`Hereheis,\'saidtheDoctor,enteringthedarkroomatthemoment.
`Iamquitegladyouareathome;forthesehurriesandforebodingsbywhichIhavebeensurroundedalldaylong,havemademenervouswithoutreason.Youarenotgoingout,Ihope?\'
`No;Iamgoingtoplaybackgammonwithyou,ifyoulike,\'saidtheDoctor.
`Idon\'tthinkIdolike,ifImayspeakmymind.Iamnotfittobepittedagainstyouto-night.Isthetea-boardstillthere,Lucie?Ican\'tsee.\'
`Ofcourse,ithasbeenkeptforyou.\'
`Thankye,mydear.Thepreciouschildissafeinbed?\'
`Andsleepingsoundly.
`That\'sright;allsafeandwell!Idon\'tknowwhyanythingshouldbeotherwisethansafeandwellhere,thankGod;butIhavebeensoputoutallday,andIamnotasyoungasIwas!Mytea,mydear!Thankye.Now,comeandtakeyourplaceinthecircle,andletussitquiet,andheartheechoesaboutwhichyouhaveyourtheory.\'
`Notatheory;itwasafancy.\'
`Afancy,then,mywisepet,\'saidMr.Lorry,pattingherhand.`Theyareverynumerousandveryloud,though,aretheynot?Onlyhearthem!\'
Headlong,mad,anddangerousfootstepstoforcetheirwayintoanybody\'slife,footstepsnoteasilymadecleanagainifoncestainedred,thefootstepsraginginSaintAntoineafaroff,asthelittlecirclesatinthedarkLondonwindow.
SaintAntoinehadbeen,thatmorning,avastduskymassofscarecrowsheavingtoandfro,withfrequentgleamsoflightabovethebillowyheads,wheresteelbladesandbayonetsshoneinthesun.AtremendousroararosefromthethroatofSaintAntoine,andaforestofnakedarmsstruggledintheairlikeshrivelledbranchesoftreesinawinterwind:allthefingersconvulsivelyclutchingateveryweaponorsemblanceofaweaponthatwasthrownupfromthedepthsbelow,nomatterhowfaroff.
Whogavethemout,whencetheylastcame,wheretheybegan,throughwhatagencytheycrookedlyquiveredandjerked,scoresatatime,overtheheadsofthecrowd,likeakindoflightning,noeyeinthethrongcouldhavetold;but,musketswerebeingdistributed——sowerecartridges,powder,andball,barsofironandwood,knives,axes,pikes,everyweaponthatdistractedingenuitycoulddiscoverordevise.Peoplewhocouldlayholdofnothingelse,setthemselveswithbleedinghandstoforcestonesandbricksoutoftheirplacesinwalls.EverypulseandheartinSaintAntoinewasonhigh-feverstrainandathigh-feverheat.Everylivingcreaturethereheldlifeasofnoaccount,andwasdementedwithapassionatereadinesstosacrificeit.
Asawhirlpoolofboilingwatershasacentrepoint,so,allthisragingcircledroundDefarge\'swine-shop,andeveryhumandropinthecaldronhadatendencytobesuckedtowardsthevortexwhereDefargehimself,alreadybegrimedwithgunpowderandsweat,issuedorders,issuedarms,thrustthismanback,draggedthismanforward,disarmedonetoarmanother,labouredandstroveinthethickestoftheuproar.
`Keepneartome,JacquesThree,\'criedDefarge;`anddoyou,JacquesOneandTwo,separateandputyourselvesattheheadofasmanyofthesepatriotsasyoucan.Whereismywife?\'
`Eh,well!Hereyouseeme!\'saidmadame,composedasever,butnotknittingto-day.Madame\'sresoluterighthandwasoccupiedwithanaxe,inplaceoftheusualsofterimplements,andinhergirdlewereapistolandacruelknife.
`Wheredoyougo,mywife?\'
`Igo,\'saidmadame,`withyouatpresent.Youshallseemeattheheadofwomen,by-and-by.\'
`Come,then!\'criedDefarge,inaresoundingvoice.`Patriotsandfriends,weareready!TheBastille!\'
WitharoarthatsoundedasifallthebreathinFrancehadbeenshapedintothedetestedword,thelivingsearose,waveonwave,depthondepth,andoverflowedthecitytothatpoint.Alarm-bellsringing,drumsbeating,thesearagingandthunderingonitsnewbeach,theattack`begun.
Deepditches,doubledrawbridge,massivestonewalls,eightgreattowers,cannon,muskets,fireandsmoke.Throughthefireandthroughthesmoke——inthefireandinthesmoke,fortheseacasthimupagainstacannon,andontheinstanthebecameacannonier——Defargeofthewine-shopworkedlikeamanfulsoldier,Twofiercehours.
Deepditch,singledrawbridge,massivestonewalls,eightattowers,cannon,muskets,fireandsmoke.Onedrawbridgedown!`Work,comradesall,work!Work,Jacques,JacquesTwo,JacquesOneThousand,JacquesTwoThousand,JacquesFive-and-TwentyThousand;inthenameofalltheAngelsortheDevils——whichyouprefer——work!\'ThusDefargeofthewine-shop,stillathisgun,whichhadlonggrownhot.
`Tome,women!\'criedmadamehiswife.`What!Wecankillaswellasthemenwhentheplaceistaken!\'Andtoher,withashrillthirstycry,troopingwomenvariouslyarmed,butallarmedalikeinhungerandrevenge.
