Now,whenthejourneyofthetravellingcoach,atthatverymomentwaitingforthecompletionofitsload,hadbeenplannedoutlastnight,thedifficultyoftakingMissProssinithadmuchengagedMr.Lorry\'sattention.Itwasnotmerelydesirabletoavoidoverloadingthecoach,butitwasofthehighestimportancethatthetimeoccupiedinexaminingitanditspassengers,shouldbereducedtotheutmost;sincetheirescapemightdependonthesavingofonlyafewsecondshereandthere.Finally,hehadproposed,afteranxiousconsideration,thatMissProssandJerry,whowereatlibertytoleavethecity,shouldleaveitatthreeo\'clockinthelightest-wheeledconveyanceknowntothatperiod.Unencumberedwithluggage,theywouldsoonovertakethecoach,and,passingitandprecedingitontheroad,wouldorderitshorsesinadvance,andgreatlyfacilitateitsprogressduringtheprecioushoursofthenight,whendelaywasthemosttobedreaded.
Seeinginthisarrangementthehopeofrenderingrealserviceinthatpressingemergency,MissProsshaileditwithjoy.SheandJerryhadbeheldthecoachstart,hadknownwhoitwasthatSolomonbrought,hadpassedsometenminutesintorturesofsuspense,andwerenowconcludingtheirarrangementstofollowthecoach,evenasMadameDefarge,takingherwaythroughthestreets,nowdrewnearerandnearertotheelse-desertedlodginginwhichtheyheldtheirconsultation.
`Nowwhatdoyouthink,Mr.Cruncher,\'saidMissPross,whoseagitationwassogreatthatshecouldhardlyspeak,orstand,ormove,orlive:`whatdoyouthinkofournotstartingfromthiscourt-yard?Anothercarriagehavingalreadygonefromhereto-day,itmightawakensuspicion.
`Myopinion,miss,\'returnedMr.Cruncher,`isas,you\'reright.LikewisewotI\'llstandbyyou,rightorwrong.
`Iamsodistractedwithfearandhopeforourpreciouscreatures,\'saidMissPross,wildlycrying,`thatIamincapableofforminganyplan.Areyoucapableofforminganyplan,mydeargoodMr.Cruncher?\'
`Respectin\'afuturespearo\'life,miss,\'returnedMr.Cruncher,`Ihopeso.Respectin\'anypresentuseo\'thishereblessedoldheado\'mine,Ithinknot.Wouldyoudomethefavour,miss,totakenoticeo\'twopromisesandwowswotitismywishesfurtorecordinthisherecrisis?\'
`Oh,forgracioussake!\'criedMissPross,stillwildlycrying,`recordthematonce,andgetthemoutoftheway,likeanexcellentman.
`First,\'saidMr.Cruncher,whowasallinatremble,andwhospokewithanashyandsolemnvisage,`thempoorthingswellouto\'this,nevernomorewillIdoit,nevernomore!\'
`Iamquitesure,Mr.Cruncher,\'returnedMissPross,`thatyouneverwilldoitagain,whateveritis,andIbegyounottothinkitnecessarytomentionmoreparticularlywhatitis.\'
`No,miss,\'returnedJerry,`itshallnotbenamedtoyou.Second:thempoorthingswellouto\'this,andnevernomorewillIinterferewithMrs.Cruncher\'sflopping,nevernomore!\'
`Whateverhousekeepingarrangementthatmaybe,\'saidMissPross,strivingtodryhereyesandcomposeherself,`IhavenodoubtitisbestthatMrs.Crunchershouldhaveitentirelyunderherownsuperintendence——Omypoordarlings!\'
`Igosofarastosay,miss,morehover,\'proceededMr.Cruncher,withamostalarmingtendencytoholdforthasfromapulpit——`andletmywordsbetookdownandtooktoMrs.Cruncherthroughyourself——thatwotmyopinionsrespectin\'floppinghasundergoneachange,andthatwotIonlyhopewithallmyheartasMrs.Crunchermaybeafloppingatthepresenttime.\'
There,there,there!Ihopesheis,mydearman,\'criedthedistractedMissPross,`andIhopeshefindsitansweringherexpectations.\'
`Forbidit,\'proceededMr.Cruncher,withadditionalsolemnity,additionalslowness,andadditionaltendencytoholdforthandholdout,`asanythingwotIhaveeversaidordoneshouldbewisitedonmyearnestwishesforthempoorcreetursnow!Forbiditasweshouldn\'tallflopifitwasanywaysconwenienttoget`emouto\'thisheredismalrisk!Forbidit,miss!WotIsay,for——BIDit!\'ThiswasMr.Cruncher\'sconclusionafteraprotractedbutvainendeavourtofindabetterone.
