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　　`——Iwouldabandonit，andliveotherwiseandelsewhere。Itislittletorelinquish。Whatisitbutawildernessofmiseryandruin?\'

　　`Hah!\'saidtheMarquis，glancingroundtheluxuriousroom。`Totheeyeitisfairenough，here；butseeninitsintegrity，underthesky，andbythedaylight，itisacrumblingtowerofwaste，mismanagement，extortion，debt，mortgage，oppression，hunger，nakedness，andsuffering。\'

　　`Hah!\'saidtheMarquisagain，inawell-satisfiedmanner。

　　`Ifiteverbecomesmine，itshallbeputintosomehandsbetterqualifiedtofreeitslowlyifsuchathingispossiblefromtheweightthatdragsitdown，sothatthemiserablepeopleWhocannotleaveitandwhohavebeenlongwrungtothelastpointofendurance，may，inanothergeneration，sufferless；batitisnotforme。Thereisacurseonit，andonallthisland。\'

　　`Andyou?\'saidtheuncle。`Forgivemycuriosity；doyou，underyournewphilosophy，graciouslyintendtolive?\'

　　`Imustdo，tolive，whatothersofmycountrymen，evenwithnobilityattheirbacks，mayhavetodosomeday——work。\'

　　`InEngland，forexample?\'

　　`Yes。Thefamilyhonour，sir，issafefrommeinthiscountry。

　　Thefamilynamecansufferfrommeinnoother，forIbearitinnoother。\'

　　Theringingofthebellhadcausedtheadjoiningbedchambertobelighted。Itnowshonebrightly，throughthedoorofcommunication。TheMarquislookedthatway，andlistenedfortheretreatingstepofhisvalet。

　　`Englandisveryattractivetoyou，seeinghowindifferentlyyouhaveprosperedthere，\'heobservedthen，turninghiscalmfacetohisnephewwithasmile。

　　`Ihavealreadysaid，thatformyprosperingthere，IamsensibleI

　　maybeindebtedtoyou，sir。Fortherest，itismyRefuge。\'

　　`Theysay，thoseboastfulEnglish，thatitistheRefugeofmany。

　　YouknowacompatriotwhohasfoundaRefugethere?ADoctor?\'

　　`Yes。\'

　　`With，adaughter?\'

　　`Yes，\'saidtheMarquis。`Youarefatigued。Good-night!\'

　　Ashebenthisheadinhismostcourtlymanner，therewasasecrecyinhissmilingface，andheconveyedanairofmysterytothosewords，whichstrucktheeyesandearsofhisnephewforcibly。Atthesametime，thethinstraightlinesofthesettingoftheeyes，andthethinstraightlips，andthemarkingsinthenose，curvedwithasarcasmthatlookedhandsomelydiabolic。

　　`Yes，\'repeatedtheMarquis。`ADoctorwithadaughter。Yes。Socommencesthenewphilosophy!Youarefatigued。Good-night!\'

　　Itwouldhavebeenofasmuchavailtointerrogateanystonefaceoutsidethech&acirc；ateauastointerrogatethatfaceofhis。Thenephewlookedathiminvain，inpassingontothedoor。

　　`Good-night!\'saidtheuncle。`Ilooktothepleasureofseeingyouagaininthemorning。Goodrepose!LightMonsieurmynephewtohischamberthere!——AndburnMonsieurmynephewinhisbed，ifyouwill，\'headdedtohimself，beforeheranghislittlebellagain，andsummonedhisvalettohisownbedroom。

　　Thevaletcomeandgone，MonsieurtheMarquiswalkedtoandfroinhisloosechamber-robe，topreparehimselfgentlyforsleep，thathotstillnight。Rustlingabouttheroom，hissoftly-slipperedfeetmakingnonoiseonthefloor，hemovedlikearefinedtiger——lookedlikesomeenchantedmarquisoftheimpenitentlywickedsort，instory，whoseperiodicalchangeintotigerformwaseitherjustgoingoff，orjustcomingon。

　　Hemovedfromendtoendofhisvoluptuousbedroom，lookingagainatthescrapsoftheday\'sjourneythatcameunbiddenintohismind；theslowtoilupthehillatsunset，thesettingsun，thedescent，themill，theprisononthecrag，thelittlevillageinthehollow，thepeasantsatthefountain，andthemenderofroadswithhisbluecappointingoutthechainunderthecarriage。ThatfountainsuggestedtheParisfountain，thelittlebundlelyingonthestep，thewomenbendingoverit，andthetallmanwithhisarmsup，crying，`Dead!\'

　　`Iamcoolnow，\'saidMonsieurtheMarquis，`andmaygotobed。\'

　　So，leavingonlyonelightburningonthelargehearth，helethisthingauzecurtainsfallaroundhim，andheardthenightbreakitssilencewithalongsighashecomposedhimselftosleep。

