ThemanwiththelanternwalkedstraighttothepointoftheTerrain。There，attheverybrinkofthewater，stoodthewormeatenremainsofafenceofpostslatticedwithlaths，whereonalowvinespreadoutafewthinbrancheslikethefingersofanoutspreadhand。Behind，intheshadowcastbythistrellis，alittleboatlayconcealed。ThemanmadeasigntoGringoireandhiscompaniontoenter。Thegoatfollowedthem。Themanwasthelasttostepin。Thenhecuttheboat’smoorings，pusheditfromtheshorewithalongboat-
hook，and，seizingtwooars，seatedhimselfinthebow，rowingwithallhismighttowardsmidstream。TheSeineisveryrapidatthispoint，andhehadagooddealoftroubleinleavingthepointoftheisland。
Gringoire’sfirstcareonenteringtheboatwastoplacethegoatonhisknees。Hetookapositioninthestern；andtheyounggirl，whomthestrangerinspiredwithanindefinableuneasiness，seatedherselfclosetothepoet。
Whenourphilosopherfelttheboatsway，heclappedhishandsandkissedDjalibetweenthehorns。
\"Oh！\"saidhe，\"nowwearesafe，allfourofus。\"
Headdedwiththeairofaprofoundthinker，\"Oneisindebtedsometimestofortune，sometimestoruse，forthehappyissueofgreatenterprises。\"
Theboatmadeitswayslowlytowardstherightshore。Theyounggirlwatchedtheunknownmanwithsecretterror。Hehadcarefullyturnedoffthelightofhisdarklantern。A
glimpsecouldbecaughtofhimintheobscurity，inthebowoftheboat，likeaspectre。Hiscowl，whichwasstilllowered，formedasortofmask；andeverytimethathespreadhisarms，uponwhichhunglargeblacksleeves，asherowed，onewouldhavesaidtheyweretwohugebat’swings。Moreover，hehadnotyetutteredawordorbreathedasyllable。Noothernoisewasheardintheboatthanthesplashingoftheoars，mingledwiththeripplingofthewateralonghersides。
\"Onmysoul！\"exclaimedGringoiresuddenly，\"weareascheerfulandjoyousasyoungowls！WepreservethesilenceofPythagoreansorfishes！~Pasque-Dieu~！myfriends，I
shouldgreatlyliketohavesomeonespeaktome。Thehumanvoiceismusictothehumanear。’TisnotIwhosaythat，butDidymusofAlexandria，andtheyareillustriouswords。
Assuredly，DidymusofAlexandriaisnomediocrephilosopher——Oneword，mylovelychild！saybutonewordtome，Ientreatyou。Bytheway，youhadadrollandpeculiarlittlepout；doyoustillmakeit？Doyouknow，mydear，thatparliamenthathfulljurisdictionoverallplacesofasylum，andthatyouwererunningagreatriskinyourlittlechamberatNotre-Dame？Alas！thelittlebirdtrochylusmakethitsnestinthejawsofthecrocodile——Master，hereisthemoonre-appearing。Ifonlytheydonotperceiveus。
Wearedoingalaudablethinginsavingmademoiselle，andyetweshouldbehungbyorderofthekingifwewerecaught。
Alas！humanactionsaretakenbytwohandles。Thatisbrandedwithdisgraceinonewhichiscrownedinanother。
HeadmiresCicerowhoblamesCatiline。Isitnotso，master？
Whatsayyoutothisphilosophy？Ipossessphilosophybyinstinct，bynature，~utapesgeometriam~——Come！nooneanswersme。Whatunpleasantmoodsyoutwoarein！I
mustdoallthetalkingalone。Thatiswhatwecallamonologueintragedy——~Pasque-Dieu~！ImustinformyouthatIhavejustseentheking，LouisXI。，andthatIhavecaughtthisoathfromhim，——~Pasque-Dieu~！Theyarestillmakingaheartyhowlinthecity——’Tisavillanous，maliciousoldking。
Heisallswathedinfurs。Hestillowesmethemoneyformyepithalamium，andhecamewithinanickofhangingmethisevening，whichwouldhavebeenveryinconvenienttome——Heisniggardlytowardsmenofmerit。HeoughttoreadthefourbooksofSalvienofCologne，_AdversitsAvaritiam_。Intruth！’Tisapaltrykinginhiswayswithmenofletters，andonewhocommitsverybarbarouscruelties。
Heisasponge，tosoakmoneyraisedfromthepeople。Hissavingislikethespleenwhichswellethwiththeleannessofalltheothermembers。Hencecomplaintsagainstthehardnessofthetimesbecomemurmursagainsttheprince。Underthisgentleandpioussire，thegallowscrackwiththehung，theblocksrotwithblood，theprisonsburstlikeoverfullbellies。
Thiskinghathonehandwhichgrasps，andonewhichhangs。
HeistheprocuratorofDameTaxandMonsieurGibbet。
Thegreataredespoiledoftheirdignities，andthelittleincessantlyoverwhelmedwithfreshoppressions。Heisanexorbitantprince。Ilovenotthismonarch。Andyou，master？\"
Themaninblackletthegarrulouspoetchatteron。Hecontinuedtostruggleagainsttheviolentandnarrowcurrent，whichseparatestheprowoftheCityandthestemoftheislandofNotre-Dame，whichwecallto-daytheIsleSt。Louis。
\"Bytheway，master！\"continuedGringoiresuddenly。
\"AtthemomentwhenwearrivedontheParvis，throughtheenragedoutcasts，didyourreverenceobservethatpoorlittledevilwhoseskullyourdeafmanwasjustcrackingontherailingofthegalleryofthekings？IamnearsightedandI
couldnotrecognizehim。Doyouknowwhohecouldbe？\"
Thestrangeranswerednotaword。Buthesuddenlyceasedrowing，hisarmsfellasthoughbroken，hisheadsankonhisbreast，andlaEsmeraldaheardhimsighconvulsively。Sheshuddered。Shehadheardsuchsighsbefore。
Theboat，abandonedtoitself，floatedforseveralminuteswiththestream。Butthemaninblackfinallyrecoveredhimself，seizedtheoarsoncemoreandbegantorowagainstthecurrent。HedoubledthepointoftheIsleofNotreDame，andmadeforthelanding-placeofthePortanFoin。
