But,thoughtheDoctortriedhard,andneverceasedtrying,togetCharlesDarnaysetatliberty,oratleasttogethimbroughttotrial,thepubliccurrentofthetimesettoostrongandfastforhim.Thenewerabegan;thekingwastried,doomed,andbeheaded;theRepublicofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,declaredforvictoryordeathagainsttheworldinarms;theblackflagwavednightanddayfromthegreattowersofNotreDame;threehundredthousandmen,summonedtoriseagainstthetyrantsoftheearth,rosefromallthevaryingsoilsofFrance,asifthedragon\'steethhadbeensownbroadcast,andhadyieldedfruitequallyonhillandplain,onrock,ingravel,andalluvialmud,underthebrightskyoftheSouthandunderthecloudsoftheNorth,infellandforest,inthevineyardsandtheolive-groundsandamongthecroppedgrassandthestubbleofthecorn,alongthefruitfulbanksofthebroadrivers,andinthesandofthesea-shore.WhatprivatesolicitudecouldrearitselfagainstthedelugeoftheYearOneofLiberty——thedelugerisingfrombelow,notfallingfromabove,andwiththewindowsofHeavenshut,notopened!
Therewasnopause,nopity,nopeace,nointervalofrelentingrest,nomeasurementoftime.Thoughdaysandnightscircledasregularlyaswhentimewasyoung,andtheeveningandmorningwerethefirstday,othercountoftimetherewasnone.Holdofitwaslostintheragingfeverofanation,asitisinthefeverofonepatient.Now,breakingtheunnaturalsilenceofawholecity,theexecutionershowedthepeopletheheadoftheking-andnow,itseemedalmostinthesamebreath,theheadofhisfairwifewhichhadhadeightwearymonthsofimprisonedwidowhoodandmisery,toturnitgrey.
Andyet,observingthestrangelawofcontradictionwhichobtainsinallsuchcases,thetimewaslong,whileitflamedbysofast.Arevolutionarytribunalinthecapital,andfortyorfiftythousandrevolutionarycommitteesallovertheland;alawoftheSuspected,whichstruckawayallsecurityforlibertyorlife,anddeliveredoveranygoodandinnocentpersontoanybadandguiltyone;prisonsgorgedwithpeoplewhohadcommittednooffence,andcouldobtainnohearing;thesethingsbecametheestablishedorderandnatureofappointedthings,andseemedtobeancientusagebeforetheyweremanyweeksold.Aboveall,onehideousfiguregrewasfamiliarasifithadbeenbeforethegeneralgazehornthefoundationsoftheworld——thefigureofthesharpfemalecalledLaGuillotine.
Itwasthepopularthemeforjests;itwasthebestcureforheadache,itinfalliblypreventedthehairfromturninggrey,itimpartedapeculiardelicacytothecomplexion,itwastheNationalRazorwhichshavedclose:whokissedLaGuillotine,lookedthroughthelittlewindowandsneezedintothesack.Itwasthesignoftheregenerationofthehumanrace.ItsupersededtheGross.ModelsofitwerewornonbreastsfromwhichtheGrosswasdiscarded,anditwasboweddowntoandbelievedinwheretheGrosswasdenied.
Itshearedoffheadssomany,thatit,andthegrounditmostpolluted,werearottenred.Itwastakentopieces,likeatoy-puzzleforayoungDevil,andwasputtogetheragainwhentheoccasionwantedit.Ithushedtheeloquent,struckdownthepowerful,abolishedthebeautifulandgood.Twenty-twofriendsofhighpublicmark,twenty-onelivingandonedead,ithadloppedtheheadsoff,inonemorning,inasmanyminutes.ThenameofthestrongmanofOldScripturehaddescendedtothechieffunctionarywhoworkedit;but,soarmed,hewasstrongerthanhisnamesake,andblinder,andtoreawaythegatesofGod\'sownTempleeveryday.
Amongtheseterrors,andthebroodbelongingtothem,theDoctorwalkedwithasteadyhead:confidentinhispower,cautiouslypersistentinhisend,neverdoubtingthathewouldsaveLucie\'shusbandatlast.Yetthecurrentofthetimesweptby,sostronganddeep,andcarriedthetimeawaysofiercely,thatCharleshadlaininprisononeyearandthreemonthswhentheDoctorwasthussteadyandconfident.SomuchmorewickedanddistractedhadtheRevolutiongrowninthatDecembermonth,thattheriversoftheSouthwereencumberedwiththebodiesoftheviolentlydrownedbynight,andprisonerswereshotinlinesandsquaresunderthesouthernwintrysun.Still,theDoctorwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead.Nomanbetterknownthanhe,inParisatthatday;nomaninastrangersituation.Silent,humane,indispensableinhospitalandprison,usinghisartequallyamongassassinsandvictims,hewasamanapart.Intheexerciseofhisskill,theappearanceandthestoryoftheBastilleCaptiveremovedhimfromallothermen.Hewasnotsuspectedorbroughtinquestion,anymorethanifhehadindeedbeenrecalledtolifesomeeighteenyearsbefore,orwereaSpiritmovingamongmortals.
