首页 >出版文学> The Hunchback of Notre Dame>第18章
  RennetCousinwentinsearchofthechestoftoolsforthenightman,undertheshedofthePillar-House。Hedrewfromitalsothedoubleladder,whichheimmediatelysetupagainstthegallows。Fiveorsixoftheprovost’smenarmedthemselveswithpicksandcrowbars,andTristanbetookhimself,incompanywiththem,towardsthewindow。
  "Oldwoman,"saidtheprovost,inaseveretone,"deliveruptousthatgirlquietly。"
  Shelookedathimlikeonewhodoesnotunderstand。
  "~TêteDieu~!"continuedTristan,"whydoyoutrytopreventthissorceressbeinghungasitpleasestheking?"
  Thewretchedwomanbegantolaughinherwildway。
  "Why?Sheismydaughter。"
  ThetoneinwhichshepronouncedthesewordsmadeevenHenrietCousinshudder。
  "Iamsorryforthat,"saidtheprovost,"butitistheking’sgoodpleasure。"
  Shecried,redoublingherterriblelaugh,——
  "Whatisyourkingtome?Itellyouthatsheismydaughter!"
  "Piercethewall,"saidTristan。
  Inordertomakeasufficientlywideopening,itsufficedtodislodgeonecourseofstonebelowthewindow。Whenthemotherheardthepicksandcrowbarsminingherfortress,sheutteredaterriblecry;thenshebegantostrideabouthercellwithfrightfulswiftness,awildbeasts’habitwhichhercagehadimpartedtoher。Shenolongersaidanything,buthereyesflamed。Thesoldierswerechilledtotheverysoul。
  Allatoncesheseizedherpavingstone,laughed,andhurleditwithbothfistsupontheworkmen。Thestone,badlyflungforherhandstrembled,touchednoone,andfellshortunderthefeetofTristan’shorse。Shegnashedherteeth。
  Inthemeantime,althoughthesunhadnotyetrisen,itwasbroaddaylight;abeautifulrosecolorenlivenedtheancient,decayedchimneysofthePillar-House。Itwasthehourwhentheearliestwindowsofthegreatcityopenjoyouslyontheroofs。Someworkmen,afewfruit-sellersontheirwaytothemarketsontheirasses,begantotraversetheGrève;theyhaltedforamomentbeforethisgroupofsoldiersclusteredroundtheRat-Hole,staredatitwithanairofastonishmentandpassedon。
  Thereclusehadgoneandseatedherselfbyherdaughter,coveringherwithherbody,infrontofher,withstaringeyes,listeningtothepoorchild,whodidnotstir,butwhokeptmurmuringinalowvoice,thesewordsonly,"Phoebus!
  Phoebus!"Inproportionastheworkofthedemolishersseemedtoadvance,themothermechanicallyretreated,andpressedtheyounggirlcloserandclosertothewall。Allatonce,thereclusebeheldthestoneforshewasstandingguardandnevertookhereyesfromit,move,andsheheardTristan’svoiceencouragingtheworkers。Thenshearousedfromthedepressionintowhichshehadfallenduringthelastfewmoments,criedout,andasshespoke,hervoicenowrenttheearlikeasaw,thenstammeredasthoughallkindofmaledictionswerepressingtoherlipstoburstforthatonce。
  "Ho!ho!ho!Whythisisterrible!Youareruffians!
  Areyoureallygoingtotakemydaughter?Oh!thecowards!
  Oh!thehangmanlackeys!thewretched,blackguardassassins!
  Help!help!fire!Willtheytakemychildfrommelikethis?WhoisitthenwhoiscalledthegoodGod?"
  Then,addressingTristan,foamingatthemouth,withwildeyes,allbristlingandonallfourslikeafemalepanther,——
  "Drawnearandtakemydaughter!Donotyouunderstandthatthiswomantellsyouthatsheismydaughter?Doyouknowwhatitistohaveachild?Eh!lynx,haveyouneverlainwithyourfemale?haveyouneverhadacub?
  andifyouhavelittleones,whentheyhowlhaveyounothinginyourvitalsthatmoves?"
  "Throwdownthestone,"saidTristan;"itnolongerholds。"
  Thecrowbarsraisedtheheavycourse。Itwas,aswehavesaid,themother’slastbulwark。
  Shethrewherselfuponit,shetriedtoholditback;shescratchedthestonewithhernails,butthemassiveblock,setinmovementbysixmen,escapedherandglidedgentlytothegroundalongtheironlevers。
  Themother,perceivinganentranceeffected,felldowninfrontoftheopening,barricadingthebreachwithherbody,beatingthepavementwithherhead,andshriekingwithavoicerenderedsohoarsebyfatiguethatitwashardlyaudible,——
  "Help!fire!fire!"
  "Nowtakethewench,"saidTristan,stillimpassive。
  Themothergazedatthesoldiersinsuchformidablefashionthattheyweremoreinclinedtoretreatthantoadvance。
  "Come,now,"repeatedtheprovost。"Hereyou,RennetCousin!"
  Noonetookastep。
  Theprovostswore,——
  "~TêtedeChrist~!mymenofwar!afraidofawoman!"
  "Monseigneur,"saidRennet,"doyoucallthatawoman?"
  "Shehasthemaneofalion,"saidanother。
  "Come!"repeatedtheprovost,"thegapiswideenough。
  Enterthreeabreast,asatthebreachofPontoise。Letusmakeanendofit,deathofMahom!Iwillmaketwopiecesofthefirstmanwhodrawsback!"
  Placedbetweentheprovostandthemother,boththreatening,thesoldiershesitatedforamoment,thentooktheirresolution,andadvancedtowardstheRat-Hole。
  Whenthereclusesawthis,sheroseabruptlyonherknees,flungasideherhairfromherface,thenletherthinflayedhandsfallbyherside。Thengreattearsfell,onebyone,fromhereyes;theyfloweddownhercheeksthroughafurrow,likeatorrentthroughabedwhichithashollowedforitself。
  Atthesametimeshebegantospeak,butinavoicesosupplicating,sogentle,sosubmissive,soheartrending,thatmorethanoneoldconvict-warderaroundTristanwhomusthavedevouredhumanfleshwipedhiseyes。
  "Messeigneurs!messieursthesergeants,oneword。ThereisonethingwhichImustsaytoyou。Sheismydaughter,doyousee?mydearlittledaughterwhomIhadlost!
