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　　`Steadyitagain，andwritewhatIshalldictate。Quick，friend，quick!\'

　　Pressinghishandtohisbewilderedhead，Darnaysatdownatthetable。Carton，withhisrighthandinhisbreast，stoodclosebesidehim。

　　`WriteexactlyasIspeak。\'

　　`TowhomdoIaddressit?\'

　　`Tonoone。\'Cartonstillhadhishandinhisbreast。

　　`DoIdateit?\'

　　`No。\'

　　Theprisonerlookedup，ateachquestion。Carton，standingoverhimwithhishandinhisbreast，lookeddown。

　　```Ifyouremember，\'\'\'saidCarton，dictating，```thewordsthatpassedbetweenus，longago，youwillreadilycomprehendthiswhenyouseeit。Youdorememberthem，Iknow。Itisnotinyournaturetoforgetthem。\'\'\'

　　Hewasdrawinghishandfromhisbreast；theprisonerchancingtolookupinhishurriedwonderashewrote，thehandstopped，closinguponsomething。

　　`Haveyouwritten``forgetthem!\'\'Cartonasked。

　　`Ihave。Isthataweaponinyourhand?\'

　　`No；Iamnotarmed。\'

　　`Whatisitinyourhand?\'

　　`Youshallknowdirectly。Writeon；therearebutafewwordsmore。\'Hedictatedagain。```Iamthankfulthatthetimehascome，whenIcanprovethem。ThatIdosoisnosubjectforregretorgrief。\'\'\'Ashesaidthesewordswithhiseyesfixedonthewriter，hishandslowlyandsoftlymoveddownclosetothewriter\'sface。

　　ThependroppedfromDarnay\'sfingersonthetable，andhelookedabouthimvacantly。

　　`Whatvapouristhat?\'heasked。

　　`Vapour?\'

　　`Somethingthatcrossedme?\'

　　`Iamconsciousofnothing；therecanbenothinghere。Takeupthepenandfinish。Hurry，hurry!\'

　　Asifhismemorywereimpaired，orhisfacultiesdisordered，theprisonermadeanefforttorallyhisattention。AshelookedatCartonwithcloudedeyesandwithanalteredmannerofbreathing，Carton——hishandagaininhisbreast——lookedsteadilyathim。

　　`Hurry，hurry!`

　　Theprisonerbentoverthepaper，oncemore。

　　```Ifithadbeenotherwise；\'\'\'Carton\'shandwasagainwatchfullyandsoftlystealingdown；```Inevershouldhaveusedthelongeropportunity。

　　Ifithadbeenotherwise；\'\'\'thehandwasattheprisoner\'sface；```I

　　shouldbuthavehadsomuchthemoretoanswerfor。Ifithadbeenotherwise——\'\'\'

　　Cartonlookedatthepenandsawitwastrailingoffintounintelligiblesigns。

　　Carton\'shandmovedbacktohisbreastnomore。Theprisonersprangupwithareproachfullook，butCarton\'shandwascloseandfirmathisnostrils，andCarton\'sleftarmcaughthimroundthewaist。Forafewsecondshefaintlystruggledwiththemanwhohadcometolaydownhislifeforhim；but，withinaminuteorso，hewasstretchedinsensibleontheground。

　　Quickly，butwithhandsastruetothepurposeashisheartwas，Cartondressedhimselfintheclothestheprisonerhadlaidaside，combedbackhishair，andtieditwiththeribbontheprisonerhadworn。Then，hesoftlycalled，`Enterthere!Comein!\'andtheSpypresentedhimself。

　　`Yousee?\'saidCarton，lookingup，ashekneeledononekneebesidetheinsensiblefigure，puttingthepaperinthebreast:`isyourhazardverygreat?\'

　　`Mr。Carton，\'theSpyanswered，withatimidsnapofhisfingers，`myhazardisnotthat，inthethickofbusinesshere，ifyouaretruetothewholeofyourbargain。\'

　　`Don\'tfearme。Iwillbetruetothedeath。\'

　　`Youmustbe，Mr。Carton，ifthetaleoffifty-twoistoberight。

　　Beingmaderightbyyouinthatdress，Ishallhavenofear。

　　`Havenofear!Ishallsoonbeoutofthewayofharmingyou，andtherestwillsoonbefarfromhere，pleaseGod!Now，getassistanceandtakemetothecoach。\'

　　`You?\'saidtheSpynervously。

　　`Him，man，withwhomIhaveexchanged。Yougooutatthegatebywhichyoubroughtmein?

