第18章

类别:其他 作者:Victor Hugo字数:19452更新时间:18/12/19 16:58:50
RennetCousinwentinsearchofthechestoftoolsforthenightman,undertheshedofthePillar-House。Hedrewfromitalsothedoubleladder,whichheimmediatelysetupagainstthegallows。Fiveorsixoftheprovost’smenarmedthemselveswithpicksandcrowbars,andTristanbetookhimself,incompanywiththem,towardsthewindow。 \"Oldwoman,\"saidtheprovost,inaseveretone,\"deliveruptousthatgirlquietly。\" Shelookedathimlikeonewhodoesnotunderstand。 \"~TêteDieu~!\"continuedTristan,\"whydoyoutrytopreventthissorceressbeinghungasitpleasestheking?\" Thewretchedwomanbegantolaughinherwildway。 \"Why?Sheismydaughter。\" ThetoneinwhichshepronouncedthesewordsmadeevenHenrietCousinshudder。 \"Iamsorryforthat,\"saidtheprovost,\"butitistheking’sgoodpleasure。\" Shecried,redoublingherterriblelaugh,—— \"Whatisyourkingtome?Itellyouthatsheismydaughter!\" \"Piercethewall,\"saidTristan。 Inordertomakeasufficientlywideopening,itsufficedtodislodgeonecourseofstonebelowthewindow。Whenthemotherheardthepicksandcrowbarsminingherfortress,sheutteredaterriblecry;thenshebegantostrideabouthercellwithfrightfulswiftness,awildbeasts’habitwhichhercagehadimpartedtoher。Shenolongersaidanything,buthereyesflamed。Thesoldierswerechilledtotheverysoul。 Allatoncesheseizedherpavingstone,laughed,andhurleditwithbothfistsupontheworkmen。Thestone,badlyflung(forherhandstrembled),touchednoone,andfellshortunderthefeetofTristan’shorse。Shegnashedherteeth。 Inthemeantime,althoughthesunhadnotyetrisen,itwasbroaddaylight;abeautifulrosecolorenlivenedtheancient,decayedchimneysofthePillar-House。Itwasthehourwhentheearliestwindowsofthegreatcityopenjoyouslyontheroofs。Someworkmen,afewfruit-sellersontheirwaytothemarketsontheirasses,begantotraversetheGrève;theyhaltedforamomentbeforethisgroupofsoldiersclusteredroundtheRat-Hole,staredatitwithanairofastonishmentandpassedon。 Thereclusehadgoneandseatedherselfbyherdaughter,coveringherwithherbody,infrontofher,withstaringeyes,listeningtothepoorchild,whodidnotstir,butwhokeptmurmuringinalowvoice,thesewordsonly,\"Phoebus! Phoebus!\"Inproportionastheworkofthedemolishersseemedtoadvance,themothermechanicallyretreated,andpressedtheyounggirlcloserandclosertothewall。Allatonce,thereclusebeheldthestone(forshewasstandingguardandnevertookhereyesfromit),move,andsheheardTristan’svoiceencouragingtheworkers。Thenshearousedfromthedepressionintowhichshehadfallenduringthelastfewmoments,criedout,andasshespoke,hervoicenowrenttheearlikeasaw,thenstammeredasthoughallkindofmaledictionswerepressingtoherlipstoburstforthatonce。 \"Ho!ho!ho!Whythisisterrible!Youareruffians! Areyoureallygoingtotakemydaughter?Oh!thecowards! Oh!thehangmanlackeys!thewretched,blackguardassassins! Help!help!fire!Willtheytakemychildfrommelikethis?WhoisitthenwhoiscalledthegoodGod?\" Then,addressingTristan,foamingatthemouth,withwildeyes,allbristlingandonallfourslikeafemalepanther,—— \"Drawnearandtakemydaughter!Donotyouunderstandthatthiswomantellsyouthatsheismydaughter?Doyouknowwhatitistohaveachild?Eh!lynx,haveyouneverlainwithyourfemale?haveyouneverhadacub? andifyouhavelittleones,whentheyhowlhaveyounothinginyourvitalsthatmoves?\" \"Throwdownthestone,\"saidTristan;\"itnolongerholds。\" Thecrowbarsraisedtheheavycourse。Itwas,aswehavesaid,themother’slastbulwark。 Shethrewherselfuponit,shetriedtoholditback;shescratchedthestonewithhernails,butthemassiveblock,setinmovementbysixmen,escapedherandglidedgentlytothegroundalongtheironlevers。 Themother,perceivinganentranceeffected,felldowninfrontoftheopening,barricadingthebreachwithherbody,beatingthepavementwithherhead,andshriekingwithavoicerenderedsohoarsebyfatiguethatitwashardlyaudible,—— \"Help!fire!fire!\" \"Nowtakethewench,\"saidTristan,stillimpassive。 Themothergazedatthesoldiersinsuchformidablefashionthattheyweremoreinclinedtoretreatthantoadvance。 \"Come,now,\"repeatedtheprovost。\"Hereyou,RennetCousin!\" Noonetookastep。 Theprovostswore,—— \"~TêtedeChrist~!mymenofwar!afraidofawoman!\" \"Monseigneur,\"saidRennet,\"doyoucallthatawoman?\" \"Shehasthemaneofalion,\"saidanother。 \"Come!\"repeatedtheprovost,\"thegapiswideenough。 Enterthreeabreast,asatthebreachofPontoise。Letusmakeanendofit,deathofMahom!Iwillmaketwopiecesofthefirstmanwhodrawsback!\" Placedbetweentheprovostandthemother,boththreatening,thesoldiershesitatedforamoment,thentooktheirresolution,andadvancedtowardstheRat-Hole。 Whenthereclusesawthis,sheroseabruptlyonherknees,flungasideherhairfromherface,thenletherthinflayedhandsfallbyherside。Thengreattearsfell,onebyone,fromhereyes;theyfloweddownhercheeksthroughafurrow,likeatorrentthroughabedwhichithashollowedforitself。 Atthesametimeshebegantospeak,butinavoicesosupplicating,sogentle,sosubmissive,soheartrending,thatmorethanoneoldconvict-warderaroundTristanwhomusthavedevouredhumanfleshwipedhiseyes。 \"Messeigneurs!messieursthesergeants,oneword。