The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Book 6, Chapter 1 summary

What happens

1. Robert d’Estouteville enjoys wealth and extensive judicial powers, yet wakes irritable on the morning after a festival.
2. His deaf lieutenant, Florian Barbedienne, conducts hearings while Jehan Frollo du Moulin mocks the proceedings beside Robin Poussepain.
3. Guards bring in Quasimodo, whose deafness prevents him from hearing the auditor’s questions and accusations.
4. The auditor mistakes silence for replies, then interprets the audience’s laughter as evidence of Quasimodo’s insolence.
5. Robert arrives, misunderstands Quasimodo’s answers, and orders flogging and an hour in the pillory, adding a fine for Jehan’s oath.
6. The clerk explains Quasimodo’s deafness, but Florian hears nothing and adds another hour while pretending to understand.

In this chapter

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