Ebook in formato Kindle (mobi) - Kindle File Ebook (mobi)

Formato per Iphone, Ipad e Ebook (epub) - Ipad, Iphone and Ebook reader format (epub)

Versione ebook di Readme.it powered by Softwarehouse.it






A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

CONTENTS

Book the First--Recalled to Life

Chapter I The Period
Chapter II The Mail
Chapter III The Night Shadows
Chapter IV The Preparation
Chapter V The Wine-shop
Chapter VI The Shoemaker

Book the Second--the Golden Thread

Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV

Five Years Later
A Sight
A Disappointment
Congratulatory
The Jackal
Hundreds of People
Monseigneur in Town
Monseigneur in the Country
The Gorgon's Head
Two Promises
A Companion Picture
The Fellow of Delicacy
The Fellow of no Delicacy
The Honest Tradesman
Knitting
Still Knitting
One Night
Nine Days
An Opinion
A Plea
Echoing Footsteps
The Sea still Rises
Fire Rises
Drawn to the Loadstone Rock

Book the Third--the Track of a Storm

Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX

In Secret
The Grindstone
The Shadow
Calm in Storm
The Wood-sawyer
Triumph
A Knock at the Door
A Hand at Cards
The Game Made


Chapter X The Substance of the Shadow
Chapter XI Dusk
Chapter XII Darkness
Chapter XIII Fifty-two
Chapter XIV The Knitting Done
Chapter XV The Footsteps die out For ever

Book the First--Recalled to Life

The Period

It was the best of timesit was the worst of times
it was the age of wisdomit was the age of foolishness
it was the epoch of beliefit was the epoch of incredulity
it was the season of Lightit was the season of Darkness
it was the spring of hopeit was the winter of despair
we had everything before uswe had nothing before us
we were all going direct to Heavenwe were all going direct
the other way--in shortthe period was so far like the present
periodthat some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its
being receivedfor good or for evilin the superlative degree
of comparison only.

There were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a plain face
on the throne of England; there were a king with a large jaw and
a queen with a fair faceon the throne of France. In both
countries it was clearer than crystal to the lords of the State
preserves of loaves and fishesthat things in general were
settled for ever.

It was the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-five. Spiritual revelations were conceded to England at
that favoured periodas at this. Mrs. Southcott had recently
attained her five-and-twentieth blessed birthdayof whom a
prophetic private in the Life Guards had heralded the sublime
appearance by announcing that arrangements were made for the
swallowing up of London and Westminster. Even the Cock-lane
ghost had been laid only a round dozen of yearsafter rapping
out its messagesas the spirits of this very year last past
(supernaturally deficient in originality) rapped out theirs.
Mere messages in the earthly order of events had lately come to
the English Crown and Peoplefrom a congress of British subjects
in America: whichstrange to relatehave proved more important
to the human race than any communications yet received through
any of the chickens of the Cock-lane brood.

Franceless favoured on the whole as to matters spiritual than
her sister of the shield and tridentrolled with exceeding
smoothness down hillmaking paper money and spending it.
Under the guidance of her Christian pastorsshe entertained
herselfbesideswith such humane achievements as sentencing
a youth to have his hands cut offhis tongue torn out with
pincersand his body burned alivebecause he had not kneeled
down in the rain to do honour to a dirty procession of monks


which passed within his viewat a distance of some fifty or
sixty yards. It is likely enough thatrooted in the woods of
France and Norwaythere were growing treeswhen that sufferer
was put to deathalready marked by the WoodmanFateto come
down and be sawn into boardsto make a certain movable framework
with a sack and a knife in itterrible in history. It is likely
enough that in the rough outhouses of some tillers of the heavy
lands adjacent to Paristhere were sheltered from the weather
that very dayrude cartsbespattered with rustic miresnuffed
about by pigsand roosted in by poultrywhich the FarmerDeath
had already set apart to be his tumbrils of the Revolution.
But that Woodman and that Farmerthough they work unceasingly
work silentlyand no one heard them as they went about with
muffled tread: the ratherforasmuch as to entertain any suspicion
that they were awakewas to be atheistical and traitorous.

In Englandthere was scarcely an amount of order and protection
to justify much national boasting. Daring burglaries by armed
menand highway robberiestook place in the capital itself
every night; families were publicly cautioned not to go out of
town without removing their furniture to upholsterers' warehouses
for security; the highwayman in the dark was a City tradesman in
the lightandbeing recognised and challenged by his fellowtradesman
whom he stopped in his character of "the Captain
gallantly shot him through the head and rode away; the mall was
waylaid by seven robbers, and the guard shot three dead, and then
got shot dead himself by the other four, in consequence of the
failure of his ammunition:" after which the mall was robbed in
peace; that magnificent potentatethe Lord Mayor of Londonwas
made to stand and deliver on Turnham Greenby one highwayman
who despoiled the illustrious creature in sight of all his
retinue; prisoners in London gaols fought battles with their
turnkeysand the majesty of the law fired blunderbusses in among
themloaded with rounds of shot and ball; thieves snipped off
diamond crosses from the necks of noble lords at Court
drawing-rooms; musketeers went into St. Giles'sto search for
contraband goodsand the mob fired on the musketeersand the
musketeers fired on the moband nobody thought any of these
occurrences much out of the common way. In the midst of them
the hangmanever busy and ever worse than uselesswas in
constant requisition; nowstringing up long rows of miscellaneous
criminals; nowhanging a housebreaker on Saturday who had been
taken on Tuesday; nowburning people in the hand at Newgate by
the dozenand now burning pamphlets at the door of Westminster Hall;
to-daytaking the life of an atrocious murdererand to-morrow of a
wretched pilferer who had robbed a farmer's boy of sixpence.

All these thingsand a thousand like themcame to pass in
and close upon the dear old year one thousand seven hundred
and seventy-five. Environed by themwhile the Woodman and the
Farmer worked unheededthose two of the large jawsand those
other two of the plain and the fair facestrod with stir enough
and carried their divine rights with a high hand. Thus did the
year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five conduct their
Greatnessesand myriads of small creatures--the creatures of this
chronicle among the rest--along the roads that lay before them.

The Mail


It was the Dover road that layon a Friday night late in November
before the first of the persons with whom this history has business.
The Dover road layas to himbeyond the Dover mailas it
lumbered up Shooter's Hill. He walked up hill in the mire
by the side of the mailas the rest of the passengers did;
not because they had the least relish for walking exerciseunder the
circumstancesbut because the hilland the harnessand the mud
and the mailwere all so heavythat the horses had three times
already come to a stopbesides once drawing the coach across the road
with the mutinous intent of taking it back to Blackheath. Reins and whip
and coachman and guardhoweverin combinationhad read that article
of war which forbade a purpose otherwise strongly in favour of the argument
that some brute animals are endued with Reason; and the team had capitulated
and returned to their duty.


With drooping heads and tremulous tailsthey mashed their way
through the thick mudfloundering and stumbling between whiles
as if they were falling to pieces at the larger joints. As often
as the driver rested them and brought them to a standwith a
wary "Wo-ho! so-ho- then!" the near leader violently shook his
head and everything upon it--like an unusually emphatic horse
denying that the coach could be got up the hill. Whenever the
leader made this rattlethe passenger startedas a nervous
passenger mightand was disturbed in mind.


There was a steaming mist in all the hollowsand it had roamed
in its forlornness up the hilllike an evil spiritseeking rest
and finding none. A clammy and intensely cold mistit made its
slow way through the air in ripples that visibly followed and
overspread one anotheras the waves of an unwholesome sea might
do. It was dense enough to shut out everything from the light of
the coach-lamps but these its own workingsand a few yards of
road; and the reek of the labouring horses steamed into itas if
they had made it all.


Two other passengersbesides the onewere plodding up the hill
by the side of the mail. All three were wrapped to the cheekbones
and over the earsand wore jack-boots. Not one of the three
could have saidfrom anything he sawwhat either of the other
two was like; and each was hidden under almost as many wrappers
from the eyes of the mindas from the eyes of the bodyof his
two companions. In those daystravellers were very shy of being
confidential on a short noticefor anybody on the road might be
a robber or in league with robbers. As to the latterwhen every
posting-house and ale-house could produce somebody in "the Captain's"
payranging from the landlord to the lowest stable non-descript
it was the likeliest thing upon the cards. So the guard of the
Dover mail thought to himselfthat Friday night in Novemberone
thousand seven hundred and seventy-fivelumbering up Shooter's
Hillas he stood on his own particular perch behind the mail
beating his feetand keeping an eye and a hand on the arm-chest
before himwhere a loaded blunderbuss lay at the top of six or
eight loaded horse-pistolsdeposited on a substratum of cutlass.


The Dover mail was in its usual genial position that the guard
suspected the passengersthe passengers suspected one another
and the guardthey all suspected everybody elseand the coachman
was sure of nothing but the horses; as to which cattle he could
with a clear conscience have taken his oath on the two Testaments
that they were not fit for the journey.


Wo-ho!said the coachman. "Sothen! One more pull and you're
at the top and be damned to youfor I have had trouble enough to
get you to it!--Joe!"



Halloa!the guard replied.

What o'clock do you make it, Joe?

Ten minutes, good, past eleven.

My blood!ejaculated the vexed coachmanand not atop of
Shooter's yet! Tst! Yah! Get on with you!

The emphatic horsecut short by the whip in a most decided
negativemade a decided scramble for itand the three other
horses followed suit. Once morethe Dover mail struggled on
with the jack-boots of its passengers squashing along by its
side. They had stopped when the coach stoppedand they kept
close company with it. If any one of the three had had the
hardihood to propose to another to walk on a little ahead into
the mist and darknesshe would have put himself in a fair way
of getting shot instantly as a highwayman.

The last burst carried the mail to the summit of the hill.
The horses stopped to breathe againand the guard got down to
skid the wheel for the descentand open the coach-door to let
the passengers in.

Tst! Joe!cried the coachman in a warning voicelooking down
from his box.

What do you say, Tom?

They both listened.

I say a horse at a canter coming up, Joe.

_I_ say a horse at a gallop, Tom,returned the guardleaving
his hold of the doorand mounting nimbly to his place.
Gentlemen! In the kings name, all of you!

With this hurried adjurationhe cocked his blunderbussand
stood on the offensive.

The passenger booked by this historywas on the coach-step
getting in; the two other passengers were close behind himand
about to follow. He remained on the stephalf in the coach and
half out of; they re-mained in the road below him. They all
looked from the coachman to the guardand from the guard to the
coachmanand listened. The coachman looked back and the guard
looked backand even the emphatic leader pricked up his ears and
looked backwithout contradicting.

The stillness consequent on the cessation of the rumbling and
labouring of the coachadded to the stillness of the nightmade
it very quiet indeed. The panting of the horses communicated a
tremulous motion to the coachas if it were in a state of
agitation. The hearts of the passengers beat loud enough perhaps
to be heard; but at any ratethe quiet pause was audibly
expressive of people out of breathand holding the breathand
having the pulses quickened by expectation.

The sound of a horse at a gallop came fast and furiously up the hill.

So-ho!the guard sang outas loud as he could roar. "Yo there!
Stand! I shall fire!"


The pace was suddenly checkedandwith much splashing and floundering
a man's voice called from the mistIs that the Dover mail?

Never you mind what it is!the guard retorted. "What are you?"

IS that the Dover mail?

Why do you want to know?

I want a passenger, if it is.

What passenger?

Mr. Jarvis Lorry.

Our booked passenger showed in a moment that it was his name.
The guardthe coachmanand the two other passengers eyed him
distrustfully.

Keep where you are,the guard called to the voice in the mist
because, if I should make a mistake, it could never be set right
in your lifetime. Gentleman of the name of Lorry answer straight.

What is the matter?asked the passengerthenwith mildly
quavering speech. "Who wants me? Is it Jerry?"

("I don't like Jerry's voiceif it is Jerry growled the guard
to himself. He's hoarser than suits meis Jerry.")

Yes, Mr. Lorry.

What is the matter?

A despatch sent after you from over yonder. T. and Co.

I know this messenger, guard,said Mr. Lorrygetting down into
the road--assisted from behind more swiftly than politely by the
other two passengerswho immediately scrambled into the coach
shut the doorand pulled up the window. "He may come close;
there's nothing wrong."

I hope there ain't, but I can't make so 'Nation sure of that,
said the guardin gruff soliloquy. "Hallo you!"

Well! And hallo you!said Jerrymore hoarsely than before.

Come on at a footpace! d'ye mind me? And if you've got holsters
to that saddle o' yourn, don't let me see your hand go nigh 'em.
For I'm a devil at a quick mistake, and when I make one it takes
the form of Lead. So now let's look at you.

The figures of a horse and rider came slowly through the eddying
mistand came to the side of the mailwhere the passenger stood.
The rider stoopedandcasting up his eyes at the guardhanded
the passenger a small folded paper. The rider's horse was blown
and both horse and rider were covered with mudfrom the hoofs of
the horse to the hat of the man.

Guard!said the passengerin a tone of quiet business confidence.

The watchful guardwith his right hand at the stock of his raised
blunderbusshis left at the barreland his eye on the horseman
answered curtlySir.


There is nothing to apprehend. I belong to Tellson's Bank.
You must know Tellson's Bank in London. I am going to Paris
on business. A crown to drink. I may read this?

If so be as you're quick, sir.

He opened it in the light of the coach-lamp on that side
and read--first to himself and then aloud: "`Wait at Dover for
Mam'selle.' It's not longyou seeguard. Jerrysay that my
answer wasRECALLED TO LIFE."

Jerry started in his saddle. "That's a Blazing strange answertoo
said he, at his hoarsest.

Take that message backand they will know that I received this
as well as if I wrote. Make the best of your way. Good night."

With those words the passenger opened the coach-door and got in;
not at all assisted by his fellow-passengerswho had
expeditiously secreted their watches and purses in their boots
and were now making a general pretence of being asleep. With no
more definite purpose than to escape the hazard of originating
any other kind of action.

The coach lumbered on againwith heavier wreaths of mist closing
round it as it began the descent. The guard soon replaced his
blunderbuss in his arm-chestandhaving looked to the rest of its
contentsand having looked to the supplementary pistols that he wore
in his beltlooked to a smaller chest beneath his seatin which
there were a few smith's toolsa couple of torchesand a tinder-box.
For he was furnished with that completeness that if the coach-lamps
had been blown and stormed outwhich did occasionally happenhe had
only to shut himself up insidekeep the flint and steel sparks well
off the strawand get a light with tolerable safety and ease (if he
were lucky) in five minutes.

Tom!softly over the coach roof.

Hallo, Joe.

Did you hear the message?

I did, Joe.

What did you make of it, Tom?

Nothing at all, Joe.

That's a coincidence, too,the guard musedfor I made the
same of it myself.

Jerryleft alone in the mist and darknessdismounted meanwhile
not only to ease his spent horsebut to wipe the mud from his
faceand shake the wet out of his hat-brimwhich might be
capable of holding about half a gallon. After standing with the
bridle over his heavily-splashed armuntil the wheels of the
mail were no longer within hearing and the night was quite still
againhe turned to walk down the hill.

After that there gallop from Temple Bar, old lady, I won't trust
your fore-legs till I get you on the level,said this hoarse
messengerglancing at his mare. "`Recalled to life.' That's a
Blazing strange message. Much of that wouldn't do for youJerry!
I sayJerry! You'd be in a Blazing bad wayif recalling to life was


to come into fashionJerry!"

The Night Shadows

A wonderful fact to reflect uponthat every human creature is
constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.
A solemn considerationwhen I enter a great city by nightthat
every one of those darkly clustered houses encloses its own secret;
that every room in every one of them encloses its own secret; that
every beating heart in the hundreds of thousands of breasts there
isin some of its imaginingsa secret to the heart nearest it!
Something of the awfulnesseven of Death itselfis referable to
this. No more can I turn the leaves of this dear book that I loved
and vainly hope in time to read it all. No more can I look into the
depths of this unfathomable waterwhereinas momentary lights
glanced into itI have had glimpses of buried treasure and other
things submerged. It was appointed that the book should shut with
a springfor ever and for everwhen I had read but a page. It was
appointed that the water should be locked in an eternal frostwhen
the light was playing on its surfaceand I stood in ignorance on the
shore. My friend is deadmy neighbour is deadmy lovethe darling
of my soulis dead; it is the inexorable consolidation and
perpetuation of the secret that was always in that individuality
and which I shall carry in mine to my life's end. In any of the
burial-places of this city through which I passis there a sleeper
more inscrutable than its busy inhabitants arein their innermost
personalityto meor than I am to them?

As to thishis natural and not to be alienated inheritance
the messenger on horseback had exactly the same possessions as
the Kingthe first Minister of Stateor the richest merchant
in London. So with the three passengers shut up in the narrow
compass of one lumbering old mail coach; they were mysteries to
one anotheras complete as if each had been in his own coach and
sixor his own coach and sixtywith the breadth of a county
between him and the next.

The messenger rode back at an easy trotstopping pretty often at
ale-houses by the way to drinkbut evincing a tendency to keep his
own counseland to keep his hat cocked over his eyes. He had eyes
that assorted very well with that decorationbeing of a surface
blackwith no depth in the colour or formand much too near
together--as if they were afraid of being found out in something
singlyif they kept too far apart. They had a sinister expression
under an old cocked-hat like a three-cornered spittoonand over a
great muffler for the chin and throatwhich descended nearly to the
wearer's knees. When he stopped for drinkhe moved this muffler
with his left handonly while he poured his liquor in with his
right; as soon as that was donehe muffled again.

No, Jerry, no!said the messengerharping on one theme as he rode.
It wouldn't do for you, Jerry. Jerry, you honest tradesman, it
wouldn't suit YOUR line of business! Recalled--! Bust me if I
don't think he'd been a drinking!

His message perplexed his mind to that degree that he was fain
several timesto take off his hat to scratch his head. Except on
the crownwhich was raggedly baldhe had stiffblack hair
standing jaggedly all over itand growing down hill almost to his


broadblunt nose. It was so like Smith's workso much more like
the top of a strongly spiked wall than a head of hairthat the best
of players at leap-frog might have declined himas the most
dangerous man in the world to go over.

While he trotted back with the message he was to deliver to the night
watchman in his box at the door of Tellson's Bankby Temple Barwho
was to deliver it to greater authorities withinthe shadows of the
night took such shapes to him as arose out of the messageand took
such shapes to the mare as arose out of HER private topics of
uneasiness. They seemed to be numerousfor she shied at every
shadow on the road.

What timethe mail-coach lumberedjoltedrattledand bumped upon
its tedious waywith its three fellow-inscrutables inside. To whom
likewisethe shadows of the night revealed themselvesin the forms
their dozing eyes and wandering thoughts suggested.

Tellson's Bank had a run upon it in the mail. As the bank passenger-with
an arm drawn through the leathern strapwhich did what lay in
it to keep him from pounding against the next passengerand driving
him into his cornerwhenever the coach got a special jolt--nodded in
his placewith half-shut eyesthe little coach-windowsand the
coach-lamp dimly gleaming through themand the bulky bundle of
opposite passengerbecame the bankand did a great stroke of business.
The rattle of the harness was the chink of moneyand more drafts
were honoured in five minutes than even Tellson'swith all its
foreign and home connectionever paid in thrice the time. Then the
strong-rooms undergroundat Tellson'swith such of their valuable
stores and secrets as were known to the passenger (and it was not a
little that he knew about them)opened before himand he went in
among them with the great keys and the feebly-burning candleand
found them safeand strongand soundand stilljust as he had
last seen them.

Butthough the bank was almost always with himand though the coach
(in a confused waylike the presence of pain under an opiate) was
always with himthere was another current of impression that never
ceased to runall through the night. He was on his way to dig some
one out of a grave.

Nowwhich of the multitude of faces that showed themselves before
him was the true face of the buried personthe shadows of the night
did not indicate; but they were all the faces of a man of five-andforty
by yearsand they differed principally in the passions they
expressedand in the ghastliness of their worn and wasted state.
Pridecontemptdefiancestubbornnesssubmissionlamentation
succeeded one another; so did varieties of sunken cheekcadaverous
colouremaciated hands and figures. But the face was in the main
one faceand every head was prematurely white. A hundred times the
dozing passenger inquired of this spectre:

Buried how long?

The answer was always the same: "Almost eighteen years."

You had abandoned all hope of being dug out?

Long ago.

You know that you are recalled to life?

They tell me so.


I hope you care to live?

I can't say.

Shall I show her to you? Will you come and see her?

The answers to this question were various and contradictory.
Sometimes the broken reply wasWait! It would kill me if I saw
her too soon.Sometimesit was given in a tender rain of tears
and then it wasTake me to her.Sometimes it was staring and
bewilderedand then it wasI don't know her. I don't understand.

After such imaginary discoursethe passenger in his fancy would dig
and digdig--now with a spadenow with a great keynow with his
hands--to dig this wretched creature out. Got out at lastwith
earth hanging about his face and hairhe would suddenly fan away to
dust. The passenger would then start to himselfand lower the
windowto get the reality of mist and rain on his cheek.

Yet even when his eyes were opened on the mist and rainon the
moving patch of light from the lampsand the hedge at the roadside
retreating by jerksthe night shadows outside the coach would fall
into the train of the night shadows within. The real Banking-house
by Temple Barthe real business of the past daythe real strong
roomsthe real express sent after himand the real message returned
would all be there. Out of the midst of themthe ghostly face would
riseand he would accost it again.

Buried how long?

Almost eighteen years.

I hope you care to live?

I can't say.

Dig--dig--dig--until an impatient movement from one of the two
passengers would admonish him to pull up the windowdraw his arm
securely through the leathern strapand speculate upon the two
slumbering formsuntil his mind lost its hold of themand they
again slid away into the bank and the grave.

Buried how long?

Almost eighteen years.

You had abandoned all hope of being dug out?

Long ago.

The words were still in his hearing as just spoken--distinctly in his
hearing as ever spoken words had been in his life--when the weary
passenger started to the consciousness of daylightand found that
the shadows of the night were gone.

He lowered the windowand looked out at the rising sun. There was a
ridge of ploughed landwith a plough upon it where it had been left
last night when the horses were unyoked; beyonda quiet coppice-wood
in which many leaves of burning red and golden yellow still remained
upon the trees. Though the earth was cold and wetthe sky was
clearand the sun rose brightplacidand beautiful.

Eighteen years!said the passengerlooking at the sun.
Gracious Creator of day! To be buried alive for eighteen years!


The Preparation

When the mail got successfully to Doverin the course of the
forenoonthe head drawer at the Royal George Hotel opened the
coach-door as his custom was. He did it with some flourish of
ceremonyfor a mail journey from London in winter was an achievement
to congratulate an adventurous traveller upon.

By that timethere was only one adventurous traveller left be
congratulated: for the two others had been set down at their
respective roadside destinations. The mildewy inside of the coach
with its damp and dirty strawits disageeable smelland its
obscuritywas rather like a larger dog-kennel. Mr. Lorrythe
passengershaking himself out of it in chains of strawa tangle of
shaggy wrapperflapping hatand muddy legswas rather like a
larger sort of dog.

There will be a packet to Calais, tomorrow, drawer?

Yes, sir, if the weather holds and the wind sets tolerable fair.
The tide will serve pretty nicely at about two in the afternoon,
sir. Bed, sir?

I shall not go to bed till night; but I want a bedroom, and a barber.

And then breakfast, sir? Yes, sir. That way, sir, if you please.
Show Concord! Gentleman's valise and hot water to Concord. Pull off
gentleman's boots in Concord. (You will find a fine sea-coal fire,
sir.) Fetch barber to Concord. Stir about there, now, for Concord!

The Concord bed-chamber being always assigned to a passenger by the
mailand passengers by the mail being always heavily wrapped up from
head to footthe room had the odd interest for the establishment of
the Royal Georgethat although but one kind of man was seen to go
into itall kinds and varieties of men came out of it. Consequently
another drawerand two portersand several maids and the landlady
were all loitering by accident at various points of the road between
the Concord and the coffee-roomwhen a gentleman of sixtyformally
dressed in a brown suit of clothespretty well wornbut very well
keptwith large square cuffs and large flaps to the pocketspassed
along on his way to his breakfast.

The coffee-room had no other occupantthat forenoonthan the
gentleman in brown. His breakfast-table was drawn before the fire
and as he satwith its light shining on himwaiting for the meal
he sat so stillthat he might have been sitting for his portrait.

Very orderly and methodical he lookedwith a hand on each kneeand
a loud watch ticking a sonorous sermon under his flapped waist-coat
as though it pitted its gravity and longevity against the levity and
evanescence of the brisk fire. He had a good legand was a little
vain of itfor his brown stockings fitted sleek and closeand were
of a fine texture; his shoes and bucklestoothough plainwere
trim. He wore an odd little sleek crisp flaxen wigsetting very
close to his head: which wigit is to be presumedwas made of hair
but which looked far more as though it were spun from filaments of
silk or glass. His linenthough not of a fineness in accordance
with his stockingswas as white as the tops of the waves that broke


upon the neighbouring beachor the specks of sail that glinted in
the sunlight far at sea. A face habitually suppressed and quieted
was still lighted up under the quaint wig by a pair of moist bright
eyes that it must have cost their ownerin years gone bysome pains
to drill to the composed and reserved expression of Tellson's Bank.
He had a healthy colour in his cheeksand his facethough lined
bore few traces of anxiety. Butperhaps the confidential bachelor
clerks in Tellson's Bank were principally occupied with the cares of
other people; and perhaps second-hand careslike second-hand
clothescome easily off and on.

Completing his resemblance to a man who was sitting for his portrait
Mr. Lorry dropped off to sleep. The arrival of his breakfast roused
himand he said to the draweras he moved his chair to it:

I wish accommodation prepared for a young lady who may come here at
any time to-day. She may ask for Mr. Jarvis Lorry, or she may only
ask for a gentleman from Tellson's Bank. Please to let me know.

Yes, sir. Tellson's Bank in London, sir?

Yes.

Yes, sir. We have oftentimes the honour to entertain your gentlemen
in their travelling backwards and forwards betwixt London and Paris,
sir. A vast deal of travelling, sir, in Tellson and Company's House.

Yes. We are quite a French House, as well as an English one.

Yes, sir. Not much in the habit of such travelling yourself,
I think, sir?

Not of late years. It is fifteen years since we--since I-came
last from France.

Indeed, sir? That was before my time here, sir. Before our people's
time here, sir. The George was in other hands at that time, sir.

I believe so.

But I would hold a pretty wager, sir, that a House like Tellson and
Company was flourishing, a matter of fifty, not to speak of fifteen
years ago?

You might treble that, and say a hundred and fifty, yet not be far
from the truth.

Indeed, sir!

Rounding his mouth and both his eyesas he stepped backward from the
tablethe waiter shifted his napkin from his right arm to his left
dropped into a comfortable attitudeand stood surveying the guest
while he ate and drankas from an observatory or watchtower.
According to the immemorial usage of waiters in all ages.

When Mr. Lorry had finished his breakfasthe went out for a stroll
on the beach. The little narrowcrooked town of Dover hid itself
away from the beachand ran its head into the chalk cliffslike a
marine ostrich. The beach was a desert of heaps of sea and stones
tumbling wildly aboutand the sea did what it likedand what it
liked was destruction. It thundered at the townand thundered at
the cliffsand brought the coast downmadly. The air among the
houses was of so strong a piscatory flavour that one might have
supposed sick fish went up to be dipped in itas sick people went


down to be dipped in the sea. A little fishing was done in the port
and a quantity of strolling about by nightand looking seaward:
particularly at those times when the tide madeand was near flood.
Small tradesmenwho did no business whateversometimes unaccountably
realised large fortunesand it was remarkable that nobody in the
neighbourhood could endure a lamplighter.

As the day declined into the afternoonand the airwhich had been
at intervals clear enough to allow the French coast to be seen
became again charged with mist and vapourMr. Lorry's thoughts
seemed to cloud too. When it was darkand he sat before the
coffee-room fireawaiting his dinner as he had awaited his breakfast
his mind was busily diggingdiggingdiggingin the live red coals.

A bottle of good claret after dinner does a digger in the red coals
no harmotherwise than as it has a tendency to throw him out of
work. Mr. Lorry had been idle a long timeand had just poured out
his last glassful of wine with as complete an appearance of
satisfaction as is ever to be found in an elderly gentleman of a
fresh complexion who has got to the end of a bottlewhen a rattling
of wheels came up the narrow streetand rumbled into the inn-yard.

He set down his glass untouched. "This is Mam'selle!" said he.

In a very few minutes the waiter came in to announce that Miss
Manette had arrived from Londonand would be happy to see the
gentleman from Tellson's.

So soon?

Miss Manette had taken some refreshment on the roadand required
none thenand was extremely anxious to see the gentleman from
Tellson's immediatelyif it suited his pleasure and convenience.

The gentleman from Tellson's had nothing left for it but to empty his
glass with an air of stolid desperationsettle his odd little flaxen
wig at the earsand follow the waiter to Miss Manette's apartment.
It was a largedark roomfurnished in a funereal manner with black
horsehairand loaded with heavy dark tables. These had been oiled
and oileduntil the two tall candles on the table in the middle of
the room were gloomily reflected on every leaf; as if THEY were
buriedin deep graves of black mahoganyand no light to speak of
could be expected from them until they were dug out.

The obscurity was so difficult to penetrate that Mr. Lorry
picking his way over the well-worn Turkey carpetsupposed

Miss Manette to befor the momentin some adjacent roomuntil
having got past the two tall candleshe saw standing to receive him
by the table between them and the firea young lady of not more than
seventeenin a riding-cloakand still holding her straw travellinghat
by its ribbon in her hand. As his eyes rested on a shortslight
pretty figurea quantity of golden haira pair of blue eyes that
met his own with an inquiring lookand a forehead with a singular
capacity (remembering how young and smooth it was)of rifting and
knitting itself into an expression that was not quite one of perplexity
or wonderor alarmor merely of a bright fixed attentionthough it
included all the four expressions-as his eyes rested on these things
a sudden vivid likeness passed before himof a child whom he had
held in his arms on the passage across that very Channelone cold
timewhen the hail drifted heavily and the sea ran high. The
likeness passed awaylike a breath along the surface of the gaunt
pier-glass behind heron the frame of whicha hospital procession
of negro cupidsseveral headless and all crippleswere offering


black baskets of Dead Sea fruit to black divinities of the feminine
gender-and he made his formal bow to Miss Manette.

Pray take a seat, sir.In a very clear and pleasant young voice;
a little foreign in its accentbut a very little indeed.

I kiss your hand, miss,said Mr. Lorrywith the manners of an
earlier dateas he made his formal bow againand took his seat.

I received a letter from the Bank, sir, yesterday, informing me that
some intelligence--or discovery--

The word is not material, miss; either word will do.

--respecting the small property of my poor father, whom I never
saw--so long dead--

Mr. Lorry moved in his chairand cast a troubled look towards the
hospital procession of negro cupids. As if THEY had any help for
anybody in their absurd baskets!

--rendered it necessary that I should go to Paris, there to
communicate with a gentleman of the Bank, so good as to be despatched
to Paris for the purpose.

Myself.

As I was prepared to hear, sir.

She curtseyed to him (young ladies made curtseys in those days)with
a pretty desire to convey to him that she felt how much older and
wiser he was than she. He made her another bow.

I replied to the Bank, sir, that as it was considered necessary, by
those who know, and who are so kind as to advise me, that I should go
to France, and that as I am an orphan and have no friend who could go
with me, I should esteem it highly if I might be permitted to place
myself, during the journey, under that worthy gentleman's protection.
The gentleman had left London, but I think a messenger was sent after
him to beg the favour of his waiting for me here.

I was happy,said Mr. Lorryto be entrusted with the charge.
I shall be more happy to execute it.

Sir, I thank you indeed. I thank you very gratefully. It was told
me by the Bank that the gentleman would explain to me the details of
the business, and that I must prepare myself to find them of a
surprising nature. I have done my best to prepare myself, and I
naturally have a strong and eager interest to know what they are.

Naturally,said Mr. Lorry. "Yes--I--"

After a pausehe addedagain settling the crisp flaxen wig at the ears
It is very difficult to begin.

He did not beginbutin his indecisionmet her glance. The young
forehead lifted itself into that singular expression--but it was
pretty and characteristicbesides being singular--and she raised
her handas if with an involuntary action she caught ator stayed
some passing shadow.

Are you quite a stranger to me, sir?

Am I not?Mr. Lorry opened his handsand extended them outwards


with an argumentative smile.

Between the eyebrows and just over the little feminine nosethe line
of which was as delicate and fine as it was possible to bethe
expression deepened itself as she took her seat thoughtfully in the
chair by which she had hitherto remained standing. He watched her as
she musedand the moment she raised her eyes againwent on:

In your adopted country, I presume, I cannot do better than address
you as a young English lady, Miss Manette?

If you please, sir.

Miss Manette, I am a man of business. I have a business charge to
acquit myself of. In your reception of it, don't heed me any more
than if I was a speaking machine-truly, I am not much else. I will,
with your leave, relate to you, miss, the story of one of our
customers.

Story!

He seemed wilfully to mistake the word she had repeatedwhen he
addedin a hurryYes, customers; in the banking business we
usually call our connection our customers. He was a French
gentleman; a scientific gentleman; a man of great acquirements-a
Doctor.

Not of Beauvais?

Why, yes, of Beauvais. Like Monsieur Manette, your father,
the gentleman was of Beauvais. Like Monsieur Manette, your father,
the gentleman was of repute in Paris. I had the honour of knowing
him there. Our relations were business relations, but confidential.
I was at that time in our French House, and had been--oh! twenty years.

At that time--I may ask, at what time, sir?

I speak, miss, of twenty years ago. He married--an English
lady--and I was one of the trustees. His affairs, like the affairs
of many other French gentlemen and French families, were entirely in
Tellson's hands. In a similar way I am, or I have been, trustee of
one kind or other for scores of our customers. These are mere business
relations, miss; there is no friendship in them, no particular
interest, nothing like sentiment. I have passed from one to another,
in the course of my business life, just as I pass from one of our
customers to another in the course of my business day; in short, I
have no feelings; I am a mere machine. To go on--

But this is my father's story, sir; and I begin to think
--the curiously roughened forehead was very intent upon him--"that
when I was left an orphan through my mother's surviving my father
only two yearsit was you who brought me to England. I am almost
sure it was you."

Mr. Lorry took the hesitating little hand that confidingly advanced
to take hisand he put it with some ceremony to his lips. He then
conducted the young lady straightway to her chair againandholding
the chair-back with his left handand using his right by turns to
rub his chinpull his wig at the earsor point what he saidstood
looking down into her face while she sat looking up into his.

Miss Manette, it WAS I. And you will see how truly I spoke of
myself just now, in saying I had no feelings, and that all the
relations I hold with my fellow-creatures are mere business


relations, when you reflect that I have never seen you since.
No; you have been the ward of Tellson's House since, and I have been
busy with the other business of Tellson's House since. Feelings!
I have no time for them, no chance of them. I pass my whole life,
miss, in turning an immense pecuniary Mangle.

After this odd description of his daily routine of employmentMr.
Lorry flattened his flaxen wig upon his head with both hands (which
was most unnecessaryfor nothing could be flatter than its shining
surface was before)and resumed his former attitude.

So far, miss (as you have remarked), this is the story of your
regretted father. Now comes the difference. If your father had not
died when he did--Don't be frightened! How you start!

She didindeedstart. And she caught his wrist with both her hands.

Pray,said Mr. Lorryin a soothing tonebringing his left hand
from the back of the chair to lay it on the supplicatory fingers that
clasped him in so violent a tremble: "pray control your agitation-a
matter of business. As I was saying--"

Her look so discomposed him that he stoppedwanderedand began anew:

As I was saying; if Monsieur Manette had not died; if he had
suddenly and silently disappeared; if he had been spirited away;
if it had not been difficult to guess to what dreadful place, though
no art could trace him; if he had an enemy in some compatriot who
could exercise a privilege that I in my own time have known the boldest
people afraid to speak of in a whisper, across the water there; for
instance, the privilege of filling up blank forms for the consignment
of any one to the oblivion of a prison for any length of time; if his
wife had implored the king, the queen, the court, the clergy, for any
tidings of him, and all quite in vain;--then the history of your father
would have been the history of this unfortunate gentleman, the Doctor
of Beauvais.

I entreat you to tell me more, sir.

I will. I am going to. You can bear it?

I can bear anything but the uncertainty you leave me in at this moment.

You speak collectedly, and you--ARE collected. That's good!
(Though his manner was less satisfied than his words.) "A matter of
business. Regard it as a matter of business-business that must be
done. Now if this doctor's wifethough a lady of great courage and
spirithad suffered so intensely from this cause before her little
child was born--"

The little child was a daughter, sir.

A daughter. A-a-matter of business--don't be distressed. Miss,
if the poor lady had suffered so intensely before her little child
was born, that she came to the determination of sparing the poor
child the inheritance of any part of the agony she had known the
pains of, by rearing her in the belief that her father was dead-No,
don't kneel! In Heaven's name why should you kneel to me!

For the truth. O dear, good, compassionate sir, for the truth!

A-a matter of business. You confuse me, and how can I transact
business if I am confused? Let us be clear-headed. If you could
kindly mention now, for instance, what nine times ninepence are,


or how many shillings in twenty guineas, it would be so encouraging.
I should be so much more at my ease about your state of mind.

Without directly answering to this appealshe sat so still when
he had very gently raised herand the hands that had not ceased
to clasp his wrists were so much more steady than they had been
that she communicated some reassurance to Mr. Jarvis Lorry.

That's right, that's right. Courage! Business! You have business
before you; useful business. Miss Manette, your mother took this
course with you. And when she died--I believe broken-hearted-having
never slackened her unavailing search for your father,
she left you, at two years old, to grow to be blooming, beautiful,
and happy, without the dark cloud upon you of living in uncertainty
whether your father soon wore his heart out in prison, or wasted
there through many lingering years.

As he said the words he looked downwith an admiring pityon the
flowing golden hair; as if he pictured to himself that it might have
been already tinged with grey.

You know that your parents had no great possession, and that what
they had was secured to your mother and to you. There has been no
new discovery, of money, or of any other property; but--

He felt his wrist held closerand he stopped. The expression in the
foreheadwhich had so particularly attracted his noticeand which
was now immovablehad deepened into one of pain and horror.

But he has been--been found. He is alive. Greatly changed, it is
too probable; almost a wreck, it is possible; though we will hope the
best. Still, alive. Your father has been taken to the house of an
old servant in Paris, and we are going there: I, to identify him if
I can: you, to restore him to life, love, duty, rest, comfort.

A shiver ran through her frameand from it through his. She said
in a lowdistinctawe-stricken voiceas if she were saying it in a
dream

I am going to see his Ghost! It will be his Ghost--not him!

Mr. Lorry quietly chafed the hands that held his arm. "Therethere
there! See nowsee now! The best and the worst are known to younow.
You are well on your way to the poor wronged gentlemanandwith a fair
sea voyageand a fair land journeyyou will be soon at his dear side."

She repeated in the same tonesunk to a whisperI have been free,
I have been happy, yet his Ghost has never haunted me!

Only one thing more,said Mr. Lorrylaying stress upon it as a
wholesome means of enforcing her attention: "he has been found under
another name; his ownlong forgotten or long concealed. It would be
worse than useless now to inquire which; worse than useless to seek
to know whether he has been for years overlookedor always designedly
held prisoner. It would be worse than useless now to make any inquiries
because it would be dangerous. Better not to mention the subject
anywhere or in any wayand to remove him--for a while at all events-out
of France. Even Isafe as an Englishmanand even Tellson's
important as they are to French creditavoid all naming of the
matter. I carry about menot a scrap of writing openly referring to
it. This is a secret service altogether. My credentialsentries
and memorandaare all comprehended in the one line`Recalled to
Life;' which may mean anything. But what is the matter! She doesn't
notice a word! Miss Manette!"


Perfectly still and silentand not even fallen back in her chair
she sat under his handutterly insensible; with her eyes open and
fixed upon himand with that last expression looking as if it were
carved or branded into her forehead. So close was her hold upon his
armthat he feared to detach himself lest he should hurt her;
therefore he called out loudly for assistance without moving.

A wild-looking womanwhom even in his agitationMr. Lorry observed
to be all of a red colourand to have red hairand to be dressed in
some extraordinary tight-fitting fashionand to have on her head a
most wonderful bonnet like a Grenadier wooden measureand good
measure tooor a great Stilton cheesecame running into the room in
advance of the inn servantsand soon settled the question of his
detachment from the poor young ladyby laying a brawny hand upon his
chestand sending him flying back against the nearest wall.

("I really think this must be a man!" was Mr. Lorry's breathless
reflectionsimultaneously with his coming against the wall.)

Why, look at you all!bawled this figureaddressing the inn
servants. "Why don't you go and fetch thingsinstead of standing
there staring at me? I am not so much to look atam I? Why don't
you go and fetch things? I'll let you knowif you don't bring
smelling-saltscold waterand vinegarquickI will."

There was an immediate dispersal for these restorativesand she
softly laid the patient on a sofaand tended her with great skill
and gentleness: calling her "my precious!" and "my bird!" and spreading
her golden hair aside over her shoulders with great pride and care.

And you in brown!she saidindignantly turning to Mr. Lorry;
couldn't you tell her what you had to tell herwithout frightening
her to death? Look at herwith her pretty pale face and her cold
hands. Do you call THAT being a Banker?"

Mr. Lorry was so exceedingly disconcerted by a question so hard to
answerthat he could only look onat a distancewith much feebler
sympathy and humilitywhile the strong womanhaving banished the
inn servants under the mysterious penalty of "letting them know"
something not mentioned if they stayed therestaringrecovered her
charge by a regular series of gradationsand coaxed her to lay her
drooping head upon her shoulder.

I hope she will do well now,said Mr. Lorry.

No thanks to you in brown, if she does. My darling pretty!

I hope,said Mr. Lorryafter another pause of feeble sympathy and
humilitythat you accompany Miss Manette to France?

A likely thing, too!replied the strong woman. "If it was ever
intended that I should go across salt waterdo you suppose
Providence would have cast my lot in an island?"

This being another question hard to answerMr. Jarvis Lorry withdrew
to consider it.

The Wine-shop


A large cask of wine had been dropped and brokenin the street.
The accident had happened in getting it out of a cart; the cask had
tumbled out with a runthe hoops had burstand it lay on the stones
just outside the door of the wine-shopshattered like a
walnut-shell.

All the people within reach had suspended their businessor their
idlenessto run to the spot and drink the wine. The rough
irregular stones of the streetpointing every wayand designed
one might have thoughtexpressly to lame all living creatures that
approached themhad dammed it into little pools; these were surrounded
each by its own jostling group or crowdaccording to its size.
Some men kneeled downmade scoops of their two hands joinedand
sippedor tried to help womenwho bent over their shouldersto
sipbefore the wine had all run out between their fingers. Others
men and womendipped in the puddles with little mugs of mutilated
earthenwareor even with handkerchiefs from women's headswhich
were squeezed dry into infants' mouths; others made small mudembankments
to stem the wine as it ran; othersdirected by
lookers-on up at high windowsdarted here and thereto cut off
little streams of wine that started away in new directions; others
devoted themselves to the sodden and lee-dyed pieces of the cask
lickingand even champing the moister wine-rotted fragments with
eager relish. There was no drainage to carry off the wineand not
only did it all get taken upbut so much mud got taken up along with
itthat there might have been a scavenger in the streetif anybody
acquainted with it could have believed in such a miraculous presence.

A shrill sound of laughter and of amused voices--voices of men
womenand children--resounded in the street while this wine game
lasted. There was little roughness in the sportand much playfulness.
There was a special companionship in itan observable inclination on
the part of every one to join some other onewhich ledespecially
among the luckier or lighter-heartedto frolicsome embraces
drinking of healthsshaking of handsand even joining of hands and
dancinga dozen together. When the wine was goneand the places
where it had been most abundant were raked into a gridiron-pattern by
fingersthese demonstrations ceasedas suddenly as they had broken
out. The man who had left his saw sticking in the firewood he was
cuttingset it in motion again; the women who had left on a door-step
the little pot of hot ashesat which she had been trying to soften
the pain in her own starved fingers and toesor in those of her
childreturned to it; men with bare armsmatted locksand cadaverous
faceswho had emerged into the winter light from cellarsmoved
awayto descend again; and a gloom gathered on the scene that
appeared more natural to it than sunshine.

The wine was red wineand had stained the ground of the narrow
street in the suburb of Saint Antoinein Pariswhere it was
spilled. It had stained many handstooand many facesand many
naked feetand many wooden shoes. The hands of the man who sawed
the woodleft red marks on the billets; and the forehead of the
woman who nursed her babywas stained with the stain of the old rag
she wound about her head again. Those who had been greedy with the
staves of the caskhad acquired a tigerish smear about the mouth;
and one tall joker so besmirchedhis head more out of a long squalid
bag of a nightcap than in itscrawled upon a wall with his finger
dipped in muddy wine-lees--BLOOD.

The time was to comewhen that wine too would be spilled on the
street-stonesand when the stain of it would be red upon many there.

And now that the cloud settled on Saint Antoinewhich a momentary


gleam had driven from his sacred countenancethe darkness of it was
heavy-colddirtsicknessignoranceand wantwere the lords in
waiting on the saintly presence-nobles of great power all of them;
butmost especially the last. Samples of a people that had
undergone a terrible grinding and regrinding in the milland
certainly not in the fabulous mill which ground old people young
shivered at every cornerpassed in and out at every doorwaylooked
from every windowfluttered in every vestige of a garment that the
wind shook. The mill which had worked them downwas the mill that
grinds young people old; the children had ancient faces and grave
voices; and upon themand upon the grown facesand ploughed into
every furrow of age and coming up afreshwas the sighHunger. It
was prevalent everywhere. Hunger was pushed out of the tall houses
in the wretched clothing that hung upon poles and lines; Hunger was
patched into them with straw and rag and wood and paper; Hunger was
repeated in every fragment of the small modicum of firewood that the
man sawed off; Hunger stared down from the smokeless chimneysand
started up from the filthy street that had no offalamong its refuse
of anything to eat. Hunger was the inscription on the baker's
shelveswritten in every small loaf of his scanty stock of bad
bread; at the sausage-shopin every dead-dog preparation that was
offered for sale. Hunger rattled its dry bones among the roasting
chestnuts in the turned cylinder; Hunger was shred into atomics in
every farthing porringer of husky chips of potatofried with some
reluctant drops of oil.

Its abiding place was in all things fitted to it. A narrow winding
streetfull of offence and stenchwith other narrow winding streets
divergingall peopled by rags and nightcapsand all smelling of
rags and nightcapsand all visible things with a brooding look upon
them that looked ill. In the hunted air of the people there was yet
some wild-beast thought of the possibility of turning at bay. Depressed
and slinking though they wereeyes of fire were not wanting among
them; nor compressed lipswhite with what they suppressed; nor
foreheads knitted into the likeness of the gallows-rope they mused
about enduringor inflicting. The trade signs (and they were almost
as many as the shops) wereallgrim illustrations of Want. The
butcher and the porkman painted uponly the leanest scrags of meat;
the bakerthe coarsest of meagre loaves. The people rudely pictured
as drinking in the wine-shopscroaked over their scanty measures of
thin wine and beerand were gloweringly confidential together.
Nothing was represented in a flourishing conditionsave tools and
weapons; butthe cutler's knives and axes were sharp and brightthe
smith's hammers were heavyand the gunmaker's stock was murderous.
The crippling stones of the pavementwith their many little
reservoirs of mud and waterhad no footwaysbut broke off abruptly
at the doors. The kennelto make amendsran down the middle of the
street--when it ran at all: which was only after heavy rainsand
then it ranby many eccentric fitsinto the houses. Across the
streetsat wide intervalsone clumsy lamp was slung by a rope and
pulley; at nightwhen the lamplighter had let these downand lighted
and hoisted them againa feeble grove of dim wicks swung in a sickly
manner overheadas if they were at sea. Indeed they were at sea
and the ship and crew were in peril of tempest.

Forthe time was to comewhen the gaunt scarecrows of that region
should have watched the lamplighterin their idleness and hunger
so longas to conceive the idea of improving on his methodand
hauling up men by those ropes and pulleysto flare upon the
darkness of their condition. Butthe time was not come yet; and
every wind that blew over France shook the rags of the scarecrows
in vainfor the birdsfine of song and feathertook no warning.

The wine-shop was a corner shopbetter than most others in its


appearance and degreeand the master of the wine-shop had stood
outside itin a yellow waistcoat and green breecheslooking on at
the struggle for the lost wine. "It's not my affair said he,
with a final shrug of the shoulders. The people from the market
did it. Let them bring another."

Therehis eyes happening to catch the tall joker writing up his
jokehe called to him across the way:

Say, then, my Gaspard, what do you do there?

The fellow pointed to his joke with immense significanceas is often
the way with his tribe. It missed its markand completely failed
as is often the way with his tribe too.

What now? Are you a subject for the mad hospital?said the
wine-shop keepercrossing the roadand obliterating the jest with
a handful of mudpicked up for the purposeand smeared over it.
Why do you write in the public streets? Is there--tell me thou--is
there no other place to write such words in?

In his expostulation he dropped his cleaner hand (perhaps accidentally
perhaps not) upon the joker's heart. The joker rapped it with his
owntook a nimble spring upwardand came down in a fantastic
dancing attitudewith one of his stained shoes jerked off his foot
into his handand held out. A joker of an extremelynot to say
wolfishly practical characterhe lookedunder those circumstances.

Put it on, put it on,said the other. "Call winewine; and finish
there." With that advicehe wiped his soiled hand upon the joker's
dresssuch as it was--quite deliberatelyas having dirtied the hand
on his account; and then recrossed the road and entered the wine-shop.

This wine-shop keeper was a bull-neckedmartial-looking man of
thirtyand he should have been of a hot temperamentforalthough
it was a bitter dayhe wore no coatbut carried one slung over his
shoulder. His shirt-sleeves were rolled uptooand his brown arms
were bare to the elbows. Neither did he wear anything more on his
head than his own crisply-curling short dark hair. He was a dark man
altogetherwith good eyes and a good bold breadth between them.
Good-humoured looking on the wholebut implacable-lookingtoo;
evidently a man of a strong resolution and a set purpose; a man not
desirable to be metrushing down a narrow pass with a gulf on either
sidefor nothing would turn the man.

Madame Defargehis wifesat in the shop behind the counter as he
came in. Madame Defarge was a stout woman of about his own agewith
a watchful eye that seldom seemed to look at anythinga large hand
heavily ringeda steady facestrong featuresand great composure
of manner. There was a character about Madame Defargefrom which
one might have predicated that she did not often make mistakes against
herself in any of the reckonings over which she presided. Madame
Defarge being sensitive to coldwas wrapped in furand had a
quantity of bright shawl twined about her headthough not to the
concealment of her large earrings. Her knitting was before herbut
she had laid it down to pick her teeth with a toothpick. Thus
engagedwith her right elbow supported by her left handMadame
Defarge said nothing when her lord came inbut coughed just one
grain of cough. Thisin combination with the lifting of her darkly
defined eyebrows over her toothpick by the breadth of a linesuggested
to her husband that he would do well to look round the shop among the
customersfor any new customer who had dropped in while he stepped
over the way.


The wine-shop keeper accordingly rolled his eyes aboutuntil they
rested upon an elderly gentleman and a young ladywho were seated in
a corner. Other company were there: two playing cardstwo playing
dominoesthree standing by the counter lengthening out a short
supply of wine. As he passed behind the counterhe took notice that
the elderly gentleman said in a look to the young ladyThis is our
man.

What the devil do YOU do in that galley there?said Monsieur
Defarge to himself; "I don't know you."

Buthe feigned not to notice the two strangersand fell into
discourse with the triumvirate of customers who were drinking at the
counter.

How goes it, Jacques?said one of these three to Monsieur Defarge.
Is all the spilt wine swallowed?

Every drop, Jacques,answered Monsieur Defarge.

When this interchange of Christian name was effectedMadame Defarge
picking her teeth with her toothpickcoughed another grain of cough
and raised her eyebrows by the breadth of another line.

It is not often,said the second of the threeaddressing Monsieur
Defargethat many of these miserable beasts know the taste of wine,
or of anything but black bread and death. Is it not so, Jacques?

It is so, Jacques,Monsieur Defarge returned.

At this second interchange of the Christian nameMadame Defarge
still using her toothpick with profound composurecoughed another
grain of coughand raised her eyebrows by the breadth of another line.

The last of the three now said his sayas he put down his empty
drinking vessel and smacked his lips.

Ah! So much the worse! A bitter taste it is that such poor cattle
always have in their mouths, and hard lives they live, Jacques.
Am I right, Jacques?

You are right, Jacques,was the response of Monsieur Defarge.

This third interchange of the Christian name was completed at the
moment when Madame Defarge put her toothpick bykept her eyebrows
upand slightly rustled in her seat.

Hold then! True!muttered her husband. "Gentlemen--my wife!"

The three customers pulled off their hats to Madame Defargewith
three flourishes. She acknowledged their homage by bending her head
and giving them a quick look. Then she glanced in a casual manner
round the wine-shoptook up her knitting with great apparent
calmness and repose of spiritand became absorbed in it.

Gentlemen,said her husbandwho had kept his bright eye
observantly upon hergood day. The chamber, furnished bachelorfashion,
that you wished to see, and were inquiring for when I
stepped out, is on the fifth floor. The doorway of the staircase
gives on the little courtyard close to the left here,pointing with
his handnear to the window of my establishment. But, now that I
remember, one of you has already been there, and can show the way.
Gentlemen, adieu!


They paid for their wineand left the place. The eyes of Monsieur
Defarge were studying his wife at her knitting when the elderly
gentleman advanced from his cornerand begged the favour of a word.

Willingly, sir,said Monsieur Defargeand quietly stepped with him
to the door.

Their conference was very shortbut very decided. Almost at the
first wordMonsieur Defarge started and became deeply attentive.
It had not lasted a minutewhen he nodded and went out. The
gentleman then beckoned to the young ladyand theytoowent out.
Madame Defarge knitted with nimble fingers and steady eyebrowsand
saw nothing.

Mr. Jarvis Lorry and Miss Manetteemerging from the wine-shop thus
joined Monsieur Defarge in the doorway to which he had directed his
own company just before. It opened from a stinking little black
courtyardand was the general public entrance to a great pile of
housesinhabited by a great number of people. In the gloomy tilepaved
entry to the gloomy tile-paved staircaseMonsieur Defarge bent
down on one knee to the child of his old masterand put her hand to
his lips. It was a gentle actionbut not at all gently done; a very
remarkable transformation had come over him in a few seconds. He had
no good-humour in his facenor any openness of aspect leftbut had
become a secretangrydangerous man.

It is very high; it is a little difficult. Better to begin slowly.
ThusMonsieur Defargein a stern voiceto Mr. Lorryas they began
ascending the stairs.

Is he alone?the latter whispered.

Alone! God help him, who should be with him!said the otherin the
same low voice.

Is he always alone, then?

Yes.

Of his own desire?

Of his own necessity. As he was, when I first saw him after they
found me and demanded to know if I would take him, and, at my peril
be discreet--as he was then, so he is now.

He is greatly changed?

Changed!

The keeper of the wine-shop stopped to strike the wall with his hand
and mutter a tremendous curse. No direct answer could have been half
so forcible. Mr. Lorry's spirits grew heavier and heavieras he and
his two companions ascended higher and higher.

Such a staircasewith its accessoriesin the older and more crowded
parts of Pariswould be bad enough now; butat that timeit was
vile indeed to unaccustomed and unhardened senses. Every little
habitation within the great foul nest of one high building--that is
to saythe room or rooms within every door that opened on the
general staircase--left its own heap of refuse on its own landing
besides flinging other refuse from its own windows. The uncontrollable
and hopeless mass of decomposition so engenderedwould have polluted
the aireven if poverty and deprivation had not loaded it with their
intangible impurities; the two bad sources combined made it almost


insupportable. Through such an atmosphereby a steep dark shaft of
dirt and poisonthe way lay. Yielding to his own disturbance of
mindand to his young companion's agitationwhich became greater
every instantMr. Jarvis Lorry twice stopped to rest. Each of these
stoppages was made at a doleful gratingby which any languishing
good airs that were left uncorruptedseemed to escapeand all
spoilt and sickly vapours seemed to crawl in. Through the rusted
barstastesrather than glimpseswere caught of the jumbled
neighbourhood; and nothing within rangenearer or lower than the
summits of the two great towers of Notre-Damehad any promise on it
of healthy life or wholesome aspirations.

At lastthe top of the staircase was gainedand they stopped for
the third time. There was yet an upper staircaseof a steeper
inclination and of contracted dimensionsto be ascendedbefore the
garret story was reached. The keeper of the wine-shopalways going
a little in advanceand always going on the side which Mr. Lorry
tookas though he dreaded to be asked any question by the young
ladyturned himself about hereandcarefully feeling in the
pockets of the coat he carried over his shouldertook out a key.

The door is locked then, my friend?said Mr. Lorrysurprised.

Ay. Yes,was the grim reply of Monsieur Defarge.

You think it necessary to keep the unfortunate gentleman so retired?

I think it necessary to turn the key.Monsieur Defarge whispered it
closer in his earand frowned heavily.

Why?

Why! Because he has lived so long, locked up, that he would be
frightened-rave-tear himself to pieces-die-come to I know not what
harm--if his door was left open.

Is it possible!exclaimed Mr. Lorry.

Is it possible!repeated Defargebitterly. "Yes. And a beautiful
world we live inwhen it IS possibleand when many other such
things are possibleand not only possiblebut done--donesee
you!--under that sky thereevery day. Long live the Devil. Let us
go on."

This dialogue had been held in so very low a whisperthat not a word
of it had reached the young lady's ears. Butby this time she
trembled under such strong emotionand her face expressed such deep
anxietyandabove allsuch dread and terrorthat Mr. Lorry felt
it incumbent on him to speak a word or two of reassurance.

Courage, dear miss! Courage! Business! The worst will be over
in a moment; it is but passing the room-door, and the worst is over.
Then, all the good you bring to him, all the relief, all the
happiness you bring to him, begin. Let our good friend here,
assist you on that side. That's well, friend Defarge. Come, now.
Business, business!

They went up slowly and softly. The staircase was shortand they
were soon at the top. Thereas it had an abrupt turn in itthey
came all at once in sight of three menwhose heads were bent down
close together at the side of a doorand who were intently looking
into the room to which the door belongedthrough some chinks or
holes in the wall. On hearing footsteps close at handthese three
turnedand roseand showed themselves to be the three of one name


who had been drinking in the wine-shop.


I forgot them in the surprise of your visit,explained Monsieur
Defarge. "Leave usgood boys; we have business here."


The three glided byand went silently down.


There appearing to be no other door on that floorand the keeper of
the wine-shop going straight to this one when they were left alone
Mr. Lorry asked him in a whisperwith a little anger:


Do you make a show of Monsieur Manette?


I show him, in the way you have seen, to a chosen few.


Is that well?


_I_ think it is well.


Who are the few? How do you choose them?


I choose them as real men, of my name--Jacques is my name--to whom
the sight is likely to do good. Enough; you are English; that is
another thing. Stay there, if you please, a little moment.


With an admonitory gesture to keep them backhe stoopedand looked
in through the crevice in the wall. Soon raising his head againhe
struck twice or thrice upon the door--evidently with no other object
than to make a noise there. With the same intentionhe drew the key
across itthree or four timesbefore he put it clumsily into the
lockand turned it as heavily as he could.


The door slowly opened inward under his handand he looked into the
room and said something. A faint voice answered something. Little
more than a single syllable could have been spoken on either side.


He looked back over his shoulderand beckoned them to enter.
Mr. Lorry got his arm securely round the daughter's waistand held
her; for he felt that she was sinking.


A-a-a-business, business!he urgedwith a moisture that was not of
business shining on his cheek. "Come income in!"


I am afraid of it,she answeredshuddering.


Of it? What?


I mean of him. Of my father.


Rendered in a manner desperateby her state and by the beckoning of
their conductorhe drew over his neck the arm that shook upon his
shoulderlifted her a littleand hurried her into the room. He sat
her down just within the doorand held herclinging to him.


Defarge drew out the keyclosed the doorlocked it on the inside
took out the key againand held it in his hand. All this he did
methodicallyand with as loud and harsh an accompaniment of noise as
he could make. Finallyhe walked across the room with a measured
tread to where the window was. He stopped thereand faced round.


The garretbuilt to be a depository for firewood and the likewas
dim and dark: forthe window of dormer shapewas in truth a door in
the roofwith a little crane over it for the hoisting up of stores
from the street: unglazedand closing up the middle in two pieces



like any other door of French construction. To exclude the coldone
half of this door was fast closedand the other was opened but a
very little way. Such a scanty portion of light was admitted through
these meansthat it was difficulton first coming into see
anything; and long habit alone could have slowly formed in any one
the ability to do any work requiring nicety in such obscurity. Yet
work of that kind was being done in the garret; forwith his back
towards the doorand his face towards the window where the keeper of
the wine-shop stood looking at hima white-haired man sat on a low
benchstooping forward and very busymaking shoes.

The Shoemaker

Good day!said Monsieur Defargelooking down at the white head
that bent low over the shoemaking.

It was raised for a momentand a very faint voice responded to the
salutationas if it were at a distance:

Good day!

You are still hard at work, I see?

After a long silencethe head was lifted for another momentand the
voice repliedYes--I am working.This timea pair of haggard eyes
had looked at the questionerbefore the face had dropped again.

The faintness of the voice was pitiable and dreadful. It was not the
faintness of physical weaknessthough confinement and hard fare no
doubt had their part in it. Its deplorable peculiarity wasthat it
was the faintness of solitude and disuse. It was like the last
feeble echo of a sound made long and long ago. So entirely had it
lost the life and resonance of the human voicethat it affected the
senses like a once beautiful colour faded away into a poor weak
stain. So sunken and suppressed it wasthat it was like a voice
underground. So expressive it wasof a hopeless and lost creature
that a famished travellerwearied out by lonely wandering in a
wildernesswould have remembered home and friends in such a tone
before lying down to die.

Some minutes of silent work had passed: and the haggard eyes had
looked up again: not with any interest or curiositybut with a dull
mechanical perceptionbeforehandthat the spot where the only
visitor they were aware of had stoodwas not yet empty.

I want,said Defargewho had not removed his gaze from the
shoemakerto let in a little more light here. You can bear a
little more?

The shoemaker stopped his work; looked with a vacant air of listening
at the floor on one side of him; then similarlyat the floor on the
other side of him; thenupward at the speaker.

What did you say?

You can bear a little more light?

I must bear it, if you let it in.(Laying the palest shadow of a
stress upon the second word.)


The opened half-door was opened a little furtherand secured at that
angle for the time. A broad ray of light fell into the garretand
showed the workman with an unfinished shoe upon his lappausing in
his labour. His few common tools and various scraps of leather were
at his feet and on his bench. He had a white beardraggedly cut
but not very longa hollow faceand exceedingly bright eyes. The
hollowness and thinness of his face would have caused them to look
largeunder his yet dark eyebrows and his confused white hair
though they had been really otherwise; butthey were naturally
largeand looked unnaturally so. His yellow rags of shirt lay open
at the throatand showed his body to be withered and worn. Heand
his old canvas frockand his loose stockingsand all his poor
tatters of clotheshadin a long seclusion from direct light and
airfaded down to such a dull uniformity of parchment-yellowthat
it would have been hard to say which was which.

He had put up a hand between his eyes and the lightand the very
bones of it seemed transparent. So he satwith a steadfastly vacant
gazepausing in his work. He never looked at the figure before him
without first looking down on this side of himselfthen on thatas
if he had lost the habit of associating place with sound; he never
spokewithout first wandering in this mannerand forgetting to speak.

Are you going to finish that pair of shoes to-day?asked Defarge
motioning to Mr. Lorry to come forward.

What did you say?

Do you mean to finish that pair of shoes to-day?

I can't say that I mean to. I suppose so. I don't know.

Butthe question reminded him of his workand he bent over it again.

Mr. Lorry came silently forwardleaving the daughter by the door.
When he had stoodfor a minute or twoby the side of Defargethe
shoemaker looked up. He showed no surprise at seeing another figure
but the unsteady fingers of one of his hands strayed to his lips as
he looked at it (his lips and his nails were of the same pale leadcolour)
and then the hand dropped to his workand he once more bent
over the shoe. The look and the action had occupied but an instant.

You have a visitor, you see,said Monsieur Defarge.

What did you say?

Here is a visitor.

The shoemaker looked up as beforebut without removing a hand from his work.

Come!said Defarge. "Here is monsieurwho knows a well-made shoe
when he sees one. Show him that shoe you are working at. Take itmonsieur."

Mr. Lorry took it in his hand.

Tell monsieur what kind of shoe it is, and the maker's name.

There was a longer pause than usualbefore the shoemaker replied:

I forget what it was you asked me. What did you say?

I said, couldn't you describe the kind of shoe, for monsieur's information?


It is a lady's shoe. It is a young lady's walking-shoe. It is in the
present mode. I never saw the mode. I have had a pattern in my hand.
He glanced at the shoe with some little passing touch of pride.


And the maker's name?said Defarge.


Now that he had no work to holdhe laid the knuckles of the right hand
in the hollow of the leftand then the knuckles of the left hand in the
hollow of the rightand then passed a hand across his bearded chin
and so on in regular changeswithout a moment's intermission.
The task of recalling him from the vagrancy into which he always
sank when he had spokenwas like recalling some very weak person
from a swoonor endeavouringin the hope of some disclosure
to stay the spirit of a fast-dying man.


Did you ask me for my name?


Assuredly I did.


One Hundred and Five, North Tower.


Is that all?


One Hundred and Five, North Tower.


With a weary sound that was not a sighnor a groanhe bent to work
againuntil the silence was again broken.


You are not a shoemaker by trade?said Mr. Lorrylooking steadfastly
at him.


His haggard eyes turned to Defarge as if he would have transferred
the question to him: but as no help came from that quarterthey
turned back on the questioner when they had sought the ground.


I am not a shoemaker by trade? No, I was not a shoemaker by trade.
I-I learnt it here. I taught myself. I asked leave to--


He lapsed awayeven for minutesringing those measured changes on
his hands the whole time. His eyes came slowly backat lastto the
face from which they had wandered; when they rested on ithe started
and resumedin the manner of a sleeper that moment awake
reverting to a subject of last night.


I asked leave to teach myself, and I got it with much difficulty
after a long while, and I have made shoes ever since.


As he held out his hand for the shoe that had been taken from him
Mr. Lorry saidstill looking steadfastly in his face:


Monsieur Manette, do you remember nothing of me?


The shoe dropped to the groundand he sat looking fixedly at the
questioner.


Monsieur Manette; Mr. Lorry laid his hand upon Defarge's arm;
do you remember nothing of this man? Look at him. Look at me.
Is there no old banker, no old business, no old servant, no old time,
rising in your mind, Monsieur Manette?


As the captive of many years sat looking fixedlyby turnsat
Mr. Lorry and at Defargesome long obliterated marks of an actively
intent intelligence in the middle of the foreheadgradually forced
themselves through the black mist that had fallen on him. They were



overclouded againthey were fainterthey were gone; but they had
been there. And so exactly was the expression repeated on the fair
young face of her who had crept along the wall to a point where she
could see himand where she now stood looking at himwith hands
which at first had been only raised in frightened compassionif not
even to keep him off and shut out the sight of himbut which were
now extending towards himtrembling with eagerness to lay the
spectral face upon her warm young breastand love it back to life
and hope--so exactly was the expression repeated (though in stronger
characters) on her fair young facethat it looked as though it had
passed like a moving lightfrom him to her.

Darkness had fallen on him in its place. He looked at the twoless
and less attentivelyand his eyes in gloomy abstraction sought the
ground and looked about him in the old way. Finallywith a deep
long sighhe took the shoe upand resumed his work.

Have you recognised him, monsieur?asked Defarge in a whisper.

Yes; for a moment. At first I thought it quite hopeless, but I have
unquestionably seen, for a single moment, the face that I once knew
so well. Hush! Let us draw further back. Hush!

She had moved from the wall of the garretvery near to the bench on
which he sat. There was something awful in his unconsciousness of
the figure that could have put out its hand and touched him as he
stooped over his labour.

Not a word was spokennot a sound was made. She stoodlike a
spiritbeside himand he bent over his work.

It happenedat lengththat he had occasion to change the instrument
in his handfor his shoemaker's knife. It lay on that side of him
which was not the side on which she stood. He had taken it upand
was stooping to work againwhen his eyes caught the skirt of her
dress. He raised themand saw her face. The two spectators started
forwardbut she stayed them with a motion of her hand. She had no
fear of his striking at her with the knifethough they had.

He stared at her with a fearful lookand after a while his lips
began to form some wordsthough no sound proceeded from them. By
degreesin the pauses of his quick and laboured breathinghe was
heard to say:

What is this?

With the tears streaming down her faceshe put her two hands to her
lipsand kissed them to him; then clasped them on her breastas if
she laid his ruined head there.

You are not the gaoler's daughter?

She sighed "No."

Who are you?

Not yet trusting the tones of her voiceshe sat down on the bench
beside him. He recoiledbut she laid her hand upon his arm. A
strange thrill struck him when she did soand visibly passed over
his frame; he laid the knife down' softlyas he sat staring at her.

Her golden hairwhich she wore in long curlshad been hurriedly
pushed asideand fell down over her neck. Advancing his hand by
little and littlehe took it up and looked at it. In the midst of


the action he went astrayandwith another deep sighfell to work
at his shoemaking.

But not for long. Releasing his armshe laid her hand upon his
shoulder. After looking doubtfully at ittwo or three timesas if
to be sure that it was really therehe laid down his workput his
hand to his neckand took off a blackened string with a scrap of
folded rag attached to it. He opened thiscarefullyon his knee
and it contained a very little quantity of hair: not more than one or
two long golden hairswhich he hadin some old daywound off upon
his finger.

He took her hair into his hand againand looked closely at it. "It
is the same. How can it be! When was it! How was it!"

As the concentrated expression returned to his foreheadhe seemed to
become conscious that it was in hers too. He turned her full to the
lightand looked at her.

She had laid her head upon my shoulder, that night when I was
summoned out--she had a fear of my going, though I had none--and when
I was brought to the North Tower they found these upon my sleeve.
'You will leave me them? They can never help me to escape in the
body, though they may in the spirit.' Those were the words I said.
I remember them very well.

He formed this speech with his lips many times before he could utter
it. But when he did find spoken words for itthey came to him
coherentlythough slowly.

How was this?--WAS IT YOU?

Once morethe two spectators startedas he turned upon her with a
frightful suddenness. But she sat perfectly still in his graspand
only saidin a low voiceI entreat you, good gentlemen, do not
come near us, do not speak, do not move!

Hark!he exclaimed. "Whose voice was that?"

His hands released her as he uttered this cryand went up to his
white hairwhich they tore in a frenzy. It died outas everything
but his shoemaking did die out of himand he refolded his little
packet and tried to secure it in his breast; but he still looked at
herand gloomily shook his head.

No, no, no; you are too young, too blooming. It can't be. See what
the prisoner is. These are not the hands she knew, this is not the
face she knew, this is not a voice she ever heard. No, no. She
was--and He was--before the slow years of the North Tower--ages ago.
What is your name, my gentle angel?

Hailing his softened tone and mannerhis daughter fell upon her
knees before himwith her appealing hands upon his breast.

O, sir, at another time you shall know my name, and who my mother
was, and who my father, and how I never knew their hard, hard
history. But I cannot tell you at this time, and I cannot tell you
here. All that I may tell you, here and now, is, that I pray to you
to touch me and to bless me. Kiss me, kiss me! O my dear, my dear!

His cold white head mingled with her radiant hairwhich warmed and
lighted it as though it were the light of Freedom shining on him.

If you hear in my voice--I don't know that it is so, but I hope it


is--if you hear in my voice any resemblance to a voice that once was
sweet music in your ears, weep for it, weep for it! If you touch,
in touching my hair, anything that recalls a beloved head that lay on
your breast when you were young and free, weep for it, weep for it!
If, when I hint to you of a Home that is before us, where I will be
true to you with all my duty and with all my faithful service, I
bring back the remembrance of a Home long desolate, while your poor
heart pined away, weep for it, weep for it!

She held him closer round the neckand rocked him on her breast
like a child.

If, when I tell you, dearest dear, that your agony is over, and that
I have come here to take you from it, and that we go to England to be
at peace and at rest, I cause you to think of your useful life laid
waste, and of our native France so wicked to you, weep for it, weep
for it! And if, when I shall tell you of my name, and of my father
who is living, and of my mother who is dead, you learn that I have to
kneel to my honoured father, and implore his pardon for having never
for his sake striven all day and lain awake and wept all night,
because the love of my poor mother hid his torture from me, weep for
it, weep for it! Weep for her, then, and for me! Good gentlemen,
thank God! I feel his sacred tears upon my face, and his sobs strike
against my heart. O, see! Thank God for us, thank God!

He had sunk in her armsand his face dropped on her breast: a sight
so touchingyet so terrible in the tremendous wrong and suffering
which had gone before itthat the two beholders covered their faces.

When the quiet of the garret had been long undisturbedand his
heaving breast and shaken form had long yielded to the calm that must
follow all storms--emblem to humanityof the rest and silence into
which the storm called Life must hush at last--they came forward to
raise the father and daughter from the ground. He had gradually
dropped to the floorand lay there in a lethargyworn out. She had
nestled down with himthat his head might lie upon her arm; and her
hair drooping over him curtained him from the light.

If, without disturbing him,she saidraising her hand to Mr. Lorry
as he stooped over themafter repeated blowings of his noseall
could be arranged for our leaving Paris at once, so that, from the,
very door, he could be taken away--

But, consider. Is he fit for the journey?asked Mr. Lorry.

More fit for that, I think, than to remain in this city, so dreadful to him.

It is true,said Defargewho was kneeling to look on and hear.
More than that; Monsieur Manette is, for all reasons, best out of
France. Say, shall I hire a carriage and post-horses?

That's business,said Mr. Lorryresuming on the shortest notice
his methodical manners; "and if business is to be doneI had better do it."

Then be so kind,urged Miss Manetteas to leave us here. You see
how composed he has become, and you cannot be afraid to leave him
with me now. Why should you be? If you will lock the door to secure
us from interruption, I do not doubt that you will find him, when you
come back, as quiet as you leave him. In any case, I will take care
of him until you return, and then we will remove him straight.

Both Mr. Lorry and Defarge were rather disinclined to this course
and in favour of one of them remaining. Butas there were not only
carriage and horses to be seen tobut travelling papers; and as time


pressedfor the day was drawing to an endit came at last to their
hastily dividing the business that was necessary to be doneand
hurrying away to do it.


Thenas the darkness closed inthe daughter laid her head down on
the hard ground close at the father's sideand watched him. The
darkness deepened and deepenedand they both lay quietuntil a
light gleamed through the chinks in the wall.


Mr. Lorry and Monsieur Defarge had made all ready for the journey
and had brought with thembesides travelling cloaks and wrappers
bread and meatwineand hot coffee. Monsieur Defarge put this
provenderand the lamp he carriedon the shoemaker's bench (there
was nothing else in the garret but a pallet bed)and he and
Mr. Lorry roused the captiveand assisted him to his feet.


No human intelligence could have read the mysteries of his mindin
the scared blank wonder of his face. Whether he knew what had
happenedwhether he recollected what they had said to himwhether
he knew that he was freewere questions which no sagacity could have
solved. They tried speaking to him; buthe was so confusedand so
very slow to answerthat they took fright at his bewildermentand
agreed for the time to tamper with him no more. He had a wildlost
manner of occasionally clasping his head in his handsthat had not
been seen in him before; yethe had some pleasure in the mere sound
of his daughter's voiceand invariably turned to it when she spoke.


In the submissive way of one long accustomed to obey under coercion
he ate and drank what they gave him to eat and drinkand put on the
cloak and other wrappingsthat they gave him to wear. He readily
responded to his daughter's drawing her arm through hisand
took--and kept--her hand in both his own.


They began to descend; Monsieur Defarge going first with the lamp
Mr. Lorry closing the little procession. They had not traversed many
steps of the long main staircase when he stoppedand stared at the
roof and round at the wails.


You remember the place, my father? You remember coming up here?


What did you say?


Butbefore she could repeat the questionhe murmured an answer as
if she had repeated it.


Remember? No, I don't remember. It was so very long ago.


That he had no recollection whatever of his having been brought from
his prison to that housewas apparent to them. They heard him mutter
One Hundred and Five, North Tower;and when he looked about himit
evidently was for the strong fortress-walls which had long encompassed him.
On their reaching the courtyard he instinctively altered his tread
as being in expectation of a drawbridge; and when there was no
drawbridgeand he saw the carriage waiting in the open streethe
dropped his daughter's hand and clasped his head again.


