第5章

`Youaretheyoungladyjustnowreferredto?\'

`O!mostunhappily，Iam。\'

TheplaintivetoneofhercompassionmergedintothelessmusicalvoiceoftheJudge，ashesaidsomethingfiercely:`Answerthequestionsputtoyou，andmakenoremarkuponthem。\'

`MissManette，hadyouanyconversationwiththeprisoneronthatpassageacrosstheChannel?\'

`Yes，sir。\'

`Recallit。\'

Inthemidstofaprofoundstillness，shefaintlybegan:`Whenthegentlemancameonboard\'

`Doyoumeantheprisoner?\'inquiredtheJudge，knittinghisbrows。

`Yes，myLord。\'

`Thensaytheprisoner。\'

`Whentheprisonercameonboard，henoticedthatmyfather，\'

turninghereyeslovinglytohimashestoodbesideher，wasmuchfatiguedandinaveryweakstateofhealth。MyfatherwassoreducedthatIwasafraidtotakehimoutoftheair，andIhadmadeabedforhimonthedecknearthecabinsteps，andIsatonthedeckathissidetotakecareofhim。Therewerenootherpassengersthatnight，butwefour。TheprisonerwassogoodastobegpermissiontoadvisemehowIcouldsheltermyfatherfromthewindandweather，betterthanIhaddone。Ihadnotknownhowtodoitwell，notunderstandinghowthewindwouldsetwhenwewereoutoftheharbour。Hediditforme。Heexpressedgreatgentlenessandkindnessformyfather\'sstate，andIamsurehefeltit。Thatwasthemannerofourbeginningtospeaktogether。\'

`Letmeinterruptyouforamoment。Hadhecomeonboardalone?\'

`No。\'

`Howmanywerewithhim?\'

`TwoFrenchgentlemen。\'

`Hadtheyconferredtogether?\'

`Theyhadconferredtogetheruntilthelastmoment，whenitwasnecessaryfortheFrenchgentlementobelandedintheirboat。\'

`Hadanypapersbeenhandedaboutamongthem，similartotheselists?\'

`Somepapershadbeenhandedaboutamongthem，butIdon\'tknowwhatpapers。\'

`Liketheseinshapeandsize?\'

`Possibly，butindeedIdon\'tknow，althoughtheystoodwhisperingveryneartome:becausetheystoodatthetopofthecabinstepstohavethelightofthelampthatwashangingthere；itwasadulllamp，andtheyspokeverylow，andIdidnothearwhattheysaid，andsawonlythattheylookedatpapers。\'

`Now，totheprisoner\'sconversation，MissManette。\'

`Theprisonerwasasopeninhisconfidencewithme-whicharoseoutofmyhelplesssituation-ashewaskind，andgood，andusefultomyfather。Ihope，\'burstingintotears，`Imaynotrepayhimbydoinghimharmto-day。\'

Buzzingfromtheblue-flies。

`MissManette，iftheprisonerdoesnotperfectlyunderstandthatyougivetheevidencewhichitisyourdutytogive——whichyoumustgive——andwhichyoucannotescapefromgiving——withgreatunwillingness，heistheonlypersonpresentinthatcondition。Pleasetogoon。

`Hetoldmethathewastravellingonbusinessofadelicateanddifficultnature，whichmightgetpeopleintotrouble，andthathewasthereforetravellingunderanassumedname。Hesaidthatthisbusinesshad，withinafewdays，takenhimtoFrance，andmight，atintervals，takehimbackwardsandforwardsbetweenFranceandEnglandforalongtimetocome。\'

`DidhesayanythingaboutAmerica，MissManette?Beparticular。\'

`Hetriedtoexplaintomehowthatquarrelhadarisen，andhesaidthat，sofarashecouldjudge，itwasawrongandfoolishoneonEngland\'spart。Headded，inajestingway，thatperhapsGeorgeWashingtonmightgainalmostasgreatanameinhistoryasGeorgetheThird。Buttherewasnoharminhiswayofsayingthis:itwassaidlaughingly，andtobeguilethetime。\'

Anystronglymarkedexpressionoffaceonthepartofachiefactorinasceneofgreatinteresttowhommanyeyesaredirected，willbeunconsciouslyimitatedbythespectators。Herforeheadwaspainfullyanxiousandintentasshegavethisevidence，and，inthepauseswhenshestoppedfortheJudgetowriteitdown，watcheditseffectuponthecounselforandagainst。Amongthelookers-ontherewasthesameexpressioninallquartersofthecourt；insomuch，thatagreatmajorityoftheforeheadsthere，mighthavebeenmirrorsreflectingthewitness，whentheJudgelookedupfromhisnotestoglareatthattremendousheresyaboutGeorgeWashington。

