点击下载App，搜索"A Tale Of Two Citie",免费读到尾

　　Itshearedoffheadssomany，thatit，andthegrounditmostpolluted，werearottenred。Itwastakentopieces，likeatoy-puzzleforayoungDevil，andwasputtogetheragainwhentheoccasionwantedit。Ithushedtheeloquent，struckdownthepowerful，abolishedthebeautifulandgood。Twenty-twofriendsofhighpublicmark，twenty-onelivingandonedead，ithadloppedtheheadsoff，inonemorning，inasmanyminutes。

　　ThenameofthestrongmanofOldScripturehaddescendedtothechieffunctionarywhoworkedit；but，soarmed，hewasstrongerthanhisnamesake，andblinder，andtoreawaythegatesofGod\'sownTempleeveryday。

　　Amongtheseterrors，andthebroodbelongingtothem，theDoctorwalkedwithasteadyhead:confidentinhispower，cautiouslypersistentinhisend，neverdoubtingthathewouldsaveLucie\'shusbandatlast。

　　Yetthecurrentofthetimesweptby，sostronganddeep，andcarriedthetimeawaysofiercely，thatCharleshadlaininprisononeyearandthreemonthswhentheDoctorwasthussteadyandconfident。SomuchmorewickedanddistractedhadtheRevolutiongrowninthatDecembermonth，thattheriversoftheSouthwereencumberedwiththebodiesoftheviolentlydrownedbynight，andprisonerswereshotinlinesandsquaresunderthesouthernwintrysun。Still，theDoctorwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead。

　　Nomanbetterknownthanhe，inParisatthatday；nomaninastrangersituation。Silent，humane，indispensableinhospitalandprison，usinghisartequallyamongassassinsandvictims，hewasamanapart。Intheexerciseofhisskill，theappearanceandthestoryoftheBastilleCaptiveremovedhimfromallothermen。Hewasnotsuspectedorbroughtinquestion，anymorethanifhehadindeedbeenrecalledtolifesomeeighteenyearsbefore，orwereaSpiritmovingamongmortals。

　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVTheWood-sawyerONEayearandthreemonths。DuringallthattimeLuciewasneversure，fromhourtohour，butthattheGuillotinewouldstrikeoffherhusband\'sheadnextday。Everyday，throughthestonystreets，thetumbrilsnowjoltedheavily，filledwithCondemned。Lovelygirls；brightwomen，brown-haired，black-haired，andgrey；youths；stalwartmenandold；gentlebornandpeasantborn；allredwineforLaGuillotine，alldailybroughtintolightfromthedarkcellarsoftheloathsomeprisons，andcarriedtoherthroughthestreettoslakeherdevouringthirst。Liberty，equality，fraternity，ordeath；——thelast，muchtheeasiesttobestow，OGuillotine!

　　Ifthesuddennessofhercalamity，andthewhirlingwheelsofthetime，hadstunnedtheDoctor\'sdaughterintoawaitingtheresultinidledespair，itwouldbuthavebeenwithherasitwaswithmany。But，fromthehourwhenshehadtakenthewhiteheadtoherfreshyoungbosominthegarretofshehadbeentruetoherduties。Shewastruesttothemintheseasonoftrial，asallthequietlyloyalandgoodwillalwaysbe。

　　Assoonastheywereestablishedintheirnewresidence，andherfatherhadenteredontheroutineofhisavocations，shearrangedthelittlehouseholdasexactlyasifherhusbandhadbeenthere。Everythinghaditsappointedplaceanditsappointedtime。LittleLucieshetaught，asregularly，asiftheyhadallbeenunitedintheirEnglishhome。Theslightdeviceswithwhichshecheatedherselfintotheshowofabeliefthattheywouldsoonbereunited-thelittlepreparationsforhisspeedyreturn，thesettingasideofhischairandhisbooks——these，andthesolemnprayeratnightforonedearprisonerespecially，amongthemanyunhappysoulsinprisonandtheshadowofdeath——werealmosttheonlyoutspokenreliefsofherheavymind。

　　Shedidnotgreatlyalterinappearance。Theplaindarkdresses，akintomourningdresses，whichsheandherchildwore，wereasneatandaswellattendedtoasthebrighterclothesofhappydays。Shelosthercolour，andtheoldandintentexpressionwasaconstant，notanoccasional，thing；otherwise，sheremainedveryprettyandcomely。Sometimes，atnightonkissingherfather，shewouldburstintothegriefshehadrepressedallday，andwouldsaythathersolereliance，underHeaven，wasonhim。

　　Healwaysresolutelyanswered:`Nothingcanhappentohimwithoutmyknowledge，andIknowthatIcansavehim，Lucie。\'

　　Theyhadnotmadetheroundoftheirchangedlifemanyweeks，whenherfathersaidtoher，oncominghomeoneevening:

　　`Mydear，thereisanupperwindowintheprison，towhichCharlescansometimesgainaccessatthreeintheafternoon。Whenhecangettoit-whichdependsonmanyuncertaintiesandincidents-hemightseeyouinthestreet，hethinks，ifyoustoodinacertainplacethatIcanshowyou。Butyouwillnotbeabletoseehim，mypoorchild，andevenifyoucould，itwouldbeunsafeforyoutomakeasignofrecognition。\'

　　`Oshowmetheplace，myfather，andIwillgothereeveryday。\'

　　Fromthattime，inallweathers，shewaitedtheretwohours。Astheclockstrucktwo，shewasthere，andatfoursheturnedresignedlyaway。Whenitwasnottoowetorinclementforherchildtobewithher，theywenttogether；atothertimesshewasalone；butshenevermissedasingleday。

　　Itwasthedarkanddirtycornerofasmallwindingstreet。Thehovelofacutterofwoodintolengthsforburning，wastheonlyhouseatthatend；allelsewaswall。Onthethirddayofherbeingthere，henoticedher。

　　`Goodday，citizeness。\'

　　`Goodday，citizen。\'

