`Havethegoodnesstogivemealittleglassofoldcognac，andamouthfulofcoolfreshwater，madame。\'
Madamecompliedwithapoliteair。
`Marvellouscognacthis，madame!\'
Itwasthefirsttimeithadeverbeensocomplimented，andMadameDefargeknewenoughofitsantecedentstoknowbetter。Shesaid，however，thatthecognacwasflattered，andtookupherknitting。Thevisitorwatchedherfingersforafewmoments，andtooktheopportunityofobservingtheplaceingeneral。
`Youknitwithgreatskill，madame。\'
`Iamaccustomedtoit。\'
`Aprettypatterntoo!\'
`Youthinkso?\'saidmadame，lookingathimwithasmile。
`Decidedly。Mayoneaskwhatitisfor?\'
`Pastime，\'saidmadame，stilllookingathimwithasmile，whileherfingersmovednimbly。
`Notforuse?\'
`Thatdepends。Imayfindauseforitoneday。IfIdo——well，\'
saidmadame，drawingabreathandnoddingherheadwithasternkindofcoquetry，`I\'lluseit!\'
Itwasremarkable:butthetasteofSaintAntoineseemedtobedecidedlyopposedtoaroseontheheaddressofMadameDefarge。Twomenhadenteredseparately，andhadbeenabouttoorderdrink，when，catchingsightofthatnovelty，theyfaltered，madeapretenceoflookingaboutasifforsomefriendwhowasnotthere，andwentaway。Nor，ofthosewhohadbeentherewhenthisvisitorentered，wasthereoneleft。Theyhadalldroppedoff。Thespyhadkepthiseyesopen，buthadbeenabletodetectnosign。Theyhadloungedawayinapoverty-stricken，purposeless，accidentalmanner，quitenaturalandunimpeachable。
`JOHN，\'thoughtmadame，checkingoffherworkasherfingersknitted，andhereyeslookedatthestranger。，`Staylongenough，andIshallknit``BARSAD\'\'beforeyougo。\'
`Youhaveahusband，madame?\'
`Ihave。\'
`Children?\'
`Nochildren。\'
`Businessseemsbad?\'
`Businessisverybad；thepeoplearesopoor。\'
`Ah，theunfortunate，miserablepeople!Sooppressed，too——asyousay。\'
`Asyousay，\'madameretorted，correctinghim，anddeftlyknittinganextrasomethingintohisnamethatbodedhimnogood。
`Pardonme；certainlyitwasIwhosaidso，butyounaturallythinkso。Ofcourse。\'
`Ithink?\'returnedmadame，inahighvoice。`Iandmyhusbandhaveenoughtodotokeepthiswine-shopopen，withoutthinking。
Allwethink，here，ishowtolive。Thatisthesubjectwethinkof，anditgivesus，frommorningtonight，enoughtothinkabout，withoutembarrassingourheadsconcerningothers。Ithinkforothers?No，no。\'
Thespy，whowastheretopickupanycrumbshecouldfindormake，didnotallowhisbaffledstatetoexpressitselfinhissinisterface；but，stoodwithanairofgossipinggallantry，leaninghiselbowonMadameDefarge\'slittlecounter，andoccasionallysippinghiscognac。
`Abadbusinessthis，madame，ofGaspard\'sexecution。Ah!thepoorGaspard!\'Withasighofgreatcompassion。
`Myfaith!\'returnedmadame，coollyandlightly，`ifpeopleuseknivesforsuchpurposes，theyhavetopayforit。Heknewbeforehandwhatthepriceofhisluxurywas；hehaspaidtheprice。\'
`Ibelieve，\'saidthespy，droppinghissoftvoicetoatonethatinvitedconfidence，andexpressinganinjuredrevolutionarysusceptibilityineverymuscleofhiswickedface:`Ibelievethereismuchcompassionandangerinthisneighbourhood，touchingthepoorfellow?Betweenourselves。\'
`Isthere?\'askedmadame，vacantly。
`Istherenot?\'
`——Hereismyhusband!\'saidMadameDefarge。
Asthekeeperofthewine-shopenteredatthedoor，thespysalutedhimbytouchinghishat，andsaying，withanengagingsmile，`Goodday，Jacques!\'Defargestoppedshort，andstaredathim。
`Goodday，Jacques!\'thespyrepeated；withnotquitesomuchconfidence，orquitesoeasyasmileunderthestare。
`Youdeceiveyourself，monsieur，\'returnedthekeeperofthewine-shop。
`Youmistakemeforanother。Thatisnotmyname。IamErnestDefarge。\'
`Itisallthesame，\'saidthespy，airily，butdiscomfitedtoo:
`goodday!\'
`Goodday!\'answeredDefarge，drily。
`Iwassayingtomadame，withwhomIhadthepleasureofchattingwhenyouentered，thattheytellmethereis——andnowonder!——muchsympathyandangerinSaintAntoine，touchingtheunhappyfateofpoorGaspard。\'
`Noonehastoldmeso，\'saidDefarge，shakinghishead。`Iknownothingofit。\'
Havingsaidit，hepassedbehindthelittlecounter，andstoodwithhishandonthebackofhiswife\'schair，lookingoverthatbarrieratthepersontowhomtheywerebothopposed，andwhomeitherofthemwouldhaveshotwiththegreatestsatisfaction。
Thespy，wellusedtohisbusiness，didnotchangehisunconsciousattitude，butdrainedhislittleglassofcognac，tookasipoffreshwater，andaskedforanotherglassofcognac。MadameDefargepoureditoutforhim，tooktoherknittingagain，andhummedalittlesongoverit。
`Youseemtoknowthisquarterwell；thatistosay，betterthanIdo?\'observedDefarge。
`Notatall，butIhopetoknowitbetter。Iamsoprofoundlyinterestedinitsmiserableinhabitants。\'
`Hah!\'mutteredDefarge。
`Thepleasureofconversingwithyou，MonsieurDefarge，recallstome，\'pursuedthespy，`thatIhavethehonourofcherishingsomeinterestingassociationswithyourname。\'
`Indeed!\'saidDefarge，withmuchindifference。
`Yes，indeed。WhenDr。Manettewasreleased，you，hisolddomestic，hadthechargeofhim，Iknow。Hewasdeliveredtoyou。YouseeIaminformedofthecircumstances?\'
`Suchisthefact，certainly，\'saidDefarge。Hehadhaditconveyedtohim，inanaccidentaltouchofhiswife\'selbowassheknittedandwarbled，thathewoulddobesttoanswer，butalwayswithbrevity。
