TheshiningBull\'sEyeoftheCourtwasgone,oritwouldhavebeenthemarkforahurricaneofnationalbullets.Ithadneverbeenagoodeyetoseewith——hadlonghadthemoteinitofLucifer\'spride,Sardanapalus\'sluxury,andamole\'sblindness——butithaddroppedoutandwasgone.TheCourt,fromthatexclusiveinnercircletoitsoutermostrottenringofintrigue,corruption,anddissimulation,wasallgonetogether.Royaltywasgone;hadbeenbesiegedinitsPalaceand`suspended,\'whenthelasttidingscameover.
TheAugustoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety-twowascome,andMonseigneurwasbythistimescatteredfarandwide.
Aswasnatural,thehead-quartersandgreatgathering-placeofMonseigneur,inLondon,wasTellson\'sBank.Spiritsaresupposedtohaunttheplaceswheretheirbodiesmostresorted,andMonseigneurwithoutaguineahauntedthespotwherehisguineasusedtobe.Moreover,itwasthespottowhichsuchFrenchintelligenceaswasmosttobereliedupon,camequickest.Again:Tellson\'swasamunificenthouse,andextendedgreatliberalitytooldcustomerswhohadfallenfromtheirhighestate.Again:thosenobleswhohadseenthecomingstormintime,andanticipatingplunderorconfiscation,hadmadeprovidentremittancestoTellson\'s,werealwaystobeheardoftherebytheirneedybrethren.TowhichitmustbeaddedthateverynewcomerfromFrancereportedhimselfandhistidingsatTellson\'s,almostasamatterofcourse.Forsuchvarietyofreasons,Tellson\'swasatthattime,astoFrenchintelligence,akindofHighExchange;andthiswassowellknowntothepublic,andtheinquiriesmadetherewereinconsequencesonumerous,thatTellson\'ssometimeswrotethelatestnewsoutinalineorsoandposteditintheBankwindows,forallwhoranthroughTempleBartoread.
Onasteaming,mistyafternoon,Mr.Lorrysatathisdesk,andCharlesDarnaystoodleaningonit,talkingwithhiminalowvoice.ThepenitentialdenoncesetapartforinterviewswiththeHouse,wasnowthenews-Exchange,andwasfilledtooverflowing.Itwaswithinhalfanhourorsoofthetimeofclosing.
`But,althoughyouaretheyoungestmanthateverlived,\'saidCharlesDarnay,ratherhesitating,`Imuststillsuggesttoyou——\'
`Iunderstand.ThatIamtooold?\'saidMr.Lorry.
`Unsettledweather,alongjourney,uncertainmeansoftravelling,adisorganisedcountry,acitythatmaynotbeevensafeforyou.\'
`MydearCharles,\'saidMr.Lorry,withcheerfulconfidence,youtouchsomeofthereasonsformygoing:notformystayingaway.Itissafeenoughforme;nobodywillcaretointerferewithanoldfellowofharduponfour-scorewhentherearesomanypeopletheremuchbetterworthinterferingwith.Astoitsbeingadisorganisedcity,ifitwerenotadisorganisedcitytherewouldbenooccasiontosendsomebodyfromourHouseheretoourHousethere,whoknowsthecityandthebusiness,ofold,andisinTellson\'sconfidence.Astotheuncertaintravelling,thelongjourney,andthewinterweather,ifIwerenotpreparedtosubmitmyselftoafewinconveniencesforthesakeofTellson\'s,afteralltheseyears,whooughttobe?\'
`IwishIweregoingmyself,\'saidCharlesDarnay,somewhatrestlessly,andlikeonethinkingaloud.
`Indeed!Youareaprettyfellowtoobjectandadvise!\'exclaimedMr.Lorry.`Youwishyouweregoingyourself?AndyouaFrenchmanborn?Youareawisecounsellor.\'
`MydearMr.Lorry,itisbecauseIamaFrenchmanborn,thatthethoughtwhichIdidnotmeantoutterhere,howeverhaspassedthroughmymindoften.Onecannothelpthinking,havinghadsomesympathyforthemiserablepeople,andhavingabandonedsomethingtothem,\'hespokehereinhisformerthoughtfulmanner,`thatonemightbelistenedto,andmighthavethepowertopersuadetosomerestraint.Onlylastnight,afteryouhadleftus,whenIwastalkingtoLucie——\'
`WhenyouweretalkingtoLucie,\'Mr.Lorryrepeated.`Yes.IwonderyouarenotashamedtomentionthenameofLucie!WishingyouweregoingtoFranceatthistimeofday!\'
`However,Iamnotgoing,\'saidCharlesDarnay,withasmile.`Itismoretothepurposethatyousayyouare.\'
`AndIam,inplainreality.Thetruthis,mydearCharles,\'Mr.LorryglancedatthedistantHouse,andloweredhisvoice,`youcanhavenoconceptionofthedifficultywithwhichourbusinessistransacted,andoftheperilinwhichourbooksandpapersoveryonderareinvolved.TheLordaboveknowswhatthecompromisingconsequenceswouldbetonumbersofpeople,ifsomeofourdocumentswereseizedordestroyed;andtheymightbe,atanytime,youknow,forwhocansaythatParisisnotseta-fireto-day,orsackedto-morrow!Now,ajudiciousselectionfromthesewiththeleastpossibledelay,andtheburyingofthem,orotherwisegettingofthemoutofharm\'sway,iswithinthepowerwithoutlossofprecioustimeofscarcelyanyonebutmyself,ifanyone.AndshallIhangback,whenTellson\'sknowsthisandsaysthis——Tellson\'s,whosebreadIhaveeatenthesesixtyyears——becauseIamalittlestiffaboutthejoints?Why,Iamaboy,sir,tohalfadozenoldcodgershere!\'
