THEGRANDHALL。
Threehundredandforty-eightyears，sixmonths，andnineteendaysagoto-day，theParisiansawoketothesoundofallthebellsinthetriplecircuitofthecity，theuniversity，andthetownringingafullpeal。
ThesixthofJanuary，1482，isnot，however，adayofwhichhistoryhaspreservedthememory。TherewasnothingnotableintheeventwhichthussetthebellsandthebourgeoisofParisinafermentfromearlymorning。ItwasneitheranassaultbythePicardsnortheBurgundians，norahuntledalonginprocession，norarevoltofscholarsinthetownofLaas，noranentryof"ourmuchdreadlord，monsieurtheking，"norevenaprettyhangingofmaleandfemalethievesbythecourtsofParis。Neitherwasitthearrival，sofrequentinthefifteenthcentury，ofsomeplumedandbedizenedembassy。
Itwasbarelytwodayssincethelastcavalcadeofthatnature，thatoftheFlemishambassadorschargedwithconcludingthemarriagebetweenthedauphinandMargueriteofFlanders，hadmadeitsentryintoParis，tothegreatannoyanceofM。leCardinaldeBourbon，who，forthesakeofpleasingtheking，hadbeenobligedtoassumeanamiablemientowardsthiswholerusticrabbleofFlemishburgomasters，andtoregalethemathisH？teldeBourbon，withavery"prettymorality，allegoricalsatire，andfarce，"whileadrivingraindrenchedthemagnificenttapestriesathisdoor。
Whatputthe"wholepopulationofParisincommotion，"asJehandeTroyesexpressesit，onthesixthofJanuary，wasthedoublesolemnity，unitedfromtimeimmemorial，oftheEpiphanyandtheFeastofFools。
Onthatday，therewastobeabonfireonthePlacedeGrève，amaypoleattheChapelledeBraque，andamysteryatthePalaisdeJustice。Ithadbeencried，tothesoundofthetrumpet，theprecedingeveningatallthecrossroads，bytheprovost’smen，cladinhandsome，short，sleevelesscoatsofvioletcamelot，withlargewhitecrossesupontheirbreasts。
Sothecrowdofcitizens，maleandfemale，havingclosedtheirhousesandshops，throngedfromeverydirection，atearlymorn，towardssomeoneofthethreespotsdesignated。
Eachhadmadehischoice；one，thebonfire；another，themaypole；another，themysteryplay。Itmustbestated，inhonorofthegoodsenseoftheloungersofParis，thatthegreaterpartofthiscrowddirectedtheirstepstowardsthebonfire，whichwasquiteinseason，ortowardsthemysteryplay，whichwastobepresentedinthegrandhallofthePalaisdeJusticethecourtsoflaw，whichwaswellroofedandwalled；andthatthecuriousleftthepoor，scantilyfloweredmaypoletoshiverallalonebeneaththeskyofJanuary，inthecemeteryoftheChapelofBraque。
Thepopulacethrongedtheavenuesofthelawcourtsinparticular，becausetheyknewthattheFlemishambassadors，whohadarrivedtwodayspreviously，intendedtobepresentattherepresentationofthemystery，andattheelectionofthePopeoftheFools，whichwasalsototakeplaceinthegrandhall。
Itwasnoeasymatteronthatday，toforceone’swayintothatgrandhall，althoughitwasthenreputedtobethelargestcoveredenclosureintheworlditistruethatSauvalhadnotyetmeasuredthegrandhalloftheChateauofMontargis。
Thepalaceplace，encumberedwithpeople，offeredtothecuriousgazersatthewindowstheaspectofasea；intowhichfiveorsixstreets，likesomanymouthsofrivers，dischargedeverymomentfreshfloodsofheads。Thewavesofthiscrowd，augmentedincessantly，dashedagainsttheanglesofthehouseswhichprojectedhereandthere，likesomanypromontories，intotheirregularbasinoftheplace。InthecentreoftheloftyGothic*fa？adeofthepalace，thegrandstaircase，incessantlyascendedanddescendedbyadoublecurrent，which，afterpartingontheintermediatelanding-place，flowedinbroadwavesalongitslateralslopes，——thegrandstaircase，Isay，trickledincessantlyintotheplace，likeacascadeintoalake。Thecries，thelaughter，thetramplingofthosethousandsoffeet，producedagreatnoiseandagreatclamor。Fromtimetotime，thisnoiseandclamorredoubled；
thecurrentwhichdrovethecrowdtowardsthegrandstaircaseflowedbackwards，becametroubled，formedwhirlpools。
Thiswasproducedbythebuffetofanarcher，orthehorseofoneoftheprovost’ssergeants，whichkickedtorestoreorder；
anadmirabletraditionwhichtheprovostshiphasbequeathedtotheconstablery，theconstablerytothe~maréchaussée~，the~maréchaussée~toour~gendarmeri~ofParis。
*ThewordGothic，inthesenseinwhichitisgenerallyemployed，iswhollyunsuitable，butwhollyconsecrated。Henceweacceptitandweadoptit，likealltherestoftheworld，tocharacterizethearchitectureofthesecondhalfoftheMiddleAges，wheretheogiveistheprinciplewhichsucceedsthearchitectureofthefirstperiod，ofwhichthesemi-circleisthefather。
Thousandsofgood，calm，bourgeoisfacesthrongedthewindows，thedoors，thedormerwindows，theroofs，gazingatthepalace，gazingatthepopulace，andaskingnothingmore；formanyParisianscontentthemselveswiththespectacleofthespectators，andawallbehindwhichsomethingisgoingonbecomesatonce，forus，averycuriousthingindeed。
Ifitcouldbegrantedtous，themenof1830，tomingleinthoughtwiththoseParisiansofthefifteenthcentury，andtoenterwiththem，jostled，elbowed，pulledabout，intothatimmensehallofthepalace，whichwassocrampedonthatsixthofJanuary，1482，thespectaclewouldnotbedevoidofeitherinterestorcharm，andweshouldhaveaboutusonlythingsthatweresooldthattheywouldseemnew。
Withthereader’sconsent，wewillendeavortoretraceinthought，theimpressionwhichhewouldhaveexperiencedincompanywithusoncrossingthethresholdofthatgrandhall，inthemidstofthattumultuouscrowdinsurcoats，short，sleevelessjackets，anddoublets。
And，firstofall，thereisabuzzingintheears，adazzlementintheeyes。Aboveourheadsisadoubleogivevault，panelledwithwoodcarving，paintedazure，andsownwithgoldenfleurs-de-lis；beneathourfeetapavementofblackandwhitemarble，alternating。Afewpacesdistant，anenormouspillar，thenanother，thenanother；sevenpillarsinall，downthelengthofthehall，sustainingthespringofthearchesofthedoublevault，inthecentreofitswidth。Aroundfourofthepillars，stallsofmerchants，allsparklingwithglassandtinsel；aroundthelastthree，benchesofoak，wornandpolishedbythetrunkhoseofthelitigants，andtherobesoftheattorneys。Aroundthehall，alongtheloftywall，betweenthedoors，betweenthewindows，betweenthepillars，theinterminablerowofallthekingsofFrance，fromPharamonddown:
thelazykings，withpendentarmsanddowncasteyes；thevaliantandcombativekings，withheadsandarmsraisedboldlyheavenward。Theninthelong，pointedwindows，glassofathousandhues；atthewideentrancestothehall，richdoors，finelysculptured；andall，thevaults，pillars，walls，jambs，panelling，doors，statues，coveredfromtoptobottomwithasplendidblueandgoldillumination，which，atrifletarnishedattheepochwhenwebeholdit，hadalmostentirelydisappearedbeneathdustandspidersintheyearofgrace，1549，whenduBreulstilladmireditfromtradition。
