`Iamnottobeburiedthere，prejudged，andwithoutanymeansofpresentingmycase?\'
`Youwillsee。But，whatthen?Otherpeoplehavebeensimilarlyburiedinworseprisons，beforenow。
`Butneverbyme，CitizenDefarge。\'
Defargeglanceddarklyathimforanswer，andwalkedoninasteadyandsetsilence。Thedeeperhesankintothissilence，thefainterhopetherewas——orsoDarnaythought——ofhissofteninginanyslightdegree。
He，therefore，madehastetosay:
`Itisoftheutmostimportancetomeyouknow，Citizen，evenbetterthanI，ofhowmuchimportance，thatIshouldbeabletocommunicatetoMr。LorryofTellson\'sBank，anEnglishgentlemanwhoisnowinParis，thesimplefact，withoutcomment，thatIhavebeenthrownintotheprisonofLaForce。Willyoucausethattobedoneforme?\'
`Iwilldo，\'Defargedoggedlyrejoined，`nothingforyou。MydutyistomycountryandthePeople。Iamtheswornservantofboth，againstyou。Iwilldonothingforyou。\'
CharlesDarnayfeltithopelesstoentreathimfurther，andhispridewastouchedbesides。Astheywalkedoninsilence，hecouldnotbutseehowusedthepeopleweretothespectacleofprisonerspassingalongthestreets。Theverychildrenscarcelynoticedhim。Afewpassersturnedtheirheads，andafewshooktheirfingersathimasanaristocrat；otherwise，thatamaningoodclothesshouldbegoingtoprison，wasnomoreremarkablethanthatalabourerinworkingclothesshouldbegoingtowork。Inonenarrow，dark，anddirtystreetthroughwhichtheypassed，anexcitedorator，mountedonastool，wasaddressinganexcitedaudienceonthecrimesagainstthepeople，ofthekingandtheroyalfamily。Thefewwordsthathecaughtfromthisman\'slips，firstmadeitknowntoCharlesDarnaythatthekingwasinprison，andthattheforeignambassadorshadoneandallleftParis。
OntheroadexceptatBeauvaishehadheardabsolutelynothing。Theescortandtheuniversalwatchfulnesshadcompletelyisolatedhim。
ThathehadfallenamongfargreaterdangersthanthosewhichhaddevelopedthemselveswhenheleftEngland，heofcourseknewnow。Thatperilshadthickenedabouthimfast，andmightthickenfasterandfasteryet，heofcourseknewnow。Hecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthathemightnothavemadethisjourney，ifhecouldhaveforeseentheeventsofafewdays。Andyethismisgivingswerenotsodarkas，imaginedbythelightofthislatertime，theywouldappear。Troubledasthefuturewas，itwastheunknownfuture，andinitsobscuritytherewasignoranthope。Thehorriblemassacre，daysandnightslong，which，withinafewroundsoftheclock，wastosetagreatmarkofbloodupontheblessedgarneringtimeofharvest，wasasfaroutofhisknowledgeasifithadbeenahundredthousandyearsaway。The`sharpfemalenewly-born，andcalledLaGuillotine，\'washardlyknowntohim，ortothegeneralityofpeople，byname。Thefrightfuldeedsthatweretobesoondone，wereprobablyunimaginedatthattimeinthebrainsofthedoers。Howcouldtheyhaveaplaceintheshadowyconceptionsofagentlemind?
Ofunjusttreatmentindetentionandhardship，andincruelseparationfromhiswifeandchild，heforeshadowedthelikelihood，orthecertainty；
but，beyondthis，hedreadednothingdistinctly。Withthisonhismind，whichwasenoughtocarryintoadrearyprisoncourt-yard，hearrivedattheprisonofLaForce。
Amanwithabloatedfaceopenedthestrongwicket，towhomDefargepresented`TheEmigrantEvré；monde。\'
`WhattheDevil!Howmanymoreofthem!\'exclaimedthemanwiththebloatedface。
Defargetookhisreceiptwithoutnoticingtheexclamation，andwithdrew，withhistwofellow-patriots。
`WhattheDevil，Isayagain!\'exclaimedthegaoler，leftwithhiswife。`Howmanymore!\'
Thegaoler\'swife，beingprovidedwithnoanswertothequestion，merelyreplied，`Onemusthavepatience，mydear!\'Threeturnkeyswhoenteredresponsivetoabellsherang，，echoedthesentimentandoneadded，`FortheloveofLiberty；whichsoundedinthatplacelikeaninappropriateconclusion。
TheprisonofLaForcewasagloomyprison，darkandfilthy，andwithahorriblesmelloffoulsleepinit。Extraordinaryhowsoonthenoisomeflavourofimprisonedsleep，becomesmanifestinallsuchplacesthatareillcaredfor!
