`Ihadneverbeforeseenthesenseofbeingoppressed,burstingforthlikeafire.Ihadsupposedthatitmustbelatentinthepeoplesomewhere;but,Ihadneverseenitbreakout,untilIsawitinthedyingboy.
`\"Nevertheless,Doctor,mysistermarried.Hewasailingatthattime,poorfellow,andshemarriedherlover,thatshemighttendandcomforthiminourcottage——ourdog-hut,asthatmanwouldcallit.Shehadnotbeenmarriedmanyweeks,whenthatman\'sbrothersawherandadmiredher,andaskedthatmantolendhertohim——forwhatarehusbandsamongus!Hewaswillingenough,butmysisterwasgoodandvirtuous,andhatedhisbrotherwithahatredasstrongasmine.Whatdidthetwothen,topersuadeherhusbandtousehisinfluencewithher,tomakeherwilling?\"
`Theboy\'seyes,whichhadbeenfixedonmine,slowlyturnedtothelooker-on,andIsawintheMofacesthatallhesaidwastrue.Thetwoopposingkindsofprideconfrontingoneanother,Icansee,eveninthisBastille;thegentleman\'sallnegligentindifference;thepeasant\'s,alltrodden-downsentiment,andpassionaterevenge.
`\"Youknow,Doctor,thatitisamongtheRightsoftheseNoblestoharnessuscommondogstocarts,anddriveus.Theysoharnessedhimanddrovehim.YouknowthatitisamongtheirRightstokeepusintheirgroundsallnight,quietingthefrogs,inorderthattheirnoblesleepmaynotbedisturbed.Theykepthimoutintheunwholesomemistsatnight,andorderedhimbackintohisharnessintheday.Buthewasnotpersuaded.No!Takenoutofharnessonedayatnoon,tofeed——ifhecouldfindfood——hesobbedtwelvetimes,onceforeverystrokeofthebell,anddiedonherbosom.\"
`Nothinghumancouldhaveheldlifeintheboybuthisdeterminationtotellallhiswrong.Heforcedbackthegatheringshadowsofdeath,asheforcedhisclenchedrighthandtoremainclenched,andtocoverhiswound.
`\"Then,withthatman\'spermissionandevenwithhisaid,hisbrothertookheraway;inspiteofwhatIknowshemusthavetoldhisbrother——andwhatthatis,willnotbelongunknowntoyou,Doctor,ifitisnow——hisbrothertookheraway——forhispleasureanddiversion,foralittlewhile.Isawherpassmeontheroad.WhenItookthetidingshome,ourfather\'sheartburst;heneverspokeoneofthewordsthatfilledit.ItookmyyoungsisterforIhaveanothertoaplacebeyondthereachofthisman,andwhere,atleast,shewillneverbehisvassal.Then,Itrackedthebrotherhere,andlastnightclimbedin-acommondog,butswordinhand——Whereistheloftwindow?Itwassomewherehere?\"
`Theroomwasdarkeningtohissight;theworldwasnarrowingaroundhim.Iglancedaboutme,andsawthatthehayandstrawweretrampledoverthefloor,asiftherehadbeenastruggle.
`\"Sheheardme,andranin.Itoldhernottocomenearustillhewasdead.Hecameinandfirsttossedmesomepiecesofmoney;thenstruckatmewithawhip.ButI,thoughacommondog,sostruckathimastomakehimdraw.Lethimbreakintoasmanypiecesashewill,theswordthathestainedwithmycommonblood;hedrewtodefendhimself——thrustatmewithallhisskillforhislife.\"
`Myglancehadfallen,butafewmomentsbefore,onthefragmentsofabrokensword,lyingamongthehay.Thatweaponwasagentleman\'s.Inanotherplace,layanoldswordthatseemedtohavebeenasoldier\'s.
`\"Now,liftmeup,Doctor;liftmeup.Whereishe?\"
`\"Heisnothere,\"Isaid,supportingtheboy,andthinkingthathereferredtothebrother.
`\"He!Proudasthesenoblesare,heisafraidtoseeme.Whereisthemanwhowashere?Turnmyfacetohim.\"
`Ididso,raisingtheboy\'sheadagainstmyknee.But,investedforthemomentwithextraordinarypower,heraisedhimselfcompletely:obligingmetorisetoo,orIcouldnothavestillsupportedhim.
`\"Marquis,\"saidtheboy,turnedtohimwithhiseyesopenedwide,andhisrighthandraised,\"inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyouandyours,tothelastofyourbadrace,toanswerforthem.Imarkthiscrossofblooduponyou,asasignthatIdoit.Inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyourbrother,theworstofthebadrace,toanswerforthemseparately.Imarkthiscrossofblooduponhim,asasignthatIdoit.
`Twice,heputhishandtothewoundinhisbreast,andwithforefingerdrewacrossintheair.Hestoodforaninstantwiththefingeryetraised,and,asitwithit,andIlaidhimdowndead.****
`WhenIreturnedtothebedsideoftheyoungwoman,Ifoundherravinginpreciselythesameorderandcontinuity.Iknewthatthismightlastformanyhours,andthatitwouldprobablyendinthesilenceofthegrave.