　　Thestonefacesontheouterwallsstaredblindlyattheblacknightforthreeheavyhours；forthreeheavyhourstilehorsesinthestablesrattledattheirracks，thedogsbarked，andtheowlmadeanoisewithverylittleresemblanceinittothenoiseconventionallyassignedtotheowlbymen-poets。Butitistheobstinatecustomofsuchcreatureshardlyevertosaywhatissetdownforthem。

　　Forthreeheavyhours，thestonefacesofthech&acirc；ateau，lionandhuman，staredblindlyatthenight。Deaddarknesslayonallthelandscape，deaddarknessaddeditsownhushtothehushingdustonalltheroads。Theburial-placehadgottothepassthatitslittleheapsofpoorgrasswereundistinguishablefromoneanother；thefigureontheCrossmighthavecomedown，foranythingthatcouldbeseenofit。Inthevillage，taxersandtaxedwerefastasleep。Dreaming，perhaps，ofbanquets，asthestarvedusuallydo，andofeaseandrest，asthedrivenslaveandtheyokedoxmay，itsleaninhabitantssleptsoundly，andwerefedandfreed。

　　Thefountaininthevillageflowedunseenandunheard，andthefountainatthech&acirc；ateaudroppedunseenandunheard——bothmeltingaway，liketheminutesthatwerefallingfromthespringofTime——throughthreedarkhours。Then，thegreywaterofbothbegantobeghostlyinthelight，andtheeyesofthestonefacesofthech&acirc；ateauwereopened。

　　Lighterandlighter，untilatlastthesuntouchedthetopsofthestilltrees，andpoureditsradianceoverthehill。Intheglow，thewaterofthech&acirc；ateaufountainseemedtoturntoblood，andthestonefacescrimsoned。Thecarolofthebirdswasloudandhigh，and，ontheweather-beatensillofthegreatwindowofthebedchamberofMonsieurtheMarquis，onelittlebirdsangitssweetestsongwithallitsmight。Atthis，theneareststonefaceseemedtostareamazed，and，withopenedmouthanddroppedunder-jaw，lookedawe-stricken。

　　Now，thesunwasfullup，andmovementbeganinthevillage。Casementwindowsopened，crazydoorswereunbarred，andpeoplecameforthshivering——chilled，asyet，bythenewsweetair。Thenbegantherarelylightenedtoilofthedayamongthevillagepopulation。Some，tothefountain；some，tothefields；

　　menandwomenhere，todiganddelve；menandwomenthere，toseetothepoorlivestock，andleadthebonycowsout，tosuchpastureascouldbefoundbytheroadside。InthechurchandattheCross，akneelingfigureortwo；attendantonthelatterprayers，theledcow，tryingforabreakfastamongtheweedsatitsfoot。

　　Thech&acirc；ateauawokelater，asbecameitsquality，butawokegraduallyandsurely。First，thelonelyboar-spearsandknivesofthechasehadbeenreddenedasofold；then，hadgleamedtrenchantinthemorningsunshine；now，doorsandwindowswerethrownopen，horsesintheirstableslookedroundovertheirshouldersatthelightandfreshnesspouringinatdoorways，leavessparkledandrustledatiron-gratedwindows，dogspulledhardattheirchains，andrearedimpatienttobeloosed。

　　Allthesetrivialincidentsbelongedtotheroutineoflife，andthereturnofmorning。Surely，notsotheringingofthegreathellofthech&acirc；ateau，northerunningupanddownthestairs；northehurriedfiguresontheterrace；northebootingandtrampinghereandthereandeverywhere，northequicksaddlingofhorsesandridingaway?

　　Whatwindsconveyedthishurrytothegrizzledmenderofroads，alreadyatworkonthehill-topbeyondthevillage，withhisday\'sdinnernotmuchtocarrylyinginabundlethatitwasworthnocrow\'swhiletopeckat，onaheapofstones?Hadthebirds，carryingsomegrainsofittoadistance，droppedoneoverhimastheysowchanceseeds?Whetherorno，themenderofroadsran，onthesultrymorning，asifforhislife，downthehill，knee-highindust，andneverstoppedtillhegottothefountain。

　　Allthepeopleofthevillagewereatthefountain，standingaboutintheirdepressedmanner，andwhisperinglow，butshowingnootheremotionsthangrimcuriosityandsurprise。Theledcows，hastilybroughtinandtetheredtoanythingthatwouldholdthem，werelookingstupidlyon，orlyingdownchewingthecudofnothingparticularlyrepayingtheirtrouble，whichtheyhadpickedupintheirinterruptedsaunter。Someofthepeopleofthech&acirc；ateau，andsomeofthoseoftheposting-house，andallthetaxingauthorities，werearmedmoreorless，andwerecrowdedontheothersideofthelittlestreetinapurposelessway，thatwashighlyfraughtwithnothing。Already，themenderofroadshadpenetratedintothemidstofagroupoffiftyparticularfriends，andwassmitinghimselfinthebreastwithhisbluecap。Whatdidallthisportend，andwhatportendedtheswifthoisting-upofMonsieurGabellebehindaservantonhorseback，andtheconveyingawayofthesaidGabelledouble-ladenthoughthehorsewas，atagallop，likeanewversionoftheGermanballadofLeonora?