  Listen。Itisquiteahistory。ConsiderthatIknewthesergeantsverywell。Theywerealwaysgoodtomeinthedayswhenthelittleboysthrewstonesatme,becauseIledalifeofpleasure。Doyousee?Youwillleavememychildwhenyouknow!Iwasapoorwomanofthetown。ItwastheBohemianswhostoleherfromme。AndIkepthershoeforfifteenyears。Stay,hereitis。Thatwasthekindoffootwhichshehad。AtReims!LaChantefleurie!RueFolle-
  Peine!Perchance,youknewaboutthat。ItwasI。Inyouryouth,then,therewasamerrytime,whenonepassedgoodhours。Youwilltakepityonme,willyounot,gentlemen?
  Thegypsiesstoleherfromme;theyhidherfrommeforfifteenyears。Ithoughtherdead。Fancy,mygoodfriends,believedhertobedead。Ihavepassedfifteenyearshereinthiscellar,withoutafireinwinter。Itishard。Thepoor,dearlittleshoe!IhavecriedsomuchthatthegoodGodhasheardme。Thisnighthehasgivenmydaughterbacktome。
  ItisamiracleofthegoodGod。Shewasnotdead。Youwillnottakeherfromme,Iamsure。Ifitweremyself,I
  wouldsaynothing;butshe,achildofsixteen!Leavehertimetoseethesun!Whathasshedonetoyou?nothingatall。NorhaveI。IfyoudidbutknowthatsheisallI
  have,thatIamold,thatsheisablessingwhichtheHolyVirginhassenttome!Andthen,youareallsogood!
  Youdidnotknowthatshewasmydaughter;butnowyoudoknowit。Oh!Iloveher!Monsieur,thegrandprovost。
  Iwouldpreferastabinmyownvitalstoascratchonherfinger!Youhavetheairofsuchagoodlord!WhatIhavetoldyouexplainsthematter,doesitnot?Oh!ifyouhavehadamother,monsiegneur!youarethecaptain,leavememychild!ConsiderthatIprayyouonmyknees,asonepraystoJesusChrist!Iasknothingofanyone;IamfromReims,gentlemen;Iownalittlefieldinheritedfrommyuncle,MahietPradon。Iamnobeggar。Iwishnothing,butIdowantmychild!oh!Iwanttokeepmychild!ThegoodGod,whoisthemaster,hasnotgivenherbacktomefornothing!Theking!yousaytheking!Itwouldnotcausehimmuchpleasuretohavemylittledaughterkilled!
  Andthen,thekingisgood!sheismydaughter!sheismyowndaughter!Shebelongsnottotheking!sheisnotyours!Iwanttogoaway!wewanttogoaway!andwhentwowomenpass,oneamotherandtheotheradaughter,oneletsthemgo!Letuspass!webelonginReims。Oh!youareverygood,messieursthesergeants,Iloveyouall。Youwillnottakemydearlittleone,itisimpossible!Itisutterlyimpossible,isitnot?Mychild,mychild!"
  Wewillnottrytogiveanideaofhergestures,hertone,ofthetearswhichsheswallowedasshespoke,ofthehandswhichsheclaspedandthenwrung,oftheheart-breakingsmiles,oftheswimmingglances,ofthegroans,thesighs,themiserableandaffectingcrieswhichshemingledwithherdisordered,wild,andincoherentwords。WhenshebecamesilentTristanl’Hermitefrowned,butitwastoconcealatearwhichwelledupinhistiger’seye。Heconqueredthisweakness,however,andsaidinacurttone,——
  "Thekingwillsit。"
  ThenhebentdowntotheearofRennetCousin,andsaidtohiminaverylowtone,——
  "Makeanendofitquickly!"Possibly,theredoubtableprovostfelthisheartalsofailinghim。
  Theexecutionerandthesergeantsenteredthecell。Themotherofferednoresistance,onlyshedraggedherselftowardsherdaughterandthrewherselfbodilyuponher。
  Thegypsybeheldthesoldiersapproach。Thehorrorofdeathreanimatedher,——
  "Mother!"sheshrieked,inatoneofindescribabledistress,"Mother!theyarecoming!defendme!"
  "Yes,mylove,Iamdefendingyou!"repliedthemother,inadyingvoice;andclaspinghercloselyinherarms,shecoveredherwithkisses。Thetwolyingthusontheearth,themotheruponthedaughter,presentedaspectacleworthyofpity。
  RennetCousingraspedtheyounggirlbythemiddleofherbody,beneathherbeautifulshoulders。Whenshefeltthathand,shecried,"Heuh!"andfainted。Theexecutionerwhowassheddinglargetearsuponher,dropbydrop,wasabouttobearherawayinhisarms。Hetriedtodetachthemother,whohad,sotospeak,knottedherhandsaroundherdaughter’swaist;butsheclungsostronglytoherchild,thatitwasimpossibletoseparatethem。ThenRennetCousindraggedtheyounggirloutsidethecell,andthemotherafterher。Themother’seyeswerealsoclosed。
  Atthatmoment,thesunrose,andtherewasalreadyonthePlaceafairlynumerousassemblyofpeoplewholookedonfromadistanceatwhatwasbeingthusdraggedalongthepavementtothegibbet。ForthatwasProvostTristan’swayatexecutions。Hehadapassionforpreventingtheapproachofthecurious。
  Therewasnooneatthewindows。Onlyatadistance,atthesummitofthatoneofthetowersofNotre-DamewhichcommandstheGrève,twomenoutlinedinblackagainstthelightmorningsky,andwhoseemedtobelookingon,werevisible。
  RennetCousinpausedatthefootofthefatalladder,withthatwhichhewasdragging,and,barelybreathing,withsomuchpitydidthethinginspirehim,hepassedtheropearoundthelovelyneckoftheyounggirl。Theunfortunatechildfeltthehorribletouchofthehemp。Sheraisedhereyelids,andsawthefleshlessarmofthestonegallowsextendedaboveherhead。Thensheshookherselfandshriekedinaloudandheartrendingvoice:"No!no!Iwillnot!"Hermother,whoseheadwasburiedandconcealedinherdaughter’sgarments,saidnotaword;onlyherwholebodycouldbeseentoquiver,andshewasheardtoredoubleherkissesonherchild。Theexecutionertookadvantageofthismomenttohastilyloosethearmswithwhichsheclaspedthecondemnedgirl。Eitherthroughexhaustionordespair,shelethimhavehisway。Thenhetooktheyounggirlonhisshoulder,fromwhichthecharmingcreaturehung,gracefullybentoverhislargehead。Thenhesethisfootontheladderinordertoascend。
