Thefigureinthechairbetweenthem,wasallthetimemonotonouslyrockingitselftoandfro,andmoaning.Theyspokeinsuchatoneastheywouldhaveusediftheyhadbeenwatchingbyasick-bedintilenight.
　　Cartonstoopedtopickupthecoat,whichlayalmostentanglinghisfeet.Ashedidso,asmallcaseinwhichtheDoctorwasaccustomedtocarrythelistofhisday'sduties,felllightlyonthefloor.Cartontookitup,andtherewasafoldedpaperinit.`Weshouldlookatthis!'hesaid.Mr.Lorrynoddedhisconsent.Heopenedit,andexclaimed,
　　`ThankGOD'
　　`Whatisit?'askedMr.Lorry,eagerly.
　　`Amoment!Letmespeakofitinitsplace.First,'heputhishandinhiscoat,andtookanotherpaperfromit,`thatisthecertificatewhichenablesmetopassoutofthiscity.Lookatit.Yousee——SydneyCarton,anEnglishman?'
　　Mr.Lorryhelditopeninhishand,gazinginhisearnestface.
　　`Keepitformeuntilto-morrow.Ishallseehimto-morrow,youremember;andIhadbetternottakeitintotheprison.'
　　`Whynot?'
　　`Idon'tknow;Iprefernottodoso.Now,takethispaperthatDoctorManettehascarriedabouthim.Itisasimilarcertificate,enablinghimandhisdaughterandherchildatanytime,topassthebarrierandthefrontier?Yousee?"
　　`Yes!'
　　`Perhapsheobtaineditashislastandutmostprecautionagainstevil,yesterday.Whenisitdated?Butnomatter;don'tstaytolook;putitupcarefullywit!,mineandyourown.Now,observe!Ineverdoubteduntilwithinthishourortwo,tathehad,orcouldhavesuchapaper.Itisgood,untilrecalled.Butitmaybesoonrecalled,and,Ihavereasontothink,willbe.'
　　`Theyarenotindanger?'
　　`Theyareingreatdanger.TheyareindangerofdenunciationbyMadameDefarge.Iknowitfromherownlips.Ihaveoverheardwordsofthatwoman's,to-night,whichhavepresentedtheirdangertomeinstrongcolours.Ihavelostnotime,andsincethen,Ihaveseenthespy.Heconfirmsme.Heknowsthatawood-sawyer,livingbytheprison-wall,isunderthecontroloftheDefarges,andhasbeenrehearsedbyMadameDefargeastohishavingseenHer'——henevermentionedLucie'sname——'makingsignsandsignalstoprisoners.Itiseasytoforeseethatthepretencewillbethecommonone,aprisonplot,andthatitwillinvolveherlife——andperhapsherchild's——andperhapsherfather's——forbothhavebeenseenwithheratthatplace.Don'tlooksohorrified.Youwillsavethemall.'
　　`HeavengrantImay,Carton!Buthow?'
　　`Iamgoingtotellyouhow.Itwilldependonyou,anditcoulddependonnobetterman.Thisnewdenunciationwillcertainlynottakeplaceuntilafterto-morrow;probablynotuntiltwoorthreedaysafterwards;moreprobablyaweekafterwards.Youknowitisacapitalcrime,tomournfor,orsympathisewith,avictimoftheGuillotine.Sheandherfatherwouldunquestionablybeguiltyofthiscrime,andthiswomantheinveteracyofwhosepursuitcannotbedescribedwouldwaittoaddthatstrengthtohercase,andmakeherselfdoublysure.Youfollowme?'
　　`Soattentively,andwithsomuchconfidenceinwhatyousay,thatforthemomentIlosesight,'touchingthebackoftheDoctor'schair,`evenofthisdistress.'
　　`Youhavemoney,andcanbuythemeansoftravellingtotileSea-coastasquicklyasthejourneycanbemade.Yourpreparationshavebeencompletedforsomedays,toreturntoEngland.Earlyto-morrowhaveyourhorsesready,sothattheymaybeinstartingtrimattwoo'clockintheafternoon.'
　　`Itshallbedone!'
　　Hismannerwassoferventandinspiring,thatMr.Lorrycaughttheflame,andwasasquickasyouth.
　　`Youareanobleheart.DidIsaywecoulddependuponnobetterman?Tellher,to-night,whatyouknowofherdangerasinvolvingherchildandherfather.Dwelluponthat,forshewouldlayherownfairheadbesideherhusband'scheerfully.'Hefalteredforaninstant;thenwentonasbefore.`Forthesakeofherchildandherfather,pressuponherthenecessityofleavingParis,withthemandyou,atthathour.Tellherthatitwasherhusband'slastarrangement.Tellherthatmoredependsuponitthanshedarebelieve,orhope.Youthinkthatherfather,eveninthissadstate,willsubmithimselftoher;doyounot?'
　　`Iamsureofit.'
　　`Ithoughtso.Quietlyandsteadilyhaveallthesearrangementsmadeinthecourt-yardhere,eventothetakingofyourownseatinthecarriage.ThemomentIcometoyou,takemein,anddriveaway.'
　　`IunderstandthatIwaitforyouunderallcircumstances?'
　　`Youhavemycertificateinyourhandwiththerest,youknow,andwillreservemyplace.Waitfornothingbuttohavemyplaceoccupied,andthenforEngland!'
　　`Why,then,'saidMr.Lorry,graspinghiseagerbutsofirmandsteadyhand,`itdoesnotalldependononeoldman,butIshallhaveayoungandardentmanatmyside.'