　　Itportendedthattherewasonestonefacetoomany，upatthech&acirc；ateau。

　　TheGorgonhadsurveyedthebuildingagaininthenight，andhadaddedtheonestonefacewanting；thestonefaceforwhichithadwaitedthroughabouttwohundredyears。

　　ItlaybackonthepillowofMonsieurtheMarquis。Itwaslikeafinemask，suddenlystartled，madeangry，andpetrified。Drivenhomeintotheheartofthestonefigureattachedtoit，wasaknife。Rounditshiltwasafrillofpaper，onwhichwasscrawled:

　　`Drivehimfasttohistomb。This，fromJACQUES。\'

　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXTwoPromisesMOREmonths，tothenumberoftwelve，hadcomeandgone，andMr。CharlesDarnaywasestablishedinEnglandasahigherteacheroftheFrenchlanguagewhowasconversantwithFrenchliterature。Inthisage，hewouldhavebeenaProfessor；inthatage，hewasaTutor。Hereadwithyoungmenwhocouldfindanyleisureandinterestforthestudyofalivingtonguespokenallovertheworld，andhecultivatedatasteforitsstoresofknowledgeandfancy。Hecouldwriteofthem，besides，insoundEnglish，andrenderthemintosoundEnglish。Suchmasterswerenotatthattimeeasilyfound；Princesthathadbeen，andKingsthatweretobe，werenotyetoftheTeacherclass，andnoruinednobilityhaddroppedoutofTellson\'sledgers，toturncooksandcarpenters。Asatutor，whoseattainmentsmadethestudent\'swayunusuallypleasantandprofitable，andasaneleganttranslatorwhobroughtsomethingtohisworkbesidesmeredictionaryknowledge，youngMr。Darnaysoonbecameknownandencouraged。Hewaswellacquainted，moreover，withthecircumstancesofhiscountry，andthosewereofever-growinginterest。So，withgreatperseveranceanduntiringindustry，heprospered。

　　InLondon，hehadexpectedneithertowalkonpavementsofgold，nortolieonbedsofroses:ifhehadhadanysuchexaltedexpectation，hewouldnothaveprospered。Hehadexpectedlabour，andhefoundit，anddidit，andmadethebestofit。Inthis，hisprosperityconsisted。

　　AcertainportionofhistimewaspassedatCambridge，wherehereadwithundergraduatesasasortoftoleratedsmugglerwhodroveacontrabandtradeinEuropeanlanguages，insteadofconveyingGreekandLatinthroughtheCustom-house。TherestofhistimehepassedinLondon。

　　Now，fromthedayswhenitwasalwayssummerinEden，tothesedayswhenitismostlywinterinfallenlatitudes，theworldofamanhasinvariablygoneoneway——CharlesDarnay\'sway——thewayoftheloveofawoman。

　　HehadlovedLucieManettefromthehourofhisdanger。Hehadneverheardasoundsosweetanddearasthesoundofhercompassionatevoice；hehadneverseenafacesotenderlybeautiful，asherswhenitwasconfrontedwithhisownontheedgeofthegravethathadbeendugforhim。But，hehadnotyetspokentoheronthesubject；theassassinationatthedesertedch&acirc；ateaufarawaybeyondtheheavingwaterandthelong，long，dustyroads——thesolidstonech&acirc；ateauwhichhaditselfbecomethemeremistofadream——hadbeendoneayear，andhehadneveryet，bysomuchasasinglespokenword，disclosedtoherthestateofhisheart。

　　Thathehadhisreasonsforthis，heknewfullwell。Itwasagainasummerdaywhen，latelyarrivedinLondonfromhiscollegeoccupation，heturnedintothequietcornerinSoho，bentonseekinganopportunityofopeninghismindtoDoctorManette。Itwasthecloseofthesummerday，andheknewLucietobeoutwithMissPross。

　　HefoundtheDoctorreadinginhisarm-chairatawindow。Theenergywhichhadatoncesupportedhimunderhisoldsufferingsandaggravatedtheirsharpness，hadbeengraduallyrestoredtohim。Hewasnowaveryenergeticmanindeedwithgreatfirmnessofpurpose，strengthofresolution，andvigourofaction。Inhisrecoveredenergyhewassometimesalittlefitfulandsudden，ashehadatfirstbeenintheexerciseofhisotherrecoveredfaculties；but，thishadneverbeenfrequentlyobservable，andhadgrownmoreandmorerare。

　　Hestudiedmuch，sleptlittle，sustainedagreatdealoffatiguewithease，andwasequablycheerful。Tohim，nowenteredCharlesDarnay，atsightofwhomhelaidasidehisbookandheldouthishand。

