第16章

MissPross，shakingherlovinganddejectedhadatherbynomeansaffectionatebrother，saidthroughhertears，`Mr。Cruncher。\'

`Lethimcomeouttoo，\'saidSolomon。`Doeshethinkmeaghost?\'

Apparently，Mr。Cruncherdid，tojudgefromhislooks。Hesaidnotaword，however，andMissPross，exploringthedepthsofherreticulethroughhertearswithgreatdifficulty，paidforherwine。Asshedidso，SolomonturnedtothefollowersoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，andofferedafewwordsofexplanationintheFrenchlanguage，whichcausedthemalltorelapseintotheirformerplacesandpursuits。

`Now，\'saidSolomon，stoppingatthedarkstreetcorner，`whatdoyouwant?\'

`Howdreadfullyunkindinabrothernothinghaseverturnedmyloveawayfrom!\'criedMissPross，`togivemesuchagreeting，andshowmenoaffection。\'

`There。Con-foundit!There，\'saidSolomon，makingadabatMissPross\'slipswithhisown。`Nowareyoucontent?\'

MissProssonlyshookherheadandweptinsilence。

`Ifyouexpectmetobesurprised，\'saidherbrotherSolomon，`Iamnotsurprised；Iknewyouwerehere；Iknowofmostpeoplewhoarehere。Ifyoureallydon\'twanttoendangermyexistence——whichIhalfbelieveyoudo——goyourwaysassoonaspossible，andletmegomine。Iambusy。

Iamanofficial。\'

`MyEnglishbrotherSolomon，\'mournedMissPross，castinguphertear-fraughteyes，`thathadthemakingsinhimofoneofthebestandgreatestofmeninhisnativecountry，anofficialamongforeigners，andsuchforeigners!Iwouldalmostsoonerhaveseenthedearboylyinginhis——\'

`Isaidso!\'criedherbrother，interrupting。`Iknewit。Youwanttobethedeathofme。IshallberenderedSuspected，bymyownsister。

JustasIamgettingon!\'

`ThegraciousandmercifulHeavensforbid!\'criedMissPross。

`FarratherwouldIneverseeyouagain，dearSolomon，thoughIhaveeverlovedyoutruly，andevershall。Saybutoneaffectionatewordtome，andtellmethereisnothingangryorestrangedbetweenus，andIwilldetainyounolonger。\'

GoodMissPross!Asiftheestrangementbetweenthemhadcomeofanyculpabilityofhers。AsifMr。Lorryhadnotknownitforafact，yearsago，inthequietcornerinSoho，thatthispreciousbrotherhadspenthermoneyandlefther!

Hewassayingtheaffectionateword，however，withafarmoregrudgingcondescensionandpatronagethanliecouldhaveshowniftheirrelativemeritsandpositionshadbeenreversed(whichisinvariablythecase，alltheworldover)，whenMr。Cruncher，touchinghimontheshoulder，hoarselyandunexpectedlyinterposedwiththefollowingsingularquestion:

`Isay!MightIaskthefavour?AstowhetheryournameisJohnSolomon，orSolomonJohn?\'

Theofficialturnedtowardshimwithsuddendistrust。Hehadnotpreviouslyutteredaword。

`Come!\'saidMr。Cruncher。`Speakout，youknow。\'(Which，bytheway，wasmorethanhecoulddohimself。)`JohnSolomon，orSolomonJohn?

ShecallsyouSolomon，andshemustknow，beingyoursister。AndIknowyou\'reJohn，youknow。Whichofthetwogoesfirst?AndregardingthatnameofPross，likewise。Thatwarn\'tyournameoverthewater。

`Whatdoyoumean?\'

`Well，Idon\'tknowallImean，，forIcan\'tcalltomindMatyournamewas，overthewater。

`No。ButI\'llswearitwasanameoftwosyllables。\'

`Indeed?\'

`Yes。T\'otherone\'swasonesyllable。Iknowyou。Youwa，aspy-witnessattheBailey。What，inthenameoftheFatherofLies，ownfathertoyourselfwasyoucalledatthattime?\'

`Barsad，\'saidanothervoice，strikingin。

`That\'sthenameforathousandpound!\'criedJerry。

Thespeakerwhostruckin，wasSydneyCarton。Hehadhishandsbehindhimundertheskirtsofhisriding-coat，andhestoodatMr。Cruncher\'selbowasnegligentlyashemighthavestoodattheOldBaileyitself。

`Don\'tbealarmed，mydearMissPross。IarrivedatMr。Lorry\'s，tohissurprise，yesterdayevening；weagreedthatIwouldnotpresentmyselfelsewhereuntilallwaswell，orunlessIcouldbeuseful；Ipresentmyselfhere，tobegalittletalkwithyourbrother。IwishyouhadabetteremployedbrotherthanMr。Barsad。IwishforyoursakeMr。BarsadwasnotaSheepofthePrisons。

Sheepwasacantwordofthetimeforaspy，underthegaolers。

Thespy，whowaspale，turnedpaler，andaskedhimhowhedared——

`I\'lltellyou，\'saidSydney。`Ilightedonyou，Mr。Barsad，comingoutoftheprisonoftheConciergeriewhileIwascontemplatingthewalls，anhourormoreago。Youhaveafacetoberemembered，andIrememberfaceswell。Madecuriousbyseeingyouinthatconnection，andhavingareason，towhichyouarenostranger，forassociatingyouwiththemisfortunesofafriendnowveryunfortunate，Iwalkedinyourdirection。Iwalkedintothewine-shophere，closeafteryou，andsatnearyou。Ihadnodifficultyindeducingfromyourunreservedconversation，andtherumouropenlygoingaboutamongyouradmirers，thenatureofyourcalling。Andgradually，whatIhaddoneatrandom，seemedtoshapeitselfintoapurpose，Mr。Barsad。\'

