CHAPTERI。
DELIRIUM。
ClaudeFrollowasnolongerinNotre-Damewhenhisadoptedsonsoabruptlycutthefatalwebinwhichthearchdeaconandthegypsywereentangled。Onreturningtothesacristyhehadtornoffhisalb，cope，andstole，hadflungallintothehandsofthestupefiedbeadle，hadmadehisescapethroughtheprivatedoorofthecloister，hadorderedaboatmanoftheTerraintotransporthimtotheleftbankoftheSeine，andhadplungedintothehillystreetsoftheUniversity，notknowingwhitherhewasgoing，encounteringateverystepgroupsofmenandwomenwhowerehurryingjoyouslytowardsthePontSaint-Michel，inthehopeofstillarrivingintimetoseethewitchhungthere，——pale，wild，moretroubled，moreblindandmorefiercethananightbirdletlooseandpursuedbyatroopofchildreninbroaddaylight。Henolongerknewwherehewas，whathethought，orwhetherheweredreaming。Hewentforward，walking，running，takinganystreetathaphazard，makingnochoice，onlyurgedeveronwardawayfromtheGrève，thehorribleGrève，whichhefeltconfusedly，tobebehindhim。
InthismannerheskirtedMountSainte-Geneviève，andfinallyemergedfromthetownbythePorteSaint-Victor。
Hecontinuedhisflightaslongashecouldsee，whenheturnedround，theturretedenclosureoftheUniversity，andtherarehousesofthesuburb；but，when，atlength，ariseofgroundhadcompletelyconcealedfromhimthatodiousParis，whenhecouldbelievehimselftobeahundredleaguesdistantfromit，inthefields，inthedesert，hehalted，anditseemedtohimthathebreathedmorefreely。
Thenfrightfulideasthrongedhismind。Oncemorehecouldseeclearlyintohissoul，andheshuddered。Hethoughtofthatunhappygirlwhohaddestroyedhim，andwhomhehaddestroyed。Hecastahaggardeyeoverthedouble，tortuouswaywhichfatehadcausedtheirtwodestiniestopursueuptotheirpointofintersection，whereithaddashedthemagainsteachotherwithoutmercy。Hemeditatedonthefollyofeternalvows，onthevanityofchastity，ofscience，ofreligion，ofvirtue，ontheuselessnessofGod。
Heplungedtohisheart’scontentinevilthoughts，andinproportionashesankdeeper，hefeltaSataniclaughburstforthwithinhim。
Andashethussiftedhissoultothebottom，whenheperceivedhowlargeaspacenaturehadpreparedthereforthepassions，hesneeredstillmorebitterly。Hestirredupinthedepthsofhisheartallhishatred，allhismalevolence；and，withthecoldglanceofaphysicianwhoexaminesapatient，herecognizedthefactthatthismalevolencewasnothingbutvitiatedlove；thatlove，thatsourceofeveryvirtueinman，turnedtohorriblethingsintheheartofapriest，andthatamanconstitutedlikehimself，inmakinghimselfapriest，madehimselfademon。Thenhelaughedfrightfully，andsuddenlybecamepaleagain，whenheconsideredthemostsinistersideofhisfatalpassion，ofthatcorrosive，venomousmalignant，implacablelove，whichhadendedonlyinthegibbetforoneofthemandinhellfortheother；
condemnationforher，damnationforhim。
Andthenhislaughtercameagain，whenhereflectedthatPhoebuswasalive；thatafterall，thecaptainlived，wasgayandhappy，hadhandsomerdoubletsthanever，andanewmistresswhomhewasconductingtoseetheoldonehanged。
Hissneerredoubleditsbitternesswhenhereflectedthatoutofthelivingbeingswhosedeathhehaddesired，thegypsy，theonlycreaturewhomhedidnothate，wastheonlyonewhohadnotescapedhim。
Thenfromthecaptain，histhoughtpassedtothepeople，andtherecametohimajealousyofanunprecedentedsort。
Hereflectedthatthepeoplealso，theentirepopulace，hadhadbeforetheireyesthewomanwhomhelovedexposedalmostnaked。Hewrithedhisarmswithagonyashethoughtthatthewomanwhoseform，caughtbyhimaloneinthedarknesswouldhavebeensupremehappiness，hadbeendeliveredupinbroaddaylightatfullnoonday，toawholepeople，cladasforanightofvoluptuousness。Heweptwithrageoverallthesemysteriesoflove，profaned，soiled，laidbare，witheredforever。Heweptwithrageashepicturedtohimselfhowmanyimpurelookshadbeengratifiedatthesightofthatbadlyfastenedshift，andthatthisbeautifulgirl，thisvirginlily，thiscupofmodestyanddelight，towhichhewouldhavedaredtoplacehislipsonlytrembling，hadjustbeentransformedintoasortofpublicbowl，whereatthevilestpopulaceofParis，thieves，beggars，lackeys，hadcometoquaffincommonanaudacious，impure，anddepravedpleasure。
Andwhenhesoughttopicturetohimselfthehappinesswhichhemighthavefounduponearth，ifshehadnotbeenagypsy，andifhehadnotbeenapriest，ifPhoebushadnotexistedandifshehadlovedhim；whenhepicturedtohimselfthatalifeofserenityandlovewouldhavebeenpossibletohimalso，eventohim；thattherewereatthatverymoment，hereandthereupontheearth，happycouplesspendingthehoursinsweetconversebeneathorangetrees，onthebanksofbrooks，inthepresenceofasettingsun，ofastarrynight；
andthatifGodhadsowilled，hemighthaveformedwithheroneofthoseblessedcouples，——hisheartmeltedintendernessanddespair。
Oh！she！stillshe！Itwasthisfixedideawhichreturnedincessantly，whichtorturedhim，whichateintohisbrain，andrenthisvitals。Hedidnotregret，hedidnotrepent；allthathehaddonehewasreadytodoagain；hepreferredtobeholdherinthehandsoftheexecutionerratherthaninthearmsofthecaptain。Buthesuffered；hesufferedsothatatintervalshetoreouthandfulsofhishairtoseewhetheritwerenotturningwhite。
Amongothermomentstherecameone，whenitoccurredtohimthatitwasperhapstheveryminutewhenthehideouschainwhichhehadseenthatmorning，waspressingitsironnoosecloseraboutthatfrailandgracefulneck。Thisthoughtcausedtheperspirationtostartfromeverypore。
Therewasanothermomentwhen，whilelaughingdiabolicallyathimself，herepresentedtohimselflaEsmeraldaashehadseenheronthatfirstday，lively，careless，joyous，gaylyattired，dancing，winged，harmonious，andlaEsmeraldaofthelastday，inherscantyshift，witharopeaboutherneck，mountingslowlywithherbarefeet，theangularladderofthegallows；hefiguredtohimselfthisdoublepictureinsuchamanner。thathegaveventtoaterriblecry。
Whilethishurricaneofdespairoverturned，broke，toreup，bent，uprootedeverythinginhissoul，hegazedatnaturearoundhim。Athisfeet，somechickensweresearchingthethicketsandpecking，enamelledbeetlesranaboutinthesun；
overhead，somegroupsofdappledgraycloudswerefloatingacrossthebluesky；onthehorizon，thespireoftheAbbeySaint-Victorpiercedtheridgeofthehillwithitsslateobelisk；andthemilleroftheCopeauehillockwaswhistlingashewatchedthelaboriouswingsofhismillturning。Allthisactive，organized，tranquillife，recurringaroundhimunderathousandforms，hurthim。Heresumedhisflight。
Hespedthusacrossthefieldsuntilevening。Thisflightfromnature，life，himself，man，God，everything，lastedalldaylong。Sometimesheflunghimselffacedownwardonthe，earth，andtoreuptheyoungbladesofwheatwithhisnails。
Sometimeshehaltedinthedesertedstreetofavillage，andhisthoughtsweresointolerablethathegraspedhisheadinbothhandsandtriedtotearitfromhisshouldersinordertodashituponthepavement。
