第14章

`Hereheis,"saidtheDoctor,enteringthedarkroomatthemoment.

`Iamquitegladyouareathome;forthesehurriesandforebodingsbywhichIhavebeensurroundedalldaylong,havemademenervouswithoutreason.Youarenotgoingout,Ihope?"

`No;Iamgoingtoplaybackgammonwithyou,ifyoulike,"saidtheDoctor.

`Idon"tthinkIdolike,ifImayspeakmymind.Iamnotfittobepittedagainstyouto-night.Isthetea-boardstillthere,Lucie?Ican"tsee."

`Ofcourse,ithasbeenkeptforyou."

`Thankye,mydear.Thepreciouschildissafeinbed?"

`Andsleepingsoundly.

`That"sright;allsafeandwell!Idon"tknowwhyanythingshouldbeotherwisethansafeandwellhere,thankGod;butIhavebeensoputoutallday,andIamnotasyoungasIwas!Mytea,mydear!Thankye.Now,comeandtakeyourplaceinthecircle,andletussitquiet,andheartheechoesaboutwhichyouhaveyourtheory."

`Notatheory;itwasafancy."

`Afancy,then,mywisepet,"saidMr.Lorry,pattingherhand.`Theyareverynumerousandveryloud,though,aretheynot?Onlyhearthem!"

Headlong,mad,anddangerousfootstepstoforcetheirwayintoanybody"slife,footstepsnoteasilymadecleanagainifoncestainedred,thefootstepsraginginSaintAntoineafaroff,asthelittlecirclesatinthedarkLondonwindow.

SaintAntoinehadbeen,thatmorning,avastduskymassofscarecrowsheavingtoandfro,withfrequentgleamsoflightabovethebillowyheads,wheresteelbladesandbayonetsshoneinthesun.AtremendousroararosefromthethroatofSaintAntoine,andaforestofnakedarmsstruggledintheairlikeshrivelledbranchesoftreesinawinterwind:allthefingersconvulsivelyclutchingateveryweaponorsemblanceofaweaponthatwasthrownupfromthedepthsbelow,nomatterhowfaroff.

Whogavethemout,whencetheylastcame,wheretheybegan,throughwhatagencytheycrookedlyquiveredandjerked,scoresatatime,overtheheadsofthecrowd,likeakindoflightning,noeyeinthethrongcouldhavetold;but,musketswerebeingdistributed——sowerecartridges,powder,andball,barsofironandwood,knives,axes,pikes,everyweaponthatdistractedingenuitycoulddiscoverordevise.Peoplewhocouldlayholdofnothingelse,setthemselveswithbleedinghandstoforcestonesandbricksoutoftheirplacesinwalls.EverypulseandheartinSaintAntoinewasonhigh-feverstrainandathigh-feverheat.Everylivingcreaturethereheldlifeasofnoaccount,andwasdementedwithapassionatereadinesstosacrificeit.

Asawhirlpoolofboilingwatershasacentrepoint,so,allthisragingcircledroundDefarge"swine-shop,andeveryhumandropinthecaldronhadatendencytobesuckedtowardsthevortexwhereDefargehimself,alreadybegrimedwithgunpowderandsweat,issuedorders,issuedarms,thrustthismanback,draggedthismanforward,disarmedonetoarmanother,labouredandstroveinthethickestoftheuproar.

`Keepneartome,JacquesThree,"criedDefarge;`anddoyou,JacquesOneandTwo,separateandputyourselvesattheheadofasmanyofthesepatriotsasyoucan.Whereismywife?"

`Eh,well!Hereyouseeme!"saidmadame,composedasever,butnotknittingto-day.Madame"sresoluterighthandwasoccupiedwithanaxe,inplaceoftheusualsofterimplements,andinhergirdlewereapistolandacruelknife.

`Wheredoyougo,mywife?"

`Igo,"saidmadame,`withyouatpresent.Youshallseemeattheheadofwomen,by-and-by."

`Come,then!"criedDefarge,inaresoundingvoice.`Patriotsandfriends,weareready!TheBastille!"

WitharoarthatsoundedasifallthebreathinFrancehadbeenshapedintothedetestedword,thelivingsearose,waveonwave,depthondepth,andoverflowedthecitytothatpoint.Alarm-bellsringing,drumsbeating,thesearagingandthunderingonitsnewbeach,theattack`begun.

Deepditches,doubledrawbridge,massivestonewalls,eightgreattowers,cannon,muskets,fireandsmoke.Throughthefireandthroughthesmoke——inthefireandinthesmoke,fortheseacasthimupagainstacannon,andontheinstanthebecameacannonier——Defargeofthewine-shopworkedlikeamanfulsoldier,Twofiercehours.

Deepditch,singledrawbridge,massivestonewalls,eightattowers,cannon,muskets,fireandsmoke.Onedrawbridgedown!`Work,comradesall,work!Work,Jacques,JacquesTwo,JacquesOneThousand,JacquesTwoThousand,JacquesFive-and-TwentyThousand;inthenameofalltheAngelsortheDevils——whichyouprefer——work!"ThusDefargeofthewine-shop,stillathisgun,whichhadlonggrownhot.

`Tome,women!"criedmadamehiswife.`What!Wecankillaswellasthemenwhentheplaceistaken!"Andtoher,withashrillthirstycry,troopingwomenvariouslyarmed,butallarmedalikeinhungerandrevenge.

