ATaleOfTwoCitiesVol.III

ByCharlesDickens

ATaleofTwoCities

BooktheThirdtheTrackofaStorm

I.

InSecret

Thetravellerfaredslowlyonhisway,whofaredtowardsParisfromEnglandin theautumnof theyearone thousandsevenhundredandninetytwo.Morethan enough of bad roads, bad equipages, and bad horses, he would haveencountered todelayhim, though the fallenandunfortunateKingofFrancehadbeenuponhisthroneinallhisglory;but,thechangedtimeswerefraughtwithotherobstacles than these.Every towngateandvillage taxinghousehaditsbandofcitizenpatriots,withtheirnationalmusketsinamostexplosivestateof readiness, who stopped all comers and goers, crossquestioned them,inspectedtheirpapers,lookedfortheirnamesinlistsoftheirown,turnedthemback, or sent them on, or stopped them and laid them in hold, as their

capriciousjudgmentorfancydeemedbestforthedawningRepublicOneandIndivisible,ofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath.

Avery fewFrench leaguesofhis journeywereaccomplished,whenCharlesDarnaybegantoperceivethatforhimalongthesecountryroadstherewasnohope of return until he should have been declared a good citizen at Paris.Whatever might befall now, he must on to his journey's end. Not a meanvillagecloseduponhim,notacommonbarrierdroppedacrosstheroadbehindhim, but he knew it to be another iron door in the series that was barredbetweenhimandEngland.Theuniversalwatchfulnesssoencompassedhim,thatifhehadbeentakeninanet,orwerebeingforwardedtohisdestinationinacage,hecouldnothavefelthisfreedommorecompletelygone.

This universal watchfulness not only stopped him on the highway twentytimesinastage,butretardedhisprogresstwentytimesinaday,byridingafterhimandtakinghimback,ridingbeforehimandstoppinghimbyanticipation,riding with him and keeping him in charge. He had been days upon hisjourneyinFrancealone,whenhewenttobedtiredout,inalittletownonthehighroad,stillalongwayfromParis.

NothingbuttheproductionoftheafflictedGabelle'sletterfromhisprisonoftheAbbayewouldhavegothimonsofar.Hisdifficultyattheguardhouseinthissmallplacehadbeensuch,thathefelthisjourneytohavecometoacrisis.Andhewas, therefore, as little surprisedas amancouldbe, to findhimselfawakenedatthesmallinntowhichhehadbeenremitteduntilmorning,inthemiddleofthenight.

Awakenedbyatimidlocalfunctionaryandthreearmedpatriotsinroughredcapsandwithpipesintheirmouths,whosatdownonthebed.

"Emigrant,"saidthefunctionary,"IamgoingtosendyouontoParis,underanescort."

"Citizen, Idesirenothingmore than toget toParis, though Icoulddispensewiththeescort."

"Silence!" growled a redcap, striking at the coverletwith the buttend of hismusket."Peace,aristocrat!"

"It is as the goodpatriot says," observed the timid functionary. "You are anaristocrat,andmusthaveanescortandmustpayforit."

"Ihavenochoice,"saidCharlesDarnay.

"Choice!Listentohim!"criedthesamescowlingredcap."Asif itwasnotafavourtobeprotectedfromthelampiron!"

"It is always as the good patriot says," observed the functionary. "Rise anddressyourself,emigrant."

Darnaycomplied,andwastakenbacktotheguardhouse,whereotherpatriotsinroughredcapsweresmoking,drinking,andsleeping,byawatchfire.Herehepaidaheavypriceforhisescort,andhencehestartedwith iton thewet,wetroadsatthreeo'clockinthemorning.

The escortwere twomountedpatriots in red caps and tricoloured cockades,armedwithnationalmusketsandsabres,whorodeoneoneithersideofhim.

The escorted governed his own horse, but a loose line was attached to hisbridle,theendofwhichoneofthepatriotskeptgirdedroundhiswrist.Inthisstate they set forthwith the sharp rain driving in their faces: clattering at aheavy dragoon trot over the uneven town pavement, and out upon themiredeeproads. In thisstate they traversedwithoutchange,exceptofhorsesandpace,allthemiredeepleaguesthatlaybetweenthemandthecapital.

Theytravelledinthenight,haltinganhourortwoafterdaybreak,andlyingbyuntilthetwilightfell.Theescortweresowretchedlyclothed,thattheytwistedstraw round their bare legs, and thatched their ragged shoulders to keep thewet off.Apart from the personal discomfort of being so attended, and apartfromsuchconsiderationsofpresentdangerasarosefromoneof thepatriotsbeing chronically drunk, and carrying his musket very recklessly, CharlesDarnay did not allow the restraint that was laid upon him to awaken anyseriousfearsinhisbreast;for,hereasonedwithhimselfthatitcouldhavenoreference to themerits of an individual case thatwas not yet stated, and ofrepresentations,confirmablebytheprisonerintheAbbaye,thatwerenotyetmade.

ButwhentheycametothetownofBeauvaiswhichtheydidateventide,whenthestreetswerefilledwithpeoplehecouldnotconcealfromhimself that theaspectofaffairswasveryalarming.Anominouscrowdgathered to seehimdismountofthepostingyard,andmanyvoicescalledoutloudly,"Downwiththeemigrant!"

Hestoppedintheactofswinginghimselfoutofhissaddle,and,resumingitashissafestplace,said:

"Emigrant,myfriends!Doyounotseemehere,inFrance,ofmyownwill?"

"Youareacursedemigrant,"criedafarrier,makingathiminafuriousmannerthroughthepress,hammerinhand;"andyouareacursedaristocrat!"

Thepostmasterinterposedhimselfbetweenthismanandtherider'sbridle(at

whichhewasevidentlymaking),andsoothinglysaid,"Lethimbe;lethimbe!HewillbejudgedatParis."

"Judged!"repeatedthefarrier,swinginghishammer."Ay!andcondemnedasatraitor."Atthisthecrowdroaredapproval.

Checkingthepostmaster,whowasforturninghishorse'sheadtotheyard(thedrunkenpatriotsatcomposedlyinhissaddle lookingon,withthelineroundhiswrist),Darnaysaid,assoonashecouldmakehisvoiceheard:

"Friends,youdeceiveyourselves,oryouaredeceived.Iamnotatraitor."

"Helies!"criedthesmith."Heisatraitorsincethedecree.Hislifeisforfeittothepeople.Hiscursedlifeisnothisown!"

AttheinstantwhenDarnaysawarushintheeyesofthecrowd,whichanotherinstantwouldhavebroughtuponhim,thepostmasterturnedhishorseintotheyard,theescortrodeincloseuponhishorse'sflanks,andthepostmastershutandbarredthecrazydoublegates.Thefarrierstruckablowuponthemwithhishammer,andthecrowdgroaned;but,nomorewasdone.

"What is thisdecree that the smith spokeof?"Darnayasked thepostmaster,whenhehadthankedhim,andstoodbesidehimintheyard.

"Truly,adecreeforsellingthepropertyofemigrants."

"Whenpassed?"

"Onthefourteenth."

"ThedayIleftEngland!"

"Everybodysaysit isbutoneofseveral,andthattherewillbeothersif thereare not alreadybanishing all emigrants, and condemning all to death whoreturn.Thatiswhathemeantwhenhesaidyourlifewasnotyourown."

"Buttherearenosuchdecreesyet?"

"Whatdo Iknow!"said thepostmaster, shrugginghis shoulders; "theremaybe,ortherewillbe.Itisallthesame.Whatwouldyouhave?"

Theyrestedonsomestrawinaloftuntilthemiddleofthenight,andthenrodeforwardagainwhenall thetownwasasleep.Amongthemanywildchangesobservableonfamiliar thingswhichmade thiswildrideunreal,not the leastwas the seeming rarity of sleep.After long and lonely spurring over drearyroads,theywouldcometoaclusterofpoorcottages,notsteepedindarkness,butallglitteringwithlights,andwouldfindthepeople,inaghostlymannerin

thedeadofthenight,circlinghandinhandroundashrivelledtreeofLiberty,oralldrawnuptogethersingingaLibertysong.Happily,however,therewassleep inBeauvais that night to help themout of it and theypassedononcemoreintosolitudeandloneliness:jinglingthroughtheuntimelycoldandwet,among impoverished fields that had yielded no fruits of the earth that year,diversified by the blackened remains of burnt houses, and by the suddenemergencefromambuscade,andsharpreiningupacrosstheirway,ofpatriotpatrolsonthewatchonalltheroads.

Daylight at last found thembefore thewallofParis.Thebarrierwasclosedandstronglyguardedwhentheyrodeuptoit.

"Whereare thepapersof thisprisoner?"demandedaresolutelookingmaninauthority,whowassummonedoutbytheguard.

Naturally struck by the disagreeable word, Charles Darnay requested thespeakertotakenoticethathewasafreetravellerandFrenchcitizen,inchargeofanescortwhichthedisturbedstateof thecountryhadimposeduponhim,andwhichhehadpaidfor.

"Where," repeated the same personage, without taking any heed of himwhatever,"arethepapersofthisprisoner?"

Thedrunkenpatriothadtheminhiscap,andproducedthem.CastinghiseyesoverGabelle's letter, the samepersonage in authority showed somedisorderandsurprise,andlookedatDarnaywithacloseattention.

Heleftescortandescortedwithoutsayingaword,however,andwentintotheguardroom;meanwhile, they satupon theirhorsesoutside thegate.Lookingabout himwhile in this state of suspense,CharlesDarnay observed that thegate was held by a mixed guard of soldiers and patriots, the latter faroutnumbering the former; and that while ingress into the city for peasants'carts bringing in supplies, and for similar traffic and traffickers, was easyenough,egress,evenforthehomeliestpeople,wasverydifficult.Anumerousmedley of men and women, not to mention beasts and vehicles of varioussorts,waswaitingtoissueforth;but,thepreviousidentificationwassostrict,thattheyfilteredthroughthebarrierveryslowly.Someofthesepeopleknewtheirturnforexaminationtobesofaroff,thattheylaydownonthegroundtosleep or smoke,while others talked together, or loitered about. The red capandtricolourcockadewereuniversal,bothamongmenandwomen.

When he had sat in his saddle some halfhour, taking note of these things,Darnayfoundhimselfconfrontedbythesamemaninauthority,whodirectedtheguardtoopenthebarrier.Thenhedeliveredtotheescort,drunkandsober,areceiptfortheescorted,andrequestedhimtodismount.Hedidso,andthe

twopatriots,leadinghistiredhorse,turnedandrodeawaywithoutenteringthecity.

Heaccompaniedhisconductor intoaguardroom, smellingofcommonwineandtobacco,wherecertainsoldiersandpatriots,asleepandawake,drunkandsober,andinvariousneutralstatesbetweensleepingandwaking,drunkennessandsobriety,werestandingandlyingabout.Thelightintheguardhouse,halfderivedfromthewaningoillampsofthenight,andhalffromtheovercastday,wasinacorrespondinglyuncertaincondition.Someregisterswerelyingopenonadesk,andanofficerofacoarse,darkaspect,presidedoverthese.

"CitizenDefarge,"saidhetoDarnay'sconductor,ashetookaslipofpapertowriteon."IsthistheemigrantEvremonde?"

"Thisistheman."

"Yourage,Evremonde?"

"Thirtyseven."

"Married,Evremonde?"

"Yes."

"Wheremarried?"

"InEngland."

"Withoutdoubt.Whereisyourwife,Evremonde?"

"InEngland."

"Withoutdoubt.Youareconsigned,Evremonde,totheprisonofLaForce."

"JustHeaven!"exclaimedDarnay."Underwhatlaw,andforwhatoffence?"

Theofficerlookedupfromhisslipofpaperforamoment.

"Wehavenewlaws,Evremonde,andnewoffences,sinceyouwerehere."Hesaiditwithahardsmile,andwentonwriting.

"IentreatyoutoobservethatIhavecomeherevoluntarily,inresponsetothatwritten appeal of a fellowcountryman which lies before you. I demand nomorethantheopportunitytodosowithoutdelay.Isnotthatmyright?"

"Emigrants have no rights, Evremonde," was the stolid reply. The officerwroteuntilhehadfinished,readovertohimselfwhathehadwritten,sandedit,andhandedittoDefarge,withthewords"Insecret."

Defargemotionedwiththepapertotheprisonerthathemustaccompanyhim.Theprisonerobeyed,andaguardoftwoarmedpatriotsattendedthem.

"Is ityou," saidDefarge, ina lowvoice,as theywentdown theguardhousesteps and turned into Paris, "who married the daughter of DoctorManette,onceaprisonerintheBastillethatisnomore?"

"Yes,"repliedDarnay,lookingathimwithsurprise.

"Myname isDefarge, and I keep awineshop in theQuarter SaintAntoine.Possiblyyouhaveheardofme."

"Mywifecametoyourhousetoreclaimherfather?Yes!"

Theword "wife" seemed to serve as a gloomy reminder toDefarge, to saywith sudden impatience, "In the name of that sharp female newlyborn, andcalledLaGuillotine,whydidyoucometoFrance?"

"Youheardmesaywhy,aminuteago.Doyounotbelieveitisthetruth?"

"Abadtruthforyou,"saidDefarge,speakingwithknittedbrows,andlookingstraightbeforehim.

"Indeed Iam losthere.Allhere is sounprecedented, sochanged, sosuddenandunfair,thatIamabsolutelylost.Willyourendermealittlehelp?"

"None."Defargespoke,alwayslookingstraightbeforehim.

"Willyouanswermeasinglequestion?"

"Perhaps.Accordingtoitsnature.Youcansaywhatitis."

"In this prison that I am going to so unjustly, shall I have some freecommunicationwiththeworldoutside?"

"Youwillsee."

"Iamnottobeburiedthere,prejudged,andwithoutanymeansofpresentingmycase?"

"You will see. But, what then? Other people have been similarly buried inworseprisons,beforenow."

"Butneverbyme,CitizenDefarge."

Defargeglanceddarklyathimforanswer,andwalkedoninasteadyandsetsilence.Thedeeperhesankinto thissilence, thefainterhope therewasorsoDarnaythoughtofhissofteninginanyslightdegree.He,therefore,madehaste

tosay:

"Itisoftheutmostimportancetome(youknow,Citizen,evenbetterthanI,ofhowmuchimportance),thatIshouldbeabletocommunicatetoMr.LorryofTellson's Bank, an English gentlemanwho is now in Paris, the simple fact,withoutcomment, that Ihavebeen thrown into theprisonofLaForce.Willyoucausethattobedoneforme?"

"Iwill do,"Defargedoggedly rejoined, "nothing for you.Myduty is tomycountryandthePeople.Iamtheswornservantofboth,againstyou.Iwilldonothingforyou."

Charles Darnay felt it hopeless to entreat him further, and his pride wastouchedbesides.Astheywalkedoninsilence,hecouldnotbutseehowusedthe peoplewere to the spectacle of prisoners passing along the streets. Thevery children scarcely noticed him.A few passers turned their heads, and afewshooktheirfingersathimasanaristocrat;otherwise,thatamaningoodclothesshouldbegoingtoprison,wasnomoreremarkablethanthatalabourerinworking clothes should be going towork. In one narrow, dark, and dirtystreet throughwhichtheypassed,anexcitedorator,mountedonastool,wasaddressinganexcitedaudienceon thecrimesagainst thepeople,of thekingandtheroyalfamily.Thefewwordsthathecaughtfromthisman'slips,firstmade it known toCharlesDarnay that the kingwas in prison, and that theforeign ambassadors had one and all left Paris. On the road (except atBeauvais) he had heard absolutely nothing. The escort and the universalwatchfulnesshadcompletelyisolatedhim.

Thathehadfallenamongfargreaterdangersthanthosewhichhaddevelopedthemselves when he left England, he of course knew now. That perils hadthickenedabouthimfast,andmightthickenfasterandfasteryet,heofcourseknewnow.Hecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthathemightnothavemadethisjourney, if he could have foreseen the events of a few days. And yet hismisgivingswerenotsodarkas,imaginedbythelightofthislatertime,theywouldappear.Troubledasthefuturewas,itwastheunknownfuture,andinitsobscurity there was ignorant hope. The horrible massacre, days and nightslong,which,withinafewroundsoftheclock,wastosetagreatmarkofbloodupontheblessedgarneringtimeofharvest,wasasfaroutofhisknowledgeasifithadbeenahundredthousandyearsaway.The"sharpfemalenewlyborn,and calledLaGuillotine,"was hardly known to him, or to the generality ofpeople,byname.Thefrightfuldeedsthatweretobesoondone,wereprobablyunimagined at that time in the brains of the doers. How could they have aplaceintheshadowyconceptionsofagentlemind?

Ofunjusttreatmentindetentionandhardship,andincruelseparationfromhis

wifeandchild,heforeshadowedthelikelihood,or thecertainty;but,beyondthis,hedreadednothingdistinctly.Withthisonhismind,whichwasenoughtocarryintoadrearyprisoncourtyard,hearrivedattheprisonofLaForce.

A man with a bloated face opened the strong wicket, to whom Defargepresented"TheEmigrantEvremonde."

"What the Devil! How many more of them!" exclaimed the man with thebloatedface.

Defargetookhisreceiptwithoutnoticingtheexclamation,andwithdrew,withhistwofellowpatriots.

"WhattheDevil,Isayagain!"exclaimedthegaoler,leftwithhiswife."Howmanymore!"

The gaoler's wife, being provided with no answer to the question, merelyreplied, "One must have patience, my dear!" Three turnkeys who enteredresponsive toabellsherang,echoedthesentiment,andoneadded,"For theloveofLiberty;"whichsoundedinthatplacelikeaninappropriateconclusion.

The prison of La Force was a gloomy prison, dark and filthy, and with ahorriblesmelloffoulsleepinit.Extraordinaryhowsoonthenoisomeflavourofimprisonedsleep,becomesmanifestinallsuchplacesthatareillcaredfor!

"Insecret,too,"grumbledthegaoler,lookingatthewrittenpaper."AsifIwasnotalreadyfulltobursting!"

Hestuckthepaperonafile,inanillhumour,andCharlesDarnayawaitedhisfurtherpleasure forhalf anhour: sometimes,pacing toand fro in the strongarchedroom:sometimes,restingonastoneseat:ineithercasedetainedtobeimprintedonthememoryofthechiefandhissubordinates.

"Come!" said the chief, at length taking up his keys, "come with me,emigrant."

Through the dismal prison twilight, his new charge accompanied him bycorridor and staircase,many doors clanging and locking behind them, untiltheycameintoalarge,low,vaultedchamber,crowdedwithprisonersofbothsexes.Thewomenwereseatedata long table, readingandwriting,knitting,sewing, and embroidering; themenwere for themost part standing behindtheirchairs,orlingeringupanddowntheroom.

In the instinctive associationofprisonerswith shameful crimeanddisgrace,thenewcomerrecoiledfromthiscompany.But thecrowningunrealityofhislong unreal ride, was, their all at once rising to receive him, with every

refinementofmannerknowntothetime,andwithalltheengaginggracesandcourtesiesoflife.

So strangely clouded were these refinements by the prison manners andgloom, so spectral did they become in the inappropriate squalor andmiserythrough which they were seen, that Charles Darnay seemed to stand in acompanyofthedead.Ghostsall!Theghostofbeauty,theghostofstateliness,theghost of elegance, theghost of pride, theghost of frivolity, theghost ofwit, theghostofyouth, theghostofage,allwaitingtheirdismissalfromthedesolate shore, all turningonhimeyes thatwere changedby thedeath theyhaddiedincomingthere.

Itstruckhimmotionless.Thegaolerstandingathisside,andtheothergaolersmoving about, who would have been well enough as to appearance in theordinaryexerciseoftheirfunctions,lookedsoextravagantlycoarsecontrastedwith sorrowing mothers and blooming daughters who were therewith theapparitions of the coquette, the young beauty, and the mature womandelicately bredthat the inversion of all experience and likelihood which thesceneofshadowspresented,washeightenedtoitsutmost.Surely,ghostsall.Surely,thelongunrealridesomeprogressofdiseasethathadbroughthimtothesegloomyshades!

"Inthenameoftheassembledcompanionsinmisfortune,"saidagentlemanofcourtlyappearanceandaddress,comingforward,"IhavethehonourofgivingyouwelcometoLaForce,andofcondolingwithyouonthecalamitythathasbrought you among us. May it soon terminate happily! It would be animpertinenceelsewhere,butitisnotsohere,toaskyournameandcondition?"

CharlesDarnayrousedhimself,andgavetherequiredinformation,inwordsassuitableashecouldfind.

"ButIhope,"saidthegentleman,followingthechiefgaolerwithhiseyes,whomovedacrosstheroom,"thatyouarenotinsecret?"

"Idonotunderstandthemeaningoftheterm,butIhaveheardthemsayso."

"Ah,whatapity!Wesomuchregretit!Buttakecourage;severalmembersofour society have been in secret, at first, and it has lasted but a short time."Thenheadded,raisinghisvoice,"Igrievetoinformthesocietyinsecret."

TherewasamurmurofcommiserationasCharlesDarnaycrossedtheroomtoagrateddoorwhere thegaoler awaitedhim, andmanyvoicesamongwhich,thesoftandcompassionatevoicesofwomenwereconspicuousgavehimgoodwishesandencouragement.Heturnedatthegrateddoor,torenderthethanksof his heart; it closed under the gaoler's hand; and the apparitions vanished

fromhissightforever.

The wicket opened on a stone staircase, leading upward. When they hadascendedfortysteps(theprisonerofhalfanhouralreadycountedthem), thegaoleropenedalowblackdoor,andtheypassedintoasolitarycell.Itstruckcoldanddamp,butwasnotdark.

"Yours,"saidthegaoler.

"WhyamIconfinedalone?"

"HowdoIknow!"

"Icanbuypen,ink,andpaper?"

"Sucharenotmyorders.Youwillbevisited,andcanaskthen.Atpresent,youmaybuyyourfood,andnothingmore."

Therewere in the cell, a chair, a table, and a strawmattress.As the gaolermadeageneralinspectionoftheseobjects,andofthefourwalls,beforegoingout, a wandering fancy wandered through the mind of the prisoner leaningagainst the wall opposite to him, that this gaoler was so unwholesomelybloated,bothinfaceandperson,astolooklikeamanwhohadbeendrownedand filled with water. When the gaoler was gone, he thought in the samewanderingway, "Now am I left, as if Iwere dead." Stopping then, to lookdownatthemattress,heturnedfromitwithasickfeeling,andthought,"Andhereinthesecrawlingcreaturesisthefirstconditionofthebodyafterdeath."

"Fivepacesbyfourandahalf,fivepacesbyfourandahalf,fivepacesbyfourand a half." The prisoner walked to and fro in his cell, counting itsmeasurement, and the roar of the city arose likemuffleddrumswith awildswell of voices added to them. "He made shoes, he made shoes, he madeshoes."Theprisonercountedthemeasurementagain,andpacedfaster,todrawhismindwithhimfromthatlatterrepetition."Theghoststhatvanishedwhenthe wicket closed. There was one among them, the appearance of a ladydressedinblack,whowasleaningintheembrasureofawindow,andshehadalightshininguponhergoldenhair,andshelookedlike****Letusrideonagain, for God's sake, through the illuminated villages with the people allawake!****Hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes.****Fivepacesbyfourandahalf."Withsuchscrapstossingandrollingupwardfromthe depths of his mind, the prisoner walked faster and faster, obstinatelycountingandcounting;andtheroarofthecitychangedtothisextentthatitstillrolledinlikemuffleddrums,butwiththewailofvoicesthatheknew,intheswellthatroseabovethem.

II.

TheGrindstone

Tellson's Bank, established in the SaintGermainQuarter of Paris, was in awingofalargehouse,approachedbyacourtyardandshutofffromthestreetbyahighwallandastronggate.Thehousebelongedtoagreatnoblemanwhohadlivedinituntilhemadeaflightfromthetroubles,inhisowncook'sdress,andgotacrosstheborders.Amerebeastofthechaseflyingfromhunters,hewas still in his metempsychosis no other than the same Monseigneur, thepreparationofwhosechocolateforwhoselipshadonceoccupiedthreestrongmenbesidesthecookinquestion.

Monseigneur gone, and the three strongmen absolving themselves from thesinofhavingdrawnhishighwages,bybeingmorethanreadyandwillingtocut his throat on the altar of the dawning Republic one and indivisible ofLiberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death, Monseigneur's house had been firstsequestrated, and thenconfiscated.For, all thingsmovedso fast, anddecreefolloweddecreewiththatfierceprecipitation,thatnowuponthethirdnightofthe autumn month of September, patriot emissaries of the law were inpossessionofMonseigneur'shouse,andhadmarkeditwiththetricolour,andweredrinkingbrandyinitsstateapartments.

AplaceofbusinessinLondonlikeTellson'splaceofbusinessinParis,wouldsoonhave driven theHouse out of itsmind and into theGazette. For,whatwouldstaidBritishresponsibilityandrespectabilityhavesaidtoorangetreesinboxes in aBankcourtyard, and even to aCupidover the counter?Yet suchthingswere.Tellson'shadwhitewashedtheCupid,buthewasstilltobeseenon theceiling, in thecoolest linen,aiming (asheveryoftendoes)atmoneyfrommorningtonight.Bankruptcymust inevitablyhavecomeof thisyoungPagan,inLombardstreet,London,andalsoofacurtainedalcoveintherearofthe immortal boy, and also of a lookingglass let into the wall, and also ofclerksnotatallold,whodancedinpublicontheslightestprovocation.Yet,aFrenchTellson'scouldgetonwiththesethingsexceedinglywell,and,aslongasthetimesheldtogether,nomanhadtakenfrightatthem,anddrawnouthismoney.

WhatmoneywouldbedrawnoutofTellson'shenceforth,andwhatwouldliethere, lost and forgotten; what plate and jewels would tarnish in Tellson'shidingplaces, while the depositors rusted in prisons, and when they shouldhave violently perished; how many accounts with Tellson's never to be

balancedinthisworld,mustbecarriedoverintothenext;nomancouldhavesaid, that night, any more than Mr. Jarvis Lorry could, though he thoughtheavilyof thesequestions.Hesatbyanewlylightedwood fire (theblightedandunfruitfulyearwasprematurelycold),andonhishonestandcourageousface there was a deeper shade than the pendent lamp could throw, or anyobjectintheroomdistortedlyreflectashadeofhorror.

HeoccupiedroomsintheBank,inhisfidelitytotheHouseofwhichhehadgrowntobeapart,likestrongrootivy.Itchancedthattheyderivedakindofsecurityfromthepatrioticoccupationofthemainbuilding,butthetrueheartedold gentleman never calculated about that. All such circumstances wereindifferent to him, so that he did his duty. On the opposite side of thecourtyard, under a colonnade, was extensive standingfor carriageswhere,indeed, somecarriagesofMonseigneuryet stood.Against twoof thepillarswerefastenedtwogreatflaringflambeaux,andinthelightofthese,standingout in the open air,was a large grindstone: a roughlymounted thingwhichappeared to have hurriedly been brought there from some neighbouringsmithy, or other workshop. Rising and looking out of window at theseharmlessobjects,Mr.Lorryshivered,andretiredtohisseatbythefire.Hehadopened,notonlytheglasswindow,butthelatticeblindoutsideit,andhehadclosedbothagain,andheshiveredthroughhisframe.

From the streets beyond the high wall and the strong gate, there came theusual night hum of the city, with now and then an indescribable ring in it,weird and unearthly, as if some unwonted sounds of a terrible nature weregoinguptoHeaven.

"ThankGod,"saidMr.Lorry,claspinghishands,"thatnoonenearanddeartome is in this dreadful town tonight.MayHe havemercy on allwho are indanger!"

Soon afterwards, the bell at the great gate sounded, and he thought, "Theyhavecomeback!"andsatlistening.But, therewasnoloudirruptionintothecourtyard,ashehadexpected,andheheardthegateclashagain,andallwasquiet.

ThenervousnessanddreadthatwereuponhiminspiredthatvagueuneasinessrespectingtheBank,whichagreatchangewouldnaturallyawaken,withsuchfeelings roused. Itwaswell guarded, and he got up to go among the trustypeoplewhowerewatchingit,whenhisdoorsuddenlyopened,andtwofiguresrushedin,atsightofwhichhefellbackinamazement.

Lucieandherfather!Luciewithherarmsstretchedouttohim,andwiththatold look of earnestness so concentrated and intensified, that it seemed as

thoughithadbeenstampeduponherfaceexpresslytogiveforceandpowertoitinthisonepassageofherlife.

"Whatisthis?"criedMr.Lorry,breathlessandconfused."Whatisthematter?Lucie!Manette!Whathashappened?Whathasbroughtyouhere?Whatisit?"

Withthelookfixeduponhim,inherpalenessandwildness,shepantedoutinhisarms,imploringly,"Omydearfriend!Myhusband!"

"Yourhusband,Lucie?"

"Charles."

"WhatofCharles?"

"Here.

"Here,inParis?"

"Hasbeenheresomedaysthreeor fourIdon'tknowhowmanyIcan'tcollectmythoughts.Anerrandofgenerositybroughthimhereunknowntous;hewasstoppedatthebarrier,andsenttoprison."

Theoldmanutteredanirrepressiblecry.Almostatthesamemoment,thebegofthegreatgaterangagain,andaloudnoiseoffeetandvoicescamepouringintothecourtyard.

"Whatisthatnoise?"saidtheDoctor,turningtowardsthewindow.

"Don't look!" criedMr.Lorry. "Don't look out!Manette, for your life, don'ttouchtheblind!"

TheDoctorturned,withhishanduponthefasteningofthewindow,andsaid,withacool,boldsmile:

"My dear friend, I have a charmed life in this city. I have been a Bastilleprisoner.There is nopatriot inParisinParis? InFrancewho, knowingme tohavebeenaprisonerintheBastille,wouldtouchme,excepttooverwhelmmewithembraces,orcarrymeintriumph.Myoldpainhasgivenmeapowerthathasbroughtusthroughthebarrier,andgainedusnewsofCharlesthere,andbroughtushere.Iknewitwouldbeso;IknewIcouldhelpCharlesoutofalldanger; I told Lucie so.What is that noise?" His hand was again upon thewindow.

"Don'tlook!"criedMr.Lorry,absolutelydesperate."No,Lucie,mydear,noryou!"Hegothisarmroundher,andheldher."Don'tbesoterrified,mylove.Isolemnlyswear toyou that Iknowofnoharmhavinghappened toCharles;

thatIhadnosuspicionevenofhisbeinginthisfatalplace.Whatprisonishein?"

"LaForce!"

"LaForce!Lucie,my child, if ever youwere brave and serviceable in yourlifeandyouwerealwaysbothyouwillcomposeyourselfnow,todoexactlyasIbidyou;formoredependsuponitthanyoucanthink,orIcansay.Thereisnohelpforyouinanyactiononyourparttonight;youcannotpossiblystirout.Isaythis,becausewhatImustbidyoutodoforCharles'ssake,isthehardestthingtodoofall.Youmustinstantlybeobedient,still,andquiet.Youmustletmeput you in a roomat thebackhere.Youmust leaveyour father andmealonefortwominutes,andasthereareLifeandDeathintheworldyoumustnotdelay."

"Iwillbesubmissivetoyou.IseeinyourfacethatyouknowIcandonothingelsethanthis.Iknowyouaretrue."

The oldman kissed her, and hurried her into his room, and turned the key;then, came hurrying back to theDoctor, and opened thewindow and partlyopenedtheblind,andputhishandupontheDoctor'sarm,andlookedoutwithhimintothecourtyard.

Lookedoutuponathrongofmenandwomen:notenoughinnumber,ornearenough,tofillthecourtyard:notmorethanfortyorfiftyinall.Thepeopleinpossessionofthehousehadlettheminatthegate,andtheyhadrushedintoworkatthegrindstone;ithadevidentlybeensetuptherefortheirpurpose,asinaconvenientandretiredspot.

But,suchawfulworkers,andsuchawfulwork!

