Now,whenthejourneyofthetravellingcoach,atthatverymomentwaitingforthecompletionofitsload,hadbeenplannedoutlastnight,thedifficultyoftakingMissProssinithadmuchengagedMr.Lorry'sattention.Itwasnotmerelydesirabletoavoidoverloadingthecoach,butitwasofthehighestimportancethatthetimeoccupiedinexaminingitanditspassengers,shouldbereducedtotheutmost;sincetheirescapemightdependonthesavingofonlyafewsecondshereandthere.Finally,hehadproposed,afteranxiousconsideration,thatMissProssandJerry,whowereatlibertytoleavethecity,shouldleaveitatthreeo'clockinthelightest-wheeledconveyanceknowntothatperiod.Unencumberedwithluggage,theywouldsoonovertakethecoach,and,passingitandprecedingitontheroad,wouldorderitshorsesinadvance,andgreatlyfacilitateitsprogressduringtheprecioushoursofthenight,whendelaywasthemosttobedreaded.
　　Seeinginthisarrangementthehopeofrenderingrealserviceinthatpressingemergency,MissProsshaileditwithjoy.SheandJerryhadbeheldthecoachstart,hadknownwhoitwasthatSolomonbrought,hadpassedsometenminutesintorturesofsuspense,andwerenowconcludingtheirarrangementstofollowthecoach,evenasMadameDefarge,takingherwaythroughthestreets,nowdrewnearerandnearertotheelse-desertedlodginginwhichtheyheldtheirconsultation.
　　`Nowwhatdoyouthink,Mr.Cruncher,'saidMissPross,whoseagitationwassogreatthatshecouldhardlyspeak,orstand,ormove,orlive:`whatdoyouthinkofournotstartingfromthiscourt-yard?Anothercarriagehavingalreadygonefromhereto-day,itmightawakensuspicion.
　　`Myopinion,miss,'returnedMr.Cruncher,`isas,you'reright.LikewisewotI'llstandbyyou,rightorwrong.
　　`Iamsodistractedwithfearandhopeforourpreciouscreatures,'saidMissPross,wildlycrying,`thatIamincapableofforminganyplan.Areyoucapableofforminganyplan,mydeargoodMr.Cruncher?'
　　`Respectin'afuturespearo'life,miss,'returnedMr.Cruncher,`Ihopeso.Respectin'anypresentuseo'thishereblessedoldheado'mine,Ithinknot.Wouldyoudomethefavour,miss,totakenoticeo'twopromisesandwowswotitismywishesfurtorecordinthisherecrisis?'
　　`Oh,forgracioussake!'criedMissPross,stillwildlycrying,`recordthematonce,andgetthemoutoftheway,likeanexcellentman.
　　`First,'saidMr.Cruncher,whowasallinatremble,andwhospokewithanashyandsolemnvisage,`thempoorthingswellouto'this,nevernomorewillIdoit,nevernomore!'
　　`Iamquitesure,Mr.Cruncher,'returnedMissPross,`thatyouneverwilldoitagain,whateveritis,andIbegyounottothinkitnecessarytomentionmoreparticularlywhatitis.'
　　`No,miss,'returnedJerry,`itshallnotbenamedtoyou.Second:thempoorthingswellouto'this,andnevernomorewillIinterferewithMrs.Cruncher'sflopping,nevernomore!'
　　`Whateverhousekeepingarrangementthatmaybe,'saidMissPross,strivingtodryhereyesandcomposeherself,`IhavenodoubtitisbestthatMrs.Crunchershouldhaveitentirelyunderherownsuperintendence——Omypoordarlings!'
　　`Igosofarastosay,miss,morehover,'proceededMr.Cruncher,withamostalarmingtendencytoholdforthasfromapulpit——`andletmywordsbetookdownandtooktoMrs.Cruncherthroughyourself——thatwotmyopinionsrespectin'floppinghasundergoneachange,andthatwotIonlyhopewithallmyheartasMrs.Crunchermaybeafloppingatthepresenttime.'