Cannon,muskets,fireandsmoke;but,stillthedeepditch,thesingledrawbridge,themassivestonewalls,andtheeightgreattowers.Slightdisplacementsoftheragingsea,madebythefallingwounded.Flashingweapons,blazingtorches,smokingwaggon-loadsofwetstraw,hardworkatneighbouringbarricadesinalldirections,shrieks,volleys,execrations,braverywithoutstint,boom,smashandrattle,andthefurioussoundingofthelivingsea;but,stillthedeepditch,andthesingledrawbridge,andthemassivestonewalls,andtheeightgreattowers,andstillDefargeofthewine-shopathisgun,growndoublyhotbytheserviceofFourfiercehours.

Awhiteflagfromwithinthefortress,andaparley——thisdimlyperceptiblethroughtheragingstorm,nothingaudibleinit——suddenlythesearoseimmeasurablywiderandhigher,andsweptDefargeofthewine-shopoverthelowereddraw-bridge,pastthemassivestoneouterwalls,inamongtheeightgreattowerssurrendered!

Soresistlesswastheforceoftheoceanbearinghimon,thateventodrawhisbreathorturnhisheadwasasimpracticableasifhehadbeenstrugglinginthesurfattheSouthSea,untilhewaslandedintheoutercourt-yardoftheBastille.There,againstanangleofawall,hemadeastruggletolookabouthim.JacquesThreewasnearlyathisside;MadameDefarge,still-headingsomeofherwomen,wasvisibleintheinnerdistance,andherknifewasinherhand.Everywherewastumult,exultation,deafeningandmaniacalbewilderment,astoundingnoise,yetfuriousdumb-show.

`ThePrisoners!"

`TheRecords!"

`Thesecretcells!"

`Theinstrumentsoftorture!"

`ThePrisoners!"

Ofallthesecries,andtenthousandincoherencies,`ThePrisoners!"wastheCrymosttakenupbytheseathatrushedin,asiftherewereaneternityofpeople,aswellasoftimeandspace.Whentheforemostbillowsrolledpast,bearingtheprisonofficerswiththem,andthreateningthemallwithinstantdeathifanysecretnookremainedundisclosed,Defargelaidhisstronghandonthebreastofoneofthesemen——amanwithagreyhead,whohadalightedtorchinhishand——separatedhimfromtherest,andgothimbetweenhimselfandthewall.

`ShowmetheNorthTower!"saidDefarge.`Quick!"

`Iwillfaithfully,"repliedtheman,`ifyouwillcomewithme.

Butthereisnoonethere."

`WhatisthemeaningofOneHundredandFive,NorthTower?"askedDefarge.`Quick!"

`Themeaning,monsieur?"

`Doesitmeanacaptive,oraplaceofcaptivity?OrdoyoumeanthatIshallstrikeyoudead?"

`Killhim!"croakedJacquesThree,whohadcomecloseup.

`Monsieur,itisacell."

`Showitme!"

`Passthisway,then."

JacquesThree,withhisusualcravingonhim,andevidentlydisappointedbythedialoguetakingaturnthatdidnotseemtopromisebloodshed,heldbyDefarge"sarmasheheldbytheturnkey"s.Theirthreeheadshadbeenclosetogetherduringthisbriefdiscourse,andithadbeenasmuchastheycoulddotohearoneanother,eventhen:sotremendouswasthenoiseofthelivingocean,initsirruptionintotheFortress,anditsinundationofthecourtsandpassagesandstaircases.Allaroundoutside,too,itbeatthewallswithadeep,hoarseroar,fromwhich,occasionally,somepartialshoutsoftumultbrokeandleapedintotheairlikespray.

Throughgloomyvaultswherethelightofdayhadnevershone,pasthideousdoorsofdarkdensandcages,downcavernousflightsofsteps,andagainupsteepruggedascentsofstoneandbrick,morelikedrywaterfallsthanstaircases,Defarge,theturnkey,andJacquesThree,linkedhandandarm,wentwithallthespeedtheycouldmake.Hereandthere,especiallyatfirst,theinundationstartedonthemandsweptby;butwhentheyhaddonedescending,andwerewindingandclimbingupatower,theywerealone.Hemmedinherebythemassivethicknessofwallsandarches,thestormwithinthefortressandwithoutwasonlyaudibletotheminadull,subduedway,asifthenoiseoutofwhichtheyhadcomehadalmostdestroyedtheirsenseofhearing.

Theturnkeystoppedatalowdoor,putakeyinaclashinglock,swungthedoorslowlyopen,andsaid,astheyallbenttheirheadsandpassedin:

`Onehundredandfive,NorthTower!"

Therewasasmall,heavily-grated,unglazedwindowhighinthewall,withastonescreenbeforeit,sothattheskycouldbeonlyseenbystoopinglowandlookingup.Therewasasmallchimney,heavilybarredacross,afewfeetwithin.Therewasaheapofoldfeatherywood-ashesonthehearth.Therewasastool,andtable,andastrawbed.Therewerethefourblackenedwalls,andarustedironringinoneofthem.

`Passthattorchslowlyalongthesewalls,thatImayseethem,"saidDefargetotheturnkey.

Themanobeyed,andDefargefollowedthelightcloselywithhiseyes.

`Stop——Lookhere,Jacques!"

`A.M.!"croakedJacquesThree,ashereadgreedily.

`AlexandreManette,"saidDefargeinhisear,followingtheletterswithhisswartforefinger,deeplyengrainedwithgunpowder.`Andherehewrote``apoorphysician.""Anditwashe,withoutdoubt,whoscratchedacalendaronthisstone.Whatisthatinyourhand?Acrowbar?Giveitme!"

Hehadstillthelinstockofhisguninhisownhand.Hemadeasuddenexchangeofthetwoinstruments,andturningontheworm-eatenstoolandtable,beatthemtopiecesinafewblows.

`Holdthelighthigher!"hesaid,wrathfully,totheturnkey.`Lookamongthosefragmentswithcare,Jacques.Andsee!Hereismyknife,"throwingittohim;`ripopenthatbed,andsearchthestraw.Holdthelighthigher,you!"

