Stryver，gaily，ashelookedamonghispapers。
`Howmuch?\'
`Onlytwosetsofthem。\'
`Givemetheworstfirst。\'
`Theretheyare，Sydney。Fireaway!\'
Thelionthencomposedhimselfonhisbackonasofaononesideofthedrinking-table，whilethejackalsatathisownPaperbestrewntableproper，ontheothersideofit，withthebottlesandglassesreadytohishand。Bothresortedtothedrinking-tablewithoutstint，buteachinadifferentway；thelionforthemostpartrecliningwithhishandsinhiswaistband，lookingatthefire，oroccasionallyflirtingwithsomelighterdocument；thejackal，withknittedbrowsandintentface，sodeepinhistask，thathiseyesdidnotevenfollowthehandhestretchedoutforhisglass——whichoftengropedabout，foraminuteormore，beforeitfoundtheglassforhislips。Twoorthreetimes，thematterinhandbecamesoknotty，thatthejackalfounditimperativeonhimtogetup，andsteephistowelsanew。Fromthesepilgrimagestothejugandbasin，hereturnedwithsucheccentricitiesofdampheadgearasnowordscandescribe；whichweremadethemoreludicrousbyhisanxiousgravity。
Atlengththejackalhadgottogetheracompactrepastforthelion，andproceededtoofferittohim。Theliontookitwithcareandcaution，madehisselectionsfromit，andhisremarksuponit，andthejackalassistedboth。Whentherepastwasfullydiscussed，thelionputhishandsinhiswaistbandagain，andlaydowntomeditate。Thejackaltheninvigoratedhimselfwithabumperforhisthrottle，andafreshapplicationtohishead，andappliedhimselftothecollectionofasecondmeal；thiswasadministeredtothelioninthesamemanner，andwasnotdisposedofuntiltheclocksstruckthreeinthemorning。
`Andnowwehavedone，Sydney，fillabumperofpunch，\'saidMr。
Stryver。
Thejackalremovedthetowelsfromhishead，whichhadbeensteamingagain，shookhimself，yawned，shivered，andcomplied。
`Youwereverysound，Sydney，inthematterofthosecrownwitnessesto-day。Everyquestiontold。\'
`Ialwaysamsound；amInot?\'
`Idon\'tgainsayit。Whathasroughen\'edyourtemper?Putsomepunchtoitandsmoothitagain。
Withadeprecatorygrunt，thejackalagaincomplied。
`TheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchool，\'saidStryver，noddinghisheadoverhimashereviewedhiminthepresentandthepast，`theoldseesawSydney。Uponeminuteanddownthenext；nowinspiritsandnowindespondency!\'
`Ah!\'returnedtheother，sighing:`yes!ThesameSydney，withthesameluck。Eventhen，Ididexercisesforotherboys，andseldomdidmyown。\'
`Andwhynot?\'`Godknows。Itwasmyway，Isuppose。\'
Hesat，withhishandsinhispocketsandhislegsstretchedoutbeforehim，lookingatthefire。
`Carton，\'saidhisfriend，squaringhimselfathimwithabullyingair，asifthefire-gratehadbeenthefurnaceinwhichsustainedendeavourwasforged，andtheonedelicatethingtobedonefortheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchoolwastoshoulderhimintoit，`yourwayis，andalwayswas，alameway。Yousummonnoenergyandpurpose。Lookatme。
`Oh，botheration!\'returnedSydney，withalighterandmoregood-humouredlaugh，`don\'t*youbemoral!\'
`HowhaveIdonewhatIhavedone?\'saidStryver；`howdoIdowhatIdo?\'
`Partlythroughpayingmetohelpyou，Isuppose。Butit\'snotworthyourwhiletoapostrophiseme，ortheair，aboutit；whatyouwanttodo，youdo。Youwerealwaysinthefrontrank，andIwasalwaysbehind。\'
`Ihadtogetintothefrontrank；Iwasnotbornthere，wasI?\'
`Iwasnotpresentattheceremony；butmyopinionisyouwere，\'
saidCarton。Atthis，helaughedagain，andtheybothlaughed。
`BeforeShrewsbury，andatShrewsbury，andeversinceShrewsbury，\'
pursuedCarton，`youhavefallenintoyourrank，andIhavefallenintomine。EvenwhenwewerefellowstudentsintheStudent-QuarterofParis，pickingupFrench，andFrenchlaw，andotherFrenchcrumbsthatwedidn\'tgetmuchgoodof，youwerealwayssomewhere，andIwasalways——nowhere。\'
