Hevaguelyrecalledthispopulace，andthoughtthatherecognizedalltheheadswhohadsalutedhimasPopeoftheFoolssomemonthspreviously。Onemanwhoheldatorchinonehandandaclubintheother，mountedastonepostandseemedtobeharanguingthem。Atthesametimethestrangearmyexecutedseveralevolutions，asthoughitweretakingupitspostaroundthechurch。Quasimodopickeduphislanternanddescendedtotheplatformbetweenthetowers，inordertogetanearerview，andtospyoutameansofdefence。
　　ClopinTrouillefou，onarrivinginfrontoftheloftyportalofNotre-Damehad，infact，rangedhistroopsinorderofbattle。Althoughheexpectednoresistance，hewished，likeaprudentgeneral，topreserveanorderwhichwouldpermithimtoface，atneed，asuddenattackofthewatchorthepolice。Hehadaccordinglystationedhisbrigadeinsuchamannerthat，viewedfromaboveandfromadistance，onewouldhavepronouncedittheRomantriangleofthebattleofEcnomus，theboar’sheadofAlexanderorthefamouswedgeofGustavusAdolphus。ThebaseofthistrianglerestedonthebackofthePlaceinsuchamannerastobartheentranceoftheRueduParvis；oneofitssidesfacedH？tel-Dieu，theothertheRueSaint-Pierre-aux-Boeufs。ClopinTrouillefouhadplacedhimselfattheapexwiththeDukeofEgypt，ourfriendJehan，andthemostdaringofthescavengers。
　　AnenterpriselikethatwhichthevagabondswerenowundertakingagainstNotre-DamewasnotaveryrarethinginthecitiesoftheMiddleAges。Whatwenowcallthe"police"didnotexistthen。Inpopulouscities，especiallyincapitals，thereexistednosingle，central，regulatingpower。Feudalismhadconstructedthesegreatcommunitiesinasingularmanner。Acitywasanassemblyofathousandseigneuries，whichdivideditintocompartmentsofallshapesandsizes。Hence，athousandconflictingestablishmentsofpolice；thatistosay，nopoliceatall。InParis，forexample，independentlyofthehundredandforty-onelordswholaidclaimtoamanor，therewerefiveandtwentywholaidclaimtoamanorandtoadministeringjustice，fromtheBishopofParis，whohadfivehundredstreets，tothePriorofNotre-
　　DamedesChamps，whohadfour。Allthesefeudaljusticesrecognizedthesuzerainauthorityofthekingonlyinname。
　　Allpossessedtherightofcontrolovertheroads。Allwereathome。LouisXI。，thatindefatigableworker，whosolargelybeganthedemolitionofthefeudaledifice，continuedbyRichelieuandLouisXIV。fortheprofitofroyalty，andfinishedbyMirabeauforthebenefitofthepeople，——LouisXI。hadcertainlymadeanefforttobreakthisnetworkofseignorieswhichcoveredParis，bythrowingviolentlyacrossthemalltwoorthreetroopsofgeneralpolice。Thus，in1465，anordertotheinhabitantstolightcandlesintheirwindowsatnightfall，andtoshutuptheirdogsunderpenaltyofdeath；
　　inthesameyear，anordertoclosethestreetsintheeveningwithironchains，andaprohibitiontoweardaggersorweaponsofoffenceinthestreetsatnight。Butinaveryshorttime，alltheseeffortsatcommunallegislationfellintoabeyance。
　　Thebourgeoispermittedthewindtoblowouttheircandlesinthewindows，andtheirdogstostray；theironchainswerestretchedonlyinastateofsiege；theprohibitiontoweardaggerswroughtnootherchangesthanfromthenameoftheRueCoupe-GueuletothenameoftheRue-Coupe-Gorge*
　　whichisanevidentprogress。Theoldscaffoldingoffeudaljurisdictionsremainedstanding；animmenseaggregationofbailiwicksandseignoriescrossingeachotheralloverthecity，interferingwitheachother，entangledinoneanother，enmeshingeachother，trespassingoneachother；auselessthicketofwatches，sub-watchesandcounter-watches，overwhich，witharmedforce，passedbrigandage，rapine，andsedition。Hence，inthisdisorder，deedsofviolenceonthepartofthepopulacedirectedagainstapalace，ahotel，orhouseinthemostthicklypopulatedquarters，werenotunheard-ofoccurrences。Inthemajorityofsuchcases，theneighborsdidnotmeddlewiththematterunlessthepillagingextendedtothemselves。
　　Theystoppeduptheirearstothemusketshots，closedtheirshutters，barricadedtheirdoors，allowedthemattertobeconcludedwithorwithoutthewatch，andthenextdayitwassaidinParis，"EtienneBarbettewasbrokenopenlastnight。
　　TheMarshaldeClermontwasseizedlastnight，etc。"Hence，notonlytheroyalhabitations，theLouvre，thePalace，theBastille，theTournelles，butsimplyseignorialresidences，thePetit-Bourbon，theH？teldeSens，theH？teld’Angoulême，etc。，hadbattlementsontheirwalls，andmachicolationsovertheirdoors。Churcheswereguardedbytheirsanctity。Some，amongthenumberNotre-Dame，werefortified。TheAbbeyofSaint-German-des-Preswascastellatedlikeabaronialmansion，andmorebrassexpendedaboutitinbombardsthaninbells。Itsfortresswasstilltobeseenin1610。To-day，barelyitschurchremains。
　　*Cut-throat。Coupe-gueulebeingthevulgarwordforcut-weazand。
　　LetusreturntoNotre-Dame。
　　Whenthefirstarrangementswerecompleted，andwemustsay，tothehonorofvagabonddiscipline，thatClopin’sorderswereexecutedinsilence，andwithadmirableprecision，theworthychiefoftheband，mountedontheparapetofthechurchsquare，andraisedhishoarseandsurlyvoice，turningtowardsNotre-Dame，andbrandishinghistorchwhoselight，tossedbythewind，andveiledeverymomentbyitsownsmoke，madethereddishfa？adeofthechurchappearanddisappearbeforetheeye。
　　"Toyou，LouisdeBeaumont，bishopofParis，counsellorintheCourtofParliament，I，ClopinTrouillefou，kingofThunes，grandCo？sre，princeofArgot，bishopoffools，Isay:Oursister，falselycondemnedformagic，hathtakenrefugeinyourchurch，youoweherasylumandsafety。NowtheCourtofParliamentwishestoseizeheroncemorethere，andyouconsenttoit；sothatshewouldbehangedto-morrowintheGrève，ifGodandtheoutcastswerenothere。Ifyourchurchissacred，soisoursister；ifoursisterisnotsacred，neitherisyourchurch。Thatiswhywecalluponyoutoreturnthegirlifyouwishtosaveyourchurch，orwewilltakepossessionofthegirlagainandpillagethechurch，whichwillbeagoodthing。IntokenofwhichIhereplantmybanner，andmayGodpreserveyou，bishopofParis，"
　　Quasimodocouldnot，unfortunately，hearthesewordsutteredwithasortofsombreandsavagemajesty。AvagabondpresentedhisbannertoClopin，whoplanteditsolemnlybetweentwopaving-stones。Itwasapitchforkfromwhosepointshungableedingquarterofcarrionmeat。
　　Thatdone，theKingofThunesturnedroundandcasthiseyesoverhisarmy，afiercemultitudewhoseglancesflashedalmostequallywiththeirpikes。Afteramomentarypause，——"Forward，mySons！"hecried；"towork，locksmiths！"
　　Thirtyboldmen，squareshouldered，andwithpick-lockfaces，steppedfromtheranks，withhammers，pincers，andbarsofironontheirshoulders。Theybetookthemselvestotheprincipaldoorofthechurch，ascendedthesteps，andweresoontobeseensquattingunderthearch，workingatthedoorwithpincersandlevers；athrongofvagabondsfollowedthemtohelporlookon。Theelevenstepsbeforetheportalwerecoveredwiththem。
　　Butthedoorstoodfirm。"Thedevil！’tishardandobstinate！"saidone。"Itisold，anditsgristleshavebecomebony，"saidanother。"Courage，comrades！"resumedClopin。
　　"Iwagermyheadagainstadipperthatyouwillhaveopenedthedoor，rescuedthegirl，anddespoiledthechiefaltarbeforeasinglebeadleisawake。Stay！IthinkI
