第16章

Thegrandeurofhousesisassuredbytheintegrityofprerogatives。Notethis，friendOlivier。"

Again，——

"Oh！oh！"saidhe，"Whatalongmessage！Whatdothourbrothertheemperorclaim？"Andrunninghiseyeoverthemissiveandbreakinghisreadingwithinterjection:

"Surely！theGermansaresogreatandpowerful，thatitishardlycredible——Butletusnotforgettheoldproverb:’ThefinestcountyisFlanders；thefinestduchy，Milan；thefinestkingdom，France。’Isitnotso，MessieursFlemings？"

ThistimeCoppenolebowedincompanywithGuillaumeRym。Thehosier’spatriotismwastickled。

ThelastdespatchmadeLouisXI。frown。

"Whatisthis？"besaid，"ComplaintsandfaultfindingagainstourgarrisonsinPicardy！Olivier，writewithdiligencetoM。theMarshaldeRouault:——Thatdisciplineisrelaxed。

Thatthegendarmesoftheunattachedtroops，thefeudalnobles，thefreearchers，andtheSwissinflictinfiniteevilsontherustics——Thatthemilitary，notcontentwithwhattheyfindinthehousesoftherustics，constrainthemwithviolentblowsofcudgeloroflashtogoandgetwine，spices，andotherunreasonablethingsinthetown——Thatmonsieurthekingknowsthis。Thatweundertaketoguardourpeopleagainstinconveniences，larceniesandpillage——Thatsuchisourwill，byourLady！——Thatinaddition，itsuitsusnotthatanyfiddler，barber，oranysoldiervarletshouldbecladlikeaprince，invelvet，clothofsilk，andringsofgold——ThatthesevanitiesarehatefultoGod——Thatwe，whoaregentlemen，contentourselveswithadoubletofclothatsixteensolstheell，ofParis——Thatmessieursthecamp-followerscanverywellcomedowntothat，also——Commandandordain——ToMonsieurdeRouault，ourfriend——Good。"

Hedictatedthisletteraloud，inafirmtone，andinjerks。

Atthemomentwhenhefinishedit，thedooropenedandgavepassagetoanewpersonage，whoprecipitatedhimselfintothechamber，cryinginaffright，——

"Sire！sire！thereisaseditionofthepopulaceinParis！"

LouisXI。’sgravefacecontracted；butallthatwasvisibleofhisemotionpassedawaylikeaflashoflightning。Hecontrolledhimselfandsaidwithtranquilseverity，——

"GossipJacques，youenterveryabruptly！"

"Sire！sire！thereisarevolt！"repeatedGossipJacquesbreathlessly。

Theking，whohadrisen，graspedhimroughlybythearm，andsaidinhisear，insuchamannerastobeheardbyhimalone，withconcentratedrageandasidelongglanceattheFlemings，——

"Holdyourtongue！orspeaklow！"

Thenewcomerunderstood，andbeganinalowtonetogiveaveryterrifiedaccount，towhichthekinglistenedcalmly，whileGuillaumeRymcalledCoppenole’sattentiontothefaceanddressofthenewarrival，tohisfurredcowl，(~caputiafourrata~)，hisshortcape，(~epitogiacurta~)，hisrobeofblackvelvet，whichbespokeapresidentofthecourtofaccounts。

Hardlyhadthispersonagegiventhekingsomeexplanations，whenLouisXI。exclaimed，burstingintoalaugh，——

"Intruth？Speakaloud，GossipCoictier！Whatcallisthereforyoutotalksolow？OurLadyknoweththatweconcealnothingfromourgoodfriendstheFlemings。"

"Butsire……"

"Speakloud！"

GossipCoictierwasstruckdumbwithsurprise。

"So，"resumedtheking，——"speaksir，——thereisacommotionamongtheloutsinourgoodcityofParis？"

"Yes，sire。"

"Andwhichismovingyousay，againstmonsieurthebailiffofthePalais-de-Justice？"

"Soitappears，"saidthegossip，whostillstammered，utterlyastoundedbytheabruptandinexplicablechangewhichhadjusttakenplaceintheking’sthoughts。

LouisXI。continued:"Wheredidthewatchmeettherabble？"

"MarchingfromtheGrandTruanderie，towardsthePont-aux-

Changeurs。ImetitmyselfasIwasonmywayhithertoobeyyourmajesty’scommands。Iheardsomeofthemshouting:

’Downwiththebailiffofthepalace！’"

"Andwhatcomplaintshavetheyagainstthebailiff？"

"Ah！"saidGossipJacques，"becauseheistheirlord。"

"Really？"

"Yes，sire。TheyareknavesfromtheCour-des-Miracles。

Theyhavebeencomplainingthislongwhile，ofthebailiff，whosevassalstheyare。Theydonotwishtorecognizehimeitherasjudgeorasvoyer？"*

*Oneinchargeofthehighways。

"Yes，certainly！"retortedthekingwithasmileofsatis-

factionwhichhestroveinvaintodisguise。

"InalltheirpetitionstotheParliament，theyclaimtohavebuttwomasters。YourmajestyandtheirGod，whoisthedevil，Ibelieve。"

"Eh！eh！"saidtheking。

Herubbedhishands，helaughedwiththatinwardmirthwhichmakesthecountenancebeam；hewasunabletodissimulatehisjoy，althoughheendeavoredatmomentstocomposehimself。Nooneunderstooditintheleast，notevenMasterOlivier。Heremainedsilentforamoment，withathoughtfulbutcontentedair。

"Aretheyinforce？"hesuddenlyinquired。

"Yes，assuredly，sire，"repliedGossipJacques。

"Howmany？"

"Sixthousandattheleast。"

Thekingcouldnotrefrainfromsaying:"Good！"hewenton，——

"Aretheyarmed？"

"Withscythes，pikes，hackbuts，pickaxes。Allsortsofveryviolentweapons。"

Thekingdidnotappearintheleastdisturbedbythislist。

Jacquesconsideredithisdutytoadd，——

"Ifyourmajestydoesnotsendpromptsuccortothebailiff，heislost。"

"Wewillsend，"saidthekingwithanairoffalseseriousness。

"Itiswell。Assuredlywewillsend。Monsieurthebailiffisourfriend。Sixthousand！Theyaredesperatescamps！

Theiraudacityismarvellous，andwearegreatlyenragedatit。

Butwehaveonlyafewpeopleaboutusto-night。To-morrowmorningwillbetimeenough。"

GossipJacquesexclaimed，"Instantly，sire！therewillbetimetosackthebailiwickascoreoftimes，toviolatetheseignory，tohangthebailiff。ForGod’ssake，sire！sendbeforeto-morrowmorning。"

Thekinglookedhimfullintheface。"Ihavetoldyouto-morrowmorning。"

ItwasoneOfthoselookstowhichonedoesnotreply。

Afterasilence，LouisXI。raisedhisvoiceoncemore，——

"Youshouldknowthat，GossipJacques。Whatwas——"

Hecorrectedhimself。"Whatisthebailiff’sfeudaljurisdiction？"