　　`BythehelpofHeavenyoushall!Promisemesolemnlythatnothingwillinfluenceyoutoalterthecourseonwhichwenowstandpledgedtooneanother.'
　　`Nothing,Carton.'
　　`Rememberthesewordsto-morrow:changethecourse,ordelayinit——foranyreason——andnolifecanpossiblybesaved,andmanylivesmustinevitablybesacrificed.'
　　`Iwillrememberthem.Ihopetodomypartfaithfully.'`AndIhopetodomine.Now,good-bye!'
　　Thoughhesaiditwithagravesmileofearnestness,andthoughlieevenputtheoldman'shandtohislips,hedidnotpartfromhimthen.Hehelpedhimsofartoarousetherockingfigurebeforethedyingembers,astogetacloakandhatputuponit,andtotemptitforthtofindwherethebenchandworkwerehiddenthatitstillmoaninglybesoughttohave.Hewalkedontheothersideofitandprotectedittothecourt-yardofthehousewheretheafflictedheart——sohappyinthememorabletimewhenhehadrevealedhisowndesolatehearttoit——outwatchedtheawfulnight.Heenteredthecourt-yardandremainedthereforafewmomentsalone,lopingupatthelightinthewindowofherroom.Beforehewentaway,hebreathedablessingtowardsit,andaFarewell.
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　Fifty-two
　　INtheblackprisonoftheConciergerie,thedoomedofthedayawaitedtheirfate.Theywereinnumberastheweeksoftheyear.Fifty-twoweretorollthatafternoononthelife-tideofthecitytotheboundlesseverlastingsea.Beforetheircellswerequitofthem,newoccupantswereappointed;beforetheirbloodranintothebloodspilledyesterday,thebloodthatwastominglewiththeirsto-morrowwasalreadysetapart.
　　TwoscoreandtwelveweretoldoffFromthefarmer-generalofseventy,whoserichescouldnotbuyhislife,totheseamstressoftwenty,whosepovertyandobscuritycouldnotsaveher.Physicaldiseases,engenderedinthevicesandneglectsofmen,willseizeonvictimsofalldegrees;andthefrightfulmoraldisorder,bornofunspeakablesuffering,intolerableoppression,andheartlessindifference,smoteequallywithoutdistinction.
　　CharlesDarnay,aloneinacell,hadsustainedhimselfwithnoflatteringdelusionsincehecametoitfromtheTribunal.Ineverylineofthenarrativehehadheard,hehadheardhiscondemnation.Hehadfullycomprehendedthatnopersonalinfluencecouldpossiblysavehim,thathewasvirtuallysentencedbythemillions,andthatunitscouldavailhimnothing.
　　Nevertheless,itwasnoteasy,withthefaceofhisbelovedwifefreshbeforehim,tocomposehismindtowhatitmustbear.Hisholdonlifewasstrong,anditwasvery,veryhardtoloosen;bygradualeffortsanddegreesunclosedalittlehere,itclenchedthetighterthere;andwhenhebroughthisstrengthtobearonthathandandityielded,thiswasclosedagain.Therewasahurry,too,inallhisthoughts,aturbulentandheatedworkingofhisheart,thatcontendedagainstresignation.Ifforamoment,hedidfeelresigned,thenhiswifeandchildwhohadtoliveafterhim,seemedtoprotestandtomakeitaselfishthing.
　　But,allthiswasatfirst.Beforelong,theconsiderationthattherewasnodisgraceinthefatehemustmeet,andthatnumberswentthesameroadwrongfully,andtroditfirmlyeveryday,spranguptostimulatehim.Nextfollowedthethoughtthatmuchofthefuturepeaceofmindenjoyablebythedearones,dependedonhisquietfortitude.So,bydegreeshecalmedintothebetterstate,whenhecouldraisehisthoughtsmuchhigher,anddrawcomfortdown.
　　Beforeithadsetindarkonthenightofhiscondemnation,hehadtravelledthusfaronhislastway.Beingallowedtopurchasethemeansofwriting,andalight,hesatdowntowriteuntilsuchtimeastheprisonlampsshouldbeextinguished.
　　HewrotealonglettertoLucie,showingherthathehadknownnothingofherfather'simprisonment,untilhehadheardofitfromherself,andthathehadbeenasignorantassheofhisfather'sanduncle'sresponsibilityforthatmisery,untilthepaperhadbeenread.Hehadalreadyexplainedtoherthathisconcealmentfromherselfofthenamehehadrelinquished,wastheonecondition——fullyintelligiblenow——thatherfatherhadattachedtotheirbetrothal,andwastheonepromisehehadstillexactedonthemorningoftheirmarriage.Heentreatedher,forherfather'ssake,nevertoseektoknowwhetherherfatherhadbecomeobliviousoftheexistenceofthepaper,orhadhaditrecalledtohimforthemoment,orforgood,bythestoryoftheTower,onthatoldSundayunderthedearoldplane-treeinthegarden.Ifhehadpreservedanydefiniteremembranceofit,therecouldbenodoubtthathehadsupposeditdestroyedwiththeBastille,whenhehadfoundnomentionofitamongtherelicsofprisonerswhichthepopulacehaddiscoveredthere,andwhichhadbeendescribedtoalltheworld.Hebesoughther——thoughheaddedthatheknewitwasneedless——toconsoleherfather,byimpressinghimthrougheverytendermeansshecouldthinkof,withthetruththathehaddonenothingforwhichhecouldjustlyreproachhimself,buthaduniformlyforgottenhimselffortheirjointsakes.Nexttoherpreservationofhisownlastgratefulloveandblessing,andherovercomingofhersorrow,todevoteherselftotheirdearchild,headjuredher,astheywouldmeetinHeaven,tocomfortherfather.
