Thefigureinthechairbetweenthem,wasallthetimemonotonouslyrockingitselftoandfro,andmoaning.Theyspokeinsuchatoneastheywouldhaveusediftheyhadbeenwatchingbyasick-bedintilenight.
Cartonstoopedtopickupthecoat,whichlayalmostentanglinghisfeet.Ashedidso,asmallcaseinwhichtheDoctorwasaccustomedtocarrythelistofhisday\'sduties,felllightlyonthefloor.Cartontookitup,andtherewasafoldedpaperinit.`Weshouldlookatthis!\'hesaid.Mr.Lorrynoddedhisconsent.Heopenedit,andexclaimed,
`ThankGOD\'
`Whatisit?\'askedMr.Lorry,eagerly.
`Amoment!Letmespeakofitinitsplace.First,\'heputhishandinhiscoat,andtookanotherpaperfromit,`thatisthecertificatewhichenablesmetopassoutofthiscity.Lookatit.Yousee——SydneyCarton,anEnglishman?\'
Mr.Lorryhelditopeninhishand,gazinginhisearnestface.
`Keepitformeuntilto-morrow.Ishallseehimto-morrow,youremember;andIhadbetternottakeitintotheprison.\'
`Whynot?\'
`Idon\'tknow;Iprefernottodoso.Now,takethispaperthatDoctorManettehascarriedabouthim.Itisasimilarcertificate,enablinghimandhisdaughterandherchildatanytime,topassthebarrierandthefrontier?Yousee?\"
`Yes!\'
`Perhapsheobtaineditashislastandutmostprecautionagainstevil,yesterday.Whenisitdated?Butnomatter;don\'tstaytolook;putitupcarefullywit!,mineandyourown.Now,observe!Ineverdoubteduntilwithinthishourortwo,tathehad,orcouldhavesuchapaper.Itisgood,untilrecalled.Butitmaybesoonrecalled,and,Ihavereasontothink,willbe.\'
`Theyarenotindanger?\'
`Theyareingreatdanger.TheyareindangerofdenunciationbyMadameDefarge.Iknowitfromherownlips.Ihaveoverheardwordsofthatwoman\'s,to-night,whichhavepresentedtheirdangertomeinstrongcolours.Ihavelostnotime,andsincethen,Ihaveseenthespy.Heconfirmsme.Heknowsthatawood-sawyer,livingbytheprison-wall,isunderthecontroloftheDefarges,andhasbeenrehearsedbyMadameDefargeastohishavingseenHer\'——henevermentionedLucie\'sname——\'makingsignsandsignalstoprisoners.Itiseasytoforeseethatthepretencewillbethecommonone,aprisonplot,andthatitwillinvolveherlife——andperhapsherchild\'s——andperhapsherfather\'s——forbothhavebeenseenwithheratthatplace.Don\'tlooksohorrified.Youwillsavethemall.\'
`HeavengrantImay,Carton!Buthow?\'
`Iamgoingtotellyouhow.Itwilldependonyou,anditcoulddependonnobetterman.Thisnewdenunciationwillcertainlynottakeplaceuntilafterto-morrow;probablynotuntiltwoorthreedaysafterwards;moreprobablyaweekafterwards.Youknowitisacapitalcrime,tomournfor,orsympathisewith,avictimoftheGuillotine.Sheandherfatherwouldunquestionablybeguiltyofthiscrime,andthiswomantheinveteracyofwhosepursuitcannotbedescribedwouldwaittoaddthatstrengthtohercase,andmakeherselfdoublysure.Youfollowme?\'
`Soattentively,andwithsomuchconfidenceinwhatyousay,thatforthemomentIlosesight,\'touchingthebackoftheDoctor\'schair,`evenofthisdistress.\'
`Youhavemoney,andcanbuythemeansoftravellingtotileSea-coastasquicklyasthejourneycanbemade.Yourpreparationshavebeencompletedforsomedays,toreturntoEngland.Earlyto-morrowhaveyourhorsesready,sothattheymaybeinstartingtrimattwoo\'clockintheafternoon.\'
`Itshallbedone!\'
Hismannerwassoferventandinspiring,thatMr.Lorrycaughttheflame,andwasasquickasyouth.
