`Ihadneverbeforeseenthesenseofbeingoppressed,burstingforthlikeafire.Ihadsupposedthatitmustbelatentinthepeoplesomewhere;but,Ihadneverseenitbreakout,untilIsawitinthedyingboy.
　　`"Nevertheless,Doctor,mysistermarried.Hewasailingatthattime,poorfellow,andshemarriedherlover,thatshemighttendandcomforthiminourcottage——ourdog-hut,asthatmanwouldcallit.Shehadnotbeenmarriedmanyweeks,whenthatman'sbrothersawherandadmiredher,andaskedthatmantolendhertohim——forwhatarehusbandsamongus!Hewaswillingenough,butmysisterwasgoodandvirtuous,andhatedhisbrotherwithahatredasstrongasmine.Whatdidthetwothen,topersuadeherhusbandtousehisinfluencewithher,tomakeherwilling?"
　　`Theboy'seyes,whichhadbeenfixedonmine,slowlyturnedtothelooker-on,andIsawintheMofacesthatallhesaidwastrue.Thetwoopposingkindsofprideconfrontingoneanother,Icansee,eveninthisBastille;thegentleman'sallnegligentindifference;thepeasant's,alltrodden-downsentiment,andpassionaterevenge.
　　`"Youknow,Doctor,thatitisamongtheRightsoftheseNoblestoharnessuscommondogstocarts,anddriveus.Theysoharnessedhimanddrovehim.YouknowthatitisamongtheirRightstokeepusintheirgroundsallnight,quietingthefrogs,inorderthattheirnoblesleepmaynotbedisturbed.Theykepthimoutintheunwholesomemistsatnight,andorderedhimbackintohisharnessintheday.Buthewasnotpersuaded.No!Takenoutofharnessonedayatnoon,tofeed——ifhecouldfindfood——hesobbedtwelvetimes,onceforeverystrokeofthebell,anddiedonherbosom."
　　`Nothinghumancouldhaveheldlifeintheboybuthisdeterminationtotellallhiswrong.Heforcedbackthegatheringshadowsofdeath,asheforcedhisclenchedrighthandtoremainclenched,andtocoverhiswound.
　　`"Then,withthatman'spermissionandevenwithhisaid,hisbrothertookheraway;inspiteofwhatIknowshemusthavetoldhisbrother——andwhatthatis,willnotbelongunknowntoyou,Doctor,ifitisnow——hisbrothertookheraway——forhispleasureanddiversion,foralittlewhile.Isawherpassmeontheroad.WhenItookthetidingshome,ourfather'sheartburst;heneverspokeoneofthewordsthatfilledit.ItookmyyoungsisterforIhaveanothertoaplacebeyondthereachofthisman,andwhere,atleast,shewillneverbehisvassal.Then,Itrackedthebrotherhere,andlastnightclimbedin-acommondog,butswordinhand——Whereistheloftwindow?Itwassomewherehere?"
　　`Theroomwasdarkeningtohissight;theworldwasnarrowingaroundhim.Iglancedaboutme,andsawthatthehayandstrawweretrampledoverthefloor,asiftherehadbeenastruggle.
　　`"Sheheardme,andranin.Itoldhernottocomenearustillhewasdead.Hecameinandfirsttossedmesomepiecesofmoney;thenstruckatmewithawhip.ButI,thoughacommondog,sostruckathimastomakehimdraw.Lethimbreakintoasmanypiecesashewill,theswordthathestainedwithmycommonblood;hedrewtodefendhimself——thrustatmewithallhisskillforhislife."
　　`Myglancehadfallen,butafewmomentsbefore,onthefragmentsofabrokensword,lyingamongthehay.Thatweaponwasagentleman's.Inanotherplace,layanoldswordthatseemedtohavebeenasoldier's.
　　`"Now,liftmeup,Doctor;liftmeup.Whereishe?"
　　`"Heisnothere,"Isaid,supportingtheboy,andthinkingthathereferredtothebrother.
　　`"He!Proudasthesenoblesare,heisafraidtoseeme.Whereisthemanwhowashere?Turnmyfacetohim."
　　`Ididso,raisingtheboy'sheadagainstmyknee.But,investedforthemomentwithextraordinarypower,heraisedhimselfcompletely:obligingmetorisetoo,orIcouldnothavestillsupportedhim.
　　`"Marquis,"saidtheboy,turnedtohimwithhiseyesopenedwide,andhisrighthandraised,"inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyouandyours,tothelastofyourbadrace,toanswerforthem.Imarkthiscrossofblooduponyou,asasignthatIdoit.Inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyourbrother,theworstofthebadrace,toanswerforthemseparately.Imarkthiscrossofblooduponhim,asasignthatIdoit.
　　`Twice,heputhishandtothewoundinhisbreast,andwithforefingerdrewacrossintheair.Hestoodforaninstantwiththefingeryetraised,and,asitwithit,andIlaidhimdowndead.****
　　`WhenIreturnedtothebedsideoftheyoungwoman,Ifoundherravinginpreciselythesameorderandcontinuity.Iknewthatthismightlastformanyhours,andthatitwouldprobablyendinthesilenceofthegrave.
