Possiblyathome,butofacertaintyimpossibleforhand-maidtoanticipateintentionsofMissPross,astoadmissionordenialofthefact.
　　`AsIamathomemyself,'saidMr.Lorry,`I'llgoup-stairs.'
　　AlthoughtheDoctor'sdaughterhadknownnothingofthecountryofherbirth,sheappearedtohaveinnatelyderivedfromitthatabilitytomakemuchoflittlemeans,whichisoneofitsmostusefulandmostagreeablecharacteristics.Simpleasthefurniturewas,itwassetoffbysomanylittleadornments,ofnovaluebutfortheirtasteandfancy,thatitseffectwasdelightful.Thedispositionofeverythingintherooms,fromthelargestobjecttotheleast;thearrangementofcolours,theelegantvarietyandcontrastobtainedbythriftintrifles,bydelicatehands,cleareyes,andgoodsense;wereatoncesopleasantinthemselves,andsoexpressiveoftheiroriginator,that,asMr.Lorrystoodlookingabouthim,theverychairsandtablesseemedtoaskhim,withsomethingofthatpeculiarexpressionwhichheknewsowellbythistime,whetherheapproved?
　　Therewerethreeroomsonafloor,and,thedoorsbywhichtheycommunicatedbeingputopenthattheairmightpassfreelythroughthemall,Mr.Lorry,smilinglyobservantofthatfancifulresemblancewhichhedetectedallaroundhim,walkedfromonetoanother.Thefirstwasthebestroom,andinitwereLucie'sbirds,andflowers,andbooks,anddesk,andwork-table,andboxofwater-colours;thesecondwastheDoctor'sconsulting-room,usedalsoasthedining-room;thethird,changinglyspeckledbytherustleoftheplane-treeintheyard,wastheDoctor'sbedroom,andthere,inacorner,stoodthedisusedshoemaker'sbenchandtrayoftools,muchasithadstoodonthefifthfloorofthedismalhousebythewine-shop,inthesuburbofSaintAntoineinParis.
　　`Iwonder,'saidMr.Lorry,pausinginhislookingabout,`thathekeepsthatreminderofhissufferingsabouthim!'
　　`Andwhywonderatthat?'wastheabruptinquirythatmadehimstart.
　　ItproceededfromMissPross,thewildredwoman,strongofhand,whoseacquaintancehehadfirstmadeattheRoyalGeorgeHotelatDover,andhadsinceimproved.
　　`Ishouldhavethought——`Mr.Lorrybegan.
　　`Pooh!You'dhavethought!'saidMissPross;andMr.Lorryleftoff.
　　`Howdoyoudo?'inquiredthatladythen——sharply,andyetasiftoexpressthatsheborehimnomalice.
　　`Iamprettywell,Ithankyou,'answeredMr.Lorry,withmeekness;`howareyou?'
　　`Nothingtoboastof,'saidMissPross.
　　`Indeed?'
　　`Ah!indeed!'saidMissPross.`IamverymuchputoutaboutmyLadybird.'
　　`Indeed?'
　　`Forgracioussakesaysomethingelsebesides``indeed,''oryou'llfidgetmetodeath,'saidMissPross:whosecharacterdissociatedfromstaturewasshortness.'
　　`Really,then?'saidMr.Lorry,asanamendment.
　　`Really,isbadenough,'returnedMissPross,`butbetter.Yes,Iamverymuchputout.'
　　`MayIaskthecause?'
　　`Idon'twantdozensofpeoplewhoarenotatallworthyofLadybird,tocomeherelookingafterher,'saidMissPross.
　　`Dodozenscomeforthatpurpose?'
　　`Hundreds,'saidMissPross.
　　Itwascharacteristicofthisladyasofsomeotherpeoplebeforehertimeandsincethatwheneverheroriginalpro-positionwasquestioned,sheexaggeratedit.
　　`Dearme!'saidMr.Lorry,asthesafestremarkhecouldthinkof.
　　`Ihavelivedwiththedarling——orthedarlinghaslivedwithme,andpaidmeforit;whichshecertainlyshouldneverhavedone,youmaytakeyouraffidavit,ifIcouldhaveaffordedtokeepeithermyselforherfornothing——sinceshewastenyearsold.Andit'sreallyveryhard,'saidMissPross.
　　Notseeingwithprecisionwhatwasveryhard,Mr.Lorryshookhishead;usingthatimportantpartofhimselfasasortoffairycloakthatwouldfitanything.
　　`Allsortsofpeoplewhoarenotintheleastdegreeworthyofthepet,arealwaysturningup,'saidMissPross.`Whenyoubeganit——'
　　`Ibeganit,MissPross?'
　　`Didn'tyou?Whobroughtherfathertolife?'
　　`Oh!Ifthatwasbeginningit——'saidMr.Lorry.
　　`Itwasn'tendingit,Isuppose?Isay,whenyoubeganit,itwashardenough;notthatIhaveanyfaulttofindwithDoctorManette,exceptthatheisnotworthyofsuchadaughter,whichisnoimputationonhim,foritwasnottobeexpectedthatanybodyshouldbe,underanycircumstances.ButitreallyisdoublyandtreblyhardtohavecrowdsandmultitudesofpeopleturningupafterhimIcouldhaveforgivenhim,totakeLadybird'saffectionsawayfromme.'
　　Mr.LorryknewMissProsstobeveryjealous,buthealsoknewherbythistimetobe,beneaththesurfaceofhereccentricity,oneofthoseunselfishcreatures——foundonlyamongwomen——whowill,forpureloveandadmiration,bindthemselveswillingslaves,toyouthwhentheyhavelostit,tobeautythattheyneverhad,toaccomplishmentsthattheywereneverfortunateenoughtogain,tobrighthopesthatnevershoneupontheirownsombrelives.Heknewenoughoftheworldtoknowthatthereisnothinginitbetterthanthefaithfulserviceoftheheart;sorenderedandsofreefromanymercenarytaint,hehadsuchanexaltedrespectforit,thatintheretributivearrangementsmadebyhisownmind——weallmakesucharrangements,moreorless——hestationedMissProssmuchnearertothelowerAngelsthanmanyladiesimmeasurablybettergotupbothbyNatureandArt,whohadbalancesatTellson's.