　　There,there,there!Ihopesheis,mydearman,'criedthedistractedMissPross,`andIhopeshefindsitansweringherexpectations.'
　　`Forbidit,'proceededMr.Cruncher,withadditionalsolemnity,additionalslowness,andadditionaltendencytoholdforthandholdout,`asanythingwotIhaveeversaidordoneshouldbewisitedonmyearnestwishesforthempoorcreetursnow!Forbiditasweshouldn'tallflopifitwasanywaysconwenienttoget`emouto'thisheredismalrisk!Forbidit,miss!WotIsay,for——BIDit!'ThiswasMr.Cruncher'sconclusionafteraprotractedbutvainendeavourtofindabetterone.
　　AndstillMadameDefarge,pursuingherwayalongthestreets,camenearerandnearer.
　　`Ifweevergetbacktoournativeland,'saidMissPross,`youmayrelyuponmytellingMrs.CruncherasmuchasImaybeabletorememberandunderstandofwhatyouhavesoimpressivelysaid;andatalleventsyoumaybesurethatIshallbearwitnesstoyourbeingthoroughlyinearnestatthisdreadfultime.Now,prayletusthink!MyesteemedMr.Cruncher,letusthink!'
　　Still,MadameDefarge,pursuingherwayalongthestreets,camenearerandnearer.
　　`Ifyouweretogobefore,'saidMissPross,`andstopthevehicleandhorsesfromcominghere,andweretowaitsomewhereforme;wouldn'tthatbebest?'
　　Mr.Cruncherthoughtitmightbebest.
　　`Wherecouldyouwaitforme?'askedMissPross.
　　Mr.CruncherwassobewilderedthathecouldthinkofnolocalitybutTempleBar.Alas!TempleBarwashundredsofmilesaway,andMadameDefargewasdrawingverynearindeed.
　　`Bythecathedraldoor,'saidMissPross.`Woulditbemuchoutoftheway,totakemein,nearthegreatcathedraldoorbetweenthetwotowers?'
　　`No,miss,'answeredMr.Cruncher.
　　`Then,likethebestofmen,'saidMissPross,`gototheposting-housestraight,andmakethatchange.'
　　`Iamdoubtful,'saidMr.Cruncher,hesitatingandshakinghishead,`aboutleavingofyou,yousee.Wedon'tknowwhatmayhappen.'
　　`Heavenknowswedon't,'returnedMissPross,`buthavenofearforme.Takemeinatthecathedral,atThreeo'clock,orasnearitasyoucan,andIamsureitwillbebetterthanourgoingfromhere.Ifeelcertainofit.There!Blessyou,Mr.Cruncher!Think——notofme,butofthelivesthatmaydependonbothofus!'
　　Thisexordium,andMissPross'stwohandsinquiteagonisedentreatyclaspinghis,decidedMr.Cruncher.Withanencouragingnodortwo,heimmediatelywentouttoalterthearrangements,andleftherbyherselftofollowasshehadproposed.
　　Thehavingoriginatedaprecautionwhichwasalreadyincourseofexecution,wasagreatrelieftoMissPross.ThenecessityofComposingherappearancesothatitshouldattractnospecialnoticeinthestreets,wasanotherreliefShelookedatherwatch,anditwastwentyminutespasttwo.Shehadnotimetolose,butmustgetreadyatonce.
　　Afraid,inherextremeperturbation,ofthelonelinessofthedesertedrooms,andofhalf-imaginedfacespeepingfrombehindeveryopendoorinthem,MissProssgotabasinofcoldwaterandbeganlavinghereyes,whichwereswollenandred.Hauntedbyherfeverishapprehensions,shecouldnotbeartohavehersightobscuredforaminuteatatimebythedrippingwater,butconstantlypausedandlookedroundtoseethattherewasnoonewatchingher.Inoneofthosepausessherecoiledandcriedout,forshesawafigurestandingintheroom.