Thegrindstonehadadoublehandle,and, turningat itmadlywere twomen,whose faces, as their long hair flapped back when the whirlings of thegrindstone brought their faces up, were more horrible and cruel than thevisages of the wildest savages in their most barbarous disguise. Falseeyebrows and false moustaches were stuck upon them, and their hideouscountenanceswereallbloodyandsweaty,andallawrywithhowling,andallstaring and glaring with beastly excitement and want of sleep. As theseruffians turned and turned, theirmatted locks now flung forward over theireyes,nowflungbackwardover theirnecks, somewomenheldwine to theirmouths that theymightdrink;andwhatwithdroppingblood,andwhatwithdroppingwine,andwhatwiththestreamofsparksstruckoutofthestone,alltheirwickedatmosphereseemedgoreandfire.Theeyecouldnotdetectonecreatureinthegroupfreefromthesmearofblood.Shoulderingoneanothertogetnextatthesharpeningstone,weremenstrippedtothewaist,withthestain

allover their limbsandbodies;men inall sortsof rags,with the stainuponthose rags;men devilishly set offwith spoils ofwomen's lace and silk andribbon, with the stain dyeing those trifles through and through. Hatchets,knives, bayonets, swords, all brought to be sharpened, were all redwith it.Someofthehackedswordsweretiedtothewristsofthosewhocarriedthem,with stripsof linenand fragmentsofdress: ligaturesvarious inkind,but alldeepoftheonecolour.Andasthefranticwieldersoftheseweaponssnatchedthemfrom the streamof sparksand toreaway into the streets, the same redhuewasredintheirfrenziedeyes;eyeswhichanyunbrutalisedbeholderwouldhavegiventwentyyearsoflife,topetrifywithawelldirectedgun.

All thiswas seen in amoment, as the vision of a drowningman, or of anyhumancreatureatanyverygreatpass,couldseeaworldifitwerethere.Theydrew back from the window, and the Doctor looked for explanation in hisfriend'sashyface.

"They are,"Mr. Lorrywhispered thewords, glancing fearfully round at thelockedroom,"murderingtheprisoners.Ifyouaresureofwhatyousay;ifyoureallyhavethepoweryouthinkyouhaveasIbelieveyouhavemakeyourselfknown to thesedevils,andget taken toLaForce. Itmaybe too late, Idon'tknow,butletitnotbeaminutelater!"

DoctorManettepressedhishand,hastenedbareheadedoutof the room,andwasinthecourtyardwhenMr.Lorryregainedtheblind.

Hisstreamingwhitehair,hisremarkableface,andthe impetuousconfidenceofhismanner,asheputtheweaponsasidelikewater,carriedhiminaninstantto the heart of the concourse at the stone. For a fewmoments there was apause,andahurry,andamurmur,and theunintelligible soundofhisvoice;andthenMr.Lorrysawhim,surroundedbyall,andinthemidstofalineoftwentymenlong,alllinkedshouldertoshoulder,andhandtoshoulder,hurriedoutwith cries of"Live the Bastille prisoner! Help for the Bastille prisoner'skindred inLaForce!Roomfor theBastilleprisoner in front there!Save theprisonerEvremondeatLaForce!"andathousandansweringshouts.

Heclosedthelatticeagainwithaflutteringheart,closedthewindowandthecurtain, hastened to Lucie, and told her that her father was assisted by thepeople,andgoneinsearchofherhusband.HefoundherchildandMissProsswithher;but,itneveroccurredtohimtobesurprisedbytheirappearanceuntilalongtimeafterwards,whenhesatwatchingtheminsuchquietasthenightknew.

Luciehad,bythattime,fallenintoastuporonthefloorathisfeet,clingingtohishand.MissProsshadlaidthechilddownonhisownbed,andherheadhad

graduallyfallenonthepillowbesideherprettycharge.Othelong,longnight,withthemoansofthepoorwife!AndOthelong,longnight,withnoreturnofherfatherandnotidings!

Twicemoreinthedarknessthebellatthegreatgatesounded,andtheirruptionwas repeated, and the grindstonewhirled and spluttered. "What is it?" criedLucie,affrighted."Hush!Thesoldiers'swordsaresharpenedthere,"saidMr.Lorry."Theplaceisnationalpropertynow,andusedasakindofarmoury,mylove."

Twice more in all; but, the last spell of work was feeble and fitful. Soonafterwards the day began to dawn, and he softly detached himself from theclaspinghand,andcautiouslylookedoutagain.Aman,sobesmearedthathemighthavebeenasorelywoundedsoldiercreepingbacktoconsciousnessonafieldofslain,wasrisingfromthepavementbythesideofthegrindstone,andlookingabouthimwithavacantair.Shortly,thiswornoutmurdererdescriedintheimperfectlightoneofthecarriagesofMonseigneur,and,staggeringtothatgorgeousvehicle,climbedinatthedoor,andshuthimselfuptotakehisrestonitsdaintycushions.

Thegreatgrindstone,Earth,hadturnedwhenMr.Lorrylookedoutagain,andthesunwasredonthecourtyard.But,thelessergrindstonestoodalonethereinthecalmmorningair,withareduponitthatthesunhadnevergiven,andwouldnevertakeaway.

III.

TheShadow

OneofthefirstconsiderationswhicharoseinthebusinessmindofMr.Lorrywhen business hours came round, was this:that he had no right to imperilTellson'sbyshelteringthewifeofanemigrantprisonerundertheBankroof.Hisownpossessions, safety, life,hewouldhavehazarded forLucieandherchild,withoutamoment'sdemur;butthegreattrustheheldwasnothisown,andastothatbusinesschargehewasastrictmanofbusiness.

At first, his mind reverted to Defarge, and he thought of finding out thewineshopagain and taking counselwith itsmaster in reference to the safestdwellingplace in the distracted state of the city.But, the same considerationthatsuggestedhim,repudiatedhim;helivedinthemostviolentQuarter,anddoubtlesswasinfluentialthere,anddeepinitsdangerousworkings.

Nooncoming,andtheDoctornotreturning,andeveryminute'sdelaytendingto compromise Tellson's, Mr. Lorry advised with Lucie. She said that herfatherhadspokenofhiringalodgingforashortterm,inthatQuarter,neartheBankinghouse.Astherewasnobusinessobjectiontothis,andasheforesawthatevenifitwereallwellwithCharles,andheweretobereleased,hecouldnothopetoleavethecity,Mr.Lorrywentoutinquestofsuchalodging,andfoundasuitableone,highupinaremovedbystreetwheretheclosedblindsinall the other windows of a high melancholy square of buildings markeddesertedhomes.

To this lodging he at once removed Lucie and her child, and Miss Pross:givingthemwhatcomforthecould,andmuchmorethanhehadhimself.HeleftJerrywiththem,asafiguretofilladoorwaythatwouldbearconsiderableknockingon thehead,and retained tohisownoccupations.Adisturbedanddolefulmindhebrought tobearupon them,and slowlyandheavily thedaylaggedonwithhim.

Itwore itself out, andwore him outwith it, until theBank closed.Hewasagain alone in his roomof the previous night, consideringwhat to do next,when he heard a foot upon the stair. In a fewmoments, aman stood in hispresence, who, with a keenly observant look at him, addressed him by hisname.

"Yourservant,"saidMr.Lorry."Doyouknowme?"

Hewas a stronglymademanwith dark curling hair, from fortyfive to fiftyyears of age. For answer he repeated, without any change of emphasis, thewords:

"Doyouknowme?"

"Ihaveseenyousomewhere."

"Perhapsatmywineshop?"

Much interested and agitated, Mr. Lorry said: "You come from DoctorManette?"

"Yes.IcomefromDoctorManette."

"Andwhatsayshe?Whatdoeshesendme?"

Defargegaveintohisanxioushand,anopenscrapofpaper.ItborethewordsintheDoctor'swriting:

"Charlesissafe,butIcannotsafelyleavethisplaceyet.

Ihaveobtainedthefavourthatthebearerhasashortnote

fromCharlestohiswife.Letthebearerseehiswife."

ItwasdatedfromLaForce,withinanhour.

"Willyouaccompanyme,"saidMr.Lorry,joyfullyrelievedafterreadingthisnotealoud,"towherehiswiferesides?"

"Yes,"returnedDefarge.

Scarcely noticing as yet, in what a curiously reserved andmechanical wayDefarge spoke, Mr. Lorry put on his hat and they went down into thecourtyard.There,theyfoundtwowomen;one,knitting.

"MadameDefarge, surely!" saidMr. Lorry, who had left her in exactly thesameattitudesomeseventeenyearsago.

"Itisshe,"observedherhusband.

"DoesMadamegowithus?"inquiredMr.Lorry,seeingthatshemovedastheymoved.

"Yes.Thatshemaybeabletorecognisethefacesandknowthepersons.Itisfortheirsafety."

Beginning to be struck byDefarge'smanner,Mr.Lorry looked dubiously athim,andledtheway.Boththewomenfollowed;thesecondwomanbeingTheVengeance.

Theypassedthroughtheinterveningstreetsasquicklyastheymight,ascendedthe staircase of the new domicile,were admitted by Jerry, and foundLucieweeping,alone.ShewasthrownintoatransportbythetidingsMr.Lorrygaveherofherhusband,andclaspedthehandthatdeliveredhisnotelittlethinkingwhatithadbeendoingnearhiminthenight,andmight,butforachance,havedonetohim.

"DEAREST,Takecourage.Iamwell,andyourfatherhas

influencearoundme.Youcannotanswerthis.

Kissourchildforme."

Thatwasallthewriting.Itwassomuch,however,toherwhoreceivedit,thatsheturnedfromDefargetohiswife,andkissedoneofthehandsthatknitted.Itwasapassionate, loving, thankful,womanlyaction,but thehandmadenoresponsedroppedcoldandheavy,andtooktoitsknittingagain.

TherewassomethinginitstouchthatgaveLucieacheck.Shestoppedintheact of putting the note in her bosom, and, with her hands yet at her neck,lookedterrifiedatMadameDefarge.MadameDefargemettheliftedeyebrowsandforeheadwithacold,impassivestare.

"Mydear,"saidMr.Lorry,strikingintoexplain;"therearefrequentrisingsinthestreets;and,althoughit isnot likely theywillever troubleyou,MadameDefargewishestoseethosewhomshehasthepowertoprotectatsuchtimes,totheendthatshemayknowthemthatshemayidentifythem.Ibelieve,"saidMr.Lorry,ratherhaltinginhisreassuringwords,asthestonymannerofallthethree impressed itself upon him more and more, "I state the case, CitizenDefarge?"

Defarge lookedgloomilyathiswife, andgavenoother answer thanagruffsoundofacquiescence.

"Youhadbetter,Lucie," saidMr.Lorry, doing all he could to propitiate, bytone andmanner, "have the dear child here, and our good Pross. Our goodPross,Defarge,isanEnglishlady,andknowsnoFrench."

Theladyinquestion,whoserootedconvictionthatshewasmorethanamatchforanyforeigner,wasnottobeshakenbydistressand,danger,appearedwithfoldedarms,andobservedinEnglishtoTheVengeance,whomhereyesfirstencountered,"Well,Iamsure,Boldface!Ihopeyouareprettywell!"Shealsobestowed aBritish cough onMadameDefarge; but, neither of the two tookmuchheedofher.

"Is thathis child?" saidMadameDefarge, stopping inherwork for the firsttime,andpointingherknittingneedleatlittleLucieasifitwerethefingerofFate.

"Yes, madame," answered Mr. Lorry; "this is our poor prisoner's darlingdaughter,andonlychild."

The shadow attendant onMadameDefarge and her party seemed to fall sothreateninganddarkonthechild,thathermotherinstinctivelykneeledontheground beside her, and held her to her breast. The shadow attendant onMadameDefargeandherpartyseemedthentofall, threateninganddark,onboththemotherandthechild.

"It is enough,my husband," saidMadameDefarge. "I have seen them.Wemaygo."

But, the suppressed manner had enough of menace in itnot visible andpresented, but indistinct andwithheldto alarmLucie into saying, as she laid

herappealinghandonMadameDefarge'sdress:

"Youwillbegood tomypoorhusband.Youwilldohimnoharm.Youwillhelpmetoseehimifyoucan?"

"Yourhusband isnotmybusinesshere," returnedMadameDefarge, lookingdownatherwithperfectcomposure."Itisthedaughterofyourfatherwhoismybusinesshere."

"Formysake,then,bemercifultomyhusband.Formychild'ssake!Shewillputherhandstogetherandprayyoutobemerciful.Wearemoreafraidofyouthanoftheseothers."

Madame Defarge received it as a compliment, and looked at her husband.Defarge, who had been uneasily biting his thumbnail and looking at her,collectedhisfaceintoasternerexpression.

"What is it that your husband says in that little letter?" asked MadameDefarge, with a lowering smile. "Influence; he says something touchinginfluence?"

"Thatmyfather,"saidLucie,hurriedly taking thepaper fromherbreast,butwith her alarmed eyes onher questioner andnot on it, "hasmuch influencearoundhim."

"Surelyitwillreleasehim!"saidMadameDefarge."Letitdoso."

"Asawifeandmother,"criedLucie,mostearnestly, "I imploreyou tohavepity on me and not to exercise any power that you possess, against myinnocenthusband,buttouseitinhisbehalf.Osisterwoman,thinkofme.Asawifeandmother!"

MadameDefargelooked,coldlyasever,atthesuppliant,andsaid,turningtoherfriendTheVengeance:

"Thewivesandmotherswehavebeenusedtosee,sincewewereaslittleasthischild,andmuchless,havenotbeengreatlyconsidered?Wehaveknowntheirhusbandsand fathers laid inprisonandkept from them,oftenenough?Allourlives,wehaveseenoursisterwomensuffer,inthemselvesandintheirchildren,poverty,nakedness,hunger, thirst, sickness,misery,oppressionandneglectofallkinds?"

"Wehaveseennothingelse,"returnedTheVengeance.

"We have borne this a long time," saidMadame Defarge, turning her eyesagain upon Lucie. "Judge you! Is it likely that the trouble of onewife and

motherwouldbemuchtousnow?"

She resumed her knitting and went out. The Vengeance followed. Defargewentlast,andclosedthedoor.

"Courage, my dear Lucie," said Mr. Lorry, as he raised her. "Courage,courage!Sofarallgoeswellwithusmuch,muchbetterthanithasoflategonewithmanypoorsouls.Cheerup,andhaveathankfulheart."

"Iamnotthankless,Ihope,butthatdreadfulwomanseemstothrowashadowonmeandonallmyhopes."

"Tut,tut!"saidMr.Lorry;"whatisthisdespondencyinthebravelittlebreast?Ashadowindeed!Nosubstanceinit,Lucie."

ButtheshadowofthemanneroftheseDefargeswasdarkuponhimself,forallthat,andinhissecretmindittroubledhimgreatly.

IV.

CalminStorm

Doctor Manette did not return until the morning of the fourth day of hisabsence.Somuchofwhathadhappenedinthatdreadfultimeascouldbekeptfrom theknowledgeofLuciewas sowell concealed fromher, thatnotuntillongafterwards,whenFranceandshewerefarapart,didsheknowthatelevenhundreddefencelessprisonersofboth sexes andall ageshadbeenkilledbythe populace; that four days and nights had been darkened by this deed ofhorror; and that the air around her had been tainted by the slain. She onlyknewthattherehadbeenanattackupontheprisons,thatallpoliticalprisonershad been in danger, and that some had been dragged out by the crowd andmurdered.

ToMr. Lorry, the Doctor communicated under an injunction of secrecy onwhichhehadnoneedtodwell,thatthecrowdhadtakenhimthroughasceneof carnage to the prison of La Force. That, in the prison he had found aselfappointedTribunalsitting,beforewhichtheprisonerswerebroughtsingly,andbywhichtheywererapidlyorderedtobeputforthtobemassacred,ortobereleased,or(inafewcases)tobesentbacktotheircells.That,presentedby his conductors to this Tribunal, he had announced himself by name andprofessionashavingbeenforeighteenyearsasecretandunaccusedprisoner

in the Bastille; that, one of the body so sitting in judgment had risen andidentifiedhim,andthatthismanwasDefarge.

That,hereuponhehadascertained,throughtheregistersonthetable,thathissoninlaw was among the living prisoners, and had pleaded hard to theTribunalof whom somemembers were asleep and some awake, some dirtywithmurderandsomeclean,somesoberandsomenotforhislifeandliberty.That, in the first frantic greetings lavished on himself as a notable suffererunder the overthrown system, it had been accorded to him to have CharlesDarnaybroughtbeforethelawlessCourt,andexamined.That,heseemedonthepointofbeingatoncereleased,whenthetideinhisfavourmetwithsomeunexplainedcheck(notintelligibletotheDoctor),whichledtoafewwordsofsecretconference.That,themansittingasPresidenthadtheninformedDoctorManettethattheprisonermustremainincustody,butshould,forhissake,beheldinviolateinsafecustody.That,immediately,onasignal,theprisonerwasremovedtotheinterioroftheprisonagain;but,thathe,theDoctor,hadthenso strongly pleaded for permission to remain and assure himself that hissoninlaw was, through no malice or mischance, delivered to the concoursewhosemurderous yells outside the gate had often drowned the proceedings,thathehadobtained thepermission,andhadremained in thatHallofBlooduntilthedangerwasover.

The sights he had seen there, with brief snatches of food and sleep byintervals,shallremainuntold.Themadjoyovertheprisonerswhoweresaved,hadastoundedhimscarcelylessthanthemadferocityagainstthosewhowerecuttopieces.Oneprisonertherewas,hesaid,whohadbeendischargedintothestreetfree,butatwhomamistakensavagehadthrustapikeashepassedout.Beingbesoughttogotohimanddressthewound,theDoctorhadpassedout at the same gate, and had found him in the arms of a company ofSamaritans, who were seated on the bodies of their victims. With aninconsistency as monstrous as anything in this awful nightmare, they hadhelpedthehealer,andtendedthewoundedmanwiththegentlestsolicitudehadmadealitterforhimandescortedhimcarefullyfromthespothadthencaughtup their weapons and plunged anew into a butchery so dreadful, that theDoctorhadcoveredhiseyeswithhishands,andswoonedawayinthemidstofit.

AsMr.Lorry received these confidences, and as hewatched the faceof hisfriendnowsixtytwoyearsofage,amisgivingarosewithinhimthatsuchdreadexperienceswouldrevivetheolddanger.

But, he had never seen his friend in his present aspect: he had never at allknownhiminhispresentcharacter.ForthefirsttimetheDoctorfelt,now,thathis suffering was strength and power. For the first time he felt that in that

sharpfire,hehadslowlyforgedtheironwhichcouldbreaktheprisondoorofhis daughter's husband, and deliver him. "It all tended to a good end, myfriend; itwasnotmerewaste and ruin.Asmybeloved childwashelpful inrestoringme tomyself, Iwillbehelpfulnowinrestoring thedearestpartofherselftoher;bytheaidofHeavenIwilldoit!"Thus,DoctorManette.AndwhenJarvisLorrysawthekindledeyes,theresoluteface,thecalmstronglookand bearing of the man whose life always seemed to him to have beenstopped, like a clock, for somany years, and then set going again with anenergy which had lain dormant during the cessation of its usefulness, hebelieved.

Greater things than theDoctorhadat that time tocontendwith,wouldhaveyieldedbeforehisperseveringpurpose.Whilehekepthimselfinhisplace,asaphysician,whosebusinesswaswithalldegreesofmankind,bondandfree,richandpoor,badandgood,heusedhispersonalinfluencesowisely,thathewas soon the inspecting physician of three prisons, and among them of LaForce.HecouldnowassureLucie that herhusbandwasno longer confinedalone,butwasmixedwiththegeneralbodyofprisoners;hesawherhusbandweekly,andbroughtsweetmessagestoher,straightfromhislips;sometimesherhusbandhimselfsenta letter toher(thoughneverbytheDoctor'shand),but she was not permitted to write to him: for, among the many wildsuspicionsofplotsintheprisons,thewildestofallpointedatemigrantswhowereknowntohavemadefriendsorpermanentconnectionsabroad.

ThisnewlifeoftheDoctor'swasananxiouslife,nodoubt;still,thesagaciousMr.Lorrysawthattherewasanewsustainingprideinit.Nothingunbecomingtinged the pride; it was a natural and worthy one; but he observed it as acuriosity.TheDoctorknew, thatup to that time,his imprisonmenthadbeenassociated in the minds of his daughter and his friend, with his personalaffliction,deprivation,andweakness.Nowthatthiswaschanged,andheknewhimself to be invested through that old trialwith forces towhich they bothlookedforCharles'sultimatesafetyanddeliverance,hebecamesofarexaltedby thechange, thathe took the leadanddirection, and required themas theweak,totrusttohimasthestrong.TheprecedingrelativepositionsofhimselfandLuciewerereversed,yetonlyastheliveliestgratitudeandaffectioncouldreversethem,forhecouldhavehadnopridebutinrenderingsomeservicetoherwhohadrenderedsomuchtohim."Allcurioustosee,"thoughtMr.Lorry,in his amiably shrewdway, "but all natural and right; so, take the lead,mydearfriend,andkeepit;itcouldn'tbeinbetterhands."

But, though the Doctor tried hard, and never ceased trying, to get CharlesDarnaysetatliberty,oratleasttogethimbroughttotrial,thepubliccurrentofthetimesettoostrongandfastforhim.Thenewerabegan;thekingwas

tried,doomed,andbeheaded;theRepublicofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,declaredforvictoryordeathagainsttheworldinarms;theblackflagwaved night and day from the great towers of Notre Dame; three hundredthousandmen,summonedtoriseagainstthetyrantsoftheearth,rosefromallthevaryingsoilsofFrance,asifthedragon'steethhadbeensownbroadcast,andhadyieldedfruitequallyonhillandplain,onrock,ingravel,andalluvialmud,underthebrightskyoftheSouthandunderthecloudsoftheNorth,infellandforest,inthevineyardsandtheolivegroundsandamongthecroppedgrassandthestubbleofthecorn,alongthefruitfulbanksofthebroadrivers,and in the sand of the seashore. What private solicitude could rear itselfagainstthedelugeoftheYearOneofLibertythedelugerisingfrombelow,notfallingfromabove,andwiththewindowsofHeavenshut,notopened!

There was no pause, no pity, no peace, no interval of relenting rest, nomeasurement of time. Though days and nights circled as regularly aswhentimewasyoung,andtheeveningandmorningwerethefirstday,othercountoftimetherewasnone.Holdofitwaslostintheragingfeverofanation,asitisinthefeverofonepatient.Now,breakingtheunnaturalsilenceofawholecity, the executioner showed the people the head of the kingand now, itseemed almost in the same breath, the head of his fairwifewhich had hadeightwearymonthsofimprisonedwidowhoodandmisery,toturnitgrey.

Andyet,observingthestrangelawofcontradictionwhichobtainsinallsuchcases,thetimewaslong,whileitflamedbysofast.Arevolutionarytribunalinthecapital,and fortyor fifty thousandrevolutionarycommitteesallover theland;alawoftheSuspected,whichstruckawayallsecurityforlibertyorlife,anddeliveredoveranygoodandinnocentperson toanybadandguiltyone;prisonsgorgedwithpeoplewhohadcommittednooffence,andcouldobtainnohearing;thesethingsbecametheestablishedorderandnatureofappointedthings, and seemed to be ancient usage before they were many weeks old.Above all, one hideous figure grew as familiar as if it had been before thegeneralgazefromthefoundationsoftheworldthefigureofthesharpfemalecalledLaGuillotine.

It was the popular theme for jests; it was the best cure for headache, itinfalliblypreventedthehairfromturninggrey,itimpartedapeculiardelicacytothecomplexion,itwastheNationalRazorwhichshavedclose:whokissedLaGuillotine, lookedthroughthelittlewindowandsneezedintothesack.Itwas thesignof the regenerationof thehumanrace. It superseded theCross.ModelsofitwerewornonbreastsfromwhichtheCrosswasdiscarded,anditwasboweddowntoandbelievedinwheretheCrosswasdenied.

Itshearedoffheadssomany,thatit,andthegrounditmostpolluted,werearottenred.Itwastakentopieces,likeatoypuzzleforayoungDevil,andwas

puttogetheragainwhentheoccasionwantedit.Ithushedtheeloquent,struckdown the powerful, abolished the beautiful and good. Twentytwo friends ofhighpublicmark,twentyonelivingandonedead,ithadloppedtheheadsoff,in one morning, in as many minutes. The name of the strong man of OldScripturehaddescendedtothechieffunctionarywhoworkedit;but,soarmed,hewas stronger than his namesake, and blinder, and tore away the gates ofGod'sownTempleeveryday.

Amongtheseterrors,andthebroodbelongingtothem,theDoctorwalkedwithasteadyhead:confident inhispower,cautiouslypersistent inhisend,neverdoubtingthathewouldsaveLucie'shusbandatlast.Yetthecurrentofthetimeswept by, so strong and deep, and carried the time away so fiercely, thatCharles had lain in prison one year and threemonthswhen theDoctorwasthus steady and confident. So much more wicked and distracted had theRevolutiongrowninthatDecembermonth, that theriversoftheSouthwereencumberedwiththebodiesoftheviolentlydrownedbynight,andprisonerswereshotinlinesandsquaresunderthesouthernwintrysun.Still,theDoctorwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead.Nomanbetterknownthanhe,inParisatthatday;nomaninastrangersituation.Silent,humane,indispensableinhospitalandprison,usinghisartequallyamongassassinsandvictims,hewasamanapart.In theexerciseofhisskill, theappearanceandthestoryoftheBastilleCaptiveremovedhimfromallothermen.Hewasnotsuspectedorbroughtinquestion,anymorethanifhehadindeedbeenrecalledtolifesomeeighteenyearsbefore,orwereaSpiritmovingamongmortals.

V.

TheWoodSawyer

Oneyearand threemonths.Duringall that timeLuciewasneversure, fromhourtohour,butthattheGuillotinewouldstrikeoffherhusband'sheadnextday. Every day, through the stony streets, the tumbrils now jolted heavily,filled with Condemned. Lovely girls; bright women, brownhaired,blackhaired,andgrey;youths;stalwartmenandold;gentlebornandpeasantborn;allredwineforLaGuillotine,alldailybroughtintolightfromthedarkcellarsoftheloathsomeprisons,andcarriedtoherthroughthestreetstoslakeher devouring thirst. Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death;the last,much theeasiesttobestow,OGuillotine!

If the suddenness of her calamity, and thewhirlingwheels of the time, had

stunnedtheDoctor'sdaughterintoawaitingtheresultinidledespair,itwouldbuthavebeenwithherasitwaswithmany.But,fromthehourwhenshehadtakenthewhiteheadtoherfreshyoungbosominthegarretofSaintAntoine,shehadbeentruetoherduties.Shewastruesttothemintheseasonoftrial,asallthequietlyloyalandgoodwillalwaysbe.

As soon as theywere established in their new residence, andher father hadenteredon the routineofhisavocations, shearranged the littlehouseholdasexactlyas ifherhusbandhadbeen there.Everythinghad itsappointedplaceanditsappointedtime.LittleLucieshetaught,asregularly,asiftheyhadallbeenunitedintheirEnglishhome.Theslightdeviceswithwhichshecheatedherself into the show of a belief that they would soon be reunitedthe littlepreparations for his speedy return, the setting aside of his chair and hisbooksthese, and the solemnprayer at night for one dear prisoner especially,amongthemanyunhappysoulsinprisonandtheshadowofdeathwerealmosttheonlyoutspokenreliefsofherheavymind.

She did not greatly alter in appearance. The plain dark dresses, akin tomourning dresses, which she and her child wore, were as neat and as wellattendedtoasthebrighterclothesofhappydays.Shelosthercolour,andtheoldandintentexpressionwasaconstant,notanoccasional,thing;otherwise,she remained very pretty and comely. Sometimes, at night on kissing herfather,shewouldburstintothegriefshehadrepressedallday,andwouldsaythat her sole reliance, under Heaven, was on him. He always resolutelyanswered: "Nothing can happen to himwithoutmy knowledge, and I knowthatIcansavehim,Lucie."

They had notmade the round of their changed lifemanyweeks, when herfathersaidtoher,oncominghomeoneevening:

"My dear, there is an upper window in the prison, to which Charles cansometimesgainaccessat three in theafternoon.Whenhecanget to itwhichdependsonmanyuncertaintiesandincidentshemightseeyouinthestreet,hethinks,ifyoustoodinacertainplacethatIcanshowyou.Butyouwillnotbeabletoseehim,mypoorchild,andevenifyoucould,itwouldbeunsafeforyoutomakeasignofrecognition."

"Oshowmetheplace,myfather,andIwillgothereeveryday."

From that time, in all weathers, she waited there two hours. As the clockstrucktwo,shewasthere,andatfoursheturnedresignedlyaway.Whenitwasnot toowetor inclement forherchild tobewithher, theywent together; atothertimesshewasalone;but,shenevermissedasingleday.

Itwasthedarkanddirtycornerofasmallwindingstreet.Thehovelofacutter

ofwoodintolengthsforburning,wastheonlyhouseatthatend;allelsewaswall.Onthethirddayofherbeingthere,henoticedher.

"Goodday,citizeness."

"Goodday,citizen."

Thismodeofaddresswasnowprescribedbydecree.Ithadbeenestablishedvoluntarilysome timeago,among themore thoroughpatriots;but,wasnowlawforeverybody.

"Walkinghereagain,citizeness?"

"Youseeme,citizen!"

Thewoodsawyer,whowasalittlemanwitharedundancyofgesture(hehadoncebeenamenderofroads),castaglanceattheprison,pointedattheprison,andputtinghis ten fingersbeforehis face to representbars, peeped throughthemjocosely.

"Butit'snotmybusiness,"saidhe.Andwentonsawinghiswood.

Next day he was looking out for her, and accosted her the moment sheappeared.

"What?Walkinghereagain,citizeness?"

"Yes,citizen."

"Ah!Achildtoo!Yourmother,isitnot,mylittlecitizeness?"

"DoIsayyes,mamma?"whisperedlittleLucie,drawingclosetoher.

"Yes,dearest."

"Yes,citizen."

"Ah!Butit'snotmybusiness.Myworkismybusiness.Seemysaw!IcallitmyLittleGuillotine.La,la,la;La,la,la!Andoffhisheadcomes!"

Thebilletfellashespoke,andhethrewitintoabasket.

"IcallmyselftheSamsonofthefirewoodguillotine.Seehereagain!Loo,loo,loo; Loo, loo, loo! And off her head comes! Now, a child. Tickle, tickle;Pickle,pickle!Andoffitsheadcomes.Allthefamily!"

Lucie shuddered as he threw two more billets into his basket, but it wasimpossible tobe therewhile thewoodsawyerwasatwork,andnotbe inhis

sight.Thenceforth,tosecurehisgoodwill,shealwaysspoketohimfirst,andoftengavehimdrinkmoney,whichhereadilyreceived.

Hewasaninquisitivefellow,andsometimeswhenshehadquiteforgottenhimin gazing at the prison roof and grates, and in lifting her heart up to herhusband,shewouldcometoherselftofindhimlookingather,withhiskneeonhisbenchandhissawstoppedinitswork."But it'snotmybusiness!"hewouldgenerallysayatthosetimes,andwouldbrisklyfalltohissawingagain.

Inallweathers,inthesnowandfrostofwinter,inthebitterwindsofspring,inthehotsunshineofsummer,intherainsofautumn,andagaininthesnowandfrostofwinter,Luciepassedtwohoursofeverydayat thisplace;andeveryday on leaving it, she kissed the prisonwall. Her husband saw her (so shelearnedfromherfather)itmightbeonceinfiveorsixtimes:itmightbetwiceor thrice running: itmight be, not for aweekor a fortnight together. Itwasenough that he could and did see herwhen the chances served, and on thatpossibilityshewouldhavewaitedouttheday,sevendaysaweek.

These occupations brought her round to the December month, wherein herfather walked among the terrors with a steady head. On a lightlysnowingafternoonshearrivedattheusualcorner.Itwasadayofsomewildrejoicing,and a festival. She had seen the houses, as she came along, decoratedwithlittle pikes, andwith little red caps stuck upon them; also, with tricolouredribbons; also, with the standard inscription (tricoloured letters were thefavourite), Republic One and Indivisible. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, orDeath!

Themiserable shopof thewoodsawyerwas so small, that itswhole surfacefurnished very indifferent space for this legend. He had got somebody toscrawl it up for him, however, who had squeezed Death in with mostinappropriatedifficulty.Onhishousetop,hedisplayedpikeandcap,asagoodcitizenmust,andinawindowhehadstationedhissawinscribedashis"LittleSainte Guillotine"for the great sharp female was by that time popularlycanonised. His shop was shut and he was not there, which was a relief toLucie,andleftherquitealone.