Towardsthehourofsunset，heexaminedhimselfagain，andfoundhimselfnearlymad。Thetempestwhichhadragedwithinhimeversincetheinstantwhenhehadlostthehopeandthewilltosavethegypsy，——thattempesthadnotleftinhisconscienceasinglehealthyidea，asinglethoughtwhichmaintaineditsuprightposition。Hisreasonlaytherealmostentirelydestroyed。Thereremainedbuttwodistinctimagesinhismind，laEsmeraldaandthegallows；alltherestwasblank。Thosetwoimagesunited，presentedtohimafrightfulgroup；andthemoreheconcentratedwhatattentionandthoughtwaslefttohim，themorehebeheldthemgrow，inaccordancewithafantasticprogression，theoneingrace，incharm，inbeauty，inlight，theotherindeformityandhorror；
sothatatlastlaEsmeraldaappearedtohimlikeastar，thegibbetlikeanenormous，fleshlessarm。
Oneremarkablefactis，thatduringthewholeofthistorture，theideaofdyingdidnotseriouslyoccurtohim。Thewretchwasmadeso。Heclungtolife。Perhapshereallysawhellbeyondit。
Meanwhile，thedaycontinuedtodecline。Thelivingbeingwhichstillexistedinhimreflectedvaguelyonretracingitssteps。HebelievedhimselftobefarawayfromParis；ontakinghisbearings，heperceivedthathehadonlycircledtheenclosureoftheUniversity。ThespireofSaint-Sulpice，andthethreeloftyneedlesofSaintGermain-des-Prés，roseabovethehorizononhisright。Heturnedhisstepsinthatdirection。Whenheheardthebriskchallengeofthemen-at-armsoftheabbey，aroundthecrenelated，circumscribingwallofSaint-Germain，heturnedaside，tookapathwhichpresenteditselfbetweentheabbeyandthelazar-houseofthebourg，andattheexpirationofafewminutesfoundhimselfonthevergeofthePré-aux-Clercs。Thismeadowwascelebratedbyreasonofthebrawlswhichwentontherenightandday；itwasthehydraofthepoormonksofSaint-Germain:~quodmouachisSancti-Germainipratensishydrafuit，clericisnovasemperdissidiorumcapitasuscitantibus~。Thearchdeaconwasafraidofmeetingsomeonethere；hefearedeveryhumancountenance；hehadjustavoidedtheUniversityandtheBourgSaint-Germain；hewishedtore-enterthestreetsaslateaspossible。HeskirtedthePré-aux-Clercs，tookthedesertedpathwhichseparateditfromtheDieu-Neuf，andatlastreachedthewater’sedge。ThereDomClaudefoundaboatman，who，forafewfarthingsinParisiancoinage，rowedhimuptheSeineasfarasthepointofthecity，andlandedhimonthattongueofabandonedlandwherethereaderhasalreadybeheldGringoiredreaming，andwhichwasprolongedbeyondtheking’sgardens，paralleltotheIleduPasseur-aux-Vaches。
Themonotonousrockingoftheboatandtherippleofthewaterhad，insomesort，quietedtheunhappyClaude。Whentheboatmanhadtakenhisdeparture，heremainedstandingstupidlyonthestrand，staringstraightbeforehimandperceivingobjectsonlythroughmagnifyingoscillationswhichrenderedeverythingasortofphantasmagoriatohim。Thefatigueofagreatgriefnotinfrequentlyproducesthiseffectonthemind。
ThesunhadsetbehindtheloftyTour-de-Nesle。Itwasthetwilighthour。Theskywaswhite，thewateroftheriverwaswhite。Betweenthesetwowhiteexpanses，theleftbankoftheSeine，onwhichhiseyeswerefixed，projecteditsgloomymassand，renderedeverthinnerandthinnerbyperspective，itplungedintothegloomofthehorizonlikeablackspire。Itwasloadedwithhouses，ofwhichonlytheobscureoutlinecouldbedistinguished，sharplybroughtoutinshadowsagainstthelightbackgroundoftheskyandthewater。Hereandtherewindowsbegantogleam，liketheholesinabrazier。
Thatimmenseblackobeliskthusisolatedbetweenthetwowhiteexpansesoftheskyandtheriver，whichwasverybroadatthispoint，produceduponDomClaudeasingulareffect，comparabletothatwhichwouldbeexperiencedbyamanwho，recliningonhisbackatthefootofthetowerofStrasburg，shouldgazeattheenormousspireplungingintotheshadowsofthetwilightabovehishead。Only，inthiscase，itwasClaudewhowaserectandtheobeliskwhichwaslyingdown；but，astheriver，reflectingthesky，prolongedtheabyssbelowhim，theimmensepromontoryseemedtobeasboldlylaunchedintospaceasanycathedralspire；andtheimpressionwasthesame。Thisimpressionhadevenonestrongerandmoreprofoundpointaboutit，thatitwasindeedthetowerofStrasbourg，butthetowerofStrasbourgtwoleaguesinheight；somethingunheardof，gigantic，immeasurable；anedificesuchasnohumaneyehaseverseen；atowerofBabel。
Thechimneysofthehouses，thebattlementsofthewalls，thefacetedgablesoftheroofs，thespireoftheAugustines，thetowerofNesle，alltheseprojectionswhichbroketheprofileofthecolossalobeliskaddedtotheillusionbydisplayingineccentricfashiontotheeyetheindentationsofaluxuriantandfantasticsculpture。
Claude，inthestateofhallucinationinwhichhefoundhimself，believedthathesaw，thathesawwithhisactualeyes，thebelltowerofhell；thethousandlightsscatteredoverthewholeheightoftheterribletowerseemedtohimsomanyporchesoftheimmenseinteriorfurnace；thevoicesandnoiseswhichescapedfromitseemedsomanyshrieks，somanydeathgroans。Thenhebecamealarmed，heputhishandsonhisearsthathemightnolongerhear，turnedhisbackthathemightnolongersee，andfledfromthefrightfulvisionwithhastystrides。
Butthevisionwasinhimself。
Whenhere-enteredthestreets，thepassers-byelbowingeachotherbythelightoftheshop-fronts，produceduponhimtheeffectofaconstantgoingandcomingofspectresabouthim。
Therewerestrangenoisesinhisears；extraordinaryfanciesdisturbedhisbrain。Hesawneitherhouses，norpavements，norchariots，normenandwomen，butachaosofindeterminateobjectswhoseedgesmeltedintoeachother。AtthecorneroftheRuedelaBarillerie，therewasagrocer’sshopwhoseporchwasgarnishedallabout，accordingtoimmemorialcustom，withhoopsoftinfromwhichhungacircleofwoodencandles，whichcameincontactwitheachotherinthewind，andrattledlikecastanets。HethoughtheheardaclusterofskeletonsatMontfau？onclashingtogetherinthegloom。
\"Oh！\"hemuttered，\"thenightbreezedashesthemagainsteachother，andminglesthenoiseoftheirchainswiththerattleoftheirbones！Perhapssheisthereamongthem！\"
Inhisstateoffrenzy，heknewnotwhitherhewasgoing。
AfterafewstrideshefoundhimselfonthePontSaint-
Michel。Therewasalightinthewindowofaground-floorroom；heapproached。Throughacrackedwindowhebeheldameanchamberwhichrecalledsomeconfusedmemorytohismind。Inthatroom，badlylightedbyameagrelamp，therewasafresh，light-hairedyoungman，withamerryface，whoamidloudburstsoflaughterwasembracingaveryaudaciouslyattiredyounggirl；andnearthelampsatanoldcronespinningandsinginginaquaveringvoice。Astheyoungmandidnotlaughconstantly，fragmentsoftheoldwoman’sdittyreachedthepriest；itwassomethingunintelligibleyetfrightful，——
\"~Grève，aboie，Grève，grouille！
File，file，maquenouille，Filesacordeaubourreau，Quisiffledanslepreau，Grève，aboie，Grève，grouille~！
\"~Labellecordedechanvre！
Semezd’Issyjusqu’áVanvreDuchanvreetnonpasduble。