　　hearthelockbreakingup。"
　　Clopinwasinterruptedbyafrightfuluproarwhichre-
　　soundedbehindhimatthatmoment。Hewheeledround。
　　Anenormousbeamhadjustfallenfromabove；ithadcrushedadozenvagabondsonthepavementwiththesoundofacannon，breakinginaddition，legshereandthereinthecrowdofbeggars，whosprangasidewithcriesofterror。Inatwinkling，thenarrowprecinctsofthechurchparviswerecleared。Thelocksmiths，althoughprotectedbythedeepvaultsoftheportal，abandonedthedoorandClopinhimselfretiredtoarespectfuldistancefromthechurch。
　　"Ihadanarrowescape！"criedJehan。"Ifeltthewind，ofit，~tête-de-boeuf~！butPierretheSlaughtererisslaughtered！"
　　Itisimpossibletodescribetheastonishmentmingledwithfrightwhichfellupontheruffiansincompanywiththisbeam。
　　Theyremainedforseveralminuteswiththeireyesintheair，moredismayedbythatpieceofwoodthanbytheking’stwentythousandarchers。
　　"Satan！"mutteredtheDukeofEgypt，"thissmacksofmagic！"
　　"’Tisthemoonwhichthrewthislogatus，"saidAndrytheRed。
　　"CallthemoonthefriendoftheVirgin，afterthat！"wentonFrancoisChanteprune。
　　"Athousandpopes！"exclaimedClopin，"youareallfools！"Buthedidnotknowhowtoexplainthefallofthebeam。
　　Meanwhile，nothingcouldbedistinguishedonthefa？ade，towhosesummitthelightofthetorchesdidnotreach。Theheavybeamlayinthemiddleoftheenclosure，andgroanswereheardfromthepoorwretcheswhohadreceiveditsfirstshock，andwhohadbeenalmostcutintwain，ontheangleofthestonesteps。
　　TheKingofThunes，hisfirstamazementpassed，finallyfoundanexplanationwhichappearedplausibletohiscompanions。
　　"ThroatofGod！arethecanonsdefendingthemselves？Tothesack，then！tothesack！"
　　"Tothesack！"repeatedtherabble，withafurioushurrah。
　　Adischargeofcrossbowsandhackbutsagainstthefrontofthechurchfollowed。
　　Atthisdetonation，thepeaceableinhabitantsofthesurroundinghouseswokeup；manywindowswereseentoopen，andnightcapsandhandsholdingcandlesappearedatthecasements。
　　"Fireatthewindows，"shoutedClopin。Thewindowswereimmediatelyclosed，andthepoorbourgeois，whohadhardlyhadtimetocastafrightenedglanceonthissceneofgleamsandtumult，returned，perspiringwithfeartotheirwives，askingthemselveswhetherthewitches’sabbathwasnowbeingheldintheparvisofNotre-Dame，orwhethertherewasanassaultofBurgundians，asin’64。Thenthehusbandsthoughtoftheft；thewives，ofrape；andalltrembled。
　　"Tothesack！"repeatedthethieves’crew；buttheydarednotapproach。Theystaredatthebeam，theystaredatthechurch。Thebeamdidnotstir，theedificepreserveditscalmanddesertedair；butsomethingchilledtheoutcasts。
　　"Towork，locksmiths！"shoutedTrouillefou。"Letthedoorbeforced！"
　　Noonetookastep。
　　"Beardandbelly！"saidClopin，"herebemenafraidofabeam。"
　　Anoldlocksmithaddressedhim——
　　"Captain，’tisnotthebeamwhichbothersus，’tisthedoor，whichisallcoveredwithironbars。Ourpincersarepowerlessagainstit。"
　　"Whatmoredoyouwanttobreakitin？"demandedClopin。
　　"Ah！weoughttohaveabatteringram。"
　　TheKingofThunesranboldlytotheformidablebeam，andplacedhisfootuponit:"Hereisone！"heexclaimed；"’tisthecanonswhosendittoyou。"And，makingamockingsaluteinthedirectionofthechurch，"Thanks，canons！"
　　Thispieceofbravadoproduceditseffects，——thespellofthebeamwasbroken。Thevagabondsrecoveredtheircourage；
　　soontheheavyjoist，raisedlikeafeatherbytwohundredvigorousarms，wasflungwithfuryagainstthegreatdoorwhichtheyhadtriedtobatterdown。Atthesightofthatlongbeam，inthehalf-lightwhichtheinfrequenttorchesofthebrigandsspreadoverthePlace，thusbornebythatcrowdofmenwhodasheditatarunagainstthechurch，onewouldhavethoughtthathebeheldamonstrousbeastwithathousandfeetattackingwithloweredheadthegiantofstone。
　　Attheshockofthebeam，thehalfmetallicdoorsoundedlikeanimmensedrum；itwasnotburstin，butthewholecathedraltrembled，andthedeepestcavitiesoftheedificewereheardtoecho。
　　Atthesamemoment，ashoweroflargestonesbegantofallfromthetopofthefa？adeontheassailants。
　　"Thedevil！"criedJehan，"arethetowersshakingtheirbalustradesdownonourheads？"
　　Buttheimpulsehadbeengiven，theKingofThuneshadsettheexample。Evidently，thebishopwasdefendinghimself，andtheyonlybatteredthedoorwiththemorerage，inspiteofthestoneswhichcrackedskullsrightandleft。
　　Itwasremarkablethatallthesestonesfellonebyone；buttheyfollowedeachotherclosely。Thethievesalwaysfelttwoatatime，oneontheirlegsandoneontheirheads。Therewerefewwhichdidnotdealtheirblow，andalargelayerofdeadandwoundedlaybleedingandpantingbeneaththefeetoftheassailantswho，nowgrownfurious，replacedeachotherwithoutintermission。Thelongbeamcontinuedtobelaborthedoor，atregularintervals，liketheclapperofabell，thestonestoraindown，thedoortogroan。
　　ThereaderhasnodoubtdivinedthatthisunexpectedresistancewhichhadexasperatedtheoutcastscamefromQuasimodo。
　　Chancehad，unfortunately，favoredthebravedeafman。
　　Whenhehaddescendedtotheplatformbetweenthetowers，hisideaswereallinconfusion。Hehadrunupanddownalongthegalleryforseveralminuteslikeamadman，surveyingfromabove，thecompactmassofvagabondsreadytohurlitselfonthechurch，demandingthesafetyofthegypsyfromthedevilorfromGod。Thethoughthadoccurredtohimofascendingtothesouthernbelfryandsoundingthealarm，butbeforehecouldhavesetthebellinmotion，beforeMarie’svoicecouldhaveutteredasingleclamor，wastherenottimetoburstinthedoorofthechurchtentimesover？
　　Itwaspreciselythemomentwhenthelocksmithswereadvancinguponitwiththeirtools。Whatwastobedone？
　　Allatonce，herememberedthatsomemasonshadbeenatworkalldayrepairingthewall，thetimber-work，andtheroofofthesouthtower。Thiswasaflashoflight。Thewallwasofstone，theroofoflead，thetimber-workofwood。Thatprodigioustimber-work，sodensethatitwascalled"theforest。"
　　Quasimodohastenedtothattower。Thelowerchamberswere，infact，fullofmaterials。Therewerepilesofroughblocksofstone，sheetsofleadinrolls，bundlesoflaths，heavybeamsalreadynotchedwiththesaw，heapsofplaster。
　　Timewaspressing，Thepikesandhammerswereatworkbelow。Withastrengthwhichthesenseofdangerincreasedtenfold，heseizedoneofthebeams——thelongestandheaviest；
　　hepusheditoutthroughaloophole，then，graspingitagainoutsideofthetower，hemadeitslidealongtheangleofthebalustradewhichsurroundstheplatform，andletitflyintotheabyss。Theenormoustimber，duringthatfallofahundredandsixtyfeet，scrapingthewall，breakingthecarvings，turnedmanytimesonitscentre，likethearmofawindmillflyingoffalonethroughspace。Atlastitreachedtheground，thehorriblecryarose，andtheblackbeam，asitreboundedfromthepavement，resembledaserpentleaping。
