HenceRaphael，MichaelAngelo，JeanGoujon，Palestrina，thosesplendorsofthedazzlingsixteenthcentury。
Thoughtemancipatesitselfinalldirectionsatthesametimeasthearts。Thearch-hereticsoftheMiddleAgeshadalreadymadelargeincisionsintoCatholicism。Thesixteenthcenturybreaksreligiousunity。Beforetheinventionofprinting，reformwouldhavebeenmerelyaschism；printingconverteditintoarevolution。Takeawaythepress；heresyisenervated。
WhetheritbeProvidenceorFate，GutenburgistheprecursorofLuther。
Nevertheless，whenthesunoftheMiddleAgesiscompletelyset，whentheGothicgeniusisforeverextinctuponthehorizon，architecturegrowsdim，losesitscolor，becomesmoreandmoreeffaced。Theprintedbook，thegnawingwormoftheedifice，sucksanddevoursit。Itbecomesbare，denudedofitsfoliage，andgrowsvisiblyemaciated。Itispetty，itispoor，itisnothing。Itnolongerexpressesanything，noteventhememoryoftheartofanothertime。Reducedtoitself，abandonedbytheotherarts，becausehumanthoughtisabandoningit，itsummonsbunglersinplaceofartists。Glassreplacesthepaintedwindows。Thestone-cuttersucceedsthesculptor。
Farewellallsap，alloriginality，alllife，allintelligence。
Itdragsalong，alamentableworkshopmendicant，fromcopytocopy。MichaelAngelo，who，nodoubt，felteveninthesixteenthcenturythatitwasdying，hadalastidea，anideaofdespair。ThatTitanofartpiledthePantheonontheParthenon，andmadeSaint-Peter’satRome。Agreatwork，whichdeservedtoremainunique，thelastoriginalityofarchitecture，thesignatureofagiantartistatthebottomofthecolossalregisterofstonewhichwasclosedforever。WithMichaelAngelodead，whatdoesthismiserablearchitecture，whichsurviveditselfinthestateofaspectre，do？IttakesSaint-PeterinRome，copiesitandparodiesit。Itisamania。
Itisapity。EachcenturyhasitsSaint-Peter’sofRome；intheseventeenthcentury，theVal-de-Grace；intheeighteenth，Sainte-Geneviève。EachcountryhasitsSaint-Peter’sofRome。Londonhasone；Petersburghasanother；Parishastwoorthree。Theinsignificanttestament，thelastdotageofadecrepitgrandartfallingbackintoinfancybeforeitdies。
If，inplaceofthecharacteristicmonumentswhichwehavejustdescribed，weexaminethegeneralaspectofartfromthesixteenthtotheeighteenthcentury，wenoticethesamephenomenaofdecayandphthisis。BeginningwithFran？oisII。，thearchitecturalformoftheedificeeffacesitselfmoreandmore，andallowsthegeometricalform，likethebonystructureofanemaciatedinvalid，tobecomeprominent。Thefinelinesofartgivewaytothecoldandinexorablelinesofgeometry。Anedificeisnolongeranedifice；itisapolyhedron。Meanwhile，architectureistormentedinherstrugglestoconcealthisnudity。LookattheGreekpedimentinscribedupontheRomanpediment，andviceversa。ItisstillthePantheonontheParthenon:Saint-Peter’sofRome。HerearethebrickhousesofHenriIV。，withtheirstonecorners；
thePlaceRoyale，thePlaceDauphine。HerearethechurchesofLouisXIII。，heavy，squat，thickset，crowdedtogether，loadedwithadomelikeahump。HereistheMazarinarchitecture，thewretchedItalianpasticciooftheFourNations。
HerearethepalacesofLouisXIV。，longbarracksforcourtiers，stiff，cold，tiresome。Here，finally，isLouisXV。，withchiccoryleavesandvermicelli，andallthewarts，andallthefungi，whichdisfigurethatdecrepit，toothless，andcoquettisholdarchitecture。FromFran？oisII。toLouisXV。，theevilhasincreasedingeometricalprogression。Arthasnolongeranythingbutskinuponitsbones。Itismiserablyperishing。
Meanwhilewhatbecomesofprinting？Allthelifewhichisleavingarchitecturecomestoit。Inproportionasarchitectureebbs，printingswellsandgrows。Thatcapitalofforceswhichhumanthoughthadbeenexpendinginedifices，ithenceforthexpendsinbooks。Thus，fromthesixteenthcenturyonward，thepress，raisedtothelevelofdecayingarchitecture，contendswithitandkillsit。Intheseventeenthcenturyitisalreadysufficientlythesovereign，sufficientlytriumphant，sufficientlyestablishedinitsvictory，togivetotheworldthefeastofagreatliterarycentury。Intheeighteenth，havingreposedforalongtimeattheCourtofLouisXIV。，itseizesagaintheoldswordofLuther，putsitintothehandofVoltaire，andrushesimpetuouslytotheattackofthatancientEurope，whosearchitecturalexpressionithasalreadykilled。Atthemomentwhentheeighteenthcenturycomestoanend，ithasdestroyedeverything。
Inthenineteenth，itbeginstoreconstruct。
Now，weask，whichofthethreeartshasreallyrepresentedhumanthoughtforthelastthreecenturies？whichtranslatesit？whichexpressesnotonlyitsliteraryandscholasticvagaries，butitsvast，profound，universalmovement？whichconstantlysuperposesitself，withoutabreak，withoutagap，uponthehumanrace，whichwalksamonsterwithathousandlegs？——Architectureorprinting？
Itisprinting。Letthereadermakenomistake；architectureisdead；irretrievablyslainbytheprintedbook，——slainbecauseitenduresforashortertime，——slainbecauseitcostsmore。Everycathedralrepresentsmillions。Letthereadernowimaginewhataninvestmentoffundsitwouldrequiretorewritethearchitecturalbook；tocausethousandsofedificestoswarmoncemoreuponthesoil；toreturntothoseepochswhenthethrongofmonumentswassuch，accordingtothestatementofaneyewitness，\"thatonewouldhavesaidthattheworldinshakingitself，hadcastoffitsoldgarmentsinordertocoveritselfwithawhitevestureofchurches。\"~Eratenimutsimundus，ipseexcutiendosemet，rejectavetustate，candidaecclesiarumvestemindueret~。(GLABERRADOLPHUS。)
Abookissosoonmade，costssolittle，andcangosofar！
Howcanitsurpriseusthatallhumanthoughtflowsinthischannel？Thisdoesnotmeanthatarchitecturewillnotstillhaveafinemonument，anisolatedmasterpiece，hereandthere。Wemaystillhavefromtimetotime，underthereignofprinting，acolumnmadeIsuppose，byawholearmyfrommeltedcannon，aswehadunderthereignofarchitecture，IliadsandRomanceros，Mahabahrata，andNibelungenLieds，madebyawholepeople，withrhapsodiespiledupandmeltedtogether。Thegreataccidentofanarchitectofgeniusmayhappeninthetwentiethcentury，likethatofDanteinthethirteenth。Butarchitecturewillnolongerbethesocialart，thecollectiveart，thedominatingart。Thegrandpoem，thegrandedifice，thegrandworkofhumanitywillnolongerbebuilt:itwillbeprinted。
Andhenceforth，ifarchitectureshouldariseagainaccidentally，itwillnolongerbemistress。Itwillbesubservienttothelawofliterature，whichformerlyreceivedthelawfromit。Therespectivepositionsofthetwoartswillbeinverted。Itiscertainthatinarchitecturalepochs，thepoems，rareitistrue，resemblethemonuments。InIndia，Vyasaisbranching，strange，impenetrableasapagoda。InEgyptianOrient，poetryhasliketheedifices，grandeurandtranquillityofline；inantiqueGreece，beauty，serenity，calm；inChristianEurope，theCatholicmajesty，thepopularnaivete，therichandluxuriantvegetationofanepochofrenewal。
TheBibleresemblesthePyramids；theIliad，theParthenon；
Homer，Phidias。DanteinthethirteenthcenturyisthelastRomanesquechurch；Shakespeareinthesixteenth，thelastGothiccathedral。
Thus，tosumupwhatwehavehithertosaid，inafashionwhichisnecessarilyincompleteandmutilated，thehumanracehastwobooks，tworegisters，twotestaments:masonryandprinting；theBibleofstoneandtheBibleofpaper。Nodoubt，whenonecontemplatesthesetwoBibles，laidsobroadlyopeninthecenturies，itispermissibletoregretthevisiblemajestyofthewritingofgranite，thosegiganticalphabetsformulatedincolonnades，inpylons，inobelisks，thosesortsofhumanmountainswhichcovertheworldandthepast，fromthepyramidtothebelltower，fromCheopstoStrasburg。