  Atthatmoment,themotherwhowascrouchingonthepavement,openedhereyeswide。Withoututteringacry,sheraisedherselferectwithaterribleexpression;thensheflungherselfuponthehandoftheexecutioner,likeabeastonitsprey,andbitit。Itwasdonelikeaflashoflightning。Theheadsmanhowledwithpain。Thosenearbyrushedup。
  Withdifficultytheywithdrewhisbleedinghandfromthemother’steeth。Shepreservedaprofoundsilence。Theythrustherbackwithmuchbrutality,andnoticedthatherheadfellheavilyonthepavement。Theyraisedher,shefellbackagain。Shewasdead。
  Theexecutioner,whohadnotloosedhisholdontheyounggirl,begantoascendtheladderoncemore。
  CHAPTERII。
  THEBEAUTIFULCREATURECLADINWHITE。Dante。
  WhenQuasimodosawthatthecellwasempty,thatthegypsywasnolongerthere,thatwhilehehadbeendefendinghershehadbeenabducted,hegraspedhishairwithbothhandsandstampedwithsurpriseandpain;thenhesetouttorunthroughtheentirechurchseekinghisBohemian,howlingstrangecriestoallthecornersofthewalls,strewinghisredhaironthepavement。Itwasjustatthemomentwhentheking’sarchersweremakingtheirvictoriousentranceintoNotre-Dame,alsoinsearchofthegypsy。Quasimodo,poor,deaffellow,aidedthemintheirfatalintentions,withoutsuspectingit;hethoughtthattheoutcastswerethegypsy’senemies。HehimselfconductedTristanl’Hermitetoallpossiblehiding-places,openedtohimthesecretdoors,thedoublebottomsofthealtars,therearsacristries。Iftheunfortunategirlhadstillbeenthere,itwouldhavebeenhehimselfwhowouldhavedeliveredherup。
  WhenthefatigueoffindingnothinghaddisheartenedTristan,whowasnoteasilydiscouraged,Quasimodocontinuedthesearchalone。Hemadethetourofthechurchtwentytimes,lengthandbreadth,upanddown,ascendinganddescending,running,calling,sbouting,peeping,rummaging,ransacking,thrustinghisheadintoeveryhole,pushingatorchundereveryvault,despairing,mad。A
  malewhohaslosthisfemaleisnomoreroaringnormorehaggard。
  Atlastwhenhewassure,perfectlysurethatshewasnolongerthere,thatallwasatanend,thatshehadbeensnatchedfromhim,heslowlymountedthestaircasetothetowers,thatstaircasewhichhehadascendedwithsomucheagernessandtriumphonthedaywhenhehadsavedher。
  Hepassedthosesameplacesoncemorewithdroopinghead,voiceless,tearless,almostbreathless。Thechurchwasagaindeserted,andhadfallenbackintoitssilence。Thearchershadquittedittotrackthesorceressinthecity。Quasimodo,leftaloneinthatvastNotre-Dame,sobesiegedandtumultuousbutashorttimebefore,oncemorebetookhimselftothecellwherethegypsyhadsleptforsomanyweeksunderhisguardianship。
  Asheapproachedit,hefanciedthathemight,perhaps,findherthere。When,attheturnofthegallerywhichopensontheroofofthesideaisles,heperceivedthetinycellwithitslittlewindowanditslittledoorcrouchingbeneathagreatflyingbuttresslikeabird’snestunderabranch,thepoorman’sheartfailedhim,andheleanedagainstapillartokeepfromfalling。Heimaginedthatshemighthavereturnedthither,thatsomegoodgeniushad,nodoubt,broughtherback,thatthischamberwastootranquil,toosafe,toocharmingforhernottobethere,andhedarednottakeanotherstepforfearofdestroyinghisillusion。"Yes,"hesaidtohimself,"perchancesheissleeping,orpraying。Imustnotdisturbher。"
  Atlengthhesummonedupcourage,advancedontiptoe,looked,entered。Empty。Thecellwasstillempty。Theunhappydeafmanwalkedslowlyroundit,liftedthebedandlookedbeneathit,asthoughshemightbeconcealedbetweenthepavementandthemattress,thenheshookhisheadandremainedstupefied。Allatonce,hecrushedhistorchunderhisfoot,and,withoututteringaword,withoutgivingventtoasigh,heflunghimselfatfullspeed,headforemostagainstthewall,andfellfaintingonthefloor。
  Whenherecoveredhissenses,hethrewhimselfonthebedandrollingabout,hekissedfranticallytheplacewheretheyounggirlhadsleptandwhichwasstillwarm;heremainedthereforseveralmomentsasmotionlessasthoughhewereabouttoexpire;thenherose,drippingwithperspiration,panting,mad,andbegantobeathisheadagainstthewallwiththefrightfulregularityoftheclapperofhisbells,andtheresolutionofamandeterminedtokillhimself。Atlengthhefellasecondtime,exhausted;hedraggedhimselfonhiskneesoutsidethecell,andcroucheddownfacingthedoor,inanattitudeofastonishment。
  Heremainedthusformorethananhourwithoutmakingamovement,withhiseyefixedonthedesertedcell,moregloomy,andmorepensivethanamotherseatedbetweenanemptycradleandafullcoffin。Heutterednotaword;onlyatlongintervals,asobheavedhisbodyviolently,butitwasatearlesssob,likesummerlightningwhichmakesnonoise。
  Itappearstohavebeenthen,that,seekingatthebottomofhislonelythoughtsfortheunexpectedabductorofthegypsy,hethoughtofthearchdeacon。HerememberedthatDomClaudealonepossessedakeytothestaircaseleadingtothecell;herecalledhisnocturnalattemptsontheyounggirl,inthefirstofwhichhe,Quasimodo,hadassisted,thesecondofwhichhehadprevented。Herecalledathousanddetails,andsoonhenolongerdoubtedthatthearchdeaconhadtakenthegypsy。Nevertheless,suchwashisrespectforthepriest,suchhisgratitude,hisdevotion,hisloveforthismanhadtakensuchdeeprootinhisheart,thattheyresisted,evenatthismoment,thetalonsofjealousyanddespair。
  Hereflectedthatthearchdeaconhaddonethisthing,andthewrathofbloodanddeathwhichitwouldhaveevokedinhimagainstanyotherperson,turnedinthepoordeafman,fromthemomentwhenClaudeFrollowasinquestion,intoanincreaseofgriefandsorrow。
