第8章

`——Iwouldabandonit，andliveotherwiseandelsewhere。Itislittletorelinquish。Whatisitbutawildernessofmiseryandruin?\'

`Hah!\'saidtheMarquis，glancingroundtheluxuriousroom。`Totheeyeitisfairenough，here；butseeninitsintegrity，underthesky，andbythedaylight，itisacrumblingtowerofwaste，mismanagement，extortion，debt，mortgage，oppression，hunger，nakedness，andsuffering。\'

`Hah!\'saidtheMarquisagain，inawell-satisfiedmanner。

`Ifiteverbecomesmine，itshallbeputintosomehandsbetterqualifiedtofreeitslowly(ifsuchathingispossible)fromtheweightthatdragsitdown，sothatthemiserablepeopleWhocannotleaveitandwhohavebeenlongwrungtothelastpointofendurance，may，inanothergeneration，sufferless；batitisnotforme。Thereisacurseonit，andonallthisland。\'

`Andyou?\'saidtheuncle。`Forgivemycuriosity；doyou，underyournewphilosophy，graciouslyintendtolive?\'

`Imustdo，tolive，whatothersofmycountrymen，evenwithnobilityattheirbacks，mayhavetodosomeday——work。\'

`InEngland，forexample?\'

`Yes。Thefamilyhonour，sir，issafefrommeinthiscountry。

Thefamilynamecansufferfrommeinnoother，forIbearitinnoother。\'

Theringingofthebellhadcausedtheadjoiningbedchambertobelighted。Itnowshonebrightly，throughthedoorofcommunication。TheMarquislookedthatway，andlistenedfortheretreatingstepofhisvalet。

`Englandisveryattractivetoyou，seeinghowindifferentlyyouhaveprosperedthere，\'heobservedthen，turninghiscalmfacetohisnephewwithasmile。

`Ihavealreadysaid，thatformyprosperingthere，IamsensibleI

maybeindebtedtoyou，sir。Fortherest，itismyRefuge。\'

`Theysay，thoseboastfulEnglish，thatitistheRefugeofmany。

YouknowacompatriotwhohasfoundaRefugethere?ADoctor?\'

`Yes。\'

`With，adaughter?\'

`Yes，\'saidtheMarquis。`Youarefatigued。Good-night!\'

Ashebenthisheadinhismostcourtlymanner，therewasasecrecyinhissmilingface，andheconveyedanairofmysterytothosewords，whichstrucktheeyesandearsofhisnephewforcibly。Atthesametime，thethinstraightlinesofthesettingoftheeyes，andthethinstraightlips，andthemarkingsinthenose，curvedwithasarcasmthatlookedhandsomelydiabolic。

`Yes，\'repeatedtheMarquis。`ADoctorwithadaughter。Yes。Socommencesthenewphilosophy!Youarefatigued。Good-night!\'

Itwouldhavebeenofasmuchavailtointerrogateanystonefaceoutsidethechâ；ateauastointerrogatethatfaceofhis。Thenephewlookedathiminvain，inpassingontothedoor。

`Good-night!\'saidtheuncle。`Ilooktothepleasureofseeingyouagaininthemorning。Goodrepose!LightMonsieurmynephewtohischamberthere!——AndburnMonsieurmynephewinhisbed，ifyouwill，\'headdedtohimself，beforeheranghislittlebellagain，andsummonedhisvalettohisownbedroom。

Thevaletcomeandgone，MonsieurtheMarquiswalkedtoandfroinhisloosechamber-robe，topreparehimselfgentlyforsleep，thathotstillnight。Rustlingabouttheroom，hissoftly-slipperedfeetmakingnonoiseonthefloor，hemovedlikearefinedtiger——lookedlikesomeenchantedmarquisoftheimpenitentlywickedsort，instory，whoseperiodicalchangeintotigerformwaseitherjustgoingoff，orjustcomingon。

Hemovedfromendtoendofhisvoluptuousbedroom，lookingagainatthescrapsoftheday\'sjourneythatcameunbiddenintohismind；theslowtoilupthehillatsunset，thesettingsun，thedescent，themill，theprisononthecrag，thelittlevillageinthehollow，thepeasantsatthefountain，andthemenderofroadswithhisbluecappointingoutthechainunderthecarriage。ThatfountainsuggestedtheParisfountain，thelittlebundlelyingonthestep，thewomenbendingoverit，andthetallmanwithhisarmsup，crying，`Dead!\'

`Iamcoolnow，\'saidMonsieurtheMarquis，`andmaygotobed。\'

So，leavingonlyonelightburningonthelargehearth，helethisthingauzecurtainsfallaroundhim，andheardthenightbreakitssilencewithalongsighashecomposedhimselftosleep。

