第15章

TheshiningBull\'sEyeoftheCourtwasgone,oritwouldhavebeenthemarkforahurricaneofnationalbullets.Ithadneverbeenagoodeyetoseewith——hadlonghadthemoteinitofLucifer\'spride,Sardanapalus\'sluxury,andamole\'sblindness——butithaddroppedoutandwasgone.TheCourt,fromthatexclusiveinnercircletoitsoutermostrottenringofintrigue,corruption,anddissimulation,wasallgonetogether.Royaltywasgone;hadbeenbesiegedinitsPalaceand`suspended,\'whenthelasttidingscameover.

TheAugustoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety-twowascome,andMonseigneurwasbythistimescatteredfarandwide.

Aswasnatural,thehead-quartersandgreatgathering-placeofMonseigneur,inLondon,wasTellson\'sBank.Spiritsaresupposedtohaunttheplaceswheretheirbodiesmostresorted,andMonseigneurwithoutaguineahauntedthespotwherehisguineasusedtobe.Moreover,itwasthespottowhichsuchFrenchintelligenceaswasmosttobereliedupon,camequickest.Again:Tellson\'swasamunificenthouse,andextendedgreatliberalitytooldcustomerswhohadfallenfromtheirhighestate.Again:thosenobleswhohadseenthecomingstormintime,andanticipatingplunderorconfiscation,hadmadeprovidentremittancestoTellson\'s,werealwaystobeheardoftherebytheirneedybrethren.TowhichitmustbeaddedthateverynewcomerfromFrancereportedhimselfandhistidingsatTellson\'s,almostasamatterofcourse.Forsuchvarietyofreasons,Tellson\'swasatthattime,astoFrenchintelligence,akindofHighExchange;andthiswassowellknowntothepublic,andtheinquiriesmadetherewereinconsequencesonumerous,thatTellson\'ssometimeswrotethelatestnewsoutinalineorsoandposteditintheBankwindows,forallwhoranthroughTempleBartoread.

Onasteaming,mistyafternoon,Mr.Lorrysatathisdesk,andCharlesDarnaystoodleaningonit,talkingwithhiminalowvoice.ThepenitentialdenoncesetapartforinterviewswiththeHouse,wasnowthenews-Exchange,andwasfilledtooverflowing.Itwaswithinhalfanhourorsoofthetimeofclosing.

`But,althoughyouaretheyoungestmanthateverlived,\'saidCharlesDarnay,ratherhesitating,`Imuststillsuggesttoyou——\'

`Iunderstand.ThatIamtooold?\'saidMr.Lorry.

`Unsettledweather,alongjourney,uncertainmeansoftravelling,adisorganisedcountry,acitythatmaynotbeevensafeforyou.\'

`MydearCharles,\'saidMr.Lorry,withcheerfulconfidence,youtouchsomeofthereasonsformygoing:notformystayingaway.Itissafeenoughforme;nobodywillcaretointerferewithanoldfellowofharduponfour-scorewhentherearesomanypeopletheremuchbetterworthinterferingwith.Astoitsbeingadisorganisedcity,ifitwerenotadisorganisedcitytherewouldbenooccasiontosendsomebodyfromourHouseheretoourHousethere,whoknowsthecityandthebusiness,ofold,andisinTellson\'sconfidence.Astotheuncertaintravelling,thelongjourney,andthewinterweather,ifIwerenotpreparedtosubmitmyselftoafewinconveniencesforthesakeofTellson\'s,afteralltheseyears,whooughttobe?\'

`IwishIweregoingmyself,\'saidCharlesDarnay,somewhatrestlessly,andlikeonethinkingaloud.

`Indeed!Youareaprettyfellowtoobjectandadvise!\'exclaimedMr.Lorry.`Youwishyouweregoingyourself?AndyouaFrenchmanborn?Youareawisecounsellor.\'

`MydearMr.Lorry,itisbecauseIamaFrenchmanborn,thatthethought(whichIdidnotmeantoutterhere,however)haspassedthroughmymindoften.Onecannothelpthinking,havinghadsomesympathyforthemiserablepeople,andhavingabandonedsomethingtothem,\'hespokehereinhisformerthoughtfulmanner,`thatonemightbelistenedto,andmighthavethepowertopersuadetosomerestraint.Onlylastnight,afteryouhadleftus,whenIwastalkingtoLucie——\'

`WhenyouweretalkingtoLucie,\'Mr.Lorryrepeated.`Yes.IwonderyouarenotashamedtomentionthenameofLucie!WishingyouweregoingtoFranceatthistimeofday!\'

`However,Iamnotgoing,\'saidCharlesDarnay,withasmile.`Itismoretothepurposethatyousayyouare.\'

`AndIam,inplainreality.Thetruthis,mydearCharles,\'Mr.LorryglancedatthedistantHouse,andloweredhisvoice,`youcanhavenoconceptionofthedifficultywithwhichourbusinessistransacted,andoftheperilinwhichourbooksandpapersoveryonderareinvolved.TheLordaboveknowswhatthecompromisingconsequenceswouldbetonumbersofpeople,ifsomeofourdocumentswereseizedordestroyed;andtheymightbe,atanytime,youknow,forwhocansaythatParisisnotseta-fireto-day,orsackedto-morrow!Now,ajudiciousselectionfromthesewiththeleastpossibledelay,andtheburyingofthem,orotherwisegettingofthemoutofharm\'sway,iswithinthepower(withoutlossofprecioustime)ofscarcelyanyonebutmyself,ifanyone.AndshallIhangback,whenTellson\'sknowsthisandsaysthis——Tellson\'s,whosebreadIhaveeatenthesesixtyyears——becauseIamalittlestiffaboutthejoints?Why,Iamaboy,sir,tohalfadozenoldcodgershere!\'

