Meanwhile，thedancerremainedmotionlessuponthethreshold。Herappearancehadproducedasingulareffectupontheseyounggirls。Itiscertainthatavagueandindistinctdesiretopleasethehandsomeofficeranimatedthemall，thathissplendiduniformwasthetargetofalltheircoquetries，andthatfromthemomenthepresentedhimself，thereexistedamongthemasecret，suppressedrivalry，whichtheyhardlyacknowledgedeventothemselves，butwhichbrokeforth，nonetheless，everyinstant，intheirgesturesandremarks。
Nevertheless，astheywereallverynearlyequalinbeauty，theycontendedwithequalarms，andeachcouldhopeforthevictory——Thearrivalofthegypsysuddenlydestroyedthisequilibrium。Herbeautywassorare，that，atthemomentwhensheappearedattheentranceoftheapartment，itseemedasthoughshediffusedasortoflightwhichwaspeculiartoherself。Inthatnarrowchamber，surroundedbythatsombreframeofhangingsandwoodwork，shewasincomparablymorebeautifulandmoreradiantthanonthepublicsquare。Shewaslikeatorchwhichhassuddenlybeenbroughtfrombroaddaylightintothedark。Thenobledamselsweredazzledbyherinspiteofthemselves。Eachonefeltherself，insomesort，woundedinherbeauty。Hence，theirbattlefront(maywebeallowedtheexpression，)wasimmediatelyaltered，althoughtheyexchangednotasingleword。Buttheyunderstoodeachotherperfectly。Women’sinstinctscomprehendandrespondtoeachothermorequicklythantheintelligencesofmen。Anenemyhadjustarrived；
allfeltit——allralliedtogether。Onedropofwineissufficienttotingeaglassofwaterred；todiffuseacertaindegreeofilltemperthroughoutawholeassemblyofprettywomen，thearrivalofaprettierwomansuffices，especiallywhenthereisbutonemanpresent。
Hencethewelcomeaccordedtothegypsywasmarvellouslyglacial。Theysurveyedherfromheadtofoot，thenexchangedglances，andallwassaid；theyunderstoodeachother。Meanwhile，theyounggirlwaswaitingtobespokento，insuchemotionthatshedarednotraisehereyelids。
Thecaptainwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。\"Uponmyword，\"saidhe，inhistoneofintrepidfatuity，\"hereisacharmingcreature！Whatthinkyouofher，faircousin？\"
Thisremark，whichamoredelicateadmirerwouldhaveutteredinalowertone，atleastwasnotofanaturetodissipatethefemininejealousieswhichwereonthealertbeforethegypsy。
Fleur-de-Lysrepliedtothecaptainwithablandaffectationofdisdain；——\"Notbad。\"
Theotherswhispered。
Atlength，MadameAloise，whowasnotthelessjealousbecauseshewassoforherdaughter，addressedthedancer，——\"Approach，littleone。\"
\"Approach，littleone！\"repeated，withcomicaldignity，littleBérangère，whowouldhavereachedaboutashighasherhips。
Thegypsyadvancedtowardsthenobledame。
\"Fairchild，\"saidPhoebus，withemphasis，takingseveralstepstowardsher，\"IdonotknowwhetherIhavethesupremehonorofbeingrecognizedbyyou。\"
Sheinterruptedhim，withasmileandalookfullofinfinitesweetness，——
\"Oh！yes，\"saidshe。
\"Shehasagoodmemory，\"remarkedFleur-de-Lys。
\"Come，now，\"resumedPhoebus，\"youescapednimblytheotherevening。DidIfrightenyou！\"
\"Oh！no，\"saidthegypsy。
Therewasintheintonationofthat\"Oh！no，\"utteredafterthat\"Oh！yes，\"anineffablesomethingwhichwoundedFleur-de-Lys。
\"Youleftmeinyourstead，mybeauty，\"pursuedthecaptain，whosetonguewasunloosedwhenspeakingtoagirloutofthestreet，\"acrabbedknave，one-eyedandhunchbacked，thebishop’sbellringer，Ibelieve。Ihavebeentoldthatbybirthheisthebastardofanarchdeaconandadevil。
Hehasapleasantname:heiscalled~Quatre-Temps~(EmberDays)，~Paques-Fleuries~(PalmSunday)，Mardi-Gras(ShroveTuesday)，Iknownotwhat！Thenameofsomefestivalwhenthebellsarepealed！Sohetookthelibertyofcarryingyouoff，asthoughyouweremadeforbeadles！’Tistoomuch。
Whatthedevildidthatscreech-owlwantwithyou？Hey，tellme！\"
\"Idonotknow，\"shereplied。
\"Theinconceivableimpudence！Abellringercarryingoffawench，likeavicomte！aloutpoachingonthegameofgentlemen！thatisararepieceofassurance。However，hepaiddearlyforit。MasterPierratTorterueistheharshestgroomthatevercurriedaknave；andIcantellyou，ifitwillbeagreeabletoyou，thatyourbellringer’shidegotathoroughdressingathishands。\"
\"Poorman！\"saidthegypsy，inwhomthesewordsrevivedthememoryofthepillory。
Thecaptainburstoutlaughing。
\"Corne-de-boeuf！here’spityaswellplacedasafeatherinapig’stail！MayIhaveasbigabellyasapope，if——\"
Hestoppedshort。\"Pardonme，ladies；IbelievethatI
wasonthepointofsayingsomethingfoolish。\"
\"Fie，sir\"saidlaGaillefontaine。
\"Hetalkstothatcreatureinherowntongue！\"addedFleur-de-Lys，inalowtone，herirritationincreasingeverymoment。Thisirritationwasnotdiminishedwhenshebeheldthecaptain，enchantedwiththegypsy，and，mostofall，withhimself，executeapirouetteonhisheel，repeatingwithcoarse，na？ve，andsoldierlygallantry，——
\"Ahandsomewench，uponmysoul！\"
\"Rathersavagelydressed，\"saidDianedeChristeuil，laughingtoshowherfineteeth。
Thisremarkwasaflashoflighttotheothers。Notbeingabletoimpugnherbeauty，theyattackedhercostume。
\"Thatistrue，\"saidlaMontmichel；\"whatmakesyourunaboutthestreetsthus，withoutguimpeorruff？\"
\"Thatpetticoatissoshortthatitmakesonetremble，\"
addedlaGaillefontaine。
\"Mydear，\"continuedFleur-de-Lys，withdecidedsharpness，\"Youwillgetyourselftakenupbythesumptuarypoliceforyourgildedgirdle。\"
\"Littleone，littleone；\"resumedlaChristeuil，withanimplacablesmile，\"ifyouweretoputrespectablesleevesuponyourarmstheywouldgetlesssunburned。\"
Itwas，intruth，aspectacleworthyofamoreintelligentspectatorthanPhoebus，toseehowthesebeautifulmaidens，withtheirenvenomedandangrytongues，wound，serpent-like，andglidedandwrithedaroundthestreetdancer。Theywerecruelandgraceful；theysearchedandrummagedmaliciouslyinherpoorandsillytoiletofspanglesandtinsel。Therewasnoendtotheirlaughter，irony，andhumiliation。Sarcasmsraineddownuponthegypsy，andhaughtycondescensionandmalevolentlooks。OnewouldhavethoughttheywereyoungRomandamesthrustinggoldenpinsintothebreastofabeautifulslave。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemelegantgrayhounds，circling，withinflatednostrils，roundapoorwoodlandfawn，whomtheglanceoftheirmasterforbadethemtodevour。
Afterall，whatwasamiserabledanceronthepublicsquaresinthepresenceofthesehigh-bornmaidens？Theyseemedtotakenoheedofherpresence，andtalkedofheraloud，toherface，asofsomethingunclean，abject，andyet，atthesametime，passablypretty。
Thegypsywasnotinsensibletothesepin-pricks。Fromtimetotimeaflushofshame，aflashofangerinflamedhereyesorhercheeks；withdisdainshemadethatlittlegrimacewithwhichthereaderisalreadyfamiliar，butsheremainedmotionless；shefixedonPhoebusasad，sweet，resignedlook。
Therewasalsohappinessandtendernessinthatgaze。Onewouldhavesaidthatsheenduredforfearofbeingexpelled。