ThereisonethingwhichImustsaytoyou。Sheismydaughter,doyousee?mydearlittledaughterwhomIhadlost! Listen。Itisquiteahistory。ConsiderthatIknewthesergeantsverywell。Theywerealwaysgoodtomeinthedayswhenthelittleboysthrewstonesatme,becauseIledalifeofpleasure。Doyousee?Youwillleavememychildwhenyouknow!Iwasapoorwomanofthetown。ItwastheBohemianswhostoleherfromme。AndIkepthershoeforfifteenyears。Stay,hereitis。Thatwasthekindoffootwhichshehad。AtReims!LaChantefleurie!RueFolle- Peine!Perchance,youknewaboutthat。ItwasI。Inyouryouth,then,therewasamerrytime,whenonepassedgoodhours。Youwilltakepityonme,willyounot,gentlemen? Thegypsiesstoleherfromme;theyhidherfrommeforfifteenyears。Ithoughtherdead。Fancy,mygoodfriends,believedhertobedead。Ihavepassedfifteenyearshereinthiscellar,withoutafireinwinter。Itishard。Thepoor,dearlittleshoe!IhavecriedsomuchthatthegoodGodhasheardme。Thisnighthehasgivenmydaughterbacktome。 ItisamiracleofthegoodGod。Shewasnotdead。Youwillnottakeherfromme,Iamsure。Ifitweremyself,I wouldsaynothing;butshe,achildofsixteen!Leavehertimetoseethesun!Whathasshedonetoyou?nothingatall。NorhaveI。IfyoudidbutknowthatsheisallI have,thatIamold,thatsheisablessingwhichtheHolyVirginhassenttome!Andthen,youareallsogood! Youdidnotknowthatshewasmydaughter;butnowyoudoknowit。Oh!Iloveher!Monsieur,thegrandprovost。 Iwouldpreferastabinmyownvitalstoascratchonherfinger!Youhavetheairofsuchagoodlord!WhatIhavetoldyouexplainsthematter,doesitnot?Oh!ifyouhavehadamother,monsiegneur!youarethecaptain,leavememychild!ConsiderthatIprayyouonmyknees,asonepraystoJesusChrist!Iasknothingofanyone;IamfromReims,gentlemen;Iownalittlefieldinheritedfrommyuncle,MahietPradon。Iamnobeggar。Iwishnothing,butIdowantmychild!oh!Iwanttokeepmychild!ThegoodGod,whoisthemaster,hasnotgivenherbacktomefornothing!Theking!yousaytheking!Itwouldnotcausehimmuchpleasuretohavemylittledaughterkilled! Andthen,thekingisgood!sheismydaughter!sheismyowndaughter!Shebelongsnottotheking!sheisnotyours!Iwanttogoaway!wewanttogoaway!andwhentwowomenpass,oneamotherandtheotheradaughter,oneletsthemgo!Letuspass!webelonginReims。Oh!youareverygood,messieursthesergeants,Iloveyouall。Youwillnottakemydearlittleone,itisimpossible!Itisutterlyimpossible,isitnot?Mychild,mychild!\" Wewillnottrytogiveanideaofhergestures,hertone,ofthetearswhichsheswallowedasshespoke,ofthehandswhichsheclaspedandthenwrung,oftheheart-breakingsmiles,oftheswimmingglances,ofthegroans,thesighs,themiserableandaffectingcrieswhichshemingledwithherdisordered,wild,andincoherentwords。WhenshebecamesilentTristanl’Hermitefrowned,butitwastoconcealatearwhichwelledupinhistiger’seye。Heconqueredthisweakness,however,andsaidinacurttone,—— \"Thekingwillsit。\" ThenhebentdowntotheearofRennetCousin,andsaidtohiminaverylowtone,—— \"Makeanendofitquickly!\"Possibly,theredoubtableprovostfelthisheartalsofailinghim。 Theexecutionerandthesergeantsenteredthecell。Themotherofferednoresistance,onlyshedraggedherselftowardsherdaughterandthrewherselfbodilyuponher。 Thegypsybeheldthesoldiersapproach。Thehorrorofdeathreanimatedher,—— \"Mother!\"sheshrieked,inatoneofindescribabledistress,\"Mother!theyarecoming!defendme!\" \"Yes,mylove,Iamdefendingyou!\"repliedthemother,inadyingvoice;andclaspinghercloselyinherarms,shecoveredherwithkisses。Thetwolyingthusontheearth,themotheruponthedaughter,presentedaspectacleworthyofpity。 RennetCousingraspedtheyounggirlbythemiddleofherbody,beneathherbeautifulshoulders。Whenshefeltthathand,shecried,\"Heuh!\"andfainted。Theexecutionerwhowassheddinglargetearsuponher,dropbydrop,wasabouttobearherawayinhisarms。Hetriedtodetachthemother,whohad,sotospeak,knottedherhandsaroundherdaughter’swaist;butsheclungsostronglytoherchild,thatitwasimpossibletoseparatethem。ThenRennetCousindraggedtheyounggirloutsidethecell,andthemotherafterher。Themother’seyeswerealsoclosed。 Atthatmoment,thesunrose,andtherewasalreadyonthePlaceafairlynumerousassemblyofpeoplewholookedonfromadistanceatwhatwasbeingthusdraggedalongthepavementtothegibbet。ForthatwasProvostTristan’swayatexecutions。Hehadapassionforpreventingtheapproachofthecurious。 Therewasnooneatthewindows。Onlyatadistance,atthesummitofthatoneofthetowersofNotre-DamewhichcommandstheGrève,twomenoutlinedinblackagainstthelightmorningsky,andwhoseemedtobelookingon,werevisible。 RennetCousinpausedatthefootofthefatalladder,withthatwhichhewasdragging,and,barelybreathing,withsomuchpitydidthethinginspirehim,hepassedtheropearoundthelovelyneckoftheyounggirl。Theunfortunatechildfeltthehorribletouchofthehemp。Sheraisedhereyelids,andsawthefleshlessarmofthestonegallowsextendedaboveherhead。Thensheshookherselfandshriekedinaloudandheartrendingvoice:\"No!no!Iwillnot!\"Hermother,whoseheadwasburiedandconcealedinherdaughter’sgarments,saidnotaword;onlyherwholebodycouldbeseentoquiver,andshewasheardtoredoubleherkissesonherchild。