Mr。Attorney-GeneralnowsignifiedtomyLord，thathedeemeditnecessary，asamatterofprecautionandform，tocalltheyounglady\'sfather，DoctorManette。Whowascalledaccordingly。

`DoctorManette，lookupontheprisoner。Haveyoueverseenhimbefore?\'

`Once。WhenhecalledatmylodgingsinLondon。Somethreeyears，orthreeyearsandahalfago。\'

`Canyouidentifyhimasyourfellow-passengeronboardthepacket，orspeaktohisconversationwithyourdaughter?\'

`Sir，Icandoneither。\'

`Isthereanyparticularandspecialreasonforyourbeingunabletodoeither?\'

Heanswered，inalowvoice，`Thereis。\'

`Hasitbeenyourmisfortunetoundergoalongimprisonment，withouttrial，orevenaccusation，inyournativecountry，DoctorManette?\'

Heanswered，inatonethatwenttoeveryheart，`Alongimprisonment。\'

`Wereyounewly，releasedontheoccasioninquestion?\'

`Theytellmeso。`Haveyounoremembranceoftheoccasion?\'

`None。Mymindisablank，fromsometime——Icannotevensaywhattime——whenIemployedmyself，inmycaptivity，inmakingshoes，tothetimewhenIfoundmyselflivinginLondonwithmydeardaughterhere。Shehadbecomefamiliartome，whenagraciousGodrestoredmyfaculties；but，Iamquiteunableeventosayhowshehadbecomefamiliar。Ihavenoremembranceoftheprocess。\'

Mr。Attorney-Generalsatdown，andthefatheranddaughtersatdowntogether。

Asingularcircumstancethenaroseinthecase。Theobjectinhandbeingtoshowthattheprisonerwentdown，withsomefellow-plotteruntracked，intheDovermailonthatFridaynightinNovemberfiveyearsago，andgotoutofthemailinthenight，asablind，ataplacewherehedidnotremain，butfromwhichhetravelledbacksomedozenmilesormore，toagarrisonanddockyard，andtherecollectedinformation；awitnesswascalledtoidentifyhimashavingbeenattheprecisetimerequired，inthecoffee-roomofanhotelinthatgarrison-and-dockyardtown，waitingforanotherperson。Theprisoner\'scounselwascross-examiningthiswitnesswithnoresult，exceptthathehadneverseentheprisoneronanyotheroccasion，whenthewiggedgentlemanwhohadallthistimebeenlookingattheceilingofthecourt，wroteawordortwoonalittlepieceofpaper，screweditup，andtossedittohim。Openingthispieceofpaperinthenextpause，thecounsellookedwithgreatattentionandcuriosityattheprisoner。

`Yousayagainyouarequitesurethatitwastheprisoner?\'Thewitnesswasquitesure。`Didyoueverseeanybodyveryliketheprisoner?\'

Notsolike(thewitnesssaid)asthathecouldbemistaken。`Lookwelluponthatgentleman，mylearnedfriendthere，\'pointingtohimwhohadtossedthepaperover，`andthenlookwellupontheprisoner。Howsayyou?

Aretheyverylikeeachother?\'

Allowingformylearnedfriend\'sappearancebeingcarelessandslovenlyifnotdebauched，theyweresufficientlylikeeachothertosurprise，notonlythewitness，buteverybodypresent，whentheywerethusbroughtintocomparison。MyLordbeingprayedtobidmylearnedfriendlayasidehiswig，andgivingnoverygraciousconsent，thelikenessbecamemuchmoreremarkable。MyLordinquiredofMr。Stryver(theprisoner\'scounsel)，whethertheywerenexttotryMr。Carton(nameofmylearnedfriend)fortreason?But，Mr。StryverrepliedtomyLord，no；buthewouldaskthewitnesstotellhimwhetherwhathappenedonce，mighthappentwice；whetherhewouldhavebeensoconfidentifhehadseenthisillustrationofhisrashnesssooner，whetherhewouldbesoconfident，havingseenit；andmore。Theupshotofwhichwas，tosmashthiswitnesslikeacrockeryvessel，andshiverhispartofthecasetouselesslumber。

Mr。Cruncherhadbythistimetakenquitealunchofrustoffhisfingersinhisfollowingoftheevidence。HehadnowtoattendwhileMr。Stryverfittedtheprisoner\'scaseonthejury，likeacompactsuitofclothes；showingthemhowthepatriot，Barsad，wasahiredspyandtraitor，anunblushingtraffickerinblood，andoneofthegreatestscoundrelsuponearthsinceaccursedJudas——whichhecertainlydidlookratherlike。Howthevirtuousservant，Cly，washisfriendandpartner，andwasworthytobe；howthewatchfuleyesofthoseforgersandfalseswearershadrestedontheprisonerasavictim，becausesomefamilyaffairsinFrance，hebeingofFrenchextraction，didrequirehismakingthosepassagesacrosstheChannel——thoughwhatthoseaffairswere，aconsiderationforotherswhowerenearanddeartohim，forbadhim，evenforhislife，todisclose。