Cannon,muskets,fireandsmoke;but,stillthedeepditch,thesingledrawbridge,themassivestonewalls,andtheeightgreattowers.Slightdisplacementsoftheragingsea,madebythefallingwounded.Flashingweapons,blazingtorches,smokingwaggon-loadsofwetstraw,hardworkatneighbouringbarricadesinalldirections,shrieks,volleys,execrations,braverywithoutstint,boom,smashandrattle,andthefurioussoundingofthelivingsea;but,stillthedeepditch,andthesingledrawbridge,andthemassivestonewalls,andtheeightgreattowers,andstillDefargeofthewine-shopathisgun,growndoublyhotbytheserviceofFourfiercehours.
Awhiteflagfromwithinthefortress,andaparley——thisdimlyperceptiblethroughtheragingstorm,nothingaudibleinit——suddenlythesearoseimmeasurablywiderandhigher,andsweptDefargeofthewine-shopoverthelowereddraw-bridge,pastthemassivestoneouterwalls,inamongtheeightgreattowerssurrendered!
Soresistlesswastheforceoftheoceanbearinghimon,thateventodrawhisbreathorturnhisheadwasasimpracticableasifhehadbeenstrugglinginthesurfattheSouthSea,untilhewaslandedintheoutercourt-yardoftheBastille.There,againstanangleofawall,hemadeastruggletolookabouthim.JacquesThreewasnearlyathisside;MadameDefarge,still-headingsomeofherwomen,wasvisibleintheinnerdistance,andherknifewasinherhand.Everywherewastumult,exultation,deafeningandmaniacalbewilderment,astoundingnoise,yetfuriousdumb-show.
`ThePrisoners!\'
`TheRecords!\'
`Thesecretcells!\'
`Theinstrumentsoftorture!\'
`ThePrisoners!\'
Ofallthesecries,andtenthousandincoherencies,`ThePrisoners!\'wastheCrymosttakenupbytheseathatrushedin,asiftherewereaneternityofpeople,aswellasoftimeandspace.Whentheforemostbillowsrolledpast,bearingtheprisonofficerswiththem,andthreateningthemallwithinstantdeathifanysecretnookremainedundisclosed,Defargelaidhisstronghandonthebreastofoneofthesemen——amanwithagreyhead,whohadalightedtorchinhishand——separatedhimfromtherest,andgothimbetweenhimselfandthewall.
`ShowmetheNorthTower!\'saidDefarge.`Quick!\'
`Iwillfaithfully,\'repliedtheman,`ifyouwillcomewithme.
Butthereisnoonethere.\'
`WhatisthemeaningofOneHundredandFive,NorthTower?\'askedDefarge.`Quick!\'
`Themeaning,monsieur?\'
`Doesitmeanacaptive,oraplaceofcaptivity?OrdoyoumeanthatIshallstrikeyoudead?\'
`Killhim!\'croakedJacquesThree,whohadcomecloseup.
`Monsieur,itisacell.\'
`Showitme!\'
`Passthisway,then.\'
JacquesThree,withhisusualcravingonhim,andevidentlydisappointedbythedialoguetakingaturnthatdidnotseemtopromisebloodshed,heldbyDefarge\'sarmasheheldbytheturnkey\'s.Theirthreeheadshadbeenclosetogetherduringthisbriefdiscourse,andithadbeenasmuchastheycoulddotohearoneanother,eventhen:sotremendouswasthenoiseofthelivingocean,initsirruptionintotheFortress,anditsinundationofthecourtsandpassagesandstaircases.Allaroundoutside,too,itbeatthewallswithadeep,hoarseroar,fromwhich,occasionally,somepartialshoutsoftumultbrokeandleapedintotheairlikespray.
Throughgloomyvaultswherethelightofdayhadnevershone,pasthideousdoorsofdarkdensandcages,downcavernousflightsofsteps,andagainupsteepruggedascentsofstoneandbrick,morelikedrywaterfallsthanstaircases,Defarge,theturnkey,andJacquesThree,linkedhandandarm,wentwithallthespeedtheycouldmake.Hereandthere,especiallyatfirst,theinundationstartedonthemandsweptby;butwhentheyhaddonedescending,andwerewindingandclimbingupatower,theywerealone.Hemmedinherebythemassivethicknessofwallsandarches,thestormwithinthefortressandwithoutwasonlyaudibletotheminadull,subduedway,asifthenoiseoutofwhichtheyhadcomehadalmostdestroyedtheirsenseofhearing.
Theturnkeystoppedatalowdoor,putakeyinaclashinglock,swungthedoorslowlyopen,andsaid,astheyallbenttheirheadsandpassedin:
`Onehundredandfive,NorthTower!\'
Therewasasmall,heavily-grated,unglazedwindowhighinthewall,withastonescreenbeforeit,sothattheskycouldbeonlyseenbystoopinglowandlookingup.Therewasasmallchimney,heavilybarredacross,afewfeetwithin.Therewasaheapofoldfeatherywood-ashesonthehearth.Therewasastool,andtable,andastrawbed.Therewerethefourblackenedwalls,andarustedironringinoneofthem.
`Passthattorchslowlyalongthesewalls,thatImayseethem,\'saidDefargetotheturnkey.
Themanobeyed,andDefargefollowedthelightcloselywithhiseyes.
`Stop——Lookhere,Jacques!\'
`A.M.!\'croakedJacquesThree,ashereadgreedily.
`AlexandreManette,\'saidDefargeinhisear,followingtheletterswithhisswartforefinger,deeplyengrainedwithgunpowder.`Andherehewrote``apoorphysician.\'\'Anditwashe,withoutdoubt,whoscratchedacalendaronthisstone.Whatisthatinyourhand?Acrowbar?Giveitme!\'
Hehadstillthelinstockofhisguninhisownhand.Hemadeasuddenexchangeofthetwoinstruments,andturningontheworm-eatenstoolandtable,beatthemtopiecesinafewblows.