AndstillMadameDefarge,pursuingherwayalongthestreets,camenearerandnearer.
`Ifweevergetbacktoournativeland,\'saidMissPross,`youmayrelyuponmytellingMrs.CruncherasmuchasImaybeabletorememberandunderstandofwhatyouhavesoimpressivelysaid;andatalleventsyoumaybesurethatIshallbearwitnesstoyourbeingthoroughlyinearnestatthisdreadfultime.Now,prayletusthink!MyesteemedMr.Cruncher,letusthink!\'
Still,MadameDefarge,pursuingherwayalongthestreets,camenearerandnearer.
`Ifyouweretogobefore,\'saidMissPross,`andstopthevehicleandhorsesfromcominghere,andweretowaitsomewhereforme;wouldn\'tthatbebest?\'
Mr.Cruncherthoughtitmightbebest.
`Wherecouldyouwaitforme?\'askedMissPross.
Mr.CruncherwassobewilderedthathecouldthinkofnolocalitybutTempleBar.Alas!TempleBarwashundredsofmilesaway,andMadameDefargewasdrawingverynearindeed.
`Bythecathedraldoor,\'saidMissPross.`Woulditbemuchoutoftheway,totakemein,nearthegreatcathedraldoorbetweenthetwotowers?\'
`No,miss,\'answeredMr.Cruncher.
`Then,likethebestofmen,\'saidMissPross,`gototheposting-housestraight,andmakethatchange.\'
`Iamdoubtful,\'saidMr.Cruncher,hesitatingandshakinghishead,`aboutleavingofyou,yousee.Wedon\'tknowwhatmayhappen.\'
`Heavenknowswedon\'t,\'returnedMissPross,`buthavenofearforme.Takemeinatthecathedral,atThreeo\'clock,orasnearitasyoucan,andIamsureitwillbebetterthanourgoingfromhere.Ifeelcertainofit.There!Blessyou,Mr.Cruncher!Think——notofme,butofthelivesthatmaydependonbothofus!\'
Thisexordium,andMissPross\'stwohandsinquiteagonisedentreatyclaspinghis,decidedMr.Cruncher.Withanencouragingnodortwo,heimmediatelywentouttoalterthearrangements,andleftherbyherselftofollowasshehadproposed.
Thehavingoriginatedaprecautionwhichwasalreadyincourseofexecution,wasagreatrelieftoMissPross.ThenecessityofComposingherappearancesothatitshouldattractnospecialnoticeinthestreets,wasanotherreliefShelookedatherwatch,anditwastwentyminutespasttwo.Shehadnotimetolose,butmustgetreadyatonce.
Afraid,inherextremeperturbation,ofthelonelinessofthedesertedrooms,andofhalf-imaginedfacespeepingfrombehindeveryopendoorinthem,MissProssgotabasinofcoldwaterandbeganlavinghereyes,whichwereswollenandred.Hauntedbyherfeverishapprehensions,shecouldnotbeartohavehersightobscuredforaminuteatatimebythedrippingwater,butconstantlypausedandlookedroundtoseethattherewasnoonewatchingher.Inoneofthosepausessherecoiledandcriedout,forshesawafigurestandingintheroom.