Withamenacinglookattheturnkeyhecrawleduponthehearth,and,peeringupthechimney,struckandprisedatitssideswiththecrowbar,andworkedattheirongratingacrossit.Inafewminutes,somemortaranddustcamedroppingdown,whichheavertedhisfacetoavoid;andinit,andintheoldwood-ashes,andinacreviceinthechimneyintowhichhisweaponhadslippedorwroughtitself,hegropedwithacautioustouch.

`Nothinginthewood,andnothinginthestraw,Jacques?"

`Nothing."

`Letuscollectthemtogether,inthemiddleofthecell.So!Lightthem,you!"

Theturnkeyfiredthelittlepile,whichblazedhighandhot.Stoopingagaintocomeoutatthelow-archeddoor,theyleftitburning,andretracedtheirwaytothecourt-yard;seemingtorecovertheirsenseofhearingastheycamedown,untiltheywereintheragingfloodoncemore.

Theyfounditsurgingandtossing,inquestofDefargehimself.SaintAntoinewasclamoroustohaveitswine-shopkeeperforemostintheguarduponthegovernorwhohaddefendedtheBastilleandshotthepeople.Otherwise,thegovernorwouldnotbemarchedtotheHoteldeVilleforjudgment.Otherwise,thegovernorwouldescape,andthepeople"sblood(suddenlyofsomevalue,aftermanyyearsofworthlessness)beunavenged.

Inthehowlinguniverseofpassionandcontentionthatseemedtoencompassthisgrimoldofficerconspicuousinhisgreycoatandreddecoration,therewasbutonequitesteadyfigure,andthatwasawoman"s.`See,thereismyhusband!"shecried,pointinghimout.`SeeDefarge!"Shestoodimmovableclosetothegrimoldofficer,andremainedimmovableclosetohim;remainedimmovableclosetohimthroughthestreets,asDefargeandtherestborehimalong;remainedimmovableclosetohimwhenhewasgotnearhisdestination,andbegantobestruckatfrombehind;remainedimmovableclosetohimwhenthelong-gatheringrainofstabsandblowsfellheavy;wassoclosetohimwhenhedroppeddeadunderit,that,suddenlyanimated,sheputherfootuponhisneck,andwithhercruelknife-long`ready-hewedoffhishead.

Thehourwascome,whenSaintAntoinewastoexecutehishorribleideaofhoistingupmenforlampstoshowwhathecouldbeanddo.SaintAntoine"sbloodwasup,andthebloodoftyrannyanddominationbytheironhandwasdown——downonthestepsoftheHoteldeVillewherethegovernor"sbodylay——downonthesoleoftheshoeofMadameDefargewhereshehadtroddenonthebodytosteadyitformutilation.`Lowerthelampyonder!"criedSaintAntoine,afterglaringroundforanewmeansofdeath;`hereisoneofhissoldierstobeleftonguard!"Theswingingsentinelwasposted,andthesearushedon.

Theseaofblackandthreateningwaters,andofdestructiveupheavingofwaveagainstwave,whosedepthswereyetunfathomedandwhoseforceswereyetunknown.Theremorselessseaofturbulentlyswayingshapes,voicesofvengeance,andfaceshardenedinthefurnacesofsufferinguntilthetouchofpitycouldmakenomarkonthem.

But,intheoceanoffaceswhereeveryfierceandfuriousexpressionwasinvividlife,thereweretwogroupsoffaces——eachseveninnumber——sofixedlycontrastingwiththerest,thatneverdidsearollwhichboremorememorablewreckswithit.Sevenfacesofprisoners,suddenlyreleasedbythestormthathadbursttheirtomb,werecarriedhighoverhead:allscared,alllost,allwonderingandamazed,asiftheDaywerecome,andthosewhorejoicedaroundthemwerelostspirits.Othersevenfacestherewere,carriedhigher,sevendeadfaces,whosedroopingeyelidsandhalf-seeneyesawaitedtheDay.Impassivefaces,yetwithasuspended——notanabolished——expressiononthem;faces,rather,inafearfulpause,ashavingyettoraisethedroppedlidsoftheeyes,andbearwitnesswiththebloodlesslips,`THOUDIDSTIT!"

Sevenprisonersreleased,sevengoryheadsonpikes,thekeysoftheaccursedfortressoftheeightstrongtowers,somediscoveredlettersandothermemorialsofprisonersofoldtime,longdeadofbrokenhearts,——such,andsuch-like,theloudlyechoingfootstepsofSaintAntoineescortthroughtheParisstreetsinmid-July,onethousandsevenhundredandeighty-nine.Now,HeavendefeatthefancyofLucieDarnay,andkeepthesefeetfaroutofherlife!For,theyareheadlong,mad,anddangerous;andintheyearssolongafterthebreakingofthecaskatDefarge"swine-shopdoor,theyarenoteasilypurifiedwhenoncestainedred.

CHAPTERXXII

TheSeastillRises

HAGGARDSaintAntoinehadhadonlyoneexultantweek,inwhichtosoftenhismodicumofhardandbitterbreadtosuchextentashecould,withtherelishoffraternalembracesancongratulations,whenMadameDefargesatathercounter,asusual,presidingoverthecustomers.MadameDefargeworenoroseinherhead,forthegreatbrotherhoodofSpieshadbecome,eveninoneshortweek,extremelycharyoftrustingthemselvestothesaint"smercies.Thelampshadaportentouslyelasticswingwiththem.