`Itwastoyou，\'saidthespy，`thathisdaughtercame；anditwasfromyourcarethathisdaughtertookhim，accompaniedbyaneatbrownmonsieur；howishecalled?——inalittlewig——Lorry——ofthebankofTellsonandCompany——overtoEngland。\'
`Suchisthefact，\'repeatedDefarge。
`Veryinterestingremembrances\'saidthespy。`IhaveknownDr。
Manetteandhisdaughter，inEngland。\'
`Yes?\'saidDefarge。
`Youdon\'thearmuchaboutthemnow?\'saidthespy。
`No，\'saidDefarge。
`Ineffect，\'madamestruckin，lookingupfromherworkandherlittlesong，`weneverhearaboutthem。Wereceivedthenewsoftheirsafearrival，andperhapsanotherletter，orperhapsMo；but，sincethen，theyhavegraduallytakentheirroadinlife——we，ours——andwehaveheldnocorrespondence。\'
`Perfectlyso，madame，\'repliedthespy。`Sheisgoingtobemarried。\'
`Going?\'echoedmadame。`Shewasprettyenoughtohavebeenmarriedlongago。YouEnglisharecold，itseemstome。\'
`Oh!YouknowIamEnglish。\'
`Iperceiveyourtongueis，\'returnedmadame；`andwhatthetongueis，Isupposethemanis。\'
Hedidnottaketheidentificationasacompliment；buthemadethebestofit，andturneditoffwithalaugh。Aftersippinghiscognactotheend，headded:
`Yes，MissManetteisgoingtobemarried。ButnottoanEnglishman；
toonewho，likeherself，isFrenchbybirth。AndspeakingofGaspardah，poorGaspard!Itwascruel，cruel!itisacuriousthingthatsheisgoingtomarrythenephewof\'MonsieurtheMarquis，forwhomGaspardwasexaltedtothatheightofsomanyfeet；inotherwords，thepresentMarquis。ButhelivesunknowninEngland，heisnoMarquisthere；heisMr。CharlesDarnay。D\'Aulnaisisthenameofhismother\'sfamily。\'
MadameDefargeknittedsteadily，buttheintelligencehadapalpableeffectuponherhusband。Dowhathewould，behindthelittlecounter，astothestrikingofalightandthelightingofhispipe，hewastroubled，andhishandwasnottrustworthy。Thespywouldhavebeennospyifhehadfailedtoseeit，ortorecorditinhismind。
Havingmade，atleast，thisonehit，whateveritmightprovetobeworth，andnocustomerscomingintohelphimtoanyother，Mr。Barsadpaidforwhathehaddrunk，andtookhisleave:takingoccasiontosay，inagenteelmanner，beforehedeparted，thathelookedforwardtothepleasureofseeingMonsieurandMadameDefargeagain。ForsomeminutesafterhehademergedintotheouterpresenceofSaintAntoine，thehusbandandwiferemainedexactlyashehadleftthem，lestheshouldcomeback。
`Canitbetrue，\'saidDefarge，inalowvoice，lookingdownathiswifeashestoodsmokingwithhishandonthebackofherchair:`whathehassaidofMa\'amselleManette?\'
`Ashehassaidit，\'returnedmadame，liftinghereyebrowsalittle，`itisprobablyfalse。Butitmaybetrue。\'
`Ifitis——\'Defargebegan，andstopped。
`Ifitis?\'repeatedhiswife。
`——Andifitdoescome，whilewelivetoseeittriumph——Ihope，forhersake，DestinywillkeepherhusbandoutofFrance。\'
`Herhusband\'sdestiny，\'saidMadameDefarge，withherusualcomposure，`willtakehimwhereheistogo，andwillleadhimtotheendthatistoendhim。ThatisallIknow。\'
`Butitisverystrange——now，atleast，isitnotverystrange\'——saidDefarge，ratherpleadingwithhiswifetoinducehertoadmitit，`that，afteralloursympathyforMonsieurherfather，andherself，herhusband\'snameshouldbeproscribedunderyourhandatthismoment，bythesideofthatinfernaldog\'swhohasjustleftus?\'
`Strangerthingsthanthatwillhappenwhenitdoescome，\'answeredmadame。`Ihavethembothhere，ofacertainty；andtheyarebothherefortheirmerits；thatisenough。\'
Sherolledupherknittingwhenshehadsaidthosewords，andpresentlytooktheroseoutofthehandkerchiefthatwaswoundaboutherhead。EitherSaintAntoinehadaninstinctivesensethattheobjectionabledecorationwasgoneorSaintAntoinewasonthewatchforitsdisappearance；
howbeit，theSainttookcouragetoloungein，veryshortlyafterwards，andthewine-shoprecovereditshabitualaspect。
Intheevening，atwhichseasonofallothersSaintAntoineturnedhimselfinsideout，andsatondoorstepsandwindow-ledges，andcametothecornersofvilestreetsandcourts，forabreathofair，MadameDefargewithherworkinherhandwasaccustomedtopassfromplacetoplaceandfromgrouptogroup:aMissionary——thereweremanylikeher——suchastheworldwilldowellnevertobreedagain。Allthewomenknitted。Theyknittedworthlessthings；but，themechanicalworkwasamechanicalsubstituteforeatinganddrinking；thehandsmovedforthejawsandthedigestiveapparatus:ifthebonyfingershadbeenstill，thestomachswouldhavebeenmorefamine-pinched。
But，asthefingerswent，theeyeswent，andthethoughts。AndasMadameDefargemovedonfromgrouptogroup，allthreewentquickerandfierceramongeverylittleknotofwomenthatshehadspokenwith，andleftbehind。
Herhusbandsmokedathisdoor，lookingafterherwithadmiration。
`Agreatwoman，\'saidhe，`astrongwoman，agrandwoman，afrightfullygrandwoman!\'
Darknessclosedaround，andthencametheringingofchurchbellsandthedistantbeatingofthemilitarydrumsinthePalaceCourt-Yard，asthewomensatknitting，knitting。Darknessencompassedthem。Anotherdarknesswasclosinginassurely，whenthechurchbells，thenringingpleasantlyinmanyanairysteepleoverFrance，shouldbemeltedintothunderingcannon；whenthemilitarydrumsshouldbebeatingtodrownawretchedvoice，thatnightall-potentasthevoiceofPowerandPlenty，FreedomandLife。
