第16章

Hestuckthepaperonafile,inanill-humour,andCharlesDarnayawaitedhisfurtherpleasureforhalfanhour:sometimes,pacingtoandfrointhestrongarchedroom:sometimes,restingonastoneseat:ineithercasedetainedtobeimprintedonthememoryofthechiefandhissubordinates.

`Come!"saidthechief,atlengthtakinguphiskeys,`comewithme,emigrant."

Throughthedismalprisontwilight,hisnewchargeaccompaniedhimbycorridorandstaircase,manydoorsclangingandlockingbehindthem,untiltheycameintoalarge,low,vaultedchamber,crowdedwithprisonersofbothsexes.Thewomenwereseatedatalongtable,readingandwriting,knitting,sewing,andembroidering;themenwereforthemostpartstandingbehindtheirchairs,orlingeringupanddowntheroom.

Intheinstinctiveassociationofprisonerswithshamefulcrimeanddisgrace,thenewcomerrecoiledfromthiscompany.Butthecrowningunrealityofhislongunrealride,was,theirallatoncerisingtoreceivehim,witheveryrefinementofmannerknowntothetime,andwithalltheengaginggracesandcourtesiesoflife.

Sostrangelycloudedweretheserefinementsbytheprisonmannersandgloom,sospectraldidtheybecomeintheinappropriatesqualorandmiserythroughwhichtheywereseen,thatCharlesDarnayseemedtostandinacompanyofthedead.Ghostsall!Theghostofbeauty,theghostofstateliness,theghostofelegance,theghostofpride,theghostoffrivolity,theghostofwit,theghostofyouth,theghostofage,allwaitingtheirdismissalfromthedesolateshore,allturningonhimeyesthatwerechangedbythedeaththeyhaddiedincomingthere.

Itstruckhimmotionless.Thegaolerstandingathisside,andtheothergaolersmovingabout,whowouldhavebeenwellenoughastoappearanceintheordinaryexerciseoftheirfunctions,lookedsoextravagantlycoarsecontrastedwithsorrowingmothersandbloomingdaughterswhoweretherewiththeapparitionsofthecoquette,theyoungbeauty,andthematurewomandelicatelybred——thattheinversionofallexperienceandlikelihoodwhichthesceneofshadowspresented,washeightenedtoitsutmost.Surely,ghostsall.Surely,thelongunrealridesomeprogressofdiseasethathadbroughthimtothesegloomyshades!

`Inthenameoftheassembledcompanionsinmisfortune,"saidagentlemanofcourtlyappearanceandaddress,comingforward,`IhavethehonourofgivingyouwelcometoLaForce,andofcondolingwithyouonthecalamitythathasbroughtyouamongus.Mayitsoonterminatehappily!Itwouldbeanimpertinenceelsewhere,butitisnotsohere,toaskyournameandcondition?"

CharlesDarnayrousedhimself,andgavetherequiredinformation,inwordsassuitableashecouldfind.

`ButIhope,"saidthegentleman,followingthechiefgaolerwithhiseyes,whomovedacrosstheroom,`thatyouarenotinsecret?"

`Idonotunderstandthemeaningoftheterm,butIhaveheardthemsayso."

`Ah,whatapity!Wesomuchregretit!Buttakecourage;severalmembersofoursocietyhavebeeninsecret,atfirst,andithaslastedbutashorttime."Thenheadded,raisinghisvoice,`Igrievetoinformthesociety——insecret.

TherewasamurmurofcommiserationasCharlesDarnaycrossedtheroomtoagrateddoorwherethegaolerawaitedhim,andmanyvoices——amongwhich,thesoftandcompassionatevoicesofwomanwereconspicuous——gavehimgoodwishesandencouragement.Heturnedatthegrateddoor,torenderthethanksofhisheart;itclosedunderthegaoler"shand;andtheapparitionsvanishedfromhissightforever.

Thewicketopenedonastonestaircase,leadingupward.Whentheyhadascendedfortysteps(theprisonerofhalfanhouralreadycountedthem),thegaoleropenedalowblackdoor,andtheypassedintoasolitarycell.Itstruckcoldanddamp,butwasnotdark.

`Yours,"saidthegaoler.

`WhyamIconfinedalone?"

`HowdoIknow!"

`Icanbuypen,ink,andpaper?"

`Sucharenotmyorders.Youwillbevisited,andcanaskthen.Atpresent,youmaybuyyourfood,andnothingmore."

Therewereinthecell,achair,atable,andastrawmattress.Asthegaolermadeageneralinspectionoftheseobjects,andofthefourwalls,beforegoingout,awanderingfancywanderedthroughthemindoftheprisonerleaningagainstthewalloppositetohim,thatthisgaolerwassounwholesomelybloated,bothinfaceandperson,astolooklikeamanwhohadbeendrownedandfilledwithwater.Whenthegaolerwasgone,hethoughtinthesamewanderingway,`NowamIleft,asifIweredead."Stoppingthen,tolookdownatthemattress,heturnedfromitwithasickfeeling,andthought,`Andhereinthesecrawlingcreaturesisthefirstconditionofthebodyafterdeath."

