第12章

`Youarethefellowwewant,\'saidDefarge,inhisear;`youmakethesefoolsbelievethatitwilllastforever.Then,theyarethemoreinsolent,anditisthenearerended.\'

`Hey!\'criedthemenderofroads,reflectively;`that\'strue.\'`Thesefoolsknownothing.Whiletheydespiseyourbreath,andwouldstopitforeverandever,inyouorinahundredlikeyouratherthaninoneoftheirownhorsesordogs,theyonlyknowwhatyourbreathtellsthem.Letitdeceivethem,then,alittlelonger;itcannotdeceivethemtoomuch.\'

MadameDefargelookedsuperciliouslyattheclient,andnoddedinconfirmation.

`Astoyou,\'saidshe,`youwouldshoutandshedtearsforanything,ifitmadeashowandanoise.Say!Wouldyounot?\'

`Truly,madame,Ithinkso.Forthemoment.\'

`Ifyouwereshownagreatheapofdolls,andweresetuponthemtopluckthemtopiecesanddespoilthemforyourownadvantage,youwouldpickouttherichestandgayest.Say!Wouldyounot?\'

`Trulyyes,madame.\'

`Yes.Andifyouwereshownaflockofbirds,unabletofly,andweresetuponthemtostripthemoftheirfeathersforyourownadvantage,youwouldsetuponthebirdsofthefinestfeathers;wouldyounot?\'

`Itistrue,madame.\'

`Youhaveseenbothdollsandbirdstoday,\'saidMadameDefarge,withawaveofherhandtowardstheplacewheretheyhadlastbeenapparent;`now,gohome!\'

CHAPTERXVI

Stillknitting

MADAMEDEFARGEandmonsieurherhusbandreturnedamicablytothebosomofSaintAntoine,whileaspeckinabluecaptoiledthroughthedarkness,andthroughthedust,anddownthewearymilesofavenuebythewayside,slowlytendingtowardsthatpointofthecompasswherethechateauofMonsieurtheMarquis,nowinhisgrave,listenedtothewhisperingtrees.Suchampleleisurehadthestonefaces,now,forlisteningtothetreesandtothefountain,thatthefewvillagescarecrowswho,intheirquestforherbstoeatandfragmentsofdeadsticktoburn,strayedwithinsightofthegreatstonecourtyardandterracestaircase,haditborneinupontheirstarvedfancythattheexpressionofthefaceswasaltered.Arumourjustlivedinthevillage——hadafaintandbareexistencethere,asitspeoplehadthatwhentheknifestruckhome,thefaceschanged,fromfacesofpridetofacesofangerandpainalso,thatwhenthatdanglingfigurewashauledupfortyfeeabovethefountain,theychangedagain,andboreacruellookofbeingavenged,whichtheywouldhenceforthbearforever.Inthestonefaceoverthegreatwindowofthebed-chamberwherethemurderwasdone,twofinedintswerepointedoutinthesculpturednose,whicheverybodyrecognised,andwhichnobodyhadseenofold;andonthescarceoccasionswhentwoorthreeraggedpeasantsemergedfromthecrowdtotakeahurriedpeepatMonsieurtheMarquispetrified,askinnyfingerwouldnothavepointedtoitforaminute,beforetheyallstartedawayamongthemossandleaves,likethemorefortunatehareswhocouldfindalivingthere.

Chateauandhut,stonefaceanddanglingfigure,theredstainonthestonefloor,andthepurewaterinthevillagewell——thousandsofacresofland——awholeprovinceofFrance——allFranceitself——layunderthenightsky,concentratedintoafainthairbreadthline.Sodoesawholeworld,withallitsgreatnessesandlittlenesses,lieinatwinklingstar.Andasmerehumanknowledgecansplitarayoflightandanalysethemannerofitscomposition,so,sublimerintelligencesmayreadinthefeebleshiningofthisearthofours,everythoughtandact,everyviceandvirtue,ofeveryresponsiblecreatureonit.

TheDefarges,husbandandwife,camelumberingunderthestarlight,intheirpublicvehicle,tothatgateofPariswhereuntotheirjourneynaturallytended.Therewastheusualstoppageatthebarrierguardhouse,andtheusuallanternscameglancingforthfortheusualexaminationandinquiry.MonsieurDefargealighted;knowingoneortwoofthesoldierythere,andoneofthepolice.Thelatterhewasintimatewith,andaffectionatelyembraced.

WhenSaintAntoinehadagainenfoldedtheDefargesinhisduskywings,andthey,havingfinallyalightedneartheSaint\'sboundaries,werepickingtheirwayonfootthroughtheblackmudandoffalofhisstreets,MadameDefargespoketoherhusband:

`Saythen,myfriend;whatdidJacquesofthepolicetellthee?\'

`Verylittletonight,butallheknows.Thereisanotherspycommissionedforourquarter.Theremaybemanymore,forallthathecansay,butheknowsofone.\'

`Ehwell!\'saidMadameDefarge,raisinghereyebrowswithacoolbusinessair.`Itisnecessarytoregisterhim.Howdotheycallthatman?\'

`HeisEnglish.\'

`Somuchthebetter.Hisname?\'

`Barsad,\'saidDefarge,makingitFrenchbypronunciation.But,hehadbeensocarefultogetitaccurately,thathethenspeltitwithperfectcorrectness.