`Andwhosefaultwasthat?\'
`Uponmysoul，Iamnotsurethatitwasnotyours。Youwerealwaysdrivingandrivingandshoulderingandpressing，tothatrestlessdegreethatIhadnochanceformylifebutinrustandrepose。It\'sagloomything，however，totalkaboutone\'sOwnpast，withthedaybreaking。TurnmeinsomeotherdirectionbeforeIgo。\'
`Wellthen!Pledgemetotheprettywitness，\'saidStryver，holdinguphisglass。`Areyouturnedinapleasantdirection?\'
Apparentlynot，forhebecamegloomyagain。
`Prettywitness，\'hemuttered，lookingdownintohisglass。`I
havehadenoughofwitnessesto-dayandto-night；who\'syourprettywitness?\'
`Thepicturesquedoctor\'sdaughter，MissManette。\'
`Shepretty?\'
`Isshenot?\'
`No。\'
`Why，manalive，shewastheadmirationofthewholeCourt!\'
`RottheadmirationofthewholeCourt!WhomadetheOldBaileyajudgeofbeauty?Shewasagolden-haireddoll!\'
`Doyouknow，Sydney，\'saidMr。Stryver，lookingathimwithsharpeyes，andslowlydrawingahandacrosshisfloridface:`doyouknow，I
ratherthought，atthetime，thatyousympathisedwiththegolden-haireddoll，andwerequicktoseewhat=happenedtothegolden-haireddoll?\'
`Quicktoseewhathappened!Ifagirl，dollornodoll，swoonswithinayardortwoofaman\'snose，hecanseeitwithoutaperspective-glass。
Ipledgeyou，butIdenythebeauty。AndnowI\'llhavenomoredrink；I\'llgettobed。\'
Whenhishostfollowedhimoutonthestaircasewithacandle，tolighthimdownthestairs，thedaywascoldlylookinginthroughitsgrimywindows。Whenhegotoutofthehouse，theairwascoldandsad，thedullskyovercast，theriverdarkanddim，thewholescenelikealifelessdesert。Andwreathsofdustwerespinningroundandroundbeforethemorningblast，asifthedesert-sandhadrisenfaraway，andthefirstsprayofitinitsadvancehadbeguntooverwhelmthecity。
Wasteforceswithinhim，andadesert\'allaround，thismanstoodstillonhiswayacrossasilentterrace，andsawforamoment，lyinginthewildernessbeforehim，amirageofhonourableambition，self-denial，andperseverance。Inthefaircityofthisvision，therewereairygalleriesfromwhichthelovesandgraceslookeduponhim，gardensinwhichthefruitsoflifehungripening，watersofHopethatsparkledinhissight。Amoment，anditwasgone。Climbingtoahighchamberinawellofhouses，hethrewhimselfdowninhisclothesonaneglectedbed，anditspillowwaswetwithwastedtears。
Sadly，sadly，thesunrose；itroseuponnosaddersightthanthemanofgoodabilitiesandgoodemotions，incapableoftheirdirectedexercise，incapableofhisownhelpandhisownhappiness，sensibleoftheblightonhim，andresigninghim-selftoletitcathimaway。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIHundredsofPeopleTHEquietlodgingsofDoctorManettewereinaquietstreet-cornernotfarfromSoho-square。OntheafternoonofacertainfineSundaywhenthewavesoffourmonthshadrolledoverthetrialfortreason，andcarriedit，astothepublicinterestandmemory，farouttosea，Mr。JarvisLorrywalkedalongthesunnystreetsfromClerkenwellwherehelived，onhiswaytodinewiththeDoctor。Afterseveralrelapsesintobusiness-absorption，Mr。LorryhadbecometheDoctor\'sfriend，andthequietstreet-cornerwasthesunnypartofhislife。
OnthiscertainfineSunday，Mr。LorrywalkedtowardsSoho，earlyintheafternoon，forthreereasonsofhabit。Firstly，because，onfineSundays，heoftenwalkedout，beforedinner，withtheDoctorandLucie；
secondly，because，onunfavourableSundays，hewasaccustomedtobewiththemasthefamilyfriend，talking，reading，lookingoutofwindow，andgenerallygettingthroughtheday；thirdly，becausehehappenedtohavehisownlittleshrewddoubtstosolve，andknewhowthewaysoftheDoctor\'shouseholdpointedtothattimeasalikelytimeforsolvingthem。
