Heresumed，——
"OnedayIwasleaningonthewindowofmycell。WhatbookwasIreadingthen？Oh！allthatisawhirlwindinmyhead。Iwasreading。ThewindowopeneduponaSquare。I
heardasoundoftambourineandmusic。Annoyedatbeingthusdisturbedinmyrevery，IglancedintotheSquare。WhatIbeheld，otherssawbesidemyself，andyetitwasnotaspectaclemadeforhumaneyes。There，inthemiddleofthepavement，——itwasmidday，thesunwasshiningbrightly，——acreaturewasdancing。AcreaturesobeautifulthatGodwouldhavepreferredhertotheVirginandhavechosenherforhismotherandhavewishedtobebornofherifshehadbeeninexistencewhenhewasmademan！Hereyeswereblackandsplendid；inthemidstofherblacklocks，somehairsthroughwhichthesunshoneglistenedlikethreadsofgold。Herfeetdisappearedintheirmovementslikethespokesofarapidlyturningwheel。Aroundherhead，inherblacktresses，thereweredisksofmetal，whichglitteredinthesun，andformedacoronetofstarsonherbrow。Herdressthicksetwithspangles，blue，anddottedwithathousandsparks，gleamedlikeasummernight。Herbrown，supplearmstwinedanduntwinedaroundherwaist，liketwoscarfs。Theformofherbodywassurprisinglybeautiful。
Oh！whataresplendentfigurestoodout，likesomethingluminouseveninthesunlight！Alas，younggirl，itwasthou！
Surprised，intoxicated，charmed，Iallowedmyselftogazeuponthee。IlookedsolongthatIsuddenlyshudderedwithterror；Ifeltthatfatewasseizingholdofme。"
Thepriestpausedforamoment，overcomewithemotion。
Thenhecontinued，——
"Alreadyhalffascinated，Itriedtoclingfasttosomethingandholdmyselfbackfromfalling。IrecalledthesnareswhichSatanhadalreadysetforme。Thecreaturebeforemyeyespossessedthatsuperhumanbeautywhichcancomeonlyfromheavenorhell。Itwasnosimplegirlmadewithalittleofourearth，anddimlylightedwithinbythevacillatingrayofawoman’ssoul。Itwasanangel！butofshadowsandflame，andnotoflight。AtthemomentwhenIwasmeditatingthus，Ibeheldbesideyouagoat，abeastofwitches，whichsmiledasitgazedatme。Themiddaysungavehimgoldenhorns。ThenIperceivedthesnareofthedemon，andInolongerdoubtedthatyouhadcomefromhellandthatyouhadcomethenceformyperdition。Ibelievedit。"
Herethepriestlookedtheprisonerfullintheface，andadded，coldly，——
"Ibelieveitstill。Nevertheless，thecharmoperatedlittlebylittle；yourdancingwhirledthroughmybrain；Ifeltthemysteriousspellworkingwithinme。Allthatshouldhaveawakenedwaslulledtosleep；andlikethosewhodieinthesnow，Ifeltpleasureinallowingthissleeptodrawon。Allatonce，youbegantosing。WhatcouldIdo，unhappywretch？Yoursongwasstillmorecharmingthanyourdancing。
Itriedtoflee。Impossible。Iwasnailed，rootedtothespot。Itseemedtomethatthemarbleofthepavementhadrisentomyknees。Iwasforcedtoremainuntiltheend。
Myfeetwerelikeice，myheadwasonfire。Atlastyoutookpityonme，youceasedtosing，youdisappeared。Thereflectionofthedazzlingvision，thereverberationoftheenchantingmusicdisappearedbydegreesfrommyeyesandmyears。
ThenIfellbackintotheembrasureofthewindow，morerigid，morefeeblethanastatuetornfromitsbase。Thevesperbellrousedme。Idrewmyselfup；Ifled；butalas！
somethingwithinmehadfallennevertoriseagain，somethinghadcomeuponmefromwhichIcouldnotflee。"
Hemadeanotherpauseandwenton，——
"Yes，datingfromthatday，therewaswithinmeamanwhomIdidnotknow。Itriedtomakeuseofallmyremedies。
Thecloister，thealtar，work，books，——follies！Oh，howhollowdoessciencesoundwhenoneindespairdashesagainstitaheadfullofpassions！Doyouknow，younggirl，whatI
sawthenceforthbetweenmybookandme？You，yourshade，theimageoftheluminousapparitionwhichhadonedaycrossedthespacebeforeme。Butthisimagehadnolongerthesamecolor；itwassombre，funereal，gloomyastheblackcirclewhichlongpursuesthevisionoftheimprudentmanwhohasgazedintentlyatthesun。
"Unabletoridmyselfofit，sinceIheardyoursonghummingeverinmyhead，beheldyourfeetdancingalwaysonmybreviary，feltevenatnight，inmydreams，yourformincontactwithmyown，Idesiredtoseeyouagain，totouchyou，toknowwhoyouwere，toseewhetherIshouldreallyfindyouliketheidealimagewhichIhadretainedofyou，toshattermydream，perchance，withreality。Atallevents，I
hopedthatanewimpressionwouldeffacethefirst，andthefirsthadbecomeinsupportable。Isoughtyou。Isawyouoncemore。Calamity！WhenIhadseenyoutwice，Iwantedtoseeyouathousandtimes，Iwantedtoseeyoualways。
Then——howstopmyselfonthatslopeofhell？——thenInolongerbelongedtomyself。Theotherendofthethreadwhichthedemonhadattachedtomywingshehadfastenedtohisfoot。Ibecamevagrantandwanderinglikeyourself。
Iwaitedforyouunderporches，Istoodonthelookoutforyouatthestreetcorners，Iwatchedforyoufromthesummitofmytower。EveryeveningIreturnedtomyselfmorecharmed，moredespairing，morebewitched，morelost！
"Ihadlearnedwhoyouwere；anEgyptian，Bohemian，gypsy，zingara。HowcouldIdoubtthemagic？Listen。I
hopedthatatrialwouldfreemefromthecharm。AwitchenchantedBrunod’Ast；hehadherburned，andwascured。I
knewit。Iwantedtotrytheremedy。FirstItriedtohaveyouforbiddenthesquareinfrontofNotre-Dame，hopingtoforgetyouifyoureturnednomore。Youpaidnoheedtoit。
Youreturned。Thentheideaofabductingyouoccurredtome。OnenightImadetheattempt。Thereweretwoofus。
Wealreadyhadyouinourpower，whenthatmiserableofficercameup。Hedeliveredyou。Thusdidhebeginyourunhappiness，mine，andhisown。Finally，nolongerknowingwhattodo，andwhatwastobecomeofme，Idenouncedyoutotheofficial。
"IthoughtthatIshouldbecuredlikeBrunod’Ast。Ialsohadaconfusedideathatatrialwoulddeliveryouintomyhands；that，asaprisonerIshouldholdyou，Ishouldhaveyou；thatthereyoucouldnotescapefromme；thatyouhadalreadypossessedmeasufficientlylongtimetogivemetherighttopossessyouinmyturn。Whenonedoeswrong，onemustdoitthoroughly。’Tismadnesstohaltmidwayinthemonstrous！Theextremeofcrimehasitsdeliriumsofjoy。
Apriestandawitchcanmingleindelightuponthetrussofstrawinadungeon！
"Accordingly，Idenouncedyou。ItwasthenthatIterrifiedyouwhenwemet。TheplotwhichIwasweavingagainstyou，thestormwhichIwasheapingupaboveyourhead，burstfrommeinthreatsandlightningglances。Still，Ihesitated。
Myprojecthaditsterriblesideswhichmademeshrinkback。
"PerhapsImighthaverenouncedit；perhapsmyhideousthoughtwouldhavewitheredinmybrain，withoutbearingfruit。Ithoughtthatitwouldalwaysdependuponmetofollowupordiscontinuethisprosecution。Buteveryevilthoughtisinexorable，andinsistsonbecomingadeed；butwhereIbelievedmyselftobeallpowerful，fatewasmorepowerfulthanI。Alas！’tisfatewhichhasseizedyouanddeliveredyoutotheterriblewheelsofthemachinewhichI
hadconstructeddoubly。Listen。Iamnearingtheend。