`Youareanobleheart.DidIsaywecoulddependuponnobetterman?Tellher,to-night,whatyouknowofherdangerasinvolvingherchildandherfather.Dwelluponthat,forshewouldlayherownfairheadbesideherhusband\'scheerfully.\'Hefalteredforaninstant;thenwentonasbefore.`Forthesakeofherchildandherfather,pressuponherthenecessityofleavingParis,withthemandyou,atthathour.Tellherthatitwasherhusband\'slastarrangement.Tellherthatmoredependsuponitthanshedarebelieve,orhope.Youthinkthatherfather,eveninthissadstate,willsubmithimselftoher;doyounot?\'
`Iamsureofit.\'
`Ithoughtso.Quietlyandsteadilyhaveallthesearrangementsmadeinthecourt-yardhere,eventothetakingofyourownseatinthecarriage.ThemomentIcometoyou,takemein,anddriveaway.\'
`IunderstandthatIwaitforyouunderallcircumstances?\'
`Youhavemycertificateinyourhandwiththerest,youknow,andwillreservemyplace.Waitfornothingbuttohavemyplaceoccupied,andthenforEngland!\'
`Why,then,\'saidMr.Lorry,graspinghiseagerbutsofirmandsteadyhand,`itdoesnotalldependononeoldman,butIshallhaveayoungandardentmanatmyside.\'
`BythehelpofHeavenyoushall!Promisemesolemnlythatnothingwillinfluenceyoutoalterthecourseonwhichwenowstandpledgedtooneanother.\'
`Nothing,Carton.\'
`Rememberthesewordsto-morrow:changethecourse,ordelayinit——foranyreason——andnolifecanpossiblybesaved,andmanylivesmustinevitablybesacrificed.\'
`Iwillrememberthem.Ihopetodomypartfaithfully.\'`AndIhopetodomine.Now,good-bye!\'
Thoughhesaiditwithagravesmileofearnestness,andthoughlieevenputtheoldman\'shandtohislips,hedidnotpartfromhimthen.Hehelpedhimsofartoarousetherockingfigurebeforethedyingembers,astogetacloakandhatputuponit,andtotemptitforthtofindwherethebenchandworkwerehiddenthatitstillmoaninglybesoughttohave.Hewalkedontheothersideofitandprotectedittothecourt-yardofthehousewheretheafflictedheart——sohappyinthememorabletimewhenhehadrevealedhisowndesolatehearttoit——outwatchedtheawfulnight.Heenteredthecourt-yardandremainedthereforafewmomentsalone,lopingupatthelightinthewindowofherroom.Beforehewentaway,hebreathedablessingtowardsit,andaFarewell.
CHAPTERXIII
Fifty-two
INtheblackprisonoftheConciergerie,thedoomedofthedayawaitedtheirfate.Theywereinnumberastheweeksoftheyear.Fifty-twoweretorollthatafternoononthelife-tideofthecitytotheboundlesseverlastingsea.Beforetheircellswerequitofthem,newoccupantswereappointed;beforetheirbloodranintothebloodspilledyesterday,thebloodthatwastominglewiththeirsto-morrowwasalreadysetapart.
TwoscoreandtwelveweretoldoffFromthefarmer-generalofseventy,whoserichescouldnotbuyhislife,totheseamstressoftwenty,whosepovertyandobscuritycouldnotsaveher.Physicaldiseases,engenderedinthevicesandneglectsofmen,willseizeonvictimsofalldegrees;andthefrightfulmoraldisorder,bornofunspeakablesuffering,intolerableoppression,andheartlessindifference,smoteequallywithoutdistinction.
CharlesDarnay,aloneinacell,hadsustainedhimselfwithnoflatteringdelusionsincehecametoitfromtheTribunal.Ineverylineofthenarrativehehadheard,hehadheardhiscondemnation.Hehadfullycomprehendedthatnopersonalinfluencecouldpossiblysavehim,thathewasvirtuallysentencedbythemillions,andthatunitscouldavailhimnothing.
Nevertheless,itwasnoteasy,withthefaceofhisbelovedwifefreshbeforehim,tocomposehismindtowhatitmustbear.Hisholdonlifewasstrong,anditwasvery,veryhardtoloosen;bygradualeffortsanddegreesunclosedalittlehere,itclenchedthetighterthere;andwhenhebroughthisstrengthtobearonthathandandityielded,thiswasclosedagain.Therewasahurry,too,inallhisthoughts,aturbulentandheatedworkingofhisheart,thatcontendedagainstresignation.Ifforamoment,hedidfeelresigned,thenhiswifeandchildwhohadtoliveafterhim,seemedtoprotestandtomakeitaselfishthing.
But,allthiswasatfirst.Beforelong,theconsiderationthattherewasnodisgraceinthefatehemustmeet,andthatnumberswentthesameroadwrongfully,andtroditfirmlyeveryday,spranguptostimulatehim.Nextfollowedthethoughtthatmuchofthefuturepeaceofmindenjoyablebythedearones,dependedonhisquietfortitude.So,bydegreeshecalmedintothebetterstate,whenhecouldraisehisthoughtsmuchhigher,anddrawcomfortdown.
Beforeithadsetindarkonthenightofhiscondemnation,hehadtravelledthusfaronhislastway.Beingallowedtopurchasethemeansofwriting,andalight,hesatdowntowriteuntilsuchtimeastheprisonlampsshouldbeextinguished.
HewrotealonglettertoLucie,showingherthathehadknownnothingofherfather\'simprisonment,untilhehadheardofitfromherself,andthathehadbeenasignorantassheofhisfather\'sanduncle\'sresponsibilityforthatmisery,untilthepaperhadbeenread.Hehadalreadyexplainedtoherthathisconcealmentfromherselfofthenamehehadrelinquished,wastheonecondition——fullyintelligiblenow——thatherfatherhadattachedtotheirbetrothal,andwastheonepromisehehadstillexactedonthemorningoftheirmarriage.Heentreatedher,forherfather\'ssake,nevertoseektoknowwhetherherfatherhadbecomeobliviousoftheexistenceofthepaper,orhadhaditrecalledtohimforthemoment,orforgood,bythestoryoftheTower,onthatoldSundayunderthedearoldplane-treeinthegarden.Ifhehadpreservedanydefiniteremembranceofit,therecouldbenodoubtthathehadsupposeditdestroyedwiththeBastille,whenhehadfoundnomentionofitamongtherelicsofprisonerswhichthepopulacehaddiscoveredthere,andwhichhadbeendescribedtoalltheworld.Hebesoughther——thoughheaddedthatheknewitwasneedless——toconsoleherfather,byimpressinghimthrougheverytendermeansshecouldthinkof,withthetruththathehaddonenothingforwhichhecouldjustlyreproachhimself,buthaduniformlyforgottenhimselffortheirjointsakes.Nexttoherpreservationofhisownlastgratefulloveandblessing,andherovercomingofhersorrow,todevoteherselftotheirdearchild,headjuredher,astheywouldmeetinHeaven,tocomfortherfather.
