第20章

`Ihadneverbeforeseenthesenseofbeingoppressed,burstingforthlikeafire.Ihadsupposedthatitmustbelatentinthepeoplesomewhere;but,Ihadneverseenitbreakout,untilIsawitinthedyingboy.

`"Nevertheless,Doctor,mysistermarried.Hewasailingatthattime,poorfellow,andshemarriedherlover,thatshemighttendandcomforthiminourcottage——ourdog-hut,asthatmanwouldcallit.Shehadnotbeenmarriedmanyweeks,whenthatman\'sbrothersawherandadmiredher,andaskedthatmantolendhertohim——forwhatarehusbandsamongus!Hewaswillingenough,butmysisterwasgoodandvirtuous,andhatedhisbrotherwithahatredasstrongasmine.Whatdidthetwothen,topersuadeherhusbandtousehisinfluencewithher,tomakeherwilling?"

`Theboy\'seyes,whichhadbeenfixedonmine,slowlyturnedtothelooker-on,andIsawintheMofacesthatallhesaidwastrue.Thetwoopposingkindsofprideconfrontingoneanother,Icansee,eveninthisBastille;thegentleman\'sallnegligentindifference;thepeasant\'s,alltrodden-downsentiment,andpassionaterevenge.

`"Youknow,Doctor,thatitisamongtheRightsoftheseNoblestoharnessuscommondogstocarts,anddriveus.Theysoharnessedhimanddrovehim.YouknowthatitisamongtheirRightstokeepusintheirgroundsallnight,quietingthefrogs,inorderthattheirnoblesleepmaynotbedisturbed.Theykepthimoutintheunwholesomemistsatnight,andorderedhimbackintohisharnessintheday.Buthewasnotpersuaded.No!Takenoutofharnessonedayatnoon,tofeed——ifhecouldfindfood——hesobbedtwelvetimes,onceforeverystrokeofthebell,anddiedonherbosom."

`Nothinghumancouldhaveheldlifeintheboybuthisdeterminationtotellallhiswrong.Heforcedbackthegatheringshadowsofdeath,asheforcedhisclenchedrighthandtoremainclenched,andtocoverhiswound.

`"Then,withthatman\'spermissionandevenwithhisaid,hisbrothertookheraway;inspiteofwhatIknowshemusthavetoldhisbrother——andwhatthatis,willnotbelongunknowntoyou,Doctor,ifitisnow——hisbrothertookheraway——forhispleasureanddiversion,foralittlewhile.Isawherpassmeontheroad.WhenItookthetidingshome,ourfather\'sheartburst;heneverspokeoneofthewordsthatfilledit.Itookmyyoungsister(forIhaveanother)toaplacebeyondthereachofthisman,andwhere,atleast,shewillneverbehisvassal.Then,Itrackedthebrotherhere,andlastnightclimbedin-acommondog,butswordinhand——Whereistheloftwindow?Itwassomewherehere?"

`Theroomwasdarkeningtohissight;theworldwasnarrowingaroundhim.Iglancedaboutme,andsawthatthehayandstrawweretrampledoverthefloor,asiftherehadbeenastruggle.

`"Sheheardme,andranin.Itoldhernottocomenearustillhewasdead.Hecameinandfirsttossedmesomepiecesofmoney;thenstruckatmewithawhip.ButI,thoughacommondog,sostruckathimastomakehimdraw.Lethimbreakintoasmanypiecesashewill,theswordthathestainedwithmycommonblood;hedrewtodefendhimself——thrustatmewithallhisskillforhislife."

`Myglancehadfallen,butafewmomentsbefore,onthefragmentsofabrokensword,lyingamongthehay.Thatweaponwasagentleman\'s.Inanotherplace,layanoldswordthatseemedtohavebeenasoldier\'s.

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

`"Heisnothere,"Isaid,supportingtheboy,andthinkingthathereferredtothebrother.

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

`Ididso,raisingtheboy\'sheadagainstmyknee.But,investedforthemomentwithextraordinarypower,heraisedhimselfcompletely:obligingmetorisetoo,orIcouldnothavestillsupportedhim.

`"Marquis,"saidtheboy,turnedtohimwithhiseyesopenedwide,andhisrighthandraised,"inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyouandyours,tothelastofyourbadrace,toanswerforthem.Imarkthiscrossofblooduponyou,asasignthatIdoit.Inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyourbrother,theworstofthebadrace,toanswerforthemseparately.Imarkthiscrossofblooduponhim,asasignthatIdoit.

`Twice,heputhishandtothewoundinhisbreast,andwithforefingerdrewacrossintheair.Hestoodforaninstantwiththefingeryetraised,and,asitwithit,andIlaidhimdowndead.****

`WhenIreturnedtothebedsideoftheyoungwoman,Ifoundherravinginpreciselythesameorderandcontinuity.Iknewthatthismightlastformanyhours,andthatitwouldprobablyendinthesilenceofthegrave.