AquaintercornerthanthecornerwheretheDoctorlived，wasnottobefoundinLondon。Therewasnowaythroughit，andthefrontwindowsoftheDoctor\'slodgingscommandedapleasantlittlevistaofstreetthathadacongenialairofretirementonit。Therewerefewbuildingsthen，northoftheOxford-road，andforest-treesflourished，andwildflowersgrew，andthehawthornblossomed，inthenowvanishedfields。Asaconsequence，countryairscirculatedinSohowithvigorousfreedom，insteadoflanguishingintotheparishlikestraypauperswithoutasettlement；andtherewasmanyagoodsouthwall，notfaroff，onwhichthepeachesripenedintheirseason。
Thesummerlightstruckintothecornerbrilliantlyintheearlierpartoftheday；but，whenthestreetsgrewhot，thecornerwasinshadow，thoughnotinshadowsoremotebutthatyoucouldseebeyonditintoaglareofbrightness。Itwasacoolspot，staidbutcheerful，awonderfulplaceforechoes，andaveryharbourfromtheragingstreets。
Thereoughttohavebeenatranquilbarkinsuchananchorage，andtherewas。TheDoctoroccupiedtwofloorsofalargestillhouse，whereseveralcallingspurportedtobepursuedbyday，butwhereoflittlewasaudibleanyday，andwhichwasshunnedbyallofthematnight。Inabuildingattheback，attainablebyacourt-yard\'whereaplane-treerustleditsgreenleaves，church-organsclaimedtobemade，andsilvertobechased，andlikewisegoldtobebeatenbysomemysteriousgiantwhohadagoldenarmstartingoutofthewallofthefronthall——asifhehadbeatenhimselfprecious，andmenacedasimilarconversionofallvisitors。Verylittleofthesetrades，orofalonelylodgerrumouredtoliveup-stairs，orofadimcoach-trimmingmakerassertedtohaveacounting-housebelow，waseverheardorseen。Occasionally，astrayworkmanputtinghiscoaton，traversedthehall，orastrangerpeeredaboutthere，oradistantclinkwasheardacrossthecourt-yard，orathumpfromthegoldengiant。These，how-ever，wereonlytheexceptionsrequiredtoprovetherulethatthesparrowsintheplane-treebehindthehouse，andtheechoesinthecornerbeforeit，hadtheirownwayfromSundaymorninguntoSaturdaynight。
DoctorManettereceivedsuchpatientshereashisoldreputation，anditsrevivalinthefloatingwhispersofhisstory，broughthim。Hisscientificknowledge，andhisvigilanceandskillinconductingingeniousexperiments，broughthimother-wiseintomoderaterequest，andheearneda，muchashewanted。
ThesethingswerewithinMr。JarvisLorry\'sknowledge，thoughts，andnotice，whenherangthedoor-bellofthetranquilhouseinthecorner，onthefineSundayafternoon。
`DoctorManetteathome?\'
Expectedhome。
`MissLucieathome?\'
Expectedhome。
`MissProssathome?\'
Possiblyathome，butofacertaintyimpossibleforhand-maidtoanticipateintentionsofMissPross，astoadmissionordenialofthefact。
`AsIamathomemyself，\'saidMr。Lorry，`I\'llgoup-stairs。\'
AlthoughtheDoctor\'sdaughterhadknownnothingofthecountryofherbirth，sheappearedtohaveinnatelyderivedfromitthatabilitytomakemuchoflittlemeans，whichisoneofitsmostusefulandmostagreeablecharacteristics。Simpleasthefurniturewas，itwassetoffbysomanylittleadornments，ofnovaluebutfortheirtasteandfancy，thatitseffectwasdelightful。Thedispositionofeverythingintherooms，fromthelargestobjecttotheleast；thearrangementofcolours，theelegantvarietyandcontrastobtainedbythriftintrifles，bydelicatehands，cleareyes，andgoodsense；wereatoncesopleasantinthemselves，andsoexpressiveoftheiroriginator，that，asMr。Lorrystoodlookingabouthim，theverychairsandtablesseemedtoaskhim，withsomethingofthatpeculiarexpressionwhichheknewsowellbythistime，whetherheapproved?