Letthereaderpicturetohimselfnow，thisimmense，oblonghall，illuminatedbythepallidlightofaJanuaryday，invadedbyamotleyandnoisythrongwhichdriftsalongthewalls，andeddiesroundthesevenpillars，andhewillhaveaconfusedideaofthewholeeffectofthepicture，whosecuriousdetailsweshallmakeanefforttoindicatewithmoreprecision。
Itiscertain，thatifRavaillachadnotassassinatedHenriIV。，therewouldhavebeennodocumentsinthetrialofRavaillacdepositedintheclerk’sofficeofthePalaisdeJustice，noaccomplicesinterestedincausingthesaiddocumentstodisappear；hence，noincendiariesobliged，forlackofbettermeans，toburntheclerk’sofficeinordertoburnthedocuments，andtoburnthePalaisdeJusticeinordertoburntheclerk’soffice；consequently，inshort，noconflagrationin1618。
TheoldPalaiswouldbestandingstill，withitsancientgrandhall；Ishouldbeabletosaytothereader，"Goandlookatit，"andweshouldthusbothescapethenecessity，——Iofmaking，andheofreading，adescriptionofit，suchasitis。
Whichdemonstratesanewtruth:thatgreateventshaveincalculableresults。
Itistruethatitmaybequitepossible，inthefirstplace，thatRavaillachadnoaccomplices；andinthesecond，thatifhehadany，theywereinnowayconnectedwiththefireof1618。Twootherveryplausibleexplanationsexist:First，thegreatflamingstar，afootbroad，andacubithigh，whichfellfromheaven，aseveryoneknows，uponthelawcourts，aftermidnightontheseventhofMarch；second，Théophile’squatrain，——
"Sure，’twasbutasorrygameWhenatParis，DameJustice，Throughhavingeatentoomuchspice，Setthepalaceallaflame。"
Whatevermaybethoughtofthistripleexplanation，political，physical，andpoetical，oftheburningofthelawcourtsin1618，theunfortunatefactofthefireiscertain。Verylittleto-dayremains，thankstothiscatastrophe，——thanks，aboveall，tothesuccessiverestorationswhichhavecompletedwhatitspared，——verylittleremainsofthatfirstdwellingofthekingsofFrance，——ofthatelderpalaceoftheLouvre，alreadysooldinthetimeofPhiliptheHandsome，thattheysoughtthereforthetracesofthemagnificentbuildingserectedbyKingRobertanddescribedbyHelgaldus。Nearlyeverythinghasdisappeared。Whathasbecomeofthechamberofthechancellery，whereSaintLouisconsummatedhismarriage？
thegardenwhereheadministeredjustice，"cladinacoatofcamelot，asurcoatoflinsey-woolsey，withoutsleeves，andasur-mantleofblacksandal，ashelayuponthecarpetwithJoinville？"WhereisthechamberoftheEmperorSigismond？
andthatofCharlesIV。？thatofJeantheLandless？
Whereisthestaircase，fromwhichCharlesVI。promulgatedhisedictofpardon？theslabwhereMarcelcutthethroatsofRobertdeClermontandtheMarshalofChampagne，inthepresenceofthedauphin？thewicketwherethebullsofPopeBenedictweretorn，andwhencethosewhohadbroughtthemdeparteddeckedout，inderision，incopesandmitres，andmakinganapologythroughallParis？andthegrandhall，withitsgilding，itsazure，itsstatues，itspointedarches，itspillars，itsimmensevault，allfrettedwithcarvings？andthegildedchamber？andthestonelion，whichstoodatthedoor，withloweredheadandtailbetweenhislegs，likethelionsonthethroneofSolomon，inthehumiliatedattitudewhichbefitsforceinthepresenceofjustice？andthebeautifuldoors？andthestainedglass？andthechasedironwork，whichdroveBiscornettetodespair？andthedelicatewoodworkofHancy？Whathastime，whathavemendonewiththesemarvels？WhathavetheygivenusinreturnforallthisGallichistory，forallthisGothicart？TheheavyflattenedarchesofM。deBrosse，thatawkwardarchitectoftheSaint-Gervaisportal。Somuchforart；and，asforhistory，wehavethegossipingreminiscencesofthegreatpillar，stillringingwiththetattleofthePatru。
Itisnotmuch。Letusreturntotheveritablegrandhalloftheveritableoldpalace。Thetwoextremitiesofthisgiganticparallelogramwereoccupied，theonebythefamousmarbletable，solong，sobroad，andsothickthat，astheancientlandrolls——inastylethatwouldhavegivenGargantuaanappetite——say，"suchasliceofmarbleaswasneverbeheldintheworld"；theotherbythechapelwhereLouisXI。
hadhimselfsculpturedonhiskneesbeforetheVirgin，andwhitherhecausedtobebrought，withoutheedingthetwogapsthusmadeintherowofroyalstatues，thestatuesofCharlemagneandofSaintLouis，twosaintswhomhesupposedtobegreatinfavorinheaven，askingsofFrance。
Thischapel，quitenew，havingbeenbuiltonlysixyears，wasentirelyinthatcharmingtasteofdelicatearchitecture，ofmarvelloussculpture，offineanddeepchasing，whichmarkswithustheendoftheGothicera，andwhichisperpetuatedtoaboutthemiddleofthesixteenthcenturyinthefairylikefanciesoftheRenaissance。Thelittleopen-workrosewindow，piercedabovetheportal，was，inparticular，amasterpieceoflightnessandgrace；onewouldhavepronounceditastaroflace。
Inthemiddleofthehall，oppositethegreatdoor，aplatformofgoldbrocade，placedagainstthewall，aspecialentrancetowhichhadbeeneffectedthroughawindowinthecorridorofthegoldchamber，hadbeenerectedfortheFlemishemissariesandtheothergreatpersonagesinvitedtothepresentationofthemysteryplay。
Itwasuponthemarbletablethatthemysterywastobeenacted，asusual。Ithadbeenarrangedforthepurpose，earlyinthemorning；itsrichslabsofmarble，allscratchedbytheheelsoflawclerks，supportedacageofcarpenter’sworkofconsiderableheight，theuppersurfaceofwhich，withinviewofthewholehall，wastoserveasthetheatre，andwhoseinterior，maskedbytapestries，wastotaketheplaceofdressing-roomsforthepersonagesofthepiece。A
ladder，naivelyplacedontheoutside，wastoserveasmeansofcommunicationbetweenthedressing-roomandthestage，andlenditsruderungstoentrancesaswellastoexits。
Therewasnopersonage，howeverunexpected，nosuddenchange，notheatricaleffect，whichwasnotobligedtomountthatladder。Innocentandvenerableinfancyofartandcontrivances！
Fourofthebailiffofthepalace’ssergeants，perfunctoryguardiansofallthepleasuresofthepeople，ondaysoffestivalaswellasondaysofexecution，stoodatthefourcornersofthemarbletable。
Thepiecewasonlytobeginwiththetwelfthstrokeofthegreatpalaceclocksoundingmidday。Itwasverylate，nodoubt，foratheatricalrepresentation，buttheyhadbeenobligedtofixthehourtosuittheconvenienceoftheambassadors。
Now，thiswholemultitudehadbeenwaitingsincemorning。
Agoodlynumberofcurious，goodpeoplehadbeenshiveringsincedaybreakbeforethegrandstaircaseofthepalace；