`IrepeatedthemedicinesIhadgivenher,andIsatatthesideofthebeduntilthenightwasfaradvanced.Sheneverabatedthepiercingqualityofhershrieks,neverstumbledinthedistinctnessortheorderofherwords.Theywerealways"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!One,two,three,four,five,six,seven,eight,nine,ten,eleven,twelve.Hush!"

`Thislastedtwenty-sixhoursfromthetimewhenIfirstsawher.Ihadcomeandgonetwice,andwasagainsittingbyher,whenshebegantofalter.Ididwhatlittlecouldbedonetoassistthatopportunity,andby-and-byshesankintoalethargy,andlaylikethedead.

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

`"Isshedead?"askedtheMarquis,whomIwillstilldescribeastheelderbrother,comingbootedintotheroomfromhishorse.

`"Notdead,"saidI;"butliketodie."

`"whatstrengththereisinthesecommonbodies!"hesaid,lookingdownatherwithsomecuriosity.

`"Thereisprodigiousstrength,"Iansweredhim,"insorrowanddespair."

`Hefirstlaughedatmywords,andthenfrownedatthem.Hemovedachairwithhisfootneartomine,orderedthewomanaway,andsaidinasubduedvoice,

`"Doctor,findingmybrotherinthisdifficultywiththesehinds,Irecommendedthatyouraidshouldbeinvited.Yourreputationishigh,and,asayoungmanwithyourfortunetomake,youareprobablymindfulofyourinterest.Thethingsthatyouseehere,arethingstobeseen,andnotspokenof."

`Ilistenedtothepatient\'sbreathing,andavoidedanswering.

`"Doyouhonourmewithyourattention,Doctor?

`"Monsieur,"saidI,"inmyprofession,thecommunicationsofpatientsarealwaysreceivedinconfidence."Iwasguardedinmyanswer,forIwastroubledinmymindwithwhatIhadheardandseen.

`Herbreathingwassodifficulttotrace,thatIcarefullytriedthepulseandtheheart.Therewaslife,andnomore.LookingroundasIresumedmyseat,Ifoundthebrothersintentuponme.****

`Iwritewithsomuchdifficulty,thecoldissosevere,Iamsofearfulofbeingdetectedandconsignedtoanundergroundcellandtotaldarkness,thatImustabridgethisnarrative.Thereisnoconfusionorfailureinmymemory;itcanrecall,andcoulddetail,everywordthatwaseverspokenbetweenmeandthosebrothers.

`Shelingeredforaweek.Towardsthelast,Icouldunderstandsomefewsyllablesthatshesaidtome,byplacingmyearclosetoherlips.Sheaskedmewhereshewas,andItoldher;whoIwas,andItoldher.ItwasinvainthatIaskedherforherfamilyname.Shefaintlyshookherheaduponthepillow,andkepthersecret,astheboyhaddone.

`Ihadnoopportunityofaskingheranyquestion,untilIhadtoldthebrothersshewassinkingfast,andcouldnotliveanotherday.Untilthen,thoughnoonewaseverpresentedtoherconsciousnesssavethewomanandmyself,oneorotherofthemhadalwaysjealouslysatbehindthecurtainattheheadofthebedwhenIwasthere.Butwhenitcametothat,theyseemedcarelesswhatcommunicationImightholdwithher;asif——thethoughtpassedthroughmymind——Iweredyingtoo.

`Ialwaysobservedthattheirpridebitterlyresentedtheyoungerbrother\'s(asIcallhim)havingcrossedswordswithapeasant,andthatpeasantaboy.Theonlyconsiderationthatappearedtoaffectthemindofeitherofthemwastheconsiderationthatthiswashighlydegradingtothefamily,andwasridiculous.AsoftenasIcaughttheyoungerbrother\'seyes,theirexpressionremindedmethathedislikedmedeeply,furknowingwhatIknewfromtheboy.Hewassmootherandmorepolitetomethantheelder;butIsawthis.IalsosawthatIwasanincumbranceinthemindoftheelder,too.

`Mypatientdied,twohoursbeforemidnight——atatime,bymywatch,answeringalmosttotheminutewhenIhadfirstseenher.Iwasalonewithher,whenherforlornyoungheadtroopedgentlyononeside,andallherearthlywrongsandsorrowsended.

`Thebrotherswerewaitinginaroomdown-stairs,impatienttorideaway.Ihadheardthem,aloneatthebedside,strikingtheirbootswiththeirriding-whips,andloiteringupanddown.

`"Atlastsheisdead?"saidtheelder,whenIwentin.

`"Sheisdead,"saidI.

`"Icongratulateyou,mybrother,"werehiswordsasheturnedround.

