第9章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Hunchback of Notre Dame",免费读到尾

  Meanwhile,thedancerremainedmotionlessuponthethreshold。Herappearancehadproducedasingulareffectupontheseyounggirls。Itiscertainthatavagueandindistinctdesiretopleasethehandsomeofficeranimatedthemall,thathissplendiduniformwasthetargetofalltheircoquetries,andthatfromthemomenthepresentedhimself,thereexistedamongthemasecret,suppressedrivalry,whichtheyhardlyacknowledgedeventothemselves,butwhichbrokeforth,nonetheless,everyinstant,intheirgesturesandremarks。

  Nevertheless,astheywereallverynearlyequalinbeauty,theycontendedwithequalarms,andeachcouldhopeforthevictory——Thearrivalofthegypsysuddenlydestroyedthisequilibrium。Herbeautywassorare,that,atthemomentwhensheappearedattheentranceoftheapartment,itseemedasthoughshediffusedasortoflightwhichwaspeculiartoherself。Inthatnarrowchamber,surroundedbythatsombreframeofhangingsandwoodwork,shewasincomparablymorebeautifulandmoreradiantthanonthepublicsquare。Shewaslikeatorchwhichhassuddenlybeenbroughtfrombroaddaylightintothedark。Thenobledamselsweredazzledbyherinspiteofthemselves。Eachonefeltherself,insomesort,woundedinherbeauty。Hence,theirbattlefrontmaywebeallowedtheexpression,wasimmediatelyaltered,althoughtheyexchangednotasingleword。Buttheyunderstoodeachotherperfectly。Women’sinstinctscomprehendandrespondtoeachothermorequicklythantheintelligencesofmen。Anenemyhadjustarrived;

  allfeltit——allralliedtogether。Onedropofwineissufficienttotingeaglassofwaterred;todiffuseacertaindegreeofilltemperthroughoutawholeassemblyofprettywomen,thearrivalofaprettierwomansuffices,especiallywhenthereisbutonemanpresent。

  Hencethewelcomeaccordedtothegypsywasmarvellouslyglacial。Theysurveyedherfromheadtofoot,thenexchangedglances,andallwassaid;theyunderstoodeachother。Meanwhile,theyounggirlwaswaitingtobespokento,insuchemotionthatshedarednotraisehereyelids。

  Thecaptainwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。\"Uponmyword,\"saidhe,inhistoneofintrepidfatuity,\"hereisacharmingcreature!Whatthinkyouofher,faircousin?\"

  Thisremark,whichamoredelicateadmirerwouldhaveutteredinalowertone,atleastwasnotofanaturetodissipatethefemininejealousieswhichwereonthealertbeforethegypsy。

  Fleur-de-Lysrepliedtothecaptainwithablandaffectationofdisdain;——\"Notbad。\"

  Theotherswhispered。

  Atlength,MadameAloise,whowasnotthelessjealousbecauseshewassoforherdaughter,addressedthedancer,——\"Approach,littleone。\"

  \"Approach,littleone!\"repeated,withcomicaldignity,littleBérangère,whowouldhavereachedaboutashighasherhips。

  Thegypsyadvancedtowardsthenobledame。

  \"Fairchild,\"saidPhoebus,withemphasis,takingseveralstepstowardsher,\"IdonotknowwhetherIhavethesupremehonorofbeingrecognizedbyyou。\"

  Sheinterruptedhim,withasmileandalookfullofinfinitesweetness,——

  \"Oh!yes,\"saidshe。

  \"Shehasagoodmemory,\"remarkedFleur-de-Lys。

  \"Come,now,\"resumedPhoebus,\"youescapednimblytheotherevening。DidIfrightenyou!\"

  \"Oh!no,\"saidthegypsy。

  Therewasintheintonationofthat\"Oh!no,\"utteredafterthat\"Oh!yes,\"anineffablesomethingwhichwoundedFleur-de-Lys。

  \"Youleftmeinyourstead,mybeauty,\"pursuedthecaptain,whosetonguewasunloosedwhenspeakingtoagirloutofthestreet,\"acrabbedknave,one-eyedandhunchbacked,thebishop’sbellringer,Ibelieve。Ihavebeentoldthatbybirthheisthebastardofanarchdeaconandadevil。

  Hehasapleasantname:heiscalled~Quatre-Temps~EmberDays,~Paques-Fleuries~PalmSunday,Mardi-GrasShroveTuesday,Iknownotwhat!Thenameofsomefestivalwhenthebellsarepealed!Sohetookthelibertyofcarryingyouoff,asthoughyouweremadeforbeadles!’Tistoomuch。

  Whatthedevildidthatscreech-owlwantwithyou?Hey,tellme!\"

  \"Idonotknow,\"shereplied。

  \"Theinconceivableimpudence!Abellringercarryingoffawench,likeavicomte!aloutpoachingonthegameofgentlemen!thatisararepieceofassurance。However,hepaiddearlyforit。MasterPierratTorterueistheharshestgroomthatevercurriedaknave;andIcantellyou,ifitwillbeagreeabletoyou,thatyourbellringer’shidegotathoroughdressingathishands。\"

  \"Poorman!\"saidthegypsy,inwhomthesewordsrevivedthememoryofthepillory。

  Thecaptainburstoutlaughing。

  \"Corne-de-boeuf!here’spityaswellplacedasafeatherinapig’stail!MayIhaveasbigabellyasapope,if——\"

  Hestoppedshort。\"Pardonme,ladies;IbelievethatI

  wasonthepointofsayingsomethingfoolish。\"

  \"Fie,sir\"saidlaGaillefontaine。

  \"Hetalkstothatcreatureinherowntongue!\"addedFleur-de-Lys,inalowtone,herirritationincreasingeverymoment。Thisirritationwasnotdiminishedwhenshebeheldthecaptain,enchantedwiththegypsy,and,mostofall,withhimself,executeapirouetteonhisheel,repeatingwithcoarse,na?ve,andsoldierlygallantry,——

  \"Ahandsomewench,uponmysoul!\"

  \"Rathersavagelydressed,\"saidDianedeChristeuil,laughingtoshowherfineteeth。

  Thisremarkwasaflashoflighttotheothers。Notbeingabletoimpugnherbeauty,theyattackedhercostume。

  \"Thatistrue,\"saidlaMontmichel;\"whatmakesyourunaboutthestreetsthus,withoutguimpeorruff?\"

  \"Thatpetticoatissoshortthatitmakesonetremble,\"

  addedlaGaillefontaine。

  \"Mydear,\"continuedFleur-de-Lys,withdecidedsharpness,\"Youwillgetyourselftakenupbythesumptuarypoliceforyourgildedgirdle。\"

  \"Littleone,littleone;\"resumedlaChristeuil,withanimplacablesmile,\"ifyouweretoputrespectablesleevesuponyourarmstheywouldgetlesssunburned。\"

  Itwas,intruth,aspectacleworthyofamoreintelligentspectatorthanPhoebus,toseehowthesebeautifulmaidens,withtheirenvenomedandangrytongues,wound,serpent-like,andglidedandwrithedaroundthestreetdancer。Theywerecruelandgraceful;theysearchedandrummagedmaliciouslyinherpoorandsillytoiletofspanglesandtinsel。Therewasnoendtotheirlaughter,irony,andhumiliation。Sarcasmsraineddownuponthegypsy,andhaughtycondescensionandmalevolentlooks。OnewouldhavethoughttheywereyoungRomandamesthrustinggoldenpinsintothebreastofabeautifulslave。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemelegantgrayhounds,circling,withinflatednostrils,roundapoorwoodlandfawn,whomtheglanceoftheirmasterforbadethemtodevour。

  Afterall,whatwasamiserabledanceronthepublicsquaresinthepresenceofthesehigh-bornmaidens?Theyseemedtotakenoheedofherpresence,andtalkedofheraloud,toherface,asofsomethingunclean,abject,andyet,atthesametime,passablypretty。

  Thegypsywasnotinsensibletothesepin-pricks。Fromtimetotimeaflushofshame,aflashofangerinflamedhereyesorhercheeks;withdisdainshemadethatlittlegrimacewithwhichthereaderisalreadyfamiliar,butsheremainedmotionless;shefixedonPhoebusasad,sweet,resignedlook。

  Therewasalsohappinessandtendernessinthatgaze。Onewouldhavesaidthatsheenduredforfearofbeingexpelled。

