第15章

TheshiningBull"sEyeoftheCourtwasgone,oritwouldhavebeenthemarkforahurricaneofnationalbullets.Ithadneverbeenagoodeyetoseewith——hadlonghadthemoteinitofLucifer"spride,Sardanapalus"sluxury,andamole"sblindness——butithaddroppedoutandwasgone.TheCourt,fromthatexclusiveinnercircletoitsoutermostrottenringofintrigue,corruption,anddissimulation,wasallgonetogether.Royaltywasgone;hadbeenbesiegedinitsPalaceand`suspended,"whenthelasttidingscameover.

TheAugustoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety-twowascome,andMonseigneurwasbythistimescatteredfarandwide.

Aswasnatural,thehead-quartersandgreatgathering-placeofMonseigneur,inLondon,wasTellson"sBank.Spiritsaresupposedtohaunttheplaceswheretheirbodiesmostresorted,andMonseigneurwithoutaguineahauntedthespotwherehisguineasusedtobe.Moreover,itwasthespottowhichsuchFrenchintelligenceaswasmosttobereliedupon,camequickest.Again:Tellson"swasamunificenthouse,andextendedgreatliberalitytooldcustomerswhohadfallenfromtheirhighestate.Again:thosenobleswhohadseenthecomingstormintime,andanticipatingplunderorconfiscation,hadmadeprovidentremittancestoTellson"s,werealwaystobeheardoftherebytheirneedybrethren.TowhichitmustbeaddedthateverynewcomerfromFrancereportedhimselfandhistidingsatTellson"s,almostasamatterofcourse.Forsuchvarietyofreasons,Tellson"swasatthattime,astoFrenchintelligence,akindofHighExchange;andthiswassowellknowntothepublic,andtheinquiriesmadetherewereinconsequencesonumerous,thatTellson"ssometimeswrotethelatestnewsoutinalineorsoandposteditintheBankwindows,forallwhoranthroughTempleBartoread.

Onasteaming,mistyafternoon,Mr.Lorrysatathisdesk,andCharlesDarnaystoodleaningonit,talkingwithhiminalowvoice.ThepenitentialdenoncesetapartforinterviewswiththeHouse,wasnowthenews-Exchange,andwasfilledtooverflowing.Itwaswithinhalfanhourorsoofthetimeofclosing.

`But,althoughyouaretheyoungestmanthateverlived,"saidCharlesDarnay,ratherhesitating,`Imuststillsuggesttoyou——"

`Iunderstand.ThatIamtooold?"saidMr.Lorry.

`Unsettledweather,alongjourney,uncertainmeansoftravelling,adisorganisedcountry,acitythatmaynotbeevensafeforyou."

`MydearCharles,"saidMr.Lorry,withcheerfulconfidence,youtouchsomeofthereasonsformygoing:notformystayingaway.Itissafeenoughforme;nobodywillcaretointerferewithanoldfellowofharduponfour-scorewhentherearesomanypeopletheremuchbetterworthinterferingwith.Astoitsbeingadisorganisedcity,ifitwerenotadisorganisedcitytherewouldbenooccasiontosendsomebodyfromourHouseheretoourHousethere,whoknowsthecityandthebusiness,ofold,andisinTellson"sconfidence.Astotheuncertaintravelling,thelongjourney,andthewinterweather,ifIwerenotpreparedtosubmitmyselftoafewinconveniencesforthesakeofTellson"s,afteralltheseyears,whooughttobe?"

`IwishIweregoingmyself,"saidCharlesDarnay,somewhatrestlessly,andlikeonethinkingaloud.

`Indeed!Youareaprettyfellowtoobjectandadvise!"exclaimedMr.Lorry.`Youwishyouweregoingyourself?AndyouaFrenchmanborn?Youareawisecounsellor."

`MydearMr.Lorry,itisbecauseIamaFrenchmanborn,thatthethought(whichIdidnotmeantoutterhere,however)haspassedthroughmymindoften.Onecannothelpthinking,havinghadsomesympathyforthemiserablepeople,andhavingabandonedsomethingtothem,"hespokehereinhisformerthoughtfulmanner,`thatonemightbelistenedto,andmighthavethepowertopersuadetosomerestraint.Onlylastnight,afteryouhadleftus,whenIwastalkingtoLucie——"

`WhenyouweretalkingtoLucie,"Mr.Lorryrepeated.`Yes.IwonderyouarenotashamedtomentionthenameofLucie!WishingyouweregoingtoFranceatthistimeofday!"

`However,Iamnotgoing,"saidCharlesDarnay,withasmile.`Itismoretothepurposethatyousayyouare."

`AndIam,inplainreality.Thetruthis,mydearCharles,"Mr.LorryglancedatthedistantHouse,andloweredhisvoice,`youcanhavenoconceptionofthedifficultywithwhichourbusinessistransacted,andoftheperilinwhichourbooksandpapersoveryonderareinvolved.TheLordaboveknowswhatthecompromisingconsequenceswouldbetonumbersofpeople,ifsomeofourdocumentswereseizedordestroyed;andtheymightbe,atanytime,youknow,forwhocansaythatParisisnotseta-fireto-day,orsackedto-morrow!Now,ajudiciousselectionfromthesewiththeleastpossibledelay,andtheburyingofthem,orotherwisegettingofthemoutofharm"sway,iswithinthepower(withoutlossofprecioustime)ofscarcelyanyonebutmyself,ifanyone.AndshallIhangback,whenTellson"sknowsthisandsaysthis——Tellson"s,whosebreadIhaveeatenthesesixtyyears——becauseIamalittlestiffaboutthejoints?Why,Iamaboy,sir,tohalfadozenoldcodgershere!"