Thestonefacesontheouterwallsstaredblindlyattheblacknightforthreeheavyhours；forthreeheavyhourstilehorsesinthestablesrattledattheirracks，thedogsbarked，andtheowlmadeanoisewithverylittleresemblanceinittothenoiseconventionallyassignedtotheowlbymen-poets。Butitistheobstinatecustomofsuchcreatureshardlyevertosaywhatissetdownforthem。

Forthreeheavyhours，thestonefacesofthechâ；ateau，lionandhuman，staredblindlyatthenight。Deaddarknesslayonallthelandscape，deaddarknessaddeditsownhushtothehushingdustonalltheroads。Theburial-placehadgottothepassthatitslittleheapsofpoorgrasswereundistinguishablefromoneanother；thefigureontheCrossmighthavecomedown，foranythingthatcouldbeseenofit。Inthevillage，taxersandtaxedwerefastasleep。Dreaming，perhaps，ofbanquets，asthestarvedusuallydo，andofeaseandrest，asthedrivenslaveandtheyokedoxmay，itsleaninhabitantssleptsoundly，andwerefedandfreed。

Thefountaininthevillageflowedunseenandunheard，andthefountainatthechâ；ateaudroppedunseenandunheard——bothmeltingaway，liketheminutesthatwerefallingfromthespringofTime——throughthreedarkhours。Then，thegreywaterofbothbegantobeghostlyinthelight，andtheeyesofthestonefacesofthechâ；ateauwereopened。

Lighterandlighter，untilatlastthesuntouchedthetopsofthestilltrees，andpoureditsradianceoverthehill。Intheglow，thewaterofthechâ；ateaufountainseemedtoturntoblood，andthestonefacescrimsoned。Thecarolofthebirdswasloudandhigh，and，ontheweather-beatensillofthegreatwindowofthebedchamberofMonsieurtheMarquis，onelittlebirdsangitssweetestsongwithallitsmight。Atthis，theneareststonefaceseemedtostareamazed，and，withopenedmouthanddroppedunder-jaw，lookedawe-stricken。

Now，thesunwasfullup，andmovementbeganinthevillage。Casementwindowsopened，crazydoorswereunbarred，andpeoplecameforthshivering——chilled，asyet，bythenewsweetair。Thenbegantherarelylightenedtoilofthedayamongthevillagepopulation。Some，tothefountain；some，tothefields；

menandwomenhere，todiganddelve；menandwomenthere，toseetothepoorlivestock，andleadthebonycowsout，tosuchpastureascouldbefoundbytheroadside。InthechurchandattheCross，akneelingfigureortwo；attendantonthelatterprayers，theledcow，tryingforabreakfastamongtheweedsatitsfoot。

Thechâ；ateauawokelater，asbecameitsquality，butawokegraduallyandsurely。First，thelonelyboar-spearsandknivesofthechasehadbeenreddenedasofold；then，hadgleamedtrenchantinthemorningsunshine；now，doorsandwindowswerethrownopen，horsesintheirstableslookedroundovertheirshouldersatthelightandfreshnesspouringinatdoor+ways，leavessparkledandrustledatiron-gratedwindows，dogspulledhardattheirchains，andrearedimpatienttobeloosed。

Allthesetrivialincidentsbelongedtotheroutineoflife，andthereturnofmorning。Surely，notsotheringingofthegreathellofthechâ；ateau，northerunningupanddownthestairs；northehurriedfiguresontheterrace；northebootingandtrampinghereandthereandeverywhere，northequicksaddlingofhorsesandridingaway?

Whatwindsconveyedthishurrytothegrizzledmenderofroads，alreadyatworkonthehill-topbeyondthevillage，withhisday\'sdinner(notmuchtocarry)lyinginabundlethatitwasworthnocrow\'swhiletopeckat，onaheapofstones?Hadthebirds，carryingsomegrainsofittoadistance，droppedoneoverhimastheysowchanceseeds?Whetherorno，themenderofroadsran，onthesultrymorning，asifforhislife，downthehill，knee-highindust，andneverstoppedtillhegottothefountain。

Allthepeopleofthevillagewereatthefountain，standingaboutintheirdepressedmanner，andwhisperinglow，butshowingnootheremotionsthangrimcuriosityandsurprise。Theledcows，hastilybroughtinandtetheredtoanythingthatwouldholdthem，werelookingstupidlyon，orlyingdownchewingthecudofnothingparticularlyrepayingtheirtrouble，whichtheyhadpickedupintheirinterruptedsaunter。Someofthepeopleofthechâ；ateau，andsomeofthoseoftheposting-house，andallthetaxingauthorities，werearmedmoreorless，andwerecrowdedontheothersideofthelittlestreetinapurposelessway，thatwashighlyfraughtwithnothing。Already，themenderofroadshadpenetratedintothemidstofagroupoffiftyparticularfriends，andwassmitinghimselfinthebreastwithhisbluecap。Whatdidallthisportend，andwhatportendedtheswifthoisting-upofMonsieurGabellebehindaservantonhorseback，andtheconveyingawayofthesaidGabelle(double-ladenthoughthehorsewas)，atagallop，likeanewversionoftheGermanballadofLeonora?