`HowIadmirethegallantryofyouryouthfulspirit,Mr.Lorry.\'

`Tut!Nonsense,sir!——And,mydearCharles,\'saidMr.Lorry,glancingattheHouseagain,`youaretoremember,thatgettingthingsoutofParisatthispresenttime,nomatterwhatthings,isnexttoanimpossibility.Papersandpreciousmatterswerethisverydaybroughttoushere(Ispeakinstrictconfidence;itisnotbusiness-liketowhisperit,eventoyou),bythestrangestbearersyoucapimagine,everyoneofwhomhadhisheadhangingonbyasinglehairashepassedtheBarriers.Atanothertime,ourparcelswouldcomeandgo,aseasilyasinbusiness-likeOldEngland;butnow,everythingisstopped.\'

`Anddoyoureallygoto-night?\'

`Ireallygoto-night,forthecasehasbecometoopressingtoadmitofdelay.\'

`Anddoyoutakenoonewithyou?\'

`Allsortsofpeoplehavebeenproposedtome,butIwillhavenothingtosaytoanyofthem.IintendtotakeJerry.Jerryhasbeenmybody-guardonSundaynightsforalongtimepast,andIamusedtohim.NobodywillsuspectJerryofbeinganythingbutanEnglishbull-dog,orofhavinganydesigninhisheadbuttoflyatanybodywhotoucheshismaster.\'

`ImustsayagainthatIheartilyadmireyourgallantryandyouthfulness.\'

`Imustsayagain,nonsense,nonsense!WhenIhaveexecutedthislittlecommission,Ishall,perhaps,acceptTellson\'sproposaltoretireandliveatmyease.Timeenough,then,tothinkaboutgrowingold.\'

ThisdialoguehadtakenplaceatMr.Lorry\'susualdesk,withMonseigneurswarmingwithinayardortwoofit,boastfulofwhathewoulddotoavengehimselfontherascal-peoplebeforelong.ItwastoomuchthewayofMonseigneurunderhisreversesasarefugee,anditwasmuchtoomuchthewayofnativeBritishorthodoxy,totalkofthisterribleRevolutionasifitweretheoneonlyharvesteverknownundertheskiesthathadnotbeensown——asifnothinghadeverbeendone,oromittedtobedone,thathadledtoit——asifobserversofthewretchedmillionsinFrance,andofthemisusedandpervertedresourcesthatshouldhavemadethemprosperous,hadnotseenitinevitablycoming,yearsbefore,andhadnotinplainwordsrecordedwhattheysaw.Suchvapouring,combinedwiththeextravagantplotsofMonseigneurfortherestorationofastateofthingsthathadutterlyexhausteditself,andwornoutHeavenandearthaswellasitself,washardtobeenduredwithoutsomeremonstrancebyanysanemanwhoknewthetruth.Anditwassuchvapouringallabouthisears,likeatroublesomeconfusionofbloodinhisownhead,addedtoalatentuneasinessinhismind,whichhadalreadymadeCharlesDarnayrestless,andwhichstillkepthimso.

Amongthetalkers,wasStryver,oftheKing\'sBenchBar,faronhiswaytostatepromotion,and,therefore,loudonthetheme:broachingtoMonseigneur,hisdevicesforblowingthepeopleupandexterminatingthemfromthefaceoftheearth,anddoingwithoutthem:andforaccomplishingmanysimilarobjectsakinintheirnaturetotheabolitionofeaglesbysprinklingsaltonthetailsoftherace.Him,Darnayheardwithaparticularfeelingofobjection;andDarnaystooddividedbetweengoingawaythathemighthearnomore,andremainingtointerposehisword,whenthethingthatwastobewentontoshapeitselfout.

TheHouseapproachedMr.Lorry,andlayingasoiledandunopenedletterbeforehim,askedifhehadyetdiscoveredanytracesofthepersontowhomitwasaddressed?TheHouselaidtheletterdownsoclosetoDarnaythathesawthedirection——themorequicklybecauseitwashisownrightname.Theaddress,turnedintoEnglish,ran:

`Verypressing.ToMonsieurheretoforetheMarquisSt.Evrémonde,ofFrance.ConfidedtothecaresofMessrs.TellsonandGo.,Bankers,London,England.\'

Onthemarriagemorning,Dr.ManettehadmadeithisoneurgentandexpressrequesttoCharlesDarnay,thatthesecretofthisnameshouldbe——unlesshe,theDoctor,dissolvedtheobligation——keptinviolatebetweenthem.Nobodyelseknewittobehisname;hisownwifehadnosuspicionofthefact;Mr.Lorrycouldhavenone.

`No,\'saidMr.Lorry,inreplytotheHouse;`Ihavereferredit,Ithink,toeverybodynowhere,andnoonecantellmewherethisgentlemanistobefound.\'

ThehandsoftheclockverginguponthehourofclosingtheBank,therewasageneralsetofthecurrentoftalkerspastMr.Lorry\'sdesk.Heheldtheletteroutinquiringly;andMonseigneurlookedatit,inthepersonofthisplottingandindignantrefugee;andMonseigneurlookedatit,inthepersonofthatplottingandindignantrefugee;andThis,That,andTheOther,allhadsomethingdisparagingtosay,inFrenchorinEnglish,concerningtheMarquiswhowasnottobefound.