`Whatpurpose?\'thespyasked。

`Itwouldbetroublesome，andmightbedangerous，toexplaininthestreet。Couldyoufavourme，inconfidence，withsomeminutesofyourcompany——attheofficeofTellson\'sBank，forinstance?\'

`Underathreat?\'

`Oh!DidIsaythat?\'

`Then，whyshouldIgothere?\'

`Really，Mr。Barsad，Ican\'tsay，ifyoucan\'t。\'

`Doyoumeanthatyouwon\'tsay，sir?\'thespyirresolutelyasked。

`Youapprehendmeveryclearly，Mr。Barsad。Iwon\'t。\'

Carton\'snegligentrecklessnessofmannercamepowerfullyinaidofhisquicknessandskill，insuchabusinessashehadinhissecretmind，andwithsuchamanashehadtodowith。Hispractisedeyesawit，andmadethemostofit。

`Now，Itoldyouso，\'saidthespy，castingareproachfullookathissister；`ifanytroublecomesofthis，it\'syourdoing。\'

`Come，come，Mr。Barsad!\'exclaimedSydney。`Don\'tbeungrateful。

Butformygreatrespectforyoursister，ImightnothaveledupsopleasantlytoalittleproposalthatIwishtomakeforourmutualsatisfaction。DoyougowithmetotheBank?\'

`I\'llhearwhatyouhavegottosay。Yes，I`llgowithyou。\'

`Iproposethatwefirstconductyoursistersafelytothecornerofherownstreet。Letmetakeyourarm，MissPross。Thisisnotagoodcity，atthistime，foryoutobeoutin，unprotected；andasyourescortknowsMr。Barsad，IwillinvitehimtoMr。Lorry\'swithus。Areweready?Comethen!\'

MissProssrecalledsoonafterwards，andtotheendofherliferemembered，thatasshepressedherhandsonSydney\'sarmandlookedupinhisface，imploringhimtodonohurttoSolomon，therewasabracedpurposeinthearmandakindofinspirationintheeyes，whichnotonlycontradictedhislightmanner，butchangedandraisedtheman。Shewastoomuchoccupiedthenwithfearsforthebrotherwhosolittledeservedheraffection，andwithSydney\'sfriendlyreassurances，adequatelytoheedwhatsheobserved。

Theyleftheratthecornerofthestreet，andCartonledthewaytoMr。Lorry\'s，whichwaswithinafewminutes\'walk。JohnBarsad，orSolomonPross，walkedathisside。

Mr。Lorryhadjustfinishedhisdinner，andwassittingbeforeacheerylittlelogortwooffire——perhapslookingintotheirblazeforthepictureofthatyoungerelderlygentlemanfromTellson\'s，whohadlookedintotheredcoalsattheRoyalGeorgeatDover，nowagoodmanyyearsago。Heturnedhisheadastheyentered，andshowedthesurprisewithwhichhesawastranger。

`MissPross\'sbrother，sir，\'saidSydney。`Mr。Barsad。\'

`Barsad?\'repeatedtheoldgentleman，`Barsad?Ihaveanassociationwiththename-andwiththeface。\'

`Itoldyouyouhadaremarkableface，Mr。Barsad，\'observedCarton，coolly`Praysitdown。\'

AshetookachairhimselfhesuppliedthelinkthatMr。Lorrywanted，bysayingtohimwithafrown，`Witnessatthattrial。\'Mr。Lorryimmediatelyremembered，andregardedhisnewvisitorwithanundisguisedlookofabhorrence。

`Mr。BarsadhasbeenrecognisedbyMissProssastheaffectionatebrotheryouhaveheardof\'saidSydney，`andhasacknowledgedtherelationship。

Ipasstoworsenews。Darnayhasbeenarrestedagain。\'

Struckwithconsternation，theoldgentlemanexclaimed，`WhatdoyoutellmeIlefthimsafeandfreewithinthesetwohours，andamabouttoreturntohim!\'

`Arrestedforallthat。Whenwasitdone，Mr。Barsad?\'

`Justnow，ifatall。\'

`Mr。Barsadisthebestauthoritypossible，sir，\'saidSydney，`andIhaveitfromMr。Barsad\'scommunicationtoafriendandbrotherSheepoverabottleofwine，thatthearresthastakenplace。Heleftthemessengersatthegate，andsawthemadmittedbytheporter。Thereisnoearthlydoubtthatheisretaken。\'

Mr。Lorry\'sbusinesseyereadinthespeaker\'sfacethatitwaslossoftimetodwelluponthepoint。Confused，butsensiblethatsomethingmightdependonhispresenceofmind，hecommandedhimselfandwassilentlyattentive。

`Now，Itrust，\'saidSydneytohim，`thatthenameandinfluenceofDoctorManettemaystandhiminasgoodsteadto-morrowyousaidhewouldbebeforetheTribunalagainto-morrow，Mr。Barsad?——\'

`Yes；Ibelieveso。\'

`——Inasgoodsteadto-morrowasto-day。Butitmaynotbeso。

Iowntoyou，Iamshaken，Mr。Lorry，byDoctorManette\'snothavinghadthepowertopreventthisarrest。

`Hemaynothaveknownofitbeforehand，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Butthatverycircumstancewouldbealarming，whenwerememberhowidentifiedheiswithhisson-in-law。\'

`That\'strue，\'Mr。Lorryacknowledged，withhistroubledhandathischin，andhistroubledeyesonCarton。

`Inshort，\'saidSydney，`thisisadesperatetime，whendesperategamesareplayedfordesperatestakes。LettheDoctorplaythewinninggame；Iwillplaythelosingone。Noman\'slifehereisworthpurchase。