Levoleurn’apasvole
Labellecordedechanvre~。
\"~Grève，grouille，Grève，aboie！
Pourvoirlafilledejoie，Prendreaugibetchassieux，Lesfenêtressontdesyeux。
Grève，grouille，Grève，aboie！\"*
*Bark，Grève，grumble，Grève！Spin，spin，mydistaff，spinherropeforthehangman，whoiswhistlinginthemeadow。Whatabeautifulhempenrope！Sowhemp，notwheat，fromIssytoVanvre。Thethiefhathnotstolenthebeautifulhempenrope。
Grumble，Grève，bark，Grève！Toseethedissolutewenchhangontheblear-eyedgibbet，windowsareeyes。
Thereupontheyoungmanlaughedandcaressedthewench。
ThecronewaslaFalourdel；thegirlwasacourtesan；theyoungmanwashisbrotherJehan。
Hecontinuedtogaze。Thatspectaclewasasgoodasanyother。
HesawJehangotoawindowattheendoftheroom，openit，castaglanceonthequay，whereinthedistanceblazedathousandlightedcasements，andheheardhimsayasheclosedthesash，——
\"’Ponmysoul！Howdarkitis；thepeoplearelightingtheircandles，andthegoodGodhisstars。\"
ThenJehancamebacktothehag，smashedabottlestandingonthetable，exclaiming，——
\"Alreadyempty，~cor-boeuf~！andIhavenomoremoney！
Isabeau，mydear，IshallnotbesatisfiedwithJupiteruntilhehaschangedyourtwowhitenipplesintotwoblackbottles，whereImaysuckwineofBeaunedayandnight。\"
Thisfinepleasantrymadethecourtesanlaugh，andJehanlefttheroom。
DomClaudehadbarelytimetoflinghimselfonthegroundinorderthathemightnotbemet，staredinthefaceandrecognizedbyhisbrother。Luckily，thestreetwasdark，andthescholarwastipsy。Nevertheless，hecaughtsightofthearchdeaconproneupontheearthinthemud。
\"Oh！oh！\"saidhe；\"here’safellowwhohasbeenleadingajollylife，to-day。\"
HestirredupDomClaudewithhisfoot，andthelatterheldhisbreath。
\"Deaddrunk，\"resumedJehan。\"Come，he’sfull。A
regularleechdetachedfromahogshead。He’sbald，\"headded，bendingdown，\"’tisanoldman！~Fortunatesenex~！\"
ThenDomClaudeheardhimretreat，saying，——
\"’Tisallthesame，reasonisafinething，andmybrotherthearchdeaconisveryhappyinthatheiswiseandhasmoney。\"
Thenthearchdeaconrosetohisfeet，andranwithouthalting，towardsNotre-Dame，whoseenormoustowershebeheldrisingabovethehousesthroughthegloom。
Attheinstantwhenhearrived，panting，onthePlaceduParvis，heshrankbackanddarednotraisehiseyestothefataledifice。
\"Oh！\"hesaid，inalowvoice，\"isitreallytruethatsuchathingtookplacehere，to-day，thisverymorning？\"
Still，heventuredtoglanceatthechurch。Thefrontwassombre；theskybehindwasglitteringwithstars。Thecrescentofthemoon，inherflightupwardfromthehorizon，hadpausedatthemoment，onthesummitofthelighthandtower，andseemedtohavepercheditself，likealuminousbird，ontheedgeofthebalustrade，cutoutinblacktrefoils。
Thecloisterdoorwasshut；butthearchdeaconalwayscarriedwithhimthekeyofthetowerinwhichhislaboratorywassituated。Hemadeuseofittoenterthechurch。
Inthechurchhefoundthegloomandsilenceofacavern。
Bythedeepshadowswhichfellinbroadsheetsfromalldirections，herecognizedthefactthatthehangingsfortheceremonyofthemorninghadnotyetbeenremoved。Thegreatsilvercrossshonefromthedepthsofthegloom，powderedwithsomesparklingpoints，likethemilkywayofthatsepulchralnight。Thelongwindowsofthechoirshowedtheupperextremitiesoftheirarchesabovetheblackdraperies，andtheirpaintedpanes，traversedbyarayofmoonlighthadnolongeranyhuesbutthedoubtfulcolorsofnight，asortofviolet，whiteandblue，whosetintisfoundonlyonthefacesofthedead。Thearchdeacon，onperceivingthesewanspotsallaroundthechoir，thoughthebeheldthemitresofdamnedbishops。Heshuthiseyes，andwhenheopenedthemagain，hethoughttheywereacircleofpalevisagesgazingathim。
Hestartedtofleeacrossthechurch。Thenitseemedtohimthatthechurchalsowasshaking，moving，becomingenduedwithanimation，thatitwasalive；thateachofthegreatcolumnswasturningintoanenormouspaw，whichwasbeatingtheearthwithitsbigstonespatula，andthatthegiganticcathedralwasnolongeranythingbutasortofprodigiouselephant，whichwasbreathingandmarchingwithitspillarsforfeet，itstwotowersfortrunksandtheimmenseblackclothforitshousings。
ThisfeverormadnesshadreachedsuchadegreeofintensitythattheexternalworldwasnolongeranythingmorefortheunhappymanthanasortofApocalypse，-visible，palpable，terrible。
Foronemoment，hewasrelieved。Asheplungedintothesideaisles，heperceivedareddishlightbehindaclusterofpillars。Herantowardsitastoastar。ItwasthepoorlampwhichlightedthepublicbreviaryofNotre-Damenightandday，beneathitsirongrating。Heflunghimselfeagerlyupontheholybookinthehopeoffindingsomeconsolation，orsomeencouragementthere。ThehooklayopenatthispassageofJob，overwhichhisstaringeyeglanced，——
\"Andaspiritpassedbeforemyface，andIheardasmallvoice，andthehairofmyfleshstoodup。\"
Onreadingthesegloomywords，hefeltthatwhichablindmanfeelswhenhefeelshimselfprickedbythestaffwhichhehaspickedup。Hiskneesgavewaybeneathhim，andhesankuponthepavement，thinkingofherwhohaddiedthatday。
Hefeltsomanymonstrousvaporspassanddischargethemselvesinhisbrain，thatitseemedtohimthathisheadhadbecomeoneofthechimneysofhell。
Itwouldappearthatheremainedalongtimeinthisattitude，nolongerthinking，overwhelmedandpassivebeneaththehandofthedemon。Atlengthsomestrengthreturnedtohim；itoccurredtohimtotakerefugeinhistowerbesidehisfaithfulQuasimodo。Herose；and，ashewasafraid，hetookthelampfromthebreviarytolighthisway。Itwasasacrilege；buthehadgotbeyondheedingsuchatriflenow。
Heslowlyclimbedthestairsofthetowers，filledwithasecretfrightwhichmusthavebeencommunicatedtotherarepassers-byinthePlaceduParvisbythemysteriouslightofhislamp，mountingsolatefromloopholetoloopholeofthebelltower。
Allatonce，hefeltafreshnessonhisface，andfoundhimselfatthedoorofthehighestgallery。Theairwascold；theskywasfilledwithhurryingclouds，whoselarge，whiteflakesdriftedoneuponanotherlikethebreakingupofrivericeafterthewinter。Thecrescentofthemoon，strandedinthemidstoftheclouds，seemedacelestialvesselcaughtintheice-cakesoftheair。
Heloweredhisgaze，andcontemplatedforamoment，throughtherailingofslendercolumnswhichunitesthetwotowers，faraway，throughagauzeofmistsandsmoke，thesilentthrongoftheroofsofParis，pointed，innumerable，crowdedandsmalllikethewavesofatranquilseaonasum-
mernight。
Themooncastafeebleray，whichimpartedtoearthandheavenanashyhue。
Atthatmomenttheclockraiseditsshrill，crackedvoice。
Midnightrangout。Thepriestthoughtofmidday；twelveo’clockhadcomebackagain。
\"Oh！\"hesaidinaverylowtone，\"shemustbecoldnow。\"
Allatonce，agustofwindextinguishedhislamp，andalmostatthesameinstant，hebeheldashade，awhiteness，aform，awoman，appearfromtheoppositeangleofthetower。
Hestarted。Besidethiswomanwasalittlegoat，whichmingleditsbleatwiththelastbleatoftheclock。
