第17章

ThemanwiththelanternwalkedstraighttothepointoftheTerrain。There，attheverybrinkofthewater，stoodthewormeatenremainsofafenceofpostslatticedwithlaths，whereonalowvinespreadoutafewthinbrancheslikethefingersofanoutspreadhand。Behind，intheshadowcastbythistrellis，alittleboatlayconcealed。ThemanmadeasigntoGringoireandhiscompaniontoenter。Thegoatfollowedthem。Themanwasthelasttostepin。Thenhecuttheboat’smoorings，pusheditfromtheshorewithalongboat-

hook，and，seizingtwooars，seatedhimselfinthebow，rowingwithallhismighttowardsmidstream。TheSeineisveryrapidatthispoint，andhehadagooddealoftroubleinleavingthepointoftheisland。

Gringoire’sfirstcareonenteringtheboatwastoplacethegoatonhisknees。Hetookapositioninthestern；andtheyounggirl，whomthestrangerinspiredwithanindefinableuneasiness，seatedherselfclosetothepoet。

Whenourphilosopherfelttheboatsway，heclappedhishandsandkissedDjalibetweenthehorns。

"Oh！"saidhe，"nowwearesafe，allfourofus。"

Headdedwiththeairofaprofoundthinker，"Oneisindebtedsometimestofortune，sometimestoruse，forthehappyissueofgreatenterprises。"

Theboatmadeitswayslowlytowardstherightshore。Theyounggirlwatchedtheunknownmanwithsecretterror。Hehadcarefullyturnedoffthelightofhisdarklantern。A

glimpsecouldbecaughtofhimintheobscurity，inthebowoftheboat，likeaspectre。Hiscowl，whichwasstilllowered，formedasortofmask；andeverytimethathespreadhisarms，uponwhichhunglargeblacksleeves，asherowed，onewouldhavesaidtheyweretwohugebat’swings。Moreover，hehadnotyetutteredawordorbreathedasyllable。Noothernoisewasheardintheboatthanthesplashingoftheoars，mingledwiththeripplingofthewateralonghersides。

"Onmysoul！"exclaimedGringoiresuddenly，"weareascheerfulandjoyousasyoungowls！WepreservethesilenceofPythagoreansorfishes！~Pasque-Dieu~！myfriends，I

shouldgreatlyliketohavesomeonespeaktome。Thehumanvoiceismusictothehumanear。’TisnotIwhosaythat，butDidymusofAlexandria，andtheyareillustriouswords。

Assuredly，DidymusofAlexandriaisnomediocrephilosopher——Oneword，mylovelychild！saybutonewordtome，Ientreatyou。Bytheway，youhadadrollandpeculiarlittlepout；doyoustillmakeit？Doyouknow，mydear，thatparliamenthathfulljurisdictionoverallplacesofasylum，andthatyouwererunningagreatriskinyourlittlechamberatNotre-Dame？Alas！thelittlebirdtrochylusmakethitsnestinthejawsofthecrocodile——Master，hereisthemoonre-appearing。Ifonlytheydonotperceiveus。

Wearedoingalaudablethinginsavingmademoiselle，andyetweshouldbehungbyorderofthekingifwewerecaught。

Alas！humanactionsaretakenbytwohandles。Thatisbrandedwithdisgraceinonewhichiscrownedinanother。

HeadmiresCicerowhoblamesCatiline。Isitnotso，master？

Whatsayyoutothisphilosophy？Ipossessphilosophybyinstinct，bynature，~utapesgeometriam~——Come！nooneanswersme。Whatunpleasantmoodsyoutwoarein！I

mustdoallthetalkingalone。Thatiswhatwecallamonologueintragedy——~Pasque-Dieu~！ImustinformyouthatIhavejustseentheking，LouisXI。，andthatIhavecaughtthisoathfromhim，——~Pasque-Dieu~！Theyarestillmakingaheartyhowlinthecity——’Tisavillanous，maliciousoldking。

Heisallswathedinfurs。Hestillowesmethemoneyformyepithalamium，andhecamewithinanickofhangingmethisevening，whichwouldhavebeenveryinconvenienttome——Heisniggardlytowardsmenofmerit。HeoughttoreadthefourbooksofSalvienofCologne，_AdversitsAvaritiam_。Intruth！’Tisapaltrykinginhiswayswithmenofletters，andonewhocommitsverybarbarouscruelties。

Heisasponge，tosoakmoneyraisedfromthepeople。Hissavingislikethespleenwhichswellethwiththeleannessofalltheothermembers。Hencecomplaintsagainstthehardnessofthetimesbecomemurmursagainsttheprince。Underthisgentleandpioussire，thegallowscrackwiththehung，theblocksrotwithblood，theprisonsburstlikeoverfullbellies。

Thiskinghathonehandwhichgrasps，andonewhichhangs。

HeistheprocuratorofDameTaxandMonsieurGibbet。

Thegreataredespoiledoftheirdignities，andthelittleincessantlyoverwhelmedwithfreshoppressions。Heisanexorbitantprince。Ilovenotthismonarch。Andyou，master？"

Themaninblackletthegarrulouspoetchatteron。Hecontinuedtostruggleagainsttheviolentandnarrowcurrent，whichseparatestheprowoftheCityandthestemoftheislandofNotre-Dame，whichwecallto-daytheIsleSt。Louis。

"Bytheway，master！"continuedGringoiresuddenly。

"AtthemomentwhenwearrivedontheParvis，throughtheenragedoutcasts，didyourreverenceobservethatpoorlittledevilwhoseskullyourdeafmanwasjustcrackingontherailingofthegalleryofthekings？IamnearsightedandI

couldnotrecognizehim。Doyouknowwhohecouldbe？"

Thestrangeranswerednotaword。Buthesuddenlyceasedrowing，hisarmsfellasthoughbroken，hisheadsankonhisbreast，andlaEsmeraldaheardhimsighconvulsively。Sheshuddered。Shehadheardsuchsighsbefore。

Theboat，abandonedtoitself，floatedforseveralminuteswiththestream。Butthemaninblackfinallyrecoveredhimself，seizedtheoarsoncemoreandbegantorowagainstthecurrent。HedoubledthepointoftheIsleofNotreDame，andmadeforthelanding-placeofthePortanFoin。