`Hehadbeforeofferedmemoney,whichIhadpostponedtaking.Henowgavemearouleauofgold.Itookitfromhishand,butlaiditonthetable.Ihadconsideredthequestion,andhadresolvedtoacceptnothing.

`"Prayexcuseme,"saidI."Underthecircumstances,no."`Theyexchangedlooks,butbenttheirheadstomeasIbentminetothem,andwepartedwithoutanotherwordoneitherside.****

`Iamweary,weary,weary——worndownbymisery.IcannotreadwhatIhavewrittenwiththisgaunthand.

`Earlyinthemorning,therouleauofgoldwasleftatm\'doorinalittlebox,withmynameontheoutside.Fromthefirst,IhadanxiouslyconsideredwhatIoughttodo.Idecided,thatday,towriteprivatelytotheMinister,statingthenatureofthetwoeasestowhichIhadbeensummoned,andtheplacetowhichIhadgone:ineffect,statingallthecircumstances.IknewwhatCourtinfluencewas,andwhattheimmunitiesoftheNobleswere,andIexpectedthatthematterwouldneverbeheardof;but,Iwishedtorelievemyownmind.Ihadkeptthematteraprofoundsecret,evenfrommywife;andthis,too,Iresolvedtostateinmyletter.Ihadnoapprehensionwhateverofmyrealdanger;butIwasconsciousthattheremightbedangerforothers,ifotherswerecompromisedbypossessingtheknowledgethatIpossessed.

`Iwasmuchengagedthatday,andcouldnotcompletemyletterthatnight.Iroselongbeforemyusualtimenextmorningtofinishit.Itwasthelastdayoftheyear.Theletterwaslyingbeforemejustcompleted,whenIwastoldthataladywaited,whowishedtoseeme.****

`IamgrowingmoreandmoreunequaltothetaskIhavesetmyself.Itissocold,sodark,mysensesaresobenumbed,andthegloomuponmeissodreadful.

`Theladywasyoung,engaging,andhandsome,butnotmarkedforlonglife.Shewasingreatagitation.ShepresentedherselftomeasthewifeoftheMarquisSt.Evrémonde.Iconnectedthetitlebywhichtheboyhadaddressedtheelderbrother,withtheinitialletterembroideredonthescarf,andhadnodifficultyinarrivingattheconclusionthatIhadseenthatnoblemanverylately.

`Mymemoryisstillaccurate,butIcannotwritethewordsofOurconversation.IsuspectthatIamwatchedmorecloselythanIwas,andIknownotatwhattimesImaybewatched.Shehadinpartsuspected,andinpartdiscovered,themainfactsofthecruelstory,ofherhusband\'sshareinit,andmybeingresortedto.Shedidnotknowthatthegirlwasdead.Herhopehadbeen,shesaidingreatdistress,toshowher,insecret,awoman\'ssympathy.HerhopehadbeentoavertthewrathofHeavenfromaHousethathadlongbeenhatefultothesufferingmany.

`Shehadreasonsforbelievingthattherewasayoungsisterliving,andhergreatestdesirewas,tohelpthatsister.Icouldtellhernothingbutthattherewassuchasister;beyondthat,Iknewnothing.Herinducementtocometome,relyingonmyconfidence,hadbeenthehopethatIcouldtellherthenameandplaceofabode.Whereas,tothiswretchedhourIamignorantofboth.****

`Thesescrapsofpaperfailme.Onewastakenfromme,withawarning,yesterday.Imustfinishmyrecordto-day.

`Shewasagood,compassionatelady,andnothappyinhermarriage.Howcouldshebe!Thebrotherdistrustedanddislikedher,andhisinfluencewasallopposedtoher;shestoodindreadofhim,andindeadofherhusbandtoo.WhenIhandedherdowntothedoor,therewasachild,aprettyboyfromtwotothreeyearsold,inhercarriage.

`"Forhissake,Doctor,"shesaid,pointingtohimintears,"IwoulddoallIcantomakewhatpooramendsIcan.Hewillneverprosperinhisinheritanceotherwise.Ihaveapresentimentthatifnootherinnocentatonementismadeforthis,itwillonedayberequiredofhim.WhatIhavelefttocallmyown——itislittlebeyondtheworthofafewjewels——Iwillmakeitthefirstchargeofhislifetobestow,withthecompassionandlamentingofhisdeadmother,onthisinjuredfamily,ifthesistercanbediscovered."

`Shekissedtheboy,andsaid,caressinghim,"Itisforthineowndearsake.Thouwiltbefaithful,littleCharles?"Thechildansweredherbravely,"Yes!"Ikissedherhand,andshetookhiminherarms,andwentawaycaressinghim.Ineversawhermore.

`Asshehadmentionedherhusband\'snameinthefaiththatIknewit,Iaddednomentionofittomyletter.Isealedmyletter,and,nottrustingitoutofmyownhands,delivereditmyselfthatday.