`Insecret，too，\'grumbledthegaoler，lookingatthewrittenpaper。`AsifIwasnotalreadyfulltobursting!\'
Hestuckthepaperonafile，inanill-humour，andCharlesDarnayawaitedhisfurtherpleasureforhalfanhour:sometimes，pacingtoandfrointhestrongarchedroom:sometimes，restingonastoneseat:ineithercasedetainedtobeimprintedonthememoryofthechiefandhissubordinates。
`Come!\'saidthechief，atlengthtakinguphiskeys，`comewithme，emigrant。\'
Throughthedismalprisontwilight，hisnewchargeaccompaniedhimbycorridorandstaircase，manydoorsclangingandlockingbehindthem，untiltheycameintoalarge，low，vaultedchamber，crowdedwithprisonersofbothsexes。Thewomenwereseatedatalongtable，readingandwriting，knitting，sewing，andembroidering；themenwereforthemostpartstandingbehindtheirchairs，orlingeringupanddowntheroom。
Intheinstinctiveassociationofprisonerswithshamefulcrimeanddisgrace，thenewcomerrecoiledfromthiscompany。Butthecrowningunrealityofhislongunrealride，was，theirallatoncerisingtoreceivehim，witheveryrefinementofmannerknowntothetime，andwithalltheengaginggracesandcourtesiesoflife。
Sostrangelycloudedweretheserefinementsbytheprisonmannersandgloom，sospectraldidtheybecomeintheinappropriatesqualorandmiserythroughwhichtheywereseen，thatCharlesDarnayseemedtostandinacompanyofthedead。Ghostsall!Theghostofbeauty，theghostofstateliness，theghostofelegance，theghostofpride，theghostoffrivolity，theghostofwit，theghostofyouth，theghostofage，allwaitingtheirdismissalfromthedesolateshore，allturningonhimeyesthatwerechangedbythedeaththeyhaddiedincomingthere。
Itstruckhimmotionless。Thegaolerstandingathisside，andtheothergaolersmovingabout，whowouldhavebeenwellenoughastoappearanceintheordinaryexerciseoftheirfunctions，lookedsoextravagantlycoarsecontrastedwithsorrowingmothersandbloomingdaughterswhoweretherewiththeapparitionsofthecoquette，theyoungbeauty，andthematurewomandelicatelybred——thattheinversionofallexperienceandlikelihoodwhichthesceneofshadowspresented，washeightenedtoitsutmost。Surely，ghostsall。Surely，thelongunrealridesomeprogressofdiseasethathadbroughthimtothesegloomyshades!
`Inthenameoftheassembledcompanionsinmisfortune，\'saidagentlemanofcourtlyappearanceandaddress，comingforward，`IhavethehonourofgivingyouwelcometoLaForce，andofcondolingwithyouonthecalamitythathasbroughtyouamongus。Mayitsoonterminatehappily!
Itwouldbeanimpertinenceelsewhere，butitisnotsohere，toaskyournameandcondition?\'
CharlesDarnayrousedhimself，andgavetherequiredinformation，inwordsassuitableashecouldfind。
`ButIhope，\'saidthegentleman，followingthechiefgaolerwithhiseyes，whomovedacrosstheroom，`thatyouarenotinsecret?\'
`Idonotunderstandthemeaningoftheterm，butIhaveheardthemsayso。\'
`Ah，whatapity!Wesomuchregretit!Buttakecourage；severalmembersofoursocietyhavebeeninsecret，atfirst，andithaslastedbutashorttime。\'Thenheadded，raisinghisvoice，`Igrievetoinformthesociety——insecret。
TherewasamurmurofcommiserationasCharlesDarnaycrossedtheroomtoagrateddoorwherethegaolerawaitedhim，andmanyvoices——amongwhich，thesoftandcompassionatevoicesofwomanwereconspicuous——gavehimgoodwishesandencouragement。Heturnedatthegrateddoor，torenderthethanksofhisheart；itclosedunderthegaoler\'shand；andtheapparitionsvanishedfromhissightforever。
Thewicketopenedonastonestaircase，leadingupward。Whentheyhadascendedfortystepstheprisonerofhalfanhouralreadycountedthem，thegaoleropenedalowblackdoor，andtheypassedintoasolitarycell。Itstruckcoldanddamp，butwasnotdark。
`Yours，\'saidthegaoler。
`WhyamIconfinedalone?\'
`HowdoIknow!\'
`Icanbuypen，ink，andpaper?\'
`Sucharenotmyorders。Youwillbevisited，andcanaskthen。
Atpresent，youmaybuyyourfood，andnothingmore。\'
Therewereinthecell，achair，atable，andastrawmattress。
Asthegaolermadeageneralinspectionoftheseobjects，andofthefourwalls，beforegoingout，awanderingfancywanderedthroughthemindoftheprisonerleaningagainstthewalloppositetohim，thatthisgaolerwassounwholesomelybloated，bothinfaceandperson，astolooklikeamanwhohadbeendrownedandfilledwithwater。Whenthegaolerwasgone，hethoughtinthesamewanderingway，`NowamIleft，asifIweredead。\'
Stoppingthen，tolookdownatthemattress，heturnedfromitwithasickfeeling，andthought，`Andhereinthesecrawlingcreaturesisthefirstconditionofthebodyafterdeath。\'
`Fivepacesbyfourandahalffivepacesbyfourandahalf，fivepacesbyfourandahalf。\'Theprisonerwalkedtoandfroinhiscell，countingitsmeasurement，andtheroarofthecityaroselikemuffleddrumswithawildswellofvoicesaddedtothem。`Hemadeshoes，hemadeshoes，hemadeshoes。\'Theprisonercountedthemeasurementagain，andpacedfaster，todrawhismindwithhimfromthatlatterrepetition。`Theghoststhatvanishedwhenthewicketclosed。Therewasoneamongthem，theappearanceofaladydressedinblack，whowasleaningintheembrasureofawindow，andshehadalightshininguponhergoldenhair，andshelookedlike*