　　`IrepeatedthemedicinesIhadgivenher,andIsatatthesideofthebeduntilthenightwasfaradvanced.Sheneverabatedthepiercingqualityofhershrieks,neverstumbledinthedistinctnessortheorderofherwords.Theywerealways"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!One,two,three,four,five,six,seven,eight,nine,ten,eleven,twelve.Hush!"
　　`Thislastedtwenty-sixhoursfromthetimewhenIfirstsawher.Ihadcomeandgonetwice,andwasagainsittingbyher,whenshebegantofalter.Ididwhatlittlecouldbedonetoassistthatopportunity,andby-and-byshesankintoalethargy,andlaylikethedead.
　　`Itwasasifthewindandrainhadlulledatlast,afteralongandfearfulstorm.Ireleasedherarms,andcalledthewomantoassistmetocomposeherfigureandthedressshehadtorn.ItwasthenthatIknewherconditiontobethatofoneinwhomthefirstexpectationsofbeingamotherhavearisen;anditwasthenthatIlostthelittlehopeIhadhadofher.
　　`"Isshedead?"askedtheMarquis,whomIwillstilldescribeastheelderbrother,comingbootedintotheroomfromhishorse.
　　`"Notdead,"saidI;"butliketodie."
　　`"whatstrengththereisinthesecommonbodies!"hesaid,lookingdownatherwithsomecuriosity.
　　`"Thereisprodigiousstrength,"Iansweredhim,"insorrowanddespair."
　　`Hefirstlaughedatmywords,andthenfrownedatthem.Hemovedachairwithhisfootneartomine,orderedthewomanaway,andsaidinasubduedvoice,
　　`"Doctor,findingmybrotherinthisdifficultywiththesehinds,Irecommendedthatyouraidshouldbeinvited.Yourreputationishigh,and,asayoungmanwithyourfortunetomake,youareprobablymindfulofyourinterest.Thethingsthatyouseehere,arethingstobeseen,andnotspokenof."
　　`Ilistenedtothepatient'sbreathing,andavoidedanswering.
　　`"Doyouhonourmewithyourattention,Doctor?
　　`"Monsieur,"saidI,"inmyprofession,thecommunicationsofpatientsarealwaysreceivedinconfidence."Iwasguardedinmyanswer,forIwastroubledinmymindwithwhatIhadheardandseen.
　　`Herbreathingwassodifficulttotrace,thatIcarefullytriedthepulseandtheheart.Therewaslife,andnomore.LookingroundasIresumedmyseat,Ifoundthebrothersintentuponme.****
　　`Iwritewithsomuchdifficulty,thecoldissosevere,Iamsofearfulofbeingdetectedandconsignedtoanundergroundcellandtotaldarkness,thatImustabridgethisnarrative.Thereisnoconfusionorfailureinmymemory;itcanrecall,andcoulddetail,everywordthatwaseverspokenbetweenmeandthosebrothers.
　　`Shelingeredforaweek.Towardsthelast,Icouldunderstandsomefewsyllablesthatshesaidtome,byplacingmyearclosetoherlips.Sheaskedmewhereshewas,andItoldher;whoIwas,andItoldher.ItwasinvainthatIaskedherforherfamilyname.Shefaintlyshookherheaduponthepillow,andkepthersecret,astheboyhaddone.
　　`Ihadnoopportunityofaskingheranyquestion,untilIhadtoldthebrothersshewassinkingfast,andcouldnotliveanotherday.Untilthen,thoughnoonewaseverpresentedtoherconsciousnesssavethewomanandmyself,oneorotherofthemhadalwaysjealouslysatbehindthecurtainattheheadofthebedwhenIwasthere.Butwhenitcametothat,theyseemedcarelesswhatcommunicationImightholdwithher;asif——thethoughtpassedthroughmymind——Iweredyingtoo.
　　`Ialwaysobservedthattheirpridebitterlyresentedtheyoungerbrother'sasIcallhimhavingcrossedswordswithapeasant,andthatpeasantaboy.Theonlyconsiderationthatappearedtoaffectthemindofeitherofthemwastheconsiderationthatthiswashighlydegradingtothefamily,andwasridiculous.AsoftenasIcaughttheyoungerbrother'seyes,theirexpressionremindedmethathedislikedmedeeply,furknowingwhatIknewfromtheboy.Hewassmootherandmorepolitetomethantheelder;butIsawthis.IalsosawthatIwasanincumbranceinthemindoftheelder,too.
　　`Mypatientdied,twohoursbeforemidnight——atatime,bymywatch,answeringalmosttotheminutewhenIhadfirstseenher.Iwasalonewithher,whenherforlornyoungheadtroopedgentlyononeside,andallherearthlywrongsandsorrowsended.
　　`Thebrotherswerewaitinginaroomdown-stairs,impatienttorideaway.Ihadheardthem,aloneatthebedside,strikingtheirbootswiththeirriding-whips,andloiteringupanddown.
　　`"Atlastsheisdead?"saidtheelder,whenIwentin.
