`Come!'rejoinedStryver,laughingboastfully,`thoughIdon'tpreferanyclaimtobeingthesoulofRomanceforIhopeI,knowbetter,stillIamatenderersortoffellowthanyou.
　　`Youarealuckier,ifyoumeanthat.'
　　`Idon'tmeanthat.ImeanIamamanofmore——more——'
　　`Saygallantry,whileyouareaboutit,'suggestedCarton.
　　`Well!I'llsaygallantry.MymeaningisthatIamaman,'saidStryver,inflatinghimselfathisfriendashemadethepunch,`whocaresmoretobeagreeable,Whotakesmorepainstobeagreeable,whoknowsbetterhowtobeagreeable,inawoman'ssociety,thanyoudo.'
　　`Goon,'saidSydneyCarton.
　　`No;butbeforeIgoon,'saidStryver,shakinghisheadinhisbullyingway,`I'llhavethisoutwithyou.You'vebeenatDr.Manette'shouseasmuchasIhave,ormorethanIhave.Why,Ihavebeenashamedofyourmorosenessthere!Yourmannershavebeenofthatsilentandsullenandhang-dogkind,that,uponmylifeandsoul,Ihavebeenashamedofyou,Sydney!'
　　`Itshouldbeverybeneficialtoamaninyourpracticeatthebar,tobeashamedofanything,'returnedSydney;`yououghttobemuchobligedtome.
　　`YoushallnotgetoffinthatWay,'rejoinedStryver,shoulderingtherejoinderathim;`no,Sydney,it'smydutytotellyou——andItellyoutoyourfacetodoyougood——thatyouareadevilishill-conditionedfellowinthatsortofsociety.Youareadisagreeablefellow.'
　　Sydneydrankabumperofthepunchhehadmade,andlaughed.
　　`Lookatme!'saidStryver,squaringhimself:`Ihavelessneedtomakemyselfagreeablethanyouhave,beingmoreindependentincircumstances.WhydoIdoit?'
　　`Ineversawyoudoityet,'mutteredCarton.
　　`Idoitbecauseit'spolitic;Idoitonprinciple.Andlookatme!Igeton.'
　　`Youdon'tgetonwithyouraccountofyourmatrimonialintentions,'answeredCarton,withacarelessair;`Iwishyouwouldkeeptothat.Astome——willyouneverunderstandthatIamincorrigible?'
　　Heaskedthequestionwithsomeappearanceofscorn.
　　`Youhavenobusinesstobeincorrigible,'washisfriend'sanswer,deliveredinnoverysoothingtone.
　　`Ihavenobusinesstobe,atall,thatIknowof,'saidSydneyCarton.`Whoisthelady?'
　　`Now,don'tletmyannouncementofthenamemakeyouuncomfortable,Sydney,'saidMr.Stryver,preparinghimwithostentatiousfriendlinessforthedisclosurehewasabouttomake,`becauseIknowyoudon'tmeanhalfyousay;andifyoumeantitall,itwouldbeofnoimportance.Imakethislittlepreface,because,youoncementionedtheyoungladytomeinslightingterms.
　　`Idid?'
　　`Certainly;andinthesechambers.'
　　SydneyCartonlookedathispunchandlookedathiscomplacentfriend;drankhispunchandlookedathiscomplacentfriend.
　　`Youmadementionoftheyoungladyasagolden-haireddoll.TheyoungladyisMissManette.Ifyouhadbeenafellowofanysensitivenessordelicacyoffeelinginthatkindofway,Sydney,Imighthavebeenalittleresentfulofyouremployingsuchadesignation;butyouarenot.Youwantthatsensealtogether;thereforeIamnomoreannoyedwhenIthinkoftheexpression,thanIshouldbeannoyedbyaman'sopinionofapictureofmine,whohadnoeyeforpictures:orofapieceofmusicofmine,whohadnoearformusic.'
　　SydneyCartondrankthepunchatagreatrate;drankitbybumpers,lookingathisfriend.