`IrepeatedthemedicinesIhadgivenher,andIsatatthesideofthebeduntilthenightwasfaradvanced.Sheneverabatedthepiercingqualityofhershrieks,neverstumbledinthedistinctnessortheorderofherwords.Theywerealways\"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!One,two,three,four,five,six,seven,eight,nine,ten,eleven,twelve.Hush!\"
`Thislastedtwenty-sixhoursfromthetimewhenIfirstsawher.Ihadcomeandgonetwice,andwasagainsittingbyher,whenshebegantofalter.Ididwhatlittlecouldbedonetoassistthatopportunity,andby-and-byshesankintoalethargy,andlaylikethedead.
`Itwasasifthewindandrainhadlulledatlast,afteralongandfearfulstorm.Ireleasedherarms,andcalledthewomantoassistmetocomposeherfigureandthedressshehadtorn.ItwasthenthatIknewherconditiontobethatofoneinwhomthefirstexpectationsofbeingamotherhavearisen;anditwasthenthatIlostthelittlehopeIhadhadofher.
`\"Isshedead?\"askedtheMarquis,whomIwillstilldescribeastheelderbrother,comingbootedintotheroomfromhishorse.
`\"Notdead,\"saidI;\"butliketodie.\"
`\"whatstrengththereisinthesecommonbodies!\"hesaid,lookingdownatherwithsomecuriosity.
`\"Thereisprodigiousstrength,\"Iansweredhim,\"insorrowanddespair.\"
`Hefirstlaughedatmywords,andthenfrownedatthem.Hemovedachairwithhisfootneartomine,orderedthewomanaway,andsaidinasubduedvoice,
`\"Doctor,findingmybrotherinthisdifficultywiththesehinds,Irecommendedthatyouraidshouldbeinvited.Yourreputationishigh,and,asayoungmanwithyourfortunetomake,youareprobablymindfulofyourinterest.Thethingsthatyouseehere,arethingstobeseen,andnotspokenof.\"
`Ilistenedtothepatient\'sbreathing,andavoidedanswering.
`\"Doyouhonourmewithyourattention,Doctor?
`\"Monsieur,\"saidI,\"inmyprofession,thecommunicationsofpatientsarealwaysreceivedinconfidence.\"Iwasguardedinmyanswer,forIwastroubledinmymindwithwhatIhadheardandseen.
`Herbreathingwassodifficulttotrace,thatIcarefullytriedthepulseandtheheart.Therewaslife,andnomore.LookingroundasIresumedmyseat,Ifoundthebrothersintentuponme.****
`Iwritewithsomuchdifficulty,thecoldissosevere,Iamsofearfulofbeingdetectedandconsignedtoanundergroundcellandtotaldarkness,thatImustabridgethisnarrative.Thereisnoconfusionorfailureinmymemory;itcanrecall,andcoulddetail,everywordthatwaseverspokenbetweenmeandthosebrothers.
`Shelingeredforaweek.Towardsthelast,Icouldunderstandsomefewsyllablesthatshesaidtome,byplacingmyearclosetoherlips.Sheaskedmewhereshewas,andItoldher;whoIwas,andItoldher.ItwasinvainthatIaskedherforherfamilyname.Shefaintlyshookherheaduponthepillow,andkepthersecret,astheboyhaddone.
`Ihadnoopportunityofaskingheranyquestion,untilIhadtoldthebrothersshewassinkingfast,andcouldnotliveanotherday.Untilthen,thoughnoonewaseverpresentedtoherconsciousnesssavethewomanandmyself,oneorotherofthemhadalwaysjealouslysatbehindthecurtainattheheadofthebedwhenIwasthere.Butwhenitcametothat,theyseemedcarelesswhatcommunicationImightholdwithher;asif——thethoughtpassedthroughmymind——Iweredyingtoo.
`Ialwaysobservedthattheirpridebitterlyresentedtheyoungerbrother\'sasIcallhimhavingcrossedswordswithapeasant,andthatpeasantaboy.Theonlyconsiderationthatappearedtoaffectthemindofeitherofthemwastheconsiderationthatthiswashighlydegradingtothefamily,andwasridiculous.AsoftenasIcaughttheyoungerbrother\'seyes,theirexpressionremindedmethathedislikedmedeeply,furknowingwhatIknewfromtheboy.Hewassmootherandmorepolitetomethantheelder;butIsawthis.IalsosawthatIwasanincumbranceinthemindoftheelder,too.
`Mypatientdied,twohoursbeforemidnight——atatime,bymywatch,answeringalmosttotheminutewhenIhadfirstseenher.Iwasalonewithher,whenherforlornyoungheadtroopedgentlyononeside,andallherearthlywrongsandsorrowsended.
`Thebrotherswerewaitinginaroomdown-stairs,impatienttorideaway.Ihadheardthem,aloneatthebedside,strikingtheirbootswiththeirriding-whips,andloiteringupanddown.