　　Thismodeofaddresswasnowprescribedbydecree。Ithadbeenestablishedvoluntarilysometimeago，amongthemorethoroughpatriots；

　　but，wasnowlawforeverybody。

　　`Walkinghereagain，citizeness?\'

　　`Youseeme，citizen!\'

　　Thewood-sawyer，whowasalittlemanwitharedundancyofgesturehehadoncebeenamenderofroads，castaglanceattheprison，pointedattheprison，andputtinghistenfingersbeforehisfacetorepresentbars，peepedthroughthemjocosely。

　　`Butit\'snotmybusiness，\'saidhe。Andwentonsawinghiswood。

　　Nextdayhewaslookingoutforher，andaccostedherthemomentsheappeared。

　　`What?Walkinghereagain，citizeness?\'

　　`Yes，citizen。\'

　　`Ah!Achildtoo!Yourmother，isitnot，mylittlecitizeness?\'

　　`DoIsayyes，mamma?\'whisperedlittleLucie，drawingclosetoher。

　　`Yes，dearest。\'

　　`Yes，citizen。\'

　　`Ah!Butit\'snotmybusiness。Myworkismybusiness。Seemysaw!IcallitmyLittleGuillotine。La，la，la；La，la，la!Andoffhisheadcomes!\'

　　Thebilletfellashespoke，andhethrewitintoabasket。

　　`IcallmyselftheSamsonofthefirewoodguillotine。Seehereagain!Loo，loo，loo；Loo，loo，loo!Andoffherheadcomes!Now，achild。

　　Tickle，tickle；Pickle，pickle!Andoffitsheadcomes。Allthefamily!\'

　　Lucieshudderedashethrewtwomorebilletsintohisbasket，butitwasimpossibletobetherewhilethewood-sawyerwasatwork，andnotbeinhissight。Thenceforth，tosecurehisgoodwill，shealwaysspoketohimfirst，andoftengavehimdrink-money，whichhereadilyreceived。

　　Hewasaninquisitivefellow，andsometimeswhenshehadquiteforgottenhimingazingattheprisonroofandgrates，andinliftingherheartuptoherhusband，shewouldcometoherselftofindhimlookingather，withhiskneeonhisbenchandhissawstoppedinitswork。`Butit\'snotmybusiness!\'hewouldgenerallysayatthosetimes，andwouldbrisklyfalltohissawingagain。

　　Inallweathers，inthesnowandfrostofwinter，inthebitterwindsofspring，inthehotsunshineofsummer，intherainsofautumn，andagaininthesnowandfrostofwinter，Luciepassedtwohoursofeverydayatthisplace；andeverydayonleavingit，shekissedtheprisonwall。

　　Herhusbandsawhersoshelearnedfromherfatheritmightbeonceinfiveorsixtimes:itmightbetwiceorthricerunning:itmightbe，notforaweekorafortnighttogether。Itwasenoughthathecouldanddidseeherwhenthechancesserved，andonthatpossibilityshewouldhavewaitedouttheday，sevendaysaweek。

　　TheseoccupationsbroughtherroundtotheDecembermonth，whereinherfatherwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead。Onalightly-snowingafternoonshearrivedattheusualcorner。Itwasadayofsomewildrejoicing，andafestival。Shehadseenthehouses，asshecamealong，decoratedwithlittlepikes，andwithlittleredcapsstuckuponthem；also，withtricolouredribbons；also，withthestandardinscriptiontricolouredletterswerethefavourite，RepublicOneandIndivisible。Liberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath!

　　Themiserableshopofthewood-sawyerwassosmall，thatitswholesurfacefurnishedveryindifferentspaceforthislegend。Hehadgotsomebodytoscrawlitupforhim，however，whohadsqueezedDeathinwithmostinappropriatedifficulty。Onhishouse-top，hedisplayedpikeandcap，asagoodcitizenmust，andinawindowhehadstationedhissawinscribedashis`LittleSainteGuillotine\'——forthegreatsharpfemalewasbythattimepopularlycanonised。Hisshopwasshutandhewasnotthere，whichwasarelieftoLucie，andleftherquitealone。

　　But，hewasnotfaroff，forpresentlysheheardatroubledmovementandashoutingcomingalong，whichfilledherwithfear。Amomentafterwards，andathrongofpeoplecamepouringroundthecornerbytheprisonwall，inthemidstofwhomwasthewood-sawyerhandinhandwithTheVengeance。

　　Therecouldnotbefewerthanfivehundredpeople，andtheyweredancinglikefivethousanddemons。Therewasnoothermusicthantheirownsinging。

　　TheydancedtothepopularRevolutionsong，keepingaferocioustimethatwaslikeagnashingofteethinunison。Menandwomendancedtogether，womendancedtogether，mendancedtogether，ashazardhadbroughtthemtogether。Atfirst，theywereamerestormofcoarseredcapsandcoarsewoollenrags；but，astheyfilledtheplace，andstoppedtodanceaboutLucie，someghastlyapparitionofadance-figuregoneravingmadaroseamongthem。Theyadvanced，retreated，struckatoneanother\'shands，clutchedatoneanother\'sheads，spunroundalone，caughtoneanotherandspunroundinpairs，untilmanyofthemdropped。Whilethoseweredown，therestlinkedhandinhand，andallspunroundtogether:thentheringbroke，andinseparateringsoftwoandfourtheyturnedandturneduntiltheyallstoppedatonce，beganagain，struck，clutched，andtore，andthenreversedthespin，andallspunroundanotherway。Suddenlytheystoppedagain，paused，struckoutthetimeafresh，formedintolinesthewidthofthepublicway，and，withtheirheadslowdownandtheirhandshighup，swoopedscreamingoff。Nofightcouldhavebeenhalfsoterribleasthisdance。Itwassoemphaticallyafallensport——asomething，onceinnocent，deliveredovertoalldevilry——ahealthypastimechangedintoameansofangeringtheblood，bewilderingthesenses，andsteelingtheheart。Suchgraceaswasvisibleinit，madeittheuglier，showinghowwarpedandpervertedallthingsgoodbynaturewerebecome。Themaidenlybosombaredtothis，theprettyalmost-child\'sheadthusdistracted，thedelicatefootmincinginthissloughofbloodanddirt，weretypesofthedisjointedtime。\'