`Nephew,Ibelieve——butinanycasedegeneratesuccessor——ofthepolishedMarquiswhowasmurdered,\'saidone.`Happytosay,Ineverknewhim.\'

`Acravenwhoabandonedhispost,\'saidanother——thisMonseigneurhadbeengotoutofParis,legsuppermostandhalfsuffocated,inaloadofhay——`someyearsago.\'

`Infectedwiththenewdoctrines,\'saidathird,eyeingthedirectionthroughhisglassinpassing;`sethimselfinoppositiontothelastMarquis,abandonedtheestateswhenheinheritedthem,andleftthemtotheruffianherd.Theywillrecompensehimnow,Ihope,ashedeserves.\'

`Hey?\'criedtheblatantStryver.`Didhethough?Isthatthesortoffellow?Letuslookathisinfamousname.D——nthefellow!\'

Darnay,unabletorestrainhimselfanylonger,touchedMr.Stryverontheshoulder,andsaid:

`Iknowthefellow.\'

`Doyou,byJupiter?\'saidStryver.`Iamsorryforit.\'

`Why?\'

`Why,Mr.Darnay?D\'yehearwhathedid?Don\'task,why,inthesetimes.\'

`ButIdoaskwhy.\'

`ThenItellyouagain,Mr.Darnay,Iamsorryforit.Iamsorrytohearyouputtinganysuchextraordinaryquestions.Hereisafellow,who,infectedbythemostpestilentandblasphemouscodeofdevilrythateverwasknown,abandonedhispropertytothevilestscumoftheearththateverdidmurderbywholesale,andyouaskmewhyIamsorrythatamanwhoinstructsyouthknowshim?Well,butI\'llansweryou.IamsorrybecauseIbelievethereiscontaminationinsuchascoundrel.That\'swhy.\'

Mindfulofthesecret,Darnaywithgreatdifficultycheckedhimself,andsaid:`Youmaynotunderstandthegentleman.\'

`Iunderstandhowtoputyouinacorner,Mr.Darnay,\'saidBullyStryver,`andI\'lldoit.Ifthisfellowisagentleman,Idon\'tunderstandhim.Youmaytellhimso,withmycompliments.Youmayalsotellhim,fromme,thatafterabandoninghisworldlygoodsandpositiontothisbutcherlymob,Iwonderheisnotattheheadofthem.But,no,gentlemen,\'saidStryver,lookingallround,andsnappinghisfingers,`Iknowsomethingofhumannature,andItellyouthatyou\'llneverfindafellowlikethisfellow,trustinghimselftothemerciesofsuchpreciousprotégés.No,gentlemen;he\'llalwaysshow`emacleanpairofheelsveryearlyinthescuffle,andsneakaway.\'

Withthosewords,andafinalsnapofhisfingers,Mr.StryvershoulderedhimselfintoFleet-street,amidstthegeneralapprobationofhishearers.Mr.LorryandCharlesDarnaywereleftaloneatthedesk,inthegeneraldeparturefromtheBank.

`Willyoutakechargeoftheletter?\'saidMr.Lorry.`Youknowwheretodeliverit?\'

`Ido.\'

`Willyouundertaketoexplain,thatwesupposeittohavebeenaddressedhere,onthechanceofourknowingwheretoforwardit,andthatithasbeenheresometime?\'

`Iwilldoso.DoyoustartforParisfromhere?\'

`Fromhere,ateight.\'

`Iwillcomeback,toseeyouoff.\'

Veryillateasewithhimself,andwithStryverandmostothermen,DarnaymadethebestofhiswayintothequietoftheTemple,openedtheletter,andreadit.Thesewereitscontents:

`PrisonoftheAbbaye,Paris.

June21,1792.

MONSIEURHERETOFORETHEMARQUIS,

`Afterhavinglongbeenindangerofmylifeatthehandsofthevillage,Ihavebeenseized,withgreatviolenceandindignity,andbroughtalongjourneyonfoottoParis.OntheroadIhavesufferedagreatdeal.Noristhatall;myhousehasbeendestroyed——razedtotheground.

`ThecrimeforwhichIamimprisoned,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,andforwhichIshallbesummonedbeforethetribunal,andshalllosemylife(withoutyoursogeneroushelp),is,theytellme,treasonagainstthemajestyofthepeople,inthatIhaveactedagainstthemforanemigrant.ItisinvainIrepresentthatIhaveactedforthem,andnotagainst,accordingtoyourcommands.ItisinvainIrepresentthat,beforethesequestrationofemigrantproperty,Ihadremittedtheimpoststheyhadceasedtopay;thatIhadcollectednorent;thatIhadhadrecoursetonoprocess.Theonlyresponseis,thatIhaveactedforanemigrant,andwhereisthatemigrant?

`Ah!mostgraciousMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,whereisthatemigrant?Icryinmysleepwhereishe?IdemandofHeaven,willhenotcometodeliverme?Noanswer.AhMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,Isendmydesolatecryacrossthesea,hopingitmayperhapsreachyourearsthroughthegreatbankofTilsonknownatParis!

`FortheloveofHeaven,ofjustice,ofgenerosity,ofthehonourofyournoblename,Isupplicateyou,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,tosuccourandreleaseme.Myfaultis,thatIhavebeentruetoyou.OhMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,Iprayyoubeyoutruetome!

`Fromthisprisonhereofhorror,whenceIeveryhourtendnearerandnearertodestruction,Isendyou,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,theassuranceofmydolorousandunhappyservice.

`Yourafflicted

`GABELLE\'

ThelatentuneasinessinDarnay\'smindwasrousedtovigorouslifebythisletter.Theperilofanoldservantandagoodone,whoseonlycrimewasfidelitytohimselfandhisfamily,staredhimsoreproachfullyintheface,that,ashewalkedtoandfrointheTempleconsideringwhattodo,healmosthidhisfacefromthepassers-by.

