Wasitnottheleastthatonecoulddotoswearatone’seaseandrevilethenameofGodalittle，onsofineaday，insuchgoodcompanyasdignitariesofthechurchandloosewomen？
　　Sotheydidnotabstain；and，inthemidstoftheuproar，therewasafrightfulconcertofblasphemiesandenormitiesofalltheunbridledtongues，thetonguesofclerksandstudentsrestrainedduringtherestoftheyear，bythefearofthehotironofSaintLouis。PoorSaintLouis！howtheysethimatdefianceinhisowncourtoflaw！Eachoneofthemselectedfromthenew-comersontheplatform，ablack，gray，white，orvioletcassockashistarget。JoannesFrollodeMolendin，inhisqualityofbrothertoanarchdeacon，boldlyattackedthescarlet；hesangindeafeningtones，withhisimpudenteyesfastenedonthecardinal，"~Capparepletamero~！"
　　Allthesedetailswhichweherelaybarefortheedificationofthereader，weresocoveredbythegeneraluproar，thattheywerelostinitbeforereachingthereservedplatforms；
　　moreover，theywouldhavemovedthecardinalbutlittle，somuchapartofthecustomswerethelibertiesofthatday。
　　Moreover，hehadanothercauseforsolicitude，andhismienaswhollypreoccupiedwithit，whichenteredtheestradethesametimeashimself；thiswastheembassyfromFlanders。
　　Notthathewasaprofoundpolitician，norwasheborrowingtroubleaboutthepossibleconsequencesofthemarriageofhiscousinMargueritedeBourgoynetohiscousinCharles，DauphindeVienne；norastohowlongthegoodunderstandingwhichhadbeenpatchedupbetweentheDukeofAustriaandtheKingofFrancewouldlast；norhowtheKingofEnglandwouldtakethisdisdainofhisdaughter。Allthattroubledhimbutlittle；andhegaveawarmreceptioneveryeveningtothewineoftheroyalvintageofChaillot，withoutasuspicionthatseveralflasksofthatsamewinesomewhatrevisedandcorrected，itistrue，byDoctorCoictier，cordiallyofferedtoEdwardIV。byLouisXI。，would，somefinemorning，ridLouisXI。ofEdwardIV。"ThemuchhonoredembassyofMonsieurtheDukeofAustria，"broughtthecardinalnoneofthesecares，butittroubledhiminanotherdirection。
　　Itwas，infact，somewhathard，andwehavealreadyhintedatitonthesecondpageofthisbook，——forhim，CharlesdeBourbon，tobeobligedtofeastandreceivecordiallynooneknowswhatbourgeois；——forhim，acardinal，toreceivealdermen；——forhim，aFrenchman，andajollycompanion，toreceiveFlemishbeer-drinkers，——andthatinpublic！Thiswas，certainly，oneofthemostirksomegrimacesthathehadeverexecutedforthegoodpleasureoftheking。
　　Soheturnedtowardthedoor，andwiththebestgraceintheworldsowellhadhetrainedhimselftoit，whentheusherannounced，inasonorousvoice，"MessieurstheEnvoysofMonsieurtheDukeofAustria。"Itisuselesstoaddthatthewholehalldidthesame。
　　Thenarrived，twobytwo，withagravitywhichmadeacontrastinthemidstofthefriskyecclesiasticalescortofCharlesdeBourbon，theeightandfortyambassadorsofMaximilianofAustria，havingattheirheadthereverendFatherinGod，Jehan，AbbotofSaint-Bertin，ChancelloroftheGoldenFleece，andJacquesdeGoy，SieurDauby，GrandBailiffofGhent。Adeepsilencesettledovertheassembly，accompaniedbystifledlaughteratthepreposterousnamesandallthebourgeoisdesignationswhicheachofthesepersonagestransmittedwithimperturbablegravitytotheusher，whothentossednamesandtitlespell-mellandmutilatedtothecrowdbelow。TherewereMasterLoysRoelof，aldermanofthecityofLouvain；MessireClaysd’Etuelde，aldermanofBrussels；
　　MessirePauldeBaeust，SieurdeVoirmizelle，PresidentofFlanders；MasterJehanColeghens，burgomasterofthecityofAntwerp；MasterGeorgedelaMoere，firstaldermanofthekuereofthecityofGhent；MasterGheldolfvanderHage，firstaldermanofthe~parchous~ofthesaidtown；andtheSieurdeBierbecque，andJehanPinnock，andJehanDymaerzelle，etc。，etc。，etc。；bailiffs，aldermen，burgomasters；burgomasters，aldermen，bailiffs——allstiff，affectedlygrave，formal，dressedoutinvelvetanddamask，hoodedwithcapsofblackvelvet，withgreattuftsofCyprusgoldthread；goodFlemishheads，afterall，severeandworthyfaces，ofthefamilywhichRembrandtmakestostandoutsostrongandgravefromtheblackbackgroundofhis"NightPatrol"；personagesallofwhombore，writtenontheirbrows，thatMaximilianofAustriahaddonewellin"trustingimplicitly，"asthemanifestran，"intheirsense，valor，experience，loyalty，andgoodwisdom。"
　　Therewasoneexception，however。Itwasasubtle，intelligent，crafty-lookingface，asortofcombinedmonkeyanddiplomatphiz，beforewhomthecardinalmadethreestepsandaprofoundbow，andwhosename，nevertheless，wasonly，"GuillaumeRym，counsellorandpensioneroftheCityofGhent。"
　　FewpersonswerethenawarewhoGuillaumeRymwas。A
　　raregeniuswhoinatimeofrevolutionwouldhavemadeabrilliantappearanceonthesurfaceofevents，butwhointhefifteenthcenturywasreducedtocavernousintrigues，andto"livinginmines，"astheDucdeSaint-Simonexpressesit。
　　Nevertheless，hewasappreciatedbythe"miner"ofEurope；
　　heplottedfamiliarlywithLouisXI。，andoftenlentahandtotheking’ssecretjobs。Allwhichthingswerequiteunknowntothatthrong，whowereamazedatthecardinal’spolitenesstothatfrailfigureofaFlemishbailiff。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　MASTERJACQUESCOPPENOLE。
　　WhilethepensionerofGhentandhiseminencewereexchangingverylowbowsandafewwordsinvoicesstilllower，amanofloftystature，withalargefaceandbroadshoulders，presentedhimself，inordertoenterabreastwithGuillaumeRym；onewouldhavepronouncedhimabull-dogbythesideofafox。Hisfeltdoubletandleatherjerkinmadeaspotonthevelvetandsilkwhichsurroundedhim。
　　Presumingthathewassomegroomwhohadstolenin，theusherstoppedhim。
　　"Hold，myfriend，youcannotpass！"
　　Themanintheleatherjerkinshoulderedhimaside。
　　"Whatdoesthisknavewantwithme？"saidhe，instentoriantones，whichrenderedtheentirehallattentivetothisstrangecolloquy。"Don’tyouseethatIamoneofthem？"
　　"Yourname？"demandedtheusher。
　　"JacquesCoppenole。"
　　"Yourtitles？"
　　"Hosieratthesignofthe’ThreeLittleChains，’ofGhent。"
　　Theusherrecoiled。Onemightbringone’sselftoannouncealdermenandburgomasters，butahosierwastoomuch。Thecardinalwasonthorns。Allthepeoplewerestaringandlistening。FortwodayshiseminencehadbeenexertinghisutmosteffortstolicktheseFlemishbearsintoshape，andtorenderthemalittlemorepresentabletothepublic，andthisfreakwasstartling。ButGuillaumeRym，withhispolishedsmile，approachedtheusher。
　　"AnnounceMasterJacquesCoppenole，clerkofthealdermenofthecityofGhent，"hewhispered，verylow。
　　"Usher，"interposedthecardinal，aloud，"announceMasterJacquesCoppenole，clerkofthealdermenoftheillustriouscityofGhent。"
　　Thiswasamistake。GuillaumeRymalonemighthaveconjuredawaythedifficulty，butCoppenolehadheardthecardinal。
　　"No，crossofGod？"heexclaimed，inhisvoiceofthunder，"JacquesCoppenole，hosier。Doyouhear，usher？Nothingmore，nothingless。CrossofGod！hosier；that’sfineenough。
　　MonsieurtheArchdukehasmorethanoncesoughthis~gant~*
　　inmyhose。"
　　*Gotthefirstideaofatiming。