`HowIadmirethegallantryofyouryouthfulspirit,Mr.Lorry."

`Tut!Nonsense,sir!——And,mydearCharles,"saidMr.Lorry,glancingattheHouseagain,`youaretoremember,thatgettingthingsoutofParisatthispresenttime,nomatterwhatthings,isnexttoanimpossibility.Papersandpreciousmatterswerethisverydaybroughttoushere(Ispeakinstrictconfidence;itisnotbusiness-liketowhisperit,eventoyou),bythestrangestbearersyoucapimagine,everyoneofwhomhadhisheadhangingonbyasinglehairashepassedtheBarriers.Atanothertime,ourparcelswouldcomeandgo,aseasilyasinbusiness-likeOldEngland;butnow,everythingisstopped."

`Anddoyoureallygoto-night?"

`Ireallygoto-night,forthecasehasbecometoopressingtoadmitofdelay."

`Anddoyoutakenoonewithyou?"

`Allsortsofpeoplehavebeenproposedtome,butIwillhavenothingtosaytoanyofthem.IintendtotakeJerry.Jerryhasbeenmybody-guardonSundaynightsforalongtimepast,andIamusedtohim.NobodywillsuspectJerryofbeinganythingbutanEnglishbull-dog,orofhavinganydesigninhisheadbuttoflyatanybodywhotoucheshismaster."

`ImustsayagainthatIheartilyadmireyourgallantryandyouthfulness."

`Imustsayagain,nonsense,nonsense!WhenIhaveexecutedthislittlecommission,Ishall,perhaps,acceptTellson"sproposaltoretireandliveatmyease.Timeenough,then,tothinkaboutgrowingold."

ThisdialoguehadtakenplaceatMr.Lorry"susualdesk,withMonseigneurswarmingwithinayardortwoofit,boastfulofwhathewoulddotoavengehimselfontherascal-peoplebeforelong.ItwastoomuchthewayofMonseigneurunderhisreversesasarefugee,anditwasmuchtoomuchthewayofnativeBritishorthodoxy,totalkofthisterribleRevolutionasifitweretheoneonlyharvesteverknownundertheskiesthathadnotbeensown——asifnothinghadeverbeendone,oromittedtobedone,thathadledtoit——asifobserversofthewretchedmillionsinFrance,andofthemisusedandpervertedresourcesthatshouldhavemadethemprosperous,hadnotseenitinevitablycoming,yearsbefore,andhadnotinplainwordsrecordedwhattheysaw.Suchvapouring,combinedwiththeextravagantplotsofMonseigneurfortherestorationofastateofthingsthathadutterlyexhausteditself,andwornoutHeavenandearthaswellasitself,washardtobeenduredwithoutsomeremonstrancebyanysanemanwhoknewthetruth.Anditwassuchvapouringallabouthisears,likeatroublesomeconfusionofbloodinhisownhead,addedtoalatentuneasinessinhismind,whichhadalreadymadeCharlesDarnayrestless,andwhichstillkepthimso.

Amongthetalkers,wasStryver,oftheKing"sBenchBar,faronhiswaytostatepromotion,and,therefore,loudonthetheme:broachingtoMonseigneur,hisdevicesforblowingthepeopleupandexterminatingthemfromthefaceoftheearth,anddoingwithoutthem:andforaccomplishingmanysimilarobjectsakinintheirnaturetotheabolitionofeaglesbysprinklingsaltonthetailsoftherace.Him,Darnayheardwithaparticularfeelingofobjection;andDarnaystooddividedbetweengoingawaythathemighthearnomore,andremainingtointerposehisword,whenthethingthatwastobewentontoshapeitselfout.

TheHouseapproachedMr.Lorry,andlayingasoiledandunopenedletterbeforehim,askedifhehadyetdiscoveredanytracesofthepersontowhomitwasaddressed?TheHouselaidtheletterdownsoclosetoDarnaythathesawthedirection——themorequicklybecauseitwashisownrightname.Theaddress,turnedintoEnglish,ran:

`Verypressing.ToMonsieurheretoforetheMarquisSt.Evrémonde,ofFrance.ConfidedtothecaresofMessrs.TellsonandGo.,Bankers,London,England."

Onthemarriagemorning,Dr.ManettehadmadeithisoneurgentandexpressrequesttoCharlesDarnay,thatthesecretofthisnameshouldbe——unlesshe,theDoctor,dissolvedtheobligation——keptinviolatebetweenthem.Nobodyelseknewittobehisname;hisownwifehadnosuspicionofthefact;Mr.Lorrycouldhavenone.

`No,"saidMr.Lorry,inreplytotheHouse;`Ihavereferredit,Ithink,toeverybodynowhere,andnoonecantellmewherethisgentlemanistobefound."

ThehandsoftheclockverginguponthehourofclosingtheBank,therewasageneralsetofthecurrentoftalkerspastMr.Lorry"sdesk.Heheldtheletteroutinquiringly;andMonseigneurlookedatit,inthepersonofthisplottingandindignantrefugee;andMonseigneurlookedatit,inthepersonofthatplottingandindignantrefugee;andThis,That,andTheOther,allhadsomethingdisparagingtosay,inFrenchorinEnglish,concerningtheMarquiswhowasnottobefound.

`Nephew,Ibelieve——butinanycasedegeneratesuccessor——ofthepolishedMarquiswhowasmurdered,"saidone.`Happytosay,Ineverknewhim."