`\"Atlastsheisdead?\"saidtheelder,whenIwentin.
`\"Sheisdead,\"saidI.
`\"Icongratulateyou,mybrother,\"werehiswordsasheturnedround.
`Hehadbeforeofferedmemoney,whichIhadpostponedtaking.Henowgavemearouleauofgold.Itookitfromhishand,butlaiditonthetable.Ihadconsideredthequestion,andhadresolvedtoacceptnothing.
`\"Prayexcuseme,\"saidI.\"Underthecircumstances,no.\"`Theyexchangedlooks,butbenttheirheadstomeasIbentminetothem,andwepartedwithoutanotherwordoneitherside.****
`Iamweary,weary,weary——worndownbymisery.IcannotreadwhatIhavewrittenwiththisgaunthand.
`Earlyinthemorning,therouleauofgoldwasleftatm\'doorinalittlebox,withmynameontheoutside.Fromthefirst,IhadanxiouslyconsideredwhatIoughttodo.Idecided,thatday,towriteprivatelytotheMinister,statingthenatureofthetwoeasestowhichIhadbeensummoned,andtheplacetowhichIhadgone:ineffect,statingallthecircumstances.IknewwhatCourtinfluencewas,andwhattheimmunitiesoftheNobleswere,andIexpectedthatthematterwouldneverbeheardof;but,Iwishedtorelievemyownmind.Ihadkeptthematteraprofoundsecret,evenfrommywife;andthis,too,Iresolvedtostateinmyletter.Ihadnoapprehensionwhateverofmyrealdanger;butIwasconsciousthattheremightbedangerforothers,ifotherswerecompromisedbypossessingtheknowledgethatIpossessed.
`Iwasmuchengagedthatday,andcouldnotcompletemyletterthatnight.Iroselongbeforemyusualtimenextmorningtofinishit.Itwasthelastdayoftheyear.Theletterwaslyingbeforemejustcompleted,whenIwastoldthataladywaited,whowishedtoseeme.****
`IamgrowingmoreandmoreunequaltothetaskIhavesetmyself.Itissocold,sodark,mysensesaresobenumbed,andthegloomuponmeissodreadful.
`Theladywasyoung,engaging,andhandsome,butnotmarkedforlonglife.Shewasingreatagitation.ShepresentedherselftomeasthewifeoftheMarquisSt.Evrémonde.Iconnectedthetitlebywhichtheboyhadaddressedtheelderbrother,withtheinitialletterembroideredonthescarf,andhadnodifficultyinarrivingattheconclusionthatIhadseenthatnoblemanverylately.
`Mymemoryisstillaccurate,butIcannotwritethewordsofOurconversation.IsuspectthatIamwatchedmorecloselythanIwas,andIknownotatwhattimesImaybewatched.Shehadinpartsuspected,andinpartdiscovered,themainfactsofthecruelstory,ofherhusband\'sshareinit,andmybeingresortedto.Shedidnotknowthatthegirlwasdead.Herhopehadbeen,shesaidingreatdistress,toshowher,insecret,awoman\'ssympathy.HerhopehadbeentoavertthewrathofHeavenfromaHousethathadlongbeenhatefultothesufferingmany.
`Shehadreasonsforbelievingthattherewasayoungsisterliving,andhergreatestdesirewas,tohelpthatsister.Icouldtellhernothingbutthattherewassuchasister;beyondthat,Iknewnothing.Herinducementtocometome,relyingonmyconfidence,hadbeenthehopethatIcouldtellherthenameandplaceofabode.Whereas,tothiswretchedhourIamignorantofboth.****
`Thesescrapsofpaperfailme.Onewastakenfromme,withawarning,yesterday.Imustfinishmyrecordto-day.
`Shewasagood,compassionatelady,andnothappyinhermarriage.Howcouldshebe!Thebrotherdistrustedanddislikedher,andhisinfluencewasallopposedtoher;shestoodindreadofhim,andindeadofherhusbandtoo.WhenIhandedherdowntothedoor,therewasachild,aprettyboyfromtwotothreeyearsold,inhercarriage.
`\"Forhissake,Doctor,\"shesaid,pointingtohimintears,\"IwoulddoallIcantomakewhatpooramendsIcan.Hewillneverprosperinhisinheritanceotherwise.Ihaveapresentimentthatifnootherinnocentatonementismadeforthis,itwillonedayberequiredofhim.WhatIhavelefttocallmyown——itislittlebeyondtheworthofafewjewels——Iwillmakeitthefirstchargeofhislifetobestow,withthecompassionandlamentingofhisdeadmother,onthisinjuredfamily,ifthesistercanbediscovered.\"
`Shekissedtheboy,andsaid,caressinghim,\"Itisforthineowndearsake.Thouwiltbefaithful,littleCharles?\"Thechildansweredherbravely,\"Yes!\"Ikissedherhand,andshetookhiminherarms,andwentawaycaressinghim.Ineversawhermore.