No crowd was about the door; no people were discernible at any of the
many windows; not even a chance passerby was in the street. An unnatural
silence and desertion reigned there. Only one soul was to be seen
and that was Madame Defarge--who leaned against the door-post
knittingand saw nothing.


The prisoner had got into a coachand his daughter had followed him
when Mr. Lorry's feet were arrested on the step by his asking



miserablyfor his shoemaking tools and the unfinished shoes. Madame
Defarge immediately called to her husband that she would get them
and wentknittingout of the lamplightthrough the courtyard. She
quickly brought them down and handed them in;--and immediately
afterwards leaned against the door-postknittingand saw nothing.

Defarge got upon the boxand gave the word "To the Barrier!"
The postilion cracked his whipand they clattered away under
the feeble over-swinging lamps.

Under the over-swinging lamps--swinging ever brighter in the better
streetsand ever dimmer in the worse--and by lighted shopsgay
crowdsilluminated coffee-housesand theatre-doorsto one of the
city gates. Soldiers with lanternsat the guard-house there.
Your papers, travellers!See here then, Monsieur the Officer,
said Defargegetting downand taking him gravely apartthese are
the papers of monsieur inside, with the white head. They were
consigned to me, with him, at the--He dropped his voicethere was
a flutter among the military lanternsand one of them being handed
into the coach by an arm in uniformthe eyes connected with the arm
lookednot an every day or an every night lookat monsieur with the
white head. "It is well. Forward!" from the uniform. "Adieu!" from
Defarge. And sounder a short grove of feebler and feebler
over-swinging lampsout under the great grove of stars.

Beneath that arch of unmoved and eternal lights; someso remote from
this little earth that the learned tell us it is doubtful whether
their rays have even yet discovered itas a point in space where
anything is suffered or done: the shadows of the night were broad and
black. All through the cold and restless intervaluntil dawnthey
once more whispered in the ears of Mr. Jarvis Lorry--sitting opposite
the buried man who had been dug outand wondering what subtle powers
were for ever lost to himand what were capable of restoration--the
old inquiry:

I hope you care to be recalled to life?

And the old answer:

I can't say.

The end of the first book.

Book the Second-the Golden Thread

Five Years Later

Tellson's Bank by Temple Bar was an old-fashioned placeeven in the
year one thousand seven hundred and eighty. It was very smallvery
darkvery uglyvery incommodious. It was an old-fashioned place
moreoverin the moral attribute that the partners in the House were
proud of its smallnessproud of its darknessproud of its ugliness


proud of its incommodiousness. They were even boastful of its
eminence in those particularsand were fired by an express conviction
thatif it were less objectionableit would be less respectable.
This was no passive beliefbut an active weapon which they flashed
at more convenient places of business. Tellson's (they said) wanted
no elbow-roomTellson's wanted no lightTellson's wanted no
embellishment. Noakes and Co.'s mightor Snooks Brothers' might;
but Tellson'sthank Heaven!--

Any one of these partners would have disinherited his son on the
question of rebuilding Tellson's. In this respect the House was much
on a par with the Country; which did very often disinherit its sons
for suggesting improvements in laws and customs that had long been
highly objectionablebut were only the more respectable.

Thus it had come to passthat Tellson's was the triumphant
perfection of inconvenience. After bursting open a door of idiotic
obstinacy with a weak rattle in its throatyou fell into Tellson's
down two stepsand came to your senses in a miserable little shop
with two little counterswhere the oldest of men made your cheque
shake as if the wind rustled itwhile they examined the signature by
the dingiest of windowswhich were always under a shower-bath of mud
from Fleet-streetand which were made the dingier by their own iron
bars properand the heavy shadow of Temple Bar. If your business
necessitated your seeing "the House you were put into a species of
Condemned Hold at the back, where you meditated on a misspent life,
until the House came with its hands in its pockets, and you could
hardly blink at it in the dismal twilight. Your money came out of,
or went into, wormy old wooden drawers, particles of which flew up
your nose and down your throat when they were opened and shut. Your
bank-notes had a musty odour, as if they were fast decomposing into
rags again. Your plate was stowed away among the neighbouring
cesspools, and evil communications corrupted its good polish in a day
or two. Your deeds got into extemporised strong-rooms made of
kitchens and sculleries, and fretted all the fat out of their
parchments into the banking-house air. Your lighter boxes of family
papers went up-stairs into a Barmecide room, that always had a great
dining-table in it and never had a dinner, and where, even in the
year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, the first letters written
to you by your old love, or by your little children, were but newly
released from the horror of being ogled through the windows, by the
heads exposed on Temple Bar with an insensate brutality and ferocity
worthy of Abyssinia or Ashantee.

But indeed, at that time, putting to death was a recipe much in vogue
with all trades and professions, and not least of all with Tellson's.
Death is Nature's remedy for all things, and why not Legislation's?
Accordingly, the forger was put to Death; the utterer of a bad note
was put to Death; the unlawful opener of a letter was put to Death;
the purloiner of forty shillings and sixpence was put to Death; the
holder of a horse at Tellson's door, who made off with it, was put to
Death; the coiner of a bad shilling was put to Death; the sounders of
three-fourths of the notes in the whole gamut of Crime, were put to
Death. Not that it did the least good in the way of prevention--it
might almost have been worth remarking that the fact was exactly the
reverse--but, it cleared off (as to this world) the trouble of each
particular case, and left nothing else connected with it to be looked
after. Thus, Tellson's, in its day, like greater places of business,
its contemporaries, had taken so many lives, that, if the heads laid
low before it had been ranged on Temple Bar instead of being
privately disposed of, they would probably have excluded what little
light the ground floor had, in a rather significant manner.

Cramped in all kinds of dun cupboards and hutches at Tellson's, the


oldest of men carried on the business gravely. When they took a
young man into Tellson's London house, they hid him somewhere till he
was old. They kept him in a dark place, like a cheese, until he had
the full Tellson flavour and blue-mould upon him. Then only was he
permitted to be seen, spectacularly poring over large books, and
casting his breeches and gaiters into the general weight of the
establishment.


Outside Tellson's--never by any means in it, unless called in--was an
odd-job-man, an occasional porter and messenger, who served as the
live sign of the house. He was never absent during business hours,
unless upon an errand, and then he was represented by his son: a
grisly urchin of twelve, who was his express image. People
understood that Tellson's, in a stately way, tolerated the
odd-job-man. The house had always tolerated some person in that
capacity, and time and tide had drifted this person to the post. His
surname was Cruncher, and on the youthful occasion of his renouncing
by proxy the works of darkness, in the easterly parish church of
Hounsditch, he had received the added appellation of Jerry.


The scene was Mr. Cruncher's private lodging in Hanging-sword-alley,
Whitefriars: the time, half-past seven of the clock on a windy March
morning, Anno Domini seventeen hundred and eighty. (Mr. Cruncher
himself always spoke of the year of our Lord as Anna Dominoes:
apparently under the impression that the Christian era dated from the
invention of a popular game, by a lady who had bestowed her name upon it.)


Mr. Cruncher's apartments were not in a savoury neighbourhood, and
were but two in number, even if a closet with a single pane of glass
in it might be counted as one. But they were very decently kept.
Early as it was, on the windy March morning, the room in which he lay
abed was already scrubbed throughout; and between the cups and
saucers arranged for breakfast, and the lumbering deal table, a very
clean white cloth was spread.


Mr. Cruncher reposed under a patchwork counterpane, like a Harlequin
at home. At fast, he slept heavily, but, by degrees, began to roll
and surge in bed, until he rose above the surface, with his spiky
hair looking as if it must tear the sheets to ribbons. At which
juncture, he exclaimed, in a voice of dire exasperation:


Bust meif she ain't at it agin!"


A woman of orderly and industrious appearance rose from her knees in
a cornerwith sufficient haste and trepidation to show that she was
the person referred to.


What!said Mr. Cruncherlooking out of bed for a boot. "You're at
it aginare you?"


After hailing the mom with this second salutationhe threw a boot at
the woman as a third. It was a very muddy bootand may introduce
the odd circumstance connected with Mr. Cruncher's domestic economy
thatwhereas he often came home after banking hours with clean
bootshe often got up next morning to find the same boots
covered with clay.


What,said Mr. Crunchervarying his apostrophe after missing
his mark--"what are you up toAggerawayter?"


I was only saying my prayers.


Saying your prayers! You're a nice woman! What do you mean by
flopping yourself down and praying agin me?



I was not praying against you; I was praying for you.

You weren't. And if you were, I won't be took the liberty with.
Here! your mother's a nice woman, young Jerry, going a praying agin
your father's prosperity. You've got a dutiful mother, you have, my
son. You've got a religious mother, you have, my boy: going and
flopping herself down, and praying that the bread-and-butter may be
snatched out of the mouth of her only child.

Master Cruncher (who was in his shirt) took this very illand
turning to his motherstrongly deprecated any praying away of his
personal board.

And what do you suppose, you conceited female,said Mr. Cruncher
with unconscious inconsistencythat the worth of YOUR prayers may be?
Name the price that you put YOUR prayers at!

They only come from the heart, Jerry. They are worth no more than that.

Worth no more than that,repeated Mr. Cruncher.
They ain't worth much, then. Whether or no,
I won't be prayed agin, I tell you. I can't afford it.
I'm not a going to be made unlucky by YOUR sneaking.
If you must go flopping yourself down, flop in favour
of your husband and child, and not in opposition to 'em. If I
had had any but a unnat'ral wife, and this poor boy had had any but
a unnat'ral mother, I might have made some money last week instead
of being counter-prayed and countermined and religiously circumwented
into the worst of luck. B-u-u-ust me!said Mr. Cruncherwho all
this time had been putting on his clothesif I ain't, what with
piety and one blowed thing and another, been choused this last week
into as bad luck as ever a poor devil of a honest tradesman met with!
Young Jerry, dress yourself, my boy, and while I clean my boots keep
a eye upon your mother now and then, and if you see any signs of more
flopping, give me a call. For, I tell you,here he addressed his
wife once moreI won't be gone agin, in this manner. I am as
rickety as a hackney-coach, I'm as sleepy as laudanum, my lines is
strained to that degree that I shouldn't know, if it wasn't for the
pain in 'em, which was me and which somebody else, yet I'm none the
better for it in pocket; and it's my suspicion that you've been at it
from morning to night to prevent me from being the better for it in pocket,
and I won't put up with it, Aggerawayter, and what do you say now!

Growlingin additionsuch phrases as "Ah! yes! You're religioustoo.
You wouldn't put yourself in opposition to the interests of your husband
and childwould you? Not you!" and throwing off other sarcastic sparks
from the whirling grindstone of his indignationMr. Cruncher betook
himself to his boot-cleaning and his general preparation for business.
In the meantimehis sonwhose head was garnished with tenderer spikes
and whose young eyes stood close by one anotheras his father's did
kept the required watch upon his mother. He greatly disturbed that
poor woman at intervalsby darting out of his sleeping closet
where he made his toiletwith a suppressed cry of "You are going to flop
mother. --Halloafather!" andafter raising this fictitious alarm
darting in again with an undutiful grin.

Mr. Cruncher's temper was not at all improved when he came to his
breakfast. He resented Mrs. Cruncher's saying grace with particular
animosity.

Now, Aggerawayter! What are you up to? At it again?

His wife explained that she had merely "asked a blessing."


Don't do it!said Mr. Crunches looking aboutas if he rather
expected to see the loaf disappear under the efficacy of his wife's
petitions. "I ain't a going to be blest out of house and home.
I won't have my wittles blest off my table. Keep still!"

Exceedingly red-eyed and grimas if he had been up all night at a
party which had taken anything but a convivial turnJerry Cruncher
worried his breakfast rather than ate itgrowling over it like any
four-footed inmate of a menagerie. Towards nine o'clock he smoothed
his ruffled aspectandpresenting as respectable and business-like
an exterior as he could overlay his natural self withissued forth
to the occupation of the day.

It could scarcely be called a tradein spite of his favourite
description of himself as "a honest tradesman." His stock consisted
of a wooden stoolmade out of a broken-backed chair cut downwhich
stoolyoung Jerrywalking at his father's sidecarried every
morning to beneath the banking-house window that was nearest Temple
Bar: wherewith the addition of the first handful of straw that
could be gleaned from any passing vehicle to keep the cold and wet
from the odd-job-man's feetit formed the encampment for the day.
On this post of hisMr. Cruncher was as well known to Fleet-street
and the Templeas the Bar itself--and was almost as in-looking.

Encamped at a quarter before ninein good time to touch his threecornered
hat to the oldest of men as they passed in to Tellson's
Jerry took up his station on this windy March morningwith young
Jerry standing by himwhen not engaged in making forays through the
Barto inflict bodily and mental injuries of an acute description on
passing boys who were small enough for his amiable purpose. Father
and sonextremely like each otherlooking silently on at the
morning traffic in Fleet-streetwith their two heads as near to one
another as the two eyes of each werebore a considerable resemblance
to a pair of monkeys. The resemblance was not lessened by the
accidental circumstancethat the mature Jerry bit and spat out
strawwhile the twinkling eyes of the youthful Jerry were as
restlessly watchful of him as of everything else in Fleet-street.

The head of one of the regular indoor messengers attached to
Tellson's establishment was put through the doorand the word was
given:

Porter wanted!

Hooray, father! Here's an early job to begin with!

Having thus given his parent God speedyoung Jerry seated himself on
the stoolentered on his reversionary interest in the straw his
father had been chewingand cogitated.

Al-ways rusty! His fingers is al-ways rusty!muttered young Jerry.
Where does my father get all that iron rust from? He don't get no
iron rust here!

A Sight

You know the Old Bailey, well, no doubt?said one of the oldest of
clerks to Jerry the messenger.


Ye-es, sir,returned Jerryin something of a dogged manner. "I
DO know the Bailey."

Just so. And you know Mr. Lorry.

I know Mr. Lorry, sir, much better than I know the Bailey. Much
better,said Jerrynot unlike a reluctant witness at the
establishment in questionthan I, as a honest tradesman, wish to
know the Bailey.

Very well. Find the door where the witnesses go in, and show the
door-keeper this note for Mr. Lorry. He will then let you in.

Into the court, sir?

Into the court.

Mr. Cruncher's eyes seemed to get a little closer to one anotherand
to interchange the inquiryWhat do you think of this?

Am I to wait in the court, sir?he askedas the result of that
conference.

I am going to tell you. The door-keeper will pass the note to Mr.
Lorry, and do you make any gesture that will attract Mr. Lorry's
attention, and show him where you stand. Then what you have to do,
is, to remain there until he wants you.

Is that all, sir?

That's all. He wishes to have a messenger at hand. This is to tell
him you are there.

As the ancient clerk deliberately folded and superscribed the note
Mr. Cruncherafter surveying him in silence until he came to the
blotting-paper stageremarked:

I suppose they'll be trying Forgeries this morning?

Treason!

That's quartering,said Jerry. "Barbarous!"

It is the law,remarked the ancient clerkturning his surprised
spectacles upon him. "It is the law."

It's hard in the law to spile a man, I think. Ifs hard enough to
kill him, but it's wery hard to spile him, sir.

Not at all,retained the ancient clerk. "Speak well of the law.
Take care of your chest and voicemy good friendand leave the law
to take care of itself. I give you that advice."

It's the damp, sir, what settles on my chest and voice,said Jerry.
I leave you to judge what a damp way of earning a living mine is.

WeB, well,said the old clerk; "we aa have our various ways of
gaining a livelihood. Some of us have damp waysand some of us have
dry ways. Here is the letter. Go along."

Jerry took the letterandremarking to himself with less internal
deference than he made an outward show ofYou are a lean old one,
too,made his bowinformed his sonin passingof his destination


and went his way.

They hanged at Tyburnin those daysso the street outside Newgate
had not obtained one infamous notoriety that has since attached to
it. Butthe gaol was a vile placein which most kinds of
debauchery and villainy were practisedand where dire diseases were
bredthat came into court with the prisonersand sometimes rushed
straight from the dock at my Lord Chief Justice himselfand pulled
him off the bench. It had more than once happenedthat the Judge in
the black cap pronounced his own doom as certainly as the prisoner's
and even died before him. For the restthe Old Bailey was famous as
a kind of deadly inn-yardfrom which pale travellers set out
continuallyin carts and coacheson a violent passage into the
other world: traversing some two miles and a half of public street
and roadand shaming few good citizensif any. So powerful is use
and so desirable to be good use in the beginning. It was famous
toofor the pillorya wise old institutionthat inflicted a
punishment of which no one could foresee the extent; alsofor the
whipping-postanother dear old institutionvery humanising and
softening to behold in action; alsofor extensive transactions in
blood-moneyanother fragment of ancestral wisdomsystematically
leading to the most frightful mercenary crimes that could be
committed under Heaven. Altogetherthe Old Baileyat that date
was a choice illustration of the preceptthat "Whatever is is right;"
an aphorism that would be as final as it is lazydid it not include
the troublesome consequencethat nothing that ever waswas wrong.

Making his way through the tainted crowddispersed up and down this
hideous scene of actionwith the skill of a man accustomed to make
his way quietlythe messenger found out the door he soughtand
handed in his letter through a trap in it. Forpeople then paid to
see the play at the Old Baileyjust as they paid to see the play in
Bedlam--only the former entertainment was much the dearer. Therefore
all the Old Bailey doors were well guarded--exceptindeedthe
social doors by which the criminals got thereand those were always
left wide open.

After some delay and demurthe door grudgingly turned on its hinges
a very little wayand allowed Mr. Jerry Cruncher to squeeze himself
into court.

What's on?he askedin a whisperof the man he found himself next to.

Nothing yet.

What's coming on?

The Treason case.

The quartering one, eh?

Ah!returned the manwith a relish; "he'll be drawn on a hurdle
to be half hangedand then he'll be taken down and sliced before
his own faceand then his inside will be taken out and burnt while
he looks onand then his head will be chopped offand he'll be
cut into quarters. That's the sentence."

If he's found Guilty, you mean to say?Jerry addedby way of proviso.

Oh! they'll find him guilty,said the other. "Don't you be afraid of that."

Mr. Cruncher's attention was here diverted to the door-keeperwhom
he saw making his way to Mr. Lorrywith the note in his hand. Mr.
Lorry sat at a tableamong the gentlemen in wigs: not far from a


wigged gentlemanthe prisoner's counselwho had a great bundle of
papers before him: and nearly opposite another wigged gentleman with
his hands in his pocketswhose whole attentionwhen Mr. Cruncher
looked at him then or afterwardsseemed to be concentrated on the
ceiling of the court. After some gruff coughing and rubbing of his
chin and signing with his handJerry attracted the notice of
Mr. Lorrywho had stood up to look for himand who quietly nodded
and sat down again.

What's HE got to do with the case?asked the man he had spoken with.

Blest if I know,said Jerry.

What have YOU got to do with it, then, if a person may inquire?

Blest if I know that either,said Jerry.

The entrance of the Judgeand a consequent great stir and settling
down in the courtstopped the dialogue. Presentlythe dock became
the central point of interest. Two gaolerswho had been standing
therewont outand the prisoner was brought inand put to the bar.

Everybody presentexcept the one wigged gentleman who looked at the
ceilingstared at him. All the human breath in the placerolled at
himlike a seaor a windor a fire. Eager faces strained round
pillars and cornersto get a sight of him; spectators in back rows
stood upnot to miss a hair of him; people on the floor of the
courtlaid their hands on the shoulders of the people before them
to help themselvesat anybody's costto a view of him--stood
a-tiptoegot upon ledgesstood upon next to nothingto see every
inch of him. Conspicuous among these latterlike an animated bit of
the spiked wall of NewgateJerry stood: aiming at the prisoner the
beery breath of a whet he had taken as he came alongand discharging
it to mingle with the waves of other beerand ginand teaand
coffeeand what notthat flowed at himand already broke upon the
great windows behind him in an impure mist and rain.

The object of all this staring and blaringwas a young man of about
five-and-twentywell-grown and well-lookingwith a sunburnt cheek
and a dark eye. His condition was that of a young gentleman. He was
plainly dressed in blackor very dark greyand his hairwhich was
long and darkwas gathered in a ribbon at the back of his neck; more
to be out of his way than for ornament. As an emotion of the mind
will express itself through any covering of the bodyso the paleness
which his situation engendered came through the brown upon his cheek
showing the soul to be stronger than the sun. He was otherwise quite
self-possessedbowed to the Judgeand stood quiet.

The sort of interest with which this man was stared and breathed at
was not a sort that elevated humanity. Had he stood in peril of a
less horrible sentence--had there been a chance of any one of its
savage details being spared--by just so much would he have lost in
his fascination. The form that was to be doomed to be so shamefully
mangledwas the sight; the immortal creature that was to be so
butchered and torn asunderyielded the sensation. Whatever gloss
the various spectators put upon the interestaccording to their
several arts and powers of self-deceitthe interest wasat the
root of itOgreish.

Silence in the court! Charles Darnay had yesterday pleaded Not Guilty
to an indictment denouncing him (with infinite jingle and jangle) for
that he was a false traitor to our sereneillustriousexcellent
and so forthprinceour Lord the Kingby reason of his havingon
divers occasionsand by divers means and waysassisted Lewisthe


French Kingin his wars against our said sereneillustrious
excellentand so forth; that was to sayby coming and going
between the dominions of our said sereneillustriousexcellentand
so forthand those of the said French Lewisand wickedlyfalsely
traitorouslyand otherwise evil-adverbiouslyrevealing to the said
French Lewis what forces our said sereneillustriousexcellentand
so forthhad in preparation to send to Canada and North America.
This muchJerrywith his head becoming more and more spiky as the
law terms bristled itmade out with huge satisfactionand so
arrived circuitously at the understanding that the aforesaidand
over and over again aforesaidCharles Darnaystood there before him
upon his trial; that the jury were swearing in; and that
Mr. Attorney-General was making ready to speak.

The accusedwho was (and who knew he was) being mentally hanged
beheadedand quarteredby everybody thereneither flinched from
the situationnor assumed any theatrical air in it. He was quiet
and attentive; watched the opening proceedings with a grave interest;
and stood with his hands resting on the slab of wood before himso
composedlythat they had not displaced a leaf of the herbs with
which it was strewn. The court was all bestrewn with herbs and
sprinkled with vinegaras a precaution against gaol air and gaol
fever.

Over the prisoner's head there was a mirrorto throw the light down
upon him. Crowds of the wicked and the wretched had been reflected
in itand had passed from its surface and this earth's together.
Haunted in a most ghastly manner that abominable place would have
beenif the glass could ever have rendered back its reflectionsas
the ocean is one day to give up its dead. Some passing thought of
the infamy and disgrace for which it had been reservedmay have
struck the prisoner's mind. Be that as it maya change in his
position making him conscious of a bar of light across his facehe
looked up; and when he saw the glass his face flushedand his right
hand pushed the herbs away.

It happenedthat the action turned his face to that side of the
court which was on his left. About on a level with his eyesthere
satin that corner of the Judge's benchtwo persons upon whom his look
immediately rested; so immediatelyand so much to the changing of his aspect
that all the eyes that were tamed upon himturned to them.

The spectators saw in the two figuresa young lady of little more
than twentyand a gentleman who was evidently her father; a man of
a very remarkable appearance in respect of the absolute whiteness
of his hairand a certain indescribable intensity of face: not of
an active kindbut pondering and self-communing. When this expression
was upon himhe looked as if he were old; but when it was stirred
and broken up--as it was nowin a momenton his speaking to his
daughter--he became a handsome mannot past the prime of life.

His daughter had one of her hands drawn through his armas she sat
by himand the other pressed upon it. She had drawn close to him
in her dread of the sceneand in her pity for the prisoner. Her
forehead had been strikingly expressive of an engrossing terror and
compassion that saw nothing but the peril of the accused. This had
been so very noticeableso very powerfully and naturally shownthat
starers who had had no pity for him were touched by her; and the
whisper went aboutWho are they?

Jerrythe messengerwho had made his own observationsin his own
mannerand who had been sucking the rust off his fingers in his
absorptionstretched his neck to hear who they were. The crowd
about him had pressed and passed the inquiry on to the nearest


attendantand from him it had been more slowly pressed and passed
back; at last it got to Jerry:

Witnesses.

For which side?

Against.

Against what side?

The prisoner's.

The Judgewhose eyes had gone in the general directionrecalled
themleaned back in his seatand looked steadily at the man whose
life was in his handas Mr. Attorney-General rose to spin the rope
grind the axeand hammer the nails into the scaffold.

A Disappointment

Mr. Attorney-General had to inform the jurythat the prisoner before
themthough young in yearswas old in the treasonable practices
which claimed the forfeit of his life. That this correspondence with
the public enemy was not a correspondence of to-dayor of yesterday
or even of last yearor of the year before. Thatit was certain
the prisoner hadfor longer than thatbeen in the habit of passing
and repassing between France and Englandon secret business of which
he could give no honest account. Thatif it were in the nature of
traitorous ways to thrive (which happily it never was)the real
wickedness and guilt of his business might have remained undiscovered.
That Providencehoweverhad put it into the heart of a person who
was beyond fear and beyond reproachto ferret out the nature of the
prisoner's schemesandstruck with horrorto disclose them to his
Majesty's Chief Secretary of State and most honourable Privy Council.
Thatthis patriot would be produced before them. Thathis position
and attitude wereon the wholesublime. Thathe had been the
prisoner's friendbutat once in an auspicious and an evil hour
detecting his infamyhad resolved to immolate the traitor he could
no longer cherish in his bosomon the sacred altar of his country.
Thatif statues were decreed in Britainas in ancient Greece and
Rometo public benefactorsthis shining citizen would assuredly
have had one. Thatas they were not so decreedhe probably would
not have one. ThatVirtueas had been observed by the poets (in
many passages which he well knew the jury would haveword for word
at the tips of their tongues; whereat the jury's countenances
displayed a guilty consciousness that they knew nothing about the
passages)was in a manner contagious; more especially the bright
virtue known as patriotismor love of country. Thatthe lofty
example of this immaculate and unimpeachable witness for the Crown
to refer to whom however unworthily was an honourhad communicated
itself to the prisoner's servantand had engendered in him a holy
determination to examine his master's table-drawers and pocketsand
secrete his papers. Thathe (Mr. Attorney-General) was prepared to
hear some disparagement attempted of this admirable servant; but that
in a general wayhe preferred him to his (Mr. Attorney-General's)
brothers and sistersand honoured him more than his
(Mr. Attorney-General's) father and mother. Thathe called with
confidence on the jury to come and do likewise. Thatthe evidence
of these two witnessescoupled with the documents of their


discovering that would be producedwould show the prisoner to have
been furnished with lists of his Majesty's forcesand of their
disposition and preparationboth by sea and landand would leave no
doubt that he had habitually conveyed such information to a hostile
power. Thatthese lists could not be proved to be in the prisoner's
handwriting; but that it was all the same; thatindeedit was
rather the better for the prosecutionas showing the prisoner to be
artful in his precautions. Thatthe proof would go back five years
and would show the prisoner already engaged in these pernicious
missionswithin a few weeks before the date of the very first action
fought between the British troops and the Americans. Thatfor these
reasonsthe jurybeing a loyal jury (as he knew they were)and
being a responsible jury (as THEY knew they were)must positively
find the prisoner Guiltyand make an end of himwhether they liked
it or not. Thatthey never could lay their heads upon their pillows;
thatthey never could tolerate the idea of their wives laying their
heads upon their pillows; thatthey never could endure the notion of
their children laying their heads upon their pillows; in shortthat
there never more could befor them or theirsany laying of heads
upon pillows at allunless the prisoner's head was taken off. That
head Mr. Attorney-General concluded by demanding of themin the name
of everything he could think of with a round turn in itand on the
faith of his solemn asseveration that he already considered the
prisoner as good as dead and gone.

When the Attorney-General ceaseda buzz arose in the court as if
a cloud of great blue-flies were swarming about the prisonerin
anticipation of what he was soon to become. When toned down again
the unimpeachable patriot appeared in the witness-box.

Mr. Solicitor-General thenfollowing his leader's leadexamined
the patriot: John Barsadgentlemanby name. The story of his pure
soul was exactly what Mr. Attorney-General had described it to be-perhaps
if it had a faulta little too exactly. Having released
his noble bosom of its burdenhe would have modestly withdrawn
himselfbut that the wigged gentleman with the papers before him
sitting not far from Mr. Lorrybegged to ask him a few questions.
The wigged gentleman sitting oppositestill looking at the ceiling
of the court.

Had he ever been a spy himself? Nohe scorned the base insinuation.
What did he live upon? His property. Where was his property?
He didn't precisely remember where it was. What was it? No business
of anybody's. Had he inherited it? Yeshe had. From whom? Distant
relation. Very distant? Rather. Ever been in prison? Certainly not.
Never in a debtors' prison? Didn't see what that had to do with it.
Never in a debtors' prison?--Comeonce again. Never? Yes. How many
times? Two or three times. Not five or six? Perhaps. Of what profession?
Gentleman. Ever been kicked? Might have been. Frequently? No.
Ever kicked downstairs? Decidedly not; once received a kick on the
top of a staircaseand fell downstairs of his own accord. Kicked on
that occasion for cheating at dice? Something to that effect was said
by the intoxicated liar who committed the assaultbut it was not
true. Swear it was not true? Positively. Ever live by cheating at
play? Never. Ever live by play? Not more than other gentlemen do.
Ever borrow money of the prisoner? Yes. Ever pay him? No. Was not
this intimacy with the prisonerin reality a very slight oneforced
upon the prisoner in coachesinnsand packets? No. Sure he saw
the prisoner with these lists? Certain. Knew no more about the
lists? No. Had not procured them himselffor instance? No. Expect
to get anything by this evidence? No. Not in regular government pay
and employmentto lay traps? Oh dear no. Or to do anything? Oh dear no.
Swear that? Over and over again. No motives but motives of sheer patriotism?
None whatever.


The virtuous servantRoger Clyswore his way through the case at a
great rate. He had taken service with the prisonerin good faith
and simplicityfour years ago. He had asked the prisoneraboard
the Calais packetif he wanted a handy fellowand the prisoner had
engaged him. He had not asked the prisoner to take the handy fellow
as an act of charity--never thought of such a thing. He began to
have suspicions of the prisonerand to keep an eye upon himsoon
afterwards. In arranging his clotheswhile travellinghe had seen
similar lists to these in the prisoner's pocketsover and over again.
He had taken these lists from the drawer of the prisoner's desk.
He had not put them there first. He had seen the prisoner show these
identical lists to French gentlemen at Calaisand similar lists to
French gentlemenboth at Calais and Boulogne. He loved his country
and couldn't bear itand had given information. He had never been
suspected of stealing a silver tea-pot; he had been maligned respecting
a mustard-potbut it turned out to be only a plated one. He had
known the last witness seven or eight years; that was merely a
coincidence. He didn't call it a particularly curious coincidence;
most coincidences were curious. Neither did he call it a curious
coincidence that true patriotism was HIS only motive too. He was a
true Britonand hoped there were many like him.

The blue-flies buzzed againand Mr. Attorney-General called Mr. Jarvis Lorry.

Mr. Jarvis Lorry, are you a clerk in Tellson's bank?

I am.

On a certain Friday night in November one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-five, did business occasion you to travel between London and
Dover by the mail?

It did.

Were there any other passengers in the mail?

Two.

Did they alight on the road in the course of the night?

They did.

Mr. Lorry, look upon the prisoner. Was he one of those two passengers?

I cannot undertake to say that he was.

Does he resemble either of these two passengers?

Both were so wrapped up, and the night was so dark, and we were all
so reserved, that I cannot undertake to say even that.

Mr. Lorry, look again upon the prisoner. Supposing him wrapped up
as those two passengers were, is there anything in his bulk and
stature to render it unlikely that he was one of them?

No.

You will not swear, Mr. Lorry, that he was not one of them?

No.

So at least you say he may have been one of them?


Yes. Except that I remember them both to have been--like myself-timorous
of highwaymen, and the prisoner has not a timorous air.

Did you ever see a counterfeit of timidity, Mr. Lorry?

I certainly have seen that.

Mr. Lorry, look once more upon the prisoner. Have you seen him,
to your certain knowledge, before?

I have.

When?

I was returning from France a few days afterwards, and, at Calais,
the prisoner came on board the packet-ship in which I returned, and
made the voyage with me.

At what hour did he come on board?

At a little after midnight.

In the dead of the night. Was he the only passenger who came on
board at that untimely hour?

He happened to be the only one.

Never mind about `happening,' Mr. Lorry. He was the only passenger
who came on board in the dead of the night?

He was.

Were you travelling alone, Mr. Lorry, or with any companion?

With two companions. A gentleman and lady. They are here.

They are here. Had you any conversation with the prisoner?

Hardly any. The weather was stormy, and the passage long and rough,
and I lay on a sofa, almost from shore to shore.

Miss Manette!

The young ladyto whom all eyes had been turned beforeand were now
turned againstood up where she had sat. Her father rose with her
and kept her hand drawn through his arm.

Miss Manette, look upon the prisoner.

To be confronted with such pityand such earnest youth and beauty
was far more trying to the accused than to be confronted with all the
crowd. Standingas it wereapart with her on the edge of his grave
not all the staring curiosity that looked oncouldfor the moment
nerve him to remain quite still. His hurried right hand parcelled
out the herbs before him into imaginary beds of flowers in a garden;
and his efforts to control and steady his breathing shook the lips
from which the colour rushed to his heart. The buzz of the great
flies was loud again.

Miss Manette, have you seen the prisoner before?

Yes, sir.

Where?


On board of the packet-ship just now referred to, sir, and on the
same occasion.


You are the young lady just now referred to?


O! most unhappily, I am!


The plaintive tone of her compassion merged into the less musical
voice of the Judgeas he said something fiercely:
Answer the questions put to you, and make no remark upon them.


Miss Manette, had you any conversation with the prisoner on that
passage across the Channel?


Yes, sir.


Recall it.


In the midst of a profound stillnessshe faintly began: "When the
gentleman came on board--"


Do you mean the prisoner?inquired the Judgeknitting his brows.


Yes, my Lord.


Then say the prisoner.


When the prisoner came on board, he noticed that my father,turning
her eyes lovingly to him as he stood beside herwas much fatigued
and in a very weak state of health. My father was so reduced that I
was afraid to take him out of the air, and I had made a bed for him
on the deck near the cabin steps, and I sat on the deck at his side
to take care of him. There were no other passengers that night, but
we four. The prisoner was so good as to beg permission to advise me
how I could shelter my father from the wind and weather, better than
I had done. I had not known how to do it well, not understanding how
the wind would set when we were out of the harbour. He did it for me.
He expressed great gentleness and kindness for my father's state, and
I am sure he felt it. That was the manner of our beginning to speak
together.


Let me interrupt you for a moment. Had he come on board alone?


No.


How many were with him?


Two French gentlemen.


Had they conferred together?


They had conferred together until the last moment, when it was
necessary for the French gentlemen to be landed in their boat.


Had any papers been handed about among them, similar to these lists?


Some papers had been handed about among them, but I don't know what
papers.


Like these in shape and size?


Possibly, but indeed I don't know, although they stood whispering
very near to me: because they stood at the top of the cabin steps to



have the light of the lamp that was hanging there; it was a dull lamp,
and they spoke very low, and I did not hear what they said, and saw
only that they looked at papers.

Now, to the prisoner's conversation, Miss Manette.

The prisoner was as open in his confidence with me--which arose out
of my helpless situation--as he was kind, and good, and useful to my
father. I hope,bursting into tearsI may not repay him by doing
him harm to-day.

Buzzing from the blue-flies.

Miss Manette, if the prisoner does not perfectly understand that you
give the evidence which it is your duty to give--which you must give-and
which you cannot escape from giving--with great unwillingness,
he is the only person present in that condition. Please to go on.

He told me that he was travelling on business of a delicate and
difficult nature, which might get people into trouble, and that he
was therefore travelling under an assumed name. He said that this
business had, within a few days, taken him to France, and might,
at intervals, take him backwards and forwards between France and
England for a long time to come.

Did he say anything about America, Miss Manette? Be particular.

He tried to explain to me how that quarrel had arisen, and he said that,
so far as he could judge, it was a wrong and foolish one on England's
part. He added, in a jesting way, that perhaps George Washington
might gain almost as great a name in history as George the Third.
But there was no harm in his way of saying this: it was said laughingly,
and to beguile the time.

Any strongly marked expression of face on the part of a chief actor
in a scene of great interest to whom many eyes are directedwill be
unconsciously imitated by the spectators. Her forehead was painfully
anxious and intent as she gave this evidenceandin the pauses when
she stopped for the Judge to write it downwatched its effect upon
the counsel for and against. Among the lookers-on there was the same
expression in all quarters of the court; insomuchthat a great
majority of the foreheads theremight have been mirrors reflecting
the witnesswhen the Judge looked up from his notes to glare at that
tremendous heresy about George Washington.

Mr. Attorney-General now signified to my Lordthat he deemed it
necessaryas a matter of precaution and formto call the young
lady's fatherDoctor Manette. Who was called accordingly.

Doctor Manette, look upon the prisoner. Have you ever seen him before?

Once. When he caged at my lodgings in London. Some three years, or
three years and a half ago.

Can you identify him as your fellow-passenger on board the packet,
or speak to his conversation with your daughter?

Sir, I can do neither.

Is there any particular and special reason for your being unable to
do either?

He answeredin a low voiceThere is.


Has it been your misfortune to undergo a long imprisonment, without
trial, or even accusation, in your native country, Doctor Manette?

He answeredin a tone that went to every heartA long imprisonment.

Were you newly released on the occasion in question?

They tell me so.

Have you no remembrance of the occasion?

None. My mind is a blank, from some time--I cannot even say what time-when
I employed myself, in my captivity, in making shoes,
to the time when I found myself living in London with my dear
daughter here. She had become familiar to me, when a gracious God
restored my faculties; but, I am quite unable even to say how she
had become familiar. I have no remembrance of the process.

Mr. Attorney-General sat downand the father and daughter sat down together.

A singular circumstance then arose in the case. The object in hand
being to show that the prisoner went downwith some fellow-plotter
untrackedin the Dover mail on that Friday night in November five
years agoand got out of the mail in the nightas a blindat a
place where he did not remainbut from which he travelled back some
dozen miles or moreto a garrison and dockyardand there collected
information; a witness was called to identify him as having been at
the precise time requiredin the coffee-room of an hotel in that
garrison-and-dockyard townwaiting for another person. The prisoner's
counsel was cross-examining this witness with no resultexcept that
he had never seen the prisoner on any other occasionwhen the wigged
gentleman who had all this time been looking at the ceiling of the
courtwrote a word or two on a little piece of paperscrewed it up
and tossed it to him. Opening this piece of paper in the next pause
the counsel looked with great attention and curiosity at the prisoner.

You say again you are quite sure that it was the prisoner?

The witness was quite sure.

Did you ever see anybody very like the prisoner?

Not so like (the witness said) as that he could be mistaken.

Look well upon that gentleman, my learned friend there,pointing to
him who had tossed the paper overand then look well upon the prisoner.
How say you? Are they very like each other?

Allowing for my learned friend's appearance being careless and
slovenly if not debauchedthey were sufficiently like each other to
surprisenot only the witnessbut everybody presentwhen they were
thus brought into comparison. My Lord being prayed to bid my learned
friend lay aside his wigand giving no very gracious consentthe
likeness became much more remarkable. My Lord inquired of Mr. Stryver
(the prisoner's counsel)whether they were next to try Mr. Carton
(name of my learned friend) for treason? ButMr. Stryver replied to
my Lordno; but he would ask the witness to tell him whether what
happened oncemight happen twice; whether he would have been so
confident if he had seen this illustration of his rashness sooner
whether he would be so confidenthaving seen it; and more.
The upshot of whichwasto smash this witness like a crockery vessel
and shiver his part of the case to useless lumber.

Mr. Cruncher had by this time taken quite a lunch of rust off his


fingers in his following of the evidence. He had now to attend while
Mr. Stryver fitted the prisoner's case on the jurylike a compact
suit of clothes; showing them how the patriotBarsadwas a hired spy
and traitoran unblushing trafficker in bloodand one of the greatest
scoundrels upon earth since accursed Judas--which he certainly did
look rather like. How the virtuous servantClywas his friend and
partnerand was worthy to be; how the watchful eyes of those forgers
and false swearers had rested on the prisoner as a victimbecause
some family affairs in Francehe being of French extractiondid
require his making those passages across the Channel--though what
those affairs werea consideration for others who were near and dear
to himforbade himeven for his lifeto disclose. How the evidence
that had been warped and wrested from the young ladywhose anguish in
giving it they had witnessedcame to nothinginvolving the mere
little innocent gallantries and politenesses likely to pass between
any young gentleman and young lady so thrown together;--with the
exception of that reference to George Washingtonwhich was altogether
too extravagant and impossible to be regarded in any other light than
as a monstrous joke. How it would be a weakness in the government to
break down in this attempt to practise for popularity on the lowest
national antipathies and fearsand therefore Mr. Attorney-General had
made the most of it; howneverthelessit rested upon nothingsave
that vile and infamous character of evidence too often disfiguring
such casesand of which the State Trials of this country were full.
Butthere my Lord interposed (with as grave a face as if it had not
been true)saying that he could not sit upon that Bench and suffer
those allusions.

Mr. Stryver then called his few witnessesand Mr. Cruncher had next
to attend while Mr. Attorney-General turned the whole suit of clothes
Mr. Stryver had fitted on the juryinside out; showing how Barsad and
Cly were even a hundred times better than he had thought themand the
prisoner a hundred times worse. Lastlycame my Lord himselfturning
the suit of clothesnow inside outnow outside inbut on the whole
decidedly trimming and shaping them into grave-clothes for the
prisoner.

And nowthe jury turned to considerand the great flies swarmed again.

Mr. Cartonwho had so long sat looking at the ceiling of the court
changed neither his place nor his attitudeeven in this excitement.
While his teamed friendMr. Stryvermassing his papers before him
whispered with those who sat nearand from time to time glanced
anxiously at the jury; while all the spectators moved more or less
and grouped themselves anew; while even my Lord himself arose from his
seatand slowly paced up and down his platformnot unattended by a
suspicion in the minds of the audience that his state was feverish;
this one man sat leaning backwith his torn gown half off himhis
untidy wig put on just as it had happened to fight on his head after
its removalhis hands in his pocketsand his eyes on the ceiling as
they had been all day. Something especially reckless in his demeanour
not only gave him a disreputable lookbut so diminished the strong
resemblance he undoubtedly bore to the prisoner (which his momentary
earnestnesswhen they were compared togetherhad strengthened)
that many of the lookers-ontaking note of him nowsaid to one
another they would hardly have thought the two were so alike.
Mr. Cruncher made the observation to his next neighbourand added
I'd hold half a guinea that HE don't get no law-work to do.
Don't look like the sort of one to get any, do he?

Yetthis Mr. Carton took in more of the details of the scene than he
appeared to take in; for nowwhen Miss Manette's head dropped upon
her father's breasthe was the first to see itand to say audibly:
Officer! look to that young lady. Help the gentleman to take her out.


Don't you see she will fall!

There was much commiseration for her as she was removedand much
sympathy with her father. It had evidently been a great distress to
himto have the days of his imprisonment recalled. He had shown
strong internal agitation when he was questionedand that pondering
or brooding look which made him oldhad been upon himlike a heavy
cloudever since. As he passed outthe jurywho had turned back
and paused a momentspokethrough their foreman.

They were not agreedand wished to retire. My Lord (perhaps with
George Washington on his mind) showed some surprise that they were not
agreedbut signified his pleasure that they should retire under watch
and wardand retired himself. The trial had lasted all dayand the
lamps in the court were now being lighted. It began to be rumoured
that the jury would be out a long while. The spectators dropped off
to get refreshmentand the prisoner withdrew to the back of the dock
and sat down.

Mr. Lorrywho had gone out when the young lady and her father went out
now reappearedand beckoned to Jerry: whoin the slackened interest
could easily get near him.

Jerry, if you wish to take something to eat, you can. But, keep in
the way. You will be sure to hear when the jury come in. Don't be a
moment behind them, for I want you to take the verdict back to the bank.
You are the quickest messenger I know, and will get to Temple Bar long
before I can.

Jerry had just enough forehead to knuckleand he knuckled it in
acknowedgment of this communication and a shilling. Mr. Carton came
up at the momentand touched Mr. Lorry on the arm.

How is the young lady?

She is greatly distressed; but her father is comforting her, and she
feels the better for being out of court.

I'll tell the prisoner so. It won't do for a respectable bank
gentleman like you, to be seen speaking to him publicly, you know.

Mr. Lorry reddened as if he were conscious of having debated the point
in his mindand Mr. Carton made his way to the outside of the bar.
The way out of court lay in that directionand Jerry followed him
all eyesearsand spikes.

Mr. Darnay!

The prisoner came forward directly.

You will naturally be anxious to hear of the witness, Miss Manette.
She will do very well. You have seen the worst of her agitation.

I am deeply sorry to have been the cause of it. Could you tell her
so for me, with my fervent acknowledgments?

Yes, I could. I will, if you ask it.

Mr. Carton's manner was so careless as to be almost insolent. He stood
half turned from the prisonerlounging with his elbow against the bar.

I do ask it. Accept my cordial thanks.

What,said Cartonstill only half turned towards himdo you


expect, Mr. Darnay?

The worst.

It's the wisest thing to expect, and the likeliest. But I think
their withdrawing is in your favour.

Loitering on the way out of court not being allowedJerry heard no
more: but left them--so like each other in featureso unlike each
other in manner--standing side by sideboth reflected in the glass
above them.

An hour and a half limped heavily away in the thief-and-rascal crowded
passages beloweven though assisted off with mutton pies and ale.
The hoarse messengeruncomfortably seated on a form after taking that
refectionhad dropped into a dozewhen a loud murmur and a rapid
tide of people setting up the stairs that led to the courtcarried
him along with them.

Jerry! Jerry!Mr. Lorry was already calling at the door when
he got there.

Here, sir! It's a fight to get back again. Here I am, sir!

Mr. Lorry handed him a paper through the throng.
Quick! Have you got it?

Yes, sir.

Hastily written on the paper was the word "AQUITTED."

If you had sent the message, `Recalled to Life,' again,muttered
Jerryas he turnedI should have known what you meant, this time.

He had no opportunity of sayingor so much as thinkinganything
elseuntil he was clear of the Old Bailey; forthe crowd came
pouring out with a vehemence that nearly took him off his legsand a
loud buzz swept into the street as if the baffled blue-flies were
dispersing in search of other carrion.

Congratulatory

From the dimly-lighted passages of the courtthe last sediment of the
human stew that had been boiling there all daywas straining off
when Doctor ManetteLucie Manettehis daughterMr. Lorrythe
solicitor for the defenceand its counselMr. Stryverstood
gathered round Mr. Charles Darnay--just released--congratulating him
on his escape from death.

It would have been difficult by a far brighter lightto recognise in
Doctor Manetteintellectual of face and upright of bearingthe
shoemaker of the garret in Paris. Yetno one could have looked at
him twicewithout looking again: even though the opportunity of
observation had not extended to the mournful cadence of his low grave
voiceand to the abstraction that overclouded him fitfullywithout
any apparent reason. While one external causeand that a reference
to his long lingering agonywould always--as on the trial--evoke this
condition from the depths of his soulit was also in its nature to
arise of itselfand to draw a gloom over himas incomprehensible to


those unacquainted with his story as if they had seen the shadow of
the actual Bastille thrown upon him by a summer sunwhen the
substance was three hundred miles away.


Only his daughter had the power of charming this black brooding from
his mind. She was the golden thread that united him to a Past beyond
his miseryand to a Present beyond his misery: and the sound of her
voicethe light of her facethe touch of her handhad a strong
beneficial influence with him almost always. Not absolutely always
for she could recall some occasions on which her power had failed;
but they were few and slightand she believed them over.


Mr. Darnay had kissed her hand fervently and gratefullyand had
turned to Mr. Stryverwhom he warmly thanked. Mr. Stryvera man of
little more than thirtybut looking twenty years older than he was
stoutloudredbluffand free from any drawback of delicacy
had a pushing way of shouldering himself (morally and physically)
into companies and conversationsthat argued well for his shouldering
his way up in life.


He still had his wig and gown onand he saidsquaring himself at his
late client to that degree that he squeezed the innocent Mr. Lorry
clean out of the group: "I am glad to have brought you off with honour
Mr. Darnay. It was an infamous prosecutiongrossly infamous;
but not the less likely to succeed on that account."


You have laid me under an obligation to you for life--in two senses,
said his late clienttaking his hand.


I have done my best for you, Mr. Darnay; and my best is as good as
another man's, I believe.


It clearly being incumbent on some one to sayMuch better,Mr. Lorry
said it; perhaps not quite disinterestedlybut with the interested
object of squeezing himself back again.


You think so?said Mr. Stryver. "Well! you have been present all day
and you ought to know. You are a man of businesstoo."


And as such,quoth Mr. Lorrywhom the counsel learned in the law
had now shouldered back into the groupjust as he had previously
shouldered him out of it--"as such I will appeal to Doctor Manette
to break up this conference and order us all to our homes.
Miss Lucie looks illMr. Darnay has had a terrible daywe are worn out."


Speak for yourself, Mr. Lorry,said Stryver; "I have a night's work
to do yet. Speak for yourself."


I speak for myself,answered Mr. Lorryand for Mr. Darnay, and for
Miss Lucie, and--Miss Lucie, do you not think I may speak for us all?
He asked her the question pointedlyand with a glance at her father.


His face had become frozenas it werein a very curious look at
Darnay: an intent lookdeepening into a frown of dislike and distrust
not even unmixed with fear. With this strange expression on him his
thoughts had wandered away.


My father,said Luciesoftly laying her hand on his.


He slowly shook the shadow offand turned to her.


Shall we go home, my father?


With a long breathhe answered "Yes."



The friends of the acquitted prisoner had dispersedunder the
impression--which he himself had originated--that he would not be
released that night. The lights were nearly all extinguished in the
passagesthe iron gates were being closed with a jar and a rattle
and the dismal place was deserted until to-morrow morning's interest
of gallowspillorywhipping-postand branding-ironshould repeople
it. Walking between her father and Mr. DarnayLucie Manette passed
into the open air. A hackney-coach was calledand the father and
daughter departed in it.

Mr. Stryver had left them in the passagesto shoulder his way back
to the robing-room. Another personwho had not joined the group
or interchanged a word with any one of thembut who had been leaning
against the wall where its shadow was darkesthad silently strolled
out after the restand had looked on until the coach drove away.
He now stepped up to where Mr. Lorry and Mr. Darnay stood upon the
pavement.

So, Mr. Lorry! Men of business may speak to Mr. Darnay now?

Nobody had made any acknowledgment of Mr. Carton's part in the day's
proceedings; nobody had known of it. He was unrobedand was none
the better for it in appearance.

If you knew what a conflict goes on in the business mind, when the
business mind is divided between good-natured impulse and business
appearances, you would be amused, Mr. Darnay.

Mr. Lorry reddenedand saidwarmlyYou have mentioned that before,
sir. We men of business, who serve a House, are not our own masters.
We have to think of the House more than ourselves.

_I_ know, _I_ know,rejoined Mr. Cartoncarelessly. "Don't be
nettledMr. Lorry. You are as good as anotherI have no doubt:
betterI dare say."

And indeed, sir,pursued Mr. Lorrynot minding himI really
don't know what you have to do with the matter. If you'll excuse me,
as very much your elder, for saying so, I really don't know that it is
your business.

Business! Bless you, _I_ have no business,said Mr. Carton.

It is a pity you have not, sir.

I think so, too.

If you had,pursued Mr. Lorryperhaps you would attend to it.

Lord love you, no!--I shouldn't,said Mr. Carton.

Well, sir!cried Mr. Lorrythoroughly heated by his indifference
business is a very good thing, and a very respectable thing. And, sir,
if business imposes its restraints and its silences and impediments,
Mr. Darnay as a young gentleman of generosity knows how to make allowance
for that circumstance. Mr. Darnay, good night, God bless you, sir!
I hope you have been this day preserved for a prosperous and happy
life.--Chair there!

Perhaps a little angry with himselfas well as with the barrister
Mr. Lorry bustled into the chairand was carried off to Tellson's.
Cartonwho smelt of port wineand did not appear to be quite sober
laughed thenand turned to Darnay:


This is a strange chance that throws you and me together. This must
be a strange night to you, standing alone here with your counterpart
on these street stones?

I hardly seem yet,returned Charles Darnayto belong to this world
again.

I don't wonder at it; it's not so long since you were pretty far
advanced on your way to another. You speak faintly.

I begin to think I AM faint.

Then why the devil don't you dine? I dined, myself, while those
numskulls were deliberating which world you should belong to--this,
or some other. Let me show you the nearest tavern to dine well at.

Drawing his arm through his ownhe took him down Ludgate-hill to
Fleet-streetand soup a covered wayinto a tavern. Herethey
were shown into a little roomwhere Charles Darnay was soon recruiting
his strength with a good plain dinner and good wine: while Carton sat
opposite to him at the same tablewith his separate bottle of port
before himand his fully half-insolent manner upon him.

Do you feel, yet, that you belong to this terrestrial scheme again,
Mr. Darnay?

I am frightfully confused regarding time and place; but I am so far
mended as to feel that.

It must be an immense satisfaction!

He said it bitterlyand filled up his glass again: which was a large one.

As to me, the greatest desire I have, is to forget that I belong to
it. It has no good in it for me--except wine like this--nor I for it.
So we are not much alike in that particular. Indeed, I begin to think
we are not much alike in any particular, you and I.

Confused by the emotion of the dayand feeling his being there with
this Double of coarse deportmentto be like a dreamCharles Darnay
was at a loss how to answer; finallyanswered not at all.

Now your dinner is done,Carton presently saidwhy don't you call
a health, Mr. Darnay; why don't you give your toast?

What health? What toast?

Why, it's on the tip of your tongue. It ought to be, it must be,
I'll swear it's there.

Miss Manette, then!

Miss Manette, then!

Looking his companion full in the face while he drank the toast
Carton flung his glass over his shoulder against the wallwhere it
shivered to pieces; thenrang the belland ordered in another.

That's a fair young lady to hand to a coach in the dark, Mr. Darnay!
he saidruing his new goblet.

A slight frown and a laconic "Yes were the answer.


That's a fair young lady to be pitied by and wept for by! How does it
feel? Is it worth being tried for one's lifeto be the object of such
sympathy and compassionMr. Darnay?"

Again Darnay answered not a word.

She was mightily pleased to have your message, when I gave it her.
Not that she showed she was pleased, but I suppose she was.

The allusion served as a timely reminder to Darnay that this
disagreeable companion hadof his own free willassisted him in the
strait of the day. He turned the dialogue to that pointand thanked
him for it.

I neither want any thanks, nor merit any,was the careless rejoinder.
It was nothing to do, in the first place; and I don't know why I did it,
in the second. Mr. Darnay, let me ask you a question.

Willingly, and a small return for your good offices.

Do you think I particularly like you?

Really, Mr. Carton,returned the otheroddly disconcertedI have
not asked myself the question.

But ask yourself the question now.

You have acted as if you do; but I don't think you do.

_I_ don't think I do,said Carton. "I begin to have a very good
opinion of your understanding."

Nevertheless,pursued Darnayrising to ring the bellthere is
nothing in that, I hope, to prevent my calling the reckoning, and our
parting without ill-blood on either side.

Carton rejoiningNothing in life!Darnay rang. "Do you call the
whole reckoning?" said Carton. On his answering in the affirmative
Then bring me another pint of this same wine, drawer, and come and
wake me at ten.

The bill being paidCharles Darnay rose and wished him good night.
Without returning the wishCarton rose toowith something of a
threat of defiance in his mannerand saidA last word, Mr. Darnay:
you think I am drunk?

I think you have been drinking, Mr. Carton.

Think? You know I have been drinking.

Since I must say so, I know it.

Then you shall likewise know why. I am a disappointed drudge, sir.
I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me.

Much to be regretted. You might have used your talents better.

May be so, Mr. Darnay; may be not. Don't let your sober face elate you,
however; you don't know what it may come to. Good night!

When he was left alonethis strange being took up a candlewent to a
glass that hung against the walland surveyed himself minutely in it.

Do you particularly like the man?he mutteredat his own image;


why should you particularly like a man who resembles you? There is
nothing in you to like; you know that. Ah, confound you! What a
change you have made in yourself! A good reason for taking to a man,
that he shows you what you have fallen away from, and what you might
have been! Change places with him, and would you have been looked at
by those blue eyes as he was, and commiserated by that agitated face
as he was? Come on, and have it out in plain words! You hate the fellow.

He resorted to his pint of wine for consolationdrank it all in a
few minutesand fell asleep on his armswith his hair straggling
over the tableand a long winding-sheet in the candle dripping down
upon him.

The Jackal

Those were drinking daysand most men drank hard. So very great is
the improvement Time has brought about in such habitsthat a moderate
statement of the quantity of wine and punch which one man would swallow
in the course of a nightwithout any detriment to his reputation as a
perfect gentlemanwould seemin these daysa ridiculous exaggeration.
The learned profession of the law was certainly not behind any other
learned profession in its Bacchanalian propensities; neither was
Mr. Stryveralready fast shouldering his way to a large and lucrative
practicebehind his compeers in this particularany more than in the
drier parts of the legal race.

A favourite at the Old Baileyand eke at the SessionsMr. Stryver
had begun cautiously to hew away the lower staves of the ladder on
which he mounted. Sessions and Old Bailey had now to summon their
favouritespeciallyto their longing arms; and shouldering itself
towards the visage of the Lord Chief Justice in the Court of King's
Benchthe florid countenance of Mr. Stryver might be daily seen
bursting out of the bed of wigslike a great sunflower pushing its
way at the sun from among a rank garden-full of flaring companions.

It had once been noted at the Barthat while Mr. Stryver was a glib
manand an unscrupulousand a readyand a boldhe had not that
faculty of extracting the essence from a heap of statementswhich is
among the most striking and necessary of the advocate's accomplishments.
Buta remarkable improvement came upon him as to this. The more
business he gotthe greater his power seemed to grow of getting at
its pith and marrow; and however late at night he sat carousing with
Sydney Cartonhe always had his points at his fingers' ends in the morning.

Sydney Cartonidlest and most unpromising of menwas Stryver's great
ally. What the two drank togetherbetween Hilary Term and Michaelmas
might have floated a king's ship. Stryver never had a case in hand
anywherebut Carton was therewith his hands in his pocketsstaring
at the ceiling of the court; they went the same Circuitand even there
they prolonged their usual orgies late into the nightand Carton was
rumoured to be seen at broad daygoing home stealthily and unsteadily
to his lodgingslike a dissipated cat. At lastit began to get about
among such as were interested in the matterthat although Sydney Carton
would never be a lionhe was an amazingly good jackaland that he
rendered suit and service to Stryver in that humble capacity.

Ten o'clock, sir,said the man at the tavernwhom he had charged to
wake him--"ten o'clocksir."


WHAT'S the matter?

Ten o'clock, sir.

What do you mean? Ten o'clock at night?

Yes, sir. Your honour told me to call you.

Oh! I remember. Very well, very well.

After a few dull efforts to get to sleep againwhich the man dexterously
combated by stirring the fire continuously for five minuteshe got up
tossed his hat onand walked out. He turned into the Templeand
having revived himself by twice pacing the pavements of King's Bench-walk
and Paper-buildingsturned into the Stryver chambers.

The Stryver clerkwho never assisted at these conferenceshad gone home
and the Stryver principal opened the door. He had his slippers on
and a loose bed-gownand his throat was bare for his greater ease.
He had that rather wildstrainedseared marking about the eyes
which may be observed in all free livers of his classfrom the portrait
of Jeffries downwardand which can be tracedunder various disguises
of Artthrough the portraits of every Drinking Age.

You are a little late, Memory,said Stryver.

About the usual time; it may be a quarter of an hour later.

They went into a dingy room lined with books and littered with papers
where there was a blazing fire. A kettle steamed upon the hoband in
the midst of the wreck of papers a table shonewith plenty of wine
upon itand brandyand rumand sugarand lemons.

You have had your bottle, I perceive, Sydney.

Two to-night, I think. I have been dining with the day's client;
or seeing him dine--it's all one!

That was a rare point, Sydney, that you brought to bear upon the
identification. How did you come by it? When did it strike you?

I thought he was rather a handsome fellow, and I thought I should
have been much the same sort of fellow, if I had had any luck.

Mr. Stryver laughed till he shook his precocious paunch.

You and your luck, Sydney! Get to work, get to work.

Sullenly enoughthe jackal loosened his dresswent into an adjoining
roomand came back with a large jug of cold watera basinand a towel
or two. Steeping the towels in the waterand partially wringing them
outhe folded them on his head in a manner hideous to beholdsat down
at the tableand saidNow I am ready!

Not much boiling down to be done to-night, Memory,said Mr. Stryver
gailyas he looked among his papers.

How much?

Only two sets of them.

Give me the worst first.

There they are, Sydney. Fire away!


The lion then composed himself on his back on a sofa on one side of
the drinking-tablewhile the jackal sat at his own paper-bestrewn
table properon the other side of itwith the bottles and glasses
ready to his hand. Both resorted to the drinking-table without
stintbut each in a different way; the lion for the most part
reclining with his hands in his waistbandlooking at the fireor
occasionally flirting with some lighter document; the jackalwith
knitted brows and intent faceso deep in his taskthat his eyes did
not even follow the hand he stretched out for his glass--which often
groped aboutfor a minute or morebefore it found the glass for his
lips. Two or three timesthe matter in hand became so knottythat
the jackal found it imperative on him to get upand steep his towels
anew. From these pilgrimages to the jug and basinhe returned with
such eccentricities of damp headgear as no words can describe; which
were made the more ludicrous by his anxious gravity.

At length the jackal had got together a compact repast for the lion
and proceeded to offer it to him. The lion took it with care and
cautionmade his selections from itand his remarks upon it
and the jackal assisted both. When the repast was fully discussed
the lion put his hands in his waistband againand lay down to mediate.
The jackal then invigorated himself with a bum for his throttle
and a fresh application to his headand applied himself to the
collection of a second meal; this was administered to the lion in the
same mannerand was not disposed of until the clocks struck three in
the morning.

And now we have done, Sydney, fill a bumper of punch,said Mr. Stryver.

The jackal removed the towels from his headwhich had been steaming
againshook himselfyawnedshiveredand complied.

You were very sound, Sydney, in the matter of those crown witnesses
to-day. Every question told.

I always am sound; am I not?

I don't gainsay it. What has roughened your temper?
Put some punch to it and smooth it again.

With a deprecatory gruntthe jackal again complied.

The old Sydney Carton of old Shrewsbury School,said Stryver
nodding his head over him as he reviewed him in the present and the
pastthe old seesaw Sydney. Up one minute and down the next; now
in spirits and now in despondency!

Ah!returned the othersighing: "yes! The same Sydneywith the
same luck. Even thenI did exercises for other boysand seldom did
my own.

And why not?

God knows. It was my way, I suppose.

He satwith his hands in his pockets and his legs stretched out
before himlooking at the fire.

Carton,said his friendsquaring himself at him with a bullying
airas if the fire-grate had been the furnace in which sustained
endeavour was forgedand the one delicate thing to be done for the
old Sydney Carton of old Shrewsbury School was to shoulder him into it
your way is, and always was, a lame way. You summon no energy and


purpose. Look at me.

Oh, botheration!returned Sydneywith a lighter and more goodhumoured
laughdon't YOU be moral!

How have I done what I have done?said Stryver; "how do I do what I do?"

Partly through paying me to help you, I suppose. But it's not worth
your while to apostrophise me, or the air, about it; what you want to
do, you do. You were always in the front rank, and I was always behind.

I had to get into the front rank; I was not born there, was I?

I was not present at the ceremony; but my opinion is you were,said
Carton. At thishe laughed againand they both laughed.

Before Shrewsbury, and at Shrewsbury, and ever since Shrewsbury,
pursued Cartonyou have fallen into your rank, and I have fallen
into mine. Even when we were fellow-students in the Student-Quarter
of Paris, picking up French, and French law, and other French crumbs
that we didn't get much good of, you were always somewhere, and I was
always nowhere.

And whose fault was that?

Upon my soul, I am not sure that it was not yours. You were always
driving and riving and shouldering and passing, to that restless
degree that I had no chance for my life but in rust and repose. It's
a gloomy thing, however, to talk about one's own past, with the day
breaking. Turn me in some other direction before I go.

Well then! Pledge me to the pretty witness,said Stryverholding
up his glass. "Are you turned in a pleasant direction?"

Apparently notfor he became gloomy again.

Pretty witness,he mutteredlooking down into his glass. "I have
had enough of witnesses to-day and to-night; who's your pretty
witness?"

The picturesque doctor's daughter, Miss Manette.

SHE pretty?

Is she not?

No.

Why, man alive, she was the admiration of the whole Court!

Rot the admiration of the whole Court! Who made the Old Bailey a
judge of beauty? She was a golden-haired doll!

Do you know, Sydney,said Mr. Stryverlooking at him with sharp
eyesand slowly drawing a hand across his florid face: "do you know
I rather thoughtat the timethat you sympathised with the
golden-haired dolland were quick to see what happened to the
golden-haired doll?"

Quick to see what happened! If a girl, doll or no doll, swoons
within a yard or two of a man's nose, he can see it without a
perspective-glass. I pledge you, but I deny the beauty.
And now I'll have no more drink; I'll get to bed.


When his host followed him out on the staircase with a candle
to light him down the stairsthe day was coldly looking in through
its grimy windows. When he got out of the housethe air was cold
and sadthe dull sky overcastthe river dark and dimthe whole
scene like a lifeless desert. And wreaths of dust were spinning
round and round before the morning blastas if the desert-sand had
risen far awayand the first spray of it in its advance had begun to
overwhelm the city.

Waste forces within himand a desert all aroundthis man stood
still on his way across a silent terraceand saw for a moment
lying in the wilderness before hima mirage of honourable ambition
self-denialand perseverance. In the fair city of this vision
there were airy galleries from which the loves and graces looked upon
himgardens in which the fruits of life hung ripeningwaters of Hope
that sparkled in his sight. A momentand it was gone. Climbing to
a high chamber in a well of houseshe threw himself down in his
clothes on a neglected bedand its pillow was wet with wasted tears.

Sadlysadlythe sun rose; it rose upon no sadder sight than the man
of good abilities and good emotionsincapable of their directed
exerciseincapable of his own help and his own happinesssensible
of the blight on himand resigning himself to let it eat him away.

Hundreds of People

The quiet lodgings of Doctor Manette were in a quiet street-corner
not far from Soho-square. On the afternoon of a certain fine Sunday
when the waves of four months had roiled over the trial for treason
and carried itas to the public interest and memoryfar out to sea
Mr. Jarvis Lorry walked along the sunny streets from Clerkenwell
where he livedon his way to dine with the Doctor. After several
relapses into business-absorptionMr. Lorry had become the Doctor's
friendand the quiet street-corner was the sunny part of his life.

On this certain fine SundayMr. Lorry walked towards Sohoearly in
the afternoonfor three reasons of habit. Firstlybecauseon fine
Sundayshe often walked outbefore dinnerwith the Doctor and Lucie;
secondlybecauseon unfavourable Sundayshe was accustomed to be
with them as the family friendtalkingreadinglooking out of window
and generally getting through the day; thirdlybecause he happened
to have his own little shrewd doubts to solveand knew how the ways
of the Doctor's household pointed to that time as a likely time for
solving them.

A quainter corner than the corner where the Doctor livedwas not to
be found in London. There was no way through itand the front windows
of the Doctor's lodgings commanded a pleasant little vista of street
that had a congenial air of retirement on it. There were few buildings
thennorth of the Oxford-roadand forest-trees flourishedand wild
flowers grewand the hawthorn blossomedin the now vanished fields.
As a consequencecountry airs circulated in Soho with vigorous freedom
instead of languishing into the parish like stray paupers without a
settlement; and there was many a good south wallnot far offon which
the peaches ripened in their season.

The summer light struck into the corner brilliantly in the earlier
part of the day; butwhen the streets grew hotthe corner was in
shadowthough not in shadow so remote but that you could see beyond


it into a glare of brightness. It was a cool spotstaid but cheerful
a wonderful place for echoesand a very harbour from the raging streets.

There ought to have been a tranquil bark in such an anchorageand
there was. The Doctor occupied two floors of a large stiff house
where several callings purported to be pursued by daybut whereof
little was audible any dayand which was shunned by all of them at
night. In a building at the backattainable by a courtyard where a
plane-tree rustled its green leaveschurch-organs claimed to be
madeand silver to be chasedand likewise gold to be beaten by some
mysterious giant who had a golden arm starting out of the wall of the
front hall--as if he had beaten himself preciousand menaced a similar
conversion of all visitors. Very little of these tradesor of a
lonely lodger rumoured to live up-stairsor of a dim coach-trimming
maker asserted to have a counting-house belowwas ever heard or seen.
Occasionallya stray workman putting his coat ontraversed the
hallor a stranger peered about thereor a distant clink was heard
across the courtyardor a thump from the golden giant. These
howeverwere only the exceptions required to prove the rule that the
sparrows in the plane-tree behind the houseand the echoes in the
corner before ithad their own way from Sunday morning unto Saturday
night.

Doctor Manette received such patients here as his old reputation
and its revival in the floating whispers of his storybrought him.
His scientific knowledgeand his vigilance and skill in conducting
ingenious experimentsbrought him otherwise into moderate request
and he earned as much as he wanted.

These things were within Mr. Jarvis Lorry's knowledgethoughtsand
noticewhen he rang the door-bell of the tranquil house in the corner
on the fine Sunday afternoon.

Doctor Manette at home?

Expected home.

Miss Lucie at home?

Expected home.

Miss Pross at home?

Possibly at homebut of a certainty impossible for handmaid to anticipate
intentions of Miss Prossas to admission or denial of the fact.

As I am at home myself,said Mr. LorryI'll go upstairs.

Although the Doctor's daughter had known nothing of the country of
her birthshe appeared to have innately derived from it that ability
to make much of little meanswhich is one of its most useful and
most agreeable characteristics. Simple as the furniture wasit was
set off by so many little adornmentsof no value but for their taste
and fancythat its effect was delightful. The disposition of
everything in the roomsfrom the largest object to the least; the
arrangement of coloursthe elegant variety and contrast obtained by
thrift in triflesby delicate handsclear eyesand good sense;
were at once so pleasant in themselvesand so expressive of their
originatorthatas Mr. Lorry stood looking about himthe very
chairs and tables seemed to ask himwith something of that peculiar
expression which he knew so well by this timewhether he approved?

There were three rooms on a floorandthe doors by which they
communicated being put open that the air might pass freely through


them allMr. Lorrysmilingly observant of that fanciful resemblance
which he detected all around himwalked from one to another.
The first was the best roomand in it were Lucie's birdsand flowers
and booksand deskand work-tableand box of water-colours;
the second was the Doctor's consulting-roomused also as the
dining-room; the thirdchangingly speckled by the rustle of the
plane-tree in the yardwas the Doctor's bedroomand therein a
cornerstood the disused shoemaker's bench and tray of tools
much as it had stood on the fifth floor of the dismal house by the
wine-shopin the suburb of Saint Antoine in Paris.

I wonder,said Mr. Lorrypausing in his looking aboutthat he
keeps that reminder of his sufferings about him!

And why wonder at that?was the abrupt inquiry that made him start.

It proceeded from Miss Prossthe wild red womanstrong of hand
whose acquaintance he had first made at the Royal George Hotel at Dover
and had since improved.

I should have thought--Mr. Lorry began.

Pooh! You'd have thought!said Miss Pross; and Mr. Lorry left off.

How do you do?inquired that lady then--sharplyand yet as if to
express that she bore him no malice.

I am pretty well, I thank you,answered Mr. Lorrywith meekness;
how are you?

Nothing to boast of,said Miss Pross.

Indeed?

Ah! indeed!said Miss Pross. "I am very much put out about my Ladybird."

Indeed?

For gracious sake say something else besides `indeed,' or you'll
fidget me to death,said Miss Pross: whose character (dissociated
from stature) was shortness.

Really, then?said Mr. Lorryas an amendment.

Really, is bad enough,returned Miss Prossbut better. Yes, I am
very much put out.

May I ask the cause?

I don't want dozens of people who are not at all worthy of Ladybird,
to come here looking after her,said Miss Pross.

DO dozens come for that purpose?

Hundreds,said Miss Pross.

It was characteristic of this lady (as of some other people before her
time and since) that whenever her original proposition was questioned
she exaggerated it.

Dear me!said Mr. Lorryas the safest remark he could think of.

I have lived with the darling--or the darling has lived with me,
and paid me for it; which she certainly should never have done,


you may take your affidavit, if I could have afforded to keep either
myself or her for nothing--since she was ten years old. And it's
really very hard,said Miss Pross.

Not seeing with precision what was very hardMr. Lorry shook his head;
using that important part of himself as a sort of fairy cloak that
would fit anything.

All sorts of people who are not in the least degree worthy of the pet,
are always turning up,said Miss Pross. "When you began it--"

_I_ began it, Miss Pross?

Didn't you? Who brought her father to life?

Oh! If THAT was beginning it--said Mr. Lorry.

It wasn't ending it, I suppose? I say, when you began it, it was hard
enough; not that I have any fault to find with Doctor Manette, except
that he is not worthy of such a daughter, which is no imputation on
him, for it was not to be expected that anybody should be, under any
circumstances. But it really is doubly and trebly hard to have crowds
and multitudes of people turning up after him (I could have forgiven him),
to take Ladybird's affections away from me.

Mr. Lorry knew Miss Pross to be very jealousbut he also knew her by
this time to bebeneath the service of her eccentricityone of those
unselfish creatures--found only among women--who willfor pure love
and admirationbind themselves willing slavesto youth when they
have lost itto beauty that they never hadto accomplishments that
they were never fortunate enough to gainto bright hopes that never
shone upon their own sombre lives. He knew enough of the world to
know that there is nothing in it better than the faithful service of
the heart; so rendered and so free from any mercenary tainthe had
such an exalted respect for itthat in the retributive arrangements
made by his own mind--we all make such arrangementsmore or less-he
stationed Miss Pross much nearer to the lower Angels than many
ladies immeasurably better got up both by Nature and Artwho had
balances at Tellson's.

There never was, nor will be, but one man worthy of Ladybird,said
Miss Pross; "and that was my brother Solomonif he hadn't made a
mistake in life."

Here again: Mr. Lorry's inquiries into Miss Pross's personal history
had established the fact that her brother Solomon was a heartless
scoundrel who had stripped her of everything she possessedas a
stake to speculate withand had abandoned her in her poverty for
evermorewith no touch of compunction. Miss Pross's fidelity of
belief in Solomon (deducting a mere trifle for this slight mistake)
was quite a serious matter with Mr. Lorryand had its weight in his
good opinion of her.

As we happen to be alone for the moment, and are both people of
business,he saidwhen they had got back to the drawing-room and
had sat down there in friendly relationslet me ask you--does the
Doctor, in talking with Lucie, never refer to the shoemaking time, yet?

Never.

And yet keeps that bench and those tools beside him?

Ah!returned Miss Prossshaking her head. "But I don't say he
don't refer to it within himself."


Do you believe that he thinks of it much?

I do,said Miss Pross.

Do you imagine--Mr. Lorry had begunwhen Miss Pross took him up
short with:

Never imagine anything. Have no imagination at all.

I stand corrected; do you suppose--you go so far as to suppose, sometimes?

Now and then,said Miss Pross.

Do you suppose,Mr. Lorry went onwith a laughing twinkle in his
bright eyeas it looked kindly at herthat Doctor Manette has any
theory of his own, preserved through all those years, relative to the
cause of his being so oppressed; perhaps, even to the name of his
oppressor?

I don't suppose anything about it but what Ladybird tells me.

And that is--?

That she thinks he has.

Now don't be angry at my asking all these questions; because I am a
mere dull man of business, and you are a woman of business.

Dull?Miss Pross inquiredwith placidity.

Rather wishing his modest adjective awayMr. Lorry repliedNo, no,
no. Surely not. To return to business:--Is it not remarkable that
Doctor Manette, unquestionably innocent of any crime as we are all
well assured he is, should never touch upon that question? I will not
say with me, though he had business relations with me many years ago,
and we are now intimate; I will say with the fair daughter to whom he
is so devotedly attached, and who is so devotedly attached to him?
Believe me, Miss Pross, I don't approach the topic with you, out of
curiosity, but out of zealous interest.

Well! To the best of my understanding, and bad's the best,
you'll tell me,said Miss Prosssoftened by the tone of the apology
he is afraid of the whole subject.

Afraid?

It's plain enough, I should think, why he may be. It's a dreadful
remembrance. Besides that, his loss of himself grew out of it.
Not knowing how he lost himself, or how he recovered himself, he may
never feel certain of not losing himself again. That alone wouldn't
make the subject pleasant, I should think.

