CHAPTERI。
　　DELIRIUM。
　　ClaudeFrollowasnolongerinNotre-Damewhenhisadoptedsonsoabruptlycutthefatalwebinwhichthearchdeaconandthegypsywereentangled。Onreturningtothesacristyhehadtornoffhisalb，cope，andstole，hadflungallintothehandsofthestupefiedbeadle，hadmadehisescapethroughtheprivatedoorofthecloister，hadorderedaboatmanoftheTerraintotransporthimtotheleftbankoftheSeine，andhadplungedintothehillystreetsoftheUniversity，notknowingwhitherhewasgoing，encounteringateverystepgroupsofmenandwomenwhowerehurryingjoyouslytowardsthePontSaint-Michel，inthehopeofstillarrivingintimetoseethewitchhungthere，——pale，wild，moretroubled，moreblindandmorefiercethananightbirdletlooseandpursuedbyatroopofchildreninbroaddaylight。Henolongerknewwherehewas，whathethought，orwhetherheweredreaming。Hewentforward，walking，running，takinganystreetathaphazard，makingnochoice，onlyurgedeveronwardawayfromtheGrève，thehorribleGrève，whichhefeltconfusedly，tobebehindhim。
　　InthismannerheskirtedMountSainte-Geneviève，andfinallyemergedfromthetownbythePorteSaint-Victor。
　　Hecontinuedhisflightaslongashecouldsee，whenheturnedround，theturretedenclosureoftheUniversity，andtherarehousesofthesuburb；but，when，atlength，ariseofgroundhadcompletelyconcealedfromhimthatodiousParis，whenhecouldbelievehimselftobeahundredleaguesdistantfromit，inthefields，inthedesert，hehalted，anditseemedtohimthathebreathedmorefreely。
　　Thenfrightfulideasthrongedhismind。Oncemorehecouldseeclearlyintohissoul，andheshuddered。Hethoughtofthatunhappygirlwhohaddestroyedhim，andwhomhehaddestroyed。Hecastahaggardeyeoverthedouble，tortuouswaywhichfatehadcausedtheirtwodestiniestopursueuptotheirpointofintersection，whereithaddashedthemagainsteachotherwithoutmercy。Hemeditatedonthefollyofeternalvows，onthevanityofchastity，ofscience，ofreligion，ofvirtue，ontheuselessnessofGod。
　　Heplungedtohisheart’scontentinevilthoughts，andinproportionashesankdeeper，hefeltaSataniclaughburstforthwithinhim。
　　Andashethussiftedhissoultothebottom，whenheperceivedhowlargeaspacenaturehadpreparedthereforthepassions，hesneeredstillmorebitterly。Hestirredupinthedepthsofhisheartallhishatred，allhismalevolence；and，withthecoldglanceofaphysicianwhoexaminesapatient，herecognizedthefactthatthismalevolencewasnothingbutvitiatedlove；thatlove，thatsourceofeveryvirtueinman，turnedtohorriblethingsintheheartofapriest，andthatamanconstitutedlikehimself，inmakinghimselfapriest，madehimselfademon。Thenhelaughedfrightfully，andsuddenlybecamepaleagain，whenheconsideredthemostsinistersideofhisfatalpassion，ofthatcorrosive，venomousmalignant，implacablelove，whichhadendedonlyinthegibbetforoneofthemandinhellfortheother；
　　condemnationforher，damnationforhim。
　　Andthenhislaughtercameagain，whenhereflectedthatPhoebuswasalive；thatafterall，thecaptainlived，wasgayandhappy，hadhandsomerdoubletsthanever，andanewmistresswhomhewasconductingtoseetheoldonehanged。
　　Hissneerredoubleditsbitternesswhenhereflectedthatoutofthelivingbeingswhosedeathhehaddesired，thegypsy，theonlycreaturewhomhedidnothate，wastheonlyonewhohadnotescapedhim。
　　Thenfromthecaptain，histhoughtpassedtothepeople，andtherecametohimajealousyofanunprecedentedsort。
　　Hereflectedthatthepeoplealso，theentirepopulace，hadhadbeforetheireyesthewomanwhomhelovedexposedalmostnaked。Hewrithedhisarmswithagonyashethoughtthatthewomanwhoseform，caughtbyhimaloneinthedarknesswouldhavebeensupremehappiness，hadbeendeliveredupinbroaddaylightatfullnoonday，toawholepeople，cladasforanightofvoluptuousness。Heweptwithrageoverallthesemysteriesoflove，profaned，soiled，laidbare，witheredforever。Heweptwithrageashepicturedtohimselfhowmanyimpurelookshadbeengratifiedatthesightofthatbadlyfastenedshift，andthatthisbeautifulgirl，thisvirginlily，thiscupofmodestyanddelight，towhichhewouldhavedaredtoplacehislipsonlytrembling，hadjustbeentransformedintoasortofpublicbowl，whereatthevilestpopulaceofParis，thieves，beggars，lackeys，hadcometoquaffincommonanaudacious，impure，anddepravedpleasure。
　　Andwhenhesoughttopicturetohimselfthehappinesswhichhemighthavefounduponearth，ifshehadnotbeenagypsy，andifhehadnotbeenapriest，ifPhoebushadnotexistedandifshehadlovedhim；whenhepicturedtohimselfthatalifeofserenityandlovewouldhavebeenpossibletohimalso，eventohim；thattherewereatthatverymoment，hereandthereupontheearth，happycouplesspendingthehoursinsweetconversebeneathorangetrees，onthebanksofbrooks，inthepresenceofasettingsun，ofastarrynight；
　　andthatifGodhadsowilled，hemighthaveformedwithheroneofthoseblessedcouples，——hisheartmeltedintendernessanddespair。
　　Oh！she！stillshe！Itwasthisfixedideawhichreturnedincessantly，whichtorturedhim，whichateintohisbrain，andrenthisvitals。Hedidnotregret，hedidnotrepent；allthathehaddonehewasreadytodoagain；hepreferredtobeholdherinthehandsoftheexecutionerratherthaninthearmsofthecaptain。Buthesuffered；hesufferedsothatatintervalshetoreouthandfulsofhishairtoseewhetheritwerenotturningwhite。
　　Amongothermomentstherecameone，whenitoccurredtohimthatitwasperhapstheveryminutewhenthehideouschainwhichhehadseenthatmorning，waspressingitsironnoosecloseraboutthatfrailandgracefulneck。Thisthoughtcausedtheperspirationtostartfromeverypore。
　　Therewasanothermomentwhen，whilelaughingdiabolicallyathimself，herepresentedtohimselflaEsmeraldaashehadseenheronthatfirstday，lively，careless，joyous，gaylyattired，dancing，winged，harmonious，andlaEsmeraldaofthelastday，inherscantyshift，witharopeaboutherneck，mountingslowlywithherbarefeet，theangularladderofthegallows；hefiguredtohimselfthisdoublepictureinsuchamanner。thathegaveventtoaterriblecry。
　　Whilethishurricaneofdespairoverturned，broke，toreup，bent，uprootedeverythinginhissoul，hegazedatnaturearoundhim。Athisfeet，somechickensweresearchingthethicketsandpecking，enamelledbeetlesranaboutinthesun；
　　overhead，somegroupsofdappledgraycloudswerefloatingacrossthebluesky；onthehorizon，thespireoftheAbbeySaint-Victorpiercedtheridgeofthehillwithitsslateobelisk；andthemilleroftheCopeauehillockwaswhistlingashewatchedthelaboriouswingsofhismillturning。Allthisactive，organized，tranquillife，recurringaroundhimunderathousandforms，hurthim。Heresumedhisflight。
　　Hespedthusacrossthefieldsuntilevening。Thisflightfromnature，life，himself，man，God，everything，lastedalldaylong。Sometimesheflunghimselffacedownwardonthe，earth，andtoreuptheyoungbladesofwheatwithhisnails。
　　Sometimeshehaltedinthedesertedstreetofavillage，andhisthoughtsweresointolerablethathegraspedhisheadinbothhandsandtriedtotearitfromhisshouldersinordertodashituponthepavement。
