Hevaguelyrecalledthispopulace，andthoughtthatherecognizedalltheheadswhohadsalutedhimasPopeoftheFoolssomemonthspreviously。Onemanwhoheldatorchinonehandandaclubintheother，mountedastonepostandseemedtobeharanguingthem。Atthesametimethestrangearmyexecutedseveralevolutions，asthoughitweretakingupitspostaroundthechurch。Quasimodopickeduphislanternanddescendedtotheplatformbetweenthetowers，inordertogetanearerview，andtospyoutameansofdefence。
ClopinTrouillefou，onarrivinginfrontoftheloftyportalofNotre-Damehad，infact，rangedhistroopsinorderofbattle。Althoughheexpectednoresistance，hewished，likeaprudentgeneral，topreserveanorderwhichwouldpermithimtoface，atneed，asuddenattackofthewatchorthepolice。Hehadaccordinglystationedhisbrigadeinsuchamannerthat，viewedfromaboveandfromadistance，onewouldhavepronouncedittheRomantriangleofthebattleofEcnomus，theboar’sheadofAlexanderorthefamouswedgeofGustavusAdolphus。ThebaseofthistrianglerestedonthebackofthePlaceinsuchamannerastobartheentranceoftheRueduParvis；oneofitssidesfacedH？tel-Dieu，theothertheRueSaint-Pierre-aux-Boeufs。ClopinTrouillefouhadplacedhimselfattheapexwiththeDukeofEgypt，ourfriendJehan，andthemostdaringofthescavengers。
AnenterpriselikethatwhichthevagabondswerenowundertakingagainstNotre-DamewasnotaveryrarethinginthecitiesoftheMiddleAges。Whatwenowcallthe\"police\"didnotexistthen。Inpopulouscities，especiallyincapitals，thereexistednosingle，central，regulatingpower。Feudalismhadconstructedthesegreatcommunitiesinasingularmanner。Acitywasanassemblyofathousandseigneuries，whichdivideditintocompartmentsofallshapesandsizes。Hence，athousandconflictingestablishmentsofpolice；thatistosay，nopoliceatall。InParis，forexample，independentlyofthehundredandforty-onelordswholaidclaimtoamanor，therewerefiveandtwentywholaidclaimtoamanorandtoadministeringjustice，fromtheBishopofParis，whohadfivehundredstreets，tothePriorofNotre-
DamedesChamps，whohadfour。Allthesefeudaljusticesrecognizedthesuzerainauthorityofthekingonlyinname。
Allpossessedtherightofcontrolovertheroads。Allwereathome。LouisXI。，thatindefatigableworker，whosolargelybeganthedemolitionofthefeudaledifice，continuedbyRichelieuandLouisXIV。fortheprofitofroyalty，andfinishedbyMirabeauforthebenefitofthepeople，——LouisXI。hadcertainlymadeanefforttobreakthisnetworkofseignorieswhichcoveredParis，bythrowingviolentlyacrossthemalltwoorthreetroopsofgeneralpolice。Thus，in1465，anordertotheinhabitantstolightcandlesintheirwindowsatnightfall，andtoshutuptheirdogsunderpenaltyofdeath；
inthesameyear，anordertoclosethestreetsintheeveningwithironchains，andaprohibitiontoweardaggersorweaponsofoffenceinthestreetsatnight。Butinaveryshorttime，alltheseeffortsatcommunallegislationfellintoabeyance。
Thebourgeoispermittedthewindtoblowouttheircandlesinthewindows，andtheirdogstostray；theironchainswerestretchedonlyinastateofsiege；theprohibitiontoweardaggerswroughtnootherchangesthanfromthenameoftheRueCoupe-GueuletothenameoftheRue-Coupe-Gorge*
whichisanevidentprogress。Theoldscaffoldingoffeudaljurisdictionsremainedstanding；animmenseaggregationofbailiwicksandseignoriescrossingeachotheralloverthecity，interferingwitheachother，entangledinoneanother，enmeshingeachother，trespassingoneachother；auselessthicketofwatches，sub-watchesandcounter-watches，overwhich，witharmedforce，passedbrigandage，rapine，andsedition。Hence，inthisdisorder，deedsofviolenceonthepartofthepopulacedirectedagainstapalace，ahotel，orhouseinthemostthicklypopulatedquarters，werenotunheard-ofoccurrences。Inthemajorityofsuchcases，theneighborsdidnotmeddlewiththematterunlessthepillagingextendedtothemselves。
Theystoppeduptheirearstothemusketshots，closedtheirshutters，barricadedtheirdoors，allowedthemattertobeconcludedwithorwithoutthewatch，andthenextdayitwassaidinParis，\"EtienneBarbettewasbrokenopenlastnight。
TheMarshaldeClermontwasseizedlastnight，etc。\"Hence，notonlytheroyalhabitations，theLouvre，thePalace，theBastille，theTournelles，butsimplyseignorialresidences，thePetit-Bourbon，theH？teldeSens，theH？teld’Angoulême，etc。，hadbattlementsontheirwalls，andmachicolationsovertheirdoors。Churcheswereguardedbytheirsanctity。Some，amongthenumberNotre-Dame，werefortified。TheAbbeyofSaint-German-des-Preswascastellatedlikeabaronialmansion，andmorebrassexpendedaboutitinbombardsthaninbells。Itsfortresswasstilltobeseenin1610。To-day，barelyitschurchremains。
*Cut-throat。Coupe-gueulebeingthevulgarwordforcut-weazand。
LetusreturntoNotre-Dame。
Whenthefirstarrangementswerecompleted，andwemustsay，tothehonorofvagabonddiscipline，thatClopin’sorderswereexecutedinsilence，andwithadmirableprecision，theworthychiefoftheband，mountedontheparapetofthechurchsquare，andraisedhishoarseandsurlyvoice，turningtowardsNotre-Dame，andbrandishinghistorchwhoselight，tossedbythewind，andveiledeverymomentbyitsownsmoke，madethereddishfa？adeofthechurchappearanddisappearbeforetheeye。
\"Toyou，LouisdeBeaumont，bishopofParis，counsellorintheCourtofParliament，I，ClopinTrouillefou，kingofThunes，grandCo？sre，princeofArgot，bishopoffools，Isay:Oursister，falselycondemnedformagic，hathtakenrefugeinyourchurch，youoweherasylumandsafety。NowtheCourtofParliamentwishestoseizeheroncemorethere，andyouconsenttoit；sothatshewouldbehangedto-morrowintheGrève，ifGodandtheoutcastswerenothere。Ifyourchurchissacred，soisoursister；ifoursisterisnotsacred，neitherisyourchurch。Thatiswhywecalluponyoutoreturnthegirlifyouwishtosaveyourchurch，orwewilltakepossessionofthegirlagainandpillagethechurch，whichwillbeagoodthing。IntokenofwhichIhereplantmybanner，andmayGodpreserveyou，bishopofParis，\"
Quasimodocouldnot，unfortunately，hearthesewordsutteredwithasortofsombreandsavagemajesty。AvagabondpresentedhisbannertoClopin，whoplanteditsolemnlybetweentwopaving-stones。Itwasapitchforkfromwhosepointshungableedingquarterofcarrionmeat。
Thatdone，theKingofThunesturnedroundandcasthiseyesoverhisarmy，afiercemultitudewhoseglancesflashedalmostequallywiththeirpikes。Afteramomentarypause，——\"Forward，mySons！\"hecried；\"towork，locksmiths！\"
Thirtyboldmen，squareshouldered，andwithpick-lockfaces，steppedfromtheranks，withhammers，pincers，andbarsofironontheirshoulders。Theybetookthemselvestotheprincipaldoorofthechurch，ascendedthesteps，andweresoontobeseensquattingunderthearch，workingatthedoorwithpincersandlevers；athrongofvagabondsfollowedthemtohelporlookon。Theelevenstepsbeforetheportalwerecoveredwiththem。
Butthedoorstoodfirm。\"Thedevil！’tishardandobstinate！\"saidone。\"Itisold，anditsgristleshavebecomebony，\"saidanother。\"Courage，comrades！\"resumedClopin。