Heknewverywell,thatinhishorrorofthedeedwhichhadculminatedthebaddeedsandbadreputationoftheoldfamilyhouse,inhisresentfulsuspicionsofhisuncle,andintheaversionwithwhichhisconscienceregardedthecrumblingfabricthathewassupposedtouphold,hehadactedimperfectly.Heknewverywell,thatinhisloveforLucie,hisrenunciationofhissocialplace,thoughbynomeansnewtohisownmind,hadbeenhurriedandincomplete.Heknewthatheoughttohavesystematicallyworkeditoutandsupervisedit,andthathehadmeanttodoit,andthatithadneverbeendone.

ThehappinessofhisownchosenEnglishhome,thenecessityofbeingalwaysactivelyemployed,theswiftchangesandtroublesofthetimewhichhadfollowedononeanothersofast,thattheeventsofthisweekannihilatedtheimmatureplansoflastweek,andtheeventsoftheweekfollowingmadeallnewagain;heknewverywell,thattotheforceofthesecircumstanceshehadyielded:——notwithoutdisquiet,butstillwithoutcontinuousandaccumulatingresistance.Thathehadwatchedthetimesforatimeofaction,andthattheyhadshiftedandstruggleduntilthetimehadgoneby,andthenobilityweretroopingfromFrancebyeveryhighwayandbyway,andtheirpropertywasincourseofconfiscationanddestruction,andtheirverynameswereblottingout,wasaswellknowntohimselfasitcouldbetoanynewauthorityinFrancethatmightimpeachhimforit.

But,hehadoppressednoman,hehadimprisonednoman;hewassofarfromhavingharshlyexactedpaymentofhisdues,thathehadrelinquishedthemofhisownwill,thrownhimselfonaworldwithnofavourinit,wonhisownprivateplacethere,andearnedhisownbread.MonsieurGabellehadheldtheimpoverishedandinvolvedestateonwritteninstructions,tosparethepeople,togivethemwhatlittletherewastogive——suchfuelastheheavycreditorswouldletthemhaveinthewinter,andsuchproduceascouldbesavedfromthesamegripinthesummer——andnodoubthehadputthefactinpleaandproof,forhisownsafety,sothatitcouldnotbutappearnow.

ThisfavouredthedesperateresolutionCharlesDarnayhadbeguntomake,thathewouldgotoParis.

Yes.Likethemarinerintheoldstory,thewindsandstreamshaddrivenhimwithintheinfluenceoftheLoadstoneRock,anditwasdrawinghimtoitself,andhemustgo.Everythingthatarosebeforehisminddriftedhimon,fasterandfaster,moreandmoresteadily,totheterribleattraction.Hislatentuneasinesshadbeen,thatbadaimswerebeingworkedoutinhisownunhappylandbybadinstruments,andthathewhocouldnotfailtoknowthathewasbetterthanthey,wasnotthere,tryingtodosomethingtostaybloodshed,andasserttheclaimsofmercyandhumanity.Withthisuneasinesshalfstifled,andhalfreproachinghim,hehadbeenbroughttothepointedcomparisonofhimselfwiththebraveoldgentlemaninwhomdutywassostrong;uponthatcomparison(injurioustohimself)hadinstantlyfollowedthesneersofMonseigneur,whichhadstunghimbitterly,andthoseofStryver,whichaboveallwerecoarseandgalling,foroldreasons.Uponthose,hadfollowedGabelle\'sletter:theappealofaninnocentprisoner,indangerofdeath,tohisjustice,honour,andgoodname.

Hisresolutionwasmade.HemustgotoParis.

Yes.TheLoadstoneRockwasdrawinghim,andhemustsailon,untilhestruck.Heknewofnorock;hesawhardlyanydanger.Theintentionwithwhichhehaddonewhathehaddone,evenalthoughhehadleftitincomplete,presenteditbeforehiminanaspectthatwouldbegratefullyacknowledgedinFranceonhispresentinghimselftoassertit.Then,thatgloriousvisionofdoinggood,whichissooftenthesanguinemirageofsomanygoodminds,arosebeforehim,andheevensawhimselfintheillusionwithsomeinfluencetoguidethisragingRevolutionthatwasrunningsofearfullywild.

Ashewalkedtoandfrowithhisresolutionmade,heconsideredthatneitherLucienorherfathermustknowofituntilhewasgone.Lucieshouldbesparedthepainofseparation;andherfather,alwaysreluctanttoturnhisthoughtstowardsthedangerousgroundofold,shouldcometotheknowledgeofthestep,asasteptaken,andnotinthebalanceofsuspenseanddoubt.Howmuchoftheincompletenessofhissituationwasreferabletoherfather,throughthepainfulanxietytoavoidrevivingoldassociationsofFranceinhismind,hedidnotdiscusswithhimself.But,thatcircumstancetoo,hadhaditsinfluenceinhiscourse.

Hewalkedtoandfro,withthoughtsverybusy,untilitwastimetoreturntoTellson\'sandtakeleaveofMr.Lorry.AssoonashearrivedinParishewouldpresenthimselftothisoldfriend,buthemustsaynothingofhisintentionnow.

Acarriagewithpost-horseswasreadyattheBankdoor,andJerrywasbootedandequipped.

