第7章

Possiblyathome,butofacertaintyimpossibleforhand-maidtoanticipateintentionsofMissPross,astoadmissionordenialofthefact.

`AsIamathomemyself,"saidMr.Lorry,`I"llgoup-stairs."

AlthoughtheDoctor"sdaughterhadknownnothingofthecountryofherbirth,sheappearedtohaveinnatelyderivedfromitthatabilitytomakemuchoflittlemeans,whichisoneofitsmostusefulandmostagreeablecharacteristics.Simpleasthefurniturewas,itwassetoffbysomanylittleadornments,ofnovaluebutfortheirtasteandfancy,thatitseffectwasdelightful.Thedispositionofeverythingintherooms,fromthelargestobjecttotheleast;thearrangementofcolours,theelegantvarietyandcontrastobtainedbythriftintrifles,bydelicatehands,cleareyes,andgoodsense;wereatoncesopleasantinthemselves,andsoexpressiveoftheiroriginator,that,asMr.Lorrystoodlookingabouthim,theverychairsandtablesseemedtoaskhim,withsomethingofthatpeculiarexpressionwhichheknewsowellbythistime,whetherheapproved?

Therewerethreeroomsonafloor,and,thedoorsbywhichtheycommunicatedbeingputopenthattheairmightpassfreelythroughthemall,Mr.Lorry,smilinglyobservantofthatfancifulresemblancewhichhedetectedallaroundhim,walkedfromonetoanother.Thefirstwasthebestroom,andinitwereLucie"sbirds,andflowers,andbooks,anddesk,andwork-table,andboxofwater-colours;thesecondwastheDoctor"sconsulting-room,usedalsoasthedining-room;thethird,changinglyspeckledbytherustleoftheplane-treeintheyard,wastheDoctor"sbedroom,andthere,inacorner,stoodthedisusedshoemaker"sbenchandtrayoftools,muchasithadstoodonthefifthfloorofthedismalhousebythewine-shop,inthesuburbofSaintAntoineinParis.

`Iwonder,"saidMr.Lorry,pausinginhislookingabout,`thathekeepsthatreminderofhissufferingsabouthim!"

`Andwhywonderatthat?"wastheabruptinquirythatmadehimstart.

ItproceededfromMissPross,thewildredwoman,strongofhand,whoseacquaintancehehadfirstmadeattheRoyalGeorgeHotelatDover,andhadsinceimproved.

`Ishouldhavethought——`Mr.Lorrybegan.

`Pooh!You"dhavethought!"saidMissPross;andMr.Lorryleftoff.

`Howdoyoudo?"inquiredthatladythen——sharply,andyetasiftoexpressthatsheborehimnomalice.

`Iamprettywell,Ithankyou,"answeredMr.Lorry,withmeekness;`howareyou?"

`Nothingtoboastof,"saidMissPross.

`Indeed?"

`Ah!indeed!"saidMissPross.`IamverymuchputoutaboutmyLadybird."

`Indeed?"

`Forgracioussakesaysomethingelsebesides``indeed,""oryou"llfidgetmetodeath,"saidMissPross:whosecharacter(dissociatedfromstature)wasshortness."

`Really,then?"saidMr.Lorry,asanamendment.

`Really,isbadenough,"returnedMissPross,`butbetter.Yes,Iamverymuchputout."

`MayIaskthecause?"

`Idon"twantdozensofpeoplewhoarenotatallworthyofLadybird,tocomeherelookingafterher,"saidMissPross.

`Dodozenscomeforthatpurpose?"

`Hundreds,"saidMissPross.

Itwascharacteristicofthislady(asofsomeotherpeoplebeforehertimeandsince)thatwheneverheroriginalpro-positionwasquestioned,sheexaggeratedit.

`Dearme!"saidMr.Lorry,asthesafestremarkhecouldthinkof.

`Ihavelivedwiththedarling——orthedarlinghaslivedwithme,andpaidmeforit;whichshecertainlyshouldneverhavedone,youmaytakeyouraffidavit,ifIcouldhaveaffordedtokeepeithermyselforherfornothing——sinceshewastenyearsold.Andit"sreallyveryhard,"saidMissPross.

Notseeingwithprecisionwhatwasveryhard,Mr.Lorryshookhishead;usingthatimportantpartofhimselfasasortoffairycloakthatwouldfitanything.

`Allsortsofpeoplewhoarenotintheleastdegreeworthyofthepet,arealwaysturningup,"saidMissPross.`Whenyoubeganit——"

`Ibeganit,MissPross?"

`Didn"tyou?Whobroughtherfathertolife?"

`Oh!Ifthatwasbeginningit——"saidMr.Lorry.

`Itwasn"tendingit,Isuppose?Isay,whenyoubeganit,itwashardenough;notthatIhaveanyfaulttofindwithDoctorManette,exceptthatheisnotworthyofsuchadaughter,whichisnoimputationonhim,foritwasnottobeexpectedthatanybodyshouldbe,underanycircumstances.Butitreallyisdoublyandtreblyhardtohavecrowdsandmultitudesofpeopleturningupafterhim(Icouldhaveforgivenhim),totakeLadybird"saffectionsawayfromme."

Mr.LorryknewMissProsstobeveryjealous,buthealsoknewherbythistimetobe,beneaththesurfaceofhereccentricity,oneofthoseunselfishcreatures——foundonlyamongwomen——whowill,forpureloveandadmiration,bindthemselveswillingslaves,toyouthwhentheyhavelostit,tobeautythattheyneverhad,toaccomplishmentsthattheywereneverfortunateenoughtogain,tobrighthopesthatnevershoneupontheirownsombrelives.Heknewenoughoftheworldtoknowthatthereisnothinginitbetterthanthefaithfulserviceoftheheart;sorenderedandsofreefromanymercenarytaint,hehadsuchanexaltedrespectforit,thatintheretributivearrangementsmadebyhisownmind——weallmakesucharrangements,moreorless——hestationedMissProssmuchnearertothelowerAngelsthanmanyladiesimmeasurablybettergotupbothbyNatureandArt,whohadbalancesatTellson"s.