\"Ah！\"saidGringoire，\"yonderistheBarbeaumansion——Stay，master，look:thatgroupofblackroofswhichmakesuchsingularanglesyonder，abovethatheapofblack，fibrousgrimy，dirtyclouds，wherethemooniscompletelycrushedandspreadoutliketheyolkofaneggwhoseshellisbroken——’Tisafinemansion。Thereisachapelcrownedwithasmallvaultfullofverywellcarvedenrichments。Above，youcanseethebelltower，verydelicatelypierced。Thereisalsoapleasantgarden，whichconsistsofapond，anaviary，anecho，amall，alabyrinth，ahouseforwildbeasts，andaquantityofleafyalleysveryagreeabletoVenus。Thereisalsoarascalofatreewhichiscalled’thelewd，’becauseitfavoredthepleasuresofafamousprincessandaconstableofFrance，whowasagallantandawit——Alas！wepoorphilosophersaretoaconstableasaplotofcabbagesoraradishbedtothegardenoftheLouvre。Whatmattersit，afterall？humanlife，forthegreataswellasforus，isamixtureofgoodandevil。Painisalwaysbythesideofjoy，thespondeebythedactyl——Master，ImustrelatetoyouthehistoryoftheBarbeaumansion。Itendsintragicfashion。Itwasin1319，inthereignofPhilippeV。，thelongestreignofthekingsofFrance。Themoralofthestoryisthatthetemptationsofthefleshareperniciousandmalignant。Letusnotrestourglancetoolongonourneighbor’swife，howevergratifiedoursensesmaybebyherbeauty。Fornicationisaverylibertinethought。
Adulteryisapryingintothepleasuresofothers——Ohé！thenoiseyonderisredoubling！\"
ThetumultaroundNotre-Damewas，infact，increasing。
Theylistened。Criesofvictorywereheardwithtolerabledistinctness。Allatonce，ahundredtorches，thelightofwhichglittereduponthehelmetsofmenatarms，spreadoverthechurchatallheights，onthetowers，onthegalleries，ontheflyingbuttresses。Thesetorchesseemedtobeinsearchofsomething；andsoondistantclamorsreachedthefugitivesdistinctly:——\"Thegypsy！thesorceress！deathtothegypsy！\"
Theunhappygirldroppedherheaduponherhands，andtheunknownbegantorowfuriouslytowardstheshore。
Meanwhileourphilosopherreflected。Heclaspedthegoatinhisarms，andgentlydrewawayfromthegypsy，whopressedcloserandclosertohim，asthoughtotheonlyasylumwhichremainedtoher。
ItiscertainthatGringoirewasenduringcruelperplexity。
Hewasthinkingthatthegoatalso，\"accordingtoexistinglaw，\"wouldbehungifrecaptured；whichwouldbeagreatpity，poorDjali！thathehadthustwocondemnedcreaturesattachedtohim；thathiscompanionaskednobetterthantotakechargeofthegypsy。Aviolentcombatbeganbetweenhisthoughts，inwhich，liketheJupiteroftheIliad，heweighedinturnthegypsyandthegoat；andhelookedatthemalternatelywitheyesmoistwithtears，sayingbetweenhisteeth:
\"ButIcannotsaveyouboth！\"
Ashockinformedthemthattheboathadreachedthelandatlast。Theuproarstillfilledthecity。Theunknownrose，approachedthegypsy，andendeavoredtotakeherarmtoassisthertoalight。SherepulsedhimandclungtothesleeveofGringoire，who，inhisturn，absorbedinthegoat，almostrepulsedher。Thenshesprangalonefromtheboat。Shewassotroubledthatshedidnotknowwhatshedidorwhithershewasgoing。Thussheremainedforamoment，stunned，watchingthewaterflowpast；whenshegraduallyreturnedtohersenses，shefoundherselfaloneonthewharfwiththeunknown。ItappearsthatGringoirehadtakenadvantageofthemomentofdebarcationtoslipawaywiththegoatintotheblockofhousesoftheRueGrenier-sur-l’Eau。
Thepoorgypsyshiveredwhenshebeheldherselfalonewiththisman。Shetriedtospeak，tocryout，tocallGringoire；hertonguewasdumbinhermouth，andnosoundleftherlips。Allatonceshefeltthestranger’shandonhers。
Itwasastrong，coldhand。Herteethchattered，sheturnedpalerthantherayofmoonlightwhichilluminatedher。Themanspokenotaword。HebegantoascendtowardsthePlacedeGrève，holdingherbythehand。
Atthatmoment，shehadavaguefeelingthatdestinyisanirresistibleforce。Shehadnomoreresistanceleftinher，sheallowedherselftobedraggedalong，runningwhilehewalked。Atthisspotthequayascended。Butitseemedtoherasthoughsheweredescendingaslope。
Shegazedaboutheronallsides。Notasinglepasser-by。
Thequaywasabsolutelydeserted。Sheheardnosound，shefeltnopeoplemovingsaveinthetumultuousandglowingcity，fromwhichshewasseparatedonlybyanarmoftheSeine，andwhencehernamereachedher，mingledwithcriesof\"Death！\"TherestofPariswasspreadaroundheringreatblocksofshadows。
Meanwhile，thestrangercontinuedtodragheralongwiththesamesilenceandthesamerapidity。Shehadnorecollectionofanyoftheplaceswhereshewaswalking。
Asshepassedbeforealightedwindow，shemadeaneffort，drewupsuddenly，andcriedout，\"Help！\"
Thebourgeoiswhowasstandingatthewindowopenedit，appearedthereinhisshirtwithhislamp，staredatthequaywithastupidair，utteredsomewordswhichshedidnotunderstand，andclosedhisshutteragain。Itwasherlastgleamofhopeextinguished。
Themaninblackdidnotutterasyllable；heheldherfirmly，andsetoutagainataquickerpace。Shenolongerresisted，butfollowedhim，completelybroken。
Fromtimetotimeshecalledtogetheralittlestrength，andsaid，inavoicebrokenbytheunevennessofthepavementandthebreathlessnessoftheirflight，\"Whoareyou？Whoareyou？\"Hemadenoreply。
Theyarrivedthus，stillkeepingalongthequay，atatolerablyspacioussquare。ItwastheGrève。Inthemiddle，asortofblack，erectcrosswasvisible；itwasthegallows。Sherecognizedallthis，andsawwhereshewas。
Themanhalted，turnedtowardsherandraisedhiscowl。
\"Oh！\"shestammered，almostpetrified，\"Iknewwellthatitwasheagain！\"
Itwasthepriest。Helookedliketheghostofhimself；
thatisaneffectofthemoonlight，itseemsasthoughonebeheldonlythespectresofthingsinthatlight。
\"Listen！\"hesaidtoher；andsheshudderedatthesoundofthatfatalvoicewhichshehadnotheardforalongtime。
Hecontinuedspeakingwiththosebriefandpantingjerks，whichbetokendeepinternalconvulsions。\"Listen！wearehere。Iamgoingtospeaktoyou。ThisistheGrève。Thisisanextremepoint。Destinygivesustooneanother。Iamgoingtodecideastoyourlife；youwilldecideastomysoul。