  Atthemomentwhenhisthoughtwasthusfixeduponthepriest,whilethedaybreakwaswhiteningtheflyingbuttresses,heperceivedonthehigheststoryofNotre-Dame,attheangleformedbytheexternalbalustradeasitmakestheturnofthechancel,afigurewalking。Thisfigurewascomingtowardshim。Herecognizedit。Itwasthearchdeacon。
  Claudewaswalkingwithaslow,gravestep。Hedidnotlookbeforehimashewalked,hewasdirectinghiscoursetowardsthenortherntower,buthisfacewasturnedasidetowardstherightbankoftheSeine,andheheldhisheadhigh,asthoughtryingtoseesomethingovertheroofs。Theowloftenassumesthisobliqueattitude。Itfliestowardsonepointandlookstowardsanother。InthismannerthepriestpassedaboveQuasimodowithoutseeinghim。
  Thedeafman,whohadbeenpetrifiedbythissuddenapparition,beheldhimdisappearthroughthedoorofthestaircasetothenorthtower。ThereaderisawarethatthisisthetowerfromwhichtheH?tel-de-Villeisvisible。
  Quasimodoroseandfollowedthearchdeacon。
  Quasimodoascendedthetowerstaircaseforthesakeofascendingit,forthesakeofseeingwhythepriestwasascendingit。Moreover,thepoorbellringerdidnotknowwhatheQuasimodoshoulddo,whatheshouldsay,whathewished。
  Hewasfulloffuryandfulloffear。Thearchdeaconandthegypsyhadcomeintoconflictinhisheart。
  Whenhereachedthesummitofthetower,beforeemergingfromtheshadowofthestaircaseandsteppingupontheplatform,hecautiouslyexaminedthepositionofthepriest。
  Thepriest’sbackwasturnedtohim。Thereisanopenworkbalustradewhichsurroundstheplatformofthebelltower。
  Thepriest,whoseeyeslookeddownuponthetown,wasrestinghisbreastonthatoneofthefoursidesofthebalustradeswhichlooksuponthePontNotre-Dame。
  Quasimodo,advancingwiththetreadofawolfbehindhim,wenttoseewhathewasgazingatthus。
  Thepriest’sattentionwassoabsorbedelsewherethathedidnothearthedeafmanwalkingbehindhim。
  Parisisamagnificentandcharmingspectacle,andespeciallyatthatday,viewedfromthetopofthetowersofNotre-
  Dame,inthefreshlightofasummerdawn。ThedaymighthavebeeninJuly。Theskywasperfectlyserene。Sometardystarswerefadingawayatvariouspoints,andtherewasaverybrilliantoneintheeast,inthebrightestpartoftheheavens。Thesunwasabouttoappear;Pariswasbeginningtomove。Averywhiteandverypurelightbroughtoutvividlytotheeyealltheoutlinesthatitsthousandsofhousespresenttotheeast。Thegiantshadowofthetowersleapedfromrooftoroof,fromoneendofthegreatcitytotheother。
  Therewereseveralquartersfromwhichwerealreadyheardvoicesandnoisysounds。Herethestrokeofabell,therethestrokeofahammer,beyond,thecomplicatedclatterofacartinmotion。
  Alreadyseveralcolumnsofsmokewerebeingbelchedforthfromthechimneysscatteredoverthewholesurfaceofroofs,asthroughthefissuresofanimmensesulphurouscrater。
  Theriver,whichrufflesitswatersagainstthearchesofsomanybridges,againstthepointsofsomanyislands,waswaveringwithsilveryfolds。Aroundthecity,outsidetheramparts,sightwaslostinagreatcircleoffleecyvaporsthroughwhichoneconfusedlydistinguishedtheindefinitelineoftheplains,andthegracefulswelloftheheights。Allsortsoffloatingsoundsweredispersedoverthishalf-awakenedcity。Towardstheeast,themorningbreezechasedafewsoftwhitebitsofwooltornfromthemistyfleeceofthehills。
  IntheParvis,somegoodwomen,whohadtheirmilkjugsintheirhands,werepointingouttoeachother,withastonishment,thesingulardilapidationofthegreatdoorofNotre-Dame,andthetwosolidifiedstreamsofleadinthecrevicesofthestone。Thiswasallthatremainedofthetempestofthenight。ThebonfirelightedbetweenthetowersbyQuasimodohaddiedout。TristanhadalreadyclearedupthePlace,andhadthedeadthrownintotheSeine。KingslikeLouisXI。arecarefultocleanthepavementquicklyafteramassacre。
  Outsidethebalustradeofthetower,directlyunderthepointwherethepriesthadpaused,therewasoneofthosefantasticallycarvedstonegutterswithwhichGothicedificesbristle,and,inacreviceofthatgutter,twoprettywallflowersinblossom,shakenoutandvivified,asitwere,bythebreathofair,madefrolicsomesalutationstoeachother。Abovethetowers,onhigh,farawayinthedepthsofthesky,thecriesoflittlebirdswereheard。
  Butthepriestwasnotlisteningto,wasnotlookingat,anythingofallthis。Hewasoneofthemenforwhomtherearenomornings,nobirds,noflowers。Inthatimmensehorizon,whichassumedsomanyaspectsabouthim,hiscontemplationwasconcentratedonasinglepoint。
  Quasimodowasburningtoaskhimwhathehaddonewiththegypsy;butthearchdeaconseemedtobeoutoftheworldatthatmoment。Hewasevidentlyinoneofthoseviolentmomentsoflifewhenonewouldnotfeeltheearthcrumble。
  Heremainedmotionlessandsilent,withhiseyessteadilyfixedonacertainpoint;andtherewassomethingsoterribleaboutthissilenceandimmobilitythatthesavagebellringershudderedbeforeitanddarednotcomeincontactwithit。
  Only,andthiswasalsoonewayofinterrogatingthearchdeacon,hefollowedthedirectionofhisvision,andinthiswaytheglanceoftheunhappydeafmanfelluponthePlacedeGrève。
  Thushesawwhatthepriestwaslookingat。Theladderwaserectednearthepermanentgallows。ThereweresomepeopleandmanysoldiersinthePlace。Amanwasdraggingawhitething,fromwhichhungsomethingblack,alongthepavement。Thismanhaltedatthefootofthegallows。