`Thereneverwas,norwillbe,butonemanworthyofLady-bird,"saidMissPross;`andthatwasmybrotherSolomon,ifhehadn"tmadeamistakeinlife."

Hereagain:Mr.Lorry"sinquiriesintoMissPross"spersonalhistoryhadestablishedthefactthatherbrotherSolomonwasaheartlessscoundrelwhohadstrippedherofeverythingshepossessed,asastaketospeculatewith,andhadabandonedherinherpovertyforevermore,withnotouchofcompunction.MissPross"sfidelityofbeliefinSolomon(deductingameretrifleforthisslightmistake)wasquiteaseriousmatterwithMr.Lorry,andhaditsweightinhisgoodopinionofher.

`Aswehappentobealoneforthemoment,andarebothpeopleofbusiness,"hesaid,whentheyhadgotbacktothedrawing-roomandhadsatdownthereinfriendlyrelations,`letmeaskyou——doestheDoctor,intalkingwithLucie,neverrefertotheshoemakingtime,yet?"

`Never."

`Andyetkeepsthatbenchandthosetoolsbesidehim?"

`Ah!"returnedMissPross,shakingherhead.`ButIdon"tsayhedon"trefertoitwithinhimself."

`Doyoubelievethathethinksofitmuch?"

`Ido,"saidMissPross.

`Doyouimagine——"Mr.Lorryhadbegun,whenMissProsstookhimupshortwith:

`Neverimagineanything.Havenoimaginationatall."

`Istandcorrected,;doyousuppose——yougosofarastoSuppose,sometimes?

`Nowandthen,"saidMissPross.

`Doyousuppose,"Mr.Lorrywenton,withalaughingtwinkleinhisbrighteye,asitlookedkindlyather,`thatDoctorManettehasanytheoryofhisown,preservedthroughallthoseyears,relativetothecauseofhisbeingsooppressed;perhaps,eventothenameofhisoppressor?"

`Idon"tsupposeanythingaboutitbutwhatLadybirdtellsme."

`Andthatis——?"

`Thatshethinkshehas."

`Nowdon"tbeangryatmyaskingallthesequestions;becauseIamameredullmanofbusiness,andyouareawomanofbusiness."

`Dull?"MissProssinquired,withplacidity.

Ratherwishinghismodestadjectiveaway,Mr.Lorryreplied,`No,no,no.Surelynot.Toreturntobusiness:-IsitnotremarkablethatDoctorManette,unquestionablyinnocentofanycrimeasweareallwellassuredheis,shouldnevertouchuponthatquestion?Iwillnotsaywithme,thoughhehadbusinessrelationswithmemanyyearsago,andwearenowintimate;Iwillsaywiththefairdaughtertowhomheissodevotedlyattached,andwhoissodevotedlyattachedtohim?Believeme,MissPross,Idon"tapproachthetopicwithyou,outofcuriosity,butoutofzealousinterest."

`Well!Tothebestofmyunderstanding,andbad"sthebest,you"lltellme,"saidMissPross,softenedbythetoneoftheapology,`heisafraidofthewholesubject.

`Afraid?"

`It"splainenough,Ishouldthink,whyhemaybe.It"sadreadfulremembrance.Besidesthat,hislossofhimselfgrewoutofit.Notknowinghowhelosthimself,orhowhere-coveredhimself,hemayneverfeelcertainofnotlosinghimselfagain.Thatalonewouldn"tmakethesubjectpleasant,Ishouldthink."

ItwasaprofounderremarkthanMr.Lorryhadlookedfor.`True,"saidhe,`andfearfultoreflectupon.Yet,adoubtlurksinmymind,MissPross,whetheritisgoodforDoctorManettetohavethatsuppressionalwaysshutupwithinhim.Indeed,itisthisdoubtandtheuneasinessitsometimescausesmethathasledmetoourpresentconfidence."

`Can"tbehelped,"saidMissPross,shakingherhead.`Touchthatstring,andheinstantlychangesfortheworse.Betterleaveitalone.Inshort,mustleaveitalone,likeornolike.Sometimes,liegetsupinthedeadofthenight,andwillbeheard,byusoverheadthere,walkingupanddown,walkingupanddown,inhisroom.Ladybirdhaslearnttoknowthenthathismindiswalkingupanddown,walkingupanddown,inhisoldprison.Shehurriestohim,andtheygoontogether,walkingupanddown,walkingupanddown,untilheiscomposed.Butheneversaysawordofthetruereasonofhisrestlessness,toher,andshefindsitbestnottohintatittohim.Insilencetheygowalkingupanddowntogether,walkingupanddowntogether,tillherloveandcompanyhavebroughthimtohimself."

NotwithstandingMissPross"sdenialofherownimagination,therewasaperceptionofthepainofbeingmonotonouslyhauntedbyonesadidea,inherrepetitionofthephrase,walkingupanddown,whichtestifiedtoherpossessingsuchathing.

Thecornerhasbeenmentionedasawonderfulcornerforechoes;ithadbeguntoechosoresoundinglytothetreadofcomingfeet,thatitseemedasthoughtheverymentionofthatwearypacingtoandfrohadsetitgoing.

`Heretheyare!"saidMissPross,risingtobreakuptheconference;`andnowweshallhavehundredsofpeopleprettysoon!"

Itwassuchacuriouscomerinitsacousticalproperties,suchapeculiarEarofaplace,thatasMr.Lorrystoodattheopenwindow,lookingforthefatheranddaughterwhosestepsheheard,hefanciedtheywouldneverapproach.Notonlywouldtheechoesdieaway,asthoughthestepshadgone;but,echoesofotherstepsthatnevercamewouldbeheardintheirstead,andwoulddieawayforgoodwhentheyseemedcloseathand.However,fatheranddaughterdidatlastappear,andMissProsswasreadyatthestreetdoortoreceivethem.