"Sire，thebailiffofthepalacehastheRueCalendreasfarastheRuedel’Herberie，thePlaceSaint-Michel，andthelocalitiesvulgarlyknownastheMureaux，situatednearthechurchofNotre-DamedesChamps(hereLouisXI。raisedthebrimofhishat)，whichhotelsnumberthirteen，plustheCourdesMiracles，plustheMaladerie，calledtheBanlieue，plusthewholehighwaywhichbeginsatthatMaladerieandendsatthePorteSainte-Jacques。Ofthesediversplacesheisvoyer，high，middle，andlow，justiciary，fullseigneur。"

"Blessme！"saidtheking，scratchinghisleftearwithhisrighthand，"thatmakesagoodlybitofmycity！Ah！monsieurthebailiffwaskingofallthat。"

Thistimehedidnotcorrecthimself。Hecontinueddreamily，andasthoughspeakingtohimself，——

"Veryfine，monsieurthebailiff！YouhadtherebetweenyourteethaprettysliceofourParis。"

Allatoncehebrokeoutexplosively，"~Pasque-Dieu~！"

Whatpeoplearethosewhoclaimtobevoyers，justiciaries，lordsandmastersinourdomains？whohavetheirtollgatesattheendofeveryfield？theirgallowsandtheirhangmanateverycross-roadamongourpeople？SothatastheGreekbelievedthathehadasmanygodsastherewerefountains，andthePersianasmanyashebeheldstars，theFrenchmancountsasmanykingsasheseesgibbets！Pardieu！’tisanevilthing，andtheconfusionofitdispleasesme。IshouldgreatlyliketoknowwhetheritbethemercyofGodthatthereshouldbeinParisanyotherlordthantheking，anyotherjudgethanourparliament，anyotheremperorthanourselvesinthisempire！Bythefaithofmysoul！thedaymustcertainlycomewhenthereshallexistinFrancebutoneking，onelord，onejudge，oneheadsman，asthereisinparadisebutoneGod！"

Heliftedhiscapagain，andcontinued，stilldreamily，withtheairandaccentofahunterwhoischeeringonhispackofhounds:"Good，mypeople！bravelydone！breakthesefalselords！doyourduty！atthem！haveatthem！pillagethem！

takethem！sackthem！……Ah！youwanttobekings，messeigneurs？

On，mypeopleon！"

Hereheinterruptedhimselfabruptly，bithislipsasthoughtotakebackhisthoughtwhichhadalreadyhalfescaped，benthispiercingeyesinturnoneachofthefivepersonswhosurroundedhim，andsuddenlygraspinghishatwithbothhandsandstaringfullatit，hesaidtoit:"Oh！I

wouldburnyouifyouknewwhattherewasinmyhead。"

Thencastingabouthimoncemorethecautiousanduneasyglanceofthefoxre-enteringhishole，——

"Nomatter！wewillsuccormonsieurthebailiff。

Unfortunately，wehavebutfewtroopshereatthepresentmoment，againstsogreatapopulace。Wemustwaituntilto-morrow。

TheorderwillbetransmittedtotheCityandeveryonewhoiscaughtwillbeimmediatelyhung。"

"Bytheway，sire，"saidGossipCoictier，"Ihadforgottenthatinthefirstagitation，thewatchhaveseizedtwolaggardsoftheband。Ifyourmajestydesirestoseethesemen，theyarehere。"

"IfIdesiretoseethem！"criedtheking。"What！~Pasque-

Dieu~！Youforgetathinglikethat！Runquick，you，Olivier！

Go，seekthem！"

MasterOlivierquittedtheroomandreturnedamomentlaterwiththetwoprisoners，surroundedbyarchersoftheguard。Thefirsthadacoarse，idiotic，drunkenandastonishedface。Hewasclothedinrags，andwalkedwithonekneebentanddragginghisleg。Thesecondhadapallidandsmilingcountenance，withwhichthereaderisalreadyacquainted。

Thekingsurveyedthemforamomentwithoututteringaword，thenaddressingthefirstoneabruptly，——

"What’syourname？"

"GieffroyPincebourde。"

"Yourtrade。"

"Outcast。"

"Whatwereyougoingtodointhisdamnablesedition？"

Theoutcaststaredattheking，andswunghisarmswithastupidair。

Hehadoneofthoseawkwardlyshapedheadswhereintelligenceisaboutasmuchatitseaseasalightbeneathanextinguisher。

"Iknownot，"saidhe。"Theywent，Iwent。"

"Wereyounotgoingtooutrageouslyattackandpillageyourlord，thebailiffofthepalace？"

"Iknowthattheyweregoingtotakesomethingfromsomeone。

Thatisall。"

Asoldierpointedouttothekingabillhookwhichhehadseizedonthepersonofthevagabond。

"Doyourecognizethisweapon？"demandedtheking。

"Yes；’tismybillhook；Iamavine-dresser。"

"Anddoyourecognizethismanasyourcompanion？"

addedLouisXI。，pointingtotheotherprisoner。

"No，Idonotknowhim。"

"Thatwilldo，"saidtheking，makingasignwithhisfingertothesilentpersonagewhostoodmotionlessbesidethedoor，towhomwehavealreadycalledthereader’sattention。

"GossipTristan，hereisamanforyou。"

Tristanl’Hermitebowed。Hegaveanorderinalowvoicetotwoarchers，wholedawaythepoorvagabond。

Inthemeantime，thekinghadapproachedthesecondprisoner，whowasperspiringingreatdrops:"Yourname？"

"Sire，PierreGringoire。"

"Yourtrade？"

"Philosopher，sire。"

"Howdoyoupermityourself，knave，togoandbesiegeourfriend，monsieurthebailiffofthepalace，andwhathaveyoutosayconcerningthispopularagitation？"

"Sire，Ihadnothingtodowithit。"

"Come，now！youwantonwretch，werenotyouapprehendedbythewatchinthatbadcompany？"

"No，sire，thereisamistake。’Tisafatality。Imaketragedies。Sire，Ientreatyourmajestytolistentome。I

amapoet。’Tisthemelancholywayofmenofmyprofessiontoroamthestreetsbynight。Iwaspassingthere。Itwasmerechance。Iwasunjustlyarrested；Iaminnocentofthisciviltempest。Yourmajestyseesthatthevagabonddidnotrecognizeme。Iconjureyourmajesty——"

"Holdyourtongue！"saidtheking，betweentwoswallowsofhisptisan。"Yousplitourhead！"

Tristanl’HermiteadvancedandpointingtoGringoire，——

"Sire，canthisonebehangedalso？"

Thiswasthefirstwordthathehaduttered。

"Phew！"repliedtheking，"Iseenoobjection。"

"Iseeagreatmany！"saidGringoire。

Atthatmoment，ourphilosopherwasgreenerthananolive。

Heperceivedfromtheking’scoldandindifferentmienthattherewasnootherresourcethansomethingverypathetic，andheflunghimselfatthefeetofLouisXI。，exclaiming，withgesturesofdespair:——

