第7章

Yet，Monseigneurhadslowlyfoundthatvulgarembarrassmentscreptintohisaffairs，bothprivateandpublic；andhehad，astobothclassesofaffairs，alliedhimselfperforcewithaFarmer-General。Astofinancespublic，becauseMonseigneurcouldnotmakeanythingatallofthem，andmustconsequentlyletthemouttosomebodywhocould；astofinancesprivate，becauseFarmer-Generalswererich，andMonseigneur，aftergenerationsofgreatluxuryandexpense，wasgrowingpoor。HenceMonseigneurhadtakenhissisterfromaconvent，whiletherewasyettimetowardofftheimpendingveil，thecheapestgarmentshecouldwear，andhadbestowedherasaprizeuponaveryrichFarmer-General，poorinfamily。WhichFarmer-General，carryinganappropriatecanewithagoldenappleonthetopofit，wasnowamongthecompanyintheouterrooms，muchprostratedbeforebymankind——alwaysexceptingsuperiormankindofthebloodofMonseigneur，who，hisownwifeincluded，lookeddownuponhimwiththeloftiestcontempt。

AsumptuousmanwastheFarmer-General。Thirtyhorsesstoodinhisstables，twenty-fourmaledomesticssatinhishalls，sixbody-womenwaitedonhiswife。Asonewhopre-tendedtodonothingbutplunderandforagewherehecould，theFarmer-General——howsoeverhismatrimonialrelationsconducedtosocialmorality——wasatleastthegreatestrealityamongthepersonageswhoattendedatthehotelofMonseigneurthatday。

For，therooms，thoughabeautifulscenetolookat，andadornedwitheverydeviceofdecorationthatthetasteandskillofthetimecouldachieve，were，intruth，notasoundbusiness；consideredwithanyreferencetothescarecrowsintheragsandnightcapselsewhere(andnotsofaroff，either，butthatthewatchingtowersofNotreDame，almostequidistantfromthetwoextremes，couldseethemboth)，theywouldhavebeenanexceedinglyuncomfortablebusiness——ifthatcouldhavebeenanybody\'sbusiness，atthehouseofMonseigneur。Militaryofficersdestituteofmilitaryknowledge；

navalofficerswithnoideaofaship；civilofficerswithoutanotionofaffairs；brazenecclesiastics，oftheworstworldworldly，withsensualeyes，loosetongues，andlooserlives；alltotallyunfitfortheirseveralcallings，alllyinghorriblyinpretendingtobelongtothem，butallnearlyorremotelyoftheorderofMonseigneur，andthereforefoistedonallpublicemploymentsfromwhichanythingwastobegot；theseweretobetoldoffbythescoreandthescore。PeoplenotimmediatelyconnectedwithMonseigneurortheState，yetequallyunconnectedwithanythingthatwasreal，orwithlivespassedintravellingbyanystraightroadtoanytrueearthlyend，werenolessabundant。Doctorswhomadegreatfortunesoutofdaintyremediesforimaginarydisordersthatneverexisted，smiledupontheircourtlypatientsintheante-chambersofMonseigneur。ProjectorswhohaddiscoveredeverykindofremedyforthelittleevilswithwhichtheStatewastouched，excepttheremedyofsettingtoworkinearnesttorootoutasinglesin，pouredtheirdistractingbabbleintoanyearstheycouldlayholdof，atthereceptionofMonseigneur。UnbelievingPhilosopherswhowereremodellingtheworldwithwords，andmakingcard-towersofBabeltoscaletheskieswith，talkedwithunbelievingChemistswhohadaneyeonthetransmutationofmetals，atthiswonderfulgatheringaccumulatedbyMonseigneur。Exquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreeding，whichwasatthatremarkabletime-andhasbeensince——tobeknownbyitsfruitsofindifferencetoeverynaturalsubjectofhumaninterest，wereinthemostexemplarystateofexhaustion，atthehotelofMonseigneur。SuchhomeshadthesevariousnotabilitiesleftbehindtheminthefineworldofParis，thatthespiesamongtheassembleddevoteesofMonseigneur——formingagoodlyhalfofthepolitecompany——wouldhavefoundithardtodiscoveramongtheangelsofthatsphereonesolitarywife，who，inhermannersandappearance，ownedtobeingaMother。Indeed，exceptforthemereactofbringingatroublesomecreatureintothisworld——whichdoesnotgofartowardstherealisationofthenameofmother——therewasnosuchthingknowntothefashion。Peasantwomenkepttheunfashionablebabiesclose，andbroughtthemup，andcharminggrandmammasofsixtydressedandsuppedasattwenty。

TheleprosyofunrealitydisfiguredeveryhumancreatureinattendanceuponMonseigneur。Intheoutermostroomwerehalfadozenexceptionalpeoplewhohadhad，forafewyears，somevaguemisgivinginthemthatthingsingeneralweregoingratherwrong。Asapromisingwayofsettingthemright，halfofthehalf-dozenhadbecomemembersofafantasticsectofConvulsionists，andwereeventhenconsideringwithinthemselveswhethertheyshouldfoam，rage，roar，andturncatalepticonthespot——therebysettingupahighlyintelligiblefinger-posttotheFuture，forMonseigneur\'sguidance。BesidestheseDervishes，wereotherthreewhohadrushedintoanothersect，whichmendedmatterswithajargonabout`theCentreofTruth\'

holdingthatManhadgotoutoftheCentreofTruth——whichdidnotneedmuchdemonstrationbuthadnotgotoutoftheCircumference，andthathewastobekeptfromflyingoutoftheCircumference，andwaseventobeshovedbackintotheCentre，byfastingandseeingofspirits。Amongthese，accordingly，muchdiscoursingwithspiritswenton——anditdidaworldofgoodwhichneverbecamemanifest。

