Victor Hugo - The Man Who Laughs - Cosmopolitan University 2

"I have no leisure to be an Oedipus."
"It was the proprietor of the circus."
"Over the way?"
"Over the way."
"Whence comes all that fearful noise. Well?"
"Well, Master Ursus, he makes you a proposal."
"A proposal?"
"A proposal."
"Why?"
"Because--"
"You have an advantage over me, Master Nicless. Just now you solved my
enigma, and now I cannot understand yours."
"The proprietor of the circus commissioned me to tell you that he had
seen the _cortège_ of police pass this morning, and that he, the
proprietor of the circus, wishing to prove that he is your friend,
offers to buy of you, for fifty pounds, ready money, your caravan, the
Green Box, your two horses, your trumpets, with the women that blow
them, your play, with the blind girl who sings in it, your wolf, and
yourself."
Ursus smiled a haughty smile.
"Innkeeper, tell the proprietor of the circus that Gwynplaine is coming
back."
The innkeeper took something from a chair in the darkness, and turning
towards Ursus with both arms raised, dangled from one hand a cloak, and
from the other a leather esclavine, a felt hat, and a jacket.
And Master Nicless said, "The man who knocked the second time was
connected with the police; he came in and left without saying a word,
and brought these things."
Ursus recognized the esclavine, the jacket, the hat, and the cloak of
Gwynplaine.
CHAPTER IV.
MOENIBUS SURDIS CAMPANA MUTA.
Ursus smoothed the felt of the hat, touched the cloth of the cloak, the
serge of the coat, the leather of the esclavine, and no longer able to