　　Thebasinfelltothegroundbroken,andthewaterflowedtothefeetofMadameDefarge.Bystrangesternways,andthroughmuchstainingblood,thosefeethadcometomeetthatwater.
　　MadameDefargelookedcoldlyather,andsaid,`ThewifeofEvrémonde;whereisshe?'
　　ItflasheduponMissPross'smindthatthedoorswereallstandingopen,andwouldsuggesttheflight.Herfirstactwastoshutthem.Therewerefourintheroom,andsheshutthemall.ShethenplacedherselfbeforethedoorofthechamberwhichLuciehadoccupied.
　　MadameDefarge'sdarkeyesfollowedherthroughthisrapidmovement,andrestedonherwhenitwasfinished.MissProsshadnothingbeautifulabouther;yearshadnottamedthewildness,orsoftenedthegrimness,ofherappearance;but,shetoowasadeterminedwomaninherdifferentway,andshemeasuredMadameDefargewithhereyes,everyinch.
　　`Youmight,fromyourappearance,bethewifeofLucifer,'saidMissPross,inherbreathing.`Nevertheless,youshallnotgetthebetterofme.IamanEnglishwoman.
　　MadameDefargelookedatherscornfully,butstillwithsomethingofMissPross'sownperceptionthattheytwowereatbay.Shesawatight,hard,wirywomanbeforeher,asMr.Lorryhadseeninthesamefigureawomanwithastronghand,intheyearsgoneby.SheknewfullwellthatMissProsswasthefamily'sdevotedfriend;MissProssknewfullwellthatMadameDefargewasthefamily'smalevolentenemy.
　　`Onmywayyonder,'saidMadameDefarge,withaslightmovementofherhandtowardsthefatalspot,`wheretheyreservemychairandmyknittingforme,Iamcome,tomakemycomplimentstoherinpassing.Iwishtoseeher.
　　`Iknowthatyourintentionsareevil,'saidMissPross,`andyoumaydependuponit,I'llholdmyownagainstthem.'
　　Eachspokeinherownlanguage;neitherunderstoodtheother'swords;bothwereverywatchful,andintenttodeducefromlookandmanner,whattheunintelligiblewordsmeant.
　　`Itwilldohernogoodtokeepherselfconcealedfrommeatthismoment,'saidMadameDefarge.`Goodpatriotswillknowwhatthatmeans.Letmeseeher.GotellherthatIwishtoseeher.Doyouhear?'
　　`Ifthoseeyesofyourswerebed-winches,'returnedMissPross,`andIwasanEnglishfour-poster,theyshouldn'tlooseasplinterofme.No,youwickedforeignwoman;Iamyourmatch.'
　　MadameDefargewasnotlikelytofollowtheseidiomaticremarksindetail;but,shesofarunderstoodthemastoperceivethatshewassetatnaught.
　　`Womanimbecileandpig-like!'saidMadameDefarge,frowning.`Itakenoanswerfromyou.Idemandtoseeher.EithertellherthatIdemandtoseeher,orstandoutofthewayofthedoorandletmegotoher!'This,withanangryexplanatorywaveofherrightarm.
　　`Ilittlethought,'saidblissPross,`thatIshouldeverwanttounderstandyournonsensicallanguage;butIwouldgiveallIhave,excepttheclothesIwear,toknowwhetheryoususpectthetruth,oranypartofit.'
　　Neitherofthemforasinglemomentreleasedtheother'seyes.MadameDefargehadnotmovedfromthespotwhereshestoodwhenMissProssfirstbecameawareofher;butshenowadvancedonestep.
　　`IamaBriton,'saidMissPross,`Iamdesperate.Idon'tcareanEnglishTwo-penceformyself.IknowthatthelongerIkeepyouhere,thegreaterhopethereisformyLadybird.I'llnotleaveahandfulofthatdarkhairuponyourhead,ifyoulayafingeronme!'