　　Towardsthehourofsunset，heexaminedhimselfagain，andfoundhimselfnearlymad。Thetempestwhichhadragedwithinhimeversincetheinstantwhenhehadlostthehopeandthewilltosavethegypsy，——thattempesthadnotleftinhisconscienceasinglehealthyidea，asinglethoughtwhichmaintaineditsuprightposition。Hisreasonlaytherealmostentirelydestroyed。Thereremainedbuttwodistinctimagesinhismind，laEsmeraldaandthegallows；alltherestwasblank。Thosetwoimagesunited，presentedtohimafrightfulgroup；andthemoreheconcentratedwhatattentionandthoughtwaslefttohim，themorehebeheldthemgrow，inaccordancewithafantasticprogression，theoneingrace，incharm，inbeauty，inlight，theotherindeformityandhorror；
　　sothatatlastlaEsmeraldaappearedtohimlikeastar，thegibbetlikeanenormous，fleshlessarm。
　　Oneremarkablefactis，thatduringthewholeofthistorture，theideaofdyingdidnotseriouslyoccurtohim。Thewretchwasmadeso。Heclungtolife。Perhapshereallysawhellbeyondit。
　　Meanwhile，thedaycontinuedtodecline。Thelivingbeingwhichstillexistedinhimreflectedvaguelyonretracingitssteps。HebelievedhimselftobefarawayfromParis；ontakinghisbearings，heperceivedthathehadonlycircledtheenclosureoftheUniversity。ThespireofSaint-Sulpice，andthethreeloftyneedlesofSaintGermain-des-Prés，roseabovethehorizononhisright。Heturnedhisstepsinthatdirection。Whenheheardthebriskchallengeofthemen-at-armsoftheabbey，aroundthecrenelated，circumscribingwallofSaint-Germain，heturnedaside，tookapathwhichpresenteditselfbetweentheabbeyandthelazar-houseofthebourg，andattheexpirationofafewminutesfoundhimselfonthevergeofthePré-aux-Clercs。Thismeadowwascelebratedbyreasonofthebrawlswhichwentontherenightandday；itwasthehydraofthepoormonksofSaint-Germain:~quodmouachisSancti-Germainipratensishydrafuit，clericisnovasemperdissidiorumcapitasuscitantibus~。Thearchdeaconwasafraidofmeetingsomeonethere；hefearedeveryhumancountenance；hehadjustavoidedtheUniversityandtheBourgSaint-Germain；hewishedtore-enterthestreetsaslateaspossible。HeskirtedthePré-aux-Clercs，tookthedesertedpathwhichseparateditfromtheDieu-Neuf，andatlastreachedthewater’sedge。ThereDomClaudefoundaboatman，who，forafewfarthingsinParisiancoinage，rowedhimuptheSeineasfarasthepointofthecity，andlandedhimonthattongueofabandonedlandwherethereaderhasalreadybeheldGringoiredreaming，andwhichwasprolongedbeyondtheking’sgardens，paralleltotheIleduPasseur-aux-Vaches。
　　Themonotonousrockingoftheboatandtherippleofthewaterhad，insomesort，quietedtheunhappyClaude。Whentheboatmanhadtakenhisdeparture，heremainedstandingstupidlyonthestrand，staringstraightbeforehimandperceivingobjectsonlythroughmagnifyingoscillationswhichrenderedeverythingasortofphantasmagoriatohim。Thefatigueofagreatgriefnotinfrequentlyproducesthiseffectonthemind。
　　ThesunhadsetbehindtheloftyTour-de-Nesle。Itwasthetwilighthour。Theskywaswhite，thewateroftheriverwaswhite。Betweenthesetwowhiteexpanses，theleftbankoftheSeine，onwhichhiseyeswerefixed，projecteditsgloomymassand，renderedeverthinnerandthinnerbyperspective，itplungedintothegloomofthehorizonlikeablackspire。Itwasloadedwithhouses，ofwhichonlytheobscureoutlinecouldbedistinguished，sharplybroughtoutinshadowsagainstthelightbackgroundoftheskyandthewater。Hereandtherewindowsbegantogleam，liketheholesinabrazier。
　　Thatimmenseblackobeliskthusisolatedbetweenthetwowhiteexpansesoftheskyandtheriver，whichwasverybroadatthispoint，produceduponDomClaudeasingulareffect，comparabletothatwhichwouldbeexperiencedbyamanwho，recliningonhisbackatthefootofthetowerofStrasburg，shouldgazeattheenormousspireplungingintotheshadowsofthetwilightabovehishead。Only，inthiscase，itwasClaudewhowaserectandtheobeliskwhichwaslyingdown；but，astheriver，reflectingthesky，prolongedtheabyssbelowhim，theimmensepromontoryseemedtobeasboldlylaunchedintospaceasanycathedralspire；andtheimpressionwasthesame。Thisimpressionhadevenonestrongerandmoreprofoundpointaboutit，thatitwasindeedthetowerofStrasbourg，butthetowerofStrasbourgtwoleaguesinheight；somethingunheardof，gigantic，immeasurable；anedificesuchasnohumaneyehaseverseen；atowerofBabel。
　　Thechimneysofthehouses，thebattlementsofthewalls，thefacetedgablesoftheroofs，thespireoftheAugustines，thetowerofNesle，alltheseprojectionswhichbroketheprofileofthecolossalobeliskaddedtotheillusionbydisplayingineccentricfashiontotheeyetheindentationsofaluxuriantandfantasticsculpture。
　　Claude，inthestateofhallucinationinwhichhefoundhimself，believedthathesaw，thathesawwithhisactualeyes，thebelltowerofhell；thethousandlightsscatteredoverthewholeheightoftheterribletowerseemedtohimsomanyporchesoftheimmenseinteriorfurnace；thevoicesandnoiseswhichescapedfromitseemedsomanyshrieks，somanydeathgroans。Thenhebecamealarmed，heputhishandsonhisearsthathemightnolongerhear，turnedhisbackthathemightnolongersee，andfledfromthefrightfulvisionwithhastystrides。
　　Butthevisionwasinhimself。
　　Whenhere-enteredthestreets，thepassers-byelbowingeachotherbythelightoftheshop-fronts，produceduponhimtheeffectofaconstantgoingandcomingofspectresabouthim。
　　Therewerestrangenoisesinhisears；extraordinaryfanciesdisturbedhisbrain。Hesawneitherhouses，norpavements，norchariots，normenandwomen，butachaosofindeterminateobjectswhoseedgesmeltedintoeachother。AtthecorneroftheRuedelaBarillerie，therewasagrocer’sshopwhoseporchwasgarnishedallabout，accordingtoimmemorialcustom，withhoopsoftinfromwhichhungacircleofwoodencandles，whichcameincontactwitheachotherinthewind，andrattledlikecastanets。HethoughtheheardaclusterofskeletonsatMontfau？onclashingtogetherinthegloom。
　　"Oh！"hemuttered，"thenightbreezedashesthemagainsteachother，andminglesthenoiseoftheirchainswiththerattleoftheirbones！Perhapssheisthereamongthem！"
　　Inhisstateoffrenzy，heknewnotwhitherhewasgoing。
　　AfterafewstrideshefoundhimselfonthePontSaint-
　　Michel。Therewasalightinthewindowofaground-floorroom；heapproached。Throughacrackedwindowhebeheldameanchamberwhichrecalledsomeconfusedmemorytohismind。Inthatroom，badlylightedbyameagrelamp，therewasafresh，light-hairedyoungman，withamerryface，whoamidloudburstsoflaughterwasembracingaveryaudaciouslyattiredyounggirl；andnearthelampsatanoldcronespinningandsinginginaquaveringvoice。Astheyoungmandidnotlaughconstantly，fragmentsoftheoldwoman’sdittyreachedthepriest；itwassomethingunintelligibleyetfrightful，——
　　"~Grève，aboie，Grève，grouille！
　　File，file，maquenouille，Filesacordeaubourreau，Quisiffledanslepreau，Grève，aboie，Grève，grouille~！
　　"~Labellecordedechanvre！
　　Semezd’Issyjusqu’áVanvreDuchanvreetnonpasduble。
　　Levoleurn’apasvole
　　Labellecordedechanvre~。