`Ihavedeliveredthatletter,\'saidCharlesDarnaytoMr.Lorry.`Iwouldnotconsenttoyourbeingchargedwithanywrittenanswer,butperhapsyouwilltakeaverbalone?\'

`ThatIwill,andreadily,\'saidMr.Lorry,`ifitisnotdangerous.\'

`Notatall.ThoughitistoaprisonerintheAbbaye.\'

`Whatishisname?\'saidMr.Lorry,withhisopenpocket-bookinhishand.

`Gabelle.\'

`Gabelle.AndwhatisthemessagetotheunfortunateGabelleinprison?\'

`Simply,"thathehasreceivedtheletter,andwillcome."\'

`Anytimementioned?\'

`Hewillstartuponhisjourneyto-morrownight.\'

`Anypersonmentioned?\'

`No.\'

HehelpedMr.Lorrytowraphimselfinanumberofcoatsandcloaks,andwentoutwithhimfromthewarmatmosphereoftheoldBank,intothemistyairofFleet-street.`MylovetoLucie,andtolittleLucie,\'saidMr.Lorryatparting,`andtakepreciouscareofthemtillIcomeback.\'CharlesDarnayshookhisheadanddoubtfullysmiled,asthecarriagerolledaway.

Thatnight——itwasthefourteenthofAugust——hesatuplate,andwrotetwoferventletters;onewastoLucie,explainingthestrongobligationhewasundertogotoParis,andshowingher,atlength,thereasonsthathehad,forfeelingconfidentthathecouldbecomeinvolvedinnopersonaldangerthere;theotherwastotheDoctor,confidingLucieandtheirdearchildtohiscare,anddwellingonthesametopicswiththestrongestassurances.Toboth,hewrotethathewoulddespatchlettersinproofofhissafety,immediatelyafterhisarrival.

Itwasahardday,thatdayofbeingamongthem,withthefirstreservationoftheirjointlivesonhismind.Itwasahardmattertopreservetheinnocentdeceitofwhichtheywereprofoundlyunsuspicious.But,anaffectionateglanceathiswife,sohappyandbusy,madehimresolutenottotellherwhatimpended(hehadbeenhalfmovedtodoit,sostrangeitwastohimtoactinanythingwithoutherquietaid),andthedaypassedquicklyaway.Earlyintheeveningheembracedher,andherscarcelylessdearnamesake,pretendingthathewouldreturnby-and-by(animaginaryengagementtookhimout,andhehadsecretedavaliseofclothesready),andsoheemergedintotheheavymistoftheheavystreets,withaheavierheart.

Theunseenforcewasdrawinghimfasttoitself,now,andallthetidesandwindsweresettingstraightandstrongtowardsit.Helefthistwoletterswithatrustyporter,tobedeliveredhalfanhourbeforemidnight,andnosooner;tookhorseforDover;andbeganhisjourney.`FortheloveofHeaven,ofjustice,ofgenerosity,ofthehonourofyournoblename!\'wasthepoorprisoner\'scrywithwhichhestrengthenedhissinkingheart,asheleftallthatwasdearonearthbehindhim,andfloatedawayfortheLoadstoneRock.

THEENDOFTHESECONDBOOK

BOOKTHETHIRD

THETRACKOFASTORM

CHAPTERI

InSecret

THEtravellerfaredslowlyonhisway,whofaredtowardsParisfromEnglandintheautumnoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety-two.Morethanenoughofbadroads,badequipages,andbadhorses,hewouldhaveencounteredtodelayhim,thoughthefallenandunfortunateKingofFrancehadbeenuponhisthroneinallhisglory;but,thechangedtimeswerefraughtwithotherobstaclesthanthese.Everytown-gateandvillagetaxing-househaditsbandofcitizen-patriots,withtheirnationalmusketsinamostexplosivestateofreadiness,whostoppedallcomersandgoers,cross-questionedthem,inspectedtheirpapers,lookedfortheirnamesinlistsoftheirown,turnedthemback,orsentthemon,orstoppedthemandlaidtheminhold,astheircapriciousjudgmentorfancydeemedbestforthedawningRepublicOneandIndivisible,ofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath.

AveryfewFrenchleaguesofhisjourneywereaccomplished,whenCharlesDarnaybegantoperceivethatforhimalongthesecountryroadstherewasnohopeofreturnuntilheshouldhavebeendeclaredagoodcitizenatParis.Whatevermightbefallnow,hemustontohisjourney\'send.Notameanvillagecloseduponhim,notacommonbarrierdroppedacrosstheroadbehindhim,butheknewittobeanotherirondoorintheseriesthatwasbarredbetweenhimandEngland.Theuniversalwatchfulnesssoencompassedhim,thatifhehadbeentakeninanet,orwerebeingforwardedtohisdestinationinacage,hecouldnothavefelthisfreedommorecompletelygone.

Thisuniversalwatchfulnessnotonlystoppedhimonthehighwaytwentytimesinastage,hutretardedhisprogresstwentytimesinaday,byridingafterhimandtakinghimback,ridingbeforehimandstoppinghimbyanticipation,ridingwithhimandkeepinghimincharge.HehadbeendaysuponhisjourneyinFrancealone,whenhewenttobedtiredout,inalittletownonthehighroad,stillalongwayfromParis.

NothingbuttheproductionoftheafflictedGabelle\'sletterfromhisprisonoftheAbbayewouldhavegothimonsofar.Hisdifficultyattheguard-houseinthissmallplacehadbeensuch,thathefelthisjourneytohavecometoacrisis.Andhewas,therefore,aslittlesurprisedasamancouldbe,tofindhimselfawakenedatthesmallinntowhichhehadbeenremitteduntilmorning,inthemiddleofthenight.

Awakenedbyatimidlocalfunctionaryandthreearmedpatriotsinroughredcapsandwithpipesintheirmouths,whosatdownonthebed.