`Acravenwhoabandonedhispost,"saidanother——thisMonseigneurhadbeengotoutofParis,legsuppermostandhalfsuffocated,inaloadofhay——`someyearsago."

`Infectedwiththenewdoctrines,"saidathird,eyeingthedirectionthroughhisglassinpassing;`sethimselfinoppositiontothelastMarquis,abandonedtheestateswhenheinheritedthem,andleftthemtotheruffianherd.Theywillrecompensehimnow,Ihope,ashedeserves."

`Hey?"criedtheblatantStryver.`Didhethough?Isthatthesortoffellow?Letuslookathisinfamousname.D——nthefellow!"

Darnay,unabletorestrainhimselfanylonger,touchedMr.Stryverontheshoulder,andsaid:

`Iknowthefellow."

`Doyou,byJupiter?"saidStryver.`Iamsorryforit."

`Why?"

`Why,Mr.Darnay?D"yehearwhathedid?Don"task,why,inthesetimes."

`ButIdoaskwhy."

`ThenItellyouagain,Mr.Darnay,Iamsorryforit.Iamsorrytohearyouputtinganysuchextraordinaryquestions.Hereisafellow,who,infectedbythemostpestilentandblasphemouscodeofdevilrythateverwasknown,abandonedhispropertytothevilestscumoftheearththateverdidmurderbywholesale,andyouaskmewhyIamsorrythatamanwhoinstructsyouthknowshim?Well,butI"llansweryou.IamsorrybecauseIbelievethereiscontaminationinsuchascoundrel.That"swhy."

Mindfulofthesecret,Darnaywithgreatdifficultycheckedhimself,andsaid:`Youmaynotunderstandthegentleman."

`Iunderstandhowtoputyouinacorner,Mr.Darnay,"saidBullyStryver,`andI"lldoit.Ifthisfellowisagentleman,Idon"tunderstandhim.Youmaytellhimso,withmycompliments.Youmayalsotellhim,fromme,thatafterabandoninghisworldlygoodsandpositiontothisbutcherlymob,Iwonderheisnotattheheadofthem.But,no,gentlemen,"saidStryver,lookingallround,andsnappinghisfingers,`Iknowsomethingofhumannature,andItellyouthatyou"llneverfindafellowlikethisfellow,trustinghimselftothemerciesofsuchpreciousprotégés.No,gentlemen;he"llalwaysshow`emacleanpairofheelsveryearlyinthescuffle,andsneakaway."

Withthosewords,andafinalsnapofhisfingers,Mr.StryvershoulderedhimselfintoFleet-street,amidstthegeneralapprobationofhishearers.Mr.LorryandCharlesDarnaywereleftaloneatthedesk,inthegeneraldeparturefromtheBank.

`Willyoutakechargeoftheletter?"saidMr.Lorry.`Youknowwheretodeliverit?"

`Ido."

`Willyouundertaketoexplain,thatwesupposeittohavebeenaddressedhere,onthechanceofourknowingwheretoforwardit,andthatithasbeenheresometime?"

`Iwilldoso.DoyoustartforParisfromhere?"

`Fromhere,ateight."

`Iwillcomeback,toseeyouoff."

Veryillateasewithhimself,andwithStryverandmostothermen,DarnaymadethebestofhiswayintothequietoftheTemple,openedtheletter,andreadit.Thesewereitscontents:

`PrisonoftheAbbaye,Paris.

June21,1792.

MONSIEURHERETOFORETHEMARQUIS,

`Afterhavinglongbeenindangerofmylifeatthehandsofthevillage,Ihavebeenseized,withgreatviolenceandindignity,andbroughtalongjourneyonfoottoParis.OntheroadIhavesufferedagreatdeal.Noristhatall;myhousehasbeendestroyed——razedtotheground.

`ThecrimeforwhichIamimprisoned,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,andforwhichIshallbesummonedbeforethetribunal,andshalllosemylife(withoutyoursogeneroushelp),is,theytellme,treasonagainstthemajestyofthepeople,inthatIhaveactedagainstthemforanemigrant.ItisinvainIrepresentthatIhaveactedforthem,andnotagainst,accordingtoyourcommands.ItisinvainIrepresentthat,beforethesequestrationofemigrantproperty,Ihadremittedtheimpoststheyhadceasedtopay;thatIhadcollectednorent;thatIhadhadrecoursetonoprocess.Theonlyresponseis,thatIhaveactedforanemigrant,andwhereisthatemigrant?

`Ah!mostgraciousMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,whereisthatemigrant?Icryinmysleepwhereishe?IdemandofHeaven,willhenotcometodeliverme?Noanswer.AhMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,Isendmydesolatecryacrossthesea,hopingitmayperhapsreachyourearsthroughthegreatbankofTilsonknownatParis!

`FortheloveofHeaven,ofjustice,ofgenerosity,ofthehonourofyournoblename,Isupplicateyou,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,tosuccourandreleaseme.Myfaultis,thatIhavebeentruetoyou.OhMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,Iprayyoubeyoutruetome!

`Fromthisprisonhereofhorror,whenceIeveryhourtendnearerandnearertodestruction,Isendyou,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,theassuranceofmydolorousandunhappyservice.

`Yourafflicted

`GABELLE"

ThelatentuneasinessinDarnay"smindwasrousedtovigorouslifebythisletter.Theperilofanoldservantandagoodone,whoseonlycrimewasfidelitytohimselfandhisfamily,staredhimsoreproachfullyintheface,that,ashewalkedtoandfrointheTempleconsideringwhattodo,healmosthidhisfacefromthepassers-by.