Toherfatherhimselfhewroteinthesamestrain;but,hetoldherfatherthatheexpresslyconfidedhiswifeandchildtohiscare.Andhetoldhimthis,verystrongly,withthehopeofrousinghimfromanydespondencyordangerousretrospecttowardswhichheforesawhemightbetending.
ToMr.Lorry,hecommendedthemall,andexplainedhisworldlyaffairs.Thatdone,withmanyaddedsentencesofgratefulfriendshipandwarmattachment,allwasdone.HeneverthoughtofCarton.Hismindwassofulloftheothers,thatheneveroncethoughtofhim.
Hehadtimetofinishtheselettersbeforethelightswereputout.Whenhelaydownonhisstrawbed,hethoughthehaddonewiththisworld.
But,itbeckonedhimbackinhissleep,andshoweditselfinshiningforms.Freeandhappy,backintheoldhouseinSohothoughithadnothinginitliketherealhouse,unaccountablyreleasedandlightofheart,hewaswithLucieagain,andshetoldhimitwasalladream,andhehadnevergoneaway.Apauseofforgetfulness,andthenliehadevensuffered,andhadcomebacktoher,deadandatpeace,andyettherewasnodifferenceinhim.Anotherpauseofoblivion,andheawokeinthesombremorning,unconsciouswherehewasorwhathadhappened,untilitflasheduponhismind,`thisisthedayofmydeath\'
Thus,hadhecomethroughthehours,tothedaywhenthefifty-twoheadsweretofall.Andnow,whilehewascomposed,andhopedthathecouldmeettheendwithquietheroism,anewactionbeganinhiswakingthoughts,whichwasverydifficulttomaster.
Hehadneverseentheinstrumentthatwastoterminatehislife.Howhighitwasfromtheground,howmanystepsithad,wherehewouldbestood,howhewouldbetouched,whetherthetouchinghandswouldbedyedred,whichwayhisfacewouldbeturned,whetherhewouldbethefirst,ormightbethelast:theseandmanysimilarquestions,innowisedirectedbyhiswill,obtrudedthemselvesoverandoveragain,countlesstimes.Neitherweretheyconnectedwithfear:hewasconsciousofnofear.Rather,theyoriginatedinastrangebesettingdesiretoknowwhattodowhenthetimecame;adesiregiganticallydisproportionatetothefewswiftmomentstowhichitreferred;awonderingthatwasmorelikethewonderingofsomeotherspiritwithinhis,thanhisown.
Thehourswentonasliewalkedtoandfro,andtheclocksstruckthenumbershewouldneverhearagain.Nineconeforever,tengoneforever,elevengoneforever,twelvecomingontopassaway.Afterahardcontestwiththateccentricactionofthoughtwhichhadlastperplexedhim,hehadgotthebetterofit.Hewalkedupanddown,softlyrepeatingtheirnamestohimself.Theworstofthestrifewasover.Hecouldwalkupanddown,freefromdistractingfancies,prayingforhimselfandforthem.
Twelvegoneforever.
HehadbeenapprisedthatthefinalhourwasThree,andheknewhewouldbesummonedsometimeearlier,inasmuchasthetumbrilsjoltedheavilyandslowlythroughthestreets.Therefore,heresolvedtokeepTwobeforehismind,asthehour,andsotostrengthenhimselfintheintervalthathemightbeable,afterthattime,tostrengthenothers.
Walkingregularlytoandfrowithhisarmsfoldedonhisbreast,averydifferentmanfromtheprisoner,whohadwalkedtoandfroatLaForce,heheardOnestruckawayfromhim,withoutsurprise.Thehourhadmeasuredlikemostotherhours.DevoutlythankfultoHeavenforhisrecoveredself-possession,hethought,`Thereisbutanothernow,\'andturnedtowalkagain.
Footstepsinthestonepassageoutsidethedoor.Hestopped.
Thekeywasputinthelock,andturned.Beforethedoorwasopened,orasitopened,amansaidinalowvoice,inEnglish:`Hehasneverseenmehere;Ihavekeptoutofhisway.Goyouinalone;Iwaitnear.Losenotime!\'
Thedoorwasquicklyopenedandclosed,andtherestoodbeforehimfacetoface,quiet,intentuponhim,withthelightofasmileonhisfeatures,andacautionaryfingeronhislip,SydneyCarton.
Therewassomethingsobrightandremarkableinhislook,that,forthefirstmoment,theprisonermisdoubtedhimtobeanapparitionofhisownimagining.But,hespoke,anditwashisvoice;hetooktheprisoner\'shand,anditwashisrealgrasp.
`Ofallthepeopleuponearth,youleastexpectedtoseeme?\'hesaid.
`Icouldnotbelieveittobeyou.Icanscarcelybelieveitnow.Youarenot\'——theapprehensioncamesuddenlyintohismind——`aprisoner?\'
`No.Iamaccidentallypossessedofapoweroveroneofthekeepershere,andinvirtueofitIstandbeforeyou.Icomefromher——yourwife,dearDarnay.\'
Theprisonerwrunghishand.