　　`Thereneverwas,norwillbe,butonemanworthyofLady-bird,'saidMissPross;`andthatwasmybrotherSolomon,ifhehadn'tmadeamistakeinlife.'
　　Hereagain:Mr.Lorry'sinquiriesintoMissPross'spersonalhistoryhadestablishedthefactthatherbrotherSolomonwasaheartlessscoundrelwhohadstrippedherofeverythingshepossessed,asastaketospeculatewith,andhadabandonedherinherpovertyforevermore,withnotouchofcompunction.MissPross'sfidelityofbeliefinSolomondeductingameretrifleforthisslightmistakewasquiteaseriousmatterwithMr.Lorry,andhaditsweightinhisgoodopinionofher.
　　`Aswehappentobealoneforthemoment,andarebothpeopleofbusiness,'hesaid,whentheyhadgotbacktothedrawing-roomandhadsatdownthereinfriendlyrelations,`letmeaskyou——doestheDoctor,intalkingwithLucie,neverrefertotheshoemakingtime,yet?'
　　`Never.'
　　`Andyetkeepsthatbenchandthosetoolsbesidehim?'
　　`Ah!'returnedMissPross,shakingherhead.`ButIdon'tsayhedon'trefertoitwithinhimself.'
　　`Doyoubelievethathethinksofitmuch?'
　　`Ido,'saidMissPross.
　　`Doyouimagine——'Mr.Lorryhadbegun,whenMissProsstookhimupshortwith:
　　`Neverimagineanything.Havenoimaginationatall.'
　　`Istandcorrected,;doyousuppose——yougosofarastoSuppose,sometimes?
　　`Nowandthen,'saidMissPross.
　　`Doyousuppose,'Mr.Lorrywenton,withalaughingtwinkleinhisbrighteye,asitlookedkindlyather,`thatDoctorManettehasanytheoryofhisown,preservedthroughallthoseyears,relativetothecauseofhisbeingsooppressed;perhaps,eventothenameofhisoppressor?'
　　`Idon'tsupposeanythingaboutitbutwhatLadybirdtellsme.'
　　`Andthatis——?'
　　`Thatshethinkshehas.'
　　`Nowdon'tbeangryatmyaskingallthesequestions;becauseIamameredullmanofbusiness,andyouareawomanofbusiness.'
　　`Dull?'MissProssinquired,withplacidity.
　　Ratherwishinghismodestadjectiveaway,Mr.Lorryreplied,`No,no,no.Surelynot.Toreturntobusiness:-IsitnotremarkablethatDoctorManette,unquestionablyinnocentofanycrimeasweareallwellassuredheis,shouldnevertouchuponthatquestion?Iwillnotsaywithme,thoughhehadbusinessrelationswithmemanyyearsago,andwearenowintimate;Iwillsaywiththefairdaughtertowhomheissodevotedlyattached,andwhoissodevotedlyattachedtohim?Believeme,MissPross,Idon'tapproachthetopicwithyou,outofcuriosity,butoutofzealousinterest.'
　　`Well!Tothebestofmyunderstanding,andbad'sthebest,you'lltellme,'saidMissPross,softenedbythetoneoftheapology,`heisafraidofthewholesubject.
　　`Afraid?'
　　`It'splainenough,Ishouldthink,whyhemaybe.It'sadreadfulremembrance.Besidesthat,hislossofhimselfgrewoutofit.Notknowinghowhelosthimself,orhowhere-coveredhimself,hemayneverfeelcertainofnotlosinghimselfagain.Thatalonewouldn'tmakethesubjectpleasant,Ishouldthink.'
　　ItwasaprofounderremarkthanMr.Lorryhadlookedfor.`True,'saidhe,`andfearfultoreflectupon.Yet,adoubtlurksinmymind,MissPross,whetheritisgoodforDoctorManettetohavethatsuppressionalwaysshutupwithinhim.Indeed,itisthisdoubtandtheuneasinessitsometimescausesmethathasledmetoourpresentconfidence.'
　　`Can'tbehelped,'saidMissPross,shakingherhead.`Touchthatstring,andheinstantlychangesfortheworse.Betterleaveitalone.Inshort,mustleaveitalone,likeornolike.Sometimes,liegetsupinthedeadofthenight,andwillbeheard,byusoverheadthere,walkingupanddown,walkingupanddown,inhisroom.Ladybirdhaslearnttoknowthenthathismindiswalkingupanddown,walkingupanddown,inhisoldprison.Shehurriestohim,andtheygoontogether,walkingupanddown,walkingupanddown,untilheiscomposed.Butheneversaysawordofthetruereasonofhisrestlessness,toher,andshefindsitbestnottohintatittohim.Insilencetheygowalkingupanddowntogether,walkingupanddowntogether,tillherloveandcompanyhavebroughthimtohimself.'
　　NotwithstandingMissPross'sdenialofherownimagination,therewasaperceptionofthepainofbeingmonotonouslyhauntedbyonesadidea,inherrepetitionofthephrase,walkingupanddown,whichtestifiedtoherpossessingsuchathing.
　　Thecornerhasbeenmentionedasawonderfulcornerforechoes;ithadbeguntoechosoresoundinglytothetreadofcomingfeet,thatitseemedasthoughtheverymentionofthatwearypacingtoandfrohadsetitgoing.
　　`Heretheyare!'saidMissPross,risingtobreakuptheconference;`andnowweshallhavehundredsofpeopleprettysoon!'
　　Itwassuchacuriouscomerinitsacousticalproperties,suchapeculiarEarofaplace,thatasMr.Lorrystoodattheopenwindow,lookingforthefatheranddaughterwhosestepsheheard,hefanciedtheywouldneverapproach.Notonlywouldtheechoesdieaway,asthoughthestepshadgone;but,echoesofotherstepsthatnevercamewouldbeheardintheirstead,andwoulddieawayforgoodwhentheyseemedcloseathand.However,fatheranddaughterdidatlastappear,andMissProsswasreadyatthestreetdoortoreceivethem.
