第2章

TheConcordbed-chamberbeingalwaysassignedtopassengerbythemail,andpassengersbythemailbeingalwaysheavilywrappedupfromheadtofoot,theroomha\'theoddinterestfortheestablishmentoftheRoyalGeorgethatalthoughbutonekindofmanwasseentogointoit,allkindsandvarietiesofmencameoutofit.Consequentlyanotherdrawer,andtwoporters,andseveralmaidsandthelandlady,wereallloiteringbyaccidentatvariouspointsoftheroadbetweentheConcordandthecoffee-room,whenagentle-manofsixty,formallydressedinabrownsuitofclothes,prettywellworn,butverywellkept,withlargesquarecuffsandlargeflapstothepockets,passedalongonhiswaytohisbreakfast.

Thecoffee-roomhadnootheroccupant,thatforenoon,thanthegentlemaninbrown.Hisbreakfast-tablewasdrawnbeforethefire,andashesat,withitslightshiningonhim,waitingforthemeal,hesatsostill,thathemighthavebeensittingforhisportrait.

Veryorderlyandmethodicalhelooked,withahandoneachknee,andaloudwatchtickingasonoroussermonunderhisflappedwaistcoat,asthoughitpitteditsgravityandlongevityagainstthelevityandevanescenceofthebriskfire.Hehadagoodleg,andwasalittlevainofit,forhisbrownstockingsfittedsleekandclose,andwereofafinetexture;hisshoesandbuckles,too,thoughplain,weretrim.Heworeanoddlittlesleekcrispflaxenwig,settingveryclosetohishead:whichwig,itistobepresumed,wasmadeofhair,butwhichlookedfarmoreasthoughitwerespunfromfilamentsofsilkorglass.Hislinen,thoughnotofafinenessinaccordancewithhisstockings,wasaswhiteasthetopsofthewavesthatbrokeupontheneighbouringbeach,orthespecksofsailthatglintedinthesunlightfaratsea.Afacehabituallysuppressedandquieted,wasstilllightedupunderthequaintwigbyapairofmoistbrighteyesthatitmusthavecosttheirowner,inyearsgoneby,somepainstodrilltothecomposedandreservedexpressionofTellson\'sBank.Hehadahealthycolourinhischeeks,andhisface,thoughlined,borefewtracesofanxiety.But,perhapstheconfidentialbachelorclerksinTellson\'sBankwereprincipallyoccupiedwiththecaresofotherpeople;andperhapssecond-handcares,likesecond-handclothes,comeeasilyoffandon.

Completinghisresemblancetoamanwhowassittingforhisportrait,Mr.Lorrydroppedofftosleep.Thearrivalofhisbreakfastrousedhim,andhesaidtothedrawer,ashemovedhischairtoit:

`Iwishaccommodationpreparedforayoungladywhomaycomehereatanytimeto-day.ShemayaskforMr.JarvisLorry,orshemayonlyaskforagentlemanfromTellson\'sBank.Pleasetoletmeknow.

`Yes,sir.Tellson\'sBankinLondon,sir?\'

`Yes.\'

`Yes,sir.WehaveoftentimesthehonourtoentertainyourgentlemenintheirtravellingbackwardsandforwardsbetwixtLondonandParis,sir.Avastdealoftravelling,sir,inTellsonandCompany\'sHouse.\'

`Yes.WearequiteaFrenchHouse,aswellasanEnglishone.\'

`Yes,sir.Notmuchinthehabitofsuchtravellingyour-self,Ithink,sir?\'

`Notoflateyears.Itisfifteenyearssincewe——sinceI——camelastfromFrance.\'

`Indeed,sir?Thatwasbeforemytimehere,sir.Beforeourpeople\'stimehere,sir.TheGeorgewasinotherhandsatthattime,sir.\'

`Ibelieveso.\'

`ButIwouldholdaprettywager,sir,thataHouselikeTellsonandCompanywasflourishing,amatteroffifty,nottospeakoffifteenyearsago?\'

`Youmighttreblethat,andsayahundredandfifty,yetnotbefarfromthetruth.\'

`Indeed,sir!\'

Roundinghismouthandbothhiseyes,ashesteppedbackwardfromthetable,thewaitershiftedhisnapkinfromhis-rightarmtohisleft,droppedintoacomfortableattitude,andstoodsurveyingtheguestwhileheateanddrank,asfromanobservatoryorwatch-tower.Accordingtotheimmemorialusageofwaitersinallages.

