第6章

Stryver，gaily，ashelookedamonghispapers。

`Howmuch?\'

`Onlytwosetsofthem。\'

`Givemetheworstfirst。\'

`Theretheyare，Sydney。Fireaway!\'

Thelionthencomposedhimselfonhisbackonasofaononesideofthedrinking-table，whilethejackalsatathisownPaperbestrewntableproper，ontheothersideofit，withthebottlesandglassesreadytohishand。Bothresortedtothedrinking-tablewithoutstint，buteachinadifferentway；thelionforthemostpartrecliningwithhishandsinhiswaistband，lookingatthefire，oroccasionallyflirtingwithsomelighterdocument；thejackal，withknittedbrowsandintentface，sodeepinhistask，thathiseyesdidnotevenfollowthehandhestretchedoutforhisglass——whichoftengropedabout，foraminuteormore，beforeitfoundtheglassforhislips。Twoorthreetimes，thematterinhandbecamesoknotty，thatthejackalfounditimperativeonhimtogetup，andsteephistowelsanew。Fromthesepilgrimagestothejugandbasin，hereturnedwithsucheccentricitiesofdampheadgearasnowordscandescribe；whichweremadethemoreludicrousbyhisanxiousgravity。

Atlengththejackalhadgottogetheracompactrepastforthelion，andproceededtoofferittohim。Theliontookitwithcareandcaution，madehisselectionsfromit，andhisremarksuponit，andthejackalassistedboth。Whentherepastwasfullydiscussed，thelionputhishandsinhiswaistbandagain，andlaydowntomeditate。Thejackaltheninvigoratedhimselfwithabumperforhisthrottle，andafreshapplicationtohishead，andappliedhimselftothecollectionofasecondmeal；thiswasadministeredtothelioninthesamemanner，andwasnotdisposedofuntiltheclocksstruckthreeinthemorning。

`Andnowwehavedone，Sydney，fillabumperofpunch，\'saidMr。

Stryver。

Thejackalremovedthetowelsfromhishead，whichhadbeensteamingagain，shookhimself，yawned，shivered，andcomplied。

`Youwereverysound，Sydney，inthematterofthosecrownwitnessesto-day。Everyquestiontold。\'

`Ialwaysamsound；amInot?\'

`Idon\'tgainsayit。Whathasroughen\'edyourtemper?Putsomepunchtoitandsmoothitagain。

Withadeprecatorygrunt，thejackalagaincomplied。

`TheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchool，\'saidStryver，noddinghisheadoverhimashereviewedhiminthepresentandthepast，`theoldseesawSydney。Uponeminuteanddownthenext；nowinspiritsandnowindespondency!\'

`Ah!\'returnedtheother，sighing:`yes!ThesameSydney，withthesameluck。Eventhen，Ididexercisesforotherboys，andseldomdidmyown。\'

`Andwhynot?\'`Godknows。Itwasmyway，Isuppose。\'

Hesat，withhishandsinhispocketsandhislegsstretchedoutbeforehim，lookingatthefire。

`Carton，\'saidhisfriend，squaringhimselfathimwithabullyingair，asifthefire-gratehadbeenthefurnaceinwhichsustainedendeavourwasforged，andtheonedelicatethingtobedonefortheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchoolwastoshoulderhimintoit，`yourwayis，andalwayswas，alameway。Yousummonnoenergyandpurpose。Lookatme。

`Oh，botheration!\'returnedSydney，withalighterandmoregood-humouredlaugh，`don\'t*youbemoral!\'

`HowhaveIdonewhatIhavedone?\'saidStryver；`howdoIdowhatIdo?\'

`Partlythroughpayingmetohelpyou，Isuppose。Butit\'snotworthyourwhiletoapostrophiseme，ortheair，aboutit；whatyouwanttodo，youdo。Youwerealwaysinthefrontrank，andIwasalwaysbehind。\'

`Ihadtogetintothefrontrank；Iwasnotbornthere，wasI?\'

`Iwasnotpresentattheceremony；butmyopinionisyouwere，\'

saidCarton。Atthis，helaughedagain，andtheybothlaughed。

`BeforeShrewsbury，andatShrewsbury，andeversinceShrewsbury，\'

pursuedCarton，`youhavefallenintoyourrank，andIhavefallenintomine。EvenwhenwewerefellowstudentsintheStudent-QuarterofParis，pickingupFrench，andFrenchlaw，andotherFrenchcrumbsthatwedidn\'tgetmuchgoodof，youwerealwayssomewhere，andIwasalways——nowhere。\'

`Andwhosefaultwasthat?\'

`Uponmysoul，Iamnotsurethatitwasnotyours。Youwerealwaysdrivingandrivingandshoulderingandpressing，tothatrestlessdegreethatIhadnochanceformylifebutinrustandrepose。It\'sagloomything，however，totalkaboutone\'sOwnpast，withthedaybreaking。TurnmeinsomeotherdirectionbeforeIgo。\'