　　Toherfatherhimselfhewroteinthesamestrain;but,hetoldherfatherthatheexpresslyconfidedhiswifeandchildtohiscare.Andhetoldhimthis,verystrongly,withthehopeofrousinghimfromanydespondencyordangerousretrospecttowardswhichheforesawhemightbetending.
　　ToMr.Lorry,hecommendedthemall,andexplainedhisworldlyaffairs.Thatdone,withmanyaddedsentencesofgratefulfriendshipandwarmattachment,allwasdone.HeneverthoughtofCarton.Hismindwassofulloftheothers,thatheneveroncethoughtofhim.
　　Hehadtimetofinishtheselettersbeforethelightswereputout.Whenhelaydownonhisstrawbed,hethoughthehaddonewiththisworld.
　　But,itbeckonedhimbackinhissleep,andshoweditselfinshiningforms.Freeandhappy,backintheoldhouseinSohothoughithadnothinginitliketherealhouse,unaccountablyreleasedandlightofheart,hewaswithLucieagain,andshetoldhimitwasalladream,andhehadnevergoneaway.Apauseofforgetfulness,andthenliehadevensuffered,andhadcomebacktoher,deadandatpeace,andyettherewasnodifferenceinhim.Anotherpauseofoblivion,andheawokeinthesombremorning,unconsciouswherehewasorwhathadhappened,untilitflasheduponhismind,`thisisthedayofmydeath'
　　Thus,hadhecomethroughthehours,tothedaywhenthefifty-twoheadsweretofall.Andnow,whilehewascomposed,andhopedthathecouldmeettheendwithquietheroism,anewactionbeganinhiswakingthoughts,whichwasverydifficulttomaster.
　　Hehadneverseentheinstrumentthatwastoterminatehislife.Howhighitwasfromtheground,howmanystepsithad,wherehewouldbestood,howhewouldbetouched,whetherthetouchinghandswouldbedyedred,whichwayhisfacewouldbeturned,whetherhewouldbethefirst,ormightbethelast:theseandmanysimilarquestions,innowisedirectedbyhiswill,obtrudedthemselvesoverandoveragain,countlesstimes.Neitherweretheyconnectedwithfear:hewasconsciousofnofear.Rather,theyoriginatedinastrangebesettingdesiretoknowwhattodowhenthetimecame;adesiregiganticallydisproportionatetothefewswiftmomentstowhichitreferred;awonderingthatwasmorelikethewonderingofsomeotherspiritwithinhis,thanhisown.
　　Thehourswentonasliewalkedtoandfro,andtheclocksstruckthenumbershewouldneverhearagain.Nineconeforever,tengoneforever,elevengoneforever,twelvecomingontopassaway.Afterahardcontestwiththateccentricactionofthoughtwhichhadlastperplexedhim,hehadgotthebetterofit.Hewalkedupanddown,softlyrepeatingtheirnamestohimself.Theworstofthestrifewasover.Hecouldwalkupanddown,freefromdistractingfancies,prayingforhimselfandforthem.
　　Twelvegoneforever.
　　HehadbeenapprisedthatthefinalhourwasThree,andheknewhewouldbesummonedsometimeearlier,inasmuchasthetumbrilsjoltedheavilyandslowlythroughthestreets.Therefore,heresolvedtokeepTwobeforehismind,asthehour,andsotostrengthenhimselfintheintervalthathemightbeable,afterthattime,tostrengthenothers.
　　Walkingregularlytoandfrowithhisarmsfoldedonhisbreast,averydifferentmanfromtheprisoner,whohadwalkedtoandfroatLaForce,heheardOnestruckawayfromhim,withoutsurprise.Thehourhadmeasuredlikemostotherhours.DevoutlythankfultoHeavenforhisrecoveredself-possession,hethought,`Thereisbutanothernow,'andturnedtowalkagain.
　　Footstepsinthestonepassageoutsidethedoor.Hestopped.
　　Thekeywasputinthelock,andturned.Beforethedoorwasopened,orasitopened,amansaidinalowvoice,inEnglish:`Hehasneverseenmehere;Ihavekeptoutofhisway.Goyouinalone;Iwaitnear.Losenotime!'
　　Thedoorwasquicklyopenedandclosed,andtherestoodbeforehimfacetoface,quiet,intentuponhim,withthelightofasmileonhisfeatures,andacautionaryfingeronhislip,SydneyCarton.
　　Therewassomethingsobrightandremarkableinhislook,that,forthefirstmoment,theprisonermisdoubtedhimtobeanapparitionofhisownimagining.But,hespoke,anditwashisvoice;hetooktheprisoner'shand,anditwashisrealgrasp.
　　`Ofallthepeopleuponearth,youleastexpectedtoseeme?'hesaid.
　　`Icouldnotbelieveittobeyou.Icanscarcelybelieveitnow.Youarenot'——theapprehensioncamesuddenlyintohismind——`aprisoner?'
　　`No.Iamaccidentallypossessedofapoweroveroneofthekeepershere,andinvirtueofitIstandbeforeyou.Icomefromher——yourwife,dearDarnay.'
　　Theprisonerwrunghishand.
　　`Ibringyouarequestfromher.'
　　`Whatisit?'