CHAPTERV
TheWood-sawyer
ONEayearandthreemonths.DuringallthattimeLuciewasneversure,fromhourtohour,butthattheGuillotinewouldstrikeoffherhusband\'sheadnextday.Everyday,throughthestonystreets,thetumbrilsnowjoltedheavily,filledwithCondemned.Lovelygirls;brightwomen,brown-haired,black-haired,andgrey;youths;stalwartmenandold;gentlebornandpeasantborn;allredwineforLaGuillotine,alldailybroughtintolightfromthedarkcellarsoftheloathsomeprisons,andcarriedtoherthroughthestreettoslakeherdevouringthirst.Liberty,equality,fraternity,ordeath;——thelast,muchtheeasiesttobestow,OGuillotine!
Ifthesuddennessofhercalamity,andthewhirlingwheelsofthetime,hadstunnedtheDoctor\'sdaughterintoawaitingtheresultinidledespair,itwouldbuthavebeenwithherasitwaswithmany.But,fromthehourwhenshehadtakenthewhiteheadtoherfreshyoungbosominthegarretofshehadbeentruetoherduties.Shewastruesttothemintheseasonoftrial,asallthequietlyloyalandgoodwillalwaysbe.
Assoonastheywereestablishedintheirnewresidence,andherfatherhadenteredontheroutineofhisavocations,shearrangedthelittlehouseholdasexactlyasifherhusbandhadbeenthere.Everythinghaditsappointedplaceanditsappointedtime.LittleLucieshetaught,asregularly,asiftheyhadallbeenunitedintheirEnglishhome.Theslightdeviceswithwhichshecheatedherselfintotheshowofabeliefthattheywouldsoonbereunited-thelittlepreparationsforhisspeedyreturn,thesettingasideofhischairandhisbooks——these,andthesolemnprayeratnightforonedearprisonerespecially,amongthemanyunhappysoulsinprisonandtheshadowofdeath——werealmosttheonlyoutspokenreliefsofherheavymind.
Shedidnotgreatlyalterinappearance.Theplaindarkdresses,akintomourningdresses,whichsheandherchildwore,wereasneatandaswellattendedtoasthebrighterclothesofhappydays.Shelosthercolour,andtheoldandintentexpressionwasaconstant,notanoccasional,thing;otherwise,sheremainedveryprettyandcomely.Sometimes,atnightonkissingherfather,shewouldburstintothegriefshehadrepressedallday,andwouldsaythathersolereliance,underHeaven,wasonhim.Healwaysresolutelyanswered:`Nothingcanhappentohimwithoutmyknowledge,andIknowthatIcansavehim,Lucie.\'
Theyhadnotmadetheroundoftheirchangedlifemanyweeks,whenherfathersaidtoher,oncominghomeoneevening:
`Mydear,thereisanupperwindowintheprison,towhichCharlescansometimesgainaccessatthreeintheafternoon.Whenhecangettoit-whichdependsonmanyuncertaintiesandincidents-hemightseeyouinthestreet,hethinks,ifyoustoodinacertainplacethatIcanshowyou.Butyouwillnotbeabletoseehim,mypoorchild,andevenifyoucould,itwouldbeunsafeforyoutomakeasignofrecognition.\'
`Oshowmetheplace,myfather,andIwillgothereeveryday.\'
Fromthattime,inallweathers,shewaitedtheretwohours.Astheclockstrucktwo,shewasthere,andatfoursheturnedresignedlyaway.Whenitwasnottoowetorinclementforherchildtobewithher,theywenttogether;atothertimesshewasalone;butshenevermissedasingleday.
Itwasthedarkanddirtycornerofasmallwindingstreet.Thehovelofacutterofwoodintolengthsforburning,wastheonlyhouseatthatend;allelsewaswall.Onthethirddayofherbeingthere,henoticedher.
`Goodday,citizeness.\'
`Goodday,citizen.\'
Thismodeofaddresswasnowprescribedbydecree.Ithadbeenestablishedvoluntarilysometimeago,amongthemorethoroughpatriots;but,wasnowlawforeverybody.
`Walkinghereagain,citizeness?\'
`Youseeme,citizen!\'
Thewood-sawyer,whowasalittlemanwitharedundancyofgesturehehadoncebeenamenderofroads,castaglanceattheprison,pointedattheprison,andputtinghistenfingersbeforehisfacetorepresentbars,peepedthroughthemjocosely.
`Butit\'snotmybusiness,\'saidhe.Andwentonsawinghiswood.
Nextdayhewaslookingoutforher,andaccostedherthemomentsheappeared.
`What?Walkinghereagain,citizeness?\'
`Yes,citizen.\'
`Ah!Achildtoo!Yourmother,isitnot,mylittlecitizeness?\'
`DoIsayyes,mamma?\'whisperedlittleLucie,drawingclosetoher.