WhenMr.Lorryhadfinishedhisbreakfast,hewentoutforastrollonthebeach.Thelittlenarrow,crookedtownofDoverhiditselfawayfromthebeach,andranitsheadintothechalkcliffs,likeamarineostrich.Thebeachwasadesertofheapsofseaandstonestumblingwildlyabout,andtheseadidwhatitliked,andwhatitlikedwasdestruction.Itthunderedatthetown,andthunderedatthecliffs,andbroughtthecoastdown,madly.Theairamongthehouseswasofsostrongapiscatoryflavourthatonemighthavesupposedsickfishwentuptobedippedinit,assickpeoplewentdowntobedippedinthesea.Alittlefishingwasdoneintheport,andaquantityofstrollingaboutbynight,andlookingseaward:particularlyatthosetimeswhenthetidemade,andwasnearflood.Smalltradesmen,whodidnobusinesswhatever,sometimesunaccountablyrealisedlargefortunes,anditwasremarkablethatnobodyintheneighbourhoodcouldendurealamplighter.

Asthedaydeclinedintotheafternoon,andtheair,whichhadbeenatintervalsclearenoughtoallowtheFrenchcoasttobeseen,becameagainchargedwithmistandvapour,Mr.Lorry\'sthoughtsseemedtocloudtoo.Whendark,andhesatbeforethecoffee-roomfire,awaitinghisdinnerashehadawaitedhisbreakfast,hismindwasdigging,digging,digging,intheliveredcoals.

Abottleofgoodclaretafterdinnerdoesadiggerintheredcoalsnoharm,otherwisethanasithasatendencytothrowhimoutofwork.Mr.Lorryhadbeenidlealoandhadjustpouredouthislastglassfulofwinecompleteanappearanceofsatisfactionasisevertobefoundinanelderlygentlemanofafreshcomplexionwhohasgottotheendofabottle,whenarattlingofwheelscameupthenarrowstreet,andrumbledintotheinn-yard.

Hesetdownhisglassuntouched.`ThisisMam\'selle!\'saidhe.

InaveryfewminutesthewaitercameintoannouncethatMissManettehadarrivedfromLondon,and",happytoseethegentlemanfromTellson\'s.

`Sosoon?\'

MissManettehadtakensomerefreshmentontheroad,andrequirednonethen,andwasextremelyanxioustoseethegentlemanfromTellson\'simmediately,ifitsuitedhispleasureandconvenience.

ThegentlemanfromTellson\'shadnothingleftforitbuttoemptyhisglasswithanairofstoliddesperation,settlehisoddlittleflaxenwigattheears,andfollowthewaitertoMissManette\'sapartment.Itwasalarge,darkroom,furnishedinafunerealmannerwithblackhorsehair,andloadedwithheavydarktables.Thesehadbeenoiled,untilthetwotallcandlesonthetableintheoftheroomweregloomilyreflectedoneveryleaf;wereburied,indeepgravesofblackmahogany,andtospeakofcouldbeexpectedfromthemuntilthedugout.

TheobscuritywassodifficulttopenetratethatMrLorry,pickinghiswayoverthewell-wornTurkeycarpet,supposedMissManettetobe,forthemoment,insomeadjacentroom,until,havinggotpastthetwotallcandles,hesawtoreceivehimbythetablebetweenthemandtheyoungladyofnotmorethanseventeen,inariding-cloak,andstillholdingherstrawtravelling-hatbyitsribboninherhand.Ashiseyesrestedonashort,slight,prettyfigure,aquantityofgoldenhair,apairofblueeyesthatmethisownwithaninquiringlook,andaforeheadwithasingularcapacity(rememberinghowyoungandsmoothitwasofliftingandknittingitselfintoanexpressionthatwasnotquiteoneofperplexity,orwonder,oralarmormerelyofabrightfixedattention,thoughisincludedallthefourexpressions——ashiseyesrestedonthesethings,asuddenvividlikenesspassedbeforehim,ofachildwhomhehadheldinhisarmsonthepassageacrossthatveryChannel,onecoldtime,whenthehaildriftedheavilyandthesearanhigh.Thelikenesspassedaway,likeabreathalongthesurfaceofthegauntpier-glassbehindher,ontheframeofwhich,ahospitalprocessionofnegrocupids,severalhead-lessandallcripples,wereofferingblackbasketsofDeadSeafruittoblackdivinitiesofthefemininegender——andhemadehisformalbowtoMissManette.

`Praytakeaseat,sir.\'Inaveryclearandpleasantyoungvoice;alittleforeigninitsaccent,butaverylittleindeed.

`Ikissyourhand,miss,\'saidMr.Lorry,withthemannersofanearlierdate,ashemadehisformalbowagain,andtookhisseat.

`IreceivedaletterfromtheBank,sir,yesterday,informingmethatsomeintelligence——ordiscovery——

`Thewordisnotmaterial,miss;eitherwordwilldo.\'

`——respectingthesmallpropertyofmypoorfather,whomIneversaw——solongdead——\'

Mr.Lorrymovedinhischair,andcastatroubledlooktowardsthehospitalprocessionofnegrocupids.Asiftheyhadanyhelpforanybodyintheirabsurdbaskets!

