第19章

`Steadyitagain，andwritewhatIshalldictate。Quick，friend，quick!\'

Pressinghishandtohisbewilderedhead，Darnaysatdownatthetable。Carton，withhisrighthandinhisbreast，stoodclosebesidehim。

`WriteexactlyasIspeak。\'

`TowhomdoIaddressit?\'

`Tonoone。\'Cartonstillhadhishandinhisbreast。

`DoIdateit?\'

`No。\'

Theprisonerlookedup，ateachquestion。Carton，standingoverhimwithhishandinhisbreast，lookeddown。

```Ifyouremember，\'\'\'saidCarton，dictating，```thewordsthatpassedbetweenus，longago，youwillreadilycomprehendthiswhenyouseeit。Youdorememberthem，Iknow。Itisnotinyournaturetoforgetthem。\'\'\'

Hewasdrawinghishandfromhisbreast；theprisonerchancingtolookupinhishurriedwonderashewrote，thehandstopped，closinguponsomething。

`Haveyouwritten``forgetthem!\'\'Cartonasked。

`Ihave。Isthataweaponinyourhand?\'

`No；Iamnotarmed。\'

`Whatisitinyourhand?\'

`Youshallknowdirectly。Writeon；therearebutafewwordsmore。\'Hedictatedagain。```Iamthankfulthatthetimehascome，whenIcanprovethem。ThatIdosoisnosubjectforregretorgrief。\'\'\'Ashesaidthesewordswithhiseyesfixedonthewriter，hishandslowlyandsoftlymoveddownclosetothewriter\'sface。

ThependroppedfromDarnay\'sfingersonthetable，andhelookedabouthimvacantly。

`Whatvapouristhat?\'heasked。

`Vapour?\'

`Somethingthatcrossedme?\'

`Iamconsciousofnothing；therecanbenothinghere。Takeupthepenandfinish。Hurry，hurry!\'

Asifhismemorywereimpaired，orhisfacultiesdisordered，theprisonermadeanefforttorallyhisattention。AshelookedatCartonwithcloudedeyesandwithanalteredmannerofbreathing，Carton——hishandagaininhisbreast——lookedsteadilyathim。

`Hurry，hurry!`

Theprisonerbentoverthepaper，oncemore。

```Ifithadbeenotherwise；\'\'\'Carton\'shandwasagainwatchfullyandsoftlystealingdown；```Inevershouldhaveusedthelongeropportunity。

Ifithadbeenotherwise；\'\'\'thehandwasattheprisoner\'sface；```I

shouldbuthavehadsomuchthemoretoanswerfor。Ifithadbeenotherwise——\'\'\'

Cartonlookedatthepenandsawitwastrailingoffintounintelligiblesigns。

Carton\'shandmovedbacktohisbreastnomore。Theprisonersprangupwithareproachfullook，butCarton\'shandwascloseandfirmathisnostrils，andCarton\'sleftarmcaughthimroundthewaist。Forafewsecondshefaintlystruggledwiththemanwhohadcometolaydownhislifeforhim；but，withinaminuteorso，hewasstretchedinsensibleontheground。

Quickly，butwithhandsastruetothepurposeashisheartwas，Cartondressedhimselfintheclothestheprisonerhadlaidaside，combedbackhishair，andtieditwiththeribbontheprisonerhadworn。Then，hesoftlycalled，`Enterthere!Comein!\'andtheSpypresentedhimself。

`Yousee?\'saidCarton，lookingup，ashekneeledononekneebesidetheinsensiblefigure，puttingthepaperinthebreast:`isyourhazardverygreat?\'

`Mr。Carton，\'theSpyanswered，withatimidsnapofhisfingers，`myhazardisnotthat，inthethickofbusinesshere，ifyouaretruetothewholeofyourbargain。\'

`Don\'tfearme。Iwillbetruetothedeath。\'

`Youmustbe，Mr。Carton，ifthetaleoffifty-twoistoberight。

Beingmaderightbyyouinthatdress，Ishallhavenofear。

`Havenofear!Ishallsoonbeoutofthewayofharmingyou，andtherestwillsoonbefarfromhere，pleaseGod!Now，getassistanceandtakemetothecoach。\'

`You?\'saidtheSpynervously。

`Him，man，withwhomIhaveexchanged。Yougooutatthegatebywhichyoubroughtmein?