　　`Ofcourse。\'

　　`Iwasweakandfaintwhenyoubroughtmein，andIamfainternowyoutakemeout。Thepartinginterviewhasoverpoweredme。Suchathinghashappenedhere，often，andtoooften。Yourlifeisinyourownhands。

　　Quick!Callassistance!\'

　　`Youswearnottobetrayme?\'saidthetremblingSpy，ashepausedforalastmoment。

　　`Man，man!\'returnedCarton，stampinghisfoot；`haveIswornbynosolemnvowalready，togothroughwiththis，thatyouwastethepreciousmomentsnow?Takehimyourselftothecourt-yardyouknowof，placehimyourselfinthecarriage，showhimyourselftoMr。Lorry，tellhimyourselftogivehimnorestorativebutair，andtoremembermywordsoflastnight，andhispromiseoflastnight，anddriveaway!\'

　　TheSpywithdrew，andCartonseatedhimselfatthetable，restinghisforeheadonhishands。TheSpyreturnedimmediately，withtwomen。

　　`How，then?\'saidoneofthem，contemplatingthefallenfigure。

　　`SoafflictedtofindthathisfriendhasdrawnaprizeinthelotteryofSainteGuillotine?\'

　　`Agoodpatriot，\'saidtheother，`couldhardlyhavebeenmoreafflictediftheAristocrathaddrawnablank。\'

　　Theyraisedtheunconsciousfigure，placeditonalittertheyhadbroughttothedoor，andbenttocarryitaway。`Thetimeisshort，Evr&eacute；monde，\'saidtheSpy，inawarningVoice。

　　`Iknowitwell，\'answeredCarton。`Becarefulofmyfriend，I

　　entreatyou，andleaveme。

　　`Come，then，mychildren，\'saidBarsad。`Lifthim，andcomeaway!\'

　　Thedoorclosed，andCartonwasleftalone。Straininghispowersoflisteningtotheutmost，helistenedforanysoundthatmightdenotesuspicionoralarm。Therewasnone。Keysturned，doorsclashed，footstepspassedalongdistantpassages:nocrywasraised，orhurrymade，thatseemedunusual。Breathingmorefreelyinalittlewhile，hesatdownatthetable，andlistenedagainuntiltheclockstruckTwo。Soundsthathewasnotafraidof，forhedivinedtheirmeaning，thenbegantobeaudible。Severaldoorswereopenedinsuccession，andfinallyhisown。Agaoler，withalistinhishand，lookedin，merelysaying，`Followme，Evr&eacute；monde!\'andhefollowedintoalargedarkroom，atadistance。Itwasadarkwinterday，andwhatwiththeshadowswithin，andwhatwiththeshadowswithout，hecouldbutdimlydiscerntheotherswhowerebroughttheretohavetheirarmsbound。Somewerestanding；someseated。Somewerelamenting，andinrestlessmotion；but，thesewerefew。Thegreatmajorityweresilentandstill，lookingfixedlyattheground。

　　Ashestoodbythewallinadimcorner，whilesomeofthefifty-twowerebroughtinafterhim，onemanstoppedinpassing，toembracehim，ashavingaknowledgeofhim。Itthrilledhimwithagreatdreadofdiscovery；

　　butthemanwenton。Averyfewmomentsafterthat，ayoungwoman，withaslightgirlishform，asweetsparefaceinwhichtherewasnovestigeofcolour，andlargewidelyopenedpatienteyes，rosefromtheseatwherehehadobservedhersitting，andcametospeaktohim。

　　`CitizenEvr&eacute；monde，\'shesaid，touchinghimwithhercoldhand。`Iamapoorlittleseamstress，whowaswithyouinLaForce。

　　Hemurmuredforanswer:`True。Iforgetwhatyouwereaccusedof?\'

　　`Plots。ThoughthejustHeavenknowsIaminnocentofany。Isitlikely?Whowouldthinkofplottingwithapoorlittleweakcreaturelikeme?\'

　　Theforlornsmilewithwhichshesaidit，sotouchedhim，thattearsstartedfromhiseyes。

　　`Iamnotafraidtodie，CitizenEvr&eacute；monde，butIhavedonenothing。Iamnotunwillingtodie，iftheRepublicwhichistodosomuchgoodtouspoor，willprofitbymydeath；butIdonotknowhowthatcanbe，CitizenEvre&eacute；monde。Suchapoorweaklittlecreature!\'

