第2章

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

Veryorderlyandmethodicalhelooked，withahandoneachknee，andaloudwatchtickingasonoroussermonunderhisflappedwaistcoat，asthoughitpitteditsgravityandlongevityagainstthelevityandevanescenceofthebriskfire。Hehadagoodleg，andwasalittlevainofit，forhisbrownstockingsfittedsleekandclose，andwereofafinetexture；

hisshoesandbuckles，too，thoughplain，weretrim。Heworeanoddlittlesleekcrispflaxenwig，settingveryclosetohishead:whichwig，itistobepresumed，wasmadeofhair，butwhichlookedfarmoreasthoughitwerespunfromfilamentsofsilkorglass。Hislinen，thoughnotofafinenessinaccordancewithhisstockings，wasaswhiteasthetopsofthewavesthatbrokeupontheneighbouringbeach，orthespecksofsailthatglintedinthesunlightfaratsea。Afacehabituallysuppressedandquieted，wasstilllightedupunderthequaintwigbyapairofmoistbrighteyesthatitmusthavecosttheirowner，inyearsgoneby，somepainstodrilltothecomposedandreservedexpressionofTellson\'sBank。Hehadahealthycolourinhischeeks，andhisface，thoughlined，borefewtracesofanxiety。

But，perhapstheconfidentialbachelorclerksinTellson\'sBankwereprincipallyoccupiedwiththecaresofotherpeople；andperhapssecond-handcares，likesecond-handclothes，comeeasilyoffandon。

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

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

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

`Yes。\'

`Yes，sir。WehaveoftentimesthehonourtoentertainyourgentlemenintheirtravellingbackwardsandforwardsbetwixtLondonandParis，sir。

Avastdealoftravelling，sir，inTellsonandCompany\'sHouse。\'

`Yes。WearequiteaFrenchHouse，aswellasanEnglishone。\'

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

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

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

`Ibelieveso。\'

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

`Youmighttreblethat，andsayahundredandfifty，yetnotbefarfromthetruth。\'

`Indeed，sir!\'

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

WhenMr。Lorryhadfinishedhisbreakfast，hewentoutforastrollonthebeach。Thelittlenarrow，crookedtownofDoverhiditselfawayfromthebeach，andranitsheadintothechalkcliffs，likeamarineostrich。

Thebeachwasadesertofheapsofseaandstonestumblingwildlyabout，andtheseadidwhatitliked，andwhatitlikedwasdestruction。Itthunderedatthetown，andthunderedatthecliffs，andbroughtthecoastdown，madly。

Theairamongthehouseswasofsostrongapiscatoryflavourthatonemighthavesupposedsickfishwentuptobedippedinit，assickpeoplewentdowntobedippedinthesea。Alittlefishingwasdoneintheport，andaquantityofstrollingaboutbynight，andlookingseaward:particularlyatthosetimeswhenthetidemade，andwasnearflood。Smalltradesmen，whodidnobusinesswhatever，sometimesunaccountablyrealisedlargefortunes，anditwasremarkablethatnobodyintheneighbourhoodcouldendurealamplighter。

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

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

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

InaveryfewminutesthewaitercameintoannouncethatMissManettehadarrivedfromLondon，and"，happytoseethegentlemanfromTellson\'s。

`Sosoon?\'

MissManettehadtakensomerefreshmentontheroad，andrequirednonethen，andwasextremelyanxioustoseethegentlemanfromTellson\'simmediately，ifitsuitedhispleasureandconvenience。

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

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

`Praytakeaseat，sir。\'Inaveryclearandpleasantyoungvoice；

alittleforeigninitsaccent，butaverylittleindeed。

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

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

`Thewordisnotmaterial，miss；eitherwordwilldo。\'

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

Mr。Lorrymovedinhischair，andcastatroubledlooktowardsthehospitalprocessionofnegrocupids。Asiftheyhadanyhelpforanybodyintheirabsurdbaskets!