Anyonecarriedhomebythepeopleto-day，maybecondemnedto-morrow。

Now，thestakeIhaveresolvedtoplayfor，incaseoftheworst，isafriendintheConciergerie。AndthefriendIpurposetomyselftowin，isMr。Barsad。\'

`Youneedhavegoodcards，sir，\'saidthespy。

`I\'llrunthemover。I\'llseewhatIhold——Mr。Lorry，youknowwhatabruteIam；Iwishyou\'dgivemealittlebrandy。\'

Itwasputbeforehim，andhedrankoffaglassful——rankoffanotherglassful——pushedthebottlethoughtfullyaway。

`Mr。Barsad，\'hewentone`inthetoneofonewhoreallywaslookingoverahandatcards:`Sheepoftheprisons，emissaryofRepublicancommittees，nowturnkey，nowprisoner，alwaysspyandsecretinformer，somuchthemorevaluablehereforbeingEnglishthatanEnglishmanislessopentosuspicionofsubornationinthosecharactersthanaFrenchman，representshimselftohisemployersunderafalsename。That\'saverygoodcard。Mr。

Barsad，nowintheemployoftherepublicanFrenchgovernment，wasformer!yintheemployofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment，theenemyofFranceandfreedom。That\'sanexcellentcard。Inferenceclearasdayinthisregionofsuspicion，thatMr。Barsad，stillinthepayofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment，isthespyofPitt，thetreacherousfoeoftheRepubliccrouchinginitsbosom，theEnglishtraitorandagentofallmischiefsomuchspokenofandsodifficulttofind。That\'sacardnottobebeaten。Haveyoufollowedmyhand，Mr。Barsad?\'

`Notto`understandyourplay，\'returnedthespy，somewhatuneasily。

`IplaymyAce，DenunciationofMr。BarsadtothenearestSectionCommittee。Lookoveryourhand，Mr。Barsad，andseewhatyouhave。Don\'thurry。\'

Hedrewthebottlenear，pouredoutanotherglassfulofbrandy，anddrankitoff。Hesawthatthespywasfearfulofhisdrinkinghimselfintoafitstatefortheimmediatedenunciationofhim。Seeingit，hepouredoutanddrankanotherglassful。

Lookoveryourhandcarefully，Mr。Barsad。Taketime。\'Itwasapoorerhandthanhesuspected。Mr。BarsadsawlosingcardsinitthatSydneyCartonknewnothingof。ThrownoutofhishonourableemploymentinEngland，throughtoomuchunsuccessfulhardswearingthere——notbecausehewasnotwantedthere:ourEnglishreasonsforvauntingoursuperioritytosecrecyandspiesareofverymoderndate——heknewthathehadcrossedtheChannel，andacceptedserviceinFrance:first，asatempterandaneavesdropperamonghisowncountrymenthere:gradually，asatempterandaneavesdropperamongthenatives。HeknewthatundertheoverthrowngovernmenthehadbeenaspyuponSaintAntoineandDefarge\'swine-shop；hadreceivedfromthewatchfulpolicesuchheadsofinformationconcerningDoctorManette\'simprisonment，release，andhistory，asshouldservehimforanintroductiontofamiliarconversationwiththeDefarges；andtriedthemonMadameDefarge，andhadbrokendownwiththemsignally。Healwaysrememberedwithfearandtrembling，thatthatterriblewomanhadknittedwhenhetalkedwithher，andhadlookedominouslyathimasherfingersmoved。Hehadsinceseenher，intheSectionofSaintAntoine，overandoveragainproduceherknittedregisters，anddenouncepeoplewhoselivestheguillotinethensurelyswallowedup。Heknew，aseveryoneemployedashewasdid，thathewasneversafe；thatflightwasimpossible；thathewastiedfastundertheshadowoftheaxe；andthatinspiteofhisutmosttergiversationandtreacheryinfurtheranceofthereigningterror，awordmightbringitdownuponhim。Oncedenounced，andonsuchgravegroundsashadjustnowbeensuggestedtohismind，heforesawthatthedreadfulwomanofwhoseunrelentingcharacterhehadseenmanyproofs，wouldproduceagainsthimthatfatalregister，andwouldquashhislastchanceoflife。Besidesthatallsecretmenaremensoonterrified，hereweresurelycardsenoughofoneblacksuit，tojustifytheholderingrowingratherlividasheturnedthemover。

`Youscarcelyseemtolikeyourhand，\'saidSydney，withthegreatestcomposure。`Doyouplay?\'

`Ithink，sir，\'saidthespy，inthemeanestmanner，asheturnedtoMr。Lorry，`Imayappealtoagentlemanofyouryearsandbenevolence，toputittothisothergentleman，somuchyourjunior，whetherhecanunderanycircumstancesreconcileittohisstationtoplaythatAceofwhichhehasspoken。IadmitthatIamaspy，andthatitisconsideredadiscreditablestation——thoughitmustbefilledbysomebody；butthisgentlemanisnospy，andwhyshouldhesodemeanhimselfastomakehimselfone?\'

`IplaymyAce，Mr。Barsad，\'saidCarton，takingtheansweronhimself，andlookingathiswatch，`withoutanyscrupleinaveryfewminutes。\'

`Ishouldhavehoped，gentlemenboth，\'saidthespy，alwaysstrivingtohookMr。Lorryintothediscussion，`thatyourrespectformysister——\'

`Icouldnotbettertestifymyrespectforyoursisterthanbyfinallyrelievingherofherbrother，\'saidSydneyCarton。

`Youthinknot，sir?\'

`Ihavethoroughlymadeupmymindaboutit。\'