  Phoebuslaughed,andtookthegypsy’spartwithamixtureofimpertinenceandpity。

  \"Letthemtalk,littleone!\"herepeated,jinglinghisgoldenspurs。\"Nodoubtyourtoiletisalittleextravagantandwild,butwhatdifferencedoesthatmakewithsuchacharmingdamselasyourself?\"

  \"Goodgracious!\"exclaimedtheblondeGaillefontaine,drawingupherswan-likethroat,withabittersmile。\"Iseethatmessieursthearchersoftheking’spoliceeasilytakefireatthehandsomeeyesofgypsies!\"

  \"Whynot?\"saidPhoebus。

  Atthisreplyutteredcarelesslybythecaptain,likeastraystone,whosefallonedoesnotevenwatch,Colombebegantolaugh,aswellasDiane,Amelotte,andFleur-de-Lys,intowhoseeyesatthesametimeatearstarted。

  Thegypsy,whohaddroppedhereyesontheflooratthewordsofColombedeGaillefontaine,raisedthembeamingwithjoyandprideandfixedthemoncemoreonPhoebus。Shewasverybeautifulatthatmoment。

  Theolddame,whowaswatchingthisscene,feltoffended,withoutunderstandingwhy。

  \"HolyVirgin!\"shesuddenlyexclaimed,\"whatisitmovingaboutmylegs?Ah!thevillanousbeast!\"

  Itwasthegoat,whohadjustarrived,insearchofhismistress,andwho,indashingtowardsthelatter,hadbegunbyentanglinghishornsinthepileofstuffswhichthenobledame’sgarmentsheapeduponherfeetwhenshewasseated。

  Thiscreatedadiversion。Thegypsydisentangledhishornswithoututteringaword。

  \"Oh!here’sthelittlegoatwithgoldenhoofs!\"exclaimedBérangère,dancingwithjoy。

  Thegypsycroucheddownonherkneesandleanedhercheekagainstthefondlingheadofthegoat。Onewouldhavesaidthatshewasaskingpardonforhavingquitteditthus。

  Meanwhile,DianehadbentdowntoColombe’sear。

  \"Ah!goodheavens!whydidnotIthinkofthatsooner?

  ’Tisthegypsywiththegoat。Theysaysheisasorceress,andthathergoatexecutesverymiraculoustricks。\"

  \"Well!\"saidColombe,\"thegoatmustnowamuseusinitsturn,andperformamiracleforus。\"

  DianeandColombeeagerlyaddressedthegypsy。

  \"Littleone,makeyourgoatperformamiracle。\"

  \"Idonotknowwhatyoumean,\"repliedthedancer。

  \"Amiracle,apieceofmagic,abitofsorcery,inshort。\"

  \"Idonotunderstand。\"Andshefelltocaressingtheprettyanimal,repeating,\"Djali!Djali!\"

  AtthatmomentFleur-de-Lysnoticedalittlebagofembroideredleathersuspendedfromtheneckofthegoat,——

  \"Whatisthat?\"sheaskedofthegypsy。

  Thegypsyraisedherlargeeyesuponherandrepliedgravely,——

  \"Thatismysecret。\"

  \"Ishouldreallyliketoknowwhatyoursecretis,\"thoughtFleur-de-Lys。

  Meanwhile,thegooddamehadrisenangrily,——\"Comenow,gypsy,ifneitheryounoryourgoatcandanceforus,whatareyoudoinghere?\"

  Thegypsywalkedslowlytowardsthedoor,withoutmakinganyreply。Butthenearersheapproachedit,themoreherpaceslackened。Anirresistiblemagnetseemedtoholdher。Suddenlysheturnedhereyes,wetwithtears,towardsPhoebus,andhalted。

  \"TrueGod!\"exclaimedthecaptain,\"that’snotthewaytodepart。Comebackanddancesomethingforus。Bytheway,mysweetlove,whatisyourname?\"

  \"LaEsmeralda,\"saidthedancer,nevertakinghereyesfromhim。

  Atthisstrangename,aburstofwildlaughterbrokefromtheyounggirls。

  \"Here’saterriblenameforayounglady,\"saidDiane。

  \"Youseewellenough,\"retortedAmelotte,\"thatsheisanenchantress。\"

  \"Mydear,\"exclaimedDameAloisesolemnly,\"yourparentsdidnotcommitthesinofgivingyouthatnameatthebaptismalfont。\"

  Inthemeantime,severalminutespreviously,Bérangèrehadcoaxedthegoatintoacorneroftheroomwithamarchpanecake,withoutanyonehavingnoticedher。Inaninstanttheyhadbecomegoodfriends。Thecuriouschildhaddetachedthebagfromthegoat’sneck,hadopenedit,andhademptiedoutitscontentsontherushmatting;itwasanalphabet,eachletterofwhichwasseparatelyinscribedonatinyblockofboxwood。Hardlyhadtheseplaythingsbeenspreadoutonthematting,whenthechild,withsurprise,beheldthegoatoneofwhose\"miracles\"thiswasnodoubt,drawoutcertainletterswithitsgoldenhoof,andarrangethem,withgentlepushes,inacertainorder。Inamomenttheyconstitutedaword,whichthegoatseemedtohavebeentrainedtowrite,solittlehesitationdiditshowinformingit,andBérangèresuddenlyexclaimed,claspingherhandsinadmiration,——

  \"GodmotherFleur-de-Lys,seewhatthegoathasjustdone!\"

  Fleur-de-Lysranupandtrembled。Thelettersarrangeduponthefloorformedthisword,——

  PHOEBUS。

  \"Wasitthegoatwhowrotethat?\"sheinquiredinachangedvoice。

  \"Yes,godmother,\"repliedBérangêre。

  Itwasimpossibletodoubtit;thechilddidnotknowhowtowrite。

  \"Thisisthesecret!\"thoughtFleur-de-Lys。

  Meanwhile,atthechild’sexclamation,allhadhastenedup,themother,theyounggirls,thegypsy,andtheofficer。

  Thegypsybeheldthepieceoffollywhichthegoathadcommitted。Sheturnedred,thenpale,andbegantotremblelikeaculpritbeforethecaptain,whogazedatherwithasmileofsatisfactionandamazement。

  \"Phoebus!\"whisperedtheyounggirls,stupefied:\"’tisthecaptain’sname!\"

  \"Youhaveamarvellousmemory!\"saidFleur-de-Lys,tothepetrifiedgypsy。Then,burstingintosobs:\"Oh!\"shestammeredmournfully,hidingherfaceinbothherbeautifulhands,\"sheisamagician!\"Andsheheardanotherandastillmorebittervoiceatthebottomofherheart,saying,——

  \"Sheisarival!\"

  Shefellfainting。

  \"Mydaughter!mydaughter!\"criedtheterrifiedmother。

  \"Begone,yougypsyofhell!\"

  Inatwinkling,LaEsmeraldagathereduptheunluckyletters,madeasigntoDjali,andwentoutthroughonedoor,whileFleur-de-Lyswasbeingcarriedoutthroughtheother。

  CaptainPhoebus,onbeingleftalone,hesitatedforamomentbetweenthetwodoors,thenhefollowedthegypsy。

  CHAPTERII。

  APRIESTANDAPHILOSOPHERARETWODIFFERENTTHINGS。

  ThepriestwhomtheyounggirlshadobservedatthetopoftheNorthtower,leaningoverthePlaceandsoattentivetothedanceofthegypsy,was,infact,ArchdeaconClaudeFrollo。

  Ourreadershavenotforgottenthemysteriouscellwhichthearchdeaconhadreservedforhimselfinthattower。Idonotknow,bythewaybeitsaid,whetheritbenotthesame,theinteriorofwhichcanbeseento-daythroughalittlesquarewindow,openingtotheeastattheheightofamanabovetheplatformfromwhichthetowersspring;abareanddilapidatedden,whosebadlyplasteredwallsareornamentedhereandthere,atthepresentday,withsomewretchedyellowengravingsrepresentingthefa?adesofcathedrals。Ipresumethatthisholeisjointlyinhabitedbybatsandspiders,andthat,consequently,itwagesadoublewarofexterminationontheflies。

  Everyday,anhourbeforesunset,thearchdeaconascendedthestaircasetothetower,andshuthimselfupinthiscell,wherehesometimespassedwholenights。Thatday,atthemomentwhen,standingbeforethelowdoorofhisretreat,hewasfittingintothelockthecomplicatedlittlekeywhichhealwayscarriedabouthiminthepursesuspendedtohisside,asoundoftambourineandcastanetshadreachedhisear。

