TheyounggirlallowedPhoebustohavehisway。Shedidnotappeartoperceiveit。Theeyeoftheboldcaptainflashed。
Suddenlysheturnedtowardshim，——
\"Phoebus，\"shesaid，withanexpressionofinfinitelove，\"instructmeinthyreligion。\"
\"Myreligion！\"exclaimedthecaptain，burstingwithlaughter，\"Iinstructyouinmyreligion！~Corneettonnerre~！Whatdoyouwantwithmyreligion？\"
\"Inorderthatwemaybemarried，\"shereplied。
Thecaptain’sfaceassumedanexpressionofmingledsurpriseanddisdain，ofcarelessnessandlibertinepassion。
\"Ah，bah！\"saidhe，\"dopeoplemarry？\"
TheBohemianturnedpale，andherheaddroopedsadlyonherbreast。
\"Mybeautifullove，\"resumedPhoebus，tenderly，\"whatnonsenseisthis？Agreatthingismarriage，truly！oneisnonethelesslovingfornothavingspitLatinintoapriest’sshop！\"
Whilespeakingthusinhissoftestvoice，heapproachedextremelynearthegypsy；hiscaressinghandsresumedtheirplacearoundhersuppleanddelicatewaist，hiseyeflashedmoreandmore，andeverythingannouncedthatMonsieurPhoebuswasonthevergeofoneofthosemomentswhenJupiterhimselfcommitssomanyfolliesthatHomerisobligedtosummonacloudtohisrescue。
ButDomClaudesaweverything。Thedoorwasmadeofthoroughlyrottencaskstaves，whichleftlargeaperturesforthepassageofhishawklikegaze。Thisbrown-skinned，broad-
shoulderedpriest，hithertocondemnedtotheausterevirginityofthecloister，wasquiveringandboilinginthepresenceofthisnightsceneofloveandvoluptuousness。Thisyoungandbeautifulgirlgivenoverindisarraytotheardentyoungman，mademeltedleadflowinhis-veins；hiseyesdartedwithsensualjealousybeneathallthoseloosenedpins。Anyonewhocould，atthatmoment，haveseenthefaceoftheunhappymangluedtothewormeatenbars，wouldhavethoughtthathebeheldthefaceofatigerglaringfromthedepthsofacageatsomejackaldevouringagazelle。Hiseyeshonelikeacandlethroughthecracksofthedoor。
Allatonce，Phoebus，witharapidgesture，removedthegypsy’sgorgerette。Thepoorchild，whohadremainedpaleanddreamy，awokewithastart；sherecoiledhastilyfromtheenterprisingofficer，and，castingaglanceatherbareneckandshoulders，red，confused，mutewithshame，shecrossedhertwobeautifularmsonherbreasttoconcealit。Haditnotbeenfortheflamewhichburnedinhercheeks，atthesightofhersosilentandmotionless，onewouldhave。
declaredherastatueofModesty。Hereyeswerelowered。
Butthecaptain’sgesturehadrevealedthemysteriousamuletwhichsheworeaboutherneck。
\"Whatisthat？\"hesaid，seizingthispretexttoapproachoncemorethebeautifulcreaturewhomhehadjustalarmed。
\"Don’ttouchit！\"shereplied，quickly，\"’tismyguardian。
Itwillmakemefindmyfamilyagain，ifIremainworthytodoso。Oh，leaveme，monsieurlecapitaine！Mymother！
Mypoormother！Mymother！Whereartthou？Cometomyrescue！Havepity，MonsieurPhoebus，givemebackmygorgerette！\"
Phoebusretreatedamidsaidinacoldtone，——
\"Oh，mademoiselle！Iseeplainlythatyoudonotloveme！\"
\"Idonotlovehim！\"exclaimedtheunhappychild，andatthesametimesheclungtothecaptain，whomshedrewtoaseatbesideher。\"Idonotlovethee，myPhoebus？Whatartthousaying，wickedman，tobreakmyheart？Oh，takeme！takeall！dowhatyouwillwithme，Iamthine。Whatmatterstometheamulet！Whatmatterstomemymother！
’TisthouwhoartmymothersinceIlovethee！Phoebus，mybelovedPhoebus，dostthouseeme？’TisI。Lookatme；
’tisthelittleonewhomthouwiltsurelynotrepulse，whocomes，whocomesherselftoseekthee。Mysoul，mylife，mybody，myperson，allisonething——whichisthine，mycaptain。
Well，no！Wewillnotmarry，sincethatdispleasesthee；andthen，whatamI？amiserablegirlofthegutters；whilstthou，myPhoebus，artagentleman。Afinething，truly！A
dancerwedanofficer！Iwasmad。No，Phoebus，no；Iwillbethymistress，thyamusement，thypleasure，whenthouwilt；
agirlwhoshallbelongtothee。Iwasonlymadeforthat，soiled，despised，dishonored，butwhatmattersit？——beloved。
Ishallbetheproudestandthemostjoyousofwomen。AndwhenIgrowoldorugly，Phoebus，whenIamnolongergoodtoloveyou，youwillsuffermetoserveyoustill。Otherswillembroiderscarfsforyou；’tisI，theservant，whowillcareforthem。Youwillletmepolishyourspurs，brushyourdoublet，dustyourriding-boots。Youwillhavethatpity，willyounot，Phoebus？Meanwhile，takeme！here，Phoebus，allthisbelongstothee，onlyloveme！Wegypsiesneedonlyairandlove。\"
Sosaying，shethrewherarmsroundtheofficer’sneck；shelookedupathim，supplicatingly，withabeautifulsmile，andallintears。Herdelicateneckrubbedagainsthisclothdoubletwithitsroughembroideries。Shewrithedonherknees，herbeautifulbodyhalfnaked。TheintoxicatedcaptainpressedhisardentlipstothoselovelyAfricanshoulders。
Theyounggirl，hereyesbentontheceiling，assheleanedbackwards，quivered，allpalpitating，beneaththiskiss。
Allatonce，abovePhoebus’sheadshebeheldanotherhead；
agreen，livid，convulsedface，withthelookofalostsoul；
nearthisfacewasahandgraspingaponiard——Itwasthefaceandhandofthepriest；hehadbrokenthedoorandhewasthere。Phoebuscouldnotseehim。Theyounggirlremainedmotionless，frozenwithterror，dumb，beneaththatterribleapparition，likeadovewhichshouldraiseitsheadatthemomentwhenthehawkisgazingintohernestwithitsroundeyes。
Shecouldnotevenutteracry。ShesawtheponiarddescenduponPhoebus，andriseagain，reeking。
\"Maledictions！\"saidthecaptain，andfell。
Shefainted。
Atthemomentwhenhereyesclosed，whenallfeelingvanishedinher，shethoughtthatshefeltatouchoffireimprinteduponherlips，akissmoreburningthanthered-hotironoftheexecutioner。
Whensherecoveredhersenses，shewassurroundedbysoldiersofthewatchtheywerecarryingawaythecaptain，bathedinhisbloodthepriesthaddisappeared；thewindowatthebackoftheroomwhichopenedontheriverwaswideopen；theypickedupacloakwhichtheysupposedtobelongtotheofficerandsheheardthemsayingaroundher，\"’Tisasorceresswhohasstabbedacaptain。\"
BOOKEIGHTH。
CHAPTERI。
THECROWNCHANGEDINTOADRYLEAF。
GringoireandtheentireCourtofMiraclesweresufferingmortalanxiety。ForawholemonththeyhadnotknownwhathadbecomeoflaEsmeralda，whichgreatlypainedtheDukeofEgyptandhisfriendsthevagabonds，norwhathadbecomeofthegoat，whichredoubledGringoire’sgrief。Oneeveningthegypsyhaddisappeared，andsincethattimehadgivennosignsoflife。Allsearchhadprovedfruitless。SometormentingbootblackshadtoldGringoireaboutmeetingherthatsameeveningnearthePontSaint-Michel，goingoffwithanofficer；