Phoebuslaughed，andtookthegypsy’spartwithamixtureofimpertinenceandpity。
\"Letthemtalk，littleone！\"herepeated，jinglinghisgoldenspurs。\"Nodoubtyourtoiletisalittleextravagantandwild，butwhatdifferencedoesthatmakewithsuchacharmingdamselasyourself？\"
\"Goodgracious！\"exclaimedtheblondeGaillefontaine，drawingupherswan-likethroat，withabittersmile。\"Iseethatmessieursthearchersoftheking’spoliceeasilytakefireatthehandsomeeyesofgypsies！\"
\"Whynot？\"saidPhoebus。
Atthisreplyutteredcarelesslybythecaptain，likeastraystone，whosefallonedoesnotevenwatch，Colombebegantolaugh，aswellasDiane，Amelotte，andFleur-de-Lys，intowhoseeyesatthesametimeatearstarted。
Thegypsy，whohaddroppedhereyesontheflooratthewordsofColombedeGaillefontaine，raisedthembeamingwithjoyandprideandfixedthemoncemoreonPhoebus。Shewasverybeautifulatthatmoment。
Theolddame，whowaswatchingthisscene，feltoffended，withoutunderstandingwhy。
\"HolyVirgin！\"shesuddenlyexclaimed，\"whatisitmovingaboutmylegs？Ah！thevillanousbeast！\"
Itwasthegoat，whohadjustarrived，insearchofhismistress，andwho，indashingtowardsthelatter，hadbegunbyentanglinghishornsinthepileofstuffswhichthenobledame’sgarmentsheapeduponherfeetwhenshewasseated。
Thiscreatedadiversion。Thegypsydisentangledhishornswithoututteringaword。
\"Oh！here’sthelittlegoatwithgoldenhoofs！\"exclaimedBérangère，dancingwithjoy。
Thegypsycroucheddownonherkneesandleanedhercheekagainstthefondlingheadofthegoat。Onewouldhavesaidthatshewasaskingpardonforhavingquitteditthus。
Meanwhile，DianehadbentdowntoColombe’sear。
\"Ah！goodheavens！whydidnotIthinkofthatsooner？
’Tisthegypsywiththegoat。Theysaysheisasorceress，andthathergoatexecutesverymiraculoustricks。\"
\"Well！\"saidColombe，\"thegoatmustnowamuseusinitsturn，andperformamiracleforus。\"
DianeandColombeeagerlyaddressedthegypsy。
\"Littleone，makeyourgoatperformamiracle。\"
\"Idonotknowwhatyoumean，\"repliedthedancer。
\"Amiracle，apieceofmagic，abitofsorcery，inshort。\"
\"Idonotunderstand。\"Andshefelltocaressingtheprettyanimal，repeating，\"Djali！Djali！\"
AtthatmomentFleur-de-Lysnoticedalittlebagofembroideredleathersuspendedfromtheneckofthegoat，——
\"Whatisthat？\"sheaskedofthegypsy。
Thegypsyraisedherlargeeyesuponherandrepliedgravely，——
\"Thatismysecret。\"
\"Ishouldreallyliketoknowwhatyoursecretis，\"thoughtFleur-de-Lys。
Meanwhile，thegooddamehadrisenangrily，——\"Comenow，gypsy，ifneitheryounoryourgoatcandanceforus，whatareyoudoinghere？\"
Thegypsywalkedslowlytowardsthedoor，withoutmakinganyreply。Butthenearersheapproachedit，themoreherpaceslackened。Anirresistiblemagnetseemedtoholdher。Suddenlysheturnedhereyes，wetwithtears，towardsPhoebus，andhalted。
\"TrueGod！\"exclaimedthecaptain，\"that’snotthewaytodepart。Comebackanddancesomethingforus。Bytheway，mysweetlove，whatisyourname？\"
\"LaEsmeralda，\"saidthedancer，nevertakinghereyesfromhim。
Atthisstrangename，aburstofwildlaughterbrokefromtheyounggirls。
\"Here’saterriblenameforayounglady，\"saidDiane。
\"Youseewellenough，\"retortedAmelotte，\"thatsheisanenchantress。\"
\"Mydear，\"exclaimedDameAloisesolemnly，\"yourparentsdidnotcommitthesinofgivingyouthatnameatthebaptismalfont。\"
Inthemeantime，severalminutespreviously，Bérangèrehadcoaxedthegoatintoacorneroftheroomwithamarchpanecake，withoutanyonehavingnoticedher。Inaninstanttheyhadbecomegoodfriends。Thecuriouschildhaddetachedthebagfromthegoat’sneck，hadopenedit，andhademptiedoutitscontentsontherushmatting；itwasanalphabet，eachletterofwhichwasseparatelyinscribedonatinyblockofboxwood。Hardlyhadtheseplaythingsbeenspreadoutonthematting，whenthechild，withsurprise，beheldthegoat(oneofwhose\"miracles\"thiswasnodoubt)，drawoutcertainletterswithitsgoldenhoof，andarrangethem，withgentlepushes，inacertainorder。Inamomenttheyconstitutedaword，whichthegoatseemedtohavebeentrainedtowrite，solittlehesitationdiditshowinformingit，andBérangèresuddenlyexclaimed，claspingherhandsinadmiration，——
\"GodmotherFleur-de-Lys，seewhatthegoathasjustdone！\"
Fleur-de-Lysranupandtrembled。Thelettersarrangeduponthefloorformedthisword，——
PHOEBUS。
\"Wasitthegoatwhowrotethat？\"sheinquiredinachangedvoice。
\"Yes，godmother，\"repliedBérangêre。
Itwasimpossibletodoubtit；thechilddidnotknowhowtowrite。
\"Thisisthesecret！\"thoughtFleur-de-Lys。
Meanwhile，atthechild’sexclamation，allhadhastenedup，themother，theyounggirls，thegypsy，andtheofficer。
Thegypsybeheldthepieceoffollywhichthegoathadcommitted。Sheturnedred，thenpale，andbegantotremblelikeaculpritbeforethecaptain，whogazedatherwithasmileofsatisfactionandamazement。
\"Phoebus！\"whisperedtheyounggirls，stupefied:\"’tisthecaptain’sname！\"
\"Youhaveamarvellousmemory！\"saidFleur-de-Lys，tothepetrifiedgypsy。Then，burstingintosobs:\"Oh！\"shestammeredmournfully，hidingherfaceinbothherbeautifulhands，\"sheisamagician！\"Andsheheardanotherandastillmorebittervoiceatthebottomofherheart，saying，——
\"Sheisarival！\"
Shefellfainting。
\"Mydaughter！mydaughter！\"criedtheterrifiedmother。
\"Begone，yougypsyofhell！\"
Inatwinkling，LaEsmeraldagathereduptheunluckyletters，madeasigntoDjali，andwentoutthroughonedoor，whileFleur-de-Lyswasbeingcarriedoutthroughtheother。
CaptainPhoebus，onbeingleftalone，hesitatedforamomentbetweenthetwodoors，thenhefollowedthegypsy。
CHAPTERII。
APRIESTANDAPHILOSOPHERARETWODIFFERENTTHINGS。
ThepriestwhomtheyounggirlshadobservedatthetopoftheNorthtower，leaningoverthePlaceandsoattentivetothedanceofthegypsy，was，infact，ArchdeaconClaudeFrollo。
Ourreadershavenotforgottenthemysteriouscellwhichthearchdeaconhadreservedforhimselfinthattower。(Idonotknow，bythewaybeitsaid，whetheritbenotthesame，theinteriorofwhichcanbeseento-daythroughalittlesquarewindow，openingtotheeastattheheightofamanabovetheplatformfromwhichthetowersspring；abareanddilapidatedden，whosebadlyplasteredwallsareornamentedhereandthere，atthepresentday，withsomewretchedyellowengravingsrepresentingthefa？adesofcathedrals。Ipresumethatthisholeisjointlyinhabitedbybatsandspiders，andthat，consequently，itwagesadoublewarofexterminationontheflies)。
Everyday，anhourbeforesunset，thearchdeaconascendedthestaircasetothetower，andshuthimselfupinthiscell，wherehesometimespassedwholenights。Thatday，atthemomentwhen，standingbeforethelowdoorofhisretreat，hewasfittingintothelockthecomplicatedlittlekeywhichhealwayscarriedabouthiminthepursesuspendedtohisside，asoundoftambourineandcastanetshadreachedhisear。
ThesesoundscamefromthePlaceduParvis。Thecell，aswehavealreadysaid，hadonlyonewindowopeningupontherearofthechurch。ClaudeFrollohadhastilywithdrawnthekey，andaninstantlater，hewasonthetopofthetower，inthegloomyandpensiveattitudeinwhichthemaidenshadseenhim。