`Ofcourse。\'

`Iwasweakandfaintwhenyoubroughtmein，andIamfainternowyoutakemeout。Thepartinginterviewhasoverpoweredme。Suchathinghashappenedhere，often，andtoooften。Yourlifeisinyourownhands。

Quick!Callassistance!\'

`Youswearnottobetrayme?\'saidthetremblingSpy，ashepausedforalastmoment。

`Man，man!\'returnedCarton，stampinghisfoot；`haveIswornbynosolemnvowalready，togothroughwiththis，thatyouwastethepreciousmomentsnow?Takehimyourselftothecourt-yardyouknowof，placehimyourselfinthecarriage，showhimyourselftoMr。Lorry，tellhimyourselftogivehimnorestorativebutair，andtoremembermywordsoflastnight，andhispromiseoflastnight，anddriveaway!\'

TheSpywithdrew，andCartonseatedhimselfatthetable，restinghisforeheadonhishands。TheSpyreturnedimmediately，withtwomen。

`How，then?\'saidoneofthem，contemplatingthefallenfigure。

`SoafflictedtofindthathisfriendhasdrawnaprizeinthelotteryofSainteGuillotine?\'

`Agoodpatriot，\'saidtheother，`couldhardlyhavebeenmoreafflictediftheAristocrathaddrawnablank。\'

Theyraisedtheunconsciousfigure，placeditonalittertheyhadbroughttothedoor，andbenttocarryitaway。`Thetimeisshort，Evré；monde，\'saidtheSpy，inawarningVoice。

`Iknowitwell，\'answeredCarton。`Becarefulofmyfriend，I

entreatyou，andleaveme。

`Come，then，mychildren，\'saidBarsad。`Lifthim，andcomeaway!\'

Thedoorclosed，andCartonwasleftalone。Straininghispowersoflisteningtotheutmost，helistenedforanysoundthatmightdenotesuspicionoralarm。Therewasnone。Keysturned，doorsclashed，footstepspassedalongdistantpassages:nocrywasraised，orhurrymade，thatseemedunusual。Breathingmorefreelyinalittlewhile，hesatdownatthetable，andlistenedagainuntiltheclockstruckTwo。Soundsthathewasnotafraidof，forhedivinedtheirmeaning，thenbegantobeaudible。Severaldoorswereopenedinsuccession，andfinallyhisown。Agaoler，withalistinhishand，lookedin，merelysaying，`Followme，Evré；monde!\'andhefollowedintoalargedarkroom，atadistance。Itwasadarkwinterday，andwhatwiththeshadowswithin，andwhatwiththeshadowswithout，hecouldbutdimlydiscerntheotherswhowerebroughttheretohavetheirarmsbound。Somewerestanding；someseated。Somewerelamenting，andinrestlessmotion；but，thesewerefew。Thegreatmajorityweresilentandstill，lookingfixedlyattheground。

Ashestoodbythewallinadimcorner，whilesomeofthefifty-twowerebroughtinafterhim，onemanstoppedinpassing，toembracehim，ashavingaknowledgeofhim。Itthrilledhimwithagreatdreadofdiscovery；

butthemanwenton。Averyfewmomentsafterthat，ayoungwoman，withaslightgirlishform，asweetsparefaceinwhichtherewasnovestigeofcolour，andlargewidelyopenedpatienteyes，rosefromtheseatwherehehadobservedhersitting，andcametospeaktohim。

`CitizenEvré；monde，\'shesaid，touchinghimwithhercoldhand。`Iamapoorlittleseamstress，whowaswithyouinLaForce。

Hemurmuredforanswer:`True。Iforgetwhatyouwereaccusedof?\'

`Plots。ThoughthejustHeavenknowsIaminnocentofany。Isitlikely?Whowouldthinkofplottingwithapoorlittleweakcreaturelikeme?\'

Theforlornsmilewithwhichshesaidit，sotouchedhim，thattearsstartedfromhiseyes。

`Iamnotafraidtodie，CitizenEvré；monde，butIhavedonenothing。Iamnotunwillingtodie，iftheRepublicwhichistodosomuchgoodtouspoor，willprofitbymydeath；butIdonotknowhowthatcanbe，CitizenEvreé；monde。Suchapoorweaklittlecreature!\'