　　Quasimodobeheldtheoutcastsscatteratthefallofthebeam，likeashesatthebreathofachild。Hetookadvantageoftheirfright，andwhiletheywerefixingasuperstitiousglanceontheclubwhichhadfallenfromheaven，andwhiletheywereputtingouttheeyesofthestonesaintsonthefrontwithadischargeofarrowsandbuckshot，Quasimodowassilentlypilingupplaster，stones，androughblocksofstone，eventhesacksoftoolsbelongingtothemasons，ontheedgeofthebalustradefromwhichthebeamhadalreadybeenhurled。
　　Thus，assoonastheybegantobatterthegranddoor，theshowerofroughblocksofstonebegantofall，anditseemedtothemthatthechurchitselfwasbeingdemolishedovertheirheads。
　　AnyonewhocouldhavebeheldQuasimodoatthatmomentwouldhavebeenfrightened。Independentlyoftheprojectileswhichhehadpileduponthebalustrade，hehadcollectedaheapofstonesontheplatformitself。Asfastastheblocksontheexterioredgewereexhausted，hedrewontheheap。
　　Thenhestoopedandrose，stoopedandroseagainwithincredibleactivity。Hishugegnome’sheadbentoverthebalustrade，thenanenormousstonefell，thenanother，thenanother。
　　Fromtimetotime，hefollowedafinestonewithhiseye，andwhenitdidgoodexecution，hesaid，"Hum！"
　　Meanwhile，thebeggarsdidnotgrowdiscouraged。Thethickdooronwhichtheywereventingtheirfuryhadalreadytrembledmorethantwentytimesbeneaththeweightoftheiroakenbattering-ram，multipliedbythestrengthofahundredmen。Thepanelscracked，thecarvedworkflewintosplinters，thehinges，ateveryblow，leapedfromtheirpins，theplanksyawned，thewoodcrumbledtopowder，groundbetweentheironsheathing。FortunatelyforQuasimodo，therewasmoreironthanwood。
　　Nevertheless，hefeltthatthegreatdoorwasyielding。
　　Althoughhedidnothearit，everyblowoftheramreverberatedsimultaneouslyinthevaultsofthechurchandwithinit。
　　Fromabovehebeheldthevagabonds，filledwithtriumphandrage，shakingtheirfistsatthegloomyfa？ade；andbothonthegypsy’saccountandhisownheenviedthewingsoftheowlswhichflittedawayabovehisheadinflocks。
　　Hisshowerofstoneblockswasnotsufficienttorepeltheassailants。
　　Atthismomentofanguish，henoticed，alittlelowerdownthanthebalustradewhencehewascrushingthethieves，twolongstonegutterswhichdischargedimmediatelyoverthegreatdoor；theinternalorificeoftheseguttersterminatedonthepavementoftheplatform。Anideaoccurredtohim；heraninsearchofafagotinhisbellringer’sden，placedonthisfagotagreatmanybundlesoflaths，andmanyrollsoflead，munitionswhichhehadnotemployedsofar，andhavingarrangedthispileinfrontoftheholetothetwogutters，hesetitonfirewithhislantern。
　　Duringthistime，sincethestonesnolongerfell，theoutcastsceasedtogazeintotheair。Thebandits，pantinglikeapackofhoundswhoareforcingaboarintohislair，pressedtumultuouslyroundthegreatdoor，alldisfiguredbythebatteringram，butstillstanding。Theywerewaitingwithaquiverforthegreatblowwhichshouldsplititopen。Theyviedwitheachotherinpressingascloseaspossible，inordertodashamongthefirst，whenitshouldopen，intothatopulentcathedral，avastreservoirwherethewealthofthreecenturieshadbeenpiledup。Theyremindedeachotherwithroarsofexultationandgreedylust，ofthebeautifulsilvercrosses，thefinecopesofbrocade，thebeautifultombsofsilvergilt，thegreatmagnificencesofthechoir，thedazzlingfestivals，theChristmassessparklingwithtorches，theEasterssparklingwithsunshine，——allthosesplendidsolemnetieswhereinchandeliers，ciboriums，tabernacles，andreliquaries，studdedthealtarswithacrustofgoldanddiamonds。Certainly，atthatfinemoment，thievesandpseudosufferers，doctorsinstealing，andvagabonds，werethinkingmuchlessofdeliveringthegypsythanofpillagingNotre-Dame。WecouldeveneasilybelievethatforagoodlynumberamongthemlaEsmeraldawasonlyapretext，ifthievesneededpretexts。
　　Allatonce，atthemomentwhentheyweregroupingthemselvesroundtheramforalasteffort，eachoneholdinghisbreathandstiffeninghismusclesinordertocommunicateallhisforcetothedecisiveblow，ahowlmorefrightfulstillthanthatwhichhadburstforthandexpiredbeneaththebeam，roseamongthem。Thosewhodidnotcryout，thosewhowerestillalive，looked。Twostreamsofmeltedleadwerefallingfromthesummitoftheedificeintothethickestoftherabble。
　　Thatseaofmenhadjustsunkdownbeneaththeboilingmetal，whichhadmade，atthetwopointswhereitfell，twoblackandsmokingholesinthecrowd，suchashotwaterwouldmakeinsnow。Dyingmen，halfconsumedandgroaningwithanguish，couldbeseenwrithingthere。Aroundthesetwoprincipalstreamsthereweredropsofthathorriblerain，whichscatteredovertheassailantsandenteredtheirskullslikegimletsoffire。Itwasaheavyfirewhichoverwhelmedthesewretcheswithathousandhailstones。
　　Theoutcrywasheartrending。Theyfledpell-mell，hurlingthebeamuponthebodies，theboldestaswellasthemosttimid，andtheparviswasclearedasecondtime。
　　Alleyeswereraisedtothetopofthechurch。Theybeheldthereanextraordinarysight。Onthecrestofthehighestgallery，higherthanthecentralrosewindow，therewasagreatflamerisingbetweenthetwotowerswithwhirlwindsofsparks，avast，disordered，andfuriousflame，atongueofwhichwasborneintothesmokebythewind，fromtimetotime。Belowthatfire，belowthegloomybalustradewithitstrefoilsshowingdarklyagainstitsglare，twospoutswithmonsterthroatswerevomitingforthunceasinglythatburningrain，whosesilverystreamstoodoutagainsttheshadowsofthelowerfa？ade。Astheyapproachedtheearth，thesetwojetsofliquidleadspreadoutinsheaves，likewaterspringingfromthethousandholesofawatering-pot。Abovetheflame，theenormoustowers，twosidesofeachofwhichwerevisibleinsharpoutline，theonewhollyblack，theotherwhollyred，seemedstillmorevastwithalltheimmensityoftheshadowwhichtheycasteventothesky。
　　Theirinnumerablesculpturesofdemonsanddragonsassumedalugubriousaspect。Therestlesslightoftheflamemadethemmovetotheeye。Thereweregriffinswhichhadtheairoflaughing，gargoyleswhichonefanciedoneheardyelping，salamanderswhichpuffedatthefire，tarasques*
　　whichsneezedinthesmoke。Andamongthemonstersthusrousedfromtheirsleepofstonebythisflame，bythisnoise，therewasonewhowalkedabout，andwhowasseen，fromtimetotime，topassacrosstheglowingfaceofthepile，likeabatinfrontofacandle。
　　*TherepresentationofamonstrousanimalsolemnlydrawnaboutinTarasconandotherFrenchtowns。
　　Withoutdoubt，thisstrangebeaconlightwouldawakenfaraway，thewoodcutterofthehillsofBicêtre，terrifiedtobeholdthegiganticshadowofthetowersofNotre-Damequiveringoverhisheaths。
　　Aterrifiedsilenceensuedamongtheoutcasts，duringwhichnothingwasheard，butthecriesofalarmofthecanonsshutupintheircloister，andmoreuneasythanhorsesinaburningstable，thefurtivesoundofwindowshastilyopenedandstillmorehastilyclosed，theinternalhurly-burlyofthehousesandoftheH？tel-Dieu，thewindintheflame，thelastdeath-rattleofthedying，andthecontinuedcracklingoftherainofleaduponthepavement。
　　Inthemeanwhile，theprincipalvagabondshadretiredbeneaththeporchoftheGondelauriermansion，andwereholdingacouncilofwar。
　　TheDukeofEgypt，seatedonastonepost，contemplatedthephantasmagoricalbonfire，glowingataheightoftwohundredfeetintheair，withreligiousterror。ClopinTrouillefoubithishugefistswithrage。
