第20章

MadameDefargelookedatherscornfully，butstillwithsomethingofMissPross\'sownperceptionthattheytwowereatbay。Shesawatight，hard，wirywomanbeforeher，asMr。Lorryhadseeninthesamefigureawomanwithastronghand，intheyearsgoneby。SheknewfullwellthatMissProsswasthefamily\'sdevotedfriend；MissProssknewfullwellthatMadameDefargewasthefamily\'smalevolentenemy。

`Onmywayyonder，\'saidMadameDefarge，withaslightmovementofherhandtowardsthefatalspot，`wheretheyreservemychairandmyknittingforme，Iamcome，tomakemycomplimentstoherinpassing。I

wishtoseeher。

`Iknowthatyourintentionsareevil，\'saidMissPross，`andyoumaydependuponit，I\'llholdmyownagainstthem。\'

Eachspokeinherownlanguage；neitherunderstoodtheother\'swords；bothwereverywatchful，andintenttodeducefromlookandmanner，whattheunintelligiblewordsmeant。

`Itwilldohernogoodtokeepherselfconcealedfrommeatthismoment，\'saidMadameDefarge。`Goodpatriotswillknowwhatthatmeans。

Letmeseeher。GotellherthatIwishtoseeher。Doyouhear?\'

`Ifthoseeyesofyourswerebed-winches，\'returnedMissPross，`andIwasanEnglishfour-poster，theyshouldn\'tlooseasplinterofme。

No，youwickedforeignwoman；Iamyourmatch。\'

MadameDefargewasnotlikelytofollowtheseidiomaticremarksindetail；but，shesofarunderstoodthemastoperceivethatshewassetatnaught。

`Womanimbecileandpig-like!\'saidMadameDefarge，frowning。

`Itakenoanswerfromyou。Idemandtoseeher。EithertellherthatI

demandtoseeher，orstandoutofthewayofthedoorandletmegotoher!\'This，withanangryexplanatorywaveofherrightarm。

`Ilittlethought，\'saidblissPross，`thatIshouldeverwanttounderstandyournonsensicallanguage；butIwouldgiveallIhave，excepttheclothesIwear，toknowwhetheryoususpectthetruth，oranypartofit。\'

Neitherofthemforasinglemomentreleasedtheother\'seyes。

MadameDefargehadnotmovedfromthespotwhereshestoodwhenMissProssfirstbecameawareofher；butshenowadvancedonestep。

`IamaBriton，\'saidMissPross，`Iamdesperate。Idon\'tcareanEnglishTwo-penceformyself。IknowthatthelongerIkeepyouhere，thegreaterhopethereisformyLadybird。I\'llnotleaveahandfulofthatdarkhairuponyourhead，ifyoulayafingeronme!\'

ThusMissPross，withashakeofherheadandaflashofhereyesbetweeneveryrapidsentence，andeveryrapidsentenceawholebreath。

ThusMissPross，whohadneverstruckablowinherlife。

But，hercouragewasofthatemotionalnaturethatitbroughttheirrepressibletearsintohereyes。ThiswasacouragethatMadameDefargesolittlecomprehendedastomistakeforweakness。`Ha，ha!\'shelaughed，`youpoorwretch!Whatareyouworth!IaddressmyselftothatDoctor。\'

Thensheraisedhervoiceandcalledout，`CitizenDoctor!WifeofEvré；monde!

ChildofEvré；monde!Anypersonbutthismiserablefool，answertheCitizenessDefarge!\'

Perhapsthefollowingsilence，perhapssomelatentdisclosureintheexpressionofMissPross\'sface，perhapsasuddenmisgivingapartfromeithersuggestion，whisperedtoMadameDefargethattheyweregone。

Threeofthedoorssheopenedswiftly，andlookedin。

`Thoseroomsareallindisorder，therehasbeenhurriedpacking，thereareoddsandendsupontheground。Thereisnooneinthatroombehindyou!Letmelook。\'

`Never!\'saidMissPross，whounderstoodtherequestasperfectlyasMadameDefargeunderstoodtheanswer。

`Iftheyarenotinthatroom，theyaregone，andcanbepursuedandbroughtback，\'saidMadameDefargetoherself。

`Aslongasyoudon\'tknowwhethertheyareinthatroomornot，youareuncertainwhattodo，\'saidMissProsstoherself；`andyoushallnotknowthat，ifIcanpreventyourknowingit；andknowthat，ornotknowthat，youshallnotleaveherewhileIcanholdyou。\'