　　Asthelastthingonearththathisheartwastowarmandsoftento，itwarmedandsoftenedtothispitiablegirl。

　　`Iheardyouwerereleased，Citizen`Evr&eacute；monde。Ihopeditwastrue?\'

　　`Itwas。But，Iwasagaintakenandcondemned。\'

　　`IfImayridewithyou，CitizenEvr&eacute；monde，willyouletmeholdyourhand?Iamnotafraid，hutIamlittleandweak，anditwillgivememorecourage。\'

　　Asthepatienteyeswereliftedtohisface，hesawasuddendoubtinthem，andthenastonishment。Hepressedthework-worn，hunger-wornyoungfingers，andtouchedhislips。

　　`Areyoudyingforhim?\'shewhispered。

　　`Andhiswifeandchild。Hush!Yes。\'

　　`Oyouwillletmeholdyourbravehand，stranger?\'

　　`Hush!Yes，mypoorsister；tothelast。

　　Thesameshadowsthatarefallingontheprison，arefalling，inthatsamehouroftheearlyafternoon，ontheBarrierwiththecrowdaboutit，whenacoachgoingoutofParisdrivesuptobeexamined。

　　`Whogoeshere?Whomhavewewithin?Papers!\'

　　Thepapersarehandedout，andread。

　　`AlexandreManette。Physician。French。Whichishe?\'

　　Thisishe；thishelpless，inarticulatelymurmuring，wanderingoldmanpointedout。

　　`ApparentlytheCitizen-Doctorisnotinhisrightmind?TheRevolution-feverwillhavebeentoomuchforhim?\'

　　Greatlytoomuchforhim。

　　`Hah!Manysufferwithit。Lucie。Hisdaughter。French。Whichisshe?\'

　　Thisisshe。

　　`Apparentlyitmustbe。Lucie，thewifeofEvr&eacute；monde；isitnot\'。\"

　　Itis。

　　`Hah!Evr&eacute；mondehasanassignationelsewhere。Lucie，herchild。English。Thisisshe?\'

　　Sheandnoother。

　　`Kissme，childofEvr&eacute；monde。Now，thouhastkissedagoodRepublican；somethingnewinthyfamily；rememberit!SydneyCarton。Advocate。

　　English。Whichishe?\'

　　Helieshere，inthiscornerofthecarriage。He，too，ispointedout。

　　`ApparentlytheEnglishadvocateisinaswoon?\'

　　Itishopedhewillrecoverinthefresherair。Itisrepresentedthatheisnotinstronghealth，andhasseparatedsadlyfromafriendwhoisunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic。

　　`Isthatall?Itisnotagreatdeal，that!ManyareunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic，andmustlookoutatthelittlewindow。JarvisLorry。Banker。English。Whichishe?\'

　　`Iamhe。Necessarily，beingthelast。\'

　　ItisJarvisLorrywhohasrepliedtoallthepreviousquestions。

　　ItisJarvisLorrywhohasalightedandstandswithhishandonthecoachdoor，replyingtoagroupofofficials。Theyleisurelywalkroundthecarriageandleisurelymountthebox，tolookatwhatlittleluggageitcarriesontheroof；thecountry-peoplehangingabout，pressnearertothecoachdoorsandgreedilystarein；alittlechild，carriedbyitsmother，hasitsshortarmheldoutforit，thatitmaytouchthewifeofanaristocratwhohasgonetotheGuillotine。

　　`Beholdyourpapers，JarvisLorry，countersigned。\'

　　`Onecandepart，citizen?\'

　　`Onecandepart。Forward，mypostilions!Agoodjourney!\'

　　`Isaluteyou，citizens——Andthefirstdangerpassed!\'

　　TheseareagainthewordsofJarvisLorry，asheclaspshishands，andlooksupward。Thereisterrorinthecarriage，thereisweeping，thereistheheavybreathingoftheinsensibletraveller。

　　`Arewenotgoingtooslowly?Cantheynotbeinducedtogofaster?\'

　　asksLucie，clingingtotheoldman。

　　`Itwouldseemlikeflight，mydarling。Imustnoturgethemtoomuch；itwouldrousesuspicion。\'

　　`Lookback，lookback，andseeifwearepursued!\'

　　`Theroadisclear，mydearest。Sofar，wearenotpursued。\'