`Ibringyouarequestfromher.\'
`Whatisit?\'
`Amostearnest,pressing,andemphaticentreaty,addressedtoyouinthemostpathetictonesofthevoicesodeartoyou,thatyouwellremember.\'
Theprisonerturnedhisfacepartlyaside.
`YouhavenotimetoaskmewhyIbringit,orwhatitmeans;Ihavenotimetotellyou.Youmustcomplywithit——takeoffthosebootsyouwear,anddrawontheseofmine.\'
Therewasachairagainstthewallofthecell,behindtheprisoner.Carton,pressingforward,hadalready,withthespeedoflightning,gothimdownintoit,andstoodoverhim,barefoot.
`Drawonthesebootsofmine.Putyourhandstothem;putyourwilltothem.Quick!\'
`Carton,thereisnoescapingfromthisplace;itnevercanbedone.Youwillonlydiewithme.Itismadness.\'
`ItwouldbemadnessifIaskedyoutoescape;butdoI?
WhenIaskyoutopassoutatthatdoor,tellmeitismadnessandremainhere.Changethatcravatforthisofmine,thatcoatforthisofmine.Whileyoudoit,letmetakethisribbonfromyourhair,andshakeoutyourhairlikethisofmine!\'
Withwonderfulquickness,andwithastrengthbothofwillandaction,thatappearedquitesupernatural,heforcedallthesechangesuponhim.Theprisonerwaslikeayoungchildinhishands.
`Carton!DearCarton!Itismadness.Itcannotbeaccomplished,itnevercanbedone,ithasbeenattempted,andhasalwaysfailed.Iimploreyounottoaddyourdeathtothebitternessofmine.
`DoIaskyou,mydearDarnay,topassthedoor?WhenIaskthat,refuse.Therearepenandinkandpaperonthistable.Isyourhandsteadyenoughtowrite?\'
`Itwaswhenyoucamein.
`Steadyitagain,andwritewhatIshalldictate.Quick,friend,quick!\'
Pressinghishandtohisbewilderedhead,Darnaysatdownatthetable.Carton,withhisrighthandinhisbreast,stoodclosebesidehim.
`WriteexactlyasIspeak.\'
`TowhomdoIaddressit?\'
`Tonoone.\'Cartonstillhadhishandinhisbreast.
`DoIdateit?\'
`No.\'
Theprisonerlookedup,ateachquestion.Carton,standingoverhimwithhishandinhisbreast,lookeddown.
```Ifyouremember,\'\'\'saidCarton,dictating,```thewordsthatpassedbetweenus,longago,youwillreadilycomprehendthiswhenyouseeit.Youdorememberthem,Iknow.Itisnotinyournaturetoforgetthem.\'\'\'
Hewasdrawinghishandfromhisbreast;theprisonerchancingtolookupinhishurriedwonderashewrote,thehandstopped,closinguponsomething.
`Haveyouwritten``forgetthem!\'\'Cartonasked.
`Ihave.Isthataweaponinyourhand?\'
`No;Iamnotarmed.\'
`Whatisitinyourhand?\'
`Youshallknowdirectly.Writeon;therearebutafewwordsmore.\'Hedictatedagain.```Iamthankfulthatthetimehascome,whenIcanprovethem.ThatIdosoisnosubjectforregretorgrief.\'\'\'Ashesaidthesewordswithhiseyesfixedonthewriter,hishandslowlyandsoftlymoveddownclosetothewriter\'sface.
ThependroppedfromDarnay\'sfingersonthetable,andhelookedabouthimvacantly.
`Whatvapouristhat?\'heasked.
`Vapour?\'
`Somethingthatcrossedme?\'
`Iamconsciousofnothing;therecanbenothinghere.Takeupthepenandfinish.Hurry,hurry!\'
Asifhismemorywereimpaired,orhisfacultiesdisordered,theprisonermadeanefforttorallyhisattention.AshelookedatCartonwithcloudedeyesandwithanalteredmannerofbreathing,Carton——hishandagaininhisbreast——lookedsteadilyathim.
`Hurry,hurry!`
Theprisonerbentoverthepaper,oncemore.
```Ifithadbeenotherwise;\'\'\'Carton\'shandwasagainwatchfullyandsoftlystealingdown;```Inevershouldhaveusedthelongeropportunity.Ifithadbeenotherwise;\'\'\'thehandwasattheprisoner\'sface;```Ishouldbuthavehadsomuchthemoretoanswerfor.Ifithadbeenotherwise——\'\'\'Cartonlookedatthepenandsawitwastrailingoffintounintelligiblesigns.
Carton\'shandmovedbacktohisbreastnomore.Theprisonersprangupwithareproachfullook,butCarton\'shandwascloseandfirmathisnostrils,andCarton\'sleftarmcaughthimroundthewaist.Forafewsecondshefaintlystruggledwiththemanwhohadcometolaydownhislifeforhim;but,withinaminuteorso,hewasstretchedinsensibleontheground.
Quickly,butwithhandsastruetothepurposeashisheartwas,Cartondressedhimselfintheclothestheprisonerhadlaidaside,combedbackhishair,andtieditwiththeribbontheprisonerhadworn.Then,hesoftlycalled,`Enterthere!Comein!\'andtheSpypresentedhimself.