"Ah！"saidGringoire，"yonderistheBarbeaumansion——Stay，master，look:thatgroupofblackroofswhichmakesuchsingularanglesyonder，abovethatheapofblack，fibrousgrimy，dirtyclouds，wherethemooniscompletelycrushedandspreadoutliketheyolkofaneggwhoseshellisbroken——’Tisafinemansion。Thereisachapelcrownedwithasmallvaultfullofverywellcarvedenrichments。Above，youcanseethebelltower，verydelicatelypierced。Thereisalsoapleasantgarden，whichconsistsofapond，anaviary，anecho，amall，alabyrinth，ahouseforwildbeasts，andaquantityofleafyalleysveryagreeabletoVenus。Thereisalsoarascalofatreewhichiscalled’thelewd，’becauseitfavoredthepleasuresofafamousprincessandaconstableofFrance，whowasagallantandawit——Alas！wepoorphilosophersaretoaconstableasaplotofcabbagesoraradishbedtothegardenoftheLouvre。Whatmattersit，afterall？humanlife，forthegreataswellasforus，isamixtureofgoodandevil。Painisalwaysbythesideofjoy，thespondeebythedactyl——Master，ImustrelatetoyouthehistoryoftheBarbeaumansion。Itendsintragicfashion。Itwasin1319，inthereignofPhilippeV。，thelongestreignofthekingsofFrance。Themoralofthestoryisthatthetemptationsofthefleshareperniciousandmalignant。Letusnotrestourglancetoolongonourneighbor’swife，howevergratifiedoursensesmaybebyherbeauty。Fornicationisaverylibertinethought。

Adulteryisapryingintothepleasuresofothers——Ohé！thenoiseyonderisredoubling！"

ThetumultaroundNotre-Damewas，infact，increasing。

Theylistened。Criesofvictorywereheardwithtolerabledistinctness。Allatonce，ahundredtorches，thelightofwhichglittereduponthehelmetsofmenatarms，spreadoverthechurchatallheights，onthetowers，onthegalleries，ontheflyingbuttresses。Thesetorchesseemedtobeinsearchofsomething；andsoondistantclamorsreachedthefugitivesdistinctly:——"Thegypsy！thesorceress！deathtothegypsy！"

Theunhappygirldroppedherheaduponherhands，andtheunknownbegantorowfuriouslytowardstheshore。

Meanwhileourphilosopherreflected。Heclaspedthegoatinhisarms，andgentlydrewawayfromthegypsy，whopressedcloserandclosertohim，asthoughtotheonlyasylumwhichremainedtoher。

ItiscertainthatGringoirewasenduringcruelperplexity。

Hewasthinkingthatthegoatalso，"accordingtoexistinglaw，"wouldbehungifrecaptured；whichwouldbeagreatpity，poorDjali！thathehadthustwocondemnedcreaturesattachedtohim；thathiscompanionaskednobetterthantotakechargeofthegypsy。Aviolentcombatbeganbetweenhisthoughts，inwhich，liketheJupiteroftheIliad，heweighedinturnthegypsyandthegoat；andhelookedatthemalternatelywitheyesmoistwithtears，sayingbetweenhisteeth:

"ButIcannotsaveyouboth！"

Ashockinformedthemthattheboathadreachedthelandatlast。Theuproarstillfilledthecity。Theunknownrose，approachedthegypsy，andendeavoredtotakeherarmtoassisthertoalight。SherepulsedhimandclungtothesleeveofGringoire，who，inhisturn，absorbedinthegoat，almostrepulsedher。Thenshesprangalonefromtheboat。Shewassotroubledthatshedidnotknowwhatshedidorwhithershewasgoing。Thussheremainedforamoment，stunned，watchingthewaterflowpast；whenshegraduallyreturnedtohersenses，shefoundherselfaloneonthewharfwiththeunknown。ItappearsthatGringoirehadtakenadvantageofthemomentofdebarcationtoslipawaywiththegoatintotheblockofhousesoftheRueGrenier-sur-l’Eau。

Thepoorgypsyshiveredwhenshebeheldherselfalonewiththisman。Shetriedtospeak，tocryout，tocallGringoire；hertonguewasdumbinhermouth，andnosoundleftherlips。Allatonceshefeltthestranger’shandonhers。

Itwasastrong，coldhand。Herteethchattered，sheturnedpalerthantherayofmoonlightwhichilluminatedher。Themanspokenotaword。HebegantoascendtowardsthePlacedeGrève，holdingherbythehand。

Atthatmoment，shehadavaguefeelingthatdestinyisanirresistibleforce。Shehadnomoreresistanceleftinher，sheallowedherselftobedraggedalong，runningwhilehewalked。Atthisspotthequayascended。Butitseemedtoherasthoughsheweredescendingaslope。

Shegazedaboutheronallsides。Notasinglepasser-by。

Thequaywasabsolutelydeserted。Sheheardnosound，shefeltnopeoplemovingsaveinthetumultuousandglowingcity，fromwhichshewasseparatedonlybyanarmoftheSeine，andwhencehernamereachedher，mingledwithcriesof"Death！"TherestofPariswasspreadaroundheringreatblocksofshadows。

Meanwhile，thestrangercontinuedtodragheralongwiththesamesilenceandthesamerapidity。Shehadnorecollectionofanyoftheplaceswhereshewaswalking。

Asshepassedbeforealightedwindow，shemadeaneffort，drewupsuddenly，andcriedout，"Help！"

Thebourgeoiswhowasstandingatthewindowopenedit，appearedthereinhisshirtwithhislamp，staredatthequaywithastupidair，utteredsomewordswhichshedidnotunderstand，andclosedhisshutteragain。Itwasherlastgleamofhopeextinguished。

Themaninblackdidnotutterasyllable；heheldherfirmly，andsetoutagainataquickerpace。Shenolongerresisted，butfollowedhim，completelybroken。

Fromtimetotimeshecalledtogetheralittlestrength，andsaid，inavoicebrokenbytheunevennessofthepavementandthebreathlessnessoftheirflight，"Whoareyou？Whoareyou？"Hemadenoreply。

Theyarrivedthus，stillkeepingalongthequay，atatolerablyspacioussquare。ItwastheGrève。Inthemiddle，asortofblack，erectcrosswasvisible；itwasthegallows。Sherecognizedallthis，andsawwhereshewas。

Themanhalted，turnedtowardsherandraisedhiscowl。

"Oh！"shestammered，almostpetrified，"Iknewwellthatitwasheagain！"

Itwasthepriest。Helookedliketheghostofhimself；

thatisaneffectofthemoonlight，itseemsasthoughonebeheldonlythespectresofthingsinthatlight。

"Listen！"hesaidtoher；andsheshudderedatthesoundofthatfatalvoicewhichshehadnotheardforalongtime。

Hecontinuedspeakingwiththosebriefandpantingjerks，whichbetokendeepinternalconvulsions。"Listen！wearehere。Iamgoingtospeaktoyou。ThisistheGrève。Thisisanextremepoint。Destinygivesustooneanother。Iamgoingtodecideastoyourlife；youwilldecideastomysoul。