　　`Nowyouknowallaboutit,Syd,'saidMr.Stryver.`Idon'tcareaboutfortune:sheisacharmingcreature,andIhavemadeupmymindtopleasemyself:onthewhole,IthinkIcanaffordtopleasemyself.Shewillhaveinmeamanalreadyprettywelloffandarapidlyrisingman,andamanofsomedistinction:itisapieceofgoodfortuneforher,butsheisworthyofgoodfortune.Areyouastonished?'
　　Carton,stilldrinkingthepunch,rejoined,`WhyshouldIbeastonished?'
　　`Youapprove?'
　　Carton,stilldrinkingthepunch,rejoined,`WhyshouldInotapprove?'`Well!'saidhisfriendStryver,`youtakeitmoreeasilythanIfanciedyouwould,andarelessmercenaryonmybehalfthanIthoughtyouwouldbe;though,tobesure,youknowwellenoughbythistimethatyourancientchumisamanofaprettystrongwill.Yes,Sydney,Ihavehadenoughofthisstyleoflife,withnootherasachangeiron'it;Ifeelthatitisapleasantthingforamantohaveahomewhenhefeelsinclinedtogotoitwhenhedoesn't,hecanstayaway,andIfeelthatMissManettewilltellwellinanystation,andwillalwaysdomecredit.SoIhavemadeupmymind.Andnow,Sydney,oldboy,Iwanttosayawordtoyouaboutyourprospects.Youareinabadway,youknow;youreallyareinabadway.Youdon'tknowthevalueofmoney,youlivehard,you'llknockuponeofthesedays,andbeillandpoor;youreallyoughttothinkaboutanurse.
　　Theprosperouspatronagewithwhichhesaidit,madehimlooktwiceasbigashewas,andfourtimesasoffensive.
　　`Now,letmerecommendyou,'pursuedStryver,`tolookitintheface.Ihavelookeditintheface,inmydifferentway;lookitintheface,you,inyourdifferentway.Marry.Providesomebodytotakecareofyou.Nevermindyourhavingnoenjoymentofwomen'ssociety,norunderstandingofit,nortactforit.Findoutsomebody.Findoutsomerespectablewomanwithalittleproperty——somebodyinthelandladyway,orlodging-lettingway——andmarryher,againstarainyday.That'sthekindofthingforyou.Nowthinkofit,Sydney.'
　　`I'llthinkofit,'saidSydney.
　　CHAPTERXII
　　TheFellowofDelicacy
　　MR.STRYVERhavingmadeuphismindtothatmagnanimousbestowalofgoodfortuneontheDoctor'sdaughter,resolvedtomakeherhappinessknowntoherbeforehelefttownfortheLongVacation.Aftersomementaldebatingofthepoint,hecametotheconclusionthatitwouldbeaswelltogetallthepreliminariesdonewith,andtheycouldthenarrangeattheirleisurewhetherheshouldgiveherhishandaweekortwobeforeMichaelmasTerm,orinthelittleChristmasvacationbetweenitandHilary.
　　Astothestrengthofhiscase,hehadnotadoubtaboutit,butclearlysawhiswayto'theverdict.Arguedwiththejuryonsubstantialworldlygrounds——theonlygroundseverworthtakingintoaccount——itwasaplaincase,andhadnotaweakspotinit.Hecalledhimselffortheplaintiff,therewasnogettingoverhisevidence,thecounselforthedefendantthrewuphisbrief,andthejurydidnoteventurntoconsider.Aftertryingit,Stryver,C.J.,wassatisfiedthatnoplainercasecouldbe.
　　Accordingly,Mr.StryverinauguratedtheLongVacationwithaformalproposaltotakeMissManettetoVauxhallGardens;thatfailing,toRanelagh;thatunaccountablyfailingtoo,itbehovedhimtopresenthimselfinSoho,andtheredeclarehisnoblemind.
　　TowardsSoho,therefore,Mr.SteershoulderedhiswayfromtheTemple,whilethebloomoftheLongVacation'sinfancywasstilluponit.AnybodywhohadseenhimprojectinghimselfintoSohowhilehewasyetonSaintDunstan'ssideofTempleBar,burstinginhisfull-blownwayalongthepavement,tothejostlementofallweakerpeople,mighthaveseenhowsafeandstronghewas.
