第12章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Hunchback of Notre Dame",免费读到尾

  Heresumed,——

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

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

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

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

  Thepriestpausedforamoment,overcomewithemotion。

  Thenhecontinued,——

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

  Herethepriestlookedtheprisonerfullintheface,andadded,coldly,——

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

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

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

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

  somethingwithinmehadfallennevertoriseagain,somethinghadcomeuponmefromwhichIcouldnotflee。\"

  Hemadeanotherpauseandwenton,——

  \"Yes,datingfromthatday,therewaswithinmeamanwhomIdidnotknow。Itriedtomakeuseofallmyremedies。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  hopedthatatrialwouldfreemefromthecharm。AwitchenchantedBrunod’Ast;hehadherburned,andwascured。I

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

  Youreturned。Thentheideaofabductingyouoccurredtome。OnenightImadetheattempt。Thereweretwoofus。

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

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

  Apriestandawitchcanmingleindelightuponthetrussofstrawinadungeon!

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

  Myprojecthaditsterriblesideswhichmademeshrinkback。

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

  hadconstructeddoubly。Listen。Iamnearingtheend。

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

  Heceased。

  Theyounggirlcouldfindbutoneword:

  \"Oh,myPhoebus!\"

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

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

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

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

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

  Heopenedhiscassock。Hisbreastwasinfact,mangledasbytheclawofatiger,andonhissidehehadalargeandbadlyhealedwound。

  Theprisonerrecoiledwithhorror。

  \"Oh!\"saidthepriest,\"younggirl,havepityuponme!

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

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

  Thepriestwrithedonthewetpavement,beatinghisheadagainstthecornersofthestonesteps。Theyounggirlgazedathim,andlistenedtohim。

  Whenheceased,exhaustedandpanting,sherepeatedinalowvoice,——

  \"OhmyPhoebus!\"

  Thepriestdraggedhimselftowardsheronhisknees。

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

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

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

  Sheinterruptedwithaterribleandthrillinglaugh。

  \"Look,father,youhavebloodonyourfingers!\"

  Thepriestremainedforseveralmomentsasthoughpetrified,withhiseyesfixeduponhishand。

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

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

  Heseizedherarm,hewasbesidehimself,hetriedtodragheraway。

  Shefixedhereyeintentlyonhim。

  \"WhathasbecomeofmyPhoebus?\"

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

  \"WhathasbecomeofPhoebus?\"sherepeatedcoldly。

  \"Heisdead!\"criedthepriest。

  \"Dead!\"saidshe,stillicyandmotionless\"thenwhydoyoutalktomeofliving?\"

  Hewasnotlisteningtoher。

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

  Theyounggirlflungherselfuponhimlikearagingtigress,andpushedhimuponthestepsofthestaircasewithsupernaturalforce。

  \"Begone,monster!Begone,assassin!Leavemetodie!

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

  Thepriesthadstumbledonthestairs。Hesilentlydisentangledhisfeetfromthefoldsofhisrobe,pickeduphislanternagain,andslowlybegantheascentofthestepswhichledtothedoor;heopenedthedoorandpassedthroughit。

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

  \"Itellyouheisdead!\"

  Shefellfacedownwardsuponthefloor,andtherewasnolongeranysoundaudibleinthecellthanthesobofthedropofwaterwhichmadethepoolpalpitateamidthedarkness。

  CHAPTERV。

  THEMOTHER。

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

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

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

  butinsteadofanangelcaressingit,itisademonwhoiswrenchingatit。

  OneMaymorning,whenthesunwasrisingononeofthosedarkblueskiesagainstwhichGarofololovestoplacehisDescentsfromtheCross,therecluseoftheTour-Rolandheardasoundofwheels,ofhorsesandironsinthePlacedeGrève。

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

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

  Itseemedasthoughhergriefwerebreakingforthmoreviolentlythanusual;andshecouldbeheardoutsidelamentinginaloudandmonotonousvoicewhichrenttheheart。

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

  Italwaysseemstomethatithappenedyesterday!MyGod!

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

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

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

  Iwasfullofreligionfortheloveofher,andIbeheldyouthroughhersmileasthroughanopeningintoheaven。Oh!