Theexecutionertookadvantageofthismomenttohastilyloosethearmswithwhichsheclaspedthecondemnedgirl。Eitherthroughexhaustionordespair,shelethimhavehisway。Thenhetooktheyounggirlonhisshoulder,fromwhichthecharmingcreaturehung,gracefullybentoverhislargehead。Thenhesethisfootontheladderinordertoascend。 Atthatmoment,themotherwhowascrouchingonthepavement,openedhereyeswide。Withoututteringacry,sheraisedherselferectwithaterribleexpression;thensheflungherselfuponthehandoftheexecutioner,likeabeastonitsprey,andbitit。Itwasdonelikeaflashoflightning。Theheadsmanhowledwithpain。Thosenearbyrushedup。 Withdifficultytheywithdrewhisbleedinghandfromthemother’steeth。Shepreservedaprofoundsilence。Theythrustherbackwithmuchbrutality,andnoticedthatherheadfellheavilyonthepavement。Theyraisedher,shefellbackagain。Shewasdead。 Theexecutioner,whohadnotloosedhisholdontheyounggirl,begantoascendtheladderoncemore。 CHAPTERII。 THEBEAUTIFULCREATURECLADINWHITE。(Dante。) WhenQuasimodosawthatthecellwasempty,thatthegypsywasnolongerthere,thatwhilehehadbeendefendinghershehadbeenabducted,hegraspedhishairwithbothhandsandstampedwithsurpriseandpain;thenhesetouttorunthroughtheentirechurchseekinghisBohemian,howlingstrangecriestoallthecornersofthewalls,strewinghisredhaironthepavement。Itwasjustatthemomentwhentheking’sarchersweremakingtheirvictoriousentranceintoNotre-Dame,alsoinsearchofthegypsy。Quasimodo,poor,deaffellow,aidedthemintheirfatalintentions,withoutsuspectingit;hethoughtthattheoutcastswerethegypsy’senemies。HehimselfconductedTristanl’Hermitetoallpossiblehiding-places,openedtohimthesecretdoors,thedoublebottomsofthealtars,therearsacristries。Iftheunfortunategirlhadstillbeenthere,itwouldhavebeenhehimselfwhowouldhavedeliveredherup。 WhenthefatigueoffindingnothinghaddisheartenedTristan,whowasnoteasilydiscouraged,Quasimodocontinuedthesearchalone。Hemadethetourofthechurchtwentytimes,lengthandbreadth,upanddown,ascendinganddescending,running,calling,sbouting,peeping,rummaging,ransacking,thrustinghisheadintoeveryhole,pushingatorchundereveryvault,despairing,mad。A malewhohaslosthisfemaleisnomoreroaringnormorehaggard。 Atlastwhenhewassure,perfectlysurethatshewasnolongerthere,thatallwasatanend,thatshehadbeensnatchedfromhim,heslowlymountedthestaircasetothetowers,thatstaircasewhichhehadascendedwithsomucheagernessandtriumphonthedaywhenhehadsavedher。 Hepassedthosesameplacesoncemorewithdroopinghead,voiceless,tearless,almostbreathless。Thechurchwasagaindeserted,andhadfallenbackintoitssilence。Thearchershadquittedittotrackthesorceressinthecity。Quasimodo,leftaloneinthatvastNotre-Dame,sobesiegedandtumultuousbutashorttimebefore,oncemorebetookhimselftothecellwherethegypsyhadsleptforsomanyweeksunderhisguardianship。 Asheapproachedit,hefanciedthathemight,perhaps,findherthere。When,attheturnofthegallerywhichopensontheroofofthesideaisles,heperceivedthetinycellwithitslittlewindowanditslittledoorcrouchingbeneathagreatflyingbuttresslikeabird’snestunderabranch,thepoorman’sheartfailedhim,andheleanedagainstapillartokeepfromfalling。Heimaginedthatshemighthavereturnedthither,thatsomegoodgeniushad,nodoubt,broughtherback,thatthischamberwastootranquil,toosafe,toocharmingforhernottobethere,andhedarednottakeanotherstepforfearofdestroyinghisillusion。\"Yes,\"hesaidtohimself,\"perchancesheissleeping,orpraying。Imustnotdisturbher。\" Atlengthhesummonedupcourage,advancedontiptoe,looked,entered。Empty。Thecellwasstillempty。Theunhappydeafmanwalkedslowlyroundit,liftedthebedandlookedbeneathit,asthoughshemightbeconcealedbetweenthepavementandthemattress,thenheshookhisheadandremainedstupefied。Allatonce,hecrushedhistorchunderhisfoot,and,withoututteringaword,withoutgivingventtoasigh,heflunghimselfatfullspeed,headforemostagainstthewall,andfellfaintingonthefloor。 Whenherecoveredhissenses,hethrewhimselfonthebedandrollingabout,hekissedfranticallytheplacewheretheyounggirlhadsleptandwhichwasstillwarm;heremainedthereforseveralmomentsasmotionlessasthoughhewereabouttoexpire;thenherose,drippingwithperspiration,panting,mad,andbegantobeathisheadagainstthewallwiththefrightfulregularityoftheclapperofhisbells,andtheresolutionofamandeterminedtokillhimself。Atlengthhefellasecondtime,exhausted;hedraggedhimselfonhiskneesoutsidethecell,andcroucheddownfacingthedoor,inanattitudeofastonishment。 Heremainedthusformorethananhourwithoutmakingamovement,withhiseyefixedonthedesertedcell,moregloomy,andmorepensivethanamotherseatedbetweenanemptycradleandafullcoffin。Heutterednotaword;onlyatlongintervals,asobheavedhisbodyviolently,butitwasatearlesssob,likesummerlightningwhichmakesnonoise。 Itappearstohavebeenthen,that,seekingatthebottomofhislonelythoughtsfortheunexpectedabductorofthegypsy,hethoughtofthearchdeacon。HerememberedthatDomClaudealonepossessedakeytothestaircaseleadingtothecell;herecalledhisnocturnalattemptsontheyounggirl,inthefirstofwhichhe,Quasimodo,hadassisted,thesecondofwhichhehadprevented。