　　HiswaytakinghimpastTellson's,andhebothbankingatTellson'sandknowingMr.LorryastheintimatefriendoftheManettes,itenteredMr.Stryver'smindtoenterthebank,andrevealtoMr.LorrythebrightnessoftheSohohorizon.So,hepushedopenthedoorwiththeweakrattleinitsthroat,stumbleddownthetwosteps,gotpastthetwoancientcashiers,andshoulderedhimselfintothemustybackclosetwhereMr.Lorrysatatgreatbooksruledforfigures,withperpendicularironbarstohiswindowasifthatwereruledforfigurestoo,andeverythingunderthecloudswereasum.
　　`Halloa!'saidMr.Stryver.`Howdoyoudo?Ihopeyouarewell!'
　　ItwasStryver'sgrandpeculiaritythathealwaysseemedtoobigforanyplace,orspace.HewassomuchtoobigforTellson's,thatoldclerksindistantcornerslookedupwithlooksofremonstrance,asthoughhesqueezedthemagainstthewall.TheHouseitself,magnificentlyreadingthepaperquiteinthefar-offperspective,lowereddispleased,asiftheStryverheadhadbeenbuttedintoitsresponsiblewaistcoat.
　　ThediscreetMr.Lorrysaid,inasampletoneofthevoicehewouldrecommendunderthecircumstances,`Howdoyoudo,Mr.Stryver?Howdoyoudo,sir?'andshookhands.Therewasapeculiarityinhismannerofshakinghands,alwaystobeseeninanyclerkatTellson'swhoshookhandswithacustomerwhentheHousepervadedtheair.Heshookinaself-abnegatingway,asonewhoshookforTellsonandCo.
　　`CanIdoanythingforyou,Mr.Stryver?'askedMr.Lorry,inhisbusinesscharacter.
　　`Why,no,thankyou;thisisaprivatevisittoyourself,Mr.Lorry;Ihavecomeforaprivateword.'
　　`Ohindeed!'saidMr.Lorry,bendingdownhisear,whilehiseyestrayedtotheHouseafaroff.
　　`Iamgoing,'saidMr.Stryver,leaninghisarmsconfidentiallyonthedesk:whereupon,althoughitwasalargedoubleone,thereappearedtobenothalfdeskenoughforhim:`Iamgoingtomakeanofferofmyselfinmarriagetoyouragreeablelittlefriend,MissManette,Mr.Lorry.'
　　Ohdearme!'criedMr.Lorry,rubbinghischin,andlookingathisvisitordubiously.
　　`Ohdearme,sir?'repeatedStryver,drawingback.
　　`Ohdearyou,sir?Whatmayyourmeaningbe,Mr.Lorry?'
　　`Mymeaning,'answeredthemanofbusiness,`is,ofcourse,friendlyandappreciative,andthatitdoesyouthegreatestcredit,and——inshort,mymeaningiseverythingyoucoulddesire.But——really,youknow,Mr.Stryver——'Mr.Lorrypaused,andshookhisheadathimintheoddestmanner,asifhewerecompelledagainsthiswilltoadd,internally,`youknowtherereallyissomuchtoomuchofyou!'
　　`Well!'saidStryver,slappingthedeskwithhiscontentioushand,openinghiseyeswider,andtakingalongbreath,`ifIunderstandyou,Mr.Lorry,I'llbehanged!'
　　Mr.Lorryadjustedhislittlewigatbothearsasameanstowardsthatend,andbitthefeatherofapen.
　　`D——nitall,sir!'saidStryver,staringathim,`amInoteligible?'
　　`Ohdearyes!Yes.Ohyes,you'reeligible!'saidMr.Lorry.`Ifyousayeligible,youareeligible.'
　　`AmInotprosperous?'askedStryver.
　　`Oh!ifyoucometoprosperous,youareprosperous,'saidMr.Lorry.
　　`Andadvancing?'
　　`Ifyoucometoadvancing,youknow,'saidMr.Lorry,delightedtobeabletomakeanotheradmission,`nobodycandoubtthat.'
　　`Thenwhatonearthisyourmeaning,Mr.Lorry?'demandedStryver,perceptiblycrestfallen.
　　`Well!IWereyougoingtherenow?'askedMr.Lorry.`Straight!'saidStryver,withaplumpofhisfistonthedesk.`ThenIthinkIwouldn't,ifIwasyou.'
