Victor Hugo - The Man Who Laughs - Cosmopolitan University 2

inclined planes of snow marked out the wide slopes of Radipole. Should
he continue this journey? Should he advance and re-enter the solitudes?
Should he return and re-enter the streets? What was he to do between
those two silences--the mute plain and the deaf city? Which of the two
refusals should he choose?
There is the anchor of mercy. There is also the look of piteousness. It
was that look which the poor little despairing wanderer threw around
him.
All at once he heard a menace.
CHAPTER V.
MISANTHROPY PLAYS ITS PRANKS.
A strange and alarming grinding of teeth reached him through the
darkness.
It was enough to drive one back: he advanced. To those to whom silence
has become dreadful a howl is comforting.
That fierce growl reassured him; that threat was a promise. There was
there a being alive and awake, though it might be a wild beast. He
advanced in the direction whence came the snarl.
He turned the corner of a wall, and, behind in the vast sepulchral light
made by the reflection of snow and sea, he saw a thing placed as if for
shelter. It was a cart, unless it was a hovel. It had wheels--it was a
carriage. It had a roof--it was a dwelling. From the roof arose a
funnel, and out of the funnel smoke. This smoke was red, and seemed to
imply a good fire in the interior. Behind, projecting hinges indicated a
door, and in the centre of this door a square opening showed a light
inside the caravan. He approached.
Whatever had growled perceived his approach, and became furious. It was
no longer a growl which he had to meet; it was a roar. He heard a sharp
sound, as of a chain violently pulled to its full length, and suddenly,
under the door, between the hind wheels, two rows of sharp white teeth
appeared. At the same time as the mouth between the wheels a head was
put through the window.
"Peace there!" said the head.
The mouth was silent.
The head began again,--
"Is any one there?"
The child answered,--
"Yes."