MissProsswasapleasantsight,albeitwild,andred,andgrim,takingoffherdarling"sbonnetwhenshecameup-stairs,andtouchingitupwiththeendsofherhandkerchief,andblowingthedustoffit,andfoldinghermantlereadyforlayingby,andsmoothingherrichhairwithasmuchprideasshecouldpossiblyhavetakeninherownhairifshehadbeenthevainestandhandsomestofwomen.Herdarlingwasapleasantsighttoo,embracingherandthankingher,andprotestingagainsthertakingsomuchtroubleforher——whichlastsheonlydaredtodoplayfully,orMissPross,sorelyhurt,wouldhaveretiredtoherownchamberandcried.TheDoctorwasapleasantsighttoo,lookingonatthem,andtellingMissProsshowshespoiltLucie,inaccentsandwitheyesthathadasmuchspoilinginthemasMissProsshad,andwouldhavehadmoreifitwerepossible.Mr.Lorrywasapleasantsighttoo,beamingatallthisinhislittlewig,andthankinghisbachelorstarsforhavinglightedhiminhisdecliningyearstoaHome.But,noHundredsofpeoplecametoseethesights,andMr.LorrylookedinvainforthefulfilmentofMissPross"sprediction.

Dinner-time,andstillnoHundredsofpeople.Inthearrangementsofthelittlehousehold,MissProsstookchargeofthelowerregions,andalwaysacquittedherselfmarvellously.Herdinners,ofaverymodestquality,weresowellcookedandsowellserved,andsoneatintheircontrivances,halfEnglishandhalfFrench,thatnothingcouldbebetter.MissPross"sfriendshipbeingofthethoroughlypracticalkind,shehadravagedSohoandtheadjacentprovinces,insearchofimpoverishedFrench,who,temptedbyshillingsandhalf-crowns,wouldimpartculinarymysteriestoher.FromthesedecayedsonsanddaughtersofGaul,shehadacquiredsuchwonderfularts,thatthewomanandgirlwhoformedthestaffofdomesticsregardedherasquiteaSorceress,orCinderella"sGodmother:whowouldsendoutforafowl,arabbit,avegetableortwofromthegarden,andchangethemintoany-thingshepleased.

OnSundays,MissProssdinedattheDoctor"stable,butonotherdayspersistedintakinghermealsatunknownperiods,eitherinthelowerregions,orinherownroomonthesecondfloor——abluechamber,towhichnoonebutherLadybirdevergainedadmittance.Onthisoccasion,MissPross,respondingtoLadybird"spleasantfaceandpleasanteffortstopleaseher,unbentexceedingly;sothedinnerwasverypleasant,too.

Itwasanoppressiveday,and,afterdinner,Lucieproposedthatthewineshouldbecarriedoutundertheplane-tree,andtheyshouldsitthereintheair.Aseverythingturneduponher,andrevolvedabouther,theywentoutundertheplane-tree,andshecarriedthewinedownforthespecialbenefitofMr.Lorry.Shehadinstalledherself,sometimebefore,asMr.Lorry"scup-bearer;andwhiletheysatundertheplane-tree,talking,shekepthisglassreplenished.Mysteriousbacksandendsofhousespeepedatthemastheytalked,andtheplane-treewhisperedtotheminitsownwayabovetheirheads.

Still,theHundredsofpeopledidnotpresentthemselves.Mr.Darnaypresentedhimselfwhiletheyweresittingundertheplane-tree,buthewasonlyOne.

DoctorManettereceivedhimkindly,andsodidLucie.But,MissProsssuddenlybecameafflictedwithatwitchingintheheadandbody,andretiredintothehouse.Shewasnotunfrequentlythevictimofthisdisorder,andshecalledit,infamiliarconversation,`afitofthejerks."

TheDoctorwasinhisbestcondition,andlookedspeciallyyoung.TheresemblancebetweenhimandLuciewasverystrongatsuchtimes,andastheysatsidebyside,sheleaningonhisshoulder,andherestinghisarmonthebackofherchair,itwasveryagreeabletotracethelikeness.

Hehadbeentalkingallday,onmanysubjects,andwithunusualvivacity.`Pray,DoctorManette,"saidMr.Darnay,astheysatundertheplane-tree——andhesaiditinthenaturalpursuitofthetopicinhand,whichhappenedtobetheoldbuildingsofLondon-haveyouseenmuchoftheTower?"

`LucieandIhavebeenthere;butonlycasually.Wehaveseenenoughofit,toknowthatitteemswithinterest;littlemore."

`Ihavebeenthere,asyouremember,"saidDarnay,withasmile,thoughreddeningalittleangrily,`inanothercharacter,andnotinacharacterthatgivesfacilitiesforseeing,muchofit.TheytoldmeacuriousthingwhenIwasthere.

`Whatwasthat?"Lucieasked.

`Inmakingsomealterations,theworkmencameuponanolddungeon,whichhadbeen,formanyyears,builtupandforgotten.Everystoneofitsinnerwallwascoveredbyinscriptionswhichhadbeencarvedbyprisoners——dates,names,complaints,andprayers.Uponacornerstoneinanangleofthewall,oneprisoner,whoseemedtohavegonetoexecution,hadcutashislastwork,threeletters.Theyweredonewithsomeverypoorinstrument,andhurriedly,withanunsteadyhand.Atfirst,theywerereadasD.I.C.;but,onbeingmorecarefullyexamined,thelastletterwasfoundtobeG.Therewasnorecordorlegendofanyprisonerwiththoseinitials,andmanyfruitlessguessesweremadewhatthenamecouldhavebeen.Atlength,itwassuggestedthattheletterswerenotinitials,butthecompleteword,DIG.Thefloorwasexaminedverycarefullyundertheinscription,and,intheearthbeneathastone,ortile,orsomefragmentofpaving,werefoundtheashesofapaper,mingledwiththeashesofasmallleatherncaseorbag.Whattheunknownprisonerhadwrittenwillneverberead,buthehadwrittensomething,andhiddenitawaytokeepitfromthegaoler."