　　`Why?'saidStryver.`Now,I'llputyouinacorner,'forensicallyshakingaforefingerathim.`Youareamanofbusinessandboundtohaveareason.Stateyourreason.
　　Whywouldn'tyougo?'
　　`Because,'saidMr.Lorry,`Iwouldn'tgoonsuchanobjectwithouthavingsomecausetobelievethatIshouldsucceed.'
　　`D——nME!'criedStryver,`butthisbeatseverything.'
　　Mr.LorryglancedatthedistantHouse,andglancedattheangryStryver.
　　`Here'samanofbusiness——amanofyears——amanofexperience——inaBank,'saidStryver;`andhavingsummedupthreeleadingreasonsforcompletesuccess,hesaysthere'snoreasonatall!Saysitwithhisheadon!'Mr.Stryverremarkedupontilepeculiarityasifitwouldhavebeeninfinitelylessremarkableifhehadsaiditwithhisheadoff.
　　`WhenIspeakofsuccess,Ispeakofsuccesswiththeyounglady;andwhenIspeakofcausesandreasonstomakesuccessprobable,Ispeakofcausesandreasonsthatwilltellassuchwiththeyounglady.Theyounglady,mygoodsir,'saidMr.Lorry,mildlytappingtheStryverarm,`theyounglady.Theyoungladygoesbeforeall.'
　　`Thenyoumeantotellme,Mr.Lorry,'saidStryver,squaringhiselbows,`thatitisyourdeliberateopinionthattheyoungladyatpresentinquestionisamincingFool?'
　　`Notexactlyso.Imeantotellyou,Mr.Stryver,'saidMr.Lorry,reddening,`thatIwillhearnodisrespectfulwordOfthatyoungladyfromanylips;andthatifIknewanyman——whichIhopeIdonot——whosetastewassocoarse,andwhosetemperwassooverbearing,thathecouldnotrestrainhimselffromspeakingdisrespectfullyofthatyoungladyatthisdesk,notevenTellson'sshouldpreventmygivinghimapieceofmymind.'
　　ThenecessityofbeingangryinasuppressedtonehadputMr.Stryver'sblood-vesselsintoadangerousstatewhenitwashisturntobeangry;Mr.Lorry'sveins,methodicalastheircoursescouldusuallybe,wereinnobetterstatenowitwashisturn.
　　`ThatiswhatImeantotellyou,sir,'saidMr.Lorry.`Praylettherebenomistakeaboutit.'
　　Mr.Stryversuckedtileendofarulerforalittlewhileandthenstoodhittingatuneoutofhisteethwithit,which'probablygavehimthetoothache.Hebroketheawkwardsilencebysaying:
　　`Thisissomethingnewtome,Mr.Lorry.YoudeliberatelyadvisemenottogouptoSohoandoffermyself——myself,StryveroftheKing'sBenchbar?'
　　`Doyouaskmeformyadvice,Mr.Stryver?'
　　`Yes,Ido.'
　　`Verygood.ThenIgiveit,andyouhaverepeateditcorrectly.'
　　`AndallIcansayofitis,'laughedStryverwithavexedlaugh,`thatthis——ha,ha!——beatseverythingpast,present,andtocome.'
　　`Nowunderstandme,'pursuedMr.Lorry.`Asamanofbusiness,Iamnotjustifiedinsayinganythingaboutthismatter,for,asamanofbusiness,Iknownothingofit.But,asanoldfellow,whohascarriedMissManetteinhisarms,whoisthetrustedfriendofMissManetteandofherfathertoo,andwhohasagreataffectionforthemboth,Ihavespoken.Theconfidenceisnotofmyseeking,recollect.Now,youthinkImaynotberight?'
　　`NotI!'saidStryver,whistling.`Ican'tundertaketofindthirdpartiesincommonsense;IcanonlyfinditformyselfIsupposesenseincertainquarters;yousupposemincingbread-and-butternonsense.It'snewtome,butyouareright,Idaresay.'
　　`WhatIsuppose,Mr.Stryver,IclaimtocharacteriseformyselfAndunderstandme,sir,'saidMr.Lorry,quicklyflushingagain,`Iwillnot——notevenatTellson's——haveitcharacterisedformebyanygentlemanbreathing.'