Somuchwasclosinginaboutthewomenwhosatknitting，knitting，thattheytheirveryselveswereclosinginaroundastructureyetunbuilt，wheretheyweretositknitting，knitting，countingdroppingheads。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXVIIOneNightNEVERdidthesungodownwithabrightergloryonthequietcomerinSoho，thanonememorableeveningwhenDoctorandhisdaughtersatundertheplane-treetogether。NeverdidthemoonrisewithamilderradianceovergreatLondon，thanonthatnightwhenitfoundthemstillseatedunderthetree，andshoneupontheirfacesthroughitsleaves。
Luciewastobemarriedto-morrow。Shehadreservedthislasteveningforherfather，andtheysataloneundertheplane-tree。
`Youarehappy，mydearfather?\'
`Quite，mychild。\'
Theyhadsaidlittlethoughtheyhadbeentherealongtime。Whenitwasyetlightenoughtoworkandread，shehadneitherengagedherselfinherusualwork，norhadshereadtohim。Shehademployedherselfinbothways，athissideunderthetree，manyandmanyatime；but，thistimewasnotquitelikeanyother，andnothingcouldmakeitso。
AndIamveryhappyto-night，dearfather。IamdeeplyhappyinthelovethatHeavenhassoblessed——myloveforCharles，andCharles\'sloveforme。But，ifmylifewerenottobestillconsecratedtoyou，orifmymarriageweresoarrangedasthatitwouldpartus，evenbythelengthofafewofthesestreets，Ishouldbemoreunhappyandself-reproachfulnowthanIcantellyou。Evenasitis——\'
Evenasitwas，shecouldnotcommandhervoice。
Inthesadmoonlight，sheclaspedhimbytheneck，andladherfaceuponhisbreast。Inthemoonlightwhichisalwayssad，asthelightofthesunitselfBasthelightcalledhumanlifeis——atitscominganditsgoing。
`Dearestdear!Canyoutellme，thislasttime，thatyoufeelquite，quitesure，nonewaffectionsofmine，andnonewdutiesofmine，willeverinterposebetweenus?Iknowitwell，butdoyouknowit?Inyourownheart，doyoufeelquitecertain?\'
Herfatheranswered，withacheerfulfirmnessofconvictionhecouldscarcelyhaveassumed，`Quitesure，mydarling!Morethanthat，\'
headded，ashetenderlykissedher:`myfutureisfarbrighter，Lucie，seenthroughyourmarriage，thanitcouldhavebeen——nay，thaniteverwas——withoutit。\'
`IfIcouldhopethat，myfather!——\'
`Believeit，love!Indeeditisso。Considerhownaturalandhowplainitis，mydear，thatitshouldbeso。You，devotedandyoung，cannotfullyappreciatetheanxietyIhavefeltthatyourlifeshouldnotbewasted\'
Shemovedherhandtowardshislips，buthetookitinhis，andrepeatedtheword。
`——wasted，mychild——shouldnotbewasted，struckasidefromthenaturalorderofthings——formysake。Yourunselfishnesscannotentirelycomprehendhowmuchmymindhasgoneonthis；but，onlyaskyourselfhowcouldmyhappinessbeperfect，whileyourswasincomplete?\'
`IfIhadneverseenCharles，myfather，Ishouldhavebeenquitehappywithyou。\'
HesmiledatherunconsciousadmissionthatshewouldhavebeenunhappywithoutCharles，havingseenhim；andreplied:
`Mychild，youdidseehim，anditisCharles。IfithadnotbeenCharles，itwouldhavebeenanother。Or，ifithadbeennoother，Ishouldhavebeenthecause，andthenthedarkpartofmylifewouldhavecastitsshadowbeyondmyselfandwouldhavefallenonyou。\'
Itwasthefirsttime，exceptatthetrial，ofhereverhearinghimrefertotheperiodofhissuffering。Itgaveherastrangeandnewsensationwhilehiswordswereinherears；andsheremembereditlongafterwards。
`See!\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais，raisinghishandtowardsthemoon。`Ihavelookedatherfrommyprison-window，whenIcouldnotbearherlight。IhavelookedatherwhenithasbeensuchtorturetometothinkofhershininguponwhatIhadlost，thatIhavebeatenmyheadagainstmyprison-walls。Ihavelookedather，inastatesodullandlethargic，thatIhavethoughtofnothingbutthenumberofhorizontallines`Icoulddrawacrossheratthefull，andthenumberofperpendicularlineswithwhichIcouldintersectthem。\'Headdedinhisinwardandponderingmanner，ashelookedatthemoon，`Itwastwentyeitherway，Iremember，andthetwentiethwasdifficulttosqueezein。\'
Thestrangethrillwithwhichsheheardhimgobacktothattime，deepenedashedweltuponit；but，therewasnothingtoshockherinthemannerofhisreference。Heonlyseemedtocontrasthispresentcheerfulnessandfelicitywiththedireendurancethatwasover。
`Ihavelookedather，speculatingthousandsoftimesupontheunbornchildfromwhomIhadbeenrent。Whetheritwasalive。Whetherithadbeenbornalive，orthepoormother\'sshockhadkilledit。Whetheritwasasonwhowouldsomedayavengehisfather。Therewasatimeinmyimprisonment，whenmydesireforvengeancewasunbearable。Whetheritwasasonwhowouldneverknowhisfather\'sstory；whomightevenlivetoweighthepossibilityofhisfather\'shavingdisappearedofhisownwillandact。Whetheritwasadaughterwhowouldgrowtobeawoman。\'
Shedrewclosertohim，andkissedhischeekandhishand。`I
havepicturedmydaughter，tomyself，asperfectlyforgetfulofme——rather，altogetherignorantofme，andunconsciousofme。Ihavecastuptheyearsofherage，yearafteryear。Ihaveseenhermarriedtoamanwhoknewnothingofmyfate。Ihavealtogetherperishedfromtheremembranceoftheliving，andinthenextgenerationmyplacewasablank。\'
`Myfather!Eventohearthatyouhadsuchthoughtsofadaughterwhoneverexisted，strikestomyheartasifIhadbeenthatchild。\'
`You，Lucie?Itisoutoftheconsolationandrestorationyouhavebroughttome，thattheseremembrancesarise，andpassbetweenusandthemoononthislastnight——whatdidIsayjustnow?\'
Sheknewnothingofyou。Shecarednothingforyou。\'