butthishusband，afterthefashionofBohemia，wasanincredulousphilosopher，andbesides，he，betterthananyoneelse，knewtowhatapointhiswifewasvirginal。Hehadbeenabletoformajudgmentastotheunconquerablemodestyresultingfromthecombinedvirtuesoftheamuletandthegypsy，andhehadmathematicallycalculatedtheresistanceofthatchastitytothesecondpower。Accordingly，hewasateaseonthatscore。
Stillhecouldnotunderstandthisdisappearance。Itwasaprofoundsorrow。Hewouldhavegrownthinoverit，hadthatbeenpossible。Hehadforgotteneverything，evenhisliterarytastes，evenhisgreatwork，~Defigurisregularibusetirregularibus~，whichitwashisintentiontohaveprintedwiththefirstmoneywhichheshouldprocure(forhehadravedoverprinting，eversincehehadseenthe\"Didascalon\"ofHuguesdeSaintVictor，printedwiththecelebratedcharactersofVindelindeSpire)。
Oneday，ashewaspassingsadlybeforethecriminalTournelle，heperceivedaconsiderablecrowdatoneofthegatesofthePalaisdeJustice。
\"Whatisthis？\"heinquiredofayoungmanwhowascomingout。
\"Iknownot，sir，\"repliedtheyoungman。\"’Tissaidthattheyaretryingawomanwhohathassassinatedagendarme。
Itappearsthatthereissorceryatthebottomofit，thearchbishopandtheofficialhaveintervenedinthecase，andmybrother，whoisthearchdeaconofJosas，canthinkofnothingelse。Now，Iwishedtospeakwithhim，butI
havenotbeenabletoreachhimbecauseofthethrong，whichvexesmegreatly，asIstandinneedofmoney。\"
\"Alas！sir，\"saidGringoire，\"IwouldthatIcouldlendyousome，but，mybreechesareworntoholes，and’tisnotcrownswhichhavedoneit。\"
Hedarednottelltheyoungmanthathewasacquaintedwithhisbrotherthearchdeacon，towhomhehadnotreturnedafterthesceneinthechurch；anegligencewhichembarrassedhim。
Thescholarwenthisway，andGringoiresetouttofollowthecrowdwhichwasmountingthestaircaseofthegreatchamber。Inhisopinion，therewasnothinglikethespectacleofacriminalprocessfordissipatingmelancholy，soexhilaratinglystupidarejudgesasarule。Thepopulacewhichhehadjoinedwalkedandelbowedinsilence。Afteraslowandtiresomemarchthroughalong，gloomycorridor，whichwoundthroughthecourt-houseliketheintestinalcanaloftheancientedifice，hearrivednearalowdoor，openinguponahallwhichhisloftystaturepermittedhimtosurveywithaglanceoverthewavingheadsoftherabble。
Thehallwasvastandgloomy，whichlatterfactmadeitappearstillmorespacious。Thedaywasdeclining；thelong，pointedwindowspermittedonlyapalerayoflighttoenter，whichwasextinguishedbeforeitreachedthevaultedceiling，anenormoustrellis-workofsculpturedbeams，whosethousandfiguresseemedtomoveconfusedlyintheshadows，manycandleswerealreadylightedhereandthereontables，andbeamingontheheadsofclerksburiedinmassesofdocuments。
Theanteriorportionoftheballwasoccupiedbythecrowd；
ontherightandleftweremagistratesandtables；attheend，uponaplatform，anumberofjudges，whoserearranksankintotheshadows，sinisterandmotionlessfaces。Thewallsweresownwithinnumerablefleurs-de-lis。AlargefigureofChristmightbevaguelydescriedabovethejudges，andeverywheretherewerepikesandhalberds，uponwhosepointsthereflectionofthecandlesplacedtipsoffire。
\"Monsieur，\"Gringoireinquiredofoneofhisneighbors，\"whoareallthosepersonsrangedyonder，likeprelatesincouncil？\"
\"Monsieur，\"repliedtheneighbor，\"thoseontherightarethecounsellorsofthegrandchamber；thoseontheleft，thecouncillorsofinquiry；themastersinblackgowns，themessiresinred。\"
\"Whoisthatbigredfellow，yonderabovethem，whoissweating？\"
pursuedGringoire。
\"Itismonsieurthepresident。\"
\"Andthosesheepbehindhim？\"continuedGringoire，whoaswehaveseen，didnotlovethemagistracy，whicharose，possibly，fromthegrudgewhichhecherishedagainstthePalaisdeJusticesincehisdramaticmisadventure。
\"Theyaremessieursthemastersofrequestsoftheking’shousehold。\"
\"Andthatboarinfrontofhim？\"
\"HeismonsieurtheclerkoftheCourtofParliament。\"
\"Andthatcrocodileontheright？\"
\"MasterPhilippeLheulier，advocateextraordinaryoftheking。\"
\"Andthatbig，blacktom-catontheleft？\"
\"MasterJacquesCharmolue，procuratorofthekingintheEcclesiasticalCourt，withthegentlemenoftheofficialty。\"
\"Comenow，monsieur，saidGringoire，\"praywhatareallthosefinefellowsdoingyonder？\"
\"Theyarejudging。\"
\"Judgingwhom？Idonotseetheaccused。\"
\"’Tisawoman，sir。Youcannotseeher。Shehasherbackturnedtous，andsheishiddenfromusbythecrowd。
Stay，yondersheis，whereyouseeagroupofpartisans。\"
\"Whoisthewoman？\"askedGringoire。\"Doyouknowhername？\"
\"No，monsieur，Ihavebutjustarrived。Imerelyassumethatthereissomesorceryaboutit，sincetheofficialispresentatthetrial。\"
\"Come！\"saidourphilosopher，\"wearegoingtoseeallthesemagistratesdevourhumanflesh。’Tisasgoodaspectacleasanyother。\"
\"Monsieur，\"remarkedhisneighbor，\"thinkyounot，thatMasterJacquesCharmoluehasaverysweetair？\"
\"Hum！\"repliedGringoire。\"Idistrustasweetnesswhichhathpinchednostrilsandthinlips。\"
Herethebystandersimposedsilenceuponthetwochatterers。
Theywerelisteningtoanimportantdeposition。
\"Messeigneurs，\"saidanoldwomaninthemiddleofthehall，whoseformwassoconcealedbeneathhergarmentsthatonewouldhavepronouncedherawalkingheapofrags；
\"Messeigneurs，thethingisastrueasthatIamlaFalourdel，establishedthesefortyyearsatthePontSaintMichel，andpayingregularlymyrents，lord’sdues，andquitrents；atthegateoppositethehouseofTassin-Caillart，thedyer，whichisonthesideuptheriver——apooroldwomannow，butaprettymaidinformerdays，mylords。Someonesaidtomelately，’LaFalourdel，don’tuseyourspinning-wheeltoomuchintheevening；thedevilisfondofcombingthedistaffsofoldwomenwithhishorns。’Tiscertainthatthesurlymonkwhowasroundaboutthetemplelastyear，nowprowlsintheCity。
Takecare，LaFalourdel，thathedothnotknockatyourdoor。’OneeveningIwasspinningonmywheel，therecomesaknockatmydoor；Iaskwhoitis。Theyswear。Iopen。
Twomenenter。Amaninblackandahandsomeofficer。Oftheblackmannothingcouldbeseenbuthiseyes，twocoalsoffire。Alltherestwashatandcloak。Theysaytome，——’TheSainte-Marthechamber。’——’Tismyupperchamber，mylords，mycleanest。Theygivemeacrown。Iputthecrowninmydrawer，andIsay:’Thisshallgotobuytripeattheslaughter-houseoflaGlorietteto-morrow。’Wegoupstairs。