　　ThiswastheCarmagnole。Asitpassed，leavingLuciefrightenedandbewilderedinthedoorwayofthewood-sawyer\'shouse，thefeatherysnowfellasquietlyandlayaswhiteandsoft，asifithadneverbeen。

　　`Omyfather!\'forhestoodbeforeherwhenshelifteduptheeyesshehadmomentarilydarkenedwithherhand；`suchacruel，badsight。\'

　　`Iknow，mydear，Iknow。Ihaveseenitmanytimes。Don\'tbefrightened!Notoneofthemwouldharmyou。\'

　　`Iamnotfrightenedformyself，myfather。ButwhenIthinkofmyhusband，andthemerciesofthesepeople——\'

　　`Wewillsethimabovetheirmerciesverysoon。Ilefthimclimbingtothewindow，andIcametotellyou。Thereisnooneheretosee。Youmaykissyourhandtowardsthathighestshelvingroof。\'

　　`Idoso，father，andIsendhimmySoulwithit!\'

　　`Youcannotseehim，mypoordear?\'

　　`No，father，\'said，Lucie，yearningandweepingasshekissedherhand，`no。

　　Afootstepinthesnow。MadameDefarge。`Isaluteyou，citizeness，\'

　　fromtheDoctor。`Isaluteyou，citizen。\'Thisinpassing。Nothingmore。

　　MadameDefargegone，likeashadowoverthewhiteroad。

　　`Givemeyourarm，mylove。Passfromherewithanairofcheerfulnessandcourage，forhissake。Thatwaswelldone；\'theyhadleftthespot；

　　`itshallnotbeinvain。Charlesissummonedforto-morrow。\'

　　`Forto-morrow!\'

　　`Thereisnotimetolose。Iamwellprepared，butthereareprecautionstobetaken，thatcouldnotbetakenuntilhewasactuallysummonedbeforetheTribunal。Hehasnotreceivedthenoticeyet，butIknowthathewillpresentlybesummonedforto-morrow，andremovedtotheConciergerie；I

　　havetimelyinformation。Youarenotafraid?\'

　　Shecouldscarcelyanswer，`Itrustinyou。\'

　　`Doso，implicitly。Yoursuspenseisnearlyended，mydarling；

　　heshallberestoredtoyouwithinafewhours；Ihaveencompassedhimwitheveryprotection。ImustseeLorry。\'

　　Hestopped。Therewasaheavylumberingofwheelswithinhearing。

　　Theybothknewtoowellwhatitmeant。One。Two。Three。Threetumbrilsfaringawaywiththeirdreadloadsoverthehushingsnow。

　　`ImustseeLorry，\'theDoctorrepeated，turningheranotherway。

　　Thestauncholdgentlemanwasstillinhistrust；hadneverleftit。Heandhisbookswereinfrequentrequisitionastopropertyconfiscatedandmadenational。Whathecouldsavefortheowners，hesaved。NobettermanlivingtoholdfastbywhatTellson\'shadinkeeping，andtoholdhispeace。

　　Amurkyredandyellowsky，andarisingmistfromtheSeine，denotedtheapproachofdarkness。ItwasalmostdarkwhentheyarrivedattheBank。ThestatelyresidenceofMonseigneurwasaltogetherblightedanddeserted。Aboveaheapofdustandashesinthecourt，rantheletters:

　　NationalProperty。RepublicOneandIndivisible。Liberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath!

　　WhocouldthatbewithMr。Lorry——theOwneroftheriding-coatuponthechair——whomustnotbeseen?Fromwhomnewlyarrived，didhecomeout，agitatedandsurprised，totakehisfavouriteinhisarms?Towhomdidheappeartorepeatherfalteringwords，when，raisinghisvoiceandturninghisheadtowardsthedooroftheroomfromwhichhehadissued，hesaid:`RemovedtotheConciergerie，andsummonedforto-morrow?\'

　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVITriumphTHEdreadTribunaloffiveJudges，PublicProsecutor，anddeterminedJury，sateveryday。Theirlistswentfortheveryevening，andwerereadoutbythegaolersofthevariousprisonstotheirprisoners。Thestandardgaoler-jokewas，`ComeoutandlistentotheEveningPaper，youinsidethere!\'

　　`CharlesEvr&eacute；monde，calledDarnay!\'SoatlastbegantheEveningPaperatLaForce。

　　Whenanamewascalled，itsownersteppedapartintoaspotreservedforthosewhowereannouncedasbeingthusfatallyrecorded。CharlesEvr&eacute；monde，calledDarnay，hadreasontoknowtheusage；hehadseenhundredspassawayso。

　　Hisbloatedgaoler，whoworespectaclestoreadwith，glancedoverthemtoassurehimselfthathehadtakenhisplace，andwentthroughthelist，makingasimilarshortpauseateachname。Thereweretwenty-threenames，butonlytwentyhererespondedto；foroneoftheprisonerssosummonedhaddiedingaolandbeenforgotten，andtwohadalreadybeenguillotinedandforgotten。Thelistwasread，inthevaultedchamberwhereDarnayhadseentheassociatedprisonersonthenightofhisarrival。Everyoneofthosehadperishedinthemassacre；everyhumancreaturehehadsincecaredforandpartedwith，haddiedonthescaffold。