It was a profounder remark than Mr. Lorry had looked for. "True
said he, and fearful to reflect upon. Yeta doubt lurks in my mind
Miss Prosswhether it is good for Doctor Manette to have that
suppression always shut up within him. Indeedit is this doubt and
the uneasiness it sometimes causes me that has led me to our present
confidence."

Can't be helped,said Miss Prossshaking her head. "Touch that
stringand he instantly changes for the worse. Better leave it
alone. In shortmust leave it alonelike or no like. Sometimes
he gets up in the dead of the nightand will be heardby us


overhead therewalking up and downwalking up and downin his room.
Ladybird has learnt to know then that his mind is walking up and
downwalking up and downin his old prison. She hurries to him
and they go on togetherwalking up and downwalking up and down
until he is composed. But he never says a word of the true reason of
his restlessnessto herand she finds it best not to hint at it to him.
In silence they go walking up and down togetherwalking up and down
togethertill her love and company have brought him to himself."

Notwithstanding Miss Pross's denial of her own imaginationthere was
a perception of the pain of being monotonously haunted by one sad idea
in her repetition of the phrasewalking up and downwhich testified
to her possessing such a thing.

The corner has been mentioned as a wonderful corner for echoes;
it had begun to echo so resoundingly to the tread of coming feet
that it seemed as though the very mention of that weary pacing to and
fro had set it going.

Here they are!said Miss Prossrising to break up the conference;
and now we shall have hundreds of people pretty soon!

It was such a curious corner in its acoustical propertiessuch a
peculiar Ear of a placethat as Mr. Lorry stood at the open window
looking for the father and daughter whose steps he heardhe fancied
they would never approach. Not only would the echoes die away
as though the steps had gone; butechoes of other steps that never
came would be heard in their steadand would die away for good when
they seemed close at hand. Howeverfather and daughter did at last
appearand Miss Pross was ready at the street door to receive them.

Miss Pross was a pleasant sightalbeit wildand redand grimtaking
off her darling's bonnet when she came up-stairsand touching it up
with the ends of her handkerchiefand blowing the dust off itand
folding her mantle ready for laying byand smoothing her rich hair
with as much pride as she could possibly have taken in her own hair
if she had been the vainest and handsomest of women. Her darling was
a pleasant sight tooembracing her and thanking herand protesting
against her taking so much trouble for her--which last she only dared
to do playfullyor Miss Prosssorely hurtwould have retired to
her own chamber and cried. The Doctor was a pleasant sight too
looking on at themand telling Miss Pross how she spoilt Luciein
accents and with eyes that had as much spoiling in them as Miss Pross
hadand would have had more if it were possible. Mr. Lorry was a
pleasant sight toobeaming at all this in his little wigand thanking
his bachelor stars for having lighted him in his declining years to a
Home. Butno Hundreds of people came to see the sightsand Mr. Lorry
looked in vain for the fulfilment of Miss Pross's prediction.

Dinner-timeand still no Hundreds of people. In the arrangements of
the little householdMiss Pross took charge of the lower regions
and always acquitted herself marvellously. Her dinnersof a very
modest qualitywere so well cooked and so well servedand so neat
in their contrivanceshalf English and half Frenchthat nothing
could be better. Miss Pross's friendship being of the thoroughly
practical kindshe had ravaged Soho and the adjacent provincesin
search of impoverished Frenchwhotempted by shillings and halfcrowns
would impart culinary mysteries to her. From these decayed
sons and daughters of Gaulshe had acquired such wonderful arts
that the woman and girl who formed the staff of domestics regarded
her as quite a Sorceressor Cinderella's Godmother: who would send
out for a fowla rabbita vegetable or two from the gardenand
change them into anything she pleased.


On SundaysMiss Pross dined at the Doctor's tablebut on other days
persisted in taking her meals at unknown periodseither in the lower
regionsor in her own room on the second floor--a blue chamber
to which no one but her Ladybird ever gained admittance. On this
occasionMiss Prossresponding to Ladybird's pleasant face and
pleasant efforts to please herunbent exceedingly; so the dinner was
very pleasanttoo.

It was an oppressive dayandafter dinnerLucie proposed that the
wine should be carried out under the plane-treeand they should sit
there in the air. As everything turned upon herand revolved about
herthey went out under the plane-treeand she carried the wine
down for the special benefit of Mr. Lorry. She had installed herself
some time beforeas Mr. Lorry's cup-bearer; and while they sat under
the plane-treetalkingshe kept his glass replenished. Mysterious
backs and ends of houses peeped at them as they talkedand the
plane-tree whispered to them in its own way above their heads.

Stillthe Hundreds of people did not present themselves. Mr. Darnay
presented himself while they were sitting under the plane-tree
but he was only One.

Doctor Manette received him kindlyand so did Lucie. ButMiss
Pross suddenly became afflicted with a twitching in the head and
bodyand retired into the house. She was not unfrequently the
victim of this disorderand she called itin familiar conversation
a fit of the jerks.

The Doctor was in his best conditionand looked specially young.
The resemblance between him and Lucie was very strong at such times
and as they sat side by sideshe leaning on his shoulderand he
resting his arm on the back of her chairit was very agreeable to
trace the likeness.

He had been talking all dayon many subjectsand with unusual vivacity.
Pray, Doctor Manette,said Mr. Darnayas they sat under the
plane-tree--and he said it in the natural pursuit of the topic in
handwhich happened to be the old buildings of London--"have you
seen much of the Tower?"

Lucie and I have been there; but only casually. We have seen enough
of it, to know that it teems with interest; little more.

_I_ have been there, as you remember,said Darnaywith a smile
though reddening a little angrilyin another character, and not in
a character that gives facilities for seeing much of it. They told
me a curious thing when I was there.

What was that?Lucie asked.

In making some alterations, the workmen came upon an old dungeon,
which had been, for many years, built up and forgotten. Every stone
of its inner wall was covered by inscriptions which had been carved
by prisoners--dates, names, complaints, and prayers. Upon a corner
stone in an angle of the wall, one prisoner, who seemed to have gone
to execution, had cut as his last work, three letters. They were
done with some very poor instrument, and hurriedly, with an unsteady
hand. At first, they were read as D. I. C.; but, on being more
carefully examined, the last letter was found to be G. There was no
record or legend of any prisoner with those initials, and many
fruitless guesses were made what the name could have been.
At length, it was suggested that the letters were not initials, but
the complete word, DiG. The floor was examined very carefully under
the inscription, and, in the earth beneath a stone, or tile, or some


fragment of paving, were found the ashes of a paper, mingled with the
ashes of a small leathern case or bag. What the unknown prisoner had
written will never be read, but he had written something, and hidden
it away to keep it from the gaoler.

My father,exclaimed Lucieyou are ill!

He had suddenly started upwith his hand to his head. His manner
and his look quite terrified them all.

No, my dear, not ill. There are large drops of rain falling,
and they made me start. We had better go in.

He recovered himself almost instantly. Rain was really falling in
large dropsand he showed the back of his hand with rain-drops on it.
Buthe said not a single word in reference to the discovery that had
been told ofandas they went into the housethe business eye of
Mr. Lorry either detectedor fancied it detectedon his faceas it
turned towards Charles Darnaythe same singular look that had been
upon it when it turned towards him in the passages of the Court House.

He recovered himself so quicklyhoweverthat Mr. Lorry had doubts
of his business eye. The arm of the golden giant in the hall was not
more steady than he waswhen he stopped under it to remark to them
that he was not yet proof against slight surprises (if he ever would
be)and that the rain had startled him.

Tea-timeand Miss Pross making teawith another fit of the jerks
upon herand yet no Hundreds of people. Mr. Carton had lounged in
but he made only Two.

The night was so very sultrythat although they sat with doors and
windows openthey were overpowered by heat. When the tea-table was
done withthey all moved to one of the windowsand looked out into
the heavy twilight. Lucie sat by her father; Darnay sat beside her;
Carton leaned against a window. The curtains were long and white
and some of the thunder-gusts that whirled into the cornercaught
them up to the ceilingand waved them like spectral wings.

The rain-drops are still falling, large, heavy, and few,said
Doctor Manette. "It comes slowly."

It comes surely,said Carton.

They spoke lowas people watching and waiting mostly do; as people
in a dark roomwatching and waiting for Lightningalways do.

There was a great hurry in the streets of people speeding away to get
shelter before the storm broke; the wonderful corner for echoes
resounded with the echoes of footsteps coming and goingyet not a
footstep was there.

A multitude of people, and yet a solitude!said Darnaywhen they
had listened for a while.

Is it not impressive, Mr. Darnay?asked Lucie. "SometimesI have
sat here of an eveninguntil I have fancied--but even the shade of a
foolish fancy makes me shudder to-nightwhen all is so black and
solemn--"

Let us shudder too. We may know what it is.

It will seem nothing to you. Such whims are only impressive as we
originate them, I think; they are not to be communicated. I have


sometimes sat alone here of an evening, listening, until I have made
the echoes out to be the echoes of all the footsteps that are coming
by-and-bye into our lives.

There is a great crowd coming one day into our lives, if that be so,
Sydney Carton struck inin his moody way.

The footsteps were incessantand the hurry of them became more and
more rapid. The corner echoed and re-echoed with the tread of feet;
someas it seemedunder the windows; someas it seemedin the room;
some comingsome goingsome breaking offsome stopping altogether;
all in the distant streetsand not one within sight.

Are all these footsteps destined to come to all of us, Miss Manette,
or are we to divide them among us?

I don't know, Mr. Darnay; I told you it was a foolish fancy, but you
asked for it. When I have yielded myself to it, I have been alone,
and then I have imagined them the footsteps of the people who are to
come into my life, and my father's.

I take them into mine!said Carton. "_I_ ask no questions and make
no stipulations. There is a great crowd bearing down upon usMiss
Manetteand I see them--by the Lightning." He added the last words
after there had been a vivid flash which had shown him lounging in
the window.

And I hear them!he added againafter a peal of thunder.
Here they come, fast, fierce, and furious!

It was the rush and roar of rain that he typifiedand it stopped him
for no voice could be heard in it. A memorable storm of thunder and
lightning broke with that sweep of waterand there was not a moment's
interval in crashand fireand rainuntil after the moon rose at
midnight.

The great bell of Saint Paul's was striking one in the cleared air
when Mr. Lorryescorted by Jerryhigh-booted and bearing a lantern
set forth on his return-passage to Clerkenwell. There were solitary
patches of road on the way between Soho and Clerkenwelland Mr. Lorry
mindful of foot-padsalways retained Jerry for this service: though
it was usually performed a good two hours earlier.

What a night it has been! Almost a night, Jerry,said Mr. Lorry
to bring the dead out of their graves.

I never see the night myself, master--nor yet I don't expect to-what
would do that,answered Jerry.

Good night, Mr. Carton,said the man of business. "Good night
Mr. Darnay. Shall we ever see such a night againtogether!"

Perhaps. Perhapssee the great crowd of people with its rush and
roarbearing down upon themtoo.

Monseigneur in Town

Monseigneurone of the great lords in power at the Courtheld his
fortnightly reception in his grand hotel in Paris. Monseigneur was


in his inner roomhis sanctuary of sanctuariesthe Holiest of
Holiests to the crowd of worshippers in the suite of rooms without.
Monseigneur was about to take his chocolate. Monseigneur could
swallow a great many things with easeand was by some few sullen
minds supposed to be rather rapidly swallowing France; buthis
morning's chocolate could not so much as get into the throat of
Monseigneurwithout the aid of four strong men besides the Cook.

Yes. It took four menall four ablaze with gorgeous decoration
and the Chief of them unable to exist with fewer than two gold
watches in his pocketemulative of the noble and chaste fashion set
by Monseigneurto conduct the happy chocolate to Monseigneur's lips.
One lacquey carried the chocolate-pot into the sacred presence;
a secondmilled and frothed the chocolate with the little instrument
he bore for that function; a thirdpresented the favoured napkin;
a fourth (he of the two gold watches)poured the chocolate out.
It was impossible for Monseigneur to dispense with one of these
attendants on the chocolate and hold his high place under the
admiring Heavens. Deep would have been the blot upon his escutcheon
if his chocolate had been ignobly waited on by only three men; he
must have died of two.

Monseigneur had been out at a little supper last nightwhere the
Comedy and the Grand Opera were charmingly represented. Monseigneur
was out at a little supper most nightswith fascinating company.
So polite and so impressible was Monseigneurthat the Comedy and
the Grand Opera had far more influence with him in the tiresome
articles of state affairs and state secretsthan the needs of all
France. A happy circumstance for Franceas the like always is for
all countries similarly favoured!--always was for England (by way of
example)in the regretted days of the merry Stuart who sold it.

Monseigneur had one truly noble idea of general public business
which wasto let everything go on in its own way; of particular
public businessMonseigneur had the other truly noble idea that it
must all go his way--tend to his own power and pocket. Of his
pleasuresgeneral and particularMonseigneur had the other truly
noble ideathat the world was made for them. The text of his order
(altered from the original by only a pronounwhich is not much) ran:
The earth and the fulness thereof are mine, saith Monseigneur.

YetMonseigneur had slowly found that vulgar embarrassments crept
into his affairsboth private and public; and he hadas to both
classes of affairsallied himself perforce with a Farmer-General.
As to finances publicbecause Monseigneur could not make anything
at all of themand must consequently let them out to somebody who
could; as to finances privatebecause Farmer-Generals were richand
Monseigneurafter generations of great luxury and expensewas
growing poor. Hence Monseigneur had taken his sister from a convent
while there was yet time to ward off the impending veilthe cheapest
garment she could wearand had bestowed her as a prize upon a very
rich Farmer-Generalpoor in family. Which Farmer-Generalcarrying
an appropriate cane with a golden apple on the top of itwas now
among the company in the outer roomsmuch prostrated before by
mankind--always excepting superior mankind of the blood of Monseigneur
whohis own wife includedlooked down upon him with the loftiest
contempt.

A sumptuous man was the Farmer-General. Thirty horses stood in his
stablestwenty-four male domestics sat in his hallssix body-women
waited on his wife. As one who pretended to do nothing but plunder
and forage where he couldthe Farmer-General--howsoever his
matrimonial relations conduced to social morality--was at least the
greatest reality among the personages who attended at the hotel of


Monseigneur that day.

Forthe roomsthough a beautiful scene to look atand adorned with
every device of decoration that the taste and skill of the time could
achievewerein truthnot a sound business; considered with any
reference to the scarecrows in the rags and nightcaps elsewhere
(and not so far offeitherbut that the watching towers of Notre
Damealmost equidistant from the two extremescould see them both)
they would have been an exceedingly uncomfortable business--if that
could have been anybody's businessat the house of Monseigneur.
Military officers destitute of military knowledge; naval officers
with no idea of a ship; civil officers without a notion of affairs;
brazen ecclesiasticsof the worst world worldlywith sensual eyes
loose tonguesand looser lives; all totally unfit for their several
callingsall lying horribly in pretending to belong to thembut all
nearly or remotely of the order of Monseigneurand therefore foisted
on all public employments from which anything was to be got; these were
to be told off by the score and the score. People not immediately
connected with Monseigneur or the Stateyet equally unconnected with
anything that was realor with lives passed in travelling by any
straight road to any true earthly endwere no less abundant.
Doctors who made great fortunes out of dainty remedies for imaginary
disorders that never existedsmiled upon their courtly patients in
the ante-chambers of Monseigneur. Projectors who had discovered
every kind of remedy for the little evils with which the State was
touchedexcept the remedy of setting to work in earnest to root out
a single sinpoured their distracting babble into any ears they
could lay hold ofat the reception of Monseigneur. Unbelieving
Philosophers who were remodelling the world with wordsand making
card-towers of Babel to scale the skies withtalked with Unbelieving
Chemists who had an eye on the transmutation of metalsat this
wonderful gathering accumulated by Monseigneur. Exquisite gentlemen
of the finest breedingwhich was at that remarkable time--and has
been since--to be known by its fruits of indifference to every
natural subject of human interestwere in the most exemplary state
of exhaustionat the hotel of Monseigneur. Such homes had these
various notabilities left behind them in the fine world of Paris
that the spies among the assembled devotees of Monseigneur--forming a
goodly half of the polite company--would have found it hard to
discover among the angels of that sphere one solitary wifewhoin
her manners and appearanceowned to being a Mother. Indeedexcept
for the mere act of bringing a troublesome creature into this world-which
does not go far towards the realisation of the name of mother-there
was no such thing known to the fashion. Peasant women kept the
unfashionable babies closeand brought them upand charming grandmammas
of sixty dressed and supped as at twenty.

The leprosy of unreality disfigured every human creature in attendance
upon Monseigneur. In the outermost room were half a dozen exceptional
people who had hadfor a few yearssome vague misgiving in them
that things in general were going rather wrong. As a promising way
of setting them righthalf of the half-dozen had become members of a
fantastic sect of Convulsionistsand were even then considering within
themselves whether they should foamrageroarand turn cataleptic
on the spot--thereby setting up a highly intelligible finger-post to
the Futurefor Monseigneur's guidance. Besides these Dervishes
were other three who had rushed into another sectwhich mended
matters with a jargon about "the Centre of Truth:" holding that Man
had got out of the Centre of Truth--which did not need much
demonstration--but had not got out of the Circumferenceand that he
was to be kept from flying out of the Circumferenceand was even to
be shoved back into the Centreby fasting and seeing of spirits.
Among theseaccordinglymuch discoursing with spirits went on--and
it did a world of good which never became manifest.


Butthe comfort wasthat all the company at the grand hotel of
Monseigneur were perfectly dressed. If the Day of Judgment had only
been ascertained to be a dress dayeverybody there would have been
eternally correct. Such frizzling and powdering and sticking up of
hairsuch delicate complexions artificially preserved and mended
such gallant swords to look atand such delicate honour to the sense
of smellwould surely keep anything goingfor ever and ever.
The exquisite gentlemen of the finest breeding wore little pendent
trinkets that chinked as they languidly moved; these golden fetters
rang like precious little bells; and what with that ringingand with
the rustle of silk and brocade and fine linenthere was a flutter in
the air that fanned Saint Antoine and his devouring hunger far away.

Dress was the one unfailing talisman and charm used for keeping all
things in their places. Everybody was dressed for a Fancy Ball that
was never to leave off. From the Palace of the Tuileriesthrough
Monseigneur and the whole Courtthrough the Chambersthe Tribunals
of Justiceand all society (except the scarecrows)the Fancy Ball
descended to the Common Executioner: whoin pursuance of the charm
was required to officiate "frizzledpowderedin a gold-laced coat
pumpsand white silk stockings." At the gallows and the wheel--the
axe was a rarity--Monsieur Parisas it was the episcopal mode among
his brother Professors of the provincesMonsieur Orleansand the
restto call himpresided in this dainty dress. And who among the
company at Monseigneur's reception in that seventeen hundred and
eightieth year of our Lordcould possibly doubtthat a system
rooted in a frizzled hangmanpowderedgold-lacedpumpedand
white-silk stockingedwould see the very stars out!

Monseigneur having eased his four men of their burdens and taken his
chocolatecaused the doors of the Holiest of Holiests to be thrown
openand issued forth. Thenwhat submissionwhat cringing and
fawningwhat servilitywhat abject humiliation! As to bowing down
in body and spiritnothing in that way was left for Heaven--which
may have been one among other reasons why the worshippers of
Monseigneur never troubled it.

Bestowing a word of promise here and a smile therea whisper on one
happy slave and a wave of the hand on anotherMonseigneur affably
passed through his rooms to the remote region of the Circumference of
Truth. ThereMonseigneur turnedand came back againand so in due
course of time got himself shut up in his sanctuary by the chocolate
spritesand was seen no more.

The show being overthe flutter in the air became quite a little
stormand the precious little bells went ringing downstairs.
There was soon but one person left of all the crowdand hewith his
hat under his arm and his snuff-box in his handslowly passed among
the mirrors on his way out.

I devote you,said this personstopping at the last door on his
wayand turning in the direction of the sanctuaryto the Devil!

With thathe shook the snuff from his fingers as if he had shaken
the dust from his feetand quietly walked downstairs.

He was a man of about sixtyhandsomely dressedhaughty in manner
and with a face like a fine mask. A face of a transparent paleness;
every feature in it clearly defined; one set expression on it.
The nosebeautifully formed otherwisewas very slightly pinched at
the top of each nostril. In those two compressionsor dintsthe
only little change that the face ever showedresided. They persisted
in changing colour sometimesand they would be occasionally dilated


and contracted by something like a faint pulsation; thenthey gave a
look of treacheryand crueltyto the whole countenance. Examined
with attentionits capacity of helping such a look was to be found
in the line of the mouthand the lines of the orbits of the eyes
being much too horizontal and thin; stillin the effect of the face
madeit was a handsome faceand a remarkable one.


Its owner went downstairs into the courtyardgot into his carriage
and drove away. Not many people had talked with him at the reception;
he had stood in a little space apartand Monseigneur might have been
warmer in his manner. It appearedunder the circumstancesrather
agreeable to him to see the common people dispersed before his horses
and often barely escaping from being run down. His man drove as if
he were charging an enemyand the furious recklessness of the man
brought no check into the faceor to the lipsof the master. The
complaint had sometimes made itself audibleeven in that deaf city
and dumb agethatin the narrow streets without footwaysthe fierce
patrician custom of hard driving endangered and maimed the mere vulgar
in a barbarous manner. Butfew cared enough for that to think of it
a second timeandin this matteras in all othersthe common
wretches were left to get out of their difficulties as they could.


With a wild rattle and clatterand an inhuman abandonment of
consideration not easy to be understood in these daysthe carriage
dashed through streets and swept round cornerswith women screaming
before itand men clutching each other and clutching children out of
its way. At lastswooping at a street corner by a fountainone of
its wheels came to a sickening little joltand there was a loud cry
from a number of voicesand the horses reared and plunged.


But for the latter inconveniencethe carriage probably would not
have stopped; carriages were often known to drive onand leave their
wounded behindand why not? But the frightened valet had got down in
a hurryand there were twenty hands at the horses' bridles.


What has gone wrong?said Monsieurcalmly looking out.


A tall man in a nightcap had caught up a bundle from among the feet
of the horsesand had laid it on the basement of the fountain
and was down in the mud and wethowling over it like a wild animal.


Pardon, Monsieur the Marquis!said a ragged and submissive man
it is a child.


Why does he make that abominable noise? Is it his child?


Excuse me, Monsieur the Marquis--it is a pity--yes.


The fountain was a little removed; for the street openedwhere it
wasinto a space some ten or twelve yards square. As the tall man
suddenly got up from the groundand came running at the carriage
Monsieur the Marquis clapped his hand for an instant on his sword-hilt.


Killed!shrieked the manin wild desperationextending both arms
at their length above his headand staring at him. "Dead!"


The people closed roundand looked at Monsieur the Marquis.
There was nothing revealed by the many eyes that looked at him but
watchfulness and eagerness; there was no visible menacing or anger.
Neither did the people say anything; after the first crythey had
been silentand they remained so. The voice of the submissive man
who had spokenwas flat and tame in its extreme submission.
Monsieur the Marquis ran his eyes over them allas if they had been
mere rats come out of their holes.



He took out his purse.

It is extraordinary to me,said hethat you people cannot take
care of yourselves and your children. One or the other of you is for
ever in the, way. How do I know what injury you have done my horses.
See! Give him that.

He threw out a gold coin for the valet to pick upand all the heads
craned forward that all the eyes might look down at it as it fell.
The tall man called out again with a most unearthly cryDead!

He was arrested by the quick arrival of another manfor whom the
rest made way. On seeing himthe miserable creature fell upon his
shouldersobbing and cryingand pointing to the fountainwhere
some women were stooping over the motionless bundleand moving
gently about it. They were as silenthoweveras the men.

I know all, I know all,said the last comer. "Be a brave manmy
Gaspard! It is better for the poor little plaything to die sothan
to live. It has died in a moment without pain. Could it have lived
an hour as happily?"

You are a philosopher, you there,said theMarquissmiling.
How do they call you?

They call me Defarge.

Of what trade?

Monsieur the Marquis, vendor of wine.

Pick up that, philosopher and vendor of wine,said the Marquis
throwing him another gold coinand spend it as you will.
The horses there; are they right?

Without deigning to look at the assemblage a second timeMonsieur
the Marquis leaned back in his seatand was just being driven away
with the air of a gentleman who had accidentally broke some common
thingand had paid for itand could afford to pay for it; when his
ease was suddenly disturbed by a coin flying into his carriage
and ringing on its floor.

Hold!said Monsieur the Marquis. "Hold the horses! Who threw that?"

He looked to the spot where Defarge the vendor of wine had stood
a moment before; but the wretched father was grovelling on his face
on the pavement in that spotand the figure that stood beside him
was the figure of a dark stout womanknitting.

You dogs!said the Marquisbut smoothlyand with an unchanged front
except as to the spots on his nose: "I would ride over any of you
very willinglyand exterminate you from the earth. If I knew which
rascal threw at the carriageand if that brigand were sufficiently
near ithe should be crushed under the wheels."

So cowed was their conditionand so long and hard their experience
of what such a man could do to themwithin the law and beyond it
that not a voiceor a handor even an eye was raised. Among the
mennot one. But the woman who stood knitting looked up steadily
and looked the Marquis in the face. It was not for his dignity to
notice it; his contemptuous eyes passed over herand over all the
other rats; and he leaned back in his seat againand gave the word
Go on!


He was driven onand other carriages came whirling by in quick
succession; the Ministerthe State-Projectorthe Farmer-General
the Doctorthe Lawyerthe Ecclesiasticthe Grand Operathe
Comedythe whole Fancy Ball in a bright continuous flowcame
whirling by. The rats had crept out of their holes to look on
and they remained looking on for hours; soldiers and police often
passing between them and the spectacleand making a barrier behind
which they slunkand through which they peeped. The father had long
ago taken up his bundle and bidden himself away with itwhen the
women who had tended the bundle while it lay on the base of the
fountainsat there watching the running of the water and the rolling
of the Fancy Ball--when the one woman who had stood conspicuous
knittingstill knitted on with the steadfastness of Fate. The water
of the fountain ranthe swift river ranthe day ran into evening
so much life in the city ran into death according to ruletime and
tide waited for no manthe rats were sleeping close together in
their dark holes againthe Fancy Ball was lighted up at supper
all things ran their course.

Monseigneur in the Country

A beautiful landscapewith the corn bright in itbut not abundant.
Patches of poor rye where corn should have beenpatches of poor peas
and beanspatches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.
On inanimate natureas on the men and women who cultivated it
a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating
unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give upand wither away.

Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have
been lighter)conducted by four post-horses and two postilions
fagged up a steep hill. A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the
Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from
within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his
control--the setting sun.

The sunset struck so brilliantly into the travelling carriage when it
gained the hill-topthat its occupant was steeped in crimson.
It will die out,said Monsieur the Marquisglancing at his hands
directly.

In effectthe sun was so low that it dipped at the moment. When the
heavy drag had been adjusted to the wheeland the carriage slid down
hillwith a cinderous smellin a cloud of dustthe red glow departed
quickly; the sun and the Marquis going down togetherthere was no
glow left when the drag was taken off.

Butthere remained a broken countrybold and opena little village
at the bottom of the hilla broad sweep and rise beyond ita churchtower
a windmilla forest for the chaseand a crag with a fortress
on it used as a prison. Round upon all these darkening objects as
the night drew onthe Marquis lookedwith the air of one who was
coming near home.

The village had its one poor streetwith its poor brewerypoor
tannerypoor tavernpoor stable-yard for relays of post-horses
poor fountainall usual poor appointments. It had its poor people
too. All its people were poorand many of them were sitting at
their doorsshredding spare onions and the like for supperwhile


many were at the fountainwashing leavesand grassesand any such
small yieldings of the earth that could be eaten. Expressive sips of
what made them poorwere not wanting; the tax for the statethe tax
for the churchthe tax for the lordtax local and tax generalwere
to be paid here and to be paid thereaccording to solemn inscription
in the little villageuntil the wonder wasthat there was any
village left unswallowed.

Few children were to be seenand no dogs. As to the men and women
their choice on earth was stated in the prospect--Life on the lowest
terms that could sustain itdown in the little village under the
mill; or captivity and Death in the dominant prison on the crag.

Heralded by a courier in advanceand by the cracking of his
postilions' whipswhich twined snake-like about their heads in the
evening airas if he came attended by the FuriesMonsieur the
Marquis drew up in his travelling carriage at the posting-house gate.
It was hard by the fountainand the peasants suspended their
operations to look at him. He looked at themand saw in them
without knowing itthe slow sure filing down of misery-worn face and
figurethat was to make the meagreness of Frenchmen an English
superstition which should survive the truth through the best part of
a hundred years.

Monsieur the Marquis cast his eyes over the submissive faces that
drooped before himas the like of himself had drooped before
Monseigneur of the Court--only the difference wasthat these faces
drooped merely to suffer and not to propitiate--when a grizzled
mender of the roads joined the group.

Bring me hither that fellow!said the Marquis to the courier.

The fellow was broughtcap in handand the other fellows closed
round to look and listenin the manner of the people at the Paris
fountain.

I passed you on the road?

Monseigneur, it is true. I had the honour of being passed on the road.

Coming up the hill, and at the top of the hill, both?

Monseigneur, it is true.

What did you look at, so fixedly?

Monseigneur, I looked at the man.

He stooped a littleand with his tattered blue cap pointed under the
carriage. All his fellows stooped to look under the carriage.

What man, pig? And why look there?

Pardon, Monseigneur; he swung by the chain of the shoe--the drag.

Who?demanded the traveller.

Monseigneur, the man.

May the Devil carry away these idiots! How do you call the man?
You know all the men of this part of the country. Who was he?

Your clemency, Monseigneur! He was not of this part of the country.
Of all the days of my life, I never saw him.


Swinging by the chain? To be suffocated?

With your gracious permission, that was the wonder of it,
Monseigneur. His head hanging over--like this!

He turned himself sideways to the carriageand leaned backwith his
face thrown up to the skyand his head hanging down; then recovered
himselffumbled with his capand made a bow.

What was he like?

Monseigneur, he was whiter than the miller. All covered with dust,
white as a spectre, tall as a spectre!

The picture produced an immense sensation in the little crowd;
but all eyeswithout comparing notes with other eyeslooked at
Monsieur the Marquis. Perhapsto observe whether he had any spectre
on his conscience.

Truly, you did well,said the Marquisfelicitously sensible that
such vermin were not to ruffle himto see a thief accompanying my
carriage, and not open that great mouth of yours. Bah! Put him aside,
Monsieur Gabelle!

Monsieur Gabelle was the Postmasterand some other taxing functionary
united; he had come out with great obsequiousness to assist at this
examinationand had held the examined by the drapery of his arm in
an official manner.

Bah! Go aside!said Monsieur Gabelle.

Lay hands on this stranger if he seeks to lodge in your village
to-night, and be sure that his business is honest, Gabelle.

Monseigneur, I am flattered to devote myself to your orders.

Did he run away, fellow?--where is that Accursed?

The accursed was already under the carriage with some half-dozen
particular friendspointing out the chain with his blue cap.
Some half-dozen other particular friends promptly hauled him out
and presented him breathless to Monsieur the Marquis.

Did the man run away, Dolt, when we stopped for the drag?

Monseigneur, he precipitated himself over the hill-side, head first,
as a person plunges into the river.

See to it, Gabelle. Go on!

The half-dozen who were peering at the chain were still among the
wheelslike sheep; the wheels turned so suddenly that they were
lucky to save their skins and bones; they had very little else to
saveor they might not have been so fortunate.

The burst with which the carriage started out of the village and up
the rise beyondwas soon checked by the steepness of the hill.
Graduallyit subsided to a foot paceswinging and lumbering upward
among the many sweet scents of a summer night. The postilionswith
a thousand gossamer gnats circling about them in lieu of the Furies
quietly mended the points to the lashes of their whips; the valet
walked by the horses; the courier was audibletrotting on ahead into
the dun distance.


At the steepest point of the hill there was a little burial-ground
with a Cross and a new large figure of Our Saviour on it; it was a
poor figure in wooddone by some inexperienced rustic carverbut he
had studied the figure from the life--his own lifemaybe--for it was
dreadfully spare and thin.

To this distressful emblem of a great distress that had long been
growing worseand was not at its worsta woman was kneeling.
She turned her head as the carriage came up to herrose quickly
and presented herself at the carriage-door.

It is you, Monseigneur! Monseigneur, a petition.

With an exclamation of impatiencebut with his unchangeable face
Monseigneur looked out.

How, then! What is it? Always petitions!

Monseigneur. For the love of the great God! My husband, the forester.

What of your husband, the forester? Always the same with you people.
He cannot pay something?

He has paid all, Monseigneur. He is dead.

Well! He is quiet. Can I restore him to you?

Alas, no, Monseigneur! But he lies yonder, under a little heap of
poor grass.

Well?

Monseigneur, there are so many little heaps of poor grass?

Again, well?

She looked an old womanbut was young. Her manner was one of
passionate grief; by turns she clasped her veinous and knotted hands
together with wild energyand laid one of them on the carriage-door
--tenderlycaressinglyas if it had been a human breastand could
be expected to feel the appealing touch.

Monseigneur, hear me! Monseigneur, hear my petition! My husband
died of want; so many die of want; so many more will die of want.

Again, well? Can I feed them?

Monseigneur, the good God knows; but I don't ask it. My petition is,
that a morsel of stone or wood, with my husband's name, may be placed
over him to show where he lies. Otherwise, the place will be quickly
forgotten, it will never be found when I am dead of the same malady,
I shall be laid under some other heap of poor grass. Monseigneur,
they are so many, they increase so fast, there is so much want.
Monseigneur! Monseigneur!

The valet had put her away from the doorthe carriage had broken
into a brisk trotthe postilions had quickened the paceshe was
left far behindand Monseigneuragain escorted by the Furieswas
rapidly diminishing the league or two of distance that remained
between him and his chateau.

The sweet scents of the summer night rose all around himand rose
as the rain fallsimpartiallyon the dustyraggedand toil-worn


group at the fountain not far away; to whom the mender of roadswith
the aid of the blue cap without which he was nothingstill enlarged
upon his man like a spectreas long as they could bear it.
By degreesas they could bear no morethey dropped off one by one
and lights twinkled in little casements; which lightsas the
casements darkenedand more stars came outseemed to have shot up
into the sky instead of having been extinguished.

The shadow of a large high-roofed houseand of many over-hanging
treeswas upon Monsieur the Marquis by that time; and the shadow was
exchanged for the light of a flambeauas his carriage stopped
and the great door of his chateau was opened to him.

Monsieur Charles, whom I expect; is he arrived from England?

Monseigneur, not yet.

The Gorgon's Head

It was a heavy mass of buildingthat chateau of Monsieur the Marquis
with a large stone courtyard before itand two stone sweeps of
staircase meeting in a stone terrace before the principal door.
A stony business altogetherwith heavy stone balustradesand stone
urnsand stone flowersand stone faces of menand stone heads of
lionsin all directions. As if the Gorgon's head had surveyed it
when it was finishedtwo centuries ago.

Up the broad flight of shallow stepsMonsieur the Marquisflambeau
precededwent from his carriagesufficiently disturbing the darkness
to elicit loud remonstrance from an owl in the roof of the great pile
of stable building away among the trees. All else was so quietthat
the flambeau carried up the stepsand the other flambeau held at the
great doorburnt as if they were in a close room of stateinstead
of being in the open night-air. Other sound than the owl's voice
there was nonesave the failing of a fountain into its stone basin;
forit was one of those dark nights that hold their breath by the hour
togetherand then heave a long low sighand hold their breath again.

The great door clanged behind himand Monsieur the Marquis crossed
a hall grim with certain old boar-spearsswordsand knives of the
chase; grimmer with certain heavy riding-rods and riding-whipsof
which many a peasantgone to his benefactor Deathhad felt the
weight when his lord was angry.

Avoiding the larger roomswhich were dark and made fast for the
nightMonsieur the Marquiswith his flambeau-bearer going on before
went up the staircase to a door in a corridor. This thrown open
admitted him to his own private apartment of three rooms:
his bed-chamber and two others. High vaulted rooms with cool
uncarpeted floorsgreat dogs upon the hearths for the burning
of wood in winter timeand all luxuries befitting the state
of a marquis in a luxurious age and country. The fashion
of the last Louis but oneof the line that was never to break
--the fourteenth Louis--was conspicuous in their rich furniture;
butit was diversified by many objects that were illustrations
of old pages in the history of France.

A supper-table was laid for twoin the third of the rooms; a round
roomin one of the chateau's four extinguisher-topped towers.


A small lofty roomwith its window wide openand the wooden
jalousie-blinds closedso that the dark night only showed in slight
horizontal lines of blackalternating with their broad lines of
stone colour.

My nephew,said the Marquisglancing at the supper preparation;
they said he was not arrived.

Nor was he; buthe had been expected with Monseigneur.

Ah! It is not probable he will arrive to-night; nevertheless, leave
the table as it is. I shall be ready in a quarter of an hour.

In a quarter of an hour Monseigneur was readyand sat down alone
to his sumptuous and choice supper. His chair was opposite to the
windowand he had taken his soupand was raising his glass of
Bordeaux to his lipswhen he put it down.

What is that?he calmly askedlooking with attention at the
horizontal lines of black and stone colour.

Monseigneur? That?

Outside the blinds. Open the blinds.

It was done.

Well?

Monseigneur, it is nothing. The trees and the night are all that
are here.

The servant who spokehad thrown the blinds widehad looked out
into the vacant darknessand stood with that blank behind him
looking round for instructions.

Good,said the imperturbable master. "Close them again."

That was done tooand the Marquis went on with his supper. He was
half way through itwhen he again stopped with his glass in his
handhearing the sound of wheels. It came on brisklyand came up
to the front of the chateau.

Ask who is arrived.

It was the nephew of Monseigneur. He had been some few leagues
behind Monseigneurearly in the afternoon. He had diminished the
distance rapidlybut not so rapidly as to come up with Monseigneur
on the road. He had heard of Monseigneurat the posting-houses
as being before him.

He was to be told (said Monseigneur) that supper awaited him then and
thereand that he was prayed to come to it. In a little while he came.
He had been known in England as Charles Darnay.

Monseigneur received him in a courtly mannerbut they did not shake hands.

You left Paris yesterday, sir?he said to Monseigneuras he took
his seat at table.

Yesterday. And you?

I come direct.


From London?

Yes.

You have been a long time coming,said the Marquiswith a smile.

On the contrary; I come direct.

Pardon me! I mean, not a long time on the journey; a long time
intending the journey.

I have been detained by--the nephew stopped a moment in his
answer--"various business."

Without doubt,said the polished uncle.

So long as a servant was presentno other words passed between them.
When coffee had been served and they were alone togetherthe nephew
looking at the uncle and meeting the eyes of the face that was like a
fine maskopened a conversation.

I have come back, sir, as you anticipate, pursuing the object that
took me away. It carried me into great and unexpected peril; but it
is a sacred object, and if it had carried me to death I hope it would
have sustained me.

Not to death,said the uncle; "it is not necessary to sayto death."

I doubt, sir,returned the nephewwhether, if it had carried me
to the utmost brink of death, you would have cared to stop me there.

The deepened marks in the noseand the lengthening of the fine
straight lines in the cruel facelooked ominous as to that; the
uncle made a graceful gesture of protestwhich was so clearly a
slight form of good breeding that it was not reassuring.

Indeed, sir,pursued the nephewfor anything I know, you may
have expressly worked to give a more suspicious appearance to the
suspicious circumstances that surrounded me.

No, no, no,said the unclepleasantly.

But, however that may be,resumed the nephewglancing at him with
deep distrustI know that your diplomacy would stop me by any
means, and would know no scruple as to means.

My friend, I told you so,said the unclewith a fine pulsation in
the two marks. "Do me the favour to recall that I told you solong ago."

I recall it.

Thank you,said the Marquise--very sweetly indeed.

His tone lingered in the airalmost like the tone of a musical
instrument.

In effect, sir,pursued the nephewI believe it to be at once
your bad fortune, and my good fortune, that has kept me out of a
prison in France here.

I do not quite understand,returned the unclesipping his coffee.
Dare I ask you to explain?

I believe that if you were not in disgrace with the Court,


and had not been overshadowed by that cloud for years past, a letter
de cachet would have sent me to some fortress indefinitely.

It is possible,said the unclewith great calmness. "For the
honour of the familyI could even resolve to incommode you to that
extent. Pray excuse me!"

I perceive that, happily for me, the Reception of the day before
yesterday was, as usual, a cold one,observed the nephew.

I would not say happily, my friend,returned the unclewith
refined politeness; "I would not be sure of that. A good opportunity
for considerationsurrounded by the advantages of solitudemight
influence your destiny to far greater advantage than you influence it
for yourself. But it is useless to discuss the question. I amas
you sayat a disadvantage. These little instruments of correction
these gentle aids to the power and honour of familiesthese slight
favours that might so incommode youare only to be obtained now by
interest and importunity. They are sought by so manyand they are
granted (comparatively) to so few! It used not to be sobut France
in all such things is changed for the worse. Our not remote
ancestors held the right of life and death over the surrounding
vulgar. From this roommany such dogs have been taken out to be
hanged; in the next room (my bedroom)one fellowto our knowledge
was poniarded on the spot for professing some insolent delicacy
respecting his daughter--HIS daughter? We have lost many privileges;
a new philosophy has become the mode; and the assertion of our
stationin these daysmight (I do not go so far as to say would
but might) cause us real inconvenience. All very badvery bad!"

The Marquis took a gentle little pinch of snuffand shook his head;
as elegantly despondent as he could becomingly be of a country still
containing himselfthat great means of regeneration.

We have so asserted our station, both in the old time and in the
modern time also,said the nephewgloomilythat I believe our
name to be more detested than any name in France.

Let us hope so,said the uncle. "Detestation of the high is the
involuntary homage of the low."

There is not,pursued the nephewin his former tonea face I can
look at, in all this country round about us, which looks at me with
any deference on it but the dark deference of fear and slavery.

A compliment,said the Marquisto the grandeur of the family,
merited by the manner in which the family has sustained its grandeur.
Hah!And he took another gentle little pinch of snuffand lightly
crossed his legs.

Butwhen his nephewleaning an elbow on the tablecovered his eyes
thoughtfully and dejectedly with his handthe fine mask looked at him
sideways with a stronger concentration of keennessclosenessand dislike
than was comportable with its wearer's assumption of indifference.

Repression is the only lasting philosophy. The dark deference of
fear and slavery, my friend,observed the Marquiswill keep the
dogs obedient to the whip, as long as this roof,looking up to it
shuts out the sky.

That might not be so long as the Marquis supposed. If a picture of
the chateau as it was to be a very few years henceand of fifty like
it as they too were to be a very few years hencecould have been
shown to him that nighthe might have been at a loss to claim his


own from the ghastlyfire-charredplunder-wrecked rains. As for
the roof he vauntedhe might have found THAT shutting out the sky
in a new way--to witfor everfrom the eyes of the bodies into which
its lead was firedout of the barrels of a hundred thousand muskets.

Meanwhile,said the MarquisI will preserve the honour and repose
of the family, if you will not. But you must be fatigued. Shall we
terminate our conference for the night?

A moment more.

An hour, if you please.

Sir,said the nephewwe have done wrong, and are reaping the
fruits of wrong.

WE have done wrong?repeated the Marquiswith an inquiring
smileand delicately pointingfirst to his nephewthen to himself.

Our family; our honourable family, whose honour is of so much
account to both of us, in such different ways. Even in my father's
time, we did a world of wrong, injuring every human creature who came
between us and our pleasure, whatever it was. Why need I speak of my
father's time, when it is equally yours? Can I separate my father's
twin-brother, joint inheritor, and next successor, from himself?

Death has done that!said the Marquis.

And has left me,answered the nephewbound to a system that is
frightful to me, responsible for it, but powerless in it; seeking to
execute the last request of my dear mother's lips, and obey the last
look of my dear mother's eyes, which implored me to have mercy and to
redress; and tortured by seeking assistance and power in vain.

Seeking them from me, my nephew,said the Marquistouching him on
the breast with his forefinger--they were now standing by the
hearth--"you will for ever seek them in vainbe assured."

Every fine straight line in the clear whiteness of his facewas
cruellycraftilyand closely compressedwhile he stood looking
quietly at his nephewwith his snuff-box in his hand. Once again he
touched him on the breastas though his finger were the fine point
of a small swordwith whichin delicate finessehe ran him through
the bodyand said

My friend, I will die, perpetuating the system under which I have lived.

When he had said ithe took a culminating pinch of snuffand put
his box in his pocket.

Better to be a rational creature,he added thenafter ringing a
small bell on the tableand accept your natural destiny. But you
are lost, Monsieur Charles, I see.

This property and France are lost to me,said the nephewsadly;
I renounce them.

Are they both yours to renounce? France may be, but is the property?
It is scarcely worth mentioning; but, is it yet?

I had no intention, in the words I used, to claim it yet. If it
passed to me from you, to-morrow--

Which I have the vanity to hope is not probable.


--or twenty years hence--

You do me too much honour,said the Marquis; "stillI prefer that
supposition."

--I would abandon it, and live otherwise and elsewhere. It is
little to relinquish. What is it but a wilderness of misery and ruin!

Hah!said the Marquisglancing round the luxurious room.

To the eye it is fair enough, here; but seen in its integrity, under
the sky, and by the daylight, it is a crumbling tower of waste,
mismanagement, extortion, debt, mortgage, oppression, hunger,
nakedness, and suffering.

Hah!said the Marquis againin a well-satisfied manner.

If it ever becomes mine, it shall be put into some hands better
qualified to free it slowly (if such a thing is possible) from the
weight that drags it down, so that the miserable people who cannot
leave it and who have been long wrung to the last point of endurance,
may, in another generation, suffer less; but it is not for me.
There is a curse on it, and on all this land.

And you?said the uncle. "Forgive my curiosity; do youunder your
new philosophygraciously intend to live?"

I must do, to live, what others of my countrymen, even with nobility
at their backs, may have to do some day-work.

In England, for example?

Yes. The family honour, sir, is safe from me in this country. The
family name can suffer from me in no other, for I bear it in no other.

The ringing of the bell had caused the adjoining bed-chamber to be
lighted. It now shone brightlythrough the door of communication.
The Marquis looked that wayand listened for the retreating step of
his valet.

England is very attractive to you, seeing how indifferently you have
prospered there,he observed thenturning his calm face to his
nephew with a smile.

I have already said, that for my prospering there, I am sensible I
may be indebted to you, sir. For the rest, it is my Refuge.

They say, those boastful English, that it is the Refuge of many.
You know a compatriot who has found a Refuge there? A Doctor?

Yes.

With a daughter?

Yes.

Yes,said the Marquis. "You are fatigued. Good night!"

As he bent his head in his most courtly mannerthere was a secrecy
in his smiling faceand he conveyed an air of mystery to those
wordswhich struck the eyes and ears of his nephew forcibly. At the
same timethe thin straight lines of the setting of the eyesand
the thin straight lipsand the markings in the nosecurved with a


sarcasm that looked handsomely diabolic.

Yes,repeated the Marquis. "A Doctor with a daughter. Yes.
So commences the new philosophy! You are fatigued. Good night!"

It would have been of as much avail to interrogate any stone face
outside the chateau as to interrogate that face of his. The nephew
looked at himin vainin passing on to the door.

Good night!said the uncle. "I look to the pleasure of seeing you
again in the morning. Good repose! Light Monsieur my nephew to his
chamber there!--And burn Monsieur my nephew in his bedif you will
he added to himself, before he rang his little bell again, and summoned
his valet to his own bedroom.

The valet come and gone, Monsieur the Marquis walked to and fro in
his loose chamber-robe, to prepare himself gently for sleep, that hot
still night. Rustling about the room, his softly-slippered feet
making no noise on the floor, he moved like a refined tiger:--looked
like some enchanted marquis of the impenitently wicked sort, in story,
whose periodical change into tiger form was either just going off, or
just coming on.

He moved from end to end of his voluptuous bedroom, looking again at
the scraps of the day's journey that came unbidden into his mind; the
slow toil up the hill at sunset, the setting sun, the descent, the
mill, the prison on the crag, the little village in the hollow, the
peasants at the fountain, and the mender of roads with his blue cap
pointing out the chain under the carriage. That fountain suggested
the Paris fountain, the little bundle lying on the step, the women
bending over it, and the tall man with his arms up, crying, Dead!"

I am cool now,said Monsieur the Marquisand may go to bed.

Soleaving only one light burning on the large hearthhe let his
thin gauze curtains fall around himand heard the night break its
silence with a long sigh as he composed himself to sleep.

The stone faces on the outer walls stared blindly at the black night
for three heavy hours; for three heavy hoursthe horses in the
stables rattled at their racksthe dogs barkedand the owl made a
noise with very little resemblance in it to the noise conventionally
assigned to the owl by men-poets. But it is the obstinate custom of
such creatures hardly ever to say what is set down for them.

For three heavy hoursthe stone faces of the chateaulion and
humanstared blindly at the night. Dead darkness lay on all the
landscapedead darkness added its own hush to the hushing dust on
all the roads. The burial-place had got to the pass that its little
heaps of poor grass were undistinguishable from one another; the
figure on the Cross might have come downfor anything that could be
seen of it. In the villagetaxers and taxed were fast asleep.
Dreamingperhapsof banquetsas the starved usually doand of
ease and restas the driven slave and the yoked ox mayits lean
inhabitants slept soundlyand were fed and freed.

The fountain in the village flowed unseen and unheardand the
fountain at the chateau dropped unseen and unheard--both melting
awaylike the minutes that were falling from the spring of Time-through
three dark hours. Thenthe grey water of both began to be
ghostly in the lightand the eyes of the stone faces of the chateau
were opened.

Lighter and lighteruntil at last the sun touched the tops of the


still treesand poured its radiance over the hill. In the glow
the water of the chateau fountain seemed to turn to bloodand the
stone faces crimsoned. The carol of the birds was loud and high
andon the weather-beaten sill of the great window of the bedchamber
of Monsieur the Marquisone little bird sang its sweetest
song with all its might. At thisthe nearest stone face seemed
to stare amazedandwith open mouth and dropped under-jawlooked
awe-stricken.

Nowthe sun was full upand movement began in the village.
Casement windows openedcrazy doors were unbarredand people came
forth shivering--chilledas yetby the new sweet air. Then began
the rarely lightened toil of the day among the village population.
Someto the fountain; someto the fields; men and women hereto
dig and delve; men and women thereto see to the poor live stock
and lead the bony cows outto such pasture as could be found by the
roadside. In the church and at the Crossa kneeling figure or two;
attendant on the latter prayersthe led cowtrying for a breakfast
among the weeds at its foot.

The chateau awoke lateras became its qualitybut awoke gradually
and surely. Firstthe lonely boar-spears and knives of the chase
had been reddened as of old; thenhad gleamed trenchant in the
morning sunshine; nowdoors and windows were thrown openhorses
in their stables looked round over their shoulders at the light and
freshness pouring in at doorwaysleaves sparkled and rustled at
iron-grated windowsdogs pulled hard at their chainsand reared
impatient to be loosed.

All these trivial incidents belonged to the routine of lifeand the
return of morning. Surelynot so the ringing of the great bell of
the chateaunor the running up and down the stairs; nor the hurried
figures on the terrace; nor the booting and tramping here and there
and everywherenor the quick saddling of horses and riding away?

What winds conveyed this hurry to the grizzled mender of roads
already at work on the hill-top beyond the villagewith his day's
dinner (not much to carry) lying in a bundle that it was worth no
crow's while to peck aton a heap of stones? Had the birdscarrying
some grains of it to a distancedropped one over him as they sow
chance seeds? Whether or nothe mender of roads ranon the sultry
morningas if for his lifedown the hillknee-high in dustand
never stopped till he got to the fountain.

All the people of the village were at the fountainstanding about in
their depressed mannerand whispering lowbut showing no other
emotions than grim curiosity and surprise. The led cowshastily
brought in and tethered to anything that would hold themwere looking
stupidly onor lying down chewing the cud of nothing particularly
repaying their troublewhich they had picked up in their interrupted
saunter. Some of the people of the chateauand some of those of the
posting-houseand all the taxing authoritieswere armed more or less
and were crowded on the other side of the little street in a
purposeless waythat was highly fraught with nothing. Already
the mender of roads had penetrated into the midst of a group of fifty
particular friendsand was smiting himself in the breast with his
blue cap. What did all this portendand what portended the swift
hoisting-up of Monsieur Gabelle behind a servant on horsebackand
the conveying away of the said Gabelle (double-laden though the horse
was)at a galloplike a new version of the German ballad of Leonora?

It portended that there was one stone face too manyup at the chateau.

The Gorgon had surveyed the building again in the nightand had


added the one stone face wanting; the stone face for which it had
waited through about two hundred years.

It lay back on the pillow of Monsieur the Marquis. It was like a
fine masksuddenly startledmade angryand petrified. Driven home
into the heart of the stone figure attached to itwas a knife.
Round its hilt was a frill of paperon which was scrawled:

Drive him fast to his tomb. This, from Jacques.

Two Promises

More monthsto the number of twelvehad come and goneand Mr.
Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the
French language who was conversant with French literature. In this
agehe would have been a Professor; in that agehe was a Tutor.
He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for
the study of a living tongue spoken all over the worldand he
cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy. He could
write of thembesidesin sound Englishand render them into sound
English. Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes
that had beenand Kings that were to bewere not yet of the Teacher
classand no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson's ledgers
to turn cooks and carpenters. As a tutorwhose attainments made the
student's way unusually pleasant and profitableand as an elegant
translator who brought something to his work besides mere dictionary
knowledgeyoung Mr. Darnay soon became known and encouraged. He was
well acquaintedmore-overwith the circumstances of his country
and those were of ever-growing interest. Sowith great perseverance
and untiring industryhe prospered.

In Londonhe had expected neither to walk on pavements of goldnor
to lie on beds of roses; if he had had any such exalted expectation
he would not have prospered. He had expected labourand he found it
and did it and made the best of it. In thishis prosperity consisted.

A certain portion of his time was passed at Cambridgewhere he read
with undergraduates as a sort of tolerated smuggler who drove a
contraband trade in European languagesinstead of conveying Greek
and Latin through the Custom-house. The rest of his time he passed
in London.

Nowfrom the days when it was always summer in Edento these days
when it is mostly winter in fallen latitudesthe world of a man has
invariably gone one way--Charles Darnay's way--the way of the love of
a woman.

He had loved Lucie Manette from the hour of his danger. He had never
heard a sound so sweet and dear as the sound of her compassionate
voice; he had never seen a face so tenderly beautifulas hers when
it was confronted with his own on the edge of the grave that had been
dug for him. Buthe had not yet spoken to her on the subject;
the assassination at the deserted chateau far away beyond the heaving
water and the longtongdusty roads--the solid stone chateau which
had itself become the mere mist of a dream--had been done a year
and he had never yetby so much as a single spoken worddisclosed
to her the state of his heart.

That he had his reasons for thishe knew full well. It was again a


summer day whenlately arrived in London from his college occupation
he turned into the quiet corner in Sohobent on seeking an opportunity
of opening his mind to Doctor Manette. It was the close of the
summer dayand he knew Lucie to be out with Miss Pross.

He found the Doctor reading in his arm-chair at a window. The energy
which had at once supported him under his old sufferings and aggravated
their sharpnesshad been gradually restored to him. He was now a
very energetic man indeedwith great firmness of purposestrength
of resolutionand vigour of action. In his recovered energy he was
sometimes a little fitful and suddenas he had at first been in the
exercise of his other recovered faculties; butthis had never been
frequently observableand had grown more and more rare.

He studied muchslept littlesustained a great deal of fatigue with
easeand was equably cheerful. To himnow entered Charles Darnay
at sight of whom he laid aside his book and held out his hand.

Charles Darnay! I rejoice to see you. We have been counting on your
return these three or four days past. Mr. Stryver and Sydney Carton
were both here yesterday, and both made you out to be more than due.

I am obliged to them for their interest in the matter,he answered
a little coldly as to themthough very warmly as to the Doctor.
Miss Manette--

Is well,said the Doctoras he stopped shortand your return
will delight us all. She has gone out on some household matters,
but will soon be home.

Doctor Manette, I knew she was from home. I took the opportunity of
her being from home, to beg to speak to you.

There was a blank silence.

Yes?said the Doctorwith evident constraint. "Bring your chair here
and speak on."

He complied as to the chairbut appeared to find the speaking on
less easy.

I have had the happiness, Doctor Manette, of being so intimate
here,so he at length beganfor some year and a half, that I hope
the topic on which I am about to touch may not--

He was stayed by the Doctor's putting out his hand to stop him.
When he had kept it so a little whilehe saiddrawing it back:

Is Lucie the topic?

She is.

It is hard for me to speak of her at any time. It is very hard for
me to hear her spoken of in that tone of yours, Charles Darnay.

It is a tone of fervent admiration, true homage, and deep love,
Doctor Manette!he said deferentially.

There was another blank silence before her father rejoined:

I believe it. I do you justice; I believe it.

His constraint was so manifestand it was so manifesttoothat it
originated in an unwillingness to approach the subjectthat Charles


Darnay hesitated.

Shall I go on, sir?

Another blank.

Yes, go on.

You anticipate what I would say, though you cannot know how earnestly
I say it, how earnestly I feel it, without knowing my secret heart,
and the hopes and fears and anxieties with which it has long been
laden. Dear Doctor Manette, I love your daughter fondly, dearly,
disinterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world,
I love her. You have loved yourself; let your old love speak for me!

The Doctor sat with his face turned awayand his eyes bent on the
ground. At the last wordshe stretched out his hand againhurriedly
and cried:

Not that, sir! Let that be! I adjure you, do not recall that!

His cry was so like a cry of actual painthat it rang in Charles
Darnay's ears long after he had ceased. He motioned with the hand he
had extendedand it seemed to be an appeal to Darnay to pause.
The latter so received itand remained silent.

I ask your pardon,said the Doctorin a subdued toneafter some
moments. "I do not doubt your loving Lucie; you may be satisfied of it."

He turned towards him in his chairbut did not look at himor raise
his eyes. His chin dropped upon his handand his white hair
overshadowed his face:

Have you spoken to Lucie?

No.

Nor written?

Never.

It would be ungenerous to affect not to know that your self-denial
is to be referred to your consideration for her father. Her father
thanks you.

He offered his hand; but his eyes did not go with it.

I know said Darnay, respectfully, how can I fail to know
Doctor ManetteI who have seen you together from day to day
that between you and Miss Manette there is an affection so unusual
so touchingso belonging to the circumstances in which it has been
nurturedthat it can have few parallelseven in the tenderness
between a father and child. I knowDoctor Manette--how can I fail
to know--thatmingled with the affection and duty of a daughter who
has become a womanthere isin her hearttowards youall the love
and reliance of infancy itself. I know thatas in her childhood she
had no parentso she is now devoted to you with all the constancy
and fervour of her present years and characterunited to the
trustfulness and attachment of the early days in which you were lost
to her. I know perfectly well that if you had been restored to her
from the world beyond this lifeyou could hardly be investedin her
sightwith a more sacred character than that in which you are always
with her. I know that when she is clinging to youthe hands of baby
girland womanall in oneare round your neck. I know that in


loving you she sees and loves her mother at her own agesees and
loves you at my ageloves her mother broken-heartedloves you
through your dreadful trial and in your blessed restoration. I have
known thisnight and daysince I have known you in your home."

Her father sat silentwith his face bent down. His breathing was a
little quickened; but he repressed all other signs of agitation.

Dear Doctor Manette, always knowing this, always seeing her and you
with this hallowed light about you, I have forborne, and forborne,
as long as it was in the nature of man to do it. I have felt, and do
even now feel, that to bring my love--even mine--between you, is to
touch your history with something not quite so good as itself.
But I love her. Heaven is my witness that I love her!

I believe it,answered her fathermournfully. "I have thought so
before now. I believe it."

But, do not believe,said Darnayupon whose ear the mournful voice
struck with a reproachful soundthat if my fortune were so cast as
that, being one day so happy as to make her my wife, I must at any
time put any separation between her and you, I could or would breathe
a word of what I now say. Besides that I should know it to be
hopeless, I should know it to be a baseness. If I had any such
possibility, even at a remote distance of years, harboured in my
thoughts, and hidden in my heart--if it ever had been there--if it
ever could be there--I could not now touch this honoured hand.

He laid his own upon it as he spoke.

No, dear Doctor Manette. Like you, a voluntary exile from France;
like you, driven from it by its distractions, oppressions, and
miseries; like you, striving to live away from it by my own exertions,
and trusting in a happier future; I look only to sharing your fortunes,
sharing your life and home, and being faithful to you to the death.
Not to divide with Lucie her privilege as your child, companion, and
friend; but to come in aid of it, and bind her closer to you, if such
a thing can be.

His touch still lingered on her father's hand. Answering the touch
for a momentbut not coldlyher father rested his hands upon the
arms of his chairand looked up for the first time since the
beginning of the conference. A struggle was evidently in his face;
a struggle with that occasional look which had a tendency in it to
dark doubt and dread.

You speak so feelingly and so manfully, Charles Darnay, that I thank
you with all my heart, and will open all my heart--or nearly so.
Have you any reason to believe that Lucie loves you?

None. As yet, none.

Is it the immediate object of this confidence, that you may at once
ascertain that, with my knowledge?

Not even so. I might not have the hopefulness to do it for weeks;
I might (mistaken or not mistaken) have that hopefulness to-morrow.

Do you seek any guidance from me?

I ask none, sir. But I have thought it possible that you might have
it in your power, if you should deem it right, to give me some.

Do you seek any promise from me?


I do seek that.

What is it?

I well understand that, without you, I could have no hope. I well
understand that, even if Miss Manette held me at this moment in her
innocent heart-do not think I have the presumption to assume so much--
I could retain no place in it against her love for her father.


If that be so, do you see what, on the other hand, is involved in it?


I understand equally well, that a word from her father in any suitor's
favour, would outweigh herself and all the world. For which reason,
Doctor Manette,said Darnaymodestly but firmlyI would not ask
that word, to save my life.


I am sure of it. Charles Darnay, mysteries arise out of close love,
as well as out of wide division; in the former case, they are subtle
and delicate, and difficult to penetrate. My daughter Lucie is, in
this one respect, such a mystery to me; I can make no guess at the
state of her heart.


May I ask, sir, if you think she is--As he hesitatedher father
supplied the rest.


Is sought by any other suitor?


It is what I meant to say.


Her father considered a little before he answered:


You have seen Mr. Carton here, yourself. Mr. Stryver is here too,
occasionally. If it be at all, it can only be by one of these.


Or both,said Darnay.


I had not thought of both; I should not think either, likely.
You want a promise from me. Tell me what it is.


It is, that if Miss Manette should bring to you at any time, on her
own part, such a confidence as I have ventured to lay before you,
you will bear testimony to what I have said, and to your belief in it.
I hope you may be able to think so well of me, as to urge no influence
against me. I say nothing more of my stake in this; this is what I ask.
The condition on which I ask it, and which you have an undoubted right
to require, I will observe immediately.


I give the promise,said the Doctorwithout any condition.
I believe your object to be, purely and truthfully, as you have
stated it. I believe your intention is to perpetuate, and not to
weaken, the ties between me and my other and far dearer self. If she
should ever tell me that you are essential to her perfect happiness,
I will give her to you. If there were--Charles Darnay, if there were--


The young man had taken his hand gratefully; their hands were joined
as the Doctor spoke:


--any fancies, any reasons, any apprehensions, anything whatsoever,
new or old, against the man she really loved--the direct responsibility
thereof not lying on his head--they should all be obliterated for her
sake. She is everything to me; more to me than suffering, more to me
than wrong, more to me--Well! This is idle talk.



So strange was the way in which he faded into silenceand so strange
his fixed look when he had ceased to speakthat Darnay felt his own
hand turn cold in the hand that slowly released and dropped it.

You said something to me,said Doctor Manettebreaking into a smile.
What was it you said to me?

He was at a loss how to answeruntil he remembered having spoken of
a condition. Relieved as his mind reverted to thathe answered:

Your confidence in me ought to be returned with full confidence on
my part. My present name, though but slightly changed from my
mother's, is not, as you will remember, my own. I wish to tell you
what that is, and why I am in England.

Stop!said the Doctor of Beauvais.

I wish it, that I may the better deserve your confidence, and have
no secret from you.

Stop!

For an instantthe Doctor even had his two hands at his ears; for
another instanteven had his two hands laid on Darnay's lips.

Tell me when I ask you, not now. If your suit should prosper, if
Lucie should love you, you shall tell me on your marriage morning.
Do you promise?

Willingly.

Give me your hand. She will be home directlyand it is better she
should not see us together to-night. Go! God bless you!"

It was dark when Charles Darnay left himand it was an hour later
and darker when Lucie came home; she hurried into the room alone-for
Miss Pross had gone straight up-stairs--and was surprised to find
his reading-chair empty.

My father!she called to him. "Father dear!"

Nothing was said in answerbut she heard a low hammering sound in
his bedroom. Passing lightly across the intermediate roomshe
looked in at his door and came running back frightenedcrying to
herselfwith her blood all chilledWhat shall I do! What shall I do!

Her uncertainty lasted but a moment; she hurried backand tapped at
his doorand softly called to him. The noise ceased at the sound of
her voiceand he presently came out to herand they walked up and
down together for a long time.

She came down from her bedto look at him in his sleep that night.
He slept heavilyand his tray of shoemaking toolsand his old
unfinished workwere all as usual.

A Companion Picture

Sydney,said Mr. Stryveron that self-same nightor morningto his
jackal; "mix another bowl of punch; I have something to say to you."


Sydney had been working double tides that nightand the night before
and the night before thatand a good many nights in successionmaking
a grand clearance among Mr. Stryver's papers before the setting in of
the long vacation. The clearance was effected at last; the Stryver
arrears were handsomely fetched up; everything was got rid of until
November should come with its fogs atmosphericand fogs legaland
bring grist to the mill again.

Sydney was none the livelier and none the soberer for so much application.
It had taken a deal of extra wet-towelling to pull him through the night;
a correspondingly extra quantity of wine had preceded the towelling;
and he was in a very damaged conditionas he now pulled his turban
off and threw it into the basin in which he had steeped it at intervals
for the last six hours.

Are you mixing that other bowl of punch?said Stryver the portly
with his hands in his waistbandglancing round from the sofa where
he lay on his back.

I am.

Now, look here! I am going to tell you something that will rather
surprise you, and that perhaps will make you think me not quite as
shrewd as you usually do think me. I intend to marry.

DO you?

Yes. And not for money. What do you say now?

I don't feel disposed to say much. Who is she?

Guess.

Do I know her?

Guess.

I am not going to guess, at five o'clock in the morning, with my
brains frying and sputtering in my head. if you want me to guess, you
must ask me to dinner.

Well then, I'll tell you, said Stryver, coming slowly into a sitting
posture. SydneyI rather despair of making myself intelligible to you
because you are such an insensible dog.

And you,returned Sydneybusy concocting the punchare such a
sensitive and poetical spirit--

Come!rejoined Stryverlaughing boastfullythough I don't prefer
any claim to being the soul of Romance (for I hope I know better),
still I am a tenderer sort of fellow than YOU.

You are a luckier, if you mean that.

I don't mean that. I mean I am a man of more--more--

Say gallantry, while you are about it,suggested Carton.

Well! I'll say gallantry. My meaning is that I am a man,said
Stryverinflating himself at his friend as he made the punch
who cares more to be agreeable, who takes more pains to be agreeable,
who knows better how to be agreeable, in a woman's society, than you do.


Go on,said Sydney Carton.

No; but before I go on,said Stryvershaking his head in his bullying
wayI'll have this out with you. You've been at Doctor Manette's
house as much as I haveor more than I have. WhyI have been ashamed
of your moroseness there! Your manners have been of that silent and
sullen and hangdog kindthatupon my life and soulI have been
ashamed of youSydney!"

It should be very beneficial to a man in your practice at the bar,
to be ashamed of anything,returned Sydney; "you ought to be much
obliged to me."

You shall not get off in that way,rejoined Stryvershouldering the
rejoinder at him; "noSydneyit's my duty to tell you--and I tell you
to your face to do you good--that you are a devilish ill-conditioned
fellow in that sort of society. You are a disagreeable fellow."

Sydney drank a bumper of the punch he had madeand laughed.

Look at me!said Stryversquaring himself; "I have less need to
make myself agreeable than you havebeing more independent in
circumstances. Why do I do it?"

I never saw you do it yet,muttered Carton.

I do it because it's politic; I do it on principle. And look at me!
I get on.

You don't get on with your account of your matrimonial intentions,
answered Cartonwith a careless air; "I wish you would keep to that.
As to me--will you never understand that I am incorrigible?"

He asked the question with some appearance of scorn.

You have no business to be incorrigible,was his friend's answer
delivered in no very soothing tone.

I have no business to be, at all, that I know of,said Sydney Carton.
Who is the lady?

Now, don't let my announcement of the name make you uncomfortable,
Sydney,said Mr. Stryverpreparing him with ostentatious
friendliness for the disclosure he was about to makebecause I know
you don't mean half you say; and if you meant it all, it would be of
no importance. I make this little preface, because you once mentioned
the young lady to me in slighting terms.

I did?

Certainly; and in these chambers.

Sydney Carton looked at his punch and looked at his complacent friend;
drank his punch and looked at his complacent friend.

You made mention of the young lady as a golden-haired doll. The young
lady is Miss Manette. If you had been a fellow of any sensitiveness or
delicacy of feeling in that kind of way, Sydney, I might have been a
little resentful of your employing such a designation; but you are not.
You want that sense altogether; therefore I am no more annoyed when I
think of the expression, than I should be annoyed by a man's opinion of
a picture of mine, who had no eye for pictures: or of a piece of music
of mine, who had no ear for music.


Sydney Carton drank the punch at a great rate; drank it by bumpers
looking at his friend.


Now you know all about it, Syd,said Mr. Stryver. "I don't care
about fortune: she is a charming creatureand I have made up my mind
to please myself: on the wholeI think I can afford to please myself.
She will have in me a man already pretty well offand a rapidly
rising manand a man of some distinction: it is a piece of good fortune
for herbut she is worthy of good fortune. Are you astonished?"


Cartonstill drinking the punchrejoinedWhy should I be astonished?


You approve?


Cartonstill drinking the punchrejoinedWhy should I not approve?


Well!said his friend Stryveryou take it more easily than I
fancied you would, and are less mercenary on my behalf than I thought
you would be; though, to be sure, you know well enough by this time
that your ancient chum is a man of a pretty strong will. Yes, Sydney,
I have had enough of this style of life, with no other as a change
from it; I feel that it is a pleasant thing for a man to have a home
when he feels inclined to go to it (when he doesn't, he can stay away),
and I feel that Miss Manette will tell well in any station, and will
always do me credit. So I have made up my mind. And now, Sydney,
old boy, I want to say a word to YOU about YOUR prospects. You are
in a bad way, you know; you really are in a bad way. You don't know
the value of money, you live hard, you'll knock up one of these days,
and be ill and poor; you really ought to think about a nurse.


The prosperous patronage with which he said itmade him look twice
as big as he wasand four times as offensive.


Now, let me recommend you,pursued Stryverto look it in the face.
I have looked it in the face, in my different way; look it in the face,
you, in your different way. Marry. Provide somebody to take care of you.
Never mind your having no enjoyment of women's society, nor understanding
of it, nor tact for it. Find out somebody. Find out some respectable
woman with a little property--somebody in the landlady way, or
lodging-letting way--and marry her, against a rainy day. That's the
kind of thing for YOU. Now think of it, Sydney.


I'll think of it,said Sydney.


The Fellow of Delicacy


Mr. Stryver having made up his mind to that magnanimous bestowal of
good fortune on the Doctor's daughterresolved to make her happiness
known to her before he left town for the Long Vacation. After some
mental debating of the pointhe came to the conclusion that it would
be as well to get all the preliminaries done withand they could
then arrange at their leisure whether he should give her his hand a
week or two before Michaelmas Termor in the little Christmas vacation
between it and Hilary.


As to the strength of his casehe had not a doubt about itbut
clearly saw his way to the verdict. Argued with the jury on substantial
worldly grounds--the only grounds ever worth taking into account--
it was a plain caseand had not a weak spot in it. He called himself



for the plaintiffthere was no getting over his evidencethe counsel
for the defendant threw up his briefand the jury did not even turn
to consider. After trying itStryverC. J.was satisfied that no
plainer case could be.

AccordinglyMr. Stryver inaugurated the Long Vacation with a
formal proposal to take Miss Manette to Vauxhall Gardens; that failing
to Ranelagh; that unaccountably failing tooit behoved him to present
himself in Sohoand there declare his noble mind.

Towards SohothereforeMr. Stryver shouldered his way from the
Templewhile the bloom of the Long Vacation's infancy was still upon
it. Anybody who had seen him projecting himself into Soho while he
was yet on Saint Dunstan's side of Temple Barbursting in his
full-blown way along the pavementto the jostlement of all weaker
peoplemight have seen how safe and strong he was.

His way taking him past Tellson'sand he both banking at Tellson's
and knowing Mr. Lorry as the intimate friend of the Manettesit
entered Mr. Stryver's mind to enter the bankand reveal to Mr. Lorry
the brightness of the Soho horizon. Sohe pushed open the door with
the weak rattle in its throatstumbled down the two stepsgot past
the two ancient cashiersand shouldered himself into the musty back
closet where Mr. Lorry sat at great books ruled for figureswith
perpendicular iron bars to his window as if that were ruled for
figures tooand everything under the clouds were a sum.

Halloa!said Mr. Stryver. "How do you do? I hope you are well!"

It was Stryver's grand peculiarity that he always seemed too big for
any placeor space. He was so much too big for Tellson'sthat
old clerks in distant corners looked up with looks of remonstrance
as though he squeezed them against the wall. The House itself
magnificently reading the paper quite in the far-off perspective
lowered displeasedas if the Stryver head had been butted into its
responsible waistcoat.

The discreet Mr. Lorry saidin a sample tone of the voice he would
recommend under the circumstancesHow do you do, Mr. Stryver?
How do you do, sir?and shook hands. There was a peculiarity in his
manner of shaking handsalways to be seen in any clerk at Tellson's
who shook hands with a customer when the House pervaded the air.
He shook in a self-abnegating wayas one who shook for Tellson and Co.

Can I do anything for you, Mr. Stryver?asked Mr. Lorryin his
business character.

Why, no, thank you; this is a private visit to yourself, Mr. Lorry;
I have come for a private word.

Oh indeed!said Mr. Lorrybending down his earwhile his eye
strayed to the House afar off.

I am going,said Mr. Stryverleaning his arms confidentially on the
desk: whereuponalthough it was a large double onethere appeared to
be not half desk enough for him: "I am going to make an offer of myself
in marriage to your agreeable little friendMiss ManetteMr. Lorry."

Oh dear me!cried Mr. Lorryrubbing his chinand looking at his
visitor dubiously.

Oh dear me, sir?repeated Stryverdrawing back. "Oh dear yousir?
What may your meaning beMr. Lorry?"


My meaning,answered the man of businessis, of course, friendly
and appreciative, and that it does you the greatest credit, and-in
short, my meaning is everything you could desire. But--really, you
know, Mr. Stryver--Mr. Lorry pausedand shook his head at him in
the oddest manneras if he were compelled against his will to add
internallyyou know there really is so much too much of you!

Well!said Stryverslapping the desk with his contentious hand
opening his eyes widerand taking a long breathif I understand
you, Mr. Lorry, I'll be hanged!

Mr. Lorry adjusted his little wig at both ears as a means towards
that endand bit the feather of a pen.

D--n it all, sir!said Stryverstaring at himam I not eligible?

Oh dear yes! Yes. Oh yes, you're eligible!said Mr. Lorry. "If you
say eligibleyou are eligible."

Am I not prosperous?asked Stryver.

Oh! if you come to prosperous, you are prosperous,said Mr. Lorry.

And advancing?

If you come to advancing you know,said Mr. Lorrydelighted to be
able to make another admissionnobody can doubt that.

Then what on earth is your meaning, Mr. Lorry?demanded Stryver
perceptibly crestfallen.

Well! I--Were you going there now?asked Mr. Lorry.

Straight!said Stryverwith a plump of his fist on the desk.

Then I think I wouldn't, if I was you.

Why?said Stryver. "NowI'll put you in a corner forensically
shaking a forefinger at him. You are a man of business and bound
to have a reason. State your reason. Why wouldn't you go?"

Because,said Mr. LorryI wouldn't go on such an object without
having some cause to believe that I should succeed.

D--n ME!cried Stryverbut this beats everything.

Mr. Lorry glanced at the distant Houseand glanced at the angry Stryver.