But，thecomfortwas，thatallthecompanyatthegrandhotelofMonseigneurwereperfectlydressed。IftheDayofJudgmenthadonlybeenascertainedtobeadressday，everybodytherewouldhavebeeneternallycorrect。Suchfrizzlingandpowderingandstickingupofhair，suchdelicatecomplexionsartificiallypreservedandmended，suchgallantswordstolookat，andsuchdelicatehonourtothesenseofsmell，wouldsurelykeepanythinggoing，foreverandever。Theexquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreedingworelittlependenttrinketsthatchinkedastheylanguidlymoved；thesegoldenfettersranglikepreciouslittlebells；andwhatwiththatringing，andwiththerustleofsilkandbrocadeandfinelinen，therewasaflutterintheairthatfannedSaintAntoineandhisdevouringhungerfaraway。

Dresswastheoneunfailingtalismanandcharmusedforkeepingallthingsintheirplaces。EverybodywasdressedforaFancyBallthatwasnevertoleaveoff。FromthePalaceoftheTuileries，throughMonseigneurandthewholeCourt，throughtheChambers，theTribunalsofJustice，andallsociety(exceptthescarecrows)，theFancyBalldescendedtothecommonExecutioner:who，inpursuanceofthecharm，wasrequiredtoofficiate`frizzled，powdered，inagold-lacedcoat，pumps，andwhitesilkstockings。\'

Atthegallowsandthewheel——theaxewasararity——MonsieurParis，asitwastheepiscopalmodeamonghisbrotherProfessorsoftheprovinces，MonsieurOrleans，andtherest，tocallhim，presidedinthisdaintydress。

AndwhoamongthecompanyatMonseigneur\'sreceptioninthatseventeenhundredandeightiethyearofourLord，couldpossiblydoubt，thatasystemrootedinafrizzledhangman，powdered，gold-laced，pumped，andwhite-silkstockinged，wouldseetheverystarsout!

Monseigneurhavingeasedhisfourmenoftheirburdensandtakenhischocolate，causedthedoorsoftheHoliestofHolieststobethrownopen，andissuedforth。Then，whatsubmission，whatcringingandfawning，whatservility，whatabjecthumiliation!Astobowingdowninbodyandspirit，nothinginthatwaywasleftforHeaven——whichmayhavebeenoneamongotherreasonswhytheworshippersofMonseigneurnevertroubledit。

Bestowingawordofpromisehereandasmilethere，awhisperononehappyslaveandawaveofthehandonanother，MonseigneuraffablypassedthroughhisroomstotheremoteregionoftheCircumferenceofTruth。

There，Monseigneurturned，andcamebackagain，andsoinduecourseoftimegothimselfshutupinhissanctuarybythechocolatesprites，andwasseennomore。

Theshowbeingover，theflutterintheairbecamequitealittlestorm，andthepreciouslittlebellswentringingdown-stairs。Therewassoonbutonepersonleftofallthecrowd，andhe，withhishatunderhisarmandhissnuff-boxinhishand，slowlypassedamongthemirrorsonhiswayout。

`Idevoteyou，\'saidthisperson，stoppingatthelastdooronhisway，andturninginthedirectionofthesanctuary，`totheDevil!\'

Withthat，heshookthesnufffromhisfingersasifhehadshakenthedustfromhisfeet，andquietlywalkeddownstairs。

Hewasamanofaboutsixty，handsomelydressed，haughtyinmanner，andwithafacelikeafinemask。Afaceofatransparentpaleness；everyfeatureinitclearlydefined；onesetexpressiononit。Thenose:beautifullyformedotherwise，wasveryslightlypinchedatthetopofeachnostril。

Inthosetwocompressions，ordints，theonlylittlechangethatthefaceevershowed，resided。Theypersistedinchangingcolourcome-times，andtheywouldbeoccasionallydilatedandcontractedbysomethinglikeafaintpulsation；then，theygavealookoftreachery，andcruelty，tothewholecountenance。Examinedwithattention，itscapacityofhelpingsuchalookwastobefoundinthelineofthemouth，andthelinesoftheorbitsoftheeyes，beingmuchtoohorizontalandthin；still，intheeffectthefacemade，itwasahandsomeface，andaremarkableone。

Itsownerwentdownstairsintothecourt-yard，gotintohiscarriage，anddroveaway。Notmanypeoplehadtalkedwithhimatthereception；hehadstoodinalittlespaceapart，andMonseigneurmighthavebeenwarmerinhismanner。Itappeared，underthecircumstances，ratheragreeabletohimtoseethecommonpeopledispersedbeforehishorses，andoftenbarelyescapingfrombeingrundown。Hismandroveasifhewerecharginganenemy，andthefuriousrecklessnessofthemanbroughtnocheckintotheface，ortothelips，ofthemaster。Thecomplainthadsometimesmadeitselfaudible，eveninthatdeafcityanddumbage，that，inthenarrowstreetswithoutfootways，thefiercepatriciancustomofharddrivingendangeredandmaimedthemerevulgarinabarbarousmanner。But，fewcaredenoughforthattothinkofitasecondtime，and，inthismatter，asinallothers，thecommonwretcheswerelefttogetoutoftheirdifficultiesastheycould。