`Holdthelighthigher!\'hesaid,wrathfully,totheturnkey.`Lookamongthosefragmentswithcare,Jacques.Andsee!Hereismyknife,\'throwingittohim;`ripopenthatbed,andsearchthestraw.Holdthelighthigher,you!\'
Withamenacinglookattheturnkeyhecrawleduponthehearth,and,peeringupthechimney,struckandprisedatitssideswiththecrowbar,andworkedattheirongratingacrossit.Inafewminutes,somemortaranddustcamedroppingdown,whichheavertedhisfacetoavoid;andinit,andintheoldwood-ashes,andinacreviceinthechimneyintowhichhisweaponhadslippedorwroughtitself,hegropedwithacautioustouch.
`Nothinginthewood,andnothinginthestraw,Jacques?\'
`Nothing.\'
`Letuscollectthemtogether,inthemiddleofthecell.So!Lightthem,you!\'
Theturnkeyfiredthelittlepile,whichblazedhighandhot.Stoopingagaintocomeoutatthelow-archeddoor,theyleftitburning,andretracedtheirwaytothecourt-yard;seemingtorecovertheirsenseofhearingastheycamedown,untiltheywereintheragingfloodoncemore.
Theyfounditsurgingandtossing,inquestofDefargehimself.SaintAntoinewasclamoroustohaveitswine-shopkeeperforemostintheguarduponthegovernorwhohaddefendedtheBastilleandshotthepeople.Otherwise,thegovernorwouldnotbemarchedtotheHoteldeVilleforjudgment.Otherwise,thegovernorwouldescape,andthepeople\'sbloodsuddenlyofsomevalue,aftermanyyearsofworthlessnessbeunavenged.
Inthehowlinguniverseofpassionandcontentionthatseemedtoencompassthisgrimoldofficerconspicuousinhisgreycoatandreddecoration,therewasbutonequitesteadyfigure,andthatwasawoman\'s.`See,thereismyhusband!\'shecried,pointinghimout.`SeeDefarge!\'Shestoodimmovableclosetothegrimoldofficer,andremainedimmovableclosetohim;remainedimmovableclosetohimthroughthestreets,asDefargeandtherestborehimalong;remainedimmovableclosetohimwhenhewasgotnearhisdestination,andbegantobestruckatfrombehind;remainedimmovableclosetohimwhenthelong-gatheringrainofstabsandblowsfellheavy;wassoclosetohimwhenhedroppeddeadunderit,that,suddenlyanimated,sheputherfootuponhisneck,andwithhercruelknife-long`ready-hewedoffhishead.
Thehourwascome,whenSaintAntoinewastoexecutehishorribleideaofhoistingupmenforlampstoshowwhathecouldbeanddo.SaintAntoine\'sbloodwasup,andthebloodoftyrannyanddominationbytheironhandwasdown——downonthestepsoftheHoteldeVillewherethegovernor\'sbodylay——downonthesoleoftheshoeofMadameDefargewhereshehadtroddenonthebodytosteadyitformutilation.`Lowerthelampyonder!\'criedSaintAntoine,afterglaringroundforanewmeansofdeath;`hereisoneofhissoldierstobeleftonguard!\'Theswingingsentinelwasposted,andthesearushedon.
Theseaofblackandthreateningwaters,andofdestructiveupheavingofwaveagainstwave,whosedepthswereyetunfathomedandwhoseforceswereyetunknown.Theremorselessseaofturbulentlyswayingshapes,voicesofvengeance,andfaceshardenedinthefurnacesofsufferinguntilthetouchofpitycouldmakenomarkonthem.
But,intheoceanoffaceswhereeveryfierceandfuriousexpressionwasinvividlife,thereweretwogroupsoffaces——eachseveninnumber——sofixedlycontrastingwiththerest,thatneverdidsearollwhichboremorememorablewreckswithit.Sevenfacesofprisoners,suddenlyreleasedbythestormthathadbursttheirtomb,werecarriedhighoverhead:allscared,alllost,allwonderingandamazed,asiftheDaywerecome,andthosewhorejoicedaroundthemwerelostspirits.Othersevenfacestherewere,carriedhigher,sevendeadfaces,whosedroopingeyelidsandhalf-seeneyesawaitedtheDay.Impassivefaces,yetwithasuspended——notanabolished——expressiononthem;faces,rather,inafearfulpause,ashavingyettoraisethedroppedlidsoftheeyes,andbearwitnesswiththebloodlesslips,`THOUDIDSTIT!\'
Sevenprisonersreleased,sevengoryheadsonpikes,thekeysoftheaccursedfortressoftheeightstrongtowers,somediscoveredlettersandothermemorialsofprisonersofoldtime,longdeadofbrokenhearts,——such,andsuch-like,theloudlyechoingfootstepsofSaintAntoineescortthroughtheParisstreetsinmid-July,onethousandsevenhundredandeighty-nine.Now,HeavendefeatthefancyofLucieDarnay,andkeepthesefeetfaroutofherlife!For,theyareheadlong,mad,anddangerous;andintheyearssolongafterthebreakingofthecaskatDefarge\'swine-shopdoor,theyarenoteasilypurifiedwhenoncestainedred.
CHAPTERXXII
TheSeastillRises
HAGGARDSaintAntoinehadhadonlyoneexultantweek,inwhichtosoftenhismodicumofhardandbitterbreadtosuchextentashecould,withtherelishoffraternalembracesancongratulations,whenMadameDefargesatathercounter,asusual,presidingoverthecustomers.MadameDefargeworenoroseinherhead,forthegreatbrotherhoodofSpieshadbecome,eveninoneshortweek,extremelycharyoftrustingthemselvestothesaint\'smercies.Thelampshadaportentouslyelasticswingwiththem.