Thesmoothmannerofthespy，curiouslyindissonancewithhisostentatiouslyroughdress，andprobablywithhisusualdemeanour，receivedsuchacheckfromtheinscrutabilityofCarton，——whowasamysterytowiserandhonestermenthanhe，——thatitfalteredhereandfailedhim。Whilehewasataloss，Cartonsaid，resuminghisformerairofcontemplatingcards:

`Andindeed，nowIthinkagain，IhaveastrongimpressionthatIhaveanothergoodcardhere，notyetenumerated。Thatfriendandfellow-Sheep，whospokeofhimselfaspasturinginthecountryprisons；whowashe?\'

`French。Youdon\'tknowhim，\'saidthespyquickly。

`French，eh!\'repeatedCarton，musing，andnotappearingtonoticehimatall，thoughheechoedhisword。`Well；hemaybe。\'

`Is，Iassureyou，\'saidthespy；`thoughit\'snotimportant。\'

`Thoughit\'snotimportant，\'repeatedCartoninthesamemechanicalway——\'thoughit\'snotimportantNo，it\'snotimportant。No。YetIknowtheface。\'

`Ithinknot。Iamsurenot。Itcan\'tbe，\'saidthespy。

`It——can\'t——be，\'mutteredSydneyCarton，retrospectively，andfillinghisglass(whichfortunatelywasasmallone)again。`Can\'t——be。

SpokegoodFrench。Yetlikeaforeigner，Ithought?\'

`Provincial，\'saidthespy。

`No。Foreign!\'criedCarton，strikinghisopenhandonthetable，asalightbrokeclearlyonhismind。`Cly!Disguised，butthesameman。

WehadthatmanbeforeusattheOldBailey。\'

`Now，thereyouarehasty，sir，\'saidBarsad，withasmilethatgavehisaquilinenoseanextrainclinationtooneside；`thereyoureallygivemeanadvantageoveryou。Cly(whoIwillunreservedlyadmit，atthisdistanceoftime，wasapartnerofmine)hasbeendeadseveralyears。I

attendedhiminhislastillness。HewasburiedinLondon，atthechurchofSaintPancras-in-the-Fields。Hisunpopularitywiththeblackguardmultitudeatthemomentpreventedmyfollowinghisremains，butIhelpedtolayhiminhiscoffin。\'

Here，Mr。Lorrybecameaware，fromwherehesat，ofamostremarkablegoblinshadowonthewall。Tracingittoitssource，hediscoveredittobecausedbyasuddenextraordinaryrisingandstiffeningofalltherisenandstiffhaironMr。Cruncher\'shead。

`Letusbereasonable，\'saidthespy，`andletusbefair。Toshowyouhowmistakenyouare，andwhatanunfoundedassumptionyoursis，IwilllaybeforeyouacertificateofCly\'sburial，whichIhappentohavecarriedinmypocket-book，\'withahurriedhandheproducedandopenedit，`eversince。Thereitis。Oh，lookatit，lookatit!Youmaytakeitinyourhand；it\'snoforgery。\'

Here，Mr。Lorryperceivedthereflectiononthewalltoelongate，andMr。Cruncherroseandsteppedforward。Hishaircouldnothavebeenmoreviolentlyonend，ifithadbeenthatmomentdressedbytheCowwiththecrumpledhorninthehousethatJackbuilt。

Unseenbythespy，Mr。Cruncherstoodathisside，andtouchedhimontheshoulderlikeaghostlybailiff。

`ThatthereRogerCly，master，\'saidMr。Cruncher，withataciturnandiron-boundvisage。`Soyoubuthiminhiscoffin?\'

`Idid。\'

`Whotookhimoutofit?\'

Barsadleanedbackinhischair，andstammered，`Whatdoyoumean?\'

`Imean，\'saidMr。Cruncher，`thathewarn\'tneverinit。No!

Nothe!I\'llhavemyheadtookoff，ifhewaseverinit。\'

Thespylookedroundatthetwogentlemen；theybothlookedinunspeakableastonishmentatJerry。

`Itellyou，\'saidJerry，`thatyouburiedpaving-stonesandearthinthattherecoffin。Don\'tgoandtellmethatyouburiedCly。

Itwasatakein。Meandtwomoreknowsit。\'

`Howdoyouknowit?\'

`What\'sthattoyou?Ecod!\'growledMr。Cruncher，`it\'syouI

havegotaoldgrudgeagain，isit，withyourshamefulimpositionsupontradesmen!I\'dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea。\'

SydneyCarton，who，withMr。Lorry，hadbeenlostinamazementatthisturnofthebusiness，hererequestedMr。Crunchertomoderateandexplainhimself。

`Atanothertime，sir，\'hereturned，evasively，`thepresenttimeisill-conwenientforexplainin\'。WhatIstandto，is，thatheknowswellwotthatthereClywasneverinthattherecoffin。Lethimsayliewas，insomuchasawordofonesyllable，andI\'lleithercatchholdofhisthroatandchokehimforhalfaguinea；\'Mr。Cruncherdweltuponthisasquitealiberaloffer；`orI\'lloutandannouncehim。\'

`Humph!Iseeonething，\'saidCarton。`Iholdanothercard，Mr。

Barsad。Impossible，hereinragingParis，withSuspicionfillingtheair，foryoutooutlivedenunciation，whenyouareincommunicationwithanotheraristocraticspyofthesameantecedentsasyourselfwho，moreover，hasthemysteryabouthimofhavingfeigneddeathandcometolifeagain!A

plotintheprisons，oftheforeigneragainsttheRepublic。Astrongcard——acertainGuillotinecard!Doyouplay?\'