`——rendereditnecessarythatIshouldgotoParis,theretocommunicatewithagentlemanoftheBank,sogoodastobedespatchedtoParisforthepurpose.\'

`Myself\'

`AsIwaspreparedtohear,sir.\'

Shecurtseyedtohim(youngladiesmadecurtseysinthosedays),withaprettydesiretoconveytohimthatshefelthowmucholderandwiserhewasthanshe.Hemadeheranotherbow.

`IrepliedtotheBank,sir,thatasitwasconsiderednecessary,bythosewhoknow,andwhoaresokindastoadviseme,thatIshouldgotoFrance,andthatasIamanorphanandhavenofriendwhocouldgowithme,IshouldesteemithighlyifImightbepermittedtoplacemyself,duringthejourney,underthatworthygentleman\'sprotection.ThegentlemanhadleftLondon,butIthinkamessengerwassentafterhimtobegthefavourofhiswaitingformehere.\'

`Iwashappy,\'saidMr.Lorry,`tobeentrustedwiththecharge.Ishallbemorehappytoexecuteit.\'

`Sir,Ithankyouindeed.Ithankyouverygratefully.ItwastoldmebytheBankthatthegentlemanwouldexplaintomethedetailsofthebusiness,andthatImustpreparemyselftofindthemofasurprisingnature.Ihavedonemybesttopreparemyself,andInaturallyhaveastrongandeagerinteresttoknowwhattheyare.

`Naturally,\'saidMr.Lorry.`Yes——I——\'

Alterapause,headded,againsettlingthecrispflaxenwigattheears:

`Itisverydifficulttobegin.\'

Hedidnotbegin,but,inhisindecision,metherglance.

Theyoungforeheadlifteditselfintothatsingularexpression——butitwasprettyandcharacteristic,besidesbeingsingular——andsheraisedherhand,asifwithaninvoluntaryactionshecaughtat,orstayedsomepassingshadow.

`Areyouquiteastrangertome,sir?\'

`AmInot?\'Mr.Lorryopenedhishands,andextendedthemoutwardswithanargumentativesmile.

Betweentheeyebrowsandjustoverthelittlefemininenose,thelineofwhichwasasdelicateandfineasitwaspossibletobe,theexpressiondeepeneditselfasshetookherseatthoughtfullyinthechairbywhichshehadhithertoremainedstanding.Hewatchedherasshemused,andthemomentsheraisedhereyesagain,wenton:

`Inyouradoptedcountry,Ipresume,IcannotdobetterthanaddressyouasayoungEnglishlady,MissManette?\'

`Ifyouplease,sir.\'

`MissManette,Iamamanofbusiness.Ihaveabusinesschargetoacquitmyselfof.Inyourreceptionofit,don\'theedmeanymorethanifIwasaspeakingmachine——truly,Iamnotmuchelse.Iwill,withyourleave,relatetoyou,miss,thestoryofoneofourcustomers.\'

`Story!\'

Heseemedwilfullytomistakethewordshehadrepeated,whenheadded,inahurry,`Yes,customers;inthebankingbusinessweusuallycallourconnexionourcustomers.HewasaFrenchgentleman;ascientificgentleman;amanofgreatacquirements——aDoctor.\'

`NotofBeauvais?\'

`Why,yes,ofBeauvais.LikeMonsieurManette,yourfather,thegentlemanwasofBeauvais.LikeMonsieurManette,yourfather,thegentlemanwasofreputeinParis.Ihadthehonourofknowinghimthere.Ourrelationswerebusinessrelations,butconfidential.IwasatthattimeinourFrench——House,andhadbeen——oh!twentyyears.\'

`Atthattime——Imayask,atwhattime,sir?\'

`Ispeak,miss,oftwentyyearsago.Hemarried——anEnglishlady——andIwasoneofthetrustees.Hisaffairs,liketheaffairsofmanyotherFrenchgentlemenandFrenchfamilies,wereentirelyinTellson\'shands.InasimilarwayIam,orIhavebeen,trusteeofonekindorotherforscoresofourcustomers.Thesearemerebusinessrelations,miss;thereisnofriendshipinthem,noparticularinterest,nothinglikesentiment.Ihavepassedfromonetoanother,iiithecourseofmybusinesslife,justasIpassfromoneofourcustomerstoanotherinthecourseofmybusinessday;inshort,Ihavenofeelings;Iamameremachine.Togoon——

`Butthisismyfather\'sstory,sir;andIbegintothink\'——thecuriouslyroughenedforeheadwasveryintentuponhim——\'thatwhenIwasleftanorphanthroughmymother\'ssurvivingmyfatheronlytwoyears,itwasyouwhobroughtmetoEngland.Iamalmostsureitwasyou.