　　Therewerehurriedwordsoffarewellandkindness，butthepartingwassoonover。Itwastheincidentofeveryday，andthesocietyofLaForcewereengagedinthepreparationofsomegamesofforfeitsandalittleconcert，forthatevening。Theycrowdedtothegratesandshedtearsthere；

　　but，twentyplacesintheprojectedentertainmentshadtoberefilled，andthetimewas，atbest，shorttothelock-uphour，whenthecommonroomsandcorridorswouldbedeliveredovertothegreatdogswhokeptwatchtherethroughthenight。Theprisonerswerefarfrominsensibleorunfeeling；

　　theirwaysaroseoutoftheconditionofthetime。Similarly，thoughwithasubtledifference，aspeciesoffervourorintoxication，known，withoutdoubt，tohaveledsomepersonstobravetheguillotineunnecessarily，andtodiebyit，wasnotmereboastfulness，butawildinfectionofthewildlyshakenpublicmind。Inseasonsofpestilence，someofuswillhaveasecretattractiontothedisease——aterriblepassinginclinationtodieofit。Andallofushavelikewondershiddeninourbreasts，onlyneedingcircumstancestoevokethem。

　　ThepassagetotheConciergeriewasshortanddark；thenightinitsvermin-hauntedcellswaslongandcold。Nextday，fifteenprisonerswereputtothebarbeforeCharlesDarnay\'snamewascalled。Allthefifteenwerecondemned，andthetrialsofthewholeoccupiedanhourandahalf。

　　`CharlesEvr&eacute；monde，calledDarnay，\'wasatlengtharraigned。

　　HisjudgessatupontheBenchinfeatheredhats；buttheroughredcapandtricolouredcockadewasthehead-dressotherwiseprevailing。

　　LookingattheJuryandtheturbulentaudience，hemighthavethoughtthattheusualorderofthingswasreversed，andthatthefelonsweretryingthehonestmen。Thelowest，cruelest，andworstpopulaceofacity，neverwithoutitsquantityoflow，cruel，andbad，werethedirectingspiritsofthescene:noisilycommenting，applauding，disapproving，anticipating，andprecipitatingtheresult，withoutacheck。Ofthemen，thegreaterpartwerearmedinvariousways；ofthewomen，someworeknives，somedaggers，someateanddrankastheylookedon，manyknitted。Amongtheselast，wasone，withasparepieceofknittingunderherarmassheworked。Shewasinafrontrow，bythesideofamanwhomhehadneverseensincehisarrivalattheBarrier，butwhomhedirectlyrememberedasDefarge。Henoticedthatsheonceortwicewhisperedinhisear，andthatsheseemedtobehiswife；but，whathemostnoticedinthetwofigureswas，thatalthoughtheywerepostedasclosetohimselfastheycouldbe，theyneverlookedtowardshim。Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethingwithadoggeddetermination，andtheylookedattheJury，butatnothingelse。UnderthePresidentsatDoctorManette，inhisusualquietdress。Aswellastheprisonercouldsee，heandMr。Lorryweretheonlymenthere，unconnectedwiththeTribunal，whoworetheirusualclothes，andhadnotassumedthecoarsegarboftheCarmagnole。

　　CharlesEvr&eacute；monde，calledDarnay，wasaccusedbythepublicprosecutorasanemigrant，whoselifewasforfeittotheRepublic，underthedecreewhichbanishedallemigrantsonpainofDeath。ItwasnothingthatthedecreeboredatesincehisreturntoFrance。Therehewas，andtherewasthedecree；hehadbeentakeninFrance，andhisheadwasdemanded。

　　`Takeoffhishead!\'criedtheaudience。`AnenemytotheRepublic!\'

　　ThePresidentranghisbelltosilencethosecries，andaskedtheprisonerwhetheritwasnottruethathehadlivedmanyyearsinEngland?

　　Undoubtedlyitwas。

　　Washenotanemigrantthen?Whatdidhecallhimself?

　　Notanemigrant，hehoped，withinthesenseandspiritofthelaw。

　　Whynot?thePresidentdesiredtoknow。

　　Becausehehadvoluntarilyrelinquishedatitlethatwasdistastefultohim，andastationthatwasdistastefultohim，andhadlefthiscountry——hesubmittedbeforethewordemigrantinthepresentacceptationbytheTribunalwasinuse——tolivebyhisownindustryinEngland，ratherthanontheindustryoftheoverladenpeopleofFrance。

　　Whatproofhadheofthis?

　　Hehandedinthenamesoftwowitnesses:Th&eacute；ophileGabelle，andAlexandreManette。

　　ButhehadmarriedinEngland?thePresidentremindedhim。

　　True，butnotanEnglishwoman。

　　AcitizenessofFrance?

　　Yes。Bybirth。

　　Hernameandfamily?

　　`LucieManette，onlydaughterofDoctorManette，thegoodphysicianwhositsthere。\'

　　Thisanswerhadahappyeffectupontheaudience。Criesinexaltationofthewell-knowngoodphysicianrentthehall。Socapriciouslywerethepeoplemoved，thattearsimmediatelyrolleddownseveralferociouscountenanceswhichhadbeenglaringattheprisoneramomentbefore，asifwithimpatiencetopluckhimoutintothestreetsandkillhim。

　　Onthesefewstepsofhisdangerousway，CharlesDarnayhadsethisfootaccordingtoDoctorManette\'sreiteratedinstructions。Thesamecautiouscounseldirectedeverystepthatlaybeforehim，andhadpreparedeveryinchofhisroad。

　　ThePresidentasked，whyhadhereturnedtoFrancewhenhedid，andnotsooner?

　　Hehadnotreturnedsooner，hereplied，simplybecausehehadnomeansoflivinginFrance，savethosehehadresigned；whereas，inEngland，helivedbygivinginstructionintheFrenchlanguageandliterature。Hehadreturnedwhenhedid，onthepressingandwrittenentreatyofaFrenchcitizen，whorepresentedthathislifewasendangeredbyhisabsence。Hehadcomeback，tosaveacitizen\'slife，andtobearhistestimony，atwhateverpersonalhazard，tothetruth。WasthatcriminalintheeyesoftheRepublic?

