8776Ofyuiyi

When Gringoire arrives at the bonfire he is soaking wet from mill water that splashed on him during his journey. He delivers a silent diatribe against the Parisian mob that won't let him get closerto the fire but as he nears its center he realizes that the crowd is intently watching a slender gypsy girl of about sixteen dancing on a Persian carpet. The gypsy's graceful movements and flashingdark eyes enchant the crowd. One man seems particularly attentive. He is about 35 years of age but already mostly bald and gray and with a somber countenance. He watches he gypsy girl with intenseconcentration. His deep sunken eyes belie an unusual depth of passion but as the girl dances he seems to grow increasingly gloomy and sighs audibly. The girl finishes her dance and calls out for her goatDjali, a small white she goat adorned with gilt decorations. Prompted by the girl's questions the goat stamps out the date and time to the wonder and enjoyment of all in the crowd except the bald manwho determines that it is witchcraft. The girl ignores the man and has the goat imitate some familiar personages including the king's attorney. The bald man cries out "Sacrilege! Profanation!" The girlrecognizes him as "that odious man!" She uses her tambourine to collect contributions from the crowd but when she stops before Gringoire he finds nothing in his pockets. The embarrassing moment isaverted, however, when a harsh shrill voice calls out "Wilt thou be gone, thou Egyptian locust?" It is not the man's voice but a woman's and it causes noticeable fright to the girl. A group of children,delighted by the outburst, identify the woman as the recluse of the Tour-Rolland, the Sachette. Gringoire uses the disturbance to slip away and considers the misery or man to always be in want of foodand lodging. His reverie is interrupted by the enchanting sound of the gypsy girl singing a Spanish song. The beautiful air is cut short, however, by the Sachette's cursing and the entrance of the...