Onarrivingattheupperchamber，andwhilemybackisturned，theblackmandisappears。Thatdazedmeabit。Theofficer，whowasashandsomeasagreatlord，goesdownstairsagainwithme。Hegoesout。Inaboutthetimeittakestospinaquarterofahandfulofflax，bereturnswithabeautifulyounggirl，adollwhowouldhaveshonelikethesunhadshebeencoiffed。Shehadwithheragoat；abigbilly-
goat，whetherblackorwhite，Inolongerremember。Thatsetmetothinking。Thegirldoesnotconcernme，butthegoat！Ilovenotthosebeasts，theyhaveabeardandhorns。
Theyaresolikeaman。Andthen，theysmackofthewitches，sabbath。However，Isaynothing。Ihadthecrown。Thatisright，isitnot，MonsieurJudge？Ishowthecaptainandthewenchtotheupperchamber，andIleavethemalone；
thatistosay，withthegoat。Igodownandsettospinningagain——Imustinformyouthatmyhousehasagroundfloorandstoryabove。IknownotwhyIfelltothinkingofthesurlymonkwhomthegoathadputintomyheadagain，andthenthebeautifulgirlwasratherstrangelydeckedout。Allatonce，Ihearacryupstairs，andsomethingfallsonthefloorandthewindowopens。Iruntominewhichisbeneathit，andIbeholdablackmasspassbeforemyeyesandfallintothewater。Itwasaphantomcladlikeapriest。Itwasamoonlightnight。Isawhimquiteplainly。Hewasswimminginthedirectionofthecity。Then，allofatremble，I
callthewatch。Thegentlemenofthepoliceenter，andnotknowingjustatthefirstmomentwhatthematterwas，andbeingmerry，theybeatme。Iexplaintothem。Wegoupstairs，andwhatdowefind？mypoorchamberallblood，thecaptainstretchedoutatfulllengthwithadaggerinhisneck，thegirlpretendingtobedead，andthegoatallinafright。
’Prettywork！’Isay，’Ishallhavetowashthatfloorformorethanafortnight。Itwillhavetobescraped；itwillbeaterriblejob。’Theycarriedofftheofficer，pooryoungman，andthewenchwithherbosomallbare。Butwait，theworstisthatonthenextday，whenIwantedtotakethecrowntobuytripe，Ifoundadeadleafinitsplace。\"
Theoldwomanceased。Amurmurofhorrorranthroughtheaudience。
\"Thatphantom，thatgoat，——allsmacksofmagic，\"saidoneofGringoire’sneighbors。
\"Andthatdryleaf！\"addedanother。
\"Nodoubtaboutit，\"joinedinathird，\"sheisawitchwhohasdealingswiththesurlymonk，forthepurposeofplunderingofficers。\"
Gringoirehimselfwasnotdisinclinedtoregardthisasaltogetheralarmingandprobable。
\"GoodyFalourdel，\"saidthepresidentmajestically，\"haveyounothingmoretocommunicatetothecourt？\"
\"No，monseigneur，\"repliedthecrone，\"exceptthatthereporthasdescribedmyhouseasahovelandstinking；whichisanoutrageousfashionofspeaking。Thehousesonthebridgearenotimposing，becausetherearesuchmultitudesofpeople；but，nevertheless，thebutcherscontinuetodwellthere，whoarewealthyfolk，andmarriedtoveryproperandhandsomewomen。\"
ThemagistratewhohadremindedGringoireofacrocodilerose，——
\"Silence！\"saidhe。\"Ipraythegentlemennottolosesightofthefactthatadaggerwasfoundonthepersonoftheaccused。GoodyFalourdel，haveyoubroughtthatleafintowhichthecrownwhichthedemongaveyouwastransformed？
\"Yes，monseigneur，\"shereplied；\"Ifounditagain。Hereitis。\"
Abailiffbandedthedeadleaftothecrocodile，whomadeadolefulshakeofthehead，andpasseditontothepresident，whogaveittotheprocuratorofthekingintheecclesiasticalcourt，andthusitmadethecircuitofthehail。
\"Itisabirchleaf，\"saidMasterJacquesCharmolue。\"A
freshproofofmagic。
Acounsellortookuptheword。
\"Witness，twomenwentupstairstogetherinyourhouse:
theblackman，whomyoufirstsawdisappearandafterwardsswimmingintheSeine，withhispriestlygarments，andtheofficer。Whichofthetwohandedyouthecrown？\"
Theoldwomanponderedforamomentandthensaid，——
\"Theofficer。\"
Amurmurranthroughthecrowd。
\"Ah！\"thoughtGringoire，\"thismakessomedoubtinmymind。\"
ButMasterPhilippeLheulier，advocateextraordinarytotheking，interposedoncemore。
\"Iwillrecalltothesegentlemen，thatinthedepositiontakenathisbedside，theassassinatedofficer，whiledeclaringthathehadavagueideawhentheblackmanaccostedhimthatthelattermightbethesurlymonk，addedthatthephantomhadpressedhimeagerlytogoandmakeacquaintancewiththeaccused；anduponhis，thecaptain’s，remarkingthathehadnomoney，hehadgivenhimthecrownwhichthesaidofficerpaidtolaFalourdel。Hence，thatcrownisthemoneyofhell。\"
ThisconclusiveobservationappearedtodissipateallthedoubtsofGringoireandtheotherscepticsintheaudience。
\"Youhavethedocuments，gentlemen，\"addedtheking’sadvocate，ashetookhisseat；\"youcanconsultthetestimonyofPhoebusdeChateaupers。\"
Atthatname，theaccusedsprangup，herheadroseabovethethrong。GringoirewithhorrorrecognizedlaEsmeralda。
Shewaspale；hertresses，formerlysogracefullybraidedandspangledwithsequins，hungindisorder；herlipswereblue，herholloweyeswereterrible。Alas！
\"Phoebus！\"shesaid，inbewilderment；\"whereishe？O
messeigneurs！beforeyoukillme，tellme，forpitysake，whetherhestilllives？\"
\"Holdyourtongue，woman，\"repliedthepresident，\"thatisnoaffairofours。\"
\"Oh！formercy’ssake，tellmeifheisalive！\"sherepeated，claspingherbeautifulemaciatedhands；andthesoundofherchainsincontactwithherdress，washeard。
\"Well！\"saidtheking’sadvocateroughly，\"heisdying。
Areyousatisfied？\"
Theunhappygirlfellbackonhercriminal’sseat，speechless，tearless，whiteasawaxfigure。
Thepresidentbentdowntoamanathisfeet，whoworeagoldcapandablackgown，achainonhisneckandawandinhishand。
\"Bailiff，bringinthesecondaccused。\"
Alleyesturnedtowardsasmalldoor，whichopened，and，tothegreatagitationofGringoire，gavepassagetoaprettygoatwithhornsandhoofsofgold。Theelegantbeasthaltedforamomentonthethreshold，stretchingoutitsneckasthough，perchedonthesummitofarock，ithadbeforeitseyesanimmensehorizon。Suddenlyitcaughtsightofthegypsygirl，andleapingoverthetableandtheheadofaclerk，intwoboundsitwasatherknees；thenitrolledgracefullyonitsmistress’sfeet，solicitingawordoracaress；buttheaccusedremainedmotionless，andpoorDjalihimselfobtainednotaglance。
\"Eh，why——’tismyvillanousbeast，\"saidoldFalourdel，\"Irecognizethetwoperfectly！\"
JacquesCharmolueinterfered。
\"Ifthegentlemenplease，wewillproceedtotheexaminationofthegoat。\"Hewas，infact，thesecondcriminal。