  ThesesoundscamefromthePlaceduParvis。Thecell,aswehavealreadysaid,hadonlyonewindowopeningupontherearofthechurch。ClaudeFrollohadhastilywithdrawnthekey,andaninstantlater,hewasonthetopofthetower,inthegloomyandpensiveattitudeinwhichthemaidenshadseenhim。

  Therehestood,grave,motionless,absorbedinonelookandonethought。AllParislayathisfeet,withthethousandspiresofitsedificesanditscircularhorizonofgentlehills——withitsriverwindingunderitsbridges,anditspeoplemovingtoandfrothroughitsstreets,——withthecloudsofitssmoke,——withthemountainouschainofitsroofswhichpressesNotre-Dameinitsdoubledfolds;butout。ofallthecity,thearchdeacongazedatonecorneronlyofthepavement,thePlaceduParvis;inallthatthrongatbutonefigure,——thegypsy。

  Itwouldhavebeendifficulttosaywhatwasthenatureofthislook,andwhenceproceededtheflamethatflashedfromit。Itwasafixedgaze,whichwas,nevertheless,fulloftroubleandtumult。And,fromtheprofoundimmobilityofhiswholebody,barelyagitatedatintervalsbyaninvoluntaryshiver,asatreeismovedbythewind;fromthestiffnessofhiselbows,moremarblethanthebalustradeonwhichtheyleaned;orthesightofthepetrifiedsmilewhichcontractedhisface,——

  onewouldhavesaidthatnothinglivingwasleftaboutClaudeFrolloexcepthiseyes。

  Thegypsywasdancing;shewastwirlinghertambourineonthetipofherfinger,andtossingitintotheairasshedancedProven?alsarabands;agile,light,joyous,andunconsciousoftheformidablegazewhichdescendedperpendicularlyuponherhead。

  Thecrowdwasswarmingaroundher;fromtimetotime,amanaccoutredinredandyellowmadethemformintoacircle,andthenreturned,seatedhimselfonachairafewpacesfromthedancer,andtookthegoat’sheadonhisknees。Thismanseemedtobethegypsy’scompanion。ClaudeFrollocouldnotdistinguishhisfeaturesfromhiselevatedpost。

  Fromthemomentwhenthearchdeaconcaughtsightofthisstranger,hisattentionseemeddividedbetweenhimandthedancer,andhisfacebecamemoreandmoregloomy。Allatonceheroseupright,andaquiverranthroughhiswholebody:\"Whoisthatman?\"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth:

  \"Ihavealwaysseenheralonebefore!\"

  Thenheplungeddownbeneaththetortuousvaultofthespiralstaircase,andoncemoredescended。Ashepassedthedoorofthebellchamber,whichwasajar,besawsomethingwhichstruckhim;hebeheldQuasimodo,who,leaningthroughanopeningofoneofthoseslatepenthouseswhichresembleenormousblinds,appearedalsotobegazingatthePlace。Hewasengagedinsoprofoundacontemplation,thathedidnotnoticethepassageofhisadoptedfather。Hissavageeyehadasingularexpression;itwasacharmed,tenderlook。\"Thisisstrange!\"murmuredClaude。\"Isitthegypsyatwhomheisthusgazing?\"Hecontinuedhisdescent。Attheendofafewminutes,theanxiousarchdeaconentereduponthePlacefromthedooratthebaseofthetower。

  \"Whathasbecomeofthegypsygirl?\"hesaid,minglingwiththegroupofspectatorswhichthesoundofthetambourinehadcollected。

  \"Iknownot,\"repliedoneofhisneighbors,\"Ithinkthatshehasgonetomakesomeofherfandangoesinthehouseopposite,whithertheyhavecalledher。\"

  Intheplaceofthegypsy,onthecarpet,whosearabesqueshadseemedtovanishbutamomentpreviouslybythecapriciousfiguresofherdance,thearchdeaconnolongerbeheldanyonebuttheredandyellowman,who,inordertoearnafewtestersinhisturn,waswalkingroundthecircle,withhiselbowsonhiships,hisheadthrownback,hisfacered,hisneckoutstretched,withachairbetweenhisteeth。Tothechairhehadfastenedacat,whichaneighborhadlent,andwhichwasspittingingreataffright。

  \"Notre-Dame!\"exclaimedthearchdeacon,atthemomentwhenthejuggler,perspiringheavily,passedinfrontofhimwithhispyramidofchairandhiscat,\"WhatisMasterPierreGringoiredoinghere?\"

  Theharshvoiceofthearchdeaconthrewthepoorfellowintosuchacommotionthathelosthisequilibrium,togetherwithhiswholeedifice,andthechairandthecattumbledpell-mellupontheheadsofthespectators,inthemidstofinextinguishablehootings。

  ItisprobablethatMasterPierreGringoireforitwasindeedhewouldhavehadasorryaccounttosettlewiththeneighborwhoownedthecat,andallthebruisedandscratchedfaceswhichsurroundedhim,ifhehadnothastenedtoprofitbythetumulttotakerefugeinthechurch,whitherClaudeFrollohadmadehimasigntofollowhim。

  Thecathedralwasalreadydarkanddeserted;theside-aisleswerefullofshadows,andthelampsofthechapelsbegantoshineoutlikestars,soblackhadthevaultedceilingbecome。

  Onlythegreatrosewindowofthefa?ade,whosethousandcolorsweresteepedinarayofhorizontalsunlight,glitteredinthegloomlikeamassofdiamonds,andthrewitsdazzlingreflectiontotheotherendofthenave。

  Whentheyhadadvancedafewpaces,DomClaudeplacedhisbackagainstapillar,andgazedintentlyatGringoire。

  ThegazewasnottheonewhichGringoirefeared,ashamedashewasofhavingbeencaughtbyagraveandlearnedpersoninthecostumeofabuffoon。Therewasnothingmockingorironicalinthepriest’sglance,itwasserious,tranquil,piercing。Thearchdeaconwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。

  \"Comenow,MasterPierre。Youaretoexplainmanythingstome。Andfirstofall,howcomesitthatyouhavenotbeenseenfortwomonths,andthatnowonefindsyouinthepublicsquares,inafineequipmentintruth!Motleyredandyellow,likeaCaudebecapple?\"

  \"Messire,\"saidGringoire,piteously,\"itis,infact,anamazingaccoutrement。Youseemenomorecomfortableinitthanacatcoiffedwithacalabash。’Tisveryilldone,Iamconscious,toexposemessieursthesergeantsofthewatchtotheliabilityofcudgellingbeneaththiscassockthehumerusofaPythagoreanphilosopher。Butwhatwouldyouhave,myreverendmaster?’tisthefaultofmyancientjerkin,whichabandonedmeincowardlywise,atthebeginningofthewinter,underthepretextthatitwasfallingintotatters,andthatitrequiredreposeinthebasketofarag-picker。

  Whatisonetodo?Civilizationhasnotyetarrivedatthepointwhereonecangostarknaked,asancientDiogeneswished。Addthataverycoldwindwasblowing,and’tisnotinthemonthofJanuarythatonecansuccessfullyattempttomakehumanitytakethisnewstep。Thisgarmentpresenteditself,Itookit,andIleftmyancientblacksmock,which,forahermeticlikemyself,wasfarfrombeinghermeticallyclosed。Beholdmethen,inthegarmentsofastage-player,likeSaintGenest。Whatwouldyouhave?’tisaneclipse。

  ApollohimselftendedtheflocksofAdmetus。\"

  \"’Tisafineprofessionthatyouareengagedin!\"repliedthearchdeacon。

  \"Iagree,mymaster,that’tisbettertophilosophizeandpoetize,toblowtheflameinthefurnace,ortoreceiveitfromcarrycatsonashield。So,whenyouaddressedme,Iwasasfoolishasanassbeforeaturnspit。Butwhatwouldyouhave,messire?Onemusteateveryday,andthefinestAlexandrineversesarenotworthabitofBriecheese。Now,ImadeforMadameMargueriteofFlanders,thatfamousepithalamium,asyouknow,andthecitywillnotpayme,underthepretextthatitwasnotexcellent;asthoughonecouldgiveatragedyofSophoclesforfourcrowns!