　　`There!Ibegyourpardon!'saidStryver.
　　`Granted.Thankyou.Well,Mr.Stryver,Iwasabouttosay——itmightbepainfultoyoutofindyourselfmistaken,itmightbepainfultoDoctorManettetohavethetaskofbeingexplicitwithyou,itmightbeverypainfultoMissManettetohavethetaskofbeingexplicitwithyou.YouknowthetermsuponwhichIhavethehonourandhappinesstostandwiththefamily.Ifyouplease,committingyouinnoway,representingyouinnoway,Iwillundertaketocorrectmyadvicebytheexerciseofalittlenewobservationandjudgmentexpresslybroughttobearuponit.Ifyoushouldthenbedissatisfiedwithit,youcanbuttestitssoundnessforyourself;if,ontheotherhand,youshouldbesatisfiedwithit,anditshouldbewhatitnowis,itmayspareallsideswhatisbestspared.Whatdoyousay?'
　　`Howlongwouldyoukeepmeintown?'
　　`Oh!Itisonlyaquestionofafewhours.IcouldgotoSohointheevening,andcometoyourchambersafterwards.'
　　`ThenIsayyes,'saidStryver:`Iwon'tgouptherenow,Iamnotsohotuponitasthatcomesto;Isayyes,andIshallexpectyoutolookinto-night.Good-morning.'
　　ThenMr.StryverturnedandburstoutoftheBank,causingsuchaconcussionofaironhispassagethrough,thattostandupagainstitbowingbehindthetwocounters,requiredtheutmostremainingstrengthofthetwoancientclerks.
　　Thosevenerableandfeeblepersonswerealwaysseenbythepublicintheactofbowing,andwerepopularlybelieved,whentheyhadbowedacustomerout,stilltokeeponbowingintheemptyofficeuntiltheybowedanothercustomerin.
　　Thebarristerwaskeenenoughtodivinethatthebankerwouldnothavegonesofarinhisexpressionofopiniononanylesssolidgroundthanmoralcertainty.Unpreparedashewasforthelargepillhehadtoswallow,hegotitdown.`Andnow,'saidMr.Stryver,shakinghisforensicforefingerattheTempleingeneral,whenitwasdown,`mywayoutofthis,is,toputyouallinthewrong.'
　　ItwasabitoftheartofanOldBaileytactician,inwhichhefoundgreatrelief.`Youshallnotputmeinthewrong,younglady,'saidMr.Stryver;`I'lldothatforyou.'
　　Accordingly,whenMr.Lorrycalledthatnightaslateasteno'clock,Mr.Stryver,amongaquantityofbooksandpaperslitteredoutforthepurpose,seemedtohavenothinglessonhismindthanthesubjectofthemorning.HeevenshowedsurprisewhenhesawMr.Lorry,andwasaltogetherinanabsentandpreoccupiedstate.
　　`Well!'saidthatgood-naturedemissary,afterafullhalf-hourofbootlessattemptstobringhimroundtothequestion.`IhavebeentoSoho.'
　　`ToSoho?'repeatedMr.Stryver,coldly.`Oh,tobesure!WhatamIthinkingof!'
　　`AndIhavenodoubt,'saidMr.Lorry,`thatIwasrightintheconversationwehad.Myopinionisconfirmed,andIreiteratemyadvice.'
　　`Iassureyou,'returnedMr.Stryver,inthefriendliestway,`thatIamsorryforitonyouraccount,andsorryforitonthepoorfather'saccount.Iknowthismustalwaysbeasoresubjectwiththefamily;letussaynomoreaboutit.'
　　`Idon'tunderstandyou,'saidMrLorry.
　　`Idaresaynot,'rejoinedStryver,noddinghisheadinasmoothingandfinalway;nomatter,nomatter.'
　　`Butitdoesmatter,'Mr.Lorryurged.
