第17章

Thestrongtide，soswift，sodeep，andcertain，waslikeacongenialfriend，inthemorningstillness。Hewalkedbythestream，farfromthehouses，andinthelightaridwarmthofthesunfellasleeponthebank。

Whenheawokeandwasafootagain，helingeredthereyetalittlelonger，watchinganeddythatturnedandturnedpurposeless，untilthestreamabsorbedit，andcarrieditontothesea——`Likeme!\'

Atrading-boat，withasailofthesoftenedcolourofadeadleaf，thenglidedintohisview，floatedbyhim，anddiedaway。Asitssilenttrackinthewaterdisappeared，theprayerthathadbrokenupoutofhisheartforamercifulconsiderationofallhispoorblindnessesanderrors，endedinthewords，`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife。\'

Mr。Lorrywasalreadyoutwhenhegotback，anditwaseasytosurmisewherethegoodoldmanwasgone。SydneyCartondranknothingbutalittlecoffee，atesomebread，and，havingwashedandchangedtorefreshhimself，wentouttotheplaceoftrial。

Thecourtwasallastiranda-buzz，whentheblacksheep——whommanyfellawayfromindread——pressedhimintoanobscurecorneramongthecrowd。Mr。Lorrywasthere，andDoctorManettewasthere。Shewasthere，sittingbesideherfather。

Whenherhusbandwasbroughtin，sheturnedalookuponhim，sosustaining，soencouraging，sofullofadmiringloveandpityingtenderness，yetsocourageousforhissake，thatitcalledthehealthybloodintohisface，brightenedhisglance，andanimatedhisheart。Iftherehadbeenanyeyestonoticetheinfluenceofherlook，onSydneyCarton，itwouldhavebeenseentobethesameinfluenceexactly。

BeforethatunjustTribunal，therewaslittleornoorderofprocedure，ensuringtoanyaccusedpersonanyreasonablehearing。TherecouldhavebeennosuchRevolution，ifalllaws，forms，andceremonies，hadnotfirstbeensomonstrouslyabused，thatthesuicidalvengeanceoftheRevolutionwastoscatterthemalltothewinds。

Everyeyewasturnedtothejury。Thesamedeterminedpatriotsandgoodrepublicansasyesterdayandthedaybefore，andto-morrowandthedayafter。Eagerandprominentamongthem，onemanwithacravingface，andhisfingersperpetuallyhoveringabouthislips，whoseappearancegavegreatsatisfactiontothespectators。Alife-thirsting，canniballooking，bloody-mindedjuryman，theJacquesThreeofSt。Antoine。Thewholejury，asajuryofdogsempannelledtotrythedeer。

Everyeyethenturnedtothefivejudgesandthepublicprosecutor。

Nofavourableleaninginthatquarterto-day。Afell，uncompromising，murderousbusiness-meaningthere。Everyeyethensoughtsomeothereyeinthecrowd，andgleamedatitapprovingly；andheadsnoddedatoneanother，beforebendingforwardwithastrainedattention。

CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay。Releasedyesterday。Re-accusedandretakenyesterday。Indictmentdeliveredtohimlastnight。SuspectedandDenouncedenemyoftheRepublic，Aristocrat，oneofafamilyoftyrants，oneofaraceproscribed，forthattheyhadusedtheirabolishedprivilegestotheinfamousoppressionofthepeople。CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay，inrightofsuchproscription，absolutelyDeadinLaw。

Tothiseffect，inasfeworfewerwords，thePublicProsecutor。

ThePresidentasked，wastheAccusedopenlydenouncedorsecretly?

`Openly，President。\'

`Bywhom?\'

`Threevoices。ErnestDefarge，wine-vendorofSt。Antoine。\'

`Good。\'

`Thé；rè；seDefarge，hiswife。\'

`Good。\'

`AlexandreManette，physician。\'

Agreatuproartookplaceinthecourt，andinthemidstofit，DoctorManettewasseen，paleandtrembling，standingwherehehadbeenseated。

`President，Iindignantlyprotesttoyouthatthisisaforgeryandafraud。Youknowtheaccusedtobethehusbandofmydaughter。Mydaughter，andthosedeartoher，arefardearertomethanmylife。WhoandwhereisthefalseconspiratorwhosaysthatIdenouncethehusbandofmychild!

`CitizenManette，betranquil。TofailinsubmissiontotheauthorityoftheTribunalwouldbetoputyourselfoutofLaw。Astowhatisdearertoyouthanlife，nothingcanbesodeartoagoodcitizenastheRepublic。\'

Loudacclamationshailedthisrebuke。ThePresidentranghisbell，andwithwarmthresumed。

`IftheRepublicshoulddemandofyouthesacrificeofyourchildherselfyouwouldhavenodutybuttosacrificeherListentowhatistofollow。Inthemeanwhile，besilent!\'

Franticacclamationswereagainraised。DoctorManettesatdown，withhiseyeslookingaround，andhislipstrembling；hisdaughterdrewclosertohim。Thecravingmanonthejuryrubbedhishandstogether，andrestoredtheusualhandtohismouth。

Defargewasproduced，whenthecourtwasquietenoughtoadmitofhisbeingheard，andrapidlyexpoundedthestoryoftheimprisonment，andofhishavingbeenamereboyintheDoctor\'sservice，andoftherelease，andofthestateoftheprisonerwhenreleasedanddeliveredtohim。Thisshortexaminationfollowed，forthecourtwasquickwithitswork。