　　Laughterandapplauseburstforth。AjestisalwaysunderstoodinParis，and，consequently，alwaysapplauded。
　　LetusaddthatCoppenolewasofthepeople，andthattheauditorswhichsurroundedhimwerealsoofthepeople。Thusthecommunicationbetweenhimandthemhadbeenprompt，electric，and，sotospeak，onalevel。ThehaughtyairoftheFlemishhosier，byhumiliatingthecourtiers，hadtouchedinalltheseplebeiansoulsthatlatentsentimentofdignitystillvagueandindistinctinthefifteenthcentury。
　　Thishosierwasanequal，whohadjustheldhisownbeforemonsieurthecardinal。AverysweetreflectiontopoorfellowshabituatedtorespectandobediencetowardstheunderlingsofthesergeantsofthebailiffofSainte-Geneviève，thecardinal’strain-bearer。
　　Coppenoleproudlysalutedhiseminence，whoreturnedthesaluteoftheall-powerfulbourgeoisfearedbyLouisXI。
　　Then，whileGuillaumeRym，a"sageandmaliciousman，"asPhilippedeCominesputsit，watchedthembothwithasmileofrailleryandsuperiority，eachsoughthisplace，thecardinalquiteabashedandtroubled，Coppenoletranquilandhaughty，andthinking，nodoubt，thathistitleofhosierwasasgoodasanyother，afterall，andthatMarieofBurgundy，mothertothatMargueritewhomCoppenolewasto-daybestowinginmarriage，wouldhavebeenlessafraidofthecardinalthanofthehosier；foritisnotacardinalwhowouldhavestirreduparevoltamongthemenofGhentagainstthefavoritesofthedaughterofCharlestheBold；itisnotacardinalwhocouldhavefortifiedthepopulacewithawordagainsthertearsandprayers，whentheMaidofFlanderscametosupplicateherpeopleintheirbehalf，evenattheveryfootofthescaffold；
　　whilethehosierhadonlytoraisehisleatherelbow，inordertocausetofallyourtwoheads，mostillustriousseigneurs，Guyd’HymbercourtandChancellorGuillaumeHugonet。
　　Nevertheless，allwasoverforthepoorcardinal，andhewasobligedtoquafftothedregsthebittercupofbeinginsuchbadcompany。
　　Thereaderhas，probably，notforgottentheimpudentbeggarwhohadbeenclingingfasttothefringesofthecardinal’sgalleryeversincethebeginningoftheprologue。Thearrivaloftheillustriousguestshadbynomeanscausedhimtorelaxhishold，and，whiletheprelatesandambassadorswerepackingthemselvesintothestalls——likegenuineFlemishherrings——hesettledhimselfathisease，andboldlycrossedhislegsonthearchitrave。Theinsolenceofthisproceedingwasextraordinary，yetnoonenoticeditatfirst，theattentionofallbeingdirectedelsewhere。He，onhisside，perceivednothingthatwasgoingoninthehall；hewaggedhisheadwiththeunconcernofaNeapolitan，repeatingfromtimetotime，amidtheclamor，asfromamechanicalhabit，"Charity，please！"And，assuredly，hewas，outofallthosepresent，theonlyonewhohadnotdeignedtoturnhisheadatthealtercationbetweenCoppenoleandtheusher。Now，chanceordainedthatthemasterhosierofGhent，withwhomthepeoplewerealreadyinlivelysympathy，anduponwhomalleyeswereriveted——shouldcomeandseathimselfinthefrontrowofthegallery，directlyabovethemendicant；andpeoplewerenotalittleamazedtoseetheFlemishambassador，onconcludinghisinspectionoftheknavethusplacedbeneathhiseyes，bestowafriendlytaponthatraggedshoulder。Thebeggarturnedround；therewassurprise，recognition，alightingupofthetwocountenances，andsoforth；then，withoutpayingtheslightestheedintheworldtothespectators，thehosierandthewretchedbeingbegantoconverseinalowtone，holdingeachother’shands，inthemeantime，whiletheragsofClopinTrouillefou，spreadoutupontheclothofgoldofthedais，producedtheeffectofacaterpillaronanorange。
　　Thenoveltyofthissingularsceneexcitedsuchamurmurofmirthandgayetyinthehall，thatthecardinalwasnotslowtoperceiveit；hehalfbentforward，and，asfromthepointwherehewasplacedhecouldcatchonlyanimperfectviewofTrouillerfou’signominiousdoublet，heverynaturallyimaginedthatthemendicantwasaskingalms，and，disgustedwithhisaudacity，heexclaimed:"BailiffoftheCourts，tossmethatknaveintotheriver！"
　　"CrossofGod！monseigneurthecardinal，"saidCoppenole，withoutquittingClopin’shand，"he’safriendofmine。"
　　"Good！good！"shoutedthepopulace。Fromthatmoment，MasterCoppenoleenjoyedinParisasinGhent，"greatfavorwiththepeople；formenofthatsortdoenjoyit，"saysPhilippedeComines，"whentheyarethusdisorderly。"
　　Thecardinalbithislips。Hebenttowardshisneighbor，theAbbéofSaintGeneviéve，andsaidtohiminalowtone，——"Fineambassadorsmonsieurthearchdukesendshere，toannouncetousMadameMarguerite！"
　　"Youreminence，"repliedtheabbé，"wastesyourpolitenessontheseFlemishswine。~Margaritasanteporcos~，pearlsbeforeswine。"
　　"Sayrather，"retortedthecardinal，withasmile，"~PorcosanteMargaritam~，swinebeforethepearl。"
　　Thewholelittlecourtincassockswentintoecstaciesoverthisplayuponwords。Thecardinalfeltalittlerelieved；hewasquitswithCoppenole，healsohadhadhisjestapplauded。
　　Now，willthoseofourreaderswhopossessthepowerofgeneralizinganimageoranidea，astheexpressionrunsinthestyleofto-day，permitustoaskthemiftheyhaveformedaveryclearconceptionofthespectaclepresentedatthismoment，uponwhichwehavearrestedtheirattention，bythevastparallelogramofthegrandhallofthepalace。
　　Inthemiddleofthehall，backedagainstthewesternwall，alargeandmagnificentgallerydrapedwithclothofgold，intowhichenterinprocession，throughasmall，archeddoor，gravepersonages，announcedsuccessivelybytheshrillvoiceofanusher。Onthefrontbencheswerealreadyanumberofvenerablefigures，muffledinermine，velvet，andscarlet。Aroundthedais——whichremainssilentanddignified——below，opposite，everywhere，agreatcrowdandagreatmurmur。Thousandsofglancesdirectedbythepeopleoneachfaceuponthedais，athousandwhispersovereachname。Certainly，thespectacleiscurious，andwelldeservestheattentionofthespectators。Butyonder，quiteattheend，whatisthatsortoftrestleworkwithfourmotleypuppetsuponit，andmorebelow？Whoisthatmanbesidethetrestle，withablackdoubletandapaleface？Alas！mydearreader，itisPierreGringoireandhisprologue。
　　Wehaveallforgottenhimcompletely。
　　Thisispreciselywhathefeared。
　　Fromthemomentofthecardinal’sentrance，Gringoirehadneverceasedtotrembleforthesafetyofhisprologue。Atfirsthehadenjoinedtheactors，whohadstoppedinsuspense，tocontinue，andtoraisetheirvoices；then，perceivingthatnoonewaslistening，hehadstoppedthem；and，duringtheentirequarterofanhourthattheinterruptionlasted，hehadnotceasedtostamp，toflounceabout，toappealtoGisquetteandLiénarde，andtourgehisneighborstothecontinuanceoftheprologue；allinvain。Noonequittedthecardinal，theembassy，andthegallery——solecentreofthisvastcircleofvisualrays。Wemustalsobelieve，andwesayitwithregret，thattheprologuehadbegunslightlytowearytheaudienceatthemomentwhenhiseminencehadarrived，andcreatedadiversioninsoterribleafashion。Afterall，onthegalleryaswellasonthemarbletable，thespectaclewasthesame:theconflictofLaborandClergy，ofNobilityandMerchandise。Andmanypeoplepreferredtoseethemalive，breathing，moving，elbowingeachotherinfleshandblood，inthisFlemishembassy，inthisEpiscopalcourt，underthecardinal’srobe，underCoppenole’sjerkin，thanpainted，deckedout，talkinginverse，and，sotospeak，stuffedbeneaththeyellowamidwhitetunicsinwhichGringoirehadsoridiculouslyclothedthem。