Hereisaplace，hereisanightbeyondwhichoneseesnothing。

Thenlistentome。Iamgoingtotellyou……Inthefirstplace，speaknottomeofyourPhoebus。(Ashespokethushepacedtoandfro，likeamanwhocannotremaininoneplace，anddraggedherafterhim。)Donotspeaktomeofhim。Doyousee？Ifyouutterthatname，IknownotwhatIshalldo，butitwillbeterrible。"

Then，likeabodywhichrecoversitscentreofgravity，hebecamemotionlessoncemore，buthiswordsbetrayednolessagitation。Hisvoicegrewlowerandlower。

"Donotturnyourheadasidethus。Listentome。Itisaseriousmatter。Inthefirstplace，hereiswhathashappened——Allthiswillnotbelaughedat。Iswearittoyou——WhatwasIsaying？Remindme！Oh！——ThereisadecreeofParliamentwhichgivesyoubacktothescaffold。Ihavejustrescuedyoufromtheirhands。Buttheyarepursuingyou。

Look！"

HeextendedhisarmtowardtheCity。Thesearchseemed，infact，tobestillinprogressthere。Theuproardrewnearer；

thetowerofthelieutenant’shouse，situatedoppositetheGrève，wasfullofclamorsandlight，andsoldierscouldbeseenrunningontheoppositequaywithtorchesandthesecries，"Thegypsy！Whereisthegypsy！Death！Death！"

"Youseethattheyareinpursuitofyou，andthatIamnotlyingtoyou。Iloveyou——Donotopenyourmouth；

refrainfromspeakingtomerather，ifitbeonlytotellmethatyouhateme。Ihavemadeupmymindnottohearthatagain——Ihavejustsavedyou——Letmefinishfirst。Icansaveyouwholly。Ihavepreparedeverything。Itisyoursatwill。Ifyouwish，Icandoit。"

Hebrokeoffviolently。"No，thatisnotwhatIshouldsay！"

Ashewentwithhurriedstepandmadeherhurryalso，forhedidnotreleaseher，hewalkedstraighttothegallows，andpointedtoitwithhisfinger，——

"Choosebetweenustwo，"hesaid，coldly。

Shetoreherselffromhishandsandfellatthefootofthegibbet，embracingthatfunerealsupport，thenshehalfturnedherbeautifulhead，andlookedatthepriestoverhershoulder。

OnewouldhavesaidthatshewasaHolyVirginatthefootofthecross。Thepriestremainedmotionless，hisfingerstillraisedtowardthegibbet，preservinghisattitudelikeastatue。

Atlengththegypsysaidtohim，——

"Itcausesmelesshorrorthanyoudo。"

Thenheallowedhisarmtosinkslowly，andgazedatthepavementinprofounddejection。

"Ifthesestonescouldspeak，"hemurmured，"yes，theywouldsaythataveryunhappymanstandshere。

Hewenton。Theyounggirl，kneelingbeforethegallows，envelopedinherlongflowinghair，lethimspeakonwithoutinterruption。Henowhadagentleandplaintiveaccentwhichcontrastedsadlywiththehaughtyharshnessofhisfeatures。

"Iloveyou。Oh！howtruethatis！Sonothingcomesofthatfirewhichburnsmyheart！Alas！younggirl，nightandday——yes，nightanddayItellyou，——itistorture。Oh！I

suffertoomuch，mypoorchild。’Tisathingdeservingofcompassion，Iassureyou。YouseethatIspeakgentlytoyou。Ireallywishthatyoushouldnolongercherishthishorrorofme——Afterall，ifamanlovesawoman，’tisnothisfault！——Oh，myGod！——What！Soyouwillneverpardonme？

Youwillalwayshateme？Allisoverthen。Itisthatwhichrendersmeevil，doyousee？andhorribletomyself——Youwillnotevenlookatme！Youarethinkingofsomethingelse，perchance，whileIstandhereandtalktoyou，shudderingonthebrinkofeternityforbothofus！Aboveallthings，donotspeaktomeoftheofficer！——Iwouldcastmyselfatyourknees，Iwouldkissnotyourfeet，buttheearthwhichisunderyourfeet；Iwouldsoblikeachild，Iwouldtearfrommybreastnotwords，butmyveryheartandvitals，totellyouthatIloveyou；——allwouldbeuseless，all！——Andyetyouhavenothinginyourheartbutwhatistenderandmerciful。Youareradiantwiththemostbeautifulmildness；

youarewhollysweet，good，pitiful，andcharming。Alas！

Youcherishnoillwillforanyonebutmealone！Oh！whatafatality！"

Hehidhisfaceinhishands。Theyounggirlheardhimweeping。Itwasforthefirsttime。Thuserectandshakenbysobs，hewasmoremiserableandmoresuppliantthanwhenonhisknees。Heweptthusforaconsiderabletime。

"Come！"hesaid，thesefirsttearspassed，"Ihavenomorewords。Ihad，however，thoughtwellastowhatyouwouldsay。NowItrembleandshiverandbreakdownatthedecisivemoment，Ifeelconsciousofsomethingsupremeenvelopingus，andIstammer。Oh！Ishallfalluponthepavementifyoudonottakepityonme，pityonyourself。Donotcondemnusboth。IfyouonlyknewhowmuchIloveyou！

Whataheartismine！Oh！whatdesertionofallvirtue！

Whatdesperateabandonmentofmyself！Adoctor，Imockatscience；agentleman，Itarnishmyownname；apriest，I

makeofthemissalapillowofsensuality，IspitinthefaceofmyGod！allthisforthee，enchantress！tobemoreworthyofthyhell！Andyouwillnothavetheapostate！Oh！letmetellyouall！morestill，somethingmorehorrible，oh！Yetmorehorrible！……"

Asheutteredtheselastwords，hisairbecameutterlydistracted。Hewassilentforamoment，andresumed，asthoughspeakingtohimself，andinastrongvoice，——

"Cain，whathastthoudonewiththybrother？"

Therewasanothersilence，andhewenton——

"WhathaveIdonewithhim，Lord？Ireceivedhim，I

rearedhim，Inourishedhim，Ilovedhim，Iidolizedhim，andIhaveslainhim！Yes，Lord，theyhavejustdashedhisheadbeforemyeyesonthestoneofthinehouse，anditisbecauseofme，becauseofthiswoman，becauseofher。"

Hiseyewaswild。Hisvoicegreweverweaker；herepeatedmanytimes，yet，mechanically，attolerablylongintervals，likeabellprolongingitslastvibration:"Becauseofher——Becauseofher。"

Thenhistonguenolongerarticulatedanyperceptiblesound；buthislipsstillmoved。Allatoncehesanktogether，likesomethingcrumbling，andlaymotionlessontheearth，withhisheadonhisknees。

Atouchfromtheyounggirl，asshedrewherfootfromunderhim，broughthimtohimself。Hepassedhishandslowlyoverhishollowcheeks，andgazedforseveralmomentsathisfingers，whichwerewet，"What！"hemurmured，"Ihavewept！"