Nothingmoresimpleinthosedaysthanasuitofsorceryinstitutedagainstananimal。Wefind，amongothersintheaccountsoftheprovost’sofficefor1466，acuriousdetailconcerningtheexpensesofthetrialofGillet-Soulartandhissow，\"executedfortheirdemerits，\"atCorbeil。Everythingisthere，thecostofthepensinwhichtoplacethesow，thefivehundredbundlesofbrushwoodpurchasedattheportofMorsant，thethreepintsofwineandthebread，thelastrepastofthevictimfraternallysharedbytheexecutioner，downtotheelevendaysofguardandfoodforthesow，ateightdeniersparisiseach。Sometimes，theywentevenfurtherthananimals。
ThecapitulariesofCharlemagneandofLouisleDébonnaireimposeseverepenaltiesonfieryphantomswhichpresumetoappearintheair。
Meanwhiletheprocuratorhadexclaimed:\"Ifthedemonwhichpossessesthisgoat，andwhichhasresistedallexorcisms，persistsinitsdeedsofwitchcraft，ifitalarmsthecourtwiththem，wewarnitthatweshallbeforcedtoputinrequisitionagainstitthegallowsorthestake。
Gringoirebrokeoutintoacoldperspiration。Charmoluetookfromthetablethegypsy’stambourine，andpresentingittothegoat，inacertainmanner，askedthelatter，——
\"Whato’clockisit？\"
Thegoatlookedatitwithanintelligenteye，raiseditsgildedhoof，andstrucksevenblows。
Itwas，infact，seveno’clock。Amovementofterrorranthroughthecrowd。
Gringoirecouldnotendureit。
\"Heisdestroyinghimself！\"hecriedaloud；\"Youseewellthathedoesnotknowwhatheisdoing。\"
\"Silenceamongtheloutsattheendofthehail！\"saidthebailiffsharply。
JacquesCharmolue，bytheaidofthesamemanoeuvresofthetambourine，madethegoatperformmanyothertricksconnectedwiththedateoftheday，themonthoftheyear，etc。，whichthereaderhasalreadywitnessed。And，byvirtueofanopticalillusionpeculiartojudicialproceedings，thesesamespectatorswhohad，probably，morethanonceapplaudedinthepublicsquareDjali’sinnocentmagicwereterrifiedbyitbeneaththeroofofthePalaisdeJustice。Thegoatwasundoubtedlythedevil。
Itwasfarworsewhentheprocuratoroftheking，havingemptieduponaflooracertainbagfilledwithmovableletters，whichDjaliworeroundhisneck，theybeheldthegoatextractwithhishooffromthescatteredalphabetthefatalnameofPhoebus。Thewitchcraftofwhichthecaptainhadbeenthevictimappearedirresistiblydemonstrated，andintheeyesofall，thegypsy，thatravishingdancer，whohadsooftendazzledthepassers-bywithhergrace，wasnolongeranythingbutafrightfulvampire。
However，shebetrayednosignoflife；neitherDjali’sgracefulevolutions，northemenacesofthecourt，northesuppressedimprecationsofthespectatorsanylongerreachedhermind。
Inordertoarouseher，apoliceofficerwasobligedtoshakeherunmercifully，andthepresidenthadtoraisehisvoice，——\"Girl，youareoftheBohemianrace，addictedtodeedsofwitchcraft。You，incomplicitywiththebewitchedgoatimplicatedinthissuit，duringthenightofthetwenty-ninthofMarchlast，murderedandstabbed，inconcertwiththepowersofdarkness，bytheaidofcharmsandunderhandpractices，acaptainoftheking’sarchesofthewatch，PhoebusdeChateaupers。Doyoupersistindenyingit？\"
\"Horror！\"exclaimedtheyounggirl，hidingherfaceinherhands。\"MyPhoebus！Oh，thisishell！\"
\"Doyoupersistinyourdenial？\"demandedthepresidentcoldly。
\"DoIdenyit？\"shesaidwithterribleaccents；andsherosewithflashingeyes。
Thepresidentcontinuedsquarely，——
\"Thenhowdoyouexplainthefactslaidtoyourcharge？\"
Sherepliedinabrokenvoice，——
\"Ihavealreadytoldyou。Idonotknow。’Twasapriest，apriestwhomIdonotknow；aninfernalpriestwhopursuesme！\"
\"Thatisit，\"retortedthejudge；\"thesurlymonk。\"
\"Oh，gentlemen！havemercy！Iambutapoorgirl——\"
\"OfEgypt，\"saidthejudge。
MasterJacquesCharmolueinterposedsweetly，——
\"Inviewofthesadobstinacyoftheaccused，Idemandtheapplicationofthetorture。\"
\"Granted，\"saidthepresident。
Theunhappygirlquiveredineverylimb。Butsheroseatthecommandofthemenwithpartisans，andwalkedwithatolerablyfirmstep，precededbyCharmolueandthepriestsoftheofficiality，betweentworowsofhalberds，towardsamedium-sizeddoorwhichsuddenlyopenedandclosedagainbehindher，andwhichproduceduponthegrief-strickenGringoiretheeffectofahorriblemouthwhichhadjustdevouredher。
Whenshedisappeared，theyheardaplaintivebleating；itwasthelittlegoatmourning。
Thesittingofthecourtwassuspended。Acounsellorhavingremarkedthatthegentlemenwerefatigued，andthatitwouldbealongtimetowaituntilthetorturewasatanend，thepresidentrepliedthatamagistratemustknowhowtosacrificehimselftohisduty。
\"Whatanannoyingandvexatioushussy，\"saidanagedjudge，\"togetherselfputtothequestionwhenonehasnotsupped！\"
CHAPTERII。
CONTINUATIONOFTHECROWNWHICHWASCHANGEDINTOADRYLEAF。
Afterascendinganddescendingseveralstepsinthecorridors，whichweresodarkthattheywerelightedbylampsatmid-day，LaEsmeralda，stillsurroundedbyherlugubriousescort，wasthrustbythepoliceintoagloomychamber。
Thischamber，circularinform，occupiedthegroundfloorofoneofthosegreattowers，which，eveninourowncentury，stillpiercethroughthelayerofmodernedificeswithwhichmodernParishascoveredancientParis。Therewerenowindowstothiscellar；nootheropeningthantheentrance，whichwaslow，andclosedbyanenormousirondoor。Nevertheless，lightwasnotlacking；afurnacehadbeenconstructedinthethicknessofthewall；alargefirewaslightedthere，whichfilledthevaultwithitscrimsonreflectionsanddeprivedamiserablecandle，whichstoodinonecorner，ofallradiance。Theirongratingwhichservedtoclosetheoven，beingraisedatthatmoment，allowedonlyaviewatthemouthoftheflamingvent-holeinthedarkwall，thelowerextremityofitsbars，likearowofblackandpointedteeth，setflatapart；whichmadethefurnaceresembleoneofthosemouthsofdragonswhichspoutforthflamesinancientlegends。Bythelightwhichescapedfromit，theprisonerbeheld，allabouttheroom，frightfulinstrumentswhoseuseshedidnotunderstand。Inthecentrelayaleathermattress，placedalmostflatupontheground，overwhichhungastrapprovidedwithabuckle，attachedtoabrassringinthemouthofaflat-nosedmonstercarvedinthekeystoneofthevault。
Tongs，pincers，largeploughshares，filledtheinteriorofthefurnace，andglowedinaconfusedheaponthecoals。Thesanguinelightofthefurnaceilluminatedinthechamberonlyaconfusedmassofhorriblethings。
ThisTartaruswascalledsimply，TheQuestionChamber。
Onthebed，inanegligentattitude，satPierratTorterue，theofficialtorturer。Hisunderlings，twognomeswithsquarefaces，leatheraprons，andlinenbreeches，weremovingtheironinstrumentsonthecoals。
Invaindidthepoorgirlsummonuphercourage；onenteringthischambershewasstrickenwithhorror。