`Barsad,,\'repeatedmadame.`Good.Christianname?\'

`John.\'

`JohnBarsad,\'repeatedmadame,aftermurmuringitoncetoherself.`Good.Hisappearance;isitknown?\'

`Age,aboutfortyyears;height,aboutfivefeetnine;blackhair;complexiondark;generally,ratherhandsomevisage;eyesdark,facethin,long,andsallow;noseaquiline,butnotstraight,havingapeculiarinclinationtowardstheleftcheek;expression,therefore,sinister.\'

`Ehmyfaith.Itisaportrait!\'saidmadame,laughing.`Heshallberegisteredtomorrow.\'

Theyturnedintothewine-shop,whichwasclosed(foritwasmidnight)andwhereMadameDefargeimmediatelytookherpostatherdesk,countedthesmallmoneysthathadbeentakenduringherabsence,examinedthestock,wentthroughtheentriesinthebook,madeotherentriesofherown,checkedtheservingmanineverypossibleway,andfinallydismissedhimtobed.Thensheturnedoutthecontentsofthebowlofmoneyforthesecondtime,andbeganknottingthemupinherhandkerchief,inachainofseparateknots,forsafekeepingthroughthenight.Allthiswhile,Defarge,withhispipeinhismouth,walkedupanddown,complacentlyadmiring,butneverinterfering;inwhichcondition,indeed,astothebusinessandhisdomesticaffairs,hewalkedupanddownthroughlife.

Thenightwashot,andtheshop,closeshutandsurroundedbysofoulaneighbourhood,wasill-smelling.MonsieurDefarge\'solfactorysensewasbynomeansdelicate,butthestockofwinesmeltmuchstrongerthanitevertasted,andsodidthestockofrumandbrandyandaniseed.Hewhiffedthecompoundofscentsaway,asheputdownhissmoked-outpipe.

`Youarefatigued,\'saidmadame,raisingherglanceassheknottedthemoney.`Thereareonlytheusualodours.\'

`Iamalittletired,\'herhusbandacknowledged.

`Youarealittledepressed,too,\'saidmadame,whosequickeyeshadneverbeensointentontheaccounts,buttheyhadhadarayortwoforhim.`Oh,themen,themen!\'

`Butmydear!\'beganDefarge.

`Butmydear!\'repeatedmadame,noddingfirmly;`butmydear!Youarefaintofhearttonight,mydear!\'

`Well,then,\'saidDefarge,asifathoughtwerewrungOutofhisbreast,`itisalongtime.\'

`Itisalongtime,\'repeatedhiswife;`andwhenisitnotalongtime?Vengeanceandretributionrequirealongtime;itistherule.\'

`ItdoesnottakealongtimetostrikeamanwithLightning,\'saidDefarge.

`Howlong,\'demandedmadame,composedly,`doesittaketomakeandstorethelightning?Tellme.\'

Defargeraisedhisheadthoughtfully,asifthereweresomethinginthattoo.

`Itdoesnottakealongtime,\'saidmadame,`foranearthquaketoswallowatown.Ehwell!Tellmehowlongittakestopreparetheearthquake?\'

`Alongtime,Isuppose,\'saidDefarge.

`Butwhenitisready,ittakesplace,andgrindstopieceseverythingbeforeit.Inthemeantime,itisalwayspreparing,thoughitisnotseenorheard.Thatisyourconsolation.Keepit.\'

Shetiedaknotwithflashingeyes,asifitthrottledafoe.

`Itellthee,\'saidmadame,extendingherrighthand,foremphasis,`thatalthoughitisalongtimeontheroad,itisontheroadandcoming.Itelltheeitneverretreats,andneverstops.Itelltheeitisalwaysadvancing.Lookaroundandconsiderthelivesofalltheworldthatweknow,considerthefacesofalltheworldthatweknow,considertherageanddiscontenttowhichtheJacquerieaddressesitselfwithmoreandmoreofcertaintyeveryhour.Cansuchthingslast?Bah!Imockyou.\'

`Mybravewife,\'returnedDefarge,standingbeforeherwithhisheadalittlebent,andhishandsclaspedathisback,likeadocileandattentivepupilbeforehiscatechist,`Idonotquestionallthis.Butithaslastedalongtime,anditispossible——youknowwell,mywife,itispossible——thatitmaynotcome,duringourlives.\'

`Ehwell!Howthen?\'demandedmadame,tyinganotherknot,asiftherewereanotherenemystrangled.

`Well!\'saidDefarge,withahalf-complainingandhalfapologeticshrug.`Weshallnotseethetriumph.\'

Weshallhavehelpedit,\'returnedmadame,withherextendedhandinstrongaction.`Nothingthatwedo,isdoneinvain.Ibelieve,withallmysoul,thatweshallseethetriumph.Butevenifnot,evenifIknewcertainlynot,showmetheneckofanaristocratandtyrant,andstillIwould——\'

Thenmadame,withherteethset,tiedaveryterribleknotindeed.

`Hold!\'criedDefarge,reddeningalittleasifhefeltchargedwithcowardice;`Itoo,mydear,willstopatnothing.\'

`Yes!Butitisyourweaknessthatyousometimesneedtoseeyourvictimandyouropportunity,tosustainyou.Sustainyourselfwithoutthat.Whenthetimecomes,letlooseatigerandadevil;butwaitforthetimewiththetigerandthedevilchained——notshown——yetalwaysready.\'

Madameenforcedtheconclusionofthispieceofadvicebystrikingherlittlecounterwithherchainofmoneyasifsheknockeditsbrainsout,andthengatheringtheheavyhandkerchiefunderherarminaserenemanner,andobservingthatitwastimetogotobed.

