第17章

But,thoughtheDoctortriedhard,andneverceasedtrying,togetCharlesDarnaysetatliberty,oratleasttogethimbroughttotrial,thepubliccurrentofthetimesettoostrongandfastforhim.Thenewerabegan;thekingwastried,doomed,andbeheaded;theRepublicofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,declaredforvictoryordeathagainsttheworldinarms;theblackflagwavednightanddayfromthegreattowersofNotreDame;threehundredthousandmen,summonedtoriseagainstthetyrantsoftheearth,rosefromallthevaryingsoilsofFrance,asifthedragon"steethhadbeensownbroadcast,andhadyieldedfruitequallyonhillandplain,onrock,ingravel,andalluvialmud,underthebrightskyoftheSouthandunderthecloudsoftheNorth,infellandforest,inthevineyardsandtheolive-groundsandamongthecroppedgrassandthestubbleofthecorn,alongthefruitfulbanksofthebroadrivers,andinthesandofthesea-shore.WhatprivatesolicitudecouldrearitselfagainstthedelugeoftheYearOneofLiberty——thedelugerisingfrombelow,notfallingfromabove,andwiththewindowsofHeavenshut,notopened!

Therewasnopause,nopity,nopeace,nointervalofrelentingrest,nomeasurementoftime.Thoughdaysandnightscircledasregularlyaswhentimewasyoung,andtheeveningandmorningwerethefirstday,othercountoftimetherewasnone.Holdofitwaslostintheragingfeverofanation,asitisinthefeverofonepatient.Now,breakingtheunnaturalsilenceofawholecity,theexecutionershowedthepeopletheheadoftheking-andnow,itseemedalmostinthesamebreath,theheadofhisfairwifewhichhadhadeightwearymonthsofimprisonedwidowhoodandmisery,toturnitgrey.

Andyet,observingthestrangelawofcontradictionwhichobtainsinallsuchcases,thetimewaslong,whileitflamedbysofast.Arevolutionarytribunalinthecapital,andfortyorfiftythousandrevolutionarycommitteesallovertheland;alawoftheSuspected,whichstruckawayallsecurityforlibertyorlife,anddeliveredoveranygoodandinnocentpersontoanybadandguiltyone;prisonsgorgedwithpeoplewhohadcommittednooffence,andcouldobtainnohearing;thesethingsbecametheestablishedorderandnatureofappointedthings,andseemedtobeancientusagebeforetheyweremanyweeksold.Aboveall,onehideousfiguregrewasfamiliarasifithadbeenbeforethegeneralgazehornthefoundationsoftheworld——thefigureofthesharpfemalecalledLaGuillotine.

Itwasthepopularthemeforjests;itwasthebestcureforheadache,itinfalliblypreventedthehairfromturninggrey,itimpartedapeculiardelicacytothecomplexion,itwastheNationalRazorwhichshavedclose:whokissedLaGuillotine,lookedthroughthelittlewindowandsneezedintothesack.Itwasthesignoftheregenerationofthehumanrace.ItsupersededtheGross.ModelsofitwerewornonbreastsfromwhichtheGrosswasdiscarded,anditwasboweddowntoandbelievedinwheretheGrosswasdenied.

Itshearedoffheadssomany,thatit,andthegrounditmostpolluted,werearottenred.Itwastakentopieces,likeatoy-puzzleforayoungDevil,andwasputtogetheragainwhentheoccasionwantedit.Ithushedtheeloquent,struckdownthepowerful,abolishedthebeautifulandgood.Twenty-twofriendsofhighpublicmark,twenty-onelivingandonedead,ithadloppedtheheadsoff,inonemorning,inasmanyminutes.ThenameofthestrongmanofOldScripturehaddescendedtothechieffunctionarywhoworkedit;but,soarmed,hewasstrongerthanhisnamesake,andblinder,andtoreawaythegatesofGod"sownTempleeveryday.

Amongtheseterrors,andthebroodbelongingtothem,theDoctorwalkedwithasteadyhead:confidentinhispower,cautiouslypersistentinhisend,neverdoubtingthathewouldsaveLucie"shusbandatlast.Yetthecurrentofthetimesweptby,sostronganddeep,andcarriedthetimeawaysofiercely,thatCharleshadlaininprisononeyearandthreemonthswhentheDoctorwasthussteadyandconfident.SomuchmorewickedanddistractedhadtheRevolutiongrowninthatDecembermonth,thattheriversoftheSouthwereencumberedwiththebodiesoftheviolentlydrownedbynight,andprisonerswereshotinlinesandsquaresunderthesouthernwintrysun.Still,theDoctorwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead.Nomanbetterknownthanhe,inParisatthatday;nomaninastrangersituation.Silent,humane,indispensableinhospitalandprison,usinghisartequallyamongassassinsandvictims,hewasamanapart.Intheexerciseofhisskill,theappearanceandthestoryoftheBastilleCaptiveremovedhimfromallothermen.Hewasnotsuspectedorbroughtinquestion,anymorethanifhehadindeedbeenrecalledtolifesomeeighteenyearsbefore,orwereaSpiritmovingamongmortals.

CHAPTERV

TheWood-sawyer

ONEayearandthreemonths.DuringallthattimeLuciewasneversure,fromhourtohour,butthattheGuillotinewouldstrikeoffherhusband"sheadnextday.Everyday,throughthestonystreets,thetumbrilsnowjoltedheavily,filledwithCondemned.Lovelygirls;brightwomen,brown-haired,black-haired,andgrey;youths;stalwartmenandold;gentlebornandpeasantborn;allredwineforLaGuillotine,alldailybroughtintolightfromthedarkcellarsoftheloathsomeprisons,andcarriedtoherthroughthestreettoslakeherdevouringthirst.Liberty,equality,fraternity,ordeath;——thelast,muchtheeasiesttobestow,OGuillotine!

Ifthesuddennessofhercalamity,andthewhirlingwheelsofthetime,hadstunnedtheDoctor"sdaughterintoawaitingtheresultinidledespair,itwouldbuthavebeenwithherasitwaswithmany.But,fromthehourwhenshehadtakenthewhiteheadtoherfreshyoungbosominthegarretofshehadbeentruetoherduties.Shewastruesttothemintheseasonoftrial,asallthequietlyloyalandgoodwillalwaysbe.

Assoonastheywereestablishedintheirnewresidence,andherfatherhadenteredontheroutineofhisavocations,shearrangedthelittlehouseholdasexactlyasifherhusbandhadbeenthere.Everythinghaditsappointedplaceanditsappointedtime.LittleLucieshetaught,asregularly,asiftheyhadallbeenunitedintheirEnglishhome.Theslightdeviceswithwhichshecheatedherselfintotheshowofabeliefthattheywouldsoonbereunited-thelittlepreparationsforhisspeedyreturn,thesettingasideofhischairandhisbooks——these,andthesolemnprayeratnightforonedearprisonerespecially,amongthemanyunhappysoulsinprisonandtheshadowofdeath——werealmosttheonlyoutspokenreliefsofherheavymind.

Shedidnotgreatlyalterinappearance.Theplaindarkdresses,akintomourningdresses,whichsheandherchildwore,wereasneatandaswellattendedtoasthebrighterclothesofhappydays.Shelosthercolour,andtheoldandintentexpressionwasaconstant,notanoccasional,thing;otherwise,sheremainedveryprettyandcomely.Sometimes,atnightonkissingherfather,shewouldburstintothegriefshehadrepressedallday,andwouldsaythathersolereliance,underHeaven,wasonhim.Healwaysresolutelyanswered:`Nothingcanhappentohimwithoutmyknowledge,andIknowthatIcansavehim,Lucie."

Theyhadnotmadetheroundoftheirchangedlifemanyweeks,whenherfathersaidtoher,oncominghomeoneevening:

`Mydear,thereisanupperwindowintheprison,towhichCharlescansometimesgainaccessatthreeintheafternoon.Whenhecangettoit-whichdependsonmanyuncertaintiesandincidents-hemightseeyouinthestreet,hethinks,ifyoustoodinacertainplacethatIcanshowyou.Butyouwillnotbeabletoseehim,mypoorchild,andevenifyoucould,itwouldbeunsafeforyoutomakeasignofrecognition."

`Oshowmetheplace,myfather,andIwillgothereeveryday."

Fromthattime,inallweathers,shewaitedtheretwohours.Astheclockstrucktwo,shewasthere,andatfoursheturnedresignedlyaway.Whenitwasnottoowetorinclementforherchildtobewithher,theywenttogether;atothertimesshewasalone;butshenevermissedasingleday.

Itwasthedarkanddirtycornerofasmallwindingstreet.Thehovelofacutterofwoodintolengthsforburning,wastheonlyhouseatthatend;allelsewaswall.Onthethirddayofherbeingthere,henoticedher.

`Goodday,citizeness."

`Goodday,citizen."

Thismodeofaddresswasnowprescribedbydecree.Ithadbeenestablishedvoluntarilysometimeago,amongthemorethoroughpatriots;but,wasnowlawforeverybody.

`Walkinghereagain,citizeness?"

`Youseeme,citizen!"

Thewood-sawyer,whowasalittlemanwitharedundancyofgesture(hehadoncebeenamenderofroads),castaglanceattheprison,pointedattheprison,andputtinghistenfingersbeforehisfacetorepresentbars,peepedthroughthemjocosely.

`Butit"snotmybusiness,"saidhe.Andwentonsawinghiswood.

Nextdayhewaslookingoutforher,andaccostedherthemomentsheappeared.

`What?Walkinghereagain,citizeness?"

`Yes,citizen."

`Ah!Achildtoo!Yourmother,isitnot,mylittlecitizeness?"

`DoIsayyes,mamma?"whisperedlittleLucie,drawingclosetoher.

`Yes,dearest."

`Yes,citizen."

`Ah!Butit"snotmybusiness.Myworkismybusiness.Seemysaw!IcallitmyLittleGuillotine.La,la,la;La,la,la!Andoffhisheadcomes!"

Thebilletfellashespoke,andhethrewitintoabasket.

`IcallmyselftheSamsonofthefirewoodguillotine.Seehereagain!Loo,loo,loo;Loo,loo,loo!Andoffherheadcomes!Now,achild.Tickle,tickle;Pickle,pickle!Andoffitsheadcomes.Allthefamily!"

Lucieshudderedashethrewtwomorebilletsintohisbasket,butitwasimpossibletobetherewhilethewood-sawyerwasatwork,andnotbeinhissight.Thenceforth,tosecurehisgoodwill,shealwaysspoketohimfirst,andoftengavehimdrink-money,whichhereadilyreceived.

Hewasaninquisitivefellow,andsometimeswhenshehadquiteforgottenhimingazingattheprisonroofandgrates,andinliftingherheartuptoherhusband,shewouldcometoherselftofindhimlookingather,withhiskneeonhisbenchandhissawstoppedinitswork.`Butit"snotmybusiness!"hewouldgenerallysayatthosetimes,andwouldbrisklyfalltohissawingagain.

Inallweathers,inthesnowandfrostofwinter,inthebitterwindsofspring,inthehotsunshineofsummer,intherainsofautumn,andagaininthesnowandfrostofwinter,Luciepassedtwohoursofeverydayatthisplace;andeverydayonleavingit,shekissedtheprisonwall.Herhusbandsawher(soshelearnedfromherfather)itmightbeonceinfiveorsixtimes:itmightbetwiceorthricerunning:itmightbe,notforaweekorafortnighttogether.Itwasenoughthathecouldanddidseeherwhenthechancesserved,andonthatpossibilityshewouldhavewaitedouttheday,sevendaysaweek.

TheseoccupationsbroughtherroundtotheDecembermonth,whereinherfatherwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead.Onalightly-snowingafternoonshearrivedattheusualcorner.Itwasadayofsomewildrejoicing,andafestival.Shehadseenthehouses,asshecamealong,decoratedwithlittlepikes,andwithlittleredcapsstuckuponthem;also,withtricolouredribbons;also,withthestandardinscription(tricolouredletterswerethefavourite),RepublicOneandIndivisible.Liberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath!

Themiserableshopofthewood-sawyerwassosmall,thatitswholesurfacefurnishedveryindifferentspaceforthislegend.Hehadgotsomebodytoscrawlitupforhim,however,whohadsqueezedDeathinwithmostinappropriatedifficulty.Onhishouse-top,hedisplayedpikeandcap,asagoodcitizenmust,andinawindowhehadstationedhissawinscribedashis`LittleSainteGuillotine"——forthegreatsharpfemalewasbythattimepopularlycanonised.Hisshopwasshutandhewasnotthere,whichwasarelieftoLucie,andleftherquitealone.

But,hewasnotfaroff,forpresentlysheheardatroubledmovementandashoutingcomingalong,whichfilledherwithfear.Amomentafterwards,andathrongofpeoplecamepouringroundthecornerbytheprisonwall,inthemidstofwhomwasthewood-sawyerhandinhandwithTheVengeance.Therecouldnotbefewerthanfivehundredpeople,andtheyweredancinglikefivethousanddemons.Therewasnoothermusicthantheirownsinging.TheydancedtothepopularRevolutionsong,keepingaferocioustimethatwaslikeagnashingofteethinunison.Menandwomendancedtogether,womendancedtogether,mendancedtogether,ashazardhadbroughtthemtogether.Atfirst,theywereamerestormofcoarseredcapsandcoarsewoollenrags;but,astheyfilledtheplace,andstoppedtodanceaboutLucie,someghastlyapparitionofadance-figuregoneravingmadaroseamongthem.Theyadvanced,retreated,struckatoneanother"shands,clutchedatoneanother"sheads,spunroundalone,caughtoneanotherandspunroundinpairs,untilmanyofthemdropped.Whilethoseweredown,therestlinkedhandinhand,andallspunroundtogether:thentheringbroke,andinseparateringsoftwoandfourtheyturnedandturneduntiltheyallstoppedatonce,beganagain,struck,clutched,andtore,andthenreversedthespin,andallspunroundanotherway.Suddenlytheystoppedagain,paused,struckoutthetimeafresh,formedintolinesthewidthofthepublicway,and,withtheirheadslowdownandtheirhandshighup,swoopedscreamingoff.Nofightcouldhavebeenhalfsoterribleasthisdance.Itwassoemphaticallyafallensport——asomething,onceinnocent,deliveredovertoalldevilry——ahealthypastimechangedintoameansofangeringtheblood,bewilderingthesenses,andsteelingtheheart.Suchgraceaswasvisibleinit,madeittheuglier,showinghowwarpedandpervertedallthingsgoodbynaturewerebecome.Themaidenlybosombaredtothis,theprettyalmost-child"sheadthusdistracted,thedelicatefootmincinginthissloughofbloodanddirt,weretypesofthedisjointedtime."

ThiswastheCarmagnole.Asitpassed,leavingLuciefrightenedandbewilderedinthedoorwayofthewood-sawyer"shouse,thefeatherysnowfellasquietlyandlayaswhiteandsoft,asifithadneverbeen.

`Omyfather!"forhestoodbeforeherwhenshelifteduptheeyesshehadmomentarilydarkenedwithherhand;`suchacruel,badsight."

`Iknow,mydear,Iknow.Ihaveseenitmanytimes.Don"tbefrightened!Notoneofthemwouldharmyou."

`Iamnotfrightenedformyself,myfather.ButwhenIthinkofmyhusband,andthemerciesofthesepeople——"

`Wewillsethimabovetheirmerciesverysoon.Ilefthimclimbingtothewindow,andIcametotellyou.Thereisnooneheretosee.Youmaykissyourhandtowardsthathighestshelvingroof."

`Idoso,father,andIsendhimmySoulwithit!"

`Youcannotseehim,mypoordear?"

`No,father,"said,Lucie,yearningandweepingasshekissedherhand,`no.

Afootstepinthesnow.MadameDefarge.`Isaluteyou,citizeness,"fromtheDoctor.`Isaluteyou,citizen."Thisinpassing.Nothingmore.MadameDefargegone,likeashadowoverthewhiteroad.

`Givemeyourarm,mylove.Passfromherewithanairofcheerfulnessandcourage,forhissake.Thatwaswelldone;"theyhadleftthespot;`itshallnotbeinvain.Charlesissummonedforto-morrow."

`Forto-morrow!"

`Thereisnotimetolose.Iamwellprepared,butthereareprecautionstobetaken,thatcouldnotbetakenuntilhewasactuallysummonedbeforetheTribunal.Hehasnotreceivedthenoticeyet,butIknowthathewillpresentlybesummonedforto-morrow,andremovedtotheConciergerie;Ihavetimelyinformation.Youarenotafraid?"

Shecouldscarcelyanswer,`Itrustinyou."

`Doso,implicitly.Yoursuspenseisnearlyended,mydarling;heshallberestoredtoyouwithinafewhours;Ihaveencompassedhimwitheveryprotection.ImustseeLorry."

Hestopped.Therewasaheavylumberingofwheelswithinhearing.Theybothknewtoowellwhatitmeant.One.Two.Three.Threetumbrilsfaringawaywiththeirdreadloadsoverthehushingsnow.

`ImustseeLorry,"theDoctorrepeated,turningheranotherway.

Thestauncholdgentlemanwasstillinhistrust;hadneverleftit.Heandhisbookswereinfrequentrequisitionastopropertyconfiscatedandmadenational.Whathecouldsavefortheowners,hesaved.NobettermanlivingtoholdfastbywhatTellson"shadinkeeping,andtoholdhispeace.

Amurkyredandyellowsky,andarisingmistfromtheSeine,denotedtheapproachofdarkness.ItwasalmostdarkwhentheyarrivedattheBank.ThestatelyresidenceofMonseigneurwasaltogetherblightedanddeserted.Aboveaheapofdustandashesinthecourt,rantheletters:NationalProperty.RepublicOneandIndivisible.Liberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath!

WhocouldthatbewithMr.Lorry——theOwneroftheriding-coatuponthechair——whomustnotbeseen?Fromwhomnewlyarrived,didhecomeout,agitatedandsurprised,totakehisfavouriteinhisarms?Towhomdidheappeartorepeatherfalteringwords,when,raisinghisvoiceandturninghisheadtowardsthedooroftheroomfromwhichhehadissued,hesaid:`RemovedtotheConciergerie,andsummonedforto-morrow?"

CHAPTERVI

Triumph

THEdreadTribunaloffiveJudges,PublicProsecutor,anddeterminedJury,sateveryday.Theirlistswentfortheveryevening,andwerereadoutbythegaolersofthevariousprisonstotheirprisoners.Thestandardgaoler-jokewas,`ComeoutandlistentotheEveningPaper,youinsidethere!"

`CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay!"SoatlastbegantheEveningPaperatLaForce.

Whenanamewascalled,itsownersteppedapartintoaspotreservedforthosewhowereannouncedasbeingthusfatallyrecorded.CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,hadreasontoknowtheusage;hehadseenhundredspassawayso.

Hisbloatedgaoler,whoworespectaclestoreadwith,glancedoverthemtoassurehimselfthathehadtakenhisplace,andwentthroughthelist,makingasimilarshortpauseateachname.Thereweretwenty-threenames,butonlytwentyhererespondedto;foroneoftheprisonerssosummonedhaddiedingaolandbeenforgotten,andtwohadalreadybeenguillotinedandforgotten.Thelistwasread,inthevaultedchamberwhereDarnayhadseentheassociatedprisonersonthenightofhisarrival.Everyoneofthosehadperishedinthemassacre;everyhumancreaturehehadsincecaredforandpartedwith,haddiedonthescaffold.

Therewerehurriedwordsoffarewellandkindness,butthepartingwassoonover.Itwastheincidentofeveryday,andthesocietyofLaForcewereengagedinthepreparationofsomegamesofforfeitsandalittleconcert,forthatevening.Theycrowdedtothegratesandshedtearsthere;but,twentyplacesintheprojectedentertainmentshadtoberefilled,andthetimewas,atbest,shorttothelock-uphour,whenthecommonroomsandcorridorswouldbedeliveredovertothegreatdogswhokeptwatchtherethroughthenight.Theprisonerswerefarfrominsensibleorunfeeling;theirwaysaroseoutoftheconditionofthetime.Similarly,thoughwithasubtledifference,aspeciesoffervourorintoxication,known,withoutdoubt,tohaveledsomepersonstobravetheguillotineunnecessarily,andtodiebyit,wasnotmereboastfulness,butawildinfectionofthewildlyshakenpublicmind.Inseasonsofpestilence,someofuswillhaveasecretattractiontothedisease——aterriblepassinginclinationtodieofit.Andallofushavelikewondershiddeninourbreasts,onlyneedingcircumstancestoevokethem.

ThepassagetotheConciergeriewasshortanddark;thenightinitsvermin-hauntedcellswaslongandcold.Nextday,fifteenprisonerswereputtothebarbeforeCharlesDarnay"snamewascalled.Allthefifteenwerecondemned,andthetrialsofthewholeoccupiedanhourandahalf.

`CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,"wasatlengtharraigned.

HisjudgessatupontheBenchinfeatheredhats;buttheroughredcapandtricolouredcockadewasthehead-dressotherwiseprevailing.LookingattheJuryandtheturbulentaudience,hemighthavethoughtthattheusualorderofthingswasreversed,andthatthefelonsweretryingthehonestmen.Thelowest,cruelest,andworstpopulaceofacity,neverwithoutitsquantityoflow,cruel,andbad,werethedirectingspiritsofthescene:noisilycommenting,applauding,disapproving,anticipating,andprecipitatingtheresult,withoutacheck.Ofthemen,thegreaterpartwerearmedinvariousways;ofthewomen,someworeknives,somedaggers,someateanddrankastheylookedon,manyknitted.Amongtheselast,wasone,withasparepieceofknittingunderherarmassheworked.Shewasinafrontrow,bythesideofamanwhomhehadneverseensincehisarrivalattheBarrier,butwhomhedirectlyrememberedasDefarge.Henoticedthatsheonceortwicewhisperedinhisear,andthatsheseemedtobehiswife;but,whathemostnoticedinthetwofigureswas,thatalthoughtheywerepostedasclosetohimselfastheycouldbe,theyneverlookedtowardshim.Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethingwithadoggeddetermination,andtheylookedattheJury,butatnothingelse.UnderthePresidentsatDoctorManette,inhisusualquietdress.Aswellastheprisonercouldsee,heandMr.Lorryweretheonlymenthere,unconnectedwiththeTribunal,whoworetheirusualclothes,andhadnotassumedthecoarsegarboftheCarmagnole.

CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,wasaccusedbythepublicprosecutorasanemigrant,whoselifewasforfeittotheRepublic,underthedecreewhichbanishedallemigrantsonpainofDeath.ItwasnothingthatthedecreeboredatesincehisreturntoFrance.Therehewas,andtherewasthedecree;hehadbeentakeninFrance,andhisheadwasdemanded.

`Takeoffhishead!"criedtheaudience.`AnenemytotheRepublic!"

ThePresidentranghisbelltosilencethosecries,andaskedtheprisonerwhetheritwasnottruethathehadlivedmanyyearsinEngland?

Undoubtedlyitwas.

Washenotanemigrantthen?Whatdidhecallhimself?

Notanemigrant,hehoped,withinthesenseandspiritofthelaw.

Whynot?thePresidentdesiredtoknow.

Becausehehadvoluntarilyrelinquishedatitlethatwasdistastefultohim,andastationthatwasdistastefultohim,andhadlefthiscountry——hesubmittedbeforethewordemigrantinthepresentacceptationbytheTribunalwasinuse——tolivebyhisownindustryinEngland,ratherthanontheindustryoftheoverladenpeopleofFrance.

Whatproofhadheofthis?

Hehandedinthenamesoftwowitnesses:ThéophileGabelle,andAlexandreManette.

ButhehadmarriedinEngland?thePresidentremindedhim.

True,butnotanEnglishwoman.

AcitizenessofFrance?

Yes.Bybirth.

Hernameandfamily?

`LucieManette,onlydaughterofDoctorManette,thegoodphysicianwhositsthere."

Thisanswerhadahappyeffectupontheaudience.Criesinexaltationofthewell-knowngoodphysicianrentthehall.Socapriciouslywerethepeoplemoved,thattearsimmediatelyrolleddownseveralferociouscountenanceswhichhadbeenglaringattheprisoneramomentbefore,asifwithimpatiencetopluckhimoutintothestreetsandkillhim.

Onthesefewstepsofhisdangerousway,CharlesDarnayhadsethisfootaccordingtoDoctorManette"sreiteratedinstructions.Thesamecautiouscounseldirectedeverystepthatlaybeforehim,andhadpreparedeveryinchofhisroad.

ThePresidentasked,whyhadhereturnedtoFrancewhenhedid,andnotsooner?

Hehadnotreturnedsooner,hereplied,simplybecausehehadnomeansoflivinginFrance,savethosehehadresigned;whereas,inEngland,helivedbygivinginstructionintheFrenchlanguageandliterature.Hehadreturnedwhenhedid,onthepressingandwrittenentreatyofaFrenchcitizen,whorepresentedthathislifewasendangeredbyhisabsence.Hehadcomeback,tosaveacitizen"slife,andtobearhistestimony,atwhateverpersonalhazard,tothetruth.WasthatcriminalintheeyesoftheRepublic?

Thepopulacecriedenthusiastically,`No!"andthePresidentranghisbelltoquietthem.Whichitdidnot,fortheycontinuedtocry`No!"untiltheyleftofoftheirownwill.

ThePresidentrequiredthenameofthatcitizen?Theaccusedexplainedthatthecitizenwashisfirstwitness.Healsoreferredwithconfidencetothecitizen"sletter,whichhadbeentakenfromhimattheBarrier,butwhichhedidnotdoubtwouldbefoundamongthepapersthenbeforethePresident.

TheDoctorhadtakencarethatitshouldbethere——hadassuredhimthatitwouldbethere——andatthisstageoftheproceedingsitwasproducedandread.CitizenGabellewascalledtoconfirmit,anddidso.CitizenGabellehinted,withinfinitedelicacyandpoliteness,thatinthepressureofbusinessimposedontheTribunalbythemultitudeofenemiesoftheRepublicwithwhichithadtodeal,hehadbeenslightlyoverlookedinhisprisonoftheAbbaye——infact,hadratherpassedoutoftheTribunal"spatrioticremembrance——untilthreedaysago;whenhehadbeensummonedbeforeit,andhadbeensetatlibertyontheJury"sdeclaringthemselvessatisfiedthattheaccusationagainsthimwasanswered,astohimself,bythesurrenderofthecitizenEvrémondecalledDarnay.

DoctorManettewasnextquestioned.Hishighpersonalpopularity,andtheclearnessofhisanswers,madeagreatimpression;but,asheproceeded,asheshowedthattheAccusedwashisfirstfriendonhisreleasefromhislongimprisonment;that,theaccusedhadremainedinEngland,alwaysfaithfulanddevotedtohisdaughterandhimselfintheirexile;that,sofarfrombeinginfavourwiththeAristocratgovernmentthere,hehadactuallybeentriedforhislifebyit,asthefoeofEnglandandfriendoftheUnitedStates——ashebroughtthesecircumstancesintoview,withthegreatestdiscretionandwiththestraightforwardforceoftruthandearnestness,theJuryandthepopulacebecameone.Atlast,whenheappealedbynametoMonsieurLorry,anEnglishgentlemanthenandtherepresent,who,likehimself,hadbeenawitnessonthatEnglishtrialandcouldcorroboratehisaccountofit,theJurydeclaredthattheyhadheardenough,andthattheywerereadywiththeirvotesifthePresidentwerecontenttoreceivethem.

Ateveryvote(theJurymenvotedaloudandindividually),thepopulacesetupashoutofapplause.Allthevoiceswereintheprisoner"sfavour,andthePresidentdeclaredhimfree.

Then,beganoneofthoseextraordinarysceneswithwhichthepopulacesometimesgratifiedtheirfickleness,ortheirbetterimpulsestowardsgenerosityandmercy,orwhichtheyregardedassomesetoffagainsttheirswollenaccountofcruelrage.Nomancandecidenowtowhichofthesemotivessuchextraordinarysceneswerereferable;itisprobable,toablendingofallthethree,withthesecondpredominating.Nosoonerwastheacquittalpronounced,thantearswereshedasfreelyasbloodatanothertime,andsuchfraternalembraceswerebestowedupontheprisonerbyasmanyofbothsexesascouldrushathim,thatafterhislongandunwholesomeconfinementhewasindangeroffaintingfromexhaustion;nonethelessbecauseheknewverywell,thattheverysamepeople,carriedbyanothercurrent,wouldhaverushedathimwiththeverysameintensity,torendhimtopiecesandstrewhimoverthestreets.

Hisremoval,tomakewayforotheraccusedpersonswhoweretobetried,rescuedhimfromthesecaressesforthemoment.Fiveweretobetriedtogether,next,asenemiesoftheRepublic,forasmuchastheyhadnotassisteditbywordordeed.SoquickwastheTribunaltocompensateitselfandthenationforachancelost,thatthesefivecamedowntohimbeforehelefttheplace,condemnedtodiewithintwenty-fourhours.Thefirstofthemtoldhimso,withthecustomaryprisonsignofDeath——araisedfinger——andtheyalladdedinwords,`LonglivetheRepublic."

Thefivehadhad,itistrue,noaudiencetolengthentheirproceedings,forwhenheandDoctorManetteemergedfromthegate,therewasagreatcrowdaboutit,inwhichthereseemedtobeeveryfacehehadseeninCourt——excepttwo,forwhichhelookedinvain.Onhiscomingout,theconcoursemadeathimanew,weeping,embracing,andshouting,allbyturnsandalltogether,untiltheverytideoftheriveronthebankofwhichthemadscenewasacted,seemedtorunmad,likethepeopleontheshore.

Theyputhimintoagreatchairtheyhadamongthem,andwhichtheyhadtakeneitheroutoftheCourtitself,oroneofitsroomsorpassages.Overthechairtheyhadthrownaredflag,andtothebackofittheyhadboundapikewitharedcaponitstop.Inthiscaroftriumph,noteventheDoctor"sentreatiescouldpreventhisbeingcarriedtohishomeonmen"sshoulders,withaconfusedseaofredcapsheavingabouthim,andcastinguptosightfromthestormydeepsuchwrecksoffaces,thathemorethanoncemisdoubtedhismindbeinginconfusion,andthathewasinthetumbrilonhiswaytotheGuillotine.

Inwilddreamlikeprocession,embracingwhomtheymetandpointinghimout,theycarriedhimon.ReddeningthesnowystreetswiththeprevailingRepublicancolour,inwindingandtrampingthroughthem,astheyhadreddenedthembelowthesnowwithadeeperdye,theycarriedhimthusintothecourt-yardofthebuildingwherehelived.Herfatherhadgoneonbefore,toprepareher,andwhenherhusbandstooduponhisfeet,shedroppedinsensibleinhisarms.

Asheheldhertohisheartandturnedherbeautifulheadbetweenhisfaceandthebrawlingcrowd,sothathistearsandherlipsmightcometogetherunseen,afewofthepeoplefelltodancing.Instantly,alltherestfelltodancing,andthecourt-yardoverflowedwiththeCarmagnole.Then,theyelevatedintothevacantchairayoungwomanfromthecrowdtobecarriedastheGoddessofLiberty,andthenswellingandoverflowingoutintotheadjacentstreets,andalongtheriver"sbank,andoverthebridge,theCarmagnoleabsorbedthemeveryoneandwhirledthemaway.

AftergraspingtheDoctor"shand,ashestoodvictoriousandproudbeforehim;aftergraspingthehandofMr.Lorry,whocamepantinginbreathlessfromhisstruggleagainstthewaterspoutoftheCarmagnole;afterkissinglittleLucie,whowaslifteduptoclaspherarmsroundhisneck;andafterembracingtheeverzealousandfaithfulProsswholiftedher;hetookhiswifeinhisarms,andcarriedheruptotheirrooms.

`Lucie!Myown!Iamsafe."

`OdearestCharles,letmethankGodforthisonmykneesasIhaveprayedtoHim."

Theyallreverentlybowedtheirheadsandhearts.Thenshewasagaininhisarms,hesaidtohem:

`Andnowspeaktoyourfather,dearest.NoothermaninallthisFrancecouldhavedonewhathehasdoneforme."

Shelaidherheaduponherfather"sbreast,asshehadlaidhispoorheadonherownbreast,long,longago.Hewashappyinthereturnhehadmadeher,hewasrecompensedforhissuffering,hewasproudofhisstrength.`Youmustnotbeweak,mydarling,"heremonstrated;`don"ttrembleso.Ihavesavedhim.

"

CHAPTERVII

AKnockattheDoor

`IHAVEsavedhim."Itwasnotanotherofthedreamsinwhichhehadoftencomeback;hewasreallyhere.Andyethiswifetrembled,andavaguebutheavyfearwasuponher.

Alltheairaroundwassothickanddark,thepeopleweresopassionatelyrevengefulandfitful,theinnocentweresoconstantlyputtodeathonvaguesuspicionandblackmalice,itwassoimpossibletoforgetthatmanyasblamelessasherhusbandandasdeartoothersashewastoher,everydaysharedthefatefromwhichhehadbeenclutched,thatherheartcouldnotbeaslightenedofitsloadasshefeltitoughttobe.Theshadowsofthewintryafternoonwerebeginningtofall,andevennowthedreadfulcartswererollingthroughthestreets.Hermindpursuedthem,lookingforhimamongtheCondemned;andthensheclungclosertohisrealpresenceandtrembledmore.

Herfather,cheeringher,showedacompassionatesuperioritytothiswoman"sweakness,whichwaswonderfultosee.Nogarret,noshoemaking,noOneHundredandFive,NorthTower,now!Hehadaccomplishedthetaskhehadsethimself,hispromisewasredeemed,hehadsavedCharles.Letthemallleanuponhim.

Theirhousekeepingwasofaveryfrugalkind:notonlybecausethatwasthesafestwayoflife,involvingtheleastoffencetothepeople,butbecausetheywerenotrich,andCharles,throughouthisimprisonment,hadhadtopayheavilyforhisbadfood,andforhisguard,andtowardsthelivingofthepoorerprisoners.Partlyonthisaccount,andpartlytoavoidadomesticspy,theykeptnoservant;thecitizenandcitizenesswhoactedasportersatthecourt-yardgate,renderedthemoccasionalservice;andJerry(almostwhollytransferredtothembyMr.Lorry)hadbecometheirdailyretainer,andhadhisbedthereeverynight.

ItwasanordinanceoftheRepublicOneandIndivisibleofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,thatonthedoorordoorpostofeveryhouse,thenameofeveryinmatemustbelegiblyinscribedinlettersofacertainsize,atacertainconvenientheightfromtheground.Mr.JerryCruncher"sname,therefore,dulyembellishedthedoorpostdownbelow;and,astheafternoonshadowsdeepened,theownerofthatnamehimselfappeared,fromoverlookingapainterwhomDoctorManettehademployedtoaddtothelistthenameofCharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay.

Intheuniversalfearanddistrustthatdarkenedthetime,alltheusualharmlesswaysoflifewerechanged.IntheDoctor"slittlehousehold,asinverymanyothers,thearticlesofdailyconsumptionthatwerewantedwerepurchasedeveryevening,insmallquantitiesandatvarioussmallshops.Toavoidattractingnotice,andtogiveaslittleoccasionaspossiblefortalkandenvy,wasthegeneraldesire.

Forsomemonthspast,MissProssandMr.Cruncherhaddischargedtheofficeofpurveyors;theformercarryingthemoney;thelatter,tilebasket.Everyafternoonataboutthetimewhenthepubliclampswerelighted,theyfaredforthonthisduty,andmadeandbroughthomesuchpurchasesaswereneedful.AlthoughMissPross,throughherlongassociationwithaFrenchfamily,mighthaveknownasmuchoftheirlanguageasofherown,ifshehadhadamind,shehadnomindinthatdirection;consequentlysheknewnomoreofthat`nonsense"(asshewaspleasedtocallit)thanMr.Cruncherdid.Sohermannerofmarketingwastoplumpanoun-substantiveattheheadofashopkeeperwithoutanyintroductioninthenatureofanarticle,and,ifithappenednottobethenameofthethingshewanted,tolookroundforthatthing,layholdofit,andholdonbyituntilthebargainwasconcluded.Shealwaysmadeabargainforit,byholdingup,asastatementofitsjustprice,onefingerlessthanthemerchantheldup,whateverhisnumbermightbe.

`Now,Mr.Cruncher,"saidMissPross,whoseeyeswereredwithfelicity;`ifyouareready,Iam."

JerryhoarselyprofessedhimselfatMissPross"sservice.Hehadwornallhisrustofflongago,butnothingwouldfilehisspikyheaddown.

`There"sallmannerofthingswanted,"saidMissPross,`andweshallhaveaprecioustimeofit.Wewantwine,amongtherest.NicetoaststheseRedheadswillbedrinking,whereverwebuyit."

`Itwillbemuchthesametoyourknowledge,miss,Ishouldthink,"retortedJerry,`whethertheydrinkyourhealthortheOldUn"s.

`Who"she?"saidMissPross.

Mr.Cruncher,withsomediffidence,explainedhimselfasmeaning`OldNick"s."

`Ha!"saidMissPross,`itdoesn"tneedaninterpretertoexplainthemeaningofthesecreatures.Theyhavebutone,andit"sMidnightMurder,andMischief"

`Hush,dear!Pray,pray,becautious!"criedLucie.

`Yes,yes,yes,I"llbecautious,"saidMissPross;`butImaysayamongourselves,thatIdohopetherewillbenoonionyandtobaccoeysmotheringsintheformofembracingsallround,goingoninthestreets.Now,Ladybird,neveryoustirfromthatfiretillIcomeback!Takecareofthedearhusbandyouhaverecovered,anddon"tmoveyourprettyheadfromhisshoulderasyouhaveitnow,tillyouseemeagain!MayIaskaquestion,DoctorManette,beforeIgo?"