  HeresomethingtookplacewhichQuasimodocouldnotseeveryclearly。Itwasnotbecausehisonlyeyehadnotpreserveditslongrange,buttherewasagroupofsoldierswhichpreventedhisseeingeverything。Moreover,atthatmomentthesunappeared,andsuchafloodoflightoverflowedthehorizonthatonewouldhavesaidthatallthepointsinParis,spires,chimneys,gables,hadsimultaneouslytakenfire。
  Meanwhile,themanbegantomounttheladder。ThenQuasimodosawhimagaindistinctly。Hewascarryingawomanonhisshoulder,ayounggirldressedinwhite;thatyounggirlhadanooseaboutherneck。Quasimodorecognizedher。
  Itwasshe。
  Themanreachedthetopoftheladder。Therehearrangedthenoose。Herethepriest,inordertoseethebetter,kneltuponthebalustrade。
  Allatoncethemankickedawaytheladderabruptly,andQuasimodo,whohadnotbreathedforseveralmoments,beheldtheunhappychilddanglingattheendoftheropetwofathomsabovethepavement,withthemansquattingonhershoulders。
  Theropemadeseveralgyrationsonitself,andQuasimodobeheldhorribleconvulsionsrunalongthegypsy’sbody。Thepriest,onhisside,withoutstretchedneckandeyesstartingfromhishead,contemplatedthishorriblegroupofthemanandtheyounggirl,——thespiderandthefly。
  Atthemomentwhenitwasmosthorrible,thelaughofademon,alaughwhichonecanonlygiveventtowhenoneisnolongerhuman,burstforthonthepriest’slividface。
  Quasimododidnothearthatlaugh,buthesawit。
  Thebellringerretreatedseveralpacesbehindthearchdeacon,andsuddenlyhurlinghimselfuponhimwithfury,withhishugehandshepushedhimbythebackoverintotheabyssoverwhichDomClaudewasleaning。
  Thepriestshrieked:"Damnation!"andfell。
  Thespout,abovewhichhehadstood,arrestedhiminhisfall。Heclungtoitwithdesperatehands,and,atthemomentwhenheopenedhismouthtoutterasecondcry,hebeheldtheformidableandavengingfaceofQuasimodothrustovertheedgeofthebalustradeabovehishead。
  Thenhewassilent。
  Theabysswastherebelowhim。Afallofmorethantwohundredfeetandthepavement。
  Inthisterriblesituation,thearchdeaconsaidnotaword,utterednotagroan。Hemerelywritheduponthespout,withincredibleeffortstoclimbupagain;buthishandshadnoholdonthegranite,hisfeetslidalongtheblackenedwallwithoutcatchingfast。PeoplewhohaveascendedthetowersofNotre-Dameknowthatthereisaswellofthestoneimmediatelybeneaththebalustrade。Itwasonthisretreatinganglethatmiserablearchdeaconexhaustedhimself。Hehadnottodealwithaperpendicularwall,butwithonewhichslopedawaybeneathhim。
  Quasimodohadbuttostretchouthishandinordertodrawhimfromthegulf;buthedidnotevenlookathim。HewaslookingattheGrève。Hewaslookingatthegallows。Hewaslookingatthegypsy。
  Thedeafmanwasleaning,withhiselbowsonthebalustrade,atthespotwherethearchdeaconhadbeenamomentbefore,andthere,neverdetachinghisgazefromtheonlyobjectwhichexistedforhimintheworldatthatmoment,heremainedmotionlessandmute,likeamanstruckbylightning,andalongstreamoftearsflowedinsilencefromthateyewhich,uptothattime,hadnevershedbutonetear。
  Meanwhile,thearchdeaconwaspanting。Hisbaldbrowwasdrippingwithperspiration,hisnailswerebleedingagainstthestones,hiskneeswereflayedbythewall。
  Heheardhiscassock,whichwascaughtonthespout,crackandripateveryjerkthathegaveit。Tocompletehismisfortune,thisspoutendedinaleadenpipewhichbentundertheweightofhisbody。Thearchdeaconfeltthispipeslowlygivingway。Themiserablemansaidtohimselfthat,whenhishandsshouldbewornoutwithfatigue,whenhiscassockshouldtearasunder,whentheleadshouldgiveway,hewouldbeobligedtofall,andterrorseizeduponhisveryvitals。
  Nowandthenheglancedwildlyatasortofnarrowshelfformed,tenfeetlowerdown,byprojectionsofthesculpture,andheprayedheaven,fromthedepthsofhisdistressedsoul,thathemightbeallowedtofinishhislife,wereittolasttwocenturies,onthatspacetwofeetsquare。Once,heglancedbelowhimintothePlace,intotheabyss;theheadwhichheraisedagainhaditseyesclosedanditshairstandingerect。
  Therewassomethingfrightfulinthesilenceofthesetwomen。Whilethearchdeaconagonizedinthisterriblefashionafewfeetbelowhim,QuasimodoweptandgazedattheGrève。
  Thearchdeacon,seeingthatallhisexertionsservedonlytoweakenthefragilesupportwhichremainedtohim,decidedtoremainquiet。Therehehung,embracingthegutter,hardlybreathing,nolongerstirring,makingnolongeranyothermovementsthanthatmechanicalconvulsionofthestomach,whichoneexperiencesindreamswhenonefancieshimselffalling。Hisfixedeyeswerewideopenwithastare。Helostgroundlittlebylittle,nevertheless,hisfingersslippedalongthespout;hebecamemoreandmoreconsciousofthefeeblenessofhisarmsandtheweightofhisbody。Thecurveoftheleadwhichsustainedhiminclinedmoreandmoreeachinstanttowardstheabyss。
  Hebeheldbelowhim,afrightfulthing,theroofofSaint-
  JeanleRond,assmallasacardfoldedintwo。Hegazedattheimpressivecarvings,onebyone,ofthetower,suspendedlikehimselfovertheprecipice,butwithoutterrorforthemselvesorpityforhim。Allwasstonearoundhim;beforehiseyes,gapingmonsters;below,quiteatthebottom,inthePlace,thepavement;abovehishead,Quasimodoweeping。
  IntheParvistherewereseveralgroupsofcuriousgoodpeople,whoweretranquillyseekingtodivinewhothemadmancouldbewhowasamusinghimselfinsostrangeamanner。
  Thepriestheardthemsaying,fortheirvoicesreachedhim,clearandshrill:"Why,hewillbreakhisneck!"
