TheConcordbed-chamberbeingalwaysassignedtopassengerbythemail,andpassengersbythemailbeingalwaysheavilywrappedupfromheadtofoot,theroomha\'theoddinterestfortheestablishmentoftheRoyalGeorgethatalthoughbutonekindofmanwasseentogointoit,allkindsandvarietiesofmencameoutofit.Consequentlyanotherdrawer,andtwoporters,andseveralmaidsandthelandlady,wereallloiteringbyaccidentatvariouspointsoftheroadbetweentheConcordandthecoffee-room,whenagentle-manofsixty,formallydressedinabrownsuitofclothes,prettywellworn,butverywellkept,withlargesquarecuffsandlargeflapstothepockets,passedalongonhiswaytohisbreakfast.
Thecoffee-roomhadnootheroccupant,thatforenoon,thanthegentlemaninbrown.Hisbreakfast-tablewasdrawnbeforethefire,andashesat,withitslightshiningonhim,waitingforthemeal,hesatsostill,thathemighthavebeensittingforhisportrait.
Veryorderlyandmethodicalhelooked,withahandoneachknee,andaloudwatchtickingasonoroussermonunderhisflappedwaistcoat,asthoughitpitteditsgravityandlongevityagainstthelevityandevanescenceofthebriskfire.Hehadagoodleg,andwasalittlevainofit,forhisbrownstockingsfittedsleekandclose,andwereofafinetexture;hisshoesandbuckles,too,thoughplain,weretrim.Heworeanoddlittlesleekcrispflaxenwig,settingveryclosetohishead:whichwig,itistobepresumed,wasmadeofhair,butwhichlookedfarmoreasthoughitwerespunfromfilamentsofsilkorglass.Hislinen,thoughnotofafinenessinaccordancewithhisstockings,wasaswhiteasthetopsofthewavesthatbrokeupontheneighbouringbeach,orthespecksofsailthatglintedinthesunlightfaratsea.Afacehabituallysuppressedandquieted,wasstilllightedupunderthequaintwigbyapairofmoistbrighteyesthatitmusthavecosttheirowner,inyearsgoneby,somepainstodrilltothecomposedandreservedexpressionofTellson\'sBank.Hehadahealthycolourinhischeeks,andhisface,thoughlined,borefewtracesofanxiety.But,perhapstheconfidentialbachelorclerksinTellson\'sBankwereprincipallyoccupiedwiththecaresofotherpeople;andperhapssecond-handcares,likesecond-handclothes,comeeasilyoffandon.
Completinghisresemblancetoamanwhowassittingforhisportrait,Mr.Lorrydroppedofftosleep.Thearrivalofhisbreakfastrousedhim,andhesaidtothedrawer,ashemovedhischairtoit:
`Iwishaccommodationpreparedforayoungladywhomaycomehereatanytimeto-day.ShemayaskforMr.JarvisLorry,orshemayonlyaskforagentlemanfromTellson\'sBank.Pleasetoletmeknow.
`Yes,sir.Tellson\'sBankinLondon,sir?\'
`Yes.\'
`Yes,sir.WehaveoftentimesthehonourtoentertainyourgentlemenintheirtravellingbackwardsandforwardsbetwixtLondonandParis,sir.Avastdealoftravelling,sir,inTellsonandCompany\'sHouse.\'
`Yes.WearequiteaFrenchHouse,aswellasanEnglishone.\'
`Yes,sir.Notmuchinthehabitofsuchtravellingyour-self,Ithink,sir?\'
`Notoflateyears.Itisfifteenyearssincewe——sinceI——camelastfromFrance.\'
`Indeed,sir?Thatwasbeforemytimehere,sir.Beforeourpeople\'stimehere,sir.TheGeorgewasinotherhandsatthattime,sir.\'
`Ibelieveso.\'
`ButIwouldholdaprettywager,sir,thataHouselikeTellsonandCompanywasflourishing,amatteroffifty,nottospeakoffifteenyearsago?\'
`Youmighttreblethat,andsayahundredandfifty,yetnotbefarfromthetruth.\'
`Indeed,sir!\'
Roundinghismouthandbothhiseyes,ashesteppedbackwardfromthetable,thewaitershiftedhisnapkinfromhis-rightarmtohisleft,droppedintoacomfortableattitude,andstoodsurveyingtheguestwhileheateanddrank,asfromanobservatoryorwatch-tower.Accordingtotheimmemorialusageofwaitersinallages.