someevenaffirmedthattheyhadpassedthenightacrossthethresholdofthegreatdoor，inordertomakesurethattheyshouldbethefirsttopassin。Thecrowdgrewmoredenseeverymoment，and，likewater，whichrisesaboveitsnormallevel，begantomountalongthewalls，toswellaroundthepillars，tospreadoutontheentablatures，onthecornices，onthewindow-sills，onallthesalientpointsofthearchitecture，onallthereliefsofthesculpture。Hence，discomfort，impatience，weariness，thelibertyofadayofcynicismandfolly，thequarrelswhichbreakforthforallsortsofcauses——apointedelbow，aniron-shodshoe，thefatigueoflongwaiting——hadalready，longbeforethehourappointedforthearrivaloftheambassadors，impartedaharshandbitteraccenttotheclamorofthesepeoplewhowereshutin，fittedintoeachother，pressed，trampledupon，stifled。NothingwastobeheardbutimprecationsontheFlemish，theprovostofthemerchants，theCardinaldeBourbon，thebailiffofthecourts，MadameMargueriteofAustria，thesergeantswiththeirrods，thecold，theheat，thebadweather，theBishopofParis，thePopeoftheFools，thepillars，thestatues，thatcloseddoor，thatopenwindow；alltothevastamusementofabandofscholarsandlackeysscatteredthroughthemass，whomingledwithallthisdiscontenttheirteasingremarks，andtheirmalicioussuggestions，andprickedthegeneralbadtemperwithapin，sotospeak。
Amongtheresttherewasagroupofthosemerryimps，who，aftersmashingtheglassinawindow，hadseatedthemselveshardilyontheentablature，andfromthatpointdespatchedtheirgazeandtheirrailleriesbothwithinandwithout，uponthethronginthehall，andthethronguponthePlace。
Itwaseasytosee，fromtheirparodiedgestures，theirringinglaughter，thebanteringappealswhichtheyexchangedwiththeircomrades，fromoneendofthehalltotheother，thattheseyoungclerksdidnotsharethewearinessandfatigueoftherestofthespectators，andthattheyunderstoodverywelltheartofextracting，fortheirownprivatediversionfromthatwhichtheyhadundertheireyes，aspectaclewhichmadethemawaittheotherwithpatience。
"Uponmysoul，soit’syou，’JoannesFrollodeMolendino！’"
criedoneofthem，toasortoflittle，light-hairedimp，withawell-favoredandmaligncountenance，clingingtotheacanthusleavesofacapital；"youarewellnamedJohnoftheMill，foryourtwoarmsandyourtwolegshavetheairoffourwingsflutteringonthebreeze。Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？"
"Bythemercyofthedevil，"retortedJoannesFrollo，"thesefourhoursandmore；andIhopethattheywillbereckonedtomycreditinpurgatory。IheardtheeightsingersoftheKingofSicilyintonethefirstverseofseveno’clockmassintheSainte-Chapelle。"
"Finesingers！"repliedtheother，"withvoicesevenmorepointedthantheircaps！BeforefoundingamassforMonsieurSaintJohn，thekingshouldhaveinquiredwhetherMonsieurSaintJohnlikesLatindronedoutinaProven？alaccent。"
"HediditforthesakeofemployingthoseaccursedsingersoftheKingofSicily！"criedanoldwomansharplyfromamongthecrowdbeneaththewindow。"Ijustputittoyou！Athousand~livresparisi~foramass！andoutofthetaxonseafishinthemarketsofParis，toboot！"
"Peace，oldcrone，"saidatall，graveperson，stoppinguphisnoseonthesidetowardsthefishwife；"amasshadtobefounded。Wouldyouwishthekingtofallillagain？"
"Bravelyspoken，SireGillesLecornu，masterfurrierofking’srobes！"criedthelittlestudent，clingingtothecapital。
Ashoutoflaughterfromallthestudentsgreetedtheunluckynameofthepoorfurrieroftheking’srobes。
"Lecornu！GillesLecornu！"saidsome。
"~Cornutusethirsutus~，hornedandhairy，"anotherwenton。
"He！ofcourse，"continuedthesmallimponthecapital，"Whataretheylaughingat？AnhonorablemanisGillesLecornu，brotherofMasterJehanLecornu，provostoftheking’shouse，sonofMasterMahietLecornu，firstporteroftheBoisdeVincennes，——allbourgeoisofParis，allmarried，fromfathertoson。"
Thegayetyredoubled。Thebigfurrier，withoututteringawordinreply，triedtoescapealltheeyesriveteduponhimfromallsides；butheperspiredandpantedinvain；likeawedgeenteringthewood，hiseffortsservedonlytoburystillmoredeeplyintheshouldersofhisneighbors，hislarge，apoplecticface，purplewithspiteandrage。
Atlengthoneofthese，asfat，short，andvenerableashimself，cametohisrescue。
"Abomination！scholarsaddressingabourgeoisinthatfashioninmydaywouldhavebeenfloggedwithafagot，whichwouldhaveafterwardsbeenusedtoburnthem。"
Thewholebandburstintolaughter。
"Holàhé！whoisscoldingso？Whoisthatscreechowlofevilfortune？"
"Hold，Iknowhim"saidoneofthem；"’tisMasterAndryMusnier。"
"Becauseheisoneofthefourswornbooksellersoftheuniversity！"saidtheother。
"Everythinggoesbyfoursinthatshop，"criedathird；
"thefournations，thefourfaculties，thefourfeasts，thefourprocurators，thefourelectors，thefourbooksellers。"
"Well，"beganJeanFrollooncemore，"wemustplaythedevilwiththem。"*
*~Fairelediableaquatre~。
"Musnier，we’llburnyourbooks。"
"Musnier，we’llbeatyourlackeys。"
"Musnier，we’llkissyourwife。"
"Thatfine，bigMademoiselleOudarde。"
"Whoisasfreshandasgayasthoughshewereawidow。"
"Deviltakeyou！"growledMasterAndryMusnier。
"MasterAndry，"pursuedJeanJehan，stillclingingtohiscapital，"holdyourtongue，orI’lldroponyourhead！"
MasterAndryraisedhiseyes，seemedtomeasureinaninstanttheheightofthepillar，theweightofthescamp，mentallymultipliedthatweightbythesquareofthevelocityandremainedsilent。
Jehan，masterofthefieldofbattle，pursuedtriumphantly:
"That’swhatI’lldo，evenifIamthebrotherofanarchdeacon！"
"Finegentryareourpeopleoftheuniversity，nottohavecausedourprivilegestoberespectedonsuchadayasthis！
However，thereisamaypoleandabonfireinthetown；amystery，PopeoftheFools，andFlemishambassadorsinthecity；and，attheuniversity，nothing！"
"Nevertheless，thePlaceMaubertissufficientlylarge！"
interposedoneoftheclerksestablishedonthewindow-sill。
"Downwiththerector，theelectors，andtheprocurators！"
criedJoannes。
"WemusthaveabonfirethiseveningintheChamp-Gaillard，"
wentontheother，"madeofMasterAndry’sbooks。"
"Andthedesksofthescribes！"addedhisneighbor。
"Andthebeadles’wands！"
"Andthespittoonsofthedeans！"
"Andthecupboardsoftheprocurators！"
"Andthehutchesoftheelectors！"
"Andthestoolsoftherector！"
"Downwiththem！"putinlittleJehan，ascounterpoint；
"downwithMasterAndry，thebeadlesandthescribes；thetheologians，thedoctorsandthedecretists；theprocurators，theelectorsandtherector！"
"Theendoftheworldhascome！，’mutteredMasterAndry，stoppinguphisears。
"Bytheway，there’stherector！see，heispassingthroughthePlace，"criedoneofthoseinthewindow。
EachrivalledhisneighborinhishastetoturntowardsthePlace。
"Isitreallyourvenerablerector，MasterThibaut？"demandedJehanFrolloduMoulin，who，ashewasclingingtooneoftheinnerpillars，couldnotseewhatwasgoingonoutside。
"Yes，yes，"repliedalltheothers，"itisreallyhe，MasterThibaut，therector。"