　　Nevertheless，whenourpoetbeheldquietreestablishedtosomeextent，hedevisedastratagemwhichmighthaveredeemedall。
　　"Monsieur，"hesaid，turningtowardsoneofhisneighbors，afine，bigman，withapatientface，"supposewebeginagain。"
　　"What？"saidhisneighbor。
　　"Hé！theMystery，"saidGringoire。
　　"Asyoulike，"returnedhisneighbor。
　　Thissemi-approbationsufficedforGringoire，and，conductinghisownaffairs，hebegantoshout，confoundinghimselfwiththecrowdasmuchaspossible:"Beginthemysteryagain！beginagain！"
　　"Thedevil！"saidJoannesdeMolendino，"whataretheyjabberingdownyonder，attheendofthehall？"forGringoirewasmakingnoiseenoughforfour。"Say，comrades，isn’tthatmysteryfinished？Theywanttobeginitalloveragain。That’snotfair！"
　　"No，no！"shoutedallthescholars。"Downwiththemystery！Downwithit！"
　　ButGringoirehadmultipliedhimself，andonlyshoutedthemorevigorously:"Beginagain！beginagain！"
　　Theseclamorsattractedtheattentionofthecardinal。
　　"MonsieurBailiffoftheCourts，"saidhetoatall，blackman，placedafewpacesfromhim，"arethoseknavesinaholy-watervessel，thattheymakesuchahellishnoise？"
　　Thebailiffofthecourtswasasortofamphibiousmagistrate，asortofbatofthejudicialorder，relatedtoboththeratandthebird，thejudgeandthesoldier。
　　Heapproachedhiseminence，andnotwithoutagooddealoffearofthelatter’sdispleasure，heawkwardlyexplainedtohimtheseemingdisrespectoftheaudience:thatnoondayhadarrivedbeforehiseminence，andthatthecomedianshadbeenforcedtobeginwithoutwaitingforhiseminence。
　　Thecardinalburstintoalaugh。
　　"Onmyfaith，therectoroftheuniversityoughttohavedonethesame。Whatsayyou，MasterGuillaumeRym？"
　　"Monseigneur，"repliedGuillaumeRym，"letusbecontentwithhavingescapedhalfofthecomedy。Thereisatleastthatmuchgained。"
　　"Cantheserascalscontinuetheirfarce？"askedthebailiff。
　　"Continue，continue，"saidthecardinal，"it’sallthesametome。I’llreadmybreviaryinthemeantime。"
　　Thebailiffadvancedtotheedgeoftheestrade，andcried，afterhavinginvokedsilencebyawaveofthehand，——
　　"Bourgeois，rustics，andcitizens，inordertosatisfythosewhowishtheplaytobeginagain，andthosewhowishittoend，hiseminenceordersthatitbecontinued。"
　　Bothpartieswereforcedtoresignthemselves。Butthepublicandtheauthorlongcherishedagrudgeagainstthecardinal。
　　Sothepersonagesonthestagetookuptheirparts，andGringoirehopedthattherestofhiswork，atleast，wouldbelistenedto。Thishopewasspeedilydispelledlikehisotherillusions；silencehadindeed，beenrestoredintheaudience，afterafashion；butGringoirehadnotobservedthatatthemomentwhenthecardinalgavetheordertocontinue，thegallerywasfarfromfull，andthataftertheFlemishenvoystherehadarrivednewpersonagesformingpartofthecortege，whosenamesandranks，shoutedoutinthemidstofhisdialoguebytheintermittentcryoftheusher，producedconsiderableravagesinit。Letthereaderimaginetheeffectinthemidstofatheatricalpiece，oftheyelpingofanusher，flinginginbetweentworhymes，andofteninthemiddleofaline，parentheseslikethefollowing，——
　　"MasterJacquesCharmolue，procuratortothekingintheEcclesiasticalCourts！"
　　"JehandeHarlay，equerryguardianoftheofficeofchevalierofthenightwatchofthecityofParis！"
　　"MessireGaliotdeGenoilhac，chevalier，seigneurdeBrussac，masteroftheking’sartillery！"
　　"MasterDreux-Raguier，surveyorofthewoodsandforestsofthekingoursovereign，inthelandofFrance，ChampagneandBrie！"
　　"MessireLouisdeGraville，chevalier，councillor，andchamberlainoftheking，admiralofFrance，keeperoftheForestofVincennes！"
　　"MasterDenisleMercier，guardianofthehouseoftheblindatParis！"etc。，etc。，etc。
　　Thiswasbecomingunbearable。
　　Thisstrangeaccompaniment，whichrendereditdifficulttofollowthepiece，madeGringoireallthemoreindignantbecausehecouldnotconcealfromhimselfthefactthattheinterestwascontinuallyincreasing，andthatallhisworkrequiredwasachanceofbeingheard。
　　Itwas，infact，difficulttoimagineamoreingeniousandmoredramaticcomposition。Thefourpersonagesoftheprologuewerebewailingthemselvesintheirmortalembarrassment，whenVenusinperson，~veraincessapatuitdea~presentedherselftothem，cladinafinerobebearingtheheraldicdeviceoftheshipofthecityofParis。Shehadcomeherselftoclaimthedolphinpromisedtothemostbeautiful。Jupiter，whosethundercouldbeheardrumblinginthedressing-room，supportedherclaim，andVenuswasonthepointofcarryingitoff，——thatistosay，withoutallegory，ofmarryingmonsieurthedauphin，whenayoungchildcladinwhitedamask，andholdinginherhandadaisyatransparentpersonificationofMademoiselleMargueriteofFlanderscametocontestitwithVenus。
　　Theatricaleffectandchange。
　　Afteradispute，Venus，Marguerite，andtheassistantsagreedtosubmittothegoodjudgmentoftimeholyVirgin。
　　Therewasanothergoodpart，thatofthekingofMesopotamia；
　　butthroughsomanyinterruptions，itwasdifficulttomakeoutwhatendheserved。Allthesepersonshadascendedbytheladdertothestage。
　　Butallwasover；noneofthesebeautieshadbeenfeltnorunderstood。Ontheentranceofthecardinal，onewouldhavesaidthataninvisiblemagicthreadhadsuddenlydrawnallglancesfromthemarbletabletothegallery，fromthesoutherntothewesternextremityofthehall。Nothingcoulddisenchanttheaudience；alleyesremainedfixedthere，andthenew-comersandtheiraccursednames，andtheirfaces，andtheircostumes，affordedacontinualdiversion。Thiswasverydistressing。WiththeexceptionofGisquetteandLiénarde，whoturnedroundfromtimetotimewhenGringoirepluckedthembythesleeve；withtheexceptionofthebig，patientneighbor，noonelistened，noonelookedatthepoor，desertedmoralityfullface。Gringoiresawonlyprofiles。
　　Withwhatbitternessdidhebeholdhiswholeerectionofgloryandofpoetrycrumbleawaybitbybit！Andtothinkthatthesepeoplehadbeenuponthepointofinstitutingarevoltagainstthebailiffthroughimpatiencetohearhiswork！
　　nowthattheyhadittheydidnotcareforit。Thissamerepresentationwhichhadbeenbegunamidsounanimousanacclamation！Eternalfloodandebbofpopularfavor！Tothinkthattheyhadbeenonthepointofhangingthebailiff’ssergeant！Whatwouldhenothavegiventobestillatthathourofhoney！
　　Buttheusher’sbrutalmonologuecametoanend；everyonehadarrived，andGringoirebreathedfreelyoncemore；
　　theactorscontinuedbravely。ButMasterCoppenole，thehosier，mustneedsriseofasudden，andGringoirewasforcedtolistentohimdeliver，amiduniversalattention，thefollowingabominableharangue。
