The Utility of Windows which Open on the River — The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Claude crouches in the windowless kennel, broken glass pressed to his brow. Through a crack he sees la Falourdel, then Phœbus, then la Esmeralda, the little goat on her foot. She says she is doing what is not right. She is breaking a vow, and the amulet will lose its virtue. She tells him she loves him and kisses his sword. She asks him to teach her his religion so they may be married.

He laughs and asks whether people marry. She turns pale, then offers to be his mistress, and later to care for his boots. He pulls the cloth from her neck. She calls for her mother. Above him she sees a green, livid face and a hand with a poniard. The priest has broken the door. The blade comes down, and Phœbus falls. She faints, and feels a burning kiss. She wakes among the watch. They carry the captain off in his blood. The priest is gone, the window on the river is open, and she hears that a sorceress has stabbed a captain.