　　`CharlesDarnay!Irejoicetoseeyou。Wehavebeencountingonyourreturnthesethreeorfourdayspast。Mr。StryverandSydneyCartonwerebothhereyesterday，andbothmadeyououttobemorethandue。

　　`Iamobligedtothemfortheirinterestinthematter，\'heanswered，alittlecoldlyastochem，thoughverywarmlyastotheDoctor。`MissManette——\'

　　`Iswell，\'saidtheDoctor，ashestoppedshort，`andyourreturnwilldelightusall。Shehasgoneoutonsomehouseholdmatters，butwillsoonbehome。\'

　　`DoctorManette，Iknewshewasfromhome。Itooktheopportunityofherbeingfromhome，tobegtospeaktoyou。\'

　　Therewasablanksilence。

　　`Yes?\'saidtheDoctor，withevidentconstraint。`Bringyourchairhere，andspeakon。\'

　　Hecompliedastothechair，butappearedtofindthespeakingonlesseasy。

　　`Ihavehadthehappiness，DoctorManette，ofbeingsointimatehere，\'soheatlengthbegan，`forsomeyearandahalf，thatIhopethetopiconwhichIamabouttotouchmaynot——\'

　　HewasstayedbytheDoctor\'sputtingouthishandtostophim。

　　Whenhehadkeptitsoalittlewhile，hesaid，drawingitback:

　　`IsLuciethetopic?\'

　　`Sheis。\'

　　`Itishardformetospeakofheratanytime。Itisveryhardformetohearherspokenofinthattoneofyours，CharlesDarnay。\'

　　`Itisatoneofferventadmiration，truehomage，anddeeplove，DoctorManette!\'hesaiddeferentially。

　　Therewasanotherblanksilencebeforeherfatherrejoined:`I

　　believeit。Idoyoujustice；Ibelieveit。\'

　　Hisconstraintwassomanifest，anditwassomanifest，too，thatitoriginatedinanunwillingnesstoapproachthesubject，thatCharlesDarnayhesitated。

　　`ShallIgoon，sir?\'

　　Anotherblank。

　　`Yes，goon。\'

　　`YouanticipatewhatIwouldsay，thoughyoucannotknowhowearnestlyIsayit，howearnestlyIfeelit，withoutknowingmysecretheart，andthehopesandfearsandanxietieswithwhichithaslongbeenladen。DearDoctorManette，Iloveyourdaughterfondly，dearly，disinterestedly，devotedly。

　　Ifevertherewereloveintheworld，Iloveher。Youhavelovedyourself；

　　letyouroldlovespeakforme!\'

　　TheDoctorsatwithhisfaceturnedaway，andhiseyesbentontheground。Atthelastwords，hestretchedouthishandagain，hurriedly，andcried:

　　`Notthat，sir!Letthatbe!Iadjureyou，donotrecallthat!\'

　　Hiscrywassolikeacryofactualpain，thatitranginCharlesDarnay\'searslongafterhehadceased。Hemotionedwiththehandhehadextended，anditseemedtobeanappealtoDarnaytopause。Thelattersoreceivedit，andremainedsilent。

　　`Iaskyourpardon，\'saidtheDoctor，inasubduedtone，aftersomemoments。`IdonotdoubtyourlovingLucie；youmaybesatisfiedofit。\'

　　Heturnedtowardshiminhischair，butdidnotlookathim，orraisehiseyes。Hischindroppeduponhishand，andhiswhitehairovershadowedhisface:

　　`HaveyouspokentoLucie?\'

　　`No。\'

　　`Norwritten?\'

　　`Never。\'

　　`Itwouldbeungeneroustoaffectnottoknowthatyourself-denialistobereferredtoyourconsiderationforherfather。Herfatherthanksyou。

　　Heofferedhishand；buthiseyesdidnotgowithit。

　　`Iknow，\'saidDarnay，respectfully，`howcanIfailtoknow，DoctorManette，Iwhohaveseenyoutogetherfromdaytoday，thatbetweenyouandMissManettethereisanaffectionsounusual，sotouching，sobelongingtothecircumstancesinwhichithasbeennurtured，thatitcanhavefewparallels，eveninthetendernessbetweenafatherandchild。

　　Iknow，Dr。Manette——howcanIfailtoknow——that，mingledwiththeaffectionanddutyofadaughterwhohasbecomeawoman，thereis，inherheart，towardsyou，alltheloveandrelianceofinfancyitself。Iknowthat，asinherchildhoodshehadnoparent，sosheisnowdevotedtoyouwithalltheconstancyandfervourofherpresentyearsandcharacter，unitedtothetrustfulnessandattachmentoftheearlydaysinwhichyouwerelosttoher。Iknowperfectlywellthatifyouhadbeenrestoredtoherfromtheworldbeyondthislife，youcouldhardlybeinvested，inhersight，withamoresacredcharacterthanthatinwhichyouarealwayswithher。