Herecalledathousanddetails,andsoonhenolongerdoubtedthatthearchdeaconhadtakenthegypsy。Nevertheless,suchwashisrespectforthepriest,suchhisgratitude,hisdevotion,hisloveforthismanhadtakensuchdeeprootinhisheart,thattheyresisted,evenatthismoment,thetalonsofjealousyanddespair。 Hereflectedthatthearchdeaconhaddonethisthing,andthewrathofbloodanddeathwhichitwouldhaveevokedinhimagainstanyotherperson,turnedinthepoordeafman,fromthemomentwhenClaudeFrollowasinquestion,intoanincreaseofgriefandsorrow。 Atthemomentwhenhisthoughtwasthusfixeduponthepriest,whilethedaybreakwaswhiteningtheflyingbuttresses,heperceivedonthehigheststoryofNotre-Dame,attheangleformedbytheexternalbalustradeasitmakestheturnofthechancel,afigurewalking。Thisfigurewascomingtowardshim。Herecognizedit。Itwasthearchdeacon。 Claudewaswalkingwithaslow,gravestep。Hedidnotlookbeforehimashewalked,hewasdirectinghiscoursetowardsthenortherntower,buthisfacewasturnedasidetowardstherightbankoftheSeine,andheheldhisheadhigh,asthoughtryingtoseesomethingovertheroofs。Theowloftenassumesthisobliqueattitude。Itfliestowardsonepointandlookstowardsanother。InthismannerthepriestpassedaboveQuasimodowithoutseeinghim。 Thedeafman,whohadbeenpetrifiedbythissuddenapparition,beheldhimdisappearthroughthedoorofthestaircasetothenorthtower。ThereaderisawarethatthisisthetowerfromwhichtheH?tel-de-Villeisvisible。 Quasimodoroseandfollowedthearchdeacon。 Quasimodoascendedthetowerstaircaseforthesakeofascendingit,forthesakeofseeingwhythepriestwasascendingit。Moreover,thepoorbellringerdidnotknowwhathe(Quasimodo)shoulddo,whatheshouldsay,whathewished。 Hewasfulloffuryandfulloffear。Thearchdeaconandthegypsyhadcomeintoconflictinhisheart。 Whenhereachedthesummitofthetower,beforeemergingfromtheshadowofthestaircaseandsteppingupontheplatform,hecautiouslyexaminedthepositionofthepriest。 Thepriest’sbackwasturnedtohim。Thereisanopenworkbalustradewhichsurroundstheplatformofthebelltower。 Thepriest,whoseeyeslookeddownuponthetown,wasrestinghisbreastonthatoneofthefoursidesofthebalustradeswhichlooksuponthePontNotre-Dame。 Quasimodo,advancingwiththetreadofawolfbehindhim,wenttoseewhathewasgazingatthus。 Thepriest’sattentionwassoabsorbedelsewherethathedidnothearthedeafmanwalkingbehindhim。 Parisisamagnificentandcharmingspectacle,andespeciallyatthatday,viewedfromthetopofthetowersofNotre- Dame,inthefreshlightofasummerdawn。ThedaymighthavebeeninJuly。Theskywasperfectlyserene。Sometardystarswerefadingawayatvariouspoints,andtherewasaverybrilliantoneintheeast,inthebrightestpartoftheheavens。Thesunwasabouttoappear;Pariswasbeginningtomove。Averywhiteandverypurelightbroughtoutvividlytotheeyealltheoutlinesthatitsthousandsofhousespresenttotheeast。Thegiantshadowofthetowersleapedfromrooftoroof,fromoneendofthegreatcitytotheother。 Therewereseveralquartersfromwhichwerealreadyheardvoicesandnoisysounds。Herethestrokeofabell,therethestrokeofahammer,beyond,thecomplicatedclatterofacartinmotion。 Alreadyseveralcolumnsofsmokewerebeingbelchedforthfromthechimneysscatteredoverthewholesurfaceofroofs,asthroughthefissuresofanimmensesulphurouscrater。 Theriver,whichrufflesitswatersagainstthearchesofsomanybridges,againstthepointsofsomanyislands,waswaveringwithsilveryfolds。Aroundthecity,outsidetheramparts,sightwaslostinagreatcircleoffleecyvaporsthroughwhichoneconfusedlydistinguishedtheindefinitelineoftheplains,andthegracefulswelloftheheights。Allsortsoffloatingsoundsweredispersedoverthishalf-awakenedcity。Towardstheeast,themorningbreezechasedafewsoftwhitebitsofwooltornfromthemistyfleeceofthehills。 IntheParvis,somegoodwomen,whohadtheirmilkjugsintheirhands,werepointingouttoeachother,withastonishment,thesingulardilapidationofthegreatdoorofNotre-Dame,andthetwosolidifiedstreamsofleadinthecrevicesofthestone。Thiswasallthatremainedofthetempestofthenight。ThebonfirelightedbetweenthetowersbyQuasimodohaddiedout。TristanhadalreadyclearedupthePlace,andhadthedeadthrownintotheSeine。KingslikeLouisXI。arecarefultocleanthepavementquicklyafteramassacre。 Outsidethebalustradeofthetower,directlyunderthepointwherethepriesthadpaused,therewasoneofthosefantasticallycarvedstonegutterswithwhichGothicedificesbristle,and,inacreviceofthatgutter,twoprettywallflowersinblossom,shakenoutandvivified,asitwere,bythebreathofair,madefrolicsomesalutationstoeachother。Abovethetowers,onhigh,farawayinthedepthsofthesky,thecriesoflittlebirdswereheard。 Butthepriestwasnotlisteningto,wasnotlookingat,anythingofallthis。Hewasoneofthemenforwhomtherearenomornings,nobirds,noflowers。Inthatimmensehorizon,whichassumedsomanyaspectsabouthim,hiscontemplationwasconcentratedonasinglepoint。 Quasimodowasburningtoaskhimwhathehaddonewiththegypsy;butthearchdeaconseemedtobeoutoftheworldatthatmoment。Hewasevidentlyinoneofthoseviolentmomentsoflifewhenonewouldnotfeeltheearthcrumble。 