"Sire！willyourmajestydeigntohearme。Sire！breaknotinthunderoversosmallathingasmyself。God’sgreatlightningdothnotbombardalettuce。Sire，youareanaugustand，verypuissantmonarch；havepityonapoormanwhoishonest，andwhowouldfinditmoredifficulttostiruparevoltthanacakeoficewouldtogiveoutaspark！Verygracioussire，kindnessisthevirtueofalionandaking。

Alas！rigoronlyfrightensminds；theimpetuousgustsofthenorthwinddonotmakethetravellerlayasidehiscloak；

thesun，bestowinghisrayslittlebylittle，warmshiminsuchwaysthatitwillmakehimstriptohisshirt。Sire，youarethesun。Iprotesttoyou，mysovereignlordandmaster，thatIamnotanoutcast，thief，anddisorderlyfellow。RevoltandbrigandagebelongnottotheoutfitofApollo。Iamnotthemantoflingmyselfintothosecloudswhichbreakoutintoseditiousclamor。Iamyourmajesty’sfaithfulvassal。Thatsamejealousywhichahusbandcherishethforthehonorofhiswife，theresentmentwhichthesonhathfortheloveofhisfather，agoodvassalshouldfeelforthegloryofhisking；

heshouldpineawayforthezealofthishouse，fortheaggrandizementofhisservice。Everyotherpassionwhichshouldtransporthimwouldbebutmadness。These，sire，aremymaximsofstate:thendonotjudgemetobeaseditiousandthievingrascalbecausemygarmentiswornattheelbows。Ifyouwillgrantmemercy，sire，IwillwearitoutonthekneesinprayingtoGodforyounightandmorning！Alas！Iamnotextremelyrich，’tistrue。Iamevenratherpoor。Butnotviciousonthataccount。Itisnotmyfault。Everyoneknoweththatgreatwealthisnottobedrawnfromliterature，andthatthosewhoarebestpostedingoodbooksdonotalwayshaveagreatfireinwinter。Theadvocate’stradetakethallthegrain，andleavethonlystrawtotheotherscientificprofessions。Therearefortyveryexcellentproverbsanentthehole-riddencloakofthephilosopher。Oh，sire！

clemencyistheonlylightwhichcanenlightentheinteriorofsogreatasoul。Clemencybeareththetorchbeforealltheothervirtues。WithoutittheyarebutblindmengropingafterGodinthedark。Compassion，whichisthesamethingasclemency，causeththeloveofsubjects，whichisthemostpowerfulbodyguardtoaprince。Whatmattersittoyourmajesty，whodazzlesallfaces，ifthereisonepoormanmoreonearth，apoorinnocentphilosophersplutteringamidtheshadowsofcalamity，withanemptypocketwhichresoundsagainsthishollowbelly？Moreover，sire，Iamamanofletters。Greatkingsmakeapearlfortheircrownsbyprotectingletters。HerculesdidnotdisdainthetitleofMusagetes。

MathiasCorvinfavoredJeandeMonroyal，theornamentofmathematics。Now，’tisanillwaytoprotectletterstohangmenofletters。WhatastainonAlexanderifhehadhungAristoteles！Thisactwouldnotbealittlepatchonthefaceofhisreputationtoembellishit，butaverymalignantulcertodisfigureit。Sire！ImadeaveryproperepithalamiumforMademoiselleofFlandersandMonseigneurtheveryaugustDauphin。Thatisnotafirebrandofrebellion。YourmajestyseesthatIamnotascribblerofnoreputation，thatIhavestudiedexcellentlywell，andthatIpossessmuchnaturaleloquence。Havemercyuponme，sire！InsodoingyouwillperformagallantdeedtoourLady，andIsweartoyouthatIamgreatlyterrifiedattheideaofbeinghanged！"

Sosaying，theunhappyGringoirekissedtheking’sslippers，andGuillaumeRymsaidtoCoppenoleinalowtone:"Hedothwelltodraghimselfontheearth。KingsareliketheJupiterofCrete，theyhaveearsonlyintheirfeet。"AndwithouttroublinghimselfabouttheJupiterofCrete，thehosierrepliedwithaheavysmile，andhiseyesfixedonGringoire:"Oh！that’sitexactly！IseemtohearChancellorHugonetcravingmercyofme。"

WhenGringoirepausedatlast，quiteoutofbreath，heraisedhisheadtremblinglytowardstheking，whowasengagedinscratchingaspotonthekneeofhisbreecheswithhisfinger-

nail；thenhismajestybegantodrinkfromthegobletofptisan。Butheutterednotaword，andthissilencetorturedGringoire。Atlastthekinglookedathim。"Hereisaterriblebawler！"said，he。Then，turningtoTristanl’Hermite，"Bali！lethimgo！"

Gringoirefellbackwards，quitethunderstruckwithjoy。

"Atliberty！"growledTristan"Dothnotyourmajestywishtohavehimdetainedalittlewhileinacage？"

"Gossip，"retortedLouisXI。，"thinkyouthat’tisforbirdsofthisfeatherthatwecausetobemadecagesatthreehundredandsixty-sevenlivres，eightsous，threedeniersapiece？

Releasehimatonce，thewanton(LouisXI。wasfondofthiswordwhichformed，with~Pasque-Dieu~，thefoundationofhisjoviality)，andputhimoutwithabuffet。"

"Ugh！"criedGringoire，"whatagreatkingishere！"

Andforfearofacounterorder，herushedtowardsthedoor，whichTristanopenedforhimwithaverybadgrace。Thesoldierslefttheroomwithhim，pushinghimbeforethemwithstoutthwacks，whichGringoireborelikeatruestoicalphilosopher。

Theking’sgoodhumorsincetherevoltagainstthebailiffhadbeenannouncedtohim，madeitselfapparentineveryway。Thisunwontedclemencywasnosmallsignofit。Tristanl’Hermiteinhiscornerworethesurlylookofadogwhohashadabonesnatchedawayfromhim。

Meanwhile，thekingthrummedgaylywithhisfingersonthearmofhischair，theMarchofPont-Audemer。Hewasadissemblingprince，butonewhounderstoodfarbetterhowtohidehistroublesthanhisjoys。Theseexternalmanifestationsofjoyatanygoodnewssometimesproceededtoverygreatlengthsthus，onthedeath，ofCharlestheBold，tothepointofvowingsilverbalustradestoSaintMartinofTours；

onhisadventtothethrone，sofarasforgettingtoorderhisfather’sobsequies。

"Hé！sire！"suddenlyexclaimedJacquesCoictier，"whathasbecomeoftheacuteattackofillnessforwhichyourmajestyhadmesummoned？"

"Oh！"saidtheking，"Ireallysuffergreatly，mygossip。

Thereisahissinginmyearandfieryrakesrackmychest。"

Coictiertooktheking’shand，andbeguntofeelofhispulsewithaknowingair。

"Look，Coppenole，"saidRym，inalowvoice。"BeholdhimbetweenCoictierandTristan。Theyarehiswholecourt。

Aphysicianforhimself，aheadsmanforothers。"

Ashefelttheking’spulse，Coictierassumedanairofgreaterandgreateralarm。LouisXI。watchedhimwithsomeanxiety。Coictiergrewvisiblymoregloomy。Thebravemanhadnootherfarmthantheking’sbadhealth。Hespeculatedonittothebestofhisability。