`Thatnight,thelastnightoftheyear,towardsnineo\'clock,amaninablackdressrangatmygate,demandedtoseeme,andsoftlyfollowedmyservant,ErnestDefarge,ayouth,upstairs.WhenmyservantcameintotheroomwhereIsatwithmywife——Omywife,belovedofmyheart!MyfairyoungEnglishwife!——wesawtheman,whowassupposedtobeatthegate,standingsilentbehindhim.

`AnurgentcaseintheRueSt.Honoré\',hesaid.Itwouldnotdetainme,hehadacoachinwaiting.

`Itbroughtmehere,itbroughtmetomygrave.WhenIwasclearofthehouse,ablackmufflerwasdrawntightlyovermymouthfrombehind,andmyarmswerepinioned.Thetwobrotherscrossedtheroadfromadarkcorner,andidentifiedmewithasinglegesture.TheMarquistookfromhispockettheletterIhadwritten,showeditme,burntitinthelightofalanternthatwasheld,andextinguishedtheasheswithhisfoot.Notawordwasspoken.Iwasbroughthere,Iwasbroughttomylivinggrave.

`IfithadpleasedGODtoputitinthehardheartofeitherofthebrothers,inallthesefrightfulyears,tograntmeanytidingsofmydearestwife——somuchastoletmeknowbyawordwhetheraliveordead——ImighthavethoughtthatHehadnotquiteabandonedthem.But,nowIbelievethatthemarkoftheredcrossisfataltothem,andthattheyhavenopartinHismercies.Andthemandtheirdescendants,tothelastoftheirrace,I,AlexandreManette,unhappyprisoner,dothislastnightoftheyear1767,inmyunbearableagony,denouncetothetimeswhenallthesethingsshallbeansweredfor.IdenouncethemtoHeavenandtoearth.\'

Aterriblesoundarosewhenthereadingofthisdocumentwasdone.Asoundofcravingandeagernessthathadnothingarticulateinitbutblood.Thenarrativecalledupthemostrevengefulpassionsofthetime,andtherewasnotaheadinthenationbutmusthavedroppedbeforeit.

Littleneed,inpresenceofthattribunalandthatauditory,toshowhowtheDefargeshadnotmadethepaperpublic,withtheothercapturedBastillememorialsborneinprocession,andhadkeptit,bidingtheirtime.LittleneedtoshowthatthisdetestedfamilynamehadlongbeenanathematisedbySaintAntoine,andwaswroughtintothefatalregister.ThemannevertrodgroundwhosevirtuesandServiceswouldhavesustainedhiminthatplacethatday,againstsuchdenunciation.

Andalltheworseforthedoomedman,thatthedenouncerwasawell-knowncitizen,hisownattachedfriend,thefatherofhiswife.Oneofthefrenziedaspirationsofthepopulacewas,forimitationsofthequestionablepublicvirtuesofantiquity,andforsacrificesandself-immolationsonthepeople\'saltar.ThereforewhenthePresidentsaid(elsehadhisownheadquiveredonhisshoulders),thatthegoodphysicianoftheRepublicwoulddeservebetterstilloftheRepublicbyrootingoutanobnoxiousfamilyofAristocrats,andwoulddoubtlessfeelasacredglowandjoyinmakinghisdaughterawidowandherchildanorphan,therewaswildexcitement,patrioticfervour,notatouchofhumansympathy.

`Muchinfluencearoundhim,hasthatDoctor?\'murmuredMadameDefarge,smilingtoTheVengeance.`Savehimnow,myDoctor,savehim!\'

Ateveryjuryman\'svote,therewasaroar.Anotherandanother.Roarandroar.

Unanimouslyvoted.AtheartandbydescentanAristocrat,anenemyoftheRepublic,anotoriousoppressorofthePeople.BacktotheConciergerie,andDeathwithinfour-and-twentyhours!

CHAPTERXI

Dusk

THEwretchedwifeoftheinnocentmanthusdoomedtodie,underthesentence,asifshehadbeenmortallystricken.But,sheutterednosound;andsostrongwasthevoicewithinher,representingthatitwassheofalltheworldwhomustupholdhiminhismiseryandnotaugmentit,thatitquicklyraisedher,evenfromthatshock.

Thejudgeshavingtotakepartinapublicdemonstrationoutofdoors,thetribunaladjourned.Thequicknoiseandmovementofthecourt\'semptyingitselfbymanypassageshadnotceased,whenLuciestoodstretchingoutherarmstowardsherhusband,withnothinginherfacebutloveandconsolation.

`IfImighttouchhim!IfImightembracehimonce!O,goodcitizens,ifyouwouldhavesomuchcompassionforus!\'

Therewasbutagaolerleft,alongwithtwoofthefourmenwhohadtakenhimlastnight,andBarsad.Thepeoplehadallpouredouttotheshowinthestreets.Barsadproposedtotherest,`Letherembracehimthen;itisbutamoment.\'Itwassilentlyacquiescedin,andtheypassedherovertheseatsinthehalltoaraisedplace,wherehe,byleaningoverthedock,couldfoldherinhisarms.

