Wasitnottheleastthatonecoulddotoswearatone’seaseandrevilethenameofGodalittle，onsofineaday，insuchgoodcompanyasdignitariesofthechurchandloosewomen？
Sotheydidnotabstain；and，inthemidstoftheuproar，therewasafrightfulconcertofblasphemiesandenormitiesofalltheunbridledtongues，thetonguesofclerksandstudentsrestrainedduringtherestoftheyear，bythefearofthehotironofSaintLouis。PoorSaintLouis！howtheysethimatdefianceinhisowncourtoflaw！Eachoneofthemselectedfromthenew-comersontheplatform，ablack，gray，white，orvioletcassockashistarget。JoannesFrollodeMolendin，inhisqualityofbrothertoanarchdeacon，boldlyattackedthescarlet；hesangindeafeningtones，withhisimpudenteyesfastenedonthecardinal，\"~Capparepletamero~！\"
Allthesedetailswhichweherelaybarefortheedificationofthereader，weresocoveredbythegeneraluproar，thattheywerelostinitbeforereachingthereservedplatforms；
moreover，theywouldhavemovedthecardinalbutlittle，somuchapartofthecustomswerethelibertiesofthatday。
Moreover，hehadanothercauseforsolicitude，andhismienaswhollypreoccupiedwithit，whichenteredtheestradethesametimeashimself；thiswastheembassyfromFlanders。
Notthathewasaprofoundpolitician，norwasheborrowingtroubleaboutthepossibleconsequencesofthemarriageofhiscousinMargueritedeBourgoynetohiscousinCharles，DauphindeVienne；norastohowlongthegoodunderstandingwhichhadbeenpatchedupbetweentheDukeofAustriaandtheKingofFrancewouldlast；norhowtheKingofEnglandwouldtakethisdisdainofhisdaughter。Allthattroubledhimbutlittle；andhegaveawarmreceptioneveryeveningtothewineoftheroyalvintageofChaillot，withoutasuspicionthatseveralflasksofthatsamewine(somewhatrevisedandcorrected，itistrue，byDoctorCoictier)，cordiallyofferedtoEdwardIV。byLouisXI。，would，somefinemorning，ridLouisXI。ofEdwardIV。\"ThemuchhonoredembassyofMonsieurtheDukeofAustria，\"broughtthecardinalnoneofthesecares，butittroubledhiminanotherdirection。
Itwas，infact，somewhathard，andwehavealreadyhintedatitonthesecondpageofthisbook，——forhim，CharlesdeBourbon，tobeobligedtofeastandreceivecordiallynooneknowswhatbourgeois；——forhim，acardinal，toreceivealdermen；——forhim，aFrenchman，andajollycompanion，toreceiveFlemishbeer-drinkers，——andthatinpublic！Thiswas，certainly，oneofthemostirksomegrimacesthathehadeverexecutedforthegoodpleasureoftheking。
Soheturnedtowardthedoor，andwiththebestgraceintheworld(sowellhadhetrainedhimselftoit)，whentheusherannounced，inasonorousvoice，\"MessieurstheEnvoysofMonsieurtheDukeofAustria。\"Itisuselesstoaddthatthewholehalldidthesame。
Thenarrived，twobytwo，withagravitywhichmadeacontrastinthemidstofthefriskyecclesiasticalescortofCharlesdeBourbon，theeightandfortyambassadorsofMaximilianofAustria，havingattheirheadthereverendFatherinGod，Jehan，AbbotofSaint-Bertin，ChancelloroftheGoldenFleece，andJacquesdeGoy，SieurDauby，GrandBailiffofGhent。Adeepsilencesettledovertheassembly，accompaniedbystifledlaughteratthepreposterousnamesandallthebourgeoisdesignationswhicheachofthesepersonagestransmittedwithimperturbablegravitytotheusher，whothentossednamesandtitlespell-mellandmutilatedtothecrowdbelow。TherewereMasterLoysRoelof，aldermanofthecityofLouvain；MessireClaysd’Etuelde，aldermanofBrussels；
MessirePauldeBaeust，SieurdeVoirmizelle，PresidentofFlanders；MasterJehanColeghens，burgomasterofthecityofAntwerp；MasterGeorgedelaMoere，firstaldermanofthekuereofthecityofGhent；MasterGheldolfvanderHage，firstaldermanofthe~parchous~ofthesaidtown；andtheSieurdeBierbecque，andJehanPinnock，andJehanDymaerzelle，etc。，etc。，etc。；bailiffs，aldermen，burgomasters；burgomasters，aldermen，bailiffs——allstiff，affectedlygrave，formal，dressedoutinvelvetanddamask，hoodedwithcapsofblackvelvet，withgreattuftsofCyprusgoldthread；goodFlemishheads，afterall，severeandworthyfaces，ofthefamilywhichRembrandtmakestostandoutsostrongandgravefromtheblackbackgroundofhis\"NightPatrol\"；personagesallofwhombore，writtenontheirbrows，thatMaximilianofAustriahaddonewellin\"trustingimplicitly，\"asthemanifestran，\"intheirsense，valor，experience，loyalty，andgoodwisdom。\"
Therewasoneexception，however。Itwasasubtle，intelligent，crafty-lookingface，asortofcombinedmonkeyanddiplomatphiz，beforewhomthecardinalmadethreestepsandaprofoundbow，andwhosename，nevertheless，wasonly，\"GuillaumeRym，counsellorandpensioneroftheCityofGhent。\"
FewpersonswerethenawarewhoGuillaumeRymwas。A
raregeniuswhoinatimeofrevolutionwouldhavemadeabrilliantappearanceonthesurfaceofevents，butwhointhefifteenthcenturywasreducedtocavernousintrigues，andto\"livinginmines，\"astheDucdeSaint-Simonexpressesit。
Nevertheless，hewasappreciatedbythe\"miner\"ofEurope；
heplottedfamiliarlywithLouisXI。，andoftenlentahandtotheking’ssecretjobs。Allwhichthingswerequiteunknowntothatthrong，whowereamazedatthecardinal’spolitenesstothatfrailfigureofaFlemishbailiff。
CHAPTERIV。
MASTERJACQUESCOPPENOLE。
WhilethepensionerofGhentandhiseminencewereexchangingverylowbowsandafewwordsinvoicesstilllower，amanofloftystature，withalargefaceandbroadshoulders，presentedhimself，inordertoenterabreastwithGuillaumeRym；onewouldhavepronouncedhimabull-dogbythesideofafox。Hisfeltdoubletandleatherjerkinmadeaspotonthevelvetandsilkwhichsurroundedhim。
Presumingthathewassomegroomwhohadstolenin，theusherstoppedhim。
\"Hold，myfriend，youcannotpass！\"
Themanintheleatherjerkinshoulderedhimaside。
\"Whatdoesthisknavewantwithme？\"saidhe，instentoriantones，whichrenderedtheentirehallattentivetothisstrangecolloquy。\"Don’tyouseethatIamoneofthem？\"
\"Yourname？\"demandedtheusher。
\"JacquesCoppenole。\"
\"Yourtitles？\"
\"Hosieratthesignofthe’ThreeLittleChains，’ofGhent。\"
Theusherrecoiled。Onemightbringone’sselftoannouncealdermenandburgomasters，butahosierwastoomuch。Thecardinalwasonthorns。Allthepeoplewerestaringandlistening。FortwodayshiseminencehadbeenexertinghisutmosteffortstolicktheseFlemishbearsintoshape，andtorenderthemalittlemorepresentabletothepublic，andthisfreakwasstartling。ButGuillaumeRym，withhispolishedsmile，approachedtheusher。
\"AnnounceMasterJacquesCoppenole，clerkofthealdermenofthecityofGhent，\"hewhispered，verylow。
\"Usher，\"interposedthecardinal，aloud，\"announceMasterJacquesCoppenole，clerkofthealdermenoftheillustriouscityofGhent。\"
Thiswasamistake。GuillaumeRymalonemighthaveconjuredawaythedifficulty，butCoppenolehadheardthecardinal。
\"No，crossofGod？\"heexclaimed，inhisvoiceofthunder，\"JacquesCoppenole，hosier。Doyouhear，usher？Nothingmore，nothingless。CrossofGod！hosier；that’sfineenough。
MonsieurtheArchdukehasmorethanoncesoughthis~gant~*
inmyhose。\"
*Gotthefirstideaofatiming。