`YoudidgoodserviceatthetakingoftheBastille，citizen?\'

`Ibelieveso。\'

Here，anexcitedwomanscreechedfromthecrowd:`Youwereoneofthebestpatriotsthere。Whynotsayso?Youwereacannonierthatdaythere，andyouwereamongthefirsttoentertheaccursedfortresswhenitfell。Patriots，Ispeakthetruth!\'

ItwasTheVengeancewho，amidstthewarmcommendationsoftheaudience，thusassistedtheproceedings。ThePresidentranghisbell；but，TheVengeance，warmingwithencouragement，shrieked，`Idefythatbell!\'

whereinshewaslikewisemuchcommended。

`InformtheTribunalofwhatyoudidthatdaywithintheBastille，citizen。\'

`Iknew，\'saidDefarge，lookingdownathiswife，whostoodatthebottomofthestepsonwhichhewasraised，lookingsteadilyupathim；`Iknewthatthisprisoner，ofwhomIspeak，hadbeenconfinedinacellknownasOneHundredandFive，NorthTower。Iknewitfromhimself。

HeknewhimselfbynoothernamethanOneHundredandFive，NorthTower，whenhemadeshoesundermycare。AsIservemygunthatday，Iresolve，whentheplaceshallfall，toexaminethatcell。Itfalls。Imounttothecell，withafellow-citizenwhoisoneoftheJury，directedbyagaoler。

Iexamineit，veryclosely。Inaholeinthechimney，whereastonehasbeenworkedoutandreplaced，Ifindawrittenpaper。Thisisthatwrittenpaper。IhavemadeitmybusinesstoexaminesomespecimensofthewritingofDoctorManette。ThisisthewritingofDoctorManette。Iconfidethispaper，inthewritingofDoctorManette，tothehandsofthePresident。

`Letitberead。\'

Inadeadsilenceandstillness——theprisonerundertriallookinglovinglyathiswife，hiswifeonlylookingfromhimtolookwithsolicitudeatherfather，DoctorManettekeepinghiseyesfixedonthereader，MadameDefargenevertakinghersfromtheprisoner，Defargenevertakinghisfromhisfeastingwile，andalltheothereyesthereintentupontheDoctor，whosawnoneofthem——thepaperwasread，asfollows。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXTheSubstanceoftheShadow`I，ALEXANDREMANETTE，unfortunatephysician，nativeofBeauvais，andafterwardsresidentinParis，writethismelancholypaperinmydolefulcellintheBastille，duringthelastmonthoftheyear1767。Iwriteitatstolenintervals，undereverydifficulty。Idesigntosecreteitinthewallofthechimney，whereIhaveslowlyandlaboriouslymadeaplaceofconcealmentforit。Somepityinghandmayfinditthere，whenIandmysorrowsaredust。

`ThesewordsareformedbytherustyironpointwithwhichIwritewithdifficultyinscrapingsofsootandcharcoalfromthechimney，mixedwithblood，inthelastmonthofthetenthyearofmycaptivity。Hopehasquitedepartedfrommybreast。IknowfromterriblewarningsIhavenotedinmyselfthatmyreasonwillnotlongremainunimpaired，butIsolemnlydeclarethatIamatthistimeinthepossessionofmyrightmind——thatmymemoryisexactandcircumstantial——andthatIwritethetruthasI

shallanswerforthesemylastrecordedwords，whethertheybeeverreadbymenornot，attheEternalJudgment-seat。

`Onecloudymoonlightnight，inthethirdweekofDecember(I

thinkthetwenty-secondofthemonth)intheyear1757，IwaswalkingonaretiredpartofthequaybytheSeinefortherefreshmentofthefrostyair，atanhour\'sdistancefrommyplaceofresidenceintheStreetoftheSchoolofMedicine，whenacarriagecamealongbehindme，drivenveryfast。AsIstoodasidetoletthatcarriagepass，apprehensivethatitmightotherwiserunmedown，aheadwasputoutatthewindow，andavoicecalledtothedrivertostop。

`Thecarriagestoppedassoonasthedrivercouldreininhishorses，andthesamevoicecalledtomebymyname。Ianswered。ThecarriagewasthensofarinadvanceofmethattwogentlemenhadtimetoopenthedoorandalightbeforeIcameupwithit。Iobservedthattheywerebothwrappedincloaksandappearedtoconcealthemselves。Astheystoodcarriagedoor，Ialsoobservedthattheybothlookedofaboutmyownage，orratheryounger，andthattheyweregreatlyalike，instature，manner，voice，and(asfarasIcouldsee)facetoo。

`"YouareDoctorManette?"saidone。

`"Iam。"

`"DoctorManette，formerlyofBeauvais，"saidtheother；"theyoungphysician，originallyanexpertsurgeon，whowithinthelastyearortwohasmadearisingreputationinParis?"

`"Gentlemen，"Ireturned，"IamthatDoctorManetteofwhomyouspeaksograciously。"

`"wehavebeentoyourresidence，"saidthefirst，"andnotbeingsofortunateastofindyouthere，andbeinginformedthatyouwereprobablywalkinginthisdirection，wefollowed，inthehopeofovertakingyou。

Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?"