MadameDefarge,withherarmsfolded,satinthemorninglightandheat,contemplatingthewine-shopandthestreet.Inboth,therewereseveralknotsofloungers,squalidandmiserable,butnowwithamanifestsenseofpowerenthronedontheirdistress.Theraggedestnightcap,awryonthewretchedesthead,hadthiscrookedsignificanceinit:`Iknowhowhardithasgrownforme,thewearerofthis,tosupportlifeinmyself;butdoyouknowhoweasyithasgrownforme,thewearerofthis,todestroylifeinyou?\'Everyleanbarearm,thathadbeenwithoutworkbefore,hadthisworkalwaysreadyforitnow,thatitcouldstrike.Thefingersoftheknittingwomenwerevicious,withtheexperiencethattheycouldtear.TherewasachangeintheappearanceofSaintAntoine;thehammeringintothisforhundredsofyears,andthelastfinishingblowshadtoldmightilyontheexpression.
MadameDefargesatobservingit,withsuchsuppressedapprovalaswastobedesiredintheleaderoftheSaintAntoinewomen.Oneofhersisterhoodknittedbesideher.Theshort,ratherplumpwifeofastarvedgrocer,andthemotheroftwochildrenwithal,thislieutenanthadalreadyearnedthecomplimentarynameofTheVengeance.
`Hark!\'saidTheVengeance.`Listen,then!Whocomes?\'
AsifatrainofpowderlaidfromtheoutermostboundoftheSaintAntoineQuartertothewine-shopdoor,hadbeensuddenlyfired,afast-spreadingmurmurcamerushingalong.
`ItisDefarge,\'saidmadame.`Silence,patriots!\'
Defargecameinbreathless,pulledoffaredcaphewore,andlookedaroundhim!`Listen,everywhere!\'saidmadameagain.`Listentohim!\'Defargestood,panting,againstabackgroundofeagereyesandopenmouths,formedoutsidethedoor;allthosewithinthewine-shophadsprungtotheirfeet.
`Saythen,myhusband.Whatisit?\'
`Newsfromtheotherworld!\'
`How,then?\'criedmadame,contemptuously.`Theotherworld?\'
`DoeseverybodyhererecalloldFoulon,whotoldthefamishedpeoplethattheymighteatgrass,andwhodied,andwenttoHell?\'
`Everybody!\'fromallthroats.
`Thenewsisofhim.Heisamongus!\'
`Amongus!\'fromtheuniversalthroatagain.`Anddead?\'
`Notdead!Hefearedussomuch——andwithreason——thathecausedhimselftoberepresentedasdead,andhadagrandmock-funeral.Buttheyhavefoundhimalive,hidinginthecountry,andhavebroughthimin.Ihaveseenhimbutnow,onhiswaytotheH?teldeVille,aprisoner.Ihavesaidthathehadreasontofearus.Sayall!Hadhereason?\'
Wretchedoldsinnerofmorethanthreescoreyearsandten,ifhehadneverknownityet,hewouldhaveknownitinhisheartofheartsifhecouldhaveheardtheansweringcry.
Amomentofprofoundsilencefollowed.Defargeandhiswifelookedsteadfastlyatoneanother.TheVengeancestooped,andthejarofadrumwasheardasshemoveditatherfeetbehindthecounter.
`Patriots!\'saidDefarge,inadeterminedvoice,`areweready?\'
InstantlyMadameDefarge\'sknifewasinhergirdle;thedrumwasbeatinginthestreets,asifitandadrummerhadflowntogetherbymagic;andTheVengeance,utteringterrificshrieks,andflingingherarmsaboutherheadlikeallthefortyFuriesatonce,wastearingfromhousetohouse,rousingthewomen.
Themenwereterrible,inthebloody-mindedangerwithwhichtheylookedfromwindows,caughtupwhatarmstheyhad,andcamepouringdownintothestreets;but,thewomenwereasighttochilltheboldest.Fromsuchhouseholdoccupationsastheirbarepovertyyielded,fromtheirchildren,fromtheiragedandtheirsickcrouchingonthebaregroundfamishedandnaked,theyranoutwithstreaminghair,urgingoneanother,andthemselves,tomadnesswiththewildestcriesandactions.VillainFoulontaken,mysister!OldFoulontaken,mymother!MiscreantFoulontaken,mydaughter!Then,ascoreofothersranintothemidstofthese,beatingtheirbreasts,tearingtheirhair,andscreaming,Foulonalive!Foulonwhotoldthestarvingpeopletheymighteatgrass!Foulonwhotoldmyoldfatherthathemighteatgrass,whenIhadnobreadtogivehim!Foulonwhotoldmybabyitmightsuckgrass,whenthesebreastsweredrywithwant!OmotherofGod,thisFoulon!OHeaven,oursuffering!Hearme,mydeadbabyandmywitheredfather:Iswearonmyknees,onthesestones,toavengeyouonFoulon!Husbands,andbrothers,andyoungmen,GiveusthebloodofFoulon,GiveustheheadofFoulon,GiveustheheartofFoulon,GiveusthebodyandsoulofFoulon,RendFoulontopieces,anddighimintotheground,thatgrassmaygrowfromhim!Withthesecries,numbersofthewomen,lashedintoblindfrenzy,whirledabout,strikingandtearingattheirownfriendsuntiltheydroppedintoapassionateswoon,andwereonlysavedbythemenbelongingtothemfrombeingtrampledunderfoot.
Nevertheless,notamomentwaslost;notamoment!ThisFoulonwasattheH?teldeVille,andmightbeloosed.Never,ifSaintAntoineknewhisownsufferings,insults,andwrongs!ArmedmenandwomenflockedoutoftheQuartersofast,anddreweventheselastdregsafterthemwithsuchaforceofsuction,thatwithinaquarterofanhourtherewasnotahumancreatureinSaintAntoine\'sbosombutafewoldcronesandthewailingchildren.