  Quasimodowept。
  Atlastthearchdeacon,foamingwithrageanddespair,understoodthatallwasinvain。Nevertheless,hecollectedallthestrengthwhichremainedtohimforafinaleffort。Hestiffenedhimselfuponthespout,pushedagainstthewallwithbothhisknees,clungtoacreviceinthestoneswithhishands,andsucceededinclimbingbackwithonefoot,perhaps;butthiseffortmadetheleadenbeakonwhichherestedbendabruptly。Hiscassockburstopenatthesametime。Then,feelingeverythinggivewaybeneathhim,withnothingbuthisstiffenedandfailinghandstosupporthim,theunfortunatemanclosedhiseyesandletgoofthespout。
  Hefell。
  Quasimodowatchedhimfall。
  Afallfromsuchaheightisseldomperpendicular。Thearchdeacon,launchedintospace,fellatfirstheadforemost,withoutspreadhands;thenhewhirledoverandovermanytimes;thewindblewhimupontheroofofahouse,wheretheunfortunatemanbegantobreakup。Nevertheless,hewasnotdeadwhenhereachedthere。Thebellringersawhimstillendeavortoclingtoagablewithhisnails;butthesurfaceslopedtoomuch,andhehadnomorestrength。Heslidrapidlyalongtherooflikealoosenedtile,anddasheduponthepavement。Therehenolongermoved。
  ThenQuasimodoraisedhiseyestothegypsy,whosebodyhebeheldhangingfromthegibbet,quiveringfarawaybeneathherwhiterobewiththelastshudderingsofanguish,thenhedroppedthemonthearchdeacon,stretchedoutatthebaseofthetower,andnolongerretainingthehumanform,andhesaid,withasobwhichheavedhisdeepchest,——
  "Oh!allthatIhaveeverloved!"
  CHAPTERIII。
  THEMARRIAGEOFPHOEBUS。
  Towardseveningonthatday,whenthejudiciaryofficersofthebishopcametopickupfromthepavementoftheParvisthedislocatedcorpseofthearchdeacon,Quasimodohaddisappeared。
  Agreatmanyrumorswereincirculationwithregardtothisadventure。Noonedoubtedbutthatthedayhadcomewhen,inaccordancewiththeircompact,Quasimodo,thatistosay,thedevil,wastocarryoffClaudeFrollo,thatistosay,thesorcerer。Itwaspresumedthathehadbrokenthebodywhentakingthesoul,likemonkeyswhobreaktheshelltogetatthenut。
  Thisiswhythearchdeaconwasnotinterredinconsecratedearth。
  LouisXI。diedayearlater,inthemonthofAugust,1483。
  AsforPierreGringoire,hesucceededinsavingthegoat,andhewonsuccessintragedy。Itappearsthat,afterhavingtastedastrology,philosophy,architecture,hermetics,——allvanities,hereturnedtotragedy,vainestpursuitofall。Thisiswhathecalled"comingtoatragicend。"Thisiswhatistoberead,onthesubjectofhisdramatictriumphs,in1483,intheaccountsofthe"Ordinary:""ToJehanMarchandandPierreGringoire,carpenterandcomposer,whohavemadeandcomposedthemysterymadeattheCh?teletofParis,attheentryofMonsieurtheLegate,andhaveorderedthepersonages,clothedanddressedthesame,asinthesaidmysterywasrequired;andlikewise,forhavingmadethescaffoldingstheretonecessary;andforthisdeed,——onehundredlivres。"
  PhoebusdeChateaupersalsocametoatragicend。Hemarried。
  CHAPTERIV。
  THEMARRIAGEOFQUASIMODO。
  WehavejustsaidthatQuasimododisappearedfromNotre-
  Dameonthedayofthegypsy’sandofthearchdeacon’sdeath。
  Hewasnotseenagain,infact;nooneknewwhathadbecomeofhim。
  DuringthenightwhichfollowedtheexecutionoflaEsmeralda,thenightmenhaddetachedherbodyfromthegibbet,andhadcarriedit,accordingtocustom,tothecellarofMontfau?on。
  Montfau?onwas,asSauvalsays,"themostancientandthemostsuperbgibbetinthekingdom。"BetweenthefaubourgsoftheTempleandSaintMartin,aboutahundredandsixtytoisesfromthewallsofParis,afewbowshotsfromLaCourtille,therewastobeseenonthecrestofagentle,almostimperceptibleeminence,butsufficientlyelevatedtobeseenforseveralleaguesroundabout,anedificeofstrangeform,bearingconsiderableresemblancetoaCelticcromlech,andwherealsohumansacrificeswereoffered。
  Letthereaderpicturetohimself,crowningalimestonehillock,anoblongmassofmasonryfifteenfeetinheight,thirtywide,fortylong,withagate,anexternalrailingandaplatform;
  onthisplatformsixteenenormouspillarsofroughhewnstone,thirtyfeetinheight,arrangedinacolonnaderoundthreeofthefoursidesofthemasswhichsupportthem,boundtogetherattheirsummitsbyheavybeams,whencehungchainsatintervals;