Therewerethreeroomsonafloor，and，thedoorsbywhichtheycommunicatedbeingputopenthattheairmightpassfreelythroughthemall，Mr。Lorry，smilinglyobservantofthatfancifulresemblancewhichhedetectedallaroundhim，walkedfromonetoanother。Thefirstwasthebestroom，andinitwereLucie\'sbirds，andflowers，andbooks，anddesk，andwork-table，andboxofwater-colours；thesecondwastheDoctor\'sconsulting-room，usedalsoasthedining-room；thethird，changinglyspeckledbytherustleoftheplane-treeintheyard，wastheDoctor\'sbedroom，andthere，inacorner，stoodthedisusedshoemaker\'sbenchandtrayoftools，muchasithadstoodonthefifthfloorofthedismalhousebythewine-shop，inthesuburbofSaintAntoineinParis。
`Iwonder，\'saidMr。Lorry，pausinginhislookingabout，`thathekeepsthatreminderofhissufferingsabouthim!\'
`Andwhywonderatthat?\'wastheabruptinquirythatmadehimstart。
ItproceededfromMissPross，thewildredwoman，strongofhand，whoseacquaintancehehadfirstmadeattheRoyalGeorgeHotelatDover，andhadsinceimproved。
`Ishouldhavethought——`Mr。Lorrybegan。
`Pooh!You\'dhavethought!\'saidMissPross；andMr。Lorryleftoff。
`Howdoyoudo?\'inquiredthatladythen——sharply，andyetasiftoexpressthatsheborehimnomalice。
`Iamprettywell，Ithankyou，\'answeredMr。Lorry，withmeekness；
`howareyou?\'
`Nothingtoboastof，\'saidMissPross。
`Indeed?\'
`Ah!indeed!\'saidMissPross。`IamverymuchputoutaboutmyLadybird。\'
`Indeed?\'
`Forgracioussakesaysomethingelsebesides``indeed，\'\'oryou\'llfidgetmetodeath，\'saidMissPross:whosecharacterdissociatedfromstaturewasshortness。\'
`Really，then?\'saidMr。Lorry，asanamendment。
`Really，isbadenough，\'returnedMissPross，`butbetter。Yes，Iamverymuchputout。\'
`MayIaskthecause?\'
`Idon\'twantdozensofpeoplewhoarenotatallworthyofLadybird，tocomeherelookingafterher，\'saidMissPross。
`Dodozenscomeforthatpurpose?\'
`Hundreds，\'saidMissPross。
Itwascharacteristicofthisladyasofsomeotherpeoplebeforehertimeandsincethatwheneverheroriginalpro-positionwasquestioned，sheexaggeratedit。
`Dearme!\'saidMr。Lorry，asthesafestremarkhecouldthinkof。
`Ihavelivedwiththedarling——orthedarlinghaslivedwithme，andpaidmeforit；whichshecertainlyshouldneverhavedone，youmaytakeyouraffidavit，ifIcouldhaveaffordedtokeepeithermyselforherfornothing——sinceshewastenyearsold。Andit\'sreallyveryhard，\'
saidMissPross。
Notseeingwithprecisionwhatwasveryhard，Mr。Lorryshookhishead；usingthatimportantpartofhimselfasasortoffairycloakthatwouldfitanything。
`Allsortsofpeoplewhoarenotintheleastdegreeworthyofthepet，arealwaysturningup，\'saidMissPross。`Whenyoubeganit——\'
`Ibeganit，MissPross?\'
`Didn\'tyou?Whobroughtherfathertolife?\'
`Oh!Ifthatwasbeginningit——\'saidMr。Lorry。
`Itwasn\'tendingit，Isuppose?Isay，whenyoubeganit，itwashardenough；notthatIhaveanyfaulttofindwithDoctorManette，exceptthatheisnotworthyofsuchadaughter，whichisnoimputationonhim，foritwasnottobeexpectedthatanybodyshouldbe，underanycircumstances。ButitreallyisdoublyandtreblyhardtohavecrowdsandmultitudesofpeopleturningupafterhimIcouldhaveforgivenhim，totakeLadybird\'saffectionsawayfromme。\'
Mr。LorryknewMissProsstobeveryjealous，buthealsoknewherbythistimetobe，beneaththesurfaceofhereccentricity，oneofthoseunselfishcreatures——foundonlyamongwomen——whowill，forpureloveandadmiration，bindthemselveswillingslaves，toyouthwhentheyhavelostit，tobeautythattheyneverhad，toaccomplishmentsthattheywereneverfortunateenoughtogain，tobrighthopesthatnevershoneupontheirownsombrelives。Heknewenoughoftheworldtoknowthatthereisnothinginitbetterthanthefaithfulserviceoftheheart；sorenderedandsofreefromanymercenarytaint，hehadsuchanexaltedrespectforit，thatintheretributivearrangementsmadebyhisownmind——weallmakesucharrangements，moreorless——hestationedMissProssmuchnearertothelowerAngelsthanmanyladiesimmeasurablybettergotupbothbyNatureandArt，whohadbalancesatTellson\'s。
`Thereneverwas，norwillbe，butonemanworthyofLady-bird，\'
saidMissPross；`andthatwasmybrotherSolomon，ifhehadn\'tmadeamistakeinlife。\'
Hereagain:Mr。Lorry\'sinquiriesintoMissPross\'spersonalhistoryhadestablishedthefactthatherbrotherSolomonwasaheartlessscoundrelwhohadstrippedherofeverythingshepossessed，asastaketospeculatewith，andhadabandonedherinherpovertyforevermore，withnotouchofcompunction。MissPross\'sfidelityofbeliefinSolomondeductingameretrifleforthisslightmistakewasquiteaseriousmatterwithMr。
Lorry，andhaditsweightinhisgoodopinionofher。
`Aswehappentobealoneforthemoment，andarebothpeopleofbusiness，\'hesaid，whentheyhadgotbacktothedrawing-roomandhadsatdownthereinfriendlyrelations，`letmeaskyou——doestheDoctor，intalkingwithLucie，neverrefertotheshoemakingtime，yet?\'
`Never。\'
`Andyetkeepsthatbenchandthosetoolsbesidehim?\'
`Ah!\'returnedMissPross，shakingherhead。`ButIdon\'tsayhedon\'trefertoitwithinhimself。\'
`Doyoubelievethathethinksofitmuch?\'
`Ido，\'saidMissPross。
`Doyouimagine——\'Mr。Lorryhadbegun，whenMissProsstookhimupshortwith:
`Neverimagineanything。Havenoimaginationatall。\'
`Istandcorrected，；doyousuppose——yougosofarastoSuppose，sometimes?