　　ThusMissPross,withashakeofherheadandaflashofhereyesbetweeneveryrapidsentence,andeveryrapidsentenceawholebreath.ThusMissPross,whohadneverstruckablowinherlife.
　　But,hercouragewasofthatemotionalnaturethatitbroughttheirrepressibletearsintohereyes.ThiswasacouragethatMadameDefargesolittlecomprehendedastomistakeforweakness.`Ha,ha!'shelaughed,`youpoorwretch!Whatareyouworth!IaddressmyselftothatDoctor.'Thensheraisedhervoiceandcalledout,`CitizenDoctor!WifeofEvrémonde!ChildofEvrémonde!Anypersonbutthismiserablefool,answertheCitizenessDefarge!'
　　Perhapsthefollowingsilence,perhapssomelatentdisclosureintheexpressionofMissPross'sface,perhapsasuddenmisgivingapartfromeithersuggestion,whisperedtoMadameDefargethattheyweregone.Threeofthedoorssheopenedswiftly,andlookedin.
　　`Thoseroomsareallindisorder,therehasbeenhurriedpacking,thereareoddsandendsupontheground.Thereisnooneinthatroombehindyou!Letmelook.'
　　`Never!'saidMissPross,whounderstoodtherequestasperfectlyasMadameDefargeunderstoodtheanswer.
　　`Iftheyarenotinthatroom,theyaregone,andcanbepursuedandbroughtback,'saidMadameDefargetoherself.
　　`Aslongasyoudon'tknowwhethertheyareinthatroomornot,youareuncertainwhattodo,'saidMissProsstoherself;`andyoushallnotknowthat,ifIcanpreventyourknowingit;andknowthat,ornotknowthat,youshallnotleaveherewhileIcanholdyou.'
　　`Ihavebeeninthestreetsfromthefirst,nothinghasstoppedme,Iwilltearyoutopieces,butIwillhaveyoufromthatdoor,'saidMadameDefarge.
　　`Wearealoneatthetopofahighhouseinasolitarycourtyard,wearenotlikelytobeheard,andIprayforbodilystrengthtokeepyouhere,whileeveryminuteyouarehereisworthahundredthousandguineastomydarling,'saidMissPross.
　　MadameDefargemadeatthedoor.MissPross,ontheinstinctofthemoment,seizedherroundtilewaistinbothherarms,andheldhertight.ItwasinvainforMadameDefargetostruggleandtostrike;MissPross,withthevigoroustenacityoflove,alwayssomuchstrongerthanhate,claspedhertight,andevenliftedherfromthefloorinthestrugglethattheyhad.ThetwohandsofMadameDefargebuffetedandtoreherface;but,MissPross,withherheaddown,heldherroundthewaist,andclungtoherwithmorethantheholdofadrowningwoman.
　　Soon,MadameDefarge'shandsceasedtostrike,andfeltatherencircledwaist.`Itisundermyarm,'saidMissPross,insmotheredtones,`youshallnotdrawit.Iamstrongerthanyou,IblessHeavenforit.I'llholdyoutilloneorotherofusfaintsordies!'
　　MadameDefarge'shandswereatherbosom.MissProsslookedup,sawwhatitwas,struckatit,struckoutaflashandacrash,andstoodalone——blindedwithsmoke.
　　Allthiswasinasecond.Asthesmokecleared,leavinganawfulstillness,itpassedoutontheair,likethesoulofthefuriouswomanwhosebodylaylifelessontheground.
　　Inthefirstfrightandhorrorofhersituation,MissProsspassedthebodyasfarfromitasshecould,andrandownthestairstocallforfruitlesshelp.Happily,shebethoughtherselfoftheconsequencesofwhatshedid,intimetocheckherselfandgoback.Itwasdreadfultogoinatthedooragain;but,shedidgoin,andevenwentnearit,togetthebonnetandotherthingsthatshemustwear.Thesesheputon,outonthestaircase,firstshuttingandlockingthedoorandtakingawaythekey.Shethensatdownonthestairsafewmomentstobreatheandtocry,andthengotupandhurriedaway.