　　MissProsswasapleasantsight,albeitwild,andred,andgrim,takingoffherdarling'sbonnetwhenshecameup-stairs,andtouchingitupwiththeendsofherhandkerchief,andblowingthedustoffit,andfoldinghermantlereadyforlayingby,andsmoothingherrichhairwithasmuchprideasshecouldpossiblyhavetakeninherownhairifshehadbeenthevainestandhandsomestofwomen.Herdarlingwasapleasantsighttoo,embracingherandthankingher,andprotestingagainsthertakingsomuchtroubleforher——whichlastsheonlydaredtodoplayfully,orMissPross,sorelyhurt,wouldhaveretiredtoherownchamberandcried.TheDoctorwasapleasantsighttoo,lookingonatthem,andtellingMissProsshowshespoiltLucie,inaccentsandwitheyesthathadasmuchspoilinginthemasMissProsshad,andwouldhavehadmoreifitwerepossible.Mr.Lorrywasapleasantsighttoo,beamingatallthisinhislittlewig,andthankinghisbachelorstarsforhavinglightedhiminhisdecliningyearstoaHome.But,noHundredsofpeoplecametoseethesights,andMr.LorrylookedinvainforthefulfilmentofMissPross'sprediction.
　　Dinner-time,andstillnoHundredsofpeople.Inthearrangementsofthelittlehousehold,MissProsstookchargeofthelowerregions,andalwaysacquittedherselfmarvellously.Herdinners,ofaverymodestquality,weresowellcookedandsowellserved,andsoneatintheircontrivances,halfEnglishandhalfFrench,thatnothingcouldbebetter.MissPross'sfriendshipbeingofthethoroughlypracticalkind,shehadravagedSohoandtheadjacentprovinces,insearchofimpoverishedFrench,who,temptedbyshillingsandhalf-crowns,wouldimpartculinarymysteriestoher.FromthesedecayedsonsanddaughtersofGaul,shehadacquiredsuchwonderfularts,thatthewomanandgirlwhoformedthestaffofdomesticsregardedherasquiteaSorceress,orCinderella'sGodmother:whowouldsendoutforafowl,arabbit,avegetableortwofromthegarden,andchangethemintoany-thingshepleased.
　　OnSundays,MissProssdinedattheDoctor'stable,butonotherdayspersistedintakinghermealsatunknownperiods,eitherinthelowerregions,orinherownroomonthesecondfloor——abluechamber,towhichnoonebutherLadybirdevergainedadmittance.Onthisoccasion,MissPross,respondingtoLadybird'spleasantfaceandpleasanteffortstopleaseher,unbentexceedingly;sothedinnerwasverypleasant,too.
　　Itwasanoppressiveday,and,afterdinner,Lucieproposedthatthewineshouldbecarriedoutundertheplane-tree,andtheyshouldsitthereintheair.Aseverythingturneduponher,andrevolvedabouther,theywentoutundertheplane-tree,andshecarriedthewinedownforthespecialbenefitofMr.Lorry.Shehadinstalledherself,sometimebefore,asMr.Lorry'scup-bearer;andwhiletheysatundertheplane-tree,talking,shekepthisglassreplenished.Mysteriousbacksandendsofhousespeepedatthemastheytalked,andtheplane-treewhisperedtotheminitsownwayabovetheirheads.
　　Still,theHundredsofpeopledidnotpresentthemselves.Mr.Darnaypresentedhimselfwhiletheyweresittingundertheplane-tree,buthewasonlyOne.
　　DoctorManettereceivedhimkindly,andsodidLucie.But,MissProsssuddenlybecameafflictedwithatwitchingintheheadandbody,andretiredintothehouse.Shewasnotunfrequentlythevictimofthisdisorder,andshecalledit,infamiliarconversation,`afitofthejerks.'
　　TheDoctorwasinhisbestcondition,andlookedspeciallyyoung.TheresemblancebetweenhimandLuciewasverystrongatsuchtimes,andastheysatsidebyside,sheleaningonhisshoulder,andherestinghisarmonthebackofherchair,itwasveryagreeabletotracethelikeness.
　　Hehadbeentalkingallday,onmanysubjects,andwithunusualvivacity.`Pray,DoctorManette,'saidMr.Darnay,astheysatundertheplane-tree——andhesaiditinthenaturalpursuitofthetopicinhand,whichhappenedtobetheoldbuildingsofLondon-haveyouseenmuchoftheTower?'
　　`LucieandIhavebeenthere;butonlycasually.Wehaveseenenoughofit,toknowthatitteemswithinterest;littlemore.'
　　`Ihavebeenthere,asyouremember,'saidDarnay,withasmile,thoughreddeningalittleangrily,`inanothercharacter,andnotinacharacterthatgivesfacilitiesforseeing,muchofit.TheytoldmeacuriousthingwhenIwasthere.
　　`Whatwasthat?'Lucieasked.
　　`Inmakingsomealterations,theworkmencameuponanolddungeon,whichhadbeen,formanyyears,builtupandforgotten.Everystoneofitsinnerwallwascoveredbyinscriptionswhichhadbeencarvedbyprisoners——dates,names,complaints,andprayers.Uponacornerstoneinanangleofthewall,oneprisoner,whoseemedtohavegonetoexecution,hadcutashislastwork,threeletters.Theyweredonewithsomeverypoorinstrument,andhurriedly,withanunsteadyhand.Atfirst,theywerereadasD.I.C.;but,onbeingmorecarefullyexamined,thelastletterwasfoundtobeG.Therewasnorecordorlegendofanyprisonerwiththoseinitials,andmanyfruitlessguessesweremadewhatthenamecouldhavebeen.Atlength,itwassuggestedthattheletterswerenotinitials,butthecompleteword,DIG.Thefloorwasexaminedverycarefullyundertheinscription,and,intheearthbeneathastone,ortile,orsomefragmentofpaving,werefoundtheashesofapaper,mingledwiththeashesofasmallleatherncaseorbag.Whattheunknownprisonerhadwrittenwillneverberead,buthehadwrittensomething,andhiddenitawaytokeepitfromthegaoler.'