"Oh！oh！"hemurmuredatlength，"thisisseriousindeed。"

"Isitnot？"saidtheking，uneasily。

"~Pulsuscreber，anhelans，crepitans，irregularis~，"continuedtheleech。

"~Pasque-Dieu~！"

"Thismaycarryoffitsmaninlessthanthreedays。"

"OurLady！"exclaimedtheking。"Andtheremedy，gossip？"

"Iammeditatinguponthat，sire。"

HemadeLouisXI。putouthistongue，shookhishead，madeagrimace，andintheverymidstoftheseaffectations，——

"Pardieu，sire，"hesuddenlysaid，"Imusttellyouthatthereisareceivershipoftheroyalprerogativesvacant，andthatIhaveanephew。"

"Igivethereceivershiptoyournephew，GossipJacques，"

repliedtheking；"butdrawthisfirefrommybreast。"

"Sinceyourmajestyissoclement，"repliedtheleech，"youwillnotrefusetoaidmealittleinbuildingmyhouse，RueSaint-André-des-Arcs。"

"Heugh！"saidtheking。

"Iamattheendofmyfinances，"pursuedthedoctor；

anditwouldreallybeapitythatthehouseshouldnothavearoof；notonaccountofthehouse，whichissimpleandthoroughlybourgeois，butbecauseofthepaintingsofJehanFourbault，whichadornitswainscoating。ThereisaDianaflyingintheair，butsoexcellent，sotender，sodelicate，ofsoingenuousanaction，herhairsowellcoiffedandadornedwithacrescent，herfleshsowhite，thatsheleadsintotemptationthosewhoregardhertoocuriously。ThereisalsoaCeres。

Sheisanotherveryfairdivinity。Sheisseatedonsheavesofwheatandcrownedwithagallantgarlandofwheatearsinterlacedwithsalsifyandotherflowers。Neverwereseenmoreamorouseyes，moreroundedlimbs，anoblerair，oramoregracefullyflowingskirt。Sheisoneofthemostinnocentandmostperfectbeautieswhomthebrushhaseverproduced。"

"Executioner！"grumbledLouisXI。，"whatareyoudrivingat？"

"Imusthavearoofforthesepaintings，sire，and，although’tisbutasmallmatter，Ihavenomoremoney。"

"Howmuchdothyourroofcost？"

"Whyaroofofcopper，embellishedandgilt，twothousandlivresatthemost。"

"Ah，assassin！"criedtheking，"Heneverdrawsoutoneofmyteethwhichisnotadiamond。"

"AmItohavemyroof？"saidCoictier。

"Yes；andgotothedevil，butcureme。"

JacquesCoictierbowedlowandsaid，——

"Sire，itisarepellentwhichwillsaveyou。Wewillapplytoyourloinsthegreatdefensivecomposedofcerate，Armenianbole，whiteofegg，oil，andvinegar。Youwillcontinueyourptisanandwewillanswerforyourmajesty。"

Aburningcandledoesnotattractonegnatalone。MasterOlivier，perceivingthekingtobeinaliberalmood，andjudgingthemomenttobepropitious，approachedinhisturn。

"Sire——"

"Whatisitnow？"saidLouisXI。

"Sire，yourmajestyknoweththatSimonRadinisdead？"

"Well？"

"Hewascouncillortothekinginthematterofthecourtsofthetreasury。"

"Well？"

"Sire，hisplaceisvacant。"

Ashespokethus，MasterOlivier’shaughtyfacequitteditsarrogantexpressionforalowlyone。Itistheonlychangewhichevertakesplaceinacourtier’svisage。Thekinglookedhimwellinthefaceandsaidinadrytone，——"I

understand。"

Heresumed，"MasterOlivier，theMarshaldeBoucicautwaswonttosay，’There’snomastersavetheking，therearenofishessaveinthesea。’IseethatyouagreewithMonsieurdeBoucicaut。

Nowlistentothis；wehaveagoodmemory。In’68

wemadeyouvaletofourchamber:in’69，guardianofthefortressofthebridgeofSaint-Cloud，atahundredlivresofTournayinwages(youwantedthemofParis)。InNovember，’73，bylettersgiventoGergeole，weinstitutedyoukeeperoftheWoodofVincennes，intheplaceofGilbertAcle，equerry；in’75，gruyer*oftheforestofRouvray-lez-

Saint-Cloud，intheplaceofJacquesleMaire；in’78，wegraciouslysettledonyou，byletterspatentsealeddoublywithgreenwax，anincomeoftenlivresparisis，foryouandyourwife，onthePlaceoftheMerchants，situatedattheSchoolSaint-Germain；in’79，wemadeyougruyeroftheforestofSenart，inplaceofthatpoorJehanDaiz；thencaptainoftheChateauofLoches；thengovernorofSaint-

Quentin；thencaptainofthebridgeofMeulan，ofwhichyoucauseyourselftobecalledcomte。Outofthefivesolsfinepaidbyeverybarberwhoshavesonafestivalday，therearethreesolsforyouandwehavetherest。WehavebeengoodenoughtochangeyournameofLeMauvais(TheEvil)，whichresembledyourfacetooclosely。In’76，wegrantedyou，tothegreatdispleasureofournobility，armorialbearingsofathousandcolors，whichgiveyouthebreastofapeacock。~Pasque-Dieu~！Arenotyousurfeited？Isnotthedraughtoffishessufficientlyfineandmiraculous？Areyounotafraidthatonesalmonmorewillmakeyourboatsink？

Pridewillbeyourruin，gossip。Ruinanddisgracealwayspresshardontheheelsofpride。Considerthisandholdyourtongue。"

*Alordhavingarightonthewoodsofhisvassals。

Thesewords，utteredwithseverity，madeMasterOlivier’sfacereverttoitsinsolence。

"Good！"hemuttered，almostaloud，"’tiseasytoseethatthekingisillto-day；hegivethalltotheleech。"

LouisXI。farfrombeingirritatedbythispetulantinsult，resumedwithsomegentleness，"Stay，IwasforgettingthatI

madeyoumyambassadortoMadameMarie，atGhent。Yes，gentlemen，"addedthekingturningtotheFlemings，"thismanhathbeenanambassador。There，mygossip，"hepursued，addressingMasterOlivier，"letusnotgetangry；weareoldfriends。’Tisverylate。Wehaveterminatedourlabors。Shaveme。"

Ourreadershavenot，withoutdoubt，waiteduntilthepresentmomenttorecognizeinMasterOlivierthatterribleFigarowhomProvidence，thegreatmakerofdramas，mingledsoartisticallyinthelongandbloodycomedyofthereignofLouisXI。Wewillnothereundertaketodevelopthatsingularfigure。Thisbarberofthekinghadthreenames。AtcourthewaspolitelycalledOlivierleDaim(theDeer)；

amongthepeopleOliviertheDevil。HisrealnamewasOlivierleMauvais。

Accordingly，OlivierleMauvaisremainedmotionless，sulkingattheking，andglancingaskanceatJacquesCoictier。