　　"~Grève，grouille，Grève，aboie！
　　Pourvoirlafilledejoie，Prendreaugibetchassieux，Lesfenêtressontdesyeux。
　　Grève，grouille，Grève，aboie！"*
　　*Bark，Grève，grumble，Grève！Spin，spin，mydistaff，spinherropeforthehangman，whoiswhistlinginthemeadow。Whatabeautifulhempenrope！Sowhemp，notwheat，fromIssytoVanvre。Thethiefhathnotstolenthebeautifulhempenrope。
　　Grumble，Grève，bark，Grève！Toseethedissolutewenchhangontheblear-eyedgibbet，windowsareeyes。
　　Thereupontheyoungmanlaughedandcaressedthewench。
　　ThecronewaslaFalourdel；thegirlwasacourtesan；theyoungmanwashisbrotherJehan。
　　Hecontinuedtogaze。Thatspectaclewasasgoodasanyother。
　　HesawJehangotoawindowattheendoftheroom，openit，castaglanceonthequay，whereinthedistanceblazedathousandlightedcasements，andheheardhimsayasheclosedthesash，——
　　"’Ponmysoul！Howdarkitis；thepeoplearelightingtheircandles，andthegoodGodhisstars。"
　　ThenJehancamebacktothehag，smashedabottlestandingonthetable，exclaiming，——
　　"Alreadyempty，~cor-boeuf~！andIhavenomoremoney！
　　Isabeau，mydear，IshallnotbesatisfiedwithJupiteruntilhehaschangedyourtwowhitenipplesintotwoblackbottles，whereImaysuckwineofBeaunedayandnight。"
　　Thisfinepleasantrymadethecourtesanlaugh，andJehanlefttheroom。
　　DomClaudehadbarelytimetoflinghimselfonthegroundinorderthathemightnotbemet，staredinthefaceandrecognizedbyhisbrother。Luckily，thestreetwasdark，andthescholarwastipsy。Nevertheless，hecaughtsightofthearchdeaconproneupontheearthinthemud。
　　"Oh！oh！"saidhe；"here’safellowwhohasbeenleadingajollylife，to-day。"
　　HestirredupDomClaudewithhisfoot，andthelatterheldhisbreath。
　　"Deaddrunk，"resumedJehan。"Come，he’sfull。A
　　regularleechdetachedfromahogshead。He’sbald，"headded，bendingdown，"’tisanoldman！~Fortunatesenex~！"
　　ThenDomClaudeheardhimretreat，saying，——
　　"’Tisallthesame，reasonisafinething，andmybrotherthearchdeaconisveryhappyinthatheiswiseandhasmoney。"
　　Thenthearchdeaconrosetohisfeet，andranwithouthalting，towardsNotre-Dame，whoseenormoustowershebeheldrisingabovethehousesthroughthegloom。
　　Attheinstantwhenhearrived，panting，onthePlaceduParvis，heshrankbackanddarednotraisehiseyestothefataledifice。
　　"Oh！"hesaid，inalowvoice，"isitreallytruethatsuchathingtookplacehere，to-day，thisverymorning？"
　　Still，heventuredtoglanceatthechurch。Thefrontwassombre；theskybehindwasglitteringwithstars。Thecrescentofthemoon，inherflightupwardfromthehorizon，hadpausedatthemoment，onthesummitofthelighthandtower，andseemedtohavepercheditself，likealuminousbird，ontheedgeofthebalustrade，cutoutinblacktrefoils。
　　Thecloisterdoorwasshut；butthearchdeaconalwayscarriedwithhimthekeyofthetowerinwhichhislaboratorywassituated。Hemadeuseofittoenterthechurch。
　　Inthechurchhefoundthegloomandsilenceofacavern。
　　Bythedeepshadowswhichfellinbroadsheetsfromalldirections，herecognizedthefactthatthehangingsfortheceremonyofthemorninghadnotyetbeenremoved。Thegreatsilvercrossshonefromthedepthsofthegloom，powderedwithsomesparklingpoints，likethemilkywayofthatsepulchralnight。Thelongwindowsofthechoirshowedtheupperextremitiesoftheirarchesabovetheblackdraperies，andtheirpaintedpanes，traversedbyarayofmoonlighthadnolongeranyhuesbutthedoubtfulcolorsofnight，asortofviolet，whiteandblue，whosetintisfoundonlyonthefacesofthedead。Thearchdeacon，onperceivingthesewanspotsallaroundthechoir，thoughthebeheldthemitresofdamnedbishops。Heshuthiseyes，andwhenheopenedthemagain，hethoughttheywereacircleofpalevisagesgazingathim。
　　Hestartedtofleeacrossthechurch。Thenitseemedtohimthatthechurchalsowasshaking，moving，becomingenduedwithanimation，thatitwasalive；thateachofthegreatcolumnswasturningintoanenormouspaw，whichwasbeatingtheearthwithitsbigstonespatula，andthatthegiganticcathedralwasnolongeranythingbutasortofprodigiouselephant，whichwasbreathingandmarchingwithitspillarsforfeet，itstwotowersfortrunksandtheimmenseblackclothforitshousings。
　　ThisfeverormadnesshadreachedsuchadegreeofintensitythattheexternalworldwasnolongeranythingmorefortheunhappymanthanasortofApocalypse，-visible，palpable，terrible。
　　Foronemoment，hewasrelieved。Asheplungedintothesideaisles，heperceivedareddishlightbehindaclusterofpillars。Herantowardsitastoastar。ItwasthepoorlampwhichlightedthepublicbreviaryofNotre-Damenightandday，beneathitsirongrating。Heflunghimselfeagerlyupontheholybookinthehopeoffindingsomeconsolation，orsomeencouragementthere。ThehooklayopenatthispassageofJob，overwhichhisstaringeyeglanced，——
　　"Andaspiritpassedbeforemyface，andIheardasmallvoice，andthehairofmyfleshstoodup。"
　　Onreadingthesegloomywords，hefeltthatwhichablindmanfeelswhenhefeelshimselfprickedbythestaffwhichhehaspickedup。Hiskneesgavewaybeneathhim，andhesankuponthepavement，thinkingofherwhohaddiedthatday。
　　Hefeltsomanymonstrousvaporspassanddischargethemselvesinhisbrain，thatitseemedtohimthathisheadhadbecomeoneofthechimneysofhell。
　　Itwouldappearthatheremainedalongtimeinthisattitude，nolongerthinking，overwhelmedandpassivebeneaththehandofthedemon。Atlengthsomestrengthreturnedtohim；itoccurredtohimtotakerefugeinhistowerbesidehisfaithfulQuasimodo。Herose；and，ashewasafraid，hetookthelampfromthebreviarytolighthisway。Itwasasacrilege；buthehadgotbeyondheedingsuchatriflenow。
　　Heslowlyclimbedthestairsofthetowers，filledwithasecretfrightwhichmusthavebeencommunicatedtotherarepassers-byinthePlaceduParvisbythemysteriouslightofhislamp，mountingsolatefromloopholetoloopholeofthebelltower。
　　Allatonce，hefeltafreshnessonhisface，andfoundhimselfatthedoorofthehighestgallery。Theairwascold；theskywasfilledwithhurryingclouds，whoselarge，whiteflakesdriftedoneuponanotherlikethebreakingupofrivericeafterthewinter。Thecrescentofthemoon，strandedinthemidstoftheclouds，seemedacelestialvesselcaughtintheice-cakesoftheair。
　　Heloweredhisgaze，andcontemplatedforamoment，throughtherailingofslendercolumnswhichunitesthetwotowers，faraway，throughagauzeofmistsandsmoke，thesilentthrongoftheroofsofParis，pointed，innumerable，crowdedandsmalllikethewavesofatranquilseaonasum-
　　mernight。
　　Themooncastafeebleray，whichimpartedtoearthandheavenanashyhue。
　　Atthatmomenttheclockraiseditsshrill，crackedvoice。
　　Midnightrangout。Thepriestthoughtofmidday；twelveo’clockhadcomebackagain。
　　"Oh！"hesaidinaverylowtone，"shemustbecoldnow。"
　　Allatonce，agustofwindextinguishedhislamp，andalmostatthesameinstant，hebeheldashade，awhiteness，aform，awoman，appearfromtheoppositeangleofthetower。
　　Hestarted。Besidethiswomanwasalittlegoat，whichmingleditsbleatwiththelastbleatoftheclock。
　　Hehadstrengthenoughtolook。Itwasshe。