Laughterandapplauseburstforth。AjestisalwaysunderstoodinParis，and，consequently，alwaysapplauded。
LetusaddthatCoppenolewasofthepeople，andthattheauditorswhichsurroundedhimwerealsoofthepeople。Thusthecommunicationbetweenhimandthemhadbeenprompt，electric，and，sotospeak，onalevel。ThehaughtyairoftheFlemishhosier，byhumiliatingthecourtiers，hadtouchedinalltheseplebeiansoulsthatlatentsentimentofdignitystillvagueandindistinctinthefifteenthcentury。
Thishosierwasanequal，whohadjustheldhisownbeforemonsieurthecardinal。AverysweetreflectiontopoorfellowshabituatedtorespectandobediencetowardstheunderlingsofthesergeantsofthebailiffofSainte-Geneviève，thecardinal’strain-bearer。
Coppenoleproudlysalutedhiseminence，whoreturnedthesaluteoftheall-powerfulbourgeoisfearedbyLouisXI。
Then，whileGuillaumeRym，a\"sageandmaliciousman，\"asPhilippedeCominesputsit，watchedthembothwithasmileofrailleryandsuperiority，eachsoughthisplace，thecardinalquiteabashedandtroubled，Coppenoletranquilandhaughty，andthinking，nodoubt，thathistitleofhosierwasasgoodasanyother，afterall，andthatMarieofBurgundy，mothertothatMargueritewhomCoppenolewasto-daybestowinginmarriage，wouldhavebeenlessafraidofthecardinalthanofthehosier；foritisnotacardinalwhowouldhavestirreduparevoltamongthemenofGhentagainstthefavoritesofthedaughterofCharlestheBold；itisnotacardinalwhocouldhavefortifiedthepopulacewithawordagainsthertearsandprayers，whentheMaidofFlanderscametosupplicateherpeopleintheirbehalf，evenattheveryfootofthescaffold；
whilethehosierhadonlytoraisehisleatherelbow，inordertocausetofallyourtwoheads，mostillustriousseigneurs，Guyd’HymbercourtandChancellorGuillaumeHugonet。
Nevertheless，allwasoverforthepoorcardinal，andhewasobligedtoquafftothedregsthebittercupofbeinginsuchbadcompany。
Thereaderhas，probably，notforgottentheimpudentbeggarwhohadbeenclingingfasttothefringesofthecardinal’sgalleryeversincethebeginningoftheprologue。Thearrivaloftheillustriousguestshadbynomeanscausedhimtorelaxhishold，and，whiletheprelatesandambassadorswerepackingthemselvesintothestalls——likegenuineFlemishherrings——hesettledhimselfathisease，andboldlycrossedhislegsonthearchitrave。Theinsolenceofthisproceedingwasextraordinary，yetnoonenoticeditatfirst，theattentionofallbeingdirectedelsewhere。He，onhisside，perceivednothingthatwasgoingoninthehall；hewaggedhisheadwiththeunconcernofaNeapolitan，repeatingfromtimetotime，amidtheclamor，asfromamechanicalhabit，\"Charity，please！\"And，assuredly，hewas，outofallthosepresent，theonlyonewhohadnotdeignedtoturnhisheadatthealtercationbetweenCoppenoleandtheusher。Now，chanceordainedthatthemasterhosierofGhent，withwhomthepeoplewerealreadyinlivelysympathy，anduponwhomalleyeswereriveted——shouldcomeandseathimselfinthefrontrowofthegallery，directlyabovethemendicant；andpeoplewerenotalittleamazedtoseetheFlemishambassador，onconcludinghisinspectionoftheknavethusplacedbeneathhiseyes，bestowafriendlytaponthatraggedshoulder。Thebeggarturnedround；therewassurprise，recognition，alightingupofthetwocountenances，andsoforth；then，withoutpayingtheslightestheedintheworldtothespectators，thehosierandthewretchedbeingbegantoconverseinalowtone，holdingeachother’shands，inthemeantime，whiletheragsofClopinTrouillefou，spreadoutupontheclothofgoldofthedais，producedtheeffectofacaterpillaronanorange。
Thenoveltyofthissingularsceneexcitedsuchamurmurofmirthandgayetyinthehall，thatthecardinalwasnotslowtoperceiveit；hehalfbentforward，and，asfromthepointwherehewasplacedhecouldcatchonlyanimperfectviewofTrouillerfou’signominiousdoublet，heverynaturallyimaginedthatthemendicantwasaskingalms，and，disgustedwithhisaudacity，heexclaimed:\"BailiffoftheCourts，tossmethatknaveintotheriver！\"
\"CrossofGod！monseigneurthecardinal，\"saidCoppenole，withoutquittingClopin’shand，\"he’safriendofmine。\"
\"Good！good！\"shoutedthepopulace。Fromthatmoment，MasterCoppenoleenjoyedinParisasinGhent，\"greatfavorwiththepeople；formenofthatsortdoenjoyit，\"saysPhilippedeComines，\"whentheyarethusdisorderly。\"
Thecardinalbithislips。Hebenttowardshisneighbor，theAbbéofSaintGeneviéve，andsaidtohiminalowtone，——\"Fineambassadorsmonsieurthearchdukesendshere，toannouncetousMadameMarguerite！\"
\"Youreminence，\"repliedtheabbé，\"wastesyourpolitenessontheseFlemishswine。~Margaritasanteporcos~，pearlsbeforeswine。\"
\"Sayrather，\"retortedthecardinal，withasmile，\"~PorcosanteMargaritam~，swinebeforethepearl。\"
Thewholelittlecourtincassockswentintoecstaciesoverthisplayuponwords。Thecardinalfeltalittlerelieved；hewasquitswithCoppenole，healsohadhadhisjestapplauded。
Now，willthoseofourreaderswhopossessthepowerofgeneralizinganimageoranidea，astheexpressionrunsinthestyleofto-day，permitustoaskthemiftheyhaveformedaveryclearconceptionofthespectaclepresentedatthismoment，uponwhichwehavearrestedtheirattention，bythevastparallelogramofthegrandhallofthepalace。
Inthemiddleofthehall，backedagainstthewesternwall，alargeandmagnificentgallerydrapedwithclothofgold，intowhichenterinprocession，throughasmall，archeddoor，gravepersonages，announcedsuccessivelybytheshrillvoiceofanusher。Onthefrontbencheswerealreadyanumberofvenerablefigures，muffledinermine，velvet，andscarlet。Aroundthedais——whichremainssilentanddignified——below，opposite，everywhere，agreatcrowdandagreatmurmur。Thousandsofglancesdirectedbythepeopleoneachfaceuponthedais，athousandwhispersovereachname。Certainly，thespectacleiscurious，andwelldeservestheattentionofthespectators。Butyonder，quiteattheend，whatisthatsortoftrestleworkwithfourmotleypuppetsuponit，andmorebelow？Whoisthatmanbesidethetrestle，withablackdoubletandapaleface？Alas！mydearreader，itisPierreGringoireandhisprologue。
Wehaveallforgottenhimcompletely。
Thisispreciselywhathefeared。
Fromthemomentofthecardinal’sentrance，Gringoirehadneverceasedtotrembleforthesafetyofhisprologue。Atfirsthehadenjoinedtheactors，whohadstoppedinsuspense，tocontinue，andtoraisetheirvoices；then，perceivingthatnoonewaslistening，hehadstoppedthem；and，duringtheentirequarterofanhourthattheinterruptionlasted，hehadnotceasedtostamp，toflounceabout，toappealtoGisquetteandLiénarde，andtourgehisneighborstothecontinuanceoftheprologue；allinvain。Noonequittedthecardinal，theembassy，andthegallery——solecentreofthisvastcircleofvisualrays。Wemustalsobelieve，andwesayitwithregret，thattheprologuehadbegunslightlytowearytheaudienceatthemomentwhenhiseminencehadarrived，andcreatedadiversioninsoterribleafashion。Afterall，onthegalleryaswellasonthemarbletable，thespectaclewasthesame:theconflictofLaborandClergy，ofNobilityandMerchandise。Andmanypeoplepreferredtoseethemalive，breathing，moving，elbowingeachotherinfleshandblood，inthisFlemishembassy，inthisEpiscopalcourt，underthecardinal’srobe，underCoppenole’sjerkin，thanpainted，deckedout，talkinginverse，and，sotospeak，stuffedbeneaththeyellowamidwhitetunicsinwhichGringoirehadsoridiculouslyclothedthem。