`Myfather,"exclaimedLucie,`youareill!"

Hehadsuddenlystartedup,withhishandtohishead.Hismannerandhislookquiteterrifiedthemall.

`No,mydear,notill.Therearelargedropsofrainfalling,andtheymademestart.Wehadbettergoin."

Herecoveredhimselfalmostinstantly.Rainwasreallyfallinginlargedrops,andheshowedthebackofhishandwithrain-dropsonit.But,hesaidnotasinglewordinreferencetothediscoverythathadbeentoldof,and,astheywentintothehouse,thebusinesseyeofMr.Lorryeitherdetected,orfancieditdetected,onhisface,asitturnedtowardsCharlesDarnay,thesamesingularlookthathadbeenuponitwhenitturnedtowardshiminthepassagesoftheCourtHouse.

Herecoveredhimselfsoquickly,however,thatMr.Lorryhaddoubtsofhisbusinesseye.Thearmofthegoldengiantinthehallwasnotmoresteadythanhewas,whenhestoppedunderittoremarktothemthathewasnotyetproofagainstslightsurprises(ifheeverwouldbe),andthattherainhadstartledhim.

Tea-time,andMissProssmakingtea,withanotherfitofthejerksuponher,andyetnoHundredsofpeople.Mr.Gartonhadloungedin,buthemadeonlyTwo.

Thenightwassoverysultry,thatalthoughtheysatwithdoorsandwindowsopen,theywereoverpoweredbyheat.Whenthetea-tablewasdonewith,theyallmovedtooneofthewindows,andlookedoutintotheheavytwilight.Luciesatbyherfather;Darnaysatbesideher;Cartonleanedagainstawindow.Thecurtainswerelongandwhite,andsomeofthethunder-guststhatwhirledintothecorner,caughtthemuptotheceiling,andwavedthemlikespectralwings.

`Therain-dropsarestillfalling,large,heavy,andfew,"saidDoctorManette.`Itcomesslowly.

`Itcomessurely,"saidCarton.

Theyspokelow,aspeoplewatchingandwaitingmostlydo;aspeopleinadarkroom,watchingandwaitingforLightning,alwaysdo.

Therewasagreathurryinthestreets,ofpeoplespeedingawaytogetshelterbeforethestormbroke;thewonderfulcornerforechoesresoundedwiththeechoesoffootstepscomingandgoing,yetnotafootstepwasthere.

`Amultitudeofpeople,andyetasolitude!"saidDarnay,whentheyhadlistenedforawhile.

`Isitnotimpressive,Mr.Darnay?"askedLucie.`Sometimes,Ihavesathereofanevening,untilIhavefancied——buteventheshadeofafoolishfancymakesmeshudderto-night,whenallissoblackandsolemn——"

`Letusshuddertoo.Wemayknowwhatitis."

`Itwillseemnothingtoyou.Suchwhimsareonlyimpressiveasweoriginatethem,Ithink;theyarenottobecommunicated.Ihavesometimessatalonehereofanevening,listening,untilIhavemadetheechoesouttobetheechoesofallthefootstepsthatarecomingby-and-byintoourlives."

`Thereisagreatcrowdcomingonedayintoourlives,ifthatbeso,"SydneyCartonstruckin,inhismoodyway.

Thefootstepswereincessant,andthehurryofthembecamemoreandmorerapid.Thecornerechoedandre-echoedwiththetreadoffeet;some,asitseemed,underthewindows;some,asitseemed,intheroom;somecoming,somegoing,somebreakingoff,somestoppingaltogether;allinthedistantstreets,andnotonewithinsight.

`Areallthesefootstepsdestinedtocometoallofus,MissManette,orarewetodividethemamongus?"

`Idon"tknow,Mr.Darnay;Itoldyouitwasafoolishfancy,butyouaskedforit.WhenIhaveyieldedmyselftoit,Ihavebeenalone,andthenIhaveimaginedthemthefoot-stepsthepeoplewhoaretocomeintomylife,andmyfather"s."

`Itakethemintomine!"saidCarton.`Iasknoquestionsandmakenostipulations.Thereisagreatcrowdbearingdownuponus,MissManette,andIseethem——bytheLightning."Headdedthelastwords,aftertherehadbeenavividflashwhichhadshownhimlounginginthewindow.

`AndIhearthem."headdedagain,afterapealofthunder.

`Heretheycome,fast,fierce,andfurious."

Itwastherushandroarofrainthathetypified,anditstoppedhim,fornovoicecouldbeheardinit.Amemorablestormofthunderandlightningbrokewiththatsweepofwater,andtherewasnotamoment"sintervalincrash,andWe,andrain,untilafterthemoonroseatmidnight.

ThegreatbellofSaintPaul"swasstrikingOneintheclearedair,whenMr.Lorry,escortedbyJerry,high-booted.andbearingalantern,setforthonhisreturn-passagetoClerkenwell.ThereweresolitarypatchesofroadonthewaybetweenSohoandClerkenwell,andMr.Lorry,mindfuloffootpads,alwaysretainedJerryforthisservice:thoughitwasusuallyperformedagoodtwohoursearlier.

`Whatanightithasbeen!Almostanight,`Jerry,"saidMr.Lorry,`tobringthedeadoutoftheirgraves.

`Ineverseethenightmyself,master——noryetIdon"texpectto——whatwoulddothat,"answeredJerry.

`Good-night,Mr.Carton,"saidthemanofbusiness.`Good-night,Mr.Darnay.Shallweeverseesuchanightagain,together!"

Perhaps.Perhaps,seethegreatcrowdofpeoplewithitsrushandroar,bearingdownuponthem,too.