Asthelastthingonearththathisheartwastowarmandsoftento，itwarmedandsoftenedtothispitiablegirl。

`Iheardyouwerereleased，Citizen`Evré；monde。Ihopeditwastrue?\'

`Itwas。But，Iwasagaintakenandcondemned。\'

`IfImayridewithyou，CitizenEvré；monde，willyouletmeholdyourhand?Iamnotafraid，hutIamlittleandweak，anditwillgivememorecourage。\'

Asthepatienteyeswereliftedtohisface，hesawasuddendoubtinthem，andthenastonishment。Hepressedthework-worn，hunger-wornyoungfingers，andtouchedhislips。

`Areyoudyingforhim?\'shewhispered。

`Andhiswifeandchild。Hush!Yes。\'

`Oyouwillletmeholdyourbravehand，stranger?\'

`Hush!Yes，mypoorsister；tothelast。

Thesameshadowsthatarefallingontheprison，arefalling，inthatsamehouroftheearlyafternoon，ontheBarrierwiththecrowdaboutit，whenacoachgoingoutofParisdrivesuptobeexamined。

`Whogoeshere?Whomhavewewithin?Papers!\'

Thepapersarehandedout，andread。

`AlexandreManette。Physician。French。Whichishe?\'

Thisishe；thishelpless，inarticulatelymurmuring，wanderingoldmanpointedout。

`ApparentlytheCitizen-Doctorisnotinhisrightmind?TheRevolution-feverwillhavebeentoomuchforhim?\'

Greatlytoomuchforhim。

`Hah!Manysufferwithit。Lucie。Hisdaughter。French。Whichisshe?\'

Thisisshe。

`Apparentlyitmustbe。Lucie，thewifeofEvré；monde；isitnot\'。"

Itis。

`Hah!Evré；mondehasanassignationelsewhere。Lucie，herchild。English。Thisisshe?\'

Sheandnoother。

`Kissme，childofEvré；monde。Now，thouhastkissedagoodRepublican；somethingnewinthyfamily；rememberit!SydneyCarton。Advocate。

English。Whichishe?\'

Helieshere，inthiscornerofthecarriage。He，too，ispointedout。

`ApparentlytheEnglishadvocateisinaswoon?\'

Itishopedhewillrecoverinthefresherair。Itisrepresentedthatheisnotinstronghealth，andhasseparatedsadlyfromafriendwhoisunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic。

`Isthatall?Itisnotagreatdeal，that!ManyareunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic，andmustlookoutatthelittlewindow。JarvisLorry。Banker。English。Whichishe?\'

`Iamhe。Necessarily，beingthelast。\'

ItisJarvisLorrywhohasrepliedtoallthepreviousquestions。

ItisJarvisLorrywhohasalightedandstandswithhishandonthecoachdoor，replyingtoagroupofofficials。Theyleisurelywalkroundthecarriageandleisurelymountthebox，tolookatwhatlittleluggageitcarriesontheroof；thecountry-peoplehangingabout，pressnearertothecoachdoorsandgreedilystarein；alittlechild，carriedbyitsmother，hasitsshortarmheldoutforit，thatitmaytouchthewifeofanaristocratwhohasgonetotheGuillotine。

`Beholdyourpapers，JarvisLorry，countersigned。\'

`Onecandepart，citizen?\'

`Onecandepart。Forward，mypostilions!Agoodjourney!\'

`Isaluteyou，citizens——Andthefirstdangerpassed!\'

TheseareagainthewordsofJarvisLorry，asheclaspshishands，andlooksupward。Thereisterrorinthecarriage，thereisweeping，thereistheheavybreathingoftheinsensibletraveller。

`Arewenotgoingtooslowly?Cantheynotbeinducedtogofaster?\'

asksLucie，clingingtotheoldman。

`Itwouldseemlikeflight，mydarling。Imustnoturgethemtoomuch；itwouldrousesuspicion。\'

`Lookback，lookback，andseeifwearepursued!\'

`Theroadisclear，mydearest。Sofar，wearenotpursued。\'

Housesintwosandthreespassbyus，solitaryfarms，ruinousbuildings，dye-works，tanneries，andthelike，opencountry，avenuesofleaflesstrees。Thehardunevenpavementisunderus，thesoftdeepmudisoneitherside。Sometimes，westrikeintotheskirtingmud，toavoidthestonesthatclatterusandshakeus；sometimeswestickinrutsandsloughsthere。Theagonyofourimpatienceisthensogreat，thatinourwildalarmandhurryweareforgettingoutandrunning——hiding——doinganythingbutstopping。