Hereisaplace，hereisanightbeyondwhichoneseesnothing。
Thenlistentome。Iamgoingtotellyou……Inthefirstplace，speaknottomeofyourPhoebus。(Ashespokethushepacedtoandfro，likeamanwhocannotremaininoneplace，anddraggedherafterhim。)Donotspeaktomeofhim。Doyousee？Ifyouutterthatname，IknownotwhatIshalldo，butitwillbeterrible。\"
Then，likeabodywhichrecoversitscentreofgravity，hebecamemotionlessoncemore，buthiswordsbetrayednolessagitation。Hisvoicegrewlowerandlower。
\"Donotturnyourheadasidethus。Listentome。Itisaseriousmatter。Inthefirstplace，hereiswhathashappened——Allthiswillnotbelaughedat。Iswearittoyou——WhatwasIsaying？Remindme！Oh！——ThereisadecreeofParliamentwhichgivesyoubacktothescaffold。Ihavejustrescuedyoufromtheirhands。Buttheyarepursuingyou。
Look！\"
HeextendedhisarmtowardtheCity。Thesearchseemed，infact，tobestillinprogressthere。Theuproardrewnearer；
thetowerofthelieutenant’shouse，situatedoppositetheGrève，wasfullofclamorsandlight，andsoldierscouldbeseenrunningontheoppositequaywithtorchesandthesecries，\"Thegypsy！Whereisthegypsy！Death！Death！\"
\"Youseethattheyareinpursuitofyou，andthatIamnotlyingtoyou。Iloveyou——Donotopenyourmouth；
refrainfromspeakingtomerather，ifitbeonlytotellmethatyouhateme。Ihavemadeupmymindnottohearthatagain——Ihavejustsavedyou——Letmefinishfirst。Icansaveyouwholly。Ihavepreparedeverything。Itisyoursatwill。Ifyouwish，Icandoit。\"
Hebrokeoffviolently。\"No，thatisnotwhatIshouldsay！\"
Ashewentwithhurriedstepandmadeherhurryalso，forhedidnotreleaseher，hewalkedstraighttothegallows，andpointedtoitwithhisfinger，——
\"Choosebetweenustwo，\"hesaid，coldly。
Shetoreherselffromhishandsandfellatthefootofthegibbet，embracingthatfunerealsupport，thenshehalfturnedherbeautifulhead，andlookedatthepriestoverhershoulder。
OnewouldhavesaidthatshewasaHolyVirginatthefootofthecross。Thepriestremainedmotionless，hisfingerstillraisedtowardthegibbet，preservinghisattitudelikeastatue。
Atlengththegypsysaidtohim，——
\"Itcausesmelesshorrorthanyoudo。\"
Thenheallowedhisarmtosinkslowly，andgazedatthepavementinprofounddejection。
\"Ifthesestonescouldspeak，\"hemurmured，\"yes，theywouldsaythataveryunhappymanstandshere。
Hewenton。Theyounggirl，kneelingbeforethegallows，envelopedinherlongflowinghair，lethimspeakonwithoutinterruption。Henowhadagentleandplaintiveaccentwhichcontrastedsadlywiththehaughtyharshnessofhisfeatures。
\"Iloveyou。Oh！howtruethatis！Sonothingcomesofthatfirewhichburnsmyheart！Alas！younggirl，nightandday——yes，nightanddayItellyou，——itistorture。Oh！I
suffertoomuch，mypoorchild。’Tisathingdeservingofcompassion，Iassureyou。YouseethatIspeakgentlytoyou。Ireallywishthatyoushouldnolongercherishthishorrorofme——Afterall，ifamanlovesawoman，’tisnothisfault！——Oh，myGod！——What！Soyouwillneverpardonme？
Youwillalwayshateme？Allisoverthen。Itisthatwhichrendersmeevil，doyousee？andhorribletomyself——Youwillnotevenlookatme！Youarethinkingofsomethingelse，perchance，whileIstandhereandtalktoyou，shudderingonthebrinkofeternityforbothofus！Aboveallthings，donotspeaktomeoftheofficer！——Iwouldcastmyselfatyourknees，Iwouldkissnotyourfeet，buttheearthwhichisunderyourfeet；Iwouldsoblikeachild，Iwouldtearfrommybreastnotwords，butmyveryheartandvitals，totellyouthatIloveyou；——allwouldbeuseless，all！——Andyetyouhavenothinginyourheartbutwhatistenderandmerciful。Youareradiantwiththemostbeautifulmildness；
youarewhollysweet，good，pitiful，andcharming。Alas！
Youcherishnoillwillforanyonebutmealone！Oh！whatafatality！\"
Hehidhisfaceinhishands。Theyounggirlheardhimweeping。Itwasforthefirsttime。Thuserectandshakenbysobs，hewasmoremiserableandmoresuppliantthanwhenonhisknees。Heweptthusforaconsiderabletime。
\"Come！\"hesaid，thesefirsttearspassed，\"Ihavenomorewords。Ihad，however，thoughtwellastowhatyouwouldsay。NowItrembleandshiverandbreakdownatthedecisivemoment，Ifeelconsciousofsomethingsupremeenvelopingus，andIstammer。Oh！Ishallfalluponthepavementifyoudonottakepityonme，pityonyourself。Donotcondemnusboth。IfyouonlyknewhowmuchIloveyou！
Whataheartismine！Oh！whatdesertionofallvirtue！
Whatdesperateabandonmentofmyself！Adoctor，Imockatscience；agentleman，Itarnishmyownname；apriest，I
makeofthemissalapillowofsensuality，IspitinthefaceofmyGod！allthisforthee，enchantress！tobemoreworthyofthyhell！Andyouwillnothavetheapostate！Oh！letmetellyouall！morestill，somethingmorehorrible，oh！Yetmorehorrible！……\"
Asheutteredtheselastwords，hisairbecameutterlydistracted。Hewassilentforamoment，andresumed，asthoughspeakingtohimself，andinastrongvoice，——
\"Cain，whathastthoudonewiththybrother？\"
Therewasanothersilence，andhewenton——
\"WhathaveIdonewithhim，Lord？Ireceivedhim，I
rearedhim，Inourishedhim，Ilovedhim，Iidolizedhim，andIhaveslainhim！Yes，Lord，theyhavejustdashedhisheadbeforemyeyesonthestoneofthinehouse，anditisbecauseofme，becauseofthiswoman，becauseofher。\"
Hiseyewaswild。Hisvoicegreweverweaker；herepeatedmanytimes，yet，mechanically，attolerablylongintervals，likeabellprolongingitslastvibration:\"Becauseofher——Becauseofher。\"
Thenhistonguenolongerarticulatedanyperceptiblesound；buthislipsstillmoved。Allatoncehesanktogether，likesomethingcrumbling，andlaymotionlessontheearth，withhisheadonhisknees。