"Yes，yes，thephysician！"hesaidbetweenhisteeth。

"Ah，yes，thephysician！"retortedLouisXI。，withsingulargoodhumor；"thephysicianhasmorecreditthanyou。

’Tisverysimple；hehastakenholduponusbythewholebody，andyouholdusonlybythechin。Come，mypoorbarber，allwillcomeright。WhatwouldyousayandwhatwouldbecomeofyourofficeifIwereakinglikeChilperic，whosegestureconsistedinholdinghisbeardinonehand？

Come，gossipmine，fulfilyouroffice，shaveme。Gogetwhatyouneedtherefor。"

Olivierperceivingthatthekinghadmadeuphismindtolaugh，andthattherewasnowayofevenannoyinghim，wentoffgrumblingtoexecutehisorders。

Thekingrose，approachedthewindow，andsuddenlyopeningitwithextraordinaryagitation，——

"Oh！yes！"heexclaimed，clappinghishands，"yonderisarednessintheskyovertheCity。’Tisthebailiffburning。

Itcanbenothingelsebutthat。Ah！mygoodpeople！hereyouareaidingmeatlastintearingdowntherightsoflordship！"

ThenturningtowardstheFlemings:"Come，lookatthis，gentlemen。Isitnotafirewhichglowethyonder？"

ThetwomenofGhentdrewnear。

"Agreatfire，"saidGuillaumeRym。

"Oh！"exclaimedCoppenole，whoseeyessuddenlyflashed，"thatremindsmeoftheburningofthehouseoftheSeigneurd’Hymbercourt。Theremustbeagoodlyrevoltyonder。"

"Youthinkso，MasterCoppenole？"AndLouisXI。’sglancewasalmostasjoyousasthatofthehosier。"Willitnotbedifficulttoresist？"

"CrossofGod！Sire！Yourmajestywilldamagemanycompaniesofmenofwarthereon。"

"Ah！I！’tisdifferent，"returnedtheking。"IfIwilled。"

Thehosierrepliedhardily，——

"IfthisrevoltbewhatIsuppose，sire，youmightwillinvain。"

"Gossip，"saidLouisXI。，"withthetwocompaniesofmyunattachedtroopsandonedischargeofaserpentine，shortworkismadeofapopulaceoflouts。"

Thehosier，inspiteofthesignsmadetohimbyGuillaumeRym，appeareddeterminedtoholdhisownagainsttheking。

"Sire，theSwisswerealsolouts。MonsieurtheDukeofBurgundywasagreatgentleman，andheturneduphisnoseatthatrabblerout。AtthebattleofGrandson，sire，hecried:’Menofthecannon！Fireonthevillains！’andhesworebySaint-George。ButAdvoyerScharnachtalhurledhimselfonthehandsomedukewithhisbattle-clubandhispeople，andwhentheglitteringBurgundianarmycameincontactwiththesepeasantsinbullhides，itflewinpieceslikeapaneofglassattheblowofapebble。Manylordswerethenslainbylow-bornknaves；andMonsieurdeChateau-Guyon，thegreatestseigneurinBurgundy，wasfounddead，withhisgrayhorse，inalittlemarshmeadow。"

"Friend，"returnedtheking，"youarespeakingofabattle。

Thequestionhereisofamutiny。AndIwillgaintheupperhandofitassoonasitshallpleasemetofrown。"

Theotherrepliedindifferently，——

"Thatmaybe，sire；inthatcase，’tisbecausethepeople’shourhathnotyetcome。"

GuillaumeRymconsidereditincumbentonhimtointervene，——

"MasterCoppenole，youarespeakingtoapuissantking。"

"Iknowit，"repliedthehosier，gravely。

"Lethimspeak，MonsieurRym，myfriend，"saidtheking；

"Ilovethisfranknessofspeech。Myfather，CharlestheSeventh，wasaccustomedtosaythatthetruthwasailing；I

thoughtherdead，andthatshehadfoundnoconfessor。MasterCoppenoleundeceivethme。"

Then，layinghishandfamiliarlyonCoppenole’sshoulder，——

"Youweresaying，MasterJacques？"

"Isay，sire，thatyoumaypossiblybeintheright，thatthehourofthepeoplemaynotyethavecomewithyou。"

LouisXI。gazedathimwithhispenetratingeye，——

"Andwhenwillthathourcome，master？"

"Youwillhearitstrike。"

"Onwhatclock，ifyouplease？"

Coppenole，withhistranquilandrusticcountenance，madethekingapproachthewindow。

"Listen，sire！Thereishereadonjonkeep，abelfry，cannons，bourgeois，soldiers；whenthebelfryshallhum，whenthecannonsshallroar，whenthedonjonshallfallinruinsamidgreatnoise，whenbourgeoisandsoldiersshallhowlandslayeachother，thehourwillstrike。"

Louis’sfacegrewsombreanddreamy。Heremainedsilentforamoment，thenhegentlypattedwithhishandthethickwallofthedonjon，asonestrokesthehaunchesofasteed。

"Oh！no！"saidhe。"Youwillnotcrumblesoeasily，willyou，mygoodBastille？"

AndturningwithanabruptgesturetowardsthesturdyFleming，——

"Haveyouneverseenarevolt，MasterJacques？"

"Ihavemadethem，"saidthehosier。

"Howdoyousettoworktomakearevolt？"saidtheking。

"Ah！"repliedCoppenole，"’tisnotverydifficult。Thereareahundredways。Inthefirstplace，theremustbediscontentinthecity。Thethingisnotuncommon。Andthen，thecharacteroftheinhabitants。ThoseofGhentareeasytostirintorevolt。Theyalwayslovetheprince’sson；theprince，never。Well！Onemorning，Iwillsuppose，someoneentersmyshop，andsaystome:’FatherCoppenole，thereisthisandthereisthat，theDemoiselleofFlanderswishestosaveherministers，thegrandbailiffisdoublingtheimpostonshagreen，orsomethingelse，’——whatyouwill。Ileavemyworkasitstands，Icomeoutofmyhosier’sstall，andIshout:

’Tothesack？’Thereisalwayssomesmashedcaskathand。

Imountit，andIsayaloud，inthefirstwordsthatoccurtome，whatIhaveonmyheart；andwhenoneisofthepeople，sire，onealwayshassomethingontheheart:Thenpeopletroopup，theyshout，theyringthealarmbell，theyarmtheloutswithwhattheytakefromthesoldiers，themarketpeoplejoinin，andtheysetout。Anditwillalwaysbethus，solongastherearelordsintheseignories，bourgeoisinthebourgs，andpeasantsinthecountry。"

"Andagainstwhomdoyouthusrebel？"inquiredtheking；

"againstyourbailiffs？againstyourlords？"

"Sometimes；thatdepends。Againsttheduke，also，sometimes。"

LouisXI。returnedandseatedhimself，saying，withasmile，——

"Ah！heretheyhaveonlygotasfarasthebailiffs。"