***Letusrideonagain，forGod\'ssake，throughtheilluminatedvillageswiththepeopleallawake!****Hemadeshoes，hemadeshoes，hemadeshoes。****Fivepacesbyfourandahalf。\'Withsuchscrapstossingandrollingupwardfromthedepthsofhismind，theprisonerwalkedfasterandfaster，obstinatelycountingandcounting；andtheroarofthecitychangedtothisextent-thatitstillrolledinlikemuffleddrums，butwiththewailofvoicesthatheknew，intheswellthatroseabovethem。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIITheGrindstoneTELLSON\'SBANK，establishedintheSaintGermainQuarterofParis，wasinawingofalargehouse，approachedbyacourt-yardandshutofffromthestreetbyahighwallandastronggate。Thehousebelongedtoagreatnoblemanwhohadlivedinituntilhemadeaflightfromthetroubles，inhisowncook\'sdress，andgotacrosstheborders。Amerebeastofthechaseflyingfromhunters，hewasstillinhismetempsychosisnootherthanthesameMonseigneur，thepreparationofwhosechocolateforwhoselipshadonceoccupiedthreestrongmenbesidesthecookinquestion。
Monseigneurgone，andthethreestrongmenabsolvingthemselvesfromthesinofhavingdrawnhishighwages，bybeingmorethanreadyandwillingtocuthisthroatonthealtarofthedawningRepubliconeandindivisibleofLiberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath，Monseigneur\'shousehadbeenfirstsequestrated，andthenconfiscated。For，allthingsmovedsofast，anddecreefolloweddecreewiththatfierceprecipitation，thatnowuponthethirdnightoftheautumnmonthofSeptember，patriotemissariesofthelawwereinpossessionofMonseigneur\'shouse，andhadmarkeditwiththetricolour，andweredrinkingbrandyinitsstateapartments。
AplaceofbusinessinLondonlikeTellson\'splaceofbusinessinParis，wouldsoonhavedriventheHouseoutofitsmindandintotheGazette。For，whatwouldstaidBritishresponsibilityandrespectabilityhavesaidtoorange-treesinboxesinaBankcourt-yard，andeventoaCupidoverthecounter?Yetsuchthingswere。Tellson\'shadwhitewashedtheCupid，buthewasstilltobeseenontheceiling，inthecoolestlinen，aimingasheveryoftendoesatmoneyfrommorningtonight。BankruptcymustinevitablyhavecomeofthisyoungPagan，inLombardstreet，London，andalsoofacurtainedalcoveintherearoftheimmortalboy，andalsoofalooking-glassletintothewall，andalsoofclerksnotatallold，whodancedinpublicontheslightestprovocation。Yet，aFrenchTellson\'scouldgetonwiththesethingsexceedinglywell，and，aslongasthetimesheldtogether，nomanhadtakenfrightatthem，anddrawnouthismoney。
WhatmoneywouldbedrawnoutofTellson\'shenceforth，andwhatwouldliethere，lostandforgotten；whatplateandjewelswouldtarnishinTellson\'shiding-places，whilethedepositorsrustedinprisons，andwhentheyshouldhaveviolentlyperished；howmanyaccountswithTellson\'snevertobebalancedinthisworld，mustbecarriedoverintothenext；
nomancouldhavesaid，thatnight，anymorethanMr。JarvisLorrycould，thoughhethoughtheavilyofthesequestions。Hesatbyanewly-lightedwoodfiretheblightedandunfruitfulyearwasprematurelycold，andonhishonestandcourageousfacetherewasadeepershadethanthependentlampcouldthrow，oranyobjectintheroomdistortedlyreflect——ashadeofhorror。
HeoccupiedroomsintheBank，inhisfidelitytotheHouseofwhichhehadgrowntobeapart，likeastrongroot-ivy。Itchancedthattheyderivedakindofsecurityfromthepatrioticoccupationofthemainbuilding，butthetrue-heartedoldgentlemannevercalculatedaboutthat。
Allsuchcircumstanceswereindifferenttohim，sothathedidhisduty。
Ontheoppositesideofthecourt-yard，underacolonnade，wasextensivestandingforcarriages——where，indeed，somecarriagesofMonseigneuryetstood。Againsttwoofthepillarswerefastenedtwogreatflaringflambeaux，andinthelightofthese，standingoutintheopenair，wasalargegrindstone:
aroughlymountedthingwhichappearedtohavehurriedlybeenbroughttherefromsomeneighbouringsmithy，orotherworkshop。Risingandlookingoutofwindowattheseharmlessobjects，Mr。Lorryshivered，andretiredtohisseatbythefire。Hehadopened，notonlytheglasswindow，butthelatticeblindoutsideit，andhehadclosedbothagain，andheshiveredthroughhisframe。
Fromthestreetsbeyondthehighwallandthestronggate，therecametheusualnighthumofthecity，withnowandthenanindescribableringinit，weirdandunearthly，asifsomeunwontedsoundsofaterriblenatureweregoinguptoHeaven。
`ThankGod，\'saidMr。Lorry，claspinghishands，`thatnoonenearanddeartomeisinthisdreadfultownto-night。MayHehavemercyonallwhoareindanger!\'
Soonafterwards，thebellatthegreatgatesounded，andhethought，`Theyhavecomeback!\'andsatlistening。But，therewasnoloudirruptionintothecourt-yard，ashehadexpected，andheheardthegateclashagain，andallwasquiet。
ThenervousnessanddreadthatwereuponhiminspiredthatvagueuneasinessrespectingtheBank，whichagreatchangewouldnaturallyawaken，withsuchfeelingsroused。Itwaswellguarded，andhegotuptogoamongthetrustypeoplewhowerewatchingit，thenhisdoorsuddenlyopened，andtwofiguresrushedin，atsightofwhichhefellbackinamazement。
Lucieandherfather!Luciewithherarmsstretchedouttohim，andwiththatoldlookofearnestnesssoconcentratedandintensified，thatitseemedasthoughithadbeenstampeduponherfaceexpresslytogiveforceandpowertoitinthisonepassageofherlife。
`Whatisthis?\'criedMr。Lorry，breathlessandconfused。`Whatisthematter?Lucie!Manette!Whathashappened?Whathasbroughtyouhere?Whatisit?\'
Withthelookfixeduponhim，inherpalenessandwildness，shepantedoutinhisarms，imploringly，`Omydearfriend!Myhusband!\'
`Yourhusband，Lucie?\'
`Charles。\'
`WhatofCharles?\'
`Here。\'
`Here，inParis?\'