Atouchfromtheyounggirl，asshedrewherfootfromunderhim，broughthimtohimself。Hepassedhishandslowlyoverhishollowcheeks，andgazedforseveralmomentsathisfingers，whichwerewet，\"What！\"hemurmured，\"Ihavewept！\"
Andturningsuddenlytothegypsywithunspeakableanguish，——
\"Alas！youhavelookedcoldlyonatmytears！Child，doyouknowthatthosetearsareoflava？Isitindeedtrue？
Nothingtoucheswhenitcomesfromthemanwhomonedoesnotlove。Ifyouweretoseemedie，youwouldlaugh。Oh！
Idonotwishtoseeyoudie！Oneword！Asinglewordofpardon！Saynotthatyouloveme，sayonlythatyouwilldoit；thatwillsuffice；Iwillsaveyou。Ifnot——oh！thehourispassing。Ientreatyoubyallthatissacred，donotwaituntilIshallhaveturnedtostoneagain，likethatgibbetwhichalsoclaimsyou！ReflectthatIholdthedestiniesofbothofusinmyhand，thatIammad，——itisterrible，——thatImayletallgotodestruction，andthatthereisbeneathusabottomlessabyss，unhappygirl，whithermyfallwillfollowyourstoalleternity！Onewordofkindness！Sayoneword！
onlyoneword！\"
Sheopenedhermouthtoanswerhim。Heflunghimselfonhiskneestoreceivewithadorationtheword，possiblyatenderone，whichwasonthepointofissuingfromherlips。
Shesaidtohim，\"Youareanassassin！\"
Thepriestclaspedherinhisarmswithfury，andbegantolaughwithanabominablelaugh。
\"Well，yes，anassassin！\"hesaid，\"andIwillhaveyou。
Youwillnothavemeforyourslave，youshallhavemeforyourmaster。Iwillhaveyou！Ihaveaden，whitherIwilldragyou。Youwillfollowme，youwillbeobligedtofollowme，orIwilldeliveryouup！Youmustdie，mybeauty，orbemine！belongtothepriest！belongtotheapostate！belongtotheassassin！thisverynight，doyouhear？Come！joy；
kissme，madgirl！Thetombormybed！\"
Hiseyessparkledwithimpurityandrage。Hislewdlipsreddenedtheyounggirl’sneck。Shestruggledinhisarms。
Hecoveredherwithfuriouskisses。
\"Donotbiteme，monster！\"shecried。\"Oh！thefoul，odiousmonk！leaveme！Iwilltearoutthyuglygrayhairandflingitinthyfacebythehandful！\"
Hereddened，turnedpale，thenreleasedherandgazedatherwithagloomyair。Shethoughtherselfvictorious，andcontinued，——
\"ItellyouthatIbelongtomyPhoebus，that’tisPhoebuswhomIlove，that’tisPhoebuswhoishandsome！youareold，priest！youareugly！Begone！\"
Hegaveventtoahorriblecry，likethewretchtowhomahotironisapplied。\"Die，then！\"hesaid，gnashinghisteeth。
Shesawhisterriblelookandtriedtofly。Hecaughtheroncemore，heshookher，heflungherontheground，andwalkedwithrapidstridestowardsthecorneroftheTour-
Roland，draggingherafterhimalongthepavementbyherbeautifulhands。
Onarrivingthere，heturnedtoher，——
\"Forthelasttime，willyoubemine？\"
Sherepliedwithemphasis，——
\"No！\"
Thenhecriedinaloudvoice，——
\"Gudule！Gudule！hereisthegypsy！takeyourvengeance！\"
Theyounggirlfeltherselfseizedsuddenlybytheelbow。
Shelooked。Afleshlessarmwasstretchedfromanopeninginthewall，andheldherlikeahandofiron。
\"Holdherwell，\"saidthepriest；\"’tisthegypsyescaped。
Releasehernot。Iwillgoinsearchofthesergeants。Youshallseeherhanged。\"
Agutturallaughrepliedfromtheinteriorofthewalltothesebloodywords——\"Hah！hah！hah！\"——ThegypsywatchedthepriestretireinthedirectionofthePontNotre-Dame。
Acavalcadewasheardinthatdirection。
Theyounggirlhadrecognizedthespitefulrecluse。Pantingwithterror，shetriedtodisengageherself。Shewrithed，shemademanystartsofagonyanddespair，buttheotherheldherwithincrediblestrength。Theleanandbonyfingerswhichbruisedher，clenchedonherfleshandmetaroundit。
Onewouldhavesaidthatthishandwasrivetedtoherarm。
Itwasmorethanachain，morethanafetter，morethanaringofiron，itwasalivingpairofpincersendowedwithintelligence，whichemergedfromthewall。
Shefellbackagainstthewallexhausted，andthenthefearofdeathtookpossessionofher。Shethoughtofthebeautyoflife，ofyouth，oftheviewofheaven，theaspectsofnature，ofherloveforPhoebus，ofallthatwasvanishingandallthatwasapproaching，ofthepriestwhowasdenouncingher，oftheheadsmanwhowastocome，ofthegallowswhichwasthere。Thenshefeltterrormounttotheveryrootsofherhairandsheheardthemockinglaughoftherecluse，sayingtoherinaverylowtone:\"Hah！hah！hah！youaregoingtobehanged！\"
Sheturnedadyinglooktowardsthewindow，andshebeheldthefiercefaceofthesackednunthroughthebars。
\"WhathaveIdonetoyou？\"shesaid，almostlifeless。
Thereclusedidnotreply，butbegantomumblewithasingsongirritated，mockingintonation:\"DaughterofEgypt！daughterofEgypt！daughterofEgypt！\"
TheunhappyEsmeraldadroppedherheadbeneathherflowinghair，comprehendingthatitwasnohumanbeingshehadtodealwith。
Allatoncetherecluseexclaimed，asthoughthegypsy’squestionhadtakenallthistimetoreachherbrain，——\"’Whathaveyoudonetome？’yousay！Ah！whathaveyoudonetome，gypsy！Well！listen——Ihadachild！yousee！Ihadachild！achild，Itellyou！——aprettylittlegirl！——myAgnes！\"
shewentonwildly，kissingsomethinginthedark——\"Well！doyousee，daughterofEgypt？theytookmychildfromme；theystolemychild；theyatemychild。Thatiswhatyouhavedonetome。\"
Theyounggirlrepliedlikealamb，——
\"Alas！perchanceIwasnotbornthen！\"
\"Oh！yes！\"returnedtherecluse，\"youmusthavebeenborn。Youwereamongthem。Shewouldbethesameageasyou！so！——Ihavebeenherefifteenyears；fifteenyearshaveIsuffered；fifteenyearshaveIprayed；fifteenyearshaveI