Itportendedthattherewasonestonefacetoomany，upatthechâ；ateau。

TheGorgonhadsurveyedthebuildingagaininthenight，andhadaddedtheonestonefacewanting；thestonefaceforwhichithadwaitedthroughabouttwohundredyears。

ItlaybackonthepillowofMonsieurtheMarquis。Itwaslikeafinemask，suddenlystartled，madeangry，andpetrified。Drivenhomeintotheheartofthestonefigureattachedtoit，wasaknife。Rounditshiltwasafrillofpaper，onwhichwasscrawled:

`Drivehimfasttohistomb。This，fromJACQUES。\'

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXTwoPromisesMOREmonths，tothenumberoftwelve，hadcomeandgone，andMr。CharlesDarnaywasestablishedinEnglandasahigherteacheroftheFrenchlanguagewhowasconversantwithFrenchliterature。Inthisage，hewouldhavebeenaProfessor；inthatage，hewasaTutor。Hereadwithyoungmenwhocouldfindanyleisureandinterestforthestudyofalivingtonguespokenallovertheworld，andhecultivatedatasteforitsstoresofknowledgeandfancy。Hecouldwriteofthem，besides，insoundEnglish，andrenderthemintosoundEnglish。Suchmasterswerenotatthattimeeasilyfound；Princesthathadbeen，andKingsthatweretobe，werenotyetoftheTeacherclass，andnoruinednobilityhaddroppedoutofTellson\'sledgers，toturncooksandcarpenters。Asatutor，whoseattainmentsmadethestudent\'swayunusuallypleasantandprofitable，andasaneleganttranslatorwhobroughtsomethingtohisworkbesidesmeredictionaryknowledge，youngMr。Darnaysoonbecameknownandencouraged。Hewaswellacquainted，moreover，withthecircumstancesofhiscountry，andthosewereofever-growinginterest。So，withgreatperseveranceanduntiringindustry，heprospered。

InLondon，hehadexpectedneithertowalkonpavementsofgold，nortolieonbedsofroses:ifhehadhadanysuchexaltedexpectation，hewouldnothaveprospered。Hehadexpectedlabour，andhefoundit，anddidit，andmadethebestofit。Inthis，hisprosperityconsisted。

AcertainportionofhistimewaspassedatCambridge，wherehereadwithundergraduatesasasortoftoleratedsmugglerwhodroveacontrabandtradeinEuropeanlanguages，insteadofconveyingGreekandLatinthroughtheCustom-house。TherestofhistimehepassedinLondon。

Now，fromthedayswhenitwasalwayssummerinEden，tothesedayswhenitismostlywinterinfallenlatitudes，theworldofamanhasinvariablygoneoneway——CharlesDarnay\'sway——thewayoftheloveofawoman。

HehadlovedLucieManettefromthehourofhisdanger。Hehadneverheardasoundsosweetanddearasthesoundofhercompassionatevoice；hehadneverseenafacesotenderlybeautiful，asherswhenitwasconfrontedwithhisownontheedgeofthegravethathadbeendugforhim。But，hehadnotyetspokentoheronthesubject；theassassinationatthedesertedchâ；ateaufarawaybeyondtheheavingwaterandthelong，long，dustyroads——thesolidstonechâ；ateauwhichhaditselfbecomethemeremistofadream——hadbeendoneayear，andhehadneveryet，bysomuchasasinglespokenword，disclosedtoherthestateofhisheart。

Thathehadhisreasonsforthis，heknewfullwell。Itwasagainasummerdaywhen，latelyarrivedinLondonfromhiscollegeoccupation，heturnedintothequietcornerinSoho，bentonseekinganopportunityofopeninghismindtoDoctorManette。Itwasthecloseofthesummerday，andheknewLucietobeoutwithMissPross。

HefoundtheDoctorreadinginhisarm-chairatawindow。Theenergywhichhadatoncesupportedhimunderhisoldsufferingsandaggravatedtheirsharpness，hadbeengraduallyrestoredtohim。Hewasnowaveryenergeticmanindeedwithgreatfirmnessofpurpose，strengthofresolution，andvigourofaction。Inhisrecoveredenergyhewassometimesalittlefitfulandsudden，ashehadatfirstbeenintheexerciseofhisotherrecoveredfaculties；but，thishadneverbeenfrequentlyobservable，andhadgrownmoreandmorerare。

Hestudiedmuch，sleptlittle，sustainedagreatdealoffatiguewithease，andwasequablycheerful。Tohim，nowenteredCharlesDarnay，atsightofwhomhelaidasidehisbookandheldouthishand。

