MissPross，shakingherlovinganddejectedhadatherbynomeansaffectionatebrother，saidthroughhertears，`Mr。Cruncher。\'
`Lethimcomeouttoo，\'saidSolomon。`Doeshethinkmeaghost?\'
Apparently，Mr。Cruncherdid，tojudgefromhislooks。Hesaidnotaword，however，andMissPross，exploringthedepthsofherreticulethroughhertearswithgreatdifficulty，paidforherwine。Asshedidso，SolomonturnedtothefollowersoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，andofferedafewwordsofexplanationintheFrenchlanguage，whichcausedthemalltorelapseintotheirformerplacesandpursuits。
`Now，\'saidSolomon，stoppingatthedarkstreetcorner，`whatdoyouwant?\'
`Howdreadfullyunkindinabrothernothinghaseverturnedmyloveawayfrom!\'criedMissPross，`togivemesuchagreeting，andshowmenoaffection。\'
`There。Con-foundit!There，\'saidSolomon，makingadabatMissPross\'slipswithhisown。`Nowareyoucontent?\'
MissProssonlyshookherheadandweptinsilence。
`Ifyouexpectmetobesurprised，\'saidherbrotherSolomon，`Iamnotsurprised；Iknewyouwerehere；Iknowofmostpeoplewhoarehere。Ifyoureallydon\'twanttoendangermyexistence——whichIhalfbelieveyoudo——goyourwaysassoonaspossible，andletmegomine。Iambusy。
Iamanofficial。\'
`MyEnglishbrotherSolomon，\'mournedMissPross，castinguphertear-fraughteyes，`thathadthemakingsinhimofoneofthebestandgreatestofmeninhisnativecountry，anofficialamongforeigners，andsuchforeigners!Iwouldalmostsoonerhaveseenthedearboylyinginhis——\'
`Isaidso!\'criedherbrother，interrupting。`Iknewit。Youwanttobethedeathofme。IshallberenderedSuspected，bymyownsister。
JustasIamgettingon!\'
`ThegraciousandmercifulHeavensforbid!\'criedMissPross。
`FarratherwouldIneverseeyouagain，dearSolomon，thoughIhaveeverlovedyoutruly，andevershall。Saybutoneaffectionatewordtome，andtellmethereisnothingangryorestrangedbetweenus，andIwilldetainyounolonger。\'
GoodMissPross!Asiftheestrangementbetweenthemhadcomeofanyculpabilityofhers。AsifMr。Lorryhadnotknownitforafact，yearsago，inthequietcornerinSoho，thatthispreciousbrotherhadspenthermoneyandlefther!
Hewassayingtheaffectionateword，however，withafarmoregrudgingcondescensionandpatronagethanliecouldhaveshowniftheirrelativemeritsandpositionshadbeenreversedwhichisinvariablythecase，alltheworldover，whenMr。Cruncher，touchinghimontheshoulder，hoarselyandunexpectedlyinterposedwiththefollowingsingularquestion:
`Isay!MightIaskthefavour?AstowhetheryournameisJohnSolomon，orSolomonJohn?\'
Theofficialturnedtowardshimwithsuddendistrust。Hehadnotpreviouslyutteredaword。
`Come!\'saidMr。Cruncher。`Speakout，youknow。\'Which，bytheway，wasmorethanhecoulddohimself。`JohnSolomon，orSolomonJohn?
ShecallsyouSolomon，andshemustknow，beingyoursister。AndIknowyou\'reJohn，youknow。Whichofthetwogoesfirst?AndregardingthatnameofPross，likewise。Thatwarn\'tyournameoverthewater。
`Whatdoyoumean?\'
`Well，Idon\'tknowallImean，，forIcan\'tcalltomindMatyournamewas，overthewater。
`No。ButI\'llswearitwasanameoftwosyllables。\'
`Indeed?\'
`Yes。T\'otherone\'swasonesyllable。Iknowyou。Youwa，aspy-witnessattheBailey。What，inthenameoftheFatherofLies，ownfathertoyourselfwasyoucalledatthattime?\'
`Barsad，\'saidanothervoice，strikingin。
`That\'sthenameforathousandpound!\'criedJerry。
Thespeakerwhostruckin，wasSydneyCarton。Hehadhishandsbehindhimundertheskirtsofhisriding-coat，andhestoodatMr。Cruncher\'selbowasnegligentlyashemighthavestoodattheOldBaileyitself。
`Don\'tbealarmed，mydearMissPross。IarrivedatMr。Lorry\'s，tohissurprise，yesterdayevening；weagreedthatIwouldnotpresentmyselfelsewhereuntilallwaswell，orunlessIcouldbeuseful；Ipresentmyselfhere，tobegalittletalkwithyourbrother。IwishyouhadabetteremployedbrotherthanMr。Barsad。IwishforyoursakeMr。BarsadwasnotaSheepofthePrisons。
Sheepwasacantwordofthetimeforaspy，underthegaolers。
Thespy，whowaspale，turnedpaler，andaskedhimhowhedared——
`I\'lltellyou，\'saidSydney。`Ilightedonyou，Mr。Barsad，comingoutoftheprisonoftheConciergeriewhileIwascontemplatingthewalls，anhourormoreago。Youhaveafacetoberemembered，andIrememberfaceswell。Madecuriousbyseeingyouinthatconnection，andhavingareason，towhichyouarenostranger，forassociatingyouwiththemisfortunesofafriendnowveryunfortunate，Iwalkedinyourdirection。Iwalkedintothewine-shophere，closeafteryou，andsatnearyou。Ihadnodifficultyindeducingfromyourunreservedconversation，andtherumouropenlygoingaboutamongyouradmirers，thenatureofyourcalling。Andgradually，whatIhaddoneatrandom，seemedtoshapeitselfintoapurpose，Mr。Barsad。\'
`Whatpurpose?\'thespyasked。
`Itwouldbetroublesome，andmightbedangerous，toexplaininthestreet。Couldyoufavourme，inconfidence，withsomeminutesofyourcompany——attheofficeofTellson\'sBank，forinstance?\'