Withawildrattleandclatter，andaninhumanabandonmentofconsiderationnoteasytobeunderstoodinthesedays，thecarriagedashedthroughstreetsandsweptroundcorners，withwomenscreamingbeforeit，andmenclutchingeachotherandclutchingchildrenoutofitsway。Atlast，swoopingatastreetcornerbyafountain，oneofitswheelscametoasickeninglittlejolt，andtherewasaloudcryfromanumberofvoices，andthehorsesrearedandplunged。

Butforthelatterinconvenience，thecarriageprobablywouldnothavestopped；carriageswereoftenknowntodriveon，andleavetheirwoundedbehind，andwhynot?Butthefrightenedvalethadgotdowninahurry，andthereweretwentyhandsatthehorses\'bridles。

`Whathasgonewrong?\'saidMonsieur，calmlylookingout。

Atallmaninanightcaphadcaughtupabundlefromamongthefeetofthehorses，andhadlaiditonthebasementofthefountain，andwasdowninthemudandwet，howlingoveritlikeawildanimal。

`Pardon，MonsieurtheMarquis!\'saidaraggedandsubmissiveman，`itisachild。\'

`Whydoeshemakethatabominablenoise?Isithischild?\'

`Excuseme，MonsieurtheMarquis——itisapity——yes。\'

Thefountainwasalittleremoved；forthestreetopened，whereitwas，intoaspacesometenortwelveyardssquare。Asthetallmansuddenlygotupfromtheground，andcamerunningatthecarriage，MonsieurtheMarquisclappedhishandforaninstantonhissword-hilt。\'

`Killed!\'shriekedtheman，inwilddesperation，extendingbotharmsattheirlengthabovehishead，andstaringathim。`Dead!\'

Thepeopleclosedround，andlookedatMonsieurtheMarquis。Therewasnothingrevealedbythemanyeyesthatlookedathimbutwatchfulnessandeagerness；therewasnovisiblemenacingoranger。Neitherdidthepeoplesayanything；afterthefirstcry，theyhadbeensilent，andtheyremainedso。Thevoiceofthesubmissivemanwhohadspoken，wasflatandtameinitsextremesubmission。MonsieurtheMarquisranhiseyesoverthemall，asiftheyhadbeenmereratscomeoutoftheirholes。

Hetookouthispurse。

`Itisextraordinarytome，\'saidhe，`thatyoupeoplecannottakecareofyourselvesandyourchildren。Oneortheotherofyouisforeverintheway。HowdoIknowwhatinjuryyouhavedonemyhorses?See!

Givehimthat。\'

Hethrewoutagoldcoinforthevalettopickup，andalltheheadscranedforwardthatalltheeyesmightlookdownatitasitfell。

Thetallmancalledoutagainwithamostunearthlycry，`Dead!\'

Hewasarrestedbythequickarrivalofanotherman，forwhomtherestmadeway。Onseeinghim，themiserablecreaturefelluponhisshoulder，sobbingandcrying，andpointingtothefountain，wheresomewomenwerestoopingoverthemotionlessbundle，andmovinggentlyaboutit。Theywereassilent，however，asthemen。

`Iknowall，Iknowall，\'saidthelastcomer。`Beabraveman，myGaspard!Itisbetterforthepoorlittleplaythingtodieso，thantolive。Ithasdiedinamomentwithoutpain。Couldithavelivedanhourashappily?\'

`Youareaphilosopher，youthere，\'saidtheMarquis，smiling。

`Howdotheycallyou?\'

`TheycallmeDefarge。\'

`Ofwhattrade?\'

`MonsieurtheMarquis，vendorofwine。\'

`Pickupthat，philosopherandvendorofwine，\'saidtheMarquis，throwinghimanothergoldcoin，`andspenditasyouwill。Thehorsesthere；

aretheyright?

Withoutdeigningtolookattheassemblageasecondtime，MonsieurtheMarquisleanedbackinhisseat，andwasjustbeingdrivenawaywiththeairofagentlemanwhohadaccidentallybrokensomecommonthing，andhadpaidforit，andcouldaffordtopayforit；whenhiseasewassuddenlydisturbedbyacoinflyingintohiscarriage，andringingonitsfloor。

`Hold!\'saidMonsieurtheMarquis。`Holdthehorses!Whothrewthat?\'

HelookedtothespotwhereDefargethevendorofwinehadstood，amomentbefore；butthewretchedfatherwasgrovellingonhisfaceonthepavementinthatspot，andthefigurethatstoodbesidehimwasthefigureofadarkstoutwoman，knitting。

`Youdogs!\'saidtheMarquis，butsmoothly，andwithanunchangedfront，exceptastothespotsonhisnose:`Iwouldrideoveranyofyouverywillingly，andexterminateyoufromtheearth。IfIknewwhichrascalthrewatthecarriage，andifthatbrigandweresufficientlynearit，heshouldbecrushedunderthewheels。\'

Socowedwastheircondition，andsolongandhardtheirexperienceofwhatsuchamancoulddotothem，withinthelawandbeyondit，thatnotavoice，orahand，orevenaneyewasraised。Amongthemen，notone。

Butthewomanwhostoodknittinglookedupsteadily，andlookedtheMarquisintheface。Itwasnotforhisdignitytonoticeit；hiscontemptuouseyespassedoverher，andoveralltheotherrats；andheleanedbackinhisseatagain，andgavetheword`Goon!\'