Heknewverywell,thatinhishorrorofthedeedwhichhadculminatedthebaddeedsandbadreputationoftheoldfamilyhouse,inhisresentfulsuspicionsofhisuncle,andintheaversionwithwhichhisconscienceregardedthecrumblingfabricthathewassupposedtouphold,hehadactedimperfectly.Heknewverywell,thatinhisloveforLucie,hisrenunciationofhissocialplace,thoughbynomeansnewtohisownmind,hadbeenhurriedandincomplete.Heknewthatheoughttohavesystematicallyworkeditoutandsupervisedit,andthathehadmeanttodoit,andthatithadneverbeendone.

ThehappinessofhisownchosenEnglishhome,thenecessityofbeingalwaysactivelyemployed,theswiftchangesandtroublesofthetimewhichhadfollowedononeanothersofast,thattheeventsofthisweekannihilatedtheimmatureplansoflastweek,andtheeventsoftheweekfollowingmadeallnewagain;heknewverywell,thattotheforceofthesecircumstanceshehadyielded:——notwithoutdisquiet,butstillwithoutcontinuousandaccumulatingresistance.Thathehadwatchedthetimesforatimeofaction,andthattheyhadshiftedandstruggleduntilthetimehadgoneby,andthenobilityweretroopingfromFrancebyeveryhighwayandbyway,andtheirpropertywasincourseofconfiscationanddestruction,andtheirverynameswereblottingout,wasaswellknowntohimselfasitcouldbetoanynewauthorityinFrancethatmightimpeachhimforit.

But,hehadoppressednoman,hehadimprisonednoman;hewassofarfromhavingharshlyexactedpaymentofhisdues,thathehadrelinquishedthemofhisownwill,thrownhimselfonaworldwithnofavourinit,wonhisownprivateplacethere,andearnedhisownbread.MonsieurGabellehadheldtheimpoverishedandinvolvedestateonwritteninstructions,tosparethepeople,togivethemwhatlittletherewastogive——suchfuelastheheavycreditorswouldletthemhaveinthewinter,andsuchproduceascouldbesavedfromthesamegripinthesummer——andnodoubthehadputthefactinpleaandproof,forhisownsafety,sothatitcouldnotbutappearnow.

ThisfavouredthedesperateresolutionCharlesDarnayhadbeguntomake,thathewouldgotoParis.

Yes.Likethemarinerintheoldstory,thewindsandstreamshaddrivenhimwithintheinfluenceoftheLoadstoneRock,anditwasdrawinghimtoitself,andhemustgo.Everythingthatarosebeforehisminddriftedhimon,fasterandfaster,moreandmoresteadily,totheterribleattraction.Hislatentuneasinesshadbeen,thatbadaimswerebeingworkedoutinhisownunhappylandbybadinstruments,andthathewhocouldnotfailtoknowthathewasbetterthanthey,wasnotthere,tryingtodosomethingtostaybloodshed,andasserttheclaimsofmercyandhumanity.Withthisuneasinesshalfstifled,andhalfreproachinghim,hehadbeenbroughttothepointedcomparisonofhimselfwiththebraveoldgentlemaninwhomdutywassostrong;uponthatcomparison(injurioustohimself)hadinstantlyfollowedthesneersofMonseigneur,whichhadstunghimbitterly,andthoseofStryver,whichaboveallwerecoarseandgalling,foroldreasons.Uponthose,hadfollowedGabelle"sletter:theappealofaninnocentprisoner,indangerofdeath,tohisjustice,honour,andgoodname.

Hisresolutionwasmade.HemustgotoParis.

Yes.TheLoadstoneRockwasdrawinghim,andhemustsailon,untilhestruck.Heknewofnorock;hesawhardlyanydanger.Theintentionwithwhichhehaddonewhathehaddone,evenalthoughhehadleftitincomplete,presenteditbeforehiminanaspectthatwouldbegratefullyacknowledgedinFranceonhispresentinghimselftoassertit.Then,thatgloriousvisionofdoinggood,whichissooftenthesanguinemirageofsomanygoodminds,arosebeforehim,andheevensawhimselfintheillusionwithsomeinfluencetoguidethisragingRevolutionthatwasrunningsofearfullywild.

Ashewalkedtoandfrowithhisresolutionmade,heconsideredthatneitherLucienorherfathermustknowofituntilhewasgone.Lucieshouldbesparedthepainofseparation;andherfather,alwaysreluctanttoturnhisthoughtstowardsthedangerousgroundofold,shouldcometotheknowledgeofthestep,asasteptaken,andnotinthebalanceofsuspenseanddoubt.Howmuchoftheincompletenessofhissituationwasreferabletoherfather,throughthepainfulanxietytoavoidrevivingoldassociationsofFranceinhismind,hedidnotdiscusswithhimself.But,thatcircumstancetoo,hadhaditsinfluenceinhiscourse.

Hewalkedtoandfro,withthoughtsverybusy,untilitwastimetoreturntoTellson"sandtakeleaveofMr.Lorry.AssoonashearrivedinParishewouldpresenthimselftothisoldfriend,buthemustsaynothingofhisintentionnow.

Acarriagewithpost-horseswasreadyattheBankdoor,andJerrywasbootedandequipped.

`Ihavedeliveredthatletter,"saidCharlesDarnaytoMr.Lorry.`Iwouldnotconsenttoyourbeingchargedwithanywrittenanswer,butperhapsyouwilltakeaverbalone?"

`ThatIwill,andreadily,"saidMr.Lorry,`ifitisnotdangerous."

`Notatall.ThoughitistoaprisonerintheAbbaye."