Andturningsuddenlytothegypsywithunspeakableanguish，——

"Alas！youhavelookedcoldlyonatmytears！Child，doyouknowthatthosetearsareoflava？Isitindeedtrue？

Nothingtoucheswhenitcomesfromthemanwhomonedoesnotlove。Ifyouweretoseemedie，youwouldlaugh。Oh！

Idonotwishtoseeyoudie！Oneword！Asinglewordofpardon！Saynotthatyouloveme，sayonlythatyouwilldoit；thatwillsuffice；Iwillsaveyou。Ifnot——oh！thehourispassing。Ientreatyoubyallthatissacred，donotwaituntilIshallhaveturnedtostoneagain，likethatgibbetwhichalsoclaimsyou！ReflectthatIholdthedestiniesofbothofusinmyhand，thatIammad，——itisterrible，——thatImayletallgotodestruction，andthatthereisbeneathusabottomlessabyss，unhappygirl，whithermyfallwillfollowyourstoalleternity！Onewordofkindness！Sayoneword！

onlyoneword！"

Sheopenedhermouthtoanswerhim。Heflunghimselfonhiskneestoreceivewithadorationtheword，possiblyatenderone，whichwasonthepointofissuingfromherlips。

Shesaidtohim，"Youareanassassin！"

Thepriestclaspedherinhisarmswithfury，andbegantolaughwithanabominablelaugh。

"Well，yes，anassassin！"hesaid，"andIwillhaveyou。

Youwillnothavemeforyourslave，youshallhavemeforyourmaster。Iwillhaveyou！Ihaveaden，whitherIwilldragyou。Youwillfollowme，youwillbeobligedtofollowme，orIwilldeliveryouup！Youmustdie，mybeauty，orbemine！belongtothepriest！belongtotheapostate！belongtotheassassin！thisverynight，doyouhear？Come！joy；

kissme，madgirl！Thetombormybed！"

Hiseyessparkledwithimpurityandrage。Hislewdlipsreddenedtheyounggirl’sneck。Shestruggledinhisarms。

Hecoveredherwithfuriouskisses。

"Donotbiteme，monster！"shecried。"Oh！thefoul，odiousmonk！leaveme！Iwilltearoutthyuglygrayhairandflingitinthyfacebythehandful！"

Hereddened，turnedpale，thenreleasedherandgazedatherwithagloomyair。Shethoughtherselfvictorious，andcontinued，——

"ItellyouthatIbelongtomyPhoebus，that’tisPhoebuswhomIlove，that’tisPhoebuswhoishandsome！youareold，priest！youareugly！Begone！"

Hegaveventtoahorriblecry，likethewretchtowhomahotironisapplied。"Die，then！"hesaid，gnashinghisteeth。

Shesawhisterriblelookandtriedtofly。Hecaughtheroncemore，heshookher，heflungherontheground，andwalkedwithrapidstridestowardsthecorneroftheTour-

Roland，draggingherafterhimalongthepavementbyherbeautifulhands。

Onarrivingthere，heturnedtoher，——

"Forthelasttime，willyoubemine？"

Sherepliedwithemphasis，——

"No！"

Thenhecriedinaloudvoice，——

"Gudule！Gudule！hereisthegypsy！takeyourvengeance！"

Theyounggirlfeltherselfseizedsuddenlybytheelbow。

Shelooked。Afleshlessarmwasstretchedfromanopeninginthewall，andheldherlikeahandofiron。

"Holdherwell，"saidthepriest；"’tisthegypsyescaped。

Releasehernot。Iwillgoinsearchofthesergeants。Youshallseeherhanged。"

Agutturallaughrepliedfromtheinteriorofthewalltothesebloodywords——"Hah！hah！hah！"——ThegypsywatchedthepriestretireinthedirectionofthePontNotre-Dame。

Acavalcadewasheardinthatdirection。

Theyounggirlhadrecognizedthespitefulrecluse。Pantingwithterror，shetriedtodisengageherself。Shewrithed，shemademanystartsofagonyanddespair，buttheotherheldherwithincrediblestrength。Theleanandbonyfingerswhichbruisedher，clenchedonherfleshandmetaroundit。

Onewouldhavesaidthatthishandwasrivetedtoherarm。

Itwasmorethanachain，morethanafetter，morethanaringofiron，itwasalivingpairofpincersendowedwithintelligence，whichemergedfromthewall。

Shefellbackagainstthewallexhausted，andthenthefearofdeathtookpossessionofher。Shethoughtofthebeautyoflife，ofyouth，oftheviewofheaven，theaspectsofnature，ofherloveforPhoebus，ofallthatwasvanishingandallthatwasapproaching，ofthepriestwhowasdenouncingher，oftheheadsmanwhowastocome，ofthegallowswhichwasthere。Thenshefeltterrormounttotheveryrootsofherhairandsheheardthemockinglaughoftherecluse，sayingtoherinaverylowtone:"Hah！hah！hah！youaregoingtobehanged！"

Sheturnedadyinglooktowardsthewindow，andshebeheldthefiercefaceofthesackednunthroughthebars。

"WhathaveIdonetoyou？"shesaid，almostlifeless。

Thereclusedidnotreply，butbegantomumblewithasingsongirritated，mockingintonation:"DaughterofEgypt！daughterofEgypt！daughterofEgypt！"

TheunhappyEsmeraldadroppedherheadbeneathherflowinghair，comprehendingthatitwasnohumanbeingshehadtodealwith。

Allatoncetherecluseexclaimed，asthoughthegypsy’squestionhadtakenallthistimetoreachherbrain，——"’Whathaveyoudonetome？’yousay！Ah！whathaveyoudonetome，gypsy！Well！listen——Ihadachild！yousee！Ihadachild！achild，Itellyou！——aprettylittlegirl！——myAgnes！"

shewentonwildly，kissingsomethinginthedark——"Well！doyousee，daughterofEgypt？theytookmychildfromme；theystolemychild；theyatemychild。Thatiswhatyouhavedonetome。"

Theyounggirlrepliedlikealamb，——

"Alas！perchanceIwasnotbornthen！"

"Oh！yes！"returnedtherecluse，"youmusthavebeenborn。Youwereamongthem。Shewouldbethesameageasyou！so！——Ihavebeenherefifteenyears；fifteenyearshaveIsuffered；fifteenyearshaveIprayed；fifteenyearshaveI

beatmyheadagainstthesefourwalls——Itellyouthat’twasthegypsieswhostoleherfromme，doyouhearthat？andwhoateherwiththeirteeth——Haveyouaheart？imagineachildplaying，achildsucking；achildsleeping。Itissoinnocentathing！——Well！that，thatiswhattheytookfromme，whattheykilled。ThegoodGodknowsitwell！To-day，itismyturn；Iamgoingtoeatthegypsy——Oh！Iwouldbiteyouwell，ifthebarsdidnotpreventme！Myheadistoolarge！——Poorlittleone！whileshewasasleep！Andiftheywokeherupwhentheytookher，invainshemightcry；Iwasnotthere！——Ah！gypsymothers，youdevouredmychild！comeseeyourown。"