Itwas，infact，therectorandallthedignitariesoftheuniversity，whoweremarchinginprocessioninfrontoftheembassy，andatthatmomenttraversingthePlace。Thestudentscrowdedintothewindow，salutedthemastheypassedwithsarcasmsandironicalapplause。Therector，whowaswalkingattheheadofhiscompany，hadtosupportthefirstbroadside；itwassevere。
"Goodday，monsieurlerecteur！Holàhé！gooddaythere！"
"Howdoeshemanagetobehere，theoldgambler？Hasheabandonedhisdice？"
"Howhetrotsalongonhismule！herearsarenotsolongashis！"
"Holàhé！goodday，monsieurlerecteurThibaut！~Tybaldealeator~！Oldfool！oldgambler！"
"Godpreserveyou！Didyouthrowdoublesixoftenlastnight？"
"Oh！whatadecrepitface，lividandhaggardanddrawnwiththeloveofgamblingandofdice！"
"Whereareyouboundforinthatfashion，Thibaut，~Tybaldeaddados~，withyourbackturnedtotheuniversity，andtrottingtowardsthetown？"
"Heisonhisway，nodoubt，toseekalodgingintheRueThibautodé？"*criedJehanduM。Moulin。
*~Thibautaudes~，——Thibautofthedice。
Theentirebandrepeatedthisquipinavoiceofthunder，clappingtheirhandsfuriously。
"YouaregoingtoseekalodgingintheRueThibautodé，areyounot，monsieurlerecteur，gamesteronthesideofthedevil？"
Thencametheturnsoftheotherdignitaries。
"Downwiththebeadles！downwiththemace-bearers！"
"Tellme，RobinPouissepain，whoisthatyonder？"
"HeisGilbertdeSuilly，~GilbertusdeSoliaco~，thechancelloroftheCollegeofAutun。"
"Holdon，here’smyshoe；youarebetterplacedthanI，flingitinhisface。"
"~Saturnalitiasmittimuseccenuces~。"
"Downwiththesixtheologians，withtheirwhitesurplices！"
"Arethosethetheologians？IthoughttheywerethewhitegeesegivenbySainte-Genevièvetothecity，forthefiefofRoogny。"
"Downwiththedoctors！"
"Downwiththecardinaldisputations，andquibblers！"
"Mycaptoyou，ChancellorofSainte-Geneviève！Youhavedonemeawrong。’Tistrue；hegavemyplaceinthenationofNormandytolittleAscanioFalzapada，whocomesfromtheprovinceofBourges，sinceheisanItalian。"
"Thatisaninjustice，"saidallthescholars。"DownwiththeChancellorofSainte-Geneviève！"
"Hohé！MasterJoachimdeLadehors！Hohé！LouisDahuille！HoheLambertHoctement！"
"MaythedevilstifletheprocuratoroftheGermannation！"
"AndthechaplainsoftheSainte-Chapelle，withtheirgray~amices；cumtunicesgrisis~！"
"~Seudepellibusgrisisfourratis~！"
"Holàhé！MastersofArts！Allthebeautifulblackcopes！
allthefineredcopes！"
"Theymakeafinetailfortherector。"
"OnewouldsaythathewasaDogeofVeniceonhiswaytohisbridalwiththesea。"
"Say，Jehan！herearethecanonsofSainte-Geneviève！"
"Tothedeucewiththewholesetofcanons！"
"AbbéClaudeChoart！DoctorClaudeChoart！AreyouinsearchofMarielaGiffarde？"
"SheisintheRuedeGlatigny。"
"Sheismakingthebedofthekingofthedebauchees。"
Sheispayingherfourdeniers*~quatuordenarios~。"
*AnoldFrenchcoin，equaltothetwohundredandfortiethpartofapound。
"~Autunumbombum~。"
"Wouldyouliketohaveherpayyouintheface？"
"Comrades！MasterSimonSanguin，theElectorofPicardy，withhiswifeonthecrupper！"
"~Postequitemsecletatraeura~——behindthehorsemansitsblackcare。"
"Courage，MasterSimon！"
"Goodday，MisterElector！"
"Goodnight，MadameElectress！"
"Howhappytheyaretoseeallthat！"sighedJoannesdeMolendino，stillperchedinthefoliageofhiscapital。
Meanwhile，theswornbookselleroftheuniversity，MasterAndryMusnier，wasinclininghiseartothefurrieroftheking’srobes，MasterGillesLecornu。
"Itellyou，sir，thattheendoftheworldhascome。Noonehaseverbeheldsuchoutbreaksamongthestudents！Itistheaccursedinventionsofthiscenturythatareruiningeverything，——artilleries，bombards，and，aboveall，printing，thatotherGermanpest。Nomoremanuscripts，nomorebooks！printingwillkillbookselling。Itistheendoftheworldthatisdrawingnigh。"
"Iseethatplainly，fromtheprogressofvelvetstuffs，"
saidthefur-merchant。
Atthismoment，middaysounded。
"Ha！"exclaimedtheentirecrowd，inonevoice。
Thescholarsheldtheirpeace。Thenagreathurly-burlyensued；avastmovementoffeet，hands，andheads；ageneraloutbreakofcoughsandhandkerchiefs；eachonearrangedhimself，assumedhispost，raisedhimselfup，andgroupedhimself。Thencameagreatsilence；allnecksremainedoutstretched，allmouthsremainedopen，allglancesweredirectedtowardsthemarbletable。Nothingmadeitsappearancethere。Thebailiff’sfoursergeantswerestillthere，stiff，motionless，aspaintedstatues。AlleyesturnedtotheestradereservedfortheFlemishenvoys。Thedoorremainedclosed，theplatformempty。Thiscrowdhadbeenwaitingsincedaybreakforthreethings:noonday，theembassyfromFlanders，themysteryplay。Noondayalonehadarrivedontime。
Onthisoccasion，itwastoomuch。
Theywaitedone，two，three，fiveminutes，aquarterofanhour；nothingcame。Thedaisremainedempty，thetheatredumb。Inthemeantime，wrathhadsucceededtoimpatience。
Irritatedwordscirculatedinalowtone，still，itistrue。
"Themystery！themystery！"theymurmured，inhollowvoices。Headsbegantoferment。Atempest，whichwasonlyrumblinginthedistanceasyet，wasfloatingonthesurfaceofthiscrowd。ItwasJehanduMoulinwhostruckthefirstsparkfromit。
"Themystery，andtothedevilwiththeFlemings！"heexclaimedatthefullforceofhislungs，twininglikeaserpentaroundhispillar。
Thecrowdclappedtheirhands。
"Themystery！"itrepeated，"andmayallthedevilstakeFlanders！"
"Wemusthavethemysteryinstantly，"resumedthestudent；
"orelse，myadviceisthatweshouldhangthebailiffofthecourts，bywayofamoralityandacomedy。"
"Wellsaid，"criedthepeople，"andletusbeginthehangingwithhissergeants。"
Agrandacclamationfollowed。Thefourpoorfellowsbegantoturnpale，andtoexchangeglances。Thecrowdhurleditselftowardsthem，andtheyalreadybeheldthefrailwoodenrailing，whichseparatedthemfromit，givingwayandbendingbeforethepressureofthethrong。
Itwasacriticalmoment。
"Tothesack，tothesack！"rosethecryonallsides。
Atthatmoment，thetapestryofthedressing-room，whichwehavedescribedabove，wasraised，andaffordedpassagetoapersonage，themeresightofwhomsuddenlystoppedthecrowd，andchangeditswrathintocuriosityasbyenchantment。
"Silence！silence！"
Thepersonage，butlittlereassured，andtremblingineverylimb，advancedtotheedgeofthemarbletablewithavastamountofbows，which，inproportionashedrewnearer，moreandmoreresembledgenuflections。
Inthemeanwhile，tranquillityhadgraduallybeenrestored。
A1lthatremainedwasthatslightmurmurwhichalwaysrisesabovethesilenceofacrowd。
"Messieursthebourgeois，"saidhe，"andmesdemoisellesthe~bourgeoises~，weshallhavethehonorofdeclaimingandrepresenting，beforehiseminence，monsieurthecardinal，averybeautifulmoralitywhichhasforitstitle，’TheGoodJudgmentofMadametheVirginMary。’IamtoplayJupiter。