Thebasinfelltothegroundbroken,andthewaterflowedtothefeetofMadameDefarge.Bystrangesternways,andthroughmuchstainingblood,thosefeethadcometomeetthatwater.
MadameDefargelookedcoldlyather,andsaid,`ThewifeofEvrémonde;whereisshe?\'
ItflasheduponMissPross\'smindthatthedoorswereallstandingopen,andwouldsuggesttheflight.Herfirstactwastoshutthem.Therewerefourintheroom,andsheshutthemall.ShethenplacedherselfbeforethedoorofthechamberwhichLuciehadoccupied.
MadameDefarge\'sdarkeyesfollowedherthroughthisrapidmovement,andrestedonherwhenitwasfinished.MissProsshadnothingbeautifulabouther;yearshadnottamedthewildness,orsoftenedthegrimness,ofherappearance;but,shetoowasadeterminedwomaninherdifferentway,andshemeasuredMadameDefargewithhereyes,everyinch.
`Youmight,fromyourappearance,bethewifeofLucifer,\'saidMissPross,inherbreathing.`Nevertheless,youshallnotgetthebetterofme.IamanEnglishwoman.
MadameDefargelookedatherscornfully,butstillwithsomethingofMissPross\'sownperceptionthattheytwowereatbay.Shesawatight,hard,wirywomanbeforeher,asMr.Lorryhadseeninthesamefigureawomanwithastronghand,intheyearsgoneby.SheknewfullwellthatMissProsswasthefamily\'sdevotedfriend;MissProssknewfullwellthatMadameDefargewasthefamily\'smalevolentenemy.
`Onmywayyonder,\'saidMadameDefarge,withaslightmovementofherhandtowardsthefatalspot,`wheretheyreservemychairandmyknittingforme,Iamcome,tomakemycomplimentstoherinpassing.Iwishtoseeher.
`Iknowthatyourintentionsareevil,\'saidMissPross,`andyoumaydependuponit,I\'llholdmyownagainstthem.\'
Eachspokeinherownlanguage;neitherunderstoodtheother\'swords;bothwereverywatchful,andintenttodeducefromlookandmanner,whattheunintelligiblewordsmeant.
`Itwilldohernogoodtokeepherselfconcealedfrommeatthismoment,\'saidMadameDefarge.`Goodpatriotswillknowwhatthatmeans.Letmeseeher.GotellherthatIwishtoseeher.Doyouhear?\'
`Ifthoseeyesofyourswerebed-winches,\'returnedMissPross,`andIwasanEnglishfour-poster,theyshouldn\'tlooseasplinterofme.No,youwickedforeignwoman;Iamyourmatch.\'
MadameDefargewasnotlikelytofollowtheseidiomaticremarksindetail;but,shesofarunderstoodthemastoperceivethatshewassetatnaught.
`Womanimbecileandpig-like!\'saidMadameDefarge,frowning.`Itakenoanswerfromyou.Idemandtoseeher.EithertellherthatIdemandtoseeher,orstandoutofthewayofthedoorandletmegotoher!\'This,withanangryexplanatorywaveofherrightarm.
`Ilittlethought,\'saidblissPross,`thatIshouldeverwanttounderstandyournonsensicallanguage;butIwouldgiveallIhave,excepttheclothesIwear,toknowwhetheryoususpectthetruth,oranypartofit.\'
Neitherofthemforasinglemomentreleasedtheother\'seyes.MadameDefargehadnotmovedfromthespotwhereshestoodwhenMissProssfirstbecameawareofher;butshenowadvancedonestep.
`IamaBriton,\'saidMissPross,`Iamdesperate.Idon\'tcareanEnglishTwo-penceformyself.IknowthatthelongerIkeepyouhere,thegreaterhopethereisformyLadybird.I\'llnotleaveahandfulofthatdarkhairuponyourhead,ifyoulayafingeronme!\'
ThusMissPross,withashakeofherheadandaflashofhereyesbetweeneveryrapidsentence,andeveryrapidsentenceawholebreath.ThusMissPross,whohadneverstruckablowinherlife.