Howtheevidencethathadbeenwarpedandwrestedfromtheyounglady，whoseanguishingivingittheyhadwitnessed，cametonothing，involvingthemerelittleinnocentgallantriesandpolitenesseslikelytopassbetweenanyyounggentlemanandyoungladysothrowntogether；——withtheexceptionofthatreferencetoGeorgeWashington，whichwasaltogethertooextravagantandimpossibletoberegardedinanyotherlightthanasamonstrousjoke。

Howitwouldbeaweaknessinthegovernmenttobreakdowninthisattempttopractiseforpopularityonthelowestnationalantipathiesandfears，andthereforeMr。Attorney-Generalhadmadethemostofit；how，nevertheless，itresteduponnothing，savethatvileandinfamouscharacterofevidencetoooftendisfiguringsuchcases，andofwhichtheStateTrialsofthiscountrywerefull。But，theremyLordinterposed(withasgraveafaceasifithadnotbeentrue)，sayingthathecouldnotsituponthatBenchandsufferthoseallusions。

Mr。Stryverthencalledhisfewwitnesses，andMr。CruncherhadnexttoattendwhileMr。Attorney-GeneralturnedthewholesuitofclothesMr。Stryverhadfittedonthejury，insideout；showinghowBarsadandClywereevenahundredtimesbetterthanhehadthoughtthem，andtheprisonerahundredtimesworse。Lastly，camemyLordhimselfturningthesuitofclothes，nowinsideout，nowoutsidein，butonthewholedecidedlytrimmingandshapingthemintograve-clothesfortheprisoner。

Andnow，thejuryturnedtoconsider，andthegreatfliesswarmedagain。

Mr。Carton，whohadsolongsatlookingattheceilingofthecourt，changedneitherhisplacenorhisattitude，eveninthisexcitement。

Whilehislearnedfriend，Mr。Stryver，massinghispapersbeforehim，whisperedwiththosewhosatnear，andfromtimetotimeglancedanxiouslyatthejury；whileallthespectatorsmovedmoreorless，andgroupedthemselvesanew；whileevenmyLordhimselfarosefromhisseat，andslowlypacedupanddownhisplatform，notunattendedbyasuspicioninthemindsoftheaudiencethathisstatewasfeverish；thisonemansatleaningback，withhistorngownhalfoffhim，hisuntidywigputonjustasithadhappenedtolightonhisheadafteritsremoval，hishandsinhispockets，andhiseyesontheceilingastheyhadbeenallday。Somethingespeciallyrecklessinhisdemeanour，notonlygavehimadisreputablelook，butsodiminishedthestrongresemblanceheundoubtedlyboretotheprisoner(whichhismomentaryearnestness，whentheywerecomparedtogether，hadstrengthened)，thatmanyofthelookers-on，takingnoteofhimnow，saidtooneanothertheywouldhardlyhavethoughtthetwoweresoalike。Mr。Crunchermadetheobservationtohisnextneighbour，andadded，`I\'dholdhalfaguineathathedon\'tgetnolaw-worktodo。Don\'tlooklikethesortofonetogetany，dohe?\'

Yet，thisMr。Cartontookinmoreofthedetailsofthescenethanheappearedtotakein；fornow，whenMissManette\'sheaddroppeduponherfather\'sbreast，hewasthefirsttoseeit，andtosayaudibly:

`Officer!looktothatyounglady。Help，thegentlemantotakeherout。

Don\'tyouseeshewillfall!\'

Therewasmuchcommiserationforherasshewasremoved，andmuchsympathywithherfather。Ithadevidentlybeenagreatdistresstohim，tohavethedaysofhisimprisonmentrecalled。Hehadshownstronginternalagitationwhenhewasquestioned，andthatponderingorbroodinglookwhichmadehimold，hadbeenuponhim，likeaheavycloud，eversince。Ashepassedout，thejury，whohadturnedbackandpausedamoment，spoke，throughtheirforeman。

Theywerenotagreed，andwishedtoretire。MyLord(perhapswithGeorgeWashingtononhismind)showedsomesurprisethattheywerenotagreed，butsignifiedhispleasurethattheyshouldretireunderwatchandward，andretiredhimself。Thetrialhadlastedallday，andthelampsinthecourtwerenowbeinglighted。Itbegantoberumouredthatthejurywouldbeoutalongwhile。Thespectatorsdroppedofftogetrefreshment，andtheprisonerwithdrewtothebackofthedock，andsatdown。