Hewasdrivenon，andothercarriagescamewhirlingbyinquicksuccession；theMinister，theState-Projector，theFarmer-General，theDoctor，theLawyer，theEcclesiastic，theGrandOpera，theComedy，thewholeFancyBallinabrightcontinuousflow，camewhirlingby。Theratshadcreptoutoftheirholestolookon，andtheyremainedlookingonforhours；soldiersandpoliceoftenpassingbetweenthemandthespectacle，andmakingabarrierbehindwhichtheyslunk，andthroughwhichtheypeeped。

Thefatherhadlongagotakenuphisbundleandhiddenhimselfawaywithit，whenthewomenwhohadtendedthebundlewhileitlayonthebaseofthefountain，sattherewatchingtherunningofthewaterandtherollingoftheFancyBall——whentheonewomanwhohadstoodconspicuous，knitting，stillknittedonwiththesteadfastnessofFate。Thewaterofthefountainran，theswiftriverran，thedayranintoevening，somuchlifeinthecityranintodeathaccordingtorule，timeandtidewaitedfornoman，theratsweresleepingclosetogetherintheirdarkholesagain，theFancyBallwaslightedupatsupper，allthingsrantheircourse。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIIMonseigneurintheCountryABEAUTIFULlandscape，withthecornbrightinit，butnotabundant。Patchesofpoorryewherecornshouldhavebeen，patchesofpoorpeasandbeans，patchesofmostcoarsevegetablesubstitutesforwheat。Oninanimatenature，asonthemenandwomenwhocultivatedit，aprevalenttendencytowardsanappearanceofvegetatingunwillingly——dejecteddispositiontogiveup，andwitheraway。

MonsieurtheMarquisinhistravellingcarriage(whichmighthavebeenlighter)，conductedbyfourpost-horsesandtwopostilions，faggedupasteephill。AblushonthecountenanceofMonsieurtheMarquiswasnoimpeachmentofhishighbreeding；itwasnotfromwithin；itwasoccasionedbyanexternalcircumstancebeyondhiscontrol——thesettingsungiveup，andwitherawaygiveup，andwitheraway。

Thesunsetstrucksobrilliantlyintothetravellingcarriagewhenitgainedthehill-top，thatitsoccupantwassteepedincrimson。

`Itwilldieout，\'saidMonsieurtheMarquis，glancingathishands，`directly。\'

Ineffect，thesunwassolowthatitdippedatthemoment。Whentheheavydraghadbeenadjustedtothewheel，andthecarriagesliddownhill，withacinderoussmell，inacloudofdust，theredglowdepartedquickly；thesunandtheMarquisgoingdowntogether，therewasnoglowleftwhenthedragwastakenoff。

But，thereremainedabrokencountry，boldandopen，alittlevillageatthebottomofthehill，abroadsweepandrisebeyondit，achurch-tower，awindmill，aforestforthechase，andacragwithafortressonitusedasaprison。Rounduponallthesedarkeningobjectsasthenightdrewon，theMarquislooked，withtheairofonewhowascomingnearhome。

Thevillagehaditsonepoorstreet，withitspoorbrewery，poortannery，poortavern，poorstable-yardforrelayofpost+horses，poorfountain，allusualpoorappointments。Ithaditspoorpeopletoo。Allitspeoplewerepoor，andmanyofthemweresittingattheirdoors，shreddingspareonionsandthelikeforsupper，whilemanywereatthefountain，washingleaves，andgrasses，andanysuchsmallyieldingsoftheearththatcouldbeeaten。Expressivesignsofwhatmadethempoor，werenotwanting；thetaxforthestate，thetaxforthechurch，thetaxforthelord，taxlocalandtaxgeneral，weretobepaidhereandtobepaidthere，accordingtosolemninscriptioninthelittlevillage，untilthewonderwas，thattherewasanyvillageleftunswallowed。

Fewchildrenweretobeseen，andnodogs。Astothemenandwomen，theirchoiceonearthwasstatedintheprospect——Lifeonthelowesttermsthatcouldsustainit，downinthelittlevillageunderdiemill；orcaptivityandDeathinthedominantprisononthecrag。

Heraldedbyacourierinadvance，andbythecrackingofhispostilions\'

whips，whichtwinedsnake-likeabouttheirheadsintheeveningair，asifhecameattendedbytheFuries，MonsieurtheMarquisdrewupinhistravellingcarriageattheposting-housegate。Itwashardbythefountain，andthepeasantssuspendedtheiroperationstolookathim。Helookedatthem，andsawinthem，withoutknowingit，theslowsurefilingdownofmisery-wornfaceandfigure，thatwastomakethemeagernessofFrenchmenanEnglishsuperstitionwhichshouldsurvivethetruththroughthebestpartofahundredyears。

MonsieurtheMarquiscasthiseyesoverthesubmissivefacesthatdroopedbeforehim，asthelikeofhimselfhaddroopedbeforeMonseigneuroftheCourt——onlythedifferencewas，thatthesefacesdroopedmerelytosufferandnottopropitiate——whenagrizzledmenderoftheroadsjoinedthegroup。

`Bringmehitherthatfellow!\'saidtheMarquistothecourier。

Thefellowwasbrought，capinhand，andtheotherfellowsclosedroundtolookandlisten，inthemannerofthepeopleattheParisfountain。

`Ipassedyouontheroad?\'

`Monseigneur，itistrue。Ihadthehonourofbeingpassedontheroad。\'

`Comingupthehill，andatthetopofthehill，both?\'

`Monseigneur，itistrue。

`Whatdidyoulookat，sofixedly?\'

`Monseigneur，Ilookedattheman。\'

Hestoopedalittle，andwithhistatteredbluecappointedunderthecarriage。Allhisfellowsstoopedtolookunderthecarriage。

`Matman，pig?Andwhylookthere?\'

`Pardon，Monseigneur；heswungbythechainoftheshoethedrag。\'

`Who?\'demandedthetraveller。

`Monseigneur，theman。\'

`MaytheDevilcarryawaytheseidiots!Howdoyoucalltheman?