`Farewell,deardarlingofmysoul.Mypartingblessingonmylove.Weshallmeetagain,wherethewearyareatrest!\'

Theywereherhusband\'swords,asheheldhertohisbosom.

`Icanbearit,dearCharles.Iamsupportedfromabove:don\'tsufferforme.Apartingblessingforourchild.\'

`Isendittoherbyyou.Ikissherbyyou.Isayfarewelltoherbyyou.\'

`Myhusband.No!Amoment!\'Hewastearinghimselfapartfromher.`Weshallnotbeseparatedlong.Ifeelthatthiswillbreakmyheartby-and-by;butIwilldomydutywhileIcan,andwhenIleaveher,Godwillraiseupfriendsforher,asHedidforme.\'

Herfatherhadfollowedher,andwouldhavefallenonhiskneestobothofthem,butthatDarnayputoutahandandseizedhim,crying:

`No,no!Whathaveyoudone,whathaveyoudone,thatyoushouldkneeltous!Weknownow,whatastruggleyoumadeofold.Weknownow,whatyouunderwentwhenyoususpectedmydescent,andwhenyouknewit.Weknownow,thenaturalantipathyyoustroveagainst,andconquered,forherdearsake.Wethankyouwithallourhearts,andallourloveandduty.Heavenbewithyou!\'

Herfather\'sonlyanswerwastodrawhishandsthroughhiswhitehair,andwringthemwithashriekofanguish.

`Itcouldnotbeotherwise,\'saidtheprisoner.`Allthingshaveworkedtogetherastheyhavefallenout.Itwasthealways-vainendeavourtodischargemypoormother\'strustthatfirstbroughtmyfatalpresencenearyou.Goodcouldnevercomeofsuchevil,ahappierendwasnotinnaturetosounhappyabeginning.Becomforted,andforgiveme.Heavenblessyou!\'

Ashewasdrawnaway,hiswifereleasedhim,andstoodlookingafterhimwithherhandstouchingoneanotherintheattitudeofprayer,andwitharadiantlookuponherface,inwhichtherewasevenacomfortingsmile.Ashewentoutattheprisoners\'door,sheturned,laidherheadlovinglyonherfather\'sbreast,triedtospeaktohim,andfellathisfeet.

Then,issuingfromtheobscurecornerfromwhichhehadnevermoved,SydneyCartoncameandtookherup.OnlyherfatherandMr.Lorrywerewithher.Hisarmtrembledasitraisedher,andsupportedherhead.Yet,therewasanairabouthimthatwasnotallofpity——thathadaflushofprideinit.

`ShallItakehertoacoach?Ishallneverfeelherweight.\'

Hecarriedherlightlytothedoor,andlaidhertenderlydowninacoach.Herfatherandtheiroldfriendgotintoit,andhetookhisseatbesidethedriver.

Whentheyarrivedatthegatewaywherehehadpausedinthedarknotmanyhoursbefore,topicturetohimselfonwhichoftheroughstonesofthestreetherfeethadtrodden,heliftedheragain,andcarriedherupthestaircasetotheirrooms.There,helaidherdownonacouch,whereherchildandMissProssweptoverher.

`Don\'trecallhertoherself,\'hesaid,softly,tothelatter,`sheisbetterso.Don\'trevivehertoconsciousness,whilesheonlyfaints.\'

`Oh,Carton,Carton,dearCarton!\'criedlittleLucie,springingupandthrowingherarmspassionatelyroundhim,inaburstofgrief.`Nowthatyouhavecome,Ithinkyouwilldosomethingtohelpmamma,somethingtosavepapa!O,lookather,dearCarton!Canyou,ofallthepeoplewholoveher,beartoseeherso?\'

Hebentoverthechild,andlaidherbloomingcheekagainsthisface.Heputhergentlyfromhim,andlookedatherunconsciousmother.

`BeforeIgo,\'hesaid,andpaused——\'Imaykissher?\'

Itwasrememberedafterwardsthatwhenhebentdownandtouchedherfacewithhislips,hemurmuredsomewords.Thechild,whowasnearesttohim,toldthemafterwards,andtoldhergrandchildrenwhenshewasahandsomeoldlady,thatsheheardhimsay,`Alifeyoulove.\'

Whenhehadgoneoutintothenextroom,heturnedsuddenlyonMr.Lorryandherfather,whowerefollowing,andsaidtothelatter:

`Youhadgreatinfluencebutyesterday,DoctorManette;letitatleastbetried.Thesejudges,andallthemeninpower,ireveryfriendlytoyou,andveryrecognisantofyourservices;aretheynot?\'

`NothingconnectedwithCharleswasconcealedfromme.IhadthestrongestassurancesthatIshouldsavehim;andIdid.\'Hereturnedtheansweringreattrouble,andveryslowly.