　　Bygoodfortuneshehadaveilonherbonnet,orshecouldhardlyhavegonealongthestreetswithoutbeingstopped.Bygoodfortune,too,shewasnaturallysopeculiarinappearanceasnottoshowdisfigurementlikeanyotherwoman.Sheneededbothadvantages,forthemarksofgripingfingersweredeepinherface,andherhairwastorn,andherdresshastilycomposedwithunsteadyhandswasclutchedanddraggedahundredways
　　Incrossingthebridge,shedroppedthedoorkeyintheriver.Arrivingatthecathedralsomefewminutesbeforeherescort,andwaitingthere,shethought,whatifthekeywerealreadytakeninanet,whatifitwereidentified,whatifthedoorwereopenedandtheremainsdiscovered,whatifshewerestoppedatthegate,senttoprison,andchargedwithmurder!Inthemidstoftheseflutteringthoughts,theescortappeared,tookherin,andtookheraway.
　　`Isthereanynoiseinthestreets?'sheaskedhim.
　　`Theusualnoises,'Mr.Cruncherreplied;andlookedsurprisedbythequestionandbyheraspect.
　　`Idon'thearyou,'saidMissPross.`Whatdoyousay?'
　　ItwasinvainforMr.Crunchertorepeatwhathesaid;MissProsscouldnothearhim.`SoI'llnodmyhead,'thoughtMr.Cruncher,amazed,`atalleventsshe'llseethat.'Andshedid.
　　`Isthereanynoiseinthestreetsnow?'askedMissProssagain,presently.
　　AgainMr.Crunchernoddedhishead.
　　`Idon'thearit.'
　　`Gonedeafinahour?'saidMr.Cruncher,ruminating,withhismindmuchdisturbed;`wot'scometoher?'
　　`Ifeel,'saidMissPross,`asiftherehadbeenaflashandacrash,andthatcrashwasthelastthingIshouldeverhearinthislife.'
　　`Blestifsheain'tinaqueercondition!'saidMr.Cruncher,moreandmoredisturbed.`Wotcanshehavebeenatakin',tokeephercourageup?Hark!There'stherollofthemdreadfulcarts!Youcanhearthat,miss?'
　　`Icanhear,'saidMissPross,seeingthathespoketoher,`nothing.O,mygoodman,therewasfirstagreatcrash,andthenagreatstillness,andthatstillnessseemstobefixedandunchangeable,nevertobebrokenanymoreaslongasmylifelasts.'
　　`Ifshedon'theartherollofthosedreadfulcarts,nowverynightheirjourney'send,'saidMr.Cruncher,glancingoverhisshoulder,`it'smyopinionthatindeedsheneverwillhearanythingelseinthisworld.'
　　Andindeedsheneverdid.
　　CHAPTERXV
　　TheFootstepsDieoutforEver
　　ALONGtheParisstreets,thedeath-cartsrumble,hollowandharsh.Sixtumbrilscarrytheday'swinetoLaGuillotine.AllthedevouringandinsatiateMonstersimaginedsinceimaginationcouldrecorditself,arefusedintheonerealisation,Guillotine.AndyetthereisnotinFrance,withitsrichvarietyofsoilandclimate,ablade,aleaf,aroot,asprig,apeppercorn,whichwillgrowtomaturityunderconditionsmorecertainthanthosethathaveproducedthishorror.Crushhumanityoutofshapeoncemore,undersimilarhammers,anditwilltwistitselfintothesametorturedforms.Sowthesameseedofrapaciouslicenceandoppressionoveragain,anditwillsurelyyieldthesamefruitaccordingtoitskind.