　　"MessieursthebourgeoisandsquiresofParis，Idon’tknow，crossofGod！whatwearedoinghere。Icertainlydoseeyonderinthecorneronthatstage，somepeoplewhoappeartobefighting。Idon’tknowwhetherthatiswhatyoucalla"mystery，"butitisnotamusing；theyquarrelwiththeirtonguesandnothingmore。Ihavebeenwaitingforthefirstblowthisquarterofanhour；nothingcomes；theyarecowardswhoonlyscratcheachotherwithinsults。YououghttosendforthefightersofLondonorRotterdam；and，Icantellyou！youwouldhavehadblowsofthefistthatcouldbeheardinthePlace；butthesemenexciteourpity。Theyoughtatleast，togiveusamoorishdance，orsomeothermummer！Thatisnotwhatwastoldme；Iwaspromisedafeastoffools，withtheelectionofapope。WehaveourpopeoffoolsatGhentalso；we’renotbehindhandinthat，crossofGod！Butthisisthewaywemanageit；wecollectacrowdlikethisonehere，theneachpersoninturnpasseshisheadthroughahole，andmakesagrimaceattherest；timeonewhomakestheugliest，iselectedpopebygeneralacclamation；
　　that’sthewayitis。Itisverydiverting。Wouldyouliketomakeyourpopeafterthefashionofmycountry？Atallevents，itwillbelesswearisomethantolistentochatterers。
　　Iftheywishtocomeandmaketheirgrimacesthroughthehole，theycanjointhegame。Whatsayyou，Messieurslesbourgeois？Youhavehereenoughgrotesquespecimensofbothsexes，toallowoflaughinginFlemishfashion，andthereareenoughofusuglyincountenancetohopeforafinegrinningmatch。"
　　Gringoirewouldhavelikedtoretort；stupefaction，rage，indignation，deprivedhimofwords。Moreover，thesuggestionofthepopularhosierwasreceivedwithsuchenthusiasmbythesebourgeoiswhowereflatteredatbeingcalled"squires，"thatallresistancewasuseless。Therewasnothingtobedonebuttoallowone’sselftodriftwiththetorrent。
　　Gringoirehidhisfacebetweenhistwohands，notbeingsofortunateastohaveamantlewithwhichtoveilhishead，likeAgamemnonofTimantis。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　QUASIMODO。
　　Inthetwinklingofaneye，allwasreadytoexecuteCoppenole’sidea。Bourgeois，scholarsandlawclerksallsettowork。Thelittlechapelsituatedoppositethemarbletablewasselectedforthesceneofthegrinningmatch。Apanebrokenintheprettyrosewindowabovethedoor，leftfreeacircleofstonethroughwhichitwasagreedthatthecompetitorsshouldthrusttheirheads。Inordertoreachit，itwasonlynecessarytomountuponacoupleofhogsheads，whichhadbeenproducedfromIknownotwhere，andperchedoneupontheother，afterafashion。Itwassettledthateachcandidate，manorwomanforitwaspossibletochooseafemalepope，should，forthesakeofleavingtheimpressionofhisgrimacefreshandcomplete，coverhisfaceandremainconcealedinthechapeluntilthemomentofhisappearance。Inlessthananinstant，thechapelwascrowdedwithcompetitors，uponwhomthedoorwasthenclosed。
　　Coppenole，fromhispost，orderedall，directedall，arrangedall。Duringtheuproar，thecardinal，nolessabashedthanGringoire，hadretiredwithallhissuite，underthepretextofbusinessandvespers，withoutthecrowdwhichhisarrivalhadsodeeplystirredbeingintheleastmovedbyhisdeparture。
　　GuillaumeRymwastheonlyonewhonoticedhiseminence’sdiscomfiture。Theattentionofthepopulace，likethesun，pursueditsrevolution；havingsetoutfromoneendofthehall，andhaltedforaspaceinthemiddle，ithadnowreachedtheotherend。Themarbletable，thebrocadedgalleryhadeachhadtheirday；itwasnowtheturnofthechapelofLouisXI。
　　Henceforth，thefieldwasopentoallfolly。Therewasnoonetherenow，buttheFlemingsandtherabble。
　　Thegrimacesbegan。Thefirstfacewhichappearedattheaperture，witheyelidsturneduptothereds，amouthopenlikeamaw，andabrowwrinkledlikeourhussarbootsoftheEmpire，evokedsuchaninextinguishablepealoflaughterthatHomerwouldhavetakenalltheseloutsforgods。
　　Nevertheless，thegrandhallwasanythingbutOlympus，andGringoire’spoorJupiterknewitbetterthananyoneelse。A
　　secondandthirdgrimacefollowed，thenanotherandanother；
　　andthelaughterandtransportsofdelightwentonincreasing。
　　Therewasinthisspectacle，apeculiarpowerofintoxicationandfascination，ofwhichitwouldbedifficulttoconveytothereaderofourdayandoursalonsanyidea。
　　Letthereaderpicturetohimselfaseriesofvisagespresentingsuccessivelyallgeometricalforms，fromthetriangletothetrapezium，fromtheconetothepolyhedron；allhumanexpressions，fromwrathtolewdness；allages，fromthewrinklesofthenew-bornbabetothewrinklesoftheagedanddying；allreligiousphantasmagories，fromFauntoBeelzebub；
　　allanimalprofiles，fromthemawtothebeak，fromthejowltothemuzzle。LetthereaderimagineallthesegrotesquefiguresofthePontNeuf，thosenightmarespetrifiedbeneaththehandofGermainPilon，assuminglifeandbreath，andcominginturntostareyouinthefacewithburningeyes；allthemasksoftheCarnivalofVenicepassinginsuccessionbeforeyourglass，——inaword，ahumankaleidoscope。
　　TheorgygrewmoreandmoreFlemish。Tenierscouldhavegivenbutaveryimperfectideaofit。Letthereaderpicturetohimselfinbacchanalform，SalvatorRosa’sbattle。Therewerenolongereitherscholarsorambassadorsorbourgeoisormenorwomen；therewasnolongeranyClopinTrouillefou，norGillesLecornu，norMarieQuatrelivres，norRobinPoussepain。
　　Allwasuniversallicense。Thegrandhallwasnolongeranythingbutavastfurnaceofeffrontryandjoviality，whereeverymouthwasacry，everyindividualaposture；
　　everythingshoutedandhowled。Thestrangevisageswhichcame，inturn，tognashtheirteethintherosewindow，werelikesomanybrandscastintothebrazier；andfromthewholeofthiseffervescingcrowd，thereescaped，asfromafurnace，asharp，piercing，stingingnoise，hissinglikethewingsofagnat。
　　"Hohé！curseit！"
　　"Justlookatthatface！"
　　"It’snotgoodforanything。"
　　"GuillemetteMaugerepuis，justlookatthatbull’smuzzle；
　　itonlylacksthehorns。Itcan’tbeyourhusband。"
　　"Another！"
　　"Bellyofthepope！whatsortofagrimaceisthat？"
　　"Holahé！that’scheating。Onemustshowonlyone’sface。"
　　"ThatdamnedPerretteCallebotte！she’scapableofthat！"
　　"Good！Good！"
　　"I’mstifling！"
　　"There’safellowwhoseearswon’tgothrough！"Etc。，etc。
　　ButwemustdojusticetoourfriendJehan。Inthemidstofthiswitches’sabbath，hewasstilltobeseenonthetopofhispillar，likethecabin-boyonthetopmast。Heflounderedaboutwithincrediblefury。Hismouthwaswideopen，andfromitthereescapedacrywhichnooneheard，notthatitwascoveredbythegeneralclamor，greatasthatwasbutbecauseitattained，nodoubt，thelimitofperceptiblesharpsounds，thethousandvibrationsofSauveur，ortheeightthousandofBiot。
　　AsforGringoire，thefirstmomentofdepressionhavingpassed，hehadregainedhiscomposure。Hehadhardenedhimselfagainstadversity——"Continue！"hehadsaidforthethirdtime，tohiscomedians，speakingmachines；thenashewasmarchingwithgreatstridesinfrontofthemarbletable，afancyseizedhimtogoandappearinhisturnattheapertureofthechapel，wereitonlyforthepleasureofmakingagrimaceatthatungratefulpopulace——"Butno，thatwouldnotbeworthyofus；no，vengeance！letuscombatuntiltheend，"herepeatedtohimself；"thepowerofpoetryoverpeopleisgreat；Iwillbringthemback。Weshallseewhichwillcarrytheday，grimacesorpoliteliterature。"