Mr.Lorrytookthehesitatinglittlehandthatconfidinglyadvancedtotakehis,andheputitwithsomeceremonytohislips.Hethenconductedtheyoungladystraightawaytoherchairagain,and,holdingthechair-backwithhislefthand,andusinghisrightbyturnstorubhischin,pullhiswigattheears,orpointwhatliesaid,stoodlookingdownintoherfacewhileshesatlookingupintohis.

`MissManette,itwasI.AndyouwillseehowtrulyIspokeofmyselfjustnow,insayingIhadnofeelings,andthatalltherelationsIholdwithmyfellow-creaturesaremerebusinessrelations,whenyoureflectthatIhaveneverseenyousince.No;youhavebeenthewardofTellsonsHousesince,andIhavebeenbusywiththeotherbusinessofTellsonsHousesince.FeelingsIhavenotimeforthem,nochanceofthem.Ipassmywholelife,miss,inturninganimmensepecuniaryMangle.\'

Afterthisodddescriptionofhisdailyroutineofemployment,Mr.Lorryflattenedhisflaxenwiguponhisheadwithbothhands(whichwasmostunnecessary,fornothingcouldbeflatterthanitsshiningsurfacewasbefore),andresumedhisformerattitude.

`Sofar,miss(asyouhaveremarked),thisisthestoryofyourregrettedfather.Nowcomesthedifference.Ifyourfatherhadnotdiedwhenhedid——Don\'tbefrightened!Howyoustart!\'

Shedid,indeed,start.Andshecaughthiswristwithbothherhands.

`Pray,\'saidMr.Lorry,inasoothingtone,bringinghi\'lefthandfromthebackofthechairtolayitonthesupplicatoryfingersthatclaspedhiminsoviolentatremble;`praycontrolyouragitation——amatterofbusiness.AsIwassaying——\'

Herlooksodiscomposedhimthathestopped,wanderedandbegananew:

`AsIwassaying;ifMonsieurManettehadnotdied;ifhehadsuddenlyandsilentlydisappeared;ifhehadbeenspiritedaway;ifithadnotbeendifficulttoguesstowhatdreadfulplace,thoughnoartcouldtracehim;ifhehadanenemyinsomecompatriotwhocouldexerciseaprivilegethatIinmyowntimehaveknowntheboldestpeopleafraidtospeakofinawhisper,acrossthewaterthere;forinstancetheprivilegeoffillingupblankformsfortheconsignmentofanyonetotheoblivionofaprisonforanylengthoftimeifhiswifehadimploredtheking,thequeen,thecourt,theclergy,foranytidingsofhim,andallquiteinvain;——thenthehistoryofyourfatherwouldhavebeenthehistoryofthisunfortunategentleman,theDoctorofBeauvais.

`Ientreatyoutotellmemore,sir.\'

`Iwill.Iamgoingto.Youcanbearit?\'

`Icanbearanythingbuttheuncertaintyyouleavemeinatthismoment.

`Youspeakcollectedly,andyou——arecollected.`Thatgood!\'(Thoughhismannerwaslesssatisfiedthanhiwords.)`Amatterofbusiness.Regarditasamattero-business-businessthatmustbedone.Nowifthisdoctor\'swife,thoughaladyofgreatcourageandspirit,hadsufferedsointenselyfromthiscausebeforeherlittlechildwasborn——\'

`Thelittlechildwasadaughter,sir?\'

`Adaughter.A——a——matterofbusiness——don\'tbedistressed.Miss,ifthepoorladyhadsufferedsointenselybeforeherlittlechildwasborn,thatshecametothedeterminationofsparingthepoorchildtheinheritanceofanypartoftheagonyshehadknownthepainsof,byrearingherinthebeliefthatherfatherwasdead——No,don\'tkneel!InHeaven\'snamewhyshouldyoukneeltome?\'

`Forthetruth.Odear,good,compassionatesir,forthetruth!\'

`A——amatterofbusiness.Youconfuseme,andhowcanItransactbusinessifIamconfused?Letusbeclear-headed.Ifyoucouldkindlymentionnow,forinstance,whatninetimesninepenceare,orhowmanyshillingsintwentyguineas,itwouldbesoencouraging.Ishouldbesomuchmoreatmyeaseaboutyourstateofmind.\'

Withoutdirectlyansweringtothisappeal,shesatsostillwhenhehadverygentlyraisedher,andthehandsthathadnotceasedtoclasphiswristsweresomuchmoresteadythantheyhadbeen,thatshecommunicatedsomereassurancetoMr.JarvisLorry.