  Hence,Iwasonthepointofdyingwithhunger。Happily,IfoundthatIwasratherstronginthejaw;soIsaidtothisjaw,——performsomefeatsofstrengthandofequilibrium:

  nourishthyself。~Aleteipsam~。Apackofbeggarswhohavebecomemygoodfriends,havetaughtmetwentysortsofherculeanfeats,andnowIgivetomyteetheveryeveningthebreadwhichtheyhaveearnedduringthedaybythesweatofmybrow。Afterall,concede,Igrantthatitisasademploymentformyintellectualfaculties,andthatmanisnotmadetopasshislifeinbeatingthetambourineandbitingchairs。But,reverendmaster,itisnotsufficienttopassone’slife,onemustearnthemeansforlife。’’

  DomClaudelistenedinsilence。Allatoncehisdeep-seteyeassumedsosagaciousandpenetratinganexpression,thatGringoirefelthimself,sotospeak,searchedtothebottomofthesoulbythatglance。

  \"Verygood,MasterPierre;buthowcomesitthatyouarenowincompanywiththatgypsydancer?\"

  \"Infaith!\"saidGringoire,\"’tisbecausesheismywifeandIamherhusband。\"

  Thepriest’sgloomyeyesflashedintoflame。

  \"Haveyoudonethat,youwretch!\"hecried,seizingGringoire’sarmwithfury;\"haveyoubeensoabandonedbyGodastoraiseyourhandagainstthatgirl?\"

  \"Onmychanceofparadise,monseigneur,\"repliedGringoire,tremblingineverylimb,\"IsweartoyouthatIhavenevertouchedher,ifthatiswhatdisturbsyou。\"

  \"Thenwhydoyoutalkofhusbandandwife?\"saidthepriest。

  Gringoiremadehastetorelatetohimassuccinctlyaspossible,allthatthereaderalreadyknows,hisadventureintheCourtofMiraclesandthebroken-crockmarriage。Itappeared,moreover,thatthismarriagehadledtonoresultswhatever,andthateacheveningthegypsygirlcheatedhimofhisnuptialrightasonthefirstday。\"’Tisamortification,\"

  hesaidinconclusion,\"butthatisbecauseIhavehadthemisfortunetowedavirgin。\"

  \"Whatdoyoumean?\"demandedthearchdeacon,whohadbeengraduallyappeasedbythisrecital。

  \"’Tisverydifficulttoexplain,\"repliedthepoet。\"Itisasuperstition。Mywifeis,accordingtowhatanoldthief,whoiscalledamongustheDukeofEgypt,hastoldme,afoundlingoralostchild,whichisthesamething。Shewearsonherneckanamuletwhich,itisaffirmed,willcausehertomeetherparentssomeday,butwhichwillloseitsvirtueiftheyounggirlloseshers。Henceitfollowsthatbothofusremainveryvirtuous。\"

  \"So,\"resumedClaude,whosebrowclearedmoreandmore,\"youbelieve,MasterPierre,thatthiscreaturehasnotbeenapproachedbyanyman?\"

  \"Whatwouldyouhaveamando,DomClaude,asagainstasuperstition?Shehasgotthatinherhead。IassuredlyesteemasararitythisnunlikepruderywhichispreserveduntamedamidthoseBohemiangirlswhoaresoeasilybroughtintosubjection。Butshehasthreethingstoprotecther:

  theDukeofEgypt,whohastakenherunderhissafeguard,reckoning,perchance,onsellinghertosomegayabbé;allhistribe,whoholdherinsingularveneration,likeaNotre-Dame;

  andacertaintinypoignard,whichthebuxomdamealwayswearsabouther,insomenook,inspiteoftheordinancesoftheprovost,andwhichonecausestoflyoutintoherhandsbysqueezingherwaist。’Tisaproudwasp,Icantellyou!\"

  ThearchdeaconpressedGringoirewithquestions。

  LaEsmeralda,inthejudgmentofGringoire,wasaninoffensiveandcharmingcreature,pretty,withtheexceptionofapoutwhichwaspeculiartoher;ana?veandpassionatedamsel,ignorantofeverythingandenthusiasticabouteverything;

  notyetawareofthedifferencebetweenamanandawoman,eveninherdreams;madelikethat;wildespeciallyoverdancing,noise,theopenair;asortofwomanbee,withinvisiblewingsonherfeet,andlivinginawhirlwind。Sheowedthisnaturetothewanderinglifewhichshehadalwaysled。Gringoirehadsucceededinlearningthat,whileamerechild,shehadtraversedSpainandCatalonia,eventoSicily;

  hebelievedthatshehadevenbeentakenbythecaravanofZingari,ofwhichsheformedapart,tothekingdomofAlgiers,acountrysituatedinAchaia,whichcountryadjoins,ononesideAlbaniaandGreece;ontheother,theSicilianSea,whichistheroadtoConstantinople。TheBohemians,saidGringoire,werevassalsoftheKingofAlgiers,inhisqualityofchiefoftheWhiteMoors。Onethingiscertain,thatlaEsmeraldahadcometoFrancewhilestillveryyoung,bywayofHungary。Fromallthesecountriestheyounggirlhadbroughtbackfragmentsofqueerjargons,songs,andstrangeideas,whichmadeherlanguageasmotleyashercostume,halfParisian,halfAfrican。However,thepeopleofthequarterswhichshefrequentedlovedherforhergayety,herdaintiness,herlivelymanners,herdances,andhersongs。Shebelievedherselftobehated,inallthecity,bybuttwopersons,ofwhomsheoftenspokeinterror:thesackednunoftheTour-Roland,avillanousreclusewhocherishedsomesecretgrudgeagainstthesegypsies,andwhocursedthepoordancereverytimethatthelatterpassedbeforeherwindow;andapriest,whonevermetherwithoutcastingatherlooksandwordswhichfrightenedher。

  Thementionofthislastcircumstancedisturbedthearchdeacongreatly,thoughGringoirepaidnoattentiontohisperturbation;tosuchanextenthadtwomonthssufficedtocausetheheedlesspoettoforgetthesingulardetailsoftheeveningonwhichhehadmetthegypsy,andthepresenceofthearchdeaconinitall。Otherwise,thelittledancerfearednothing;shedidnottellfortunes,whichprotectedheragainstthosetrialsformagicwhichweresofrequentlyinstitutedagainstgypsywomen。Andthen,Gringoireheldthepositionofherbrother,ifnotofherhusband。Afterall,thephilosopherenduredthissortofplatonicmarriageverypatiently。Itmeantashelterandbreadatleast。Everymorning,hesetoutfromthelairofthethieves,generallywiththegypsy;hehelpedhermakehercollectionsoftarges*andlittleblanks**inthesquares;eacheveninghereturnedtothesameroofwithher,allowedhertoboltherselfintoherlittlechamber,andsleptthesleepofthejust。A

  verysweetexistence,takingitallinall,hesaid,andwelladaptedtorevery。Andthen,onhissoulandconscience,thephilosopherwasnotverysurethathewasmadlyinlovewiththegypsy。Helovedhergoatalmostasdearly。Itwasacharminganimal,gentle,intelligent,clever;alearnedgoat。NothingwasmorecommonintheMiddleAgesthantheselearnedanimals,whichamazedpeoplegreatly,andoftenledtheirinstructorstothestake。Butthewitchcraftofthegoatwiththegoldenhoofswasaveryinnocentspeciesofmagic。Gringoireexplainedthemtothearchdeacon,whomthesedetailsseemedtointerestdeeply。Inthemajorityofcases,itwassufficienttopresentthetambourinetothegoatinsuchorsuchamanner,inordertoobtainfromhimthetrickdesired。Hehadbeentrainedtothisbythegypsy,whopossessed,inthesedelicatearts,sorareatalentthattwomonthshadsufficedtoteachthegoattowrite,withmovableletters,theword\"Phoebus。\"

  *AnancientBurgundiancoin。

  **AnancientFrenchcoin。

  \"’Phoebus!’\"saidthepriest;\"why’Phoebus’?\"

  \"Iknownot,\"repliedGringoire。\"Perhapsitisawordwhichshebelievestobeendowedwithsomemagicandsecretvirtue。Sheoftenrepeatsitinalowtonewhenshethinksthatsheisalone。\"

  \"Areyousure,\"persistedClaude,withhispenetratingglance,\"thatitisonlyawordandnotaname?\"