　　`Amostearnest,pressing,andemphaticentreaty,addressedtoyouinthemostpathetictonesofthevoicesodeartoyou,thatyouwellremember.'
　　Theprisonerturnedhisfacepartlyaside.
　　`YouhavenotimetoaskmewhyIbringit,orwhatitmeans;Ihavenotimetotellyou.Youmustcomplywithit——takeoffthosebootsyouwear,anddrawontheseofmine.'
　　Therewasachairagainstthewallofthecell,behindtheprisoner.Carton,pressingforward,hadalready,withthespeedoflightning,gothimdownintoit,andstoodoverhim,barefoot.
　　`Drawonthesebootsofmine.Putyourhandstothem;putyourwilltothem.Quick!'
　　`Carton,thereisnoescapingfromthisplace;itnevercanbedone.Youwillonlydiewithme.Itismadness.'
　　`ItwouldbemadnessifIaskedyoutoescape;butdoI?
　　WhenIaskyoutopassoutatthatdoor,tellmeitismadnessandremainhere.Changethatcravatforthisofmine,thatcoatforthisofmine.Whileyoudoit,letmetakethisribbonfromyourhair,andshakeoutyourhairlikethisofmine!'
　　Withwonderfulquickness,andwithastrengthbothofwillandaction,thatappearedquitesupernatural,heforcedallthesechangesuponhim.Theprisonerwaslikeayoungchildinhishands.
　　`Carton!DearCarton!Itismadness.Itcannotbeaccomplished,itnevercanbedone,ithasbeenattempted,andhasalwaysfailed.Iimploreyounottoaddyourdeathtothebitternessofmine.
　　`DoIaskyou,mydearDarnay,topassthedoor?WhenIaskthat,refuse.Therearepenandinkandpaperonthistable.Isyourhandsteadyenoughtowrite?'
　　`Itwaswhenyoucamein.
　　`Steadyitagain,andwritewhatIshalldictate.Quick,friend,quick!'
　　Pressinghishandtohisbewilderedhead,Darnaysatdownatthetable.Carton,withhisrighthandinhisbreast,stoodclosebesidehim.
　　`WriteexactlyasIspeak.'
　　`TowhomdoIaddressit?'
　　`Tonoone.'Cartonstillhadhishandinhisbreast.
　　`DoIdateit?'
　　`No.'
　　Theprisonerlookedup,ateachquestion.Carton,standingoverhimwithhishandinhisbreast,lookeddown.
　　```Ifyouremember,'''saidCarton,dictating,```thewordsthatpassedbetweenus,longago,youwillreadilycomprehendthiswhenyouseeit.Youdorememberthem,Iknow.Itisnotinyournaturetoforgetthem.'''
　　Hewasdrawinghishandfromhisbreast;theprisonerchancingtolookupinhishurriedwonderashewrote,thehandstopped,closinguponsomething.
　　`Haveyouwritten``forgetthem!''Cartonasked.
　　`Ihave.Isthataweaponinyourhand?'
　　`No;Iamnotarmed.'
　　`Whatisitinyourhand?'
　　`Youshallknowdirectly.Writeon;therearebutafewwordsmore.'Hedictatedagain.```Iamthankfulthatthetimehascome,whenIcanprovethem.ThatIdosoisnosubjectforregretorgrief.'''Ashesaidthesewordswithhiseyesfixedonthewriter,hishandslowlyandsoftlymoveddownclosetothewriter'sface.
　　ThependroppedfromDarnay'sfingersonthetable,andhelookedabouthimvacantly.
　　`Whatvapouristhat?'heasked.
　　`Vapour?'
　　`Somethingthatcrossedme?'
　　`Iamconsciousofnothing;therecanbenothinghere.Takeupthepenandfinish.Hurry,hurry!'
　　Asifhismemorywereimpaired,orhisfacultiesdisordered,theprisonermadeanefforttorallyhisattention.AshelookedatCartonwithcloudedeyesandwithanalteredmannerofbreathing,Carton——hishandagaininhisbreast——lookedsteadilyathim.
　　`Hurry,hurry!`
　　Theprisonerbentoverthepaper,oncemore.
　　```Ifithadbeenotherwise;'''Carton'shandwasagainwatchfullyandsoftlystealingdown;```Inevershouldhaveusedthelongeropportunity.Ifithadbeenotherwise;'''thehandwasattheprisoner'sface;```Ishouldbuthavehadsomuchthemoretoanswerfor.Ifithadbeenotherwise——'''Cartonlookedatthepenandsawitwastrailingoffintounintelligiblesigns.
　　Carton'shandmovedbacktohisbreastnomore.Theprisonersprangupwithareproachfullook,butCarton'shandwascloseandfirmathisnostrils,andCarton'sleftarmcaughthimroundthewaist.Forafewsecondshefaintlystruggledwiththemanwhohadcometolaydownhislifeforhim;but,withinaminuteorso,hewasstretchedinsensibleontheground.
　　Quickly,butwithhandsastruetothepurposeashisheartwas,Cartondressedhimselfintheclothestheprisonerhadlaidaside,combedbackhishair,andtieditwiththeribbontheprisonerhadworn.Then,hesoftlycalled,`Enterthere!Comein!'andtheSpypresentedhimself.
　　`Yousee?'saidCarton,lookingup,ashekneeledononekneebesidetheinsensiblefigure,puttingthepaperinthebreast:`isyourhazardverygreat?'