`——rendereditnecessarythatIshouldgotoParis，theretocommunicatewithagentlemanoftheBank，sogoodastobedespatchedtoParisforthepurpose。\'

`Myself\'

`AsIwaspreparedtohear，sir。\'

Shecurtseyedtohim(youngladiesmadecurtseysinthosedays)，withaprettydesiretoconveytohimthatshefelthowmucholderandwiserhewasthanshe。Hemadeheranotherbow。

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

`Iwashappy，\'saidMr。Lorry，`tobeentrustedwiththecharge。

Ishallbemorehappytoexecuteit。\'

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

`Naturally，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Yes——I——\'

Alterapause，headded，againsettlingthecrispflaxenwigattheears:

`Itisverydifficulttobegin。\'

Hedidnotbegin，but，inhisindecision，metherglance。

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

`Areyouquiteastrangertome，sir?\'

`AmInot?\'Mr。Lorryopenedhishands，andextendedthemoutwardswithanargumentativesmile。

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

`Inyouradoptedcountry，Ipresume，IcannotdobetterthanaddressyouasayoungEnglishlady，MissManette?\'

`Ifyouplease，sir。\'

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

`Story!\'

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

`NotofBeauvais?\'

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

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

`Ispeak，miss，oftwentyyearsago。Hemarried——anEnglishlady——andIwasoneofthetrustees。Hisaffairs，liketheaffairsofmanyotherFrenchgentlemenandFrenchfamilies，wereentirelyinTellson\'shands。

InasimilarwayIam，orIhavebeen，trusteeofonekindorotherforscoresofourcustomers。Thesearemerebusinessrelations，miss；thereisnofriendshipinthem，noparticularinterest，nothinglikesentiment。

Ihavepassedfromonetoanother，iiithecourseofmybusinesslife，justasIpassfromoneofourcustomerstoanotherinthecourseofmybusinessday；inshort，Ihavenofeelings；Iamameremachine。Togoon——

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

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

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

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

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

Shedid，indeed，start。Andshecaughthiswristwithbothherhands。

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

Herlooksodiscomposedhimthathestopped，wanderedandbegananew:

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

`Ientreatyoutotellmemore，sir。\'

`Iwill。Iamgoingto。Youcanbearit?\'

`Icanbearanythingbuttheuncertaintyyouleavemeinatthismoment。

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

`Thelittlechildwasadaughter，sir?\'

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

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

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

Withoutdirectlyansweringtothisappeal，shesatsostillwhenhehadverygentlyraisedher，andthehandsthathadnotceasedtoclasphiswristsweresomuchmoresteadythantheyhadbeen，thatshecommunicatedsomereassurancetoMr。JarvisLorry。

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

Ashesaidthewordshelookeddown，withanadmiringpity，ontheflowinggoldenhair；asifhepicturedtohim-selfthatitmighthavebeenalreadytingedwithgrey。

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

Hefelthiswristheldcloser，andhestopped。Theexpressionintheforehead，whichhadsoparticularlyattractedhisnotice，andwhichwasnowimmovable，haddeepenedintooneofpainandhorror。

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

Ashiverranthroughherframe，andfromitthroughhis。Shesaid，inalow，distinct，awe-strickenvoice，asifsheweresayingitinadream，`IamgoingtoseehisGhost!ItwillbehisGhost——nothim!\'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

`Andyouinbrown!\'shesaid，indignantlyturningtoMr。Lorry；

`couldn\'tyoutellherwhatyouhadtotellher，withoutfrighteninghertodeath?Lookather，withherprettypalefaceandhercoldhands。DoyoucallthatbeingaBanker?\'

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

`Ihopeshewilldowellnow，\'saidMr。Lorry。

`Nothankstoyouinbrown，ifshedoes。Mydarlingpretty!\'

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

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

Thisbeinganotherquestionhardtoanswer，Mr。JarvisLorrywithdrewtoconsiderit。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVTheWine-shopALARGEcaskofwinehadbeendroppedandbroken，street。Theaccidenthadhappenedingettingitoutofacart；thecaskhadtumbledoutwitharun，thehoopshadburst，anditlayonthestonesjustoutsidethedoorofthewine-shop，shatteredlikeawalnut-shell。

Allthepeoplewithinreachhadsuspendedtheirbusinessortheiridleness，toruntothespotanddrinkthewine。Therough，irregularstonesofthestreet，pointingeveryway，anddesigned，onemighthavethought，expresslytolamealllivingcreaturesthatapproachedthem，haddammeditintolittlepools；theseweresurrounded，eachbyitsownjostlinggrouporcrowd，accordingtoitssize。Somemenkneeleddown，madescoopsoftheirtwohandsjoined，andsipped，ortriedtohelpwomen，whobentovertheirshoulderstosip，beforethewinehadallrunoutbetweentheirfingers。

Others，menandwomen，dippedinthepuddleswithlittlemugsofmutilatedearthenware，orevenwithhandkerchiefsfromwomen\'sheads，whichweresqueezeddryintoinfantsmouths；othersmadesmallmudembankments，tostemthewineasitran；others，directedbylookers-onupathighwindows，dartedhereandthere，tocutofflittlestreamsofwinethatstartedawayinnewdirections；othersdevotedthemselvestothesoddenandlee-dyedpiecesofthecasklicking，andevenchampingthemoisterwine-rottedfragmentswitheagerrelish。Therewasnodrainagetocarryoffthewine，andnotonlydiditallgettakenup，butsomuchmudgottakenupalongwithit，thattheremighthavebeenascavengerinthestreet，ifanybodyacquaintedwithitcouldhavebelievedinsuchamiraculouspresence。