　　Iknowthatwhensheisclingingtoyou，thehandsofbaby，girl，andwoman，allinone，areroundyourneck。Iknowthatinlovingyousheseesandloveshermotheratherownage，seesandlovesyouatmyage，loveshermotherbrokenhearted，lovesyouthroughyourdreadfultrialandinyourblessedrestoration。Ihaveknownthis，nightandday，sinceIhaveknownyouinyourhome。\'

　　Herfathersatsilent，withhisfacebentdown。Hisbreathingwasalittlequickened；butherepressedallothersignsofagitation。

　　`DearDoctormanettealwaysknowingthis，alwaysseeingherandyouwiththishallowedlightaboutyou，Ihaveforborne，andforborne，aslongasitwasinthenatureofmantodoit。Ihavefelt，anddoevennowfeel，thattobringmylove——evenmine——betweenyou，istotouchyourhistorywithsomethingnotquitesogoodasitself。ButIloveher。HeavenismywitnessthatIloveher!\'

　　`Ibelieveit，\'answeredherfather，mournfully。`Ihavethoughtsobeforenow。Ibelieveit。\'

　　`But，donotbelieve，\'saidDarnay，uponwhoseearthemournfulvoicestruckwithareproachfulsound，`thatifmyfortuneweresocastasthat，beingonedaysohappyastomakehermywife，Imustatanytimeputanyseparationbetweenherandyou，IcouldorwouldbreatheawordofwhatInowsay。BesidesthatIshouldknowittobehopeless，Ishouldknowittobeabaseness。IfIhadanysuchpossibility，evenataremotedistanceofyears，harbouredinmythoughts，and`hiddeninmyheart——ifiteverhadbeenthere——ifitevercouldbethere——Icouldnotnowtouchthishonouredhand。\'

　　Helaidhisownuponitashespoke。

　　`No，dearDoctorManette。Likeyou，avoluntaryexilefromFrance；

　　likeyou，drivenfromitbyitsdistractions，oppressions，andmiseries；

　　likeyou，strivingtoliveawayfromitbymyownexertions，andtrustinginahappierfuture；Ilookonlytosharingyourfortunes，sharingyourlifeandhome，andbeingfaithfultoyoutothedeath。NottodividewithLucieherprivilegeasyourchild，companion，andfriend；buttocomeinaidofit，andbindherclosertoyou，ifsuchathingcanbe。\'

　　Histouchstilllingeredonherfather\'shand。Answeringthetouchforamoment，butnotcoldly，herfatherrestedhishandsuponthearmsofhischair，andlookedupforthefirsttimesincethebeginningoftheconference。Astrugglewasevidentlyinhisface；astrugglewiththatoccasionallookwhichhadatendencyinittodarkdoubtanddread。

　　`Youspeaksofeelinglyandsomanfully，CharlesDarnay，thatIthankyouwithallmyheart，andwillopenallmyheart——ornearlyso。

　　HaveyouanyreasontobelievethatLucielovesyou?\'

　　`None。Asyet，none。

　　`Isittheimmediateobjectofthisconfidence，thatyoumayatonceascertainthat，withmyknowledge?\'

　　`Notevenso。Imightnothavethehopefulnesstodoitforweeks；

　　Imightmistakenornotmistakenhavethathopefulnessto-morrow。

　　`Doyouseekanyguidancefromme?\'

　　`Iasknone，sir。ButIhavethoughtitpossiblethatyoumighthaveitinyourpower，ifyoushoulddeemitright，togivemesome。\'

　　`Doyouseekanypromisefromme?\'

　　`Idoseekthat。

　　`Whatisit?\'

　　`Iwellunderstandthat，withoutyou，Icouldhavenohope。I

　　wellunderstandthat，evenifMissManetteheldmeatthismomentinherinnocentheart——donotthinkIhavethepresumptiontoassumesomuch——I

　　couldretainnoplaceinitagainstherloveforherfather。\'

　　Ifthatbeso，doyousecwhat，ontheotherhand，isinvolvedinit?\'

　　`Iunderstandequallywell，thatawordfromherfatherinanysuitor\'sfavour，wouldoutweighherselfandalltheworld。Forwhichreason，DoctorManette，\'saidDarnay，modestlybutfirmly，`Iwouldnotaskthatword，tosavemylife。\'

　　`Iamsureofit。CharlesDarnay，mysteriesariseoutofcloselove，aswellasoutofwidedivision；intheformercase，theyaresubtleanddelicate，anddifficulttopenetrate。MydaughterLucieis，inthisonerespect，suchamysterytome；Icanmakenoguessatthestateofherheart。\'

　　`MayIask，sir，ifyouthinksheis——\'Ashehesitated，herfathersuppliedtherest。

　　`Issoughtbyanyothersuitor?\'

　　`ItiswhatImeanttosay。\'

　　Herfatherconsideredalittlebeforeheanswered:

　　`YouhaveseenMr。Cartonhere，yourself。Mr。Stryverisheretoo，occasionally。Ifitbeatall，itcanonlybebyoneofthese。\'