`That\'sright,that\'sright.Courage!Business!Youhavebusinessbeforeyou;usefulbusiness.MissManette,yourmothertookthiscoursewithyou.Andwhenshedied——Ibelievebroken-hearted——havingneverslackenedherunavailingsearchforyourfather,sheleftyou,attwoyearsold,togrowtobeblooming,beautiful,andhappy,withoutthedarkclouduponyouoflivinginuncertaintywhetheryourfathersoonworehisheartoutinprison,orwastedtherethroughmanylingeringyears.\'

Ashesaidthewordshelookeddown,withanadmiringpity,ontheflowinggoldenhair;asifhepicturedtohim-selfthatitmighthavebeenalreadytingedwithgrey.

`Youknowthatyourparentshadnogreatpossession,andthatwhattheyhadwassecuredtoyourmotherandtoyou.Therehasbeennonewdiscovery,ofmoney,orofanyotherproperty;but——

Hefelthiswristheldcloser,andhestopped.Theexpressionintheforehead,whichhadsoparticularlyattractedhisnotice,andwhichwasnowimmovable,haddeepenedintooneofpainandhorror.

`Buthehasbeen-beenfound.Heisalive.Greatlychanged,itistooprobable;almostawreck,itispossible;thoughwewillhopethebest.Still,alive.YourfatherhasbeentakentothehouseofanoldservantinParis,andwearegoingthere:I,toidentifyhimifIcan:you,torestorehimtolife,love,duty,rest,comfort.\'

Ashiverranthroughherframe,andfromitthroughhis.Shesaid,inalow,distinct,awe-strickenvoice,asifsheweresayingitinadream,

`IamgoingtoseehisGhost!ItwillbehisGhost——nothim!\'

Mr.Lorryquietlychafedthehandsthatheldhisarm.`There,there,there!Seenow,seenow!Thebestandtheworstareknowntoyou,now.Youarewellonyourwaytothepoorwrongedgentleman,and,withafairseavoyage,andafairlandjourney,youwillbesoonathisdearside.\'

Sherepeatedinthesametone,sunktoawhisper,`Ihavebeenfree,Ihavebeenhappy,yethisGhosthasneverhauntedme!\'

`Onlyonethingmore,\'saidMr.Lorry,layingstressuponitasawholesomemeansofenforcingherattention:`hehasbeenfoundunderanothername;hisown,longforgottenorlongconcealed.Itwouldbeworsethanuselessnowtoinquirewhich;worsethanuselesstoseektoknowwhetherhehasbeenforyearsoverlooked,oralwaysdesignedlyheldprisoner.Itwouldbeworsethanuselessnowtomakeanyinquiries,becauseitwouldbedangerous.Betternottomentionthesubject,anywhereorinanyway,andtoremovehim——forawhileatallevents——outofFrance.EvenI,safeasanEnglishman,andevenTellson\'s,importantastheyaretoFrenchcredit,avoidallnamingofthematter.Icarryaboutme,notascrapofwritingopenlyreferringtoit.Thisisasecretservicealtogether.Mycredentials,entries,andmemoranda,areallcomprehendedintheoneline,"RecalledtoLife;"whichmaymeananything.Butwhatisthematter?Shedoesn\'tnoticeaword!MissManette!\'

Perfectlystillandsilent,andnotevenfallenbackinherchair,shesatunderhishand,utterlyinsensible;withhereyesopenandfixeduponhim,andwiththatlastexpressionlookingasifitwerecarvedorbrandedintoherforehead.Soclosewasherholduponhisarm,thathefearedtodetachhimselflestheshouldhurther;thereforehecalledoutloudlyforassistancewithoutmoving.

Awild-lookingwoman,whomeveninhisagitation,Mr.Lorryobservedtobeallofaredcolour,andtohaveredhair,andtobedressedinsomeextraordinarytightfittingfashion,andtohaveonherheadamostwonderfulbonnetlikeaGrenadierwoodenmeasure,andgoodmeasuretoo,oragreatStiltoncheese,camerunningintotheroominadvanceoftheinnservants,andsoonsettledthequestionofhisdetachmentfromthepooryounglady,bylayingabrawnyhanduponhischest,andsendinghimflyingbackagainstthenearestwall.

(`Ireallythinkthismustbeaman!\'wasMr.Lorry\'sbreathlessreflection,simultaneouslywithhiscomingagainstthewall.)

`Why,lookatyouall!\'bawledthisfigure,addressingtheinnservants.`Whydon\'tyougoandfetchthings,insteadofstandingtherestaringatme?Iamnotsomuchtolookat,amI?Whydon\'tyougoandfetchthings?I\'llletyouknow,ifyoudon\'tbringsmelling-salts,coldwater,andvinegar,quick,Iwill.\'

Therewasanimmediatedispersalfortheserestoratives,andshesoftlylaidthepatientonasofa,andtendedherwithgreatskillandgentleness:callingher`myprecious!\'and`mybird!\'andspreadinghergoldenhairasideoverhershoulderswithgreatprideandcare.