Ashrillsoundoflaughterandofamusedvoices——voicesofmen，women，andchildren——resoundedinthestreetwhilethiswinegamelasted。

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

Thewinewasredwine，andhadstainedthegroundofthenarrowstreetinthesuburbofSaintAntoine，inParis，whereitwasspilled。

Ithadstainedmanyhands，too，andmanyfaces，andmanynakedfeet，andmanywoodenshoes。Thehandsofthemanwhosawedthewood，leftredmarksonthebillets；andtheforeheadofthewomanwhonursedherbaby，wasstainedwiththestainoftheoldragshewoundaboutherheadagain。Thosewhohadbeengreedywiththestavesofthecask，hadacquiredatigerishsmearaboutthemouth；andonetalljokersobesmirched，hisheadmoreoutofalongsqualidbagofanight-capthaninit，scrawleduponawallwithhisfingerdippedinmuddywine-lees——BLOOD。

Thetimewastocome，whenthatwinetoowouldbespilledonthestreet-stones，andwhenthestainofitwouldbereduponmanythere。

AndnowthatthecloudsettledonSaintAntoine，whichamomentarygleamhaddrivenfromhissacredcountenance，thedarknessofitwasheavy——cold，dirt，sickness，ignorance，andwant，werethelordsinwaitingonthesaintlypresence——noblesofgreatpowerallofthem；but，mostespeciallythelast。

Samplesofapeoplethathadundergoneaterriblegrindingandre-grindinginthemill，andcertainlynotinthefabulousmillwhichgroundoldpeopleyoung，shiveredateverycorner，passedinandoutateverydoorway，lookedfromeverywindow，flutteredineveryvestigeofagarmentthatthewindshock。Themillwhichhadworkedthemdown，wasthemillthatgrindsyoungpeopleold；thechildrenhadancientfacesandgravevoices；anduponthem，anduponthegrownfaces，andploughedintoeveryfurrowofageandcomingupafresh，wasthesign，Hunger。Itwasprevalenteverywhere。Hungerwaspushedoutofthetallhouses，inthewretchedclothingthathunguponpolesandlines；Hungerwaspatchedintothemwithstrawandragandwoodandpaper；Hungerwasrepeatedineveryfragmentofthesmallmodicumoffirewoodthatthemansawedoff；Hungerstareddownfromthesmokelesschimneys，andstartedupfromthefilthystreetthathadnooffal，amongitsrefuse，ofanythingtoeat。Hungerwastheinscriptiononthebaker\'sshelves，writtenineverysmallloafofhisScantystockofbadbread；

atthesausage-shop，ineverydead-dogpreparationthatwasofferedforsale。Hungerrattleditsdrybonesamongtheroastingchestnutsintheturnedcylinder；Hungerwasshredintoatomiesineveryfarthingporringerofhuskychipsofpotato，friedwithsomereluctantdropsofoil。

Itsabidingplacewasinallthingsfittedtoit。Anarrowwindingstreet，fullofoffenceandstench，withothernarrowwindingstreetsdiverging，allpeopledbyragsandnightcaps，andallsmellingofragsandnightcaps，andallvisiblethingswithabroodinglookuponthemthatlookedill。

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

For，thetimewastocome，whenthegauntscarecrowsofthatregionshouldhavewatchedthelamplighter，intheiridlenessandhunger，solong，astoconceivetheideaofimprovingonhismethod，andhaulingupmenbythoseropesandpulleys，toflareuponthedarknessoftheircondition。

But，thetimewasnotcomeyet；andeverywindthatblewoverFranceshooktheragsofthescarecrowsinvain，forthebirds，fineofsongandfeather，tooknowarning。

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

There，hiseyeshappeningtocatchthetalljokerwritinguphisjoke，hecalledtohimacrosstheway:

`Say，then，myGaspard，whatdoyoudothere?\'

Thefellowpointedtohisjokewithimmensesignificanceasisoftenthewaywithhistribe。Itmisseditsmark，andcompletelyfailed，asisoftenthewaywithhistribetoo。