　　Shewaspale，shewasgloomy。Herhairfelloverhershouldersasinthemorning；buttherewasnolongeraropeonherneck，herhandswerenolongerbound；shewasfree，shewasdead。
　　Shewasdressedinwhiteandhadawhiteveilonherhead。
　　Shecametowardshim，slowly，withhergazefixedonthesky。Thesupernaturalgoatfollowedher。Hefeltasthoughmadeofstoneandtooheavytoflee。Ateverystepwhichshetookinadvance，hetookonebackwards，andthatwasall。
　　Inthiswayheretreatedoncemorebeneaththegloomyarchofthestairway。Hewaschilledbythethoughtthatshemightentertherealso；hadshedoneso，hewouldhavediedofterror。
　　Shedidarrive，infact，infrontofthedoortothestairway，andpausedthereforseveralminutes，staredintentlyintothedarkness，butwithoutappearingtoseethepriest，andpassedon。Sheseemedtallertohimthanwhenshehadbeenalive；
　　hesawthemoonthroughherwhiterobe；heheardherbreath。
　　Whenshehadpassedon，hebegantodescendthestaircaseagain，withtheslownesswhichhehadobservedinthespectre，believinghimselftobeaspectretoo，haggard，withhaironend，hisextinguishedlampstillinhishand；andashedescendedthespiralsteps，hedistinctlyheardinhisearavoicelaughingandrepeating，——
　　"Aspiritpassedbeforemyface，andIheardasmallvoice，andthehairofmyfleshstoodup。"
　　CHAPTERII。
　　HUNCHBACKED，ONEEYED，LAME。
　　EverycityduringtheMiddleAges，andeverycityinFrancedowntothetimeofLouisXII。haditsplacesofasylum。
　　Thesesanctuaries，inthemidstofthedelugeofpenalandbarbarousjurisdictionswhichinundatedthecity，wereaspeciesofislandswhichroseabovethelevelofhumanjustice。
　　Everycriminalwholandedtherewassafe。Therewereineverysuburbalmostasmanyplacesofasylumasgallows。
　　Itwastheabuseofimpunitybythesideoftheabuseofpunishment；twobadthingswhichstrovetocorrecteachother。Thepalacesoftheking，thehotelsoftheprinces，andespeciallychurches，possessedtherightofasylum。Sometimesawholecitywhichstoodinneedofbeingrepeopledwastemporarilycreatedaplaceofrefuge。LouisXI。madeallParisarefugein1467。
　　Hisfootoncewithintheasylum，thecriminalwassacred；
　　buthemustbewareofleavingit；onestepoutsidethesanctuary，andhefellbackintotheflood。Thewheel，thegibbet，thestrappado，keptgoodguardaroundtheplaceofrefuge，andlayinwatchincessantlyfortheirprey，likesharksaroundavessel。Hence，condemnedmenweretobeseenwhosehairhadgrownwhiteinacloister，onthestepsofapalace，intheenclosureofanabbey，beneaththeporchofachurch；inthismannertheasylumwasaprisonasmuchasanyother。Itsometimeshappenedthatasolemndecreeofparliamentviolatedtheasylumandrestoredthecondemnedmantotheexecutioner；butthiswasofrareoccurrence。Parliamentswereafraidofthebishops，andwhentherewasfrictionbetweenthesetworobes，thegownhadbutapoorchanceagainstthecassock。Sometimes，however，asintheaffairoftheassassinsofPetit-Jean，theheadsmanofParis，andinthatofEmeryRousseau，themurdererofJeanValleret，justiceoverleapedthechurchandpassedontotheexecutionofitssentences；butunlessbyvirtueofadecreeofParliament，woetohimwhoviolatedaplaceofasylumwitharmedforce！
　　ThereaderknowsthemannerofdeathofRobertdeClermont，MarshalofFrance，andofJeandeChalons，MarshalofChampagne；andyetthequestionwasonlyofacertainPerrinMarc，theclerkofamoney-changer，amiserableassassin；
　　butthetwomarshalshadbrokenthedoorsofSt。Méry。
　　Thereinlaytheenormity。
　　Suchrespectwascherishedforplacesofrefugethat，accordingtotradition，animalsevenfeltitattimes。Aymoirerelatesthatastag，beingchasedbyDagobert，havingtakenrefugenearthetombofSaint-Denis，thepackofhoundsstoppedshortandbarked。
　　Churchesgenerallyhadasmallapartmentpreparedforthereceptionofsupplicants。In1407，NicolasFlamelcausedtobebuiltonthevaultsofSaint-JacquesdelaBoucherie，achamberwhichcosthimfourlivressixsous，sixteenfarthings，parisis。
　　AtNotre-Dameitwasatinycellsituatedontheroofofthesideaisle，beneaththeflyingbuttresses，preciselyatthespotwherethewifeofthepresentjanitorofthetowershasmadeforherselfagarden，whichistothehanginggardensofBabylonwhatalettuceistoapalm-tree，whataporter’swifeistoaSemiramis。
　　ItwasherethatQuasimodohaddepositedlaEsmeralda，afterhiswildandtriumphantcourse。Aslongasthatcourselasted，theyounggirlhadbeenunabletorecoverhersenses，halfunconscious，halfawake，nolongerfeelinganything，exceptthatshewasmountingthroughtheair，floatinginit，flyinginit，thatsomethingwasraisingherabovetheearth。
　　Fromtimetotimesheheardtheloudlaughter，thenoisyvoiceofQuasimodoinherear；shehalfopenedhereyes；thenbelowhersheconfusedlybeheldParischeckeredwithitsthousandroofsofslateandtiles，likearedandbluemosaic，aboveherheadthefrightfulandjoyousfaceofQuasimodo。
　　Thenhereyelidsdroopedagain；shethoughtthatallwasover，thattheyhadexecutedherduringherswoon，andthatthemisshapenspiritwhichhadpresidedoverherdestiny，hadlaidholdofherandwasbearingheraway。Shedarednotlookathim，andshesurrenderedherselftoherfate。
　　Butwhenthebellringer，dishevelledandpanting，haddepositedherinthecellofrefuge，whenshefelthishugehandsgentlydetachingthecordwhichbruisedherarms，shefeltthatsortofshockwhichawakenswithastartthepassengersofavesselwhichrunsagroundinthemiddleofadarknight。Herthoughtsawokealso，andreturnedtoheronebyone。ShesawthatshewasinNotre-Dame；sherememberedhavingbeentornfromthehandsoftheexecutioner；thatPhoebuswasalive，thatPhoebuslovedhernolonger；andasthesetwoideas，oneofwhichshedsomuchbitternessovertheother，presentedthemselvessimultaneouslytothepoorcondemnedgirl；sheturnedtoQuasimodo，whowasstandinginfrontofher，andwhoterrifiedher；shesaidtohim，——"Whyhaveyousavedme？"
　　Hegazedatherwithanxiety，asthoughseekingtodivinewhatshewassayingtohim。Sherepeatedherquestion。
　　Thenhegaveheraprofoundlysorrowfulglanceandfled。
　　Shewasastonished。
　　Afewmomentslaterhereturned，bearingapackagewhichhecastatherfeet。Itwasclothingwhichsomecharitablewomenhadleftonthethresholdofthechurchforher。
　　Thenshedroppedhereyesuponherselfandsawthatshewasalmostnaked，andblushed。Lifehadreturned。
　　Quasimodoappearedtoexperiencesomethingofthismodesty。
　　Hecoveredhiseyeswithhislargehandandretiredoncemore，butslowly。
　　Shemadehastetodressherself。Therobewasawhiteonewithawhiteveil，——thegarbofanoviceoftheH？tel-Dien。
　　ShehadbarelyfinishedwhenshebeheldQuasimodoreturning。
　　Hecarriedabasketunderonearmandamattressundertheother。Inthebaskettherewasabottle，bread，andsomeprovisions。Hesetthebasketonthefloorandsaid，"Eat！"
　　Hespreadthemattressontheflaggingandsaid，"Sleep。"
　　Itwashisownrepast，itwashisownbed，whichthebellringerhadgoneinsearchof。
　　Thegypsyraisedhereyestothankhim，butshecouldnotarticulateaword。Shedroppedherheadwithaquiverofterror。
　　Thenhesaidtoher-