`So!Butonothermoonlightnights，whenthesadnessandthesilencehavetouchedmeinadifferentway——haveaffectedmewithsomethingaslikeasorrowfulsenseofpeace，asanyemotionthathadpainforitsfoundationscould——Ihaveimaginedherascomingtomeinmycell，andleadingmeoutintothefreedombeyondthefortress。Ihaveseenherimageinthemoonlightoften，asInowseeyou；exceptthatIneverheldherinmyarms；itstoodbetweenthelittlegratedwindowandthedoor。But，youunderstandthatthatwasnotthechildIamspeakingof?\'
`Thefigurewasnot；the——the——image；thefancy?\'
`No。Thatwasanotherthing。Itstoodbeforemydisturbedsenseofsight，butitnevermoved。Thephantomthatmymindpursued，wasanotherandmorerealchild。OfheroutwardappearanceIknownomorethanthatshewaslikehermother。Theotherhadthatlikenesstoo——asyouhave——butwasnotthesame。Canyoufollowme，Lucie?Hardly，IthinkI`doubtyoumusthavebeer，asolitaryprisonertounderstandtheseprisonerperplexeddistinctions。
Hiscollectedandcalmmannercouldnotpreventherbloodfromrunningcold，ashethustriedtoanatomisehisoldcondition。
`Inthatmorepeacefulstate，Ihaveimaginedher，inthemoonlight，comingtomeandtakingmeouttoshowmethatthehomeofhermarriedlifewaslullofherlovingremembranceofherlostfather。Mypicturewasinherroom，andIwasinherprayers。Herlifewasactive，cheerful，useful；hutmypoorhistorypervadeditall。\'
`Iwasthatchild，myfather。Iwasnothalfsogood，butinmylovethatwasI。\'
`Andsheshowedmeherchildren，\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais，`andtheyhadheardofme，andhadbeentaughttopityme。WhentheypassedaprisonoftheState，theykeptfarfromitsfrowningwalls，andlookedupatitsbars，andspokeinwhispers。Shecouldneverdeliverme；Iimaginedthatshealwaysbroughtmebackaftershowingmesuchthings。Butthen，blessedwiththereliefoftears，Ifelluponmyknees，andblessedher。\'
`Iamthatchild，Ihope，myfather。Omydear，mydear，willyoublessmeasferventlyto-morrow?\'
`Lucie，IrecalltheseoldtroublesinthereasonthatIhaveto-nightforlovingyoubetterthanwordscantell，andthankingGodformygreathappiness。Mythoughts，whentheywerewildest，neverrosenearthehappinessthatIhaveknownwithyou，andthatwehavebeforeus。
Heembracedher，solemnlycommendedhertoHeaven，andhumblythankedHeavenforhavingbestowedheronhim。By-and-by，theywentintothehouse。
TherewasnoonehiddentothemarriagebutMr。Lorry；therewaseventobenobridesmaidbutthegauntMissPross。Themarriagewastomakenochangeintheirplaceofresidence；theyhadbeenabletoextendit，bytakingtothemselvestheupperroomsformerlybelongingtotheapocryphalinvisiblelodger，andtheydesirednothingmore。
DoctorManettewasverycheerfulatthelittlesupper。Theywereonlythreeattable，andMissProssmadethethird。HeregrettedthatCharleswasnotthere；wasmorethanhalfdisposedtoobjecttothelovinglittleplotthatkepthimaway；anddranktohimaffectionately。
So，thetimecameforhimtobidLuciegoodnight，andtheyseparated。
But，inthestillnessofthethirdhourofthemorning，Luciecamedownstairsagain，andstoleintohisroom；notfreefromunshapedfears，beforehand。
Allthings，however，wereintheirplaces；allwasquiet；andhelayasleep，hiswhitehairpicturesqueontheuntroubledpillow，andhishandslyingquietonthecoverlet。Sheputherneedlesscandleintheshadowatadistance，creptuptohisbed，andputherlipstohis；then，leanedoverhim，andlookedathim。
Intohishandsomeface，thebitterwatersofcaptivityhadworn；
but，hecovereduptheirtrackswithadeterminationsostrong，thatheheldthemasteryofthemeveninhissleep。Amoreremarkablefaceinitsquiet，resolute，andguardedstrugglewithanunseenassailant，wasnottobebeheldinallthewidedominionsofsleep，thatnight。
Shetimidlylaidherhandonhisdearbreast，andputupaprayerthatshemighteverbeastruetohimasherloveaspiredtobe，andashissorrowsdeserved。Then，shewithdrewherhand，andkissedhislipsoncemore，andwentaway。So，thesunrisecame，andtheshadowsoftheleavesoftheplane-treemoveduponhisface，assoftlyasherlipshadmovedinprayingforhim。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXVIIINineDaysTHEmarriage-daywasshiningbrightly，andtheywerereadyoutsidethecloseddooroftheDoctor\'sroom，wherehewasspeakingwithCharlesDarnay。
Theywerereadytogotochurch；thebeautifulbride，Mr。Lorry，andMissPross——towhomtheevent，throughagradualprocessofreconcilementtotheinevitable，wouldhavebeenoneofabsolutebliss，butfortheyetlingeringconsiderationthatherbrotherSolomonshouldhavebeenthebridegroom。
`Andso，\'saidMr。Lorry，whocouldnotsufficientlyadmirethebride，andwhohadbeenmovingroundhertotakeineverypointofherquiet，prettydress；`andsoitwasforthis，mysweetLucie，thatIbroughtyouacrosstheChannel，suchababy!Lordblessme!HowlittleIthoughtwhatIwasdoing!HowlightlyIvaluedtheobligationIwasconferringonmyfriendMr。Charles!\'
`Youdidn\'tmeanit，\'remarkedthematter-of-factMissPross，`andthereforehowcouldyouknowit?Nonsense!\'
`Really?Well；butdon\'tcry，\'saidthegentleMr。Lorry。
`Iamnotcrying，\'saidMissPross；`youare。
`I，myPross?\'Bythistime，Mr。Lorrydaredtobepleasantwithher，onoccasion。
`Youwere，justnow；Isawyoudoit，andIdon\'twonderatit。
Suchapresentofplateasyouhavemade`em，isenoughtobringtearsintoanybody\'seyes。There\'snotaforkoraspooninthecollection，\'
saidMissPross，`thatIdidn\'tcryover，lastnightaftertheboxcame，tillIcouldn\'tseeit。\'
