第19章

Hesatdowninachaironthehearth,overagainstMr.Lorry.Whentheywerealone,Mr.Lorryaskedhimwhathehaddone?

`Notmuch.IfitshouldgoillwiththeprisoneIhaveensuredaccesstohim,Once."

Mr.Lorry"scountenancefell.

`ItisallIcoulddo,"saidCarton.`Toproposetoomuch,wouldbetoputthisman"sheadundertheaxe,and,ashehimselfsaid,nothingworsecouldhappentohimifheweredenounced.Itwasobviouslytheweaknessoftheposition.Thereisnohelpforit."

`Butaccesstohim,"saidMr.Lorry,`ifitshouldgoillbeforetheTribunal,willnotsavehim."

`Ineversaiditwould."

Mr.Lorry"seyesgraduallysoughtthefire;hissympathywithhisdarling,andtheheavydisappointmentofthissecondarrest,graduallyweakenedthem;hewasanoldmannow,overbornewithanxietyoflate,andhistearsfell.

`Youareagoodmanandatruefriend,"saidCarton,inanalteredvoice.`ForgivemeifInoticethatyouareaffected.Icouldnotseemyfatherweep,andsitby,careless.AndIcouldnotrespectyoursorrowmore,ifyou,weremyfather.Youarefreefromthatmisfortune,however.

Thoughhesaidthelastwords,withaslipintohisusualmanner,therewasatruefeelingandrespectbothinhistoneandinhistouch,thatMr.Lorry,whohadneverseenthebettersideofhim,waswhollyunpreparedfor.Hegavehimhishand,andCartongentlypressedit.

`ToreturntopoorDarnay,"saidCarton.`Don"ttellHerofthisinterview,orthisarrangement.ItwouldnotenableHertogotoseehim.Shemightthinkitwascontrived,incaseoftheworst,toconveytohimthemeansofanticipatingthesentence."

Mr.Lorryhadnotthoughtofthat,andhelookedquicklyatCartontoseeifitwereinhismind.Itseemedtobe;hereturnedthelook,andevidentlyunderstoodit.

`Shemightthinkathousandthings,"Cartonsaid,`andanyofthemwouldonlyaddtohertrouble.Don"tspeakofmetoher.AsIsaidtoyouwhenIfirstcame,Ihadbetternotseeher.Icanputmyhandout,todoanylittlehelpfulworkforherthatmyhandcanfindtodo,withoutthat.Youaregoingtoher,Ihope?Shemustbeverydesolateto-night.

`Iamgoingnow,directly."

`Iamgladofthat.Shehassuchastrongattachmenttoyouandrelianceonyou.Howdoesshelook?"

`Anxiousandunhappy,butverybeautiful."`Ah!"

Itwasalong,grievingsound,likeasigh——almostlikeasob.ItattractedMr.Lorry"seyestoCartonsface,whichwasturnedtothefire.Alight,orashade(theoldgentlemancouldnothavesaidwhich),passedfromitasswiftlyasachangewillsweepoverahill-sideonawildbrightday,andheliftedhisfoottoputbackoneofthelittleflaminglogs,whichwastumblingforward.Heworethewhiteriding-coatandtopboots,theninvogue,andthelightofthefiretouchingtheirlightsurfacesmadehimlookverypale,withhislongbrownhair,alluntrimmed,hanginglooseabouthim.HisindifferencetofirewassufficientlyremarkabletoelicitawordofremonstrancefromMr.Lorry;hisbootwasstilluponthehotembersoftheflaminglog,whenithadbrokenundertheweightofhisfoot.

`Iforgotit,"hesaid.

Mr.Lorry"seyeswereagainattractedtohisface.Takingnoteofthewastedairwhichcloudedthenaturallyhandsomefeatures,andhavingtheexpressionofprisoners"facesfreshinhismind,hewasstronglyremindedofthatexpression.

`Andyourdutiesherehavedrawntoanend,sir?"saidCarton,turningtohim.

`Yes.AsIwastellingyoulastnightwhenLuciecameinsounexpectedly,IhaveatlengthdoneallthatIcandohere.Ihopedtohavelefttheminperfectsafety,andthentohavequittedPass.IhavemyLeavetoPass.Iwasreadytogo."

Theywerebothsilent.

`Yoursisalonglifetolookbackupon,sir?"saidCarton,wistfully.

`Iaminmyseventy-eighthyear."

`Youhavebeenusefulallyourlife;steadilyandconstantlyoccupied;trusted,respected,andlookedupto?"

`Ihavebeenamanofbusiness,eversinceIhavebeenaman.Indeed,ImaysaythatIwasamanofbusinesswhenaboy."

`Seewhataplaceyoufillatseventy-eight.Howmanypeoplewillmissyouwhenyouleaveitempty!"

`Asolitaryoldbachelor,"answeredMr.Lorry,shakinghishead.`Thereisnobodytoweepforme."

`Howcanyousaythat?Wouldn"tSheweepforyou?Wouldn"therchi!d?"

`Yes,yes,thankGod.Ididn"tquitemeanwhatIsaid."

`ItisathingtothankGodfor;isitnot?"

`Surely,surely."

`Ifyoucouldsay,withtruth,toyourownsolitaryheart,to-night,"Ihavesecuredtomyselftheloveandattachment,thegratitudeorrespect,ofnohumancreature;Ihavewonmyselfatenderplaceinnoregard;Ihavedonenothinggoodorserviceabletoberememberedby!"yourseventy-eightyearswouldbeseventy-eightheavycurses;wouldtheynot?"

`Yousaytruly,Mr.Carton;Ithinktheywouldhe.

Sydneyturnedhiseyesagainuponthefire,and,afterasilenceofafewmoments,said:

`Ishouldliketoaskyou:——Doesyourchildhoodseemfaroff?Dothedayswhenyousatatyourmother"sknee,seemdaysofverylongago?"

Respondingtohissoftenedmanner,Mr.Lorryanswered:`Twentyyearsback,yes;atthistimeofmylife,no.For,asIdrawcloserandclosertotheend,Itravelinthecircle,nearerandnearertothebeginning.Itseemstobeoneofthekindsmoothingsandpreparingsoftheway.Myheartistouchednow,bymanyremembrancesthathadlongfallenasleep,ofmyprettyyoungmother(andIsoold!),andbymanyassociationsofthedayswhenwhatwecalltheWorldwasnotsorealwithme,andmyfaultswerenotconfirmedinme."

`Iunderstandthefeeling!"exclaimedCarton,withabrightflush.`Andyouarethebetterforit?"

`Ihopeso.

Cartonterminatedtheconversationhere,byrisingtohelphimonwithhisoutercoat;`butyou,"saidMr.Lorry,revertingtothetheme,`youareyoung."

`Yes,"saidCarton.`Iamnotold,butmyyoungwaywasneverthewaytoage.Enoughofme.

`Andofme,Iamsure,"saidMr.Lorry.`Areyougoingout?"

`I"llwalkwithyoutohergate.Youknowmyvagabondandrestlesshabits.IfIshouldprowlaboutthestreetsalongtime,don"tbeuneasy;Ishallreappearinthemorning.YougototheCourtto-morrow?"

Yes,unhappily."

`Ishallbethere,butonlyasoneofthecrowd.MySpywillfindaplaceforme.Takemyarm,sir."

Mr.Lorrydidso,andtheywentdown-stairsandoutinthestreets.AfewminutesbroughtthemtoMr.Lorry"sdestination.Cartonlefthimthere;butlingeredatalittledistance,andturnedbacktothegateagainwhenitwasshut,andtouchedit.Hehadheardofhergoingtotheprisoneveryday.`Shecameouthere,"hesaid,lookingabouthim,`turnedthisway,musthavetrodonthesestonesoften.Letmefollowinhersteps.

Itwasteno"clockatnightwhenhestoodbeforetheprisonofLaForce,whereshehadstoodhundredsoftimes.Alittlewood-sawyer,havingclosedhisshop,wassmokinghispipeathisshop-door.

`Goodnight,citizen,"saidSydneyCarton,pausingingoingby;for,themaneyedhiminquisitively.

`Goodnight,citizen."

`HowgoestheRepublic?"

`YoumeantheGuillotine.Notill.Sixty-threeto-day.Weshallmounttoahundredsoon.Samsonandhismencomplainsometimes,ofbeingexhausted.Ha,ha,ha!Heissodroll,thatSamson.SuchaBarber!"

`Doyouoftengotoseehim——"

`Shave?Always.Everyday.Whatabarber!Youhaveseenhimatwork?"

`Never."

`Goandseehimwhenhehasagoodbatch.Figurethistoyourselfcitizen;heshavedthesixty-threeto-day,inlessthantwopipes!Lessthantwopipes.Wordofhonour!"

Asthegrinninglittlemanheldoutthepipehewassmoking,toexplainhowhetimedtheexecutioner,Cartonwassosensibleofarisingdesiretostrikethelifeoutofhim,thatheturnedaway.

`ButyouarenotEnglish,"saidthewood-sawyer,`thoughyouwearEnglishdress?"

`Yes,"saidCarton,pausingagain,andansweringoverhisshoulder.

`YouspeaklikeaFrenchman."

`Iamanoldstudenthere."

`Aha,aperfectFrenchman!Goodnight,Englishman."

`Goodnight,citizen."

`Butgoandseethatdrolldog,"thelittlemanpersisted,callingafterhim.`Andtakeapipewithyou!"

Sydneyhadnotgonefaroutofsight,whenhestoppedinthemiddleofthestreetunderaglimmeringlamp,andwrotewithhispencilonascrapofpaper.Then,traversingwiththedecidedstepofonewhorememberedthewaywell,severaldarkanddirtystreets——muchdirtierthanusual,forthebestpublicthoroughfaresremaineduncleansedinthosetimesofterror——hestoppedatachemist"sshop,whichtheownerwasclosingwithhisownhands.Asmall,dim,crookedshop,keptinatortuous,up-hillthoroughfares,byasmall,dim,crookedman.

Givingthiscitizen,too,goodnight,asheconfrontedhimathiscounter,helaidthescrapofpaperbeforehim.`Whew!"thechemistwhistledsoftly,ashereadit.`Hi!hi!hi!"

SydneyCartontooknoheed,andthechemistsaid:

`Foryou,citizen?"

`Forme.

`Youwillbecarefultokeepthemseparate,citizen?Youknowtheconsequencesofmixingthem?"

`Perfectly."

Certainsmallpacketsweremadeandgiventohim.Heputthem,onebyone,inthebreastofhisinnercoat,countedoutthemoneyforthem,anddeliberatelylefttheshop.`Thereisnothingmoretodo,"saidhe,glancingupwardatthemoon,`untilto-morrow.Ican"tsleep.

Itwasnotarecklessmanner,themannerinwhichhesaidthesewordsaloudunderthefast-sailingclouds,norwasitmoreexpressiveofnegligencethandefiance.Itwasthesettledmannerofatiredman,whohadwanderedandstruggledandgotlost,butwhoatlengthstruckintohisroadandsawitsend.

Longago,whenhehadbeenfamousamonghisearliestcompetitorsasayouthofgreatpromise,hehadfollowedhisfathertothegrave.Hismotherhaddied,yearsbefore.Thesesolemnwords,whichhadbeenreadathisfather"sgrave,aroseinhismindashewentdownthedarkstreets,amongtheheavyshadows,withthemoonandthecloudssailingonhighabovehim.`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife,saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme,shallneverdie."

Inacitydominatedbytheaxe,aloneatnight,withnaturalsorrowrisinginhimforthesixty-threewhohadbeenthatdayputtodeath,andforto-morrow"svictimsthenawaitingtheirdoomintheprisons,andstillofto-morrow"sandtomorrow"s,thechainofassociationthatbroughtthewordshome,likearustyoldship"sanchorfromthedeep,mighthavebeeneasilyfound.Hedidnotseekit,butrepeatedthemandwenton.

Withasolemninterestinthelightedwindowswherethepeopleweregoingtorest,forgetfulthroughafewcalmhoursofthehorrorssurroundingthem;inthetowersofthechurches,wherenoprayersweresaid,forthepopularrevulsionhadeventravelledthatlengthofself-destructionfromyearsofpriestlyimpostors,plunderers,andprofligates;inthedistantburial-places,reserved,astheywroteuponthegates,forEternalSleep;intheaboundinggaols;andinthestreetsalongwhichthesixtiesrolledtoadeathwhichhadbecomesocommonandmaterial,thatnosorrowfulstoryofahauntingSpiriteveraroseamongthepeopleoutofalltheworkingoftheGuillotine;withasolemninterestinthewholelifeanddeathofthecitysettlingdowntoitsshortnightlypauseinfury;SydneyCartoncrossedtheSeineagainforthelighterstreets.

Fewcoacheswereabroad,forridersincoacheswereliabletoliesuspected,andgentilityhiditsheadinrednightcaps,andputonheavyshoes,andtrudged.But,thetheatreswereallwellfilled,andthepeoplepouredcheerfullyoutashepassed,andwentchattinghome.Atoneofthetheatredoors,therewasalittlegirlwithamother,lookingforawayacrossthestreetthroughthemud.Hecarriedthechildover,andbeforethetimidarmwasloosedfromhisneckaskedherforakiss.

`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife,saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme,shallneverdie."

Now,thatthestreetswerequiet,andthenightworeon,thewordswereintheechoesofhisfeet,andwereintheair.Perfectlycalmandsteady,hesometimesrepeatedthemtohimselfashewalked;but,heheardthemalways.

Thenightworeout,and,ashestooduponthebridgelisteningtothewaterasitsplashedtheriver-wallsoftheIslandofParis,wherethepicturesqueconfusionofhousesandcathedralshonebrightinthelightofthemoon,thedaycamecoldly,lookinglikeadeadfaceoutofthesky.Then,thenight,withthemoonandthestars,turnedpaleanddied,andforalittlewhileitseemedasifCreationweredeliveredovertoDeath"sdominion.

But,theglorioussun,rising,seemedtostrikethosewords,thatburdenofthenight,straightandwarmtohisheartinitslongbrightrays.Andlookingalongthem,withreverentlyshadedeyes,abridgeoflightappearedtospantheairbetweenhimandthesun,whiletheriversparkledunderit.

Thestrongtide,soswift,sodeep,andcertain,waslikeacongenialfriend,inthemorningstillness.Hewalkedbythestream,farfromthehouses,andinthelightaridwarmthofthesunfellasleeponthebank.Whenheawokeandwasafootagain,helingeredthereyetalittlelonger,watchinganeddythatturnedandturnedpurposeless,untilthestreamabsorbedit,andcarrieditontothesea——`Likeme!"

Atrading-boat,withasailofthesoftenedcolourofadeadleaf,thenglidedintohisview,floatedbyhim,anddiedaway.Asitssilenttrackinthewaterdisappeared,theprayerthathadbrokenupoutofhisheartforamercifulconsiderationofallhispoorblindnessesanderrors,endedinthewords,`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife."

Mr.Lorrywasalreadyoutwhenhegotback,anditwaseasytosurmisewherethegoodoldmanwasgone.SydneyCartondranknothingbutalittlecoffee,atesomebread,and,havingwashedandchangedtorefreshhimself,wentouttotheplaceoftrial.

Thecourtwasallastiranda-buzz,whentheblacksheep——whommanyfellawayfromindread——pressedhimintoanobscurecorneramongthecrowd.Mr.Lorrywasthere,andDoctorManettewasthere.Shewasthere,sittingbesideherfather.

Whenherhusbandwasbroughtin,sheturnedalookuponhim,sosustaining,soencouraging,sofullofadmiringloveandpityingtenderness,yetsocourageousforhissake,thatitcalledthehealthybloodintohisface,brightenedhisglance,andanimatedhisheart.Iftherehadbeenanyeyestonoticetheinfluenceofherlook,onSydneyCarton,itwouldhavebeenseentobethesameinfluenceexactly.

BeforethatunjustTribunal,therewaslittleornoorderofprocedure,ensuringtoanyaccusedpersonanyreasonablehearing.TherecouldhavebeennosuchRevolution,ifalllaws,forms,andceremonies,hadnotfirstbeensomonstrouslyabused,thatthesuicidalvengeanceoftheRevolutionwastoscatterthemalltothewinds.

Everyeyewasturnedtothejury.Thesamedeterminedpatriotsandgoodrepublicansasyesterdayandthedaybefore,andto-morrowandthedayafter.Eagerandprominentamongthem,onemanwithacravingface,andhisfingersperpetuallyhoveringabouthislips,whoseappearancegavegreatsatisfactiontothespectators.Alife-thirsting,canniballooking,bloody-mindedjuryman,theJacquesThreeofSt.Antoine.Thewholejury,asajuryofdogsempannelledtotrythedeer.

Everyeyethenturnedtothefivejudgesandthepublicprosecutor.Nofavourableleaninginthatquarterto-day.Afell,uncompromising,murderousbusiness-meaningthere.Everyeyethensoughtsomeothereyeinthecrowd,andgleamedatitapprovingly;andheadsnoddedatoneanother,beforebendingforwardwithastrainedattention.

CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay.Releasedyesterday.Re-accusedandretakenyesterday.Indictmentdeliveredtohimlastnight.SuspectedandDenouncedenemyoftheRepublic,Aristocrat,oneofafamilyoftyrants,oneofaraceproscribed,forthattheyhadusedtheirabolishedprivilegestotheinfamousoppressionofthepeople.CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,inrightofsuchproscription,absolutelyDeadinLaw.

Tothiseffect,inasfeworfewerwords,thePublicProsecutor.

ThePresidentasked,wastheAccusedopenlydenouncedorsecretly?

`Openly,President."

`Bywhom?"

`Threevoices.ErnestDefarge,wine-vendorofSt.Antoine."

`Good."

`ThérèseDefarge,hiswife."

`Good."

`AlexandreManette,physician."

Agreatuproartookplaceinthecourt,andinthemidstofit,DoctorManettewasseen,paleandtrembling,standingwherehehadbeenseated.

`President,Iindignantlyprotesttoyouthatthisisaforgeryandafraud.Youknowtheaccusedtobethehusbandofmydaughter.Mydaughter,andthosedeartoher,arefardearertomethanmylife.WhoandwhereisthefalseconspiratorwhosaysthatIdenouncethehusbandofmychild!

`CitizenManette,betranquil.TofailinsubmissiontotheauthorityoftheTribunalwouldbetoputyourselfoutofLaw.Astowhatisdearertoyouthanlife,nothingcanbesodeartoagoodcitizenastheRepublic."

Loudacclamationshailedthisrebuke.ThePresidentranghisbell,andwithwarmthresumed.

`IftheRepublicshoulddemandofyouthesacrificeofyourchildherselfyouwouldhavenodutybuttosacrificeherListentowhatistofollow.Inthemeanwhile,besilent!"

Franticacclamationswereagainraised.DoctorManettesatdown,withhiseyeslookingaround,andhislipstrembling;hisdaughterdrewclosertohim.Thecravingmanonthejuryrubbedhishandstogether,andrestoredtheusualhandtohismouth.

Defargewasproduced,whenthecourtwasquietenoughtoadmitofhisbeingheard,andrapidlyexpoundedthestoryoftheimprisonment,andofhishavingbeenamereboyintheDoctor"sservice,andoftherelease,andofthestateoftheprisonerwhenreleasedanddeliveredtohim.Thisshortexaminationfollowed,forthecourtwasquickwithitswork.

`YoudidgoodserviceatthetakingoftheBastille,citizen?"

`Ibelieveso."

Here,anexcitedwomanscreechedfromthecrowd:`Youwereoneofthebestpatriotsthere.Whynotsayso?Youwereacannonierthatdaythere,andyouwereamongthefirsttoentertheaccursedfortresswhenitfell.Patriots,Ispeakthetruth!"

ItwasTheVengeancewho,amidstthewarmcommendationsoftheaudience,thusassistedtheproceedings.ThePresidentranghisbell;but,TheVengeance,warmingwithencouragement,shrieked,`Idefythatbell!"whereinshewaslikewisemuchcommended.

`InformtheTribunalofwhatyoudidthatdaywithintheBastille,citizen."

`Iknew,"saidDefarge,lookingdownathiswife,whostoodatthebottomofthestepsonwhichhewasraised,lookingsteadilyupathim;`Iknewthatthisprisoner,ofwhomIspeak,hadbeenconfinedinacellknownasOneHundredandFive,NorthTower.Iknewitfromhimself.HeknewhimselfbynoothernamethanOneHundredandFive,NorthTower,whenhemadeshoesundermycare.AsIservemygunthatday,Iresolve,whentheplaceshallfall,toexaminethatcell.Itfalls.Imounttothecell,withafellow-citizenwhoisoneoftheJury,directedbyagaoler.Iexamineit,veryclosely.Inaholeinthechimney,whereastonehasbeenworkedoutandreplaced,Ifindawrittenpaper.Thisisthatwrittenpaper.IhavemadeitmybusinesstoexaminesomespecimensofthewritingofDoctorManette.ThisisthewritingofDoctorManette.Iconfidethispaper,inthewritingofDoctorManette,tothehandsofthePresident.

`Letitberead."

Inadeadsilenceandstillness——theprisonerundertriallookinglovinglyathiswife,hiswifeonlylookingfromhimtolookwithsolicitudeatherfather,DoctorManettekeepinghiseyesfixedonthereader,MadameDefargenevertakinghersfromtheprisoner,Defargenevertakinghisfromhisfeastingwile,andalltheothereyesthereintentupontheDoctor,whosawnoneofthem——thepaperwasread,asfollows.

CHAPTERX

TheSubstanceoftheShadow

`I,ALEXANDREMANETTE,unfortunatephysician,nativeofBeauvais,andafterwardsresidentinParis,writethismelancholypaperinmydolefulcellintheBastille,duringthelastmonthoftheyear1767.Iwriteitatstolenintervals,undereverydifficulty.Idesigntosecreteitinthewallofthechimney,whereIhaveslowlyandlaboriouslymadeaplaceofconcealmentforit.Somepityinghandmayfinditthere,whenIandmysorrowsaredust.

`ThesewordsareformedbytherustyironpointwithwhichIwritewithdifficultyinscrapingsofsootandcharcoalfromthechimney,mixedwithblood,inthelastmonthofthetenthyearofmycaptivity.Hopehasquitedepartedfrommybreast.IknowfromterriblewarningsIhavenotedinmyselfthatmyreasonwillnotlongremainunimpaired,butIsolemnlydeclarethatIamatthistimeinthepossessionofmyrightmind——thatmymemoryisexactandcircumstantial——andthatIwritethetruthasIshallanswerforthesemylastrecordedwords,whethertheybeeverreadbymenornot,attheEternalJudgment-seat.

`Onecloudymoonlightnight,inthethirdweekofDecember(Ithinkthetwenty-secondofthemonth)intheyear1757,IwaswalkingonaretiredpartofthequaybytheSeinefortherefreshmentofthefrostyair,atanhour"sdistancefrommyplaceofresidenceintheStreetoftheSchoolofMedicine,whenacarriagecamealongbehindme,drivenveryfast.AsIstoodasidetoletthatcarriagepass,apprehensivethatitmightotherwiserunmedown,aheadwasputoutatthewindow,andavoicecalledtothedrivertostop.

`Thecarriagestoppedassoonasthedrivercouldreininhishorses,andthesamevoicecalledtomebymyname.Ianswered.ThecarriagewasthensofarinadvanceofmethattwogentlemenhadtimetoopenthedoorandalightbeforeIcameupwithit.Iobservedthattheywerebothwrappedincloaksandappearedtoconcealthemselves.Astheystoodcarriagedoor,Ialsoobservedthattheybothlookedofaboutmyownage,orratheryounger,andthattheyweregreatlyalike,instature,manner,voice,and(asfarasIcouldsee)facetoo.

`"YouareDoctorManette?"saidone.

`"Iam."

`"DoctorManette,formerlyofBeauvais,"saidtheother;"theyoungphysician,originallyanexpertsurgeon,whowithinthelastyearortwohasmadearisingreputationinParis?"

`"Gentlemen,"Ireturned,"IamthatDoctorManetteofwhomyouspeaksograciously."

`"wehavebeentoyourresidence,"saidthefirst,"andnotbeingsofortunateastofindyouthere,andbeinginformedthatyouwereprobablywalkinginthisdirection,wefollowed,inthehopeofovertakingyou.Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?"

`Themannerofbothwasimperious,andtheybothmoved,asthesewordswerespoken,soastoplacemebetweenthemselvesandthecarriagedoor.Theywerearmed.Iwasnot.

`"Gentlemen,"saidI,"pardonme;butIusuallyinquirewhodoesmethehonourtoseekmyassistance,andwhatisthenatureofthecasetowhichIamsummoned."

`Thereplytothiswasmadebyhimwhohadspokensecond."Doctor,yourclientsarepeopleofcondition.Astothenatureofthecase,ourconfidenceinyourskillassuresusthatyouwillascertainitforyourselfbetterthanwecandescribeit.Enough.Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?"

`Icoulddonothingbutcomply,andIentereditinsilence.Theybothenteredafterme——thelastspringingin,afterputtingupthesteps.Thecarriageturnedabout,anddroveonasitsformerspeed.

`Irepeatthisconversationexactlyasitoccurred.Ihavenodoubtthatitis,wordforword,thesame.Idescribeeverythingexactlyasittookplace,constrainingmymindnottowanderfromthetask.WhereImakethebrokenmarksthatfollowhere,Ileaveoffforthetime,andputmypaperinitshiding-place.****

`Thecarriageleftthestreetsbehind,passedtheNorthBarrier,andemergeduponthecountryroad.Attwo-thirdsofaleaguefromtheBarrier——Ididnotestimatethedistanceatthattime,butafterwardswhenItraversedit——itstruckoutofthemainavenue,andpresentlystoppedatasolitaryhouse.Weallthreealighted,andwalked,byadampsoftfootpathinagardenwhereaneglectedfountainhadoverflowed,tothedoorofthehouse.Itwasnotopenedimmediately,inanswertotheringingofthebell,andoneofmytwoconductorsstruckthemanwhoopenedit,withhisheavyriding-glove,acrosstheface.

`Therewasnothinginthisactiontoattractmyparticularattention,forIhadseencommonpeoplestruckmorecommonlythandogs.But,theotherofthetwo,beingangrylike-wise,struckthemaninlikemannerwithhisarm;thelookandbearingofthebrotherswerethensoexactlyalike,thatIthenfirstperceivedthemtobetwinbrothers.

`Fromthetimeofouralightingattheoutergate(whichwefoundlocked,andwhichoneofthebrothershadopenedtoadmitus,andhadre-locked),Ihadheardcriesproceedingfromanupperchamber.Iwasconductedtothischamberstraight,thecriesgrowinglouderasweascendedthestairs,andIfoundapatientinahighfeverofthebrain,lyingonabed.

`Thepatientwasawomanofgreatbeauty,andyoung;assuredlynotmuchpasttwenty.Herhairwastornandragged,andherarmswereboundtohersideswithsashesandhandkerchiefs.Inoticedthatthesebondswereallportionsofagentleman"sdress.Ononeofthem,whichwasafringedScarfforadressofceremony,IsawthearmorialbearingsofaNoble,andtheletterE.

`Isawthis,withinthefirstminuteofmycontemplationofthepatient;for,inherrestlessstrivingsshehadturnedoveronherfaceontheedgeofthebed,haddrawntheendofthescarfintohermouth,andwasindangerofsuffocation.Myfirstactwastoputoutmyhandtorelieveherbreathing;andinmovingthescarfaside,theembroideryinthecornercaughtmysight.

`Iturnedhergentlyover,placedmyhandsuponherbreasttocalmherandkeepherdown,andlookedintoherface.Hereyesweredilatedandwild,andsheconstantlyutteredpiercingshrieks,andrepeatedthewords,"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!"andthencounteduptotwelve,andsaid,"Hush!"Foraninstant,andnomore,shewouldpausetolisten,andthenthepiercingshriekswouldbeginagain,andshewouldrepeatthecry,"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!"andwouldcountuptotwelve,andsay"Hush!"Therewasnovariationintheorder,orthemanner.Therewasnocessation,buttheregularmoment"spause,intheutteranceofthesesounds.

`"Howlong,"Iasked,"hasthislasted?"

`Todistinguishthebrothers,Iwillcallthemtheelderandtheyounger;bytheelder,Imeanhimwhoexercisedthemostauthority.Itwastheelderwhoreplied,"Sinceaboutthishourlastnight."

`"ShehasaHusband,afather,andabrother?"

`"Abrother."

`"Idonotaddressherbrother?"

`Heansweredwithgreatcontempt,"No."

`"Shehassomerecentassociationwiththenumbertwelve?"

`Theyoungerbrotherimpatientlyrejoined,"Withtwelveo"clock?"

`"See,gentlemen,"saidI,stillkeepingmyhandsuponherbreast,"howuselessIam,asyouhavebroughtme!IfIhadknownwhatIwascomingtosee,Icouldhavecomeprovided.Asitis,timemustbelost.Therearenomedicinestobeobtainedinthislonelyplace."

`Theelderbrotherlookedtotheyounger,whosaidhaughtily,"Thereisacaseofmedicineshere;"andbroughtitfromacloset,andputitonthetable.***

`Iopenedsomeofthebottles,smeltthem,andputthestopperstomylips.IfIhadwantedtouseanythingsavenarcoticmedicinesthatwerepoisonsinthemselves,Iwouldnothaveadministeredanyofthose.

`"Doyoudoubtthem?"askedtheyoungerbrother.

`"Yousee,monsieur,Iamgoingtousethem,"Ireplied,andsaidnomore.

`Imadethepatientswallow,withgreatdifficulty,andaftermanyefforts,thedosethatIdesiredtogive.AsIintendedtorepeatitafterawhile,andasitwasnecessarytowatchitsinfluence,Ithensatdownbythesideofthebed.Therewasatimidandsuppressedwomaninattendance(wifeofthemandown-stairs),whohadretreatedintoacorner.Thehousewasdampanddecayed,indifferentlyfurnished——evidently,recentlyoccupiedandtemporarilyused.Somethickoldhangingshadbeennailedupbeforethewindows,todeadenthesoundoftheshrieks.Theycontinuedtobeutteredintheirregularsuccession,withthecry,"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!"thecountinguptotwelve,and"Hush!"Thefrenzywassoviolent,thatIhadnotunfastenedthebandagesrestrainingthearms,but,Ihadlookedtothem,toseethattheywerenotpainful.Theonlysparkofencouragementinthecase,was,thatmyhanduponthesufferer"sbreasthadthismuchsoothinginfluence,thatforminutesatatimeittranquillisedthefigure.Ithadnoeffectuponthecries:nopendulumcouldbemoreregular.

`Forthereasonthatmyhandhadthiseffect(Iassume),Ihadsatbythesideofthebedforhalfanhour,withthetwobrotherslookingon,beforetheeldersaid:

`"Thereisanotherpatient."

`Iwasstartledandasked,"Isitapressingcase?"

`"Youhadbettersee,"hecarelesslyanswered;andtookupalight.***

`Theotherpatientlayinabackroomacrossasecondstaircase,whichwasaspeciesofloftoverastable.Therewasalowplasteredceilingtoapartofit;therestwasopen,totheridgeofthetiledroof,andtherewerebeamsacross.Hayandstrawwerestoredinthatportionoftheplace,fagotsforfiring,andaheapofapplesinsand.Ihadtopassthroughthatpart,togetattheother.Mymemoryiscircumstantialandunshaken.Itryitwiththesedetails,andIseethemall,inthismycellintheBastille,nearthecloseofthetenthyearofmycaptivity,asIsawthemallthatnight.

`Onsomehayontheground,withacushionthrownunderhishead,layahandsomepeasant-boy-aboyofnotmorethanseventeenatthemost.Helayonhisback,withhisteethset,hisrighthandclenchedonhisbreast,andhisglaringeyeslookingstraightupward.Icouldnotseewherehiswoundwas,asIkneeledononekneeoverhim;but,Icouldseethathewasdyingofawoundfromasharppoint.

`"Iamadoctor,mypoorfellow,"saidI."Letmeexamineit."

`"Idonotwantitexamined,"heanswered;"letitbe."

`Itwasunderhishand,andIsoothedhimtoletmemovehishandaway.Thewoundwasasword-thrust,receivedfromtwentytotwenty-fourhoursbefore,butnoskillcouldhavesavedhimifithadbeenlookedtowithoutdelay.Hewasthendyingfast.AsIturnedmyeyestotheelderbrother,Isawhimlookingdownatthishandsomeboywhoselifewasebbingout,asifhewereawoundedbird,orhare,orrabbit;notatallasifhewereafellow-creature.

`"Howhasthisbeendone,monsieur?"saidI.

`"Acrazedyoungcommondog!Aserf!Forcedmybrothertodrawuponhim,andhasfallenbymybrother"sSword——likeagentleman."

`Therewasnotouchofpity,sorrow,orkindredhumanity,inthisanswer.Thespeakerseemedtoacknowledgethatitwasinconvenienttohavethatdifferentorderofcreaturedyingthere,andthatitwould"havebeenbetterifhehaddiedintheusualobscureroutineofhisverminkind.Hewasquiteincapableofanycompassionatefeelingabouttheboy,orabouthisfate.

`Theboy"seyeshadslowlymovedtohimashehadspoken,andtheynowslowlymovedtome.

`"Doctor,theyareveryproud,theseNobles;butwecommondogsareproudtoo,sometimes.Theyplunderus,outrageus,beatus,killus;butwehavealittleprideleft,sometimes.She——haveyouseenher,Doctor?"

`Theshrieksandthecrieswereaudiblethere,thoughsubduedbythedistance.Hereferredtothem,asifshewerelyinginourpresence.

`Isaid,"Ihaveseenher."

`"Sheismysister,Doctor.Theyhavehadtheirshamefulrights,theseNobles,inthemodestyandvirtueofoursisters,manyyears,butMhavehadgoodgirlsamongus.Iknowit,andhaveheardmyfathersayso.Shewasagoodgirl.Shewasbetrothedtoagoodyoungman,too:atenantofhis.Wearealltenantsofhis——thatman"swhostandsthere.Theotherishisbrother,theworstofabadrace."

`Itwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheboygatheredbodilyforcetospeak;but,hisspiritspokewithadreadfulemphasis.

`Weweresorobbedbythatmanwhostandsthere,asallwecommondogsarebythosesuperiorBeings——taxedbyhimwithoutmercy,obligedtoworkforhimwithoutpay,obligedtogrindourcornathismill,obligedtofeedscoresofhistamebirdsonourwretchedcrops,andforbiddenforourlivestokeepasingletamebirdofourown,pillagedandplunderedtothatdegreethatwhenwechancedtohaveabitofmeat,weateitinfear,withthedoorbarredandtheshuttersclosed,thathispeopleshouldnotseeitandtakeitfromus——Isay,weweresorobbed,andhunted,andweremadesopoor,thatourfathertoldusitwasadreadfulthingtobringachildintotheworld,andthatwhatweshouldmostprayfor,was,thatourwomenmightbebarrenandourmiserableracedieout!"