WhenMr.Lorryhadfinishedhisbreakfast,hewentoutforastrollonthebeach.Thelittlenarrow,crookedtownofDoverhiditselfawayfromthebeach,andranitsheadintothechalkcliffs,likeamarineostrich.Thebeachwasadesertofheapsofseaandstonestumblingwildlyabout,andtheseadidwhatitliked,andwhatitlikedwasdestruction.Itthunderedatthetown,andthunderedatthecliffs,andbroughtthecoastdown,madly.Theairamongthehouseswasofsostrongapiscatoryflavourthatonemighthavesupposedsickfishwentuptobedippedinit,assickpeoplewentdowntobedippedinthesea.Alittlefishingwasdoneintheport,andaquantityofstrollingaboutbynight,andlookingseaward:particularlyatthosetimeswhenthetidemade,andwasnearflood.Smalltradesmen,whodidnobusinesswhatever,sometimesunaccountablyrealisedlargefortunes,anditwasremarkablethatnobodyintheneighbourhoodcouldendurealamplighter.
Asthedaydeclinedintotheafternoon,andtheair,whichhadbeenatintervalsclearenoughtoallowtheFrenchcoasttobeseen,becameagainchargedwithmistandvapour,Mr.Lorry\'sthoughtsseemedtocloudtoo.Whendark,andhesatbeforethecoffee-roomfire,awaitinghisdinnerashehadawaitedhisbreakfast,hismindwasdigging,digging,digging,intheliveredcoals.
Abottleofgoodclaretafterdinnerdoesadiggerintheredcoalsnoharm,otherwisethanasithasatendencytothrowhimoutofwork.Mr.Lorryhadbeenidlealoandhadjustpouredouthislastglassfulofwinecompleteanappearanceofsatisfactionasisevertobefoundinanelderlygentlemanofafreshcomplexionwhohasgottotheendofabottle,whenarattlingofwheelscameupthenarrowstreet,andrumbledintotheinn-yard.
Hesetdownhisglassuntouched.`ThisisMam\'selle!\'saidhe.
InaveryfewminutesthewaitercameintoannouncethatMissManettehadarrivedfromLondon,and\",happytoseethegentlemanfromTellson\'s.
`Sosoon?\'
MissManettehadtakensomerefreshmentontheroad,andrequirednonethen,andwasextremelyanxioustoseethegentlemanfromTellson\'simmediately,ifitsuitedhispleasureandconvenience.
ThegentlemanfromTellson\'shadnothingleftforitbuttoemptyhisglasswithanairofstoliddesperation,settlehisoddlittleflaxenwigattheears,andfollowthewaitertoMissManette\'sapartment.Itwasalarge,darkroom,furnishedinafunerealmannerwithblackhorsehair,andloadedwithheavydarktables.Thesehadbeenoiled,untilthetwotallcandlesonthetableintheoftheroomweregloomilyreflectedoneveryleaf;wereburied,indeepgravesofblackmahogany,andtospeakofcouldbeexpectedfromthemuntilthedugout.
TheobscuritywassodifficulttopenetratethatMrLorry,pickinghiswayoverthewell-wornTurkeycarpet,supposedMissManettetobe,forthemoment,insomeadjacentroom,until,havinggotpastthetwotallcandles,hesawtoreceivehimbythetablebetweenthemandtheyoungladyofnotmorethanseventeen,inariding-cloak,andstillholdingherstrawtravelling-hatbyitsribboninherhand.Ashiseyesrestedonashort,slight,prettyfigure,aquantityofgoldenhair,apairofblueeyesthatmethisownwithaninquiringlook,andaforeheadwithasingularcapacityrememberinghowyoungandsmoothitwasofliftingandknittingitselfintoanexpressionthatwasnotquiteoneofperplexity,orwonder,oralarmormerelyofabrightfixedattention,thoughisincludedallthefourexpressions——ashiseyesrestedonthesethings,asuddenvividlikenesspassedbeforehim,ofachildwhomhehadheldinhisarmsonthepassageacrossthatveryChannel,onecoldtime,whenthehaildriftedheavilyandthesearanhigh.Thelikenesspassedaway,likeabreathalongthesurfaceofthegauntpier-glassbehindher,ontheframeofwhich,ahospitalprocessionofnegrocupids,severalhead-lessandallcripples,wereofferingblackbasketsofDeadSeafruittoblackdivinitiesofthefemininegender——andhemadehisformalbowtoMissManette.
`Praytakeaseat,sir.\'Inaveryclearandpleasantyoungvoice;alittleforeigninitsaccent,butaverylittleindeed.
`Ikissyourhand,miss,\'saidMr.Lorry,withthemannersofanearlierdate,ashemadehisformalbowagain,andtookhisseat.
`IreceivedaletterfromtheBank,sir,yesterday,informingmethatsomeintelligence——ordiscovery——
`Thewordisnotmaterial,miss;eitherwordwilldo.\'
`——respectingthesmallpropertyofmypoorfather,whomIneversaw——solongdead——\'
Mr.Lorrymovedinhischair,andcastatroubledlooktowardsthehospitalprocessionofnegrocupids.Asiftheyhadanyhelpforanybodyintheirabsurdbaskets!