Thenshebegantolaughortognashherteeth，forthetwothingsresembledeachotherinthatfuriousface。Thedaywasbeginningtodawn。Anashygleamdimlylightedthisscene，andthegallowsgrewmoreandmoredistinctinthesquare。Ontheotherside，inthedirectionofthebridgeofNotre-Dame，thepoorcondemnedgirlfanciedthatsheheardthesoundofcavalryapproaching。

"Madam，"shecried，claspingherhandsandfallingonherknees，dishevelled，distracted，madwithfright；"madam！havepity！Theyarecoming。Ihavedonenothingtoyou。Wouldyouwishtoseemedieinthishorriblefashionbeforeyourveryeyes？Youarepitiful，Iamsure。Itistoofrightful。

Letmemakemyescape。Releaseme！Mercy。Idonotwishtodielikethat！"

"Givemebackmychild！"saidtherecluse。

"Mercy！Mercy！"

"Givemebackmychild！"

"Releaseme，inthenameofheaven！"

"Givemebackmychild！"

Againtheyounggirlfell；exhausted，broken，andhavingalreadytheglassyeyeofapersoninthegrave。

"Alas！"shefaltered，"youseekyourchild，Iseekmyparents。"

"GivemebackmylittleAgnes！"pursuedGudule。"Youdonotknowwheresheis？Thendie！——Iwilltellyou。I

wasawomanofthetown，Ihadachild，theytookmychild。

Itwasthegypsies。Youseeplainlythatyoumustdie。

Whenyourmother，thegypsy，comestoreclaimyou，Ishallsaytoher:’Mother，lookatthatgibbet！——Or，givemebackmychild。Doyouknowwheresheis，mylittledaughter？

Stay！Iwillshowyou。Hereishershoe，allthatisleftmeofher。Doyouknowwhereitsmateis？Ifyouknow，tellme，andifitisonlyattheotherendoftheworld，Iwillcrawltoitonmyknees。"

Asshespokethus，withherotherarmextendedthroughthewindow，sheshowedthegypsythelittleembroideredshoe。

Itwasalreadylightenoughtodistinguishitsshapeanditscolors。

"Letmeseethatshoe，"saidthegypsy，quivering。"God！God！"

Andatthesametime，withherhandwhichwasatliberty，shequicklyopenedthelittlebagornamentedwithgreenglass，whichsheworeaboutherneck。

"Goon，goon！"grumbledGudule，"searchyourdemon’samulet！"

Allatonce，shestoppedshort，trembledineverylimb，andcriedinavoicewhichproceededfromtheverydepthsofherbeing:"Mydaughter！"

Thegypsyhadjustdrawnfromthebagalittleshoeabsolutelysimilartotheother。Tothislittleshoewasattachedaparchmentonwhichwasinscribedthischarm，——

~QuandleparellretrouverasTameretetendraslesbras~。*

*Whenthoushaltfinditsmate，thymotherwillstretchoutherarmstothee。

Quickerthanaflashoflightning，thereclusehadlaidthetwoshoestogether，hadreadtheparchmentandhadputclosetothebarsofthewindowherfacebeamingwithcelestialjoyasshecried，——

"Mydaughter！mydaughter！"

"Mymother！"saidthegypsy。

Hereweareunequaltothetaskofdepictingthescene。

Thewallandtheironbarswerebetweenthem。"Oh！thewall！"criedtherecluse。"Oh！toseeherandnottoembraceher！Yourhand！yourhand！"

Theyounggirlpassedherarmthroughtheopening；thereclusethrewherselfonthathand，pressedherlipstoitandthereremained，buriedinthatkiss，givingnoothersignoflifethanasobwhichheavedherbreastfromtimetotime。

Inthemeanwhile，sheweptintorrents，insilence，inthedark，likearainatnight。Thepoormotherpouredoutinfloodsuponthatadoredhandthedarkanddeepwelloftears，whichlaywithinher，andintowhichhergriefhadfiltered，dropbydrop，forfifteenyears。

Allatoncesherose，flungasideherlonggrayhairfromherbrow，andwithoututteringaword，begantoshakethebarsofhercagecell，withbothhands，morefuriouslythanalioness。

Thebarsheldfirm。Thenshewenttoseekinthecornerofhercellahugepavingstone，whichservedherasapillow，andlauncheditagainstthemwithsuchviolencethatoneofthebarsbroke，emittingthousandsofsparks。Asecondblowcompletelyshatteredtheoldironcrosswhichbarricadedthewindow。Thenwithhertwohands，shefinishedbreakingandremovingtherustedstumpsofthebars。Therearemomentswhenwoman’shandspossesssuperhumanstrength。

Apassagebroken，lessthanaminutewasrequiredforhertoseizeherdaughterbythemiddleofherbody，anddrawherintohercell。"Comeletmedrawyououtoftheabyss，"shemurmured。

Whenherdaughterwasinsidethecell，shelaidhergentlyontheground，thenraisedherupagain，andbearingherinherarmsasthoughshewerestillonlyherlittleAgnes，shewalkedtoandfroinherlittleroom，intoxicated，frantic，joyous，cryingout，singing，kissingherdaughter，talkingtoher，burstingintolaughter，meltingintotears，allatonceandwithvehemence。

"Mydaughter！mydaughter！"shesaid。"Ihavemydaughter！

heresheis！ThegoodGodhasgivenherbacktome！

Hayou！comeallofyou！IsthereanyonetheretoseethatIhavemydaughter？LordJesus，howbeautifulsheis！Youhavemademewaitfifteenyears，mygoodGod，butitwasinordertogiveherbacktomebeautiful——Thenthegypsiesdidnoteather！Whosaidso？Mylittledaughter！

mylittledaughter！Kissme。Thosegoodgypsies！Ilovethegypsies！——Itisreallyyou！Thatwaswhatmademyheartleapeverytimethatyoupassedby。AndItookthatforhatred！Forgiveme，myAgnes，forgiveme。Youthoughtmeverymalicious，didyounot？Iloveyou。Haveyoustillthelittlemarkonyourneck？Letussee。Shestillhasit。

Oh！youarebeautiful！ItwasIwhogaveyouthosebigeyes，mademoiselle。Kissme。Iloveyou。Itisnothingtomethatothermothershavechildren；Iscornthemnow。