`Asshehadmentionedherhusband\'snameinthefaiththatIknewit,Iaddednomentionofittomyletter.Isealedmyletter,and,nottrustingitoutofmyownhands,delivereditmyselfthatday.
`Thatnight,thelastnightoftheyear,towardsnineo\'clock,amaninablackdressrangatmygate,demandedtoseeme,andsoftlyfollowedmyservant,ErnestDefarge,ayouth,upstairs.WhenmyservantcameintotheroomwhereIsatwithmywife——Omywife,belovedofmyheart!MyfairyoungEnglishwife!——wesawtheman,whowassupposedtobeatthegate,standingsilentbehindhim.
`AnurgentcaseintheRueSt.Honoré\',hesaid.Itwouldnotdetainme,hehadacoachinwaiting.
`Itbroughtmehere,itbroughtmetomygrave.WhenIwasclearofthehouse,ablackmufflerwasdrawntightlyovermymouthfrombehind,andmyarmswerepinioned.Thetwobrotherscrossedtheroadfromadarkcorner,andidentifiedmewithasinglegesture.TheMarquistookfromhispockettheletterIhadwritten,showeditme,burntitinthelightofalanternthatwasheld,andextinguishedtheasheswithhisfoot.Notawordwasspoken.Iwasbroughthere,Iwasbroughttomylivinggrave.
`IfithadpleasedGODtoputitinthehardheartofeitherofthebrothers,inallthesefrightfulyears,tograntmeanytidingsofmydearestwife——somuchastoletmeknowbyawordwhetheraliveordead——ImighthavethoughtthatHehadnotquiteabandonedthem.But,nowIbelievethatthemarkoftheredcrossisfataltothem,andthattheyhavenopartinHismercies.Andthemandtheirdescendants,tothelastoftheirrace,I,AlexandreManette,unhappyprisoner,dothislastnightoftheyear1767,inmyunbearableagony,denouncetothetimeswhenallthesethingsshallbeansweredfor.IdenouncethemtoHeavenandtoearth.\'
Aterriblesoundarosewhenthereadingofthisdocumentwasdone.Asoundofcravingandeagernessthathadnothingarticulateinitbutblood.Thenarrativecalledupthemostrevengefulpassionsofthetime,andtherewasnotaheadinthenationbutmusthavedroppedbeforeit.
Littleneed,inpresenceofthattribunalandthatauditory,toshowhowtheDefargeshadnotmadethepaperpublic,withtheothercapturedBastillememorialsborneinprocession,andhadkeptit,bidingtheirtime.LittleneedtoshowthatthisdetestedfamilynamehadlongbeenanathematisedbySaintAntoine,andwaswroughtintothefatalregister.ThemannevertrodgroundwhosevirtuesandServiceswouldhavesustainedhiminthatplacethatday,againstsuchdenunciation.
Andalltheworseforthedoomedman,thatthedenouncerwasawell-knowncitizen,hisownattachedfriend,thefatherofhiswife.Oneofthefrenziedaspirationsofthepopulacewas,forimitationsofthequestionablepublicvirtuesofantiquity,andforsacrificesandself-immolationsonthepeople\'saltar.ThereforewhenthePresidentsaidelsehadhisownheadquiveredonhisshoulders,thatthegoodphysicianoftheRepublicwoulddeservebetterstilloftheRepublicbyrootingoutanobnoxiousfamilyofAristocrats,andwoulddoubtlessfeelasacredglowandjoyinmakinghisdaughterawidowandherchildanorphan,therewaswildexcitement,patrioticfervour,notatouchofhumansympathy.
`Muchinfluencearoundhim,hasthatDoctor?\'murmuredMadameDefarge,smilingtoTheVengeance.`Savehimnow,myDoctor,savehim!\'
Ateveryjuryman\'svote,therewasaroar.Anotherandanother.Roarandroar.
Unanimouslyvoted.AtheartandbydescentanAristocrat,anenemyoftheRepublic,anotoriousoppressorofthePeople.BacktotheConciergerie,andDeathwithinfour-and-twentyhours!
CHAPTERXI
Dusk
THEwretchedwifeoftheinnocentmanthusdoomedtodie,underthesentence,asifshehadbeenmortallystricken.But,sheutterednosound;andsostrongwasthevoicewithinher,representingthatitwassheofalltheworldwhomustupholdhiminhismiseryandnotaugmentit,thatitquicklyraisedher,evenfromthatshock.
Thejudgeshavingtotakepartinapublicdemonstrationoutofdoors,thetribunaladjourned.Thequicknoiseandmovementofthecourt\'semptyingitselfbymanypassageshadnotceased,whenLuciestoodstretchingoutherarmstowardsherhusband,withnothinginherfacebutloveandconsolation.
`IfImighttouchhim!IfImightembracehimonce!O,goodcitizens,ifyouwouldhavesomuchcompassionforus!\'
Therewasbutagaolerleft,alongwithtwoofthefourmenwhohadtakenhimlastnight,andBarsad.Thepeoplehadallpouredouttotheshowinthestreets.Barsadproposedtotherest,`Letherembracehimthen;itisbutamoment.\'Itwassilentlyacquiescedin,andtheypassedherovertheseatsinthehalltoaraisedplace,wherehe,byleaningoverthedock,couldfoldherinhisarms.