But, hewas not far off, for presently she heard a troubledmovement and ashoutingcomingalong,whichfilledherwithfear.Amomentafterwards,andathrong of people came pouring round the corner by the prison wall, in themidstofwhomwasthewoodsawyerhandinhandwithTheVengeance.Therecouldnotbefewerthanfivehundredpeople,andtheyweredancinglikefivethousand demons. There was no other music than their own singing. TheydancedtothepopularRevolutionsong,keepingaferocioustimethatwaslikea gnashing of teeth in unison. Men and women danced together, women

danced together,mendanced together, ashazardhadbrought them together.Atfirst, theywereamerestormofcoarseredcapsandcoarsewoollenrags;but,astheyfilledtheplace,andstoppedtodanceaboutLucie,someghastlyapparition of a dancefigure gone raving mad arose among them. Theyadvanced, retreated, struck at one another's hands, clutched at one another'sheads, spun round alone, caught one another and spun round in pairs, untilmanyofthemdropped.Whilethoseweredown,therestlinkedhandinhand,andallspunroundtogether:thentheringbroke,andinseparateringsoftwoand four they turned and turneduntil they all stopped at once, began again,struck, clutched, and tore, and then reversed the spin, and all spun roundanotherway.Suddenlytheystoppedagain,paused,struckoutthetimeafresh,formedintolinesthewidthofthepublicway,and,withtheirheadslowdownand their hands high up, swooped screaming off.No fight could have beenhalfsoterribleasthisdance.Itwassoemphaticallyafallensportasomething,once innocent, deliveredover to all devilryahealthypastimechanged into ameansof angering theblood, bewildering the senses, and steeling theheart.Suchgraceaswasvisible in it,madeit theuglier,showinghowwarpedandpervertedallthingsgoodbynaturewerebecome.Themaidenlybosombaredtothis,theprettyalmostchild'sheadthusdistracted,thedelicatefootmincinginthissloughofbloodanddirt,weretypesofthedisjointedtime.

This was the Carmagnole. As it passed, leaving Lucie frightened andbewilderedinthedoorwayofthewoodsawyer'shouse,thefeatherysnowfellasquietlyandlayaswhiteandsoft,asifithadneverbeen.

"Omy father!" for he stoodbeforeherwhen she liftedup the eyes shehadmomentarilydarkenedwithherhand;"suchacruel,badsight."

"Iknow,mydear,Iknow.Ihaveseenitmanytimes.Don'tbefrightened!Notoneofthemwouldharmyou."

"Iamnotfrightenedformyself,myfather.ButwhenIthinkofmyhusband,andthemerciesofthesepeople"

"Wewill set him above theirmercies very soon. I left him climbing to thewindow,andIcametotellyou.Thereisnooneheretosee.Youmaykissyourhandtowardsthathighestshelvingroof."

"Idoso,father,andIsendhimmySoulwithit!"

"Youcannotseehim,mypoordear?"

"No,father,"saidLucie,yearningandweepingasshekissedherhand,"no."

Afootstepinthesnow.MadameDefarge."Isaluteyou,citizeness,"fromthe

Doctor. "I salute you, citizen." This in passing. Nothing more. MadameDefargegone,likeashadowoverthewhiteroad.

"Givemeyourarm,mylove.Passfromherewithanairofcheerfulnessandcourage,forhissake.Thatwaswelldone;"theyhadleftthespot;"itshallnotbeinvain.Charlesissummonedfortomorrow."

"Fortomorrow!"

"Thereisnotimetolose.Iamwellprepared,butthereareprecautionstobetaken, that could not be taken until he was actually summoned before theTribunal.Hehasnotreceivedthenoticeyet,butIknowthathewillpresentlybesummonedfor tomorrow,andremovedto theConciergerie; Ihave timelyinformation.Youarenotafraid?"

Shecouldscarcelyanswer,"Itrustinyou."

"Do so, implicitly. Your suspense is nearly ended, my darling; he shall berestored to you within a few hours; I have encompassed him with everyprotection.ImustseeLorry."

Hestopped.Therewasaheavylumberingofwheelswithinhearing.Theybothknew toowellwhat itmeant.One.Two.Three.Three tumbrils faring awaywiththeirdreadloadsoverthehushingsnow.

"ImustseeLorry,"theDoctorrepeated,turningheranotherway.

Thestauncholdgentlemanwasstillinhistrust;hadneverleftit.Heandhisbooks were in frequent requisition as to property confiscated and madenational.Whathecouldsavefortheowners,hesaved.NobettermanlivingtoholdfastbywhatTellson'shadinkeeping,andtoholdhispeace.

Amurky red and yellow sky, and a risingmist from the Seine, denoted theapproachofdarkness.ItwasalmostdarkwhentheyarrivedattheBank.ThestatelyresidenceofMonseigneurwasaltogetherblightedanddeserted.Abovea heap of dust and ashes in the court, ran the letters: National Property.RepublicOneandIndivisible.Liberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath!

Who could that be with Mr. Lorrythe owner of the ridingcoat upon thechairwho must not be seen? From whom newly arrived, did he come out,agitated and surprised, to take his favourite in his arms? To whom did heappear to repeather falteringwords,when, raisinghisvoiceand turninghishead towards the door of the room from which he had issued, he said:"RemovedtotheConciergerie,andsummonedfortomorrow?"

VI.

Triumph

ThedreadtribunaloffiveJudges,PublicProsecutor,anddeterminedJury,satevery day. Their lists went forth every evening, and were read out by thegaolersofthevariousprisonstotheirprisoners.Thestandardgaolerjokewas,"ComeoutandlistentotheEveningPaper,youinsidethere!"

"CharlesEvremonde,calledDarnay!"

SoatlastbegantheEveningPaperatLaForce.

Whenanamewascalled,itsownersteppedapartintoaspotreservedforthosewho were announced as being thus fatally recorded. Charles Evremonde,calledDarnay,hadreasontoknowtheusage;hehadseenhundredspassawayso.

His bloated gaoler,whowore spectacles to readwith, glanced over them toassurehimselfthathehadtakenhisplace,andwentthroughthelist,makingasimilar short pause at each name. There were twentythree names, but onlytwentywererespondedto;foroneoftheprisonerssosummonedhaddiedingaolandbeenforgotten,andtwohadalreadybeenguillotinedandforgotten.The list was read, in the vaulted chamber where Darnay had seen theassociated prisoners on the night of his arrival. Every one of those hadperished in themassacre; every human creature he had since cared for andpartedwith,haddiedonthescaffold.

Therewerehurriedwordsoffarewellandkindness,butthepartingwassoonover. It was the incident of every day, and the society of La Force wereengagedinthepreparationofsomegamesofforfeitsandalittleconcert,forthat evening. They crowded to the grates and shed tears there; but, twentyplacesintheprojectedentertainmentshadtoberefilled,andthetimewas,atbest,shorttothelockuphour,whenthecommonroomsandcorridorswouldbedeliveredover to thegreatdogswhokeptwatch there through thenight.Theprisonerswere far from insensibleorunfeeling; theirwaysaroseoutoftheconditionofthetime.Similarly,thoughwithasubtledifference,aspeciesoffervourorintoxication,known,withoutdoubt,tohaveledsomepersonstobravetheguillotineunnecessarily,andtodiebyit,wasnotmereboastfulness,butawildinfectionofthewildlyshakenpublicmind.Inseasonsofpestilence,some of us will have a secret attraction to the diseasea terrible passinginclinationtodieofit.Andallofushavelikewondershiddeninourbreasts,

onlyneedingcircumstancestoevokethem.

The passage to the Conciergerie was short and dark; the night in itsverminhauntedcellswaslongandcold.Nextday,fifteenprisonerswereputtothe bar before Charles Darnay's name was called. All the fifteen werecondemned,andthetrialsofthewholeoccupiedanhourandahalf.

"CharlesEvremonde,calledDarnay,"wasatlengtharraigned.

His judges sat upon theBench in feathered hats; but the rough red cap andtricoloured cockadewas the headdress otherwise prevailing. Looking at theJuryandtheturbulentaudience,hemighthavethoughtthattheusualorderofthings was reversed, and that the felons were trying the honest men. Thelowest, cruelest, andworst populace of a city, neverwithout its quantity oflow, cruel, and bad, were the directing spirits of the scene: noisilycommenting, applauding, disapproving, anticipating, and precipitating theresult,without a check.Of themen, the greater partwere armed in variousways;ofthewomen,someworeknives,somedaggers,someateanddrankastheylookedon,manyknitted.Amongtheselast,wasone,withasparepieceofknittingunderherarmassheworked.Shewasinafrontrow,bythesideofamanwhomhehadneverseensincehisarrivalattheBarrier,butwhomhedirectlyrememberedasDefarge.Henoticedthatsheonceortwicewhisperedinhisear,andthatsheseemedtobehiswife;but,whathemostnoticedinthetwo figureswas, that although theywere posted as close to himself as theycould be, they never looked towards him. They seemed to be waiting forsomethingwith a dogged determination, and they looked at the Jury, but atnothingelse.UnderthePresidentsatDoctorManette,inhisusualquietdress.Aswellastheprisonercouldsee,heandMr.Lorryweretheonlymenthere,unconnected with the Tribunal, who wore their usual clothes, and had notassumedthecoarsegarboftheCarmagnole.

CharlesEvremonde, calledDarnay,wasaccusedby thepublicprosecutor asan emigrant,whose lifewas forfeit to theRepublic, under thedecreewhichbanishedallemigrantsonpainofDeath. Itwasnothing that thedecreeboredatesincehisreturntoFrance.Therehewas,andtherewasthedecree;hehadbeentakeninFrance,andhisheadwasdemanded.

"Takeoffhishead!"criedtheaudience."AnenemytotheRepublic!"

The President rang his bell to silence those cries, and asked the prisonerwhetheritwasnottruethathehadlivedmanyyearsinEngland?

Undoubtedlyitwas.

Washenotanemigrantthen?Whatdidhecallhimself?

Notanemigrant,hehoped,withinthesenseandspiritofthelaw.

Whynot?thePresidentdesiredtoknow.

Becausehehadvoluntarilyrelinquishedatitlethatwasdistastefultohim,anda station that was distasteful to him, and had left his countryhe submittedbefore theword emigrant in the present acceptation by the Tribunalwas inuseto livebyhisownindustry inEngland, rather thanon the industryof theoverladenpeopleofFrance.

Whatproofhadheofthis?

Hehandedinthenamesoftwowitnesses;TheophileGabelle,andAlexandreManette.

ButhehadmarriedinEngland?thePresidentremindedhim.

True,butnotanEnglishwoman.

AcitizenessofFrance?

Yes.Bybirth.

Hernameandfamily?

"LucieManette,onlydaughterofDoctorManette,thegoodphysicianwhositsthere."

Thisanswerhadahappyeffectupontheaudience.Cries inexaltationof thewellknown good physician rent the hall. So capriciously were the peoplemoved, that tears immediately rolled down several ferocious countenanceswhichhadbeenglaringattheprisoneramomentbefore,asifwithimpatiencetopluckhimoutintothestreetsandkillhim.

On these few steps of his dangerous way, Charles Darnay had set his footaccording to Doctor Manette's reiterated instructions. The same cautiouscounseldirectedeverystepthatlaybeforehim,andhadpreparedeveryinchofhisroad.

The President asked, why had he returned to France when he did, and notsooner?

Hehadnot returned sooner, he replied, simplybecausehehadnomeansoflivinginFrance,savethosehehadresigned;whereas,inEngland,helivedbygivinginstructionintheFrenchlanguageandliterature.Hehadreturnedwhenhe did, on the pressing and written entreaty of a French citizen, whorepresentedthathislifewasendangeredbyhisabsence.Hehadcomeback,to

saveacitizen'slife,andtobearhistestimony,atwhateverpersonalhazard,tothetruth.WasthatcriminalintheeyesoftheRepublic?

Thepopulacecriedenthusiastically, "No!" and thePresident ranghisbell toquietthem.Whichitdidnot,fortheycontinuedtocry"No!"untiltheyleftoff,oftheirownwill.

ThePresidentrequiredthenameofthatcitizen.Theaccusedexplainedthatthecitizenwashisfirstwitness.Healsoreferredwithconfidencetothecitizen'sletter, which had been taken from him at the Barrier, but which he did notdoubtwouldbefoundamongthepapersthenbeforethePresident.

TheDoctorhadtakencarethatitshouldbetherehadassuredhimthatitwouldbethereandatthisstageoftheproceedingsitwasproducedandread.CitizenGabelle was called to confirm it, and did so. Citizen Gabelle hinted, withinfinitedelicacyandpoliteness,thatinthepressureofbusinessimposedontheTribunal by themultitude of enemies of the Republic with which it had todeal,hehadbeenslightlyoverlookedinhisprisonoftheAbbayeinfact,hadratherpassedoutoftheTribunal'spatrioticremembranceuntilthreedaysago;when he had been summoned before it, and had been set at liberty on theJury's declaring themselves satisfied that the accusation against him wasanswered, as to himself, by the surrender of the citizen Evremonde, calledDarnay.

DoctorManette was next questioned. His high personal popularity, and theclearnessofhisanswers,madeagreatimpression;but,asheproceeded,asheshowed that the Accused was his first friend on his release from his longimprisonment;that,theaccusedhadremainedinEngland,alwaysfaithfulanddevoted tohisdaughterandhimself in theirexile; that, so far frombeing infavourwiththeAristocratgovernmentthere,hehadactuallybeentriedforhislifebyit,asthefoeofEnglandandfriendoftheUnitedStatesashebroughtthese circumstances into view, with the greatest discretion and with thestraightforward force of truth and earnestness, the Jury and the populacebecameone.Atlast,whenheappealedbynametoMonsieurLorry,anEnglishgentleman then and there present,who, like himself, had been awitness onthatEnglishtrialandcouldcorroboratehisaccountofit,theJurydeclaredthatthey had heard enough, and that they were ready with their votes if thePresidentwerecontenttoreceivethem.

Ateveryvote(theJurymenvotedaloudandindividually),thepopulacesetupa shout of applause. All the voices were in the prisoner's favour, and thePresidentdeclaredhimfree.

Then, began one of those extraordinary scenes with which the populace

sometimes gratified their fickleness, or their better impulses towardsgenerosity and mercy, or which they regarded as some setoff against theirswollen account of cruel rage. No man can decide now to which of thesemotivessuchextraordinarysceneswerereferable;itisprobable,toablendingofall the three,with thesecondpredominating.Nosoonerwas theacquittalpronounced,thantearswereshedasfreelyasbloodatanothertime,andsuchfraternalembraceswerebestowedupontheprisonerbyasmanyofbothsexesascouldrushathim,thatafterhislongandunwholesomeconfinementhewasin danger of fainting from exhaustion; none the less because he knew verywell,thattheverysamepeople,carriedbyanothercurrent,wouldhaverushedathimwiththeverysameintensity,torendhimtopiecesandstrewhimoverthestreets.

His removal, tomakeway for other accused personswhowere to be tried,rescued him from these caresses for the moment. Five were to be triedtogether,next,asenemiesoftheRepublic,forasmuchastheyhadnotassistedit byword or deed. So quickwas theTribunal to compensate itself and thenationforachance lost, that thesefivecamedowntohimbeforehe left theplace,condemnedtodiewithintwentyfourhours.Thefirstof themtoldhimso,withthecustomaryprisonsignofDeatharaisedfingerandtheyalladdedinwords,"LonglivetheRepublic!"

The five had had, it is true, no audience to lengthen their proceedings, forwhenheandDoctorManetteemergedfromthegate,therewasagreatcrowdabout it, inwhich thereseemed tobeeveryfacehehadseen inCourtexcepttwo,forwhichhelookedinvain.Onhiscomingout, theconcoursemadeathim anew, weeping, embracing, and shouting, all by turns and all together,untiltheverytideoftheriveronthebankofwhichthemadscenewasacted,seemedtorunmad,likethepeopleontheshore.

They put him into a great chair they had among them, andwhich they hadtakeneitheroutoftheCourtitself,oroneofitsroomsorpassages.Overthechairtheyhadthrownaredflag,andtothebackofittheyhadboundapikewith a red cap on its top. In this car of triumph, not even the Doctor'sentreatiescouldpreventhisbeingcarriedtohishomeonmen'sshoulders,withaconfusedseaofredcapsheavingabouthim,andcastinguptosightfromthestormy deep such wrecks of faces, that he more than once misdoubted hismind being in confusion, and that hewas in the tumbril on his way to theGuillotine.

In wild dreamlike procession, embracing whom theymet and pointing himout, they carried him on. Reddening the snowy streets with the prevailingRepublican colour, in winding and tramping through them, as they hadreddenedthembelowthesnowwithadeeperdye,theycarriedhimthusinto

thecourtyardofthebuildingwherehelived.Herfatherhadgoneonbefore,toprepareher,andwhenherhusbandstooduponhisfeet,shedroppedinsensibleinhisarms.

Asheheldhertohisheartandturnedherbeautifulheadbetweenhisfaceandthebrawlingcrowd,sothathistearsandherlipsmightcometogetherunseen,afewof thepeoplefell todancing.Instantly,all therestfell todancing,andthe courtyardoverflowedwith theCarmagnole.Then, theyelevated into thevacantchairayoungwomanfromthecrowdtobecarriedastheGoddessofLiberty,and thenswellingandoverflowingout into theadjacent streets, andalong the river's bank, and over the bridge, the Carmagnole absorbed themeveryoneandwhirledthemaway.

AftergraspingtheDoctor'shand,ashestoodvictoriousandproudbeforehim;aftergraspingthehandofMr.Lorry,whocamepantinginbreathlessfromhisstruggle against thewaterspoutof theCarmagnole; afterkissing littleLucie,whowaslifteduptoclaspherarmsroundhisneck;andafterembracingtheeverzealousand faithfulProsswho liftedher;he tookhiswife inhis arms,andcarriedheruptotheirrooms.

"Lucie!Myown!Iamsafe."

"OdearestCharles,letmethankGodforthisonmykneesasIhaveprayedtoHim."

Theyallreverentlybowedtheirheadsandhearts.Whenshewasagaininhisarms,hesaidtoher:

"Andnowspeaktoyourfather,dearest.NoothermaninallthisFrancecouldhavedonewhathehasdoneforme."

Shelaidherheaduponherfather'sbreast,asshehadlaidhispoorheadonherownbreast, long, longago.Hewashappyin thereturnhehadmadeher,hewas recompensed forhis suffering,hewasproudofhis strength. "Youmustnot beweak,my darling," he remonstrated; "don't tremble so. I have savedhim."

VII.

AKnockattheDoor

"Ihavesavedhim." Itwasnotanotherof thedreams inwhichhehadoften

comeback; hewas really here.Andyet hiswife trembled, and a vaguebutheavyfearwasuponher.

All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionatelyrevengeful and fitful, the innocentwere soconstantlyput todeathonvaguesuspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many asblameless as her husband and as dear to others as hewas to her, every daysharedthefatefromwhichhehadbeenclutched,thatherheartcouldnotbeaslightened of its load as she felt it ought to be. The shadows of the wintryafternoonwerebeginningtofall,andevennowthedreadfulcartswererollingthrough the streets. Her mind pursued them, looking for him among theCondemned;andthensheclungclosertohisrealpresenceandtrembledmore.

Herfather,cheeringher,showedacompassionatesuperioritytothiswoman'sweakness, which was wonderful to see. No garret, no shoemaking, no OneHundredandFive,NorthTower,now!Hehadaccomplishedthe taskhehadset himself, his promisewas redeemed, he had savedCharles. Let them allleanuponhim.

Theirhousekeepingwasofaveryfrugalkind:notonlybecausethatwasthesafestwayoflife,involvingtheleastoffencetothepeople,butbecausetheywere not rich, and Charles, throughout his imprisonment, had had to payheavily for his bad food, and for his guard, and towards the living of thepoorerprisoners.Partlyon this account, andpartly to avoid adomestic spy,they kept no servant; the citizen and citizeness who acted as porters at thecourtyard gate, rendered them occasional service; and Jerry (almost whollytransferredtothembyMr.Lorry)hadbecometheirdailyretainer,andhadhisbedthereeverynight.

ItwasanordinanceoftheRepublicOneandIndivisibleofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,thatonthedoorordoorpostofeveryhouse,thenameofeveryinmatemustbelegiblyinscribedinlettersofacertainsize,atacertainconvenientheightfromtheground.Mr.JerryCruncher'sname,therefore,dulyembellished the doorpost down below; and, as the afternoon shadowsdeepened, the owner of that name himself appeared, from overlooking apainterwhomDoctorManette had employed to add to the list the name ofCharlesEvremonde,calledDarnay.

Intheuniversalfearanddistrustthatdarkenedthetime,alltheusualharmlesswaysof lifewerechanged. In theDoctor's littlehousehold,as inverymanyothers, the articles of daily consumption that were wanted were purchasedevery evening, in small quantities and at various small shops. To avoidattractingnotice,and togiveas littleoccasionaspossible for talkandenvy,wasthegeneraldesire.

Forsomemonthspast,MissProssandMr.Cruncherhaddischargedtheofficeof purveyors; the former carrying the money; the latter, the basket. Everyafternoon at about the timewhen the public lampswere lighted, they faredforth on this duty, and made and brought home such purchases as wereneedful. Although Miss Pross, through her long association with a Frenchfamily,mighthaveknownasmuchoftheirlanguageasofherown,ifshehadhadamind,shehadnomindinthatdirection;consequentlysheknewnomoreofthat"nonsense"(asshewaspleasedtocallit)thanMr.Cruncherdid.Sohermanner of marketing was to plump a nounsubstantive at the head of ashopkeeper without any introduction in the nature of an article, and, if ithappenednot tobe thenameof the thingshewanted, to lookroundfor thatthing, layholdof it, andholdonby ituntil thebargainwasconcluded.Shealwaysmadeabargain for it,byholdingup,asa statementof its justprice,onefingerlessthanthemerchantheldup,whateverhisnumbermightbe.

"Now,Mr.Cruncher,"saidMissPross,whoseeyeswereredwithfelicity;"ifyouareready,Iam."

JerryhoarselyprofessedhimselfatMissPross'sservice.Hehadwornallhisrustofflongago,butnothingwouldfilehisspikyheaddown.

"There'sallmannerofthingswanted,"saidMissPross,"andweshallhaveaprecioustimeofit.Wewantwine,amongtherest.NicetoaststheseRedheadswillbedrinking,whereverwebuyit."

"Itwillbemuchthesametoyourknowledge,miss,Ishouldthink,"retortedJerry,"whethertheydrinkyourhealthortheOldUn's."

"Who'she?"saidMissPross.

Mr. Cruncher, with some diffidence, explained himself as meaning "OldNick's."

"Ha!"saidMissPross,"itdoesn'tneedaninterpretertoexplainthemeaningofthesecreatures.Theyhavebutone,andit'sMidnightMurder,andMischief."

"Hush,dear!Pray,pray,becautious!"criedLucie.

"Yes, yes, yes, I'll be cautious," said Miss Pross; "but I may say amongourselves,thatIdohopetherewillbenoonionyandtobaccoeysmotheringsinthe form of embracings all round, going on in the streets. Now, Ladybird,neveryoustir fromthat fire till Icomeback!Takecareof thedearhusbandyouhaverecovered,anddon'tmoveyourprettyheadfromhisshoulderasyouhave it now, till you seeme again!May I ask a question, DoctorManette,beforeIgo?"

"Ithinkyoumaytakethatliberty,"theDoctoranswered,smiling.

"For gracious sake, don't talk aboutLiberty;wehavequite enoughof that,"saidMissPross.

"Hush,dear!Again?"Lucieremonstrated.

"Well,mysweet,"saidMissPross,noddingherheademphatically,"theshortandthelongofit is, thatIamasubjectofHisMostGraciousMajestyKingGeorgetheThird;"MissProsscurtseyedatthename;"andassuch,mymaximis,Confoundtheirpolitics,Frustratetheirknavishtricks,Onhimourhopeswefix,GodsavetheKing!"

Mr. Cruncher, in an access of loyalty, growlingly repeated the words afterMissPross,likesomebodyatchurch.

"IamgladyouhavesomuchoftheEnglishmaninyou,thoughIwishyouhadnever taken that cold in your voice," saidMissPross, approvingly. "But thequestion,DoctorManette.Isthere"itwasthegoodcreature'swaytoaffecttomakelightofanythingthatwasagreatanxietywiththemall,andtocomeatitin this chance manner"is there any prospect yet, of our getting out of thisplace?"

"Ifearnotyet.ItwouldbedangerousforCharlesyet."

"Heighhohum!"saidMissPross,cheerfullyrepressingasighassheglancedatherdarling'sgoldenhairinthelightofthefire,"thenwemusthavepatienceandwait: that'sall.Wemustholdupourheadsandfight low,asmybrotherSolomonusedtosay.Now,Mr.Cruncher!Don'tyoumove,Ladybird!"

Theywentout,leavingLucie,andherhusband,herfather,andthechild,byabright fire.Mr.Lorrywasexpectedbackpresently fromtheBankingHouse.Miss Pross had lighted the lamp, but had put it aside in a corner, that theymightenjoythefirelightundisturbed.LittleLuciesatbyhergrandfatherwithherhandsclaspedthroughhisarm:andhe,inatonenotrisingmuchaboveawhisper, began to tell her a story of a great and powerful Fairy who hadopened a prisonwall and let out a captive who had once done the Fairy aservice.Allwassubduedandquiet,andLuciewasmoreateasethanshehadbeen.

"Whatisthat?"shecried,allatonce.

"Mydear!"saidherfather,stoppinginhisstory,andlayinghishandonhers,"command yourself. What a disordered state you are in! The leastthingnothingstartlesyou!You,yourfather'sdaughter!"

"Ithought,myfather,"saidLucie,excusingherself,withapalefaceandinafalteringvoice,"thatIheardstrangefeetuponthestairs."

"Mylove,thestaircaseisasstillasDeath."

Ashesaidtheword,ablowwasstruckuponthedoor.

"Ohfather,father.Whatcanthisbe!HideCharles.Savehim!"

"Mychild,"saidtheDoctor,rising,andlayinghishanduponhershoulder,"Ihavesavedhim.Whatweaknessisthis,mydear!Letmegotothedoor."

He took the lamp inhishand, crossed the two interveningouter rooms, andopenedit.Arudeclatteringoffeetoverthefloor,andfourroughmeninredcaps,armedwithsabresandpistols,enteredtheroom.

"TheCitizenEvremonde,calledDarnay,"saidthefirst.

"Whoseekshim?"answeredDarnay.

"I seek him.We seek him. I know you, Evremonde; I saw you before theTribunaltoday.YouareagaintheprisoneroftheRepublic."

Thefoursurroundedhim,wherehestoodwithhiswifeandchildclingingtohim.

"TellmehowandwhyamIagainaprisoner?"

"It is enough that you return straight to the Conciergerie, and will knowtomorrow.Youaresummonedfortomorrow."

DoctorManette,whomthisvisitationhadso turned intostone, thathestoodwiththelampinhishand,asifbewoeastatuemadetoholdit,movedafterthesewordswerespoken,putthelampdown,andconfrontingthespeaker,andtakinghim,notungently,bytheloosefrontofhisredwoollenshirt,said:

"Youknowhim,youhavesaid.Doyouknowme?"

"Yes,Iknowyou,CitizenDoctor."

"Weallknowyou,CitizenDoctor,"saidtheotherthree.

Helookedabstractedlyfromonetoanother,andsaid,inalowervoice,afterapause:

"Willyouanswerhisquestiontomethen?Howdoesthishappen?"

"Citizen Doctor," said the first, reluctantly, "he has been denounced to the

Section of Saint Antoine. This citizen," pointing out the second who hadentered,"isfromSaintAntoine."

Thecitizenhereindicatednoddedhishead,andadded:

"HeisaccusedbySaintAntoine."

"Ofwhat?"askedtheDoctor.

"CitizenDoctor,"saidthefirst,withhisformerreluctance,"asknomore.IftheRepublic demands sacrifices fromyou,without doubt you as a good patriotwill be happy to make them. The Republic goes before all. The People issupreme.Evremonde,wearepressed."

"Oneword,"theDoctorentreated."Willyoutellmewhodenouncedhim?"

"Itisagainstrule,"answeredthefirst;"butyoucanaskHimofSaintAntoinehere."

TheDoctorturnedhiseyesuponthatman.Whomoveduneasilyonhisfeet,rubbedhisbeardalittle,andatlengthsaid:

"Well!Trulyit isagainstrule.ButheisdenouncedandgravelybytheCitizenandCitizenessDefarge.Andbyoneother."

"Whatother?"

"Doyouask,CitizenDoctor?"

"Yes."

"Then,"saidheofSaintAntoine,withastrangelook,"youwillbeansweredtomorrow.Now,Iamdumb!"

VIII.

AHandatCards

Happily unconscious of the new calamity at home,Miss Pross threaded herway along the narrow streets and crossed the river by the bridge of thePontNeuf, reckoning inhermind thenumberof indispensablepurchasesshehad tomake.Mr. Cruncher,with the basket, walked at her side. They bothlooked to the right and to the left intomostof the shops theypassed,hada

waryeyeforallgregariousassemblagesofpeople,andturnedoutoftheirroadtoavoidanyveryexcitedgroupoftalkers.Itwasarawevening,andthemistyriver,blurred to theeyewithblazing lightsand to theearwithharshnoises,showedwherethebargeswerestationedinwhichthesmithsworked,makingguns for theArmyof theRepublic.Woe to themanwhoplayed trickswiththatArmy,orgotundeservedpromotioninit!Betterforhimthathisbeardhadnevergrown,fortheNationalRazorshavedhimclose.

Havingpurchasedafewsmallarticlesofgrocery,andameasureofoilforthelamp,Miss Pross bethought herself of thewine theywanted.After peepingintoseveralwineshops,shestoppedatthesignoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity,notfarfromtheNationalPalace,once(andtwice)theTuileries,wheretheaspectofthingsrathertookherfancy.Ithadaquieterlookthananyother place of the same description they had passed, and, though red withpatrioticcaps,wasnotsoredastherest.SoundingMr.Cruncher,andfindinghim of her opinion,Miss Pross resorted to the Good Republican Brutus ofAntiquity,attendedbyhercavalier.

Slightlyobservantofthesmokylights;ofthepeople,pipeinmouth,playingwith limp cards and yellow dominoes; of the one barebreasted, barearmed,sootbegrimedworkmanreadingajournalaloud,andoftheotherslisteningtohim; of theweaponsworn, or laid aside to be resumed; of the two or threecustomers fallen forward asleep,who in the popular highshouldered shaggyblackspencerlooked,inthatattitude, likeslumberingbearsordogs; thetwooutlandishcustomersapproachedthecounter,andshowedwhattheywanted.

Astheirwinewasmeasuringout,amanpartedfromanothermaninacorner,androsetodepart.Ingoing,hehadtofaceMissPross.Nosoonerdidhefaceher,thanMissProssutteredascream,andclappedherhands.

In a moment, the whole company were on their feet. That somebody wasassassinatedbysomebodyvindicatingadifferenceofopinionwasthelikeliestoccurrence.Everybodylookedtoseesomebodyfall,butonlysawamanandawomanstandingstaringateachother;themanwithalltheoutwardaspectofaFrenchmanandathoroughRepublican;thewoman,evidentlyEnglish.

Whatwassaid in thisdisappointinganticlimax,bythedisciplesof theGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity,exceptthatitwassomethingveryvolubleandloud,wouldhavebeenassomuchHebreworChaldeantoMissProssandherprotector,thoughtheyhadbeenallears.But,theyhadnoearsforanythingintheir surprise.For, itmustbe recorded, thatnotonlywasMissPross lost inamazement and agitation, but, Mr. Cruncherthough it seemed on his ownseparateandindividualaccountwasinastateofthegreatestwonder.

"What is thematter?" said themanwho had causedMiss Pross to scream;speakinginavexed,abruptvoice(thoughinalowtone),andinEnglish.

"Oh, Solomon, dear Solomon!" criedMiss Pross, clapping her hands again."Afternotsettingeyesuponyouorhearingofyouforsolongatime,doIfindyouhere!"

"Don'tcallmeSolomon.Doyouwanttobethedeathofme?"askedtheman,inafurtive,frightenedway.

"Brother,brother!"criedMissPross,burstingintotears."HaveIeverbeensohardwithyouthatyouaskmesuchacruelquestion?"

"Thenholdyourmeddlesome tongue," saidSolomon, "andcomeout, ifyouwanttospeaktome.Payforyourwine,andcomeout.Who'sthisman?"

Miss Pross, shaking her loving and dejected head at her by no meansaffectionatebrother,saidthroughhertears,"Mr.Cruncher."

"Lethimcomeouttoo,"saidSolomon."Doeshethinkmeaghost?"

Apparently,Mr.Cruncher did, to judge fromhis looks.He said not aword,however,andMissPross,exploringthedepthsofherreticulethroughhertearswithgreatdifficultypaidforherwine.Asshedidso,Solomonturnedtothefollowers of the Good Republican Brutus of Antiquity, and offered a fewwordsofexplanationintheFrenchlanguage,whichcausedthemalltorelapseintotheirformerplacesandpursuits.

"Now,"saidSolomon,stoppingatthedarkstreetcorner,"whatdoyouwant?"

"Howdreadfullyunkind in abrothernothinghas ever turnedmy love awayfrom!" cried Miss Pross, "to give me such a greeting, and show me noaffection."