`Wellthen!Pledgemetotheprettywitness，\'saidStryver，holdinguphisglass。`Areyouturnedinapleasantdirection?\'

Apparentlynot，forhebecamegloomyagain。

`Prettywitness，\'hemuttered，lookingdownintohisglass。`I

havehadenoughofwitnessesto-dayandto-night；who\'syourprettywitness?\'

`Thepicturesquedoctor\'sdaughter，MissManette。\'

`Shepretty?\'

`Isshenot?\'

`No。\'

`Why，manalive，shewastheadmirationofthewholeCourt!\'

`RottheadmirationofthewholeCourt!WhomadetheOldBaileyajudgeofbeauty?Shewasagolden-haireddoll!\'

`Doyouknow，Sydney，\'saidMr。Stryver，lookingathimwithsharpeyes，andslowlydrawingahandacrosshisfloridface:`doyouknow，I

ratherthought，atthetime，thatyousympathisedwiththegolden-haireddoll，andwerequicktoseewhat=happenedtothegolden-haireddoll?\'

`Quicktoseewhathappened!Ifagirl，dollornodoll，swoonswithinayardortwoofaman\'snose，hecanseeitwithoutaperspective-glass。

Ipledgeyou，butIdenythebeauty。AndnowI\'llhavenomoredrink；I\'llgettobed。\'

Whenhishostfollowedhimoutonthestaircasewithacandle，tolighthimdownthestairs，thedaywascoldlylookinginthroughitsgrimywindows。Whenhegotoutofthehouse，theairwascoldandsad，thedullskyovercast，theriverdarkanddim，thewholescenelikealifelessdesert。Andwreathsofdustwerespinningroundandroundbeforethemorningblast，asifthedesert-sandhadrisenfaraway，andthefirstsprayofitinitsadvancehadbeguntooverwhelmthecity。

Wasteforceswithinhim，andadesert\'allaround，thismanstoodstillonhiswayacrossasilentterrace，andsawforamoment，lyinginthewildernessbeforehim，amirageofhonourableambition，self-denial，andperseverance。Inthefaircityofthisvision，therewereairygalleriesfromwhichthelovesandgraceslookeduponhim，gardensinwhichthefruitsoflifehungripening，watersofHopethatsparkledinhissight。Amoment，anditwasgone。Climbingtoahighchamberinawellofhouses，hethrewhimselfdowninhisclothesonaneglectedbed，anditspillowwaswetwithwastedtears。

Sadly，sadly，thesunrose；itroseuponnosaddersightthanthemanofgoodabilitiesandgoodemotions，incapableoftheirdirectedexercise，incapableofhisownhelpandhisownhappiness，sensibleoftheblightonhim，andresigninghim-selftoletitcathimaway。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIHundredsofPeopleTHEquietlodgingsofDoctorManettewereinaquietstreet-cornernotfarfromSoho-square。OntheafternoonofacertainfineSundaywhenthewavesoffourmonthshadrolledoverthetrialfortreason，andcarriedit，astothepublicinterestandmemory，farouttosea，Mr。JarvisLorrywalkedalongthesunnystreetsfromClerkenwellwherehelived，onhiswaytodinewiththeDoctor。Afterseveralrelapsesintobusiness-absorption，Mr。LorryhadbecometheDoctor\'sfriend，andthequietstreet-cornerwasthesunnypartofhislife。

OnthiscertainfineSunday，Mr。LorrywalkedtowardsSoho，earlyintheafternoon，forthreereasonsofhabit。Firstly，because，onfineSundays，heoftenwalkedout，beforedinner，withtheDoctorandLucie；

secondly，because，onunfavourableSundays，hewasaccustomedtobewiththemasthefamilyfriend，talking，reading，lookingoutofwindow，andgenerallygettingthroughtheday；thirdly，becausehehappenedtohavehisownlittleshrewddoubtstosolve，andknewhowthewaysoftheDoctor\'shouseholdpointedtothattimeasalikelytimeforsolvingthem。

AquaintercornerthanthecornerwheretheDoctorlived，wasnottobefoundinLondon。Therewasnowaythroughit，andthefrontwindowsoftheDoctor\'slodgingscommandedapleasantlittlevistaofstreetthathadacongenialairofretirementonit。Therewerefewbuildingsthen，northoftheOxford-road，andforest-treesflourished，andwildflowersgrew，andthehawthornblossomed，inthenowvanishedfields。Asaconsequence，countryairscirculatedinSohowithvigorousfreedom，insteadoflanguishingintotheparishlikestraypauperswithoutasettlement；andtherewasmanyagoodsouthwall，notfaroff，onwhichthepeachesripenedintheirseason。