`Fivepacesbyfourandahalffivepacesbyfourandahalf,fivepacesbyfourandahalf."Theprisonerwalkedtoandfroinhiscell,countingitsmeasurement,andtheroarofthecityaroselikemuffleddrumswithawildswellofvoicesaddedtothem.`Hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes."Theprisonercountedthemeasurementagain,andpacedfaster,todrawhismindwithhimfromthatlatterrepetition.`Theghoststhatvanishedwhenthewicketclosed.Therewasoneamongthem,theappearanceofaladydressedinblack,whowasleaningintheembrasureofawindow,andshehadalightshininguponhergoldenhair,andshelookedlike****Letusrideonagain,forGod"ssake,throughtheilluminatedvillageswiththepeopleallawake!****Hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes.****Fivepacesbyfourandahalf."Withsuchscrapstossingandrollingupwardfromthedepthsofhismind,theprisonerwalkedfasterandfaster,obstinatelycountingandcounting;andtheroarofthecitychangedtothisextent-thatitstillrolledinlikemuffleddrums,butwiththewailofvoicesthatheknew,intheswellthatroseabovethem.

CHAPTERII

TheGrindstone

TELLSON"SBANK,establishedintheSaintGermainQuarterofParis,wasinawingofalargehouse,approachedbyacourt-yardandshutofffromthestreetbyahighwallandastronggate.Thehousebelongedtoagreatnoblemanwhohadlivedinituntilhemadeaflightfromthetroubles,inhisowncook"sdress,andgotacrosstheborders.Amerebeastofthechaseflyingfromhunters,hewasstillinhismetempsychosisnootherthanthesameMonseigneur,thepreparationofwhosechocolateforwhoselipshadonceoccupiedthreestrongmenbesidesthecookinquestion.

Monseigneurgone,andthethreestrongmenabsolvingthemselvesfromthesinofhavingdrawnhishighwages,bybeingmorethanreadyandwillingtocuthisthroatonthealtarofthedawningRepubliconeandindivisibleofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,Monseigneur"shousehadbeenfirstsequestrated,andthenconfiscated.For,allthingsmovedsofast,anddecreefolloweddecreewiththatfierceprecipitation,thatnowuponthethirdnightoftheautumnmonthofSeptember,patriotemissariesofthelawwereinpossessionofMonseigneur"shouse,andhadmarkeditwiththetricolour,andweredrinkingbrandyinitsstateapartments.

AplaceofbusinessinLondonlikeTellson"splaceofbusinessinParis,wouldsoonhavedriventheHouseoutofitsmindandintotheGazette.For,whatwouldstaidBritishresponsibilityandrespectabilityhavesaidtoorange-treesinboxesinaBankcourt-yard,andeventoaCupidoverthecounter?Yetsuchthingswere.Tellson"shadwhitewashedtheCupid,buthewasstilltobeseenontheceiling,inthecoolestlinen,aiming(asheveryoftendoes)atmoneyfrommorningtonight.BankruptcymustinevitablyhavecomeofthisyoungPagan,inLombardstreet,London,andalsoofacurtainedalcoveintherearoftheimmortalboy,andalsoofalooking-glassletintothewall,andalsoofclerksnotatallold,whodancedinpublicontheslightestprovocation.Yet,aFrenchTellson"scouldgetonwiththesethingsexceedinglywell,and,aslongasthetimesheldtogether,nomanhadtakenfrightatthem,anddrawnouthismoney.

WhatmoneywouldbedrawnoutofTellson"shenceforth,andwhatwouldliethere,lostandforgotten;whatplateandjewelswouldtarnishinTellson"shiding-places,whilethedepositorsrustedinprisons,andwhentheyshouldhaveviolentlyperished;howmanyaccountswithTellson"snevertobebalancedinthisworld,mustbecarriedoverintothenext;nomancouldhavesaid,thatnight,anymorethanMr.JarvisLorrycould,thoughhethoughtheavilyofthesequestions.Hesatbyanewly-lightedwoodfire(theblightedandunfruitfulyearwasprematurelycold),andonhishonestandcourageousfacetherewasadeepershadethanthependentlampcouldthrow,oranyobjectintheroomdistortedlyreflect——ashadeofhorror.

