But，nowthatIremember，oneofyouhasalreadybeenthere，andcanshowtheway。Gentlemen，adieu!
Theypaidfortheirwine，andlefttheplace。TheeyesofMonsieurDefargewerestudyinghiswifeatherknittingwhentheelderlygentlemanadvancedfromhiscorner，andbeggedthefavourofaword。
`Willingly，sir，\'saidMonsieurDefarge，andquietlysteppedwithhimtothedoor。
Theirconferencewasveryshort，butverydecided。Almostatthefirstword，MonsieurDefargestartedandbecamedeeplyattentive。Ithadnotlastedaminute，whenhenoddedandwentout。Thegentlemanthenbeckonedtotheyounglady，andthey，too，wentout。MadameDefargeknittedwithnimblefingersandsteadyeyebrows，andsawnothing。
Mr。JarvisLorryandMissManette，emergingfromthewine-shopthus，joinedMonsieurDefargeinthedoorwaytowhichhehaddirectedhisothercompanyjustbefore。Itopenedfromastinkinglittleblackcourt-yard，andwasthegeneralpublicentrancetoagreatpileofhouses，inhabitedbyagreatnumberofpeople。Inthegloomytile-pavedentrytothegloomytile-pavedstaircase，MonsieurDefargebentdownononekneetothechildofhisoldmaster，andputherhandtohislips。Itwasagentleaction，butnotatallgentlydone；averyremarkabletransformationhadcomeoverhiminafewseconds。Hehadnogood-humourinhisface，noranyopennessofaspectleft，buthadbecomeasecret，angry，dangerousman。
`Itisveryhigh；itisalittledifficult。Bettertobeginslowly。\'
Thus，MonsieurDefarge，inasternvoice，toMr。Lorry，astheybeganascendingthestairs。
`Ishealone?\'thelatterwhispered。
`Alone!Godhelphim，whoshouldbewithhim?\'saidtheother，inthesamelowvoice。
`Ishe，alwaysalone，then?\'
`Yes。
`Ofhisowndesire?\'
`Ofhisownnecessity。Ashewas，whenIfirstsawhimaftertheyfoundmeanddemandedtoknowifIwouldtakehim，and，atmyperilbediscreet——hashewasthen，soheisnow。
`Heisgreatlychanged?\'
`Changed!\'
Thekeeperofthewine-shopstoppedtostrikethewallwithhishand，andmutteratremendouscurse。Nodirectanswercouldhavebeenhalfsoforcible。Mr。Lorry\'sspiritsgrewheavierandheavier，asheandhistwocompanionsascendedhigherandhigher。
Suchastaircase，withitsaccessories，intheolderandmorecrowdedpartsofParis，wouldbebadenoughnow；but，atthattime，itwasvileindeedtounaccustomedandunhardenedsenses。Everylittlehabitationwithinthegreatfoulnestofonehighbuilding——thatistosay，theroomorroomswithineverydoorthatopenedonthegeneralstaircase——leftitsownheapofrefuseonitsownlanding，besidesRingingotherrefusefromitsownwindows。Theuncontrollableandhopelessmassofdecompositionsoengendered，wouldhavepollutedtheair，evenifpovertyanddeprivationhadnotloadeditwit!\'theirintangibleimpurities；theMobadsourcescombinedmadeitalmostinsupportable。Throughsuchanatmosphere，byasteepdarkshaftofdirtandpoison，thewaylay。Yieldingtohisowndisturbanceofmind，andtohisyoungcompanion\'sagitation，whichbecamegreatereveryinstant，Mr。JarvisLorrytwicestoppedtorest。Eachofthesestoppageswasmadeatadolefulgrating，bywhichanylanguishinggoodairsthatwereleftuncorruptedseemedtoescape，andallspoiltandsicklyvapoursseemedtocrawlin。Throughtherustedbars，tastes，ratherthanglimpses，werecaughtofthejumbledneighbourhood；andnothingwithinrange，nearerorlowerthanthesummitsofthetwo-greattowersofNotre-Dame，hadanypromiseonitofhealthylifeorwholesomeaspirations。
Atlast，thetopofthestaircasewasgained，andtheystoppedforthethirdtime。Therewasyetanupperstaircase，ofasteeperinclinationandofcontracteddimensions，tobeascended，beforethegarretstorywasreached。Thekeeperofthewine-shop，alwaysgoingalittleinadvance，andalwaysgoingonthesidewhichMr。Lorrytook，asthoughhedreadedtobeaskedanyquestionbytheyounglady，turnedhimselfabouthere，and，carefullyfeelinginthepocketsofthecoathecarriedoverhisshoulder，tookoutakey。
`Thedoorislockedthen，myfriend?\'saidMr。Lorry\'，surprised。
`Ay。Yes，\'wasthegrimreplyofMonsieurDefarge。
`Youthinkitnecessarytokeeptheunfortunategentlemansoretired?\'
`Ithinkitnecessarytoturnthekey。\'MonsieurDefargewhispereditcloserinhisear，andfrownedheavily。
`Why?\'
`Why!Becausehehaslivedsolong，lockedup，thathewouldbefrightened——rave——tearhimselftopieces——die——cometoIknownotwhatharm-ifhisdoorwasleftopen。\'