Thesummerlightstruckintothecornerbrilliantlyintheearlierpartoftheday；but，whenthestreetsgrewhot，thecornerwasinshadow，thoughnotinshadowsoremotebutthatyoucouldseebeyonditintoaglareofbrightness。Itwasacoolspot，staidbutcheerful，awonderfulplaceforechoes，andaveryharbourfromtheragingstreets。

Thereoughttohavebeenatranquilbarkinsuchananchorage，andtherewas。TheDoctoroccupiedtwofloorsofalargestillhouse，whereseveralcallingspurportedtobepursuedbyday，butwhereoflittlewasaudibleanyday，andwhichwasshunnedbyallofthematnight。Inabuildingattheback，attainablebyacourt-yard\'whereaplane-treerustleditsgreenleaves，church-organsclaimedtobemade，andsilvertobechased，andlikewisegoldtobebeatenbysomemysteriousgiantwhohadagoldenarmstartingoutofthewallofthefronthall——asifhehadbeatenhimselfprecious，andmenacedasimilarconversionofallvisitors。Verylittleofthesetrades，orofalonelylodgerrumouredtoliveup-stairs，orofadimcoach-trimmingmakerassertedtohaveacounting-housebelow，waseverheardorseen。Occasionally，astrayworkmanputtinghiscoaton，traversedthehall，orastrangerpeeredaboutthere，oradistantclinkwasheardacrossthecourt-yard，orathumpfromthegoldengiant。These，how-ever，wereonlytheexceptionsrequiredtoprovetherulethatthesparrowsintheplane-treebehindthehouse，andtheechoesinthecornerbeforeit，hadtheirownwayfromSundaymorninguntoSaturdaynight。

DoctorManettereceivedsuchpatientshereashisoldreputation，anditsrevivalinthefloatingwhispersofhisstory，broughthim。Hisscientificknowledge，andhisvigilanceandskillinconductingingeniousexperiments，broughthimother-wiseintomoderaterequest，andheearneda，muchashewanted。

ThesethingswerewithinMr。JarvisLorry\'sknowledge，thoughts，andnotice，whenherangthedoor-bellofthetranquilhouseinthecorner，onthefineSundayafternoon。

`DoctorManetteathome?\'

Expectedhome。

`MissLucieathome?\'

Expectedhome。

`MissProssathome?\'

Possiblyathome，butofacertaintyimpossibleforhand-maidtoanticipateintentionsofMissPross，astoadmissionordenialofthefact。

`AsIamathomemyself，\'saidMr。Lorry，`I\'llgoup-stairs。\'

AlthoughtheDoctor\'sdaughterhadknownnothingofthecountryofherbirth，sheappearedtohaveinnatelyderivedfromitthatabilitytomakemuchoflittlemeans，whichisoneofitsmostusefulandmostagreeablecharacteristics。Simpleasthefurniturewas，itwassetoffbysomanylittleadornments，ofnovaluebutfortheirtasteandfancy，thatitseffectwasdelightful。Thedispositionofeverythingintherooms，fromthelargestobjecttotheleast；thearrangementofcolours，theelegantvarietyandcontrastobtainedbythriftintrifles，bydelicatehands，cleareyes，andgoodsense；wereatoncesopleasantinthemselves，andsoexpressiveoftheiroriginator，that，asMr。Lorrystoodlookingabouthim，theverychairsandtablesseemedtoaskhim，withsomethingofthatpeculiarexpressionwhichheknewsowellbythistime，whetherheapproved?

Therewerethreeroomsonafloor，and，thedoorsbywhichtheycommunicatedbeingputopenthattheairmightpassfreelythroughthemall，Mr。Lorry，smilinglyobservantofthatfancifulresemblancewhichhedetectedallaroundhim，walkedfromonetoanother。Thefirstwasthebestroom，andinitwereLucie\'sbirds，andflowers，andbooks，anddesk，andwork-table，andboxofwater-colours；thesecondwastheDoctor\'sconsulting-room，usedalsoasthedining-room；thethird，changinglyspeckledbytherustleoftheplane-treeintheyard，wastheDoctor\'sbedroom，andthere，inacorner，stoodthedisusedshoemaker\'sbenchandtrayoftools，muchasithadstoodonthefifthfloorofthedismalhousebythewine-shop，inthesuburbofSaintAntoineinParis。

`Iwonder，\'saidMr。Lorry，pausinginhislookingabout，`thathekeepsthatreminderofhissufferingsabouthim!\'

`Andwhywonderatthat?\'wastheabruptinquirythatmadehimstart。

ItproceededfromMissPross，thewildredwoman，strongofhand，whoseacquaintancehehadfirstmadeattheRoyalGeorgeHotelatDover，andhadsinceimproved。

`Ishouldhavethought——`Mr。Lorrybegan。

`Pooh!You\'dhavethought!\'saidMissPross；andMr。Lorryleftoff。

`Howdoyoudo?\'inquiredthatladythen——sharply，andyetasiftoexpressthatsheborehimnomalice。