`Themannerofbothwasimperious，andtheybothmoved，asthesewordswerespoken，soastoplacemebetweenthemselvesandthecarriagedoor。Theywerearmed。Iwasnot。

`"Gentlemen，"saidI，"pardonme；butIusuallyinquirewhodoesmethehonourtoseekmyassistance，andwhatisthenatureofthecasetowhichIamsummoned。"

`Thereplytothiswasmadebyhimwhohadspokensecond。"Doctor，yourclientsarepeopleofcondition。Astothenatureofthecase，ourconfidenceinyourskillassuresusthatyouwillascertainitforyourselfbetterthanwecandescribeit。Enough。Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?"

`Icoulddonothingbutcomply，andIentereditinsilence。Theybothenteredafterme——thelastspringingin，afterputtingupthesteps。

Thecarriageturnedabout，anddroveonasitsformerspeed。

`Irepeatthisconversationexactlyasitoccurred。Ihavenodoubtthatitis，workforword，thesame。Idescribeeverythingexactlyasittookplace，constrainingmymindnottowanderfromthetask。WhereImakethebrokenmarksthatfollowhere，Ileaveoffforthetime，andputmypaperinitshiding-place。****

`Thecarriageleftthestreetsbehind，passedtheNorthBarrier，andemergeduponthecountryroad。Attwo-thirdsofaleaguefromtheBarrier——I

didnotestimatethedistanceatthattime，butafterwardswhenItraversedit——itstruckoutofthemainavenue，andpresentlystoppedatasolitaryhouse。Weallthreealighted，andwalked，byadampsoftfootpathinagardenwhereaneglectedfountainhadoverflowed，tothedoorofthehouse。

Itwasnotopenedimmediately，inanswertotheringingofthebell，andoneofmytwoconductorsstruckthemanwhoopenedit，withhisheavyriding-glove，acrosstheface。

`Therewasnothinginthisactiontoattractmyparticularattention，forIhadseencommonpeoplestruckmorecommonlythandogs。But，theotherofthetwo，beingangrylike-wise，struckthemaninlikemannerwithhisarm；thelookandbearingofthebrotherswerethensoexactlyalike，thatIthenfirstperceivedthemtobetwinbrothers。

`Fromthetimeofouralightingattheoutergate(whichwefoundlocked，andwhichoneofthebrothershadopenedtoadmitus，andhadre-locked)，Ihadheardcriesproceedingfromanupperchamber。Iwasconductedtothischamberstraight，thecriesgrowinglouderasweascendedthestairs，andIfoundapatientinahighfeverofthebrain，lyingonabed。

`Thepatientwasawomanofgreatbeauty，andyoung；assuredlynotmuchpasttwenty。Herhairwastornandragged，andherarmswereboundtohersideswithsashesandhandkerchiefs。Inoticedthatthesebondswereallportionsofagentleman\'sdress。Ononeofthem，whichwasafringedScarfforadressofceremony，IsawthearmorialbearingsofaNoble，andtheletterE。

`Isawthis，withinthefirstminuteofmycontemplationofthepatient；for，inherrestlessstrivingsshehadturnedoveronherfaceontheedgeofthebed，haddrawntheendofthescarfintohermouth，andwasindangerofsuffocation。Myfirstactwastoputoutmyhandtorelieveherbreathing；andinmovingthescarfaside，theembroideryinthecornercaughtmysight。

`Iturnedhergentlyover，placedmyhandsuponherbreasttocalmherandkeepherdown，andlookedintoherface。Hereyesweredilatedandwild，andsheconstantlyutteredpiercingshrieks，andrepeatedthewords，"Myhusband，myfather，andmybrother!"andthencounteduptotwelve，andsaid，"Hush!"Foraninstant，andnomore，shewouldpausetolisten，andthenthepiercingshriekswouldbeginagain，andshewouldrepeatthecry，"Myhusband，myfather，andmybrother!"andwouldcountuptotwelve，andsay"Hush!"Therewasnovariationintheorder，orthemanner。Therewasnocessation，buttheregularmoment\'spause，intheutteranceofthesesounds。

`"Howlong，"Iasked，"hasthislasted?"

`Todistinguishthebrothers，Iwillcallthemtheelderandtheyounger；bytheelder，Imeanhimwhoexercisedthemostauthority。Itwastheelderwhoreplied，"Sinceaboutthishourlastnight。"

`"ShehasaHusband，afather，andabrother?"

`"Abrother。"

`"Idonotaddressherbrother?"

`Heansweredwithgreatcontempt，"No。"

`"Shehassomerecentassociationwiththenumbertwelve?"

`Theyoungerbrotherimpatientlyrejoined，"Withtwelveo\'clock?"

`"See，gentlemen，"saidI，stillkeepingmyhandsuponherbreast，"howuselessIam，asyouhavebroughtme!IfIhadknownwhatIwascomingtosee，Icouldhavecomeprovided。Asitis，timemustbelost。Therearenomedicinestobeobtainedinthislonelyplace。"

`Theelderbrotherlookedtotheyounger，whosaidhaughtily，"Thereisacaseofmedicineshere；"andbroughtitfromacloset，andputitonthetable。***

`Iopenedsomeofthebottles，smeltthem，andputthestopperstomylips。IfIhadwantedtouseanythingsavenarcoticmedicinesthatwerepoisonsinthemselves，Iwouldnothaveadministeredanyofthose。