`Emigrant,\'saidthefunctionary,`IamgoingtosendyouontoParis,underanescort.\'

`Citizen,IdesirenothingmorethantogettoParis,thoughIcoulddispensewiththeescort.\'

`Silence!\'growledared-cap,strikingatthecoverletwiththebutt-endofhismusket.`Peace,aristocrat!\'

`Itisasthegoodpatriotsays,\'observedthetimidfunctionary.`Youareanaristocrat,andmusthaveanescort-andmustpayforit.\'

`Ihavenochoice,\'saidCharlesDarnay.

`Choice,Listentohim!\'criedthesamescowlingred-cap.`Asifitwasnotafavourtobeprotectedfromthelamp-iron!\'

`Itisalwaysasthegoodpatriotsays,\'observedthefunctionary.`Riseanddressyourself,emigrant.\'

Darnaycomplied,andwastakenbacktotheguard-house,whereotherpatriotsinroughredcapsweresmoking,drinking,andsleeping,byawatch-fire.Herehepaidaheavypriceforhisescort,andhencehestartedwithitonthewet,wetroadsatthreeo\'clockinthemorning.

Theescortweretwomountedpatriotsinredcapsandtricolouredcockades,armedwithnationalmusketsandsabres,whorodeoneoneithersideofhim.Theescortedgovernedhisownhorse,butalooselinewasattachedtohisbridle,theendofwhichoneofthepatriotskeptgirdedroundhiswrist.Inthisstatetheysetforthwiththesharpraindrivingintheirfaces:clatteringataheavydragoontrotovertheuneventownpavement,andoutuponthemire-deeproads.Inthisstatetheytraversedwithoutchange,exceptofhorsesandpace,allthemire-deepleaguesthatlaybetweenthemandthecapital.

Theytravelledinthenight,haltinganhourortwoafterdaybreak,andlyingbyuntilthetwilightfell.Theescortweresowretchedlyclothed,thattheytwistedstrawroundtheirbarelegs,andthatchedtheirraggedshoulderstokeepthewetoffApartfromthepersonaldiscomfortofbeingsoattended,andapartfromsuchconsiderationsofpresentdangerasarosefromoneofthepatriotsbeingchronicallydrunk,andcarryinghismusketveryrecklessly,CharlesDarnaydidnotallowtherestraintthatwaslaiduponhimtoawakenanyseriousfearsinhisbreast;for,hereasonedwithhimselfthatitcouldhavenoreferencetothemeritsofanindividualcasethatwasnotyetstated,andofrepresentations,confirmablebytheprisonerintheAbbaye,thatwerenotyetmade.

ButwhentheycantotothetownofBeauvais——whichtheydidateventide,whenthestreetswerefilledwithpeople——hecouldnot`concealfromhimselfthattheaspectofaffairswasveryalarming.Anominouscrowdgatheredtoseehimdismountattheposting-yard,andmanyvoicescalledoutloudly,`Downwiththeemigrant!\'

Hestoppedintheactofswinginghimselfoutofhissaddledand,resumingitashissafestplace,said:

`Emigrant,myfriends!Doyounotseemehere,inFrance,ofmyownwill?\'

`Youareacursedemigrant,\'criedafarrier,makingathimInafuriousmannerthroughthepress,hammerinhand;`andyouareacursedaristocrat!\'

Thepostmasterinterposedhimselfbetweenthismanandtherider\'sbridle(atwhichhewasevidentlymaking),andsoothinglysaid,`Lethimbe;lethimbe!HewillbejudgedatParis.\'

`Judged!\'repeatedthefarrier,swinginghishammer.`Ay!andcondemnedasatraitor.\'Atthisthecrowdroaredapproval.

Checkingthepostmaster,whowasforturninghishorse\'sheadtotheyard(thedrunkenpatriotsatcomposedlyinhissaddlelookingon,withthelineroundhiswrist),Darnaysaid,assoonashecouldmakehisvoiceheard:

`Friends,youdeceiveyourselves,oryouaredeceived.Iamnotatraitor.\'

`Helies!\'criedthesmith.`Heisatraitorsincethedecree.Hislifeisforfeittothepeople.Hiscursedlifeisnothisown!\'

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

`Whatisthisdecreethatthesmithspokeof?\'Darnayaskedthepostmaster,whenhehadthankedhim,andstoodbesidehimintheyard.

`Truly,adecreeforsellingthepropertyofemigrants.\'

`Whenpassed?\'

`Onthefourteenth.\'

`ThedayIleftEngland!\'

`Everybodysaysitisbutoneofseveral,andthattherewillbeothers——iftherearenotalready——banishingallemigrants,andcondemningalltodeathwhoreturn.Thatiswhathemeantwhenhesaidyourlifewasnotyourown.\'

`Buttherearenosuchdecreesyet?\'

`WhatdoIknow!\'saidthepostmaster,shrugginghisshoulders;`theremaybe,ortherewillbe.Itisallthesame.Whatwouldyouhave?\'

Theyrestedonsomestrawinaloftuntilthemiddleofthenight,andthenrodeforwardagainwhenallthetownwasasleep.Amongthemanywildchangesobservableonfamiliarthingswhichmadethiswildrideunreal,nottheleastwastheseemingrarityofsleep.Afterlongandlonelyspurringoverdrearyroads,theywouldcometoaclusterofpoorcottages,notsteepedindarkness,butallglitteringwithlights,andwouldfindthepeople,inaghostlymannerinthedeadofthenight,circlinghandinhandroundashrivelledtreeofLiberty,oralldrawnuptogethersingingaLibertysong.Happily,however,therewassleepinBeauvaisthatnighttohelpthemoutofit,andtheypassedononcemoreintosolitudeandloneliness:jinglingthroughtheuntimelycoldandwet,amongimpoverishedfieldsthathadyieldednofruitsoftheearththatyear,diversifiedbytheblackenedremainsofburnthouses,andbythesuddenemergencefromambuscade,andsharpreiningupacrosstheirway,ofpatriotpatrolsonthewatchonalltheroads.