　　"Impossibletogetin！"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。
　　"Anold，enchantedchurch！"grumbledtheagedBohemian，MathiasHungadiSpicali。
　　"BythePope’swhiskers！"wentonashamsoldier，whohadoncebeeninservice，"herearechurchguttersspittingmeltedleadatyoubetterthanthemachicolationsofLectoure。"
　　"Doyouseethatdemonpassingandrepassinginfrontofthefire？"exclaimedtheDukeofEgypt。
　　"Pardieu，’tisthatdamnedbellringer，’tisQuasimodo，"
　　saidClopin。
　　TheBohemiantossedhishead。"Itellyou，that’tisthespiritSabnac，thegrandmarquis，thedemonoffortifications。
　　Hehastheformofanarmedsoldier，theheadofalion。
　　Sometimesheridesahideoushorse。Hechangesmenintostones，ofwhichhebuildstowers。Hecommandsfiftylegions’Tisheindeed；Irecognizehim。Sometimesheiscladinahandsomegoldenrobe，figuredaftertheTurkishfashion。"
　　"WhereisBellevignedel’Etoile？"demandedClopin。
　　"Heisdead。"
　　AndrytheRedlaughedinanidioticway:"Notre-Dameismakingworkforthehospital，"saidhe。
　　"Isthere，then，nowayofforcingthisdoor，"exclaimedtheKingofThunes，stampinghisfoot。
　　TheDukeofEgyptpointedsadlytothetwostreamsofboilingleadwhichdidnotceasetostreaktheblackfacade，liketwolongdistaffsofphosphorus。
　　"Churcheshavebeenknowntodefendthemselvesthusallbythemselves，"heremarkedwithasigh。"Saint-SophiaatConstantinople，fortyyearsago，hurledtotheearththreetimesinsuccession，thecrescentofMahom，byshakingherdomes，whichareherheads。GuillaumedeParis，whobuiltthisonewasamagician。"
　　"Mustwethenretreatinpitifulfashion，likehighwaymen？"
　　saidClopin。"Mustweleaveoursisterhere，whomthosehoodedwolveswillhangto-morrow。"
　　"Andthesacristy，wheretherearewagon-loadsofgold！"
　　addedavagabond，whosename，weregrettosay，wedonotknow。
　　"BeardofMahom！"criedTrouillefou。
　　"Letusmakeanothertrial，"resumedthevagabond。
　　MathiasHungadishookhishead。
　　"Weshallnevergetinbythedoor。Wemustfindthedefectinthearmoroftheoldfairy；ahole，afalsepostern，somejointorother。"
　　"Whowillgowithme？"saidClopin。"Ishallgoatitagain。Bytheway，whereisthelittlescholarJehan，whoissoencasediniron？"
　　"Heisdead，nodoubt，"someonereplied；"wenolongerhearhislaugh。"
　　TheKingofThunesfrowned:"Somuchtheworse。Therewasabraveheartunderthatironmongery。AndMasterPierreGringoire？"
　　"CaptainClopin，"saidAndrytheRed，"heslippedawaybeforewereachedthePont-aux-Changeurs，"
　　Clopinstampedhisfoot。"Gueule-Dieu！’twashewhopushedusonhither，andhehasdesertedusintheverymiddleofthejob！Cowardlychatterer，withaslipperforahelmet！"
　　"CaptainClopin，"saidAndrytheRed，whowasgazingdownRueduParvis，"yonderisthelittlescholar。"
　　"PraisedbePluto！"saidClopin。"Butwhatthedevilishedraggingafterhim？"
　　Itwas，infact，Jehan，whowasrunningasfastashisheavyoutfitofaPaladin，andalongladderwhichtrailedonthepavement，wouldpermit，morebreathlessthananantharnessedtoabladeofgrasstwentytimeslongerthanitself。
　　"Victory！~TeDeum~！"criedthescholar。"HereistheladderofthelongshoremenofPortSaint-Landry。"
　　Clopinapproachedhim。
　　"Child，whatdoyoumeantodo，~corne-dieu~！withthisladder？"
　　"Ihaveit，"repliedJehan，panting。"Iknewwhereitwasundertheshedofthelieutenant’shouse。There’sawenchtherewhomIknow，whothinksmeashandsomeasCupido。
　　Imadeuseofhertogettheladder，andIhavetheladder，~Pasque-Mahom~！Thepoorgirlcametoopenthedoortomeinhershift。"
　　"Yes，"saidClopin，"butwhatareyougoingtodowiththatladder？"
　　Jehangazedathimwithamalicious，knowinglook，andcrackedhisfingerslikecastanets。Atthatmomenthewassublime。Onhisheadheworeoneofthoseoverloadedhelmetsofthefifteenthcentury，whichfrightenedtheenemywiththeirfancifulcrests。Hisbristledwithtenironbeaks，sothatJehancouldhavedisputedwithNestor’sHomericvesseltheredoubtabletitleof~dexeubolos~。
　　"WhatdoImeantodowithit，augustkingofThunes？
　　Doyouseethatrowofstatueswhichhavesuchidioticexpressions，yonder，abovethethreeportals？"
　　"Yes。Well？"
　　"’TisthegalleryofthekingsofFrance。"
　　"Whatisthattome？"saidClopin。
　　"Wait！Attheendofthatgallerythereisadoorwhichisneverfastenedotherwisethanwithalatch，andwiththisladderIascend，andIaminthechurch。"
　　"Childletmebethefirsttoascend。"
　　"No，comrade，theladderismine。Come，youshallbethesecond。"
　　"MayBeelzebubstrangleyou！"saidsurlyClopin，"Iwon’tbesecondtoanybody。"
　　"Thenfindaladder，Clopin！"
　　JehansetoutonarunacrossthePlace，dragginghisladderandshouting:"Followme，lads！"
　　Inaninstanttheladderwasraised，andproppedagainstthebalustradeofthelowergallery，aboveoneofthelateraldoors。Thethrongofvagabonds，utteringloudacclamations，crowdedtoitsfoottoascend。ButJehanmaintainedhisright，andwasthefirsttosetfootontherungs。Thepassagewastolerablylong。ThegalleryofthekingsofFranceisto-dayaboutsixtyfeetabovethepavement。Theelevenstepsoftheflightbeforethedoor，madeitstillhigher。
　　Jehanmountedslowly，agooddealincommodedbyhisheavyarmor，holdinghiscrossbowinonehand，andclingingtoarungwiththeother。Whenhereachedthemiddleoftheladder，hecastamelancholyglanceatthepoordeadoutcasts，withwhichthestepswerestrewn。"Alas！"saidhe，"hereisaheapofbodiesworthyofthefifthbookoftheIliad！"Thenhecontinuedhisascent。Thevagabondsfollowedhim。Therewasoneoneveryrung。Atthesightofthislineofcuirassedbacks，undulatingastheyrosethroughthegloom，onewouldhavepronounceditaserpentwithsteelscales，whichwasraisingitselferectinfrontofthechurch。
　　Jehanwhoformedthehead，andwhowaswhistling，completedtheillusion。
　　Thescholarfinallyreachedthebalconyofthegallery，andclimbedoveritnimbly，totheapplauseofthewholevagabondtribe。Thusmasterofthecitadel，heutteredashoutofjoy，andsuddenlyhalted，petrified。HehadjustcaughtsightofQuasimodoconcealedinthedark，withflashingeye，behindoneofthestatuesofthekings。
　　Beforeasecondassailantcouldgainafootholdonthegallery，theformidablehunchbackleapedtotheheadoftheladder，withoututteringaword，seizedtheendsofthetwouprightswithhispowerfulhands，raisedthem，pushedthemoutfromthewall，balancedthelongandpliantladder，loadedwithvagabondsfromtoptobottomforamoment，inthemidstofshrieksofanguish，thensuddenly，withsuperhumanforce，hurledthisclusterofmenbackwardintothePlace。
　　Therewasamomentwheneventhemostresolutetrembled。
　　Theladder，launchedbackwards，remainederectandstandingforaninstant，andseemedtohesitate，thenwavered，thensuddenly，describingafrightfularcofacircleeightyfeetinradius，crasheduponthepavementwithitsloadofruffians，morerapidlythanadrawbridgewhenitschainsbreak。
　　Therearoseanimmenseimprecation，thenallwasstill，andafewmutilatedwretcheswereseen，crawlingovertheheapofdead。
　　Asoundofwrathandgrieffollowedthefirstcriesoftriumphamongthebesiegers。Quasimodo，impassive，withbothelbowsproppedonthebalustrade，lookedon。Hehadtheairofanold，bushy-headedkingathiswindow。