Thesergeantsofthebailiffofthecourtsdrewupinlineononeside，thepriestsoftheofficialityontheother。Aclerk，inkhorn，andatablewereinonecorner。
MasterJacquesCharmolueapproachedthegypsywithaverysweetsmile。
\"Mydearchild，\"saidhe，\"doyoustillpersistinyourdenial？\"
\"Yes，\"shereplied，inadyingvoice。
\"Inthatcase，\"repliedCharmolue，\"itwillbeverypainfulforustohavetoquestionyoumoreurgentlythanweshouldlike。Praytakethetroubletoseatyourselfonthisbed。
MasterPierrat，makeroomformademoiselle，andclosethedoor。\"
Pierratrosewithagrowl。
\"IfIshutthedoor，\"hemuttered，\"myfirewillgoout。\"
\"Well，mydearfellow，\"repliedCharmolue，\"leaveitopenthen。\"
Meanwhile，laEsmeraldahadremainedstanding。Thatleatherbedonwhichsomanyunhappywretcheshadwrithed，frightenedher。Terrorchilledtheverymarrowofherbones；
shestoodtherebewilderedandstupefied。AtasignfromCharmolue，thetwoassistantstookherandplacedherinasittingpostureonthebed。Theydidhernoharm；butwhenthesementouchedher，whenthatleathertouchedher，shefeltallherbloodretreattoherheart。Shecastafrightenedlookaroundthechamber。Itseemedtoherasthoughshebeheldadvancingfromallquarterstowardsher，withtheintentionofcrawlingupherbodyandbitingandpinchingher，allthosehideousimplementsoftorture，whichascomparedtotheinstrumentsofallsortsshehadhithertoseen，werelikewhatbats，centipedes，andspidersareamonginsectsandbirds。
\"Whereisthephysician？\"askedCharmolue。
\"Here，\"repliedablackgownwhomshehadnotbeforenoticed。
Sheshuddered。
\"Mademoiselle，\"resumedthecaressingvoiceoftheprocucratoroftheEcclesiasticalcourt，\"forthethirdtime，doyoupersistindenyingthedeedsofwhichyouareaccused？\"
Thistimeshecouldonlymakeasignwithherhead。
\"Youpersist？\"saidJacquesCharmolue。\"Thenitgrievesmedeeply，butImustfulfilmyoffice。\"
\"MonsieurleProcureurduRoi，\"saidPierratabruptly，\"Howshallwebegin？\"
Charmoluehesitatedforamomentwiththeambiguousgrimaceofapoetinsearchofarhyme。
\"Withtheboot，\"hesaidatlast。
TheunfortunategirlfeltherselfsoutterlyabandonedbyGodandmen，thatherheadfelluponherbreastlikeaninertthingwhichhasnopowerinitself。
Thetormentorandthephysicianapproachedhersimultaneously。
Atthesametime，thetwoassistantsbegantofumbleamongtheirhideousarsenal。
Attheclankingoftheirfrightfulirons，theunhappychildquiveredlikeadeadfrogwhichisbeinggalvanized。\"Oh！\"
shemurmured，solowthatnooneheardher；\"Oh，myPhoebus！\"
Thenshefellbackoncemoreintoherimmobilityandhermarblesilence。Thisspectaclewouldhaverentanyotherheartthanthoseofherjudges。Onewouldhavepronouncedherapoorsinfulsoul，beingtorturedbySatanbeneaththescarletwicketofhell。Themiserablebodywhichthatfrightfulswarmofsaws，wheels，andrackswereabouttoclaspintheirclutches，thebeingwhowasabouttobemanipulatedbytheharshhandsofexecutionersandpincers，wasthatgentle，white，fragilecreature，apoorgrainofmilletwhichhumanjusticewashandingovertotheterriblemillsoftorturetogrind。Meanwhile，thecalloushandsofPierratTorterue’sassistantshadbaredthatcharmingleg，thattinyfoot，whichhadsooftenamazedthepassers-bywiththeirdelicacyandbeauty，inthesquaresofParis。
\"’Tisashame！\"mutteredthetormentor，glancingatthesegracefulanddelicateforms。
Hadthearchdeaconbeenpresent，hecertainlywouldhaverecalledatthatmomenthissymbolofthespiderandthefly。
Soontheunfortunategirl，throughamistwhichspreadbeforehereyes，beheldthebootapproach；shesoonbeheldherfootencasedbetweenironplatesdisappearinthefrightfulapparatus。
Thenterrorrestoredherstrength。
\"Takethatoff！\"shecriedangrily；anddrawingherselfup，withherhairalldishevelled:\"Mercy！\"
Shedartedfromthebedtoflingherselfatthefeetoftheking’sprocurator，butherlegwasfastintheheavyblockofoakandiron，andshesankdownupontheboot，morecrushedthanabeewithalumpofleadonitswing。
AtasignfromCharmolue，shewasreplacedonthebed，andtwocoarsehandsadjustedtoherdelicatewaistthestrapwhichhungfromtheceiling。
\"Forthelasttime，doyouconfessthefactsinthecase？\"
demandedCharmolue，withhisimperturbablebenignity。
\"Iaminnocent。\"
\"Then，mademoiselle，howdoyouexplainthecircumstancelaidtoyourcharge？\"
\"Alas，monseigneur，Idonotknow。\"
\"Soyoudenythem？\"
\"All！\"
\"Proceed，\"saidCharmoluetoPierrat。
Pierratturnedthehandleofthescrew-jack，thebootwascontracted，andtheunhappygirlutteredoneofthosehorriblecrieswhichhavenoorthographyinanyhumanlanguage。
\"Stop！\"saidCharmoluetoPierrat。\"Doyouconfess？\"
hesaidtothegypsy。
\"All！\"criedthewretchedgirl。\"Iconfess！Iconfess！Mercy！\"
Shehadnotcalculatedherstrengthwhenshefacedthetorture。Poorchild，whoselifeuptothattimehadbeensojoyous，sopleasant，sosweet，thefirstpainhadconqueredher！
\"Humanityforcesmetotellyou，\"remarkedtheking’sprocurator，\"thatinconfessing，itisdeaththatyoumustexpect。\"
\"Icertainlyhopeso！\"saidshe。Andshefellbackupontheleatherbed，dying，doubledup，allowingherselftohangsuspendedfromthestrapbuckledroundherwaist。
\"Come，fairone，holdupalittle，\"saidMasterPierrat，raisingher。\"YouhavetheairofthelamboftheGoldenFleecewhichhangsfromMonsieurdeBourgogne’sneck。\"
JacquesCharmolueraisedhisvoice，\"Clerk，write。YoungBohemianmaid，youconfessyourparticipationinthefeasts，witches’sabbaths，andwitchcraftsofhell，withghosts，hags，andvampires？Answer。\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，solowthatherwordswerelostinherbreathing。
\"YouconfesstohavingseentheramwhichBeelzebubcausestoappearinthecloudstocalltogetherthewitches’sabbath，andwhichisbeheldbysocerersalone？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"YouconfesstohavingadoredtheheadsofBophomet，thoseabominableidolsoftheTemplars？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Tohavinghadhabitualdealingswiththedevilundertheformofagoatfamiliar，joinedwithyouinthesuit？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Lastly，youavowandconfesstohaving，withtheaidofthedemon，andofthephantomvulgarlyknownasthesurlymonk，onthenightofthetwenty-ninthofMarchlast，murderedandassassinatedacaptainnamedPhoebusdeChateaupers？\"
Sheraisedherlarge，staringeyestothemagistrate，andreplied，asthoughmechanically，withoutconvulsionoragitation，——
\"Yes。\"