Hehadstrengthenoughtolook。Itwasshe。
Shewaspale，shewasgloomy。Herhairfelloverhershouldersasinthemorning；buttherewasnolongeraropeonherneck，herhandswerenolongerbound；shewasfree，shewasdead。
Shewasdressedinwhiteandhadawhiteveilonherhead。
Shecametowardshim，slowly，withhergazefixedonthesky。Thesupernaturalgoatfollowedher。Hefeltasthoughmadeofstoneandtooheavytoflee。Ateverystepwhichshetookinadvance，hetookonebackwards，andthatwasall。
Inthiswayheretreatedoncemorebeneaththegloomyarchofthestairway。Hewaschilledbythethoughtthatshemightentertherealso；hadshedoneso，hewouldhavediedofterror。
Shedidarrive，infact，infrontofthedoortothestairway，andpausedthereforseveralminutes，staredintentlyintothedarkness，butwithoutappearingtoseethepriest，andpassedon。Sheseemedtallertohimthanwhenshehadbeenalive；
hesawthemoonthroughherwhiterobe；heheardherbreath。
Whenshehadpassedon，hebegantodescendthestaircaseagain，withtheslownesswhichhehadobservedinthespectre，believinghimselftobeaspectretoo，haggard，withhaironend，hisextinguishedlampstillinhishand；andashedescendedthespiralsteps，hedistinctlyheardinhisearavoicelaughingandrepeating，——
\"Aspiritpassedbeforemyface，andIheardasmallvoice，andthehairofmyfleshstoodup。\"
CHAPTERII。
HUNCHBACKED，ONEEYED，LAME。
EverycityduringtheMiddleAges，andeverycityinFrancedowntothetimeofLouisXII。haditsplacesofasylum。
Thesesanctuaries，inthemidstofthedelugeofpenalandbarbarousjurisdictionswhichinundatedthecity，wereaspeciesofislandswhichroseabovethelevelofhumanjustice。
Everycriminalwholandedtherewassafe。Therewereineverysuburbalmostasmanyplacesofasylumasgallows。
Itwastheabuseofimpunitybythesideoftheabuseofpunishment；twobadthingswhichstrovetocorrecteachother。Thepalacesoftheking，thehotelsoftheprinces，andespeciallychurches，possessedtherightofasylum。Sometimesawholecitywhichstoodinneedofbeingrepeopledwastemporarilycreatedaplaceofrefuge。LouisXI。madeallParisarefugein1467。
Hisfootoncewithintheasylum，thecriminalwassacred；
buthemustbewareofleavingit；onestepoutsidethesanctuary，andhefellbackintotheflood。Thewheel，thegibbet，thestrappado，keptgoodguardaroundtheplaceofrefuge，andlayinwatchincessantlyfortheirprey，likesharksaroundavessel。Hence，condemnedmenweretobeseenwhosehairhadgrownwhiteinacloister，onthestepsofapalace，intheenclosureofanabbey，beneaththeporchofachurch；inthismannertheasylumwasaprisonasmuchasanyother。Itsometimeshappenedthatasolemndecreeofparliamentviolatedtheasylumandrestoredthecondemnedmantotheexecutioner；butthiswasofrareoccurrence。Parliamentswereafraidofthebishops，andwhentherewasfrictionbetweenthesetworobes，thegownhadbutapoorchanceagainstthecassock。Sometimes，however，asintheaffairoftheassassinsofPetit-Jean，theheadsmanofParis，andinthatofEmeryRousseau，themurdererofJeanValleret，justiceoverleapedthechurchandpassedontotheexecutionofitssentences；butunlessbyvirtueofadecreeofParliament，woetohimwhoviolatedaplaceofasylumwitharmedforce！
ThereaderknowsthemannerofdeathofRobertdeClermont，MarshalofFrance，andofJeandeChalons，MarshalofChampagne；andyetthequestionwasonlyofacertainPerrinMarc，theclerkofamoney-changer，amiserableassassin；
butthetwomarshalshadbrokenthedoorsofSt。Méry。
Thereinlaytheenormity。
Suchrespectwascherishedforplacesofrefugethat，accordingtotradition，animalsevenfeltitattimes。Aymoirerelatesthatastag，beingchasedbyDagobert，havingtakenrefugenearthetombofSaint-Denis，thepackofhoundsstoppedshortandbarked。
Churchesgenerallyhadasmallapartmentpreparedforthereceptionofsupplicants。In1407，NicolasFlamelcausedtobebuiltonthevaultsofSaint-JacquesdelaBoucherie，achamberwhichcosthimfourlivressixsous，sixteenfarthings，parisis。
AtNotre-Dameitwasatinycellsituatedontheroofofthesideaisle，beneaththeflyingbuttresses，preciselyatthespotwherethewifeofthepresentjanitorofthetowershasmadeforherselfagarden，whichistothehanginggardensofBabylonwhatalettuceistoapalm-tree，whataporter’swifeistoaSemiramis。
ItwasherethatQuasimodohaddepositedlaEsmeralda，afterhiswildandtriumphantcourse。Aslongasthatcourselasted，theyounggirlhadbeenunabletorecoverhersenses，halfunconscious，halfawake，nolongerfeelinganything，exceptthatshewasmountingthroughtheair，floatinginit，flyinginit，thatsomethingwasraisingherabovetheearth。
Fromtimetotimesheheardtheloudlaughter，thenoisyvoiceofQuasimodoinherear；shehalfopenedhereyes；thenbelowhersheconfusedlybeheldParischeckeredwithitsthousandroofsofslateandtiles，likearedandbluemosaic，aboveherheadthefrightfulandjoyousfaceofQuasimodo。
Thenhereyelidsdroopedagain；shethoughtthatallwasover，thattheyhadexecutedherduringherswoon，andthatthemisshapenspiritwhichhadpresidedoverherdestiny，hadlaidholdofherandwasbearingheraway。Shedarednotlookathim，andshesurrenderedherselftoherfate。
Butwhenthebellringer，dishevelledandpanting，haddepositedherinthecellofrefuge，whenshefelthishugehandsgentlydetachingthecordwhichbruisedherarms，shefeltthatsortofshockwhichawakenswithastartthepassengersofavesselwhichrunsagroundinthemiddleofadarknight。Herthoughtsawokealso，andreturnedtoheronebyone。ShesawthatshewasinNotre-Dame；sherememberedhavingbeentornfromthehandsoftheexecutioner；thatPhoebuswasalive，thatPhoebuslovedhernolonger；andasthesetwoideas，oneofwhichshedsomuchbitternessovertheother，presentedthemselvessimultaneouslytothepoorcondemnedgirl；sheturnedtoQuasimodo，whowasstandinginfrontofher，andwhoterrifiedher；shesaidtohim，——\"Whyhaveyousavedme？\"
Hegazedatherwithanxiety，asthoughseekingtodivinewhatshewassayingtohim。Sherepeatedherquestion。
Thenhegaveheraprofoundlysorrowfulglanceandfled。
Shewasastonished。
Afewmomentslaterhereturned，bearingapackagewhichhecastatherfeet。Itwasclothingwhichsomecharitablewomenhadleftonthethresholdofthechurchforher。
Thenshedroppedhereyesuponherselfandsawthatshewasalmostnaked，andblushed。Lifehadreturned。
Quasimodoappearedtoexperiencesomethingofthismodesty。
Hecoveredhiseyeswithhislargehandandretiredoncemore，butslowly。
Shemadehastetodressherself。Therobewasawhiteonewithawhiteveil，——thegarbofanoviceoftheH？tel-Dien。
ShehadbarelyfinishedwhenshebeheldQuasimodoreturning。
Hecarriedabasketunderonearmandamattressundertheother。Inthebaskettherewasabottle，bread，andsomeprovisions。Hesetthebasketonthefloorandsaid，\"Eat！\"
Hespreadthemattressontheflaggingandsaid，\"Sleep。\"
Itwashisownrepast，itwashisownbed，whichthebellringerhadgoneinsearchof。
Thegypsyraisedhereyestothankhim，butshecouldnotarticulateaword。Shedroppedherheadwithaquiverofterror。
Thenhesaidtoher-