Heremainedmotionlessandsilent,withhiseyessteadilyfixedonacertainpoint;andtherewassomethingsoterribleaboutthissilenceandimmobilitythatthesavagebellringershudderedbeforeitanddarednotcomeincontactwithit。 Only,andthiswasalsoonewayofinterrogatingthearchdeacon,hefollowedthedirectionofhisvision,andinthiswaytheglanceoftheunhappydeafmanfelluponthePlacedeGrève。 Thushesawwhatthepriestwaslookingat。Theladderwaserectednearthepermanentgallows。ThereweresomepeopleandmanysoldiersinthePlace。Amanwasdraggingawhitething,fromwhichhungsomethingblack,alongthepavement。Thismanhaltedatthefootofthegallows。 HeresomethingtookplacewhichQuasimodocouldnotseeveryclearly。Itwasnotbecausehisonlyeyehadnotpreserveditslongrange,buttherewasagroupofsoldierswhichpreventedhisseeingeverything。Moreover,atthatmomentthesunappeared,andsuchafloodoflightoverflowedthehorizonthatonewouldhavesaidthatallthepointsinParis,spires,chimneys,gables,hadsimultaneouslytakenfire。 Meanwhile,themanbegantomounttheladder。ThenQuasimodosawhimagaindistinctly。Hewascarryingawomanonhisshoulder,ayounggirldressedinwhite;thatyounggirlhadanooseaboutherneck。Quasimodorecognizedher。 Itwasshe。 Themanreachedthetopoftheladder。Therehearrangedthenoose。Herethepriest,inordertoseethebetter,kneltuponthebalustrade。 Allatoncethemankickedawaytheladderabruptly,andQuasimodo,whohadnotbreathedforseveralmoments,beheldtheunhappychilddanglingattheendoftheropetwofathomsabovethepavement,withthemansquattingonhershoulders。 Theropemadeseveralgyrationsonitself,andQuasimodobeheldhorribleconvulsionsrunalongthegypsy’sbody。Thepriest,onhisside,withoutstretchedneckandeyesstartingfromhishead,contemplatedthishorriblegroupofthemanandtheyounggirl,——thespiderandthefly。 Atthemomentwhenitwasmosthorrible,thelaughofademon,alaughwhichonecanonlygiveventtowhenoneisnolongerhuman,burstforthonthepriest’slividface。 Quasimododidnothearthatlaugh,buthesawit。 Thebellringerretreatedseveralpacesbehindthearchdeacon,andsuddenlyhurlinghimselfuponhimwithfury,withhishugehandshepushedhimbythebackoverintotheabyssoverwhichDomClaudewasleaning。 Thepriestshrieked:\"Damnation!\"andfell。 Thespout,abovewhichhehadstood,arrestedhiminhisfall。Heclungtoitwithdesperatehands,and,atthemomentwhenheopenedhismouthtoutterasecondcry,hebeheldtheformidableandavengingfaceofQuasimodothrustovertheedgeofthebalustradeabovehishead。 Thenhewassilent。 Theabysswastherebelowhim。Afallofmorethantwohundredfeetandthepavement。 Inthisterriblesituation,thearchdeaconsaidnotaword,utterednotagroan。Hemerelywritheduponthespout,withincredibleeffortstoclimbupagain;buthishandshadnoholdonthegranite,hisfeetslidalongtheblackenedwallwithoutcatchingfast。PeoplewhohaveascendedthetowersofNotre-Dameknowthatthereisaswellofthestoneimmediatelybeneaththebalustrade。Itwasonthisretreatinganglethatmiserablearchdeaconexhaustedhimself。Hehadnottodealwithaperpendicularwall,butwithonewhichslopedawaybeneathhim。 Quasimodohadbuttostretchouthishandinordertodrawhimfromthegulf;buthedidnotevenlookathim。HewaslookingattheGrève。Hewaslookingatthegallows。Hewaslookingatthegypsy。 Thedeafmanwasleaning,withhiselbowsonthebalustrade,atthespotwherethearchdeaconhadbeenamomentbefore,andthere,neverdetachinghisgazefromtheonlyobjectwhichexistedforhimintheworldatthatmoment,heremainedmotionlessandmute,likeamanstruckbylightning,andalongstreamoftearsflowedinsilencefromthateyewhich,uptothattime,hadnevershedbutonetear。 Meanwhile,thearchdeaconwaspanting。Hisbaldbrowwasdrippingwithperspiration,hisnailswerebleedingagainstthestones,hiskneeswereflayedbythewall。 Heheardhiscassock,whichwascaughtonthespout,crackandripateveryjerkthathegaveit。Tocompletehismisfortune,thisspoutendedinaleadenpipewhichbentundertheweightofhisbody。Thearchdeaconfeltthispipeslowlygivingway。Themiserablemansaidtohimselfthat,whenhishandsshouldbewornoutwithfatigue,whenhiscassockshouldtearasunder,whentheleadshouldgiveway,hewouldbeobligedtofall,andterrorseizeduponhisveryvitals。 Nowandthenheglancedwildlyatasortofnarrowshelfformed,tenfeetlowerdown,byprojectionsofthesculpture,andheprayedheaven,fromthedepthsofhisdistressedsoul,thathemightbeallowedtofinishhislife,wereittolasttwocenturies,onthatspacetwofeetsquare。Once,heglancedbelowhimintothePlace,intotheabyss;theheadwhichheraisedagainhaditseyesclosedanditshairstandingerect。 Therewassomethingfrightfulinthesilenceofthesetwomen。Whilethearchdeaconagonizedinthisterriblefashionafewfeetbelowhim,QuasimodoweptandgazedattheGrève。 Thearchdeacon,seeingthatallhisexertionsservedonlytoweakenthefragilesupportwhichremainedtohim,decidedtoremainquiet。Therehehung,embracingthegutter,hardlybreathing,nolongerstirring,makingnolongeranyothermovementsthanthatmechanicalconvulsionofthestomach,whichoneexperiencesindreamswhenonefancieshimselffalling。Hisfixedeyeswerewideopenwithastare。