Itwasevidentthateverythingwithinherwasbroken。
\"Write，clerk，\"saidCharmolue。And，addressingthetorturers，\"Releasetheprisoner，andtakeherbacktothecourt。\"
Whentheprisonerhadbeen\"unbooted，\"theprocuratoroftheecclesiasticalcourtexaminedherfoot，whichwasstillswollenwithpain。\"Come，\"saidhe，\"there’snogreatharmdone。Youshriekedingoodseason。Youcouldstilldance，mybeauty！\"
Thenheturnedtohisacolytesoftheofficiality，——
\"Beholdjusticeenlightenedatlast！Thisisasolace，gentlemen！Madamoisellewillbearuswitnessthatwehaveactedwithallpossiblegentleness。\"
CHAPTERIII。
ENDOFTHECROWNWHICHWASTURNEDINTOADRYLEAF。
Whenshere-enteredtheaudiencehall，paleandlimping，shewasreceivedwithageneralmurmurofpleasure。Onthepartoftheaudiencetherewasthefeelingofimpatiencegratifiedwhichoneexperiencesatthetheatreattheendofthelastentr’acteofthecomedy，whenthecurtainrisesandtheconclusionisabouttobegin。Onthepartofthejudges，itwasthehopeofgettingtheirsupperssooner。
Thelittlegoatalsobleatedwithjoy。Hetriedtoruntowardshismistress，buttheyhadtiedhimtothebench。
Nightwasfullysetin。Thecandles，whosenumberhadnotbeenincreased，castsolittlelight，thatthewallsofthehallcouldnotbeseen。Theshadowsthereenvelopedallobjectsinasortofmist。Afewapatheticfacesofjudgesalonecouldbedimlydiscerned。Oppositethem，attheextremityofthelonghail，theycouldseeavaguelywhitepointstandingoutagainstthesombrebackground。Thiswastheaccused。
Shehaddraggedherselftoherplace。WhenCharmoluehadinstalledhimselfinamagisterialmannerinhisown，heseatedhimself，thenroseandsaid，withoutexhibitingtoomuchself-complacencyathissuccess，——\"Theaccusedhasconfessedall。\"
\"Bohemiangirl，\"thepresidentcontinued，\"haveyouavowedallyourdeedsofmagic，prostitution，andassassinationonPhoebusdeChateaupers。\"
Herheartcontracted。Shewasheardtosobamidthedarkness。
\"Anythingyoulike，\"sherepliedfeebly，\"butkillmequickly！\"
\"Monsieur，procuratorofthekingintheecclesiasticalcourts，\"saidthepresident，\"thechamberisreadytohearyouinyourcharge。\"
MasterCharmolueexhibitedanalarmingnotebook，andbegantoread，withmanygesturesandtheexaggeratedaccentuationofthepleader，anorationinLatin，whereinalltheproofsofthesuitwerepiledupinCiceronianperiphrases，flankedwithquotationsfromPlautus，hisfavoritecomicauthor。Weregretthatwearenotabletooffertoourreadersthisremarkablepiece。Theoratorpronounceditwithmarvellousaction。Beforehehadfinishedtheexordium，theperspirationwasstartingfromhisbrow，andhiseyesfromhisbead。
Allatonce，inthemiddleofafineperiod，heinterruptedhimself，andhisglance，ordinarilysogentleandevenstupid，becamemenacing。
\"Gentlemen，\"heexclaimed(thistimeinFrench，foritwasnotinhiscopybook)，\"Satanissomixedupinthisaffair，thathereheispresentatourdebates，andmakingsportoftheirmajesty。Behold！\"
Sosaying，hepointedtothelittlegoat，who，onseeingCharmoluegesticulating，had，inpointoffact，thoughtitappropriatetodothesame，andhadseatedhimselfonhishaunches，reproducingtothebestofhisability，withhisforepawsandhisbeardedheadthepatheticpantomineoftheking’sprocuratorintheecclesiasticalcourt。Thiswas，ifthereaderremembers，oneofhisprettiestaccomplishments。Thisincident，thislastproof，producedagreateffect。Thegoat’shoofsweretied，andtheking’sprocuratorresumedthethreadofhiseloquence。
Itwasverylong，buttheperorationwasadmirable。Hereistheconcludingphrase；letthereaderaddthehoarsevoiceandthebreathlessgesturesofMasterCharmolue，\"~Ideo，domni，coramstrygademonstrata，criminepatente，intentionecriminisexistente，innorninesanctoeecclesioeNostroe-
DominceParisiensisquoeestinsaisinahabendiomnimodamaltametbassamjustitiaminillahacintemerataCivitatisinsula，tenoreproesentiumdeclaremusnosrequirere，primo，aliquamdampecuniariamindemnitatem；secundo，amendationemhonorabilemanteportaliummaximumNostroe-Dominoe，ecclesioecathedralis；
tertio，sententianiinvirtutecujusistastyrgacumsuacapella，seuintriviovulgariterdicto~laGrève，~seuininsulaexeunteinfluvioSecanoe，juxtapointamjuardiniregalis，executatoesint~！\"*
*Thesubstanceofthisexordiumiscontainedinthepresident’ssentence。
Heputonhiscapagainandseatedhimself。
\"Eheu！\"sighedthebroken-heartedGringoire，\"~bassalatinitas~——bastardlatin！\"
Anothermaninablackgownroseneartheaccused；hewasherlawyer——Thejudges，whowerefasting，begantogrumble。
\"Advocate，bebrief，\"saidthepresident。
\"MonsieurthePresident，\"repliedtheadvocate，\"sincethedefendanthasconfessedthecrime，Ihaveonlyonewordtosaytothesegentlemen。HereisatextfromtheSaliclaw；
’Ifawitchhatheatenaman，andifshebeconvictedofit，sheshallpayafineofeightthousanddeniers，whichamounttotwohundredsousofgold。’Mayitpleasethechambertocondemnmyclienttothefine？\"
\"Anabrogatedtext，\"saidtheadvocateextraordinaryoftheking。
\"Nego，Idenyit，\"repliedtheadvocate。
\"Putittothevote！\"saidoneofthecouncillors；\"thecrimeismanifest，anditislate。\"
Theyproceededtotakeavotewithoutleavingtheroom。
Thejudgessignifiedtheirassentwithoutgivingtheirreasons，theywereinahurry。Theircappedheadswereseenuncoveringoneaftertheother，inthegloom，atthelugubriousquestionaddressedtothembythepresidentinalowvoice。Thepooraccusedhadtheappearanceoflookingatthem，buthertroubledeyenolongersaw。
Thentheclerkbegantowrite；thenhehandedalongparch-
menttothepresident。
Thentheunhappygirlheardthepeoplemoving，thepikesclashing，andafreezingvoicesayingtoher，——\"Bohemianwench，onthedaywhenitshallseemgoodtoourlordtheking，atthehourofnoon，youwillbetakeninatumbrel，inyourshift，withbarefeet，andaropeaboutyourneck，beforethegrandportalofNotre-Dame，andyouwilltheremakeanapologywithawaxtorchoftheweightoftwopoundsinyourhand，andthenceyouwillbeconductedtothePlacedeGrève，whereyouwillbehangedandstrangledonthetowngibbet；andlikewiseyourgoat；andyouwillpaytotheofficialthreelionsofgold，inreparationofthecrimesbyyoucommittedandbyyouconfessed，ofsorceryandmagic，debaucheryandmurder，uponthepersonoftheSieurPhoebusdeChateaupers。MayGodhavemercyonyoursoul！\"
\"Oh！’tisadream！\"shemurmured；andshefeltroughhandsbearingheraway。
CHAPTERIV。
~LASCIATEOGNISPERANZA~——LEAVEALLHOPEBEHIND，YEWHOENTERHERE。