`Isitpossible?\'exclaimedMr。Lorry。
`Isitpossible?\'repeatedDefarge，bitterly。`Yes。Andabeautifulworldwelivein，whenitispossible，andwhenmanyothersuchthingsarepossible，andnotonlypossible，butdone——done，seeyou!——underthatskythere，everyday。LonglivetheDevil。Letusgoon。\'
Thisdialoguehadbeenheldinsoverylowawhisper，thatnotawordofithadreachedtheyounglady\'sears。But，bythistimeshetrembledundersuchstrongemotion，andherfaceexpressedsuchdeepanxiety，and，aboveall，suchdreadandterror，thatMr。Lorryfeltitincumbentonhimtospeakawordortwoofreassurance。
`Courage，dearmiss!Courage!Business!Theworstwillbeoverinamoment；itisbutpassingtheroom-door，andtheworstisover。Then，allthegoodyoubringtohim，alltherelief，allthehappinessyoubringtohim，begin。Letourgoodfriendhere，assistyouonthatside。That\'swell，friendDefarge。Come，now。Business，business!\'
Theywentupslowlyandsoftly。Thestaircasewasshort，andtheyweresoonatthetop。There，asithadanabruptturninit，theycameallatonceinsightofthreemen，whoseheadswerebentdownclosetogetheratthesideofadoor，andwhowereintentlylookingintotheroomtowhichthedoorbelonged，throughsomechinksorholesinthewall。Onhearingfootstepscloseathand，thesethreeturned，androse，andshowedthemselvestobethethreeofonenamewhohadbeendrinkinginthewine-shop。
`Iforgottheminthesurpriseofyourvisit，\'explainedMonsieurDefarge。`Leaveus，goodboys；wehavebusiness\'here。\'
Thethreeglidedby，andwentsilentlydown。
Thereappearingtobenootherdooronthatfloor，andthekeeperofthewine-shopgoingstraighttothisonewhentheywereleftalone，Mr。Lorryaskedhiminawhisper，withlittleanger:
`DoyoumakeashowofMonsieurManette?\'
`Ishowhim，inthewayyouhaveseen，toachosenfew。\'
`Isthatwell?\'
`Ithinkitiswell。\'
`Whoarethefew?Howdoyouchoosethem?\'
`Ichoosethemasrealmen，ofmyname——Jacquesismyname——towhomthesightislikelytodogood。EnoughyouareEnglish；thatisanotherthing。Staythere，ifyouplease，alittlemoment。\'
Withanadmonitorygesturetokeepthemback，hestooped，andlookedinthroughthecreviceinthewall。Soonraisinghisheadagain，hestrucktwiceorthriceuponthedoor——evidentlywithnootherobjectthantomakeanoisethereWiththesameintention，hedrewthekeyacrossit，threeorfourtimes，beforeheputitclumsilyintothelock，andturneditasheavilyashecould。
Thedoorslowlyopenedinwardunderhishand，andhelookedintotheroomandsaidsomething。Afaintvoiceansweredsomething。Littlemorethanasinglesyllablecouldhavebeenspokenoneitherside。
Helookedbackoverhisshoulder，andbeckonedthemccenter。
Mr。Lorrygothisarmsecurelyroundthedaughterwaist，andheldher；
forhefeltthatshewassinking。
`A——a——a——business，business!\'heurged，withamoisturethatwasnotofbusinessshiningonhischeek。`Comeincomein!\'
`Iamafraidofit，\'sheanswered，shuddering。
`Ofit?What?\'
`Imeanofhim。Ofmyfather。\'
Renderedinamannerdesperate，byherstateandbythebeckoningoftheirconductor，hedrewoverhisneckthearmthatshookuponhisshoulder，liftedheralittle，andhurriedherintotheroom。Hesetherdownjustwithinthedoorandheldher，clingingtohim。
Defargedrewoutthekey，closedthedoor，lockeditontheinside，tookoutthekeyagain，andhelditinhishand。Allthishedid，methodically，andwithasloudandharshanaccompanimentofnoiseashecouldmake。
Finally，hewalkedacrosstheroomwithameasuredtreadtowherethewindowwas。Hestoppedthere，andfacedround。
Thegarret，builttobeadepositoryforfirewoodandthelike，wasdimanddark:forthewindowofdormershape，wasintruthadoorintheroof，withalittlecraneoveritforthehoistingupofstoresfromthestreet:unglazed，analclosingupthemiddleintwopieces，likeanyotherdoorofFrenchconstruction。Toexcludethecold，onehalfofthindoorwasfastclosed，andtheotherwasopenedbutaverylittleway。Suchascantyportionoflightwasadmittedthroughthesemeans，thatitwasdifficult，onfirstcomingin，toseeanything；andlonghabitalonecouldhaveslowlyformedinanyone，theabilitytodoanyworkrequiringnicetyinsuchobscurity。Yet，workofthatkindwasbeingdoneinthegarret；
for，withhisbacktowardsthedoor，andhisfacetowardsthewindowwherethekeeperofthewine-shopstoodlookingathim，awhite-hairedmansatonalowbench，stoopingforwardandverybusy，makingshoes。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVITheShoemaker`GOODDAY!\'saidMonsieurDefarge，lookingdownathewhiteheadthatbentlowovertheshoemaking。