Nextnoontidesawtheadmirablewomaninherusualplaceinthewine-shop,knittingawayassiduously.Aroselaybesideher,andifshenowandthenglancedattheflower,itwaswithnoinfractionofherusualpreoccupiedair.Therewereafewcustomers,drinkingornotdrinking,standingorseated,sprinkledabout.Thedaywasveryhot,andheapsofflies,whowereextendingtheirinquisitiveandadventurousperquisitionsintoalltheglutinouslittleglassesnearmadame,felldeadatthebottom.Theirdeceasemadenoimpressionontheotherfliesoutpromenading,wholookedattheminthecoolestmanner(asiftheythemselveswereelephants,orsomethingasfarremoved),untiltheymetthesamefate.Curioustoconsiderhowheedlessfliesare!——perhapstheythoughtasmuchatCourtthatsunnysummerday.

AfigureenteringatthedoorthrewashadowonMadameDefargewhichshefelttobeanewone.Shelaiddownherknitting,andbegantopinherroseinherhead-dress,beforeshelookedatthefigure.

Itwascurious.ThemomentMadameDefargetookuptherose,thecustomersceasedtalking,andbegangraduallytodropoutofthewine-shop.

`Goodday,madame,\'saidthenewcomer.

`Goodday,monsieur.\'

Shesaiditaloud,butaddedtoherselfassheresumedherknitting:`Hah!Goodday,ageaboutforty,heightaboutfivefeetnine,blackhair,generallyratherhandsomevisage,complexiondark,eyesdark,thinlongandsallowface,aquilinenosebutnotstraight,havingapeculiarinclinationtowardstheleftcheekwhichimpartsasinisterexpression!Goodday,oneandall!\'

`Havethegoodnesstogivemealittleglassofoldcognac,andamouthfulofcoolfreshwater,madame.\'

Madamecompliedwithapoliteair.

`Marvellouscognacthis,madame!\'

Itwasthefirsttimeithadeverbeensocomplimented,andMadameDefargeknewenoughofitsantecedentstoknowbetter.Shesaid,however,thatthecognacwasflattered,andtookupherknitting.Thevisitorwatchedherfingersforafewmoments,andtooktheopportunityofobservingtheplaceingeneral.

`Youknitwithgreatskill,madame.\'

`Iamaccustomedtoit.\'

`Aprettypatterntoo!\'

`Youthinkso?\'saidmadame,lookingathimwithasmile.

`Decidedly.Mayoneaskwhatitisfor?\'

`Pastime,\'saidmadame,stilllookingathimwithasmile,whileherfingersmovednimbly.

`Notforuse?\'

`Thatdepends.Imayfindauseforitoneday.IfIdo——well,\'saidmadame,drawingabreathandnoddingherheadwithasternkindofcoquetry,`I\'lluseit!\'

Itwasremarkable:butthetasteofSaintAntoineseemedtobedecidedlyopposedtoaroseontheheaddressofMadameDefarge.Twomenhadenteredseparately,andhadbeenabouttoorderdrink,when,catchingsightofthatnovelty,theyfaltered,madeapretenceoflookingaboutasifforsomefriendwhowasnotthere,andwentaway.Nor,ofthosewhohadbeentherewhenthisvisitorentered,wasthereoneleft.Theyhadalldroppedoff.Thespyhadkepthiseyesopen,buthadbeenabletodetectnosign.Theyhadloungedawayinapoverty-stricken,purposeless,accidentalmanner,quitenaturalandunimpeachable.

`JOHN,\'thoughtmadame,checkingoffherworkasherfingersknitted,andhereyeslookedatthestranger.,`Staylongenough,andIshallknit``BARSAD\'\'beforeyougo.\'

`Youhaveahusband,madame?\'

`Ihave.\'

`Children?\'

`Nochildren.\'

`Businessseemsbad?\'

`Businessisverybad;thepeoplearesopoor.\'

`Ah,theunfortunate,miserablepeople!Sooppressed,too——asyousay.\'

`Asyousay,\'madameretorted,correctinghim,anddeftlyknittinganextrasomethingintohisnamethatbodedhimnogood.

`Pardonme;certainlyitwasIwhosaidso,butyounaturallythinkso.Ofcourse.\'

`Ithink?\'returnedmadame,inahighvoice.`Iandmyhusbandhaveenoughtodotokeepthiswine-shopopen,withoutthinking.Allwethink,here,ishowtolive.Thatisthesubjectwethinkof,anditgivesus,frommorningtonight,enoughtothinkabout,withoutembarrassingourheadsconcerningothers.Ithinkforothers?No,no.\'

Thespy,whowastheretopickupanycrumbshecouldfindormake,didnotallowhisbaffledstatetoexpressitselfinhissinisterface;but,stoodwithanairofgossipinggallantry,leaninghiselbowonMadameDefarge\'slittlecounter,andoccasionallysippinghiscognac.

`Abadbusinessthis,madame,ofGaspard\'sexecution.Ah!thepoorGaspard!\'Withasighofgreatcompassion.