　　AsforJehanFrollo，hewasinacriticalposition。Hefoundhimselfinthegallerywiththeformidablebellringer，alone，separatedfromhiscompanionsbyaverticalwalleightyfeethigh。WhileQuasimodowasdealingwiththeladder，thescholarhadruntotheposternwhichhebelievedtobeopen。Itwasnot。Thedeafmanhadcloseditbehindhimwhenheenteredthegallery。Jehanhadthenconcealedhimselfbehindastoneking，notdaringtobreathe，andfixinguponthemonstroushunchbackafrightenedgaze，liketheman，who，whencourtingthewifeoftheguardianofamenagerie，wentoneeveningtoaloverendezvous，mistookthewallwhichhewastoclimb，andsuddenlyfoundhimselffacetofacewithawhitebear。
　　Forthefirstfewmoments，thedeafmanpaidnoheedtohim；butatlastheturnedhishead，andsuddenlystraightenedup。Hehadjustcaughtsightofthescholar。
　　Jehanpreparedhimselfforaroughshock，butthedeafmanremainedmotionless；onlyhehadturnedtowardsthescholarandwaslookingathim。
　　"Hoho！"saidJehan，"whatdoyoumeanbystaringatmewiththatsolitaryandmelancholyeye？"
　　Ashespokethus，theyoungscampstealthilyadjustedhiscrossbow。
　　"Quasimodo！"hecried，"Iamgoingtochangeyoursurname:
　　youshallbecalledtheblindman。"
　　Theshotsped。Thefeatheredvireton*whizzedandenteredthehunchback’sleftarm。QuasimodoappearednomoremovedbyitthanbyascratchtoKingPharamond。Helaidhishandonthearrow，toreitfromhisarm，andtranquillybrokeitacrosshisbigknee；thenheletthetwopiecesdroponthefloor，ratherthanthrewthemdown。ButJehanhadnoopportunitytofireasecondtime。Thearrowbroken，Quasimodobreathingheavily，boundedlikeagrasshopper，andhefelluponthescholar，whosearmorwasflattenedagainstthewallbytheblow。
　　*Anarrowwithapyramidalheadofironandcopperspiralwingsbywhicharotatorymotionwascommunicated，Theninthatgloom，whereinwaveredthelightofthetorches，aterriblethingwasseen。
　　QuasimodohadgraspedwithhislefthandthetwoarmsofJehan，whodidnotofferanyresistance，sothoroughlydidhefeelthathewaslost。Withhisrighthand，thedeafmandetachedonebyone，insilence，withsinisterslowness，allthepiecesofhisarmor，thesword，thedaggers，thehelmet，thecuirass，thelegpieces。Onewouldhavesaidthatitwasamonkeytakingtheshellfromanut。Quasimodoflungthescholar’sironshellathisfeet，piecebypiece。
　　Whenthescholarbeheldhimselfdisarmed，stripped，weak，andnakedinthoseterriblehands，hemadenoattempttospeaktothedeafman，butbegantolaughaudaciouslyinhisface，andtosingwithhisintrepidheedlessnessofachildofsixteen，thethenpopularditty:-
　　"~Elleestbienhabillée，LavilledeCambrai；
　　Marafinl’apillée~……"*
　　*ThecityofCambraiiswelldressed。Marafinplunderedit。
　　Hedidnotfinish。Quasimodowasseenontheparapetofthegallery，holdingthescholarbythefeetwithonehandandwhirlinghimovertheabysslikeasling；thenasoundlikethatofabonystructureincontactwithawallwasheard，andsomethingwasseentofallwhichhaltedathirdofthewaydowninitsfall，onaprojectioninthearchitecture。Itwasadeadbodywhichremainedhangingthere，bentdouble，itsloinsbroken，itsskullempty。
　　Acryofhorrorroseamongthevagabonds。
　　"Vengeance！"shoutedClopin。"Tothesack！"repliedthemultitude。"Assault！assault！"
　　Therecameatremendoushowl，inwhichweremingledalltongues，alldialects，allaccents。Thedeathofthepoorscholarimpartedafuriousardortothatcrowd。Itwasseizedwithshame，andthewrathofhavingbeenheldsolongincheckbeforeachurchbyahunchback。Ragefoundladders，multipliedthetorches，and，attheexpirationofafewminutes，Quasimodo，indespair，beheldthatterribleantheapmountonallsidestotheassaultofNotre-Dame。Thosewhohadnoladdershadknottedropes；thosewhohadnoropesclimbedbytheprojectionsofthecarvings。Theyhungfromeachother’srags。Therewerenomeansofresistingthatrisingtideoffrightfulfaces；ragemadethesefiercecountenancesruddy；theirclayeybrowsweredrippingwithsweat；theireyesdartedlightnings；allthesegrimaces，allthesehorrorslaidsiegetoQuasimodo。OnewouldhavesaidthatsomeotherchurchhaddespatchedtotheassaultofNotre-Dameitsgorgons，itsdogs，itsdrées，itsdemons，itsmostfantasticsculptures。Itwaslikealayeroflivingmonstersonthestonemonstersofthefa？ade。
　　Meanwhile，thePlacewasstuddedwithathousandtorches。
　　Thissceneofconfusion，tillnowhidindarkness，wassuddenlyfloodedwithlight。Theparviswasresplendent，andcastaradianceonthesky；thebonfirelightedontheloftyplatformwasstillburning，andilluminatedthecityfaraway。
　　Theenormoussilhouetteofthetwotowers，projectedafarontheroofsofParis，andformedalargenotchofblackinthislight。Thecityseemedtobearoused。Alarmbellswailedinthedistance。Thevagabondshowled，panted，swore，climbed；
　　andQuasimodo，powerlessagainstsomanyenemies，shudderingforthegypsy，beholdingthefuriousfacesapproachingevernearerandnearertohisgallery，entreatedheavenforamiracle，andwrunghisarmsindespair。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　THERETREATINWHICHMONSIEURLOUISOFFRANCESAYSHISPRAYERS。
　　Thereaderhasnot，perhaps，forgottenthatonemomentbeforecatchingsightofthenocturnalbandofvagabonds，Quasimodo，asheinspectedParisfromtheheightsofhisbelltower，perceivedonlyonelightburning，whichgleamedlikeastarfromawindowonthetopmoststoryofaloftyedificebesidethePorteSaint-Antoine。ThisedificewastheBastille。
　　ThatstarwasthecandleofLouisXI。
　　KingLouisXI。had，infact，beentwodaysinParis。HewastotakehisdepartureonthenextdaybutoneforhiscitadelofMontilz-les-Tours。HemadebutseldomandbriefappearanceinhisgoodcityofParis，sincetherehedidnotfeelabouthimenoughpitfalls，gibbets，andScotcharchers。
　　Hehadcome，thatday，tosleepattheBastille。Thegreatchamberfivetoises*square，whichhehadattheLouvre，withitshugechimney-pieceloadedwithtwelvegreatbeastsandthirteengreatprophets，andhisgrandbed，elevenfeetbytwelve，pleasedhimbutlittle。Hefelthimselflostamidallthisgrandeur。ThisgoodbourgeoiskingpreferredtheBastillewithatinychamberandcouch。Andthen，theBastillewasstrongerthantheLouvre。
　　*AnancientlongmeasureinFrance，containingsixfeetandnearlyfiveinchesEnglishmeasure。
　　Thislittlechamber，whichthekingreservedforhimselfinthefamousstateprison，wasalsotolerablyspaciousandoccupiedthetopmoststoryofaturretrisingfromthedonjonkeep。Itwascircularinform，carpetedwithmatsofshiningstraw，ceiledwithbeams，enrichedwithfleurs-de-lisofgildedmetalwithinterjoistsincolor；wainscoatedwithrichwoodssownwithrosettesofwhitemetal，andwithotherspaintedafine，brightgreen，madeoforpimentandfineindigo。
　　Therewasonlyonewindow，alongpointedcasement，latticedwithbrasswireandbarsofiron，furtherdarkenedbyfinecoloredpaneswiththearmsofthekingandofthequeen，eachpanebeingworthtwoandtwentysols。
　　Therewasbutoneentrance，amoderndoor，withafiatarch，garnishedwithapieceoftapestryontheinside，andontheoutsidebyoneofthoseporchesofIrishwood，frailedificesofcabinet-workcuriouslywrought，numbersofwhichwerestilltobeseeninoldhousesahundredandfiftyyearsago。"Althoughtheydisfigureandembarrasstheplaces，"