CHAPTERVII

MonseigneurinTown

MONSEIGNEUR,oneofthegreatlordsinpowerattheCourt,heldhisfortnightlyreceptioninhisgrandhotelinParis.Monseigneurwasinhisinnerroom,hissanctuaryofsanctuaries,theHoliestofHolieststothecrowdofworshippersinthesuiteofroomswithout.Monseigneurwasabouttotakehischocolate.Monseigneurcouldswallowagreatmanythingswithease,andwasbysomefewsullenmindssupposedtoberatherrapidlyswallowingFrance;but,hismorning"schocolatecouldnotsomuchasgetintothethroatofMonseigneur,withouttheaidoffourstrongmenbesidestheCook.

Yes.Ittookfourmen,allfoura-blazewithgorgeousdecoration,andtheChiefofthemunabletoexistwithfewerthantwogoldwatchesinhispocket,emulativeofthenobleandchastefashionsetbyMonseigneur,toconductthehappychocolatetoMonseigneur"slips.Onelacqueycarriedthechocolate-potintothesacredpresence;asecond,milledandfrothedthechocolatewiththelittleinstrumentheboreforthatfunction;athird,presentedthefavourednapkin;afourth(heofthetwooldwatches),pouredthechocolateout.ItwasimpossibleMonseigneurtodispensewithoneoftheseattendantsonthechocolateandholdhishighplaceundertheadmiringHeavens.Deepwouldhavebeentheblotuponhisescutcheonifhischocolatehadbeenignoblywaitedonbyonlythreemen;hemusthavediedoftwo.

Monseigneurhadbeenoutatalittlesupperlastnight,wheretheComedyandtheGrandOperawerecharminglyrepresented.Monseigneurwasoutatalittlesuppermostnights,withfascinatingcompany.SopoliteandsoimpressiblewasMonseigneur,thattheComedyandtheGrandOperahadfarmoreinfluencewithhiminthetiresomearticlesofstateaffairsandstatesecrets,thantheneedsofallFrance.AhappycircumstanceforFrance,asthelikealwaysisforallcountriessimilarlyfavoured!——alwayswasforEngland(bywayofexample),intheregretteddaysofthemerryStuartwhosoldit.

Monseigneurhadonetrulynobleideaofgeneralpublicbusiness,whichwas,toleteverythinggooninitsownway;ofparticularpublicbusiness,Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleideathatitmustallgohisway——tendtohisownpowerandpocket.Ofhispleasures,generalandparticular,Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleidea,thattheworldwasmadeforthem.Thetextofhisorder(alteredfromtheoriginalbyonlyapronoun,whichisnotmuch)`ran:`Theearthandthefulnessthereofaremine,saithMonseigneur."

Yet,Monseigneurhadslowlyfoundthatvulgarembarrassmentscreptintohisaffairs,bothprivateandpublic;andhehad,astobothclassesofaffairs,alliedhimselfperforcewithaFarmer-General.Astofinancespublic,becauseMonseigneurcouldnotmakeanythingatallofthem,andmustconsequentlyletthemouttosomebodywhocould;astofinancesprivate,becauseFarmer-Generalswererich,andMonseigneur,aftergenerationsofgreatluxuryandexpense,wasgrowingpoor.HenceMonseigneurhadtakenhissisterfromaconvent,whiletherewasyettimetowardofftheimpendingveil,thecheapestgarmentshecouldwear,andhadbestowedherasaprizeuponaveryrichFarmer-General,poorinfamily.WhichFarmer-General,carryinganappropriatecanewithagoldenappleonthetopofit,wasnowamongthecompanyintheouterrooms,muchprostratedbeforebymankind——alwaysexceptingsuperiormankindofthebloodofMonseigneur,who,hisownwifeincluded,lookeddownuponhimwiththeloftiestcontempt.

AsumptuousmanwastheFarmer-General.Thirtyhorsesstoodinhisstables,twenty-fourmaledomesticssatinhishalls,sixbody-womenwaitedonhiswife.Asonewhopre-tendedtodonothingbutplunderandforagewherehecould,theFarmer-General——howsoeverhismatrimonialrelationsconducedtosocialmorality——wasatleastthegreatestrealityamongthepersonageswhoattendedatthehotelofMonseigneurthatday.

For,therooms,thoughabeautifulscenetolookat,andadornedwitheverydeviceofdecorationthatthetasteandskillofthetimecouldachieve,were,intruth,notasoundbusiness;consideredwithanyreferencetothescarecrowsintheragsandnightcapselsewhere(andnotsofaroff,either,butthatthewatchingtowersofNotreDame,almostequidistantfromthetwoextremes,couldseethemboth),theywouldhavebeenanexceedinglyuncomfortablebusiness——ifthatcouldhavebeenanybody"sbusiness,atthehouseofMonseigneur.Militaryofficersdestituteofmilitaryknowledge;navalofficerswithnoideaofaship;civilofficerswithoutanotionofaffairs;brazenecclesiastics,oftheworstworldworldly,withsensualeyes,loosetongues,andlooserlives;alltotallyunfitfortheirseveralcallings,alllyinghorriblyinpretendingtobelongtothem,butallnearlyorremotelyoftheorderofMonseigneur,andthereforefoistedonallpublicemploymentsfromwhichanythingwastobegot;theseweretobetoldoffbythescoreandthescore.PeoplenotimmediatelyconnectedwithMonseigneurortheState,yetequallyunconnectedwithanythingthatwasreal,orwithlivespassedintravellingbyanystraightroadtoanytrueearthlyend,werenolessabundant.Doctorswhomadegreatfortunesoutofdaintyremediesforimaginarydisordersthatneverexisted,smiledupontheircourtlypatientsintheante-chambersofMonseigneur.ProjectorswhohaddiscoveredeverykindofremedyforthelittleevilswithwhichtheStatewastouched,excepttheremedyofsettingtoworkinearnesttorootoutasinglesin,pouredtheirdistractingbabbleintoanyearstheycouldlayholdof,atthereceptionofMonseigneur.UnbelievingPhilosopherswhowereremodellingtheworldwithwords,andmakingcard-towersofBabeltoscaletheskieswith,talkedwithunbelievingChemistswhohadaneyeonthetransmutationofmetals,atthiswonderfulgatheringaccumulatedbyMonseigneur.Exquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreeding,whichwasatthatremarkabletime-andhasbeensince——tobeknownbyitsfruitsofindifferencetoeverynaturalsubjectofhumaninterest,wereinthemostexemplarystateofexhaustion,atthehotelofMonseigneur.SuchhomeshadthesevariousnotabilitiesleftbehindtheminthefineworldofParis,thatthespiesamongtheassembleddevoteesofMonseigneur——formingagoodlyhalfofthepolitecompany——wouldhavefoundithardtodiscoveramongtheangelsofthatsphereonesolitarywife,who,inhermannersandappearance,ownedtobeingaMother.Indeed,exceptforthemereactofbringingatroublesomecreatureintothisworld——whichdoesnotgofartowardstherealisationofthenameofmother——therewasnosuchthingknowntothefashion.Peasantwomenkepttheunfashionablebabiesclose,andbroughtthemup,andcharminggrandmammasofsixtydressedandsuppedasattwenty.