　　`"Sheisdead,"saidI.
　　`"Icongratulateyou,mybrother,"werehiswordsasheturnedround.
　　`Hehadbeforeofferedmemoney,whichIhadpostponedtaking.Henowgavemearouleauofgold.Itookitfromhishand,butlaiditonthetable.Ihadconsideredthequestion,andhadresolvedtoacceptnothing.
　　`"Prayexcuseme,"saidI."Underthecircumstances,no."`Theyexchangedlooks,butbenttheirheadstomeasIbentminetothem,andwepartedwithoutanotherwordoneitherside.****
　　`Iamweary,weary,weary——worndownbymisery.IcannotreadwhatIhavewrittenwiththisgaunthand.
　　`Earlyinthemorning,therouleauofgoldwasleftatm'doorinalittlebox,withmynameontheoutside.Fromthefirst,IhadanxiouslyconsideredwhatIoughttodo.Idecided,thatday,towriteprivatelytotheMinister,statingthenatureofthetwoeasestowhichIhadbeensummoned,andtheplacetowhichIhadgone:ineffect,statingallthecircumstances.IknewwhatCourtinfluencewas,andwhattheimmunitiesoftheNobleswere,andIexpectedthatthematterwouldneverbeheardof;but,Iwishedtorelievemyownmind.Ihadkeptthematteraprofoundsecret,evenfrommywife;andthis,too,Iresolvedtostateinmyletter.Ihadnoapprehensionwhateverofmyrealdanger;butIwasconsciousthattheremightbedangerforothers,ifotherswerecompromisedbypossessingtheknowledgethatIpossessed.
　　`Iwasmuchengagedthatday,andcouldnotcompletemyletterthatnight.Iroselongbeforemyusualtimenextmorningtofinishit.Itwasthelastdayoftheyear.Theletterwaslyingbeforemejustcompleted,whenIwastoldthataladywaited,whowishedtoseeme.****
　　`IamgrowingmoreandmoreunequaltothetaskIhavesetmyself.Itissocold,sodark,mysensesaresobenumbed,andthegloomuponmeissodreadful.
　　`Theladywasyoung,engaging,andhandsome,butnotmarkedforlonglife.Shewasingreatagitation.ShepresentedherselftomeasthewifeoftheMarquisSt.Evrémonde.Iconnectedthetitlebywhichtheboyhadaddressedtheelderbrother,withtheinitialletterembroideredonthescarf,andhadnodifficultyinarrivingattheconclusionthatIhadseenthatnoblemanverylately.
　　`Mymemoryisstillaccurate,butIcannotwritethewordsofOurconversation.IsuspectthatIamwatchedmorecloselythanIwas,andIknownotatwhattimesImaybewatched.Shehadinpartsuspected,andinpartdiscovered,themainfactsofthecruelstory,ofherhusband'sshareinit,andmybeingresortedto.Shedidnotknowthatthegirlwasdead.Herhopehadbeen,shesaidingreatdistress,toshowher,insecret,awoman'ssympathy.HerhopehadbeentoavertthewrathofHeavenfromaHousethathadlongbeenhatefultothesufferingmany.
　　`Shehadreasonsforbelievingthattherewasayoungsisterliving,andhergreatestdesirewas,tohelpthatsister.Icouldtellhernothingbutthattherewassuchasister;beyondthat,Iknewnothing.Herinducementtocometome,relyingonmyconfidence,hadbeenthehopethatIcouldtellherthenameandplaceofabode.Whereas,tothiswretchedhourIamignorantofboth.****
　　`Thesescrapsofpaperfailme.Onewastakenfromme,withawarning,yesterday.Imustfinishmyrecordto-day.
　　`Shewasagood,compassionatelady,andnothappyinhermarriage.Howcouldshebe!Thebrotherdistrustedanddislikedher,andhisinfluencewasallopposedtoher;shestoodindreadofhim,andindeadofherhusbandtoo.WhenIhandedherdowntothedoor,therewasachild,aprettyboyfromtwotothreeyearsold,inhercarriage.
　　`"Forhissake,Doctor,"shesaid,pointingtohimintears,"IwoulddoallIcantomakewhatpooramendsIcan.Hewillneverprosperinhisinheritanceotherwise.Ihaveapresentimentthatifnootherinnocentatonementismadeforthis,itwillonedayberequiredofhim.WhatIhavelefttocallmyown——itislittlebeyondtheworthofafewjewels——Iwillmakeitthefirstchargeofhislifetobestow,withthecompassionandlamentingofhisdeadmother,onthisinjuredfamily,ifthesistercanbediscovered."
　　`Shekissedtheboy,andsaid,caressinghim,"Itisforthineowndearsake.Thouwiltbefaithful,littleCharles?"Thechildansweredherbravely,"Yes!"Ikissedherhand,andshetookhiminherarms,andwentawaycaressinghim.Ineversawhermore.
　　`Asshehadmentionedherhusband'snameinthefaiththatIknewit,Iaddednomentionofittomyletter.Isealedmyletter,and,nottrustingitoutofmyownhands,delivereditmyselfthatday.