　　`Noitdoesn't;Iassureyouitdoesn't.Havingsupposedthattherewassensewherethereisnosense,andalaudableambitionwherethereisnotalaudableambition,Iamwelloutofmymistake,andnoharmisdone.Youngwomenhavecommittedsimilarfolliesoftenbefore,andhaverepentedtheminpovertyandobscurityoftenbefore.Inanunselfishaspect,Iamsorrythatthethingisdropped,becauseitwouldhavebeenabadthingformeinaworldlypointofview;inaselfishaspect,Iamgladthatthethinghasdropped,becauseitwouldhavebeenabadthingformeinaworldlypointofview——itishardlynecessarytosayIcouldhavegainednothingbyit.Thereisnoharmatalldone.Ihavenotproposedtotheyounglady,and,betweenourselves,Iambynomeanscertain,onreflection,thatIevershouldhavecommittedmyselftothatextent.Mr.Lorry,youcannotcontrolthemincingvanitiesandgiddinessesofempty-headedgirls;youmustnotexpecttodoit,oryouwillalwayshedisappointed.
　　Now,praysaynomoreaboutit.Itellyou,Iregretitonaccountofothers,butIamsatisfiedonmyownaccount.AndIamreallyverymuchobligedtoyouforallowingmetosoundyou,andforgivingmeyouradvice;youknowtheyoungladybetterthanIdo;youwereright,itneverwouldhavedone.
　　Mr.Lorrywassotakenaback,thathelookedquitestupidlyatMr.Stryvershoulderinghimtowardsthedoor,withanappearanceofshoweringgenerosity,forbearance,andgoodwill,onhiserringhead.'Makethebestofit,mydearsir,'saidStryver;`saynomoreaboutit;thankyouagainforallowingmetosoundyou;good-night!'Mr.Lorrywasoutinthenight,beforeheknewwherehewas.Mr.Stryverwaslyingbackonhissofa,winkingathisCeiling.
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　TheFellowofNoDelicacy
　　IFSydneyCartonevershoneanywhere,hecertainlynevershonethehouseofDoctorManette.Hehadbeenthereoften,duringawholeyear,andhadalwaysbeenthesamemoodyandmoroseloungerthere.Whenhecaredtotalk,hetalkedwell;but,thecloudofcaringfornothing,whichovershadowedhimwithsuchafataldarkness,wasveryrarelypiercedbythelightwithinhim.
　　Andyethedidcaresomethingforthestreetsthatenvironedthathouse,andforthesenselessstonesthatmadetheirpavements.Manyanighthevaguelyandunhappilywanderedthere,whenwinehadbroughtnotransitorygladnesstohim;manyadrearydaybreakrevealedhissolitaryfigurelingeringthere,andstilllingeringtherewhenthefirstbeamsofthesunbroughtintostrongrelief,removedbeautiesofarchitectureinspiresofchurchesandloftybuildings,asperhapsthequiettimebroughtsomesenseofbetterthings,elseforgottenandunattainable,intohismind.Oflate,theneglectedbedintheTempleCourthadknownhimmorescantilythinever;andoftenwhenhehadthrownhimselfuponitnolongerthanafewminutes,hehadgotupagain,andhauntedthatneighbourhood.
　　OnadayinAugust,whenMr.Stryverafternotifyingtohisjackalthat`hehadthoughtbetterofthatmarryingmatter'hadcarriedhisdelicacyintoDevonshire,andwhenthesightandscentofflowersintheCitystreetshadsomewaifsofgoodnessinthemfortheworst,ofhealthforthesickliest,andofyouthfortheoldest,Sydney'sfeetstilltrodthosestones.Frombeingirresoluteandpurposeless,hisfeetbecameanimatedbyanintention,and,intheworkingoutofthatintention,theytookhimtotheDoctor'sdoor.
　　Hewasshownupstairs,andfoundLucieatherwork,alone.Shehadneverbeenquiteathereasewithhim,andreceivedhimwithsomelittleembarrassmentasheseatedhimselfnearhertable.But,lookingupathisfaceintheinterchangeofthefirstfewcommonplaces,sheobservedachangeinit.
　　`Ifearyouarenotwell,Mr.Carton!'
　　`No.ButthelifeIlead,MissManette,isnotconducivetohealth.Whatistobeexpectedoforby,suchprofligates?'
　　`Isitnot——forgiveme;Ihavebegunthequestiononmylips——apitytolivenobetterlife?'
　　`Godknowsitisashame!'