　　"Ifrightenyou。Iamveryugly，amInot？Donotlookatme；onlylistentome。Duringthedayyouwillremainhere；atnightyoucanwalkalloverthechurch。Butdonotleavethechurcheitherbydayorbynight。Youwouldbelost。Theywouldkillyou，andIshoulddie。"
　　Shewastouchedandraisedherheadtoanswerhim。Hehaddisappeared。Shefoundherselfaloneoncemore，meditatinguponthesingularwordsofthisalmostmonstrousbeing，andstruckbythesoundofhisvoice，whichwassohoarseyetsogentle。
　　Thensheexaminedhercell。Itwasachamberaboutsixfeetsquare，withasmallwindowandadoorontheslightlyslopingplaneoftheroofformedofflatstones。Manygutterswiththefiguresofanimalsseemedtobebendingdownaroundher，andstretchingtheirnecksinordertostareatherthroughthewindow。OvertheedgeofherroofsheperceivedthetopsofthousandsofchimneyswhichcausedthesmokeofallthefiresinParistorisebeneathhereyes。Asadsightforthepoorgypsy，afoundling，condemnedtodeath，anunhappycreature，withoutcountry，withoutfamily，withoutahearthstone。
　　Atthemomentwhenthethoughtofherisolationthusappearedtohermorepoignantthanever，shefeltabeardedandhairyheadglidebetweenherhands，uponherknees。Shestartedeverythingalarmedhernowandlooked。Itwasthepoorgoat，theagileDjali，whichhadmadeitsescapeafterher，atthemomentwhenQuasimodohadputtoflightCharmolue’sbrigade，andwhichhadbeenlavishingcaressesonherfeetfornearlyanhourpast，withoutbeingabletowinaglance。Thegypsycoveredhimwithkisses。
　　"Oh！Djali！"shesaid，"howIhaveforgottenthee！Andsothoustillthinkestofme！Oh！thouartnotaningrate！"
　　Atthesametime，asthoughaninvisiblehandhadliftedtheweightwhichhadrepressedhertearsinherheartforsolong，shebegantoweep，and，inproportionashertearsflowed，shefeltallthatwasmostacridandbitterinhergriefdepartwiththem。
　　Eveningcame，shethoughtthenightsobeautifulthatshemadethecircuitoftheelevatedgallerywhichsurroundsthechurch。Itaffordedhersomerelief，socalmdidtheearthappearwhenviewedfromthatheight。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　DEAF。
　　Onthefollowingmorning，sheperceivedonawaking，thatshehadbeenasleep。Thissingularthingastonishedher。
　　Shehadbeensolongunaccustomedtosleep！Ajoyousrayoftherisingsunenteredthroughherwindowandtouchedherface。Atthesametimewiththesun，shebeheldatthatwindowanobjectwhichfrightenedher，theunfortunatefaceofQuasimodo。Sheinvoluntarilyclosedhereyesagain，butinvain；shefanciedthatshestillsawthroughtherosylidsthatgnome’smask，one-eyedandgap-toothed。Then，whileshestillkepthereyesclosed，sheheardaroughvoicesaying，verygently，——
　　"Benotafraid。Iamyourfriend。Icametowatchyousleep。ItdoesnothurtyouifIcometoseeyousleep，doesit？WhatdifferencedoesitmaketoyouifIamherewhenyoureyesareclosed！NowIamgoing。Stay，Ihaveplacedmyselfbehindthewall。Youcanopenyoureyesagain。"
　　Therewassomethingmoreplaintivethanthesewords，andthatwastheaccentinwhichtheywereuttered。Thegypsy，muchtouched，openedhereyes。Hewas，infact，nolongeratthewindow。Sheapproachedtheopening，andbeheldthepoorhunchbackcrouchinginanangleofthewall，inasadandresignedattitude。Shemadeanefforttosurmounttherepugnancewithwhichheinspiredher。"Come，"shesaidtohimgently。Fromthemovementofthegypsy’slips，Quasimodothoughtthatshewasdrivinghimaway；thenheroseandretiredlimping，slowly，withdroopinghead，withoutevendaringtoraisetotheyounggirlhisgazefullofdespair。
　　"Docome，"shecried，buthecontinuedtoretreat。Thenshedartedfromhercell，rantohim，andgraspedhisarm。
　　Onfeelinghertouchhim，Quasimodotrembledineverylimb。
　　Heraisedhissupplianteye，andseeingthatshewasleadinghimbacktoherquarters，hiswholefacebeamedwithjoyandtenderness。Shetriedtomakehimenterthecell；buthepersistedinremainingonthethreshold。"No，no，"saidhe；
　　"theowlentersnotthenestofthelark。"
　　Thenshecroucheddowngracefullyonhercouch，withhergoatasleepatherfeet。Bothremainedmotionlessforseveralmoments，consideringinsilence，shesomuchgrace，hesomuchugliness。EverymomentshediscoveredsomefreshdeformityinQuasimodo。Herglancetravelledfromhisknockkneestohishumpedback，fromhishumpedbacktohisonlyeye。Shecouldnotcomprehendtheexistenceofabeingsoawkwardlyfashioned。Yettherewassomuchsadnessandsomuchgentlenessspreadoverallthis，thatshebegantobecomereconciledtoit。
　　Hewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。"Soyouweretellingmetoreturn？"
　　Shemadeanaffirmativesignofthehead，andsaid，"Yes。"
　　Heunderstoodthemotionofthehead。"Alas！"hesaid，asthoughhesitatingwhethertofinish，"Iam——Iamdeaf。"
　　"Poorman！"exclaimedtheBohemian，withanexpressionofkindlypity。
　　Hebegantosmilesadly。
　　"YouthinkthatthatwasallthatIlacked，doyounot？
　　Yes，Iamdeaf，thatisthewayIammade。’Tishorrible，isitnot？Youaresobeautiful！"
　　Therelayintheaccentsofthewretchedmansoprofoundaconsciousnessofhismisery，thatshehadnotthestrengthtosayaword。Besides，hewouldnothaveheardher。Hewenton，——
　　"NeverhaveIseenmyuglinessasatthepresentmoment。
　　WhenIcomparemyselftoyou，Ifeelaverygreatpityformyself，poorunhappymonsterthatIam！Tellme，Imustlooktoyoulikeabeast。You，youarearayofsunshine，adropofdew，thesongofabird！Iamsomethingfrightful，neithermannoranimal，Iknownotwhat，harder，moretrampledunderfoot，andmoreunshapelythanapebblestone！"
　　Thenhebegantolaugh，andthatlaughwasthemostheartbreakingthingintheworld。Hecontinued，——
　　"Yes，Iamdeaf；butyoushalltalktomebygestures，bysigns。Ihaveamasterwhotalkswithmeinthatway。
　　Andthen，Ishallverysoonknowyourwishfromthemovementofyourlips，fromyourlook。"
　　"Well！"sheinterposedwithasmile，"tellmewhyyousavedme。"
　　Hewatchedherattentivelywhileshewasspeaking。
　　"Iunderstand，"hereplied。"YouaskmewhyIsavedyou。Youhaveforgottenawretchwhotriedtoabductyouonenight，awretchtowhomyourenderedsuccoronthefollowingdayontheirinfamouspillory。Adropofwaterandalittlepity，——thatismorethanIcanrepaywithmylife。
　　Youhaveforgottenthatwretch；butheremembersit。"
　　Shelistenedtohimwithprofoundtenderness。Atearswamintheeyeofthebellringer，butdidnotfall。Heseemedtomakeitasortofpointofhonortoretainit。
　　"Listen，"heresumed，whenhewasnolongerafraidthatthetearwouldescape；"ourtowershereareveryhigh，amanwhoshouldfallfromthemwouldbedeadbeforetouchingthepavement；whenitshallpleaseyoutohavemefall，youwillnothavetoutterevenaword，aglancewillsuffice。"
　　Thenherose。UnhappyaswastheBohemian，thiseccentricbeingstillarousedsomecompassioninher。Shemadehimasigntoremain。
　　"No，no，"saidhe；"Imustnotremaintoolong。Iamnotatmyease。Itisoutofpitythatyoudonotturnawayyoureyes。IshallgotosomeplacewhereIcanseeyouwithoutyourseeingme:itwillbebetterso。"
　　Hedrewfromhispocketalittlemetalwhistle。
　　"Here，"saidhe，"whenyouhaveneedofme，whenyouwishmetocome，whenyouwillnotfeeltooranchhorroratthesightofme，usethiswhistle。Icanhearthissound。"