AtthatinstantOlivierleDaimreturned。Hewasfollowedbytwopages，whoboretheking’stoiletarticles；butwhatstruckLouisXI。wasthathewasalsoaccompaniedbytheprovostofParisandthechevalierofthewatch，whoappearedtobeinconsternation。Thespitefulbarberalsoworeanairofconsternation，whichwasoneofcontentmentbeneath，however。

Itwashewhospokefirst。

"Sire，Iaskyourmajesty’spardonforthecalamitousnewswhichIbring。"

Thekingturnedquicklyandgrazedthematonthefloorwiththefeetofhischair，——

"Whatdoesthismean？"

"Sire，"resumedOlivierleDaim，withthemaliciousairofamanwhorejoicesthatheisabouttodealaviolentblow，"’tisnotagainstthebailiffofthecourtsthatthispopularseditionisdirected。"

"Againstwhom，then？"

"Againstyou，sire？’

Theagedkingroseerectandstraightasayoungman，——

"Explainyourself，Olivier！Andguardyourheadwell，gossip；forIsweartoyoubythecrossofSaint-L？that，ifyoulietousatthishour，theswordwhichseveredtheheadofMonsieurdeLuxembourgisnotsonotchedthatitcannotyetseveryours！"

Theoathwasformidable；LouisXI。hadonlysworntwiceinthecourseofhislifebythecrossofSaint-L？。

Olivieropenedhismouthtoreply。

"Sire——"

"Onyourknees！"interruptedthekingviolently。"Tristan，haveaneyetothisman。"

Olivierkneltdownandsaidcoldly，——

"Sire，asorceresswascondemnedtodeathbyyourcourtofparliament。ShetookrefugeinNotre-Dame。Thepeoplearetryingtotakeherfromthencebymainforce。Monsieurtheprovostandmonsieurthechevalierofthewatch，whohavejustcomefromtheriot，areheretogivemethelieifthisisnotthetruth。ThepopulaceisbesiegingNotre-Dame。"

"Yes，indeed！"saidthekinginalowvoice，allpaleandtremblingwithwrath。"Notre-Dame！TheylaysiegetoourLady，mygoodmistressinhercathedral！——Rise，Olivier。

Youareright。IgiveyouSimonRadin’scharge。Youareright。’TisIwhomtheyareattacking。Thewitchisundertheprotectionofthischurch，thechurchisundermyprotection。

AndIthoughtthattheywereactingagainstthebailiff！

’Tisagainstmyself！"

Then，renderedyoungbyfury，hebegantowalkupanddownwithlongstrides。Henolongerlaughed，hewasterrible，hewentandcame；thefoxwaschangedintoahyaena。

Heseemedsuffocatedtosuchadegreethathecouldnotspeak；hislipsmoved，andhisfleshlessfistswereclenched。

Allatonceheraisedhishead，hisholloweyeappearedfulloflight，andhisvoiceburstforthlikeaclarion:"Downwiththem，Tristan！Aheavyhandfortheserascals！Go，Tristan，myfriend！slay！slay！"

Thiseruptionhavingpassed，hereturnedtohisseat，andsaidwithcoldandconcentratedwrath，——

"Here，Tristan！ThereareherewithusintheBastillethefiftylancesoftheVicomtedeGif，whichmakesthreehundredhorse:youwilltakethem。ThereisalsothecompanyofourunattachedarchersofMonsieurdeChateaupers:youwilltakeit。Youareprovostofthemarshals；youhavethemenofyourprovostship:youwilltakethem。AttheH？telSaint-Polyouwillfindfortyarchersofmonsieurthedauphin’snewguard:youwilltakethem。And，withallthese，youwillhastentoNotre-Dame。Ah！messieurs，loutsofParis，doyouflingyourselvesthusagainstthecrownofFrance，thesanctityofNotre-Dame，andthepeaceofthiscommonwealth！Exterminate，Tristan！exterminate！andletnotasingleoneescape，exceptitbeforMontfau？on。"

Tristanbowed。"’Tiswell，sire。"

Headded，afterasilence，"AndwhatshallIdowiththesorceress？"

Thisquestioncausedthekingtomeditate。

"Ah！"saidhe，"thesorceress！Monsieurd’Estouteville，whatdidthepeoplewishtodowithher？"

"Sire，"repliedtheprovostofParis，"IimaginethatsincethepopulacehascometotearherfromherasyluminNotre-

Dame，’tisbecausethatimpunitywoundsthem，andtheydesiretohangher。"

Thekingappearedtoreflectdeeply:then，addressingTristanl’Hermite，"Well！gossip，exterminatethepeopleandhangthesorceress。"

"That’sit，"saidRyminalowtonetoCoppenole，"punishthepeopleforwillingathing，andthendowhattheywish。"

"Enough，sire，"repliedTristan。"IfthesorceressisstillinNotre-Dame，mustshebeseizedinspiteofthesanctuary？"

"~Pasque-Dieu~！thesanctuary！"saidtheking，scratchinghisear。"Butthewomanmustbehung，nevertheless。"

Here，asthoughseizedwithasuddenidea，heflunghimselfonhiskneesbeforehischair，tookoffhishat，placeditontheseat，andgazingdevoutlyatoneoftheleadenamuletswhichloadeditdown，"Oh！"saidhe，withclaspedhands，"ourLadyofParis，mygraciouspatroness，pardonme。Iwillonlydoitthisonce。Thiscriminalmustbepunished。Iassureyou，madamethevirgin，mygoodmistress，thatsheisasorceresswhoisnotworthyofyouramiableprotection。

Youknow，madame，thatmanyverypiousprinceshaveoversteppedtheprivilegesofthechurchesforthegloryofGodandthenecessitiesoftheState。SaintHugues，bishopofEngland，permittedKingEdwardtohangawitchinhischurch。Saint-LouisofFrance，mymaster，transgressed，withthesameobject，thechurchofMonsieurSaint-Paul；andMonsieurAlphonse，sonofthekingofJerusalem，theverychurchoftheHolySepulchre。Pardonme，then，forthisonce。OurLadyofParis，Iwillneverdosoagain，andIwillgiveyouafinestatueofsilver，liketheonewhichIgavelastyeartoOurLadyofEcouys。Sobeit。"

Hemadethesignofthecross，rose，donnedhishatoncemore，andsaidtoTristan，——

"Bediligent，gossip。TakeMonsieurChateauperswithyou。Youwillcausethetocsintobesounded。Youwillcrushthepopulace。Youwillseizethewitch。’Tissaid。

AndImeanthebusinessoftheexecutiontobedonebyyou。

Youwillrendermeanaccountofit。Come，Olivier，Ishallnotgotobedthisnight。Shaveme。"

Tristanl’Hermitebowedanddeparted。Thentheking，dismissingRymandCoppenolewithagesture，——

"Godguardyou，messieurs，mygoodfriendstheFlemings。

Go，takealittlerepose。Thenightadvances，andwearenearerthemorningthantheevening。"

BothretiredandgainedtheirapartmentsundertheguidanceofthecaptainoftheBastille。CoppenolesaidtoGuillaumeRym，——

"Hum！Ihavehadenoughofthatcoughingking！IhaveseenCharlesofBurgundydrunk，andhewaslessmalignantthanLouisXI。whenailing。"