"There.Confoundit!There,"saidSolomon,makingadabatMissPross'slipswithhisown."Nowareyoucontent?"

MissProssonlyshookherheadandweptinsilence.

"If you expect me to be surprised," said her brother Solomon, "I am notsurprised;Iknewyouwerehere;Iknowofmostpeoplewhoarehere.Ifyoureallydon'twanttoendangermyexistencewhichIhalfbelieveyoudogoyourwaysassoonaspossible,andletmegomine.Iambusy.Iamanofficial."

"My English brother Solomon," mourned Miss Pross, casting up hertearfraughteyes,"thathadthemakingsinhimofoneofthebestandgreatestof men in his native country, an official among foreigners, and such

foreigners!Iwouldalmostsoonerhaveseenthedearboylyinginhis"

"Isaidso!"criedherbrother,interrupting."Iknewit.Youwanttobethedeathofme. I shallbe renderedSuspected,bymyownsister. Justas Iamgettingon!"

"The gracious and merciful Heavens forbid!" cried Miss Pross. "Far ratherwould I never see you again, dear Solomon, though I have ever loved youtruly,andevershall.Saybutoneaffectionatewordtome,andtellmethereisnothingangryorestrangedbetweenus,andIwilldetainyounolonger."

Good Miss Pross! As if the estrangement between them had come of anyculpabilityofhers.AsifMr.Lorryhadnotknownitforafact,yearsago,inthequietcorner inSoho, that thispreciousbrotherhadspenthermoneyandlefther!

He was saying the affectionate word, however, with a far more grudgingcondescensionandpatronagethanhecouldhaveshowniftheirrelativemeritsandpositions had been reversed (which is invariably the case, all theworldover), when Mr. Cruncher, touching him on the shoulder, hoarsely andunexpectedlyinterposedwiththefollowingsingularquestion:

"Isay!MightIaskthefavour?AstowhetheryournameisJohnSolomon,orSolomonJohn?"

Theofficial turned towardshimwithsuddendistrust.Hehadnotpreviouslyutteredaword.

"Come!"saidMr.Cruncher."Speakout,youknow."(Which,bytheway,wasmorethanhecoulddohimself.)"JohnSolomon,orSolomonJohn?ShecallsyouSolomon,andshemustknow,beingyoursister.AndIknowyou'reJohn,you know.Which of the two goes first?And regarding that name of Pross,likewise.Thatwarn'tyournameoverthewater."

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Well,Idon'tknowallImean,forIcan'tcall tomindwhatyournamewas,overthewater."

"No?"

"No.ButI'llswearitwasanameoftwosyllables."

"Indeed?"

"Yes.T'otherone'swasonesyllable.Iknowyou.YouwasaspywitnessattheBailey.What, in thenameof theFatherofLies,ownfather toyourself,was

youcalledatthattime?"

"Barsad,"saidanothervoice,strikingin.

"That'sthenameforathousandpound!"criedJerry.

Thespeakerwhostruckin,wasSydneyCarton.Hehadhishandsbehindhimunder the skirts of his ridingcoat, and he stood atMr. Cruncher's elbow asnegligentlyashemighthavestoodattheOldBaileyitself.

"Don't be alarmed, my dear Miss Pross. I arrived at Mr. Lorry's, to hissurprise, yesterday evening; we agreed that I would not present myselfelsewhereuntilallwaswell,orunlessIcouldbeuseful;Ipresentmyselfhere,tobegalittletalkwithyourbrother.IwishyouhadabetteremployedbrotherthanMr. Barsad. I wish for your sakeMr. Barsad was not a Sheep of thePrisons."

Sheepwasacantwordofthetimeforaspy,underthegaolers.Thespy,whowaspale,turnedpaler,andaskedhimhowhedared

"I'll tellyou,"saidSydney."I lightedonyou,Mr.Barsad,comingoutof theprison of the Conciergeriewhile I was contemplating thewalls, an hour ormore ago. You have a face to be remembered, and I remember faces well.Madecuriousbyseeingyouinthatconnection,andhavingareason,towhichyouarenostranger,forassociatingyouwiththemisfortunesofafriendnowveryunfortunate,Iwalkedinyourdirection.Iwalkedintothewineshophere,close after you, and sat nearyou. I hadnodifficulty indeducing fromyourunreserved conversation, and the rumour openly going about among youradmirers, the nature of your calling. And gradually, what I had done atrandom,seemedtoshapeitselfintoapurpose,Mr.Barsad."

"Whatpurpose?"thespyasked.

"Itwould be troublesome, andmight be dangerous, to explain in the street.Couldyou favourme, in confidence,with someminutesofyour companyattheofficeofTellson'sBank,forinstance?"

"Underathreat?"

"Oh!DidIsaythat?"

"Then,whyshouldIgothere?"

"Really,Mr.Barsad,Ican'tsay,ifyoucan't."

"Doyoumeanthatyouwon'tsay,sir?"thespyirresolutelyasked.

"Youapprehendmeveryclearly,Mr.Barsad.Iwon't."

Carton's negligent recklessness of manner came powerfully in aid of hisquicknessandskill,insuchabusinessashehadinhissecretmind,andwithsuchamanashehadtodowith.Hispractisedeyesawit,andmadethemostofit.

"Now,Itoldyouso,"saidthespy,castingareproachfullookathissister;"ifanytroublecomesofthis,it'syourdoing."

"Come,come,Mr.Barsad!"exclaimedSydney."Don'tbeungrateful.Butformygreatrespectforyoursister,ImightnothaveledupsopleasantlytoalittleproposalthatIwishtomakeforourmutualsatisfaction.DoyougowithmetotheBank?"

"I'llhearwhatyouhavegottosay.Yes,I'llgowithyou."

"I propose thatwe first conduct your sister safely to the corner of her ownstreet.Letmetakeyourarm,MissPross.Thisisnotagoodcity,atthistime,foryoutobeoutin,unprotected;andasyourescortknowsMr.Barsad,IwillinvitehimtoMr.Lorry'swithus.Areweready?Comethen!"

MissPross recalled soonafterwards, and to theendofher life remembered,that as she pressed her hands on Sydney's arm and looked up in his face,imploringhim todonohurt toSolomon, therewas a bracedpurpose in thearmandakindofinspirationintheeyes,whichnotonlycontradictedhislightmanner, but changed and raised theman. Shewas toomuch occupied thenwith fears for the brother who so little deserved her affection, and withSydney'sfriendlyreassurances,adequatelytoheedwhatsheobserved.

Theyleftheratthecornerofthestreet,andCartonledthewaytoMr.Lorry's,which was within a few minutes' walk. John Barsad, or Solomon Pross,walkedathisside.

Mr.Lorryhadjustfinishedhisdinner,andwassittingbeforeacheerylittlelogor twoof fireperhaps looking into theirblaze for thepictureof thatyoungerelderly gentleman from Tellson's, who had looked into the red coals at theRoyalGeorgeatDover,nowagoodmanyyearsago.He turnedhisheadastheyentered,andshowedthesurprisewithwhichhesawastranger.

"MissPross'sbrother,sir,"saidSydney."Mr.Barsad."

"Barsad?"repeatedtheoldgentleman,"Barsad?Ihaveanassociationwiththenameandwiththeface."

"Itoldyouyouhadaremarkableface,Mr.Barsad,"observedCarton,coolly.

"Praysitdown."

As he took a chair himself, he supplied the link thatMr. Lorrywanted, bysaying to himwith a frown, "Witness at that trial."Mr. Lorry immediatelyremembered, and regarded his new visitor with an undisguised look ofabhorrence.

"Mr.BarsadhasbeenrecognisedbyMissProssastheaffectionatebrotheryouhaveheardof,"saidSydney,"andhasacknowledgedtherelationship.Ipasstoworsenews.Darnayhasbeenarrestedagain."

Struck with consternation, the old gentleman exclaimed, "What do you tellme!Ilefthimsafeandfreewithinthesetwohours,andamabouttoreturntohim!"

"Arrestedforallthat.Whenwasitdone,Mr.Barsad?"

"Justnow,ifatall."

"Mr. Barsad is the best authority possible, sir," said Sydney, "and I have itfromMr.Barsad'scommunicationtoafriendandbrotherSheepoverabottleofwine,thatthearresthastakenplace.Heleftthemessengersatthegate,andsawthemadmittedbytheporter.Thereisnoearthlydoubtthatheisretaken."

Mr.Lorry'sbusinesseyereadinthespeaker'sfacethatitwaslossoftimetodwelluponthepoint.Confused,butsensiblethatsomethingmightdependonhispresenceofmind,hecommandedhimself,andwassilentlyattentive.

"Now, I trust," said Sydney to him, "that the name and influence ofDoctorManettemaystandhiminasgoodsteadtomorrowyousaidhewouldbebeforetheTribunalagaintomorrow,Mr.Barsad?"

"Yes;Ibelieveso."

"Inasgoodsteadtomorrowastoday.Butitmaynotbeso.Iowntoyou,Iamshaken,Mr.Lorry,byDoctorManette'snothavinghadthepowertopreventthisarrest."

"Hemaynothaveknownofitbeforehand,"saidMr.Lorry.

"But that very circumstance would be alarming, when we remember howidentifiedheiswithhissoninlaw."

"That'strue,"Mr.Lorryacknowledged,withhistroubledhandathischin,andhistroubledeyesonCarton.

"In short," saidSydney, "this is adesperate time,whendesperategamesare

playedfordesperatestakes.LettheDoctorplaythewinninggame;Iwillplaythelosingone.Noman'slifehereisworthpurchase.Anyonecarriedhomebythe people today, may be condemned tomorrow. Now, the stake I haveresolvedtoplayfor,incaseoftheworst,isafriendintheConciergerie.AndthefriendIpurposetomyselftowin,isMr.Barsad."

"Youneedhavegoodcards,sir,"saidthespy.

"I'llrunthemover.I'llseewhatIhold,Mr.Lorry,youknowwhatabruteIam;Iwishyou'dgivemealittlebrandy."

It was put before him, and he drank off a glassfuldrank off anotherglassfulpushedthebottlethoughtfullyaway.

"Mr.Barsad,"hewenton, in the toneofonewhoreallywas lookingoverahandatcards:"Sheepoftheprisons,emissaryofRepublicancommittees,nowturnkey, now prisoner, always spy and secret informer, so much the morevaluablehereforbeingEnglishthatanEnglishmanislessopentosuspicionofsubornation in those characters than a Frenchman, represents himself to hisemployersunderafalsename.That'saverygoodcard.Mr.Barsad,nowintheemployoftherepublicanFrenchgovernment,wasformerlyintheemployofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment,theenemyofFranceandfreedom.That'sanexcellentcard. Inferenceclearasday in thisregionofsuspicion, thatMr.Barsad, still in the pay of the aristocraticEnglish government, is the spy ofPitt, the treacherous foeof theRepubliccrouching in itsbosom, theEnglishtraitor and agent of allmischief somuch spokenof and so difficult to find.That'sacardnottobebeaten.Haveyoufollowedmyhand,Mr.Barsad?"

"Nottounderstandyourplay,"returnedthespy,somewhatuneasily.

"IplaymyAce,DenunciationofMr.BarsadtothenearestSectionCommittee.Lookoveryourhand,Mr.Barsad,andseewhatyouhave.Don'thurry."

Hedrew thebottlenear,pouredout anotherglassfulofbrandy, anddrank itoff.Hesawthatthespywasfearfulofhisdrinkinghimselfintoafitstatefortheimmediatedenunciationofhim.Seeingit,hepouredoutanddrankanotherglassful.

"Lookoveryourhandcarefully,Mr.Barsad.Taketime."

Itwasapoorerhandthanhesuspected.Mr.BarsadsawlosingcardsinitthatSydneyCartonknewnothingof.ThrownoutofhishonourableemploymentinEngland, through toomuch unsuccessful hard swearing therenot because hewas not wanted there; our English reasons for vaunting our superiority tosecrecy and spies are of verymodern datehe knew that he had crossed the

Channel, and accepted service in France: first, as a tempter and aneavesdropperamonghisowncountrymenthere:gradually,asatempterandaneavesdropper among the natives. He knew that under the overthrowngovernmenthehadbeen a spyuponSaintAntoine andDefarge'swineshop;had received from thewatchfulpolicesuchheadsof informationconcerningDoctorManette's imprisonment,release,andhistory,asshouldservehimforanintroductiontofamiliarconversationwiththeDefarges;andtriedthemonMadame Defarge, and had broken down with them signally. He alwaysremembered with fear and trembling, that that terrible woman had knittedwhen he talked with her, and had looked ominously at him as her fingersmoved.Hehadsinceseenher,intheSectionofSaintAntoine,overandoveragain produce her knitted registers, and denounce people whose lives theguillotine thensurelyswallowedup.Heknew,aseveryoneemployedashewasdid, thathewasnever safe; that flightwas impossible; thathewas tiedfastundertheshadowoftheaxe;andthatinspiteofhisutmosttergiversationandtreacheryinfurtheranceofthereigningterror,awordmightbringitdownuponhim.Oncedenounced,andonsuchgravegroundsashadjustnowbeensuggested to his mind, he foresaw that the dreadful woman of whoseunrelenting character he had seenmany proofs, would produce against himthat fatal register, and would quash his last chance of life. Besides that allsecretmenaremensoonterrified,hereweresurelycardsenoughofoneblacksuit,tojustifytheholderingrowingratherlividasheturnedthemover.

"You scarcely seem to like your hand," said Sydney, with the greatestcomposure."Doyouplay?"

"Ithink,sir,"saidthespy,inthemeanestmanner,asheturnedtoMr.Lorry,"Imay appeal to a gentleman of your years and benevolence, to put it to thisother gentleman, so much your junior, whether he can under anycircumstances reconcile it to his station to play that Ace of which he hasspoken. I admit that I am a spy, and that it is considered a discreditablestationthoughitmustbefilledbysomebody;butthisgentlemanisnospy,andwhyshouldhesodemeanhimselfastomakehimselfone?"

"IplaymyAce,Mr.Barsad,"saidCarton,takingtheansweronhimself,andlookingathiswatch,"withoutanyscruple,inaveryfewminutes."

"Ishouldhavehoped,gentlemenboth,"saidthespy,alwaysstrivingtohookMr.Lorryintothediscussion,"thatyourrespectformysister"

"Icouldnotbetter testifymyrespectforyoursister thanbyfinallyrelievingherofherbrother,"saidSydneyCarton.

"Youthinknot,sir?"

"Ihavethoroughlymadeupmymindaboutit."

Thesmoothmannerofthespy,curiouslyindissonancewithhisostentatiouslyrough dress, and probablywith his usual demeanour, received such a checkfrom the inscrutability of Carton,who was a mystery to wiser and honestermenthanhe,thatitfalteredhereandfailedhim.Whilehewasataloss,Cartonsaid,resuminghisformerairofcontemplatingcards:

"Andindeed,nowIthinkagain,IhaveastrongimpressionthatIhaveanothergoodcardhere,notyetenumerated.ThatfriendandfellowSheep,whospokeofhimselfaspasturinginthecountryprisons;whowashe?"

"French.Youdon'tknowhim,"saidthespy,quickly.

"French,eh?"repeatedCarton,musing,andnotappearingtonoticehimatall,thoughheechoedhisword."Well;hemaybe."

"Is,Iassureyou,"saidthespy;"thoughit'snotimportant."

"Though it's not important," repeated Carton, in the same mechanicalway"thoughit'snotimportantNo,it'snotimportant.No.YetIknowtheface."

"Ithinknot.Iamsurenot.Itcan'tbe,"saidthespy.

"Itcan'tbe," muttered Sydney Carton, retrospectively, and idling his glass(whichfortunatelywasasmallone)again."Can'tbe.SpokegoodFrench.Yetlikeaforeigner,Ithought?"

"Provincial,"saidthespy.

"No. Foreign!" cried Carton, striking his open hand on the table, as a lightbroke clearly onhismind. "Cly!Disguised, but the sameman.Wehad thatmanbeforeusattheOldBailey."

"Now,thereyouarehasty,sir,"saidBarsad,withasmilethatgavehisaquilinenoseanextrainclinationtooneside;"thereyoureallygivemeanadvantageoveryou.Cly(whoIwillunreservedlyadmit,at thisdistanceoftime,wasapartnerofmine)hasbeendeadseveralyears.Iattendedhiminhislastillness.He was buried in London, at the church of Saint PancrasintheFields. Hisunpopularity with the blackguard multitude at the moment prevented myfollowinghisremains,butIhelpedtolayhiminhiscoffin."

Here, Mr. Lorry became aware, from where he sat, of a most remarkablegoblin shadow on the wall. Tracing it to its source, he discovered it to becausedbyasuddenextraordinaryrisingandstiffeningofalltherisenandstiffhaironMr.Cruncher'shead.

"Let us be reasonable," said the spy, "and let us be fair. To show you howmistaken you are, and what an unfounded assumption yours is, I will laybeforeyouacertificateofCly'sburial,whichIhappenedtohavecarriedinmypocketbook," with a hurried hand he produced and opened it, "ever since.There it is.Oh, look at it, look at it!Youmay take it in your hand; it's noforgery."

Here, Mr. Lorry perceived the reflection on the wall to elongate, and Mr.Cruncher rose and stepped forward. His hair could not have been moreviolently on end, if it had been that moment dressed by the Cow with thecrumpledhorninthehousethatJackbuilt.

Unseen by the spy,Mr.Cruncher stood at his side, and touched himon theshoulderlikeaghostlybailiff.

"That there Roger Cly, master," said Mr. Cruncher, with a taciturn andironboundvisage."Soyouputhiminhiscoffin?"

"Idid."

"Whotookhimoutofit?"

Barsadleanedbackinhischair,andstammered,"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Imean,"saidMr.Cruncher,"thathewarn'tneverinit.No!Nothe!I'llhavemyheadtookoff,ifhewaseverinit."

Thespylookedroundatthetwogentlemen;theybothlookedinunspeakableastonishmentatJerry.

"I tellyou," said Jerry, "thatyouburiedpavingstonesandearth in that therecoffin.Don'tgoandtellmethatyouburiedCly.Itwasatakein.Meandtwomoreknowsit."

"Howdoyouknowit?"

"What'sthattoyou?Ecod!"growledMr.Cruncher,"it'syouIhavegotaoldgrudgeagain,isit,withyourshamefulimpositionsupontradesmen!I'dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea."

SydneyCarton,who,withMr.Lorry,hadbeenlostinamazementatthisturnofthebusiness,hererequestedMr.Crunchertomoderateandexplainhimself.

"At another time, sir," he returned, evasively, "the present time isillconwenientforexplainin'.WhatIstand to, is, thatheknowswellwot thatthereClywasneverinthattherecoffin.Lethimsayhewas,insomuchasawordofonesyllable,andI'lleithercatchholdofhisthroatandchokehimfor

halfaguinea;"Mr.Cruncherdweltuponthisasquitealiberaloffer;"orI'lloutandannouncehim."

"Humph! I see one thing," said Carton. "I hold another card, Mr. Barsad.Impossible, here in raging Paris, with Suspicion filling the air, for you tooutlivedenunciation,whenyouareincommunicationwithanotheraristocraticspyofthesameantecedentsasyourself,who,moreover,hasthemysteryabouthimofhavingfeigneddeathandcometolifeagain!Aplotintheprisons,oftheforeigneragainsttheRepublic.AstrongcardacertainGuillotinecard!Doyouplay?"

"No!"returnedthespy."Ithrowup.Iconfessthatweweresounpopularwiththeoutrageousmob, that I onlygot away fromEngland at the riskofbeingducked to death, and that Cly was so ferreted up and down, that he neverwouldhavegotawayatallbutforthatsham.Thoughhowthismanknowsitwasasham,isawonderofwonderstome."

"Never you trouble your head about thisman," retorted the contentiousMr.Cruncher; "you'll have trouble enough with giving your attention to thatgentleman.Andlookhere!Oncemore!"Mr.Crunchercouldnotberestrainedfrommaking rather an ostentatious parade of his liberality"I'd catch hold ofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea."

TheSheepof theprisons turned fromhim toSydneyCarton, and said,withmoredecision,"Ithascometoapoint.Igoondutysoon,andcan'toverstaymy time.You toldme you had a proposal;what is it?Now, it is of no useaskingtoomuchofme.Askmetodoanythinginmyoffice,puttingmyheadingreatextradanger,andIhadbettertrustmylifetothechancesofarefusalthanthechancesofconsent. Inshort, Ishouldmakethatchoice.Youtalkofdesperation.Weare all desperatehere.Remember! Imaydenounceyou if Ithinkproper,andIcanswearmywaythroughstonewalls,andsocanothers.Now,whatdoyouwantwithme?"

"Notverymuch.YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?"

"Itellyouonceforall,thereisnosuchthingasanescapepossible,"saidthespy,firmly.

"Why need you tell me what I have not asked? You are a turnkey at theConciergerie?"

"Iamsometimes."

"Youcanbewhenyouchoose?"

"IcanpassinandoutwhenIchoose."

SydneyCartonfilledanotherglasswithbrandy,poureditslowlyoutuponthehearth,andwatcheditasitdropped.Itbeingallspent,hesaid,rising:

"So far, we have spoken before these two, because it was as well that themeritsofthecardsshouldnotrestsolelybetweenyouandme.Comeintothedarkroomhere,andletushaveonefinalwordalone."

IX.

TheGameMade

WhileSydneyCartonandtheSheepoftheprisonswereintheadjoiningdarkroom,speakingsolowthatnotasoundwasheard,Mr.LorrylookedatJerryinconsiderabledoubtandmistrust.Thathonesttradesman'smannerofreceivingthelook,didnotinspireconfidence;hechangedthelegonwhichherested,asoftenasifhehadfiftyofthoselimbs,andweretryingthemall;heexaminedhisfingernailswithaveryquestionableclosenessofattention;andwheneverMr.Lorry'seyecaughthis,hewastakenwiththatpeculiarkindofshortcoughrequiringthehollowofahandbeforeit,whichisseldom,ifever,knowntobeaninfirmityattendantonperfectopennessofcharacter.

"Jerry,"saidMr.Lorry."Comehere."

Mr.Crunchercameforwardsideways,withoneofhisshouldersinadvanceofhim.

"Whathaveyoubeen,besidesamessenger?"

After some cogitation, accompanied with an intent look at his patron, Mr.Cruncherconceivedtheluminousideaofreplying,"Agicultooralcharacter."

"Mymindmisgivesmemuch,"saidMr.Lorry,angrilyshakingaforefingerathim, "that you have used the respectable and great house of Tellson's as ablind, and that you have had an unlawful occupation of an infamousdescription.Ifyouhave,don'texpectmetobefriendyouwhenyougetbacktoEngland.Ifyouhave,don'texpectmetokeepyoursecret.Tellson'sshallnotbeimposedupon."

"I hope, sir," pleaded the abashed Mr. Cruncher, "that a gentleman likeyourselfwotI'vehadthehonourofoddjobbingtillI'mgreyatit,wouldthinktwiceaboutharmingofme,evenifitwossoIdon'tsayitis,butevenifitwos.Andwhichitistobetookintoaccountthatifitwos,itwouldn't,eventhen,be

allo'oneside.There'dbe twosides to it.Theremightbemedicaldoctorsatthe present hour, a picking up their guineaswhere a honest tradesmandon'tpickuphisfardensfardens!no,noryethishalffardenshalffardens!no,noryethisquarterabankingawaylikesmokeatTellson's,andacockingtheirmedicaleyes at that tradesman on the sly, a going in and going out to their owncarriagesah! equally like smoke, if notmore so.Well, that 'ud be imposing,too, on Tellson's. For you cannot sarse the goose and not the gander. Andhere'sMrs.Cruncher,orleastwayswosintheOldEnglandtimes,andwouldbetomorrow,ifcausegiven,afloppin'againthebusinesstothatdegreeasisruinatingstarkruinating!Whereasthemmedicaldoctors'wivesdon'tflopcatch'ematit!Or,iftheyflop,theirfloppingsgoesinfavourofmorepatients,andhowcanyourightlyhaveonewithoutt'other?Then,wotwithundertakers,andwotwithparishclerks,andwotwithsextons,andwotwithprivatewatchmen(allawariciousandallinit),amanwouldn'tgetmuchbyit,evenifitwosso.Andwotlittleamandidget,wouldneverprosperwithhim,Mr.Lorry.He'dneverhavenogoodofit;he'dwantallalongtobeoutoftheline,ifhe,couldseehiswayout,beingonceinevenifitwosso."

"Ugh!" criedMr. Lorry, rather relenting, nevertheless, "I am shocked at thesightofyou."

"Now,whatIwouldhumblyoffertoyou,sir,"pursuedMr.Cruncher,"evenifitwosso,whichIdon'tsayitis"

"Don'tprevaricate,"saidMr.Lorry.

"No,Iwillnot,sir,"returnedMr.Crunchesasifnothingwerefurtherfromhisthoughtsorpractice"which Idon't say it iswot Iwouldhumblyoffer toyou,sir,wouldbethis.Uponthattherestool,atthatthereBar,setsthatthereboyofmine,broughtupandgrowedup tobeaman,wotwillerrandyou,messageyou,generallightjobyou,tillyourheelsiswhereyourheadis,ifsuchshouldbe your wishes. If it wos so, which I still don't say it is (for I will notprewaricatetoyou,sir),letthatthereboykeephisfather'splace,andtakecareof hismother; don't blow upon that boy's fatherdo not do it, sirand let thatfather go into the line of the reg'lar diggin', andmake amends for what hewould have undugif it wos soby diggin' of 'em in with a will, and withconwictionsrespectin'thefutur'keepin'of'emsafe.That,Mr.Lorry,"saidMr.Cruncher,wipinghisforeheadwithhisarm,asanannouncementthathehadarrivedattheperorationofhisdiscourse,"iswotIwouldrespectfullyoffertoyou,sir.Amandon'tseeallthishereagoin'ondreadfulroundhim,inthewayof Subjects without heads, dear me, plentiful enough fur to bring the pricedown to porterage and hardly that, without havin' his serious thoughts ofthings.Andtheseherewouldbemine,ifitwosso,entreatin'ofyoufurtobearinmindthatwotIsaidjustnow,IupandsaidinthegoodcausewhenImight

havekep'itback."

"Thatatleastistrue,"saidMr.Lorry."Saynomorenow.ItmaybethatIshallyet stand your friend, if you deserve it, and repent in actionnot inwords. Iwantnomorewords."

Mr.Cruncherknuckledhis forehead,asSydneyCartonand thespy returnedfromthedarkroom."Adieu,Mr.Barsad,"saidtheformer;"ourarrangementthusmade,youhavenothingtofearfromme."

Hesatdowninachaironthehearth,overagainstMr.Lorry.Whentheywerealone,Mr.Lorryaskedhimwhathehaddone?

"Notmuch.Ifitshouldgoillwiththeprisoner,Ihaveensuredaccesstohim,once."

Mr.Lorry'scountenancefell.

"ItisallIcoulddo,"saidCarton."Toproposetoomuch,wouldbetoputthisman'sheadundertheaxe,and,ashehimselfsaid,nothingworsecouldhappentohimifheweredenounced. Itwasobviously theweaknessof theposition.Thereisnohelpforit."

"But access tohim," saidMr.Lorry, "if it shouldgo ill before theTribunal,willnotsavehim."

"Ineversaiditwould."

Mr.Lorry'seyesgraduallysoughtthefire;hissympathywithhisdarling,andtheheavydisappointmentofhis secondarrest,graduallyweakened them;hewasanoldmannow,overbornewithanxietyoflate,andhistearsfell.

"You are a good man and a true friend," said Carton, in an altered voice."ForgivemeifInoticethatyouareaffected.Icouldnotseemyfatherweep,andsitby,careless.AndIcouldnotrespectyoursorrowmore,ifyouweremyfather.Youarefreefromthatmisfortune,however."

Thoughhesaidthelastwords,withaslipintohisusualmanner,therewasatruefeelingandrespectbothinhistoneandinhistouch,thatMr.Lorry,whohadneverseenthebettersideofhim,waswhollyunpreparedfor.Hegavehimhishand,andCartongentlypressedit.

"Toreturn topoorDarnay,"saidCarton."Don't tellHerof this interview,orthisarrangement.ItwouldnotenableHertogotoseehim.Shemightthinkitwascontrived,incaseoftheworse,toconveytohimthemeansofanticipatingthesentence."

Mr.Lorryhadnotthoughtofthat,andhelookedquicklyatCartontoseeifitwere in his mind. It seemed to be; he returned the look, and evidentlyunderstoodit.

"Shemight think a thousand things," Carton said, "and any of themwouldonlyaddtohertrouble.Don'tspeakofmetoher.AsIsaidtoyouwhenIfirstcame,Ihadbetternotseeher.Icanputmyhandout,todoanylittlehelpfulworkforherthatmyhandcanfindtodo,withoutthat.Youaregoingtoher,Ihope?Shemustbeverydesolatetonight."

"Iamgoingnow,directly."

"I amgladof that.Shehas sucha strongattachment toyouand relianceonyou.Howdoesshelook?"

"Anxiousandunhappy,butverybeautiful."

"Ah!"

It was a long, grieving sound, like a sighalmost like a sob. It attractedMr.Lorry'seyestoCarton'sface,whichwasturnedtothefire.Alight,orashade(theoldgentlemancouldnothavesaidwhich),passedfromitasswiftlyasachangewillsweepoverahillsideonawildbrightday,andheliftedhisfoottoputbackoneofthelittleflaminglogs,whichwastumblingforward.Heworethe white ridingcoat and topboots, then in vogue, and the light of the firetouching their light surfacesmade him look very pale,with his long brownhair, all untrimmed, hanging loose about him. His indifference to fire wassufficiently remarkable toelicit awordof remonstrance fromMr.Lorry;hisboot was still upon the hot embers of the flaming log, when it had brokenundertheweightofhisfoot.

"Iforgotit,"hesaid.

Mr.Lorry'seyeswereagainattractedtohisface.Takingnoteofthewastedairwhichcloudedthenaturallyhandsomefeatures,andhavingtheexpressionofprisoners'facesfreshinhismind,hewasstronglyremindedofthatexpression.

"Andyourdutiesherehavedrawntoanend,sir?"saidCarton,turningtohim.

"Yes.AsIwas tellingyou lastnightwhenLuciecame insounexpectedly, IhaveatlengthdoneallthatIcandohere.Ihopedtohavelefttheminperfectsafety,andthentohavequittedParis.IhavemyLeavetoPass.Iwasreadytogo."

Theywerebothsilent.

"Yoursisalonglifetolookbackupon,sir?"saidCarton,wistfully.

"Iaminmyseventyeighthyear."

"Youhavebeenusefulallyourlife;steadilyandconstantlyoccupied;trusted,respected,andlookedupto?"

"Ihavebeenamanofbusiness,eversinceIhavebeenaman.Indeed,ImaysaythatIwasamanofbusinesswhenaboy."

"Seewhat aplaceyou fill at seventyeight.Howmanypeoplewillmissyouwhenyouleaveitempty!"

"A solitary old bachelor," answeredMr. Lorry, shaking his head. "There isnobodytoweepforme."

"Howcanyousaythat?Wouldn'tSheweepforyou?Wouldn'therchild?"

"Yes,yes,thankGod.Ididn'tquitemeanwhatIsaid."

"ItisathingtothankGodfor;isitnot?"

"Surely,surely."

"If you could say, with truth, to your own solitary heart, tonight, 'I havesecured to myself the love and attachment, the gratitude or respect, of nohumancreature; Ihavewonmyselfa tenderplace innoregard; Ihavedonenothing good or serviceable to be remembered by!' your seventyeight yearswouldbeseventyeightheavycurses;wouldtheynot?"

"Yousaytruly,Mr.Carton;Ithinktheywouldbe."

Sydney turned his eyes again upon the fire, and, after a silence of a fewmoments,said:

"Ishouldliketoaskyou:Doesyourchildhoodseemfaroff?Dothedayswhenyousatatyourmother'sknee,seemdaysofverylongago?"

Respondingtohissoftenedmanner,Mr.Lorryanswered:

"Twentyyearsback,yes;atthistimeofmylife,no.For,asIdrawcloserandcloser to theend,I travel in thecircle,nearerandnearer to thebeginning.Itseemstobeoneofthekindsmoothingsandpreparingsoftheway.Myheartistouchednow,bymanyremembrancesthathadlongfallenasleep,ofmyprettyyoungmother(andIsoold!),andbymanyassociationsofthedayswhenwhatwecalltheWorldwasnotsorealwithme,andmyfaultswerenotconfirmedinme."

"I understand the feeling!" exclaimedCarton,with a bright flush. "Andyouarethebetterforit?"

"Ihopeso."