Therehestood，grave，motionless，absorbedinonelookandonethought。AllParislayathisfeet，withthethousandspiresofitsedificesanditscircularhorizonofgentlehills——withitsriverwindingunderitsbridges，anditspeoplemovingtoandfrothroughitsstreets，——withthecloudsofitssmoke，——withthemountainouschainofitsroofswhichpressesNotre-Dameinitsdoubledfolds；butout。ofallthecity，thearchdeacongazedatonecorneronlyofthepavement，thePlaceduParvis；inallthatthrongatbutonefigure，——thegypsy。
Itwouldhavebeendifficulttosaywhatwasthenatureofthislook，andwhenceproceededtheflamethatflashedfromit。Itwasafixedgaze，whichwas，nevertheless，fulloftroubleandtumult。And，fromtheprofoundimmobilityofhiswholebody，barelyagitatedatintervalsbyaninvoluntaryshiver，asatreeismovedbythewind；fromthestiffnessofhiselbows，moremarblethanthebalustradeonwhichtheyleaned；orthesightofthepetrifiedsmilewhichcontractedhisface，——
onewouldhavesaidthatnothinglivingwasleftaboutClaudeFrolloexcepthiseyes。
Thegypsywasdancing；shewastwirlinghertambourineonthetipofherfinger，andtossingitintotheairasshedancedProven？alsarabands；agile，light，joyous，andunconsciousoftheformidablegazewhichdescendedperpendicularlyuponherhead。
Thecrowdwasswarmingaroundher；fromtimetotime，amanaccoutredinredandyellowmadethemformintoacircle，andthenreturned，seatedhimselfonachairafewpacesfromthedancer，andtookthegoat’sheadonhisknees。Thismanseemedtobethegypsy’scompanion。ClaudeFrollocouldnotdistinguishhisfeaturesfromhiselevatedpost。
Fromthemomentwhenthearchdeaconcaughtsightofthisstranger，hisattentionseemeddividedbetweenhimandthedancer，andhisfacebecamemoreandmoregloomy。Allatonceheroseupright，andaquiverranthroughhiswholebody:\"Whoisthatman？\"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth:
\"Ihavealwaysseenheralonebefore！\"
Thenheplungeddownbeneaththetortuousvaultofthespiralstaircase，andoncemoredescended。Ashepassedthedoorofthebellchamber，whichwasajar，besawsomethingwhichstruckhim；hebeheldQuasimodo，who，leaningthroughanopeningofoneofthoseslatepenthouseswhichresembleenormousblinds，appearedalsotobegazingatthePlace。Hewasengagedinsoprofoundacontemplation，thathedidnotnoticethepassageofhisadoptedfather。Hissavageeyehadasingularexpression；itwasacharmed，tenderlook。\"Thisisstrange！\"murmuredClaude。\"Isitthegypsyatwhomheisthusgazing？\"Hecontinuedhisdescent。Attheendofafewminutes，theanxiousarchdeaconentereduponthePlacefromthedooratthebaseofthetower。
\"Whathasbecomeofthegypsygirl？\"hesaid，minglingwiththegroupofspectatorswhichthesoundofthetambourinehadcollected。
\"Iknownot，\"repliedoneofhisneighbors，\"Ithinkthatshehasgonetomakesomeofherfandangoesinthehouseopposite，whithertheyhavecalledher。\"
Intheplaceofthegypsy，onthecarpet，whosearabesqueshadseemedtovanishbutamomentpreviouslybythecapriciousfiguresofherdance，thearchdeaconnolongerbeheldanyonebuttheredandyellowman，who，inordertoearnafewtestersinhisturn，waswalkingroundthecircle，withhiselbowsonhiships，hisheadthrownback，hisfacered，hisneckoutstretched，withachairbetweenhisteeth。Tothechairhehadfastenedacat，whichaneighborhadlent，andwhichwasspittingingreataffright。
\"Notre-Dame！\"exclaimedthearchdeacon，atthemomentwhenthejuggler，perspiringheavily，passedinfrontofhimwithhispyramidofchairandhiscat，\"WhatisMasterPierreGringoiredoinghere？\"
Theharshvoiceofthearchdeaconthrewthepoorfellowintosuchacommotionthathelosthisequilibrium，togetherwithhiswholeedifice，andthechairandthecattumbledpell-mellupontheheadsofthespectators，inthemidstofinextinguishablehootings。
ItisprobablethatMasterPierreGringoire(foritwasindeedhe)wouldhavehadasorryaccounttosettlewiththeneighborwhoownedthecat，andallthebruisedandscratchedfaceswhichsurroundedhim，ifhehadnothastenedtoprofitbythetumulttotakerefugeinthechurch，whitherClaudeFrollohadmadehimasigntofollowhim。
Thecathedralwasalreadydarkanddeserted；theside-aisleswerefullofshadows，andthelampsofthechapelsbegantoshineoutlikestars，soblackhadthevaultedceilingbecome。
Onlythegreatrosewindowofthefa？ade，whosethousandcolorsweresteepedinarayofhorizontalsunlight，glitteredinthegloomlikeamassofdiamonds，andthrewitsdazzlingreflectiontotheotherendofthenave。
Whentheyhadadvancedafewpaces，DomClaudeplacedhisbackagainstapillar，andgazedintentlyatGringoire。
ThegazewasnottheonewhichGringoirefeared，ashamedashewasofhavingbeencaughtbyagraveandlearnedpersoninthecostumeofabuffoon。Therewasnothingmockingorironicalinthepriest’sglance，itwasserious，tranquil，piercing。Thearchdeaconwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
\"Comenow，MasterPierre。Youaretoexplainmanythingstome。Andfirstofall，howcomesitthatyouhavenotbeenseenfortwomonths，andthatnowonefindsyouinthepublicsquares，inafineequipmentintruth！Motleyredandyellow，likeaCaudebecapple？\"
\"Messire，\"saidGringoire，piteously，\"itis，infact，anamazingaccoutrement。Youseemenomorecomfortableinitthanacatcoiffedwithacalabash。’Tisveryilldone，Iamconscious，toexposemessieursthesergeantsofthewatchtotheliabilityofcudgellingbeneaththiscassockthehumerusofaPythagoreanphilosopher。Butwhatwouldyouhave，myreverendmaster？’tisthefaultofmyancientjerkin，whichabandonedmeincowardlywise，atthebeginningofthewinter，underthepretextthatitwasfallingintotatters，andthatitrequiredreposeinthebasketofarag-picker。
Whatisonetodo？Civilizationhasnotyetarrivedatthepointwhereonecangostarknaked，asancientDiogeneswished。Addthataverycoldwindwasblowing，and’tisnotinthemonthofJanuarythatonecansuccessfullyattempttomakehumanitytakethisnewstep。Thisgarmentpresenteditself，Itookit，andIleftmyancientblacksmock，which，forahermeticlikemyself，wasfarfrombeinghermeticallyclosed。Beholdmethen，inthegarmentsofastage-player，likeSaintGenest。Whatwouldyouhave？’tisaneclipse。
ApollohimselftendedtheflocksofAdmetus。\"
\"’Tisafineprofessionthatyouareengagedin！\"repliedthearchdeacon。
\"Iagree，mymaster，that’tisbettertophilosophizeandpoetize，toblowtheflameinthefurnace，ortoreceiveitfromcarrycatsonashield。So，whenyouaddressedme，Iwasasfoolishasanassbeforeaturnspit。Butwhatwouldyouhave，messire？Onemusteateveryday，andthefinestAlexandrineversesarenotworthabitofBriecheese。Now，ImadeforMadameMargueriteofFlanders，thatfamousepithalamium，asyouknow，andthecitywillnotpayme，underthepretextthatitwasnotexcellent；asthoughonecouldgiveatragedyofSophoclesforfourcrowns！
Hence，Iwasonthepointofdyingwithhunger。Happily，IfoundthatIwasratherstronginthejaw；soIsaidtothisjaw，——performsomefeatsofstrengthandofequilibrium:
nourishthyself。~Aleteipsam~。Apackofbeggarswhohavebecomemygoodfriends，havetaughtmetwentysortsofherculeanfeats，andnowIgivetomyteetheveryeveningthebreadwhichtheyhaveearnedduringthedaybythesweatofmybrow。Afterall，concede，Igrantthatitisasademploymentformyintellectualfaculties，andthatmanisnotmadetopasshislifeinbeatingthetambourineandbitingchairs。But，reverendmaster，itisnotsufficienttopassone’slife，onemustearnthemeansforlife。’’
DomClaudelistenedinsilence。Allatoncehisdeep-seteyeassumedsosagaciousandpenetratinganexpression，thatGringoirefelthimself，sotospeak，searchedtothebottomofthesoulbythatglance。
\"Verygood，MasterPierre；buthowcomesitthatyouarenowincompanywiththatgypsydancer？\"
\"Infaith！\"saidGringoire，\"’tisbecausesheismywifeandIamherhusband。\"
Thepriest’sgloomyeyesflashedintoflame。
\"Haveyoudonethat，youwretch！\"hecried，seizingGringoire’sarmwithfury；\"haveyoubeensoabandonedbyGodastoraiseyourhandagainstthatgirl？\"
\"Onmychanceofparadise，monseigneur，\"repliedGringoire，tremblingineverylimb，\"IsweartoyouthatIhavenevertouchedher，ifthatiswhatdisturbsyou。\"
\"Thenwhydoyoutalkofhusbandandwife？\"saidthepriest。
Gringoiremadehastetorelatetohimassuccinctlyaspossible，allthatthereaderalreadyknows，hisadventureintheCourtofMiraclesandthebroken-crockmarriage。Itappeared，moreover，thatthismarriagehadledtonoresultswhatever，andthateacheveningthegypsygirlcheatedhimofhisnuptialrightasonthefirstday。\"’Tisamortification，\"
hesaidinconclusion，\"butthatisbecauseIhavehadthemisfortunetowedavirgin。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"demandedthearchdeacon，whohadbeengraduallyappeasedbythisrecital。
\"’Tisverydifficulttoexplain，\"repliedthepoet。\"Itisasuperstition。Mywifeis，accordingtowhatanoldthief，whoiscalledamongustheDukeofEgypt，hastoldme，afoundlingoralostchild，whichisthesamething。Shewearsonherneckanamuletwhich，itisaffirmed，willcausehertomeetherparentssomeday，butwhichwillloseitsvirtueiftheyounggirlloseshers。Henceitfollowsthatbothofusremainveryvirtuous。\"
\"So，\"resumedClaude，whosebrowclearedmoreandmore，\"youbelieve，MasterPierre，thatthiscreaturehasnotbeenapproachedbyanyman？\"
\"Whatwouldyouhaveamando，DomClaude，asagainstasuperstition？Shehasgotthatinherhead。IassuredlyesteemasararitythisnunlikepruderywhichispreserveduntamedamidthoseBohemiangirlswhoaresoeasilybroughtintosubjection。Butshehasthreethingstoprotecther:
theDukeofEgypt，whohastakenherunderhissafeguard，reckoning，perchance，onsellinghertosomegayabbé；allhistribe，whoholdherinsingularveneration，likeaNotre-Dame；
andacertaintinypoignard，whichthebuxomdamealwayswearsabouther，insomenook，inspiteoftheordinancesoftheprovost，andwhichonecausestoflyoutintoherhandsbysqueezingherwaist。’Tisaproudwasp，Icantellyou！\"
ThearchdeaconpressedGringoirewithquestions。
LaEsmeralda，inthejudgmentofGringoire，wasaninoffensiveandcharmingcreature，pretty，withtheexceptionofapoutwhichwaspeculiartoher；ana？veandpassionatedamsel，ignorantofeverythingandenthusiasticabouteverything；
notyetawareofthedifferencebetweenamanandawoman，eveninherdreams；madelikethat；wildespeciallyoverdancing，noise，theopenair；asortofwomanbee，withinvisiblewingsonherfeet，andlivinginawhirlwind。Sheowedthisnaturetothewanderinglifewhichshehadalwaysled。Gringoirehadsucceededinlearningthat，whileamerechild，shehadtraversedSpainandCatalonia，eventoSicily；
hebelievedthatshehadevenbeentakenbythecaravanofZingari，ofwhichsheformedapart，tothekingdomofAlgiers，acountrysituatedinAchaia，whichcountryadjoins，ononesideAlbaniaandGreece；ontheother，theSicilianSea，whichistheroadtoConstantinople。TheBohemians，saidGringoire，werevassalsoftheKingofAlgiers，inhisqualityofchiefoftheWhiteMoors。Onethingiscertain，thatlaEsmeraldahadcometoFrancewhilestillveryyoung，bywayofHungary。Fromallthesecountriestheyounggirlhadbroughtbackfragmentsofqueerjargons，songs，andstrangeideas，whichmadeherlanguageasmotleyashercostume，halfParisian，halfAfrican。However，thepeopleofthequarterswhichshefrequentedlovedherforhergayety，herdaintiness，herlivelymanners，herdances，andhersongs。Shebelievedherselftobehated，inallthecity，bybuttwopersons，ofwhomsheoftenspokeinterror:thesackednunoftheTour-Roland，avillanousreclusewhocherishedsomesecretgrudgeagainstthesegypsies，andwhocursedthepoordancereverytimethatthelatterpassedbeforeherwindow；andapriest，whonevermetherwithoutcastingatherlooksandwordswhichfrightenedher。
Thementionofthislastcircumstancedisturbedthearchdeacongreatly，thoughGringoirepaidnoattentiontohisperturbation；tosuchanextenthadtwomonthssufficedtocausetheheedlesspoettoforgetthesingulardetailsoftheeveningonwhichhehadmetthegypsy，andthepresenceofthearchdeaconinitall。Otherwise，thelittledancerfearednothing；shedidnottellfortunes，whichprotectedheragainstthosetrialsformagicwhichweresofrequentlyinstitutedagainstgypsywomen。Andthen，Gringoireheldthepositionofherbrother，ifnotofherhusband。Afterall，thephilosopherenduredthissortofplatonicmarriageverypatiently。Itmeantashelterandbreadatleast。Everymorning，hesetoutfromthelairofthethieves，generallywiththegypsy；hehelpedhermakehercollectionsoftarges*andlittleblanks**inthesquares；eacheveninghereturnedtothesameroofwithher，allowedhertoboltherselfintoherlittlechamber，andsleptthesleepofthejust。A
verysweetexistence，takingitallinall，hesaid，andwelladaptedtorevery。Andthen，onhissoulandconscience，thephilosopherwasnotverysurethathewasmadlyinlovewiththegypsy。Helovedhergoatalmostasdearly。Itwasacharminganimal，gentle，intelligent，clever；alearnedgoat。NothingwasmorecommonintheMiddleAgesthantheselearnedanimals，whichamazedpeoplegreatly，andoftenledtheirinstructorstothestake。Butthewitchcraftofthegoatwiththegoldenhoofswasaveryinnocentspeciesofmagic。Gringoireexplainedthemtothearchdeacon，whomthesedetailsseemedtointerestdeeply。Inthemajorityofcases，itwassufficienttopresentthetambourinetothegoatinsuchorsuchamanner，inordertoobtainfromhimthetrickdesired。Hehadbeentrainedtothisbythegypsy，whopossessed，inthesedelicatearts，sorareatalentthattwomonthshadsufficedtoteachthegoattowrite，withmovableletters，theword\"Phoebus。\"
*AnancientBurgundiancoin。
**AnancientFrenchcoin。
\"’Phoebus！’\"saidthepriest；\"why’Phoebus’？\"
\"Iknownot，\"repliedGringoire。\"Perhapsitisawordwhichshebelievestobeendowedwithsomemagicandsecretvirtue。Sheoftenrepeatsitinalowtonewhenshethinksthatsheisalone。\"
\"Areyousure，\"persistedClaude，withhispenetratingglance，\"thatitisonlyawordandnotaname？\"