No.TheywereallbythattimechokingtheHallofExaminationwherethisoldman,uglyandwicked,was,andoverflowingintotheadjacentopenspaceandstreets.TheDefarges,husbandandwife,TheVengeance,andJacquesThree,wereinthefirstpress,andatnogreatdistancefromhimintheHall.
`See!\'criedmadame,pointingwithherknife.`Seetheoldvillainboundwithropes.Thatwaswelldonetotieabunchofgrassuponhisback.Ha,ha!Thatwaswelldone.Lethimeatitnow!\'Madameputherknifeunderherarm,andclappedherhandsasataplay.
ThepeopleimmediatelybehindMadameDefarge,explainingthecauseofhersatisfactiontothosebehindthem,andthoseagainexplainingtoothers,andthosetoothers,theneighbouringstreetsresoundedwiththeclappingofhands.Similarly,duringtwoorthreehoursofbrawl,andthewinnowingofmanybushelsofwords,MadameDefarge\'sfrequentexpressionsofimpatienceweretakenup,withmarvellousquickness,atadistance:themorereadily,becausecertainmenwhohadbysomewonderfulexerciseofagilityclimbeduptheexternalarchitecturetolookinfromthewindows,knewMadameDefargewell,andactedasatelegraphbetweenherandthecrowdoutsidethebuilding.
Atlengththesunrosesohighthatitstruckakindlyrayasofhopeorprotection,directlydownupontheoldprisoner\'shead.Thefavourwastoomuchtobear;inaninstantthebarrierofdustandchaffthathadstoodsurprisinglylong,wenttothewinds,andSaintAntoinehadgothim!
Itwasknowndirectly,tothefurthestconfinesofthecrowd.Defargehadbutsprungoverarailingandatable,andfoldedthemiserablewretchinadeadlyembrace——MadameDefargehadbutfollowedandturnedherhandinoneoftheropeswithwhichhewastied——TheVengeanceandJacquesThreewerenotyetupwiththem,andthemenatthewindowshadnotyetswoopedintotheHall,likebirdsofpreyfromtheirhighperches——whenthecryseemedtogoup,alloverthecity,`Bringhimout!Bringhimtothelamp!\'
Down,andup,andheadforemostonthestepsofthebuilding;now,onhisknees;now,onhisfeet;now,onhisback;dragged,andstruckat,andstifledbythebunchesofgrassandstrawthatwerethrustintohisfacebyhundredsofhands;torn,bruised,panting,bleeding,yetalwaysentreatingandbeseechingformercy;nowfullofvehementagonyofaction,withasmallclearspaceabouthimasthepeopledrewoneanotherbackthattheymightsee;now,alogofdeadwooddrawnthroughaforestoflegs;hewashauledtotheneareststreetcornerwhereoneofthefatallampsswung,andthereMadameDefargelethimgo——asacatmighthavedonetoamouse——andsilentlyandcomposedlylookedathimwhiletheymadeready,andwhilehebesoughther:thewomenpassionatelyscreechingathimallthetime,andthemensternlycallingouttohavehimkilledwithgrassinhismouth.Once,hewentaloft,andtheropebroke,andtheycaughthimshrieking;twice,hewentaloft,andtheropebroke,andtheycaughthimshrieking;then,theropewasmerciful,andheldhim,andhisheadwassoonuponapike,withgrassenoughinthemouthforallSaintAntoinetodanceatthesightof.Norwasthistheendoftheday\'sbadwork,forSaintAntoinesoshoutedanddancedhisangrybloodup,thatitboiledagain,onhearingwhenthedayclosedinthattheson-in-lawofthedespatched,anotherofthepeople\'senemiesandinsulters,wascomingintoParisunderguardfivehundredstrong,incavalryalone.SaintAntoinewrotehiscrimesonflaringsheetsofpaper,seizedhim——wouldhavetornhimoutofthebreastofanarmytobearFouloncompany——sethisheadandheartonpikes,andcarriedthethreespoilsoftheday,inWolf-procession,throughthestreets.
Notbeforedarknightdidthemenandwomencomebacktothechildren,wailingandbreadless.Then,themiserablebakers\'shopswerebesetbylongfilesofthem,patientlywaitingtobuybadbread;andwhiletheywaitedwithstomachsfaintandempty,theybeguiledthetimebyembracingoneanotheronthetriumphsoftheday,andachievingthemagainingossip.Gradually,thesestringsofraggedpeopleshortenedandfrayedaway;andthenpoorlightsbegantoshineinhighwindows,andslenderfiresweremadeinthestreets,atwhichneighbourscookedincommon,afterwardssuppingattheirdoors.
Scantyandinsufficientsuppersthose,andinnocentofmeat,asofmostothersaucetowretchedbread.Yet,humanfellowshipinfusedsomenourishmentintotheflintyviands,andstrucksomesparksofcheerfulnessoutofthem.Fathersandmotherswhohadhadtheirfullshareintheworstoftheday,playedgentlywiththeirmeagrechildren;andlovers,withsuchaworldaroundthemandbeforethem,lovedandhoped.
Itwasalmostmorning,whenDefarge\'swine-shoppartedwithitslastknotofcustomers,andMonsieurDefargesaidtomadamehiswife,inhuskytones,whilefasteningthedoor:
`Atlastitiscome,mydear!\'
`Ehwell!\'returnedmadame.`Almost.\'
SaintAntoineslept,theDefargesslept:evenTheVengeancesleptwithherstarvedgrocer,andthedrumwasatrest.Thedrum\'swastheonlyvoiceinSaintAntoinethatbloodandhurryhadnotchanged.TheVengeance,ascustodianofthedrum,couldhavewakenedhimupandhadthesamespeechoutofhimasbeforetheBastillefell,oroldFoulonwasseized;notsowiththehoarsetonesofthemenandwomeninSaintAntoine\'sbosom.