Itwasraisedforamoment，andaveryfaintvoicerespondedtothesalutation，asifitwereatadistance:
`Goodday!\'
`Youarestillhardatwork，Isee?\'
Afteralongsilence，theheadwasliftedforanothermoment，andthevoicereplied，`Yes——Iamworking。\'Thistime，apairofhaggardeyeshadlookedatthequestioner，beforethefacehaddroppedagain。
Thefaintnessofthevoicewaspitiableanddreadful。Itwasnotthefaintnessofphysicalweakness，thoughconfinementandhardfarenodoubthadtheirpartinit。Itsdeplorablepeculiaritywas，thatitwasthefaintnessofsolitudeanddisuse。Itwaslikethelastfeebleechoofasoundmadelongandlongago。Soentirelyhaditlostthelifeandresonanceofthehumanvoice，thatitaffectedthesenseslikeaoncebeautifulcolourfadedawayintoapoorweakstain。Sosunkenandsuppresseditwas，thatitwaslikeavoiceunder-ground。Soexpressiveitwas，ofahopelessandlostcreature，thatafamishedtraveller，weariedOutbylonelywanderinginawilderness，wouldhaverememberedhomeandfriendsinsuchatonebeforelyingdowntodie。
Someminutesofsilentworkhadpassed:andthehaggardeyeshadlookedupagain:notwithanyinterestorcuriosity，butwithadullmechanicalperception，beforehand，thatthespotwheretheonlyvisitortheywereawareofhadstood，wasnotyetempty。
`Iwant，\'saidDefarge，whohadnotremovedhisgazefromtheshoemaker，`toletinalittlemorelighthere。Youcanbearalittlemore?\'
Theshoemakerstoppedhiswork；lookedwithavacantairoflistening，atthefloorononesideofhim；thensimilarly，atthefloorontheothersideofhim；then，upwardatthespeaker。
`Whatdidyousay?\'
`Youcanbearalittlemorelight?\'
`Imustbearit，ifyouletitin。\'Layingthepalestshadowofastressuponthesecondword。
Theopenedhalf-doorwasopenedalittlefurther，andsecuredatthatangleforthetime。Abroadrayoflightfellintothegarret，andshowedtheworkmanwithanun-finishedshoeuponhislap，pausinginhislabour。Hisfewcommontoolsandvariousscrapsofleatherwereathisfeetandonhisbench。Hehadawhitebeard，raggedlycut，butnotverylong，ahollowface，andexceedinglybrighteyes。Thehollownessandthinnessofhisfacewouldhavecausedthemtolooklarge，underhisyetdarkeyebrowsandhisconfusedwhitehair，thoughtheyhadbeenreallyotherwise；but，theywerenaturallylarge，andlookedun-naturallyso。
Hisyellowragsofshirtlayopenatthethroat，andshowedhisbodytobewitheredandworn。He，andhisoldcanvasfrock，andhisloosestockings，andallhispoortattersofclothes，had，inalongseclusionfromdirectlightandair，fadeddowntosuchadulluniformityofparchment-yellow，thatitwouldhavebeenhardtosaywhichwaswhich。
Hehadputupahandbetweenhiseyesandthelight，andtheverybonesofitseemedtransparent。Sohesat，withasteadfastlyvacantgaze，pausinginhiswork。Heneverlookedatthefigurebeforehim，withoutfirstlookingdownonthissideofhimself，thenonthat，asifhehadlostthehabitofassociatingplacewithsound；heneverspoke，withoutfirstpanderinginthismanner，andforgettingtospeak。
`Areyougoingtofinishthatpairofshoesto-day?\'askedDefarge，motioningtoMr。Lorrytocomeforward。
`Whatdidyousay?\'
`Doyoumeantofinishthatpairofshoesto-day?\'`Ican\'tsaythatImeanto。Isupposeso。Idon\'tknow。\'
But，thequestionremindedhimofhiswork，andhebentoveritagain。
Mr。Lorrycamesilentlyforward，leavingthedaughterbythedoor。
Whenhehadstood，foraminuteortwo，bythesideofDefarge，theshoemakerlookedup。Heshowednosurpriseatseeinganotherfigure，buttheunsteadyfingersofoneofhishandsstrayedtohislipsashelookedatithislipsandhisnailswereofthesamepalelead-colour，andthenthehanddroppedtohiswork，andheoncemorebentovertheshoe。Thelookandtheactionhadoccupiedbutaninstant。
`Youhaveavisitor，yousee，\'saidMonsieurDefarge。
`Whatdidyousay?\'
`Hereisavisitor。\'
Theshoemakerlookedupasbefore，butwithoutremovingahandfromhiswork。
`Come!\'saidDefarge。`Hereismonsieur，whoknowsawell-madeshoewhenheseesone。Showhimthatshoeyouareworkingat。Takeit，monsieur。\'
Mr。Lorrytookitinhishand。
`Tellmonsieurwhatkindofshoeitis，andthemaker\'sname。\'
Therewasalongerpausethanusual，beforetheshoe-makerreplied:
`Iforgetwhatitwasyouaskedme。Whatdidyousay?\'
`Isaid，couldn\'tyoudescribethekindofshoe，formonsieur\'sinformation?\'
`Itisalady\'sshoe。Itisayounglady\'swalking-shoe。Itisinthepresentmode。Ineversawthemode。Ihavehadapatterninmyhand。\'
Heglancedattheshoewithsomelittlepassingtouchofpride。
`Andthemaker\'sname?\'saidDefarge。
Nowthathehadnoworktohold，helaidtheknucklesoftherighthandinthehollowoftheleft，andthentheknucklesofthelefthandinthehollowoftheright，andthenpassedahandacrosshisbeardedchin，andsooninregularchanges，withoutamoment\'sintermission。Thetaskofrecallinghimfromthevacancyintowhichhealwayssankwhenhehadspoken，waslikerecallingsomeveryweakpersonfromaswoon，orendeavouring，inthehopeofsomedisclosure，tostaythespiritofafast-dyingman。
`Didyouaskmeformyname?\'
`AssuredlyIdid。\'
`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower。\'
`Isthatall?\'
`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower。\'
Withawearysoundthatwasnotasigh，noragroan，hebenttoworkagain，untilthesilencewasagainbroken。
`Youarenotashoemakerbytrade?\'saidMr。Lorry，lookingsteadfastlyathim。
HishaggardeyesturnedtoDefargeasifhewouldhavetransferredthequestiontohim:butasnohelpcamefromthatquarter，theyturnedbackonthequestionerwhentheyhadsoughttheground。
`Iamnotashoemakerbytrade?No，Iwasnotashoe-makerbytrade。I——Ilearn\'tithere。Itaughtmyself。Iaskedleaveto——\'
Helapsedaway，evenforminutes，ringingthosemeasuredchangesonhishandsthewholetime。Hiseyescameslowlyback，atlast，tothefacefromwhichtheyhadwandered；whentheyrestedonit，hestarted，andresumed，inthemannerofasleeperthatmomentawake，revertingtoasubjectoflastnight。
`Iaskedleavetoteachmyself，andIgotitwithmuchdifficultyafteralongwhile，andIhavemadeshoeseversince。\'
Asheheldouthishandfortheshoethathadbeentakenfromhim，Mr。Lorrysaid，stilllookingsteadfastlyinhisface:
`MonsieurManette，doyouremembernothingofme?\'
Theshoedroppedtotheground，andhesatlookingfixedlyatthequestioner。
`MonsieurManette；\'Mr。LorrylaidhishanduponDefarge\'sarm；
`doyouremembernothingofthisman?Lookathim。Lookatme。Istherenooldbanker，nooldbusiness，nooldservant，nooldtime，risinginyourmind，MonsieurManette?\'
Asthecaptiveofmanyyearssatlookingfixedly，byturns，atMr。LorryandatDefarge，somelongobliteratedmarksofanactivelyintentintelligenceinthemiddleofthefore-head，graduallyforcedthemselvesthroughtheblackmistthathadfallenonhim。Theywereovercloudedagain，theywerefainter，theyweregone；buttheyhadbeenthere。Andsoexactlywastheexpressionrepeatedonthefairyoungfaceofherwhohadcreptalongthewalltoapointwhereshecouldseehim，andwhereshenowstoodlookingathim，withhandswhichatfirsthadbeenonlyraisedinfrightenedcompassion，ifnoteventokeephimoffandshutoutthesightofhim，butwhichwerenowextendingtowardshim，tremblingwitheagernesstolaythespectralfaceuponherwarmyoungbreast，andloveitbacktolifeandhope——soexactlywastheexpressionrepeatedthoughinstrongercharacters
onherfairyoungface，thatitlookedasthoughithadpassedlikeamovinglight，fromhimtoher。
Darknesshadfallenonhiminitsplace。Helookedatthetwo，lessandlessattentively，andhiseyesingloomyabstractionsoughtthegroundandlookedabouthimintheoldway。Finally，withadeeplongsigh，hetooktheshoeup，andresumedhiswork。
`Haveyourecognisedhim，monsieur?\'askedDefargeinawhisper。
`Yes；foramoment。AtfirstIthoughtitquitehope-less，butIhaveunquestionablyseen，forasinglemoment，thefacethatIonceknewsowell。Hush!Letusdrawfurtherback。Hush!\'
Shehadmovedfromthewallofthegarret，veryneartothebenchonwhichhesat。Therewassomethingawfulinhisunconsciousnessofthefigurethatcouldhaveputoutitshandandtouchedhimasliestoopedoverhislabour。
Notawordwasspoken，notasoundwasmade。Shestood，likeaspirit，besidehim，andhebentoverhiswork。
Ithappened，atlength，thathehadoccasiontochangetheinstrumentinhishand，forhisshoemaker\'sknife。Itlayonthatsideofhimwhichwasnotthesideonwhichshestood。Hehadtakenitup，andwasstoopingtoworkagain，whenhiseyescaughttheskirtofherdress。Heraisedthem，andsawherface。Thetwospectatorsstartedforward，hutshestayedthemwithamotionofherhand。Shehadnofearofhisstrikingatherwiththeknife，thoughtheyhad。