MadameDefarge,withherarmsfolded,satinthemorninglightandheat,contemplatingthewine-shopandthestreet.Inboth,therewereseveralknotsofloungers,squalidandmiserable,butnowwithamanifestsenseofpowerenthronedontheirdistress.Theraggedestnightcap,awryonthewretchedesthead,hadthiscrookedsignificanceinit:`Iknowhowhardithasgrownforme,thewearerofthis,tosupportlifeinmyself;butdoyouknowhoweasyithasgrownforme,thewearerofthis,todestroylifeinyou?"Everyleanbarearm,thathadbeenwithoutworkbefore,hadthisworkalwaysreadyforitnow,thatitcouldstrike.Thefingersoftheknittingwomenwerevicious,withtheexperiencethattheycouldtear.TherewasachangeintheappearanceofSaintAntoine;thehammeringintothisforhundredsofyears,andthelastfinishingblowshadtoldmightilyontheexpression.

MadameDefargesatobservingit,withsuchsuppressedapprovalaswastobedesiredintheleaderoftheSaintAntoinewomen.Oneofhersisterhoodknittedbesideher.Theshort,ratherplumpwifeofastarvedgrocer,andthemotheroftwochildrenwithal,thislieutenanthadalreadyearnedthecomplimentarynameofTheVengeance.

`Hark!"saidTheVengeance.`Listen,then!Whocomes?"

AsifatrainofpowderlaidfromtheoutermostboundoftheSaintAntoineQuartertothewine-shopdoor,hadbeensuddenlyfired,afast-spreadingmurmurcamerushingalong.

`ItisDefarge,"saidmadame.`Silence,patriots!"

Defargecameinbreathless,pulledoffaredcaphewore,andlookedaroundhim!`Listen,everywhere!"saidmadameagain.`Listentohim!"Defargestood,panting,againstabackgroundofeagereyesandopenmouths,formedoutsidethedoor;allthosewithinthewine-shophadsprungtotheirfeet.

`Saythen,myhusband.Whatisit?"

`Newsfromtheotherworld!"

`How,then?"criedmadame,contemptuously.`Theotherworld?"

`DoeseverybodyhererecalloldFoulon,whotoldthefamishedpeoplethattheymighteatgrass,andwhodied,andwenttoHell?"

`Everybody!"fromallthroats.

`Thenewsisofhim.Heisamongus!"

`Amongus!"fromtheuniversalthroatagain.`Anddead?"

`Notdead!Hefearedussomuch——andwithreason——thathecausedhimselftoberepresentedasdead,andhadagrandmock-funeral.Buttheyhavefoundhimalive,hidinginthecountry,andhavebroughthimin.Ihaveseenhimbutnow,onhiswaytotheH?teldeVille,aprisoner.Ihavesaidthathehadreasontofearus.Sayall!Hadhereason?"

Wretchedoldsinnerofmorethanthreescoreyearsandten,ifhehadneverknownityet,hewouldhaveknownitinhisheartofheartsifhecouldhaveheardtheansweringcry.

Amomentofprofoundsilencefollowed.Defargeandhiswifelookedsteadfastlyatoneanother.TheVengeancestooped,andthejarofadrumwasheardasshemoveditatherfeetbehindthecounter.

`Patriots!"saidDefarge,inadeterminedvoice,`areweready?"

InstantlyMadameDefarge"sknifewasinhergirdle;thedrumwasbeatinginthestreets,asifitandadrummerhadflowntogetherbymagic;andTheVengeance,utteringterrificshrieks,andflingingherarmsaboutherheadlikeallthefortyFuriesatonce,wastearingfromhousetohouse,rousingthewomen.

Themenwereterrible,inthebloody-mindedangerwithwhichtheylookedfromwindows,caughtupwhatarmstheyhad,andcamepouringdownintothestreets;but,thewomenwereasighttochilltheboldest.Fromsuchhouseholdoccupationsastheirbarepovertyyielded,fromtheirchildren,fromtheiragedandtheirsickcrouchingonthebaregroundfamishedandnaked,theyranoutwithstreaminghair,urgingoneanother,andthemselves,tomadnesswiththewildestcriesandactions.VillainFoulontaken,mysister!OldFoulontaken,mymother!MiscreantFoulontaken,mydaughter!Then,ascoreofothersranintothemidstofthese,beatingtheirbreasts,tearingtheirhair,andscreaming,Foulonalive!Foulonwhotoldthestarvingpeopletheymighteatgrass!Foulonwhotoldmyoldfatherthathemighteatgrass,whenIhadnobreadtogivehim!Foulonwhotoldmybabyitmightsuckgrass,whenthesebreastsweredrywithwant!OmotherofGod,thisFoulon!OHeaven,oursuffering!Hearme,mydeadbabyandmywitheredfather:Iswearonmyknees,onthesestones,toavengeyouonFoulon!Husbands,andbrothers,andyoungmen,GiveusthebloodofFoulon,GiveustheheadofFoulon,GiveustheheartofFoulon,GiveusthebodyandsoulofFoulon,RendFoulontopieces,anddighimintotheground,thatgrassmaygrowfromhim!Withthesecries,numbersofthewomen,lashedintoblindfrenzy,whirledabout,strikingandtearingattheirownfriendsuntiltheydroppedintoapassionateswoon,andwereonlysavedbythemenbelongingtothemfrombeingtrampledunderfoot.

Nevertheless,notamomentwaslost;notamoment!ThisFoulonwasattheH?teldeVille,andmightbeloosed.Never,ifSaintAntoineknewhisownsufferings,insults,andwrongs!ArmedmenandwomenflockedoutoftheQuartersofast,anddreweventheselastdregsafterthemwithsuchaforceofsuction,thatwithinaquarterofanhourtherewasnotahumancreatureinSaintAntoine"sbosombutafewoldcronesandthewailingchildren.