`——rendereditnecessarythatIshouldgotoParis,theretocommunicatewithagentlemanoftheBank,sogoodastobedespatchedtoParisforthepurpose.\'
`Myself\'
`AsIwaspreparedtohear,sir.\'
Shecurtseyedtohimyoungladiesmadecurtseysinthosedays,withaprettydesiretoconveytohimthatshefelthowmucholderandwiserhewasthanshe.Hemadeheranotherbow.
`IrepliedtotheBank,sir,thatasitwasconsiderednecessary,bythosewhoknow,andwhoaresokindastoadviseme,thatIshouldgotoFrance,andthatasIamanorphanandhavenofriendwhocouldgowithme,IshouldesteemithighlyifImightbepermittedtoplacemyself,duringthejourney,underthatworthygentleman\'sprotection.ThegentlemanhadleftLondon,butIthinkamessengerwassentafterhimtobegthefavourofhiswaitingformehere.\'
`Iwashappy,\'saidMr.Lorry,`tobeentrustedwiththecharge.Ishallbemorehappytoexecuteit.\'
`Sir,Ithankyouindeed.Ithankyouverygratefully.ItwastoldmebytheBankthatthegentlemanwouldexplaintomethedetailsofthebusiness,andthatImustpreparemyselftofindthemofasurprisingnature.Ihavedonemybesttopreparemyself,andInaturallyhaveastrongandeagerinteresttoknowwhattheyare.
`Naturally,\'saidMr.Lorry.`Yes——I——\'
Alterapause,headded,againsettlingthecrispflaxenwigattheears:
`Itisverydifficulttobegin.\'
Hedidnotbegin,but,inhisindecision,metherglance.
Theyoungforeheadlifteditselfintothatsingularexpression——butitwasprettyandcharacteristic,besidesbeingsingular——andsheraisedherhand,asifwithaninvoluntaryactionshecaughtat,orstayedsomepassingshadow.
`Areyouquiteastrangertome,sir?\'
`AmInot?\'Mr.Lorryopenedhishands,andextendedthemoutwardswithanargumentativesmile.
Betweentheeyebrowsandjustoverthelittlefemininenose,thelineofwhichwasasdelicateandfineasitwaspossibletobe,theexpressiondeepeneditselfasshetookherseatthoughtfullyinthechairbywhichshehadhithertoremainedstanding.Hewatchedherasshemused,andthemomentsheraisedhereyesagain,wenton:
`Inyouradoptedcountry,Ipresume,IcannotdobetterthanaddressyouasayoungEnglishlady,MissManette?\'
`Ifyouplease,sir.\'
`MissManette,Iamamanofbusiness.Ihaveabusinesschargetoacquitmyselfof.Inyourreceptionofit,don\'theedmeanymorethanifIwasaspeakingmachine——truly,Iamnotmuchelse.Iwill,withyourleave,relatetoyou,miss,thestoryofoneofourcustomers.\'
`Story!\'
Heseemedwilfullytomistakethewordshehadrepeated,whenheadded,inahurry,`Yes,customers;inthebankingbusinessweusuallycallourconnexionourcustomers.HewasaFrenchgentleman;ascientificgentleman;amanofgreatacquirements——aDoctor.\'
`NotofBeauvais?\'
`Why,yes,ofBeauvais.LikeMonsieurManette,yourfather,thegentlemanwasofBeauvais.LikeMonsieurManette,yourfather,thegentlemanwasofreputeinParis.Ihadthehonourofknowinghimthere.Ourrelationswerebusinessrelations,butconfidential.IwasatthattimeinourFrench——House,andhadbeen——oh!twentyyears.\'
`Atthattime——Imayask,atwhattime,sir?\'
`Ispeak,miss,oftwentyyearsago.Hemarried——anEnglishlady——andIwasoneofthetrustees.Hisaffairs,liketheaffairsofmanyotherFrenchgentlemenandFrenchfamilies,wereentirelyinTellson\'shands.InasimilarwayIam,orIhavebeen,trusteeofonekindorotherforscoresofourcustomers.Thesearemerebusinessrelations,miss;thereisnofriendshipinthem,noparticularinterest,nothinglikesentiment.Ihavepassedfromonetoanother,iiithecourseofmybusinesslife,justasIpassfromoneofourcustomerstoanotherinthecourseofmybusinessday;inshort,Ihavenofeelings;Iamameremachine.Togoon——
`Butthisismyfather\'sstory,sir;andIbegintothink\'——thecuriouslyroughenedforeheadwasveryintentuponhim——\'thatwhenIwasleftanorphanthroughmymother\'ssurvivingmyfatheronlytwoyears,itwasyouwhobroughtmetoEngland.Iamalmostsureitwasyou.