\"Iwagermyheadagainstadipperthatyouwillhaveopenedthedoor，rescuedthegirl，anddespoiledthechiefaltarbeforeasinglebeadleisawake。Stay！IthinkI
hearthelockbreakingup。\"
Clopinwasinterruptedbyafrightfuluproarwhichre-
soundedbehindhimatthatmoment。Hewheeledround。
Anenormousbeamhadjustfallenfromabove；ithadcrushedadozenvagabondsonthepavementwiththesoundofacannon，breakinginaddition，legshereandthereinthecrowdofbeggars，whosprangasidewithcriesofterror。Inatwinkling，thenarrowprecinctsofthechurchparviswerecleared。Thelocksmiths，althoughprotectedbythedeepvaultsoftheportal，abandonedthedoorandClopinhimselfretiredtoarespectfuldistancefromthechurch。
\"Ihadanarrowescape！\"criedJehan。\"Ifeltthewind，ofit，~tête-de-boeuf~！butPierretheSlaughtererisslaughtered！\"
Itisimpossibletodescribetheastonishmentmingledwithfrightwhichfellupontheruffiansincompanywiththisbeam。
Theyremainedforseveralminuteswiththeireyesintheair，moredismayedbythatpieceofwoodthanbytheking’stwentythousandarchers。
\"Satan！\"mutteredtheDukeofEgypt，\"thissmacksofmagic！\"
\"’Tisthemoonwhichthrewthislogatus，\"saidAndrytheRed。
\"CallthemoonthefriendoftheVirgin，afterthat！\"wentonFrancoisChanteprune。
\"Athousandpopes！\"exclaimedClopin，\"youareallfools！\"Buthedidnotknowhowtoexplainthefallofthebeam。
Meanwhile，nothingcouldbedistinguishedonthefa？ade，towhosesummitthelightofthetorchesdidnotreach。Theheavybeamlayinthemiddleoftheenclosure，andgroanswereheardfromthepoorwretcheswhohadreceiveditsfirstshock，andwhohadbeenalmostcutintwain，ontheangleofthestonesteps。
TheKingofThunes，hisfirstamazementpassed，finallyfoundanexplanationwhichappearedplausibletohiscompanions。
\"ThroatofGod！arethecanonsdefendingthemselves？Tothesack，then！tothesack！\"
\"Tothesack！\"repeatedtherabble，withafurioushurrah。
Adischargeofcrossbowsandhackbutsagainstthefrontofthechurchfollowed。
Atthisdetonation，thepeaceableinhabitantsofthesurroundinghouseswokeup；manywindowswereseentoopen，andnightcapsandhandsholdingcandlesappearedatthecasements。
\"Fireatthewindows，\"shoutedClopin。Thewindowswereimmediatelyclosed，andthepoorbourgeois，whohadhardlyhadtimetocastafrightenedglanceonthissceneofgleamsandtumult，returned，perspiringwithfeartotheirwives，askingthemselveswhetherthewitches’sabbathwasnowbeingheldintheparvisofNotre-Dame，orwhethertherewasanassaultofBurgundians，asin’64。Thenthehusbandsthoughtoftheft；thewives，ofrape；andalltrembled。
\"Tothesack！\"repeatedthethieves’crew；buttheydarednotapproach。Theystaredatthebeam，theystaredatthechurch。Thebeamdidnotstir，theedificepreserveditscalmanddesertedair；butsomethingchilledtheoutcasts。
\"Towork，locksmiths！\"shoutedTrouillefou。\"Letthedoorbeforced！\"
Noonetookastep。
\"Beardandbelly！\"saidClopin，\"herebemenafraidofabeam。\"
Anoldlocksmithaddressedhim——
\"Captain，’tisnotthebeamwhichbothersus，’tisthedoor，whichisallcoveredwithironbars。Ourpincersarepowerlessagainstit。\"
\"Whatmoredoyouwanttobreakitin？\"demandedClopin。
\"Ah！weoughttohaveabatteringram。\"
TheKingofThunesranboldlytotheformidablebeam，andplacedhisfootuponit:\"Hereisone！\"heexclaimed；\"’tisthecanonswhosendittoyou。\"And，makingamockingsaluteinthedirectionofthechurch，\"Thanks，canons！\"
Thispieceofbravadoproduceditseffects，——thespellofthebeamwasbroken。Thevagabondsrecoveredtheircourage；
soontheheavyjoist，raisedlikeafeatherbytwohundredvigorousarms，wasflungwithfuryagainstthegreatdoorwhichtheyhadtriedtobatterdown。Atthesightofthatlongbeam，inthehalf-lightwhichtheinfrequenttorchesofthebrigandsspreadoverthePlace，thusbornebythatcrowdofmenwhodasheditatarunagainstthechurch，onewouldhavethoughtthathebeheldamonstrousbeastwithathousandfeetattackingwithloweredheadthegiantofstone。
Attheshockofthebeam，thehalfmetallicdoorsoundedlikeanimmensedrum；itwasnotburstin，butthewholecathedraltrembled，andthedeepestcavitiesoftheedificewereheardtoecho。
Atthesamemoment，ashoweroflargestonesbegantofallfromthetopofthefa？adeontheassailants。
\"Thedevil！\"criedJehan，\"arethetowersshakingtheirbalustradesdownonourheads？\"
Buttheimpulsehadbeengiven，theKingofThuneshadsettheexample。Evidently，thebishopwasdefendinghimself，andtheyonlybatteredthedoorwiththemorerage，inspiteofthestoneswhichcrackedskullsrightandleft。
Itwasremarkablethatallthesestonesfellonebyone；buttheyfollowedeachotherclosely。Thethievesalwaysfelttwoatatime，oneontheirlegsandoneontheirheads。Therewerefewwhichdidnotdealtheirblow，andalargelayerofdeadandwoundedlaybleedingandpantingbeneaththefeetoftheassailantswho，nowgrownfurious，replacedeachotherwithoutintermission。Thelongbeamcontinuedtobelaborthedoor，atregularintervals，liketheclapperofabell，thestonestoraindown，thedoortogroan。
ThereaderhasnodoubtdivinedthatthisunexpectedresistancewhichhadexasperatedtheoutcastscamefromQuasimodo。
Chancehad，unfortunately，favoredthebravedeafman。
Whenhehaddescendedtotheplatformbetweenthetowers，hisideaswereallinconfusion。Hehadrunupanddownalongthegalleryforseveralminuteslikeamadman，surveyingfromabove，thecompactmassofvagabondsreadytohurlitselfonthechurch，demandingthesafetyofthegypsyfromthedevilorfromGod。Thethoughthadoccurredtohimofascendingtothesouthernbelfryandsoundingthealarm，butbeforehecouldhavesetthebellinmotion，beforeMarie’svoicecouldhaveutteredasingleclamor，wastherenottimetoburstinthedoorofthechurchtentimesover？
Itwaspreciselythemomentwhenthelocksmithswereadvancinguponitwiththeirtools。Whatwastobedone？
Allatonce，herememberedthatsomemasonshadbeenatworkalldayrepairingthewall，thetimber-work，andtheroofofthesouthtower。Thiswasaflashoflight。Thewallwasofstone，theroofoflead，thetimber-workofwood。(Thatprodigioustimber-work，sodensethatitwascalled\"theforest。\")
Quasimodohastenedtothattower。Thelowerchamberswere，infact，fullofmaterials。Therewerepilesofroughblocksofstone，sheetsofleadinrolls，bundlesoflaths，heavybeamsalreadynotchedwiththesaw，heapsofplaster。
Timewaspressing，Thepikesandhammerswereatworkbelow。Withastrengthwhichthesenseofdangerincreasedtenfold，heseizedoneofthebeams——thelongestandheaviest；
hepusheditoutthroughaloophole，then，graspingitagainoutsideofthetower，hemadeitslidealongtheangleofthebalustradewhichsurroundstheplatform，andletitflyintotheabyss。Theenormoustimber，duringthatfallofahundredandsixtyfeet，scrapingthewall，breakingthecarvings，turnedmanytimesonitscentre，likethearmofawindmillflyingoffalonethroughspace。Atlastitreachedtheground，thehorriblecryarose，andtheblackbeam，asitreboundedfromthepavement，resembledaserpentleaping。