`Iamhighlygratified，\'saidMr。Lorry，`though，uponmyhonour，Ihadnointentionofrenderingthosetriflingarticlesofremembranceinvisibletoanyone。Dearme!Thisisanoccasionthatmakesamanspeculateonallhehaslost。Dear，dear，dear!TothinkthattheremighthavebeenaMrs。Lorry，anytimethesefiftyyearsalmost!\'
`Notatall!\'FromMissPross。
`YouthinktherenevermighthavebeenaMrs。Lorry?\'askedthegentlemanofthatname。
`Pooh!\'rejoinedMissPross；`youwereabachelorinyourcradle。\'
`Well!\'observedMr。Lorry，beaminglyadjustinghislittlewig，`thatseemsprobable，too。
`Andyouwerecutoutforabachelor，\'pursuedMissPross，`beforeyouwereputinyourcradle。\'
`Then，Ithink，\'saidMr。Lorry，`thatIwasveryunhandsomelydealtwith，andthatIoughttohavehadavoiceintheselectionofmypattern。Enough!Now，mydearLucie，\'drawinghisarmsoothinglyroundherwaist，`Ihearthemmovinginthenextroom，andMissProssandI，astwoformalfolksofbusiness，areanxiousnottolosethefinalopportunityofsayingsomethingtoyouthatyouwishtohear。Youleaveyourgoodfather，mydear，inhandsasearnestandaslovingasyourown；heshallbetakeneveryconceivablecareof；duringthenextfortnight，whileyouareinWarwickshireandthereabouts，evenTellson\'sshallgotothewallcomparativelyspeakingbeforehim。Andwhen，atthefortnight\'send，hecomestojoinyouandyourbelovedhusband，onyourotherfortnight\'stripinWales，youshallsaythatwehavesenthimtoyouinthebesthealthandinthehappiestframe。NowIhearSomebody\'sstepcomingtothedoor。Letmekissmydeargirlwithanold-fashionedbachelorblessing，beforeSomebodycomestoclaimhisown。\'
Foramoment，heheldthefairfacefromhimtolookatthewell-rememberedexpressionontheforehead，andthenlaidthebrightgoldenhairagainsthislittlebrownwig，withagenuinetendernessanddelicacywhich，ifsuchthingsbeold-fashioned，wereasoldasAdam。
ThedooroftheDoctor\'sroomopened，andhecameoutwithCharlesDarnay。Hewassodeadlypale——whichhadnotbeenthecasewhentheywentintogether——thatnovestigeofcolourwastobeseeninhisface。But，inthecomposureofhismannerhewasunaltered，exceptthattotheshrewdglanceofMr。Lorryitdisclosedsomeshadowyindicationthattheoldairofavoidanceanddreadhadlatelypassedoverhim，likeacoldwind。
Hegavehisarmtohisdaughter，andtookherdownstairstothechariotwhichMr。Lorryhadhiredinhonouroftheday。Therestfollowedinanothercarriage，andsoon，inaneighbouringchurch，wherenostrangeeyeslookedon，CharlesDarnayandLucieManettewerehappilymarried。
Besidestheglancingtearsthatshoneamongthesmilesofthelittlegroupwhenitwasdone，somediamonds，verybrightandsparkling，glancedonthebride\'shand，whichwerenewlyreleasedfromthedarkobscurityofoneofMr。Lorry\'spockets。Theyreturnedhometobreakfast，andallwentwell，andinduecoursethegoldenhairthathadmingledwiththepoorshoemaker\'swhitelocksintheParisgarret，weremingledwiththemagaininthemorningsunlight，onthethresholdofthedooratparting。
Itwasahardparting，thoughitwasnotforlong。Butherfathercheeredher，andsaidatlast，gentlydisengaginghimselffromherenfoldingarms，`Takeher，Charles!Sheisyours!\'
Andheragitatedhandwavedtothemfromachaisewindow，andshewasgone。
Thecornerbeingoutofthewayoftheidleandcurious，andthepreparationshavingbeenverysimpleandfew，theDoctor，Mr。Lorry，andMissPross，wereleftquitealone。Itwaswhentheyturnedintothewelcomeshadeofthecoololdhall，thatMr。LorryobservedagreatchangetohavecomeovertheDoctor；asifthegoldenarmupliftedthere，hadstruckhimapoisonedblow。
Hehadnaturallyrepressedmuch，andsomerevulsionmighthavebeenexpectedinhimwhentheoccasionforrepressionwasgone。But，itwastheoldscaredlostlookthattroubledMr。Lorry；andthroughhisabsentmannerofclaspinghishead\'anddrearilywanderingawayintohisownroomwhentheygotup-stairs，Mr。LorrywasremindedofDefargethewine-shopkeeper，andthestarlightride。
`Ithink，\'hewhisperedtoMissPross，afteranxiousconsideration，`Ithinkwehadbestnotspeaktohimjustnow，oratalldisturbhim。
ImustlookinatTellson\'s；soIwillgothereatonceandcomebackpresently。
Then，wewilltakehimarideintothecountry，anddinethere，andallwillbewell。\'
ItwaseasierforMr。LorrytolookinatTellson\'s，thantolookoutofTellson\'s。Hewasdetainedtwohours。Whenhecameback，heascendedtheoldstaircasealone，havingaskednoquestionoftheservant；goingthusintotheDoctorsrooms，hewasstoppedbyalowsoundofknocking。
`GoodGod!\'hesaid，withastart。`What\'sthat?\'
MissPross，withaterrifiedface，wasathisear。`Ome，Ome!
Allislost!\'criedshe，wringingherhands。`WhatistobetoldtoLadybird?
Hedoesn\'tknowme，andismakingshoes!\'
Mr。Lorrysaidwhathecouldtocalmher，andwenthimselfintotheDoctor\'sroom。Thebenchwasturnedtowardsthelight，asithadbeenwhenhehadseentheshoemakerathisworkbefore，andhisheadwasbentdown，andhewasverybusy。
`DoctorManette。Mydearfriend，DoctorManette!\'
TheDoctorlookedathimforamoment——halfinquiringly，halfasifhewereangryatbeingspokento——andbentoverhisworkagain。
Hehadlaidasidehiscoatandwaistcoat；hisshirtwasopenatthethroat，asitusedtobewhenhedidthatwork；andeventheoldhaggard，fadedsurfaceoffacehadcomebacktohim。Heworkedhard——impatiently——asifinsomesenseofhavingbeeninterrupted。
Mr。Lorryglancedattheworkinhishand，andobservedthatitwasashoeoftheoldsizeandshape。Hetookupanotherthatwaslyingbyhim，andaskedwhatitwas?