　　`Mr.Carton,'theSpyanswered,withatimidsnapofhisfingers,`myhazardisnotthat,inthethickofbusinesshere,ifyouaretruetothewholeofyourbargain.'
　　`Don'tfearme.Iwillbetruetothedeath.'
　　`Youmustbe,Mr.Carton,ifthetaleoffifty-twoistoberight.Beingmaderightbyyouinthatdress,Ishallhavenofear.
　　`Havenofear!Ishallsoonbeoutofthewayofharmingyou,andtherestwillsoonbefarfromhere,pleaseGod!Now,getassistanceandtakemetothecoach.'
　　`You?'saidtheSpynervously.
　　`Him,man,withwhomIhaveexchanged.Yougooutatthegatebywhichyoubroughtmein?
　　`Ofcourse.'
　　`Iwasweakandfaintwhenyoubroughtmein,andIamfainternowyoutakemeout.Thepartinginterviewhasoverpoweredme.Suchathinghashappenedhere,often,andtoooften.Yourlifeisinyourownhands.Quick!Callassistance!'
　　`Youswearnottobetrayme?'saidthetremblingSpy,ashepausedforalastmoment.
　　`Man,man!'returnedCarton,stampinghisfoot;`haveIswornbynosolemnvowalready,togothroughwiththis,thatyouwastethepreciousmomentsnow?Takehimyourselftothecourt-yardyouknowof,placehimyourselfinthecarriage,showhimyourselftoMr.Lorry,tellhimyourselftogivehimnorestorativebutair,andtoremembermywordsoflastnight,andhispromiseoflastnight,anddriveaway!'
　　TheSpywithdrew,andCartonseatedhimselfatthetable,restinghisforeheadonhishands.TheSpyreturnedimmediately,withtwomen.
　　`How,then?'saidoneofthem,contemplatingthefallenfigure.`SoafflictedtofindthathisfriendhasdrawnaprizeinthelotteryofSainteGuillotine?'
　　`Agoodpatriot,'saidtheother,`couldhardlyhavebeenmoreafflictediftheAristocrathaddrawnablank.'
　　Theyraisedtheunconsciousfigure,placeditonalittertheyhadbroughttothedoor,andbenttocarryitaway.`Thetimeisshort,Evrémonde,'saidtheSpy,inawarningVoice.
　　`Iknowitwell,'answeredCarton.`Becarefulofmyfriend,Ientreatyou,andleaveme.
　　`Come,then,mychildren,'saidBarsad.`Lifthim,andcomeaway!'
　　Thedoorclosed,andCartonwasleftalone.Straininghispowersoflisteningtotheutmost,helistenedforanysoundthatmightdenotesuspicionoralarm.Therewasnone.Keysturned,doorsclashed,footstepspassedalongdistantpassages:nocrywasraised,orhurrymade,thatseemedunusual.Breathingmorefreelyinalittlewhile,hesatdownatthetable,andlistenedagainuntiltheclockstruckTwo.Soundsthathewasnotafraidof,forhedivinedtheirmeaning,thenbegantobeaudible.Severaldoorswereopenedinsuccession,andfinallyhisown.Agaoler,withalistinhishand,lookedin,merelysaying,`Followme,Evrémonde!'andhefollowedintoalargedarkroom,atadistance.Itwasadarkwinterday,andwhatwiththeshadowswithin,andwhatwiththeshadowswithout,hecouldbutdimlydiscerntheotherswhowerebroughttheretohavetheirarmsbound.Somewerestanding;someseated.Somewerelamenting,andinrestlessmotion;but,thesewerefew.Thegreatmajorityweresilentandstill,lookingfixedlyattheground.
　　Ashestoodbythewallinadimcorner,whilesomeofthefifty-twowerebroughtinafterhim,onemanstoppedinpassing,toembracehim,ashavingaknowledgeofhim.Itthrilledhimwithagreatdreadofdiscovery;butthemanwenton.Averyfewmomentsafterthat,ayoungwoman,withaslightgirlishform,asweetsparefaceinwhichtherewasnovestigeofcolour,andlargewidelyopenedpatienteyes,rosefromtheseatwherehehadobservedhersitting,andcametospeaktohim.
　　`CitizenEvrémonde,'shesaid,touchinghimwithhercoldhand.`Iamapoorlittleseamstress,whowaswithyouinLaForce.
　　Hemurmuredforanswer:`True.Iforgetwhatyouwereaccusedof?'
　　`Plots.ThoughthejustHeavenknowsIaminnocentofany.Isitlikely?Whowouldthinkofplottingwithapoorlittleweakcreaturelikeme?'
　　Theforlornsmilewithwhichshesaidit,sotouchedhim,thattearsstartedfromhiseyes.
　　`Iamnotafraidtodie,CitizenEvrémonde,butIhavedonenothing.Iamnotunwillingtodie,iftheRepublicwhichistodosomuchgoodtouspoor,willprofitbymydeath;butIdonotknowhowthatcanbe,CitizenEvreémonde.Suchapoorweaklittlecreature!'
　　Asthelastthingonearththathisheartwastowarmandsoftento,itwarmedandsoftenedtothispitiablegirl.
　　`Iheardyouwerereleased,Citizen`Evrémonde.Ihopeditwastrue?'
　　`Itwas.But,Iwasagaintakenandcondemned.'
　　`IfImayridewithyou,CitizenEvrémonde,willyouletmeholdyourhand?Iamnotafraid,hutIamlittleandweak,anditwillgivememorecourage.'