`HowIadmirethegallantryofyouryouthfulspirit,Mr.Lorry.\'
`Tut!Nonsense,sir!——And,mydearCharles,\'saidMr.Lorry,glancingattheHouseagain,`youaretoremember,thatgettingthingsoutofParisatthispresenttime,nomatterwhatthings,isnexttoanimpossibility.PapersandpreciousmatterswerethisverydaybroughttoushereIspeakinstrictconfidence;itisnotbusiness-liketowhisperit,eventoyou,bythestrangestbearersyoucapimagine,everyoneofwhomhadhisheadhangingonbyasinglehairashepassedtheBarriers.Atanothertime,ourparcelswouldcomeandgo,aseasilyasinbusiness-likeOldEngland;butnow,everythingisstopped.\'
`Anddoyoureallygoto-night?\'
`Ireallygoto-night,forthecasehasbecometoopressingtoadmitofdelay.\'
`Anddoyoutakenoonewithyou?\'
`Allsortsofpeoplehavebeenproposedtome,butIwillhavenothingtosaytoanyofthem.IintendtotakeJerry.Jerryhasbeenmybody-guardonSundaynightsforalongtimepast,andIamusedtohim.NobodywillsuspectJerryofbeinganythingbutanEnglishbull-dog,orofhavinganydesigninhisheadbuttoflyatanybodywhotoucheshismaster.\'
`ImustsayagainthatIheartilyadmireyourgallantryandyouthfulness.\'
`Imustsayagain,nonsense,nonsense!WhenIhaveexecutedthislittlecommission,Ishall,perhaps,acceptTellson\'sproposaltoretireandliveatmyease.Timeenough,then,tothinkaboutgrowingold.\'
ThisdialoguehadtakenplaceatMr.Lorry\'susualdesk,withMonseigneurswarmingwithinayardortwoofit,boastfulofwhathewoulddotoavengehimselfontherascal-peoplebeforelong.ItwastoomuchthewayofMonseigneurunderhisreversesasarefugee,anditwasmuchtoomuchthewayofnativeBritishorthodoxy,totalkofthisterribleRevolutionasifitweretheoneonlyharvesteverknownundertheskiesthathadnotbeensown——asifnothinghadeverbeendone,oromittedtobedone,thathadledtoit——asifobserversofthewretchedmillionsinFrance,andofthemisusedandpervertedresourcesthatshouldhavemadethemprosperous,hadnotseenitinevitablycoming,yearsbefore,andhadnotinplainwordsrecordedwhattheysaw.Suchvapouring,combinedwiththeextravagantplotsofMonseigneurfortherestorationofastateofthingsthathadutterlyexhausteditself,andwornoutHeavenandearthaswellasitself,washardtobeenduredwithoutsomeremonstrancebyanysanemanwhoknewthetruth.Anditwassuchvapouringallabouthisears,likeatroublesomeconfusionofbloodinhisownhead,addedtoalatentuneasinessinhismind,whichhadalreadymadeCharlesDarnayrestless,andwhichstillkepthimso.
Amongthetalkers,wasStryver,oftheKing\'sBenchBar,faronhiswaytostatepromotion,and,therefore,loudonthetheme:broachingtoMonseigneur,hisdevicesforblowingthepeopleupandexterminatingthemfromthefaceoftheearth,anddoingwithoutthem:andforaccomplishingmanysimilarobjectsakinintheirnaturetotheabolitionofeaglesbysprinklingsaltonthetailsoftherace.Him,Darnayheardwithaparticularfeelingofobjection;andDarnaystooddividedbetweengoingawaythathemighthearnomore,andremainingtointerposehisword,whenthethingthatwastobewentontoshapeitselfout.
TheHouseapproachedMr.Lorry,andlayingasoiledandunopenedletterbeforehim,askedifhehadyetdiscoveredanytracesofthepersontowhomitwasaddressed?TheHouselaidtheletterdownsoclosetoDarnaythathesawthedirection——themorequicklybecauseitwashisownrightname.Theaddress,turnedintoEnglish,ran:
`Verypressing.ToMonsieurheretoforetheMarquisSt.Evrémonde,ofFrance.ConfidedtothecaresofMessrs.TellsonandGo.,Bankers,London,England.\'
Onthemarriagemorning,Dr.ManettehadmadeithisoneurgentandexpressrequesttoCharlesDarnay,thatthesecretofthisnameshouldbe——unlesshe,theDoctor,dissolvedtheobligation——keptinviolatebetweenthem.Nobodyelseknewittobehisname;hisownwifehadnosuspicionofthefact;Mr.Lorrycouldhavenone.
`No,\'saidMr.Lorry,inreplytotheHouse;`Ihavereferredit,Ithink,toeverybodynowhere,andnoonecantellmewherethisgentlemanistobefound.\'
ThehandsoftheclockverginguponthehourofclosingtheBank,therewasageneralsetofthecurrentoftalkerspastMr.Lorry\'sdesk.Heheldtheletteroutinquiringly;andMonseigneurlookedatit,inthepersonofthisplottingandindignantrefugee;andMonseigneurlookedatit,inthepersonofthatplottingandindignantrefugee;andThis,That,andTheOther,allhadsomethingdisparagingtosay,inFrenchorinEnglish,concerningtheMarquiswhowasnottobefound.