CHAPTERXXIII
FireRises
THEREwasachangeonthevillagewherethefountainfell,andwherethemenderofroadswentforthdailytohammeroutofthestonesonthehighwaysuchmorselsofbreadasmightserveforpatchestoholdhispoorignorantsoulandhispoorreducedbodytogether.Theprisononthecragwasnotsodominantasofyore;thereweresoldierstoguardit,butnotmany;therewereofficerstoguardthesoldiers,butnotoneofthemknewwhathismenwoulddo——beyondthis:thatitwouldprobablynotbewhathewasordered.
Farandwidelayaruinedcountry,yieldingnothingbutdesolation.Everygreenleaf,everybladeofgrassandbladeofgrain,wasasshrivelledandpoorasthemiserablepeople.Everythingwasboweddown,dejected,oppressed,andbroken.Habitations,fences,domesticatedanimals,men,women,children,andthesoilthatborethem——allwornout.
Monseigneuroftenamostworthyindividualgentlemanwasanationalblessing,gaveachivalroustonetothings,wasapoliteexampleofluxuriousandshininglife,andagreatdealmoretoequalpurpose;nevertheless,Monseigneurasaclasshad,somehoworother,broughtthingstothis.StrangethatCreation,designedexpresslyforMonseigneur,shouldbesosoonwrungdryandsqueezedout!Theremustbesomethingshort-sightedintheeternalarrangements,surelyThusitwas,however;andthelastdropofbloodhavingbeenextractedfromtheflints,andthelastscrewoftherackhavingbeenturnedsooftenthatitspurchasecrumbled,anditnowturnedandturnedwithnothingtobite,Monseigneurbegantorunawayfromaphenomenonsolowandunaccountable.
But,thiswasnotthechangeonthevillage,andonmanyavillagelikeit.Forscoresofyearsgoneby,Monseigneurhadsqueezeditandwrungit,andhadseldomgraceditwithhispresenceexceptforthepleasuresofthechase——now,foundinhuntingthepeople;now,foundinhuntingthebeasts,forwhosepreservationMonseigneurmadeedifyingspacesofbarbarousandbarrenwilderness.No.Thechangeconsistedintheappearanceofstrangefacesoflowcaste,ratherthaninthedisappearanceofthehigh-caste,chiseled,andotherwisebeatifiedandbeatifyingfeaturesofMonseigneur.
For,inthesetimes,asthemenderofroadsworked,solitary,inthedust,notoftentroublinghimselftoreflectthatdusthewasandtodusthemustreturn,beingforthemostparttoomuchoccupiedinthinkinghowlittlehehadforsupperandhowmuchmorehewouldeatifhehadit——inthesetimes,asheraisedhiseyesfromhislonelylabour,andviewedtheprospect,hewouldseesomeroughfigureapproachingonfoot,thelikeofwhichwasonceararityinthoseparts,butwasnowafrequentpresence.Asitadvanced,themenderofroadswoulddiscernwithoutsurprise,thatitwasashaggy-hairedman,ofalmostbarbarianaspect,tall,inwoodenshoesthatwereclumsyeventotheeyesofamenderofroads,grim,rough,swart,steepedinthemudanddustofmanyhighways,dankwiththemarshymoistureofmanylowgrounds,sprinkledwiththethornsandleavesandmossofmanybywaysthroughwoods.
Suchamancameuponhim,likeaghost,atnoonintheJulyweather,ashesatonhisheapofstonesunderabank,takingsuchshelterashecouldgetfromashowerofhail.
Themanlookedathim,lookedatthevillageinthehollow,atthemill,andattheprisononthecrag.Whenhehadidentifiedtheseobjectsinwhatbenightedmindhehad,hesaid,inadialectthatwasjustintelligible:
`Howgoesit,Jacques?\'
`Allwell,Jacques.\'
`Touchthen!\'
Theyjoinedhands,andthemansatdownontheheapofstones.
`Nodinner?\'
`Nothingbutsuppernow,\'saidthemenderofroads,withahungryface.
`Itisthefashion,\'growledtheman.`Imeetnodinneranywhere.\'
Hetookoutablackenedpipe,filledit,lighteditwithflintandsteel,pulledatituntilitwasinabrightglow:then,suddenlyhelditfromhimanddroppedsomethingintoitfrombetweenhisfingerandthumb,thatblazedandwentoutinapuffofsmoke.
`Touchthen.\'Itwastheturnofthemenderofroadstosayitthistime,afterobservingtheseoperations.Theyagainjoinedhands.
`To-night?\'saidthemenderofroads.
`To-night,\'saidtheman,puttingthepipeinhismouth.
`Where?\'
`Here.\'
Heandthemenderofroadssatontheheapofstoneslookingsilentlyatoneanother,withthehaildrivinginbetweenthemlikeapigmychargeofbayonets,untiltheskybegantoclearoverthevillage.
`Showme!\'saidthetravellerthen,movingtothebrowofthehill.
`See.\'returnedthemenderofroads,withextendedfinger.`Yougodownhere,andstraightthroughthestreet,andpastthefountain——
`TotheDevilwithallthat!\'interruptedtheother,rollinghiseyeoverthelandscape.`Igothroughnostreetsandpastnofountains.Well?\'
`Well!Abouttwoleaguesbeyondthesummitofthathillabovethevillage.\'
`Good.Whendoyouceasetowork?\'
`Atsunset.\'
`Willyouwakeme,beforedeparting?Ihavewalkedtwonightswithoutresting.Letmefinishmypipe,andIshallsleeplikeachild.Willyouwakeme?\'
`Surely.\'
Thewayfarersmokedhispipeout,putitinhisbreast,slippedoffhisgreatwoodenshoes,andlaydownonhisbackontheheapofstones.Hewasfastasleepdirectly.