\"Ifrightenyou。Iamveryugly，amInot？Donotlookatme；onlylistentome。Duringthedayyouwillremainhere；atnightyoucanwalkalloverthechurch。Butdonotleavethechurcheitherbydayorbynight。Youwouldbelost。Theywouldkillyou，andIshoulddie。\"
Shewastouchedandraisedherheadtoanswerhim。Hehaddisappeared。Shefoundherselfaloneoncemore，meditatinguponthesingularwordsofthisalmostmonstrousbeing，andstruckbythesoundofhisvoice，whichwassohoarseyetsogentle。
Thensheexaminedhercell。Itwasachamberaboutsixfeetsquare，withasmallwindowandadoorontheslightlyslopingplaneoftheroofformedofflatstones。Manygutterswiththefiguresofanimalsseemedtobebendingdownaroundher，andstretchingtheirnecksinordertostareatherthroughthewindow。OvertheedgeofherroofsheperceivedthetopsofthousandsofchimneyswhichcausedthesmokeofallthefiresinParistorisebeneathhereyes。Asadsightforthepoorgypsy，afoundling，condemnedtodeath，anunhappycreature，withoutcountry，withoutfamily，withoutahearthstone。
Atthemomentwhenthethoughtofherisolationthusappearedtohermorepoignantthanever，shefeltabeardedandhairyheadglidebetweenherhands，uponherknees。Shestartedeverythingalarmedhernowandlooked。Itwasthepoorgoat，theagileDjali，whichhadmadeitsescapeafterher，atthemomentwhenQuasimodohadputtoflightCharmolue’sbrigade，andwhichhadbeenlavishingcaressesonherfeetfornearlyanhourpast，withoutbeingabletowinaglance。Thegypsycoveredhimwithkisses。
\"Oh！Djali！\"shesaid，\"howIhaveforgottenthee！Andsothoustillthinkestofme！Oh！thouartnotaningrate！\"
Atthesametime，asthoughaninvisiblehandhadliftedtheweightwhichhadrepressedhertearsinherheartforsolong，shebegantoweep，and，inproportionashertearsflowed，shefeltallthatwasmostacridandbitterinhergriefdepartwiththem。
Eveningcame，shethoughtthenightsobeautifulthatshemadethecircuitoftheelevatedgallerywhichsurroundsthechurch。Itaffordedhersomerelief，socalmdidtheearthappearwhenviewedfromthatheight。
CHAPTERIII。
DEAF。
Onthefollowingmorning，sheperceivedonawaking，thatshehadbeenasleep。Thissingularthingastonishedher。
Shehadbeensolongunaccustomedtosleep！Ajoyousrayoftherisingsunenteredthroughherwindowandtouchedherface。Atthesametimewiththesun，shebeheldatthatwindowanobjectwhichfrightenedher，theunfortunatefaceofQuasimodo。Sheinvoluntarilyclosedhereyesagain，butinvain；shefanciedthatshestillsawthroughtherosylidsthatgnome’smask，one-eyedandgap-toothed。Then，whileshestillkepthereyesclosed，sheheardaroughvoicesaying，verygently，——
\"Benotafraid。Iamyourfriend。Icametowatchyousleep。ItdoesnothurtyouifIcometoseeyousleep，doesit？WhatdifferencedoesitmaketoyouifIamherewhenyoureyesareclosed！NowIamgoing。Stay，Ihaveplacedmyselfbehindthewall。Youcanopenyoureyesagain。\"
Therewassomethingmoreplaintivethanthesewords，andthatwastheaccentinwhichtheywereuttered。Thegypsy，muchtouched，openedhereyes。Hewas，infact，nolongeratthewindow。Sheapproachedtheopening，andbeheldthepoorhunchbackcrouchinginanangleofthewall，inasadandresignedattitude。Shemadeanefforttosurmounttherepugnancewithwhichheinspiredher。\"Come，\"shesaidtohimgently。Fromthemovementofthegypsy’slips，Quasimodothoughtthatshewasdrivinghimaway；thenheroseandretiredlimping，slowly，withdroopinghead，withoutevendaringtoraisetotheyounggirlhisgazefullofdespair。
\"Docome，\"shecried，buthecontinuedtoretreat。Thenshedartedfromhercell，rantohim，andgraspedhisarm。
Onfeelinghertouchhim，Quasimodotrembledineverylimb。
Heraisedhissupplianteye，andseeingthatshewasleadinghimbacktoherquarters，hiswholefacebeamedwithjoyandtenderness。Shetriedtomakehimenterthecell；buthepersistedinremainingonthethreshold。\"No，no，\"saidhe；
\"theowlentersnotthenestofthelark。\"
Thenshecroucheddowngracefullyonhercouch，withhergoatasleepatherfeet。Bothremainedmotionlessforseveralmoments，consideringinsilence，shesomuchgrace，hesomuchugliness。EverymomentshediscoveredsomefreshdeformityinQuasimodo。Herglancetravelledfromhisknockkneestohishumpedback，fromhishumpedbacktohisonlyeye。Shecouldnotcomprehendtheexistenceofabeingsoawkwardlyfashioned。Yettherewassomuchsadnessandsomuchgentlenessspreadoverallthis，thatshebegantobecomereconciledtoit。
Hewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。\"Soyouweretellingmetoreturn？\"
Shemadeanaffirmativesignofthehead，andsaid，\"Yes。\"
Heunderstoodthemotionofthehead。\"Alas！\"hesaid，asthoughhesitatingwhethertofinish，\"Iam——Iamdeaf。\"
\"Poorman！\"exclaimedtheBohemian，withanexpressionofkindlypity。
Hebegantosmilesadly。
\"YouthinkthatthatwasallthatIlacked，doyounot？
Yes，Iamdeaf，thatisthewayIammade。’Tishorrible，isitnot？Youaresobeautiful！\"
Therelayintheaccentsofthewretchedmansoprofoundaconsciousnessofhismisery，thatshehadnotthestrengthtosayaword。Besides，hewouldnothaveheardher。Hewenton，——
\"NeverhaveIseenmyuglinessasatthepresentmoment。
WhenIcomparemyselftoyou，Ifeelaverygreatpityformyself，poorunhappymonsterthatIam！Tellme，Imustlooktoyoulikeabeast。You，youarearayofsunshine，adropofdew，thesongofabird！Iamsomethingfrightful，neithermannoranimal，Iknownotwhat，harder，moretrampledunderfoot，andmoreunshapelythanapebblestone！\"
Thenhebegantolaugh，andthatlaughwasthemostheartbreakingthingintheworld。Hecontinued，——
\"Yes，Iamdeaf；butyoushalltalktomebygestures，bysigns。Ihaveamasterwhotalkswithmeinthatway。
Andthen，Ishallverysoonknowyourwishfromthemovementofyourlips，fromyourlook。\"
\"Well！\"sheinterposedwithasmile，\"tellmewhyyousavedme。\"
Hewatchedherattentivelywhileshewasspeaking。
\"Iunderstand，\"hereplied。\"YouaskmewhyIsavedyou。Youhaveforgottenawretchwhotriedtoabductyouonenight，awretchtowhomyourenderedsuccoronthefollowingdayontheirinfamouspillory。Adropofwaterandalittlepity，——thatismorethanIcanrepaywithmylife。
Youhaveforgottenthatwretch；butheremembersit。\"
Shelistenedtohimwithprofoundtenderness。Atearswamintheeyeofthebellringer，butdidnotfall。Heseemedtomakeitasortofpointofhonortoretainit。
\"Listen，\"heresumed，whenhewasnolongerafraidthatthetearwouldescape；\"ourtowershereareveryhigh，amanwhoshouldfallfromthemwouldbedeadbeforetouchingthepavement；whenitshallpleaseyoutohavemefall，youwillnothavetoutterevenaword，aglancewillsuffice。\"
Thenherose。UnhappyaswastheBohemian，thiseccentricbeingstillarousedsomecompassioninher。Shemadehimasigntoremain。
\"No，no，\"saidhe；\"Imustnotremaintoolong。Iamnotatmyease。Itisoutofpitythatyoudonotturnawayyoureyes。IshallgotosomeplacewhereIcanseeyouwithoutyourseeingme:itwillbebetterso。\"
Hedrewfromhispocketalittlemetalwhistle。
\"Here，\"saidhe，\"whenyouhaveneedofme，whenyouwishmetocome，whenyouwillnotfeeltooranchhorroratthesightofme，usethiswhistle。Icanhearthissound。\"