`Yes,dearest.\'
`Yes,citizen.\'
`Ah!Butit\'snotmybusiness.Myworkismybusiness.Seemysaw!IcallitmyLittleGuillotine.La,la,la;La,la,la!Andoffhisheadcomes!\'
Thebilletfellashespoke,andhethrewitintoabasket.
`IcallmyselftheSamsonofthefirewoodguillotine.Seehereagain!Loo,loo,loo;Loo,loo,loo!Andoffherheadcomes!Now,achild.Tickle,tickle;Pickle,pickle!Andoffitsheadcomes.Allthefamily!\'
Lucieshudderedashethrewtwomorebilletsintohisbasket,butitwasimpossibletobetherewhilethewood-sawyerwasatwork,andnotbeinhissight.Thenceforth,tosecurehisgoodwill,shealwaysspoketohimfirst,andoftengavehimdrink-money,whichhereadilyreceived.
Hewasaninquisitivefellow,andsometimeswhenshehadquiteforgottenhimingazingattheprisonroofandgrates,andinliftingherheartuptoherhusband,shewouldcometoherselftofindhimlookingather,withhiskneeonhisbenchandhissawstoppedinitswork.`Butit\'snotmybusiness!\'hewouldgenerallysayatthosetimes,andwouldbrisklyfalltohissawingagain.
Inallweathers,inthesnowandfrostofwinter,inthebitterwindsofspring,inthehotsunshineofsummer,intherainsofautumn,andagaininthesnowandfrostofwinter,Luciepassedtwohoursofeverydayatthisplace;andeverydayonleavingit,shekissedtheprisonwall.Herhusbandsawhersoshelearnedfromherfatheritmightbeonceinfiveorsixtimes:itmightbetwiceorthricerunning:itmightbe,notforaweekorafortnighttogether.Itwasenoughthathecouldanddidseeherwhenthechancesserved,andonthatpossibilityshewouldhavewaitedouttheday,sevendaysaweek.
TheseoccupationsbroughtherroundtotheDecembermonth,whereinherfatherwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead.Onalightly-snowingafternoonshearrivedattheusualcorner.Itwasadayofsomewildrejoicing,andafestival.Shehadseenthehouses,asshecamealong,decoratedwithlittlepikes,andwithlittleredcapsstuckuponthem;also,withtricolouredribbons;also,withthestandardinscriptiontricolouredletterswerethefavourite,RepublicOneandIndivisible.Liberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath!
Themiserableshopofthewood-sawyerwassosmall,thatitswholesurfacefurnishedveryindifferentspaceforthislegend.Hehadgotsomebodytoscrawlitupforhim,however,whohadsqueezedDeathinwithmostinappropriatedifficulty.Onhishouse-top,hedisplayedpikeandcap,asagoodcitizenmust,andinawindowhehadstationedhissawinscribedashis`LittleSainteGuillotine\'——forthegreatsharpfemalewasbythattimepopularlycanonised.Hisshopwasshutandhewasnotthere,whichwasarelieftoLucie,andleftherquitealone.
But,hewasnotfaroff,forpresentlysheheardatroubledmovementandashoutingcomingalong,whichfilledherwithfear.Amomentafterwards,andathrongofpeoplecamepouringroundthecornerbytheprisonwall,inthemidstofwhomwasthewood-sawyerhandinhandwithTheVengeance.Therecouldnotbefewerthanfivehundredpeople,andtheyweredancinglikefivethousanddemons.Therewasnoothermusicthantheirownsinging.TheydancedtothepopularRevolutionsong,keepingaferocioustimethatwaslikeagnashingofteethinunison.Menandwomendancedtogether,womendancedtogether,mendancedtogether,ashazardhadbroughtthemtogether.Atfirst,theywereamerestormofcoarseredcapsandcoarsewoollenrags;but,astheyfilledtheplace,andstoppedtodanceaboutLucie,someghastlyapparitionofadance-figuregoneravingmadaroseamongthem.Theyadvanced,retreated,struckatoneanother\'shands,clutchedatoneanother\'sheads,spunroundalone,caughtoneanotherandspunroundinpairs,untilmanyofthemdropped.Whilethoseweredown,therestlinkedhandinhand,andallspunroundtogether:thentheringbroke,andinseparateringsoftwoandfourtheyturnedandturneduntiltheyallstoppedatonce,beganagain,struck,clutched,andtore,andthenreversedthespin,andallspunroundanotherway.Suddenlytheystoppedagain,paused,struckoutthetimeafresh,formedintolinesthewidthofthepublicway,and,withtheirheadslowdownandtheirhandshighup,swoopedscreamingoff.Nofightcouldhavebeenhalfsoterribleasthisdance.Itwassoemphaticallyafallensport——asomething,onceinnocent,deliveredovertoalldevilry——ahealthypastimechangedintoameansofangeringtheblood,bewilderingthesenses,andsteelingtheheart.Suchgraceaswasvisibleinit,madeittheuglier,showinghowwarpedandpervertedallthingsgoodbynaturewerebecome.Themaidenlybosombaredtothis,theprettyalmost-child\'sheadthusdistracted,thedelicatefootmincinginthissloughofbloodanddirt,weretypesofthedisjointedtime.\'
ThiswastheCarmagnole.Asitpassed,leavingLuciefrightenedandbewilderedinthedoorwayofthewood-sawyer\'shouse,thefeatherysnowfellasquietlyandlayaswhiteandsoft,asifithadneverbeen.