　　Thepopulacecriedenthusiastically，`No!\'andthePresidentranghisbelltoquietthem。Whichitdidnot，fortheycontinuedtocry`No!\'

　　untiltheyleftofoftheirownwill。

　　ThePresidentrequiredthenameofthatcitizen?Theaccusedexplainedthatthecitizenwashisfirstwitness。Healsoreferredwithconfidencetothecitizen\'sletter，whichhadbeentakenfromhimattheBarrier，butwhichhedidnotdoubtwouldbefoundamongthepapersthenbeforethePresident。

　　TheDoctorhadtakencarethatitshouldbethere——hadassuredhimthatitwouldbethere——andatthisstageoftheproceedingsitwasproducedandread。CitizenGabellewascalledtoconfirmit，anddidso。

　　CitizenGabellehinted，withinfinitedelicacyandpoliteness，thatinthepressureofbusinessimposedontheTribunalbythemultitudeofenemiesoftheRepublicwithwhichithadtodeal，hehadbeenslightlyoverlookedinhisprisonoftheAbbaye——infact，hadratherpassedoutoftheTribunal\'spatrioticremembrance——untilthreedaysago；whenhehadbeensummonedbeforeit，andhadbeensetatlibertyontheJury\'sdeclaringthemselvessatisfiedthattheaccusationagainsthimwasanswered，astohimself，bythesurrenderofthecitizenEvr&eacute；mondecalledDarnay。

　　DoctorManettewasnextquestioned。Hishighpersonalpopularity，andtheclearnessofhisanswers，madeagreatimpression；but，asheproceeded，asheshowedthattheAccusedwashisfirstfriendonhisreleasefromhislongimprisonment；that，theaccusedhadremainedinEngland，alwaysfaithfulanddevotedtohisdaughterandhimselfintheirexile；that，sofarfrombeinginfavourwiththeAristocratgovernmentthere，hehadactuallybeentriedforhislifebyit，asthefoeofEnglandandfriendoftheUnitedStates——ashebroughtthesecircumstancesintoview，withthegreatestdiscretionandwiththestraightforwardforceoftruthandearnestness，theJuryandthepopulacebecameone。Atlast，whenheappealedbynametoMonsieurLorry，anEnglishgentlemanthenandtherepresent，who，likehimself，hadbeenawitnessonthatEnglishtrialandcouldcorroboratehisaccountofit，theJurydeclaredthattheyhadheardenough，andthattheywerereadywiththeirvotesifthePresidentwerecontenttoreceivethem。

　　AteveryvotetheJurymenvotedaloudandindividually，thepopulacesetupashoutofapplause。Allthevoiceswereintheprisoner\'sfavour，andthePresidentdeclaredhimfree。

　　Then，beganoneofthoseextraordinarysceneswithwhichthepopulacesometimesgratifiedtheirfickleness，ortheirbetterimpulsestowardsgenerosityandmercy，orwhichtheyregardedassomesetoffagainsttheirswollenaccountofcruelrage。Nomancandecidenowtowhichofthesemotivessuchextraordinarysceneswerereferable；itisprobable，toablendingofallthethree，withthesecondpredominating。Nosoonerwastheacquittalpronounced，thantearswereshedasfreelyasbloodatanothertime，andsuchfraternalembraceswerebestowedupontheprisonerbyasmanyofbothsexesascouldrushathim，thatafterhislongandunwholesomeconfinementhewasindangeroffaintingfromexhaustion；nonethelessbecauseheknewverywell，thattheverysamepeople，carriedbyanothercurrent，wouldhaverushedathimwiththeverysameintensity，torendhimtopiecesandstrewhimoverthestreets。

　　Hisremoval，tomakewayforotheraccusedpersonswhoweretobetried，rescuedhimfromthesecaressesforthemoment。Fiveweretobetriedtogether，next，asenemiesoftheRepublic，forasmuchastheyhadnotassisteditbywordordeed。SoquickwastheTribunaltocompensateitselfandthenationforachancelost，thatthesefivecamedowntohimbeforehelefttheplace，condemnedtodiewithintwenty-fourhours。Thefirstofthemtoldhimso，withthecustomaryprisonsignofDeath——araisedfinger——andtheyalladdedinwords，`LonglivetheRepublic。\'

　　Thefivehadhad，itistrue，noaudiencetolengthentheirproceedings，forwhenheandDoctorManetteemergedfromthegate，therewasagreatcrowdaboutit，inwhichthereseemedtobeeveryfacehehadseeninCourt——excepttwo，forwhichhelookedinvain。Onhiscomingout，theconcoursemadeathimanew，weeping，embracing，andshouting，allbyturnsandalltogether，untiltheverytideoftheriveronthebankofwhichthemadscenewasacted，seemedtorunmad，likethepeopleontheshore。

　　Theyputhimintoagreatchairtheyhadamongthem，andwhichtheyhadtakeneitheroutoftheCourtitself，oroneofitsroomsorpassages。

　　Overthechairtheyhadthrownaredflag，andtothebackofittheyhadboundapikewitharedcaponitstop。Inthiscaroftriumph，noteventheDoctor\'sentreatiescouldpreventhisbeingcarriedtohishomeonmen\'sshoulders，withaconfusedseaofredcapsheavingabouthim，andcastinguptosightfromthestormydeepsuchwrecksoffaces，thathemorethanoncemisdoubtedhismindbeinginconfusion，andthathewasinthetumbrilonhiswaytotheGuillotine。

　　Inwilddreamlikeprocession，embracingwhomtheymetandpointinghimout，theycarriedhimon。ReddeningthesnowystreetswiththeprevailingRepublicancolour，inwindingandtrampingthroughthem，astheyhadreddenedthembelowthesnowwithadeeperdye，theycarriedhimthusintothecourt-yardofthebuildingwherehelived。Herfatherhadgoneonbefore，toprepareher，andwhenherhusbandstooduponhisfeet，shedroppedinsensibleinhisarms。

　　Asheheldhertohisheartandturnedherbeautifulheadbetweenhisfaceandthebrawlingcrowd，sothathistearsandherlipsmightcometogetherunseen，afewofthepeoplefelltodancing。Instantly，alltherestfelltodancing，andthecourt-yardoverflowedwiththeCarmagnole。