　　Sixtumbrilsrollalongthestreets.Changethesebackagaintowhattheywere,thoupowerfulenchanter,Time,andtheyshallbeseentobethecarriagesofabsolutemonarchs,theequipagesoffeudalnobles,thetoilettesofflaringJezebels,thechurchesthatarenotmyfather'shousebutdensofthieves,thehutsofmillionsofstarvingpeasants!No;thegreatmagicianwhomajesticallyworksouttheappointedorderoftheCreator,neverreverseshistransformations.`IfthoubechangedintothisshapebythewillofGod,'saytheseerstotheenchanted,inthewiseArabianstories,`thenremainso!But,ifthouwearthisformthroughmerepassingconjuration,thenresumethyformeraspect!'Changelessandhopeless,thetumbrilsrollalong.
　　Asthesombrewheelsofthesixcartsgoround,theyseemtoploughupalongcrookedfurrowamongthepopulaceinthestreets.Ridgesoffacesarethrowntothissideandtothat,andtheploughsgosteadilyonward.Sousedaretheregularinhabitantsofthehousestothespectacle,thatinmanywindowstherearenopeople,andinsometheoccupationofthehandsisnotsomuchassuspended,whiletheeyessurveythefacesinthetumbrils.Hereandthere,theinmatehasvisitorstoseethesight;thenhepointshisfinger,withsomethingofthecomplacencyofacuratororauthorisedexponent,tothiscartandtothis,andseemstotellwhosathereyesterday,andwhotherethedaybefore.
　　Oftheridersinthetumbrils,someobservethesethings,andallthingsontheirlastroadside,withanimpassivestare;others,withalingeringinterestinthewaysoflifeandmen.Some,seatedwithdroopingheads,aresunkinsilentdespair;again,therearesomesoheedfuloftheirlooksthattheycastuponthemultitudesuchglancesastheyhaveseenintheatres,andinpictures.Severalclosetheireyes,andthink,ortrytogettheirstrayingthoughtstogether.Onlyone,andheamiserablecreature,ofacrazedaspect,issoshatteredandmadedrunkbyhorror,thathesings,andtriestodance.Notoneofthewholenumberappealsbylookorgesture,tothepityofthepeople.
　　Thereisaguardofsundryhorsemenridingabreastofthetumbrils,andfacesareoftenturneduptosomeofthem,andtheyareaskedsomequestion.Itwouldseemtobealwaysthesamequestion,for,itisalwaysfollowedbyapressofpeopletowardsthethirdcart.Thehorsemenabreastofthatcart,frequentlypointoutonemaninitwiththeirswords.Theleadingcuriosityis,toknowwhichishe;hestandsatthebackofthetumbrilwithhisheadbentdown,toconversewithameregirlwhositsonthesideofthecart,andholdshishand.Hehasnocuriosityorcareforthesceneabouthim,andalwaysspeakstothegirl.HereandthereinthelongstreetofSt.Honoré,criesareraisedagainsthim.Iftheymovehimatall,itisonlytoaquietsmile,asheshakeshishairalittlemorelooselyabouthisface.Hecannoteasilytouchhisface,hisarmsbeingbound.
　　Onthestepsofachurch,awaitingthecoming-upofthetumbrils,standstheSpyandprison-sheep.Helooksintothefirstofthem:notthere.Helooksintothesecond:notthere.Healreadyaskshimself,`Hashesacrificedme?'whenhisfaceclears,ashelooksintothethird.
　　`WhichisEvrémonde?'saysamanbehindhim.`That.Atthebackthere.'`Withhishandinthegirl's?'`Yes.'
　　Themancries,`Down,EvrémondeTotheGuillotineallaristocrats!Down,Evrémonde!'
　　`Hush,hush!'theSpyentreatshim,timidly.
　　`Andwhynot,citizen?'
　　`Heisgoingtopaytheforfeit:itwillbepaidinfiveminutesmore.Lethimbeatpeace.'
　　Butthemancontinuingtoexclaim,`Down,Evrémonde!'thefaceofEvrémondeisforamomentturnedtowardshim.EvrémondethenseestheSpy,andlooksattentivelyathim,andgoeshisway.