Hestaredatherwithafearfullook，andafterawhilehislipsbegantoformsomewords，thoughnosoundproceededfromthem。Bydegrees，inthepausesofhisquickandlabouredbreathing，hewasheardtosay:
`Whatisthis?\'
Withthetearsstreamingdownherface，sheputhertwohandstoherlips，andkissedthemtohim；thenclaspedthemonherbreast，asifshelaidhisruinedheadthere。
`Youarenotthegaoler\'sdaughter?\'
Shesighed`No。\'
`Whoareyou?\'
Notyettrustingthetonesofhervoice，shesatdownonthebenchbesidehim。Herecoiled，butshelaidherhanduponhisarm。Astrangethrillstruckhimwhenshedidso，andvisiblypassedoverhisframe；helaidtheknifedownsoftly，ashesatstaringather。
Hergoldenhair，whichsheworeinlongcurls，hadbeenhurriedlypushedaside，andfelldownoverherneck。Advancinghishandbylittleandlittle，hetookitupandlookedatit。Inthemidstoftheactionhewentastray，and，withanotherdeepsigh，felltoworkathisshoemaking。
Butnotforlong。Releasinghisarm，shelaidherhanduponhisshoulder。Afterlookingdoubtfullyatit，twoorthreetimes，asiftobesurethatitwasreallythere，helaiddownhiswork，puthishandtohisneck，andtookoffablackenedstringwithascrapoffoldedragattachedtoit。Heopenedthis，carefully，onhisknee，anditcontainedaverylittlequantityofhair:notmorethanoneortwolonggoldenhairs，whichhehad，insomeoldday，woundonuponhisfinger。
Hetookherhairintohishandagain，andlookedcloselyatit。
`Itisthesame。Howcanitbe!Whenwasit!Howwasit!\'
Astheconcentratingexpressionreturnedtohisforehead，heseemedtobecomeconsciousthatitwasinherstoo。Heturnedherfulltothelight，andlookedather。
`Shehadlaidherheaduponmyshoulder，thatnightwhenIwassummonedout——shehadafearofmygoing，thoughIhadnone——andwhenI
wasbroughttotheNorthTowertheyfoundtheseuponmysleeve。\"Youwillleavemethem?Theycanneverhelpmetoescapeinthebody，thoughtheymayinthespirit。\"ThosewerethewordsIsaid。Irememberthemverywell。\'
Heformedthisspeechwithhislipsmanytimesbeforehecouldutterit。Butwhenhedidfindspokenwordsforit，theycametohimcoherently，thoughslowly。
`Howwasthis?——Wasityou?\'
Oncemore，thetwospectatorsstarted，asheturneduponherwithafrightfulsuddenness。Butshesatperfectlystillinhisgrasp，andonlysaid，inalowvoice，`Ientreatyou，goodgentlemen，donotcomenearus，donotspeak，donotmove!\'
`Hark!\'heexclaimed。`Whosevoicewasthat?\'
Hishandsreleasedherasheutteredthiscry，andwentuptohiswhitehair，whichtheytoreinafrenzy。Itdiedout，aseverythingbuthisshoemakingdiddieoutofhim，andherefoldedhislittlepacketandtriedtosecureitinhisbreast；buthestilllookedather，andgloomilyshookhishead。
`No，no，no；youaretooyoung，tooblooming。Itcan\'tbe。Seewhattheprisoneris。Thesearenotthehandssheknew，thisisnotthefacesheknew，thisisnotavoicesheeverheard。No，no。Shewas——andHewas——beforetheslowyearsoftheNorthTower——agesago。Whatisyourname，mygentleangel?\'
Hailinghissoftenedtoneandmanner，hisdaughterfelluponherkneesbeforehim，withherappealinghandsuponhisbreast。
`O，sir，atanothertimeyoushallknowmyname，andwhomymotherwas，andwhomyfather，andhowIneverknewtheirhard，hardhistory。
ButIcannottellyouatthistime，andIcannottellyouhere。AllthatImaytellyou，hereandnow，is，thatIpraytoyoutotouchmeandtoblessme。Kissme，kissme!Omydear，mydear!\'
Hiscoldwhiteheadmingledwithherradianthair，whichwarmedandlighteditasthoughitwerethelightofFreedomshiningonhim。
`Ifyouhearinmyvoice——Idon\'tknowthatitisso，butIhopeitis——ifyouhearinmyvoiceanyresemblancetoavoicethatoncewassweetmusicinyourears，weepforit，weepforit!Ifyoutouch，intouchingmyhair，anythingthatrecallsabelovedheadthatlayonyourbreastwhenyouwereyoungandfree，weepforit，weepforit!If，whenIhinttoyouofaHomethatisbeforeus，whereIwillbetruetoyouwithallmydutyandwithallmyfaithfulservice，IbringbacktheremembranceofaHomelongdesolate，whileyourpoorheartpinedaway，weepforit，weepforit!\'
Sheheldhimcloserroundtheneck，androckedhimonherbreastlikeachild。