`No!\'returnedthespy。`Ithrowup。Iconfessthatweweresounpopularwiththeoutrageousmob，thatIonlygotawayfromEnglandattheriskofbeingduckedtodeath，andthatClywassoferretedupanddown，thatheneverwouldhavegotawayatallbut[orthatsham。Thoughhowthismanknowsitwasasham，isawonderofwonderstome。\'

`Neveryoutroubleyourheadaboutthisman，\'retortedthecontentiousMr。Cruncher；`you\'llhavetroubleenoughwithgivingyourattentiontothatgentleman。Andlookhere!Oncemore!\'——Mr。Crunchercouldnotberestrainedfrommakingratheranostentatiousparadeofhisliberality——`I\'dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea。\'

TheSheepoftheprisonsturnedfromhimtoSydneyCarton，andsaid，withmoredecision，`Ithascometoapoint。Igoondutysoon，andcan\'toverstaymytime。Youtoldmeyouhadaproposal；whatisit?Now，itisofnouseaskingtoomuchofme。Askmetodoanythinginmyoffice，puttingmyheadingreatextradanger，andIhadbettertrustmylifetothechancesofarefusalthanthechancesofconsent。Inshort，Ishouldmakethatchoice。Youtalkofdesperation。Wearealldesperatehere。Remember!

ImaydenounceyouifIthinkproper，andIcanswearmywaythroughstonewalls，andsocanothers。Now，whatdoyouwantwithme?\'

`Notverymuch。YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?\'

`Itellyouonceforall，thereisnosuchthingasanescapepossible，\'saidthespy，firmly。

`WhyneedyoutellmewhatIhavenotasked?YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?\'

`Iamsometimes。\'

`Youcanbewhenyouchoose。\'

`IcanpassinandoutwhenIchoose。\'

`SydneyCartonfilledanotherglasswithbrandy，poureditslowlyoutuponthehearth，andwatcheditasitdropped。Itbeingallspent，hesaid，rising:

`Sofar，wehavespokenbeforethesetwo，becauseitwasaswellthatthemeritsofthecardsshouldnotrestsolelybetweenyouandme。

Comeintothedarkroomhere，andletushaveonefinalwordalone。\'

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIXTheGameMadeWHILESydneyCartonandtheSheepoftheprisonswereintheadjoiningdarkroom，speakingsolowthatnotasoundwasheard，Mr。LorrylookedatJerryinconsiderabledoubtandmistrust。Thathonesttradesman\'smannerofreceivingthelook，didnotinspireconfidence；hechangedthelegonwhichherested，asoftenasifhehadfiftyofthoselimbs，andweretryingthemall；heexaminedhisfinger-nailswithaveryquestionableclosenessofattention；andwheneverMr。Lorry\'seyecaughthis，hewastakenwiththatpeculiarkindofshortcoughrequiringthehollowofahandbeforeit，whichisseldom，ifever，knowntobeaninfirmityattendantonperfectopennessofcharacter。

`Jerry，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Comehere。\'

Mr。Crunchercameforwardsideways，withoneofhisshouldersinadvanceofhim。

`Whathaveyoubeen，besidesamessenger?\'

Aftersomecogitation，accompaniedwithanintentlookathispatron，Mr。Cruncherconceivedtheluminousideaofreplying，`Agricultooralcharacter。\'

`Mymindmisgivesmemuch，\'saidMr。Lorry，angrilyshakingaforefingerathim，`thatyouhaveusedtherespectableandgreathouseofTellson\'sasablind，andthatyouhavehadanunlawfuloccupationofaninfamousdescription。Ifyouhave，don\'texpectmetobefriendyouwhenyougetbacktoEngland。Ifyouhave，don\'texpectmetokeepyoursecret。

Tellson\'sshallnotbeimposedupon。\'

`Ihope，sir，\'pleadedtheabashedMr。Cruncher，`thatagentlemanlikeyourselfwotI\'vehadthehonourofoddjobbingtillI\'mgreyatit，wouldthinktwiceaboutharmingofme，evenifitwos，——soIdon\'tsayitis，butevenifitwos。Andwhichitistobetookintoaccountthatifitwos，itwouldn\'t，eventhen，beallo\'oneside。There\'dbetwosidestoit。Theremightbemedicaldoctorsatthepresenthour，apickinguptheirguineaswhereahonesttradesmandon\'tpickuphisfardens——fardens!

no，noryethishalffardens——halffardens!no，noryethisquarter——abankingawaylikesmokeatTellson\'s，andacockingtheirmedicaleyesatthattradesmanonthesly，agoinginandgoingouttotheirowncarriages——ah!

equallylikesmoke，ifnotmoreso。Well，that\'udbeimposing，too，onTellson\'s。Foryoucannotsarsethegooseandnotthegander。Andhere\'sMrs。Cruncher，orleastwayswosintheOldEnglandtimes，andwouldbeto-morrow，ifcausegiven，afloppin\'againthebusinesstothatdegreeasisruinatingstarkruinating!Whereasthemmedicaldoctors\'wivesdon\'tflop——catch\'ematit!Or，iftheyflop，theirfloppingsgoesinfavourofmorepatients，andhowcanyourightlyhaveonewithoutthet\'other?