Thepastmustberereaduponthesepagesofmarble。Thisbook，writtenbyarchitecture，mustbeadmiredandperusedincessantly；butthegrandeuroftheedificewhichprintingerectsinitsturnmustnotbedenied。
Thatedificeiscolossal。Somecompilerofstatisticshascalculated，thatifallthevolumeswhichhaveissuedfromthepresssinceGutenberg’sdayweretobepiledoneuponanother，theywouldfillthespacebetweentheearthandthemoon；
butitisnotthatsortofgrandeurofwhichwewishedtospeak。Nevertheless，whenonetriestocollectinone’smindacomprehensiveimageofthetotalproductsofprintingdowntoourowndays，doesnotthattotalappeartouslikeanimmenseconstruction，restingupontheentireworld，atwhichhumanitytoilswithoutrelaxation，andwhosemonstrouscrestislostintheprofoundmistsofthefuture？Itistheanthillofintelligence。Itisthehivewhithercomeallimaginations，thosegoldenbees，withtheirhoney。
Theedificehasathousandstories。Hereandthereonebeholdsonitsstaircasesthegloomycavernsofsciencewhichpierceitsinterior。Everywhereuponitssurface，artcausesitsarabesques，rosettes，andlacestothriveluxuriantlybeforetheeyes。There，everyindividualwork，howevercapriciousandisolateditmayseem，hasitsplaceanditsprojection。
Harmonyresultsfromthewhole。FromthecathedralofShakespearetothemosqueofByron，athousandtinybelltowersarepiledpell-mellabovethismetropolisofuniversalthought。Atitsbasearewrittensomeancienttitlesofhumanitywhicharchitecturehadnotregistered。Totheleftoftheentrancehasbeenfixedtheancientbas-relief，inwhitemarble，ofHomer；totheright，thepolyglotBiblerearsitssevenheads。ThehydraoftheRomanceroandsomeotherhybridforms，theVedasandtheNibelungenbristlefurtheron。
Nevertheless，theprodigiousedificestillremainsincomplete。
Thepress，thatgiantmachine，whichincessantlypumpsalltheintellectualsapofsociety，belchesforthwithoutpausefreshmaterialsforitswork。Thewholehumanraceisonthescaffoldings。Eachmindisamason。Thehumblestfillshishole，orplaceshisstone。RetifdèleBretonnebringshishodofplaster。Everydayanewcourserises。Independentlyoftheoriginalandindividualcontributionofeachwriter，therearecollectivecontingents。Theeighteenthcenturygivesthe_Encyclopedia_，therevolutiongivesthe_Moniteur_。Assuredly，itisaconstructionwhichincreasesandpilesupinendlessspirals；therealsoareconfusionoftongues，incessantactivity，indefatigablelabor，eagercompetitionofallhumanity，refugepromisedtointelligence，anewFloodagainstanoverflowofbarbarians。ItisthesecondtowerofBabelofthehumanrace。
BOOKSIXTH。
CHAPTERI。
ANIMPARTIALGLANCEATTHEANCIENTMAGISTRACY。
Averyhappypersonageintheyearofgrace1482，wasthenoblegentlemanRobertd’Estouteville，chevalier，SieurdeBeyne，Barond’IvryandSaintAndryenlaMarche，counsellorandchamberlaintotheking，andguardoftheprovostshipofParis。Itwasalreadynearlyseventeenyearssincehehadreceivedfromtheking，onNovember7，1465，thecometyear，*thatfinechargeoftheprovostshipofParis，whichwasreputedratheraseigneurythananoffice。~Dignitas~，saysJoannesLoemnoeus，~quoecumnonexiguapotestatepolitiamconcernente，atqueproerogativismultisetjuribusconjunctaest~。Amarvellousthingin’82wasagentlemanbearingtheking’scommission，andwhoselettersofinstitutionranbacktotheepochofthemarriageofthenaturaldaughterofLouisXI。withMonsieurtheBastardofBourbon。
*ThiscometagainstwhichPopeCalixtus，uncleofBorgia，orderedpublicprayers，isthesamewhichreappearedin1835。
ThesamedayonwhichRobertd’EstoutevilletooktheplaceofJacquesdeVilliersintheprovostshipofParis，MasterJehanDauvetreplacedMessireHelyedeThorrettesinthefirstpresidencyoftheCourtofParliament，JehanJouveneldesUrsinssupplantedPierredeMorvilliersintheofficeofchancellorofFrance，RegnaultdesDormansoustedPierrePuyfromthechargeofmasterofrequestsinordinaryoftheking’shousehold。Now，uponhowmanyheadshadthepresidency，thechancellorship，themastershippassedsinceRobertd’EstoutevillehadheldtheprovostshipofParis。Ithadbeen\"grantedtohimforsafekeeping，\"astheletterspatentsaid；
andcertainlyhekeptitwell。Hehadclungtoit，hehadincorporatedhimselfwithit，hehadsoidentifiedhimselfwithitthathehadescapedthatfuryforchangewhichpossessedLouisXI。，atormentingandindustriousking，whosepolicyitwastomaintaintheelasticityofhispowerbyfrequentappointmentsandrevocations。Morethanthis；thebravechevalierhadobtainedthereversionoftheofficeforhisson，andfortwoyearsalready，thenameofthenoblemanJacquesd’Estouteville，equerry，hadfiguredbesidehisattheheadoftheregisterofthesalarylistoftheprovostshipofParis。Arareandnotablefavorindeed！ItistruethatRobertd’Estoutevillewasagoodsoldier，thathehadloyallyraisedhispennonagainst\"theleagueofpublicgood，\"andthathehadpresentedtothequeenaverymarvellousstaginconfectioneryonthedayofherentrancetoParisin14……
Moreover，hepossessedthegoodfriendshipofMessireTristanl’Hermite，provostofthemarshalsoftheking’shousehold。
HenceaverysweetandpleasantexistencewasthatofMessireRobert。Inthefirstplace，verygoodwages，towhichwereattached，andfromwhichhung，likeextrabunchesofgrapesonhisvine，therevenuesofthecivilandcriminalregistriesoftheprovostship，plusthecivilandcriminalrevenuesofthetribunalsofEmbasoftheChatelet，withoutreckoningsomelittletollfromthebridgesofMantesandofCorbeil，andtheprofitsonthecraftofShagreen-makersofParis，onthecordersoffirewoodandthemeasurersofsalt。
Addtothisthepleasureofdisplayinghimselfinridesaboutthecity，andofmakinghisfinemilitarycostume，whichyoumaystilladmiresculpturedonhistombintheabbeyofValmontinNormandy，andhismorion，allembossedatMontlhéry，standoutacontrastagainsttheparti-coloredredandtawnyrobesofthealdermenandpolice。Andthen，wasitnothingtowieldabsolutesupremacyoverthesergeantsofthepolice，theporterandwatchoftheChatelet，thetwoauditorsoftheChatelet，~auditorescastelleti~，thesixteencommissionersofthesixteenquarters，thejaileroftheChatelet，thefourenfeoffedsergeants，thehundredandtwentymountedsergeants，withmaces，thechevalierofthewatchwithhiswatch，hissub-watch，hiscounter-watchandhisrear-watch？
Wasitnothingtoexercisehighandlowjustice，therighttointerrogate，tohangandtodraw，withoutreckoningpettyjurisdictioninthefirstresort(~inprimainstantia~，asthecharterssay)，onthatviscomtyofParis，sonoblyappanagedwithsevennoblebailiwicks？Cananythingsweeterbeimaginedthanrenderingjudgmentsanddecisions，asMessireRobertd’EstoutevilledailydidintheGrandChatelet，underthelargeandflattenedarchesofPhilipAugustus？andgoing，ashewaswonttodoeveryevening，tothatcharminghousesituatedintheRueGalilee，intheenclosureoftheroyalpalace，whichheheldinrightofhiswife，MadameAmbroisedeLore，toreposeafterthefatigueofhavingsentsomepoorwretchtopassthenightin\"thatlittlecelloftheRuedeEscorcherie，whichtheprovostsandaldermenofParisusedtomaketheirprison；thesamebeingelevenfeetlong，sevenfeetandfourincheswide，andelevenfeethigh？\"*
*Comptesdudomaine，1383。