No.TheywereallbythattimechokingtheHallofExaminationwherethisoldman,uglyandwicked,was,andoverflowingintotheadjacentopenspaceandstreets.TheDefarges,husbandandwife,TheVengeance,andJacquesThree,wereinthefirstpress,andatnogreatdistancefromhimintheHall.

`See!"criedmadame,pointingwithherknife.`Seetheoldvillainboundwithropes.Thatwaswelldonetotieabunchofgrassuponhisback.Ha,ha!Thatwaswelldone.Lethimeatitnow!"Madameputherknifeunderherarm,andclappedherhandsasataplay.

ThepeopleimmediatelybehindMadameDefarge,explainingthecauseofhersatisfactiontothosebehindthem,andthoseagainexplainingtoothers,andthosetoothers,theneighbouringstreetsresoundedwiththeclappingofhands.Similarly,duringtwoorthreehoursofbrawl,andthewinnowingofmanybushelsofwords,MadameDefarge"sfrequentexpressionsofimpatienceweretakenup,withmarvellousquickness,atadistance:themorereadily,becausecertainmenwhohadbysomewonderfulexerciseofagilityclimbeduptheexternalarchitecturetolookinfromthewindows,knewMadameDefargewell,andactedasatelegraphbetweenherandthecrowdoutsidethebuilding.

Atlengththesunrosesohighthatitstruckakindlyrayasofhopeorprotection,directlydownupontheoldprisoner"shead.Thefavourwastoomuchtobear;inaninstantthebarrierofdustandchaffthathadstoodsurprisinglylong,wenttothewinds,andSaintAntoinehadgothim!

Itwasknowndirectly,tothefurthestconfinesofthecrowd.Defargehadbutsprungoverarailingandatable,andfoldedthemiserablewretchinadeadlyembrace——MadameDefargehadbutfollowedandturnedherhandinoneoftheropeswithwhichhewastied——TheVengeanceandJacquesThreewerenotyetupwiththem,andthemenatthewindowshadnotyetswoopedintotheHall,likebirdsofpreyfromtheirhighperches——whenthecryseemedtogoup,alloverthecity,`Bringhimout!Bringhimtothelamp!"

Down,andup,andheadforemostonthestepsofthebuilding;now,onhisknees;now,onhisfeet;now,onhisback;dragged,andstruckat,andstifledbythebunchesofgrassandstrawthatwerethrustintohisfacebyhundredsofhands;torn,bruised,panting,bleeding,yetalwaysentreatingandbeseechingformercy;nowfullofvehementagonyofaction,withasmallclearspaceabouthimasthepeopledrewoneanotherbackthattheymightsee;now,alogofdeadwooddrawnthroughaforestoflegs;hewashauledtotheneareststreetcornerwhereoneofthefatallampsswung,andthereMadameDefargelethimgo——asacatmighthavedonetoamouse——andsilentlyandcomposedlylookedathimwhiletheymadeready,andwhilehebesoughther:thewomenpassionatelyscreechingathimallthetime,andthemensternlycallingouttohavehimkilledwithgrassinhismouth.Once,hewentaloft,andtheropebroke,andtheycaughthimshrieking;twice,hewentaloft,andtheropebroke,andtheycaughthimshrieking;then,theropewasmerciful,andheldhim,andhisheadwassoonuponapike,withgrassenoughinthemouthforallSaintAntoinetodanceatthesightof.Norwasthistheendoftheday"sbadwork,forSaintAntoinesoshoutedanddancedhisangrybloodup,thatitboiledagain,onhearingwhenthedayclosedinthattheson-in-lawofthedespatched,anotherofthepeople"senemiesandinsulters,wascomingintoParisunderguardfivehundredstrong,incavalryalone.SaintAntoinewrotehiscrimesonflaringsheetsofpaper,seizedhim——wouldhavetornhimoutofthebreastofanarmytobearFouloncompany——sethisheadandheartonpikes,andcarriedthethreespoilsoftheday,inWolf-procession,throughthestreets.

Notbeforedarknightdidthemenandwomencomebacktothechildren,wailingandbreadless.Then,themiserablebakers"shopswerebesetbylongfilesofthem,patientlywaitingtobuybadbread;andwhiletheywaitedwithstomachsfaintandempty,theybeguiledthetimebyembracingoneanotheronthetriumphsoftheday,andachievingthemagainingossip.Gradually,thesestringsofraggedpeopleshortenedandfrayedaway;andthenpoorlightsbegantoshineinhighwindows,andslenderfiresweremadeinthestreets,atwhichneighbourscookedincommon,afterwardssuppingattheirdoors.

Scantyandinsufficientsuppersthose,andinnocentofmeat,asofmostothersaucetowretchedbread.Yet,humanfellowshipinfusedsomenourishmentintotheflintyviands,andstrucksomesparksofcheerfulnessoutofthem.Fathersandmotherswhohadhadtheirfullshareintheworstoftheday,playedgentlywiththeirmeagrechildren;andlovers,withsuchaworldaroundthemandbeforethem,lovedandhoped.

Itwasalmostmorning,whenDefarge"swine-shoppartedwithitslastknotofcustomers,andMonsieurDefargesaidtomadamehiswife,inhuskytones,whilefasteningthedoor:

`Atlastitiscome,mydear!"

`Ehwell!"returnedmadame.`Almost."

SaintAntoineslept,theDefargesslept:evenTheVengeancesleptwithherstarvedgrocer,andthedrumwasatrest.Thedrum"swastheonlyvoiceinSaintAntoinethatbloodandhurryhadnotchanged.TheVengeance,ascustodianofthedrum,couldhavewakenedhimupandhadthesamespeechoutofhimasbeforetheBastillefell,oroldFoulonwasseized;notsowiththehoarsetonesofthemenandwomeninSaintAntoine"sbosom.