　　`Myfather,'exclaimedLucie,`youareill!'
　　Hehadsuddenlystartedup,withhishandtohishead.Hismannerandhislookquiteterrifiedthemall.
　　`No,mydear,notill.Therearelargedropsofrainfalling,andtheymademestart.Wehadbettergoin.'
　　Herecoveredhimselfalmostinstantly.Rainwasreallyfallinginlargedrops,andheshowedthebackofhishandwithrain-dropsonit.But,hesaidnotasinglewordinreferencetothediscoverythathadbeentoldof,and,astheywentintothehouse,thebusinesseyeofMr.Lorryeitherdetected,orfancieditdetected,onhisface,asitturnedtowardsCharlesDarnay,thesamesingularlookthathadbeenuponitwhenitturnedtowardshiminthepassagesoftheCourtHouse.
　　Herecoveredhimselfsoquickly,however,thatMr.Lorryhaddoubtsofhisbusinesseye.Thearmofthegoldengiantinthehallwasnotmoresteadythanhewas,whenhestoppedunderittoremarktothemthathewasnotyetproofagainstslightsurprisesifheeverwouldbe,andthattherainhadstartledhim.
　　Tea-time,andMissProssmakingtea,withanotherfitofthejerksuponher,andyetnoHundredsofpeople.Mr.Gartonhadloungedin,buthemadeonlyTwo.
　　Thenightwassoverysultry,thatalthoughtheysatwithdoorsandwindowsopen,theywereoverpoweredbyheat.Whenthetea-tablewasdonewith,theyallmovedtooneofthewindows,andlookedoutintotheheavytwilight.Luciesatbyherfather;Darnaysatbesideher;Cartonleanedagainstawindow.Thecurtainswerelongandwhite,andsomeofthethunder-guststhatwhirledintothecorner,caughtthemuptotheceiling,andwavedthemlikespectralwings.
　　`Therain-dropsarestillfalling,large,heavy,andfew,'saidDoctorManette.`Itcomesslowly.
　　`Itcomessurely,'saidCarton.
　　Theyspokelow,aspeoplewatchingandwaitingmostlydo;aspeopleinadarkroom,watchingandwaitingforLightning,alwaysdo.
　　Therewasagreathurryinthestreets,ofpeoplespeedingawaytogetshelterbeforethestormbroke;thewonderfulcornerforechoesresoundedwiththeechoesoffootstepscomingandgoing,yetnotafootstepwasthere.
　　`Amultitudeofpeople,andyetasolitude!'saidDarnay,whentheyhadlistenedforawhile.
　　`Isitnotimpressive,Mr.Darnay?'askedLucie.`Sometimes,Ihavesathereofanevening,untilIhavefancied——buteventheshadeofafoolishfancymakesmeshudderto-night,whenallissoblackandsolemn——'
　　`Letusshuddertoo.Wemayknowwhatitis.'
　　`Itwillseemnothingtoyou.Suchwhimsareonlyimpressiveasweoriginatethem,Ithink;theyarenottobecommunicated.Ihavesometimessatalonehereofanevening,listening,untilIhavemadetheechoesouttobetheechoesofallthefootstepsthatarecomingby-and-byintoourlives.'
　　`Thereisagreatcrowdcomingonedayintoourlives,ifthatbeso,'SydneyCartonstruckin,inhismoodyway.
　　Thefootstepswereincessant,andthehurryofthembecamemoreandmorerapid.Thecornerechoedandre-echoedwiththetreadoffeet;some,asitseemed,underthewindows;some,asitseemed,intheroom;somecoming,somegoing,somebreakingoff,somestoppingaltogether;allinthedistantstreets,andnotonewithinsight.
　　`Areallthesefootstepsdestinedtocometoallofus,MissManette,orarewetodividethemamongus?'
　　`Idon'tknow,Mr.Darnay;Itoldyouitwasafoolishfancy,butyouaskedforit.WhenIhaveyieldedmyselftoit,Ihavebeenalone,andthenIhaveimaginedthemthefoot-stepsthepeoplewhoaretocomeintomylife,andmyfather's.'
　　`Itakethemintomine!'saidCarton.`Iasknoquestionsandmakenostipulations.Thereisagreatcrowdbearingdownuponus,MissManette,andIseethem——bytheLightning.'Headdedthelastwords,aftertherehadbeenavividflashwhichhadshownhimlounginginthewindow.
　　`AndIhearthem.'headdedagain,afterapealofthunder.
　　`Heretheycome,fast,fierce,andfurious.'
　　Itwastherushandroarofrainthathetypified,anditstoppedhim,fornovoicecouldbeheardinit.Amemorablestormofthunderandlightningbrokewiththatsweepofwater,andtherewasnotamoment'sintervalincrash,andWe,andrain,untilafterthemoonroseatmidnight.
　　ThegreatbellofSaintPaul'swasstrikingOneintheclearedair,whenMr.Lorry,escortedbyJerry,high-booted.andbearingalantern,setforthonhisreturn-passagetoClerkenwell.ThereweresolitarypatchesofroadonthewaybetweenSohoandClerkenwell,andMr.Lorry,mindfuloffootpads,alwaysretainedJerryforthisservice:thoughitwasusuallyperformedagoodtwohoursearlier.
　　`Whatanightithasbeen!Almostanight,`Jerry,'saidMr.Lorry,`tobringthedeadoutoftheirgraves.
　　`Ineverseethenightmyself,master——noryetIdon'texpectto——whatwoulddothat,'answeredJerry.
　　`Good-night,Mr.Carton,'saidthemanofbusiness.`Good-night,Mr.Darnay.Shallweeverseesuchanightagain,together!'
　　Perhaps.Perhaps,seethegreatcrowdofpeoplewithitsrushandroar,bearingdownuponthem,too.