AndnotonlyhadMessireRobertd’EstoutevillehisspecialcourtasprovostandvicomteofParis；butinadditionhehadashare，bothforeyeandtooth，inthegrandcourtoftheking。Therewasnoheadintheleastelevatedwhichhadnotpassedthroughhishandsbeforeitcametotheheadsman。ItwashewhowenttoseekM。deNemoursattheBastilleSaintAntoine，inordertoconducthimtotheHalles；andtoconducttotheGrèveM。deSaint-Pol，whoclamoredandresisted，tothegreatjoyoftheprovost，whodidnotlovemonsieurtheconstable。
Here，assuredly，ismorethansufficienttorenderalifehappyandillustrious，andtodeservesomedayanotablepageinthatinterestinghistoryoftheprovostsofParis，whereonelearnsthatOudarddeVilleneuvehadahouseintheRuedesBoucheries，thatGuillaumedeHangestpurchasedthegreatandthelittleSavoy，thatGuillaumeThiboustgavethenunsofSainte-GenevièvehishousesintheRueClopin，thatHuguesAubriotlivedintheH？telduPore-Epic，andotherdomesticfacts。
Nevertheless，withsomanyreasonsfortakinglifepatientlyandjoyously，MessireRobertd’EstoutevillewokeuponthemorningoftheseventhofJanuary，1482，inaverysurlyandpeevishmood。Whencecamethisilltemper？Hecouldnothavetoldhimself。Wasitbecausetheskywasgray？orwasthebuckleofhisoldbeltofMontlhérybadlyfastened，sothatitconfinedhisprovostalportlinesstooclosely？hadhebeheldribaldfellows，marchinginbandsoffour，beneathhiswindow，andsettinghimatdefiance，indoubletsbutnoshirts，hatswithoutcrowns，withwalletandbottleattheirside？
Wasitavaguepresentimentofthethreehundredandseventylivres，sixteensous，eightfarthings，whichthefutureKingCharlesVII。wastocutofffromtheprovostshipinthefollowingyear？Thereadercantakehischoice；we，forourpart，aremuchinclinedtobelievethathewasinabadhumor，simplybecausehewasinabadhumor。
Moreover，itwasthedayafterafestival，atiresomedayforeveryone，andaboveallforthemagistratewhoischargedwithsweepingawayallthefilth，properlyandfigurativelyspeaking，whichafestivaldayproducesinParis。AndthenhehadtoholdasittingattheGrandChatelet。Now，wehavenoticedthatjudgesingeneralsoarrangemattersthattheirdayofaudienceshallalsobetheirdayofbadhumor，sothattheymayalwayshavesomeoneuponwhomtoventitconveniently，inthenameoftheking，law，andjustice。
However，theaudiencehadbegunwithouthim。Hislieutenants，civil，criminal，andprivate，weredoinghiswork，accordingtousage；andfromeighto’clockinthemorning，somescoresofbourgeoisand~bourgeoises~，heapedandcrowdedintoanobscurecorneroftheaudiencechamberofEmbasduChatelet，betweenastoutoakenbarrierandthewall，hadbeengazingblissfullyatthevariedandcheerfulspectacleofcivilandcriminaljusticedispensedbyMasterFlorianBarbedienne，auditoroftheChatelet，lieutenantofmonsieurtheprovost，inasomewhatconfusedandutterlyhaphazardmanner。
Thehallwassmall，low，vaulted。Atablestuddedwithfleurs-de-lisstoodatoneend，withalargearm-chairofcarvedoak，whichbelongedtotheprovostandwasempty，andastoolontheleftfortheauditor，MasterFlorian。Belowsattheclerkofthecourt，scribbling；oppositewasthepopulace；andinfrontofthedoor，andinfrontofthetableweremanysergeantsoftheprovostshipinsleevelessjacketsofvioletcamlet，withwhitecrosses。TwosergeantsoftheParloir-
aux-Bourgeois，clothedintheirjacketsofToussaint，halfred，halfblue，werepostedassentinelsbeforealow，closeddoor，whichwasvisibleattheextremityofthehall，behindthetable。Asinglepointedwindow，narrowlyencasedinthethickwall，illuminatedwithapalerayofJanuarysuntwogrotesquefigures，——thecapriciousdemonofstonecarvedasatail-pieceinthekeystoneofthevaultedceiling，andthejudgeseatedattheendofthehallonthefleurs-de-lis。
Imagine，infact，attheprovost’stable，leaninguponhiselbowsbetweentwobundlesofdocumentsofcases，withhisfootonthetrainofhisrobeofplainbrowncloth，hisfaceburiedinhishoodofwhitelamb’sskin，ofwhichhisbrowsseemedtobeofapiece，red，crabbed，winking，bearingmajesticallytheloadoffatonhischeekswhichmetunderhischin，MasterFlorianBarbedienne，auditoroftheChatelet。
Now，theauditorwasdeaf。Aslightdefectinanauditor。
MasterFloriandeliveredjudgment，nonetheless，withoutappealandverysuitably。Itiscertainlyquitesufficientforajudgetohavethe。airoflistening；andthevenerableauditorfulfilledthiscondition，thesoleoneinjustice，allthebetterbecausehisattentioncouldnotbedistractedbyanynoise。
Moreover，hehadintheaudience，apitilesscensorofhisdeedsandgestures，inthepersonofourfriendJehanFrolloduMoulin，thatlittlestudentofyesterday，that\"stroller，\"
whomonewassureofencounteringalloverParis，anywhereexceptbeforetherostrumsoftheprofessors。
\"Stay，\"hesaidinalowtonetohiscompanion，RobinPoussepain，whowasgrinningathisside，whilehewasmakinghiscommentsonthesceneswhichwerebeingunfoldedbeforehiseyes，\"yonderisJehannetonduBuisson。ThebeautifuldaughterofthelazydogattheMarché-Neuf！——Uponmysoul，heiscondemningher，theoldrascal！hehasnomoreeyesthanears。Fifteensous，fourfarthings，parisian，forhavingworntworosaries！’Tissomewhatdear。~Lexduricarminis~。Who’sthat？RobinChief-de-Ville，hauberkmaker。Forhavingbeenpassedandreceivedmasterofthesaidtrade！That’shisentrancemoney。He！twogentlemenamongtheseknaves！AigletdeSoins，HutindeMaillyTwoequerries，~CorpusChristi~！Ah！theyhavebeenplayingatdice。WhenshallIseeourrectorhere？Ahundredlivresparisian，finetotheking！ThatBarbediennestrikeslikeadeafman，——asheis！I’llbemybrotherthearchdeacon，ifthatkeepsmefromgaming；gamingbyday，gamingbynight，livingatplay，dyingatplay，andgamingawaymysoulaftermyshirt。HolyVirgin，whatdamsels！Oneaftertheothermylambs。AmbroiseLécuyere，IsabeaulaPaynette，BérardeGironin！Iknowthemall，byHeavens！Afine！afine！
That’swhatwillteachyoutoweargildedgirdles！tensousparisis！youcoquettes！Oh！theoldsnoutofajudge！deafandimbecile！Oh！Florianthedolt！Oh！Barbediennetheblockhead！Thereheisatthetable！He’seatingtheplaintiff，he’seatingthesuits，heeats，hechews，hecrams，hefillshimself。Fines，lostgoods，taxes，expenses，loyalcharges，salaries，damages，andinterests，gehenna，prison，andjail，andfetterswithexpensesareChristmasspicecakeandmarchpanesofSaint-Johntohim！Lookathim，thepig！——Come！
Good！Anotheramorouswoman！Thibaud-la-Thibaude，neithermorenorless！ForhavingcomefromtheRueGlatigny！Whatfellowisthis？GieffroyMabonne，gendarmebearingthecrossbow。HehascursedthenameoftheFather。AfineforlaThibaude！AfineforGieffroy！A
fineforthemboth！Thedeafoldfool！hemusthavemixedupthetwocases！Tentoonethathemakesthewenchpayfortheoathandthegendarmefortheamour！Attention，RobinPoussepain！Whataretheygoingtobringin？Herearemanysergeants！ByJupiter！allthebloodhoundsofthepackarethere。Itmustbethegreatbeastofthehunt——awildboar。And’tisone，Robin，’tisone。Andafineonetoo！
~Hercle~！’tisourprinceofyesterday，ourPopeoftheFools，ourbellringer，ourone-eyedman，ourhunchback，ourgrimace！
’TisQuasimodo！\"
Itwasheindeed。
ItwasQuasimodo，bound，encircled，roped，pinioned，andundergoodguard。Thesquadofpolicemenwhosurroundedhimwasassistedbythechevalierofthewatchinperson，wearingthearmsofFranceembroideredonhisbreast，andthearmsofthecityonhisback。Therewasnothing，however，aboutQuasimodo，excepthisdeformity，whichcouldjustifythedisplayofhalberdsandarquebuses；hewasgloomy，silent，andtranquil。Onlynowandthendidhissingleeyecastaslyandwrathfulglanceuponthebondswithwhichhewasloaded。