`Myfaith!\'returnedmadame,coollyandlightly,`ifpeopleuseknivesforsuchpurposes,theyhavetopayforit.Heknewbeforehandwhatthepriceofhisluxurywas;hehaspaidtheprice.\'

`Ibelieve,\'saidthespy,droppinghissoftvoicetoatonethatinvitedconfidence,andexpressinganinjuredrevolutionarysusceptibilityineverymuscleofhiswickedface:`Ibelievethereismuchcompassionandangerinthisneighbourhood,touchingthepoorfellow?Betweenourselves.\'

`Isthere?\'askedmadame,vacantly.

`Istherenot?\'

`——Hereismyhusband!\'saidMadameDefarge.

Asthekeeperofthewine-shopenteredatthedoor,thespysalutedhimbytouchinghishat,andsaying,withanengagingsmile,`Goodday,Jacques!\'Defargestoppedshort,andstaredathim.

`Goodday,Jacques!\'thespyrepeated;withnotquitesomuchconfidence,orquitesoeasyasmileunderthestare.

`Youdeceiveyourself,monsieur,\'returnedthekeeperofthewine-shop.`Youmistakemeforanother.Thatisnotmyname.IamErnestDefarge.\'

`Itisallthesame,\'saidthespy,airily,butdiscomfitedtoo:`goodday!\'

`Goodday!\'answeredDefarge,drily.

`Iwassayingtomadame,withwhomIhadthepleasureofchattingwhenyouentered,thattheytellmethereis——andnowonder!——muchsympathyandangerinSaintAntoine,touchingtheunhappyfateofpoorGaspard.\'

`Noonehastoldmeso,\'saidDefarge,shakinghishead.`Iknownothingofit.\'

Havingsaidit,hepassedbehindthelittlecounter,andstoodwithhishandonthebackofhiswife\'schair,lookingoverthatbarrieratthepersontowhomtheywerebothopposed,andwhomeitherofthemwouldhaveshotwiththegreatestsatisfaction.

Thespy,wellusedtohisbusiness,didnotchangehisunconsciousattitude,butdrainedhislittleglassofcognac,tookasipoffreshwater,andaskedforanotherglassofcognac.MadameDefargepoureditoutforhim,tooktoherknittingagain,andhummedalittlesongoverit.

`Youseemtoknowthisquarterwell;thatistosay,betterthanIdo?\'observedDefarge.

`Notatall,butIhopetoknowitbetter.Iamsoprofoundlyinterestedinitsmiserableinhabitants.\'

`Hah!\'mutteredDefarge.

`Thepleasureofconversingwithyou,MonsieurDefarge,recallstome,\'pursuedthespy,`thatIhavethehonourofcherishingsomeinterestingassociationswithyourname.\'

`Indeed!\'saidDefarge,withmuchindifference.

`Yes,indeed.WhenDr.Manettewasreleased,you,hisolddomestic,hadthechargeofhim,Iknow.Hewasdeliveredtoyou.YouseeIaminformedofthecircumstances?\'

`Suchisthefact,certainly,\'saidDefarge.Hehadhaditconveyedtohim,inanaccidentaltouchofhiswife\'selbowassheknittedandwarbled,thathewoulddobesttoanswer,butalwayswithbrevity.

`Itwastoyou,\'saidthespy,`thathisdaughtercame;anditwasfromyourcarethathisdaughtertookhim,accompaniedbyaneatbrownmonsieur;howishecalled?——inalittlewig——Lorry——ofthebankofTellsonandCompany——overtoEngland.\'

`Suchisthefact,\'repeatedDefarge.

`Veryinterestingremembrances\'saidthespy.`IhaveknownDr.Manetteandhisdaughter,inEngland.\'

`Yes?\'saidDefarge.

`Youdon\'thearmuchaboutthemnow?\'saidthespy.

`No,\'saidDefarge.

`Ineffect,\'madamestruckin,lookingupfromherworkandherlittlesong,`weneverhearaboutthem.Wereceivedthenewsoftheirsafearrival,andperhapsanotherletter,orperhapsMo;but,sincethen,theyhavegraduallytakentheirroadinlife——we,ours——andwehaveheldnocorrespondence.\'

`Perfectlyso,madame,\'repliedthespy.`Sheisgoingtobemarried.\'

`Going?\'echoedmadame.`Shewasprettyenoughtohavebeenmarriedlongago.YouEnglisharecold,itseemstome.\'

`Oh!YouknowIamEnglish.\'

`Iperceiveyourtongueis,\'returnedmadame;`andwhatthetongueis,Isupposethemanis.\'

Hedidnottaketheidentificationasacompliment;buthemadethebestofit,andturneditoffwithalaugh.Aftersippinghiscognactotheend,headded:

`Yes,MissManetteisgoingtobemarried.ButnottoanEnglishman;toonewho,likeherself,isFrenchbybirth.AndspeakingofGaspard(ah,poorGaspard!Itwascruel,cruel!)itisacuriousthingthatsheisgoingtomarrythenephewof\'MonsieurtheMarquis,forwhomGaspardwasexaltedtothatheightofsomanyfeet;inotherwords,thepresentMarquis.ButhelivesunknowninEngland,heisnoMarquisthere;heisMr.CharlesDarnay.D\'Aulnaisisthenameofhismother\'sfamily.\'

MadameDefargeknittedsteadily,buttheintelligencehadapalpableeffectuponherhusband.Dowhathewould,behindthelittlecounter,astothestrikingofalightandthelightingofhispipe,hewastroubled,andhishandwasnottrustworthy.Thespywouldhavebeennospyifhehadfailedtoseeit,ortorecorditinhismind.