Mr。Larry，whohadgoneoutwhentheyoungladyandherfatherwentout，nowreappeared，andbeckonedtoJerry:who，intheslackenedinterest，couldeasilygetnearhim。

`Jerry，ifyouwishtotakesomethingtoeat，youcan。But，keepintheway。Youwillbesuretohearwhenthejurycomein。Don\'tbeamomentbehindthem，forIwantyoutotaketheverdictbacktothebank。

YouarethequickestmessengerIknow，andwillgettoTempleBarlongbeforeIcan。\'

Jerryhadjustenoughforeheadtoknuckle，andheknuckledinacknowledgmentofthiscommunicationandashilling。

Mr。Cartoncameupatthemoment，andtouchedMr。Lorryonthearm。

`Howistheyounglady?\'

`Sheisgreatlydistressed；butherfatheriscomfortingher，andshefeelsthebetterforbeingoutofcourt。\'

`I\'lltelltheprisonerso。Itwon\'tdoforarespectablebankgentlemanlikeyou，tobeseenspeakingtohimpublicly，youknow。\'

Mr。Lorryreddenedasifhewereconsciousofhavingdebatedthepointinhismind，andMr。Cartonmadehiswaytotheoutsideofthebar。

Thewayoutofcourtlayinthatdirection，andJerryfollowedhim，alleyes，ears，andspikes。

`Mr。Darnay!\'

Theprisonercameforwarddirectly。

`Youwillnaturallybeanxioustohearofthewitness，MissManette。

Shewilldoverywell。Youhaveseentheworstofheragitation。\'

`Iamdeeplysorrytohavebeenthecauseofit。Couldyoutellhersoforme，withmyferventacknowledgments?\'

`Yes，Icould。Iwill，ifyouaskit。\'

Mr。Carton\'smannerwassocarelessastobealmostinsolent。

Hestood，halfturnedfromtheprisoner，loungingwithhiselbowagainstthebar。

`Idoaskit。Acceptmycordialthanks。\'

`What，\'saidCarton，stillonlyhalfturnedtowardshim，`doyouexpect，Mr。Darnay?\'

`Theworst。\'

`It\'sthewisestthingtoexpect，andthelikeliest。ButIthinktheirwithdrawingisinyourfavour。

Loiteringonthewayoutofcourtnotbeingallowed，Jerryheardnomore:butleftthem——solikeeachotherinfeature，sounlikeeachotherinmanner——standingsidebyside，bothreflectedintheglassabovethem。

Anhourandahalflimpedheavilyawayinthethief-and-rascalcrowdedpassagesbelow，eventhoughassistedoffwithmuttonpiesandale。

Thehoarsemessenger，uncomfortablyseatedonaformaftertakingthatrefection，haddroppedintoadoze，whenaloudmurmurandarapidtideofpeoplesettingupthestairsthatledtothecourt，carriedhimalongwiththem。

`Jerry!Jerry!\'Mr。Lorrywasalreadycallingatthedoorwhenhegotthere。

`Here，sir!It\'safighttogetbackagain。HereIam，sir!\'

Mr。Lorryhandedhimapaperthroughthethrong。`Quick!Haveyougotit?\'

`Yes，sir!\'

Hastilywrittenonthepaperwastheword`ACQUITTED\'。

`Ifyouhadsentthemessage，"RecalledtoLife，"again，mutteredJerry，asheturned，`Ishouldhaveknownwhatyoumeant，thistime。\'

Hehadnoopportunityofsaying，orsomuchasthinking，anythingelse，untilhewasclearoftheOldBailey；for，thecrowdcamepouringoutwithavehemencethatnearlytookhimoffhislegs，andaloudbuzzsweptintothestreetasifthebaffledblue-fliesweredispersinginsearchofothercarrion。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIVCongratulatoryFROMthedimly-lightedpassagesofthecourt，thelastsedimentofthehumanstewthathadbeenboilingthereallday，wasstrainingoff，whenDoctorManette，LucieManette，hisdaughter，Mr。Lorry，thesolicitorforthedefence，anditscounsel，Mr。Stryver，stoodgatheredroundMr。CharlesDarnay——justreleased——congratulatinghimonhisescapefromdeath。

Itwouldhavebeendifficultbyafarbrighterlight，torecogniseinDoctorManette，intellectualoffaceanduprightofbearing，theshoemakerofthegarretinParis。Yet，noonecouldhavelookedathimtwice，withoutlikingagain:eventhoughtheopportunityofobservationhadnotextendedtothemournfulcadenceofhislowgravevoice，andtotheabstractionthatovercloudedhimfitfully，withoutanyapparentreason。Whileoneexternalcause，andthatareferencetohislonglingeringagony，wouldalways——asonthetrial——evokethisconditionfromthedepthsofhissoul，itwasalsoinitsnaturetoariseofitself，andtodrawagloomoverhim，asincomprehensibletothoseunacquaintedwithhisstoryasiftheyhadseentheshadowoftheactualBastillethrownuponhimbyasummersun，whenthesubstancewasthreehundredmilesaway。