But,hercouragewasofthatemotionalnaturethatitbroughttheirrepressibletearsintohereyes.ThiswasacouragethatMadameDefargesolittlecomprehendedastomistakeforweakness.`Ha,ha!\'shelaughed,`youpoorwretch!Whatareyouworth!IaddressmyselftothatDoctor.\'Thensheraisedhervoiceandcalledout,`CitizenDoctor!WifeofEvrémonde!ChildofEvrémonde!Anypersonbutthismiserablefool,answertheCitizenessDefarge!\'
Perhapsthefollowingsilence,perhapssomelatentdisclosureintheexpressionofMissPross\'sface,perhapsasuddenmisgivingapartfromeithersuggestion,whisperedtoMadameDefargethattheyweregone.Threeofthedoorssheopenedswiftly,andlookedin.
`Thoseroomsareallindisorder,therehasbeenhurriedpacking,thereareoddsandendsupontheground.Thereisnooneinthatroombehindyou!Letmelook.\'
`Never!\'saidMissPross,whounderstoodtherequestasperfectlyasMadameDefargeunderstoodtheanswer.
`Iftheyarenotinthatroom,theyaregone,andcanbepursuedandbroughtback,\'saidMadameDefargetoherself.
`Aslongasyoudon\'tknowwhethertheyareinthatroomornot,youareuncertainwhattodo,\'saidMissProsstoherself;`andyoushallnotknowthat,ifIcanpreventyourknowingit;andknowthat,ornotknowthat,youshallnotleaveherewhileIcanholdyou.\'
`Ihavebeeninthestreetsfromthefirst,nothinghasstoppedme,Iwilltearyoutopieces,butIwillhaveyoufromthatdoor,\'saidMadameDefarge.
`Wearealoneatthetopofahighhouseinasolitarycourtyard,wearenotlikelytobeheard,andIprayforbodilystrengthtokeepyouhere,whileeveryminuteyouarehereisworthahundredthousandguineastomydarling,\'saidMissPross.
MadameDefargemadeatthedoor.MissPross,ontheinstinctofthemoment,seizedherroundtilewaistinbothherarms,andheldhertight.ItwasinvainforMadameDefargetostruggleandtostrike;MissPross,withthevigoroustenacityoflove,alwayssomuchstrongerthanhate,claspedhertight,andevenliftedherfromthefloorinthestrugglethattheyhad.ThetwohandsofMadameDefargebuffetedandtoreherface;but,MissPross,withherheaddown,heldherroundthewaist,andclungtoherwithmorethantheholdofadrowningwoman.
Soon,MadameDefarge\'shandsceasedtostrike,andfeltatherencircledwaist.`Itisundermyarm,\'saidMissPross,insmotheredtones,`youshallnotdrawit.Iamstrongerthanyou,IblessHeavenforit.I\'llholdyoutilloneorotherofusfaintsordies!\'
MadameDefarge\'shandswereatherbosom.MissProsslookedup,sawwhatitwas,struckatit,struckoutaflashandacrash,andstoodalone——blindedwithsmoke.
Allthiswasinasecond.Asthesmokecleared,leavinganawfulstillness,itpassedoutontheair,likethesoulofthefuriouswomanwhosebodylaylifelessontheground.
Inthefirstfrightandhorrorofhersituation,MissProsspassedthebodyasfarfromitasshecould,andrandownthestairstocallforfruitlesshelp.Happily,shebethoughtherselfoftheconsequencesofwhatshedid,intimetocheckherselfandgoback.Itwasdreadfultogoinatthedooragain;but,shedidgoin,andevenwentnearit,togetthebonnetandotherthingsthatshemustwear.Thesesheputon,outonthestaircase,firstshuttingandlockingthedoorandtakingawaythekey.Shethensatdownonthestairsafewmomentstobreatheandtocry,andthengotupandhurriedaway.