"Oneday，——againthesunwasshiningbrilliantly——Ibeholdmanpassmeutteringyournameandlaughing，whocarriessensualityinhiseyes。Damnation！Ifollowedhim；youknowtherest。"
Heceased。
Theyounggirlcouldfindbutoneword:
"Oh，myPhoebus！"
"Notthatname！"saidthepriest，graspingherarmviolently。"Utternotthatname！Oh！miserablewretchesthatweare，’tisthatnamewhichhasruinedus！or，ratherwehaveruinedeachotherbytheinexplicableplayoffate！
youaresuffering，areyounot？youarecold；thenightmakesyoublind，thedungeonenvelopsyou；butperhapsyoustillhavesomelightinthebottomofyoursoul，wereitonlyyourchildishloveforthatemptymanwhoplayedwithyourheart，whileIbearthedungeonwithinme；withinmethereiswinter，ice，despair；Ihavenightinmysoul。
"DoyouknowwhatIhavesuffered？Iwaspresentatyourtrial。Iwasseatedontheofficial’sbench。Yes，underoneofthepriests’cowls，therewerethecontortionsofthedamned。Whenyouwerebroughtin，Iwasthere；whenyouwerequestioned，Iwasthere——Denofwolves！——Itwasmycrime，itwasmygallowsthatIbeheldbeingslowlyrearedoveryourhead。Iwasthereforeverywitness，everyproof，everyplea；
Icouldcounteachofyourstepsinthepainfulpath；Iwasstilltherewhenthatferociousbeast——oh！Ihadnotforeseentorture！Listen。Ifollowedyoutothatchamberofanguish。
Ibeheldyoustrippedandhandled，halfnaked，bytheinfamoushandsofthetormentor。Ibeheldyourfoot，thatfootwhichIwouldhavegivenanempiretokissanddie，thatfoot，beneathwhichtohavehadmyheadcrushedIshouldhavefeltsuchrapture，——Ibehelditencasedinthathorribleboot，whichconvertsthelimbsofalivingbeingintoonebloodyclod。Oh，wretch！whileIlookedonatthat，Iheldbeneathmyshroudadagger，withwhichIlaceratedmybreast。Whenyouutteredthatcry，Iplungeditintomyflesh；atasecondcry，itwouldhaveenteredmyheart。Look！Ibelievethatitstillbleeds。"
Heopenedhiscassock。Hisbreastwasinfact，mangledasbytheclawofatiger，andonhissidehehadalargeandbadlyhealedwound。
Theprisonerrecoiledwithhorror。
"Oh！"saidthepriest，"younggirl，havepityuponme！
Youthinkyourselfunhappy；alas！alas！youknownotwhatunhappinessis。Oh！toloveawoman！tobeapriest！tobehated！tolovewithallthefuryofone’ssoul；tofeelthatonewouldgivefortheleastofhersmiles，one’sblood，one’svitals，one’sfame，one’ssalvation，one’simmortalityandeternity，thislifeandtheother；toregretthatoneisnotaking，emperor，archangel，God，inorderthatonemightplaceagreaterslavebeneathherfeet；toclasphernightanddayinone’sdreamsandone’sthoughts，andtobeholdherinlovewiththetrappingsofasoldierandtohavenothingtoofferherbutapriest’sdirtycassock，whichwillinspireherwithfearanddisgust！Tobepresentwithone’sjealousyandone’srage，whileshelavishesonamiserable，blusteringimbecile，treasuresofloveandbeauty！Tobeholdthatbodywhoseformburnsyou，thatbosomwhichpossessessomuchsweetness，thatfleshpalpitateandblushbeneaththekissesofanother！
Ohheaven！toloveherfoot，herarm，hershoulder，tothinkofherblueveins，ofherbrownskin，untilonewrithesforwholenightstogetheronthepavementofone’scell，andtobeholdallthosecaresseswhichonehasdreamedof，endintorture！Tohavesucceededonlyinstretchingherupontheleatherbed！Oh！thesearetheveritablepincers，reddenedinthefiresofhell。Oh！blessedishewhoissawnbetweentwoplanks，ortorninpiecesbyfourhorses！Doyouknowwhatthattortureis，whichisimposeduponyouforlongnightsbyyourburningarteries，yourburstingheart，yourbreakinghead，yourteeth-knawedhands；madtormentorswhichturnyouincessantly，asuponared-hotgridiron，toathoughtoflove，ofjealousy，andofdespair！Younggirl，mercy！atruceforamoment！afewashesontheselivecoals！Wipeaway，Ibeseechyou，theperspirationwhichtricklesingreatdropsfrommybrow！Child！torturemewithonehand，butcaressmewiththeother！Havepity，younggirl！Havepityuponme！"
Thepriestwrithedonthewetpavement，beatinghisheadagainstthecornersofthestonesteps。Theyounggirlgazedathim，andlistenedtohim。
Whenheceased，exhaustedandpanting，sherepeatedinalowvoice，——
"OhmyPhoebus！"
Thepriestdraggedhimselftowardsheronhisknees。
"Ibeseechyou，"hecried，"ifyouhaveanyheart，donotrepulseme！Oh！Iloveyou！Iamawretch！Whenyouutterthatname，unhappygirl，itisasthoughyoucrushedallthefibresofmyheartbetweenyourteeth。Mercy！IfyoucomefromhellIwillgothitherwithyou。Ihavedoneeverythingtothatend。Thehellwhereyouare，shallheparadise；thesightofyouismorecharmingthanthatofGod！
Oh！speak！youwillhavenoneofme？Ishouldhavethoughtthemountainswouldbeshakenintheirfoundationsonthedaywhenawomanwouldrepulsesuchalove。Oh！ifyouonlywould！Oh！howhappywemightbe。Wewouldflee——I
wouldhelpyoutoflee，——wewouldgosomewhere，wewouldseekthatspotonearth，wherethesunisbrightest，theskythebluest，wherethetreesaremostluxuriant。Wewouldloveeachother，wewouldpourourtwosoulsintoeachother，andwewouldhaveathirstforourselveswhichwewouldquenchincommonandincessantlyatthatfountainofinexhaustiblelove。"
Sheinterruptedwithaterribleandthrillinglaugh。
"Look，father，youhavebloodonyourfingers！"
Thepriestremainedforseveralmomentsasthoughpetrified，withhiseyesfixeduponhishand。
"Well，yes！"heresumedatlast，withstrangegentleness，"insultme，scoffatme，overwhelmmewithscorn！butcome，come。Letusmakehaste。Itistobeto-morrow，Itellyou。
ThegibbetontheGrève，youknowit？itstandsalwaysready。Itishorrible！toseeyourideinthattumbrel！Ohmercy！UntilnowIhaveneverfeltthepowerofmyloveforyou——Oh！followme。YoushalltakeyourtimetolovemeafterIhavesavedyou。Youshallhatemeaslongasyouwill。Butcome。To-morrow！to-morrow！thegallows！yourexecution！Oh！saveyourself！spareme！"
Heseizedherarm，hewasbesidehimself，hetriedtodragheraway。
Shefixedhereyeintentlyonhim。
"WhathasbecomeofmyPhoebus？"
"Ah！"saidthepriest，releasingherarm，"youarepitiless。"
"WhathasbecomeofPhoebus？"sherepeatedcoldly。
"Heisdead！"criedthepriest。
"Dead！"saidshe，stillicyandmotionless"thenwhydoyoutalktomeofliving？"
Hewasnotlisteningtoher。
"Oh！yes，"saidhe，asthoughspeakingtohimself，"hecertainlymustbedead。Thebladepierceddeeply。IbelieveItouchedhisheartwiththepoint。Oh！myverysoulwasattheendofthedagger！"
Theyounggirlflungherselfuponhimlikearagingtigress，andpushedhimuponthestepsofthestaircasewithsupernaturalforce。
"Begone，monster！Begone，assassin！Leavemetodie！
Maythebloodofbothofusmakeaneternalstainuponyourbrow！Bethine，priest！Never！never！Nothingshalluniteus！nothellitself！Go，accursedman！Never！"
Thepriesthadstumbledonthestairs。Hesilentlydisentangledhisfeetfromthefoldsofhisrobe，pickeduphislanternagain，andslowlybegantheascentofthestepswhichledtothedoor；heopenedthedoorandpassedthroughit。