`Omyfather!\'forhestoodbeforeherwhenshelifteduptheeyesshehadmomentarilydarkenedwithherhand;`suchacruel,badsight.\'
`Iknow,mydear,Iknow.Ihaveseenitmanytimes.Don\'tbefrightened!Notoneofthemwouldharmyou.\'
`Iamnotfrightenedformyself,myfather.ButwhenIthinkofmyhusband,andthemerciesofthesepeople——\'
`Wewillsethimabovetheirmerciesverysoon.Ilefthimclimbingtothewindow,andIcametotellyou.Thereisnooneheretosee.Youmaykissyourhandtowardsthathighestshelvingroof.\'
`Idoso,father,andIsendhimmySoulwithit!\'
`Youcannotseehim,mypoordear?\'
`No,father,\'said,Lucie,yearningandweepingasshekissedherhand,`no.
Afootstepinthesnow.MadameDefarge.`Isaluteyou,citizeness,\'fromtheDoctor.`Isaluteyou,citizen.\'Thisinpassing.Nothingmore.MadameDefargegone,likeashadowoverthewhiteroad.
`Givemeyourarm,mylove.Passfromherewithanairofcheerfulnessandcourage,forhissake.Thatwaswelldone;\'theyhadleftthespot;`itshallnotbeinvain.Charlesissummonedforto-morrow.\'
`Forto-morrow!\'
`Thereisnotimetolose.Iamwellprepared,butthereareprecautionstobetaken,thatcouldnotbetakenuntilhewasactuallysummonedbeforetheTribunal.Hehasnotreceivedthenoticeyet,butIknowthathewillpresentlybesummonedforto-morrow,andremovedtotheConciergerie;Ihavetimelyinformation.Youarenotafraid?\'
Shecouldscarcelyanswer,`Itrustinyou.\'
`Doso,implicitly.Yoursuspenseisnearlyended,mydarling;heshallberestoredtoyouwithinafewhours;Ihaveencompassedhimwitheveryprotection.ImustseeLorry.\'
Hestopped.Therewasaheavylumberingofwheelswithinhearing.Theybothknewtoowellwhatitmeant.One.Two.Three.Threetumbrilsfaringawaywiththeirdreadloadsoverthehushingsnow.
`ImustseeLorry,\'theDoctorrepeated,turningheranotherway.
Thestauncholdgentlemanwasstillinhistrust;hadneverleftit.Heandhisbookswereinfrequentrequisitionastopropertyconfiscatedandmadenational.Whathecouldsavefortheowners,hesaved.NobettermanlivingtoholdfastbywhatTellson\'shadinkeeping,andtoholdhispeace.
Amurkyredandyellowsky,andarisingmistfromtheSeine,denotedtheapproachofdarkness.ItwasalmostdarkwhentheyarrivedattheBank.ThestatelyresidenceofMonseigneurwasaltogetherblightedanddeserted.Aboveaheapofdustandashesinthecourt,rantheletters:NationalProperty.RepublicOneandIndivisible.Liberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath!
WhocouldthatbewithMr.Lorry——theOwneroftheriding-coatuponthechair——whomustnotbeseen?Fromwhomnewlyarrived,didhecomeout,agitatedandsurprised,totakehisfavouriteinhisarms?Towhomdidheappeartorepeatherfalteringwords,when,raisinghisvoiceandturninghisheadtowardsthedooroftheroomfromwhichhehadissued,hesaid:`RemovedtotheConciergerie,andsummonedforto-morrow?\'
CHAPTERVI
Triumph
THEdreadTribunaloffiveJudges,PublicProsecutor,anddeterminedJury,sateveryday.Theirlistswentfortheveryevening,andwerereadoutbythegaolersofthevariousprisonstotheirprisoners.Thestandardgaoler-jokewas,`ComeoutandlistentotheEveningPaper,youinsidethere!\'
`CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay!\'SoatlastbegantheEveningPaperatLaForce.
Whenanamewascalled,itsownersteppedapartintoaspotreservedforthosewhowereannouncedasbeingthusfatallyrecorded.CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,hadreasontoknowtheusage;hehadseenhundredspassawayso.