  \"Thenameofwhom?\"saidthepoet。

  \"HowshouldIknow?\"saidthepriest。

  \"ThisiswhatIimagine,messire。TheseBohemiansaresomethinglikeGuebrs,andadorethesun。Hence,Phoebus。\"

  \"Thatdoesnotseemsocleartomeastoyou,MasterPierre。\"

  \"Afterall,thatdoesnotconcernme。LethermumbleherPhoebusatherpleasure。Onethingiscertain,thatDjalilovesmealmostasmuchashedoesher。\"

  \"WhoisDjali?\"

  \"Thegoat。\"

  Thearchdeacondroppedhischinintohishand,andappearedtoreflectforamoment。AllatonceheturnedabruptlytoGringoireoncemore。

  \"Anddoyousweartomethatyouhavenottouchedher?\"

  \"Whom?\"saidGringoire;\"thegoat?\"

  \"No,thatwoman。\"

  \"Mywife?IsweartoyouthatIhavenot。\"

  \"Youareoftenalonewithher?\"

  \"Agoodhoureveryevening。\"

  PornClaudefrowned。

  \"Oh!oh!~SoluscumsolanoncogitabunturorarePaterNoster~。\"

  \"Uponmysoul,Icouldsaythe~Pater~,andthe~AveMaria~,andthe~CredoinDeumpatremomnipotentem~withoutherpayinganymoreattentiontomethanachickentoachurch。\"

  \"Sweartome,bythebodyofyourmother,\"repeatedthearchdeaconviolently,\"thatyouhavenottouchedthatcreaturewitheventhetipofyourfinger。\"

  \"Iwillalsoswearitbytheheadofmyfather,forthetwothingshavemoreaffinitybetweenthem。But,myreverendmaster,permitmeaquestioninmyturn。\"

  \"Speak,sir。\"

  \"Whatconcernisitofyours?\"

  Thearchdeacon’spalefacebecameascrimsonasthecheekofayounggirl。Heremainedforamomentwithoutanswering;

  then,withvisibleembarrassment,——

  \"Listen,MasterPierreGringoire。Youarenotyetdamned,sofarasIknow。Itakeaninterestinyou,andwishyouwell。NowtheleastcontactwiththatEgyptianofthedemonwouldmakeyouthevassalofSatan。Youknowthat’tisalwaysthebodywhichruinsthesoul。Woetoyouifyouapproachthatwoman!Thatisall。\"

  \"Itriedonce,\"saidGringoire,scratchinghisear;\"itwasthefirstday:butIgotstung。\"

  \"Youweresoaudacious,MasterPierre?\"andthepriest’sbrowcloudedoveragain。

  \"Onanotheroccasion,\"continuedthepoet,withasmile,\"I

  peepedthroughthekeyhole,beforegoingtobed,andIbeheldthemostdeliciousdameinhershiftthatevermadeabedcreakunderherbarefoot。\"

  \"Gotothedevil!\"criedthepriest,withaterriblelook;

  and,givingtheamazedGringoireapushontheshoulders,heplunged,withlongstrides,underthegloomiestarcadesofthecathedral。

  CHAPTERIII。

  THEBELLS。

  Afterthemorninginthepillory,theneighborsofNotre-

  DamethoughttheynoticedthatQuasimodo’sardorforringinghadgrowncool。Formerly,therehadbeenpealsforeveryoccasion,longmorningserenades,whichlastedfromprimetocompline;pealsfromthebelfryforahighmass,richscalesdrawnoverthesmallerbellsforawedding,forachristening,andminglingintheairlikearichembroideryofallsortsofcharmingsounds。Theoldchurch,allvibratingandsonorous,wasinaperpetualjoyofbells。Onewasconstantlyconsciousofthepresenceofaspiritofnoiseandcaprice,whosangthroughallthosemouthsofbrass。Nowthatspiritseemedtohavedeparted;thecathedralseemedgloomy,andgladlyremainedsilent;festivalsandfuneralshadthesimplepeal,dryandbare,demandedbytheritual,nothingmore。Ofthedoublenoisewhichconstitutesachurch,theorganwithin,thebellwithout,theorganaloneremained。Onewouldhavesaidthattherewasnolongeramusicianinthebelfry。Quasimodowasalwaysthere,nevertheless;what,then,hadhappenedtohim?Wasitthattheshameanddespairofthepillorystilllingeredinthebottomofhisheart,thatthelashesofhistormentor’swhipreverberatedunendinglyinhissoul,andthatthesadnessofsuchtreatmenthadwhollyextinguishedinhimevenhispassionforthebells?orwasitthatMariehadarivalintheheartofthebellringerofNotre-Dame,andthatthegreatbellandherfourteensisterswereneglectedforsomethingmoreamiableandmorebeautiful?

  Itchancedthat,intheyearofgrace1482,AnnunciationDayfellonTuesday,thetwenty-fifthofMarch。ThatdaytheairwassopureandlightthatQuasimodofeltsomereturningaffectionforhisbells。Hethereforeascendedthenortherntowerwhilethebeadlebelowwasopeningwidethedoorsofthechurch,whichwerethenenormouspanelsofstoutwood,coveredwithleather,borderedwithnailsofgildediron,andframedincarvings\"veryartisticallyelaborated。\"

  Onarrivingintheloftybellchamber,Quasimodogazedforsometimeatthesixbellsandshookhisheadsadly,asthoughgroaningoversomeforeignelementwhichhadinterposeditselfinhisheartbetweenthemandhim。Butwhenhehadsetthemtoswinging,whenhefeltthatclusterofbellsmovingunderhishand,whenhesaw,forhedidnothearit,thepalpitatingoctaveascendanddescendthatsonorousscale,likeabirdhoppingfrombranchtobranch;whenthedemonMusic,thatdemonwhoshakesasparklingbundleofstrette,trillsandarpeggios,hadtakenpossessionofthepoordeafman,hebecamehappyoncemore,heforgoteverything,andhisheartexpanding,madehisfacebeam。

  Hewentandcame,hebeathishandstogether,heranfromropetorope,heanimatedthesixsingerswithvoiceandgesture,liketheleaderofanorchestrawhoisurgingonintelligentmusicians。

  \"Goon,\"saidhe,\"goon,goon,Gabrielle,pouroutallthynoiseintothePlace,’tisafestivalto-day。Nolaziness,Thibauld;thouartrelaxing;goon,goon,then,artthourusted,thousluggard?Thatiswell!quick!quick!letnotthyclapperbeseen!Makethemalldeaflikeme。That’sit,Thibauld,bravelydone!Guillaume!Guillaume!thouartthelargest,andPasquieristhesmallest,andPasquierdoesbest。Letuswagerthatthosewhohearhimwillunderstandhimbetterthantheyunderstandthee。Good!good!myGabrielle,stoutly,morestoutly!Eli!whatareyoudoingupaloftthere,youtwoMoineauxsparrows?Idonotseeyoumakingtheleastlittleshredofnoise。Whatisthemeaningofthosebeaksofcopperwhichseemtobegapingwhentheyshouldsing?Come,worknow,’tistheFeastoftheAnnunciation。Thesunisfine,thechimemustbefinealso。PoorGuillaume!thouartalloutofbreath,mybigfellow!\"

  Hewaswhollyabsorbedinspurringonhisbells,allsixofwhichviedwitheachotherinleapingandshakingtheirshininghaunches,likeanoisyteamofSpanishmules,prickedonhereandtherebytheapostrophesofthemuleteer。

  Allatonce,onlettinghisglancefallbetweenthelargeslatescaleswhichcovertheperpendicularwallofthebelltoweratacertainheight,hebeheldonthesquareayounggirl,fantasticallydressed,stop,spreadoutonthegroundacarpet,onwhichasmallgoattookupitspost,andagroupofspectatorscollectaroundher。Thissightsuddenlychangedthecourseofhisideas,andcongealedhisenthusiasmasabreathofaircongealsmeltedrosin。Hehalted,turnedhisbacktothebells,andcroucheddownbehindtheprojectingroofofslate,fixinguponthedancerthatdreamy,sweet,andtenderlookwhichhadalreadyastonishedthearchdeaconononeoccasion。Meanwhile,theforgottenbellsdiedawayabruptlyandalltogether,tothegreatdisappointmentoftheloversofbellringing,whowerelisteningingoodfaithtothepealfromabovethePontduChange,andwhowentawaydumbfounded,likeadogwhohasbeenofferedaboneandgivenastone。