`Trythemagain.Thehoursbetweenthisandto-morrowafternoonarefewandshort,buttry.\'

`Iintendtotry.Iwillnotrestamoment.\'

`That\'swell.Ihaveknownsuchenergyasyoursdogreatthingsbeforenow——thoughnever,\'headded,withasmileandasightogether,`suchgreatthingsasthis.Buttry!Oflittleworthaslifeiswhenwemisuseit,itisworththateffort.Itwouldcostnothingtolaydownifitwerenot.\'

`Iwillgo,\'saidDoctorManette,`totheProsecutorandthePresidentstraight,andIwillgotootherswhomitisbetternottoname.Iwillwritetoo,and——Butstay!Thereisacelebrationinthestreets,andnoonewillbeaccessibleuntildark.\'

`That\'strue.Well!Itisaforlornhopeatthebest,andnotmuchtheforlornerforbeingdelayedtilldark.Ishouldliketoknowhowyouspeed;though,mind!Iexpectnothing!Whenareyoulikelytohaveseenthesedreadpowers,DoctorManette?\'

`Immediatelyafterdark,Ishouldhope.Withinanhourortwofromthis.\'

`Itwillbedarksoonafterfour.Letusstretchthehourortwo.IfIgotoMr.Lorry\'satnine,shallIhearwhatyouhavedone,eitherfromourfriendorfromyourself?\'

`Yes.\'`Mayyouprosper!\'

Mr.LorryfollowedSydneytotheouterdoor,and,touchinghimontheshoulderashewasgoingaway,causedhimtoturn.

`Ihavenohope,\'saidMr.Lorry,inalowandsorrowfulwhisper.

`NorhaveI.\'

`Ifanyoneofthesemen,orallofthesemen,weredisposedtosparehim——whichisalargesupposition;forwhatishislife,oranyman\'stothem!——Idoubtiftheydurstsparehimafterthedemonstrationinthecourt.\'

`AndsodoI.Iheardthefalloftheaxeinthatsound.\'

Mr.Lorryleanedhisarmuponthedoor-post,andbowedhisfaceuponit.

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

`Yes,yes,yes,\'returnedMr.Lorry,dryinghiseyes,`youareright.Buthewillperish;thereisnorealhope.

`Yes.Hewillperish:thereisnorealhope,\'echoedCarton.Andwalkedwithasettledstep,down-stairs.

CHAPTERXII

Darkness

SYDNEYCARTONpausedinthestreet,notquitedecidedwheretogo.`AtTellson\'sbanking-houseatnine,\'hesaid,withamusingface.`ShallIdowell,inthemeantime,toshowmyself?Ithinkso.ItisbestthatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere;itisasoundprecaution,andmaybeanecessarypreparation.Butcare,care,care!Letmethinkitout!\'

Checkinghissteps,whichhadbeguntotendtowardsanobject,hetookaturnortwointhealreadydarkeningstreet,andtracedthethoughtinhismindtoitspossibleconsequences.Hisfirstimpressionwasconfirmed.`Itisbest,\'hesaid,finallyresolved,`thatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere.\'AndheturnedhisfacetowardsSaintAntoine.

Defargehaddescribedhimself,thatday,asthekeeperofawine-shopintheSaintAntoinesuburb.Itwasnotdifficultforonewhoknewthecitywell,tofindhishousewithoutaskinganyquestion.Havingascertaineditssituation,Cartoncameoutofthosecloserstreetsagain,anddinedataplaceofrefreshmentandfellsoundasleepafterdinner.Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears,hehadnostrongdrink.Sincelastnighthehadtakennothingbutalittlelightthinwine,andlastnighthehaddroppedthebrandyslowlydownonMr.Lorry\'shearthlikeamanwhohaddonewithit.

Itwasaslateasseveno\'clockwhenheawokerefreshed,andwentoutintothestreetsagain.AshepassedalongtowardsSaintAntoine,hestoppedatashop-windowwheretherewasamirror,andslightlyalteredthedisorderedarrangementofhisloosecravat,andhiscoat-collar,andhiswildhair.Thisdone,hewentondirecttoDefarge\'s,andwentin.

TherehappenedtobenocustomerintheshopbutJacquesThree,oftherestlessfingersandthecroakingvoice.Thisman,whomhehadseenupontheJury,stooddrinkingatthelittlecounter,inconversationwiththeDefarges,manandwife.TheVengeanceassistedintheconversation,likearegularmemberoftheestablishment.

AsCartonwalkedin,tookhisseatandasked(inveryindifferentFrench)forasmallmeasureofwine,MadameDefargecastacarelessglanceathim,andthenakeener,andthenakeener,andthenadvancedtohimherself,andaskedhimwhatitwashehadordered.