Hecastthesameglanceabouthim，butitwassodullandsleepythatthewomenonlypointedhimouttoeachotherinderision。
MeanwhileMasterFlorian，theauditor，turnedoverattentivelythedocumentinthecomplaintenteredagainstQuasimodo，whichtheclerkhandedhim，and，havingthusglancedatit，appearedtoreflectforamoment。Thankstothisprecaution，whichhealwayswascarefultotakeatthemomentwhenonthepointofbeginninganexamination，heknewbeforehandthenames，titles，andmisdeedsoftheaccused，madecutanddriedresponsestoquestionsforeseen，andsucceededinextricatinghimselffromallthewindingsoftheinterrogationwithoutallowinghisdeafnesstobetooapparent。Thewrittenchargesweretohimwhatthedogistotheblindman。Ifhisdeafnessdidhappentobetrayhimhereandthere，bysomeincoherentapostropheorsomeunintelligiblequestion，itpassedforprofunditywithsome，andforimbecilitywithothers。Inneithercasedidthehonorofthemagistracysustainanyinjury；foritisfarbetterthatajudgeshouldbereputedimbecileorprofoundthandeaf。Hencehetookgreatcaretoconcealhisdeafnessfromtheeyesofall，andhegenerallysucceededsowellthathehadreachedthepointofdeludinghimself，whichis，bytheway，easierthanissupposed。Allhunchbackswalkwiththeirheadsheldhigh，allstutterersharangue，alldeafpeoplespeaklow。Asforhim，hebelieved，atthemost，thathisearwasalittlerefractory。Itwasthesoleconcessionwhichhemadeonthispointtopublicopinion，inhismomentsoffranknessandexaminationofhisconscience。
Having，then，thoroughlyruminatedQuasimodo’saffair，hethrewbackhisheadandhalfclosedhiseyes，forthesakeofmoremajestyandimpartiality，sothat，atthatmoment，hewasbothdeafandblind。Adoublecondition，withoutwhichnojudgeisperfect。Itwasinthismagisterialattitudethathebegantheexamination。
\"Yourname？\"
Nowthiswasacasewhichhadnotbeen\"providedforbylaw，\"whereadeafmanshouldbeobligedtoquestionadeafman。
Quasimodo，whomnothingwarnedthataquestionhadbeenaddressedtohim，continuedtostareintentlyatthejudge，andmadenoreply。Thejudge，beingdeaf，andbeinginnowaywarnedofthedeafnessoftheaccused，thoughtthatthelatterhadanswered，asallaccuseddoingeneral，andthereforehepursued，withhismechanicalandstupidself-possession，——
\"Verywell。Andyourage？\"
AgainQuasimodomadenoreplytothisquestion。Thejudgesupposedthatithadbeenrepliedto，andcontinued，——
\"Now，yourprofession？\"
Stillthesamesilence。Thespectatorshadbegun，meanwhile，towhispertogether，andtoexchangeglances。
\"Thatwilldo，\"wentontheimperturbableauditor，whenhesupposedthattheaccusedhadfinishedhisthirdreply。\"Youareaccusedbeforeus，~primo~，ofnocturnaldisturbance；
~secundo~，ofadishonorableactofviolenceuponthepersonofafoolishwoman，~inproejudiciummeretricis；tertio~，ofrebellionanddisloyaltytowardsthearchersofthepoliceofourlord，theking。Explainyourselfuponallthesepoints——Clerk，haveyouwrittendownwhattheprisonerhassaidthusfar？\"
Atthisunluckyquestion，aburstoflaughterrosefromtheclerk’stablecaughtbytheaudience，soviolent，sowild，socontagious，souniversal，thatthetwodeafmenwereforcedtoperceiveit。Quasimodoturnedround，shrugginghishumpwithdisdain，whileMasterFlorian，equallyastonished，andsupposingthatthelaughterofthespectatorshadbeenprovokedbysomeirreverentreplyfromtheaccused，renderedvisibletohimbythatshrugoftheshoulders，apostrophizedhimindignantly，——
\"Youhaveutteredareply，knave，whichdeservesthehalter。
Doyouknowtowhomyouarespeaking？\"
Thissallywasnotfittedtoarresttheexplosionofgeneralmerriment。Itstruckallassowhimsical，andsoridiculous，thatthewildlaughterevenattackedthesergeantsoftheParloi-
aux-Bourgeois，asortofpikemen，whosestupiditywaspartoftheiruniform。Quasimodoalonepreservedhisseriousness，forthegoodreasonthatheunderstoodnothingofwhatwasgoingonaroundhim。Thejudge，moreandmoreirritated，thoughtithisdutytocontinueinthesametone，hopingtherebytostriketheaccusedwithaterrorwhichshouldreactupontheaudience，andbringitbacktorespect。
\"Sothisisasmuchastosay，perverseandthievingknavethatyouare，thatyoupermityourselftobelackinginrespecttowardstheAuditoroftheChatelet，tothemagistratecommittedtothepopularpoliceofParis，chargedwithsearchingoutcrimes，delinquencies，andevilconduct；withcontrollingalltrades，andinterdictingmonopoly；withmaintainingthepavements；withdebarringthehuckstersofchickens，poultry，andwater-fowl；ofsuperintendingthemeasuringoffagotsandothersortsofwood；ofpurgingthecityofmud，andtheairofcontagiousmaladies；inaword，withattendingcontinuallytopublicaffairs，withoutwagesorhopeofsalary！DoyouknowthatIamcalledFlorianBarbedienne，actuallieutenanttomonsieurtheprovost，and，moreover，commissioner，inquisitor，controller，andexaminer，withequalpowerinprovostship，bailiwick，preservation，andinferiorcourtofjudicature？——\"
Thereisnoreasonwhyadeafmantalkingtoadeafmanshouldstop。GodknowswhereandwhenMasterFlorianwouldhavelanded，whenthuslaunchedatfullspeedinloftyeloquence，ifthelowdoorattheextremeendoftheroomhadnotsuddenlyopened，andgivenentrancetotheprovostinperson。AthisentranceMasterFloriandidnotstopshort，but，makingahalf-turnonhisheels，andaimingattheprovosttheharanguewithwhichhehadbeenwitheringQuasimodoamomentbefore，——
\"Monseigneur，\"saidhe，\"Idemandsuchpenaltyasyoushalldeemfittingagainsttheprisonerherepresent，forgraveandaggravatedoffenceagainstthecourt。\"
Andheseatedhimself，utterlybreathless，wipingawaythegreatdropsofsweatwhichfellfromhisbrowanddrenched，liketears，theparchmentsspreadoutbeforehim。MessireRobertd’EstoutevillefrownedandmadeagesturesoimperiousandsignificanttoQuasimodo，thatthedeafmaninsomemeasureunderstoodit。
Theprovostaddressedhimwithseverity，\"Whathaveyoudonethatyouhavebeenbroughthither，knave？\"
Thepoorfellow，supposingthattheprovostwasaskinghisname，brokethesilencewhichhehabituallypreserved，andreplied，inaharshandgutturalvoice，\"Quasimodo。\"
Thereplymatchedthequestionsolittlethatthewildlaughbegantocirculateoncemore，andMessireRobertexclaimed，redwithwrath，——
\"Areyoumockingmealso，youarrantknave？\"
\"BellringerofNotre-Dame，\"repliedQuasimodo，supposingthatwhatwasrequiredofhimwastoexplaintothejudgewhohewas。
\"Bellringer！\"interpolatedtheprovost，whohadwakedupearlyenoughtobeinasufficientlybadtemper，aswehavesaid，nottorequiretohavehisfuryinflamedbysuchstrangeresponses。\"Bellringer！I’llplayyouachimeofrodsonyourbackthroughthesquaresofParis！Doyouhear，knave？\"
\"Ifitismyagethatyouwishtoknow，\"saidQuasimodo，\"IthinkthatIshallbetwentyatSaintMartin’sday。\"
Thiswastoomuch；theprovostcouldnolongerrestrainhimself。
\"Ah！youarescoffingattheprovostship，wretch！Messieursthesergeantsofthemace，youwilltakemethisknavetothepilloryoftheGrève，youwillfloghim，andturnhimforanhour。Heshallpaymeforit，~têteDieu~！AndI
orderthatthepresentjudgmentshallbecried，withtheassistanceoffoursworntrumpeters，inthesevencastellaniesoftheviscomtyofParis。\"
Theclerksettoworkincontinentlytodrawuptheaccountofthesentence。
\"~VentreDieu~！’tiswelladjudged！\"criedthelittlescholar，JehanFrolloduMoulin，fromhiscorner。