`If\'whenItellyou，dearestdear，thatyouragonyisover，andthatIhavecomeheretotakeyoufromit，andthatwegotoEnglandtobeatpeaceandatrest，Icauseyoutothinkofyourusefullifelaidwaste，andofournativeFrancesowickedtoyou，weepforit，weepforit!Andif\'whenIshalltellyouofmyname，andofmyfatherwhoisliving，andofmymotherwhoisdead，youlearnthatIhavetokneeltomyhonouredfather，andimplorehispardonforhavingneverforhissakestrivenalldayandlainawakeandweptallnight，becausetheloveofmypoormotherhidhistorturefromme，weepforit，weepforit!Weepforher，then，andforme!Goodgentlemen，thankGod!Ifeelhissacredtearsuponmyface，andhissobsstrikeagainstmyheart。O，seeThankGodforus，thankGod!\'
Hehadsunkinherarms，andhisfacedroppedonherbreast:asightsotouching，yetsoterribleinthetremendouswrongandsufferingwhichhadgonebeforeit，thatthetwobeholderscoveredtheirfaces。
Whenthequietofthegarrethadbeenlongundisturbed，andhisheavingbreastandshakenformhadlongyieldedtothecalmthatmustfollowallstorms——emblemtohumanity，oftherestandsilenceintowhichthestormcalledLifemusthushatlast——theycameforwardtoraisethefatheranddaughterfromtheground。Hehadgraduallydroppedtothefloor，andlaythereinalethargy，wornout。Shehadnestleddownwithhim，thathisheadmightlieuponherarm；andherhairdroopingoverhimcurtainedhimfromthelight。
`If，withoutdisturbinghim，\'shesaid，raisingherhandtoMr。
Lorryashestoopedoverthem，afterrepeatedblowingsofhisnose，`allcouldbearrangedforourleavingParisatonce，sothat，fromtheverydoor，hecouldbetakenaway——\'
`But，consider。Ishefitforthejourney?\'askedMr。Lorry。
`Morefitforthat，Ithink，thantoremaininthiscity，sodreadfultohim。\'
`Itistrue，\'saidDefarge，whowaskneelingtolookonandhear。
`Morethanthat；MonsieurManetteis，forallreasons，bestoutofFrance。
Say，shallIhireacarriageandpost-horses?\'
`That\'sbusiness，\'saidMr。Lorry，resumingontheshortestnoticehismethodicalmanners；`andifbusinessistobedune，Ihadbetterdoit。\'
`Thenbesokind，\'urgedMissManette，`astoleaveushere。Youseehowcomposedhehasbecome，andyoucannotbeafraidtoleavehimwithmenow。Whyshouldyoube?Ifyouwilllockthedoortosecureusfrominterruption，Idonotdoubtthatyouwillfindhim，whenyoucomeback，asquietasyouleavehim。Inanycase，Iwilltakecareofhimuntilyoureturn，andthenwewillremovehimstraight。\'
BothMr。LorryandDefargewereratherdisinclinedtothiscourse，andinfavourofoneofthemremaining。But，astherewerenotonlycarriageandhorsestobeseento，buttravellingpapers；andastimepressed，forthedaywasdrawingtoanend，itcameatlasttotheirhastilydividingthebusinessthatwasnecessarytobedone，andhurryingawaytodoit。
Then，asthedarknessclosedin，thedaughterlaidherheaddownonthehardgroundcloseatthefather\'sside，andwatchedhim。Thedarknessdeepenedanddeepened，andtheybothlayquiet，untilalightgleamedthroughthechinksinthewall。
Mr。LorryandMonsieurDefargehadmadeallreadyforthejourney，andhadbroughtwiththem，besidestravellingcloaksandwrappers，breadandmeat，wine，andhotcoffee。MonsieurDefargeputthisprovender，andthelamphecarried，ontheshoemaker\'sbenchtherewasnothingelseinthegarretbutapalletbed，andheandMr。Lorryrousedthecaptive，andassistedhimtohisfeet。
Nohumanintelligencecouldhavereadthemysteriesofhismind，inthescaredblankwonderofhisface。Whetherheknewwhathadhappened，whetherherecollectedwhattheyhadsaidtohim，whetherheknewthathewasfree，werequestionswhichnosagacitycouldhavesolved。Theytriedspeakingtohim；but，hewassoconfused，andsoveryslowtoanswer，thattheytookfrightathisbewilderment，andagreedforthetimetotamperwithhimnomore。Hehadawild，lostmannerofoccasionallyclaspinghisheadinhishands，thathadnotbeenseeninhimbefore；yet，hehadsomepleasureinthemeresoundofhisdaughter\'svoice，andinvariablyturnedtoitwhenshespoke。
Inthesubmissivewayofonelongaccustomedtoobeyundercoercion，heateanddrankwhattheygavehimtoeatanddrink，andputonthecloakandotherwrappings，thattheygavehimtowear。Hereadilyrespondedtohisdaughter\'sdrawingherarmthroughhis，andtook——andkept——herhandinbothhisown。
Theybegantodescend；MonsieurDefargegoingfirstwiththelamp，Mr。Lorryclosingthelittleprocession。Theyhadnottraversedmanystepsofthelongmainstaircasewhenhestopped，andstaredattheroofandroundatthewalls。
`Youremembertheplace，myfather?Youremembercominguphere?