Astheroad-menderpliedhisdustylabour,andthehail-clouds,rollingaway,revealedbrightbarsandstreaksofskywhichwererespondedtobysilvergleamsuponthelandscape,thelittlemanwhoworearedcapnow,inplaceofhisblueoneseemedfascinatedbythefigureontheheapofstones.Hiseyesweresooftenturnedtowardsit,thatheusedhistoolsmechanically,and,onewouldhavesaid,toverypooraccount.Thebronzeface,theshaggyblackhairandbeard,thecoarsewoollenredcap,theroughmedleydressofhome-spunstuffandhairyskinsofbeasts,thepowerfulframeattenuatedbyspareliving,andthesullenanddesperatecompressionofthelipsinsleep,inspiredthemenderofroadswithawe.Thetravellerhadtravelledfar,andhisfeetwerefootsore,andhisankleschafedandbleeding;hisgreatshoes,stuffedwithleavesandgrass,hadbeenheavytodragoverthemanylongleagues,andhisclotheswerechafedintoholes,ashehimselfwasintosores.Stoopingdownbesidehim,theroad-mendertriedtogetapeepatsecretweaponsinhisbreastorwherenot;but,invain,forhesleptwithhisarmscrosseduponhim,andsetasresolutelyashislips.Fortifiedtownswiththeirstockades,guard-houses,gates,trenches,anddrawbridges,seemedtothemenderofroads,tobesomuchairasagainstthisfigure.Andwhenheliftedhiseyesfromittothehorizonandlookedaround,hesawinhissmallfancysimilarfigures,stoppedbynoobstacle,tendingtocentresalloverFrance.
Themanslepton,indifferenttoshowersofhailandintervalsofbrightness,tosunshineonhisfaceandshadow,tothepatteringlumpsofdulliceonhisbodyandthediamondsintowhichthesunchangedthem,untilthesunwaslowinthewest,andtheskywasglowing.Then,themenderofroadshavinggothistoolstogetherandallthingsreadytogodownintothevillage,rousedhim.
`Good!\'saidthesleeper,risingonhiselbow.`Twoleaguesbeyondthesummitofthehill?\'
`About.\'
`About.Good!\'
Themenderofroadswenthome,withthedustgoingonbeforehimaccordingtothesetofthewind,andwassoonatthefountain,squeezinghimselfinamongtheleankinebroughttheretodrink,andappearingeventowhispertotheminhiswhisperingtoallthevillage.Whenthevillagehadtakenitspoorsupper,itdidnotcreeptobed,asitusuallydid,butcameoutofdoorsagain,andremainedthere.Acuriouscontagionofwhisperingwasuponit,andalso,whenitgatheredtogetheratthefountaininthedark,anothercuriouscontagionoflookingexpectantlyattheskyinonedirectiononly.MonsieurGabelle,chieffunctionaryoftheplace,becameuneasy;wentoutonhishouse-topalone,andlookedinthatdirectiontoo;glanceddownfrombehindhischimneysatthedarkeningfacesbythefountainbelow,andsentwordtothesacristanwhokeptthekeysofthechurch,thattheremightbeneedtoringthetocsinby-and-by.
Thenightdeepened.Thetreesenvironingtheoldchateau,keepingitssolitarystateapart,movedinarisingwind,asthoughtheythreatenedthepileofbuildingmassiveanddarkinthegloom.Upthetwoterraceflightsofstepstherainranwildly,andbeatatthegreatdoor,likeaswiftmessengerrousingthosewithin;uneasyrushesofwindwentthroughthehall,amongtheoldspearsandknives,andpassedlamentingupthestairs,andshookthecurtainsofthebedwherethelastMarquishadslept.East,West,North,andSouth,throughthewoods,fourheavy-treading,unkemptfigurescrushedthehighgrassandcrackedthebranches,stridingoncautiouslytocometogetherinthecourtyard.Fourlightsbrokeoutthere,andmovedawayindifferentdirections,andallwasblackagain.
But,notforlong.Presently,thechateaubegantomakeitselfstrangelyvisiblebysomelightofitsown,asthoughitweregrowingluminous.Then,aflickeringstreakplayedbehindthearchitectureofthefront,pickingouttransparentplaces,andshowingwherebalustrades,arches,andwindowswere.Thenitsoaredhigher,andgrewbroaderandbrighter.Soon,fromascoreofthegreatwindows,flamesburstforth,andthestonefacesawakened,staredoutoffire.
Afaintmurmuraroseaboutthehousefromthefewpeoplewhowereleftthere,andtherewasasaddlingofahorseandridingaway.Therewasspurringandsplashingthroughthedarkness,andbridlewasdrawninthespacebythevillagefountain,andthehorseinafoamstoodatMonsieurGabelle\'sdoor.`Help,Gabelle!Help,everyone!\'Thetocsinrangimpatiently,butotherhelpifthatwereanytherewasnone.Themenderofroads,andtwohundredandfiftyparticularfriends,stoodwithfoldedarmsatthefountain,lookingatthepillaroffireinthesky.`Itmustbefortyfeethigh,\'saidthey,grimly;andnevermoved.
Theriderfromthechateau,andthehorseinafoam,clatteredawaythroughthevillage,andgallopedupthestonysteep,totheprisononthecrag.Atthegate,agroupofofficerswerelookingatthefire;removedfromthem,agroupofsoldiers.`Help,gentlemen-officers!Thechateauisonfire;valuableobjectsmaybesavedfromtheflamesbytimelyaid!Help,help!\'Theofficerslookedtowardsthesoldierswholookedatthefire;gavenoorders;andanswered,withshrugsandbitingoflips,`Itmustburn.\'
Astheriderrattleddownthehillagainandthroughthestreet,thevillagewasilluminating.Themenderofroads,andthetwohundredandfiftyparticularfriends,inspiredasonemanandwomanbytheideaoflightingup,haddartedintotheirhouses,andwereputtingcandlesineverydulllittlepaneofglass.Thegeneralscarcityofeverything,occasionedcandlestobeborrowedinaratherperemptorymannerofMonsieurGabelle;andinamomentofreluctanceandhesitationonthatfunctionary\'spart,themenderofroads,oncesosubmissivetoauthority,hadremarkedthatcarriagesweregoodtomakebonfireswith,andthatpost-horseswouldroast.