\"Thenameofwhom？\"saidthepoet。
\"HowshouldIknow？\"saidthepriest。
\"ThisiswhatIimagine，messire。TheseBohemiansaresomethinglikeGuebrs，andadorethesun。Hence，Phoebus。\"
\"Thatdoesnotseemsocleartomeastoyou，MasterPierre。\"
\"Afterall，thatdoesnotconcernme。LethermumbleherPhoebusatherpleasure。Onethingiscertain，thatDjalilovesmealmostasmuchashedoesher。\"
\"WhoisDjali？\"
\"Thegoat。\"
Thearchdeacondroppedhischinintohishand，andappearedtoreflectforamoment。AllatonceheturnedabruptlytoGringoireoncemore。
\"Anddoyousweartomethatyouhavenottouchedher？\"
\"Whom？\"saidGringoire；\"thegoat？\"
\"No，thatwoman。\"
\"Mywife？IsweartoyouthatIhavenot。\"
\"Youareoftenalonewithher？\"
\"Agoodhoureveryevening。\"
PornClaudefrowned。
\"Oh！oh！~SoluscumsolanoncogitabunturorarePaterNoster~。\"
\"Uponmysoul，Icouldsaythe~Pater~，andthe~AveMaria~，andthe~CredoinDeumpatremomnipotentem~withoutherpayinganymoreattentiontomethanachickentoachurch。\"
\"Sweartome，bythebodyofyourmother，\"repeatedthearchdeaconviolently，\"thatyouhavenottouchedthatcreaturewitheventhetipofyourfinger。\"
\"Iwillalsoswearitbytheheadofmyfather，forthetwothingshavemoreaffinitybetweenthem。But，myreverendmaster，permitmeaquestioninmyturn。\"
\"Speak，sir。\"
\"Whatconcernisitofyours？\"
Thearchdeacon’spalefacebecameascrimsonasthecheekofayounggirl。Heremainedforamomentwithoutanswering；
then，withvisibleembarrassment，——
\"Listen，MasterPierreGringoire。Youarenotyetdamned，sofarasIknow。Itakeaninterestinyou，andwishyouwell。NowtheleastcontactwiththatEgyptianofthedemonwouldmakeyouthevassalofSatan。Youknowthat’tisalwaysthebodywhichruinsthesoul。Woetoyouifyouapproachthatwoman！Thatisall。\"
\"Itriedonce，\"saidGringoire，scratchinghisear；\"itwasthefirstday:butIgotstung。\"
\"Youweresoaudacious，MasterPierre？\"andthepriest’sbrowcloudedoveragain。
\"Onanotheroccasion，\"continuedthepoet，withasmile，\"I
peepedthroughthekeyhole，beforegoingtobed，andIbeheldthemostdeliciousdameinhershiftthatevermadeabedcreakunderherbarefoot。\"
\"Gotothedevil！\"criedthepriest，withaterriblelook；
and，givingtheamazedGringoireapushontheshoulders，heplunged，withlongstrides，underthegloomiestarcadesofthecathedral。
CHAPTERIII。
THEBELLS。
Afterthemorninginthepillory，theneighborsofNotre-
DamethoughttheynoticedthatQuasimodo’sardorforringinghadgrowncool。Formerly，therehadbeenpealsforeveryoccasion，longmorningserenades，whichlastedfromprimetocompline；pealsfromthebelfryforahighmass，richscalesdrawnoverthesmallerbellsforawedding，forachristening，andminglingintheairlikearichembroideryofallsortsofcharmingsounds。Theoldchurch，allvibratingandsonorous，wasinaperpetualjoyofbells。Onewasconstantlyconsciousofthepresenceofaspiritofnoiseandcaprice，whosangthroughallthosemouthsofbrass。Nowthatspiritseemedtohavedeparted；thecathedralseemedgloomy，andgladlyremainedsilent；festivalsandfuneralshadthesimplepeal，dryandbare，demandedbytheritual，nothingmore。Ofthedoublenoisewhichconstitutesachurch，theorganwithin，thebellwithout，theorganaloneremained。Onewouldhavesaidthattherewasnolongeramusicianinthebelfry。Quasimodowasalwaysthere，nevertheless；what，then，hadhappenedtohim？Wasitthattheshameanddespairofthepillorystilllingeredinthebottomofhisheart，thatthelashesofhistormentor’swhipreverberatedunendinglyinhissoul，andthatthesadnessofsuchtreatmenthadwhollyextinguishedinhimevenhispassionforthebells？orwasitthatMariehadarivalintheheartofthebellringerofNotre-Dame，andthatthegreatbellandherfourteensisterswereneglectedforsomethingmoreamiableandmorebeautiful？
Itchancedthat，intheyearofgrace1482，AnnunciationDayfellonTuesday，thetwenty-fifthofMarch。ThatdaytheairwassopureandlightthatQuasimodofeltsomereturningaffectionforhisbells。Hethereforeascendedthenortherntowerwhilethebeadlebelowwasopeningwidethedoorsofthechurch，whichwerethenenormouspanelsofstoutwood，coveredwithleather，borderedwithnailsofgildediron，andframedincarvings\"veryartisticallyelaborated。\"
Onarrivingintheloftybellchamber，Quasimodogazedforsometimeatthesixbellsandshookhisheadsadly，asthoughgroaningoversomeforeignelementwhichhadinterposeditselfinhisheartbetweenthemandhim。Butwhenhehadsetthemtoswinging，whenhefeltthatclusterofbellsmovingunderhishand，whenhesaw，forhedidnothearit，thepalpitatingoctaveascendanddescendthatsonorousscale，likeabirdhoppingfrombranchtobranch；whenthedemonMusic，thatdemonwhoshakesasparklingbundleofstrette，trillsandarpeggios，hadtakenpossessionofthepoordeafman，hebecamehappyoncemore，heforgoteverything，andhisheartexpanding，madehisfacebeam。
Hewentandcame，hebeathishandstogether，heranfromropetorope，heanimatedthesixsingerswithvoiceandgesture，liketheleaderofanorchestrawhoisurgingonintelligentmusicians。
\"Goon，\"saidhe，\"goon，goon，Gabrielle，pouroutallthynoiseintothePlace，’tisafestivalto-day。Nolaziness，Thibauld；thouartrelaxing；goon，goon，then，artthourusted，thousluggard？Thatiswell！quick！quick！letnotthyclapperbeseen！Makethemalldeaflikeme。That’sit，Thibauld，bravelydone！Guillaume！Guillaume！thouartthelargest，andPasquieristhesmallest，andPasquierdoesbest。Letuswagerthatthosewhohearhimwillunderstandhimbetterthantheyunderstandthee。Good！good！myGabrielle，stoutly，morestoutly！Eli！whatareyoudoingupaloftthere，youtwoMoineaux(sparrows)？Idonotseeyoumakingtheleastlittleshredofnoise。Whatisthemeaningofthosebeaksofcopperwhichseemtobegapingwhentheyshouldsing？Come，worknow，’tistheFeastoftheAnnunciation。Thesunisfine，thechimemustbefinealso。PoorGuillaume！thouartalloutofbreath，mybigfellow！\"
Hewaswhollyabsorbedinspurringonhisbells，allsixofwhichviedwitheachotherinleapingandshakingtheirshininghaunches，likeanoisyteamofSpanishmules，prickedonhereandtherebytheapostrophesofthemuleteer。
Allatonce，onlettinghisglancefallbetweenthelargeslatescaleswhichcovertheperpendicularwallofthebelltoweratacertainheight，hebeheldonthesquareayounggirl，fantasticallydressed，stop，spreadoutonthegroundacarpet，onwhichasmallgoattookupitspost，andagroupofspectatorscollectaroundher。Thissightsuddenlychangedthecourseofhisideas，andcongealedhisenthusiasmasabreathofaircongealsmeltedrosin。Hehalted，turnedhisbacktothebells，andcroucheddownbehindtheprojectingroofofslate，fixinguponthedancerthatdreamy，sweet，andtenderlookwhichhadalreadyastonishedthearchdeaconononeoccasion。Meanwhile，theforgottenbellsdiedawayabruptlyandalltogether，tothegreatdisappointmentoftheloversofbellringing，whowerelisteningingoodfaithtothepealfromabovethePontduChange，andwhowentawaydumbfounded，likeadogwhohasbeenofferedaboneandgivenastone。
CHAPTERIV。