Mr.Lorrytookthehesitatinglittlehandthatconfidinglyadvancedtotakehis,andheputitwithsomeceremonytohislips.Hethenconductedtheyoungladystraightawaytoherchairagain,and,holdingthechair-backwithhislefthand,andusinghisrightbyturnstorubhischin,pullhiswigattheears,orpointwhatliesaid,stoodlookingdownintoherfacewhileshesatlookingupintohis.
`MissManette,itwasI.AndyouwillseehowtrulyIspokeofmyselfjustnow,insayingIhadnofeelings,andthatalltherelationsIholdwithmyfellow-creaturesaremerebusinessrelations,whenyoureflectthatIhaveneverseenyousince.No;youhavebeenthewardofTellsonsHousesince,andIhavebeenbusywiththeotherbusinessofTellsonsHousesince.FeelingsIhavenotimeforthem,nochanceofthem.Ipassmywholelife,miss,inturninganimmensepecuniaryMangle.\'
Afterthisodddescriptionofhisdailyroutineofemployment,Mr.Lorryflattenedhisflaxenwiguponhisheadwithbothhandswhichwasmostunnecessary,fornothingcouldbeflatterthanitsshiningsurfacewasbefore,andresumedhisformerattitude.
`Sofar,missasyouhaveremarked,thisisthestoryofyourregrettedfather.Nowcomesthedifference.Ifyourfatherhadnotdiedwhenhedid——Don\'tbefrightened!Howyoustart!\'
Shedid,indeed,start.Andshecaughthiswristwithbothherhands.
`Pray,\'saidMr.Lorry,inasoothingtone,bringinghi\'lefthandfromthebackofthechairtolayitonthesupplicatoryfingersthatclaspedhiminsoviolentatremble;`praycontrolyouragitation——amatterofbusiness.AsIwassaying——\'
Herlooksodiscomposedhimthathestopped,wanderedandbegananew:
`AsIwassaying;ifMonsieurManettehadnotdied;ifhehadsuddenlyandsilentlydisappeared;ifhehadbeenspiritedaway;ifithadnotbeendifficulttoguesstowhatdreadfulplace,thoughnoartcouldtracehim;ifhehadanenemyinsomecompatriotwhocouldexerciseaprivilegethatIinmyowntimehaveknowntheboldestpeopleafraidtospeakofinawhisper,acrossthewaterthere;forinstancetheprivilegeoffillingupblankformsfortheconsignmentofanyonetotheoblivionofaprisonforanylengthoftimeifhiswifehadimploredtheking,thequeen,thecourt,theclergy,foranytidingsofhim,andallquiteinvain;——thenthehistoryofyourfatherwouldhavebeenthehistoryofthisunfortunategentleman,theDoctorofBeauvais.
`Ientreatyoutotellmemore,sir.\'
`Iwill.Iamgoingto.Youcanbearit?\'
`Icanbearanythingbuttheuncertaintyyouleavemeinatthismoment.
`Youspeakcollectedly,andyou——arecollected.`Thatgood!\'Thoughhismannerwaslesssatisfiedthanhiwords.`Amatterofbusiness.Regarditasamattero-business-businessthatmustbedone.Nowifthisdoctor\'swife,thoughaladyofgreatcourageandspirit,hadsufferedsointenselyfromthiscausebeforeherlittlechildwasborn——\'
`Thelittlechildwasadaughter,sir?\'
`Adaughter.A——a——matterofbusiness——don\'tbedistressed.Miss,ifthepoorladyhadsufferedsointenselybeforeherlittlechildwasborn,thatshecametothedeterminationofsparingthepoorchildtheinheritanceofanypartoftheagonyshehadknownthepainsof,byrearingherinthebeliefthatherfatherwasdead——No,don\'tkneel!InHeaven\'snamewhyshouldyoukneeltome?\'
`Forthetruth.Odear,good,compassionatesir,forthetruth!\'
`A——amatterofbusiness.Youconfuseme,andhowcanItransactbusinessifIamconfused?Letusbeclear-headed.Ifyoucouldkindlymentionnow,forinstance,whatninetimesninepenceare,orhowmanyshillingsintwentyguineas,itwouldbesoencouraging.Ishouldbesomuchmoreatmyeaseaboutyourstateofmind.\'
Withoutdirectlyansweringtothisappeal,shesatsostillwhenhehadverygentlyraisedher,andthehandsthathadnotceasedtoclasphiswristsweresomuchmoresteadythantheyhadbeen,thatshecommunicatedsomereassurancetoMr.JarvisLorry.