　　saysSauvelindespair，"ouroldpeoplearestillunwillingtogetridofthem，andkeeptheminspiteofeverybody。"
　　Inthischamber，nothingwastobefoundofwhatfurnishesordinaryapartments，neitherbenches，nortrestles，norforms，norcommonstoolsintheformofachest，norfinestoolssustainedbypillarsandcounter-pillars，atfoursolsapiece。
　　Onlyoneeasyarm-chair，verymagnificent，wastobeseen；thewoodwaspaintedwithrosesonaredground，theseatwasofrubyCordovanleather，ornamentedwithlongsilkenfringes，andstuddedwithathousandgoldennails。Thelonelinessofthischairmadeitapparentthatonlyonepersonhadarighttositdowninthisapartment。Besidethechair，andquiteclosetothewindow，therewasatablecoveredwithaclothwithapatternofbirds。Onthistablestoodaninkhornspottedwithink，someparchments，severalpens，andalargegobletofchasedsilver。Alittlefurtheronwasabrazier，aprayingstoolincrimsonvelvet，relievedwithsmallbossesofgold。Finally，attheextremeendoftheroom，asimplebedofscarletandyellowdamask，withouteithertinselorlace；havingonlyanordinaryfringe。Thisbed，famousforhavingbornethesleeporthesleeplessnessofLouisXI。，wasstilltobeseentwohundredyearsago，atthehouseofacouncillorofstate，whereitwasseenbyoldMadamePilou，celebratedin_Cyrus_underthename"Arricidie"andof"laMoraleVivante"。
　　Suchwasthechamberwhichwascalled"theretreatwhereMonsieurLouisdeFrancesayshisprayers。"
　　Atthemomentwhenwehaveintroducedthereaderintoit，thisretreatwasverydark。Thecurfewbellhadsoundedanhourbefore；nightwascome，andtherewasonlyoneflickeringwaxcandlesetonthetabletolightfivepersonsvariouslygroupedinthechamber。
　　Thefirstonwhichthelightfellwasaseigneursuperblycladinbreechesandjerkinofscarletstripedwithsilver，andaloosecoatwithhalfsleevesofclothofgoldwithblackfigures。Thissplendidcostume，onwhichthelightplayed，seemedglazedwithflameoneveryfold。Themanwhoworeithadhisarmorialbearingsembroideredonhisbreastinvividcolors；achevronaccompaniedbyadeerpassant。Theshieldwasflanked，ontherightbyanolivebranch，ontheleftbyadeer’santlers。Thismanworeinhisgirdlearichdaggerwhosehilt，ofsilvergilt，waschasedintheformofahelmet，andsurmountedbyacount’scoronet。Hehadaforbiddingair，aproudmien，andaheadheldhigh。Atthefirstglanceonereadarroganceonhisvisage；atthesecond，craft。
　　Hewasstandingbareheaded，alongrollofparchmentinhishand，behindthearm-chairinwhichwasseated，hisbodyungracefullydoubledup，hiskneescrossed，hiselbowonthetable，averybadlyaccoutredpersonage。Letthereaderimagineinfact，ontherichseatofCordovaleather，twocrookedknees，twothinthighs，poorlycladinblackworstedtricot，abodyenvelopedinacloakoffustian，withfurtrimmingofwhichmoreleatherthanhairwasvisible；lastly，tocrownall，agreasyoldhatoftheworstsortofblackcloth，borderedwithacircularstringofleadenfigures。This，incompanywithadirtyskull-cap，whichhardlyallowedahairtoescape，wasallthatdistinguishedtheseatedpersonage。Heheldhisheadsobentuponhisbreast，thatnothingwastobeseenofhisfacethusthrownintoshadow，exceptthetipofhisnose，uponwhichfellarayoflight，andwhichmusthavebeenlong。
　　Fromthethinnessofhiswrinkledhand，onedivinedthathewasanoldman。ItwasLouisXI。
　　Atsomedistancebehindthem，twomendressedingarmentsofFlemishstylewereconversing，whowerenotsufficientlylostintheshadowtopreventanyonewhohadbeenpresentattheperformanceofGringoire’smysteryfromrecognizinginthemtwooftheprincipalFlemishenvoys，GuillaumeRym，thesagaciouspensionerofGhent，andJacquesCoppenole，thepopularhosier。ThereaderwillrememberthatthesemenweremixedupinthesecretpoliticsofLouisXI。
　　Finally，quiteattheendoftheroom，nearthedoor，inthedark，stood，motionlessasastatue，avigorousmanwiththicksetlimbs，amilitaryharness，withasurcoatofarmorialbearings，whosesquarefacepiercedwithstaringeyes，slitwithanimmensemouth，hisearsconcealedbytwolargescreensofflathair，hadsomethingaboutitbothofthedogandthetiger。
　　Allwereuncoveredexcepttheking。
　　Thegentlemanwhostoodnearthekingwasreadinghimasortoflongmemorialtowhichhismajestyseemedtobelisteningattentively。ThetwoFlemingswerewhisperingtogether。
　　"CrossofGod！"grumbledCoppenole，"Iamtiredofstanding；istherenochairhere？"
　　Rymrepliedbyanegativegesture，accompaniedbyadiscreetsmile。
　　"Croix-Dieu！"resumedCoppenole，thoroughlyunhappyatbeingobligedtolowerhisvoicethus，"Ishouldliketositdownonthefloor，withmylegscrossed，likeahosier，asIdoinmyshop。"
　　"Takegoodcarethatyoudonot，MasterJacques。"
　　"Ouais！MasterGuillaume！canoneonlyremainhereonhisfeet？"
　　"Oronhisknees，"saidRym。
　　Atthatmomenttheking’svoicewasuplifted。Theyheldtheirpeace。
　　"Fiftysolsfortherobesofourvalets，andtwelvelivresforthemantlesoftheclerksofourcrown！That’sit！Pouroutgoldbytheton！Areyoumad，Olivier？"
　　Ashespokethus，theoldmanraisedhishead。ThegoldenshellsofthecollarofSaint-Michaelcouldbeseengleamingonhisneck。Thecandlefullyilluminatedhisgauntandmoroseprofile。Hetorethepapersfromtheother’shand。
　　"Youareruiningus！"hecried，castinghisholloweyesoverthescroll。"Whatisallthis？Whatneedhaveweofsoprodigiousahousehold？Twochaplainsattenlivresamontheach，and，achapelclerkatonehundredsols！Avalet-de-
　　chambreatninetylivresayear。Fourheadcooksatsixscorelivresayeareach！Aspit-cook，anherb-cook，asauce-cook，abutler，twosumpter-horselackeys，attenlivresamontheach！Twoscullionsateightlivres！Agroomofthestablesandhistwoaidsatfourandtwentylivresamonth！Aporter，apastry-cook，abaker，twocarters，eachsixtylivresayear！
　　Andthefarriersixscorelivres！Andthemasterofthechamberofourfunds，twelvehundredlivres！Andthecomptrollerfivehundred。AndhowdoIknowwhatelse？
　　’Tisruinous。ThewagesofourservantsareputtingFrancetothepillage！AlltheingotsoftheLouvrewillmeltbeforesuchafireofexpenses！Weshallhavetosellourplate！
　　Andnextyear，ifGodandourLadyhereheraisedhishat
　　lenduslife，weshalldrinkourpotionsfromapewterpot！"
　　Sosaying，hecastaglanceatthesilvergobletwhichgleameduponthetable。Hecoughedandcontinued，——
　　"MasterOlivier，theprinceswhoreignovergreatlordships，likekingsandemperors，shouldnotallowsumptuousnessintheirhouses；forthefirespreadsthencethroughtheprovince。
　　Hence，MasterOlivier，considerthissaidonceforall。Ourexpenditureincreaseseveryyear。Thethingdispleaseus。
　　How，~pasque-Dieu~！whenin’79itdidnotexceedsixandthirtythousandlivres，diditattainin’80，forty-threethousandsixhundredandnineteenlivres？Ihavethefiguresinmyhead。In’81，sixty-sixthousandsixhundredandeightylivres，andthisyear，bythefaithofmybody，itwillreacheightythousandlivres！Doubledinfouryears！Monstrous！"
　　Hepausedbreathless，thenresumedenergetically，——
　　"Ibeholdaroundmeonlypeoplewhofattenonmyleanness！yousuckcrownsfrommeateverypore。"