Outoftheopencountry，inagainamongruinousbuildings，solitaryfarms，dye-works，tanneries，andthelike，cottagesintwosandthrees，avenuesofleaflesstrees。Havethesemendeceivedus，andtakenusbackbyanotherroad?Isnotthisthesameplacetwiceover?ThankHeaven，no。

Avillage。Lookback，lookback，andseeifwearepursued!Hush!theposting-house。

Leisurely，ourfourhorsesaretakenout；leisurely，thecoachstandsinthelittlestreet，bereftofhorses，andwithnolikelihooduponitofevermovingagain；leisurely，thenewhorsescomeintovisibleexistence，onebyone；leisurely，thenewpostilionsfollow，suckingandplaitingthelashesoftheirwhips；leisurely，theoldpostilionscounttheirmoney，makewrongadditions，andarriveatdissatisfiedresults。Allthetime，ouroverfraughtheartsarebeatingataratethatwouldfaroutstripthefastestgallopofthefastesthorseseverfoaled。

Atlengththenewpostilionsareintheirsaddles，andtheoldareleftbehind。Wearethroughthevillage，upthehill，anddownthehill，andonthelowwaterygrounds。Suddenly)\'，thepostilionsexchangespeechwithanimatedgesticulation，andthehorses-arepulledup，almostontheirhaunches。Wearepursued。

`Ho!Withinthecarriagethere。Speakthen!\'

`Whatisit?\'asksMr。Lorry，lookingoutatwindow。

`Howmanydidtheysay?

`Idonotunderstandyou。\'

`Atthelastpost。HowmanytotheGuillotineto-day?\'

`Fifty-two。\'

`Isaidso!Abravenumber!Myfellow-citizenherewouldhaveitforty-two；tenmoreheadsareworthhaving。TheGuillotinegoeshandsomely。

Iloveit。Hiforward。Whoop!\'

Thenightcomesondark。Hemovesmore；heisbeginningtorevive，andtospeakintelligibly；hethinkstheyarestilltogether；heaskshim，byhisname，whathehasinhishand。Dpityus，kindHeaven，andhelpus!Lookout，lookout，andseeifwearepursued。

Thewindisrushingafterus，andthecloudsareflyingafterus，andthemoonisplungingafterus，andthewholewildnightisinpursuitofus；but，sofarwearepursuedbynothingelse。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIVTheKnittingDoneINthatsamejunctureoftimewhentheFifty-Twoawaitedtheirfate，MadameDefargehelddarklyominouscouncilwithTheVengeanceandJacquesThreeoftheRevolutionaryJury。Notinthewine-shopdidMadameDefargeconferwiththeseministers，butintheshedofthewood-sawyer，erstamenderofroads。Thesawyerhimselfdidnotparticipateintheconference，butabidedatalittledistance，likeanoutersatellitewhowasnottospeakuntilrequired，ortoofferanopinionuntilinvited。

`ButourDefarge，\'saidJacquesThree，`isundoubtedlyagoodRepublican?Eh?\'

`Thereisnobetter，\'thevolubleVengeanceprotestedinhershrillnotes，`inFrance。

`Peace，littleVengeance，\'saidMadameDefarge，layingherhandwithaslightfrownonherlieutenant\'slips，`hearmespeak。Myhusband，fellow-citizen，isagoodRepublicanandaboldman；hehasdeservedwelloftheRepublic，andpossessesitsconfidence。Butmyhusbandhashisweaknesses，andheissoweakastorelenttowardsthisDoctor。\'

`Itisagreatpity，\'croakedJacquesThree，dubiouslyshakinghishead，withhiscruelfingersathishungrymouth；`itisnotquitelikeagoodcitizen；itisathingtoregret。

`Seeyou，\'saidmadame，`IcarenothingforthisDoctor，I。Hemaywearhisheadorloseit，foranyinterestIhaveinhim；itisallonetome。But，theEvré；mondepeoplearetobeexterminated，andthewifeandchildmustfollowthehusbandandfather。\'