Nevertheless，whenourpoetbeheldquietreestablishedtosomeextent，hedevisedastratagemwhichmighthaveredeemedall。
\"Monsieur，\"hesaid，turningtowardsoneofhisneighbors，afine，bigman，withapatientface，\"supposewebeginagain。\"
\"What？\"saidhisneighbor。
\"Hé！theMystery，\"saidGringoire。
\"Asyoulike，\"returnedhisneighbor。
Thissemi-approbationsufficedforGringoire，and，conductinghisownaffairs，hebegantoshout，confoundinghimselfwiththecrowdasmuchaspossible:\"Beginthemysteryagain！beginagain！\"
\"Thedevil！\"saidJoannesdeMolendino，\"whataretheyjabberingdownyonder，attheendofthehall？\"(forGringoirewasmakingnoiseenoughforfour。)\"Say，comrades，isn’tthatmysteryfinished？Theywanttobeginitalloveragain。That’snotfair！\"
\"No，no！\"shoutedallthescholars。\"Downwiththemystery！Downwithit！\"
ButGringoirehadmultipliedhimself，andonlyshoutedthemorevigorously:\"Beginagain！beginagain！\"
Theseclamorsattractedtheattentionofthecardinal。
\"MonsieurBailiffoftheCourts，\"saidhetoatall，blackman，placedafewpacesfromhim，\"arethoseknavesinaholy-watervessel，thattheymakesuchahellishnoise？\"
Thebailiffofthecourtswasasortofamphibiousmagistrate，asortofbatofthejudicialorder，relatedtoboththeratandthebird，thejudgeandthesoldier。
Heapproachedhiseminence，andnotwithoutagooddealoffearofthelatter’sdispleasure，heawkwardlyexplainedtohimtheseemingdisrespectoftheaudience:thatnoondayhadarrivedbeforehiseminence，andthatthecomedianshadbeenforcedtobeginwithoutwaitingforhiseminence。
Thecardinalburstintoalaugh。
\"Onmyfaith，therectoroftheuniversityoughttohavedonethesame。Whatsayyou，MasterGuillaumeRym？\"
\"Monseigneur，\"repliedGuillaumeRym，\"letusbecontentwithhavingescapedhalfofthecomedy。Thereisatleastthatmuchgained。\"
\"Cantheserascalscontinuetheirfarce？\"askedthebailiff。
\"Continue，continue，\"saidthecardinal，\"it’sallthesametome。I’llreadmybreviaryinthemeantime。\"
Thebailiffadvancedtotheedgeoftheestrade，andcried，afterhavinginvokedsilencebyawaveofthehand，——
\"Bourgeois，rustics，andcitizens，inordertosatisfythosewhowishtheplaytobeginagain，andthosewhowishittoend，hiseminenceordersthatitbecontinued。\"
Bothpartieswereforcedtoresignthemselves。Butthepublicandtheauthorlongcherishedagrudgeagainstthecardinal。
Sothepersonagesonthestagetookuptheirparts，andGringoirehopedthattherestofhiswork，atleast，wouldbelistenedto。Thishopewasspeedilydispelledlikehisotherillusions；silencehadindeed，beenrestoredintheaudience，afterafashion；butGringoirehadnotobservedthatatthemomentwhenthecardinalgavetheordertocontinue，thegallerywasfarfromfull，andthataftertheFlemishenvoystherehadarrivednewpersonagesformingpartofthecortege，whosenamesandranks，shoutedoutinthemidstofhisdialoguebytheintermittentcryoftheusher，producedconsiderableravagesinit。Letthereaderimaginetheeffectinthemidstofatheatricalpiece，oftheyelpingofanusher，flinginginbetweentworhymes，andofteninthemiddleofaline，parentheseslikethefollowing，——
\"MasterJacquesCharmolue，procuratortothekingintheEcclesiasticalCourts！\"
\"JehandeHarlay，equerryguardianoftheofficeofchevalierofthenightwatchofthecityofParis！\"
\"MessireGaliotdeGenoilhac，chevalier，seigneurdeBrussac，masteroftheking’sartillery！\"
\"MasterDreux-Raguier，surveyorofthewoodsandforestsofthekingoursovereign，inthelandofFrance，ChampagneandBrie！\"
\"MessireLouisdeGraville，chevalier，councillor，andchamberlainoftheking，admiralofFrance，keeperoftheForestofVincennes！\"
\"MasterDenisleMercier，guardianofthehouseoftheblindatParis！\"etc。，etc。，etc。
Thiswasbecomingunbearable。
Thisstrangeaccompaniment，whichrendereditdifficulttofollowthepiece，madeGringoireallthemoreindignantbecausehecouldnotconcealfromhimselfthefactthattheinterestwascontinuallyincreasing，andthatallhisworkrequiredwasachanceofbeingheard。
Itwas，infact，difficulttoimagineamoreingeniousandmoredramaticcomposition。Thefourpersonagesoftheprologuewerebewailingthemselvesintheirmortalembarrassment，whenVenusinperson，(~veraincessapatuitdea~)presentedherselftothem，cladinafinerobebearingtheheraldicdeviceoftheshipofthecityofParis。Shehadcomeherselftoclaimthedolphinpromisedtothemostbeautiful。Jupiter，whosethundercouldbeheardrumblinginthedressing-room，supportedherclaim，andVenuswasonthepointofcarryingitoff，——thatistosay，withoutallegory，ofmarryingmonsieurthedauphin，whenayoungchildcladinwhitedamask，andholdinginherhandadaisy(atransparentpersonificationofMademoiselleMargueriteofFlanders)cametocontestitwithVenus。
Theatricaleffectandchange。
Afteradispute，Venus，Marguerite，andtheassistantsagreedtosubmittothegoodjudgmentoftimeholyVirgin。
Therewasanothergoodpart，thatofthekingofMesopotamia；
butthroughsomanyinterruptions，itwasdifficulttomakeoutwhatendheserved。Allthesepersonshadascendedbytheladdertothestage。
Butallwasover；noneofthesebeautieshadbeenfeltnorunderstood。Ontheentranceofthecardinal，onewouldhavesaidthataninvisiblemagicthreadhadsuddenlydrawnallglancesfromthemarbletabletothegallery，fromthesoutherntothewesternextremityofthehall。Nothingcoulddisenchanttheaudience；alleyesremainedfixedthere，andthenew-comersandtheiraccursednames，andtheirfaces，andtheircostumes，affordedacontinualdiversion。Thiswasverydistressing。WiththeexceptionofGisquetteandLiénarde，whoturnedroundfromtimetotimewhenGringoirepluckedthembythesleeve；withtheexceptionofthebig，patientneighbor，noonelistened，noonelookedatthepoor，desertedmoralityfullface。Gringoiresawonlyprofiles。
Withwhatbitternessdidhebeholdhiswholeerectionofgloryandofpoetrycrumbleawaybitbybit！Andtothinkthatthesepeoplehadbeenuponthepointofinstitutingarevoltagainstthebailiffthroughimpatiencetohearhiswork！
nowthattheyhadittheydidnotcareforit。Thissamerepresentationwhichhadbeenbegunamidsounanimousanacclamation！Eternalfloodandebbofpopularfavor！Tothinkthattheyhadbeenonthepointofhangingthebailiff’ssergeant！Whatwouldhenothavegiventobestillatthathourofhoney！
Buttheusher’sbrutalmonologuecametoanend；everyonehadarrived，andGringoirebreathedfreelyoncemore；
theactorscontinuedbravely。ButMasterCoppenole，thehosier，mustneedsriseofasudden，andGringoirewasforcedtolistentohimdeliver，amiduniversalattention，thefollowingabominableharangue。