`Ihavebeeninthestreetsfromthefirst，nothinghasstoppedme，Iwilltearyoutopieces，butIwillhaveyoufromthatdoor，\'saidMadameDefarge。

`Wearealoneatthetopofahighhouseinasolitarycourtyard，wearenotlikelytobeheard，andIprayforbodilystrengthtokeepyouhere，whileeveryminuteyouarehereisworthahundredthousandguineastomydarling，\'saidMissPross。

MadameDefargemadeatthedoor。MissPross，ontheinstinctofthemoment，seizedherroundtilewaistinbothherarms，andheldhertight。ItwasinvainforMadameDefargetostruggleandtostrike；MissPross，withthevigoroustenacityoflove，alwayssomuchstrongerthanhate，claspedhertight，andevenliftedherfromthefloorinthestrugglethattheyhad。ThetwohandsofMadameDefargebuffetedandtoreherface；

but，MissPross，withherheaddown，heldherroundthewaist，andclungtoherwithmorethantheholdofadrowningwoman。

Soon，MadameDefarge\'shandsceasedtostrike，andfeltatherencircledwaist。`Itisundermyarm，\'saidMissPross，insmotheredtones，`youshallnotdrawit。Iamstrongerthanyou，IblessHeavenforit。I\'llholdyoutilloneorotherofusfaintsordies!\'

MadameDefarge\'shandswereatherbosom。MissProsslookedup，sawwhatitwas，struckatit，struckoutaflashandacrash，andstoodalone——blindedwithsmoke。

Allthiswasinasecond。Asthesmokecleared，leavinganawfulstillness，itpassedoutontheair，likethesoulofthefuriouswomanwhosebodylaylifelessontheground。

Inthefirstfrightandhorrorofhersituation，MissProsspassedthebodyasfarfromitasshecould，andrandownthestairstocallforfruitlesshelp。Happily，shebethoughtherselfoftheconsequencesofwhatshedid，intimetocheckherselfandgoback。Itwasdreadfultogoinatthedooragain；but，shedidgoin，andevenwentnearit，togetthebonnetandotherthingsthatshemustwear。Thesesheputon，outonthestaircase，firstshuttingandlockingthedoorandtakingawaythekey。

Shethensatdownonthestairsafewmomentstobreatheandtocry，andthengotupandhurriedaway。

Bygoodfortuneshehadaveilonherbonnet，orshecouldhardlyhavegonealongthestreetswithoutbeingstopped。Bygoodfortune，too，shewasnaturallysopeculiarinappearanceasnottoshowdisfigurementlikeanyotherwoman。Sheneededbothadvantages，forthemarksofgripingfingersweredeepinherface，andherhairwastorn，andherdress(hastilycomposedwithunsteadyhands)wasclutchedanddraggedahundredwaysIncrossingthebridge，shedroppedthedoorkeyintheriver。

Arrivingatthecathedralsomefewminutesbeforeherescort，andwaitingthere，shethought，whatifthekeywerealreadytakeninanet，whatifitwereidentified，whatifthedoorwereopenedandtheremainsdiscovered，whatifshewerestoppedatthegate，senttoprison，andchargedwithmurder!Inthemidstoftheseflutteringthoughts，theescortappeared，tookherin，andtookheraway。

`Isthereanynoiseinthestreets?\'sheaskedhim。

`Theusualnoises，\'Mr。Cruncherreplied；andlookedsurprisedbythequestionandbyheraspect。

`Idon\'thearyou，\'saidMissPross。`Whatdoyousay?\'

ItwasinvainforMr。Crunchertorepeatwhathesaid；MissProsscouldnothearhim。`SoI\'llnodmyhead，\'thoughtMr。Cruncher，amazed，`atalleventsshe\'llseethat。\'Andshedid。

`Isthereanynoiseinthestreetsnow?\'askedMissProssagain，presently。

AgainMr。Crunchernoddedhishead。

`Idon\'thearit。\'

`Gonedeafinahour?\'saidMr。Cruncher，ruminating，withhismindmuchdisturbed；`wot\'scometoher?\'

`Ifeel，\'saidMissPross，`asiftherehadbeenaflashandacrash，andthatcrashwasthelastthingIshouldeverhearinthislife。\'

`Blestifsheain\'tinaqueercondition!\'saidMr。Cruncher，moreandmoredisturbed。`Wotcanshehavebeenatakin\'，tokeephercourageup?Hark!There\'stherollofthemdreadfulcarts!Youcanhearthat，miss?\'