`Hasbeenheresomedays——threeorfour——Idon\'tknowhowmany——I
can\'tcollectmythoughts。Anerrandofgenerositybroughthimhereunknowntous；hewasstoppedatthebarrier，andsenttoprison。\'
Theoldmanutteredanirrepressiblecry。Almostatthesamemoment，thebellofthegreatgaterangagain，andaloudnoiseoffeetandvoicescamepouringintothecourt-yard。
`Whatisthatnoise?\'saidtheDoctor，turningtowardsthewindow。
`Don\'tlook!\'criedMr。Lorry。`Don\'tlookout!Manette，foryourlife，don\'ttouchtheblind!\'
TheDoctorturned，withhishanduponthefasteningofthewindow，andsaid，withacoolboldsmile:
`Mydearfriend，Ihaveacharmedlifeinthiscity。IhavebeenaBastilleprisoner。ThereisnopatriotinParis——inParis?InFrance——who，knowingmetohavebeenaprisonerintheBastille，wouldtouchme，excepttooverwhelmmewithembraces，orcarrymeintriumph。Myoldpainhasgivenmeapowerthathasbroughtusthroughthebarrier，andgainedusnewsofCharlesthere，andbroughtushere。Iknewitwouldbeso；IknewIcouldhelpCharlesoutofalldanger；ItoldLucieso——Whatisthatnoise?\'Hishandwasagainuponthewindow。
`Don\'tlook!\'criedMr。Lorry，absolutelydesperate。`No，Lucie，mydear，noryou!\'Hegothisarmroundher，andheldher。`Don\'tbesoterrified，mylove。IsolemnlysweartoyouthatIknowofnoharmhavinghappenedtoCharles；thatIhadnosuspicionevenofhisbeinginthisfatalplace。Whatprisonishein?\'
`LaForce!\'
`LaForce!Lucie，mychild，ifeveryouwerebraveandserviceableinyourlife——andyouwerealwaysboth——youwillcomposeyourselfnow，todoexactlyasIbidyou；formoredependsuponitthanyoucanthink，orIcansay。Thereisnohelpforyouinanyactiononyourpartto-night；
youcannotpossiblystirout。Isaythis，becausewhatImustbidyoutodoforCharles\'ssake，isthehardestthingtodoofall。Youmustinstantlybeobedient，still，andquiet。Youmustletmeputyouinaroomatthebackhere。Youmustleaveyourfatherandmealonefortwominutes，andasthereareLifeandDeathintheworldyoumustnotdelay。\'
`Iwillbesubmissivetoyou。IseeinyourfacethatyouknowIcandonothingelsethanthis。Iknowyouaretrue。\'
Theoldmankissedher，andhurriedherintohisroom，andturnedthekey；then，camehurryingbacktotheDoctor，andopenedthewindowandpartlyopenedtheblind，andputhishandupontheDoctor\'sarm，andlookedoutwithhimintothecourt-yard。
Lookedoutuponathrongofmenandwomen:notenoughinnumber，ornearenough，tofillthecourt-yard:notmorethanfortyorfiftyinall。Thepeopleinpossessionofthehousehadlettheminatthegate，andtheyhadrushedintoworkatthegrindstone；ithadevidentlybeensetuptherefortheirpurpose，asinaconvenientandretiredspot。
But，suchawfulworkers，andsuchawfulwork!
Thegrindstonehadadoublehandle，and，turningatitmadlyweretwomen，whosefaces，astheirlonghairflappedbackwhenthewhirlingsofthegrindstonebroughttheirfacesup，weremorehorribleandcruelthanthevisagesofthewildestsavagesintheirmostbarbarousdisguise。
Falseeye-browsandfalsemoustacheswerestuckuponthem，andtheirhideouscountenanceswereallbloodyandsweaty，andallawrywithhowling，andallstaringandglaringwithbeastlyexcitementandwantofsleep。Astheseruffiansturnedandturned，theirmattedlocksnowflungforwardovertheireyes，nowflungbackwardovertheirnecks，somewomenheldwinetotheirmouthsthattheymightdrink；andwhatwithdroppingblood，andwhatwithdroppingwine，andwhatwiththestreamofsparksstruckoutofthestone，alltheirwickedatmosphereseemedgoreandfire。Theeyecouldnotdetectonecreatureinthegroupfreefromthesmearofblood。Shoulderingoneanothertogetnextatthesharpening-stone，weremenstrippedtothewaist，withthestainallovertheirlimbsandbodies；meninallsortsofrags，withthestainuponthoserags；mendevilishlysetoffwithspoilsofwomen\'slaceandsilkandribbon，withthestaindyeingthosetriflesthroughandthrough。Hatchets，knives，bayonets，swords，allbroughttobesharpened，wereallredwithit。Someofthehackedswordsweretiedtothewristsofthosewhocarriedthem，withstripsoflinenandfragmentsofdress:
ligaturesvariousinkind，butalldeepoftheonecolour。Andasthefranticwieldersoftheseweaponssnatchedthemfromthestreamofsparksandtoreawayintothestreets，thesameredhuewasredintheirfrenziedeyes；——eyeswhichanyunbrutalisedbeholderwouldhavegiventwentyyearsoflife，topetrifywithawell-directedgun。
Allthiswasseeninamoment，asthevisionofadrowningman，orofanyhumancreatureatanyverygreatpass，couldseeaworldifitwerethere。Theydrewbackfromthewindow，andtheDoctorlookedforexplanationinhisfriend\'sashyface。
`Theyare，\'Mr。Lorrywhisperedthewords，glancingfearfullyroundatthelockedroom，`murderingtheprisoners。Ifyouaresureofwhatyousay；ifyoureallyhavethepoweryouthinkyouhave——asIbelieveyouhave——makeyourselfknowntothesedevils，andgettakentoLaForce。
Itmaybetoolate，Idon\'tknow，butletitnotbeaminutelater!\'
DoctorManettepressedhishand，hastenedbareheadedoutoftheroom，andwasinthecourt-yardwhenMr。Lorryregainedtheblind。
Hisstreamingwhitehair，hisremarkableface，andtheimpetuousconfidenceofhismanner，asheputtheweaponsasidelikewater，carriedhiminaninstanttotheheartoftheconcourseatthestone。Forafewmomentstherewasapause，andahurry，andamurmur，andtheunintelligiblesoundofhisvoice；andthenMr。Lorrysawhim，surroundedbyall，andinthemidstofalineoftwentymenlong，alllinkedshouldertoshoulder，andhandtoshoulder，hurriedoutwithcriesof——\'LivetheBastilleprisoner!