`CharlesDarnay!Irejoicetoseeyou。Wehavebeencountingonyourreturnthesethreeorfourdayspast。Mr。StryverandSydneyCartonwerebothhereyesterday，andbothmadeyououttobemorethandue。

`Iamobligedtothemfortheirinterestinthematter，\'heanswered，alittlecoldlyastochem，thoughverywarmlyastotheDoctor。`MissManette——\'

`Iswell，\'saidtheDoctor，ashestoppedshort，`andyourreturnwilldelightusall。Shehasgoneoutonsomehouseholdmatters，butwillsoonbehome。\'

`DoctorManette，Iknewshewasfromhome。Itooktheopportunityofherbeingfromhome，tobegtospeaktoyou。\'

Therewasablanksilence。

`Yes?\'saidtheDoctor，withevidentconstraint。`Bringyourchairhere，andspeakon。\'

Hecompliedastothechair，butappearedtofindthespeakingonlesseasy。

`Ihavehadthehappiness，DoctorManette，ofbeingsointimatehere，\'soheatlengthbegan，`forsomeyearandahalf，thatIhopethetopiconwhichIamabouttotouchmaynot——\'

HewasstayedbytheDoctor\'sputtingouthishandtostophim。

Whenhehadkeptitsoalittlewhile，hesaid，drawingitback:

`IsLuciethetopic?\'

`Sheis。\'

`Itishardformetospeakofheratanytime。Itisveryhardformetohearherspokenofinthattoneofyours，CharlesDarnay。\'

`Itisatoneofferventadmiration，truehomage，anddeeplove，DoctorManette!\'hesaiddeferentially。

Therewasanotherblanksilencebeforeherfatherrejoined:`I

believeit。Idoyoujustice；Ibelieveit。\'

Hisconstraintwassomanifest，anditwassomanifest，too，thatitoriginatedinanunwillingnesstoapproachthesubject，thatCharlesDarnayhesitated。

`ShallIgoon，sir?\'

Anotherblank。

`Yes，goon。\'

`YouanticipatewhatIwouldsay，thoughyoucannotknowhowearnestlyIsayit，howearnestlyIfeelit，withoutknowingmysecretheart，andthehopesandfearsandanxietieswithwhichithaslongbeenladen。DearDoctorManette，Iloveyourdaughterfondly，dearly，disinterestedly，devotedly。

Ifevertherewereloveintheworld，Iloveher。Youhavelovedyourself；

letyouroldlovespeakforme!\'

TheDoctorsatwithhisfaceturnedaway，andhiseyesbentontheground。Atthelastwords，hestretchedouthishandagain，hurriedly，andcried:

`Notthat，sir!Letthatbe!Iadjureyou，donotrecallthat!\'

Hiscrywassolikeacryofactualpain，thatitranginCharlesDarnay\'searslongafterhehadceased。Hemotionedwiththehandhehadextended，anditseemedtobeanappealtoDarnaytopause。Thelattersoreceivedit，andremainedsilent。

`Iaskyourpardon，\'saidtheDoctor，inasubduedtone，aftersomemoments。`IdonotdoubtyourlovingLucie；youmaybesatisfiedofit。\'

Heturnedtowardshiminhischair，butdidnotlookathim，orraisehiseyes。Hischindroppeduponhishand，andhiswhitehairovershadowedhisface:

`HaveyouspokentoLucie?\'

`No。\'

`Norwritten?\'

`Never。\'

`Itwouldbeungeneroustoaffectnottoknowthatyourself-denialistobereferredtoyourconsiderationforherfather。Herfatherthanksyou。

Heofferedhishand；buthiseyesdidnotgowithit。

`Iknow，\'saidDarnay，respectfully，`howcanIfailtoknow，DoctorManette，Iwhohaveseenyoutogetherfromdaytoday，thatbetweenyouandMissManettethereisanaffectionsounusual，sotouching，sobelongingtothecircumstancesinwhichithasbeennurtured，thatitcanhavefewparallels，eveninthetendernessbetweenafatherandchild。

Iknow，Dr。Manette——howcanIfailtoknow——that，mingledwiththeaffectionanddutyofadaughterwhohasbecomeawoman，thereis，inherheart，towardsyou，alltheloveandrelianceofinfancyitself。Iknowthat，asinherchildhoodshehadnoparent，sosheisnowdevotedtoyouwithalltheconstancyandfervourofherpresentyearsandcharacter，unitedtothetrustfulnessandattachmentoftheearlydaysinwhichyouwerelosttoher。Iknowperfectlywellthatifyouhadbeenrestoredtoherfromtheworldbeyondthislife，youcouldhardlybeinvested，inhersight，withamoresacredcharacterthanthatinwhichyouarealwayswithher。