Onlyhisdaughterhadthepowerofcharmingthisblackbroodingfromhismind。ShewasthegoldenthreadthatunitedhimtoaPastbeyondhismisery，andtoaPresentbeyondhismisery:andthesoundofhervoice，thelightofherface，thetouchofherhand，hadastrongbeneficialinfluencewithhimalmostalways。Notabsolutelyalways，forshecouldrecallsomeoccasionsonwhichherpowerhadfailed；buttheywerefewandslight，andshebelievedthemover。

Mr。Darnayhadkissedherhandferventlyandgratefully，andhadturnedtoMr。Stryver，whomhewarmlythanked。Mr。Stryver，amanoflittlemorethanthirty，butlookingtwentyyearsolderthanhewas，stout，loud，red，bluff，andfreefromanydrawbackofdelicacy，hadapushingwayofshoulderinghimself(morallyandphysically)intocompaniesandconversations，thatarguedwellforhisshoulderinghiswayupinlife。

Hestillhadhiswigandgownon，andhesaid，squaringhimselfathislateclienttothatdegreethathesqueezedtheinnocentMr。Lorrycleanoutofthegroup:`Iamgladtohavebroughtyouoffwithhonour，Mr。Darnay。Itwasaninfamousprosecution，grosslyinfamous；butnotthelesslikelytosucceedonthataccount。

`Youhavelaidmeunderanobligationtoyouforlife-intwosenses，\'

saidhislateclient，takinghishand。

`Ihavedonemybestforyou，Mr。Darnay；andmybestisasgoodasanotherman\'s，Ibelieve。\'

Itclearlybeingincumbentonsomeonetosay，`Muchbetter，\'

Mr。Lorrysaidit；perhapsnotquitedisinterestedly，butwiththeinterestedobjectofsqueezinghimselfbackagain。

`Youthinkso?\'saidMr。Stryver。`Well!youhavebeenpresentallday，，andyououghttoknow。Youareamanofbusiness，too。

`Andassuch，\'quothMr。Larry，whomthecounsellearnedinthelawhadnowshoulderedbackintothegroup，justashehadpreviouslyshoulderedhimoutofit——`assuchIwillappealtoDoctorManette，tobreakupthisconferenceandorderusalltoourhomes。MissLucielooksill，Mr。Darnayhashadaterribleday，wearewornout。\'

`Speakforyourself，Mr。Lorry，\'saidStryver；`Ihaveanight\'sworktodoyet。Speakforyourself。\'

`Ispeakformyself，\'answeredMr。Lorry，`andforMr。Darnay，andforMissLucie，and——MissLucie，doyounotthinkImayspeakforusall?\'Heaskedherthequestionpointedly，andwithaglanceatherfather。

Hisfacehadbecomefrozen，asitwere，inaverycuriouslookatDarnay:anintentlook，deepeningintoafrownofdislikeanddistrust，notevenunmixedwithfear。Withthisstrangeexpressiononhimhisthoughtshadwanderedaway。

`Myfather，\'saidLucie，softlylayingherhandonhis。

Heslowlyshooktheshadowoff，andturnedtoher。

`Shallwegohome，myfather?\'

Withalongbreath，heanswered`Yes。\'

Thefriendsoftheacquittedprisonerhaddispersed，undertheimpressionwhichhehimselfhadoriginated——thathewouldnotbereleasedthatnight。Thelightswerenearlyallextinguishedinthepassages，theirongateswerebeingclosedwithajarandarattle，andthedismalplacewasdeserteduntilto-morrowmorning\'sinterestofgallows，pillory，whipping-post，andbranding-iron，shouldre-peopleit。WalkingbetweenherfatherandMr。Darnay，LucieManettepassedintotheopenair。Ahackney-coachwascalled，andthefatheranddaughterdepartedinit。

Mr。Stryverhadlefttheminthepassages，toshoulderhiswaybacktotherobing-room。Anotherperson，whohadnotjoinedthegroup，orinterchangedawordwithanyoneofthem，butwhohadbeenleaningagainstthewallwhereitsshadowwasdarkest，hadsilentlystrolledoutaftertherest，andhadlookedonuntilthecoachdroveaway。HenowsteppeduptowhereMr。LorryandMr。Darnaystooduponthepavement。

`So，Mr。Lorry!MenofbusinessmayspeaktoMr。Darnaynow?\'