HelpfortheBastilleprisoner\'skindredinLaForce!RoomfortheBastilleprisonerinfrontthere!SavetheprisonerEvré；mondeatLaForce!\'
andathousandansweringshouts。
Heclosedthelatticeagainwithaflutteringheart，closedthewindowandthecurtain，hastenedtoLucie，andtoldherthatherfatherwasassistedbythepeople，andgoneinsearchofherhusband。HefoundherchildandMissProsswithher；but，itneveroccurredtohimtobesurprisedbytheirappearanceuntilalongtimeafterwards，whenhesatwatchingtheminsuchquietasthenightknew。
Luciehad，bythattime，fallenintoastuporonthefloorathisfeet，clingingtohishand。MissProsshadlaidthechilddownonhisownbed，andherhadhadgraduallyfallenonthepillowbesideherprettycharge。Othelong，longnight，withthemoansofthepoorwife!AndO
thelong，longnight，withnoreturnofherfatherandnotidings!
Twicemoreinthedarknessthebellatthegreatgatesounded，andtheirruptionwasrepeated，andthegrindstonewhirledandspluttered。
`Whatisit?\'criedLucie，affrighted。`Hush!Thesoldiers\'swordsaresharpenedthere，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Theplaceisnationalpropertynow，andusedasakindofarmoury，mylove。\'
Twicemoreinall；but，thelastspellofworkwasfeebleandfitful。Soonafterwardsthedaybegantodawn，andhesoftlydetachedhimselffromtheclaspinghand，andcautiouslylookedoutagain。Aman，sobesmearedthathemighthavebeenasorelywoundedsoldiercreepingbacktoconsciousnessonafieldofslain，wasrisingfromthepavementbythesideofthegrindstone，andlookingabouthimwithavacantair。Shortly，thisworn-outmurdererdescriedintheimperfectlightoneofthecarriagesofMonseigneur，and，staggeringtothatgorgeousvehicle，climbedinatthedoor，andshuthimselfuptotakehisrestonitsdaintycushions。
Thegreatgrindstone，Earth，hadturnedwhenMr。Lorrylookedoutagain，andthesunwasredonthecourt-yard。But，thelessergrindstonestoodalonethereinthecalmmorningair，withareduponitthatthesunhadnevergiven，andwouldnevertakeaway。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIIITheShadowONEofthefirstconsiderationswhicharoseinthebusinessmindofMr。
Lorrywhenbusinesshourscameround，wasthis:——thathehadnorighttoimperilTellson\'sbyshelteringthewifeofanemigrantprisonerundertheBankroof。Hisownpossessions，safety，life，hewouldhavehazardedforLucieandherchild，withoutamoment\'sdemur；butthegreattrustheheldwasnothisown，andastothatbusinesschargehewasastrictmanofbusiness。
Atfirst，hismindrevertedtoDefarge，andhethoughtoffindingoutthewine-shopagainandtakingcounselwithitsmasterinreferencetothesafestdwelling-placeinthedistractedstateofthecity。But，thesameconsiderationthatsuggestedhim，repudiatedhim；helivedinthemostviolentQuarter，anddoubtlesswasinfluentialthere，anddeepinitsdangerousworkings。
Nooncoming，andtheDoctornotreturning，andeveryminute\'sdelaytendingtocompromise，Tellson\'s，Mr。LorryadvisedwithLucie。Shesaidthatherfatherhadspokenofhiringalodgingforashortterm，inthatQuarter，neartheBanking-house。Astherewasnobusinessobjectiontothis，andasheforesawthatevenifitwereallwellwithCharles，andheweretobereleased，hecouldnothopetoleavethecity，Mr。Lorrywentoutinquestofsuchalodging，andfoundasuitableone，highupinaremovedby-streetwheretheclosedblindsinalltheotherwindowsofahighmelancholysquareofbuildingsmarkeddesertedhomes。
TothislodgingheatonceremovedLucieandherchild，andMissPross:givingthemwhatcomforthecould，andmuchmorethanhehadhimself。
HeleftJerrywiththem，asafiguretofilladoorwaythatwouldbearconsiderableknockingonthehead，andreturnedtohisownoccupations。
Adisturbedanddolefulmindhebroughttobearuponthem，andslowlyandheavilythedaylaggedonwithhim。
Itworeitselfout，andworehimoutwithit，untiltheBankclosed。
Hewasagainaloneinhisroomofthepreviousnight，consideringwhattodonext，whenheheardafootuponthestair。Inafewmoments，amanstoodinhispresence，who，withakeenlyobservantlookathim，addressedhimbyhisname。
`Yourservant，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Doyouknowme?\'
Hewasastronglymademanwithdarkcurlinghair，fromforty-fivetofiftyyearsofae。Foranswerherepeated，withoutanychangeofemphasis，thewords:
`Doyouknowme?\'
`Ihaveseenyousomewhere。\'
`Perhapsatmywine-shop?\'
Muchinterestedandagitated，Mr。Lorrysaid:`YoucomefromDoctorManette?\'
`Yes。IcomefromDoctorManette。\'
`Andwhatsayshe?Whatdoeshesendme?\'
Defargegaveintohisanxioushand，anopenscrapofpaper。ItborethewordsintheDoctor\'swriting:
`Charlesissafe，butIcannotsafelyleavethisplaceyet。
IhaveobtainedthefavourthatthebearerhasashortnotefromCharlestohiswife。Letthebearerseehiswife。\'ItwasdatedfromLaForce，withinanhour。
`Willyouaccompanyme，\'saidMr。Lorry，joyfullyrelievedafterreadingthisnotealoud，`towherehiswiferesides?\'
`Yes，\'returnedDefarge。