`Shehasafineheadforit，\'croakedJacquesThree。`Ihaveseenblueeyesandgoldenhairthere，andtheylookedcharmingwhenSamsonheldthemup。\'Ogrethathewas，hespokelikeanepicure。

MadameDefargecastdownhereyes，andreflectedalittle。`Thechildalso，\'observedJacquesThree，withameditativeenjoymentofhiswords，`hasgoldenhairandblueeyes。Andweseldomhaveachildthere。

Itisaprettysight!\'

`Inaword，\'saidMadameDefarge，comingoutofhershortabstraction，`Icannottrustmyhusbandinthismatter。

NotonlydoIfeel，sincelastnight，thatIdarenotconfidetohimthedetailsofmyprojects；butalsoIfeelthatifIdelay，thereisdangerofhisgivingwarning，andthentheymightescape。

`Thatmustneverbe，\'croakedJacquesThree；`noonemustescape。

Wehavenothalfenoughasitis。Weoughttohavesixscoreaday。\'

`Inaword，\'MadameDefargewenton，`myhusbandhasnotmyreasonforpursuingthisfamilytoannihilation，andIhavenothisreasonforregardingthisDoctorwithanysensibility。Imustactformyself，therefore。

Comehither，littlecitizen。

Thewood-sawyer，whoheldherintherespect，andhimselfinthesubmission，ofmortalfear，advancedwithhishandtohisredcap。

`Touchingthosesignals，littlecitizen，\'saidMadameDefarge，sternly，`thatshemadetotheprisoners；youarereadytobearwitnesstothemthisveryday?\'

`Ay，ay，whynot!\'criedthesawyer。`Everyday，inallweathers，fromtwotofour，alwayssignalling，sometimeswiththelittleone，sometimeswithout。IknowwhatIknow。Ihaveseenwithmyeyes。\'

Hemadeallmannerofgestureswhilehespoke，asifinincidentalimitationofsomefewofthegreatdiversityofsignalsthathehadneverseen。

`Clearlyplots，\'saidJacquesThree。`Transparently!\'

`ThereisnodoubtoftheJury?\'inquiredMadameDefarge，lettinghereyesturntohimwithagloomysmile。

`RelyuponthepatrioticJury，dearcitizeness。Ianswerformyfellow-Jurymen。\'

`Now，letmesee，\'saidMadameDefarge，ponderingagain。`Yetoncemore!CanIsparethisDoctortomyhusband?Ihavenofeelingeitherway。CanIsparehim?\'

`Hewouldcountasonehead，\'observedJacquesThree，inalowvoice。`Wereallyhavenotheadsenough；itwouldbeapity，Ithink。\'

`HewassignallingwithherwhenIsawher，\'arguedMadameDefarge；

`Icannotspeakofonewithouttheother；andImustnotbesilent，andtrustthecasewhollytohim，thislittlecitizenhere。For，Iamnotabadwitness。

TheVengeanceandJacquesThreeviedwitheachotherintheirferventprotestationsthatshewasthemostadmirableandmarvellousofwitnesses。Thelittlecitizen，nottobeoutdone，declaredhertobeacelestialwitness。

Hemusttakehischance，\'saidMadameDefarge。`No，Icannotsparehim!Youareengagedatthreeo\'clock；youaregoingtoseethebatchofto-dayexecuted——You?\'

Thequestionwasaddressedtothewood-sawyer，whohurriedlyrepliedintheaffirmative:seizingtheoccasiontoaddthathewasthemostardentofRepublicans，andthathewouldbeineffectthemostdesolateofRepublicans，ifanythingpreventedhimfromenjoyingthepleasureofsmokinghisafternoonpipeinthecontemplationofthedrollnationalbarber。Hewassoverydemonstrativeherein，thathemighthavebeensuspected(perhapswas，bythedarkeyesthatlookedContemptuouslyathimoutofMadameDefarge\'shead)ofhavinghissmallindividualfearsforhisownpersonalsafety，everyhourintheday。

`I，\'saidmadame，`amequallyengagedatthesameplace。Afteritisover-sayateightto-night——comeyoutome，inSaintAntoine，andwewillgiveinformationagainstthese\'peopleatmysection。\'

Thewood-sawyersaidhewouldbeproudandflatteredtoattendthecitizeness。Thecitizenesslookingathim，hebecameembarrassed，evadedherglanceasasmalldogwouldhavedone，retreatedamonghiswood，andhidhisconfusionoverthehandleofhissaw。