　　Asthepatienteyeswereliftedtohisface,hesawasuddendoubtinthem,andthenastonishment.Hepressedthework-worn,hunger-wornyoungfingers,andtouchedhislips.
　　`Areyoudyingforhim?'shewhispered.
　　`Andhiswifeandchild.Hush!Yes.'
　　`Oyouwillletmeholdyourbravehand,stranger?'
　　`Hush!Yes,mypoorsister;tothelast.
　　Thesameshadowsthatarefallingontheprison,arefalling,inthatsamehouroftheearlyafternoon,ontheBarrierwiththecrowdaboutit,whenacoachgoingoutofParisdrivesuptobeexamined.
　　`Whogoeshere?Whomhavewewithin?Papers!'
　　Thepapersarehandedout,andread.
　　`AlexandreManette.Physician.French.Whichishe?'
　　Thisishe;thishelpless,inarticulatelymurmuring,wanderingoldmanpointedout.
　　`ApparentlytheCitizen-Doctorisnotinhisrightmind?TheRevolution-feverwillhavebeentoomuchforhim?'
　　Greatlytoomuchforhim.
　　`Hah!Manysufferwithit.Lucie.Hisdaughter.French.Whichisshe?'
　　Thisisshe.
　　`Apparentlyitmustbe.Lucie,thewifeofEvrémonde;isitnot'."
　　Itis.
　　`Hah!Evrémondehasanassignationelsewhere.Lucie,herchild.English.Thisisshe?'
　　Sheandnoother.
　　`Kissme,childofEvrémonde.Now,thouhastkissedagoodRepublican;somethingnewinthyfamily;rememberit!SydneyCarton.Advocate.English.Whichishe?'
　　Helieshere,inthiscornerofthecarriage.He,too,ispointedout.
　　`ApparentlytheEnglishadvocateisinaswoon?'
　　Itishopedhewillrecoverinthefresherair.Itisrepresentedthatheisnotinstronghealth,andhasseparatedsadlyfromafriendwhoisunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic.
　　`Isthatall?Itisnotagreatdeal,that!ManyareunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic,andmustlookoutatthelittlewindow.JarvisLorry.Banker.English.Whichishe?'
　　`Iamhe.Necessarily,beingthelast.'
　　ItisJarvisLorrywhohasrepliedtoallthepreviousquestions.ItisJarvisLorrywhohasalightedandstandswithhishandonthecoachdoor,replyingtoagroupofofficials.Theyleisurelywalkroundthecarriageandleisurelymountthebox,tolookatwhatlittleluggageitcarriesontheroof;thecountry-peoplehangingabout,pressnearertothecoachdoorsandgreedilystarein;alittlechild,carriedbyitsmother,hasitsshortarmheldoutforit,thatitmaytouchthewifeofanaristocratwhohasgonetotheGuillotine.
　　`Beholdyourpapers,JarvisLorry,countersigned.'
　　`Onecandepart,citizen?'
　　`Onecandepart.Forward,mypostilions!Agoodjourney!'
　　`Isaluteyou,citizens——Andthefirstdangerpassed!'
　　TheseareagainthewordsofJarvisLorry,asheclaspshishands,andlooksupward.Thereisterrorinthecarriage,thereisweeping,thereistheheavybreathingoftheinsensibletraveller.
　　`Arewenotgoingtooslowly?Cantheynotbeinducedtogofaster?'asksLucie,clingingtotheoldman.
　　`Itwouldseemlikeflight,mydarling.Imustnoturgethemtoomuch;itwouldrousesuspicion.'
　　`Lookback,lookback,andseeifwearepursued!'
　　`Theroadisclear,mydearest.Sofar,wearenotpursued.'
　　Housesintwosandthreespassbyus,solitaryfarms,ruinousbuildings,dye-works,tanneries,andthelike,opencountry,avenuesofleaflesstrees.Thehardunevenpavementisunderus,thesoftdeepmudisoneitherside.Sometimes,westrikeintotheskirtingmud,toavoidthestonesthatclatterusandshakeus;sometimeswestickinrutsandsloughsthere.Theagonyofourimpatienceisthensogreat,thatinourwildalarmandhurryweareforgettingoutandrunning——hiding——doinganythingbutstopping.
　　Outoftheopencountry,inagainamongruinousbuildings,solitaryfarms,dye-works,tanneries,andthelike,cottagesintwosandthrees,avenuesofleaflesstrees.Havethesemendeceivedus,andtakenusbackbyanotherroad?Isnotthisthesameplacetwiceover?ThankHeaven,no.Avillage.Lookback,lookback,andseeifwearepursued!Hush!theposting-house.
　　Leisurely,ourfourhorsesaretakenout;leisurely,thecoachstandsinthelittlestreet,bereftofhorses,andwithnolikelihooduponitofevermovingagain;leisurely,thenewhorsescomeintovisibleexistence,onebyone;leisurely,thenewpostilionsfollow,suckingandplaitingthelashesoftheirwhips;leisurely,theoldpostilionscounttheirmoney,makewrongadditions,andarriveatdissatisfiedresults.Allthetime,ouroverfraughtheartsarebeatingataratethatwouldfaroutstripthefastestgallopofthefastesthorseseverfoaled.
　　Atlengththenewpostilionsareintheirsaddles,andtheoldareleftbehind.Wearethroughthevillage,upthehill,anddownthehill,andonthelowwaterygrounds.Suddenly',thepostilionsexchangespeechwithanimatedgesticulation,andthehorses-arepulledup,almostontheirhaunches.Wearepursued.