Helostgroundlittlebylittle,nevertheless,hisfingersslippedalongthespout;hebecamemoreandmoreconsciousofthefeeblenessofhisarmsandtheweightofhisbody。Thecurveoftheleadwhichsustainedhiminclinedmoreandmoreeachinstanttowardstheabyss。 Hebeheldbelowhim,afrightfulthing,theroofofSaint- JeanleRond,assmallasacardfoldedintwo。Hegazedattheimpressivecarvings,onebyone,ofthetower,suspendedlikehimselfovertheprecipice,butwithoutterrorforthemselvesorpityforhim。Allwasstonearoundhim;beforehiseyes,gapingmonsters;below,quiteatthebottom,inthePlace,thepavement;abovehishead,Quasimodoweeping。 IntheParvistherewereseveralgroupsofcuriousgoodpeople,whoweretranquillyseekingtodivinewhothemadmancouldbewhowasamusinghimselfinsostrangeamanner。 Thepriestheardthemsaying,fortheirvoicesreachedhim,clearandshrill:\"Why,hewillbreakhisneck!\" Quasimodowept。 Atlastthearchdeacon,foamingwithrageanddespair,understoodthatallwasinvain。Nevertheless,hecollectedallthestrengthwhichremainedtohimforafinaleffort。Hestiffenedhimselfuponthespout,pushedagainstthewallwithbothhisknees,clungtoacreviceinthestoneswithhishands,andsucceededinclimbingbackwithonefoot,perhaps;butthiseffortmadetheleadenbeakonwhichherestedbendabruptly。Hiscassockburstopenatthesametime。Then,feelingeverythinggivewaybeneathhim,withnothingbuthisstiffenedandfailinghandstosupporthim,theunfortunatemanclosedhiseyesandletgoofthespout。 Hefell。 Quasimodowatchedhimfall。 Afallfromsuchaheightisseldomperpendicular。Thearchdeacon,launchedintospace,fellatfirstheadforemost,withoutspreadhands;thenhewhirledoverandovermanytimes;thewindblewhimupontheroofofahouse,wheretheunfortunatemanbegantobreakup。Nevertheless,hewasnotdeadwhenhereachedthere。Thebellringersawhimstillendeavortoclingtoagablewithhisnails;butthesurfaceslopedtoomuch,andhehadnomorestrength。Heslidrapidlyalongtherooflikealoosenedtile,anddasheduponthepavement。Therehenolongermoved。 ThenQuasimodoraisedhiseyestothegypsy,whosebodyhebeheldhangingfromthegibbet,quiveringfarawaybeneathherwhiterobewiththelastshudderingsofanguish,thenhedroppedthemonthearchdeacon,stretchedoutatthebaseofthetower,andnolongerretainingthehumanform,andhesaid,withasobwhichheavedhisdeepchest,—— \"Oh!allthatIhaveeverloved!\" CHAPTERIII。 THEMARRIAGEOFPHOEBUS。 Towardseveningonthatday,whenthejudiciaryofficersofthebishopcametopickupfromthepavementoftheParvisthedislocatedcorpseofthearchdeacon,Quasimodohaddisappeared。 Agreatmanyrumorswereincirculationwithregardtothisadventure。Noonedoubtedbutthatthedayhadcomewhen,inaccordancewiththeircompact,Quasimodo,thatistosay,thedevil,wastocarryoffClaudeFrollo,thatistosay,thesorcerer。Itwaspresumedthathehadbrokenthebodywhentakingthesoul,likemonkeyswhobreaktheshelltogetatthenut。 Thisiswhythearchdeaconwasnotinterredinconsecratedearth。 LouisXI。diedayearlater,inthemonthofAugust,1483。 AsforPierreGringoire,hesucceededinsavingthegoat,andhewonsuccessintragedy。Itappearsthat,afterhavingtastedastrology,philosophy,architecture,hermetics,——allvanities,hereturnedtotragedy,vainestpursuitofall。Thisiswhathecalled\"comingtoatragicend。\"Thisiswhatistoberead,onthesubjectofhisdramatictriumphs,in1483,intheaccountsofthe\"Ordinary:\"\"ToJehanMarchandandPierreGringoire,carpenterandcomposer,whohavemadeandcomposedthemysterymadeattheCh?teletofParis,attheentryofMonsieurtheLegate,andhaveorderedthepersonages,clothedanddressedthesame,asinthesaidmysterywasrequired;andlikewise,forhavingmadethescaffoldingstheretonecessary;andforthisdeed,——onehundredlivres。\" PhoebusdeChateaupersalsocametoatragicend。Hemarried。 CHAPTERIV。 THEMARRIAGEOFQUASIMODO。 WehavejustsaidthatQuasimododisappearedfromNotre- Dameonthedayofthegypsy’sandofthearchdeacon’sdeath。 Hewasnotseenagain,infact;nooneknewwhathadbecomeofhim。 DuringthenightwhichfollowedtheexecutionoflaEsmeralda,thenightmenhaddetachedherbodyfromthegibbet,andhadcarriedit,accordingtocustom,tothecellarofMontfau?on。 Montfau?onwas,asSauvalsays,\"themostancientandthemostsuperbgibbetinthekingdom。\"BetweenthefaubourgsoftheTempleandSaintMartin,aboutahundredandsixtytoisesfromthewallsofParis,afewbowshotsfromLaCourtille,therewastobeseenonthecrestofagentle,almostimperceptibleeminence,butsufficientlyelevatedtobeseenforseveralleaguesroundabout,anedificeofstrangeform,bearingconsiderableresemblancetoaCelticcromlech,andwherealsohumansacrificeswereoffered。 Letthereaderpicturetohimself,crowningalimestonehillock,anoblongmassofmasonryfifteenfeetinheight,thirtywide,fortylong,withagate,anexternalrailingandaplatform; onthisplatformsixteenenormouspillarsofroughhewnstone,thirtyfeetinheight,arrangedinacolonnaderoundthreeofthefoursidesofthemasswhichsupportthem,boundtogetherattheirsummitsbyheavybeams,whencehungchainsatintervals; onallthesechains,skeletons;inthevicinity,ontheplain,astonecrossandtwogibbetsofsecondaryimportance,whichseemedtohavesprungupasshootsaroundthecentralgallows; aboveallthis,inthesky,aperpetualflockofcrows;thatwasMontfau?on。 