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