~ANArKH~。
ItchancedthatuponafinemorninginthissamemonthofMarch，IthinkitwasonSaturdaythe29th，SaintEustache’sday，ouryoungfriendthestudent，JehanFrolloduMoulin，perceived，ashewasdressinghimself，thathisbreeches，whichcontainedhispurse，gaveoutnometallicring。\"Poorpurse，\"
hesaid，drawingitfromhisfob，\"what！notthesmallestparisis！howcruellythedice，beer-pots，andVenushavedepletedthee！Howempty，wrinkled，limp，thouart！Thouresemblestthethroatofafury！Iaskyou，MesserCicero，andMesserSeneca，copiesofwhom，alldog’s-eared，Ibeholdscatteredonthefloor，whatprofitsitmetoknow，betterthananygovernorofthemint，oranyJewonthePontauxChangeurs，thatagoldencrownstampedwithacrownisworththirty-fiveunzainsoftwenty-fivesous，andeightdeniersparisisapiece，andthatacrownstampedwithacrescentisworththirty-sixunzainsoftwenty-sixsous，sixdenierstournoisapiece，ifIhavenotasinglewretchedblackliardtoriskonthedouble-six！Oh！ConsulCicero！thisisnocalamityfromwhichoneextricatesone’sselfwithperiphrases，~quemadmodum~，and~verumenimvero~！\"
Hedressedhimselfsadly。Anideahadoccurredtohimashelacedhisboots，butherejecteditatfirst；nevertheless，itreturned，andheputonhiswaistcoatwrongsideout，anevidentsignofviolentinternalcombat。Atlasthedashedhiscaproughlyonthefloor，andexclaimed:\"Somuchtheworse！
Letcomeofitwhatmay。Iamgoingtomybrother！I
shallcatchasermon，butIshallcatchacrown。\"
Thenbehastilydonnedhislongjacketwithfurredhalf-
sleeves，pickeduphiscap，andwentoutlikeamandriventodesperation。
HedescendedtheRuedelaHarpetowardtheCity。AshepassedtheRuedelaHuchette，theodorofthoseadmirablespits，whichwereincessantlyturning，tickledhisolfactoryapparatus，andhebestowedalovingglancetowardtheCyclopeanroast，whichonedaydrewfromtheFranciscanfriar，Calatagirone，thispatheticexclamation:~Veramente，questerotisseriesonocosastupenda~！*ButJehanhadnotthewherewithaltobuyabreakfast，andheplunged，withaprofoundsigh，underthegatewayofthePetit-Chatelet，thatenormousdoubletrefoilofmassivetowerswhichguardedtheentrancetotheCity。
*Truly，theseroastingsareastupendousthing！
Hedidnoteventakethetroubletocastastoneinpassing，aswastheusage，atthemiserablestatueofthatPérinetLeclercwhohaddelivereduptheParisofCharlesVI。totheEnglish，acrimewhichhiseffigy，itsfacebatteredwithstonesandsoiledwithmud，expiatedforthreecenturiesatthecorneroftheRuedelaHarpeandtheRuedeBuci，asinaneternalpillory。
ThePetit-Ponttraversed，theRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevièvecrossed，JehandeMolendinofoundhimselfinfrontofNotre-
Dame。Thenindecisionseizeduponhimoncemore，andhepacedforseveralminutesroundthestatueofM。Legris，repeatingtohimselfwithanguish:\"Thesermonissure，thecrownisdoubtful。\"
Hestoppedabeadlewhoemergedfromthecloister，——\"WhereismonsieurthearchdeaconofJosas？\"
\"Ibelievethatheisinhissecretcellinthetower，\"saidthebeadle；\"Ishouldadviseyounottodisturbhimthere，unlessyoucomefromsomeonelikethepopeormonsieurtheking。\"
Jehanclappedhishands。
\"~Bécliable~！here’samagnificentchancetoseethefamoussorcerycell！\"
Thisreflectionhavingbroughthimtoadecision，heplungedresolutelyintothesmallblackdoorway，andbegantheascentofthespiralofSaint-Gilles，whichleadstotheupperstoriesofthetower。\"Iamgoingtosee，\"hesaidtohimselfontheway。\"BytheravensoftheHolyVirgin！itmustneedsbeacuriousthing，thatcellwhichmyreverendbrotherhidessosecretly！’Tissaidthathelightsupthekitchensofhellthere，andthathecooksthephilosopher’sstonethereoverahotfire。~Bédieu~！Icarenomoreforthephilosopher’sstonethanforapebble，andIwouldratherfindoverhisfurnaceanomeletteofEastereggsandbacon，thanthebiggestphilosopher’sstoneintheworld。\"’
Onarrivingatthegalleryofslendercolumns，hetookbreathforamoment，andsworeagainsttheinterminablestaircasebyIknownothowmanymillioncartloadsofdevils；
thenheresumedhisascentthroughthenarrowdoorofthenorthtower，nowclosedtothepublic。Severalmomentsafterpassingthebellchamber，hecameuponalittlelanding-place，builtinalateralniche，andunderthevaultofalow，pointeddoor，whoseenormouslockandstrongironbarshewasenabledtoseethroughaloopholepiercedintheoppositecircularwallofthestaircase。Personsdesirousofvisitingthisdooratthepresentdaywillrecognizeitbythisinscriptionengravedinwhitelettersontheblackwall:\"J’ADORE
CORALIE，1823。SIGNEUGENE。\"\"Signé\"standsinthetext。
\"Ugh！\"saidthescholar；\"’tishere，nodoubt。\"
Thekeywasinthelock，thedoorwasveryclosetohim；
hegaveitagentlepushandthrusthisheadthroughtheopening。
ThereadercannothavefailedtoturnovertheadmirableworksofRembrandt，thatShakespeareofpainting。Amidsomanymarvellousengravings，thereisoneetchinginparticular，whichissupposedtorepresentDoctorFaust，andwhichitisimpossibletocontemplatewithoutbeingdazzled。Itrepresentsagloomycell；inthecentreisatableloadedwithhideousobjects；skulls，spheres，alembics，compasses，hieroglyphicparchments。Thedoctorisbeforethistablecladinhislargecoatandcoveredtotheveryeyebrowswithhisfurredcap。Heisvisibleonlytohiswaist。Hehashalfrisenfromhisimmensearm-chair，hisclenchedfistsrestonthetable，andheisgazingwithcuriosityandterroratalargeluminouscircle，formedofmagicletters，whichgleamsfromthewallbeyond，likethesolarspectruminadarkchamber。
Thiscabalisticsunseemstotremblebeforetheeye，andfillsthewancellwithitsmysteriousradiance。Itishorribleanditisbeautiful。
SomethingverysimilartoFaust’scellpresenteditselftoJehan’sview，whenheventuredhisheadthroughthehalf-
opendoor。Italsowasagloomyandsparselylightedretreat。
Therealsostoodalargearm-chairandalargetable，compasses，alembics，skeletonsofanimalssuspendedfromtheceiling，agloberollingonthefloor，hippocephalimingledpromiscuouslywithdrinkingcups，inwhichquiveredleavesofgold，skullsplaceduponvellumcheckeredwithfiguresandcharacters，hugemanuscriptspiledupwideopen，withoutmercyonthecrackingcornersoftheparchment；inshort，alltherubbishofscience，andeverywhereonthisconfusiondustandspiders’webs；buttherewasnocircleofluminousletters，nodoctorinanecstasycontemplatingtheflamingvision，astheeaglegazesuponthesun。
Nevertheless，thecellwasnotdeserted。Amanwasseatedinthearm-chair，andbendingoverthetable。Jehan，towhomhisbackwasturned，couldseeonlyhisshouldersandthebackofhisskull；buthehadnodifficultyinrecognizingthatbaldhead，whichnaturehadprovidedwithaneternaltonsure，asthoughdesirousofmarking，bythisexternalsymbol，thearchdeacon’sirresistibleclericalvocation。