Helaidthewhistleonthefloorandfled。
CHAPTERIV。
EARTHENWAREANDCRYSTAL。
Dayfollowedday。CalmgraduallyreturnedtothesouloflaEsmeralda。Excessofgrief，likeexcessofjoyisaviolentthingwhichlastsbutashorttime。Theheartofmancannotremainlonginoneextremity。Thegypsyhadsufferedsomuch，thatnothingwasleftherbutastonishment。Withsecurity，hopehadreturnedtoher。Shewasoutsidethepaleofsociety，outsidethepaleoflife，butshehadavaguefeelingthatitmightnotbeimpossibletoreturntoit。Shewaslikeadeadperson，whoshouldholdinreservethekeytohertomb。
Shefelttheterribleimageswhichhadsolongpersecutedher，graduallydeparting。Allthehideousphantoms，PierratTorterue，JacquesCharmolue，wereeffacedfromhermind，all，eventhepriest。
Andthen，Phoebuswasalive；shewassureofit，shehadseenhim。ToherthefactofPhoebusbeingalivewaseverything。
Aftertheseriesoffatalshockswhichhadoverturnedeverythingwithinher，shehadfoundbutonethingintactinhersoul，onesentiment，——herloveforthecaptain。Loveislikeatree；itsproutsforthofitself，sendsitsrootsoutdeeplythroughourwholebeing，andoftencontinuestoflourishgreenlyoveraheartinruins。
Andtheinexplicablepointaboutitisthatthemoreblindisthispassion，themoretenaciousitis。Itisnevermoresolidthanwhenithasnoreasoninit。
LaEsmeraldadidnotthinkofthecaptainwithoutbitterness，nodoubt。Nodoubtitwasterriblethathealsoshouldhavebeendeceived；thatheshouldhavebelievedthatimpossiblething，thathecouldhaveconceivedofastabdealtbyherwhowouldhavegivenathousandlivesforhim。But，afterall，shemustnotbetooangrywithhimforit；hadshenotconfessedhercrime？hadshenotyielded，weakwomanthatshewas，totorture？Thefaultwasentirelyhers。Sheshouldhaveallowedherfingernailstobetornoutratherthansuchawordtobewrenchedfromher。Inshort，ifshecouldbutseePhoebusoncemore，forasingleminute，onlyonewordwouldberequired，onelook，inordertoundeceivehim，tobringhimback。Shedidnotdoubtit。Shewasastonishedalsoatmanysingularthings，attheaccidentofPhoebus’spresenceonthedayofthepenance，attheyounggirlwithwhomhehadbeen。Shewashissister，nodoubt。
Anunreasonableexplanation，butshecontentedherselfwithit，becausesheneededtobelievethatPhoebusstilllovedher，andlovedheralone。Hadhenotswornittoher？Whatmorewasneeded，simpleandcredulousasshewas？Andthen，inthismatter，werenotappearancesmuchmoreagainstherthanagainsthim？Accordingly，shewaited。Shehoped。
Letusaddthatthechurch，thatvastchurch，whichsurroundedheroneveryside，whichguardedher，whichsavedher，wasitselfasovereigntranquillizer。Thesolemnlinesofthatarchitecture，thereligiousattitudeofalltheobjectswhichsurroundedtheyounggirl，thesereneandpiousthoughtswhichemanated，sotospeak，fromalltheporesofthatstone，acteduponherwithoutherbeingawareofit。
Theedificehadalsosoundsfraughtwithsuchbenedictionandsuchmajesty，thattheysoothedthisailingsoul。Themonotonouschantingofthecelebrants，theresponsesofthepeopletothepriest，sometimesinarticulate，sometimesthunderous，theharmonioustremblingofthepaintedwindows，theorgan，burstingforthlikeahundredtrumpets，thethreebelfries，humminglikehivesofhugebees，thatwholeorchestraonwhichboundedagiganticscale，ascending，descendingincessantlyfromthevoiceofathrongtothatofonebell，dulledhermemory，herimagination，hergrief。Thebells，inparticular，lulledher。Itwassomethinglikeapowerfulmagnetismwhichthosevastinstrumentsshedoverheringreatwaves。
Thuseverysunrisefoundhermorecalm，breathingbetter，lesspale。Inproportionasherinwardwoundsclosed，hergraceandbeautyblossomedoncemoreonhercountenance，butmorethoughtful，morereposeful。Herformercharacteralsoreturnedtoher，somewhatevenofhergayety，herprettypout，herloveforhergoat，herloveforsinging，hermodesty。
Shetookcaretodressherselfinthemorninginthecornerofhercellforfearsomeinhabitantsoftheneighboringatticsmightseeherthroughthewindow。
WhenthethoughtofPhoebuslefthertime，thegypsysometimesthoughtofQuasimodo。Hewasthesolebond，thesoleconnection，thesolecommunicationwhichremainedtoherwithmen，withtheliving。Unfortunategirl！shewasmoreoutsidetheworldthanQuasimodo。Sheunderstoodnotintheleastthestrangefriendwhomchancehadgivenher。
Sheoftenreproachedherselffornotfeelingagratitudewhichshouldclosehereyes，butdecidedly，shecouldnotaccustomherselftothepoorbellringer。Hewastoougly。
Shehadleftthewhistlewhichhehadgivenherlyingontheground。ThisdidnotpreventQuasimodofrommakinghisappearancefromtimetotimeduringthefirstfewdays。Shedidherbestnottoturnasidewithtoomuchrepugnancewhenhecametobringherherbasketofprovisionsorherjugofwater，buthealwaysperceivedtheslightestmovementofthissort，andthenhewithdrewsadly。
OncehecameatthemomentwhenshewascaressingDjali。Hestoodpensivelyforseveralminutesbeforethisgracefulgroupofthegoatandthegypsy；atlasthesaid，shakinghisheavyandill-formedhead，——
\"MymisfortuneisthatIstillresembleamantoomuch。I
shouldliketobewhollyabeastlikethatgoat。\"
Shegazedathiminamazement。
Herepliedtotheglance，——
\"Oh！Iwellknowwhy，\"andhewentaway。
OnanotheroccasionhepresentedhimselfatthedoorofthecellwhichheneverenteredatthemomentwhenlaEsmeraldawassinginganoldSpanishballad，thewordsofwhichshedidnotunderstand，butwhichhadlingeredinherearbecausethegypsywomenhadlulledhertosleepwithitwhenshewasalittlechild。Atthesightofthatvillanousformwhichmadeitsappearancesoabruptlyinthemiddleofhersong，theyounggirlpausedwithaninvoluntarygestureofalarm。Theunhappybellringerfelluponhiskneesonthethreshold，andclaspedhislarge，misshapenhandswithasuppliantair。\"Oh！\"hesaid，sorrowfully，\"continue，I
imploreyou，anddonotdrivemeaway。\"Shedidnotwishtopainhim，andresumedherlay，tremblingallover。Bydegrees，however，herterrordisappeared，andsheyieldedherselfwhollytotheslowandmelancholyairwhichshewassinging。
Heremainedonhiskneeswithhandsclasped，asinprayer，attentive，hardlybreathing，hisgazeriveteduponthegypsy’sbrillianteyes。
Onanotheroccasion，hecametoherwithanawkwardandtimidair。\"Listen，\"hesaid，withaneffort；\"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。\"Shemadehimasignthatshewaslistening。Thenhebegantosigh，halfopenedhislips，appearedforamomenttobeonthepointofspeaking，thenhelookedatheragain，shookhishead，andwithdrewslowly，withhisbrowinhishand，leavingthegypsystupefied。
Amongthegrotesquepersonagessculpturedonthewall，therewasonetowhomhewasparticularlyattached，andwithwhichheoftenseemedtoexchangefraternalglances。
Oncethegypsyheardhimsayingtoit，——
\"Oh！whyamnotIofstone，likeyou！\"