　　Housesintwosandthreespassbyus，solitaryfarms，ruinousbuildings，dye-works，tanneries，andthelike，opencountry，avenuesofleaflesstrees。Thehardunevenpavementisunderus，thesoftdeepmudisoneitherside。Sometimes，westrikeintotheskirtingmud，toavoidthestonesthatclatterusandshakeus；sometimeswestickinrutsandsloughsthere。Theagonyofourimpatienceisthensogreat，thatinourwildalarmandhurryweareforgettingoutandrunning——hiding——doinganythingbutstopping。

　　Outoftheopencountry，inagainamongruinousbuildings，solitaryfarms，dye-works，tanneries，andthelike，cottagesintwosandthrees，avenuesofleaflesstrees。Havethesemendeceivedus，andtakenusbackbyanotherroad?Isnotthisthesameplacetwiceover?ThankHeaven，no。

　　Avillage。Lookback，lookback，andseeifwearepursued!Hush!theposting-house。

　　Leisurely，ourfourhorsesaretakenout；leisurely，thecoachstandsinthelittlestreet，bereftofhorses，andwithnolikelihooduponitofevermovingagain；leisurely，thenewhorsescomeintovisibleexistence，onebyone；leisurely，thenewpostilionsfollow，suckingandplaitingthelashesoftheirwhips；leisurely，theoldpostilionscounttheirmoney，makewrongadditions，andarriveatdissatisfiedresults。Allthetime，ouroverfraughtheartsarebeatingataratethatwouldfaroutstripthefastestgallopofthefastesthorseseverfoaled。

　　Atlengththenewpostilionsareintheirsaddles，andtheoldareleftbehind。Wearethroughthevillage，upthehill，anddownthehill，andonthelowwaterygrounds。Suddenly\'，thepostilionsexchangespeechwithanimatedgesticulation，andthehorses-arepulledup，almostontheirhaunches。Wearepursued。

　　`Ho!Withinthecarriagethere。Speakthen!\'

　　`Whatisit?\'asksMr。Lorry，lookingoutatwindow。

　　`Howmanydidtheysay?

　　`Idonotunderstandyou。\'

　　`Atthelastpost。HowmanytotheGuillotineto-day?\'

　　`Fifty-two。\'

　　`Isaidso!Abravenumber!Myfellow-citizenherewouldhaveitforty-two；tenmoreheadsareworthhaving。TheGuillotinegoeshandsomely。

　　Iloveit。Hiforward。Whoop!\'

　　Thenightcomesondark。Hemovesmore；heisbeginningtorevive，andtospeakintelligibly；hethinkstheyarestilltogether；heaskshim，byhisname，whathehasinhishand。Dpityus，kindHeaven，andhelpus!Lookout，lookout，andseeifwearepursued。

　　Thewindisrushingafterus，andthecloudsareflyingafterus，andthemoonisplungingafterus，andthewholewildnightisinpursuitofus；but，sofarwearepursuedbynothingelse。

　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIVTheKnittingDoneINthatsamejunctureoftimewhentheFifty-Twoawaitedtheirfate，MadameDefargehelddarklyominouscouncilwithTheVengeanceandJacquesThreeoftheRevolutionaryJury。Notinthewine-shopdidMadameDefargeconferwiththeseministers，butintheshedofthewood-sawyer，erstamenderofroads。Thesawyerhimselfdidnotparticipateintheconference，butabidedatalittledistance，likeanoutersatellitewhowasnottospeakuntilrequired，ortoofferanopinionuntilinvited。

　　`ButourDefarge，\'saidJacquesThree，`isundoubtedlyagoodRepublican?Eh?\'

　　`Thereisnobetter，\'thevolubleVengeanceprotestedinhershrillnotes，`inFrance。

　　`Peace，littleVengeance，\'saidMadameDefarge，layingherhandwithaslightfrownonherlieutenant\'slips，`hearmespeak。Myhusband，fellow-citizen，isagoodRepublicanandaboldman；hehasdeservedwelloftheRepublic，andpossessesitsconfidence。Butmyhusbandhashisweaknesses，andheissoweakastorelenttowardsthisDoctor。\'

　　`Itisagreatpity，\'croakedJacquesThree，dubiouslyshakinghishead，withhiscruelfingersathishungrymouth；`itisnotquitelikeagoodcitizen；itisathingtoregret。

　　`Seeyou，\'saidmadame，`IcarenothingforthisDoctor，I。Hemaywearhisheadorloseit，foranyinterestIhaveinhim；itisallonetome。But，theEvr&eacute；mondepeoplearetobeexterminated，andthewifeandchildmustfollowthehusbandandfather。\'