　　`Thatnight,thelastnightoftheyear,towardsnineo'clock,amaninablackdressrangatmygate,demandedtoseeme,andsoftlyfollowedmyservant,ErnestDefarge,ayouth,upstairs.WhenmyservantcameintotheroomwhereIsatwithmywife——Omywife,belovedofmyheart!MyfairyoungEnglishwife!——wesawtheman,whowassupposedtobeatthegate,standingsilentbehindhim.
　　`AnurgentcaseintheRueSt.Honoré',hesaid.Itwouldnotdetainme,hehadacoachinwaiting.
　　`Itbroughtmehere,itbroughtmetomygrave.WhenIwasclearofthehouse,ablackmufflerwasdrawntightlyovermymouthfrombehind,andmyarmswerepinioned.Thetwobrotherscrossedtheroadfromadarkcorner,andidentifiedmewithasinglegesture.TheMarquistookfromhispockettheletterIhadwritten,showeditme,burntitinthelightofalanternthatwasheld,andextinguishedtheasheswithhisfoot.Notawordwasspoken.Iwasbroughthere,Iwasbroughttomylivinggrave.
　　`IfithadpleasedGODtoputitinthehardheartofeitherofthebrothers,inallthesefrightfulyears,tograntmeanytidingsofmydearestwife——somuchastoletmeknowbyawordwhetheraliveordead——ImighthavethoughtthatHehadnotquiteabandonedthem.But,nowIbelievethatthemarkoftheredcrossisfataltothem,andthattheyhavenopartinHismercies.Andthemandtheirdescendants,tothelastoftheirrace,I,AlexandreManette,unhappyprisoner,dothislastnightoftheyear1767,inmyunbearableagony,denouncetothetimeswhenallthesethingsshallbeansweredfor.IdenouncethemtoHeavenandtoearth.'
　　Aterriblesoundarosewhenthereadingofthisdocumentwasdone.Asoundofcravingandeagernessthathadnothingarticulateinitbutblood.Thenarrativecalledupthemostrevengefulpassionsofthetime,andtherewasnotaheadinthenationbutmusthavedroppedbeforeit.
　　Littleneed,inpresenceofthattribunalandthatauditory,toshowhowtheDefargeshadnotmadethepaperpublic,withtheothercapturedBastillememorialsborneinprocession,andhadkeptit,bidingtheirtime.LittleneedtoshowthatthisdetestedfamilynamehadlongbeenanathematisedbySaintAntoine,andwaswroughtintothefatalregister.ThemannevertrodgroundwhosevirtuesandServiceswouldhavesustainedhiminthatplacethatday,againstsuchdenunciation.
　　Andalltheworseforthedoomedman,thatthedenouncerwasawell-knowncitizen,hisownattachedfriend,thefatherofhiswife.Oneofthefrenziedaspirationsofthepopulacewas,forimitationsofthequestionablepublicvirtuesofantiquity,andforsacrificesandself-immolationsonthepeople'saltar.ThereforewhenthePresidentsaidelsehadhisownheadquiveredonhisshoulders,thatthegoodphysicianoftheRepublicwoulddeservebetterstilloftheRepublicbyrootingoutanobnoxiousfamilyofAristocrats,andwoulddoubtlessfeelasacredglowandjoyinmakinghisdaughterawidowandherchildanorphan,therewaswildexcitement,patrioticfervour,notatouchofhumansympathy.
　　`Muchinfluencearoundhim,hasthatDoctor?'murmuredMadameDefarge,smilingtoTheVengeance.`Savehimnow,myDoctor,savehim!'
　　Ateveryjuryman'svote,therewasaroar.Anotherandanother.Roarandroar.
　　Unanimouslyvoted.AtheartandbydescentanAristocrat,anenemyoftheRepublic,anotoriousoppressorofthePeople.BacktotheConciergerie,andDeathwithinfour-and-twentyhours!
　　CHAPTERXI
　　Dusk
　　THEwretchedwifeoftheinnocentmanthusdoomedtodie,underthesentence,asifshehadbeenmortallystricken.But,sheutterednosound;andsostrongwasthevoicewithinher,representingthatitwassheofalltheworldwhomustupholdhiminhismiseryandnotaugmentit,thatitquicklyraisedher,evenfromthatshock.
　　Thejudgeshavingtotakepartinapublicdemonstrationoutofdoors,thetribunaladjourned.Thequicknoiseandmovementofthecourt'semptyingitselfbymanypassageshadnotceased,whenLuciestoodstretchingoutherarmstowardsherhusband,withnothinginherfacebutloveandconsolation.
　　`IfImighttouchhim!IfImightembracehimonce!O,goodcitizens,ifyouwouldhavesomuchcompassionforus!'
　　Therewasbutagaolerleft,alongwithtwoofthefourmenwhohadtakenhimlastnight,andBarsad.Thepeoplehadallpouredouttotheshowinthestreets.Barsadproposedtotherest,`Letherembracehimthen;itisbutamoment.'Itwassilentlyacquiescedin,andtheypassedherovertheseatsinthehalltoaraisedplace,wherehe,byleaningoverthedock,couldfoldherinhisarms.