`Whatishisname?"saidMr.Lorry,withhisopenpocket-bookinhishand.

`Gabelle."

`Gabelle.AndwhatisthemessagetotheunfortunateGabelleinprison?"

`Simply,"thathehasreceivedtheletter,andwillcome.""

`Anytimementioned?"

`Hewillstartuponhisjourneyto-morrownight."

`Anypersonmentioned?"

`No."

HehelpedMr.Lorrytowraphimselfinanumberofcoatsandcloaks,andwentoutwithhimfromthewarmatmosphereoftheoldBank,intothemistyairofFleet-street.`MylovetoLucie,andtolittleLucie,"saidMr.Lorryatparting,`andtakepreciouscareofthemtillIcomeback."CharlesDarnayshookhisheadanddoubtfullysmiled,asthecarriagerolledaway.

Thatnight——itwasthefourteenthofAugust——hesatuplate,andwrotetwoferventletters;onewastoLucie,explainingthestrongobligationhewasundertogotoParis,andshowingher,atlength,thereasonsthathehad,forfeelingconfidentthathecouldbecomeinvolvedinnopersonaldangerthere;theotherwastotheDoctor,confidingLucieandtheirdearchildtohiscare,anddwellingonthesametopicswiththestrongestassurances.Toboth,hewrotethathewoulddespatchlettersinproofofhissafety,immediatelyafterhisarrival.

Itwasahardday,thatdayofbeingamongthem,withthefirstreservationoftheirjointlivesonhismind.Itwasahardmattertopreservetheinnocentdeceitofwhichtheywereprofoundlyunsuspicious.But,anaffectionateglanceathiswife,sohappyandbusy,madehimresolutenottotellherwhatimpended(hehadbeenhalfmovedtodoit,sostrangeitwastohimtoactinanythingwithoutherquietaid),andthedaypassedquicklyaway.Earlyintheeveningheembracedher,andherscarcelylessdearnamesake,pretendingthathewouldreturnby-and-by(animaginaryengagementtookhimout,andhehadsecretedavaliseofclothesready),andsoheemergedintotheheavymistoftheheavystreets,withaheavierheart.

Theunseenforcewasdrawinghimfasttoitself,now,andallthetidesandwindsweresettingstraightandstrongtowardsit.Helefthistwoletterswithatrustyporter,tobedeliveredhalfanhourbeforemidnight,andnosooner;tookhorseforDover;andbeganhisjourney.`FortheloveofHeaven,ofjustice,ofgenerosity,ofthehonourofyournoblename!"wasthepoorprisoner"scrywithwhichhestrengthenedhissinkingheart,asheleftallthatwasdearonearthbehindhim,andfloatedawayfortheLoadstoneRock.

THEENDOFTHESECONDBOOK

BOOKTHETHIRD

THETRACKOFASTORM

CHAPTERI

InSecret

THEtravellerfaredslowlyonhisway,whofaredtowardsParisfromEnglandintheautumnoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety-two.Morethanenoughofbadroads,badequipages,andbadhorses,hewouldhaveencounteredtodelayhim,thoughthefallenandunfortunateKingofFrancehadbeenuponhisthroneinallhisglory;but,thechangedtimeswerefraughtwithotherobstaclesthanthese.Everytown-gateandvillagetaxing-househaditsbandofcitizen-patriots,withtheirnationalmusketsinamostexplosivestateofreadiness,whostoppedallcomersandgoers,cross-questionedthem,inspectedtheirpapers,lookedfortheirnamesinlistsoftheirown,turnedthemback,orsentthemon,orstoppedthemandlaidtheminhold,astheircapriciousjudgmentorfancydeemedbestforthedawningRepublicOneandIndivisible,ofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath.

AveryfewFrenchleaguesofhisjourneywereaccomplished,whenCharlesDarnaybegantoperceivethatforhimalongthesecountryroadstherewasnohopeofreturnuntilheshouldhavebeendeclaredagoodcitizenatParis.Whatevermightbefallnow,hemustontohisjourney"send.Notameanvillagecloseduponhim,notacommonbarrierdroppedacrosstheroadbehindhim,butheknewittobeanotherirondoorintheseriesthatwasbarredbetweenhimandEngland.Theuniversalwatchfulnesssoencompassedhim,thatifhehadbeentakeninanet,orwerebeingforwardedtohisdestinationinacage,hecouldnothavefelthisfreedommorecompletelygone.

Thisuniversalwatchfulnessnotonlystoppedhimonthehighwaytwentytimesinastage,hutretardedhisprogresstwentytimesinaday,byridingafterhimandtakinghimback,ridingbeforehimandstoppinghimbyanticipation,ridingwithhimandkeepinghimincharge.HehadbeendaysuponhisjourneyinFrancealone,whenhewenttobedtiredout,inalittletownonthehighroad,stillalongwayfromParis.

NothingbuttheproductionoftheafflictedGabelle"sletterfromhisprisonoftheAbbayewouldhavegothimonsofar.Hisdifficultyattheguard-houseinthissmallplacehadbeensuch,thathefelthisjourneytohavecometoacrisis.Andhewas,therefore,aslittlesurprisedasamancouldbe,tofindhimselfawakenedatthesmallinntowhichhehadbeenremitteduntilmorning,inthemiddleofthenight.

Awakenedbyatimidlocalfunctionaryandthreearmedpatriotsinroughredcapsandwithpipesintheirmouths,whosatdownonthebed.

`Emigrant,"saidthefunctionary,`IamgoingtosendyouontoParis,underanescort."

`Citizen,IdesirenothingmorethantogettoParis,thoughIcoulddispensewiththeescort."