Youknowallthemenofthispartofthecountry。Whowashe?\'

`Yourclemency，Monseigneur!Hewasnotofthispartofthecountry。

Ofallthedaysofmylife，Ineversawhim。\'

`Swingingbythechain?Tobesuffocated?\'

`Withyourgraciouspermission，thatwasthewonderofit，Monseigneur。

Hisheadhangingover——likethis!\'

Heturnedhimselfsidewaystothecarriage，andleanedback，withhisfacethrownuptothesky，andhisheadhangingdown；thenrecoveredhimself，fumbledwithhiscap，andmadeabow。

`whatwashelike?\'

`Monseigneur，hewaswhiterthanthemiller。Allcoveredwithdust，whiteasaspectre，tallasaspectre!\'

Thepictureproducedanimmensesensationinthelittlecrowd；

butalleyes，withoutcomparingnoteswithothereyes，lookedatMonsieurtheMarquis。Perhaps，toobservewhetherhehadanyspectreonhisconscience。

`Truly，youdidwell，\'saidtheMarquis，felicitouslysensiblethatsuchverminwerenottorufflehim，`toseeathiefaccompanyingmycarriage，andnotopenthatgreatmouthofyours。Bah!Puthimaside，MonsieurGabelle!\'

MonsieurGabellewasthePostmaster，andsomeothertaxingfunctionaryunited；hehadcomeoutwithgreatobsequiousnesstoassistatthisexamination，andhadheldtheexaminedbythedraperyofhisarminanofficialmanner。

`Bah!Goaside!\'saidMonsieurGabelle。

`Layhandsonthisstrangerifheseekstolodgeinyourvillageto-night，andbesurethathisbusinessishonest，Gabelle。\'

`Monseigneur，Iamflatteredtodevotemyselftoyourorders。\'

`Didherunaway，fellow?——hereisthatAccursed?\'

Theaccursedwasalreadyunderthecarriagewithsomehalf-dozenparticularfriends，pointingoutthechainwithhisbluecap。Somehalf-dozenotherparticularfriendspromptlyhauledhimout，andpresentedhimbreathlesstoMonsieurtheMarquis。

`Didthemanrunaway，Dolt，whenwestoppedforthedrag?\'

`Monseigneur，heprecipitatedhimselfoverthehill-side，headfirst，asapersonplungesintotheriver。\'

`Seetoit，Gabelle。Goon!\'

Thehalf-dozenwhowerepeeringatthechainwerestillamongthewheels，likesheep；thewheelsturnedsosuddenlythattheywereluckytosavetheirskinsandbones；theyhadverylittleelsetosave，ortheymightnothavebeensofortunate。

Theburstwithwhichthecarriagestartedoutofthevillageanduptherisebeyond，wassooncheckedbythesteepnessofthehill。Gradually，itsubsidedtoafootpace，swingingandlumberingupwardamongthemanysweetscentsofasummernight。Thepostilions，withathousandgossamergnatscirclingabouttheminlieuoftheFuries，quietlymendedthepointstothelashesoftheirwhips；thevaletwalkedbythehorses；thecourierwasaudible，trottingonaheadintothedimdistance。

Atthesteepestpointofthehilltherewasalittleburialground，withaCrossandanewlargefigureofOurSaviouronit；itwasapoorfigureinwood，donebysomeinexperiencedrusticcarver，buthehadstudiedthefigurefromthelife——isownlife，maybe——oritwasdreadfullyspareandthin。

Tothisdistressfulemblemofagreatdistressthathadlongbeengrowingworse，andwasnotatitsworst，awomanwaskneeling。Sheturnedherheadasthecarriagecameuptoher，rosequickly，andpresentedherselfatthecarriage-door。

`Itisyou，Monseigneur!Monseigneur，apetition。\'

Withanexclamationofimpatience，butwithhisUn+changeableface，Monseigneurlookedout。

`How，then!Whatisit?Alwayspetitions!\'

`Monseigneur。FortheloveofthegreatGod!Myhusband，theforester。\'

`Whatofyourhusband，theforester?Alwaysthesamewithyoupeople。Hecannotpaysomething?\'

`Hehaspaidall，Monseigneur。Heisdead。\'

`Well!Heisquiet。CanIrestorehimtoyou?\'

`Alas，no，Monseigneur!Butheliesyonder，underalittleheapofpoorgrass。\'

`Well?\'

`Monseigneur，，therearesomanylittleheapsofpargrass?\'

`Again，well?\'

Shelookedanoldwoman，butwasyoung。Hermannerwasoneofpassionategrief；byturnssheclaspedherveinousandknottedhandstogetherwithwildenergy，andlaidoneofthemonthecarriage-door——tenderly，caressingly，asifithadbeenahumanbreast，andcouldbeexpectedtofeeltheappealingtouch。