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

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

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

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

  \"Theyaregoingtohangagypsyto-day。\"

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

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

  \"Father,\"sheinquired,\"whomaretheyabouttohangyonder?\"

  Thepriestlookedatherandmadenoreply;sherepeatedherquestion。Thenhesaid,——

  \"Iknownot。\"

  \"Somechildrensaidthatitwasagypsy,\"wentontherecluse。

  \"Ibelieveso,\"saidthepriest。

  ThenPaquettelaChantefleurieburstintohyena-likelaughter。

  \"Sister,\"saidthearchdeacon,\"doyouthenhatethegypsiesheartily?\"

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

  Shewasfrightful。Thepriestlookedathercoldly。

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

  Everytimethatthatyoungviperpassesinfrontofmycell,shesetsmybloodinaferment。\"

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

  Hisheadfelluponhisbosomandhemovedslowlyaway。

  Thereclusewrithedherarmswithjoy。

  \"Ipredicteditforher,thatshewouldascendthither!

  Thanks,priest!\"shecried。

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

  CHAPTERVI。

  THREEHUMANHEARTSDIFFERENTLYCONSTRUCTED。

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

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

  Anymanwouldhavedonethesameinhisplace。

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

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

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

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

  Ashamedasafoxwhohasbeencaughtbyafowl。

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

  HencePhoebus’smindwassoonateaseonthescoreoftheenchantressEsmeralda,orSimilar,ashecalledher,concerningtheblowfromthedaggeroftheBohemianorofthesurlymonkitmatteredlittlewhichtohim,andastotheissueofthetrial。Butassoonashisheartwasvacantinthatdirection,Fleur-de-Lysreturnedtoit。CaptainPhoebus’sheart,likethephysicsofthatday,abhorredavacuum。

  Queue-en-Briewasaveryinsipidplacetostayatthen,avillageoffarriers,andcow-girlswithchappedhands,alonglineofpoordwellingsandthatchedcottages,whichbordersthegrandroadonbothsidesforhalfaleague;atailqueue,inshort,asitsnameimports。

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

  HepaidnoattentiontoatolerablynumerousrabblewhichhadassembledinthePlaceduParvis,beforetheportalofNotre-Dame;herememberedthatitwasthemonthofMay;

  hesupposedthatitwassomeprocession,somePentecost,somefestival,hitchedhishorsetotheringatthedoor,andgaylyascendedthestairstohisbeautifulbetrothed。

  Shewasalonewithhermother。

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

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

  Thenobledamselherselfwasmorecharmingthanever。Hermagnificentblondhairwasplaitedinaravishingmanner,shewasdressedentirelyinthatskybluewhichbecomesfairpeoplesowell,abitofcoquetrywhichshehadlearnedfromColombe,andhereyeswereswimminginthatlanguoroflovewhichbecomesthemstillbetter。

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

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

  TheyounggirlwasseatednearthewindowstillembroideringhergrottoofNeptune。Thecaptainwasleaningoverthebackofherchair,andshewasaddressinghercaressingreproachestohiminalowvoice。

  \"Whathasbecomeofyouthesetwolongmonths,wickedman?\"

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

  Shecouldnotrepressasmile。

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

  \"Well,mydearcousin,Iwasrecalledtothegarrison。

  \"Andwhereisthat,ifyouplease?andwhydidnotyoucometosayfarewell?\"

  \"AtQueue-en-Brie。\"

  Phoebuswasdelightedwiththefirstquestion,whichhelpedhimtoavoidthesecond。

  \"Butthatisquitecloseby,monsieur。Whydidyounotcometoseemeasingletime?\"

  HerePhoebuswasratherseriouslyembarrassed。

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

  \"Ill!\"sherepeatedinalarm。

  \"Yes,wounded!\"

  \"Wounded!\"

  Shepoorchildwascompletelyupset。

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

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

  Iwishtoknowall。\"

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

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

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

  HerePhoebus,whoseimaginationwasendowedwithbutmediocrepowerofcreation,begantofindhimselfinaquandaryastoameansofextricatinghimselfforhisprowess。

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

  Faircousin,\"heexclaimed,forthesakeofchangingtheconversation,\"whatnoiseisthisintheCathedralSquare?\"

  Heapproachedthewindow。

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

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

  ThecaptainwassothoroughlypersuadedthatlaEsmeralda’saffairwasconcluded,thathewasbutlittledisturbedbyFleur-

  de-Lys’swords。Still,heaskedheroneortwoquestions。

  \"Whatisthenameofthiswitch?\"