`Iamprettywell，Ithankyou，\'answeredMr。Lorry，withmeekness；

`howareyou?\'

`Nothingtoboastof，\'saidMissPross。

`Indeed?\'

`Ah!indeed!\'saidMissPross。`IamverymuchputoutaboutmyLadybird。\'

`Indeed?\'

`Forgracioussakesaysomethingelsebesides``indeed，\'\'oryou\'llfidgetmetodeath，\'saidMissPross:whosecharacter(dissociatedfromstature)wasshortness。\'

`Really，then?\'saidMr。Lorry，asanamendment。

`Really，isbadenough，\'returnedMissPross，`butbetter。Yes，Iamverymuchputout。\'

`MayIaskthecause?\'

`Idon\'twantdozensofpeoplewhoarenotatallworthyofLadybird，tocomeherelookingafterher，\'saidMissPross。

`Dodozenscomeforthatpurpose?\'

`Hundreds，\'saidMissPross。

Itwascharacteristicofthislady(asofsomeotherpeoplebeforehertimeandsince)thatwheneverheroriginalpro-positionwasquestioned，sheexaggeratedit。

`Dearme!\'saidMr。Lorry，asthesafestremarkhecouldthinkof。

`Ihavelivedwiththedarling——orthedarlinghaslivedwithme，andpaidmeforit；whichshecertainlyshouldneverhavedone，youmaytakeyouraffidavit，ifIcouldhaveaffordedtokeepeithermyselforherfornothing——sinceshewastenyearsold。Andit\'sreallyveryhard，\'

saidMissPross。

Notseeingwithprecisionwhatwasveryhard，Mr。Lorryshookhishead；usingthatimportantpartofhimselfasasortoffairycloakthatwouldfitanything。

`Allsortsofpeoplewhoarenotintheleastdegreeworthyofthepet，arealwaysturningup，\'saidMissPross。`Whenyoubeganit——\'

`Ibeganit，MissPross?\'

`Didn\'tyou?Whobroughtherfathertolife?\'

`Oh!Ifthatwasbeginningit——\'saidMr。Lorry。

`Itwasn\'tendingit，Isuppose?Isay，whenyoubeganit，itwashardenough；notthatIhaveanyfaulttofindwithDoctorManette，exceptthatheisnotworthyofsuchadaughter，whichisnoimputationonhim，foritwasnottobeexpectedthatanybodyshouldbe，underanycircumstances。Butitreallyisdoublyandtreblyhardtohavecrowdsandmultitudesofpeopleturningupafterhim(Icouldhaveforgivenhim)，totakeLadybird\'saffectionsawayfromme。\'

Mr。LorryknewMissProsstobeveryjealous，buthealsoknewherbythistimetobe，beneaththesurfaceofhereccentricity，oneofthoseunselfishcreatures——foundonlyamongwomen——whowill，forpureloveandadmiration，bindthemselveswillingslaves，toyouthwhentheyhavelostit，tobeautythattheyneverhad，toaccomplishmentsthattheywereneverfortunateenoughtogain，tobrighthopesthatnevershoneupontheirownsombrelives。Heknewenoughoftheworldtoknowthatthereisnothinginitbetterthanthefaithfulserviceoftheheart；sorenderedandsofreefromanymercenarytaint，hehadsuchanexaltedrespectforit，thatintheretributivearrangementsmadebyhisownmind——weallmakesucharrangements，moreorless——hestationedMissProssmuchnearertothelowerAngelsthanmanyladiesimmeasurablybettergotupbothbyNatureandArt，whohadbalancesatTellson\'s。

`Thereneverwas，norwillbe，butonemanworthyofLady-bird，\'

saidMissPross；`andthatwasmybrotherSolomon，ifhehadn\'tmadeamistakeinlife。\'

Hereagain:Mr。Lorry\'sinquiriesintoMissPross\'spersonalhistoryhadestablishedthefactthatherbrotherSolomonwasaheartlessscoundrelwhohadstrippedherofeverythingshepossessed，asastaketospeculatewith，andhadabandonedherinherpovertyforevermore，withnotouchofcompunction。MissPross\'sfidelityofbeliefinSolomon(deductingameretrifleforthisslightmistake)wasquiteaseriousmatterwithMr。

Lorry，andhaditsweightinhisgoodopinionofher。

`Aswehappentobealoneforthemoment，andarebothpeopleofbusiness，\'hesaid，whentheyhadgotbacktothedrawing-roomandhadsatdownthereinfriendlyrelations，`letmeaskyou——doestheDoctor，intalkingwithLucie，neverrefertotheshoemakingtime，yet?\'

`Never。\'

`Andyetkeepsthatbenchandthosetoolsbesidehim?\'

`Ah!\'returnedMissPross，shakingherhead。`ButIdon\'tsayhedon\'trefertoitwithinhimself。\'

`Doyoubelievethathethinksofitmuch?\'

`Ido，\'saidMissPross。

`Doyouimagine——\'Mr。Lorryhadbegun，whenMissProsstookhimupshortwith:

`Neverimagineanything。Havenoimaginationatall。\'

`Istandcorrected，；doyousuppose——yougosofarastoSuppose，sometimes?