　　`Orboth，\'saidDarnay。

　　`Ihadnotthoughtofboth；Ishouldnotthinkeither，likely。

　　Youwantapromisefromme。Tellmewhatitis。

　　`Itis，thatifMissManetteshouldbringtoyouatanytime，onherownpart，suchaconfidenceasIhaveventuredtolaybeforeyou，youwillbeartestimonytowhatIhavesaid，andtoyourbeliefinit。

　　Ihopeyoumaybeabletothinksowellofme，astourgenoinfluenceagainstme。Isaynothingmoreofmystakeinthis；thisiswhatIask。

　　TheconditiononwhichIaskit，andwhichyouhaveanundoubtedrighttorequire，Iwillobserveimmediately。\'

　　`Igivethepromise，\'saidtheDoctor，`withoutanycondition。Ibelieveyourobjecttobe，purelyandtruthfully，asyouhavestatedit。Ibelieveyourintentionistoperpetuate，andnottoweaken，thetiesbetweenmeandmyotherandfardearerself。Ifsheshouldevertellmethatyouareessentialtoherperfecthappiness，Iwillgivehertoyou。Iftherewere——CharlesDarnay，iftherewere——\'

　　Theyoungmanhadtakenhishandgratefully；theirhandswerejoinedastheDoctorspoke:

　　`——anyfancies，anyreasons，anyapprehensions，anythingwhatsoever，neworold，againstthemanshereallyloved——thedirectresponsibilitythereofnotlyingonhishead——theyshouldallbeobliteratedforhersake。

　　Sheiseverythingtome；moretomethansuffering，moretomethanwrong，moretome——Well!Thisisidletalk。\'

　　Sostrangewasthewayinwhichhefadedintosilence，andsostrangehisfixedlookwhenhehadceasedtospeak，thatDarnayfelthisownhandturncoldinthehandthatslowlyreleasedanddroppedit。

　　`Yousaidsomethingtome，\'saidDoctorManette，breakingintoasmile。`Whatwasityousaidtome?\'

　　Hewasatalosshowtoanswer，untilherememberedhavingspokenofacondition。Relievedashismindrevertedtothat，heanswered:

　　`Yourconfidenceinmeoughttobereturnedwithfullconfidenceonmypart。Mypresentname，thoughbutslightlychangedfrommymother\'s，isnot，asyouwillremember，myOwn。Iwishtotellyouwhatthatis，andwhyIaminEngland。\'

　　`Stop!\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais。

　　`Iwishit，thatImaythebetterdeserveyourconfidence，andhavenosecretfromyou。

　　`Stop!\'

　　Foraninstant，theDoctorevenhadhistwohandsathisears；

　　foranotherinstant，evenhadhistwohandslaidonDarnay\'slips。

　　`TellmewhenIaskyou，notnow。Ifyoursuitshouldprosper，ifLucieshouldloveyou，youshalltellmeonyourmarriagemorning。Doyoupromise?\'

　　`Willingly。\'

　　`Givemeyourhand。Shewillbehomedirectly，anditisbettersheshouldnotseeustogetherto-night。Go!Godblessyou!\'

　　ItwasdarkwhenCharlesDarnaylefthim，anditwasanhourlateranddarkerwhenLuciecamehome；shehurriedintotheroomalone——forMissProsshadgonestraightupstairs——andwassurprisedtofindhisreading-chairempty。

　　`Myfather!\'shecalledtohim。`Fatherdear!\'

　　Nothingwassaidinanswer，butsheheardalowhammeringsoundinhisbedroom。Passinglightlyacrosstheintermediateroom，shelookedinathisdoorandcamerunningbackfrightened，cryingtoherself，withherbloodallchilled，`WhatshallIdo!WhatshallIdo!\'

　　Heruncertaintylastedbutamoment；shehurriedback，andtappedathisdoor，andsoftlycalledtohim。Thenoiseceasedatthesoundofhervoice，andhepresentlycameouttoher，andtheywalkedupanddowntogetherforalongtime。

　　Shecamedownfromherbed，tolookathiminhissleepthatnight。

　　Hesleptheavily，andhistrayofshoemakingtools，andhisoldunfinishedwork，wereallasusual。

　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIACompanionPicture`SYDNEY，\'saidMr。Stryver，onthatself-samenight，ormorning，tohisjackal；`mixanotherbowlofpunch；Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。\'

　　Sydneyhadbeenworkingdoubletidesthatnight，andthenightbefore，andthenightbeforethat，andagoodmanynightsinsuccession，makingagrandclearanceamongMr。Stryver\'spapersbeforethesettinginofthelongvacation。Theclearancewaseffectedatlast；theStryverarrearswerehandsomelyfetchedup；everythingwasgotridofuntilNovembershouldcomewithitsfogsatmosphericandfogslegal，andbringgristtothemillagain。