Atlast，onemorning，laEsmeraldahadadvancedtotheedgeoftheroof，andwaslookingintothePlaceoverthepointedroofofSaint-JeanleRond。Quasimodowasstandingbehindher。Hehadplacedhimselfinthatpositioninordertosparetheyounggirl，asfaraspossible，thedispleasureofseeinghim。Allatoncethegypsystarted，atearandaflashofjoygleamedsimultaneouslyinhereyes，shekneltonthebrinkoftheroofandextendedherarmstowardsthePlacewithanguish，exclaiming:\"Phoebus！come！come！
aword，asinglewordinthenameofheaven！Phoebus！
Phoebus！\"Hervoice，herface，hergesture，herwholepersonboretheheartrendingexpressionofashipwreckedmanwhoismakingasignalofdistresstothejoyousvesselwhichispassingafaroffinarayofsunlightonthehorizon。
QuasimodoleanedoverthePlace，andsawthattheobjectofthistenderandagonizingprayerwasayoungman，acaptain，ahandsomecavalierallglitteringwitharmsanddecorations，prancingacrosstheendofthePlace，andsalutingwithhisplumeabeautifulladywhowassmilingathimfromherbalcony。However，theofficerdidnotheartheunhappygirlcallinghim；hewastoofaraway。
Butthepoordeafmanheard。Aprofoundsighheavedhisbreast；heturnedround；hisheartwasswollenwithallthetearswhichhewasswallowing；hisconvulsively-clenchedfistsstruckagainsthishead，andwhenhewithdrewthemtherewasabunchofredhairineachhand。
Thegypsypaidnoheedtohim。Hesaidinalowvoiceashegnashedhisteeth，——
\"Damnation！Thatiswhatoneshouldbelike！’Tisonlynecessarytobehandsomeontheoutside！\"
Meanwhile，sheremainedkneeling，andcriedwithextraor-
dinaryagitation，——
\"Oh！thereheisalightingfromhishorse！Heisabouttoenterthathouse！——Phoebus！——Hedoesnothearme！Phoebus！——Howwickedthatwomanistospeaktohimatthesametimewithme！Phoebus！Phoebus！\"
Thedeafmangazedather。Heunderstoodthispantomime。
Thepoorbellringer’seyefilledwithtears，butheletnonefall。Allatoncehepulledhergentlybytheborderofhersleeve。Sheturnedround。Hehadassumedatranquilair；
hesaidtoher，——
\"Wouldyouliketohavemebringhimtoyou？\"
Sheutteredacryofjoy。
\"Oh！go！hasten！run！quick！thatcaptain！thatcaptain！
bringhimtome！Iwillloveyouforit！\"
Sheclaspedhisknees。Hecouldnotrefrainfromshakinghisheadsadly。
\"Iwillbringhimtoyou，\"hesaid，inaweakvoice。Thenheturnedhisheadandplungeddownthestaircasewithgreatstrides，stiflingwithsobs。
WhenhereachedthePlace，henolongersawanythingexceptthehandsomehorsehitchedatthedooroftheGondelaurierhouse；thecaptainhadjustenteredthere。
Heraisedhiseyestotheroofofthechurch。LaEsmeraldawasthereinthesamespot，inthesameattitude。Hemadeherasadsignwithhishead；thenheplantedhisbackagainstoneofthestonepostsoftheGondelaurierporch，determinedtowaituntilthecaptainshouldcomeforth。
IntheGondelaurierhouseitwasoneofthosegaladayswhichprecedeawedding。Quasimodobeheldmanypeopleenter，butnoonecomeout。Hecastaglancetowardstherooffromtimetotime；thegypsydidnotstiranymorethanhimself。Agroomcameandunhitchedthehorseandledittothestableofthehouse。
Theentiredaypassedthus，Quasimodoathispost，laEsmeraldaontheroof，Phoebus，nodoubt，atthefeetofFleur-de-Lys。
Atlengthnightcame，amoonlessnight，adarknight。
QuasimodofixedhisgazeinvainuponlaEsmeralda；soonshewasnomorethanawhitenessamidthetwilight；thennothing。Allwaseffaced，allwasblack。
QuasimodobeheldthefrontwindowsfromtoptobottomoftheGondelauriermansionilluminated；hesawtheothercasementsinthePlacelightedonebyone，healsosawthemextinguishedtotheverylast，forheremainedthewholeeveningathispost。Theofficerdidnotcomeforth。Whenthelastpassers-byhadreturnedhome，whenthewindowsofalltheotherhouseswereextinguished，Quasimodowasleftentirelyalone，entirelyinthedark。TherewereatthattimenolampsinthesquarebeforeNotre-Dame。
Meanwhile，thewindowsoftheGondelauriermansionremainedlighted，evenaftermidnight。Quasimodo，motionlessandattentive，beheldathrongoflively，dancingshadowspassathwartthemany-coloredpaintedpanes。Hadhenotbeendeaf，hewouldhaveheardmoreandmoredistinctly，inproportionasthenoiseofsleepingParisdiedaway，asoundoffeasting，laughter，andmusicintheGondelauriermansion。
Towardsoneo’clockinthemorning，theguestsbegantotaketheirleave。Quasimodo，shroudedindarknesswatchedthemallpassoutthroughtheporchilluminatedwithtorches。
Noneofthemwasthecaptain。
Hewasfilledwithsadthoughts；attimeshelookedupwardsintotheair，likeapersonwhoiswearyofwaiting。Greatblackclouds，heavy，torn，split，hunglikecrapehammocksbeneaththestarrydomeofnight。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemspiders’websofthevaultofheaven。
Inoneofthesemomentshesuddenlybeheldthelongwindowonthebalcony，whosestonebalustradeprojectedabovehishead，openmysteriously。Thefrailglassdoorgavepassagetotwopersons，andclosednoiselesslybehindthem；
itwasamanandawoman。
ItwasnotwithoutdifficultythatQuasimodosucceededinrecognizinginthemanthehandsomecaptain，inthewomantheyoungladywhomhehadseenwelcometheofficerinthemorningfromthatverybalcony。Theplacewasperfectlydark，andadoublecrimsoncurtainwhichhadfallenacrossthedoortheverymomentitclosedagain，allowednolighttoreachthebalconyfromtheapartment。
Theyoungmanandtheyounggirl，sofarasourdeafmancouldjudge，withouthearingasingleoneoftheirwords，appearedtoabandonthemselvestoaverytendertête-a-tête。
Theyounggirlseemedtohaveallowedtheofficertomakeagirdleforherofhisarm，andgentlyrepulsedakiss。
Quasimodolookedonfrombelowatthisscenewhichwasallthemorepleasingtowitnessbecauseitwasnotmeanttobeseen。Hecontemplatedwithbitternessthatbeauty，thathappiness。Afterall，naturewasnotdumbinthepoorfellow，andhishumansensibility，allmaliciouslycontortedasitwas，quiverednolessthananyother。HethoughtofthemiserableportionwhichProvidencehadallottedtohim；thatwomanandthepleasureoflove，wouldpassforeverbeforehiseyes，andthatheshouldneverdoanythingbutbeholdthefelicityofothers。Butthatwhichrenthisheartmostinthissight，thatwhichmingledindignationwithhisanger，wasthethoughtofwhatthegypsywouldsuffercouldshebeholdit。
Itistruethatthenightwasverydark，thatlaEsmeralda，ifshehadremainedatherpostandhehadnodoubtofthis，wasveryfaraway，andthatitwasallthathehimselfcoulddotodistinguishtheloversonthebalcony。Thisconsoledhim。
Meanwhile，theirconversationgrewmoreandmoreanimated。
Theyoungladyappearedtobeentreatingtheofficertoasknothingmoreofher。OfallthisQuasimodocoulddistinguishonlythebeautifulclaspedhands，thesmilesmingledwithtears，theyounggirl’sglancesdirectedtothestars，theeyesofthecaptainloweredardentlyuponher。
Fortunately，fortheyounggirlwasbeginningtoresistbutfeebly，thedoorofthebalconysuddenlyopenedoncemoreandanolddameappeared；thebeautyseemedconfused，theofficerassumedanairofdispleasure，andallthreewithdrew。
Amomentlater，ahorsewaschampinghisbitundertheporch，andthebrilliantofficer，envelopedinhisnightcloak，passedrapidlybeforeQuasimodo。