`Underathreat?\'
`Oh!DidIsaythat?\'
`Then，whyshouldIgothere?\'
`Really，Mr。Barsad，Ican\'tsay，ifyoucan\'t。\'
`Doyoumeanthatyouwon\'tsay，sir?\'thespyirresolutelyasked。
`Youapprehendmeveryclearly，Mr。Barsad。Iwon\'t。\'
Carton\'snegligentrecklessnessofmannercamepowerfullyinaidofhisquicknessandskill，insuchabusinessashehadinhissecretmind，andwithsuchamanashehadtodowith。Hispractisedeyesawit，andmadethemostofit。
`Now，Itoldyouso，\'saidthespy，castingareproachfullookathissister；`ifanytroublecomesofthis，it\'syourdoing。\'
`Come，come，Mr。Barsad!\'exclaimedSydney。`Don\'tbeungrateful。
Butformygreatrespectforyoursister，ImightnothaveledupsopleasantlytoalittleproposalthatIwishtomakeforourmutualsatisfaction。DoyougowithmetotheBank?\'
`I\'llhearwhatyouhavegottosay。Yes，I`llgowithyou。\'
`Iproposethatwefirstconductyoursistersafelytothecornerofherownstreet。Letmetakeyourarm，MissPross。Thisisnotagoodcity，atthistime，foryoutobeoutin，unprotected；andasyourescortknowsMr。Barsad，IwillinvitehimtoMr。Lorry\'swithus。Areweready?Comethen!\'
MissProssrecalledsoonafterwards，andtotheendofherliferemembered，thatasshepressedherhandsonSydney\'sarmandlookedupinhisface，imploringhimtodonohurttoSolomon，therewasabracedpurposeinthearmandakindofinspirationintheeyes，whichnotonlycontradictedhislightmanner，butchangedandraisedtheman。Shewastoomuchoccupiedthenwithfearsforthebrotherwhosolittledeservedheraffection，andwithSydney\'sfriendlyreassurances，adequatelytoheedwhatsheobserved。
Theyleftheratthecornerofthestreet，andCartonledthewaytoMr。Lorry\'s，whichwaswithinafewminutes\'walk。JohnBarsad，orSolomonPross，walkedathisside。
Mr。Lorryhadjustfinishedhisdinner，andwassittingbeforeacheerylittlelogortwooffire——perhapslookingintotheirblazeforthepictureofthatyoungerelderlygentlemanfromTellson\'s，whohadlookedintotheredcoalsattheRoyalGeorgeatDover，nowagoodmanyyearsago。Heturnedhisheadastheyentered，andshowedthesurprisewithwhichhesawastranger。
`MissPross\'sbrother，sir，\'saidSydney。`Mr。Barsad。\'
`Barsad?\'repeatedtheoldgentleman，`Barsad?Ihaveanassociationwiththename-andwiththeface。\'
`Itoldyouyouhadaremarkableface，Mr。Barsad，\'observedCarton，coolly`Praysitdown。\'
AshetookachairhimselfhesuppliedthelinkthatMr。Lorrywanted，bysayingtohimwithafrown，`Witnessatthattrial。\'Mr。Lorryimmediatelyremembered，andregardedhisnewvisitorwithanundisguisedlookofabhorrence。
`Mr。BarsadhasbeenrecognisedbyMissProssastheaffectionatebrotheryouhaveheardof\'saidSydney，`andhasacknowledgedtherelationship。
Ipasstoworsenews。Darnayhasbeenarrestedagain。\'
Struckwithconsternation，theoldgentlemanexclaimed，`WhatdoyoutellmeIlefthimsafeandfreewithinthesetwohours，andamabouttoreturntohim!\'
`Arrestedforallthat。Whenwasitdone，Mr。Barsad?\'
`Justnow，ifatall。\'
`Mr。Barsadisthebestauthoritypossible，sir，\'saidSydney，`andIhaveitfromMr。Barsad\'scommunicationtoafriendandbrotherSheepoverabottleofwine，thatthearresthastakenplace。Heleftthemessengersatthegate，andsawthemadmittedbytheporter。Thereisnoearthlydoubtthatheisretaken。\'
Mr。Lorry\'sbusinesseyereadinthespeaker\'sfacethatitwaslossoftimetodwelluponthepoint。Confused，butsensiblethatsomethingmightdependonhispresenceofmind，hecommandedhimselfandwassilentlyattentive。
`Now，Itrust，\'saidSydneytohim，`thatthenameandinfluenceofDoctorManettemaystandhiminasgoodsteadto-morrowyousaidhewouldbebeforetheTribunalagainto-morrow，Mr。Barsad?——\'
`Yes；Ibelieveso。\'
`——Inasgoodsteadto-morrowasto-day。Butitmaynotbeso。
Iowntoyou，Iamshaken，Mr。Lorry，byDoctorManette\'snothavinghadthepowertopreventthisarrest。
`Hemaynothaveknownofitbeforehand，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Butthatverycircumstancewouldbealarming，whenwerememberhowidentifiedheiswithhisson-in-law。\'
`That\'strue，\'Mr。Lorryacknowledged，withhistroubledhandathischin，andhistroubledeyesonCarton。
`Inshort，\'saidSydney，`thisisadesperatetime，whendesperategamesareplayedfordesperatestakes。LettheDoctorplaythewinninggame；Iwillplaythelosingone。Noman\'slifehereisworthpurchase。
Anyonecarriedhomebythepeopleto-day，maybecondemnedto-morrow。
Now，thestakeIhaveresolvedtoplayfor，incaseoftheworst，isafriendintheConciergerie。AndthefriendIpurposetomyselftowin，isMr。Barsad。\'
`Youneedhavegoodcards，sir，\'saidthespy。
`I\'llrunthemover。I\'llseewhatIhold——Mr。Lorry，youknowwhatabruteIam；Iwishyou\'dgivemealittlebrandy。\'
Itwasputbeforehim，andhedrankoffaglassful——rankoffanotherglassful——pushedthebottlethoughtfullyaway。