`Nowandthen，\'saidMissPross。
`Doyousuppose，\'Mr。Lorrywenton，withalaughingtwinkleinhisbrighteye，asitlookedkindlyather，`thatDoctorManettehasanytheoryofhisown，preservedthroughallthoseyears，relativetothecauseofhisbeingsooppressed；perhaps，eventothenameofhisoppressor?\'
`Idon\'tsupposeanythingaboutitbutwhatLadybirdtellsme。\'
`Andthatis——?\'
`Thatshethinkshehas。\'
`Nowdon\'tbeangryatmyaskingallthesequestions；becauseIamameredullmanofbusiness，andyouareawomanofbusiness。\'
`Dull?\'MissProssinquired，withplacidity。
Ratherwishinghismodestadjectiveaway，Mr。Lorryreplied，`No，no，no。Surelynot。Toreturntobusiness:-IsitnotremarkablethatDoctorManette，unquestionablyinnocentofanycrimeasweareallwellassuredheis，shouldnevertouchuponthatquestion?Iwillnotsaywithme，thoughhehadbusinessrelationswithmemanyyearsago，andwearenowintimate；
Iwillsaywiththefairdaughtertowhomheissodevotedlyattached，andwhoissodevotedlyattachedtohim?Believeme，MissPross，Idon\'tapproachthetopicwithyou，outofcuriosity，butoutofzealousinterest。\'
`Well!Tothebestofmyunderstanding，andbad\'sthebest，you\'lltellme，\'saidMissPross，softenedbythetoneoftheapology，`heisafraidofthewholesubject。
`Afraid?\'
`It\'splainenough，Ishouldthink，whyhemaybe。It\'sadreadfulremembrance。Besidesthat，hislossofhimselfgrewoutofit。Notknowinghowhelosthimself，orhowhere-coveredhimself，hemayneverfeelcertainofnotlosinghimselfagain。Thatalonewouldn\'tmakethesubjectpleasant，Ishouldthink。\'
ItwasaprofounderremarkthanMr。Lorryhadlookedfor。`True，\'
saidhe，`andfearfultoreflectupon。Yet，adoubtlurksinmymind，MissPross，whetheritisgoodforDoctorManettetohavethatsuppressionalwaysshutupwithinhim。Indeed，itisthisdoubtandtheuneasinessitsometimescausesmethathasledmetoourpresentconfidence。\'
`Can\'tbehelped，\'saidMissPross，shakingherhead。`Touchthatstring，andheinstantlychangesfortheworse。Betterleaveitalone。
Inshort，mustleaveitalone，likeornolike。Sometimes，liegetsupinthedeadofthenight，andwillbeheard，byusoverheadthere，walkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，inhisroom。Ladybirdhaslearnttoknowthenthathismindiswalkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，inhisoldprison。Shehurriestohim，andtheygoontogether，walkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，untilheiscomposed。Butheneversaysawordofthetruereasonofhisrestlessness，toher，andshefindsitbestnottohintatittohim。Insilencetheygowalkingupanddowntogether，walkingupanddowntogether，tillherloveandcompanyhavebroughthimtohimself。\'
NotwithstandingMissPross\'sdenialofherownimagination，therewasaperceptionofthepainofbeingmonotonouslyhauntedbyonesadidea，inherrepetitionofthephrase，walkingupanddown，whichtestifiedtoherpossessingsuchathing。
Thecornerhasbeenmentionedasawonderfulcornerforechoes；
ithadbeguntoechosoresoundinglytothetreadofcomingfeet，thatitseemedasthoughtheverymentionofthatwearypacingtoandfrohadsetitgoing。
`Heretheyare!\'saidMissPross，risingtobreakuptheconference；
`andnowweshallhavehundredsofpeopleprettysoon!\'
Itwassuchacuriouscomerinitsacousticalproperties，suchapeculiarEarofaplace，thatasMr。Lorrystoodattheopenwindow，lookingforthefatheranddaughterwhosestepsheheard，hefanciedtheywouldneverapproach。Notonlywouldtheechoesdieaway，asthoughthestepshadgone；but，echoesofotherstepsthatnevercamewouldbeheardintheirstead，andwoulddieawayforgoodwhentheyseemedcloseathand。
However，fatheranddaughterdidatlastappear，andMissProsswasreadyatthestreetdoortoreceivethem。
MissProsswasapleasantsight，albeitwild，andred，andgrim，takingoffherdarling\'sbonnetwhenshecameup-stairs，andtouchingitupwiththeendsofherhandkerchief，andblowingthedustoffit，andfoldinghermantlereadyforlayingby，andsmoothingherrichhairwithasmuchprideasshecouldpossiblyhavetakeninherownhairifshehadbeenthevainestandhandsomestofwomen。Herdarlingwasapleasantsighttoo，embracingherandthankingher，andprotestingagainsthertakingsomuchtroubleforher——whichlastsheonlydaredtodoplayfully，orMissPross，sorelyhurt，wouldhaveretiredtoherownchamberandcried。