Thebellringerallowedhimtoturnthecornerofthestreet，thenheranafterhimwithhisape-likeagility，shouting:
\"Heythere！captain！\"
Thecaptainhalted。
\"Whatwantsthisknavewithme？\"hesaid，catchingsightthroughthegloomofthathipshotformwhichranlimpingafterhim。
Meanwhile，Quasimodohadcaughtupwithhim，andhadboldlygraspedhishorse’sbridle:\"Followme，captain；thereisoneherewhodesirestospeakwithyou！
\"~Cornemahom~！\"grumbledPhoebus，\"here’savillanous；
ruffledbirdwhichIfancyIhaveseensomewhere。Holà
master，willyouletmyhorse’sbridlealone？\"
\"Captain，\"repliedthedeafman，\"doyounotaskmewhoitis？\"
\"Itellyoutoreleasemyhorse，\"retortedPhoebus，impatiently。
\"Whatmeanstheknavebyclingingtothebridleofmysteed？
Doyoutakemyhorseforagallows？\"
Quasimodo，farfromreleasingthebridle，preparedtoforcehimtoretracehissteps。Unabletocomprehendthecaptain’sresistance，hehastenedtosaytohim，——
\"Come，captain，’tisawomanwhoiswaitingforyou。\"Headdedwithaneffort:\"Awomanwholovesyou。\"
\"Ararerascal！\"saidthecaptain，\"whothinksmeobligedtogotoallthewomenwholoveme！orwhosaytheydo。
Andwhatif，bychance，sheshouldresembleyou，youfaceofascreech-owl？TellthewomanwhohassentyouthatIamabouttomarry，andthatshemaygotothedevil！\"
\"Listen，\"exclaimedQuasimodo，thinkingtoovercomehishesitationwithaword，\"come，monseigneur！’tisthegypsywhomyouknow！\"
Thisworddid，indeed，produceagreateffectonPhoebus，butnotofthekindwhichthedeafmanexpected。ItwillberememberedthatourgallantofficerhadretiredwithFleur-
de-LysseveralmomentsbeforeQuasimodohadrescuedthecondemnedgirlfromthehandsofCharmolue。Afterwards，inallhisvisitstotheGondelauriermansionhehadtakencarenottomentionthatwoman，thememoryofwhomwas，afterall，painfultohim；andonherside，Fleur-de-Lyshadnotdeemeditpolitictotellhimthatthegypsywasalive。
HencePhoebusbelievedpoor\"Similar\"tobedead，andthatamonthortwohadelapsedsinceherdeath。Letusaddthatforthelastfewmomentsthecaptainhadbeenreflectingontheprofounddarknessofthenight，thesupernaturalugliness，thesepulchralvoiceofthestrangemessenger；thatitwaspastmidnight；thatthestreetwasdeserted，asontheeveningwhenthesurlymonkhadaccostedhim；andthathishorsesnortedasitlookedatQuasimodo。
\"Thegypsy！\"heexclaimed，almostfrightened。\"Lookhere，doyoucomefromtheotherworld？\"
Andhelaidhishandonthehiltofhisdagger。
\"Quick，quick，\"saidthedeafman，endeavoringtodragthehorsealong；\"thisway！\"
Phoebusdealthimavigorouskickinthebreast。
Quasimodo’seyeflashed。Hemadeamotiontoflinghimselfonthecaptain。Thenhedrewhimselfupstifflyandsaid，——
\"Oh！howhappyyouaretohavesomeonewholovesyou！\"
Heemphasizedthewords\"someone，\"andloosingthehorse’sbridle，——
\"Begone！\"
Phoebusspurredoninallhaste，swearing。Quasimodowatchedhimdisappearintheshadesofthestreet。
\"Oh！\"saidthepoordeafman，inaverylowvoice；\"torefusethat！\"
Here-enteredNotre-Dame，lightedhislampandclimbedtothetoweragain。Thegypsywasstillinthesameplace，ashehadsupposed。
Sheflewtomeethimasfaroffasshecouldseehim。
\"Alone！\"shecried，claspingherbeautifulhandssorrowfully。
\"Icouldnotfindhim，\"saidQuasimodocoldly。
\"Youshouldhavewaitedallnight，\"shesaidangrily。
Hesawhergestureofwrath，andunderstoodthereproach。
\"Iwilllieinwaitforhimbetteranothertime，\"hesaid，droppinghishead。
\"Begone！\"shesaidtohim。
Helefther。Shewasdispleasedwithhim。Hepreferredtohaveherabusehimratherthantohaveafflictedher。Hehadkeptallthepaintohimself。
Fromthatdayforth，thegypsynolongersawhim。Heceasedtocometohercell。Atthemostsheoccasionallycaughtaglimpseatthesummitofthetowers，ofthebellringer’sfaceturnedsadlytoher。Butassoonassheperceivedhim，hedisappeared。
Wemustadmitthatshewasnotmuchgrievedbythisvoluntaryabsenceonthepartofthepoorhunchback。Atthebottomofherheartshewasgratefultohimforit。
Moreover，Quasimododidnotdeceivehimselfonthispoint。
Shenolongersawhim，butshefeltthepresenceofagoodgeniusabouther。Herprovisionswerereplenishedbyaninvisiblehandduringherslumbers。Onemorningshefoundacageofbirdsonherwindow。Therewasapieceofsculptureaboveherwindowwhichfrightenedher。ShehadshownthismorethanonceinQuasimodo’spresence。Onemorning，forallthesethingshappenedatnight，shenolongersawit，ithadbeenbroken。Thepersonwhohadclimbeduptothatcarvingmusthaveriskedhislife。
Sometimes，intheevening，sheheardavoice，concealedbeneaththewindscreenofthebelltower，singingasad，strangesong，asthoughtolullhertosleep。Thelineswereunrhymed，suchasadeafpersoncanmake。
~Neregardepaslafigure，Jeunefille，regardelecoeur。
Lecoeurd’unbeaujeunehommeestsouventdifforme。
Ilyadescoeursoul’amourneseconservepas~。
~Jeunefille，lesapinn’estpasbeau，N’estpasbeaucommelepeuplier，Maisilgardesonfeuillagel’hiver~。
~Hélas！aquoibondirecela？
Cequin’estpasbeauatortd’être；
Labeautén’aimequelabeauté，AvriltourneledosaJanvier~。
~Labeautéestparfaite，Labeautépeuttout，Labeautéestlaseulechosequin’existepàsademi~。
~Lecorbeaunevolequelejour，Lehibounevolequelanuit，Lecygnevolelanuitetlejour~。*
*Looknotattheface，younggirl，lookattheheart。Theheartofahandsomeyoungmanisoftendeformed。Thereareheartsinwhichlovedoesnotkeep。Younggirl，thepineisnotbeautiful；itisnotbeautifullikethepoplar，butitkeepsitsfoliageinwinter。Alas！Whatistheuseofsayingthat？
Thatwhichisnotbeautifulhasnorighttoexist；beautylovesonlybeauty；AprilturnsherbackonJanuary。Beautyisperfect，beautycandoallthings，beautyistheonlythingwhichdoesnotexistbyhalves。Theravenfliesonlybyday，theowlfliesonlybynight，theswanfliesbydayandbynight。
Onemorning，onawaking，shesawonherwindowtwovasesfilledwithflowers。Onewasaverybeautifulandverybrilliantbutcrackedvaseofglass。Ithadallowedthewaterwithwhichithadbeenfilledtoescape，andtheflowerswhichitcontainedwerewithered。Theotherwasanearthenwarepot，coarseandcommon，butwhichhadpreservedallitswater，anditsflowersremainedfreshandcrimson。
Iknownotwhetheritwasdoneintentionally，butLaEsmeraldatookthefadednosegayandworeitalldaylonguponherbreast。
Thatdayshedidnothearthevoicesinginginthetower。
Shetroubledherselfverylittleaboutit。ShepassedherdaysincaressingDjali，inwatchingthedooroftheGondelaurierhouse，intalkingtoherselfaboutPhoebus，andincrumblingupherbreadfortheswallows。
ShehadentirelyceasedtoseeorhearQuasimodo。Thepoorbellringerseemedtohavedisappearedfromthechurch。
Onenight，nevertheless，whenshewasnotasleep，butwasthinkingofherhandsomecaptain，sheheardsomethingbreathingnearhercell。Sheroseinalarm，andsawbythelightofthemoon，ashapelessmasslyingacrossherdoorontheoutside。ItwasQuasimodoasleepthereuponthestones。