Here's a man of business--a man of years--a man of experience-IN
a Bank,said Stryver; "and having summed up three leading reasons
for complete successhe says there's no reason at all! Says it with
his head on!" Mr. Stryver remarked upon the peculiarity as if it would
have been infinitely less remarkable if he had said it with his head off.

When I speak of success, I speak of success with the young lady; and
when I speak of causes and reasons to make success probable, I speak
of causes and reasons that will tell as such with the young lady.
The young lady, my good sir,said Mr. Lorrymildly tapping the
Stryver armthe young lady. The young lady goes before all.

Then you mean to tell me, Mr. Lorry,said Stryversquaring his
elbowsthat it is your deliberate opinion that the young lady at
present in question is a mincing Fool?


Not exactly so. I mean to tell you, Mr. Stryver,said Mr. Lorry
reddeningthat I will hear no disrespectful word of that young lady
from any lips; and that if I knew any man--which I hope I do not-whose
taste was so coarse, and whose temper was so overbearing,
that he could not restrain himself from speaking disrespectfully of
that young lady at this desk, not even Tellson's should prevent my
giving him a piece of my mind.

The necessity of being angry in a suppressed tone had put Mr. Stryver's
blood-vessels into a dangerous state when it was his turn to be angry;
Mr. Lorry's veinsmethodical as their courses could usually be
were in no better state now it was his turn.

That is what I mean to tell you, sir,said Mr. Lorry.
Pray let there be no mistake about it.

Mr. Stryver sucked the end of a ruler for a little whileand then
stood hitting a tune out of his teeth with itwhich probably gave
him the toothache. He broke the awkward silence by saying:

This is something new to me, Mr. Lorry. You deliberately advise
me not to go up to Soho and offer myself--MYself, Stryver of
the King's Bench bar?

Do you ask me for my advice, Mr. Stryver?

Yes, I do.

Very good. Then I give it, and you have repeated it correctly.

And all I can say of it is,laughed Stryver with a vexed laugh
that this--ha, ha!--beats everything past, present, and to come.

Now understand me,pursued Mr. Lorry. "As a man of businessI
am not justified in saying anything about this matterforas a man
of businessI know nothing of it. Butas an old fellowwho has
carried Miss Manette in his armswho is the trusted friend of
Miss Manette and of her father tooand who has a great affection for
them bothI have spoken. The confidence is not of my seeking
recollect. Nowyou think I may not be right?"

Not I!said Stryverwhistling. "I can't undertake to find third
parties in common sense; I can only find it for myself. I suppose
sense in certain quarters; you suppose mincing bread-and-butter
nonsense. It's new to mebut you are rightI dare say."

What I suppose, Mr. Stryver, I claim to characterise for myself--And
understand me, sir,said Mr. Lorryquickly flushing again
I will not--not even at Tellson's--have it characterised for me by any
gentleman breathing.

There! I beg your pardon!said Stryver.

Granted. Thank you. Well, Mr. Stryver, I was about to say:--it
might be painful to you to find yourself mistaken, it might be painful
to Doctor Manette to have the task of being explicit with you, it
might be very painful to Miss Manette to have the task of being
explicit with you. You know the terms upon which I have the honour
and happiness to stand with the family. If you please, committing you
in no way, representing you in no way, I will undertake to correct my
advice by the exercise of a little new observation and judgment expressly
brought to bear upon it. If you should then be dissatisfied with it,
you can but test its soundness for yourself; if, on the other hand,
you should be satisfied with it, and it should be what it now is,


it may spare all sides what is best spared. What do you say?

How long would you keep me in town?

Oh! It is only a question of a few hours. I could go to Soho in the
evening, and come to your chambers afterwards.

Then I say yes,said Stryver: "I won't go up there nowI am not
so hot upon it as that comes to; I say yesand I shall expect you
to look in to-night. Good morning."

Then Mr. Stryver turned and burst out of the Bankcausing such a
concussion of air on his passage throughthat to stand up against it
bowing behind the two countersrequired the utmost remaining strength
of the two ancient clerks. Those venerable and feeble persons were
always seen by the public in the act of bowingand were popularly
believedwhen they had bowed a customer outstill to keep on bowing
in the empty office until they bowed another customer in.

The barrister was keen enough to divine that the banker would not
have gone so far in his expression of opinion on any less solid
ground than moral certainty. Unprepared as he was for the large pill
he had to swallowhe got it down. "And now said Mr. Stryver,
shaking his forensic forefinger at the Temple in general, when it
was down, my way out of thisisto put you all in the wrong."

It was a bit of the art of an Old Bailey tacticianin which he
found great relief. "You shall not put me in the wrongyoung lady
said Mr. Stryver; I'll do that for you."

Accordinglywhen Mr. Lorry called that night as late as ten o'clock
Mr. Stryveramong a quantity of books and papers littered out for
the purposeseemed to have nothing less on his mind than the subject
of the morning. He even showed surprise when he saw Mr. Lorryand
was altogether in an absent and preoccupied state.

Well!said that good-natured emissaryafter a full half-hour of
bootless attempts to bring him round to the question. "I have
been to Soho."

To Soho?repeated Mr. Stryvercoldly. "Ohto be sure!
What am I thinking of!"

And I have no doubt,said Mr. Lorrythat I was right in the
conversation we had. My opinion is confirmed, and I reiterate my advice.

I assure you,returned Mr. Stryverin the friendliest waythat I
am sorry for it on your account, and sorry for it on the poor father's
account. I know this must always be a sore subject with the family;
let us say no more about it.

I don't understand you,said Mr. Lorry.

I dare say not,rejoined Stryvernodding his head in a smoothing
and final way; "no matterno matter."

But it does matter,Mr. Lorry urged.

No it doesn't; I assure you it doesn't. Having supposed that there
was sense where there is no sense, and a laudable ambition where there
is not a laudable ambition, I am well out of my mistake, and no harm
is done. Young women have committed similar follies often before,
and have repented them in poverty and obscurity often before. In an
unselfish aspect, I am sorry that the thing is dropped, because it


would have been a bad thing for me in a worldly point of view;
in a selfish aspect, I am glad that the thing has dropped, because it
would have been a bad thing for me in a worldly point of view-it
is hardly necessary to say I could have gained nothing by it.
There is no harm at all done. I have not proposed to the young lady,
and, between ourselves, I am by no means certain, on reflection,
that I ever should have committed myself to that extent. Mr. Lorry,
you cannot control the mincing vanities and giddinesses of
empty-headed girls; you must not expect to do it, or you will always
be disappointed. Now, pray say no more about it. I tell you,
I regret it on account of others, but I am satisfied on my own account.
And I am really very much obliged to you for allowing me to sound you,
and for giving me your advice; you know the young lady better
than I do; you were right, it never would have done.

Mr. Lorry was so taken abackthat he looked quite stupidly at
Mr. Stryver shouldering him towards the doorwith an appearance of
showering generosityforbearanceand goodwillon his erring head.
Make the best of it, my dear sir,said Stryver; "say no more
about it; thank you again for allowing me to sound you; good night!"

Mr. Lorry was out in the nightbefore he knew where he was.
Mr. Stryver was lying back on his sofawinking at his ceiling.

The Fellow of No Delicacy

If Sydney Carton ever shone anywherehe certainly never shone in the
house of Doctor Manette. He had been there oftenduring a whole year
and had always been the same moody and morose lounger there. When he
cared to talkhe talked well; butthe cloud of caring for nothing
which overshadowed him with such a fatal darknesswas very rarely
pierced by the light within him.

And yet he did care something for the streets that environed that house
and for the senseless stones that made their pavements. Many a night
he vaguely and unhappily wandered therewhen wine had brought
no transitory gladness to him; many a dreary daybreak revealed his
solitary figure lingering thereand still lingering there when the first
beams of the sun brought into strong reliefremoved beauties of
architecture in spires of churches and lofty buildingsas perhaps
the quiet time brought some sense of better thingselse forgotten
and unattainableinto his mind. Of latethe neglected bed in the
Temple Court had known him more scantily than ever; and often when he
had thrown himself upon it no longer than a few minuteshe had got up
againand haunted that neighbourhood.

On a day in Augustwhen Mr. Stryver (after notifying to his jackal
that "he had thought better of that marrying matter") had carried his
delicacy into Devonshireand when the sight and scent of flowers in
the City streets had some waifs of goodness in them for the worst
of health for the sickliestand of youth for the oldestSydney's feet
still trod those stones. From being irresolute and purposeless
his feet became animated by an intentionandin the working out of
that intentionthey took him to the Doctor's door.

He was shown up-stairsand found Lucie at her workalone. She had
never been quite at her ease with himand received him with some
little embarrassment as he seated himself near her table. But
looking up at his face in the interchange of the first few


common-placesshe observed a change in it.

I fear you are not well, Mr. Carton!

No. But the life I lead, Miss Manette, is not conducive to health.
What is to be expected of, or by, such profligates?

Is it not--forgive me; I have begun the question on my lips--a pity
to live no better life?

God knows it is a shame!

Then why not change it?

Looking gently at him againshe was surprised and saddened to see
that there were tears in his eyes. There were tears in his voice too
as he answered:

It is too late for that. I shall never be better than I am.
I shall sink lower, and be worse.

He leaned an elbow on her tableand covered his eyes with his hand.
The table trembled in the silence that followed.

She had never seen him softenedand was much distressed. He knew
her to be sowithout looking at herand said:

Pray forgive me, Miss Manette. I break down before the knowledge
of what I want to say to you. Will you hear me?

If it will do you any good, Mr. Carton, if it would make you happier,
it would make me very glad!

God bless you for your sweet compassion!

He unshaded his face after a little whileand spoke steadily.

Don't be afraid to hear me. Don't shrink from anything I say.
I am like one who died young. All my life might have been.

No, Mr. Carton. I am sure that the best part of it might still be;
I am sure that you might be much, much worthier of yourself.

Say of you, Miss Manette, and although I know better--although
in the mystery of my own wretched heart I know better--I shall
never forget it!

She was pale and trembling. He came to her relief with a fixed
despair of himself which made the interview unlike any other
that could have been holden.

If it had been possible, Miss Manette, that you could have returned
the love of the man you see before yourself--flung away, wasted,
drunken, poor creature of misuse as you know him to be--he would have
been conscious this day and hour, in spite of his happiness, that he
would bring you to misery, bring you to sorrow and repentance, blight
you, disgrace you, pull you down with him. I know very well that you
can have no tenderness for me; I ask for none; I am even thankful
that it cannot be.

Without it, can I not save you, Mr. Carton? Can I not recall you-forgive
me again!--to a better course? Can I in no way repay your
confidence? I know this is a confidence,she modestly saidafter a
little hesitationand in earnest tearsI know you would say this to


no one else. Can I turn it to no good account for yourself, Mr. Carton?

He shook his head.

To none. No, Miss Manette, to none. If you will hear me through a
very little more, all you can ever do for me is done. I wish you to
know that you have been the last dream of my soul. In my degradation
I have not been so degraded but that the sight of you with your father,
and of this home made such a home by you, has stirred old shadows that
I thought had died out of me. Since I knew you, I have been troubled
by a remorse that I thought would never reproach me again, and have
heard whispers from old voices impelling me upward, that I thought were
silent for ever. I have had unformed ideas of striving afresh, beginning
anew, shaking off sloth and sensuality, and fighting out the abandoned
fight. A dream, all a dream, that ends in nothing, and leaves the
sleeper where he lay down, but I wish you to know that you inspired it.

Will nothing of it remain? O Mr. Carton, think again! Try again!

No, Miss Manette; all through it, I have known myself to be quite
undeserving. And yet I have had the weakness, and have still the
weakness, to wish you to know with what a sudden mastery you kindled me,
heap of ashes that I am, into fire--a fire, however, inseparable
in its nature from myself, quickening nothing, lighting nothing,
doing no service, idly burning away.

Since it is my misfortune, Mr. Carton, to have made you more unhappy
than you were before you knew me--

Don't say that, Miss Manette, for you would have reclaimed me,
if anything could. You will not be the cause of my becoming worse.

Since the state of your mind that you describe, is, at all events,
attributable to some influence of mine--this is what I mean,
if I can make it plain--can I use no influence to serve you?
Have I no power for good, with you, at all?

The utmost good that I am capable of now, Miss Manette, I have come
here to realise. Let me carry through the rest of my misdirected life,
the remembrance that I opened my heart to you, last of all the world;
and that there was something left in me at this time which you could
deplore and pity.

Which I entreated you to believe, again and again, most fervently,
with all my heart, was capable of better things, Mr. Carton!

Entreat me to believe it no more, Miss Manette. I have proved myself,
and I know better. I distress you; I draw fast to an end. Will you let
me believe, when I recall this day, that the last confidence of my life
was reposed in your pure and innocent breast, and that it lies there
alone, and will be shared by no one?

If that will be a consolation to you, yes.

Not even by the dearest one ever to be known to you?

Mr. Carton,she answeredafter an agitated pausethe secret is
yours, not mine; and I promise to respect it.

Thank you. And again, God bless you.

He put her hand to his lipsand moved towards the door.

Be under no apprehension, Miss Manette, of my ever resuming this


conversation by so much as a passing word. I will never refer to it
again. If I were dead, that could not be surer than it is henceforth.
In the hour of my death, I shall hold sacred the one good remembrance-and
shall thank and bless you for it--that my last avowal of myself was
made to you, and that my name, and faults, and miseries were gently
carried in your heart. May it otherwise be light and happy!

He was so unlike what he had ever shown himself to beand it was
so sad to think how much he had thrown awayand how much he every
day kept down and pervertedthat Lucie Manette wept mournfully for
him as he stood looking back at her.

Be comforted!he saidI am not worth such feeling, Miss Manette.
An hour or two hence, and the low companions and low habits that I scorn
but yield to, will render me less worth such tears as those, than any
wretch who creeps along the streets. Be comforted! But, within myself,
I shall always be, towards you, what I am now, though outwardly I shall
be what you have heretofore seen me. The last supplication but one
I make to you, is, that you will believe this of me.

I will, Mr. Carton.

My last supplication of all, is this; and with it, I will relieve
you of a visitor with whom I well know you have nothing in unison,
and between whom and you there is an impassable space. It is useless
to say it, I know, but it rises out of my soul. For you, and for any
dear to you, I would do anything. If my career were of that better
kind that there was any opportunity or capacity of sacrifice in it,
I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you.
Try to hold me in your mind, at some quiet times, as ardent and sincere
in this one thing. The time will come, the time will not be long
in coming, when new ties will be formed about you--ties that will bind
you yet more tenderly and strongly to the home you so adorn--the dearest
ties that will ever grace and gladden you. O Miss Manette, when the
little picture of a happy father's face looks up in yours, when you
see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think
now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep
a life you love beside you!

He saidFarewell!said a last "God bless you!" and left her.

The Honest Tradesman

To the eyes of Mr. Jeremiah Crunchersitting on his stool in
Fleet-street with his grisly urchin beside hima vast number and
variety of objects in movement were every day presented. Who could
sit upon anything in Fleet-street during the busy hours of the day
and not be dazed and deafened by two immense processionsone ever
tending westward with the sunthe other ever tending eastward
from the sunboth ever tending to the plains beyond the range of red
and purple where the sun goes down!

With his straw in his mouthMr. Cruncher sat watching the two streams
like the heathen rustic who has for several centuries been on duty
watching one stream--saving that Jerry had no expectation of their
ever running dry. Nor would it have been an expectation of a hopeful
kindsince a small part of his income was derived from the pilotage
of timid women (mostly of a full habit and past the middle term of life)
from Tellson's side of the tides to the opposite shore. Brief as such


companionship was in every separate instanceMr. Cruncher never
failed to become so interested in the lady as to express a strong desire
to have the honour of drinking her very good health. And it was from
the gifts bestowed upon him towards the execution of this benevolent
purposethat he recruited his financesas just now observed.

Time waswhen a poet sat upon a stool in a public placeand mused
in the sight of men. Mr. Crunchersitting on a stool in a public place
but not being a poetmused as little as possibleand looked about him.

It fell out that he was thus engaged in a season when crowds were few
and belated women fewand when his affairs in general were so
unprosperous as to awaken a strong suspicion in his breast that
Mrs. Cruncher must have been "flopping" in some pointed mannerwhen
an unusual concourse pouring down Fleet-street westwardattracted his
attention. Looking that wayMr. Cruncher made out that some kind of
funeral was coming alongand that there was popular objection to this
funeralwhich engendered uproar.

Young Jerry,said Mr. Cruncherturning to his offspring
it's a buryin'.

Hooroar, father!cried Young Jerry.

The young gentleman uttered this exultant sound with mysterious
significance. The elder gentleman took the cry so illthat he
watched his opportunityand smote the young gentleman on the ear.

What d'ye mean? What are you hooroaring at? What do you want to
conwey to your own father, you young Rip? This boy is a getting
too many for ME!said Mr. Crunchersurveying him. "Him and
his hooroars! Don't let me hear no more of youor you shall feel
some more of me. D'ye hear?"

I warn't doing no harm,Young Jerry protestedrubbing his cheek.

Drop it then,said Mr. Cruncher; "I won't have none of YOUR
no harms. Get a top of that there seatand look at the crowd."

His son obeyedand the crowd approached; they were bawling and hissing
round a dingy hearse and dingy mourning coachin which mourning coach
there was only one mournerdressed in the dingy trappings that were
considered essential to the dignity of the position. The position
appeared by no means to please himhoweverwith an increasing rabble
surrounding the coachderiding himmaking grimaces at him
and incessantly groaning and calling out: "Yah! Spies! Tst! Yaha!
Spies!" with many compliments too numerous and forcible to repeat.

Funerals had at all times a remarkable attraction for Mr. Cruncher;
he always pricked up his sensesand became excitedwhen a funeral
passed Tellson's. Naturallythereforea funeral with this uncommon
attendance excited him greatlyand he asked of the first man who ran
against him:

What is it, brother? What's it about?

_I_ don't know,said the man. "Spies! Yaha! Tst! Spies!"

He asked another man. "Who is it?"

_I_ don't know,returned the manclapping his hands to his mouth
neverthelessand vociferating in a surprising heat and with the
greatest ardourSpies! Yaha! Tst, tst! Spi--ies!


At lengtha person better informed on the merits of the case
tumbled against himand from this person he learned that the funeral
was the funeral of one Roger Cly.

Was He a spy?asked Mr. Cruncher.

Old Bailey spy,returned his informant. "Yaha! Tst! Yah!
Old Bailey Spi--i--ies!"

Why, to be sure!exclaimed Jerryrecalling the Trial at which he
had assisted. "I've seen him. Deadis he?"

Dead as mutton,returned the otherand can't be too dead.
Have 'em out, there! Spies! Pull 'em out, there! Spies!

The idea was so acceptable in the prevalent absence of any idea
that the crowd caught it up with eagernessand loudly repeating the
suggestion to have 'em outand to pull 'em outmobbed the two vehicles
so closely that they came to a stop. On the crowd's opening the coach
doorsthe one mourner scuffled out of himself and was in their hands
for a moment; but he was so alertand made such good use of his time
that in another moment he was scouring away up a bye-streetafter
shedding his cloakhatlong hatbandwhite pocket-handkerchief
and other symbolical tears.

Thesethe people tore to pieces and scattered far and wide with
great enjoymentwhile the tradesmen hurriedly shut up their shops;
for a crowd in those times stopped at nothingand was a monster
much dreaded. They had already got the length of opening the hearse
to take the coffin outwhen some brighter genius proposed instead
its being escorted to its destination amidst general rejoicing.
Practical suggestions being much neededthis suggestiontoowas
received with acclamationand the coach was immediately filled with
eight inside and a dozen outwhile as many people got on the roof of
the hearse as could by any exercise of ingenuity stick upon it.
Among the first of these volunteers was Jerry Cruncher himselfwho
modestly concealed his spiky head from the observation of Tellson's
in the further corner of the mourning coach.

The officiating undertakers made some protest against these changes
in the ceremonies; butthe river being alarmingly nearand several
voices remarking on the efficacy of cold immersion in bringing
refractory members of the profession to reasonthe protest was faint
and brief. The remodelled procession startedwith a chimney-sweep
driving the hearse--advised by the regular driverwho was perched
beside himunder close inspectionfor the purpose--and with a pieman
also attended by his cabinet ministerdriving the mourning coach.
A bear-leadera popular street character of the timewas impressed
as an additional ornamentbefore the cavalcade had gone far down
the Strand; and his bearwho was black and very mangygave quite
an Undertaking air to that part of the procession in which he walked.

Thuswith beer-drinkingpipe-smokingsong-roaringand infinite
caricaturing of woethe disorderly procession went its wayrecruiting
at every stepand all the shops shutting up before it. Its destination
was the old church of Saint Pancrasfar off in the fields. It got
there in course of time; insisted on pouring into the burial-ground;
finallyaccomplished the interment of the deceased Roger Cly in
its own wayand highly to its own satisfaction.

The dead man disposed ofand the crowd being under the necessity of
providing some other entertainment for itselfanother brighter genius
(or perhaps the same) conceived the humour of impeaching casual
passers-byas Old Bailey spiesand wreaking vengeance on them.


Chase was given to some scores of inoffensive persons who had never
been near the Old Bailey in their livesin the realisation of this
fancyand they were roughly hustled and maltreated. The transition
to the sport of window-breakingand thence to the plundering of
public-houseswas easy and natural. At lastafter several hours
when sundry summer-houses had been pulled downand some area-railings
had been torn upto arm the more belligerent spiritsa rumour got
about that the Guards were coming. Before this rumourthe crowd
gradually melted awayand perhaps the Guards cameand perhaps they
never cameand this was the usual progress of a mob.

Mr. Cruncher did not assist at the closing sportsbut had remained
behind in the churchyardto confer and condole with the undertakers.
The place had a soothing influence on him. He procured a pipe from a
neighbouring public-houseand smoked itlooking in at the railings
and maturely considering the spot.

Jerry,said Mr. Cruncherapostrophising himself in his usual way
you see that there Cly that day, and you see with your own eyes that
he was a young 'un and a straight made 'un.

Having smoked his pipe outand ruminated a little longerhe turned
himself aboutthat he might appearbefore the hour of closingon his
station at Tellson's. Whether his meditations on mortality had touched
his liveror whether his general health had been previously at all
amissor whether he desired to show a little attention to an eminent
manis not so much to the purposeas that he made a short call upon
his medical adviser--a distinguished surgeon--on his way back.

Young Jerry relieved his father with dutiful interestand reported No
job in his absence. The bank closedthe ancient clerks came outthe
usual watch was setand Mr. Cruncher and his son went home to tea.

Now, I tell you where it is!said Mr. Cruncher to his wifeon
entering. "Ifas a honest tradesmanmy wenturs goes wrong to-night
I shall make sure that you've been praying again meand I shall work
you for it just the same as if I seen you do it."

The dejected Mrs. Cruncher shook her head.

Why, you're at it afore my face!said Mr. Cruncherwith signs of
angry apprehension.

I am saying nothing.

Well, then; don't meditate nothing. You might as well flop as
meditate. You may as well go again me one way as another.
Drop it altogether.

Yes, Jerry.

Yes, Jerry,repeated Mr. Cruncher sitting down to tea. "Ah!
It IS yesJerry. That's about it. You may say yesJerry."

Mr. Cruncher had no particular meaning in these sulky corroborations
but made use of themas people not unfrequently doto express
general ironical dissatisfaction.

You and your yes, Jerry,said Mr. Crunchertaking a bite out of his
bread-and-butterand seeming to help it down with a large invisible
oyster out of his saucer. "Ah! I think so. I believe you."

You are going out to-night?asked his decent wifewhen he took
another bite.


Yes, I am.

May I go with you, father?asked his sonbriskly.

No, you mayn't. I'm a going--as your mother knows--a fishing.
That's where I'm going to. Going a fishing.

Your fishing-rod gets rayther rusty; don't it, father?

Never you mind.

Shall you bring any fish home, father?

If I don't, you'll have short commons, to-morrow,returned that
gentlemanshaking his head; "that's questions enough for you; I
ain't a going outtill you've been long abed."

He devoted himself during the remainder of the evening to keeping
a most vigilant watch on Mrs. Cruncherand sullenly holding her in
conversation that she might be prevented from meditating any petitions
to his disadvantage. With this viewhe urged his son to hold her in
conversation alsoand led the unfortunate woman a hard life by dwelling
on any causes of complaint he could bring against herrather than he
would leave her for a moment to her own reflections. The devoutest
person could have rendered no greater homage to the efficacy of an honest
prayer than he did in this distrust of his wife. It was as if a
professed unbeliever in ghosts should be frightened by a ghost story.

And mind you!said Mr. Cruncher. "No games to-morrow! If I
as a honest tradesmansucceed in providing a jinte of meat or two
none of your not touching of itand sticking to bread. If I
as a honest tradesmanam able to provide a little beernone of your
declaring on water. When you go to Romedo as Rome does. Rome will
be a ugly customer to youif you don't. _I_'m your Romeyou know."

Then he began grumbling again:

With your flying into the face of your own wittles and drink! I don't
know how scarce you mayn't make the wittles and drink here, by your
flopping tricks and your unfeeling conduct. Look at your boy: he IS
your'n, ain't he? He's as thin as a lath. Do you call yourself a
mother, and not know that a mother's first duty is to blow her boy out?

This touched Young Jerry on a tender place; who adjured his mother to
perform her first dutyandwhatever else she did or neglectedabove
all things to lay especial stress on the discharge of that maternal
function so affectingly and delicately indicated by his other parent.

Thus the evening wore away with the Cruncher familyuntil Young Jerry
was ordered to bedand his motherlaid under similar injunctions
obeyed them. Mr. Cruncher beguiled the earlier watches of the night
with solitary pipesand did not start upon his excursion until nearly
one o'clock. Towards that small and ghostly hourhe rose up from his
chairtook a key out of his pocketopened a locked cupboardand
brought forth a sacka crowbar of convenient sizea rope and chain
and other fishing tackle of that nature. Disposing these articles about
him in skilful mannerhe bestowed a parting defiance on Mrs. Cruncher
extinguished the lightand went out.

Young Jerrywho had only made a feint of undressing when he went to bed
was not long after his father. Under cover of the darkness he followed
out of the roomfollowed down the stairsfollowed down the court
followed out into the streets. He was in no uneasiness concerning


his getting into the house againfor it was full of lodgersand the
door stood ajar all night.

Impelled by a laudable ambition to study the art and mystery of his
father's honest callingYoung Jerrykeeping as close to house fronts
wallsand doorwaysas his eyes were close to one anotherheld his
honoured parent in view. The honoured parent steering Northward
had not gone farwhen he was joined by another disciple of
Izaak Waltonand the two trudged on together.

Within half an hour from the first startingthey were beyond the
winking lampsand the more than winking watchmenand were out upon
a lonely road. Another fisherman was picked up here--and that so
silentlythat if Young Jerry had been superstitioushe might have
supposed the second follower of the gentle craft to haveall of a
suddensplit himself into two.

The three went onand Young Jerry went onuntil the three stopped
under a bank overhanging the road. Upon the top of the bank was a
low brick wallsurmounted by an iron railing. In the shadow of bank
and wall the three turned out of the roadand up a blind laneof which
the wall--thererisen to some eight or ten feet high--formed one side.
Crouching down in a cornerpeeping up the lanethe next object that
Young Jerry sawwas the form of his honoured parentpretty well
defined against a watery and clouded moonnimbly scaling an iron
gate. He was soon overand then the second fisherman got overand
then the third. They all dropped softly on the ground within the gate
and lay there a little--listening perhaps. Thenthey moved away on
their hands and knees.

It was now Young Jerry's turn to approach the gate: which he did
holding his breath. Crouching down again in a corner thereand looking
inhe made out the three fishermen creeping through some rank grass!
and all the gravestones in the churchyard--it was a large churchyard
that they were in--looking on like ghosts in whitewhile the church
tower itself looked on like the ghost of a monstrous giant. They did
not creep farbefore they stopped and stood upright. And then they
began to fish.

They fished with a spadeat first. Presently the honoured parent
appeared to be adjusting some instrument like a great corkscrew.
Whatever tools they worked withthey worked harduntil the awful
striking of the church clock so terrified Young Jerrythat he made off
with his hair as stiff as his father's.

Buthis long-cherished desire to know more about these mattersnot
only stopped him in his running awaybut lured him back again. They
were still fishing perseveringlywhen he peeped in at the gate for
the second time; butnow they seemed to have got a bite. There was a
screwing and complaining sound down belowand their bent figures were
strainedas if by a weight. By slow degrees the weight broke away the
earth upon itand came to the surface. Young Jerry very well knew what
it would be; butwhen he saw itand saw his honoured parent about to
wrench it openhe was so frightenedbeing new to the sightthat he
made off againand never stopped until he had run a mile or more.

He would not have stopped thenfor anything less necessary than
breathit being a spectral sort of race that he ranand one highly
desirable to get to the end of. He had a strong idea that the coffin
he had seen was running after him; andpictured as hopping on behind
himbolt uprightupon its narrow endalways on the point of
overtaking him and hopping on at his side--perhaps taking his arm-it
was a pursuer to shun. It was an inconsistent and ubiquitous fiend
tooforwhile it was making the whole night behind him dreadful


he darted out into the roadway to avoid dark alleysfearful of its
coming hopping out of them like a dropsical boy's-Kite without tail
and wings. It hid in doorways toorubbing its horrible shoulders
against doorsand drawing them up to its earsas if it were laughing.
It got into shadows on the roadand lay cunningly on its back to
trip him up. All this time it was incessantly hopping on behind and
gaining on himso that when the boy got to his own door he had reason
for being half dead. And even then it would not leave himbut followed
him upstairs with a bump on every stairscrambled into bed with him
and bumped downdead and heavyon his breast when he fell asleep.


From his oppressed slumberYoung Jerry in his closet was awakened
after daybreak and before sunriseby the presence of his father in
the family room. Something had gone wrong with him; at leastso
Young Jerry inferredfrom the circumstance of his holding
Mrs. Cruncher by the earsand knocking the back of her head against
the head-board of the bed.


I told you I would,said Mr. Cruncherand I did.


Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!his wife implored.


You oppose yourself to the profit of the business,said Jerry
and me and my partners suffer. You was to honour and obey;
why the devil don't you?


I try to be a good wife, Jerry,the poor woman protestedwith tears.


Is it being a good wife to oppose your husband's business? Is it
honouring your husband to dishonour his business? Is it obeying your
husband to disobey him on the wital subject of his business?


You hadn't taken to the dreadful business then, Jerry.


It's enough for you,retorted Mr. Cruncherto be the wife of a
honest tradesman, and not to occupy your female mind with calculations
when he took to his trade or when he didn't. A honouring and obeying
wife would let his trade alone altogether. Call yourself a religious
woman? If you're a religious woman, give me a irreligious one!
You have no more nat'ral sense of duty than the bed of this here Thames
river has of a pile, and similarly it must be knocked into you.


The altercation was conducted in a low tone of voiceand terminated
in the honest tradesman's kicking off his clay-soiled bootsand lying
down at his length on the floor. After taking a timid peep at him
lying on his backwith his rusty hands under his head for a pillow
his son lay down tooand fell asleep again.


There was no fish for breakfastand not much of anything else.
Mr. Cruncher was out of spiritsand out of temperand kept an iron
pot-lid by him as a projectile for the correction of Mrs. Cruncher
in case he should observe any symptoms of her saying Grace. He was
brushed and washed at the usual hourand set off with his son to
pursue his ostensible calling.


Young Jerrywalking with the stool under his arm at his father's
side along sunny and crowded Fleet-streetwas a very different
Young Jerry from him of the previous nightrunning home through
darkness and solitude from his grim pursuer. His cunning was fresh
with the dayand his qualms were gone with the night--in which
particulars it is not improbable that he had compeers in Fleet-street
and the City of Londonthat fine morning.


Father,said Young Jerryas they walked along: taking care to



keep at arm's length and to have the stool well between them:
what's a Resurrection-Man?

Mr. Cruncher came to a stop on the pavement before he answered
How should I know?

I thought you knowed everything, father,said the artless boy.

Hem! Well,returned Mr. Crunchergoing on againand lifting off
his hat to give his spikes free playhe's a tradesman.

What's his goods, father?asked the brisk Young Jerry.

His goods,said Mr. Cruncherafter turning it over in his mind
is a branch of Scientific goods.

Persons' bodies, ain't it, father?asked the lively boy.

I believe it is something of that sort,said Mr. Cruncher.

Oh, father, I should so like to be a Resurrection-Man when I'm
quite growed up!

Mr. Cruncher was soothedbut shook his head in a dubious and moral
way. "It depends upon how you dewelop your talents. Be careful
to dewelop your talentsand never to say no more than you can help
to nobodyand there's no telling at the present time what you may
not come to be fit for." As Young Jerrythus encouragedwent on
a few yards in advanceto plant the stool in the shadow of the Bar
Mr. Cruncher added to himself: "Jerryyou honest tradesmanthere's
hopes wot that boy will yet be a blessing to youand a recompense
to you for his mother!"

Knitting

There had been earlier drinking than usual in the wine-shop of
Monsieur Defarge. As early as six o'clock in the morningsallow
faces peeping through its barred windows had descried other faces within
bending over measures of wine. Monsieur Defarge sold a very thin wine
at the best of timesbut it would seem to have been an unusually thin
wine that he sold at this time. A sour winemoreoveror a souring
for its influence on the mood of those who drank it was to make them
gloomy. No vivacious Bacchanalian flame leaped out of the pressed grape
of Monsieur Defarge: buta smouldering fire that burnt in the dark
lay hidden in the dregs of it.

This had been the third morning in successionon which there had been
early drinking at the wine-shop of Monsieur Defarge. It had begun
on Mondayand here was Wednesday come. There had been more of early
brooding than drinking; formany men had listened and whispered and
slunk about there from the time of the opening of the doorwho could
not have laid a piece of money on the counter to save their souls.
These were to the full as interested in the placehoweveras if
they could have commanded whole barrels of wine; and they glided from
seat to seatand from corner to cornerswallowing talk in lieu
of drinkwith greedy looks.

Notwithstanding an unusual flow of companythe master of the wine-shop
was not visible. He was not missed; fornobody who crossed the


threshold looked for himnobody asked for himnobody wondered to
see only Madame Defarge in her seatpresiding over the distribution
of winewith a bowl of battered small coins before heras much defaced
and beaten out of their original impress as the small coinage of humanity
from whose ragged pockets they had come.

A suspended interest and a prevalent absence of mindwere perhaps
observed by the spies who looked in at the wine-shopas they looked in
at every placehigh and lowfrom the kings palace to the criminal's
gaol. Games at cards languishedplayers at dominoes musingly built
towers with themdrinkers drew figures on the tables with spilt drops
of wineMadame Defarge herself picked out the pattern on her sleeve
with her toothpickand saw and heard something inaudible and invisible
a long way off.

ThusSaint Antoine in this vinous feature of hisuntil midday. It
was high noontidewhen two dusty men passed through his streets and
under his swinging lamps: of whomone was Monsieur Defarge: the other
a mender of roads in a blue cap. All adust and athirstthe two entered
the wine-shop. Their arrival had lighted a kind of fire in the breast
of Saint Antoinefast spreading as they came alongwhich stirred and
flickered in flames of faces at most doors and windows. Yetno one
had followed themand no man spoke when they entered the wine-shop
though the eyes of every man there were turned upon them.

Good day, gentlemen!said Monsieur Defarge.

It may have been a signal for loosening the general tongue.
It elicited an answering chorus of "Good day!"

It is bad weather, gentlemen,said Defargeshaking his head.

Upon whichevery man looked at his neighbourand then all cast down
their eyes and sat silent. Except one manwho got up and went out.

My wife,said Defarge aloudaddressing Madame Defarge: "I have
travelled certain leagues with this good mender of roadscalled
Jacques. I met him--by accident--a day and half's journey out of
Paris. He is a good childthis mender of roadscalled Jacques.
Give him to drinkmy wife!"

A second man got up and went out. Madame Defarge set wine before the
mender of roads called Jacqueswho doffed his blue cap to the company
and drank. In the breast of his blouse he carried some coarse dark
bread; he ate of this between whilesand sat munching and drinking
near Madame Defarge's counter. A third man got up and went out.

Defarge refreshed himself with a draught of wine--buthe took less
than was given to the strangeras being himself a man to whom it was
no rarity--and stood waiting until the countryman had made his breakfast.
He looked at no one presentand no one now looked at him; not even
Madame Defargewho had taken up her knittingand was at work.

Have you finished your repast, friend?he askedin due season.

Yes, thank you.

Come, then! You shall see the apartment that I told you you could
occupy. It will suit you to a marvel.

Out of the wine-shop into the streetout of the street into a
courtyardout of the courtyard up a steep staircaseout of the
staircase into a garret--formerly the garret where a white-haired
man sat on a low benchstooping forward and very busymaking shoes.


No white-haired man was there now; butthe three men were there
who had gone out of the wine-shop singly. And between them and the
white-haired man afar offwas the one small linkthat they had once
looked in at him through the chinks in the wall.

Defarge closed the door carefullyand spoke in a subdued voice:

Jacques One, Jacques Two, Jacques Three! This is the witness
encountered by appointment, by me, Jacques Four. He will tell you all.
Speak, Jacques Five!

The mender of roadsblue cap in handwiped his swarthy forehead with
itand saidWhere shall I commence, monsieur?

Commence,was Monsieur Defarge's not unreasonable replyat the
commencement.

I saw him then, messieurs,began the mender of roadsa year ago
this running summer, underneath the carriage of the Marquis, hanging by
the chain. Behold the manner of it. I leaving my work on the road,
the sun going to bed, the carriage of the Marquis slowly ascending
the hill, he hanging by the chain--like this.

Again the mender of roads went through the whole performance; in which
he ought to have been perfect by that timeseeing that it had been
the infallible resource and indispensable entertainment of his village
during a whole year.

Jacques One struck inand asked if he had ever seen the man before?

Never,answered the mender of roadsrecovering his perpendicular.

Jacques Three demanded how he afterwards recognised him then?

By his tall figure,said the mender of roadssoftlyand with his
finger at his nose. "When Monsieur the Marquis demands that evening
'Saywhat is he like?' I make response`Tall as a spectre.'"

You should have said, short as a dwarf,returned Jacques Two.

But what did I know? The deed was not then accomplished, neither did
he confide in me. Observe! Under those circumstances even, I do not
offer my testimony. Monsieur the Marquis indicates me with his finger,
standing near our little fountain, and says, `To me! Bring that rascal!'
My faith, messieurs, I offer nothing.

He is right there, Jacques,murmured Defargeto him who had
interrupted. "Go on!"

Good!said the mender of roadswith an air of mystery. "The tall
man is lostand he is sought--how many months? Nineteneleven?"

No matter, the number,said Defarge. "He is well hiddenbut at last
he is unluckily found. Go on!"

I am again at work upon the hill-side, and the sun is again about to
go to bed. I am collecting my tools to descend to my cottage down in
the village below, where it is already dark, when I raise my eyes,
and see coming over the hill six soldiers. In the midst of them
is a tall man with his arms bound--tied to his sides--like this!

With the aid of his indispensable caphe represented a man with his
elbows bound fast at his hipswith cords that were knotted behind him.


I stand aside, messieurs, by my heap of stones, to see the soldiers
and their prisoner pass (for it is a solitary road, that, where any
spectacle is well worth looking at), and at first, as they approach,
I see no more than that they are six soldiers with a tall man bound,
and that they are almost black to my sight--except on the side of the
sun going to bed, where they have a red edge, messieurs. Also, I see
that their long shadows are on the hollow ridge on the opposite side
of the road, and are on the hill above it, and are like the shadows of
giants. Also, I see that they are covered with dust, and that the dust
moves with them as they come, tramp, tramp! But when they advance
quite near to me, I recognise the tall man, and he recognises me.
Ah, but he would be well content to precipitate himself over the
hill-side once again, as on the evening when he and I first encountered,
close to the same spot!

He described it as if he were thereand it was evident that he saw
it vividly; perhaps he had not seen much in his life.

I do not show the soldiers that I recognise the tall man; he does
not show the soldiers that he recognises me; we do it, and we know it,
with our eyes. `Come on!' says the chief of that company, pointing to
the village, `bring him fast to his tomb!' and they bring him faster.
I follow. His arms are swelled because of being bound so tight, his
wooden shoes are large and clumsy, and he is lame. Because he is lame,
and consequently slow, they drive him with their guns--like this!

He imitated the action of a man's being impelled forward by the
butt-ends of muskets.

As they descend the hill like madmen running a race, he falls.
They laugh and pick him up again. His face is bleeding and covered with
dust, but he cannot touch it; thereupon they laugh again. They bring
him into the village; all the village runs to look; they take him past
the mill, and up to the prison; all the village sees the prison gate
open in the darkness of the night, and swallow him--like this!

He opened his mouth as wide as he couldand shut it with a sounding
snap of his teeth. Observant of his unwillingness to mar the effect
by opening it againDefarge saidGo on, Jacques.

All the village,pursued the mender of roadson tiptoe and in a
low voicewithdraws; all the village whispers by the fountain;
all the village sleeps; all the village dreams of that unhappy one,
within the locks and bars of the prison on the crag, and never to come
out of it, except to perish. In the morning, with my tools upon my
shoulder, eating my morsel of black bread as I go, I make a circuit
by the prison, on my way to my work. There I see him, high up,
behind the bars of a lofty iron cage, bloody and dusty as last night,
looking through. He has no hand free, to wave to me; I dare not call
to him; he regards me like a dead man.

Defarge and the three glanced darkly at one another. The looks of
all of them were darkrepressedand revengefulas they listened to
the countryman's story; the manner of all of themwhile it was secret
was authoritative too. They had the air of a rough tribunal; Jacques
One and Two sitting on the old pallet-bedeach with his chin resting
on his handand his eyes intent on the road-mender; Jacques Three
equally intenton one knee behind themwith his agitated hand always
gliding over the network of fine nerves about his mouth and nose;
Defarge standing between them and the narratorwhom he had stationed
in the light of the windowby turns looking from him to themand
from them to him.


Go on, Jacques,said Defarge.

He remains up there in his iron cage some days. The village looks
at him by stealth, for it is afraid. But it always looks up, from
a distance, at the prison on the crag; and in the evening, when the
work of the day is achieved and it assembles to gossip at the fountain,
all faces are turned towards the prison. Formerly, they were turned
towards the posting-house; now, they are turned towards the prison.
They whisper at the fountain, that although condemned to death he will
not be executed; they say that petitions have been presented in Paris,
showing that he was enraged and made mad by the death of his child;
they say that a petition has been presented to the King himself.
What do I know? It is possible. Perhaps yes, perhaps no.

Listen then, Jacques,Number One of that name sternly interposed.
Know that a petition was presented to the King and Queen. All here,
yourself excepted, saw the King take it, in his carriage in the street,
sitting beside the Queen. It is Defarge whom you see here, who,
at the hazard of his life, darted out before the horses, with the
petition in his hand.

And once again listen, Jacques!said the kneeling Number Three:
his fingers ever wandering over and over those fine nerveswith a
strikingly greedy airas if he hungered for something--that was
neither food nor drink; "the guardhorse and footsurrounded
the petitionerand struck him blows. You hear?"

I hear, messieurs.

Go on then,said Defarge.

Again; on the other hand, they whisper at the fountain,resumed the
countrymanthat he is brought down into our country to be executed
on the spot, and that he will very certainly be executed. They even
whisper that because he has slain Monseigneur, and because Monseigneur
was the father of his tenants--serfs--what you will--he will be
executed as a parricide. One old man says at the fountain, that his
right hand, armed with the knife, will be burnt off before his face;
that, into wounds which will be made in his arms, his breast,
and his legs, there will be poured boiling oil, melted lead, hot resin,
wax, and sulphur; finally, that he will be torn limb from limb by four
strong horses. That old man says, all this was actually done to a
prisoner who made an attempt on the life of the late King,
Louis Fifteen. But how do I know if he lies? I am not a scholar.

Listen once again then, Jacques!said the man with the restless hand
and the craving air. "The name of that prisoner was Damiensand it
was all done in open dayin the open streets of this city of Paris;
and nothing was more noticed in the vast concourse that saw it done
than the crowd of ladies of quality and fashionwho were full of eager
attention to the last--to the lastJacquesprolonged until nightfall
when he had lost two legs and an armand still breathed! And it
was done--whyhow old are you?"

Thirty-five,said the mender of roadswho looked sixty.

It was done when you were more than ten years old; you might
have seen it.

Enough!said Defargewith grim impatience. "Long live the Devil!
Go on."

Well! Some whisper this, some whisper that; they speak of nothing else;
even the fountain appears to fall to that tune. At length, on Sunday


night when all the village is asleep, come soldiers, winding down from
the prison, and their guns ring on the stones of the little street.
Workmen dig, workmen hammer, soldiers laugh and sing; in the morning,
by the fountain, there is raised a gallows forty feet high, poisoning
the water.

The mender of roads looked THROUGH rather than AT the low ceiling
and pointed as if he saw the gallows somewhere in the sky.

All work is stopped, all assemble there, nobody leads the cows out,
the cows are there with the rest. At midday, the roll of drums.
Soldiers have marched into the prison in the night, and he is in the
midst of many soldiers. He is bound as before, and in his mouth there
is a gag--tied so, with a tight string, making him look almost as if he
laughed.He suggested itby creasing his face with his two thumbs
from the corners of his mouth to his ears. "On the top of the gallows
is fixed the knifeblade upwardswith its point in the air. He is
hanged there forty feet high--and is left hangingpoisoning the water."

They looked at one anotheras he used his blue cap to wipe his face
on which the perspiration had started afresh while he recalled the spectacle.

It is frightful, messieurs. How can the women and the children draw
water! Who can gossip of an evening, under that shadow! Under it,
have I said? When I left the village, Monday evening as the sun was
going to bed, and looked back from the hill, the shadow struck across
the church, across the mill, across the prison--seemed to strike across
the earth, messieurs, to where the sky rests upon it!

The hungry man gnawed one of his fingers as he looked at the other
threeand his finger quivered with the craving that was on him.

That's all, messieurs. I left at sunset (as I had been warned to do),
and I walked on, that night and half next day, until I met (as I was
warned I should) this comrade. With him, I came on, now riding and
now walking, through the rest of yesterday and through last night.
And here you see me!

After a gloomy silencethe first Jacques saidGood! You have
acted and recounted faithfully. Will you wait for us a little,
outside the door?

Very willingly,said the mender of roads. Whom Defarge escorted
to the top of the stairsandleaving seated therereturned.

The three had risenand their heads were together when he came
back to the garret.

How say you, Jacques?demanded Number One. "To be registered?"

To be registered, as doomed to destruction,returned Defarge.

Magnificent!croaked the man with the craving.

The chateau, and all the race?inquired the first.

The chateau and all the race,returned Defarge. "Extermination."

The hungry man repeatedin a rapturous croakMagnificent!and began
gnawing another finger.

Are you sure,asked Jacques Twoof Defargethat no embarrassment
can arise from our manner of keeping the register? Without doubt it
is safe, for no one beyond ourselves can decipher it; but shall we


always be able to decipher it--or, I ought to say, will she?

Jacques,returned Defargedrawing himself upif madame my wife
undertook to keep the register in her memory alone, she would not
lose a word of it--not a syllable of it. Knitted, in her own stitches
and her own symbols, it will always be as plain to her as the sun.
Confide in Madame Defarge. It would be easier for the weakest poltroon
that lives, to erase himself from existence, than to erase one letter
of his name or crimes from the knitted register of Madame Defarge.

There was a murmur of confidence and approvaland then the man who
hungeredasked: "Is this rustic to be sent back soon? I hope so.
He is very simple; is he not a little dangerous?"

He knows nothing,said Defarge; "at least nothing more than would
easily elevate himself to a gallows of the same height. I charge myself
with him; let him remain with me; I will take care of himand set him
on his road. He wishes to see the fine world--the Kingthe Queenand
Court; let him see them on Sunday."

What?exclaimed the hungry manstaring. "Is it a good signthat
he wishes to see Royalty and Nobility?"

Jacques,said Defarge; "judiciously show a cat milkif you wish
her to thirst for it. Judiciously show a dog his natural prey
if you wish him to bring it down one day."

Nothing more was saidand the mender of roadsbeing found already
dozing on the topmost stairwas advised to lay himself down on the
pallet-bed and take some rest. He needed no persuasion
and was soon asleep.

Worse quarters than Defarge's wine-shopcould easily have been found
in Paris for a provincial slave of that degree. Saving for a mysterious
dread of madame by which he was constantly hauntedhis life was very
new and agreeable. Butmadame sat all day at her counterso expressly
unconscious of himand so particularly determined not to perceive that
his being there had any connection with anything below the surface
that he shook in his wooden shoes whenever his eye lighted on her.
Forhe contended with himself that it was impossible to foresee what
that lady might pretend next; and he felt assured that if she should
take it into her brightly ornamented head to pretend that she had seen
him do a murder and afterwards flay the victimshe would infallibly
go through with it until the play was played out.

Thereforewhen Sunday camethe mender of roads was not enchanted
(though he said he was) to find that madame was to accompany monsieur
and himself to Versailles. It was additionally disconcerting to have
madame knitting all the way therein a public conveyance; it was
additionally disconcerting yetto have madame in the crowd in the
afternoonstill with her knitting in her hands as the crowd waited
to see the carriage of the King and Queen.

You work hard, madame,said a man near her.

Yes,answered Madame Defarge; "I have a good deal to do."

What do you make, madame?

Many things.

For instance--

For instance,returned Madame Defargecomposedlyshrouds.


The man moved a little further awayas soon as he couldand the
mender of roads fanned himself with his blue cap: feeling it mightily
close and oppressive. If he needed a King and Queen to restore him
he was fortunate in having his remedy at hand; forsoon the large-faced
King and the fair-faced Queen came in their golden coachattended by
the shining Bull's Eye of their Courta glittering multitude of
laughing ladies and fine lords; and in jewels and silks and powder and
splendour and elegantly spurning figures and handsomely disdainful faces
of both sexesthe mender of roads bathed himselfso much to his
temporary intoxicationthat he cried Long live the KingLong live
the QueenLong live everybody and everything! as if he had never
heard of ubiquitous Jacques in his time. Thenthere were gardens
courtyardsterracesfountainsgreen banksmore King and Queen
more Bull's Eyemore lords and ladiesmore Long live they all! until
he absolutely wept with sentiment. During the whole of this scene
which lasted some three hourshe had plenty of shouting and weeping
and sentimental companyand throughout Defarge held him by the collar
as if to restrain him from flying at the objects of his brief devotion
and tearing them to pieces.

Bravo!said Defargeclapping him on the back when it was over
like a patron; "you are a good boy!"

The mender of roads was now coming to himselfand was mistrustful of
having made a mistake in his late demonstrations; but no.

You are the fellow we want,said Defargein his ear; "you make these
fools believe that it will last for ever. Thenthey are the more
insolentand it is the nearer ended."

Hey!cried the mender of roadsreflectively; "that's true."

These fools know nothing. While they despise your breath, and would
stop it for ever and ever, in you or in a hundred like you rather than
in one of their own horses or dogs, they only know what your breath
tells them. Let it deceive them, then, a little longer; it cannot
deceive them too much.

Madame Defarge looked superciliously at the clientand nodded in
confirmation.

As to you,said sheyou would shout and shed tears for anything,
if it made a show and a noise. Say! Would you not?

Truly, madame, I think so. For the moment.

If you were shown a great heap of dolls, and were set upon them to
pluck them to pieces and despoil them for your own advantage, you
would pick out the richest and gayest. Say! Would you not?

Truly yes, madame.

Yes. And if you were shown a flock of birds, unable to fly, and were
set upon them to strip them of their feathers for your own advantage,
you would set upon the birds of the finest feathers; would you not?

It is true, madame.

You have seen both dolls and birds to-day,said Madame Defarge
with a wave of her hand towards the place where they had last been
apparent; "nowgo home!"


Still Knitting

Madame Defarge and monsieur her husband returned amicably to the bosom
of Saint Antoinewhile a speck in a blue cap toiled through the
darknessand through the dustand down the weary miles of avenue by
the waysideslowly tending towards that point of the compass where the
chateau of Monsieur the Marquisnow in his gravelistened to the
whispering trees. Such ample leisure had the stone facesnowfor
listening to the trees and to the fountainthat the few village
scarecrows whoin their quest for herbs to eat and fragments of dead
stick to burnstrayed within sight of the great stone courtyard and
terrace staircasehad it borne in upon their starved fancy that the
expression of the faces was altered. A rumour just lived in the
village--had a faint and bare existence thereas its people had--that
when the knife struck homethe faces changedfrom faces of pride to
faces of anger and pain; alsothat when that dangling figure was
hauled up forty feet above the fountainthey changed againand bore
a cruel look of being avengedwhich they would henceforth bear
for ever. In the stone face over the great window of the bed-chamber
where the murder was donetwo fine dints were pointed out in the
sculptured nosewhich everybody recognisedand which nobody had
seen of old; and on the scarce occasions when two or three ragged
peasants emerged from the crowd to take a hurried peep at Monsieur
the Marquis petrifieda skinny finger would not have pointed to it
for a minutebefore they all started away among the moss and leaves
like the more fortunate hares who could find a living there.

Chateau and hutstone face and dangling figurethe red stain on the
stone floorand the pure water in the village well--thousands of acres
of land--a whole province of France--all France itself--lay under the
night skyconcentrated into a faint hair-breadth line. So does a
whole worldwith all its greatnesses and littlenesseslie in a
twinkling star. And as mere human knowledge can split a ray of light
and analyse the manner of its compositionsosublimer intelligences
may read in the feeble shining of this earth of oursevery thought
and actevery vice and virtueof every responsible creature on it.

The Defargeshusband and wifecame lumbering under the starlight
in their public vehicleto that gate of Paris whereunto their journey
naturally tended. There was the usual stoppage at the barrier
guardhouseand the usual lanterns came glancing forth for the usual
examination and inquiry. Monsieur Defarge alighted; knowing one or
two of the soldiery thereand one of the police. The latter he was
intimate withand affectionately embraced.

When Saint Antoine had again enfolded the Defarges in his dusky wings
and theyhaving finally alighted near the Saint's boundarieswere
picking their way on foot through the black mud and offal of his streets
Madame Defarge spoke to her husband:

Say then, my friend; what did Jacques of the police tell thee?

Very little to-night, but all he knows. There is another spy
commissioned for our quarter. There may be many more, for all that
he can say, but he knows of one.

Eh well!said Madame Defargeraising her eyebrows with a cool
business air. "It is necessary to register him. How do they
call that man?"


He is English.

So much the better. His name?

Barsad,said Defargemaking it French by pronunciation. But
he had been so careful to get it accuratelythat he then spelt
it with perfect correctness.

Barsad,repeated madame. "Good. Christian name?"

John.

John Barsad,repeated madameafter murmuring it once to herself.
Good. His appearance; is it known?

Age, about forty years; height, about five feet nine; black hair;
complexion dark; generally, rather handsome visage; eyes dark, face thin,
long, and sallow; nose aquiline, but not straight, having a peculiar
inclination towards the left cheek; expression, therefore, sinister.

Eh my faith. It is a portrait!said madamelaughing. "He shall
be registered to-morrow."

They turned into the wine-shopwhich was closed (for it was midnight)
and where Madame Defarge immediately took her post at her desk
counted the small moneys that had been taken during her absence
examined the stockwent through the entries in the bookmade other
entries of her ownchecked the serving man in every possible way
and finally dismissed him to bed. Then she turned out the contents
of the bowl of money for the second timeand began knotting them up
in her handkerchiefin a chain of separate knotsfor safe keeping
through the night. All this whileDefargewith his pipe in his mouth
walked up and downcomplacently admiringbut never interfering;
in which conditionindeedas to the business and his domestic affairs
he walked up and down through life.

The night was hotand the shopclose shut and surrounded by so foul
a neighbourhoodwas ill-smelling. Monsieur Defarge's olfactory
sense was by no means delicatebut the stock of wine smelt much
stronger than it ever tastedand so did the stock of rum and brandy
and aniseed. He whiffed the compound of scents awayas he put down
his smoked-out pipe.

You are fatigued,said madameraising her glance as she knotted
the money. "There are only the usual odours."

I am a little tired,her husband acknowledged.

You are a little depressed, too,said madamewhose quick eyes had
never been so intent on the accountsbut they had had a ray or two
for him. "Ohthe menthe men!"

But my dear!began Defarge.

But my dear!repeated madamenodding firmly; "but my dear!
You are faint of heart to-nightmy dear!"

Well, then,said Defargeas if a thought were wrung out of his breast
it IS a long time.

It is a long time,repeated his wife; "and when is it not a long time?
Vengeance and retribution require a long time; it is the rule."

It does not take a long time to strike a man with Lightning,


said Defarge.

How long,demanded madamecomposedlydoes it take to make and
store the lightning? Tell me.

Defarge raised his head thoughtfullyas if there were something
in that too.

It does not take a long time,said madamefor an earthquake to swallow
a town. Eh well! Tell me how long it takes to prepare the earthquake?

A long time, I suppose,said Defarge.

But when it is ready, it takes place, and grinds to pieces everything
before it. In the meantime, it is always preparing, though it is not
seen or heard. That is your consolation. Keep it.

She tied a knot with flashing eyesas if it throttled a foe.

I tell thee,said madameextending her right handfor emphasis
that although it is a long time on the road, it is on the road and
coming. I tell thee it never retreats, and never stops. I tell thee
it is always advancing. Look around and consider the lives of all the
world that we know, consider the faces of all the world that we know,
consider the rage and discontent to which the Jacquerie addresses itself
with more and more of certainty every hour. Can such things last?
Bah! I mock you.

My brave wife,returned Defargestanding before her with his head
a little bentand his hands clasped at his backlike a docile and
attentive pupil before his catechistI do not question all this.
But it has lasted a long time, and it is possible--you know well,
my wife, it is possible--that it may not come, during our lives.

Eh well! How then?demanded madametying another knotas if
there were another enemy strangled.

Well!said Defargewith a half complaining and half apologetic shrug.
We shall not see the triumph.

We shall have helped it,returned madamewith her extended hand in
strong action. "Nothing that we dois done in vain. I believewith
all my soulthat we shall see the triumph. But even if noteven if
I knew certainly notshow me the neck of an aristocrat and tyrant
and still I would--"

Then madamewith her teeth settied a very terrible knot indeed.

Hold!cried Defargereddening a little as if he felt charged with
cowardice; "I toomy dearwill stop at nothing."

Yes! But it is your weakness that you sometimes need to see your
victim and your opportunity, to sustain you. Sustain yourself without
that. When the time comes, let loose a tiger and a devil; but wait
for the time with the tiger and the devil chained--not shown--yet
always ready.

Madame enforced the conclusion of this piece of advice by striking
her little counter with her chain of money as if she knocked its brains
outand then gathering the heavy handkerchief under her arm in a
serene mannerand observing that it was time to go to bed.

Next noontide saw the admirable woman in her usual place in the
wine-shopknitting away assiduously. A rose lay beside herand


if she now and then glanced at the flowerit was with no infraction
of her usual preoccupied air. There were a few customersdrinking
or not drinkingstanding or seatedsprinkled about. The day was
very hotand heaps of flieswho were extending their inquisitive
and adventurous perquisitions into all the glutinous little glasses
near madamefell dead at the bottom. Their decease made no impression
on the other flies out promenadingwho looked at them in the coolest
manner (as if they themselves were elephantsor something as far
removed)until they met the same fate. Curious to consider how heedless
flies are!--perhaps they thought as much at Court that sunny summer day.

A figure entering at the door threw a shadow on Madame Defarge which
she felt to be a new one. She laid down her knittingand began to
pin her rose in her head-dressbefore she looked at the figure.

It was curious. The moment Madame Defarge took up the rosethe
customers ceased talkingand began gradually to drop out of the
wine-shop.

Good day, madame,said the new-comer.

Good day, monsieur.

She said it aloudbut added to herselfas she resumed her knitting:
Hah! Good day, age about forty, height about five feet nine, black
hair, generally rather handsome visage, complexion dark, eyes dark,
thin, long and sallow face, aquiline nose but not straight, having a
peculiar inclination towards the left cheek which imparts a sinister
expression! Good day, one and all!

Have the goodness to give me a little glass of old cognac, and a
mouthful of cool fresh water, madame.

Madame complied with a polite air.

Marvellous cognac this, madame!

It was the first time it had ever been so complementedand Madame
Defarge knew enough of its antecedents to know better. She said
howeverthat the cognac was flatteredand took up her knitting.
The visitor watched her fingers for a few momentsand took the
opportunity of observing the place in general.

You knit with great skill, madame.

I am accustomed to it.

A pretty pattern too!

YOU think so?said madamelooking at him with a smile.

Decidedly. May one ask what it is for?

Pastime,said madamestill looking at him with a smile while her
fingers moved nimbly.

Not for use?

That depends. I may find a use for it one day. If I do--Well,
said madamedrawing a breath and nodding her head with a stern kind
of coquetryI'll use it!

It was remarkable; butthe taste of Saint Antoine seemed to be
decidedly opposed to a rose on the head-dress of Madame Defarge.


Two men had entered separatelyand had been about to order drinkwhen
catching sight of that noveltythey falteredmade a pretence of
looking about as if for some friend who was not thereand went away.
Norof those who had been there when this visitor enteredwas there one
left. They had all dropped off. The spy had kept his eyes openbut had
been able to detect no sign. They had lounged away in a poverty-stricken
purposelessaccidental mannerquite natural and unimpeachable.

JOHN,thought madamechecking off her work as her fingers knitted
and her eyes looked at the stranger. "Stay long enoughand I shall
knit `BARSAD' before you go."

You have a husband, madame?

I have.

Children?

No children.

Business seems bad?

Business is very bad; the people are so poor.

Ah, the unfortunate, miserable people! So oppressed, too--as you say.

As YOU say,madame retortedcorrecting himand deftly knitting
an extra something into his name that boded him no good.

Pardon me; certainly it was I who said so, but you naturally think so.
Of course.

_I_ think?returned madamein a high voice. "I and my husband
have enough to do to keep this wine-shop openwithout thinking. All
we thinkhereis how to live. That is the subject WE think of
and it gives usfrom morning to nightenough to think aboutwithout
embarrassing our heads concerning others. _I_ think for others? Nono."

The spywho was there to pick up any crumbs he could find or makedid
not allow his baffled state to express itself in his sinister face; but
stood with an air of gossiping gallantryleaning his elbow on Madame
Defarge's little counterand occasionally sipping his cognac.

A bad business this, madame, of Gaspard's execution. Ah! the poor
Gaspard!With a sigh of great compassion.

My faith!returned madamecoolly and lightlyif people use knives
for such purposes, they have to pay for it. He knew beforehand what
the price of his luxury was; he has paid the price.

I believe,said the spydropping his soft voice to a tone that
invited confidenceand expressing an injured revolutionary
susceptibility in every muscle of his wicked face: "I believe there
is much compassion and anger in this neighbourhoodtouching the
poor fellow? Between ourselves."

Is there?asked madamevacantly.

Is there not?

--Here is my husband!said Madame Defarge.

As the keeper of the wine-shop entered at the doorthe spy saluted
him by touching his hatand sayingwith an engaging smileGood


day, Jacques!Defarge stopped shortand stared at him.

Good day, Jacques!the spy repeated; with not quite so much
confidenceor quite so easy a smile under the stare.

You deceive yourself, monsieur,returned the keeper of the
wine-shop. "You mistake me for another. That is not my name.
I am Ernest Defarge."

It is all the same,said the spyairilybut discomfited too:
good day!

Good day!answered Defargedrily.

I was saying to madame, with whom I had the pleasure of chatting when
you entered, that they tell me there is--and no wonder!--much sympathy
and anger in Saint Antoine, touching the unhappy fate of poor Gaspard.

No one has told me so,said Defargeshaking his head. "I know
nothing of it."

Having said ithe passed behind the little counterand stood with
his hand on the back of his wife's chairlooking over that barrier
at the person to whom they were both opposedand whom either of them
would have shot with the greatest satisfaction.

The spywell used to his businessdid not change his unconscious
attitudebut drained his little glass of cognactook a sip of fresh
waterand asked for another glass of cognac. Madame Defarge poured it
out for himtook to her knitting againand hummed a little song over it.

You seem to know this quarter well; that is to say, better than I do?
observed Defarge.

Not at all, but I hope to know it better. I am so profoundly interested
in its miserable inhabitants.

Hah!muttered Defarge.

The pleasure of conversing with you, Monsieur Defarge, recalls to me,
pursued the spythat I have the honour of cherishing some interesting
associations with your name.

Indeed!said Defargewith much indifference.

Yes, indeed. When Doctor Manette was released, you, his old domestic,
had the charge of him, I know. He was delivered to you. You see I am
informed of the circumstances?

Such is the fact, certainly,said Defarge. He had had it conveyed
to himin an accidental touch of his wife's elbow as she knitted and
warbledthat he would do best to answerbut always with brevity.

It was to you,said the spythat his daughter came; and it was
from your care that his daughter took him, accompanied by a neat brown
monsieur; how is he called?--in a little wig--Lorry--of the bank of
Tellson and Company--over to England.

Such is the fact,repeated Defarge.

Very interesting remembrances!said the spy. "I have known Doctor
Manette and his daughterin England."

Yes?said Defarge.


You don't hear much about them now?said the spy.

No,said Defarge.

In effect,madame struck inlooking up from her work and her little
songwe never hear about them. We received the news of their safe
arrival, and perhaps another letter, or perhaps two; but, since then,
they have gradually taken their road in life--we, ours--and we have
held no correspondence.

Perfectly so, madame,replied the spy. "She is going to be married."

Going?echoed madame. "She was pretty enough to have been married
long ago. You English are coldit seems to me."

Oh! You know I am English.

I perceive your tongue is,returned madame; "and what the tongue is
I suppose the man is."

He did not take the identification as a compliment; but he made the
best of itand turned it off with a laugh. After sipping his
cognac to the endhe added:

Yes, Miss Manette is going to be married. But not to an Englishman;
to one who, like herself, is French by birth. And speaking of Gaspard
(ah, poor Gaspard! It was cruel, cruel!), it is a curious thing that
she is going to marry the nephew of Monsieur the Marquis, for whom
Gaspard was exalted to that height of so many feet; in other words,
the present Marquis. But he lives unknown in England, he is no
Marquis there; he is Mr. Charles Darnay. D'Aulnais is the name
of his mother's family.

Madame Defarge knitted steadilybut the intelligence had a palpable
effect upon her husband. Do what he wouldbehind the little counter
as to the striking of a light and the lighting of his pipehe was
troubledand his hand was not trustworthy. The spy would have been
no spy if he had failed to see itor to record it in his mind.

Having madeat leastthis one hitwhatever it might prove to be worth
and no customers coming in to help him to any otherMr. Barsad paid
for what he had drunkand took his leave: taking occasion to sayin a
genteel mannerbefore he departedthat he looked forward to the pleasure
of seeing Monsieur and Madame Defarge again. For some minutes after he
had emerged into the outer presence of Saint Antoinethe husband and
wife remained exactly as he had left themlest he should come back.

Can it be true,said Defargein a low voicelooking down at his
wife as he stood smoking with his hand on the back of her chair: "what
he has said of Ma'amselle Manette?"

As he has said it,returned madamelifting her eyebrows a little
it is probably false. But it may be true.

If it is--Defarge beganand stopped.

If it is?repeated his wife.

--And if it does come, while we live to see it triumph--I hope, for
her sake, Destiny will keep her husband out of France.

Her husband's destiny,said Madame Defargewith her usual composure
will take him where he is to go, and will lead him to the end that is


to end him. That is all I know.


But it is very strange--now, at least, is it not very strange--said
Defargerather pleading with his wife to induce her to admit it
that, after all our sympathy for Monsieur her father, and herself,
her husband's name should be proscribed under your hand at this moment,
by the side of that infernal dog's who has just left us?


Stranger things than that will happen when it does come,answered
madame. "I have them both hereof a certainty; and they are both
here for their merits; that is enough."


She roiled up her knitting when she had said those wordsand presently
took the rose out of the handkerchief that was wound about her head.
Either Saint Antoine had an instinctive sense that the objectionable
decoration was goneor Saint Antoine was on the watch for its
disappearance; howbeitthe Saint took courage to lounge invery
shortly afterwardsand the wine-shop recovered its habitual aspect.


In the eveningat which season of all others Saint Antoine turned
himself inside outand sat on door-steps and window-ledgesand
came to the corners of vile streets and courtsfor a breath of air
Madame Defarge with her work in her hand was accustomed to pass from
place to place and from group to group: a Missionary--there were
many like her--such as the world will do well never to breed again.
All the women knitted. They knitted worthless things; butthe
mechanical work was a mechanical substitute for eating and drinking;
the hands moved for the jaws and the digestive apparatus: if the bony
fingers had been stillthe stomachs would have been more famine-pinched.


Butas the fingers wentthe eyes wentand the thoughts. And as
Madame Defarge moved on from group to groupall three went quicker
and fiercer among every little knot of women that she had spoken with
and left behind.


Her husband smoked at his doorlooking after her with admiration.
A great woman,said hea strong woman, a grand woman, a frightfully
grand woman!


Darkness closed aroundand then came the ringing of church bells and
the distant beating of the military drums in the Palace Courtyardas
the women sat knittingknitting. Darkness encompassed them. Another
darkness was closing in as surelywhen the church bellsthen ringing
pleasantly in many an airy steeple over Franceshould be melted into
thundering cannon; when the military drums should be beating to drown
a wretched voicethat night all potent as the voice of Power and
PlentyFreedom and Life. So much was closing in about the women
who sat knittingknittingthat they their very selves were closing
in around a structure yet unbuiltwhere they were to sit knitting
knittingcounting dropping heads.


One Night


Never did the sun go down with a brighter glory on the quiet corner
in Sohothan one memorable evening when the Doctor and his daughter
sat under the plane-tree together. Never did the moon rise with a
milder radiance over great Londonthan on that night when it found
them still seated under the treeand shone upon their faces
through its leaves.



Lucie was to be married to-morrow. She had reserved this last
evening for her fatherand they sat alone under the plane-tree.


You are happy, my dear father?


Quite, my child.


They had said littlethough they had been there a long time. When
it was yet light enough to work and readshe had neither engaged
herself in her usual worknor had she read to him. She had employed
herself in both waysat his side under the treemany and many a time;
butthis time was not quite like any otherand nothing could make it so.


And I am very happy to-night, dear father. I am deeply happy in the
love that Heaven has so blessed--my love for Charles, and Charles's
love for me. But, if my life were not to be still consecrated to you,
or if my marriage were so arranged as that it would part us, even by
the length of a few of these streets, I should be more unhappy and
self-reproachful now than I can tell you. Even as it is--


Even as it wasshe could not command her voice.


In the sad moonlightshe clasped him by the neckand laid her face
upon his breast. In the moonlight which is always sadas the light
of the sun itself is--as the light called human life is--at its
coming and its going.


Dearest dear! Can you tell me, this last time, that you feel quite,
quite sure, no new affections of mine, and no new duties of mine,
will ever interpose between us? _I_ know it well, but do you know it?
In your own heart, do you feel quite certain?


Her father answeredwith a cheerful firmness of conviction he could
scarcely have assumedQuite sure, my darling! More than that,
he addedas he tenderly kissed her: "my future is far brighter
Lucieseen through your marriagethan it could have been--nay
than it ever was--without it."


If I could hope THAT, my father!--


Believe it, love! Indeed it is so. Consider how natural and how
plain it is, my dear, that it should be so. You, devoted and young,
cannot fully appreciate the anxiety I have felt that your life
should not be wasted--


She moved her hand towards his lipsbut he took it in his
and repeated the word.


--wasted, my child--should not be wasted, struck aside from the
natural order of things--for my sake. Your unselfishness cannot
entirely comprehend how much my mind has gone on this; but, only ask
yourself, how could my happiness be perfect, while yours was incomplete?


If I had never seen Charles, my father, I should have been quite
happy with you.


He smiled at her unconscious admission that she would have been unhappy
without Charleshaving seen him; and replied:


My child, you did see him, and it is Charles. If it had not been
Charles, it would have been another. Or, if it had been no other,
I should have been the cause, and then the dark part of my life would
have cast its shadow beyond myself, and would have fallen on you.



It was the first timeexcept at the trialof her ever hearing him refer
to the period of his suffering. It gave her a strange and new sensation
while his words were in her ears; and she remembered it long afterwards.

See!said the Doctor of Beauvaisraising his hand towards the moon.
I have looked at her from my prison-window, when I could not bear
her light. I have looked at her when it has been such torture to me
to think of her shining upon what I had lost, that I have beaten my
head against my prison-walls. I have looked at her, in a state so
dun and lethargic, that I have thought of nothing but the number of
horizontal lines I could draw across her at the full, and the number of
perpendicular lines with which I could intersect them.He added in his
inward and pondering manneras he looked at the moonIt was twenty
either way, I remember, and the twentieth was difficult to squeeze in.

The strange thrill with which she heard him go back to that time
deepened as he dwelt upon it; butthere was nothing to shock her in
the manner of his reference. He only seemed to contrast his present
cheerfulness and felicity with the dire endurance that was over.

I have looked at her, speculating thousands of times upon the unborn
child from whom I had been rent. Whether it was alive. Whether it had
been born alive, or the poor mother's shock had killed it. Whether it
was a son who would some day avenge his father. (There was a time in my
imprisonment, when my desire for vengeance was unbearable.) Whether it
was a son who would never know his father's story; who might even live
to weigh the possibility of his father's having disappeared of his own
will and act. Whether it was a daughter who would grow to be a woman.

She drew closer to himand kissed his cheek and his hand.

I have pictured my daughter, to myself, as perfectly forgetful of me
--rather, altogether ignorant of me, and unconscious of me. I have
cast up the years of her age, year after year. I have seen her married
to a man who knew nothing of my fate. I have altogether perished from
the remembrance of the living, and in the next generation my place
was a blank.

My father! Even to hear that you had such thoughts of a daughter
who never existed, strikes to my heart as if I had been that child.

You, Lucie? It is out of the Consolation and restoration you have
brought to me, that these remembrances arise, and pass between us and
the moon on this last night.--What did I say just now?

She knew nothing of you. She cared nothing for you.

So! But on other moonlight nights, when the sadness and the silence
have touched me in a different way--have affected me with something as
like a sorrowful sense of peace, as any emotion that had pain for its
foundations could--I have imagined her as coming to me in my cell, and
leading me out into the freedom beyond the fortress. I have seen her
image in the moonlight often, as I now see you; except that I never held
her in my arms; it stood between the little grated window and the door.
But, you understand that that was not the child I am speaking of?

The figure was not; the--the--image; the fancy?

No. That was another thing. It stood before my disturbed sense of
sight, but it never moved. The phantom that my mind pursued, was
another and more real child. Of her outward appearance I know no more
than that she was like her mother. The other had that likeness too
--as you have--but was not the same. Can you follow me, Lucie?


Hardly, I think? I doubt you must have been a solitary prisoner to
understand these perplexed distinctions.

His collected and calm manner could not prevent her blood from running
coldas he thus tried to anatomise his old condition.

In that more peaceful state, I have imagined her, in the moonlight,
coming to me and taking me out to show me that the home of her married
life was full of her loving remembrance of her lost father. My picture
was in her room, and I was in her prayers. Her life was active,
cheerful, useful; but my poor history pervaded it all.

I was that child, my father, I was not half so good, but in my love
that was I.

And she showed me her children,said the Doctor of Beauvaisand
they had heard of me, and had been taught to pity me. When they
passed a prison of the State, they kept far from its frowning walls,
and looked up at its bars, and spoke in whispers. She could never
deliver me; I imagined that she always brought me back after showing
me such things. But then, blessed with the relief of tears,
I fell upon my knees, and blessed her.

I am that child, I hope, my father. O my dear, my dear, will you
bless me as fervently to-morrow?

Lucie, I recall these old troubles in the reason that I have to-night
for loving you better than words can tell, and thanking God for my
great happiness. My thoughts, when they were wildest, never rose near
the happiness that I have known with you, and that we have before us.

He embraced hersolemnly commended her to Heavenand humbly thanked
Heaven for having bestowed her on him. By-and-byethey went
into the house.

There was no one bidden to the marriage but Mr. Lorry; there was even
to be no bridesmaid but the gaunt Miss Pross. The marriage was to
make no change in their place of residence; they had been able to
extend itby taking to themselves the upper rooms formerly belonging
to the apocryphal invisible lodgerand they desired nothing more.

Doctor Manette was very cheerful at the little supper. They were
only three at tableand Miss Pross made the third. He regretted that
Charles was not there; was more than half disposed to object to the
loving little plot that kept him away; and drank to him affectionately.

Sothe time came for him to bid Lucie good nightand they separated.
Butin the stillness of the third hour of the morningLucie came
downstairs againand stole into his room; not free from unshaped fears
beforehand.