`Nowandthen，\'saidMissPross。

`Doyousuppose，\'Mr。Lorrywenton，withalaughingtwinkleinhisbrighteye，asitlookedkindlyather，`thatDoctorManettehasanytheoryofhisown，preservedthroughallthoseyears，relativetothecauseofhisbeingsooppressed；perhaps，eventothenameofhisoppressor?\'

`Idon\'tsupposeanythingaboutitbutwhatLadybirdtellsme。\'

`Andthatis——?\'

`Thatshethinkshehas。\'

`Nowdon\'tbeangryatmyaskingallthesequestions；becauseIamameredullmanofbusiness，andyouareawomanofbusiness。\'

`Dull?\'MissProssinquired，withplacidity。

Ratherwishinghismodestadjectiveaway，Mr。Lorryreplied，`No，no，no。Surelynot。Toreturntobusiness:-IsitnotremarkablethatDoctorManette，unquestionablyinnocentofanycrimeasweareallwellassuredheis，shouldnevertouchuponthatquestion?Iwillnotsaywithme，thoughhehadbusinessrelationswithmemanyyearsago，andwearenowintimate；

Iwillsaywiththefairdaughtertowhomheissodevotedlyattached，andwhoissodevotedlyattachedtohim?Believeme，MissPross，Idon\'tapproachthetopicwithyou，outofcuriosity，butoutofzealousinterest。\'

`Well!Tothebestofmyunderstanding，andbad\'sthebest，you\'lltellme，\'saidMissPross，softenedbythetoneoftheapology，`heisafraidofthewholesubject。

`Afraid?\'

`It\'splainenough，Ishouldthink，whyhemaybe。It\'sadreadfulremembrance。Besidesthat，hislossofhimselfgrewoutofit。Notknowinghowhelosthimself，orhowhere-coveredhimself，hemayneverfeelcertainofnotlosinghimselfagain。Thatalonewouldn\'tmakethesubjectpleasant，Ishouldthink。\'

ItwasaprofounderremarkthanMr。Lorryhadlookedfor。`True，\'

saidhe，`andfearfultoreflectupon。Yet，adoubtlurksinmymind，MissPross，whetheritisgoodforDoctorManettetohavethatsuppressionalwaysshutupwithinhim。Indeed，itisthisdoubtandtheuneasinessitsometimescausesmethathasledmetoourpresentconfidence。\'

`Can\'tbehelped，\'saidMissPross，shakingherhead。`Touchthatstring，andheinstantlychangesfortheworse。Betterleaveitalone。

Inshort，mustleaveitalone，likeornolike。Sometimes，liegetsupinthedeadofthenight，andwillbeheard，byusoverheadthere，walkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，inhisroom。Ladybirdhaslearnttoknowthenthathismindiswalkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，inhisoldprison。Shehurriestohim，andtheygoontogether，walkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，untilheiscomposed。Butheneversaysawordofthetruereasonofhisrestlessness，toher，andshefindsitbestnottohintatittohim。Insilencetheygowalkingupanddowntogether，walkingupanddowntogether，tillherloveandcompanyhavebroughthimtohimself。\'

NotwithstandingMissPross\'sdenialofherownimagination，therewasaperceptionofthepainofbeingmonotonouslyhauntedbyonesadidea，inherrepetitionofthephrase，walkingupanddown，whichtestifiedtoherpossessingsuchathing。

Thecornerhasbeenmentionedasawonderfulcornerforechoes；

ithadbeguntoechosoresoundinglytothetreadofcomingfeet，thatitseemedasthoughtheverymentionofthatwearypacingtoandfrohadsetitgoing。

`Heretheyare!\'saidMissPross，risingtobreakuptheconference；

`andnowweshallhavehundredsofpeopleprettysoon!\'

Itwassuchacuriouscomerinitsacousticalproperties，suchapeculiarEarofaplace，thatasMr。Lorrystoodattheopenwindow，lookingforthefatheranddaughterwhosestepsheheard，hefanciedtheywouldneverapproach。Notonlywouldtheechoesdieaway，asthoughthestepshadgone；but，echoesofotherstepsthatnevercamewouldbeheardintheirstead，andwoulddieawayforgoodwhentheyseemedcloseathand。

However，fatheranddaughterdidatlastappear，andMissProsswasreadyatthestreetdoortoreceivethem。