MadameDefargebeckonedtheJurymanandTheVengeancealittlenearertothedoor，andthereexpoundedherfurtherviewstothemthus:

`Shewillnowbeathome，awaitingthemomentofhisdeath。Shewillbemourningandgrieving。ShewillbeinastateofmindtoimpeachthejusticeoftheRepublic。Shewillbefullofsympathywithitsenemies。

Iwillgotoher。\'

`Whatanadmirablewoman；whatanadorablewoman!\'exclaimedJacquesThree，rapturously。`Ah，mycherished!\'criedTheVengeance；andembracedher。

`Takeyoumyknitting，\'saidMadameDefarge，placingitinherlieutenant\'shands，`andhaveitreadyformeinmyusualseat。Keepmemyusualchair。Goyouthere，straight，fortherewillprobablybeagreaterconcoursethanusual，to-day。\'

`IwillinglyobeytheordersofmyChief\'saidTheVengeancewithalacrity，andkissinghercheek。`Youwillnotbelate?\'

`Ishallbetherebeforethecommencement。\'

`Andbeforethetumbrilsarrive。Besureyouarethere，mysoul，\'

saidTheVengeance，callingafterher，forshehadalreadyturnedintothestreet，`beforethetumbrilsarrive!\'

MadameDefargeslightlywavedherhand，toimplythatsheheard，andmightbereliedupontoarriveingoodtime，andsowentthroughtilemud，androundthecorneroftheprisonwall。TheVengeanceandtheJuryman，lookingalterherasshewalkedaway，werehighlyappreciativeofherfinefigure，andhersuperbmoralendowments。

Thereweremanywomenatthattime，uponwhomthetimelaidadreadfullydisfiguringhand；but，therewasnotoneamongthemmoretobedreadedthanthisruthlesswoman，nowtakingherwayalongthestreets。

Ofastrongandfearlesscharacter，ofshrewdsenseandreadiness，ofgreatdetermination，ofthatkindofbeautywhichnotonlyseemstoimparttoitspossessorfirmnessandanimosity，buttostrikeintoothersaninstinctiverecognitionofthosequalities；thetroubledtimewouldhaveheavedherup，underanycircumstances。But，imbuedfromherchildhoodwithabroodingsenseof，wrong，andaninveteratehatredofaclass，opportunityhaddevelopedherintoatigress。Shewasabsolutelywithoutpity。Ifshehadeverhadthevirtueinher，ithadquitegoneoutofher。

Itwasnothingtoher，thataninnocentmanwastodieforthesinsofhisforefathers；shesaw，nothim，butthem。Itwasnothingtoher，thathiswifewastobemadeawidowandhisdaughteranorphan；thatwasinsufficientpunishment，becausetheywerehernaturalenemiesandherprey，andassuchhadnorighttolive。Toappealtoher，wasmadehopelessbyherhavingnosenseofpity，evenforherself。Ifshehadbeenlaidlowinthestreets，inanyofthemanyencountersinwhichshehadbeenengaged，shewouldnothavepitiedherself；nor，ifshehadbeenorderedtotheaxeto-morrow，wouldshehavegonetoitwithanysofterfeelingthanafiercedesiretochangeplaceswiththemanwhosentherthere。

SuchaheartMadameDefargecarriedunderherroughrobe。Carelesslyworn，itwasabecomingrobeenough，inacertainweirdway，andherdarkhairlookedrichunderhercoarseredcap。Lyinghiddeninherbosom，wasaloadedpistol。Lyinghiddenatherwaist，wasasharpeneddagger。Thusaccoutred，andwalkingwiththeconfidenttreadofsuchacharacter，andwiththesupplefreedomofawomanwhohadhabituallywalkedinhergirlhood，bare-footandbare-legged，onthebrownsea-sand，MadameDefargetookherwayalongthestreets。