Allatonce，theyounggirlbeheldhisheadreappear；itworeafrightfulexpression，andhecried，hoarsewithrageanddespair，——
"Itellyouheisdead！"
Shefellfacedownwardsuponthefloor，andtherewasnolongeranysoundaudibleinthecellthanthesobofthedropofwaterwhichmadethepoolpalpitateamidthedarkness。
CHAPTERV。
THEMOTHER。
Idonotbelievethatthereisanythingsweeterintheworldthantheideaswhichawakeinamother’sheartatthesightofherchild’stinyshoe；especiallyifitisashoeforfestivals，forSunday，forbaptism，theshoeembroideredtotheverysole，ashoeinwhichtheinfanthasnotyettakenastep。
Thatshoehassomuchgraceanddaintiness，itissoimpossibleforittowalk，thatitseemstothemotherasthoughshesawherchild。Shesmilesuponit，shekissesit，shetalkstoit；sheasksherselfwhethertherecanactuallybeafootsotiny；andifthechildbeabsent，theprettyshoesufficestoplacethesweetandfragilecreaturebeforehereyes。Shethinkssheseesit，shedoesseeit，complete，living，joyous，withitsdelicatehands，itsroundhead，itspurelips，itssereneeyeswhosewhiteisblue。Ifitisinwinter，itisyonder，crawlingonthecarpet，itislaboriouslyclimbinguponanottoman，andthemothertrembleslestitshouldapproachthefire。Ifitissummertime，itcrawlsabouttheyard，inthegarden，plucksupthegrassbetweenthepaving-stones，gazesinnocentlyatthebigdogs，thebighorses，withoutfear，playswiththeshells，withtheflowers，andmakesthegardenergrumblebecausehefindssandintheflower-bedsandearthinthepaths。Everythinglaughs，andshinesandplaysaroundit，likeit，eventhebreathofairandtherayofsunwhichviewitheachotherindisportingamongthesilkyringletsofitshair。Theshoeshowsallthistothemother，andmakesherheartmeltasfiremeltswax。
Butwhenthechildislost，thesethousandimagesofjoy，ofcharms，oftenderness，whichthrongaroundthelittleshoe，becomesomanyhorriblethings。Theprettybroideredshoeisnolongeranythingbutaninstrumentoftorturewhicheternallycrushestheheartofthemother。Itisalwaysthesamefibrewhichvibrates，thetenderestandmostsensitive；
butinsteadofanangelcaressingit，itisademonwhoiswrenchingatit。
OneMaymorning，whenthesunwasrisingononeofthosedarkblueskiesagainstwhichGarofololovestoplacehisDescentsfromtheCross，therecluseoftheTour-Rolandheardasoundofwheels，ofhorsesandironsinthePlacedeGrève。
Shewassomewhatarousedbyit，knottedherhairuponherearsinordertodeafenherself，andresumedhercontemplation，onherknees，oftheinanimateobjectwhichshehadadoredforfifteenyears。Thislittleshoewastheuniversetoher，aswehavealreadysaid。Herthoughtwasshutupinit，andwasdestinednevermoretoquititexceptatdeath。
ThesombrecaveoftheTour-Rolandaloneknewhowmanybitterimprecations，touchingcomplaints，prayersandsobsshehadwaftedtoheaveninconnectionwiththatcharmingbaubleofrose-coloredsatin。Neverwasmoredespairbestoweduponaprettierandmoregracefulthing。
Itseemedasthoughhergriefwerebreakingforthmoreviolentlythanusual；andshecouldbeheardoutsidelamentinginaloudandmonotonousvoicewhichrenttheheart。
"Ohmydaughter！"shesaid，"mydaughter，mypoor，dearlittlechild，soIshallneverseetheemore！Itisover！
Italwaysseemstomethatithappenedyesterday！MyGod！
myGod！itwouldhavebeenbetternottogivehertomethantotakeherawaysosoon。Didyounotknowthatourchildrenarepartofourselves，andthatamotherwhohaslostherchildnolongerbelievesinGod？Ah！wretchthatIamtohavegoneoutthatday！Lord！Lord！tohavetakenherfrommethus；youcouldneverhavelookedatmewithher，whenIwasjoyouslywarmingheratmyfire，whenshelaughedasshesuckled，whenImadehertinyfeetcreepupmybreasttomylips？Oh！ifyouhadlookedatthat，myGod，youwouldhavetakenpityonmyjoy；youwouldnothavetakenfrommetheonlylovewhichlingered，inmyheart！
WasIthen，Lord，somiserableacreature，thatyoucouldnotlookatmebeforecondemningme？——Alas！Alas！hereistheshoe；whereisthefoot？whereistherest？Whereisthechild？Mydaughter！mydaughter！whatdidtheydowiththee？Lord，giveherbacktome。Mykneeshavebeenwornforfifteenyearsinprayingtothee，myGod！Isnotthatenough？Giveherbacktomeoneday，onehour，oneminute；oneminute，Lord！andthencastmetothedemonforalleternity！Oh！ifIonlyknewwheretheskirtofyourgarmenttrails，Iwouldclingtoitwithbothhands，andyouwouldbeobligedtogivemebackmychild！Haveyounopityonherprettylittleshoe？Couldyoucondemnapoormothertothistortureforfifteenyears？GoodVirgin！goodVirginofheaven！myinfantJesushasbeentakenfromme，hasbeenstolenfromme；theydevouredheronaheath，theydrankherblood，theycrackedherbones！GoodVirgin，havepityuponme。Mydaughter，Iwantmydaughter！Whatisittomethatsheisinparadise？Idonotwantyourangel，I
wantmychild！Iamalioness，Iwantmywhelp。Oh！Iwillwritheontheearth，Iwillbreakthestoneswithmyforehead，andIwilldamnmyself，andIwillcurseyou，Lord，ifyoukeepmychildfromme！youseeplainlythatmyarmsareallbitten，Lord！HasthegoodGodnomercy？——Oh！givemeonlysaltandblackbread，onlyletmehavemydaughtertowarmmelikeasun！Alas！LordmyGod。Alas！LordmyGod，Iamonlyavilesinner；butmydaughtermademepious。
Iwasfullofreligionfortheloveofher，andIbeheldyouthroughhersmileasthroughanopeningintoheaven。Oh！
ifIcouldonlyonce，justoncemore，asingletime，putthisshoeonherprettylittlepinkfoot，Iwoulddieblessingyou，goodVirgin。Ah！fifteenyears！shewillbegrownupnow！——
Unhappychild！what！itisreallytruethenIshallneverseehermore，noteveninheaven，forIshallnotgotheremyself。Oh！whatmiserytothinkthathereishershoe，andthatthatisall！"
Theunhappywomanflungherselfuponthatshoe；herconsolationandherdespairforsomanyyears，andhervitalswererentwithsobsasonthefirstday；because，foramotherwhohaslostherchild，itisalwaysthefirstday。Thatgriefnevergrowsold。Themourninggarmentsmaygrowwhiteandthreadbare，theheartremainsdark。
Atthatmoment，thefreshandjoyouscriesofchildrenpassedinfrontofthecell。Everytimethatchildrencrossedhervisionorstruckherear，thepoormotherflungherselfintothedarkestcornerofhersepulchre，andonewouldhavesaid，thatshesoughttoplungeherheadintothestoneinordernottohearthem。Thistime，onthecontrary，shedrewherselfuprightwithastart，andlistenedeagerly。Oneofthelittleboyshadjustsaid，——
"Theyaregoingtohangagypsyto-day。"
Withtheabruptleapofthatspiderwhichwehaveseenflingitselfuponaflyatthetremblingofitsweb，sherushedtoherair-hole，whichopenedasthereaderknows，onthePlacedeGrève。Aladderhad，infact，beenraisedupagainstthepermanentgibbet，andthehangman’sassistantwasbusyinghimselfwithadjustingthechainswhichhadbeenrustedbytherain。Thereweresomepeoplestandingabout。