`Whatdidyousay?\'
But，beforeshecouldrepeatthequestion，hemurmuredananswerasifshehadrepeatedit。
`Remember?No，Idon\'tremember。Itwassoverylongago。\'
Thathehadnorecollectionwhateverofhishavingbeenbroughtfromhisprisontothathouse，wasapparenttothem。Theyheardhimmutter，`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower；\'andwhenhelookedabouthim，itevidentlywasforthestrongfortress-wallswhichhadlongencompassedhim。Ontheirreachingthecourtyardheinstinctivelyalteredhistread，asbeinginexpectationofadrawbridge；andwhentherewasnodrawbridge，andhesawthecarriagewaitingintheopenstreet，hedroppedhisdaughter\'shandandclaspedhisheadagain。
Nocrowdwasaboutthedoor；nopeoplewerediscernibleatanyofthemanywindows；notevenachancepasser-bywasinthestreet。Anunnaturalsilenceanddesertionreignedthere。Onlyonesoulhastobeseen，andthatwasMadameDefarge——wholeanedagainstthedoor-post，knitting，andsawnothing。
Theprisonerhadgotintoacoach，andhisdaughterhadfollowedhim，whenMr。Lorry\'sfeetwerearrestedonthestepbyhisasking，miserably，forhisshoemakingtoolsandtheunfinishedshoes。MadameDefargeimmediatelycalledtoherhusbandthatshewouldgetthem，andwent，knitting，outofthelamplight，throughthecourt-yard。Shequicklybroughtthemdownandhandedthemin；——andimmediatelyafterwardsleanedagainstthedoor-post，knitting，andsawnothing。
Defargegotuponthebox，andgavetheword`TotheBarrier!\'
Thepostilioncrackedhiswhip，andtheyclatteredawayundertheFeebleoverswinginglamps。
Undertheover-swinginglamps——swingingeverbrighterinthebetterstreets，andeverdimmerintheworse——andbylightedshops，gaycrowds，illuminatedcoffee-houses，andtheatre-doors，tooneofthecitygates。
Soldierswithlanterns，attheguard-housethere。`Yourpapers，travellers!\'
`Seeherethen，MonsieurtheOfficer，\'saidDefarge，gettingdown，andtakinghimgravelyapart，`thesearethepapersofmonsieurinside，withthewhitehead。Theywereconsignedtome，withhim，atthe——\'Hedroppedhisvoice，therewasaflutteramongthemilitarylanterns，andoneofthembeinghandedintothecoachbyanarminuniform，theeyesconnectedwiththearmlooked，notanevery-dayoranevery-nightlook，atmonsieurwiththewhitehead。`Itiswell。Forward!\'fromtheuniform。`Adieu!\'
fromDefarge。Andso，underashortgroveoffeeblerandfeebleroverswinginglamps，outunderthegreatgroveofstars。
Beneaththatarchofunmovedandeternallights；some，soremotefromthislittleearththatthelearnedtellusitisdoubtfulwhethertheirrayshaveevenyetdiscoveredit，asapointinspacewhereanythingissufferedordone:theshadowsofthenightwerebroadandblack。Allthroughthecoldandrestlessinterval，untildawn，theyoncemorewhisperedintheearsofMr。JarvisLorry——sittingoppositetheburiedmanwhohadbeendugout，andwonderingwhatsubtlepowerswereforeverlosttohim，andwhatwerecapableofrestoration——theoldinquiry:
`Ihopeyoucaretoberecalledtolife?\'
Andtheoldanswer:
`Ican\'tsay。\'
THEENDOFTHEFIRSTBOOK
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]BOOKTHESECONDTHEGOLDENTHREADCHAPTERIFiveYearsLaterTELLSON\'SBankbyTempleBarwasanold-fashionedplace，evenintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandeighty。Itwasverysmall，verydark，veryugly，veryincommodious。Itwasanold-fashionedplace，moreover，inthemoralattributethatthepartnersintheHousewereproudofitssmallness，proudofitsdarkness，proudofitsugliness，proudofitsincommodiousness。
Theywereevenboastfulofitseminenceinthoseparticulars，andwerefiredbyanempressconvictionthat，ifitwerelessobjectionable，itwouldbelessrespectable。Thiswasnopassivebelief，butanactiveweaponwhichtheyflashedatmoreconvenientplacesofbusiness。Tellson\'stheysaidwantednoelbow-room，Tellson\'swantednolight，Tellson\'swantednoembellishment。NoakesandCo。\'smight，orSnooksBrothers\'might；butTellson\'s，thankHeaven!——