`Monseigneur，hearme!Monseigneur，hearmypetition!Myhusbanddiedofwant；somanydieofwant；somanymorewilldieofwant。\'

`Again，well?CanIfeedthem?\'

`Monseigneur，thegoodGodknows；butIdon\'taskit。Mypetitionis，thatamorselofstoneorwood，withmyhusband\'sname，maybeplacedoverhimtoshowwherehelies。Otherwise，theplacewillbequicklyforgotten，itwillneverbefoundwhenIamdeadofthesamemalady，Ishallbelaidundersomeotherheapofpoorgrass。Monseigneur，theyaresomany，theyincreasesofast，thereissomuchwant。Monseigneur!Monseigneur!\'

Thevalethadputherawayfromthedoor，thecarriagehadbrokenintoabrisktrot，thepostilionshadquickenedthepace，shewasleftfarbehind，andMonseigneur，againescortedbytheFuries，wasrapidlydiminishingtheleagueortwoofdistancethatremainedbetweenhimandhischâ；teau。

Thesweetscentsofthesummernightroseallaroundhim，androse，astherainfalls，impartially，onthedusty，ragged，andtoil-worngroupatthefountainnotfaraway；towhomthemenderofroads，withtheaidofthebluecapwithoutwhichhewasnothing，stillenlargeduponhismanlikeaspectre，aslongastheycouldbearit。Bydegrees，astheycouldbearnomore，theydroppedoffonebyone，andlightstwinkledinlittlecasements；whichlights，asthecasementsdarkened，andmorestarscameout，seemedtohaveshotupintotheskyinsteadofhavingbeenextinguished。

Theshadowofalargehigh-roofedhouse，andofmanyoverhangingtrees，wasuponMonsieurtheMarquisbythattime；andtheshadowwasexchangedforthelightofaflambeau，ashiscarriagestopped，andthegreatdoorofhischâ；teauwasopenedtohim。

`MonsieurCharles，whomIexpect:ishearrivedfromEngland?\'

`Monseigneur，notyet。\'

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIXTheGorgon\'sHeadITwasaheavymassofbuilding，thatchâ；ateauofMonsieurtheMarquis，withalargestonecourt-yardbeforeit，andtwostonesweepsofstaircasemeetinginastoneterracebeforetheprincipaldoor。Astonybusinessaltogether，withheavystonebalustrades，andstoneurns，andstoneflowers，andstonefacesofmen，andstoneheadsoflions，inalldirections。AsiftheGorgon\'sheadhadsurveyedit，whenitwasfinished，twocenturiesago。

Upthebroadflightofshallowsteps，MonsieurtheMarquis，flambeaupreceded，wentfromhiscarriage，sufficientlydisturbingthedarknesstoelicitloudremonstrancefromanowlintheroofofthegreatpileofstablebuildingawayamongthetrees。Allelsewassoquiet，thattheflambeaucarriedupthesteps，andtheotherflambeauheldatthegreatdoor，burntasiftheywereinacloseroomofstate，insteadofbeingintheopennight-air。Othersoundthantheowl\'svoicetherewasnone，savethefallingofafountainintoitsstonebasin；for，itwasoneofthosedarknightsthatholdtheirbreathbythehourtogether，andthenheavealonglowsigh，andholdtheirbreathagain。

Thegreatdoorclangedbehindhim，andMonsieurtheMarquiscrossedahallgrimwithcertainoldboar-spears，swords，andknivesofthechase；

grimmerwithcertainheavyriding-rodsandriding-whips，ofwhichmanyapeasant，gonetohisbenefactorDeath，hadfelttheweightwhenhislordwasangry。

Avoidingthelargerrooms，whichweredarkandmadefastforthenight，MonsieurtheMarquis，withhisflambeau-bearergoingonbefore，wentupthestaircasetoadoorinacorridor。Thisthrownopen，admittedhimtohisownprivateapartmentofthreerooms:hisbed-chamberandtwoothers。Highvaultedroomswithcooluncarpetedfloors，greatdogsuponthehearthsfortheburningofwoodinwintertime，andallluxuriesbefittingthestateofamarquisinaluxuriousageandcountry。ThefashionofthelastLouisbutone，oftilelinethatwasnevertobreak——thefourteenthLouis——wasconspicuousintheirrichfurniture；but，itwasdiversifiedbymanyobjectsthatwereillustrationsofoldpagesinthehistoryofFrance。

Asupper-tablewaslaidfortwo，inthethirdoftherooms；aroundroom，inoneofthechâ；ateau\'sfourextinguisher-toppedtowers。

Asmallloftyroom，withitswindowwideopen，andthewoodenjalousie-blindsclosed，sothatthedarknightonlyshowedinslighthorizontallinesofblack，alternatingwiththeirbroadlinesofstonecolour。

`Mynephew，\'saidtheMarquis，glancingatthesupperpreparation；

`theysaidhewasnotarrived。\'

Norwashe；but，hehadbeenexpectedwithMonseigneur。

`Ah!Itisnotprobablehewillarriveto-night；nevertheless，leavethetableasitis。Ishallbereadyinaquarterofanhour。\'InaquarterofanhourMonseigneurwasready，andsatdownalonetohissumptuousandchoicesupper。Hischairwasoppositetothewindow，andhehadtakenhissoup，andwasraisinghisglassofBordeauxtohislips，whenheputitdown。

`Whatisthat?\'hecalmlyasked，lookingwithattentionatthehorizontallinesofblackandstonecolour\'。

`Monseigneur?That?\'