TheprovostturnedandfixedhisflashingeyesoncemoreonQuasimodo。\"Ibelievetheknavesaid’~VentreDieu~’Clerk，addtwelvedeniersParisianfortheoath，andletthevestryofSaintEustachehavethehalfofit；IhaveaparticulardevotionforSaintEustache。\"
Inafewminutesthesentencewasdrawnup。Itstenorwassimpleandbrief。ThecustomsoftheprovostshipandtheviscomtyhadnotyetbeenworkedoverbyPresidentThibautBaillet，andbyRogerBarmne，theking’sadvocate；
theyhadnotbeenobstructed，atthattime，bythatloftyhedgeofquibblesandprocedures，whichthetwojurisconsultsplantedthereatthebeginningofthesixteenthcentury。Allwasclear，expeditious，explicit。Onewentstraighttothepointthen，andattheendofeverypaththerewasimmediatelyvisible，withoutthicketsandwithoutturnings；thewheel，thegibbet，orthepillory。Oneatleastknewwhitheronewasgoing。
Theclerkpresentedthesentencetotheprovost，whoaffixedhissealtoit，anddepartedtopursuehisroundoftheaudiencehall，inaframeofmindwhichseemeddestinedtofillallthejailsinParisthatday。JehanFrolloandRobinPoussepainlaughedintheirsleeves。Quasimodogazedonthewholewithanindifferentandastonishedair。
However，atthemomentwhenMasterFlorianBarbediennewasreadingthesentenceinhisturn，beforesigningit，theclerkfelthimselfmovedwithpityforthepoorwretchofaprisoner，and，inthehopeofobtainingsomemitigationofthepenalty，heapproachedasneartheauditor’searaspossible，andsaid，pointingtoQuasimodo，\"Thatmanisdeaf。\"
HehopedthatthiscommunityofinfirmitywouldawakenMasterFlorian’sinterestinbehalfofthecondemnedman。
But，inthefirstplace，wehavealreadyobservedthatMasterFloriandidnotcaretohavehisdeafnessnoticed。Inthenextplace，hewassohardofhearingThathedidnotcatchasinglewordofwhattheclerksaidtohim；nevertheless，hewishedtohavetheappearanceofhearing，andreplied，\"Ah！
ah！thatisdifferent；Ididnotknowthat。Anhourmoreofthepillory，inthatcase。\"
Andhesignedthesentencethusmodified。
\"’Tiswelldone，\"saidRobinPoussepain，whocherishedagrudgeagainstQuasimodo。\"Thatwillteachhimtohandlepeopleroughly。\"
THERAT-HOLE。
ThereadermustpermitustotakehimbacktothePlacedeGrève，whichwequittedyesterdaywithGringoire，inordertofollowlaEsmeralda。
Itisteno’clockinthemorning；everythingisindicativeofthedayafterafestival。Thepavementiscoveredwithrubbish；
ribbons，rags，feathersfromtuftsofplumes，dropsofwaxfromthetorches，crumbsofthepublicfeast。Agoodlynumberofbourgeoisare\"sauntering，\"aswesay，hereandthere，turningoverwiththeirfeettheextinctbrandsofthebonfire，goingintorapturesinfrontofthePillarHouse，overthememoryofthefinehangingsofthedaybefore，andto-daystaringatthenailsthatsecuredthemalastpleasure。
Thevendersofciderandbeerarerollingtheirbarrelsamongthegroups。Somebusypassers-bycomeandgo。Themerchantsconverseandcalltoeachotherfromthethresholdsoftheirshops。Thefestival，theambassadors，Coppenole，thePopeoftheFools，areinallmouths；theyviewitheachother，eachtryingtocriticiseitbestandlaughthemost。
And，meanwhile，fourmountedsergeants，whohavejustpostedthemselvesatthefoursidesofthepillory，havealreadyconcentratedaroundthemselvesagoodlyproportionofthepopulacescatteredonthePlace，whocondemnthemselvestoimmobilityandfatigueinthehopeofasmallexecution。
Ifthereader，afterhavingcontemplatedthislivelyandnoisyscenewhichisbeingenactedinallpartsofthePlace，willnowtransferhisgazetowardsthatancientdemi-Gothic，demi-RomanesquehouseoftheTour-Roland，whichformsthecorneronthequaytothewest，hewillobserve，attheangleofthefa？ade，alargepublicbreviary，withrichilluminations，protectedfromtherainbyalittlepenthouse，andfromthievesbyasmallgrating，which，however，permitsoftheleavesbeingturned。Besidethisbreviaryisanarrow，archedwindow，closedbytwoironbarsintheformofacross，andlookingonthesquare；theonlyopeningwhichadmitsasmallquantityoflightandairtoalittlecellwithoutadoor，constructedontheground-floor，inthethicknessofthewallsoftheoldhouse，andfilledwithapeaceallthemoreprofound，withasilenceallthemoregloomy，becauseapublicplace，themostpopulousandmostnoisyinParisswarmsandshrieksaroundit。
ThislittlecellhadbeencelebratedinParisfornearlythreecenturies，eversinceMadameRolandedelaTour-Roland，inmourningforherfatherwhodiedintheCrusades，hadcausedittobehollowedoutinthewallofherownhouse，inordertoimmureherselfthereforever，keepingofallherpalaceonlythislodgingwhosedoorwaswalledup，andwhosewindowstoodopen，winterandsummer，givingalltheresttothepoorandtoGod。Theafflicteddamselhad，infact，waitedtwentyyearsfordeathinthisprematuretomb，prayingnightanddayforthesoulofherfather，sleepinginashes，withoutevenastoneforapillow，clothedinablacksack，andsubsistingonthebreadandwaterwhichthecompassionofthepassers-byledthemtodepositontheledgeofherwindow，thusreceivingcharityafterhavingbestowedit。Atherdeath，atthemomentwhenshewaspassingtotheothersepulchre，shehadbequeathedthisoneinperpetuitytoafflictedwomen，mothers，widows，ormaidens，whoshouldwishtopraymuchforothersorforthemselves，andwhoshoulddesiretointerthemselvesaliveinagreatgrieforagreatpenance。Thepoorofherdayhadmadeherafinefuneral，withtearsandbenedictions；but，totheirgreatregret，thepiousmaidhadnotbeencanonized，forlackofinfluence。Thoseamongthemwhowerealittleinclinedtoimpiety，hadhopedthatthemattermightbeaccomplishedinParadisemoreeasilythanatRome，andhadfranklybesoughtGod，insteadofthepope，inbehalfofthedeceased。ThemajorityhadcontentedthemselveswithholdingthememoryofRolandesacred，andconvertingherragsintorelics。Thecity，onitsside，hadfoundedinhonorofthedamoiselle，apublicbreviary，whichhadbeenfastenednearthewindowofthecell，inorderthatpassers-bymighthalttherefromtimetotime，wereitonlytopray；thatprayermightremindthemofalms，andthatthepoorrecluses，heiressesofMadameRolande’svault，mightnotdieoutrightofhungerandforgetfulness。
Moreover，thissortoftombwasnotsoveryrareathinginthecitiesoftheMiddleAges。Oneoftenencounteredinthemostfrequentedstreet，inthemostcrowdedandnoisymarket，intheverymiddle，underthefeetofthehorses，underthewheelsofthecarts，asitwere，acellar，awell，atinywalledandgratedcabin，atthebottomofwhichahumanbeingprayednightandday，voluntarilydevotedtosomeeternallamentation，tosomegreatexpiation。Andallthereflectionswhichthatstrangespectaclewouldawakeninusto-day；
thathorriblecell，asortofintermediarylinkbetweenahouseandthetomb，thecemeteryandthecity；thatlivingbeingcutofffromthehumancommunity，andthenceforthreckonedamongthedead；thatlampconsumingitslastdropofoilinthedarkness；thatremnantoflifeflickeringinthegrave；
thatbreath，thatvoice，thateternalprayerinaboxofstone；
thatfaceforeverturnedtowardstheotherworld；thateyealreadyilluminatedwithanothersun；thatearpressedtothewallsofatomb；thatsoulaprisonerinthatbody；thatbodyaprisonerinthatdungeoncell，andbeneaththatdoubleenvelopeoffleshandgranite，themurmurofthatsoulinpain；——nothingofallthiswasperceivedbythecrowd。
Thepietyofthatage，notverysubtlenormuchgiventoreasoning，didnotseesomanyfacetsinanactofreligion。