"MasterJacques，"repliedRym，"’tisbecausewinerenderskingslesscruelthandoesbarleywater。"

CHAPTERVI。

LITTLESWORDINPOCKET。

OnemergingfromtheBastille，GringoiredescendedtheRueSaint-Antoinewiththeswiftnessofarunawayhorse。OnarrivingattheBaudoyergate，hewalkedstraighttothestonecrosswhichroseinthemiddleofthatplace，asthoughhewereabletodistinguishinthedarknessthefigureofamancladandcloakedinblack，whowasseatedonthestepsofthecross。

"Isityou，master？"saidGringoire。

Thepersonageinblackrose。

"Deathandpassion！Youmakemeboil，Gringoire。ThemanonthetowerofSaint-Gervaishasjustcriedhalf-pastoneo’clockinthemorning。"

"Oh，"retortedGringoire，"’tisnofaultofmine，butofthewatchandtheking。Ihavejusthadanarrowescape。I

alwaysjustmissbeinghung。’Tismypredestination。"

"Youlackeverything，"saidtheother。"Butcomequickly。

Haveyouthepassword？"

"Fancy，master，Ihaveseentheking。Icomefromhim。

Hewearsfustianbreeches。’Tisanadventure。"

"Oh！distaffofwords！whatisyouradventuretome！

Haveyouthepasswordoftheoutcasts？"

"Ihaveit。Beatease。’Littleswordinpocket。’"

"Good。Otherwise，wecouldnotmakeourwayasfarasthechurch。Theoutcastsbarthestreets。Fortunately，itappearsthattheyhaveencounteredresistance。Wemaystillarriveintime。"

"Yes，master，buthowarewetogetintoNotre-Dame？"

"Ihavethekeytothetower。"

"Andhowarewetogetoutagain？"

"BehindthecloisterthereisalittledoorwhichopensontheTerrainandthewater。Ihavetakenthekeytoit，andI

mooredaboattherethismorning。"

"Ihavehadabeautifulescapefrombeinghung！"Gringoirerepeated。

"Eh，quick！come！"saidtheother。

Bothdescendedtowardsthecitywithlongstrides。

CHAPTERVII。

CHATEAUPERSTOTHERESCUE。

Thereaderwill，perhaps，recallthecriticalsituationinwhichweleftQuasimodo。Thebravedeafman，assailedonallsides，hadlost，ifnotallcourage，atleastallhopeofsaving，nothimself(hewasnotthinkingofhimself)，butthegypsy。Herandistractedlyalongthegallery。Notre-Damewasonthepointofbeingtakenbystormbytheoutcasts。

Allatonce，agreatgallopingofhorsesfilledtheneighboringstreets，and，withalongfileoftorchesandathickcolumnofcavaliers，withfreereinsandlancesinrest，thesefurioussoundsdebouchedonthePlacelikeahurricane，——

"France！France！cutdownthelouts！Chateauperstotherescue！Provostship！Provostship！"

Thefrightenedvagabondswheeledround。

Quasimodowhodidnothear，sawthenakedswords，thetorches，theironsofthepikes，allthatcavalry，attheheadofwhichherecognizedCaptainPhoebus；hebeheldtheconfusionoftheoutcasts，theterrorofsome，thedisturbanceamongthebravestofthem，andfromthisunexpectedsuccorherecoveredsomuchstrength，thathehurledfromthechurchthefirstassailantswhowerealreadyclimbingintothegallery。

Itwas，infact，theking’stroopswhohadarrived。

Thevagabondsbehavedbravely。Theydefendedthemselveslikedesperatemen。Caughtontheflank，bytheRueSaint-

Pierre-aux-Boeufs，andintherearthroughtheRueduParvis，driventobayagainstNotre-Dame，whichtheystillassailedandQuasimododefended，atthesametimebesiegersandbesieged，theywereinthesingularsituationinwhichComteHenriHarcourt，~Taurinumobsessoridemetobsessus~，ashisepitaphsays，foundhimselflateron，atthefamoussiegeofTurin，in1640，betweenPrinceThomasofSavoy，whomhewasbesieging，andtheMarquisdeLeganez，whowasblockadinghim。

Thebattlewasfrightful。Therewasadog’stoothforwolf’sflesh，asP。Mathieusays。Theking’scavaliers，inwhosemidstPhoebusdeChateaupersborehimselfvaliantly，gavenoquarter，andtheslashofthesworddisposedofthosewhoescapedthethrustofthelance。Theoutcasts，badlyarmedfoamedandbitwithrage。Men，women，children，hurledthemselvesonthecruppersandthebreastsofthehorses，andhungtherelikecats，withteeth，fingernailsandtoenails。

Othersstruckthearchers’inthefacewiththeirtorches。

Othersthrustironhooksintothenecksofthecavaliersanddraggedthemdown。Theyslashedinpiecesthosewhofell。

Onewasnoticedwhohadalarge，glitteringscythe，andwho，foralongtime，mowedthelegsofthehorses。Hewasfrightful。Hewassingingaditty，withanasalintonation，heswunganddrewbackhisscytheincessantly。Ateveryblowhetracedaroundhimagreatcircleofseveredlimbs。Headvancedthusintotheverythickestofthecavalry，withthetranquilslowness，thelollingoftheheadandtheregularbreathingofaharvesterattackingafieldofwheat。ItwasChopinTrouillefou。Ashotfromanarquebuslaidhimlow。

Inthemeantime，windowshadbeenopenedagain。Theneighborshearingthewarcriesoftheking’stroops，hadmingledintheaffray，andbulletsrainedupontheoutcastsfromeverystory。TheParviswasfilledwithathicksmoke，whichthemusketrystreakedwithflame。ThroughitonecouldconfusedlydistinguishthefrontofNotre-Dame，andthedecrepitH？tel-Dieuwithsomewaninvalidsgazingdownfromtheheightsofitsroofallcheckeredwithdormerwindows。

Atlengththevagabondsgaveway。Weariness，thelackofgoodweapons，thefrightofthissurprise，themusketryfromthewindows，thevaliantattackoftheking’stroops，alloverwhelmedthem。Theyforcedthelineofassailants，andfledineverydirection，leavingtheParvisencumberedwithdead。

WhenQuasimodo，whohadnotceasedtofightforamoment，beheldthisrout，hefellonhiskneesandraisedhishandstoheaven；then，intoxicatedwithjoy，heran，heascendedwiththeswiftnessofabirdtothatcell，theapproachestowhichhehadsointrepidlydefended。Hehadbutonethoughtnow；itwastokneelbeforeherwhomhehadjustsavedforthesecondtime。