  CHAPTERIV。

  ~ANArKH~。

  ItchancedthatuponafinemorninginthissamemonthofMarch,IthinkitwasonSaturdaythe29th,SaintEustache’sday,ouryoungfriendthestudent,JehanFrolloduMoulin,perceived,ashewasdressinghimself,thathisbreeches,whichcontainedhispurse,gaveoutnometallicring。\"Poorpurse,\"

  hesaid,drawingitfromhisfob,\"what!notthesmallestparisis!howcruellythedice,beer-pots,andVenushavedepletedthee!Howempty,wrinkled,limp,thouart!Thouresemblestthethroatofafury!Iaskyou,MesserCicero,andMesserSeneca,copiesofwhom,alldog’s-eared,Ibeholdscatteredonthefloor,whatprofitsitmetoknow,betterthananygovernorofthemint,oranyJewonthePontauxChangeurs,thatagoldencrownstampedwithacrownisworththirty-fiveunzainsoftwenty-fivesous,andeightdeniersparisisapiece,andthatacrownstampedwithacrescentisworththirty-sixunzainsoftwenty-sixsous,sixdenierstournoisapiece,ifIhavenotasinglewretchedblackliardtoriskonthedouble-six!Oh!ConsulCicero!thisisnocalamityfromwhichoneextricatesone’sselfwithperiphrases,~quemadmodum~,and~verumenimvero~!\"

  Hedressedhimselfsadly。Anideahadoccurredtohimashelacedhisboots,butherejecteditatfirst;nevertheless,itreturned,andheputonhiswaistcoatwrongsideout,anevidentsignofviolentinternalcombat。Atlasthedashedhiscaproughlyonthefloor,andexclaimed:\"Somuchtheworse!

  Letcomeofitwhatmay。Iamgoingtomybrother!I

  shallcatchasermon,butIshallcatchacrown。\"

  Thenbehastilydonnedhislongjacketwithfurredhalf-

  sleeves,pickeduphiscap,andwentoutlikeamandriventodesperation。

  HedescendedtheRuedelaHarpetowardtheCity。AshepassedtheRuedelaHuchette,theodorofthoseadmirablespits,whichwereincessantlyturning,tickledhisolfactoryapparatus,andhebestowedalovingglancetowardtheCyclopeanroast,whichonedaydrewfromtheFranciscanfriar,Calatagirone,thispatheticexclamation:~Veramente,questerotisseriesonocosastupenda~!*ButJehanhadnotthewherewithaltobuyabreakfast,andheplunged,withaprofoundsigh,underthegatewayofthePetit-Chatelet,thatenormousdoubletrefoilofmassivetowerswhichguardedtheentrancetotheCity。

  *Truly,theseroastingsareastupendousthing!

  Hedidnoteventakethetroubletocastastoneinpassing,aswastheusage,atthemiserablestatueofthatPérinetLeclercwhohaddelivereduptheParisofCharlesVI。totheEnglish,acrimewhichhiseffigy,itsfacebatteredwithstonesandsoiledwithmud,expiatedforthreecenturiesatthecorneroftheRuedelaHarpeandtheRuedeBuci,asinaneternalpillory。

  ThePetit-Ponttraversed,theRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevièvecrossed,JehandeMolendinofoundhimselfinfrontofNotre-

  Dame。Thenindecisionseizeduponhimoncemore,andhepacedforseveralminutesroundthestatueofM。Legris,repeatingtohimselfwithanguish:\"Thesermonissure,thecrownisdoubtful。\"

  Hestoppedabeadlewhoemergedfromthecloister,——\"WhereismonsieurthearchdeaconofJosas?\"

  \"Ibelievethatheisinhissecretcellinthetower,\"saidthebeadle;\"Ishouldadviseyounottodisturbhimthere,unlessyoucomefromsomeonelikethepopeormonsieurtheking。\"

  Jehanclappedhishands。

  \"~Bécliable~!here’samagnificentchancetoseethefamoussorcerycell!\"

  Thisreflectionhavingbroughthimtoadecision,heplungedresolutelyintothesmallblackdoorway,andbegantheascentofthespiralofSaint-Gilles,whichleadstotheupperstoriesofthetower。\"Iamgoingtosee,\"hesaidtohimselfontheway。\"BytheravensoftheHolyVirgin!itmustneedsbeacuriousthing,thatcellwhichmyreverendbrotherhidessosecretly!’Tissaidthathelightsupthekitchensofhellthere,andthathecooksthephilosopher’sstonethereoverahotfire。~Bédieu~!Icarenomoreforthephilosopher’sstonethanforapebble,andIwouldratherfindoverhisfurnaceanomeletteofEastereggsandbacon,thanthebiggestphilosopher’sstoneintheworld。\"’

  Onarrivingatthegalleryofslendercolumns,hetookbreathforamoment,andsworeagainsttheinterminablestaircasebyIknownothowmanymillioncartloadsofdevils;

  thenheresumedhisascentthroughthenarrowdoorofthenorthtower,nowclosedtothepublic。Severalmomentsafterpassingthebellchamber,hecameuponalittlelanding-place,builtinalateralniche,andunderthevaultofalow,pointeddoor,whoseenormouslockandstrongironbarshewasenabledtoseethroughaloopholepiercedintheoppositecircularwallofthestaircase。Personsdesirousofvisitingthisdooratthepresentdaywillrecognizeitbythisinscriptionengravedinwhitelettersontheblackwall:\"J’ADORE

  CORALIE,1823。SIGNEUGENE。\"\"Signé\"standsinthetext。

  \"Ugh!\"saidthescholar;\"’tishere,nodoubt。\"

  Thekeywasinthelock,thedoorwasveryclosetohim;

  hegaveitagentlepushandthrusthisheadthroughtheopening。

  ThereadercannothavefailedtoturnovertheadmirableworksofRembrandt,thatShakespeareofpainting。Amidsomanymarvellousengravings,thereisoneetchinginparticular,whichissupposedtorepresentDoctorFaust,andwhichitisimpossibletocontemplatewithoutbeingdazzled。Itrepresentsagloomycell;inthecentreisatableloadedwithhideousobjects;skulls,spheres,alembics,compasses,hieroglyphicparchments。Thedoctorisbeforethistablecladinhislargecoatandcoveredtotheveryeyebrowswithhisfurredcap。Heisvisibleonlytohiswaist。Hehashalfrisenfromhisimmensearm-chair,hisclenchedfistsrestonthetable,andheisgazingwithcuriosityandterroratalargeluminouscircle,formedofmagicletters,whichgleamsfromthewallbeyond,likethesolarspectruminadarkchamber。

  Thiscabalisticsunseemstotremblebeforetheeye,andfillsthewancellwithitsmysteriousradiance。Itishorribleanditisbeautiful。

  SomethingverysimilartoFaust’scellpresenteditselftoJehan’sview,whenheventuredhisheadthroughthehalf-

  opendoor。Italsowasagloomyandsparselylightedretreat。

  Therealsostoodalargearm-chairandalargetable,compasses,alembics,skeletonsofanimalssuspendedfromtheceiling,agloberollingonthefloor,hippocephalimingledpromiscuouslywithdrinkingcups,inwhichquiveredleavesofgold,skullsplaceduponvellumcheckeredwithfiguresandcharacters,hugemanuscriptspiledupwideopen,withoutmercyonthecrackingcornersoftheparchment;inshort,alltherubbishofscience,andeverywhereonthisconfusiondustandspiders’webs;buttherewasnocircleofluminousletters,nodoctorinanecstasycontemplatingtheflamingvision,astheeaglegazesuponthesun。

  Nevertheless,thecellwasnotdeserted。Amanwasseatedinthearm-chair,andbendingoverthetable。Jehan,towhomhisbackwasturned,couldseeonlyhisshouldersandthebackofhisskull;buthehadnodifficultyinrecognizingthatbaldhead,whichnaturehadprovidedwithaneternaltonsure,asthoughdesirousofmarking,bythisexternalsymbol,thearchdeacon’sirresistibleclericalvocation。