`Mr。Barsad，\'hewentone`inthetoneofonewhoreallywaslookingoverahandatcards:`Sheepoftheprisons，emissaryofRepublicancommittees，nowturnkey，nowprisoner，alwaysspyandsecretinformer，somuchthemorevaluablehereforbeingEnglishthatanEnglishmanislessopentosuspicionofsubornationinthosecharactersthanaFrenchman，representshimselftohisemployersunderafalsename。That\'saverygoodcard。Mr。
Barsad，nowintheemployoftherepublicanFrenchgovernment，wasformer!yintheemployofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment，theenemyofFranceandfreedom。That\'sanexcellentcard。Inferenceclearasdayinthisregionofsuspicion，thatMr。Barsad，stillinthepayofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment，isthespyofPitt，thetreacherousfoeoftheRepubliccrouchinginitsbosom，theEnglishtraitorandagentofallmischiefsomuchspokenofandsodifficulttofind。That\'sacardnottobebeaten。Haveyoufollowedmyhand，Mr。Barsad?\'
`Notto`understandyourplay，\'returnedthespy，somewhatuneasily。
`IplaymyAce，DenunciationofMr。BarsadtothenearestSectionCommittee。Lookoveryourhand，Mr。Barsad，andseewhatyouhave。Don\'thurry。\'
Hedrewthebottlenear，pouredoutanotherglassfulofbrandy，anddrankitoff。Hesawthatthespywasfearfulofhisdrinkinghimselfintoafitstatefortheimmediatedenunciationofhim。Seeingit，hepouredoutanddrankanotherglassful。
Lookoveryourhandcarefully，Mr。Barsad。Taketime。\'Itwasapoorerhandthanhesuspected。Mr。BarsadsawlosingcardsinitthatSydneyCartonknewnothingof。ThrownoutofhishonourableemploymentinEngland，throughtoomuchunsuccessfulhardswearingthere——notbecausehewasnotwantedthere:ourEnglishreasonsforvauntingoursuperioritytosecrecyandspiesareofverymoderndate——heknewthathehadcrossedtheChannel，andacceptedserviceinFrance:first，asatempterandaneavesdropperamonghisowncountrymenthere:gradually，asatempterandaneavesdropperamongthenatives。HeknewthatundertheoverthrowngovernmenthehadbeenaspyuponSaintAntoineandDefarge\'swine-shop；hadreceivedfromthewatchfulpolicesuchheadsofinformationconcerningDoctorManette\'simprisonment，release，andhistory，asshouldservehimforanintroductiontofamiliarconversationwiththeDefarges；andtriedthemonMadameDefarge，andhadbrokendownwiththemsignally。Healwaysrememberedwithfearandtrembling，thatthatterriblewomanhadknittedwhenhetalkedwithher，andhadlookedominouslyathimasherfingersmoved。Hehadsinceseenher，intheSectionofSaintAntoine，overandoveragainproduceherknittedregisters，anddenouncepeoplewhoselivestheguillotinethensurelyswallowedup。Heknew，aseveryoneemployedashewasdid，thathewasneversafe；thatflightwasimpossible；thathewastiedfastundertheshadowoftheaxe；andthatinspiteofhisutmosttergiversationandtreacheryinfurtheranceofthereigningterror，awordmightbringitdownuponhim。Oncedenounced，andonsuchgravegroundsashadjustnowbeensuggestedtohismind，heforesawthatthedreadfulwomanofwhoseunrelentingcharacterhehadseenmanyproofs，wouldproduceagainsthimthatfatalregister，andwouldquashhislastchanceoflife。Besidesthatallsecretmenaremensoonterrified，hereweresurelycardsenoughofoneblacksuit，tojustifytheholderingrowingratherlividasheturnedthemover。
`Youscarcelyseemtolikeyourhand，\'saidSydney，withthegreatestcomposure。`Doyouplay?\'
`Ithink，sir，\'saidthespy，inthemeanestmanner，asheturnedtoMr。Lorry，`Imayappealtoagentlemanofyouryearsandbenevolence，toputittothisothergentleman，somuchyourjunior，whetherhecanunderanycircumstancesreconcileittohisstationtoplaythatAceofwhichhehasspoken。IadmitthatIamaspy，andthatitisconsideredadiscreditablestation——thoughitmustbefilledbysomebody；butthisgentlemanisnospy，andwhyshouldhesodemeanhimselfastomakehimselfone?\'
`IplaymyAce，Mr。Barsad，\'saidCarton，takingtheansweronhimself，andlookingathiswatch，`withoutanyscrupleinaveryfewminutes。\'
`Ishouldhavehoped，gentlemenboth，\'saidthespy，alwaysstrivingtohookMr。Lorryintothediscussion，`thatyourrespectformysister——\'
`Icouldnotbettertestifymyrespectforyoursisterthanbyfinallyrelievingherofherbrother，\'saidSydneyCarton。
`Youthinknot，sir?\'
`Ihavethoroughlymadeupmymindaboutit。\'
Thesmoothmannerofthespy，curiouslyindissonancewithhisostentatiouslyroughdress，andprobablywithhisusualdemeanour，receivedsuchacheckfromtheinscrutabilityofCarton，——whowasamysterytowiserandhonestermenthanhe，——thatitfalteredhereandfailedhim。Whilehewasataloss，Cartonsaid，resuminghisformerairofcontemplatingcards:
`Andindeed，nowIthinkagain，IhaveastrongimpressionthatIhaveanothergoodcardhere，notyetenumerated。Thatfriendandfellow-Sheep，whospokeofhimselfaspasturinginthecountryprisons；whowashe?\'
`French。Youdon\'tknowhim，\'saidthespyquickly。
`French，eh!\'repeatedCarton，musing，andnotappearingtonoticehimatall，thoughheechoedhisword。`Well；hemaybe。\'