`Nephew,Ibelieve——butinanycasedegeneratesuccessor——ofthepolishedMarquiswhowasmurdered,\'saidone.`Happytosay,Ineverknewhim.\'
`Acravenwhoabandonedhispost,\'saidanother——thisMonseigneurhadbeengotoutofParis,legsuppermostandhalfsuffocated,inaloadofhay——`someyearsago.\'
`Infectedwiththenewdoctrines,\'saidathird,eyeingthedirectionthroughhisglassinpassing;`sethimselfinoppositiontothelastMarquis,abandonedtheestateswhenheinheritedthem,andleftthemtotheruffianherd.Theywillrecompensehimnow,Ihope,ashedeserves.\'
`Hey?\'criedtheblatantStryver.`Didhethough?Isthatthesortoffellow?Letuslookathisinfamousname.D——nthefellow!\'
Darnay,unabletorestrainhimselfanylonger,touchedMr.Stryverontheshoulder,andsaid:
`Iknowthefellow.\'
`Doyou,byJupiter?\'saidStryver.`Iamsorryforit.\'
`Why?\'
`Why,Mr.Darnay?D\'yehearwhathedid?Don\'task,why,inthesetimes.\'
`ButIdoaskwhy.\'
`ThenItellyouagain,Mr.Darnay,Iamsorryforit.Iamsorrytohearyouputtinganysuchextraordinaryquestions.Hereisafellow,who,infectedbythemostpestilentandblasphemouscodeofdevilrythateverwasknown,abandonedhispropertytothevilestscumoftheearththateverdidmurderbywholesale,andyouaskmewhyIamsorrythatamanwhoinstructsyouthknowshim?Well,butI\'llansweryou.IamsorrybecauseIbelievethereiscontaminationinsuchascoundrel.That\'swhy.\'
Mindfulofthesecret,Darnaywithgreatdifficultycheckedhimself,andsaid:`Youmaynotunderstandthegentleman.\'
`Iunderstandhowtoputyouinacorner,Mr.Darnay,\'saidBullyStryver,`andI\'lldoit.Ifthisfellowisagentleman,Idon\'tunderstandhim.Youmaytellhimso,withmycompliments.Youmayalsotellhim,fromme,thatafterabandoninghisworldlygoodsandpositiontothisbutcherlymob,Iwonderheisnotattheheadofthem.But,no,gentlemen,\'saidStryver,lookingallround,andsnappinghisfingers,`Iknowsomethingofhumannature,andItellyouthatyou\'llneverfindafellowlikethisfellow,trustinghimselftothemerciesofsuchpreciousprotégés.No,gentlemen;he\'llalwaysshow`emacleanpairofheelsveryearlyinthescuffle,andsneakaway.\'
Withthosewords,andafinalsnapofhisfingers,Mr.StryvershoulderedhimselfintoFleet-street,amidstthegeneralapprobationofhishearers.Mr.LorryandCharlesDarnaywereleftaloneatthedesk,inthegeneraldeparturefromtheBank.
`Willyoutakechargeoftheletter?\'saidMr.Lorry.`Youknowwheretodeliverit?\'
`Ido.\'
`Willyouundertaketoexplain,thatwesupposeittohavebeenaddressedhere,onthechanceofourknowingwheretoforwardit,andthatithasbeenheresometime?\'
`Iwilldoso.DoyoustartforParisfromhere?\'
`Fromhere,ateight.\'
`Iwillcomeback,toseeyouoff.\'
Veryillateasewithhimself,andwithStryverandmostothermen,DarnaymadethebestofhiswayintothequietoftheTemple,openedtheletter,andreadit.Thesewereitscontents:
`PrisonoftheAbbaye,Paris.
June21,1792.
MONSIEURHERETOFORETHEMARQUIS,
`Afterhavinglongbeenindangerofmylifeatthehandsofthevillage,Ihavebeenseized,withgreatviolenceandindignity,andbroughtalongjourneyonfoottoParis.OntheroadIhavesufferedagreatdeal.Noristhatall;myhousehasbeendestroyed——razedtotheground.
`ThecrimeforwhichIamimprisoned,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,andforwhichIshallbesummonedbeforethetribunal,andshalllosemylifewithoutyoursogeneroushelp,is,theytellme,treasonagainstthemajestyofthepeople,inthatIhaveactedagainstthemforanemigrant.ItisinvainIrepresentthatIhaveactedforthem,andnotagainst,accordingtoyourcommands.ItisinvainIrepresentthat,beforethesequestrationofemigrantproperty,Ihadremittedtheimpoststheyhadceasedtopay;thatIhadcollectednorent;thatIhadhadrecoursetonoprocess.Theonlyresponseis,thatIhaveactedforanemigrant,andwhereisthatemigrant?
`Ah!mostgraciousMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,whereisthatemigrant?Icryinmysleepwhereishe?IdemandofHeaven,willhenotcometodeliverme?Noanswer.AhMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,Isendmydesolatecryacrossthesea,hopingitmayperhapsreachyourearsthroughthegreatbankofTilsonknownatParis!
`FortheloveofHeaven,ofjustice,ofgenerosity,ofthehonourofyournoblename,Isupplicateyou,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,tosuccourandreleaseme.Myfaultis,thatIhavebeentruetoyou.OhMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,Iprayyoubeyoutruetome!
`Fromthisprisonhereofhorror,whenceIeveryhourtendnearerandnearertodestruction,Isendyou,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,theassuranceofmydolorousandunhappyservice.
`Yourafflicted
`GABELLE\'
ThelatentuneasinessinDarnay\'smindwasrousedtovigorouslifebythisletter.Theperilofanoldservantandagoodone,whoseonlycrimewasfidelitytohimselfandhisfamily,staredhimsoreproachfullyintheface,that,ashewalkedtoandfrointheTempleconsideringwhattodo,healmosthidhisfacefromthepassers-by.