`Ayounglady\'swalkingshoe，\'hemuttered，withoutlookingup\'
`Itoughttohavebeenfinishedlongago。Letitbe。\'
`But，DoctorManette。Lookatme\'
Heobeyed，intheoldmechanicallysubmissivemanner，withoutpausinginhiswork。
`Youknowme，mydearfriend?Thinkagain。Thisisnotyourproperoccupation。Think，dearfriend!\'
Nothingwouldinducehimtospeakmore。Helookedup，foraninstantatatime，whenhewasrequestedtodoso；but，nopersuasionwouldextractawordfromhim。Heworked，andworked，andworked，insilence，andwordsfellonhimastheywouldhavefallenonanecholesswall，orontheair。
TheonlyrayofhopethatMr。Lorrycoulddiscover，was，thathesometimesfurtivelylookedupwithoutbeingasked。Inthat，thereseemedafaintexpressionofcuriosityorperplexity——asthoughheweretryingtoreconcilesomedoubtsinhismind。
TwothingsatonceimpressedthemselvesonMr。Lorry，asimportantaboveallothers；thefirst，thatthismustbekeptsecretfromLucie；
thesecondthatitmustbekeptsecretfromallwhoknewhim。InconjunctionwithMissPross，hetookimmediatestepstowardsthelatterprecaution，bygivingoutthattheDoctorwasnotwell，andrequiredafewdaysofcompleterest。Inaidofthekinddeceptiontobepractisedonhisdaughter，MissProsswastowrite，describinghishavingbeencalledawayprofessionally，andreferringtoanimaginaryletteroftwoorthreehurriedlinesinhisownhand，representedtohavebeenaddressedtoherbythesamepost。
Thesemeasures，advisabletobetakeninanycase，Mr。Lorrytookinthehopeofhiscomingtohimself。Ifthatshouldhappensoon，hekeptanothercourseinreserve；whichwas，tohaveacertainopinionthathethoughtthebest，ontheDoctor\'scase。
Inthehopeofhisrecovery，andofresorttothisthirdcoursebeingtherebyrenderedpracticable，Mr。Lorryresolvedtowatchhimattentively，withaslittleappearanceaspossibleofdoingso。HethereforemadearrangementstoabsenthimselffromTellson\'sforthefirsttimeinhislife，andtookhispostbythewindowinthesameroom。
Hewasnotlongindiscoveringthatitwasworsethanuselesstospeaktohim，since，onbeingpressed，hebecameworried。Heabandonedthatattemptonthefirstday，andresolvedmerelytokeephimselfalwaysbeforehim，asasilentprotestagainstthedelusionintowhichhehadfallen，orwasfalling。Heremained，therefore，inhisseatnearthewindow，readingandwriting，andexpressinginasmanypleasantandnaturalwaysashecouldthinkofthatitwasafreeplace。
DoctorManettetookwhatwasgivenhimtoeatanddrink，andworkedon，thatfirstday，untilitwastoodarktosee——workedon，halfanhourafterMr。Lorrycouldnothaveseen，forhislife，toreadorwrite。Whenheputhistoolsasideasuseless，untilmorning，Mr。Lorryroseandsaidtohim:
`Willyougoout?\'\"
Helookeddownattheflooroneithersideofhimintheoldmanner，lookedupintheoldmanner，andrepeatedintheoldlowvoice:
`Out?\'
`Yes；forawalkwithme。Whynot?\'
Hemadenoefforttosaywhynot，andsaidnotawordmore。But，Mr。Lorrythoughthesaw，asheleanedforwardonhisbenchinthedusk，withhiselbowsonhiskneesandhisheadinhishands，thathewasinsomemistywayaskinghimself`Whynot?\'Thesagacityofthemanofbusinessperceivedanadvantagehere，anddeterminedtoholdit。
MissProssandhedividedthenightintotwowatches，andobservedhimatintervalsfromtheadjoiningroom。Hepacedupanddownforalongtimebeforehelaydown；but，whenhedidfinallylayhimselfdown，hefellasleep。Inthemorning，hewasupbetimes，andwentstraighttohisbenchandtowork。
Onthissecondday，Mr。Lorrysalutedhimcheerfullybyhisname，andspoketohimontopicsthathadbeenoflatefamiliartothem。Hereturnednoreply，butitwasevidentthatheheardwhatwassaid，andthathethoughtaboutit，howeverconfusedly。ThisencouragedMr。LorrytohaveMissProssinwithherwork，severaltimesduringtheday；atthosetimes，theyquietlyspokeofLucie，andofherfatherthenpresent，preciselyintheusualmanner，andasiftherewerenothingamiss。Thiswasdonewithoutanydemonstrativeaccompaniment，notlongenough，oroftenenoughtoharasshim；anditlightenedMr。Lorry\'sfriendlyhearttobelievethathelookedupoftener，andthatheappearedtobestirredbysomeperceptionofinconsistenciessurroundinghim。
Whenitfelldarkagain，Mr。Lorryaskedhimasbefore:
`DearDoctor，willyougoout?\'
Asbefore，herepeated，`Out?\'
`Yes；forawalkwithme。Whynot?\'
Thistime，Mr。Lorryfeignedtogooutwhenhecouldextractnoanswerfromhim，and，afterremainingabsentforanhour，returned。Inthemeanwhile，theDoctorhadremovedtotheseatinthewindow，andhadsattherelookingdownattheplane-tree；but，onMr。Lorry\'sreturn，heslippedawaytohisbench。
Thetimewentveryslowlyon，andMr。Lorry\'shopedarkened，andhisheartgrewheavieragain，andgrewyetheavierandheaviereveryday。
Thethirddaycameandwent，thefourth，thefifth。Fivedays，sixdays，sevendays，eightdays，ninedays。
Withahopeeverdarkening，andwithaheartalwaysgrowingheavierandheavier，Mr。Lorrypassedthroughthisanxioustime。Thesecretwaswellkept，andLuciewasunconsciousandhappy；buthecouldnotfailtoobservethattheshoemaker，whosehandhadbeenalittleoutatfirst，wasgrowingdreadfullyskilful，andthathehadneverbeensointentonhiswork，andthathishandshadneverbeensonimbleandexpert，asintheduskoftheninthevening。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIXAnOpinionWORNoutbyanxiouswatching，Mr。Lorryfellasleepathispost。Onthetenthmorningofhissuspense，hewasstartledbytheshiningofthesunintotheroomwhereaheavyslumberhadovertakenhimwhenitwasdarknight。
Herubbedhiseyesandrousedhimself；buthedoubted，whenhehaddoneso，whetherhewasnotstillasleep。For，goingtothedooroftheDoctor\'sroomandlookingin，heperceivedthattheshoemaker\'sbenchandtoolswereputasideagain，andthattheDoctorhimselfsatreadingatthewindow。Hewasinhisusualmorningdress，andhisfacewhichMr。
Lorrycoulddistinctlysee，thoughstillverypale，wascalmlystudiousandattentive。
Evenwhenhehadsatisfiedhimselfthathewasawake，Mr。Lorryfeltgiddilyuncertainforsomefewmomentswhetherthelateshoemakingmightnotbeadisturbeddreamofhisown；for，didnothiseyesshowhimhisfriendbeforehiminhisaccustomedclothingandaspect，andemployedasusual；andwasthereanysignwithintheirrange，thatthechangeofwhichhehadsostronganimpressionhadactuallyhappened?