Hisbloatedgaoler,whoworespectaclestoreadwith,glancedoverthemtoassurehimselfthathehadtakenhisplace,andwentthroughthelist,makingasimilarshortpauseateachname.Thereweretwenty-threenames,butonlytwentyhererespondedto;foroneoftheprisonerssosummonedhaddiedingaolandbeenforgotten,andtwohadalreadybeenguillotinedandforgotten.Thelistwasread,inthevaultedchamberwhereDarnayhadseentheassociatedprisonersonthenightofhisarrival.Everyoneofthosehadperishedinthemassacre;everyhumancreaturehehadsincecaredforandpartedwith,haddiedonthescaffold.
Therewerehurriedwordsoffarewellandkindness,butthepartingwassoonover.Itwastheincidentofeveryday,andthesocietyofLaForcewereengagedinthepreparationofsomegamesofforfeitsandalittleconcert,forthatevening.Theycrowdedtothegratesandshedtearsthere;but,twentyplacesintheprojectedentertainmentshadtoberefilled,andthetimewas,atbest,shorttothelock-uphour,whenthecommonroomsandcorridorswouldbedeliveredovertothegreatdogswhokeptwatchtherethroughthenight.Theprisonerswerefarfrominsensibleorunfeeling;theirwaysaroseoutoftheconditionofthetime.Similarly,thoughwithasubtledifference,aspeciesoffervourorintoxication,known,withoutdoubt,tohaveledsomepersonstobravetheguillotineunnecessarily,andtodiebyit,wasnotmereboastfulness,butawildinfectionofthewildlyshakenpublicmind.Inseasonsofpestilence,someofuswillhaveasecretattractiontothedisease——aterriblepassinginclinationtodieofit.Andallofushavelikewondershiddeninourbreasts,onlyneedingcircumstancestoevokethem.
ThepassagetotheConciergeriewasshortanddark;thenightinitsvermin-hauntedcellswaslongandcold.Nextday,fifteenprisonerswereputtothebarbeforeCharlesDarnay\'snamewascalled.Allthefifteenwerecondemned,andthetrialsofthewholeoccupiedanhourandahalf.
`CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,\'wasatlengtharraigned.
HisjudgessatupontheBenchinfeatheredhats;buttheroughredcapandtricolouredcockadewasthehead-dressotherwiseprevailing.LookingattheJuryandtheturbulentaudience,hemighthavethoughtthattheusualorderofthingswasreversed,andthatthefelonsweretryingthehonestmen.Thelowest,cruelest,andworstpopulaceofacity,neverwithoutitsquantityoflow,cruel,andbad,werethedirectingspiritsofthescene:noisilycommenting,applauding,disapproving,anticipating,andprecipitatingtheresult,withoutacheck.Ofthemen,thegreaterpartwerearmedinvariousways;ofthewomen,someworeknives,somedaggers,someateanddrankastheylookedon,manyknitted.Amongtheselast,wasone,withasparepieceofknittingunderherarmassheworked.Shewasinafrontrow,bythesideofamanwhomhehadneverseensincehisarrivalattheBarrier,butwhomhedirectlyrememberedasDefarge.Henoticedthatsheonceortwicewhisperedinhisear,andthatsheseemedtobehiswife;but,whathemostnoticedinthetwofigureswas,thatalthoughtheywerepostedasclosetohimselfastheycouldbe,theyneverlookedtowardshim.Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethingwithadoggeddetermination,andtheylookedattheJury,butatnothingelse.UnderthePresidentsatDoctorManette,inhisusualquietdress.Aswellastheprisonercouldsee,heandMr.Lorryweretheonlymenthere,unconnectedwiththeTribunal,whoworetheirusualclothes,andhadnotassumedthecoarsegarboftheCarmagnole.
CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,wasaccusedbythepublicprosecutorasanemigrant,whoselifewasforfeittotheRepublic,underthedecreewhichbanishedallemigrantsonpainofDeath.ItwasnothingthatthedecreeboredatesincehisreturntoFrance.Therehewas,andtherewasthedecree;hehadbeentakeninFrance,andhisheadwasdemanded.
`Takeoffhishead!\'criedtheaudience.`AnenemytotheRepublic!\'
ThePresidentranghisbelltosilencethosecries,andaskedtheprisonerwhetheritwasnottruethathehadlivedmanyyearsinEngland?
Undoubtedlyitwas.
Washenotanemigrantthen?Whatdidhecallhimself?
Notanemigrant,hehoped,withinthesenseandspiritofthelaw.
Whynot?thePresidentdesiredtoknow.
Becausehehadvoluntarilyrelinquishedatitlethatwasdistastefultohim,andastationthatwasdistastefultohim,andhadlefthiscountry——hesubmittedbeforethewordemigrantinthepresentacceptationbytheTribunalwasinuse——tolivebyhisownindustryinEngland,ratherthanontheindustryoftheoverladenpeopleofFrance.
Whatproofhadheofthis?
Hehandedinthenamesoftwowitnesses:ThéophileGabelle,andAlexandreManette.
ButhehadmarriedinEngland?thePresidentremindedhim.
True,butnotanEnglishwoman.
