"Holy Virgin!" he said at last, when surprise permitted him to speak, "here are two hearty dames!" The gypsy broke the silence on her side.
"You must be a very bold knave!" "Pardon, mademoiselle," said Gringoire, with a smile.

"But why did you take me for your husband ?" "Should I have allowed you to be hanged ?" "So," said the poet, somewhat disappointed in his amorous hopes.

"You had no other idea in marrying me than to save me from the gibbet ?" "And what other idea did you suppose that I had ?" Gringoire bit his lips.

"Come," said he, "I am not yet so triumphant in Cupido, as I thought.

But then, what was the good of breaking that poor jug ?" Meanwhile Esmeralda's dagger and the goat's horns were still upon the defensive.
"Mademoiselle Esmeralda," said the poet, "let us come to terms.