Hiseminenceis，atthismoment，escortingtheveryhonorableembassyoftheDukeofAustria；whichisdetained，atpresent，listeningtotheharangueofmonsieurtherectoroftheuniversity，atthegateBaudets。Assoonashisillustriouseminence，thecardinal，arrives，wewillbegin。"
Itiscertain，thatnothinglessthantheinterventionofJupiterwasrequiredtosavethefourunfortunatesergeantsofthebailiffofthecourts。Ifwehadthehappinessofhavinginventedthisveryveracioustale，andofbeing，inconsequence，responsibleforitbeforeourLadyCriticism，itisnotagainstusthattheclassicprecept，~Necdeusintersit~，couldbeinvoked。
Moreover，thecostumeofSeigneurJupiter，wasveryhandsome，andcontributednotalittletowardscalmingthecrowd，byattractingallitsattention。Jupiterwascladinacoatofmail，coveredwithblackvelvet，withgiltnails；andhaditnotbeenfortherouge，andthehugeredbeard，eachofwhichcoveredone-halfofhisface，——haditnotbeenfortherollofgildedcardboard，spangled，andallbristlingwithstripsoftinsel，whichheheldinhishand，andinwhichtheeyesoftheinitiatedeasilyrecognizedthunderbolts，——hadnothisfeetbeenflesh-colored，andbandedwithribbonsinGreekfashion，hemighthavebornecomparison，sofarastheseverityofhismienwasconcerned，withaBretonarcherfromtheguardofMonsieurdeBerry。
CHAPTERII。
PIERREGRINGOIRE。
Nevertheless，asbeharanguedthem，thesatisfactionandadmirationunanimouslyexcitedbyhiscostumeweredissipatedbyhiswords；andwhenhereachedthatuntowardconclusion:
"Assoonashisillustriouseminence，thecardinal，arrives，wewillbegin，"hisvoicewasdrownedinathunderofhooting。
"Begininstantly！Themystery！themysteryimmediately！"
shriekedthepeople。Andaboveallthevoices，thatofJohannesdeMolendinowasaudible，piercingtheuproarlikethefife’sderisiveserenade:"Commenceinstantly！"
yelpedthescholar。
"DownwithJupiterandtheCardinaldeBourbon！"vociferatedRobinPoussepainandtheotherclerksperchedinthewindow。
"Themoralitythisveryinstant！"repeatedthecrowd；
"thisveryinstant！thesackandtheropeforthecomedians，andthecardinal！"
PoorJupiter，haggard，frightened，palebeneathhisrouge，droppedhisthunderbolt，tookhiscapinhishand；thenhebowedandtrembledandstammered:"Hiseminence——theambassadors——MadameMargueriteofFlanders。"Hedidnotknowwhattosay。Intruth，hewasafraidofbeinghung。
Hungbythepopulaceforwaiting，hungbythecardinalfornothavingwaited，hesawbetweenthetwodilemmasonlyanabyss；thatistosay，agallows。
Luckily，someonecametorescuehimfromhisembarrassment，andassumetheresponsibility。
Anindividualwhowasstandingbeyondtherailing，inthefreespacearoundthemarbletable，andwhomnoonehadyetcaughtsightof，sincehislong，thinbodywascompletelyshelteredfromeveryvisualraybythediameterofthepillaragainstwhichhewasleaning；thisindividual，wesay，tall，gaunt，pallid，blond，stillyoung，althoughalreadywrinkledaboutthebrowandcheeks，withbrillianteyesandasmilingmouth，cladingarmentsofblackserge，wornandshiningwithage，approachedthemarbletable，andmadeasigntothepoorsufferer。Buttheotherwassoconfusedthathedidnotseehim。Thenewcomeradvancedanotherstep。
"Jupiter，"saidhe，"mydearJupiter！"
Theotherdidnothear。
Atlast，thetallblond，drivenoutofpatience，shriekedalmostinhisface，——
"MichelGiborne！"
"Whocallsme？"saidJupiter，asthoughawakenedwithastart。
"I，"repliedthepersoncladinblack。
"Ah！"saidJupiter。
"Beginatonce，"wentontheother。"Satisfythepopulace；
Iundertaketoappeasethebailiff，whowillappeasemonsieurthecardinal。"
Jupiterbreathedoncemore。
"Messeigneursthebourgeois，"hecried，atthetopofhislungstothecrowd，whichcontinuedtohoothim，"wearegoingtobeginatonce。"
"~EvoeJupiter！Plauditecives~！Allhail，Jupiter！Applaud，citizens！"shoutedthescholars。
"Noel！Noel！good，good，"shoutedthepeople。
Thehandclappingwasdeafening，andJupiterhadalreadywithdrawnunderhistapestry，whilethehallstilltrembledwithacclamations。
Inthemeanwhile，thepersonagewhohadsomagicallyturnedthetempestintodeadcalm，asouroldanddearCorneilleputsit，hadmodestlyretreatedtothehalf-shadowofhispillar，andwould，nodoubt，haveremainedinvisiblethere，motionless，andmuteasbefore，hadhenotbeenpluckedbythesleevebytwoyoungwomen，who，standinginthefrontrowofthespectators，hadnoticedhiscolloquywithMichelGiborne-Jupiter。
"Master，"saidoneofthem，makinghimasigntoapproach。
"Holdyourtongue，mydearLiénarde，"saidherneighbor，pretty，fresh，andverybrave，inconsequenceofbeingdressedupinherbestattire。"Heisnotaclerk，heisalayman；
youmustnotsaymastertohim，butmessire。"
"Messire，"saidLiénarde。
Thestrangerapproachedtherailing。
"Whatwouldyouhaveofme，damsels？"heasked，withalacrity。
"Oh！nothing，"repliedLiénarde，ingreatconfusion；"itismyneighbor，GisquettelaGencienne，whowishestospeakwithyou。"
"Notso，"repliedGisquette，blushing；"itwasLiénardewhocalledyoumaster；Ionlytoldhertosaymessire。"
Thetwoyounggirlsdroppedtheireyes。Theman，whoaskednothingbetterthantoenterintoconversation，lookedatthemwithasmile。
"Soyouhavenothingtosaytome，damsels？"
"Oh！nothingatall，"repliedGisquette。
"Nothing，"saidLiénarde。
Thetall，light-hairedyoungmanretreatedastep；butthetwocuriousmaidenshadnomindtoletsliptheirprize。
"Messire，"saidGisquette，withtheimpetuosityofanopensluice，orofawomanwhohasmadeuphermind，"doyouknowthatsoldierwhoistoplaythepartofMadametheVirgininthemystery？"
"YoumeanthepartofJupiter？"repliedthestranger。
"Hé！yes，"saidLiénarde，"isn’tshestupid？SoyouknowJupiter？"
"MichelGiborne？"repliedtheunknown；"yes，madam。"
"Hehasafinebeard！"saidLiénarde。
"Willwhattheyareabouttosayherebefine？"inquiredGisquette，timidly。
"Veryfine，mademoiselle，"repliedtheunknown，withouttheslightesthesitation。
"Whatisittobe？"saidLiénarde。
"’TheGoodJudgmentofMadametheVirgin，’——amorality，ifyouplease，damsel。"
"Ah！thatmakesadifference，"respondedLiénarde。
Abriefsilenceensued——brokenbythestranger。
"Itisaperfectlynewmorality，andonewhichhasneveryetbeenplayed。"
"Thenitisnotthesameone，"saidGisquette，"thatwasgiventwoyearsago，onthedayoftheentranceofmonsieurthelegate，andwherethreehandsomemaidsplayedtheparts——"
"Ofsirens，"saidLiénarde。
"Andallnaked，"addedtheyoungman。
Liénardeloweredhereyesmodestly。Gisquetteglancedatheranddidthesame。Hecontinued，withasmile，——
"Itwasaverypleasantthingtosee。To-dayitisamoralitymadeexpresslyforMadametheDemoiselleofFlanders。"
"Willtheysingshepherdsongs？"inquiredGisquette。
"Fie！"saidthestranger，"inamorality？youmustnotconfoundstyles。Ifitwereafarce，wellandgood。"