`Icanhear，\'saidMissPross，seeingthathespoketoher，`nothing。

O，mygoodman，therewasfirstagreatcrash，andthenagreatstillness，andthatstillnessseemstobefixedandunchangeable，nevertobebrokenanymoreaslongasmylifelasts。\'

`Ifshedon\'theartherollofthosedreadfulcarts，nowverynightheirjourney\'send，\'saidMr。Cruncher，glancingoverhisshoulder，`it\'smyopinionthatindeedsheneverwillhearanythingelseinthisworld。\'

Andindeedsheneverdid。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXVTheFootstepsDieoutforEverALONGtheParisstreets，thedeath-cartsrumble，hollowandharsh。Sixtumbrilscarrytheday\'swinetoLaGuillotine。AllthedevouringandinsatiateMonstersimaginedsinceimaginationcouldrecorditself，arefusedintheonerealisation，Guillotine。AndyetthereisnotinFrance，withitsrichvarietyofsoilandclimate，ablade，aleaf，aroot，asprig，apeppercorn，whichwillgrowtomaturityunderconditionsmorecertainthanthosethathaveproducedthishorror。Crushhumanityoutofshapeoncemore，undersimilarhammers，anditwilltwistitselfintothesametorturedforms。

Sowthesameseedofrapaciouslicenceandoppressionoveragain，anditwillsurelyyieldthesamefruitaccordingtoitskind。

Sixtumbrilsrollalongthestreets。Changethesebackagaintowhattheywere，thoupowerfulenchanter，Time，andtheyshallbeseentobethecarriagesofabsolutemonarchs，theequipagesoffeudalnobles，thetoilettesofflaringJezebels，thechurchesthatarenotmyfather\'shousebutdensofthieves，thehutsofmillionsofstarvingpeasants!No；

thegreatmagicianwhomajesticallyworksouttheappointedorderoftheCreator，neverreverseshistransformations。`IfthoubechangedintothisshapebythewillofGod，\'saytheseerstotheenchanted，inthewiseArabianstories，`thenremainso!But，ifthouwearthisformthroughmerepassingconjuration，thenresumethyformeraspect!\'Changelessandhopeless，thetumbrilsrollalong。

Asthesombrewheelsofthesixcartsgoround，theyseemtoploughupalongcrookedfurrowamongthepopulaceinthestreets。Ridgesoffacesarethrowntothissideandtothat，andtheploughsgosteadilyonward。

Sousedaretheregularinhabitantsofthehousestothespectacle，thatinmanywindowstherearenopeople，andinsometheoccupationofthehandsisnotsomuchassuspended，whiletheeyessurveythefacesinthetumbrils。Hereandthere，theinmatehasvisitorstoseethesight；thenhepointshisfinger，withsomethingofthecomplacencyofacuratororauthorisedexponent，tothiscartandtothis，andseemstotellwhosathereyesterday，andwhotherethedaybefore。

Oftheridersinthetumbrils，someobservethesethings，andallthingsontheirlastroadside，withanimpassivestare；others，withalingeringinterestinthewaysoflifeandmen。Some，seatedwithdroopingheads，aresunkinsilentdespair；again，therearesomesoheedfuloftheirlooksthattheycastuponthemultitudesuchglancesastheyhaveseenintheatres，andinpictures。Severalclosetheireyes，andthink，ortrytogettheirstrayingthoughtstogether。Onlyone，andheamiserablecreature，ofacrazedaspect，issoshatteredandmadedrunkbyhorror，thathesings，andtriestodance。Notoneofthewholenumberappealsbylookorgesture，tothepityofthepeople。

Thereisaguardofsundryhorsemenridingabreastofthetumbrils，andfacesareoftenturneduptosomeofthem，andtheyareaskedsomequestion。Itwouldseemtobealwaysthesamequestion，for，itisalwaysfollowedbyapressofpeopletowardsthethirdcart。Thehorsemenabreastofthatcart，frequentlypointoutonemaninitwiththeirswords。Theleadingcuriosityis，toknowwhichishe；hestandsatthebackofthetumbrilwithhisheadbentdown，toconversewithameregirlwhositsonthesideofthecart，andholdshishand。Hehasnocuriosityorcareforthesceneabouthim，andalwaysspeakstothegirl。HereandthereinthelongstreetofSt。Honoré；，criesareraisedagainsthim。

Iftheymovehimatall，itisonlytoaquietsmile，asheshakeshishairalittlemorelooselyabouthisface。Hecannoteasilytouchhisface，hisarmsbeingbound。

Onthestepsofachurch，awaitingthecoming-upofthetumbrils，standstheSpyandprison-sheep。Helooksintothefirstofthem:notthere。

Helooksintothesecond:notthere。Healreadyaskshimself，`Hashesacrificedme?\'whenhisfaceclears，ashelooksintothethird。

`WhichisEvré；monde?\'saysamanbehindhim。`That。Atthebackthere。\'`Withhishandinthegirl\'s?\'`Yes。\'

Themancries，`Down，Evré；mondeTotheGuillotineallaristocrats!