All thingshoweverwere in their places; all was quiet; and he lay
asleephis white hair picturesque on the untroubled pillowand his
hands lying quiet on the coverlet. She put her needless candle in the
shadow at a distancecrept up to his bedand put her lips to his;
thenleaned over himand looked at him.

Into his handsome facethe bitter waters of captivity had worn; but
he covered up their tracks with a determination so strongthat he held
the mastery of them even in his sleep. A more remarkable face in its
quietresoluteand guarded struggle with an unseen assailantwas
not to be beheld in all the wide dominions of sleepthat night.

She timidly laid her hand on his dear breastand put up a prayer that


she might ever be as true to him as her love aspired to beand as his
sorrows deserved. Thenshe withdrew her handand kissed his lips
once moreand went away. Sothe sunrise cameand the shadows of
the leaves of the plane-tree moved upon his faceas softly as her
lips had moved in praying for him.

XVIII

Nine Days

The marriage-day was shining brightlyand they were ready outside
the closed door of the Doctor's roomwhere he was speaking with
Charles Darnay. They were ready to go to church; the beautiful bride
Mr. Lorryand Miss Pross--to whom the eventthrough a gradual process
of reconcilement to the inevitablewould have been one of absolute
blissbut for the yet lingering consideration that her brother
Solomon should have been the bridegroom.

And so,said Mr. Lorrywho could not sufficiently admire the bride
and who had been moving round her to take in every point of her quiet
pretty dress; "and so it was for thismy sweet Luciethat I brought
you across the Channelsuch a baby' Lord bless me' How little I
thought what I was doing! How lightly I valued the obligation I was
conferring on my friend Mr. Charles!"

You didn't mean it,remarked the matter-of-fact Miss Prossand
therefore how could you know it? Nonsense!

Really? Well; but don't cry,said the gentle Mr. Lorry.

I am not crying,said Miss Pross; "YOU are."

I, my Pross?(By this timeMr. Lorry dared to be pleasant with
heron occasion.)

You were, just now; I saw you do it, and I don't wonder at it. Such
a present of plate as you have made 'em, is enough to bring tears into
anybody's eyes. There's not a fork or a spoon in the collection,
said Miss Prossthat I didn't cry over, last night after the box came,
till I couldn't see it.

I am highly gratified,said Mr. Lorrythough, upon my honour, I
had no intention of rendering those trifling articles of remembrance
invisible to any one. Dear me! This is an occasion that makes a man
speculate on all he has lost. Dear, dear, dear! To think that there
might have been a Mrs. Lorry, any time these fifty years almost!

Not at all!From Miss Pross.

You think there never might have been a Mrs. Lorry?asked the
gentleman of that name.

Pooh!rejoined Miss Pross; "you were a bachelor in your cradle."

Well!observed Mr. Lorrybeamingly adjusting his little wig
that seems probable, too.

And you were cut out for a bachelor,pursued Miss Prossbefore
you were put in your cradle.

Then, I think,said Mr. Lorrythat I was very unhandsomely dealt


with, and that I ought to have had a voice in the selection of my
pattern. Enough! Now, my dear Lucie,drawing his arm soothingly
round her waistI hear them moving in the next room, and Miss Pross
and I, as two formal folks of business, are anxious not to lose the
final opportunity of saying something to you that you wish to hear.
You leave your good father, my dear, in hands as earnest and as
loving as your own; he shall be taken every conceivable care of;
during the next fortnight, while you are in Warwickshire and thereabouts,
even Tellson's shall go to the wall (comparatively speaking) before him.
And when, at the fortnight's end, he comes to join you and your beloved
husband, on your other fortnight's trip in Wales, you shall say that
we have sent him to you in the best health and in the happiest frame.
Now, I hear Somebody's step coming to the door. Let me kiss my dear
girl with an old-fashioned bachelor blessing, before Somebody comes
to claim his own.

For a momenthe held the fair face from him to look at the
well-remembered expression on the foreheadand then laid the bright
golden hair against his little brown wigwith a genuine tenderness and
delicacy whichif such things be old-fashionedwere as old as Adam.

The door of the Doctor's room openedand he came out with Charles
Darnay. He was so deadly pale--which had not been the case when they
went in together--that no vestige of colour was to be seen in his face.
Butin the composure of his manner he was unalteredexcept that to
the shrewd glance of Mr. Lorry it disclosed some shadowy indication
that the old air of avoidance and dread had lately passed over him
like a cold wind.

He gave his arm to his daughterand took her down-stairs to the chariot
which Mr. Lorry had hired in honour of the day. The rest followed in
another carriageand soonin a neighbouring churchwhere no strange
eyes looked onCharles Darnay and Lucie Manette were happily married.

Besides the glancing tears that shone among the smiles of the little
group when it was donesome diamondsvery bright and sparkling
glanced on the bride's handwhich were newly released from the dark
obscurity of one of Mr. Lorry's pockets. They returned home to
breakfastand all went welland in due course the golden hair that
had mingled with the poor shoemaker's white locks in the Paris garret
were mingled with them again in the morning sunlighton the threshold
of the door at parting.

It was a hard partingthough it was not for long. But her father
cheered herand said at lastgently disengaging himself from her
enfolding armsTake her, Charles! She is yours!

And her agitated hand waved to them from a chaise windowand
she was gone.

The corner being out of the way of the idle and curiousand the
preparations having been very simple and fewthe DoctorMr. Lorry
and Miss Prosswere left quite alone. It was when they turned into
the welcome shade of the cool old hallthat Mr. Lorry observed a
great change to have come over the Doctor; as if the golden arm
uplifted therehad struck him a poisoned blow.

He had naturally repressed muchand some revulsion might have been
expected in him when the occasion for repression was gone. Butit
was the old scared lost look that troubled Mr. Lorry; and through
his absent manner of clasping his head and drearily wandering away
into his own room when they got up-stairsMr. Lorry was reminded of
Defarge the wine-shop keeperand the starlight ride.


I think,he whispered to Miss Prossafter anxious consideration
I think we had best not speak to him just now, or at all disturb him.
I must look in at Tellson's; so I will go there at once and come back
presently. Then, we will take him a ride into the country, and dine
there, and all will be well.

It was easier for Mr. Lorry to look in at Tellson'sthan to look
out of Tellson's. He was detained two hours. When he came back
he ascended the old staircase alonehaving asked no question of
the servant; going thus into the Doctor's roomshe was stopped by
a low sound of knocking.

Good God!he saidwith a start. "What's that?"

Miss Prosswith a terrified facewas at his ear. "O meO me!
All is lost!" cried shewringing her hands. "What is to be told
to Ladybird? He doesn't know meand is making shoes!"

Mr. Lorry said what he could to calm herand went himself into the
Doctor's room. The bench was turned towards the lightas it had
been when he had seen the shoemaker at his work beforeand his head
was bent downand he was very busy.

Doctor Manette. My dear friend, Doctor Manette!

The Doctor looked at him for a moment--half inquiringlyhalf as if
he were angry at being spoken to--and bent over his work again.

He had laid aside his coat and waistcoat; his shirt was open at the
throatas it used to be when he did that work; and even the old
haggardfaded surface of face had come back to him. He worked hard-impatiently--
as if in some sense of having been interrupted.

Mr. Lorry glanced at the work in his handand observed that it was
a shoe of the old size and shape. He took up another that was lying
by himand asked what it was.

A young lady's walking shoe,he mutteredwithout looking up.
It ought to have been finished long ago. Let it be.

But, Doctor Manette. Look at me!

He obeyedin the old mechanically submissive mannerwithout
pausing in his work.

You know me, my dear friend? Think again. This is not your proper
occupation. Think, dear friend!

Nothing would induce him to speak more. He looked upfor an instant
at a timewhen he was requested to do so; butno persuasion would
extract a word from him. He workedand workedand workedin silence
and words fell on him as they would have fallen on an echoless wall
or on the air. The only ray of hope that Mr. Lorry could discover
wasthat he sometimes furtively looked up without being asked. In that
there seemed a faint expression of curiosity or perplexity--as though
he were trying to reconcile some doubts in his mind.

Two things at once impressed themselves on Mr. Lorryas important
above all others; the firstthat this must be kept secret from Lucie;
the secondthat it must be kept secret from all who knew him. In
conjunction with Miss Prosshe took immediate steps towards the
latter precautionby giving out that the Doctor was not welland
required a few days of complete rest. In aid of the kind deception
to be practised on his daughterMiss Pross was to writedescribing


his having been called away professionallyand referring to an
imaginary letter of two or three hurried lines in his own hand
represented to have been addressed to her by the same post.

These measuresadvisable to be taken in any caseMr. Lorry took in
the hope of his coming to himself. If that should happen soonhe kept
another course in reserve; which wasto have a certain opinion that he
thought the beston the Doctor's case.

In the hope of his recoveryand of resort to this third course being
thereby rendered practicableMr. Lorry resolved to watch him
attentivelywith as little appearance as possible of doing so.
He therefore made arrangements to absent himself from Tellson's for the
first time in his lifeand took his post by the window in the same room.

He was not long in discovering that it was worse than useless to speak
to himsinceon being pressedhe became worried. He abandoned that
attempt on the first dayand resolved merely to keep himself always
before himas a silent protest against the delusion into which he had
fallenor was falling. He remainedthereforein his seat near the
windowreading and writingand expressing in as many pleasant and
natural ways as he could think ofthat it was a free place.

Doctor Manette took what was given him to eat and drinkand worked on
that first dayuntil it was too dark to see--worked onhalf an hour
after Mr. Lorry could not have seenfor his lifeto read or write.
When he put his tools aside as uselessuntil morningMr. Lorry rose
and said to him:

Will you go out?

He looked down at the floor on either side of him in the old manner
looked up in the old mannerand repeated in the old low voice:

Out?

Yes; for a walk with me. Why not?

He made no effort to say why notand said not a word more. But
Mr. Lorry thought he sawas he leaned forward on his bench in the
duskwith his elbows on his knees and his head in his handsthat he
was in some misty way asking himselfWhy not?The sagacity of the
man of business perceived an advantage hereand determined to hold it.

Miss Pross and he divided the night into two watchesand observed him
at intervals from the adjoining room. He paced up and down for a long
time before he lay down; butwhen he did finally lay himself down
he fell asleep. In the morninghe was up betimesand went straight
to his bench and to work.

On this second dayMr. Lorry saluted him cheerfully by his nameand
spoke to him on topics that had been of late familiar to them. He
returned no replybut it was evident that he heard what was said
and that he thought about ithowever confusedly. This encouraged
Mr. Lorry to have Miss Pross in with her workseveral times during the
day; at those timesthey quietly spoke of Lucieand of her father then
presentprecisely in the usual mannerand as if there were nothing
amiss. This was done without any demonstrative accompanimentnot long
enoughor often enough to harass him; and it lightened Mr. Lorry's
friendly heart to believe that he looked up oftenerand that he appeared
to be stirred by some perception of inconsistencies surrounding him.

When it fell dark againMr. Lorry asked him as before:


Dear Doctor, will you go out?

As beforehe repeatedOut?

Yes; for a walk with me. Why not?

This timeMr. Lorry feigned to go out when he could extract no answer
from himandafter remaining absent for an hourreturned. In the
meanwhilethe Doctor had removed to the seat in the windowand had
sat there looking down at the plane-tree; buton Mr. Lorry's return
be slipped away to his bench.

The time went very slowly onand Mr. Lorry's hope darkenedand his
heart grew heavier againand grew yet heavier and heavier every day.
The third day came and wentthe fourththe fifth. Five dayssix
daysseven dayseight daysnine days.

With a hope ever darkeningand with a heart always growing heavier
and heavierMr. Lorry passed through this anxious time. The secret
was well keptand Lucie was unconscious and happy; but he could not
fail to observe that the shoemakerwhose hand had been a little out
at firstwas growing dreadfully skilfuland that he had never been
so intent on his workand that his hands had never been so nimble and
expertas in the dusk of the ninth evening.

An Opinion

Worn out by anxious watchingMr. Lorry fell asleep at his post. On
the tenth morning of his suspensehe was startled by the shining of
the sun into the room where a heavy slumber had overtaken him when it
was dark night.

He rubbed his eyes and roused himself; but he doubtedwhen he had
done sowhether he was not still asleep. Forgoing to the door of
the Doctor's room and looking inhe perceived that the shoemaker's
bench and tools were put aside againand that the Doctor himself sat
reading at the window. He was in his usual morning dressand his face
(which Mr. Lorry could distinctly see)though still very palewas
calmly studious and attentive.

Even when he had satisfied himself that he was awakeMr. Lorry felt
giddily uncertain for some few moments whether the late shoemaking
might not be a disturbed dream of his own; fordid not his eyes show
him his friend before him in his accustomed clothing and aspectand
employed as usual; and was there any sign within their rangethat the
change of which he had so strong an impression had actually happened?

It was but the inquiry of his first confusion and astonishmentthe
answer being obvious. If the impression were not produced by a real
corresponding and sufficient causehow came heJarvis Lorrythere?
How came he to have fallen asleepin his clotheson the sofa in
Doctor Manette's consulting-roomand to be debating these points
outside the Doctor's bedroom door in the early morning?

Within a few minutesMiss Pross stood whispering at his side. If he
had had any particle of doubt lefther talk would of necessity have
resolved it; but he was by that time clear-headedand had none. He
advised that they should let the time go by until the regular
breakfast-hourand should then meet the Doctor as if nothing unusual


had occurred. If he appeared to be in his customary state of mind
Mr. Lorry would then cautiously proceed to seek direction and guidance
from the opinion he had beenin his anxietyso anxious to obtain.

Miss Prosssubmitting herself to his judgmentthe scheme was worked
out with care. Having abundance of time for his usual methodical
toiletteMr. Lorry presented himself at the breakfast-hour in his
usual white linenand with his usual neat leg. The Doctor was
summoned in the usual wayand came to breakfast.

So far as it was possible to comprehend him without overstepping
those delicate and gradual approaches which Mr. Lorry felt to be the
only safe advancehe at first supposed that his daughter's marriage
had taken place yesterday. An incidental allusionpurposely thrown
outto the day of the weekand the day of the monthset him thinking
and countingand evidently made him uneasy. In all other respects
howeverhe was so composedly himselfthat Mr. Lorry determined to
have the aid he sought. And that aid was his own.

Thereforewhen the breakfast was done and cleared awayand he and
the Doctor were left togetherMr. Lorry saidfeelingly:

My dear Manette, I am anxious to have your opinion, in confidence,
on a very curious case in which I am deeply interested; that is to say,
it is very curious to me; perhaps, to your better information it may
be less so.

Glancing at his handswhich were discoloured by his late workthe
Doctor looked troubledand listened attentively. He had already
glanced at his hands more than once.

Doctor Manette,said Mr. Lorrytouching him affectionately on the
armthe case is the case of a particularly dear friend of mine.
Pray give your mind to it, and advise me well for his sake--and
above all, for his daughter's--his daughter's, my dear Manette.

If I understand,said the Doctorin a subdued tonesome mental
shock--?

Yes!

Be explicit,said the Doctor. "Spare no detail."

Mr. Lorry saw that they understood one anotherand proceeded.

My dear Manette, it is the case of an old and a prolonged shock, of
great acuteness and severity to the affections, the feelings,
the--the--as you express it--the mind. The mind. It is the case of
a shock under which the sufferer was borne down, one cannot say for
how long, because I believe he cannot calculate the time himself, and
there are no other means of getting at it. It is the case of a shock
from which the sufferer recovered, by a process that he cannot trace
himself--as I once heard him publicly relate in a striking manner.
It is the case of a shock from which he has recovered, so completely,
as to be a highly intelligent man, capable of close application of mind,
and great exertion of body, and of constantly making fresh additions to
his stock of knowledge, which was already very large. But, unfortunately,
there has been,he paused and took a deep breath--"a slight relapse."

The Doctorin a low voiceaskedOf how long duration?

Nine days and nights.

How did it show itself? I infer,glancing at his hands again


in the resumption of some old pursuit connected with the shock?

That is the fact.

Now, did you ever see him,asked the Doctordistinctly and
collectedlythough in the same low voiceengaged in that
pursuit originally?

Once.

And when the relapse fell on him, was he in most respects--or in
all respects--as he was then?

I think in all respects.

You spoke of his daughter. Does his daughter know of the relapse?

No. It has been kept from her, and I hope will always be kept from
her. It is known only to myself, and to one other who may be trusted.

The Doctor grasped his handand murmuredThat was very kind.
That was very thoughtful!Mr. Lorry grasped his hand in return
and neither of the two spoke for a little while.

Now, my dear Manette,said Mr. Lorryat lengthin his most
considerate and most affectionate wayI am a mere man of business,
and unfit to cope with such intricate and difficult matters. I do
not possess the kind of information necessary; I do not possess the
kind of intelligence; I want guiding. There is no man in this world
on whom I could so rely for right guidance, as on you. Tell me, how
does this relapse come about? Is there danger of another? Could a
repetition of it be prevented? How should a repetition of it be
treated? How does it come about at all? What can I do for my friend?
No man ever can have been more desirous in his heart to serve a friend,
than I am to serve mine, if I knew how.

But I don't know how to originate, in such a case. If your sagacity,
knowledge, and experience, could put me on the right track, I might be
able to do so much; unenlightened and undirected, I can do so little.
Pray discuss it with me; pray enable me to see it a little more clearly,
and teach me how to be a little more useful.

Doctor Manette sat meditating after these earnest words were spoken
and Mr. Lorry did not press him.

I think it probable,said the Doctorbreaking silence with an
effortthat the relapse you have described, my dear friend, was
not quite unforeseen by its subject.

Was it dreaded by him?Mr. Lorry ventured to ask.

Very much.He said it with an involuntary shudder.

You have no idea how such an apprehension weighs on the sufferer's
mind, and how difficult--how almost impossible--it is, for him to force
himself to utter a word upon the topic that oppresses him.

Would he,asked Mr. Lorrybe sensibly relieved if he could
prevail upon himself to impart that secret brooding to any one,
when it is on him?

I think so. But it is, as I have told you, next to impossible.
I even believe it--in some cases--to be quite impossible.


Now,said Mr. Lorrygently laying his hand on the Doctor's arm
againafter a short silence on both sidesto what would you refer
this attack?

I believe,returned Doctor Manettethat there had been a strong
and extraordinary revival of the train of thought and remembrance that
was the first cause of the malady. Some intense associations of a
most distressing nature were vividly recalled, I think. It is probable
that there had long been a dread lurking in his mind, that those
associations would be recalled--say, under certain circumstances--say,
on a particular occasion. He tried to prepare himself in vain; perhaps
the effort to prepare himself made him less able to bear it.

Would he remember what took place in the relapse?asked Mr. Lorry
with natural hesitation.

The Doctor looked desolately round the roomshook his headand
answeredin a low voiceNot at all.

Now, as to the future,hinted Mr. Lorry.

As to the future,said the Doctorrecovering firmnessI should
have great hope. As it pleased Heaven in its mercy to restore him so
soon, I should have great hope. He, yielding under the pressure of a
complicated something, long dreaded and long vaguely foreseen and
contended against, and recovering after the cloud had burst and passed,
I should hope that the worst was over.

Well, well! That's good comfort. I am thankful!said Mr. Lorry.

I am thankful!repeated the Doctorbending his head with reverence.

There are two other points,said Mr. Lorryon which I am anxious
to be instructed. I may go on?

You cannot do your friend a better service.The Doctor gave him
his hand.

To the first, then. He is of a studious habit, and unusually
energetic; he applies himself with great ardour to the acquisition
of professional knowledge, to the conducting of experiments, to
many things. Now, does he do too much?

I think not. It may be the character of his mind, to be always in
singular need of occupation. That may be, in part, natural to it; in
part, the result of affliction. The less it was occupied with healthy
things, the more it would be in danger of turning in the unhealthy
direction. He may have observed himself, and made the discovery.

You are sure that he is not under too great a strain?

I think I am quite sure of it.

My dear Manette, if he were overworked now--

My dear Lorry, I doubt if that could easily be. There has been a
violent stress in one direction, and it needs a counterweight.

Excuse me, as a persistent man of business. Assuming for a moment,
that he WAS overworked; it would show itself in some renewal of this disorder?

I do not think so. I do not think,said Doctor Manette with the
firmness of self-convictionthat anything but the one train of
association would renew it. I think that, henceforth, nothing but


some extraordinary jarring of that chord could renew it. After what
has happened, and after his recovery, I find it difficult to imagine
any such violent sounding of that string again. I trust, and I almost
believe, that the circumstances likely to renew it are exhausted.

He spoke with the diffidence of a man who knew how slight a thing
would overset the delicate organisation of the mindand yet with the
confidence of a man who had slowly won his assurance out of personal
endurance and distress. It was not for his friend to abate that
confidence. He professed himself more relieved and encouraged than he
really wasand approached his second and last point. He felt it to
be the most difficult of all; butremembering his old Sunday morning
conversation with Miss Prossand remembering what he had seen in the
last nine dayshe knew that he must face it.

The occupation resumed under the influence of this passing affliction
so happily recovered from,said Mr. Lorryclearing his throatwe will
call--Blacksmith's work, Blacksmith's work. We will say, to put a case
and for the sake of illustration, that he had been used, in his bad time,
to work at a little forge. We will say that he was unexpectedly found
at his forge again. Is it not a pity that he should keep it by him?

The Doctor shaded his forehead with his handand beat his foot nervously
on the ground.

He has always kept it by him,said Mr. Lorrywith an anxious look
at his friend. "Nowwould it not be better that he should let it go?"

Stillthe Doctorwith shaded foreheadbeat his foot nervously on
the ground.

You do not find it easy to advise me?said Mr. Lorry. "I quite
understand it to be a nice question. And yet I think--" And there he
shook his headand stopped.

You see,said Doctor Manetteturning to him after an uneasy pause
it is very hard to explain, consistently, the innermost workings of
this poor man's mind. He once yearned so frightfully for that
occupation, and it was so welcome when it came; no doubt it relieved
his pain so much, by substituting the perplexity of the fingers for
the perplexity of the brain, and by substituting, as he became more
practised, the ingenuity of the hands, for the ingenuity of the
mental torture; that he has never been able to bear the thought of
putting it quite out of his reach. Even now, when I believe he is
more hopeful of himself than he has ever been, and even speaks of
himself with a kind of confidence, the idea that he might need that
old employment, and not find it, gives him a sudden sense of terror,
like that which one may fancy strikes to the heart of a lost child.

He looked like his illustrationas he raised his eyes to
Mr. Lorry's face.

But may not--mind! I ask for information, as a plodding man of
business who only deals with such material objects as guineas,
shillings, and bank-notes--may not the retention of the thing involve
the retention of the idea? If the thing were gone, my dear Manette,
might not the fear go with it? In short, is it not a concession to
the misgiving, to keep the forge?

There was another silence.

You see, too,said the Doctortremulouslyit is such an
old companion.


I would not keep it,said Mr. Lorryshaking his head; for he gained
in firmness as he saw the Doctor disquieted. "I would recommend him
to sacrifice it. I only want your authority. I am sure it does no
good. Come! Give me your authoritylike a dear good man. For his
daughter's sakemy dear Manette!"

Very strange to see what a struggle there was within him!

In her name, then, let it be done; I sanction it. But, I would not
take it away while he was present. Let it be removed when he is not
there; let him miss his old companion after an absence.

Mr. Lorry readily engaged for thatand the conference was ended.
They passed the day in the countryand the Doctor was quite restored.
On the three following days he remained perfectly welland on the
fourteenth day he went away to join Lucie and her husband. The
precaution that had been taken to account for his silenceMr. Lorry
had previously explained to himand he had written to Lucie in
accordance with itand she had no suspicions.

On the night of the day on which he left the houseMr. Lorry went
into his room with a choppersawchiseland hammerattended by
Miss Pross carrying a light. Therewith closed doorsand in a
mysterious and guilty mannerMr. Lorry hacked the shoemaker's bench
to pieceswhile Miss Pross held the candle as if she were assisting
at a murder--for whichindeedin her grimnessshe was no unsuitable
figure. The burning of the body (previously reduced to pieces
convenient for the purpose) was commenced without delay in the kitchen
fire; and the toolsshoesand leatherwere buried in the garden.
So wicked do destruction and secrecy appear to honest mindsthat
Mr. Lorry and Miss Prosswhile engaged in the commission of their
deed and in the removal of its tracesalmost feltand almost looked
like accomplices in a horrible crime.

A Plea

When the newly-married pair came homethe first person who appeared
to offer his congratulationswas Sydney Carton. They had not been
at home many hourswhen he presented himself. He was not improved in
habitsor in looksor in manner; but there was a certain rugged air of
fidelity about himwhich was new to the observation of Charles Darnay.

He watched his opportunity of taking Darnay aside into a windowand
of speaking to him when no one overheard.

Mr. Darnay,said CartonI wish we might be friends.

We are already friends, I hope.

You are good enough to say so, as a fashion of speech; but, I don't
mean any fashion of speech. Indeed, when I say I wish we might be friends,
I scarcely mean quite that, either.

Charles Darnay--as was natural--asked himin all good-humour and
good-fellowshipwhat he did mean?

Upon my life,said CartonsmilingI find that easier to comprehend
in my own mind, than to convey to yours. However, let me try. You
remember a certain famous occasion when I was more drunk than-



than usual?


I remember a certain famous occasion when you forced me to confess
that you had been drinking.


I remember it too. The curse of those occasions is heavy upon me,
for I always remember them. I hope it may be taken into account one
day, when all days are at an end for me! Don't be alarmed;
I am not going to preach.


I am not at all alarmed. Earnestness in you, is anything but
alarming to me.


Ah!said Cartonwith a careless wave of his handas if he waved
that away. "On the drunken occasion in question (one of a large number
as you know)I was insufferable about liking youand not liking you.
I wish you would forget it."


I forgot it long ago.


Fashion of speech again! But, Mr. Darnay, oblivion is not so easy to
me, as you represent it to be to you. I have by no means forgotten it,
and a light answer does not help me to forget it.


If it was a light answer,returned DarnayI beg your forgiveness
for it. I had no other object than to turn a slight thing, which,
to my surprise, seems to trouble you too much, aside. I declare to you,
on the faith of a gentleman, that I have long dismissed it from my mind.
Good Heaven, what was there to dismiss! Have I had nothing more
important to remember, in the great service you rendered me that day?


As to the great service,said CartonI am bound to avow to you,
when you speak of it in that way, that it was mere professional
claptrap, I don't know that I cared what became of you, when I
rendered it.--Mind! I say when I rendered it; I am speaking of the past.


You make light of the obligation,returned Darnaybut I will not
quarrel with YOUR light answer.


Genuine truth, Mr. Darnay, trust me! I have gone aside from my
purpose; I was speaking about our being friends. Now, you know me;
you know I am incapable of all the higher and better flights of men.
If you doubt it, ask Stryver, and he'll tell you so.


I prefer to form my own opinion, without the aid of his.


Well! At any rate you know me as a dissolute dog, who has never
done any good, and never will.


I don't know that you `never will.'


But I do, and you must take my word for it. Well! If you could
endure to have such a worthless fellow, and a fellow of such indifferent
reputation, coming and going at odd times, I should ask that I might be
permitted to come and go as a privileged person here; that I might be
regarded as an useless (and I would add, if it were not for the
resemblance I detected between you and me, an unornamental) piece of
furniture, tolerated for its old service, and taken no notice of.
I doubt if I should abuse the permission. It is a hundred to one
if I should avail myself of it four times in a year. It would satisfy me,
I dare say, to know that I had it.


Will you try?



That is another way of saying that I am placed on the footing I have
indicated. I thank you, Darnay. I may use that freedom with your name?

I think so, Carton, by this time.

They shook hands upon itand Sydney turned away. Within a minute
afterwardshe wasto all outward appearanceas unsubstantial as ever.

When he was goneand in the course of an evening passed with Miss Pross
the Doctorand Mr. LorryCharles Darnay made some mention of this
conversation in general termsand spoke of Sydney Carton as a problem
of carelessness and recklessness. He spoke of himin shortnot
bitterly or meaning to bear hard upon himbut as anybody might who
saw him as he showed himself.

He had no idea that this could dwell in the thoughts of his fair young
wife; butwhen he afterwards joined her in their own roomshe found
her waiting for him with the old pretty lifting of the forehead
strongly marked.

We are thoughtful to-night!said Darnaydrawing his arm about her.

Yes, dearest Charles,with her hands on his breastand the
inquiring and attentive expression fixed upon him; "we are rather
thoughtful to-nightfor we have something on our mind to-night."

What is it, my Lucie?

Will you promise not to press one question on me, if I beg you
not to ask it?

Will I promise? What will I not promise to my Love?

Whatindeedwith his hand putting aside the golden hair from the
cheekand his other hand against the heart that beat for him!

I think, Charles, poor Mr. Carton deserves more consideration and
respect than you expressed for him to-night.

Indeed, my own? Why so?

That is what you are not to ask me. But I think--I know--he does.

If you know it, it is enough. What would you have me do, my Life?

I would ask you, dearest, to be very generous with him always, and
very lenient on his faults when he is not by. I would ask you to
believe that he has a heart he very, very seldom reveals, and that there
are deep wounds in it. My dear, I have seen it bleeding.

It is a painful reflection to me,said Charles Darnayquite astounded
that I should have done him any wrong. I never thought this of him.

My husband, it is so. I fear he is not to be reclaimed; there is
scarcely a hope that anything in his character or fortunes is reparable
now. But, I am sure that he is capable of good things, gentle things,
even magnanimous things.

She looked so beautiful in the purity of her faith in this lost man
that her husband could have looked at her as she was for hours.

And, O my dearest Love!she urgedclinging nearer to himlaying
her head upon his breastand raising her eyes to hisremember how
strong we are in our happiness, and how weak he is in his misery!


The supplication touched him home. "I will always remember itdear
Heart! I will remember it as long as I live."


He bent over the golden headand put the rosy lips to hisand folded
her in his arms. If one forlorn wanderer then pacing the dark streets
could have heard her innocent disclosureand could have seen the drops
of pity kissed away by her husband from the soft blue eyes so loving of
that husbandhe might have cried to the night--and the words would not
have parted from his lips for the first time--


God bless her for her sweet compassion!


Echoing Footsteps


A wonderful corner for echoesit has been remarkedthat corner where
the Doctor lived. Ever busily winding the golden thread which bound
her husbandand her fatherand herselfand her old directress and
companionin a life of quiet blissLucie sat in the still house in the
tranquilly resounding cornerlistening to the echoing footsteps of years.


At firstthere were timesthough she was a perfectly happy young
wifewhen her work would slowly fall from her handsand her eyes
would be dimmed. Forthere was something coming in the echoes
something lightafar offand scarcely audible yetthat stirred
her heart too much. Fluttering hopes and doubts--hopesof a love as
yet unknown to her: doubtsof her remaining upon earthto enjoy that
new delight--divided her breast. Among the echoes thenthere would
arise the sound of footsteps at her own early grave; and thoughts of
the husband who would be left so desolateand who would mourn for
her so muchswelled to her eyesand broke like waves.


That time passedand her little Lucie lay on her bosom. Then
among the advancing echoesthere was the tread of her tiny feet and
the sound of her prattling words. Let greater echoes resound as they
wouldthe young mother at the cradle side could always hear those
coming. They cameand the shady house was sunny with a child's laugh
and the Divine friend of childrento whom in her trouble she had
confided hersseemed to take her child in his armsas He took the
child of oldand made it a sacred joy to her.


Ever busily winding the golden thread that bound them all together
weaving the service of her happy influence through the tissue of all
their livesand making it predominate nowhereLucie heard in the
echoes of years none but friendly and soothing sounds. Her husband's
step was strong and prosperous among them; her father's firm and equal.
LoMiss Prossin harness of stringawakening the echoesas an
unruly chargerwhip-correctedsnorting and pawing the earth under
the plane-tree in the garden!


Even when there were sounds of sorrow among the restthey were not
harsh nor cruel. Even when golden hairlike her ownlay in a halo
on a pillow round the worn face of a little boyand he saidwith a
radiant smileDear papa and mamma, I am very sorry to leave you both,
and to leave my pretty sister; but I am called, and I must go!
those were not tears all of agony that wetted his young mother's cheek
as the spirit departed from her embrace that had been entrusted to it.
Suffer them and forbid them not. They see my Father's face.
O Fatherblessed words!



Thusthe rustling of an Angel's wings got blended with the other
echoesand they were not wholly of earthbut had in them that breath
of Heaven. Sighs of the winds that blew over a little garden-tomb were
mingled with them alsoand both were audible to Luciein a hushed
murmur--like the breathing of a summer sea asleep upon a sandy shore
--as the little Luciecomically studious at the task of the morning
or dressing a doll at her mother's footstoolchattered in the
tongues of the Two Cities that were blended in her life.

The Echoes rarely answered to the actual tread of Sydney Carton.
Some half-dozen times a yearat mosthe claimed his privilege of coming
in uninvitedand would sit among them through the eveningas he had
once done often. He never came there heated with wine. And one other
thing regarding him was whispered in the echoeswhich has been
whispered by all true echoes for ages and ages.

No man ever really loved a womanlost herand knew her with a
blameless though an unchanged mindwhen she was a wife and a mother
but her children had a strange sympathy with him--an instinctive
delicacy of pity for him. What fine hidden sensibilities are touched
in such a caseno echoes tell; but it is soand it was so here.
Carton was the first stranger to whom little Lucie held out her chubby
armsand he kept his place with her as she grew. The little boy had
spoken of himalmost at the last. "Poor Carton! Kiss him for me!"

Mr. Stryver shouldered his way through the lawlike some great engine
forcing itself through turbid waterand dragged his useful friend in
his wakelike a boat towed astern. As the boat so favoured is usually
in a rough plightand mostly under watersoSydney had a swamped life
of it. Buteasy and strong customunhappily so much easier and
stronger in him than any stimulating sense of desert or disgracemade
it the life he was to lead; and he no more thought of emerging from his
state of lion's jackalthan any real jackal may be supposed to think
of rising to be a lion. Stryver was rich; had married a florid widow
with property and three boyswho had nothing particularly shining about
them but the straight hair of their dumpling heads.

These three young gentlemenMr. Stryverexuding patronage of the most
offensive quality from every porehad walked before him like three
sheep to the quiet corner in Sohoand had offered as pupils to Lucie's
husband: delicately saying "Halloa! here are three lumps of bread-andcheese
towards your matrimonial picnicDarnay!" The polite rejection
of the three lumps of bread-and-cheese had quite bloated Mr. Stryver
with indignationwhich he afterwards turned to account in the training
of the young gentlemenby directing them to beware of the pride of
Beggarslike that tutor-fellow. He was also in the habit of declaiming
to Mrs. Stryverover his full-bodied wineon the arts Mrs. Darnay had
once put in practice to "catch" himand on the diamond-cut-diamond
arts in himselfmadamwhich had rendered him "not to be caught."
Some of his King's Bench familiarswho were occasionally parties
to the full-bodied wine and the lieexcused him for the latter by saying
that he had told it so oftenthat he believed it himself--which is
surely such an incorrigible aggravation of an originally bad offence
as to justify any such offender's being carried off to some suitably
retired spotand there hanged out of the way.

These were among the echoes to which Luciesometimes pensive
sometimes amused and laughinglistened in the echoing corneruntil
her little daughter was six years old. How near to her heart the echoes
of her child's tread cameand those of her own dear father'salways
active and self-possessedand those of her dear husband'sneed not
be told. Norhow the lightest echo of their united homedirected
by herself with such a wise and elegant thrift that it was more


abundant than any wastewas music to her. Norhow there were echoes
all about hersweet in her earsof the many times her father had
told her that he found her more devoted to him married (if that could be)
than singleand of the many times her husband had said to her that no
cares and duties seemed to divide her love for him or her help to him
and asked her "What is the magic secretmy darlingof your being
everything to all of usas if there were only one of us
yet never seeming to be hurriedor to have too much to do?"


Butthere were other echoesfrom a distancethat rumbled menacingly
in the corner all through this space of time. And it was nowabout
little Lucie's sixth birthdaythat they began to have an awful sound
as of a great storm in France with a dreadful sea rising.


On a night in mid-Julyone thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine
Mr. Lorry came in latefrom Tellson'sand sat himself down by Lucie
and her husband in the dark window. It was a hotwild nightand
they were all three reminded of the old Sunday night when they had
looked at the lightning from the same place.


I began to think,said Mr. Lorrypushing his brown wig backthat
I should have to pass the night at Tellson's. We have been so full of
business all day, that we have not known what to do first, or which
way to turn. There is such an uneasiness in Paris, that we have
actually a run of confidence upon us! Our customers over there, seem
not to be able to confide their property to us fast enough. There is
positively a mania among some of them for sending it to England.


That has a bad look,said Darnay--


A bad look, you say, my dear Darnay? Yes, but we don't know what
reason there is in it. People are so unreasonable! Some of us at
Tellson's are getting old, and we really can't be troubled out of
the ordinary course without due occasion.


Still,said Darnayyou know how gloomy and threatening the sky is.


I know that, to be sure,assented Mr. Lorrytrying to persuade
himself that his sweet temper was souredand that he grumbled
but I am determined to be peevish after my long day's botheration.
Where is Manette?


Here he is,said the Doctorentering the dark room at the moment.


I am quite glad you are at home; for these hurries and forebodings by
which I have been surrounded all day long, have made me nervous
without reason. You are not going out, I hope?


No; I am going to play backgammon with you, if you like,
said the Doctor.


I don't think I do like, if I may speak my mind. I am not fit to
be pitted against you to-night. Is the teaboard still there, Lucie?
I can't see.


Of course, it has been kept for you.


Thank ye, my dear. The precious child is safe in bed?


And sleeping soundly.


That's right; all safe and well! I don't know why anything should
be otherwise than safe and well here, thank God; but I have been so
put out all day, and I am not as young as I was! My tea, my dear!



Thank ye. Now, come and take your place in the circle, and let us
sit quiet, and hear the echoes about which you have your theory.

Not a theory; it was a fancy.

A fancy, then, my wise pet,said Mr. Lorrypatting her hand. "They
are very numerous and very loudthoughare they not? Only hear them!"

Headlongmadand dangerous footsteps to force their way into anybody's
lifefootsteps not easily made clean again if once stained redthe
footsteps raging in Saint Antoine afar offas the little circle sat
in the dark London window.

Saint Antoine had beenthat morninga vast dusky mass of scarecrows
heaving to and frowith frequent gleams of light above the billowy
headswhere steel blades and bayonets shone in the sun. A tremendous
roar arose from the throat of Saint Antoineand a forest of naked arms
struggled in the air like shrivelled branches of trees in a winter wind:
all the fingers convulsively clutching at every weapon or semblance of
a weapon that was thrown up from the depths belowno matter how far off.

Who gave them outwhence they last camewhere they beganthrough
what agency they crookedly quivered and jerkedscores at a timeover
the heads of the crowdlike a kind of lightningno eye in the throng
could have told; butmuskets were being distributed--so were
cartridgespowderand ballbars of iron and woodknivesaxes
pikesevery weapon that distracted ingenuity could discover or devise.
People who could lay hold of nothing elseset themselves with bleeding
hands to force stones and bricks out of their places in walls. Every
pulse and heart in Saint Antoine was on high-fever strain and at
high-fever heat. Every living creature there held life as of no account
and was demented with a passionate readiness to sacrifice it.

As a whirlpool of boiling waters has a centre pointsoall this raging
circled round Defarge's wine-shopand every human drop in the caldron
had a tendency to be sucked towards the vortex where Defarge himself
already begrimed with gunpowder and sweatissued ordersissued arms
thrust this man backdragged this man forwarddisarmed one to arm
anotherlaboured and strove in the thickest of the uproar.

Keep near to me, Jacques Three,cried Defarge; "and do you
Jacques One and Twoseparate and put yourselves at the head of
as many of these patriots as you can. Where is my wife?"

Eh, well! Here you see me!said madamecomposed as everbut not
knitting to-day. Madame's resolute right hand was occupied with an axe
in place of the usual softer implementsand in her girdle were a pistol
and a cruel knife.

Where do you go, my wife?

I go,said madamewith you at present. You shall see me at the
head of women, by-and-bye.

Come, then!cried Defargein a resounding voice. "Patriots and
friendswe are ready! The Bastille!"

With a roar that sounded as if all the breath in France had been
shaped into the detested wordthe living sea rosewave on wave
depth on depthand overflowed the city to that point. Alarm-bells
ringingdrums beatingthe sea raging and thundering on its new beach
the attack began.

Deep ditchesdouble drawbridgemassive stone wallseight great


towerscannonmusketsfire and smoke. Through the fire and through
the smoke--in the fire and in the smokefor the sea cast him up against
a cannonand on the instant he became a cannonier--Defarge of the
wine-shop worked like a manful soldierTwo fierce hours.

Deep ditchsingle drawbridgemassive stone wallseight great towers
cannonmusketsfire and smoke. One drawbridge down! "Workcomrades
allwork! WorkJacques OneJacques TwoJacques One Thousand
Jacques Two ThousandJacques Five-and-Twenty Thousand; in the name of
all the Angels or the Devils--which you prefer--work!" Thus Defarge
of the wine-shopstill at his gunwhich had long grown hot.

To me, women!cried madame his wife. "What! We can kill as well as
the men when the place is taken!" And to herwith a shrill thirsty cry
trooping women variously armedbut all armed alike in hunger and revenge.

Cannonmusketsfire and smoke; butstill the deep ditchthe single
drawbridgethe massive stone wallsand the eight great towers. Slight
displacements of the raging seamade by the falling wounded. Flashing
weaponsblazing torchessmoking waggonloads of wet strawhard work
at neighbouring barricades in all directionsshrieksvolleys
execrationsbravery without stintboom smash and rattleand the
furious sounding of the living sea; butstill the deep ditchand the
single drawbridgeand the massive stone wallsand the eight great
towersand still Defarge of the wine-shop at his gungrown doubly
hot by the service of Four fierce hours.

A white flag from within the fortressand a parley--this dimly
perceptible through the raging stormnothing audible in it--suddenly
the sea rose immeasurably wider and higherand swept Defarge of the
wine-shop over the lowered drawbridgepast the massive stone outer
wallsin among the eight great towers surrendered!

So resistless was the force of the ocean bearing him onthat even
to draw his breath or turn his head was as impracticable as if he had
been struggling in the surf at the South Seauntil he was landed in
the outer courtyard of the Bastille. Thereagainst an angle of a
wallhe made a struggle to look about him. Jacques Three was nearly
at his side; Madame Defargestill heading some of her womenwas
visible in the inner distanceand her knife was in her hand. Everywhere
was tumultexultationdeafening and maniacal bewildermentastounding
noiseyet furious dumb-show.

The Prisoners!

The Records!

The secret cells!

The instruments of torture!

The Prisoners!

Of all these criesand ten thousand incoherencesThe Prisoners!
was the cry most taken up by the sea that rushed inas if there were
an eternity of peopleas well as of time and space. When the foremost
billows rolled pastbearing the prison officers with themand
threatening them all with instant death if any secret nook remained
undisclosedDefarge laid his strong hand on the breast of one of
these men--a man with a grey headwho had a lighted torch in his hand-separated
him from the restand got him between himself and the wall.

Show me the North Tower!said Defarge. "Quick!"


I will faithfully,replied the manif you will come with me. But
there is no one there.

What is the meaning of One Hundred and Five, North Tower?
asked Defarge. "Quick!"

The meaning, monsieur?

Does it mean a captive, or a place of captivity? Or do you mean that
I shall strike you dead?

Kill him!croaked Jacques Threewho had come close up.

Monsieur, it is a cell.

Show it me!

Pass this way, then.

Jacques Threewith his usual craving on himand evidently
disappointed by the dialogue taking a turn that did not seem to promise
bloodshedheld by Defarge's arm as he held by the turnkey's. Their
three heads had been close together during this brief discourseand
it had been as much as they could do to hear one anothereven then:
so tremendous was the noise of the living oceanin its irruption into
the Fortressand its inundation of the courts and passages and
staircases. All around outsidetooit beat the walls with a deep
hoarse roarfrom whichoccasionallysome partial shouts of tumult
broke and leaped into the air like spray.

Through gloomy vaults where the light of day had never shonepast
hideous doors of dark dens and cagesdown cavernous flights of steps
and again up steep rugged ascents of stone and brickmore like dry
waterfalls than staircasesDefargethe turnkeyand Jacques Three
linked hand and armwent with all the speed they could make. Here
and thereespecially at firstthe inundation started on them and
swept by; but when they had done descendingand were winding and
climbing up a towerthey were alone. Hemmed in here by the massive
thickness of walls and archesthe storm within the fortress and without
was only audible to them in a dullsubdued wayas if the noise out of
which they had come had almost destroyed their sense of hearing.

The turnkey stopped at a low doorput a key in a clashing lock
swung the door slowly openand saidas they all bent their heads
and passed in:

One hundred and five, North Tower!

There was a smallheavily-gratedunglazed window high in the wall
with a stone screen before itso that the sky could be only seen by
stooping low and looking up. There was a small chimneyheavily barred
acrossa few feet within. There was a heap of old feathery wood-ashes
on the hearth. There was a stooland tableand a straw bed. There
were the four blackened wallsand a rusted iron ring in one of them.

Pass that torch slowly along these walls, that I may see them,
said Defarge to the turnkey.

The man obeyedand Defarge followed the light closely with his eyes.

Stop!--Look here, Jacques!

A. M.!croaked Jacques Threeas he read greedily.


Alexandre Manette,said Defarge in his earfollowing the letters
with his swart forefingerdeeply engrained with gunpowder. "And here
he wrote `a poor physician.' And it was hewithout doubtwho scratched
a calendar on this stone. What is that in your hand? A crowbar?
Give it me!"


He had still the linstock of his gun in his own hand. He made a
sudden exchange of the two instrumentsand turning on the worm-eaten
stool and tablebeat them to pieces in a few blows.


Hold the light higher!he saidwrathfullyto the turnkey.
Look among those fragments with care, Jacques. And see! Here is my knife,
throwing it to him; "rip open that bedand search the straw.
Hold the light higheryou!"


With a menacing look at the turnkey he crawled upon the hearth
andpeering up the chimneystruck and prised at its sides with the
crowbarand worked at the iron grating across it. In a few minutes
some mortar and dust came dropping downwhich he averted his face to
avoid; and in itand in the old wood-ashesand in a crevice in the
chimney into which his weapon had slipped or wrought itselfhe groped
with a cautious touch.


Nothing in the wood, and nothing in the straw, Jacques?


Nothing.


Let us collect them together, in the middle of the cell. So!
Light them, you!


The turnkey fired the little pilewhich blazed high and hot. Stooping
again to come out at the low-arched doorthey left it burningand
retraced their way to the courtyard; seeming to recover their sense of
hearing as they came downuntil they were in the raging flood once more.


They found it surging and tossingin quest of Defarge himself.
Saint Antoine was clamorous to have its wine-shop keeper foremost in
the guard upon the governor who had defended the Bastille and shot the
people. Otherwisethe governor would not be marched to the Hotel de
Ville for judgment. Otherwisethe governor would escapeand the
people's blood (suddenly of some valueafter many years of
worthlessness) be unavenged.


In the howling universe of passion and contention that seemed to
encompass this grim old officer conspicuous in his grey coat and red
decorationthere was but one quite steady figureand that was a
woman's. "Seethere is my husband!" she criedpointing him out.
See Defarge!She stood immovable close to the grim old officer
and remained immovable close to him; remained immovable close to him
through the streetsas Defarge and the rest bore him along; remained
immovable close to him when he was got near his destinationand began
to be struck at from behind; remained immovable close to him when the
long-gathering rain of stabs and blows fell heavy; was so close to him
when he dropped dead under itthatsuddenly animatedshe put her foot
upon his neckand with her cruel knife--long ready--hewed off his head.


The hour was comewhen Saint Antoine was to execute his horrible idea
of hoisting up men for lamps to show what he could be and do. Saint
Antoine's blood was upand the blood of tyranny and domination by
the iron hand was down--down on the steps of the Hotel de Ville where
the governor's body lay--down on the sole of the shoe of Madame Defarge
where she had trodden on the body to steady it for mutilation.
Lower the lamp yonder!cried Saint Antoineafter glaring round for a
new means of death; "here is one of his soldiers to be left on guard!"



The swinging sentinel was postedand the sea rushed on.

The sea of black and threatening watersand of destructive upheaving
of wave against wavewhose depths were yet unfathomed and whose
forces were yet unknown. The remorseless sea of turbulently swaying
shapesvoices of vengeanceand faces hardened in the furnaces of
suffering until the touch of pity could make no mark on them.

Butin the ocean of faces where every fierce and furious expression
was in vivid lifethere were two groups of faces--each seven in number
--so fixedly contrasting with the restthat never did sea roll which
bore more memorable wrecks with it. Seven faces of prisonerssuddenly
released by the storm that had burst their tombwere carried high
overhead: all scaredall lostall wondering and amazedas if the
Last Day were comeand those who rejoiced around them were lost spirits.
Other seven faces there werecarried higherseven dead faceswhose
drooping eyelids and half-seen eyes awaited the Last Day. Impassive
facesyet with a suspended--not an abolished--expression on them; faces
ratherin a fearful pauseas having yet to raise the dropped lids of
the eyesand bear witness with the bloodless lipsTHOU DIDST IT!

Seven prisoners releasedseven gory heads on pikesthe keys of the
accursed fortress of the eight strong towerssome discovered letters
and other memorials of prisoners of old timelong dead of broken
hearts--suchand such--likethe loudly echoing footsteps of Saint
Antoine escort through the Paris streets in mid-Julyone thousand seven
hundred and eighty-nine. NowHeaven defeat the fancy of Lucie Darnay
and keep these feet far out of her life! Forthey are headlongmad
and dangerous; and in the years so long after the breaking of the cask
at Defarge's wine-shop doorthey are not easily purified when once
stained red.

The Sea Still Rises

Haggard Saint Antoine had had only one exultant weekin which to
soften his modicum of hard and bitter bread to such extent as he
couldwith the relish of fraternal embraces and congratulations
when Madame Defarge sat at her counteras usualpresiding over the
customers. Madame Defarge wore no rose in her headfor the great
brotherhood of Spies had becomeeven in one short weekextremely
chary of trusting themselves to the saint's mercies. The lamps across
his streets had a portentously elastic swing with them.

Madame Defargewith her arms foldedsat in the morning light and heat
contemplating the wine-shop and the street. In boththere were several
knots of loungerssqualid and miserablebut now with a manifest sense
of power enthroned on their distress. The raggedest nightcapawry on
the wretchedest headhad this crooked significance in it: "I know how
hard it has grown for methe wearer of thisto support life in myself;
but do you know how easy it has grown for methe wearer of thisto
destroy life in you?" Every lean bare armthat had been without work
beforehad this work always ready for it nowthat it could strike.
The fingers of the knitting women were viciouswith the experience that
they could tear. There was a change in the appearance of Saint Antoine;
the image had been hammering into this for hundreds of yearsand the
last finishing blows had told mightily on the expression.

Madame Defarge sat observing itwith such suppressed approval as was
to be desired in the leader of the Saint Antoine women. One of her


sisterhood knitted beside her. The shortrather plump wife of a
starved grocerand the mother of two children withalthis lieutenant
had already earned the complimentary name of The Vengeance.

Hark!said The Vengeance. "Listenthen! Who comes?"

As if a train of powder laid from the outermost bound of Saint Antoine
Quarter to the wine-shop doorhad been suddenly fireda fast-spreading
murmur came rushing along.

It is Defarge,said madame. "Silencepatriots!"

Defarge came in breathlesspulled off a red cap he woreand looked
around him! "Listeneverywhere!" said madame again. "Listen to him!"
Defarge stoodpantingagainst a background of eager eyes and open
mouthsformed outside the door; all those within the wine-shop had
sprung to their feet.

Say then, my husband. What is it?

News from the other world!

How, then?cried madamecontemptuously. "The other world?"

Does everybody here recall old Foulon, who told the famished people
that they might eat grass, and who died, and went to Hell?

Everybody!from all throats.

The news is of him. He is among us!

Among us!from the universal throat again. "And dead?"

Not dead! He feared us so much--and with reason--that he caused
himself to be represented as dead, and had a grand mock-funeral. But
they have found him alive, hiding in the country, and have brought him
in. I have seen him but now, on his way to the Hotel de Ville, a
prisoner. I have said that he had reason to fear us. Say all!
HAD he reason?

Wretched old sinner of more than threescore years and tenif he had
never known it yethe would have known it in his heart of hearts if
he could have heard the answering cry.

A moment of profound silence followed. Defarge and his wife looked
steadfastly at one another. The Vengeance stoopedand the jar of
a drum was heard as she moved it at her feet behind the counter.

Patriots!said Defargein a determined voiceare we ready?

Instantly Madame Defarge's knife was in her girdle; the drum was beating
in the streetsas if it and a drummer had flown together by magic; and
The Vengeanceuttering terrific shrieksand flinging her arms about
her head like all the forty Furies at oncewas tearing from house to
houserousing the women.

The men were terriblein the bloody-minded anger with which they looked
from windowscaught up what arms they hadand came pouring down into
the streets; butthe women were a sight to chill the boldest. From
such household occupations as their bare poverty yieldedfrom their
childrenfrom their aged and their sick crouching on the bare ground
famished and nakedthey ran out with streaming hairurging one
anotherand themselvesto madness with the wildest cries and actions.
Villain Foulon takenmy sister! Old Foulon takenmy mother!


Miscreant Foulon takenmy daughter! Thena score of others ran into
the midst of thesebeating their breaststearing their hairand
screamingFoulon alive! Foulon who told the starving people they
might eat grass! Foulon who told my old father that he might eat
grasswhen I had no bread to give him! Foulon who told my baby it
might suck grasswhen these breasts where dry with want! O mother
of Godthis Foulon! O Heaven our suffering! Hear memy dead baby
and my withered father: I swear on my kneeson these stonesto avenge
you on Foulon! Husbandsand brothersand young menGive us the blood
of FoulonGive us the head of FoulonGive us the heart of Foulon
Give us the body and soul of FoulonRend Foulon to piecesand dig
him into the groundthat grass may grow from him! With these cries
numbers of the womenlashed into blind frenzywhirled aboutstriking
and tearing at their own friends until they dropped into a passionate
swoonand were only saved by the men belonging to them from being
trampled under foot.

Neverthelessnot a moment was lost; not a moment! This Foulon was
at the Hotel de Villeand might be loosed. Neverif Saint Antoine
knew his own sufferingsinsultsand wrongs! Armed men and women
flocked out of the Quarter so fastand drew even these last dregs
after them with such a force of suctionthat within a quarter of an
hour there was not a human creature in Saint Antoine's bosom but a
few old crones and the wailing children.

No. They were all by that time choking the Hall of Examination where
this old manugly and wickedwasand overflowing into the adjacent
open space and streets. The Defargeshusband and wifeThe Vengeance
and Jacques Threewere in the first pressand at no great distance
from him in the Hall.

See!cried madamepointing with her knife. "See the old villain
bound with ropes. That was well done to tie a bunch of grass upon
his back. Haha! That was well done. Let him eat it now!" Madame
put her knife under her armand clapped her hands as at a play.

The people immediately behind Madame Defargeexplaining the cause of
her satisfaction to those behind themand those again explaining
to othersand those to othersthe neighbouring streets resounded with
the clapping of hands. Similarlyduring two or three hours of drawl
and the winnowing of many bushels of wordsMadame Defarge's frequent
expressions of impatience were taken upwith marvellous quickness
at a distance: the more readilybecause certain men who had by some
wonderful exercise of agility climbed up the external architecture to
look in from the windowsknew Madame Defarge welland acted as a
telegraph between her and the crowd outside the building.

At length the sun rose so high that it struck a kindly ray as of hope
or protectiondirectly down upon the old prisoner's head. The favour
was too much to bear; in an instant the barrier of dust and chaff that
had stood surprisingly longwent to the windsand Saint Antoine had
got him!

It was known directlyto the furthest confines of the crowd. Defarge
had but sprung over a railing and a tableand folded the miserable
wretch in a deadly embrace--Madame Defarge had but followed and turned
her hand in one of the ropes with which he was tied--The Vengeance
and Jacques Three were not yet up with themand the men at the windows
had not yet swooped into the Halllike birds of prey from their high
perches--when the cry seemed to go upall over the cityBring him
out! Bring him to the lamp!

Downand upand head foremost on the steps of the building; nowon
his knees; nowon his feet; nowon his back; draggedand struck at


and stifled by the bunches of grass and straw that were thrust into his
face by hundreds of hands; tornbruisedpantingbleedingyet always
entreating and beseeching for mercy; now full of vehement agony of
actionwith a small clear space about him as the people drew one
another back that they might see; nowa log of dead wood drawn through
a forest of legs; he was hauled to the nearest street corner where one
of the fatal lamps swungand there Madame Defarge let him go--as a
cat might have done to a mouse--and silently and composedly looked
at him while they made readyand while he besought her: the women
passionately screeching at him all the timeand the men sternly
calling out to have him killed with grass in his mouth. Oncehe went
aloftand the rope brokeand they caught him shrieking; twicehe went
aloftand the rope brokeand they caught him shrieking; thenthe rope
was mercifuland held himand his head was soon upon a pikewith
grass enough in the mouth for all Saint Antoine to dance at the sight of.

Nor was this the end of the day's bad workfor Saint Antoine so
shouted and danced his angry blood upthat it boiled againon
hearing when the day closed in that the son-in-law of the despatched
another of the people's enemies and insulterswas coming into Paris
under a guard five hundred strongin cavalry alone. Saint Antoine
wrote his crimes on flaring sheets of paperseized him--would have
torn him out of the breast of an army to bear Foulon company--set
his head and heart on pikesand carried the three spoils of the day
in Wolf-procession through the streets.

Not before dark night did the men and women come back to the children
wailing and breadless. Thenthe miserable bakers' shops were beset
by long files of thempatiently waiting to buy bad bread; and while
they waited with stomachs faint and emptythey beguiled the time by
embracing one another on the triumphs of the dayand achieving them
again in gossip. Graduallythese strings of ragged people shortened
and frayed away; and then poor lights began to shine in high windows
and slender fires were made in the streetsat which neighbours cooked
in commonafterwards supping at their doors.

Scanty and insufficient suppers thoseand innocent of meatas of
most other sauce to wretched bread. Yethuman fellowship infused
some nourishment into the flinty viandsand struck some sparks of
cheerfulness out of them. Fathers and mothers who had had their full
share in the worst of the dayplayed gently with their meagre
children; and loverswith such a world around them and before them
loved and hoped.

It was almost morningwhen Defarge's wine-shop parted with its last
knot of customersand Monsieur Defarge said to madame his wifein
husky toneswhile fastening the door:

At last it is come, my dear!

Eh well!returned madame. "Almost."

Saint Antoine sleptthe Defarges slept: even The Vengeance slept with
her starved grocerand the drum was at rest. The drum's was the only
voice in Saint Antoine that blood and hurry had not changed. The
Vengeanceas custodian of the drumcould have wakened him up and had
the same speech out of him as before the Bastille fellor old Foulon
was seized; not so with the hoarse tones of the men and women in Saint
Antoine's bosom.

XXIII


Fire Rises

There was a change on the village where the fountain felland where
the mender of roads went forth daily to hammer out of the stones on
the highway such morsels of bread as might serve for patches to hold
his poor ignorant soul and his poor reduced body together. The prison
on the crag was not so dominant as of yore; there were soldiers to guard
itbut not many; there were officers to guard the soldiersbut not
one of them knew what his men would do--beyond this: that it would
probably not be what he was ordered.

Far and wide lay a ruined countryyielding nothing but desolation.
Every green leafevery blade of grass and blade of grainwas as
shrivelled and poor as the miserable people. Everything was bowed
downdejectedoppressedand broken. Habitationsfences
domesticated animalsmenwomenchildrenand the soil that bore
them--all worn out.

Monseigneur (often a most worthy individual gentleman) was a national
blessinggave a chivalrous tone to thingswas a polite example of
luxurious and shining fifeand a great deal more to equal purpose;
neverthelessMonseigneur as a class hadsomehow or otherbrought
things to this. Strange that Creationdesigned expressly for
Monseigneurshould be so soon wrung dry and squeezed out! There must
be something short-sighted in the eternal arrangementssurely! Thus
it washowever; and the last drop of blood having been extracted from
the flintsand the last screw of the rack having been turned so often
that its purchase crumbledand it now turned and turned with nothing
to biteMonseigneur began to run away from a phenomenon so low
and unaccountable.

Butthis was not the change on the villageand on many a village
like it. For scores of years gone byMonseigneur had squeezed it
and wrung itand had seldom graced it with his presence except for
the pleasures of the chase--nowfound in hunting the people; now
found in hunting the beastsfor whose preservation Monseigneur made
edifying spaces of barbarous and barren wilderness. No. The change
consisted in the appearance of strange faces of low casterather than
in the disappearance of the high castechiselledand otherwise
beautified and beautifying features of Monseigneur.

Forin these timesas the mender of roads workedsolitaryin the
dustnot often troubling himself to reflect that dust he was and to
dust he must returnbeing for the most part too much occupied in
thinking how little he had for supper and how much more he would eat
if he had it--in these timesas he raised his eyes from his lonely
labourand viewed the prospecthe would see some rough figure
approaching on footthe like of which was once a rarity in those
partsbut was now a frequent presence. As it advancedthe mender
of roads would discern without surprisethat it was a shaggy-haired
manof almost barbarian aspecttallin wooden shoes that were
clumsy even to the eyes of a mender of roadsgrimroughswart
steeped in the mud and dust of many highwaysdank with the marshy
moisture of many low groundssprinkled with the thorns and leaves
and moss of many byways through woods.

Such a man came upon himlike a ghostat noon in the July weather
as he sat on his heap of stones under a banktaking such shelter as
he could get from a shower of hail.

The man looked at himlooked at the village in the hollowat the
milland at the prison on the crag. When he had identified these
objects in what benighted mind he hadhe saidin a dialect that


was just intelligible:

How goes it, Jacques?

All well, Jacques.

Touch then!

They joined handsand the man sat down on the heap of stones.

No dinner?

Nothing but supper now,said the mender of roadswith a hungry face.

It is the fashion,growled the man. "I meet no dinner anywhere."

He took out a blackened pipefilled itlighted it with flint and
steelpulled at it until it was in a bright glow: thensuddenly held
it from him and dropped something into it from between his finger and
thumbthat blazed and went out in a puff of smoke.

Touch then.It was the turn of the mender of roads to say it this
timeafter observing these operations. They again joined hands.

To-night?said the mender of roads.

To-night,said the manputting the pipe in his mouth.

Where?

Here.

He and the mender of roads sat on the heap of stones looking silently
at one anotherwith the hail driving in between them like a pigmy
charge of bayonetsuntil the sky began to clear over the village.

Show me!said the traveller thenmoving to the brow of the hill.

See!returned the mender of roadswith extended finger. "You go
down hereand straight through the streetand past the fountain--"

To the Devil with all that!interrupted the otherrolling his eye
over the landscape. "_I_ go through no streets and past no fountains.
Well?"

Well! About two leagues beyond the summit of that hill above
the village.

Good. When do you cease to work?

At sunset.

Will you wake me, before departing? I have walked two nights without
resting. Let me finish my pipe, and I shall sleep like a child. Will
you wake me?

Surely.

The wayfarer smoked his pipe output it in his breastslipped off
his great wooden shoesand lay down on his back on the heap of stones.
He was fast asleep directly.

As the road-mender plied his dusty labourand the hail-cloudsrolling
awayrevealed bright bars and streaks of sky which were responded to


by silver gleams upon the landscapethe little man (who wore a red cap
nowin place of his blue one) seemed fascinated by the figure on the
heap of stones. His eyes were so often turned towards itthat he
used his tools mechanicallyandone would have saidto very poor
account. The bronze facethe shaggy black hair and beardthe coarse
woollen red capthe rough medley dress of home-spun stuff and hairy
skins of beaststhe powerful frame attenuated by spare livingand
the sullen and desperate compression of the lips in sleepinspired
the mender of roads with awe. The traveller had travelled farand
his feet were footsoreand his ankles chafed and bleeding; his great
shoesstuffed with leaves and grasshad been heavy to drag over the
many long leaguesand his clothes were chafed into holesas he himself
was into sores. Stooping down beside himthe road-mender tried to
get a peep at secret weapons in his breast or where not; butin vain
for he slept with his arms crossed upon himand set as resolutely as
his lips. Fortified towns with their stockadesguard-housesgates
trenchesand drawbridgesseemed to the mender of roadsto be so much
air as against this figure. And when he lifted his eyes from it to
the horizon and looked aroundhe saw in his small fancy similar figures
stopped by no obstacletending to centres all over France.

The man slept onindifferent to showers of hail and intervals of
brightnessto sunshine on his face and shadowto the paltering lumps
of dull ice on his body and the diamonds into which the sun changed
themuntil the sun was low in the westand the sky was glowing.
Thenthe mender of roads having got his tools together and all things
ready to go down into the villageroused him.

Good!said the sleeperrising on his elbow. "Two leagues beyond
the summit of the hill?"

About.

About. Good!

The mender of roads went homewith the dust going on before him
according to the set of the windand was soon at the fountain
squeezing himself in among the lean kine brought there to drinkand
appearing even to whisper to them in his whispering to all the village.
When the village had taken its poor supperit did not creep to bed
as it usually didbut came out of doors againand remained there.
A curious contagion of whispering was upon itand alsowhen it
gathered together at the fountain in the darkanother curious contagion
of looking expectantly at the sky in one direction only. Monsieur
Gabellechief functionary of the placebecame uneasy; went out on
his house-top aloneand looked in that direction too; glanced down
from behind his chimneys at the darkening faces by the fountain below
and sent word to the sacristan who kept the keys of the churchthat
there might be need to ring the tocsin by-and-bye.

The night deepened. The trees environing the old chateaukeeping
its solitary state apartmoved in a rising windas though they
threatened the pile of building massive and dark in the gloom. Up
the two terrace flights of steps the rain ran wildlyand beat at
the great doorlike a swift messenger rousing those within; uneasy
rushes of wind went through the hallamong the old spears and knives
and passed lamenting up the stairsand shook the curtains of the bed
where the last Marquis had slept. EastWestNorthand Souththrough
the woodsfour heavy-treadingunkempt figures crushed the high grass
and cracked the branchesstriding on cautiously to come together in
the courtyard. Four lights broke out thereand moved away in different
directionsand all was black again.

Butnot for long. Presentlythe chateau began to make itself


strangely visible by some light of its ownas though it were growing
luminous. Thena flickering streak played behind the architecture
of the frontpicking out transparent placesand showing where
balustradesarchesand windows were. Then it soared higherand
grew broader and brighter. Soonfrom a score of the great windows
flames burst forthand the stone faces awakenedstared out of fire.

A faint murmur arose about the house from the few people who were left
thereand there was a saddling of a horse and riding away. There was
spurring and splashing through the darknessand bridle was drawn in
the space by the village fountainand the horse in a foam stood at
Monsieur Gabelle's door. "HelpGabelle! Helpevery one!" The
tocsin rang impatientlybut other help (if that were any) there was
none. The mender of roadsand two hundred and fifty particular
friendsstood with folded arms at the fountainlooking at the pillar
of fire in the sky. "It must be forty feet high said they, grimly;
and never moved.

The rider from the chateau, and the horse in a foam, clattered away
through the village, and galloped up the stony steep, to the prison
on the crag. At the gate, a group of officers were looking at the
fire; removed from them, a group of soldiers. Helpgentlemen-officers!
The chateau is on fire; valuable objects may be saved from
the flames by timely aid! Helphelp!" The officers looked towards
the soldiers who looked at the fire; gave no orders; and answered
with shrugs and biting of lipsIt must burn.

As the rider rattled down the hill again and through the streetthe
village was illuminating. The mender of roadsand the two hundred
and fifty particular friendsinspired as one man and woman by the
idea of lighting uphad darted into their housesand were putting
candles in every dull little pane of glass. The general scarcity of
everythingoccasioned candles to be borrowed in a rather peremptory
manner of Monsieur Gabelle; and in a moment of reluctance and hesitation
on that functionary's partthe mender of roadsonce so submissive
to authorityhad remarked that carriages were good to make bonfires
withand that post-horses would roast.

The chateau was left to itself to flame and burn. In the roaring and
raging of the conflagrationa red-hot winddriving straight from
the infernal regionsseemed to be blowing the edifice away. With the
rising and falling of the blazethe stone faces showed as if they were
in torment. When great masses of stone and timber fellthe face with
the two dints in the nose became obscured: anon struggled out of the
smoke againas if it were the face of the cruel Marquisburning at
the stake and contending with the fire.

The chateau burned; the nearest treeslaid hold of by the fire
scorched and shrivelled; trees at a distancefired by the four fierce
figuresbegirt the blazing edifice with a new forest of smoke. Molten
lead and iron boiled in the marble basin of the fountain; the water
ran dry; the extinguisher tops of the towers vanished like ice before
the heatand trickled down into four rugged wells of flame. Great
rents and splits branched out in the solid wallslike crystallisation;
stupefied birds wheeled about and dropped into the furnace; four fierce
figures trudged awayEastWestNorthand Southalong the nightenshrouded
roadsguided by the beacon they had lightedtowards their
next destination. The illuminated village had seized hold of the
tocsinandabolishing the lawful ringerrang for joy.

Not only that; but the villagelight-headed with faminefireand
bell-ringingand bethinking itself that Monsieur Gabelle had to do
with the collection of rent and taxes--though it was but a small
instalment of taxesand no rent at allthat Gabelle had got in those


latter days--became impatient for an interview with himand
surrounding his housesummoned him to come forth for personal conference.
WhereuponMonsieur Gabelle did heavily bar his doorand retire to
hold counsel with himself. The result of that conference wasthat
Gabelle again withdrew himself to his housetop behind his stack of
chimneys; this time resolvedif his door were broken in (he was a
small Southern man of retaliative temperament)to pitch himself head
foremost over the parapetand crush a man or two below.

ProbablyMonsieur Gabelle passed a long night up therewith the
distant chateau for fire and candleand the beating at his door
combined with the joy-ringingfor music; not to mention his having
an ill-omened lamp slung across the road before his posting-house gate
which the village showed a lively inclination to displace in his favour.
A trying suspenseto be passing a whole summer night on the brink of
the black oceanready to take that plunge into it upon which Monsieur
Gabelle had resolved! Butthe friendly dawn appearing at lastand
the rush-candles of the village guttering outthe people happily
dispersedand Monsieur Gabelle came down bringing his life with him
for that while.

Within a hundred milesand in the light of other firesthere were
other functionaries less fortunatethat night and other nightswhom
the rising sun found hanging across once-peaceful streetswhere they
had been born and bred; alsothere were other villagers and townspeople
less fortunate than the mender of roads and his fellowsupon whom
the functionaries and soldiery turned with successand whom they
strung up in their turn. Butthe fierce figures were steadily wending
EastWestNorthand Southbe that as it would; and whosoever hung
fire burned. The altitude of the gallows that would turn to water
and quench itno functionaryby any stretch of mathematicswas
able to calculate successfully.

Drawn to the Loadstone Rock

In such risings of fire and risings of sea--the firm earth shaken by
the rushes of an angry ocean which had now no ebbbut was always on
the flowhigher and higherto the terror and wonder of the beholders
on the shore--three years of tempest were consumed. Three more
birthdays of little Lucie had been woven by the golden thread into
the peaceful tissue of the life of her home.

Many a night and many a day had its inmates listened to the echoes in
the cornerwith hearts that failed them when they heard the thronging
feet. Forthe footsteps had become to their minds as the footsteps
of a peopletumultuous under a red flag and with their country declared
in dangerchanged into wild beastsby terrible enchantment long
persisted in.

Monseigneuras a classhad dissociated himself from the phenomenon
of his not being appreciated: of his being so little wanted in France
as to incur considerable danger of receiving his dismissal from it
and this life together. Like the fabled rustic who raised the Devil
with infinite painsand was so terrified at the sight of him that he
could ask the Enemy no questionbut immediately fled; soMonseigneur
after boldly reading the Lord's Prayer backwards for a great number of
yearsand performing many other potent spells for compelling the Evil
Oneno sooner beheld him in his terrors than he took to his noble heels.


The shining Bull's Eye of the Court was goneor it would have been
the mark for a hurricane of national bullets. It had never been a
good eye to see with--had long had the mote in it of Lucifer's pride
Sardana--palus's luxuryand a mole's blindness--but it had dropped
out and was gone. The Courtfrom that exclusive inner circle to its
outermost rotten ring of intriguecorruptionand dissimulationwas
all gone together. Royalty was gone; had been besieged in its Palace
and "suspended when the last tidings came over.

The August of the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two was
come, and Monseigneur was by this time scattered far and wide.

As was natural, the head-quarters and great gathering-place of
Monseigneur, in London, was Tellson's Bank. Spirits are supposed to
haunt the places where their bodies most resorted, and Monseigneur
without a guinea haunted the spot where his guineas used to be.
Moreover, it was the spot to which such French intelligence as was
most to be relied upon, came quickest. Again: Tellson's was a
munificent house, and extended great liberality to old customers who
had fallen from their high estate. Again: those nobles who had seen
the coming storm in time, and anticipating plunder or confiscation,
had made provident remittances to Tellson's, were always to be heard
of there by their needy brethren. To which it must be added that every
new-comer from France reported himself and his tidings at Tellson's,
almost as a matter of course. For such variety of reasons, Tellson's
was at that time, as to French intelligence, a kind of High Exchange;
and this was so well known to the public, and the inquiries made there
were in consequence so numerous, that Tellson's sometimes wrote the
latest news out in a line or so and posted it in the Bank windows,
for all who ran through Temple Bar to read.

On a steaming, misty afternoon, Mr. Lorry sat at his desk, and Charles
Darnay stood leaning on it, talking with him in a low voice. The
penitential den once set apart for interviews with the House, was now
the news-Exchange, and was filled to overflowing. It was within half
an hour or so of the time of closing.

Butalthough you are the youngest man that ever lived said Charles
Darnay, rather hesitating, I must still suggest to you--"

I understand. That I am too old?said Mr. Lorry.

Unsettled weather, a long journey, uncertain means of travelling, a
disorganised country, a city that may not be even safe for you.

My dear Charles,said Mr. Lorrywith cheerful confidenceyou
touch some of the reasons for my going: not for my staying away.
It is safe enough for me; nobody will care to interfere with an old
fellow of hard upon fourscore when there are so many people there
much better worth interfering with. As to its being a disorganised
city, if it were not a disorganised city there would be no occasion
to send somebody from our House here to our House there, who knows
the city and the business, of old, and is in Tellson's confidence.
As to the uncertain travelling, the long journey, and the winter
weather, if I were not prepared to submit myself to a few inconveniences
for the sake of Tellson's, after all these years, who ought to be?

I wish I were going myself,said Charles Darnaysomewhat restlessly
and like one thinking aloud.

Indeed! You are a pretty fellow to object and advise!exclaimed
Mr. Lorry. "You wish you were going yourself? And you a Frenchman
born? You are a wise counsellor."


My dear Mr. Lorry, it is because I am a Frenchman born, that the
thought (which I did not mean to utter here, however) has passed
through my mind often. One cannot help thinking, having had some
sympathy for the miserable people, and having abandoned something to
them,he spoke here in his former thoughtful mannerthat one might
be listened to, and might have the power to persuade to some restraint.
Only last night, after you had left us, when I was talking to Lucie--

When you were talking to Lucie,Mr. Lorry repeated. "Yes. I wonder
you are not ashamed to mention the name of Lucie! Wishing you were
going to France at this time of day!"

However, I am not going,said Charles Darnaywith a smile. "It is
more to the purpose that you say you are."

And I am, in plain reality. The truth is, my dear Charles,Mr. Lorry
glanced at the distant Houseand lowered his voiceyou can have no
conception of the difficulty with which our business is transacted,
and of the peril in which our books and papers over yonder are involved.
The Lord above knows what the compromising consequences would be to
numbers of people, if some of our documents were seized or destroyed;
and they might be, at any time, you know, for who can say that Paris
is not set afire to-day, or sacked to-morrow! Now, a judicious selection
from these with the least possible delay, and the burying of them,
or otherwise getting of them out of harm's way, is within the power
(without loss of precious time) of scarcely any one but myself,
if any one. And shall I hang back, when Tellson's knows this and says
this--Tellson's, whose bread I have eaten these sixty years--because
I am a little stiff about the joints? Why, I am a boy, sir, to half
a dozen old codgers here!

How I admire the gallantry of your youthful spirit, Mr. Lorry.