Quasimodobeheldtheoutcastsscatteratthefallofthebeam，likeashesatthebreathofachild。Hetookadvantageoftheirfright，andwhiletheywerefixingasuperstitiousglanceontheclubwhichhadfallenfromheaven，andwhiletheywereputtingouttheeyesofthestonesaintsonthefrontwithadischargeofarrowsandbuckshot，Quasimodowassilentlypilingupplaster，stones，androughblocksofstone，eventhesacksoftoolsbelongingtothemasons，ontheedgeofthebalustradefromwhichthebeamhadalreadybeenhurled。
Thus，assoonastheybegantobatterthegranddoor，theshowerofroughblocksofstonebegantofall，anditseemedtothemthatthechurchitselfwasbeingdemolishedovertheirheads。
AnyonewhocouldhavebeheldQuasimodoatthatmomentwouldhavebeenfrightened。Independentlyoftheprojectileswhichhehadpileduponthebalustrade，hehadcollectedaheapofstonesontheplatformitself。Asfastastheblocksontheexterioredgewereexhausted，hedrewontheheap。
Thenhestoopedandrose，stoopedandroseagainwithincredibleactivity。Hishugegnome’sheadbentoverthebalustrade，thenanenormousstonefell，thenanother，thenanother。
Fromtimetotime，hefollowedafinestonewithhiseye，andwhenitdidgoodexecution，hesaid，\"Hum！\"
Meanwhile，thebeggarsdidnotgrowdiscouraged。Thethickdooronwhichtheywereventingtheirfuryhadalreadytrembledmorethantwentytimesbeneaththeweightoftheiroakenbattering-ram，multipliedbythestrengthofahundredmen。Thepanelscracked，thecarvedworkflewintosplinters，thehinges，ateveryblow，leapedfromtheirpins，theplanksyawned，thewoodcrumbledtopowder，groundbetweentheironsheathing。FortunatelyforQuasimodo，therewasmoreironthanwood。
Nevertheless，hefeltthatthegreatdoorwasyielding。
Althoughhedidnothearit，everyblowoftheramreverberatedsimultaneouslyinthevaultsofthechurchandwithinit。
Fromabovehebeheldthevagabonds，filledwithtriumphandrage，shakingtheirfistsatthegloomyfa？ade；andbothonthegypsy’saccountandhisownheenviedthewingsoftheowlswhichflittedawayabovehisheadinflocks。
Hisshowerofstoneblockswasnotsufficienttorepeltheassailants。
Atthismomentofanguish，henoticed，alittlelowerdownthanthebalustradewhencehewascrushingthethieves，twolongstonegutterswhichdischargedimmediatelyoverthegreatdoor；theinternalorificeoftheseguttersterminatedonthepavementoftheplatform。Anideaoccurredtohim；heraninsearchofafagotinhisbellringer’sden，placedonthisfagotagreatmanybundlesoflaths，andmanyrollsoflead，munitionswhichhehadnotemployedsofar，andhavingarrangedthispileinfrontoftheholetothetwogutters，hesetitonfirewithhislantern。
Duringthistime，sincethestonesnolongerfell，theoutcastsceasedtogazeintotheair。Thebandits，pantinglikeapackofhoundswhoareforcingaboarintohislair，pressedtumultuouslyroundthegreatdoor，alldisfiguredbythebatteringram，butstillstanding。Theywerewaitingwithaquiverforthegreatblowwhichshouldsplititopen。Theyviedwitheachotherinpressingascloseaspossible，inordertodashamongthefirst，whenitshouldopen，intothatopulentcathedral，avastreservoirwherethewealthofthreecenturieshadbeenpiledup。Theyremindedeachotherwithroarsofexultationandgreedylust，ofthebeautifulsilvercrosses，thefinecopesofbrocade，thebeautifultombsofsilvergilt，thegreatmagnificencesofthechoir，thedazzlingfestivals，theChristmassessparklingwithtorches，theEasterssparklingwithsunshine，——allthosesplendidsolemnetieswhereinchandeliers，ciboriums，tabernacles，andreliquaries，studdedthealtarswithacrustofgoldanddiamonds。Certainly，atthatfinemoment，thievesandpseudosufferers，doctorsinstealing，andvagabonds，werethinkingmuchlessofdeliveringthegypsythanofpillagingNotre-Dame。WecouldeveneasilybelievethatforagoodlynumberamongthemlaEsmeraldawasonlyapretext，ifthievesneededpretexts。
Allatonce，atthemomentwhentheyweregroupingthemselvesroundtheramforalasteffort，eachoneholdinghisbreathandstiffeninghismusclesinordertocommunicateallhisforcetothedecisiveblow，ahowlmorefrightfulstillthanthatwhichhadburstforthandexpiredbeneaththebeam，roseamongthem。Thosewhodidnotcryout，thosewhowerestillalive，looked。Twostreamsofmeltedleadwerefallingfromthesummitoftheedificeintothethickestoftherabble。
Thatseaofmenhadjustsunkdownbeneaththeboilingmetal，whichhadmade，atthetwopointswhereitfell，twoblackandsmokingholesinthecrowd，suchashotwaterwouldmakeinsnow。Dyingmen，halfconsumedandgroaningwithanguish，couldbeseenwrithingthere。Aroundthesetwoprincipalstreamsthereweredropsofthathorriblerain，whichscatteredovertheassailantsandenteredtheirskullslikegimletsoffire。Itwasaheavyfirewhichoverwhelmedthesewretcheswithathousandhailstones。
Theoutcrywasheartrending。Theyfledpell-mell，hurlingthebeamuponthebodies，theboldestaswellasthemosttimid，andtheparviswasclearedasecondtime。
Alleyeswereraisedtothetopofthechurch。Theybeheldthereanextraordinarysight。Onthecrestofthehighestgallery，higherthanthecentralrosewindow，therewasagreatflamerisingbetweenthetwotowerswithwhirlwindsofsparks，avast，disordered，andfuriousflame，atongueofwhichwasborneintothesmokebythewind，fromtimetotime。Belowthatfire，belowthegloomybalustradewithitstrefoilsshowingdarklyagainstitsglare，twospoutswithmonsterthroatswerevomitingforthunceasinglythatburningrain，whosesilverystreamstoodoutagainsttheshadowsofthelowerfa？ade。Astheyapproachedtheearth，thesetwojetsofliquidleadspreadoutinsheaves，likewaterspringingfromthethousandholesofawatering-pot。Abovetheflame，theenormoustowers，twosidesofeachofwhichwerevisibleinsharpoutline，theonewhollyblack，theotherwhollyred，seemedstillmorevastwithalltheimmensityoftheshadowwhichtheycasteventothesky。
Theirinnumerablesculpturesofdemonsanddragonsassumedalugubriousaspect。Therestlesslightoftheflamemadethemmovetotheeye。Thereweregriffinswhichhadtheairoflaughing，gargoyleswhichonefanciedoneheardyelping，salamanderswhichpuffedatthefire，tarasques*
whichsneezedinthesmoke。Andamongthemonstersthusrousedfromtheirsleepofstonebythisflame，bythisnoise，therewasonewhowalkedabout，andwhowasseen，fromtimetotime，topassacrosstheglowingfaceofthepile，likeabatinfrontofacandle。
*TherepresentationofamonstrousanimalsolemnlydrawnaboutinTarasconandotherFrenchtowns。
Withoutdoubt，thisstrangebeaconlightwouldawakenfaraway，thewoodcutterofthehillsofBicêtre，terrifiedtobeholdthegiganticshadowofthetowersofNotre-Damequiveringoverhisheaths。
Aterrifiedsilenceensuedamongtheoutcasts，duringwhichnothingwasheard，butthecriesofalarmofthecanonsshutupintheircloister，andmoreuneasythanhorsesinaburningstable，thefurtivesoundofwindowshastilyopenedandstillmorehastilyclosed，theinternalhurly-burlyofthehousesandoftheH？tel-Dieu，thewindintheflame，thelastdeath-rattleofthedying，andthecontinuedcracklingoftherainofleaduponthepavement。
Inthemeanwhile，theprincipalvagabondshadretiredbeneaththeporchoftheGondelauriermansion，andwereholdingacouncilofwar。
TheDukeofEgypt，seatedonastonepost，contemplatedthephantasmagoricalbonfire，glowingataheightoftwohundredfeetintheair，withreligiousterror。ClopinTrouillefoubithishugefistswithrage。