Ittookthethingintheblock，honored，venerated，hallowedthesacrificeatneed，butdidnotanalyzethesufferings，andfeltbutmoderatepityforthem。Itbroughtsomepittancetothemiserablepenitentfromtimetotime，lookedthroughtheholetoseewhetherhewerestillliving，forgothisname，hardlyknewhowmanyyearsagohehadbeguntodie，andtothestranger，whoquestionedthemaboutthelivingskeletonwhowasperishinginthatcellar，theneighborsrepliedsimply，\"Itistherecluse。\"
Everythingwasthenviewedwithoutmetaphysics，withoutexaggeration，withoutmagnifyingglass，withthenakedeye。
Themicroscopehadnotyetbeeninvented，eitherforthingsofmatterorforthingsofthemind。
Moreover，althoughpeoplewerebutlittlesurprisedbyit，theexamplesofthissortofcloistrationintheheartsofcitieswereintruthfrequent，aswehavejustsaid。TherewereinParisaconsiderablenumberofthesecells，forprayingtoGodanddoingpenance；theywerenearlyalloccupied。Itistruethattheclergydidnotliketohavethemempty，sincethatimpliedlukewarmnessinbelievers，andthatleperswereputintothemwhentherewerenopenitentsonhand。BesidesthecellontheGrève，therewasoneatMontfau？on，oneattheCharnierdesInnocents，anotherIhardlyknowwhere，——attheClichonHouse，Ithink；othersstillatmanyspotswheretracesofthemarefoundintraditions，indefaultofmemorials。
TheUniversityhadalsoitsown。OnMountSainte-GenevièveasortofJoboftheMiddleAges，forthespaceofthirtyyears，chantedthesevenpenitentialpsalmsonadunghillatthebottomofacistern，beginninganewwhenhehadfinished，singingloudestatnight，~magnavoceperumbras~，andto-day，theantiquaryfanciesthathehearshisvoiceasheenterstheRueduPuits-qui-parle——thestreetofthe\"SpeakingWell。\"
ToconfineourselvestothecellintheTour-Roland，wemustsaythatithadneverlackedrecluses。AfterthedeathofMadameRoland，ithadstoodvacantforayearortwo，thoughrarely。Manywomenhadcomethithertomourn，untiltheirdeath，forrelatives，lovers，faults。Parisianmalice，whichthrustsitsfingerintoeverything，evenintothingswhichconcernittheleast，affirmedthatithadbeheldbutfewwidowsthere。
Inaccordancewiththefashionoftheepoch，aLatininscriptiononthewallindicatedtothelearnedpasser-bythepiouspurposeofthiscell。Thecustomwasretaineduntilthemiddleofthesixteenthcenturyofexplaininganedificebyabriefdeviceinscribedabovethedoor。Thus，onestillreadsinFrance，abovethewicketoftheprisonintheseignorialmansionofTourville，~Siletoetspera~；inIreland，beneaththearmorialbearingswhichsurmountthegranddoortoFortescueCastle，~Fortescutum，salusducum~；inEngland，overtheprincipalentrancetothehospitablemansionoftheEarlsCowper:~Tuumest~。Atthattimeeveryedificewasathought。
AstherewasnodoortothewalledcelloftheTour-Roland，thesetwowordshadbeencarvedinlargeRomancapitalsoverthewindow，——
TU，ORA。
Andthiscausedthepeople，whosegoodsensedoesnotperceivesomuchrefinementinthings，andlikestotranslate_LudovicoMagno_by\"PorteSaint-Denis，\"togivetothisdark，gloomy，dampcavity，thenameof\"TheRat-Hole。\"Anexplanationlesssublime，perhaps，thantheother；but，ontheotherhand，morepicturesque。
CHAPTERIII。
HISTORYOFALEAVENEDCAKEOFMAIZE。
Attheepochofthishistory，thecellintheTour-Rolandwasoccupied。Ifthereaderdesirestoknowbywhom，hehasonlytolendaneartotheconversationofthreeworthygossips，who，atthemomentwhenwehavedirectedhisattentiontotheRat-Hole，weredirectingtheirstepstowardsthesamespot，comingupalongthewater’sedgefromtheChatelet，towardstheGrève。
Twoofthesewomenweredressedlikegood~bourgeoises~ofParis。Theirfinewhiteruffs；theirpetticoatsoflinsey-
woolsey，stripedredandblue；theirwhiteknittedstockings，withclocksembroideredincolors，welldrawnupontheirlegs；thesquare-toedshoesoftawnyleatherwithblacksoles，and，aboveall，theirheadgear，thatsortoftinselhorn，loadeddownwithribbonsandlaces，whichthewomenofChampagnestillwear，incompanywiththegrenadiersoftheimperialguardofRussia，announcedthattheybelongedtothatclasswiveswhichholdsthemiddlegroundbetweenwhatthelackeyscallawomanandwhattheytermalady。Theyworeneitherringsnorgoldcrosses，anditwaseasytoseethat，intheirease，thisdidnotproceedfrompoverty，butsimplyfromfearofbeingfined。Theircompanionwasattiredinverymuchthesamemanner；buttherewasthatindescribablesomethingaboutherdressandbearingwhichsuggestedthewifeofaprovincialnotary。Onecouldsee，bythewayinwhichhergirdleroseaboveherhips，thatshehadnotbeenlonginParis——Addtothisaplaitedtucker，knotsofribbononhershoes——andthatthestripesofherpetticoatranhorizontallyinsteadofvertically，andathousandotherenormitieswhichshockedgoodtaste。
ThetwofirstwalkedwiththatsteppeculiartoParisianladies，showingParistowomenfromthecountry。Theprovincialheldbythehandabigboy，whoheldinhisalarge，flatcake。
Weregrettobeobligedtoadd，that，owingtotherigoroftheseason，hewasusinghistongueasahandkerchief。
Thechildwasmakingthemdraghimalong，~nonpassibusCequis~，asVirgilsays，andstumblingateverymoment，tothegreatindignationofhismother。Itistruethathewaslookingathiscakemorethanatthepavement。Someseriousmotive，nodoubt，preventedhisbitingit(thecake)，forhecontentedhimselfwithgazingtenderlyatit。Butthemothershouldhaverathertakenchargeofthecake。ItwascrueltomakeaTantalusofthechubby-checkedboy。
Meanwhile，thethreedemoiselles(forthenameofdameswasthenreservedfornoblewomen)werealltalkingatonce。
\"Letusmakehaste，DemoiselleMahiette，\"saidtheyoungestofthethree，whowasalsothelargest，totheprovincial，\"Igreatlyfearthatweshallarrivetoolate；theytoldusattheChateletthattheyweregoingtotakehimdirectlytothepillory。\"
\"Ah，bah！whatareyousaying，DemoiselleOudardeMusnier？\"interposedtheotherParisienne。\"Therearetwohoursyettothepillory。Wehavetimeenough。Haveyoueverseenanyonepilloried，mydearMahiette？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheprovincial，\"atReims。\"
\"Ah，bah！WhatisyourpilloryatReims？Amiserablecageintowhichonlypeasantsareturned。Agreataffair，truly！\"
\"Onlypeasants！\"saidMahiette，\"attheclothmarketinReims！Wehaveseenveryfinecriminalsthere，whohavekilledtheirfatherandmother！Peasants！Forwhatdoyoutakeus，Gervaise？\"
Itiscertainthattheprovincialwasonthepointoftakingoffence，forthehonorofherpillory。Fortunately，thatdiscreetdamoiselle，OudardeMusnier，turnedtheconversationintime。
\"Bytheway，DamoiselleMahiette，whatsayyoutoourFlemishAmbassadors？HaveyouasfineonesatReims？\"
\"Iadmit，\"repliedMahiette，\"thatitisonlyinParisthatsuchFlemingscanbeseen。\"
\"Didyouseeamongtheembassy，thatbigambassadorwhoisahosier？\"askedOudarde。
\"Yes，\"saidMahiette。\"HehastheeyeofaSaturn。\"
\"Andthebigfellowwhosefaceresemblesabarebelly？\"
resumedGervaise。\"Andthelittleone，withsmalleyesframedinredeyelids，pareddownandslasheduplikeathistlehead？\"
\"’Tistheirhorsesthatareworthseeing，\"saidOudarde，\"caparisonedastheyareafterthefashionoftheircountry！\"
\"Ahmydear，\"interruptedprovincialMahiette，assuminginherturnanairofsuperiority，\"whatwouldyousaythen，ifyouhadseenin’61，attheconsecrationatReims，eighteenyearsago，thehorsesoftheprincesandoftheking’scompany？Housingsandcaparisonsofallsorts；someofdamaskcloth，offineclothofgold，furredwithsables；othersofvelvet，furredwithermine；othersallembellishedwithgoldsmith’sworkandlargebellsofgoldandsilver！Andwhatmoneythathadcost！Andwhathandsomeboypagesrodeuponthem！\"