CHAPTERXXIII

FireRises

THEREwasachangeonthevillagewherethefountainfell,andwherethemenderofroadswentforthdailytohammeroutofthestonesonthehighwaysuchmorselsofbreadasmightserveforpatchestoholdhispoorignorantsoulandhispoorreducedbodytogether.Theprisononthecragwasnotsodominantasofyore;thereweresoldierstoguardit,butnotmany;therewereofficerstoguardthesoldiers,butnotoneofthemknewwhathismenwoulddo——beyondthis:thatitwouldprobablynotbewhathewasordered.

Farandwidelayaruinedcountry,yieldingnothingbutdesolation.Everygreenleaf,everybladeofgrassandbladeofgrain,wasasshrivelledandpoorasthemiserablepeople.Everythingwasboweddown,dejected,oppressed,andbroken.Habitations,fences,domesticatedanimals,men,women,children,andthesoilthatborethem——allwornout.

Monseigneur(oftenamostworthyindividualgentleman)wasanationalblessing,gaveachivalroustonetothings,wasapoliteexampleofluxuriousandshininglife,andagreatdealmoretoequalpurpose;nevertheless,Monseigneurasaclasshad,somehoworother,broughtthingstothis.StrangethatCreation,designedexpresslyforMonseigneur,shouldbesosoonwrungdryandsqueezedout!Theremustbesomethingshort-sightedintheeternalarrangements,surelyThusitwas,however;andthelastdropofbloodhavingbeenextractedfromtheflints,andthelastscrewoftherackhavingbeenturnedsooftenthatitspurchasecrumbled,anditnowturnedandturnedwithnothingtobite,Monseigneurbegantorunawayfromaphenomenonsolowandunaccountable.

But,thiswasnotthechangeonthevillage,andonmanyavillagelikeit.Forscoresofyearsgoneby,Monseigneurhadsqueezeditandwrungit,andhadseldomgraceditwithhispresenceexceptforthepleasuresofthechase——now,foundinhuntingthepeople;now,foundinhuntingthebeasts,forwhosepreservationMonseigneurmadeedifyingspacesofbarbarousandbarrenwilderness.No.Thechangeconsistedintheappearanceofstrangefacesoflowcaste,ratherthaninthedisappearanceofthehigh-caste,chiseled,andotherwisebeatifiedandbeatifyingfeaturesofMonseigneur.

For,inthesetimes,asthemenderofroadsworked,solitary,inthedust,notoftentroublinghimselftoreflectthatdusthewasandtodusthemustreturn,beingforthemostparttoomuchoccupiedinthinkinghowlittlehehadforsupperandhowmuchmorehewouldeatifhehadit——inthesetimes,asheraisedhiseyesfromhislonelylabour,andviewedtheprospect,hewouldseesomeroughfigureapproachingonfoot,thelikeofwhichwasonceararityinthoseparts,butwasnowafrequentpresence.Asitadvanced,themenderofroadswoulddiscernwithoutsurprise,thatitwasashaggy-hairedman,ofalmostbarbarianaspect,tall,inwoodenshoesthatwereclumsyeventotheeyesofamenderofroads,grim,rough,swart,steepedinthemudanddustofmanyhighways,dankwiththemarshymoistureofmanylowgrounds,sprinkledwiththethornsandleavesandmossofmanybywaysthroughwoods.

Suchamancameuponhim,likeaghost,atnoonintheJulyweather,ashesatonhisheapofstonesunderabank,takingsuchshelterashecouldgetfromashowerofhail.

Themanlookedathim,lookedatthevillageinthehollow,atthemill,andattheprisononthecrag.Whenhehadidentifiedtheseobjectsinwhatbenightedmindhehad,hesaid,inadialectthatwasjustintelligible:

`Howgoesit,Jacques?"

`Allwell,Jacques."

`Touchthen!"

Theyjoinedhands,andthemansatdownontheheapofstones.

`Nodinner?"

`Nothingbutsuppernow,"saidthemenderofroads,withahungryface.

`Itisthefashion,"growledtheman.`Imeetnodinneranywhere."

Hetookoutablackenedpipe,filledit,lighteditwithflintandsteel,pulledatituntilitwasinabrightglow:then,suddenlyhelditfromhimanddroppedsomethingintoitfrombetweenhisfingerandthumb,thatblazedandwentoutinapuffofsmoke.

`Touchthen."Itwastheturnofthemenderofroadstosayitthistime,afterobservingtheseoperations.Theyagainjoinedhands.

`To-night?"saidthemenderofroads.

`To-night,"saidtheman,puttingthepipeinhismouth.

`Where?"

`Here."

Heandthemenderofroadssatontheheapofstoneslookingsilentlyatoneanother,withthehaildrivinginbetweenthemlikeapigmychargeofbayonets,untiltheskybegantoclearoverthevillage.

`Showme!"saidthetravellerthen,movingtothebrowofthehill.

`See."returnedthemenderofroads,withextendedfinger.`Yougodownhere,andstraightthroughthestreet,andpastthefountain——

`TotheDevilwithallthat!"interruptedtheother,rollinghiseyeoverthelandscape.`Igothroughnostreetsandpastnofountains.Well?"

`Well!Abouttwoleaguesbeyondthesummitofthathillabovethevillage."

`Good.Whendoyouceasetowork?"

`Atsunset."

`Willyouwakeme,beforedeparting?Ihavewalkedtwonightswithoutresting.Letmefinishmypipe,andIshallsleeplikeachild.Willyouwakeme?"

`Surely."

Thewayfarersmokedhispipeout,putitinhisbreast,slippedoffhisgreatwoodenshoes,andlaydownonhisbackontheheapofstones.Hewasfastasleepdirectly.