`Outsidetheblinds。Opentheblinds。\'

Itwasdone。

`well?\'

`Monseigneur，itisnothing。Thetreesandthenightareallthatarehere。\'

Theservantwhospoke，hadthrowntheblindswide，hadlookedoutintothevacantdarkness，andstood，withthatblankbehindhim，lookingroundforinstructions。

`Good，\'saidtheimperturbablemaster。`Closethemagain。\'Thatwasdonetoo，andtheMarquiswentonwithhissupper。Hewashalfwaythroughit，whenheagainstoppedwithhisglassinhishand，hearingthesoundofwheels。Itcameonbriskly，andcameuptothefrontofthechâ；ateau。

`Askwhoisarrived。\'

ItwasthenephewofMonseigneur。HehadbeensomefewleaguesbehindMonseigneur，earlyintheafternoon。Hehaddiminishedthedistancerapidly，butnotsorapidlyastocomeupwithMonseigneurontheroad。

HehadheardofMonseigneur，attheposting-houses，asbeingbeforehim。

Hewastobetold(saidMonseigneur)thatsupperawaitedhimthenandthere，andthathewasprayedtocometoit。Inalittlewhilehecame。

HehadbeenknowninEnglandasCharlesDarnay。

Monseigneurreceivedhiminacourtlymanner，buttheydidnotshakehands。

`YouleftParisyesterday，sir?\'hesaidtoMonseigneur，ashetookhisseatattable。

`Yesterday。Andyou?\'

`Icomedirect。

`FromLondon?\'

`Yes。\'

`Youhavebeenalongtimecoming，\'saidtheMarquis，withasmile。

`Onthecontrary；Icomedirect。\'

`Pardonme!Imean，notalongtimeonthejourney；alongtimeintendingtheJourney。

`Ihavebeendetainedby\'——thenephewstoppedamomentinhisanswer——variousbusiness。\'

`Withoutdoubt，\'saidthepolisheduncle。

Solongasaservantwaspresent，nootherwordspassedbetweenthem。Whencoffeehadbeenservedandtheywerealonetogether，thenephew，lookingattheuncleandmeetingtheeyesofthefacethatwaslikeafinemask，openedaconversation。

`Ihavecomeback，sir，asyouanticipate，pursuingtheobjectthattookmeaway。Itcarriedmeintogreatandunexpectedperil；butitisasacredobject，andifithadcarriedmetodeathIhopeitwouldhavesustainedme。\'

`Nottodeath，\'saidtheuncle；`itisnotnecessarytosay，todeath。\'

`Idoubt，sir，\'returnedthenephew，`whether，ifithadcarriedmetotheutmostbrinkofdeath，youwouldhavecaredtostopmethere。\'

Thedeepenedmarksinthenose，andthelengtheningofthefinestraightlinesinthecruelface，lookedominousastothat；theunclemadeagracefulgestureofprotest，whichwassoclearlyaslightformofgoodbreedingthatitwasnotreassuring。

`Indeed，sir，\'pursuedthenephew，`foranythingIknow，youmayhaveexpresslyworkedtogiveamoresuspiciousappearancetothesuspiciouscircumstancesthatsurroundedme。

`No，no，no，\'saidtheuncle，pleasantly。

`But，howeverthatmaybe，\'resumedthenephew，glancingathimwithdeepdistrust，`Iknowthatyourdiplomacywouldstopmebyanymeans，andwouldknownoscrupleastomeans。

`Myfriend，Itoldyouso，\'saidtheuncle，withafinepulsationinthetwomarks。`DomethefavourtorecallthatItoldyouso，longago。\'

`Irecallit。\'

`Thankyou，\'saidtheMarquis——verysweetlyindeed。

Histonelingeredintheair，almostlikethetoneofamusicalinstrument。

`Ineffect，sir，\'pursuedthenephew，`Ibelieveittobeatonceyourbadfortune，andmygoodfortune，thathaskeptmeoutofaprisoninFrancehere。\'

`Idonotquiteunderstand，\'returnedtheuncle，sippinghiscoffee。

`DareIaskyoutoexplain?\'

`IbelievethatifyouwerenotindisgracewiththeCourt，andhadnotbeenovershadowedbythatcloudforyearspast，aletterdecachetwouldhavesentmetosomefortressindefinitely。\'

`Itispossible，\'saidtheuncle，withgreatcalmness。`Forthehonourofthefamily，Icouldevenresolvetoincommodeyoutothatextent。

Prayexcuseme!\'

`Iperceivethat，happilyforme，theReceptionofthedaybeforeyesterdaywas，asusual，acoldone，\'observedthenephew。

`Iwouldnotsayhappily，myfriend，\'returnedtheuncle，withrefinedpoliteness；`Iwouldnotbesureofthat。Agoodopportunityforconsideration，surroundedbytheadvantagesofsolitude，mightinfluenceyourdestinytofargreateradvantagethanyouinfluenceitforyourself。

Butitisuselesstodiscussthequestion。Iam，asyousay，atadisadvantage。

Theselittleinstrumentsofcorrection，thesegentleaidstothepowerandhonouroffamilies，theseslightfavoursthatmightsoincommodeyou，areonlytobeobtainednowbyinterestandimportunity。Theyaresoughtbysomany，andtheyaregranted(comparatively)tosofew!Itusednottobeso，butFranceinallsuchthingsischangedfortheworse。Ournotremoteancestorsheldtherightoflifeanddeathoverthesurroundingvulgar。Fromthisroom，manysuchdogshavebeentakenouttobehanged；

inthenextroom(mybedroom)，onefellow，toourknowledge，wasponiardedonthespotforprofessingsomeinsolentdelicacyrespectinghisdaughter——hisdaughter?Wehavelostmanyprivileges；anewphilosophyhasbecomethemode；andtheassertionofourstation，inthesedays，might(Idonotgosofarastosaywould，butmight)causeusrealinconvenience。Allverybad，verybad!\'