　　Sydneywasnonethelivelierandnonethesobererforsomuchapplication。Ithadtakenadealofextrawet-towellingtopullhimthroughthenight；acorrespondinglyextraquantityofwinehadprecededthetowelling；

　　andhewasinaverydamagedcondition，ashenowpulledhisturbanoffandthrewitintothebasininwhichhehadsteepeditatintervalsforthelastsixhours。

　　`Areyoumixingthatotherbowlofpunch?\'saidStryvertheportly，withhishandsinhiswaistband，glancingroundfromthesofawherehelayonhisback，`Iam。\'

　　`Now，lookhere!Iamgoingtotellyousomethingthatwillrathersurpriseyou，andthatperhapswillmakeyouthinkmenotquiteasshrewdasyouusuallydothinkme。Iintendtomarry。

　　`Doyou?\'

　　`Yes。Andnotformoney。Whatdoyousaynow?\'

　　`Idon\'tfeeldisposedtosaymuch。Whoisshe?\'

　　`Guess。\'

　　`DoIknowher?\'

　　`Guess。\'

　　`Iamnotgoingtoguess，atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，withmybrainsfryingandsputteringinmy，head。Ifyouwantmetoguess，youmustaskmetodinner。

　　`Wellthen，I\'lltellyou，\'saidStryver，comingslowlyintoasittingposture。`Sydney，Iratherdespairofmakingmyselfintelligibletoyou，becauseyouaresuchaninsensibledog。\'

　　`Andyou，\'returnedSydney，busyconcoctingthepunch，`aresuchasensitiveandpoeticalspirit。\'

　　`Come!\'rejoinedStryver，laughingboastfully，`thoughIdon\'tpreferanyclaimtobeingthesoulofRomanceforIhopeI，knowbetter，stillIamatenderersortoffellowthanyou。

　　`Youarealuckier，ifyoumeanthat。\'

　　`Idon\'tmeanthat。ImeanIamamanofmore——more——\'

　　`Saygallantry，whileyouareaboutit，\'suggestedCarton。

　　`Well!I\'llsaygallantry。MymeaningisthatIamaman，\'saidStryver，inflatinghimselfathisfriendashemadethepunch，`whocaresmoretobeagreeable，Whotakesmorepainstobeagreeable，whoknowsbetterhowtobeagreeable，inawoman\'ssociety，thanyoudo。\'

　　`Goon，\'saidSydneyCarton。

　　`No；butbeforeIgoon，\'saidStryver，shakinghisheadinhisbullyingway，`I\'llhavethisoutwithyou。You\'vebeenatDr。Manette\'shouseasmuchasIhave，ormorethanIhave。Why，Ihavebeenashamedofyourmorosenessthere!Yourmannershavebeenofthatsilentandsullenandhang-dogkind，that，uponmylifeandsoul，Ihavebeenashamedofyou，Sydney!\'

　　`Itshouldbeverybeneficialtoamaninyourpracticeatthebar，tobeashamedofanything，\'returnedSydney；`yououghttobemuchobligedtome。

　　`YoushallnotgetoffinthatWay，\'rejoinedStryver，shoulderingtherejoinderathim；`no，Sydney，it\'smydutytotellyou——andItellyoutoyourfacetodoyougood——thatyouareadevilishill-conditionedfellowinthatsortofsociety。Youareadisagreeablefellow。\'

　　Sydneydrankabumperofthepunchhehadmade，andlaughed。

　　`Lookatme!\'saidStryver，squaringhimself:`Ihavelessneedtomakemyselfagreeablethanyouhave，beingmoreindependentincircumstances。

　　WhydoIdoit?\'

　　`Ineversawyoudoityet，\'mutteredCarton。

　　`Idoitbecauseit\'spolitic；Idoitonprinciple。Andlookatme!Igeton。\'

　　`Youdon\'tgetonwithyouraccountofyourmatrimonialintentions，\'

　　answeredCarton，withacarelessair；`Iwishyouwouldkeeptothat。Astome——willyouneverunderstandthatIamincorrigible?\'

　　Heaskedthequestionwithsomeappearanceofscorn。

　　`Youhavenobusinesstobeincorrigible，\'washisfriend\'sanswer，deliveredinnoverysoothingtone。

　　`Ihavenobusinesstobe，atall，thatIknowof，\'saidSydneyCarton。`Whoisthelady?\'

　　`Now，don\'tletmyannouncementofthenamemakeyouuncomfortable，Sydney，\'saidMr。Stryver，preparinghimwithostentatiousfriendlinessforthedisclosurehewasabouttomake，`becauseIknowyoudon\'tmeanhalfyousay；andifyoumeantitall，itwouldbeofnoimportance。I

　　makethislittlepreface，because，youoncementionedtheyoungladytomeinslightingterms。

　　`Idid?\'

　　`Certainly；andinthesechambers。\'

　　SydneyCartonlookedathispunchandlookedathiscomplacentfriend；drankhispunchandlookedathiscomplacentfriend。