Attheendofthefifteenthcentury,theformidablegibbetwhichdatedfrom1328,wasalreadyverymuchdilapidated; thebeamswerewormeaten,thechainsrusted,thepillarsgreenwithmould;thelayersofhewnstonewereallcrackedattheirjoints,andgrasswasgrowingonthatplatformwhichnofeettouched。Themonumentmadeahorribleprofileagainstthesky;especiallyatnightwhentherewasalittlemoonlightonthosewhiteskulls,orwhenthebreezeofeveningbrushedthechainsandtheskeletons,andswayedalltheseinthedarkness。Thepresenceofthisgibbetsufficedtorendergloomyallthesurroundingplaces。 Themassofmasonrywhichservedasfoundationtotheodiousedificewashollow。Ahugecellarhadbeenconstructedthere,closedbyanoldirongrating,whichwasoutoforder,intowhichwerecastnotonlythehumanremains,whichweretakenfromthechainsofMontfau?on,butalsothebodiesofalltheunfortunatesexecutedontheotherpermanentgibbetsofParis。Tothatdeepcharnel-house,wheresomanyhumanremainsandsomanycrimeshaverottedincompany,manygreatonesofthisworld,manyinnocentpeople,havecontributedtheirbones,fromEnguerranddeMarigni,thefirstvictim,andajustman,toAdmiraldeColigni,whowasitslast,andwhowasalsoajustman。 AsforthemysteriousdisappearanceofQuasimodo,thisisallthatwehavebeenabletodiscover。 Abouteighteenmonthsortwoyearsaftertheeventswhichterminatethisstory,whensearchwasmadeinthatcavernforthebodyofOlivierleDaim,whohadbeenhangedtwodayspreviously,andtowhomCharlesVIII。hadgrantedthefavorofbeingburiedinSaintLaurent,inbettercompany,theyfoundamongallthosehideouscarcassestwoskeletons,oneofwhichheldtheotherinitsembrace。Oneoftheseskeletons,whichwasthatofawoman,stillhadafewstripsofagarmentwhichhadoncebeenwhite,andaroundherneckwastobeseenastringofadrézarachbeadswithalittlesilkbagornamentedwithgreenglass,whichwasopenandempty。 Theseobjectswereofsolittlevaluethattheexecutionerhadprobablynotcaredforthem。Theother,whichheldthisoneinacloseembrace,wastheskeletonofaman。Itwasnoticedthathisspinalcolumnwascrooked,hisheadseatedonhisshoulderblades,andthatonelegwasshorterthantheother。 Moreover,therewasnofractureofthevertebraeatthenapeoftheneck,anditwasevidentthathehadnotbeenhanged。 Hence,themantowhomithadbelongedhadcomethitherandhaddiedthere。Whentheytriedtodetachtheskeletonwhichheheldinhisembrace,hefelltodust。 NOTE ADDEDTOTHEDEFINITIVEEDITION。 Itisbymistakethatthiseditionwasannouncedasaugmentedbymanynewchapters。Thewordshouldhavebeenunpublished。Infact,ifbynew,newlymadeistobeunderstood,thechaptersaddedtothiseditionarenotnew。 Theywerewrittenatthesametimeastherestofthework; theydatefromthesameepoch,andsprangfromthesamethought,theyhavealwaysformedapartofthemanuscriptof\"Notre-Dame-de-Paris。\"Moreover,theauthorcannotcomprehendhowfreshdevelopmentscouldbeaddedtoaworkofthischaracterafteritscompletion。Thisisnottobedoneatwill。Accordingtohisidea,aromanceisborninamannerthatis,insomesort,necessary,withallitschapters;adramaisbornwithallitsscenes。Thinknotthatthereisanythingarbitraryinthenumbersofpartsofwhichthatwhole,thatmysteriousmicrocosmwhichyoucalladramaoraromance,iscomposed。Graftingandsolderingtakebadlyonworksofthisnature,whichshouldgushforthinasinglestreamandsoremain。Thethingoncedone,donotchangeyourmind,donottouchitup。Thebookoncepublished,thesexofthework,whethervirileornot,hasbeenrecognizedandproclaimed;whenthechildhasonceutteredhisfirstcryheisborn,thereheis,heismadeso,neitherfathernormothercandoanything,hebelongstotheairandtothesun,lethimliveordie,suchasheis。Hasyourbookbeenafailure? Somuchtheworse。Addnochapterstoanunsuccessfulbook。Isitincomplete?Youshouldhavecompleteditwhenyouconceivedit。Isyourtreecrooked?Youcannotstraightenitup。Isyourromanceconsumptive?Isyourromancenotcapableofliving?Youcannotsupplyitwiththebreathwhichitlacks。Hasyourdramabeenbornlame? Takemyadvice,anddonotprovideitwithawoodenleg。 Hencetheauthorattachesparticularimportancetothepublicknowingforacertaintythatthechaptershereaddedhavenotbeenmadeexpresslyforthisreprint。Theywerenotpublishedintheprecedingeditionsofthebookforaverysimplereason。Atthetimewhen\"Notre-Dame-de-Paris\"wasprintedthefirsttime,themanuscriptofthesethreechaptershadbeenmislaid。Itwasnecessarytorewritethemortodispensewiththem。Theauthorconsideredthattheonlytwoofthesechapterswhichwereintheleastimportant,owingtotheirextent,werechaptersonartandhistorywhichinnowayinterferedwiththegroundworkofthedramaandtheromance,thatthepublicwouldnotnoticetheirloss,andthathe,theauthor,wouldalonebeinpossessionofthesecret。Hedecidedtoomitthem,andthen,ifthewholetruthmustbeconfessed,hisindolenceshrunkfromthetaskofrewritingthethreelostchapters。Hewouldhavefounditashortermattertomakeanewromance。 Nowthechaptershavebeenfound,andheavailshimselfofthefirstopportunitytorestorethemtotheirplace。 Thisnow,ishisentirework,suchashedreamedit,suchashemadeit,goodorbad,durableorfragile,butsuchashewishesit。 