Bygoodfortuneshehadaveilonherbonnet,orshecouldhardlyhavegonealongthestreetswithoutbeingstopped.Bygoodfortune,too,shewasnaturallysopeculiarinappearanceasnottoshowdisfigurementlikeanyotherwoman.Sheneededbothadvantages,forthemarksofgripingfingersweredeepinherface,andherhairwastorn,andherdresshastilycomposedwithunsteadyhandswasclutchedanddraggedahundredways
Incrossingthebridge,shedroppedthedoorkeyintheriver.Arrivingatthecathedralsomefewminutesbeforeherescort,andwaitingthere,shethought,whatifthekeywerealreadytakeninanet,whatifitwereidentified,whatifthedoorwereopenedandtheremainsdiscovered,whatifshewerestoppedatthegate,senttoprison,andchargedwithmurder!Inthemidstoftheseflutteringthoughts,theescortappeared,tookherin,andtookheraway.
`Isthereanynoiseinthestreets?\'sheaskedhim.
`Theusualnoises,\'Mr.Cruncherreplied;andlookedsurprisedbythequestionandbyheraspect.
`Idon\'thearyou,\'saidMissPross.`Whatdoyousay?\'
ItwasinvainforMr.Crunchertorepeatwhathesaid;MissProsscouldnothearhim.`SoI\'llnodmyhead,\'thoughtMr.Cruncher,amazed,`atalleventsshe\'llseethat.\'Andshedid.
`Isthereanynoiseinthestreetsnow?\'askedMissProssagain,presently.
AgainMr.Crunchernoddedhishead.
`Idon\'thearit.\'
`Gonedeafinahour?\'saidMr.Cruncher,ruminating,withhismindmuchdisturbed;`wot\'scometoher?\'
`Ifeel,\'saidMissPross,`asiftherehadbeenaflashandacrash,andthatcrashwasthelastthingIshouldeverhearinthislife.\'
`Blestifsheain\'tinaqueercondition!\'saidMr.Cruncher,moreandmoredisturbed.`Wotcanshehavebeenatakin\',tokeephercourageup?Hark!There\'stherollofthemdreadfulcarts!Youcanhearthat,miss?\'
`Icanhear,\'saidMissPross,seeingthathespoketoher,`nothing.O,mygoodman,therewasfirstagreatcrash,andthenagreatstillness,andthatstillnessseemstobefixedandunchangeable,nevertobebrokenanymoreaslongasmylifelasts.\'
`Ifshedon\'theartherollofthosedreadfulcarts,nowverynightheirjourney\'send,\'saidMr.Cruncher,glancingoverhisshoulder,`it\'smyopinionthatindeedsheneverwillhearanythingelseinthisworld.\'
Andindeedsheneverdid.
CHAPTERXV
TheFootstepsDieoutforEver
ALONGtheParisstreets,thedeath-cartsrumble,hollowandharsh.Sixtumbrilscarrytheday\'swinetoLaGuillotine.AllthedevouringandinsatiateMonstersimaginedsinceimaginationcouldrecorditself,arefusedintheonerealisation,Guillotine.AndyetthereisnotinFrance,withitsrichvarietyofsoilandclimate,ablade,aleaf,aroot,asprig,apeppercorn,whichwillgrowtomaturityunderconditionsmorecertainthanthosethathaveproducedthishorror.Crushhumanityoutofshapeoncemore,undersimilarhammers,anditwilltwistitselfintothesametorturedforms.Sowthesameseedofrapaciouslicenceandoppressionoveragain,anditwillsurelyyieldthesamefruitaccordingtoitskind.