Havingmade,atleast,thisonehit,whateveritmightprovetobeworth,andnocustomerscomingintohelphimtoanyother,Mr.Barsadpaidforwhathehaddrunk,andtookhisleave:takingoccasiontosay,inagenteelmanner,beforehedeparted,thathelookedforwardtothepleasureofseeingMonsieurandMadameDefargeagain.ForsomeminutesafterhehademergedintotheouterpresenceofSaintAntoine,thehusbandandwiferemainedexactlyashehadleftthem,lestheshouldcomeback.

`Canitbetrue,\'saidDefarge,inalowvoice,lookingdownathiswifeashestoodsmokingwithhishandonthebackofherchair:`whathehassaidofMa\'amselleManette?\'

`Ashehassaidit,\'returnedmadame,liftinghereyebrowsalittle,`itisprobablyfalse.Butitmaybetrue.\'

`Ifitis——\'Defargebegan,andstopped.

`Ifitis?\'repeatedhiswife.

`——Andifitdoescome,whilewelivetoseeittriumph——Ihope,forhersake,DestinywillkeepherhusbandoutofFrance.\'

`Herhusband\'sdestiny,\'saidMadameDefarge,withherusualcomposure,`willtakehimwhereheistogo,andwillleadhimtotheendthatistoendhim.ThatisallIknow.\'

`Butitisverystrange——now,atleast,isitnotverystrange\'——saidDefarge,ratherpleadingwithhiswifetoinducehertoadmitit,`that,afteralloursympathyforMonsieurherfather,andherself,herhusband\'snameshouldbeproscribedunderyourhandatthismoment,bythesideofthatinfernaldog\'swhohasjustleftus?\'

`Strangerthingsthanthatwillhappenwhenitdoescome,\'answeredmadame.`Ihavethembothhere,ofacertainty;andtheyarebothherefortheirmerits;thatisenough.\'

Sherolledupherknittingwhenshehadsaidthosewords,andpresentlytooktheroseoutofthehandkerchiefthatwaswoundaboutherhead.EitherSaintAntoinehadaninstinctivesensethattheobjectionabledecorationwasgoneorSaintAntoinewasonthewatchforitsdisappearance;howbeit,theSainttookcouragetoloungein,veryshortlyafterwards,andthewine-shoprecovereditshabitualaspect.

Intheevening,atwhichseasonofallothersSaintAntoineturnedhimselfinsideout,andsatondoorstepsandwindow-ledges,andcametothecornersofvilestreetsandcourts,forabreathofair,MadameDefargewithherworkinherhandwasaccustomedtopassfromplacetoplaceandfromgrouptogroup:aMissionary——thereweremanylikeher——suchastheworldwilldowellnevertobreedagain.Allthewomenknitted.Theyknittedworthlessthings;but,themechanicalworkwasamechanicalsubstituteforeatinganddrinking;thehandsmovedforthejawsandthedigestiveapparatus:ifthebonyfingershadbeenstill,thestomachswouldhavebeenmorefamine-pinched.

But,asthefingerswent,theeyeswent,andthethoughts.AndasMadameDefargemovedonfromgrouptogroup,allthreewentquickerandfierceramongeverylittleknotofwomenthatshehadspokenwith,andleftbehind.

Herhusbandsmokedathisdoor,lookingafterherwithadmiration.`Agreatwoman,\'saidhe,`astrongwoman,agrandwoman,afrightfullygrandwoman!\'

Darknessclosedaround,andthencametheringingofchurchbellsandthedistantbeatingofthemilitarydrumsinthePalaceCourt-Yard,asthewomensatknitting,knitting.Darknessencompassedthem.Anotherdarknesswasclosinginassurely,whenthechurchbells,thenringingpleasantlyinmanyanairysteepleoverFrance,shouldbemeltedintothunderingcannon;whenthemilitarydrumsshouldbebeatingtodrownawretchedvoice,thatnightall-potentasthevoiceofPowerandPlenty,FreedomandLife.Somuchwasclosinginaboutthewomenwhosatknitting,knitting,thattheytheirveryselveswereclosinginaroundastructureyetunbuilt,wheretheyweretositknitting,knitting,countingdroppingheads.

CHAPTERXVII

OneNight

NEVERdidthesungodownwithabrightergloryonthequietcomerinSoho,thanonememorableeveningwhenDoctorandhisdaughtersatundertheplane-treetogether.NeverdidthemoonrisewithamilderradianceovergreatLondon,thanonthatnightwhenitfoundthemstillseatedunderthetree,andshoneupontheirfacesthroughitsleaves.

Luciewastobemarriedto-morrow.Shehadreservedthislasteveningforherfather,andtheysataloneundertheplane-tree.

`Youarehappy,mydearfather?\'

`Quite,mychild.\'

Theyhadsaidlittlethoughtheyhadbeentherealongtime.Whenitwasyetlightenoughtoworkandread,shehadneitherengagedherselfinherusualwork,norhadshereadtohim.Shehademployedherselfinbothways,athissideunderthetree,manyandmanyatime;but,thistimewasnotquitelikeanyother,andnothingcouldmakeitso.

