We are delighted to be able to inform the reader, that during the whole of this scene, Gringoire and his piece had stood firm. His actors, spurred on by him, had not ceased to spout his comedy, and he had not ceased to listen to it. He had made up his mind about the tumult, and was determined to proceed to the end, not giving up the hope of a return of attention on the part of the public. This gleam of hope acquired fresh life, when he saw Quasimodo, Coppenole, and the deafening escort of the pope of the procession of fools quit the hall amid great uproar. The throng rushed eagerly after them. "Good," he said to himself, "there go all the mischief- makers." Unfortunately, all the mischief-makers constituted the entire audience. In the twinkling of an eye, the grand hall was empty.
       To tell the truth, a few spectators still remained, some scattered, others in groups around the pillars, women, old men, or children, who had had enough of the uproar and tumult. Some scholars were still perched astride of the window-sills, engaged in gazing into the Place.
       "Well," thought Gringoire, "here are still as many as are required to hear the end of my mystery. They are few in number, but it is a choice audience, a lettered audience."
       An instant later, a symphony which had been intended to produce the greatest effect on the arrival of the Virgin, was lacking. Gringoire perceived that his music had been carried off by the procession of the Pope of the Fools. "Skip it," said he, stoically.
       He approached a group of bourgeois, who seemed to him to be discussing his piece. This is the fragment of conversation which he caught,--
       "You know, Master Cheneteau, the H魌el de Navarre, which belonged to Monsieur de Nemours?"
       "Yes, opposite the Chapelle de Braque."
       "Well, the treasury has just let it to Guillaume Alixandre, historian, for six hivres, eight sols, parisian, a year."
       "How rents are going up!"
       "Come," said Gringoire to himself, with a sigh, "the others are listening."
       "Comrades," suddenly shouted one of the young scamps from the window, "La Esmeralda! La Esmeralda in the Place!"
       This word produced a magical effect. Every one who was left in the hall flew to the windows, climbing the walls in order to see, and repeating, "La Esmeralda! La Esmeralda?" At the same time, a great sound of applause was heard from without.
       "What's the meaning of this, of the Esmeralda?" said Gringoire, wringing his hands in despair. "Ah, good heavens! it seems to be the turn of the windows now."
       He returned towards the marble table, and saw that the representation had been interrupted. It was precisely at the instant when Jupiter should have appeared with his thunder. But Jupiter was standing motionless at the foot of the stage.
       "Michel Giborne!" cried the irritated poet, "what are you doing there? Is that your part? Come up!"
       "Alas!" said Jupiter, "a scholar has just seized the ladder."
       Gringoire looked. It was but too true. All communication between his plot and its solution was intercepted.
       "The rascal," he murmured. "And why did he take that ladder?"
       "In order to go and see the Esmeralda," replied Jupiter piteously. "He said, 'Come, here's a ladder that's of no use!' and he took it."
       This was the last blow. Gringoire received it with resignation.
       "May the devil fly away with you!" he said to the comedian, "and if I get my pay, you shall receive yours."
       Then he beat a retreat, with drooping head, but the last in the field, like a general who has fought well.
       And as he descended the winding stairs of the courts: "A fine rabble of asses and dolts these Parisians!" he muttered between his teeth; "they come to hear a mystery and don't listen to it at all! They are engrossed by every one, by Chopin Trouillefou, by the cardinal, by Coppenole, by Quasimodo, by the devil! but by Madame the Virgin Mary, not at all. If I had known, I'd have given you Virgin Mary; you ninnies! And I! to come to see faces and behold only backs! to be a poet, and to reap the success of an apothecary! It is true that Homerus begged through the Greek towns, and that Naso died in exile among the Muscovites. But may the devil flay me if I understand what they mean with their Esmeralda! What is that word, in the first place?--'tis Egyptian!"

Preface.
book first
   Chapter 1. The Grand Hall.
   Chapter II. Pierre Gringoire.
   Chapter III. Monsieur the Cardinal.
   Chapter IV. Master Jacques Coppenole.
   Chapter V. Quasimodo.
   Chapter VI. Esmeralda.
book second
   Chapter I. From Charybdis to Scylla.
   Chapter II. The Place de Greve.
   Chapter III. Kisses for Blows.
   Chapter IV. The Inconveniences of Following A Pretty Woman Through the Streets in the Evening.
   Chapter V. Result of the Dangers.
   Chapter VI. The Broken Jug.
   Chapter VII. A Bridal Night.
book third
   Chapter I. Notre-Dame.
   Chapter II. A Bird's-Eye View of Paris.
book fourth
   Chapter I. Good Souls.
   Chapter II. Claude Frollo.
   Chapter III. Immanis Pecoris Custos, Immanior Ipse.
   Chapter IV. The Dog and His Master.
   Chapter V. More About Claude Frollo.
   Chapter VI. Unpopularity.
book fifth
   Chapter I. Abbas Beati Martini.
   Chapter II. This Will Kill That.
book sixth
   Chapter I. An Impartial Glance at the Ancient Magistracy.
   Chapter II. The Rat-Hole.
   Chapter III. History of a Leavened Cake of Maize.
   Chapter IV. A Tear for a Drop of Water.
   Chapter V. End of the Story of the Cake.
book seventh
   Chapter I. The Danger of Confiding One's Secret to a Goat.
   Chapter II. A Priest and a Philosopher are Two Different Things.
   Chapter III. The Bells.
   Chapter IV. ANArKH.
   Chapter V. The Two Men Clothed in Black.
   Chapter VI. The Effect Which Seven Oaths in the Open Air can Produce.
   Chapter VII. The Mysterious Monk.
   Chapter VIII. The Utility of Windows Which Open on the River.
book eighth
   Chapter I. The Crown Changed into a Dry Leaf.
   Chapter II. Continuation of the Crown Which was Changed into a Dry Leaf.
   Chapter III. End of the CRown Which was Turned into a Dry Leaf.
   Chapter IV. Lasciate Ogni Speranza--Leave All Hope Behind, Ye Who Enter Here.
   Chapter V. The Mother.
   Chapter VI. Three Human Hearts Differently Constructed.
book ninth
   Chapter I. Delirium.
   Chapter II. Hunchbacked, One Eyed, Lame.
   Chapter III. Deaf.
   Chapter IV. Earthenware and Crystal.
   Chapter V. The Key to the Red Door.
   Chapter VI. Continuation of the Key to the Red Door.
book tenth
   Chapter I. Gringoire Has Many Good Ideas in Succession.--Rue des Bernardins.
   Chapter II. Turn Vagabond.
   Chapter III. Long Live Mirth.
   Chapter IV. An Awkward Friend.
   Chapter V. The Retreat in which Monsieur Louis of France Says His Prayers.
   Chapter VI. Little Sword in Pocket.
   Chapter VII. Chateaupers to the Rescue.
book eleventh
   Chapter I. The Little Shoe.
   Chapter II. The Beautiful Creature Clad in White. (Dante.)
   Chapter III. The Marriage of Phoebus.
   Chapter IV. The Marriage of Quasimodo.