Thechateauwaslefttoitselftoflameandburn.Intheroaringandragingoftheconflagration,ared-hotwind,drivingstraightfromtheinfernalregions,seemedtobeblowingtheedificeaway.Withtherisingandfallingoftheblaze,thestonefacesshowedasiftheywereintorment.Whengreatmassesofstoneandtimberfell,thefacewiththetwodintsinthenosebecameobscured:anonstruggledoutofthesmokeagain,asifitwerethefaceofthecruelMarquis,burningatthestakeandcontendingwiththefire.
Thechateauburned;thenearesttrees,laidholdofbythefire,scorchedandshrivelled;treesatadistance,firedbythefourfiercefigures,begirttheblazingedificewithanewforestofsmoke.Moltenleadandironboiledinthemarblebasinofthefountain;thewaterrandry;theextinguishertopsofthetowersvanishedlikeicebeforetheheat,andtrickleddownintofourruggedwellsofflame.Greatrentsandsplitsbranchedoutinthesolidwalls,likecrystallisation;stupefiedbirdswheeledaboutanddroppedintothefurnace;fourfiercefigurestrudgedaway,East,West,North,andSouth,alongthenight-enshroudedroads,guidedbythebeacontheyhadlighted,towardstheirnextdestination.Theilluminatedvillagehadseizedholdofthetocsin,and,abolishingthelawfulringer,rangforjoy.
Notonlythat;butthevillage,light-headedwithfamine,fire,andbell-ringing,andbethinkingitselfthatMonsieurGabellehadtodowiththecollectionofrentandtaxes——thoughitwasbutasmallinstalmentoftaxes,andnorentatall,thatGabellehadgotinthoselatterdays——becameimpatientforaninterviewwithhim,and,surroundinghishouse,summonedhimtocomeforthforpersonalconference.Whereupon,MonsieurGabelledidheavilybarhisdoor,andretiretoholdcounselwithhimselfTheresultofthatconferencewas,thatGabelleagainwithdrewhimselftohishouse-topbehindhisstackofchimneys;thistimeresolved,ifhisdoorwasbrokeninhewasasmallSouthernmanofretaliativetemperament,topitchhimselfheadforemostovertheparapet,andcrushamanortwobelow.
Probably,MonsieurGabellepassedalongnightupthere,withthedistantchateauforfireandcandle,andthebeatingathisdoor,combinedwiththejoy-ringing,formusic;nottomentionhishavinganill-omenedlampslungacrosstheroadbeforehisposting-housegate,whichthevillageshowedalivelyinclinationtodisplaceinhisfavour.Atryingsuspense,tobepassingawholesummernightonthebrinkoftheblackocean,readytotakethatplungeintoituponwhichMonsieurGabellehadresolvedBut,thefriendlydawnappearingatlast,andtherush-candlesofthevillagegutteringout,thepeoplehappilydispersed,andMonsieurGabellecamedownbringinghislifewithhimforthatwhile.
Withinahundredmiles,andinthelightofotherfires,therewereotherfunctionarieslessfortunate,thatnightandothernights,whomtherisingsunfoundhangingacrossonce-peacefulstreets,wheretheyhadbeenbornandbred;also,therewereothervillagersandtownspeoplelessfortunatethanthemenderofroadsandhisfellows,uponwhomthefunctionariesandsoldieryturnedwithsuccess,andwhomtheystrungupintheirturn.But,thefiercefiguresweresteadilywendingEast,West,North,andSouth,bethatasitwould;andwhosoeverhung,fireburned.Thealtitudeofthegallowsthatwouldturntowaterandquenchit,nofunctionary,byanystretchofmathematics,wasabletocalculatesuccessfully.
CHAPTERXXIV
DraintotheLoadstoneRock
Insuchrisingsoffireandrisingsofsea——thefirmearthshakenbytherushesofanangryoceanwhichhadnownoebb,butwasalwaysontheflow,higherandhigher,tothetenorandwonderofthebeholdersontheshore——threeyearsoftempestwereconsumed.ThreemorebirthdaysoflittleLuciehadbeenwovenbythegoldenthreadintothepeacefultissueofthelifeofherhome.
Manyanightandmanyadayhaditsinmateslistenedtotheechoesinthecorner,withheartsthatfailedthemwhentheyheardthethrongingfeet.For,thefootstepshadbecometotheirmindsasthefootstepsofapeople,tumultuousunderaredflagandwiththeircountrydeclaredindanger,changedintowildbeasts,byterribleenchantmentlongpersistedin.
Monseigneur,asaclass,haddissociatedhimselffromthephenomenonofhisnotbeingappreciated:ofhisbeingsolittlewantedinFrance,astoincurconsiderabledangerofreceivinghisdismissalfromit,andthislifetogether.LikethefabledrusticwhoraisedtheDevilwithinfinitepains,andwassoterrifiedatthesightofhimthathecouldasktheEnemynoquestion,butimmediatelyfled;so,Monseigneur,afterboldlyreadingtheLord\'sPrayerbackwardsforagreatnumberofyears,andperformingmanyotherpotentspellsforcompellingtheEvilOne,nosoonerbeheldhiminhisterrorsthanhetooktohisnobleheels.