Iknowthatwhensheisclingingtoyou，thehandsofbaby，girl，andwoman，allinone，areroundyourneck。Iknowthatinlovingyousheseesandloveshermotheratherownage，seesandlovesyouatmyage，loveshermotherbroken+hearted，lovesyouthroughyourdreadfultrialandinyourblessedrestoration。Ihaveknownthis，nightandday，sinceIhaveknownyouinyourhome。\'

Herfathersatsilent，withhisfacebentdown。Hisbreathingwasalittlequickened；butherepressedallothersignsofagitation。

`DearDoctormanettealwaysknowingthis，alwaysseeingherandyouwiththishallowedlightaboutyou，Ihaveforborne，andforborne，aslongasitwasinthenatureofmantodoit。Ihavefelt，anddoevennowfeel，thattobringmylove——evenmine——betweenyou，istotouchyourhistorywithsomethingnotquitesogoodasitself。ButIloveher。HeavenismywitnessthatIloveher!\'

`Ibelieveit，\'answeredherfather，mournfully。`Ihavethoughtsobeforenow。Ibelieveit。\'

`But，donotbelieve，\'saidDarnay，uponwhoseearthemournfulvoicestruckwithareproachfulsound，`thatifmyfortuneweresocastasthat，beingonedaysohappyastomakehermywife，Imustatanytimeputanyseparationbetweenherandyou，IcouldorwouldbreatheawordofwhatInowsay。BesidesthatIshouldknowittobehopeless，Ishouldknowittobeabaseness。IfIhadanysuchpossibility，evenataremotedistanceofyears，harbouredinmythoughts，and`hiddeninmyheart——ifiteverhadbeenthere——ifitevercouldbethere——Icouldnotnowtouchthishonouredhand。\'

Helaidhisownuponitashespoke。

`No，dearDoctorManette。Likeyou，avoluntaryexilefromFrance；

likeyou，drivenfromitbyitsdistractions，oppressions，andmiseries；

likeyou，strivingtoliveawayfromitbymyownexertions，andtrustinginahappierfuture；Ilookonlytosharingyourfortunes，sharingyourlifeandhome，andbeingfaithfultoyoutothedeath。NottodividewithLucieherprivilegeasyourchild，companion，andfriend；buttocomeinaidofit，andbindherclosertoyou，ifsuchathingcanbe。\'

Histouchstilllingeredonherfather\'shand。Answeringthetouchforamoment，butnotcoldly，herfatherrestedhishandsuponthearmsofhischair，andlookedupforthefirsttimesincethebeginningoftheconference。Astrugglewasevidentlyinhisface；astrugglewiththatoccasionallookwhichhadatendencyinittodarkdoubtanddread。

`Youspeaksofeelinglyandsomanfully，CharlesDarnay，thatIthankyouwithallmyheart，andwillopenallmyheart——ornearlyso。

HaveyouanyreasontobelievethatLucielovesyou?\'

`None。Asyet，none。

`Isittheimmediateobjectofthisconfidence，thatyoumayatonceascertainthat，withmyknowledge?\'

`Notevenso。Imightnothavethehopefulnesstodoitforweeks；

Imight(mistakenornotmistaken)havethathopefulnessto-morrow。

`Doyouseekanyguidancefromme?\'

`Iasknone，sir。ButIhavethoughtitpossiblethatyoumighthaveitinyourpower，ifyoushoulddeemitright，togivemesome。\'

`Doyouseekanypromisefromme?\'

`Idoseekthat。

`Whatisit?\'

`Iwellunderstandthat，withoutyou，Icouldhavenohope。I

wellunderstandthat，evenifMissManetteheldmeatthismomentinherinnocentheart——donotthinkIhavethepresumptiontoassumesomuch——I

couldretainnoplaceinitagainstherloveforherfather。\'

Ifthatbeso，doyousecwhat，ontheotherhand，isinvolvedinit?\'

`Iunderstandequallywell，thatawordfromherfatherinanysuitor\'sfavour，wouldoutweighherselfandalltheworld。Forwhichreason，DoctorManette，\'saidDarnay，modestlybutfirmly，`Iwouldnotaskthatword，tosavemylife。\'

`Iamsureofit。CharlesDarnay，mysteriesariseoutofcloselove，aswellasoutofwidedivision；intheformercase，theyaresubtleanddelicate，anddifficulttopenetrate。MydaughterLucieis，inthisonerespect，suchamysterytome；Icanmakenoguessatthestateofherheart。\'

`MayIask，sir，ifyouthinksheis——\'Ashehesitated，herfathersuppliedtherest。

`Issoughtbyanyothersuitor?\'

`ItiswhatImeanttosay。\'

Herfatherconsideredalittlebeforeheanswered:

`YouhaveseenMr。Cartonhere，yourself。Mr。Stryverisheretoo，occasionally。Ifitbeatall，itcanonlybebyoneofthese。\'

