Victor Hugo - The Man Who Laughs - Cosmopolitan University 2

"At this hour to-morrow, be at the corner of London Bridge. I will be
there to conduct you--"
"Whither?" demanded Gwynplaine.
"Where you are expected."
Gwynplaine dropped his eyes on the letter, which he was holding
mechanically in his hand.
When he looked up the page was no longer with him.
He perceived a vague form lessening rapidly in the distance. It was the
little valet. He turned the corner of the street, and solitude reigned
again.
Gwynplaine saw the page vanish, then looked at the letter. There are
moments in our lives when what happens seems not to happen. Stupor keeps
us for a moment at a distance from the fact.
Gwynplaine raised the letter to his eyes, as if to read it, but soon
perceived that he could not do so for two reasons--first, because he had
not broken the seal; and, secondly, because it was too dark.
It was some minutes before he remembered that there was a lamp at the
inn. He took a few steps sideways, as if he knew not whither he was
going.
A somnambulist, to whom a phantom had given a letter, might walk as he
did.
At last he made up his mind. He ran rather than walked towards the inn,
stood in the light which broke through the half-open door, and by it
again examined the closed letter. There was no design on the seal, and
on the envelope was written, "_To Gwynplaine_." He broke the seal, tore
the envelope, unfolded the letter, put it directly under the light, and
read as follows:--
"You are hideous; I am beautiful. You are a player; I am a duchess. I am
the highest; you are the lowest. I desire you! I love you! Come!"
BOOK THE FOURTH.
_THE CELL OF TORTURE._
CHAPTER I.
THE TEMPTATION OF ST. GWYNPLAINE.