`That\'sright,that\'sright.Courage!Business!Youhavebusinessbeforeyou;usefulbusiness.MissManette,yourmothertookthiscoursewithyou.Andwhenshedied——Ibelievebroken-hearted——havingneverslackenedherunavailingsearchforyourfather,sheleftyou,attwoyearsold,togrowtobeblooming,beautiful,andhappy,withoutthedarkclouduponyouoflivinginuncertaintywhetheryourfathersoonworehisheartoutinprison,orwastedtherethroughmanylingeringyears.\'
Ashesaidthewordshelookeddown,withanadmiringpity,ontheflowinggoldenhair;asifhepicturedtohim-selfthatitmighthavebeenalreadytingedwithgrey.
`Youknowthatyourparentshadnogreatpossession,andthatwhattheyhadwassecuredtoyourmotherandtoyou.Therehasbeennonewdiscovery,ofmoney,orofanyotherproperty;but——
Hefelthiswristheldcloser,andhestopped.Theexpressionintheforehead,whichhadsoparticularlyattractedhisnotice,andwhichwasnowimmovable,haddeepenedintooneofpainandhorror.
`Buthehasbeen-beenfound.Heisalive.Greatlychanged,itistooprobable;almostawreck,itispossible;thoughwewillhopethebest.Still,alive.YourfatherhasbeentakentothehouseofanoldservantinParis,andwearegoingthere:I,toidentifyhimifIcan:you,torestorehimtolife,love,duty,rest,comfort.\'
Ashiverranthroughherframe,andfromitthroughhis.Shesaid,inalow,distinct,awe-strickenvoice,asifsheweresayingitinadream,
`IamgoingtoseehisGhost!ItwillbehisGhost——nothim!\'
Mr.Lorryquietlychafedthehandsthatheldhisarm.`There,there,there!Seenow,seenow!Thebestandtheworstareknowntoyou,now.Youarewellonyourwaytothepoorwrongedgentleman,and,withafairseavoyage,andafairlandjourney,youwillbesoonathisdearside.\'
Sherepeatedinthesametone,sunktoawhisper,`Ihavebeenfree,Ihavebeenhappy,yethisGhosthasneverhauntedme!\'
`Onlyonethingmore,\'saidMr.Lorry,layingstressuponitasawholesomemeansofenforcingherattention:`hehasbeenfoundunderanothername;hisown,longforgottenorlongconcealed.Itwouldbeworsethanuselessnowtoinquirewhich;worsethanuselesstoseektoknowwhetherhehasbeenforyearsoverlooked,oralwaysdesignedlyheldprisoner.Itwouldbeworsethanuselessnowtomakeanyinquiries,becauseitwouldbedangerous.Betternottomentionthesubject,anywhereorinanyway,andtoremovehim——forawhileatallevents——outofFrance.EvenI,safeasanEnglishman,andevenTellson\'s,importantastheyaretoFrenchcredit,avoidallnamingofthematter.Icarryaboutme,notascrapofwritingopenlyreferringtoit.Thisisasecretservicealtogether.Mycredentials,entries,andmemoranda,areallcomprehendedintheoneline,\"RecalledtoLife;\"whichmaymeananything.Butwhatisthematter?Shedoesn\'tnoticeaword!MissManette!\'
Perfectlystillandsilent,andnotevenfallenbackinherchair,shesatunderhishand,utterlyinsensible;withhereyesopenandfixeduponhim,andwiththatlastexpressionlookingasifitwerecarvedorbrandedintoherforehead.Soclosewasherholduponhisarm,thathefearedtodetachhimselflestheshouldhurther;thereforehecalledoutloudlyforassistancewithoutmoving.
Awild-lookingwoman,whomeveninhisagitation,Mr.Lorryobservedtobeallofaredcolour,andtohaveredhair,andtobedressedinsomeextraordinarytightfittingfashion,andtohaveonherheadamostwonderfulbonnetlikeaGrenadierwoodenmeasure,andgoodmeasuretoo,oragreatStiltoncheese,camerunningintotheroominadvanceoftheinnservants,andsoonsettledthequestionofhisdetachmentfromthepooryounglady,bylayingabrawnyhanduponhischest,andsendinghimflyingbackagainstthenearestwall.
`Ireallythinkthismustbeaman!\'wasMr.Lorry\'sbreathlessreflection,simultaneouslywithhiscomingagainstthewall.
`Why,lookatyouall!\'bawledthisfigure,addressingtheinnservants.`Whydon\'tyougoandfetchthings,insteadofstandingtherestaringatme?Iamnotsomuchtolookat,amI?Whydon\'tyougoandfetchthings?I\'llletyouknow,ifyoudon\'tbringsmelling-salts,coldwater,andvinegar,quick,Iwill.\'
Therewasanimmediatedispersalfortheserestoratives,andshesoftlylaidthepatientonasofa,andtendedherwithgreatskillandgentleness:callingher`myprecious!\'and`mybird!\'andspreadinghergoldenhairasideoverhershoulderswithgreatprideandcare.