　　Helaidthewhistleonthefloorandfled。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　EARTHENWAREANDCRYSTAL。
　　Dayfollowedday。CalmgraduallyreturnedtothesouloflaEsmeralda。Excessofgrief，likeexcessofjoyisaviolentthingwhichlastsbutashorttime。Theheartofmancannotremainlonginoneextremity。Thegypsyhadsufferedsomuch，thatnothingwasleftherbutastonishment。Withsecurity，hopehadreturnedtoher。Shewasoutsidethepaleofsociety，outsidethepaleoflife，butshehadavaguefeelingthatitmightnotbeimpossibletoreturntoit。Shewaslikeadeadperson，whoshouldholdinreservethekeytohertomb。
　　Shefelttheterribleimageswhichhadsolongpersecutedher，graduallydeparting。Allthehideousphantoms，PierratTorterue，JacquesCharmolue，wereeffacedfromhermind，all，eventhepriest。
　　Andthen，Phoebuswasalive；shewassureofit，shehadseenhim。ToherthefactofPhoebusbeingalivewaseverything。
　　Aftertheseriesoffatalshockswhichhadoverturnedeverythingwithinher，shehadfoundbutonethingintactinhersoul，onesentiment，——herloveforthecaptain。Loveislikeatree；itsproutsforthofitself，sendsitsrootsoutdeeplythroughourwholebeing，andoftencontinuestoflourishgreenlyoveraheartinruins。
　　Andtheinexplicablepointaboutitisthatthemoreblindisthispassion，themoretenaciousitis。Itisnevermoresolidthanwhenithasnoreasoninit。
　　LaEsmeraldadidnotthinkofthecaptainwithoutbitterness，nodoubt。Nodoubtitwasterriblethathealsoshouldhavebeendeceived；thatheshouldhavebelievedthatimpossiblething，thathecouldhaveconceivedofastabdealtbyherwhowouldhavegivenathousandlivesforhim。But，afterall，shemustnotbetooangrywithhimforit；hadshenotconfessedhercrime？hadshenotyielded，weakwomanthatshewas，totorture？Thefaultwasentirelyhers。Sheshouldhaveallowedherfingernailstobetornoutratherthansuchawordtobewrenchedfromher。Inshort，ifshecouldbutseePhoebusoncemore，forasingleminute，onlyonewordwouldberequired，onelook，inordertoundeceivehim，tobringhimback。Shedidnotdoubtit。Shewasastonishedalsoatmanysingularthings，attheaccidentofPhoebus’spresenceonthedayofthepenance，attheyounggirlwithwhomhehadbeen。Shewashissister，nodoubt。
　　Anunreasonableexplanation，butshecontentedherselfwithit，becausesheneededtobelievethatPhoebusstilllovedher，andlovedheralone。Hadhenotswornittoher？Whatmorewasneeded，simpleandcredulousasshewas？Andthen，inthismatter，werenotappearancesmuchmoreagainstherthanagainsthim？Accordingly，shewaited。Shehoped。
　　Letusaddthatthechurch，thatvastchurch，whichsurroundedheroneveryside，whichguardedher，whichsavedher，wasitselfasovereigntranquillizer。Thesolemnlinesofthatarchitecture，thereligiousattitudeofalltheobjectswhichsurroundedtheyounggirl，thesereneandpiousthoughtswhichemanated，sotospeak，fromalltheporesofthatstone，acteduponherwithoutherbeingawareofit。
　　Theedificehadalsosoundsfraughtwithsuchbenedictionandsuchmajesty，thattheysoothedthisailingsoul。Themonotonouschantingofthecelebrants，theresponsesofthepeopletothepriest，sometimesinarticulate，sometimesthunderous，theharmonioustremblingofthepaintedwindows，theorgan，burstingforthlikeahundredtrumpets，thethreebelfries，humminglikehivesofhugebees，thatwholeorchestraonwhichboundedagiganticscale，ascending，descendingincessantlyfromthevoiceofathrongtothatofonebell，dulledhermemory，herimagination，hergrief。Thebells，inparticular，lulledher。Itwassomethinglikeapowerfulmagnetismwhichthosevastinstrumentsshedoverheringreatwaves。
　　Thuseverysunrisefoundhermorecalm，breathingbetter，lesspale。Inproportionasherinwardwoundsclosed，hergraceandbeautyblossomedoncemoreonhercountenance，butmorethoughtful，morereposeful。Herformercharacteralsoreturnedtoher，somewhatevenofhergayety，herprettypout，herloveforhergoat，herloveforsinging，hermodesty。
　　Shetookcaretodressherselfinthemorninginthecornerofhercellforfearsomeinhabitantsoftheneighboringatticsmightseeherthroughthewindow。
　　WhenthethoughtofPhoebuslefthertime，thegypsysometimesthoughtofQuasimodo。Hewasthesolebond，thesoleconnection，thesolecommunicationwhichremainedtoherwithmen，withtheliving。Unfortunategirl！shewasmoreoutsidetheworldthanQuasimodo。Sheunderstoodnotintheleastthestrangefriendwhomchancehadgivenher。
　　Sheoftenreproachedherselffornotfeelingagratitudewhichshouldclosehereyes，butdecidedly，shecouldnotaccustomherselftothepoorbellringer。Hewastoougly。
　　Shehadleftthewhistlewhichhehadgivenherlyingontheground。ThisdidnotpreventQuasimodofrommakinghisappearancefromtimetotimeduringthefirstfewdays。Shedidherbestnottoturnasidewithtoomuchrepugnancewhenhecametobringherherbasketofprovisionsorherjugofwater，buthealwaysperceivedtheslightestmovementofthissort，andthenhewithdrewsadly。
　　OncehecameatthemomentwhenshewascaressingDjali。Hestoodpensivelyforseveralminutesbeforethisgracefulgroupofthegoatandthegypsy；atlasthesaid，shakinghisheavyandill-formedhead，——
　　"MymisfortuneisthatIstillresembleamantoomuch。I
　　shouldliketobewhollyabeastlikethatgoat。"
　　Shegazedathiminamazement。
　　Herepliedtotheglance，——
　　"Oh！Iwellknowwhy，"andhewentaway。
　　OnanotheroccasionhepresentedhimselfatthedoorofthecellwhichheneverenteredatthemomentwhenlaEsmeraldawassinginganoldSpanishballad，thewordsofwhichshedidnotunderstand，butwhichhadlingeredinherearbecausethegypsywomenhadlulledhertosleepwithitwhenshewasalittlechild。Atthesightofthatvillanousformwhichmadeitsappearancesoabruptlyinthemiddleofhersong，theyounggirlpausedwithaninvoluntarygestureofalarm。Theunhappybellringerfelluponhiskneesonthethreshold，andclaspedhislarge，misshapenhandswithasuppliantair。"Oh！"hesaid，sorrowfully，"continue，I
　　imploreyou，anddonotdrivemeaway。"Shedidnotwishtopainhim，andresumedherlay，tremblingallover。Bydegrees，however，herterrordisappeared，andsheyieldedherselfwhollytotheslowandmelancholyairwhichshewassinging。
　　Heremainedonhiskneeswithhandsclasped，asinprayer，attentive，hardlybreathing，hisgazeriveteduponthegypsy’sbrillianteyes。
　　Onanotheroccasion，hecametoherwithanawkwardandtimidair。"Listen，"hesaid，withaneffort；"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。"Shemadehimasignthatshewaslistening。Thenhebegantosigh，halfopenedhislips，appearedforamomenttobeonthepointofspeaking，thenhelookedatheragain，shookhishead，andwithdrewslowly，withhisbrowinhishand，leavingthegypsystupefied。
　　Amongthegrotesquepersonagessculpturedonthewall，therewasonetowhomhewasparticularlyattached，andwithwhichheoftenseemedtoexchangefraternalglances。
　　Oncethegypsyheardhimsayingtoit，——
　　"Oh！whyamnotIofstone，likeyou！"
