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,orashadetheoldgentlemancouldnothavesaidwhich,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,ofmyprettyyoungmotherandIsoold!,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,inthethirdweekofDecemberIthinkthetwenty-secondofthemonthintheyear1757,IwaswalkingonaretiredpartofthequaybytheSeinefortherefreshmentofthefrostyair,atanhour'sdistancefrommyplaceofresidenceintheStreetoftheSchoolofMedicine,whenacarriagecamealongbehindme,drivenveryfast.AsIstoodasidetoletthatcarriagepass,apprehensivethatitmightotherwiserunmedown,aheadwasputoutatthewindow,andavoicecalledtothedrivertostop.
　　`Thecarriagestoppedassoonasthedrivercouldreininhishorses,andthesamevoicecalledtomebymyname.Ianswered.ThecarriagewasthensofarinadvanceofmethattwogentlemenhadtimetoopenthedoorandalightbeforeIcameupwithit.Iobservedthattheywerebothwrappedincloaksandappearedtoconcealthemselves.Astheystoodcarriagedoor,Ialsoobservedthattheybothlookedofaboutmyownage,orratheryounger,andthattheyweregreatlyalike,instature,manner,voice,andasfarasIcouldseefacetoo.
　　`"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.
　　`Fromthetimeofouralightingattheoutergatewhichwefoundlocked,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.Therewasatimidandsuppressedwomaninattendancewifeofthemandown-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.
　　`ForthereasonthatmyhandhadthiseffectIassume,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!"