`Is，Iassureyou，\'saidthespy；`thoughit\'snotimportant。\'
`Thoughit\'snotimportant，\'repeatedCartoninthesamemechanicalway——\'thoughit\'snotimportantNo，it\'snotimportant。No。YetIknowtheface。\'
`Ithinknot。Iamsurenot。Itcan\'tbe，\'saidthespy。
`It——can\'t——be，\'mutteredSydneyCarton，retrospectively，andfillinghisglasswhichfortunatelywasasmalloneagain。`Can\'t——be。
SpokegoodFrench。Yetlikeaforeigner，Ithought?\'
`Provincial，\'saidthespy。
`No。Foreign!\'criedCarton，strikinghisopenhandonthetable，asalightbrokeclearlyonhismind。`Cly!Disguised，butthesameman。
WehadthatmanbeforeusattheOldBailey。\'
`Now，thereyouarehasty，sir，\'saidBarsad，withasmilethatgavehisaquilinenoseanextrainclinationtooneside；`thereyoureallygivemeanadvantageoveryou。ClywhoIwillunreservedlyadmit，atthisdistanceoftime，wasapartnerofminehasbeendeadseveralyears。I
attendedhiminhislastillness。HewasburiedinLondon，atthechurchofSaintPancras-in-the-Fields。Hisunpopularitywiththeblackguardmultitudeatthemomentpreventedmyfollowinghisremains，butIhelpedtolayhiminhiscoffin。\'
Here，Mr。Lorrybecameaware，fromwherehesat，ofamostremarkablegoblinshadowonthewall。Tracingittoitssource，hediscoveredittobecausedbyasuddenextraordinaryrisingandstiffeningofalltherisenandstiffhaironMr。Cruncher\'shead。
`Letusbereasonable，\'saidthespy，`andletusbefair。Toshowyouhowmistakenyouare，andwhatanunfoundedassumptionyoursis，IwilllaybeforeyouacertificateofCly\'sburial，whichIhappentohavecarriedinmypocket-book，\'withahurriedhandheproducedandopenedit，`eversince。Thereitis。Oh，lookatit，lookatit!Youmaytakeitinyourhand；it\'snoforgery。\'
Here，Mr。Lorryperceivedthereflectiononthewalltoelongate，andMr。Cruncherroseandsteppedforward。Hishaircouldnothavebeenmoreviolentlyonend，ifithadbeenthatmomentdressedbytheCowwiththecrumpledhorninthehousethatJackbuilt。
Unseenbythespy，Mr。Cruncherstoodathisside，andtouchedhimontheshoulderlikeaghostlybailiff。
`ThatthereRogerCly，master，\'saidMr。Cruncher，withataciturnandiron-boundvisage。`Soyoubuthiminhiscoffin?\'
`Idid。\'
`Whotookhimoutofit?\'
Barsadleanedbackinhischair，andstammered，`Whatdoyoumean?\'
`Imean，\'saidMr。Cruncher，`thathewarn\'tneverinit。No!
Nothe!I\'llhavemyheadtookoff，ifhewaseverinit。\'
Thespylookedroundatthetwogentlemen；theybothlookedinunspeakableastonishmentatJerry。
`Itellyou，\'saidJerry，`thatyouburiedpaving-stonesandearthinthattherecoffin。Don\'tgoandtellmethatyouburiedCly。
Itwasatakein。Meandtwomoreknowsit。\'
`Howdoyouknowit?\'
`What\'sthattoyou?Ecod!\'growledMr。Cruncher，`it\'syouI
havegotaoldgrudgeagain，isit，withyourshamefulimpositionsupontradesmen!I\'dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea。\'
SydneyCarton，who，withMr。Lorry，hadbeenlostinamazementatthisturnofthebusiness，hererequestedMr。Crunchertomoderateandexplainhimself。
`Atanothertime，sir，\'hereturned，evasively，`thepresenttimeisill-conwenientforexplainin\'。WhatIstandto，is，thatheknowswellwotthatthereClywasneverinthattherecoffin。Lethimsayliewas，insomuchasawordofonesyllable，andI\'lleithercatchholdofhisthroatandchokehimforhalfaguinea；\'Mr。Cruncherdweltuponthisasquitealiberaloffer；`orI\'lloutandannouncehim。\'
`Humph!Iseeonething，\'saidCarton。`Iholdanothercard，Mr。
Barsad。Impossible，hereinragingParis，withSuspicionfillingtheair，foryoutooutlivedenunciation，whenyouareincommunicationwithanotheraristocraticspyofthesameantecedentsasyourselfwho，moreover，hasthemysteryabouthimofhavingfeigneddeathandcometolifeagain!A
plotintheprisons，oftheforeigneragainsttheRepublic。Astrongcard——acertainGuillotinecard!Doyouplay?\'
`No!\'returnedthespy。`Ithrowup。Iconfessthatweweresounpopularwiththeoutrageousmob，thatIonlygotawayfromEnglandattheriskofbeingduckedtodeath，andthatClywassoferretedupanddown，thatheneverwouldhavegotawayatallbut[orthatsham。Thoughhowthismanknowsitwasasham，isawonderofwonderstome。\'
`Neveryoutroubleyourheadaboutthisman，\'retortedthecontentiousMr。Cruncher；`you\'llhavetroubleenoughwithgivingyourattentiontothatgentleman。Andlookhere!Oncemore!\'——Mr。Crunchercouldnotberestrainedfrommakingratheranostentatiousparadeofhisliberality——`I\'dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea。\'
TheSheepoftheprisonsturnedfromhimtoSydneyCarton，andsaid，withmoredecision，`Ithascometoapoint。Igoondutysoon，andcan\'toverstaymytime。Youtoldmeyouhadaproposal；whatisit?Now，itisofnouseaskingtoomuchofme。Askmetodoanythinginmyoffice，puttingmyheadingreatextradanger，andIhadbettertrustmylifetothechancesofarefusalthanthechancesofconsent。Inshort，Ishouldmakethatchoice。Youtalkofdesperation。Wearealldesperatehere。Remember!