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

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

`Putiton，putiton，\'saidtheother。`Callwine，wineandfinishthere。\'Withthatadvice，hewipedhissoiledhanduponthejoker\'sdress，suchasitwas——quitedeliberately，ashavingdirtiedthehandonhisaccount；

andthenre-crossedtheroadandenteredthewine-shop。

Thiswine-shopkeeperwasabull-necked\'，martial-lookingmanofthirty，andheshouldhavebeanofahottemperament，for，althoughitwasabitterday，heworenocoat，butcarriedoneslungoverhisshoulder。

Hisshirt-sleeveswererolledup，too，andhisbrownarmswerebaretotheelbows。Neitherdidhewearanythingmoreonhisheadthanhisowncrisply-curlingshortdarkhair。Hewasadarkmanaltogether，withgoodeyesandagoodboldbreadthbetweenthem。Good-humouredlookingonthewhole，butimplacable-looking，too；evidentlyamanofastrongresolutionandasetpurpose；amannotdesirabletobemet，rushingdownanarrowpasswithagulfoneitherside，fornothingwouldturntheman。

MadameDefarge，hiswife，satintheshopbehindthecounterashecamein。MadameDefargewasastoutwomanofabouthisownage，withawatchfuleyethatseldomseemedtolookatanything，alargehandheavilyringed，asteadyface，strongfeatures，andgreatcomposureofmanner。

TherewasacharacteraboutMadameDefarge，fromwhichonemighthavepredicatedthatshedidnotoftenmakemistakesagainstherselfinanyofthereckoningsoverwhichshepresided。MadameDefargebeingsensitivetocold，waswrappedinfur，andhadaquantityofbrightshawltwinedaboutherhead，thoughnottotheconcealmentofherlargeearrings。Herknittingwasbeforeher，butshehadlaiditdowntopickherteethwithatoothpick。Thusengaged，withherrightelbowsupportedbyherlefthand，MadameDefargesaidnothingwhenherlordcamein，butcoughedJustonegrainofcough。This，incombinationwiththeliftingofherdarklydefinedeyebrowsoverhertoothpickbythebreadthofaline，suggestedtoherhusbandthathewoulddowelltolookroundtheshopamongthecustomers，foranynewcustomerwhohaddroppedinwhilehesteppedovertheway。

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

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

But，hefeignednottonoticethetwostrangers，andfellintodiscoursewiththetriumvirateofcustomerswhoweredrinkingatthecounter。

`Howgoesit，Jacques?\'saidoneofthesethreetoMonsieurDefarge。

`Isallthespiltwineswallowed?\'

`Everydrop，Jacques，\'answeredMonsieurDefarge。

Whenthisinterchangeofchristiannamewaseffected。MadameDefarge，pickingherteethwithhertoothpickcoughedanothergrainofcough，andraisedhereyebrowsbythebreadthofanotherline。

`Itisnotoften，\'saidthesecondofthethree，addressingMonsieurDefarge，`thatmanyofthesemiserablebeastsknowthetasteofwine，orofanythingbutblackbreadanddeath。Isitnotso，Jacques?\'

`Itisso，Jacques，\'MonsieurDefargereturned。

Atthissecondinterchangeofthechristianname，MadameDefarge，stillusinghertoothpickwithprofoundcomposure，coughedanothergrainofcough，andraisedhereyebrowsbythebreadthofanotherline。

Thelastofthethreenowsaidhissay，asheputdownhisemptydrinkingvesselandsmackedhislips。

`Ah!Somuchtheworse!Abittertasteitisthatsuchpoorcattlealwayshaveintheirmouths，andhardlivestheylive，Jacques。AmIright，Jacques?\'

`Youareright，Jacques，\'wastheresponseofMonsieurDefarge。

ThisthirdinterchangeofthechristiannamewascompletedatthemomentwhenMadameDefargeputhertoothpickby，kepthereyebrowsup，andslightlyrustledinherseat。

`Holdthen!True!\'mutteredherhusband。`Gentlemen——mywife!\'

ThethreecustomerspulledofftheirhatstoMadameDefarge，withthreeflourishes。Sheacknowledgedtheirhomagebybendingherhead，andgivingthemaquicklook。Thensheglancedinacasualmannerroundthewine-shop，tookupherknittingwithgreatapparentcalmnessandreposeofspirit，andbecameabsorbedinit。

`Gentlemen，\'saidherhusband，whohadkepthisbrighteyeobservantlyuponher，`goodday。Thechamber，furnishedbachelor-fashion，thatyouwishedtosee，and`wereinquiringforwhenIsteppedout，isonthefifthfloor。Thedoorwayofthestaircasegivesonthelittlecourt-yardclosetothelefthere，\'pointingwithhishand，`neartothewindowofmyestablishment。