  Jehanaccordinglyrecognizedhisbrother;butthedoorhadbeenopenedsosoftly,thatnothingwarnedDomClaudeofhispresence。Theinquisitivescholartookadvantageofthiscircumstancetoexaminethecellforafewmomentsathisleisure。Alargefurnace,whichhehadnotatfirstobserved,stoodtotheleftofthearm-chair,beneaththewindow。Therayoflightwhichpenetratedthroughthisaperturemadeitswaythroughaspider’scircularweb,whichtastefullyinscribeditsdelicateroseinthearchofthewindow,andinthecentreofwhichtheinsectarchitecthungmotionless,likethehubofthiswheeloflace。Uponthefurnacewereaccumulatedindisorder,allsortsofvases,earthenwarebottles,glassretorts,andmattressesofcharcoal。Jehanobserved,withasigh,thattherewasnofrying-pan。\"Howcoldthekitchenutensilsare!\"hesaidtohimself。

  Infact,therewasnofireinthefurnace,anditseemedasthoughnonehadbeenlightedforalongtime。Aglassmask,whichJehannoticedamongtheutensilsofalchemy,andwhichservednodoubt,toprotectthearchdeacon’sfacewhenhewasworkingoversomesubstancetobedreaded,layinonecornercoveredwithdustandapparentlyforgotten。Besideitlayapairofbellowsnolessdusty,theuppersideofwhichborethisinscriptionincrustedincopperletters:SPIRASPERA。

  Otherinscriptionswerewritten,inaccordancewiththefashionofthehermetics,ingreatnumbersonthewalls;sometracedwithink,othersengravedwithametalpoint。Therewere,moreover,Gothicletters,Hebrewletters,Greekletters,andRomanletters,pell-mell;theinscriptionsoverflowedathaphazard,ontopofeachother,themorerecenteffacingthemoreancient,andallentangledwitheachother,likethebranchesinathicket,likepikesinanaffray。Itwas,infact,astrangelyconfusedminglingofallhumanphilosophies,allreveries,allhumanwisdom。Hereandthereoneshoneoutfromamongtherestlikeabanneramonglanceheads。

  Generally,itwasabriefGreekorRomandevice,suchastheMiddleAgesknewsowellhowtoformulate——~Unde?Inde?——Homohominimonstrurn-Ast’ra,castra,nomen,numen——MeyaBibklov,ueyaxaxov——Sapereaude。Fiatubivult~——etc。;sometimesaworddevoidofallapparentsense,~Avayxoqpayia~,whichpossiblycontainedabitterallusiontotheregimeofthecloister;sometimesasimplemaximofclericaldisciplineformulatedinaregularhexameter~Coelestemdominumterrestremdicitedominum~。TherewasalsoHebrewjargon,ofwhichJehan,whoasyetknewbutlittleGreek,understoodnothing;

  andallweretraversedineverydirectionbystars,byfiguresofmenoranimals,andbyintersectingtriangles;andthiscontributednotalittletomakethescrawledwallofthecellresembleasheetofpaperoverwhichamonkeyhaddrawnbackandforthapenfilledwithink。

  Thewholechamber,moreover,presentedageneralaspectofabandonmentanddilapidation;andthebadstateoftheutensilsinducedthesuppositionthattheirownerhadlongbeendistractedfromhislaborsbyotherpreoccupations。

  Meanwhile,thismaster,bentoveravastmanuscript,ornamentedwithfantasticalillustrations,appearedtobetormentedbyanideawhichincessantlymingledwithhismeditations。ThatatleastwasJehan’sidea,whenheheardhimexclaim,withthethoughtfulbreaksofadreamerthinkingaloud,——

  \"Yes,Manousaidit,andZoroastertaughtit!thesunisbornfromfire,themoonfromthesun;fireisthesouloftheuniverse;itselementaryatomspourforthandflowincessantlyupontheworldthroughinfinitechannels!Atthepointwherethesecurrentsintersecteachotherintheheavens,theyproducelight;attheirpointsofintersectiononearth,theyproducegold。Light,gold;thesamething!

  Fromfiretotheconcretestate。Thedifferencebetweenthevisibleandthepalpable,betweenthefluidandthesolidinthesamesubstance,betweenwaterandice,nothingmore。

  Thesearenodreams;itisthegenerallawofnature。Butwhatisonetodoinordertoextractfromsciencethesecretofthisgenerallaw?What!thislightwhichinundatesmyhandisgold!Thesesameatomsdilatedinaccordancewithacertainlawneedonlybecondensedinaccordancewithanotherlaw。Howisittobedone?Somehavefanciedbyburyingarayofsunlight,Averro?s,——yes,’tisAverro?s,——

  Averro?sburiedoneunderthefirstpillarontheleftofthesanctuaryoftheKoran,inthegreatMahometanmosqueofCordova;butthevaultcannotheopenedforthepurposeofascertainingwhethertheoperationhassucceeded,untilafterthelapseofeightthousandyears。

  \"Thedevil!\"saidJehan,tohimself,\"’tisalongwhiletowaitforacrown!\"

  \"Othershavethought,\"continuedthedreamyarchdeacon,\"thatitwouldbebetterworthwhiletooperateuponarayofSirius。But’tisexceedinghardtoobtainthisraypure,becauseofthesimultaneouspresenceofotherstarswhoseraysminglewithit。Flamelesteemeditmoresimpletooperateuponterrestrialfire。Flamel!there’spredestinationinthename!~Flamma~!yes,fire。Allliesthere。Thediamondiscontainedinthecarbon,goldisinthefire。Buthowtoextractit?Magistriaffirmsthattherearecertainfemininenames,whichpossessacharmsosweetandmysterious,thatitsufficestopronouncethemduringtheoperation。LetusreadwhatManonsaysonthematter:’Wherewomenarehonored,thedivinitiesarerejoiced;wheretheyaredespised,itisuselesstopraytoGod。Themouthofawomanisconstantlypure;itisarunningwater,itisarayofsunlight。Thenameofawomanshouldbeagreeable,sweet,fanciful;itshouldendinlongvowels,andresemblewordsofbenediction。’Yes,thesageisright;intruth,Maria,Sophia,laEsmeral——Damnation!alwaysthatthought!\"

  Andheclosedthebookviolently。

  Hepassedhishandoverhisbrow,asthoughtobrushawaytheideawhichassailedhim;thenhetookfromthetableanailandasmallhammer,whosehandlewascuriouslypaintedwithcabalisticletters。

  \"Forsometime,\"hesaidwithabittersmile,\"Ihavefailedinallmyexperiments!onefixedideapossessesme,andsearsmybrainlikefire。IhavenotevenbeenabletodiscoverthesecretofCassiodorus,whoselampburnedwithoutwickandwithoutoil。Asimplematter,nevertheless——\"

  \"Thedeuce!\"mutteredJehaninhisbeard。

  \"Hence,\"continuedthepriest,\"onewretchedthoughtissufficienttorenderamanweakandbesidehimself!Oh!

  howClaudePernellewouldlaughatme。ShewhocouldnotturnNicholasFlamelaside,foronemoment,fromhispursuitofthegreatwork!What!IholdinmyhandthemagichammerofZéchiélé!ateveryblowdealtbytheformidablerabbi,fromthedepthsofhiscell,uponthisnail,thatoneofhisenemieswhomhehadcondemned,wereheathousandleaguesaway,wasburiedacubitdeepintheearthwhichswallowedhim。TheKingofFrancehimself,inconsequenceofoncehavinginconsideratelyknockedatthedoorofthethermaturgist,sanktothekneesthroughthepavementofhisownParis。Thistookplacethreecenturiesago。Well!

  Ipossessthehammerandthenail,andinmyhandstheyareutensilsnomoreformidablethanaclubinthehandsofamakerofedgetools。AndyetallthatisrequiredistofindthemagicwordwhichZéchiélépronouncedwhenhestruckhisnail。\"

  \"Whatnonsense!\"thoughtJehan。

  \"Letussee,letustry!\"resumedthearchdeaconbriskly。

  \"WereItosucceed,Ishouldbeholdthebluesparkflashfromtheheadofthenail。Emen-Hétan!Emen-Hétan!