MissProsswasapleasantsight，albeitwild，andred，andgrim，takingoffherdarling\'sbonnetwhenshecameup-stairs，andtouchingitupwiththeendsofherhandkerchief，andblowingthedustoffit，andfoldinghermantlereadyforlayingby，andsmoothingherrichhairwithasmuchprideasshecouldpossiblyhavetakeninherownhairifshehadbeenthevainestandhandsomestofwomen。Herdarlingwasapleasantsighttoo，embracingherandthankingher，andprotestingagainsthertakingsomuchtroubleforher——whichlastsheonlydaredtodoplayfully，orMissPross，sorelyhurt，wouldhaveretiredtoherownchamberandcried。

TheDoctorwasapleasantsighttoo，lookingonatthem，andtellingMissProsshowshespoiltLucie，inaccentsandwitheyesthathadasmuchspoilinginthemasMissProsshad，andwouldhavehadmoreifitwerepossible。

Mr。Lorrywasapleasantsighttoo，beamingatallthisinhislittlewig，andthankinghisbachelorstarsforhavinglightedhiminhisdecliningyearstoaHome。But，noHundredsofpeoplecametoseethesights，andMr。LorrylookedinvainforthefulfilmentofMissPross\'sprediction。

Dinner-time，andstillnoHundredsofpeople。Inthearrangementsofthelittlehousehold，MissProsstookchargeofthelowerregions，andalwaysacquittedherselfmarvellously。Herdinners，ofaverymodestquality，weresowellcookedandsowellserved，andsoneatintheircontrivances，halfEnglishandhalfFrench，thatnothingcouldbebetter。MissPross\'sfriendshipbeingofthethoroughlypracticalkind，shehadravagedSohoandtheadjacentprovinces，insearchofimpoverishedFrench，who，temptedbyshillingsandhalf-crowns，wouldimpartculinarymysteriestoher。FromthesedecayedsonsanddaughtersofGaul，shehadacquiredsuchwonderfularts，thatthewomanandgirlwhoformedthestaffofdomesticsregardedherasquiteaSorceress，orCinderella\'sGodmother:whowouldsendoutforafowl，arabbit，avegetableortwofromthegarden，andchangethemintoany-thingshepleased。

OnSundays，MissProssdinedattheDoctor\'stable，butonotherdayspersistedintakinghermealsatunknownperiods，eitherinthelowerregions，orinherownroomonthesecondfloor——abluechamber，towhichnoonebutherLadybirdevergainedadmittance。Onthisoccasion，MissPross，respondingtoLadybird\'spleasantfaceandpleasanteffortstopleaseher，unbentexceedingly；sothedinnerwasverypleasant，too。

Itwasanoppressiveday，and，afterdinner，Lucieproposedthatthewineshouldbecarriedoutundertheplane-tree，andtheyshouldsitthereintheair。Aseverythingturneduponher，andrevolvedabouther，theywentoutundertheplane-tree，andshecarriedthewinedownforthespecialbenefitofMr。Lorry。Shehadinstalledherself，sometimebefore，asMr。Lorry\'scup-bearer；andwhiletheysatundertheplane-tree，talking，shekepthisglassreplenished。Mysteriousbacksandendsofhousespeepedatthemastheytalked，andtheplane-treewhisperedtotheminitsownwayabovetheirheads。

Still，theHundredsofpeopledidnotpresentthemselves。Mr。

Darnaypresentedhimselfwhiletheyweresittingundertheplane-tree，buthewasonlyOne。

DoctorManettereceivedhimkindly，andsodidLucie。But，MissProsssuddenlybecameafflictedwithatwitchingintheheadandbody，andretiredintothehouse。Shewasnotunfrequentlythevictimofthisdisorder，andshecalledit，infamiliarconversation，`afitofthejerks。\'

TheDoctorwasinhisbestcondition，andlookedspeciallyyoung。

TheresemblancebetweenhimandLuciewasverystrongatsuchtimes，andastheysatsidebyside，sheleaningonhisshoulder，andherestinghisarmonthebackofherchair，itwasveryagreeabletotracethelikeness。

Hehadbeentalkingallday，onmanysubjects，andwithunusualvivacity。`Pray，DoctorManette，\'saidMr。Darnay，astheysatundertheplane-tree——andhesaiditinthenaturalpursuitofthetopicinhand，whichhappenedtobetheoldbuildingsofLondon-haveyouseenmuchoftheTower?\'

`LucieandIhavebeenthere；butonlycasually。Wehaveseenenoughofit，toknowthatitteemswithinterest；littlemore。\'

`Ihavebeenthere，asyouremember，\'saidDarnay，withasmile，thoughreddeningalittleangrily，`inanothercharacter，andnotinacharacterthatgivesfacilitiesforseeing，muchofit。TheytoldmeacuriousthingwhenIwasthere。