"Thatisapity，"resumedGisquette。"Thatday，atthePonceauFountain，therewerewildmenandwomen，whofoughtandassumedmanyaspects，astheysanglittlemotetsandbergerettes。"
"Thatwhichissuitableforalegate，"returnedthestranger，withagooddealofdryness，"isnotsuitableforaprincess。"
"Andbesidethem，"resumedLiénarde，"playedmanybrassinstruments，makinggreatmelodies。"
"Andfortherefreshmentofthepassers-by，"continuedGisquette，"thefountainspoutedthroughthreemouths，wine，milk，andhippocrass，ofwhicheveryonedrankwhowished。"
"AndalittlebelowthePonceau，attheTrinity，"pursuedLiénarde，"therewasapassionperformed，andwithoutanyspeaking。"
"HowwellIrememberthat！"exclaimedGisquette；"Godonthecross，andthetwothievesontherightandtheleft。"
Heretheyounggossips，growingwarmatthememoryoftheentranceofmonsieurthelegate，bothbegantotalkatonce。
"And，furtheron，atthePainters’Gate，therewereotherpersonages，veryrichlyclad。"
"AndatthefountainofSaint-Innocent，thathuntsman，whowaschasingahindwithgreatclamorofdogsandhunting-horns。"
"And，attheParisslaughter-houses，stages，representingthefortressofDieppe！"
"Andwhenthelegatepassed，youremember，Gisquette？
theymadetheassault，andtheEnglishallhadtheirthroatscut。"
"AndagainstthegateoftheChatelet，therewereveryfinepersonages！"
"AndonthePortauChange，whichwasalldrapedabove！"
"Andwhenthelegatepassed，theyletflyonthebridgemorethantwohundredsortsofbirds；wasn’titbeautiful，Liénarde？"
"Itwillbebetterto-day，"finallyresumedtheirinterlocutor，whoseemedtolistentothemwithimpatience。
"Doyoupromiseusthatthismysterywillbefine？"saidGisquette。
"Withoutdoubt，"hereplied；thenheadded，withacertainemphasis，——"Iamtheauthorofit，damsels。"
"Truly？"saidtheyounggirls，quitetakenaback。
"Truly！"repliedthepoet，bridlingalittle；"thatis，tosay，therearetwoofus；JehanMarchand，whohassawedtheplanksanderectedtheframeworkofthetheatreandthewoodwork；andI，whohavemadethepiece。MynameisPierreGringoire。"
Theauthorofthe"Cid"couldnothavesaid"PierreCorneille"
withmorepride。
Ourreadershavebeenabletoobserve，thatacertainamountoftimemusthavealreadyelapsedfromthemomentwhenJupiterhadretiredbeneaththetapestrytotheinstantwhentheauthorofthenewmoralityhadthusabruptlyrevealedhimselftotheinnocentadmirationofGisquetteandLiénarde。Remarkablefact:thatwholecrowd，sotumultuousbutafewmomentsbefore，nowwaitedamiablyonthewordofthecomedian；whichprovestheeternaltruth，stillexperiencedeverydayinourtheatres，thatthebestmeansofmakingthepublicwaitpatientlyistoassurethemthatoneisabouttobegininstantly。
However，scholarJohanneshadnotfallenasleep。
"Holàhé！"heshoutedsuddenly，inthemidstofthepeaceablewaitingwhichhadfollowedthetumult。"Jupiter，MadametheVirgin，buffoonsofthedevil！areyoujeeringatus？
Thepiece！thepiece！commenceorwewillcommenceagain！"
Thiswasallthatwasneeded。
Themusicofhighandlowinstrumentsimmediatelybecameaudiblefromtheinteriorofthestage；thetapestrywasraised；fourpersonages，inmotleyattireandpaintedfaces，emergedfromit，climbedthesteepladderofthetheatre，and，arrivedupontheupperplatform，arrangedthemselvesinalinebeforethepublic，whomtheysalutedwithprofoundreverences；
thenthesymphonyceased。
Themysterywasabouttobegin。
Thefourpersonages，afterhavingreapedarichrewardofapplausefortheirreverences，began，inthemidstofprofoundsilence，aprologue，whichwegladlysparethereader。Moreover，ashappensinourownday，thepublicwasmoreoccupiedwiththecostumesthattheactorsworethanwiththerolesthattheywereenacting；and，intruth，theywereright。Allfourweredressedinparti-coloredrobesofyellowandwhite，whichweredistinguishedfromeachotheronlybythenatureofthestuff；thefirstwasofgoldandsilverbrocade；thesecond，ofsilk；thethird，ofwool；thefourth，oflinen。Thefirstofthesepersonagescarriedinhisrighthandasword；thesecond，twogoldenkeys；thethird，apairofscales；thefourth，aspade:and，inordertoaidsluggishmindswhichwouldnothaveseenclearlythroughthetransparencyoftheseattributes，therewastoberead，inlarge，blackletters，onthehemoftherobeofbrocade，MYNAME
ISNOBILITY；onthehemofthesilkenrobe，MYNAMEIS
CLERGY；onthehemofthewoolenrobe，MYNAMEISMERCHANDISE；
onthehemofthelinenrobe，MYNAMEISLABOR。
Thesexofthetwomalecharacterswasbrieflyindicatedtoeveryjudiciousspectator，bytheirshorterrobes，andbythecapwhichtheyworeontheirheads；whilethetwofemalecharacters，lessbrieflyclad，werecoveredwithhoods。
Muchill-willwouldalsohavebeenrequired，nottocomprehend，throughthemediumofthepoetryoftheprologue，thatLaborwasweddedtoMerchandise，andClergytoNobility，andthatthetwohappycouplespossessedincommonamagnificentgoldendolphin，whichtheydesiredtoadjudgetothefairestonly。Sotheywereroamingabouttheworldseekingandsearchingforthisbeauty，and，afterhavingsuccessivelyrejectedtheQueenofGolconda，thePrincessofTrebizonde，thedaughteroftheGrandKhanofTartary，etc。，LaborandClergy，NobilityandMerchandise，hadcometorestuponthemarbletableofthePalaisdeJustice，andtoutter，inthepresenceofthehonestaudience，asmanysentencesandmaximsascouldthenbedispensedattheFacultyofArts，atexaminations，sophisms，determinances，figures，andacts，wherethemasterstooktheirdegrees。
Allthiswas，infact，veryfine。
Nevertheless，inthatthrong，uponwhichthefourallegoriesviedwitheachotherinpouringoutfloodsofmetaphors，therewasnoearmoreattentive，noheartthatpalpitatedmore，notaneyewasmorehaggard，noneckmoreoutstretched，thantheeye，theear，theneck，andtheheartoftheauthor，ofthepoet，ofthatbravePierreGringoire，whohadnotbeenabletoresist，amomentbefore，thejoyoftellinghisnametotwoprettygirls。Hehadretreatedafewpacesfromthem，behindhispillar，andtherehelistened，looked，enjoyed。Theamiableapplausewhichhadgreetedthebeginningofhisprologuewasstillechoinginhisbosom，andhewascompletelyabsorbedinthatspeciesofecstaticcontemplationwithwhichanauthorbeholdshisideasfall，onebyone，fromthemouthoftheactorintothevastsilenceoftheaudience。WorthyPierreGringoire！
Itpainsustosayit，butthisfirstecstasywasspeedilydisturbed。HardlyhadGringoireraisedthisintoxicatingcupofjoyandtriumphtohislips，whenadropofbitternesswasmingledwithit。
Atatteredmendicant，whocouldnotcollectanycoins，lostashewasinthemidstofthecrowd，andwhohadnotprobablyfoundsufficientindemnityinthepocketsofhisneighbors，hadhitupontheideaofperchinghimselfuponsomeconspicuouspoint，inordertoattractlooksandalms。Hehad，accordingly，hoistedhimself，duringthefirstversesoftheprologue，withtheaidofthepillarsofthereservegallery，tothecornicewhichranroundthebalustradeatitsloweredge；