Scarcelynoticingasyet，inwhatacuriouslyreservedandmechanicalwayDefargespoke，Mr。Lorryputonhishatandtheywentdownintothecourt-yard。There，theyfoundtwowomen；one，knitting。
`MadameDefarge，surely!\'saidMr。Lorry，whohadleftherinexactlythesameattitudesomeseventeenyearsago。
`Itisshe，\'observedherhusband。
`Doesmadamegowithus?\'inquiredMr。Lorry，seeingthatshemovedastheymoved。
`Yes。Thatshemaybeabletorecognisethefacesandknowthepersons。Itisfortheirsafety。\'
BeginningtobestruckbyDefarge\'smanner，Mr。Lorrylookeddubiouslyathim，andledtheway。Boththewomenfollowed；thesecondwomanbeingTheVengeance。
Theypassedthroughtheinterveningstreetsasquicklyastheymight，ascendedthestaircaseofthenewdomicile，wereadmittedbyJerry，andfoundLucieweeping，alone。ShewasthrownintoatransportbythetidingsMr。Lorrygaveherofherhusband，andclaspedthehandthatdeliveredhisnote——littlethinkingwhatithadbeendoingnearhiminthenight，andmight，butforachance，havedonetohim。
`DEAREST，——Takecourage。Iamwell，andyourfatherhasinfluencearoundme。Youcannotanswerthis。Kissourchildforme。\'Thatwasallthewriting。Itwassomuch，however，toherwhoreceivedit，thatsheturnedfromDefargetohiswife，andkissedoneofthehandsthatknitted。Itwasapassionate，loving，thankful，womanlyaction，butthehandmadenoresponse——droppedcoldandheavy，andtooktoitsknittingagain。
TherewassomethinginitstouchthatgaveLucieacheck。Shestoppedintheactofputtingthenoteinherbosom，and，withherhandsyetatherneck，lookedterrifiedatMadameDefarge。MadameDefargemettheliftedeyebrowsandforeheadwithacold，impassivestare。
`Mydear，\'saidMr。Lorry，strikingintoexplain；`therearefrequentrisingsinthestreets；and，althoughitisnotlikelytheywillevertroubleyou，MadameDefargewishestoseethosewhomshehasthepowertoprotectatsuchtimes，totheendthatshemayknowthem——thatshemayidentifythem。Ibelieve，\'saidMr。Lorry，ratherhaltinginhisreassuringwords，asthestonymannerofallthethreeimpresseditselfuponhimmoreandmore，`Istatethecase，CitizenDefarge?\'
Defargelookedgloomilyathiswife，andgavenootheranswerthanagruffsoundofacquiescence。
`Youhadbetter，Lucie，\'saidMr。Lorry，doingallhecouldtopropitiate，bytoneandmanner，`havethedearchildhere，andourgoodPross。OurgoodPross，Defarge，isanEnglishlady，andknowsnoFrench。\'
Theladyinquestion，whoserootedconvictionthatshewasmorethanamatchforanyforeigner，wasnottobeshakenbydistressanddanger，appearedwishfoldedarms，andobservedinEnglishtoTheVengeance，whomhereyesfirstencountered，`Well，Iamsure，Boldface!Ihopeyouareprettywell!\'ShealsobestowedaBritishcoughonMadameDefarge；
but，neitherofthetwotookmuchheedofher。
`Isthathischild?\'saidMadameDefarge，stoppinginherworkforthefirsttime，andpointingherknitting-needleatlittleLucieasifitwerethefingerofFate。
`Yes，madame，\'answeredMr。Lorry；`thisisourpoorprisoner\'sdarlingdaughter，andonlychild。\'
TheshadowattendantonMadameDefargeandherpartyseemedtofallsothreateninganddarkonthechild，thathermotherinstinctivelykneeledonthegroundbesideher，andheldhertoherbreast。TheshadowattendantonMadameDefargeandherpartyseemedthentofall，threateninganddark，onboththemotherandthechild。
`Itisenough，myhusband，\'saidMadameDefarge。`Ihaveseenthem。Wemaygo。
But，thesuppressedmannerhadenoughofmenaceinit——notvisibleandpresented，butindistinctandwithheld——toalarmLucieintosaying，asshelaidherappealinghandonMadameDefarge\'sdress:
`Youwillbegoodtomypoorhusband。Youwilldohimnoharm。
Youwillhelpmetoseehimifyoucan?\'
`Yourhusbandisnotmybusinesshere，\'returnedMadameDefarge，lookingdownatherwithperfectcomposure。`Itisthedaughterofyourfatherwhoismybusinesshere。\'
`Formysake，then，bemercifultomyhusband。Formychild\'ssake!Shewillputherhandstogetherandprayyoutobemerciful。Wearemoreafraidofyouthanoftheseothers。\'
MadameDefargereceiveditasacompliment，andlookedatherhusband。Defarge，whohadbeenuneasilybitinghisthumb-nailandlookingather，collectedhisfaceintoasternerexpression。
`Whatisitthatyourhusbandsaysinthatlittleletter?\'askedMadameDefarge，withaloweringsmile。`Influence；hesayssomethingtouchinginfluence?\'
`Thatmyfather，\'saidLucie，hurriedlytakingthepaperfromherbreast，butwithheralarmedeyesonherquestionerandnotonit，`hasmuchinfluencearoundhim。\'
`Surelyitwillreleasehim!\'saidMadameDefarge。`Letitdoso。\'
`Asawifeandmother，\'criedLucie，mostearnestly，`Iimploreyoutohavepityonmeandnottoexerciseanypowerthatyoupossess，againstmyinnocenthusband，buttouseitinhisbehalf。Osister-woman，thinkofme。Asawifeandmother!\'
MadameDefargelooked，coldlyasever，atthesuppliant，andsaid，turningtoherfriendTheVengeance:
`Thewivesandmotherswehavebeenusedtosee，sincewewereaslittleasthischild，andmuchless，havenotbeengreatlyconsidered?