　　Alas！hehadbeenleftthesolespectatorofhispiece。
　　Itwasfarworsethanithadbeenalittlewhilebefore。Henolongerbeheldanythingbutbacks。
　　Iammistaken。Thebig，patientman，whomhehadalreadyconsultedinacriticalmoment，hadremainedwithhisfaceturnedtowardsthestage。AsforGisquetteandLiénarde，theyhaddesertedhimlongago。
　　Gringoirewastouchedtotheheartbythefidelityofhisonlyspectator。Heapproachedhimandaddressedhim，shakinghisarmslightly；forthegoodmanwasleaningonthebalustradeanddozingalittle。
　　"Monsieur，"saidGringoire，"Ithankyou！"
　　"Monsieur，"repliedthebigmanwithayawn，"forwhat？"
　　"Iseewhatweariesyou，"resumedthepoet；"’tisallthisnoisewhichpreventsyourhearingcomfortably。Butbeatease！yournameshalldescendtoposterity！Yourname，ifyouplease？"
　　"RenauldChateau，guardianofthesealsoftheChateletofParis，atyourservice。"
　　"Monsieur，youaretheonlyrepresentiveofthemuseshere，"saidGringoire。
　　"Youaretookind，sir，"saidtheguardianofthesealsattheChatelet。
　　"Youaretheonlyone，"resumedGringoire，"whohaslistenedtothepiecedecorously。Whatdoyouthinkofit？"
　　"He！he！"repliedthefatmagistrate，halfaroused，"it’stolerablyjolly，that’safact。"
　　Gringoirewasforcedtocontenthimselfwiththiseulogy；
　　forathunderofapplause，mingledwithaprodigiousacclamation，cuttheirconversationshort。ThePopeoftheFoolshadbeenelected。
　　"Noel！Noel！Noel！"*shoutedthepeopleonallsides。
　　Thatwas，infact，amarvellousgrimacewhichwasbeamingatthatmomentthroughtheapertureintherosewindow。
　　Afterallthepentagonal，hexagonal，andwhimsicalfaces，whichhadsucceededeachotheratthatholewithoutrealizingtheidealofthegrotesquewhichtheirimaginations，excitedbytheorgy，hadconstructed，nothinglesswasneededtowintheirsuffragesthanthesublimegrimacewhichhadjustdazzledtheassembly。MasterCoppenolehimselfapplauded，andClopinTrouillefou，whohadbeenamongthecompetitorsandGodknowswhatintensityofuglinesshisvisagecouldattain，confessedhimselfconquered:Wewilldothesame。Weshallnottrytogivethereaderanideaofthattetrahedralnose，thathorseshoemouth；thatlittlelefteyeobstructedwithared，bushy，bristlingeyebrow，whiletherighteyedisappearedentirelybeneathanenormouswart；ofthoseteethindisarray，brokenhereandthere，liketheembattledparapetofafortress；ofthatcallouslip，uponwhichoneoftheseteethencroached，likethetuskofanelephant；ofthatforkedchin；andaboveall，oftheexpressionspreadoverthewhole；
　　ofthatmixtureofmalice，amazement，andsadness。Letthereaderdreamofthiswhole，ifhecan。
　　*TheancientFrenchhurrah。
　　Theacclamationwasunanimous；peoplerushedtowardsthechapel。TheymadetheluckyPopeoftheFoolscomeforthintriumph。Butitwasthenthatsurpriseandadmirationattainedtheirhighestpitch；thegrimacewashisface。
　　Orrather，hiswholepersonwasagrimace。Ahugehead，bristlingwithredhair；betweenhisshouldersanenormoushump，acounterpartperceptibleinfront；asystemofthighsandlegssostrangelyastraythattheycouldtoucheachotheronlyattheknees，and，viewedfromthefront，resembledthecrescentsoftwoscythesjoinedbythehandles；largefeet，monstroushands；and，withallthisdeformity，anindescribableandredoubtableairofvigor，agility，andcourage，——strangeexceptiontotheeternalrulewhichwillsthatforceaswellasbeautyshallbetheresultofharmony。Suchwasthepopewhomthefoolshadjustchosenforthemselves。
　　Onewouldhavepronouncedhimagiantwhohadbeenbrokenandbadlyputtogetheragain。
　　Whenthisspeciesofcyclopsappearedonthethresholdofthechapel，motionless，squat，andalmostasbroadashewastall；squaredonthebase，asagreatmansays；withhisdoublethalfred，halfviolet，sownwithsilverbells，and，aboveall，intheperfectionofhisugliness，thepopulacerecognizedhimontheinstant，andshoutedwithonevoice，——
　　"’TisQuasimodo，thebellringer！’tisQuasimodo，thehunchbackofNotre-Dame！Quasimodo，theone-eyed！Quasimodo，thebandy-legged！Noel！Noel！"
　　Itwillbeseenthatthepoorfellowhadachoiceofsurnames。
　　"Letthewomenwithchildbeware！"shoutedthescholars。
　　"Orthosewhowishtobe，"resumedJoannes。
　　Thewomendid，infact，hidetheirfaces。
　　"Oh！thehorriblemonkey！"saidoneofthem。
　　"Aswickedasheisugly，"retortedanother。
　　"He’sthedevil，"addedathird。
　　"IhavethemisfortunetolivenearNotre-Dame；Ihearhimprowlingroundtheeavesbynight。"
　　"Withthecats。"
　　"He’salwaysonourroofs。"
　　"Hethrowsspellsdownourchimneys。"
　　"Theotherevening，hecameandmadeagrimaceatmethroughmyatticwindow。Ithoughtthatitwasaman。
　　SuchafrightasIhad！"
　　"I’msurethathegoestothewitches’sabbath。Onceheleftabroomonmyleads。"
　　"Oh！whatadispleasinghunchback’sface！"
　　"Oh！whatanill-favoredsoul！"
　　"Whew！"
　　Themen，onthecontrary，weredelightedandapplauded。
　　Quasimodo，theobjectofthetumult，stillstoodonthethresholdofthechapel，sombreandgrave，andallowedthemtoadmirehim。
　　OnescholarRobinPoussepain，Ithink，cameandlaughedinhisface，andtooclose。Quasimodocontentedhimselfwithtakinghimbythegirdle，andhurlinghimtenpacesoffamidthecrowd；allwithoututteringaword。
　　MasterCoppenole，inamazement，approachedhim。
　　"CrossofGod！HolyFather！youpossessthehandsomestuglinessthatIhaveeverbeheldinmylife。YouwoulddeservetobepopeatRome，aswellasatParis。"
　　Sosaying，heplacedhishandgaylyonhisshoulder。Quasimododidnotstir。Coppenolewenton，——
　　"YouarearoguewithwhomIhaveafancyforcarousing，wereittocostmeanewdozenoftwelvelivresofTours。
　　Howdoesitstrikeyou？"
　　Quasimodomadenoreply。
　　"CrossofGod！"saidthehosier，"areyoudeaf？"
　　Hewas，intruth，deaf。
　　Nevertheless，hebegantogrowimpatientwithCoppenole’sbehavior，andsuddenlyturnedtowardshimwithsoformidableagnashingofteeth，thattheFlemishgiantrecoiled，likeabull-dogbeforeacat。
　　Thentherewascreatedaroundthatstrangepersonage，acircleofterrorandrespect，whoseradiuswasatleastfifteengeometricalfeet。AnoldwomanexplainedtoCoppenolethatQuasimodowasdeaf。
　　"Deaf！"saidthehosier，withhisgreatFlemishlaugh。
　　"CrossofGod！He’saperfectpope！"
　　"He！Irecognizehim，"exclaimedJehan，whohad，atlast，descendedfromhiscapital，inordertoseeQuasimodoatcloserquarters，"he’sthebellringerofmybrother，thearchdeacon。
　　Good-day，Quasimodo！"
　　"Whatadevilofaman！"saidRobinPoussepainstillallbruisedwithhisfall。"Heshowshimself；he’sahunchback。
　　Hewalks；he’sbandy-legged。Helooksatyou；he’sone-eyed。
　　Youspeaktohim；he’sdeaf。AndwhatdoesthisPolyphemusdowithhistongue？"
　　"Hespeakswhenhechooses，"saidtheoldwoman；"hebecamedeafthroughringingthebells。Heisnotdumb。"
　　"Thathelacks，"remarksJehan。
　　"Andhehasoneeyetoomany，"addedRobinPoussepain。
　　"Notatall，"saidJehanwisely。"Aone-eyedmanisfarlesscompletethanablindman。Heknowswhathelacks。"