Sixtumbrilsrollalongthestreets.Changethesebackagaintowhattheywere,thoupowerfulenchanter,Time,andtheyshallbeseentobethecarriagesofabsolutemonarchs,theequipagesoffeudalnobles,thetoilettesofflaringJezebels,thechurchesthatarenotmyfather\'shousebutdensofthieves,thehutsofmillionsofstarvingpeasants!No;thegreatmagicianwhomajesticallyworksouttheappointedorderoftheCreator,neverreverseshistransformations.`IfthoubechangedintothisshapebythewillofGod,\'saytheseerstotheenchanted,inthewiseArabianstories,`thenremainso!But,ifthouwearthisformthroughmerepassingconjuration,thenresumethyformeraspect!\'Changelessandhopeless,thetumbrilsrollalong.
Asthesombrewheelsofthesixcartsgoround,theyseemtoploughupalongcrookedfurrowamongthepopulaceinthestreets.Ridgesoffacesarethrowntothissideandtothat,andtheploughsgosteadilyonward.Sousedaretheregularinhabitantsofthehousestothespectacle,thatinmanywindowstherearenopeople,andinsometheoccupationofthehandsisnotsomuchassuspended,whiletheeyessurveythefacesinthetumbrils.Hereandthere,theinmatehasvisitorstoseethesight;thenhepointshisfinger,withsomethingofthecomplacencyofacuratororauthorisedexponent,tothiscartandtothis,andseemstotellwhosathereyesterday,andwhotherethedaybefore.
Oftheridersinthetumbrils,someobservethesethings,andallthingsontheirlastroadside,withanimpassivestare;others,withalingeringinterestinthewaysoflifeandmen.Some,seatedwithdroopingheads,aresunkinsilentdespair;again,therearesomesoheedfuloftheirlooksthattheycastuponthemultitudesuchglancesastheyhaveseenintheatres,andinpictures.Severalclosetheireyes,andthink,ortrytogettheirstrayingthoughtstogether.Onlyone,andheamiserablecreature,ofacrazedaspect,issoshatteredandmadedrunkbyhorror,thathesings,andtriestodance.Notoneofthewholenumberappealsbylookorgesture,tothepityofthepeople.
Thereisaguardofsundryhorsemenridingabreastofthetumbrils,andfacesareoftenturneduptosomeofthem,andtheyareaskedsomequestion.Itwouldseemtobealwaysthesamequestion,for,itisalwaysfollowedbyapressofpeopletowardsthethirdcart.Thehorsemenabreastofthatcart,frequentlypointoutonemaninitwiththeirswords.Theleadingcuriosityis,toknowwhichishe;hestandsatthebackofthetumbrilwithhisheadbentdown,toconversewithameregirlwhositsonthesideofthecart,andholdshishand.Hehasnocuriosityorcareforthesceneabouthim,andalwaysspeakstothegirl.HereandthereinthelongstreetofSt.Honoré,criesareraisedagainsthim.Iftheymovehimatall,itisonlytoaquietsmile,asheshakeshishairalittlemorelooselyabouthisface.Hecannoteasilytouchhisface,hisarmsbeingbound.
Onthestepsofachurch,awaitingthecoming-upofthetumbrils,standstheSpyandprison-sheep.Helooksintothefirstofthem:notthere.Helooksintothesecond:notthere.Healreadyaskshimself,`Hashesacrificedme?\'whenhisfaceclears,ashelooksintothethird.
`WhichisEvrémonde?\'saysamanbehindhim.`That.Atthebackthere.\'`Withhishandinthegirl\'s?\'`Yes.\'
Themancries,`Down,EvrémondeTotheGuillotineallaristocrats!Down,Evrémonde!\'
`Hush,hush!\'theSpyentreatshim,timidly.
`Andwhynot,citizen?\'
`Heisgoingtopaytheforfeit:itwillbepaidinfiveminutesmore.Lethimbeatpeace.\'
Butthemancontinuingtoexclaim,`Down,Evrémonde!\'thefaceofEvrémondeisforamomentturnedtowardshim.EvrémondethenseestheSpy,andlooksattentivelyathim,andgoeshisway.