　　Theclocksareonthestrokeofthree,andthefurrowploughedamongthepopulaceisturninground,tocomeonintotheplaceofexecution,andend.Theridgesthrowntothissideandtothat,nowcrumbleinandclosebehindthelastploughasitpasseson,forallarefollowingtotheGuillotine.Infrontofit,seatedinchairs,asinagardenofpublicdiversion,areanumberofwomen,busilyknitting.Ononeoftheforemostchairs,standsTheVengeance,lookingaboutforherfriend.
　　`Thérèse!'shecries,inhershrilltones.`Whohasseenher?ThérèseDefarge!'
　　`Shenevermissedbefore,'saysaknitting-womanofthesisterhood.
　　`No;norwillsitemissnow,'criesTheVengeance,petulantly.`Thérèse!'
　　`Louder,'thewomanrecommends.
　　Ay!Louder,Vengeance,muchlouder,andstillsitewillscarcelyhearthee.Louderyet,Vengeance,withalittleoathorsoadded,andyetitwillhardlybringher.Sendotherwomenupanddowntoseekher,lingeringsomewhere;andyet,althoughthemessengershavedonedreaddeeds,itisquestionablewhetheroftheirownwillstheywillgofarenoughtofindher!
　　`BadFortune!'criesTheVengeance,stampingherfootinthechair,`andherearethetumbrils!AndEvrémondewillbedespatchedinawink,andshenothere!Seeherknittinginmyhand,andheremptychairreadyforher.Icrywith`vexationanddisappointment!'
　　AsTheVengeancedescendsfromherelevationtodoit,thetumbrilsbegintodischargetheirloads.TheministersofSainteGuillotinearerobedandready.Crash!——Aheadisheldup,andtheknitting-womenwhoscarcelyliftedtheireyestolookatitamomentagowhenitcouldthinkandspeak,countOne.
　　Thesecondtumbrilemptiesandmoveson;thethirdcomesup.Crash——Andtheknitting-women,neverfalteringorpausingintheirwork,countTwo.
　　ThesupposedEvrémondedescends,andtheseamstressisliftedoutnextafterhim.Hehasnotrelinquishedherpatienthandingettingout,butstillholdsitashepromised.Hegentlyplacesherwithherbacktothecrashingenginethatconstantlywhirrsupandfalls,andshelooksintohisfaceandthankshim.
　　`Butforyou,dearstranger,Ishouldnotbesocomposed,forIamnaturallyapoorlittlething,faintofheart;norshouldIhavebeenabletoraisemythoughtstoHimwhowasputtodeath,thatwemighthavehopeandcomforthereto-day.IthinkyouweresenttomebyHeaven.
　　`Oryoutome,'saysSydneyCarton.`Keepyoureyesuponme,dearchild,andmindnootherobject.'
　　`ImindnothingwhileIholdyourhand.IshallmindnothingwhenIletitgo,iftheyarerapid.'
　　`Theywillberapid.Fearnot!'
　　Thetwostandinthefast-thinningthrongofvictims,buttheyspeakasiftheywerealone.Eyetoeye,voicetovoice,handtohand,hearttoheart,thesetwochildrenoftheUniversalMother,elsesowideapartanddiffering,havecometogetheronthedarkhighway,torepairhometogether,andtorestinherbosom.
　　`Braveandgenerousfriend,willyouletmeaskyouonelastquestion?Iamveryignorant,andittroublesme——justalittle.'
　　`Tellmewhatitis.'
　　`Ihaveacousin,anonlyrelativeandanorphan,likemyself,whomIloveverydearly.SheisfiveyearsyoungerthanI,andshelivesinafarmer'shouseinthesouthcountry.Povertypartedus,andsheknowsnothingofmyfate——forIcannotwrit——andifIcould,howshouldItellher!Itisbetterasitis.'
　　`Yes,yes;betterasitis.'
　　`WhatIhavebeenthinkingaswecamealong,andwhatIamstillthinkingnow,asIlookintoyourkindstrongfacewhichgivesmesomuchsupport,isthis:——iftheRepublicreallydoesgoodtothepoor,andtheycometobelesshungry,andinallwaystosufferless,shemaylivealongtime:shemayevenlivetobeold.'