Carton terminated the conversation here, by rising to help him on with hisoutercoat;"Butyou,"saidMr.Lorry,revertingtothetheme,"youareyoung."

"Yes," saidCarton. "I amnotold, butmyyoungwaywasnever theway toage.Enoughofme."

"Andofme,Iamsure,"saidMr.Lorry."Areyougoingout?"

"I'llwalkwithyoutohergate.Youknowmyvagabondandrestlesshabits.IfIshouldprowlaboutthestreetsalongtime,don'tbeuneasy;Ishallreappearinthemorning.YougototheCourttomorrow?"

"Yes,unhappily."

"Ishallbethere,butonlyasoneof thecrowd.MySpywillfindaplaceforme.Takemyarm,sir."

Mr. Lorry did so, and they went downstairs and out in the streets. A fewminutes brought them toMr. Lorry's destination. Carton left him there; butlingeredatalittledistance,andturnedbacktothegateagainwhenitwasshut,andtouchedit.Hehadheardofhergoingtotheprisoneveryday."Shecameout here," he said, looking about him, "turned this way,must have trod onthesestonesoften.Letmefollowinhersteps."

Itwasteno'clockatnightwhenhestoodbeforetheprisonofLaForce,whereshehadstoodhundredsoftimes.Alittlewoodsawyer,havingclosedhisshop,wassmokinghispipeathisshopdoor.

"Goodnight,citizen,"saidSydneyCarton,pausingingoingby;for,themaneyedhiminquisitively.

"Goodnight,citizen."

"HowgoestheRepublic?"

"You mean the Guillotine. Not ill. Sixtythree today. We shall mount to ahundredsoon.Samsonandhismencomplainsometimes,ofbeingexhausted.Ha,ha,ha!Heissodroll,thatSamson.SuchaBarber!"

"Doyouoftengotoseehim"

"Shave?Always.Everyday.Whatabarber!Youhaveseenhimatwork?"

"Never."

"Goandseehimwhenhehasagoodbatch.Figurethistoyourself,citizen;heshavedthesixtythreetoday,inlessthantwopipes!Lessthantwopipes.Wordofhonour!"

Asthegrinninglittlemanheldoutthepipehewassmoking,toexplainhowhetimed theexecutioner,Cartonwassosensibleofa risingdesire to strike thelifeoutofhim,thatheturnedaway.

"But you are notEnglish," said thewoodsawyer, "though youwearEnglishdress?"

"Yes,"saidCarton,pausingagain,andansweringoverhisshoulder.

"YouspeaklikeaFrenchman."

"Iamanoldstudenthere."

"Aha,aperfectFrenchman!Goodnight,Englishman."

"Goodnight,citizen."

"But go and see that droll dog," the little man persisted, calling after him."Andtakeapipewithyou!"

Sydneyhadnotgone faroutof sight,whenhe stopped in themiddleof thestreetunderaglimmeringlamp,andwrotewithhispencilonascrapofpaper.Then,traversingwiththedecidedstepofonewhorememberedthewaywell,several dark and dirty streetsmuch dirtier than usual, for the best publicthoroughfares remained uncleansed in those times of terrorhe stopped at achemist's shop,which the ownerwas closingwith his own hands. A small,dim, crooked shop, kept in a tortuous, uphill thoroughfare, by a small, dim,crookedman.

Giving this citizen, too, goodnight, as he confrontedhimat his counter, helaidthescrapofpaperbeforehim."Whew!"thechemistwhistledsoftly,ashereadit."Hi!hi!hi!"

SydneyCartontooknoheed,andthechemistsaid:

"Foryou,citizen?"

"Forme."

"You will be careful to keep them separate, citizen? You know theconsequencesofmixingthem?"

"Perfectly."

Certainsmallpacketsweremadeandgiventohim.Heputthem,onebyone,in the breast of his inner coat, counted out the money for them, anddeliberately left the shop. "There is nothingmore to do," said he, glancingupwardatthemoon,"untiltomorrow.Ican'tsleep."

Itwasnotarecklessmanner,themannerinwhichhesaidthesewordsaloudunder the fastsailing clouds, nor was it more expressive of negligence thandefiance. It was the settledmanner of a tiredman, who hadwandered andstruggledandgotlost,butwhoatlengthstruckintohisroadandsawitsend.

Longago,whenhehadbeenfamousamonghisearliestcompetitorsasayouthofgreatpromise,hehadfollowedhisfathertothegrave.Hismotherhaddied,yearsbefore.Thesesolemnwords,whichhadbeenreadathisfather'sgrave,aroseinhismindashewentdownthedarkstreets,amongtheheavyshadows,with the moon and the clouds sailing on high above him. "I am theresurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth inme, though heweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme,shallneverdie."

Ina citydominatedby the axe, aloneatnight,withnatural sorrow rising inhimforthesixtythreewhohadbeenthatdayputtodeath,andfortomorrow'svictims then awaiting their doom in theprisons, and still of tomorrow's andtomorrow's,thechainofassociationthatbroughtthewordshome,likearustyoldship'sanchorfromthedeep,mighthavebeeneasilyfound.Hedidnotseekit,butrepeatedthemandwenton.

Withasolemninterestinthelightedwindowswherethepeopleweregoingtorest, forgetful througha fewcalmhoursof thehorrors surrounding them; inthe towers of the churches, where no prayers were said, for the popularrevulsion had even travelled that length of selfdestruction from years ofpriestly impostors, plunderers, and profligates; in the distant burialplaces,reserved, as theywrote upon the gates, for Eternal Sleep; in the aboundinggaols; and in the streets alongwhich the sixties rolled to adeathwhichhadbecomesocommonandmaterial,thatnosorrowfulstoryofahauntingSpiriteveraroseamongthepeopleoutofall theworkingof theGuillotine;withasolemninterestinthewholelifeanddeathofthecitysettlingdowntoitsshortnightlypause in fury;SydneyCarton crossed theSeine again for the lighterstreets.

Fewcoacheswereabroad, for riders in coacheswere liable tobe suspected,and gentility hid its head in red nightcaps, and put on heavy shoes, andtrudged.But,thetheatreswereallwellfilled,andthepeoplepouredcheerfully

outashepassed,andwentchattinghome.Atoneof the theatredoors, therewasalittlegirlwithamother,lookingforawayacrossthestreetthroughthemud.Hecarriedthechildover,andbeforethetimidarmwasloosedfromhisneckaskedherforakiss.

"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth inme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme,shallneverdie."

Now,thatthestreetswerequiet,andthenightworeon,thewordswereintheechoesofhisfeet,andwereintheair.Perfectlycalmandsteady,hesometimesrepeatedthemtohimselfashewalked;but,heheardthemalways.

Thenightworeout,and,ashestooduponthebridgelisteningtothewaterasitsplashedtheriverwallsoftheIslandofParis,wherethepicturesqueconfusionofhousesandcathedral shonebright in the lightof themoon, thedaycamecoldly,lookinglikeadeadfaceoutofthesky.Then,thenight,withthemoonand the stars, turned pale and died, and for a little while it seemed as ifCreationweredeliveredovertoDeath'sdominion.

But,theglorioussun,rising,seemedtostrikethosewords,thatburdenofthenight,straightandwarmtohisheartinitslongbrightrays.Andlookingalongthem,withreverentlyshadedeyes,abridgeof lightappeared tospan theairbetweenhimandthesun,whiletheriversparkledunderit.

Thestrongtide,soswift,sodeep,andcertain,waslikeacongenialfriend,inthemorningstillness.Hewalkedbythestream,farfromthehouses,andinthelightandwarmthofthesunfellasleeponthebank.Whenheawokeandwasafootagain,helingeredthereyetalittlelonger,watchinganeddythatturnedand turnedpurposeless,until the streamabsorbed it, andcarried iton to thesea."Likeme."

Atradingboat,withasailofthesoftenedcolourofadeadleaf,thenglidedintohis view, floated by him, and died away. As its silent track in the waterdisappeared, the prayer that had broken up out of his heart for a mercifulconsiderationofallhispoorblindnessesanderrors,endedinthewords,"Iamtheresurrectionandthelife."

Mr.Lorrywasalreadyoutwhenhegotback,anditwaseasytosurmisewherethegoodoldmanwasgone.SydneyCartondranknothingbutalittlecoffee,atesomebread,and,havingwashedandchangedtorefreshhimself,wentouttotheplaceoftrial.

Thecourtwasallastirandabuzz,whentheblacksheepwhommanyfellawayfromindreadpressedhimintoanobscurecorneramongthecrowd.Mr.Lorry

was there, andDoctorManettewas there. Shewas there, sitting beside herfather.

Whenherhusbandwasbroughtin,sheturnedalookuponhim,sosustaining,so encouraging, so full of admiring love and pitying tenderness, yet socourageous for his sake, that it called the healthy blood into his face,brightenedhisglance, andanimatedhisheart. If therehadbeenanyeyes tonoticetheinfluenceofherlook,onSydneyCarton,itwouldhavebeenseentobethesameinfluenceexactly.

BeforethatunjustTribunal,therewaslittleornoorderofprocedure,ensuringtoanyaccusedpersonanyreasonablehearing.TherecouldhavebeennosuchRevolution, if all laws, forms, and ceremonies, had not first been somonstrously abused, that the suicidal vengeance of the Revolution was toscatterthemalltothewinds.

Every eye was turned to the jury. The same determined patriots and goodrepublicansasyesterdayandthedaybefore,andtomorrowandthedayafter.Eager and prominent among them, one man with a craving face, and hisfingers perpetually hovering about his lips, whose appearance gave greatsatisfaction to the spectators.A lifethirsting, canniballooking, bloodymindedjuryman,theJacquesThreeofSt.Antoine.Thewholejury,asajuryofdogsempannelledtotrythedeer.

Every eye then turned to the five judges and the public prosecutor. Nofavourable leaning in thatquarter today.A fell, uncompromising,murderousbusinessmeaning there.Everyeye then sought someother eye in the crowd,and gleamed at it approvingly; and heads nodded at one another, beforebendingforwardwithastrainedattention.

Charles Evremonde, called Darnay. Released yesterday. Reaccused andretaken yesterday. Indictment delivered to him last night. Suspected andDenouncedenemyoftheRepublic,Aristocrat,oneofafamilyoftyrants,oneof a race proscribed, for that theyhadused their abolishedprivileges to theinfamous oppression of the people. Charles Evremonde, called Darnay, inrightofsuchproscription,absolutelyDeadinLaw.

Tothiseffect,inasfeworfewerwords,thePublicProsecutor.

ThePresidentasked,wastheAccusedopenlydenouncedorsecretly?

"Openly,President."

"Bywhom?"

"Threevoices.ErnestDefarge,winevendorofSt.Antoine."

"Good."

"ThereseDefarge,hiswife."

"Good."

"AlexandreManette,physician."

Agreatuproartookplaceinthecourt,andinthemidstofit,DoctorManettewasseen,paleandtrembling,standingwherehehadbeenseated.

"President,Iindignantlyprotesttoyouthatthisisaforgeryandafraud.Youknowtheaccusedtobethehusbandofmydaughter.Mydaughter,andthosedear to her, are far dearer tome thanmy life.Who andwhere is the falseconspiratorwhosaysthatIdenouncethehusbandofmychild!"

"CitizenManette, be tranquil. To fail in submission to the authority of theTribunalwouldbetoputyourselfoutofLaw.Astowhatisdearertoyouthanlife,nothingcanbesodeartoagoodcitizenastheRepublic."

Loud acclamations hailed this rebuke.ThePresident rang his bell, andwithwarmthresumed.

"IftheRepublicshoulddemandofyouthesacrificeofyourchildherself,youwould have no duty but to sacrifice her. Listen towhat is to follow. In themeanwhile,besilent!"

Frantic acclamations were again raised. DoctorManette sat down, with hiseyeslookingaround,andhislipstrembling;hisdaughterdrewclosertohim.Thecravingmanonthejuryrubbedhishandstogether,andrestoredtheusualhandtohismouth.

Defargewasproduced,whenthecourtwasquietenoughtoadmitofhisbeingheard,andrapidlyexpoundedthestoryoftheimprisonment,andofhishavingbeenamereboyintheDoctor'sservice,andoftherelease,andofthestateofthe prisoner when released and delivered to him. This short examinationfollowed,forthecourtwasquickwithitswork.

"YoudidgoodserviceatthetakingoftheBastille,citizen?"

"Ibelieveso."

Here,anexcitedwomanscreechedfromthecrowd:"Youwereoneofthebestpatriotsthere.Whynotsayso?Youwereacannonierthatdaythere,andyouwere among the first to enter the accursed fortress when it fell. Patriots, Ispeakthetruth!"

ItwasTheVengeancewho,amidstthewarmcommendationsoftheaudience,thusassistedtheproceedings.ThePresidentranghisbell;but,TheVengeance,warmingwith encouragement, shrieked, "I defy that bell!"wherein shewaslikewisemuchcommended.

"InformtheTribunalofwhatyoudidthatdaywithintheBastille,citizen."

"Iknew,"saidDefarge,lookingdownathiswife,whostoodatthebottomofthestepsonwhichhewasraised,lookingsteadilyupathim;"Iknewthatthisprisoner,ofwhomIspeak,hadbeenconfinedinacellknownasOneHundredandFive,NorthTower.Iknewitfromhimself.Heknewhimselfbynoothername thanOneHundredandFive,NorthTower,whenhemadeshoesundermycare.As I servemygun thatday, I resolve,when theplaceshall fall, toexaminethatcell.Itfalls.Imounttothecell,withafellowcitizenwhoisoneof the Jury, directedby agaoler. I examine it, very closely. In ahole in thechimney,where a stone has beenworked out and replaced, I find awrittenpaper.Thisisthatwrittenpaper.Ihavemadeitmybusinesstoexaminesomespecimens of the writing of Doctor Manette. This is the writing of DoctorManette.Iconfidethispaper,inthewritingofDoctorManette,tothehandsofthePresident."

"Letitberead."

Inadeadsilenceandstillnesstheprisonerunder trial looking lovinglyathiswife, his wife only looking from him to look with solicitude at her father,DoctorManettekeepinghiseyesfixedonthereader,MadameDefargenevertakinghersfromtheprisoner,Defargenevertakinghisfromhisfeastingwife,andalltheothereyesthereintentupontheDoctor,whosawnoneofthemthepaperwasread,asfollows.

X.

TheSubstanceoftheShadow

"I, Alexandre Manette, unfortunate physician, native of Beauvais, andafterwardsresidentinParis,writethismelancholypaperinmydolefulcellinthe Bastille, during the last month of the year, 1767. I write it at stolenintervals, under every difficulty. I design to secrete it in the wall of thechimney,where I have slowly and laboriouslymade aplaceof concealmentforit.Somepityinghandmayfinditthere,whenIandmysorrowsaredust.

"These words are formed by the rusty iron point with which I write withdifficulty in scrapings of soot and charcoal from the chimney, mixed withblood, in the last month of the tenth year of my captivity. Hope has quitedepartedfrommybreast.IknowfromterriblewarningsIhavenotedinmyselfthatmyreasonwillnotlongremainunimpaired,butIsolemnlydeclarethatIamatthistimeinthepossessionofmyrightmindthatmymemoryisexactandcircumstantialand that I write the truth as I shall answer for these my lastrecorded words, whether they be ever read by men or not, at the EternalJudgmentseat.

"One cloudy moonlight night, in the third week of December (I think thetwentysecondofthemonth)intheyear1757,Iwaswalkingonaretiredpartof the quay by the Seine for the refreshment of the frosty air, at an hour'sdistancefrommyplaceofresidenceintheStreetoftheSchoolofMedicine,whenacarriagecamealongbehindme,drivenveryfast.AsIstoodasidetoletthatcarriagepass,apprehensivethatitmightotherwiserunmedown,aheadwasputoutatthewindow,andavoicecalledtothedrivertostop.

"Thecarriagestoppedassoonas thedrivercould rein inhishorses,and thesamevoicecalledtomebymyname.Ianswered.Thecarriagewasthensofarin advance ofme that two gentlemen had time to open the door and alightbeforeIcameupwithit.

"Iobserved that theywerebothwrapped in cloaks, andappeared to concealthemselves.Astheystoodsidebysidenearthecarriagedoor,Ialsoobservedthat theyboth lookedofaboutmyownage,or ratheryounger,and that theyweregreatlyalike, instature,manner,voice,and (as faras Icouldsee) facetoo.

"'YouareDoctorManette?'saidone.

"Iam."

"'DoctorManette,formerlyofBeauvais,'saidtheother;'theyoungphysician,originallyanexpertsurgeon,whowithinthelastyearortwohasmadearisingreputationinParis?'

"'Gentlemen,' I returned, 'I am that DoctorManette of whom you speak sograciously.'

"'Wehavebeentoyourresidence,'saidthefirst,'andnotbeingsofortunateastofindyouthere,andbeinginformedthatyouwereprobablywalkinginthisdirection,wefollowed,inthehopeofovertakingyou.Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?'

"Themanner of both was imperious, and they bothmoved, as these wordswere spoken, so as to place me between themselves and the carriage door.Theywerearmed.Iwasnot.

"'Gentlemen,'saidI,'pardonme;butIusuallyinquirewhodoesmethehonourto seek my assistance, and what is the nature of the case to which I amsummoned.'

"The reply to thiswasmade by himwho had spoken second. 'Doctor, yourclientsarepeopleofcondition.Astothenatureofthecase,ourconfidenceinyourskillassuresusthatyouwillascertainitforyourselfbetterthanwecandescribeit.Enough.Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?'

"Icoulddonothingbutcomply,andIentereditinsilence.Theybothenteredaftermethe last springing in, after putting up the steps. The carriage turnedabout,anddroveonatitsformerspeed.

"I repeat this conversation exactly as it occurred. I have no doubt that it is,word for word, the same. I describe everything exactly as it took place,constrainingmymindnottowanderfromthetask.WhereImakethebrokenmarks that follow here, I leave off for the time, and put my paper in itshidingplace.

"The carriage left the streets behind, passed theNorthBarrier, and emergedupon the country road. At twothirds of a league from the BarrierI did notestimate thedistanceat that time,butafterwardswhen I traversed itit struckoutofthemainavenue,andpresentlystoppedatasolitaryhouse,Weallthreealighted,andwalked,byadampsoftfootpathinagardenwhereaneglectedfountain had overflowed, to the door of the house. It was not openedimmediately, in answer to the ringing of the bell, and one of my twoconductorsstruckthemanwhoopenedit,withhisheavyridingglove,acrosstheface.

"Therewasnothing in thisaction toattractmyparticularattention, forIhadseencommonpeoplestruckmorecommonlythandogs.But,theotherofthetwo, being angry likewise, struck theman in likemannerwith his arm; thelook andbearingof thebrotherswere then so exactly alike, that I then firstperceivedthemtobetwinbrothers.

"Fromthetimeofouralightingattheoutergate(whichwefoundlocked,andwhichoneof thebrothershadopened to admitus, andhad relocked), I hadheard cries proceeding from an upper chamber. I was conducted to thischamber straight, the cries growing louder aswe ascended the stairs, and Ifoundapatientinahighfeverofthebrain,lyingonabed.

"The patientwas awoman of great beauty, and young; assuredly notmuchpast twenty.Her hairwas torn and ragged, andher armswerebound to hersides with sashes and handkerchiefs. I noticed that these bonds were allportionsofagentleman'sdress.Ononeofthem,whichwasafringedscarfforadressofceremony,IsawthearmorialbearingsofaNoble,andtheletterE.

"Isawthis,withinthefirstminuteofmycontemplationofthepatient;for,inherrestlessstrivingsshehadturnedoveronherfaceontheedgeofthebed,had drawn the end of the scarf into her mouth, and was in danger ofsuffocation.Myfirstactwastoputoutmyhandtorelieveherbreathing;andinmovingthescarfaside,theembroideryinthecornercaughtmysight.

"I turnedhergentlyover, placedmyhandsuponherbreast to calmher andkeepherdown,andlookedintoherface.Hereyesweredilatedandwild,andsheconstantlyutteredpiercingshrieks,andrepeatedthewords,'Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!'and thencountedup to twelve,andsaid, 'Hush!'Foraninstant,andnomore,shewouldpausetolisten,andthenthepiercingshriekswould begin again, and shewould repeat the cry, 'My husband,myfather,andmybrother!'andwouldcountuptotwelve,andsay,'Hush!'Therewasnovariationintheorder,orthemanner.Therewasnocessation,buttheregularmoment'spause,intheutteranceofthesesounds.

"'Howlong,'Iasked,'hasthislasted?'

"Todistinguishthebrothers,Iwillcallthemtheelderandtheyounger;bytheelder, I mean him who exercised the most authority. It was the elder whoreplied,'Sinceaboutthishourlastnight.'

"'Shehasahusband,afather,andabrother?'

"'Abrother.'

"'Idonotaddressherbrother?'

"Heansweredwithgreatcontempt,'No.'

"'Shehassomerecentassociationwiththenumbertwelve?'

"Theyoungerbrotherimpatientlyrejoined,'Withtwelveo'clock?'

"'See,gentlemen,'saidI,stillkeepingmyhandsuponherbreast,'howuselessIam,asyouhavebroughtme!IfIhadknownwhatIwascomingtosee,Icouldhavecomeprovided.Asitis,timemustbelost.Therearenomedicinestobeobtainedinthislonelyplace.'

"Theelderbrotherlookedtotheyounger,whosaidhaughtily,'Thereisacase

ofmedicineshere;'andbroughtitfromacloset,andputitonthetable.

"Iopenedsomeofthebottles,smeltthem,andputthestopperstomylips.IfIhad wanted to use anything save narcotic medicines that were poisons inthemselves,Iwouldnothaveadministeredanyofthose.

"'Doyoudoubtthem?'askedtheyoungerbrother.

"'Yousee,monsieur,Iamgoingtousethem,'Ireplied,andsaidnomore.

"Imadethepatientswallow,withgreatdifficulty,andaftermanyefforts,thedosethatIdesiredtogive.AsIintendedtorepeatitafterawhile,andasitwasnecessarytowatchitsinfluence,Ithensatdownbythesideofthebed.Therewas a timid and suppressed woman in attendance (wife of the mandownstairs), who had retreated into a corner. The house was damp anddecayed, indifferently furnishedevidently, recently occupied and temporarilyused. Some thick old hangings had been nailed up before the windows, todeadenthesoundoftheshrieks.Theycontinuedtobeutteredintheirregularsuccession, with the cry, 'My husband, my father, and my brother!' thecountingup to twelve,and 'Hush!'The frenzywassoviolent, that Ihadnotunfastenedthebandagesrestrainingthearms;but,Ihadlookedtothem,toseethattheywerenotpainful.Theonlysparkofencouragementinthecase,was,thatmyhanduponthesufferer'sbreasthadthismuchsoothinginfluence,thatforminutesatatimeittranquillisedthefigure.Ithadnoeffectuponthecries;nopendulumcouldbemoreregular.

"Forthereasonthatmyhandhadthiseffect(Iassume),Ihadsatbythesideofthe bed for half an hour,with the two brothers looking on, before the eldersaid:

"'Thereisanotherpatient.'

"Iwasstartled,andasked,'Isitapressingcase?'

"'Youhadbettersee,'hecarelesslyanswered;andtookupalight.

"Theotherpatientlayinabackroomacrossasecondstaircase,whichwasaspeciesofloftoverastable.Therewasalowplasteredceilingtoapartofit;therestwasopen,totheridgeofthetiledroof,andtherewerebeamsacross.Hayandstrawwerestoredinthatportionoftheplace,fagotsforfiring,andaheapofapplesinsand.Ihadtopassthroughthatpart,togetattheother.Mymemory iscircumstantial andunshaken. I try itwith thesedetails, and I seethemall,inthismycellintheBastille,nearthecloseofthetenthyearofmycaptivity,asIsawthemallthatnight.

"On some hay on the ground, with a cushion thrown under his head, lay a

handsomepeasantboyaboyofnotmorethanseventeenatthemost.Helayonhis back, with his teeth set, his right hand clenched on his breast, and hisglaringeyeslookingstraightupward.Icouldnotseewherehiswoundwas,asIkneeledononekneeoverhim;but,Icouldseethathewasdyingofawoundfromasharppoint.

"'Iamadoctor,mypoorfellow,'saidI.'Letmeexamineit.'

"'Idonotwantitexamined,'heanswered;'letitbe.'

"Itwasunderhishand,andIsoothedhimtoletmemovehishandaway.Thewoundwasa swordthrust, received from twenty to twentyfourhoursbefore,butnoskillcouldhavesavedhimif ithadbeenlookedtowithoutdelay.Hewas then dying fast. As I turned my eyes to the elder brother, I saw himlookingdownatthishandsomeboywhoselifewasebbingout,asifhewereawoundedbird,orhare,orrabbit;notatallasifhewereafellowcreature.

"'Howhasthisbeendone,monsieur?'saidI.

"'Acrazedyoungcommondog!Aserf!Forcedmybrothertodrawuponhim,andhasfallenbymybrother'sswordlikeagentleman.'

"Therewasnotouchofpity,sorrow,orkindredhumanity,inthisanswer.Thespeakerseemedtoacknowledgethatitwasinconvenienttohavethatdifferentorderofcreaturedyingthere,andthatitwouldhavebeenbetterifhehaddiedintheusualobscureroutineofhisverminkind.Hewasquiteincapableofanycompassionatefeelingabouttheboy,orabouthisfate.

"The boy's eyes had slowlymoved to him as he had spoken, and they nowslowlymovedtome.

"'Doctor, theyareveryproud, theseNobles;butwecommondogsareproudtoo, sometimes.Theyplunderus,outrageus,beatus,killus;butwehavealittleprideleft,sometimes.Shehaveyouseenher,Doctor?'

"Theshrieksandthecrieswereaudiblethere,thoughsubduedbythedistance.Hereferredtothem,asifshewerelyinginourpresence.

"Isaid,'Ihaveseenher.'

"'Sheismysister,Doctor.Theyhavehadtheirshamefulrights,theseNobles,in themodesty andvirtueofour sisters,manyyears, butwehavehadgoodgirlsamongus.Iknowit,andhaveheardmyfathersayso.Shewasagoodgirl.Shewasbetrothedtoagoodyoungman,too:atenantofhis.Wewerealltenantsofhisthatman'swhostandsthere.Theotherishisbrother,theworstofabadrace.'

"Itwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheboygatheredbodilyforcetospeak;but,hisspiritspokewithadreadfulemphasis.

"'Weweresorobbedbythatmanwhostandsthere,asallwecommondogsarebythosesuperiorBeingstaxedbyhimwithoutmercy,obligedtoworkforhimwithoutpay,obligedtogrindourcornathismill,obligedtofeedscoresofhistamebirdsonourwretchedcrops,andforbiddenforourlivestokeepasingletame bird of our own, pillaged and plundered to that degree that when wechancedtohaveabitofmeat,weateit infear,withthedoorbarredandtheshuttersclosed,thathispeopleshouldnotseeitandtakeitfromusIsay,weweresorobbed,andhunted,andweremadesopoor,thatourfathertoldusitwasadreadfulthingtobringachildintotheworld,andthatwhatweshouldmostprayfor,was,thatourwomenmightbebarrenandourmiserableracedieout!'

"I had never before seen the sense of being oppressed, bursting forth like afire.Ihadsupposedthatitmustbelatentinthepeoplesomewhere;but,Ihadneverseenitbreakout,untilIsawitinthedyingboy.

"'Nevertheless, Doctor, my sister married. He was ailing at that time, poorfellow,andshemarriedherlover,thatshemighttendandcomforthiminourcottageourdoghut,asthatmanwouldcallit.Shehadnotbeenmarriedmanyweeks,whenthatman'sbrothersawherandadmiredher,andaskedthatmanto lendher tohimforwhat arehusbandsamongus!Hewaswillingenough,butmy sisterwasgoodandvirtuous, andhatedhisbrotherwith ahatredasstrong asmine.What did the two then, to persuade her husband to use hisinfluencewithher,tomakeherwilling?'

"Theboy'seyes,whichhadbeenfixedonmine,slowlyturnedtothelookeron,andIsawinthetwofacesthatallhesaidwastrue.Thetwoopposingkindsofprideconfrontingoneanother,Icansee,eveninthisBastille;thegentleman's,all negligent indifference; the peasant's, all troddendown sentiment, andpassionaterevenge.

"'Youknow,Doctor,thatitisamongtheRightsoftheseNoblestoharnessuscommondogs tocarts,anddriveus.Theysoharnessedhimanddrovehim.Youknowthat it isamongtheirRights tokeepus in theirgroundsallnight,quietingthefrogs,inorderthattheirnoblesleepmaynotbedisturbed.Theykepthimoutintheunwholesomemistsatnight,andorderedhimbackintohisharness in theday.Buthewasnotpersuaded.No!Takenoutofharnessoneday at noon, to feedif he could find foodhe sobbed twelve times, once foreverystrokeofthebell,anddiedonherbosom.'

"Nothinghumancouldhaveheldlife in theboybuthisdeterminationto tell

allhiswrong.Heforcedbackthegatheringshadowsofdeath,asheforcedhisclenchedrighthandtoremainclenched,andtocoverhiswound.

"'Then,withthatman'spermissionandevenwithhisaid,hisbrothertookheraway;inspiteofwhatIknowshemusthavetoldhisbrotherandwhatthatis,will not be long unknown to you, Doctor, if it is nowhis brother took herawayforhispleasureanddiversion,foralittlewhile.Isawherpassmeontheroad.When I took the tidingshome,our father'sheartburst;henever spokeoneofthewordsthatfilledit.Itookmyyoungsister(forIhaveanother)toaplacebeyondthereachofthisman,andwhere,atleast,shewillneverbehisvassal.Then, I tracked thebrotherhere, and lastnight climbed inacommondog,butswordinhand.Whereistheloftwindow?Itwassomewherehere?'

"Theroomwasdarkeningtohissight;theworldwasnarrowingaroundhim.Iglanced about me, and saw that the hay and straw were trampled over thefloor,asiftherehadbeenastruggle.

"'Sheheardme,andranin.Itoldhernottocomenearustillhewasdead.Hecameinandfirst tossedmesomepiecesofmoney; thenstruckatmewithawhip.ButI,thoughacommondog,sostruckathimastomakehimdraw.Lethimbreakintoasmanypiecesashewill, theswordthathestainedwithmycommonblood;hedrewtodefendhimselfthrustatmewithallhisskillforhislife.'

"My glance had fallen, but a few moments before, on the fragments of abroken sword, lying among the hay. That weapon was a gentleman's. Inanotherplace,layanoldswordthatseemedtohavebeenasoldier's.

"'Now,liftmeup,Doctor;liftmeup.Whereishe?'

"'Heisnothere,'Isaid,supportingtheboy,andthinkingthathereferredtothebrother.

"'He!Proudasthesenoblesare,heisafraidtoseeme.Whereisthemanwhowashere?Turnmyfacetohim.'

"Ididso,raisingtheboy'sheadagainstmyknee.But,investedforthemomentwith extraordinary power, he raised himself completely: obligingme to risetoo,orIcouldnothavestillsupportedhim.

"'Marquis,'saidtheboy,turnedtohimwithhiseyesopenedwide,andhisrighthand raised, 'in the days when all these things are to be answered for, Isummon you and yours, to the last of your bad race, to answer for them. Imarkthiscrossofblooduponyou,asasignthatIdoit.Inthedayswhenallthesethingsare tobeansweredfor, Isummonyourbrother, theworstof the

badrace,toanswerforthemseparately.Imarkthiscrossofblooduponhim,asasignthatIdoit.'

"Twice, he put his hand to thewound in his breast, andwith his forefingerdrewacrossintheair.Hestoodforaninstantwiththefingeryetraised,andasitdropped,hedroppedwithit,andIlaidhimdowndead.

"When I returned to thebedsideof theyoungwoman, I foundher raving inprecisely the sameorder of continuity. I knew that thismight last formanyhours,andthatitwouldprobablyendinthesilenceofthegrave.

"IrepeatedthemedicinesIhadgivenher,andIsatatthesideofthebeduntilthe night was far advanced. She never abated the piercing quality of hershrieks, never stumbled in the distinctness or the order of her words. Theywerealways 'Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!One, two, three, four,five,six,seven,eight,nine,ten,eleven,twelve.Hush!'

"This lasted twentysixhours fromthe timewhenI first sawher. Ihadcomeandgonetwice,andwasagainsittingbyher,whenshebegantofalter.Ididwhatlittlecouldbedonetoassistthatopportunity,andbyandbyeshesankintoalethargy,andlaylikethedead.

"Itwasasifthewindandrainhadlulledatlast,afteralongandfearfulstorm.Ireleasedherarms,andcalledthewomantoassistmetocomposeherfigureandthedressshehadtorn.ItwasthenthatIknewherconditiontobethatofoneinwhomthefirstexpectationsofbeingamotherhavearisen;anditwasthenthatIlostthelittlehopeIhadhadofher.