TheDoctorwasapleasantsighttoo，lookingonatthem，andtellingMissProsshowshespoiltLucie，inaccentsandwitheyesthathadasmuchspoilinginthemasMissProsshad，andwouldhavehadmoreifitwerepossible。
Mr。Lorrywasapleasantsighttoo，beamingatallthisinhislittlewig，andthankinghisbachelorstarsforhavinglightedhiminhisdecliningyearstoaHome。But，noHundredsofpeoplecametoseethesights，andMr。LorrylookedinvainforthefulfilmentofMissPross\'sprediction。
Dinner-time，andstillnoHundredsofpeople。Inthearrangementsofthelittlehousehold，MissProsstookchargeofthelowerregions，andalwaysacquittedherselfmarvellously。Herdinners，ofaverymodestquality，weresowellcookedandsowellserved，andsoneatintheircontrivances，halfEnglishandhalfFrench，thatnothingcouldbebetter。MissPross\'sfriendshipbeingofthethoroughlypracticalkind，shehadravagedSohoandtheadjacentprovinces，insearchofimpoverishedFrench，who，temptedbyshillingsandhalf-crowns，wouldimpartculinarymysteriestoher。FromthesedecayedsonsanddaughtersofGaul，shehadacquiredsuchwonderfularts，thatthewomanandgirlwhoformedthestaffofdomesticsregardedherasquiteaSorceress，orCinderella\'sGodmother:whowouldsendoutforafowl，arabbit，avegetableortwofromthegarden，andchangethemintoany-thingshepleased。
OnSundays，MissProssdinedattheDoctor\'stable，butonotherdayspersistedintakinghermealsatunknownperiods，eitherinthelowerregions，orinherownroomonthesecondfloor——abluechamber，towhichnoonebutherLadybirdevergainedadmittance。Onthisoccasion，MissPross，respondingtoLadybird\'spleasantfaceandpleasanteffortstopleaseher，unbentexceedingly；sothedinnerwasverypleasant，too。
Itwasanoppressiveday，and，afterdinner，Lucieproposedthatthewineshouldbecarriedoutundertheplane-tree，andtheyshouldsitthereintheair。Aseverythingturneduponher，andrevolvedabouther，theywentoutundertheplane-tree，andshecarriedthewinedownforthespecialbenefitofMr。Lorry。Shehadinstalledherself，sometimebefore，asMr。Lorry\'scup-bearer；andwhiletheysatundertheplane-tree，talking，shekepthisglassreplenished。Mysteriousbacksandendsofhousespeepedatthemastheytalked，andtheplane-treewhisperedtotheminitsownwayabovetheirheads。
Still，theHundredsofpeopledidnotpresentthemselves。Mr。
Darnaypresentedhimselfwhiletheyweresittingundertheplane-tree，buthewasonlyOne。
DoctorManettereceivedhimkindly，andsodidLucie。But，MissProsssuddenlybecameafflictedwithatwitchingintheheadandbody，andretiredintothehouse。Shewasnotunfrequentlythevictimofthisdisorder，andshecalledit，infamiliarconversation，`afitofthejerks。\'
TheDoctorwasinhisbestcondition，andlookedspeciallyyoung。
TheresemblancebetweenhimandLuciewasverystrongatsuchtimes，andastheysatsidebyside，sheleaningonhisshoulder，andherestinghisarmonthebackofherchair，itwasveryagreeabletotracethelikeness。
Hehadbeentalkingallday，onmanysubjects，andwithunusualvivacity。`Pray，DoctorManette，\'saidMr。Darnay，astheysatundertheplane-tree——andhesaiditinthenaturalpursuitofthetopicinhand，whichhappenedtobetheoldbuildingsofLondon-haveyouseenmuchoftheTower?\'
`LucieandIhavebeenthere；butonlycasually。Wehaveseenenoughofit，toknowthatitteemswithinterest；littlemore。\'
`Ihavebeenthere，asyouremember，\'saidDarnay，withasmile，thoughreddeningalittleangrily，`inanothercharacter，andnotinacharacterthatgivesfacilitiesforseeing，muchofit。TheytoldmeacuriousthingwhenIwasthere。
`Whatwasthat?\'Lucieasked。