Then，wotwithundertakers，andwotwithparishclerks，andwotwithsextons，andwotwithprivatewatchmen(allawariciousandallinit)，amanwouldn\'tgetmuchbyit，evenifitwosso。Andwotlittleamandidget，wouldneverprosperwithhim，Mr。Lorry。He\'dneverhavenogoodofit；he\'dwantallalongtobeoutoftheline，ifhecouldseehiswayout，beingoncein——evenifitwosso。\'

`Ugh!\'criedMr。Lorry，ratherrelenting，nevertheless。`Iamshockedatthesightofyou。\'

`Now，whatIwouldhumblyoffertoyou，sir，\'pursuedMr。Cruncher，`evenifitwosso，whichIdon\'tsayitis——\'

`Don\'tprevaricate，\'saidMr。Lorry。

`No，Iwillnot，sir，\'returnedMr。Cruncher，asifnothingwerefurtherfromhisthoughtsorpractice——`whichIdon\'tsayitis——wotI

wouldhumblyoffertoyou，sir，wouldbethis。Uponthattherestool，atthatthereBar，setsthatthereboyofmine，broughtupandgroweduptobeaman，wotwillerrandyou，messageyou，general-light-jobyou，tillyourheelsiswhereyourheadis，ifsuchshouldbeyourwishes。Ifitwosso，whichIstilldon\'tsayitis(forIwillnotprewaricatetoyou，sir)，letthatthereboykeephisfather\'splace，andtakecareofhismother；don\'tblowuponthatboy\'sfather——donotdoit，sir——andletthatfathergointothelineofthereg\'lardiggin\'，andmakeamendsforwhathewouldhaveun-dug——ifitwosso——bydiggin\'of\'eminwithawill，andwithconwictionsrespectin\'thefutur\'keepin\'of\'emsafe。That，Mr。Lorry，\'

saidMr。Cruncher，wipinghisforeheadwithhisarm，asanannouncementthathehadarrivedattheperorationofhisdiscourse，`iswotIwouldrespectfullyoffertoyou，sir。Amandon\'tseeallthishereagoin\'ondreadfulroundhim，inthewayofSubjectswithoutheads，dearme，plentifulenoughfurtobringthepricedowntoporterageandhardlythat，withouthavin\'hisseriousthoughtsofthings。Andtheseherewouldbemine，ifitwosso，entreatin\'ofyoufurtobearinmindthatwotIsaidjustnow，IupandsaidinthegoodcausewhenImighthavekep\'itback。\'

`Thatatleastistrue，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Saynomorenow。ItmaybethatIshallyetstandyourfriend，ifyoudeserveit，and，repentinaction——notinwords。IwantnomoreMr。Cruncherknuckledhisforehead，asSydneyCartonandthespyreturnedfromthedarkroom。`Adieu，Mr。Barsad，\'saidtheformer；`ourarrangementthusmade，youhavenothingtofearfromme。\'

Hesatdowninachaironthehearth，overagainstMr。Lorry。

Whentheywerealone，Mr。Lorryaskedhimwhathehaddone?

`Notmuch。IfitshouldgoillwiththeprisoneIhaveensuredaccesstohim，Once。\'

Mr。Lorry\'scountenancefell。

`ItisallIcoulddo，\'saidCarton。`Toproposetoomuch，wouldbetoputthisman\'sheadundertheaxe，and，ashehimselfsaid，nothingworsecouldhappentohimifheweredenounced。Itwasobviouslytheweaknessoftheposition。Thereisnohelpforit。\'

`Butaccesstohim，\'saidMr。Lorry，`ifitshouldgoillbeforetheTribunal，willnotsavehim。\'

`Ineversaiditwould。\'

Mr。Lorry\'seyesgraduallysoughtthefire；hissympathywithhisdarling，andtheheavydisappointmentofthissecondarrest，graduallyweakenedthem；hewasanoldmannow，overbornewithanxietyoflate，andhistearsfell。

`Youareagoodmanandatruefriend，\'saidCarton，inanalteredvoice。`ForgivemeifInoticethatyouareaffected。Icouldnotseemyfatherweep，andsitby，careless。AndIcouldnotrespectyoursorrowmore，ifyou，weremyfather。Youarefreefromthatmisfortune，however。

Thoughhesaidthelastwords，withaslipintohisusualmanner，therewasatruefeelingandrespectbothinhistoneandinhistouch，thatMr。Lorry，whohadneverseenthebettersideofhim，waswhollyunpreparedfor。Hegavehimhishand，andCartongentlypressedit。

`ToreturntopoorDarnay，\'saidCarton。`Don\'ttellHerofthisinterview，orthisarrangement。ItwouldnotenableHertogotoseehim。

Shemightthinkitwascontrived，incaseoftheworst，toconveytohimthemeansofanticipatingthesentence。\'

Mr。Lorryhadnotthoughtofthat，andhelookedquicklyatCartontoseeifitwereinhismind。Itseemedtobe；hereturnedthelook，andevidentlyunderstoodit。

`Shemightthinkathousandthings，\'Cartonsaid，`andanyofthemwouldonlyaddtohertrouble。Don\'tspeakofmetoher。AsIsaidtoyouwhenIfirstcame，Ihadbetternotseeher。Icanputmyhandout，todoanylittlehelpfulworkforherthatmyhandcanfindtodo，withoutthat。Youaregoingtoher，Ihope?Shemustbeverydesolateto-night。

`Iamgoingnow，directly。\'

`Iamgladofthat。Shehassuchastrongattachmenttoyouandrelianceonyou。Howdoesshelook?\'

`Anxiousandunhappy，butverybeautiful。\'`Ah!\'

Itwasalong，grievingsound，likeasigh——almostlikeasob。

ItattractedMr。Lorry\'seyestoCartonsface，whichwasturnedtothefire。Alight，orashade(theoldgentlemancouldnothavesaidwhich)，passedfromitasswiftlyasachangewillsweepoverahill-sideonawildbrightday，andheliftedhisfoottoputbackoneofthelittleflaminglogs，whichwastumblingforward。Heworethewhiteriding-coatandtopboots，theninvogue，andthelightofthefiretouchingtheirlightsurfacesmadehimlookverypale，withhislongbrownhair，alluntrimmed，hanginglooseabouthim。HisindifferencetofirewassufficientlyremarkabletoelicitawordofremonstrancefromMr。Lorry；hisbootwasstilluponthehotembersoftheflaminglog，whenithadbrokenundertheweightofhisfoot。