Thelaughinggroupofchildrenwasalreadyfaraway。Thesackednunsoughtwithhereyessomepasser-bywhomshemightquestion。Allatonce，besidehercell，sheperceivedapriestmakingapretextofreadingthepublicbreviary，butwhowasmuchlessoccupiedwiththe"lecternoflatticediron，"thanwiththegallows，towardwhichhecastafierceandgloomyglancefromtimetotime。SherecognizedmonsieurthearchdeaconofJosas，aholyman。
"Father，"sheinquired，"whomaretheyabouttohangyonder？"
Thepriestlookedatherandmadenoreply；sherepeatedherquestion。Thenhesaid，——
"Iknownot。"
"Somechildrensaidthatitwasagypsy，"wentontherecluse。
"Ibelieveso，"saidthepriest。
ThenPaquettelaChantefleurieburstintohyena-likelaughter。
"Sister，"saidthearchdeacon，"doyouthenhatethegypsiesheartily？"
"DoIhatethem！"exclaimedtherecluse，"theyarevampires，stealersofchildren！Theydevouredmylittledaughter，mychild，myonlychild！Ihavenolongeranyheart，theydevouredit！"
Shewasfrightful。Thepriestlookedathercoldly。
"ThereisoneinparticularwhomIhate，andwhomIhavecursed，"sheresumed；"itisayoungone，oftheagewhichmydaughterwouldbeifhermotherhadnoteatenmydaughter。
Everytimethatthatyoungviperpassesinfrontofmycell，shesetsmybloodinaferment。"
"Well，sister，rejoice，"saidthepriest，icyasasepulchralstatue；"thatistheonewhomyouareabouttoseedie。"
Hisheadfelluponhisbosomandhemovedslowlyaway。
Thereclusewrithedherarmswithjoy。
"Ipredicteditforher，thatshewouldascendthither！
Thanks，priest！"shecried。
Andshebegantopaceupanddownwithlongstridesbeforethegratingofherwindow，herhairdishevelled，hereyesflashing，withhershoulderstrikingagainstthewall，withthewildairofafemalewolfinacage，whohaslongbeenfamished，andwhofeelsthehourforherrepastdrawingnear。
CHAPTERVI。
THREEHUMANHEARTSDIFFERENTLYCONSTRUCTED。
Phoebuswasnotdead，however。Menofthatstampdiehard。WhenMasterPhilippeLheulier，advocateextraordinaryoftheking，hadsaidtopoorEsmeralda；"Heisdying，"
itwasanerrororajest。Whenthearchdeaconhadrepeatedtothecondemnedgirl；"Heisdead，"thefactisthatheknewnothingaboutit，butthathebelievedit，thathecountedonit，thathedidnotdoubtit，thathedevoutlyhopedit。Itwouldhavebeentoohardforhimtogivefavorablenewsofhisrivaltothewomanwhomheloved。
Anymanwouldhavedonethesameinhisplace。
ItwasnotthatPhoebus’swoundhadnotbeenserious，butithadnotbeenasmuchsoasthearchdeaconbelieved。Thephysician，towhomthesoldiersofthewatchhadcarriedhimatthefirstmoment，hadfearedforhislifeduringthespaceofaweek，andhadeventoldhimsoinLatin。Butyouthhadgainedtheupperhand；and，asfrequentlyhappens，inspiteofprognosticationsanddiagnoses，naturehadamusedherselfbysavingthesickmanunderthephysician’sverynose。Itwaswhilehewasstilllyingontheleech’spalletthathehadsubmittedtotheinterrogationsofPhilippeLheulierandtheofficialinquisitors，whichhadannoyedhimgreatly。Hence，onefinemorning，feelinghimselfbetter，hehadlefthisgoldenspurswiththeleechaspayment，andhadslippedaway。Thishadnot，however，interferedwiththeprogressoftheaffair。Justice，atthatepoch，troubleditselfverylittleabouttheclearnessanddefinitenessofacriminalsuit。Providedthattheaccusedwashung，thatwasallthatwasnecessary。NowthejudgehadplentyofproofsagainstlaEsmeralda。TheyhadsupposedPhoebustobedead，andthatwastheendofthematter。
Phoebus，onhisside，hadnotfledfar。HehadsimplyrejoinedhiscompanyingarrisonatQueue-en-Brie，intheIsle-de-France，afewstagesfromParis。
Afterall，itdidnotpleasehimintheleasttoappearinthissuit。Hehadavaguefeelingthatbeshouldplayaridiculousfigureinit。Onthewhole，hedidnotknowwhattothinkofthewholeaffair。Superstitious，andnotgiventodevoutness，likeeverysoldierwhoisonlyasoldier，whenhecametoquestionhimselfaboutthisadventure，hedidnotfeelassuredastothegoat，astothesingularfashioninwhichhehadmetLaEsmeralda，astothenolessstrangemannerinwhichshehadallowedhimtodivineherlove，astohercharacterasagypsy，andlastly，astothesurlymonk。
Heperceivedinalltheseincidentsmuchmoremagicthanlove，probablyasorceress，perhapsthedevil；acomedy，inshort，ortospeakinthelanguageofthatday，averydisagreeablemystery，inwhichheplayedaveryawkwardpart，theroleofblowsandderision。Thecaptainwasquiteputoutofcountenanceaboutit；heexperiencedthatsortofshamewhichourLaFontainehassoadmirablydefined，——
Ashamedasafoxwhohasbeencaughtbyafowl。
Moreover，hehopedthattheaffairwouldnotgetnoisedabroad，thathisnamewouldhardlybepronouncedinit，andthatinanycaseitwouldnotgobeyondthecourtsoftheTournelle。Inthishewasnotmistaken，therewasthenno"GazettedesTribunaux；"andasnotaweekpassedwhichhadnotitscounterfeitertoboil，oritswitchtohang，oritsheretictoburn，atsomeoneoftheinnumerablejusticesofParis，peopleweresoaccustomedtoseeinginallthesquarestheancientfeudalThemis，barearmed，withsleevesstrippedup，performingherdutyatthegibbets，theladders，andthepillories，thattheyhardlypaidanyheedtoit。Fashionablesocietyofthatdayhardlyknewthenameofthevictimwhopassedbyatthecornerofthestreet，anditwasthepopulaceatthemostwhoregaledthemselveswiththiscoarsefare。Anexecutionwasanhabitualincidentofthepublichighways，likethebraising-panofthebakerortheslaughter-houseoftheknacker。Theexecutionerwasonlyasortofbutcherofalittledeeperdyethantherest。
HencePhoebus’smindwassoonateaseonthescoreoftheenchantressEsmeralda，orSimilar，ashecalledher，concerningtheblowfromthedaggeroftheBohemianorofthesurlymonkitmatteredlittlewhichtohim，andastotheissueofthetrial。Butassoonashisheartwasvacantinthatdirection，Fleur-de-Lysreturnedtoit。CaptainPhoebus’sheart，likethephysicsofthatday，abhorredavacuum。
Queue-en-Briewasaveryinsipidplacetostayatthen，avillageoffarriers，andcow-girlswithchappedhands，alonglineofpoordwellingsandthatchedcottages，whichbordersthegrandroadonbothsidesforhalfaleague；atailqueue，inshort，asitsnameimports。
Fleur-de-Lyswashislastpassionbutone，aprettygirl，acharmingdowry；accordingly，onefinemorning，quitecured，andassumingthat，afterthelapseoftwomonths，theBohemianaffairmustbecompletelyfinishedandforgotten，theamorouscavalierarrivedonaprancinghorseatthedooroftheGondelauriermansion。
HepaidnoattentiontoatolerablynumerousrabblewhichhadassembledinthePlaceduParvis，beforetheportalofNotre-Dame；herememberedthatitwasthemonthofMay；
hesupposedthatitwassomeprocession，somePentecost，somefestival，hitchedhishorsetotheringatthedoor，andgaylyascendedthestairstohisbeautifulbetrothed。