`Orboth，\'saidDarnay。

`Ihadnotthoughtofboth；Ishouldnotthinkeither，likely。

Youwantapromisefromme。Tellmewhatitis。

`Itis，thatifMissManetteshouldbringtoyouatanytime，onherownpart，suchaconfidenceasIhaveventuredtolaybeforeyou，youwillbeartestimonytowhatIhavesaid，andtoyourbeliefinit。

Ihopeyoumaybeabletothinksowellofme，astourgenoinfluenceagainstme。Isaynothingmoreofmystakeinthis；thisiswhatIask。

TheconditiononwhichIaskit，andwhichyouhaveanundoubtedrighttorequire，Iwillobserveimmediately。\'

`Igivethepromise，\'saidtheDoctor，`withoutanycondition。Ibelieveyourobjecttobe，purelyandtruthfully，asyouhavestatedit。Ibelieveyourintentionistoperpetuate，andnottoweaken，thetiesbetweenmeandmyotherandfardearerself。Ifsheshouldevertellmethatyouareessentialtoherperfecthappiness，Iwillgivehertoyou。Iftherewere——CharlesDarnay，iftherewere——\'

Theyoungmanhadtakenhishandgratefully；theirhandswerejoinedastheDoctorspoke:

`——anyfancies，anyreasons，anyapprehensions，anythingwhatsoever，neworold，againstthemanshereallyloved——thedirectresponsibilitythereofnotlyingonhishead——theyshouldallbeobliteratedforhersake。

Sheiseverythingtome；moretomethansuffering，moretomethanwrong，moretome——Well!Thisisidletalk。\'

Sostrangewasthewayinwhichhefadedintosilence，andsostrangehisfixedlookwhenhehadceasedtospeak，thatDarnayfelthisownhandturncoldinthehandthatslowlyreleasedanddroppedit。

`Yousaidsomethingtome，\'saidDoctorManette，breakingintoasmile。`Whatwasityousaidtome?\'

Hewasatalosshowtoanswer，untilherememberedhavingspokenofacondition。Relievedashismindrevertedtothat，heanswered:

`Yourconfidenceinmeoughttobereturnedwithfullconfidenceonmypart。Mypresentname，thoughbutslightlychangedfrommymother\'s，isnot，asyouwillremember，myOwn。Iwishtotellyouwhatthatis，andwhyIaminEngland。\'

`Stop!\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais。

`Iwishit，thatImaythebetterdeserveyourconfidence，andhavenosecretfromyou。

`Stop!\'

Foraninstant，theDoctorevenhadhistwohandsathisears；

foranotherinstant，evenhadhistwohandslaidonDarnay\'slips。

`TellmewhenIaskyou，notnow。Ifyoursuitshouldprosper，ifLucieshouldloveyou，youshalltellmeonyourmarriagemorning。Doyoupromise?\'

`Willingly。\'

`Givemeyourhand。Shewillbehomedirectly，anditisbettersheshouldnotseeustogetherto-night。Go!Godblessyou!\'

ItwasdarkwhenCharlesDarnaylefthim，anditwasanhourlateranddarkerwhenLuciecamehome；shehurriedintotheroomalone——forMissProsshadgonestraightupstairs——andwassurprisedtofindhisreading-chairempty。

`Myfather!\'shecalledtohim。`Fatherdear!\'

Nothingwassaidinanswer，butsheheardalowhammeringsoundinhisbedroom。Passinglightlyacrosstheintermediateroom，shelookedinathisdoorandcamerunningbackfrightened，cryingtoherself，withherbloodallchilled，`WhatshallIdo!WhatshallIdo!\'

Heruncertaintylastedbutamoment；shehurriedback，andtappedathisdoor，andsoftlycalledtohim。Thenoiseceasedatthesoundofhervoice，andhepresentlycameouttoher，andtheywalkedupanddowntogetherforalongtime。

Shecamedownfromherbed，tolookathiminhissleepthatnight。

Hesleptheavily，andhistrayofshoemakingtools，andhisoldunfinishedwork，wereallasusual。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIACompanionPicture`SYDNEY，\'saidMr。Stryver，onthatself-samenight，ormorning，tohisjackal；`mixanotherbowlofpunch；Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。\'

Sydneyhadbeenworkingdoubletidesthatnight，andthenightbefore，andthenightbeforethat，andagoodmanynightsinsuccession，makingagrandclearanceamongMr。Stryver\'spapersbeforethesettinginofthelongvacation。Theclearancewaseffectedatlast；theStryverarrearswerehandsomelyfetchedup；everythingwasgotridofuntilNovembershouldcomewithitsfogsatmosphericandfogslegal，andbringgristtothemillagain。