\"Impossibletogetin！\"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。
\"Anold，enchantedchurch！\"grumbledtheagedBohemian，MathiasHungadiSpicali。
\"BythePope’swhiskers！\"wentonashamsoldier，whohadoncebeeninservice，\"herearechurchguttersspittingmeltedleadatyoubetterthanthemachicolationsofLectoure。\"
\"Doyouseethatdemonpassingandrepassinginfrontofthefire？\"exclaimedtheDukeofEgypt。
\"Pardieu，’tisthatdamnedbellringer，’tisQuasimodo，\"
saidClopin。
TheBohemiantossedhishead。\"Itellyou，that’tisthespiritSabnac，thegrandmarquis，thedemonoffortifications。
Hehastheformofanarmedsoldier，theheadofalion。
Sometimesheridesahideoushorse。Hechangesmenintostones，ofwhichhebuildstowers。Hecommandsfiftylegions’Tisheindeed；Irecognizehim。Sometimesheiscladinahandsomegoldenrobe，figuredaftertheTurkishfashion。\"
\"WhereisBellevignedel’Etoile？\"demandedClopin。
\"Heisdead。\"
AndrytheRedlaughedinanidioticway:\"Notre-Dameismakingworkforthehospital，\"saidhe。
\"Isthere，then，nowayofforcingthisdoor，\"exclaimedtheKingofThunes，stampinghisfoot。
TheDukeofEgyptpointedsadlytothetwostreamsofboilingleadwhichdidnotceasetostreaktheblackfacade，liketwolongdistaffsofphosphorus。
\"Churcheshavebeenknowntodefendthemselvesthusallbythemselves，\"heremarkedwithasigh。\"Saint-SophiaatConstantinople，fortyyearsago，hurledtotheearththreetimesinsuccession，thecrescentofMahom，byshakingherdomes，whichareherheads。GuillaumedeParis，whobuiltthisonewasamagician。\"
\"Mustwethenretreatinpitifulfashion，likehighwaymen？\"
saidClopin。\"Mustweleaveoursisterhere，whomthosehoodedwolveswillhangto-morrow。\"
\"Andthesacristy，wheretherearewagon-loadsofgold！\"
addedavagabond，whosename，weregrettosay，wedonotknow。
\"BeardofMahom！\"criedTrouillefou。
\"Letusmakeanothertrial，\"resumedthevagabond。
MathiasHungadishookhishead。
\"Weshallnevergetinbythedoor。Wemustfindthedefectinthearmoroftheoldfairy；ahole，afalsepostern，somejointorother。\"
\"Whowillgowithme？\"saidClopin。\"Ishallgoatitagain。Bytheway，whereisthelittlescholarJehan，whoissoencasediniron？\"
\"Heisdead，nodoubt，\"someonereplied；\"wenolongerhearhislaugh。\"
TheKingofThunesfrowned:\"Somuchtheworse。Therewasabraveheartunderthatironmongery。AndMasterPierreGringoire？\"
\"CaptainClopin，\"saidAndrytheRed，\"heslippedawaybeforewereachedthePont-aux-Changeurs，\"
Clopinstampedhisfoot。\"Gueule-Dieu！’twashewhopushedusonhither，andhehasdesertedusintheverymiddleofthejob！Cowardlychatterer，withaslipperforahelmet！\"
\"CaptainClopin，\"saidAndrytheRed，whowasgazingdownRueduParvis，\"yonderisthelittlescholar。\"
\"PraisedbePluto！\"saidClopin。\"Butwhatthedevilishedraggingafterhim？\"
Itwas，infact，Jehan，whowasrunningasfastashisheavyoutfitofaPaladin，andalongladderwhichtrailedonthepavement，wouldpermit，morebreathlessthananantharnessedtoabladeofgrasstwentytimeslongerthanitself。
\"Victory！~TeDeum~！\"criedthescholar。\"HereistheladderofthelongshoremenofPortSaint-Landry。\"
Clopinapproachedhim。
\"Child，whatdoyoumeantodo，~corne-dieu~！withthisladder？\"
\"Ihaveit，\"repliedJehan，panting。\"Iknewwhereitwasundertheshedofthelieutenant’shouse。There’sawenchtherewhomIknow，whothinksmeashandsomeasCupido。
Imadeuseofhertogettheladder，andIhavetheladder，~Pasque-Mahom~！Thepoorgirlcametoopenthedoortomeinhershift。\"
\"Yes，\"saidClopin，\"butwhatareyougoingtodowiththatladder？\"
Jehangazedathimwithamalicious，knowinglook，andcrackedhisfingerslikecastanets。Atthatmomenthewassublime。Onhisheadheworeoneofthoseoverloadedhelmetsofthefifteenthcentury，whichfrightenedtheenemywiththeirfancifulcrests。Hisbristledwithtenironbeaks，sothatJehancouldhavedisputedwithNestor’sHomericvesseltheredoubtabletitleof~dexeubolos~。
\"WhatdoImeantodowithit，augustkingofThunes？
Doyouseethatrowofstatueswhichhavesuchidioticexpressions，yonder，abovethethreeportals？\"
\"Yes。Well？\"
\"’TisthegalleryofthekingsofFrance。\"
\"Whatisthattome？\"saidClopin。
\"Wait！Attheendofthatgallerythereisadoorwhichisneverfastenedotherwisethanwithalatch，andwiththisladderIascend，andIaminthechurch。\"
\"Childletmebethefirsttoascend。\"
\"No，comrade，theladderismine。Come，youshallbethesecond。\"
\"MayBeelzebubstrangleyou！\"saidsurlyClopin，\"Iwon’tbesecondtoanybody。\"
\"Thenfindaladder，Clopin！\"
JehansetoutonarunacrossthePlace，dragginghisladderandshouting:\"Followme，lads！\"
Inaninstanttheladderwasraised，andproppedagainstthebalustradeofthelowergallery，aboveoneofthelateraldoors。Thethrongofvagabonds，utteringloudacclamations，crowdedtoitsfoottoascend。ButJehanmaintainedhisright，andwasthefirsttosetfootontherungs。Thepassagewastolerablylong。ThegalleryofthekingsofFranceisto-dayaboutsixtyfeetabovethepavement。Theelevenstepsoftheflightbeforethedoor，madeitstillhigher。
Jehanmountedslowly，agooddealincommodedbyhisheavyarmor，holdinghiscrossbowinonehand，andclingingtoarungwiththeother。Whenhereachedthemiddleoftheladder，hecastamelancholyglanceatthepoordeadoutcasts，withwhichthestepswerestrewn。\"Alas！\"saidhe，\"hereisaheapofbodiesworthyofthefifthbookoftheIliad！\"Thenhecontinuedhisascent。Thevagabondsfollowedhim。Therewasoneoneveryrung。Atthesightofthislineofcuirassedbacks，undulatingastheyrosethroughthegloom，onewouldhavepronounceditaserpentwithsteelscales，whichwasraisingitselferectinfrontofthechurch。
Jehanwhoformedthehead，andwhowaswhistling，completedtheillusion。
Thescholarfinallyreachedthebalconyofthegallery，andclimbedoveritnimbly，totheapplauseofthewholevagabondtribe。Thusmasterofthecitadel，heutteredashoutofjoy，andsuddenlyhalted，petrified。HehadjustcaughtsightofQuasimodoconcealedinthedark，withflashingeye，behindoneofthestatuesofthekings。
Beforeasecondassailantcouldgainafootholdonthegallery，theformidablehunchbackleapedtotheheadoftheladder，withoututteringaword，seizedtheendsofthetwouprightswithhispowerfulhands，raisedthem，pushedthemoutfromthewall，balancedthelongandpliantladder，loadedwithvagabondsfromtoptobottomforamoment，inthemidstofshrieksofanguish，thensuddenly，withsuperhumanforce，hurledthisclusterofmenbackwardintothePlace。
Therewasamomentwheneventhemostresolutetrembled。
Theladder，launchedbackwards，remainederectandstandingforaninstant，andseemedtohesitate，thenwavered，thensuddenly，describingafrightfularcofacircleeightyfeetinradius，crasheduponthepavementwithitsloadofruffians，morerapidlythanadrawbridgewhenitschainsbreak。
Therearoseanimmenseimprecation，thenallwasstill，andafewmutilatedwretcheswereseen，crawlingovertheheapofdead。
Asoundofwrathandgrieffollowedthefirstcriesoftriumphamongthebesiegers。Quasimodo，impassive，withbothelbowsproppedonthebalustrade，lookedon。Hehadtheairofanold，bushy-headedkingathiswindow。