Herepeatedwhathehadalreadysaid.

`English?\'askedMadameDefarge,inquisitivelyraisingherdarkeyebrows.

Afterlookingather,asifthesoundofevenasingleFrenchwordwereslowtoexpressitselftohim,heanswered,inhisformerstrongforeignaccent,`Yes,madame,yes.IamEnglish!\'

MadameDefargereturnedtohercountertogetthewine,and,ashetookupaJacobinjournalandfeignedtoporeoveritpuzzlingoutitsmeaning,heheardhersay,`Isweartoyou,likeEvrémonde!\'

Defargebroughthimthewine,andgavehimGoodEvening.

`How?\'

`Goodevening.\'

`Oh!Goodevening,citizen,\'fillinghisglass.`Ah!andgoodwine.IdrinktotheRepublic.\'

Defargewentbacktothecounter,andsaid,`Certainly,alittlelike.\'Madamesternlyretorted,`Itellyouagooddeallike.\'JacquesThreepacificallyremarked,`Heissomuchinyourmind,seeyou,madame.\'TheamiableVengeanceadded,withalaugh,`Yes,myfaith!Andyouarelookingforwardwithsomuchpleasuretoseeinghimoncemoreto-morrow!\'

Cartonfollowedthelinesandwordsofhispaper,withaslowforefinger,andwithastudiousandabsorbedface.Theywereallleaningtheirarmsonthecounterclosetogether,speakinglow.Afterasilenceofafewmoments,duringwhichtheyalllookedtowardshimwithoutdisturbinghisoutwardattentionfromtheJacobineditor,theyresumedtheirconversation.

`Itistruewhatmadamesays,\'observedJacquesThree.`Whystop?Thereisgreatforceinthat.Whystop?\'

`Well,well,\'reasonedDefarge,`butonemuststopsomewhere.Afterall,thequestionisstillwhere?\'

`Atextermination,\'saidmadame.

`Magnificent!\'croakedJacquesThree.TheVengeance,also,highlyapproved.

`Exterminationisgooddoctrine,mywife,\'saidDefarge,rathertroubled;`ingeneral,Isaynothingagainstit.ButthisDoctorhassufferedmuch;youhaveseenhimto-day;youhaveobservedhisfacewhenthepaperwasread.\'

`Ihaveobservedhisface!\'repeatedmadame,contemptuouslyandangrily.`Yes.Ihaveobservedhisface.IhaveobservedhisfacetobenotthefaceofatruefriendoftheRepublic.Lethimtakecareofhisface!\'

`Andyouhaveobserved,mywife,\'saidDefarge,inadeprecatorymanner,`theanguishofhisdaughter,whichmustbeadreadfulanguishtohim!\'

`Ihaveobservedhisdaughter,\'repeatedmadame;`yes,Ihaveobservedhisdaughter,moretimesthanone.Ihaveobservedherto-day,andIhaveobservedherotherdays.Ihaveobservedherinthecourt,andIhaveobservedherinthestreetbytheprison.Letmebutliftmyfinger——!\'Sheseemedtoraiseit(thelistener\'seyeswerealwaysonhispaper),andtoletitfallwitharattleontheledgebeforeher,asiftheaxehaddropped.

`Thecitizenessissuperb!\'croakedtheJuryman.

`SheisanAngel!\'saidTheVengeance,andembracedher.

`Astothee,\'pursuedmadame,implacably,addressingherhusband,`ifitdependedonthee——which,happily,itdoesnot——thouwouldstrescuethismanevennow.

`No!\'protestedDefarge.`Notiftoliftthisglasswoulddoit!ButIwouldleavethematterthere.Isay,stopthere.\'

`Seeyouthen,Jacques,\'saidMadameDefarge,wrathfully;`andseeyou,too,mylittleVengeance;seeyouboth!Listen!Forothercrimesastyrantsandoppressors,Ihavethisracealongtimeonmyregister,doomedtodestructionandextermination.Askmyhusband,isthatso.\'

`Itisso,\'assentedDefarge,withoutbeingasked.

`Inthebeginningofthegreatdays,whentheBastillefalls,hefindsthispaperofto-day,andhebringsithome,andinthemiddleofthenightwhenthisplaceisclearandshut,wereadit,hereonthisspot,bythelightofthislamp.Askhim,isthatso.\'

`Itisso,\'assentedDefarge.

`Thatnight,Itellhim,whenthepaperisreadthrough,andthelampisburntout,andthedayisgleaminginabovethoseshuttersandbetweenthoseironbars,thatIhavenowasecrettocommunicate.Askhim,isthatso.\'

`Itisso,\'assentedDefargeagain.