HeoccupiedroomsintheBank,inhisfidelitytotheHouseofwhichhehadgrowntobeapart,likeastrongroot-ivy.Itchancedthattheyderivedakindofsecurityfromthepatrioticoccupationofthemainbuilding,butthetrue-heartedoldgentlemannevercalculatedaboutthat.Allsuchcircumstanceswereindifferenttohim,sothathedidhisduty.Ontheoppositesideofthecourt-yard,underacolonnade,wasextensivestandingforcarriages——where,indeed,somecarriagesofMonseigneuryetstood.Againsttwoofthepillarswerefastenedtwogreatflaringflambeaux,andinthelightofthese,standingoutintheopenair,wasalargegrindstone:aroughlymountedthingwhichappearedtohavehurriedlybeenbroughttherefromsomeneighbouringsmithy,orotherworkshop.Risingandlookingoutofwindowattheseharmlessobjects,Mr.Lorryshivered,andretiredtohisseatbythefire.Hehadopened,notonlytheglasswindow,butthelatticeblindoutsideit,andhehadclosedbothagain,andheshiveredthroughhisframe.

Fromthestreetsbeyondthehighwallandthestronggate,therecametheusualnighthumofthecity,withnowandthenanindescribableringinit,weirdandunearthly,asifsomeunwontedsoundsofaterriblenatureweregoinguptoHeaven.

`ThankGod,"saidMr.Lorry,claspinghishands,`thatnoonenearanddeartomeisinthisdreadfultownto-night.MayHehavemercyonallwhoareindanger!"

Soonafterwards,thebellatthegreatgatesounded,andhethought,`Theyhavecomeback!"andsatlistening.But,therewasnoloudirruptionintothecourt-yard,ashehadexpected,andheheardthegateclashagain,andallwasquiet.

ThenervousnessanddreadthatwereuponhiminspiredthatvagueuneasinessrespectingtheBank,whichagreatchangewouldnaturallyawaken,withsuchfeelingsroused.Itwaswellguarded,andhegotuptogoamongthetrustypeoplewhowerewatchingit,thenhisdoorsuddenlyopened,andtwofiguresrushedin,atsightofwhichhefellbackinamazement.

Lucieandherfather!Luciewithherarmsstretchedouttohim,andwiththatoldlookofearnestnesssoconcentratedandintensified,thatitseemedasthoughithadbeenstampeduponherfaceexpresslytogiveforceandpowertoitinthisonepassageofherlife.

`Whatisthis?"criedMr.Lorry,breathlessandconfused.`Whatisthematter?Lucie!Manette!Whathashappened?Whathasbroughtyouhere?Whatisit?"

Withthelookfixeduponhim,inherpalenessandwildness,shepantedoutinhisarms,imploringly,`Omydearfriend!Myhusband!"

`Yourhusband,Lucie?"

`Charles."

`WhatofCharles?"

`Here."

`Here,inParis?"

`Hasbeenheresomedays——threeorfour——Idon"tknowhowmany——Ican"tcollectmythoughts.Anerrandofgenerositybroughthimhereunknowntous;hewasstoppedatthebarrier,andsenttoprison."

Theoldmanutteredanirrepressiblecry.Almostatthesamemoment,thebellofthegreatgaterangagain,andaloudnoiseoffeetandvoicescamepouringintothecourt-yard.

`Whatisthatnoise?"saidtheDoctor,turningtowardsthewindow.

`Don"tlook!"criedMr.Lorry.`Don"tlookout!Manette,foryourlife,don"ttouchtheblind!"

TheDoctorturned,withhishanduponthefasteningofthewindow,andsaid,withacoolboldsmile:

`Mydearfriend,Ihaveacharmedlifeinthiscity.IhavebeenaBastilleprisoner.ThereisnopatriotinParis——inParis?InFrance——who,knowingmetohavebeenaprisonerintheBastille,wouldtouchme,excepttooverwhelmmewithembraces,orcarrymeintriumph.Myoldpainhasgivenmeapowerthathasbroughtusthroughthebarrier,andgainedusnewsofCharlesthere,andbroughtushere.Iknewitwouldbeso;IknewIcouldhelpCharlesoutofalldanger;ItoldLucieso——Whatisthatnoise?"Hishandwasagainuponthewindow.

`Don"tlook!"criedMr.Lorry,absolutelydesperate.`No,Lucie,mydear,noryou!"Hegothisarmroundher,andheldher.`Don"tbesoterrified,mylove.IsolemnlysweartoyouthatIknowofnoharmhavinghappenedtoCharles;thatIhadnosuspicionevenofhisbeinginthisfatalplace.Whatprisonishein?"

`LaForce!"

`LaForce!Lucie,mychild,ifeveryouwerebraveandserviceableinyourlife——andyouwerealwaysboth——youwillcomposeyourselfnow,todoexactlyasIbidyou;formoredependsuponitthanyoucanthink,orIcansay.Thereisnohelpforyouinanyactiononyourpartto-night;youcannotpossiblystirout.Isaythis,becausewhatImustbidyoutodoforCharles"ssake,isthehardestthingtodoofall.Youmustinstantlybeobedient,still,andquiet.Youmustletmeputyouinaroomatthebackhere.Youmustleaveyourfatherandmealonefortwominutes,andasthereareLifeandDeathintheworldyoumustnotdelay."

`Iwillbesubmissivetoyou.IseeinyourfacethatyouknowIcandonothingelsethanthis.Iknowyouaretrue."

Theoldmankissedher,andhurriedherintohisroom,andturnedthekey;then,camehurryingbacktotheDoctor,andopenedthewindowandpartlyopenedtheblind,andputhishandupontheDoctor"sarm,andlookedoutwithhimintothecourt-yard.

Lookedoutuponathrongofmenandwomen:notenoughinnumber,ornearenough,tofillthecourt-yard:notmorethanfortyorfiftyinall.Thepeopleinpossessionofthehousehadlettheminatthegate,andtheyhadrushedintoworkatthegrindstone;ithadevidentlybeensetuptherefortheirpurpose,asinaconvenientandretiredspot.

But,suchawfulworkers,andsuchawfulwork!

Thegrindstonehadadoublehandle,and,turningatitmadlyweretwomen,whosefaces,astheirlonghairflappedbackwhenthewhirlingsofthegrindstonebroughttheirfacesup,weremorehorribleandcruelthanthevisagesofthewildestsavagesintheirmostbarbarousdisguise.Falseeye-browsandfalsemoustacheswerestuckuponthem,andtheirhideouscountenanceswereallbloodyandsweaty,andallawrywithhowling,andallstaringandglaringwithbeastlyexcitementandwantofsleep.Astheseruffiansturnedandturned,theirmattedlocksnowflungforwardovertheireyes,nowflungbackwardovertheirnecks,somewomenheldwinetotheirmouthsthattheymightdrink;andwhatwithdroppingblood,andwhatwithdroppingwine,andwhatwiththestreamofsparksstruckoutofthestone,alltheirwickedatmosphereseemedgoreandfire.Theeyecouldnotdetectonecreatureinthegroupfreefromthesmearofblood.Shoulderingoneanothertogetnextatthesharpening-stone,weremenstrippedtothewaist,withthestainallovertheirlimbsandbodies;meninallsortsofrags,withthestainuponthoserags;mendevilishlysetoffwithspoilsofwomen"slaceandsilkandribbon,withthestaindyeingthosetriflesthroughandthrough.Hatchets,knives,bayonets,swords,allbroughttobesharpened,wereallredwithit.Someofthehackedswordsweretiedtothewristsofthosewhocarriedthem,withstripsoflinenandfragmentsofdress:ligaturesvariousinkind,butalldeepoftheonecolour.Andasthefranticwieldersoftheseweaponssnatchedthemfromthestreamofsparksandtoreawayintothestreets,thesameredhuewasredintheirfrenziedeyes;——eyeswhichanyunbrutalisedbeholderwouldhavegiventwentyyearsoflife,topetrifywithawell-directedgun.

Allthiswasseeninamoment,asthevisionofadrowningman,orofanyhumancreatureatanyverygreatpass,couldseeaworldifitwerethere.Theydrewbackfromthewindow,andtheDoctorlookedforexplanationinhisfriend"sashyface.

`Theyare,"Mr.Lorrywhisperedthewords,glancingfearfullyroundatthelockedroom,`murderingtheprisoners.Ifyouaresureofwhatyousay;ifyoureallyhavethepoweryouthinkyouhave——asIbelieveyouhave——makeyourselfknowntothesedevils,andgettakentoLaForce.Itmaybetoolate,Idon"tknow,butletitnotbeaminutelater!"

DoctorManettepressedhishand,hastenedbareheadedoutoftheroom,andwasinthecourt-yardwhenMr.Lorryregainedtheblind.

Hisstreamingwhitehair,hisremarkableface,andtheimpetuousconfidenceofhismanner,asheputtheweaponsasidelikewater,carriedhiminaninstanttotheheartoftheconcourseatthestone.Forafewmomentstherewasapause,andahurry,andamurmur,andtheunintelligiblesoundofhisvoice;andthenMr.Lorrysawhim,surroundedbyall,andinthemidstofalineoftwentymenlong,alllinkedshouldertoshoulder,andhandtoshoulder,hurriedoutwithcriesof——"LivetheBastilleprisoner!HelpfortheBastilleprisoner"skindredinLaForce!RoomfortheBastilleprisonerinfrontthere!SavetheprisonerEvrémondeatLaForce!"andathousandansweringshouts.

Heclosedthelatticeagainwithaflutteringheart,closedthewindowandthecurtain,hastenedtoLucie,andtoldherthatherfatherwasassistedbythepeople,andgoneinsearchofherhusband.HefoundherchildandMissProsswithher;but,itneveroccurredtohimtobesurprisedbytheirappearanceuntilalongtimeafterwards,whenhesatwatchingtheminsuchquietasthenightknew.

Luciehad,bythattime,fallenintoastuporonthefloorathisfeet,clingingtohishand.MissProsshadlaidthechilddownonhisownbed,andherhadhadgraduallyfallenonthepillowbesideherprettycharge.Othelong,longnight,withthemoansofthepoorwife!AndOthelong,longnight,withnoreturnofherfatherandnotidings!

Twicemoreinthedarknessthebellatthegreatgatesounded,andtheirruptionwasrepeated,andthegrindstonewhirledandspluttered.`Whatisit?"criedLucie,affrighted.`Hush!Thesoldiers"swordsaresharpenedthere,"saidMr.Lorry.`Theplaceisnationalpropertynow,andusedasakindofarmoury,mylove."

Twicemoreinall;but,thelastspellofworkwasfeebleandfitful.Soonafterwardsthedaybegantodawn,andhesoftlydetachedhimselffromtheclaspinghand,andcautiouslylookedoutagain.Aman,sobesmearedthathemighthavebeenasorelywoundedsoldiercreepingbacktoconsciousnessonafieldofslain,wasrisingfromthepavementbythesideofthegrindstone,andlookingabouthimwithavacantair.Shortly,thisworn-outmurdererdescriedintheimperfectlightoneofthecarriagesofMonseigneur,and,staggeringtothatgorgeousvehicle,climbedinatthedoor,andshuthimselfuptotakehisrestonitsdaintycushions.

Thegreatgrindstone,Earth,hadturnedwhenMr.Lorrylookedoutagain,andthesunwasredonthecourt-yard.But,thelessergrindstonestoodalonethereinthecalmmorningair,withareduponitthatthesunhadnevergiven,andwouldnevertakeaway.

CHAPTERIII

TheShadow

ONEofthefirstconsiderationswhicharoseinthebusinessmindofMr.Lorrywhenbusinesshourscameround,wasthis:——thathehadnorighttoimperilTellson"sbyshelteringthewifeofanemigrantprisonerundertheBankroof.Hisownpossessions,safety,life,hewouldhavehazardedforLucieandherchild,withoutamoment"sdemur;butthegreattrustheheldwasnothisown,andastothatbusinesschargehewasastrictmanofbusiness.

Atfirst,hismindrevertedtoDefarge,andhethoughtoffindingoutthewine-shopagainandtakingcounselwithitsmasterinreferencetothesafestdwelling-placeinthedistractedstateofthecity.But,thesameconsiderationthatsuggestedhim,repudiatedhim;helivedinthemostviolentQuarter,anddoubtlesswasinfluentialthere,anddeepinitsdangerousworkings.

Nooncoming,andtheDoctornotreturning,andeveryminute"sdelaytendingtocompromise,Tellson"s,Mr.LorryadvisedwithLucie.Shesaidthatherfatherhadspokenofhiringalodgingforashortterm,inthatQuarter,neartheBanking-house.Astherewasnobusinessobjectiontothis,andasheforesawthatevenifitwereallwellwithCharles,andheweretobereleased,hecouldnothopetoleavethecity,Mr.Lorrywentoutinquestofsuchalodging,andfoundasuitableone,highupinaremovedby-streetwheretheclosedblindsinalltheotherwindowsofahighmelancholysquareofbuildingsmarkeddesertedhomes.

TothislodgingheatonceremovedLucieandherchild,andMissPross:givingthemwhatcomforthecould,andmuchmorethanhehadhimself.HeleftJerrywiththem,asafiguretofilladoorwaythatwouldbearconsiderableknockingonthehead,andreturnedtohisownoccupations.Adisturbedanddolefulmindhebroughttobearuponthem,andslowlyandheavilythedaylaggedonwithhim.

Itworeitselfout,andworehimoutwithit,untiltheBankclosed.Hewasagainaloneinhisroomofthepreviousnight,consideringwhattodonext,whenheheardafootuponthestair.Inafewmoments,amanstoodinhispresence,who,withakeenlyobservantlookathim,addressedhimbyhisname.

`Yourservant,"saidMr.Lorry.`Doyouknowme?"

Hewasastronglymademanwithdarkcurlinghair,fromforty-fivetofiftyyearsofae.Foranswerherepeated,withoutanychangeofemphasis,thewords:

`Doyouknowme?"

`Ihaveseenyousomewhere."

`Perhapsatmywine-shop?"

Muchinterestedandagitated,Mr.Lorrysaid:`YoucomefromDoctorManette?"

`Yes.IcomefromDoctorManette."

`Andwhatsayshe?Whatdoeshesendme?"

Defargegaveintohisanxioushand,anopenscrapofpaper.ItborethewordsintheDoctor"swriting:

`Charlesissafe,butIcannotsafelyleavethisplaceyet.IhaveobtainedthefavourthatthebearerhasashortnotefromCharlestohiswife.Letthebearerseehiswife."

ItwasdatedfromLaForce,withinanhour.

`Willyouaccompanyme,"saidMr.Lorry,joyfullyrelievedafterreadingthisnotealoud,`towherehiswiferesides?"

`Yes,"returnedDefarge.

Scarcelynoticingasyet,inwhatacuriouslyreservedandmechanicalwayDefargespoke,Mr.Lorryputonhishatandtheywentdownintothecourt-yard.There,theyfoundtwowomen;one,knitting.

`MadameDefarge,surely!"saidMr.Lorry,whohadleftherinexactlythesameattitudesomeseventeenyearsago.

`Itisshe,"observedherhusband.

`Doesmadamegowithus?"inquiredMr.Lorry,seeingthatshemovedastheymoved.

`Yes.Thatshemaybeabletorecognisethefacesandknowthepersons.Itisfortheirsafety."

BeginningtobestruckbyDefarge"smanner,Mr.Lorrylookeddubiouslyathim,andledtheway.Boththewomenfollowed;thesecondwomanbeingTheVengeance.

Theypassedthroughtheinterveningstreetsasquicklyastheymight,ascendedthestaircaseofthenewdomicile,wereadmittedbyJerry,andfoundLucieweeping,alone.ShewasthrownintoatransportbythetidingsMr.Lorrygaveherofherhusband,andclaspedthehandthatdeliveredhisnote——littlethinkingwhatithadbeendoingnearhiminthenight,andmight,butforachance,havedonetohim.

`DEAREST,——Takecourage.Iamwell,andyourfatherhasinfluencearoundme.Youcannotanswerthis.Kissourchildforme."

Thatwasallthewriting.Itwassomuch,however,toherwhoreceivedit,thatsheturnedfromDefargetohiswife,andkissedoneofthehandsthatknitted.Itwasapassionate,loving,thankful,womanlyaction,butthehandmadenoresponse——droppedcoldandheavy,andtooktoitsknittingagain.

TherewassomethinginitstouchthatgaveLucieacheck.Shestoppedintheactofputtingthenoteinherbosom,and,withherhandsyetatherneck,lookedterrifiedatMadameDefarge.MadameDefargemettheliftedeyebrowsandforeheadwithacold,impassivestare.

`Mydear,"saidMr.Lorry,strikingintoexplain;`therearefrequentrisingsinthestreets;and,althoughitisnotlikelytheywillevertroubleyou,MadameDefargewishestoseethosewhomshehasthepowertoprotectatsuchtimes,totheendthatshemayknowthem——thatshemayidentifythem.Ibelieve,"saidMr.Lorry,ratherhaltinginhisreassuringwords,asthestonymannerofallthethreeimpresseditselfuponhimmoreandmore,`Istatethecase,CitizenDefarge?"

Defargelookedgloomilyathiswife,andgavenootheranswerthanagruffsoundofacquiescence.

`Youhadbetter,Lucie,"saidMr.Lorry,doingallhecouldtopropitiate,bytoneandmanner,`havethedearchildhere,andourgoodPross.OurgoodPross,Defarge,isanEnglishlady,andknowsnoFrench."

Theladyinquestion,whoserootedconvictionthatshewasmorethanamatchforanyforeigner,wasnottobeshakenbydistressanddanger,appearedwishfoldedarms,andobservedinEnglishtoTheVengeance,whomhereyesfirstencountered,`Well,Iamsure,Boldface!Ihopeyouareprettywell!"ShealsobestowedaBritishcoughonMadameDefarge;but,neitherofthetwotookmuchheedofher.

`Isthathischild?"saidMadameDefarge,stoppinginherworkforthefirsttime,andpointingherknitting-needleatlittleLucieasifitwerethefingerofFate.

`Yes,madame,"answeredMr.Lorry;`thisisourpoorprisoner"sdarlingdaughter,andonlychild."

TheshadowattendantonMadameDefargeandherpartyseemedtofallsothreateninganddarkonthechild,thathermotherinstinctivelykneeledonthegroundbesideher,andheldhertoherbreast.TheshadowattendantonMadameDefargeandherpartyseemedthentofall,threateninganddark,onboththemotherandthechild.

`Itisenough,myhusband,"saidMadameDefarge.`Ihaveseenthem.Wemaygo.

But,thesuppressedmannerhadenoughofmenaceinit——notvisibleandpresented,butindistinctandwithheld——toalarmLucieintosaying,asshelaidherappealinghandonMadameDefarge"sdress:

`Youwillbegoodtomypoorhusband.Youwilldohimnoharm.Youwillhelpmetoseehimifyoucan?"

`Yourhusbandisnotmybusinesshere,"returnedMadameDefarge,lookingdownatherwithperfectcomposure.`Itisthedaughterofyourfatherwhoismybusinesshere."

`Formysake,then,bemercifultomyhusband.Formychild"ssake!Shewillputherhandstogetherandprayyoutobemerciful.Wearemoreafraidofyouthanoftheseothers."

MadameDefargereceiveditasacompliment,andlookedatherhusband.Defarge,whohadbeenuneasilybitinghisthumb-nailandlookingather,collectedhisfaceintoasternerexpression.

`Whatisitthatyourhusbandsaysinthatlittleletter?"askedMadameDefarge,withaloweringsmile.`Influence;hesayssomethingtouchinginfluence?"

`Thatmyfather,"saidLucie,hurriedlytakingthepaperfromherbreast,butwithheralarmedeyesonherquestionerandnotonit,`hasmuchinfluencearoundhim."

`Surelyitwillreleasehim!"saidMadameDefarge.`Letitdoso."

`Asawifeandmother,"criedLucie,mostearnestly,`Iimploreyoutohavepityonmeandnottoexerciseanypowerthatyoupossess,againstmyinnocenthusband,buttouseitinhisbehalf.Osister-woman,thinkofme.Asawifeandmother!"

MadameDefargelooked,coldlyasever,atthesuppliant,andsaid,turningtoherfriendTheVengeance:

`Thewivesandmotherswehavebeenusedtosee,sincewewereaslittleasthischild,andmuchless,havenotbeengreatlyconsidered?Wehaveknowntheirhusbandsandfatherslaidinprisonandkeptfromthem,oftenenough?Allourlives,wehaveseenoursister-womensuffer,inthemselvesandintheirchildren,poverty,nakedness,hunger,thirst.sickness,misery,oppressionandneglectofallkinds?"

`Wehaveseennothingelse,"returnedTheVengeance.

`Wehavebornethisalongtime,"saidMadameDefarge,turninghereyesagainuponLucie.`Judgeyou!Isitlikelythatthetroubleofonewifeandmotherwouldbemuchtousnow?"

Sheresumedherknittingandwentout.TheVengeancefollowed.Defargewentlast,andclosedthedoor.

`Courage,mydearLucie,"saidMr.Lorry,asheraisedher.`Courage,courage!Sofarallgoeswellwithus——much,muchbetterthanithasoflategonewithmanypoorsouls.Cheerup,andhaveathankfulheart."

`Iamnotthankless,Ihope,butthatdreadfulwomanseemstothrowashadowonmeandonallmyhopes."

`Tut,tut!"saidMr.Lorry;`whatisthisdespondencyinthebravelittlebreast?Ashadowindeed!Nosubstanceinit,Lucie."

ButtheshadowofthemanneroftheseDefargeswasdarkuponhimself,forallthat,andinhissecretmindittroubledhimgreatly.

CHAPTERIV

CalminStorm

DOCTORMANETTEdidnotreturnuntilthemorningofthefourthdayofhisabsence.SomuchofwhathadhappenedinthatdreadfultimeascouldbekeptfromtheknowledgeofLuciewassowellconcealedfromher,thatnotuntillongafterwards,whenFranceandshewerefarapart,didsheknowthatelevenhundreddefencelessprisonersofbothsexesandallageshadbeenkilledbythepopulace;thatfourdaysandnightshadbeendarkenedbythisdeedofhorror;andthattheairaroundherhadbeentaintedbytheslain.Sheonlyknewthattherehadbeenanattackupontheprisons,thatallpoliticalprisonershadbeenindanger,andthatsomehadbeendraggedoutbythecrowdandmurdered.

ToMr.Lorry,theDoctorcommunicatedunderaninjunctionofsecrecyonwhichhehadnoneedtodwell,thatthecrowdhadtakenhimthroughasceneofcarnagetotheprisonofLaForce.That,intheprisonhehadfoundaself-appointedTribunalsitting,beforewhichtheprisonerswerebroughtsingly,andbywhichtheywererapidlyorderedtobeputforthtobemassacred,ortobereleased,or(inafewcases)tobesentbacktotheircells.That,presentedbyhisconductorstothisTribunal,hehadannouncedhimselfbynameandprofessionashavingbeenforeighteenyearsasecretandunaccusedprisonerintheBastille;that,oneofthebodysosittinginjudgmenthadrisenandidentifiedhim,andthatthismanwasDefarge.

That,hereuponhehadascertained,throughtheregistersonthetable,thathisson-in-lawwasamongthelivingprisoners,andhadpleadedhardtotheTribunal——ofwhomsomememberswereasleepandsomeawake,somedirtywithmurderandsomeclean,somesoberandsomenot——forhislifeandliberty.That,inthefirstfranticgreetingslavishedonhimselfasanotablesuffererundertheover-thrownsystem,ithadbeenaccordedtohimtohaveCharlesDarnaybroughtbeforethelawlessCourt,andexamined.That,heseemedonthepointofbeingatoncereleased,whenthetideinhisfavourmetwithsomeunexplainedcheck(notintelligibletotheDoctor),whichledtoafewwordsofsecretconference.That,themansittingasPresidenthadtheninformedDoctorManettethattheprisonermustremainincustody,butshouldforhissake,beheldinviolateinsafecustody.That,immediately,onasignal,theprisonerwasremovedtotheinterioroftheprisonagain;but,thatlie,theDoctor,hadthensostronglypleadedforpermissiontoremainandassurehimselfthathisson-in-lawwas,throughnomaliceormischance,deliveredtotheconcoursewhosemurderousyellsoutsidethegatehadoftendrownedtheproceedings,thatliehadobtainedthepermission,andhadremainedinthatHallofBlooduntilthedangerwasover.