Itwasbuttheinquiryofhisfirstconfusionandastonishment，theanswerbeingobvious。Iftheimpressionwerenotproducedbyarealcorrespondingandsufficientcause，howcamehe，JarvisLorry，there?Howcamehetohavefallenasleep，inhisclothes，onthesofainDr。Manette\'sconsulting-room，andtobedebatingthesepointsoutsidetheDoctor\'sbedroomdoorintheearlymorning?
Withinafewminutes，MissProssstoodwhisperingathisside。
Ifhehadhadanyparticleofdoubtleft，hertalkwouldofnecessityhaveresolvedit；buthewasbythattimeclearheaded，andhadnone。Headvisedthattheyshouldletthetimegobyuntiltheregularbreakfast-hour，andshouldthenmeettheDoctorasifnothingunusualhadoccurred。Ifheappearedtobeinhiscustomarystateofmind，Mr。Lorrywouldthencautiouslyproceedtoseekdirectionandguidancefromtheopinionhehadbeen，inhisanxiety，soanxioustoobtain。
MissProsssubmittingherselftohisjudgment，theschemewasworkedoutwithcare。Havingabundanceoftimeforhisusualmethodicaltoilette，Mr。Lorrypresentedhimselfatthebreakfast-hourinhisusualwhitelinen，andwithhisusualneatleg。TheDoctorwassummonedintheusualway，andcametobreakfast。
SofarasitwaspossibletocomprehendhimwithoutoversteppingthosedelicateandgradualapproacheswhichMr。Lorryfelttobetheonlysafeadvance，heatfirstsupposedthathisdaughter\'smarriagehadtakenplaceyesterday。Anincidentalallusion，purposelythrownout，tothedayoftheweek，andthedayofthemonth，sethimthinkingandcounting，andevidentlymadehimuneasy。Inallotherrespects，however，hewassocomposedlyhimself，thatMr。Lorrydeterminedtohavetheaidhesought。Andthataidwashisown。
Therefore，whenthebreakfastwasdoneandclearedaway，andheandtheDoctorwerelefttogether，Mr。Lorrysaid，feelingly:
`MydearManette，Iamanxioustohaveyouropinion，inconfidence，onaverycuriouscaseinwhichIamdeeplyinterested；thatistosay，itisverycurioustome；perhaps，toyourbetterinformationitmaybelessso。\'
Glancingathishands，whichwerediscolouredbyhislatework，theDoctorlookedtroubled，andlistenedattentively。Hehadalreadyglancedathishandsmorethanonce。
`DoctorManette，\'saidMr。Lorry，touchinghimaffectionatelyonthearm，`thecaseisthecaseofaparticularlydearfriendofmine。
Praygiveyourmindtoit，andadvisemewellforhissake——andaboveall，forhisdaughter\'s——hisdaughter\'s，mydearManette。\'
`IfIunderstand，\'saidtheDoctor，inasubduedtone，`somementalshock——?\'
`Yes!\'
`Beexplicit，\'saidtheDoctor。`Sparenodetail。\'
Mr。Lorrysawthattheyunderstoodoneanother，andproceeded。
`MydearManette，itisthecaseofanoldandaprolongedshock，ofgreatacutenessandseveritytotheaffections，thefeelings，the——the——asyouexpressit——themind。Themind。Itisthecaseofashockunderwhichthesuffererwasbornedown，onecannotsayforhowlong，becauseIbelievehecannotcalculatethetimehimself，andtherearenoothermeansofgettingatit。Itisthecaseofashockfromwhichthesuffererrecovered，byaprocessthathecannottracehimself——asIonceheardhimpubliclyrelateinastrikingmanner。Itisthecaseofashockfromwhichhehasrecovered，socompletely，astobeahighlyintelligentman，capableofcloseapplicationofmind，andgreatexertionofbody，andofconstantlymakingfreshadditionstohisstockofknowledge，whichwasalreadyverylarge。But，unfortunately，therehasbeen\'——hepausedaddtookadeepbreath——`aslightrelapse。\'
TheDoctor，inalowvoice，asked，`Ofhowlongduration?\'
`Ninedaysandnights。\'
`Howdiditshowitself?Iinfer，\'glancingathishandsagain，`intheresumptionofsomeoldpursuitconnectedwiththeshock?\'
`Thatisthefact。\'
`Now，didyoueverseehim，\'askedtheDoctor，distinctlyandcollectedly，thoughinthesamelowvoice，`engagedinthatpursuitoriginally?\'
`Once。\'
`Andwhentherelapsefellonhim，washeinmostrespects——orinallrespects——ashewasthen?\'
`Ithinkinallrespects。\'
`Youspokeofhisdaughter。Doeshisdaughterknowoftherelapse?\'
`No。Ithasbeenkeptfromher，andIhopewillalwaysbekeptfromher。Itisknownonlytomyself，andtooneotherwhomaybetrusted。\'
TheDoctorgraspedhishand，andmurmured，`Thatwasverykind。
Thatwasverythoughtful!\'Mr。Lorrygraspedhishandinreturn，andneitherofthetwospokeforalittlewhile。
`Now，mydearManette，\'saidMr。Lorry，atlength，inhismostconsiderateandmostaffectionateway，`Iamameremanofbusiness，andunfittocopewithsuchintricateanddifficultmatters。Idonotpossessthekindofinformationnecessary；Idonotpossessthekindofintelligence；