AndIamveryhappyto-night,dearfather.IamdeeplyhappyinthelovethatHeavenhassoblessed——myloveforCharles,andCharles\'sloveforme.But,ifmylifewerenottobestillconsecratedtoyou,orifmymarriageweresoarrangedasthatitwouldpartus,evenbythelengthofafewofthesestreets,Ishouldbemoreunhappyandself-reproachfulnowthanIcantellyou.Evenasitis——\'

Evenasitwas,shecouldnotcommandhervoice.

Inthesadmoonlight,sheclaspedhimbytheneck,andladherfaceuponhisbreast.Inthemoonlightwhichisalwayssad,asthelightofthesunitselfBasthelightcalledhumanlifeis——atitscominganditsgoing.

`Dearestdear!Canyoutellme,thislasttime,thatyoufeelquite,quitesure,nonewaffectionsofmine,andnonewdutiesofmine,willeverinterposebetweenus?Iknowitwell,butdoyouknowit?Inyourownheart,doyoufeelquitecertain?\'

Herfatheranswered,withacheerfulfirmnessofconvictionhecouldscarcelyhaveassumed,`Quitesure,mydarling!Morethanthat,\'headded,ashetenderlykissedher:`myfutureisfarbrighter,Lucie,seenthroughyourmarriage,thanitcouldhavebeen——nay,thaniteverwas——withoutit.\'

`IfIcouldhopethat,myfather!——\'

`Believeit,love!Indeeditisso.Considerhownaturalandhowplainitis,mydear,thatitshouldbeso.You,devotedandyoung,cannotfullyappreciatetheanxietyIhavefeltthatyourlifeshouldnotbewasted\'

Shemovedherhandtowardshislips,buthetookitinhis,andrepeatedtheword.

`——wasted,mychild——shouldnotbewasted,struckasidefromthenaturalorderofthings——formysake.Yourunselfishnesscannotentirelycomprehendhowmuchmymindhasgoneonthis;but,onlyaskyourselfhowcouldmyhappinessbeperfect,whileyourswasincomplete?\'

`IfIhadneverseenCharles,myfather,Ishouldhavebeenquitehappywithyou.\'

HesmiledatherunconsciousadmissionthatshewouldhavebeenunhappywithoutCharles,havingseenhim;andreplied:

`Mychild,youdidseehim,anditisCharles.IfithadnotbeenCharles,itwouldhavebeenanother.Or,ifithadbeennoother,Ishouldhavebeenthecause,andthenthedarkpartofmylifewouldhavecastitsshadowbeyondmyselfandwouldhavefallenonyou.\'

Itwasthefirsttime,exceptatthetrial,ofhereverhearinghimrefertotheperiodofhissuffering.Itgaveherastrangeandnewsensationwhilehiswordswereinherears;andsheremembereditlongafterwards.

`See!\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais,raisinghishandtowardsthemoon.`Ihavelookedatherfrommyprison-window,whenIcouldnotbearherlight.IhavelookedatherwhenithasbeensuchtorturetometothinkofhershininguponwhatIhadlost,thatIhavebeatenmyheadagainstmyprison-walls.Ihavelookedather,inastatesodullandlethargic,thatIhavethoughtofnothingbutthenumberofhorizontallines`Icoulddrawacrossheratthefull,andthenumberofperpendicularlineswithwhichIcouldintersectthem.\'Headdedinhisinwardandponderingmanner,ashelookedatthemoon,`Itwastwentyeitherway,Iremember,andthetwentiethwasdifficulttosqueezein.\'

Thestrangethrillwithwhichsheheardhimgobacktothattime,deepenedashedweltuponit;but,therewasnothingtoshockherinthemannerofhisreference.Heonlyseemedtocontrasthispresentcheerfulnessandfelicitywiththedireendurancethatwasover.

`Ihavelookedather,speculatingthousandsoftimesupontheunbornchildfromwhomIhadbeenrent.Whetheritwasalive.Whetherithadbeenbornalive,orthepoormother\'sshockhadkilledit.Whetheritwasasonwhowouldsomedayavengehisfather.(Therewasatimeinmyimprisonment,whenmydesireforvengeancewasunbearable.)Whetheritwasasonwhowouldneverknowhisfather\'sstory;whomightevenlivetoweighthepossibilityofhisfather\'shavingdisappearedofhisownwillandact.Whetheritwasadaughterwhowouldgrowtobeawoman.\'

Shedrewclosertohim,andkissedhischeekandhishand.`Ihavepicturedmydaughter,tomyself,asperfectlyforgetfulofme——rather,altogetherignorantofme,andunconsciousofme.Ihavecastuptheyearsofherage,yearafteryear.Ihaveseenhermarriedtoamanwhoknewnothingofmyfate.Ihavealtogetherperishedfromtheremembranceoftheliving,andinthenextgenerationmyplacewasablank.\'

`Myfather!Eventohearthatyouhadsuchthoughtsofadaughterwhoneverexisted,strikestomyheartasifIhadbeenthatchild.\'

`You,Lucie?Itisoutoftheconsolationandrestorationyouhavebroughttome,thattheseremembrancesarise,andpassbetweenusandthemoononthislastnight——whatdidIsayjustnow?\'

Sheknewnothingofyou.Shecarednothingforyou.\'