\"MessieursthebourgeoisandsquiresofParis，Idon’tknow，crossofGod！whatwearedoinghere。Icertainlydoseeyonderinthecorneronthatstage，somepeoplewhoappeartobefighting。Idon’tknowwhetherthatiswhatyoucalla\"mystery，\"butitisnotamusing；theyquarrelwiththeirtonguesandnothingmore。Ihavebeenwaitingforthefirstblowthisquarterofanhour；nothingcomes；theyarecowardswhoonlyscratcheachotherwithinsults。YououghttosendforthefightersofLondonorRotterdam；and，Icantellyou！youwouldhavehadblowsofthefistthatcouldbeheardinthePlace；butthesemenexciteourpity。Theyoughtatleast，togiveusamoorishdance，orsomeothermummer！Thatisnotwhatwastoldme；Iwaspromisedafeastoffools，withtheelectionofapope。WehaveourpopeoffoolsatGhentalso；we’renotbehindhandinthat，crossofGod！Butthisisthewaywemanageit；wecollectacrowdlikethisonehere，theneachpersoninturnpasseshisheadthroughahole，andmakesagrimaceattherest；timeonewhomakestheugliest，iselectedpopebygeneralacclamation；
that’sthewayitis。Itisverydiverting。Wouldyouliketomakeyourpopeafterthefashionofmycountry？Atallevents，itwillbelesswearisomethantolistentochatterers。
Iftheywishtocomeandmaketheirgrimacesthroughthehole，theycanjointhegame。Whatsayyou，Messieurslesbourgeois？Youhavehereenoughgrotesquespecimensofbothsexes，toallowoflaughinginFlemishfashion，andthereareenoughofusuglyincountenancetohopeforafinegrinningmatch。\"
Gringoirewouldhavelikedtoretort；stupefaction，rage，indignation，deprivedhimofwords。Moreover，thesuggestionofthepopularhosierwasreceivedwithsuchenthusiasmbythesebourgeoiswhowereflatteredatbeingcalled\"squires，\"thatallresistancewasuseless。Therewasnothingtobedonebuttoallowone’sselftodriftwiththetorrent。
Gringoirehidhisfacebetweenhistwohands，notbeingsofortunateastohaveamantlewithwhichtoveilhishead，likeAgamemnonofTimantis。
CHAPTERV。
QUASIMODO。
Inthetwinklingofaneye，allwasreadytoexecuteCoppenole’sidea。Bourgeois，scholarsandlawclerksallsettowork。Thelittlechapelsituatedoppositethemarbletablewasselectedforthesceneofthegrinningmatch。Apanebrokenintheprettyrosewindowabovethedoor，leftfreeacircleofstonethroughwhichitwasagreedthatthecompetitorsshouldthrusttheirheads。Inordertoreachit，itwasonlynecessarytomountuponacoupleofhogsheads，whichhadbeenproducedfromIknownotwhere，andperchedoneupontheother，afterafashion。Itwassettledthateachcandidate，manorwoman(foritwaspossibletochooseafemalepope)，should，forthesakeofleavingtheimpressionofhisgrimacefreshandcomplete，coverhisfaceandremainconcealedinthechapeluntilthemomentofhisappearance。Inlessthananinstant，thechapelwascrowdedwithcompetitors，uponwhomthedoorwasthenclosed。
Coppenole，fromhispost，orderedall，directedall，arrangedall。Duringtheuproar，thecardinal，nolessabashedthanGringoire，hadretiredwithallhissuite，underthepretextofbusinessandvespers，withoutthecrowdwhichhisarrivalhadsodeeplystirredbeingintheleastmovedbyhisdeparture。
GuillaumeRymwastheonlyonewhonoticedhiseminence’sdiscomfiture。Theattentionofthepopulace，likethesun，pursueditsrevolution；havingsetoutfromoneendofthehall，andhaltedforaspaceinthemiddle，ithadnowreachedtheotherend。Themarbletable，thebrocadedgalleryhadeachhadtheirday；itwasnowtheturnofthechapelofLouisXI。
Henceforth，thefieldwasopentoallfolly。Therewasnoonetherenow，buttheFlemingsandtherabble。
Thegrimacesbegan。Thefirstfacewhichappearedattheaperture，witheyelidsturneduptothereds，amouthopenlikeamaw，andabrowwrinkledlikeourhussarbootsoftheEmpire，evokedsuchaninextinguishablepealoflaughterthatHomerwouldhavetakenalltheseloutsforgods。
Nevertheless，thegrandhallwasanythingbutOlympus，andGringoire’spoorJupiterknewitbetterthananyoneelse。A
secondandthirdgrimacefollowed，thenanotherandanother；
andthelaughterandtransportsofdelightwentonincreasing。
Therewasinthisspectacle，apeculiarpowerofintoxicationandfascination，ofwhichitwouldbedifficulttoconveytothereaderofourdayandoursalonsanyidea。
Letthereaderpicturetohimselfaseriesofvisagespresentingsuccessivelyallgeometricalforms，fromthetriangletothetrapezium，fromtheconetothepolyhedron；allhumanexpressions，fromwrathtolewdness；allages，fromthewrinklesofthenew-bornbabetothewrinklesoftheagedanddying；allreligiousphantasmagories，fromFauntoBeelzebub；
allanimalprofiles，fromthemawtothebeak，fromthejowltothemuzzle。LetthereaderimagineallthesegrotesquefiguresofthePontNeuf，thosenightmarespetrifiedbeneaththehandofGermainPilon，assuminglifeandbreath，andcominginturntostareyouinthefacewithburningeyes；allthemasksoftheCarnivalofVenicepassinginsuccessionbeforeyourglass，——inaword，ahumankaleidoscope。
TheorgygrewmoreandmoreFlemish。Tenierscouldhavegivenbutaveryimperfectideaofit。Letthereaderpicturetohimselfinbacchanalform，SalvatorRosa’sbattle。Therewerenolongereitherscholarsorambassadorsorbourgeoisormenorwomen；therewasnolongeranyClopinTrouillefou，norGillesLecornu，norMarieQuatrelivres，norRobinPoussepain。
Allwasuniversallicense。Thegrandhallwasnolongeranythingbutavastfurnaceofeffrontryandjoviality，whereeverymouthwasacry，everyindividualaposture；
everythingshoutedandhowled。Thestrangevisageswhichcame，inturn，tognashtheirteethintherosewindow，werelikesomanybrandscastintothebrazier；andfromthewholeofthiseffervescingcrowd，thereescaped，asfromafurnace，asharp，piercing，stingingnoise，hissinglikethewingsofagnat。
\"Hohé！curseit！\"
\"Justlookatthatface！\"
\"It’snotgoodforanything。\"
\"GuillemetteMaugerepuis，justlookatthatbull’smuzzle；
itonlylacksthehorns。Itcan’tbeyourhusband。\"
\"Another！\"
\"Bellyofthepope！whatsortofagrimaceisthat？\"
\"Holahé！that’scheating。Onemustshowonlyone’sface。\"
\"ThatdamnedPerretteCallebotte！she’scapableofthat！\"
\"Good！Good！\"
\"I’mstifling！\"
\"There’safellowwhoseearswon’tgothrough！\"Etc。，etc。
ButwemustdojusticetoourfriendJehan。Inthemidstofthiswitches’sabbath，hewasstilltobeseenonthetopofhispillar，likethecabin-boyonthetopmast。Heflounderedaboutwithincrediblefury。Hismouthwaswideopen，andfromitthereescapedacrywhichnooneheard，notthatitwascoveredbythegeneralclamor，greatasthatwasbutbecauseitattained，nodoubt，thelimitofperceptiblesharpsounds，thethousandvibrationsofSauveur，ortheeightthousandofBiot。
AsforGringoire，thefirstmomentofdepressionhavingpassed，hehadregainedhiscomposure。Hehadhardenedhimselfagainstadversity——\"Continue！\"hehadsaidforthethirdtime，tohiscomedians，speakingmachines；thenashewasmarchingwithgreatstridesinfrontofthemarbletable，afancyseizedhimtogoandappearinhisturnattheapertureofthechapel，wereitonlyforthepleasureofmakingagrimaceatthatungratefulpopulace——\"Butno，thatwouldnotbeworthyofus；no，vengeance！letuscombatuntiltheend，\"herepeatedtohimself；\"thepowerofpoetryoverpeopleisgreat；Iwillbringthemback。Weshallseewhichwillcarrytheday，grimacesorpoliteliterature。\"