Heknewverywell,thatinhishorrorofthedeedwhichhadculminatedthebaddeedsandbadreputationoftheoldfamilyhouse,inhisresentfulsuspicionsofhisuncle,andintheaversionwithwhichhisconscienceregardedthecrumblingfabricthathewassupposedtouphold,hehadactedimperfectly.Heknewverywell,thatinhisloveforLucie,hisrenunciationofhissocialplace,thoughbynomeansnewtohisownmind,hadbeenhurriedandincomplete.Heknewthatheoughttohavesystematicallyworkeditoutandsupervisedit,andthathehadmeanttodoit,andthatithadneverbeendone.
ThehappinessofhisownchosenEnglishhome,thenecessityofbeingalwaysactivelyemployed,theswiftchangesandtroublesofthetimewhichhadfollowedononeanothersofast,thattheeventsofthisweekannihilatedtheimmatureplansoflastweek,andtheeventsoftheweekfollowingmadeallnewagain;heknewverywell,thattotheforceofthesecircumstanceshehadyielded:——notwithoutdisquiet,butstillwithoutcontinuousandaccumulatingresistance.Thathehadwatchedthetimesforatimeofaction,andthattheyhadshiftedandstruggleduntilthetimehadgoneby,andthenobilityweretroopingfromFrancebyeveryhighwayandbyway,andtheirpropertywasincourseofconfiscationanddestruction,andtheirverynameswereblottingout,wasaswellknowntohimselfasitcouldbetoanynewauthorityinFrancethatmightimpeachhimforit.
But,hehadoppressednoman,hehadimprisonednoman;hewassofarfromhavingharshlyexactedpaymentofhisdues,thathehadrelinquishedthemofhisownwill,thrownhimselfonaworldwithnofavourinit,wonhisownprivateplacethere,andearnedhisownbread.MonsieurGabellehadheldtheimpoverishedandinvolvedestateonwritteninstructions,tosparethepeople,togivethemwhatlittletherewastogive——suchfuelastheheavycreditorswouldletthemhaveinthewinter,andsuchproduceascouldbesavedfromthesamegripinthesummer——andnodoubthehadputthefactinpleaandproof,forhisownsafety,sothatitcouldnotbutappearnow.
ThisfavouredthedesperateresolutionCharlesDarnayhadbeguntomake,thathewouldgotoParis.
Yes.Likethemarinerintheoldstory,thewindsandstreamshaddrivenhimwithintheinfluenceoftheLoadstoneRock,anditwasdrawinghimtoitself,andhemustgo.Everythingthatarosebeforehisminddriftedhimon,fasterandfaster,moreandmoresteadily,totheterribleattraction.Hislatentuneasinesshadbeen,thatbadaimswerebeingworkedoutinhisownunhappylandbybadinstruments,andthathewhocouldnotfailtoknowthathewasbetterthanthey,wasnotthere,tryingtodosomethingtostaybloodshed,andasserttheclaimsofmercyandhumanity.Withthisuneasinesshalfstifled,andhalfreproachinghim,hehadbeenbroughttothepointedcomparisonofhimselfwiththebraveoldgentlemaninwhomdutywassostrong;uponthatcomparisoninjurioustohimselfhadinstantlyfollowedthesneersofMonseigneur,whichhadstunghimbitterly,andthoseofStryver,whichaboveallwerecoarseandgalling,foroldreasons.Uponthose,hadfollowedGabelle\'sletter:theappealofaninnocentprisoner,indangerofdeath,tohisjustice,honour,andgoodname.
Hisresolutionwasmade.HemustgotoParis.
Yes.TheLoadstoneRockwasdrawinghim,andhemustsailon,untilhestruck.Heknewofnorock;hesawhardlyanydanger.Theintentionwithwhichhehaddonewhathehaddone,evenalthoughhehadleftitincomplete,presenteditbeforehiminanaspectthatwouldbegratefullyacknowledgedinFranceonhispresentinghimselftoassertit.Then,thatgloriousvisionofdoinggood,whichissooftenthesanguinemirageofsomanygoodminds,arosebeforehim,andheevensawhimselfintheillusionwithsomeinfluencetoguidethisragingRevolutionthatwasrunningsofearfullywild.
Ashewalkedtoandfrowithhisresolutionmade,heconsideredthatneitherLucienorherfathermustknowofituntilhewasgone.Lucieshouldbesparedthepainofseparation;andherfather,alwaysreluctanttoturnhisthoughtstowardsthedangerousgroundofold,shouldcometotheknowledgeofthestep,asasteptaken,andnotinthebalanceofsuspenseanddoubt.Howmuchoftheincompletenessofhissituationwasreferabletoherfather,throughthepainfulanxietytoavoidrevivingoldassociationsofFranceinhismind,hedidnotdiscusswithhimself.But,thatcircumstancetoo,hadhaditsinfluenceinhiscourse.
Hewalkedtoandfro,withthoughtsverybusy,untilitwastimetoreturntoTellson\'sandtakeleaveofMr.Lorry.AssoonashearrivedinParishewouldpresenthimselftothisoldfriend,buthemustsaynothingofhisintentionnow.
Acarriagewithpost-horseswasreadyattheBankdoor,andJerrywasbootedandequipped.
`Ihavedeliveredthatletter,\'saidCharlesDarnaytoMr.Lorry.`Iwouldnotconsenttoyourbeingchargedwithanywrittenanswer,butperhapsyouwilltakeaverbalone?\'
`ThatIwill,andreadily,\'saidMr.Lorry,`ifitisnotdangerous.\'
`Notatall.ThoughitistoaprisonerintheAbbaye.\'
`Whatishisname?\'saidMr.Lorry,withhisopenpocket-bookinhishand.