　　`Thenwhynotchangeit?'
　　Lookinggentlyathimagain,shewassurprisedandsaddenedtoseethatthereweretearsinhiseyes.Thereweretearsinhisvoicetoo,asheanswered:
　　`Itistoolateforthat.IshallneverbebetterthanIam.Ishallsinklower,andbeworse.'
　　Heleanedanelbowonhertable,andcoveredhiseyeswithhishand.Thetabletrembledinthesilencethatfollowed.
　　Shehadneverseenhintsoftened,andwasmuchdistressed.Heknewhertobeso,withoutlookingather,andsaid:
　　`Prayforgiveme,MissManette.IbreakdownbeforetheknowledgeofwhatIwanttosaytoyou.Willyouhearme?'
　　`Ifitwilldoyouanygood,Mr.Carton,ifitwouldmakeyouhappier,itwouldmakemeveryglad!'
　　`Godblessyouforyoursweetcompassion!'
　　Heunshadedhisfaceafteralittlewhile,andspokesteadily.`Don'tbeafraidtohearme.Don'tshrinkfromanything
　　Isay.Iamlikeonewhodiedyoung.Allmylifemighthavebeen.'
　　`No,Mr.Carton.Iamsurethatthebestpartofitmightstillbe;Iamsurethatyoumightbemuch,muchworthierofyourself.'
　　`Sayofyou,MissManette,andalthoughIknowbetter——althoughinthemysteryofmyownwretchedheartIknowbetter——IshallneverforgetitI'
　　Shewaspaleandtrembling.Hecametoherreliefwithafixeddespairofhimselfwhichmadetheinterviewunlikeanyotherthatcouldhavebeenholden.
　　`Ifithadbeenpossible,MissManette,thatyoucouldhavereturnedtheloveofthemanyouseebeforeyou——self-flungaway,wasted,drunken,poorcreatureofmisuseasyouknowhimtobe——hewouldhavebeenconsciousthisdayandhour,inspiteofhishappiness,thathewouldbringyoutomisery,bringyoutosorrowandrepentance,blightyou,disgraceyou,pullyoudownwithhim.Iknowverywellthatyoucanhavenotendernessforme;Iaskfornone;Iameventhankfulthatitcannothe.'
　　`Withoutit,canInotsaveyou,Mr.Carton?CanInotrecallyou——forgivemeagain!——toabettercourse?CanIinnowayrepayyourconfidence?Iknowthisisaconfidence,'shemodestlysaid,afteralittlehesitation,andinearnesttears,`Iknowyouwouldsaythistonooneelse.CanIturnittonogoodaccountforyourself,Mr.Carton?'
　　Heshookhishead.
　　`Tonone.No,MissManette,tonone.Ifyouwillhearmethroughaverylittlemore,allyoucaneverdoformeisdone.Iwishyoutoknowthatyouhavebeenthelastdreamofmysoul.InmydegradationIhavenotbeensodegradedbutthatthesightofyouwithyourfather,andofthishomemadesuchahomebyyou,hasstirredoldshadowsthatIthoughthaddiedoutofme.SinceIknewyou,IhavebeentroubledbyaremorsethatIthoughtwouldneverreproachmeagain,andhaveheardwhispersfromoldvoicesimpellingmeupward,thatIthoughtweresilentforever.Ihavehadunformedideasofstrivingafresh,beginninganew,shakingoffslothandsensuality,andfightingouttheabandonedfight.Adream,alladream,thatendsinnothing,andleavesthesleeperwherehelaydown,butIwishyoutoknowthatyouinspiredit.'
　　`Willnothingofitremain?OMr.Carton,thinkagain!Tryagain!'
　　`No,MissManette;allthroughit,Ihaveknownmyselftobequiteundeserving.AndyetIhavehadtheweakness,andhavestilltheweakness,towishyoutoknowwithwhatasuddenmasteryyoukindledme,heapofashesthatIam,intofire——afire,however,inseparableinitsnaturefrommyself,quickeningnothing,lightingnothing,doingnoservice,idlyburningaway.'
　　`Sinceitismymisfortune,Mr.Carton,tohavemoreunhappythanyouwerebeforeyouknewme——
　　`Don'tsaythat,MissManette,foryouwouldhavereclaimedme,ifanythingcould.Youwillnotbethecauseofmybecomingworse.'