  \"Idonotknow,\"shereplied。

  \"Andwhatisshesaidtohavedone?\"

  Sheshruggedherwhiteshoulders。

  \"Iknownot。\"

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

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

  TheyevenstooduponthemachicolationsofthePorteSainte-

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

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

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

  Bothweresilent。Theyounggirlraisedsweet,enrapturedeyestohimfromtimetotime,andtheirhairmingledinarayofspringsunshine。

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

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

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

  hisformertasteforherhadre-awakened,notwithallitsfresh-

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

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

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

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

  Andlikeafawnwhofeelsthebreathofthepackofhounds,sherose,rantothewindow,openedit,andrusheduponthebalcony。

  Phoebus,muchdiscomfited,followedher。

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

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

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

  Fromtimetotime,asharpandvibratingvoicepiercedthegeneralclamor。

  \"Ohé!MahietBaliffre!Isshetobehungyonder?\"

  \"Fool!t’isherethatsheistomakeherapologyinhershift!thegoodGodisgoingtocoughLatininherface!

  Thatisalwaysdonehere,atmidday。If’tisthegallowsthatyouwish,gototheGrève。\"

  \"Iwillgothere,afterwards。\"

  \"Tellme,laBoucanbry?Isittruethatshehasrefusedaconfessor?\"

  \"Itappearsso,LaBechaigne。\"

  \"Youseewhatapagansheis!\"

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

  \"Thankyou,sir。\"

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

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

  \"Pleaseletmealone,Phoebus!Ifmymotherweretoreturn,shewouldseeyourhand!\"

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

  Fleur-de-Lyspressedherhandstohereyes,thatshemightnotsee。

  \"Charminggirl,\"saidPhoebus,\"doyouwishtowithdraw?\"

  \"No,\"shereplied;andsheopenedthroughcuriosity,theeyeswhichshehadclosedthroughfear。

  AtumbreldrawnbyastoutNormanhorse,andallsurroundedbycavalryinvioletliverywithwhitecrosses,hadjustdeboucheduponthePlacethroughtheRueSaint-Pierre-

  aux-Boeufs。Thesergeantsofthewatchwereclearingapassageforitthroughthecrowd,bystoutblowsfromtheirclubs。

  Besidethecartrodeseveralofficersofjusticeandpolice,recognizablebytheirblackcostumeandtheirawkwardnessinthesaddle。MasterJacquesCharmolueparadedattheirhead。

  Inthefatalcartsatayounggirlwithherarmstiedbehindherback,andwithnopriestbesideher。Shewasinhershift;

  herlongblackhairthefashionthenwastocutitoffonlyatthefootofthegallowsfellindisorderuponherhalf-baredthroatandshoulders。

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

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

  Sosaying,sheturnedtoPhoebus。Hiseyeswerefixedonthetumbrel。Hewasverypale。

  \"WhatBohemianwiththegoat?\"hestammered。

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

  Phoebusinterruptedher。

  \"Idonotknowwhatyoumean。\"

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

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

  Phoebusforcedasneer,——

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

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

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

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

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

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

  ThetumbrelhadenteredtheParvis。

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

  \"~Nontimebomilliapopulicircumdantisme:exsurge,Domine;

  salvummefac,Deus~!\"

  \"~Salvummefac,Deus,quoniamintraveruntaquoeusqueadanimammeam~。

  \"~Infixussuminlimoprofundi;etnonestsubstantia~。\"

  Atthesametime,anothervoice,separatefromthechoir,intoneduponthestepsofthechiefaltar,thismelancholyoffertory,-

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

  *\"HethathearethmywordandbelievethonHimthatsentme,hatheternallife,andhathnotcomeintocondemnation;butispassedfromdeathtolife。\"

  Thischant,whichafewoldmenburiedinthegloomsangfromafaroverthatbeautifulcreature,fullofyouthandlife,caressedbythewarmairofspring,inundatedwithsunlightwasthemassforthedead。

  Thepeoplelisteneddevoutly。

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

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

  Theropeabouthernecktrailedbehindher。Onewouldhavesaiditwasaserpentfollowingher。

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

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

  Itwasinfact,thearchdeacon。Onhislefthehadthesub-

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

  \"~Deventreinfericlamavi,etexaudistivocemmeam~。

  \"~Etprojecistimeinprofundumincordemans,etflumemcircumdeditme~*。\"