  onallthesechains,skeletons;inthevicinity,ontheplain,astonecrossandtwogibbetsofsecondaryimportance,whichseemedtohavesprungupasshootsaroundthecentralgallows;
  aboveallthis,inthesky,aperpetualflockofcrows;thatwasMontfau?on。
  Attheendofthefifteenthcentury,theformidablegibbetwhichdatedfrom1328,wasalreadyverymuchdilapidated;
  thebeamswerewormeaten,thechainsrusted,thepillarsgreenwithmould;thelayersofhewnstonewereallcrackedattheirjoints,andgrasswasgrowingonthatplatformwhichnofeettouched。Themonumentmadeahorribleprofileagainstthesky;especiallyatnightwhentherewasalittlemoonlightonthosewhiteskulls,orwhenthebreezeofeveningbrushedthechainsandtheskeletons,andswayedalltheseinthedarkness。Thepresenceofthisgibbetsufficedtorendergloomyallthesurroundingplaces。
  Themassofmasonrywhichservedasfoundationtotheodiousedificewashollow。Ahugecellarhadbeenconstructedthere,closedbyanoldirongrating,whichwasoutoforder,intowhichwerecastnotonlythehumanremains,whichweretakenfromthechainsofMontfau?on,butalsothebodiesofalltheunfortunatesexecutedontheotherpermanentgibbetsofParis。Tothatdeepcharnel-house,wheresomanyhumanremainsandsomanycrimeshaverottedincompany,manygreatonesofthisworld,manyinnocentpeople,havecontributedtheirbones,fromEnguerranddeMarigni,thefirstvictim,andajustman,toAdmiraldeColigni,whowasitslast,andwhowasalsoajustman。
  AsforthemysteriousdisappearanceofQuasimodo,thisisallthatwehavebeenabletodiscover。
  Abouteighteenmonthsortwoyearsaftertheeventswhichterminatethisstory,whensearchwasmadeinthatcavernforthebodyofOlivierleDaim,whohadbeenhangedtwodayspreviously,andtowhomCharlesVIII。hadgrantedthefavorofbeingburiedinSaintLaurent,inbettercompany,theyfoundamongallthosehideouscarcassestwoskeletons,oneofwhichheldtheotherinitsembrace。Oneoftheseskeletons,whichwasthatofawoman,stillhadafewstripsofagarmentwhichhadoncebeenwhite,andaroundherneckwastobeseenastringofadrézarachbeadswithalittlesilkbagornamentedwithgreenglass,whichwasopenandempty。
  Theseobjectswereofsolittlevaluethattheexecutionerhadprobablynotcaredforthem。Theother,whichheldthisoneinacloseembrace,wastheskeletonofaman。Itwasnoticedthathisspinalcolumnwascrooked,hisheadseatedonhisshoulderblades,andthatonelegwasshorterthantheother。
  Moreover,therewasnofractureofthevertebraeatthenapeoftheneck,anditwasevidentthathehadnotbeenhanged。
  Hence,themantowhomithadbelongedhadcomethitherandhaddiedthere。Whentheytriedtodetachtheskeletonwhichheheldinhisembrace,hefelltodust。
  NOTE
  ADDEDTOTHEDEFINITIVEEDITION。
  Itisbymistakethatthiseditionwasannouncedasaugmentedbymanynewchapters。Thewordshouldhavebeenunpublished。Infact,ifbynew,newlymadeistobeunderstood,thechaptersaddedtothiseditionarenotnew。
  Theywerewrittenatthesametimeastherestofthework;
  theydatefromthesameepoch,andsprangfromthesamethought,theyhavealwaysformedapartofthemanuscriptof"Notre-Dame-de-Paris。"Moreover,theauthorcannotcomprehendhowfreshdevelopmentscouldbeaddedtoaworkofthischaracterafteritscompletion。Thisisnottobedoneatwill。Accordingtohisidea,aromanceisborninamannerthatis,insomesort,necessary,withallitschapters;adramaisbornwithallitsscenes。Thinknotthatthereisanythingarbitraryinthenumbersofpartsofwhichthatwhole,thatmysteriousmicrocosmwhichyoucalladramaoraromance,iscomposed。Graftingandsolderingtakebadlyonworksofthisnature,whichshouldgushforthinasinglestreamandsoremain。Thethingoncedone,donotchangeyourmind,donottouchitup。Thebookoncepublished,thesexofthework,whethervirileornot,hasbeenrecognizedandproclaimed;whenthechildhasonceutteredhisfirstcryheisborn,thereheis,heismadeso,neitherfathernormothercandoanything,hebelongstotheairandtothesun,lethimliveordie,suchasheis。Hasyourbookbeenafailure?
  Somuchtheworse。Addnochapterstoanunsuccessfulbook。Isitincomplete?Youshouldhavecompleteditwhenyouconceivedit。Isyourtreecrooked?Youcannotstraightenitup。Isyourromanceconsumptive?Isyourromancenotcapableofliving?Youcannotsupplyitwiththebreathwhichitlacks。Hasyourdramabeenbornlame?
