotasleep，butwasthinkingofherhandsomecaptain，sheheardsomethingbreathingnearhercell。Sheroseinalarm，andsawbythelightofthemoon，ashapelessmasslyingacrossherdoorontheoutside。ItwasQuasimodoasleepthereuponthestones。