`"Doyoudoubtthem?"askedtheyoungerbrother。

`"Yousee，monsieur，Iamgoingtousethem，"Ireplied，andsaidnomore。

`Imadethepatientswallow，withgreatdifficulty，andaftermanyefforts，thedosethatIdesiredtogive。AsIintendedtorepeatitafterawhile，andasitwasnecessarytowatchitsinfluence，Ithensatdownbythesideofthebed。Therewasatimidandsuppressedwomaninattendance(wifeofthemandown-stairs)，whohadretreatedintoacorner。

Thehousewasdampanddecayed，indifferentlyfurnished——evidently，recentlyoccupiedandtemporarilyused。Somethickoldhangingshadbeennailedupbeforethewindows，todeadenthesoundoftheshrieks。Theycontinuedtobeutteredintheirregularsuccession，withthecry，"Myhusband，myfather，andmybrother!"thecountinguptotwelve，and"Hush!"Thefrenzywassoviolent，thatIhadnotunfastenedthebandagesrestrainingthearms，but，Ihadlookedtothem，toseethattheywerenotpainful。Theonlysparkofencouragementinthecase，was，thatmyhanduponthesufferer\'sbreasthadthismuchsoothinginfluence，thatforminutesatatimeittranquillisedthefigure。Ithadnoeffectuponthecries:nopendulumcouldbemoreregular。

`Forthereasonthatmyhandhadthiseffect(Iassume)，Ihadsatbythesideofthebedforhalfanhour，withthetwobrotherslookingon，beforetheeldersaid:

`"Thereisanotherpatient。"

`Iwasstartledandasked，"Isitapressingcase?"

`"Youhadbettersee，"hecarelesslyanswered；andtookupalight。

***

`Theotherpatientlayinabackroomacrossasecondstaircase，whichwasaspeciesofloftoverastable。Therewasalowplasteredceilingtoapartofit；therestwasopen，totheridgeofthetiledroof，andtherewerebeamsacross。Hayandstrawwerestoredinthatportionoftheplace，fagotsforfiring，andaheapofapplesinsand。Ihadtopassthroughthatpart，togetattheother。Mymemoryiscircumstantialandunshaken。

Itryitwiththesedetails，andIseethemall，inthismycellintheBastille，nearthecloseofthetenthyearofmycaptivity，asIsawthemallthatnight。

`Onsomehayontheground，withacushionthrownunderhishead，layahandsomepeasant-boy-aboyofnotmorethanseventeenatthemost。

Helayonhisback，withhisteethset，hisrighthandclenchedonhisbreast，andhisglaringeyeslookingstraightupward。Icouldnotseewherehiswoundwas，asIkneeledononekneeoverhim；but，Icouldseethathewasdyingofawoundfromasharppoint。

`"Iamadoctor，mypoorfellow，"saidI。"Letmeexamineit。"

`"Idonotwantitexamined，"heanswered；"letitbe。"

`Itwasunderhishand，andIsoothedhimtoletmemovehishandaway。Thewoundwasasword-thrust，receivedfromtwentytotwenty-fourhoursbefore，butnoskillcouldhavesavedhimifithadbeenlookedtowithoutdelay。Hewasthendyingfast。AsIturnedmyeyestotheelderbrother，Isawhimlookingdownatthishandsomeboywhoselifewasebbingout，asifhewereawoundedbird，orhare，orrabbit；notatallasifhewereafellow-creature。

`"Howhasthisbeendone，monsieur?"saidI。

`"Acrazedyoungcommondog!Aserf!Forcedmybrothertodrawuponhim，andhasfallenbymybrother\'sSword——likeagentleman。"

`Therewasnotouchofpity，sorrow，orkindredhumanity，inthisanswer。Thespeakerseemedtoacknowledgethatitwasinconvenienttohavethatdifferentorderofcreaturedyingthere，andthatitwould\'havebeenbetterifhehaddiedintheusualobscureroutineofhisverminkind。

Hewasquiteincapableofanycompassionatefeelingabouttheboy，orabouthisfate。

`Theboy\'seyeshadslowlymovedtohimashehadspoken，andtheynowslowlymovedtome。

`"Doctor，theyareveryproud，theseNobles；butwecommondogsareproudtoo，sometimes。Theyplunderus，outrageus，beatus，killus；

butwehavealittleprideleft，sometimes。She——haveyouseenher，Doctor?"

`Theshrieksandthecrieswereaudiblethere，thoughsubduedbythedistance。Hereferredtothem，asifshewerelyinginourpresence。

`Isaid，"Ihaveseenher。"

`"Sheismysister，Doctor。Theyhavehadtheirshamefulrights，theseNobles，inthemodestyandvirtueofoursisters，manyyears，butMhavehadgoodgirlsamongus。Iknowit，andhaveheardmyfathersayso。Shewasagoodgirl。Shewasbetrothedtoagoodyoungman，too:atenantofhis。Wearealltenantsofhis——thatman\'swhostandsthere。

Theotherishisbrother，theworstofabadrace。"

`Itwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheboygatheredbodilyforcetospeak；but，hisspiritspokewithadreadfulemphasis。

`Weweresorobbedbythatmanwhostandsthere，asallwecommondogsarebythosesuperiorBeings——taxedbyhimwithoutmercy，obligedtoworkforhimwithoutpay，obligedtogrindourcornathismill，obligedtofeedscoresofhistamebirdsonourwretchedcrops，andforbiddenforourlivestokeepasingletamebirdofourown，pillagedandplunderedtothatdegreethatwhenwechancedtohaveabitofmeat，weateitinfear，withthedoorbarredandtheshuttersclosed，thathispeopleshouldnotseeitandtakeitfromus——Isay，weweresorobbed，andhunted，andweremadesopoor，thatourfathertoldusitwasadreadfulthingtobringachildintotheworld，andthatwhatweshouldmostprayfor，was，thatourwomenmightbebarrenandourmiserableracedieout!"

