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“ Yes , sister , ” said Clopin , “ unless you will take him as your husband . ” She made her little face and said , “ I will take him . ” They took the rope off Gringoire’s neck , and he had to sit down because his legs would not hold him . An old gypsy , whom they called the Duke of Egypt , brought a clay jug and gave it to Esmeralda , and she gave it to Gringoire . “ Throw it on the ground , ” she said . The jug broke into four pieces , and the Duke of Egypt said , “ Brother , she is your wife . Sister , he is your husband , for four years . Go . ” IV . A Strange Wedding Night A few minutes later Gringoire found himself in a small , warm room with a low ceiling . He was sitting at a table in the warm , and he was alone with a beautiful girl . He could hardly believe it . That morning his play had failed , at night he had nearly been hanged , and now he was married . “ I am her husband , ” he said to himself , “ it is strange , but it is true , ” and he got up and put his arm round the girl’s waist . She slipped out of his arms like an eel . In a second she was at the other end of the room with a small dagger in her hand . At the same moment the goat stood in front of her and pointed its two sharp golden horns at him . “ You are a very bold man ! ” said Esmeralda . “ But I am your husband , ” said Gringoire . “ Why did you marry me , then ? ” “ Did you want me to let them hang you ? ” “ So you married me only to save my life ? ” “ Why else would I marry a man like you ? ” Gringoire sighed . He was not a soldier or a lover of the bold sort , and he quickly decided to be sensible . “ Very well , ” he said , “ I promise that I will not come near you without your leave . But please give me some supper . ” Esmeralda laughed , and the dagger was gone as fast as it had come . Soon there was rye bread , bacon , a few apples and a jug of beer on the table , and Gringoire began to eat as fast as he could . She sat opposite him and gave little pieces of bread to the goat . Her thoughts seemed to be far away , and now and then she smiled at nothing . When he had finished , he tried to talk to her . “ So you do not want me as a husband ? ” he asked , and she said no . He asked if she wanted him as a lover , and again she said no . “ As a friend , then ? ” he asked , and she thought for a moment and said , “ Perhaps . ” “ And do you know what love is ? ” asked Gringoire . “ Oh , love ! ” she said , and her eyes shone . “ Love is to be two and yet to be one , a man and a woman joined into one angel . It is heaven . ” “ And what kind of man could you love ? ”
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