[_At the moment when The Vagrants' fury has reached its highest pitch, Clopin Frouillefou appears at the back of the stage_ CLOPIN. Who in this infamous den Dares to attack my lord the Archdeacon, And Quasimodo, bell-ringer Of Notre Dame? THE VAGRANTS (_subsiding_). It is Clopin, our King! CLOPIN. Clowns! Be off! THE VAGRANTS. We must obey! CLOPIN. Leave us! [_The Vagrants retire to their hovels. The Court of Miracles appears deserted. Clopin approaches Claude cautiously._ SCENE II Claude Frollo, Quasimodo, Clopin Frouillefou CLOPIN. What purpose brings you to this orgy? Has your lordship any orders to give me? You are my master in sorcery; Speak--I will do all. CLAUDE FROLLO (_grasping Clopin's arm excitedly, and dragging him to the front of the stage_). I have come to end all. Listen! CLOPIN. My lord! CLAUDE FROLLO. I love her more than ever. You behold me quivering with love and with anguish. I must have her to-night. CLOPIN. You will see her pass by here--in a moment; It is the way to her home. CLAUDE FROLLO (_aside_). Oh! Hell has hold of me! [_Aloud._] Soon--you say? CLOPIN. Upon the instant! CLAUDE FROLLO. Alone? CLOPIN. Alone. CLAUDE FROLLO. That is enough. CLOPIN. Will you wait? CLAUDE FROLLO. I wait-- Let me have her, or let me die! CLOPIN. Can I help you? CLAUDE FROLLO. No! [_He motions to Clopin to leave him, after having thrown him his purse. When he finds himself alone with Quasimodo, he draws him to the front of the stage._ CLAUDE FROLLO. Come! I need you! QUASIMODO. It is well! CLAUDE FROLLO. For a deed that is impious, frightful, awful! QUASIMODO. You are my lord and master! CLAUDE FROLLO. Chains, death, the law-- We brave them all. QUASIMODO. Count upon me. CLAUDE FROLLO (_recklessly_). I mean to abduct the gypsy! QUASIMODO. Master, take my blood--without telling me why! [_Upon a sign from Claude Frollo he retires up stage and leaves his master down stage._ CLAUDE FROLLO. Oh, Heaven! to have given one's mind to the depths, To have tried all the crimes of sorcery, To have fallen lower than hell itself: A priest, at midnight, in the dark to watch for a woman! And to reflect that in this state in which I find my soul God sees me!