　　CHAPTERVII
　　MonseigneurinTown
　　MONSEIGNEUR,oneofthegreatlordsinpowerattheCourt,heldhisfortnightlyreceptioninhisgrandhotelinParis.Monseigneurwasinhisinnerroom,hissanctuaryofsanctuaries,theHoliestofHolieststothecrowdofworshippersinthesuiteofroomswithout.Monseigneurwasabouttotakehischocolate.Monseigneurcouldswallowagreatmanythingswithease,andwasbysomefewsullenmindssupposedtoberatherrapidlyswallowingFrance;but,hismorning'schocolatecouldnotsomuchasgetintothethroatofMonseigneur,withouttheaidoffourstrongmenbesidestheCook.
　　Yes.Ittookfourmen,allfoura-blazewithgorgeousdecoration,andtheChiefofthemunabletoexistwithfewerthantwogoldwatchesinhispocket,emulativeofthenobleandchastefashionsetbyMonseigneur,toconductthehappychocolatetoMonseigneur'slips.Onelacqueycarriedthechocolate-potintothesacredpresence;asecond,milledandfrothedthechocolatewiththelittleinstrumentheboreforthatfunction;athird,presentedthefavourednapkin;afourthheofthetwooldwatches,pouredthechocolateout.ItwasimpossibleMonseigneurtodispensewithoneoftheseattendantsonthechocolateandholdhishighplaceundertheadmiringHeavens.Deepwouldhavebeentheblotuponhisescutcheonifhischocolatehadbeenignoblywaitedonbyonlythreemen;hemusthavediedoftwo.
　　Monseigneurhadbeenoutatalittlesupperlastnight,wheretheComedyandtheGrandOperawerecharminglyrepresented.Monseigneurwasoutatalittlesuppermostnights,withfascinatingcompany.SopoliteandsoimpressiblewasMonseigneur,thattheComedyandtheGrandOperahadfarmoreinfluencewithhiminthetiresomearticlesofstateaffairsandstatesecrets,thantheneedsofallFrance.AhappycircumstanceforFrance,asthelikealwaysisforallcountriessimilarlyfavoured!——alwayswasforEnglandbywayofexample,intheregretteddaysofthemerryStuartwhosoldit.
　　Monseigneurhadonetrulynobleideaofgeneralpublicbusiness,whichwas,toleteverythinggooninitsownway;ofparticularpublicbusiness,Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleideathatitmustallgohisway——tendtohisownpowerandpocket.Ofhispleasures,generalandparticular,Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleidea,thattheworldwasmadeforthem.Thetextofhisorderalteredfromtheoriginalbyonlyapronoun,whichisnotmuch`ran:`Theearthandthefulnessthereofaremine,saithMonseigneur.'
　　Yet,Monseigneurhadslowlyfoundthatvulgarembarrassmentscreptintohisaffairs,bothprivateandpublic;andhehad,astobothclassesofaffairs,alliedhimselfperforcewithaFarmer-General.Astofinancespublic,becauseMonseigneurcouldnotmakeanythingatallofthem,andmustconsequentlyletthemouttosomebodywhocould;astofinancesprivate,becauseFarmer-Generalswererich,andMonseigneur,aftergenerationsofgreatluxuryandexpense,wasgrowingpoor.HenceMonseigneurhadtakenhissisterfromaconvent,whiletherewasyettimetowardofftheimpendingveil,thecheapestgarmentshecouldwear,andhadbestowedherasaprizeuponaveryrichFarmer-General,poorinfamily.WhichFarmer-General,carryinganappropriatecanewithagoldenappleonthetopofit,wasnowamongthecompanyintheouterrooms,muchprostratedbeforebymankind——alwaysexceptingsuperiormankindofthebloodofMonseigneur,who,hisownwifeincluded,lookeddownuponhimwiththeloftiestcontempt.
　　AsumptuousmanwastheFarmer-General.Thirtyhorsesstoodinhisstables,twenty-fourmaledomesticssatinhishalls,sixbody-womenwaitedonhiswife.Asonewhopre-tendedtodonothingbutplunderandforagewherehecould,theFarmer-General——howsoeverhismatrimonialrelationsconducedtosocialmorality——wasatleastthegreatestrealityamongthepersonageswhoattendedatthehotelofMonseigneurthatday.
　　For,therooms,thoughabeautifulscenetolookat,andadornedwitheverydeviceofdecorationthatthetasteandskillofthetimecouldachieve,were,intruth,notasoundbusiness;consideredwithanyreferencetothescarecrowsintheragsandnightcapselsewhereandnotsofaroff,either,butthatthewatchingtowersofNotreDame,almostequidistantfromthetwoextremes,couldseethemboth,theywouldhavebeenanexceedinglyuncomfortablebusiness——ifthatcouldhavebeenanybody'sbusiness,atthehouseofMonseigneur.Militaryofficersdestituteofmilitaryknowledge;navalofficerswithnoideaofaship;civilofficerswithoutanotionofaffairs;brazenecclesiastics,oftheworstworldworldly,withsensualeyes,loosetongues,andlooserlives;alltotallyunfitfortheirseveralcallings,alllyinghorriblyinpretendingtobelongtothem,butallnearlyorremotelyoftheorderofMonseigneur,andthereforefoistedonallpublicemploymentsfromwhichanythingwastobegot;theseweretobetoldoffbythescoreandthescore.PeoplenotimmediatelyconnectedwithMonseigneurortheState,yetequallyunconnectedwithanythingthatwasreal,orwithlivespassedintravellingbyanystraightroadtoanytrueearthlyend,werenolessabundant.Doctorswhomadegreatfortunesoutofdaintyremediesforimaginarydisordersthatneverexisted,smiledupontheircourtlypatientsintheante-chambersofMonseigneur.ProjectorswhohaddiscoveredeverykindofremedyforthelittleevilswithwhichtheStatewastouched,excepttheremedyofsettingtoworkinearnesttorootoutasinglesin,pouredtheirdistractingbabbleintoanyearstheycouldlayholdof,atthereceptionofMonseigneur.UnbelievingPhilosopherswhowereremodellingtheworldwithwords,andmakingcard-towersofBabeltoscaletheskieswith,talkedwithunbelievingChemistswhohadaneyeonthetransmutationofmetals,atthiswonderfulgatheringaccumulatedbyMonseigneur.Exquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreeding,whichwasatthatremarkabletime-andhasbeensince——tobeknownbyitsfruitsofindifferencetoeverynaturalsubjectofhumaninterest,wereinthemostexemplarystateofexhaustion,atthehotelofMonseigneur.SuchhomeshadthesevariousnotabilitiesleftbehindtheminthefineworldofParis,thatthespiesamongtheassembleddevoteesofMonseigneur——formingagoodlyhalfofthepolitecompany——wouldhavefoundithardtodiscoveramongtheangelsofthatsphereonesolitarywife,who,inhermannersandappearance,ownedtobeingaMother.Indeed,exceptforthemereactofbringingatroublesomecreatureintothisworld——whichdoesnotgofartowardstherealisationofthenameofmother——therewasnosuchthingknowntothefashion.Peasantwomenkepttheunfashionablebabiesclose,andbroughtthemup,andcharminggrandmammasofsixtydressedandsuppedasattwenty.