`Farewell,deardarlingofmysoul.Mypartingblessingonmylove.Weshallmeetagain,wherethewearyareatrest!\'
Theywereherhusband\'swords,asheheldhertohisbosom.
`Icanbearit,dearCharles.Iamsupportedfromabove:don\'tsufferforme.Apartingblessingforourchild.\'
`Isendittoherbyyou.Ikissherbyyou.Isayfarewelltoherbyyou.\'
`Myhusband.No!Amoment!\'Hewastearinghimselfapartfromher.`Weshallnotbeseparatedlong.Ifeelthatthiswillbreakmyheartby-and-by;butIwilldomydutywhileIcan,andwhenIleaveher,Godwillraiseupfriendsforher,asHedidforme.\'
Herfatherhadfollowedher,andwouldhavefallenonhiskneestobothofthem,butthatDarnayputoutahandandseizedhim,crying:
`No,no!Whathaveyoudone,whathaveyoudone,thatyoushouldkneeltous!Weknownow,whatastruggleyoumadeofold.Weknownow,whatyouunderwentwhenyoususpectedmydescent,andwhenyouknewit.Weknownow,thenaturalantipathyyoustroveagainst,andconquered,forherdearsake.Wethankyouwithallourhearts,andallourloveandduty.Heavenbewithyou!\'
Herfather\'sonlyanswerwastodrawhishandsthroughhiswhitehair,andwringthemwithashriekofanguish.
`Itcouldnotbeotherwise,\'saidtheprisoner.`Allthingshaveworkedtogetherastheyhavefallenout.Itwasthealways-vainendeavourtodischargemypoormother\'strustthatfirstbroughtmyfatalpresencenearyou.Goodcouldnevercomeofsuchevil,ahappierendwasnotinnaturetosounhappyabeginning.Becomforted,andforgiveme.Heavenblessyou!\'
Ashewasdrawnaway,hiswifereleasedhim,andstoodlookingafterhimwithherhandstouchingoneanotherintheattitudeofprayer,andwitharadiantlookuponherface,inwhichtherewasevenacomfortingsmile.Ashewentoutattheprisoners\'door,sheturned,laidherheadlovinglyonherfather\'sbreast,triedtospeaktohim,andfellathisfeet.
Then,issuingfromtheobscurecornerfromwhichhehadnevermoved,SydneyCartoncameandtookherup.OnlyherfatherandMr.Lorrywerewithher.Hisarmtrembledasitraisedher,andsupportedherhead.Yet,therewasanairabouthimthatwasnotallofpity——thathadaflushofprideinit.
`ShallItakehertoacoach?Ishallneverfeelherweight.\'
Hecarriedherlightlytothedoor,andlaidhertenderlydowninacoach.Herfatherandtheiroldfriendgotintoit,andhetookhisseatbesidethedriver.
Whentheyarrivedatthegatewaywherehehadpausedinthedarknotmanyhoursbefore,topicturetohimselfonwhichoftheroughstonesofthestreetherfeethadtrodden,heliftedheragain,andcarriedherupthestaircasetotheirrooms.There,helaidherdownonacouch,whereherchildandMissProssweptoverher.
`Don\'trecallhertoherself,\'hesaid,softly,tothelatter,`sheisbetterso.Don\'trevivehertoconsciousness,whilesheonlyfaints.\'
`Oh,Carton,Carton,dearCarton!\'criedlittleLucie,springingupandthrowingherarmspassionatelyroundhim,inaburstofgrief.`Nowthatyouhavecome,Ithinkyouwilldosomethingtohelpmamma,somethingtosavepapa!O,lookather,dearCarton!Canyou,ofallthepeoplewholoveher,beartoseeherso?\'
Hebentoverthechild,andlaidherbloomingcheekagainsthisface.Heputhergentlyfromhim,andlookedatherunconsciousmother.
`BeforeIgo,\'hesaid,andpaused——\'Imaykissher?\'
Itwasrememberedafterwardsthatwhenhebentdownandtouchedherfacewithhislips,hemurmuredsomewords.Thechild,whowasnearesttohim,toldthemafterwards,andtoldhergrandchildrenwhenshewasahandsomeoldlady,thatsheheardhimsay,`Alifeyoulove.\'
Whenhehadgoneoutintothenextroom,heturnedsuddenlyonMr.Lorryandherfather,whowerefollowing,andsaidtothelatter:
`Youhadgreatinfluencebutyesterday,DoctorManette;letitatleastbetried.Thesejudges,andallthemeninpower,ireveryfriendlytoyou,andveryrecognisantofyourservices;aretheynot?\'
`NothingconnectedwithCharleswasconcealedfromme.IhadthestrongestassurancesthatIshouldsavehim;andIdid.\'Hereturnedtheansweringreattrouble,andveryslowly.