Sydneywasnonethelivelierandnonethesobererforsomuchapplication。Ithadtakenadealofextrawet-towellingtopullhimthroughthenight；acorrespondinglyextraquantityofwinehadprecededthetowelling；

andhewasinaverydamagedcondition，ashenowpulledhisturbanoffandthrewitintothebasininwhichhehadsteepeditatintervalsforthelastsixhours。

`Areyoumixingthatotherbowlofpunch?\'saidStryvertheportly，withhishandsinhiswaistband，glancingroundfromthesofawherehelayonhisback，`Iam。\'

`Now，lookhere!Iamgoingtotellyousomethingthatwillrathersurpriseyou，andthatperhapswillmakeyouthinkmenotquiteasshrewdasyouusuallydothinkme。Iintendtomarry。

`Doyou?\'

`Yes。Andnotformoney。Whatdoyousaynow?\'

`Idon\'tfeeldisposedtosaymuch。Whoisshe?\'

`Guess。\'

`DoIknowher?\'

`Guess。\'

`Iamnotgoingtoguess，atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，withmybrainsfryingandsputteringinmy，head。Ifyouwantmetoguess，youmustaskmetodinner。

`Wellthen，I\'lltellyou，\'saidStryver，comingslowlyintoasittingposture。`Sydney，Iratherdespairofmakingmyselfintelligibletoyou，becauseyouaresuchaninsensibledog。\'

`Andyou，\'returnedSydney，busyconcoctingthepunch，`aresuchasensitiveandpoeticalspirit。\'

`Come!\'rejoinedStryver，laughingboastfully，`thoughIdon\'tpreferanyclaimtobeingthesoulofRomance(forIhopeI，knowbetter)，stillIamatenderersortoffellowthanyou。

`Youarealuckier，ifyoumeanthat。\'

`Idon\'tmeanthat。ImeanIamamanofmore——more——\'

`Saygallantry，whileyouareaboutit，\'suggestedCarton。

`Well!I\'llsaygallantry。MymeaningisthatIamaman，\'saidStryver，inflatinghimselfathisfriendashemadethepunch，`whocaresmoretobeagreeable，Whotakesmorepainstobeagreeable，whoknowsbetterhowtobeagreeable，inawoman\'ssociety，thanyoudo。\'

`Goon，\'saidSydneyCarton。

`No；butbeforeIgoon，\'saidStryver，shakinghisheadinhisbullyingway，`I\'llhavethisoutwithyou。You\'vebeenatDr。Manette\'shouseasmuchasIhave，ormorethanIhave。Why，Ihavebeenashamedofyourmorosenessthere!Yourmannershavebeenofthatsilentandsullenandhang-dogkind，that，uponmylifeandsoul，Ihavebeenashamedofyou，Sydney!\'

`Itshouldbeverybeneficialtoamaninyourpracticeatthebar，tobeashamedofanything，\'returnedSydney；`yououghttobemuchobligedtome。

`YoushallnotgetoffinthatWay，\'rejoinedStryver，shoulderingtherejoinderathim；`no，Sydney，it\'smydutytotellyou——andItellyoutoyourfacetodoyougood——thatyouareadevilishill-conditionedfellowinthatsortofsociety。Youareadisagreeablefellow。\'

Sydneydrankabumperofthepunchhehadmade，andlaughed。

`Lookatme!\'saidStryver，squaringhimself:`Ihavelessneedtomakemyselfagreeablethanyouhave，beingmoreindependentincircumstances。

WhydoIdoit?\'

`Ineversawyoudoityet，\'mutteredCarton。

`Idoitbecauseit\'spolitic；Idoitonprinciple。Andlookatme!Igeton。\'

`Youdon\'tgetonwithyouraccountofyourmatrimonialintentions，\'

answeredCarton，withacarelessair；`Iwishyouwouldkeeptothat。Astome——willyouneverunderstandthatIamincorrigible?\'

Heaskedthequestionwithsomeappearanceofscorn。

`Youhavenobusinesstobeincorrigible，\'washisfriend\'sanswer，deliveredinnoverysoothingtone。

`Ihavenobusinesstobe，atall，thatIknowof，\'saidSydneyCarton。`Whoisthelady?\'

`Now，don\'tletmyannouncementofthenamemakeyouuncomfortable，Sydney，\'saidMr。Stryver，preparinghimwithostentatiousfriendlinessforthedisclosurehewasabouttomake，`becauseIknowyoudon\'tmeanhalfyousay；andifyoumeantitall，itwouldbeofnoimportance。I

makethislittlepreface，because，youoncementionedtheyoungladytomeinslightingterms。

`Idid?\'

`Certainly；andinthesechambers。\'

SydneyCartonlookedathispunchandlookedathiscomplacentfriend；drankhispunchandlookedathiscomplacentfriend。