AsforJehanFrollo，hewasinacriticalposition。Hefoundhimselfinthegallerywiththeformidablebellringer，alone，separatedfromhiscompanionsbyaverticalwalleightyfeethigh。WhileQuasimodowasdealingwiththeladder，thescholarhadruntotheposternwhichhebelievedtobeopen。Itwasnot。Thedeafmanhadcloseditbehindhimwhenheenteredthegallery。Jehanhadthenconcealedhimselfbehindastoneking，notdaringtobreathe，andfixinguponthemonstroushunchbackafrightenedgaze，liketheman，who，whencourtingthewifeoftheguardianofamenagerie，wentoneeveningtoaloverendezvous，mistookthewallwhichhewastoclimb，andsuddenlyfoundhimselffacetofacewithawhitebear。
Forthefirstfewmoments，thedeafmanpaidnoheedtohim；butatlastheturnedhishead，andsuddenlystraightenedup。Hehadjustcaughtsightofthescholar。
Jehanpreparedhimselfforaroughshock，butthedeafmanremainedmotionless；onlyhehadturnedtowardsthescholarandwaslookingathim。
\"Hoho！\"saidJehan，\"whatdoyoumeanbystaringatmewiththatsolitaryandmelancholyeye？\"
Ashespokethus，theyoungscampstealthilyadjustedhiscrossbow。
\"Quasimodo！\"hecried，\"Iamgoingtochangeyoursurname:
youshallbecalledtheblindman。\"
Theshotsped。Thefeatheredvireton*whizzedandenteredthehunchback’sleftarm。QuasimodoappearednomoremovedbyitthanbyascratchtoKingPharamond。Helaidhishandonthearrow，toreitfromhisarm，andtranquillybrokeitacrosshisbigknee；thenheletthetwopiecesdroponthefloor，ratherthanthrewthemdown。ButJehanhadnoopportunitytofireasecondtime。Thearrowbroken，Quasimodobreathingheavily，boundedlikeagrasshopper，andhefelluponthescholar，whosearmorwasflattenedagainstthewallbytheblow。
*Anarrowwithapyramidalheadofironandcopperspiralwingsbywhicharotatorymotionwascommunicated，Theninthatgloom，whereinwaveredthelightofthetorches，aterriblethingwasseen。
QuasimodohadgraspedwithhislefthandthetwoarmsofJehan，whodidnotofferanyresistance，sothoroughlydidhefeelthathewaslost。Withhisrighthand，thedeafmandetachedonebyone，insilence，withsinisterslowness，allthepiecesofhisarmor，thesword，thedaggers，thehelmet，thecuirass，thelegpieces。Onewouldhavesaidthatitwasamonkeytakingtheshellfromanut。Quasimodoflungthescholar’sironshellathisfeet，piecebypiece。
Whenthescholarbeheldhimselfdisarmed，stripped，weak，andnakedinthoseterriblehands，hemadenoattempttospeaktothedeafman，butbegantolaughaudaciouslyinhisface，andtosingwithhisintrepidheedlessnessofachildofsixteen，thethenpopularditty:-
\"~Elleestbienhabillée，LavilledeCambrai；
Marafinl’apillée~……\"*
*ThecityofCambraiiswelldressed。Marafinplunderedit。
Hedidnotfinish。Quasimodowasseenontheparapetofthegallery，holdingthescholarbythefeetwithonehandandwhirlinghimovertheabysslikeasling；thenasoundlikethatofabonystructureincontactwithawallwasheard，andsomethingwasseentofallwhichhaltedathirdofthewaydowninitsfall，onaprojectioninthearchitecture。Itwasadeadbodywhichremainedhangingthere，bentdouble，itsloinsbroken，itsskullempty。
Acryofhorrorroseamongthevagabonds。
\"Vengeance！\"shoutedClopin。\"Tothesack！\"repliedthemultitude。\"Assault！assault！\"
Therecameatremendoushowl，inwhichweremingledalltongues，alldialects，allaccents。Thedeathofthepoorscholarimpartedafuriousardortothatcrowd。Itwasseizedwithshame，andthewrathofhavingbeenheldsolongincheckbeforeachurchbyahunchback。Ragefoundladders，multipliedthetorches，and，attheexpirationofafewminutes，Quasimodo，indespair，beheldthatterribleantheapmountonallsidestotheassaultofNotre-Dame。Thosewhohadnoladdershadknottedropes；thosewhohadnoropesclimbedbytheprojectionsofthecarvings。Theyhungfromeachother’srags。Therewerenomeansofresistingthatrisingtideoffrightfulfaces；ragemadethesefiercecountenancesruddy；theirclayeybrowsweredrippingwithsweat；theireyesdartedlightnings；allthesegrimaces，allthesehorrorslaidsiegetoQuasimodo。OnewouldhavesaidthatsomeotherchurchhaddespatchedtotheassaultofNotre-Dameitsgorgons，itsdogs，itsdrées，itsdemons，itsmostfantasticsculptures。Itwaslikealayeroflivingmonstersonthestonemonstersofthefa？ade。
Meanwhile，thePlacewasstuddedwithathousandtorches。
Thissceneofconfusion，tillnowhidindarkness，wassuddenlyfloodedwithlight。Theparviswasresplendent，andcastaradianceonthesky；thebonfirelightedontheloftyplatformwasstillburning，andilluminatedthecityfaraway。
Theenormoussilhouetteofthetwotowers，projectedafarontheroofsofParis，andformedalargenotchofblackinthislight。Thecityseemedtobearoused。Alarmbellswailedinthedistance。Thevagabondshowled，panted，swore，climbed；
andQuasimodo，powerlessagainstsomanyenemies，shudderingforthegypsy，beholdingthefuriousfacesapproachingevernearerandnearertohisgallery，entreatedheavenforamiracle，andwrunghisarmsindespair。
CHAPTERV。
THERETREATINWHICHMONSIEURLOUISOFFRANCESAYSHISPRAYERS。
Thereaderhasnot，perhaps，forgottenthatonemomentbeforecatchingsightofthenocturnalbandofvagabonds，Quasimodo，asheinspectedParisfromtheheightsofhisbelltower，perceivedonlyonelightburning，whichgleamedlikeastarfromawindowonthetopmoststoryofaloftyedificebesidethePorteSaint-Antoine。ThisedificewastheBastille。
ThatstarwasthecandleofLouisXI。
KingLouisXI。had，infact，beentwodaysinParis。HewastotakehisdepartureonthenextdaybutoneforhiscitadelofMontilz-les-Tours。HemadebutseldomandbriefappearanceinhisgoodcityofParis，sincetherehedidnotfeelabouthimenoughpitfalls，gibbets，andScotcharchers。
Hehadcome，thatday，tosleepattheBastille。Thegreatchamberfivetoises*square，whichhehadattheLouvre，withitshugechimney-pieceloadedwithtwelvegreatbeastsandthirteengreatprophets，andhisgrandbed，elevenfeetbytwelve，pleasedhimbutlittle。Hefelthimselflostamidallthisgrandeur。ThisgoodbourgeoiskingpreferredtheBastillewithatinychamberandcouch。Andthen，theBastillewasstrongerthantheLouvre。
*AnancientlongmeasureinFrance，containingsixfeetandnearlyfiveinchesEnglishmeasure。
Thislittlechamber，whichthekingreservedforhimselfinthefamousstateprison，wasalsotolerablyspaciousandoccupiedthetopmoststoryofaturretrisingfromthedonjonkeep。Itwascircularinform，carpetedwithmatsofshiningstraw，ceiledwithbeams，enrichedwithfleurs-de-lisofgildedmetalwithinterjoistsincolor；wainscoatedwithrichwoodssownwithrosettesofwhitemetal，andwithotherspaintedafine，brightgreen，madeoforpimentandfineindigo。
Therewasonlyonewindow，alongpointedcasement，latticedwithbrasswireandbarsofiron，furtherdarkenedbyfinecoloredpaneswiththearmsofthekingandofthequeen，eachpanebeingworthtwoandtwentysols。
Therewasbutoneentrance，amoderndoor，withafiatarch，garnishedwithapieceoftapestryontheinside，andontheoutsidebyoneofthoseporchesofIrishwood，frailedificesofcabinet-workcuriouslywrought，numbersofwhichwerestilltobeseeninoldhousesahundredandfiftyyearsago。\"Althoughtheydisfigureandembarrasstheplaces，\"
