Victor Hugo - The Man Who Laughs - Cosmopolitan University 2

Govicum, filled with astonishment, stamped, applauded, clapped his
hands, producing an Olympian tumult, and himself laughed as if he had
been a chorus of gods. This boy, it must be confessed, developed a rare
talent for acting an audience.
Fibi and Vinos, being automatons of which Ursus pulled the strings,
rattled their instruments, composed of copper and ass's skin--the usual
sign of the performance being over and of the departure of the people.
Ursus arose, covered with perspiration. He said, in a low voice, to
Homo, "You see it was necessary to gain time. I think we have succeeded.
I have not acquitted myself badly--I, who have as much reason as any one
to go distracted. Gwynplaine may perhaps return to-morrow. It is useless
to kill Dea directly. I can explain matters to you."
He took off his wig and wiped his forehead.
"I am a ventriloquist of genius," murmured he. "What talent I displayed!
I have equalled Brabant, the engastrimist of Francis I. of France. Dea
is convinced that Gwynplaine is here."
"Ursus," said Dea, "where is Gwynplaine?"
Ursus started and turned round. Dea was still standing at the back of
the stage, alone under the lamp which hung from the ceiling. She was
pale, with the pallor of a ghost.
She added, with an ineffable expression of despair,--
"I know. He has left us. He is gone. I always knew that he had wings."
And raising her sightless eyes on high, she added,--
"When shall I follow?"
CHAPTER III.
COMPLICATIONS.
Ursus was stunned.
He had not sustained the illusion.
Was it the fault of ventriloquism? Certainly not. He had succeeded in
deceiving Fibi and Vinos, who had eyes, although he had not deceived
Dea, who was blind. It was because Fibi and Vinos saw with their eyes,
while Dea saw with her heart. He could not utter a word. He thought to
himself, _Bos in lingûa_. The troubled man has an ox on his tongue.
In his complex emotions, humiliation was the first which dawned on him.
Ursus, driven out of his last resource, pondered.