`Inmakingsomealterations，theworkmencameuponanolddungeon，whichhadbeen，formanyyears，builtupandforgotten。Everystoneofitsinnerwallwascoveredbyinscriptionswhichhadbeencarvedbyprisoners——dates，names，complaints，andprayers。Uponacornerstoneinanangleofthewall，oneprisoner，whoseemedtohavegonetoexecution，hadcutashislastwork，threeletters。Theyweredonewithsomeverypoorinstrument，andhurriedly，withanunsteadyhand。Atfirst，theywerereadasD。I。
C。；but，onbeingmorecarefullyexamined，thelastletterwasfoundtobeG。Therewasnorecordorlegendofanyprisonerwiththoseinitials，andmanyfruitlessguessesweremadewhatthenamecouldhavebeen。Atlength，itwassuggestedthattheletterswerenotinitials，butthecompleteword，DIG。Thefloorwasexaminedverycarefullyundertheinscription，and，intheearthbeneathastone，ortile，orsomefragmentofpaving，werefoundtheashesofapaper，mingledwiththeashesofasmallleatherncaseorbag。Whattheunknownprisonerhadwrittenwillneverberead，buthehadwrittensomething，andhiddenitawaytokeepitfromthegaoler。\'
`Myfather，\'exclaimedLucie，`youareill!\'
Hehadsuddenlystartedup，withhishandtohishead。Hismannerandhislookquiteterrifiedthemall。
`No，mydear，notill。Therearelargedropsofrainfalling，andtheymademestart。Wehadbettergoin。\'
Herecoveredhimselfalmostinstantly。Rainwasreallyfallinginlargedrops，andheshowedthebackofhishandwithrain-dropsonit。
But，hesaidnotasinglewordinreferencetothediscoverythathadbeentoldof，and，astheywentintothehouse，thebusinesseyeofMr。Lorryeitherdetected，orfancieditdetected，onhisface，asitturnedtowardsCharlesDarnay，thesamesingularlookthathadbeenuponitwhenitturnedtowardshiminthepassagesoftheCourtHouse。
Herecoveredhimselfsoquickly，however，thatMr。Lorryhaddoubtsofhisbusinesseye。Thearmofthegoldengiantinthehallwasnotmoresteadythanhewas，whenhestoppedunderittoremarktothemthathewasnotyetproofagainstslightsurprisesifheeverwouldbe，andthattherainhadstartledhim。
Tea-time，andMissProssmakingtea，withanotherfitofthejerksuponher，andyetnoHundredsofpeople。Mr。Gartonhadloungedin，buthemadeonlyTwo。
Thenightwassoverysultry，thatalthoughtheysatwithdoorsandwindowsopen，theywereoverpoweredbyheat。Whenthetea-tablewasdonewith，theyallmovedtooneofthewindows，andlookedoutintotheheavytwilight。Luciesatbyherfather；Darnaysatbesideher；Cartonleanedagainstawindow。Thecurtainswerelongandwhite，andsomeofthethunder-guststhatwhirledintothecorner，caughtthemuptotheceiling，andwavedthemlikespectralwings。
`Therain-dropsarestillfalling，large，heavy，andfew，\'saidDoctorManette。`Itcomesslowly。
`Itcomessurely，\'saidCarton。
Theyspokelow，aspeoplewatchingandwaitingmostlydo；aspeopleinadarkroom，watchingandwaitingforLightning，alwaysdo。
Therewasagreathurryinthestreets，ofpeoplespeedingawaytogetshelterbeforethestormbroke；thewonderfulcornerforechoesresoundedwiththeechoesoffootstepscomingandgoing，yetnotafootstepwasthere。
`Amultitudeofpeople，andyetasolitude!\'saidDarnay，whentheyhadlistenedforawhile。
`Isitnotimpressive，Mr。Darnay?\'askedLucie。`Sometimes，I
havesathereofanevening，untilIhavefancied——buteventheshadeofafoolishfancymakesmeshudderto-night，whenallissoblackandsolemn——\'
`Letusshuddertoo。Wemayknowwhatitis。\'
`Itwillseemnothingtoyou。Suchwhimsareonlyimpressiveasweoriginatethem，Ithink；theyarenottobecommunicated。Ihavesometimessatalonehereofanevening，listening，untilIhavemadetheechoesouttobetheechoesofallthefootstepsthatarecomingby-and-byintoourlives。\'
`Thereisagreatcrowdcomingonedayintoourlives，ifthatbeso，\'SydneyCartonstruckin，inhismoodyway。
Thefootstepswereincessant，andthehurryofthembecamemoreandmorerapid。Thecornerechoedandre-echoedwiththetreadoffeet；
some，asitseemed，underthewindows；some，asitseemed，intheroom；
somecoming，somegoing，somebreakingoff，somestoppingaltogether；allinthedistantstreets，andnotonewithinsight。
`Areallthesefootstepsdestinedtocometoallofus，MissManette，orarewetodividethemamongus?\'