beatmyheadagainstthesefourwalls——Itellyouthat’twasthegypsieswhostoleherfromme，doyouhearthat？andwhoateherwiththeirteeth——Haveyouaheart？imagineachildplaying，achildsucking；achildsleeping。Itissoinnocentathing！——Well！that，thatiswhattheytookfromme，whattheykilled。ThegoodGodknowsitwell！To-day，itismyturn；Iamgoingtoeatthegypsy——Oh！Iwouldbiteyouwell，ifthebarsdidnotpreventme！Myheadistoolarge！——Poorlittleone！whileshewasasleep！Andiftheywokeherupwhentheytookher，invainshemightcry；Iwasnotthere！——Ah！gypsymothers，youdevouredmychild！comeseeyourown。\"
Thenshebegantolaughortognashherteeth，forthetwothingsresembledeachotherinthatfuriousface。Thedaywasbeginningtodawn。Anashygleamdimlylightedthisscene，andthegallowsgrewmoreandmoredistinctinthesquare。Ontheotherside，inthedirectionofthebridgeofNotre-Dame，thepoorcondemnedgirlfanciedthatsheheardthesoundofcavalryapproaching。
\"Madam，\"shecried，claspingherhandsandfallingonherknees，dishevelled，distracted，madwithfright；\"madam！havepity！Theyarecoming。Ihavedonenothingtoyou。Wouldyouwishtoseemedieinthishorriblefashionbeforeyourveryeyes？Youarepitiful，Iamsure。Itistoofrightful。
Letmemakemyescape。Releaseme！Mercy。Idonotwishtodielikethat！\"
\"Givemebackmychild！\"saidtherecluse。
\"Mercy！Mercy！\"
\"Givemebackmychild！\"
\"Releaseme，inthenameofheaven！\"
\"Givemebackmychild！\"
Againtheyounggirlfell；exhausted，broken，andhavingalreadytheglassyeyeofapersoninthegrave。
\"Alas！\"shefaltered，\"youseekyourchild，Iseekmyparents。\"
\"GivemebackmylittleAgnes！\"pursuedGudule。\"Youdonotknowwheresheis？Thendie！——Iwilltellyou。I
wasawomanofthetown，Ihadachild，theytookmychild。
Itwasthegypsies。Youseeplainlythatyoumustdie。
Whenyourmother，thegypsy，comestoreclaimyou，Ishallsaytoher:’Mother，lookatthatgibbet！——Or，givemebackmychild。Doyouknowwheresheis，mylittledaughter？
Stay！Iwillshowyou。Hereishershoe，allthatisleftmeofher。Doyouknowwhereitsmateis？Ifyouknow，tellme，andifitisonlyattheotherendoftheworld，Iwillcrawltoitonmyknees。\"
Asshespokethus，withherotherarmextendedthroughthewindow，sheshowedthegypsythelittleembroideredshoe。
Itwasalreadylightenoughtodistinguishitsshapeanditscolors。
\"Letmeseethatshoe，\"saidthegypsy，quivering。\"God！God！\"
Andatthesametime，withherhandwhichwasatliberty，shequicklyopenedthelittlebagornamentedwithgreenglass，whichsheworeaboutherneck。
\"Goon，goon！\"grumbledGudule，\"searchyourdemon’samulet！\"
Allatonce，shestoppedshort，trembledineverylimb，andcriedinavoicewhichproceededfromtheverydepthsofherbeing:\"Mydaughter！\"
Thegypsyhadjustdrawnfromthebagalittleshoeabsolutelysimilartotheother。Tothislittleshoewasattachedaparchmentonwhichwasinscribedthischarm，——
~QuandleparellretrouverasTameretetendraslesbras~。*
*Whenthoushaltfinditsmate，thymotherwillstretchoutherarmstothee。
Quickerthanaflashoflightning，thereclusehadlaidthetwoshoestogether，hadreadtheparchmentandhadputclosetothebarsofthewindowherfacebeamingwithcelestialjoyasshecried，——
\"Mydaughter！mydaughter！\"
\"Mymother！\"saidthegypsy。
Hereweareunequaltothetaskofdepictingthescene。
Thewallandtheironbarswerebetweenthem。\"Oh！thewall！\"criedtherecluse。\"Oh！toseeherandnottoembraceher！Yourhand！yourhand！\"
Theyounggirlpassedherarmthroughtheopening；thereclusethrewherselfonthathand，pressedherlipstoitandthereremained，buriedinthatkiss，givingnoothersignoflifethanasobwhichheavedherbreastfromtimetotime。
Inthemeanwhile，sheweptintorrents，insilence，inthedark，likearainatnight。Thepoormotherpouredoutinfloodsuponthatadoredhandthedarkanddeepwelloftears，whichlaywithinher，andintowhichhergriefhadfiltered，dropbydrop，forfifteenyears。
Allatoncesherose，flungasideherlonggrayhairfromherbrow，andwithoututteringaword，begantoshakethebarsofhercagecell，withbothhands，morefuriouslythanalioness。
Thebarsheldfirm。Thenshewenttoseekinthecornerofhercellahugepavingstone，whichservedherasapillow，andlauncheditagainstthemwithsuchviolencethatoneofthebarsbroke，emittingthousandsofsparks。Asecondblowcompletelyshatteredtheoldironcrosswhichbarricadedthewindow。Thenwithhertwohands，shefinishedbreakingandremovingtherustedstumpsofthebars。Therearemomentswhenwoman’shandspossesssuperhumanstrength。
Apassagebroken，lessthanaminutewasrequiredforhertoseizeherdaughterbythemiddleofherbody，anddrawherintohercell。\"Comeletmedrawyououtoftheabyss，\"shemurmured。
Whenherdaughterwasinsidethecell，shelaidhergentlyontheground，thenraisedherupagain，andbearingherinherarmsasthoughshewerestillonlyherlittleAgnes，shewalkedtoandfroinherlittleroom，intoxicated，frantic，joyous，cryingout，singing，kissingherdaughter，talkingtoher，burstingintolaughter，meltingintotears，allatonceandwithvehemence。
\"Mydaughter！mydaughter！\"shesaid。\"Ihavemydaughter！
heresheis！ThegoodGodhasgivenherbacktome！
Hayou！comeallofyou！IsthereanyonetheretoseethatIhavemydaughter？LordJesus，howbeautifulsheis！Youhavemademewaitfifteenyears，mygoodGod，butitwasinordertogiveherbacktomebeautiful——Thenthegypsiesdidnoteather！Whosaidso？Mylittledaughter！
mylittledaughter！Kissme。Thosegoodgypsies！Ilovethegypsies！——Itisreallyyou！Thatwaswhatmademyheartleapeverytimethatyoupassedby。AndItookthatforhatred！Forgiveme，myAgnes，forgiveme。Youthoughtmeverymalicious，didyounot？Iloveyou。Haveyoustillthelittlemarkonyourneck？Letussee。Shestillhasit。
Oh！youarebeautiful！ItwasIwhogaveyouthosebigeyes，mademoiselle。Kissme。Iloveyou。Itisnothingtomethatothermothershavechildren；Iscornthemnow。