AcitizenessofFrance?
Yes.Bybirth.
Hernameandfamily?
`LucieManette,onlydaughterofDoctorManette,thegoodphysicianwhositsthere.\'
Thisanswerhadahappyeffectupontheaudience.Criesinexaltationofthewell-knowngoodphysicianrentthehall.Socapriciouslywerethepeoplemoved,thattearsimmediatelyrolleddownseveralferociouscountenanceswhichhadbeenglaringattheprisoneramomentbefore,asifwithimpatiencetopluckhimoutintothestreetsandkillhim.
Onthesefewstepsofhisdangerousway,CharlesDarnayhadsethisfootaccordingtoDoctorManette\'sreiteratedinstructions.Thesamecautiouscounseldirectedeverystepthatlaybeforehim,andhadpreparedeveryinchofhisroad.
ThePresidentasked,whyhadhereturnedtoFrancewhenhedid,andnotsooner?
Hehadnotreturnedsooner,hereplied,simplybecausehehadnomeansoflivinginFrance,savethosehehadresigned;whereas,inEngland,helivedbygivinginstructionintheFrenchlanguageandliterature.Hehadreturnedwhenhedid,onthepressingandwrittenentreatyofaFrenchcitizen,whorepresentedthathislifewasendangeredbyhisabsence.Hehadcomeback,tosaveacitizen\'slife,andtobearhistestimony,atwhateverpersonalhazard,tothetruth.WasthatcriminalintheeyesoftheRepublic?
Thepopulacecriedenthusiastically,`No!\'andthePresidentranghisbelltoquietthem.Whichitdidnot,fortheycontinuedtocry`No!\'untiltheyleftofoftheirownwill.
ThePresidentrequiredthenameofthatcitizen?Theaccusedexplainedthatthecitizenwashisfirstwitness.Healsoreferredwithconfidencetothecitizen\'sletter,whichhadbeentakenfromhimattheBarrier,butwhichhedidnotdoubtwouldbefoundamongthepapersthenbeforethePresident.
TheDoctorhadtakencarethatitshouldbethere——hadassuredhimthatitwouldbethere——andatthisstageoftheproceedingsitwasproducedandread.CitizenGabellewascalledtoconfirmit,anddidso.CitizenGabellehinted,withinfinitedelicacyandpoliteness,thatinthepressureofbusinessimposedontheTribunalbythemultitudeofenemiesoftheRepublicwithwhichithadtodeal,hehadbeenslightlyoverlookedinhisprisonoftheAbbaye——infact,hadratherpassedoutoftheTribunal\'spatrioticremembrance——untilthreedaysago;whenhehadbeensummonedbeforeit,andhadbeensetatlibertyontheJury\'sdeclaringthemselvessatisfiedthattheaccusationagainsthimwasanswered,astohimself,bythesurrenderofthecitizenEvrémondecalledDarnay.
DoctorManettewasnextquestioned.Hishighpersonalpopularity,andtheclearnessofhisanswers,madeagreatimpression;but,asheproceeded,asheshowedthattheAccusedwashisfirstfriendonhisreleasefromhislongimprisonment;that,theaccusedhadremainedinEngland,alwaysfaithfulanddevotedtohisdaughterandhimselfintheirexile;that,sofarfrombeinginfavourwiththeAristocratgovernmentthere,hehadactuallybeentriedforhislifebyit,asthefoeofEnglandandfriendoftheUnitedStates——ashebroughtthesecircumstancesintoview,withthegreatestdiscretionandwiththestraightforwardforceoftruthandearnestness,theJuryandthepopulacebecameone.Atlast,whenheappealedbynametoMonsieurLorry,anEnglishgentlemanthenandtherepresent,who,likehimself,hadbeenawitnessonthatEnglishtrialandcouldcorroboratehisaccountofit,theJurydeclaredthattheyhadheardenough,andthattheywerereadywiththeirvotesifthePresidentwerecontenttoreceivethem.
AteveryvotetheJurymenvotedaloudandindividually,thepopulacesetupashoutofapplause.Allthevoiceswereintheprisoner\'sfavour,andthePresidentdeclaredhimfree.
Then,beganoneofthoseextraordinarysceneswithwhichthepopulacesometimesgratifiedtheirfickleness,ortheirbetterimpulsestowardsgenerosityandmercy,orwhichtheyregardedassomesetoffagainsttheirswollenaccountofcruelrage.Nomancandecidenowtowhichofthesemotivessuchextraordinarysceneswerereferable;itisprobable,toablendingofallthethree,withthesecondpredominating.Nosoonerwastheacquittalpronounced,thantearswereshedasfreelyasbloodatanothertime,andsuchfraternalembraceswerebestowedupontheprisonerbyasmanyofbothsexesascouldrushathim,thatafterhislongandunwholesomeconfinementhewasindangeroffaintingfromexhaustion;nonethelessbecauseheknewverywell,thattheverysamepeople,carriedbyanothercurrent,wouldhaverushedathimwiththeverysameintensity,torendhimtopiecesandstrewhimoverthestreets.