　　`Shehasafineheadforit，\'croakedJacquesThree。`Ihaveseenblueeyesandgoldenhairthere，andtheylookedcharmingwhenSamsonheldthemup。\'Ogrethathewas，hespokelikeanepicure。

　　MadameDefargecastdownhereyes，andreflectedalittle。`Thechildalso，\'observedJacquesThree，withameditativeenjoymentofhiswords，`hasgoldenhairandblueeyes。Andweseldomhaveachildthere。

　　Itisaprettysight!\'

　　`Inaword，\'saidMadameDefarge，comingoutofhershortabstraction，`Icannottrustmyhusbandinthismatter。

　　NotonlydoIfeel，sincelastnight，thatIdarenotconfidetohimthedetailsofmyprojects；butalsoIfeelthatifIdelay，thereisdangerofhisgivingwarning，andthentheymightescape。

　　`Thatmustneverbe，\'croakedJacquesThree；`noonemustescape。

　　Wehavenothalfenoughasitis。Weoughttohavesixscoreaday。\'

　　`Inaword，\'MadameDefargewenton，`myhusbandhasnotmyreasonforpursuingthisfamilytoannihilation，andIhavenothisreasonforregardingthisDoctorwithanysensibility。Imustactformyself，therefore。

　　Comehither，littlecitizen。

　　Thewood-sawyer，whoheldherintherespect，andhimselfinthesubmission，ofmortalfear，advancedwithhishandtohisredcap。

　　`Touchingthosesignals，littlecitizen，\'saidMadameDefarge，sternly，`thatshemadetotheprisoners；youarereadytobearwitnesstothemthisveryday?\'

　　`Ay，ay，whynot!\'criedthesawyer。`Everyday，inallweathers，fromtwotofour，alwayssignalling，sometimeswiththelittleone，sometimeswithout。IknowwhatIknow。Ihaveseenwithmyeyes。\'

　　Hemadeallmannerofgestureswhilehespoke，asifinincidentalimitationofsomefewofthegreatdiversityofsignalsthathehadneverseen。

　　`Clearlyplots，\'saidJacquesThree。`Transparently!\'

　　`ThereisnodoubtoftheJury?\'inquiredMadameDefarge，lettinghereyesturntohimwithagloomysmile。

　　`RelyuponthepatrioticJury，dearcitizeness。Ianswerformyfellow-Jurymen。\'

　　`Now，letmesee，\'saidMadameDefarge，ponderingagain。`Yetoncemore!CanIsparethisDoctortomyhusband?Ihavenofeelingeitherway。CanIsparehim?\'

　　`Hewouldcountasonehead，\'observedJacquesThree，inalowvoice。`Wereallyhavenotheadsenough；itwouldbeapity，Ithink。\'

　　`HewassignallingwithherwhenIsawher，\'arguedMadameDefarge；

　　`Icannotspeakofonewithouttheother；andImustnotbesilent，andtrustthecasewhollytohim，thislittlecitizenhere。For，Iamnotabadwitness。

　　TheVengeanceandJacquesThreeviedwitheachotherintheirferventprotestationsthatshewasthemostadmirableandmarvellousofwitnesses。Thelittlecitizen，nottobeoutdone，declaredhertobeacelestialwitness。

　　Hemusttakehischance，\'saidMadameDefarge。`No，Icannotsparehim!Youareengagedatthreeo\'clock；youaregoingtoseethebatchofto-dayexecuted——You?\'

　　Thequestionwasaddressedtothewood-sawyer，whohurriedlyrepliedintheaffirmative:seizingtheoccasiontoaddthathewasthemostardentofRepublicans，andthathewouldbeineffectthemostdesolateofRepublicans，ifanythingpreventedhimfromenjoyingthepleasureofsmokinghisafternoonpipeinthecontemplationofthedrollnationalbarber。Hewassoverydemonstrativeherein，thathemighthavebeensuspectedperhapswas，bythedarkeyesthatlookedContemptuouslyathimoutofMadameDefarge\'sheadofhavinghissmallindividualfearsforhisownpersonalsafety，everyhourintheday。

　　`I，\'saidmadame，`amequallyengagedatthesameplace。Afteritisover-sayateightto-night——comeyoutome，inSaintAntoine，andwewillgiveinformationagainstthese\'peopleatmysection。\'