`Andyouinbrown!\'shesaid,indignantlyturningtoMr.Lorry;`couldn\'tyoutellherwhatyouhadtotellher,withoutfrighteninghertodeath?Lookather,withherprettypalefaceandhercoldhands.DoyoucallthatbeingaBanker?\'

Mr.Lorrywassoexceedinglydisconcertedbyaquestionsohardtoanswer,thathecouldonlylookon,atadistance,withmuchfeeblersympathyandhumility,whilethestrongwoman,havingbanishedtheinnservantsunderthemysteriouspenaltyof`lettingthemknow\'somethingnotmentionediftheystayedthere,staring,recoveredherchargebyaregularseriesofgradations,andcoaxedhertolayherdroopingheaduponhershoulder.

`Ihopeshewilldowellnow,\'saidMr.Lorry.

`Nothankstoyouinbrown,ifshedoes.Mydarlingpretty!\'

`Ihope,\'saidMr.Lorry,afteranotherpauseoffeeblesympathyandhumility,`thatyouaccompanyMissManettetoFrance?\'

`Alikelything,too!\'repliedthestrongwoman.`IfitwaseverintendedthatIshouldgoacrosssaltwater,doyousupposeProvidencewouldhavecastmylotinanisland?\'

Thisbeinganotherquestionhardtoanswer,Mr.JarvisLorrywithdrewtoconsiderit.

CHAPTERV

TheWine-shop

ALARGEcaskofwinehadbeendroppedandbroken,street.Theaccidenthadhappenedingettingitoutofacart;thecaskhadtumbledoutwitharun,thehoopshadburst,anditlayonthestonesjustoutsidethedoorofthewine-shop,shatteredlikeawalnut-shell.

Allthepeoplewithinreachhadsuspendedtheirbusinessortheiridleness,toruntothespotanddrinkthewine.Therough,irregularstonesofthestreet,pointingeveryway,anddesigned,onemighthavethought,expresslytolamealllivingcreaturesthatapproachedthem,haddammeditintolittlepools;theseweresurrounded,eachbyitsownjostlinggrouporcrowd,accordingtoitssize.Somemenkneeleddown,madescoopsoftheirtwohandsjoined,andsipped,ortriedtohelpwomen,whobentovertheirshoulderstosip,beforethewinehadallrunoutbetweentheirfingers.Others,menandwomen,dippedinthepuddleswithlittlemugsofmutilatedearthenware,orevenwithhandkerchiefsfromwomen\'sheads,whichweresqueezeddryintoinfantsmouths;othersmadesmallmudembankments,tostemthewineasitran;others,directedbylookers-onupathighwindows,dartedhereandthere,tocutofflittlestreamsofwinethatstartedawayinnewdirections;othersdevotedthemselvestothesoddenandlee-dyedpiecesofthecasklicking,andevenchampingthemoisterwine-rottedfragmentswitheagerrelish.Therewasnodrainagetocarryoffthewine,andnotonlydiditallgettakenup,butsomuchmudgottakenupalongwithit,thattheremighthavebeenascavengerinthestreet,ifanybodyacquaintedwithitcouldhavebelievedinsuchamiraculouspresence.

Ashrillsoundoflaughterandofamusedvoices——voicesofmen,women,andchildren——resoundedinthestreetwhilethiswinegamelasted.Therewaslittleroughnessinthespotandmuchplayfulness.Therewasaspecialcompanionshipinit,anobservableinclinationonthepartofeveryonetojoinsomeotherone,whichled,especiallyamongtheluckierorlighter-hearted,tofrolicsomeembraces,drinkingofhealths,shakingofhands,andevenjoiningofhandsanddancing,adozentogether.Whenthewinewasgone,andtheplaceswhereithadbeenmostabundantwererakedintoagridiron-patternbyfingers,thesedemonstrationsceased,assuddenlyastheyhadbrokenout.Themanwhohadlefthissawstickinginthefirewoodhewascutting,setitinmotionagain;thewomanwhohadleftonadoor-stepthelittlepotofhotashes,atwhichshehadbeentryingtosoftenthepaininherownstarvedfingersandtoes,orinthoseofherchild,returnedtoit;menwithbarearms,mattedlocks,andcadaverousfaces,whohademergedintothewinterlightfromcellars,movedaway,todescendagain;andagloomgatheredonthescenethatappearedmorenaturaltoitthansunshine.