`Iforgotit，\'hesaid。

Mr。Lorry\'seyeswereagainattractedtohisface。Takingnoteofthewastedairwhichcloudedthenaturallyhandsomefeatures，andhavingtheexpressionofprisoners\'facesfreshinhismind，hewasstronglyremindedofthatexpression。

`Andyourdutiesherehavedrawntoanend，sir?\'saidCarton，turningtohim。

`Yes。AsIwastellingyoulastnightwhenLuciecameinsounexpectedly，IhaveatlengthdoneallthatIcandohere。Ihopedtohavelefttheminperfectsafety，andthentohavequittedPass。IhavemyLeavetoPass。

Iwasreadytogo。\'

Theywerebothsilent。

`Yoursisalonglifetolookbackupon，sir?\'saidCarton，wistfully。

`Iaminmyseventy-eighthyear。\'

`Youhavebeenusefulallyourlife；steadilyandconstantlyoccupied；

trusted，respected，andlookedupto?\'

`Ihavebeenamanofbusiness，eversinceIhavebeenaman。

Indeed，ImaysaythatIwasamanofbusinesswhenaboy。\'

`Seewhataplaceyoufillatseventy-eight。Howmanypeoplewillmissyouwhenyouleaveitempty!\'

`Asolitaryoldbachelor，\'answeredMr。Lorry，shakinghishead。

`Thereisnobodytoweepforme。\'

`Howcanyousaythat?Wouldn\'tSheweepforyou?Wouldn\'therchi!d?\'

`Yes，yes，thankGod。Ididn\'tquitemeanwhatIsaid。\'

`ItisathingtothankGodfor；isitnot?\'

`Surely，surely。\'

`Ifyoucouldsay，withtruth，toyourownsolitaryheart，to-night，"Ihavesecuredtomyselftheloveandattachment，thegratitudeorrespect，ofnohumancreature；Ihavewonmyselfatenderplaceinnoregard；I

havedonenothinggoodorserviceabletoberememberedby!"yourseventy-eightyearswouldbeseventy-eightheavycurses；wouldtheynot?\'

`Yousaytruly，Mr。Carton；Ithinktheywouldhe。

Sydneyturnedhiseyesagainuponthefire，and，afterasilenceofafewmoments，said:

`Ishouldliketoaskyou:——Doesyourchildhoodseemfaroff?

Dothedayswhenyousatatyourmother\'sknee，seemdaysofverylongago?\'

Respondingtohissoftenedmanner，Mr。Lorryanswered:`Twentyyearsback，yes；atthistimeofmylife，no。For，asIdrawcloserandclosertotheend，Itravelinthecircle，nearerandnearertothebeginning。

Itseemstobeoneofthekindsmoothingsandpreparingsoftheway。Myheartistouchednow，bymanyremembrancesthathadlongfallenasleep，ofmyprettyyoungmother(andIsoold!)，andbymanyassociationsofthedayswhenwhatwecalltheWorldwasnotsorealwithme，andmyfaultswerenotconfirmedinme。\'

`Iunderstandthefeeling!\'exclaimedCarton，withabrightflush。

`Andyouarethebetterforit?\'

`Ihopeso。

Cartonterminatedtheconversationhere，byrisingtohelphimonwithhisoutercoat；`butyou，\'saidMr。Lorry，revertingtothetheme，`youareyoung。\'

`Yes，\'saidCarton。`Iamnotold，butmyyoungwaywasneverthewaytoage。Enoughofme。

`Andofme，Iamsure，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Areyougoingout?\'

`I\'llwalkwithyoutohergate。Youknowmyvagabondandrestlesshabits。IfIshouldprowlaboutthestreetsalongtime，don\'tbeuneasy；

Ishallreappearinthemorning。YougototheCourtto-morrow?\'

Yes，unhappily。\'

`Ishallbethere，butonlyasoneofthecrowd。MySpywillfindaplaceforme。Takemyarm，sir。\'

Mr。Lorrydidso，andtheywentdown-stairsandoutinthestreets。

AfewminutesbroughtthemtoMr。Lorry\'sdestination。Cartonlefthimthere；butlingeredatalittledistance，andturnedbacktothegateagainwhenitwasshut，andtouchedit。Hehadheardofhergoingtotheprisoneveryday。`Shecameouthere，\'hesaid，lookingabouthim，`turnedthisway，musthavetrodonthesestonesoften。Letmefollowinhersteps。

Itwasteno\'clockatnightwhenhestoodbeforetheprisonofLaForce，whereshehadstoodhundredsoftimes。Alittlewood-sawyer，havingclosedhisshop，wassmokinghispipeathisshop-door。

`Goodnight，citizen，\'saidSydneyCarton，pausingingoingby；

for，themaneyedhiminquisitively。

`Goodnight，citizen。\'

`HowgoestheRepublic?\'

`YoumeantheGuillotine。Notill。Sixty-threeto-day。Weshallmounttoahundredsoon。Samsonandhismencomplainsometimes，ofbeingexhausted。Ha，ha，ha!Heissodroll，thatSamson。SuchaBarber!\'

`Doyouoftengotoseehim——\'

`Shave?Always。Everyday。Whatabarber!Youhaveseenhimatwork?\'

`Never。\'

`Goandseehimwhenhehasagoodbatch。Figurethistoyourselfcitizen；heshavedthesixty-threeto-day，inlessthantwopipes!Lessthantwopipes。Wordofhonour!\'