Theyhaveonlytocomeandsee。Hereismine。Seeherneck，hereyes，herhair，herhands。Findmeanythingasbeautifulasthat！Oh！Ipromiseyoushewillhavelovers，thatshewill！Ihaveweptforfifteenyears。Allmybeautyhasdepartedandhasfallentoher。Kissme。\"
Sheaddressedtoherathousandotherextravagantremarks，whoseaccentconstitutedtheirsolebeauty，disarrangedthepoorgirl’sgarmentseventothepointofmakingherblush，smoothedhersilkyhairwithherhand，kissedherfoot，herknee，herbrow，hereyes，wasinrapturesovereverything。
Theyounggirlletherhaveherway，repeatingatintervalsandverylowandwithinfinitetenderness，\"Mymother！\"
\"Doyousee，mylittlegirl，\"resumedtherecluse，interspersingherwordswithkisses，\"Ishallloveyoudearly？Wewillgoawayfromhere。Wearegoingtobeveryhappy。IhaveinheritedsomethinginReims，inourcountry。
YouknowReims？Ah！no，youdonotknowit；youweretoosmall！Ifyouonlyknewhowprettyyouwereattheageoffourmonths！TinyfeetthatpeoplecameevenfromEpernay，whichissevenleaguesaway，tosee！Weshallhaveafield，ahouse。Iwillputyoutosleepinmybed。MyGod！myGod！whowouldbelievethis？Ihavemydaughter！\"
\"Oh，mymother！\"saidtheyounggirl，atlengthfindingstrengthtospeakinheremotion，\"thegypsywomantoldmeso。Therewasagoodgypsyofourbandwhodiedlastyear，andwhoalwayscaredformelikeanurse。Itwasshewhoplacedthislittlebagaboutmyneck。Shealwayssaidtome:
’Littleone，guardthisjewelwell！’Tisatreasure。Itwillcausetheetofindthymotheronceagain。Thouwearestthymotheraboutthyneck。’——Thegypsypredictedit！\"
Thesackednunagainpressedherdaughterinherarms。
\"Come，letmekissyou！Yousaythatprettily。Whenweareinthecountry，wewillplacetheselittleshoesonaninfantJesusinthechurch。Wecertainlyowethattothegood，holyVirgin。Whataprettyvoiceyouhave！Whenyouspoketomejustnow，itwasmusic！Ah！myLordGod！
Ihavefoundmychildagain！Butisthisstorycredible？
Nothingwillkillone——orIshouldhavediedofjoy。\"
Andthenshebegantoclapherhandsagainandtolaughandtocryout:\"Wearegoingtobesohappy！\"
Atthatmoment，thecellresoundedwiththeclangofarmsandagallopingofhorseswhichseemedtobecomingfromthePontNotre-Dame，amidadvancingfartherandfartheralongthequay。Thegypsythrewherselfwithanguishintothearmsofthesackednun。
\"Saveme！saveme！mother！theyarecoming！\"
\"Oh，heaven！whatareyousaying？Ihadforgotten！
Theyareinpursuitofyou！Whathaveyoudone？\"
\"Iknownot，\"repliedtheunhappychild；\"butIamcondemnedtodie。\"
\"Todie！\"saidGudule，staggeringasthoughstruckbylightning；\"todie！\"sherepeatedslowly，gazingatherdaughterwithstaringeyes。
\"Yes，mother，\"repliedthefrightenedyounggirl，\"theywanttokillme。Theyarecomingtoseizeme。Thatgallowsisforme！Saveme！saveme！Theyarecoming！Saveme！\"
Therecluseremainedforseveralmomentsmotionlessandpetrified，thenshemovedherheadinsignofdoubt，andsuddenlygivingventtoaburstoflaughter，butwiththatterriblelaughwhichhadcomebacktoher，——
\"Ho！ho！no！’tisadreamofwhichyouaretellingme。
Ah，yes！Ilosther，thatlastedfifteenyears，andthenIfoundheragain，andthatlastedaminute！Andtheywouldtakeherfrommeagain！Andnow，whensheisbeautiful，whensheisgrownup，whenshespeakstome，whenshelovesme；
itisnowthattheywouldcometodevourher，beforemyveryeyes，andIhermother！Oh！no！thesethingsarenotpossible。
ThegoodGoddoesnotpermitsuchthingsasthat。\"
Herethecavalcadeappearedtohalt，andavoicewasheardtosayinthedistance，——
\"Thisway，MessireTristan！ThepriestsaysthatweshallfindherattheRat-Hole。\"Thenoiseofthehorsesbeganagain。
Thereclusesprangtoherfeetwithashriekofdespair。
\"Fly！fly！mychild！Allcomesbacktome。Youareright。Itisyourdeath！Horror！Maledictions！Fly！\"
Shethrustherheadthroughthewindow，andwithdrewitagainhastily。
\"Remain，\"shesaid，inalow，curt，andlugubrioustone，asshepressedthehandofthegypsy，whowasmoredeadthanalive。\"Remain！Donotbreathe！Therearesoldierseverywhere。
Youcannotgetout。Itistoolight。\"
Hereyesweredryandburning。Sheremainedsilentforamoment；butshepacedthecellhurriedly，andhaltednowandthentopluckouthandfulsofhergrayhairs，whichsheafterwardstorewithherteeth。
Suddenlyshesaid:\"Theydrawnear。Iwillspeakwiththem。Hideyourselfinthiscorner。Theywillnotseeyou。
Iwilltellthemthatyouhavemadeyourescape。ThatI
releasedyou，i’faith！\"
Shesetherdaughter(downforshewasstillcarryingher)，inonecornerofthecellwhichwasnotvisiblefromwithout。
Shemadehercrouchdown，arrangedhercarefullysothatneitherfootnorhandprojectedfromtheshadow，untiedherblackhairwhichshespreadoverherwhiterobetoconcealit，placedinfrontofherherjugandherpavingstone，theonlyarticlesoffurniturewhichshepossessed，imaginingthatthisjugandstonewouldhideher。Andwhenthiswasfinishedshebecamemoretranquil，andkneltdowntopray。Theday，whichwasonlydawning，stillleftmanyshadowsintheRat-Hole。
Atthatmoment，thevoiceofthepriest，thatinfernalvoice，passedveryclosetothecell，crying，——
\"Thisway，CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers。\"
Atthatname，atthatvoice，laEsmeralda，crouchinginhercorner，madeamovement。
\"Donotstir！\"saidGudule。
Shehadbarelyfinishedwhenatumultofmen，swords，andhorseshaltedaroundthecell。Themotherrosequicklyandwenttopostherselfbeforeherwindow，inordertostopitup。
Shebeheldalargetroopofarmedmen，bothhorseandfoot，drawnupontheGrève。
Thecommanderdismounted，andcametowardher。
\"Oldwoman！\"saidthisman，whohadanatrociousface，\"weareinsearchofawitchtohangher；weweretoldthatyouhadher。\"