ImaydenounceyouifIthinkproper，andIcanswearmywaythroughstonewalls，andsocanothers。Now，whatdoyouwantwithme?\'
`Notverymuch。YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?\'
`Itellyouonceforall，thereisnosuchthingasanescapepossible，\'saidthespy，firmly。
`WhyneedyoutellmewhatIhavenotasked?YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?\'
`Iamsometimes。\'
`Youcanbewhenyouchoose。\'
`IcanpassinandoutwhenIchoose。\'
`SydneyCartonfilledanotherglasswithbrandy，poureditslowlyoutuponthehearth，andwatcheditasitdropped。Itbeingallspent，hesaid，rising:
`Sofar，wehavespokenbeforethesetwo，becauseitwasaswellthatthemeritsofthecardsshouldnotrestsolelybetweenyouandme。
Comeintothedarkroomhere，andletushaveonefinalwordalone。\'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIXTheGameMadeWHILESydneyCartonandtheSheepoftheprisonswereintheadjoiningdarkroom，speakingsolowthatnotasoundwasheard，Mr。LorrylookedatJerryinconsiderabledoubtandmistrust。Thathonesttradesman\'smannerofreceivingthelook，didnotinspireconfidence；hechangedthelegonwhichherested，asoftenasifhehadfiftyofthoselimbs，andweretryingthemall；heexaminedhisfinger-nailswithaveryquestionableclosenessofattention；andwheneverMr。Lorry\'seyecaughthis，hewastakenwiththatpeculiarkindofshortcoughrequiringthehollowofahandbeforeit，whichisseldom，ifever，knowntobeaninfirmityattendantonperfectopennessofcharacter。
`Jerry，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Comehere。\'
Mr。Crunchercameforwardsideways，withoneofhisshouldersinadvanceofhim。
`Whathaveyoubeen，besidesamessenger?\'
Aftersomecogitation，accompaniedwithanintentlookathispatron，Mr。Cruncherconceivedtheluminousideaofreplying，`Agricultooralcharacter。\'
`Mymindmisgivesmemuch，\'saidMr。Lorry，angrilyshakingaforefingerathim，`thatyouhaveusedtherespectableandgreathouseofTellson\'sasablind，andthatyouhavehadanunlawfuloccupationofaninfamousdescription。Ifyouhave，don\'texpectmetobefriendyouwhenyougetbacktoEngland。Ifyouhave，don\'texpectmetokeepyoursecret。
Tellson\'sshallnotbeimposedupon。\'
`Ihope，sir，\'pleadedtheabashedMr。Cruncher，`thatagentlemanlikeyourselfwotI\'vehadthehonourofoddjobbingtillI\'mgreyatit，wouldthinktwiceaboutharmingofme，evenifitwos，——soIdon\'tsayitis，butevenifitwos。Andwhichitistobetookintoaccountthatifitwos，itwouldn\'t，eventhen，beallo\'oneside。There\'dbetwosidestoit。Theremightbemedicaldoctorsatthepresenthour，apickinguptheirguineaswhereahonesttradesmandon\'tpickuphisfardens——fardens!
no，noryethishalffardens——halffardens!no，noryethisquarter——abankingawaylikesmokeatTellson\'s，andacockingtheirmedicaleyesatthattradesmanonthesly，agoinginandgoingouttotheirowncarriages——ah!
equallylikesmoke，ifnotmoreso。Well，that\'udbeimposing，too，onTellson\'s。Foryoucannotsarsethegooseandnotthegander。Andhere\'sMrs。Cruncher，orleastwayswosintheOldEnglandtimes，andwouldbeto-morrow，ifcausegiven，afloppin\'againthebusinesstothatdegreeasisruinatingstarkruinating!Whereasthemmedicaldoctors\'wivesdon\'tflop——catch\'ematit!Or，iftheyflop，theirfloppingsgoesinfavourofmorepatients，andhowcanyourightlyhaveonewithoutthet\'other?