Theserecoveredchapterswillpossessnodoubt,butlittlevalueintheeyesofpersons,otherwiseveryjudicious,whohavesoughtin\"Notre-Dame-de-Paris\"onlythedrama,theromance。Butthereareperchance,otherreaders,whohavenotfoundituselesstostudytheaestheticandphilosophicthoughtconcealedinthisbook,andwhohavetakenpleasure,whilereading\"Notre-Dame-de-Paris,\"inunravellingbeneaththeromancesomethingelsethantheromance,andinfollowing(maywebepardonedtheseratherambitiousexpressions),thesystemofthehistorianandtheaimoftheartistthroughthecreationofthepoet。 Forsuchpeopleespecially,thechaptersaddedtothiseditionwillcomplete\"Notre-Dame-de-Paris,\"ifweadmitthat\"Notre-Dame-de-Paris\"wasworththetroubleofcompleting。 Inoneofthesechaptersonthepresentdecadenceofarchitecture,andonthedeath(inhismindalmostinevitable) ofthatkingofarts,theauthorexpressesanddevelopsanopinionunfortunatelywellrootedinhim,andwellthoughtout。Buthefeelsitnecessarytosayherethatheearnestlydesiresthatthefuturemay,someday,puthiminthewrong。Heknowsthatartinallitsformshaseverythingtohopefromthenewgenerationswhosegenius,stillinthegerm,canbeheardgushingforthinourstudios。Thegrainisinthefurrow,theharvestwillcertainlybefine。Hemerelyfears,andthereasonmaybeseeninthesecondvolumeofthisedition,thatthesapmayhavebeenwithdrawnfromthatancientsoilofarchitecturewhichhasbeenforsomanycenturiesthebestfieldforart。 Nevertheless,thereareto-dayintheartisticyouthsomuchlife,power,and,sotospeak,predestination,thatinourschoolsofarchitectureinparticular,atthepresenttime,theprofessors,whoaredetestable,produce,notonlyunconsciouslybuteveninspiteofthemselves,excellentpupils;quitethereverseofthatpottermentionedbyHorace,whodreamedamphoraeandproducedpots。~Curritrota,urcensexit~。 But,inanycase,whatevermaybethefutureofarchitecture,inwhatevermannerouryoungarchitectsmayonedaysolvethequestionoftheirart,letus,whilewaitingfornewmonument,preservetheancientmonuments。Letus,ifpossible,inspirethenationwithalovefornationalarchitecture。That,theauthordeclares,isoneoftheprincipalaimsofthisbook; itisoneoftheprincipalaimsofhislife。 \"Notre-Dame-de-Paris\"has,perhapsopenedsometrueperspectivesontheartoftheMiddleAges,onthatmarvellousartwhichuptothepresenttimehasbeenunknowntosome,and,whatisworse,misknownbyothers。Buttheauthorisfarfromregardingasaccomplished,thetaskwhichhehasvoluntarilyimposedonhimself。Hehasalreadypleadedonmorethanoneoccasion,thecauseofourancientarchitecture,hehasalreadyloudlydenouncedmanyprofanations,manydemolitions,manyimpieties。Hewillnotgrowweary。Hehaspromisedhimselftorecurfrequentlytothissubject。Hewillreturntoit。Hewillbeasindefatigableindefendingourhistoricaledificesasouriconoclastsoftheschoolsandacademiesareeagerinattackingthem;foritisagrievousthingtoseeintowhathandsthearchitectureoftheMiddleAgeshasfallen,andinwhatamannerthebotchersofplasterofthepresentdaytreattheruinofthisgrandart,itisevenashameforusintelligentmenwhoseethematworkandcontentourselveswithhootingthem。Andwearenotspeakingheremerelyofwhatgoesonintheprovinces,butofwhatisdoneinParisatourverydoors,beneathourwindows,inthegreatcity,intheletteredcity,inthecityofthepress,ofword,ofthought。Wecannotresisttheimpulsetopointout,inconcludingthisnote,someoftheactsofvandalismwhichareeverydayplanned,debated,begun,continued,andsuccessfullycompletedundertheeyesoftheartisticpublicofParis,facetofacewithcriticism,whichisdisconcertedbysomuchaudacity。Anarchbishop’spalacehasjustbeendemolished,anedificeinpoortaste,nogreatharmisdone;butinablockwiththearchiepiscopalpalaceabishop’spalacehasbeendemolished,ararefragmentofthefourteenthcentury,whichthedemolishingarchitectcouldnotdistinguishfromtherest。 Hehastornupthewheatwiththetares;’tisallthesame。 TheyaretalkingofrazingtheadmirablechapelofVincennes,inordertomake,withitsstones,somefortification,whichDaumesnildidnotneed,however。WhilethePalaisBourbon,thatwretchededifice,isbeingrepairedatgreatexpense,gustsofwindandequinoctialstormsareallowedtodestroythemagnificentpaintedwindowsoftheSainte-Chapelle。ForthelastfewdaystherehasbeenascaffoldingonthetowerofSaintJacquesdelaBoucherie;andoneofthesemorningsthepickwillbelaidtoit。AmasonhasbeenfoundtobuildalittlewhitehousebetweenthevenerabletowersofthePalaisde-Justice。AnotherhasbeenfoundwillingtopruneawaySaint-Germain-des-Pres,thefeudalabbeywiththreebelltowers。Anotherwillbefound,nodoubt,capableofpullingdownSaint-Germainl’Auxerrois。Allthesemasonsclaimtobearchitects,arepaidbytheprefectureorfromthepettybudget,andweargreencoats。Alltheharmwhichfalsetastecaninflictongoodtaste,theyaccomplish。Whilewewrite,deplorablespectacle!oneofthemholdspossessionoftheTuileries,oneofthemisgivingPhilibertDelormeascaracrossthemiddleofhisface;anditisnot,assuredly,oneoftheleastofthescandalsofourtimetoseewithwhateffronterytheheavyarchitectureofthisgentlemanisbeingflattenedoveroneofthemostdelicatefa?adesoftheRenaissance! PARIS,October20,1832。 End