`Yousee?\'saidCarton,lookingup,ashekneeledononekneebesidetheinsensiblefigure,puttingthepaperinthebreast:`isyourhazardverygreat?\'
`Mr.Carton,\'theSpyanswered,withatimidsnapofhisfingers,`myhazardisnotthat,inthethickofbusinesshere,ifyouaretruetothewholeofyourbargain.\'
`Don\'tfearme.Iwillbetruetothedeath.\'
`Youmustbe,Mr.Carton,ifthetaleoffifty-twoistoberight.Beingmaderightbyyouinthatdress,Ishallhavenofear.
`Havenofear!Ishallsoonbeoutofthewayofharmingyou,andtherestwillsoonbefarfromhere,pleaseGod!Now,getassistanceandtakemetothecoach.\'
`You?\'saidtheSpynervously.
`Him,man,withwhomIhaveexchanged.Yougooutatthegatebywhichyoubroughtmein?
`Ofcourse.\'
`Iwasweakandfaintwhenyoubroughtmein,andIamfainternowyoutakemeout.Thepartinginterviewhasoverpoweredme.Suchathinghashappenedhere,often,andtoooften.Yourlifeisinyourownhands.Quick!Callassistance!\'
`Youswearnottobetrayme?\'saidthetremblingSpy,ashepausedforalastmoment.
`Man,man!\'returnedCarton,stampinghisfoot;`haveIswornbynosolemnvowalready,togothroughwiththis,thatyouwastethepreciousmomentsnow?Takehimyourselftothecourt-yardyouknowof,placehimyourselfinthecarriage,showhimyourselftoMr.Lorry,tellhimyourselftogivehimnorestorativebutair,andtoremembermywordsoflastnight,andhispromiseoflastnight,anddriveaway!\'
TheSpywithdrew,andCartonseatedhimselfatthetable,restinghisforeheadonhishands.TheSpyreturnedimmediately,withtwomen.
`How,then?\'saidoneofthem,contemplatingthefallenfigure.`SoafflictedtofindthathisfriendhasdrawnaprizeinthelotteryofSainteGuillotine?\'
`Agoodpatriot,\'saidtheother,`couldhardlyhavebeenmoreafflictediftheAristocrathaddrawnablank.\'
Theyraisedtheunconsciousfigure,placeditonalittertheyhadbroughttothedoor,andbenttocarryitaway.`Thetimeisshort,Evrémonde,\'saidtheSpy,inawarningVoice.
`Iknowitwell,\'answeredCarton.`Becarefulofmyfriend,Ientreatyou,andleaveme.
`Come,then,mychildren,\'saidBarsad.`Lifthim,andcomeaway!\'
Thedoorclosed,andCartonwasleftalone.Straininghispowersoflisteningtotheutmost,helistenedforanysoundthatmightdenotesuspicionoralarm.Therewasnone.Keysturned,doorsclashed,footstepspassedalongdistantpassages:nocrywasraised,orhurrymade,thatseemedunusual.Breathingmorefreelyinalittlewhile,hesatdownatthetable,andlistenedagainuntiltheclockstruckTwo.Soundsthathewasnotafraidof,forhedivinedtheirmeaning,thenbegantobeaudible.Severaldoorswereopenedinsuccession,andfinallyhisown.Agaoler,withalistinhishand,lookedin,merelysaying,`Followme,Evrémonde!\'andhefollowedintoalargedarkroom,atadistance.Itwasadarkwinterday,andwhatwiththeshadowswithin,andwhatwiththeshadowswithout,hecouldbutdimlydiscerntheotherswhowerebroughttheretohavetheirarmsbound.Somewerestanding;someseated.Somewerelamenting,andinrestlessmotion;but,thesewerefew.Thegreatmajorityweresilentandstill,lookingfixedlyattheground.
Ashestoodbythewallinadimcorner,whilesomeofthefifty-twowerebroughtinafterhim,onemanstoppedinpassing,toembracehim,ashavingaknowledgeofhim.Itthrilledhimwithagreatdreadofdiscovery;butthemanwenton.Averyfewmomentsafterthat,ayoungwoman,withaslightgirlishform,asweetsparefaceinwhichtherewasnovestigeofcolour,andlargewidelyopenedpatienteyes,rosefromtheseatwherehehadobservedhersitting,andcametospeaktohim.
`CitizenEvrémonde,\'shesaid,touchinghimwithhercoldhand.`Iamapoorlittleseamstress,whowaswithyouinLaForce.
Hemurmuredforanswer:`True.Iforgetwhatyouwereaccusedof?\'
`Plots.ThoughthejustHeavenknowsIaminnocentofany.Isitlikely?Whowouldthinkofplottingwithapoorlittleweakcreaturelikeme?\'
Theforlornsmilewithwhichshesaidit,sotouchedhim,thattearsstartedfromhiseyes.
`Iamnotafraidtodie,CitizenEvrémonde,butIhavedonenothing.Iamnotunwillingtodie,iftheRepublicwhichistodosomuchgoodtouspoor,willprofitbymydeath;butIdonotknowhowthatcanbe,CitizenEvreémonde.Suchapoorweaklittlecreature!\'
Asthelastthingonearththathisheartwastowarmandsoftento,itwarmedandsoftenedtothispitiablegirl.
`Iheardyouwerereleased,Citizen`Evrémonde.Ihopeditwastrue?\'
`Itwas.But,Iwasagaintakenandcondemned.\'
`IfImayridewithyou,CitizenEvrémonde,willyouletmeholdyourhand?Iamnotafraid,hutIamlittleandweak,anditwillgivememorecourage.\'
Asthepatienteyeswereliftedtohisface,hesawasuddendoubtinthem,andthenastonishment.Hepressedthework-worn,hunger-wornyoungfingers,andtouchedhislips.