TheleprosyofunrealitydisfiguredeveryhumancreatureinattendanceuponMonseigneur.Intheoutermostroomwerehalfadozenexceptionalpeoplewhohadhad,forafewyears,somevaguemisgivinginthemthatthingsingeneralweregoingratherwrong.Asapromisingwayofsettingthemright,halfofthehalf-dozenhadbecomemembersofafantasticsectofConvulsionists,andwereeventhenconsideringwithinthemselveswhethertheyshouldfoam,rage,roar,andturncatalepticonthespot——therebysettingupahighlyintelligiblefinger-posttotheFuture,forMonseigneur"sguidance.BesidestheseDervishes,wereotherthreewhohadrushedintoanothersect,whichmendedmatterswithajargonabout`theCentreofTruth"holdingthatManhadgotoutoftheCentreofTruth——whichdidnotneedmuchdemonstrationbuthadnotgotoutoftheCircumference,andthathewastobekeptfromflyingoutoftheCircumference,andwaseventobeshovedbackintotheCentre,byfastingandseeingofspirits.Amongthese,accordingly,muchdiscoursingwithspiritswenton——anditdidaworldofgoodwhichneverbecamemanifest.

But,thecomfortwas,thatallthecompanyatthegrandhotelofMonseigneurwereperfectlydressed.IftheDayofJudgmenthadonlybeenascertainedtobeadressday,everybodytherewouldhavebeeneternallycorrect.Suchfrizzlingandpowderingandstickingupofhair,suchdelicatecomplexionsartificiallypreservedandmended,suchgallantswordstolookat,andsuchdelicatehonourtothesenseofsmell,wouldsurelykeepanythinggoing,foreverandever.Theexquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreedingworelittlependenttrinketsthatchinkedastheylanguidlymoved;thesegoldenfettersranglikepreciouslittlebells;andwhatwiththatringing,andwiththerustleofsilkandbrocadeandfinelinen,therewasaflutterintheairthatfannedSaintAntoineandhisdevouringhungerfaraway.

Dresswastheoneunfailingtalismanandcharmusedforkeepingallthingsintheirplaces.EverybodywasdressedforaFancyBallthatwasnevertoleaveoff.FromthePalaceoftheTuileries,throughMonseigneurandthewholeCourt,throughtheChambers,theTribunalsofJustice,andallsociety(exceptthescarecrows),theFancyBalldescendedtothecommonExecutioner:who,inpursuanceofthecharm,wasrequiredtoofficiate`frizzled,powdered,inagold-lacedcoat,pumps,andwhitesilkstockings."Atthegallowsandthewheel——theaxewasararity——MonsieurParis,asitwastheepiscopalmodeamonghisbrotherProfessorsoftheprovinces,MonsieurOrleans,andtherest,tocallhim,presidedinthisdaintydress.AndwhoamongthecompanyatMonseigneur"sreceptioninthatseventeenhundredandeightiethyearofourLord,couldpossiblydoubt,thatasystemrootedinafrizzledhangman,powdered,gold-laced,pumped,andwhite-silkstockinged,wouldseetheverystarsout!

Monseigneurhavingeasedhisfourmenoftheirburdensandtakenhischocolate,causedthedoorsoftheHoliestofHolieststobethrownopen,andissuedforth.Then,whatsubmission,whatcringingandfawning,whatservility,whatabjecthumiliation!Astobowingdowninbodyandspirit,nothinginthatwaywasleftforHeaven——whichmayhavebeenoneamongotherreasonswhytheworshippersofMonseigneurnevertroubledit.

Bestowingawordofpromisehereandasmilethere,awhisperononehappyslaveandawaveofthehandonanother,MonseigneuraffablypassedthroughhisroomstotheremoteregionoftheCircumferenceofTruth.There,Monseigneurturned,andcamebackagain,andsoinduecourseoftimegothimselfshutupinhissanctuarybythechocolatesprites,andwasseennomore.

Theshowbeingover,theflutterintheairbecamequitealittlestorm,andthepreciouslittlebellswentringingdown-stairs.Therewassoonbutonepersonleftofallthecrowd,andhe,withhishatunderhisarmandhissnuff-boxinhishand,slowlypassedamongthemirrorsonhiswayout.

`Idevoteyou,"saidthisperson,stoppingatthelastdooronhisway,andturninginthedirectionofthesanctuary,`totheDevil!"

Withthat,heshookthesnufffromhisfingersasifhehadshakenthedustfromhisfeet,andquietlywalkeddownstairs.

Hewasamanofaboutsixty,handsomelydressed,haughtyinmanner,andwithafacelikeafinemask.Afaceofatransparentpaleness;everyfeatureinitclearlydefined;onesetexpressiononit.Thenose:beautifullyformedotherwise,wasveryslightlypinchedatthetopofeachnostril.Inthosetwocompressions,ordints,theonlylittlechangethatthefaceevershowed,resided.Theypersistedinchangingcolourcome-times,andtheywouldbeoccasionallydilatedandcontractedbysomethinglikeafaintpulsation;then,theygavealookoftreachery,andcruelty,tothewholecountenance.Examinedwithattention,itscapacityofhelpingsuchalookwastobefoundinthelineofthemouth,andthelinesoftheorbitsoftheeyes,beingmuchtoohorizontalandthin;still,intheeffectthefacemade,itwasahandsomeface,andaremarkableone.