Theclocksareonthestrokeofthree,andthefurrowploughedamongthepopulaceisturninground,tocomeonintotheplaceofexecution,andend.Theridgesthrowntothissideandtothat,nowcrumbleinandclosebehindthelastploughasitpasseson,forallarefollowingtotheGuillotine.Infrontofit,seatedinchairs,asinagardenofpublicdiversion,areanumberofwomen,busilyknitting.Ononeoftheforemostchairs,standsTheVengeance,lookingaboutforherfriend.
`Thérèse!\'shecries,inhershrilltones.`Whohasseenher?ThérèseDefarge!\'
`Shenevermissedbefore,\'saysaknitting-womanofthesisterhood.
`No;norwillsitemissnow,\'criesTheVengeance,petulantly.`Thérèse!\'
`Louder,\'thewomanrecommends.
Ay!Louder,Vengeance,muchlouder,andstillsitewillscarcelyhearthee.Louderyet,Vengeance,withalittleoathorsoadded,andyetitwillhardlybringher.Sendotherwomenupanddowntoseekher,lingeringsomewhere;andyet,althoughthemessengershavedonedreaddeeds,itisquestionablewhetheroftheirownwillstheywillgofarenoughtofindher!
`BadFortune!\'criesTheVengeance,stampingherfootinthechair,`andherearethetumbrils!AndEvrémondewillbedespatchedinawink,andshenothere!Seeherknittinginmyhand,andheremptychairreadyforher.Icrywith`vexationanddisappointment!\'
AsTheVengeancedescendsfromherelevationtodoit,thetumbrilsbegintodischargetheirloads.TheministersofSainteGuillotinearerobedandready.Crash!——Aheadisheldup,andtheknitting-womenwhoscarcelyliftedtheireyestolookatitamomentagowhenitcouldthinkandspeak,countOne.
Thesecondtumbrilemptiesandmoveson;thethirdcomesup.Crash——Andtheknitting-women,neverfalteringorpausingintheirwork,countTwo.
ThesupposedEvrémondedescends,andtheseamstressisliftedoutnextafterhim.Hehasnotrelinquishedherpatienthandingettingout,butstillholdsitashepromised.Hegentlyplacesherwithherbacktothecrashingenginethatconstantlywhirrsupandfalls,andshelooksintohisfaceandthankshim.
`Butforyou,dearstranger,Ishouldnotbesocomposed,forIamnaturallyapoorlittlething,faintofheart;norshouldIhavebeenabletoraisemythoughtstoHimwhowasputtodeath,thatwemighthavehopeandcomforthereto-day.IthinkyouweresenttomebyHeaven.
`Oryoutome,\'saysSydneyCarton.`Keepyoureyesuponme,dearchild,andmindnootherobject.\'
`ImindnothingwhileIholdyourhand.IshallmindnothingwhenIletitgo,iftheyarerapid.\'
`Theywillberapid.Fearnot!\'
Thetwostandinthefast-thinningthrongofvictims,buttheyspeakasiftheywerealone.Eyetoeye,voicetovoice,handtohand,hearttoheart,thesetwochildrenoftheUniversalMother,elsesowideapartanddiffering,havecometogetheronthedarkhighway,torepairhometogether,andtorestinherbosom.