Now，whenthejourneyofthetravellingcoach，atthatverymomentwaitingforthecompletionofitsload，hadbeenplannedoutlastnight，thedifficultyoftakingMissProssinithadmuchengagedMr。Lorry\'sattention。Itwasnotmerelydesirabletoavoidoverloadingthecoach，butitwasofthehighestimportancethatthetimeoccupiedinexaminingitanditspassengers，shouldbereducedtotheutmost；sincetheirescapemightdependonthesavingofonlyafewsecondshereandthere。Finally，hehadproposed，afteranxiousconsideration，thatMissProssandJerry，whowereatlibertytoleavethecity，shouldleaveitatthreeo\'clockinthelightest-wheeledconveyanceknowntothatperiod。Unencumberedwithluggage，theywouldsoonovertakethecoach，and，passingitandprecedingitontheroad，wouldorderitshorsesinadvance，andgreatlyfacilitateitsprogressduringtheprecioushoursofthenight，whendelaywasthemosttobedreaded。

Seeinginthisarrangementthehopeofrenderingrealserviceinthatpressingemergency，MissProsshaileditwithjoy。SheandJerryhadbeheldthecoachstart，hadknownwhoitwasthatSolomonbrought，hadpassedsometenminutesintorturesofsuspense，andwerenowconcludingtheirarrangementstofollowthecoach，evenasMadameDefarge，takingherwaythroughthestreets，nowdrewnearerandnearertotheelse-desertedlodginginwhichtheyheldtheirconsultation。

`Nowwhatdoyouthink，Mr。Cruncher，\'saidMissPross，whoseagitationwassogreatthatshecouldhardlyspeak，orstand，ormove，orlive:`whatdoyouthinkofournotstartingfromthiscourt-yard?Anothercarriagehavingalreadygonefromhereto-day，itmightawakensuspicion。

`Myopinion，miss，\'returnedMr。Cruncher，`isas，you\'reright。

LikewisewotI\'llstandbyyou，rightorwrong。

`Iamsodistractedwithfearandhopeforourpreciouscreatures，\'

saidMissPross，wildlycrying，`thatIamincapableofforminganyplan。

Areyoucapableofforminganyplan，mydeargoodMr。Cruncher?\'

`Respectin\'afuturespearo\'life，miss，\'returnedMr。Cruncher，`Ihopeso。Respectin\'anypresentuseo\'thishereblessedoldheado\'

mine，Ithinknot。Wouldyoudomethefavour，miss，totakenoticeo\'

twopromisesandwowswotitismywishesfurtorecordinthisherecrisis?\'

`Oh，forgracioussake!\'criedMissPross，stillwildlycrying，`recordthematonce，andgetthemoutoftheway，likeanexcellentman。

`First，\'saidMr。Cruncher，whowasallinatremble，andwhospokewithanashyandsolemnvisage，`thempoorthingswellouto\'this，nevernomorewillIdoit，nevernomore!\'

`Iamquitesure，Mr。Cruncher，\'returnedMissPross，`thatyouneverwilldoitagain，whateveritis，andIbegyounottothinkitnecessarytomentionmoreparticularlywhatitis。\'

`No，miss，\'returnedJerry，`itshallnotbenamedtoyou。Second:

thempoorthingswellouto\'this，andnevernomorewillIinterferewithMrs。Cruncher\'sflopping，nevernomore!\'

`Whateverhousekeepingarrangementthatmaybe，\'saidMissPross，strivingtodryhereyesandcomposeherself，`IhavenodoubtitisbestthatMrs。Crunchershouldhaveitentirelyunderherownsuperintendence——O

mypoordarlings!\'

`Igosofarastosay，miss，morehover，\'proceededMr。Cruncher，withamostalarmingtendencytoholdforthasfromapulpit——`andletmywordsbetookdownandtooktoMrs。Cruncherthroughyourself——thatwotmyopinionsrespectin\'floppinghasundergoneachange，andthatwotIonlyhopewithallmyheartasMrs。Crunchermaybeafloppingatthepresenttime。\'

There，there，there!Ihopesheis，mydearman，\'criedthedistractedMissPross，`andIhopeshefindsitansweringherexpectations。\'

`Forbidit，\'proceededMr。Cruncher，withadditionalsolemnity，additionalslowness，andadditionaltendencytoholdforthandholdout，`asanythingwotIhaveeversaidordoneshouldbewisitedonmyearnestwishesforthempoorcreetursnow!Forbiditasweshouldn\'tallflop(ifitwasanywaysconwenient)toget`emouto\'thisheredismalrisk!Forbidit，miss!WotIsay，for——BIDit!\'ThiswasMr。Cruncher\'sconclusionafteraprotractedbutvainendeavourtofindabetterone。