　　Inthemeantime，allthebeggars，allthelackeys，allthecutpurses，joinedwiththescholars，hadgoneinprocessiontoseek，inthecupboardofthelawclerks’company，thecardboardtiara，andthederisiverobeofthePopeoftheFools。Quasimodoallowedthemtoarrayhiminthemwithoutwincing，andwithasortofprouddocility。Thentheymadehimseathimselfonamotleylitter。Twelveofficersofthefraternityoffoolsraisedhimontheirshoulders；andasortofbitteranddisdainfuljoylightedupthemorosefaceofthecyclops，whenhebeheldbeneathhisdeformedfeetallthoseheadsofhandsome，straight，well-mademen。Thentheraggedandhowlingprocessionsetoutonitsmarch，accordingtocustom，aroundtheinnergalleriesoftheCourts，beforemakingthecircuitofthestreetsandsquares。
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　ESMERALDA。
　　Wearedelightedtobeabletoinformthereader，thatduringthewholeofthisscene，Gringoireandhispiecehadstoodfirm。Hisactors，spurredonbyhim，hadnotceasedtospouthiscomedy，andhehadnotceasedtolistentoit。Hehadmadeuphismindaboutthetumult，andwasdeterminedtoproceedtotheend，notgivingupthehopeofareturnofattentiononthepartofthepublic。Thisgleamofhopeacquiredfreshlife，whenhesawQuasimodo，Coppenole，andthedeafeningescortofthepopeoftheprocessionoffoolsquitthehallamidgreatuproar。Thethrongrushedeagerlyafterthem。"Good，"hesaidtohimself，"theregoallthemischief-
　　makers。"Unfortunately，allthemischief-makersconstitutedtheentireaudience。Inthetwinklingofaneye，thegrandhallwasempty。
　　Totellthetruth，afewspectatorsstillremained，somescattered，othersingroupsaroundthepillars，women，oldmen，orchildren，whohadhadenoughoftheuproarandtumult。Somescholarswerestillperchedastrideofthewindow-sills，engagedingazingintothePlace。
　　"Well，"thoughtGringoire，"herearestillasmanyasarerequiredtoheartheendofmymystery。Theyarefewinnumber，butitisachoiceaudience，aletteredaudience。"
　　Aninstantlater，asymphonywhichhadbeenintendedtoproducethegreatesteffectonthearrivaloftheVirgin，waslacking。GringoireperceivedthathismusichadbeencarriedoffbytheprocessionofthePopeoftheFools。"Skipit，"saidhe，stoically。
　　Heapproachedagroupofbourgeois，whoseemedtohimtobediscussinghispiece。Thisisthefragmentofconversationwhichhecaught，——
　　"Youknow，MasterCheneteau，theH？teldeNavarre，whichbelongedtoMonsieurdeNemours？"
　　"Yes，oppositetheChapelledeBraque。"
　　"Well，thetreasuryhasjustletittoGuillaumeAlixandre，historian，forsixhivres，eightsols，parisian，ayear。"
　　"Howrentsaregoingup！"
　　"Come，"saidGringoiretohimself，withasigh，"theothersarelistening。"
　　"Comrades，"suddenlyshoutedoneoftheyoungscampsfromthewindow，"LaEsmeralda！LaEsmeraldainthePlace！"
　　Thiswordproducedamagicaleffect。Everyonewhowasleftinthehallflewtothewindows，climbingthewallsinordertosee，andrepeating，"LaEsmeralda！LaEsmeralda？"
　　Atthesametime，agreatsoundofapplausewasheardfromwithout。
　　"What’sthemeaningofthis，oftheEsmeralda？"saidGringoire，wringinghishandsindespair。"Ah，goodheavens！
　　itseemstobetheturnofthewindowsnow。"
　　Hereturnedtowardsthemarbletable，andsawthattherepresentationhadbeeninterrupted。ItwaspreciselyattheinstantwhenJupitershouldhaveappearedwithhisthunder。ButJupiterwasstandingmotionlessatthefootofthestage。
　　"MichelGiborne！"criedtheirritatedpoet，"whatareyoudoingthere？Isthatyourpart？Comeup！"
　　"Alas！"saidJupiter，"ascholarhasjustseizedtheladder。"
　　Gringoirelooked。Itwasbuttootrue。Allcommunicationbetweenhisplotanditssolutionwasintercepted。
　　"Therascal，"hemurmured。"Andwhydidhetakethatladder？"
　　"InordertogoandseetheEsmeralda，"repliedJupiterpiteously。"Hesaid，’Come，here’saladderthat’sofnouse！’andhetookit。"
　　Thiswasthelastblow。Gringoirereceiveditwithresignation。
　　"Maythedevilflyawaywithyou！"hesaidtothecomedian，"andifIgetmypay，youshallreceiveyours。"
　　Thenhebeataretreat，withdroopinghead，butthelastinthefield，likeageneralwhohasfoughtwell。
　　Andashedescendedthewindingstairsofthecourts:"A
　　finerabbleofassesanddoltstheseParisians！"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth；"theycometohearamysteryanddon’tlistentoitatall！Theyareengrossedbyeveryone，byChopinTrouillefou，bythecardinal，byCoppenole，byQuasimodo，bythedevil！butbyMadametheVirginMary，notatall。IfIhadknown，I’dhavegivenyouVirginMary；youninnies！AndI！tocometoseefacesandbeholdonlybacks！
　　tobeapoet，andtoreapthesuccessofanapothecary！ItistruethatHomerusbeggedthroughtheGreektowns，andthatNasodiedinexileamongtheMuscovites。ButmaythedevilflaymeifIunderstandwhattheymeanwiththeirEsmeralda！
　　Whatisthatword，inthefirstplace？——’tisEgyptian！"
　　BOOKSECOND。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　FROMCHARYBDISTOSCYLLA。
　　NightcomesonearlyinJanuary。ThestreetswerealreadydarkwhenGringoireissuedforthfromtheCourts。Thisgloompleasedhim；hewasinhastetoreachsomeobscureanddesertedalley，inordertheretomeditateathisease，andinorderthatthephilosophermightplacethefirstdressinguponthewoundofthepoet。Philosophy，moreover，washissolerefuge，forhedidnotknowwherehewastolodgeforthenight。Afterthebrilliantfailureofhisfirsttheatricalventure，hedarednotreturntothelodgingwhichheoccupiedintheRueGrenier-sur-l’Eau，oppositetothePort-au-Foin，havingdependeduponreceivingfrommonsieurtheprovostforhisepithalamium，thewherewithaltopayMasterGuillaumeDoulx-Sire，farmerofthetaxesoncloven-footedanimalsinParis，therentwhichheowedhim，thatistosay，twelvesolsparisian；twelvetimesthevalueofallthathepossessedintheworld，includinghistrunk-hose，hisshirt，andhiscap。
　　Afterreflectingamoment，temporarilyshelteredbeneaththelittlewicketoftheprisonofthetreasureroftheSainte-
　　Chappelle，astotheshelterwhichhewouldselectforthenight，havingallthepavementsofParistochoosefrom，herememberedtohavenoticedtheweekpreviouslyintheRuedelaSavaterie，atthedoorofacouncilloroftheparliament，asteppingstoneformountingamule，andtohavesaidtohimselfthatthatstonewouldfurnish，onoccasion，averyexcellentpillowforamendicantorapoet。HethankedProvidenceforhavingsentthishappyideatohim；but，ashewaspreparingtocrossthePlace，inordertoreachthetortuouslabyrinthofthecity，wheremeanderallthoseoldsisterstreets，theRuesdelaBarillerie，delaVielle-Draperie，delaSavaterie，delaJuiverie，etc。，stillextantto-day，withtheirnine-storyhouses，hesawtheprocessionofthePopeoftheFools，whichwasalsoemergingfromthecourthouse，andrushingacrossthecourtyard，withgreatcries，agreatflashingoftorches，andthemusicwhichbelongedtohim，Gringoire。
　　Thissightrevivedthepainofhisself-love；hefled。Inthebitternessofhisdramaticmisadventure，everythingwhichremindedhimofthefestivalofthatdayirritatedhiswoundandmadeitbleed。
　　58
　　HewasonthepointofturningtothePontSaint-Michel；
　　childrenwererunningabouthereandtherewithfirelancesandrockets。