　　`Farewell,deardarlingofmysoul.Mypartingblessingonmylove.Weshallmeetagain,wherethewearyareatrest!'
　　Theywereherhusband'swords,asheheldhertohisbosom.
　　`Icanbearit,dearCharles.Iamsupportedfromabove:don'tsufferforme.Apartingblessingforourchild.'
　　`Isendittoherbyyou.Ikissherbyyou.Isayfarewelltoherbyyou.'
　　`Myhusband.No!Amoment!'Hewastearinghimselfapartfromher.`Weshallnotbeseparatedlong.Ifeelthatthiswillbreakmyheartby-and-by;butIwilldomydutywhileIcan,andwhenIleaveher,Godwillraiseupfriendsforher,asHedidforme.'
　　Herfatherhadfollowedher,andwouldhavefallenonhiskneestobothofthem,butthatDarnayputoutahandandseizedhim,crying:
　　`No,no!Whathaveyoudone,whathaveyoudone,thatyoushouldkneeltous!Weknownow,whatastruggleyoumadeofold.Weknownow,whatyouunderwentwhenyoususpectedmydescent,andwhenyouknewit.Weknownow,thenaturalantipathyyoustroveagainst,andconquered,forherdearsake.Wethankyouwithallourhearts,andallourloveandduty.Heavenbewithyou!'
　　Herfather'sonlyanswerwastodrawhishandsthroughhiswhitehair,andwringthemwithashriekofanguish.
　　`Itcouldnotbeotherwise,'saidtheprisoner.`Allthingshaveworkedtogetherastheyhavefallenout.Itwasthealways-vainendeavourtodischargemypoormother'strustthatfirstbroughtmyfatalpresencenearyou.Goodcouldnevercomeofsuchevil,ahappierendwasnotinnaturetosounhappyabeginning.Becomforted,andforgiveme.Heavenblessyou!'
　　Ashewasdrawnaway,hiswifereleasedhim,andstoodlookingafterhimwithherhandstouchingoneanotherintheattitudeofprayer,andwitharadiantlookuponherface,inwhichtherewasevenacomfortingsmile.Ashewentoutattheprisoners'door,sheturned,laidherheadlovinglyonherfather'sbreast,triedtospeaktohim,andfellathisfeet.
　　Then,issuingfromtheobscurecornerfromwhichhehadnevermoved,SydneyCartoncameandtookherup.OnlyherfatherandMr.Lorrywerewithher.Hisarmtrembledasitraisedher,andsupportedherhead.Yet,therewasanairabouthimthatwasnotallofpity——thathadaflushofprideinit.
　　`ShallItakehertoacoach?Ishallneverfeelherweight.'
　　Hecarriedherlightlytothedoor,andlaidhertenderlydowninacoach.Herfatherandtheiroldfriendgotintoit,andhetookhisseatbesidethedriver.
　　Whentheyarrivedatthegatewaywherehehadpausedinthedarknotmanyhoursbefore,topicturetohimselfonwhichoftheroughstonesofthestreetherfeethadtrodden,heliftedheragain,andcarriedherupthestaircasetotheirrooms.There,helaidherdownonacouch,whereherchildandMissProssweptoverher.
　　`Don'trecallhertoherself,'hesaid,softly,tothelatter,`sheisbetterso.Don'trevivehertoconsciousness,whilesheonlyfaints.'
　　`Oh,Carton,Carton,dearCarton!'criedlittleLucie,springingupandthrowingherarmspassionatelyroundhim,inaburstofgrief.`Nowthatyouhavecome,Ithinkyouwilldosomethingtohelpmamma,somethingtosavepapa!O,lookather,dearCarton!Canyou,ofallthepeoplewholoveher,beartoseeherso?'
　　Hebentoverthechild,andlaidherbloomingcheekagainsthisface.Heputhergentlyfromhim,andlookedatherunconsciousmother.
　　`BeforeIgo,'hesaid,andpaused——'Imaykissher?'
　　Itwasrememberedafterwardsthatwhenhebentdownandtouchedherfacewithhislips,hemurmuredsomewords.Thechild,whowasnearesttohim,toldthemafterwards,andtoldhergrandchildrenwhenshewasahandsomeoldlady,thatsheheardhimsay,`Alifeyoulove.'
　　Whenhehadgoneoutintothenextroom,heturnedsuddenlyonMr.Lorryandherfather,whowerefollowing,andsaidtothelatter:
　　`Youhadgreatinfluencebutyesterday,DoctorManette;letitatleastbetried.Thesejudges,andallthemeninpower,ireveryfriendlytoyou,andveryrecognisantofyourservices;aretheynot?'
　　`NothingconnectedwithCharleswasconcealedfromme.IhadthestrongestassurancesthatIshouldsavehim;andIdid.'Hereturnedtheansweringreattrouble,andveryslowly.
　　`Trythemagain.Thehoursbetweenthisandto-morrowafternoonarefewandshort,buttry.'