"'Is she dead?' asked the Marquis, whom I will still describe as the elderbrother,comingbootedintotheroomfromhishorse.

"'Notdead,'saidI;'butliketodie.'

"'Whatstrengththereisinthesecommonbodies!'hesaid,lookingdownatherwithsomecuriosity.

"'Thereisprodigiousstrength,'Iansweredhim,'insorrowanddespair.'

"Hefirst laughedatmywords,andthenfrownedat them.Hemovedachairwithhis footnear tomine,ordered thewomanaway, and said in a subduedvoice,

"'Doctor,findingmybrotherinthisdifficultywiththesehinds,Irecommendedthatyouraidshouldbeinvited.Yourreputationishigh,and,asayoungmanwith your fortune to make, you are probably mindful of your interest. Thethingsthatyouseehere,arethingstobeseen,andnotspokenof.'

"Ilistenedtothepatient'sbreathing,andavoidedanswering.

"'Doyouhonourmewithyourattention,Doctor?'

"'Monsieur,' said I, 'in my profession, the communications of patients arealwaysreceivedinconfidence.'Iwasguardedinmyanswer,forIwastroubledinmymindwithwhatIhadheardandseen.

"Herbreathingwassodifficulttotrace,thatIcarefullytriedthepulseandtheheart. Therewas life, and nomore. Looking round as I resumedmy seat, Ifoundboththebrothersintentuponme.

"Iwritewithsomuchdifficulty,thecoldissosevere,Iamsofearfulofbeingdetectedandconsignedtoanundergroundcellandtotaldarkness,thatImustabridgethisnarrative.Thereisnoconfusionorfailureinmymemory;itcanrecall, and could detail, every word that was ever spoken between me andthosebrothers.

"She lingered for a week. Towards the last, I could understand some fewsyllablesthatshesaidtome,byplacingmyearclosetoherlips.Sheaskedmewhereshewas,andItoldher;whoIwas,andItoldher.ItwasinvainthatIaskedherforherfamilyname.Shefaintlyshookherheaduponthepillow,andkepthersecret,astheboyhaddone.

"Ihadnoopportunityofaskingheranyquestion,untilIhadtoldthebrothersshewassinkingfast,andcouldnotliveanotherday.Untilthen,thoughnoonewaseverpresentedtoherconsciousnesssavethewomanandmyself,oneorotherof themhadalways jealously satbehind the curtain at theheadof thebedwhen Iwas there.Butwhen it came to that, they seemedcarelesswhatcommunication I might hold with her; as ifthe thought passed through mymindIweredyingtoo.

"Ialwaysobservedthattheirpridebitterlyresentedtheyoungerbrother's(asIcallhim)havingcrossedswordswithapeasant,and thatpeasantaboy.Theonlyconsiderationthatappearedtoaffectthemindofeitherofthemwastheconsiderationthatthiswashighlydegradingtothefamily,andwasridiculous.AsoftenasIcaughttheyoungerbrother'seyes,theirexpressionremindedmethat hedislikedmedeeply, forknowingwhat I knew from theboy.Hewassmootherandmorepolitetomethantheelder;butIsawthis.IalsosawthatIwasanincumbranceinthemindoftheelder,too.

"Mypatientdied,twohoursbeforemidnightatatime,bymywatch,answeringalmosttotheminutewhenIhadfirstseenher.Iwasalonewithher,whenherforlornyoungheaddroopedgentlyononeside,andallherearthlywrongsandsorrowsended.

"Thebrotherswerewaitinginaroomdownstairs,impatienttorideaway.Ihadheard them,aloneat thebedside, striking theirbootswith their ridingwhips,andloiteringupanddown.

"'Atlastsheisdead?'saidtheelder,whenIwentin.

"'Sheisdead,'saidI.

"'Icongratulateyou,mybrother,'werehiswordsasheturnedround.

"He had before offered memoney, which I had postponed taking. He nowgavemearouleauofgold.I tookitfromhishand,but laiditonthetable.Ihadconsideredthequestion,andhadresolvedtoacceptnothing.

"'Prayexcuseme,'saidI.'Underthecircumstances,no.'

"Theyexchangedlooks,butbenttheirheadstomeasIbentminetothem,andwepartedwithoutanotherwordoneitherside.

"I amweary,weary,wearyworndownbymisery. I cannot readwhat I havewrittenwiththisgaunthand.

"Earlyinthemorning,therouleauofgoldwasleftatmydoorinalittlebox,withmynameontheoutside.Fromthefirst,IhadanxiouslyconsideredwhatIoughttodo.Idecided,thatday,towriteprivatelytotheMinister,statingthenatureofthetwocasestowhichIhadbeensummoned,andtheplacetowhichI had gone: in effect, stating all the circumstances. I knew what Courtinfluencewas, andwhat the immunities of theNobleswere, and I expectedthatthematterwouldneverbeheardof;but,Iwishedtorelievemyownmind.Ihadkept thematter aprofoundsecret, even frommywife; and this, too, Iresolved to state in my letter. I had no apprehension whatever of my realdanger; but Iwas conscious that theremight be danger for others, if otherswerecompromisedbypossessingtheknowledgethatIpossessed.

"Iwasmuchengagedthatday,andcouldnotcompletemyletterthatnight.Iroselongbeforemyusualtimenextmorningtofinishit.Itwasthelastdayoftheyear.Theletterwaslyingbeforemejustcompleted,whenIwastoldthataladywaited,whowishedtoseeme.

"Iamgrowingmoreandmoreunequal to the taskIhavesetmyself. It issocold, so dark, my senses are so benumbed, and the gloom upon me is sodreadful.

"Theladywasyoung,engaging,andhandsome,butnotmarkedforlonglife.She was in great agitation. She presented herself to me as the wife of theMarquisSt.Evremonde.Iconnectedthetitlebywhichtheboyhadaddressed

theelderbrother,with the initial letterembroideredon thescarf,andhadnodifficulty in arriving at the conclusion that I had seen that nobleman verylately.

"My memory is still accurate, but I cannot write the words of ourconversation.IsuspectthatIamwatchedmorecloselythanIwas,andIknownot atwhat times Imaybewatched. She had in part suspected, and in partdiscovered,themainfactsofthecruelstory,ofherhusband'sshareinit,andmybeingresortedto.Shedidnotknowthatthegirlwasdead.Herhopehadbeen, she said ingreatdistress, to showher, in secret, awoman's sympathy.HerhopehadbeentoavertthewrathofHeavenfromaHousethathadlongbeenhatefultothesufferingmany.

"She had reasons for believing that therewas a young sister living, and hergreatestdesirewas, tohelp that sister. I could tellhernothingbut that therewassuchasister;beyondthat,Iknewnothing.Herinducementtocometome,relyingonmyconfidence,hadbeenthehopethatIcouldtellherthenameandplaceofabode.Whereas,tothiswretchedhourIamignorantofboth.

"These scraps of paper fail me. One was taken from me, with a warning,yesterday.Imustfinishmyrecordtoday.

"Shewas a good, compassionate lady, and not happy in hermarriage.Howcouldshebe!Thebrotherdistrustedanddislikedher,andhisinfluencewasallopposed toher; shestood indreadofhim,and indreadofherhusband too.WhenIhandedherdowntothedoor,therewasachild,aprettyboyfromtwotothreeyearsold,inhercarriage.

"'Forhissake,Doctor,'shesaid,pointingtohimintears,'IwoulddoallIcanto make what poor amends I can. He will never prosper in his inheritanceotherwise.Ihaveapresentimentthatifnootherinnocentatonementismadeforthis,itwillonedayberequiredofhim.WhatIhavelefttocallmyownitislittlebeyondtheworthofafewjewelsIwillmakeitthefirstchargeofhislifeto bestow, with the compassion and lamenting of his dead mother, on thisinjuredfamily,ifthesistercanbediscovered.'

"She kissed the boy, and said, caressing him, 'It is for thine owndear sake.Thouwiltbefaithful, littleCharles?'Thechildansweredherbravely, 'Yes!'Ikissedherhand,andshetookhiminherarms,andwentawaycaressinghim.Ineversawhermore.

"Asshehadmentionedherhusband'snameinthefaiththatIknewit,Iaddednomentionofittomyletter.Isealedmyletter,and,nottrustingitoutofmyownhands,delivereditmyselfthatday.

"Thatnight,thelastnightoftheyear,towardsnineo'clock,amaninablackdressrangatmygate,demandedtoseeme,andsoftlyfollowedmyservant,ErnestDefarge,ayouth,upstairs.WhenmyservantcameintotheroomwhereI satwithmywifeOmywife, beloved ofmyheart!My fair youngEnglishwife!we saw the man, who was supposed to be at the gate, standing silentbehindhim.

"AnurgentcaseintheRueSt.Honore,hesaid.Itwouldnotdetainme,hehadacoachinwaiting.

"Itbroughtmehere,itbroughtmetomygrave.WhenIwasclearofthehouse,ablackmufflerwasdrawntightlyovermymouthfrombehind,andmyarmswere pinioned. The two brothers crossed the road from a dark corner, andidentified me with a single gesture. TheMarquis took from his pocket theletter I hadwritten, showed itme, burnt it in the light of a lantern thatwasheld,andextinguishedtheasheswithhisfoot.Notawordwasspoken.Iwasbroughthere,Iwasbroughttomylivinggrave.

"IfithadpleasedGodtoputitinthehardheartofeitherofthebrothers,inallthesefrightfulyears,tograntmeanytidingsofmydearestwifesomuchastoletmeknowbyawordwhetheraliveordeadImighthavethoughtthatHehadnotquiteabandonedthem.But,nowIbelievethatthemarkoftheredcrossisfatal to them,andthat theyhavenopart inHismercies.Andthemandtheirdescendants,tothelastoftheirrace,I,AlexandreManette,unhappyprisoner,dothis lastnightof theyear1767, inmyunbearableagony,denouncetothetimeswhenallthesethingsshallbeansweredfor.IdenouncethemtoHeavenandtoearth."

Aterriblesoundarosewhenthereadingofthisdocumentwasdone.Asoundof craving and eagerness that had nothing articulate in it but blood. Thenarrativecalledupthemostrevengefulpassionsofthetime,andtherewasnotaheadinthenationbutmusthavedroppedbeforeit.

Little need, in presence of that tribunal and that auditory, to show how theDefarges had not made the paper public, with the other captured Bastillememorialsborneinprocession,andhadkeptit,bidingtheirtime.LittleneedtoshowthatthisdetestedfamilynamehadlongbeenanathematisedbySaintAntoine,andwaswrought intothefatalregister.Themannever trodgroundwhosevirtues and serviceswouldhave sustainedhim in that place that day,againstsuchdenunciation.

Andall theworseforthedoomedman,thatthedenouncerwasawellknowncitizen, his own attached friend, the father of hiswife. One of the frenziedaspirations of the populace was, for imitations of the questionable public

virtues of antiquity, and for sacrifices and selfimmolations on the people'saltar.Thereforewhen thePresident said (elsehadhisownheadquiveredonhis shoulders), that thegoodphysicianof theRepublicwoulddeservebetterstill of theRepublic by rooting out an obnoxious family ofAristocrats, andwoulddoubtlessfeelasacredglowandjoy inmakinghisdaughterawidowand her child an orphan, therewaswild excitement, patriotic fervour, not atouchofhumansympathy.

"Muchinfluencearoundhim,hasthatDoctor?"murmuredMadameDefarge,smilingtoTheVengeance."Savehimnow,myDoctor,savehim!"

Ateveryjuryman'svote,therewasaroar.Anotherandanother.Roarandroar.

Unanimouslyvoted.Atheart andbydescent anAristocrat, an enemyof theRepublic,anotoriousoppressorofthePeople.BacktotheConciergerie,andDeathwithinfourandtwentyhours!

XI.

Dusk

The wretched wife of the innocent man thus doomed to die, fell under thesentence,asifshehadbeenmortallystricken.But,sheutterednosound;andsostrongwasthevoicewithinher,representingthatitwassheofalltheworldwhomustupholdhiminhismiseryandnotaugmentit,thatitquicklyraisedher,evenfromthatshock.

The Judges having to take part in a public demonstration out of doors, theTribunal adjourned. The quick noise andmovement of the court's emptyingitselfbymanypassageshadnotceased,whenLuciestoodstretchingoutherarmstowardsherhusband,withnothinginherfacebutloveandconsolation.

"IfImighttouchhim!IfImightembracehimonce!O,goodcitizens,ifyouwouldhavesomuchcompassionforus!"

Therewasbutagaolerleft,alongwithtwoofthefourmenwhohadtakenhimlastnight,andBarsad.Thepeoplehadallpouredouttotheshowinthestreets.Barsadproposedtotherest,"Letherembracehimthen;itisbutamoment."Itwassilentlyacquiescedin,andtheypassedherovertheseatsinthehalltoaraisedplace,wherehe,byleaningoverthedock,couldfoldherinhisarms.

"Farewell,deardarlingofmysoul.Mypartingblessingonmylove.Weshall

meetagain,wherethewearyareatrest!"

Theywereherhusband'swords,asheheldhertohisbosom.

"Icanbearit,dearCharles.Iamsupportedfromabove:don'tsufferforme.Apartingblessingforourchild."

"Isendittoherbyyou.Ikissherbyyou.Isayfarewelltoherbyyou."

"Myhusband.No!Amoment!"Hewas tearinghimself apart fromher. "Weshallnotbeseparatedlong.Ifeelthatthiswillbreakmyheartbyandbye;butIwilldomydutywhileIcan,andwhenIleaveher,Godwillraiseupfriendsforher,asHedidforme."

Her father had followed her, andwould have fallen on his knees to both ofthem,butthatDarnayputoutahandandseizedhim,crying:

"No,no!Whathaveyoudone,whathaveyoudone,thatyoushouldkneeltous!Weknownow,whatastruggleyoumadeofold.Weknow,nowwhatyouunderwentwhenyoususpectedmydescent,andwhenyouknewit.Weknownow, the natural antipathy you strove against, and conquered, for her dearsake.Wethankyouwithallourhearts,andallourloveandduty.Heavenbewithyou!"

Her father's only answerwas to draw his hands through hiswhite hair, andwringthemwithashriekofanguish.

"Itcouldnotbeotherwise,"saidtheprisoner."Allthingshaveworkedtogetherastheyhavefallenout.Itwasthealwaysvainendeavourtodischargemypoormother'strustthatfirstbroughtmyfatalpresencenearyou.Goodcouldnevercomeofsuchevil,ahappierendwasnotinnaturetosounhappyabeginning.Becomforted,andforgiveme.Heavenblessyou!"

As hewas drawn away, hiswife released him, and stood looking after himwith her hands touching one another in the attitude of prayer, and with aradiantlookuponherface,inwhichtherewasevenacomfortingsmile.Ashewent out at the prisoners' door, she turned, laid her head lovingly on herfather'sbreast,triedtospeaktohim,andfellathisfeet.

Then, issuing from the obscure corner from which he had never moved,SydneyCartoncameandtookherup.OnlyherfatherandMr.Lorrywerewithher.Hisarmtrembledasitraisedher,andsupportedherhead.Yet,therewasanairabouthimthatwasnotallofpitythathadaflushofprideinit.

"ShallItakehertoacoach?Ishallneverfeelherweight."

Hecarriedherlightlytothedoor,andlaidhertenderlydowninacoach.Herfatherandtheiroldfriendgotintoit,andhetookhisseatbesidethedriver.

Whentheyarrivedatthegatewaywherehehadpausedinthedarknotmanyhoursbefore, topicturetohimselfonwhichoftheroughstonesofthestreether feet had trodden, he lifted her again, and carried her up the staircase totheir rooms.There, he laid her downon a couch,where her child andMissProssweptoverher.

"Don'trecallhertoherself,"hesaid,softly,tothelatter,"sheisbetterso.Don'trevivehertoconsciousness,whilesheonlyfaints."

"Oh, Carton, Carton, dear Carton!" cried little Lucie, springing up andthrowingherarmspassionatelyroundhim,inaburstofgrief."Nowthatyouhavecome,Ithinkyouwilldosomethingtohelpmamma,somethingtosavepapa!O, look at her, dearCarton!Canyou, of all thepeoplewho loveher,beartoseeherso?"

Hebentoverthechild,andlaidherbloomingcheekagainsthisface.Heputhergentlyfromhim,andlookedatherunconsciousmother.

"BeforeIgo,"hesaid,andpaused"Imaykissher?"

Itwasrememberedafterwardsthatwhenhebentdownandtouchedherfacewithhis lips,hemurmuredsomewords.Thechild,whowasnearest tohim,told them afterwards, and told her grandchildrenwhen shewas a handsomeoldlady,thatsheheardhimsay,"Alifeyoulove."

Whenhehadgoneout into thenext room,he turnedsuddenlyonMr.Lorryandherfather,whowerefollowing,andsaidtothelatter:

"Youhadgreatinfluencebutyesterday,DoctorManette;letitatleastbetried.These judges, and all themen in power, are very friendly to you, and veryrecognisantofyourservices;aretheynot?"

"NothingconnectedwithCharleswasconcealedfromme.IhadthestrongestassurancesthatIshouldsavehim;andIdid."Hereturnedtheansweringreattrouble,andveryslowly.

"Trythemagain.Thehoursbetweenthisandtomorrowafternoonarefewandshort,buttry."

"Iintendtotry.Iwillnotrestamoment."

"That's well. I have known such energy as yours do great things beforenowthough never," he added, with a smile and a sigh together, "such great

thingsasthis.Buttry!Oflittleworthaslifeiswhenwemisuseit,itisworththateffort.Itwouldcostnothingtolaydownifitwerenot."

"Iwillgo,"saidDoctorManette,"totheProsecutorandthePresidentstraight,andIwillgotootherswhomitisbetternottoname.Iwillwritetoo,andButstay!ThereisaCelebrationinthestreets,andnoonewillbeaccessibleuntildark."

"That'strue.Well!Itisaforlornhopeatthebest,andnotmuchtheforlornerfor being delayed till dark. I should like to know how you speed; though,mind!Iexpectnothing!Whenareyoulikelytohaveseenthesedreadpowers,DoctorManette?"

"Immediatelyafterdark,Ishouldhope.Withinanhourortwofromthis."

"Itwillbedarksoonafterfour.Letusstretchthehourortwo.IfIgotoMr.Lorry'satnine,shallIhearwhatyouhavedone,eitherfromourfriendorfromyourself?"

"Yes."

"Mayyouprosper!"

Mr. Lorry followed Sydney to the outer door, and, touching him on theshoulderashewasgoingaway,causedhimtoturn.

"Ihavenohope,"saidMr.Lorry,inalowandsorrowfulwhisper.

"NorhaveI."

"Ifanyoneofthesemen,orallofthesemen,weredisposedtosparehimwhichisalargesupposition;forwhatishislife,oranyman'stothem!Idoubtiftheydurstsparehimafterthedemonstrationinthecourt."

"AndsodoI.Iheardthefalloftheaxeinthatsound."

Mr.Lorryleanedhisarmuponthedoorpost,andbowedhisfaceuponit.

"Don'tdespond,"saidCarton,verygently;"don'tgrieve.IencouragedDoctorManetteinthisidea,becauseIfeltthatitmightonedaybeconsolatorytoher.Otherwise,shemightthink'hislifewaswantonlythrownawayorwasted,'andthatmighttroubleher."

"Yes,yes,yes,"returnedMr.Lorry,dryinghiseyes,"youareright.Buthewillperish;thereisnorealhope."

"Yes.Hewillperish:thereisnorealhope,"echoedCarton.

Andwalkedwithasettledstep,downstairs.

XII.

Darkness

Sydney Carton paused in the street, not quite decided where to go. "AtTellson'sbankinghouseatnine,"hesaid,withamusingface."ShallIdowell,inthemeantime,toshowmyself?Ithinkso.Itisbestthatthesepeopleshouldknow there is such aman as I here; it is a soundprecaution, andmaybe anecessarypreparation.Butcare,care,care!Letmethinkitout!"

Checkinghisstepswhichhadbeguntotendtowardsanobject,hetookaturnortwointhealreadydarkeningstreet,andtracedthethoughtinhismindtoitspossible consequences. His first impression was confirmed. "It is best," hesaid,finallyresolved,"thatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere."AndheturnedhisfacetowardsSaintAntoine.

Defargehaddescribedhimself, that day, as the keeper of awineshop in theSaintAntoinesuburb.Itwasnotdifficultforonewhoknewthecitywell, tofindhishousewithout askinganyquestion.Havingascertained its situation,Carton came out of those closer streets again, and dined at a place ofrefreshment and fell sound asleep after dinner. For the first time in manyyears,hehadnostrongdrink.Sincelastnighthehadtakennothingbutalittlelightthinwine,andlastnighthehaddroppedthebrandyslowlydownonMr.Lorry'shearthlikeamanwhohaddonewithit.

Itwasaslateasseveno'clockwhenheawokerefreshed,andwentoutintothestreets again. As he passed along towards Saint Antoine, he stopped at ashopwindow where there was a mirror, and slightly altered the disorderedarrangement of his loose cravat, and his coatcollar, and his wild hair. Thisdone,hewentondirecttoDefarge's,andwentin.

There happened to be no customer in the shop but Jacques Three, of therestlessfingersandthecroakingvoice.Thisman,whomhehadseenupontheJury, stood drinking at the little counter, in conversationwith theDefarges,man and wife. The Vengeance assisted in the conversation, like a regularmemberoftheestablishment.

AsCartonwalkedin,tookhisseatandasked(inveryindifferentFrench)forasmallmeasure ofwine,MadameDefarge cast a careless glance at him, and

thenakeener,andthenakeener,andthenadvancedtohimherself,andaskedhimwhatitwashehadordered.

Herepeatedwhathehadalreadysaid.

"English?"askedMadameDefarge,inquisitivelyraisingherdarkeyebrows.

Afterlookingather,asifthesoundofevenasingleFrenchwordwereslowtoexpressitself tohim,heanswered, inhisformerstrongforeignaccent."Yes,madame,yes.IamEnglish!"

MadameDefargereturnedtohercountertogetthewine,and,ashetookupaJacobinjournalandfeignedtoporeoveritpuzzlingoutitsmeaning,heheardhersay,"Isweartoyou,likeEvremonde!"

Defargebroughthimthewine,andgavehimGoodEvening.

"How?"

"Goodevening."

"Oh!Goodevening,citizen,"fillinghisglass."Ah!andgoodwine.IdrinktotheRepublic."

Defargewentbacktothecounter,andsaid,"Certainly,alittlelike."Madamesternly retorted, "I tell you a good deal like." Jacques Three pacificallyremarked, "He is so much in your mind, see you, madame." The amiableVengeanceadded,withalaugh,"Yes,myfaith!Andyouarelookingforwardwithsomuchpleasuretoseeinghimoncemoretomorrow!"

Cartonfollowedthelinesandwordsofhispaper,withaslowforefinger,andwith a studious and absorbed face. Theywere all leaning their arms on thecounterclosetogether,speakinglow.Afterasilenceofafewmoments,duringwhich they all looked towards himwithout disturbing his outward attentionfromtheJacobineditor,theyresumedtheirconversation.

"Itistruewhatmadamesays,"observedJacquesThree."Whystop?Thereisgreatforceinthat.Whystop?"

"Well,well,"reasonedDefarge,"butonemuststopsomewhere.Afterall,thequestionisstillwhere?"

"Atextermination,"saidmadame.

"Magnificent!"croakedJacquesThree.TheVengeance,also,highlyapproved.

"Exterminationisgooddoctrine,mywife,"saidDefarge,rathertroubled;"in

general,Isaynothingagainstit.ButthisDoctorhassufferedmuch;youhaveseenhimtoday;youhaveobservedhisfacewhenthepaperwasread."

"I have observed his face!" repeated madame, contemptuously and angrily."Yes.Ihaveobservedhisface.IhaveobservedhisfacetobenotthefaceofatruefriendoftheRepublic.Lethimtakecareofhisface!"

"And you have observed,mywife," saidDefarge, in a deprecatorymanner,"theanguishofhisdaughter,whichmustbeadreadfulanguishtohim!"

"Ihaveobservedhisdaughter," repeatedmadame; "yes, Ihaveobservedhisdaughter,moretimesthanone.Ihaveobservedhertoday,andIhaveobservedherotherdays.Ihaveobservedherinthecourt,andIhaveobservedherinthestreet by the prison.Letme but liftmy finger!" She seemed to raise it (thelistener'seyeswerealwaysonhispaper),andtoletitfallwitharattleontheledgebeforeher,asiftheaxehaddropped.

"Thecitizenessissuperb!"croakedtheJuryman.

"SheisanAngel!"saidTheVengeance,andembracedher.

"As to thee," pursued madame, implacably, addressing her husband, "if itdependedontheewhich,happily,itdoesnotthouwouldstrescuethismanevennow."

"No!" protestedDefarge. "Not if to lift this glasswould do it! But Iwouldleavethematterthere.Isay,stopthere."

"Seeyouthen,Jacques,"saidMadameDefarge,wrathfully;"andseeyou,too,my little Vengeance; see you both! Listen! For other crimes as tyrants andoppressors,Ihavethisracealongtimeonmyregister,doomedtodestructionandextermination.Askmyhusband,isthatso."

"Itisso,"assentedDefarge,withoutbeingasked.

"Inthebeginningofthegreatdays,whentheBastillefalls,hefindsthispaperoftoday,andhebringsithome,andinthemiddleofthenightwhenthisplaceisclearandshut,wereadit,hereonthisspot,bythelightofthislamp.Askhim,isthatso."

"Itisso,"assentedDefarge.

"Thatnight,Itellhim,whenthepaperisreadthrough,andthelampisburntout,and theday isgleaming inabove thoseshuttersandbetween those ironbars,thatIhavenowasecrettocommunicate.Askhim,isthatso."

"Itisso,"assentedDefargeagain.

"Icommunicatetohimthatsecret.IsmitethisbosomwiththesetwohandsasIsmiteitnow,andItellhim,'Defarge,Iwasbroughtupamongthefishermenof the seashore, and that peasant family so injured by the two Evremondebrothers,asthatBastillepaperdescribes,ismyfamily.Defarge,thatsisterofthemortallywoundedboyupon thegroundwasmysister, thathusbandwasmy sister's husband, that unborn childwas their child, that brotherwasmybrother,thatfatherwasmyfather,thosedeadaremydead,andthatsummonstoanswerforthosethingsdescendstome!'Askhim,isthatso."

"Itisso,"assentedDefargeoncemore.

"ThentellWindandFirewheretostop,"returnedmadame;"butdon'ttellme."

Bothherhearersderivedahorribleenjoyment fromthedeadlynatureofherwraththe listener could feel howwhite shewas,without seeing herand bothhighlycommended it.Defarge, aweakminority, interposeda fewwords forthememoryofthecompassionatewifeoftheMarquis;butonlyelicitedfromhisownwifearepetitionofherlastreply."TelltheWindandtheFirewheretostop;notme!"

Customersentered,andthegroupwasbrokenup.TheEnglishcustomerpaidforwhathehadhad,perplexedlycountedhischange,andasked,asastranger,tobedirectedtowardstheNationalPalace.MadameDefargetookhimtothedoor,andputherarmonhis,inpointingouttheroad.TheEnglishcustomerwasnotwithouthisreflectionsthen,thatitmightbeagooddeedtoseizethatarm,liftit,andstrikeunderitsharpanddeep.

But,hewenthisway,andwassoonswallowedupintheshadowoftheprisonwall. At the appointed hour, he emerged from it to present himself in Mr.Lorry'sroomagain,wherehefoundtheoldgentlemanwalkingtoandfro inrestlessanxiety.HesaidhehadbeenwithLucieuntiljustnow,andhadonlyleftherforafewminutes,tocomeandkeephisappointment.Herfatherhadnot been seen, since he quitted the bankinghouse towards four o'clock. Shehad some faint hopes that hismediationmight save Charles, but theywereveryslight.Hehadbeenmorethanfivehoursgone:wherecouldhebe?

Mr.Lorrywaiteduntil ten; but,DoctorManette not returning, andhebeingunwillingtoleaveLucieanylonger,itwasarrangedthatheshouldgobacktoher, and come to the bankinghouse again at midnight. In the meanwhile,CartonwouldwaitalonebythefirefortheDoctor.

Hewaitedandwaited,andtheclockstrucktwelve;butDoctorManettedidnotcome back. Mr. Lorry returned, and found no tidings of him, and broughtnone.Wherecouldhebe?

Theywerediscussingthisquestion,andwerealmostbuildingupsomeweakstructureofhopeonhisprolongedabsence,whentheyheardhimonthestairs.Theinstantheenteredtheroom,itwasplainthatallwaslost.

Whetherhehadreallybeentoanyone,orwhetherhehadbeenall that timetraversing the streets, was never known. As he stood staring at them, theyaskedhimnoquestion,forhisfacetoldthemeverything.

"Icannotfindit,"saidhe,"andImusthaveit.Whereisit?"

Hisheadandthroatwerebare,and,ashespokewithahelplesslookstrayingallaround,hetookhiscoatoff,andletitdroponthefloor.

"Where ismy bench? I have been looking everywhere formy bench, and Ican'tfindit.Whathavetheydonewithmywork?Timepresses:Imustfinishthoseshoes."

Theylookedatoneanother,andtheirheartsdiedwithinthem.

"Come,come!"saidhe,inawhimperingmiserableway;"letmegettowork.Givememywork."

Receivingnoanswer,hetorehishair,andbeathisfeetupontheground,likeadistractedchild.

"Don'ttortureapoorforlornwretch,"heimploredthem,withadreadfulcry;"butgivememywork!Whatistobecomeofus,ifthoseshoesarenotdonetonight?"

Lost,utterlylost!

Itwassoclearlybeyondhopetoreasonwithhim,ortrytorestorehim,thatasifbyagreementtheyeachputahanduponhisshoulder,andsoothedhimtositdownbefore thefire,withapromise thatheshouldhavehisworkpresently.Hesankintothechair,andbroodedovertheembers,andshedtears.Asifallthathadhappenedsincethegarrettimewereamomentaryfancy,oradream,Mr. Lorry saw him shrink into the exact figure that Defarge had had inkeeping.

Affected, and impressedwith terror as they bothwere, by this spectacle ofruin,itwasnotatimetoyieldtosuchemotions.Hislonelydaughter,bereftofherfinalhopeandreliance,appealedtothembothtoostrongly.Again,asifbyagreement,theylookedatoneanotherwithonemeaningintheirfaces.Cartonwasthefirsttospeak:

"Thelastchanceisgone:itwasnotmuch.Yes;hehadbetterbetakentoher.

But,beforeyougo,willyou,foramoment,steadilyattendtome?Don'taskmewhyImakethestipulationsIamgoingtomake,andexactthepromiseIamgoingtoexact;Ihaveareasonagoodone."

"Idonotdoubtit,"answeredMr.Lorry."Sayon."

Thefigureinthechairbetweenthem,wasallthetimemonotonouslyrockingitselftoandfro,andmoaning.Theyspokeinsuchatoneastheywouldhaveusediftheyhadbeenwatchingbyasickbedinthenight.

Cartonstoopedtopickupthecoat,whichlayalmostentanglinghisfeet.Ashedidso,asmallcaseinwhichtheDoctorwasaccustomedtocarrythelistsofhis day's duties, fell lightly on the floor.Carton took it up, and therewas afolded paper in it. "We should look at this!" he said.Mr. Lorry nodded hisconsent.Heopenedit,andexclaimed,"ThankGod!"

"Whatisit?"askedMr.Lorry,eagerly.

"Amoment!Letmespeakofitinitsplace.First,"heputhishandinhiscoat,and took another paper from it, "that is the certificatewhich enablesme topassoutofthiscity.Lookatit.YouseeSydneyCarton,anEnglishman?"

Mr.Lorryhelditopeninhishand,gazinginhisearnestface.

"Keepitformeuntiltomorrow.Ishallseehimtomorrow,youremember,andIhadbetternottakeitintotheprison."

"Whynot?"

"Idon'tknow;Iprefernottodoso.Now,takethispaperthatDoctorManettehascarriedabouthim.Itisasimilarcertificate,enablinghimandhisdaughterandherchild,atanytime,topassthebarrierandthefrontier!Yousee?"

"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 upcarefullywithmineandyourown.Now,observe!Ineverdoubteduntilwithinthis hour or two, that he had, or could have such a paper. It is good, untilrecalled.Butitmaybesoonrecalled,and,Ihavereasontothink,willbe."

"Theyarenotindanger?"