Tut! Nonsense, sir!--And, my dear Charles,said Mr. Lorryglancing
at the House againyou are to remember, that getting things out of
Paris at this present time, no matter what things, is next to an
impossibility. Papers and precious matters were this very day brought
to us here (I speak in strict confidence; it is not business-like to
whisper it, even to you), by the strangest bearers you can imagine,
every one of whom had his head hanging on by a single hair as he
passed the Barriers. At another time, our parcels would come and go,
as easily as in business-like Old England; but now, everything
is stopped.

And do you really go to-night?

I really go to-night, for the case has become too pressing to
admit of delay.

And do you take no one with you?

All sorts of people have been proposed to me, but I will have
nothing to say to any of them. I intend to take Jerry. Jerry has
been my bodyguard on Sunday nights for a long time past and I am used
to him. Nobody will suspect Jerry of being anything but an English
bull-dog, or of having any design in his head but to fly at anybody
who touches his master.

I must say again that I heartily admire your gallantry and
youthfulness.

I must say again, nonsense, nonsense! When I have executed this
little commission, I shall, perhaps, accept Tellson's proposal to retire
and live at my ease. Time enough, then, to think about growing old.


This dialogue had taken place at Mr. Lorry's usual deskwith Monseigneur
swarming within a yard or two of itboastful of what he would do to
avenge himself on the rascal-people before long. It was too much the
way of Monseigneur under his reverses as a refugeeand it was much
too much the way of native British orthodoxyto talk of this terrible
Revolution as if it were the only harvest ever known under the skies
that had not been sown--as if nothing had ever been doneor omitted
to be donethat had led to it--as if observers of the wretched
millions in Franceand of the misused and perverted resources that
should have made them prosperoushad not seen it inevitably coming
years beforeand had not in plain words recorded what they saw. Such
vapouringcombined with the extravagant plots of Monseigneur for the
restoration of a state of things that had utterly exhausted itself
and worn out Heaven and earth as well as itselfwas hard to be endured
without some remonstrance by any sane man who knew the truth. And it
was such vapouring all about his earslike a troublesome confusion of
blood in his own headadded to a latent uneasiness in his mindwhich
had already made Charles Darnay restlessand which still kept him so.

Among the talkerswas Stryverof the King's Bench Barfar on his
way to state promotionandthereforeloud on the theme: broaching
to Monseigneurhis devices for blowing the people up and
exterminating them from the face of the earthand doing without them:
and for accomplishing many similar objects akin in their nature to
the abolition of eagles by sprinkling salt on the tails of the race.
HimDarnay heard with a particular feeling of objection; and Darnay
stood divided between going away that he might hear no moreand
remaining to interpose his wordwhen the thing that was to bewent
on to shape itself out.

The House approached Mr. Lorryand laying a soiled and unopened
letter before himasked if he had yet discovered any traces of the
person to whom it was addressed? The House laid the letter down so
close to Darnay that he saw the direction--the more quickly because
it was his own right name. The addressturned into Englishran:

Very pressing. To Monsieur heretofore the Marquis St. Evremonde,
of France. Confided to the cares of Messrs. Tellson and Co., Bankers,
London, England.

On the marriage morningDoctor Manette had made it his one urgent
and express request to Charles Darnaythat the secret of this name
should be--unless hethe Doctordissolved the obligation--kept
inviolate between them. Nobody else knew it to be his name; his own
wife had no suspicion of the fact; Mr. Lorry could have none.

No,said Mr. Lorryin reply to the House; "I have referred it
I thinkto everybody now hereand no one can tell me where this
gentleman is to be found."

The hands of the clock verging upon the hour of closing the Bank
there was a general set of the current of talkers past Mr. Lorry's
desk. He held the letter out inquiringly; and Monseigneur looked at
itin the person of this plotting and indignant refugee; and
Monseigneur looked at it in the person of that plotting and indignant
refugee; and ThisThatand The Otherall had something disparaging
to sayin French or in Englishconcerning the Marquis who was not
to be found.

Nephew, I believe--but in any case degenerate successor--of the
polished Marquis who was murdered,said one. "Happy to sayI never
knew him."


A craven who abandoned his post,said another--this Monseigneur
had been got out of Parislegs uppermost and half suffocatedin a
load of hay--"some years ago."

Infected with the new doctrines,said a thirdeyeing the direction
through his glass in passing; "set himself in opposition to the last
Marquisabandoned the estates when he inherited themand left them
to the ruffian herd. They will recompense him nowI hope
as he deserves."

Hey?cried the blatant Stryver. "Did he though? Is that the sort
of fellow? Let us look at his infamous name. D--n the fellow!"

Darnayunable to restrain himself any longertouched Mr. Stryver on
the shoulderand said:

I know the fellow.

Do you, by Jupiter?said Stryver. "I am sorry for it."

Why?

Why, Mr. Darnay? D'ye hear what he did? Don't ask, why,
in these times.

But I do ask why?

Then I tell you again, Mr. Darnay, I am sorry for it. I am sorry to
hear you putting any such extraordinary questions. Here is a fellow,
who, infected by the most pestilent and blasphemous code of devilry
that ever was known, abandoned his property to the vilest scum of the
earth that ever did murder by wholesale, and you ask me why I am
sorry that a man who instructs youth knows him? Well, but I'll
answer you. I am sorry because I believe there is contamination in
such a scoundrel. That's why.

Mindful of the secretDarnay with great difficulty checked himself
and said: "You may not understand the gentleman."

I understand how to put YOU in a corner, Mr. Darnay,said Bully
Stryverand I'll do it. If this fellow is a gentleman, I DON'T
understand him. You may tell him so, with my compliments. You may
also tell him, from me, that after abandoning his worldly goods and
position to this butcherly mob, I wonder he is not at the head of them.
But, no, gentlemen,said Stryverlooking all roundand snapping his
fingersI know something of human nature, and I tell you that you'll
never find a fellow like this fellow, trusting himself to the mercies
of such precious PROTEGES. No, gentlemen; he'll always show 'em
a clean pair of heels very early in the scuffle, and sneak away.

With those wordsand a final snap of his fingersMr. Stryver
shouldered himself into Fleet-streetamidst the general approbation
of his hearers. Mr. Lorry and Charles Darnay were left alone at the
deskin the general departure from the Bank.

Will you take charge of the letter?said Mr. Lorry. "You know
where to deliver it?"

I do.

Will you undertake to explain, that we suppose it to have been
addressed here, on the chance of our knowing where to forward it,
and that it has been here some time?


I will do so. Do you start for Paris from here?

From here, at eight.

I will come back, to see you off.

Very ill at ease with himselfand with Stryver and most other men
Darnay made the best of his way into the quiet of the Temple
opened the letterand read it. These were its contents:


Prison of the Abbaye, Paris.


June 211792.
MONSIEUR HERETOFORE THE MARQUIS.


After having long been in danger of my life at the hands of the
villageI have been seizedwith great violence and indignityand
brought a long journey on foot to Paris. On the road I have suffered
a great deal. Nor is that all; my house has been destroyed--razed
to the ground.


The crime for which I am imprisoned, Monsieur heretofore the
Marquis, and for which I shall be summoned before the tribunal, and
shall lose my life (without your so generous help), is, they tell me,
treason against the majesty of the people, in that I have acted
against them for an emigrant. It is in vain I represent that I have
acted for them, and not against, according to your commands. It is
in vain I represent that, before the sequestration of emigrant
property, I had remitted the imposts they had ceased to pay; that I
had collected no rent; that I had had recourse to no process. The
only response is, that I have acted for an emigrant, and where is
that emigrant?


Ah! most gracious Monsieur heretofore the Marquiswhere is that
emigrant? I cry in my sleep where is he? I demand of Heavenwill
he not come to deliver me? No answer. Ah Monsieur heretofore the
MarquisI send my desolate cry across the seahoping it may perhaps
reach your ears through the great bank of Tilson known at Paris!


For the love of Heaven, of justice, of generosity, of the honour of
your noble name, I supplicate you, Monsieur heretofore the Marquis,
to succour and release me. My fault is, that I have been true to you.
Oh Monsieur heretofore the Marquis, I pray you be you true to me!


From this prison here of horrorwhence I every hour tend nearer
and nearer to destructionI send youMonsieur heretofore the Marquis
the assurance of my dolorous and unhappy service.


Your afflicted,


Gabelle."


The latent uneasiness in Darnay's mind was roused to vigourous life
by this letter. The peril of an old servant and a good onewhose
only crime was fidelity to himself and his familystared him so
reproachfully in the facethatas he walked to and fro in the Temple
considering what to dohe almost hid his face from the passersby.


He knew very wellthat in his horror of the deed which had culminated
the bad deeds and bad reputation of the old family housein his
resentful suspicions of his uncleand in the aversion with which his



conscience regarded the crumbling fabric that he was supposed to
upholdhe had acted imperfectly. He knew very wellthat in his love
for Luciehis renunciation of his social placethough by no means
new to his own mindhad been hurried and incomplete. He knew that
he ought to have systematically worked it out and supervised itand
that he had meant to do itand that it had never been done.

The happiness of his own chosen English homethe necessity of being
always actively employedthe swift changes and troubles of the time
which had followed on one another so fastthat the events of this
week annihilated the immature plans of last weekand the events of
the week following made all new again; he knew very wellthat to the
force of these circumstances he had yielded:--not without disquiet
but still without continuous and accumulating resistance. That he
had watched the times for a time of actionand that they had shifted
and struggled until the time had gone byand the nobility were
trooping from France by every highway and bywayand their property
was in course of confiscation and destructionand their very names
were blotting outwas as well known to himself as it could be to any
new authority in France that might impeach him for it.

Buthe had oppressed no manhe had imprisoned no man; he was so far
from having harshly exacted payment of his duesthat he had
relinquished them of his own willthrown himself on a world with no
favour in itwon his own private place thereand earned his own
bread. Monsieur Gabelle had held the impoverished and involved estate
on written instructionsto spare the peopleto give them what little
there was to give--such fuel as the heavy creditors would let them
have in the winterand such produce as could be saved from the same
grip in the summer--and no doubt he had put the fact in plea and proof
for his own safetyso that it could not but appear now.

This favoured the desperate resolution Charles Darnay had begun to make
that he would go to Paris.

Yes. Like the mariner in the old storythe winds and streams had
driven him within the influence of the Loadstone Rockand it was
drawing him to itselfand he must go. Everything that arose before
his mind drifted him onfaster and fastermore and more steadily
to the terrible attraction. His latent uneasiness had beenthat bad
aims were being worked out in his own unhappy land by bad instruments
and that he who could not fail to know that he was better than they
was not theretrying to do something to stay bloodshedand assert
the claims of mercy and humanity. With this uneasiness half stifled
and half reproaching himhe had been brought to the pointed comparison
of himself with the brave old gentleman in whom duty was so strong;
upon that comparison (injurious to himself) had instantly followed
the sneers of Monseigneurwhich had stung him bitterlyand those of
Stryverwhich above all were coarse and gallingfor old reasons.
Upon thosehad followed Gabelle's letter: the appeal of an innocent
prisonerin danger of deathto his justicehonourand good name.

His resolution was made. He must go to Paris.

Yes. The Loadstone Rock was drawing himand he must sail onuntil
he struck. He knew of no rock; he saw hardly any danger. The
intention with which he had done what he had doneeven although he
had left it incompletepresented it before him in an aspect that
would be gratefully acknowledged in France on his presenting himself
to assert it. Thenthat glorious vision of doing goodwhich is so
often the sanguine mirage of so many good mindsarose before him
and he even saw himself in the illusion with some influence to guide
this raging Revolution that was running so fearfully wild.


As he walked to and fro with his resolution madehe considered that
neither Lucie nor her father must know of it until he was gone.
Lucie should be spared the pain of separation; and her fatheralways
reluctant to turn his thoughts towards the dangerous ground of old
should come to the knowledge of the stepas a step takenand not in
the balance of suspense and doubt. How much of the incompleteness of
his situation was referable to her fatherthrough the painful
anxiety to avoid reviving old associations of France in his mindhe
did not discuss with himself. Butthat circumstance too
had had its influence in his course.

He walked to and frowith thoughts very busyuntil it was time to
return to Tellson's and take leave of Mr. Lorry. As soon as he
arrived in Paris he would present himself to this old friendbut he
must say nothing of his intention now.

A carriage with post-horses was ready at the Bank doorand Jerry
was booted and equipped.

I have delivered that letter,said Charles Darnay to Mr. Lorry.
I would not consent to your being charged with any written answer,
but perhaps you will take a verbal one?

That I will, and readily,said Mr. Lorryif it is not dangerous.

Not at all. Though it is to a prisoner in the Abbaye.

What is his name?said Mr. Lorrywith his open pocket-book in his hand.

Gabelle.

Gabelle. And what is the message to the unfortunate Gabelle in prison?

Simply, `that he has received the letter, and will come.'

Any time mentioned?

He will start upon his journey to-morrow night.

Any person mentioned?

No.

He helped Mr. Lorry to wrap himself in a number of coats and cloaks
and went out with him from the warm atmosphere of the old Bankinto
the misty air of Fleet-street. "My love to Lucieand to little
Lucie said Mr. Lorry at parting, and take precious care of them
till I come back." Charles Darnay shook his head and doubtfully smiled
as the carriage rolled away.

That night--it was the fourteenth of August--he sat up lateand
wrote two fervent letters; one was to Lucieexplaining the strong
obligation he was under to go to Parisand showing herat length
the reasons that he hadfor feeling confident that he could become
involved in no personal danger there; the other was to the Doctor
confiding Lucie and their dear child to his careand dwelling on
the same topics with the strongest assurances. To bothhe wrote
that he would despatch letters in proof of his safetyimmediately
after his arrival.

It was a hard daythat day of being among themwith the first
reservation of their joint lives on his mind. It was a hard matter
to preserve the innocent deceit of which they were profoundly
unsuspicious. Butan affectionate glance at his wifeso happy and


busymade him resolute not to tell her what impended (he had been
half moved to do itso strange it was to him to act in anything
without her quiet aid)and the day passed quickly. Early in the
evening he embraced herand her scarcely less dear namesakepretending
that he would return by-and-bye (an imaginary engagement took him out
and he had secreted a valise of clothes ready)and so he emerged
into the heavy mist of the heavy streetswith a heavier heart.

The unseen force was drawing him fast to itselfnowand all the
tides and winds were setting straight and strong towards it. He left
his two letters with a trusty porterto be delivered half an hour
before midnightand no sooner; took horse for Dover; and began his
journey. "For the love of Heavenof justiceof generosityof the
honour of your noble name!" was the poor prisoner's cry with which
he strengthened his sinking heartas he left all that was dear on
earth behind himand floated away for the Loadstone Rock.

The end of the second book.

Book the Third--the Track of a Storm

In Secret

The traveller fared slowly on his waywho fared towards Paris from
England in the autumn of the year one thousand seven hundred and
ninety-two. More than enough of bad roadsbad equipagesand bad
horseshe would have encountered to delay himthough the fallen and
unfortunate King of France had been upon his throne in all his glory;
butthe changed times were fraught with other obstacles than these.
Every town-gate and village taxing-house had its band of citizenpatriots
with their national muskets in a most explosive state of
readinesswho stopped all comers and goerscross-questioned them
inspected their paperslooked for their names in lists of their own
turned them backor sent them onor stopped them and laid them in
holdas their capricious judgment or fancy deemed best for the
dawning Republic One and Indivisibleof LibertyEquality
Fraternityor Death.

A very few French leagues of his journey were accomplishedwhen
Charles Darnay began to perceive that for him along these country
roads there was no hope of return until he should have been declared
a good citizen at Paris. Whatever might befall nowhe must on to
his journey's end. Not a mean village closed upon himnot a common
barrier dropped across the road behind himbut he knew it to be
another iron door in the series that was barred between him and
England. The universal watchfulness so encompassed himthat if he
had been taken in a netor were being forwarded to his destination
in a cagehe could not have felt his freedom more completely gone.

This universal watchfulness not only stopped him on the highway
twenty times in a stagebut retarded his progress twenty times in a
dayby riding after him and taking him backriding before him and


stopping him by anticipationriding with him and keeping him in
charge. He had been days upon his journey in France alonewhen he
went to bed tired outin a little town on the high roadstill a
long way from Paris.

Nothing but the production of the afflicted Gabelle's letter from his
prison of the Abbaye would have got him on so far. His difficulty at
the guard-house in this small place had been suchthat he felt his
journey to have come to a crisis. And he wasthereforeas little
surprised as a man could beto find himself awakened at the small
inn to which he had been remitted until morningin the middle of the
night.

Awakened by a timid local functionary and three armed patriots in
rough red caps and with pipes in their mouthswho sat down on the bed.

Emigrant,said the functionaryI am going to send you on to Paris,
under an escort.

Citizen, I desire nothing more than to get to Paris, though I could
dispense with the escort.

Silence!growled a red-capstriking at the coverlet with the
butt-end of his musket. "Peacearistocrat!"

It is as the good patriot says,observed the timid functionary.
You are an aristocrat, and must have an escort--and must pay for it.

I have no choice,said Charles Darnay.

Choice! Listen to him!cried the same scowling red-cap. "As if it
was not a favour to be protected from the lamp-iron!"

It is always as the good patriot says,observed the functionary.
Rise and dress yourself, emigrant.

Darnay compliedand was taken back to the guard-housewhere other
patriots in rough red caps were smokingdrinkingand sleepingby a
watch-fire. Here he paid a heavy price for his escortand hence he
started with it on the wetwet roads at three o'clock in the morning.

The escort were two mounted patriots in red caps and tri-coloured
cockadesarmed with national muskets and sabreswho rode one on
either side of him.

The escorted governed his own horsebut a loose line was attached to
his bridlethe end of which one of the patriots kept girded round
his wrist. In this state they set forth with the sharp rain driving
in their faces: clattering at a heavy dragoon trot over the uneven
town pavementand out upon the mire-deep roads. In this state they
traversed without changeexcept of horses and paceall the miredeep
leagues that lay between them and the capital.

They travelled in the nighthalting an hour or two after daybreak
and lying by until the twilight fell. The escort were so wretchedly
clothedthat they twisted straw round their bare legsand thatched
their ragged shoulders to keep the wet off. Apart from the personal
discomfort of being so attendedand apart from such considerations
of present danger as arose from one of the patriots being chronically
drunkand carrying his musket very recklesslyCharles Darnay did
not allow the restraint that was laid upon him to awaken any serious
fears in his breast; forhe reasoned with himself that it could have
no reference to the merits of an individual case that was not yet
statedand of representationsconfirmable by the prisoner in the


Abbayethat were not yet made.


But when they came to the town of Beauvais--which they did at
eventidewhen the streets were filled with people--he could not
conceal from himself that the aspect of affairs was very alarming.
An ominous crowd gathered to see him dismount of the posting-yard
and many voices called out loudlyDown with the emigrant!


He stopped in the act of swinging himself out of his saddleand
resuming it as his safest placesaid:


Emigrant, my friends! Do you not see me here, in France, of my own will?


You are a cursed emigrant,cried a farriermaking at him in a
furious manner through the presshammer in hand; "and you are a
cursed aristocrat!"


The postmaster interposed himself between this man and the rider's
bridle (at which he was evidently making)and soothingly said
Let him be; let him be! He will be judged at Paris.


Judged!repeated the farrierswinging his hammer.
Ay! and condemned as a traitor.At this the crowd roared approval.


Checking the postmasterwho was for turning his horse's head to the
yard (the drunken patriot sat composedly in his saddle looking on
with the line round his wrist)Darnay saidas soon as he could make
his voice heard:


Friends, you deceive yourselves, or you are deceived. I am not a traitor.


He lies!cried the smith. "He is a traitor since the decree.
His life is forfeit to the people. His cursed life is not his own!"


At the instant when Darnay saw a rush in the eyes of the crowd
which another instant would have brought upon himthe postmaster
turned his horse into the yardthe escort rode in close upon his
horse's flanksand the postmaster shut and barred the crazy double
gates. The farrier struck a blow upon them with his hammerand the
crowd groaned; butno more was done.


What is this decree that the smith spoke of?Darnay asked the
postmasterwhen he had thanked himand stood beside him in the yard.


Truly, a decree for selling the property of emigrants.


When passed?


On the fourteenth.


The day I left England!


Everybody says it is but one of several, and that there will be
others--if there are not already-banishing all emigrants, and
condemning all to death who return. That is what he meant when he
said your life was not your own.


But there are no such decrees yet?


What do I know!said the postmastershrugging his shoulders;
there may be, or there will be. It is all the same. What would
you have?


They rested on some straw in a loft until the middle of the night



and then rode forward again when all the town was asleep. Among the
many wild changes observable on familiar things which made this wild
ride unrealnot the least was the seeming rarity of sleep.
After long and lonely spurring over dreary roadsthey would come to
a cluster of poor cottagesnot steeped in darknessbut all
glittering with lightsand would find the peoplein a ghostly
manner in the dead of the nightcircling hand in hand round a
shrivelled tree of Libertyor all drawn up together singing a
Liberty song. Happilyhoweverthere was sleep in Beauvais that
night to help them out of it and they passed on once more into
solitude and loneliness: jingling through the untimely cold and wet
among impoverished fields that had yielded no fruits of the earth
that yeardiversified by the blackened remains of burnt housesand
by the sudden emergence from ambuscadeand sharp reining up across
their wayof patriot patrols on the watch on all the roads.

Daylight at last found them before the wall of Paris. The barrier
was closed and strongly guarded when they rode up to it.

Where are the papers of this prisoner?demanded a resolute-looking
man in authoritywho was summoned out by the guard.

Naturally struck by the disagreeable wordCharles Darnay requested
the speaker to take notice that he was a free traveller and French
citizenin charge of an escort which the disturbed state of the
country had imposed upon himand which he had paid for.

Where,repeated the same personagewithout taking any heed of him
whateverare the papers of this prisoner?

The drunken patriot had them in his capand produced them. Casting his
eyes over Gabelle's letterthe same personage in authority showed
some disorder and surpriseand looked at Darnay with a close attention.

He left escort and escorted without saying a wordhoweverand went
into the guard-room; meanwhilethey sat upon their horses outside
the gate. Looking about him while in this state of suspenseCharles
Darnay observed that the gate was held by a mixed guard of soldiers
and patriotsthe latter far outnumbering the former; and that while
ingress into the city for peasants' carts bringing in suppliesand
for similar traffic and traffickerswas easy enoughegresseven
for the homeliest peoplewas very difficult. A numerous medley of
men and womennot to mention beasts and vehicles of various sorts
was waiting to issue forth; butthe previous identification was so
strictthat they filtered through the barrier very slowly. Some of
these people knew their turn for examination to be so far offthat
they lay down on the ground to sleep or smokewhile others talked
togetheror loitered about. The red cap and tri-colour cockade were
universalboth among men and women.

When he had sat in his saddle some half-hourtaking note of these
thingsDarnay found himself confronted by the same man in authority
who directed the guard to open the barrier. Then he delivered to the
escortdrunk and sobera receipt for the escortedand requested him
to dismount. He did soand the two patriotsleading his tired horse
turned and rode away without entering the city.

He accompanied his conductor into a guard-roomsmelling of common
wine and tobaccowhere certain soldiers and patriotsasleep and
awakedrunk and soberand in various neutral states between
sleeping and wakingdrunkenness and sobrietywere standing and
lying about. The light in the guard-househalf derived from the
waning oil-lamps of the nightand half from the overcast daywas in
a correspondingly uncertain condition. Some registers were lying


open on a deskand an officer of a coarsedark aspectpresided
over these.


Citizen Defarge,said he to Darnay's conductoras he took a slip
of paper to write on. "Is this the emigrant Evremonde?"


This is the man.


Your age, Evremonde?


Thirty-seven.


Married, Evremonde?


Yes.


Where married?


In England.


Without doubt. Where is your wife, Evremonde?


In England.


Without doubt. You are consigned, Evremonde, to the prison of La Force.


Just Heaven!exclaimed Darnay. "Under what lawand for what offence?"


The officer looked up from his slip of paper for a moment.


We have new laws, Evremonde, and new offences, since you were here.
He said it with a hard smileand went on writing.


I entreat you to observe that I have come here voluntarily, in response
to that written appeal of a fellow-countryman which lies before you.
I demand no more than the opportunity to do so without delay.
Is not that my right?


Emigrants have no rights, Evremonde,was the stolid reply.
The officer wrote until he had finishedread over to himself what he
had writtensanded itand handed it to Defargewith the words
In secret.


Defarge motioned with the paper to the prisoner that he must
accompany him. The prisoner obeyedand a guard of two armed
patriots attended them.


Is it you,said Defargein a low voiceas they went down the
guardhouse steps and turned into Pariswho married the daughter of
Doctor Manette, once a prisoner in the Bastille that is no more?


Yes,replied Darnaylooking at him with surprise.


My name is Defarge, and I keep a wine-shop in the Quarter Saint
Antoine. Possibly you have heard of me.


My wife came to your house to reclaim her father? Yes!


The word "wife" seemed to serve as a gloomy reminder to Defarge
to say with sudden impatienceIn the name of that sharp female
newly-born, and called La Guillotine, why did you come to France?


You heard me say why, a minute ago. Do you not believe it is the
truth?



A bad truth for you,said Defargespeaking with knitted brows
and looking straight before him.

Indeed I am lost here. All here is so unprecedented, so changed,
so sudden and unfair, that I am absolutely lost. Will you render me
a little help?

None.Defarge spokealways looking straight before him.

Will you answer me a single question?

Perhaps. According to its nature. You can say what it is.

In this prison that I am going to so unjustly, shall I have some
free communication with the world outside?

You will see.

I am not to be buried there, prejudged, and without any means of
presenting my case?

You will see. But, what then? Other people have been similarly
buried in worse prisons, before now.

But never by me, Citizen Defarge.

Defarge glanced darkly at him for answerand walked on in a steady
and set silence. The deeper he sank into this silencethe fainter
hope there was--or so Darnay thought--of his softening in any slight
degree. Hethereforemade haste to say:

It is of the utmost importance to me (you know, Citizen, even better
than I, of how much importance), that I should be able to communicate
to Mr. Lorry of Tellson's Bank, an English gentleman who is now in
Paris, the simple fact, without comment, that I have been thrown into
the prison of La Force. Will you cause that to be done for me?

I will do,Defarge doggedly rejoinednothing for you. My duty is
to my country and the People. I am the sworn servant of both,
against you. I will do nothing for you.

Charles Darnay felt it hopeless to entreat him furtherand his pride
was touched besides. As they walked on in silencehe could not but
see how used the people were to the spectacle of prisoners passing
along the streets. The very children scarcely noticed him. A few
passers turned their headsand a few shook their fingers at him as
an aristocrat; otherwisethat a man in good clothes should be going
to prisonwas no more remarkable than that a labourer in working
clothes should be going to work. In one narrowdarkand dirty
street through which they passedan excited oratormounted on a stool
was addressing an excited audience on the crimes against the people
of the king and the royal family. The few words that he caught from
this man's lipsfirst made it known to Charles Darnay that the king
was in prisonand that the foreign ambassadors had one and all left
Paris. On the road (except at Beauvais) he had heard absolutely nothing.
The escort and the universal watchfulness had completely isolated him.

That he had fallen among far greater dangers than those which had
developed themselves when he left Englandhe of course knew now.
That perils had thickened about him fastand might thicken faster
and faster yethe of course knew now. He could not but admit to
himself that he might not have made this journeyif he could have
foreseen the events of a few days. And yet his misgivings were not


so dark asimagined by the light of this later timethey would appear.
Troubled as the future wasit was the unknown futureand in its
obscurity there was ignorant hope. The horrible massacredays and
nights longwhichwithin a few rounds of the clockwas to set a
great mark of blood upon the blessed garnering time of harvestwas
as far out of his knowledge as if it had been a hundred thousand
years away. The "sharp female newly-bornand called La Guillotine
was hardly known to him, or to the generality of people, by name.
The frightful deeds that were to be soon done, were probably
unimagined at that time in the brains of the doers. How could they
have a place in the shadowy conceptions of a gentle mind?

Of unjust treatment in detention and hardship, and in cruel
separation from his wife and child, he foreshadowed the likelihood,
or the certainty; but, beyond this, he dreaded nothing distinctly.
With this on his mind, which was enough to carry into a dreary prison
courtyard, he arrived at the prison of La Force.

A man with a bloated face opened the strong wicket, to whom Defarge
presented The Emigrant Evremonde."

What the Devil! How many more of them!exclaimed the man with
the bloated face.

Defarge took his receipt without noticing the exclamation
and withdrewwith his two fellow-patriots.

What the Devil, I say again!exclaimed the gaolerleft with his wife.
How many more!

The gaoler's wifebeing provided with no answer to the question
merely repliedOne must have patience, my dear!Three turnkeys who
entered responsive to a bell she rangechoed the sentimentand one
addedFor the love of Liberty;which sounded in that place like an
inappropriate conclusion.

The prison of La Force was a gloomy prisondark and filthyand with
a horrible smell of foul sleep in it. Extraordinary how soon the
noisome flavour of imprisoned sleepbecomes manifest in all such
places that are ill cared for!

In secret, too,grumbled the gaolerlooking at the written paper.
As if I was not already full to bursting!

He stuck the paper on a filein an ill-humourand Charles Darnay
awaited his further pleasure for half an hour: sometimespacing to
and fro in the strong arched room: sometimesresting on a stone seat:
in either case detained to be imprinted on the memory of the chief
and his subordinates.

Come!said the chiefat length taking up his keyscome with me, emigrant.

Through the dismal prison twilighthis new charge accompanied him by
corridor and staircasemany doors clanging and locking behind them
until they came into a largelowvaulted chambercrowded with
prisoners of both sexes. The women were seated at a long table
reading and writingknittingsewingand embroidering; the men were
for the most part standing behind their chairsor lingering up and
down the room.

In the instinctive association of prisoners with shameful crime and
disgracethe new-comer recoiled from this company. But the crowning
unreality of his long unreal ridewastheir all at once rising to
receive himwith every refinement of manner known to the timeand


with all the engaging graces and courtesies of life.

So strangely clouded were these refinements by the prison manners and
gloomso spectral did they become in the inappropriate squalor and
misery through which they were seenthat Charles Darnay seemed to
stand in a company of the dead. Ghosts all! The ghost of beauty
the ghost of statelinessthe ghost of elegancethe ghost of pride
the ghost of frivolitythe ghost of witthe ghost of youththe
ghost of ageall waiting their dismissal from the desolate shore
all turning on him eyes that were changed by the death they had died
in coming there.

It struck him motionless. The gaoler standing at his sideand the
other gaolers moving aboutwho would have been well enough as to
appearance in the ordinary exercise of their functionslooked so
extravagantly coarse contrasted with sorrowing mothers and blooming
daughters who were there--with the apparitions of the coquette
the young beautyand the mature woman delicately bred--that the
inversion of all experience and likelihood which the scene of shadows
presentedwas heightened to its utmost. Surelyghosts all.
Surelythe long unreal ride some progress of disease that had
brought him to these gloomy shades!

In the name of the assembled companions in misfortune,said a
gentleman of courtly appearance and addresscoming forward
I have the honour of giving you welcome to La Force, and of
condoling with you on the calamity that has brought you among us.
May it soon terminate happily! It would be an impertinence elsewhere,
but it is not so here, to ask your name and condition?

Charles Darnay roused himselfand gave the required information
in words as suitable as he could find.

But I hope,said the gentlemanfollowing the chief gaoler with his
eyeswho moved across the roomthat you are not in secret?

I do not understand the meaning of the term, but I have heard them
say so.

Ah, what a pity! We so much regret it! But take courage; several
members of our society have been in secret, at first, and it has
lasted but a short time.Then he addedraising his voice
I grieve to inform the society--in secret.

There was a murmur of commiseration as Charles Darnay crossed the
room to a grated door where the gaoler awaited himand many
voices--among whichthe soft and compassionate voices of women were
conspicuous--gave him good wishes and encouragement. He turned at
the grated doorto render the thanks of his heart; it closed under
the gaoler's hand; and the apparitions vanished from his sight forever.

The wicket opened on a stone staircaseleading upward. When they
bad ascended forty steps (the prisoner of half an hour already
counted them)the gaoler opened a low black doorand they passed
into a solitary cell. It struck cold and dampbut was not dark.

Yours,said the gaoler.

Why am I confined alone?

How do I know!

I can buy pen, ink, and paper?


Such are not my orders. You will be visited, and can ask then.
At present, you may buy your food, and nothing more.

There were in the cella chaira tableand a straw mattress.
As the gaoler made a general inspection of these objectsand of the
four wallsbefore going outa wandering fancy wandered through the
mind of the prisoner leaning against the wall opposite to himthat
this gaoler was so unwholesomely bloatedboth in face and person
as to look like a man who had been drowned and filled with water.
When the gaoler was gonehe thought in the same wandering way
Now am I left, as if I were dead.Stopping thento look down at
the mattresshe turned from it with a sick feelingand thought
And here in these crawling creatures is the first condition of the
body after death.

Five paces by four and a half, five paces by four and a half, five
paces by four and a half.The prisoner walked to and fro in his
cellcounting its measurementand the roar of the city arose like
muffled drums with a wild swell of voices added to them. "He made
shoeshe made shoeshe made shoes." The prisoner counted the
measurement againand paced fasterto draw his mind with him from
that latter repetition. "The ghosts that vanished when the wicket
closed. There was one among themthe appearance of a lady dressed
in blackwho was leaning in the embrasure of a windowand she had a
light shining upon her golden hairand she looked like * * * * Let
us ride on againfor God's sakethrough the illuminated villages
with the people all awake! * * * * He made shoeshe made shoes
he made shoes. * * * * Five paces by four and a half." With such scraps
tossing and rolling upward from the depths of his mindthe prisoner
walked faster and fasterobstinately counting and counting; and the
roar of the city changed to this extent--that it still rolled in like
muffled drumsbut with the wail of voices that he knewin the swell
that rose above them.

The Grindstone

Tellson's Bankestablished in the Saint Germain Quarter of Paris
was in a wing of a large houseapproached by a courtyard and shut
off from the street by a high wall and a strong gate. The house
belonged to a great nobleman who had lived in it until he made a
flight from the troublesin his own cook's dressand got across the
borders. A mere beast of the chase flying from huntershe was still
in his metempsychosis no other than the same Monseigneurthe
preparation of whose chocolate for whose lips had once occupied three
strong men besides the cook in question.

Monseigneur goneand the three strong men absolving themselves from
the sin of having drawn his high wagesby being more than ready and
willing to cut his throat on the altar of the dawning Republic one and
indivisible of LibertyEqualityFraternityor DeathMonseigneur's
house had been first sequestratedand then confiscated. Forall
things moved so fastand decree followed decree with that fierce
precipitationthat now upon the third night of the autumn month of
Septemberpatriot emissaries of the law were in possession of
Monseigneur's houseand had marked it with the tri-colourand were
drinking brandy in its state apartments.

A place of business in London like Tellson's place of business in
Pariswould soon have driven the House out of its mind and into the


Gazette. Forwhat would staid British responsibility and
respectability have said to orange-trees in boxes in a Bank courtyard
and even to a Cupid over the counter? Yet such things were.
Tellson's had whitewashed the Cupidbut he was still to be seen on
the ceilingin the coolest linenaiming (as he very often does) at
money from morning to night. Bankruptcy must inevitably have come of
this young Paganin Lombard-streetLondonand also of a curtained
alcove in the rear of the immortal boyand also of a looking-glass
let into the walland also of clerks not at all oldwho danced in
public on the slightest provocation. Yeta French Tellson's could
get on with these things exceedingly wellandas long as the times
held togetherno man had taken fright at themand drawn out his money.

What money would be drawn out of Tellson's henceforthand what would
lie therelost and forgotten; what plate and jewels would tarnish in
Tellson's hiding-placeswhile the depositors rusted in prisonsand
when they should have violently perished; how many accounts with
Tellson's never to be balanced in this worldmust be carried over
into the next; no man could have saidthat nightany more than
Mr. Jarvis Lorry couldthough he thought heavily of these questions.
He sat by a newly-lighted wood fire (the blighted and unfruitful year
was prematurely cold)and on his honest and courageous face there
was a deeper shade than the pendent lamp could throwor any object
in the room distortedly reflect--a shade of horror.

He occupied rooms in the Bankin his fidelity to the House of which
he had grown to be a partlie strong root-ivy. it chanced that they
derived a kind of security from the patriotic occupation of the main
buildingbut the true-hearted old gentleman never calculated about
that. All such circumstances were indifferent to himso that he did
his duty. On the opposite side of the courtyardunder a colonnade
was extensive standing--for carriages--whereindeedsome carriages
of Monseigneur yet stood. Against two of the pillars were fastened
two great flaring flambeauxand in the light of thesestanding out
in the open airwas a large grindstone: a roughly mounted thing
which appeared to have hurriedly been brought there from some
neighbouring smithyor other workshop. Rising and looking out of
window at these harmless objectsMr. Lorry shiveredand retired to
his seat by the fire. He had openednot only the glass windowbut
the lattice blind outside itand he had closed both againand he
shivered through his frame.

From the streets beyond the high wall and the strong gatethere came
the usual night hum of the citywith now and then an indescribable
ring in itweird and unearthlyas if some unwonted sounds of a
terrible nature were going up to Heaven.

Thank God,said Mr. Lorryclasping his handsthat no one near
and dear to me is in this dreadful town to-night. May He have mercy
on all who are in danger!

Soon afterwardsthe bell at the great gate soundedand he thought
They have come back!and sat listening. Butthere was no loud
irruption into the courtyardas he had expectedand he heard the
gate clash againand all was quiet.

The nervousness and dread that were upon him inspired that vague
uneasiness respecting the Bankwhich a great change would naturally
awakenwith such feelings roused. It was well guardedand he got
up to go among the trusty people who were watching itwhen his door
suddenly openedand two figures rushed inat sight of which he fell
back in amazement.

Lucie and her father! Lucie with her arms stretched out to himand


with that old look of earnestness so concentrated and intensified
that it seemed as though it had been stamped upon her face expressly
to give force and power to it in this one passage of her life.


What is this?cried Mr. Lorrybreathless and confused.
What is the matter? Lucie! Manette! What has happened? What has
brought you here? What is it?


With the look fixed upon himin her paleness and wildness
she panted out in his armsimploringlyO my dear friend!
My husband!


Your husband, Lucie?


Charles.


What of Charles?


Here.


Herein Paris?"


Has been here some days--three or four--I don't know how many--
I can't collect my thoughts. An errand of generosity brought him
here unknown to us; he was stopped at the barrier, and sent to prison.


The old man uttered an irrepressible cry. Almost at the same moment
the beg of the great gate rang againand a loud noise of feet and
voices came pouring into the courtyard.


What is that noise?said the Doctorturning towards the window.


Don't look!cried Mr. Lorry. "Don't look out! Manette
for your lifedon't touch the blind!"


The Doctor turnedwith his hand upon the fastening of the window
and saidwith a coolbold smile:


My dear friend, I have a charmed life in this city. I have been a
Bastille prisoner. There is no patriot in Paris--in Paris? In
France--who, knowing me to have been a prisoner in the Bastille,
would touch me, except to overwhelm me with embraces, or carry me in
triumph. My old pain has given me a power that has brought us
through the barrier, and gained us news of Charles there, and brought
us here. I knew it would be so; I knew I could help Charles out of
all danger; I told Lucie so.--What is that noise?His hand was again
upon the window.


Don't look!cried Mr. Lorryabsolutely desperate. "NoLuciemy
dearnor you!" He got his arm round herand held her. "Don't be so
terrifiedmy love. I solemnly swear to you that I know of no harm
having happened to Charles; that I had no suspicion even of his being
in this fatal place. What prison is he in?"


La Force!


La Force! Lucie, my child, if ever you were brave and serviceable in
your life--and you were always both--you will compose yourself now,
to do exactly as I bid you; for more depends upon it than you can think,
or I can say. There is no help for you in any action on your part
to-night; you cannot possibly stir out. I say this, because what I
must bid you to do for Charles's sake, is the hardest thing to do of all.
You must instantly be obedient, still, and quiet. You must let me
put you in a room at the back here. You must leave your father and



me alone for two minutes, and as there are Life and Death in the
world you must not delay.

I will be submissive to you. I see in your face that you know I can
do nothing else than this. I know you are true.

The old man kissed herand hurried her into his roomand turned the
key; thencame hurrying back to the Doctorand opened the window
and partly opened the blindand put his hand upon the Doctor's arm
and looked out with him into the courtyard.

Looked out upon a throng of men and women: not enough in numberor
near enoughto fill the courtyard: not more than forty or fifty in
all. The people in possession of the house had let them in at the
gateand they had rushed in to work at the grindstone; it had
evidently been set up there for their purposeas in a convenient and
retired spot.

Butsuch awful workersand such awful work!

The grindstone had a double handleandturning at it madly were two
menwhose facesas their long hair Rapped back when the whirlings
of the grindstone brought their faces upwere more horrible and
cruel than the visages of the wildest savages in their most barbarous
disguise. False eyebrows and false moustaches were stuck upon them
and their hideous countenances were all bloody and sweatyand all
awry with howlingand all staring and glaring with beastly
excitement and want of sleep. As these ruffians turned and turned
their matted locks now flung forward over their eyesnow flung
backward over their neckssome women held wine to their mouths that
they might drink; and what with dropping bloodand what with
dropping wineand what with the stream of sparks struck out of the
stoneall their wicked atmosphere seemed gore and fire. The eye
could not detect one creature in the group free from the smear of blood.
Shouldering one another to get next at the sharpening-stonewere men
stripped to the waistwith the stain all over their limbs and
bodies; men in all sorts of ragswith the stain upon those rags; men
devilishly set off with spoils of women's lace and silk and ribbon
with the stain dyeing those trifles through and through. Hatchets
knivesbayonetsswordsall brought to be sharpenedwere all red
with it. Some of the hacked swords were tied to the wrists of those
who carried themwith strips of linen and fragments of dress:
ligatures various in kindbut all deep of the one colour. And as
the frantic wielders of these weapons snatched them from the stream
of sparks and tore away into the streetsthe same red hue was red in
their frenzied eyes;--eyes which any unbrutalised beholder would have
given twenty years of lifeto petrify with a well-directed gun.

All this was seen in a momentas the vision of a drowning manor of
any human creature at any very great passcould see a world if it
were there. They drew back from the windowand the Doctor looked
for explanation in his friend's ashy face.

They are,Mr. Lorry whispered the wordsglancing fearfully round
at the locked roommurdering the prisoners. If you are sure of
what you say; if you really have the power you think you have--as I
believe you have--make yourself known to these devils, and get taken
to La Force. It may be too late, I don't know, but let it not be a
minute later!

Doctor Manette pressed his handhastened bareheaded out of the room
and was in the courtyard when Mr. Lorry regained the blind.

His streaming white hairhis remarkable faceand the impetuous


confidence of his manneras he put the weapons aside like water
carried him in an instant to the heart of the concourse at the stone.
For a few moments there was a pauseand a hurryand a murmurand
the unintelligible sound of his voice; and then Mr. Lorry saw him
surrounded by alland in the midst of a line of twenty men longall
linked shoulder to shoulderand hand to shoulderhurried out with
cries of--"Live the Bastille prisoner! Help for the Bastille
prisoner's kindred in La Force! Room for the Bastille prisoner in
front there! Save the prisoner Evremonde at La Force!" and a thousand
answering shouts.

He closed the lattice again with a fluttering heartclosed the
window and the curtainhastened to Lucieand told her that her
father was assisted by the peopleand gone in search of her husband.
He found her child and Miss Pross with her; butit never occurred to
him to be surprised by their appearance until a long time afterwards
when he sat watching them in such quiet as the night knew.

Lucie hadby that timefallen into a stupor on the floor at his feet
clinging to his hand. Miss Pross had laid the child down on his own bed
and her head had gradually fallen on the pillow beside her pretty charge.
O the longlong nightwith the moans of the poor wife! And O the long
long nightwith no return of her father and no tidings!

Twice more in the darkness the bell at the great gate sounded
and the irruption was repeatedand the grindstone whirled and
spluttered. "What is it?" cried Lucieaffrighted. "Hush! The
soldiers' swords are sharpened there said Mr. Lorry. The place
is national property nowand used as a kind of armourymy love."

Twice more in all; butthe last spell of work was feeble and fitful.
Soon afterwards the day began to dawnand he softly detached himself
from the clasping handand cautiously looked out again. A manso
besmeared that he might have been a sorely wounded soldier creeping
back to consciousness on a field of slainwas rising from the
pavement by the side of the grindstoneand looking about him with a
vacant air. Shortlythis worn-out murderer descried in the imperfect
light one of the carriages of Monseigneurandstaggering to that
gorgeous vehicleclimbed in at the doorand shut himself up to take
his rest on its dainty cushions.

The great grindstoneEarthhad turned when Mr. Lorry looked out again
and the sun was red on the courtyard. Butthe lesser grindstone
stood alone there in the calm morning airwith a red upon it that
the sun had never givenand would never take away.

The Shadow

One of the first considerations which arose in the business mind of
Mr. Lorry when business hours came roundwas this:--that he had no
right to imperil Tellson's by sheltering the wife of an emigrant
prisoner under the Bank roofHis own possessionssafetylife
he would have hazarded for Lucie and her childwithout a moment's
demur; but the great trust he held was not his ownand as to that
business charge he was a strict man of business.

At firsthis mind reverted to Defargeand he thought of finding out
the wine-shop again and taking counsel with its master in reference
to the safest dwelling-place in the distracted state of the city.


Butthe same consideration that suggested himrepudiated him; he
lived in the most violent Quarterand doubtless was influential
thereand deep in its dangerous workings.

Noon comingand the Doctor not returningand every minute's delay
tending to compromise Tellson'sMr. Lorry advised with Lucie.
She said that her father had spoken of hiring a lodging for a short
termin that Quarternear the Banking-house. As there was no
business objection to thisand as he foresaw that even if it were
all well with Charlesand he were to be releasedhe could not hope
to leave the cityMr. Lorry went out in quest of such a lodgingand
found a suitable onehigh up in a removed by-street where the closed
blinds in all the other windows of a high melancholy square of buildings
marked deserted homes.

To this lodging he at once removed Lucie and her childand Miss
Pross: giving them what comfort he couldand much more than he had
himself. He left Jerry with themas a figure to fill a doorway that
would bear considerable knocking on the headand retained to his own
occupations. A disturbed and doleful mind he brought to bear upon them
and slowly and heavily the day lagged on with him.

It wore itself outand wore him out with ituntil the Bank closed.
He was again alone in his room of the previous nightconsidering
what to do nextwhen he heard a foot upon the stair. In a few
momentsa man stood in his presencewhowith a keenly observant
look at himaddressed him by his name.

Your servant,said Mr. Lorry. "Do you know me?"

He was a strongly made man with dark curling hairfrom forty-five to
fifty years of age. For answer he repeatedwithout any change of
emphasisthe words:

Do you know me?

I have seen you somewhere.

Perhaps at my wine-shop?

Much interested and agitatedMr. Lorry said: "You come from Doctor
Manette?"

Yes. I come from Doctor Manette.

And what says he? What does he send me?

Defarge gave into his anxious handan open scrap of paper. It bore
the words in the Doctor's writing:

Charles is safe, but I cannot safely leave this place yet.
I have obtained the favour that the bearer has a short note
from Charles to his wife. Let the bearer see his wife.

It was dated from La Forcewithin an hour.

Will you accompany me,said Mr. Lorryjoyfully relieved after
reading this note aloudto where his wife resides?

Yes,returned Defarge.

Scarcely noticing as yetin what a curiously reserved and mechanical
way Defarge spokeMr. Lorry put on his hat and they went down into
the courtyard. Therethey found two women; oneknitting.


Madame Defarge, surely!said Mr. Lorrywho had left her in exactly
the same attitude some seventeen years ago.

It is she,observed her husband.

Does Madame go with us?inquired Mr. Lorryseeing that she moved
as they moved.

Yes. That she may be able to recognise the faces and know the persons.
It is for their safety.

Beginning to be struck by Defarge's mannerMr. Lorry looked
dubiously at himand led the way. Both the women followed; the
second woman being The Vengeance.

They passed through the intervening streets as quickly as they might
ascended the staircase of the new domicilewere admitted by Jerry
and found Lucie weepingalone. She was thrown into a transport by
the tidings Mr. Lorry gave her of her husbandand clasped the hand
that delivered his note--little thinking what it had been doing near
him in the nightand mightbut for a chancehave done to him.

DEAREST,--Take courage. I am well, and your father has
influence around me. You cannot answer this.
Kiss our child for me.


That was all the writing. It was so muchhoweverto her who
received itthat she turned from Defarge to his wifeand kissed one
of the hands that knitted. It was a passionatelovingthankful
womanly actionbut the hand made no response--dropped cold and
heavyand took to its knitting again.


There was something in its touch that gave Lucie a check.
She stopped in the act of putting the note in her bosomand
with her hands yet at her necklooked terrified at Madame Defarge.
Madame Defarge met the lifted eyebrows and forehead with a cold
impassive stare.


My dear,said Mr. Lorrystriking in to explain; "there are
frequent risings in the streets; andalthough it is not likely they
will ever trouble youMadame Defarge wishes to see those whom she
has the power to protect at such timesto the end that she may know
them--that she may identify them. I believe said Mr. Lorry,
rather halting in his reassuring words, as the stony manner of all
the three impressed itself upon him more and more, I state the case
Citizen Defarge?"


Defarge looked gloomily at his wifeand gave no other answer than a
gruff sound of acquiescence.


You had better, Lucie,said Mr. Lorrydoing all he could to
propitiateby tone and mannerhave the dear child here, and our
good Pross. Our good Pross, Defarge, is an English lady, and knows
no French.


The lady in questionwhose rooted conviction that she was more than
a match for any foreignerwas not to be shaken by distress and
dangerappeared with folded armsand observed in English to The
Vengeancewhom her eyes first encounteredWell, I am sure, Boldface!
I hope YOU are pretty well!She also bestowed a British cough on
Madame Defarge; butneither of the two took much heed of her.


Is that his child?said Madame Defargestopping in her work for



the first timeand pointing her knitting-needle at little Lucie as
if it were the finger of Fate.

Yes, madame,answered Mr. Lorry; "this is our poor prisoner's
darling daughterand only child."

The shadow attendant on Madame Defarge and her party seemed to fall
so threatening and dark on the childthat her mother instinctively
kneeled on the ground beside herand held her to her breast. The
shadow attendant on Madame Defarge and her party seemed then to fall
threatening and darkon both the mother and the child.

It is enough, my husband,said Madame Defarge. "I have seen them.
We may go."

Butthe suppressed manner had enough of menace in it--not visible
and presentedbut indistinct and withheld--to alarm Lucie into
sayingas she laid her appealing hand on Madame Defarge's dress:

You will be good to my poor husband. You will do him no harm.
You will help me to see him if you can?

Your husband is not my business here,returned Madame Defarge
looking down at her with perfect composure. "It is the daughter of
your father who is my business here."

For my sake, then, be merciful to my husband. For my child's sake!
She will put her hands together and pray you to be merciful. We are
more afraid of you than of these others.

Madame Defarge received it as a complimentand looked at her
husband. Defargewho had been uneasily biting his thumb-nail and
looking at hercollected his face into a sterner expression.

What is it that your husband says in that little letter?asked
Madame Defargewith a lowering smile. "Influence; he says something
touching influence?"

That my father,said Luciehurriedly taking the paper from her
breastbut with her alarmed eyes on her questioner and not on it
has much influence around him.

Surely it will release him!said Madame Defarge. "Let it do so."

As a wife and mother,cried Luciemost earnestlyI implore you
to have pity on me and not to exercise any power that you possess,
against my innocent husband, but to use it in his behalf.
O sister-woman, think of me. As a wife and mother!

Madame Defarge lookedcoldly as everat the suppliantand said
turning to her friend The Vengeance:

The wives and mothers we have been used to see, since we were as
little as this child, and much less, have not been greatly
considered? We have known THEIR husbands and fathers laid in prison
and kept from them, often enough? All our lives, we have seen our
sister-women suffer, in themselves and in their children, poverty,
nakedness, hunger, thirst, sickness, misery, oppression and neglect
of all kinds?

We have seen nothing else,returned The Vengeance.

We have borne this a long time,said Madame Defargeturning her
eyes again upon Lucie. "Judge you! Is it likely that the trouble of


one wife and mother would be much to us now?"

She resumed her knitting and went out. The Vengeance followed.
Defarge went lastand closed the door.

Courage, my dear Lucie,said Mr. Lorryas he raised her.
Courage, courage! So far all goes well with us--much, much better
than it has of late gone with many poor souls. Cheer up, and have a
thankful heart.

I am not thankless, I hope, but that dreadful woman seems to throw a
shadow on me and on all my hopes.

Tut, tut!said Mr. Lorry; "what is this despondency in the brave
little breast? A shadow indeed! No substance in itLucie."

But the shadow of the manner of these Defarges was dark upon himself
for all thatand in his secret mind it troubled him greatly.

Calm in Storm

Doctor Manette did not return until the morning of the fourth day of
his absence. So much of what had happened in that dreadful time as
could be kept from the knowledge of Lucie was so well concealed from
herthat not until long afterwardswhen France and she were far apart
did she know that eleven hundred defenceless prisoners of both sexes
and all ages had been killed by the populace; that four days and
nights had been darkened by this deed of horror; and that the air
around her had been tainted by the slain. She only knew that there
had been an attack upon the prisonsthat all political prisoners had
been in dangerand that some had been dragged out by the crowd and
murdered.

To Mr. Lorrythe Doctor communicated under an injunction of secrecy
on which he had no need to dwellthat the crowd had taken him
through a scene of carnage to the prison of La Force. Thatin the
prison he had found a self-appointed Tribunal sittingbefore which
the prisoners were brought singlyand by which they were rapidly
ordered to be put forth to be massacredor to be releasedor (in a
few cases) to be sent back to their cells. Thatpresented by his
conductors to this Tribunalhe had announced himself by name and
profession as having been for eighteen years a secret and unaccused
prisoner in the Bastille; thatone of the body so sitting in
judgment had risen and identified himand that this man was Defarge.

Thathereupon he had ascertainedthrough the registers on the table
that his son-in-law was among the living prisonersand had pleaded
hard to the Tribunal--of whom some members were asleep and some awake
some dirty with murder and some cleansome sober and some not--for
his life and liberty. Thatin the first frantic greetings lavished
on himself as a notable sufferer under the overthrown systemit had
been accorded to him to have Charles Darnay brought before the lawless
Courtand examined. Thathe seemed on the point of being at once
releasedwhen the tide in his favour met with some unexplained check
(not intelligible to the Doctor)which led to a few words of secret
conference. Thatthe man sitting as President had then informed
Doctor Manette that the prisoner must remain in custodybut should
for his sakebe held inviolate in safe custody. Thatimmediately
on a signalthe prisoner was removed to the interior of the prison


again; butthat hethe Doctorhad then so strongly pleaded for
permission to remain and assure himself that his son-in-law was
through no malice or mischancedelivered to the concourse whose
murderous yells outside the gate had often drowned the proceedings
that he had obtained the permissionand had remained in that Hall of
Blood until the danger was over.


The sights he had seen therewith brief snatches of food and sleep
by intervalsshall remain untold. The mad joy over the prisoners
who were savedhad astounded him scarcely less than the mad ferocity
against those who were cut to pieces. One prisoner there washe
saidwho had been discharged into the street freebut at whom a
mistaken savage had thrust a pike as he passed out. Being besought
to go to him and dress the woundthe Doctor had passed out at the
same gateand had found him in the arms of a company of Samaritans
who were seated on the bodies of their victims. With an inconsistency
as monstrous as anything in this awful nightmarethey had helped the
healerand tended the wounded man with the gentlest solicitude--
had made a litter for him and escorted him carefully from the spot--
had then caught up their weapons and plunged anew into a butchery so
dreadfulthat the Doctor had covered his eyes with his handsand
swooned away in the midst of it.


As Mr. Lorry received these confidencesand as he watched the face
of his friend now sixty-two years of agea misgiving arose within
him that such dread experiences would revive the old danger.


Buthe had never seen his friend in his present aspect: he had never
at all known him in his present character. For the first time the
Doctor feltnowthat his suffering was strength and power. For the
first time he felt that in that sharp firehe had slowly forged the
iron which could break the prison door of his daughter's husbandand
deliver him. "It all tended to a good endmy friend; it was not
mere waste and ruin. As my beloved child was helpful in restoring me
to myselfI will be helpful now in restoring the dearest part of
herself to her; by the aid of Heaven I will do it!" ThusDoctor
Manette. And when Jarvis Lorry saw the kindled eyesthe resolute
facethe calm strong look and bearing of the man whose life always
seemed to him to have been stoppedlike a clockfor so many years
and then set going again with an energy which had lain dormant during
the cessation of its usefulnesshe believed.


Greater things than the Doctor had at that time to contend with
would have yielded before his persevering purpose. While he kept
himself in his placeas a physicianwhose business was with all
degrees of mankindbond and freerich and poorbad and goodhe
used his personal influence so wiselythat he was soon the inspecting
physician of three prisonsand among them of La Force. He could now
assure Lucie that her husband was no longer confined alonebut was
mixed with the general body of prisoners; he saw her husband weekly
and brought sweet messages to herstraight from his lips; sometimes
her husband himself sent a letter to her (though never by the Doctor's
hand)but she was not permitted to write to him: foramong the many
wild suspicions of plots in the prisonsthe wildest of all pointed
at emigrants who were known to have made friends or permanent
connections abroad.


This new life of the Doctor's was an anxious lifeno doubt; still
the sagacious Mr. Lorry saw that there was a new sustaining pride in it.
Nothing unbecoming tinged the pride; it was a natural and worthy one;
but he observed it as a curiosity. The Doctor knewthat up to that
timehis imprisonment had been associated in the minds of his
daughter and his friendwith his personal afflictiondeprivation
and weakness. Now that this was changedand he knew himself to be



invested through that old trial with forces to which they both looked
for Charles's ultimate safety and deliverancehe became so far exalted
by the changethat he took the lead and directionand required them
as the weakto trust to him as the strong. The preceding relative
positions of himself and Lucie were reversedyet only as the
liveliest gratitude and affection could reverse themfor he could
have had no pride but in rendering some service to her who had
rendered so much to him. "All curious to see thought Mr. Lorry,
in his amiably shrewd way, but all natural and right; sotake the
leadmy dear friendand keep it; it couldn't be in better hands."

Butthough the Doctor tried hardand never ceased tryingto get
Charles Darnay set at libertyor at least to get him brought to trial
the public current of the time set too strong and fast for him.
The new era began; the king was trieddoomedand beheaded; the
Republic of LibertyEqualityFraternityor Deathdeclared for
victory or death against the world in arms; the black flag waved
night and day from the great towers of Notre Dame; three hundred
thousand mensummoned to rise against the tyrants of the earthrose
from all the varying soils of Franceas if the dragon's teeth had
been sown broadcastand had yielded fruit equally on hill and plain
on rockin graveland alluvial mudunder the bright sky of the
South and under the clouds of the Northin fell and forestin the
vineyards and the olive-grounds and among the cropped grass and the
stubble of the cornalong the fruitful banks of the broad rivers
and in the sand of the sea-shore. What private solicitude could rear
itself against the deluge of the Year One of Liberty--the deluge
rising from belownot falling from aboveand with the windows of
Heaven shutnot opened!

There was no pauseno pityno peaceno interval of relenting rest
no measurement of time. Though days and nights circled as regularly
as when time was youngand the evening and morning were the first
dayother count of time there was none. Hold of it was lost in the
raging fever of a nationas it is in the fever of one patient.
Nowbreaking the unnatural silence of a whole citythe executioner
showed the people the head of the king--and nowit seemed almost in
the same breaththe head of his fair wife which had had eight weary
months of imprisoned widowhood and miseryto turn it grey.

And yetobserving the strange law of contradiction which obtains in
all such casesthe time was longwhile it flamed by so fast.
A revolutionary tribunal in the capitaland forty or fifty thousand
revolutionary committees all over the land; a law of the Suspected
which struck away all security for liberty or lifeand delivered
over any good and innocent person to any bad and guilty one; prisons
gorged with people who had committed no offenceand could obtain no
hearing; these things became the established order and nature of
appointed thingsand seemed to be ancient usage before they were
many weeks old. Above allone hideous figure grew as familiar as if
it had been before the general gaze from the foundations of the
world--the figure of the sharp female called La Guillotine.

It was the popular theme for jests; it was the best cure for
headacheit infallibly prevented the hair from turning greyit
imparted a peculiar delicacy to the complexionit was the National
Razor which shaved close: who kissed La Guillotinelooked through
the little window and sneezed into the sack. It was the sign of the
regeneration of the human race. It superseded the Cross. Models of
it were worn on breasts from which the Cross was discardedand it
was bowed down to and believed in where the Cross was denied.

It sheared off heads so manythat itand the ground it most
pollutedwere a rotten red. It was taken to pieceslike a


toy-puzzle for a young Deviland was put together again when the
occasion wanted it. It hushed the eloquentstruck down the powerful
abolished the beautiful and good. Twenty-two friends of high public
marktwenty-one living and one deadit had lopped the heads off
in one morningin as many minutes. The name of the strong man of
Old Scripture had descended to the chief functionary who worked it;
butso armedhe was stronger than his namesakeand blinderand
tore away the gates of God's own Temple every day.

Among these terrorsand the brood belonging to themthe Doctor
walked with a steady head: confident in his powercautiously
persistent in his endnever doubting that he would save Lucie's
husband at last. Yet the current of the time swept byso strong and
deepand carried the time away so fiercelythat Charles had lain in
prison one year and three months when the Doctor was thus steady and
confident. So much more wicked and distracted had the Revolution
grown in that December monththat the rivers of the South were
encumbered with the bodies of the violently drowned by nightand
prisoners were shot in lines and squares under the southern wintry sun.
Stillthe Doctor walked among the terrors with a steady head.
No man better known than hein Paris at that day; no man in a
stranger situation. Silenthumaneindispensable in hospital and
prisonusing his art equally among assassins and victimshe was a
man apart. In the exercise of his skillthe appearance and the
story of the Bastille Captive removed him from all other men. He was
not suspected or brought in questionany more than if he had indeed
been recalled to life some eighteen years beforeor were a Spirit
moving among mortals.

The Wood-Sawyer

One year and three months. During all that time Lucie was never
surefrom hour to hourbut that the Guillotine would strike off her
husband's head next day. Every daythrough the stony streetsthe
tumbrils now jolted heavilyfilled with Condemned. Lovely girls;
bright womenbrown-hairedblack-hairedand grey; youths; stalwart
men and old; gentle born and peasant born; all red wine for La
Guillotineall daily brought into light from the dark cellars of the
loathsome prisonsand carried to her through the streets to slake
her devouring thirst. Libertyequalityfraternityor death;--the
lastmuch the easiest to bestowO Guillotine!

If the suddenness of her calamityand the whirling wheels of the
timehad stunned the Doctor's daughter into awaiting the result in
idle despairit would but have been with her as it was with many.
Butfrom the hour when she had taken the white head to her fresh
young bosom in the garret of Saint Antoineshe had been true to her
duties. She was truest to them in the season of trialas all the
quietly loyal and good will always be.

As soon as they were established in their new residenceand her
father had entered on the routine of his avocationsshe arranged the
little household as exactly as if her husband had been there.
Everything had its appointed place and its appointed time. Little
Lucie she taughtas regularlyas if they had all been united in
their English home. The slight devices with which she cheated
herself into the show of a belief that they would soon be reunited-the
little preparations for his speedy returnthe setting aside of
his chair and his books--theseand the solemn prayer at night for


one dear prisoner especiallyamong the many unhappy souls in prison
and the shadow of death--were almost the only outspoken reliefs of
her heavy mind.


She did not greatly alter in appearance. The plain dark dresses
akin to mourning dresseswhich she and her child worewere as neat
and as well attended to as the brighter clothes of happy days.
She lost her colourand the old and intent expression was a constant
not an occasionalthing; otherwiseshe remained very pretty and
comely. Sometimesat night on kissing her fathershe would burst
into the grief she had repressed all dayand would say that her sole
relianceunder Heavenwas on him. He always resolutely answered:
Nothing can happen to him without my knowledge, and I know that I
can save him, Lucie.


They had not made the round of their changed life many weeks
when her father said to heron coming home one evening:


My dear, there is an upper window in the prison, to which Charles
can sometimes gain access at three in the afternoon. When he can get
to it--which depends on many uncertainties and incidents--he might
see you in the street, he thinks, if you stood in a certain place
that I can show you. But you will not be able to see him, my poor
child, and even if you could, it would be unsafe for you to make a
sign of recognition.


O show me the place, my father, and I will go there every day.


From that timein all weathersshe waited there two hours.
As the clock struck twoshe was thereand at four she turned
resignedly away. When it was not too wet or inclement for her child
to be with herthey went together; at other times she was alone;
butshe never missed a single day.


It was the dark and dirty corner of a small winding street.
The hovel of a cutter of wood into lengths for burningwas the only
house at that end; all else was wall. On the third day of her being
therehe noticed her.


Good day, citizeness.


Good day, citizen.


This mode of address was now prescribed by decree. It had been
established voluntarily some time agoamong the more thorough
patriots; butwas now law for everybody.


Walking here again, citizeness?


You see me, citizen!


The wood-sawyerwho was a little man with a redundancy of gesture
(he had once been a mender of roads)cast a glance at the prison
pointed at the prisonand putting his ten fingers before his face to
represent barspeeped through them jocosely.


But it's not my business,said he. And went on sawing his wood.


Next day he was looking out for herand accosted her the moment she
appeared.


What? Walking here again, citizeness?


Yes, citizen.



Ah! A child too! Your mother, is it not, my little citizeness?

Do I say yes, mamma?whispered little Luciedrawing close to her.

Yes, dearest.

Yes, citizen.

Ah! But it's not my business. My work is my business. See my saw!
I call it my Little Guillotine. La, la, la; La, la, la! And off his
head comes!

The billet fell as he spokeand he threw it into a basket.

I call myself the Samson of the firewood guillotine. See here again!
Loo, loo, loo; Loo, loo, loo! And off HER head comes! Now, a child.
Tickle, tickle; Pickle, pickle! And off ITS head comes. All the family!

Lucie shuddered as he threw two more billets into his basketbut it
was impossible to be there while the wood-sawyer was at workand not
be in his sight. Thenceforthto secure his good willshe always
spoke to him firstand often gave him drink-moneywhich he readily
received.

He was an inquisitive fellowand sometimes when she had quite
forgotten him in gazing at the prison roof and gratesand in lifting
her heart up to her husbandshe would come to herself to find him
looking at herwith his knee on his bench and his saw stopped in its
work. "But it's not my business!" he would generally say at those
timesand would briskly fall to his sawing again.

In all weathersin the snow and frost of winterin the bitter winds
of springin the hot sunshine of summerin the rains of autumnand
again in the snow and frost of winterLucie passed two hours of
every day at this place; and every day on leaving itshe kissed the
prison wall. Her husband saw her (so she learned from her father) it
might be once in five or six times: it might be twice or thrice running:
it might benot for a week or a fortnight together. It was enough
that he could and did see her when the chances servedand on that
possibility she would have waited out the dayseven days a week.

These occupations brought her round to the December monthwherein
her father walked among the terrors with a steady head. On a
lightly-snowing afternoon she arrived at the usual corner. It was a
day of some wild rejoicingand a festival. She had seen the houses
as she came alongdecorated with little pikesand with little red
caps stuck upon them; alsowith tricoloured ribbons; alsowith the
standard inscription (tricoloured letters were the favourite)
Republic One and Indivisible. LibertyEqualityFraternityor Death!

The miserable shop of the wood-sawyer was so smallthat its whole
surface furnished very indifferent space for this legend. He had got
somebody to scrawl it up for himhoweverwho had squeezed Death in
with most inappropriate difficulty. On his house-tophe displayed
pike and capas a good citizen mustand in a window he had
stationed his saw inscribed as his "Little Sainte Guillotine"-for
the great sharp female was by that time popularly canonised.
His shop was shut and he was not therewhich was a relief to Lucie
and left her quite alone.

Buthe was not far offfor presently she heard a troubled movement
and a shouting coming alongwhich filled her with fear. A moment
afterwardsand a throng of people came pouring round the corner by


the prison wallin the midst of whom was the wood-sawyer hand in
hand with The Vengeance. There could not be fewer than five hundred
peopleand they were dancing like five thousand demons. There was
no other music than their own singing. They danced to the popular
Revolution songkeeping a ferocious time that was like a gnashing of
teeth in unison. Men and women danced togetherwomen danced
togethermen danced togetheras hazard had brought them together.
At firstthey were a mere storm of coarse red caps and coarse
woollen rags; butas they filled the placeand stopped to dance
about Luciesome ghastly apparition of a dance-figure gone raving
mad arose among them. They advancedretreatedstruck at one
another's handsclutched at one another's headsspun round alone
caught one another and spun round in pairsuntil many of them
dropped. While those were downthe rest linked hand in handand
all spun round together: then the ring brokeand in separate rings
of two and four they turned and turned until they all stopped at
oncebegan againstruckclutchedand toreand then reversed the
spinand all spun round another way. Suddenly they stopped again
pausedstruck out the time afreshformed into lines the width of
the public wayandwith their heads low down and their hands high
upswooped screaming off. No fight could have been half so terrible
as this dance. It was so emphatically a fallen sport--a something
once innocentdelivered over to all devilry--a healthy pastime
changed into a means of angering the bloodbewildering the senses
and steeling the heart. Such grace as was visible in itmade it the
ugliershowing how warped and perverted all things good by nature
were become. The maidenly bosom bared to thisthe pretty
almost-child's head thus distractedthe delicate foot mincing in
this slough of blood and dirtwere types of the disjointed time.

This was the Carmagnole. As it passedleaving Lucie frightened and
bewildered in the doorway of the wood-sawyer's housethe feathery
snow fell as quietly and lay as white and softas if it had never been.

O my father!for he stood before her when she lifted up the eyes
she had momentarily darkened with her hand; "such a cruelbad sight."

I know, my dear, I know. I have seen it many times. Don't be
frightened! Not one of them would harm you.

I am not frightened for myself, my father. But when I think of my
husband, and the mercies of these people--

We will set him above their mercies very soon. I left him climbing
to the window, and I came to tell you. There is no one here to see.
You may kiss your hand towards that highest shelving roof.

I do so, father, and I send him my Soul with it!

You cannot see him, my poor dear?

No, father,said Lucieyearning and weeping as she kissed her hand
no.

A footstep in the snow. Madame Defarge. "I salute youcitizeness
from the Doctor. I salute youcitizen." This in passing. Nothing
more. Madame Defarge gonelike a shadow over the white road.

Give me your arm, my love. Pass from here with an air of cheerfulness
and courage, for his sake. That was well done;they had left the spot;
it shall not be in vain. Charles is summoned for to-morrow.

For to-morrow!


There is no time to lose. I am well prepared, but there are
precautions to be taken, that could not be taken until he was actually
summoned before the Tribunal. He has not received the notice yet,
but I know that he will presently be summoned for to-morrow, and
removed to the Conciergerie; I have timely information.
You are not afraid?


She could scarcely answerI trust in you.


Do so, implicitly. Your suspense is nearly ended, my darling; he
shall be restored to you within a few hours; I have encompassed him
with every protection. I must see Lorry.


He stopped. There was a heavy lumbering of wheels within hearing.
They both knew too well what it meant. One. Two. Three. Three
tumbrils faring away with their dread loads over the hushing snow.


I must see Lorry,the Doctor repeatedturning her another way.


The staunch old gentleman was still in his trust; had never left it.
He and his books were in frequent requisition as to property
confiscated and made national. What he could save for the ownershe
saved. No better man living to hold fast by what Tellson's had in
keepingand to hold his peace.


A murky red and yellow skyand a rising mist from the Seinedenoted
the approach of darkness. It was almost dark when they arrived at
the Bank. The stately residence of Monseigneur was altogether
blighted and deserted. Above a heap of dust and ashes in the court
ran the letters: National Property. Republic One and Indivisible.
LibertyEqualityFraternityor Death!


Who could that be with Mr. Lorry--the owner of the riding-coat upon
the chair--who must not be seen? From whom newly arriveddid he come
outagitated and surprisedto take his favourite in his arms? To
whom did he appear to repeat her faltering wordswhenraising his
voice and turning his head towards the door of the room from which he
had issuedhe said: "Removed to the Conciergerieand summoned for
to-morrow?"


Triumph


The dread tribunal of five JudgesPublic Prosecutorand determined
Jurysat every day. Their lists went forth every eveningand were
read out by the gaolers of the various prisons to their prisoners.
The standard gaoler-joke wasCome out and listen to the Evening Paper,
you inside there!


Charles Evremonde, called Darnay!


So at last began the Evening Paper at La Force.


When a name was calledits owner stepped apart into a spot reserved
for those who were announced as being thus fatally recorded. Charles
Evremondecalled Darnayhad reason to know the usage; he had seen
hundreds pass away so.


His bloated gaolerwho wore spectacles to read withglanced over
them to assure himself that he had taken his placeand went through



the listmaking a similar short pause at each name. There were
twenty-three namesbut only twenty were responded to; for one of the
prisoners so summoned had died in gaol and been forgottenand two
had already been guillotined and forgotten. The list was readin
the vaulted chamber where Darnay had seen the associated prisoners on
the night of his arrival. Every one of those had perished in the
massacre; every human creature he had since cared for and parted with
had died on the scaffold.

There were hurried words of farewell and kindnessbut the parting
was soon over. It was the incident of every dayand the society of
La Force were engaged in the preparation of some games of forfeits
and a little concertfor that evening. They crowded to the grates
and shed tears there; buttwenty places in the projected
entertainments had to be refilledand the time wasat bestshort
to the lock-up hourwhen the common rooms and corridors would be
delivered over to the great dogs who kept watch there through the
night. The prisoners were far from insensible or unfeeling; their
ways arose out of the condition of the time. Similarlythough with
a subtle differencea species of fervour or intoxicationknown
without doubtto have led some persons to brave the guillotine
unnecessarilyand to die by itwas not mere boastfulnessbut a
wild infection of the wildly shaken public mind. In seasons of
pestilencesome of us will have a secret attraction to the disease-a
terrible passing inclination to die of it. And all of us have like
wonders hidden in our breastsonly needing circumstances to evoke them.

The passage to the Conciergerie was short and dark; the night in its
vermin-haunted cells was long and cold. Next dayfifteen prisoners
were put to the bar before Charles Darnay's name was called. All the
fifteen were condemnedand the trials of the whole occupied an hour
and a half.

Charles Evremonde, called Darnay,was at length arraigned.

His judges sat upon the Bench in feathered hats; but the rough red
cap and tricoloured cockade was the head-dress otherwise prevailing.
Looking at the Jury and the turbulent audiencehe might have thought
that the usual order of things was reversedand that the felons were
trying the honest men. The lowestcruelestand worst populace of a
citynever without its quantity of lowcrueland badwere the
directing spirits of the scene: noisily commentingapplauding
disapprovinganticipatingand precipitating the resultwithout a
check. Of the menthe greater part were armed in various ways; of
the womensome wore knivessome daggerssome ate and drank as they
looked onmany knitted. Among these lastwas onewith a spare
piece of knitting under her arm as she worked. She was in a front
rowby the side of a man whom he had never seen since his arrival at
the Barrierbut whom he directly remembered as Defarge. He noticed
that she once or twice whispered in his earand that she seemed to
be his wife; butwhat he most noticed in the two figures wasthat
although they were posted as close to himself as they could bethey
never looked towards him. They seemed to be waiting for something
with a dogged determinationand they looked at the Jurybut at
nothing else. Under the President sat Doctor Manettein his usual
quiet dress. As well as the prisoner could seehe and Mr. Lorry
were the only men thereunconnected with the Tribunalwho wore their
usual clothesand had not assumed the coarse garb of the Carmagnole.

Charles Evremondecalled Darnaywas accused by the public
prosecutor as an emigrantwhose life was forfeit to the Republic
under the decree which banished all emigrants on pain of Death.
It was nothing that the decree bore date since his return to France.
There he wasand there was the decree; he had been taken in France


and his head was demanded.

Take off his head!cried the audience. "An enemy to the Republic!"

The President rang his bell to silence those criesand asked the
prisoner whether it was not true that he had lived many years in England?

Undoubtedly it was.

Was he not an emigrant then? What did he call himself?

Not an emigranthe hopedwithin the sense and spirit of the law.

Why not? the President desired to know.

Because he had voluntarily relinquished a title that was distasteful
to himand a station that was distasteful to himand had left his
country--he submitted before the word emigrant in the present
acceptation by the Tribunal was in use--to live by his own industry
in Englandrather than on the industry of the overladen people of
France.

What proof had he of this?

He handed in the names of two witnesses; Theophile Gabelleand
Alexandre Manette.

But he had married in England? the President reminded him.

Truebut not an English woman.

A citizeness of France?

Yes. By birth.

Her name and family?

Lucie Manette, only daughter of Doctor Manette, the good physician
who sits there.