DaylightatlastfoundthembeforethewallofParis.Thebarrierwasclosedandstronglyguardedwhentheyrodeuptoit.

`Wherearethepapersofthisprisoner?\'demandedaresolute-lookingmaninauthority,whowassummonedoutbytheguard.

Naturallystruckbythedisagreeableword,CharlesDarnayrequestedthespeakertotakenoticethathewasafreetravellerandFrenchcitizen,inchargeofanescortwhichthedisturbedstateofthecountryhadimposeduponhim,andwhichhehadpaidfor.

`Where,\'repeatedthesamepersonage,withouttakinganyheedofhimwhatever,`arethepapersofthisprisoner?\'

Thedrunkenpatriothadtheminhiscap,andproducedthem.CastinghiseyesoverGabelle\'sletter,thesamepersonageinauthorityshowedsomedisorderandsurprise,andlookedatDarnaywithacloseattention.

Heleftescortandescortedwithoutsayingaword,however,andwentintotheguard-room;meanwhile,theysatupontheirhorsesoutsidethegate.Lookingabouthimwhileinthisstateofsuspense,CharlesDarnayobservedthatthegatewasheldbyamixedguardofsoldiersandpatriots,thelatterfaroutnumberingtheformer;andthatwhileingressintothecityforpeasantscartsbringinginsupplies,andforsimilartrafficandtraffickers,waseasyenough,egress,evenforthehomeliestpeople,wasverydifficult.Anumerousmedleyofmenandwomen,nottomentionbeastsandvehiclesofvarioussorts,waswaitingtoissueforth;but,thepreviousidentificationwassostrict,thattheyfilteredthroughthebarrierveryslowly.Someofthesepeopleknewtheirturnforexaminationtobesofaroff,thattheylaydownonthegroundtosleeporsmoke,whileotherstalkedtogether,orloiteredabout.Theredcapandtricolourcockadewereuniversal,bothamongmenandwomen.

Whenhehadsatinhissaddlesomehalf-hour,takingnoteofthesethings,Darnayfoundhimselfconfrontedbythesamemaninauthority,whodirectedtheguardtoopenthebarrier.Thenhedeliveredtotheescort,drunkandsober,areceiptfortheescorted,andrequestedhimtodismount.Hedidso,andthetwopatriots,leadinghistiredhorse,turnedandrodeawaywithoutenteringthecity.

Heaccompaniedhisconductorintoaguard-room,smellingofcommonwineandtobacco,wherecertainsoldiersandpatriots,asleepandawake,drunkandsober,andinvariousneutralstatesbetweensleepingandwaking,drunkennessandsobriety,werestandingandlyingabout.Thelightintheguard-house,halfderivedfromthewaningoil-lampsofthenight,andhalffromtheovercastday,wasinacorrespondinglyuncertaincondition.Someregisterswerelyingopenonadesk,andanofficerofacoarse,darkaspect,presidedoverthese.

`CitizenDefarge,\'saidhetoDarnay\'sconductor,ashetookaslipofpapertowriteon.`IsthistheemigrantEvrémonde?\'

`Thisistheman.\'

`Yourage,Evrémonde?\'

`Thirty-seven.\'

`Married,Evrémonde?\'

`Yes.\'

`Wheremarried?\'

`InEngland.\'

`Withoutdoubt.Whereisyourwife,Evrémonde?\'

`InEngland.\'

`Withoutdoubt.Youareconsigned,Evrémonde,totheprisonofLaForce.\'

`JustHeaven!\'exclaimedDarnay.`Underwhatlaw,andforwhatoffence?\'

Theofficerlookedupfromhisslipofpaperforamoment.

`Wehavenewlaws,Evrémonde,andnewoffences,sinceyouwerehere.\'Hesaiditwithahardsmile,andwentonwriting.

`IentreatyoutoobservethatIhavecomeherevoluntarily,inresponsetothatwrittenappealofafellow-countrymanwhichliesbeforeyou.Idemandnomorethantheopportunitytodosowithoutdelay.Isnotthatmyright?\'

`Emigrantshavenorights,Evrémonde,\'wasthestolidreply.Theofficerwroteuntilhehadfinished,readovertohimselfwhathehadwritten,sandedit,andhandedittoDefarge,withthewords`Insecret.\'

Defargemotionedwiththepapertotheprisonerthathemustaccompanyhim.Theprisonerobeyed,andaguardoftwoarmedpatriotsattendedthem.

`Isityou,\'saidDefarge,inalowvoice,astheywentdowntheguard-housestepsandturnedintoParis,`whomarriedthedaughterofDoctorManette,onceaprisonerintheBastillethatisnomore?\'

`Yes,\'repliedDarnay,lookingathimwithsurprise.

`MynameisDefarge,andIkeepawine-shopintheQuarterSaintAntoine.Possiblyyouhaveheardofme.\'

`Mywifecametoyourhousetoreclaimherfather?Yes!\'

Theword`wife\'seemedtoserveasagloomyremindertoDefarge,tosaywithsuddenimpatience,`Inthenameofthatsharpfemalenewly-born,andcalledLaGuillotine,whydidyoucometoFrance?\'

`Youheardmesaywhy,aminuteago.Doyounotbelieveitisthetruth?\'

`Abadtruthforyou,\'saidDefarge,speakingwithknittedbrows,andlookingstraightbeforehim.