Theyhaveonlytocomeandsee。Hereismine。Seeherneck，hereyes，herhair，herhands。Findmeanythingasbeautifulasthat！Oh！Ipromiseyoushewillhavelovers，thatshewill！Ihaveweptforfifteenyears。Allmybeautyhasdepartedandhasfallentoher。Kissme。"

Sheaddressedtoherathousandotherextravagantremarks，whoseaccentconstitutedtheirsolebeauty，disarrangedthepoorgirl’sgarmentseventothepointofmakingherblush，smoothedhersilkyhairwithherhand，kissedherfoot，herknee，herbrow，hereyes，wasinrapturesovereverything。

Theyounggirlletherhaveherway，repeatingatintervalsandverylowandwithinfinitetenderness，"Mymother！"

"Doyousee，mylittlegirl，"resumedtherecluse，interspersingherwordswithkisses，"Ishallloveyoudearly？Wewillgoawayfromhere。Wearegoingtobeveryhappy。IhaveinheritedsomethinginReims，inourcountry。

YouknowReims？Ah！no，youdonotknowit；youweretoosmall！Ifyouonlyknewhowprettyyouwereattheageoffourmonths！TinyfeetthatpeoplecameevenfromEpernay，whichissevenleaguesaway，tosee！Weshallhaveafield，ahouse。Iwillputyoutosleepinmybed。MyGod！myGod！whowouldbelievethis？Ihavemydaughter！"

"Oh，mymother！"saidtheyounggirl，atlengthfindingstrengthtospeakinheremotion，"thegypsywomantoldmeso。Therewasagoodgypsyofourbandwhodiedlastyear，andwhoalwayscaredformelikeanurse。Itwasshewhoplacedthislittlebagaboutmyneck。Shealwayssaidtome:

’Littleone，guardthisjewelwell！’Tisatreasure。Itwillcausetheetofindthymotheronceagain。Thouwearestthymotheraboutthyneck。’——Thegypsypredictedit！"

Thesackednunagainpressedherdaughterinherarms。

"Come，letmekissyou！Yousaythatprettily。Whenweareinthecountry，wewillplacetheselittleshoesonaninfantJesusinthechurch。Wecertainlyowethattothegood，holyVirgin。Whataprettyvoiceyouhave！Whenyouspoketomejustnow，itwasmusic！Ah！myLordGod！

Ihavefoundmychildagain！Butisthisstorycredible？

Nothingwillkillone——orIshouldhavediedofjoy。"

Andthenshebegantoclapherhandsagainandtolaughandtocryout:"Wearegoingtobesohappy！"

Atthatmoment，thecellresoundedwiththeclangofarmsandagallopingofhorseswhichseemedtobecomingfromthePontNotre-Dame，amidadvancingfartherandfartheralongthequay。Thegypsythrewherselfwithanguishintothearmsofthesackednun。

"Saveme！saveme！mother！theyarecoming！"

"Oh，heaven！whatareyousaying？Ihadforgotten！

Theyareinpursuitofyou！Whathaveyoudone？"

"Iknownot，"repliedtheunhappychild；"butIamcondemnedtodie。"

"Todie！"saidGudule，staggeringasthoughstruckbylightning；"todie！"sherepeatedslowly，gazingatherdaughterwithstaringeyes。

"Yes，mother，"repliedthefrightenedyounggirl，"theywanttokillme。Theyarecomingtoseizeme。Thatgallowsisforme！Saveme！saveme！Theyarecoming！Saveme！"

Therecluseremainedforseveralmomentsmotionlessandpetrified，thenshemovedherheadinsignofdoubt，andsuddenlygivingventtoaburstoflaughter，butwiththatterriblelaughwhichhadcomebacktoher，——

"Ho！ho！no！’tisadreamofwhichyouaretellingme。

Ah，yes！Ilosther，thatlastedfifteenyears，andthenIfoundheragain，andthatlastedaminute！Andtheywouldtakeherfrommeagain！Andnow，whensheisbeautiful，whensheisgrownup，whenshespeakstome，whenshelovesme；

itisnowthattheywouldcometodevourher，beforemyveryeyes，andIhermother！Oh！no！thesethingsarenotpossible。

ThegoodGoddoesnotpermitsuchthingsasthat。"

Herethecavalcadeappearedtohalt，andavoicewasheardtosayinthedistance，——

"Thisway，MessireTristan！ThepriestsaysthatweshallfindherattheRat-Hole。"Thenoiseofthehorsesbeganagain。

Thereclusesprangtoherfeetwithashriekofdespair。

"Fly！fly！mychild！Allcomesbacktome。Youareright。Itisyourdeath！Horror！Maledictions！Fly！"

Shethrustherheadthroughthewindow，andwithdrewitagainhastily。

"Remain，"shesaid，inalow，curt，andlugubrioustone，asshepressedthehandofthegypsy，whowasmoredeadthanalive。"Remain！Donotbreathe！Therearesoldierseverywhere。

Youcannotgetout。Itistoolight。"

Hereyesweredryandburning。Sheremainedsilentforamoment；butshepacedthecellhurriedly，andhaltednowandthentopluckouthandfulsofhergrayhairs，whichsheafterwardstorewithherteeth。

Suddenlyshesaid:"Theydrawnear。Iwillspeakwiththem。Hideyourselfinthiscorner。Theywillnotseeyou。

Iwilltellthemthatyouhavemadeyourescape。ThatI

releasedyou，i’faith！"

Shesetherdaughter(downforshewasstillcarryingher)，inonecornerofthecellwhichwasnotvisiblefromwithout。

Shemadehercrouchdown，arrangedhercarefullysothatneitherfootnorhandprojectedfromtheshadow，untiedherblackhairwhichshespreadoverherwhiterobetoconcealit，placedinfrontofherherjugandherpavingstone，theonlyarticlesoffurniturewhichshepossessed，imaginingthatthisjugandstonewouldhideher。Andwhenthiswasfinishedshebecamemoretranquil，andkneltdowntopray。Theday，whichwasonlydawning，stillleftmanyshadowsintheRat-Hole。

Atthatmoment，thevoiceofthepriest，thatinfernalvoice，passedveryclosetothecell，crying，——

"Thisway，CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers。"

Atthatname，atthatvoice，laEsmeralda，crouchinginhercorner，madeamovement。

"Donotstir！"saidGudule。

Shehadbarelyfinishedwhenatumultofmen，swords，andhorseshaltedaroundthecell。Themotherrosequicklyandwenttopostherselfbeforeherwindow，inordertostopitup。

Shebeheldalargetroopofarmedmen，bothhorseandfoot，drawnupontheGrève。

Thecommanderdismounted，andcametowardher。

"Oldwoman！"saidthisman，whohadanatrociousface，"weareinsearchofawitchtohangher；weweretoldthatyouhadher。"