Alas！hehadbeenleftthesolespectatorofhispiece。
Itwasfarworsethanithadbeenalittlewhilebefore。Henolongerbeheldanythingbutbacks。
Iammistaken。Thebig，patientman，whomhehadalreadyconsultedinacriticalmoment，hadremainedwithhisfaceturnedtowardsthestage。AsforGisquetteandLiénarde，theyhaddesertedhimlongago。
Gringoirewastouchedtotheheartbythefidelityofhisonlyspectator。Heapproachedhimandaddressedhim，shakinghisarmslightly；forthegoodmanwasleaningonthebalustradeanddozingalittle。
\"Monsieur，\"saidGringoire，\"Ithankyou！\"
\"Monsieur，\"repliedthebigmanwithayawn，\"forwhat？\"
\"Iseewhatweariesyou，\"resumedthepoet；\"’tisallthisnoisewhichpreventsyourhearingcomfortably。Butbeatease！yournameshalldescendtoposterity！Yourname，ifyouplease？\"
\"RenauldChateau，guardianofthesealsoftheChateletofParis，atyourservice。\"
\"Monsieur，youaretheonlyrepresentiveofthemuseshere，\"saidGringoire。
\"Youaretookind，sir，\"saidtheguardianofthesealsattheChatelet。
\"Youaretheonlyone，\"resumedGringoire，\"whohaslistenedtothepiecedecorously。Whatdoyouthinkofit？\"
\"He！he！\"repliedthefatmagistrate，halfaroused，\"it’stolerablyjolly，that’safact。\"
Gringoirewasforcedtocontenthimselfwiththiseulogy；
forathunderofapplause，mingledwithaprodigiousacclamation，cuttheirconversationshort。ThePopeoftheFoolshadbeenelected。
\"Noel！Noel！Noel！\"*shoutedthepeopleonallsides。
Thatwas，infact，amarvellousgrimacewhichwasbeamingatthatmomentthroughtheapertureintherosewindow。
Afterallthepentagonal，hexagonal，andwhimsicalfaces，whichhadsucceededeachotheratthatholewithoutrealizingtheidealofthegrotesquewhichtheirimaginations，excitedbytheorgy，hadconstructed，nothinglesswasneededtowintheirsuffragesthanthesublimegrimacewhichhadjustdazzledtheassembly。MasterCoppenolehimselfapplauded，andClopinTrouillefou，whohadbeenamongthecompetitors(andGodknowswhatintensityofuglinesshisvisagecouldattain)，confessedhimselfconquered:Wewilldothesame。Weshallnottrytogivethereaderanideaofthattetrahedralnose，thathorseshoemouth；thatlittlelefteyeobstructedwithared，bushy，bristlingeyebrow，whiletherighteyedisappearedentirelybeneathanenormouswart；ofthoseteethindisarray，brokenhereandthere，liketheembattledparapetofafortress；ofthatcallouslip，uponwhichoneoftheseteethencroached，likethetuskofanelephant；ofthatforkedchin；andaboveall，oftheexpressionspreadoverthewhole；
ofthatmixtureofmalice，amazement，andsadness。Letthereaderdreamofthiswhole，ifhecan。
*TheancientFrenchhurrah。
Theacclamationwasunanimous；peoplerushedtowardsthechapel。TheymadetheluckyPopeoftheFoolscomeforthintriumph。Butitwasthenthatsurpriseandadmirationattainedtheirhighestpitch；thegrimacewashisface。
Orrather，hiswholepersonwasagrimace。Ahugehead，bristlingwithredhair；betweenhisshouldersanenormoushump，acounterpartperceptibleinfront；asystemofthighsandlegssostrangelyastraythattheycouldtoucheachotheronlyattheknees，and，viewedfromthefront，resembledthecrescentsoftwoscythesjoinedbythehandles；largefeet，monstroushands；and，withallthisdeformity，anindescribableandredoubtableairofvigor，agility，andcourage，——strangeexceptiontotheeternalrulewhichwillsthatforceaswellasbeautyshallbetheresultofharmony。Suchwasthepopewhomthefoolshadjustchosenforthemselves。
Onewouldhavepronouncedhimagiantwhohadbeenbrokenandbadlyputtogetheragain。
Whenthisspeciesofcyclopsappearedonthethresholdofthechapel，motionless，squat，andalmostasbroadashewastall；squaredonthebase，asagreatmansays；withhisdoublethalfred，halfviolet，sownwithsilverbells，and，aboveall，intheperfectionofhisugliness，thepopulacerecognizedhimontheinstant，andshoutedwithonevoice，——
\"’TisQuasimodo，thebellringer！’tisQuasimodo，thehunchbackofNotre-Dame！Quasimodo，theone-eyed！Quasimodo，thebandy-legged！Noel！Noel！\"
Itwillbeseenthatthepoorfellowhadachoiceofsurnames。
\"Letthewomenwithchildbeware！\"shoutedthescholars。
\"Orthosewhowishtobe，\"resumedJoannes。
Thewomendid，infact，hidetheirfaces。
\"Oh！thehorriblemonkey！\"saidoneofthem。
\"Aswickedasheisugly，\"retortedanother。
\"He’sthedevil，\"addedathird。
\"IhavethemisfortunetolivenearNotre-Dame；Ihearhimprowlingroundtheeavesbynight。\"
\"Withthecats。\"
\"He’salwaysonourroofs。\"
\"Hethrowsspellsdownourchimneys。\"
\"Theotherevening，hecameandmadeagrimaceatmethroughmyatticwindow。Ithoughtthatitwasaman。
SuchafrightasIhad！\"
\"I’msurethathegoestothewitches’sabbath。Onceheleftabroomonmyleads。\"
\"Oh！whatadispleasinghunchback’sface！\"
\"Oh！whatanill-favoredsoul！\"
\"Whew！\"
Themen，onthecontrary，weredelightedandapplauded。
Quasimodo，theobjectofthetumult，stillstoodonthethresholdofthechapel，sombreandgrave，andallowedthemtoadmirehim。
Onescholar(RobinPoussepain，Ithink)，cameandlaughedinhisface，andtooclose。Quasimodocontentedhimselfwithtakinghimbythegirdle，andhurlinghimtenpacesoffamidthecrowd；allwithoututteringaword。
MasterCoppenole，inamazement，approachedhim。
\"CrossofGod！HolyFather！youpossessthehandsomestuglinessthatIhaveeverbeheldinmylife。YouwoulddeservetobepopeatRome，aswellasatParis。\"
Sosaying，heplacedhishandgaylyonhisshoulder。Quasimododidnotstir。Coppenolewenton，——
\"YouarearoguewithwhomIhaveafancyforcarousing，wereittocostmeanewdozenoftwelvelivresofTours。
Howdoesitstrikeyou？\"
Quasimodomadenoreply。
\"CrossofGod！\"saidthehosier，\"areyoudeaf？\"
Hewas，intruth，deaf。
Nevertheless，hebegantogrowimpatientwithCoppenole’sbehavior，andsuddenlyturnedtowardshimwithsoformidableagnashingofteeth，thattheFlemishgiantrecoiled，likeabull-dogbeforeacat。
Thentherewascreatedaroundthatstrangepersonage，acircleofterrorandrespect，whoseradiuswasatleastfifteengeometricalfeet。AnoldwomanexplainedtoCoppenolethatQuasimodowasdeaf。
\"Deaf！\"saidthehosier，withhisgreatFlemishlaugh。
\"CrossofGod！He’saperfectpope！\"
\"He！Irecognizehim，\"exclaimedJehan，whohad，atlast，descendedfromhiscapital，inordertoseeQuasimodoatcloserquarters，\"he’sthebellringerofmybrother，thearchdeacon。
Good-day，Quasimodo！\"
\"Whatadevilofaman！\"saidRobinPoussepainstillallbruisedwithhisfall。\"Heshowshimself；he’sahunchback。
Hewalks；he’sbandy-legged。Helooksatyou；he’sone-eyed。
Youspeaktohim；he’sdeaf。AndwhatdoesthisPolyphemusdowithhistongue？\"
\"Hespeakswhenhechooses，\"saidtheoldwoman；\"hebecamedeafthroughringingthebells。Heisnotdumb。\"
\"Thathelacks，\"remarksJehan。
\"Andhehasoneeyetoomany，\"addedRobinPoussepain。
\"Notatall，\"saidJehanwisely。\"Aone-eyedmanisfarlesscompletethanablindman。Heknowswhathelacks。\"