andtherehehadseatedhimself，solicitingtheattentionandthepityofthemultitude，withhisragsandahideoussorewhichcoveredhisrightarm。However，heutterednotaword。
Thesilencewhichhepreservedallowedtheprologuetoproceedwithouthindrance，andnoperceptibledisorderwouldhaveensued，ifill-luckhadnotwilledthatthescholarJoannesshouldcatchsight，fromtheheightsofhispillar，ofthemendicantandhisgrimaces。Awildfitoflaughtertookpossessionoftheyoungscamp，who，withoutcaringthathewasinterruptingthespectacle，anddisturbingtheuniversalcomposure，shoutedboldly，——
"Look！seethatsicklycreatureaskingalms！"
Anyonewhohasthrownastoneintoafrogpond，orfiredashotintoacoveyofbirds，canformanideaoftheeffectproducedbytheseincongruouswords，inthemidstofthegeneralattention。ItmadeGringoireshudderasthoughithadbeenanelectricshock。Theprologuestoppedshort，andallheadsturnedtumultuouslytowardsthebeggar，who，farfrombeingdisconcertedbythis，saw，inthisincident，agoodopportunityforreapinghisharvest，andwhobegantowhineinadolefulway，halfclosinghiseyesthewhile，——"Charity，please！"
"Well——uponmysoul，"resumedJoannes，"it’sClopinTrouillefou！Holàhe，myfriend，didyoursorebotheryouontheleg，thatyouhavetransferredittoyourarm？"
Sosaying，withthedexterityofamonkey，heflungabitofsilverintothegrayfelthatwhichthebeggarheldinhisailingarm。Themendicantreceivedboththealmsandthesarcasmwithoutwincing，andcontinued，inlamentabletones，——
"Charity，please！"
Thisepisodeconsiderablydistractedtheattentionoftheaudience；andagoodlynumberofspectators，amongthemRobinPoussepain，andalltheclerksattheirhead，gaylyapplaudedthiseccentricduet，whichthescholar，withhisshrillvoice，andthemendicanthadjustimprovisedinthemiddleoftheprologue。
Gringoirewashighlydispleased。Onrecoveringfromhisfirststupefaction，hebestirredhimselftoshout，tothefourpersonagesonthestage，"Goon！Whatthedevil！——goon！"——
withoutevendeigningtocastaglanceofdisdainuponthetwointerrupters。
Atthatmoment，hefeltsomeonepluckatthehemofhissurtout；heturnedround，andnotwithoutill-humor，andfoundconsiderabledifficultyinsmiling；buthewasobligedtodoso，nevertheless。ItwastheprettyarmofGisquettelaGencienne，which，passedthroughtherailing，wassolicitinghisattentioninthismanner。
"Monsieur，"saidtheyounggirl，"aretheygoingtocontinue？"
"Ofcourse，"repliedGringoire，agooddealshockedbythequestion。
"Inthatcase，messire，"sheresumed，"wouldyouhavethecourtesytoexplaintome——"
"Whattheyareabouttosay？"interruptedGringoire。
"Well，listen。"
"No，"saidGisquette，"butwhattheyhavesaidsofar。"
Gringoirestarted，likeamanwhosewoundhasbeenprobedtothequick。
"Aplagueonthestupidanddull-wittedlittlegirl！"hemuttered，betweenhisteeth。
Fromthatmomentforth，Gisquettewasnothingtohim。
Inthemeantime，theactorshadobeyedhisinjunction，andthepublic，seeingthattheywerebeginningtospeakagain，beganoncemoretolisten，notwithouthavinglostmanybeautiesinthesortofsolderedjointwhichwasformedbetweenthetwoportionsofthepiecethusabruptlycutshort。Gringoirecommentedonitbitterlytohimself。
Nevertheless，tranquillitywasgraduallyrestored，thescholarheldhispeace，themendicantcountedoversomecoinsinhishat，andthepieceresumedtheupperhand。
Itwas，infact，averyfinework，andonewhich，asitseemstous，mightbeputtouseto-day，bytheaidofalittlerearrangement。Theexposition，ratherlongandratherempty，thatistosay，accordingtotherules，wassimple；andGringoire，inthecandidsanctuaryofhisownconscience，admireditsclearness。Asthereadermaysurmise，thefourallegoricalpersonagesweresomewhatwearywithhavingtraversedthethreesectionsoftheworld，withouthavingfoundsuitableopportunityforgettingridoftheirgoldendolphin。Thereuponaeulogyofthemarvellousfish，withathousanddelicateallusionstotheyoungbetrothedofMargueriteofFlanders，thensadlycloisteredinatAmboise，andwithoutasuspicionthatLaborandClergy，NobilityandMerchandisehadjustmadethecircuitoftheworldinhisbehalf。Thesaiddauphinwasthenyoung，washandsome，wasstout，and，aboveallmagnificentoriginofallroyalvirtues，hewasthesonoftheLionofFrance。Ideclarethatthisboldmetaphorisadmirable，andthatthenaturalhistoryofthetheatre，onadayofallegoryandroyalmarriagesongs，isnotintheleaststartledbyadolphinwhoisthesonofalion。ItispreciselytheserareandPindaricmixtureswhichprovethepoet’senthusiasm。Nevertheless，inordertoplaythepartofcriticalso，thepoetmighthavedevelopedthisbeautifulideainsomethinglessthantwohundredlines。Itistruethatthemysterywastolastfromnoonuntilfouro’clock，inaccordancewiththeordersofmonsieurtheprovost，andthatitwasnecessarytosaysomething。Besides，thepeoplelistenedpatiently。
Allatonce，intheverymiddleofaquarrelbetweenMademoiselleMerchandiseandMadameNobility，atthemomentwhenMonsieurLaborwasgivingutterancetothiswonderfulline，——
Inforestne’erwasseenamoretriumphantbeast；
thedoorofthereservedgallerywhichhadhithertoremainedsoinopportunelyclosed，openedstillmoreinopportunely；andtheringingvoiceoftheusherannouncedabruptly，"Hiseminence，MonseigneurtheCardinaldeBourbon。"
CHAPTERIII。
MONSIEURTHECARDINAL。
PoorGringoire！thedinofallthegreatdoublepetardsoftheSaint-Jean，thedischargeoftwentyarquebusesonsupports，thedetonationofthatfamousserpentineoftheTowerofBilly，which，duringthesiegeofParis，onSunday，thetwenty-sixthofSeptember，1465，killedsevenBurgundiansatoneblow，theexplosionofallthepowderstoredatthegateoftheTemple，wouldhaverenthisearslessrudelyatthatsolemnanddramaticmoment，thanthesefewwords，whichfellfromthelipsoftheusher，"Hiseminence，MonseigneurtheCardinaldeBourbon。"
ItisnotthatPierreGringoireeitherfearedordisdainedmonsieurthecardinal。Hehadneithertheweaknessnortheaudacityforthat。Atrueeclectic，asitwouldbeexpressednowadays，Gringoirewasoneofthosefirmandlofty，moderateandcalmspirits，whichalwaysknowhowtobearthemselvesamidallcircumstances~stareindimidiorerum~，andwhoarefullofreasonandofliberalphilosophy，whilestillsettingstorebycardinals。Arare，precious，andneverinterruptedraceofphilosopherstowhomwisdom，likeanotherAriadne，seemstohavegivenaclewofthreadwhichtheyhavebeenwalkingalongunwindingsincethebeginningoftheworld，throughthelabyrinthofhumanaffairs。Onefindstheminallages，everthesame；thatistosay，alwaysaccordingtoalltimes。And，withoutreckoningourPierreGringoire，whomayrepresenttheminthefifteenthcenturyifwesucceedinbestowinguponhimthedistinctionwhichhedeserves，itcertainlywastheirspiritwhichanimatedFatherduBreul，whenhewrote，inthesixteenth，thesenaivelysublimewords，worthyofallcenturies:"IamaParisianbynation，andaParrhisianinlanguage，for~parrhisia~inGreeksignifieslibertyofspeech；ofwhichIhavemadeuseeventowardsmesseigneursthecardinals，uncleandbrothertoMonsieurthePrincedeConty，alwayswithrespecttotheirgreatness，andwithoutoffendinganyoneoftheirsuite，whichismuchtosay。"