\"That，\"repliedOudardedryly，\"doesnotpreventtheFlemingshavingveryfinehorses，andhavinghadasuperbsupperyesterdaywithmonsieur，theprovostofthemerchants，attheH？tel-de-Ville，wheretheywereservedwithcomfitsandhippocras，andspices，andothersingularities。\"
\"Whatareyousaying，neighbor！\"exclaimedGervaise。
\"Itwaswithmonsieurthecardinal，atthePetitBourbonthattheysupped。\"
\"Notatall。AttheH？tel-de-Ville。
\"Yes，indeed。AtthePetitBourbon！\"
\"ItwasattheH？tel-de-Ville，\"retortedOudardesharply，\"andDr。ScourableaddressedthemaharangueinLatin，whichpleasedthemgreatly。Myhusband，whoisswornbooksellertoldme。\"
\"ItwasatthePetitBourbon，\"repliedGervaise，withnolessspirit，\"andthisiswhatmonsieurthecardinal’sprocuratorpresentedtothem:twelvedoublequartsofhippocras，white，claret，andred；twenty-fourboxesofdoubleLyonsmarchpane，gilded；asmanytorches，worthtwolivresapiece；
andsixdemi-queues*ofBeaunewine，whiteandclaret，thebestthatcouldbefound。Ihaveitfrommyhusband，whoisacinquantenier**，attheParloir-auxBourgeois，andwhowasthismorningcomparingtheFlemishambassadorswiththoseofPresterJohnandtheEmperorofTrebizond，whocamefromMesopotamiatoParis，underthelastking，andwhoworeringsintheirears。\"
*AQueuewasacaskwhichheldahogsheadandahalf。
**Acaptainoffiftymen。
\"SotrueisitthattheysuppedattheH？tel-de-Ville，\"
repliedOudardebutlittleaffectedbythiscatalogue，\"thatsuchatriumphofviandsandcomfitshasneverbeenseen。\"
\"ItellyouthattheywereservedbyLeSec，sergeantofthecity，attheH？telduPetit-Bourbon，andthatthatiswhereyouaremistaken。\"
\"AttheH？tel-de-Ville，Itellyou！\"
\"AtthePetit-Bourbon，mydear！andtheyhadilluminatedwithmagicglassesthewordhope，whichiswrittenonthegrandportal。\"
\"AttheH？tel-de-Ville！AttheH？tel-de-Ville！AndHusson-le-Voirplayedtheflute！\"
\"Itellyou，no！\"
\"Itellyou，yes！\"
\"Isay，no！\"
PlumpandworthyOudardewaspreparingtoretort，andthequarrelmight，perhaps，haveproceededtoapullingofcaps，hadnotMahiettesuddenlyexclaimed，——\"Lookatthosepeopleassembledyonderattheendofthebridge！Thereissomethingintheirmidstthattheyarelookingat！\"
\"Insooth，\"saidGervaise，\"Ihearthesoundsofatambourine。Ibelieve’tisthelittleEsmeralda，whoplayshermummerieswithhergoat。Eh，bequick，Mahiette！redoubleyourpaceanddragalongyourboy。YouarecomehithertovisitthecuriositiesofParis。YousawtheFlemingsyesterday；youmustseethegypsyto-day。\"
\"Thegypsy！\"saidMahiette，suddenlyretracinghersteps，andclaspingherson’sarmforcibly。\"Godpreservemefromit！Shewouldstealmychildfromme！Come，Eustache！\"
AndshesetoutonarunalongthequaytowardstheGrève，untilshehadleftthebridgefarbehindher。Inthemeanwhile，thechildwhomshewasdraggingafterherfelluponhisknees；shehaltedbreathless。OudardeandGervaiserejoinedher。
\"Thatgypsystealyourchildfromyou！\"saidGervaise。
\"That’sasingularfreakofyours！\"
Mahietteshookherheadwithapensiveair。
\"Thesingularpointis，\"observedOudarde，\"that~lasachette~
hasthesameideaabouttheEgyptianwoman。\"
\"Whatis~lasachette~？\"askedMahiette。
\"Hé！\"saidOudarde，\"SisterGudule。\"
\"AndwhoisSisterGudule？\"persistedMahiette。
\"YouarecertainlyignorantofallbutyourReims，nottoknowthat！\"repliedOudarde。\"’TistherecluseoftheRat-Hole。\"
\"What！\"demandedMahiette，\"thatpoorwomantowhomwearecarryingthiscake？\"
Oudardenoddedaffirmatively。
\"Precisely。YouwillseeherpresentlyatherwindowontheGrève。ShehasthesameopinionasyourselfofthesevagabondsofEgypt，whoplaythetambourineandtellfortunestothepublic。NooneknowswhencecomesherhorrorofthegypsiesandEgyptians。Butyou，Mahiette——whydoyourunsoatthemeresightofthem？\"
\"Oh！\"saidMahiette，seizingherchild’sroundheadinbothhands，\"Idon’twantthattohappentomewhichhappenedtoPaquettelaChantefleurie。\"
\"Oh！youmusttellusthatstory，mygoodMahiette，\"saidGervaise，takingherarm。
\"Gladly，\"repliedMahiette，\"butyoumustbeignorantofallbutyourParisnottoknowthat！Iwilltellyouthen(but’tisnotnecessaryforustohaltthatImaytellyouthetale)，thatPaquettelaChantefleuriewasaprettymaidofeighteenwhenIwasonemyself，thatistosay，eighteenyearsago，and’tisherownfaultifsheisnotto-day，likeme，agood，plump，freshmotherofsixandthirty，withahusbandandason。
However，aftertheageoffourteen，itwastoolate！Well，shewasthedaughterofGuybertant，minstrelofthebargesatReims，thesamewhohadplayedbeforeKingCharlesVII。，athiscoronation，whenhedescendedourriverVeslefromSillerytoMuison，whenMadametheMaidofOrleanswasalsointheboat。TheoldfatherdiedwhenPaquettewasstillamerechild；shehadthennoonebuthermother，thesisterofM。
Pradon，master-brazierandcoppersmithinParis，RueFarm-
Garlin，whodiedlastyear。Youseeshewasofgoodfamily。
Themotherwasagoodsimplewoman，unfortunately，andshetaughtPaquettenothingbutabitofembroideryandtoy-makingwhichdidnotpreventthelittleonefromgrowingverylargeandremainingverypoor。TheybothdweltatReims，ontheriverfront，RuedeFolle-Peine。Markthis:
ForIbelieveitwasthiswhichbroughtmisfortunetoPaquette。
In’61，theyearofthecoronationofourKingLouisXI。
whomGodpreserve！Paquettewassogayandsoprettythatshewascalledeverywherebynoothernamethan\"laChantefleurie\"——blossomingsong。Poorgirl！Shehadhandsometeeth，shewasfondoflaughinganddisplayingthem。Now，amaidwholovestolaughisontheroadtoweeping；handsometeethruinhandsomeeyes。SoshewaslaChantefleurie。Sheandhermotherearnedaprecariousliving；theyhadbeenverydestitutesincethedeathoftheminstrel；theirembroiderydidnotbringtheminmorethansixfarthingsaweek，whichdoesnotamounttoquitetwoeagleliards。WherewerethedayswhenFatherGuybertanthadearnedtwelvesousparisian，inasinglecoronation，withasong？Onewinter(itwasinthatsameyearof’61)，whenthetwowomenhadneitherfagotsnorfirewood，itwasverycold，whichgavelaChantefleuriesuchafinecolorthatthemencalledherPaquette！*andmanycalledherPàquerette！**andshewasruined——Eustache，justletmeseeyoubitethatcakeifyoudare！——Weimmediatelyperceivedthatshewasruined，oneSundaywhenshecametochurchwithagoldcrossaboutherneck。
Atfourteenyearsofage！doyousee？FirstitwastheyoungVicomtedeCormontreuil，whohashisbelltowerthreeleaguesdistantfromReims；thenMessireHenrideTriancourt，equerrytotheKing；thenlessthanthat，ChiartdeBeaulion，sergeant-at-arms；then，stilldescending，GueryAubergeon，carvertotheKing；then，MacedeFrépus，barbertomonsieurthedauphin；then，ThéveninleMoine，King’scook；then，themengrowingcontinuallyyoungerandlessnoble，shefelltoGuillaumeRacine，minstrelofthehurdygurdyandtoThierrydeMer，lamplighter。Then，poorChantefleurie，shebelongedtoeveryone:shehadreachedthelastsouofhergoldpiece。WhatshallIsaytoyou，mydamoiselles？Atthecoronation，inthesameyear，’61，’twasshewhomadethebedofthekingofthedebauchees！Inthesameyear！\"
*Ox-eyedaisy。
**Easterdaisy。
Mahiettesighed，andwipedawayatearwhichtrickledfromhereyes。
\"Thisisnoveryextraordinaryhistory，\"saidGervaise，\"andinthewholeofitIseenothingofanyEgyptianwomenorchildren。\"
\"Patience！\"resumedMahiette，\"youwillseeonechild——In’66，’twillbesixteenyearsagothismonth，atSainte-