　　Atlast，onemorning，laEsmeraldahadadvancedtotheedgeoftheroof，andwaslookingintothePlaceoverthepointedroofofSaint-JeanleRond。Quasimodowasstandingbehindher。Hehadplacedhimselfinthatpositioninordertosparetheyounggirl，asfaraspossible，thedispleasureofseeinghim。Allatoncethegypsystarted，atearandaflashofjoygleamedsimultaneouslyinhereyes，shekneltonthebrinkoftheroofandextendedherarmstowardsthePlacewithanguish，exclaiming:"Phoebus！come！come！
　　aword，asinglewordinthenameofheaven！Phoebus！
　　Phoebus！"Hervoice，herface，hergesture，herwholepersonboretheheartrendingexpressionofashipwreckedmanwhoismakingasignalofdistresstothejoyousvesselwhichispassingafaroffinarayofsunlightonthehorizon。
　　QuasimodoleanedoverthePlace，andsawthattheobjectofthistenderandagonizingprayerwasayoungman，acaptain，ahandsomecavalierallglitteringwitharmsanddecorations，prancingacrosstheendofthePlace，andsalutingwithhisplumeabeautifulladywhowassmilingathimfromherbalcony。However，theofficerdidnotheartheunhappygirlcallinghim；hewastoofaraway。
　　Butthepoordeafmanheard。Aprofoundsighheavedhisbreast；heturnedround；hisheartwasswollenwithallthetearswhichhewasswallowing；hisconvulsively-clenchedfistsstruckagainsthishead，andwhenhewithdrewthemtherewasabunchofredhairineachhand。
　　Thegypsypaidnoheedtohim。Hesaidinalowvoiceashegnashedhisteeth，——
　　"Damnation！Thatiswhatoneshouldbelike！’Tisonlynecessarytobehandsomeontheoutside！"
　　Meanwhile，sheremainedkneeling，andcriedwithextraor-
　　dinaryagitation，——
　　"Oh！thereheisalightingfromhishorse！Heisabouttoenterthathouse！——Phoebus！——Hedoesnothearme！Phoebus！——Howwickedthatwomanistospeaktohimatthesametimewithme！Phoebus！Phoebus！"
　　Thedeafmangazedather。Heunderstoodthispantomime。
　　Thepoorbellringer’seyefilledwithtears，butheletnonefall。Allatoncehepulledhergentlybytheborderofhersleeve。Sheturnedround。Hehadassumedatranquilair；
　　hesaidtoher，——
　　"Wouldyouliketohavemebringhimtoyou？"
　　Sheutteredacryofjoy。
　　"Oh！go！hasten！run！quick！thatcaptain！thatcaptain！
　　bringhimtome！Iwillloveyouforit！"
　　Sheclaspedhisknees。Hecouldnotrefrainfromshakinghisheadsadly。
　　"Iwillbringhimtoyou，"hesaid，inaweakvoice。Thenheturnedhisheadandplungeddownthestaircasewithgreatstrides，stiflingwithsobs。
　　WhenhereachedthePlace，henolongersawanythingexceptthehandsomehorsehitchedatthedooroftheGondelaurierhouse；thecaptainhadjustenteredthere。
　　Heraisedhiseyestotheroofofthechurch。LaEsmeraldawasthereinthesamespot，inthesameattitude。Hemadeherasadsignwithhishead；thenheplantedhisbackagainstoneofthestonepostsoftheGondelaurierporch，determinedtowaituntilthecaptainshouldcomeforth。
　　IntheGondelaurierhouseitwasoneofthosegaladayswhichprecedeawedding。Quasimodobeheldmanypeopleenter，butnoonecomeout。Hecastaglancetowardstherooffromtimetotime；thegypsydidnotstiranymorethanhimself。Agroomcameandunhitchedthehorseandledittothestableofthehouse。
　　Theentiredaypassedthus，Quasimodoathispost，laEsmeraldaontheroof，Phoebus，nodoubt，atthefeetofFleur-de-Lys。
　　Atlengthnightcame，amoonlessnight，adarknight。
　　QuasimodofixedhisgazeinvainuponlaEsmeralda；soonshewasnomorethanawhitenessamidthetwilight；thennothing。Allwaseffaced，allwasblack。
　　QuasimodobeheldthefrontwindowsfromtoptobottomoftheGondelauriermansionilluminated；hesawtheothercasementsinthePlacelightedonebyone，healsosawthemextinguishedtotheverylast，forheremainedthewholeeveningathispost。Theofficerdidnotcomeforth。Whenthelastpassers-byhadreturnedhome，whenthewindowsofalltheotherhouseswereextinguished，Quasimodowasleftentirelyalone，entirelyinthedark。TherewereatthattimenolampsinthesquarebeforeNotre-Dame。
　　Meanwhile，thewindowsoftheGondelauriermansionremainedlighted，evenaftermidnight。Quasimodo，motionlessandattentive，beheldathrongoflively，dancingshadowspassathwartthemany-coloredpaintedpanes。Hadhenotbeendeaf，hewouldhaveheardmoreandmoredistinctly，inproportionasthenoiseofsleepingParisdiedaway，asoundoffeasting，laughter，andmusicintheGondelauriermansion。
　　Towardsoneo’clockinthemorning，theguestsbegantotaketheirleave。Quasimodo，shroudedindarknesswatchedthemallpassoutthroughtheporchilluminatedwithtorches。
　　Noneofthemwasthecaptain。
　　Hewasfilledwithsadthoughts；attimeshelookedupwardsintotheair，likeapersonwhoiswearyofwaiting。Greatblackclouds，heavy，torn，split，hunglikecrapehammocksbeneaththestarrydomeofnight。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemspiders’websofthevaultofheaven。
　　Inoneofthesemomentshesuddenlybeheldthelongwindowonthebalcony，whosestonebalustradeprojectedabovehishead，openmysteriously。Thefrailglassdoorgavepassagetotwopersons，andclosednoiselesslybehindthem；
　　itwasamanandawoman。
　　ItwasnotwithoutdifficultythatQuasimodosucceededinrecognizinginthemanthehandsomecaptain，inthewomantheyoungladywhomhehadseenwelcometheofficerinthemorningfromthatverybalcony。Theplacewasperfectlydark，andadoublecrimsoncurtainwhichhadfallenacrossthedoortheverymomentitclosedagain，allowednolighttoreachthebalconyfromtheapartment。
　　Theyoungmanandtheyounggirl，sofarasourdeafmancouldjudge，withouthearingasingleoneoftheirwords，appearedtoabandonthemselvestoaverytendertête-a-tête。
　　Theyounggirlseemedtohaveallowedtheofficertomakeagirdleforherofhisarm，andgentlyrepulsedakiss。
　　Quasimodolookedonfrombelowatthisscenewhichwasallthemorepleasingtowitnessbecauseitwasnotmeanttobeseen。Hecontemplatedwithbitternessthatbeauty，thathappiness。Afterall，naturewasnotdumbinthepoorfellow，andhishumansensibility，allmaliciouslycontortedasitwas，quiverednolessthananyother。HethoughtofthemiserableportionwhichProvidencehadallottedtohim；thatwomanandthepleasureoflove，wouldpassforeverbeforehiseyes，andthatheshouldneverdoanythingbutbeholdthefelicityofothers。Butthatwhichrenthisheartmostinthissight，thatwhichmingledindignationwithhisanger，wasthethoughtofwhatthegypsywouldsuffercouldshebeholdit。
　　Itistruethatthenightwasverydark，thatlaEsmeralda，ifshehadremainedatherpostandhehadnodoubtofthis，wasveryfaraway，andthatitwasallthathehimselfcoulddotodistinguishtheloversonthebalcony。Thisconsoledhim。
　　Meanwhile，theirconversationgrewmoreandmoreanimated。
　　Theyoungladyappearedtobeentreatingtheofficertoasknothingmoreofher。OfallthisQuasimodocoulddistinguishonlythebeautifulclaspedhands，thesmilesmingledwithtears，theyounggirl’sglancesdirectedtothestars，theeyesofthecaptainloweredardentlyuponher。
　　Fortunately，fortheyounggirlwasbeginningtoresistbutfeebly，thedoorofthebalconysuddenlyopenedoncemoreandanolddameappeared；thebeautyseemedconfused，theofficerassumedanairofdispleasure，andallthreewithdrew。
　　Amomentlater，ahorsewaschampinghisbitundertheporch，andthebrilliantofficer，envelopedinhisnightcloak，passedrapidlybeforeQuasimodo。