Itsownerwentdownstairsintothecourt-yard,gotintohiscarriage,anddroveaway.Notmanypeoplehadtalkedwithhimatthereception;hehadstoodinalittlespaceapart,andMonseigneurmighthavebeenwarmerinhismanner.Itappeared,underthecircumstances,ratheragreeabletohimtoseethecommonpeopledispersedbeforehishorses,andoftenbarelyescapingfrombeingrundown.Hismandroveasifhewerecharginganenemy,andthefuriousrecklessnessofthemanbroughtnocheckintotheface,ortothelips,ofthemaster.Thecomplainthadsometimesmadeitselfaudible,eveninthatdeafcityanddumbage,that,inthenarrowstreetswithoutfootways,thefiercepatriciancustomofharddrivingendangeredandmaimedthemerevulgarinabarbarousmanner.But,fewcaredenoughforthattothinkofitasecondtime,and,inthismatter,asinallothers,thecommonwretcheswerelefttogetoutoftheirdifficultiesastheycould.

Withawildrattleandclatter,andaninhumanabandonmentofconsiderationnoteasytobeunderstoodinthesedays,thecarriagedashedthroughstreetsandsweptroundcorners,withwomenscreamingbeforeit,andmenclutchingeachotherandclutchingchildrenoutofitsway.Atlast,swoopingatastreetcornerbyafountain,oneofitswheelscametoasickeninglittlejolt,andtherewasaloudcryfromanumberofvoices,andthehorsesrearedandplunged.

Butforthelatterinconvenience,thecarriageprobablywouldnothavestopped;carriageswereoftenknowntodriveon,andleavetheirwoundedbehind,andwhynot?Butthefrightenedvalethadgotdowninahurry,andthereweretwentyhandsatthehorses"bridles.

`Whathasgonewrong?"saidMonsieur,calmlylookingout.

Atallmaninanightcaphadcaughtupabundlefromamongthefeetofthehorses,andhadlaiditonthebasementofthefountain,andwasdowninthemudandwet,howlingoveritlikeawildanimal.

`Pardon,MonsieurtheMarquis!"saidaraggedandsubmissiveman,`itisachild."

`Whydoeshemakethatabominablenoise?Isithischild?"

`Excuseme,MonsieurtheMarquis——itisapity——yes."

Thefountainwasalittleremoved;forthestreetopened,whereitwas,intoaspacesometenortwelveyardssquare.Asthetallmansuddenlygotupfromtheground,andcamerunningatthecarriage,MonsieurtheMarquisclappedhishandforaninstantonhissword-hilt."

`Killed!"shriekedtheman,inwilddesperation,extendingbotharmsattheirlengthabovehishead,andstaringathim.`Dead!"

Thepeopleclosedround,andlookedatMonsieurtheMarquis.Therewasnothingrevealedbythemanyeyesthatlookedathimbutwatchfulnessandeagerness;therewasnovisiblemenacingoranger.Neitherdidthepeoplesayanything;afterthefirstcry,theyhadbeensilent,andtheyremainedso.Thevoiceofthesubmissivemanwhohadspoken,wasflatandtameinitsextremesubmission.MonsieurtheMarquisranhiseyesoverthemall,asiftheyhadbeenmereratscomeoutoftheirholes.

Hetookouthispurse.

`Itisextraordinarytome,"saidhe,`thatyoupeoplecannottakecareofyourselvesandyourchildren.Oneortheotherofyouisforeverintheway.HowdoIknowwhatinjuryyouhavedonemyhorses?See!Givehimthat."

Hethrewoutagoldcoinforthevalettopickup,andalltheheadscranedforwardthatalltheeyesmightlookdownatitasitfell.Thetallmancalledoutagainwithamostunearthlycry,`Dead!"

Hewasarrestedbythequickarrivalofanotherman,forwhomtherestmadeway.Onseeinghim,themiserablecreaturefelluponhisshoulder,sobbingandcrying,andpointingtothefountain,wheresomewomenwerestoopingoverthemotionlessbundle,andmovinggentlyaboutit.Theywereassilent,however,asthemen.

`Iknowall,Iknowall,"saidthelastcomer.`Beabraveman,myGaspard!Itisbetterforthepoorlittleplaythingtodieso,thantolive.Ithasdiedinamomentwithoutpain.Couldithavelivedanhourashappily?"

`Youareaphilosopher,youthere,"saidtheMarquis,smiling.`Howdotheycallyou?"

`TheycallmeDefarge."

`Ofwhattrade?"

`MonsieurtheMarquis,vendorofwine."

`Pickupthat,philosopherandvendorofwine,"saidtheMarquis,throwinghimanothergoldcoin,`andspenditasyouwill.Thehorsesthere;aretheyright?

Withoutdeigningtolookattheassemblageasecondtime,MonsieurtheMarquisleanedbackinhisseat,andwasjustbeingdrivenawaywiththeairofagentlemanwhohadaccidentallybrokensomecommonthing,andhadpaidforit,andcouldaffordtopayforit;whenhiseasewassuddenlydisturbedbyacoinflyingintohiscarriage,andringingonitsfloor.

`Hold!"saidMonsieurtheMarquis.`Holdthehorses!Whothrewthat?"

HelookedtothespotwhereDefargethevendorofwinehadstood,amomentbefore;butthewretchedfatherwasgrovellingonhisfaceonthepavementinthatspot,andthefigurethatstoodbesidehimwasthefigureofadarkstoutwoman,knitting.

