The Retreat in which Monsieur Louis of France says his Prayers — The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

King Louis XI sleeps in a small round room high in a Bastille turret. He sits alone in the only chair, greasy hat on his head, while Olivier le Daim reads the household bills by one candle. He rages at the cost of cooks, valets, and caged lions, then goes down to inspect a new cage of wood and iron. From inside it the Bishop of Verdun begs for mercy after fourteen years. Louis hears the chains, and he still disputes the price of the plaster.

Back in the retreat he drinks a bitter potion. His doctor, Jacques Coictier, trades a cure for a receivership, then rushes in with news of a revolt. Flemish envoys are watching, and the king hides his pleasure, because he thinks the Court of Miracles is marching on the bailiff. Tristan l'Hermite leads one prisoner away. Pierre Gringoire pleads, and the king lets him go. A red glow over the City delights Louis, until Olivier brings the truth. The people are besieging Notre-Dame to seize a condemned sorceress. Louis orders Tristan to crush them and hang her, then kneels and asks Our Lady of Paris to pardon him this once.