　　Then，theyelevatedintothevacantchairayoungwomanfromthecrowdtobecarriedastheGoddessofLiberty，andthenswellingandoverflowingoutintotheadjacentstreets，andalongtheriver\'sbank，andoverthebridge，theCarmagnoleabsorbedthemeveryoneandwhirledthemaway。

　　AftergraspingtheDoctor\'shand，ashestoodvictoriousandproudbeforehim；aftergraspingthehandofMr。Lorry，whocamepantinginbreathlessfromhisstruggleagainstthewaterspoutoftheCarmagnole；afterkissinglittleLucie，whowaslifteduptoclaspherarmsroundhisneck；andafterembracingtheeverzealousandfaithfulProsswholiftedher；hetookhiswifeinhisarms，andcarriedheruptotheirrooms。

　　`Lucie!Myown!Iamsafe。\'

　　`OdearestCharles，letmethankGodforthisonmykneesasI

　　haveprayedtoHim。\'

　　Theyallreverentlybowedtheirheadsandhearts。Thenshewasagaininhisarms，hesaidtohem:

　　`Andnowspeaktoyourfather，dearest。NoothermaninallthisFrancecouldhavedonewhathehasdoneforme。\'

　　Shelaidherheaduponherfather\'sbreast，asshehadlaidhispoorheadonherownbreast，long，longago。Hewashappyinthereturnhehadmadeher，hewasrecompensedforhissuffering，hewasproudofhisstrength。`Youmustnotbeweak，mydarling，\'heremonstrated；`don\'ttrembleso。Ihavesavedhim。

　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIAKnockattheDoor`IHAVEsavedhim。\'Itwasnotanotherofthedreamsinwhichhehadoftencomeback；hewasreallyhere。Andyethiswifetrembled，andavaguebutheavyfearwasuponher。

　　Alltheairaroundwassothickanddark，thepeopleweresopassionatelyrevengefulandfitful，theinnocentweresoconstantlyputtodeathonvaguesuspicionandblackmalice，itwassoimpossibletoforgetthatmanyasblamelessasherhusbandandasdeartoothersashewastoher，everydaysharedthefatefromwhichhehadbeenclutched，thatherheartcouldnotbeaslightenedofitsloadasshefeltitoughttobe。Theshadowsofthewintryafternoonwerebeginningtofall，andevennowthedreadfulcartswererollingthroughthestreets。Hermindpursuedthem，lookingforhimamongtheCondemned；andthensheclungclosertohisrealpresenceandtrembledmore。

　　Herfather，cheeringher，showedacompassionatesuperioritytothiswoman\'sweakness，whichwaswonderfultosee。Nogarret，noshoemaking，noOneHundredandFive，NorthTower，now!Hehadaccomplishedthetaskhehadsethimself，hispromisewasredeemed，hehadsavedCharles。Letthemallleanuponhim。

　　Theirhousekeepingwasofaveryfrugalkind:notonlybecausethatwasthesafestwayoflife，involvingtheleastoffencetothepeople，butbecausetheywerenotrich，andCharles，throughouthisimprisonment，hadhadtopayheavilyforhisbadfood，andforhisguard，andtowardsthelivingofthepoorerprisoners。Partlyonthisaccount，andpartlytoavoidadomesticspy，theykeptnoservant；thecitizenandcitizenesswhoactedasportersatthecourt-yardgate，renderedthemoccasionalservice；

　　andJerryalmostwhollytransferredtothembyMr。Lorryhadbecometheirdailyretainer，andhadhisbedthereeverynight。

　　ItwasanordinanceoftheRepublicOneandIndivisibleofLiberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath，thatonthedoorordoorpostofeveryhouse，thenameofeveryinmatemustbelegiblyinscribedinlettersofacertainsize，atacertainconvenientheightfromtheground。Mr。JerryCruncher\'sname，therefore，dulyembellishedthedoorpostdownbelow；and，astheafternoonshadowsdeepened，theownerofthatnamehimselfappeared，fromoverlookingapainterwhomDoctorManettehademployedtoaddtothelistthenameofCharlesEvr&eacute；monde，calledDarnay。

　　Intheuniversalfearanddistrustthatdarkenedthetime，alltheusualharmlesswaysoflifewerechanged。IntheDoctor\'slittlehousehold，asinverymanyothers，thearticlesofdailyconsumptionthatwerewantedwerepurchasedeveryevening，insmallquantitiesandatvarioussmallshops。Toavoidattractingnotice，andtogiveaslittleoccasionaspossiblefortalkandenvy，wasthegeneraldesire。

　　Forsomemonthspast，MissProssandMr。Cruncherhaddischargedtheofficeofpurveyors；theformercarryingthemoney；thelatter，tilebasket。Everyafternoonataboutthetimewhenthepubliclampswerelighted，theyfaredforthonthisduty，andmadeandbroughthomesuchpurchasesaswereneedful。AlthoughMissPross，throughherlongassociationwithaFrenchfamily，mighthaveknownasmuchoftheirlanguageasofherown，ifshehadhadamind，shehadnomindinthatdirection；consequentlysheknewnomoreofthat`nonsense\'asshewaspleasedtocallitthanMr。Cruncherdid。Sohermannerofmarketingwastoplumpanoun-substantiveattheheadofashopkeeperwithoutanyintroductioninthenatureofanarticle，and，ifithappenednottobethenameofthethingshewanted，tolookroundforthatthing，layholdofit，andholdonbyituntilthebargainwasconcluded。Shealwaysmadeabargainforit，byholdingup，asastatementofitsjustprice，onefingerlessthanthemerchantheldup，whateverhisnumbermightbe。

　　`Now，Mr。Cruncher，\'saidMissPross，whoseeyeswereredwithfelicity；`ifyouareready，Iam。\'

　　JerryhoarselyprofessedhimselfatMissPross\'sservice。Hehadwornallhisrustofflongago，butnothingwouldfilehisspikyheaddown。