　　`Ho!Withinthecarriagethere.Speakthen!'
　　`Whatisit?'asksMr.Lorry,lookingoutatwindow.
　　`Howmanydidtheysay?
　　`Idonotunderstandyou.'
　　`Atthelastpost.HowmanytotheGuillotineto-day?'
　　`Fifty-two.'
　　`Isaidso!Abravenumber!Myfellow-citizenherewouldhaveitforty-two;tenmoreheadsareworthhaving.TheGuillotinegoeshandsomely.Iloveit.Hiforward.Whoop!'
　　Thenightcomesondark.Hemovesmore;heisbeginningtorevive,andtospeakintelligibly;hethinkstheyarestilltogether;heaskshim,byhisname,whathehasinhishand.Dpityus,kindHeaven,andhelpus!Lookout,lookout,andseeifwearepursued.
　　Thewindisrushingafterus,andthecloudsareflyingafterus,andthemoonisplungingafterus,andthewholewildnightisinpursuitofus;but,sofarwearepursuedbynothingelse.
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　TheKnittingDone
　　INthatsamejunctureoftimewhentheFifty-Twoawaitedtheirfate,MadameDefargehelddarklyominouscouncilwithTheVengeanceandJacquesThreeoftheRevolutionaryJury.Notinthewine-shopdidMadameDefargeconferwiththeseministers,butintheshedofthewood-sawyer,erstamenderofroads.Thesawyerhimselfdidnotparticipateintheconference,butabidedatalittledistance,likeanoutersatellitewhowasnottospeakuntilrequired,ortoofferanopinionuntilinvited.
　　`ButourDefarge,'saidJacquesThree,`isundoubtedlyagoodRepublican?Eh?'
　　`Thereisnobetter,'thevolubleVengeanceprotestedinhershrillnotes,`inFrance.
　　`Peace,littleVengeance,'saidMadameDefarge,layingherhandwithaslightfrownonherlieutenant'slips,`hearmespeak.Myhusband,fellow-citizen,isagoodRepublicanandaboldman;hehasdeservedwelloftheRepublic,andpossessesitsconfidence.Butmyhusbandhashisweaknesses,andheissoweakastorelenttowardsthisDoctor.'
　　`Itisagreatpity,'croakedJacquesThree,dubiouslyshakinghishead,withhiscruelfingersathishungrymouth;`itisnotquitelikeagoodcitizen;itisathingtoregret.
　　`Seeyou,'saidmadame,`IcarenothingforthisDoctor,I.Hemaywearhisheadorloseit,foranyinterestIhaveinhim;itisallonetome.But,theEvrémondepeoplearetobeexterminated,andthewifeandchildmustfollowthehusbandandfather.'
　　`Shehasafineheadforit,'croakedJacquesThree.`Ihaveseenblueeyesandgoldenhairthere,andtheylookedcharmingwhenSamsonheldthemup.'Ogrethathewas,hespokelikeanepicure.
　　MadameDefargecastdownhereyes,andreflectedalittle.`Thechildalso,'observedJacquesThree,withameditativeenjoymentofhiswords,`hasgoldenhairandblueeyes.Andweseldomhaveachildthere.Itisaprettysight!'
　　`Inaword,'saidMadameDefarge,comingoutofhershortabstraction,`Icannottrustmyhusbandinthismatter.
　　NotonlydoIfeel,sincelastnight,thatIdarenotconfidetohimthedetailsofmyprojects;butalsoIfeelthatifIdelay,thereisdangerofhisgivingwarning,andthentheymightescape.
　　`Thatmustneverbe,'croakedJacquesThree;`noonemustescape.Wehavenothalfenoughasitis.Weoughttohavesixscoreaday.'
　　`Inaword,'MadameDefargewenton,`myhusbandhasnotmyreasonforpursuingthisfamilytoannihilation,andIhavenothisreasonforregardingthisDoctorwithanysensibility.Imustactformyself,therefore.Comehither,littlecitizen.
　　Thewood-sawyer,whoheldherintherespect,andhimselfinthesubmission,ofmortalfear,advancedwithhishandtohisredcap.
　　`Touchingthosesignals,littlecitizen,'saidMadameDefarge,sternly,`thatshemadetotheprisoners;youarereadytobearwitnesstothemthisveryday?'
　　`Ay,ay,whynot!'criedthesawyer.`Everyday,inallweathers,fromtwotofour,alwayssignalling,sometimeswiththelittleone,sometimeswithout.IknowwhatIknow.Ihaveseenwithmyeyes.'
　　Hemadeallmannerofgestureswhilehespoke,asifinincidentalimitationofsomefewofthegreatdiversityofsignalsthathehadneverseen.
　　`Clearlyplots,'saidJacquesThree.`Transparently!'
　　`ThereisnodoubtoftheJury?'inquiredMadameDefarge,lettinghereyesturntohimwithagloomysmile.
　　`RelyuponthepatrioticJury,dearcitizeness.Ianswerformyfellow-Jurymen.'
　　`Now,letmesee,'saidMadameDefarge,ponderingagain.`Yetoncemore!CanIsparethisDoctortomyhusband?Ihavenofeelingeitherway.CanIsparehim?'
　　`Hewouldcountasonehead,'observedJacquesThree,inalowvoice.`Wereallyhavenotheadsenough;itwouldbeapity,Ithink.'
　　`HewassignallingwithherwhenIsawher,'arguedMadameDefarge;`Icannotspeakofonewithouttheother;andImustnotbesilent,andtrustthecasewhollytohim,thislittlecitizenhere.For,Iamnotabadwitness.