Then，wotwithundertakers，andwotwithparishclerks，andwotwithsextons，andwotwithprivatewatchmenallawariciousandallinit，amanwouldn\'tgetmuchbyit，evenifitwosso。Andwotlittleamandidget，wouldneverprosperwithhim，Mr。Lorry。He\'dneverhavenogoodofit；he\'dwantallalongtobeoutoftheline，ifhecouldseehiswayout，beingoncein——evenifitwosso。\'
`Ugh!\'criedMr。Lorry，ratherrelenting，nevertheless。`Iamshockedatthesightofyou。\'
`Now，whatIwouldhumblyoffertoyou，sir，\'pursuedMr。Cruncher，`evenifitwosso，whichIdon\'tsayitis——\'
`Don\'tprevaricate，\'saidMr。Lorry。
`No，Iwillnot，sir，\'returnedMr。Cruncher，asifnothingwerefurtherfromhisthoughtsorpractice——`whichIdon\'tsayitis——wotI
wouldhumblyoffertoyou，sir，wouldbethis。Uponthattherestool，atthatthereBar，setsthatthereboyofmine，broughtupandgroweduptobeaman，wotwillerrandyou，messageyou，general-light-jobyou，tillyourheelsiswhereyourheadis，ifsuchshouldbeyourwishes。Ifitwosso，whichIstilldon\'tsayitisforIwillnotprewaricatetoyou，sir，letthatthereboykeephisfather\'splace，andtakecareofhismother；don\'tblowuponthatboy\'sfather——donotdoit，sir——andletthatfathergointothelineofthereg\'lardiggin\'，andmakeamendsforwhathewouldhaveun-dug——ifitwosso——bydiggin\'of\'eminwithawill，andwithconwictionsrespectin\'thefutur\'keepin\'of\'emsafe。That，Mr。Lorry，\'
saidMr。Cruncher，wipinghisforeheadwithhisarm，asanannouncementthathehadarrivedattheperorationofhisdiscourse，`iswotIwouldrespectfullyoffertoyou，sir。Amandon\'tseeallthishereagoin\'ondreadfulroundhim，inthewayofSubjectswithoutheads，dearme，plentifulenoughfurtobringthepricedowntoporterageandhardlythat，withouthavin\'hisseriousthoughtsofthings。Andtheseherewouldbemine，ifitwosso，entreatin\'ofyoufurtobearinmindthatwotIsaidjustnow，IupandsaidinthegoodcausewhenImighthavekep\'itback。\'
`Thatatleastistrue，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Saynomorenow。ItmaybethatIshallyetstandyourfriend，ifyoudeserveit，and，repentinaction——notinwords。IwantnomoreMr。Cruncherknuckledhisforehead，asSydneyCartonandthespyreturnedfromthedarkroom。`Adieu，Mr。Barsad，\'saidtheformer；`ourarrangementthusmade，youhavenothingtofearfromme。\'
Hesatdowninachaironthehearth，overagainstMr。Lorry。
Whentheywerealone，Mr。Lorryaskedhimwhathehaddone?
`Notmuch。IfitshouldgoillwiththeprisoneIhaveensuredaccesstohim，Once。\'
Mr。Lorry\'scountenancefell。
`ItisallIcoulddo，\'saidCarton。`Toproposetoomuch，wouldbetoputthisman\'sheadundertheaxe，and，ashehimselfsaid，nothingworsecouldhappentohimifheweredenounced。Itwasobviouslytheweaknessoftheposition。Thereisnohelpforit。\'
`Butaccesstohim，\'saidMr。Lorry，`ifitshouldgoillbeforetheTribunal，willnotsavehim。\'
`Ineversaiditwould。\'
Mr。Lorry\'seyesgraduallysoughtthefire；hissympathywithhisdarling，andtheheavydisappointmentofthissecondarrest，graduallyweakenedthem；hewasanoldmannow，overbornewithanxietyoflate，andhistearsfell。
`Youareagoodmanandatruefriend，\'saidCarton，inanalteredvoice。`ForgivemeifInoticethatyouareaffected。Icouldnotseemyfatherweep，andsitby，careless。AndIcouldnotrespectyoursorrowmore，ifyou，weremyfather。Youarefreefromthatmisfortune，however。
Thoughhesaidthelastwords，withaslipintohisusualmanner，therewasatruefeelingandrespectbothinhistoneandinhistouch，thatMr。Lorry，whohadneverseenthebettersideofhim，waswhollyunpreparedfor。Hegavehimhishand，andCartongentlypressedit。
`ToreturntopoorDarnay，\'saidCarton。`Don\'ttellHerofthisinterview，orthisarrangement。ItwouldnotenableHertogotoseehim。
Shemightthinkitwascontrived，incaseoftheworst，toconveytohimthemeansofanticipatingthesentence。\'
Mr。Lorryhadnotthoughtofthat，andhelookedquicklyatCartontoseeifitwereinhismind。Itseemedtobe；hereturnedthelook，andevidentlyunderstoodit。
`Shemightthinkathousandthings，\'Cartonsaid，`andanyofthemwouldonlyaddtohertrouble。Don\'tspeakofmetoher。AsIsaidtoyouwhenIfirstcame，Ihadbetternotseeher。Icanputmyhandout，todoanylittlehelpfulworkforherthatmyhandcanfindtodo，withoutthat。Youaregoingtoher，Ihope?Shemustbeverydesolateto-night。
`Iamgoingnow，directly。\'
`Iamgladofthat。Shehassuchastrongattachmenttoyouandrelianceonyou。Howdoesshelook?\'
`Anxiousandunhappy，butverybeautiful。\'`Ah!\'
Itwasalong，grievingsound，likeasigh——almostlikeasob。