Inthemeantime，allthebeggars，allthelackeys，allthecutpurses，joinedwiththescholars，hadgoneinprocessiontoseek，inthecupboardofthelawclerks’company，thecardboardtiara，andthederisiverobeofthePopeoftheFools。Quasimodoallowedthemtoarrayhiminthemwithoutwincing，andwithasortofprouddocility。Thentheymadehimseathimselfonamotleylitter。Twelveofficersofthefraternityoffoolsraisedhimontheirshoulders；andasortofbitteranddisdainfuljoylightedupthemorosefaceofthecyclops，whenhebeheldbeneathhisdeformedfeetallthoseheadsofhandsome，straight，well-mademen。Thentheraggedandhowlingprocessionsetoutonitsmarch，accordingtocustom，aroundtheinnergalleriesoftheCourts，beforemakingthecircuitofthestreetsandsquares。
CHAPTERVI。
ESMERALDA。
Wearedelightedtobeabletoinformthereader，thatduringthewholeofthisscene，Gringoireandhispiecehadstoodfirm。Hisactors，spurredonbyhim，hadnotceasedtospouthiscomedy，andhehadnotceasedtolistentoit。Hehadmadeuphismindaboutthetumult，andwasdeterminedtoproceedtotheend，notgivingupthehopeofareturnofattentiononthepartofthepublic。Thisgleamofhopeacquiredfreshlife，whenhesawQuasimodo，Coppenole，andthedeafeningescortofthepopeoftheprocessionoffoolsquitthehallamidgreatuproar。Thethrongrushedeagerlyafterthem。\"Good，\"hesaidtohimself，\"theregoallthemischief-
makers。\"Unfortunately，allthemischief-makersconstitutedtheentireaudience。Inthetwinklingofaneye，thegrandhallwasempty。
Totellthetruth，afewspectatorsstillremained，somescattered，othersingroupsaroundthepillars，women，oldmen，orchildren，whohadhadenoughoftheuproarandtumult。Somescholarswerestillperchedastrideofthewindow-sills，engagedingazingintothePlace。
\"Well，\"thoughtGringoire，\"herearestillasmanyasarerequiredtoheartheendofmymystery。Theyarefewinnumber，butitisachoiceaudience，aletteredaudience。\"
Aninstantlater，asymphonywhichhadbeenintendedtoproducethegreatesteffectonthearrivaloftheVirgin，waslacking。GringoireperceivedthathismusichadbeencarriedoffbytheprocessionofthePopeoftheFools。\"Skipit，\"saidhe，stoically。
Heapproachedagroupofbourgeois，whoseemedtohimtobediscussinghispiece。Thisisthefragmentofconversationwhichhecaught，——
\"Youknow，MasterCheneteau，theH？teldeNavarre，whichbelongedtoMonsieurdeNemours？\"
\"Yes，oppositetheChapelledeBraque。\"
\"Well，thetreasuryhasjustletittoGuillaumeAlixandre，historian，forsixhivres，eightsols，parisian，ayear。\"
\"Howrentsaregoingup！\"
\"Come，\"saidGringoiretohimself，withasigh，\"theothersarelistening。\"
\"Comrades，\"suddenlyshoutedoneoftheyoungscampsfromthewindow，\"LaEsmeralda！LaEsmeraldainthePlace！\"
Thiswordproducedamagicaleffect。Everyonewhowasleftinthehallflewtothewindows，climbingthewallsinordertosee，andrepeating，\"LaEsmeralda！LaEsmeralda？\"
Atthesametime，agreatsoundofapplausewasheardfromwithout。
\"What’sthemeaningofthis，oftheEsmeralda？\"saidGringoire，wringinghishandsindespair。\"Ah，goodheavens！
itseemstobetheturnofthewindowsnow。\"
Hereturnedtowardsthemarbletable，andsawthattherepresentationhadbeeninterrupted。ItwaspreciselyattheinstantwhenJupitershouldhaveappearedwithhisthunder。ButJupiterwasstandingmotionlessatthefootofthestage。
\"MichelGiborne！\"criedtheirritatedpoet，\"whatareyoudoingthere？Isthatyourpart？Comeup！\"
\"Alas！\"saidJupiter，\"ascholarhasjustseizedtheladder。\"
Gringoirelooked。Itwasbuttootrue。Allcommunicationbetweenhisplotanditssolutionwasintercepted。
\"Therascal，\"hemurmured。\"Andwhydidhetakethatladder？\"
\"InordertogoandseetheEsmeralda，\"repliedJupiterpiteously。\"Hesaid，’Come，here’saladderthat’sofnouse！’andhetookit。\"
Thiswasthelastblow。Gringoirereceiveditwithresignation。
\"Maythedevilflyawaywithyou！\"hesaidtothecomedian，\"andifIgetmypay，youshallreceiveyours。\"
Thenhebeataretreat，withdroopinghead，butthelastinthefield，likeageneralwhohasfoughtwell。
Andashedescendedthewindingstairsofthecourts:\"A
finerabbleofassesanddoltstheseParisians！\"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth；\"theycometohearamysteryanddon’tlistentoitatall！Theyareengrossedbyeveryone，byChopinTrouillefou，bythecardinal，byCoppenole，byQuasimodo，bythedevil！butbyMadametheVirginMary，notatall。IfIhadknown，I’dhavegivenyouVirginMary；youninnies！AndI！tocometoseefacesandbeholdonlybacks！
tobeapoet，andtoreapthesuccessofanapothecary！ItistruethatHomerusbeggedthroughtheGreektowns，andthatNasodiedinexileamongtheMuscovites。ButmaythedevilflaymeifIunderstandwhattheymeanwiththeirEsmeralda！
Whatisthatword，inthefirstplace？——’tisEgyptian！\"
BOOKSECOND。
CHAPTERI。
FROMCHARYBDISTOSCYLLA。
NightcomesonearlyinJanuary。ThestreetswerealreadydarkwhenGringoireissuedforthfromtheCourts。Thisgloompleasedhim；hewasinhastetoreachsomeobscureanddesertedalley，inordertheretomeditateathisease，andinorderthatthephilosophermightplacethefirstdressinguponthewoundofthepoet。Philosophy，moreover，washissolerefuge，forhedidnotknowwherehewastolodgeforthenight。Afterthebrilliantfailureofhisfirsttheatricalventure，hedarednotreturntothelodgingwhichheoccupiedintheRueGrenier-sur-l’Eau，oppositetothePort-au-Foin，havingdependeduponreceivingfrommonsieurtheprovostforhisepithalamium，thewherewithaltopayMasterGuillaumeDoulx-Sire，farmerofthetaxesoncloven-footedanimalsinParis，therentwhichheowedhim，thatistosay，twelvesolsparisian；twelvetimesthevalueofallthathepossessedintheworld，includinghistrunk-hose，hisshirt，andhiscap。
Afterreflectingamoment，temporarilyshelteredbeneaththelittlewicketoftheprisonofthetreasureroftheSainte-
Chappelle，astotheshelterwhichhewouldselectforthenight，havingallthepavementsofParistochoosefrom，herememberedtohavenoticedtheweekpreviouslyintheRuedelaSavaterie，atthedoorofacouncilloroftheparliament，asteppingstoneformountingamule，andtohavesaidtohimselfthatthatstonewouldfurnish，onoccasion，averyexcellentpillowforamendicantorapoet。HethankedProvidenceforhavingsentthishappyideatohim；but，ashewaspreparingtocrossthePlace，inordertoreachthetortuouslabyrinthofthecity，wheremeanderallthoseoldsisterstreets，theRuesdelaBarillerie，delaVielle-Draperie，delaSavaterie，delaJuiverie，etc。，stillextantto-day，withtheirnine-storyhouses，hesawtheprocessionofthePopeoftheFools，whichwasalsoemergingfromthecourthouse，andrushingacrossthecourtyard，withgreatcries，agreatflashingoftorches，andthemusicwhichbelongedtohim，Gringoire。
Thissightrevivedthepainofhisself-love；hefled。Inthebitternessofhisdramaticmisadventure，everythingwhichremindedhimofthefestivalofthatdayirritatedhiswoundandmadeitbleed。
58
HewasonthepointofturningtothePontSaint-Michel；
childrenwererunningabouthereandtherewithfirelancesandrockets。