　　Allremainedsilent。Thiswasoneofthosefitsofwrathwhichareallowedtotaketheircourse。Hecontinued，——
　　"’TislikethatrequestinLatinfromthegentlemenofFrance，thatweshouldre-establishwhattheycallthegrandchargesoftheCrown！Chargesinverydeed！Chargeswhichcrush！Ah！gentlemen！yousaythatwearenotakingtoreign~dapiferonullo，buticularionullo~！Wewillletyousee，~pasque-Dieu~！whetherwearenotaking！"
　　Herehesmiled，intheconsciousnessofhispower；thissoftenedhisbadhumor，andheturnedtowardstheFlemings，——
　　"Doyousee，GossipGuillaume？thegrandwardenofthekeys，thegrandbutler，thegrandchamberlain，thegrandseneschalarenotworththesmallestvalet。Rememberthis，GossipCoppenole。Theyservenopurpose，astheystandthususelessroundtheking；theyproduceuponmetheeffectofthefourEvangelistswhosurroundthefaceofthebigclockofthepalace，andwhichPhilippeBrillehasjustsetinorderafresh。
　　Theyaregilt，buttheydonotindicatethehour；andthehandscangetonwithoutthem。"
　　Heremainedinthoughtforamoment，thenadded，shakinghisagedhead，——
　　"Ho！ho！byourLady，IamnotPhilippeBrille，andI
　　shallnotgildthegreatvassalsanew。Continue，Olivier。"
　　Thepersonwhomhedesignatedbythisname，tookthepapersintohishandsagain，andbegantoreadaloud，——
　　"ToAdamTenon，clerkofthewardenofthesealsoftheprovostshipofParis；forthesilver，making，andengravingofsaidseals，whichhavebeenmadenewbecausetheotherspreceding，byreasonoftheirantiquityandtheirworncondition，couldnolongerbesuccessfullyused，twelvelivresparisis。
　　"ToGuillaumeFrère，thesumoffourlivres，foursolsparisis，forhistroubleandsalary，forhavingnourishedandfedthedovesinthetwodove-cotsoftheH？teldesTournelles，duringthemonthsofJanuary，February，andMarchofthisyear；andforthishehathgivensevensextiersofbarley。
　　"Toagrayfriarforconfessingacriminal，foursolsparisis。"
　　Thekinglistenedinsilence。Fromtimetotimebecoughed；thenheraisedthegoblettohislipsanddrankadraughtwithagrimace。
　　"Duringthisyeartherehavebeenmadebytheordinanceofjustice，tothesoundofthetrumpet，throughthesquaresofParis，fifty-sixproclamations。Accounttoberegulated。
　　"Forhavingsearchedandransackedincertainplaces，inParisaswellaselsewhere，formoneysaidtobethereconcealed；
　　butnothinghathbeenfound:forty-fivelivresparisis。"
　　"Buryacrowntounearthasou！"saidtheking。
　　"ForhavingsetintheH？teldesTournellessixpanesofwhiteglassintheplacewheretheironcageis，thirteensols；forhavingmadeanddeliveredbycommandoftheking，onthedayofthemusters，fourshieldswiththeescutcheonsofthesaidseigneur，encircledwithgarlandsofrosesallabout，sixlivres；fortwonewsleevestotheking’solddoublet，twentysols；foraboxofgreasetogreasethebootsoftheking，fifteendeniers；astablenewlymadetolodgetheking’sblackpigs，thirtylivresparisis；manypartitions，planks，andtrap-doors，forthesafekeepingofthelionsatSaint-Paul，twenty-twolivres。"
　　"Thesebedearbeasts，"saidLouisXI。"Itmattersnot；itisafinemagnificenceinaking。ThereisagreatredlionwhomIloveforhispleasantways。Haveyouseenhim，MasterGuillaume？Princesmusthavetheseterrificanimals；forwekingsmusthavelionsforourdogsandtigersforourcats。
　　Thegreatbefitsacrown。InthedaysofthepagansofJupiter，whenthepeopleofferedthetemplesahundredoxenandahundredsheep，theemperorsgaveahundredlionsandahundredeagles。Thiswaswildandveryfine。ThekingsofFrancehavealwayshadroaringsroundtheirthrone。Nevertheless，peoplemustdomethisjustice，thatIspendstilllessmoneyonitthantheydid，andthatIpossessagreatermodestyoflions，bears，elephants，andleopards——Goon，MasterOlivier。WewishedtosaythusmuchtoourFlemishfriends。"
　　GuillaumeRymbowedlow，whileCoppenole，withhissurlymien，hadtheairofoneofthebearsofwhichhismajestywasspeaking。Thekingpaidnoheed。Hehadjustdippedhislipsintothegoblet，andhespatoutthebeverage，saying:
　　"Foh！whatadisagreeablepotion！"Themanwhowasreadingcontinued:——
　　"Forfeedingarascallyfootpad，lockedupthesesixmonthsinthelittlecelloftheflayer，untilitshouldbedeterminedwhattodowithhim，sixlivres，foursols。"
　　"What’sthat？"interruptedtheking；"feedwhatoughttobehanged！~Pasque-Dieu~！Iwillgivenotasoumoreforthatnourishment。Olivier，cometoanunderstandingaboutthematterwithMonsieurd’Estouteville，andpreparemethisveryeveningtheweddingofthegallantandthegallows。Resume。"
　　Oliviermadeamarkwithhisthumbagainstthearticleofthe"rascallyfootsoldier，"andpassedon。
　　"ToHenrietCousin，masterexecutorofthehighworksofjusticeinParis，thesumofsixtysolsparisis，tohimassessedandordainedbymonseigneurtheprovostofParis，forhavingbought，byorderofthesaidsieurtheprovost，agreatbroadsword，servingtoexecuteanddecapitatepersonswhoarebyjusticecondemnedfortheirdemerits，andhehathcausedthesametobegarnishedwithasheathandwithallthingstheretoappertaining；andhathlikewisecausedtoberepointedandsetinordertheoldsword，whichhadbecomebrokenandnotchedinexecutingjusticeonMessireLouisdeLuxembourg，aswillmorefullyappear。
　　Thekinginterrupted:"Thatsuffices。Iallowthesumwithgreatgoodwill。ThoseareexpenseswhichIdonotbegrudge。Ihaveneverregrettedthatmoney。Continue。"
　　"Forhavingmadeoveragreatcage……"
　　"Ah！"saidtheking，graspingthearmsofhischairinbothhands，"IknewwellthatIcamehithertothisBastilleforsomepurpose。Hold，MasterOlivier；Idesiretoseethatcagemyself。YoushallreadmethecostwhileIamexaminingit。MessieursFlemings，comeandseethis；’tiscurious。"
　　Thenherose，leanedonthearmofhisinterlocutor，madeasigntothesortofmutewhostoodbeforethedoortoprecedehim，tothetwoFlemingstofollowhim，andquittedtheroom。
　　Theroyalcompanywasrecruited，atthedooroftheretreat，bymenofarms，allloadeddownwithiron，andbyslenderpagesbearingflambeaux。Itmarchedforsometimethroughtheinteriorofthegloomydonjon，piercedwithstaircasesandcorridorsevenintheverythicknessofthewalls。ThecaptainoftheBastillemarchedattheirhead，andcausedthewicketstobeopenedbeforethebentandagedking，whocoughedashewalked。
　　Ateachwicket，allheadswereobligedtostoop，exceptthatoftheoldmanbentdoublewithage。"Hum，"saidhebetweenhisgums，forhehadnolongeranyteeth，"wearealreadyquitepreparedforthedoorofthesepulchre。Foralowdoor，abentpasser。"
　　Atlength，afterhavingpassedafinalwicket，soloadedwithlocksthataquarterofanhourwasrequiredtoopenit，theyenteredavastandloftyvaultedhall，inthecentreofwhichtheycoulddistinguishbythelightofthetorches，ahugecubicmassofmasonry，iron，andwood。Theinteriorwashollow。Itwasoneofthosefamouscagesofprisonersofstate，whichwerecalled"thelittledaughtersoftheking。"
　　Initswallsthereweretwoorthreelittlewindowssocloselytrellisedwithstoutironbars；thattheglasswasnotvisible。
　　Thedoorwasalargeflatslabofstone，asontombs；thesortofdoorwhichservesforentranceonly。Onlyhere，theoccupantwasalive。
　　Thekingbegantowalkslowlyroundthelittleedifice，examiningitcarefully，whileMasterOlivier，whofollowedhim，readaloudthenote。