`Areyoudyingforhim?\'shewhispered.
`Andhiswifeandchild.Hush!Yes.\'
`Oyouwillletmeholdyourbravehand,stranger?\'
`Hush!Yes,mypoorsister;tothelast.
Thesameshadowsthatarefallingontheprison,arefalling,inthatsamehouroftheearlyafternoon,ontheBarrierwiththecrowdaboutit,whenacoachgoingoutofParisdrivesuptobeexamined.
`Whogoeshere?Whomhavewewithin?Papers!\'
Thepapersarehandedout,andread.
`AlexandreManette.Physician.French.Whichishe?\'
Thisishe;thishelpless,inarticulatelymurmuring,wanderingoldmanpointedout.
`ApparentlytheCitizen-Doctorisnotinhisrightmind?TheRevolution-feverwillhavebeentoomuchforhim?\'
Greatlytoomuchforhim.
`Hah!Manysufferwithit.Lucie.Hisdaughter.French.Whichisshe?\'
Thisisshe.
`Apparentlyitmustbe.Lucie,thewifeofEvrémonde;isitnot\'.\"
Itis.
`Hah!Evrémondehasanassignationelsewhere.Lucie,herchild.English.Thisisshe?\'
Sheandnoother.
`Kissme,childofEvrémonde.Now,thouhastkissedagoodRepublican;somethingnewinthyfamily;rememberit!SydneyCarton.Advocate.English.Whichishe?\'
Helieshere,inthiscornerofthecarriage.He,too,ispointedout.
`ApparentlytheEnglishadvocateisinaswoon?\'
Itishopedhewillrecoverinthefresherair.Itisrepresentedthatheisnotinstronghealth,andhasseparatedsadlyfromafriendwhoisunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic.
`Isthatall?Itisnotagreatdeal,that!ManyareunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic,andmustlookoutatthelittlewindow.JarvisLorry.Banker.English.Whichishe?\'
`Iamhe.Necessarily,beingthelast.\'
ItisJarvisLorrywhohasrepliedtoallthepreviousquestions.ItisJarvisLorrywhohasalightedandstandswithhishandonthecoachdoor,replyingtoagroupofofficials.Theyleisurelywalkroundthecarriageandleisurelymountthebox,tolookatwhatlittleluggageitcarriesontheroof;thecountry-peoplehangingabout,pressnearertothecoachdoorsandgreedilystarein;alittlechild,carriedbyitsmother,hasitsshortarmheldoutforit,thatitmaytouchthewifeofanaristocratwhohasgonetotheGuillotine.
`Beholdyourpapers,JarvisLorry,countersigned.\'
`Onecandepart,citizen?\'
`Onecandepart.Forward,mypostilions!Agoodjourney!\'
`Isaluteyou,citizens——Andthefirstdangerpassed!\'
TheseareagainthewordsofJarvisLorry,asheclaspshishands,andlooksupward.Thereisterrorinthecarriage,thereisweeping,thereistheheavybreathingoftheinsensibletraveller.
`Arewenotgoingtooslowly?Cantheynotbeinducedtogofaster?\'asksLucie,clingingtotheoldman.
`Itwouldseemlikeflight,mydarling.Imustnoturgethemtoomuch;itwouldrousesuspicion.\'
`Lookback,lookback,andseeifwearepursued!\'
`Theroadisclear,mydearest.Sofar,wearenotpursued.\'
Housesintwosandthreespassbyus,solitaryfarms,ruinousbuildings,dye-works,tanneries,andthelike,opencountry,avenuesofleaflesstrees.Thehardunevenpavementisunderus,thesoftdeepmudisoneitherside.Sometimes,westrikeintotheskirtingmud,toavoidthestonesthatclatterusandshakeus;sometimeswestickinrutsandsloughsthere.Theagonyofourimpatienceisthensogreat,thatinourwildalarmandhurryweareforgettingoutandrunning——hiding——doinganythingbutstopping.
Outoftheopencountry,inagainamongruinousbuildings,solitaryfarms,dye-works,tanneries,andthelike,cottagesintwosandthrees,avenuesofleaflesstrees.Havethesemendeceivedus,andtakenusbackbyanotherroad?Isnotthisthesameplacetwiceover?ThankHeaven,no.Avillage.Lookback,lookback,andseeifwearepursued!Hush!theposting-house.
Leisurely,ourfourhorsesaretakenout;leisurely,thecoachstandsinthelittlestreet,bereftofhorses,andwithnolikelihooduponitofevermovingagain;leisurely,thenewhorsescomeintovisibleexistence,onebyone;leisurely,thenewpostilionsfollow,suckingandplaitingthelashesoftheirwhips;leisurely,theoldpostilionscounttheirmoney,makewrongadditions,andarriveatdissatisfiedresults.Allthetime,ouroverfraughtheartsarebeatingataratethatwouldfaroutstripthefastestgallopofthefastesthorseseverfoaled.
Atlengththenewpostilionsareintheirsaddles,andtheoldareleftbehind.Wearethroughthevillage,upthehill,anddownthehill,andonthelowwaterygrounds.Suddenly\',thepostilionsexchangespeechwithanimatedgesticulation,andthehorses-arepulledup,almostontheirhaunches.Wearepursued.