Thepoormotherassumedasindifferentanairasshecould，andreplied，——

"Iknownotwhatyoumean。"

Theotherresumed，"~TêteDieu~！Whatwasitthatfrightenedarchdeaconsaid？Whereishe？"

"Monseigneur，"saidasoldier，"hehasdisappeared。"

"Come，now，oldmadwoman，"beganthecommanderagain，"donotlie。Asorceresswasgiveninchargetoyou。Whathaveyoudonewithher？"

Thereclusedidnotwishtodenyall，forfearofawakeningsuspicion，andrepliedinasincereandsurlytone，——

"Ifyouarespeakingofabigyounggirlwhowasputintomyhandsawhileago，Iwilltellyouthatshebitme，andthatIreleasedher。There！Leavemeinpeace。"

Thecommandermadeagrimaceofdisappointment。

"Don’tlietome，oldspectre！"saidhe。"MynameisTristanl’Hermite，andIamtheking’sgossip。TristantheHermit，doyouhear？"Headded，asheglancedatthePlacedeGrèvearoundhim，"’Tisanamewhichhasanechohere。"

"YoumightbeSatantheHermit，"repliedGudule，whowasregaininghope，"butIshouldhavenothingelsetosaytoyou，andIshouldneverbeafraidofyou。"

"~Tête-Dieu~，"saidTristan，"hereisacrone！Ah！Sothewitchgirlhathfled！Andinwhichdirectiondidshego？"

Gudulerepliedinacarelesstone，——

"ThroughtheRueduMouton，Ibelieve。"

Tristanturnedhisheadandmadeasigntohistrooptopreparetosetoutonthemarchagain。Thereclusebreathedfreelyoncemore。

"Monseigneur，"suddenlysaidanarcher，"asktheoldelfwhythebarsofherwindowarebrokeninthismanner。"

Thisquestionbroughtanguishagaintotheheartofthemiserablemother。Nevertheless，shedidnotloseallpresenceofmind。

Theyhavealwaysbeenthus，"shestammered。

"Bah！"retortedthearcher，"onlyyesterdaytheystillformedafineblackcross，whichinspireddevotion。"

Tristaneastasidelongglanceattherecluse。

"Ithinktheolddameisgettingconfused！"

Theunfortunatewomanfeltthatalldependedonherself-

possession，and，althoughwithdeathinhersoul，shebegantogrin。Motherspossesssuchstrength。

"Bah！"saidshe，"themanisdrunk。’Tismorethanayearsincethetailofastonecartdashedagainstmywindowandbrokeinthegrating。AndhowIcursedthecarter，too。"

"’Tistrue，"saidanotherarcher，"Iwasthere。"

Alwaysandeverywherepeoplearetobefoundwhohaveseeneverything。Thisunexpectedtestimonyfromthearcherre-encouragedtherecluse，whomthisinterrogatorywasforcingtocrossanabyssontheedgeofaknife。Butshewascondemnedtoaperpetualalternativeofhopeandalarm。

"Ifitwasacartwhichdidit，"retortedthefirstsoldier，"thestumpsofthebarsshouldbethrustinwards，whiletheyactuallyarepushedoutwards。"

"Ho！ho！"saidTristantothesoldier，"youhavethenoseofaninquisitoroftheChatelet。Replytowhathesays，oldwoman。"

"Goodheavens！"sheexclaimed，driventobay，andinavoicethatwasfulloftearsindespiteofherefforts，"Isweartoyou，monseigneur，that’twasacartwhichbrokethosebars。

Youhearthemanwhosawit。Andthen，whathasthattodowithyourgypsy？"

"Hum！"growledTristan。

"Thedevil！"wentonthesoldier，flatteredbytheprovost’spraise，"thesefracturesoftheironareperfectlyfresh。"

Tristantossedhishead。Sheturnedpale。

"Howlongago，sayyou，didthecartdoit？"

"Amonth，afortnight，perhaps，monseigheur，Iknownot。"

"Shefirstsaidmorethanayear，"observedthesoldier。

"Thatissuspicious，"saidtheprovost。

"Monseigneur！"shecried，stillpressedagainsttheopening，andtremblinglestsuspicionshouldleadthemtothrusttheirheadsthroughandlookintohercell；"monseigneur，I

sweartoyouthat’twasacartwhichbrokethisgrating。I

swearittoyoubytheangelsofparadise。Ifitwasnotacart，mayIbeeternallydamned，andIrejectGod！"

"Youputagreatdealofheatintothatoath；"saidTristan，withhisinquisitorialglance。

Thepoorwomanfeltherassurancevanishingmoreandmore。Shehadreachedthepointofblundering，andshecomprehendedwithterrorthatshewassayingwhatsheoughtnottohavesaid。

Hereanothersoldiercameup，crying，——

"Monsieur，theoldhaglies。ThesorceressdidnotfleethroughtheRuedeMouton。Thestreetchainhasremainedstretchedallnight，andthechainguardhasseennoonepass。"

Tristan，whosefacebecamemoresinisterwitheverymoment，addressedtherecluse，——

"Whathaveyoutosaytothat？"

Shetriedtomakeheadagainstthisnewincident，"ThatIdonotknow，monseigneur；thatImayhavebeenmistaken。Ibelieve，infact，thatshecrossedthewater。"

"Thatisintheoppositedirection，"saidtheprovost，"anditisnotverylikelythatshewouldwishtore-enterthecity，whereshewasbeingpursued。Youarelying，oldwoman。"

"Andthen，"addedthefirstsoldier，"thereisnoboateitheronthissideofthestreamorontheother。"

"Sheswamacross，"repliedtherecluse，defendinghergroundfootbyfoot。

"Dowomenswim？"saidthesoldier。

"~TêteDieu~！oldwoman！Youarelying！"repeatedTristanangrily。"Ihaveagoodmindtoabandonthatsorceressandtakeyou。Aquarterofanhouroftorturewill，perchance，drawthetruthfromyourthroat。Come！Youaretofollowus。"

Sheseizedonthesewordswithavidity。

"Asyouplease，monseigneur。Doit。Doit。Torture。I

amwilling。Takemeaway。Quick，quick！letussetoutatonce！——Duringthattime，"shesaidtoherself，"mydaughterwillmakeherescape。"

"’Sdeath！"saidtheprovost，"whatanappetitefortherack！Iunderstandnotthismadwomanatall。"

Anold，gray-hairedsergeantoftheguardsteppedoutoftheranks，andaddressingtheprovost，——

"Madinsooth，monseigneur。Ifshereleasedthegypsy，itwasnotherfault，forshelovesnotthegypsies。Ihavebeenofthewatchthesefifteenyears，andIhearhereveryeveningcursingtheBohemianwomenwithendlessimprecations。Iftheoneofwhomweareinpursuitis，asIsuppose，thelittledancerwiththegoat，shedeteststhatoneabovealltherest。"