Astheroad-menderpliedhisdustylabour,andthehail-clouds,rollingaway,revealedbrightbarsandstreaksofskywhichwererespondedtobysilvergleamsuponthelandscape,thelittleman(whoworearedcapnow,inplaceofhisblueone)seemedfascinatedbythefigureontheheapofstones.Hiseyesweresooftenturnedtowardsit,thatheusedhistoolsmechanically,and,onewouldhavesaid,toverypooraccount.Thebronzeface,theshaggyblackhairandbeard,thecoarsewoollenredcap,theroughmedleydressofhome-spunstuffandhairyskinsofbeasts,thepowerfulframeattenuatedbyspareliving,andthesullenanddesperatecompressionofthelipsinsleep,inspiredthemenderofroadswithawe.Thetravellerhadtravelledfar,andhisfeetwerefootsore,andhisankleschafedandbleeding;hisgreatshoes,stuffedwithleavesandgrass,hadbeenheavytodragoverthemanylongleagues,andhisclotheswerechafedintoholes,ashehimselfwasintosores.Stoopingdownbesidehim,theroad-mendertriedtogetapeepatsecretweaponsinhisbreastorwherenot;but,invain,forhesleptwithhisarmscrosseduponhim,andsetasresolutelyashislips.Fortifiedtownswiththeirstockades,guard-houses,gates,trenches,anddrawbridges,seemedtothemenderofroads,tobesomuchairasagainstthisfigure.Andwhenheliftedhiseyesfromittothehorizonandlookedaround,hesawinhissmallfancysimilarfigures,stoppedbynoobstacle,tendingtocentresalloverFrance.

Themanslepton,indifferenttoshowersofhailandintervalsofbrightness,tosunshineonhisfaceandshadow,tothepatteringlumpsofdulliceonhisbodyandthediamondsintowhichthesunchangedthem,untilthesunwaslowinthewest,andtheskywasglowing.Then,themenderofroadshavinggothistoolstogetherandallthingsreadytogodownintothevillage,rousedhim.

`Good!"saidthesleeper,risingonhiselbow.`Twoleaguesbeyondthesummitofthehill?"

`About."

`About.Good!"

Themenderofroadswenthome,withthedustgoingonbeforehimaccordingtothesetofthewind,andwassoonatthefountain,squeezinghimselfinamongtheleankinebroughttheretodrink,andappearingeventowhispertotheminhiswhisperingtoallthevillage.Whenthevillagehadtakenitspoorsupper,itdidnotcreeptobed,asitusuallydid,butcameoutofdoorsagain,andremainedthere.Acuriouscontagionofwhisperingwasuponit,andalso,whenitgatheredtogetheratthefountaininthedark,anothercuriouscontagionoflookingexpectantlyattheskyinonedirectiononly.MonsieurGabelle,chieffunctionaryoftheplace,becameuneasy;wentoutonhishouse-topalone,andlookedinthatdirectiontoo;glanceddownfrombehindhischimneysatthedarkeningfacesbythefountainbelow,andsentwordtothesacristanwhokeptthekeysofthechurch,thattheremightbeneedtoringthetocsinby-and-by.

Thenightdeepened.Thetreesenvironingtheoldchateau,keepingitssolitarystateapart,movedinarisingwind,asthoughtheythreatenedthepileofbuildingmassiveanddarkinthegloom.Upthetwoterraceflightsofstepstherainranwildly,andbeatatthegreatdoor,likeaswiftmessengerrousingthosewithin;uneasyrushesofwindwentthroughthehall,amongtheoldspearsandknives,andpassedlamentingupthestairs,andshookthecurtainsofthebedwherethelastMarquishadslept.East,West,North,andSouth,throughthewoods,fourheavy-treading,unkemptfigurescrushedthehighgrassandcrackedthebranches,stridingoncautiouslytocometogetherinthecourtyard.Fourlightsbrokeoutthere,andmovedawayindifferentdirections,andallwasblackagain.

But,notforlong.Presently,thechateaubegantomakeitselfstrangelyvisiblebysomelightofitsown,asthoughitweregrowingluminous.Then,aflickeringstreakplayedbehindthearchitectureofthefront,pickingouttransparentplaces,andshowingwherebalustrades,arches,andwindowswere.Thenitsoaredhigher,andgrewbroaderandbrighter.Soon,fromascoreofthegreatwindows,flamesburstforth,andthestonefacesawakened,staredoutoffire.

Afaintmurmuraroseaboutthehousefromthefewpeoplewhowereleftthere,andtherewasasaddlingofahorseandridingaway.Therewasspurringandsplashingthroughthedarkness,andbridlewasdrawninthespacebythevillagefountain,andthehorseinafoamstoodatMonsieurGabelle"sdoor.`Help,Gabelle!Help,everyone!"Thetocsinrangimpatiently,butotherhelp(ifthatwereany)therewasnone.Themenderofroads,andtwohundredandfiftyparticularfriends,stoodwithfoldedarmsatthefountain,lookingatthepillaroffireinthesky.`Itmustbefortyfeethigh,"saidthey,grimly;andnevermoved.

Theriderfromthechateau,andthehorseinafoam,clatteredawaythroughthevillage,andgallopedupthestonysteep,totheprisononthecrag.Atthegate,agroupofofficerswerelookingatthefire;removedfromthem,agroupofsoldiers.`Help,gentlemen-officers!Thechateauisonfire;valuableobjectsmaybesavedfromtheflamesbytimelyaid!Help,help!"Theofficerslookedtowardsthesoldierswholookedatthefire;gavenoorders;andanswered,withshrugsandbitingoflips,`Itmustburn."