`Ihadneverbeforeseenthesenseofbeingoppressed，burstingforthlikeafire。Ihadsupposedthatitmustbelatentinthepeoplesomewhere；but，Ihadneverseenitbreakout，untilIsawitinthedyingboy。

`"Nevertheless，Doctor，mysistermarried。Hewasailingatthattime，poorfellow，andshemarriedherlover，thatshemighttendandcomforthiminourcottage——ourdog-hut，asthatmanwouldcallit。Shehadnotbeenmarriedmanyweeks，whenthatman\'sbrothersawherandadmiredher，andaskedthatmantolendhertohim——forwhatarehusbandsamongus!

Hewaswillingenough，butmysisterwasgoodandvirtuous，andhatedhisbrotherwithahatredasstrongasmine。Whatdidthetwothen，topersuadeherhusbandtousehisinfluencewithher，tomakeherwilling?"

`Theboy\'seyes，whichhadbeenfixedonmine，slowlyturnedtothelooker-on，andIsawintheMofacesthatallhesaidwastrue。Thetwoopposingkindsofprideconfrontingoneanother，Icansee，eveninthisBastille；thegentleman\'sallnegligentindifference；thepeasant\'s，alltrodden-downsentiment，andpassionaterevenge。

`"Youknow，Doctor，thatitisamongtheRightsoftheseNoblestoharnessuscommondogstocarts，anddriveus。Theysoharnessedhimanddrovehim。YouknowthatitisamongtheirRightstokeepusintheirgroundsallnight，quietingthefrogs，inorderthattheirnoblesleepmaynotbedisturbed。Theykepthimoutintheunwholesomemistsatnight，andorderedhimbackintohisharnessintheday。Buthewasnotpersuaded。

No!Takenoutofharnessonedayatnoon，tofeed——ifhecouldfindfood——hesobbedtwelvetimes，onceforeverystrokeofthebell，anddiedonherbosom。"

`Nothinghumancouldhaveheldlifeintheboybuthisdeterminationtotellallhiswrong。Heforcedbackthegatheringshadowsofdeath，asheforcedhisclenchedrighthandtoremainclenched，andtocoverhiswound。

`"Then，withthatman\'spermissionandevenwithhisaid，hisbrothertookheraway；inspiteofwhatIknowshemusthavetoldhisbrother——andwhatthatis，willnotbelongunknowntoyou，Doctor，ifitisnow——hisbrothertookheraway——forhispleasureanddiversion，foralittlewhile。

Isawherpassmeontheroad。WhenItookthetidingshome，ourfather\'sheartburst；heneverspokeoneofthewordsthatfilledit。Itookmyyoungsister(forIhaveanother)toaplacebeyondthereachofthisman，andwhere，atleast，shewillneverbehisvassal。Then，Itrackedthebrotherhere，andlastnightclimbedin-acommondog，butswordinhand——Whereistheloftwindow?Itwassomewherehere?"

`Theroomwasdarkeningtohissight；theworldwasnarrowingaroundhim。Iglancedaboutme，andsawthatthehayandstrawweretrampledoverthefloor，asiftherehadbeenastruggle。

`"Sheheardme，andranin。Itoldhernottocomenearustillhewasdead。Hecameinandfirsttossedmesomepiecesofmoney；thenstruckatmewithawhip。ButI，thoughacommondog，sostruckathimastomakehimdraw。Lethimbreakintoasmanypiecesashewill，theswordthathestainedwithmycommonblood；hedrewtodefendhimself——thrustatmewithallhisskillforhislife。"

`Myglancehadfallen，butafewmomentsbefore，onthefragmentsofabrokensword，lyingamongthehay。Thatweaponwasagentleman\'s。

Inanotherplace，layanoldswordthatseemedtohavebeenasoldier\'s。

`"Now，liftmeup，Doctor；liftmeup。Whereishe?"

`"Heisnothere，"Isaid，supportingtheboy，andthinkingthathereferredtothebrother。

`"He!Proudasthesenoblesare，heisafraidtoseeme。Whereisthemanwhowashere?Turnmyfacetohim。"

`Ididso，raisingtheboy\'sheadagainstmyknee。But，investedforthemomentwithextraordinarypower，heraisedhimselfcompletely:

obligingmetorisetoo，orIcouldnothavestillsupportedhim。

`"Marquis，"saidtheboy，turnedtohimwithhiseyesopenedwide，andhisrighthandraised，"inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor，Isummonyouandyours，tothelastofyourbadrace，toanswerforthem。Imarkthiscrossofblooduponyou，asasignthatI

doit。Inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor，Isummonyourbrother，theworstofthebadrace，toanswerforthemseparately。

Imarkthiscrossofblooduponhim，asasignthatIdoit。

`Twice，heputhishandtothewoundinhisbreast，andwithforefingerdrewacrossintheair。Hestoodforaninstantwiththefingeryetraised，and，asitwithit，andIlaidhimdowndead。****

`WhenIreturnedtothebedsideoftheyoungwoman，Ifoundherravinginpreciselythesameorderandcontinuity。Iknewthatthismightlastformanyhours，andthatitwouldprobablyendinthesilenceofthegrave。

`IrepeatedthemedicinesIhadgivenher，andIsatatthesideofthebeduntilthenightwasfaradvanced。Sheneverabatedthepiercingqualityofhershrieks，neverstumbledinthedistinctnessortheorderofherwords。Theywerealways"Myhusband，myfather，andmybrother!