`Ho!Withinthecarriagethere.Speakthen!\'
`Whatisit?\'asksMr.Lorry,lookingoutatwindow.
`Howmanydidtheysay?
`Idonotunderstandyou.\'
`Atthelastpost.HowmanytotheGuillotineto-day?\'
`Fifty-two.\'
`Isaidso!Abravenumber!Myfellow-citizenherewouldhaveitforty-two;tenmoreheadsareworthhaving.TheGuillotinegoeshandsomely.Iloveit.Hiforward.Whoop!\'
Thenightcomesondark.Hemovesmore;heisbeginningtorevive,andtospeakintelligibly;hethinkstheyarestilltogether;heaskshim,byhisname,whathehasinhishand.Dpityus,kindHeaven,andhelpus!Lookout,lookout,andseeifwearepursued.
Thewindisrushingafterus,andthecloudsareflyingafterus,andthemoonisplungingafterus,andthewholewildnightisinpursuitofus;but,sofarwearepursuedbynothingelse.
CHAPTERXIV
TheKnittingDone
INthatsamejunctureoftimewhentheFifty-Twoawaitedtheirfate,MadameDefargehelddarklyominouscouncilwithTheVengeanceandJacquesThreeoftheRevolutionaryJury.Notinthewine-shopdidMadameDefargeconferwiththeseministers,butintheshedofthewood-sawyer,erstamenderofroads.Thesawyerhimselfdidnotparticipateintheconference,butabidedatalittledistance,likeanoutersatellitewhowasnottospeakuntilrequired,ortoofferanopinionuntilinvited.
`ButourDefarge,\'saidJacquesThree,`isundoubtedlyagoodRepublican?Eh?\'
`Thereisnobetter,\'thevolubleVengeanceprotestedinhershrillnotes,`inFrance.
`Peace,littleVengeance,\'saidMadameDefarge,layingherhandwithaslightfrownonherlieutenant\'slips,`hearmespeak.Myhusband,fellow-citizen,isagoodRepublicanandaboldman;hehasdeservedwelloftheRepublic,andpossessesitsconfidence.Butmyhusbandhashisweaknesses,andheissoweakastorelenttowardsthisDoctor.\'
`Itisagreatpity,\'croakedJacquesThree,dubiouslyshakinghishead,withhiscruelfingersathishungrymouth;`itisnotquitelikeagoodcitizen;itisathingtoregret.
`Seeyou,\'saidmadame,`IcarenothingforthisDoctor,I.Hemaywearhisheadorloseit,foranyinterestIhaveinhim;itisallonetome.But,theEvrémondepeoplearetobeexterminated,andthewifeandchildmustfollowthehusbandandfather.\'
`Shehasafineheadforit,\'croakedJacquesThree.`Ihaveseenblueeyesandgoldenhairthere,andtheylookedcharmingwhenSamsonheldthemup.\'Ogrethathewas,hespokelikeanepicure.
MadameDefargecastdownhereyes,andreflectedalittle.`Thechildalso,\'observedJacquesThree,withameditativeenjoymentofhiswords,`hasgoldenhairandblueeyes.Andweseldomhaveachildthere.Itisaprettysight!\'
`Inaword,\'saidMadameDefarge,comingoutofhershortabstraction,`Icannottrustmyhusbandinthismatter.
NotonlydoIfeel,sincelastnight,thatIdarenotconfidetohimthedetailsofmyprojects;butalsoIfeelthatifIdelay,thereisdangerofhisgivingwarning,andthentheymightescape.
`Thatmustneverbe,\'croakedJacquesThree;`noonemustescape.Wehavenothalfenoughasitis.Weoughttohavesixscoreaday.\'
`Inaword,\'MadameDefargewenton,`myhusbandhasnotmyreasonforpursuingthisfamilytoannihilation,andIhavenothisreasonforregardingthisDoctorwithanysensibility.Imustactformyself,therefore.Comehither,littlecitizen.
Thewood-sawyer,whoheldherintherespect,andhimselfinthesubmission,ofmortalfear,advancedwithhishandtohisredcap.
`Touchingthosesignals,littlecitizen,\'saidMadameDefarge,sternly,`thatshemadetotheprisoners;youarereadytobearwitnesstothemthisveryday?\'
`Ay,ay,whynot!\'criedthesawyer.`Everyday,inallweathers,fromtwotofour,alwayssignalling,sometimeswiththelittleone,sometimeswithout.IknowwhatIknow.Ihaveseenwithmyeyes.\'
Hemadeallmannerofgestureswhilehespoke,asifinincidentalimitationofsomefewofthegreatdiversityofsignalsthathehadneverseen.
`Clearlyplots,\'saidJacquesThree.`Transparently!\'
`ThereisnodoubtoftheJury?\'inquiredMadameDefarge,lettinghereyesturntohimwithagloomysmile.
`RelyuponthepatrioticJury,dearcitizeness.Ianswerformyfellow-Jurymen.\'
`Now,letmesee,\'saidMadameDefarge,ponderingagain.`Yetoncemore!CanIsparethisDoctortomyhusband?Ihavenofeelingeitherway.CanIsparehim?\'
`Hewouldcountasonehead,\'observedJacquesThree,inalowvoice.`Wereallyhavenotheadsenough;itwouldbeapity,Ithink.\'
`HewassignallingwithherwhenIsawher,\'arguedMadameDefarge;`Icannotspeakofonewithouttheother;andImustnotbesilent,andtrustthecasewhollytohim,thislittlecitizenhere.For,Iamnotabadwitness.