`Andyouinbrown!\'shesaid,indignantlyturningtoMr.Lorry;`couldn\'tyoutellherwhatyouhadtotellher,withoutfrighteninghertodeath?Lookather,withherprettypalefaceandhercoldhands.DoyoucallthatbeingaBanker?\'
Mr.Lorrywassoexceedinglydisconcertedbyaquestionsohardtoanswer,thathecouldonlylookon,atadistance,withmuchfeeblersympathyandhumility,whilethestrongwoman,havingbanishedtheinnservantsunderthemysteriouspenaltyof`lettingthemknow\'somethingnotmentionediftheystayedthere,staring,recoveredherchargebyaregularseriesofgradations,andcoaxedhertolayherdroopingheaduponhershoulder.
`Ihopeshewilldowellnow,\'saidMr.Lorry.
`Nothankstoyouinbrown,ifshedoes.Mydarlingpretty!\'
`Ihope,\'saidMr.Lorry,afteranotherpauseoffeeblesympathyandhumility,`thatyouaccompanyMissManettetoFrance?\'
`Alikelything,too!\'repliedthestrongwoman.`IfitwaseverintendedthatIshouldgoacrosssaltwater,doyousupposeProvidencewouldhavecastmylotinanisland?\'
Thisbeinganotherquestionhardtoanswer,Mr.JarvisLorrywithdrewtoconsiderit.
CHAPTERV
TheWine-shop
ALARGEcaskofwinehadbeendroppedandbroken,street.Theaccidenthadhappenedingettingitoutofacart;thecaskhadtumbledoutwitharun,thehoopshadburst,anditlayonthestonesjustoutsidethedoorofthewine-shop,shatteredlikeawalnut-shell.
Allthepeoplewithinreachhadsuspendedtheirbusinessortheiridleness,toruntothespotanddrinkthewine.Therough,irregularstonesofthestreet,pointingeveryway,anddesigned,onemighthavethought,expresslytolamealllivingcreaturesthatapproachedthem,haddammeditintolittlepools;theseweresurrounded,eachbyitsownjostlinggrouporcrowd,accordingtoitssize.Somemenkneeleddown,madescoopsoftheirtwohandsjoined,andsipped,ortriedtohelpwomen,whobentovertheirshoulderstosip,beforethewinehadallrunoutbetweentheirfingers.Others,menandwomen,dippedinthepuddleswithlittlemugsofmutilatedearthenware,orevenwithhandkerchiefsfromwomen\'sheads,whichweresqueezeddryintoinfantsmouths;othersmadesmallmudembankments,tostemthewineasitran;others,directedbylookers-onupathighwindows,dartedhereandthere,tocutofflittlestreamsofwinethatstartedawayinnewdirections;othersdevotedthemselvestothesoddenandlee-dyedpiecesofthecasklicking,andevenchampingthemoisterwine-rottedfragmentswitheagerrelish.Therewasnodrainagetocarryoffthewine,andnotonlydiditallgettakenup,butsomuchmudgottakenupalongwithit,thattheremighthavebeenascavengerinthestreet,ifanybodyacquaintedwithitcouldhavebelievedinsuchamiraculouspresence.
Ashrillsoundoflaughterandofamusedvoices——voicesofmen,women,andchildren——resoundedinthestreetwhilethiswinegamelasted.Therewaslittleroughnessinthespotandmuchplayfulness.Therewasaspecialcompanionshipinit,anobservableinclinationonthepartofeveryonetojoinsomeotherone,whichled,especiallyamongtheluckierorlighter-hearted,tofrolicsomeembraces,drinkingofhealths,shakingofhands,andevenjoiningofhandsanddancing,adozentogether.Whenthewinewasgone,andtheplaceswhereithadbeenmostabundantwererakedintoagridiron-patternbyfingers,thesedemonstrationsceased,assuddenlyastheyhadbrokenout.Themanwhohadlefthissawstickinginthefirewoodhewascutting,setitinmotionagain;thewomanwhohadleftonadoor-stepthelittlepotofhotashes,atwhichshehadbeentryingtosoftenthepaininherownstarvedfingersandtoes,orinthoseofherchild,returnedtoit;menwithbarearms,mattedlocks,andcadaverousfaces,whohademergedintothewinterlightfromcellars,movedaway,todescendagain;andagloomgatheredonthescenethatappearedmorenaturaltoitthansunshine.