NobodyhadmadeanyacknowledgmentofMr。Carton\'spartintheday\'sproceedings；nobodyhadknownofit。Hewasunrobed，andwasnonethebetterforitinappearance。

`Ifyouknewwhataconflictgoesoninthebusinessmind，whenthebusinessmindisdividedbetweengood-naturedimpulseandbusinessappearances，youwouldbeamused，Mr。Darnay。\'

Mr。Lorryreddened，andsaid，warmly，`Youhavementionedthatbefore，sir。Wemenofbusiness，whoserveaHouse，arenotourownmasters。

WehavetothinkoftheHousemorethanourselves。\'

`Iknow，Iknow，\'rejoinedMr。Carton，carelessly。`Don\'tbenettled，Mr。Lorry。Youareasgoodasanother，Ihavenodoubt:better，Idaresay。\'

`Andindeed，sir，\'pursuedMr。Lorry，notmindinghim，`Ireallydon\'tknowwhatyouhavetodowiththematter。Ifyou\'llexcuseme，asverymuchyourcider，forsayingso，Ireallydon\'tknowthatitisyourbusiness。\'

`Business!Blessyou，Ihavenobusiness，\'saidMr。Carton。`Itisapityyouhavenot，sir。\'

`Ithinkso，too。\'

`Ifyouhad，\'pursuedMr。Lorry，`perhapsyouwouldattendtoit。\'

`Lordloveyou，no!——Ishouldn\'t，\'saidMr。Carton。

`Well，sir!\'criedMr。Lorry，thoroughlyheatedbyhisindifference，`businessisaverygoodthing，andaveryrespectablething。And，sir，ifbusinessimposesitsrestraintsanditssilencesandimpediments，Mr。

Darnayasayounggentlemanofgenerosityknowshowtomakeallowanceforthatcircumstance。Mr。Darnay，good-night，Godblessyou，sir!Ihopeyouhavebeenthisdaypreservedforaprosperousandhappylife——Chairthere!\'

Perhaps\'alittleangrywithhimselfaswellaswiththebarrister，Mr。Lorryhustledintothechair，andwascarriedofftoTellson\'s。Carton，whosmeltofportwine，anddidnotappeartobequitesober，laughedthen，andturnedtoDarnay:

`Thisisastrangechancethatthrowsyouandmetogether。Thismustbeastrangenighttoyou，standingaloneherewithyourcounterpartonthesestreetstones?\'

`Ihardlyseemyet，\'returnedCharlesDarnay，`tobelongtothisworldagain。\'

`Idon\'twonderatit；it\'snotsolongsinceyouwereprettyfaradvancedonyourwaytoanother。Youspeakfaintly。\'

`IbegintothinkIamfaint。\'

`Thenwhythedevildon\'tyoudine?Idined，myselfwhilethosenumskullsweredeliberatingwhichworldyoushouldbelongto——this，orsomeother。Letmeshowyouthenearesttaverntodinewellat。\'

Drawinghisarmthroughhisown，hetookhimdownLudgate-hilltoFleet-street，andso，upacoveredway，intoatavern。Here，theywereshownintoalittleroom，whereCharlesDarnaywassoonrecruitinghisstrengthwithagoodplaindinnerandgoodwine:whileCartonsatoppositetohimatthesametable，withhisseparatebottleofportbeforehim，andhisfullyhalf-insolentmanneruponhim。

`Doyoufeel，yet，thatyoubelongtothisterrestrialschemeagain，Mr。Darnay?\'

`Iamfrightfullyconfusedregardingtimeand\'place；butIamsofarmendedastofeelthat。\'

`Itmustbeanimmensesatisfaction!\'

Hesaiditbitterly，andfilleduphisglassagain:whichwasalargeone。

`Astome，thegreatestdesireIhave，istoforgetthatIbelongtoit。Ithasnogoodinitforme——exceptwinelikethis——norIforit。

Sowearenotmuchalikeinthatparticular。Indeed，Ibegintothinkwearenotmuchalikeinanyparticular，youandI。\'

Confusedbytheemotionoftheday，andfeelinghisbeingtherewiththisDoubleofcoarsedeportment，tobelikeadream，CharlesDarnaywasatalosshowtoanswer；finally，answerednotatall。

`Nowyourdinnerisdone，\'Cartonpresentlysaid，`whydon\'tyoucallahealth，Mr。Darnay；whydon\'tyougiveyourtoast?\'

`Whathealth?Whattoast?\'

`Why，it\'sonthetipofyourtongue。Itoughttobe，itmustbe，I\'llswearit\'sthere。

`MissManette，then!\'

`MissManette，then!\'

