a daily siesta, as we have already seen. One day, while she was lying

asleep on the bearskin, Gwynplaine was out, and Ursus bent down softly

and applied his ear to Dea's heart. He seemed to listen for a few

minutes, and then stood up, murmuring, "She must not have any shock. It

would find out the weak place."

The crowd continued to flock to the performance of "Chaos Vanquished."

The success of the Laughing Man seemed inexhaustible. Every one rushed

to see him; no longer from Southwark only, but even from other parts of

London. The general public began to mingle with the usual audience,

which no longer consisted of sailors and drivers only; in the opinion of

Master Nicless, who was well acquainted with crowds, there were in the

crowd gentlemen and baronets disguised as common people. Disguise is one

of the pleasures of pride, and was much in fashion at that period. This

mixing of the aristocratic element with the mob was a good sign, and

showed that their popularity was extending to London. The fame of

Gwynplaine has decidedly penetrated into the great world. Such was the

fact. Nothing was talked of but the Laughing Man. He was talked about

even at the Mohawk Club, frequented by noblemen.

In the Green Box they had no idea of all this. They were content to be

happy. It was intoxication to Dea to feel, as she did every evening, the

crisp and tawny head of Gwynplaine. In love there is nothing like habit.

The whole of life is concentrated in it. The reappearance of the stars

is the custom of the universe. Creation is nothing but a mistress, and

the sun is a lover. Light is a dazzling caryatid supporting the world.

Each day, for a sublime minute, the earth, covered by night, rests on

546

The Man Who Laughs