Astheriderrattleddownthehillagainandthroughthestreet,thevillagewasilluminating.Themenderofroads,andthetwohundredandfiftyparticularfriends,inspiredasonemanandwomanbytheideaoflightingup,haddartedintotheirhouses,andwereputtingcandlesineverydulllittlepaneofglass.Thegeneralscarcityofeverything,occasionedcandlestobeborrowedinaratherperemptorymannerofMonsieurGabelle;andinamomentofreluctanceandhesitationonthatfunctionary"spart,themenderofroads,oncesosubmissivetoauthority,hadremarkedthatcarriagesweregoodtomakebonfireswith,andthatpost-horseswouldroast.

Thechateauwaslefttoitselftoflameandburn.Intheroaringandragingoftheconflagration,ared-hotwind,drivingstraightfromtheinfernalregions,seemedtobeblowingtheedificeaway.Withtherisingandfallingoftheblaze,thestonefacesshowedasiftheywereintorment.Whengreatmassesofstoneandtimberfell,thefacewiththetwodintsinthenosebecameobscured:anonstruggledoutofthesmokeagain,asifitwerethefaceofthecruelMarquis,burningatthestakeandcontendingwiththefire.

Thechateauburned;thenearesttrees,laidholdofbythefire,scorchedandshrivelled;treesatadistance,firedbythefourfiercefigures,begirttheblazingedificewithanewforestofsmoke.Moltenleadandironboiledinthemarblebasinofthefountain;thewaterrandry;theextinguishertopsofthetowersvanishedlikeicebeforetheheat,andtrickleddownintofourruggedwellsofflame.Greatrentsandsplitsbranchedoutinthesolidwalls,likecrystallisation;stupefiedbirdswheeledaboutanddroppedintothefurnace;fourfiercefigurestrudgedaway,East,West,North,andSouth,alongthenight-enshroudedroads,guidedbythebeacontheyhadlighted,towardstheirnextdestination.Theilluminatedvillagehadseizedholdofthetocsin,and,abolishingthelawfulringer,rangforjoy.

Notonlythat;butthevillage,light-headedwithfamine,fire,andbell-ringing,andbethinkingitselfthatMonsieurGabellehadtodowiththecollectionofrentandtaxes——thoughitwasbutasmallinstalmentoftaxes,andnorentatall,thatGabellehadgotinthoselatterdays——becameimpatientforaninterviewwithhim,and,surroundinghishouse,summonedhimtocomeforthforpersonalconference.Whereupon,MonsieurGabelledidheavilybarhisdoor,andretiretoholdcounselwithhimselfTheresultofthatconferencewas,thatGabelleagainwithdrewhimselftohishouse-topbehindhisstackofchimneys;thistimeresolved,ifhisdoorwasbrokenin(hewasasmallSouthernmanofretaliativetemperament),topitchhimselfheadforemostovertheparapet,andcrushamanortwobelow.

Probably,MonsieurGabellepassedalongnightupthere,withthedistantchateauforfireandcandle,andthebeatingathisdoor,combinedwiththejoy-ringing,formusic;nottomentionhishavinganill-omenedlampslungacrosstheroadbeforehisposting-housegate,whichthevillageshowedalivelyinclinationtodisplaceinhisfavour.Atryingsuspense,tobepassingawholesummernightonthebrinkoftheblackocean,readytotakethatplungeintoituponwhichMonsieurGabellehadresolvedBut,thefriendlydawnappearingatlast,andtherush-candlesofthevillagegutteringout,thepeoplehappilydispersed,andMonsieurGabellecamedownbringinghislifewithhimforthatwhile.

Withinahundredmiles,andinthelightofotherfires,therewereotherfunctionarieslessfortunate,thatnightandothernights,whomtherisingsunfoundhangingacrossonce-peacefulstreets,wheretheyhadbeenbornandbred;also,therewereothervillagersandtownspeoplelessfortunatethanthemenderofroadsandhisfellows,uponwhomthefunctionariesandsoldieryturnedwithsuccess,andwhomtheystrungupintheirturn.But,thefiercefiguresweresteadilywendingEast,West,North,andSouth,bethatasitwould;andwhosoeverhung,fireburned.Thealtitudeofthegallowsthatwouldturntowaterandquenchit,nofunctionary,byanystretchofmathematics,wasabletocalculatesuccessfully.

CHAPTERXXIV

DraintotheLoadstoneRock

Insuchrisingsoffireandrisingsofsea——thefirmearthshakenbytherushesofanangryoceanwhichhadnownoebb,butwasalwaysontheflow,higherandhigher,tothetenorandwonderofthebeholdersontheshore——threeyearsoftempestwereconsumed.ThreemorebirthdaysoflittleLuciehadbeenwovenbythegoldenthreadintothepeacefultissueofthelifeofherhome.

Manyanightandmanyadayhaditsinmateslistenedtotheechoesinthecorner,withheartsthatfailedthemwhentheyheardthethrongingfeet.For,thefootstepshadbecometotheirmindsasthefootstepsofapeople,tumultuousunderaredflagandwiththeircountrydeclaredindanger,changedintowildbeasts,byterribleenchantmentlongpersistedin.

Monseigneur,asaclass,haddissociatedhimselffromthephenomenonofhisnotbeingappreciated:ofhisbeingsolittlewantedinFrance,astoincurconsiderabledangerofreceivinghisdismissalfromit,andthislifetogether.LikethefabledrusticwhoraisedtheDevilwithinfinitepains,andwassoterrifiedatthesightofhimthathecouldasktheEnemynoquestion,butimmediatelyfled;so,Monseigneur,afterboldlyreadingtheLord"sPrayerbackwardsforagreatnumberofyears,andperformingmanyotherpotentspellsforcompellingtheEvilOne,nosoonerbeheldhiminhisterrorsthanhetooktohisnobleheels.