　　`Whatthen,mygentlesister?'
　　`Doyouthink:'theuncomplainingeyesinwhichthereissomuchendurance,fillwithtears,andthelipspartalittlemoreandtremble:`thatitwillseemlongtome,whileIwaitforherinthebetterlandwhereItrustbothyouandIwillbemercifullysheltered?'
　　`Itcannotbe,mychild;thereisnoTimethere,andnotroublethere.'
　　`Youcomfortmesomuch!Iamsoignorant.AmItokissyounow?Isthemomentcome?'
　　`Yes.'
　　Shekisseshislips;hekisseshers;theysolemnlyblesseachother.Thesparehanddoesnottrembleashereleasesit;nothingworsethanasweet,brightconstancyisinthepatientface.Shegoesnextbeforehim-isgone;theknitting-womencountTwenty-Two.
　　`IamtheResurrectionandtheLife,saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinmeshallneverdie.'
　　Themurmuringofmanyvoices,theupturningofmanyfaces,thepressingonofmanyfootstepsintheoutskirtsofthecrowd,sothatitswellsforwardinamass,likeonegreatheaveofwater,allflashesaway.Twenty-Three.
　　Theysaidofhim,aboutthecitythatnight,thatitwasthepeacefullestman'sfaceeverbeheldthere.Manyaddedthathelookedsublimeandprophetic.
　　Oneofthemostremarkablesufferersbythesameaxe——awoman——Hadaskedatthefootofthesamescaffold,notlongbefore,tobeallowedtowritedownthethoughtsthatwereinspiringher.Ifhehadgivenanutterancetohis,andtheywereprophetic,theywouldhavebeenthese:
　　`IseeBarsad,andCly,Defarge,TheVengeance,theJuryman,theJudge,longranksofthenewoppressorswhohaverisenonthedestructionoftheold,perishingbythisretributiveinstrument,beforeitshallceaseoutofitspresentuse.Iseeabeautifulcityandabrilliantpeople'risingfromthisabyss,and,intheirstrugglestobetrulyfree,intheirtriumphsanddefeats,throughlonglongyearstocome,Iseetheevilofthistimeandoftheprevioustimeofwhichthisisthenaturalbirth,graduallymakingexpiationforitselfandwearingout.
　　`IseethelivesforwhichIlaydownmylife,peaceful,useful,prosperousandhappy,inthatEnglandwhichIshallseenomore.IseeHerwithachilduponherbosom,whobearsmyname.Iseeherfather,agedandbent,butotherwiserestored,andfaithfultoallmeninhishealingoffice,andatpeace.Iseethegoodoldman,solongtheirfriend,intenyears'timeenrichingthemwithallhehas,andpassingtranquillytohisreward.
　　`IseethatIholdasanctuaryintheirhearts,andintheheartsoftheirdescendants,generationshence.Iseeher,anoldwoman,weepingformeontheanniversaryofthisday.Iseeherandherhusband,theircoursedone,lyingsidebysideintheirlastearthlybed,andIknowthateachwasnotmorehonouredandheldsacredintheother'ssoul,thanIwasinthesoulsofboth.
　　`Iseethatchildwholayuponherbosomandwhoboremyname,amanwinninghiswayupinthatpathoflifewhichoncewasmine.Iseehimwinningitsowell,thatmynameismadeillustrioustherebythelightofhis.IseetheblotsIthrewuponit,fadedaway.Iseehim,foremostofjustjudgesandhonouredmen,bringingaboyofmyname,withaforeheadthatIknowandgoldenhair,tothisplace——thenfairtolookupon,withnotatraceofthisday'sdisfigurement——andIhearhimtellthechildmystory,withatenderandafalteringvoice.
　　`Itisafar,farbetterthingthatIdo,thanIhaveeverdone;itisafar,farbetterrestthatIgotothanIhaveeverknown.'