　　`Iintendtotry.Iwillnotrestamoment.'
　　`That'swell.Ihaveknownsuchenergyasyoursdogreatthingsbeforenow——thoughnever,'headded,withasmileandasightogether,`suchgreatthingsasthis.Buttry!Oflittleworthaslifeiswhenwemisuseit,itisworththateffort.Itwouldcostnothingtolaydownifitwerenot.'
　　`Iwillgo,'saidDoctorManette,`totheProsecutorandthePresidentstraight,andIwillgotootherswhomitisbetternottoname.Iwillwritetoo,and——Butstay!Thereisacelebrationinthestreets,andnoonewillbeaccessibleuntildark.'
　　`That'strue.Well!Itisaforlornhopeatthebest,andnotmuchtheforlornerforbeingdelayedtilldark.Ishouldliketoknowhowyouspeed;though,mind!Iexpectnothing!Whenareyoulikelytohaveseenthesedreadpowers,DoctorManette?'
　　`Immediatelyafterdark,Ishouldhope.Withinanhourortwofromthis.'
　　`Itwillbedarksoonafterfour.Letusstretchthehourortwo.IfIgotoMr.Lorry'satnine,shallIhearwhatyouhavedone,eitherfromourfriendorfromyourself?'
　　`Yes.'`Mayyouprosper!'
　　Mr.LorryfollowedSydneytotheouterdoor,and,touchinghimontheshoulderashewasgoingaway,causedhimtoturn.
　　`Ihavenohope,'saidMr.Lorry,inalowandsorrowfulwhisper.
　　`NorhaveI.'
　　`Ifanyoneofthesemen,orallofthesemen,weredisposedtosparehim——whichisalargesupposition;forwhatishislife,oranyman'stothem!——Idoubtiftheydurstsparehimafterthedemonstrationinthecourt.'
　　`AndsodoI.Iheardthefalloftheaxeinthatsound.'
　　Mr.Lorryleanedhisarmuponthedoor-post,andbowedhisfaceuponit.
　　`Don'tdespond,'saidCarton,verygently;`don'tgrieve.IencouragedDoctorManetteinthisidea,becauseIfeltthatitmightonedaybeconsolatorytoher.Otherwise,shemightthink"hislifewaswantonlythrownawayorwasted,"andthatmighttroubleher.'
　　`Yes,yes,yes,'returnedMr.Lorry,dryinghiseyes,`youareright.Buthewillperish;thereisnorealhope.
　　`Yes.Hewillperish:thereisnorealhope,'echoedCarton.Andwalkedwithasettledstep,down-stairs.
　　CHAPTERXII
　　Darkness
　　SYDNEYCARTONpausedinthestreet,notquitedecidedwheretogo.`AtTellson'sbanking-houseatnine,'hesaid,withamusingface.`ShallIdowell,inthemeantime,toshowmyself?Ithinkso.ItisbestthatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere;itisasoundprecaution,andmaybeanecessarypreparation.Butcare,care,care!Letmethinkitout!'
　　Checkinghissteps,whichhadbeguntotendtowardsanobject,hetookaturnortwointhealreadydarkeningstreet,andtracedthethoughtinhismindtoitspossibleconsequences.Hisfirstimpressionwasconfirmed.`Itisbest,'hesaid,finallyresolved,`thatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere.'AndheturnedhisfacetowardsSaintAntoine.
　　Defargehaddescribedhimself,thatday,asthekeeperofawine-shopintheSaintAntoinesuburb.Itwasnotdifficultforonewhoknewthecitywell,tofindhishousewithoutaskinganyquestion.Havingascertaineditssituation,Cartoncameoutofthosecloserstreetsagain,anddinedataplaceofrefreshmentandfellsoundasleepafterdinner.Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears,hehadnostrongdrink.Sincelastnighthehadtakennothingbutalittlelightthinwine,andlastnighthehaddroppedthebrandyslowlydownonMr.Lorry'shearthlikeamanwhohaddonewithit.
　　Itwasaslateasseveno'clockwhenheawokerefreshed,andwentoutintothestreetsagain.AshepassedalongtowardsSaintAntoine,hestoppedatashop-windowwheretherewasamirror,andslightlyalteredthedisorderedarrangementofhisloosecravat,andhiscoat-collar,andhiswildhair.Thisdone,hewentondirecttoDefarge's,andwentin.
　　TherehappenedtobenocustomerintheshopbutJacquesThree,oftherestlessfingersandthecroakingvoice.Thisman,whomhehadseenupontheJury,stooddrinkingatthelittlecounter,inconversationwiththeDefarges,manandwife.TheVengeanceassistedintheconversation,likearegularmemberoftheestablishment.
　　AsCartonwalkedin,tookhisseatandaskedinveryindifferentFrenchforasmallmeasureofwine,MadameDefargecastacarelessglanceathim,andthenakeener,andthenakeener,andthenadvancedtohimherself,andaskedhimwhatitwashehadordered.
　　Herepeatedwhathehadalreadysaid.
　　`English?'askedMadameDefarge,inquisitivelyraisingherdarkeyebrows.