Jehanaccordinglyrecognizedhisbrother；butthedoorhadbeenopenedsosoftly，thatnothingwarnedDomClaudeofhispresence。Theinquisitivescholartookadvantageofthiscircumstancetoexaminethecellforafewmomentsathisleisure。Alargefurnace，whichhehadnotatfirstobserved，stoodtotheleftofthearm-chair，beneaththewindow。Therayoflightwhichpenetratedthroughthisaperturemadeitswaythroughaspider’scircularweb，whichtastefullyinscribeditsdelicateroseinthearchofthewindow，andinthecentreofwhichtheinsectarchitecthungmotionless，likethehubofthiswheeloflace。Uponthefurnacewereaccumulatedindisorder，allsortsofvases，earthenwarebottles，glassretorts，andmattressesofcharcoal。Jehanobserved，withasigh，thattherewasnofrying-pan。\"Howcoldthekitchenutensilsare！\"hesaidtohimself。
Infact，therewasnofireinthefurnace，anditseemedasthoughnonehadbeenlightedforalongtime。Aglassmask，whichJehannoticedamongtheutensilsofalchemy，andwhichservednodoubt，toprotectthearchdeacon’sfacewhenhewasworkingoversomesubstancetobedreaded，layinonecornercoveredwithdustandapparentlyforgotten。Besideitlayapairofbellowsnolessdusty，theuppersideofwhichborethisinscriptionincrustedincopperletters:SPIRASPERA。
Otherinscriptionswerewritten，inaccordancewiththefashionofthehermetics，ingreatnumbersonthewalls；sometracedwithink，othersengravedwithametalpoint。Therewere，moreover，Gothicletters，Hebrewletters，Greekletters，andRomanletters，pell-mell；theinscriptionsoverflowedathaphazard，ontopofeachother，themorerecenteffacingthemoreancient，andallentangledwitheachother，likethebranchesinathicket，likepikesinanaffray。Itwas，infact，astrangelyconfusedminglingofallhumanphilosophies，allreveries，allhumanwisdom。Hereandthereoneshoneoutfromamongtherestlikeabanneramonglanceheads。
Generally，itwasabriefGreekorRomandevice，suchastheMiddleAgesknewsowellhowtoformulate——~Unde？Inde？——Homohominimonstrurn-Ast’ra，castra，nomen，numen——MeyaBibklov，ueyaxaxov——Sapereaude。Fiatubivult~——etc。；sometimesaworddevoidofallapparentsense，~Avayxoqpayia~，whichpossiblycontainedabitterallusiontotheregimeofthecloister；sometimesasimplemaximofclericaldisciplineformulatedinaregularhexameter~Coelestemdominumterrestremdicitedominum~。TherewasalsoHebrewjargon，ofwhichJehan，whoasyetknewbutlittleGreek，understoodnothing；
andallweretraversedineverydirectionbystars，byfiguresofmenoranimals，andbyintersectingtriangles；andthiscontributednotalittletomakethescrawledwallofthecellresembleasheetofpaperoverwhichamonkeyhaddrawnbackandforthapenfilledwithink。
Thewholechamber，moreover，presentedageneralaspectofabandonmentanddilapidation；andthebadstateoftheutensilsinducedthesuppositionthattheirownerhadlongbeendistractedfromhislaborsbyotherpreoccupations。
Meanwhile，thismaster，bentoveravastmanuscript，ornamentedwithfantasticalillustrations，appearedtobetormentedbyanideawhichincessantlymingledwithhismeditations。ThatatleastwasJehan’sidea，whenheheardhimexclaim，withthethoughtfulbreaksofadreamerthinkingaloud，——
\"Yes，Manousaidit，andZoroastertaughtit！thesunisbornfromfire，themoonfromthesun；fireisthesouloftheuniverse；itselementaryatomspourforthandflowincessantlyupontheworldthroughinfinitechannels！Atthepointwherethesecurrentsintersecteachotherintheheavens，theyproducelight；attheirpointsofintersectiononearth，theyproducegold。Light，gold；thesamething！
Fromfiretotheconcretestate。Thedifferencebetweenthevisibleandthepalpable，betweenthefluidandthesolidinthesamesubstance，betweenwaterandice，nothingmore。
Thesearenodreams；itisthegenerallawofnature。Butwhatisonetodoinordertoextractfromsciencethesecretofthisgenerallaw？What！thislightwhichinundatesmyhandisgold！Thesesameatomsdilatedinaccordancewithacertainlawneedonlybecondensedinaccordancewithanotherlaw。Howisittobedone？Somehavefanciedbyburyingarayofsunlight，Averro？s，——yes，’tisAverro？s，——
Averro？sburiedoneunderthefirstpillarontheleftofthesanctuaryoftheKoran，inthegreatMahometanmosqueofCordova；butthevaultcannotheopenedforthepurposeofascertainingwhethertheoperationhassucceeded，untilafterthelapseofeightthousandyears。
\"Thedevil！\"saidJehan，tohimself，\"’tisalongwhiletowaitforacrown！\"
\"Othershavethought，\"continuedthedreamyarchdeacon，\"thatitwouldbebetterworthwhiletooperateuponarayofSirius。But’tisexceedinghardtoobtainthisraypure，becauseofthesimultaneouspresenceofotherstarswhoseraysminglewithit。Flamelesteemeditmoresimpletooperateuponterrestrialfire。Flamel！there’spredestinationinthename！~Flamma~！yes，fire。Allliesthere。Thediamondiscontainedinthecarbon，goldisinthefire。Buthowtoextractit？Magistriaffirmsthattherearecertainfemininenames，whichpossessacharmsosweetandmysterious，thatitsufficestopronouncethemduringtheoperation。LetusreadwhatManonsaysonthematter:’Wherewomenarehonored，thedivinitiesarerejoiced；wheretheyaredespised，itisuselesstopraytoGod。Themouthofawomanisconstantlypure；itisarunningwater，itisarayofsunlight。Thenameofawomanshouldbeagreeable，sweet，fanciful；itshouldendinlongvowels，andresemblewordsofbenediction。’Yes，thesageisright；intruth，Maria，Sophia，laEsmeral——Damnation！alwaysthatthought！\"
Andheclosedthebookviolently。
Hepassedhishandoverhisbrow，asthoughtobrushawaytheideawhichassailedhim；thenhetookfromthetableanailandasmallhammer，whosehandlewascuriouslypaintedwithcabalisticletters。
\"Forsometime，\"hesaidwithabittersmile，\"Ihavefailedinallmyexperiments！onefixedideapossessesme，andsearsmybrainlikefire。IhavenotevenbeenabletodiscoverthesecretofCassiodorus，whoselampburnedwithoutwickandwithoutoil。Asimplematter，nevertheless——\"
\"Thedeuce！\"mutteredJehaninhisbeard。
\"Hence，\"continuedthepriest，\"onewretchedthoughtissufficienttorenderamanweakandbesidehimself！Oh！
howClaudePernellewouldlaughatme。ShewhocouldnotturnNicholasFlamelaside，foronemoment，fromhispursuitofthegreatwork！What！IholdinmyhandthemagichammerofZéchiélé！ateveryblowdealtbytheformidablerabbi，fromthedepthsofhiscell，uponthisnail，thatoneofhisenemieswhomhehadcondemned，wereheathousandleaguesaway，wasburiedacubitdeepintheearthwhichswallowedhim。TheKingofFrancehimself，inconsequenceofoncehavinginconsideratelyknockedatthedoorofthethermaturgist，sanktothekneesthroughthepavementofhisownParis。Thistookplacethreecenturiesago。Well！
Ipossessthehammerandthenail，andinmyhandstheyareutensilsnomoreformidablethanaclubinthehandsofamakerofedgetools。AndyetallthatisrequiredistofindthemagicwordwhichZéchiélépronouncedwhenhestruckhisnail。\"
\"Whatnonsense！\"thoughtJehan。
\"Letussee，letustry！\"resumedthearchdeaconbriskly。
\"WereItosucceed，Ishouldbeholdthebluesparkflashfromtheheadofthenail。Emen-Hétan！Emen-Hétan！
That’snotit。Sigéani！Sigéani！MaythisnailopenthetombtoanyonewhobearsthenameofPhoebus！Acurseuponit！Alwaysandeternallythesameidea！\"