`Gabelle.\'
`Gabelle.AndwhatisthemessagetotheunfortunateGabelleinprison?\'
`Simply,\"thathehasreceivedtheletter,andwillcome.\"\'
`Anytimementioned?\'
`Hewillstartuponhisjourneyto-morrownight.\'
`Anypersonmentioned?\'
`No.\'
HehelpedMr.Lorrytowraphimselfinanumberofcoatsandcloaks,andwentoutwithhimfromthewarmatmosphereoftheoldBank,intothemistyairofFleet-street.`MylovetoLucie,andtolittleLucie,\'saidMr.Lorryatparting,`andtakepreciouscareofthemtillIcomeback.\'CharlesDarnayshookhisheadanddoubtfullysmiled,asthecarriagerolledaway.
Thatnight——itwasthefourteenthofAugust——hesatuplate,andwrotetwoferventletters;onewastoLucie,explainingthestrongobligationhewasundertogotoParis,andshowingher,atlength,thereasonsthathehad,forfeelingconfidentthathecouldbecomeinvolvedinnopersonaldangerthere;theotherwastotheDoctor,confidingLucieandtheirdearchildtohiscare,anddwellingonthesametopicswiththestrongestassurances.Toboth,hewrotethathewoulddespatchlettersinproofofhissafety,immediatelyafterhisarrival.
Itwasahardday,thatdayofbeingamongthem,withthefirstreservationoftheirjointlivesonhismind.Itwasahardmattertopreservetheinnocentdeceitofwhichtheywereprofoundlyunsuspicious.But,anaffectionateglanceathiswife,sohappyandbusy,madehimresolutenottotellherwhatimpendedhehadbeenhalfmovedtodoit,sostrangeitwastohimtoactinanythingwithoutherquietaid,andthedaypassedquicklyaway.Earlyintheeveningheembracedher,andherscarcelylessdearnamesake,pretendingthathewouldreturnby-and-byanimaginaryengagementtookhimout,andhehadsecretedavaliseofclothesready,andsoheemergedintotheheavymistoftheheavystreets,withaheavierheart.
Theunseenforcewasdrawinghimfasttoitself,now,andallthetidesandwindsweresettingstraightandstrongtowardsit.Helefthistwoletterswithatrustyporter,tobedeliveredhalfanhourbeforemidnight,andnosooner;tookhorseforDover;andbeganhisjourney.`FortheloveofHeaven,ofjustice,ofgenerosity,ofthehonourofyournoblename!\'wasthepoorprisoner\'scrywithwhichhestrengthenedhissinkingheart,asheleftallthatwasdearonearthbehindhim,andfloatedawayfortheLoadstoneRock.
THEENDOFTHESECONDBOOK
BOOKTHETHIRD
THETRACKOFASTORM
CHAPTERI
InSecret
THEtravellerfaredslowlyonhisway,whofaredtowardsParisfromEnglandintheautumnoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety-two.Morethanenoughofbadroads,badequipages,andbadhorses,hewouldhaveencounteredtodelayhim,thoughthefallenandunfortunateKingofFrancehadbeenuponhisthroneinallhisglory;but,thechangedtimeswerefraughtwithotherobstaclesthanthese.Everytown-gateandvillagetaxing-househaditsbandofcitizen-patriots,withtheirnationalmusketsinamostexplosivestateofreadiness,whostoppedallcomersandgoers,cross-questionedthem,inspectedtheirpapers,lookedfortheirnamesinlistsoftheirown,turnedthemback,orsentthemon,orstoppedthemandlaidtheminhold,astheircapriciousjudgmentorfancydeemedbestforthedawningRepublicOneandIndivisible,ofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath.
AveryfewFrenchleaguesofhisjourneywereaccomplished,whenCharlesDarnaybegantoperceivethatforhimalongthesecountryroadstherewasnohopeofreturnuntilheshouldhavebeendeclaredagoodcitizenatParis.Whatevermightbefallnow,hemustontohisjourney\'send.Notameanvillagecloseduponhim,notacommonbarrierdroppedacrosstheroadbehindhim,butheknewittobeanotherirondoorintheseriesthatwasbarredbetweenhimandEngland.Theuniversalwatchfulnesssoencompassedhim,thatifhehadbeentakeninanet,orwerebeingforwardedtohisdestinationinacage,hecouldnothavefelthisfreedommorecompletelygone.
Thisuniversalwatchfulnessnotonlystoppedhimonthehighwaytwentytimesinastage,hutretardedhisprogresstwentytimesinaday,byridingafterhimandtakinghimback,ridingbeforehimandstoppinghimbyanticipation,ridingwithhimandkeepinghimincharge.HehadbeendaysuponhisjourneyinFrancealone,whenhewenttobedtiredout,inalittletownonthehighroad,stillalongwayfromParis.
NothingbuttheproductionoftheafflictedGabelle\'sletterfromhisprisonoftheAbbayewouldhavegothimonsofar.Hisdifficultyattheguard-houseinthissmallplacehadbeensuch,thathefelthisjourneytohavecometoacrisis.Andhewas,therefore,aslittlesurprisedasamancouldbe,tofindhimselfawakenedatthesmallinntowhichhehadbeenremitteduntilmorning,inthemiddleofthenight.
Awakenedbyatimidlocalfunctionaryandthreearmedpatriotsinroughredcapsandwithpipesintheirmouths,whosatdownonthebed.