Down，Evré；monde!\'

`Hush，hush!\'theSpyentreatshim，timidly。

`Andwhynot，citizen?\'

`Heisgoingtopaytheforfeit:itwillbepaidinfiveminutesmore。Lethimbeatpeace。\'

Butthemancontinuingtoexclaim，`Down，Evré；monde!\'thefaceofEvré；mondeisforamomentturnedtowardshim。Evré；mondethenseestheSpy，andlooksattentivelyathim，andgoeshisway。

Theclocksareonthestrokeofthree，andthefurrowploughedamongthepopulaceisturninground，tocomeonintotheplaceofexecution，andend。Theridgesthrowntothissideandtothat，nowcrumbleinandclosebehindthelastploughasitpasseson，forallarefollowingtotheGuillotine。Infrontofit，seatedinchairs，asinagardenofpublicdiversion，areanumberofwomen，busilyknitting。Ononeoftheforemostchairs，standsTheVengeance，lookingaboutforherfriend。

`Thé；rè；se!\'shecries，inhershrilltones。`Whohasseenher?Thé；rè；seDefarge!\'

`Shenevermissedbefore，\'saysaknitting-womanofthesisterhood。

`No；norwillsitemissnow，\'criesTheVengeance，petulantly。

`Thé；rè；se!\'

`Louder，\'thewomanrecommends。

Ay!Louder，Vengeance，muchlouder，andstillsitewillscarcelyhearthee。Louderyet，Vengeance，withalittleoathorsoadded，andyetitwillhardlybringher。Sendotherwomenupanddowntoseekher，lingeringsomewhere；andyet，althoughthemessengershavedonedreaddeeds，itisquestionablewhetheroftheirownwillstheywillgofarenoughtofindher!

`BadFortune!\'criesTheVengeance，stampingherfootinthechair，`andherearethetumbrils!AndEvré；mondewillbedespatchedinawink，andshenothere!Seeherknittinginmyhand，andheremptychairreadyforher。Icrywith`vexationanddisappointment!\'

AsTheVengeancedescendsfromherelevationtodoit，thetumbrilsbegintodischargetheirloads。TheministersofSainteGuillotinearerobedandready。Crash!——Aheadisheldup，andtheknitting-womenwhoscarcelyliftedtheireyestolookatitamomentagowhenitcouldthinkandspeak，countOne。

Thesecondtumbrilemptiesandmoveson；thethirdcomesup。Crash——Andtheknitting-women，neverfalteringorpausingintheirwork，countTwo。

ThesupposedEvré；mondedescends，andtheseamstressisliftedoutnextafterhim。Hehasnotrelinquishedherpatienthandingettingout，butstillholdsitashepromised。Hegentlyplacesherwithherbacktothecrashingenginethatconstantlywhirrsupandfalls，andshelooksintohisfaceandthankshim。

`Butforyou，dearstranger，Ishouldnotbesocomposed，forIamnaturallyapoorlittlething，faintofheart；norshouldIhavebeenabletoraisemythoughtstoHimwhowasputtodeath，thatwemighthavehopeandcomforthereto-day。IthinkyouweresenttomebyHeaven。

`Oryoutome，\'saysSydneyCarton。`Keepyoureyesuponme，dearchild，andmindnootherobject。\'

`ImindnothingwhileIholdyourhand。IshallmindnothingwhenIletitgo，iftheyarerapid。\'

`Theywillberapid。Fearnot!\'

Thetwostandinthefast-thinningthrongofvictims，buttheyspeakasiftheywerealone。Eyetoeye，voicetovoice，handtohand，hearttoheart，thesetwochildrenoftheUniversalMother，elsesowideapartanddiffering，havecometogetheronthedarkhighway，torepairhometogether，andtorestinherbosom。

`Braveandgenerousfriend，willyouletmeaskyouonelastquestion?