IntheMiddleAges，whenanedificewascomplete，therewasalmostasmuchofitintheearthasaboveit。Unlessbuiltuponpiles，likeNotre-Dame，apalace，afortress，achurch，hadalwaysadoublebottom。Incathedrals，itwas，insomesort，anothersubterraneancathedral，low，dark，mysterious，blind，andmute，undertheuppernavewhichwasoverflowingwithlightandreverberatingwithorgansandbellsdayandnight。Sometimesitwasasepulchre。Inpalaces，infortresses，itwasaprison，sometimesasepulchrealso，sometimesbothtogether。Thesemightybuildings，whosemodeofformationandvegetationwehaveelsewhereexplained，hadnotsimplyfoundations，but，sotospeak，rootswhichranbranchingthroughthesoilinchambers，galleries，andstaircases，liketheconstructionabove。Thuschurches，palaces，fortresses，hadtheearthhalfwayuptheirbodies。
Thecellarsofanedificeformedanotheredifice，intowhichonedescendedinsteadofascending，andwhichextendeditssubterraneangroundsundertheexternalpilesofthemonument，likethoseforestsandmountainswhicharereversedinthemirror-likewatersofalake，beneaththeforestsandmountainsofthebanks。
AtthefortressofSaint-Antoine，atthePalaisdeJusticeofParis，attheLouvre，thesesubterraneanedificeswereprisons。
Thestoriesoftheseprisons，astheysankintothesoil，grewconstantlynarrowerandmoregloomy。Theyweresomanyzones，wheretheshadesofhorrorweregraduated。Dantecouldneverimagineanythingbetterforhishell。Thesetunnelsofcellsusuallyterminatedinasackofalowestdungeon，withavat-likebottom，whereDanteplacedSatan，wheresocietyplacedthosecondemnedtodeath。Amiserablehumanexistence，onceinterredthere；farewelllight，air，life，~ognisperanza~——everyhope；itonlycameforthtothescaffoldorthestake。Sometimesitrottedthere；humanjusticecalledthis\"forgetting。\"Betweenmenandhimself，thecondemnedmanfeltapileofstonesandjailersweighingdownuponhishead；andtheentireprison，themassivebastillewasnothingmorethananenormous，complicatedlock，whichbarredhimofffromtherestoftheworld。
Itwasinaslopingcavityofthisdescription，inthe~oubliettes~excavatedbySaint-Louis，inthe~inpace~oftheTournelle，thatlaEsmeraldahadbeenplacedonbeingcondemnedtodeath，throughfearofherescape，nodoubt，withthecolossalcourt-houseoverherhead。Poorfly，whocouldnothaveliftedevenoneofitsblocksofstone！
Assuredly，Providenceandsocietyhadbeenequallyunjust；
suchanexcessofunhappinessandoftorturewasnotnecessarytobreaksofrailacreature。
Thereshelay，lostintheshadows，buried，hidden，immured。
Anyonewhocouldhavebeheldherinthisstate，afterhavingseenherlaughanddanceinthesun，wouldhaveshuddered。
Coldasnight，coldasdeath，notabreathofairinhertresses，notahumansoundinherear，nolongerarayoflightinhereyes；snappedintwain，crushedwithchains，crouchingbesideajugandaloaf，onalittlestraw，inapoolofwater，whichwasformedunderherbythesweatingoftheprisonwalls；
withoutmotion，almostwithoutbreath，shehadnolongerthepowertosuffer；Phoebus，thesun，midday，theopenair，thestreetsofParis，thedanceswithapplause，thesweetbabblingsoflovewiththeofficer；thenthepriest，theoldcrone，thepoignard，theblood，thetorture，thegibbet；allthisdid，indeed，passbeforehermind，sometimesasacharmingandgoldenvision，sometimesasahideousnightmare；butitwasnolongeranythingbutavagueandhorriblestruggle，lostinthegloom，ordistantmusicplayedupaboveground，andwhichwasnolongeraudibleatthedepthwheretheunhappygirlhadfallen。
Sinceshehadbeenthere，shehadneitherwakednorslept。
Inthatmisfortune，inthatcell，shecouldnolongerdistinguishherwakinghoursfromslumber，dreamsfromreality，anymorethandayfromnight。Allthiswasmixed，broken，floating，disseminatedconfusedlyinherthought。Shenolongerfelt，shenolongerknew，shenolongerthought；atthemost，sheonlydreamed。Neverhadalivingcreaturebeenthrustmoredeeplyintonothingness。
Thusbenumbed，frozen，petrified，shehadbarelynoticedontwoorthreeoccasions，thesoundofatrapdooropeningsomewhereaboveher，withoutevenpermittingthepassageofalittlelight，andthroughwhichahandhadtossedherabitofblackbread。Nevertheless，thisperiodicalvisitofthejailerwasthesolecommunicationwhichwasleftherwithmankind。
Asinglethingstillmechanicallyoccupiedherear；aboveherhead，thedampnesswasfilteringthroughthemouldystonesofthevault，andadropofwaterdroppedfromthematregularintervals。Shelistenedstupidlytothenoisemadebythisdropofwaterasitfellintothepoolbesideher。
Thisdropofwaterfallingfromtimetotimeintothatpool，wastheonlymovementwhichstillwentonaroundher，theonlyclockwhichmarkedthetime，theonlynoisewhichreachedherofallthenoisemadeonthesurfaceoftheearth。
Totellthewhole，however，shealsofelt，fromtimetotime，inthatcesspoolofmireanddarkness，somethingcoldpassingoverherfootorherarm，andsheshuddered。
Howlonghadshebeenthere？Shedidnotknow。Shehadarecollectionofasentenceofdeathpronouncedsomewhere，againstsomeone，thenofhavingbeenherselfcarriedaway，andofwakingupindarknessandsilence，chilledtotheheart。Shehaddraggedherselfalongonherhands。
Thenironringsthatcutherankles，andchainshadrattled。
Shehadrecognizedthefactthatallaroundherwaswall，thatbelowhertherewasapavementcoveredwithmoistureandatrussofstraw；butneitherlampnorair-hole。Thenshehadseatedherselfonthatstrawand，sometimes，forthesakeofchangingherattitude，onthelaststonestepinherdungeon。
Forawhileshehadtriedtocounttheblackminutesmeasuredoffforherbythedropofwater；butthatmelancholylaborofanailingbrainhadbrokenoffofitselfinherhead，andhadleftherinstupor。
Atlength，oneday，oronenight，(formidnightandmiddaywereofthesamecolorinthatsepulchre)，sheheardaboveheraloudernoisethanwasusuallymadebytheturnkeywhenhebroughtherbreadandjugofwater。Sheraisedherhead，andbeheldarayofreddishlightpassingthroughthecrevicesinthesortoftrapdoorcontrivedintheroofofthe~inpace~。
Atthesametime，theheavylockcreaked，thetrapgratedonitsrustyhinges，turned，andshebeheldalantern，ahand，andthelowerportionsofthebodiesoftwomen，thedoorbeingtoolowtoadmitofherseeingtheirheads。Thelightpainedhersoacutelythatsheshuthereyes。