TheMarquistookagentlelittlepinchofsnuff，andshookhishead；aselegantlydespondentashecouldbecominglybeofacountrystillcontaininghimself，thatgreatmeansofregeneration。

`Wehavesoassertedourstation，bothintheoldtimeandinthemoderntimealso，\'saidthenephew，gloomily，`thatIbelieveournametobemoredetestedthananynameinFrance。\'

`Letushopeso，\'saidtheuncle。`Detestationofthehighistheinvoluntaryhomageofthelow。\'

`Thereisnot，\'pursuedthenephew，inhisformertone，`afaceIcanlookat，inallthiscountryroundaboutus，whichlooksatmewithanydeferenceonitbutthedarkdeferenceoffearandslavery。\'

`Acompliment，\'saidtheMarquis，`tothegrandeurofthefamily，meritedbythemannerinwhichthefamilyhassustaineditsgrandeur。Hah!\'

Andhetookanothergentlelittlepinchofsnuff，andlightlycrossedhislegs。

But，whenhisnephew，leaninganelbowonthetable，coveredhiseyesthoughtfullyanddejectedlywithhishand，thefinemasklookedathimsidewayswithastrongerconcentrationofkeenness，closeness，anddislike，thanwascomportablewithitswearer\'sassumptionofindifference。

`Repressionistheonlylastingphilosophy。Thedarkdeferenceoffearandslavery，myfriend，\'observedtheMarquis，`willkeepteedogsobedienttothewhip，aslongasthisroof，\'lookinguptoit，`shutsoutthesky。\'

ThatmightnotbesolongastheMarquissupposed。Ifapictureofthechâ；ateauasitwastobeaveryfewyearshence，andoffiftylikeitastheytooweretobeaveryfewyearshence，couldhavebeenshowntohimthatnight，hemighthavebeenatalosstoclaimhisownfromtheghastly，fire-charred，plunder-wreckedruins。Asfortheroofhevaunted，hemighthavefoundthatshuttingouttheskyinanewway——towit，forever，fromtheeyesofthebodiesintowhichitsleadwasfired，outofthebarrelsofahundredthousandmuskets。

`Meanwhile，\'saidtheMarquis，`Iwillpreservethehonourandreposeofthefamily，ifyouwillnot。Butyoumustbefatigued。ShallweterminateourConferenceforthenight?\'

`Amomentmore。\'

`Anhour，ifyouplease。\'

`Sir，\'saidthenephew，`wehavedonewrong，andarereapingthefruitsofwrong。\'

`Wehavedonewrong?\'repeatedtheMarquis，withaninquiringsmile，anddelicatelypointing，firsttohisnephew，thentohimself。

`Ourfamily；ourhonourablefamily，whosehonourisofsomuchaccounttobothofus，insuchdifferentways。Eveninmyfather\'stime，wedidaworldofwrong，injuringeveryhumancreaturewhocamebetweenusandourpleasure，whateveritwas。WhyneedIspeakofmyfather\'stime，whenitisequallyyours?CanIseparatemyfather\'stwin-brother，jointinheritor，andnextsuccessor，fromhimself?\'

`Deathhasdonethat!\'saidtheMarquis。

`Andhasleftme，\'answeredthenephew，`boundtoasystemthatisfrightfultome，responsibleforit，butpowerlessinit；seekingtoexecutethelastrequestofmydearmother\'slips，andobeythelastlookofmydearmother\'seyes，whichimploredfiletohavemercyandtoredress；

andtorturedbyseekingassistanceandpowerinvain?

`Seekingthemfromme，mynephew，\'saidtheMarquis，touchinghimonthebreastwithhisforefinger——theywerenowstandingbythehearth——youwillforeverseektheminvain，beassured。

Everyfinestraightlineintheclearwhitenessofhisface，wascruelly，craftily，andcloselycompressed，whilehestoodlookingquietlyathisnephew，withhissnuff-boxinhishand。

Onceagainhetouchedhimonthebreast，asthoughhisfingerwerethefinepointofasmallsword，withwhich，indelicatefinesse，heranhimthroughthebody，andsaid，`Myfriend，Iwilldie，perpetuatingthesystemunderwhichI

havelived。\'

Whenhehadsaidit，hetookaculminatingpinchofSnuff，andputhisboxinhispocket。

`Bettertobearationalcreature，\'headdedthen，afterringingasmallbellonthetable，`andacceptyournaturaldestiny。Butyouarelost，MonsieurCharles，Isee。\'

`ThispropertyandFrancearelosttome，\'saidthenephew，sadly；`I

renouncethem。\'

`Aretheybothyourstorenounce?Francemaybe，butistheproperty?

Itisscarcelyworthmentioning；but，isityet?\'

`Ihadnointention，inthewordsIused，toclaimityet。Ifitpassedtomefromyou，to-morrow——

`WhichIhavethevanitytohopeisnotprobable。\'

`——ortwentyyearshence——\'

`Youdometoomuchhonour，\'saidtheMarquis；`still，Ipreferthatsupposition。\'