Thepoormotherassumedasindifferentanairasshecould，andreplied，——
\"Iknownotwhatyoumean。\"
Theotherresumed，\"~TêteDieu~！Whatwasitthatfrightenedarchdeaconsaid？Whereishe？\"
\"Monseigneur，\"saidasoldier，\"hehasdisappeared。\"
\"Come，now，oldmadwoman，\"beganthecommanderagain，\"donotlie。Asorceresswasgiveninchargetoyou。Whathaveyoudonewithher？\"
Thereclusedidnotwishtodenyall，forfearofawakeningsuspicion，andrepliedinasincereandsurlytone，——
\"Ifyouarespeakingofabigyounggirlwhowasputintomyhandsawhileago，Iwilltellyouthatshebitme，andthatIreleasedher。There！Leavemeinpeace。\"
Thecommandermadeagrimaceofdisappointment。
\"Don’tlietome，oldspectre！\"saidhe。\"MynameisTristanl’Hermite，andIamtheking’sgossip。TristantheHermit，doyouhear？\"Headded，asheglancedatthePlacedeGrèvearoundhim，\"’Tisanamewhichhasanechohere。\"
\"YoumightbeSatantheHermit，\"repliedGudule，whowasregaininghope，\"butIshouldhavenothingelsetosaytoyou，andIshouldneverbeafraidofyou。\"
\"~Tête-Dieu~，\"saidTristan，\"hereisacrone！Ah！Sothewitchgirlhathfled！Andinwhichdirectiondidshego？\"
Gudulerepliedinacarelesstone，——
\"ThroughtheRueduMouton，Ibelieve。\"
Tristanturnedhisheadandmadeasigntohistrooptopreparetosetoutonthemarchagain。Thereclusebreathedfreelyoncemore。
\"Monseigneur，\"suddenlysaidanarcher，\"asktheoldelfwhythebarsofherwindowarebrokeninthismanner。\"
Thisquestionbroughtanguishagaintotheheartofthemiserablemother。Nevertheless，shedidnotloseallpresenceofmind。
Theyhavealwaysbeenthus，\"shestammered。
\"Bah！\"retortedthearcher，\"onlyyesterdaytheystillformedafineblackcross，whichinspireddevotion。\"
Tristaneastasidelongglanceattherecluse。
\"Ithinktheolddameisgettingconfused！\"
Theunfortunatewomanfeltthatalldependedonherself-
possession，and，althoughwithdeathinhersoul，shebegantogrin。Motherspossesssuchstrength。
\"Bah！\"saidshe，\"themanisdrunk。’Tismorethanayearsincethetailofastonecartdashedagainstmywindowandbrokeinthegrating。AndhowIcursedthecarter，too。\"
\"’Tistrue，\"saidanotherarcher，\"Iwasthere。\"
Alwaysandeverywherepeoplearetobefoundwhohaveseeneverything。Thisunexpectedtestimonyfromthearcherre-encouragedtherecluse，whomthisinterrogatorywasforcingtocrossanabyssontheedgeofaknife。Butshewascondemnedtoaperpetualalternativeofhopeandalarm。
\"Ifitwasacartwhichdidit，\"retortedthefirstsoldier，\"thestumpsofthebarsshouldbethrustinwards，whiletheyactuallyarepushedoutwards。\"
\"Ho！ho！\"saidTristantothesoldier，\"youhavethenoseofaninquisitoroftheChatelet。Replytowhathesays，oldwoman。\"
\"Goodheavens！\"sheexclaimed，driventobay，andinavoicethatwasfulloftearsindespiteofherefforts，\"Isweartoyou，monseigneur，that’twasacartwhichbrokethosebars。
Youhearthemanwhosawit。Andthen，whathasthattodowithyourgypsy？\"
\"Hum！\"growledTristan。
\"Thedevil！\"wentonthesoldier，flatteredbytheprovost’spraise，\"thesefracturesoftheironareperfectlyfresh。\"
Tristantossedhishead。Sheturnedpale。
\"Howlongago，sayyou，didthecartdoit？\"
\"Amonth，afortnight，perhaps，monseigheur，Iknownot。\"
\"Shefirstsaidmorethanayear，\"observedthesoldier。
\"Thatissuspicious，\"saidtheprovost。
\"Monseigneur！\"shecried，stillpressedagainsttheopening，andtremblinglestsuspicionshouldleadthemtothrusttheirheadsthroughandlookintohercell；\"monseigneur，I
sweartoyouthat’twasacartwhichbrokethisgrating。I
swearittoyoubytheangelsofparadise。Ifitwasnotacart，mayIbeeternallydamned，andIrejectGod！\"
\"Youputagreatdealofheatintothatoath；\"saidTristan，withhisinquisitorialglance。
Thepoorwomanfeltherassurancevanishingmoreandmore。Shehadreachedthepointofblundering，andshecomprehendedwithterrorthatshewassayingwhatsheoughtnottohavesaid。
Hereanothersoldiercameup，crying，——
\"Monsieur，theoldhaglies。ThesorceressdidnotfleethroughtheRuedeMouton。Thestreetchainhasremainedstretchedallnight，andthechainguardhasseennoonepass。\"
Tristan，whosefacebecamemoresinisterwitheverymoment，addressedtherecluse，——
\"Whathaveyoutosaytothat？\"
Shetriedtomakeheadagainstthisnewincident，\"ThatIdonotknow，monseigneur；thatImayhavebeenmistaken。Ibelieve，infact，thatshecrossedthewater。\"
\"Thatisintheoppositedirection，\"saidtheprovost，\"anditisnotverylikelythatshewouldwishtore-enterthecity，whereshewasbeingpursued。Youarelying，oldwoman。\"
\"Andthen，\"addedthefirstsoldier，\"thereisnoboateitheronthissideofthestreamorontheother。\"
\"Sheswamacross，\"repliedtherecluse，defendinghergroundfootbyfoot。
\"Dowomenswim？\"saidthesoldier。
\"~TêteDieu~！oldwoman！Youarelying！\"repeatedTristanangrily。\"Ihaveagoodmindtoabandonthatsorceressandtakeyou。Aquarterofanhouroftorturewill，perchance，drawthetruthfromyourthroat。Come！Youaretofollowus。\"
Sheseizedonthesewordswithavidity。
\"Asyouplease，monseigneur。Doit。Doit。Torture。I
amwilling。Takemeaway。Quick，quick！letussetoutatonce！——Duringthattime，\"shesaidtoherself，\"mydaughterwillmakeherescape。\"
\"’Sdeath！\"saidtheprovost，\"whatanappetitefortherack！Iunderstandnotthismadwomanatall。\"
Anold，gray-hairedsergeantoftheguardsteppedoutoftheranks，andaddressingtheprovost，——
\"Madinsooth，monseigneur。Ifshereleasedthegypsy，itwasnotherfault，forshelovesnotthegypsies。Ihavebeenofthewatchthesefifteenyears，andIhearhereveryeveningcursingtheBohemianwomenwithendlessimprecations。Iftheoneofwhomweareinpursuitis，asIsuppose，thelittledancerwiththegoat，shedeteststhatoneabovealltherest。\"