`Trythemagain.Thehoursbetweenthisandto-morrowafternoonarefewandshort,buttry.\'
`Iintendtotry.Iwillnotrestamoment.\'
`That\'swell.Ihaveknownsuchenergyasyoursdogreatthingsbeforenow——thoughnever,\'headded,withasmileandasightogether,`suchgreatthingsasthis.Buttry!Oflittleworthaslifeiswhenwemisuseit,itisworththateffort.Itwouldcostnothingtolaydownifitwerenot.\'
`Iwillgo,\'saidDoctorManette,`totheProsecutorandthePresidentstraight,andIwillgotootherswhomitisbetternottoname.Iwillwritetoo,and——Butstay!Thereisacelebrationinthestreets,andnoonewillbeaccessibleuntildark.\'
`That\'strue.Well!Itisaforlornhopeatthebest,andnotmuchtheforlornerforbeingdelayedtilldark.Ishouldliketoknowhowyouspeed;though,mind!Iexpectnothing!Whenareyoulikelytohaveseenthesedreadpowers,DoctorManette?\'
`Immediatelyafterdark,Ishouldhope.Withinanhourortwofromthis.\'
`Itwillbedarksoonafterfour.Letusstretchthehourortwo.IfIgotoMr.Lorry\'satnine,shallIhearwhatyouhavedone,eitherfromourfriendorfromyourself?\'
`Yes.\'`Mayyouprosper!\'
Mr.LorryfollowedSydneytotheouterdoor,and,touchinghimontheshoulderashewasgoingaway,causedhimtoturn.
`Ihavenohope,\'saidMr.Lorry,inalowandsorrowfulwhisper.
`NorhaveI.\'
`Ifanyoneofthesemen,orallofthesemen,weredisposedtosparehim——whichisalargesupposition;forwhatishislife,oranyman\'stothem!——Idoubtiftheydurstsparehimafterthedemonstrationinthecourt.\'
`AndsodoI.Iheardthefalloftheaxeinthatsound.\'
Mr.Lorryleanedhisarmuponthedoor-post,andbowedhisfaceuponit.
`Don\'tdespond,\'saidCarton,verygently;`don\'tgrieve.IencouragedDoctorManetteinthisidea,becauseIfeltthatitmightonedaybeconsolatorytoher.Otherwise,shemightthink\"hislifewaswantonlythrownawayorwasted,\"andthatmighttroubleher.\'
`Yes,yes,yes,\'returnedMr.Lorry,dryinghiseyes,`youareright.Buthewillperish;thereisnorealhope.
`Yes.Hewillperish:thereisnorealhope,\'echoedCarton.Andwalkedwithasettledstep,down-stairs.
CHAPTERXII
Darkness
SYDNEYCARTONpausedinthestreet,notquitedecidedwheretogo.`AtTellson\'sbanking-houseatnine,\'hesaid,withamusingface.`ShallIdowell,inthemeantime,toshowmyself?Ithinkso.ItisbestthatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere;itisasoundprecaution,andmaybeanecessarypreparation.Butcare,care,care!Letmethinkitout!\'
Checkinghissteps,whichhadbeguntotendtowardsanobject,hetookaturnortwointhealreadydarkeningstreet,andtracedthethoughtinhismindtoitspossibleconsequences.Hisfirstimpressionwasconfirmed.`Itisbest,\'hesaid,finallyresolved,`thatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere.\'AndheturnedhisfacetowardsSaintAntoine.
Defargehaddescribedhimself,thatday,asthekeeperofawine-shopintheSaintAntoinesuburb.Itwasnotdifficultforonewhoknewthecitywell,tofindhishousewithoutaskinganyquestion.Havingascertaineditssituation,Cartoncameoutofthosecloserstreetsagain,anddinedataplaceofrefreshmentandfellsoundasleepafterdinner.Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears,hehadnostrongdrink.Sincelastnighthehadtakennothingbutalittlelightthinwine,andlastnighthehaddroppedthebrandyslowlydownonMr.Lorry\'shearthlikeamanwhohaddonewithit.
Itwasaslateasseveno\'clockwhenheawokerefreshed,andwentoutintothestreetsagain.AshepassedalongtowardsSaintAntoine,hestoppedatashop-windowwheretherewasamirror,andslightlyalteredthedisorderedarrangementofhisloosecravat,andhiscoat-collar,andhiswildhair.Thisdone,hewentondirecttoDefarge\'s,andwentin.
TherehappenedtobenocustomerintheshopbutJacquesThree,oftherestlessfingersandthecroakingvoice.Thisman,whomhehadseenupontheJury,stooddrinkingatthelittlecounter,inconversationwiththeDefarges,manandwife.TheVengeanceassistedintheconversation,likearegularmemberoftheestablishment.
AsCartonwalkedin,tookhisseatandaskedinveryindifferentFrenchforasmallmeasureofwine,MadameDefargecastacarelessglanceathim,andthenakeener,andthenakeener,andthenadvancedtohimherself,andaskedhimwhatitwashehadordered.
Herepeatedwhathehadalreadysaid.