saysSauvelindespair，\"ouroldpeoplearestillunwillingtogetridofthem，andkeeptheminspiteofeverybody。\"
Inthischamber，nothingwastobefoundofwhatfurnishesordinaryapartments，neitherbenches，nortrestles，norforms，norcommonstoolsintheformofachest，norfinestoolssustainedbypillarsandcounter-pillars，atfoursolsapiece。
Onlyoneeasyarm-chair，verymagnificent，wastobeseen；thewoodwaspaintedwithrosesonaredground，theseatwasofrubyCordovanleather，ornamentedwithlongsilkenfringes，andstuddedwithathousandgoldennails。Thelonelinessofthischairmadeitapparentthatonlyonepersonhadarighttositdowninthisapartment。Besidethechair，andquiteclosetothewindow，therewasatablecoveredwithaclothwithapatternofbirds。Onthistablestoodaninkhornspottedwithink，someparchments，severalpens，andalargegobletofchasedsilver。Alittlefurtheronwasabrazier，aprayingstoolincrimsonvelvet，relievedwithsmallbossesofgold。Finally，attheextremeendoftheroom，asimplebedofscarletandyellowdamask，withouteithertinselorlace；havingonlyanordinaryfringe。Thisbed，famousforhavingbornethesleeporthesleeplessnessofLouisXI。，wasstilltobeseentwohundredyearsago，atthehouseofacouncillorofstate，whereitwasseenbyoldMadamePilou，celebratedin_Cyrus_underthename\"Arricidie\"andof\"laMoraleVivante\"。
Suchwasthechamberwhichwascalled\"theretreatwhereMonsieurLouisdeFrancesayshisprayers。\"
Atthemomentwhenwehaveintroducedthereaderintoit，thisretreatwasverydark。Thecurfewbellhadsoundedanhourbefore；nightwascome，andtherewasonlyoneflickeringwaxcandlesetonthetabletolightfivepersonsvariouslygroupedinthechamber。
Thefirstonwhichthelightfellwasaseigneursuperblycladinbreechesandjerkinofscarletstripedwithsilver，andaloosecoatwithhalfsleevesofclothofgoldwithblackfigures。Thissplendidcostume，onwhichthelightplayed，seemedglazedwithflameoneveryfold。Themanwhoworeithadhisarmorialbearingsembroideredonhisbreastinvividcolors；achevronaccompaniedbyadeerpassant。Theshieldwasflanked，ontherightbyanolivebranch，ontheleftbyadeer’santlers。Thismanworeinhisgirdlearichdaggerwhosehilt，ofsilvergilt，waschasedintheformofahelmet，andsurmountedbyacount’scoronet。Hehadaforbiddingair，aproudmien，andaheadheldhigh。Atthefirstglanceonereadarroganceonhisvisage；atthesecond，craft。
Hewasstandingbareheaded，alongrollofparchmentinhishand，behindthearm-chairinwhichwasseated，hisbodyungracefullydoubledup，hiskneescrossed，hiselbowonthetable，averybadlyaccoutredpersonage。Letthereaderimagineinfact，ontherichseatofCordovaleather，twocrookedknees，twothinthighs，poorlycladinblackworstedtricot，abodyenvelopedinacloakoffustian，withfurtrimmingofwhichmoreleatherthanhairwasvisible；lastly，tocrownall，agreasyoldhatoftheworstsortofblackcloth，borderedwithacircularstringofleadenfigures。This，incompanywithadirtyskull-cap，whichhardlyallowedahairtoescape，wasallthatdistinguishedtheseatedpersonage。Heheldhisheadsobentuponhisbreast，thatnothingwastobeseenofhisfacethusthrownintoshadow，exceptthetipofhisnose，uponwhichfellarayoflight，andwhichmusthavebeenlong。
Fromthethinnessofhiswrinkledhand，onedivinedthathewasanoldman。ItwasLouisXI。
Atsomedistancebehindthem，twomendressedingarmentsofFlemishstylewereconversing，whowerenotsufficientlylostintheshadowtopreventanyonewhohadbeenpresentattheperformanceofGringoire’smysteryfromrecognizinginthemtwooftheprincipalFlemishenvoys，GuillaumeRym，thesagaciouspensionerofGhent，andJacquesCoppenole，thepopularhosier。ThereaderwillrememberthatthesemenweremixedupinthesecretpoliticsofLouisXI。
Finally，quiteattheendoftheroom，nearthedoor，inthedark，stood，motionlessasastatue，avigorousmanwiththicksetlimbs，amilitaryharness，withasurcoatofarmorialbearings，whosesquarefacepiercedwithstaringeyes，slitwithanimmensemouth，hisearsconcealedbytwolargescreensofflathair，hadsomethingaboutitbothofthedogandthetiger。
Allwereuncoveredexcepttheking。
Thegentlemanwhostoodnearthekingwasreadinghimasortoflongmemorialtowhichhismajestyseemedtobelisteningattentively。ThetwoFlemingswerewhisperingtogether。
\"CrossofGod！\"grumbledCoppenole，\"Iamtiredofstanding；istherenochairhere？\"
Rymrepliedbyanegativegesture，accompaniedbyadiscreetsmile。
\"Croix-Dieu！\"resumedCoppenole，thoroughlyunhappyatbeingobligedtolowerhisvoicethus，\"Ishouldliketositdownonthefloor，withmylegscrossed，likeahosier，asIdoinmyshop。\"
\"Takegoodcarethatyoudonot，MasterJacques。\"
\"Ouais！MasterGuillaume！canoneonlyremainhereonhisfeet？\"
\"Oronhisknees，\"saidRym。
Atthatmomenttheking’svoicewasuplifted。Theyheldtheirpeace。
\"Fiftysolsfortherobesofourvalets，andtwelvelivresforthemantlesoftheclerksofourcrown！That’sit！Pouroutgoldbytheton！Areyoumad，Olivier？\"
Ashespokethus，theoldmanraisedhishead。ThegoldenshellsofthecollarofSaint-Michaelcouldbeseengleamingonhisneck。Thecandlefullyilluminatedhisgauntandmoroseprofile。Hetorethepapersfromtheother’shand。
\"Youareruiningus！\"hecried，castinghisholloweyesoverthescroll。\"Whatisallthis？Whatneedhaveweofsoprodigiousahousehold？Twochaplainsattenlivresamontheach，and，achapelclerkatonehundredsols！Avalet-de-
chambreatninetylivresayear。Fourheadcooksatsixscorelivresayeareach！Aspit-cook，anherb-cook，asauce-cook，abutler，twosumpter-horselackeys，attenlivresamontheach！Twoscullionsateightlivres！Agroomofthestablesandhistwoaidsatfourandtwentylivresamonth！Aporter，apastry-cook，abaker，twocarters，eachsixtylivresayear！
Andthefarriersixscorelivres！Andthemasterofthechamberofourfunds，twelvehundredlivres！Andthecomptrollerfivehundred。AndhowdoIknowwhatelse？
’Tisruinous。ThewagesofourservantsareputtingFrancetothepillage！AlltheingotsoftheLouvrewillmeltbeforesuchafireofexpenses！Weshallhavetosellourplate！
Andnextyear，ifGodandourLady(hereheraisedhishat)
lenduslife，weshalldrinkourpotionsfromapewterpot！\"
Sosaying，hecastaglanceatthesilvergobletwhichgleameduponthetable。Hecoughedandcontinued，——
\"MasterOlivier，theprinceswhoreignovergreatlordships，likekingsandemperors，shouldnotallowsumptuousnessintheirhouses；forthefirespreadsthencethroughtheprovince。
Hence，MasterOlivier，considerthissaidonceforall。Ourexpenditureincreaseseveryyear。Thethingdispleaseus。
How，~pasque-Dieu~！whenin’79itdidnotexceedsixandthirtythousandlivres，diditattainin’80，forty-threethousandsixhundredandnineteenlivres？Ihavethefiguresinmyhead。In’81，sixty-sixthousandsixhundredandeightylivres，andthisyear，bythefaithofmybody，itwillreacheightythousandlivres！Doubledinfouryears！Monstrous！\"
Hepausedbreathless，thenresumedenergetically，——
\"Ibeholdaroundmeonlypeoplewhofattenonmyleanness！yousuckcrownsfrommeateverypore。\"