Shewasalonewithhermother。
Thesceneofthewitch，hergoat，hercursedalphabet，andPhoebus’slongabsences，stillweighedonFleur-de-Lys’sheart。
Nevertheless，whenshebeheldhercaptainenter，shethoughthimsohandsome，hisdoubletsonew，hisbaldricksoshining，andhisairsoimpassioned，thatsheblushedwithpleasure。
Thenobledamselherselfwasmorecharmingthanever。Hermagnificentblondhairwasplaitedinaravishingmanner，shewasdressedentirelyinthatskybluewhichbecomesfairpeoplesowell，abitofcoquetrywhichshehadlearnedfromColombe，andhereyeswereswimminginthatlanguoroflovewhichbecomesthemstillbetter。
Phoebus，whohadseennothinginthelineofbeauty，sinceheleftthevillagemaidsofQueue-en-Brie，wasintoxicatedwithFleur-de-Lys，whichimpartedtoourofficersoeagerandgallantanair，thathispeacewasimmediatelymade。MadamedeGondelaurierherself，stillmaternallyseatedinherbigarm-
chair，hadnotthehearttoscoldhim。AsforFleur-de-Lys’sreproaches，theyexpiredintendercooings。
TheyounggirlwasseatednearthewindowstillembroideringhergrottoofNeptune。Thecaptainwasleaningoverthebackofherchair，andshewasaddressinghercaressingreproachestohiminalowvoice。
"Whathasbecomeofyouthesetwolongmonths，wickedman？"
"Isweartoyou，"repliedPhoebus，somewhatembarrassedbythequestion，"thatyouarebeautifulenoughtosetanarchbishoptodreaming。"
Shecouldnotrepressasmile。
"Good，good，sir。Letmybeautyaloneandanswermyquestion。Afinebeauty，insooth！"
"Well，mydearcousin，Iwasrecalledtothegarrison。
"Andwhereisthat，ifyouplease？andwhydidnotyoucometosayfarewell？"
"AtQueue-en-Brie。"
Phoebuswasdelightedwiththefirstquestion，whichhelpedhimtoavoidthesecond。
"Butthatisquitecloseby，monsieur。Whydidyounotcometoseemeasingletime？"
HerePhoebuswasratherseriouslyembarrassed。
"Because——theservice——andthen，charmingcousin，Ihavebeenill。"
"Ill！"sherepeatedinalarm。
"Yes，wounded！"
"Wounded！"
Shepoorchildwascompletelyupset。
"Oh！donotbefrightenedatthat，"saidPhoebus，carelessly，"itwasnothing。Aquarrel，aswordcut；whatisthattoyou？"
"Whatisthattome？"exclaimedFleur-de-Lys，raisingherbeautifuleyesfilledwithtears。"Oh！youdonotsaywhatyouthinkwhenyouspeakthus。Whatswordcutwasthat？
Iwishtoknowall。"
"Well，mydearfairone，IhadafallingoutwithMahèFédy，youknow？thelieutenantofSaint-Germain-en-Laye，andwerippedopenafewinchesofskinforeachother。Thatisall。"
Themendaciouscaptainwasperfectlywellawarethatanaffairofhonoralwaysmakesamanstandwellintheeyesofawoman。Infact，Fleur-de-Lyslookedhimfullintheface，allagitatedwithfear，pleasure，andadmiration。Still，shewasnotcompletelyreassured。
"Providedthatyouarewhollycured，myPhoebus！"saidshe。"IdonotknowyourMahèFédy，butheisavillanousman。Andwhencearosethisquarrel？"
HerePhoebus，whoseimaginationwasendowedwithbutmediocrepowerofcreation，begantofindhimselfinaquandaryastoameansofextricatinghimselfforhisprowess。
"Oh！howdoIknow？——amerenothing，ahorse，aremark！
Faircousin，"heexclaimed，forthesakeofchangingtheconversation，"whatnoiseisthisintheCathedralSquare？"
Heapproachedthewindow。
"Oh！~MonDieu~，faircousin，howmanypeoplethereareonthePlace！"
"Iknownot，"saidFleur-de-Lys；"itappearsthatawitchistodopenancethismorningbeforethechurch，andthereaftertobehung。"
ThecaptainwassothoroughlypersuadedthatlaEsmeralda’saffairwasconcluded，thathewasbutlittledisturbedbyFleur-
de-Lys’swords。Still，heaskedheroneortwoquestions。
"Whatisthenameofthiswitch？"
"Idonotknow，"shereplied。
"Andwhatisshesaidtohavedone？"
Sheshruggedherwhiteshoulders。
"Iknownot。"
"Oh，~monDieu~Jesus！"saidhermother；"therearesomanywitchesnowadaysthatIdaresaytheyburnthemwithoutknowingtheirnames。Onemightaswellseekthenameofeverycloudinthesky。Afterall，onemaybetranquil。
ThegoodGodkeepshisregister。"Herethevenerabledameroseandcametothewindow。"GoodLord！youareright，Phoebus，"saidshe。"Therabbleisindeedgreat。Therearepeopleonalltheroofs，blessedbeGod！Doyouknow，Phoebus，thisremindsmeofmybestdays。TheentranceofKingCharlesVII。，when，also，thereweremanypeople。Inolongerrememberinwhatyearthatwas。WhenIspeakofthistoyou，itproducesuponyoutheeffect，——doesitnot？——theeffectofsomethingveryold，anduponmeofsomethingveryyoung。Oh！thecrowdwasfarfinerthanatthepresentday。
TheyevenstooduponthemachicolationsofthePorteSainte-
Antoine。Thekinghadthequeenonapillion，andaftertheirhighnessescamealltheladiesmountedbehindallthelords。Irememberthattheylaughedloudly，becausebesideAmanyondeGarlande，whowasveryshortofstature，thererodetheSireMatefelon，achevalierofgiganticsize，whohadkilledheapsofEnglish。Itwasveryfine。AprocessionofallthegentlemenofFrance，withtheiroriflammeswavingredbeforetheeye。Thereweresomewithpennonsandsomewithbanners。HowcanItell？theSiredeCalmwithapennon；JeandeChateaumorantwithabanner；theSiredeCourcywithabanner，andamoreampleonethananyoftheothersexcepttheDucdeBourbon。Alas！’tisasadthingtothinkthatallthathasexistedandexistsnolonger！"
Thetwoloverswerenotlisteningtothevenerabledowager。Phoebushadreturnedandwasleaningonthebackofhisbetrothed’schair，acharmingpostwhencehislibertineglanceplungedintoalltheopeningsofFleur-de-Lys’sgorget。
Thisgorgetgapedsoconveniently，andallowedhimtoseesomanyexquisitethingsandtodivinesomanymore，thatPhoebus，dazzledbythisskinwithitsgleamsofsatin，saidtohimself，"Howcananyoneloveanythingbutafairskin？"
Bothweresilent。Theyounggirlraisedsweet，enrapturedeyestohimfromtimetotime，andtheirhairmingledinarayofspringsunshine。
"Phoebus，"saidFleur-de-Lyssuddenly，inalowvoice，"wearetobemarriedthreemonthshence；sweartomethatyouhaveneverlovedanyotherwomanthanmyself。"
"Iswearit，fairangel！"repliedPhoebus，andhispassionateglancesaidedthesinceretoneofhisvoiceinconvincingFleur-de-Lys。
Meanwhile，thegoodmother，charmedtoseethebetrothedpairontermsofsuchperfectunderstanding，hadjustquittedtheapartmenttoattendtosomedomesticmatter；Phoebusobservedit，andthissoemboldenedtheadventurouscaptainthatverystrangeideasmountedtohisbrain。Fleur-de-Lyslovedhim，hewasherbetrothed；shewasalonewithhim；
hisformertasteforherhadre-awakened，notwithallitsfresh-
nessbutwithallitsardor；afterall，thereisnogreatharmintastingone’swheatwhileitisstillintheblade；Idonotknowwhethertheseideaspassedthroughhismind，butonethingiscertain，thatFleur-de-Lyswassuddenlyalarmedbytheexpressionofhisglance。Shelookedroundandsawthathermotherwasnolongerthere。