  That’snotit。Sigéani!Sigéani!MaythisnailopenthetombtoanyonewhobearsthenameofPhoebus!Acurseuponit!Alwaysandeternallythesameidea!\"

  Andheflungawaythehammerinarage。Thenhesankdownsodeeplyonthearm-chairandthetable,thatJehanlosthimfromviewbehindthegreatpileofmanuscripts。Forthespaceofseveralminutes,allthathesawwashisfistconvulsivelyclenchedonabook。Suddenly,DomClaudesprangup,seizedacompassandengravedinsilenceuponthewallincapitalletters,thisGreekword~ANArKH~。

  \"Mybrotherismad,\"saidJehantohimself;\"itwouldhavebeenfarmoresimpletowrite~Fatum~,everyoneisnotobligedtoknowGreek。\"

  Thearchdeaconreturnedandseatedhimselfinhisarmchair,andplacedhisheadonbothhishands,asasickmandoes,whoseheadisheavyandburning。

  Thestudentwatchedhisbrotherwithsurprise。Hedidnotknow,hewhoworehisheartonhissleeve,hewhoobservedonlythegoodoldlawofNatureintheworld,hewhoallowedhispassionstofollowtheirinclinations,andinwhomthelakeofgreatemotionswasalwaysdry,sofreelydidheletitoffeachdaybyfreshdrains,——hedidnotknowwithwhatfurytheseaofhumanpassionsfermentsandboilswhenallegressisdeniedtoit,howitaccumulates,howitswells,howitoverflows,howithollowsouttheheart;howitbreaksininwardsobs,anddullconvulsions,untilithasrentitsdikesandburstitsbed。TheaustereandglacialenvelopeofClaudeFrollo,thatcoldsurfaceofsteepandinaccessiblevirtue,hadalwaysdeceivedJehan。Themerryscholarhadneverdreamedthattherewasboilinglava,furiousandprofound,beneaththesnowybrowofAEtna。

  Wedonotknowwhetherhesuddenlybecameconsciousofthesethings;but,giddyashewas,heunderstoodthathehadseenwhatheoughtnottohaveseen,thathehadjustsurprisedthesoulofhiselderbrotherinoneofitsmostsecretaltitudes,andthatClaudemustnotbeallowedtoknowit。

  Seeingthatthearchdeaconhadfallenbackintohisformerimmobility,hewithdrewhisheadverysoftly,andmadesomenoisewithhisfeetoutsidethedoor,likeapersonwhohasjustarrivedandisgivingwarningofhisapproach。

  \"Enter!\"criedthearchdeacon,fromtheinteriorofhiscell;\"Iwasexpectingyou。Ileftthedoorunlockedexpressly;enterMasterJacques!\"

  Thescholarenteredboldly。Thearchdeacon,whowasverymuchembarrassedbysuchavisitinsuchaplace,trembledinhisarm-chair。\"What!’tisyou,Jehan?\"

  \"’TisaJ,allthesame,\"saidthescholar,withhisruddy,merry,andaudaciousface。

  DomClaude’svisagehadresumeditssevereexpression。

  \"Whatareyoucomefor?\"

  \"Brother,\"repliedthescholar,makinganefforttoassumeadecent,pitiful,andmodestmien,andtwirlinghiscapinhishandswithaninnocentair;\"Iamcometoaskofyou——\"

  \"What?\"

  \"Alittlelectureonmorality,ofwhichIstandgreatlyinneed,\"Jehandidnotdaretoaddaloud,——\"andalittlemoneyofwhichIaminstillgreaterneed。\"Thislastmemberofhisphraseremainedunuttered。

  \"Monsieur,\"saidthearchdeacon,inacoldtone,\"Iamgreatlydispleasedwithyou。\"

  \"Alas!\"sighedthescholar。

  DomClaudemadehisarm-chairdescribeaquartercircle,andgazedintentlyatJehan。

  \"Iamverygladtoseeyou。\"

  Thiswasaformidableexordium。Jehanbracedhimselfforaroughencounter。

  \"Jehan,complaintsarebroughtmeaboutyoueveryday。

  Whataffraywasthatinwhichyoubruisedwithacudgelalittlevicomte,AlbertdeRamonchamp?\"

  \"Oh!\"saidJehan,\"avastthingthat!Amaliciouspageamusedhimselfbysplashingthescholars,bymakinghishorsegallopthroughthemire!\"

  \"Who,\"pursuedthearchdeacon,\"isthatMahietFargel,whosegownyouhavetorn?~Tunicamdechiraverunt~,saiththecomplaint。\"

  \"Ahbah!awretchedcapofaMontaigu!Isn’tthatit?\"

  \"Thecomplaintsays~tunicam~andnot~cappettam~。DoyouknowLatin?\"

  Jehandidnotreply。

  \"Yes,\"pursuedthepriestshakinghishead,\"thatisthestateoflearningandlettersatthepresentday。TheLatintongueishardlyunderstood,Syriacisunknown,Greeksoodiousthat’tisaccountednoignoranceinthemostlearnedtoskipaGreekwordwithoutreadingit,andtosay,’~Groecumestnonlegitur~。’\"

  Thescholarraisedhiseyesboldly。\"Monsieurmybrother,dothitpleaseyouthatIshallexplainingoodFrenchvernacularthatGreekwordwhichiswrittenyonderonthewall?\"

  \"Whatword?\"

  \"’~ANArKH~。\"

  Aslightflushspreadoverthecheeksofthepriestwiththeirhighbones,likethepuffofsmokewhichannouncesontheoutsidethesecretcommotionsofavolcano。Thestudenthardlynoticedit。

  \"Well,Jehan,\"stammeredtheelderbrotherwithaneffort,\"Whatisthemeaningofyonderword?\"

  \"FATE。\"

  DomClaudeturnedpaleagain,andthescholarpursuedcarelessly。

  \"Andthatwordbelowit,gravedbythesamehand,’~Ayáyvela~,signifies’impurity。’YouseethatpeopledoknowtheirGreek。\"

  Andthearchdeaconremainedsilent。ThisGreeklessonhadrenderedhimthoughtful。

  MasterJehan,whopossessedalltheartfulwaysofaspoiledchild,judgedthatthemomentwasafavorableoneinwhichtoriskhisrequest。Accordingly,heassumedanextremelysofttoneandbegan,——

  \"Mygoodbrother,doyouhatemetosuchadegreeastolooksavagelyuponmebecauseofafewmischievouscuffsandblowsdistributedinafairwartoapackofladsandbrats,~quibusdammarmosetis~?Yousee,goodBrotherClaude,thatpeopleknowtheirLatin。\"

  Butallthiscaressinghypocrisydidnothaveitsusualeffectonthesevereelderbrother。Cerberusdidnotbiteatthehoneycake。Thearchdeacon’sbrowdidnotloseasinglewrinkle。

  \"Whatareyoudrivingat?\"hesaiddryly。

  \"Well,inpointoffact,this!\"repliedJehanbravely,\"Istandinneedofmoney。\"

  Atthisaudaciousdeclaration,thearchdeacon’svisageassumedathoroughlypedagogicalandpaternalexpression。

  \"Youknow,MonsieurJehan,thatourfiefofTirecbappe,puttingthedirecttaxesandtherentsofthenineandtwentyhousesinablock,yieldsonlynineandthirtylivres,elevensous,sixdeniers,Parisian。ItisonehalfmorethaninthetimeofthebrothersPaclet,butitisnotmuch。\"

  \"Ineedmoney,\"saidJehanstoically。

  \"Youknowthattheofficialhasdecidedthatourtwenty-onehousesshouldhemovedfullintothefiefoftheBishopric,andthatwecouldredeemthishomageonlybypayingthereverendbishoptwomarksofsilvergiltofthepriceofsixlivresparisis。Now,thesetwomarksIhavenotyetbeenabletogettogether。Youknowit。\"

  \"IknowthatIstandinneedofmoney,\"repeatedJehanforthethirdtime。

  \"Andwhatareyougoingtodowithit?\"

  ThisquestioncausedaflashofhopetogleambeforeJehan’seyes。Heresumedhisdainty,caressingair。

  \"Stay,dearBrotherClaude,Ishouldnotcometoyou,withanyevilmotive。Thereisnointentionofcuttingadashinthetavernswithyourunzains,andofstruttingaboutthestreetsofParisinacaparisonofgoldbrocade,withalackey,~cummeolaquasio~。No,brother,’tisforagoodwork。\"

  \"Whatgoodwork?\"demandedClaude,somewhatsurprised。

  \"TwoofmyfriendswishtopurchaseanoutfitfortheinfantofapoorHaudriettewidow。Itisacharity。Itwillcostthreeforms,andIshouldliketocontributetoit。\"

  \"Whatarenamesofyourtwofriends?\"

  \"Pierrel’AssommeurandBaptisteCroque-Oison*。\"

  *PetertheSlaughterer;andBaptistCrack-Gosling。

  \"Hum,\"saidthearchdeacon;\"thosearenamesasfitforagoodworkasacatapultforthechiefaltar。\"

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