\"Pestonfireworkcandles！\"saidGringoire；andhefellbackonthePontauChange。Tothehouseattheheadofthebridgetherehadbeenaffixedthreesmallbanners，representingtheking，thedauphin，andMargueriteofFlanders，andsixlittlepennonsonwhichwereportrayedtheDukeofAustria，theCardinaldeBourbon，M。deBeaujeu，andMadameJeannedeFrance，andMonsieurtheBastardofBourbon，andIknownotwhomelse；allbeingilluminatedwithtorches。
Therabblewereadmiring。
\"Happypainter，JehanFourbault！\"saidGringoirewithadeepsigh；andheturnedhisbackuponthebanneretsandpennons。Astreetopenedbeforehim；hethoughtitsodarkanddesertedthathehopedtothereescapefromalltherumorsaswellasfromallthegleamsofthefestival。Attheendofafewmomentshisfootcameincontactwithanobstacle；hestumbledandfell。ItwastheMaytruss，whichtheclerksoftheclerks’lawcourthaddepositedthatmorningatthedoorofapresidentoftheparliament，inhonorofthesolemnityoftheday。Gringoireborethisnewdisasterheroically；hepickedhimselfup，andreachedthewater’sedge。AfterleavingbehindhimthecivicTournelle*andthecriminaltower，andskirtedthegreatwallsoftheking’sgarden，onthatunpavedstrandwherethemudreachedtohisankles，hereachedthewesternpointofthecity，andconsideredforsometimetheisletofthePasseur-aux-Vaches，whichhasdisappearedbeneaththebronzehorseofthePontNeuf。Theisletappearedtohimintheshadowlikeablackmass，beyondthenarrowstripofwhitishwaterwhichseparatedhimfromit。
Onecoulddivinebytherayofatinylightthesortofhutintheformofabeehivewheretheferrymanofcowstookrefugeatnight。
*AchamberoftheancientparliamentofParis。
\"Happyferryman！\"thoughtGringoire；\"youdonotdreamofglory，andyoudonotmakemarriagesongs！Whatmattersittoyou，ifkingsandDuchessesofBurgundymarry？
Youknownootherdaisies(~marguerites~)thanthosewhichyourAprilgreenswardgivesyourcowstobrowseupon；whileI，apoet，amhooted，andshiver，andowetwelvesous，andthesolesofmyshoesaresotransparent，thattheymightserveasglassesforyourlantern！Thanks，ferryman，yourcabinrestsmyeyes，andmakesmeforgetParis！\"
Hewasrousedfromhisalmostlyricecstacy，byabigdoubleSaint-Jeancracker，whichsuddenlywentofffromthehappycabin。Itwasthecowferryman，whowastakinghispartintherejoicingsoftheday，andlettingofffireworks。
ThiscrackermadeGringoire’sskinbristleupallover。
\"Accursedfestival！\"heexclaimed，\"wiltthoupursuemeeverywhere？Oh！goodGod！eventotheferryman’s！\"
ThenhelookedattheSeineathisfeet，andahorribletemptationtookpossessionofhim:
\"Oh！\"saidhe，\"Iwouldgladlydrownmyself，werethewaternotsocold！\"
Thenadesperateresolutionoccurredtohim。Itwas，sincehecouldnotescapefromthePopeoftheFools，fromJehanFourbault’sbannerets，fromMaytrusses，fromsquibsandcrackers，togotothePlacedeGrève。
\"Atleast，\"hesaidtohimself，\"Ishalltherehaveafirebrandofjoywherewithtowarmmyself，andIcansuponsomecrumbsofthethreegreatarmorialbearingsofroyalsugarwhichhavebeenerectedonthepublicrefreshment-stallofthecity。
CHAPTERII。
THEPLACEDEGREVE。
Thereremainsto-daybutaveryimperceptiblevestigeofthePlacedeGrève，suchasitexistedthen；itconsistsinthecharminglittleturret，whichoccupiestheanglenorthofthePlace，andwhich，alreadyenshroudedintheignobleplasterwhichfillswithpastethedelicatelinesofitssculpture，wouldsoonhavedisappeared，perhapssubmergedbythatfloodofnewhouseswhichsorapidlydevoursalltheancientfa？adesofParis。
Thepersonswho，likeourselves，nevercrossthePlacedeGrèvewithoutcastingaglanceofpityandsympathyonthatpoorturretstrangledbetweentwohovelsofthetimeofLouisXV。，caneasilyreconstructintheirmindstheaggregateofedificestowhichitbelonged，andfindagainentireinittheancientGothicplaceofthefifteenthcentury。
Itwasthen，asitisto-day，anirregulartrapezoid，borderedononesidebythequay，andontheotherthreebyaseriesoflofty，narrow，andgloomyhouses。Byday，onecouldadmirethevarietyofitsedifices，allsculpturedinstoneorwood，andalreadypresentingcompletespecimensofthedifferentdomesticarchitecturesoftheMiddleAges，runningbackfromthefifteenthtotheeleventhcentury，fromthecasementwhichhadbeguntodethronethearch，totheRomansemicircle，whichhadbeensupplantedbytheogive，andwhichstilloccupies，belowit，thefirststoryofthatancienthousedelaTourRoland，atthecornerofthePlaceupontheSeine，onthesideofthestreetwiththeTannerie。Atnight，onecoulddistinguishnothingofallthatmassofbuildings，excepttheblackindentationoftheroofs，unrollingtheirchainofacuteanglesroundtheplace；foroneoftheradicaldifferencesbetweenthecitiesofthattime，andthecitiesofthepresentday，layinthefa？adeswhichlookedupontheplacesandstreets，andwhichwerethengables。Forthelasttwocenturiesthehouseshavebeenturnedround。
InthecentreoftheeasternsideofthePlace，roseaheavyandhybridconstruction，formedofthreebuildingsplacedinjuxtaposition。Itwascalledbythreenameswhichexplainitshistory，itsdestination，anditsarchitecture:\"TheHouseoftheDauphin，\"becauseCharlesV。，whenDauphin，hadinhabitedit；\"TheMarchandise，\"becauseithadservedastownhall；and\"ThePillaredHouse\"(~domusadpiloria~)，becauseofaseriesoflargepillarswhichsustainedthethreestories。ThecityfoundthereallthatisrequiredforacitylikeParis；achapelinwhichtopraytoGod；a~plaidoyer~，orpleadingroom，inwhichtoholdhearings，andtorepel，atneed，theKing’speople；andundertheroof，an~arsenac~fullofartillery。ForthebourgeoisofPariswereawarethatitisnotsufficienttoprayineveryconjuncture，andtopleadforthefranchisesofthecity，andtheyhadalwaysinreserve，inthegarretofthetownhall，afewgoodrustyarquebuses。TheGrèvehadthenthatsinisteraspectwhichitpreservesto-dayfromtheexecrableideaswhichitawakens，andfromthesombretownhallofDominiqueBocador，whichhasreplacedthePillaredHouse。Itmustbeadmittedthatapermanentgibbetandapillory，\"ajusticeandaladder，\"astheywerecalledinthatday，erectedsidebysideinthecentreofthepavement，contributednotalittletocauseeyestobeturnedawayfromthatfatalplace，wheresomanybeingsfulloflifeandhealthhaveagonized；where，fiftyyearslater，thatfeverofSaintVallierwasdestinedtohaveitsbirth，thatterrorofthescaffold，themostmonstrousofallmaladiesbecauseitcomesnotfromGod，butfromman。
Itisaconsolingidea(letusremarkinpassing)，tothinkthatthedeathpenalty，whichthreehundredyearsagostillencumberedwithitsironwheels，itsstonegibbets，andallitsparaphernaliaoftorture，permanentandrivetedtothepavement，theGrève，theHalles，thePlaceDauphine，theCrossduTrahoir，theMarchéauxPourceaux，thathideousMontfau？on，thebarrierdesSergents，thePlaceauxChats，thePorteSaint-Denis，Champeaux，thePorteBaudets，thePorteSaintJacques，withoutreckoningtheinnumerableladdersoftheprovosts，thebishopofthechapters，oftheabbots，ofthepriors，whohadthedecreeoflifeanddeath，——withoutreckoningthejudicialdrowningsintheriverSeine；itisconsolingto-day，afterhavinglostsuccessivelyallthepiecesofitsarmor，itsluxuryoftorment，itspenaltyofimaginationandfancy，itstortureforwhichitreconstructedeveryfiveyearsaleatherbedattheGrandChatelet，thatancientsuzerainoffeudalsocietyalmostexpungedfromourlawsandourcities，huntedfromcodetocode，chasedfromplacetoplace，hasnolonger，inourimmenseParis，anymorethanadishonoredcorneroftheGrève，——thanamiserableguillotine，furtive，uneasy，shameful，whichseemsalwaysafraidofbeingcaughtintheact，soquicklydoesitdisappearafterhavingdealtitsblow。
