The Hunchback of Notre-Dame: Novel Summary: Book IX Chapter 3

Summary
The next morning is sunny and warm and Esmeralda awakes surprised that she was able to sleep at all. She is alarmed to see that Quasimodo is watching her but, in a gentle plaintive tone, he explains that he was only watching her sleep. He then retreats behind a wall and Esmeralda, trying to overcome her repugnance, approaches and bids him to come back to her cell. He misunderstands that she wants him to leave altogether and sorrowfully begins to walk away but she runs after him and grabs hold of his arm, which sends a shiver of joy through the poor creature. He refuses to enter her cell however, and contrasts the extent of her beauty with the extent of his ugliness. He explains that he is deaf, which evokes her immediate pity, and explains that she should use gestures to communicate. Again she asks why he saved her and, with a nascent tear in his eye, he reminds her of the drink of water she gave him on the pillory. He promises that he would die for her and then says he will depart because he knows it is from pity that she doesn't avert her eyes. He says that he will go someplace where he can see her but she can't see him and that they will both be more at-ease that way. He gives Esmeralda a small whistle (that he can hear) and tells her to use it when she needs him.