TheVengeanceandJacquesThreeviedwitheachotherintheirferventprotestationsthatshewasthemostadmirableandmarvellousofwitnesses.Thelittlecitizen,nottobeoutdone,declaredhertobeacelestialwitness.
Hemusttakehischance,\'saidMadameDefarge.`No,Icannotsparehim!Youareengagedatthreeo\'clock;youaregoingtoseethebatchofto-dayexecuted——You?\'
Thequestionwasaddressedtothewood-sawyer,whohurriedlyrepliedintheaffirmative:seizingtheoccasiontoaddthathewasthemostardentofRepublicans,andthathewouldbeineffectthemostdesolateofRepublicans,ifanythingpreventedhimfromenjoyingthepleasureofsmokinghisafternoonpipeinthecontemplationofthedrollnationalbarber.Hewassoverydemonstrativeherein,thathemighthavebeensuspectedperhapswas,bythedarkeyesthatlookedContemptuouslyathimoutofMadameDefarge\'sheadofhavinghissmallindividualfearsforhisownpersonalsafety,everyhourintheday.
`I,\'saidmadame,`amequallyengagedatthesameplace.Afteritisover-sayateightto-night——comeyoutome,inSaintAntoine,andwewillgiveinformationagainstthese\'peopleatmysection.\'
Thewood-sawyersaidhewouldbeproudandflatteredtoattendthecitizeness.Thecitizenesslookingathim,hebecameembarrassed,evadedherglanceasasmalldogwouldhavedone,retreatedamonghiswood,andhidhisconfusionoverthehandleofhissaw.
MadameDefargebeckonedtheJurymanandTheVengeancealittlenearertothedoor,andthereexpoundedherfurtherviewstothemthus:
`Shewillnowbeathome,awaitingthemomentofhisdeath.Shewillbemourningandgrieving.ShewillbeinastateofmindtoimpeachthejusticeoftheRepublic.Shewillbefullofsympathywithitsenemies.Iwillgotoher.\'
`Whatanadmirablewoman;whatanadorablewoman!\'exclaimedJacquesThree,rapturously.`Ah,mycherished!\'criedTheVengeance;andembracedher.
`Takeyoumyknitting,\'saidMadameDefarge,placingitinherlieutenant\'shands,`andhaveitreadyformeinmyusualseat.Keepmemyusualchair.Goyouthere,straight,fortherewillprobablybeagreaterconcoursethanusual,to-day.\'
`IwillinglyobeytheordersofmyChief\'saidTheVengeancewithalacrity,andkissinghercheek.`Youwillnotbelate?\'
`Ishallbetherebeforethecommencement.\'
`Andbeforethetumbrilsarrive.Besureyouarethere,mysoul,\'saidTheVengeance,callingafterher,forshehadalreadyturnedintothestreet,`beforethetumbrilsarrive!\'
MadameDefargeslightlywavedherhand,toimplythatsheheard,andmightbereliedupontoarriveingoodtime,andsowentthroughtilemud,androundthecorneroftheprisonwall.TheVengeanceandtheJuryman,lookingalterherasshewalkedaway,werehighlyappreciativeofherfinefigure,andhersuperbmoralendowments.
Thereweremanywomenatthattime,uponwhomthetimelaidadreadfullydisfiguringhand;but,therewasnotoneamongthemmoretobedreadedthanthisruthlesswoman,nowtakingherwayalongthestreets.Ofastrongandfearlesscharacter,ofshrewdsenseandreadiness,ofgreatdetermination,ofthatkindofbeautywhichnotonlyseemstoimparttoitspossessorfirmnessandanimosity,buttostrikeintoothersaninstinctiverecognitionofthosequalities;thetroubledtimewouldhaveheavedherup,underanycircumstances.But,imbuedfromherchildhoodwithabroodingsenseof,wrong,andaninveteratehatredofaclass,opportunityhaddevelopedherintoatigress.Shewasabsolutelywithoutpity.Ifshehadeverhadthevirtueinher,ithadquitegoneoutofher.
Itwasnothingtoher,thataninnocentmanwastodieforthesinsofhisforefathers;shesaw,nothim,butthem.Itwasnothingtoher,thathiswifewastobemadeawidowandhisdaughteranorphan;thatwasinsufficientpunishment,becausetheywerehernaturalenemiesandherprey,andassuchhadnorighttolive.Toappealtoher,wasmadehopelessbyherhavingnosenseofpity,evenforherself.Ifshehadbeenlaidlowinthestreets,inanyofthemanyencountersinwhichshehadbeenengaged,shewouldnothavepitiedherself;nor,ifshehadbeenorderedtotheaxeto-morrow,wouldshehavegonetoitwithanysofterfeelingthanafiercedesiretochangeplaceswiththemanwhosentherthere.
SuchaheartMadameDefargecarriedunderherroughrobe.Carelesslyworn,itwasabecomingrobeenough,inacertainweirdway,andherdarkhairlookedrichunderhercoarseredcap.Lyinghiddeninherbosom,wasaloadedpistol.Lyinghiddenatherwaist,wasasharpeneddagger.Thusaccoutred,andwalkingwiththeconfidenttreadofsuchacharacter,andwiththesupplefreedomofawomanwhohadhabituallywalkedinhergirlhood,bare-footandbare-legged,onthebrownsea-sand,MadameDefargetookherwayalongthestreets.