Asthegrinninglittlemanheldoutthepipehewassmoking，toexplainhowhetimedtheexecutioner，Cartonwassosensibleofarisingdesiretostrikethelifeoutofhim，thatheturnedaway。

`ButyouarenotEnglish，\'saidthewood-sawyer，`thoughyouwearEnglishdress?\'

`Yes，\'saidCarton，pausingagain，andansweringoverhisshoulder。

`YouspeaklikeaFrenchman。\'

`Iamanoldstudenthere。\'

`Aha，aperfectFrenchman!Goodnight，Englishman。\'

`Goodnight，citizen。\'

`Butgoandseethatdrolldog，\'thelittlemanpersisted，callingafterhim。`Andtakeapipewithyou!\'

Sydneyhadnotgonefaroutofsight，whenhestoppedinthemiddleofthestreetunderaglimmeringlamp，andwrotewithhispencilonascrapofpaper。Then，traversingwiththedecidedstepofonewhorememberedthewaywell，severaldarkanddirtystreets——muchdirtierthanusual，forthebestpublicthoroughfaresremaineduncleansedinthosetimesofterror——hestoppedatachemist\'sshop，whichtheownerwasclosingwithhisownhands。Asmall，dim，crookedshop，keptinatortuous，up-hillthoroughfares，byasmall，dim，crookedman。

Givingthiscitizen，too，goodnight，asheconfrontedhimathiscounter，helaidthescrapofpaperbeforehim。`Whew!\'thechemistwhistledsoftly，ashereadit。`Hi!hi!hi!\'

SydneyCartontooknoheed，andthechemistsaid:

`Foryou，citizen?\'

`Forme。

`Youwillbecarefultokeepthemseparate，citizen?Youknowtheconsequencesofmixingthem?\'

`Perfectly。\'

Certainsmallpacketsweremadeandgiventohim。Heputthem，onebyone，inthebreastofhisinnercoat，countedoutthemoneyforthem，anddeliberatelylefttheshop。`Thereisnothingmoretodo，\'saidhe，glancingupwardatthemoon，`untilto-morrow。Ican\'tsleep。

Itwasnotarecklessmanner，themannerinwhichhesaidthesewordsaloudunderthefast-sailingclouds，norwasitmoreexpressiveofnegligencethandefiance。Itwasthesettledmannerofatiredman，whohadwanderedandstruggledandgotlost，butwhoatlengthstruckintohisroadandsawitsend。

Longago，whenhehadbeenfamousamonghisearliestcompetitorsasayouthofgreatpromise，hehadfollowedhisfathertothegrave。Hismotherhaddied，yearsbefore。Thesesolemnwords，whichhadbeenreadathisfather\'sgrave，aroseinhismindashewentdownthedarkstreets，amongtheheavyshadows，withthemoonandthecloudssailingonhighabovehim。`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife，saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme，shallneverdie。\'

Inacitydominatedbytheaxe，aloneatnight，withnaturalsorrowrisinginhimforthesixty-threewhohadbeenthatdayputtodeath，andforto-morrow\'svictimsthenawaitingtheirdoomintheprisons，andstillofto-morrow\'sandtomorrow\'s，thechainofassociationthatbroughtthewordshome，likearustyoldship\'sanchorfromthedeep，mighthavebeeneasilyfound。Hedidnotseekit，butrepeatedthemandwenton。

Withasolemninterestinthelightedwindowswherethepeopleweregoingtorest，forgetfulthroughafewcalmhoursofthehorrorssurroundingthem；inthetowersofthechurches，wherenoprayersweresaid，forthepopularrevulsionhadeventravelledthatlengthofself-destructionfromyearsofpriestlyimpostors，plunderers，andprofligates；inthedistantburial-places，reserved，astheywroteuponthegates，forEternalSleep；

intheaboundinggaols；andinthestreetsalongwhichthesixtiesrolledtoadeathwhichhadbecomesocommonandmaterial，thatnosorrowfulstoryofahauntingSpiriteveraroseamongthepeopleoutofalltheworkingoftheGuillotine；withasolemninterestinthewholelifeanddeathofthecitysettlingdowntoitsshortnightlypauseinfury；SydneyCartoncrossedtheSeineagainforthelighterstreets。

Fewcoacheswereabroad，forridersincoacheswereliabletoliesuspected，andgentilityhiditsheadinrednightcaps，andputonheavyshoes，andtrudged。But，thetheatreswereallwellfilled，andthepeoplepouredcheerfullyoutashepassed，andwentchattinghome。Atoneofthetheatredoors，therewasalittlegirlwithamother，lookingforawayacrossthestreetthroughthemud。Hecarriedthechildover，andbeforethetimidarmwasloosedfromhisneckaskedherforakiss。

`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife，saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme，shallneverdie。\'

Now，thatthestreetswerequiet，andthenightworeon，thewordswereintheechoesofhisfeet，andwereintheair。Perfectlycalmandsteady，hesometimesrepeatedthemtohimselfashewalked；but，heheardthemalways。

Thenightworeout，and，ashestooduponthebridgelisteningtothewaterasitsplashedtheriver-wallsoftheIslandofParis，wherethepicturesqueconfusionofhousesandcathedralshonebrightinthelightofthemoon，thedaycamecoldly，lookinglikeadeadfaceoutofthesky。

Then，thenight，withthemoonandthestars，turnedpaleanddied，andforalittlewhileitseemedasifCreationweredeliveredovertoDeath\'sdominion。

But，theglorioussun，rising，seemedtostrikethosewords，thatburdenofthenight，straightandwarmtohisheartinitslongbrightrays。Andlookingalongthem，withreverentlyshadedeyes，abridgeoflightappearedtospantheairbetweenhimandthesun，whiletheriversparkledunderit。