Thewinewasredwine,andhadstainedthegroundofthenarrowstreetinthesuburbofSaintAntoine,inParis,whereitwasspilled.Ithadstainedmanyhands,too,andmanyfaces,andmanynakedfeet,andmanywoodenshoes.Thehandsofthemanwhosawedthewood,leftredmarksonthebillets;andtheforeheadofthewomanwhonursedherbaby,wasstainedwiththestainoftheoldragshewoundaboutherheadagain.Thosewhohadbeengreedywiththestavesofthecask,hadacquiredatigerishsmearaboutthemouth;andonetalljokersobesmirched,hisheadmoreoutofalongsqualidbagofanight-capthaninit,scrawleduponawallwithhisfingerdippedinmuddywine-lees——BLOOD.
Thetimewastocome,whenthatwinetoowouldbespilledonthestreet-stones,andwhenthestainofitwouldbereduponmanythere.
AndnowthatthecloudsettledonSaintAntoine,whichamomentarygleamhaddrivenfromhissacredcountenance,thedarknessofitwasheavy——cold,dirt,sickness,ignorance,andwant,werethelordsinwaitingonthesaintlypresence——noblesofgreatpowerallofthem;but,mostespeciallythelast.Samplesofapeoplethathadundergoneaterriblegrindingandre-grindinginthemill,andcertainlynotinthefabulousmillwhichgroundoldpeopleyoung,shiveredateverycorner,passedinandoutateverydoorway,lookedfromeverywindow,flutteredineveryvestigeofagarmentthatthewindshock.Themillwhichhadworkedthemdown,wasthemillthatgrindsyoungpeopleold;thechildrenhadancientfacesandgravevoices;anduponthem,anduponthegrownfaces,andploughedintoeveryfurrowofageandcomingupafresh,wasthesign,Hunger.Itwasprevalenteverywhere.Hungerwaspushedoutofthetallhouses,inthewretchedclothingthathunguponpolesandlines;Hungerwaspatchedintothemwithstrawandragandwoodandpaper;Hungerwasrepeatedineveryfragmentofthesmallmodicumoffirewoodthatthemansawedoff;Hungerstareddownfromthesmokelesschimneys,andstartedupfromthefilthystreetthathadnooffal,amongitsrefuse,ofanythingtoeat.Hungerwastheinscriptiononthebaker\'sshelves,writtenineverysmallloafofhisScantystockofbadbread;atthesausage-shop,ineverydead-dogpreparationthatwasofferedforsale.Hungerrattleditsdrybonesamongtheroastingchestnutsintheturnedcylinder;Hungerwasshredintoatomiesineveryfarthingporringerofhuskychipsofpotato,friedwithsomereluctantdropsofoil.
Itsabidingplacewasinallthingsfittedtoit.Anarrowwindingstreet,fullofoffenceandstench,withothernarrowwindingstreetsdiverging,allpeopledbyragsandnightcaps,andallsmellingofragsandnightcaps,andallvisiblethingswithabroodinglookuponthemthatlookedill.Inthehuntedairofthepeopletherewasyetsomewild-beastthoughtofthepossibilityofturningatbay.Depressedandslinkingthoughtheywere,eyesoffirewerenotwantingamongthem;norcompressedlips,whitewithwhattheysuppressed;norforeheadsknittedintothelikenessofthegallows-ropetheymusedaboutenduring,orinflicting.Thetradesignsandtheywerealmostasmanyastheshopswere,all,grimillustrationsofWant.Thebutcherandtheporkmanpaintedup,onlytheleanestscragsofmeat;thebaker,thecoarsestofmeagreloaves.Thepeoplerudelypicturedasdrinkinginthewine-shops,croakedovertheirscantymeasuresofthinwineandbeer,andweregloweringlyconfidentialtogether.Nothingwasrepresentedinaflourishingcondition,savetoolsandweapons;but,thecutler\'sknivesandaxesweresharpandbright,thesmith\'shammers-wereheavy,andthegunmaker\'sstockwasmurderous.Thecripplingstonesofthepavement,withtheirmanylittlereservoirsofmudandwater,hadnofootways,butbrokeoffabruptlyatthedoors.Thekennel,tomakeamends,randownthemiddleofthestreet——whenitranatall:whichwasonlyafterheavyrains,andthenitran,bymanyeccentricfits,intothehouses.Acrossthestreets,atwideintervals,oneclumsylampwasslungbyaropeandpulley;atnight,whenthelamplighterhadletthesedown,andlighted,andhoistedthemagain,afeeblegroveofdimwicksswunginasicklymanneroverhead,asiftheywereatsea.Indeedtheywereatsea,andtheshipandcrewwereinperiloftempest.
For,thetimewastocome,whenthegauntscarecrowsofthatregionshouldhavewatchedthelamplighter,intheiridlenessandhunger,solong,astoconceivetheideaofimprovingonhismethod,andhaulingupmenbythoseropesandpulleys,toflareuponthedarknessoftheircondition.But,thetimewasnotcomeyet;andeverywindthatblewoverFranceshooktheragsofthescarecrowsinvain,forthebirds,fineofsongandfeather,tooknowarning.