Andheflungawaythehammerinarage。Thenhesankdownsodeeplyonthearm-chairandthetable，thatJehanlosthimfromviewbehindthegreatpileofmanuscripts。Forthespaceofseveralminutes，allthathesawwashisfistconvulsivelyclenchedonabook。Suddenly，DomClaudesprangup，seizedacompassandengravedinsilenceuponthewallincapitalletters，thisGreekword~ANArKH~。
\"Mybrotherismad，\"saidJehantohimself；\"itwouldhavebeenfarmoresimpletowrite~Fatum~，everyoneisnotobligedtoknowGreek。\"
Thearchdeaconreturnedandseatedhimselfinhisarmchair，andplacedhisheadonbothhishands，asasickmandoes，whoseheadisheavyandburning。
Thestudentwatchedhisbrotherwithsurprise。Hedidnotknow，hewhoworehisheartonhissleeve，hewhoobservedonlythegoodoldlawofNatureintheworld，hewhoallowedhispassionstofollowtheirinclinations，andinwhomthelakeofgreatemotionswasalwaysdry，sofreelydidheletitoffeachdaybyfreshdrains，——hedidnotknowwithwhatfurytheseaofhumanpassionsfermentsandboilswhenallegressisdeniedtoit，howitaccumulates，howitswells，howitoverflows，howithollowsouttheheart；howitbreaksininwardsobs，anddullconvulsions，untilithasrentitsdikesandburstitsbed。TheaustereandglacialenvelopeofClaudeFrollo，thatcoldsurfaceofsteepandinaccessiblevirtue，hadalwaysdeceivedJehan。Themerryscholarhadneverdreamedthattherewasboilinglava，furiousandprofound，beneaththesnowybrowofAEtna。
Wedonotknowwhetherhesuddenlybecameconsciousofthesethings；but，giddyashewas，heunderstoodthathehadseenwhatheoughtnottohaveseen，thathehadjustsurprisedthesoulofhiselderbrotherinoneofitsmostsecretaltitudes，andthatClaudemustnotbeallowedtoknowit。
Seeingthatthearchdeaconhadfallenbackintohisformerimmobility，hewithdrewhisheadverysoftly，andmadesomenoisewithhisfeetoutsidethedoor，likeapersonwhohasjustarrivedandisgivingwarningofhisapproach。
\"Enter！\"criedthearchdeacon，fromtheinteriorofhiscell；\"Iwasexpectingyou。Ileftthedoorunlockedexpressly；enterMasterJacques！\"
Thescholarenteredboldly。Thearchdeacon，whowasverymuchembarrassedbysuchavisitinsuchaplace，trembledinhisarm-chair。\"What！’tisyou，Jehan？\"
\"’TisaJ，allthesame，\"saidthescholar，withhisruddy，merry，andaudaciousface。
DomClaude’svisagehadresumeditssevereexpression。
\"Whatareyoucomefor？\"
\"Brother，\"repliedthescholar，makinganefforttoassumeadecent，pitiful，andmodestmien，andtwirlinghiscapinhishandswithaninnocentair；\"Iamcometoaskofyou——\"
\"What？\"
\"Alittlelectureonmorality，ofwhichIstandgreatlyinneed，\"Jehandidnotdaretoaddaloud，——\"andalittlemoneyofwhichIaminstillgreaterneed。\"Thislastmemberofhisphraseremainedunuttered。
\"Monsieur，\"saidthearchdeacon，inacoldtone，\"Iamgreatlydispleasedwithyou。\"
\"Alas！\"sighedthescholar。
DomClaudemadehisarm-chairdescribeaquartercircle，andgazedintentlyatJehan。
\"Iamverygladtoseeyou。\"
Thiswasaformidableexordium。Jehanbracedhimselfforaroughencounter。
\"Jehan，complaintsarebroughtmeaboutyoueveryday。
Whataffraywasthatinwhichyoubruisedwithacudgelalittlevicomte，AlbertdeRamonchamp？\"
\"Oh！\"saidJehan，\"avastthingthat！Amaliciouspageamusedhimselfbysplashingthescholars，bymakinghishorsegallopthroughthemire！\"
\"Who，\"pursuedthearchdeacon，\"isthatMahietFargel，whosegownyouhavetorn？~Tunicamdechiraverunt~，saiththecomplaint。\"
\"Ahbah！awretchedcapofaMontaigu！Isn’tthatit？\"
\"Thecomplaintsays~tunicam~andnot~cappettam~。DoyouknowLatin？\"
Jehandidnotreply。
\"Yes，\"pursuedthepriestshakinghishead，\"thatisthestateoflearningandlettersatthepresentday。TheLatintongueishardlyunderstood，Syriacisunknown，Greeksoodiousthat’tisaccountednoignoranceinthemostlearnedtoskipaGreekwordwithoutreadingit，andtosay，’~Groecumestnonlegitur~。’\"
Thescholarraisedhiseyesboldly。\"Monsieurmybrother，dothitpleaseyouthatIshallexplainingoodFrenchvernacularthatGreekwordwhichiswrittenyonderonthewall？\"
\"Whatword？\"
\"’~ANArKH~。\"
Aslightflushspreadoverthecheeksofthepriestwiththeirhighbones，likethepuffofsmokewhichannouncesontheoutsidethesecretcommotionsofavolcano。Thestudenthardlynoticedit。
\"Well，Jehan，\"stammeredtheelderbrotherwithaneffort，\"Whatisthemeaningofyonderword？\"
\"FATE。\"
DomClaudeturnedpaleagain，andthescholarpursuedcarelessly。
\"Andthatwordbelowit，gravedbythesamehand，’~Ayáyvela~，signifies’impurity。’YouseethatpeopledoknowtheirGreek。\"
Andthearchdeaconremainedsilent。ThisGreeklessonhadrenderedhimthoughtful。
MasterJehan，whopossessedalltheartfulwaysofaspoiledchild，judgedthatthemomentwasafavorableoneinwhichtoriskhisrequest。Accordingly，heassumedanextremelysofttoneandbegan，——
\"Mygoodbrother，doyouhatemetosuchadegreeastolooksavagelyuponmebecauseofafewmischievouscuffsandblowsdistributedinafairwartoapackofladsandbrats，~quibusdammarmosetis~？Yousee，goodBrotherClaude，thatpeopleknowtheirLatin。\"
Butallthiscaressinghypocrisydidnothaveitsusualeffectonthesevereelderbrother。Cerberusdidnotbiteatthehoneycake。Thearchdeacon’sbrowdidnotloseasinglewrinkle。
\"Whatareyoudrivingat？\"hesaiddryly。
\"Well，inpointoffact，this！\"repliedJehanbravely，\"Istandinneedofmoney。\"
Atthisaudaciousdeclaration，thearchdeacon’svisageassumedathoroughlypedagogicalandpaternalexpression。
\"Youknow，MonsieurJehan，thatourfiefofTirecbappe，puttingthedirecttaxesandtherentsofthenineandtwentyhousesinablock，yieldsonlynineandthirtylivres，elevensous，sixdeniers，Parisian。ItisonehalfmorethaninthetimeofthebrothersPaclet，butitisnotmuch。\"
\"Ineedmoney，\"saidJehanstoically。
\"Youknowthattheofficialhasdecidedthatourtwenty-onehousesshouldhemovedfullintothefiefoftheBishopric，andthatwecouldredeemthishomageonlybypayingthereverendbishoptwomarksofsilvergiltofthepriceofsixlivresparisis。Now，thesetwomarksIhavenotyetbeenabletogettogether。Youknowit。\"
\"IknowthatIstandinneedofmoney，\"repeatedJehanforthethirdtime。
\"Andwhatareyougoingtodowithit？\"
ThisquestioncausedaflashofhopetogleambeforeJehan’seyes。Heresumedhisdainty，caressingair。
\"Stay，dearBrotherClaude，Ishouldnotcometoyou，withanyevilmotive。Thereisnointentionofcuttingadashinthetavernswithyourunzains，andofstruttingaboutthestreetsofParisinacaparisonofgoldbrocade，withalackey，~cummeolaquasio~。No，brother，’tisforagoodwork。\"
\"Whatgoodwork？\"demandedClaude，somewhatsurprised。
\"TwoofmyfriendswishtopurchaseanoutfitfortheinfantofapoorHaudriettewidow。Itisacharity。Itwillcostthreeforms，andIshouldliketocontributetoit。\"
\"Whatarenamesofyourtwofriends？\"
\"Pierrel’AssommeurandBaptisteCroque-Oison*。\"
*PetertheSlaughterer；andBaptistCrack-Gosling。
\"Hum，\"saidthearchdeacon；\"thosearenamesasfitforagoodworkasacatapultforthechiefaltar。\"