　　TheleprosyofunrealitydisfiguredeveryhumancreatureinattendanceuponMonseigneur.Intheoutermostroomwerehalfadozenexceptionalpeoplewhohadhad,forafewyears,somevaguemisgivinginthemthatthingsingeneralweregoingratherwrong.Asapromisingwayofsettingthemright,halfofthehalf-dozenhadbecomemembersofafantasticsectofConvulsionists,andwereeventhenconsideringwithinthemselveswhethertheyshouldfoam,rage,roar,andturncatalepticonthespot——therebysettingupahighlyintelligiblefinger-posttotheFuture,forMonseigneur'sguidance.BesidestheseDervishes,wereotherthreewhohadrushedintoanothersect,whichmendedmatterswithajargonabout`theCentreofTruth'holdingthatManhadgotoutoftheCentreofTruth——whichdidnotneedmuchdemonstrationbuthadnotgotoutoftheCircumference,andthathewastobekeptfromflyingoutoftheCircumference,andwaseventobeshovedbackintotheCentre,byfastingandseeingofspirits.Amongthese,accordingly,muchdiscoursingwithspiritswenton——anditdidaworldofgoodwhichneverbecamemanifest.
　　But,thecomfortwas,thatallthecompanyatthegrandhotelofMonseigneurwereperfectlydressed.IftheDayofJudgmenthadonlybeenascertainedtobeadressday,everybodytherewouldhavebeeneternallycorrect.Suchfrizzlingandpowderingandstickingupofhair,suchdelicatecomplexionsartificiallypreservedandmended,suchgallantswordstolookat,andsuchdelicatehonourtothesenseofsmell,wouldsurelykeepanythinggoing,foreverandever.Theexquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreedingworelittlependenttrinketsthatchinkedastheylanguidlymoved;thesegoldenfettersranglikepreciouslittlebells;andwhatwiththatringing,andwiththerustleofsilkandbrocadeandfinelinen,therewasaflutterintheairthatfannedSaintAntoineandhisdevouringhungerfaraway.
　　Dresswastheoneunfailingtalismanandcharmusedforkeepingallthingsintheirplaces.EverybodywasdressedforaFancyBallthatwasnevertoleaveoff.FromthePalaceoftheTuileries,throughMonseigneurandthewholeCourt,throughtheChambers,theTribunalsofJustice,andallsocietyexceptthescarecrows,theFancyBalldescendedtothecommonExecutioner:who,inpursuanceofthecharm,wasrequiredtoofficiate`frizzled,powdered,inagold-lacedcoat,pumps,andwhitesilkstockings.'Atthegallowsandthewheel——theaxewasararity——MonsieurParis,asitwastheepiscopalmodeamonghisbrotherProfessorsoftheprovinces,MonsieurOrleans,andtherest,tocallhim,presidedinthisdaintydress.AndwhoamongthecompanyatMonseigneur'sreceptioninthatseventeenhundredandeightiethyearofourLord,couldpossiblydoubt,thatasystemrootedinafrizzledhangman,powdered,gold-laced,pumped,andwhite-silkstockinged,wouldseetheverystarsout!
　　Monseigneurhavingeasedhisfourmenoftheirburdensandtakenhischocolate,causedthedoorsoftheHoliestofHolieststobethrownopen,andissuedforth.Then,whatsubmission,whatcringingandfawning,whatservility,whatabjecthumiliation!Astobowingdowninbodyandspirit,nothinginthatwaywasleftforHeaven——whichmayhavebeenoneamongotherreasonswhytheworshippersofMonseigneurnevertroubledit.
　　Bestowingawordofpromisehereandasmilethere,awhisperononehappyslaveandawaveofthehandonanother,MonseigneuraffablypassedthroughhisroomstotheremoteregionoftheCircumferenceofTruth.There,Monseigneurturned,andcamebackagain,andsoinduecourseoftimegothimselfshutupinhissanctuarybythechocolatesprites,andwasseennomore.
　　Theshowbeingover,theflutterintheairbecamequitealittlestorm,andthepreciouslittlebellswentringingdown-stairs.Therewassoonbutonepersonleftofallthecrowd,andhe,withhishatunderhisarmandhissnuff-boxinhishand,slowlypassedamongthemirrorsonhiswayout.
　　`Idevoteyou,'saidthisperson,stoppingatthelastdooronhisway,andturninginthedirectionofthesanctuary,`totheDevil!'
　　Withthat,heshookthesnufffromhisfingersasifhehadshakenthedustfromhisfeet,andquietlywalkeddownstairs.
　　Hewasamanofaboutsixty,handsomelydressed,haughtyinmanner,andwithafacelikeafinemask.Afaceofatransparentpaleness;everyfeatureinitclearlydefined;onesetexpressiononit.Thenose:beautifullyformedotherwise,wasveryslightlypinchedatthetopofeachnostril.Inthosetwocompressions,ordints,theonlylittlechangethatthefaceevershowed,resided.Theypersistedinchangingcolourcome-times,andtheywouldbeoccasionallydilatedandcontractedbysomethinglikeafaintpulsation;then,theygavealookoftreachery,andcruelty,tothewholecountenance.Examinedwithattention,itscapacityofhelpingsuchalookwastobefoundinthelineofthemouth,andthelinesoftheorbitsoftheeyes,beingmuchtoohorizontalandthin;still,intheeffectthefacemade,itwasahandsomeface,andaremarkableone.