"They are in great danger. They are in danger of denunciation byMadameDefarge.Iknowitfromherownlips.Ihaveoverheardwordsofthatwoman's,tonight,whichhavepresentedtheirdangertomeinstrongcolours.Ihavelostnotime,andsincethen,Ihaveseenthespy.Heconfirmsme.Heknowsthata

woodsawyer, livingby theprisonwall, isunder thecontrolof theDefarges,and has been rehearsed by Madame Defarge as to his having seen Her"henever mentioned Lucie's name"making signs and signals to prisoners. It iseasy to foresee that thepretencewillbe thecommonone,aprisonplot,andthat itwill involveher lifeandperhapsher child'sandperhapsher father'sforbothhavebeenseenwithherat thatplace.Don't looksohorrified.Youwillsavethemall."

"HeavengrantImay,Carton!Buthow?"

"Iamgoingtotellyouhow.Itwilldependonyou,anditcoulddependonnobetter man. This new denunciation will certainly not take place until aftertomorrow;probablynotuntil twoor threedaysafterwards;moreprobablyaweekafterwards.Youknowitisacapitalcrime,tomournfor,orsympathisewith,avictimof theGuillotine.Sheandherfatherwouldunquestionablybeguiltyofthiscrime,andthiswoman(theinveteracyofwhosepursuitcannotbe described)wouldwait to add that strength to her case, andmake herselfdoublysure.Youfollowme?"

"So attentively, andwith somuch confidence in what you say, that for themoment I lose sight," touching the back of theDoctor's chair, "even of thisdistress."

"You have money, and can buy the means of travelling to the seacoast asquicklyas the journeycanbemade.Yourpreparationshavebeencompletedforsomedays,toreturntoEngland.Earlytomorrowhaveyourhorsesready,sothattheymaybeinstartingtrimattwoo'clockintheafternoon."

"Itshallbedone!"

Hismannerwassoferventandinspiring,thatMr.Lorrycaughttheflame,andwasasquickasyouth.

"Youareanobleheart.DidIsaywecoulddependuponnobetterman?Tellher, tonight, what you know of her danger as involving her child and herfather. Dwell upon that, for she would lay her own fair head beside herhusband'scheerfully."Hefalteredforaninstant;thenwentonasbefore."Forthe sakeofher child andher father, pressuponher thenecessityof leavingParis,withthemandyou,at thathour.Tellher that itwasherhusband's lastarrangement. Tell her that more depends upon it than she dare believe, orhope.Youthinkthatherfather,evenin thissadstate,willsubmithimself toher;doyounot?"

"Iamsureofit."

"I thought so.Quietly and steadily have all these arrangementsmade in thecourtyard here, even to the taking of your own seat in the carriage. ThemomentIcometoyou,takemein,anddriveaway."

"IunderstandthatIwaitforyouunderallcircumstances?"

"You have my certificate in your hand with the rest, you know, and willreservemyplace.Wait fornothingbut tohavemyplaceoccupied,and thenforEngland!"

"Why,then,"saidMr.Lorry,graspinghiseagerbutsofirmandsteadyhand,"itdoesnotalldependononeoldman,but I shallhaveayoungandardentmanatmyside."

"By the help of Heaven you shall! Promise me solemnly that nothing willinfluence you to alter the course on which we now stand pledged to oneanother."

"Nothing,Carton."

"Remember thesewords tomorrow: change the course, or delay in itfor anyreasonandno life can possibly be saved, andmany livesmust inevitably besacrificed."

"Iwillrememberthem.Ihopetodomypartfaithfully."

"AndIhopetodomine.Now,goodbye!"

Thoughhesaid itwithagravesmileofearnestness,andthoughheevenputtheoldman'shandtohislips,hedidnotpartfromhimthen.Hehelpedhimsofartoarousetherockingfigurebeforethedyingembers,astogetacloakandhatputuponit,andtotemptitforthtofindwherethebenchandworkwerehiddenthatitstillmoaninglybesoughttohave.Hewalkedontheothersideofit and protected it to the courtyard of the housewhere the afflicted heartsohappyinthememorabletimewhenhehadrevealedhisowndesolatehearttoitoutwatchedtheawfulnight.Heenteredthecourtyardandremainedtherefora few moments alone, looking up at the light in the window of her room.Beforehewentaway,hebreathedablessingtowardsit,andaFarewell.

XIII.

Fiftytwo

In theblackprisonof theConciergerie, thedoomedof thedayawaited theirfate.Theywereinnumberastheweeksoftheyear.Fiftytwoweretorollthatafternoonon the lifetideof the city to theboundless everlasting sea.Beforetheir cells were quit of them, new occupants were appointed; before theirbloodranintothebloodspilledyesterday, thebloodthatwastominglewiththeirstomorrowwasalreadysetapart.

Twoscoreandtwelveweretoldoff.Fromthefarmergeneralofseventy,whoserichescouldnotbuyhis life, totheseamstressof twenty,whosepovertyandobscurity couldnot saveher.Physical diseases, engendered in thevices andneglectsofmen,willseizeonvictimsofalldegrees;and thefrightfulmoraldisorder,bornofunspeakablesuffering, intolerableoppression,andheartlessindifference,smoteequallywithoutdistinction.

Charles Darnay, alone in a cell, had sustained himself with no flatteringdelusionsincehecametoitfromtheTribunal.Ineverylineofthenarrativehehadheard,hehadheardhiscondemnation.Hehadfullycomprehendedthatnopersonalinfluencecouldpossiblysavehim,thathewasvirtuallysentencedbythemillions,andthatunitscouldavailhimnothing.

Nevertheless, itwasnoteasy,with the faceofhisbelovedwife freshbeforehim, tocomposehismind towhat itmustbear.Hisholdon lifewasstrong,anditwasvery,veryhard,toloosen;bygradualeffortsanddegreesunclosedalittlehere, it clenched the tighter there; andwhenhebroughthis strength tobearonthathandandityielded,thiswasclosedagain.Therewasahurry,too,inallhisthoughts,aturbulentandheatedworkingofhisheart,thatcontendedagainst resignation. If, foramoment,hedidfeel resigned, thenhiswifeandchildwho had to live after him, seemed to protest and tomake it a selfishthing.

But, all this was at first. Before long, the consideration that there was nodisgrace in the fate he must meet, and that numbers went the same roadwrongfully, and trod it firmly every day, sprang up to stimulate him. Nextfollowedthethoughtthatmuchofthefuturepeaceofmindenjoyablebythedearones,dependedonhisquietfortitude.So,bydegreeshecalmedintothebetterstate,whenhecouldraisehisthoughtsmuchhigher,anddrawcomfortdown.

Before ithad set indarkon thenightofhis condemnation,hehad travelledthusfaronhislastway.Beingallowedtopurchasethemeansofwriting,andalight, he sat down to write until such time as the prison lamps should beextinguished.

HewrotealonglettertoLucie,showingherthathehadknownnothingofher

father's imprisonment, until hehadheardof it fromherself, and thathehadbeenasignorantassheofhisfather'sanduncle'sresponsibilityforthatmisery,until the paper had been read. He had already explained to her that hisconcealment from herself of the name he had relinquished, was the oneconditionfully intelligible nowthat her father had attached to their betrothal,andwastheonepromisehehadstillexactedonthemorningoftheirmarriage.He entreated her, for her father's sake, never to seek to know whether herfather had become oblivious of the existence of the paper, or had had itrecalled tohim(for themoment,or forgood),by thestoryof theTower,onthatoldSundayunderthedearoldplanetreeinthegarden.Ifhehadpreservedanydefiniteremembranceofit,therecouldbenodoubtthathehadsupposeditdestroyedwiththeBastille,whenhehadfoundnomentionofitamongtherelics of prisonerswhich the populace had discovered there, andwhich hadbeendescribedtoalltheworld.Hebesoughtherthoughheaddedthatheknewitwasneedlesstoconsoleherfather,byimpressinghimthrougheverytendermeansshecouldthinkof,withthetruththathehaddonenothingforwhichhecould justly reproach himself, but had uniformly forgotten himself for theirjointsakes.Nexttoherpreservationofhisownlastgratefulloveandblessing,and her overcoming of her sorrow, to devote herself to their dear child, headjuredher,astheywouldmeetinHeaven,tocomfortherfather.

Toherfatherhimself,hewroteinthesamestrain;but,hetoldherfatherthatheexpresslyconfidedhiswifeandchildtohiscare.Andhetoldhimthis,verystrongly,with the hope of rousing him from any despondency or dangerousretrospecttowardswhichheforesawhemightbetending.

ToMr.Lorry,hecommendedthemall,andexplainedhisworldlyaffairs.Thatdone,withmanyaddedsentencesofgratefulfriendshipandwarmattachment,allwasdone.HeneverthoughtofCarton.Hismindwassofulloftheothers,thatheneveroncethoughtofhim.

Hehadtimetofinishtheselettersbeforethelightswereputout.Whenhelaydownonhisstrawbed,hethoughthehaddonewiththisworld.

But, it beckoned himback in his sleep, and showed itself in shining forms.Freeandhappy,backintheoldhouseinSoho(thoughithadnothinginitliketherealhouse),unaccountablyreleasedandlightofheart,hewaswithLucieagain, and she toldhim itwas all a dream, andhehadnevergone away.Apauseofforgetfulness,andthenhehadevensuffered,andhadcomebacktoher,deadandatpeace,andyettherewasnodifferenceinhim.Anotherpauseofoblivion,andheawokeinthesombremorning,unconsciouswherehewasorwhathadhappened,until it flasheduponhismind,"this is thedayofmydeath!"

Thus,hadhecomethroughthehours,tothedaywhenthefiftytwoheadsweretofall.Andnow,whilehewascomposed,andhoped thathecouldmeet theendwithquietheroism,anewactionbeganinhiswakingthoughts,whichwasverydifficulttomaster.

Hehadneverseen the instrument thatwas to terminatehis life.Howhigh itwasfromtheground,howmanystepsithad,wherehewouldbestood,howhewouldbe touched,whether the touchinghandswouldbedyedred,whichwayhisfacewouldbeturned,whetherhewouldbethefirst,ormightbethelast:theseandmanysimilarquestions,innowisedirectedbyhiswill,obtrudedthemselvesoverandoveragain,countlesstimes.Neitherweretheyconnectedwith fear: hewas conscious of no fear. Rather, they originated in a strangebesettingdesiretoknowwhattodowhenthetimecame;adesiregiganticallydisproportionate to the fewswiftmoments towhich it referred;awonderingthatwasmorelikethewonderingofsomeotherspiritwithinhis,thanhisown.

Thehourswentonashewalkedtoandfro,andtheclocksstruckthenumbershewouldneverhearagain.Ninegoneforever,tengoneforever,elevengonefor ever, twelve coming on to pass away. After a hard contest with thateccentricactionofthoughtwhichhadlastperplexedhim,hehadgotthebetterof it.Hewalked up and down, softly repeating their names to himself. Theworstofthestrifewasover.Hecouldwalkupanddown,freefromdistractingfancies,prayingforhimselfandforthem.

Twelvegoneforever.

HehadbeenapprisedthatthefinalhourwasThree,andheknewhewouldbesummoned some time earlier, inasmuch as the tumbrils jolted heavily andslowly through the streets. Therefore, he resolved to keep Two before hismind,asthehour,andsotostrengthenhimselfintheintervalthathemightbeable,afterthattime,tostrengthenothers.

Walking regularly to and fro with his arms folded on his breast, a verydifferentman from theprisoner,whohadwalked toand froatLaForce,heheardOne struck away fromhim,without surprise. The hour hadmeasuredlike most other hours. Devoutly thankful to Heaven for his recoveredselfpossession, he thought, "There is but another now," and turned to walkagain.

Footstepsinthestonepassageoutsidethedoor.Hestopped.

Thekeywasputinthelock,andturned.Beforethedoorwasopened,orasitopened,amansaidinalowvoice,inEnglish:"Hehasneverseenmehere;Ihavekeptoutofhisway.Goyouinalone;Iwaitnear.Losenotime!"

Thedoorwasquicklyopenedandclosed,andtherestoodbeforehimfacetoface, quiet, intent uponhim,with the light of a smileonhis features, and acautionaryfingeronhislip,SydneyCarton.

Therewassomethingsobrightand remarkable inhis look, that, for the firstmoment, the prisoner misdoubted him to be an apparition of his ownimagining.But, he spoke, and itwas his voice; he took the prisoner's hand,anditwashisrealgrasp.

"Ofallthepeopleuponearth,youleastexpectedtoseeme?"hesaid.

"Icouldnotbelieveittobeyou.Icanscarcelybelieveitnow.Youarenot"theapprehensioncamesuddenlyintohismind"aprisoner?"

"No.Iamaccidentallypossessedofapoweroveroneofthekeepershere,andinvirtueofitIstandbeforeyou.Icomefromheryourwife,dearDarnay."

Theprisonerwrunghishand.

"Ibringyouarequestfromher."

"Whatisit?"

"Amostearnest,pressing,andemphaticentreaty,addressedtoyouinthemostpathetictonesofthevoicesodeartoyou,thatyouwellremember."

Theprisonerturnedhisfacepartlyaside.

"YouhavenotimetoaskmewhyIbringit,orwhatitmeans;Ihavenotimetotellyou.Youmustcomplywithittakeoffthosebootsyouwear,anddrawontheseofmine."

There was a chair against the wall of the cell, behind the prisoner. Carton,pressingforward,hadalready,withthespeedoflightning,gothimdownintoit,andstoodoverhim,barefoot.

"Drawonthesebootsofmine.Putyourhandstothem;putyourwilltothem.Quick!"

"Carton, there isnoescapingfromthisplace; itnevercanbedone.Youwillonlydiewithme.Itismadness."

"Itwouldbemadness if Iaskedyoutoescape;butdoI?WhenIaskyoutopassoutatthatdoor,tellmeitismadnessandremainhere.Changethatcravatfor thisofmine, thatcoat for thisofmine.Whileyoudo it, letme take thisribbonfromyourhair,andshakeoutyourhairlikethisofmine!"

Withwonderful quickness, andwith a strength both ofwill and action, thatappeared quite supernatural, he forced all these changes upon him. Theprisonerwaslikeayoungchildinhishands.

"Carton!DearCarton!It ismadness.Itcannotbeaccomplished,itnevercanbedone,ithasbeenattempted,andhasalwaysfailed.Iimploreyounottoaddyourdeathtothebitternessofmine."

"Do I ask you,my dearDarnay, to pass the door?When I ask that, refuse.Therearepenandinkandpaperonthistable.Isyourhandsteadyenoughtowrite?"

"Itwaswhenyoucamein."

"Steadyitagain,andwritewhatIshalldictate.Quick,friend,quick!"

Pressing his hand to his bewildered head, Darnay sat down at the table.Carton,withhisrighthandinhisbreast,stoodclosebesidehim.

"WriteexactlyasIspeak."

"TowhomdoIaddressit?"

"Tonoone."Cartonstillhadhishandinhisbreast.

"DoIdateit?"

"No."

Theprisonerlookedup,ateachquestion.Carton,standingoverhimwithhishandinhisbreast,lookeddown.

"'Ifyouremember,'"saidCarton,dictating,"'thewordsthatpassedbetweenus,longago,youwillreadilycomprehendthiswhenyouseeit.Youdorememberthem,Iknow.Itisnotinyournaturetoforgetthem.'"

Hewasdrawinghishandfromhisbreast;theprisonerchancingtolookupinhishurriedwonderashewrote,thehandstopped,closinguponsomething.

"Haveyouwritten'forgetthem'?"Cartonasked.

"Ihave.Isthataweaponinyourhand?"

"No;Iamnotarmed."

"Whatisitinyourhand?"

"You shall know directly. Write on; there are but a few words more." He

dictatedagain."'Iamthankfulthatthetimehascome,whenIcanprovethem.ThatIdosoisnosubjectforregretorgrief.'"Ashesaidthesewordswithhiseyesfixedonthewriter,hishandslowlyandsoftlymoveddownclosetothewriter'sface.

ThependroppedfromDarnay'sfingersonthetable,andhelookedabouthimvacantly.

"Whatvapouristhat?"heasked.

"Vapour?"

"Somethingthatcrossedme?"

"I amconsciousofnothing; therecanbenothinghere.Takeup thepenandfinish.Hurry,hurry!"

Asifhismemorywereimpaired,orhisfacultiesdisordered,theprisonermadeanefforttorallyhisattention.AshelookedatCartonwithcloudedeyesandwithanalteredmannerofbreathing,Cartonhishandagaininhisbreastlookedsteadilyathim.

"Hurry,hurry!"

Theprisonerbentoverthepaper,oncemore.

"'If it had been otherwise;'" Carton's hand was again watchfully and softlystealingdown;"'Inevershouldhaveusedthelongeropportunity.Ifithadbeenotherwise;'" the handwas at the prisoner's face; "'I should but have had somuchthemoretoanswerfor.If ithadbeenotherwise'"Cartonlookedatthepenandsawitwastrailingoffintounintelligiblesigns.

Carton'shandmovedbacktohisbreastnomore.Theprisonersprangupwitha reproachful look,butCarton'shandwascloseand firmathisnostrils, andCarton's left arm caught him round thewaist. For a few seconds he faintlystruggledwiththemanwhohadcometolaydownhislifeforhim;but,withinaminuteorso,hewasstretchedinsensibleontheground.

Quickly,butwithhandsastruetothepurposeashisheartwas,Cartondressedhimself in theclothes theprisonerhad laidaside,combedbackhishair,andtied itwith the ribbon the prisoner hadworn.Then, he softly called, "Enterthere!Comein!"andtheSpypresentedhimself.

"You see?" said Carton, looking up, as he kneeled on one knee beside theinsensiblefigure,puttingthepaperinthebreast:"isyourhazardverygreat?"

"Mr.Carton,"theSpyanswered,withatimidsnapofhisfingers,"myhazard

isnotthat, inthethickofbusinesshere,ifyouaretruetothewholeofyourbargain."

"Don'tfearme.Iwillbetruetothedeath."

"Youmust be,Mr.Carton, if the taleof fiftytwo is to be right.Beingmaderightbyyouinthatdress,Ishallhavenofear."

"Havenofear!Ishallsoonbeoutofthewayofharmingyou,andtherestwillsoon be far from here, pleaseGod!Now, get assistance and takeme to thecoach."

"You?"saidtheSpynervously.

"Him,man,withwhom Ihave exchanged.Yougoout at thegatebywhichyoubroughtmein?"

"Ofcourse."

"Iwasweakandfaintwhenyoubroughtmein,andIamfainternowyoutakemeout.Thepartinginterviewhasoverpoweredme.Suchathinghashappenedhere, often, and too often. Your life is in your own hands. Quick! Callassistance!"

"Youswearnottobetrayme?"saidthetremblingSpy,ashepausedforalastmoment.

"Man,man!"returnedCarton,stampinghisfoot;"haveIswornbynosolemnvow already, to go throughwith this, that youwaste the preciousmomentsnow?Takehimyourselftothecourtyardyouknowof,placehimyourselfinthecarriage,showhimyourselftoMr.Lorry,tellhimyourselftogivehimnorestorativebutair,andtoremembermywordsoflastnight,andhispromiseoflastnight,anddriveaway!"

TheSpywithdrew,andCartonseatedhimselfatthetable,restinghisforeheadonhishands.TheSpyreturnedimmediately,withtwomen.

"How,then?"saidoneofthem,contemplatingthefallenfigure."SoafflictedtofindthathisfriendhasdrawnaprizeinthelotteryofSainteGuillotine?"

"Agoodpatriot,"saidtheother,"couldhardlyhavebeenmoreafflictediftheAristocrathaddrawnablank."

Theyraisedtheunconsciousfigure,placeditonalittertheyhadbroughttothedoor,andbenttocarryitaway.

"Thetimeisshort,Evremonde,"saidtheSpy,inawarningvoice.

"Iknowitwell,"answeredCarton."Becarefulofmyfriend,Ientreatyou,andleaveme."

"Come,then,mychildren,"saidBarsad."Lifthim,andcomeaway!"

Thedoorclosed,andCartonwasleftalone.Straininghispowersoflisteningtotheutmost,helistenedforanysoundthatmightdenotesuspicionoralarm.Therewas none.Keys turned, doors clashed, footsteps passed along distantpassages: no crywas raised, or hurrymade, that seemedunusual.Breathingmorefreelyinalittlewhile,hesatdownatthetable,andlistenedagainuntiltheclockstruckTwo.

Soundsthathewasnotafraidof,forhedivinedtheirmeaning,thenbegantobeaudible.Severaldoorswereopened insuccession,andfinallyhisown.Agaoler, with a list in his hand, looked in, merely saying, "Follow me,Evremonde!"andhefollowedintoa largedarkroom,atadistance. Itwasadark winter day, and what with the shadows within, and what with theshadows without, he could but dimly discern the others who were broughttheretohavetheirarmsbound.Somewerestanding;someseated.Somewerelamenting, and in restless motion; but, these were few. The great majorityweresilentandstill,lookingfixedlyattheground.

As he stood by the wall in a dim corner, while some of the fiftytwo werebroughtinafterhim,onemanstoppedinpassing,toembracehim,ashavingaknowledgeofhim.Itthrilledhimwithagreatdreadofdiscovery;butthemanwenton.Averyfewmomentsafterthat,ayoungwoman,withaslightgirlishform, a sweet spare face inwhich therewasnovestigeof colour, and largewidely opened patient eyes, rose from the seat where he had observed hersitting,andcametospeaktohim.

"CitizenEvremonde,"shesaid,touchinghimwithhercoldhand."Iamapoorlittleseamstress,whowaswithyouinLaForce."

Hemurmuredforanswer:"True.Iforgetwhatyouwereaccusedof?"

"Plots.ThoughthejustHeavenknowsthatIaminnocentofany.Isitlikely?Whowouldthinkofplottingwithapoorlittleweakcreaturelikeme?"

The forlorn smilewithwhich she said it, so touched him, that tears startedfromhiseyes.

"Iamnotafraidtodie,CitizenEvremonde,butIhavedonenothing.Iamnotunwillingtodie,iftheRepublicwhichistodosomuchgoodtouspoor,willprofitbymydeath;but Idonotknowhow thatcanbe,CitizenEvremonde.Suchapoorweaklittlecreature!"

Asthelastthingonearththathisheartwastowarmandsoftento,itwarmedandsoftenedtothispitiablegirl.

"Iheardyouwerereleased,CitizenEvremonde.Ihopeditwastrue?"

"Itwas.But,Iwasagaintakenandcondemned."

"IfImayridewithyou,CitizenEvremonde,willyouletmeholdyourhand?Iamnotafraid,butIamlittleandweak,anditwillgivememorecourage."

Asthepatienteyeswereliftedtohisface,hesawasuddendoubtinthem,andthenastonishment.Hepressedtheworkworn,hungerwornyoungfingers,andtouchedhislips.

"Areyoudyingforhim?"shewhispered.

"Andhiswifeandchild.Hush!Yes."

"Oyouwillletmeholdyourbravehand,stranger?"

"Hush!Yes,mypoorsister;tothelast."

Thesameshadowsthatarefallingontheprison,arefalling,inthatsamehourof theearlyafternoon,on theBarrierwith thecrowdabout it,whenacoachgoingoutofParisdrivesuptobeexamined.

"Whogoeshere?Whomhavewewithin?Papers!"

Thepapersarehandedout,andread.

"AlexandreManette.Physician.French.Whichishe?"

Thisishe;thishelpless,inarticulatelymurmuring,wanderingoldmanpointedout.

"Apparently theCitizenDoctor isnot inhisrightmind?TheRevolutionfeverwillhavebeentoomuchforhim?"

Greatlytoomuchforhim.

"Hah!Manysufferwithit.Lucie.Hisdaughter.French.Whichisshe?"

Thisisshe.

"Apparentlyitmustbe.Lucie,thewifeofEvremonde;isitnot?"

Itis.

"Hah! Evremonde has an assignation elsewhere. Lucie, her child. English.

Thisisshe?"

Sheandnoother.

"Kiss me, child of Evremonde. Now, thou hast kissed a good Republican;somethingnewinthyfamily;rememberit!SydneyCarton.Advocate.English.Whichishe?"

Helieshere,inthiscornerofthecarriage.He,too,ispointedout.

"ApparentlytheEnglishadvocateisinaswoon?"

Itishopedhewillrecoverinthefresherair.Itisrepresentedthatheisnotinstrong health, and has separated sadly from a friend who is under thedispleasureoftheRepublic.

"Isthatall?Itisnotagreatdeal,that!ManyareunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic, and must look out at the little window. Jarvis Lorry. Banker.English.Whichishe?"

"Iamhe.Necessarily,beingthelast."

It is Jarvis Lorry who has replied to all the previous questions. It is JarvisLorrywhohasalightedandstandswithhishandonthecoachdoor,replyingtoa group of officials. They leisurely walk round the carriage and leisurelymount the box, to look at what little luggage it carries on the roof; thecountrypeople hanging about, press nearer to the coach doors and greedilystare in;a littlechild,carriedby itsmother,has itsshortarmheldout for it,thatitmaytouchthewifeofanaristocratwhohasgonetotheGuillotine.

"Beholdyourpapers,JarvisLorry,countersigned."

"Onecandepart,citizen?"

"Onecandepart.Forward,mypostilions!Agoodjourney!"

"Isaluteyou,citizens.Andthefirstdangerpassed!"

Theseareagain thewordsofJarvisLorry,asheclaspshishands,and looksupward. There is terror in the carriage, there isweeping, there is the heavybreathingoftheinsensibletraveller.

"Arewenot going too slowly?Can theynot be induced to go faster?" asksLucie,clingingtotheoldman.

"It would seem like flight, my darling. I must not urge them too much; itwouldrousesuspicion."

"Lookback,lookback,andseeifwearepursued!"

"Theroadisclear,mydearest.Sofar,wearenotpursued."

Houses in twos and threes pass by us, solitary farms, ruinous buildings,dyeworks,tanneries,andthelike,opencountry,avenuesofleaflesstrees.Thehard uneven pavement is under us, the soft deep mud is on either side.Sometimes,westrikeintotheskirtingmud,toavoidthestonesthatclatterusandshakeus;sometimes,westickinrutsandsloughsthere.Theagonyofourimpatienceisthensogreat,thatinourwildalarmandhurryweareforgettingoutandrunninghidingdoinganythingbutstopping.

Out of the open country, in again among ruinous buildings, solitary farms,dyeworks, tanneries, and the like, cottages in twos and threes, avenues ofleaflesstrees.Havethesemendeceivedus,andtakenusbackbyanotherroad?Is not this the same place twice over? Thank Heaven, no. A village. Lookback,lookback,andseeifwearepursued!Hush!thepostinghouse.

Leisurely,ourfourhorsesaretakenout;leisurely,thecoachstandsinthelittlestreet,bereftofhorses,andwithnolikelihooduponitofevermovingagain;leisurely,thenewhorsescomeintovisibleexistence,onebyone;leisurely,thenewpostilionsfollow,suckingandplaitingthelashesoftheirwhips;leisurely,the old postilions count their money, make wrong additions, and arrive atdissatisfied results.All the time, our overfraught hearts are beating at a ratethatwouldfaroutstripthefastestgallopofthefastesthorseseverfoaled.

At lengththenewpostilionsare in theirsaddles,andtheoldare leftbehind.We are through the village, up the hill, and down the hill, and on the lowwatery grounds. Suddenly, the postilions exchange speech with animatedgesticulation,andthehorsesarepulledup,almostontheirhaunches.Wearepursued?

"Ho!Withinthecarriagethere.Speakthen!"

"Whatisit?"asksMr.Lorry,lookingoutatwindow.

"Howmanydidtheysay?"

"Idonotunderstandyou."

"Atthelastpost.HowmanytotheGuillotinetoday?"

"Fiftytwo."

"Isaidso!Abravenumber!Myfellowcitizenherewouldhaveitfortytwo;tenmoreheadsareworthhaving.TheGuillotinegoeshandsomely. I love it.Hi

forward.Whoop!"

Thenightcomesondark.Hemovesmore;he isbeginning to revive,and tospeakintelligibly;hethinkstheyarestilltogether;heaskshim,byhisname,whathehasinhishand.Opityus,kindHeaven,andhelpus!Lookout,lookout,andseeifwearepursued.

Thewindisrushingafterus,andthecloudsareflyingafterus,andthemoonisplungingafterus,andthewholewildnightisinpursuitofus;but,sofar,wearepursuedbynothingelse.

XIV.

TheKnittingDone

In that same junctureof timewhen theFiftyTwoawaited their fateMadameDefargehelddarklyominouscouncilwithTheVengeanceandJacquesThreeof theRevolutionary Jury.Not in thewineshopdidMadameDefargeconferwith these ministers, but in the shed of the woodsawyer, erst a mender ofroads.Thesawyerhimselfdidnotparticipateintheconference,butabidedatalittledistance,likeanoutersatellitewhowasnottospeakuntilrequired,ortoofferanopinionuntilinvited.

"ButourDefarge," said JacquesThree, "is undoubtedly agoodRepublican?Eh?"

"There isnobetter," thevolubleVengeanceprotested inher shrill notes, "inFrance."

"Peace,littleVengeance,"saidMadameDefarge,layingherhandwithaslightfrownonherlieutenant'slips,"hearmespeak.Myhusband,fellowcitizen,isagoodRepublicanandaboldman;hehasdeservedwellof theRepublic,andpossesses its confidence. Butmy husband has hisweaknesses, and he is soweakastorelenttowardsthisDoctor."

"It isagreatpity,"croakedJacquesThree,dubiouslyshakinghishead,withhiscruelfingersathishungrymouth;"itisnotquitelikeagoodcitizen;itisathingtoregret."

"Seeyou,"saidmadame,"IcarenothingforthisDoctor,I.Hemaywearhishead or lose it, for any interest I have in him; it is all one tome. But, theEvremondepeoplearetobeexterminated,andthewifeandchildmustfollow

thehusbandandfather."

"Shehasafineheadforit,"croakedJacquesThree."Ihaveseenblueeyesandgolden hair there, and they looked charming when Samson held them up."Ogrethathewas,hespokelikeanepicure.

MadameDefargecastdownhereyes,andreflectedalittle.

"Thechildalso,"observedJacquesThree,withameditativeenjoymentofhiswords,"hasgoldenhairandblueeyes.Andweseldomhaveachildthere.Itisaprettysight!"

"In aword," saidMadameDefarge, coming out of her short abstraction, "Icannottrustmyhusbandinthismatter.NotonlydoIfeel,sincelastnight,thatI darenot confide tohim thedetails ofmyprojects; but also I feel that if Idelay,thereisdangerofhisgivingwarning,andthentheymightescape."

"Thatmustneverbe,"croakedJacquesThree;"noonemustescape.Wehavenothalfenoughasitis.Weoughttohavesixscoreaday."

"Inaword,"MadameDefargewenton,"myhusbandhasnotmyreasonforpursuing this family to annihilation, and I havenot his reason for regardingthisDoctorwithanysensibility.Imustactformyself,therefore.Comehither,littlecitizen."

Thewoodsawyer,whoheldherintherespect,andhimselfinthesubmission,ofmortalfear,advancedwithhishandtohisredcap.

"Touching those signals, little citizen," saidMadame Defarge, sternly, "thatshemade to the prisoners; you are ready to bear witness to them this veryday?"

"Ay,ay,whynot!"criedthesawyer."Everyday,inallweathers,fromtwotofour, always signalling, sometimeswith the little one, sometimeswithout. IknowwhatIknow.Ihaveseenwithmyeyes."

Hemadeallmannerofgestureswhilehespoke,asifinincidentalimitationofsomefewofthegreatdiversityofsignalsthathehadneverseen.

"Clearlyplots,"saidJacquesThree."Transparently!"

"There isnodoubtof the Jury?" inquiredMadameDefarge, lettingher eyesturntohimwithagloomysmile.

"Rely upon the patriotic Jury, dear citizeness. I answer for myfellowJurymen."

"Now, letmesee,"saidMadameDefarge,ponderingagain."Yetoncemore!Can I spare thisDoctor tomyhusband? Ihaveno feelingeitherway.Can Isparehim?"

"Hewouldcountasonehead,"observedJacquesThree,inalowvoice."Wereallyhavenotheadsenough;itwouldbeapity,Ithink."

"He was signalling with her when I saw her," arguedMadame Defarge; "Icannotspeakofonewithouttheother;andImustnotbesilent,andtrustthecasewhollytohim,thislittlecitizenhere.For,Iamnotabadwitness."

The Vengeance and Jacques Three vied with each other in their ferventprotestations that she was themost admirable andmarvellous of witnesses.Thelittlecitizen,nottobeoutdone,declaredhertobeacelestialwitness.

"Hemust takehischance," saidMadameDefarge. "No, I cannot sparehim!You are engaged at three o'clock; you are going to see the batch of todayexecuted.You?"