`Emigrant,\'saidthefunctionary,`IamgoingtosendyouontoParis,underanescort.\'
`Citizen,IdesirenothingmorethantogettoParis,thoughIcoulddispensewiththeescort.\'
`Silence!\'growledared-cap,strikingatthecoverletwiththebutt-endofhismusket.`Peace,aristocrat!\'
`Itisasthegoodpatriotsays,\'observedthetimidfunctionary.`Youareanaristocrat,andmusthaveanescort-andmustpayforit.\'
`Ihavenochoice,\'saidCharlesDarnay.
`Choice,Listentohim!\'criedthesamescowlingred-cap.`Asifitwasnotafavourtobeprotectedfromthelamp-iron!\'
`Itisalwaysasthegoodpatriotsays,\'observedthefunctionary.`Riseanddressyourself,emigrant.\'
Darnaycomplied,andwastakenbacktotheguard-house,whereotherpatriotsinroughredcapsweresmoking,drinking,andsleeping,byawatch-fire.Herehepaidaheavypriceforhisescort,andhencehestartedwithitonthewet,wetroadsatthreeo\'clockinthemorning.
Theescortweretwomountedpatriotsinredcapsandtricolouredcockades,armedwithnationalmusketsandsabres,whorodeoneoneithersideofhim.Theescortedgovernedhisownhorse,butalooselinewasattachedtohisbridle,theendofwhichoneofthepatriotskeptgirdedroundhiswrist.Inthisstatetheysetforthwiththesharpraindrivingintheirfaces:clatteringataheavydragoontrotovertheuneventownpavement,andoutuponthemire-deeproads.Inthisstatetheytraversedwithoutchange,exceptofhorsesandpace,allthemire-deepleaguesthatlaybetweenthemandthecapital.
Theytravelledinthenight,haltinganhourortwoafterdaybreak,andlyingbyuntilthetwilightfell.Theescortweresowretchedlyclothed,thattheytwistedstrawroundtheirbarelegs,andthatchedtheirraggedshoulderstokeepthewetoffApartfromthepersonaldiscomfortofbeingsoattended,andapartfromsuchconsiderationsofpresentdangerasarosefromoneofthepatriotsbeingchronicallydrunk,andcarryinghismusketveryrecklessly,CharlesDarnaydidnotallowtherestraintthatwaslaiduponhimtoawakenanyseriousfearsinhisbreast;for,hereasonedwithhimselfthatitcouldhavenoreferencetothemeritsofanindividualcasethatwasnotyetstated,andofrepresentations,confirmablebytheprisonerintheAbbaye,thatwerenotyetmade.
ButwhentheycantotothetownofBeauvais——whichtheydidateventide,whenthestreetswerefilledwithpeople——hecouldnot`concealfromhimselfthattheaspectofaffairswasveryalarming.Anominouscrowdgatheredtoseehimdismountattheposting-yard,andmanyvoicescalledoutloudly,`Downwiththeemigrant!\'
Hestoppedintheactofswinginghimselfoutofhissaddledand,resumingitashissafestplace,said:
`Emigrant,myfriends!Doyounotseemehere,inFrance,ofmyownwill?\'
`Youareacursedemigrant,\'criedafarrier,makingathimInafuriousmannerthroughthepress,hammerinhand;`andyouareacursedaristocrat!\'
Thepostmasterinterposedhimselfbetweenthismanandtherider\'sbridleatwhichhewasevidentlymaking,andsoothinglysaid,`Lethimbe;lethimbe!HewillbejudgedatParis.\'
`Judged!\'repeatedthefarrier,swinginghishammer.`Ay!andcondemnedasatraitor.\'Atthisthecrowdroaredapproval.
Checkingthepostmaster,whowasforturninghishorse\'sheadtotheyardthedrunkenpatriotsatcomposedlyinhissaddlelookingon,withthelineroundhiswrist,Darnaysaid,assoonashecouldmakehisvoiceheard:
`Friends,youdeceiveyourselves,oryouaredeceived.Iamnotatraitor.\'
`Helies!\'criedthesmith.`Heisatraitorsincethedecree.Hislifeisforfeittothepeople.Hiscursedlifeisnothisown!\'
AttheinstantwhenDarnaysawarushintheeyesofthecrowd,whichanotherinstantwouldhavebroughtuponhim,thepostmasterturnedhishorseintotheyard,theescortrodeincloseuponhishorse\'sflanks,andthepostmastershutandbarredthecrazydoublegates.Thefarrierstruckablowuponthemwithhishammer,andthecrowdgroaned;but,nomorewasdone.
`Whatisthisdecreethatthesmithspokeof?\'Darnayaskedthepostmaster,whenhehadthankedhim,andstoodbesidehimintheyard.
`Truly,adecreeforsellingthepropertyofemigrants.\'
`Whenpassed?\'
`Onthefourteenth.\'
`ThedayIleftEngland!\'
`Everybodysaysitisbutoneofseveral,andthattherewillbeothers——iftherearenotalready——banishingallemigrants,andcondemningalltodeathwhoreturn.Thatiswhathemeantwhenhesaidyourlifewasnotyourown.\'
`Buttherearenosuchdecreesyet?\'
`WhatdoIknow!\'saidthepostmaster,shrugginghisshoulders;`theremaybe,ortherewillbe.Itisallthesame.Whatwouldyouhave?\'
Theyrestedonsomestrawinaloftuntilthemiddleofthenight,andthenrodeforwardagainwhenallthetownwasasleep.Amongthemanywildchangesobservableonfamiliarthingswhichmadethiswildrideunreal,nottheleastwastheseemingrarityofsleep.Afterlongandlonelyspurringoverdrearyroads,theywouldcometoaclusterofpoorcottages,notsteepedindarkness,butallglitteringwithlights,andwouldfindthepeople,inaghostlymannerinthedeadofthenight,circlinghandinhandroundashrivelledtreeofLiberty,oralldrawnuptogethersingingaLibertysong.Happily,however,therewassleepinBeauvaisthatnighttohelpthemoutofit,andtheypassedononcemoreintosolitudeandloneliness:jinglingthroughtheuntimelycoldandwet,amongimpoverishedfieldsthathadyieldednofruitsoftheearththatyear,diversifiedbytheblackenedremainsofburnthouses,andbythesuddenemergencefromambuscade,andsharpreiningupacrosstheirway,ofpatriotpatrolsonthewatchonalltheroads.