Whenheenteredthecell，hefounditempty。

BOOKELEVENTH。

CHAPTERI。

THELITTLESHOE。

LaEsmeraldawassleepingatthemomentwhentheoutcastsassailedthechurch。

Soontheever-increasinguproararoundtheedifice，andtheuneasybleatingofhergoatwhichhadbeenawakened，hadrousedherfromherslumbers。Shehadsatup，shehadlistened，shehadlooked；then，terrifiedbythelightandnoise，shehadrushedfromhercelltosee。TheaspectofthePlace，thevisionwhichwasmovinginit，thedisorderofthatnocturnalassault，thathideouscrowd，leapinglikeacloudoffrogs，halfseeninthegloom，thecroakingofthathoarsemultitude，thosefewredtorchesrunningandcrossingeachotherinthedarknesslikethemeteorswhichstreakthemistysurfacesofmarshes，thiswholesceneproduceduponhertheeffectofamysteriousbattlebetweenthephantomsofthewitches’sabbathandthestonemonstersofthechurch。

ImbuedfromherveryinfancywiththesuperstitionsoftheBohemiantribe，herfirstthoughtwasthatshehadcaughtthestrangebeingspeculiartothenight，intheirdeedsofwitchcraft。Thensheraninterrortocowerinhercell，askingofherpalletsomelessterriblenightmare。

Butlittlebylittlethefirstvaporsofterrorhadbeendissipated；fromtheconstantlyincreasingnoise，andfrommanyothersignsofreality，shefeltherselfbesiegednotbyspectres，butbyhumanbeings。Thenherfear，thoughitdidnotincrease，changeditscharacter。Shehaddreamedofthepossibilityofapopularmutinytotearherfromherasylum。

Theideaofoncemorerecoveringlife，hope，Phoebus，whowaseverpresentinherfuture，theextremehelplessnessofhercondition，flightcutoff，nosupport，herabandonment，herisolation，——thesethoughtsandathousandothersoverwhelmedher。Shefelluponherknees，withherheadonherbed，herhandsclaspedoverherhead，fullofanxietyandtremors，and，althoughagypsy，anidolater，andapagan，shebegantoentreatwithsobs，mercyfromthegoodChristianGod，andtopraytoourLady，herhostess。Forevenifonebelievesinnothing，therearemomentsinlifewhenoneisalwaysofthereligionofthetemplewhichisnearestathand。

Sheremainedthusprostrateforaverylongtime，tremblingintruth，morethanpraying，chilledbytheever-closerbreathofthatfuriousmultitude，understandingnothingofthisoutburst，ignorantofwhatwasbeingplotted，whatwasbeingdone，whattheywanted，butforeseeingaterribleissue。

Inthemidstofthisanguish，sheheardsomeonewalkingnearher。Sheturnedround。Twomen，oneofwhomcarriedalantern，hadjustenteredhercell。Sheutteredafeeblecry。

"Fearnothing，"saidavoicewhichwasnotunknowntoher，"itisI。"

"Whoareyou？"sheasked。

"PierreGringoire。"

Thisnamereassuredher。Sheraisedhereyesoncemore，andrecognizedthepoetinveryfact。Buttherestoodbesidehimablackfigureveiledfromheadtofoot，whichstruckherbyitssilence。

"Oh！"continuedGringoireinatoneofreproach，"Djalirecognizedmebeforeyou！"

Thelittlegoathadnot，infact，waitedforGringoiretoannouncehisname。Nosoonerhadheenteredthanitrubbeditselfgentlyagainsthisknees，coveringthepoetwithcaressesandwithwhitehairs，foritwassheddingitshair。Gringoirereturnedthecaresses。

"Whoisthiswithyou？"saidthegypsy，inalowvoice。

"Beatease，"repliedGringoire。"’Tisoneofmyfriends。"

Thenthephilosophersettinghislanternontheground，croucheduponthestones，andexclaimedenthusiastically，ashepressedDjaliinhisarms，——

"Oh！’tisagracefulbeast，moreconsiderablenodoubt，forit’sneatnessthanforitssize，butingenious，subtle，andletteredasagrammarian！Letussee，myDjali，hastthouforgottenanyofthyprettytricks？HowdoesMasterJacquesCharmolue？……"

Themaninblackdidnotallowhimtofinish。HeapproachedGringoireandshookhimroughlybytheshoulder。

Gringoirerose。

"’Tistrue，"saidhe:"Iforgotthatweareinhaste。Butthatisnoreasonmaster，forgettingfuriouswithpeopleinthismanner。Mydearandlovelychild，yourlifeisindanger，andDjali’salso。Theywanttohangyouagain。Weareyourfriends，andwehavecometosaveyou。Followus。"

"Isittrue？"sheexclaimedindismay。

"Yes，perfectlytrue。Comequickly！"

"Iamwilling，"shestammered。"Butwhydoesnotyourfriendspeak？"

"Ah！"saidGringoire，"’tisbecausehisfatherandmotherwerefantasticpeoplewhomadehimofataciturntemperament。"

Shewasobligedtocontentherselfwiththisexplanation。

Gringoiretookherbythehand；hiscompanionpickedupthelanternandwalkedoninfront。Fearstunnedtheyounggirl。

Sheallowedherselftobeledaway。Thegoatfollowedthem，frisking，sojoyousatseeingGringoireagainthatitmadehimstumbleeverymomentbythrustingitshornsbetweenhislegs。

"Suchislife，"saidthephilosopher，everytimethathecamenearfallingdown；"’tisoftenourbestfriendswhocauseustobeoverthrown。"

Theyrapidlydescendedthestaircaseofthetowers，crossedthechurch，fullofshadowsandsolitude，andallreverberatingwithuproar，whichformedafrightfulcontrast，andemergedintothecourtyardofthecloisterbythereddoor。

Thecloisterwasdeserted；thecanonshadfledtothebishop’spalaceinordertopraytogether；thecourtyardwasempty，afewfrightenedlackeyswerecrouchingindarkcorners。TheydirectedtheirstepstowardsthedoorwhichopenedfromthiscourtupontheTerrain。Themaninblackopeneditwithakeywhichhehadabouthim。OurreadersareawarethattheTerrainwasatongueoflandenclosedbywallsonthesideoftheCityandbelongingtothechapterofNotre-Dame，whichterminatedtheislandontheeast，behindthechurch。Theyfoundthisenclosureperfectlydeserted。Therewasherelesstumultintheair。Theroaroftheoutcasts’assaultreachedthemmoreconfusedlyandlessclamorously。Thefreshbreezewhichfollowsthecurrentofastream，rustledtheleavesoftheonlytreeplantedonthepointoftheTerrain，withanoisethatwasalreadyperceptible。Buttheywerestillveryclosetodanger。Thenearestedificestothemwerethebishop’spalaceandthechurch。Itwasplainlyevidentthattherewasgreatinternalcommotioninthebishop’spalace。Itsshadowymasswasallfurrowedwithlightswhichflittedfromwindowtowindow；as，whenonehasjustburnedpaper，thereremainsasombreedificeofashesinwhichbrightsparksrunathousandeccentriccourses。Besidethem，theenormoustowersofNotre-Dame，thusviewedfrombehind，withthelongnaveabovewhichtheyrisecutoutinblackagainsttheredandvastlightwhichfilledtheParvis，resembledtwogiganticandironsofsomecyclopeanfire-grate。

WhatwastobeseenofParisonallsideswaveredbeforetheeyeinagloommingledwithlight。Rembrandthassuchbackgroundstohispictures。