`Icommunicatetohimthatsecret.IsmitethisbosomwiththesetwohandsasIsmiteitnow,andItellhim,"Defarge,Iwasbroughtupamongthefishermenofthesea-shore,andthatpeasantfamilysoinjuredbythetwoEvrémondebrothers,asthatBastillepaperdescribes,ismyfamily.Defarge,thatsisterofthemortallywoundedboyuponthegroundwasmysister,thathusbandwasmysister\'shusband,thatunbornchildwastheirchild,thatbrotherwasmybrother,thatfatherwasmyfather,thosedeadaremydead,andthatsummonstoanswerforthosethingsdescendstome!"Askhim,isthatso.\'

`Itisso,\'assentedDefargeoncemore.

`ThentellWindandFirewheretostop,\'returnedmadame;`butdon\'ttellme.\'

Bothherhearersderivedahorribleenjoymentfromthedeadlynatureofherwrath——thelistenercouldfeelhowwhiteshewas,withoutseeingher——andbothhighlycommendedit.Defarge,aweakminority,interposedafewwordsforthememoryofthecompassionatewifeoftheMarquis;butonlyelicitedfromhisownwifearepetitionofherlastreply.`TelltheWindandtheFirewheretostop;notme!\'

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

But,hewenthisway,andwassoonswallowedupintheshadowoftheprisonwall.Attheappointedhour,heemergedfromittopresenthimselfinMr.Lorry\'sroomagain,wherehefoundtheoldgentlemanwalkingtoandfroinrestlessanxiety.HesaidhehadbeenwithLucieuntiljustnow,andhadonlyleftherforafewminutes,tocomeandkeephisappointment.Herfatherhadnotbeenseen,sincehequittedthebankinghousetowardsfouro\'clock.ShehadsomefainthopesthathismediationmightsaveCharles,buttheywereveryslight.Hehadbeenmorethanfivehoursgone:wherecouldhebe?

Mr.Lorrywaiteduntilten;but,DoctorManettenotreturning,andhebeingunwillingtoleaveLucieanylonger,itwasarrangedthatheshouldgobacktoher,andcometothebanking-houseagainatmidnight.Inthemeanwhile,CartonwouldwaitalonebythefirefortheDoctor.Hewaitedandwaited,andtheclockstrucktwelve;butDoctorManettedidnotcomeback.Mr.Lorryreturned,andfoundnotidingsofhim,andbroughtnone.Wherecouldhebe?

Theywerediscussingthisquestion,andwerealmostbuildingupsomeweakstructureofhopeonhisprolongedabsence,whentheyheardhimonthestairs.Theinstantheenteredtheroom,itwasplainthatallwaslost.

Whetherhehadreallybeentoanyone,orwhetherhehadbeenallthattimetraversingthestreets,wasneverknown.Ashestoodstaringatthem,theyaskedhimnoquestion,forhisfacetoldthemeverything.

`Icannotfindit,\'saidhe,`andImusthaveit.Whereisit?\'

Hisheadandthroatwerebare,and,ashespokewithahelplesslookstrayingallaround,hetookhiscoatoff,andletitdroponthefloor.

`Whereismybench?Ihavebeenlookingeverywhereformybench,andIcan\'tfindit.Whathavethey,donewithmywork?Timepresses:Imustfinishthoseshoes.

Theylookedatoneanother,andtheirheartsdiedwithinthem.

`Come,come!\'saidhe,inawhimperingmiserableway;`letmegettowork.Givememywork.\'

Receivingnoanswer,hetorehishair,andbeathisfeetupontheground,likeadistractedchild.

`Don\'ttortureapoorforlornwretch,\'heimploredthem,withadreadfulcry;`butgivememywork!Whatistobecomeofus,ifthoseshoesarenotdoneto-night?\'

Lost,utterlylost!

Itwassoclearlybeyondhopetoreasonwithhim,ortrytorestorehim,——that——asifbyagreement——theyeachputahanduponhisshoulder,andsoothedhimtositdownbeforethefire,withapromisethatheshouldhavehisworkpresently.Hesankintothechair,andbroodedovertheembers,andshedtears.Asifallthathadhappenedsincethegarrettimewereamomentaryfancy,oradream,Mr.LorrysawhimshrinkintotheexactfigurethatDefargehadhadinkeeping.

Affected,andimpressedwithterrorastheybothwere,bythisspectacleofruin,itwasnotatimetoyieldtosuchemotions.Hislonelydaughter,bereftofherfinalhopeandreliance,appealedtothembothtoostrongly.Again,asifbyagreement,theylookedatoneanotherwithonemeaningintheirfaces.Cartonwasthefirsttospeak:

`Thelastchanceisgone:Itwasnotmuch.Yes;hehadbetterbetakentoher.But,beforeyougo,willyou,foramoment,steadilyattendtome?Don\'taskmewhyImakethestipulationsIamgoingtomake,andexactthepromiseIamgoingtoexact;Ihaveareason——agoodone.\'

`Idonotdoubtit,\'answeredMr.Lorry.`Sayon.\'