Thequestionwasaddressedtothewoodsawyer,whohurriedlyrepliedintheaffirmative: seizing the occasion to add that he was the most ardent ofRepublicans,andthathewouldbeineffectthemostdesolateofRepublicans,if anything prevented him from enjoying the pleasure of smoking hisafternoon pipe in the contemplation of the droll national barber.Hewas soverydemonstrativeherein, that hemighthavebeen suspected (perhapswas,bythedarkeyesthatlookedcontemptuouslyathimoutofMadameDefarge'shead)ofhavinghissmall individual fears forhisownpersonalsafety,everyhourintheday.

"I,"saidmadame,"amequallyengagedatthesameplace.Afteritisoversayateighttonightcomeyoutome,inSaintAntoine,andwewillgiveinformationagainstthesepeopleatmySection."

Thewoodsawyersaidhewouldbeproudandflatteredtoattendthecitizeness.Thecitizenesslookingathim,hebecameembarrassed,evadedherglanceasasmalldogwouldhavedone,retreatedamonghiswood,andhidhisconfusionoverthehandleofhissaw.

MadameDefargebeckonedtheJurymanandTheVengeancealittlenearertothedoor,andthereexpoundedherfurtherviewstothemthus:

"She will now be at home, awaiting the moment of his death. She will bemourningandgrieving.ShewillbeinastateofmindtoimpeachthejusticeoftheRepublic.Shewillbefullofsympathywithitsenemies.Iwillgotoher."

"What an admirablewoman;what an adorablewoman!" exclaimed Jacques

Three,rapturously."Ah,mycherished!"criedTheVengeance;andembracedher.

"Takeyoumyknitting," saidMadameDefarge, placing it inher lieutenant'shands,"andhaveitreadyformeinmyusualseat.Keepmemyusualchair.Goyouthere,straight,fortherewillprobablybeagreaterconcoursethanusual,today."

"IwillinglyobeytheordersofmyChief,"saidTheVengeancewithalacrity,andkissinghercheek."Youwillnotbelate?"

"Ishallbetherebeforethecommencement."

"And before the tumbrils arrive. Be sure you are there,my soul," said TheVengeance,callingafterher,forshehadalreadyturnedintothestreet,"beforethetumbrilsarrive!"

MadameDefargeslightlywavedherhand,toimplythatsheheard,andmightbereliedupontoarriveingoodtime,andsowentthroughthemud,androundthecornerof theprisonwall.TheVengeanceandtheJuryman, lookingafterherasshewalkedaway,werehighlyappreciativeofher finefigure,andhersuperbmoralendowments.

Thereweremanywomenatthattime,uponwhomthetimelaidadreadfullydisfiguringhand;but,therewasnotoneamongthemmoretobedreadedthanthis ruthlesswoman, now taking herway along the streets.Of a strong andfearless character, of shrewd sense and readiness, of great determination, ofthatkindofbeautywhichnotonlyseemsto impart to itspossessorfirmnessand animosity, but to strike into others an instinctive recognition of thosequalities; the troubled time would have heaved her up, under anycircumstances. But, imbued from her childhood with a brooding sense ofwrong,andaninveteratehatredofaclass,opportunityhaddevelopedherintoatigress.Shewasabsolutelywithoutpity.Ifshehadeverhadthevirtueinher,ithadquitegoneoutofher.

It was nothing to her, that an innocent man was to die for the sins of hisforefathers;shesaw,nothim,butthem.Itwasnothingtoher,thathiswifewasto be made a widow and his daughter an orphan; that was insufficientpunishment,becausetheywerehernaturalenemiesandherprey,andassuchhadno right to live.To appeal to her,wasmadehopeless byher havingnosenseofpity,evenforherself.Ifshehadbeenlaidlowinthestreets,inanyofthe many encounters in which she had been engaged, she would not havepitied herself; nor, if she had been ordered to the axe tomorrow,would shehavegone to itwith any softer feeling than a fiercedesire to changeplaceswiththemanwhosentherthere.

SuchaheartMadameDefargecarriedunderherroughrobe.Carelesslyworn,it was a becoming robe enough, in a certain weird way, and her dark hairlookedrichunderhercoarseredcap.Lyinghiddeninherbosom,wasaloadedpistol.Lyinghiddenatherwaist,wasasharpeneddagger.Thusaccoutred,andwalking with the confident tread of such a character, and with the supplefreedomofawomanwhohadhabituallywalkedinhergirlhood,barefootandbarelegged,on thebrownseasand,MadameDefarge tookherwayalong thestreets.

Now,when the journeyof the travellingcoach,at thatverymomentwaitingforthecompletionofitsload,hadbeenplannedoutlastnight,thedifficultyoftakingMiss Pross in it hadmuch engagedMr. Lorry's attention. It was notmerely desirable to avoid overloading the coach, but it was of the highestimportance that the timeoccupied inexaminingitand itspassengers,shouldbe reduced to the utmost; since their escapemight depend on the saving ofonly a few seconds here and there. Finally, he had proposed, after anxiousconsideration,thatMissProssandJerry,whowereatlibertytoleavethecity,should leave it at three o'clock in the lightestwheeled conveyance known tothatperiod.Unencumberedwithluggage,theywouldsoonovertakethecoach,and,passingitandprecedingitontheroad,wouldorderitshorsesinadvance,andgreatlyfacilitateitsprogressduringtheprecioushoursofthenight,whendelaywasthemosttobedreaded.

Seeinginthisarrangementthehopeofrenderingrealserviceinthatpressingemergency,MissProsshaileditwithjoy.SheandJerryhadbeheldthecoachstart, had known who it was that Solomon brought, had passed some tenminutesintorturesofsuspense,andwerenowconcludingtheirarrangementsto follow the coach, even asMadameDefarge, taking her way through thestreets,nowdrewnearerandnearertotheelsedesertedlodginginwhichtheyheldtheirconsultation.

"Nowwhatdoyouthink,Mr.Cruncher,"saidMissPross,whoseagitationwassogreatthatshecouldhardlyspeak,orstand,ormove,orlive:"whatdoyouthinkofournotstartingfromthiscourtyard?Anothercarriagehavingalreadygonefromheretoday,itmightawakensuspicion."

"Myopinion,miss,"returnedMr.Cruncher,"isasyou'reright.LikewisewotI'llstandbyyou,rightorwrong."

"Iamsodistractedwithfearandhopeforourpreciouscreatures,"saidMissPross, wildly crying, "that I am incapable of forming any plan. Are youcapableofforminganyplan,mydeargoodMr.Cruncher?"

"Respectin' a future spear o' life,miss," returnedMr. Cruncher, "I hope so.

Respectin'anypresentuseo' thishereblessedoldheado'mine, I thinknot.Wouldyoudomethefavour,miss,totakenoticeo'twopromisesandwowswotitismywishesfurtorecordinthisherecrisis?"

"Oh,forgracioussake!"criedMissPross,stillwildlycrying,"recordthematonce,andgetthemoutoftheway,likeanexcellentman."

"First,"saidMr.Cruncher,whowasall inatremble,andwhospokewithanashyandsolemnvisage,"thempoorthingswellouto'this,nevernomorewillIdoit,nevernomore!"

"Iamquitesure,Mr.Cruncher,"returnedMissPross,"thatyouneverwilldoitagain,whateveritis,andIbegyounottothinkitnecessarytomentionmoreparticularlywhatitis."

"No,miss,"returnedJerry,"itshallnotbenamedtoyou.Second:thempoorthingswellouto'this,andnevernomorewillIinterferewithMrs.Cruncher'sflopping,nevernomore!"

"Whateverhousekeepingarrangementthatmaybe,"saidMissPross,strivingto dry her eyes and compose herself, "I have no doubt it is best thatMrs.Cruncher should have it entirely under her own superintendence.Omy poordarlings!"

"Igosofarastosay,miss,moreover,"proceededMr.Cruncher,withamostalarming tendency to hold forth as from a pulpit"and letmywords be tookdown and took to Mrs. Cruncher through yourselfthat wot my opinionsrespectin'floppinghasundergoneachange,andthatwotIonlyhopewithallmyheartasMrs.Crunchermaybeafloppingatthepresenttime."

"There, there, there! I hope she is,my dearman," cried the distractedMissPross,"andIhopeshefindsitansweringherexpectations."

"Forbid it," proceeded Mr. Cruncher, with additional solemnity, additionalslowness,andadditionaltendencytoholdforthandholdout,"asanythingwotIhaveeversaidordoneshouldbewisitedonmyearnestwishesforthempoorcreetursnow!Forbiditasweshouldn'tallflop(ifitwasanywaysconwenient)toget 'emouto' thisheredismal risk!Forbid it,miss!Wot I say, forbid it!"ThiswasMr.Cruncher'sconclusionafteraprotractedbutvainendeavour tofindabetterone.

And stillMadameDefarge, pursuingherway along the streets, camenearerandnearer.

"Ifweevergetbacktoournativeland,"saidMissPross,"youmayrelyuponmy telling Mrs. Cruncher as much as I may be able to remember and

understandofwhatyouhavesoimpressivelysaid;andatalleventsyoumaybe sure that I shall bearwitness to your being thoroughly in earnest at thisdreadful time. Now, pray let us think! My esteemed Mr. Cruncher, let usthink!"

Still,MadameDefarge,pursuingherwayalong the streets, camenearerandnearer.

"Ifyouweretogobefore,"saidMissPross,"andstopthevehicleandhorsesfrom coming here, and were to wait somewhere for me; wouldn't that bebest?"

Mr.Cruncherthoughtitmightbebest.

"Wherecouldyouwaitforme?"askedMissPross.

Mr.CruncherwassobewilderedthathecouldthinkofnolocalitybutTempleBar.Alas!TempleBarwashundredsofmilesaway,andMadameDefargewasdrawingverynearindeed.

"Bythecathedraldoor,"saidMissPross."Woulditbemuchoutoftheway,totakemein,nearthegreatcathedraldoorbetweenthetwotowers?"

"No,miss,"answeredMr.Cruncher.

"Then,likethebestofmen,"saidMissPross,"gotothepostinghousestraight,andmakethatchange."

"I amdoubtful," saidMr.Cruncher, hesitating and shaking his head, "aboutleavingofyou,yousee.Wedon'tknowwhatmayhappen."

"Heavenknowswedon't,"returnedMissPross,"buthavenofearforme.Takemeinatthecathedral,atThreeo'Clock,orasnearitasyoucan,andIamsureitwillbebetterthanourgoingfromhere.Ifeelcertainofit.There!Blessyou,Mr.Cruncher!Thinknotofme, butof the lives thatmaydependonbothofus!"

Thisexordium,andMissPross'stwohandsinquiteagonisedentreatyclaspinghis,decidedMr.Cruncher.Withanencouragingnodor two,he immediatelywentouttoalterthearrangements,andleftherbyherselftofollowasshehadproposed.

Thehavingoriginatedaprecautionwhichwasalreadyincourseofexecution,wasagreatrelieftoMissPross.Thenecessityofcomposingherappearancesothat it should attract no special notice in the streets,was another relief. Shelookedatherwatch,anditwastwentyminutespasttwo.Shehadnotimeto

lose,butmustgetreadyatonce.

Afraid, inher extremeperturbation, of the lonelinessof thedeserted rooms,andofhalfimaginedfacespeepingfrombehindeveryopendoorinthem,MissProssgotabasinofcoldwaterandbeganlavinghereyes,whichwereswollenandred.Hauntedbyherfeverishapprehensions,shecouldnotbeartohavehersight obscured for aminute at a time by the drippingwater, but constantlypausedandlookedroundtoseethattherewasnoonewatchingher.Inoneofthosepausesshe recoiledandcriedout, for shesawa figurestanding in theroom.

The basin fell to the ground broken, and the water flowed to the feet ofMadameDefarge.By strange sternways, and throughmuch staining blood,thosefeethadcometomeetthatwater.

Madame Defarge looked coldly at her, and said, "The wife of Evremonde;whereisshe?"

ItflasheduponMissPross'smindthat thedoorswereallstandingopen,andwouldsuggesttheflight.Herfirstactwastoshutthem.Therewerefourintheroom, and she shut themall. She then placed herself before the door of thechamberwhichLuciehadoccupied.

MadameDefarge'sdarkeyesfollowedher throughthisrapidmovement,andrestedonherwhenitwasfinished.MissProsshadnothingbeautifulabouther;yearshadnottamedthewildness,orsoftenedthegrimness,ofherappearance;but,shetoowasadeterminedwomaninherdifferentway,andshemeasuredMadameDefargewithhereyes,everyinch.

"Youmight,fromyourappearance,bethewifeofLucifer,"saidMissPross,inher breathing. "Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am anEnglishwoman."

MadameDefarge looked at her scornfully, but still with something ofMissPross'sownperceptionthattheytwowereatbay.Shesawatight,hard,wirywomanbeforeher,asMr.Lorryhadseeninthesamefigureawomanwithastronghand,intheyearsgoneby.SheknewfullwellthatMissProsswasthefamily'sdevotedfriend;MissProssknewfullwellthatMadameDefargewasthefamily'smalevolentenemy.

"Onmywayyonder," saidMadameDefarge,witha slightmovementofherhandtowardsthefatalspot,"wheretheyreservemychairandmyknittingforme,Iamcometomakemycomplimentstoherinpassing.Iwishtoseeher."

"Iknowthatyourintentionsareevil,"saidMissPross,"andyoumaydepend

uponit,I'llholdmyownagainstthem."

Each spoke inherown language;neitherunderstood theother'swords;bothwere very watchful, and intent to deduce from look and manner, what theunintelligiblewordsmeant.

"Itwilldohernogood tokeepherself concealed frommeat thismoment,"saidMadameDefarge."Goodpatriotswillknowwhatthatmeans.Letmeseeher.GotellherthatIwishtoseeher.Doyouhear?"

"Ifthoseeyesofyourswerebedwinches,"returnedMissPross,"andIwasanEnglish fourposter, they shouldn't loose a splinter of me. No, you wickedforeignwoman;Iamyourmatch."

MadameDefargewasnot likely to follow these idiomatic remarks indetail;but,shesofarunderstoodthemastoperceivethatshewassetatnaught.

"Woman imbecile and piglike!" saidMadameDefarge, frowning. "I take noanswerfromyou.Idemandtoseeher.EithertellherthatIdemandtoseeher,orstandoutofthewayofthedoorandletmegotoher!"This,withanangryexplanatorywaveofherrightarm.

"Ilittlethought,"saidMissPross,"thatIshouldeverwanttounderstandyournonsensicallanguage;butIwouldgiveallIhave,excepttheclothesIwear,toknowwhetheryoususpectthetruth,oranypartofit."

Neither of them for a single moment released the other's eyes. MadameDefargehadnotmovedfromthespotwhereshestoodwhenMissProssfirstbecameawareofher;but,shenowadvancedonestep.

"I am a Briton," saidMiss Pross, "I am desperate. I don't care an EnglishTwopenceformyself.IknowthatthelongerIkeepyouhere,thegreaterhopethereisformyLadybird.I'llnot leaveahandfulof thatdarkhairuponyourhead,ifyoulayafingeronme!"

ThusMissPross,with a shakeof her head and a flashof her eyes betweenevery rapid sentence, and every rapid sentence a whole breath. Thus MissPross,whohadneverstruckablowinherlife.

But,hercouragewasofthatemotionalnaturethatitbroughttheirrepressibletears into her eyes. This was a courage that Madame Defarge so littlecomprehendedas tomistakeforweakness."Ha,ha!"shelaughed,"youpoorwretch!Whatareyouworth!IaddressmyselftothatDoctor."Thensheraisedher voice and called out, "Citizen Doctor! Wife of Evremonde! Child ofEvremonde! Any person but this miserable fool, answer the CitizenessDefarge!"

Perhapsthefollowingsilence,perhapssomelatentdisclosureintheexpressionofMissPross'sface,perhapsasuddenmisgivingapartfromeithersuggestion,whispered toMadameDefarge that theywere gone. Three of the doors sheopenedswiftly,andlookedin.

"Those rooms are all in disorder, there has been hurried packing, there areoddsandendsupontheground.Thereisnooneinthatroombehindyou!Letmelook."

"Never!"saidMissPross,whounderstoodtherequestasperfectlyasMadameDefargeunderstoodtheanswer.

"Iftheyarenotinthatroom,theyaregone,andcanbepursuedandbroughtback,"saidMadameDefargetoherself.

"As long as you don't knowwhether they are in that room or not, you areuncertainwhattodo,"saidMissProsstoherself;"andyoushallnotknowthat,if Icanpreventyourknowingit;andknowthat,ornotknowthat,youshallnotleaveherewhileIcanholdyou."

"Ihavebeenin thestreetsfromthefirst,nothinghasstoppedme,Iwill tearyoutopieces,butIwillhaveyoufromthatdoor,"saidMadameDefarge.

"Weare aloneat the topof ahighhouse in a solitary courtyard,wearenotlikelytobeheard,andIprayforbodilystrengthtokeepyouhere,whileeveryminuteyouarehereisworthahundredthousandguineastomydarling,"saidMissPross.

MadameDefargemadeatthedoor.MissPross,ontheinstinctofthemoment,seizedherroundthewaistinbothherarms,andheldhertight.ItwasinvainforMadameDefarge tostruggleandtostrike;MissPross,with thevigoroustenacity of love, always somuch stronger than hate, clasped her tight, andevenliftedherfromthefloorinthestrugglethattheyhad.ThetwohandsofMadameDefargebuffeted and tore her face; but,MissPross,withher headdown,heldherroundthewaist,andclungtoherwithmorethantheholdofadrowningwoman.

Soon, Madame Defarge's hands ceased to strike, and felt at her encircledwaist. "It isundermyarm," saidMissPross, in smothered tones, "youshallnotdrawit.Iamstrongerthanyou,IblessHeavenforit.Iholdyoutilloneorotherofusfaintsordies!"

MadameDefarge'shandswereatherbosom.MissProsslookedup,sawwhatitwas,struckatit,struckoutaflashandacrash,andstoodaloneblindedwithsmoke.

All thiswasinasecond.Asthesmokecleared, leavinganawfulstillness, itpassed out on the air, like the soul of the furious woman whose body laylifelessontheground.

Inthefirstfrightandhorrorofhersituation,MissProsspassedthebodyasfarfromitasshecould,andrandownthestairstocallforfruitlesshelp.Happily,shebethoughtherselfof theconsequencesofwhat shedid, in time tocheckherselfandgoback.Itwasdreadfultogoinatthedooragain;but,shedidgoin, and evenwent near it, to get the bonnet and other things that shemustwear.Thesesheputon,outonthestaircase,firstshuttingandlockingthedoorand takingaway thekey.She thensatdownon the stairsa fewmoments tobreatheandtocry,andthengotupandhurriedaway.

Bygoodfortuneshehadaveilonherbonnet,orshecouldhardlyhavegonealong the streets without being stopped. By good fortune, too, she wasnaturallysopeculiarinappearanceasnottoshowdisfigurementlikeanyotherwoman.Sheneededbothadvantages, for themarksofgrippingfingersweredeepinherface,andherhairwastorn,andherdress(hastilycomposedwithunsteadyhands)wasclutchedanddraggedahundredways.

Incrossingthebridge,shedroppedthedoorkeyin theriver.Arrivingat thecathedralsomefewminutesbeforeherescort,andwaitingthere,shethought,whatifthekeywerealreadytakeninanet,whatifitwereidentified,whatifthedoorwereopenedandtheremainsdiscovered,whatifshewerestoppedatthe gate, sent to prison, and charged with murder! In the midst of theseflutteringthoughts,theescortappeared,tookherin,andtookheraway.

"Isthereanynoiseinthestreets?"sheaskedhim.

"The usual noises," Mr. Cruncher replied; and looked surprised by thequestionandbyheraspect.

"Idon'thearyou,"saidMissPross."Whatdoyousay?"

ItwasinvainforMr.Crunchertorepeatwhathesaid;MissProsscouldnothearhim."SoI'llnodmyhead,"thoughtMr.Cruncher,amazed,"atalleventsshe'llseethat."Andshedid.

"Isthereanynoiseinthestreetsnow?"askedMissProssagain,presently.

AgainMr.Crunchernoddedhishead.

"Idon'thearit."

"Gonedeafinanhour?"saidMr.Cruncher,ruminating,withhismindmuchdisturbed;"wot'scometoher?"

"I feel," saidMissPross, "as if therehadbeen a flash and a crash, and thatcrashwasthelastthingIshouldeverhearinthislife."

"Blest if she ain't in a queer condition!" saidMr.Cruncher,more andmoredisturbed. "Wot can she have been a takin', to keep her courage up?Hark!There'stherollofthemdreadfulcarts!Youcanhearthat,miss?"

"I can hear," saidMiss Pross, seeing that he spoke to her, "nothing.O,mygoodman, therewas first a great crash, and then a great stillness, and thatstillnessseemstobefixedandunchangeable,nevertobebrokenanymoreaslongasmylifelasts."

"Ifshedon'theartherollofthosedreadfulcarts,nowverynightheirjourney'send," said Mr. Cruncher, glancing over his shoulder, "it's my opinion thatindeedsheneverwillhearanythingelseinthisworld."

Andindeedsheneverdid.

XV.

TheFootstepsDieOutForEver

AlongtheParisstreets,thedeathcartsrumble,hollowandharsh.Sixtumbrilscarrytheday'swinetoLaGuillotine.AllthedevouringandinsatiateMonstersimaginedsinceimaginationcouldrecorditself,arefusedintheonerealisation,Guillotine. And yet there is not in France, with its rich variety of soil andclimate, a blade, a leaf, a root, a sprig, a peppercorn, which will grow tomaturity under conditions more certain than those that have produced thishorror.Crushhumanityoutofshapeoncemore,undersimilarhammers,anditwilltwistitselfintothesametorturedforms.Sowthesameseedofrapaciouslicense and oppression over again, and it will surely yield the same fruitaccordingtoitskind.

Sixtumbrilsrollalongthestreets.Changethesebackagaintowhattheywere,thoupowerfulenchanter,Time,and theyshallbeseen tobe thecarriagesofabsolute monarchs, the equipages of feudal nobles, the toilettes of flaringJezebels, thechurches thatarenotmyfather'shousebutdensof thieves, thehutsofmillionsofstarvingpeasants!No;thegreatmagicianwhomajesticallyworks out the appointed order of the Creator, never reverses histransformations."IfthoubechangedintothisshapebythewillofGod,"saytheseerstotheenchanted,inthewiseArabianstories,"thenremainso!But,if

thouwearthisformthroughmerepassingconjuration,thenresumethyformeraspect!"Changelessandhopeless,thetumbrilsrollalong.

Asthesombrewheelsofthesixcartsgoround,theyseemtoploughupalongcrookedfurrowamongthepopulaceinthestreets.Ridgesoffacesarethrownto thissideand to that,and theploughsgosteadilyonward.Sousedare theregularinhabitantsofthehousestothespectacle,thatinmanywindowsthereare no people, and in some the occupation of the hands is not somuch assuspended,whiletheeyessurveythefacesinthetumbrils.Hereandthere,theinmatehasvisitorstoseethesight;thenhepointshisfinger,withsomethingofthecomplacencyofacuratororauthorisedexponent,tothiscartandtothis,andseemstotellwhosathereyesterday,andwhotherethedaybefore.

Oftheridersinthetumbrils,someobservethesethings,andallthingsontheirlast roadside,withan impassivestare;others,witha lingering interest in theways of life andmen. Some, seatedwith drooping heads, are sunk in silentdespair;again,therearesomesoheedfuloftheirlooksthattheycastuponthemultitudesuchglancesastheyhaveseenintheatres,andinpictures.Severalclosetheireyes,andthink,ortrytogettheirstrayingthoughtstogether.Onlyone,andheamiserablecreature,ofacrazedaspect,issoshatteredandmadedrunkbyhorror,thathesings,andtriestodance.Notoneofthewholenumberappealsbylookorgesture,tothepityofthepeople.

Thereisaguardofsundryhorsemenridingabreastofthetumbrils,andfacesare often turned up to some of them, and they are asked some question. Itwould seem tobe always the samequestion, for, it is always followedby apress of people towards the third cart. The horsemen abreast of that cart,frequentlypointoutonemaninitwiththeirswords.Theleadingcuriosityis,toknowwhichishe;hestandsat thebackof thetumbrilwithhisheadbentdown,toconversewithameregirlwhositsonthesideofthecart,andholdshis hand. He has no curiosity or care for the scene about him, and alwaysspeaks to the girl.Here and there in the long street of St.Honore, cries areraisedagainsthim. If theymovehimatall, it isonly toaquiet smile,asheshakeshishairalittlemorelooselyabouthisface.Hecannoteasilytouchhisface,hisarmsbeingbound.

On the stepsof a church, awaiting the comingupof the tumbrils, stands theSpyandprisonsheep.Helooksintothefirstofthem:notthere.Helooksintothesecond:notthere.Healreadyaskshimself,"Hashesacrificedme?"whenhisfaceclears,ashelooksintothethird.

"WhichisEvremonde?"saysamanbehindhim.

"That.Atthebackthere."

"Withhishandinthegirl's?"

"Yes."

Themancries, "Down,Evremonde!To theGuillotine all aristocrats!Down,Evremonde!"

"Hush,hush!"theSpyentreatshim,timidly.

"Andwhynot,citizen?"

"Heisgoingtopaytheforfeit:itwillbepaidinfiveminutesmore.Lethimbeatpeace."

But the man continuing to exclaim, "Down, Evremonde!" the face ofEvremonde is for a moment turned towards him. Evremonde then sees theSpy,andlooksattentivelyathim,andgoeshisway.

The clocks are on the stroke of three, and the furrow ploughed among thepopulace is turning round, to comeon into the place of execution, and end.Theridgesthrowntothissideandtothat,nowcrumbleinandclosebehindthelastploughasitpasseson,forallarefollowingtotheGuillotine.Infrontofit,seated inchairs,as inagardenofpublicdiversion,areanumberofwomen,busilyknitting.Ononeoftheforemostchairs,standsTheVengeance,lookingaboutforherfriend.

"Therese!"shecries,inhershrilltones."Whohasseenher?ThereseDefarge!"

"Shenevermissedbefore,"saysaknittingwomanofthesisterhood.

"No;norwillshemissnow,"criesTheVengeance,petulantly."Therese."

"Louder,"thewomanrecommends.

Ay! Louder, Vengeance, much louder, and still she will scarcely hear thee.Louderyet,Vengeance,with a little oathor so added, andyet itwill hardlybringher.Sendotherwomenupanddowntoseekher,lingeringsomewhere;and yet, although themessengers have done dread deeds, it is questionablewhetheroftheirownwillstheywillgofarenoughtofindher!

"BadFortune!"criesTheVengeance,stampingherfootinthechair,"andhereare the tumbrils!AndEvremondewillbedespatched inawink,andshenothere!Seeherknittinginmyhand,andheremptychairreadyforher.Icrywithvexationanddisappointment!"

AsTheVengeancedescendsfromherelevationtodoit,thetumbrilsbegintodischargetheirloads.TheministersofSainteGuillotinearerobedandready.

Crash!Aheadisheldup,andtheknittingwomenwhoscarcelyliftedtheireyestolookatitamomentagowhenitcouldthinkandspeak,countOne.

Thesecondtumbrilemptiesandmoveson;thethirdcomesup.Crash!Andtheknittingwomen,neverfalteringorpausingintheirWork,countTwo.

ThesupposedEvremondedescends,andtheseamstressisliftedoutnextafterhim.Hehasnotrelinquishedherpatienthandingettingout,butstillholdsitashepromised.Hegentlyplacesherwithherbacktothecrashingenginethatconstantlywhirrsupandfalls,andshelooksintohisfaceandthankshim.

"Butforyou,dearstranger,Ishouldnotbesocomposed,forIamnaturallyapoor little thing, faint of heart; nor should I have been able to raise mythoughtstoHimwhowasputtodeath,thatwemighthavehopeandcomfortheretoday.IthinkyouweresenttomebyHeaven."

"Oryou tome," saysSydneyCarton. "Keepyoureyesuponme,dearchild,andmindnootherobject."

"ImindnothingwhileIholdyourhand.IshallmindnothingwhenIletitgo,iftheyarerapid."

"Theywillberapid.Fearnot!"

Thetwostandinthefastthinningthrongofvictims,buttheyspeakasiftheywerealone.Eyetoeye,voicetovoice,handtohand,hearttoheart,thesetwochildrenoftheUniversalMother,elsesowideapartanddiffering,havecometogether on the dark highway, to repair home together, and to rest in herbosom.

"Braveandgenerousfriend,willyouletmeaskyouonelastquestion?Iamveryignorant,andittroublesmejustalittle."

"Tellmewhatitis."

"I have a cousin, an only relative and an orphan, likemyself,whom I loveverydearly.SheisfiveyearsyoungerthanI,andshelivesinafarmer'shouseinthesouthcountry.Povertypartedus,andsheknowsnothingofmyfateforIcannotwriteandifIcould,howshouldItellher!Itisbetterasitis."

"Yes,yes:betterasitis."

"What I havebeen thinking aswe camealong, andwhat I am still thinkingnow,asIlookintoyourkindstrongfacewhichgivesmesomuchsupport,isthis:If the Republic really does good to the poor, and they come to be lesshungry,andinallwaystosufferless,shemaylivealongtime:shemayeven

livetobeold."

"Whatthen,mygentlesister?"

"Doyouthink:"theuncomplainingeyesinwhichthereissomuchendurance,fillwith tears, and the lips part a littlemore and tremble: "that itwill seemlongtome,whileIwaitforherinthebetterlandwhereItrustbothyouandIwillbemercifullysheltered?"

"Itcannotbe,mychild;thereisnoTimethere,andnotroublethere."

"Youcomfortme somuch! I amso ignorant.Am I tokissyounow? Is themomentcome?"

"Yes."

Shekisseshis lips;hekisseshers; theysolemnlyblesseachother.Thesparehand does not tremble as he releases it; nothingworse than a sweet, brightconstancy is in the patient face. She goes next before himis gone; theknittingwomencountTwentyTwo.

"Iam theResurrectionand theLife, saith theLord:he thatbelieveth inme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinmeshallneverdie."

Themurmuringofmanyvoices,theupturningofmanyfaces,thepressingonofmanyfootstepsintheoutskirtsofthecrowd,sothatitswellsforwardinamass,likeonegreatheaveofwater,allflashesaway.TwentyThree.

Theysaidofhim,aboutthecitythatnight,thatitwasthepeacefullestman'sfaceeverbeheldthere.Manyaddedthathelookedsublimeandprophetic.

Oneofthemostremarkablesufferersbythesameaxeawomanhadaskedatthefoot of the same scaffold, not long before, to be allowed towrite down thethoughtsthatwereinspiringher.Ifhehadgivenanyutterancetohis,andtheywereprophetic,theywouldhavebeenthese:

"IseeBarsad,andCly,Defarge,TheVengeance,theJuryman,theJudge,longranks of the new oppressors who have risen on the destruction of the old,perishingbythisretributiveinstrument,beforeitshallceaseoutofitspresentuse.Iseeabeautifulcityandabrilliantpeoplerisingfromthisabyss,and,intheir struggles to be truly free, in their triumphs and defeats, through longyearstocome,Iseetheevilofthistimeandoftheprevioustimeofwhichthisisthenaturalbirth,graduallymakingexpiationforitselfandwearingout.

"IseethelivesforwhichIlaydownmylife,peaceful,useful,prosperousand

happy,inthatEnglandwhichIshallseenomore.IseeHerwithachilduponherbosom,whobearsmyname.Iseeherfather,agedandbent,butotherwiserestored,andfaithful toallmen inhishealingoffice,andatpeace. Isee thegoodoldman,solongtheirfriend,intenyears'timeenrichingthemwithallhehas,andpassingtranquillytohisreward.

"I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of theirdescendants,generationshence.Iseeher,anoldwoman,weepingformeontheanniversaryofthisday.Iseeherandherhusband,theircoursedone,lyingside by side in their last earthly bed, and I know that each was not morehonouredandheldsacredintheother'ssoul,thanIwasinthesoulsofboth.

"I see that child who lay upon her bosom and who bore my name, a manwinning his way up in that path of life which once was mine. I see himwinningitsowell,thatmynameismadeillustrioustherebythelightofhis.Isee theblots I threwupon it, fadedaway. I seehim, foremostof just judgesandhonouredmen,bringingaboyofmyname,withaforeheadthatIknowandgolden hair, to this placethen fair to look upon,with not a trace of thisday'sdisfigurementandIhearhimtellthechildmystory,withatenderandafalteringvoice.

"Itisafar,farbetterthingthatIdo,thanIhaveeverdone;itisafar,farbetterrestthatIgotothanIhaveeverknown."

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