　　"Pestonfireworkcandles！"saidGringoire；andhefellbackonthePontauChange。Tothehouseattheheadofthebridgetherehadbeenaffixedthreesmallbanners，representingtheking，thedauphin，andMargueriteofFlanders，andsixlittlepennonsonwhichwereportrayedtheDukeofAustria，theCardinaldeBourbon，M。deBeaujeu，andMadameJeannedeFrance，andMonsieurtheBastardofBourbon，andIknownotwhomelse；allbeingilluminatedwithtorches。
　　Therabblewereadmiring。
　　"Happypainter，JehanFourbault！"saidGringoirewithadeepsigh；andheturnedhisbackuponthebanneretsandpennons。Astreetopenedbeforehim；hethoughtitsodarkanddesertedthathehopedtothereescapefromalltherumorsaswellasfromallthegleamsofthefestival。Attheendofafewmomentshisfootcameincontactwithanobstacle；hestumbledandfell。ItwastheMaytruss，whichtheclerksoftheclerks’lawcourthaddepositedthatmorningatthedoorofapresidentoftheparliament，inhonorofthesolemnityoftheday。Gringoireborethisnewdisasterheroically；hepickedhimselfup，andreachedthewater’sedge。AfterleavingbehindhimthecivicTournelle*andthecriminaltower，andskirtedthegreatwallsoftheking’sgarden，onthatunpavedstrandwherethemudreachedtohisankles，hereachedthewesternpointofthecity，andconsideredforsometimetheisletofthePasseur-aux-Vaches，whichhasdisappearedbeneaththebronzehorseofthePontNeuf。Theisletappearedtohimintheshadowlikeablackmass，beyondthenarrowstripofwhitishwaterwhichseparatedhimfromit。
　　Onecoulddivinebytherayofatinylightthesortofhutintheformofabeehivewheretheferrymanofcowstookrefugeatnight。
　　*AchamberoftheancientparliamentofParis。
　　"Happyferryman！"thoughtGringoire；"youdonotdreamofglory，andyoudonotmakemarriagesongs！Whatmattersittoyou，ifkingsandDuchessesofBurgundymarry？
　　Youknownootherdaisies~marguerites~thanthosewhichyourAprilgreenswardgivesyourcowstobrowseupon；whileI，apoet，amhooted，andshiver，andowetwelvesous，andthesolesofmyshoesaresotransparent，thattheymightserveasglassesforyourlantern！Thanks，ferryman，yourcabinrestsmyeyes，andmakesmeforgetParis！"
　　Hewasrousedfromhisalmostlyricecstacy，byabigdoubleSaint-Jeancracker，whichsuddenlywentofffromthehappycabin。Itwasthecowferryman，whowastakinghispartintherejoicingsoftheday，andlettingofffireworks。
　　ThiscrackermadeGringoire’sskinbristleupallover。
　　"Accursedfestival！"heexclaimed，"wiltthoupursuemeeverywhere？Oh！goodGod！eventotheferryman’s！"
　　ThenhelookedattheSeineathisfeet，andahorribletemptationtookpossessionofhim:
　　"Oh！"saidhe，"Iwouldgladlydrownmyself，werethewaternotsocold！"
　　Thenadesperateresolutionoccurredtohim。Itwas，sincehecouldnotescapefromthePopeoftheFools，fromJehanFourbault’sbannerets，fromMaytrusses，fromsquibsandcrackers，togotothePlacedeGrève。
　　"Atleast，"hesaidtohimself，"Ishalltherehaveafirebrandofjoywherewithtowarmmyself，andIcansuponsomecrumbsofthethreegreatarmorialbearingsofroyalsugarwhichhavebeenerectedonthepublicrefreshment-stallofthecity。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　THEPLACEDEGREVE。
　　Thereremainsto-daybutaveryimperceptiblevestigeofthePlacedeGrève，suchasitexistedthen；itconsistsinthecharminglittleturret，whichoccupiestheanglenorthofthePlace，andwhich，alreadyenshroudedintheignobleplasterwhichfillswithpastethedelicatelinesofitssculpture，wouldsoonhavedisappeared，perhapssubmergedbythatfloodofnewhouseswhichsorapidlydevoursalltheancientfa？adesofParis。
　　Thepersonswho，likeourselves，nevercrossthePlacedeGrèvewithoutcastingaglanceofpityandsympathyonthatpoorturretstrangledbetweentwohovelsofthetimeofLouisXV。，caneasilyreconstructintheirmindstheaggregateofedificestowhichitbelonged，andfindagainentireinittheancientGothicplaceofthefifteenthcentury。
　　Itwasthen，asitisto-day，anirregulartrapezoid，borderedononesidebythequay，andontheotherthreebyaseriesoflofty，narrow，andgloomyhouses。Byday，onecouldadmirethevarietyofitsedifices，allsculpturedinstoneorwood，andalreadypresentingcompletespecimensofthedifferentdomesticarchitecturesoftheMiddleAges，runningbackfromthefifteenthtotheeleventhcentury，fromthecasementwhichhadbeguntodethronethearch，totheRomansemicircle，whichhadbeensupplantedbytheogive，andwhichstilloccupies，belowit，thefirststoryofthatancienthousedelaTourRoland，atthecornerofthePlaceupontheSeine，onthesideofthestreetwiththeTannerie。Atnight，onecoulddistinguishnothingofallthatmassofbuildings，excepttheblackindentationoftheroofs，unrollingtheirchainofacuteanglesroundtheplace；foroneoftheradicaldifferencesbetweenthecitiesofthattime，andthecitiesofthepresentday，layinthefa？adeswhichlookedupontheplacesandstreets，andwhichwerethengables。Forthelasttwocenturiesthehouseshavebeenturnedround。
　　InthecentreoftheeasternsideofthePlace，roseaheavyandhybridconstruction，formedofthreebuildingsplacedinjuxtaposition。Itwascalledbythreenameswhichexplainitshistory，itsdestination，anditsarchitecture:"TheHouseoftheDauphin，"becauseCharlesV。，whenDauphin，hadinhabitedit；"TheMarchandise，"becauseithadservedastownhall；and"ThePillaredHouse"~domusadpiloria~，becauseofaseriesoflargepillarswhichsustainedthethreestories。ThecityfoundthereallthatisrequiredforacitylikeParis；achapelinwhichtopraytoGod；a~plaidoyer~，orpleadingroom，inwhichtoholdhearings，andtorepel，atneed，theKing’speople；andundertheroof，an~arsenac~fullofartillery。ForthebourgeoisofPariswereawarethatitisnotsufficienttoprayineveryconjuncture，andtopleadforthefranchisesofthecity，andtheyhadalwaysinreserve，inthegarretofthetownhall，afewgoodrustyarquebuses。TheGrèvehadthenthatsinisteraspectwhichitpreservesto-dayfromtheexecrableideaswhichitawakens，andfromthesombretownhallofDominiqueBocador，whichhasreplacedthePillaredHouse。Itmustbeadmittedthatapermanentgibbetandapillory，"ajusticeandaladder，"astheywerecalledinthatday，erectedsidebysideinthecentreofthepavement，contributednotalittletocauseeyestobeturnedawayfromthatfatalplace，wheresomanybeingsfulloflifeandhealthhaveagonized；where，fiftyyearslater，thatfeverofSaintVallierwasdestinedtohaveitsbirth，thatterrorofthescaffold，themostmonstrousofallmaladiesbecauseitcomesnotfromGod，butfromman。
　　Itisaconsolingidealetusremarkinpassing，tothinkthatthedeathpenalty，whichthreehundredyearsagostillencumberedwithitsironwheels，itsstonegibbets，andallitsparaphernaliaoftorture，permanentandrivetedtothepavement，theGrève，theHalles，thePlaceDauphine，theCrossduTrahoir，theMarchéauxPourceaux，thathideousMontfau？on，thebarrierdesSergents，thePlaceauxChats，thePorteSaint-Denis，Champeaux，thePorteBaudets，thePorteSaintJacques，withoutreckoningtheinnumerableladdersoftheprovosts，thebishopofthechapters，oftheabbots，ofthepriors，whohadthedecreeoflifeanddeath，——withoutreckoningthejudicialdrowningsintheriverSeine；itisconsolingto-day，afterhavinglostsuccessivelyallthepiecesofitsarmor，itsluxuryoftorment，itspenaltyofimaginationandfancy，itstortureforwhichitreconstructedeveryfiveyearsaleatherbedattheGrandChatelet，thatancientsuzerainoffeudalsocietyalmostexpungedfromourlawsandourcities，huntedfromcodetocode，chasedfromplacetoplace，hasnolonger，inourimmenseParis，anymorethanadishonoredcorneroftheGrève，——thanamiserableguillotine，furtive，uneasy，shameful，whichseemsalwaysafraidofbeingcaughtintheact，soquicklydoesitdisappearafterhavingdealtitsblow。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　KISSESFORBLOWS。