`Silence!"growledared-cap,strikingatthecoverletwiththebutt-endofhismusket.`Peace,aristocrat!"

`Itisasthegoodpatriotsays,"observedthetimidfunctionary.`Youareanaristocrat,andmusthaveanescort-andmustpayforit."

`Ihavenochoice,"saidCharlesDarnay.

`Choice,Listentohim!"criedthesamescowlingred-cap.`Asifitwasnotafavourtobeprotectedfromthelamp-iron!"

`Itisalwaysasthegoodpatriotsays,"observedthefunctionary.`Riseanddressyourself,emigrant."

Darnaycomplied,andwastakenbacktotheguard-house,whereotherpatriotsinroughredcapsweresmoking,drinking,andsleeping,byawatch-fire.Herehepaidaheavypriceforhisescort,andhencehestartedwithitonthewet,wetroadsatthreeo"clockinthemorning.

Theescortweretwomountedpatriotsinredcapsandtricolouredcockades,armedwithnationalmusketsandsabres,whorodeoneoneithersideofhim.Theescortedgovernedhisownhorse,butalooselinewasattachedtohisbridle,theendofwhichoneofthepatriotskeptgirdedroundhiswrist.Inthisstatetheysetforthwiththesharpraindrivingintheirfaces:clatteringataheavydragoontrotovertheuneventownpavement,andoutuponthemire-deeproads.Inthisstatetheytraversedwithoutchange,exceptofhorsesandpace,allthemire-deepleaguesthatlaybetweenthemandthecapital.

Theytravelledinthenight,haltinganhourortwoafterdaybreak,andlyingbyuntilthetwilightfell.Theescortweresowretchedlyclothed,thattheytwistedstrawroundtheirbarelegs,andthatchedtheirraggedshoulderstokeepthewetoffApartfromthepersonaldiscomfortofbeingsoattended,andapartfromsuchconsiderationsofpresentdangerasarosefromoneofthepatriotsbeingchronicallydrunk,andcarryinghismusketveryrecklessly,CharlesDarnaydidnotallowtherestraintthatwaslaiduponhimtoawakenanyseriousfearsinhisbreast;for,hereasonedwithhimselfthatitcouldhavenoreferencetothemeritsofanindividualcasethatwasnotyetstated,andofrepresentations,confirmablebytheprisonerintheAbbaye,thatwerenotyetmade.

ButwhentheycantotothetownofBeauvais——whichtheydidateventide,whenthestreetswerefilledwithpeople——hecouldnot`concealfromhimselfthattheaspectofaffairswasveryalarming.Anominouscrowdgatheredtoseehimdismountattheposting-yard,andmanyvoicescalledoutloudly,`Downwiththeemigrant!"

Hestoppedintheactofswinginghimselfoutofhissaddledand,resumingitashissafestplace,said:

`Emigrant,myfriends!Doyounotseemehere,inFrance,ofmyownwill?"

`Youareacursedemigrant,"criedafarrier,makingathimInafuriousmannerthroughthepress,hammerinhand;`andyouareacursedaristocrat!"

Thepostmasterinterposedhimselfbetweenthismanandtherider"sbridle(atwhichhewasevidentlymaking),andsoothinglysaid,`Lethimbe;lethimbe!HewillbejudgedatParis."

`Judged!"repeatedthefarrier,swinginghishammer.`Ay!andcondemnedasatraitor."Atthisthecrowdroaredapproval.

Checkingthepostmaster,whowasforturninghishorse"sheadtotheyard(thedrunkenpatriotsatcomposedlyinhissaddlelookingon,withthelineroundhiswrist),Darnaysaid,assoonashecouldmakehisvoiceheard:

`Friends,youdeceiveyourselves,oryouaredeceived.Iamnotatraitor."

`Helies!"criedthesmith.`Heisatraitorsincethedecree.Hislifeisforfeittothepeople.Hiscursedlifeisnothisown!"

AttheinstantwhenDarnaysawarushintheeyesofthecrowd,whichanotherinstantwouldhavebroughtuponhim,thepostmasterturnedhishorseintotheyard,theescortrodeincloseuponhishorse"sflanks,andthepostmastershutandbarredthecrazydoublegates.Thefarrierstruckablowuponthemwithhishammer,andthecrowdgroaned;but,nomorewasdone.

`Whatisthisdecreethatthesmithspokeof?"Darnayaskedthepostmaster,whenhehadthankedhim,andstoodbesidehimintheyard.

`Truly,adecreeforsellingthepropertyofemigrants."

`Whenpassed?"

`Onthefourteenth."

`ThedayIleftEngland!"

`Everybodysaysitisbutoneofseveral,andthattherewillbeothers——iftherearenotalready——banishingallemigrants,andcondemningalltodeathwhoreturn.Thatiswhathemeantwhenhesaidyourlifewasnotyourown."

`Buttherearenosuchdecreesyet?"

`WhatdoIknow!"saidthepostmaster,shrugginghisshoulders;`theremaybe,ortherewillbe.Itisallthesame.Whatwouldyouhave?"