　　`There\'sallmannerofthingswanted，\'saidMissPross，`andweshallhaveaprecioustimeofit。Wewantwine，amongtherest。NicetoaststheseRedheadswillbedrinking，whereverwebuyit。\'

　　`Itwillbemuchthesametoyourknowledge，miss，Ishouldthink，\'

　　retortedJerry，`whethertheydrinkyourhealthortheOldUn\'s。

　　`Who\'she?\'saidMissPross。

　　Mr。Cruncher，withsomediffidence，explainedhimselfasmeaning`OldNick\'s。\'

　　`Ha!\'saidMissPross，`itdoesn\'tneedaninterpretertoexplainthemeaningofthesecreatures。Theyhavebutone，andit\'sMidnightMurder，andMischief\'

　　`Hush，dear!Pray，pray，becautious!\'criedLucie。

　　`Yes，yes，yes，I\'llbecautious，\'saidMissPross；`butImaysayamongourselves，thatIdohopetherewillbenoonionyandtobaccoeysmotheringsintheformofembracingsallround，goingoninthestreets。

　　Now，Ladybird，neveryoustirfromthatfiretillIcomeback!Takecareofthedearhusbandyouhaverecovered，anddon\'tmoveyourprettyheadfromhisshoulderasyouhaveitnow，tillyouseemeagain!MayIaskaquestion，DoctorManette，beforeIgo?\'

　　`Ithinkyoumaytakethatliberty，\'theDoctoranswered，smiling。

　　`Forgracioussake，don\'ttalkaboutLiberty；wehavequiteenoughofthat，\'saidMissPross。

　　`Hush，dear!Again?\'Lucieremonstrated。

　　`Well，mysweet，\'saidMissPross，noddingherheademphatically，`theshortandthelongofitis，thatIamasubjectofHisMostGraciousMajestyKingGeorgetheThird；\'MissProsscurtseyedatthename；`andassuch，mymaximis，Confoundtheirpolitics，Frustratetheirknavishtricks，Onhimourhopeswefix，GodsavetheKing!\'

　　Mr。Cruncher，inanaccessofloyalty，growlinglyrepeatedthewordsafterMissPross，likesomebodyatchurch。

　　`IamgladyouhavesomuchoftheEnglishmaninyou，thoughI

　　wishyouhadnevertakenthatcoldinyourvoice，\'saidMissPross，approvingly。

　　`Butthequestion，DoctorManette。Isthere\'——itwasthegoodcreature\'swaytoaffecttomakelightofanythingthatwasagreatanxietywiththemall，andtocomeatitinthischancemanner——\'isthereanyprospectyet，ofourgettingoutofthisplace?\'

　　`Ifearnotyet。ItwouldbedangerousforCharlesyet。\'

　　`Heigh-ho-hum!\'saidMissPross，cheerfullyrepressingasighassheglancedatherdarling\'sgoldenhairinthelightofthefire，`thenwemusthavepatienceandwait:that\'sall。Wemustholdupourheadsandfightlow，asmybrotherSolomonusedtosay。Now，Mr。Cruncher!——Don\'tyoumove，Ladybird!\'

　　Theywentout，leavingLucie，andherhusband，herfather，andthechild，byabrightfire。Mr。LorrywasexpectedbackpresentlyfromtheBankingHouse。MissProsshadlightedthelamp，buthadputitasideinacorner，thattheymightenjoythefire-lightundisturbed。LittleLuciesatbyhergrandfatherwithherhandsclaspedthroughhisarm:andhe，inatonenotrisingmuchaboveawhisper，begantotellherastoryofagreatandpowerfulFairywhohadopenedaprison-wallandletoutacaptivewhohadoncedonetheFairyaservice。Allwassubduedandquiet，andLuciewasmoreateasethanshehadbeen。

　　`Whatisthat?\'shecried，allatonce。

　　`Mydear!\'saidherfather，stoppinginhisstory，andlayinghishandonhers，`commandyourself。Whatadisorderedstateyouarein!

　　Theleastthing——nothing——startlesyou!You，yourfather\'sdaughter!\'

　　`Ithought，myfather，\'saidLucie，excusingherself，withapalefaceandinafalteringvoice，`thatIheardstrangefeetuponthestairs。\'

　　`Mylove，thestaircaseisasstillasDeath。\'Ashesaidtheword，ablowwasstruckuponthedoor。

　　`Ohfather，father。Whatcanthisbe!HideCharles。Savehim!\'

　　`Mychild，\'saidtheDoctor，rising，andlayinghishanduponhershoulder，`Ihavesavedhim。Whatweaknessisthis，mydear!

　　Letmegotothedoor。\'

　　Hetookthelampinhishand，crossedthetwointerveningouterrooms，andopenedit。Arudeclatteringoffeetoverthefloor，andfourroughmeninredcaps，armedwithsabresandpistols，enteredtheroom。

　　`TheCitizenEvr&eacute；monde，calledDarnay，\'saidthefirst。

　　`Whoseekshim?\'answeredDarnay。

　　`Iseekhim。Weseekhim。Iknowyou，Evr&eacute；monde；IsawyoubeforetheTribunalto-day。YouareagaintheprisoneroftheRepublic。\'

　　Thefoursurroundedhim，wherehestoodwithhiswifeandchildclingingtohim。

　　`TellmehowandwhyamIagainaprisoner?\'

　　`ItisenoughthatyoureturnstraighttotheConciergerie，andwillknowto-morrow。Youaresummonedforto-morrow。\'

　　Dr。Manette，whomthisvisitationhadsoturnedintostone，thathestoodwiththelampinhishand，asifhewereastatuemadetoholdit，movedafterthesewordswerespoken，putthelampdown，andconfrontingthespeaker，andtakinghim，notungently，bytheloosefrontofhisredwoollenshirt，said:

　　`Youknowhim，youhavesaid。Doyouknowme?\'