Gudulemadeaneffortandsaid，——
\"Thatoneaboveall。\"
Theunanimoustestimonyofthemenofthewatchconfirmedtheoldsergeant’swordstotheprovost。Tristanl’Hermite，indespairatextractinganythingfromtherecluse，turnedhisbackonher，andwithunspeakableanxietyshebeheldhimdirecthiscourseslowlytowardshishorse。
\"Come！\"hesaid，betweenhisteeth，\"Marchon！letussetoutagainonthequest。Ishallnotsleepuntilthatgypsyishanged。\"
Buthestillhesitatedforsometimebeforemountinghishorse。Gudulepalpitatedbetweenlifeanddeath，asshebeheldhimcastaboutthePlacethatuneasylookofahuntingdogwhichinstinctivelyfeelsthatthelairofthebeastisclosetohim，andisloathtogoaway。Atlengthheshookhisheadandleapedintohissaddle。Gudule’shorriblycompressedheartnowdilated，andshesaidinalowvoice，asshecastaglanceatherdaughter，whomshehadnotventuredtolookatwhiletheywerethere，\"Saved！\"
Thepoorchildhadremainedallthistimeinhercorner，withoutbreathing，withoutmoving，withtheideaofdeathbeforeher。ShehadlostnothingofthescenebetweenGuduleandTristan，andtheanguishofhermotherhadfounditsechoinherheart。Shehadheardallthesuccessivesnappingsofthethreadbywhichshehungsuspendedoverthegulf；twentytimesshehadfanciedthatshesawitbreak，andatlastshebegantobreatheagainandtofeelherfootonfirmground。
Atthatmomentsheheardavoicesayingtotheprovost:
\"~Corboeuf~！MonsieurlePrev？t，’tisnoaffairofmine，amanofarms，tohangwitches。Therabbleofthepopulaceissuppressed。Ileaveyoutoattendtothematteralone。
Youwillallowmetorejoinmycompany，whoarewaitingfortheircaptain。\"
ThevoicewasthatofPhoebusdeChateaupers；thatwhichtookplacewithinherwasineffable。Hewasthere，herfriend，herprotector，hersupport，herrefuge，herPhoebus。Sherose，andbeforehermothercouldpreventher，shehadrushedtothewindow，crying，——
\"Phoebus！aidme，myPhoebus！\"
Phoebuswasnolongerthere。HehadjustturnedthecorneroftheRuedelaCoutellerieatagallop。ButTristanhadnotyettakenhisdeparture。
Therecluserusheduponherdaughterwitharoarofagony。
Shedraggedherviolentlyback，digginghernailsintoherneck。Atigressmotherdoesnotstandontrifles。Butitwastoolate。Tristanhadseen。
\"Hé！hé！\"heexclaimedwithalaughwhichlaidbareallhisteethandmadehisfaceresemblethemuzzleofawolf，\"twomiceinthetrap！\"
\"Isuspectedasmuch，\"saidthesoldier。
Tristanclappedhimontheshoulder，——
\"Youareagoodcat！Come！\"headded，\"whereisHenrietCousin？\"
Amanwhohadneitherthegarmentsnortheairofasoldier，steppedfromtheranks。Heworeacostumehalfgray，halfbrown，flathair，leathersleeves，andcarriedabundleofropesinhishugehand。ThismanalwaysattendedTristan，whoalwaysattendedLouisXI。
\"Friend，\"saidTristanl’Hermite，\"Ipresumethatthisisthesorceressofwhomweareinsearch。Youwillhangmethisone。Haveyouyourladder？\"
\"Thereisoneyonder，undertheshedofthePillar-House，\"
repliedtheman。\"Isitonthisjusticethatthethingistobedone？\"headded，pointingtothestonegibbet。
\"Yes。\"
\"Ho，hé！\"continuedthemanwithahugelaugh，whichwasstillmorebrutalthanthatoftheprovost，\"weshallnothavefartogo。\"
\"Makehaste！\"saidTristan，\"youshalllaughafterwards。\"
Inthemeantime，thereclusehadnotutteredanotherwordsinceTristanhadseenherdaughterandallhopewaslost。
Shehadflungthepoorgypsy，halfdead，intothecornerofthecellar，andhadplacedherselfoncemoreatthewindowwithbothhandsrestingontheangleofthesillliketwoclaws。Inthisattitudeshewasseentocastuponallthosesoldiersherglancewhichhadbecomewildandfranticoncemore。AtthemomentwhenRennetCousinapproachedhercell，sheshowedhimsosavageafacethatheshrankback。
\"Monseigneur，\"hesaid，returningtotheprovost，\"whichamItotake？\"
\"Theyoungone。\"
\"Somuchthebetter，fortheoldoneseemethdifficult。\"
\"Poorlittledancerwiththegoat！\"saidtheoldsergeantofthewatch。
RennetCousinapproachedthewindowagain。Themother’seyesmadehisowndroop。Hesaidwithagooddealoftimidity，——
\"Madam\"——
Sheinterruptedhiminaverylowbutfuriousvoice，——
\"Whatdoyouask？\"
\"Itisnotyou，\"hesaid，\"itistheother。\"
\"Whatother？\"
\"Theyoungone。\"
Shebegantoshakeherhead，crying，——
\"Thereisnoone！thereisnoone！thereisnoone！\"
\"Yes，thereis！\"retortedthehangman，\"andyouknowitwell。Letmetaketheyoungone。Ihavenowishtoharmyou。\"
Shesaid，withastrangesneer，——
\"Ah！soyouhavenowishtoharmme！\"
\"Letmehavetheother，madam；’tismonsieurtheprovostwhowillsit。\"
Sherepeatedwithalookofmadness，——
\"Thereisnoonehere。\"
\"Itellyouthatthereis！\"repliedtheexecutioner。\"Wehaveallseenthattherearetwoofyou。\"
\"Lookthen！\"saidtherecluse，withasneer。\"Thrustyourheadthroughthewindow。\"
Theexecutionerobservedthemother’sfinger-nailsanddarednot。
\"Makehaste！\"shoutedTristan，whohadjustrangedhistroopsinacircleroundtheRat-Hole，andwhosatonhishorsebesidethegallows。
Rennetreturnedoncemoretotheprovostingreatembarrassment。
Hehadflunghisropeontheground，andwastwistinghishatbetweenhishandswithanawkwardair。
\"Monseigneur，\"heasked，\"whereamItoenter？\"
\"Bythedoor。\"
\"Thereisnone。\"
\"Bythewindow。\"
\"’Tistoosmall。\"
\"Makeitlarger，\"saidTristanangrily。\"Haveyounotpickaxes？\"
Themotherstilllookedonsteadfastlyfromthedepthsofhercavern。Shenolongerhopedforanything，shenolongerknewwhatshewished，exceptthatshedidnotwishthemtotakeherdaughter。