　　Thewood-sawyersaidhewouldbeproudandflatteredtoattendthecitizeness。Thecitizenesslookingathim，hebecameembarrassed，evadedherglanceasasmalldogwouldhavedone，retreatedamonghiswood，andhidhisconfusionoverthehandleofhissaw。

　　MadameDefargebeckonedtheJurymanandTheVengeancealittlenearertothedoor，andthereexpoundedherfurtherviewstothemthus:

　　`Shewillnowbeathome，awaitingthemomentofhisdeath。Shewillbemourningandgrieving。ShewillbeinastateofmindtoimpeachthejusticeoftheRepublic。Shewillbefullofsympathywithitsenemies。

　　Iwillgotoher。\'

　　`Whatanadmirablewoman；whatanadorablewoman!\'exclaimedJacquesThree，rapturously。`Ah，mycherished!\'criedTheVengeance；andembracedher。

　　`Takeyoumyknitting，\'saidMadameDefarge，placingitinherlieutenant\'shands，`andhaveitreadyformeinmyusualseat。Keepmemyusualchair。Goyouthere，straight，fortherewillprobablybeagreaterconcoursethanusual，to-day。\'

　　`IwillinglyobeytheordersofmyChief\'saidTheVengeancewithalacrity，andkissinghercheek。`Youwillnotbelate?\'

　　`Ishallbetherebeforethecommencement。\'

　　`Andbeforethetumbrilsarrive。Besureyouarethere，mysoul，\'

　　saidTheVengeance，callingafterher，forshehadalreadyturnedintothestreet，`beforethetumbrilsarrive!\'

　　MadameDefargeslightlywavedherhand，toimplythatsheheard，andmightbereliedupontoarriveingoodtime，andsowentthroughtilemud，androundthecorneroftheprisonwall。TheVengeanceandtheJuryman，lookingalterherasshewalkedaway，werehighlyappreciativeofherfinefigure，andhersuperbmoralendowments。

　　Thereweremanywomenatthattime，uponwhomthetimelaidadreadfullydisfiguringhand；but，therewasnotoneamongthemmoretobedreadedthanthisruthlesswoman，nowtakingherwayalongthestreets。

　　Ofastrongandfearlesscharacter，ofshrewdsenseandreadiness，ofgreatdetermination，ofthatkindofbeautywhichnotonlyseemstoimparttoitspossessorfirmnessandanimosity，buttostrikeintoothersaninstinctiverecognitionofthosequalities；thetroubledtimewouldhaveheavedherup，underanycircumstances。But，imbuedfromherchildhoodwithabroodingsenseof，wrong，andaninveteratehatredofaclass，opportunityhaddevelopedherintoatigress。Shewasabsolutelywithoutpity。Ifshehadeverhadthevirtueinher，ithadquitegoneoutofher。

　　Itwasnothingtoher，thataninnocentmanwastodieforthesinsofhisforefathers；shesaw，nothim，butthem。Itwasnothingtoher，thathiswifewastobemadeawidowandhisdaughteranorphan；thatwasinsufficientpunishment，becausetheywerehernaturalenemiesandherprey，andassuchhadnorighttolive。Toappealtoher，wasmadehopelessbyherhavingnosenseofpity，evenforherself。Ifshehadbeenlaidlowinthestreets，inanyofthemanyencountersinwhichshehadbeenengaged，shewouldnothavepitiedherself；nor，ifshehadbeenorderedtotheaxeto-morrow，wouldshehavegonetoitwithanysofterfeelingthanafiercedesiretochangeplaceswiththemanwhosentherthere。

　　SuchaheartMadameDefargecarriedunderherroughrobe。Carelesslyworn，itwasabecomingrobeenough，inacertainweirdway，andherdarkhairlookedrichunderhercoarseredcap。Lyinghiddeninherbosom，wasaloadedpistol。Lyinghiddenatherwaist，wasasharpeneddagger。Thusaccoutred，andwalkingwiththeconfidenttreadofsuchacharacter，andwiththesupplefreedomofawomanwhohadhabituallywalkedinhergirlhood，bare-footandbare-legged，onthebrownsea-sand，MadameDefargetookherwayalongthestreets。