  *\"OutofthebellyofhellcriedI,andthouheardestmyvoice。Forthouhadstcastmeintothedeepinthemidstoftheseas,andthefloodscompassedmeabout。\"

  Atthemomentwhenhemadehisappearanceinthefulldaylightbeneaththeloftyarchedportal,envelopedinanamplecopeofsilverbarredwithablackcross,hewassopalethatmorethanonepersoninthecrowdthoughtthatoneofthemarblebishopswhokneltonthesepulchralstonesofthechoirhadrisenandwascometoreceiveuponthebrinkofthetomb,thewomanwhowasabouttodie。

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

  Thenshefeltherbloodboilinherhead,andaremnantofindignationflashedupinthatsoulalreadybenumbedandcold。

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

  \"Younggirl,haveyouaskedGod’spardonforyourfaultsandshortcomings?\"

  Hebentdowntoherear,andaddedthespectatorssupposedthathewasreceivingherlastconfession:\"Willyouhaveme?Icanstillsaveyou!\"

  Shelookedintentlyathim:\"Begone,demon,orIwilldenounceyou!\"

  Hegaveventtoahorriblesmile:\"Youwillnotbebelieved。

  Youwillonlyaddascandaltoacrime。Replyquickly!Willyouhaveme?\"

  \"WhathaveyoudonewithmyPhoebus?\"

  \"Heisdead!\"saidthepriest。

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

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

  *\"Gonow,soul,tremblinginthebalance,andGodhavemercyuponthee。\"

  Thiswasthedreadformulawithwhichitwasthecustomtoconcludethesegloomyceremonies。Itwasthesignalagreeduponbetweenthepriestandtheexecutioner。

  Thecrowdknelt。

  \"~Kyrieeleison~,\"*saidthepriests,whohadremainedbeneaththearchoftheportal。

  *\"Lordhavemercyuponus。\"

  \"~Kyrieeleison~,\"repeatedthethronginthatmurmurwhichrunsoverallheads,likethewavesofatroubledsea。

  \"Amen,\"saidthearchdeacon。

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

  \"~Omnesgurgitestuietfluctustuisupermetransierunt。\"*

  *\"Allthywavesandthybillowshavegoneoverme。\"

  Atthesametime,theintermittentclashoftheironbuttsofthebeadles’halberds,graduallydyingawayamongthecolumnsofthenave,producedtheeffectofaclockhammerstrikingthelasthourofthecondemned。

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

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

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

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

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

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

  \"Phoebus!\"shecried,\"myPhoebus!\"

  Andshetriedtostretchtowardshimarmstremblingwithloveandrapture,buttheywerebound。

  Thenshesawthecaptainfrown,abeautifulyounggirlwhowasleaningagainsthimgazedathimwithdisdainfullipsandirritatedeyes;thenPhoebusutteredsomewordswhichdidnotreachher,andbothdisappearedprecipitatelybehindthewindowopeninguponthebalcony,whichclosedafterthem。

  \"Phoebus!\"shecriedwildly,\"canitbeyoubelieveit?\"

  Amonstrousthoughthadjustpresenteditselftoher。SherememberedthatshehadbeencondemnedtodeathformurdercommittedonthepersonofPhoebusdeChateaupers。

  Shehadborneupuntilthatmoment。Butthislastblowwastooharsh。Shefelllifelessonthepavement。

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

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

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

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

  \"Sanctuary!\"

  Thiswasdonewithsuchrapidity,thathadittakenplaceatnight,thewholeofitcouldhavebeenseeninthespaceofasingleflashoflightning。

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

  Thisshockrestoredthecondemnedgirltohersenses。Sheraisedhereyelids,lookedatQuasimodo,thenclosedthemagainsuddenly,asthoughterrifiedbyherdeliverer。

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

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

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

  Andthen,itwastouchingtobeholdthisprotectionwhichhadfallenfromabeingsohideousuponabeingsounhappy,acreaturecondemnedtodeathsavedbyQuasimodo。Theyweretwoextremesofnaturalandsocialwretchedness,comingintocontactandaidingeachother。

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

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

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

  Sanctuary!Sanctuary!\"

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

  BOOKNINTH。

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