Theyrestedonsomestrawinaloftuntilthemiddleofthenight,andthenrodeforwardagainwhenallthetownwasasleep.Amongthemanywildchangesobservableonfamiliarthingswhichmadethiswildrideunreal,nottheleastwastheseemingrarityofsleep.Afterlongandlonelyspurringoverdrearyroads,theywouldcometoaclusterofpoorcottages,notsteepedindarkness,butallglitteringwithlights,andwouldfindthepeople,inaghostlymannerinthedeadofthenight,circlinghandinhandroundashrivelledtreeofLiberty,oralldrawnuptogethersingingaLibertysong.Happily,however,therewassleepinBeauvaisthatnighttohelpthemoutofit,andtheypassedononcemoreintosolitudeandloneliness:jinglingthroughtheuntimelycoldandwet,amongimpoverishedfieldsthathadyieldednofruitsoftheearththatyear,diversifiedbytheblackenedremainsofburnthouses,andbythesuddenemergencefromambuscade,andsharpreiningupacrosstheirway,ofpatriotpatrolsonthewatchonalltheroads.

DaylightatlastfoundthembeforethewallofParis.Thebarrierwasclosedandstronglyguardedwhentheyrodeuptoit.

`Wherearethepapersofthisprisoner?"demandedaresolute-lookingmaninauthority,whowassummonedoutbytheguard.

Naturallystruckbythedisagreeableword,CharlesDarnayrequestedthespeakertotakenoticethathewasafreetravellerandFrenchcitizen,inchargeofanescortwhichthedisturbedstateofthecountryhadimposeduponhim,andwhichhehadpaidfor.

`Where,"repeatedthesamepersonage,withouttakinganyheedofhimwhatever,`arethepapersofthisprisoner?"

Thedrunkenpatriothadtheminhiscap,andproducedthem.CastinghiseyesoverGabelle"sletter,thesamepersonageinauthorityshowedsomedisorderandsurprise,andlookedatDarnaywithacloseattention.

Heleftescortandescortedwithoutsayingaword,however,andwentintotheguard-room;meanwhile,theysatupontheirhorsesoutsidethegate.Lookingabouthimwhileinthisstateofsuspense,CharlesDarnayobservedthatthegatewasheldbyamixedguardofsoldiersandpatriots,thelatterfaroutnumberingtheformer;andthatwhileingressintothecityforpeasantscartsbringinginsupplies,andforsimilartrafficandtraffickers,waseasyenough,egress,evenforthehomeliestpeople,wasverydifficult.Anumerousmedleyofmenandwomen,nottomentionbeastsandvehiclesofvarioussorts,waswaitingtoissueforth;but,thepreviousidentificationwassostrict,thattheyfilteredthroughthebarrierveryslowly.Someofthesepeopleknewtheirturnforexaminationtobesofaroff,thattheylaydownonthegroundtosleeporsmoke,whileotherstalkedtogether,orloiteredabout.Theredcapandtricolourcockadewereuniversal,bothamongmenandwomen.

Whenhehadsatinhissaddlesomehalf-hour,takingnoteofthesethings,Darnayfoundhimselfconfrontedbythesamemaninauthority,whodirectedtheguardtoopenthebarrier.Thenhedeliveredtotheescort,drunkandsober,areceiptfortheescorted,andrequestedhimtodismount.Hedidso,andthetwopatriots,leadinghistiredhorse,turnedandrodeawaywithoutenteringthecity.

Heaccompaniedhisconductorintoaguard-room,smellingofcommonwineandtobacco,wherecertainsoldiersandpatriots,asleepandawake,drunkandsober,andinvariousneutralstatesbetweensleepingandwaking,drunkennessandsobriety,werestandingandlyingabout.Thelightintheguard-house,halfderivedfromthewaningoil-lampsofthenight,andhalffromtheovercastday,wasinacorrespondinglyuncertaincondition.Someregisterswerelyingopenonadesk,andanofficerofacoarse,darkaspect,presidedoverthese.

`CitizenDefarge,"saidhetoDarnay"sconductor,ashetookaslipofpapertowriteon.`IsthistheemigrantEvrémonde?"

`Thisistheman."

`Yourage,Evrémonde?"

`Thirty-seven."

`Married,Evrémonde?"

`Yes."

`Wheremarried?"

`InEngland."

`Withoutdoubt.Whereisyourwife,Evrémonde?"

`InEngland."

`Withoutdoubt.Youareconsigned,Evrémonde,totheprisonofLaForce."

`JustHeaven!"exclaimedDarnay.`Underwhatlaw,andforwhatoffence?"

Theofficerlookedupfromhisslipofpaperforamoment.

`Wehavenewlaws,Evrémonde,andnewoffences,sinceyouwerehere."Hesaiditwithahardsmile,andwentonwriting.

`IentreatyoutoobservethatIhavecomeherevoluntarily,inresponsetothatwrittenappealofafellow-countrymanwhichliesbeforeyou.Idemandnomorethantheopportunitytodosowithoutdelay.Isnotthatmyright?"

`Emigrantshavenorights,Evrémonde,"wasthestolidreply.Theofficerwroteuntilhehadfinished,readovertohimselfwhathehadwritten,sandedit,andhandedittoDefarge,withthewords`Insecret."

Defargemotionedwiththepapertotheprisonerthathemustaccompanyhim.Theprisonerobeyed,andaguardoftwoarmedpatriotsattendedthem.

`Isityou,"saidDefarge,inalowvoice,astheywentdowntheguard-housestepsandturnedintoParis,`whomarriedthedaughterofDoctorManette,onceaprisonerintheBastillethatisnomore?"

`Yes,"repliedDarnay,lookingathimwithsurprise.

`MynameisDefarge,andIkeepawine-shopintheQuarterSaintAntoine.Possiblyyouhaveheardofme."

`Mywifecametoyourhousetoreclaimherfather?Yes!"

Theword`wife"seemedtoserveasagloomyremindertoDefarge,tosaywithsuddenimpatience,`Inthenameofthatsharpfemalenewly-born,andcalledLaGuillotine,whydidyoucometoFrance?"