Gudulemadeaneffortandsaid，——

"Thatoneaboveall。"

Theunanimoustestimonyofthemenofthewatchconfirmedtheoldsergeant’swordstotheprovost。Tristanl’Hermite，indespairatextractinganythingfromtherecluse，turnedhisbackonher，andwithunspeakableanxietyshebeheldhimdirecthiscourseslowlytowardshishorse。

"Come！"hesaid，betweenhisteeth，"Marchon！letussetoutagainonthequest。Ishallnotsleepuntilthatgypsyishanged。"

Buthestillhesitatedforsometimebeforemountinghishorse。Gudulepalpitatedbetweenlifeanddeath，asshebeheldhimcastaboutthePlacethatuneasylookofahuntingdogwhichinstinctivelyfeelsthatthelairofthebeastisclosetohim，andisloathtogoaway。Atlengthheshookhisheadandleapedintohissaddle。Gudule’shorriblycompressedheartnowdilated，andshesaidinalowvoice，asshecastaglanceatherdaughter，whomshehadnotventuredtolookatwhiletheywerethere，"Saved！"

Thepoorchildhadremainedallthistimeinhercorner，withoutbreathing，withoutmoving，withtheideaofdeathbeforeher。ShehadlostnothingofthescenebetweenGuduleandTristan，andtheanguishofhermotherhadfounditsechoinherheart。Shehadheardallthesuccessivesnappingsofthethreadbywhichshehungsuspendedoverthegulf；twentytimesshehadfanciedthatshesawitbreak，andatlastshebegantobreatheagainandtofeelherfootonfirmground。

Atthatmomentsheheardavoicesayingtotheprovost:

"~Corboeuf~！MonsieurlePrev？t，’tisnoaffairofmine，amanofarms，tohangwitches。Therabbleofthepopulaceissuppressed。Ileaveyoutoattendtothematteralone。

Youwillallowmetorejoinmycompany，whoarewaitingfortheircaptain。"

ThevoicewasthatofPhoebusdeChateaupers；thatwhichtookplacewithinherwasineffable。Hewasthere，herfriend，herprotector，hersupport，herrefuge，herPhoebus。Sherose，andbeforehermothercouldpreventher，shehadrushedtothewindow，crying，——

"Phoebus！aidme，myPhoebus！"

Phoebuswasnolongerthere。HehadjustturnedthecorneroftheRuedelaCoutellerieatagallop。ButTristanhadnotyettakenhisdeparture。

Therecluserusheduponherdaughterwitharoarofagony。

Shedraggedherviolentlyback，digginghernailsintoherneck。Atigressmotherdoesnotstandontrifles。Butitwastoolate。Tristanhadseen。

"Hé！hé！"heexclaimedwithalaughwhichlaidbareallhisteethandmadehisfaceresemblethemuzzleofawolf，"twomiceinthetrap！"

"Isuspectedasmuch，"saidthesoldier。

Tristanclappedhimontheshoulder，——

"Youareagoodcat！Come！"headded，"whereisHenrietCousin？"

Amanwhohadneitherthegarmentsnortheairofasoldier，steppedfromtheranks。Heworeacostumehalfgray，halfbrown，flathair，leathersleeves，andcarriedabundleofropesinhishugehand。ThismanalwaysattendedTristan，whoalwaysattendedLouisXI。

"Friend，"saidTristanl’Hermite，"Ipresumethatthisisthesorceressofwhomweareinsearch。Youwillhangmethisone。Haveyouyourladder？"

"Thereisoneyonder，undertheshedofthePillar-House，"

repliedtheman。"Isitonthisjusticethatthethingistobedone？"headded，pointingtothestonegibbet。

"Yes。"

"Ho，hé！"continuedthemanwithahugelaugh，whichwasstillmorebrutalthanthatoftheprovost，"weshallnothavefartogo。"

"Makehaste！"saidTristan，"youshalllaughafterwards。"

Inthemeantime，thereclusehadnotutteredanotherwordsinceTristanhadseenherdaughterandallhopewaslost。

Shehadflungthepoorgypsy，halfdead，intothecornerofthecellar，andhadplacedherselfoncemoreatthewindowwithbothhandsrestingontheangleofthesillliketwoclaws。Inthisattitudeshewasseentocastuponallthosesoldiersherglancewhichhadbecomewildandfranticoncemore。AtthemomentwhenRennetCousinapproachedhercell，sheshowedhimsosavageafacethatheshrankback。

"Monseigneur，"hesaid，returningtotheprovost，"whichamItotake？"

"Theyoungone。"

"Somuchthebetter，fortheoldoneseemethdifficult。"

"Poorlittledancerwiththegoat！"saidtheoldsergeantofthewatch。

RennetCousinapproachedthewindowagain。Themother’seyesmadehisowndroop。Hesaidwithagooddealoftimidity，——

"Madam"——

Sheinterruptedhiminaverylowbutfuriousvoice，——

"Whatdoyouask？"

"Itisnotyou，"hesaid，"itistheother。"

"Whatother？"

"Theyoungone。"

Shebegantoshakeherhead，crying，——

"Thereisnoone！thereisnoone！thereisnoone！"

"Yes，thereis！"retortedthehangman，"andyouknowitwell。Letmetaketheyoungone。Ihavenowishtoharmyou。"

Shesaid，withastrangesneer，——

"Ah！soyouhavenowishtoharmme！"

"Letmehavetheother，madam；’tismonsieurtheprovostwhowillsit。"

Sherepeatedwithalookofmadness，——

"Thereisnoonehere。"

"Itellyouthatthereis！"repliedtheexecutioner。"Wehaveallseenthattherearetwoofyou。"

"Lookthen！"saidtherecluse，withasneer。"Thrustyourheadthroughthewindow。"

Theexecutionerobservedthemother’sfinger-nailsanddarednot。

"Makehaste！"shoutedTristan，whohadjustrangedhistroopsinacircleroundtheRat-Hole，andwhosatonhishorsebesidethegallows。

Rennetreturnedoncemoretotheprovostingreatembarrassment。

Hehadflunghisropeontheground，andwastwistinghishatbetweenhishandswithanawkwardair。

"Monseigneur，"heasked，"whereamItoenter？"

"Bythedoor。"

"Thereisnone。"

"Bythewindow。"

"’Tistoosmall。"

"Makeitlarger，"saidTristanangrily。"Haveyounotpickaxes？"

Themotherstilllookedonsteadfastlyfromthedepthsofhercavern。Shenolongerhopedforanything，shenolongerknewwhatshewished，exceptthatshedidnotwishthemtotakeherdaughter。