Iamveryignorant，andittroublesme——justalittle。\'

`Tellmewhatitis。\'

`Ihaveacousin，anonlyrelativeandanorphan，likemyself，whomIloveverydearly。SheisfiveyearsyoungerthanI，andshelivesinafarmer\'shouseinthesouthcountry。Povertypartedus，andsheknowsnothingofmyfate——forIcannotwrit——andifIcould，howshouldItellher!Itisbetterasitis。\'

`Yes，yes；betterasitis。\'

`WhatIhavebeenthinkingaswecamealong，andwhatIamstillthinkingnow，asIlookintoyourkindstrongfacewhichgivesmesomuchsupport，isthis:——iftheRepublicreallydoesgoodtothepoor，andtheycometobelesshungry，andinallwaystosufferless，shemaylivealongtime:shemayevenlivetobeold。\'

`Whatthen，mygentlesister?\'

`Doyouthink:\'theuncomplainingeyesinwhichthereissomuchendurance，fillwithtears，andthelipspartalittlemoreandtremble:

`thatitwillseemlongtome，whileIwaitforherinthebetterlandwhereItrustbothyouandIwillbemercifullysheltered?\'

`Itcannotbe，mychild；thereisnoTimethere，andnotroublethere。\'

`Youcomfortmesomuch!Iamsoignorant。AmItokissyounow?

Isthemomentcome?\'

`Yes。\'

Shekisseshislips；hekisseshers；theysolemnlyblesseachother。Thesparehanddoesnottrembleashereleasesit；nothingworsethanasweet，brightconstancyisinthepatientface。Shegoesnextbeforehim-isgone；theknitting-womencountTwenty-Two。

`IamtheResurrectionandtheLife，saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinmeshallneverdie。\'

Themurmuringofmanyvoices，theupturningofmanyfaces，thepressingonofmanyfootstepsintheoutskirtsofthecrowd，sothatitswellsforwardinamass，likeonegreatheaveofwater，allflashesaway。

Twenty-Three。

Theysaidofhim，aboutthecitythatnight，thatitwasthepeacefullestman\'sfaceeverbeheldthere。Manyaddedthathelookedsublimeandprophetic。

Oneofthemostremarkablesufferersbythesameaxe——awoman——Hadaskedatthefootofthesamescaffold，notlongbefore，tobeallowedtowritedownthethoughtsthatwereinspiringher。Ifhehadgivenanutterancetohis，andtheywereprophetic，theywouldhavebeenthese:

`IseeBarsad，andCly，Defarge，TheVengeance，theJuryman，theJudge，longranksofthenewoppressorswhohaverisenonthedestructionoftheold，perishingbythisretributiveinstrument，beforeitshallceaseoutofitspresentuse。Iseeabeautifulcityandabrilliantpeople\'

risingfromthisabyss，and，intheirstrugglestobetrulyfree，intheirtriumphsanddefeats，throughlonglongyearstocome，Iseetheevilofthistimeandoftheprevioustimeofwhichthisisthenaturalbirth，graduallymakingexpiationforitselfandwearingout。

`IseethelivesforwhichIlaydownmylife，peaceful，useful，prosperousandhappy，inthatEnglandwhichIshallseenomore。IseeHerwithachilduponherbosom，whobearsmyname。Iseeherfather，agedandbent，butotherwiserestored，andfaithfultoallmeninhishealingoffice，andatpeace。Iseethegoodoldman，solongtheirfriend，intenyears\'timeenrichingthemwithallhehas，andpassingtranquillytohisreward。

`IseethatIholdasanctuaryintheirhearts，andintheheartsoftheirdescendants，generationshence。Iseeher，anoldwoman，weepingformeontheanniversaryofthisday。Iseeherandherhusband，theircoursedone，lyingsidebysideintheirlastearthlybed，andIknowthateachwasnotmorehonouredandheldsacredintheother\'ssoul，thanI

wasinthesoulsofboth。

`Iseethatchildwholayuponherbosomandwhoboremyname，amanwinninghiswayupinthatpathoflifewhichoncewasmine。Iseehimwinningitsowell，thatmynameismadeillustrioustherebythelightofhis。IseetheblotsIthrewuponit，fadedaway。Iseehim，foremostofjustjudgesandhonouredmen，bringingaboyofmyname，withaforeheadthatIknowandgoldenhair，tothisplace——thenfairtolookupon，withnotatraceofthisday\'sdisfigurement——andIhearhimtellthechildmystory，withatenderandafalteringvoice。