Thewine-shopwasacomershop,betterthanmostother\'initsappearanceanddegree,andthemasterofthewineshophadstoodoutsideit,inayellowwaistcoatandgreenbreeches,lookingonatthestruggleforthelostwine.`It\'\'notmyaffair,\'saidhe,withafinalshrugoftheshoulders,`Thepeoplefromthemarketdidit.Letthembringanother.
There,hiseyeshappeningtocatchthetalljokerwritinguphisjoke,hecalledtohimacrosstheway:
`Say,then,myGaspard,whatdoyoudothere?\'
Thefellowpointedtohisjokewithimmensesignificanceasisoftenthewaywithhistribe.Itmisseditsmark,andcompletelyfailed,asisoftenthewaywithhistribetoo.
`Whatnow?Areyouasubjectforthemadhospital?\'saidthewine-shopkeeper,crossingtheroad,andobliteratingthejestwithahandfulofmud,pickedupforthepurposeandsmearedoverit.`Whydoyouwriteinthepublicstreets?Isthere——tellmethou——istherenootherplacetowritesuchwordsin?\'
Inhisexpostulationhedroppedhiscleanerhandperhapsaccidentally,perhapsnotuponthejoker\'sheart.Thejokerappeditwithhisown,tookanimblespringupward,andcamedowninafantasticdancingattitude,withoneofhisstainedshoesjerkedoffhisfootintohishand,andheldoutAjokerofanextremely,nottosaywolfishlypracticalcharacter,helooked,underthosecircumstances.
`Putiton,putiton,\'saidtheother.`Callwine,wineandfinishthere.\'Withthatadvice,hewipedhissoiledhanduponthejoker\'sdress,suchasitwas——quitedeliberately,ashavingdirtiedthehandonhisaccount;andthenre-crossedtheroadandenteredthewine-shop.
Thiswine-shopkeeperwasabull-necked\',martial-lookingmanofthirty,andheshouldhavebeanofahottemperament,for,althoughitwasabitterday,heworenocoat,butcarriedoneslungoverhisshoulder.Hisshirt-sleeveswererolledup,too,andhisbrownarmswerebaretotheelbows.Neitherdidhewearanythingmoreonhisheadthanhisowncrisply-curlingshortdarkhair.Hewasadarkmanaltogether,withgoodeyesandagoodboldbreadthbetweenthem.Good-humouredlookingonthewhole,butimplacable-looking,too;evidentlyamanofastrongresolutionandasetpurpose;amannotdesirabletobemet,rushingdownanarrowpasswithagulfoneitherside,fornothingwouldturntheman.
MadameDefarge,hiswife,satintheshopbehindthecounterashecamein.MadameDefargewasastoutwomanofabouthisownage,withawatchfuleyethatseldomseemedtolookatanything,alargehandheavilyringed,asteadyface,strongfeatures,andgreatcomposureofmanner.TherewasacharacteraboutMadameDefarge,fromwhichonemighthavepredicatedthatshedidnotoftenmakemistakesagainstherselfinanyofthereckoningsoverwhichshepresided.MadameDefargebeingsensitivetocold,waswrappedinfur,andhadaquantityofbrightshawltwinedaboutherhead,thoughnottotheconcealmentofherlargeearrings.Herknittingwasbeforeher,butshehadlaiditdowntopickherteethwithatoothpick.Thusengaged,withherrightelbowsupportedbyherlefthand,MadameDefargesaidnothingwhenherlordcamein,butcoughedJustonegrainofcough.This,incombinationwiththeliftingofherdarklydefinedeyebrowsoverhertoothpickbythebreadthofaline,suggestedtoherhusbandthathewoulddowelltolookroundtheshopamongthecustomers,foranynewcustomerwhohaddroppedinwhilehesteppedovertheway.
Thewine-shopkeeperaccordinglyrolledhiseyesabout,untiltheyresteduponanelderlygentlemanandayounglady,whowereseatedinacorner.Othercompanywerethere:twoplayingcards,twoplayingdominoes,threestandingbythecounterlengtheningoutashortsupplyofwine.Ashepassedbehindthecounter,hetooknoticethattheelderlygentlemansaidinalooktotheyounglady`Thisisourman.
`Whatthedevildoyoudointhatgalleythere?\'saidMonsieurDefargetohimself;`Idon\'tknowyou.\'
But,hefeignednottonoticethetwostrangers,andfellintodiscoursewiththetriumvirateofcustomerswhoweredrinkingatthecounter.
`Howgoesit,Jacques?\'saidoneofthesethreetoMonsieurDefarge.`Isallthespiltwineswallowed?\'
`Everydrop,Jacques,\'answeredMonsieurDefarge.