Thewinewasredwine,andhadstainedthegroundofthenarrowstreetinthesuburbofSaintAntoine,inParis,whereitwasspilled.Ithadstainedmanyhands,too,andmanyfaces,andmanynakedfeet,andmanywoodenshoes.Thehandsofthemanwhosawedthewood,leftredmarksonthebillets;andtheforeheadofthewomanwhonursedherbaby,wasstainedwiththestainoftheoldragshewoundaboutherheadagain.Thosewhohadbeengreedywiththestavesofthecask,hadacquiredatigerishsmearaboutthemouth;andonetalljokersobesmirched,hisheadmoreoutofalongsqualidbagofanight-capthaninit,scrawleduponawallwithhisfingerdippedinmuddywine-lees——BLOOD.

Thetimewastocome,whenthatwinetoowouldbespilledonthestreet-stones,andwhenthestainofitwouldbereduponmanythere.

AndnowthatthecloudsettledonSaintAntoine,whichamomentarygleamhaddrivenfromhissacredcountenance,thedarknessofitwasheavy——cold,dirt,sickness,ignorance,andwant,werethelordsinwaitingonthesaintlypresence——noblesofgreatpowerallofthem;but,mostespeciallythelast.Samplesofapeoplethathadundergoneaterriblegrindingandre-grindinginthemill,andcertainlynotinthefabulousmillwhichgroundoldpeopleyoung,shiveredateverycorner,passedinandoutateverydoorway,lookedfromeverywindow,flutteredineveryvestigeofagarmentthatthewindshock.Themillwhichhadworkedthemdown,wasthemillthatgrindsyoungpeopleold;thechildrenhadancientfacesandgravevoices;anduponthem,anduponthegrownfaces,andploughedintoeveryfurrowofageandcomingupafresh,wasthesign,Hunger.Itwasprevalenteverywhere.Hungerwaspushedoutofthetallhouses,inthewretchedclothingthathunguponpolesandlines;Hungerwaspatchedintothemwithstrawandragandwoodandpaper;Hungerwasrepeatedineveryfragmentofthesmallmodicumoffirewoodthatthemansawedoff;Hungerstareddownfromthesmokelesschimneys,andstartedupfromthefilthystreetthathadnooffal,amongitsrefuse,ofanythingtoeat.Hungerwastheinscriptiononthebaker\'sshelves,writtenineverysmallloafofhisScantystockofbadbread;atthesausage-shop,ineverydead-dogpreparationthatwasofferedforsale.Hungerrattleditsdrybonesamongtheroastingchestnutsintheturnedcylinder;Hungerwasshredintoatomiesineveryfarthingporringerofhuskychipsofpotato,friedwithsomereluctantdropsofoil.

Itsabidingplacewasinallthingsfittedtoit.Anarrowwindingstreet,fullofoffenceandstench,withothernarrowwindingstreetsdiverging,allpeopledbyragsandnightcaps,andallsmellingofragsandnightcaps,andallvisiblethingswithabroodinglookuponthemthatlookedill.Inthehuntedairofthepeopletherewasyetsomewild-beastthoughtofthepossibilityofturningatbay.Depressedandslinkingthoughtheywere,eyesoffirewerenotwantingamongthem;norcompressedlips,whitewithwhattheysuppressed;norforeheadsknittedintothelikenessofthegallows-ropetheymusedaboutenduring,orinflicting.Thetradesigns(andtheywerealmostasmanyastheshops)were,all,grimillustrationsofWant.Thebutcherandtheporkmanpaintedup,onlytheleanestscragsofmeat;thebaker,thecoarsestofmeagreloaves.Thepeoplerudelypicturedasdrinkinginthewine-shops,croakedovertheirscantymeasuresofthinwineandbeer,andweregloweringlyconfidentialtogether.Nothingwasrepresentedinaflourishingcondition,savetoolsandweapons;but,thecutler\'sknivesandaxesweresharpandbright,thesmith\'shammers-wereheavy,andthegunmaker\'sstockwasmurderous.Thecripplingstonesofthepavement,withtheirmanylittlereservoirsofmudandwater,hadnofootways,butbrokeoffabruptlyatthedoors.Thekennel,tomakeamends,randownthemiddleofthestreet——whenitranatall:whichwasonlyafterheavyrains,andthenitran,bymanyeccentricfits,intothehouses.Acrossthestreets,atwideintervals,oneclumsylampwasslungbyaropeandpulley;atnight,whenthelamplighterhadletthesedown,andlighted,andhoistedthemagain,afeeblegroveofdimwicksswunginasicklymanneroverhead,asiftheywereatsea.Indeedtheywereatsea,andtheshipandcrewwereinperiloftempest.

For,thetimewastocome,whenthegauntscarecrowsofthatregionshouldhavewatchedthelamplighter,intheiridlenessandhunger,solong,astoconceivetheideaofimprovingonhismethod,andhaulingupmenbythoseropesandpulleys,toflareuponthedarknessoftheircondition.But,thetimewasnotcomeyet;andeverywindthatblewoverFranceshooktheragsofthescarecrowsinvain,forthebirds,fineofsongandfeather,tooknowarning.