"Goodheavens！"saidshe，blushinganduneasy，"howverywarmIam？"
"Ithink，infact，"repliedPhoebus，"thatitcannotbefarfrommidday。Thesunistroublesome。Weneedonlylowerthecurtains。"
"No，no，"exclaimedthepoorlittlething，"onthecontrary，Ineedair。"
Andlikeafawnwhofeelsthebreathofthepackofhounds，sherose，rantothewindow，openedit，andrusheduponthebalcony。
Phoebus，muchdiscomfited，followedher。
ThePlaceduParvisNotre-Dame，uponwhichthebalconylooked，asthereaderknows，presentedatthatmomentasingularandsinisterspectaclewhichcausedthefrightofthetimidFleur-de-Lystochangeitsnature。
Animmensecrowd，whichoverflowedintoalltheneighboringstreets，encumberedthePlace，properlyspeaking。Thelittlewall，breasthigh，whichsurroundedthePlace，wouldnothavesufficedtokeepitfreehaditnotbeenlinedwithathickhedgeofsergeantsandhackbuteers，culverinesinhand。Thankstothisthicketofpikesandarquebuses，theParviswasempty。Itsentrancewasguardedbyaforceofhalberdierswiththearmorialbearingsofthebishop。Thelargedoorsofthechurchwereclosed，andformedacontrastwiththeinnumerablewindowsonthePlace，which，opentotheirverygables，allowedaviewofthousandsofheadsheapedupalmostlikethepilesofbulletsinaparkofartillery。
Thesurfaceofthisrabblewasdingy，dirty，earthy。Thespectaclewhichitwasexpectingwasevidentlyoneofthesortwhichpossesstheprivilegeofbringingoutandcallingtogetherthevilestamongthepopulace。Nothingissohideousasthenoisewhichwasmadebythatswarmofyellowcapsanddirtyheads。Inthatthrongthereweremorelaughsthancries，morewomenthanmen。
Fromtimetotime，asharpandvibratingvoicepiercedthegeneralclamor。
"Ohé！MahietBaliffre！Isshetobehungyonder？"
"Fool！t’isherethatsheistomakeherapologyinhershift！thegoodGodisgoingtocoughLatininherface！
Thatisalwaysdonehere，atmidday。If’tisthegallowsthatyouwish，gototheGrève。"
"Iwillgothere，afterwards。"
"Tellme，laBoucanbry？Isittruethatshehasrefusedaconfessor？"
"Itappearsso，LaBechaigne。"
"Youseewhatapagansheis！"
"’Tisthecustom，monsieur。Thebailiffofthecourtsisboundtodeliverthemalefactorreadyjudgedforexecutionifhebealayman，totheprovostofParis；ifaclerk，totheofficialofthebishopric。"
"Thankyou，sir。"
"Oh，God！"saidFleur-de-Lys，"thepoorcreature！"
Thisthoughtfilledwithsadnesstheglancewhichshecastuponthepopulace。Thecaptain，muchmoreoccupiedwithherthanwiththatpackoftherabble，wasamorouslyrumplinghergirdlebehind。Sheturnedround，entreatingandsmiling。
"Pleaseletmealone，Phoebus！Ifmymotherweretoreturn，shewouldseeyourhand！"
Atthatmoment，middayrangslowlyoutfromtheclockofNotre-Dame。Amurmurofsatisfactionbrokeoutinthecrowd。Thelastvibrationofthetwelfthstrokehadhardlydiedawaywhenallheadssurgedlikethewavesbeneathasquall，andanimmenseshoutwentupfromthepavement，thewindows，andtheroofs，"Theresheis！"
Fleur-de-Lyspressedherhandstohereyes，thatshemightnotsee。
"Charminggirl，"saidPhoebus，"doyouwishtowithdraw？"
"No，"shereplied；andsheopenedthroughcuriosity，theeyeswhichshehadclosedthroughfear。
AtumbreldrawnbyastoutNormanhorse，andallsurroundedbycavalryinvioletliverywithwhitecrosses，hadjustdeboucheduponthePlacethroughtheRueSaint-Pierre-
aux-Boeufs。Thesergeantsofthewatchwereclearingapassageforitthroughthecrowd，bystoutblowsfromtheirclubs。
Besidethecartrodeseveralofficersofjusticeandpolice，recognizablebytheirblackcostumeandtheirawkwardnessinthesaddle。MasterJacquesCharmolueparadedattheirhead。
Inthefatalcartsatayounggirlwithherarmstiedbehindherback，andwithnopriestbesideher。Shewasinhershift；
herlongblackhairthefashionthenwastocutitoffonlyatthefootofthegallowsfellindisorderuponherhalf-baredthroatandshoulders。
Athwartthatwavinghair，moreglossythantheplumageofaraven，athick，rough，grayropewasvisible，twistedandknotted，chafingherdelicatecollar-bonesandtwiningroundthecharmingneckofthepoorgirl，likeanearthwormroundaflower。Beneaththatropeglitteredatinyamuletornamentedwithbitsofgreenglass，whichhadbeenlefttohernodoubt，becausenothingisrefusedtothosewhoareabouttodie。Thespectatorsinthewindowscouldseeinthebottomofthecarthernakedlegswhichshestrovetohidebeneathher，asbyafinalfeminineinstinct。Atherfeetlayalittlegoat，bound。Thecondemnedgirlheldtogetherwithherteethherimperfectlyfastenedshift。Onewouldhavesaidthatshesufferedstillmoreinhermiseryfrombeingthusexposedalmostnakedtotheeyesofall。Alas！modestyisnotmadeforsuchshocks。
"Jesus！"saidFleur-de-Lyshastilytothecaptain。"Lookfaircousin，’tisthatwretchedBohemianwiththegoat。"
Sosaying，sheturnedtoPhoebus。Hiseyeswerefixedonthetumbrel。Hewasverypale。
"WhatBohemianwiththegoat？"hestammered。
"What！"resumedFleur-de-Lys，"doyounotremember？"
Phoebusinterruptedher。
"Idonotknowwhatyoumean。"
Hemadeasteptore-entertheroom，butFleur-de-Lys，whosejealousy，previouslysovividlyarousedbythissamegypsy，hadjustbeenre-awakened，Fleur-de-Lysgavehimalookfullofpenetrationanddistrust。Shevaguelyrecalledatthatmomenthavingheardofacaptainmixedupinthetrialofthatwitch。
"Whatisthematterwithyou？"shesaidtoPhoebus，"onewouldsay，thatthiswomanhaddisturbedyou。"
Phoebusforcedasneer，——
"Me！Nottheleastintheworld！Ah！yes，certainly！"
"Remain，then！"shecontinuedimperiously，"andletusseetheend。"
Theunluckycaptainwasobligedtoremain。Hewassomewhatreassuredbythefactthatthecondemnedgirlneverremovedhereyesfromthebottomofthecart。ItwasbuttoosurelylaEsmeralda。Inthislaststageofopprobriumandmisfortune，shewasstillbeautiful；hergreatblackeyesappearedstilllarger，becauseoftheemaciationofhercheeks；
herpaleprofilewaspureandsublime。Sheresembledwhatshehadbeen，inthesamedegreethatavirginbyMasaccio，resemblesavirginofRaphael，——weaker，thinner，moredelicate。
Moreover，therewasnothinginherwhichwasnotshakeninsomesort，andwhichwiththeexceptionofhermodesty，shedidnotletgoatwill，soprofoundlyhadshebeenbrokenbystuporanddespair。Herbodyboundedateveryjoltofthetumbrellikeadeadorbrokenthing；hergazewasdullandimbecile。Atearwasstillvisibleinhereyes，butmotionlessandfrozen，sotospeak。
Meanwhile，thelugubriouscavalcadehastraversedthecrowdamidcriesofjoyandcuriousattitudes。Butasafaithfulhistorian，wemuststatethatonbeholdinghersobeautiful，sodepressed，manyweremovedwithpity，evenamongthehardestofthem。
ThetumbrelhadenteredtheParvis。