`Braveandgenerousfriend,willyouletmeaskyouonelastquestion?Iamveryignorant,andittroublesme——justalittle.\'
`Tellmewhatitis.\'
`Ihaveacousin,anonlyrelativeandanorphan,likemyself,whomIloveverydearly.SheisfiveyearsyoungerthanI,andshelivesinafarmer\'shouseinthesouthcountry.Povertypartedus,andsheknowsnothingofmyfate——forIcannotwrit——andifIcould,howshouldItellher!Itisbetterasitis.\'
`Yes,yes;betterasitis.\'
`WhatIhavebeenthinkingaswecamealong,andwhatIamstillthinkingnow,asIlookintoyourkindstrongfacewhichgivesmesomuchsupport,isthis:——iftheRepublicreallydoesgoodtothepoor,andtheycometobelesshungry,andinallwaystosufferless,shemaylivealongtime:shemayevenlivetobeold.\'
`Whatthen,mygentlesister?\'
`Doyouthink:\'theuncomplainingeyesinwhichthereissomuchendurance,fillwithtears,andthelipspartalittlemoreandtremble:`thatitwillseemlongtome,whileIwaitforherinthebetterlandwhereItrustbothyouandIwillbemercifullysheltered?\'
`Itcannotbe,mychild;thereisnoTimethere,andnotroublethere.\'
`Youcomfortmesomuch!Iamsoignorant.AmItokissyounow?Isthemomentcome?\'
`Yes.\'
Shekisseshislips;hekisseshers;theysolemnlyblesseachother.Thesparehanddoesnottrembleashereleasesit;nothingworsethanasweet,brightconstancyisinthepatientface.Shegoesnextbeforehim-isgone;theknitting-womencountTwenty-Two.
`IamtheResurrectionandtheLife,saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinmeshallneverdie.\'
Themurmuringofmanyvoices,theupturningofmanyfaces,thepressingonofmanyfootstepsintheoutskirtsofthecrowd,sothatitswellsforwardinamass,likeonegreatheaveofwater,allflashesaway.Twenty-Three.
Theysaidofhim,aboutthecitythatnight,thatitwasthepeacefullestman\'sfaceeverbeheldthere.Manyaddedthathelookedsublimeandprophetic.
Oneofthemostremarkablesufferersbythesameaxe——awoman——Hadaskedatthefootofthesamescaffold,notlongbefore,tobeallowedtowritedownthethoughtsthatwereinspiringher.Ifhehadgivenanutterancetohis,andtheywereprophetic,theywouldhavebeenthese:
`IseeBarsad,andCly,Defarge,TheVengeance,theJuryman,theJudge,longranksofthenewoppressorswhohaverisenonthedestructionoftheold,perishingbythisretributiveinstrument,beforeitshallceaseoutofitspresentuse.Iseeabeautifulcityandabrilliantpeople\'risingfromthisabyss,and,intheirstrugglestobetrulyfree,intheirtriumphsanddefeats,throughlonglongyearstocome,Iseetheevilofthistimeandoftheprevioustimeofwhichthisisthenaturalbirth,graduallymakingexpiationforitselfandwearingout.
`IseethelivesforwhichIlaydownmylife,peaceful,useful,prosperousandhappy,inthatEnglandwhichIshallseenomore.IseeHerwithachilduponherbosom,whobearsmyname.Iseeherfather,agedandbent,butotherwiserestored,andfaithfultoallmeninhishealingoffice,andatpeace.Iseethegoodoldman,solongtheirfriend,intenyears\'timeenrichingthemwithallhehas,andpassingtranquillytohisreward.
`IseethatIholdasanctuaryintheirhearts,andintheheartsoftheirdescendants,generationshence.Iseeher,anoldwoman,weepingformeontheanniversaryofthisday.Iseeherandherhusband,theircoursedone,lyingsidebysideintheirlastearthlybed,andIknowthateachwasnotmorehonouredandheldsacredintheother\'ssoul,thanIwasinthesoulsofboth.
`Iseethatchildwholayuponherbosomandwhoboremyname,amanwinninghiswayupinthatpathoflifewhichoncewasmine.Iseehimwinningitsowell,thatmynameismadeillustrioustherebythelightofhis.IseetheblotsIthrewuponit,fadedaway.Iseehim,foremostofjustjudgesandhonouredmen,bringingaboyofmyname,withaforeheadthatIknowandgoldenhair,tothisplace——thenfairtolookupon,withnotatraceofthisday\'sdisfigurement——andIhearhimtellthechildmystory,withatenderandafalteringvoice.
`Itisafar,farbetterthingthatIdo,thanIhaveeverdone;itisafar,farbetterrestthatIgotothanIhaveeverknown.\'