Hisremoval,tomakewayforotheraccusedpersonswhoweretobetried,rescuedhimfromthesecaressesforthemoment.Fiveweretobetriedtogether,next,asenemiesoftheRepublic,forasmuchastheyhadnotassisteditbywordordeed.SoquickwastheTribunaltocompensateitselfandthenationforachancelost,thatthesefivecamedowntohimbeforehelefttheplace,condemnedtodiewithintwenty-fourhours.Thefirstofthemtoldhimso,withthecustomaryprisonsignofDeath——araisedfinger——andtheyalladdedinwords,`LonglivetheRepublic.\'
Thefivehadhad,itistrue,noaudiencetolengthentheirproceedings,forwhenheandDoctorManetteemergedfromthegate,therewasagreatcrowdaboutit,inwhichthereseemedtobeeveryfacehehadseeninCourt——excepttwo,forwhichhelookedinvain.Onhiscomingout,theconcoursemadeathimanew,weeping,embracing,andshouting,allbyturnsandalltogether,untiltheverytideoftheriveronthebankofwhichthemadscenewasacted,seemedtorunmad,likethepeopleontheshore.
Theyputhimintoagreatchairtheyhadamongthem,andwhichtheyhadtakeneitheroutoftheCourtitself,oroneofitsroomsorpassages.Overthechairtheyhadthrownaredflag,andtothebackofittheyhadboundapikewitharedcaponitstop.Inthiscaroftriumph,noteventheDoctor\'sentreatiescouldpreventhisbeingcarriedtohishomeonmen\'sshoulders,withaconfusedseaofredcapsheavingabouthim,andcastinguptosightfromthestormydeepsuchwrecksoffaces,thathemorethanoncemisdoubtedhismindbeinginconfusion,andthathewasinthetumbrilonhiswaytotheGuillotine.
Inwilddreamlikeprocession,embracingwhomtheymetandpointinghimout,theycarriedhimon.ReddeningthesnowystreetswiththeprevailingRepublicancolour,inwindingandtrampingthroughthem,astheyhadreddenedthembelowthesnowwithadeeperdye,theycarriedhimthusintothecourt-yardofthebuildingwherehelived.Herfatherhadgoneonbefore,toprepareher,andwhenherhusbandstooduponhisfeet,shedroppedinsensibleinhisarms.
Asheheldhertohisheartandturnedherbeautifulheadbetweenhisfaceandthebrawlingcrowd,sothathistearsandherlipsmightcometogetherunseen,afewofthepeoplefelltodancing.Instantly,alltherestfelltodancing,andthecourt-yardoverflowedwiththeCarmagnole.Then,theyelevatedintothevacantchairayoungwomanfromthecrowdtobecarriedastheGoddessofLiberty,andthenswellingandoverflowingoutintotheadjacentstreets,andalongtheriver\'sbank,andoverthebridge,theCarmagnoleabsorbedthemeveryoneandwhirledthemaway.
AftergraspingtheDoctor\'shand,ashestoodvictoriousandproudbeforehim;aftergraspingthehandofMr.Lorry,whocamepantinginbreathlessfromhisstruggleagainstthewaterspoutoftheCarmagnole;afterkissinglittleLucie,whowaslifteduptoclaspherarmsroundhisneck;andafterembracingtheeverzealousandfaithfulProsswholiftedher;hetookhiswifeinhisarms,andcarriedheruptotheirrooms.
`Lucie!Myown!Iamsafe.\'
`OdearestCharles,letmethankGodforthisonmykneesasIhaveprayedtoHim.\'
Theyallreverentlybowedtheirheadsandhearts.Thenshewasagaininhisarms,hesaidtohem:
`Andnowspeaktoyourfather,dearest.NoothermaninallthisFrancecouldhavedonewhathehasdoneforme.\'
Shelaidherheaduponherfather\'sbreast,asshehadlaidhispoorheadonherownbreast,long,longago.Hewashappyinthereturnhehadmadeher,hewasrecompensedforhissuffering,hewasproudofhisstrength.`Youmustnotbeweak,mydarling,\'heremonstrated;`don\'ttrembleso.Ihavesavedhim.
\'
CHAPTERVII
AKnockattheDoor
`IHAVEsavedhim.\'Itwasnotanotherofthedreamsinwhichhehadoftencomeback;hewasreallyhere.Andyethiswifetrembled,andavaguebutheavyfearwasuponher.
Alltheairaroundwassothickanddark,thepeopleweresopassionatelyrevengefulandfitful,theinnocentweresoconstantlyputtodeathonvaguesuspicionandblackmalice,itwassoimpossibletoforgetthatmanyasblamelessasherhusbandandasdeartoothersashewastoher,everydaysharedthefatefromwhichhehadbeenclutched,thatherheartcouldnotbeaslightenedofitsloadasshefeltitoughttobe.Theshadowsofthewintryafternoonwerebeginningtofall,andevennowthedreadfulcartswererollingthroughthestreets.Hermindpursuedthem,lookingforhimamongtheCondemned;andthensheclungclosertohisrealpresenceandtrembledmore.