Whensheopenedthemagainthedoorwasclosed，thelanternwasdepositedononeofthestepsofthestaircase；amanalonestoodbeforeher。Amonk’sblackcloakfelltohisfeet，acowlofthesamecolorconcealedhisface。Nothingwasvisibleofhisperson，neitherfacenorhands。Itwasalong，blackshroudstandingerect，andbeneathwhichsomethingcouldbefeltmoving。Shegazedfixedlyforseveralminutesatthissortofspectre。Butneitherhenorshespoke。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemtwostatuesconfrontingeachother。Twothingsonlyseemedaliveinthatcavern；thewickofthelantern，whichsputteredonaccountofthedampnessoftheatmosphere，andthedropofwaterfromtheroof，whichcutthisirregularsputteringwithitsmonotonoussplash，andmadethelightofthelanternquiverinconcentricwavesontheoilywaterofthepool。
Atlasttheprisonerbrokethesilence。
\"Whoareyou？\"
\"Apriest。\"
Thewords，theaccent，thesoundofhisvoicemadehertremble。
Thepriestcontinued，inahollowvoice，——
\"Areyouprepared？\"
\"Forwhat？\"
\"Todie。\"
\"Oh！\"saidshe，\"willitbesoon？\"
\"To-morrow。\"
Herhead，whichhadbeenraisedwithjoy，fellbackuponherbreast。
\"’Tisveryfarawayyet！\"shemurmured；\"whycouldtheynothavedoneitto-day？\"
\"Thenyouareveryunhappy？\"askedthepriest，afterasilence。
\"Iamverycold，\"shereplied。
Shetookherfeetinherhands，agesturehabitualwithunhappywretcheswhoarecold，aswehavealreadyseeninthecaseoftherecluseoftheTour-Roland，andherteethchattered。
Thepriestappearedtocasthiseyesaroundthedungeonfrombeneathhiscowl。
\"Withoutlight！withoutfire！inthewater！itishorrible！\"
\"Yes，\"shereplied，withthebewilderedairwhichunhappinesshadgivenher。\"Thedaybelongstoeveryone，whydotheygivemeonlynight？\"
\"Doyouknow，\"resumedthepriest，afterafreshsilence，\"whyyouarehere？\"
\"IthoughtIknewonce，\"shesaid，passingherthinfingersoverhereyelids，asthoughtoaidhermemory，\"butIknownolonger。\"
Allatonceshebegantoweeplikeachild。
\"Ishouldliketogetawayfromhere，sir。Iamcold，Iamafraid，andtherearecreatureswhichcrawlovermybody。\"
\"Well，followme。\"
Sosaying，thepriesttookherarm。Theunhappygirlwasfrozentoherverysoul。Yetthathandproducedanimpressionofcolduponher。
\"Oh！\"shemurmured，\"’tistheicyhandofdeath。Whoareyou？\"
Thepriestthrewbackhiscowl；shelooked。Itwasthesinistervisagewhichhadsolongpursuedher；thatdemon’sheadwhichhadappearedatlaFalourdel’s，abovetheheadofheradoredPhoebus；thateyewhichshelasthadseenglitteringbesideadagger。
Thisapparition，alwayssofatalforher，andwhichhadthusdrivenheronfrommisfortunetomisfortune，eventotorture，rousedherfromherstupor。Itseemedtoherthatthesortofveilwhichhadlainthickuponhermemorywasrentaway。
Allthedetailsofhermelancholyadventure，fromthenocturnalsceneatlaFalourdel’stohercondemnationtotheTournelle，recurredtohermemory，nolongervagueandconfusedasheretofore，butdistinct，harsh，clear，palpitating，terrible。
Thesesouvenirs，halfeffacedandalmostobliteratedbyexcessofsuffering，wererevivedbythesombrefigurewhichstoodbeforeher，astheapproachoffirecausesletterstraceduponwhitepaperwithinvisibleink，tostartoutperfectlyfresh。Itseemedtoherthatallthewoundsofherheartopenedandbledsimultaneously。
\"Hah！\"shecried，withherhandsonhereyes，andaconvulsivetrembling，\"’tisthepriest！\"
Thenshedroppedherarmsindiscouragement，andremainedseated，withloweredhead，eyesfixedontheground，muteandstilltrembling。
Thepriestgazedatherwiththeeyeofahawkwhichhaslongbeensoaringinacirclefromtheheightsofheavenoverapoorlarkcoweringinthewheat，andhaslongbeensilentlycontractingtheformidablecirclesofhisflight，andhassuddenlyswoopeddownuponhispreylikeaflashoflightning，andholdsitpantinginhistalons。
Shebegantomurmurinalowvoice，——
\"Finish！finish！thelastblow！\"andshedrewherheaddowninterrorbetweenhershoulders，likethelambawaitingtheblowofthebutcher’saxe。
\"SoIinspireyouwithhorror？\"hesaidatlength。
Shemadenoreply。
\"DoIinspireyouwithhorror？\"herepeated。
Herlipscontracted，asthoughwithasmile。
\"Yes，\"saidshe，\"theheadsmanscoffsatthecondemned。
Herehehasbeenpursuingme，threateningme，terrifyingmeformonths！Haditnotbeenforhim，myGod，howhappyitshouldhavebeen！Itwashewhocastmeintothisabyss！
Ohheavens！itwashewhokilledhim！myPhoebus！\"
Here，burstingintosobs，andraisinghereyestothepriest，——
\"Oh！wretch，whoareyou？WhathaveIdonetoyou？
Doyouthen，hatemeso？Alas！whathaveyouagainstme？\"
\"Ilovethee！\"criedthepriest。
Hertearssuddenlyceased，shegazedathimwiththelookofanidiot。Hehadfallenonhiskneesandwasdevouringherwitheyesofflame。
\"Dostthouunderstand？Ilovethee！\"hecriedagain。
\"Whatlove！\"saidtheunhappygirlwithashudder。
Heresumed，——
\"Theloveofadamnedsoul。\"
Bothremainedsilentforseveralminutes，crushedbeneaththeweightoftheiremotions；hemaddened，shestupefied。
\"Listen，\"saidthepriestatlast，andasingularcalmhadcomeoverhim；\"youshallknowallIamabouttotellyouthatwhichIhavehithertohardlydaredtosaytomyself，whenfurtivelyinterrogatingmyconscienceatthosedeephoursofthenightwhenitissodarkthatitseemsasthoughGodnolongersawus。Listen。BeforeIknewyou，younggirl，Iwashappy。\"
\"SowasI！\"shesighedfeebly。
\"Donotinterruptme。Yes，Iwashappy，atleastIbelievedmyselftobeso。Iwaspure，mysoulwasfilledwithlimpidlight。Noheadwasraisedmoreproudlyandmoreradiantlythanmine。Priestsconsultedmeonchastity；doctors，ondoctrines。Yes，sciencewasallinalltome；itwasasistertome，andasistersufficed。Notbutthatwithageotherideascametome。Morethanoncemyfleshhadbeenmovedasawoman’sformpassedby。Thatforceofsexandbloodwhich，inthemadnessofyouth，IhadimaginedthatI
hadstifledforeverhad，morethanonce，convulsivelyraisedthechainofironvowswhichbindme，amiserablewretch，tothecoldstonesofthealtar。Butfasting，prayer，study，themortificationsofthecloister，renderedmysoulmistressofmybodyoncemore，andthenIavoidedwomen。Moreover，I
hadbuttoopenabook，andalltheimpuremistsofmybrainvanishedbeforethesplendorsofscience。Inafewmoments，Ifeltthegrossthingsofearthfleefaraway，andIfoundmyselfoncemorecalm，quieted，andserene，inthepresenceofthetranquilradianceofeternaltruth。Aslongasthedemonsenttoattackmeonlyvagueshadowsofwomenwhopassedoccasionallybeforemyeyesinchurch，inthestreets，inthefields，andwhohardlyrecurredtomydreams，Ieasilyvanquishedhim。Alas！ifthevictoryhasnotremainedwithme，itisthefaultofGod，whohasnotcreatedmanandthedemonofequalforce。Listen。Oneday——
Herethepriestpaused，andtheprisonerheardsighsofanguishbreakfromhisbreastwithasoundofthedeathrattle。