Lookinghiscompanionfullinthefacewhilehedrankthetoast，Cartonflunghisglassoverhisshoulderagainstthewall，whereitshiveredtopieces；then，rangthebell，andorderedinanother。

`That\'safairyoungladytohandtoacoachinthedark，Mr。

Darnay!\'hesaid，fillinghisnewgoblet。

Aslightfrownandalaconic`Yes，\'weretheanswer。

`That\'safairyoungladytobepitiedbyandweptforby!Howdoesitfeel?Isitworthbeingtriedforone\'slife，tobetheobjectofsuchsympathyandcompassion，Mr。Darnay?\'

AgainDarnayanswerednotaword。

`Shewasmightilypleasedtohaveyourmessage，whenIgaveither。Notthatsheshowedshewaspleased，butIsupposeshewas。\'

TheallusionservedasatimelyremindertoDarnaythatthisdisagreeablecompanionhad，ofhisownfreewill，assistedhiminthestraitoftheday。Heturnedthedialoguetothatpoint，andthankedhimforit。

`Ineitherwantanythanks，normeritany，\'wasthecarelessrejoinder。

`Itwasnothingtodo，inthefirstplace；andIdon\'tknowwhyIdidit，inthesecond。Mr。Darnay，let\'measkyouaquestion。\'

`Willingly，andasmallreturnforyourgoodoffices。\'

`DoyouthinkIparticularlylikeyou?\'

`Really，Mr。Carton，\'returnedtheother，oddlydisconcerted，`Ihavenotaskedmyselfthequestion。\'

`Butaskyourselfthequestionnow。\'

`Youhaveactedasifyoudo；butIdon\'tthinkyoudo。\'

`1don\'tthinkIdo，\'saidCarton。`Ibegintohaveaverygoodopinionofyourunderstanding。\'

`Nevertheless，\'pursuedDarnay，risingtoringthebell，`thereisnothinginthat，Ihope，topreventmycallingthereckoning，andourpartingwithoutill-bloodoneitherside。\'

Cartonrejoining，`Nothinginlife!\'Darnayrang。`Doyoucallthewholereckoning?\'saidCarton。Onhisansweringintheaffirmative，`Thenbringmeanotherpintofthissamewine，drawer，andcomeandwakemeatten。\'

Thebillbeingpaid，CharlesDarnayroseandwishedhimgood-night。

Withoutreturningthewish，Cartonrosetoo，withsomethingofathreatofdefianceinhismanner，andsaid，`Alastword，Mr。Darnay:youthinkIamdrunk?\'

`Ithinkyouhavebeendrinking，Mr。Carton。\'

`Think?YouknowIhavebeendrinking。\'

`SinceImustsayso，Iknowit。\'

`Thenyoushalllikewiseknowwhy。Iamadisappointeddrudge，sir。Icarefornomanonearth，andnomanonearthcaresforme。\'

`Muchtoberegretted。Youmighthaveusedyourtalentsbetter。\'

`Maybeso，Mr。Darnay；maybenot。Don\'tletyoursoberfaceelateyou，however；youdon\'tknowwhatitmaycometo。Good-night!\'

Whenhewasleftalone，thisstrangebeingtookupacandle，wenttoaglassthathungagainstthewall，andsurveyedhimselfminutelyinit。

`Doyouparticularlyliketheman?\'hemuttered，athisownimage；

`whyshouldyouparticularlylikeamanwhoresemblesyou?Thereisnothinginyoutolike；youknowthat。Ah，confoundyou!Whatachangeyouhavemadeinyourself!Agoodreasonfortakingtoaman，thatheshowsyouwhatyouhavefallenawayfrom，andwhatyoumighthavebeen!Changeplaceswithhim，andwouldyouhavebeenlookedatbythoseblueeyesashewas，andcommiseratedbythatagitatedfaceashewas?Comeon，andhaveitoutinplainwords!Youhatethefellow。\'

Heresortedtohispintofwineforconsolation，drankitallinafewminutes，andfellasleeponhisarms，withhishairstragglingoverthetable，andalongwinding-sheetinthecandledrippingdownuponhim。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVTheJackalTHOSEweredrinkingdays，andmootmendrankhard。SoverygreatistheimprovementTimehasbroughtaboutinsuchhabits，thatamoderatestatementofthequantityofwineandpunchwhichonemanwouldswallowinthecourseofanight，withoutanydetrimenttohisreputationasaperfectgentleman，wouldseem，inthesedays，aridiculousexaggeration。ThelearnedprofessionofthelawwascertainlynotbehindanyotherlearnedprofessioninitsBacchanalianPropensities；neitherwasMr。Stryver，alreadyfastshoulderinghiswaytoalargeandlucrativepractice，behindhiscompeersinthisparticular，anymorethaninthedrierpartsofthelegalrace。