This answer had a happy effect upon the audience. Cries in
exaltation of the well-known good physician rent the hall. So
capriciously were the people movedthat tears immediately rolled
down several ferocious countenances which had been glaring at the
prisoner a moment beforeas if with impatience to pluck him out into
the streets and kill him.

On these few steps of his dangerous wayCharles Darnay had set his
foot according to Doctor Manette's reiterated instructions. The same
cautious counsel directed every step that lay before himand had
prepared every inch of his road.

The President askedwhy had he returned to France when he did
and not sooner?

He had not returned soonerhe repliedsimply because he had no
means of living in Francesave those he had resigned; whereasin
Englandhe lived by giving instruction in the French language and
literature. He had returned when he didon the pressing and written
entreaty of a French citizenwho represented that his life was
endangered by his absence. He had come backto save a citizen's life
and to bear his testimonyat whatever personal hazardto the truth.
Was that criminal in the eyes of the Republic?


The populace cried enthusiasticallyNo!and the President rang his
bell to quiet them. Which it did notfor they continued to cry
No!until they left offof their own will.

The President required the name of that citizen. The accused
explained that the citizen was his first witness. He also referred
with confidence to the citizen's letterwhich had been taken from
him at the Barrierbut which he did not doubt would be found among
the papers then before the President.

The Doctor had taken care that it should be there--had assured him
that it would be there--and at this stage of the proceedings it was
produced and read. Citizen Gabelle was called to confirm itand did
so. Citizen Gabelle hintedwith infinite delicacy and politeness
that in the pressure of business imposed on the Tribunal by the
multitude of enemies of the Republic with which it had to dealhe
had been slightly overlooked in his prison of the Abbaye--in fact
had rather passed out of the Tribunal's patriotic remembrance--until
three days ago; when he had been summoned before itand had been set
at liberty on the Jury's declaring themselves satisfied that the
accusation against him was answeredas to himselfby the surrender
of the citizen Evremondecalled Darnay.

Doctor Manette was next questioned. His high personal popularity
and the clearness of his answersmade a great impression; butas he
proceededas he showed that the Accused was his first friend on his
release from his long imprisonment; thatthe accused had remained in
Englandalways faithful and devoted to his daughter and himself in
their exile; thatso far from being in favour with the Aristocrat
government therehe had actually been tried for his life by itas
the foe of England and friend of the United States--as he brought
these circumstances into viewwith the greatest discretion and with
the straightforward force of truth and earnestnessthe Jury and the
populace became one. At lastwhen he appealed by name to Monsieur
Lorryan English gentleman then and there presentwholike himself
had been a witness on that English trial and could corroborate his
account of itthe Jury declared that they had heard enoughand that
they were ready with their votes if the President were content to
receive them.

At every vote (the Jurymen voted aloud and individually)the
populace set up a shout of applause. All the voices were in the
prisoner's favourand the President declared him free.

Thenbegan one of those extraordinary scenes with which the populace
sometimes gratified their ficklenessor their better impulses
towards generosity and mercyor which they regarded as some set-off
against their swollen account of cruel rage. No man can decide now
to which of these motives such extraordinary scenes were referable;
it is probableto a blending of all the threewith the second
predominating. No sooner was the acquittal pronouncedthan tears
were shed as freely as blood at another timeand such fraternal
embraces were bestowed upon the prisoner by as many of both sexes as
could rush at himthat after his long and unwholesome confinement he
was in danger of fainting from exhaustion; none the less because he
knew very wellthat the very same peoplecarried by another current
would have rushed at him with the very same intensityto rend him to
pieces and strew him over the streets.

His removalto make way for other accused persons who were to be
triedrescued him from these caresses for the moment. Five were to
be tried togethernextas enemies of the Republicforasmuch as
they had not assisted it by word or deed. So quick was the Tribunal
to compensate itself and the nation for a chance lostthat these


five came down to him before he left the placecondemned to die
within twenty-four hours. The first of them told him sowith the
customary prison sign of Death--a raised finger--and they all added
in wordsLong live the Republic!

The five had hadit is trueno audience to lengthen their
proceedingsfor when he and Doctor Manette emerged from the gate
there was a great crowd about itin which there seemed to be every
face he had seen in Court--except twofor which he looked in vain.
On his coming outthe concourse made at him anewweeping
embracingand shoutingall by turns and all togetheruntil the
very tide of the river on the bank of which the mad scene was acted
seemed to run madlike the people on the shore.

They put him into a great chair they had among themand which they
had taken either out of the Court itselfor one of its rooms or
passages. Over the chair they had thrown a red flagand to the back
of it they had bound a pike with a red cap on its top. In this car
of triumphnot even the Doctor's entreaties could prevent his being
carried to his home on men's shoulderswith a confused sea of red
caps heaving about himand casting up to sight from the stormy deep
such wrecks of facesthat he more than once misdoubted his mind
being in confusionand that he was in the tumbril on his way to the
Guillotine.

In wild dreamlike processionembracing whom they met and pointing
him outthey carried him on. Reddening the snowy streets with the
prevailing Republican colourin winding and tramping through them
as they had reddened them below the snow with a deeper dyethey
carried him thus into the courtyard of the building where he lived.
Her father had gone on beforeto prepare herand when her husband
stood upon his feetshe dropped insensible in his arms.

As he held her to his heart and turned her beautiful head between his
face and the brawling crowdso that his tears and her lips might
come together unseena few of the people fell to dancing. Instantly
all the rest fell to dancingand the courtyard overflowed with the
Carmagnole. Thenthey elevated into the vacant chair a young woman
from the crowd to be carried as the Goddess of Libertyand then
swelling and overflowing out into the adjacent streetsand along the
river's bankand over the bridgethe Carmagnole absorbed them every
one and whirled them away.

After grasping the Doctor's handas he stood victorious and proud
before him; after grasping the hand of Mr. Lorrywho came panting in
breathless from his struggle against the waterspout of the Carmagnole;
after kissing little Luciewho was lifted up to clasp her arms round
his neck; and after embracing the ever zealous and faithful Pross who
lifted her; he took his wife in his armsand carried her up to their
rooms.

Lucie! My own! I am safe.

O dearest Charles, let me thank God for this on my knees as I have
prayed to Him.

They all reverently bowed their heads and hearts. When she was again
in his armshe said to her:

And now speak to your father, dearest. No other man in all this
France could have done what he has done for me.

She laid her head upon her father's breastas she had laid his poor
head on her own breastlonglong ago. He was happy in the return


he had made herhe was recompensed for his sufferinghe was proud
of his strength. "You must not be weakmy darling he remonstrated;
don't tremble so. I have saved him."

A Knock at the Door

I have saved him.It was not another of the dreams in which he had
often come back; he was really here. And yet his wife trembledand
a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

All the air round was so thick and darkthe people were so
passionately revengeful and fitfulthe innocent were so constantly
put to death on vague suspicion and black maliceit was so
impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as
dear to others as he was to herevery day shared the fate from which
he had been clutchedthat her heart could not be as lightened of its
load as she felt it ought to be. The shadows of the wintry afternoon
were beginning to falland even now the dreadful carts were rolling
through the streets. Her mind pursued themlooking for him among
the Condemned; and then she clung closer to his real presence and
trembled more.

Her fathercheering hershowed a compassionate superiority to this
woman's weaknesswhich was wonderful to see. No garretno shoemaking
no One Hundred and FiveNorth Towernow! He had accomplished the
task he had set himselfhis promise was redeemedhe had saved Charles.
Let them all lean upon him.

Their housekeeping was of a very frugal kind: not only because that
was the safest way of lifeinvolving the least offence to the
peoplebut because they were not richand Charlesthroughout his
imprisonmenthad had to pay heavily for his bad foodand for his
guardand towards the living of the poorer prisoners. Partly on
this accountand partly to avoid a domestic spythey kept no
servant; the citizen and citizeness who acted as porters at the
courtyard gaterendered them occasional service; and Jerry (almost
wholly transferred to them by Mr. Lorry) had become their daily
retainerand had his bed there every night.

It was an ordinance of the Republic One and Indivisible of Liberty
EqualityFraternityor Deaththat on the door or doorpost of every
housethe name of every inmate must be legibly inscribed in letters
of a certain sizeat a certain convenient height from the ground.
Mr. Jerry Cruncher's namethereforeduly embellished the doorpost
down below; andas the afternoon shadows deepenedthe owner of that
name himself appearedfrom overlooking a painter whom Doctor Manette
had employed to add to the list the name of Charles Evremondecalled
Darnay.

In the universal fear and distrust that darkened the timeall the
usual harmless ways of life were changed. In the Doctor's little
householdas in very many othersthe articles of daily consumption
that were wanted were purchased every eveningin small quantities
and at various small shops. To avoid attracting noticeand to give
as little occasion as possible for talk and envywas the general desire.

For some months pastMiss Pross and Mr. Cruncher had discharged the
office of purveyors; the former carrying the money; the latterthe
basket. Every afternoon at about the time when the public lamps were


lightedthey fared forth on this dutyand made and brought home
such purchases as were needful. Although Miss Prossthrough her
long association with a French familymight have known as much of
their language as of her ownif she had had a mindshe had no mind
in that direction; consequently she knew no more of that "nonsense"
(as she was pleased to call it) than Mr. Cruncher did. So her
manner of marketing was to plump a noun-substantive at the head of a
shopkeeper without any introduction in the nature of an articleand
if it happened not to be the name of the thing she wantedto look
round for that thinglay hold of itand hold on by it until the
bargain was concluded. She always made a bargain for itby holding
upas a statement of its just priceone finger less than the merchant
held upwhatever his number might be.

Now, Mr. Cruncher,said Miss Prosswhose eyes were red with
felicity; "if you are readyI am."

Jerry hoarsely professed himself at Miss Pross's service. He had worn
all his rust off long agobut nothing would file his spiky head down.

There's all manner of things wanted,said Miss Prossand we shall
have a precious time of it. We want wine, among the rest.
Nice toasts these Redheads will be drinking, wherever we buy it.

It will be much the same to your knowledge, miss, I should think,
retorted Jerrywhether they drink your health or the Old Un's.

Who's he?said Miss Pross.

Mr. Cruncherwith some diffidenceexplained himself as meaning "Old
Nick's."

Ha!said Miss Prossit doesn't need an interpreter to explain the
meaning of these creatures. They have but one, and it's Midnight
Murder, and Mischief.

Hush, dear! Pray, pray, be cautious!cried Lucie.

Yes, yes, yes, I'll be cautious,said Miss Pross; "but I may say
among ourselvesthat I do hope there will be no oniony and tobaccoey
smotherings in the form of embracings all roundgoing on in the
streets. NowLadybirdnever you stir from that fire till I come
back! Take care of the dear husband you have recoveredand don't
move your pretty head from his shoulder as you have it nowtill you
see me again! May I ask a questionDoctor Manettebefore I go?"

I think you may take that liberty,the Doctor answeredsmiling.

For gracious sake, don't talk about Liberty; we have quite enough of
that,said Miss Pross.

Hush, dear! Again?Lucie remonstrated.

Well, my sweet,said Miss Prossnodding her head emphatically
the short and the long of it is, that I am a subject of His Most
Gracious Majesty King George the Third;Miss Pross curtseyed at the
name; "and as suchmy maxim isConfound their politicsFrustrate
their knavish tricksOn him our hopes we fixGod save the King!"

Mr. Cruncherin an access of loyaltygrowlingly repeated the words
after Miss Prosslike somebody at church.

I am glad you have so much of the Englishman in you, though I wish
you had never taken that cold in your voice,said Miss Pross


approvingly. "But the questionDoctor Manette. Is there"--it was
the good creature's way to affect to make light of anything that was
a great anxiety with them alland to come at it in this chance
manner--"is there any prospect yetof our getting out of this place?"

I fear not yet. It would be dangerous for Charles yet.

Heigh-ho-hum!said Miss Prosscheerfully repressing a sigh as she
glanced at her darling's golden hair in the light of the fire
then we must have patience and wait: that's all. We must hold up
our heads and fight low, as my brother Solomon used to say.
Now, Mr. Cruncher!--Don't you move, Ladybird!

They went outleaving Lucieand her husbandher fatherand the
childby a bright fire. Mr. Lorry was expected back presently from
the Banking House. Miss Pross had lighted the lampbut had put it
aside in a cornerthat they might enjoy the fire-light undisturbed.
Little Lucie sat by her grandfather with her hands clasped through
his arm: and hein a tone not rising much above a whisperbegan to
tell her a story of a great and powerful Fairy who had opened a
prison-wall and let out a captive who had once done the Fairy a
service. All was subdued and quietand Lucie was more at ease than
she had been.

What is that?she criedall at once.

My dear!said her fatherstopping in his storyand laying his
hand on herscommand yourself. What a disordered state you are in!
The least thing--nothing--startles you! YOU, your father's daughter!

I thought, my father,said Lucieexcusing herselfwith a pale face
and in a faltering voicethat I heard strange feet upon the stairs.

My love, the staircase is as still as Death.

As he said the worda blow was struck upon the door.

Oh father, father. What can this be! Hide Charles. Save him!

My child,said the Doctorrisingand laying his hand upon her
shoulderI HAVE saved him. What weakness is this, my dear!
Let me go to the door.

He took the lamp in his handcrossed the two intervening outer
roomsand opened it. A rude clattering of feet over the floor
and four rough men in red capsarmed with sabres and pistols
entered the room.

The Citizen Evremonde, called Darnay,said the first.

Who seeks him?answered Darnay.

I seek him. We seek him. I know you, Evremonde; I saw you before
the Tribunal to-day. You are again the prisoner of the Republic.

The four surrounded himwhere he stood with his wife and child
clinging to him.

Tell me how and why am I again a prisoner?

It is enough that you return straight to the Conciergerie, and will
know to-morrow. You are summoned for to-morrow.

Doctor Manettewhom this visitation had so turned into stonethat


be stood with the lamp in his handas if be woe a statue made to
hold itmoved after these words were spokenput the lamp downand
confronting the speakerand taking himnot ungentlyby the loose
front of his red woollen shirtsaid:

You know him, you have said. Do you know me?

Yes, I know you, Citizen Doctor.

We all know you, Citizen Doctor,said the other three.

He looked abstractedly from one to anotherand saidin a lower
voiceafter a pause:

Will you answer his question to me then? How does this happen?

Citizen Doctor,said the firstreluctantlyhe has been denounced
to the Section of Saint Antoine. This citizen,pointing out the
second who had enteredis from Saint Antoine.

The citizen here indicated nodded his headand added:

He is accused by Saint Antoine.

Of what?asked the Doctor.

Citizen Doctor,said the firstwith his former reluctanceask no
more. If the Republic demands sacrifices from you, without doubt you
as a good patriot will be happy to make them. The Republic goes
before all. The People is supreme. Evremonde, we are pressed.

One word,the Doctor entreated. "Will you tell me who denounced him?"

It is against rule,answered the first; "but you can ask Him of
Saint Antoine here."

The Doctor turned his eyes upon that man. Who moved uneasily on his
feetrubbed his beard a littleand at length said:

Well! Truly it is against rule. But he is denounced--and
gravely--by the Citizen and Citizeness Defarge. And by one other.

What other?

Do YOU ask, Citizen Doctor?

Yes.

Then,said he of Saint Antoinewith a strange lookyou will be
answered to-morrow. Now, I am dumb!

A Hand at Cards

Happily unconscious of the new calamity at homeMiss Pross threaded
her way along the narrow streets and crossed the river by the bridge
of the Pont-Neufreckoning in her mind the number of indispensable
purchases she had to make. Mr. Cruncherwith the basketwalked at
her side. They both looked to the right and to the left into most of
the shops they passedhad a wary eye for all gregarious assemblages


of peopleand turned out of their road to avoid any very excited
group of talkers. It was a raw eveningand the misty riverblurred
to the eye with blazing lights and to the ear with harsh noises
showed where the barges were stationed in which the smiths worked
making guns for the Army of the Republic. Woe to the man who played
tricks with THAT Armyor got undeserved promotion in it! Better
for him that his beard had never grownfor the National Razor shaved
him close.

Having purchased a few small articles of groceryand a measure of
oil for the lampMiss Pross bethought herself of the wine they
wanted. After peeping into several wine-shopsshe stopped at the
sign of the Good Republican Brutus of Antiquitynot far from the
National Palaceonce (and twice) the Tuilerieswhere the aspect of
things rather took her fancy. It had a quieter look than any other
place of the same description they had passedandthough red with
patriotic capswas not so red as the rest. Sounding Mr. Cruncher
and finding him of her opinionMiss Pross resorted to the Good
Republican Brutus of Antiquityattended by her cavalier.

Slightly observant of the smoky lights; of the peoplepipe in mouth
playing with limp cards and yellow dominoes; of the one barebreasted
bare-armedsoot-begrimed workman reading a journal aloud
and of the others listening to him; of the weapons wornor laid
aside to be resumed; of the two or three customers fallen forward
asleepwho in the popular high-shouldered shaggy black spencer
lookedin that attitudelike slumbering bears or dogs; the two
outlandish customers approached the counterand showed what they wanted.

As their wine was measuring outa man parted from another man in a
cornerand rose to depart. In goinghe had to face Miss Pross.
No sooner did he face herthan Miss Pross uttered a screamand
clapped her hands.

In a momentthe whole company were on their feet. That somebody was
assassinated by somebody vindicating a difference of opinion was the
likeliest occurrence. Everybody looked to see somebody fallbut
only saw a man and a woman standing staring at each other; the man
with all the outward aspect of a Frenchman and a thorough Republican;
the womanevidently English.

What was said in this disappointing anti-climaxby the disciples of
the Good Republican Brutus of Antiquityexcept that it was something
very voluble and loudwould have been as so much Hebrew or Chaldean
to Miss Pross and her protectorthough they had been all ears. But
they had no ears for anything in their surprise. Forit must be
recordedthat not only was Miss Pross lost in amazement and
agitationbutMr. Cruncher--though it seemed on his own separate
and individual account--was in a state of the greatest wonder.

What is the matter?said the man who had caused Miss Pross to scream;
speaking in a vexedabrupt voice (though in a low tone)and in
English.

Oh, Solomon, dear Solomon!cried Miss Prossclapping her hands
again. "After not setting eyes upon you or hearing of you for so
long a timedo I find you here!"

Don't call me Solomon. Do you want to be the death of me?asked
the manin a furtivefrightened way.

Brother, brother!cried Miss Prossbursting into tears. "Have I
ever been so hard with you that you ask me such a cruel question?"


Then hold your meddlesome tongue,said Solomonand come out, if
you want to speak to me. Pay for your wine, and come out.
Who's this man?

Miss Prossshaking her loving and dejected head at her by no means
affectionate brothersaid through her tearsMr. Cruncher.

Let him come out too,said Solomon. "Does he think me a ghost?"

ApparentlyMr. Cruncher didto judge from his looks. He said not a
wordhoweverand Miss Prossexploring the depths of her reticule
through her tears with great difficulty paid for her wine. As she
did soSolomon turned to the followers of the Good Republican Brutus
of Antiquityand offered a few words of explanation in the French
languagewhich caused them all to relapse into their former places
and pursuits.

Now,said Solomonstopping at the dark street cornerwhat do you want?

How dreadfully unkind in a brother nothing has ever turned my love
away from!cried Miss Prossto give me such a greeting, and show
me no affection.

There. Confound it! There,said Solomonmaking a dab at Miss
Pross's lips with his own. "Now are you content?"

Miss Pross only shook her head and wept in silence.

If you expect me to be surprised,said her brother SolomonI am
not surprised; I knew you were here; I know of most people who are
here. If you really don't want to endanger my existence--which I half
believe you do--go your ways as soon as possible, and let me go mine.
I am busy. I am an official.

My English brother Solomon,mourned Miss Prosscasting up her
tear-fraught eyesthat had the makings in him of one of the best
and greatest of men in his native country, an official among
foreigners, and such foreigners! I would almost sooner have seen the
dear boy lying in his--

I said so!cried her brotherinterrupting. "I knew it. You want
to be the death of me. I shall be rendered Suspectedby my own
sister. Just as I am getting on!"

The gracious and merciful Heavens forbid!cried Miss Pross. "Far
rather would I never see you againdear Solomonthough I have ever
loved you trulyand ever shall. Say but one affectionate word to
meand tell me there is nothing angry or estranged between usand I
will detain you no longer."

Good Miss Pross! As if the estrangement between them had come of any
culpability of hers. As if Mr. Lorry had not known it for a fact
years agoin the quiet corner in Sohothat this precious brother
had spent her money and left her!

He was saying the affectionate wordhoweverwith a far more
grudging condescension and patronage than he could have shown if
their relative merits and positions had been reversed (which is
invariably the caseall the world over)when Mr. Crunchertouching
him on the shoulderhoarsely and unexpectedly interposed with the
following singular question:

I say! Might I ask the favour? As to whether your name is John
Solomon, or Solomon John?


The official turned towards him with sudden distrust. He had not
previously uttered a word.

Come!said Mr. Cruncher. "Speak outyou know." (Whichby the
waywas more than he could do himself.) "John Solomonor Solomon
John? She calls you Solomonand she must knowbeing your sister.
And _I_ know you're Johnyou know. Which of the two goes first?
And regarding that name of Prosslikewise. That warn't your name
over the water."

What do you mean?

Well, I don't know all I mean, for I can't call to mind what your
name was, over the water.

No?

No. But I'll swear it was a name of two syllables.

Indeed?

Yes. T'other one's was one syllable. I know you. You was a spy-witness
at the Bailey. What, in the name of the Father of Lies,
own father to yourself, was you called at that time?

Barsad,said another voicestriking in.

That's the name for a thousand pound!cried Jerry.

The speaker who struck inwas Sydney Carton. He had his hands
behind him under the skirts of his riding-coatand he stood at
Mr. Cruncher's elbow as negligently as he might have stood at the Old
Bailey itself.

Don't be alarmed, my dear Miss Pross. I arrived at Mr. Lorry's,
to his surprise, yesterday evening; we agreed that I would not
present myself elsewhere until all was well, or unless I could be
useful; I present myself here, to beg a little talk with your brother.
I wish you had a better employed brother than Mr. Barsad. I wish
for your sake Mr. Barsad was not a Sheep of the Prisons.

Sheep was a cant word of the time for a spyunder the gaolers.
The spywho was paleturned palerand asked him how he dared-


I'll tell you,said Sydney. "I lighted on youMr. Barsadcoming
out of the prison of the Conciergerie while I was contemplating the
wallsan hour or more ago. You have a face to be rememberedand I
remember faces well. Made curious by seeing you in that connection
and having a reasonto which you are no strangerfor associating
you with the misfortunes of a friend now very unfortunateI walked
in your direction. I walked into the wine-shop hereclose after you
and sat near you. I had no difficulty in deducing from your unreserved
conversationand the rumour openly going about among your admirers
the nature of your calling. And graduallywhat I had done at random
seemed to shape itself into a purposeMr. Barsad."

What purpose?the spy asked.

It would be troublesome, and might be dangerous, to explain in the
street. Could you favour me, in confidence, with some minutes of
your company--at the office of Tellson's Bank, for instance?

Under a threat?


Oh! Did I say that?

Then, why should I go there?

Really, Mr. Barsad, I can't say, if you can't.

Do you mean that you won't say, sir?the spy irresolutely asked.

You apprehend me very clearly, Mr. Barsad. I won't.

Carton's negligent recklessness of manner came powerfully in aid of
his quickness and skillin such a business as he had in his secret
mindand with such a man as he had to do with. His practised eye
saw itand made the most of it.

Now, I told you so,said the spycasting a reproachful look at his
sister; "if any trouble comes of thisit's your doing."

Come, come, Mr. Barsad!exclaimed Sydney. "Don't be
ungrateful. But for my great respect for your sisterI might not
have led up so pleasantly to a little proposal that I wish to make
for our mutual satisfaction. Do you go with me to the Bank?"

I'll hear what you have got to say. Yes, I'll go with you.

I propose that we first conduct your sister safely to the corner of
her own street. Let me take your arm, Miss Pross. This is not a
good city, at this time, for you to be out in, unprotected; and as
your escort knows Mr. Barsad, I will invite him to Mr. Lorry's with us.
Are we ready? Come then!

Miss Pross recalled soon afterwardsand to the end of her life
rememberedthat as she pressed her hands on Sydney's arm and looked
up in his faceimploring him to do no hurt to Solomonthere was a
braced purpose in the arm and a kind of inspiration in the eyes
which not only contradicted his light mannerbut changed and raised
the man. She was too much occupied then with fears for the brother
who so little deserved her affectionand with Sydney's friendly
reassurancesadequately to heed what she observed.

They left her at the corner of the streetand Carton led the way to
Mr. Lorry'swhich was within a few minutes' walk. John Barsador
Solomon Prosswalked at his side.

Mr. Lorry had just finished his dinnerand was sitting before a
cheery little log or two of fire--perhaps looking into their blaze
for the picture of that younger elderly gentleman from Tellson'swho
had looked into the red coals at the Royal George at Dovernow a
good many years ago. He turned his head as they enteredand showed
the surprise with which he saw a stranger.

Miss Pross's brother, sir,said Sydney. "Mr. Barsad."

Barsad?repeated the old gentlemanBarsad? I have an association
with the name--and with the face.

I told you you had a remarkable face, Mr. Barsad,observed Carton
coolly. "Pray sit down."

As he took a chair himselfhe supplied the link that Mr. Lorry
wantedby saying to him with a frownWitness at that trial.
Mr. Lorry immediately rememberedand regarded his new visitor with
an undisguised look of abhorrence.


Mr. Barsad has been recognised by Miss Pross as the affectionate
brother you have heard of,said Sydneyand has acknowledged the
relationship. I pass to worse news. Darnay has been arrested again.


Struck with consternationthe old gentleman exclaimedWhat do you
tell me! I left him safe and free within these two hours, and am
about to return to him!


Arrested for all that. When was it done, Mr. Barsad?


Just now, if at all.


Mr. Barsad is the best authority possible, sir,said Sydneyand I
have it from Mr. Barsad's communication to a friend and brother Sheep
over a bottle of wine, that the arrest has taken place. He left the
messengers at the gate, and saw them admitted by the porter.
There is no earthly doubt that he is retaken.


Mr. Lorry's business eye read in the speaker's face that it was loss
of time to dwell upon the point. Confusedbut sensible that
something might depend on his presence of mindhe commanded himself
and was silently attentive.


Now, I trust,said Sydney to himthat the name and influence of
Doctor Manette may stand him in as good stead to-morrow--you said he
would be before the Tribunal again to-morrow, Mr. Barsad?--


Yes; I believe so.


--In as good stead to-morrow as to-day. But it may not be so.
I own to you, I am shaken, Mr. Lorry, by Doctor Manette's not having
had the power to prevent this arrest.


He may not have known of it beforehand,said Mr. Lorry.


But that very circumstance would be alarming, when we remember how
identified he is with his son-in-law.


That's true,Mr. Lorry acknowledgedwith his troubled hand at his
chinand his troubled eyes on Carton.


In short,said Sydneythis is a desperate time, when desperate
games are played for desperate stakes. Let the Doctor play the
winning game; I will play the losing one. No man's life here is
worth purchase. Any one carried home by the people to-day, may be
condemned tomorrow. Now, the stake I have resolved to play for, in
case of the worst, is a friend in the Conciergerie. And the friend I
purpose to myself to win, is Mr. Barsad.


You need have good cards, sir,said the spy.


I'll run them over. I'll see what I hold,--Mr. Lorry, you know
what a brute I am; I wish you'd give me a little brandy.


It was put before himand he drank off a glassful--drank off another
glassful--pushed the bottle thoughtfully away.


Mr. Barsad,he went onin the tone of one who really was looking
over a hand at cards: "Sheep of the prisonsemissary of Republican
committeesnow turnkeynow prisoneralways spy and secret
informerso much the more valuable here for being English that an
Englishman is less open to suspicion of subornation in those
characters than a Frenchmanrepresents himself to his employers



under a false name. That's a very good card. Mr. Barsadnow in the
employ of the republican French governmentwas formerly in the
employ of the aristocratic English governmentthe enemy of France
and freedom. That's an excellent card. Inference clear as day in
this region of suspicionthat Mr. Barsadstill in the pay of the
aristocratic English governmentis the spy of Pittthe treacherous
foe of the Republic crouching in its bosomthe English traitor and
agent of all mischief so much spoken of and so difficult to find.
That's a card not to be beaten. Have you followed my handMr. Barsad?"

Not to understand your play,returned the spysomewhat uneasily.

I play my Ace, Denunciation of Mr. Barsad to the nearest Section
Committee. Look over your hand, Mr. Barsad, and see what you have.
Don't hurry.

He drew the bottle nearpoured out another glassful of brandy
and drank it off. He saw that the spy was fearful of his drinking
himself into a fit state for the immediate denunciation of him.
Seeing ithe poured out and drank another glassful.

Look over your hand carefully, Mr. Barsad. Take time.

It was a poorer hand than he suspected. Mr. Barsad saw losing cards
in it that Sydney Carton knew nothing of. Thrown out of his
honourable employment in Englandthrough too much unsuccessful hard
swearing there--not because he was not wanted there; our English
reasons for vaunting our superiority to secrecy and spies are of very
modern date--he knew that he had crossed the Channeland accepted
service in France: firstas a tempter and an eavesdropper among his
own countrymen there: graduallyas a tempter and an eavesdropper
among the natives. He knew that under the overthrown government he
had been a spy upon Saint Antoine and Defarge's wine-shop; had
received from the watchful police such heads of information
concerning Doctor Manette's imprisonmentreleaseand historyas
should serve him for an introduction to familiar conversation with
the Defarges; and tried them on Madame Defargeand had broken down
with them signally. He always remembered with fear and trembling
that that terrible woman had knitted when he talked with herand had
looked ominously at him as her fingers moved. He had since seen her
in the Section of Saint Antoineover and over again produce her
knitted registersand denounce people whose lives the guillotine
then surely swallowed up. He knewas every one employed as he was
didthat he was never safe; that flight was impossible; that he was
tied fast under the shadow of the axe; and that in spite of his
utmost tergiversation and treachery in furtherance of the reigning
terrora word might bring it down upon him. Once denouncedand on
such grave grounds as had just now been suggested to his mindhe
foresaw that the dreadful woman of whose unrelenting character he had
seen many proofswould produce against him that fatal registerand
would quash his last chance of life. Besides that all secret men are
men soon terrifiedhere were surely cards enough of one black suit
to justify the holder in growing rather livid as he turned them over.

You scarcely seem to like your hand,said Sydneywith the greatest
composure. "Do you play?"

I think, sir,said the spyin the meanest manneras he turned to
Mr. LorryI may appeal to a gentleman of your years and benevolence,
to put it to this other gentleman, so much your junior, whether he
can under any circumstances reconcile it to his station to play that
Ace of which he has spoken. I admit that _I_ am a spy, and that it
is considered a discreditable station--though it must be filled by
somebody; but this gentleman is no spy, and why should he so demean


himself as to make himself one?

I play my Ace, Mr. Barsad,said Cartontaking the answer on himself
and looking at his watchwithout any scruple, in a very few minutes.

I should have hoped, gentlemen both,said the spyalways striving
to hook Mr. Lorry into the discussionthat your respect for my
sister--

I could not better testify my respect for your sister than by
finally relieving her of her brother,said Sydney Carton.

You think not, sir?

I have thoroughly made up my mind about it.

The smooth manner of the spycuriously in dissonance with his
ostentatiously rough dressand probably with his usual demeanour
received such a check from the inscrutability of Carton--who was a
mystery to wiser and honester men than he--that it faltered here and
failed him. While he was at a lossCarton saidresuming his former
air of contemplating cards:

And indeed, now I think again, I have a strong impression that I
have another good card here, not yet enumerated. That friend and
fellow-Sheep, who spoke of himself as pasturing in the country prisons;
who was he?

French. You don't know him,said the spyquickly.

French, eh?repeated Cartonmusingand not appearing to notice
him at allthough he echoed his word. "Well; he may be."

Is, I assure you,said the spy; "though it's not important."

Though it's not important,repeated Cartonin the same mechanical
way--"though it's not important--Noit's not important. No. Yet I
know the face."

I think not. I am sure not. It can't be,said the spy.

It-can't-be,muttered Sydney Cartonretrospectivelyand idling
his glass (which fortunately was a small one) again. "Can't-be.
Spoke good French. Yet like a foreignerI thought?"

Provincial,said the spy.

No. Foreign!cried Cartonstriking his open hand on the tableas
a light broke clearly on his mind. "Cly! Disguisedbut the same man.
We had that man before us at the Old Bailey."

Now, there you are hasty, sir,said Barsadwith a smile that gave
his aquiline nose an extra inclination to one side; "there you really
give me an advantage over you. Cly (who I will unreservedly admit
at this distance of timewas a partner of mine) has been dead
several years. I attended him in his last illness. He was buried in
Londonat the church of Saint Pancras-in-the-Fields. His unpopularity
with the blackguard multitude at the moment prevented my following
his remainsbut I helped to lay him in his coffin."

HereMr. Lorry became awarefrom where he satof a most remarkable
goblin shadow on the wall. Tracing it to its sourcehe discovered
it to be caused by a sudden extraordinary rising and stiffening of
all the risen and stiff hair on Mr. Cruncher's head.


Let us be reasonable,said the spyand let us be fair. To show
you how mistaken you are, and what an unfounded assumption yours is,
I will lay before you a certificate of Cly's burial, which I happened
to have carried in my pocket-book,with a hurried hand he produced
and opened itever since. There it is. Oh, look at it, look at it!
You may take it in your hand; it's no forgery.

HereMr. Lorry perceived the reflection on the wall to elongateand
Mr. Cruncher rose and stepped forward. His hair could not have been
more violently on endif it had been that moment dressed by the Cow
with the crumpled horn in the house that Jack built.

Unseen by the spyMr. Cruncher stood at his sideand touched him on
the shoulder like a ghostly bailiff.

That there Roger Cly, master,said Mr. Cruncherwith a taciturn
and iron-bound visage. "So YOU put him in his coffin?"

I did.

Who took him out of it?

Barsad leaned back in his chairand stammeredWhat do you mean?

I mean,said Mr. Cruncherthat he warn't never in it. No! Not he!
I'll have my head took off, if he was ever in it.

The spy looked round at the two gentlemen; they both looked in
unspeakable astonishment at Jerry.

I tell you,said Jerrythat you buried paving-stones and earth in
that there coffin. Don't go and tell me that you buried Cly. It was
a take in. Me and two more knows it.

How do you know it?

What's that to you? Ecod!growled Mr. Cruncherit's you I have got
a old grudge again, is it, with your shameful impositions upon tradesmen!
I'd catch hold of your throat and choke you for half a guinea.

Sydney Cartonwhowith Mr. Lorryhad been lost in amazement at
this turn of the businesshere requested Mr. Cruncher to moderate
and explain himself.

At another time, sir,he returnedevasivelythe present time is
ill-conwenient for explainin'. What I stand to, is, that he knows
well wot that there Cly was never in that there coffin. Let him say
he was, in so much as a word of one syllable, and I'll either catch
hold of his throat and choke him for half a guinea;Mr. Cruncher
dwelt upon this as quite a liberal offer; "or I'll out and announce him."

Humph! I see one thing,said Carton. "I hold another card
Mr. Barsad. Impossiblehere in raging Pariswith Suspicion filling
the airfor you to outlive denunciationwhen you are in communication
with another aristocratic spy of the same antecedents as yourself
whomoreoverhas the mystery about him of having feigned death and
come to life again! A plot in the prisonsof the foreigner against
the Republic. A strong card--a certain Guillotine card! Do you play?"

No!returned the spy. "I throw up. I confess that we were so
unpopular with the outrageous mobthat I only got away from England
at the risk of being ducked to deathand that Cly was so ferreted up
and downthat he never would have got away at all but for that sham.


Though how this man knows it was a shamis a wonder of wonders to me."


Never you trouble your head about this man,retorted the
contentious Mr. Cruncher; "you'll have trouble enough with giving
your attention to that gentleman. And look here! Once more!"--
Mr. Cruncher could not be restrained from making rather an ostentatious
parade of his liberality--"I'd catch hold of your throat and choke
you for half a guinea."


The Sheep of the prisons turned from him to Sydney Cartonand said
with more decisionIt has come to a point. I go on duty soon, and
can't overstay my time. You told me you had a proposal; what is it?
Now, it is of no use asking too much of me. Ask me to do anything in
my office, putting my head in great extra danger, and I had better
trust my life to the chances of a refusal than the chances of consent.
In short, I should make that choice. You talk of desperation.
We are all desperate here. Remember! I may denounce you if I think
proper, and I can swear my way through stone walls, and so can others.
Now, what do you want with me?


Not very much. You are a turnkey at the Conciergerie?


I tell you once for all, there is no such thing as an escape possible,
said the spyfirmly.


Why need you tell me what I have not asked? You are a turnkey at the
Conciergerie?


I am sometimes.


You can be when you choose?


I can pass in and out when I choose.


Sydney Carton filled another glass with brandypoured it slowly out
upon the hearthand watched it as it dropped. It being all spent
he saidrising:


So far, we have spoken before these two, because it was as well that
the merits of the cards should not rest solely between you and me.
Come into the dark room here, and let us have one final word alone.


The Game Made


While Sydney Carton and the Sheep of the prisons were in the
adjoining dark roomspeaking so low that not a sound was heard
Mr. Lorry looked at Jerry in considerable doubt and mistrust. That
honest tradesman's manner of receiving the lookdid not inspire
confidence; he changed the leg on which he restedas often as if he
had fifty of those limbsand were trying them all; he examined his
finger-nails with a very questionable closeness of attention; and
whenever Mr. Lorry's eye caught hishe was taken with that peculiar
kind of short cough requiring the hollow of a hand before itwhich
is seldomif everknown to be an infirmity attendant on perfect
openness of character.


Jerry,said Mr. Lorry. "Come here."


Mr. Cruncher came forward sidewayswith one of his shoulders in



advance of him.

What have you been, besides a messenger?

After some cogitationaccompanied with an intent look at his patron
Mr. Cruncher conceived the luminous idea of replyingAgicultooral
character.

My mind misgives me much,said Mr. Lorryangrily shaking a
forefinger at himthat you have used the respectable and great
house of Tellson's as a blind, and that you have had an unlawful
occupation of an infamous description. If you have, don't expect me
to befriend you when you get back to England. If you have, don't
expect me to keep your secret. Tellson's shall not be imposed upon.

I hope, sir,pleaded the abashed Mr. Cruncherthat a gentleman
like yourself wot I've had the honour of odd jobbing till I'm grey at
it, would think twice about harming of me, even if it wos so--I don't
say it is, but even if it wos. And which it is to be took into
account that if it wos, it wouldn't, even then, be all o' one side.
There'd be two sides to it. There might be medical doctors at the
present hour, a picking up their guineas where a honest tradesman
don't pick up his fardens--fardens! no, nor yet his half fardens-half
fardens! no, nor yet his quarter--a banking away like smoke at
Tellson's, and a cocking their medical eyes at that tradesman on the
sly, a going in and going out to their own carriages--ah! equally
like smoke, if not more so. Well, that 'ud be imposing, too, on
Tellson's. For you cannot sarse the goose and not the gander.
And here's Mrs. Cruncher, or leastways wos in the Old England times,
and would be to-morrow, if cause given, a floppin' again the business
to that degree as is ruinating--stark ruinating! Whereas them medical
doctors' wives don't flop--catch 'em at it! Or, if they flop, their
toppings goes in favour of more patients, and how can you rightly
have one without t'other? Then, wot with undertakers, and wot with
parish clerks, and wot with sextons, and wot with private watchmen
(all awaricious and all in it), a man wouldn't get much by it, even
if it wos so. And wot little a man did get, would never prosper with
him, Mr. Lorry. He'd never have no good of it; he'd want all along
to be out of the line, if he, could see his way out, being once in-even
if it wos so.

Ugh!cried Mr. Lorryrather relentingneverthelessI am shocked
at the sight of you.

Now, what I would humbly offer to you, sir,pursued Mr. Cruncher
even if it wos so, which I don't say it is--

Don't prevaricate,said Mr. Lorry.

No, I will NOT, sir,returned Mr. Crunches as if nothing were
further from his thoughts or practice--"which I don't say it is--wot
I would humbly offer to yousirwould be this. Upon that there
stoolat that there Barsets that there boy of minebrought up and
growed up to be a manwot will errand youmessage yougenerallight-
job youtill your heels is where your head isif such should
be your wishes. If it wos sowhich I still don't say it is (for I
will not prewaricate to yousir)let that there boy keep his
father's placeand take care of his mother; don't blow upon that
boy's father--do not do itsir--and let that father go into the line
of the reg'lar diggin'and make amends for what he would have
undug--if it wos so-by diggin' of 'em in with a willand with
conwictions respectin' the futur' keepin' of 'em safe. That
Mr. Lorry said Mr. Cruncher, wiping his forehead with his arm, as
an announcement that he had arrived at the peroration of his


discourse, is wot I would respectfully offer to yousir. A man
don't see all this here a goin' on dreadful round himin the way of
Subjects without headsdear meplentiful enough fur to bring the
price down to porterage and hardly thatwithout havin' his serious
thoughts of things. And these here would be mineif it wos so
entreatin' of you fur to bear in mind that wot I said just nowI up
and said in the good cause when I might have kep' it back."

That at least is true, said Mr. Lorry. Say no more now. It may be
that I shall yet stand your friendif you deserve itand repent in
action--not in words. I want no more words."

Mr. Cruncher knuckled his foreheadas Sydney Carton and the spy
returned from the dark room. "AdieuMr. Barsad said the former;
our arrangement thus madeyou have nothing to fear from me."

He sat down in a chair on the hearthover against Mr. Lorry.
When they were aloneMr. Lorry asked him what he had done?

Not much. If it should go ill with the prisoner, I have ensured
access to him, once.

Mr. Lorry's countenance fell.

It is all I could do,said Carton. "To propose too muchwould be
to put this man's head under the axeandas he himself said
nothing worse could happen to him if he were denounced. It was
obviously the weakness of the position. There is no help for it."

But access to him,said Mr. Lorryif it should go ill before the
Tribunal, will not save him.

I never said it would.

Mr. Lorry's eyes gradually sought the fire; his sympathy with his
darlingand the heavy disappointment of his second arrestgradually
weakened them; he was an old man nowoverborne with anxiety of late
and his tears fell.

You are a good man and a true friend,said Cartonin an altered
voice. "Forgive me if I notice that you are affected. I could not
see my father weepand sit bycareless. And I could not respect
your sorrow moreif you were my father. You are free from that
misfortunehowever."

Though he said the last wordswith a slip into his usual manner
there was a true feeling and respect both in his tone and in his
touchthat Mr. Lorrywho had never seen the better side of him
was wholly unprepared for. He gave him his handand Carton gently
pressed it.

To return to poor Darnay,said Carton. "Don't tell Her of this
interviewor this arrangement. It would not enable Her to go to see
him. She might think it was contrivedin case of the worseto
convey to him the means of anticipating the sentence."

Mr. Lorry had not thought of thatand he looked quickly at Carton to
see if it were in his mind. It seemed to be; he returned the look
and evidently understood it.

She might think a thousand things,Carton saidand any of them
would only add to her trouble. Don't speak of me to her. As I said
to you when I first came, I had better not see her. I can put my
hand out, to do any little helpful work for her that my hand can find


to do, without that. You are going to her, I hope? She must be very
desolate to-night.

I am going now, directly.

I am glad of that. She has such a strong attachment to you and
reliance on you. How does she look?

Anxious and unhappy, but very beautiful.

Ah!

It was a longgrieving soundlike a sigh--almost like a sob. It
attracted Mr. Lorry's eyes to Carton's facewhich was turned to the
fire. A lightor a shade (the old gentleman could not have said
which)passed from it as swiftly as a change will sweep over a
hill-side on a wild bright dayand he lifted his foot to put back
one of the little flaming logswhich was tumbling forward. He wore
the white riding-coat and top-bootsthen in vogueand the light of
the fire touching their light surfaces made him look very palewith
his long brown hairall untrimmedhanging loose about him. His
indifference to fire was sufficiently remarkable to elicit a word of
remonstrance from Mr. Lorry; his boot was still upon the hot embers
of the flaming logwhen it had broken under the weight of his foot.

I forgot it,he said.

Mr. Lorry's eyes were again attracted to his face. Taking note of
the wasted air which clouded the naturally handsome featuresand
having the expression of prisoners' faces fresh in his mindhe was
strongly reminded of that expression.

And your duties here have drawn to an end, sir?said Carton
turning to him.

Yes. As I was telling you last night when Lucie came in so
unexpectedly, I have at length done all that I can do here. I hoped
to have left them in perfect safety, and then to have quitted Paris.
I have my Leave to Pass. I was ready to go.

They were both silent.

Yours is a long life to look back upon, sir?said Cartonwistfully.

I am in my seventy-eighth year.

You have been useful all your life; steadily and constantly occupied;
trusted, respected, and looked up to?

I have been a man of business, ever since I have been a man.
indeed, I may say that I was a man of business when a boy.

See what a place you fill at seventy-eight. How many people will
miss you when you leave it empty!

A solitary old bachelor,answered Mr. Lorryshaking his
head. "There is nobody to weep for me."

How can you say that? Wouldn't She weep for you? Wouldn't her child?

Yes, yes, thank God. I didn't quite mean what I said.

It IS a thing to thank God for; is it not?


Surely, surely.

If you could say, with truth, to your own solitary heart, to-night,
'I have secured to myself the love and attachment, the gratitude or
respect, of no human creature; I have won myself a tender place in no
regard; I have done nothing good or serviceable to be remembered by!'
your seventy-eight years would be seventy-eight heavy curses; would
they not?

You say truly, Mr. Carton; I think they would be.

Sydney turned his eyes again upon the fireandafter a silence of a
few momentssaid:

I should like to ask you:--Does your childhood seem far off? Do the
days when you sat at your mother's knee, seem days of very long ago?

Responding to his softened mannerMr. Lorry answered:

Twenty years back, yes; at this time of my life, no. For, as I draw
closer and closer to the end, I travel in the circle, nearer and
nearer to the beginning. It seems to be one of the kind smoothings
and preparings of the way. My heart is touched now, by many
remembrances that had long fallen asleep, of my pretty young mother
(and I so old!), and by many associations of the days when what we
call the World was not so real with me, and my faults were not
confirmed in me.

I understand the feeling!exclaimed Cartonwith a bright flush.
And you are the better for it?

I hope so.

Carton terminated the conversation hereby rising to help him on
with his outer coat; "But you said Mr. Lorry, reverting to the theme,
you are young."

Yes,said Carton. "I am not oldbut my young way was never the
way to age. Enough of me."

And of me, I am sure,said Mr. Lorry. "Are you going out?"

I'll walk with you to her gate. You know my vagabond and restless
habits. If I should prowl about the streets a long time, don't be
uneasy; I shall reappear in the morning. You go to the Court to-morrow?

Yes, unhappily.

I shall be there, but only as one of the crowd. My Spy will find a
place for me. Take my arm, sir.

Mr. Lorry did soand they went down-stairs and out in the streets.
A few minutes brought them to Mr. Lorry's destination. Carton left
him there; but lingered at a little distanceand turned back to the
gate again when it was shutand touched it. He had heard of her
going to the prison every day. "She came out here he said, looking
about him, turned this waymust have trod on these stones often.
Let me follow in her steps."

It was ten o'clock at night when he stood before the prison of La
Forcewhere she had stood hundreds of times. A little wood-sawyer
having closed his shopwas smoking his pipe at his shop-door.

Good night, citizen,said Sydney Cartonpausing in going by;


forthe man eyed him inquisitively.

Good night, citizen.

How goes the Republic?

You mean the Guillotine. Not ill. Sixty-three to-day. We shall
mount to a hundred soon. Samson and his men complain sometimes, of
being exhausted. Ha, ha, ha! He is so droll, that Samson.
Such a Barber!

Do you often go to see him--

Shave? Always. Every day. What a barber! You have seen him at work?

Never.

Go and see him when he has a good batch. Figure this to yourself,
citizen; he shaved the sixty-three to-day, in less than two pipes!
Less than two pipes. Word of honour!

As the grinning little man held out the pipe he was smokingto
explain how he timed the executionerCarton was so sensible of a
rising desire to strike the life out of himthat he turned away.

But you are not English,said the wood-sawyerthough you wear
English dress?

Yes,said Cartonpausing againand answering over his shoulder.

You speak like a Frenchman.

I am an old student here.

Aha, a perfect Frenchman! Good night, Englishman.

Good night, citizen.

But go and see that droll dog,the little man persistedcalling
after him. "And take a pipe with you!"

Sydney had not gone far out of sightwhen he stopped in the middle
of the street under a glimmering lampand wrote with his pencil on a
scrap of paper. Thentraversing with the decided step of one who
remembered the way wellseveral dark and dirty streets--much dirtier
than usualfor the best public thoroughfares remained uncleansed in
those times of terror--he stopped at a chemist's shopwhich the
owner was closing with his own hands. A smalldimcrooked shop
kept in a tortuousup-hill thoroughfareby a smalldimcrooked man.

Giving this citizentoogood nightas he confronted him at his
counterhe laid the scrap of paper before him. "Whew!" the chemist
whistled softlyas he read it. "Hi! hi! hi!"

Sydney Carton took no heedand the chemist said:

For you, citizen?

For me.

You will be careful to keep them separate, citizen? You know the
consequences of mixing them?

Perfectly.


Certain small packets were made and given to him. He put themone
by onein the breast of his inner coatcounted out the money for
themand deliberately left the shop. "There is nothing more to do
said he, glancing upward at the moon, until to-morrow. I can't sleep."

It was not a reckless mannerthe manner in which he said these words
aloud under the fast-sailing cloudsnor was it more expressive of
negligence than defiance. It was the settled manner of a tired man
who had wandered and struggled and got lostbut who at length struck
into his road and saw its end.

Long agowhen he had been famous among his earliest competitors as a
youth of great promisehe had followed his father to the grave.
His mother had diedyears before. These solemn wordswhich had
been read at his father's gravearose in his mind as he went down
the dark streetsamong the heavy shadowswith the moon and the
clouds sailing on high above him. "I am the resurrection and the
lifesaith the Lord: he that believeth in methough he were dead
yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in meshall
never die."

In a city dominated by the axealone at nightwith natural sorrow
rising in him for the sixty-three who had been that day put to death
and for to-morrow's victims then awaiting their doom in the prisons
and still of to-morrow's and to-morrow'sthe chain of association
that brought the words homelike a rusty old ship's anchor from the
deepmight have been easily found. He did not seek itbut repeated
them and went on.

With a solemn interest in the lighted windows where the people were
going to restforgetful through a few calm hours of the horrors
surrounding them; in the towers of the churcheswhere no prayers
were saidfor the popular revulsion had even travelled that length
of self-destruction from years of priestly impostorsplunderersand
profligates; in the distant burial-placesreservedas they wrote
upon the gatesfor Eternal Sleep; in the abounding gaols; and in the
streets along which the sixties rolled to a death which had become so
common and materialthat no sorrowful story of a haunting Spirit
ever arose among the people out of all the working of the Guillotine;
with a solemn interest in the whole life and death of the city
settling down to its short nightly pause in fury; Sydney Carton
crossed the Seine again for the lighter streets.

Few coaches were abroadfor riders in coaches were liable to be
suspectedand gentility hid its head in red nightcapsand put on
heavy shoesand trudged. Butthe theatres were all well filled
and the people poured cheerfully out as he passedand went chatting
home. At one of the theatre doorsthere was a little girl with a
motherlooking for a way across the street through the mud.
He carried the child overand beforethe timid arm was loosed from
his neck asked her for a kiss.

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and
whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.

Nowthat the streets were quietand the night wore onthe words
were in the echoes of his feetand were in the air. Perfectly calm
and steadyhe sometimes repeated them to himself as he walked; but
he heard them always.

The night wore outandas he stood upon the bridge listening to the
water as it splashed the river-walls of the Island of Pariswhere


the picturesque confusion of houses and cathedral shone bright in the
light of the moonthe day came coldlylooking like a dead face out
of the sky. Thenthe nightwith the moon and the starsturned pale
and diedand for a little while it seemed as if Creation were
delivered over to Death's dominion.

Butthe glorious sunrisingseemed to strike those wordsthat
burden of the nightstraight and warm to his heart in its long
bright rays. And looking along themwith reverently shaded eyes
a bridge of light appeared to span the air between him and the sun
while the river sparkled under it.

The strong tideso swiftso deepand certainwas like a congenial
friendin the morning stillness. He walked by the streamfar from
the housesand in the light and warmth of the sun fell asleep on the
bank. When he awoke and was afoot againhe lingered there yet a
little longerwatching an eddy that turned and turned purposeless
until the stream absorbed itand carried it on to the sea.--"Like me."

A trading-boatwith a sail of the softened colour of a dead leaf
then glided into his viewfloated by himand died away. As its
silent track in the water disappearedthe prayer that had broken up
out of his heart for a merciful consideration of all his poor
blindnesses and errorsended in the wordsI am the resurrection
and the life.

Mr. Lorry was already out when he got backand it was easy to
surmise where the good old man was gone. Sydney Carton drank nothing
but a little coffeeate some breadandhaving washed and changed
to refresh himselfwent out to the place of trial.

The court was all astir and a-buzzwhen the black sheep--whom many
fell away from in dread--pressed him into an obscure corner among the
crowd. Mr. Lorry was thereand Doctor Manette was there. She was
theresitting beside her father.

When her husband was brought inshe turned a look upon himso
sustainingso encouragingso full of admiring love and pitying
tendernessyet so courageous for his sakethat it called the
healthy blood into his facebrightened his glanceand animated his
heart. If there had been any eyes to notice the influence of her
lookon Sydney Cartonit would have been seen to be the same
influence exactly.

Before that unjust Tribunalthere was little or no order of
procedureensuring to any accused person any reasonable hearing.
There could have been no such Revolutionif all lawsformsand
ceremonieshad not first been so monstrously abusedthat the
suicidal vengeance of the Revolution was to scatter them all to the
winds.

Every eye was turned to the jury. The same determined patriots and
good republicans as yesterday and the day beforeand to-morrow and
the day after. Eager and prominent among themone man with a
craving faceand his fingers perpetually hovering about his lips
whose appearance gave great satisfaction to the spectators. A lifethirsting
cannibal-lookingbloody-minded jurymanthe Jacques Three
of St. Antoine. The whole juryas a jury of dogs empannelled to try
the deer.

Every eye then turned to the five judges and the public prosecutor.
No favourable leaning in that quarter to-day. A felluncompromising
murderous business-meaning there. Every eye then sought some other
eye in the crowdand gleamed at it approvingly; and heads nodded at


one anotherbefore bending forward with a strained attention.

Charles Evremondecalled Darnay. Released yesterday. Reaccused and
retaken yesterday. Indictment delivered to him last night. Suspected
and Denounced enemy of the RepublicAristocratone of a family of
tyrantsone of a race proscribedfor that they had used their
abolished privileges to the infamous oppression of the people.
Charles Evremondecalled Darnayin right of such proscription
absolutely Dead in Law.

To this effectin as few or fewer wordsthe Public Prosecutor.

The President askedwas the Accused openly denounced or secretly?

Openly, President.

By whom?

Three voices. Ernest Defarge, wine-vendor of St. Antoine.

Good.

Therese Defarge, his wife.

Good.

Alexandre Manette, physician.

A great uproar took place in the courtand in the midst of it
Doctor Manette was seenpale and tremblingstanding where he had
been seated.

President, I indignantly protest to you that this is a forgery and a
fraud. You know the accused to be the husband of my daughter. My
daughter, and those dear to her, are far dearer to me than my life.
Who and where is the false conspirator who says that I denounce the
husband of my child!

Citizen Manette, be tranquil. To fail in submission to the
authority of the Tribunal would be to put yourself out of Law.
As to what is dearer to you than life, nothing can be so dear to a
good citizen as the Republic.

Loud acclamations hailed this rebuke. The President rang his bell
and with warmth resumed.

If the Republic should demand of you the sacrifice of your child
herself, you would have no duty but to sacrifice her. Listen to what
is to follow. In the meanwhile, be silent!

Frantic acclamations were again raised. Doctor Manette sat down
with his eyes looking aroundand his lips trembling; his daughter
drew closer to him. The craving man on the jury rubbed his hands
togetherand restored the usual hand to his mouth.

Defarge was producedwhen the court was quiet enough to admit of his
being heardand rapidly expounded the story of the imprisonmentand
of his having been a mere boy in the Doctor's serviceand of the
releaseand of the state of the prisoner when released and delivered
to him. This short examination followedfor the court was quick
with its work.

You did good service at the taking of the Bastille, citizen?


I believe so.

Herean excited woman screeched from the crowd: "You were one of the
best patriots there. Why not say so? You were a cannoneer that day
thereand you were among the first to enter the accursed fortress
when it fell. PatriotsI speak the truth!"

It was The Vengeance whoamidst the warm commendations of the
audiencethus assisted the proceedings. The President rang his
bell; butThe Vengeancewarming with encouragementshrieked
I defy that bell!wherein she was likewise much commended.

Inform the Tribunal of what you did that day within the Bastille,
citizen.

I knew,said Defargelooking down at his wifewho stood at the
bottom of the steps on which he was raisedlooking steadily up at
him; "I knew that this prisonerof whom I speakhad been confined
in a cell known as One Hundred and FiveNorth Tower. I knew it from
himself. He knew himself by no other name than One Hundred and Five
North Towerwhen he made shoes under my care. As I serve my gun
that dayI resolvewhen the place shall fallto examine that cell.
It falls. I mount to the cellwith a fellow-citizen who is one of
the Jurydirected by a gaoler. I examine itvery closely. In a
hole in the chimneywhere a stone has been worked out and replaced
I find a written paper. This is that written paper. I have made it
my business to examine some specimens of the writing of Doctor
Manette. This is the writing of Doctor Manette. I confide this
paperin the writing of Doctor Manetteto the hands of the President."

Let it be read.

In a dead silence and stillness--the prisoner under trial looking
lovingly at his wifehis wife only looking from him to look with
solicitude at her fatherDoctor Manette keeping his eyes fixed on
the readerMadame Defarge never taking hers from the prisoner
Defarge never taking his from his feasting wifeand all the other
eyes there intent upon the Doctorwho saw none of them--the paper
was readas follows.

THE Substance of the Shadow

I, Alexandre Manette, unfortunate physician, native of Beauvais,
and afterwards resident in Paris, write this melancholy paper in my
doleful cell in the Bastille, during the last month of the year,
1767. I write it at stolen intervals, under every difficulty.
I design to secrete it in the wall of the chimney, where I have
slowly and laboriously made a place of concealment for it. Some
pitying hand may find it there, when I and my sorrows are dust.

These words are formed by the rusty iron point with which I write
with difficulty in scrapings of soot and charcoal from the chimney
mixed with bloodin the last month of the tenth year of my captivity.
Hope has quite departed from my breast. I know from terrible
warnings I have noted in myself that my reason will not long remain
unimpairedbut I solemnly declare that I am at this time in the
possession of my right mind--that my memory is exact and
circumstantial--and that I write the truth as I shall answer for
these my last recorded wordswhether they be ever read by men or not


at the Eternal Judgment-seat.


One cloudy moonlight night, in the third week of December (I think
the twenty-second of the month) in the year 1757, I was walking on a
retired part of the quay by the Seine for the refreshment of the
frosty air, at an hour's distance from my place of residence in the
Street of the School of Medicine, when a carriage came along behind
me, driven very fast. As I stood aside to let that carriage pass,
apprehensive that it might otherwise run me down, a head was put out
at the window, and a voice called to the driver to stop.


The carriage stopped as soon as the driver could rein in his horses
and the same voice called to me by my name. I answered. The carriage
was then so far in advance of me that two gentlemen had time to open
the door and alight before I came up with it.


I observed that they were both wrapped in cloaksand appeared to
conceal themselves. As they stood side by side near the carriage
doorI also observed that they both looked of about my own ageor
rather youngerand that they were greatly alikein staturemanner
voiceand (as far as I could see) face too.


`You are Doctor Manette?' said one.


I am."


`Doctor Manette, formerly of Beauvais,' said the other; `the young
physician, originally an expert surgeon, who within the last year or
two has made a rising reputation in Paris?'


`Gentlemen' I returned`I am that Doctor Manette of whom you speak
so graciously.'


`We have been to your residence,' said the first, `and not being so
fortunate as to find you there, and being informed that you were
probably walking in this direction, we followed, in the hope of
overtaking you. Will you please to enter the carriage?'


The manner of both was imperiousand they both movedas these
words were spokenso as to place me between themselves and the
carriage door. They were armed. I was not.


`Gentlemen,' said I, `pardon me; but I usually inquire who does me
the honour to seek my assistance, and what is the nature of the case
to which I am summoned.'


The reply to this was made by him who had spoken second.
'Doctoryour clients are people of condition. As to the nature of
the caseour confidence in your skill assures us that you will
ascertain it for yourself better than we can describe it. Enough.
Will you please to enter the carriage?'


I could do nothing but comply, and I entered it in silence. They
both entered after me--the last springing in, after putting up the
steps. The carriage turned about, and drove on at its former speed.


I repeat this conversation exactly as it occurred. I have no doubt
that it isword for wordthe same. I describe everything exactly
as it took placeconstraining my mind not to wander from the task.
Where I make the broken marks that follow hereI leave off for the
timeand put my paper in its hiding-place.


* * * *



The carriage left the streets behind, passed the North Barrier, and
emerged upon the country road. At two-thirds of a league from the
Barrier--I did not estimate the distance at that time, but afterwards
when I traversed it--it struck out of the main avenue, and presently
stopped at a solitary house, We all three alighted, and walked, by a
damp soft footpath in a garden where a neglected fountain had
overflowed, to the door of the house. It was not opened immediately,
in answer to the ringing of the bell, and one of my two conductors
struck the man who opened it, with his heavy riding glove, across the
face.

There was nothing in this action to attract my particular attention
for I had seen common people struck more commonly than dogs.
Butthe other of the twobeing angry likewisestruck the man in
like manner with his arm; the look and bearing of the brothers were
then so exactly alikethat I then first perceived them to be twin
brothers.

From the time of our alighting at the outer gate (which we found
locked, and which one of the brothers had opened to admit us, and had
relocked), I had heard cries proceeding from an upper chamber. I was
conducted to this chamber straight, the cries growing louder as we
ascended the stairs, and I found a patient in a high fever of the brain,
lying on a bed.

The patient was a woman of great beautyand young; assuredly not
much past twenty. Her hair was torn and raggedand her arms were
bound to her sides with sashes and handkerchiefs. I noticed that
these bonds were all portions of a gentleman's dress. On one of
themwhich was a fringed scarf for a dress of ceremonyI saw the
armorial bearings of a Nobleand the letter E.

I saw this, within the first minute of my contemplation of the
patient; for, in her restless strivings she had turned over on her
face on the edge of the bed, had drawn the end of the scarf into her
mouth, and was in danger of suffocation. My first act was to put out
my hand to relieve her breathing; and in moving the scarf aside, the
embroidery in the corner caught my sight.

I turned her gently overplaced my hands upon her breast to calm
her and keep her downand looked into her face. Her eyes were
dilated and wildand she constantly uttered piercing shrieksand
repeated the words`My husbandmy fatherand my brother!' and
then counted up to twelveand said`Hush!' For an instantand no
moreshe would pause to listenand then the piercing shrieks would
begin againand she would repeat the cry`My husbandmy father
and my brother!' and would count up to twelveand say`Hush!' There
was no variation in the orderor the manner. There was no cessation
but the regular moment's pausein the utterance of these sounds.

`How long,' I asked, `has this lasted?'

To distinguish the brothersI will call them the elder and the
younger; by the elderI mean him who exercised the most authority.
It was the elder who replied`Since about this hour last night.'

`She has a husband, a father, and a brother?'

`A brother.'

`I do not address her brother?'

He answered with great contempt`No.'


`She has some recent association with the number twelve?'

The younger brother impatiently rejoined`With twelve o'clock?'

`See, gentlemen,' said I, still keeping my hands upon her breast,
'how useless I am, as you have brought me! If I had known what I was
coming to see, I could have come provided. As it is, time must be
lost. There are no medicines to be obtained in this lonely place.'

The elder brother looked to the youngerwho said haughtily`There
is a case of medicines here;' and brought it from a closetand put
it on the table.

* * * *

I opened some of the bottles, smelt them, and put the stoppers to my
lips. If I had wanted to use anything save narcotic medicines that
were poisons in themselves, I would not have administered any of those.

`Do you doubt them?' asked the younger brother.

`You see, monsieur, I am going to use them,' I replied, and said no
more.

I made the patient swallowwith great difficultyand after many
effortsthe dose that I desired to give. As I intended to repeat it
after a whileand as it was necessary to watch its influenceI then
sat down by the side of the bed. There was a timid and suppressed
woman in attendance (wife of the man down-stairs)who had retreated
into a corner. The house was damp and decayedindifferently
furnished--evidentlyrecently occupied and temporarily used.
Some thick old hangings had been nailed up before the windowsto
deaden the sound of the shrieks. They continued to be uttered in
their regular successionwith the cry`My husbandmy fatherand
my brother!' the counting up to twelveand `Hush!' The frenzy was
so violentthat I had not unfastened the bandages restraining the
arms; butI had looked to themto see that they were not painful.
The only spark of encouragement in the casewasthat my hand upon
the sufferer's breast had this much soothing influencethat for
minutes at a time it tranquillised the figure. It had no effect upon
the cries; no pendulum could be more regular.

For the reason that my hand had this effect (I assume), I had sat by
the side of the bed for half an hour, with the two brothers looking
on, before the elder said:

`There is another patient.'

I was startled, and asked, `Is it a pressing case?'

`You had better see' he carelessly answered; and took up a light.

* * * *

The other patient lay in a back room across a second staircase,
which was a species of loft over a stable. There was a low plastered
ceiling to a part of it; the rest was open, to the ridge of the tiled
roof, and there were beams across. Hay and straw were stored in that
portion of the place, fagots for firing, and a heap of apples in sand.
I had to pass through that part, to get at the other. My memory is
circumstantial and unshaken. I try it with these details, and I see
them all, in this my cell in the Bastille, near the close of the
tenth year of my captivity, as I saw them all that night.


On some hay on the groundwith a cushion thrown under his headlay
a handsome peasant boy--a boy of not more than seventeen at the most.
He lay on his backwith his teeth sethis right hand clenched on
his breastand his glaring eyes looking straight upward. I could
not see where his wound wasas I kneeled on one knee over him;
butI could see that he was dying of a wound from a sharp point.

`I am a doctor, my poor fellow,' said I. `Let me examine it.'

`I do not want it examined' he answered; `let it be.'

It was under his hand, and I soothed him to let me move his hand
away. The wound was a sword-thrust, received from twenty to twentyfour
hours before, but no skill could have saved him if it had been
looked to without delay. He was then dying fast. As I turned my
eyes to the elder brother, I saw him looking down at this handsome
boy whose life was ebbing out, as if he were a wounded bird, or hare,
or rabbit; not at all as if he were a fellow-creature.

`How has this been donemonsieur?' said I.

`A crazed young common dog! A serf! Forced my brother to draw upon him,
and has fallen by my brother's sword--like a gentleman.'

There was no touch of pitysorrowor kindred humanityin this
answer. The speaker seemed to acknowledge that it was inconvenient
to have that different order of creature dying thereand that it
would have been better if he had died in the usual obscure routine of
his vermin kind. He was quite incapable of any compassionate feeling
about the boyor about his fate.

The boy's eyes had slowly moved to him as he had spoken, and they
now slowly moved to me.

`Doctorthey are very proudthese Nobles; but we common dogs are
proud toosometimes. They plunder usoutrage usbeat uskill us;
but we have a little pride leftsometimes. She--have you seen herDoctor?'

The shrieks and the cries were audible there, though subdued by the
distance. He referred to them, as if she were lying in our presence.

I said`I have seen her.'

`She is my sister, Doctor. They have had their shameful rights,
these Nobles, in the modesty and virtue of our sisters, many years,
but we have had good girls among us. I know it, and have heard my
father say so. She was a good girl. She was betrothed to a good
young man, too: a tenant of his. We were all tenants of his--that man's
who stands there. The other is his brother, the worst of a bad race.'

It was with the greatest difficulty that the boy gathered bodily
force to speak; buthis spirit spoke with a dreadful emphasis.

`We were so robbed by that man who stands there, as all we common
dogs are by those superior Beings--taxed by him without mercy, obliged
to work for him without pay, obliged to grind our corn at his mill,
obliged to feed scores of his tame birds on our wretched crops, and
forbidden for our lives to keep a single tame bird of our own,
pillaged and plundered to that degree that when we chanced to have a
bit of meat, we ate it in fear, with the door barred and the shutters
closed, that his people should not see it and take it from us--I say,
we were so robbed, and hunted, and were made so poor, that our father
told us it was a dreadful thing to bring a child into the world, and
that what we should most pray for, was, that our women might be barren


and our miserable race die out!'

I had never before seen the sense of being oppressedbursting forth
like a fire. I had supposed that it must be latent in the people
somewhere; butI had never seen it break outuntil I saw it in the
dying boy.

`Nevertheless, Doctor, my sister married. He was ailing at that
time, poor fellow, and she married her lover, that she might tend and
comfort him in our cottage--our dog-hut, as that man would call it.
She had not been married many weeks, when that man's brother saw her
and admired her, and asked that man to lend her to him--for what are
husbands among us! He was willing enough, but my sister was good and
virtuous, and hated his brother with a hatred as strong as mine.
What did the two then, to persuade her husband to use his influence
with her, to make her willing?'

The boy's eyeswhich had been fixed on mineslowly turned to the
looker-onand I saw in the two faces that all he said was true.
The two opposing kinds of pride confronting one anotherI can see
even in this Bastille; the gentleman'sall negligent indifference;
the peasantsall trodden-down sentimentand passionate revenge.

`You know, Doctor, that it is among the Rights of these Nobles to
harness us common dogs to carts, and drive us. They so harnessed him
and drove him. You know that it is among their Rights to keep us in
their grounds all night, quieting the frogs, in order that their
noble sleep may not be disturbed. They kept him out in the unwholesome
mists at night, and ordered him back into his harness in the day.
But he was not persuaded. No! Taken out of harness one day at noon,
to feed--if he could find food--he sobbed twelve times, once for
every stroke of the bell, and died on her bosom.'

Nothing human could have held life in the boy but his determination
to tell all his wrong. He forced back the gathering shadows of death
as he forced his clenched right hand to remain clenchedand to cover
his wound.

`Then, with that man's permission and even with his aid, his brother
took her away; in spite of what I know she must have told his
brother--and what that is, will not be long unknown to you, Doctor,
if it is now--his brother took her away--for his pleasure and
diversion, for a little while. I saw her pass me on the road.
When I took the tidings home, our father's heart burst; he never
spoke one of the words that filled it. I took my young sister (for
I have another) to a place beyond the reach of this man, and where,
at least, she will never be HIS vassal. Then, I tracked the
brother here, and last night climbed in--a common dog, but sword in
hand.--Where is the loft window? It was somewhere here?'

The room was darkening to his sight; the world was narrowing around
him. I glanced about meand saw that the hay and straw were
trampled over the flooras if there had been a struggle.

`She heard me, and ran in. I told her not to come near us till he
was dead. He came in and first tossed me some pieces of money; then
struck at me with a whip. But I, though a common dog, so struck at
him as to make him draw. Let him break into as many pieces as he
will, the sword that he stained with my common blood; he drew to
defend himself--thrust at me with all his skill for his life.'

My glance had fallenbut a few moments beforeon the fragments of
a broken swordlying among the hay. That weapon was a gentleman's.
In another placelay an old sword that seemed to have been a soldier's.


`Now, lift me up, Doctor; lift me up. Where is he?'

`He is not here' I saidsupporting the boyand thinking that he
referred to the brother.

`He! Proud as these nobles are, he is afraid to see me. Where is
the man who was here? turn my face to him.'

I did soraising the boy's head against my knee. Butinvested for
the moment with extraordinary powerhe raised himself completely:
obliging me to rise tooor I could not have still supported him.

`Marquis,' said the boy, turned to him with his eyes opened wide,
and his right hand raised, `in the days when all these things are to
be answered for, I summon you and yours, to the last of your bad race,
to answer for them. I mark this cross of blood upon you, as a sign
that I do it. In the days when all these things are to be answered
for, I summon your brother, the worst of the bad race, to answer for
them separately. I mark this cross of blood upon him, as a sign that
I do it.'

Twicehe put his hand to the wound in his breastand with his
forefinger drew a cross in the air. He stood for an instant with the
finger yet raisedand as it droppedhe dropped with itand I laid
him down dead.

* * * *

When I returned to the bedside of the young woman, I found her
raving in precisely the same order of continuity. I knew that this
might last for many hours, and that it would probably end in the
silence of the grave.

I repeated the medicines I had given herand I sat at the side of
the bed until the night was far advanced. She never abated the
piercing quality of her shrieksnever stumbled in the distinctness
or the order of her words. They were always `My husbandmy father
and my brother! Onetwothreefourfivesixseveneightnine
teneleventwelve. Hush!'

This lasted twenty-six hours from the time when I first saw her. I
had come and gone twice, and was again sitting by her, when she began
to falter. I did what little could be done to assist that opportunity,
and by-and-bye she sank into a lethargy, and lay like the dead.

It was as if the wind and rain had lulled at lastafter a long and
fearful storm. I released her armsand called the woman to assist
me to compose her figure and the dress she had to. It was then that
I knew her condition to be that of one in whom the first expectations
of being a mother have arisen; and it was then that I lost the little
hope I had had of her.

`Is she dead?' asked the Marquis, whom I will still describe as the
elder brother, coming booted into the room from his horse.

`Not dead' said I; `but like to die.'

`What strength there is in these common bodies!' he said, looking
down at her with some curiosity.

`There is prodigious strength' I answered him`in sorrow and despair.'

He first laughed at my words, and then frowned at them. He moved a


chair with his foot near to mine, ordered the woman away, and said in
a subdued voice,

`Doctorfinding my brother in this difficulty with these hinds
I recommended that your aid should be invited. Your reputation is
highandas a young man with your fortune to makeyou are probably
mindful of your interest. The things that you see hereare things
to be seenand not spoken of.'

I listened to the patient's breathing, and avoided answering.

`Do you honour me with your attentionDoctor?'

`Monsieur,' said I, `in my profession, the communications of
patients are always received in confidence.' I was guarded in my
answer, for I was troubled in my mind with what I had heard and seen.

Her breathing was so difficult to tracethat I carefully tried the
pulse and the heart. There was lifeand no more. Looking round as
I resumed my seatI found both the brothers intent upon me.

* * * *

I write with so much difficulty, the cold is so severe, I am so
fearful of being detected and consigned to an underground cell and
total darkness, that I must abridge this narrative. There is no
confusion or failure in my memory; it can recall, and could detail,
every word that was ever spoken between me and those brothers.

She lingered for a week. Towards the lastI could understand some
few syllables that she said to meby placing my ear close to her lips.
She asked me where she wasand I told her; who I wasand I told her.
It was in vain that I asked her for her family name. She faintly
shook her head upon the pillowand kept her secretas the boy had done.

I had no opportunity of asking her any question, until I had told
the brothers she was sinking fast, and could not live another day.
Until then, though no one was ever presented to her consciousness
save the woman and myself, one or other of them had always jealously
sat behind the curtain at the head of the bed when I was there.
But when it came to that, they seemed careless what communication I
might hold with her; as if--the thought passed through my mind--I
were dying too.

I always observed that their pride bitterly resented the younger
brother's (as I call him) having crossed swords with a peasantand
that peasant a boy. The only consideration that appeared to affect
the mind of either of them was the consideration that this was highly
degrading to the familyand was ridiculous. As often as I caught
the younger brother's eyestheir expression reminded me that he
disliked me deeplyfor knowing what I knew from the boy. He was
smoother and more polite to me than the elder; but I saw this.
I also saw that I was an incumbrance in the mind of the eldertoo.

My patient died, two hours before midnight--at a time, by my watch,
answering almost to the minute when I had first seen her. I was
alone with her, when her forlorn young head drooped gently on one
side, and all her earthly wrongs and sorrows ended.

The brothers were waiting in a room down-stairsimpatient to ride
away. I had heard themalone at the bedsidestriking their boots
with their riding-whipsand loitering up and down.

`At last she is dead?' said the elder, when I went in.


'She is dead' said I.

`I congratulate you, my brother,'were his words as he turned round.

He had before offered me moneywhich I had postponed taking. He
now gave me a rouleau of gold. I took it from his handbut laid it
on the table. I had considered the questionand had resolved to
accept nothing.

`Pray excuse me,' said I. `Under the circumstances, no.'

They exchanged looksbut bent their heads to me as I bent mine to
themand we parted without another word on either side.