　　Now，whenthejourneyofthetravellingcoach，atthatverymomentwaitingforthecompletionofitsload，hadbeenplannedoutlastnight，thedifficultyoftakingMissProssinithadmuchengagedMr。Lorry\'sattention。Itwasnotmerelydesirabletoavoidoverloadingthecoach，butitwasofthehighestimportancethatthetimeoccupiedinexaminingitanditspassengers，shouldbereducedtotheutmost；sincetheirescapemightdependonthesavingofonlyafewsecondshereandthere。Finally，hehadproposed，afteranxiousconsideration，thatMissProssandJerry，whowereatlibertytoleavethecity，shouldleaveitatthreeo\'clockinthelightest-wheeledconveyanceknowntothatperiod。Unencumberedwithluggage，theywouldsoonovertakethecoach，and，passingitandprecedingitontheroad，wouldorderitshorsesinadvance，andgreatlyfacilitateitsprogressduringtheprecioushoursofthenight，whendelaywasthemosttobedreaded。

　　Seeinginthisarrangementthehopeofrenderingrealserviceinthatpressingemergency，MissProsshaileditwithjoy。SheandJerryhadbeheldthecoachstart，hadknownwhoitwasthatSolomonbrought，hadpassedsometenminutesintorturesofsuspense，andwerenowconcludingtheirarrangementstofollowthecoach，evenasMadameDefarge，takingherwaythroughthestreets，nowdrewnearerandnearertotheelse-desertedlodginginwhichtheyheldtheirconsultation。

　　`Nowwhatdoyouthink，Mr。Cruncher，\'saidMissPross，whoseagitationwassogreatthatshecouldhardlyspeak，orstand，ormove，orlive:`whatdoyouthinkofournotstartingfromthiscourt-yard?Anothercarriagehavingalreadygonefromhereto-day，itmightawakensuspicion。

　　`Myopinion，miss，\'returnedMr。Cruncher，`isas，you\'reright。

　　LikewisewotI\'llstandbyyou，rightorwrong。

　　`Iamsodistractedwithfearandhopeforourpreciouscreatures，\'

　　saidMissPross，wildlycrying，`thatIamincapableofforminganyplan。

　　Areyoucapableofforminganyplan，mydeargoodMr。Cruncher?\'

　　`Respectin\'afuturespearo\'life，miss，\'returnedMr。Cruncher，`Ihopeso。Respectin\'anypresentuseo\'thishereblessedoldheado\'

　　mine，Ithinknot。Wouldyoudomethefavour，miss，totakenoticeo\'

　　twopromisesandwowswotitismywishesfurtorecordinthisherecrisis?\'

　　`Oh，forgracioussake!\'criedMissPross，stillwildlycrying，`recordthematonce，andgetthemoutoftheway，likeanexcellentman。

　　`First，\'saidMr。Cruncher，whowasallinatremble，andwhospokewithanashyandsolemnvisage，`thempoorthingswellouto\'this，nevernomorewillIdoit，nevernomore!\'

　　`Iamquitesure，Mr。Cruncher，\'returnedMissPross，`thatyouneverwilldoitagain，whateveritis，andIbegyounottothinkitnecessarytomentionmoreparticularlywhatitis。\'

　　`No，miss，\'returnedJerry，`itshallnotbenamedtoyou。Second:

　　thempoorthingswellouto\'this，andnevernomorewillIinterferewithMrs。Cruncher\'sflopping，nevernomore!\'

　　`Whateverhousekeepingarrangementthatmaybe，\'saidMissPross，strivingtodryhereyesandcomposeherself，`IhavenodoubtitisbestthatMrs。Crunchershouldhaveitentirelyunderherownsuperintendence——O

　　mypoordarlings!\'

　　`Igosofarastosay，miss，morehover，\'proceededMr。Cruncher，withamostalarmingtendencytoholdforthasfromapulpit——`andletmywordsbetookdownandtooktoMrs。Cruncherthroughyourself——thatwotmyopinionsrespectin\'floppinghasundergoneachange，andthatwotIonlyhopewithallmyheartasMrs。Crunchermaybeafloppingatthepresenttime。\'

　　There，there，there!Ihopesheis，mydearman，\'criedthedistractedMissPross，`andIhopeshefindsitansweringherexpectations。\'

　　`Forbidit，\'proceededMr。Cruncher，withadditionalsolemnity，additionalslowness，andadditionaltendencytoholdforthandholdout，`asanythingwotIhaveeversaidordoneshouldbewisitedonmyearnestwishesforthempoorcreetursnow!Forbiditasweshouldn\'tallflopifitwasanywaysconwenienttoget`emouto\'thisheredismalrisk!Forbidit，miss!WotIsay，for——BIDit!\'ThiswasMr。Cruncher\'sconclusionafteraprotractedbutvainendeavourtofindabetterone。