`So!Butonothermoonlightnights,whenthesadnessandthesilencehavetouchedmeinadifferentway——haveaffectedmewithsomethingaslikeasorrowfulsenseofpeace,asanyemotionthathadpainforitsfoundationscould——Ihaveimaginedherascomingtomeinmycell,andleadingmeoutintothefreedombeyondthefortress.Ihaveseenherimageinthemoonlightoften,asInowseeyou;exceptthatIneverheldherinmyarms;itstoodbetweenthelittlegratedwindowandthedoor.But,youunderstandthatthatwasnotthechildIamspeakingof?\'

`Thefigurewasnot;the——the——image;thefancy?\'

`No.Thatwasanotherthing.Itstoodbeforemydisturbedsenseofsight,butitnevermoved.Thephantomthatmymindpursued,wasanotherandmorerealchild.OfheroutwardappearanceIknownomorethanthatshewaslikehermother.Theotherhadthatlikenesstoo——asyouhave——butwasnotthesame.Canyoufollowme,Lucie?Hardly,IthinkI`doubtyoumusthavebeer,asolitaryprisonertounderstandtheseprisonerperplexeddistinctions.

Hiscollectedandcalmmannercouldnotpreventherbloodfromrunningcold,ashethustriedtoanatomisehisoldcondition.

`Inthatmorepeacefulstate,Ihaveimaginedher,inthemoonlight,comingtomeandtakingmeouttoshowmethatthehomeofhermarriedlifewaslullofherlovingremembranceofherlostfather.Mypicturewasinherroom,andIwasinherprayers.Herlifewasactive,cheerful,useful;hutmypoorhistorypervadeditall.\'

`Iwasthatchild,myfather.Iwasnothalfsogood,butinmylovethatwasI.\'

`Andsheshowedmeherchildren,\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais,`andtheyhadheardofme,andhadbeentaughttopityme.WhentheypassedaprisonoftheState,theykeptfarfromitsfrowningwalls,andlookedupatitsbars,andspokeinwhispers.Shecouldneverdeliverme;Iimaginedthatshealwaysbroughtmebackaftershowingmesuchthings.Butthen,blessedwiththereliefoftears,Ifelluponmyknees,andblessedher.\'

`Iamthatchild,Ihope,myfather.Omydear,mydear,willyoublessmeasferventlyto-morrow?\'

`Lucie,IrecalltheseoldtroublesinthereasonthatIhaveto-nightforlovingyoubetterthanwordscantell,andthankingGodformygreathappiness.Mythoughts,whentheywerewildest,neverrosenearthehappinessthatIhaveknownwithyou,andthatwehavebeforeus.

Heembracedher,solemnlycommendedhertoHeaven,andhumblythankedHeavenforhavingbestowedheronhim.By-and-by,theywentintothehouse.

TherewasnoonehiddentothemarriagebutMr.Lorry;therewaseventobenobridesmaidbutthegauntMissPross.Themarriagewastomakenochangeintheirplaceofresidence;theyhadbeenabletoextendit,bytakingtothemselvestheupperroomsformerlybelongingtotheapocryphalinvisiblelodger,andtheydesirednothingmore.

DoctorManettewasverycheerfulatthelittlesupper.Theywereonlythreeattable,andMissProssmadethethird.HeregrettedthatCharleswasnotthere;wasmorethanhalfdisposedtoobjecttothelovinglittleplotthatkepthimaway;anddranktohimaffectionately.

So,thetimecameforhimtobidLuciegoodnight,andtheyseparated.But,inthestillnessofthethirdhourofthemorning,Luciecamedownstairsagain,andstoleintohisroom;notfreefromunshapedfears,beforehand.

Allthings,however,wereintheirplaces;allwasquiet;andhelayasleep,hiswhitehairpicturesqueontheuntroubledpillow,andhishandslyingquietonthecoverlet.Sheputherneedlesscandleintheshadowatadistance,creptuptohisbed,andputherlipstohis;then,leanedoverhim,andlookedathim.

Intohishandsomeface,thebitterwatersofcaptivityhadworn;but,hecovereduptheirtrackswithadeterminationsostrong,thatheheldthemasteryofthemeveninhissleep.Amoreremarkablefaceinitsquiet,resolute,andguardedstrugglewithanunseenassailant,wasnottobebeheldinallthewidedominionsofsleep,thatnight.

Shetimidlylaidherhandonhisdearbreast,andputupaprayerthatshemighteverbeastruetohimasherloveaspiredtobe,andashissorrowsdeserved.Then,shewithdrewherhand,andkissedhislipsoncemore,andwentaway.So,thesunrisecame,andtheshadowsoftheleavesoftheplane-treemoveduponhisface,assoftlyasherlipshadmovedinprayingforhim.

CHAPTERXVIII

NineDays

THEmarriage-daywasshiningbrightly,andtheywerereadyoutsidethecloseddooroftheDoctor\'sroom,wherehewasspeakingwithCharlesDarnay.Theywerereadytogotochurch;thebeautifulbride,Mr.Lorry,andMissPross——towhomtheevent,throughagradualprocessofreconcilementtotheinevitable,wouldhavebeenoneofabsolutebliss,butfortheyetlingeringconsiderationthatherbrotherSolomonshouldhavebeenthebridegroom.