Wehaveknowntheirhusbandsandfatherslaidinprisonandkeptfromthem，oftenenough?Allourlives，wehaveseenoursister-womensuffer，inthemselvesandintheirchildren，poverty，nakedness，hunger，thirst。
sickness，misery，oppressionandneglectofallkinds?\'
`Wehaveseennothingelse，\'returnedTheVengeance。
`Wehavebornethisalongtime，\'saidMadameDefarge，turninghereyesagainuponLucie。`Judgeyou!Isitlikelythatthetroubleofonewifeandmotherwouldbemuchtousnow?\'
Sheresumedherknittingandwentout。TheVengeancefollowed。
Defargewentlast，andclosedthedoor。
`Courage，mydearLucie，\'saidMr。Lorry，asheraisedher。`Courage，courage!Sofarallgoeswellwithus——much，muchbetterthanithasoflategonewithmanypoorsouls。Cheerup，andhaveathankfulheart。\'
`Iamnotthankless，Ihope，butthatdreadfulwomanseemstothrowashadowonmeandonallmyhopes。\'
`Tut，tut!\'saidMr。Lorry；`whatisthisdespondencyinthebravelittlebreast?Ashadowindeed!Nosubstanceinit，Lucie。\'
ButtheshadowofthemanneroftheseDefargeswasdarkuponhimself，forallthat，andinhissecretmindittroubledhimgreatly。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIVCalminStormDOCTORMANETTEdidnotreturnuntilthemorningofthefourthdayofhisabsence。SomuchofwhathadhappenedinthatdreadfultimeascouldbekeptfromtheknowledgeofLuciewassowellconcealedfromher，thatnotuntillongafterwards，whenFranceandshewerefarapart，didsheknowthatelevenhundreddefencelessprisonersofbothsexesandallageshadbeenkilledbythepopulace；thatfourdaysandnightshadbeendarkenedbythisdeedofhorror；andthattheairaroundherhadbeentaintedbytheslain。Sheonlyknewthattherehadbeenanattackupontheprisons，thatallpoliticalprisonershadbeenindanger，andthatsomehadbeendraggedoutbythecrowdandmurdered。
ToMr。Lorry，theDoctorcommunicatedunderaninjunctionofsecrecyonwhichhehadnoneedtodwell，thatthecrowdhadtakenhimthroughasceneofcarnagetotheprisonofLaForce。That，intheprisonhehadfoundaself-appointedTribunalsitting，beforewhichtheprisonerswerebroughtsingly，andbywhichtheywererapidlyorderedtobeputforthtobemassacred，ortobereleased，orinafewcasestobesentbacktotheircells。That，presentedbyhisconductorstothisTribunal，hehadannouncedhimselfbynameandprofessionashavingbeenforeighteenyearsasecretandunaccusedprisonerintheBastille；that，oneofthebodysosittinginjudgmenthadrisenandidentifiedhim，andthatthismanwasDefarge。
That，hereuponhehadascertained，throughtheregistersonthetable，thathisson-in-lawwasamongthelivingprisoners，andhadpleadedhardtotheTribunal——ofwhomsomememberswereasleepandsomeawake，somedirtywithmurderandsomeclean，somesoberandsomenot——forhislifeandliberty。That，inthefirstfranticgreetingslavishedonhimselfasanotablesuffererundertheover-thrownsystem，ithadbeenaccordedtohimtohaveCharlesDarnaybroughtbeforethelawlessCourt，andexamined。
That，heseemedonthepointofbeingatoncereleased，whenthetideinhisfavourmetwithsomeunexplainedchecknotintelligibletotheDoctor，whichledtoafewwordsofsecretconference。That，themansittingasPresidenthadtheninformedDoctorManettethattheprisonermustremainincustody，butshouldforhissake，beheldinviolateinsafecustody。
That，immediately，onasignal，theprisonerwasremovedtotheinterioroftheprisonagain；but，thatlie，theDoctor，hadthensostronglypleadedforpermissiontoremainandassurehimselfthathisson-in-lawwas，throughnomaliceormischance，deliveredtotheconcoursewhosemurderousyellsoutsidethegatehadoftendrownedtheproceedings，thatliehadobtainedthepermission，andhadremainedinthatHallofBlooduntilthedangerwasover。
Thesightshehadseenthere，withbriefsnatchesoffoodandsleepbyintervals，shallremainuntold。Themadjobovertheprisonerswhoweresaved，hadastoundedhimscarcelylessthanthemadferocityagainstthosewhowerecuttopieces。Oneprisonertherewas，liesaid，whohadbeendischargedintothestreetfree，butatwhomamistakensavagehadthrustapikeasliepassedout。Beingbesoughttogotohimanddressthewound，theDoctorhadpassedoutatthesamegate，andhadfoundhiminthearmsofacompanyofSamaritans，whowereseatedonthebodiesoftheirvictims。Withaninconsistencyasmonstrousasanythinginthisawfulnightmare，theyhadhelpedthehealer，andtendedthewoundedmanwiththegentlestsolicitude——hadmadealitterforhimandescortedhimcarefullyfromthespot——hadthencaughtuptheirweaponsandplungedanewintoabutcherysodreadful，thattheDoctorhadcoveredhiseyeswithhishands，andswoonedawayinthemidstofit。
AsMr。Lorryreceivedtheseconfidences，andashewatchedthefaceofhisfriendnowsixty-twoyearsofage，amisgivingarosewithinhimthatsuchdreadexperienceswouldrevisetheolddanger。But，hehadneverseenhisfriendinhi，presentaspect:hehadneveratallknownhiminhispresentcharacter。ForthefirsttimetheDoctorfelt，now，thathissufferingwasstrengthandpower。Forthefirsttimeheleftthatinthatsharpfire，liehadslowlyforgedtheironwhichcouldbreaktheprisondoorofhisdaughter\'shusband，anddeliverhim。`Italltendedtoagoodend，myfriend；itwasnotmerewasteandruin。Asmybelovedchildwashelpfulinrestoringmetomyself，Iwillbehelpfulnowinrestoringthedearestpartofherselftoher；bytheaidofHeavenIwilldoit!\'