Allremainedsilent。Thiswasoneofthosefitsofwrathwhichareallowedtotaketheircourse。Hecontinued，——
\"’TislikethatrequestinLatinfromthegentlemenofFrance，thatweshouldre-establishwhattheycallthegrandchargesoftheCrown！Chargesinverydeed！Chargeswhichcrush！Ah！gentlemen！yousaythatwearenotakingtoreign~dapiferonullo，buticularionullo~！Wewillletyousee，~pasque-Dieu~！whetherwearenotaking！\"
Herehesmiled，intheconsciousnessofhispower；thissoftenedhisbadhumor，andheturnedtowardstheFlemings，——
\"Doyousee，GossipGuillaume？thegrandwardenofthekeys，thegrandbutler，thegrandchamberlain，thegrandseneschalarenotworththesmallestvalet。Rememberthis，GossipCoppenole。Theyservenopurpose，astheystandthususelessroundtheking；theyproduceuponmetheeffectofthefourEvangelistswhosurroundthefaceofthebigclockofthepalace，andwhichPhilippeBrillehasjustsetinorderafresh。
Theyaregilt，buttheydonotindicatethehour；andthehandscangetonwithoutthem。\"
Heremainedinthoughtforamoment，thenadded，shakinghisagedhead，——
\"Ho！ho！byourLady，IamnotPhilippeBrille，andI
shallnotgildthegreatvassalsanew。Continue，Olivier。\"
Thepersonwhomhedesignatedbythisname，tookthepapersintohishandsagain，andbegantoreadaloud，——
\"ToAdamTenon，clerkofthewardenofthesealsoftheprovostshipofParis；forthesilver，making，andengravingofsaidseals，whichhavebeenmadenewbecausetheotherspreceding，byreasonoftheirantiquityandtheirworncondition，couldnolongerbesuccessfullyused，twelvelivresparisis。
\"ToGuillaumeFrère，thesumoffourlivres，foursolsparisis，forhistroubleandsalary，forhavingnourishedandfedthedovesinthetwodove-cotsoftheH？teldesTournelles，duringthemonthsofJanuary，February，andMarchofthisyear；andforthishehathgivensevensextiersofbarley。
\"Toagrayfriarforconfessingacriminal，foursolsparisis。\"
Thekinglistenedinsilence。Fromtimetotimebecoughed；thenheraisedthegoblettohislipsanddrankadraughtwithagrimace。
\"Duringthisyeartherehavebeenmadebytheordinanceofjustice，tothesoundofthetrumpet，throughthesquaresofParis，fifty-sixproclamations。Accounttoberegulated。
\"Forhavingsearchedandransackedincertainplaces，inParisaswellaselsewhere，formoneysaidtobethereconcealed；
butnothinghathbeenfound:forty-fivelivresparisis。\"
\"Buryacrowntounearthasou！\"saidtheking。
\"ForhavingsetintheH？teldesTournellessixpanesofwhiteglassintheplacewheretheironcageis，thirteensols；forhavingmadeanddeliveredbycommandoftheking，onthedayofthemusters，fourshieldswiththeescutcheonsofthesaidseigneur，encircledwithgarlandsofrosesallabout，sixlivres；fortwonewsleevestotheking’solddoublet，twentysols；foraboxofgreasetogreasethebootsoftheking，fifteendeniers；astablenewlymadetolodgetheking’sblackpigs，thirtylivresparisis；manypartitions，planks，andtrap-doors，forthesafekeepingofthelionsatSaint-Paul，twenty-twolivres。\"
\"Thesebedearbeasts，\"saidLouisXI。\"Itmattersnot；itisafinemagnificenceinaking。ThereisagreatredlionwhomIloveforhispleasantways。Haveyouseenhim，MasterGuillaume？Princesmusthavetheseterrificanimals；forwekingsmusthavelionsforourdogsandtigersforourcats。
Thegreatbefitsacrown。InthedaysofthepagansofJupiter，whenthepeopleofferedthetemplesahundredoxenandahundredsheep，theemperorsgaveahundredlionsandahundredeagles。Thiswaswildandveryfine。ThekingsofFrancehavealwayshadroaringsroundtheirthrone。Nevertheless，peoplemustdomethisjustice，thatIspendstilllessmoneyonitthantheydid，andthatIpossessagreatermodestyoflions，bears，elephants，andleopards——Goon，MasterOlivier。WewishedtosaythusmuchtoourFlemishfriends。\"
GuillaumeRymbowedlow，whileCoppenole，withhissurlymien，hadtheairofoneofthebearsofwhichhismajestywasspeaking。Thekingpaidnoheed。Hehadjustdippedhislipsintothegoblet，andhespatoutthebeverage，saying:
\"Foh！whatadisagreeablepotion！\"Themanwhowasreadingcontinued:——
\"Forfeedingarascallyfootpad，lockedupthesesixmonthsinthelittlecelloftheflayer，untilitshouldbedeterminedwhattodowithhim，sixlivres，foursols。\"
\"What’sthat？\"interruptedtheking；\"feedwhatoughttobehanged！~Pasque-Dieu~！Iwillgivenotasoumoreforthatnourishment。Olivier，cometoanunderstandingaboutthematterwithMonsieurd’Estouteville，andpreparemethisveryeveningtheweddingofthegallantandthegallows。Resume。\"
Oliviermadeamarkwithhisthumbagainstthearticleofthe\"rascallyfootsoldier，\"andpassedon。
\"ToHenrietCousin，masterexecutorofthehighworksofjusticeinParis，thesumofsixtysolsparisis，tohimassessedandordainedbymonseigneurtheprovostofParis，forhavingbought，byorderofthesaidsieurtheprovost，agreatbroadsword，servingtoexecuteanddecapitatepersonswhoarebyjusticecondemnedfortheirdemerits，andhehathcausedthesametobegarnishedwithasheathandwithallthingstheretoappertaining；andhathlikewisecausedtoberepointedandsetinordertheoldsword，whichhadbecomebrokenandnotchedinexecutingjusticeonMessireLouisdeLuxembourg，aswillmorefullyappear。
Thekinginterrupted:\"Thatsuffices。Iallowthesumwithgreatgoodwill。ThoseareexpenseswhichIdonotbegrudge。Ihaveneverregrettedthatmoney。Continue。\"
\"Forhavingmadeoveragreatcage……\"
\"Ah！\"saidtheking，graspingthearmsofhischairinbothhands，\"IknewwellthatIcamehithertothisBastilleforsomepurpose。Hold，MasterOlivier；Idesiretoseethatcagemyself。YoushallreadmethecostwhileIamexaminingit。MessieursFlemings，comeandseethis；’tiscurious。\"
Thenherose，leanedonthearmofhisinterlocutor，madeasigntothesortofmutewhostoodbeforethedoortoprecedehim，tothetwoFlemingstofollowhim，andquittedtheroom。
Theroyalcompanywasrecruited，atthedooroftheretreat，bymenofarms，allloadeddownwithiron，andbyslenderpagesbearingflambeaux。Itmarchedforsometimethroughtheinteriorofthegloomydonjon，piercedwithstaircasesandcorridorsevenintheverythicknessofthewalls。ThecaptainoftheBastillemarchedattheirhead，andcausedthewicketstobeopenedbeforethebentandagedking，whocoughedashewalked。
Ateachwicket，allheadswereobligedtostoop，exceptthatoftheoldmanbentdoublewithage。\"Hum，\"saidhebetweenhisgums，forhehadnolongeranyteeth，\"wearealreadyquitepreparedforthedoorofthesepulchre。Foralowdoor，abentpasser。\"
Atlength，afterhavingpassedafinalwicket，soloadedwithlocksthataquarterofanhourwasrequiredtoopenit，theyenteredavastandloftyvaultedhall，inthecentreofwhichtheycoulddistinguishbythelightofthetorches，ahugecubicmassofmasonry，iron，andwood。Theinteriorwashollow。Itwasoneofthosefamouscagesofprisonersofstate，whichwerecalled\"thelittledaughtersoftheking。\"
Initswallsthereweretwoorthreelittlewindowssocloselytrellisedwithstoutironbars；thattheglasswasnotvisible。
Thedoorwasalargeflatslabofstone，asontombs；thesortofdoorwhichservesforentranceonly。Onlyhere，theoccupantwasalive。
Thekingbegantowalkslowlyroundthelittleedifice，examiningitcarefully，whileMasterOlivier，whofollowedhim，readaloudthenote。