　　Itsownerwentdownstairsintothecourt-yard,gotintohiscarriage,anddroveaway.Notmanypeoplehadtalkedwithhimatthereception;hehadstoodinalittlespaceapart,andMonseigneurmighthavebeenwarmerinhismanner.Itappeared,underthecircumstances,ratheragreeabletohimtoseethecommonpeopledispersedbeforehishorses,andoftenbarelyescapingfrombeingrundown.Hismandroveasifhewerecharginganenemy,andthefuriousrecklessnessofthemanbroughtnocheckintotheface,ortothelips,ofthemaster.Thecomplainthadsometimesmadeitselfaudible,eveninthatdeafcityanddumbage,that,inthenarrowstreetswithoutfootways,thefiercepatriciancustomofharddrivingendangeredandmaimedthemerevulgarinabarbarousmanner.But,fewcaredenoughforthattothinkofitasecondtime,and,inthismatter,asinallothers,thecommonwretcheswerelefttogetoutoftheirdifficultiesastheycould.
　　Withawildrattleandclatter,andaninhumanabandonmentofconsiderationnoteasytobeunderstoodinthesedays,thecarriagedashedthroughstreetsandsweptroundcorners,withwomenscreamingbeforeit,andmenclutchingeachotherandclutchingchildrenoutofitsway.Atlast,swoopingatastreetcornerbyafountain,oneofitswheelscametoasickeninglittlejolt,andtherewasaloudcryfromanumberofvoices,andthehorsesrearedandplunged.
　　Butforthelatterinconvenience,thecarriageprobablywouldnothavestopped;carriageswereoftenknowntodriveon,andleavetheirwoundedbehind,andwhynot?Butthefrightenedvalethadgotdowninahurry,andthereweretwentyhandsatthehorses'bridles.
　　`Whathasgonewrong?'saidMonsieur,calmlylookingout.
　　Atallmaninanightcaphadcaughtupabundlefromamongthefeetofthehorses,andhadlaiditonthebasementofthefountain,andwasdowninthemudandwet,howlingoveritlikeawildanimal.
　　`Pardon,MonsieurtheMarquis!'saidaraggedandsubmissiveman,`itisachild.'
　　`Whydoeshemakethatabominablenoise?Isithischild?'
　　`Excuseme,MonsieurtheMarquis——itisapity——yes.'
　　Thefountainwasalittleremoved;forthestreetopened,whereitwas,intoaspacesometenortwelveyardssquare.Asthetallmansuddenlygotupfromtheground,andcamerunningatthecarriage,MonsieurtheMarquisclappedhishandforaninstantonhissword-hilt.'
　　`Killed!'shriekedtheman,inwilddesperation,extendingbotharmsattheirlengthabovehishead,andstaringathim.`Dead!'
　　Thepeopleclosedround,andlookedatMonsieurtheMarquis.Therewasnothingrevealedbythemanyeyesthatlookedathimbutwatchfulnessandeagerness;therewasnovisiblemenacingoranger.Neitherdidthepeoplesayanything;afterthefirstcry,theyhadbeensilent,andtheyremainedso.Thevoiceofthesubmissivemanwhohadspoken,wasflatandtameinitsextremesubmission.MonsieurtheMarquisranhiseyesoverthemall,asiftheyhadbeenmereratscomeoutoftheirholes.
　　Hetookouthispurse.
　　`Itisextraordinarytome,'saidhe,`thatyoupeoplecannottakecareofyourselvesandyourchildren.Oneortheotherofyouisforeverintheway.HowdoIknowwhatinjuryyouhavedonemyhorses?See!Givehimthat.'
　　Hethrewoutagoldcoinforthevalettopickup,andalltheheadscranedforwardthatalltheeyesmightlookdownatitasitfell.Thetallmancalledoutagainwithamostunearthlycry,`Dead!'
　　Hewasarrestedbythequickarrivalofanotherman,forwhomtherestmadeway.Onseeinghim,themiserablecreaturefelluponhisshoulder,sobbingandcrying,andpointingtothefountain,wheresomewomenwerestoopingoverthemotionlessbundle,andmovinggentlyaboutit.Theywereassilent,however,asthemen.
　　`Iknowall,Iknowall,'saidthelastcomer.`Beabraveman,myGaspard!Itisbetterforthepoorlittleplaythingtodieso,thantolive.Ithasdiedinamomentwithoutpain.Couldithavelivedanhourashappily?'
　　`Youareaphilosopher,youthere,'saidtheMarquis,smiling.`Howdotheycallyou?'
　　`TheycallmeDefarge.'
　　`Ofwhattrade?'
　　`MonsieurtheMarquis,vendorofwine.'
　　`Pickupthat,philosopherandvendorofwine,'saidtheMarquis,throwinghimanothergoldcoin,`andspenditasyouwill.Thehorsesthere;aretheyright?
　　Withoutdeigningtolookattheassemblageasecondtime,MonsieurtheMarquisleanedbackinhisseat,andwasjustbeingdrivenawaywiththeairofagentlemanwhohadaccidentallybrokensomecommonthing,andhadpaidforit,andcouldaffordtopayforit;whenhiseasewassuddenlydisturbedbyacoinflyingintohiscarriage,andringingonitsfloor.
　　`Hold!'saidMonsieurtheMarquis.`Holdthehorses!Whothrewthat?'
　　HelookedtothespotwhereDefargethevendorofwinehadstood,amomentbefore;butthewretchedfatherwasgrovellingonhisfaceonthepavementinthatspot,andthefigurethatstoodbesidehimwasthefigureofadarkstoutwoman,knitting.