　　Afterlookingather,asifthesoundofevenasingleFrenchwordwereslowtoexpressitselftohim,heanswered,inhisformerstrongforeignaccent,`Yes,madame,yes.IamEnglish!'
　　MadameDefargereturnedtohercountertogetthewine,and,ashetookupaJacobinjournalandfeignedtoporeoveritpuzzlingoutitsmeaning,heheardhersay,`Isweartoyou,likeEvrémonde!'
　　Defargebroughthimthewine,andgavehimGoodEvening.
　　`How?'
　　`Goodevening.'
　　`Oh!Goodevening,citizen,'fillinghisglass.`Ah!andgoodwine.IdrinktotheRepublic.'
　　Defargewentbacktothecounter,andsaid,`Certainly,alittlelike.'Madamesternlyretorted,`Itellyouagooddeallike.'JacquesThreepacificallyremarked,`Heissomuchinyourmind,seeyou,madame.'TheamiableVengeanceadded,withalaugh,`Yes,myfaith!Andyouarelookingforwardwithsomuchpleasuretoseeinghimoncemoreto-morrow!'
　　Cartonfollowedthelinesandwordsofhispaper,withaslowforefinger,andwithastudiousandabsorbedface.Theywereallleaningtheirarmsonthecounterclosetogether,speakinglow.Afterasilenceofafewmoments,duringwhichtheyalllookedtowardshimwithoutdisturbinghisoutwardattentionfromtheJacobineditor,theyresumedtheirconversation.
　　`Itistruewhatmadamesays,'observedJacquesThree.`Whystop?Thereisgreatforceinthat.Whystop?'
　　`Well,well,'reasonedDefarge,`butonemuststopsomewhere.Afterall,thequestionisstillwhere?'
　　`Atextermination,'saidmadame.
　　`Magnificent!'croakedJacquesThree.TheVengeance,also,highlyapproved.
　　`Exterminationisgooddoctrine,mywife,'saidDefarge,rathertroubled;`ingeneral,Isaynothingagainstit.ButthisDoctorhassufferedmuch;youhaveseenhimto-day;youhaveobservedhisfacewhenthepaperwasread.'
　　`Ihaveobservedhisface!'repeatedmadame,contemptuouslyandangrily.`Yes.Ihaveobservedhisface.IhaveobservedhisfacetobenotthefaceofatruefriendoftheRepublic.Lethimtakecareofhisface!'
　　`Andyouhaveobserved,mywife,'saidDefarge,inadeprecatorymanner,`theanguishofhisdaughter,whichmustbeadreadfulanguishtohim!'
　　`Ihaveobservedhisdaughter,'repeatedmadame;`yes,Ihaveobservedhisdaughter,moretimesthanone.Ihaveobservedherto-day,andIhaveobservedherotherdays.Ihaveobservedherinthecourt,andIhaveobservedherinthestreetbytheprison.Letmebutliftmyfinger——!'Sheseemedtoraiseitthelistener'seyeswerealwaysonhispaper,andtoletitfallwitharattleontheledgebeforeher,asiftheaxehaddropped.
　　`Thecitizenessissuperb!'croakedtheJuryman.
　　`SheisanAngel!'saidTheVengeance,andembracedher.
　　`Astothee,'pursuedmadame,implacably,addressingherhusband,`ifitdependedonthee——which,happily,itdoesnot——thouwouldstrescuethismanevennow.
　　`No!'protestedDefarge.`Notiftoliftthisglasswoulddoit!ButIwouldleavethematterthere.Isay,stopthere.'
　　`Seeyouthen,Jacques,'saidMadameDefarge,wrathfully;`andseeyou,too,mylittleVengeance;seeyouboth!Listen!Forothercrimesastyrantsandoppressors,Ihavethisracealongtimeonmyregister,doomedtodestructionandextermination.Askmyhusband,isthatso.'
　　`Itisso,'assentedDefarge,withoutbeingasked.
　　`Inthebeginningofthegreatdays,whentheBastillefalls,hefindsthispaperofto-day,andhebringsithome,andinthemiddleofthenightwhenthisplaceisclearandshut,wereadit,hereonthisspot,bythelightofthislamp.Askhim,isthatso.'
　　`Itisso,'assentedDefarge.
　　`Thatnight,Itellhim,whenthepaperisreadthrough,andthelampisburntout,andthedayisgleaminginabovethoseshuttersandbetweenthoseironbars,thatIhavenowasecrettocommunicate.Askhim,isthatso.'
　　`Itisso,'assentedDefargeagain.
　　`Icommunicatetohimthatsecret.IsmitethisbosomwiththesetwohandsasIsmiteitnow,andItellhim,"Defarge,Iwasbroughtupamongthefishermenofthesea-shore,andthatpeasantfamilysoinjuredbythetwoEvrémondebrothers,asthatBastillepaperdescribes,ismyfamily.Defarge,thatsisterofthemortallywoundedboyuponthegroundwasmysister,thathusbandwasmysister'shusband,thatunbornchildwastheirchild,thatbrotherwasmybrother,thatfatherwasmyfather,thosedeadaremydead,andthatsummonstoanswerforthosethingsdescendstome!"Askhim,isthatso.'