One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine，ten，eleven，twelve。

Hush!"

`Thislastedtwenty-sixhoursfromthetimewhenIfirstsawher。

Ihadcomeandgonetwice，andwasagainsittingbyher，whenshebegantofalter。Ididwhatlittlecouldbedonetoassistthatopportunity，andby-and-byshesankintoalethargy，andlaylikethedead。

`Itwasasifthewindandrainhadlulledatlast，afteralongandfearfulstorm。Ireleasedherarms，andcalledthewomantoassistmetocomposeherfigureandthedressshehadtorn。ItwasthenthatI

knewherconditiontobethatofoneinwhomthefirstexpectationsofbeingamotherhavearisen；anditwasthenthatIlostthelittlehopeIhadhadofher。

`"Isshedead?"askedtheMarquis，whomIwillstilldescribeastheelderbrother，comingbootedintotheroomfromhishorse。

`"Notdead，"saidI；"butliketodie。"

`"whatstrengththereisinthesecommonbodies!"hesaid，lookingdownatherwithsomecuriosity。

`"Thereisprodigiousstrength，"Iansweredhim，"insorrowanddespair。"

`Hefirstlaughedatmywords，andthenfrownedatthem。Hemovedachairwithhisfootneartomine，orderedthewomanaway，andsaidinasubduedvoice，`"Doctor，findingmybrotherinthisdifficultywiththesehinds，Irecommendedthatyouraidshouldbeinvited。Yourreputationishigh，and，asayoungmanwithyourfortunetomake，youareprobablymindfulofyourinterest。Thethingsthatyouseehere，arethingstobeseen，andnotspokenof。"

`Ilistenedtothepatient\'sbreathing，andavoidedanswering。

`"Doyouhonourmewithyourattention，Doctor?

`"Monsieur，"saidI，"inmyprofession，thecommunicationsofpatientsarealwaysreceivedinconfidence。"Iwasguardedinmyanswer，forIwastroubledinmymindwithwhatIhadheardandseen。

`Herbreathingwassodifficulttotrace，thatIcarefullytriedthepulseandtheheart。Therewaslife，andnomore。LookingroundasIresumedmyseat，Ifoundthebrothersintentuponme。****

`Iwritewithsomuchdifficulty，thecoldissosevere，Iamsofearfulofbeingdetectedandconsignedtoanundergroundcellandtotaldarkness，thatImustabridgethisnarrative。Thereisnoconfusionorfailureinmymemory；itcanrecall，andcoulddetail，everywordthatwaseverspokenbetweenmeandthosebrothers。

`Shelingeredforaweek。Towardsthelast，Icouldunderstandsomefewsyllablesthatshesaidtome，byplacingmyearclosetoherlips。Sheaskedmewhereshewas，andItoldher；whoIwas，andItoldher。ItwasinvainthatIaskedherforherfamilyname。Shefaintlyshookherheaduponthepillow，andkepthersecret，astheboyhaddone。

`Ihadnoopportunityofaskingheranyquestion，untilIhadtoldthebrothersshewassinkingfast，andcouldnotliveanotherday。

Untilthen，thoughnoonewaseverpresentedtoherconsciousnesssavethewomanandmyself，oneorotherofthemhadalwaysjealouslysatbehindthecurtainattheheadofthebedwhenIwasthere。Butwhenitcametothat，theyseemedcarelesswhatcommunicationImightholdwithher；asif——thethoughtpassedthroughmymind——Iweredyingtoo。

`Ialwaysobservedthattheirpridebitterlyresentedtheyoungerbrother\'s(asIcallhim)havingcrossedswordswithapeasant，andthatpeasantaboy。Theonlyconsiderationthatappearedtoaffectthemindofeitherofthemwastheconsiderationthatthiswashighlydegradingtothefamily，andwasridiculous。AsoftenasIcaughttheyoungerbrother\'seyes，theirexpressionremindedmethathedislikedmedeeply，furknowingwhatIknewfromtheboy。Hewassmootherandmorepolitetomethantheelder；butIsawthis。IalsosawthatIwasanincumbranceinthemindoftheelder，too。

`Mypatientdied，twohoursbeforemidnight——atatime，bymywatch，answeringalmosttotheminutewhenIhadfirstseenher。Iwasalonewithher，whenherforlornyoungheadtroopedgentlyononeside，andallherearthlywrongsandsorrowsended。

`Thebrotherswerewaitinginaroomdown-stairs，impatienttorideaway。Ihadheardthem，aloneatthebedside，strikingtheirbootswiththeirriding-whips，andloiteringupanddown。

`"Atlastsheisdead?"saidtheelder，whenIwentin。

`"Sheisdead，"saidI。

`"Icongratulateyou，mybrother，"werehiswordsasheturnedround。

`Hehadbeforeofferedmemoney，whichIhadpostponedtaking。

Henowgavemearouleauofgold。Itookitfromhishand，butlaiditonthetable。Ihadconsideredthequestion，andhadresolvedtoacceptnothing。