　　TheVengeanceandJacquesThreeviedwitheachotherintheirferventprotestationsthatshewasthemostadmirableandmarvellousofwitnesses.Thelittlecitizen,nottobeoutdone,declaredhertobeacelestialwitness.
　　Hemusttakehischance,'saidMadameDefarge.`No,Icannotsparehim!Youareengagedatthreeo'clock;youaregoingtoseethebatchofto-dayexecuted——You?'
　　Thequestionwasaddressedtothewood-sawyer,whohurriedlyrepliedintheaffirmative:seizingtheoccasiontoaddthathewasthemostardentofRepublicans,andthathewouldbeineffectthemostdesolateofRepublicans,ifanythingpreventedhimfromenjoyingthepleasureofsmokinghisafternoonpipeinthecontemplationofthedrollnationalbarber.Hewassoverydemonstrativeherein,thathemighthavebeensuspectedperhapswas,bythedarkeyesthatlookedContemptuouslyathimoutofMadameDefarge'sheadofhavinghissmallindividualfearsforhisownpersonalsafety,everyhourintheday.
　　`I,'saidmadame,`amequallyengagedatthesameplace.Afteritisover-sayateightto-night——comeyoutome,inSaintAntoine,andwewillgiveinformationagainstthese'peopleatmysection.'
　　Thewood-sawyersaidhewouldbeproudandflatteredtoattendthecitizeness.Thecitizenesslookingathim,hebecameembarrassed,evadedherglanceasasmalldogwouldhavedone,retreatedamonghiswood,andhidhisconfusionoverthehandleofhissaw.
　　MadameDefargebeckonedtheJurymanandTheVengeancealittlenearertothedoor,andthereexpoundedherfurtherviewstothemthus:
　　`Shewillnowbeathome,awaitingthemomentofhisdeath.Shewillbemourningandgrieving.ShewillbeinastateofmindtoimpeachthejusticeoftheRepublic.Shewillbefullofsympathywithitsenemies.Iwillgotoher.'
　　`Whatanadmirablewoman;whatanadorablewoman!'exclaimedJacquesThree,rapturously.`Ah,mycherished!'criedTheVengeance;andembracedher.
　　`Takeyoumyknitting,'saidMadameDefarge,placingitinherlieutenant'shands,`andhaveitreadyformeinmyusualseat.Keepmemyusualchair.Goyouthere,straight,fortherewillprobablybeagreaterconcoursethanusual,to-day.'
　　`IwillinglyobeytheordersofmyChief'saidTheVengeancewithalacrity,andkissinghercheek.`Youwillnotbelate?'
　　`Ishallbetherebeforethecommencement.'
　　`Andbeforethetumbrilsarrive.Besureyouarethere,mysoul,'saidTheVengeance,callingafterher,forshehadalreadyturnedintothestreet,`beforethetumbrilsarrive!'
　　MadameDefargeslightlywavedherhand,toimplythatsheheard,andmightbereliedupontoarriveingoodtime,andsowentthroughtilemud,androundthecorneroftheprisonwall.TheVengeanceandtheJuryman,lookingalterherasshewalkedaway,werehighlyappreciativeofherfinefigure,andhersuperbmoralendowments.
　　Thereweremanywomenatthattime,uponwhomthetimelaidadreadfullydisfiguringhand;but,therewasnotoneamongthemmoretobedreadedthanthisruthlesswoman,nowtakingherwayalongthestreets.Ofastrongandfearlesscharacter,ofshrewdsenseandreadiness,ofgreatdetermination,ofthatkindofbeautywhichnotonlyseemstoimparttoitspossessorfirmnessandanimosity,buttostrikeintoothersaninstinctiverecognitionofthosequalities;thetroubledtimewouldhaveheavedherup,underanycircumstances.But,imbuedfromherchildhoodwithabroodingsenseof,wrong,andaninveteratehatredofaclass,opportunityhaddevelopedherintoatigress.Shewasabsolutelywithoutpity.Ifshehadeverhadthevirtueinher,ithadquitegoneoutofher.
　　Itwasnothingtoher,thataninnocentmanwastodieforthesinsofhisforefathers;shesaw,nothim,butthem.Itwasnothingtoher,thathiswifewastobemadeawidowandhisdaughteranorphan;thatwasinsufficientpunishment,becausetheywerehernaturalenemiesandherprey,andassuchhadnorighttolive.Toappealtoher,wasmadehopelessbyherhavingnosenseofpity,evenforherself.Ifshehadbeenlaidlowinthestreets,inanyofthemanyencountersinwhichshehadbeenengaged,shewouldnothavepitiedherself;nor,ifshehadbeenorderedtotheaxeto-morrow,wouldshehavegonetoitwithanysofterfeelingthanafiercedesiretochangeplaceswiththemanwhosentherthere.
　　SuchaheartMadameDefargecarriedunderherroughrobe.Carelesslyworn,itwasabecomingrobeenough,inacertainweirdway,andherdarkhairlookedrichunderhercoarseredcap.Lyinghiddeninherbosom,wasaloadedpistol.Lyinghiddenatherwaist,wasasharpeneddagger.Thusaccoutred,andwalkingwiththeconfidenttreadofsuchacharacter,andwiththesupplefreedomofawomanwhohadhabituallywalkedinhergirlhood,bare-footandbare-legged,onthebrownsea-sand,MadameDefargetookherwayalongthestreets.