　　`Itisso,'assentedDefargeoncemore.
　　`ThentellWindandFirewheretostop,'returnedmadame;`butdon'ttellme.'
　　Bothherhearersderivedahorribleenjoymentfromthedeadlynatureofherwrath——thelistenercouldfeelhowwhiteshewas,withoutseeingher——andbothhighlycommendedit.Defarge,aweakminority,interposedafewwordsforthememoryofthecompassionatewifeoftheMarquis;butonlyelicitedfromhisownwifearepetitionofherlastreply.`TelltheWindandtheFirewheretostop;notme!'
　　Customersentered,andthegroupwasbrokenup.TheEnglishcustomerpaidforwhathehadhad,perplexedlycountedhischange,andasked,asastranger,tobedirectedtowardstheNationalPalace.MadameDefargetookhimtothedoor,andputherarmonhis,inpointingouttheroad.TheEnglishcustomerwasnotwithouthisreflectionsthen,thatitmightbeagooddeedtoseizethatarm,liltit,andstrikeunderitsharpanddeep.
　　But,hewenthisway,andwassoonswallowedupintheshadowoftheprisonwall.Attheappointedhour,heemergedfromittopresenthimselfinMr.Lorry'sroomagain,wherehefoundtheoldgentlemanwalkingtoandfroinrestlessanxiety.HesaidhehadbeenwithLucieuntiljustnow,andhadonlyleftherforafewminutes,tocomeandkeephisappointment.Herfatherhadnotbeenseen,sincehequittedthebankinghousetowardsfouro'clock.ShehadsomefainthopesthathismediationmightsaveCharles,buttheywereveryslight.Hehadbeenmorethanfivehoursgone:wherecouldhebe?
　　Mr.Lorrywaiteduntilten;but,DoctorManettenotreturning,andhebeingunwillingtoleaveLucieanylonger,itwasarrangedthatheshouldgobacktoher,andcometothebanking-houseagainatmidnight.Inthemeanwhile,CartonwouldwaitalonebythefirefortheDoctor.Hewaitedandwaited,andtheclockstrucktwelve;butDoctorManettedidnotcomeback.Mr.Lorryreturned,andfoundnotidingsofhim,andbroughtnone.Wherecouldhebe?
　　Theywerediscussingthisquestion,andwerealmostbuildingupsomeweakstructureofhopeonhisprolongedabsence,whentheyheardhimonthestairs.Theinstantheenteredtheroom,itwasplainthatallwaslost.
　　Whetherhehadreallybeentoanyone,orwhetherhehadbeenallthattimetraversingthestreets,wasneverknown.Ashestoodstaringatthem,theyaskedhimnoquestion,forhisfacetoldthemeverything.
　　`Icannotfindit,'saidhe,`andImusthaveit.Whereisit?'
　　Hisheadandthroatwerebare,and,ashespokewithahelplesslookstrayingallaround,hetookhiscoatoff,andletitdroponthefloor.
　　`Whereismybench?Ihavebeenlookingeverywhereformybench,andIcan'tfindit.Whathavethey,donewithmywork?Timepresses:Imustfinishthoseshoes.
　　Theylookedatoneanother,andtheirheartsdiedwithinthem.
　　`Come,come!'saidhe,inawhimperingmiserableway;`letmegettowork.Givememywork.'
　　Receivingnoanswer,hetorehishair,andbeathisfeetupontheground,likeadistractedchild.
　　`Don'ttortureapoorforlornwretch,'heimploredthem,withadreadfulcry;`butgivememywork!Whatistobecomeofus,ifthoseshoesarenotdoneto-night?'
　　Lost,utterlylost!
　　Itwassoclearlybeyondhopetoreasonwithhim,ortrytorestorehim,——that——asifbyagreement——theyeachputahanduponhisshoulder,andsoothedhimtositdownbeforethefire,withapromisethatheshouldhavehisworkpresently.Hesankintothechair,andbroodedovertheembers,andshedtears.Asifallthathadhappenedsincethegarrettimewereamomentaryfancy,oradream,Mr.LorrysawhimshrinkintotheexactfigurethatDefargehadhadinkeeping.
　　Affected,andimpressedwithterrorastheybothwere,bythisspectacleofruin,itwasnotatimetoyieldtosuchemotions.Hislonelydaughter,bereftofherfinalhopeandreliance,appealedtothembothtoostrongly.Again,asifbyagreement,theylookedatoneanotherwithonemeaningintheirfaces.Cartonwasthefirsttospeak:
　　`Thelastchanceisgone:Itwasnotmuch.Yes;hehadbetterbetakentoher.But,beforeyougo,willyou,foramoment,steadilyattendtome?Don'taskmewhyImakethestipulationsIamgoingtomake,andexactthepromiseIamgoingtoexact;Ihaveareason——agoodone.'
　　`Idonotdoubtit,'answeredMr.Lorry.`Sayon.'