`Youmadementionoftheyoungladyasagolden-haireddoll。TheyoungladyisMissManette。Ifyouhadbeenafellowofanysensitivenessordelicacyoffeelinginthatkindofway，Sydney，Imighthavebeenalittleresentfulofyouremployingsuchadesignation；butyouarenot。

Youwantthatsensealtogether；thereforeIamnomoreannoyedwhenIthinkoftheexpression，thanIshouldbeannoyedbyaman\'sopinionofapictureofmine，whohadnoeyeforpictures:orofapieceofmusicofmine，whohadnoearformusic。\'

SydneyCartondrankthepunchatagreatrate；drankitbybumpers，lookingathisfriend。

`Nowyouknowallaboutit，Syd，\'saidMr。Stryver。`Idon\'tcareaboutfortune:sheisacharmingcreature，andIhavemadeupmymindtopleasemyself:onthewhole，IthinkIcanaffordtopleasemyself。Shewillhaveinmeamanalreadyprettywelloffandarapidlyrisingman，andamanofsomedistinction:itisapieceofgoodfortuneforher，butsheisworthyofgoodfortune。Areyouastonished?\'

Carton，stilldrinkingthepunch，rejoined，`WhyshouldIbeastonished?\'

`Youapprove?\'

Carton，stilldrinkingthepunch，rejoined，`WhyshouldInotapprove?\'`Well!\'saidhisfriendStryver，`youtakeitmoreeasilythanIfanciedyouwould，andarelessmercenaryonmybehalfthanIthoughtyouwouldbe；though，tobesure，youknowwellenoughbythistimethatyourancientchumisamanofaprettystrongwill。Yes，Sydney，Ihavehadenoughofthisstyleoflife，withnootherasachangeiron\'it；I

feelthatitisapleasantthingforamantohaveahomewhenhefeelsinclinedtogotoit(whenhedoesn\'t，hecanstayaway)，andIfeelthatMissManettewilltellwellinanystation，andwillalwaysdomecredit。

SoIhavemadeupmymind。Andnow，Sydney，oldboy，Iwanttosayawordtoyouaboutyourprospects。Youareinabadway，youknow；

youreallyareinabadway。Youdon\'tknowthevalueofmoney，youlivehard，you\'llknockuponeofthesedays，andbeillandpoor；youreallyoughttothinkaboutanurse。

Theprosperouspatronagewithwhichhesaidit，madehimlooktwiceasbigashewas，andfourtimesasoffensive。

`Now，letmerecommendyou，\'pursuedStryver，`tolookitintheface。Ihavelookeditintheface，inmydifferentway；lookitintheface，you，inyourdifferentway。Marry。Providesomebodytotakecareofyou。Nevermindyourhavingnoenjoymentofwomen\'ssociety，norunderstandingofit，nortactforit。Findoutsomebody。Findoutsomerespectablewomanwithalittleproperty——somebodyinthelandladyway，orlodging-lettingway——andmarryher，againstarainyday。That\'sthekindofthingforyou。

Nowthinkofit，Sydney。\'

`I\'llthinkofit，\'saidSydney。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIITheFellowofDelicacyMR。STRYVERhavingmadeuphismindtothatmagnanimousbestowalofgoodfortuneontheDoctor\'sdaughter，resolvedtomakeherhappinessknowntoherbeforehelefttownfortheLongVacation。Aftersomementaldebatingofthepoint，hecametotheconclusionthatitwouldbeaswelltogetallthepreliminariesdonewith，andtheycouldthenarrangeattheirleisurewhetherheshouldgiveherhishandaweekortwobeforeMichaelmasTerm，orinthelittleChristmasvacationbetweenitandHilary。

Astothestrengthofhiscase，hehadnotadoubtaboutit，butclearlysawhiswayto\'theverdict。Arguedwiththejuryonsubstantialworldlygrounds——theonlygroundseverworthtakingintoaccount——itwasaplaincase，andhadnotaweakspotinit。Hecalledhimselffortheplaintiff，therewasnogettingoverhisevidence，thecounselforthedefendantthrewuphisbrief，andthejurydidnoteventurntoconsider。

Aftertryingit，Stryver，C。J。，wassatisfiedthatnoplainercasecouldbe。

Accordingly，Mr。StryverinauguratedtheLongVacationwithaformalproposaltotakeMissManettetoVauxhallGardens；thatfailing，toRanelagh；thatunaccountablyfailingtoo，itbehovedhimtopresenthimselfinSoho，andtheredeclarehisnoblemind。

TowardsSoho，therefore，Mr。SteershoulderedhiswayfromtheTemple，whilethebloomoftheLongVacation\'sinfancywasstilluponit。

AnybodywhohadseenhimprojectinghimselfintoSohowhilehewasyetonSaintDunstan\'ssideofTempleBar，burstinginhisfull-blownwayalongthepavement，tothejostlementofallweakerpeople，mighthaveseenhowsafeandstronghewas。