　　"Forhavingmadeagreatcageofwoodofsolidbeams，timbersandwall-plates，measuringninefeetinlengthbyeightinbreadth，andoftheheightofsevenfeetbetweenthepartitions，smoothedandclampedwithgreatboltsofiron，whichhasbeenplacedinachambersituatedinoneofthetowersoftheBastilleSaint-Antoine，inwhichcageisplacedanddetained，bycommandofthekingourlord，aprisonerwhoformerlyinhabitedanold，decrepit，andruinedcage。
　　Therehavebeenemployedinmakingthesaidnewcage，ninety-sixhorizontalbeams，andfifty-twouprightjoists，tenwallplatesthreetoiseslong；therehavebeenoccupiednineteencarpenterstohew，work，andfitallthesaidwoodinthecourtyardoftheBastilleduringtwentydays。"
　　"Veryfineheartofoak，"saidtheking，strikingthewoodworkwithhisfist。
　　"Therehavebeenusedinthiscage，"continuedtheother，"twohundredandtwentygreatboltsofiron，ofninefeet，andofeight，therestofmediumlength，withtherowels，capsandcounterbandsappertainingtothesaidbolts；
　　weighing，thesaidironinall，threethousand，sevenhundredandthirty-fivepounds；besideeightgreatsquaresofiron，servingtoattachthesaidcageinplacewithclampsandnailsweighinginalltwohundredandeighteenpounds，notreckoningtheironofthetrellisesforthewindowsofthechamberwhereinthecagehathbeenplaced，thebarsofironforthedoorofthecageandotherthings。"
　　"’Tisagreatdealofiron，"saidtheking，"tocontainthelightofaspirit。"
　　"Thewholeamountstothreehundredandseventeenlivres，fivesols，sevendeniers。"
　　"~Pasque-Dieu~！"exclaimedtheking。
　　Atthisoath，whichwasthefavoriteofLouisXI。，someoneseemedtoawakenintheinteriorofthecage；thesoundofchainswasheard，gratingonthefloor，andafeeblevoice，whichseemedtoissuefromthetombwasuplifted。"Sire！
　　sire！mercy！"Theonewhospokethuscouldnotbeseen。
　　"Threehundredandseventeenlivres，fivesols，sevendeniers，"
　　repeatedLouisXI。
　　Thelamentablevoicewhichhadproceededfromthecagehadfrozenallpresent，evenMasterOlivierhimself。Thekingaloneworetheairofnothavingheard。Athisorder，MasterOlivierresumedhisreading，andhismajestycoldlycontinuedhisinspectionofthecage。
　　"Inadditiontothistherehathbeenpaidtoamasonwhohathmadetheholeswhereintoplacethegratingsofthewindows，andthefloorofthechamberwherethecageis，becausethatfloorcouldnotsupportthiscagebyreasonofitsweight，twenty-sevenlivresfourteensolsparisis。"
　　Thevoicebegantomoanagain。
　　"Mercy，sire！Isweartoyouthat’twasMonsieurtheCardinald’AngersandnotI，whowasguiltyoftreason。"
　　"Themasonisbold！"saidtheking。"Continue，Olivier。"
　　Oliviercontinued，——
　　"Toajoinerforwindowframes，bedstead，hollowstool，andotherthings，twentylivres，twosolsparisis。"
　　Thevoicealsocontinued。
　　"Alas，sire！willyounotlistentome？Iprotesttoyouthat’twasnotIwhowrotethemattertoMonseigneurdoGuyenne，butMonsieurleCardinalBalue。"
　　"Thejoinerisdear，"quoththeking。"Isthatall？"
　　"No，sire。Toaglazier，forthewindowsofthesaidchamber，forty-sixsols，eightdeniersparisis。"
　　"Havemercy，sire！Isitnotenoughtohavegivenallmygoodstomyjudges，myplatetoMonsieurdeTorcy，mylibrarytoMasterPierreDoriolle，mytapestrytothegovernoroftheRoussillon？Iaminnocent。Ihavebeenshiveringinanironcageforfourteenyears。Havemercy，sire！
　　Youwillfindyourrewardinheaven。"
　　"MasterOlivier，"saidtheking，"thetotal？"
　　"Threehundredsixty-sevenlivres，eightsols，threedeniersparisis。
　　"Notre-Dame！"criedtheking。"Thisisanoutrageouscage！"
　　HetorethebookfromMasterOlivier’shands，andsettoreckoningithimselfuponhisfingers，examiningthepaperandthecagealternately。Meanwhile，theprisonercouldbeheardsobbing。Thiswaslugubriousinthedarkness，andtheirfacesturnedpaleastheylookedateachother。
　　"Fourteenyears，sire！Fourteenyearsnow！sincethemonthofApril，1469。InthenameoftheHolyMotherofGod，sire，listentome！Duringallthistimeyouhaveenjoyedtheheatofthesun。ShallI，frailcreature，nevermorebeholdtheday？Mercy，sire！Bepitiful！Clemencyisafine，royalvirtue，whichturnsasidethecurrentsofwrath。
　　Doesyourmajestybelievethatinthehourofdeathitwillbeagreatcauseofcontentforakingnevertohaveleftanyoffenceunpunished？Besides，sire，Ididnotbetrayyourmajesty，’twasMonsieurd’Angers；andIhaveonmyfootaveryheavychain，andagreatballofironattheend，muchheavierthanitshouldbeinreason。Eh！sire！Havepityonme！"
　　"Olivier，"criedtheking，throwingbackhishead，"Iobservethattheychargemetwentysolsahogsheadforplaster，whileitisworthbuttwelve。Youwillreferbackthisaccount。"
　　Heturnedhisbackonthecage，andsetouttoleavetheroom。Themiserableprisonerdivinedfromtheremovalofthetorchesandthenoise，thatthekingwastakinghisdeparture。
　　"Sire！sire！"becriedindespair。
　　Thedoorclosedagain。Henolongersawanything，andheardonlythehoarsevoiceoftheturnkey，singinginhisearsthisditty，——
　　"~Ma？treJeanBalue，AperdulavueDesesévêchés。
　　MonsieurdeVerdun。
　　N’enapluspasun；
　　Toussontdépêchés~。"*
　　*MasterJeanBaluehaslostsightofhisbishoprics。
　　MonsieurofVerdunhasnolongerone；allhavebeenkilledoff。
　　Thekingreascendedinsilencetohisretreat，andhissuitefollowedhim，terrifiedbythelastgroansofthecondemnedman。AllatoncehismajestyturnedtotheGovernoroftheBastille，——
　　"Bytheway，"saidhe，"wastherenotsomeoneinthatcage？"
　　"Pardieu，yessire！"repliedthegovernor，astoundedbythequestion。
　　"Andwhowasit？"
　　"MonsieurtheBishopofVerdun。"
　　Thekingknewthisbetterthananyoneelse。Butitwasamaniaofhis。
　　"Ah！"saidhe，withtheinnocentairofthinkingofitforthefirsttime，"GuillaumedeHarancourt，thefriendofMonsieurtheCardinalBalue。Agooddevilofabishop！"
　　Attheexpirationofafewmoments，thedooroftheretreathadopenedagain，thencloseduponthefivepersonageswhomthereaderhasseenatthebeginningofthischapter，andwhoresumedtheirplaces，theirwhisperedconversations，andtheirattitudes。
　　Duringtheking’sabsence，severaldespatcheshadbeenplacedonhistable，andhebrokethesealshimself。Thenhebegantoreadthempromptly，oneaftertheother，madeasigntoMasterOlivierwhoappearedtoexercisetheofficeofminister，totakeapen，andwithoutcommunicatingtohimthecontentsofthedespatches，hebegantodictateinalowvoice，thereplieswhichthelatterwrote，onhisknees，inaninconvenientattitudebeforethetable。
　　GuillaumeRymwasonthewatch。
　　ThekingspokesolowthattheFlemingsheardnothingofhisdictation，exceptsomeisolatedandratherunintelligiblescraps，suchas，——
　　"Tomaintainthefertileplacesbycommerce，andthesterilebymanufactures——ToshowtheEnglishlordsourfourbombards，London，Brabant，Bourg-en-Bresse，Saint-
　　Omer——Artilleryisthecauseofwarbeingmademorejudiciouslynow——ToMonsieurdeBressuire，ourfriend——Armiescannotbemaintainedwithouttribute，etc。
　　Onceheraisedhisvoice，——
　　"~PasqueDieu~！MonsieurtheKingofSicilysealshisletterswithyellowwax，likeakingofFrance。Perhapsweareinthewrongtopermithimsotodo。MyfaircousinofBurgundygrantednoarmorialbearingswithafieldofgules。