Ithaltedbeforethecentralportal。Theescortrangedthemselvesinlineonbothsides。Thecrowdbecamesilent，and，inthemidstofthissilencefullofanxietyandsolemnity，thetwoleavesofthegranddoorswungback，asofthemselves，ontheirhinges，whichgaveacreaklikethesoundofafife。Thentherebecamevisibleinallitslength，thedeep，gloomychurch，hunginblack，sparelylightedwithafewcandlesgleamingafaroffontheprincipalaltar，openedinthemidstofthePlacewhichwasdazzlingwithlight，likethemouthofacavern。Attheveryextremity，inthegloomoftheapse，agiganticsilvercrosswasvisibleagainstablackdraperywhichhungfromthevaulttothepavement。Thewholenavewasdeserted。Butafewheadsofpriestscouldbeseenmovingconfusedlyinthedistantchoirstalls，and，atthemomentwhenthegreatdooropened，thereescapedfromthechurchaloud，solemn，andmonotonouschanting，whichcastovertheheadofthecondemnedgirl，ingusts，fragmentsofmelancholypsalms，——
"~Nontimebomilliapopulicircumdantisme:exsurge，Domine；
salvummefac，Deus~！"
"~Salvummefac，Deus，quoniamintraveruntaquoeusqueadanimammeam~。
"~Infixussuminlimoprofundi；etnonestsubstantia~。"
Atthesametime，anothervoice，separatefromthechoir，intoneduponthestepsofthechiefaltar，thismelancholyoffertory，-
"~Quiverbummeumaudit，etcrediteiquimisitme，habetvitamoeternametinjudiciumnonvenit；sedtransitamorteimvitam~*。"
*"HethathearethmywordandbelievethonHimthatsentme，hatheternallife，andhathnotcomeintocondemnation；butispassedfromdeathtolife。"
Thischant，whichafewoldmenburiedinthegloomsangfromafaroverthatbeautifulcreature，fullofyouthandlife，caressedbythewarmairofspring，inundatedwithsunlightwasthemassforthedead。
Thepeoplelisteneddevoutly。
Theunhappygirlseemedtolosehersightandherconsciousnessintheobscureinteriorofthechurch。Herwhitelipsmovedasthoughinprayer，andtheheadsman’sassistantwhoapproachedtoassisthertoalightfromthecart，heardherrepeatingthiswordinalowtone，——"Phoebus。"
Theyuntiedherhands，madeheralight，accompaniedbyhergoat，whichhadalsobeenunbound，andwhichbleatedwithjoyatfindingitselffree:andtheymadeherwalkbarefootonthehardpavementtothefootofthestepsleadingtothedoor。
Theropeabouthernecktrailedbehindher。Onewouldhavesaiditwasaserpentfollowingher。
Thenthechantinginthechurchceased。Agreatgoldencrossandarowofwaxcandlesbegantomovethroughthegloom。Thehalberdsofthemotleybeadlesclanked；and，afewmomentslater，alongprocessionofpriestsinchasubles，anddeaconsindalmatics，marchedgravelytowardsthecondemnedgirl，astheydrawledtheirsong，spreadoutbeforeherviewandthatofthecrowd。Butherglancerestedontheonewhomarchedatthehead，immediatelyafterthecross-bearer。
"Oh！"shesaidinalowvoice，andwithashudder，"’tisheagain！thepriest！"
Itwasinfact，thearchdeacon。Onhislefthehadthesub-
chanter，onhisright，thechanter，armedwithhisofficialwand。Headvancedwithheadthrownback，hiseyesfixedandwideopen，intoninginastrongvoice，——
"~Deventreinfericlamavi，etexaudistivocemmeam~。
"~Etprojecistimeinprofundumincordemans，etflumemcircumdeditme~*。"
*"OutofthebellyofhellcriedI，andthouheardestmyvoice。Forthouhadstcastmeintothedeepinthemidstoftheseas，andthefloodscompassedmeabout。"
Atthemomentwhenhemadehisappearanceinthefulldaylightbeneaththeloftyarchedportal，envelopedinanamplecopeofsilverbarredwithablackcross，hewassopalethatmorethanonepersoninthecrowdthoughtthatoneofthemarblebishopswhokneltonthesepulchralstonesofthechoirhadrisenandwascometoreceiveuponthebrinkofthetomb，thewomanwhowasabouttodie。
She，nolesspale，nolesslikeastatue，hadhardlynoticedthattheyhadplacedinherhandaheavy，lightedcandleofyellowwax；shehadnotheardtheyelpingvoiceoftheclerkreadingthefatalcontentsoftheapology；whentheytoldhertorespondwithAmen，sherespondedAmen。Sheonlyrecoveredlifeandforcewhenshebeheldthepriestmakeasigntoherguardstowithdraw，andhimselfadvancealonetowardsher。
Thenshefeltherbloodboilinherhead，andaremnantofindignationflashedupinthatsoulalreadybenumbedandcold。
Thearchdeaconapproachedherslowly；eveninthatextremity，shebeheldhimcastaneyesparklingwithsensuality，jealousy，anddesire，overherexposedform。Thenhesaidaloud，——
"Younggirl，haveyouaskedGod’spardonforyourfaultsandshortcomings？"
Hebentdowntoherear，andaddedthespectatorssupposedthathewasreceivingherlastconfession:"Willyouhaveme？Icanstillsaveyou！"
Shelookedintentlyathim:"Begone，demon，orIwilldenounceyou！"
Hegaveventtoahorriblesmile:"Youwillnotbebelieved。
Youwillonlyaddascandaltoacrime。Replyquickly！Willyouhaveme？"
"WhathaveyoudonewithmyPhoebus？"
"Heisdead！"saidthepriest。
AtthatmomentthewretchedarchdeaconraisedhisheadmechanicallyandbeheldattheotherendofthePlace，inthebalconyoftheGondelauriermansion，thecaptainstandingbesideFleur-de-Lys。Hestaggered，passedhishandacrosshiseyes，lookedagain，mutteredacurse，andallhisfeatureswereviolentlycontorted。
"Well，diethen！"hehissedbetweenhisteeth。"Nooneshallhaveyou。"Then，raisinghishandoverthegypsy，heexclaimedinafunerealvoice:——"~Inunc，animaanceps，etsittibiDeusmisenicors~！"*
*"Gonow，soul，tremblinginthebalance，andGodhavemercyuponthee。"
Thiswasthedreadformulawithwhichitwasthecustomtoconcludethesegloomyceremonies。Itwasthesignalagreeduponbetweenthepriestandtheexecutioner。
Thecrowdknelt。
"~Kyrieeleison~，"*saidthepriests，whohadremainedbeneaththearchoftheportal。
*"Lordhavemercyuponus。"
"~Kyrieeleison~，"repeatedthethronginthatmurmurwhichrunsoverallheads，likethewavesofatroubledsea。
"Amen，"saidthearchdeacon。
Heturnedhisbackonthecondemnedgirl，hisheadsankuponhisbreastoncemore，hecrossedhishandsandrejoinedhisescortofpriests，andamomentlaterhewasseentodisappear，withthecross，thecandles，andthecopes，beneaththemistyarchesofthecathedral，andhissonorousvoicewasextinguishedbydegreesinthechoir，ashechantedthisverseofdespair，——
"~Omnesgurgitestuietfluctustuisupermetransierunt。"*
*"Allthywavesandthybillowshavegoneoverme。"
Atthesametime，theintermittentclashoftheironbuttsofthebeadles’halberds，graduallydyingawayamongthecolumnsofthenave，producedtheeffectofaclockhammerstrikingthelasthourofthecondemned。
ThedoorsofNotre-Dameremainedopen，allowingaviewoftheemptydesolatechurch，drapedinmourning，withoutcandles，andwithoutvoices。
Thecondemnedgirlremainedmotionlessinherplace，waitingtobedisposedof。OneofthesergeantsofpolicewasobligedtonotifyMasterCharmolueofthefact，asthelatter，duringthisentirescene，hadbeenengagedinstudyingthebas-reliefofthegrandportalwhichrepresents，accordingtosome，thesacrificeofAbraham；accordingtoothers，thephilosopher’salchemicaloperation:thesunbeingfiguredforthbytheangel；thefire，bythefagot；theartisan，byAbraham。