`English?\'askedMadameDefarge,inquisitivelyraisingherdarkeyebrows.
Afterlookingather,asifthesoundofevenasingleFrenchwordwereslowtoexpressitselftohim,heanswered,inhisformerstrongforeignaccent,`Yes,madame,yes.IamEnglish!\'
MadameDefargereturnedtohercountertogetthewine,and,ashetookupaJacobinjournalandfeignedtoporeoveritpuzzlingoutitsmeaning,heheardhersay,`Isweartoyou,likeEvrémonde!\'
Defargebroughthimthewine,andgavehimGoodEvening.
`How?\'
`Goodevening.\'
`Oh!Goodevening,citizen,\'fillinghisglass.`Ah!andgoodwine.IdrinktotheRepublic.\'
Defargewentbacktothecounter,andsaid,`Certainly,alittlelike.\'Madamesternlyretorted,`Itellyouagooddeallike.\'JacquesThreepacificallyremarked,`Heissomuchinyourmind,seeyou,madame.\'TheamiableVengeanceadded,withalaugh,`Yes,myfaith!Andyouarelookingforwardwithsomuchpleasuretoseeinghimoncemoreto-morrow!\'
Cartonfollowedthelinesandwordsofhispaper,withaslowforefinger,andwithastudiousandabsorbedface.Theywereallleaningtheirarmsonthecounterclosetogether,speakinglow.Afterasilenceofafewmoments,duringwhichtheyalllookedtowardshimwithoutdisturbinghisoutwardattentionfromtheJacobineditor,theyresumedtheirconversation.
`Itistruewhatmadamesays,\'observedJacquesThree.`Whystop?Thereisgreatforceinthat.Whystop?\'
`Well,well,\'reasonedDefarge,`butonemuststopsomewhere.Afterall,thequestionisstillwhere?\'
`Atextermination,\'saidmadame.
`Magnificent!\'croakedJacquesThree.TheVengeance,also,highlyapproved.
`Exterminationisgooddoctrine,mywife,\'saidDefarge,rathertroubled;`ingeneral,Isaynothingagainstit.ButthisDoctorhassufferedmuch;youhaveseenhimto-day;youhaveobservedhisfacewhenthepaperwasread.\'
`Ihaveobservedhisface!\'repeatedmadame,contemptuouslyandangrily.`Yes.Ihaveobservedhisface.IhaveobservedhisfacetobenotthefaceofatruefriendoftheRepublic.Lethimtakecareofhisface!\'
`Andyouhaveobserved,mywife,\'saidDefarge,inadeprecatorymanner,`theanguishofhisdaughter,whichmustbeadreadfulanguishtohim!\'
`Ihaveobservedhisdaughter,\'repeatedmadame;`yes,Ihaveobservedhisdaughter,moretimesthanone.Ihaveobservedherto-day,andIhaveobservedherotherdays.Ihaveobservedherinthecourt,andIhaveobservedherinthestreetbytheprison.Letmebutliftmyfinger——!\'Sheseemedtoraiseitthelistener\'seyeswerealwaysonhispaper,andtoletitfallwitharattleontheledgebeforeher,asiftheaxehaddropped.
`Thecitizenessissuperb!\'croakedtheJuryman.
`SheisanAngel!\'saidTheVengeance,andembracedher.
`Astothee,\'pursuedmadame,implacably,addressingherhusband,`ifitdependedonthee——which,happily,itdoesnot——thouwouldstrescuethismanevennow.
`No!\'protestedDefarge.`Notiftoliftthisglasswoulddoit!ButIwouldleavethematterthere.Isay,stopthere.\'
`Seeyouthen,Jacques,\'saidMadameDefarge,wrathfully;`andseeyou,too,mylittleVengeance;seeyouboth!Listen!Forothercrimesastyrantsandoppressors,Ihavethisracealongtimeonmyregister,doomedtodestructionandextermination.Askmyhusband,isthatso.\'
`Itisso,\'assentedDefarge,withoutbeingasked.
`Inthebeginningofthegreatdays,whentheBastillefalls,hefindsthispaperofto-day,andhebringsithome,andinthemiddleofthenightwhenthisplaceisclearandshut,wereadit,hereonthisspot,bythelightofthislamp.Askhim,isthatso.\'
`Itisso,\'assentedDefarge.
`Thatnight,Itellhim,whenthepaperisreadthrough,andthelampisburntout,andthedayisgleaminginabovethoseshuttersandbetweenthoseironbars,thatIhavenowasecrettocommunicate.Askhim,isthatso.\'
`Itisso,\'assentedDefargeagain.
`Icommunicatetohimthatsecret.IsmitethisbosomwiththesetwohandsasIsmiteitnow,andItellhim,\"Defarge,Iwasbroughtupamongthefishermenofthesea-shore,andthatpeasantfamilysoinjuredbythetwoEvrémondebrothers,asthatBastillepaperdescribes,ismyfamily.Defarge,thatsisterofthemortallywoundedboyuponthegroundwasmysister,thathusbandwasmysister\'shusband,thatunbornchildwastheirchild,thatbrotherwasmybrother,thatfatherwasmyfather,thosedeadaremydead,andthatsummonstoanswerforthosethingsdescendstome!\"Askhim,isthatso.\'
`Itisso,\'assentedDefargeoncemore.