　　Thebellringerallowedhimtoturnthecornerofthestreet，thenheranafterhimwithhisape-likeagility，shouting:
　　"Heythere！captain！"
　　Thecaptainhalted。
　　"Whatwantsthisknavewithme？"hesaid，catchingsightthroughthegloomofthathipshotformwhichranlimpingafterhim。
　　Meanwhile，Quasimodohadcaughtupwithhim，andhadboldlygraspedhishorse’sbridle:"Followme，captain；thereisoneherewhodesirestospeakwithyou！
　　"~Cornemahom~！"grumbledPhoebus，"here’savillanous；
　　ruffledbirdwhichIfancyIhaveseensomewhere。Holà
　　master，willyouletmyhorse’sbridlealone？"
　　"Captain，"repliedthedeafman，"doyounotaskmewhoitis？"
　　"Itellyoutoreleasemyhorse，"retortedPhoebus，impatiently。
　　"Whatmeanstheknavebyclingingtothebridleofmysteed？
　　Doyoutakemyhorseforagallows？"
　　Quasimodo，farfromreleasingthebridle，preparedtoforcehimtoretracehissteps。Unabletocomprehendthecaptain’sresistance，hehastenedtosaytohim，——
　　"Come，captain，’tisawomanwhoiswaitingforyou。"Headdedwithaneffort:"Awomanwholovesyou。"
　　"Ararerascal！"saidthecaptain，"whothinksmeobligedtogotoallthewomenwholoveme！orwhosaytheydo。
　　Andwhatif，bychance，sheshouldresembleyou，youfaceofascreech-owl？TellthewomanwhohassentyouthatIamabouttomarry，andthatshemaygotothedevil！"
　　"Listen，"exclaimedQuasimodo，thinkingtoovercomehishesitationwithaword，"come，monseigneur！’tisthegypsywhomyouknow！"
　　Thisworddid，indeed，produceagreateffectonPhoebus，butnotofthekindwhichthedeafmanexpected。ItwillberememberedthatourgallantofficerhadretiredwithFleur-
　　de-LysseveralmomentsbeforeQuasimodohadrescuedthecondemnedgirlfromthehandsofCharmolue。Afterwards，inallhisvisitstotheGondelauriermansionhehadtakencarenottomentionthatwoman，thememoryofwhomwas，afterall，painfultohim；andonherside，Fleur-de-Lyshadnotdeemeditpolitictotellhimthatthegypsywasalive。
　　HencePhoebusbelievedpoor"Similar"tobedead，andthatamonthortwohadelapsedsinceherdeath。Letusaddthatforthelastfewmomentsthecaptainhadbeenreflectingontheprofounddarknessofthenight，thesupernaturalugliness，thesepulchralvoiceofthestrangemessenger；thatitwaspastmidnight；thatthestreetwasdeserted，asontheeveningwhenthesurlymonkhadaccostedhim；andthathishorsesnortedasitlookedatQuasimodo。
　　"Thegypsy！"heexclaimed，almostfrightened。"Lookhere，doyoucomefromtheotherworld？"
　　Andhelaidhishandonthehiltofhisdagger。
　　"Quick，quick，"saidthedeafman，endeavoringtodragthehorsealong；"thisway！"
　　Phoebusdealthimavigorouskickinthebreast。
　　Quasimodo’seyeflashed。Hemadeamotiontoflinghimselfonthecaptain。Thenhedrewhimselfupstifflyandsaid，——
　　"Oh！howhappyyouaretohavesomeonewholovesyou！"
　　Heemphasizedthewords"someone，"andloosingthehorse’sbridle，——
　　"Begone！"
　　Phoebusspurredoninallhaste，swearing。Quasimodowatchedhimdisappearintheshadesofthestreet。
　　"Oh！"saidthepoordeafman，inaverylowvoice；"torefusethat！"
　　Here-enteredNotre-Dame，lightedhislampandclimbedtothetoweragain。Thegypsywasstillinthesameplace，ashehadsupposed。
　　Sheflewtomeethimasfaroffasshecouldseehim。
　　"Alone！"shecried，claspingherbeautifulhandssorrowfully。
　　"Icouldnotfindhim，"saidQuasimodocoldly。
　　"Youshouldhavewaitedallnight，"shesaidangrily。
　　Hesawhergestureofwrath，andunderstoodthereproach。
　　"Iwilllieinwaitforhimbetteranothertime，"hesaid，droppinghishead。
　　"Begone！"shesaidtohim。
　　Helefther。Shewasdispleasedwithhim。Hepreferredtohaveherabusehimratherthantohaveafflictedher。Hehadkeptallthepaintohimself。
　　Fromthatdayforth，thegypsynolongersawhim。Heceasedtocometohercell。Atthemostsheoccasionallycaughtaglimpseatthesummitofthetowers，ofthebellringer’sfaceturnedsadlytoher。Butassoonassheperceivedhim，hedisappeared。
　　Wemustadmitthatshewasnotmuchgrievedbythisvoluntaryabsenceonthepartofthepoorhunchback。Atthebottomofherheartshewasgratefultohimforit。
　　Moreover，Quasimododidnotdeceivehimselfonthispoint。
　　Shenolongersawhim，butshefeltthepresenceofagoodgeniusabouther。Herprovisionswerereplenishedbyaninvisiblehandduringherslumbers。Onemorningshefoundacageofbirdsonherwindow。Therewasapieceofsculptureaboveherwindowwhichfrightenedher。ShehadshownthismorethanonceinQuasimodo’spresence。Onemorning，forallthesethingshappenedatnight，shenolongersawit，ithadbeenbroken。Thepersonwhohadclimbeduptothatcarvingmusthaveriskedhislife。
　　Sometimes，intheevening，sheheardavoice，concealedbeneaththewindscreenofthebelltower，singingasad，strangesong，asthoughtolullhertosleep。Thelineswereunrhymed，suchasadeafpersoncanmake。
　　~Neregardepaslafigure，Jeunefille，regardelecoeur。
　　Lecoeurd’unbeaujeunehommeestsouventdifforme。
　　Ilyadescoeursoul’amourneseconservepas~。
　　~Jeunefille，lesapinn’estpasbeau，N’estpasbeaucommelepeuplier，Maisilgardesonfeuillagel’hiver~。
　　~Hélas！aquoibondirecela？
　　Cequin’estpasbeauatortd’être；
　　Labeautén’aimequelabeauté，AvriltourneledosaJanvier~。
　　~Labeautéestparfaite，Labeautépeuttout，Labeautéestlaseulechosequin’existepàsademi~。
　　~Lecorbeaunevolequelejour，Lehibounevolequelanuit，Lecygnevolelanuitetlejour~。*
　　*Looknotattheface，younggirl，lookattheheart。Theheartofahandsomeyoungmanisoftendeformed。Thereareheartsinwhichlovedoesnotkeep。Younggirl，thepineisnotbeautiful；itisnotbeautifullikethepoplar，butitkeepsitsfoliageinwinter。Alas！Whatistheuseofsayingthat？
　　Thatwhichisnotbeautifulhasnorighttoexist；beautylovesonlybeauty；AprilturnsherbackonJanuary。Beautyisperfect，beautycandoallthings，beautyistheonlythingwhichdoesnotexistbyhalves。Theravenfliesonlybyday，theowlfliesonlybynight，theswanfliesbydayandbynight。
　　Onemorning，onawaking，shesawonherwindowtwovasesfilledwithflowers。Onewasaverybeautifulandverybrilliantbutcrackedvaseofglass。Ithadallowedthewaterwithwhichithadbeenfilledtoescape，andtheflowerswhichitcontainedwerewithered。Theotherwasanearthenwarepot，coarseandcommon，butwhichhadpreservedallitswater，anditsflowersremainedfreshandcrimson。
　　Iknownotwhetheritwasdoneintentionally，butLaEsmeraldatookthefadednosegayandworeitalldaylonguponherbreast。
　　Thatdayshedidnothearthevoicesinginginthetower。
　　Shetroubledherselfverylittleaboutit。ShepassedherdaysincaressingDjali，inwatchingthedooroftheGondelaurierhouse，intalkingtoherselfaboutPhoebus，andincrumblingupherbreadfortheswallows。
　　ShehadentirelyceasedtoseeorhearQuasimodo。Thepoorbellringerseemedtohavedisappearedfromthechurch。
　　Onenight，nevertheless，whenshewasnotasleep，butwasthinkingofherhandsomecaptain，sheheardsomethingbreathingnearhercell。Sheroseinalarm，andsawbythelightofthemoon，ashapelessmasslyingacrossherdoorontheoutside。ItwasQuasimodoasleepthereuponthestones。