`IndeedIamlosthere.Allhereissounprecedented,sochanged,sosuddenandunfair,thatIamabsolutelylost.Willyourendermealittlehelp?\'

`None.\'Defargespoke,alwayslookingstraightbeforehim.

`Willyouanswermeasinglequestion?\'

`Perhaps.Accordingtoitsnature.Youcansaywhatitis.\'

`InthisprisonthatIamgoingtosounjustly,shallIhavesomefreecommunicationwiththeworldoutside?\'

`Youwillsee.\'

`Iamnottobeburiedthere,prejudged,andwithoutanymeansofpresentingmycase?\'

`Youwillsee.But,whatthen?Otherpeoplehavebeensimilarlyburiedinworseprisons,beforenow.

`Butneverbyme,CitizenDefarge.\'

Defargeglanceddarklyathimforanswer,andwalkedoninasteadyandsetsilence.Thedeeperhesankintothissilence,thefainterhopetherewas——orsoDarnaythought——ofhissofteninginanyslightdegree.He,therefore,madehastetosay:

`Itisoftheutmostimportancetome(youknow,Citizen,evenbetterthanI,ofhowmuchimportance),thatIshouldbeabletocommunicatetoMr.LorryofTellson\'sBank,anEnglishgentlemanwhoisnowinParis,thesimplefact,withoutcomment,thatIhavebeenthrownintotheprisonofLaForce.Willyoucausethattobedoneforme?\'

`Iwilldo,\'Defargedoggedlyrejoined,`nothingforyou.MydutyistomycountryandthePeople.Iamtheswornservantofboth,againstyou.Iwilldonothingforyou.\'

CharlesDarnayfeltithopelesstoentreathimfurther,andhispridewastouchedbesides.Astheywalkedoninsilence,hecouldnotbutseehowusedthepeopleweretothespectacleofprisonerspassingalongthestreets.Theverychildrenscarcelynoticedhim.Afewpassersturnedtheirheads,andafewshooktheirfingersathimasanaristocrat;otherwise,thatamaningoodclothesshouldbegoingtoprison,wasnomoreremarkablethanthatalabourerinworkingclothesshouldbegoingtowork.Inonenarrow,dark,anddirtystreetthroughwhichtheypassed,anexcitedorator,mountedonastool,wasaddressinganexcitedaudienceonthecrimesagainstthepeople,ofthekingandtheroyalfamily.Thefewwordsthathecaughtfromthisman\'slips,firstmadeitknowntoCharlesDarnaythatthekingwasinprison,andthattheforeignambassadorshadoneandallleftParis.Ontheroad(exceptatBeauvais)hehadheardabsolutelynothing.Theescortandtheuniversalwatchfulnesshadcompletelyisolatedhim.

ThathehadfallenamongfargreaterdangersthanthosewhichhaddevelopedthemselveswhenheleftEngland,heofcourseknewnow.Thatperilshadthickenedabouthimfast,andmightthickenfasterandfasteryet,heofcourseknewnow.Hecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthathemightnothavemadethisjourney,ifhecouldhaveforeseentheeventsofafewdays.Andyethismisgivingswerenotsodarkas,imaginedbythelightofthislatertime,theywouldappear.Troubledasthefuturewas,itwastheunknownfuture,andinitsobscuritytherewasignoranthope.Thehorriblemassacre,daysandnightslong,which,withinafewroundsoftheclock,wastosetagreatmarkofbloodupontheblessedgarneringtimeofharvest,wasasfaroutofhisknowledgeasifithadbeenahundredthousandyearsaway.The`sharpfemalenewly-born,andcalledLaGuillotine,\'washardlyknowntohim,ortothegeneralityofpeople,byname.Thefrightfuldeedsthatweretobesoondone,wereprobablyunimaginedatthattimeinthebrainsofthedoers.Howcouldtheyhaveaplaceintheshadowyconceptionsofagentlemind?

Ofunjusttreatmentindetentionandhardship,andincruelseparationfromhiswifeandchild,heforeshadowedthelikelihood,orthecertainty;but,beyondthis,hedreadednothingdistinctly.Withthisonhismind,whichwasenoughtocarryintoadrearyprisoncourt-yard,hearrivedattheprisonofLaForce.

Amanwithabloatedfaceopenedthestrongwicket,towhomDefargepresented`TheEmigrantEvrémonde.\'

`WhattheDevil!Howmanymoreofthem!\'exclaimedthemanwiththebloatedface.

Defargetookhisreceiptwithoutnoticingtheexclamation,andwithdrew,withhistwofellow-patriots.

`WhattheDevil,Isayagain!\'exclaimedthegaoler,leftwithhiswife.`Howmanymore!\'

Thegaoler\'swife,beingprovidedwithnoanswertothequestion,merelyreplied,`Onemusthavepatience,mydear!\'Threeturnkeyswhoenteredresponsivetoabellsherang,,echoedthesentimentandoneadded,`FortheloveofLiberty;whichsoundedinthatplacelikeaninappropriateconclusion.

TheprisonofLaForcewasagloomyprison,darkandfilthy,andwithahorriblesmelloffoulsleepinit.Extraordinaryhowsoonthenoisomeflavourofimprisonedsleep,becomesmanifestinallsuchplacesthatareillcaredfor!

`Insecret,too,\'grumbledthegaoler,lookingatthewrittenpaper.`AsifIwasnotalreadyfulltobursting!\'