`"Prayexcuseme，"saidI。"Underthecircumstances，no。"`Theyexchangedlooks，butbenttheirheadstomeasIbentminetothem，andwepartedwithoutanotherwordoneitherside。****

`Iamweary，weary，weary——worndownbymisery。IcannotreadwhatIhavewrittenwiththisgaunthand。

`Earlyinthemorning，therouleauofgoldwasleftatm\'doorinalittlebox，withmynameontheoutside。Fromthefirst，IhadanxiouslyconsideredwhatIoughttodo。Idecided，thatday，towriteprivatelytotheMinister，statingthenatureofthetwoeasestowhichIhadbeensummoned，andtheplacetowhichIhadgone:ineffect，statingallthecircumstances。IknewwhatCourtinfluencewas，andwhattheimmunitiesoftheNobleswere，andIexpectedthatthematterwouldneverbeheardof；but，Iwishedtorelievemyownmind。Ihadkeptthematteraprofoundsecret，evenfrommywife；andthis，too，Iresolvedtostateinmyletter。

Ihadnoapprehensionwhateverofmyrealdanger；butIwasconsciousthattheremightbedangerforothers，ifotherswerecompromisedbypossessingtheknowledgethatIpossessed。

`Iwasmuchengagedthatday，andcouldnotcompletemyletterthatnight。Iroselongbeforemyusualtimenextmorningtofinishit。

Itwasthelastdayoftheyear。Theletterwaslyingbeforemejustcompleted，whenIwastoldthataladywaited，whowishedtoseeme。****

`IamgrowingmoreandmoreunequaltothetaskIhavesetmyself。

Itissocold，sodark，mysensesaresobenumbed，andthegloomuponmeissodreadful。

`Theladywasyoung，engaging，andhandsome，butnotmarkedforlonglife。Shewasingreatagitation。ShepresentedherselftomeasthewifeoftheMarquisSt。Evré；monde。Iconnectedthetitlebywhichtheboyhadaddressedtheelderbrother，withtheinitialletterembroideredonthescarf，andhadnodifficultyinarrivingattheconclusionthatIhadseenthatnoblemanverylately。

`Mymemoryisstillaccurate，butIcannotwritethewordsofOurconversation。IsuspectthatIamwatchedmorecloselythanIwas，andIknownotatwhattimesImaybewatched。Shehadinpartsuspected，andinpartdiscovered，themainfactsofthecruelstory，ofherhusband\'sshareinit，andmybeingresortedto。Shedidnotknowthatthegirlwasdead。Herhopehadbeen，shesaidingreatdistress，toshowher，insecret，awoman\'ssympathy。HerhopehadbeentoavertthewrathofHeavenfromaHousethathadlongbeenhatefultothesufferingmany。

`Shehadreasonsforbelievingthattherewasayoungsisterliving，andhergreatestdesirewas，tohelpthatsister。Icouldtellhernothingbutthattherewassuchasister；beyondthat，Iknewnothing。Herinducementtocometome，relyingonmyconfidence，hadbeenthehopethatIcouldtellherthenameandplaceofabode。Whereas，tothiswretchedhourI

amignorantofboth。****

`Thesescrapsofpaperfailme。Onewastakenfromme，withawarning，yesterday。Imustfinishmyrecordto-day。

`Shewasagood，compassionatelady，andnothappyinhermarriage。

Howcouldshebe!Thebrotherdistrustedanddislikedher，andhisinfluencewasallopposedtoher；shestoodindreadofhim，andindeadofherhusbandtoo。WhenIhandedherdowntothedoor，therewasachild，aprettyboyfromtwotothreeyearsold，inhercarriage。

`"Forhissake，Doctor，"shesaid，pointingtohimintears，"I

woulddoallIcantomakewhatpooramendsIcan。Hewillneverprosperinhisinheritanceotherwise。Ihaveapresentimentthatifnootherinnocentatonementismadeforthis，itwillonedayberequiredofhim。WhatI

havelefttocallmyown——itislittlebeyondtheworthofafewjewels——I

willmakeitthefirstchargeofhislifetobestow，withthecompassionandlamentingofhisdeadmother，onthisinjuredfamily，ifthesistercanbediscovered。"

`Shekissedtheboy，andsaid，caressinghim，"Itisforthineowndearsake。Thouwiltbefaithful，littleCharles?"Thechildansweredherbravely，"Yes!"Ikissedherhand，andshetookhiminherarms，andwentawaycaressinghim。Ineversawhermore。

`Asshehadmentionedherhusband\'snameinthefaiththatIknewit，Iaddednomentionofittomyletter。Isealedmyletter，and，nottrustingitoutofmyownhands，delivereditmyselfthatday。

`Thatnight，thelastnightoftheyear，towardsnineo\'clock，amaninablackdressrangatmygate，demandedtoseeme，andsoftlyfollowedmyservant，ErnestDefarge，ayouth，upstairs。WhenmyservantcameintotheroomwhereIsatwithmywife——Omywife，belovedofmyheart!