`ThentellWindandFirewheretostop,\'returnedmadame;`butdon\'ttellme.\'
Bothherhearersderivedahorribleenjoymentfromthedeadlynatureofherwrath——thelistenercouldfeelhowwhiteshewas,withoutseeingher——andbothhighlycommendedit.Defarge,aweakminority,interposedafewwordsforthememoryofthecompassionatewifeoftheMarquis;butonlyelicitedfromhisownwifearepetitionofherlastreply.`TelltheWindandtheFirewheretostop;notme!\'
Customersentered,andthegroupwasbrokenup.TheEnglishcustomerpaidforwhathehadhad,perplexedlycountedhischange,andasked,asastranger,tobedirectedtowardstheNationalPalace.MadameDefargetookhimtothedoor,andputherarmonhis,inpointingouttheroad.TheEnglishcustomerwasnotwithouthisreflectionsthen,thatitmightbeagooddeedtoseizethatarm,liltit,andstrikeunderitsharpanddeep.
But,hewenthisway,andwassoonswallowedupintheshadowoftheprisonwall.Attheappointedhour,heemergedfromittopresenthimselfinMr.Lorry\'sroomagain,wherehefoundtheoldgentlemanwalkingtoandfroinrestlessanxiety.HesaidhehadbeenwithLucieuntiljustnow,andhadonlyleftherforafewminutes,tocomeandkeephisappointment.Herfatherhadnotbeenseen,sincehequittedthebankinghousetowardsfouro\'clock.ShehadsomefainthopesthathismediationmightsaveCharles,buttheywereveryslight.Hehadbeenmorethanfivehoursgone:wherecouldhebe?
Mr.Lorrywaiteduntilten;but,DoctorManettenotreturning,andhebeingunwillingtoleaveLucieanylonger,itwasarrangedthatheshouldgobacktoher,andcometothebanking-houseagainatmidnight.Inthemeanwhile,CartonwouldwaitalonebythefirefortheDoctor.Hewaitedandwaited,andtheclockstrucktwelve;butDoctorManettedidnotcomeback.Mr.Lorryreturned,andfoundnotidingsofhim,andbroughtnone.Wherecouldhebe?
Theywerediscussingthisquestion,andwerealmostbuildingupsomeweakstructureofhopeonhisprolongedabsence,whentheyheardhimonthestairs.Theinstantheenteredtheroom,itwasplainthatallwaslost.
Whetherhehadreallybeentoanyone,orwhetherhehadbeenallthattimetraversingthestreets,wasneverknown.Ashestoodstaringatthem,theyaskedhimnoquestion,forhisfacetoldthemeverything.
`Icannotfindit,\'saidhe,`andImusthaveit.Whereisit?\'
Hisheadandthroatwerebare,and,ashespokewithahelplesslookstrayingallaround,hetookhiscoatoff,andletitdroponthefloor.
`Whereismybench?Ihavebeenlookingeverywhereformybench,andIcan\'tfindit.Whathavethey,donewithmywork?Timepresses:Imustfinishthoseshoes.
Theylookedatoneanother,andtheirheartsdiedwithinthem.
`Come,come!\'saidhe,inawhimperingmiserableway;`letmegettowork.Givememywork.\'
Receivingnoanswer,hetorehishair,andbeathisfeetupontheground,likeadistractedchild.
`Don\'ttortureapoorforlornwretch,\'heimploredthem,withadreadfulcry;`butgivememywork!Whatistobecomeofus,ifthoseshoesarenotdoneto-night?\'
Lost,utterlylost!
Itwassoclearlybeyondhopetoreasonwithhim,ortrytorestorehim,——that——asifbyagreement——theyeachputahanduponhisshoulder,andsoothedhimtositdownbeforethefire,withapromisethatheshouldhavehisworkpresently.Hesankintothechair,andbroodedovertheembers,andshedtears.Asifallthathadhappenedsincethegarrettimewereamomentaryfancy,oradream,Mr.LorrysawhimshrinkintotheexactfigurethatDefargehadhadinkeeping.
Affected,andimpressedwithterrorastheybothwere,bythisspectacleofruin,itwasnotatimetoyieldtosuchemotions.Hislonelydaughter,bereftofherfinalhopeandreliance,appealedtothembothtoostrongly.Again,asifbyagreement,theylookedatoneanotherwithonemeaningintheirfaces.Cartonwasthefirsttospeak:
`Thelastchanceisgone:Itwasnotmuch.Yes;hehadbetterbetakentoher.But,beforeyougo,willyou,foramoment,steadilyattendtome?Don\'taskmewhyImakethestipulationsIamgoingtomake,andexactthepromiseIamgoingtoexact;Ihaveareason——agoodone.\'
`Idonotdoubtit,\'answeredMr.Lorry.`Sayon.\'