Thewine-shopwasacomershop,betterthanmostother\'initsappearanceanddegree,andthemasterofthewineshophadstoodoutsideit,inayellowwaistcoatandgreenbreeches,lookingonatthestruggleforthelostwine.`It\'\'notmyaffair,\'saidhe,withafinalshrugoftheshoulders,`Thepeoplefromthemarketdidit.Letthembringanother.

There,hiseyeshappeningtocatchthetalljokerwritinguphisjoke,hecalledtohimacrosstheway:

`Say,then,myGaspard,whatdoyoudothere?\'

Thefellowpointedtohisjokewithimmensesignificanceasisoftenthewaywithhistribe.Itmisseditsmark,andcompletelyfailed,asisoftenthewaywithhistribetoo.

`Whatnow?Areyouasubjectforthemadhospital?\'saidthewine-shopkeeper,crossingtheroad,andobliteratingthejestwithahandfulofmud,pickedupforthepurposeandsmearedoverit.`Whydoyouwriteinthepublicstreets?Isthere——tellmethou——istherenootherplacetowritesuchwordsin?\'

Inhisexpostulationhedroppedhiscleanerhand(perhapsaccidentally,perhapsnot)uponthejoker\'sheart.Thejokerappeditwithhisown,tookanimblespringupward,andcamedowninafantasticdancingattitude,withoneofhisstainedshoesjerkedoffhisfootintohishand,andheldoutAjokerofanextremely,nottosaywolfishlypracticalcharacter,helooked,underthosecircumstances.

`Putiton,putiton,\'saidtheother.`Callwine,wineandfinishthere.\'Withthatadvice,hewipedhissoiledhanduponthejoker\'sdress,suchasitwas——quitedeliberately,ashavingdirtiedthehandonhisaccount;andthenre-crossedtheroadandenteredthewine-shop.

Thiswine-shopkeeperwasabull-necked\',martial-lookingmanofthirty,andheshouldhavebeanofahottemperament,for,althoughitwasabitterday,heworenocoat,butcarriedoneslungoverhisshoulder.Hisshirt-sleeveswererolledup,too,andhisbrownarmswerebaretotheelbows.Neitherdidhewearanythingmoreonhisheadthanhisowncrisply-curlingshortdarkhair.Hewasadarkmanaltogether,withgoodeyesandagoodboldbreadthbetweenthem.Good-humouredlookingonthewhole,butimplacable-looking,too;evidentlyamanofastrongresolutionandasetpurpose;amannotdesirabletobemet,rushingdownanarrowpasswithagulfoneitherside,fornothingwouldturntheman.

MadameDefarge,hiswife,satintheshopbehindthecounterashecamein.MadameDefargewasastoutwomanofabouthisownage,withawatchfuleyethatseldomseemedtolookatanything,alargehandheavilyringed,asteadyface,strongfeatures,andgreatcomposureofmanner.TherewasacharacteraboutMadameDefarge,fromwhichonemighthavepredicatedthatshedidnotoftenmakemistakesagainstherselfinanyofthereckoningsoverwhichshepresided.MadameDefargebeingsensitivetocold,waswrappedinfur,andhadaquantityofbrightshawltwinedaboutherhead,thoughnottotheconcealmentofherlargeearrings.Herknittingwasbeforeher,butshehadlaiditdowntopickherteethwithatoothpick.Thusengaged,withherrightelbowsupportedbyherlefthand,MadameDefargesaidnothingwhenherlordcamein,butcoughedJustonegrainofcough.This,incombinationwiththeliftingofherdarklydefinedeyebrowsoverhertoothpickbythebreadthofaline,suggestedtoherhusbandthathewoulddowelltolookroundtheshopamongthecustomers,foranynewcustomerwhohaddroppedinwhilehesteppedovertheway.

Thewine-shopkeeperaccordinglyrolledhiseyesabout,untiltheyresteduponanelderlygentlemanandayounglady,whowereseatedinacorner.Othercompanywerethere:twoplayingcards,twoplayingdominoes,threestandingbythecounterlengtheningoutashortsupplyofwine.Ashepassedbehindthecounter,hetooknoticethattheelderlygentlemansaidinalooktotheyounglady`Thisisourman.

`Whatthedevildoyoudointhatgalleythere?\'saidMonsieurDefargetohimself;`Idon\'tknowyou.\'

But,hefeignednottonoticethetwostrangers,andfellintodiscoursewiththetriumvirateofcustomerswhoweredrinkingatthecounter.

`Howgoesit,Jacques?\'saidoneofthesethreetoMonsieurDefarge.`Isallthespiltwineswallowed?\'

`Everydrop,Jacques,\'answeredMonsieurDefarge.