`Andso,\'saidMr.Lorry,whocouldnotsufficientlyadmirethebride,andwhohadbeenmovingroundhertotakeineverypointofherquiet,prettydress;`andsoitwasforthis,mysweetLucie,thatIbroughtyouacrosstheChannel,suchababy!Lordblessme!HowlittleIthoughtwhatIwasdoing!HowlightlyIvaluedtheobligationIwasconferringonmyfriendMr.Charles!\'

`Youdidn\'tmeanit,\'remarkedthematter-of-factMissPross,`andthereforehowcouldyouknowit?Nonsense!\'

`Really?Well;butdon\'tcry,\'saidthegentleMr.Lorry.

`Iamnotcrying,\'saidMissPross;`youare.

`I,myPross?\'(Bythistime,Mr.Lorrydaredtobepleasantwithher,onoccasion.)

`Youwere,justnow;Isawyoudoit,andIdon\'twonderatit.Suchapresentofplateasyouhavemade`em,isenoughtobringtearsintoanybody\'seyes.There\'snotaforkoraspooninthecollection,\'saidMissPross,`thatIdidn\'tcryover,lastnightaftertheboxcame,tillIcouldn\'tseeit.\'

`Iamhighlygratified,\'saidMr.Lorry,`though,uponmyhonour,Ihadnointentionofrenderingthosetriflingarticlesofremembranceinvisibletoanyone.Dearme!Thisisanoccasionthatmakesamanspeculateonallhehaslost.Dear,dear,dear!TothinkthattheremighthavebeenaMrs.Lorry,anytimethesefiftyyearsalmost!\'

`Notatall!\'FromMissPross.

`YouthinktherenevermighthavebeenaMrs.Lorry?\'askedthegentlemanofthatname.

`Pooh!\'rejoinedMissPross;`youwereabachelorinyourcradle.\'

`Well!\'observedMr.Lorry,beaminglyadjustinghislittlewig,`thatseemsprobable,too.

`Andyouwerecutoutforabachelor,\'pursuedMissPross,`beforeyouwereputinyourcradle.\'

`Then,Ithink,\'saidMr.Lorry,`thatIwasveryunhandsomelydealtwith,andthatIoughttohavehadavoiceintheselectionofmypattern.Enough!Now,mydearLucie,\'drawinghisarmsoothinglyroundherwaist,`Ihearthemmovinginthenextroom,andMissProssandI,astwoformalfolksofbusiness,areanxiousnottolosethefinalopportunityofsayingsomethingtoyouthatyouwishtohear.Youleaveyourgoodfather,mydear,inhandsasearnestandaslovingasyourown;heshallbetakeneveryconceivablecareof;duringthenextfortnight,whileyouareinWarwickshireandthereabouts,evenTellson\'sshallgotothewall(comparativelyspeaking)beforehim.Andwhen,atthefortnight\'send,hecomestojoinyouandyourbelovedhusband,onyourotherfortnight\'stripinWales,youshallsaythatwehavesenthimtoyouinthebesthealthandinthehappiestframe.NowIhearSomebody\'sstepcomingtothedoor.Letmekissmydeargirlwithanold-fashionedbachelorblessing,beforeSomebodycomestoclaimhisown.\'

Foramoment,heheldthefairfacefromhimtolookatthewell-rememberedexpressionontheforehead,andthenlaidthebrightgoldenhairagainsthislittlebrownwig,withagenuinetendernessanddelicacywhich,ifsuchthingsbeold-fashioned,wereasoldasAdam.

ThedooroftheDoctor\'sroomopened,andhecameoutwithCharlesDarnay.Hewassodeadlypale——whichhadnotbeenthecasewhentheywentintogether——thatnovestigeofcolourwastobeseeninhisface.But,inthecomposureofhismannerhewasunaltered,exceptthattotheshrewdglanceofMr.Lorryitdisclosedsomeshadowyindicationthattheoldairofavoidanceanddreadhadlatelypassedoverhim,likeacoldwind.

Hegavehisarmtohisdaughter,andtookherdownstairstothechariotwhichMr.Lorryhadhiredinhonouroftheday.Therestfollowedinanothercarriage,andsoon,inaneighbouringchurch,wherenostrangeeyeslookedon,CharlesDarnayandLucieManettewerehappilymarried.

Besidestheglancingtearsthatshoneamongthesmilesofthelittlegroupwhenitwasdone,somediamonds,verybrightandsparkling,glancedonthebride\'shand,whichwerenewlyreleasedfromthedarkobscurityofoneofMr.Lorry\'spockets.Theyreturnedhometobreakfast,andallwentwell,andinduecoursethegoldenhairthathadmingledwiththepoorshoemaker\'swhitelocksintheParisgarret,weremingledwiththemagaininthemorningsunlight,onthethresholdofthedooratparting.

Itwasahardparting,thoughitwasnotforlong.Butherfathercheeredher,andsaidatlast,gentlydisengaginghimselffromherenfoldingarms,`Takeher,Charles!Sheisyours!\'

Andheragitatedhandwavedtothemfromachaisewindow,andshewasgone.

Thecornerbeingoutofthewayoftheidleandcurious,andthepreparationshavingbeenverysimpleandfew,theDoctor,Mr.Lorry,andMissPross,wereleftquitealone.Itwaswhentheyturnedintothewelcomeshadeofthecoololdhall,thatMr.LorryobservedagreatchangetohavecomeovertheDoctor;asifthegoldenarmupliftedthere,hadstruckhimapoisonedblow.