DaylightatlastfoundthembeforethewallofParis.Thebarrierwasclosedandstronglyguardedwhentheyrodeuptoit.
`Wherearethepapersofthisprisoner?\'demandedaresolute-lookingmaninauthority,whowassummonedoutbytheguard.
Naturallystruckbythedisagreeableword,CharlesDarnayrequestedthespeakertotakenoticethathewasafreetravellerandFrenchcitizen,inchargeofanescortwhichthedisturbedstateofthecountryhadimposeduponhim,andwhichhehadpaidfor.
`Where,\'repeatedthesamepersonage,withouttakinganyheedofhimwhatever,`arethepapersofthisprisoner?\'
Thedrunkenpatriothadtheminhiscap,andproducedthem.CastinghiseyesoverGabelle\'sletter,thesamepersonageinauthorityshowedsomedisorderandsurprise,andlookedatDarnaywithacloseattention.
Heleftescortandescortedwithoutsayingaword,however,andwentintotheguard-room;meanwhile,theysatupontheirhorsesoutsidethegate.Lookingabouthimwhileinthisstateofsuspense,CharlesDarnayobservedthatthegatewasheldbyamixedguardofsoldiersandpatriots,thelatterfaroutnumberingtheformer;andthatwhileingressintothecityforpeasantscartsbringinginsupplies,andforsimilartrafficandtraffickers,waseasyenough,egress,evenforthehomeliestpeople,wasverydifficult.Anumerousmedleyofmenandwomen,nottomentionbeastsandvehiclesofvarioussorts,waswaitingtoissueforth;but,thepreviousidentificationwassostrict,thattheyfilteredthroughthebarrierveryslowly.Someofthesepeopleknewtheirturnforexaminationtobesofaroff,thattheylaydownonthegroundtosleeporsmoke,whileotherstalkedtogether,orloiteredabout.Theredcapandtricolourcockadewereuniversal,bothamongmenandwomen.
Whenhehadsatinhissaddlesomehalf-hour,takingnoteofthesethings,Darnayfoundhimselfconfrontedbythesamemaninauthority,whodirectedtheguardtoopenthebarrier.Thenhedeliveredtotheescort,drunkandsober,areceiptfortheescorted,andrequestedhimtodismount.Hedidso,andthetwopatriots,leadinghistiredhorse,turnedandrodeawaywithoutenteringthecity.
Heaccompaniedhisconductorintoaguard-room,smellingofcommonwineandtobacco,wherecertainsoldiersandpatriots,asleepandawake,drunkandsober,andinvariousneutralstatesbetweensleepingandwaking,drunkennessandsobriety,werestandingandlyingabout.Thelightintheguard-house,halfderivedfromthewaningoil-lampsofthenight,andhalffromtheovercastday,wasinacorrespondinglyuncertaincondition.Someregisterswerelyingopenonadesk,andanofficerofacoarse,darkaspect,presidedoverthese.
`CitizenDefarge,\'saidhetoDarnay\'sconductor,ashetookaslipofpapertowriteon.`IsthistheemigrantEvrémonde?\'
`Thisistheman.\'
`Yourage,Evrémonde?\'
`Thirty-seven.\'
`Married,Evrémonde?\'
`Yes.\'
`Wheremarried?\'
`InEngland.\'
`Withoutdoubt.Whereisyourwife,Evrémonde?\'
`InEngland.\'
`Withoutdoubt.Youareconsigned,Evrémonde,totheprisonofLaForce.\'
`JustHeaven!\'exclaimedDarnay.`Underwhatlaw,andforwhatoffence?\'
Theofficerlookedupfromhisslipofpaperforamoment.
`Wehavenewlaws,Evrémonde,andnewoffences,sinceyouwerehere.\'Hesaiditwithahardsmile,andwentonwriting.
`IentreatyoutoobservethatIhavecomeherevoluntarily,inresponsetothatwrittenappealofafellow-countrymanwhichliesbeforeyou.Idemandnomorethantheopportunitytodosowithoutdelay.Isnotthatmyright?\'
`Emigrantshavenorights,Evrémonde,\'wasthestolidreply.Theofficerwroteuntilhehadfinished,readovertohimselfwhathehadwritten,sandedit,andhandedittoDefarge,withthewords`Insecret.\'
Defargemotionedwiththepapertotheprisonerthathemustaccompanyhim.Theprisonerobeyed,andaguardoftwoarmedpatriotsattendedthem.
`Isityou,\'saidDefarge,inalowvoice,astheywentdowntheguard-housestepsandturnedintoParis,`whomarriedthedaughterofDoctorManette,onceaprisonerintheBastillethatisnomore?\'
`Yes,\'repliedDarnay,lookingathimwithsurprise.
`MynameisDefarge,andIkeepawine-shopintheQuarterSaintAntoine.Possiblyyouhaveheardofme.\'
`Mywifecametoyourhousetoreclaimherfather?Yes!\'
Theword`wife\'seemedtoserveasagloomyremindertoDefarge,tosaywithsuddenimpatience,`Inthenameofthatsharpfemalenewly-born,andcalledLaGuillotine,whydidyoucometoFrance?\'
`Youheardmesaywhy,aminuteago.Doyounotbelieveitisthetruth?\'
`Abadtruthforyou,\'saidDefarge,speakingwithknittedbrows,andlookingstraightbeforehim.