  Takemyadvice,anddonotprovideitwithawoodenleg。
  Hencetheauthorattachesparticularimportancetothepublicknowingforacertaintythatthechaptershereaddedhavenotbeenmadeexpresslyforthisreprint。Theywerenotpublishedintheprecedingeditionsofthebookforaverysimplereason。Atthetimewhen"Notre-Dame-de-Paris"wasprintedthefirsttime,themanuscriptofthesethreechaptershadbeenmislaid。Itwasnecessarytorewritethemortodispensewiththem。Theauthorconsideredthattheonlytwoofthesechapterswhichwereintheleastimportant,owingtotheirextent,werechaptersonartandhistorywhichinnowayinterferedwiththegroundworkofthedramaandtheromance,thatthepublicwouldnotnoticetheirloss,andthathe,theauthor,wouldalonebeinpossessionofthesecret。Hedecidedtoomitthem,andthen,ifthewholetruthmustbeconfessed,hisindolenceshrunkfromthetaskofrewritingthethreelostchapters。Hewouldhavefounditashortermattertomakeanewromance。
  Nowthechaptershavebeenfound,andheavailshimselfofthefirstopportunitytorestorethemtotheirplace。
  Thisnow,ishisentirework,suchashedreamedit,suchashemadeit,goodorbad,durableorfragile,butsuchashewishesit。
  Theserecoveredchapterswillpossessnodoubt,butlittlevalueintheeyesofpersons,otherwiseveryjudicious,whohavesoughtin"Notre-Dame-de-Paris"onlythedrama,theromance。Butthereareperchance,otherreaders,whohavenotfoundituselesstostudytheaestheticandphilosophicthoughtconcealedinthisbook,andwhohavetakenpleasure,whilereading"Notre-Dame-de-Paris,"inunravellingbeneaththeromancesomethingelsethantheromance,andinfollowingmaywebepardonedtheseratherambitiousexpressions,thesystemofthehistorianandtheaimoftheartistthroughthecreationofthepoet。
  Forsuchpeopleespecially,thechaptersaddedtothiseditionwillcomplete"Notre-Dame-de-Paris,"ifweadmitthat"Notre-Dame-de-Paris"wasworththetroubleofcompleting。
  Inoneofthesechaptersonthepresentdecadenceofarchitecture,andonthedeathinhismindalmostinevitable
  ofthatkingofarts,theauthorexpressesanddevelopsanopinionunfortunatelywellrootedinhim,andwellthoughtout。Buthefeelsitnecessarytosayherethatheearnestlydesiresthatthefuturemay,someday,puthiminthewrong。Heknowsthatartinallitsformshaseverythingtohopefromthenewgenerationswhosegenius,stillinthegerm,canbeheardgushingforthinourstudios。Thegrainisinthefurrow,theharvestwillcertainlybefine。Hemerelyfears,andthereasonmaybeseeninthesecondvolumeofthisedition,thatthesapmayhavebeenwithdrawnfromthatancientsoilofarchitecturewhichhasbeenforsomanycenturiesthebestfieldforart。
  Nevertheless,thereareto-dayintheartisticyouthsomuchlife,power,and,sotospeak,predestination,thatinourschoolsofarchitectureinparticular,atthepresenttime,theprofessors,whoaredetestable,produce,notonlyunconsciouslybuteveninspiteofthemselves,excellentpupils;quitethereverseofthatpottermentionedbyHorace,whodreamedamphoraeandproducedpots。~Curritrota,urcensexit~。
  But,inanycase,whatevermaybethefutureofarchitecture,inwhatevermannerouryoungarchitectsmayonedaysolvethequestionoftheirart,letus,whilewaitingfornewmonument,preservetheancientmonuments。Letus,ifpossible,inspirethenationwithalovefornationalarchitecture。That,theauthordeclares,isoneoftheprincipalaimsofthisbook;
  itisoneoftheprincipalaimsofhislife。
  "Notre-Dame-de-Paris"has,perhapsopenedsometrueperspectivesontheartoftheMiddleAges,onthatmarvellousartwhichuptothepresenttimehasbeenunknowntosome,and,whatisworse,misknownbyothers。Buttheauthorisfarfromregardingasaccomplished,thetaskwhichhehasvoluntarilyimposedonhimself。Hehasalreadypleadedonmorethanoneoccasion,thecauseofourancientarchitecture,hehasalreadyloudlydenouncedmanyprofanations,manydemolitions,manyimpieties。Hewillnotgrowweary。Hehaspromisedhimselftorecurfrequentlytothissubject。Hewillreturntoit。Hewillbeasindefatigableindefendingourhistoricaledificesasouriconoclastsoftheschoolsandacademiesareeagerinattackingthem;foritisagrievousthingtoseeintowhathandsthearchitectureoftheMiddleAgeshasfallen,andinwhatamannerthebotchersofplasterofthepresentdaytreattheruinofthisgrandart,itisevenashameforusintelligentmenwhoseethematworkandcontentourselveswithhootingthem。Andwearenotspeakingheremerelyofwhatgoesonintheprovinces,butofwhatisdoneinParisatourverydoors,beneathourwindows,inthegreatcity,intheletteredcity,inthecityofthepress,ofword,ofthought。Wecannotresisttheimpulsetopointout,inconcludingthisnote,someoftheactsofvandalismwhichareeverydayplanned,debated,begun,continued,andsuccessfullycompletedundertheeyesoftheartisticpublicofParis,facetofacewithcriticism,whichisdisconcertedbysomuchaudacity。Anarchbishop’spalacehasjustbeendemolished,anedificeinpoortaste,nogreatharmisdone;butinablockwiththearchiepiscopalpalaceabishop’spalacehasbeendemolished,ararefragmentofthefourteenthcentury,whichthedemolishingarchitectcouldnotdistinguishfromtherest。
  Hehastornupthewheatwiththetares;’tisallthesame。
  TheyaretalkingofrazingtheadmirablechapelofVincennes,inordertomake,withitsstones,somefortification,whichDaumesnildidnotneed,however。WhilethePalaisBourbon,thatwretchededifice,isbeingrepairedatgreatexpense,gustsofwindandequinoctialstormsareallowedtodestroythemagnificentpaintedwindowsoftheSainte-Chapelle。ForthelastfewdaystherehasbeenascaffoldingonthetowerofSaintJacquesdelaBoucherie;andoneofthesemorningsthepickwillbelaidtoit。AmasonhasbeenfoundtobuildalittlewhitehousebetweenthevenerabletowersofthePalaisde-Justice。AnotherhasbeenfoundwillingtopruneawaySaint-Germain-des-Pres,thefeudalabbeywiththreebelltowers。Anotherwillbefound,nodoubt,capableofpullingdownSaint-Germainl’Auxerrois。Allthesemasonsclaimtobearchitects,arepaidbytheprefectureorfromthepettybudget,andweargreencoats。Alltheharmwhichfalsetastecaninflictongoodtaste,theyaccomplish。Whilewewrite,deplorablespectacle!oneofthemholdspossessionoftheTuileries,oneofthemisgivingPhilibertDelormeascaracrossthemiddleofhisface;anditisnot,assuredly,oneoftheleastofthescandalsofourtimetoseewithwhateffronterytheheavyarchitectureofthisgentlemanisbeingflattenedoveroneofthemostdelicatefa?adesoftheRenaissance!
  PARIS,October20,1832。
  End