　　`Youdogs!'saidtheMarquis,butsmoothly,andwithanunchangedfront,exceptastothespotsonhisnose:`Iwouldrideoveranyofyouverywillingly,andexterminateyoufromtheearth.IfIknewwhichrascalthrewatthecarriage,andifthatbrigandweresufficientlynearit,heshouldbecrushedunderthewheels.'
　　Socowedwastheircondition,andsolongandhardtheirexperienceofwhatsuchamancoulddotothem,withinthelawandbeyondit,thatnotavoice,orahand,orevenaneyewasraised.Amongthemen,notone.Butthewomanwhostoodknittinglookedupsteadily,andlookedtheMarquisintheface.Itwasnotforhisdignitytonoticeit;hiscontemptuouseyespassedoverher,andoveralltheotherrats;andheleanedbackinhisseatagain,andgavetheword`Goon!'
　　Hewasdrivenon,andothercarriagescamewhirlingbyinquicksuccession;theMinister,theState-Projector,theFarmer-General,theDoctor,theLawyer,theEcclesiastic,theGrandOpera,theComedy,thewholeFancyBallinabrightcontinuousflow,camewhirlingby.Theratshadcreptoutoftheirholestolookon,andtheyremainedlookingonforhours;soldiersandpoliceoftenpassingbetweenthemandthespectacle,andmakingabarrierbehindwhichtheyslunk,andthroughwhichtheypeeped.Thefatherhadlongagotakenuphisbundleandhiddenhimselfawaywithit,whenthewomenwhohadtendedthebundlewhileitlayonthebaseofthefountain,sattherewatchingtherunningofthewaterandtherollingoftheFancyBall——whentheonewomanwhohadstoodconspicuous,knitting,stillknittedonwiththesteadfastnessofFate.Thewaterofthefountainran,theswiftriverran,thedayranintoevening,somuchlifeinthecityranintodeathaccordingtorule,timeandtidewaitedfornoman,theratsweresleepingclosetogetherintheirdarkholesagain,theFancyBallwaslightedupatsupper,allthingsrantheircourse.
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　MonseigneurintheCountry
　　ABEAUTIFULlandscape,withthecornbrightinit,butnotabundant.Patchesofpoorryewherecornshouldhavebeen,patchesofpoorpeasandbeans,patchesofmostcoarsevegetablesubstitutesforwheat.Oninanimatenature,asonthemenandwomenwhocultivatedit,aprevalenttendencytowardsanappearanceofvegetatingunwillingly——dejecteddispositiontogiveup,andwitheraway.
　　MonsieurtheMarquisinhistravellingcarriagewhichmighthavebeenlighter,conductedbyfourpost-horsesandtwopostilions,faggedupasteephill.AblushonthecountenanceofMonsieurtheMarquiswasnoimpeachmentofhishighbreeding;itwasnotfromwithin;itwasoccasionedbyanexternalcircumstancebeyondhiscontrol——thesettingsungiveup,andwitherawaygiveup,andwitheraway.
　　Thesunsetstrucksobrilliantlyintothetravellingcarriagewhenitgainedthehill-top,thatitsoccupantwassteepedincrimson.`Itwilldieout,'saidMonsieurtheMarquis,glancingathishands,`directly.'
　　Ineffect,thesunwassolowthatitdippedatthemoment.Whentheheavydraghadbeenadjustedtothewheel,andthecarriagesliddownhill,withacinderoussmell,inacloudofdust,theredglowdepartedquickly;thesunandtheMarquisgoingdowntogether,therewasnoglowleftwhenthedragwastakenoff.
　　But,thereremainedabrokencountry,boldandopen,alittlevillageatthebottomofthehill,abroadsweepandrisebeyondit,achurch-tower,awindmill,aforestforthechase,andacragwithafortressonitusedasaprison.Rounduponallthesedarkeningobjectsasthenightdrewon,theMarquislooked,withtheairofonewhowascomingnearhome.
　　Thevillagehaditsonepoorstreet,withitspoorbrewery,poortannery,poortavern,poorstable-yardforrelayofposthorses,poorfountain,allusualpoorappointments.Ithaditspoorpeopletoo.Allitspeoplewerepoor,andmanyofthemweresittingattheirdoors,shreddingspareonionsandthelikeforsupper,whilemanywereatthefountain,washingleaves,andgrasses,andanysuchsmallyieldingsoftheearththatcouldbeeaten.Expressivesignsofwhatmadethempoor,werenotwanting;thetaxforthestate,thetaxforthechurch,thetaxforthelord,taxlocalandtaxgeneral,weretobepaidhereandtobepaidthere,accordingtosolemninscriptioninthelittlevillage,untilthewonderwas,thattherewasanyvillageleftunswallowed.
　　Fewchildrenweretobeseen,andnodogs.Astothemenandwomen,theirchoiceonearthwasstatedintheprospect——Lifeonthelowesttermsthatcouldsustainit,downinthelittlevillageunderdiemill;orcaptivityandDeathinthedominantprisononthecrag.
　　Heraldedbyacourierinadvance,andbythecrackingofhispostilions'whips,whichtwinedsnake-likeabouttheirheadsintheeveningair,asifhecameattendedbytheFuries,MonsieurtheMarquisdrewupinhistravellingcarriageattheposting-housegate.Itwashardbythefountain,andthepeasantssuspendedtheiroperationstolookathim.Helookedatthem,andsawinthem,withoutknowingit,theslowsurefilingdownofmisery-wornfaceandfigure,thatwastomakethemeagernessofFrenchmenanEnglishsuperstitionwhichshouldsurvivethetruththroughthebestpartofahundredyears.
　　MonsieurtheMarquiscasthiseyesoverthesubmissivefacesthatdroopedbeforehim,asthelikeofhimselfhaddroopedbeforeMonseigneuroftheCourt——onlythedifferencewas,thatthesefacesdroopedmerelytosufferandnottopropitiate——whenagrizzledmenderoftheroadsjoinedthegroup.
　　`Bringmehitherthatfellow!'saidtheMarquistothecourier.
　　Thefellowwasbrought,capinhand,andtheotherfellowsclosedroundtolookandlisten,inthemannerofthepeopleattheParisfountain.