`Whatwasthat?\'Lucieasked。

`Inmakingsomealterations，theworkmencameuponanolddungeon，whichhadbeen，formanyyears，builtupandforgotten。Everystoneofitsinnerwallwascoveredbyinscriptionswhichhadbeencarvedbyprisoners——dates，names，complaints，andprayers。Uponacornerstoneinanangleofthewall，oneprisoner，whoseemedtohavegonetoexecution，hadcutashislastwork，threeletters。Theyweredonewithsomeverypoorinstrument，andhurriedly，withanunsteadyhand。Atfirst，theywerereadasD。I。

C。；but，onbeingmorecarefullyexamined，thelastletterwasfoundtobeG。Therewasnorecordorlegendofanyprisonerwiththoseinitials，andmanyfruitlessguessesweremadewhatthenamecouldhavebeen。Atlength，itwassuggestedthattheletterswerenotinitials，butthecompleteword，DIG。Thefloorwasexaminedverycarefullyundertheinscription，and，intheearthbeneathastone，ortile，orsomefragmentofpaving，werefoundtheashesofapaper，mingledwiththeashesofasmallleatherncaseorbag。Whattheunknownprisonerhadwrittenwillneverberead，buthehadwrittensomething，andhiddenitawaytokeepitfromthegaoler。\'

`Myfather，\'exclaimedLucie，`youareill!\'

Hehadsuddenlystartedup，withhishandtohishead。Hismannerandhislookquiteterrifiedthemall。

`No，mydear，notill。Therearelargedropsofrainfalling，andtheymademestart。Wehadbettergoin。\'

Herecoveredhimselfalmostinstantly。Rainwasreallyfallinginlargedrops，andheshowedthebackofhishandwithrain-dropsonit。

But，hesaidnotasinglewordinreferencetothediscoverythathadbeentoldof，and，astheywentintothehouse，thebusinesseyeofMr。Lorryeitherdetected，orfancieditdetected，onhisface，asitturnedtowardsCharlesDarnay，thesamesingularlookthathadbeenuponitwhenitturnedtowardshiminthepassagesoftheCourtHouse。

Herecoveredhimselfsoquickly，however，thatMr。Lorryhaddoubtsofhisbusinesseye。Thearmofthegoldengiantinthehallwasnotmoresteadythanhewas，whenhestoppedunderittoremarktothemthathewasnotyetproofagainstslightsurprises(ifheeverwouldbe)，andthattherainhadstartledhim。

Tea-time，andMissProssmakingtea，withanotherfitofthejerksuponher，andyetnoHundredsofpeople。Mr。Gartonhadloungedin，buthemadeonlyTwo。

Thenightwassoverysultry，thatalthoughtheysatwithdoorsandwindowsopen，theywereoverpoweredbyheat。Whenthetea-tablewasdonewith，theyallmovedtooneofthewindows，andlookedoutintotheheavytwilight。Luciesatbyherfather；Darnaysatbesideher；Cartonleanedagainstawindow。Thecurtainswerelongandwhite，andsomeofthethunder-guststhatwhirledintothecorner，caughtthemuptotheceiling，andwavedthemlikespectralwings。

`Therain-dropsarestillfalling，large，heavy，andfew，\'saidDoctorManette。`Itcomesslowly。

`Itcomessurely，\'saidCarton。

Theyspokelow，aspeoplewatchingandwaitingmostlydo；aspeopleinadarkroom，watchingandwaitingforLightning，alwaysdo。

Therewasagreathurryinthestreets，ofpeoplespeedingawaytogetshelterbeforethestormbroke；thewonderfulcornerforechoesresoundedwiththeechoesoffootstepscomingandgoing，yetnotafootstepwasthere。

`Amultitudeofpeople，andyetasolitude!\'saidDarnay，whentheyhadlistenedforawhile。

`Isitnotimpressive，Mr。Darnay?\'askedLucie。`Sometimes，I

havesathereofanevening，untilIhavefancied——buteventheshadeofafoolishfancymakesmeshudderto-night，whenallissoblackandsolemn——\'

`Letusshuddertoo。Wemayknowwhatitis。\'

`Itwillseemnothingtoyou。Suchwhimsareonlyimpressiveasweoriginatethem，Ithink；theyarenottobecommunicated。Ihavesometimessatalonehereofanevening，listening，untilIhavemadetheechoesouttobetheechoesofallthefootstepsthatarecomingby-and-byintoourlives。\'

`Thereisagreatcrowdcomingonedayintoourlives，ifthatbeso，\'SydneyCartonstruckin，inhismoodyway。

Thefootstepswereincessant，andthehurryofthembecamemoreandmorerapid。Thecornerechoedandre-echoedwiththetreadoffeet；

some，asitseemed，underthewindows；some，asitseemed，intheroom；

somecoming，somegoing，somebreakingoff，somestoppingaltogether；allinthedistantstreets，andnotonewithinsight。