Thus，DoctorManette。AndwhenJarvisLorrysawthekindledeyes，theresoluteface，thecalmstronglookandbearingofthemanwhoselifealwaysseemedtohimtohavebeenstopped，likeaclock，forsomanyyears，andthensetgoingagainwithanenergywhichhadlaindormantduringthecessationofitsusefulness，hebelieved。
GreaterthingsthantheDoctorhadatthattimetocontendwith，wouldhaveyieldedbeforehisperseveringpurpose。Whilehekepthimselfinhisplace，asaphysician，whosebusinesswaswithalldegreesofmankind，bondandfree，richandpoor，badandgood，heusedhispersonalinfluencesowisely，thathewassoontheinspectingphysicianofthreeprisons，andamongthemofLaForce。HecouldnowassureLuciethatherhusbandwasnolongerconfinedalone，butwasmixedwiththegeneralbodyofprisoners；
hesawherhusbandweekly，andbroughtsweetmessagestoher，straightfromhislips；sometimesherhusbandhimselfsentalettertoherthoughneverbytheDoctor\'shand，butshewasnotpermittedtowritetohim:
for，amongthemanywildsuspicionsofplotsintheprisons，thewildestofallpointedatemigrantswhowereknowntohavemadefriendsorpermanentconnectionsabroad。
ThisnewlifeoftheDoctor\'swasananxiouslife，nodoubt；still，thesagaciousMr。Lorrysawthattherewasanewsustainingprideinit。
Nothingunbecomingtingedthepride；itwasanaturalandworthyone；butheobserveditasacuriosity。TheDoctorknew，thatuptothattime，hisimprisonmenthadbeenassociatedinthemindsofhisdaughterandhisfriend，withhispersonalaffliction，deprivation，andweakness。Nowthatthiswaschanged，andheknewhimselftobeinvestedthroughthatoldtrialwithforcestowhichtheybothlookedforCharles\'sultimatesafetyanddeliverance，hebecamesofarexaltedbythechange，thathetooktheleadanddirection，andrequiredthemastheweak，totrusttohimasthestrong。
TheprecedingrelativepositionsofhimselfandLuciewerereversed，yetonlyastheliveliestgratitudeandaffectioncouldreversethem，forhecouldhavehadnopridebutinrenderingsomeservicetoherwhohadrenderedsomuchtohim。`Allcurioustosee，\'thoughtMr。Lorry，inhisamiablyshrewdway，`butallnaturalandright；so，takethelead，mydearfriend，andkeepit；itcouldn\'tbeinbetterhands。\'
But，thoughtheDoctortriedhard，andneverceasedtrying，togetCharlesDarnaysetatliberty，oratleasttogethimbroughttotrial，thepubliccurrentofthetimesettoostrongandfastforhim。Thenewerabegan；thekingwastried，doomed，andbeheaded；theRepublicofLiberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath，declaredforvictoryordeathagainsttheworldinarms；theblackflagwavednightanddayfromthegreattowersofNotreDame；threehundredthousandmen，summonedtoriseagainstthetyrantsoftheearth，rosefromallthevaryingsoilsofFrance，asifthedragon\'steethhadbeensownbroadcast，andhadyieldedfruitequallyonhillandplain，onrock，ingravel，andalluvialmud，underthebrightskyoftheSouthandunderthecloudsoftheNorth，infellandforest，inthevineyardsandtheolive-groundsandamongthecroppedgrassandthestubbleofthecorn，alongthefruitfulbanksofthebroadrivers，andinthesandofthesea-shore。WhatprivatesolicitudecouldrearitselfagainstthedelugeoftheYearOneofLiberty——thedelugerisingfrombelow，notfallingfromabove，andwiththewindowsofHeavenshut，notopened!
Therewasnopause，nopity，nopeace，nointervalofrelentingrest，nomeasurementoftime。Thoughdaysandnightscircledasregularlyaswhentimewasyoung，andtheeveningandmorningwerethefirstday，othercountoftimetherewasnone。Holdofitwaslostintheragingfeverofanation，asitisinthefeverofonepatient。Now，breakingtheunnaturalsilenceofawholecity，theexecutionershowedthepeopletheheadoftheking-andnow，itseemedalmostinthesamebreath，theheadofhisfairwifewhichhadhadeightwearymonthsofimprisonedwidowhoodandmisery，toturnitgrey。
Andyet，observingthestrangelawofcontradictionwhichobtainsinallsuchcases，thetimewaslong，whileitflamedbysofast。Arevolutionarytribunalinthecapital，andfortyorfiftythousandrevolutionarycommitteesallovertheland；alawoftheSuspected，whichstruckawayallsecurityforlibertyorlife，anddeliveredoveranygoodandinnocentpersontoanybadandguiltyone；prisonsgorgedwithpeoplewhohadcommittednooffence，andcouldobtainnohearing；thesethingsbecametheestablishedorderandnatureofappointedthings，andseemedtobeancientusagebeforetheyweremanyweeksold。Aboveall，onehideousfiguregrewasfamiliarasifithadbeenbeforethegeneralgazehornthefoundationsoftheworld——thefigureofthesharpfemalecalledLaGuillotine。
Itwasthepopularthemeforjests；itwasthebestcureforheadache，itinfalliblypreventedthehairfromturninggrey，itimpartedapeculiardelicacytothecomplexion，itwastheNationalRazorwhichshavedclose:
whokissedLaGuillotine，lookedthroughthelittlewindowandsneezedintothesack。Itwasthesignoftheregenerationofthehumanrace。ItsupersededtheGross。ModelsofitwerewornonbreastsfromwhichtheGrosswasdiscarded，anditwasboweddowntoandbelievedinwheretheGrosswasdenied。