Herfather,cheeringher,showedacompassionatesuperioritytothiswoman\'sweakness,whichwaswonderfultosee.Nogarret,noshoemaking,noOneHundredandFive,NorthTower,now!Hehadaccomplishedthetaskhehadsethimself,hispromisewasredeemed,hehadsavedCharles.Letthemallleanuponhim.
Theirhousekeepingwasofaveryfrugalkind:notonlybecausethatwasthesafestwayoflife,involvingtheleastoffencetothepeople,butbecausetheywerenotrich,andCharles,throughouthisimprisonment,hadhadtopayheavilyforhisbadfood,andforhisguard,andtowardsthelivingofthepoorerprisoners.Partlyonthisaccount,andpartlytoavoidadomesticspy,theykeptnoservant;thecitizenandcitizenesswhoactedasportersatthecourt-yardgate,renderedthemoccasionalservice;andJerryalmostwhollytransferredtothembyMr.Lorryhadbecometheirdailyretainer,andhadhisbedthereeverynight.
ItwasanordinanceoftheRepublicOneandIndivisibleofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,thatonthedoorordoorpostofeveryhouse,thenameofeveryinmatemustbelegiblyinscribedinlettersofacertainsize,atacertainconvenientheightfromtheground.Mr.JerryCruncher\'sname,therefore,dulyembellishedthedoorpostdownbelow;and,astheafternoonshadowsdeepened,theownerofthatnamehimselfappeared,fromoverlookingapainterwhomDoctorManettehademployedtoaddtothelistthenameofCharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay.
Intheuniversalfearanddistrustthatdarkenedthetime,alltheusualharmlesswaysoflifewerechanged.IntheDoctor\'slittlehousehold,asinverymanyothers,thearticlesofdailyconsumptionthatwerewantedwerepurchasedeveryevening,insmallquantitiesandatvarioussmallshops.Toavoidattractingnotice,andtogiveaslittleoccasionaspossiblefortalkandenvy,wasthegeneraldesire.
Forsomemonthspast,MissProssandMr.Cruncherhaddischargedtheofficeofpurveyors;theformercarryingthemoney;thelatter,tilebasket.Everyafternoonataboutthetimewhenthepubliclampswerelighted,theyfaredforthonthisduty,andmadeandbroughthomesuchpurchasesaswereneedful.AlthoughMissPross,throughherlongassociationwithaFrenchfamily,mighthaveknownasmuchoftheirlanguageasofherown,ifshehadhadamind,shehadnomindinthatdirection;consequentlysheknewnomoreofthat`nonsense\'asshewaspleasedtocallitthanMr.Cruncherdid.Sohermannerofmarketingwastoplumpanoun-substantiveattheheadofashopkeeperwithoutanyintroductioninthenatureofanarticle,and,ifithappenednottobethenameofthethingshewanted,tolookroundforthatthing,layholdofit,andholdonbyituntilthebargainwasconcluded.Shealwaysmadeabargainforit,byholdingup,asastatementofitsjustprice,onefingerlessthanthemerchantheldup,whateverhisnumbermightbe.
`Now,Mr.Cruncher,\'saidMissPross,whoseeyeswereredwithfelicity;`ifyouareready,Iam.\'
JerryhoarselyprofessedhimselfatMissPross\'sservice.Hehadwornallhisrustofflongago,butnothingwouldfilehisspikyheaddown.
`There\'sallmannerofthingswanted,\'saidMissPross,`andweshallhaveaprecioustimeofit.Wewantwine,amongtherest.NicetoaststheseRedheadswillbedrinking,whereverwebuyit.\'
`Itwillbemuchthesametoyourknowledge,miss,Ishouldthink,\'retortedJerry,`whethertheydrinkyourhealthortheOldUn\'s.
`Who\'she?\'saidMissPross.
Mr.Cruncher,withsomediffidence,explainedhimselfasmeaning`OldNick\'s.\'
`Ha!\'saidMissPross,`itdoesn\'tneedaninterpretertoexplainthemeaningofthesecreatures.Theyhavebutone,andit\'sMidnightMurder,andMischief\'
`Hush,dear!Pray,pray,becautious!\'criedLucie.
`Yes,yes,yes,I\'llbecautious,\'saidMissPross;`butImaysayamongourselves,thatIdohopetherewillbenoonionyandtobaccoeysmotheringsintheformofembracingsallround,goingoninthestreets.Now,Ladybird,neveryoustirfromthatfiretillIcomeback!Takecareofthedearhusbandyouhaverecovered,anddon\'tmoveyourprettyheadfromhisshoulderasyouhaveitnow,tillyouseemeagain!MayIaskaquestion,DoctorManette,beforeIgo?\'