AfavouriteattheOldBailey，andekeattheSessions，Mr。Stryverhadbeguncautiouslytohewawaythelowerstavesoftheladderonwhichhemounted。SessionsandOldBaileyhadnowtosummontheirfavourite，specially，totheirlongingarms；andshoulderingitselftowardsthevisageoftheLordChiefJusticeintheCourtofKing\'sBench，thefloridcountenanceofMr。Stryvermightbedailyseen，burstingoutofthebedofwigs，likeagreatsunflowerpushingitswayatthesunfromamongarankgardenfullofflaringcompanions。

adoncebeennotedattheBar，thatwhileMr。Stryverwasaglibman，andanunscrupulous，andaready，andabold，hehadnotthatfacultyofextractingtheessencefromaheapofstatements，whichisamongthemoststrikingandnecessaryoftheadvocate\'saccomplishments。Butaremarkableimprovementcameuponhimastothis。Themorebusinesshegot，thegreaterhispowerseemedtogrowofgettingatitspithandmarrow；andhoweverlateatnighthesatcarousingwithSydneyCarton，healwayshadhispointsathisfingers\'endsinthemorning。

SydneyCarton，idlestandmostunpromisingofmen，wasStryver\'sgreatally。Whatthetwodranktogether，betweenHilaryTermandMichaelmas，mighthavefloatedaking\'sship。Stryverneverhadacaseinhand，anywhere，butCartonwasthere，withhishandsinhispockets，staringattheceilingofthecourt；theywentthesameCircuit，andeventheretheyprolongedtheirusualorgieslateintothenight，andCartonwasrumouredtobeseenatbroadday，goinghomestealthilyandunsteadilytohislodgings，likeadissipatedcat。Atlast，itbegantogetabout，amongsuchaswereinterestedinthematter，thatalthoughSydneyCartonwouldneverbealion，hewasanamazinglygoodjackal，andthatherenderedsuitandservicetoStryverinthathumblecapacity。

`Teno\'clock，sir，\'saidthemanatthetavern，whomhehadchargedtowakehim——\'teno\'clock，sir。\'

`What\'sthematter?\'

`Teno\'clock，sir。\'

`Whatdoyoumean?Teno\'clockatnight?\'

`Yes，sir。Yourhonourtoldmetocallyou。\'

`Oh!Iremember。Verywell，verywell。\'

Afterafewdulleffortstogettosleepagain，whichthemandexterouslycombatedbystirringthefirecontinuouslyforfiveminutes，hegotup，tossedhishaton，andwalkedout。HeturnedintotheTemple，and，havingrevivedhimselfbytwicepacingthepavementsofKing\'sBench-walkandPaper-buildings，turnedintotheStryverchambers。

TheStryverclerk，whoneverassistedattheseconferences，hadgonehome，andtheStryverprincipalopenedthedoor。Hehadhisslipperson，andaloosebed-gown，andhisthroatwasbareforhisgreaterease。

Hehadthatratherwild，strained，searedmarkingabouttheeyes，whichmaybeobservedinallfreeliversofhisclass，fromtheportraitofJeffriesdownward，andwhichcanbetraced，undervariousdisguisesofArt，throughtheportraitsofeveryDrinkingAge。

`Youarealittlelate，Memory，\'saidStryver。

`Abouttheusualtime；itmaybeaquarterofanhourlater。\'

Theywentintoadingyroomlinedwithbooksandlitteredwithpapers，wheretherewasablazingfire。Akettlesteameduponthehob，andinthemidstofthewreckofpapersatableshone，withplentyofwineuponit，andbrandy，andrum，andsugar，andlemons。

`Youhavehadyourbottle，Iperceive，Sydney。\'

`Twoto-night，Ithink。Ihavebeendiningwiththeday\'sclient；

orseeinghimdine——it\'sallone!\'

`Thatwasararepoint，Sydney，thatyoubroughttobearupontheidentification。Howdidyoucomebyit?Whendiditstrikeyou?\'

`Ithoughthewasratherahandsomefellow，andIthoughtIshouldhavebeenmuchthesamesortoffellow，ifIhadhadanyluck。\'

Mr。Stryverlaughedtillheshookhisprecociouspaunch。

`Youandyourluck，Sydney!Gettowork，gettowork。\'Sullenlyenough，thejackalloosenedhisdress，wentintoanadjoiningroom，andcamebackwithalargejugofcoldwater，abasin，andatowelortwo。

Steepingthetowelsinthewater，andpartiallywringingthemout，hefoldedthemonhisheadinamannerhideoustobehold，satdownatthetable，andsaid，`NowIamready!\'

`Notmuchboilingdowntobedoneto-night，Memory，\'saidMr。