`Areallthesefootstepsdestinedtocometoallofus，MissManette，orarewetodividethemamongus?\'

`Idon\'tknow，Mr。Darnay；Itoldyouitwasafoolishfancy，butyouaskedforit。WhenIhaveyieldedmyselftoit，Ihavebeenalone，andthenIhaveimaginedthemthefoot-stepsthepeoplewhoaretocomeintomylife，andmyfather\'s。\'

`Itakethemintomine!\'saidCarton。`Iasknoquestionsandmakenostipulations。Thereisagreatcrowdbearingdownuponus，MissManette，andIseethem——bytheLightning。\'Headdedthelastwords，aftertherehadbeenavividflashwhichhadshownhimlounginginthewindow。

`AndIhearthem。\'headdedagain，afterapealofthunder。

`Heretheycome，fast，fierce，andfurious。\'

Itwastherushandroarofrainthathetypified，anditstoppedhim，fornovoicecouldbeheardinit。Amemorablestormofthunderandlightningbrokewiththatsweepofwater，andtherewasnotamoment\'sintervalincrash，andWe，andrain，untilafterthemoonroseatmidnight。

ThegreatbellofSaintPaul\'swasstrikingOneintheclearedair，whenMr。Lorry，escortedbyJerry，high-booted。andbearingalantern，setforthonhisreturn-passagetoClerkenwell。ThereweresolitarypatchesofroadonthewaybetweenSohoandClerkenwell，andMr。Lorry，mindfuloffootpads，alwaysretainedJerryforthisservice:thoughitwasusuallyperformedagoodtwohoursearlier。

`Whatanightithasbeen!Almostanight，`Jerry，\'saidMr。Lorry，`tobringthedeadoutoftheirgraves。

`Ineverseethenightmyself，master——noryetIdon\'texpectto——whatwoulddothat，\'answeredJerry。

`Good-night，Mr。Carton，\'saidthemanofbusiness。`Good-night，Mr。Darnay。Shallweeverseesuchanightagain，together!\'

Perhaps。Perhaps，seethegreatcrowdofpeoplewithitsrushandroar，bearingdownuponthem，too。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIMonseigneurinTownMONSEIGNEUR，oneofthegreatlordsinpowerattheCourt，heldhisfortnightlyreceptioninhisgrandhotelinParis。Monseigneurwasinhisinnerroom，hissanctuaryofsanctuaries，theHoliestofHolieststothecrowdofworshippersinthesuiteofroomswithout。Monseigneurwasabouttotakehischocolate。

Monseigneurcouldswallowagreatmanythingswithease，andwasbysomefewsullenmindssupposedtoberatherrapidlyswallowingFrance；but，hismorning\'schocolatecouldnotsomuchasgetintothethroatofMonseigneur，withouttheaidoffourstrongmenbesidestheCook。

Yes。Ittookfourmen，allfoura-blazewithgorgeousdecoration，andtheChiefofthemunabletoexistwithfewerthantwogoldwatchesinhispocket，emulativeofthenobleandchastefashionsetbyMonseigneur，toconductthehappychocolatetoMonseigneur\'slips。Onelacqueycarriedthechocolate-potintothesacredpresence；asecond，milledandfrothedthechocolatewiththelittleinstrumentheboreforthatfunction；athird，presentedthefavourednapkin；afourth(heofthetwooldwatches)，pouredthechocolateout。ItwasimpossibleMonseigneurtodispensewithoneoftheseattendantsonthechocolateandholdhishighplaceundertheadmiringHeavens。Deepwouldhavebeentheblotuponhisescutcheonifhischocolatehadbeenignoblywaitedonbyonlythreemen；hemusthavediedoftwo。

Monseigneurhadbeenoutatalittlesupperlastnight，wheretheComedyandtheGrandOperawerecharminglyrepresented。Monseigneurwasoutatalittlesuppermostnights，withfascinatingcompany。SopoliteandsoimpressiblewasMonseigneur，thattheComedyandtheGrandOperahadfarmoreinfluencewithhiminthetiresomearticlesofstateaffairsandstatesecrets，thantheneedsofallFrance。AhappycircumstanceforFrance，asthelikealwaysisforallcountriessimilarlyfavoured!——alwayswasforEngland(bywayofexample)，intheregretteddaysofthemerryStuartwhosoldit。

Monseigneurhadonetrulynobleideaofgeneralpublicbusiness，whichwas，toleteverythinggooninitsownway；ofparticularpublicbusiness，Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleideathatitmustallgohisway——tendtohisownpowerandpocket。Ofhispleasures，generalandparticular，Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleidea，thattheworldwasmadeforthem。Thetextofhisorder(alteredfromtheoriginalbyonlyapronoun，whichisnotmuch)`ran:`Theearthandthefulnessthereofaremine，saithMonseigneur。\'