　　AndstillMadameDefarge，pursuingherwayalongthestreets，camenearerandnearer。

　　`Ifweevergetbacktoournativeland，\'saidMissPross，`youmayrelyuponmytellingMrs。CruncherasmuchasImaybeabletorememberandunderstandofwhatyouhavesoimpressivelysaid；andatalleventsyoumaybesurethatIshallbearwitnesstoyourbeingthoroughlyinearnestatthisdreadfultime。Now，prayletusthink!MyesteemedMr。Cruncher，letusthink!\'

　　Still，MadameDefarge，pursuingherwayalongthestreets，camenearerandnearer。

　　`Ifyouweretogobefore，\'saidMissPross，`andstopthevehicleandhorsesfromcominghere，andweretowaitsomewhereforme；wouldn\'tthatbebest?\'

　　Mr。Cruncherthoughtitmightbebest。

　　`Wherecouldyouwaitforme?\'askedMissPross。

　　Mr。CruncherwassobewilderedthathecouldthinkofnolocalitybutTempleBar。Alas!TempleBarwashundredsofmilesaway，andMadameDefargewasdrawingverynearindeed。

　　`Bythecathedraldoor，\'saidMissPross。`Woulditbemuchoutoftheway，totakemein，nearthegreatcathedraldoorbetweenthetwotowers?\'

　　`No，miss，\'answeredMr。Cruncher。

　　`Then，likethebestofmen，\'saidMissPross，`gototheposting-housestraight，andmakethatchange。\'

　　`Iamdoubtful，\'saidMr。Cruncher，hesitatingandshakinghishead，`aboutleavingofyou，yousee。Wedon\'tknowwhatmayhappen。\'

　　`Heavenknowswedon\'t，\'returnedMissPross，`buthavenofearforme。Takemeinatthecathedral，atThreeo\'clock，orasnearitasyoucan，andIamsureitwillbebetterthanourgoingfromhere。Ifeelcertainofit。There!Blessyou，Mr。Cruncher!Think——notofme，butofthelivesthatmaydependonbothofus!\'

　　Thisexordium，andMissPross\'stwohandsinquiteagonisedentreatyclaspinghis，decidedMr。Cruncher。Withanencouragingnodortwo，heimmediatelywentouttoalterthearrangements，andleftherbyherselftofollowasshehadproposed。

　　Thehavingoriginatedaprecautionwhichwasalreadyincourseofexecution，wasagreatrelieftoMissPross。ThenecessityofComposingherappearancesothatitshouldattractnospecialnoticeinthestreets，wasanotherreliefShelookedatherwatch，anditwastwentyminutespasttwo。Shehadnotimetolose，butmustgetreadyatonce。

　　Afraid，inherextremeperturbation，ofthelonelinessofthedesertedrooms，andofhalf-imaginedfacespeepingfrombehindeveryopendoorinthem，MissProssgotabasinofcoldwaterandbeganlavinghereyes，whichwereswollenandred。Hauntedbyherfeverishapprehensions，shecouldnotbeartohavehersightobscuredforaminuteatatimebythedrippingwater，butconstantlypausedandlookedroundtoseethattherewasnoonewatchingher。Inoneofthosepausessherecoiledandcriedout，forshesawafigurestandingintheroom。

　　Thebasinfelltothegroundbroken，andthewaterflowedtothefeetofMadameDefarge。Bystrangesternways，andthroughmuchstainingblood，thosefeethadcometomeetthatwater。

　　MadameDefargelookedcoldlyather，andsaid，`ThewifeofEvr&eacute；monde；

　　whereisshe?\'

　　ItflasheduponMissPross\'smindthatthedoorswereallstandingopen，andwouldsuggesttheflight。Herfirstactwastoshutthem。Therewerefourintheroom，andsheshutthemall。ShethenplacedherselfbeforethedoorofthechamberwhichLuciehadoccupied。

　　MadameDefarge\'sdarkeyesfollowedherthroughthisrapidmovement，andrestedonherwhenitwasfinished。MissProsshadnothingbeautifulabouther；yearshadnottamedthewildness，orsoftenedthegrimness，ofherappearance；but，shetoowasadeterminedwomaninherdifferentway，andshemeasuredMadameDefargewithhereyes，everyinch。

　　`Youmight，fromyourappearance，bethewifeofLucifer，\'saidMissPross，inherbreathing。`Nevertheless，youshallnotgetthebetterofme。IamanEnglishwoman。