Therewasconsiderabledifficultyindrawinghimawayfromthatcontemplation，butatlengthheturnedround；and，atasignalwhichhegave，twomencladinyellow，theexecutioner’sassistants，approachedthegypsytobindherhandsoncemore。
Theunhappycreature，atthemomentofmountingonceagainthefatalcart，andproceedingtoherlasthalting-place，wasseized，possibly，withsomepoignantclingingtolife。
Sheraisedherdry，redeyestoheaven，tothesun，tothesilveryclouds，cuthereandtherebyabluetrapeziumortriangle；thensheloweredthemtoobjectsaroundher，totheearth，thethrong，thehouses；allatonce，whiletheyellowmanwasbindingherelbows，sheutteredaterriblecry，acryofjoy。Yonder，onthatbalcony，atthecornerofthePlace，shehadjustcaughtsightofhim，ofherfriend，herlord，Phoebus，theotherapparitionofherlife！
Thejudgehadlied！thepriesthadlied！itwascertainlyhe，shecouldnotdoubtit；hewasthere，handsome，alive，dressedinhisbrilliantuniform，hisplumeonhishead，hisswordbyhisside！
"Phoebus！"shecried，"myPhoebus！"
Andshetriedtostretchtowardshimarmstremblingwithloveandrapture，buttheywerebound。
Thenshesawthecaptainfrown，abeautifulyounggirlwhowasleaningagainsthimgazedathimwithdisdainfullipsandirritatedeyes；thenPhoebusutteredsomewordswhichdidnotreachher，andbothdisappearedprecipitatelybehindthewindowopeninguponthebalcony，whichclosedafterthem。
"Phoebus！"shecriedwildly，"canitbeyoubelieveit？"
Amonstrousthoughthadjustpresenteditselftoher。SherememberedthatshehadbeencondemnedtodeathformurdercommittedonthepersonofPhoebusdeChateaupers。
Shehadborneupuntilthatmoment。Butthislastblowwastooharsh。Shefelllifelessonthepavement。
"Come，"saidCharmolue，"carryhertothecart，andmakeanendofit。"
Noonehadyetobservedinthegalleryofthestatuesofthekings，carveddirectlyabovethearchesoftheportal，astrangespectator，whohad，uptothattime，observedeverythingwithsuchimpassiveness，withanecksostrained，avisagesohideousthat，inhismotleyaccoutrementofredandviolet，hemighthavebeentakenforoneofthosestonemonstersthroughwhosemouthsthelongguttersofthecathedralhavedischargedtheirwatersforsixhundredyears。ThisspectatorhadmissednothingthathadtakenplacesincemiddayinfrontoftheportalofNotre-Dame。Andattheverybeginninghehadsecurelyfastenedtooneofthesmallcolumnsalargeknottedrope，oneendofwhichtrailedontheflightofstepsbelow。Thisbeingdone，hebegantolookontranquilly，whistlingfromtimetotimewhenablackbirdflittedpast。
Suddenly，atthemomentwhenthesuperintendent’sassistantswerepreparingtoexecuteCharmolue’sphlegmaticorder，hethrewhislegoverthebalustradeofthegallery，seizedtheropewithhisfeet，hiskneesandhishands；thenhewasseentoglidedownthefa？ade，asadropofrainslipsdownawindow-
pane，rushtothetwoexecutionerswiththeswiftnessofacatwhichhasfallenfromaroof，knockthemdownwithtwoenormousfists，pickupthegypsywithonehand，asachildwouldherdoll，anddashbackintothechurchwithasinglebound，liftingtheyounggirlabovehisheadandcryinginaformidablevoice，——
"Sanctuary！"
Thiswasdonewithsuchrapidity，thathadittakenplaceatnight，thewholeofitcouldhavebeenseeninthespaceofasingleflashoflightning。
"Sanctuary！Sanctuary！"repeatedthecrowd；andtheclappingoftenthousandhandsmadeQuasimodo’ssingleeyesparklewithjoyandpride。
Thisshockrestoredthecondemnedgirltohersenses。Sheraisedhereyelids，lookedatQuasimodo，thenclosedthemagainsuddenly，asthoughterrifiedbyherdeliverer。
Charmoluewasstupefied，aswellastheexecutionersandtheentireescort。Infact，withintheboundsofNotre-Dame，thecondemnedgirlcouldnotbetouched。Thecathedralwasaplaceofrefuge。Alltemporaljurisdictionexpireduponitsthreshold。
Quasimodohadhaltedbeneaththegreatportal，hishugefeetseemedassolidonthepavementofthechurchastheheavyRomanpillars。Hisgreat，bushyheadsatlowbetweenhisshoulders，liketheheadsoflions，whoalsohaveamaneandnoneck。Heheldtheyounggirl，whowasquiveringallover，suspendedfromhishornyhandslikeawhitedrapery；
buthecarriedherwithasmuchcareasthoughhefearedtobreakherorblighther。Onewouldhavesaidthathefeltthatshewasadelicate，exquisite，preciousthing，madeforotherhandsthanhis。Thereweremomentswhenhelookedasifnotdaringtotouchher，evenwithhisbreath。Then，allatonce，hewouldpressherforciblyinhisarms，againsthisangularbosom，likehisownpossession，histreasure，asthemotherofthatchildwouldhavedone。Hisgnome’seye，fasteneduponher，inundatedherwithtenderness，sadness，andpity，andwassuddenlyraisedfilledwithlightnings。Thenthewomenlaughedandwept，thecrowdstampedwithenthusiasm，for，atthatmomentQuasimodohadabeautyofhisown。Hewashandsome；he，thatorphan，thatfoundling，thatoutcast，hefelthimselfaugustandstrong，hegazedinthefaceofthatsocietyfromwhichhewasbanished，andinwhichhehadsopowerfullyintervened，ofthathumanjusticefromwhichhehadwrencheditsprey，ofallthosetigerswhosejawswereforcedtoremainempty，ofthosepolicemen，thosejudges，thoseexecutioners，ofallthatforceofthekingwhichhe，themeanestofcreatures，hadjustbroken，withtheforceofGod。
Andthen，itwastouchingtobeholdthisprotectionwhichhadfallenfromabeingsohideousuponabeingsounhappy，acreaturecondemnedtodeathsavedbyQuasimodo。Theyweretwoextremesofnaturalandsocialwretchedness，comingintocontactandaidingeachother。
Meanwhile，afterseveralmomentsoftriumph，Quasimodohadplungedabruptlyintothechurchwithhisburden。Thepopulace，fondofallprowess，soughthimwiththeireyes，beneaththegloomynave，regrettingthathehadsospeedilydisappearedfromtheiracclamations。Allatonce，hewasseentore-appearatoneoftheextremitiesofthegalleryofthekingsofFrance；hetraversedit，runninglikeamadman，raisinghisconquesthighinhisarmsandshouting:"Sanctuary！"
Thecrowdbrokeforthintofreshapplause。Thegallerypassed，heplungedoncemoreintotheinteriorofthechurch。Amomentlater，here-appearedupontheupperplatform，withthegypsystillinhisarms，stillrunningmadly，stillcrying，"Sanctuary！"andthethrongapplauded。
Finally，hemadehisappearanceforthethirdtimeuponthesummitofthetowerwherehungthegreatbell；fromthatpointheseemedtobeshowingtotheentirecitythegirlwhomhehadsaved，andhisvoiceofthunder，thatvoicewhichwassorarelyheard，andwhichheneverheardhimself，repeatedthricewithfrenzy，eventotheclouds:"Sanctuary！
Sanctuary！Sanctuary！"
"Noel！Noel！"shoutedthepopulaceinitsturn；andthatimmenseacclamationflewtoastonishthecrowdassembledattheGrèveontheotherbank，andthereclusewhowasstillwaitingwithhereyesrivetedonthegibbet。
BOOKNINTH。