AndstillMadameDefarge，pursuingherwayalongthestreets，camenearerandnearer。

`Ifweevergetbacktoournativeland，\'saidMissPross，`youmayrelyuponmytellingMrs。CruncherasmuchasImaybeabletorememberandunderstandofwhatyouhavesoimpressivelysaid；andatalleventsyoumaybesurethatIshallbearwitnesstoyourbeingthoroughlyinearnestatthisdreadfultime。Now，prayletusthink!MyesteemedMr。Cruncher，letusthink!\'

Still，MadameDefarge，pursuingherwayalongthestreets，camenearerandnearer。

`Ifyouweretogobefore，\'saidMissPross，`andstopthevehicleandhorsesfromcominghere，andweretowaitsomewhereforme；wouldn\'tthatbebest?\'

Mr。Cruncherthoughtitmightbebest。

`Wherecouldyouwaitforme?\'askedMissPross。

Mr。CruncherwassobewilderedthathecouldthinkofnolocalitybutTempleBar。Alas!TempleBarwashundredsofmilesaway，andMadameDefargewasdrawingverynearindeed。

`Bythecathedraldoor，\'saidMissPross。`Woulditbemuchoutoftheway，totakemein，nearthegreatcathedraldoorbetweenthetwotowers?\'

`No，miss，\'answeredMr。Cruncher。

`Then，likethebestofmen，\'saidMissPross，`gototheposting-housestraight，andmakethatchange。\'

`Iamdoubtful，\'saidMr。Cruncher，hesitatingandshakinghishead，`aboutleavingofyou，yousee。Wedon\'tknowwhatmayhappen。\'

`Heavenknowswedon\'t，\'returnedMissPross，`buthavenofearforme。Takemeinatthecathedral，atThreeo\'clock，orasnearitasyoucan，andIamsureitwillbebetterthanourgoingfromhere。Ifeelcertainofit。There!Blessyou，Mr。Cruncher!Think——notofme，butofthelivesthatmaydependonbothofus!\'

Thisexordium，andMissPross\'stwohandsinquiteagonisedentreatyclaspinghis，decidedMr。Cruncher。Withanencouragingnodortwo，heimmediatelywentouttoalterthearrangements，andleftherbyherselftofollowasshehadproposed。

Thehavingoriginatedaprecautionwhichwasalreadyincourseofexecution，wasagreatrelieftoMissPross。ThenecessityofComposingherappearancesothatitshouldattractnospecialnoticeinthestreets，wasanotherreliefShelookedatherwatch，anditwastwentyminutespasttwo。Shehadnotimetolose，butmustgetreadyatonce。

Afraid，inherextremeperturbation，ofthelonelinessofthedesertedrooms，andofhalf-imaginedfacespeepingfrombehindeveryopendoorinthem，MissProssgotabasinofcoldwaterandbeganlavinghereyes，whichwereswollenandred。Hauntedbyherfeverishapprehensions，shecouldnotbeartohavehersightobscuredforaminuteatatimebythedrippingwater，butconstantlypausedandlookedroundtoseethattherewasnoonewatchingher。Inoneofthosepausessherecoiledandcriedout，forshesawafigurestandingintheroom。

Thebasinfelltothegroundbroken，andthewaterflowedtothefeetofMadameDefarge。Bystrangesternways，andthroughmuchstainingblood，thosefeethadcometomeetthatwater。

MadameDefargelookedcoldlyather，andsaid，`ThewifeofEvré；monde；

whereisshe?\'

ItflasheduponMissPross\'smindthatthedoorswereallstandingopen，andwouldsuggesttheflight。Herfirstactwastoshutthem。Therewerefourintheroom，andsheshutthemall。ShethenplacedherselfbeforethedoorofthechamberwhichLuciehadoccupied。

MadameDefarge\'sdarkeyesfollowedherthroughthisrapidmovement，andrestedonherwhenitwasfinished。MissProsshadnothingbeautifulabouther；yearshadnottamedthewildness，orsoftenedthegrimness，ofherappearance；but，shetoowasadeterminedwomaninherdifferentway，andshemeasuredMadameDefargewithhereyes，everyinch。

`Youmight，fromyourappearance，bethewifeofLucifer，\'saidMissPross，inherbreathing。`Nevertheless，youshallnotgetthebetterofme。IamanEnglishwoman。