　　`Yes，Iknowyou，CitizenDoctor。\'

　　`Weallknowyou，CitizenDoctor，\'saidtheotherthree。

　　Helookedabstractedlyfromonetoanother，andsaid，inalowervoice，afterapause:

　　`Willyouanswerhisquestiontomethen?Howdoesthishappen?\'

　　`CitizenDoctor，\'saidthefirst，reluctantly，`hehasbeendenouncedtotheSectionofSaintAntoine。Thiscitizen，\'pointingoutthesecondwhohadentered，`isfromSaintAntoine。\'

　　Thecitizenhereindicatednoddedhishead，andadded:`HeisaccusedbySaintAntoine。\'

　　`Ofwhat?\'askedtheDoctor。

　　`CitizenDoctor，\'saidthefirst，withhisformerreluctance，`asknomore。IftheRepublicdemandssacrificesfromyou，withoutdoubtyouasagoodpatriotwillbehappytomakethem。TheRepublicgoesbeforeall。ThePeopleissupreme。Evr&eacute；monde，wearepressed。\'

　　`Oneword，\'theDoctorentreated。`Willyoutellmewhodenouncedhim?\'

　　`Itisagainstrule，\'answeredthefirst；`butyoucanaskHimofSaintAntoinehere。\'

　　TheDoctorturnedhiseyesuponthatman。Whomoveduneasilyonhisfeet，rubbedhisbeardalittle，andatlengthsaid:

　　`Well!Trulyitisagainstrule。Butheisdenounced-andgravely-bytheCitizenandCitizenessDefarge。Andbyoneother。

　　`Whatother?\'

　　`Doyouask，CitizenDoctor?\'

　　`Yes。\'

　　`Then，\'saidheofSaintAntoine，withastrangelook，`youwillbeansweredto-morrow。Now，Iamdumb!\'

　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIIAHandatCardsHAPPILYunconsciousofthenewcalamityathome，MissProssthreadedherwayalongthenarrowstreetsandcrossedtheriverbythebridgeofthePont-Neufreckoninginhermindthenumberofindispensablepurchasesshehadtomake。Mr。Cruncher，withthebasket，walkedatherside。Theybothlookedtotherightandtotheleftintomostoftheshopstheypassed，hadawaryeyeforallgregariousassemblagesofpeople，andturnedoutoftheirroadtoavoidanyveryexcitedgroupoftalkers。Itwasarawevening，andthemistyriver，blurredtotheeyewithblazinglightsandtotheearwithharshnoises，showedwherethebargeswerestationedinwhichthesmithsworked，makinggunsfortheArmyoftheRepublic。WoetothemanwhoplayedtrickswiththatArmy，orgotundeservedpromotioninit!Betterforhimthathisbeardhadnevergrown，fortheNationalRazorshavedhimclose。

　　Havingpurchasedafewsmallarticlesofgrocery，andameasureofoilforthelamp，MissProssbethoughtherselfofthewinetheywanted。

　　Afterpeepingintoseveralwine-shops，shestoppedatthesignofTheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，notfarfromtheNationalPalace，onceandtwicetheTuileries，wheretheaspectofthingsrathertookherfancy。

　　Ithadaquieterlookthananyotherplaceofthesamedescriptiontheyhadpassed，and，thoughredwithpatrioticcaps，wasnotsoredastherest。SoundingMr。Cruncher，andfindinghimofheropinion，MissProssresortedtoTheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，attendedbyhercavalier。

　　Slightlyobservantofthesmokylights；ofthepeople，pipeinmouth，playingwithlimpcardsandyellowdominoes；oftheonebare-breasted，bare-armed，soot-begrimedworkmanreadingajournalaloud，andoftheotherslisteningtohim；oftheweaponsworn，orlaidasidetoberesumed；ofthetwoorthreecustomersfallenforwardasleep，whointhepopularhigh-

　　shoulderedshaggyblackspencerlooked，inthatattitude，likeslumberingbearsordogs；thetwooutlandishcustomersapproachedthecounter，andshowedwhattheywanted。

　　Astheirwinewasmeasuringout，amanpartedfromanothermaninacomer，androsetodepart。Ingoing，hehadtofaceMissPross。Nosoonerdidhefaceher，thanMissProssutteredascream，andclappedherhands。

　　Inamoment，thewholecompanywereontheirfeet。Thatsomebodywasassassinatedbysomebodyvindicatingadifferenceofopinionwasthelikeliestoccurrence。Everybodylookedtoseesomebodyfall，butonlysawamanandawomanstandingstaringateachother；themanwithalltheoutwardaspectofaFrenchmanandathoroughRepublicansthewoman，evidentlyEnglish。

　　Whatwassaidinthisdisappointinganti-climax，bythedisciplesoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，exceptthatitwassomethingveryvolubleandloud，wouldhavebeenassomuchHebreworChaldeantoMissProssandherprotector，thoughtheyhadbeenallears。But，theyhadnoearsforanythingintheirsurprise。For，itmustberecorded，thatnotonlywasMissProsslostinamazementandagitation，but，Mr。Cruncher——thoughitseemedonhisownseparateandindividualaccount——wasinastateofthegreatestwonder。

　　`Whatisthematter?\'saidthemanwhohadcausedMissProsstoscream；speakinginavexed，abruptvoicethoughinalowtone，andinEnglish。

　　`Oh，Solomon，dearSolomon!\'criedMissPross，clappingherhandsagain。`Alternotsettingeyesuponyouorhearingofyouforsolongatime，doIfindyouhere!\'

　　Don\'tcallmeSolomon。Doyouwanttobethedeathofme?\'askedtheman，inafurtive，frightenedway。

　　`Brother，brother!\'criedMissPross，burstingintotears。`HaveIeverbeensohardwithyouthatyouaskmesuchacruelquestion?\'

　　Thenholdyourmeddlesometongue，\'saidSolomon，`andcomeout，ifyouwanttospeaktome。Payforyourwine，andcomeout。Who\'sthisman?\'