AnyoneofthesepartnerswouldhavedisinheritedhissononthequestionofrebuildingTellson\'s。InthisrespecttheHousewasmuchonaparwiththeCountry；whichdidveryoftendisinherititssonsforsuggestingimprovementsinlawsandcustomsthathadlongbeenhighlyobjectionable，butwereonlythemorerespectable。
Thusithadcometopass，thatTellson\'swasthetriumphantperfectionofinconvenience。Afterburstingopenadoorofidioticobstinacywithaweakrattleinitsthroat，youfellintoTellson\'sdowntwosteps，andcametoyoursensesinamiser-ablelittleshop，withtwolittlecounters，wheretheoldestofmenmadeyourchequeshakeasifthewindrustledit，whiletheyexaminedthesignaturebythedingiestofwindows，whichwerealwaysunderashower-bathofmudfromFleet-street，andwhichweremadethedingierbytheirownironbarsproper，andtheheavyshadowofTempleBar。Ifyourbusinessnecessitatedyourseeing`theHouse，\'youwereputintoaspeciesofCondemnedHoldattheback，whereyoumeditatedonamisspentlife，untiltheHousecamewithitshandsinitspockets，andyoucouldhardlyblinkatitinthedismaltwilight。Yourmoneycameoutof\'orwentinto，wormyoldwoodendrawers，particlesofwhichflewupyournoseanddownyourthroatwhentheywereopenedandshut。Yourbank-noteshadamustyodour，asiftheywerefastdecomposingintoragsagain。Yourplatewasstowedawayamongtheneighbouringcesspools，andevilcommunicationscorrupteditsgoodpolishinadayortwo。Yourdeedsgotintoextemporisedstrong-roomsmadeofkitchensandsculleries，andfrettedallthefatoutoftheirparchmentsintothebankinghouseair。Yourlighterboxesoffamilypaperswentup-stairsintoaBarmecideroom，thatalwayshadagreatdining-tableinitandneverhadadinner，andwhere，evenintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandeighty，thefirstletterswrittentoyoubyyouroldlove，orbyyourlittlechildren，werebutnewlyreleasedfromthehorrorofbeingogledthroughthewindows，bytheheadsexposedonTempleBarwithaninsensatebrutalityandferocityworthyofAbyssiniaorAshantee。
Butindeed，atthattime，puttingtodeathwasarecipemuchinvoguewithalltradesandprofessions，andnotleastofallwithTellson\'s。
DeathisNature\'sremedyforallthings，andwhynotLegislation\'s?Accordingly，theforgerwasputtodeath；theuttererofabadnotewasputtoDeath；
theunlawfulopenerofaletterwasputtoDeath；thepurloineroffortyshillingsandsixpencewasputtoDeath；theholderofahorseatTellson\'sdoor，whomadeoffwithit，wasputtoDeath；thecoinerofabadshillingwasputtoDeath；thesoundersofthree-fourthsofthenotesinthewholegamutofGrime，wereputtoDeath。Notthatitdidtheleastgoodinthewayofprevention——itmightalmosthavebeenworthremarkingthatthefactwasexactlythereverse——but，itclearedoffastothisworldthetroubleofeachparticularcase，andleftnothingelseconnectedwithittobelookedafter。Thus，Tellson\'s，initsday，likegreaterplacesofbusiness，itscontemporaries，hadtakensomanylives，that，iftheheadslaidlowbeforeithadbeenrangedonTempleBarinsteadofbeingprivatelydisposedof\'theywouldprobablyhaveexcludedwhatlittlelightthegroundfloorhad，inarathersignificantmanner。
CrampedinallkindsofdimcupboardsandhutchesatTellson\'s，theoldestofmencarriedonthebusinessgravely。
WhentheytookayoungmanintoTellson\'sLondonhouse，theyhidhimsomewheretillhewasold。Theykepthiminadarkplace，likeacheese，untilhehadthefullTellsonflavourandblue-moulduponhim。Thenonlywashepermittedtobeseen，spectacularlyporingoverlargebooks，andcastinghisbreechesandgaitersintothegeneralweightoftheestablishment。