ItattractedMr。Lorry\'seyestoCartonsface，whichwasturnedtothefire。Alight，orashadetheoldgentlemancouldnothavesaidwhich，passedfromitasswiftlyasachangewillsweepoverahill-sideonawildbrightday，andheliftedhisfoottoputbackoneofthelittleflaminglogs，whichwastumblingforward。Heworethewhiteriding-coatandtopboots，theninvogue，andthelightofthefiretouchingtheirlightsurfacesmadehimlookverypale，withhislongbrownhair，alluntrimmed，hanginglooseabouthim。HisindifferencetofirewassufficientlyremarkabletoelicitawordofremonstrancefromMr。Lorry；hisbootwasstilluponthehotembersoftheflaminglog，whenithadbrokenundertheweightofhisfoot。
`Iforgotit，\'hesaid。
Mr。Lorry\'seyeswereagainattractedtohisface。Takingnoteofthewastedairwhichcloudedthenaturallyhandsomefeatures，andhavingtheexpressionofprisoners\'facesfreshinhismind，hewasstronglyremindedofthatexpression。
`Andyourdutiesherehavedrawntoanend，sir?\'saidCarton，turningtohim。
`Yes。AsIwastellingyoulastnightwhenLuciecameinsounexpectedly，IhaveatlengthdoneallthatIcandohere。Ihopedtohavelefttheminperfectsafety，andthentohavequittedPass。IhavemyLeavetoPass。
Iwasreadytogo。\'
Theywerebothsilent。
`Yoursisalonglifetolookbackupon，sir?\'saidCarton，wistfully。
`Iaminmyseventy-eighthyear。\'
`Youhavebeenusefulallyourlife；steadilyandconstantlyoccupied；
trusted，respected，andlookedupto?\'
`Ihavebeenamanofbusiness，eversinceIhavebeenaman。
Indeed，ImaysaythatIwasamanofbusinesswhenaboy。\'
`Seewhataplaceyoufillatseventy-eight。Howmanypeoplewillmissyouwhenyouleaveitempty!\'
`Asolitaryoldbachelor，\'answeredMr。Lorry，shakinghishead。
`Thereisnobodytoweepforme。\'
`Howcanyousaythat?Wouldn\'tSheweepforyou?Wouldn\'therchi!d?\'
`Yes，yes，thankGod。Ididn\'tquitemeanwhatIsaid。\'
`ItisathingtothankGodfor；isitnot?\'
`Surely，surely。\'
`Ifyoucouldsay，withtruth，toyourownsolitaryheart，to-night，\"Ihavesecuredtomyselftheloveandattachment，thegratitudeorrespect，ofnohumancreature；Ihavewonmyselfatenderplaceinnoregard；I
havedonenothinggoodorserviceabletoberememberedby!\"yourseventy-eightyearswouldbeseventy-eightheavycurses；wouldtheynot?\'
`Yousaytruly，Mr。Carton；Ithinktheywouldhe。
Sydneyturnedhiseyesagainuponthefire，and，afterasilenceofafewmoments，said:
`Ishouldliketoaskyou:——Doesyourchildhoodseemfaroff?
Dothedayswhenyousatatyourmother\'sknee，seemdaysofverylongago?\'
Respondingtohissoftenedmanner，Mr。Lorryanswered:`Twentyyearsback，yes；atthistimeofmylife，no。For，asIdrawcloserandclosertotheend，Itravelinthecircle，nearerandnearertothebeginning。
Itseemstobeoneofthekindsmoothingsandpreparingsoftheway。Myheartistouchednow，bymanyremembrancesthathadlongfallenasleep，ofmyprettyyoungmotherandIsoold!，andbymanyassociationsofthedayswhenwhatwecalltheWorldwasnotsorealwithme，andmyfaultswerenotconfirmedinme。\'
`Iunderstandthefeeling!\'exclaimedCarton，withabrightflush。
`Andyouarethebetterforit?\'
`Ihopeso。
Cartonterminatedtheconversationhere，byrisingtohelphimonwithhisoutercoat；`butyou，\'saidMr。Lorry，revertingtothetheme，`youareyoung。\'
`Yes，\'saidCarton。`Iamnotold，butmyyoungwaywasneverthewaytoage。Enoughofme。
`Andofme，Iamsure，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Areyougoingout?\'
`I\'llwalkwithyoutohergate。Youknowmyvagabondandrestlesshabits。IfIshouldprowlaboutthestreetsalongtime，don\'tbeuneasy；
Ishallreappearinthemorning。YougototheCourtto-morrow?\'
Yes，unhappily。\'
`Ishallbethere，butonlyasoneofthecrowd。MySpywillfindaplaceforme。Takemyarm，sir。\'
Mr。Lorrydidso，andtheywentdown-stairsandoutinthestreets。
AfewminutesbroughtthemtoMr。Lorry\'sdestination。Cartonlefthimthere；butlingeredatalittledistance，andturnedbacktothegateagainwhenitwasshut，andtouchedit。Hehadheardofhergoingtotheprisoneveryday。`Shecameouthere，\'hesaid，lookingabouthim，`turnedthisway，musthavetrodonthesestonesoften。Letmefollowinhersteps。
Itwasteno\'clockatnightwhenhestoodbeforetheprisonofLaForce，whereshehadstoodhundredsoftimes。Alittlewood-sawyer，havingclosedhisshop，wassmokinghispipeathisshop-door。
`Goodnight，citizen，\'saidSydneyCarton，pausingingoingby；
for，themaneyedhiminquisitively。
`Goodnight，citizen。\'
`HowgoestheRepublic?\'
`YoumeantheGuillotine。Notill。Sixty-threeto-day。Weshallmounttoahundredsoon。Samsonandhismencomplainsometimes，ofbeingexhausted。Ha，ha，ha!Heissodroll，thatSamson。SuchaBarber!\'
`Doyouoftengotoseehim——\'
`Shave?Always。Everyday。Whatabarber!Youhaveseenhimatwork?\'
`Never。\'
`Goandseehimwhenhehasagoodbatch。Figurethistoyourselfcitizen；heshavedthesixty-threeto-day，inlessthantwopipes!Lessthantwopipes。Wordofhonour!\'
Asthegrinninglittlemanheldoutthepipehewassmoking，toexplainhowhetimedtheexecutioner，Cartonwassosensibleofarisingdesiretostrikethelifeoutofhim，thatheturnedaway。
`ButyouarenotEnglish，\'saidthewood-sawyer，`thoughyouwearEnglishdress?\'
