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CHAPTER VI. La Esmeralda. We have great satisfaction in apprising the reader that, during the whole of this scene, Gringoire and his play had maintained their ground. His actors, egged on by him, had continued the performance of his comedy, and he had continued to listen to them. In spite of the uproar, he was determined to go through with it, not despairing of being able to recall the attention of the public. This glimmer of hope became brighter, when he saw Quasimodo, Coppenole, and the obstreperous retinue of the Pope of Fools, leaving the hall. The crowd rushed out after them. " Excellent!" said he ; " we shall get rid of all those troublesome knaves." Unluckily these were the whole assembly. In the twinkling of an eye the great hall was empty. To tell the truth, a few spectators still lingered behind, some dispersed, others in groups around the pillars, old men, women, or children, who had had enough of the uproar and tumult. Some of the scholars, too, remained, astride of the entablature of the windows, where they bad a good view of the Place. Well, thought Gringoire, there are quite as many as I want to hear the conclusion of my mystery. Their number, indeed, is but small; but they are a select, a lettered, audience. At that moment a symphony destined to produce a striking effect at the arrival of the Holy Virgin, was not forthcoming. Gringoire perceived that his musicians had been pressed into the service of the procession of the Pope of Fools. " Skip that," said he, with the composure of a stoic. He approached a knot of. citizens who seemed to be talking about his play. The fragment of their conversation which he overheard was as follows: "Master Cheneteau, you knowthe hotel de Navarre, which belonged to Monsieur de Nemours ?" " Yes; opposite to ...