　　`Youmadementionoftheyoungladyasagolden-haireddoll。TheyoungladyisMissManette。Ifyouhadbeenafellowofanysensitivenessordelicacyoffeelinginthatkindofway，Sydney，Imighthavebeenalittleresentfulofyouremployingsuchadesignation；butyouarenot。

　　Youwantthatsensealtogether；thereforeIamnomoreannoyedwhenIthinkoftheexpression，thanIshouldbeannoyedbyaman\'sopinionofapictureofmine，whohadnoeyeforpictures:orofapieceofmusicofmine，whohadnoearformusic。\'

　　SydneyCartondrankthepunchatagreatrate；drankitbybumpers，lookingathisfriend。

　　`Nowyouknowallaboutit，Syd，\'saidMr。Stryver。`Idon\'tcareaboutfortune:sheisacharmingcreature，andIhavemadeupmymindtopleasemyself:onthewhole，IthinkIcanaffordtopleasemyself。Shewillhaveinmeamanalreadyprettywelloffandarapidlyrisingman，andamanofsomedistinction:itisapieceofgoodfortuneforher，butsheisworthyofgoodfortune。Areyouastonished?\'

　　Carton，stilldrinkingthepunch，rejoined，`WhyshouldIbeastonished?\'

　　`Youapprove?\'

　　Carton，stilldrinkingthepunch，rejoined，`WhyshouldInotapprove?\'`Well!\'saidhisfriendStryver，`youtakeitmoreeasilythanIfanciedyouwould，andarelessmercenaryonmybehalfthanIthoughtyouwouldbe；though，tobesure，youknowwellenoughbythistimethatyourancientchumisamanofaprettystrongwill。Yes，Sydney，Ihavehadenoughofthisstyleoflife，withnootherasachangeiron\'it；I

　　feelthatitisapleasantthingforamantohaveahomewhenhefeelsinclinedtogotoitwhenhedoesn\'t，hecanstayaway，andIfeelthatMissManettewilltellwellinanystation，andwillalwaysdomecredit。

　　SoIhavemadeupmymind。Andnow，Sydney，oldboy，Iwanttosayawordtoyouaboutyourprospects。Youareinabadway，youknow；

　　youreallyareinabadway。Youdon\'tknowthevalueofmoney，youlivehard，you\'llknockuponeofthesedays，andbeillandpoor；youreallyoughttothinkaboutanurse。

　　Theprosperouspatronagewithwhichhesaidit，madehimlooktwiceasbigashewas，andfourtimesasoffensive。

　　`Now，letmerecommendyou，\'pursuedStryver，`tolookitintheface。Ihavelookeditintheface，inmydifferentway；lookitintheface，you，inyourdifferentway。Marry。Providesomebodytotakecareofyou。Nevermindyourhavingnoenjoymentofwomen\'ssociety，norunderstandingofit，nortactforit。Findoutsomebody。Findoutsomerespectablewomanwithalittleproperty——somebodyinthelandladyway，orlodging-lettingway——andmarryher，againstarainyday。That\'sthekindofthingforyou。

　　Nowthinkofit，Sydney。\'

　　`I\'llthinkofit，\'saidSydney。

　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIITheFellowofDelicacyMR。STRYVERhavingmadeuphismindtothatmagnanimousbestowalofgoodfortuneontheDoctor\'sdaughter，resolvedtomakeherhappinessknowntoherbeforehelefttownfortheLongVacation。Aftersomementaldebatingofthepoint，hecametotheconclusionthatitwouldbeaswelltogetallthepreliminariesdonewith，andtheycouldthenarrangeattheirleisurewhetherheshouldgiveherhishandaweekortwobeforeMichaelmasTerm，orinthelittleChristmasvacationbetweenitandHilary。

　　Astothestrengthofhiscase，hehadnotadoubtaboutit，butclearlysawhiswayto\'theverdict。Arguedwiththejuryonsubstantialworldlygrounds——theonlygroundseverworthtakingintoaccount——itwasaplaincase，andhadnotaweakspotinit。Hecalledhimselffortheplaintiff，therewasnogettingoverhisevidence，thecounselforthedefendantthrewuphisbrief，andthejurydidnoteventurntoconsider。

　　Aftertryingit，Stryver，C。J。，wassatisfiedthatnoplainercasecouldbe。

　　Accordingly，Mr。StryverinauguratedtheLongVacationwithaformalproposaltotakeMissManettetoVauxhallGardens；thatfailing，toRanelagh；thatunaccountablyfailingtoo，itbehovedhimtopresenthimselfinSoho，andtheredeclarehisnoblemind。

　　TowardsSoho，therefore，Mr。SteershoulderedhiswayfromtheTemple，whilethebloomoftheLongVacation\'sinfancywasstilluponit。

　　AnybodywhohadseenhimprojectinghimselfintoSohowhilehewasyetonSaintDunstan\'ssideofTempleBar，burstinginhisfull-blownwayalongthepavement，tothejostlementofallweakerpeople，mighthaveseenhowsafeandstronghewas。