* * * *

I am weary, weary, weary-worn down by misery. I cannot read what I
have written with this gaunt hand.

Early in the morningthe rouleau of gold was left at my door in a
little boxwith my name on the outside. From the firstI had
anxiously considered what I ought to do. I decidedthat dayto
write privately to the Ministerstating the nature of the two cases
to which I had been summonedand the place to which I had gone: in
effectstating all the circumstances. I knew what Court influence
wasand what the immunities of the Nobles wereand I expected that
the matter would never be heard of; butI wished to relieve my own
mind. I had kept the matter a profound secreteven from my wife;
and thistooI resolved to state in my letter. I had no apprehension
whatever of my real danger; but I was conscious that there might be
danger for othersif others were compromised by possessing the
knowledge that I possessed.

I was much engaged that day, and could not complete my letter that
night. I rose long before my usual time next morning to finish it.
It was the last day of the year. The letter was lying before me just
completed, when I was told that a lady waited, who wished to see me.

* * * *

I am growing more and more unequal to the task I have set myself.
It is so coldso darkmy senses are so benumbedand the gloom upon
me is so dreadful.

The lady was young, engaging, and handsome, but not marked for long
life. She was in great agitation. She presented herself to me as
the wife of the Marquis St. Evremonde. I connected the title by
which the boy had addressed the elder brother, with the initial
letter embroidered on the scarf, and had no difficulty in arriving at
the conclusion that I had seen that nobleman very lately.

My memory is still accuratebut I cannot write the words of our
conversation. I suspect that I am watched more closely than I was
and I know not at what times I may be watched. She had in part
suspectedand in part discoveredthe main facts of the cruel story
of her husband's share in itand my being resorted to. She did not
know that the girl was dead. Her hope had beenshe said in great
distressto show herin secreta woman's sympathy. Her hope had
been to avert the wrath of Heaven from a House that had long been
hateful to the suffering many.

She had reasons for believing that there was a young sister living,
and her greatest desire was, to help that sister. I could tell her


nothing but that there was such a sister; beyond that, I knew nothing.
Her inducement to come to me, relying on my confidence, had been the
hope that I could tell her the name and place of abode. Whereas,
to this wretched hour I am ignorant of both.

* * * *

These scraps of paper fail me. One was taken from mewith a
warningyesterday. I must finish my record to-day.

She was a good, compassionate lady, and not happy in her marriage.
How could she be! The brother distrusted and disliked her, and his
influence was all opposed to her; she stood in dread of him, and in
dread of her husband too. When I handed her down to the door, there
was a child, a pretty boy from two to three years old, in her carriage.

`For his sakeDoctor' she saidpointing to him in tears`I would
do all I can to make what poor amends I can. He will never prosper
in his inheritance otherwise. I have a presentiment that if no other
innocent atonement is made for thisit will one day be required of
him. What I have left to call my own--it is little beyond the worth
of a few jewels--I will make it the first charge of his life to
bestowwith the compassion and lamenting of his dead motheron this
injured familyif the sister can be discovered.'

She kissed the boy, and said, caressing him, `It is for thine own
dear sake. Thou wilt be faithful, little Charles?' The child
answered her bravely, `Yes!' I kissed her hand, and she took him in
her arms, and went away caressing him. I never saw her more.

As she had mentioned her husband's name in the faith that I knew it
I added no mention of it to my letter. I sealed my letterandnot
trusting it out of my own handsdelivered it myself that day.

That night, the last night of the year, towards nine o'clock, a man
in a black dress rang at my gate, demanded to see me, and softly
followed my servant, Ernest Defarge, a youth, up-stairs. When my
servant came into the room where I sat with my wife--O my wife,
beloved of my heart! My fair young English wife!--we saw the man,
who was supposed to be at the gate, standing silent behind him.

An urgent case in the Rue St. Honorehe said. It would not detain
mehe had a coach in waiting.

It brought me here, it brought me to my grave. When I was clear of
the house, a black muffler was drawn tightly over my mouth from
behind, and my arms were pinioned. The two brothers crossed the road
from a dark corner, and identified me with a single gesture. The
Marquis took from his pocket the letter I had written, showed it me,
burnt it in the light of a lantern that was held, and extinguished
the ashes with his foot. Not a word was spoken. I was brought here,
I was brought to my living grave.

If it had pleased GOD to put it in the hard heart of either of the
brothersin all these frightful yearsto grant me any tidings of my
dearest wife--so much as to let me know by a word whether alive or
dead--I might have thought that He had not quite abandoned them.
Butnow I believe that the mark of the red cross is fatal to them
and that they have no part in His mercies. And them and their
descendantsto the last of their raceIAlexandre Manetteunhappy
prisonerdo this last night of the year 1767in my unbearable agony
denounce to the times when all these things shall be answered for.
I denounce them to Heaven and to earth."


A terrible sound arose when the reading of this document was done. A
sound of craving and eagerness that had nothing articulate in it but
blood. The narrative called up the most revengeful passions of the
timeand there was not a head in the nation but must have dropped
before it.

Little needin presence of that tribunal and that auditoryto show
how the Defarges had not made the paper publicwith the other
captured Bastille memorials borne in processionand had kept it
biding their time. Little need to show that this detested family
name had long been anathematised by Saint Antoineand was wrought
into the fatal register. The man never trod ground whose virtues and
services would have sustained him in that place that dayagainst
such denunciation.

And all the worse for the doomed manthat the denouncer was a
well-known citizenhis own attached friendthe father of his wife.
One of the frenzied aspirations of the populace wasfor imitations
of the questionable public virtues of antiquityand for sacrifices
and self-immolations on the people's altar. Therefore when the
President said (else had his own head quivered on his shoulders)
that the good physician of the Republic would deserve better still of
the Republic by rooting out an obnoxious family of Aristocratsand
would doubtless feel a sacred glow and joy in making his daughter a
widow and her child an orphanthere was wild excitementpatriotic
fervournot a touch of human sympathy.

Much influence around him, has that Doctor?murmured Madame Defarge
smiling to The Vengeance. "Save him nowmy Doctorsave him!"

At every juryman's votethere was a roar. Another and another.
Roar and roar.

Unanimously voted. At heart and by descent an Aristocratan enemy
of the Republica notorious oppressor of the People. Back to the
Conciergerieand Death within four-and-twenty hours!

Dusk

The wretched wife of the innocent man thus doomed to diefell under
the sentenceas if she had been mortally stricken. Butshe uttered
no sound; and so strong was the voice within herrepresenting that
it was she of all the world who must uphold him in his misery and not
augment itthat it quickly raised hereven from that shock.

The Judges having to take part in a public demonstration out of
doorsthe Tribunal adjourned. The quick noise and movement of the
court's emptying itself by many passages had not ceasedwhen Lucie
stood stretching out her arms towards her husbandwith nothing in
her face but love and consolation.

If I might touch him! If I might embrace him once! O, good citizens,
if you would have so much compassion for us!

There was but a gaoler leftalong with two of the four men who had
taken him last nightand Barsad. The people had all poured out to
the show in the streets. Barsad proposed to the restLet her


embrace him then; it is but a moment.It was silently acquiesced in
and they passed her over the seats in the hall to a raised place
where heby leaning over the dockcould fold her in his arms.


Farewell, dear darling of my soul. My parting blessing on my love.
We shall meet again, where the weary are at rest!


They were her husband's wordsas he held her to his bosom.


I can bear it, dear Charles. I am supported from above: don't
suffer for me. A parting blessing for our child.


I send it to her by you. I kiss her by you. I say farewell to her by you.


My husband. No! A moment!He was tearing himself apart from her.
We shall not be separated long. I feel that this will break my heart
by-and-bye; but I will do my duty while I can, and when I leave her,
God will raise up friends for her, as He did for me.


Her father had followed herand would have fallen on his knees to
both of thembut that Darnay put out a hand and seized himcrying:


No, no! What have you done, what have you done, that you should
kneel to us! We know now, what a struggle you made of old. We know,
now what you underwent when you suspected my descent, and when you
knew it. We know now, the natural antipathy you strove against, and
conquered, for her dear sake. We thank you with all our hearts, and
all our love and duty. Heaven be with you!


Her father's only answer was to draw his hands through his white hair
and wring them with a shriek of anguish.


It could not be otherwise,said the prisoner. "All things have
worked together as they have fallen out. it was the always-vain
endeavour to discharge my poor mother's trust that first brought my
fatal presence near you. Good could never come of such evil
a happier end was not in nature to so unhappy a beginning. Be comforted
and forgive me. Heaven bless you!"


As he was drawn awayhis wife released himand stood looking after
him with her hands touching one another in the attitude of prayer
and with a radiant look upon her facein which there was even a
comforting smile. As he went out at the prisoners' doorshe turned
laid her head lovingly on her father's breasttried to speak to him
and fell at his feet.


Thenissuing from the obscure corner from which he had never moved
Sydney Carton came and took her up. Only her father and Mr. Lorry
were with her. His arm trembled as it raised herand supported her head.
Yetthere was an air about him that was not all of pity--that had a flush
of pride in it.


Shall I take her to a coach? I shall never feel her weight.


He carried her lightly to the doorand laid her tenderly down in a
coach. Her father and their old friend got into itand he took his
seat beside the driver.


When they arrived at the gateway where he had paused in the dark not
many hours beforeto picture to himself on which of the rough stones
of the street her feet had troddenhe lifted her againand carried
her up the staircase to their rooms. Therehe laid her down on a
couchwhere her child and Miss Pross wept over her.



Don't recall her to herself,he saidsoftlyto the lattershe is
better so. Don't revive her to consciousness, while she only faints.


Oh, Carton, Carton, dear Carton!cried little Luciespringing up
and throwing her arms passionately round himin a burst of grief.
Now that you have come, I think you will do something to help mamma,
something to save papa! O, look at her, dear Carton! Can you, of all
the people who love her, bear to see her so?


He bent over the childand laid her blooming cheek against his face.
He put her gently from himand looked at her unconscious mother.


Before I go,he saidand paused--"I may kiss her?"


It was remembered afterwards that when he bent down and touched her
face with his lipshe murmured some words. The childwho was
nearest to himtold them afterwardsand told her grandchildren when
she was a handsome old ladythat she heard him sayA life you love.


When he had gone out into the next roomhe turned suddenly on
Mr. Lorry and her fatherwho were followingand said to the latter:


You had great influence but yesterday, Doctor Manette; let it at
least be tried. These judges, and all the men in power, are very
friendly to you, and very recognisant of your services; are they not?


Nothing connected with Charles was concealed from me. I had the
strongest assurances that I should save him; and I did.He returned
the answer in great troubleand very slowly.


Try them again. The hours between this and to-morrow afternoon are
few and short, but try.


I intend to try. I will not rest a moment.


That's well. I have known such energy as yours do great things
before now--though never,he addedwith a smile and a sigh together
such great things as this. But try! Of little worth as life is when
we misuse it, it is worth that effort. It would cost nothing to lay
down if it were not.


I will go,said Doctor Manetteto the Prosecutor and the President
straight, and I will go to others whom it is better not to name.
I will write too, and--But stay! There is a Celebration in the streets,
and no one will be accessible until dark.


That's true. Well! It is a forlorn hope at the best, and not much
the forlorner for being delayed till dark. I should like to know how
you speed; though, mind! I expect nothing! When are you likely to
have seen these dread powers, Doctor Manette?


Immediately after dark, I should hope. Within an hour or two from this.


It will be dark soon after four. Let us stretch the hour or two.
If I go to Mr. Lorry's at nine, shall I hear what you have done,
either from our friend or from yourself?


Yes.


May you prosper!


Mr. Lorry followed Sydney to the outer doorandtouching him on the
shoulder as he was going awaycaused him to turn.



I have no hope,said Mr. Lorryin a low and sorrowful whisper.

Nor have I.

If any one of these men, or all of these men, were disposed to spare
him--which is a large supposition; for what is his life, or any man's
to them!--I doubt if they durst spare him after the demonstration in
the court.


And so do I. I heard the fall of the axe in that sound.


Mr. Lorry leaned his arm upon the door-postand bowed his face upon it.


Don't despond,said Cartonvery gently; "don't grieve.
I encouraged Doctor Manette in this ideabecause I felt that it
might one day be consolatory to her. Otherwiseshe might think `his
life was want only thrown away or wasted' and that might trouble her."


Yes, yes, yes,returned Mr. Lorrydrying his eyesyou are
right. But he will perish; there is no real hope.


Yes. He will perish: there is no real hope,echoed Carton.


And walked with a settled stepdown-stairs.


Darkness


Sydney Carton paused in the streetnot quite decided where to go.
At Tellson's banking-house at nine,he saidwith a musing face.
Shall I do well, in the mean time, to show myself? I think so.
It is best that these people should know there is such a man as I
here; it is a sound precaution, and may be a necessary preparation.
But care, care, care! Let me think it out!


Checking his steps which had begun to tend towards an objecthe took
a turn or two in the already darkening streetand traced the thought
in his mind to its possible consequences. His first impression was
confirmed. "It is best he said, finally resolved, that these
people should know there is such a man as I here." And he turned his
face towards Saint Antoine.


Defarge had described himselfthat dayas the keeper of a wine-shop
in the Saint Antoine suburb. It was not difficult for one who knew
the city wellto find his house without asking any question. Having
ascertained its situationCarton came out of those closer streets
againand dined at a place of refreshment and fell sound asleep
after dinner. For the first time in many yearshe had no strong drink.
Since last night he had taken nothing but a little light thin wine
and last night he had dropped the brandy slowly down on Mr. Lorry's
hearth like a man who had done with it.


It was as late as seven o'clock when he awoke refreshedand went out
into the streets again. As he passed along towards Saint Antoinehe
stopped at a shop-window where there was a mirrorand slightly
altered the disordered arrangement of his loose cravatand his coat-
collarand his wild hair. This donehe went on direct to Defarge's
and went in.


There happened to be no customer in the shop but Jacques Three



of the restless fingers and the croaking voice. This manwhom he
had seen upon the Jurystood drinking at the little counterin
conversation with the Defargesman and wife. The Vengeance assisted
in the conversationlike a regular member of the establishment.

As Carton walked intook his seat and asked (in very indifferent
French) for a small measure of wineMadame Defarge cast a careless
glance at himand then a keenerand then a keenerand then
advanced to him herselfand asked him what it was he had ordered.

He repeated what he had already said.

English?asked Madame Defargeinquisitively raising her dark eyebrows.

After looking at heras if the sound of even a single French word
were slow to express itself to himhe answeredin his former strong
foreign accent. "Yesmadameyes. I am English!"

Madame Defarge returned to her counter to get the wineandas he
took up a Jacobin journal and feigned to pore over it puzzling out
its meaninghe heard her sayI swear to you, like Evremonde!

Defarge brought him the wineand gave him Good Evening.

How?

Good evening.

Oh! Good evening, citizen,filling his glass. "Ah! and good wine.
I drink to the Republic."

Defarge went back to the counterand saidCertainly, a little
like.Madame sternly retortedI tell you a good deal like.
Jacques Three pacifically remarkedHe is so much in your mind,
see you, madame.The amiable Vengeance addedwith a laughYes,
my faith! And you are looking forward with so much pleasure to seeing
him once more to-morrow!

Carton followed the lines and words of his paperwith a slow
forefingerand with a studious and absorbed face. They were all
leaning their arms on the counter close togetherspeaking low.
After a silence of a few momentsduring which they all looked
towards him without disturbing his outward attention from the Jacobin
editorthey resumed their conversation.

It is true what madame says,observed Jacques Three. "Why stop?
There is great force in that. Why stop?"

Well, well,reasoned Defargebut one must stop somewhere.
After all, the question is still where?

At extermination,said madame.

Magnificent!croaked Jacques Three. The Vengeancealsohighly approved.

Extermination is good doctrine, my wife,said Defargerather
troubled; "in generalI say nothing against it. But this Doctor has
suffered much; you have seen him to-day; you have observed his face
when the paper was read."

I have observed his face!repeated madamecontemptuously and
angrily. "Yes. I have observed his face. I have observed his face
to be not the face of a true friend of the Republic. Let him take
care of his face!"


And you have observed, my wife,said Defargein a deprecatory
mannerthe anguish of his daughter, which must be a dreadful
anguish to him!

I have observed his daughter,repeated madame; "yesI have
observed his daughtermore times than one. I have observed her
to-dayand I have observed her other days. I have observed her
in the courtand I have observed her in the street by the prison.
Let me but lift my finger--!" She seemed to raise it (the listener's
eyes were always on his paper)and to let it fall with a rattle on
the ledge before heras if the axe had dropped.

The citizeness is superb!croaked the Juryman.

She is an Angel!said The Vengeanceand embraced her.

As to thee,pursued madameimplacablyaddressing her husband
if it depended on thee--which, happily, it does not--thou wouldst
rescue this man even now.

No!protested Defarge. "Not if to lift this glass would do it!
But I would leave the matter there. I saystop there."

See you then, Jacques,said Madame Defargewrathfully; "and see
youtoomy little Vengeance; see you both! Listen! For other crimes
as tyrants and oppressorsI have this race a long time on my register
doomed to destruction and extermination. Ask my husbandis that so."

It is so,assented Defargewithout being asked.

In the beginning of the great days, when the Bastille falls, he
finds this paper of to-day, and he brings it home, and in the middle
of the night when this place is clear and shut, we read it, here on
this spot, by the light of this lamp. Ask him, is that so.

It is so,assented Defarge.

That night, I tell him, when the paper is read through, and the lamp
is burnt out, and the day is gleaming in above those shutters and
between those iron bars, that I have now a secret to communicate.
Ask him, is that so.

It is so,assented Defarge again.

I communicate to him that secret. I smite this bosom with these two
hands as I smite it now, and I tell him, `Defarge, I was brought up
among the fishermen of the sea-shore, and that peasant family so
injured by the two Evremonde brothers, as that Bastille paper describes,
is my family. Defarge, that sister of the mortally wounded boy upon
the ground was my sister, that husband was my sister's husband, that
unborn child was their child, that brother was my brother, that
father was my father, those dead are my dead, and that summons to
answer for those things descends to me!' Ask him, is that so.

It is so,assented Defarge once more.

Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop,returned madame; "but don't tell me."

Both her hearers derived a horrible enjoyment from the deadly nature
of her wrath--the listener could feel how white she waswithout
seeing her--and both highly commended it. Defargea weak minority
interposed a few words for the memory of the compassionate wife of
the Marquis; but only elicited from his own wife a repetition of her


last reply. "Tell the Wind and the Fire where to stop; not me!"


Customers enteredand the group was broken up. The English customer
paid for what he had hadperplexedly counted his changeand asked
as a strangerto be directed towards the National Palace.
Madame Defarge took him to the doorand put her arm on hisin
pointing out the road. The English customer was not without his
reflections thenthat it might be a good deed to seize that arm
lift itand strike under it sharp and deep.


Buthe went his wayand was soon swallowed up in the shadow of the
prison wall. At the appointed hourhe emerged from it to present
himself in Mr. Lorry's room againwhere he found the old gentleman
walking to and fro in restless anxiety. He said he had been with
Lucie until just nowand had only left her for a few minutesto
come and keep his appointment. Her father had not been seensince
he quitted the banking-house towards four o'clock. She had some
faint hopes that his mediation might save Charlesbut they were very
slight. He had been more than five hours gone: where could he be?


Mr. Lorry waited until ten; butDoctor Manette not returningand he
being unwilling to leave Lucie any longerit was arranged that he
should go back to herand come to the banking-house again at midnight.
In the meanwhileCarton would wait alone by the fire for the Doctor.


He waited and waitedand the clock struck twelve; but Doctor Manette
did not come back. Mr. Lorry returnedand found no tidings of him
and brought none. Where could he be?


They were discussing this questionand were almost building up some
weak structure of hope on his prolonged absencewhen they heard him
on the stairs. The instant he entered the roomit was plain that
all was lost.


Whether he had really been to any oneor whether he had been all
that time traversing the streetswas never known. As he stood
staring at themthey asked him no questionfor his face told them
everything.


I cannot find it,said heand I must have it. Where is it?


His head and throat were bareandas he spoke with a helpless look
straying all aroundhe took his coat offand let it drop on the floor.


Where is my bench? I have been looking everywhere for my bench, and
I can't find it. What have they done with my work? Time presses:
I must finish those shoes.


They looked at one anotherand their hearts died within them.


Come, come!said hein a whimpering miserable way; "let me get to work.
Give me my work."


Receiving no answerhe tore his hairand beat his feet upon the ground
like a distracted child.


Don't torture a poor forlorn wretch,he implored themwith a dreadful cry;
but give me my work! What is to become of us, if those shoes are not done
to-night?


Lostutterly lost!


It was so clearly beyond hope to reason with himor try to restore him
that--as if by agreement--they each put a hand upon his shoulder



and soothed him to sit down before the firewith a promise that he
should have his work presently. He sank into the chairand brooded
over the embersand shed tears. As if all that had happened since
the garret time were a momentary fancyor a dreamMr. Lorry saw him
shrink into the exact figure that Defarge had had in keeping.


Affectedand impressed with terror as they both wereby this
spectacle of ruinit was not a time to yield to such emotions.
His lonely daughterbereft of her final hope and relianceappealed
to them both too strongly. Againas if by agreementthey looked at
one another with one meaning in their faces.
Carton was the first to speak:


The last chance is gone: it was not much. Yes; he had better be
taken to her. But, before you go, will you, for a moment, steadily
attend to me? Don't ask me why I make the stipulations I am going to
make, and exact the promise I am going to exact; I have a reason--
a good one.


I do not doubt it,answered Mr. Lorry. "Say on."


The figure in the chair between themwas all the time monotonously
rocking itself to and froand moaning. They spoke in such a tone as
they would have used if they had been watching by a sick-bed in the night.


Carton stooped to pick up the coatwhich lay almost entangling his feet.
As he did soa small case in which the Doctor was accustomed to
carry the lists of his day's dutiesfell lightly on the floor.
Carton took it upand there was a folded paper in it. "We should
look at this!" he said. Mr. Lorry nodded his consent. He opened it
and exclaimedThank GOD!


What is it?asked Mr. Lorryeagerly.


A moment! Let me speak of it in its place. First,he put his hand
in his coatand took another paper from itthat is the certificate
which enables me to pass out of this city. Look at it. You see--
Sydney Carton, an Englishman?


Mr. Lorry held it open in his handgazing in his earnest face.


Keep it for me until to-morrow. I shall see him to-morrow,
you remember, and I had better not take it into the prison.


Why not?


I don't know; I prefer not to do so. Now, take this paper that
Doctor Manette has carried about him. It is a similar certificate,
enabling him and his daughter and her child, at any time, to pass the
barrier and the frontier! You see?


Yes!


Perhaps he obtained it as his last and utmost precaution against
evil, yesterday. When is it dated? But no matter; don't stay to look;
put it up carefully with mine and your own. Now, observe! I never
doubted until within this hour or two, that he had, or could have
such a paper. It is good, until recalled. But it may be soon recalled,
and, I have reason to think, will be.


They are not in danger?


They are in great danger. They are in danger of denunciation by
Madame Defarge. I know it from her own lips. I have overheard words



of that woman's, to-night, which have presented their danger to me in
strong colours. I have lost no time, and since then, I have seen the
spy. He confirms me. He knows that a wood-sawyer, living by the
prison wall, is under the control of the Defarges, and has been
rehearsed by Madame Defarge as to his having seen Her--he never
mentioned Lucie's name--"making signs and signals to prisoners.
It is easy to foresee that the pretence will be the common onea
prison plotand that it will involve her life--and perhaps her
child's--and perhaps her father's--for both have been seen with her
at that place. Don't look so horrified. You will save them all."


Heaven grant I may, Carton! But how?


I am going to tell you how. It will depend on you, and it could
depend on no better man. This new denunciation will certainly not
take place until after to-morrow; probably not until two or three
days afterwards; more probably a week afterwards. You know it is a
capital crime, to mourn for, or sympathise with, a victim of the
Guillotine. She and her father would unquestionably be guilty of
this crime, and this woman (the inveteracy of whose pursuit cannot
be described) would wait to add that strength to her case, and make
herself doubly sure. You follow me?


So attentively, and with so much confidence in what you say, that
for the moment I lose sight,touching the back of the Doctor's
chaireven of this distress."


You have money, and can buy the means of travelling to the seacoast
as quickly as the journey can be made. Your preparations have been
completed for some days, to return to England. Early to-morrow have
your horses ready, so that they may be in starting trim at two o'clock
in the afternoon.


It shall be done!


His manner was so fervent and inspiringthat Mr. Lorry caught the
flameand was as quick as youth.


You are a noble heart. Did I say we could depend upon no better man?
Tell her, to-night, what you know of her danger as involving her
child and her father. Dwell upon that, for she would lay her own
fair head beside her husband's cheerfully.He faltered for an instant;
then went on as before. "For the sake of her child and her father
press upon her the necessity of leaving Pariswith them and you
at that hour. Tell her that it was her husband's last arrangement.
Tell her that more depends upon it than she dare believeor hope.
You think that her fathereven in this sad statewill submit
himself to her; do you not?"


I am sure of it.


I thought so. Quietly and steadily have all these arrangements made
in the courtyard here, even to the taking of your own seat in the
carriage. The moment I come to you, take me in, and drive away.


I understand that I wait for you under all circumstances?


You have my certificate in your hand with the rest, you know,
and will reserve my place. Wait for nothing but to have my place
occupied, and then for England!


Why, then,said Mr. Lorrygrasping his eager but so firm and
steady handit does not all depend on one old man, but I shall have
a young and ardent man at my side.



By the help of Heaven you shall! Promise me solemnly that nothing
will influence you to alter the course on which we now stand pledged
to one another.


Nothing, Carton.


Remember these words to-morrow: change the course, or delay in it--
for any reason--and no life can possibly be saved, and many lives
must inevitably be sacrificed.


I will remember them. I hope to do my part faithfully.


And I hope to do mine. Now, good bye!


Though he said it with a grave smile of earnestnessand though he
even put the old man's hand to his lipshe did not part from him
then. He helped him so far to arouse the rocking figure before the
dying embersas to get a cloak and hat put upon itand to tempt it
forth to find where the bench and work were hidden that it still
moaningly besought to have. He walked on the other side of it and
protected it to the courtyard of the house where the afflicted
heart--so happy in the memorable time when he had revealed his own
desolate heart to it--outwatched the awful night. He entered the
courtyard and remained there for a few moments alonelooking up at
the light in the window of her room. Before he went awayhe
breathed a blessing towards itand a Farewell.


Fifty-two


In the black prison of the Conciergeriethe doomed of the day
awaited their fate. They were in number as the weeks of the year.
Fifty-two were to roll that afternoon on the life-tide of the city to
the boundless everlasting sea. Before their cells were quit of them
new occupants were appointed; before their blood ran into the blood
spilled yesterdaythe blood that was to mingle with theirs to-morrow
was already set apart.


Two score and twelve were told off. From the farmer-general of seventy
whose riches could not buy his lifeto the seamstress of twenty
whose poverty and obscurity could not save her. Physical diseases
engendered in the vices and neglects of menwill seize on victims
of all degrees; and the frightful moral disorderborn of unspeakable
sufferingintolerable oppressionand heartless indifference
smote equally without distinction.


Charles Darnayalone in a cellhad sustained himself with
no flattering delusion since he came to it from the Tribunal.
In every line of the narrative he had heardhe had heard his condemnation.
He had fully comprehended that no personal influence could possibly save him
that he was virtually sentenced by the millionsand that units could
avail him nothing.


Neverthelessit was not easywith the face of his beloved wife
fresh before himto compose his mind to what it must bear. His hold
on life was strongand it was veryvery hardto loosen; by gradual
efforts and degrees unclosed a little hereit clenched the tighter
there; and when he brought his strength to bear on that hand and it
yieldedthis was closed again. There was a hurrytooin all his



thoughtsa turbulent and heated working of his heartthat contended
against resignation. Iffor a momenthe did feel resignedthen
his wife and child who had to live after himseemed to protest and
to make it a selfish thing.


Butall this was at first. Before longthe consideration that
there was no disgrace in the fate he must meetand that numbers went
the same road wrongfullyand trod it firmly every daysprang up to
stimulate him. Next followed the thought that much of the future
peace of mind enjoyable by the dear onesdepended on his quiet
fortitude. Soby degrees he calmed into the better statewhen he
could raise his thoughts much higherand draw comfort down.


Before it had set in dark on the night of his condemnationhe had
travelled thus far on his last way. Being allowed to purchase the
means of writingand a lighthe sat down to write until such time
as the prison lamps should be extinguished.


He wrote a long letter to Lucieshowing her that he had known
nothing of her father's imprisonmentuntil he had heard of it from
herselfand that he had been as ignorant as she of his father's and
uncle's responsibility for that miseryuntil the paper had been read.
He had already explained to her that his concealment from herself of
the name he had relinquishedwas the one condition--fully
intelligible now--that her father had attached to their betrothal
and was the one promise he had still exacted on the morning of their
marriage. He entreated herfor her father's sakenever to seek to
know whether her father had become oblivious of the existence of the
paperor had had it recalled to him (for the momentor for good)
by the story of the Toweron that old Sunday under the dear old
plane-tree in the garden. If he had preserved any definite remembrance
of itthere could be no doubt that he had supposed it destroyed with
the Bastillewhen he had found no mention of it among the relics of
prisoners which the populace had discovered thereand which had been
described to all the world. He besought her--though he added that he
knew it was needless--to console her fatherby impressing him
through every tender means she could think ofwith the truth that he
had done nothing for which he could justly reproach himselfbut had
uniformly forgotten himself for their joint sakes. Next to her
preservation of his own last grateful love and blessingand her
overcoming of her sorrowto devote herself to their dear child
he adjured heras they would meet in Heavento comfort her father.


To her father himselfhe wrote in the same strain; buthe told her
father that he expressly confided his wife and child to his care.
And he told him thisvery stronglywith the hope of rousing him
from any despondency or dangerous retrospect towards which he foresaw
he might be tending.


To Mr. Lorryhe commended them alland explained his worldly affairs.
That donewith many added sentences of grateful friendship and warm
attachmentall was done. He never thought of Carton. His mind was
so full of the othersthat he never once thought of him.


He had time to finish these letters before the lights were put out.
When he lay down on his straw bedhe thought he had done with this world.


Butit beckoned him back in his sleepand showed itself in shining
forms. Free and happyback in the old house in Soho (though it had
nothing in it like the real house)unaccountably released and light
of hearthe was with Lucie againand she told him it was all a dream
and he had never gone away. A pause of forgetfulnessand then he
had even sufferedand had come back to herdead and at peaceand yet
there was no difference in him. Another pause of oblivionand he



awoke in the sombre morningunconscious where he was or what had
happeneduntil it flashed upon his mindthis is the day of my death!


Thushad he come through the hoursto the day when the fifty-two
heads were to fall. And nowwhile he was composedand hoped that
he could meet the end with quiet heroisma new action began in his
waking thoughtswhich was very difficult to master.


He had never seen the instrument that was to terminate his life.
How high it was from the groundhow many steps it hadwhere he
would be stoodhow he would be touchedwhether the touching hands
would be dyed redwhich way his face would be turnedwhether he
would be the firstor might be the last: these and many similar
questionsin nowise directed by his willobtruded themselves over
and over againcountless times. Neither were they connected with
fear: he was conscious of no fear. Ratherthey originated in a
strange besetting desire to know what to do when the time came;
a desire gigantically disproportionate to the few swift moments to
which it referred; a wondering that was more like the wondering of
some other spirit within histhan his own.


The hours went on as he walked to and froand the clocks struck the
numbers he would never hear again. Nine gone for everten gone for
evereleven gone for evertwelve coming on to pass away. After a
hard contest with that eccentric action of thought which had last
perplexed himhe had got the better of it. He walked up and down
softly repeating their names to himself. The worst of the strife was
over. He could walk up and downfree from distracting fancies
praying for himself and for them.


Twelve gone for ever.


He had been apprised that the final hour was Threeand he knew he
would be summoned some time earlierinasmuch as the tumbrils jolted
heavily and slowly through the streets. Thereforehe resolved to keep
Two before his mindas the hourand so to strengthen himself in the
interval that he might be ableafter that timeto strengthen others.


Walking regularly to and fro with his arms folded on his breast
a very different man from the prisonerwho had walked to and fro at
La Forcehe heard One struck away from himwithout surprise.
The hour had measured like most other hours. Devoutly thankful to
Heaven for his recovered self-possessionhe thoughtThere is but
another now,and turned to walk again.


Footsteps in the stone passage outside the door. He stopped.


The key was put in the lockand turned. Before the door was opened
or as it openeda man said in a low voicein English: "He has never
seen me here; I have kept out of his way. Go you in alone; I wait near.
Lose no time!"


The door was quickly opened and closedand there stood before him
face to facequietintent upon himwith the light of a smile on
his featuresand a cautionary finger on his lipSydney Carton.


There was something so bright and remarkable in his lookthatfor
the first momentthe prisoner misdoubted him to be an apparition of
his own imagining. Buthe spokeand it was his voice; he took the
prisoner's handand it was his real grasp.


Of all the people upon earth, you least expected to see me?he said.


I could not believe it to be you. I can scarcely believe it now.



You are not--the apprehension came suddenly into his mind--"a prisoner?"

No. I am accidentally possessed of a power over one of the keepers
here, and in virtue of it I stand before you. I come from her-your
wife, dear Darnay.

The prisoner wrung his hand.

I bring you a request from her.

What is it?

A most earnest, pressing, and emphatic entreaty, addressed to you in
the most pathetic tones of the voice so dear to you, that you well remember.

The prisoner turned his face partly aside.

You have no time to ask me why I bring it, or what it means; I have
no time to tell you. You must comply with it--take off those boots
you wear, and draw on these of mine.

There was a chair against the wall of the cellbehind the
prisoner. Cartonpressing forwardhad alreadywith the speed of
lightninggot him down into itand stood over himbarefoot.

Draw on these boots of mine. Put your hands to them;
put your will to them. Quick!

Carton, there is no escaping from this place; it never can be done.
You will only die with me. It is madness.

It would be madness if I asked you to escape; but do I? When I ask
you to pass out at that door, tell me it is madness and remain here.
Change that cravat for this of mine, that coat for this of mine.
While you do it, let me take this ribbon from your hair, and shake
out your hair like this of mine!

With wonderful quicknessand with a strength both of will and action
that appeared quite supernaturalhe forced all these changes upon him.
The prisoner was like a young child in his hands.

Carton! Dear Carton! It is madness. It cannot be accomplished,
it never can be done, it has been attempted, and has always failed.
I implore you not to add your death to the bitterness of mine.

Do I ask you, my dear Darnay, to pass the door? When I ask that,
refuse. There are pen and ink and paper on this table. Is your hand
steady enough to write?

It was when you came in.

Steady it again, and write what I shall dictate. Quick, friend, quick!

Pressing his hand to his bewildered headDarnay sat down at the table.
Cartonwith his right hand in his breaststood close beside him.

Write exactly as I speak.

To whom do I address it?

To no one.Carton still had his hand in his breast.

Do I date it?


No.

The prisoner looked upat each question. Cartonstanding over him
with his hand in his breastlooked down.

`If you remember,'said Cartondictating`the words that passed
between us, long ago, you will readily comprehend this when you see it.
You do remember them, I know. It is not in your nature to forget them.'

He was drawing his hand from his breast; the prisoner chancing to
look up in his hurried wonder as he wrotethe hand stoppedclosing
upon something.

Have you written `forget them'?Carton asked.

I have. Is that a weapon in your hand?

No; I am not armed.

What is it in your hand?

You shall know directly. Write on; there are but a few words more.
He dictated again. "`I am thankful that the time has comewhen I
can prove them. That I do so is no subject for regret or grief.'"
As he said these words with his eyes fixed on the writerhis hand
slowly and softly moved down close to the writer's face.

The pen dropped from Darnay's fingers on the tableand he looked
about him vacantly.

What vapour is that?he asked.

Vapour?

Something that crossed me?

I am conscious of nothing; there can be nothing here. Take up the
pen and finish. Hurry, hurry!

As if his memory were impairedor his faculties disorderedthe
prisoner made an effort to rally his attention. As he looked at
Carton with clouded eyes and with an altered manner of breathing
Carton--his hand again in his breast--looked steadily at him.

Hurry, hurry!

The prisoner bent over the paperonce more.

`If it had been otherwise;'Carton's hand was again watchfully
and softly stealing down; "`I never should have used the longer
opportunity. If it had been otherwise;'" the hand was at the
prisoner's face; "`I should but have had so much the more to answer
for. If it had been otherwise--'" Carton looked at the pen and saw
it was trailing off into unintelligible signs.

Carton's hand moved back to his breast no more. The prisoner sprang
up with a reproachful lookbut Carton's hand was close and firm at
his nostrilsand Carton's left arm caught him round the waist.
For a few seconds he faintly struggled with the man who had come
to lay down his life for him; butwithin a minute or sohe was
stretched insensible on the ground.

Quicklybut with hands as true to the purpose as his heart was
Carton dressed himself in the clothes the prisoner had laid aside


combed back his hairand tied it with the ribbon the prisoner had
worn. Thenhe softly calledEnter there! Come in!and the Spy
presented himself.

You see?said Cartonlooking upas he kneeled on one knee beside
the insensible figureputting the paper in the breast: "is your
hazard very great?"

Mr. Carton,the Spy answeredwith a timid snap of his fingers
my hazard is not THAT, in the thick of business here, if you are
true to the whole of your bargain.

Don't fear me. I will be true to the death.

You must be, Mr. Carton, if the tale of fifty-two is to be right.
Being made right by you in that dress, I shall have no fear.

Have no fear! I shall soon be out of the way of harming you, and the
rest will soon be far from here, please God! Now, get assistance and
take me to the coach.

You?said the Spy nervously.

Him, man, with whom I have exchanged. You go out at the gate by
which you brought me in?

Of course.

I was weak and faint when you brought me in, and I am fainter now
you take me out. The parting interview has overpowered me. Such a
thing has happened here, often, and too often. Your life is in your
own hands. Quick! Call assistance!

You swear not to betray me?said the trembling Spyas he paused
for a last moment.

Man, man!returned Cartonstamping his foot; "have I sworn by no
solemn vow alreadyto go through with thisthat you waste the
precious moments now? Take him yourself to the courtyard you know of
place him yourself in the carriageshow him yourself to Mr. Lorry
tell him yourself to give him no restorative but airand to remember
my words of last nightand his promise of last nightand drive away!"

The Spy withdrewand Carton seated himself at the tableresting his
forehead on his hands. The Spy returned immediatelywith two men.

How, then?said one of themcontemplating the fallen figure. "So
afflicted to find that his friend has drawn a prize in the lottery of
Sainte Guillotine?"

A good patriot,said the othercould hardly have been more
afflicted if the Aristocrat had drawn a blank.

They raised the unconscious figureplaced it on a litter they had
brought to the doorand bent to carry it away.

The time is short, Evremonde,said the Spyin a warning voice.

I know it well,answered Carton. "Be careful of my friendI
entreat youand leave me."

Come, then, my children,said Barsad. "Lift himand come away!"

The door closedand Carton was left alone. Straining his powers of


listening to the utmosthe listened for any sound that might denote
suspicion or alarm. There was none. Keys turneddoors clashed
footsteps passed along distant passages: no cry was raisedor hurry
madethat seemed unusual. Breathing more freely in a little while
he sat down at the tableand listened again until the clock struck Two.

Sounds that he was not afraid offor he divined their meaningthen
began to be audible. Several doors were opened in successionand
finally his own. A gaolerwith a list in his handlooked in
merely sayingFollow me, Evremonde!and he followed into a large
dark roomat a distance. It was a dark winter dayand what with
the shadows withinand what with the shadows withouthe could but
dimly discern the others who were brought there to have their arms
bound. Some were standing; some seated. Some were lamentingand in
restless motion; butthese were few. The great majority were silent
and stilllooking fixedly at the ground.

As he stood by the wall in a dim cornerwhile some of the fifty-two
were brought in after himone man stopped in passingto embrace
himas having a knowledge of him. It thrilled him with a great
dread of discovery; but the man went on. A very few moments after
thata young womanwith a slight girlish forma sweet spare face
in which there was no vestige of colourand large widely opened
patient eyesrose from the seat where he had observed her sitting
and came to speak to him.

Citizen Evremonde,she saidtouching him with her cold hand.
I am a poor little seamstress, who was with you in La Force.

He murmured for answer: "True. I forget what you were accused of?"

Plots. Though the just Heaven knows that I am innocent of any.
Is it likely? Who would think of plotting with a poor little weak
creature like me?

The forlorn smile with which she said itso touched himthat tears
started from his eyes.

I am not afraid to die, Citizen Evremonde, but I have done nothing.
I am not unwilling to die, if the Republic which is to do so much
good to us poor, will profit by my death; but I do not know how that
can be, Citizen Evremonde. Such a poor weak little creature!

As the last thing on earth that his heart was to warm and soften to
it warmed and softened to this pitiable girl.

I heard you were released, Citizen Evremonde. I hoped it was true?

It was. But, I was again taken and condemned.

If I may ride with you, Citizen Evremonde, will you let me hold your
hand? I am not afraid, but I am little and weak, and it will give me
more courage.

As the patient eyes were lifted to his facehe saw a sudden doubt in
themand then astonishment. He pressed the work-wornhunger-worn
young fingersand touched his lips.

Are you dying for him?she whispered.

And his wife and child. Hush! Yes.

O you will let me hold your brave hand, stranger?


Hush! Yes, my poor sister; to the last.

The same shadows that are falling on the prisonare fallingin that
same hour of the early afternoonon the Barrier with the crowd about it
when a coach going out of Paris drives up to be examined.

Who goes here? Whom have we within? Papers!

The papers are handed outand read.

Alexandre Manette. Physician. French. Which is he?

This is he; this helplessinarticulately murmuringwandering old
man pointed out.

Apparently the Citizen-Doctor is not in his right mind?
The Revolution-fever will have been too much for him?

Greatly too much for him.

Hah! Many suffer with it. Lucie. His daughter. French. Which is she?

This is she.

Apparently it must be. Lucie, the wife of Evremonde; is it not?

It is.

Hah! Evremonde has an assignation elsewhere. Lucie, her child.
English. This is she?

She and no other.

Kiss me, child of Evremonde. Now, thou hast kissed a good
Republican; something new in thy family; remember it! Sydney Carton.
Advocate. English. Which is he?

He lies herein this corner of the carriage. Hetoois pointed out.

Apparently the English advocate is in a swoon?

It is hoped he will recover in the fresher air. It is represented
that he is not in strong healthand has separated sadly from a
friend who is under the displeasure of the Republic.

Is that all? It is not a great deal, that! Many are under the
displeasure of the Republic, and must look out at the little window.
Jarvis Lorry. Banker. English. Which is he?

I am he. Necessarily, being the last.

It is Jarvis Lorry who has replied to all the previous questions.
It is Jarvis Lorry who has alighted and stands with his hand on the
coach doorreplying to a group of officials. They leisurely walk
round the carriage and leisurely mount the boxto look at what
little luggage it carries on the roof; the country-people hanging
aboutpress nearer to the coach doors and greedily stare in; a
little childcarried by its motherhas its short arm held out for
itthat it may touch the wife of an aristocrat who has gone to the
Guillotine.

Behold your papers, Jarvis Lorry, countersigned.


One can depart, citizen?

One can depart. Forward, my postilions! A good journey!

I salute you, citizens.--And the first danger passed!

These are again the words of Jarvis Lorryas he clasps his hands
and looks upward. There is terror in the carriagethere is weeping
there is the heavy breathing of the insensible traveller.

Are we not going too slowly? Can they not be induced to go faster?
asks Lucieclinging to the old man.

It would seem like flight, my darling. I must not urge them too much;
it would rouse suspicion.

Look back, look back, and see if we are pursued!

The road is clear, my dearest. So far, we are not pursued.

Houses in twos and threes pass by ussolitary farmsruinous
buildingsdye-workstanneriesand the likeopen countryavenues
of leafless trees. The hard uneven pavement is under usthe soft
deep mud is on either side. Sometimeswe strike into the skirting
mudto avoid the stones that clatter us and shake us; sometimeswe
stick in ruts and sloughs there. The agony of our impatience is then
so greatthat in our wild alarm and hurry we are for getting out and
running--hiding--doing anything but stopping.

Out of the open countryin again among ruinous buildingssolitary
farmsdye-workstanneriesand the likecottages in twos and
threesavenues of leafless trees. Have these men deceived usand
taken us back by another road? Is not this the same place twice over?
Thank Heavenno. A village. Look backlook backand see if we are
pursued! Hush! the posting-house.

Leisurelyour four horses are taken out; leisurelythe coach stands
in the little streetbereft of horsesand with no likelihood upon
it of ever moving again; leisurelythe new horses come into visible
existenceone by one; leisurelythe new postilions followsucking
and plaiting the lashes of their whips; leisurelythe old postilions
count their moneymake wrong additionsand arrive at dissatisfied
results. All the timeour overfraught hearts are beating at a rate
that would far outstrip the fastest gallop of the fastest horses ever
foaled.

At length the new postilions are in their saddlesand the old are
left behind. We are through the villageup the hilland down the
hilland on the low watery grounds. Suddenlythe postilions
exchange speech with animated gesticulationand the horses are
pulled upalmost on their haunches. We are pursued?

Ho! Within the carriage there. Speak then!

What is it?asks Mr. Lorrylooking out at window.

How many did they say?

I do not understand you.

--At the last post. How many to the Guillotine to-day?

Fifty-two.


I said so! A brave number! My fellow-citizen here would have it
forty-two; ten more heads are worth having. The Guillotine goes
handsomely. I love it. Hi forward. Whoop!

The night comes on dark. He moves more; he is beginning to revive
and to speak intelligibly; he thinks they are still together; he asks
himby his namewhat he has in his hand. O pity uskind Heaven
and help us! Look outlook outand see if we are pursued.

The wind is rushing after usand the clouds are flying after usand
the moon is plunging after usand the whole wild night is in pursuit
of us; butso farwe are pursued by nothing else.

The Knitting Done

In that same juncture of time when the Fifty-Two awaited their fate
Madame Defarge held darkly ominous council with The Vengeance and
Jacques Three of the Revolutionary Jury. Not in the wine-shop did
Madame Defarge confer with these ministersbut in the shed of the
wood-sawyererst a mender of roads. The sawyer himself did not
participate in the conferencebut abided at a little distance
like an outer satellite who was not to speak until requiredor to
offer an opinion until invited.

But our Defarge,said Jacques Threeis undoubtedly a good
Republican? Eh?

There is no better,the voluble Vengeance protested in her shrill
notesin France.

Peace, little Vengeance,said Madame Defargelaying her hand with
a slight frown on her lieutenant's lipshear me speak. My husband,
fellow-citizen, is a good Republican and a bold man; he has deserved
well of the Republic, and possesses its confidence. But my husband
has his weaknesses, and he is so weak as to relent towards this Doctor.

It is a great pity,croaked Jacques Threedubiously shaking his
headwith his cruel fingers at his hungry mouth; "it is not quite
like a good citizen; it is a thing to regret."

See you,said madameI care nothing for this Doctor, I. He may
wear his head or lose it, for any interest I have in him; it is all
one to me. But, the Evremonde people are to be exterminated, and the
wife and child must follow the husband and father.

She has a fine head for it,croaked Jacques Three. "I have seen
blue eyes and golden hair thereand they looked charming when Samson
held them up." Ogre that he washe spoke like an epicure.

Madame Defarge cast down her eyesand reflected a little.

The child also,observed Jacques Threewith a meditative enjoyment
of his wordshas golden hair and blue eyes. And we seldom have a
child there. It is a pretty sight!

In a word,said Madame Defargecoming out of her short abstraction
I cannot trust my husband in this matter. Not only do I feel, since
last night, that I dare not confide to him the details of my projects;
but also I feel that if I delay, there is danger of his giving warning,


and then they might escape.


That must never be,croaked Jacques Three; "no one must escape.
We have not half enough as it is. We ought to have six score a day."


In a word,Madame Defarge went onmy husband has not my reason
for pursuing this family to annihilation, and I have not his reason
for regarding this Doctor with any sensibility. I must act for myself,
therefore. Come hither, little citizen.


The wood-sawyerwho held her in the respectand himself in the
submissionof mortal fearadvanced with his hand to his red cap.


Touching those signals, little citizen,said Madame Defarge
sternlythat she made to the prisoners; you are ready to bear
witness to them this very day?


Ay, ay, why not!cried the sawyer. "Every dayin all weathers
from two to fouralways signallingsometimes with the little one
sometimes without. I know what I know. I have seen with my eyes."


He made all manner of gestures while he spokeas if in incidental
imitation of some few of the great diversity of signals that he had
never seen.


Clearly plots,said Jacques Three. "Transparently!"


There is no doubt of the Jury?inquired Madame Defargeletting her
eyes turn to him with a gloomy smile.


Rely upon the patriotic Jury, dear citizeness. I answer for my
fellow-Jurymen.


Now, let me see,said Madame Defargepondering again. "Yet once more!
Can I spare this Doctor to my husband? I have no feeling either way.
Can I spare him?"


He would count as one head,observed Jacques Threein a low voice.
We really have not heads enough; it would be a pity, I think.


He was signalling with her when I saw her,argued Madame Defarge;
I cannot speak of one without the other; and I must not be silent,
and trust the case wholly to him, this little citizen here.
For, I am not a bad witness.


The Vengeance and Jacques Three vied with each other in their fervent
protestations that she was the most admirable and marvellous of
witnesses. The little citizennot to be outdonedeclared her to be
a celestial witness.


He must take his chance,said Madame Defarge. "NoI cannot spare
him! You are engaged at three o'clock; you are going to see the batch
of to-day executed.--You?"


The question was addressed to the wood-sawyerwho hurriedly replied
in the affirmative: seizing the occasion to add that he was the most
ardent of Republicansand that he would be in effect the most
desolate of Republicansif anything prevented him from enjoying the
pleasure of smoking his afternoon pipe in the contemplation of the
droll national barber. He was so very demonstrative hereinthat he
might have been suspected (perhaps wasby the dark eyes that looked
contemptuously at him out of Madame Defarge's head) of having his small
individual fears for his own personal safetyevery hour in the day.



I,said madameam equally engaged at the same place. After it is
over-say at eight to-night--come you to me, in Saint Antoine, and we
will give information against these people at my Section.


The wood-sawyer said he would be proud and flattered to attend the
citizeness. The citizeness looking at himhe became embarrassed
evaded her glance as a small dog would have doneretreated among
his woodand hid his confusion over the handle of his saw.


Madame Defarge beckoned the Juryman and The Vengeance a little nearer
to the doorand there expounded her further views to them thus:


She will now be at home, awaiting the moment of his death. She will
be mourning and grieving. She will be in a state of mind to impeach
the justice of the Republic. She will be full of sympathy with its
enemies. I will go to her.


What an admirable woman; what an adorable woman!exclaimed
Jacques Threerapturously. "Ahmy cherished!" cried The Vengeance;
and embraced her.


Take you my knitting,said Madame Defargeplacing it in her
lieutenant's handsand have it ready for me in my usual seat.
Keep me my usual chair. Go you there, straight, for there will
probably be a greater concourse than usual, to-day.


I willingly obey the orders of my Chief,said The Vengeance with
alacrityand kissing her cheek. "You will not be late?"


I shall be there before the commencement.


And before the tumbrils arrive. Be sure you are there, my soul,
said The Vengeancecalling after herfor she had already turned
into the streetbefore the tumbrils arrive!


Madame Defarge slightly waved her handto imply that she heardand
might be relied upon to arrive in good timeand so went through the
mudand round the corner of the prison wall. The Vengeance and the
Jurymanlooking after her as she walked awaywere highly appreciative
of her fine figureand her superb moral endowments.


There were many women at that timeupon whom the time laid a
dreadfully disfiguring hand; butthere was not one among them more
to be dreaded than this ruthless womannow taking her way along the
streets. Of a strong and fearless characterof shrewd sense and
readinessof great determinationof that kind of beauty which not
only seems to impart to its possessor firmness and animositybut to
strike into others an instinctive recognition of those qualities; the
troubled time would have heaved her upunder any circumstances.
Butimbued from her childhood with a brooding sense of wrongand an
inveterate hatred of a classopportunity had developed her into a
tigress. She was absolutely without pity. If she had ever had the
virtue in herit had quite gone out of her.


It was nothing to herthat an innocent man was to die for the sins
of his forefathers; she sawnot himbut them. It was nothing to her
that his wife was to be made a widow and his daughter an orphan; that
was insufficient punishmentbecause they were her natural enemies
and her preyand as such had no right to live. To appeal to her
was made hopeless by her having no sense of pityeven for herself.
If she had been laid low in the streetsin any of the many encounters
in which she had been engagedshe would not have pitied herself;
norif she had been ordered to the axe to-morrowwould she have
gone to it with any softer feeling than a fierce desire to change



places with the man who sent here there.

Such a heart Madame Defarge carried under her rough robe. Carelessly
wornit was a becoming robe enoughin a certain weird wayand her
dark hair looked rich under her coarse red cap. Lying hidden in her
bosomwas a loaded pistol. Lying hidden at her waistwas a sharpened
dagger. Thus accoutredand walking with the confident tread of such
a characterand with the supple freedom of a woman who had habitually
walked in her girlhoodbare-foot and bare-leggedon the brown
sea-sandMadame Defarge took her way along the streets.

Nowwhen the journey of the travelling coachat that very moment
waiting for the completion of its loadhad been planned out last
nightthe difficulty of taking Miss Pross in it had much engaged
Mr. Lorry's attention. It was not merely desirable to avoid
overloading the coachbut it was of the highest importance that the
time occupied in examining it and its passengersshould be reduced
to the utmost; since their escape might depend on the saving of only
a few seconds here and there. Finallyhe had proposedafter anxious

considerationthat Miss Pross and Jerrywho were at liberty to
leave the cityshould leave it at three o'clock in the lightestwheeled
conveyance known to that period. Unencumbered with luggage
they would soon overtake the coachandpassing it and preceding it
on the roadwould order its horses in advanceand greatly facilitate
its progress during the precious hours of the nightwhen delay was
the most to be dreaded.

Seeing in this arrangement the hope of rendering real service in that
pressing emergencyMiss Pross hailed it with joy. She and Jerry had
beheld the coach starthad known who it was that Solomon brought
had passed some ten minutes in tortures of suspenseand were now
concluding their arrangements to follow the coacheven as Madame
Defargetaking her way through the streetsnow drew nearer and
nearer to the else-deserted lodging in which they held their consultation.

Now what do you think, Mr. Cruncher,said Miss Prosswhose
agitation was so great that she could hardly speakor stand
or moveor live: "what do you think of our not starting from this
courtyard? Another carriage having already gone from here to-day
it might awaken suspicion."

My opinion, miss,returned Mr. Cruncheris as you're right.
Likewise wot I'll stand by you, right or wrong.

I am so distracted with fear and hope for our precious creatures,
said Miss Prosswildly cryingthat I am incapable of forming any
plan. Are YOU capable of forming any plan, my dear good Mr. Cruncher?

Respectin' a future spear o' life, miss,returned Mr. Cruncher
I hope so. Respectin' any present use o' this here blessed old head
o' mind, I think not. Would you do me the favour, miss, to take
notice o' two promises and wows wot it is my wishes fur to record in
this here crisis?

Oh, for gracious sake!cried Miss Prossstill wildly crying
record them at once, and get them out of the way, like an excellent man.

First,said Mr. Cruncherwho was all in a trembleand who spoke
with an ashy and solemn visagethem poor things well out o' this,
never no more will I do it, never no more!

I am quite sure, Mr. Cruncher,returned Miss Prossthat you never
will do it again, whatever it is, and I beg you not to think it


necessary to mention more particularly what it is.

No, miss,returned Jerryit shall not be named to you. Second:
them poor things well out o' this, and never no more will I interfere
with Mrs. Cruncher's flopping, never no more!

Whatever housekeeping arrangement that may be,said Miss Pross
striving to dry her eyes and compose herselfI have no doubt it
is best that Mrs. Cruncher should have it entirely under her own
superintendence.--O my poor darlings!

I go so far as to say, miss, moreover,proceeded Mr. Cruncherwith
a most alarming tendency to hold forth as from a pulpit--"and let my
words be took down and took to Mrs. Cruncher through yourself--that
wot my opinions respectin' flopping has undergone a changeand that
wot I only hope with all my heart as Mrs. Cruncher may be a flopping
at the present time."

There, there, there! I hope she is, my dear man,cried the distracted
Miss Prossand I hope she finds it answering her expectations.

Forbid it,proceeded Mr. Cruncherwith additional solemnity
additional slownessand additional tendency to hold forth and hold
outas anything wot I have ever said or done should be wisited on
my earnest wishes for them poor creeturs now! Forbid it as we shouldn't
all flop (if it was anyways conwenient) to get 'em out o' this here
dismal risk! Forbid it, miss! Wot I say, for-BID it!This was
Mr. Cruncher's conclusion after a protracted but vain endeavour
to find a better one.

And still Madame Defargepursuing her way along the streetscame
nearer and nearer.

If we ever get back to our native land,said Miss Prossyou may
rely upon my telling Mrs. Cruncher as much as I may be able to remember
and understand of what you have so impressively said; and at all
events you may be sure that I shall bear witness to your being
thoroughly in earnest at this dreadful time. Now, pray let us think!
My esteemed Mr. Cruncher, let us think!

StillMadame Defargepursuing her way along the streetscame
nearer and nearer.

If you were to go before,said Miss Prossand stop the vehicle
and horses from coming here, and were to wait somewhere for me;
wouldn't that be best?

Mr. Cruncher thought it might be best.

Where could you wait for me?asked Miss Pross.

Mr. Cruncher was so bewildered that he could think of no locality but
Temple Bar. Alas! Temple Bar was hundreds of miles awayand Madame
Defarge was drawing very near indeed.

By the cathedral door,said Miss Pross. "Would it be much out of the
wayto take me innear the great cathedral door between the two towers?"

No, miss,answered Mr. Cruncher.

Then, like the best of men,said Miss Prossgo to the postinghouse
straight, and make that change.

I am doubtful,said Mr. Cruncherhesitating and shaking his head


about leaving of you, you see. We don't know what may happen.

Heaven knows we don't,returned Miss Prossbut have no fear for
me. Take me in at the cathedral, at Three o'Clock, or as near it as
you can, and I am sure it will be better than our going from here.
I feel certain of it. There! Bless you, Mr. Cruncher! Think-not of
me, but of the lives that may depend on both of us!

This exordiumand Miss Pross's two hands in quite agonised entreaty
clasping hisdecided Mr. Cruncher. With an encouraging nod or two
he immediately went out to alter the arrangementsand left her by
herself to follow as she had proposed.

The having originated a precaution which was already in course of
executionwas a great relief to Miss Pross. The necessity of
composing her appearance so that it should attract no special notice
in the streetswas another relief. She looked at her watchand it
was twenty minutes past two. She had no time to losebut must get
ready at once.

Afraidin her extreme perturbationof the loneliness of the
deserted roomsand of half-imagined faces peeping from behind every
open door in themMiss Pross got a basin of cold water and began
laving her eyeswhich were swollen and red. Haunted by her feverish
apprehensionsshe could not bear to have her sight obscured for a
minute at a time by the dripping waterbut constantly paused and
looked round to see that there was no one watching her. In one of
those pauses she recoiled and cried outfor she saw a figure
standing in the room.

The basin fell to the ground brokenand the water flowed to the feet
of Madame Defarge. By strange stern waysand through much staining
bloodthose feet had come to meet that water.

Madame Defarge looked coldly at herand saidThe wife of Evremonde;
where is she?

It flashed upon Miss Pross's mind that the doors were all standing
openand would suggest the flight. Her first act was to shut them.
There were four in the roomand she shut them all. She then placed
herself before the door of the chamber which Lucie had occupied.

Madame Defarge's dark eyes followed her through this rapid movement
and rested on her when it was finished. Miss Pross had nothing
beautiful about her; years had not tamed the wildnessor softened
the grimnessof her appearance; butshe too was a determined woman
in her different wayand she measured Madame Defarge with her eyes
every inch.

You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,said Miss
Prossin her breathing. "Neverthelessyou shall not get the better
of me. I am an Englishwoman."

Madame Defarge looked at her scornfullybut still with something of
Miss Pross's own perception that they two were at bay. She saw a
tighthardwiry woman before heras Mr. Lorry had seen in the same
figure a woman with a strong handin the years gone by. She knew
full well that Miss Pross was the family's devoted friend; Miss Pross
knew full well that Madame Defarge was the family's malevolent enemy.

On my way yonder,said Madame Defargewith a slight movement of
her hand towards the fatal spotwhere they reserve my chair and my
knitting for me, I am come to make my compliments to her in passing.
I wish to see her.


I know that your intentions are evil,said Miss Prossand you may
depend upon it, I'll hold my own against them.


Each spoke in her own language; neither understood the other's words;
both were very watchfuland intent to deduce from look and manner
what the unintelligible words meant.


It will do her no good to keep herself concealed from me at this
moment,said Madame Defarge. "Good patriots will know what that means.
Let me see her. Go tell her that I wish to see her. Do you hear?"


If those eyes of yours were bed-winches,returned Miss Prossand
I was an English four-poster, they shouldn't loose a splinter of me.
No, you wicked foreign woman; I am your match.


Madame Defarge was not likely to follow these idiomatic remarks in
detail; butshe so far understood them as to perceive that she was
set at naught.


Woman imbecile and pig-like!said Madame Defargefrowning.
I take no answer from you. I demand to see her. Either tell her
that I demand to see her, or stand out of the way of the door and let
me go to her!Thiswith an angry explanatory wave of her right arm.


I little thought,said Miss Prossthat I should ever want to
understand your nonsensical language; but I would give all I have,
except the clothes I wear, to know whether you suspect the truth, or
any part of it.


Neither of them for a single moment released the other's eyes.
Madame Defarge had not moved from the spot where she stood when Miss
Pross first became aware of her; butshe now advanced one step.


I am a Briton,said Miss ProssI am desperate. I don't care an
English Twopence for myself. I know that the longer I keep you here,
the greater hope there is for my Ladybird. I'll not leave a handful
of that dark hair upon your head, if you lay a finger on me!


Thus Miss Prosswith a shake of her head and a flash of her eyes
between every rapid sentenceand every rapid sentence a whole breath.
Thus Miss Prosswho had never struck a blow in her life.


Buther courage was of that emotional nature that it brought the
irrepressible tears into her eyes. This was a courage that Madame
Defarge so little comprehended as to mistake for weakness. "Haha!"
she laughedyou poor wretch! What are you worth! I address myself
to that Doctor.Then she raised her voice and called outCitizen
Doctor! Wife of Evremonde! Child of Evremonde! Any person but this
miserable fool, answer the Citizeness Defarge!


Perhaps the following silenceperhaps some latent disclosure in the
expression of Miss Pross's faceperhaps a sudden misgiving apart from
either suggestionwhispered to Madame Defarge that they were gone.
Three of the doors she opened swiftlyand looked in.


Those rooms are all in disorder, there has been hurried packing,
there are odds and ends upon the ground. There is no one in that
room behind you! Let me look.


Never!said Miss Prosswho understood the request as perfectly as
Madame Defarge understood the answer.


If they are not in that room, they are gone, and can be pursued and



brought back,said Madame Defarge to herself.

As long as you don't know whether they are in that room or not, you
are uncertain what to do,said Miss Pross to herself; "and you shall
not know thatif I can prevent your knowing it; and know thator
not know thatyou shall not leave here while I can hold you."

I have been in the streets from the first, nothing has stopped me,
I will tear you to pieces, but I will have you from that door,said
Madame Defarge.

We are alone at the top of a high house in a solitary courtyard,
we are not likely to be heard, and I pray for bodily strength to keep
you here, while every minute you are here is worth a hundred thousand
guineas to my darling,said Miss Pross.

Madame Defarge made at the door. Miss Prosson the instinct of the
momentseized her round the waist in both her armsand held her
tight. It was in vain for Madame Defarge to struggle and to strike;
Miss Prosswith the vigorous tenacity of lovealways so much
stronger than hateclasped her tightand even lifted her from the
floor in the struggle that they had. The two hands of Madame Defarge
buffeted and tore her face; butMiss Prosswith her head downheld
her round the waistand clung to her with more than the hold of a
drowning woman.

SoonMadame Defarge's hands ceased to strikeand felt at her
encircled waist. "It is under my arm said Miss Pross, in smothered
tones, you shall not draw it. I am stronger than youI bless
Heaven for it. I hold you till one or other of us faints or dies!"

Madame Defarge's hands were at her bosom. Miss Pross looked upsaw
what it wasstruck at itstruck out a flash and a crashand stood
alone--blinded with smoke.

All this was in a second. As the smoke clearedleaving an awful
stillnessit passed out on the airlike the soul of the furious
woman whose body lay lifeless on the ground.

In the first fright and horror of her situationMiss Pross passed
the body as far from it as she couldand ran down the stairs to call
for fruitless help. Happilyshe bethought herself of the
consequences of what she didin time to check herself and go back.
It was dreadful to go in at the door again; butshe did go inand
even went near itto get the bonnet and other things that she must
wear. These she put onout on the staircasefirst shutting and
locking the door and taking away the key. She then sat down on the
stairs a few moments to breathe and to cryand then got up and
hurried away.

By good fortune she had a veil on her bonnetor she could hardly
have gone along the streets without being stopped. By good fortune
tooshe was naturally so peculiar in appearance as not to show
disfigurement like any other woman. She needed both advantagesfor
the marks of gripping fingers were deep in her faceand her hair was
tornand her dress (hastily composed with unsteady hands) was
clutched and dragged a hundred ways.

In crossing the bridgeshe dropped the door key in the river.
Arriving at the cathedral some few minutes before her escortand
waiting thereshe thoughtwhat if the key were already taken in a
netwhat if it were identifiedwhat if the door were opened and the
remains discoveredwhat if she were stopped at the gatesent to
prisonand charged with murder! In the midst of these fluttering


thoughtsthe escort appearedtook her inand took her away.

Is there any noise in the streets?she asked him.

The usual noises,Mr. Cruncher replied; and looked surprised by the
question and by her aspect.

I don't hear you,said Miss Pross. "What do you say?"

It was in vain for Mr. Cruncher to repeat what he said; Miss Pross
could not hear him. "So I'll nod my head thought Mr. Cruncher,
amazed, at all events she'll see that." And she did.

Is there any noise in the streets now?asked Miss Pross again
presently.

Again Mr. Cruncher nodded his head.

I don't hear it.

Gone deaf in an hour?said Mr. Cruncherruminatingwith his mind
much disturbed; "wot's come to her?"

I feel,said Miss Prossas if there had been a flash and a crash,
and that crash was the last thing I should ever hear in this life.

Blest if she ain't in a queer condition!said Mr. Crunchermore
and more disturbed. "Wot can she have been a takin'to keep her
courage up? Hark! There's the roll of them dreadful carts! You can
hear thatmiss?"

I can hear,said Miss Prossseeing that he spoke to her
nothing. O, my good man, there was first a great crash, and then a
great stillness, and that stillness seems to be fixed and
unchangeable, never to be broken any more as long as my life lasts.

If she don't hear the roll of those dreadful carts, now very nigh
their journey's end,said Mr. Cruncherglancing over his shoulder
it's my opinion that indeed she never will hear anything else in
this world.

And indeed she never did.

The Footsteps Die Out For Ever

Along the Paris streetsthe death-carts rumblehollow and harsh.
Six tumbrils carry the day's wine to La Guillotine. All the
devouring and insatiate Monsters imagined since imagination could
record itselfare fused in the one realisationGuillotine. And yet
there is not in Francewith its rich variety of soil and climate
a bladea leafa roota spriga peppercornwhich will grow to
maturity under conditions more certain than those that have produced
this horror. Crush humanity out of shape once moreunder similar
hammersand it will twist itself into the same tortured forms.
Sow the same seed of rapacious license and oppression over again
and it will surely yield the same fruit according to its kind.

Six tumbrils roll along the streets. Change these back again to what
they werethou powerful enchanterTimeand they shall be seen to


be the carriages of absolute monarchsthe equipages of feudal nobles
the toilettes of flaring Jezebelsthe churches that are not my
father's house but dens of thievesthe huts of millions of starving
peasants! No; the great magician who majestically works out the
appointed order of the Creatornever reverses his transformations.
If thou be changed into this shape by the will of God,say the
seers to the enchantedin the wise Arabian storiesthen remain so!
But, if thou wear this form through mere passing conjuration, then resume
thy former aspect!Changeless and hopelessthe tumbrils roll along.

As the sombre wheels of the six carts go roundthey seem to plough
up a long crooked furrow among the populace in the streets. Ridges
of faces are thrown to this side and to thatand the ploughs go
steadily onward. So used are the regular inhabitants of the houses
to the spectaclethat in many windows there are no people
and in some the occupation of the hands is not so much as suspended
while the eyes survey the faces in the tumbrils. Here and there
the inmate has visitors to see the sight; then he points his finger
with something of the complacency of a curator or authorised exponent
to this cart and to thisand seems to tell who sat here yesterday
and who there the day before.

Of the riders in the tumbrilssome observe these thingsand all
things on their last roadsidewith an impassive stare; otherswith
a lingering interest in the ways of life and men. Someseated with
drooping headsare sunk in silent despair; againthere are some so
heedful of their looks that they cast upon the multitude such glances
as they have seen in theatresand in pictures. Several close their
eyesand thinkor try to get their straying thoughts together.
Only oneand he a miserable creatureof a crazed aspectis so
shattered and made drunk by horrorthat he singsand tries to
dance. Not one of the whole number appeals by look or gestureto
the pity of the people.

There is a guard of sundry horsemen riding abreast of the tumbrils
and faces are often turned up to some of themand they are asked
some question. It would seem to be always the same questionfor
it is always followed by a press of people towards the third cart.
The horsemen abreast of that cartfrequently point out one man in it
with their swords. The leading curiosity isto know which is he;
he stands at the back of the tumbril with his head bent down
to converse with a mere girl who sits on the side of the cart
and holds his hand. He has no curiosity or care for the scene about him
and always speaks to the girl. Here and there in the long street
of St. Honorecries are raised against him. If they move him at all
it is only to a quiet smileas he shakes his hair a little more
loosely about his face. He cannot easily touch his facehis arms
being bound.

On the steps of a churchawaiting the coming-up of the tumbrils
stands the Spy and prison-sheep. He looks into the first of them:
not there. He looks into the second: not there. He already asks
himselfHas he sacrificed me?when his face clearsas he looks
into the third.

Which is Evremonde?says a man behind him.

That. At the back there.

With his hand in the girl's?

Yes.

The man criesDown, Evremonde! To the Guillotine all aristocrats!


Down, Evremonde!

Hush, hush!the Spy entreats himtimidly.

And why not, citizen?

He is going to pay the forfeit: it will be paid in five minutes more.
Let him be at peace.

But the man continuing to exclaimDown, Evremonde!the face of
Evremonde is for a moment turned towards him. Evremonde then sees
the Spyand looks attentively at himand goes his way.

The clocks are on the stroke of threeand the furrow ploughed among
the populace is turning roundto come on into the place of execution
and end. The ridges thrown to this side and to thatnow crumble in
and close behind the last plough as it passes onfor all are following
to the Guillotine. In front of itseated in chairsas in a garden
of public diversionare a number of womenbusily knitting. On one
of the fore-most chairsstands The Vengeancelooking about for her friend.

Therese!she criesin her shrill tones. "Who has seen her?
Therese Defarge!"

She never missed before,says a knitting-woman of the sisterhood.

No; nor will she miss now,cries The Vengeancepetulantly. "Therese."

Louder,the woman recommends.

Ay! LouderVengeancemuch louderand still she will scarcely hear
thee. Louder yetVengeancewith a little oath or so addedand yet
it will hardly bring her. Send other women up and down to seek her
lingering somewhere; and yetalthough the messengers have done dread
deedsit is questionable whether of their own wills they will go far
enough to find her!

Bad Fortune!cries The Vengeancestamping her foot in the chair
and here are the tumbrils! And Evremonde will be despatched in a
wink, and she not here! See her knitting in my hand, and her empty
chair ready for her. I cry with vexation and disappointment!

As The Vengeance descends from her elevation to do itthe tumbrils
begin to discharge their loads. The ministers of Sainte Guillotine
are robed and ready. Crash!--A head is held upand the knittingwomen
who scarcely lifted their eyes to look at it a moment ago when
it could think and speakcount One.

The second tumbril empties and moves on; the third comes up. Crash!
--And the knitting-womennever faltering or pausing in their Work
count Two.

The supposed Evremonde descendsand the seamstress is lifted out
next after him. He has not relinquished her patient hand in getting
outbut still holds it as he promised. He gently places her with
her back to the crashing engine that constantly whirrs up and falls
and she looks into his face and thanks him.

But for you, dear stranger, I should not be so composed, for I am
naturally a poor little thing, faint of heart; nor should I have been
able to raise my thoughts to Him who was put to death, that we might
have hope and comfort here to-day. I think you were sent to me by Heaven.

Or you to me,says Sydney Carton. "Keep your eyes upon medear child


and mind no other object."

I mind nothing while I hold your hand. I shall mind nothing when
I let it go, if they are rapid.

They will be rapid. Fear not!

The two stand in the fast-thinning throng of victimsbut they speak
as if they were alone. Eye to eyevoice to voicehand to hand
heart to heartthese two children of the Universal Motherelse so
wide apart and differinghave come together on the dark highway
to repair home togetherand to rest in her bosom.

Brave and generous friend, will you let me ask you one last
question? I am very ignorant, and it troubles me--just a little.

Tell me what it is.

I have a cousin, an only relative and an orphan, like myself, whom I
love very dearly. She is five years younger than I, and she lives in
a farmer's house in the south country. Poverty parted us, and she
knows nothing of my fate--for I cannot write--and if I could, how
should I tell her! It is better as it is.

Yes, yes: better as it is.

What I have been thinking as we came along, and what I am still
thinking now, as I look into your kind strong face which gives me so
much support, is this:--If the Republic really does good to the poor,
and they come to be less hungry, and in all ways to suffer less, she
may live a long time: she may even live to be old.

What then, my gentle sister?

Do you think:the uncomplaining eyes in which there is so much
endurancefill with tearsand the lips part a little more and
tremble: "that it will seem long to mewhile I wait for her in the
better land where I trust both you and I will be mercifully sheltered?"

It cannot be, my child; there is no Time there, and no trouble
there.

You comfort me so much! I am so ignorant. Am I to kiss you now?
Is the moment come?

Yes.

She kisses his lips; he kisses hers; they solemnly bless each other.
The spare hand does not tremble as he releases it; nothing worse than
a sweetbright constancy is in the patient face. She goes next
before him--is gone; the knitting-women count Twenty-Two.

I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

The murmuring of many voicesthe upturning of many faces
the pressing on of many footsteps in the outskirts of the crowd
so that it swells forward in a masslike one great heave of water
all flashes away. Twenty-Three.

They said of himabout the city that nightthat it was the


peacefullest man's face ever beheld there. Many added that he looked
sublime and prophetic.

One of the most remarkable sufferers by the same axe--a woman-had
asked at the foot of the same scaffoldnot long beforeto be
allowed to write down the thoughts that were inspiring her. If he
had given any utterance to hisand they were propheticthey would
have been these:

I see Barsad, and Cly, Defarge, The Vengeance, the Juryman, the
Judge, long ranks of the new oppressors who have risen on the
destruction of the old, perishing by this retributive instrument,
before it shall cease out of its present use. I see a beautiful city
and a brilliant people rising from this abyss, and, in their struggles
to be truly free, in their triumphs and defeats, through long years
to come, I see the evil of this time and of the previous time of
which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for
itself and wearing out.

I see the lives for which I lay down my lifepeacefuluseful
prosperous and happyin that England which I shall see no more.
I see Her with a child upon her bosomwho bears my name. I see her
fatheraged and bentbut otherwise restoredand faithful to all
men in his healing officeand at peace. I see the good old manso
long their friendin ten years' time enriching them with all he has
and passing tranquilly to his reward.

I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of
their descendants, generations hence. I see her, an old woman,
weeping for me on the anniversary of this day. I see her and her
husband, their course done, lying side by side in their last earthly
bed, and I know that each was not more honoured and held sacred in
the other's soul, than I was in the souls of both.

I see that child who lay upon her bosom and who bore my namea man
winning his way up in that path of life which once was mine. I see
him winning it so wellthat my name is made illustrious there by the
light of his. I see the blots I threw upon itfaded away. I see
himfore-most of just judges and honoured menbringing a boy of my
namewith a forehead that I know and golden hairto this place-then
fair to look uponwith not a trace of this day's disfigurement
--and I hear him tell the child my storywith a tender and a faltering voice.

It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done;
it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.