`Youdogs!"saidtheMarquis,butsmoothly,andwithanunchangedfront,exceptastothespotsonhisnose:`Iwouldrideoveranyofyouverywillingly,andexterminateyoufromtheearth.IfIknewwhichrascalthrewatthecarriage,andifthatbrigandweresufficientlynearit,heshouldbecrushedunderthewheels."

Socowedwastheircondition,andsolongandhardtheirexperienceofwhatsuchamancoulddotothem,withinthelawandbeyondit,thatnotavoice,orahand,orevenaneyewasraised.Amongthemen,notone.Butthewomanwhostoodknittinglookedupsteadily,andlookedtheMarquisintheface.Itwasnotforhisdignitytonoticeit;hiscontemptuouseyespassedoverher,andoveralltheotherrats;andheleanedbackinhisseatagain,andgavetheword`Goon!"

Hewasdrivenon,andothercarriagescamewhirlingbyinquicksuccession;theMinister,theState-Projector,theFarmer-General,theDoctor,theLawyer,theEcclesiastic,theGrandOpera,theComedy,thewholeFancyBallinabrightcontinuousflow,camewhirlingby.Theratshadcreptoutoftheirholestolookon,andtheyremainedlookingonforhours;soldiersandpoliceoftenpassingbetweenthemandthespectacle,andmakingabarrierbehindwhichtheyslunk,andthroughwhichtheypeeped.Thefatherhadlongagotakenuphisbundleandhiddenhimselfawaywithit,whenthewomenwhohadtendedthebundlewhileitlayonthebaseofthefountain,sattherewatchingtherunningofthewaterandtherollingoftheFancyBall——whentheonewomanwhohadstoodconspicuous,knitting,stillknittedonwiththesteadfastnessofFate.Thewaterofthefountainran,theswiftriverran,thedayranintoevening,somuchlifeinthecityranintodeathaccordingtorule,timeandtidewaitedfornoman,theratsweresleepingclosetogetherintheirdarkholesagain,theFancyBallwaslightedupatsupper,allthingsrantheircourse.

CHAPTERVIII

MonseigneurintheCountry

ABEAUTIFULlandscape,withthecornbrightinit,butnotabundant.Patchesofpoorryewherecornshouldhavebeen,patchesofpoorpeasandbeans,patchesofmostcoarsevegetablesubstitutesforwheat.Oninanimatenature,asonthemenandwomenwhocultivatedit,aprevalenttendencytowardsanappearanceofvegetatingunwillingly——dejecteddispositiontogiveup,andwitheraway.

MonsieurtheMarquisinhistravellingcarriage(whichmighthavebeenlighter),conductedbyfourpost-horsesandtwopostilions,faggedupasteephill.AblushonthecountenanceofMonsieurtheMarquiswasnoimpeachmentofhishighbreeding;itwasnotfromwithin;itwasoccasionedbyanexternalcircumstancebeyondhiscontrol——thesettingsungiveup,andwitherawaygiveup,andwitheraway.

Thesunsetstrucksobrilliantlyintothetravellingcarriagewhenitgainedthehill-top,thatitsoccupantwassteepedincrimson.`Itwilldieout,"saidMonsieurtheMarquis,glancingathishands,`directly."

Ineffect,thesunwassolowthatitdippedatthemoment.Whentheheavydraghadbeenadjustedtothewheel,andthecarriagesliddownhill,withacinderoussmell,inacloudofdust,theredglowdepartedquickly;thesunandtheMarquisgoingdowntogether,therewasnoglowleftwhenthedragwastakenoff.

But,thereremainedabrokencountry,boldandopen,alittlevillageatthebottomofthehill,abroadsweepandrisebeyondit,achurch-tower,awindmill,aforestforthechase,andacragwithafortressonitusedasaprison.Rounduponallthesedarkeningobjectsasthenightdrewon,theMarquislooked,withtheairofonewhowascomingnearhome.

Thevillagehaditsonepoorstreet,withitspoorbrewery,poortannery,poortavern,poorstable-yardforrelayofpost+horses,poorfountain,allusualpoorappointments.Ithaditspoorpeopletoo.Allitspeoplewerepoor,andmanyofthemweresittingattheirdoors,shreddingspareonionsandthelikeforsupper,whilemanywereatthefountain,washingleaves,andgrasses,andanysuchsmallyieldingsoftheearththatcouldbeeaten.Expressivesignsofwhatmadethempoor,werenotwanting;thetaxforthestate,thetaxforthechurch,thetaxforthelord,taxlocalandtaxgeneral,weretobepaidhereandtobepaidthere,accordingtosolemninscriptioninthelittlevillage,untilthewonderwas,thattherewasanyvillageleftunswallowed.

Fewchildrenweretobeseen,andnodogs.Astothemenandwomen,theirchoiceonearthwasstatedintheprospect——Lifeonthelowesttermsthatcouldsustainit,downinthelittlevillageunderdiemill;orcaptivityandDeathinthedominantprisononthecrag.

Heraldedbyacourierinadvance,andbythecrackingofhispostilions"whips,whichtwinedsnake-likeabouttheirheadsintheeveningair,asifhecameattendedbytheFuries,MonsieurtheMarquisdrewupinhistravellingcarriageattheposting-housegate.Itwashardbythefountain,andthepeasantssuspendedtheiroperationstolookathim.Helookedatthem,andsawinthem,withoutknowingit,theslowsurefilingdownofmisery-wornfaceandfigure,thatwastomakethemeagernessofFrenchmenanEnglishsuperstitionwhichshouldsurvivethetruththroughthebestpartofahundredyears.

MonsieurtheMarquiscasthiseyesoverthesubmissivefacesthatdroopedbeforehim,asthelikeofhimselfhaddroopedbeforeMonseigneuroftheCourt——onlythedifferencewas,thatthesefacesdroopedmerelytosufferandnottopropitiate——whenagrizzledmenderoftheroadsjoinedthegroup.

`Bringmehitherthatfellow!"saidtheMarquistothecourier.

Thefellowwasbrought,capinhand,andtheotherfellowsclosedroundtolookandlisten,inthemannerofthepeopleattheParisfountain.