CHAPTERIII。
KISSESFORBLOWS。
WhenPierreGringoirearrivedonthePlacedeGrève，hewasparalyzed。HehaddirectedhiscourseacrossthePontauxMeuniers，inordertoavoidtherabbleonthePontauChange，andthepennonsofJehanFourbault；butthewheelsofallthebishop’smillshadsplashedhimashepassed，andhisdoubletwasdrenched；itseemedtohimbesides，thatthefailureofhispiecehadrenderedhimstillmoresensibletocoldthanusual。Hencehemadehastetodrawnearthebonfire，whichwasburningmagnificentlyinthemiddleofthePlace。Butaconsiderablecrowdformedacirclearoundit。
\"AccursedParisians！\"hesaidtohimself(forGringoire，likeatruedramaticpoet，wassubjecttomonologues)\"theretheyareobstructingmyfire！Nevertheless，Iamgreatlyinneedofachimneycorner；myshoesdrinkinthewater，andallthosecursedmillsweptuponme！ThatdevilofaBishopofParis，withhismills！I’djustliketoknowwhatuseabishopcanmakeofamill！Doesheexpecttobecomeamillerinsteadofabishop？Ifonlymymaledictionisneededforthat，Ibestowituponhim！andhiscathedral，andhismills！Justseeifthoseboobieswillputthemselvesout！
Moveaside！I’dliketoknowwhattheyaredoingthere！
Theyarewarmingthemselves，muchpleasuremayitgivethem！Theyarewatchingahundredfagotsburn；afinespectacle！\"
Onlookingmoreclosely，heperceivedthatthecirclewasmuchlargerthanwasrequiredsimplyforthepurposeofgettingwarmattheking’sfire，andthatthisconcourseofpeoplehadnotbeenattractedsolelybythebeautyofthehundredfagotswhichwereburning。
Inavastspaceleftfreebetweenthecrowdandthefire，ayounggirlwasdancing。
Whetherthisyounggirlwasahumanbeing，afairy，oranangel，iswhatGringoire，scepticalphilosopherandironicalpoetthathewas，couldnotdecideatthefirstmoment，sofascinatedwashebythisdazzlingvision。
Shewasnottall，thoughsheseemedso，soboldlydidherslenderformdartabout。Shewasswarthyofcomplexion，butonedivinedthat，byday，herskinmustpossessthatbeautifulgoldentoneoftheAndalusiansandtheRomanwomen。Herlittlefoot，too，wasAndalusian，foritwasbothpinchedandateaseinitsgracefulshoe。Shedanced，sheturned，shewhirledrapidlyaboutonanoldPersianrug，spreadnegligentlyunderherfeet；andeachtimethatherradiantfacepassedbeforeyou，asshewhirled，hergreatblackeyesdartedaflashoflightningatyou。
Allaroundher，allglanceswereriveted，allmouthsopen；
and，infact，whenshedancedthus，tothehummingoftheBasquetambourine，whichhertwopure，roundedarmsraisedaboveherhead，slender，frailandvivaciousasawasp，withhercorsageofgoldwithoutafold，hervariegatedgownpuffingout，herbareshoulders，herdelicatelimbs，whichherpetticoatrevealedattimes，herblackhair，hereyesofflame，shewasasupernaturalcreature。
\"Intruth，\"saidGringoiretohimself，\"sheisasalamander，sheisanymph，sheisagoddess，sheisabacchanteoftheMeneleanMount！\"
Atthatmoment，oneofthesalamander’sbraidsofhairbecameunfastened，andapieceofyellowcopperwhichwasattachedtoit，rolledtotheground。
\"Hé，no！\"saidhe，\"sheisagypsy！\"
Allillusionshaddisappeared。
Shebeganherdanceoncemore；shetookfromthegroundtwoswords，whosepointssherestedagainstherbrow，andwhichshemadetoturninonedirection，whilesheturnedintheother；itwasapurelygypsyeffect。But，disenchantedthoughGringoirewas，thewholeeffectofthispicturewasnotwithoutitscharmanditsmagic；thebonfireilluminated，witharedflaringlight，whichtrembled，allalive，overthecircleoffacesinthecrowd，onthebrowoftheyounggirl，andatthebackgroundofthePlacecastapallidreflection，ononesideupontheancient，black，andwrinkledfa？adeoftheHouseofPillars，ontheother，upontheoldstonegibbet。
Amongthethousandsofvisageswhichthatlighttingedwithscarlet，therewasonewhichseemed，evenmorethanalltheothers，absorbedincontemplationofthedancer。Itwasthefaceofaman，austere，calm，andsombre。Thisman，whosecostumewasconcealedbythecrowdwhichsurroundedhim，didnotappeartobemorethanfiveandthirtyyearsofage；nevertheless，hewasbald；hehadmerelyafewtuftsofthin，grayhaironhistemples；hisbroad，highforeheadhadbeguntobefurrowedwithwrinkles，buthisdeep-seteyessparkledwithextraordinaryyouthfulness，anardentlife，aprofoundpassion。Hekeptthemfixedincessantlyonthegypsy，and，whilethegiddyyounggirlofsixteendancedandwhirled，forthepleasureofall，hisreveryseemedtobecomemoreandmoresombre。Fromtimetotime，asmileandasighmetuponhislips，butthesmilewasmoremelancholythanthesigh。
Theyounggirl，stoppedatlength，breathless，andthepeopleapplaudedherlovingly。
\"Djali！\"saidthegypsy。
ThenGringoiresawcomeuptoher，aprettylittlewhitegoat，alert，wide-awake，glossy，withgildedhorns，gildedhoofs，andgildedcollar，whichhehadnothithertoperceived，andwhichhadremainedlyingcurledupononecornerofthecarpetwatchinghismistressdance。
\"Djali！\"saidthedancer，\"itisyourturn。\"
And，seatingherself，shegracefullypresentedhertambourinetothegoat。
\"Djali，\"shecontinued，\"whatmonthisthis？\"
Thegoatlifteditsforefoot，andstruckoneblowuponthetambourine。Itwasthefirstmonthintheyear，infact。
\"Djali，\"pursuedtheyounggirl，turninghertambourineround，\"whatdayofthemonthisthis？\"
Djaliraisedhislittlegilthoof，andstrucksixblowsonthetambourine。
\"Djali，\"pursuedtheEgyptian，withstillanothermovementofthetambourine，\"whathourofthedayisit？\"
Djalistrucksevenblows。Atthatmoment，theclockofthePillarHouserangoutseven。
Thepeoplewereamazed。
\"There’ssorceryatthebottomofit，\"saidasinistervoiceinthecrowd。Itwasthatofthebaldman，whoneverremovedhiseyesfromthegypsy。
Sheshudderedandturnedround；butapplausebrokeforthanddrownedthemoroseexclamation。
Iteveneffaceditsocompletelyfromhermind，thatshecontinuedtoquestionhergoat。
\"Djali，whatdoesMasterGuichardGrand-Remy，captainofthepistoliersofthetowndo，attheprocessionofCandlemas？\"
Djalirearedhimselfonhishindlegs，andbegantobleat，marchingalongwithsomuchdaintygravity，thattheentirecircleofspectatorsburstintoalaughatthisparodyoftheinteresteddevoutnessofthecaptainofpistoliers。
\"Djali，\"resumedtheyounggirl，emboldenedbyhergrowingsuccess，\"howpreachesMasterJacquesCharmolue，procuratortothekingintheecclesiasticalcourt？\"
Thegoatseatedhimselfonhishindquarters，andbegantobleat，wavinghisforefeetinsostrangeamanner，that，withtheexceptionofthebadFrench，andworseLatin，JacquesCharmoluewastherecomplete，——gesture，accent，andattitude。
Andthecrowdapplaudedlouderthanever。