\"Forhavingmadeagreatcageofwoodofsolidbeams，timbersandwall-plates，measuringninefeetinlengthbyeightinbreadth，andoftheheightofsevenfeetbetweenthepartitions，smoothedandclampedwithgreatboltsofiron，whichhasbeenplacedinachambersituatedinoneofthetowersoftheBastilleSaint-Antoine，inwhichcageisplacedanddetained，bycommandofthekingourlord，aprisonerwhoformerlyinhabitedanold，decrepit，andruinedcage。
Therehavebeenemployedinmakingthesaidnewcage，ninety-sixhorizontalbeams，andfifty-twouprightjoists，tenwallplatesthreetoiseslong；therehavebeenoccupiednineteencarpenterstohew，work，andfitallthesaidwoodinthecourtyardoftheBastilleduringtwentydays。\"
\"Veryfineheartofoak，\"saidtheking，strikingthewoodworkwithhisfist。
\"Therehavebeenusedinthiscage，\"continuedtheother，\"twohundredandtwentygreatboltsofiron，ofninefeet，andofeight，therestofmediumlength，withtherowels，capsandcounterbandsappertainingtothesaidbolts；
weighing，thesaidironinall，threethousand，sevenhundredandthirty-fivepounds；besideeightgreatsquaresofiron，servingtoattachthesaidcageinplacewithclampsandnailsweighinginalltwohundredandeighteenpounds，notreckoningtheironofthetrellisesforthewindowsofthechamberwhereinthecagehathbeenplaced，thebarsofironforthedoorofthecageandotherthings。\"
\"’Tisagreatdealofiron，\"saidtheking，\"tocontainthelightofaspirit。\"
\"Thewholeamountstothreehundredandseventeenlivres，fivesols，sevendeniers。\"
\"~Pasque-Dieu~！\"exclaimedtheking。
Atthisoath，whichwasthefavoriteofLouisXI。，someoneseemedtoawakenintheinteriorofthecage；thesoundofchainswasheard，gratingonthefloor，andafeeblevoice，whichseemedtoissuefromthetombwasuplifted。\"Sire！
sire！mercy！\"Theonewhospokethuscouldnotbeseen。
\"Threehundredandseventeenlivres，fivesols，sevendeniers，\"
repeatedLouisXI。
Thelamentablevoicewhichhadproceededfromthecagehadfrozenallpresent，evenMasterOlivierhimself。Thekingaloneworetheairofnothavingheard。Athisorder，MasterOlivierresumedhisreading，andhismajestycoldlycontinuedhisinspectionofthecage。
\"Inadditiontothistherehathbeenpaidtoamasonwhohathmadetheholeswhereintoplacethegratingsofthewindows，andthefloorofthechamberwherethecageis，becausethatfloorcouldnotsupportthiscagebyreasonofitsweight，twenty-sevenlivresfourteensolsparisis。\"
Thevoicebegantomoanagain。
\"Mercy，sire！Isweartoyouthat’twasMonsieurtheCardinald’AngersandnotI，whowasguiltyoftreason。\"
\"Themasonisbold！\"saidtheking。\"Continue，Olivier。\"
Oliviercontinued，——
\"Toajoinerforwindowframes，bedstead，hollowstool，andotherthings，twentylivres，twosolsparisis。\"
Thevoicealsocontinued。
\"Alas，sire！willyounotlistentome？Iprotesttoyouthat’twasnotIwhowrotethemattertoMonseigneurdoGuyenne，butMonsieurleCardinalBalue。\"
\"Thejoinerisdear，\"quoththeking。\"Isthatall？\"
\"No，sire。Toaglazier，forthewindowsofthesaidchamber，forty-sixsols，eightdeniersparisis。\"
\"Havemercy，sire！Isitnotenoughtohavegivenallmygoodstomyjudges，myplatetoMonsieurdeTorcy，mylibrarytoMasterPierreDoriolle，mytapestrytothegovernoroftheRoussillon？Iaminnocent。Ihavebeenshiveringinanironcageforfourteenyears。Havemercy，sire！
Youwillfindyourrewardinheaven。\"
\"MasterOlivier，\"saidtheking，\"thetotal？\"
\"Threehundredsixty-sevenlivres，eightsols，threedeniersparisis。
\"Notre-Dame！\"criedtheking。\"Thisisanoutrageouscage！\"
HetorethebookfromMasterOlivier’shands，andsettoreckoningithimselfuponhisfingers，examiningthepaperandthecagealternately。Meanwhile，theprisonercouldbeheardsobbing。Thiswaslugubriousinthedarkness，andtheirfacesturnedpaleastheylookedateachother。
\"Fourteenyears，sire！Fourteenyearsnow！sincethemonthofApril，1469。InthenameoftheHolyMotherofGod，sire，listentome！Duringallthistimeyouhaveenjoyedtheheatofthesun。ShallI，frailcreature，nevermorebeholdtheday？Mercy，sire！Bepitiful！Clemencyisafine，royalvirtue，whichturnsasidethecurrentsofwrath。
Doesyourmajestybelievethatinthehourofdeathitwillbeagreatcauseofcontentforakingnevertohaveleftanyoffenceunpunished？Besides，sire，Ididnotbetrayyourmajesty，’twasMonsieurd’Angers；andIhaveonmyfootaveryheavychain，andagreatballofironattheend，muchheavierthanitshouldbeinreason。Eh！sire！Havepityonme！\"
\"Olivier，\"criedtheking，throwingbackhishead，\"Iobservethattheychargemetwentysolsahogsheadforplaster，whileitisworthbuttwelve。Youwillreferbackthisaccount。\"
Heturnedhisbackonthecage，andsetouttoleavetheroom。Themiserableprisonerdivinedfromtheremovalofthetorchesandthenoise，thatthekingwastakinghisdeparture。
\"Sire！sire！\"becriedindespair。
Thedoorclosedagain。Henolongersawanything，andheardonlythehoarsevoiceoftheturnkey，singinginhisearsthisditty，——
\"~Ma？treJeanBalue，AperdulavueDesesévêchés。
MonsieurdeVerdun。
N’enapluspasun；
Toussontdépêchés~。\"*
*MasterJeanBaluehaslostsightofhisbishoprics。
MonsieurofVerdunhasnolongerone；allhavebeenkilledoff。
Thekingreascendedinsilencetohisretreat，andhissuitefollowedhim，terrifiedbythelastgroansofthecondemnedman。AllatoncehismajestyturnedtotheGovernoroftheBastille，——
\"Bytheway，\"saidhe，\"wastherenotsomeoneinthatcage？\"
\"Pardieu，yessire！\"repliedthegovernor，astoundedbythequestion。
\"Andwhowasit？\"
\"MonsieurtheBishopofVerdun。\"
Thekingknewthisbetterthananyoneelse。Butitwasamaniaofhis。
\"Ah！\"saidhe，withtheinnocentairofthinkingofitforthefirsttime，\"GuillaumedeHarancourt，thefriendofMonsieurtheCardinalBalue。Agooddevilofabishop！\"
Attheexpirationofafewmoments，thedooroftheretreathadopenedagain，thencloseduponthefivepersonageswhomthereaderhasseenatthebeginningofthischapter，andwhoresumedtheirplaces，theirwhisperedconversations，andtheirattitudes。
Duringtheking’sabsence，severaldespatcheshadbeenplacedonhistable，andhebrokethesealshimself。Thenhebegantoreadthempromptly，oneaftertheother，madeasigntoMasterOlivierwhoappearedtoexercisetheofficeofminister，totakeapen，andwithoutcommunicatingtohimthecontentsofthedespatches，hebegantodictateinalowvoice，thereplieswhichthelatterwrote，onhisknees，inaninconvenientattitudebeforethetable。
GuillaumeRymwasonthewatch。
ThekingspokesolowthattheFlemingsheardnothingofhisdictation，exceptsomeisolatedandratherunintelligiblescraps，suchas，——
\"Tomaintainthefertileplacesbycommerce，andthesterilebymanufactures——ToshowtheEnglishlordsourfourbombards，London，Brabant，Bourg-en-Bresse，Saint-
Omer——Artilleryisthecauseofwarbeingmademorejudiciouslynow——ToMonsieurdeBressuire，ourfriend——Armiescannotbemaintainedwithouttribute，etc。
Onceheraisedhisvoice，——
\"~PasqueDieu~！MonsieurtheKingofSicilysealshisletterswithyellowwax，likeakingofFrance。Perhapsweareinthewrongtopermithimsotodo。MyfaircousinofBurgundygrantednoarmorialbearingswithafieldofgules。