Iwantguiding。ThereisnomaninthisworldonwhomIcouldsorelyforrightguidance，asonyou。Tellme，howdoesthisrelapsecomeabout?Istheredangerofanother?Couldarepetitionofitbeprevented?Howshouldarepetitionofitbetreated?Howdoesitcomeaboutatall?WhatcanIdoformyfriend?Nomanevercanhavebeenmoredesirousinhishearttoserveafriend，thanIamtoservemine，ifIknewhow。ButIdon\'tknowhowtooriginate，insuchacase。Ifyoursagacity，knowledge，andexperience，couldputmeontherighttrack，Imightbeabletodosomuch；
unenlightenedandundirected，Icandosolittle。Praydiscussitwithme；prayenablemetoseeitalittlemoreclearly，andteachmehowtobealittlemoreuseful。\'
DoctorManettesatmeditatingaftertheseearnestwordswerespoken，andMr。Lorrydidnotpresshim。
`Ithinkso\'itprobable，\'saidtheDoctor，breakingsilencewithaneffort，`thattherelapseyouhavedescribed，mydearfriend，wasnotquiteunforeseenbyitssubject。\'
`Wasitdreadedbyhim?\'Mr。Lorryventuredtoask。
`Verymuch。\'Hesaiditwithaninvoluntaryshudder。
`Youhavenoideahowsuchanapprehensionweighsonthesufferer\'smind，andhowdifficult——howalmostimpossible——itis，forhimtoforcehimselftoutteraworduponthetopicthatoppresseshim。\'
`Wouldhe，\'askedMr。Lorry，`hesensiblyrelievedifhecouldprevailuponhimselftoimpartthatsecretbroodingtoanyone，whenitisonhim?\'
`Ithinkso。Butitis，asIhavetoldyou，nexttoimpossible。
Ievenbelieveit——insomecases——tobequiteimpossible。\'
`Now，\'saidMr。Lorry，gentlylayinghishandontheDoctor\'sarmagain，afterashortsilenceonbothsides，`towhatwouldyoureferthisattack?\'
`Ibelieve，\'returnedDoctorManette，`thattherehadbeenastrongandextraordinaryrevivalofthetrainofthoughtandremembrancethatwasthefirstcauseofthemalady。Someintenseassociationsofamostdistressingnaturewerevividlyrecalled，Ithink。Itisprobablethattherehadlongbeenadreadlurkinginhismind，thatthoseassociationswouldberecalled——say，undercertaincircumstances——say，onaparticularoccasion。Hetriedtopreparehimselfinvain；perhapstheefforttopreparehimselfmadehimlessabletobearit。\'
`Wouldherememberwhattookplaceintherelapse?\'askedMr。
Lorry，withnaturalhesitation。
TheDoctorlookeddesolatelyroundtheroom，shookhishead，andanswered，inalowvoice，`Notatall。\'
`Now，astothefuture，\'hintedMr。Lorry。
`Astothefuture，\'saidtheDoctor，recoveringfirmness，`Ishouldhavegreathope。AsitpleasedHeaveninitsmercytorestorehimsosoon，Ishouldhavegreathope。He；yieldingunderthepressureofacomplicatedsomething，longdreadedandlongvaguelyforeseenandcontendedagainst，andrecoveringafterthecloudhadburstandpassed，Ishouldhopethattheworstwasover。\'
`Well，well!That\'sgoodcomfort。Iamthankful!\'saidMr。Lorry。
`Iamthankful!\'repeatedtheDoctor，bendinghisheadwithreverence。
`Therearetwootherpoints，\'saidMr。Lorry，`onwhichIamanxioustobeinstructed。Imaygoon?
`Youcannotdoyourfriendabetterservice。\'TheDoctorgavehimhishand。
`Tothefirst，then。Heisofastudioushabit，andunusuallyenergetic；heapplieshimselfwithgreatardourtotheacquisitionofprofessionalknowledge，totheconductingofexperiments，tomanythings。Now，doeshedotoomuch?\'
`Ithinknot。Itmaybethecharacterofhismind，tobealwaysinsingularneedofoccupation。Thatmaybe，inpart，naturaltoit；inpart，theresultofaffliction。Thelessitwasoccupiedwithhealthythings，themoreitwouldbeindangerofturningintheunhealthydirection。Hemayhaveobservedhimself，andmadethediscovery。\'
`Youaresurethatheisnotundertoogreatastrain?\'
`IthinkIamquitesureofit。\'
`MydearManette，ifhewereoverworkednow\'
`MydearLorry，Idoubtifthatcouldeasilybe。Therehasbeenaviolentstressinonedirection，anditneedsacounter-weight。\'
`Excuseme，asapersistentmanofbusiness。Assumingforamoment，thathewasoverworked；itwouldshowitselfinsomerenewalofthisdisorder?\'
`Idonotthinkso。Idonotthink，\'saidDoctorManettewiththefirmnessofself-conviction，`thatanythingbuttheonetrainofassociationwouldrenewit。Ithinkthat，hence-forth，nothingbutsomeextraordinaryjarringofthatchordcouldrenewit。Alterwhathashappened，andafterhisrecovery，Ifinditdifficulttoimagineanysuchviolentsoundingofthatstringagain。Itrust，andIalmostbelieve，thatthecircumstanceslikelytorenewitareexhausted。\'
Hespokewiththediffidenceofamanwhoknewhowslightathingwouldoversetthedelicateorganisationofthemind，andyetwiththeconfidenceofamanwhohadslowlywonhisassuranceoutofpersonalenduranceanddistress。Itwasnotforhisfriendtoabatethatconfidence。Heprofessedhimselfmorerelievedandencouragedthanhereallywas，andapproachedhissecondandlastpoint。Hefeltittobethemostdifficultofall；
but，rememberinghisoldSundaymorningconversationwithMissPross，andrememberingwhathehadseeninthelastninedays，heknewthathemustfaceit。