Therewasthenneitherhatredforthecardinal，nordisdainforhispresence，inthedisagreeableimpressionproduceduponPierreGringoire。Quitethecontrary；ourpoethadtoomuchgoodsenseandtoothreadbareacoat，nottoattachparticularimportancetohavingthenumerousallusionsinhisprologue，and，inparticular，theglorificationofthedauphin，sonoftheLionofFrance，falluponthemosteminentear。Butitisnotinterestwhichpredominatesinthenoblenatureofpoets。Isupposethattheentityofthepoetmayberepresentedbythenumberten；itiscertainthatachemistonanalyzingandpharmacopolizingit，asRabelaissays，wouldfinditcomposedofonepartinteresttoninepartsofself-esteem。
Now，atthemomentwhenthedoorhadopenedtoadmitthecardinal，theninepartsofself-esteeminGringoire，swollenandexpandedbythebreathofpopularadmiration，wereinastateofprodigiousaugmentation，beneathwhichdisappeared，asthoughstifled，thatimperceptiblemoleculeofwhichwehavejustremarkeduponintheconstitutionofpoets；apreciousingredient，bytheway，aballastofrealityandhumanity，withoutwhichtheywouldnottouchtheearth。Gringoireenjoyedseeing，feeling，fingering，sotospeakanentireassemblyofknaves，itistrue，butwhatmattersthat？stupefied，petrified，andasthoughasphyxiatedinthepresenceoftheincommensurabletiradeswhichwelledupeveryinstantfromallpartsofhisbridalsong。Iaffirmthathesharedthegeneralbeatitude，andthat，quitethereverseofLaFontaine，who，atthepresentationofhiscomedyofthe"Florentine，"asked，"Whoistheill-bredloutwhomadethatrhapsody？"Gringoirewouldgladlyhaveinquiredofhisneighbor，"Whosemasterpieceisthis？"
Thereadercannowjudgeoftheeffectproduceduponhimbytheabruptandunseasonablearrivalofthecardinal。
Thatwhichhehadtofearwasonlytoofullyrealized。
Theentranceofhiseminenceupsettheaudience。Allheadsturnedtowardsthegallery。Itwasnolongerpossibletohearone’sself。"Thecardinal！Thecardinal！"repeatedallmouths。Theunhappyprologuestoppedshortforthesecondtime。
Thecardinalhaltedforamomentonthethresholdoftheestrade。Whilehewassendingaratherindifferentglancearoundtheaudience，thetumultredoubled。Eachpersonwishedtogetabetterviewofhim。Eachmanviedwiththeotherinthrustinghisheadoverhisneighbor’sshoulder。
Hewas，infact，anexaltedpersonage，thesightofwhomwaswellworthanyothercomedy。Charles，CardinaldeBourbon，ArchbishopandComteofLyon，PrimateoftheGauls，wasalliedbothtoLouisXI。，throughhisbrother，Pierre，SeigneurdeBeaujeu，whohadmarriedtheking’seldestdaughter，andtoCharlestheBoldthroughhismother，AgnesofBurgundy。
Now，thedominatingtrait，thepeculiaranddistinctivetraitofthecharacterofthePrimateoftheGauls，wasthespiritofthecourtier，anddevotiontothepowersthatbe。Thereadercanformanideaofthenumberlessembarrassmentswhichthisdoublerelationshiphadcausedhim，andofallthetemporalreefsamongwhichhisspiritualbarkhadbeenforcedtotack，inordernottosuffershipwreckoneitherLouisorCharles，thatScyllaandthatCharybdiswhichhaddevouredtheDucdeNemoursandtheConstabledeSaint-Pol。
ThankstoHeaven’smercy，hehadmadethevoyagesuccessfully，andhadreachedhomewithouthindrance。Butalthoughhewasinport，andpreciselybecausehewasinport，heneverrecalledwithoutdisquietthevariedhapsofhispoliticalcareer，solonguneasyandlaborious。Thus，hewasinthehabitofsayingthattheyear1476hadbeen"whiteandblack"forhim——meaningthereby，thatinthecourseofthatyearhehadlosthismother，theDuchessedelaBourbonnais，andhiscousin，theDukeofBurgundy，andthatonegriefhadconsoledhimfortheother。
Nevertheless，hewasafineman；heledajoyouscardinal’slife，likedtoenlivenhimselfwiththeroyalvintageofChalluau，didnothateRichardelaGarmoiseandThomasselaSaillarde，bestowedalmsonprettygirlsratherthanonoldwomen，——andforallthesereasonswasveryagreeabletothepopulaceofParis。Heneverwentaboutotherwisethansurroundedbyasmallcourtofbishopsandabbésofhighlineage，gallant，jovial，andgiventocarousingonoccasion；andmorethanoncethegoodanddevoutwomenofSaintGermaind’Auxerre，whenpassingatnightbeneaththebrightlyilluminatedwindowsofBourbon，hadbeenscandalizedtohearthesamevoiceswhichhadintonedvespersforthemduringthedaycarolling，totheclinkingofglasses，thebacchicproverbofBenedictXII。，thatpopewhohadaddedathirdcrowntotheTiara——~Bibamuspapaliter~。
Itwasthisjustlyacquiredpopularity，nodoubt，whichpreservedhimonhisentrancefromanybadreceptionatthehandsofthemob，whichhadbeensodispleasedbutamomentbefore，andverylittledisposedtorespectacardinalontheverydaywhenitwastoelectapope。ButtheParisianscherishlittlerancor；andthen，havingforcedthebeginningoftheplaybytheirauthority，thegoodbourgeoishadgottheupperhandofthecardinal，andthistriumphwassufficientforthem。Moreover，theCardinaldeBourbonwasahandsomeman，——heworeafinescarletrobe，whichhecarriedoffverywell，——thatistosay，hehadallthewomenonhisside，and，consequently，thebesthalfoftheaudience。Assuredly，itwouldbeinjusticeandbadtastetohootacardinalforhavingcomelatetothespectacle，whenheisahandsomeman，andwhenhewearshisscarletrobewell。
Heentered，then，bowedtothosepresentwiththehereditarysmileofthegreatforthepeople，anddirectedhiscourseslowlytowardshisscarletvelvetarm-chair，withtheairofthinkingofsomethingquitedifferent。Hiscortege——whatweshouldnowadayscallhisstaff——ofbishopsandabbésinvadedtheestradeinhistrain，notwithoutcausingredoubledtumultandcuriosityamongtheaudience。Eachmanviedwithhisneighborinpointingthemoutandnamingthem，inseeingwhoshouldrecognizeatleastoneofthem:
thisone，theBishopofMarseillesAlaudet，ifmymemoryservesmeright；——thisone，theprimicierofSaint-Denis；——thisone，RobertdeLespinasse，AbbéofSaint-GermaindesPrés，thatlibertinebrotherofamistressofLouisXI。；allwithmanyerrorsandabsurdities。Asforthescholars，theyswore。Thiswastheirday，theirfeastoffools，theirsaturnalia，theannualorgyofthecorporationofLawclerksandoftheschool。Therewasnoturpitudewhichwasnotsacredonthatday。Andthenthereweregaygossipsinthecrowd——SimoneQuatrelivres，AgneslaGadine，andRabinePiédebou。