`Youheardmesaywhy,aminuteago.Doyounotbelieveitisthetruth?"

`Abadtruthforyou,"saidDefarge,speakingwithknittedbrows,andlookingstraightbeforehim.

`IndeedIamlosthere.Allhereissounprecedented,sochanged,sosuddenandunfair,thatIamabsolutelylost.Willyourendermealittlehelp?"

`None."Defargespoke,alwayslookingstraightbeforehim.

`Willyouanswermeasinglequestion?"

`Perhaps.Accordingtoitsnature.Youcansaywhatitis."

`InthisprisonthatIamgoingtosounjustly,shallIhavesomefreecommunicationwiththeworldoutside?"

`Youwillsee."

`Iamnottobeburiedthere,prejudged,andwithoutanymeansofpresentingmycase?"

`Youwillsee.But,whatthen?Otherpeoplehavebeensimilarlyburiedinworseprisons,beforenow.

`Butneverbyme,CitizenDefarge."

Defargeglanceddarklyathimforanswer,andwalkedoninasteadyandsetsilence.Thedeeperhesankintothissilence,thefainterhopetherewas——orsoDarnaythought——ofhissofteninginanyslightdegree.He,therefore,madehastetosay:

`Itisoftheutmostimportancetome(youknow,Citizen,evenbetterthanI,ofhowmuchimportance),thatIshouldbeabletocommunicatetoMr.LorryofTellson"sBank,anEnglishgentlemanwhoisnowinParis,thesimplefact,withoutcomment,thatIhavebeenthrownintotheprisonofLaForce.Willyoucausethattobedoneforme?"

`Iwilldo,"Defargedoggedlyrejoined,`nothingforyou.MydutyistomycountryandthePeople.Iamtheswornservantofboth,againstyou.Iwilldonothingforyou."

CharlesDarnayfeltithopelesstoentreathimfurther,andhispridewastouchedbesides.Astheywalkedoninsilence,hecouldnotbutseehowusedthepeopleweretothespectacleofprisonerspassingalongthestreets.Theverychildrenscarcelynoticedhim.Afewpassersturnedtheirheads,andafewshooktheirfingersathimasanaristocrat;otherwise,thatamaningoodclothesshouldbegoingtoprison,wasnomoreremarkablethanthatalabourerinworkingclothesshouldbegoingtowork.Inonenarrow,dark,anddirtystreetthroughwhichtheypassed,anexcitedorator,mountedonastool,wasaddressinganexcitedaudienceonthecrimesagainstthepeople,ofthekingandtheroyalfamily.Thefewwordsthathecaughtfromthisman"slips,firstmadeitknowntoCharlesDarnaythatthekingwasinprison,andthattheforeignambassadorshadoneandallleftParis.Ontheroad(exceptatBeauvais)hehadheardabsolutelynothing.Theescortandtheuniversalwatchfulnesshadcompletelyisolatedhim.

ThathehadfallenamongfargreaterdangersthanthosewhichhaddevelopedthemselveswhenheleftEngland,heofcourseknewnow.Thatperilshadthickenedabouthimfast,andmightthickenfasterandfasteryet,heofcourseknewnow.Hecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthathemightnothavemadethisjourney,ifhecouldhaveforeseentheeventsofafewdays.Andyethismisgivingswerenotsodarkas,imaginedbythelightofthislatertime,theywouldappear.Troubledasthefuturewas,itwastheunknownfuture,andinitsobscuritytherewasignoranthope.Thehorriblemassacre,daysandnightslong,which,withinafewroundsoftheclock,wastosetagreatmarkofbloodupontheblessedgarneringtimeofharvest,wasasfaroutofhisknowledgeasifithadbeenahundredthousandyearsaway.The`sharpfemalenewly-born,andcalledLaGuillotine,"washardlyknowntohim,ortothegeneralityofpeople,byname.Thefrightfuldeedsthatweretobesoondone,wereprobablyunimaginedatthattimeinthebrainsofthedoers.Howcouldtheyhaveaplaceintheshadowyconceptionsofagentlemind?

Ofunjusttreatmentindetentionandhardship,andincruelseparationfromhiswifeandchild,heforeshadowedthelikelihood,orthecertainty;but,beyondthis,hedreadednothingdistinctly.Withthisonhismind,whichwasenoughtocarryintoadrearyprisoncourt-yard,hearrivedattheprisonofLaForce.

Amanwithabloatedfaceopenedthestrongwicket,towhomDefargepresented`TheEmigrantEvrémonde."

`WhattheDevil!Howmanymoreofthem!"exclaimedthemanwiththebloatedface.

Defargetookhisreceiptwithoutnoticingtheexclamation,andwithdrew,withhistwofellow-patriots.

`WhattheDevil,Isayagain!"exclaimedthegaoler,leftwithhiswife.`Howmanymore!"

Thegaoler"swife,beingprovidedwithnoanswertothequestion,merelyreplied,`Onemusthavepatience,mydear!"Threeturnkeyswhoenteredresponsivetoabellsherang,,echoedthesentimentandoneadded,`FortheloveofLiberty;whichsoundedinthatplacelikeaninappropriateconclusion.

TheprisonofLaForcewasagloomyprison,darkandfilthy,andwithahorriblesmelloffoulsleepinit.Extraordinaryhowsoonthenoisomeflavourofimprisonedsleep,becomesmanifestinallsuchplacesthatareillcaredfor!

`Insecret,too,"grumbledthegaoler,lookingatthewrittenpaper.`AsifIwasnotalreadyfulltobursting!"