`IndeedIamlosthere.Allhereissounprecedented,sochanged,sosuddenandunfair,thatIamabsolutelylost.Willyourendermealittlehelp?\'
`None.\'Defargespoke,alwayslookingstraightbeforehim.
`Willyouanswermeasinglequestion?\'
`Perhaps.Accordingtoitsnature.Youcansaywhatitis.\'
`InthisprisonthatIamgoingtosounjustly,shallIhavesomefreecommunicationwiththeworldoutside?\'
`Youwillsee.\'
`Iamnottobeburiedthere,prejudged,andwithoutanymeansofpresentingmycase?\'
`Youwillsee.But,whatthen?Otherpeoplehavebeensimilarlyburiedinworseprisons,beforenow.
`Butneverbyme,CitizenDefarge.\'
Defargeglanceddarklyathimforanswer,andwalkedoninasteadyandsetsilence.Thedeeperhesankintothissilence,thefainterhopetherewas——orsoDarnaythought——ofhissofteninginanyslightdegree.He,therefore,madehastetosay:
`Itisoftheutmostimportancetomeyouknow,Citizen,evenbetterthanI,ofhowmuchimportance,thatIshouldbeabletocommunicatetoMr.LorryofTellson\'sBank,anEnglishgentlemanwhoisnowinParis,thesimplefact,withoutcomment,thatIhavebeenthrownintotheprisonofLaForce.Willyoucausethattobedoneforme?\'
`Iwilldo,\'Defargedoggedlyrejoined,`nothingforyou.MydutyistomycountryandthePeople.Iamtheswornservantofboth,againstyou.Iwilldonothingforyou.\'
CharlesDarnayfeltithopelesstoentreathimfurther,andhispridewastouchedbesides.Astheywalkedoninsilence,hecouldnotbutseehowusedthepeopleweretothespectacleofprisonerspassingalongthestreets.Theverychildrenscarcelynoticedhim.Afewpassersturnedtheirheads,andafewshooktheirfingersathimasanaristocrat;otherwise,thatamaningoodclothesshouldbegoingtoprison,wasnomoreremarkablethanthatalabourerinworkingclothesshouldbegoingtowork.Inonenarrow,dark,anddirtystreetthroughwhichtheypassed,anexcitedorator,mountedonastool,wasaddressinganexcitedaudienceonthecrimesagainstthepeople,ofthekingandtheroyalfamily.Thefewwordsthathecaughtfromthisman\'slips,firstmadeitknowntoCharlesDarnaythatthekingwasinprison,andthattheforeignambassadorshadoneandallleftParis.OntheroadexceptatBeauvaishehadheardabsolutelynothing.Theescortandtheuniversalwatchfulnesshadcompletelyisolatedhim.
ThathehadfallenamongfargreaterdangersthanthosewhichhaddevelopedthemselveswhenheleftEngland,heofcourseknewnow.Thatperilshadthickenedabouthimfast,andmightthickenfasterandfasteryet,heofcourseknewnow.Hecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthathemightnothavemadethisjourney,ifhecouldhaveforeseentheeventsofafewdays.Andyethismisgivingswerenotsodarkas,imaginedbythelightofthislatertime,theywouldappear.Troubledasthefuturewas,itwastheunknownfuture,andinitsobscuritytherewasignoranthope.Thehorriblemassacre,daysandnightslong,which,withinafewroundsoftheclock,wastosetagreatmarkofbloodupontheblessedgarneringtimeofharvest,wasasfaroutofhisknowledgeasifithadbeenahundredthousandyearsaway.The`sharpfemalenewly-born,andcalledLaGuillotine,\'washardlyknowntohim,ortothegeneralityofpeople,byname.Thefrightfuldeedsthatweretobesoondone,wereprobablyunimaginedatthattimeinthebrainsofthedoers.Howcouldtheyhaveaplaceintheshadowyconceptionsofagentlemind?
Ofunjusttreatmentindetentionandhardship,andincruelseparationfromhiswifeandchild,heforeshadowedthelikelihood,orthecertainty;but,beyondthis,hedreadednothingdistinctly.Withthisonhismind,whichwasenoughtocarryintoadrearyprisoncourt-yard,hearrivedattheprisonofLaForce.
Amanwithabloatedfaceopenedthestrongwicket,towhomDefargepresented`TheEmigrantEvrémonde.\'
`WhattheDevil!Howmanymoreofthem!\'exclaimedthemanwiththebloatedface.
Defargetookhisreceiptwithoutnoticingtheexclamation,andwithdrew,withhistwofellow-patriots.
`WhattheDevil,Isayagain!\'exclaimedthegaoler,leftwithhiswife.`Howmanymore!\'
Thegaoler\'swife,beingprovidedwithnoanswertothequestion,merelyreplied,`Onemusthavepatience,mydear!\'Threeturnkeyswhoenteredresponsivetoabellsherang,,echoedthesentimentandoneadded,`FortheloveofLiberty;whichsoundedinthatplacelikeaninappropriateconclusion.
TheprisonofLaForcewasagloomyprison,darkandfilthy,andwithahorriblesmelloffoulsleepinit.Extraordinaryhowsoonthenoisomeflavourofimprisonedsleep,becomesmanifestinallsuchplacesthatareillcaredfor!
`Insecret,too,\'grumbledthegaoler,lookingatthewrittenpaper.`AsifIwasnotalreadyfulltobursting!\'