Paule’sday，Paquettewasbroughttobedofalittlegirl。
Theunhappycreature！itwasagreatjoytoher；shehadlongwishedforachild。Hermother，goodwoman，whohadneverknownwhattodoexcepttoshuthereyes，hermotherwasdead。Paquettehadnolongeranyonetoloveintheworldoranyonetoloveher。LaChantefleuriehadbeenapoorcreatureduringthefiveyearssinceherfall。Shewasalone，aloneinthislife，fingerswerepointedather，shewashootedatinthestreets，beatenbythesergeants，jeeredatbythelittleboysinrags。Andthen，twentyhadarrived:andtwentyisanoldageforamorouswomen。Follybegantobringherinnomorethanhertradeofembroideryinformerdays；foreverywrinklethatcame，acrownfled；winterbecamehardtoheroncemore，woodbecamerareagaininherbrazier，andbreadinhercupboard。Shecouldnolongerworkbecause，inbecomingvoluptuous，shehadgrownlazy；andshesufferedmuchmorebecause，ingrowinglazy，shehadbecomevoluptuous。
Atleast，thatisthewayinwhichmonsieurthecureofSaint-Remyexplainswhythesewomenarecolderandhungrierthanotherpoorwomen，whentheyareold。\"
\"Yes，\"remarkedGervaise，\"butthegypsies？\"
\"Onemoment，Gervaise！\"saidOudarde，whoseattentionwaslessimpatient。\"Whatwouldbeleftfortheendifallwereinthebeginning？Continue，Mahiette，Ientreatyou。
ThatpoorChantefleurie！\"
Mahiettewenton。
\"Soshewasverysad，verymiserable，andfurrowedhercheekswithtears。Butinthemidstofhershame，herfolly，herdebauchery，itseemedtoherthatsheshouldbelesswild，lessshameful，lessdissipated，ifthereweresomethingorsomeoneintheworldwhomshecouldlove，andwhocouldloveher。Itwasnecessarythatitshouldbeachild，becauseonlyachildcouldbesufficientlyinnocentforthat。Shehadrecognizedthisfactafterhavingtriedtoloveathief，theonlymanwhowantedher；butafterashorttime，sheperceivedthatthethiefdespisedher。Thosewomenofloverequireeitheraloverorachildtofilltheirhearts。Otherwise，theyareveryunhappy。Asshecouldnothavealover，sheturnedwhollytowardsadesireforachild，andasshehadnotceasedtobepious，shemadeherconstantprayertothegoodGodforit。SothegoodGodtookpityonher，andgaveheralittledaughter。Iwillnotspeaktoyouofherjoy；itwasafuryoftears，andcaresses，andkisses。Shenursedherchildherself，madeswaddling-bandsforitoutofhercoverlet，theonlyonewhichshehadonherbed，andnolongerfelteithercoldorhunger。Shebecamebeautifuloncemore，inconsequenceofit。Anoldmaidmakesayoungmother。Gallantryclaimedheroncemore；mencametoseelaChantefleurie；shefoundcustomersagainforhermerchandise，andoutofallthesehorrorsshemadebabyclothes，capsandbibs，bodiceswithshoulder-strapsoflace，andtinybonnetsofsatin，withouteventhinkingofbuyingherselfanothercoverlet——MasterEustache，Ihavealreadytoldyounottoeatthatcake——ItiscertainthatlittleAgnes，thatwasthechild’sname，abaptismalname，foritwasalongtimesincelaChantefleuriehadhadanysurname——itiscertainthatthatlittleonewasmoreswathedinribbonsandembroideriesthanadauphinessofDauphiny！Amongotherthings，shehadapairoflittleshoes，thelikeofwhichKingLouisXI。certainlyneverhad！Hermotherhadstitchedandembroideredthemherself；shehadlavishedonthemallthedelicaciesofherartofembroideress，andalltheembellishmentsofarobeforthegoodVirgin。Theycertainlywerethetwoprettiestlittlepinkshoesthatcouldbeseen。Theywerenolongerthanmythumb，andonehadtoseethechild’slittlefeetcomeoutofthem，inordertobelievethattheyhadbeenabletogetintothem。’Tistruethatthoselittlefeetweresosmall，sopretty，sorosy！rosierthanthesatinoftheshoes！Whenyouhavechildren，Oudarde，youwillfindthatthereisnothingprettierthanthoselittlehandsandfeet。\"
\"Iasknobetter，\"saidOudardewithasigh，\"butIamwaitinguntilitshallsuitthegoodpleasureofM。AndryMusnier。\"
\"However，Paquette’schildhadmorethatwasprettyaboutitbesidesitsfeet。Isawherwhenshewasonlyfourmonthsold；shewasalove！Shehadeyeslargerthanhermouth，andthemostcharmingblackhair，whichalreadycurled。Shewouldhavebeenamagnificentbrunetteattheageofsixteen！
Hermotherbecamemorecrazyoverhereveryday。Shekissedher，caressedher，tickledher，washedher，deckedherout，devouredher！Shelostherheadoverher，shethankedGodforher。Herpretty，littlerosyfeetaboveallwereanendlesssourceofwonderment，theywereadeliriumofjoy！
Shewasalwayspressingherlipstothem，andshecouldneverrecoverfromheramazementattheirsmallness。Sheputthemintothetinyshoes，tookthemout，admiredthem，marvelledatthem，lookedatthelightthroughthem，wascurioustoseethemtrytowalkonherbed，andwouldgladlyhavepassedherlifeonherknees，puttingonandtakingofftheshoesfromthosefeet，asthoughtheyhadbeenthoseofanInfantJesus。\"
\"Thetaleisfairandgood，\"saidGervaiseinalowtone；
\"butwheredogypsiescomeintoallthat？\"
\"Here，\"repliedMahiette。\"OnedaytherearrivedinReimsaveryqueersortofpeople。Theywerebeggarsandvagabondswhowereroamingoverthecountry，ledbytheirdukeandtheircounts。Theywerebrownedbyexposuretothesun，theyhadcloselycurlinghair，andsilverringsintheirears。Thewomenwerestilluglierthanthemen。Theyhadblackerfaces，whichwerealwaysuncovered，amiserablefrockontheirbodies，anoldclothwovenofcordsboundupontheirshoulder，andtheirhairhanginglikethetailofahorse。Thechildrenwhoscrambledbetweentheirlegswouldhavefrightenedasmanymonkeys。Abandofexcommunicates。
AllthesepersonscamedirectfromlowerEgypttoReimsthroughPoland。ThePopehadconfessedthem，itwassaid，andhadprescribedtothemaspenancetoroamthroughtheworldforsevenyears，withoutsleepinginabed；andsotheywerecalledpenancers，andsmelthorribly。ItappearsthattheyhadformerlybeenSaracens，whichwaswhytheybelievedinJupiter，andclaimedtenlivresofTournayfromallarchbishops，bishops，andmitredabbotswithcroziers。
AbullfromthePopeempoweredthemtodothat。TheycametoReimstotellfortunesinthenameoftheKingofAlgiers，andtheEmperorofGermany。Youcanreadilyimaginethatnomorewasneededtocausetheentrancetothetowntobeforbiddenthem。ThenthewholebandcampedwithgoodgraceoutsidethegateofBraine，onthathillwherestandsamill，besidethecavitiesoftheancientchalkpits。AndeverybodyinReimsviedwithhisneighboringoingtoseethem。
Theylookedatyourhand，andtoldyoumarvellousprophecies；
theywereequaltopredictingtoJudasthathewouldbecomePope。Nevertheless，uglyrumorswereincirculationinregardtothem；aboutchildrenstolen，pursescut，andhumanfleshdevoured。Thewisepeoplesaidtothefoolish:\"Don’tgothere！\"andthenwentthemselvesonthesly。Itwasaninfatuation。Thefactis，thattheysaidthingsfittoastonishacardinal。MotherstriumphedgreatlyovertheirlittleonesaftertheEgyptianshadreadintheirhandsallsortsofmarvelswritteninpaganandinTurkish。Onehadanemperor；
another，apope；another，acaptain。PoorChantefleuriewasseizedwithcuriosity；shewishedtoknowaboutherself，andwhetherherprettylittleAgneswouldnotbecomesomedayEmpressofArmenia，orsomethingelse。SoshecarriedhertotheEgyptians；andtheEgyptianwomenfelltoadmiringthechild，andtocaressingit，andtokissingitwiththeirblackmouths，andtomarvellingoveritslittleband，alas！tothegreatjoyofthemother。Theywereespeciallyenthusiasticoverherprettyfeetandshoes。Thechildwasnotyetayearold。Shealreadylispedalittle，laughedathermotherlikealittlemadthing，wasplumpandquiteround，andpossessedathousandcharminglittlegesturesoftheangelsofparadise。