　　WhenPierreGringoirearrivedonthePlacedeGrève，hewasparalyzed。HehaddirectedhiscourseacrossthePontauxMeuniers，inordertoavoidtherabbleonthePontauChange，andthepennonsofJehanFourbault；butthewheelsofallthebishop’smillshadsplashedhimashepassed，andhisdoubletwasdrenched；itseemedtohimbesides，thatthefailureofhispiecehadrenderedhimstillmoresensibletocoldthanusual。Hencehemadehastetodrawnearthebonfire，whichwasburningmagnificentlyinthemiddleofthePlace。Butaconsiderablecrowdformedacirclearoundit。
　　"AccursedParisians！"hesaidtohimselfforGringoire，likeatruedramaticpoet，wassubjecttomonologues"theretheyareobstructingmyfire！Nevertheless，Iamgreatlyinneedofachimneycorner；myshoesdrinkinthewater，andallthosecursedmillsweptuponme！ThatdevilofaBishopofParis，withhismills！I’djustliketoknowwhatuseabishopcanmakeofamill！Doesheexpecttobecomeamillerinsteadofabishop？Ifonlymymaledictionisneededforthat，Ibestowituponhim！andhiscathedral，andhismills！Justseeifthoseboobieswillputthemselvesout！
　　Moveaside！I’dliketoknowwhattheyaredoingthere！
　　Theyarewarmingthemselves，muchpleasuremayitgivethem！Theyarewatchingahundredfagotsburn；afinespectacle！"
　　Onlookingmoreclosely，heperceivedthatthecirclewasmuchlargerthanwasrequiredsimplyforthepurposeofgettingwarmattheking’sfire，andthatthisconcourseofpeoplehadnotbeenattractedsolelybythebeautyofthehundredfagotswhichwereburning。
　　Inavastspaceleftfreebetweenthecrowdandthefire，ayounggirlwasdancing。
　　Whetherthisyounggirlwasahumanbeing，afairy，oranangel，iswhatGringoire，scepticalphilosopherandironicalpoetthathewas，couldnotdecideatthefirstmoment，sofascinatedwashebythisdazzlingvision。
　　Shewasnottall，thoughsheseemedso，soboldlydidherslenderformdartabout。Shewasswarthyofcomplexion，butonedivinedthat，byday，herskinmustpossessthatbeautifulgoldentoneoftheAndalusiansandtheRomanwomen。Herlittlefoot，too，wasAndalusian，foritwasbothpinchedandateaseinitsgracefulshoe。Shedanced，sheturned，shewhirledrapidlyaboutonanoldPersianrug，spreadnegligentlyunderherfeet；andeachtimethatherradiantfacepassedbeforeyou，asshewhirled，hergreatblackeyesdartedaflashoflightningatyou。
　　Allaroundher，allglanceswereriveted，allmouthsopen；
　　and，infact，whenshedancedthus，tothehummingoftheBasquetambourine，whichhertwopure，roundedarmsraisedaboveherhead，slender，frailandvivaciousasawasp，withhercorsageofgoldwithoutafold，hervariegatedgownpuffingout，herbareshoulders，herdelicatelimbs，whichherpetticoatrevealedattimes，herblackhair，hereyesofflame，shewasasupernaturalcreature。
　　"Intruth，"saidGringoiretohimself，"sheisasalamander，sheisanymph，sheisagoddess，sheisabacchanteoftheMeneleanMount！"
　　Atthatmoment，oneofthesalamander’sbraidsofhairbecameunfastened，andapieceofyellowcopperwhichwasattachedtoit，rolledtotheground。
　　"Hé，no！"saidhe，"sheisagypsy！"
　　Allillusionshaddisappeared。
　　Shebeganherdanceoncemore；shetookfromthegroundtwoswords，whosepointssherestedagainstherbrow，andwhichshemadetoturninonedirection，whilesheturnedintheother；itwasapurelygypsyeffect。But，disenchantedthoughGringoirewas，thewholeeffectofthispicturewasnotwithoutitscharmanditsmagic；thebonfireilluminated，witharedflaringlight，whichtrembled，allalive，overthecircleoffacesinthecrowd，onthebrowoftheyounggirl，andatthebackgroundofthePlacecastapallidreflection，ononesideupontheancient，black，andwrinkledfa？adeoftheHouseofPillars，ontheother，upontheoldstonegibbet。
　　Amongthethousandsofvisageswhichthatlighttingedwithscarlet，therewasonewhichseemed，evenmorethanalltheothers，absorbedincontemplationofthedancer。Itwasthefaceofaman，austere，calm，andsombre。Thisman，whosecostumewasconcealedbythecrowdwhichsurroundedhim，didnotappeartobemorethanfiveandthirtyyearsofage；nevertheless，hewasbald；hehadmerelyafewtuftsofthin，grayhaironhistemples；hisbroad，highforeheadhadbeguntobefurrowedwithwrinkles，buthisdeep-seteyessparkledwithextraordinaryyouthfulness，anardentlife，aprofoundpassion。Hekeptthemfixedincessantlyonthegypsy，and，whilethegiddyyounggirlofsixteendancedandwhirled，forthepleasureofall，hisreveryseemedtobecomemoreandmoresombre。Fromtimetotime，asmileandasighmetuponhislips，butthesmilewasmoremelancholythanthesigh。
　　Theyounggirl，stoppedatlength，breathless，andthepeopleapplaudedherlovingly。
　　"Djali！"saidthegypsy。
　　ThenGringoiresawcomeuptoher，aprettylittlewhitegoat，alert，wide-awake，glossy，withgildedhorns，gildedhoofs，andgildedcollar，whichhehadnothithertoperceived，andwhichhadremainedlyingcurledupononecornerofthecarpetwatchinghismistressdance。
　　"Djali！"saidthedancer，"itisyourturn。"
　　And，seatingherself，shegracefullypresentedhertambourinetothegoat。
　　"Djali，"shecontinued，"whatmonthisthis？"
　　Thegoatlifteditsforefoot，andstruckoneblowuponthetambourine。Itwasthefirstmonthintheyear，infact。
　　"Djali，"pursuedtheyounggirl，turninghertambourineround，"whatdayofthemonthisthis？"
　　Djaliraisedhislittlegilthoof，andstrucksixblowsonthetambourine。
　　"Djali，"pursuedtheEgyptian，withstillanothermovementofthetambourine，"whathourofthedayisit？"
　　Djalistrucksevenblows。Atthatmoment，theclockofthePillarHouserangoutseven。
　　Thepeoplewereamazed。
　　"There’ssorceryatthebottomofit，"saidasinistervoiceinthecrowd。Itwasthatofthebaldman，whoneverremovedhiseyesfromthegypsy。
　　Sheshudderedandturnedround；butapplausebrokeforthanddrownedthemoroseexclamation。
　　Iteveneffaceditsocompletelyfromhermind，thatshecontinuedtoquestionhergoat。
　　"Djali，whatdoesMasterGuichardGrand-Remy，captainofthepistoliersofthetowndo，attheprocessionofCandlemas？"
　　Djalirearedhimselfonhishindlegs，andbegantobleat，marchingalongwithsomuchdaintygravity，thattheentirecircleofspectatorsburstintoalaughatthisparodyoftheinteresteddevoutnessofthecaptainofpistoliers。
　　"Djali，"resumedtheyounggirl，emboldenedbyhergrowingsuccess，"howpreachesMasterJacquesCharmolue，procuratortothekingintheecclesiasticalcourt？"
　　Thegoatseatedhimselfonhishindquarters，andbegantobleat，wavinghisforefeetinsostrangeamanner，that，withtheexceptionofthebadFrench，andworseLatin，JacquesCharmoluewastherecomplete，——gesture，accent，andattitude。
　　Andthecrowdapplaudedlouderthanever。