MyfairyoungEnglishwife!——wesawtheman，whowassupposedtobeatthegate，standingsilentbehindhim。

`AnurgentcaseintheRueSt。Honoré；\'，hesaid。Itwouldnotdetainme，hehadacoachinwaiting。

`Itbroughtmehere，itbroughtmetomygrave。WhenIwasclearofthehouse，ablackmufflerwasdrawntightlyovermymouthfrombehind，andmyarmswerepinioned。Thetwobrotherscrossedtheroadfromadarkcorner，andidentifiedmewithasinglegesture。TheMarquistookfromhispockettheletterIhadwritten，showeditme，burntitinthelightofalanternthatwasheld，andextinguishedtheasheswithhisfoot。Notawordwasspoken。Iwasbroughthere，Iwasbroughttomylivinggrave。

`IfithadpleasedGODtoputitinthehardheartofeitherofthebrothers，inallthesefrightfulyears，tograntmeanytidingsofmydearestwife——somuchastoletmeknowbyawordwhetheraliveordead——I

mighthavethoughtthatHehadnotquiteabandonedthem。But，nowIbelievethatthemarkoftheredcrossisfataltothem，andthattheyhavenopartinHismercies。Andthemandtheirdescendants，tothelastoftheirrace，I，AlexandreManette，unhappyprisoner，dothislastnightoftheyear1767，inmyunbearableagony，denouncetothetimeswhenallthesethingsshallbeansweredfor。IdenouncethemtoHeavenandtoearth。\'

Aterriblesoundarosewhenthereadingofthisdocumentwasdone。

Asoundofcravingandeagernessthathadnothingarticulateinitbutblood。Thenarrativecalledupthemostrevengefulpassionsofthetime，andtherewasnotaheadinthenationbutmusthavedroppedbeforeit。

Littleneed，inpresenceofthattribunalandthatauditory，toshowhowtheDefargeshadnotmadethepaperpublic，withtheothercapturedBastillememorialsborneinprocession，andhadkeptit，bidingtheirtime。

LittleneedtoshowthatthisdetestedfamilynamehadlongbeenanathematisedbySaintAntoine，andwaswroughtintothefatalregister。ThemannevertrodgroundwhosevirtuesandServiceswouldhavesustainedhiminthatplacethatday，againstsuchdenunciation。

Andalltheworseforthedoomedman，thatthedenouncerwasawell-knowncitizen，hisownattachedfriend，thefatherofhiswife。Oneofthefrenziedaspirationsofthepopulacewas，forimitationsofthequestionablepublicvirtuesofantiquity，andforsacrificesandself-immolationsonthepeople\'saltar。ThereforewhenthePresidentsaid(elsehadhisownheadquiveredonhisshoulders)，thatthegoodphysicianoftheRepublicwoulddeservebetterstilloftheRepublicbyrootingoutanobnoxiousfamilyofAristocrats，andwoulddoubtlessfeelasacredglowandjoyinmakinghisdaughterawidowandherchildanorphan，therewaswildexcitement，patrioticfervour，notatouchofhumansympathy。

`Muchinfluencearoundhim，hasthatDoctor?\'murmuredMadameDefarge，smilingtoTheVengeance。`Savehimnow，myDoctor，savehim!\'

Ateveryjuryman\'svote，therewasaroar。Anotherandanother。

Roarandroar。

Unanimouslyvoted。AtheartandbydescentanAristocrat，anenemyoftheRepublic，anotoriousoppressorofthePeople。BacktotheConciergerie，andDeathwithinfour-and-twentyhours!

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIDuskTHEwretchedwifeoftheinnocentmanthusdoomedtodie，underthesentence，asifshehadbeenmortallystricken。But，sheutterednosound；andsostrongwasthevoicewithinher，representingthatitwassheofalltheworldwhomustupholdhiminhismiseryandnotaugmentit，thatitquicklyraisedher，evenfromthatshock。

Thejudgeshavingtotakepartinapublicdemonstrationoutofdoors，thetribunaladjourned。Thequicknoiseandmovementofthecourt\'semptyingitselfbymanypassageshadnotceased，whenLuciestoodstretchingoutherarmstowardsherhusband，withnothinginherfacebutloveandconsolation。

`IfImighttouchhim!IfImightembracehimonce!O，goodcitizens，ifyouwouldhavesomuchcompassionforus!\'

Therewasbutagaolerleft，alongwithtwoofthefourmenwhohadtakenhimlastnight，andBarsad。Thepeoplehadallpouredouttotheshowinthestreets。Barsadproposedtotherest，`Letherembracehimthen；itisbutamoment。\'Itwassilentlyacquiescedin，andtheypassedherovertheseatsinthehalltoaraisedplace，wherehe，byleaningoverthedock，couldfoldherinhisarms。

`Farewell，deardarlingofmysoul。Mypartingblessingonmylove。Weshallmeetagain，wherethewearyareatrest!\'

Theywereherhusband\'swords，asheheldhertohisbosom。

`Icanbearit，dearCharles。Iamsupportedfromabove:don\'tsufferforme。Apartingblessingforourchild。\'

`Isendittoherbyyou。Ikissherbyyou。Isayfarewelltoherbyyou。\'

`Myhusband。No!Amoment!\'Hewastearinghimselfapartfromher。`Weshallnotbeseparatedlong。Ifeelthatthiswillbreakmyheartby-and-by；butIwilldomydutywhileIcan，andwhenIleaveher，Godwillraiseupfriendsforher，asHedidforme。\'

Herfatherhadfollowedher，andwouldhavefallenonhiskneestobothofthem，butthatDarnayputoutahandandseizedhim，crying: