TheConcordbed-chamberbeingalwaysassignedtopassengerbythemail,andpassengersbythemailbeingalwaysheavilywrappedupfromheadtofoot,theroomha'theoddinterestfortheestablishmentoftheRoyalGeorgethatalthoughbutonekindofmanwasseentogointoit,allkindsandvarietiesofmencameoutofit.Consequentlyanotherdrawer,andtwoporters,andseveralmaidsandthelandlady,wereallloiteringbyaccidentatvariouspointsoftheroadbetweentheConcordandthecoffee-room,whenagentle-manofsixty,formallydressedinabrownsuitofclothes,prettywellworn,butverywellkept,withlargesquarecuffsandlargeflapstothepockets,passedalongonhiswaytohisbreakfast.
　　Thecoffee-roomhadnootheroccupant,thatforenoon,thanthegentlemaninbrown.Hisbreakfast-tablewasdrawnbeforethefire,andashesat,withitslightshiningonhim,waitingforthemeal,hesatsostill,thathemighthavebeensittingforhisportrait.
　　Veryorderlyandmethodicalhelooked,withahandoneachknee,andaloudwatchtickingasonoroussermonunderhisflappedwaistcoat,asthoughitpitteditsgravityandlongevityagainstthelevityandevanescenceofthebriskfire.Hehadagoodleg,andwasalittlevainofit,forhisbrownstockingsfittedsleekandclose,andwereofafinetexture;hisshoesandbuckles,too,thoughplain,weretrim.Heworeanoddlittlesleekcrispflaxenwig,settingveryclosetohishead:whichwig,itistobepresumed,wasmadeofhair,butwhichlookedfarmoreasthoughitwerespunfromfilamentsofsilkorglass.Hislinen,thoughnotofafinenessinaccordancewithhisstockings,wasaswhiteasthetopsofthewavesthatbrokeupontheneighbouringbeach,orthespecksofsailthatglintedinthesunlightfaratsea.Afacehabituallysuppressedandquieted,wasstilllightedupunderthequaintwigbyapairofmoistbrighteyesthatitmusthavecosttheirowner,inyearsgoneby,somepainstodrilltothecomposedandreservedexpressionofTellson'sBank.Hehadahealthycolourinhischeeks,andhisface,thoughlined,borefewtracesofanxiety.But,perhapstheconfidentialbachelorclerksinTellson'sBankwereprincipallyoccupiedwiththecaresofotherpeople;andperhapssecond-handcares,likesecond-handclothes,comeeasilyoffandon.
　　Completinghisresemblancetoamanwhowassittingforhisportrait,Mr.Lorrydroppedofftosleep.Thearrivalofhisbreakfastrousedhim,andhesaidtothedrawer,ashemovedhischairtoit:
　　`Iwishaccommodationpreparedforayoungladywhomaycomehereatanytimeto-day.ShemayaskforMr.JarvisLorry,orshemayonlyaskforagentlemanfromTellson'sBank.Pleasetoletmeknow.
　　`Yes,sir.Tellson'sBankinLondon,sir?'
　　`Yes.'
　　`Yes,sir.WehaveoftentimesthehonourtoentertainyourgentlemenintheirtravellingbackwardsandforwardsbetwixtLondonandParis,sir.Avastdealoftravelling,sir,inTellsonandCompany'sHouse.'
　　`Yes.WearequiteaFrenchHouse,aswellasanEnglishone.'
　　`Yes,sir.Notmuchinthehabitofsuchtravellingyour-self,Ithink,sir?'
　　`Notoflateyears.Itisfifteenyearssincewe——sinceI——camelastfromFrance.'
　　`Indeed,sir?Thatwasbeforemytimehere,sir.Beforeourpeople'stimehere,sir.TheGeorgewasinotherhandsatthattime,sir.'
　　`Ibelieveso.'
　　`ButIwouldholdaprettywager,sir,thataHouselikeTellsonandCompanywasflourishing,amatteroffifty,nottospeakoffifteenyearsago?'
　　`Youmighttreblethat,andsayahundredandfifty,yetnotbefarfromthetruth.'
　　`Indeed,sir!'
　　Roundinghismouthandbothhiseyes,ashesteppedbackwardfromthetable,thewaitershiftedhisnapkinfromhis-rightarmtohisleft,droppedintoacomfortableattitude,andstoodsurveyingtheguestwhileheateanddrank,asfromanobservatoryorwatch-tower.Accordingtotheimmemorialusageofwaitersinallages.
　　WhenMr.Lorryhadfinishedhisbreakfast,hewentoutforastrollonthebeach.Thelittlenarrow,crookedtownofDoverhiditselfawayfromthebeach,andranitsheadintothechalkcliffs,likeamarineostrich.Thebeachwasadesertofheapsofseaandstonestumblingwildlyabout,andtheseadidwhatitliked,andwhatitlikedwasdestruction.Itthunderedatthetown,andthunderedatthecliffs,andbroughtthecoastdown,madly.Theairamongthehouseswasofsostrongapiscatoryflavourthatonemighthavesupposedsickfishwentuptobedippedinit,assickpeoplewentdowntobedippedinthesea.Alittlefishingwasdoneintheport,andaquantityofstrollingaboutbynight,andlookingseaward:particularlyatthosetimeswhenthetidemade,andwasnearflood.Smalltradesmen,whodidnobusinesswhatever,sometimesunaccountablyrealisedlargefortunes,anditwasremarkablethatnobodyintheneighbourhoodcouldendurealamplighter.
　　Asthedaydeclinedintotheafternoon,andtheair,whichhadbeenatintervalsclearenoughtoallowtheFrenchcoasttobeseen,becameagainchargedwithmistandvapour,Mr.Lorry'sthoughtsseemedtocloudtoo.Whendark,andhesatbeforethecoffee-roomfire,awaitinghisdinnerashehadawaitedhisbreakfast,hismindwasdigging,digging,digging,intheliveredcoals.
　　Abottleofgoodclaretafterdinnerdoesadiggerintheredcoalsnoharm,otherwisethanasithasatendencytothrowhimoutofwork.Mr.Lorryhadbeenidlealoandhadjustpouredouthislastglassfulofwinecompleteanappearanceofsatisfactionasisevertobefoundinanelderlygentlemanofafreshcomplexionwhohasgottotheendofabottle,whenarattlingofwheelscameupthenarrowstreet,andrumbledintotheinn-yard.
　　Hesetdownhisglassuntouched.`ThisisMam'selle!'saidhe.
　　InaveryfewminutesthewaitercameintoannouncethatMissManettehadarrivedfromLondon,and",happytoseethegentlemanfromTellson's.
　　`Sosoon?'
　　MissManettehadtakensomerefreshmentontheroad,andrequirednonethen,andwasextremelyanxioustoseethegentlemanfromTellson'simmediately,ifitsuitedhispleasureandconvenience.
　　ThegentlemanfromTellson'shadnothingleftforitbuttoemptyhisglasswithanairofstoliddesperation,settlehisoddlittleflaxenwigattheears,andfollowthewaitertoMissManette'sapartment.Itwasalarge,darkroom,furnishedinafunerealmannerwithblackhorsehair,andloadedwithheavydarktables.Thesehadbeenoiled,untilthetwotallcandlesonthetableintheoftheroomweregloomilyreflectedoneveryleaf;wereburied,indeepgravesofblackmahogany,andtospeakofcouldbeexpectedfromthemuntilthedugout.
　　TheobscuritywassodifficulttopenetratethatMrLorry,pickinghiswayoverthewell-wornTurkeycarpet,supposedMissManettetobe,forthemoment,insomeadjacentroom,until,havinggotpastthetwotallcandles,hesawtoreceivehimbythetablebetweenthemandtheyoungladyofnotmorethanseventeen,inariding-cloak,andstillholdingherstrawtravelling-hatbyitsribboninherhand.Ashiseyesrestedonashort,slight,prettyfigure,aquantityofgoldenhair,apairofblueeyesthatmethisownwithaninquiringlook,andaforeheadwithasingularcapacityrememberinghowyoungandsmoothitwasofliftingandknittingitselfintoanexpressionthatwasnotquiteoneofperplexity,orwonder,oralarmormerelyofabrightfixedattention,thoughisincludedallthefourexpressions——ashiseyesrestedonthesethings,asuddenvividlikenesspassedbeforehim,ofachildwhomhehadheldinhisarmsonthepassageacrossthatveryChannel,onecoldtime,whenthehaildriftedheavilyandthesearanhigh.Thelikenesspassedaway,likeabreathalongthesurfaceofthegauntpier-glassbehindher,ontheframeofwhich,ahospitalprocessionofnegrocupids,severalhead-lessandallcripples,wereofferingblackbasketsofDeadSeafruittoblackdivinitiesofthefemininegender——andhemadehisformalbowtoMissManette.
　　`Praytakeaseat,sir.'Inaveryclearandpleasantyoungvoice;alittleforeigninitsaccent,butaverylittleindeed.
　　`Ikissyourhand,miss,'saidMr.Lorry,withthemannersofanearlierdate,ashemadehisformalbowagain,andtookhisseat.
　　`IreceivedaletterfromtheBank,sir,yesterday,informingmethatsomeintelligence——ordiscovery——
　　`Thewordisnotmaterial,miss;eitherwordwilldo.'
　　`——respectingthesmallpropertyofmypoorfather,whomIneversaw——solongdead——'
　　Mr.Lorrymovedinhischair,andcastatroubledlooktowardsthehospitalprocessionofnegrocupids.Asiftheyhadanyhelpforanybodyintheirabsurdbaskets!
　　`——rendereditnecessarythatIshouldgotoParis,theretocommunicatewithagentlemanoftheBank,sogoodastobedespatchedtoParisforthepurpose.'
　　`Myself'
　　`AsIwaspreparedtohear,sir.'
　　Shecurtseyedtohimyoungladiesmadecurtseysinthosedays,withaprettydesiretoconveytohimthatshefelthowmucholderandwiserhewasthanshe.Hemadeheranotherbow.
　　`IrepliedtotheBank,sir,thatasitwasconsiderednecessary,bythosewhoknow,andwhoaresokindastoadviseme,thatIshouldgotoFrance,andthatasIamanorphanandhavenofriendwhocouldgowithme,IshouldesteemithighlyifImightbepermittedtoplacemyself,duringthejourney,underthatworthygentleman'sprotection.ThegentlemanhadleftLondon,butIthinkamessengerwassentafterhimtobegthefavourofhiswaitingformehere.'
　　`Iwashappy,'saidMr.Lorry,`tobeentrustedwiththecharge.Ishallbemorehappytoexecuteit.'
　　`Sir,Ithankyouindeed.Ithankyouverygratefully.ItwastoldmebytheBankthatthegentlemanwouldexplaintomethedetailsofthebusiness,andthatImustpreparemyselftofindthemofasurprisingnature.Ihavedonemybesttopreparemyself,andInaturallyhaveastrongandeagerinteresttoknowwhattheyare.
　　`Naturally,'saidMr.Lorry.`Yes——I——'
　　Alterapause,headded,againsettlingthecrispflaxenwigattheears:
　　`Itisverydifficulttobegin.'
　　Hedidnotbegin,but,inhisindecision,metherglance.
　　Theyoungforeheadlifteditselfintothatsingularexpression——butitwasprettyandcharacteristic,besidesbeingsingular——andsheraisedherhand,asifwithaninvoluntaryactionshecaughtat,orstayedsomepassingshadow.
　　`Areyouquiteastrangertome,sir?'
　　`AmInot?'Mr.Lorryopenedhishands,andextendedthemoutwardswithanargumentativesmile.
　　Betweentheeyebrowsandjustoverthelittlefemininenose,thelineofwhichwasasdelicateandfineasitwaspossibletobe,theexpressiondeepeneditselfasshetookherseatthoughtfullyinthechairbywhichshehadhithertoremainedstanding.Hewatchedherasshemused,andthemomentsheraisedhereyesagain,wenton:
　　`Inyouradoptedcountry,Ipresume,IcannotdobetterthanaddressyouasayoungEnglishlady,MissManette?'
　　`Ifyouplease,sir.'
　　`MissManette,Iamamanofbusiness.Ihaveabusinesschargetoacquitmyselfof.Inyourreceptionofit,don'theedmeanymorethanifIwasaspeakingmachine——truly,Iamnotmuchelse.Iwill,withyourleave,relatetoyou,miss,thestoryofoneofourcustomers.'
　　`Story!'
　　Heseemedwilfullytomistakethewordshehadrepeated,whenheadded,inahurry,`Yes,customers;inthebankingbusinessweusuallycallourconnexionourcustomers.HewasaFrenchgentleman;ascientificgentleman;amanofgreatacquirements——aDoctor.'
　　`NotofBeauvais?'
　　`Why,yes,ofBeauvais.LikeMonsieurManette,yourfather,thegentlemanwasofBeauvais.LikeMonsieurManette,yourfather,thegentlemanwasofreputeinParis.Ihadthehonourofknowinghimthere.Ourrelationswerebusinessrelations,butconfidential.IwasatthattimeinourFrench——House,andhadbeen——oh!twentyyears.'
　　`Atthattime——Imayask,atwhattime,sir?'
　　`Ispeak,miss,oftwentyyearsago.Hemarried——anEnglishlady——andIwasoneofthetrustees.Hisaffairs,liketheaffairsofmanyotherFrenchgentlemenandFrenchfamilies,wereentirelyinTellson'shands.InasimilarwayIam,orIhavebeen,trusteeofonekindorotherforscoresofourcustomers.Thesearemerebusinessrelations,miss;thereisnofriendshipinthem,noparticularinterest,nothinglikesentiment.Ihavepassedfromonetoanother,iiithecourseofmybusinesslife,justasIpassfromoneofourcustomerstoanotherinthecourseofmybusinessday;inshort,Ihavenofeelings;Iamameremachine.Togoon——
　　`Butthisismyfather'sstory,sir;andIbegintothink'——thecuriouslyroughenedforeheadwasveryintentuponhim——'thatwhenIwasleftanorphanthroughmymother'ssurvivingmyfatheronlytwoyears,itwasyouwhobroughtmetoEngland.Iamalmostsureitwasyou.
　　Mr.Lorrytookthehesitatinglittlehandthatconfidinglyadvancedtotakehis,andheputitwithsomeceremonytohislips.Hethenconductedtheyoungladystraightawaytoherchairagain,and,holdingthechair-backwithhislefthand,andusinghisrightbyturnstorubhischin,pullhiswigattheears,orpointwhatliesaid,stoodlookingdownintoherfacewhileshesatlookingupintohis.
　　`MissManette,itwasI.AndyouwillseehowtrulyIspokeofmyselfjustnow,insayingIhadnofeelings,andthatalltherelationsIholdwithmyfellow-creaturesaremerebusinessrelations,whenyoureflectthatIhaveneverseenyousince.No;youhavebeenthewardofTellsonsHousesince,andIhavebeenbusywiththeotherbusinessofTellsonsHousesince.FeelingsIhavenotimeforthem,nochanceofthem.Ipassmywholelife,miss,inturninganimmensepecuniaryMangle.'
　　Afterthisodddescriptionofhisdailyroutineofemployment,Mr.Lorryflattenedhisflaxenwiguponhisheadwithbothhandswhichwasmostunnecessary,fornothingcouldbeflatterthanitsshiningsurfacewasbefore,andresumedhisformerattitude.
　　`Sofar,missasyouhaveremarked,thisisthestoryofyourregrettedfather.Nowcomesthedifference.Ifyourfatherhadnotdiedwhenhedid——Don'tbefrightened!Howyoustart!'
　　Shedid,indeed,start.Andshecaughthiswristwithbothherhands.
　　`Pray,'saidMr.Lorry,inasoothingtone,bringinghi'lefthandfromthebackofthechairtolayitonthesupplicatoryfingersthatclaspedhiminsoviolentatremble;`praycontrolyouragitation——amatterofbusiness.AsIwassaying——'
　　Herlooksodiscomposedhimthathestopped,wanderedandbegananew:
　　`AsIwassaying;ifMonsieurManettehadnotdied;ifhehadsuddenlyandsilentlydisappeared;ifhehadbeenspiritedaway;ifithadnotbeendifficulttoguesstowhatdreadfulplace,thoughnoartcouldtracehim;ifhehadanenemyinsomecompatriotwhocouldexerciseaprivilegethatIinmyowntimehaveknowntheboldestpeopleafraidtospeakofinawhisper,acrossthewaterthere;forinstancetheprivilegeoffillingupblankformsfortheconsignmentofanyonetotheoblivionofaprisonforanylengthoftimeifhiswifehadimploredtheking,thequeen,thecourt,theclergy,foranytidingsofhim,andallquiteinvain;——thenthehistoryofyourfatherwouldhavebeenthehistoryofthisunfortunategentleman,theDoctorofBeauvais.
　　`Ientreatyoutotellmemore,sir.'
　　`Iwill.Iamgoingto.Youcanbearit?'
　　`Icanbearanythingbuttheuncertaintyyouleavemeinatthismoment.
　　`Youspeakcollectedly,andyou——arecollected.`Thatgood!'Thoughhismannerwaslesssatisfiedthanhiwords.`Amatterofbusiness.Regarditasamattero-business-businessthatmustbedone.Nowifthisdoctor'swife,thoughaladyofgreatcourageandspirit,hadsufferedsointenselyfromthiscausebeforeherlittlechildwasborn——'
　　`Thelittlechildwasadaughter,sir?'
　　`Adaughter.A——a——matterofbusiness——don'tbedistressed.Miss,ifthepoorladyhadsufferedsointenselybeforeherlittlechildwasborn,thatshecametothedeterminationofsparingthepoorchildtheinheritanceofanypartoftheagonyshehadknownthepainsof,byrearingherinthebeliefthatherfatherwasdead——No,don'tkneel!InHeaven'snamewhyshouldyoukneeltome?'
　　`Forthetruth.Odear,good,compassionatesir,forthetruth!'
　　`A——amatterofbusiness.Youconfuseme,andhowcanItransactbusinessifIamconfused?Letusbeclear-headed.Ifyoucouldkindlymentionnow,forinstance,whatninetimesninepenceare,orhowmanyshillingsintwentyguineas,itwouldbesoencouraging.Ishouldbesomuchmoreatmyeaseaboutyourstateofmind.'
　　Withoutdirectlyansweringtothisappeal,shesatsostillwhenhehadverygentlyraisedher,andthehandsthathadnotceasedtoclasphiswristsweresomuchmoresteadythantheyhadbeen,thatshecommunicatedsomereassurancetoMr.JarvisLorry.
　　`That'sright,that'sright.Courage!Business!Youhavebusinessbeforeyou;usefulbusiness.MissManette,yourmothertookthiscoursewithyou.Andwhenshedied——Ibelievebroken-hearted——havingneverslackenedherunavailingsearchforyourfather,sheleftyou,attwoyearsold,togrowtobeblooming,beautiful,andhappy,withoutthedarkclouduponyouoflivinginuncertaintywhetheryourfathersoonworehisheartoutinprison,orwastedtherethroughmanylingeringyears.'
　　Ashesaidthewordshelookeddown,withanadmiringpity,ontheflowinggoldenhair;asifhepicturedtohim-selfthatitmighthavebeenalreadytingedwithgrey.
　　`Youknowthatyourparentshadnogreatpossession,andthatwhattheyhadwassecuredtoyourmotherandtoyou.Therehasbeennonewdiscovery,ofmoney,orofanyotherproperty;but——
　　Hefelthiswristheldcloser,andhestopped.Theexpressionintheforehead,whichhadsoparticularlyattractedhisnotice,andwhichwasnowimmovable,haddeepenedintooneofpainandhorror.
　　`Buthehasbeen-beenfound.Heisalive.Greatlychanged,itistooprobable;almostawreck,itispossible;thoughwewillhopethebest.Still,alive.YourfatherhasbeentakentothehouseofanoldservantinParis,andwearegoingthere:I,toidentifyhimifIcan:you,torestorehimtolife,love,duty,rest,comfort.'
　　Ashiverranthroughherframe,andfromitthroughhis.Shesaid,inalow,distinct,awe-strickenvoice,asifsheweresayingitinadream,
　　`IamgoingtoseehisGhost!ItwillbehisGhost——nothim!'
　　Mr.Lorryquietlychafedthehandsthatheldhisarm.`There,there,there!Seenow,seenow!Thebestandtheworstareknowntoyou,now.Youarewellonyourwaytothepoorwrongedgentleman,and,withafairseavoyage,andafairlandjourney,youwillbesoonathisdearside.'
　　Sherepeatedinthesametone,sunktoawhisper,`Ihavebeenfree,Ihavebeenhappy,yethisGhosthasneverhauntedme!'
　　`Onlyonethingmore,'saidMr.Lorry,layingstressuponitasawholesomemeansofenforcingherattention:`hehasbeenfoundunderanothername;hisown,longforgottenorlongconcealed.Itwouldbeworsethanuselessnowtoinquirewhich;worsethanuselesstoseektoknowwhetherhehasbeenforyearsoverlooked,oralwaysdesignedlyheldprisoner.Itwouldbeworsethanuselessnowtomakeanyinquiries,becauseitwouldbedangerous.Betternottomentionthesubject,anywhereorinanyway,andtoremovehim——forawhileatallevents——outofFrance.EvenI,safeasanEnglishman,andevenTellson's,importantastheyaretoFrenchcredit,avoidallnamingofthematter.Icarryaboutme,notascrapofwritingopenlyreferringtoit.Thisisasecretservicealtogether.Mycredentials,entries,andmemoranda,areallcomprehendedintheoneline,"RecalledtoLife;"whichmaymeananything.Butwhatisthematter?Shedoesn'tnoticeaword!MissManette!'
　　Perfectlystillandsilent,andnotevenfallenbackinherchair,shesatunderhishand,utterlyinsensible;withhereyesopenandfixeduponhim,andwiththatlastexpressionlookingasifitwerecarvedorbrandedintoherforehead.Soclosewasherholduponhisarm,thathefearedtodetachhimselflestheshouldhurther;thereforehecalledoutloudlyforassistancewithoutmoving.
　　Awild-lookingwoman,whomeveninhisagitation,Mr.Lorryobservedtobeallofaredcolour,andtohaveredhair,andtobedressedinsomeextraordinarytightfittingfashion,andtohaveonherheadamostwonderfulbonnetlikeaGrenadierwoodenmeasure,andgoodmeasuretoo,oragreatStiltoncheese,camerunningintotheroominadvanceoftheinnservants,andsoonsettledthequestionofhisdetachmentfromthepooryounglady,bylayingabrawnyhanduponhischest,andsendinghimflyingbackagainstthenearestwall.
　　`Ireallythinkthismustbeaman!'wasMr.Lorry'sbreathlessreflection,simultaneouslywithhiscomingagainstthewall.
　　`Why,lookatyouall!'bawledthisfigure,addressingtheinnservants.`Whydon'tyougoandfetchthings,insteadofstandingtherestaringatme?Iamnotsomuchtolookat,amI?Whydon'tyougoandfetchthings?I'llletyouknow,ifyoudon'tbringsmelling-salts,coldwater,andvinegar,quick,Iwill.'
　　Therewasanimmediatedispersalfortheserestoratives,andshesoftlylaidthepatientonasofa,andtendedherwithgreatskillandgentleness:callingher`myprecious!'and`mybird!'andspreadinghergoldenhairasideoverhershoulderswithgreatprideandcare.
　　`Andyouinbrown!'shesaid,indignantlyturningtoMr.Lorry;`couldn'tyoutellherwhatyouhadtotellher,withoutfrighteninghertodeath?Lookather,withherprettypalefaceandhercoldhands.DoyoucallthatbeingaBanker?'
　　Mr.Lorrywassoexceedinglydisconcertedbyaquestionsohardtoanswer,thathecouldonlylookon,atadistance,withmuchfeeblersympathyandhumility,whilethestrongwoman,havingbanishedtheinnservantsunderthemysteriouspenaltyof`lettingthemknow'somethingnotmentionediftheystayedthere,staring,recoveredherchargebyaregularseriesofgradations,andcoaxedhertolayherdroopingheaduponhershoulder.
　　`Ihopeshewilldowellnow,'saidMr.Lorry.
　　`Nothankstoyouinbrown,ifshedoes.Mydarlingpretty!'
　　`Ihope,'saidMr.Lorry,afteranotherpauseoffeeblesympathyandhumility,`thatyouaccompanyMissManettetoFrance?'
　　`Alikelything,too!'repliedthestrongwoman.`IfitwaseverintendedthatIshouldgoacrosssaltwater,doyousupposeProvidencewouldhavecastmylotinanisland?'
　　Thisbeinganotherquestionhardtoanswer,Mr.JarvisLorrywithdrewtoconsiderit.
　　CHAPTERV
　　TheWine-shop
　　ALARGEcaskofwinehadbeendroppedandbroken,street.Theaccidenthadhappenedingettingitoutofacart;thecaskhadtumbledoutwitharun,thehoopshadburst,anditlayonthestonesjustoutsidethedoorofthewine-shop,shatteredlikeawalnut-shell.
　　Allthepeoplewithinreachhadsuspendedtheirbusinessortheiridleness,toruntothespotanddrinkthewine.Therough,irregularstonesofthestreet,pointingeveryway,anddesigned,onemighthavethought,expresslytolamealllivingcreaturesthatapproachedthem,haddammeditintolittlepools;theseweresurrounded,eachbyitsownjostlinggrouporcrowd,accordingtoitssize.Somemenkneeleddown,madescoopsoftheirtwohandsjoined,andsipped,ortriedtohelpwomen,whobentovertheirshoulderstosip,beforethewinehadallrunoutbetweentheirfingers.Others,menandwomen,dippedinthepuddleswithlittlemugsofmutilatedearthenware,orevenwithhandkerchiefsfromwomen'sheads,whichweresqueezeddryintoinfantsmouths;othersmadesmallmudembankments,tostemthewineasitran;others,directedbylookers-onupathighwindows,dartedhereandthere,tocutofflittlestreamsofwinethatstartedawayinnewdirections;othersdevotedthemselvestothesoddenandlee-dyedpiecesofthecasklicking,andevenchampingthemoisterwine-rottedfragmentswitheagerrelish.Therewasnodrainagetocarryoffthewine,andnotonlydiditallgettakenup,butsomuchmudgottakenupalongwithit,thattheremighthavebeenascavengerinthestreet,ifanybodyacquaintedwithitcouldhavebelievedinsuchamiraculouspresence.
　　Ashrillsoundoflaughterandofamusedvoices——voicesofmen,women,andchildren——resoundedinthestreetwhilethiswinegamelasted.Therewaslittleroughnessinthespotandmuchplayfulness.Therewasaspecialcompanionshipinit,anobservableinclinationonthepartofeveryonetojoinsomeotherone,whichled,especiallyamongtheluckierorlighter-hearted,tofrolicsomeembraces,drinkingofhealths,shakingofhands,andevenjoiningofhandsanddancing,adozentogether.Whenthewinewasgone,andtheplaceswhereithadbeenmostabundantwererakedintoagridiron-patternbyfingers,thesedemonstrationsceased,assuddenlyastheyhadbrokenout.Themanwhohadlefthissawstickinginthefirewoodhewascutting,setitinmotionagain;thewomanwhohadleftonadoor-stepthelittlepotofhotashes,atwhichshehadbeentryingtosoftenthepaininherownstarvedfingersandtoes,orinthoseofherchild,returnedtoit;menwithbarearms,mattedlocks,andcadaverousfaces,whohademergedintothewinterlightfromcellars,movedaway,todescendagain;andagloomgatheredonthescenethatappearedmorenaturaltoitthansunshine.
　　Thewinewasredwine,andhadstainedthegroundofthenarrowstreetinthesuburbofSaintAntoine,inParis,whereitwasspilled.Ithadstainedmanyhands,too,andmanyfaces,andmanynakedfeet,andmanywoodenshoes.Thehandsofthemanwhosawedthewood,leftredmarksonthebillets;andtheforeheadofthewomanwhonursedherbaby,wasstainedwiththestainoftheoldragshewoundaboutherheadagain.Thosewhohadbeengreedywiththestavesofthecask,hadacquiredatigerishsmearaboutthemouth;andonetalljokersobesmirched,hisheadmoreoutofalongsqualidbagofanight-capthaninit,scrawleduponawallwithhisfingerdippedinmuddywine-lees——BLOOD.
　　Thetimewastocome,whenthatwinetoowouldbespilledonthestreet-stones,andwhenthestainofitwouldbereduponmanythere.
　　AndnowthatthecloudsettledonSaintAntoine,whichamomentarygleamhaddrivenfromhissacredcountenance,thedarknessofitwasheavy——cold,dirt,sickness,ignorance,andwant,werethelordsinwaitingonthesaintlypresence——noblesofgreatpowerallofthem;but,mostespeciallythelast.Samplesofapeoplethathadundergoneaterriblegrindingandre-grindinginthemill,andcertainlynotinthefabulousmillwhichgroundoldpeopleyoung,shiveredateverycorner,passedinandoutateverydoorway,lookedfromeverywindow,flutteredineveryvestigeofagarmentthatthewindshock.Themillwhichhadworkedthemdown,wasthemillthatgrindsyoungpeopleold;thechildrenhadancientfacesandgravevoices;anduponthem,anduponthegrownfaces,andploughedintoeveryfurrowofageandcomingupafresh,wasthesign,Hunger.Itwasprevalenteverywhere.Hungerwaspushedoutofthetallhouses,inthewretchedclothingthathunguponpolesandlines;Hungerwaspatchedintothemwithstrawandragandwoodandpaper;Hungerwasrepeatedineveryfragmentofthesmallmodicumoffirewoodthatthemansawedoff;Hungerstareddownfromthesmokelesschimneys,andstartedupfromthefilthystreetthathadnooffal,amongitsrefuse,ofanythingtoeat.Hungerwastheinscriptiononthebaker'sshelves,writtenineverysmallloafofhisScantystockofbadbread;atthesausage-shop,ineverydead-dogpreparationthatwasofferedforsale.Hungerrattleditsdrybonesamongtheroastingchestnutsintheturnedcylinder;Hungerwasshredintoatomiesineveryfarthingporringerofhuskychipsofpotato,friedwithsomereluctantdropsofoil.
　　Itsabidingplacewasinallthingsfittedtoit.Anarrowwindingstreet,fullofoffenceandstench,withothernarrowwindingstreetsdiverging,allpeopledbyragsandnightcaps,andallsmellingofragsandnightcaps,andallvisiblethingswithabroodinglookuponthemthatlookedill.Inthehuntedairofthepeopletherewasyetsomewild-beastthoughtofthepossibilityofturningatbay.Depressedandslinkingthoughtheywere,eyesoffirewerenotwantingamongthem;norcompressedlips,whitewithwhattheysuppressed;norforeheadsknittedintothelikenessofthegallows-ropetheymusedaboutenduring,orinflicting.Thetradesignsandtheywerealmostasmanyastheshopswere,all,grimillustrationsofWant.Thebutcherandtheporkmanpaintedup,onlytheleanestscragsofmeat;thebaker,thecoarsestofmeagreloaves.Thepeoplerudelypicturedasdrinkinginthewine-shops,croakedovertheirscantymeasuresofthinwineandbeer,andweregloweringlyconfidentialtogether.Nothingwasrepresentedinaflourishingcondition,savetoolsandweapons;but,thecutler'sknivesandaxesweresharpandbright,thesmith'shammers-wereheavy,andthegunmaker'sstockwasmurderous.Thecripplingstonesofthepavement,withtheirmanylittlereservoirsofmudandwater,hadnofootways,butbrokeoffabruptlyatthedoors.Thekennel,tomakeamends,randownthemiddleofthestreet——whenitranatall:whichwasonlyafterheavyrains,andthenitran,bymanyeccentricfits,intothehouses.Acrossthestreets,atwideintervals,oneclumsylampwasslungbyaropeandpulley;atnight,whenthelamplighterhadletthesedown,andlighted,andhoistedthemagain,afeeblegroveofdimwicksswunginasicklymanneroverhead,asiftheywereatsea.Indeedtheywereatsea,andtheshipandcrewwereinperiloftempest.
　　For,thetimewastocome,whenthegauntscarecrowsofthatregionshouldhavewatchedthelamplighter,intheiridlenessandhunger,solong,astoconceivetheideaofimprovingonhismethod,andhaulingupmenbythoseropesandpulleys,toflareuponthedarknessoftheircondition.But,thetimewasnotcomeyet;andeverywindthatblewoverFranceshooktheragsofthescarecrowsinvain,forthebirds,fineofsongandfeather,tooknowarning.
　　Thewine-shopwasacomershop,betterthanmostother'initsappearanceanddegree,andthemasterofthewineshophadstoodoutsideit,inayellowwaistcoatandgreenbreeches,lookingonatthestruggleforthelostwine.`It''notmyaffair,'saidhe,withafinalshrugoftheshoulders,`Thepeoplefromthemarketdidit.Letthembringanother.
　　There,hiseyeshappeningtocatchthetalljokerwritinguphisjoke,hecalledtohimacrosstheway:
　　`Say,then,myGaspard,whatdoyoudothere?'
　　Thefellowpointedtohisjokewithimmensesignificanceasisoftenthewaywithhistribe.Itmisseditsmark,andcompletelyfailed,asisoftenthewaywithhistribetoo.
　　`Whatnow?Areyouasubjectforthemadhospital?'saidthewine-shopkeeper,crossingtheroad,andobliteratingthejestwithahandfulofmud,pickedupforthepurposeandsmearedoverit.`Whydoyouwriteinthepublicstreets?Isthere——tellmethou——istherenootherplacetowritesuchwordsin?'
　　Inhisexpostulationhedroppedhiscleanerhandperhapsaccidentally,perhapsnotuponthejoker'sheart.Thejokerappeditwithhisown,tookanimblespringupward,andcamedowninafantasticdancingattitude,withoneofhisstainedshoesjerkedoffhisfootintohishand,andheldoutAjokerofanextremely,nottosaywolfishlypracticalcharacter,helooked,underthosecircumstances.
　　`Putiton,putiton,'saidtheother.`Callwine,wineandfinishthere.'Withthatadvice,hewipedhissoiledhanduponthejoker'sdress,suchasitwas——quitedeliberately,ashavingdirtiedthehandonhisaccount;andthenre-crossedtheroadandenteredthewine-shop.
　　Thiswine-shopkeeperwasabull-necked',martial-lookingmanofthirty,andheshouldhavebeanofahottemperament,for,althoughitwasabitterday,heworenocoat,butcarriedoneslungoverhisshoulder.Hisshirt-sleeveswererolledup,too,andhisbrownarmswerebaretotheelbows.Neitherdidhewearanythingmoreonhisheadthanhisowncrisply-curlingshortdarkhair.Hewasadarkmanaltogether,withgoodeyesandagoodboldbreadthbetweenthem.Good-humouredlookingonthewhole,butimplacable-looking,too;evidentlyamanofastrongresolutionandasetpurpose;amannotdesirabletobemet,rushingdownanarrowpasswithagulfoneitherside,fornothingwouldturntheman.
　　MadameDefarge,hiswife,satintheshopbehindthecounterashecamein.MadameDefargewasastoutwomanofabouthisownage,withawatchfuleyethatseldomseemedtolookatanything,alargehandheavilyringed,asteadyface,strongfeatures,andgreatcomposureofmanner.TherewasacharacteraboutMadameDefarge,fromwhichonemighthavepredicatedthatshedidnotoftenmakemistakesagainstherselfinanyofthereckoningsoverwhichshepresided.MadameDefargebeingsensitivetocold,waswrappedinfur,andhadaquantityofbrightshawltwinedaboutherhead,thoughnottotheconcealmentofherlargeearrings.Herknittingwasbeforeher,butshehadlaiditdowntopickherteethwithatoothpick.Thusengaged,withherrightelbowsupportedbyherlefthand,MadameDefargesaidnothingwhenherlordcamein,butcoughedJustonegrainofcough.This,incombinationwiththeliftingofherdarklydefinedeyebrowsoverhertoothpickbythebreadthofaline,suggestedtoherhusbandthathewoulddowelltolookroundtheshopamongthecustomers,foranynewcustomerwhohaddroppedinwhilehesteppedovertheway.
　　Thewine-shopkeeperaccordinglyrolledhiseyesabout,untiltheyresteduponanelderlygentlemanandayounglady,whowereseatedinacorner.Othercompanywerethere:twoplayingcards,twoplayingdominoes,threestandingbythecounterlengtheningoutashortsupplyofwine.Ashepassedbehindthecounter,hetooknoticethattheelderlygentlemansaidinalooktotheyounglady`Thisisourman.
　　`Whatthedevildoyoudointhatgalleythere?'saidMonsieurDefargetohimself;`Idon'tknowyou.'
　　But,hefeignednottonoticethetwostrangers,andfellintodiscoursewiththetriumvirateofcustomerswhoweredrinkingatthecounter.
　　`Howgoesit,Jacques?'saidoneofthesethreetoMonsieurDefarge.`Isallthespiltwineswallowed?'
　　`Everydrop,Jacques,'answeredMonsieurDefarge.