Thesightshehadseenthere,withbriefsnatchesoffoodandsleepbyintervals,shallremainuntold.Themadjobovertheprisonerswhoweresaved,hadastoundedhimscarcelylessthanthemadferocityagainstthosewhowerecuttopieces.Oneprisonertherewas,liesaid,whohadbeendischargedintothestreetfree,butatwhomamistakensavagehadthrustapikeasliepassedout.Beingbesoughttogotohimanddressthewound,theDoctorhadpassedoutatthesamegate,andhadfoundhiminthearmsofacompanyofSamaritans,whowereseatedonthebodiesoftheirvictims.Withaninconsistencyasmonstrousasanythinginthisawfulnightmare,theyhadhelpedthehealer,andtendedthewoundedmanwiththegentlestsolicitude——hadmadealitterforhimandescortedhimcarefullyfromthespot——hadthencaughtuptheirweaponsandplungedanewintoabutcherysodreadful,thattheDoctorhadcoveredhiseyeswithhishands,andswoonedawayinthemidstofit.

AsMr.Lorryreceivedtheseconfidences,andashewatchedthefaceofhisfriendnowsixty-twoyearsofage,amisgivingarosewithinhimthatsuchdreadexperienceswouldrevisetheolddanger.But,hehadneverseenhisfriendinhi,presentaspect:hehadneveratallknownhiminhispresentcharacter.ForthefirsttimetheDoctorfelt,now,thathissufferingwasstrengthandpower.Forthefirsttimeheleftthatinthatsharpfire,liehadslowlyforgedtheironwhichcouldbreaktheprisondoorofhisdaughter"shusband,anddeliverhim.`Italltendedtoagoodend,myfriend;itwasnotmerewasteandruin.Asmybelovedchildwashelpfulinrestoringmetomyself,Iwillbehelpfulnowinrestoringthedearestpartofherselftoher;bytheaidofHeavenIwilldoit!"Thus,DoctorManette.AndwhenJarvisLorrysawthekindledeyes,theresoluteface,thecalmstronglookandbearingofthemanwhoselifealwaysseemedtohimtohavebeenstopped,likeaclock,forsomanyyears,andthensetgoingagainwithanenergywhichhadlaindormantduringthecessationofitsusefulness,hebelieved.

GreaterthingsthantheDoctorhadatthattimetocontendwith,wouldhaveyieldedbeforehisperseveringpurpose.Whilehekepthimselfinhisplace,asaphysician,whosebusinesswaswithalldegreesofmankind,bondandfree,richandpoor,badandgood,heusedhispersonalinfluencesowisely,thathewassoontheinspectingphysicianofthreeprisons,andamongthemofLaForce.HecouldnowassureLuciethatherhusbandwasnolongerconfinedalone,butwasmixedwiththegeneralbodyofprisoners;hesawherhusbandweekly,andbroughtsweetmessagestoher,straightfromhislips;sometimesherhusbandhimselfsentalettertoher(thoughneverbytheDoctor"shand),butshewasnotpermittedtowritetohim:for,amongthemanywildsuspicionsofplotsintheprisons,thewildestofallpointedatemigrantswhowereknowntohavemadefriendsorpermanentconnectionsabroad.

ThisnewlifeoftheDoctor"swasananxiouslife,nodoubt;still,thesagaciousMr.Lorrysawthattherewasanewsustainingprideinit.Nothingunbecomingtingedthepride;itwasanaturalandworthyone;butheobserveditasacuriosity.TheDoctorknew,thatuptothattime,hisimprisonmenthadbeenassociatedinthemindsofhisdaughterandhisfriend,withhispersonalaffliction,deprivation,andweakness.Nowthatthiswaschanged,andheknewhimselftobeinvestedthroughthatoldtrialwithforcestowhichtheybothlookedforCharles"sultimatesafetyanddeliverance,hebecamesofarexaltedbythechange,thathetooktheleadanddirection,andrequiredthemastheweak,totrusttohimasthestrong.TheprecedingrelativepositionsofhimselfandLuciewerereversed,yetonlyastheliveliestgratitudeandaffectioncouldreversethem,forhecouldhavehadnopridebutinrenderingsomeservicetoherwhohadrenderedsomuchtohim.`Allcurioustosee,"thoughtMr.Lorry,inhisamiablyshrewdway,`butallnaturalandright;so,takethelead,mydearfriend,andkeepit;itcouldn"tbeinbetterhands."