`Idon\'tknow，Mr。Darnay；Itoldyouitwasafoolishfancy，butyouaskedforit。WhenIhaveyieldedmyselftoit，Ihavebeenalone，andthenIhaveimaginedthemthefoot-stepsthepeoplewhoaretocomeintomylife，andmyfather\'s。\'
`Itakethemintomine!\'saidCarton。`Iasknoquestionsandmakenostipulations。Thereisagreatcrowdbearingdownuponus，MissManette，andIseethem——bytheLightning。\'Headdedthelastwords，aftertherehadbeenavividflashwhichhadshownhimlounginginthewindow。
`AndIhearthem。\'headdedagain，afterapealofthunder。
`Heretheycome，fast，fierce，andfurious。\'
Itwastherushandroarofrainthathetypified，anditstoppedhim，fornovoicecouldbeheardinit。Amemorablestormofthunderandlightningbrokewiththatsweepofwater，andtherewasnotamoment\'sintervalincrash，andWe，andrain，untilafterthemoonroseatmidnight。
ThegreatbellofSaintPaul\'swasstrikingOneintheclearedair，whenMr。Lorry，escortedbyJerry，high-booted。andbearingalantern，setforthonhisreturn-passagetoClerkenwell。ThereweresolitarypatchesofroadonthewaybetweenSohoandClerkenwell，andMr。Lorry，mindfuloffootpads，alwaysretainedJerryforthisservice:thoughitwasusuallyperformedagoodtwohoursearlier。
`Whatanightithasbeen!Almostanight，`Jerry，\'saidMr。Lorry，`tobringthedeadoutoftheirgraves。
`Ineverseethenightmyself，master——noryetIdon\'texpectto——whatwoulddothat，\'answeredJerry。
`Good-night，Mr。Carton，\'saidthemanofbusiness。`Good-night，Mr。Darnay。Shallweeverseesuchanightagain，together!\'
Perhaps。Perhaps，seethegreatcrowdofpeoplewithitsrushandroar，bearingdownuponthem，too。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIMonseigneurinTownMONSEIGNEUR，oneofthegreatlordsinpowerattheCourt，heldhisfortnightlyreceptioninhisgrandhotelinParis。Monseigneurwasinhisinnerroom，hissanctuaryofsanctuaries，theHoliestofHolieststothecrowdofworshippersinthesuiteofroomswithout。Monseigneurwasabouttotakehischocolate。
Monseigneurcouldswallowagreatmanythingswithease，andwasbysomefewsullenmindssupposedtoberatherrapidlyswallowingFrance；but，hismorning\'schocolatecouldnotsomuchasgetintothethroatofMonseigneur，withouttheaidoffourstrongmenbesidestheCook。
Yes。Ittookfourmen，allfoura-blazewithgorgeousdecoration，andtheChiefofthemunabletoexistwithfewerthantwogoldwatchesinhispocket，emulativeofthenobleandchastefashionsetbyMonseigneur，toconductthehappychocolatetoMonseigneur\'slips。Onelacqueycarriedthechocolate-potintothesacredpresence；asecond，milledandfrothedthechocolatewiththelittleinstrumentheboreforthatfunction；athird，presentedthefavourednapkin；afourthheofthetwooldwatches，pouredthechocolateout。ItwasimpossibleMonseigneurtodispensewithoneoftheseattendantsonthechocolateandholdhishighplaceundertheadmiringHeavens。Deepwouldhavebeentheblotuponhisescutcheonifhischocolatehadbeenignoblywaitedonbyonlythreemen；hemusthavediedoftwo。
Monseigneurhadbeenoutatalittlesupperlastnight，wheretheComedyandtheGrandOperawerecharminglyrepresented。Monseigneurwasoutatalittlesuppermostnights，withfascinatingcompany。SopoliteandsoimpressiblewasMonseigneur，thattheComedyandtheGrandOperahadfarmoreinfluencewithhiminthetiresomearticlesofstateaffairsandstatesecrets，thantheneedsofallFrance。AhappycircumstanceforFrance，asthelikealwaysisforallcountriessimilarlyfavoured!——alwayswasforEnglandbywayofexample，intheregretteddaysofthemerryStuartwhosoldit。
Monseigneurhadonetrulynobleideaofgeneralpublicbusiness，whichwas，toleteverythinggooninitsownway；ofparticularpublicbusiness，Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleideathatitmustallgohisway——tendtohisownpowerandpocket。Ofhispleasures，generalandparticular，Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleidea，thattheworldwasmadeforthem。Thetextofhisorderalteredfromtheoriginalbyonlyapronoun，whichisnotmuch`ran:`Theearthandthefulnessthereofaremine，saithMonseigneur。\'