`Yes，\'saidCarton，pausingagain，andansweringoverhisshoulder。
`YouspeaklikeaFrenchman。\'
`Iamanoldstudenthere。\'
`Aha，aperfectFrenchman!Goodnight，Englishman。\'
`Goodnight，citizen。\'
`Butgoandseethatdrolldog，\'thelittlemanpersisted，callingafterhim。`Andtakeapipewithyou!\'
Sydneyhadnotgonefaroutofsight，whenhestoppedinthemiddleofthestreetunderaglimmeringlamp，andwrotewithhispencilonascrapofpaper。Then，traversingwiththedecidedstepofonewhorememberedthewaywell，severaldarkanddirtystreets——muchdirtierthanusual，forthebestpublicthoroughfaresremaineduncleansedinthosetimesofterror——hestoppedatachemist\'sshop，whichtheownerwasclosingwithhisownhands。Asmall，dim，crookedshop，keptinatortuous，up-hillthoroughfares，byasmall，dim，crookedman。
Givingthiscitizen，too，goodnight，asheconfrontedhimathiscounter，helaidthescrapofpaperbeforehim。`Whew!\'thechemistwhistledsoftly，ashereadit。`Hi!hi!hi!\'
SydneyCartontooknoheed，andthechemistsaid:
`Foryou，citizen?\'
`Forme。
`Youwillbecarefultokeepthemseparate，citizen?Youknowtheconsequencesofmixingthem?\'
`Perfectly。\'
Certainsmallpacketsweremadeandgiventohim。Heputthem，onebyone，inthebreastofhisinnercoat，countedoutthemoneyforthem，anddeliberatelylefttheshop。`Thereisnothingmoretodo，\'saidhe，glancingupwardatthemoon，`untilto-morrow。Ican\'tsleep。
Itwasnotarecklessmanner，themannerinwhichhesaidthesewordsaloudunderthefast-sailingclouds，norwasitmoreexpressiveofnegligencethandefiance。Itwasthesettledmannerofatiredman，whohadwanderedandstruggledandgotlost，butwhoatlengthstruckintohisroadandsawitsend。
Longago，whenhehadbeenfamousamonghisearliestcompetitorsasayouthofgreatpromise，hehadfollowedhisfathertothegrave。Hismotherhaddied，yearsbefore。Thesesolemnwords，whichhadbeenreadathisfather\'sgrave，aroseinhismindashewentdownthedarkstreets，amongtheheavyshadows，withthemoonandthecloudssailingonhighabovehim。`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife，saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme，shallneverdie。\'
Inacitydominatedbytheaxe，aloneatnight，withnaturalsorrowrisinginhimforthesixty-threewhohadbeenthatdayputtodeath，andforto-morrow\'svictimsthenawaitingtheirdoomintheprisons，andstillofto-morrow\'sandtomorrow\'s，thechainofassociationthatbroughtthewordshome，likearustyoldship\'sanchorfromthedeep，mighthavebeeneasilyfound。Hedidnotseekit，butrepeatedthemandwenton。
Withasolemninterestinthelightedwindowswherethepeopleweregoingtorest，forgetfulthroughafewcalmhoursofthehorrorssurroundingthem；inthetowersofthechurches，wherenoprayersweresaid，forthepopularrevulsionhadeventravelledthatlengthofself-destructionfromyearsofpriestlyimpostors，plunderers，andprofligates；inthedistantburial-places，reserved，astheywroteuponthegates，forEternalSleep；
intheaboundinggaols；andinthestreetsalongwhichthesixtiesrolledtoadeathwhichhadbecomesocommonandmaterial，thatnosorrowfulstoryofahauntingSpiriteveraroseamongthepeopleoutofalltheworkingoftheGuillotine；withasolemninterestinthewholelifeanddeathofthecitysettlingdowntoitsshortnightlypauseinfury；SydneyCartoncrossedtheSeineagainforthelighterstreets。
Fewcoacheswereabroad，forridersincoacheswereliabletoliesuspected，andgentilityhiditsheadinrednightcaps，andputonheavyshoes，andtrudged。But，thetheatreswereallwellfilled，andthepeoplepouredcheerfullyoutashepassed，andwentchattinghome。Atoneofthetheatredoors，therewasalittlegirlwithamother，lookingforawayacrossthestreetthroughthemud。Hecarriedthechildover，andbeforethetimidarmwasloosedfromhisneckaskedherforakiss。
`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife，saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme，shallneverdie。\'
Now，thatthestreetswerequiet，andthenightworeon，thewordswereintheechoesofhisfeet，andwereintheair。Perfectlycalmandsteady，hesometimesrepeatedthemtohimselfashewalked；but，heheardthemalways。
Thenightworeout，and，ashestooduponthebridgelisteningtothewaterasitsplashedtheriver-wallsoftheIslandofParis，wherethepicturesqueconfusionofhousesandcathedralshonebrightinthelightofthemoon，thedaycamecoldly，lookinglikeadeadfaceoutofthesky。
Then，thenight，withthemoonandthestars，turnedpaleanddied，andforalittlewhileitseemedasifCreationweredeliveredovertoDeath\'sdominion。
But，theglorioussun，rising，seemedtostrikethosewords，thatburdenofthenight，straightandwarmtohisheartinitslongbrightrays。Andlookingalongthem，withreverentlyshadedeyes，abridgeoflightappearedtospantheairbetweenhimandthesun，whiletheriversparkledunderit。