　　`Sincethestateofyourmindthatyoudescribe,is,atallevents,attributabletosomeinfluenceofmine——thisiswhatImean,ifIcanmakeitplain——canIusenoinfluencetoserveyou?HaveInopowerforgood,withyou,atall?'
　　`TheutmostgoodthatIamcapableofnow,MissManette,Ihavecomeheretorealise.Letmecarrythroughtherestofmymisdirectedlife,theremembrancethatIopenedmyhearttoyou,lastofalltheworld;andthattherewassomethingleftinmeatthistimewhichyoucoulddeploreandpity.'
　　`WhichIentreatedyoutobelieve,againandagain,mostfervently,withallmyheart,wascapableofbetterthings,Mr.Carton!'
　　`Entreatmetobelieveitnomore,MissManette.Ihaveprovedmyself,andIknowbetter.Idistressyou;Idrawfasttoanend.Willyouletmebelieve,whenIrecallthisday,thatthelastconfidenceofmylifewasreposedinyourpureandinnocentbreast,andthatitliestherealone,andwillbesharedbynoone?'
　　`Ifthatwillbeaconsolationtoyou,yes.'
　　`Notevenbythedearestoneevertobeknowntoyou?'
　　`Mr.Carton,'sheanswered,afteranagitatedpause,`thesecretisyours,notmine;andIpromisetorespectit.'
　　`Thankyou.Andagain,Godblessyou.'
　　Heputherhandtohislips,andmovedtowardsthedoor.`Beundernoapprehension,MissManette,ofmyeverresumingthisconversationbysomuchasapassingword.Iwillneverrefertoitagain.IfIweredead,thatcouldnotbesurerthanitishenceforth.Inthehourofmydeath,Ishallholdsacredtheonegoodremembrance——andshallthankandblessyouforit——thatmylastavowalofmyselfwasmadetoyou,andthatmyname,andfaults,andmiseriesweregentlycarriedinyourheart.Mayitotherwisebelightandhappy!'
　　Hewassounlikewhathehadevershownhimselftobe,anditwassosadtothinkhowmuchhehadthrownaway,andhowmuchheeverydaykeptdownandperverted,thatLucieManetteweptmournfullyforhimashestoodlookingbackather.
　　`Becomforted!'hesaid,`Iamnotworthsuchfeeling,MissManette.Anhourortwohence,andthelowcompanionsandlowhabitsthatIscornbutyieldto,willrendermelessworthsuchtearsasthose,thananywretchwhocreepsalongthestreets.BecomfortedBut,withinmyself,Ishallalwaysbe,towardsyou,whatIamnow,thoughoutwardlyIshallbewhatyouhaveheretoforeseenme.ThelastsupplicationbutoneImaketoyou,is,thatyouwillbelievethisofme.'
　　`Iwill,Mr.Carton.'
　　`Mylastsupplicationofall,isthis;andwithit,IwillrelieveyouofavisitorwithwhomIwellknowyouhavenothinginunison,andbetweenwhomandyouthereisanimpassablespace.Itisuselesstosayit,Iknow,butitrisesoutofmysoul.Foryou,andforanydeartoyou,Iwoulddoanything.Ifmycareerwereofthatbetterkindthattherewasanyopportunityorcapacityofsacrificeinit,Iwouldembraceanysacrificeforyouandforthosedeartoyou.Trytoholdmeinyourmind,atsomequiettimes,asardentandsincereinthisonething.Thetimewillcome,thetimewillnotbelongincoming,whennewtieswillbeformedaboutyou——tiesthatwillbindyouyetmoretenderlyandstronglytothehomeyousoadorn——thedearesttiesthatwillevergraceandgladdenyou.OMissManette,whenthelittlepictureofahappyfather'sfacelooksupinyours,whenyouseeyourownbrightbeautyspringingupanewatyourfeet,thinknowandthenthatthereisamanwhowouldgivehislife,tokeepalifeyoulovebesideyou!'Hesaid,`Farewell!'saidalast`Godblessyou!'andlefther.
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　TheHonestTradesman
　　TOtheeyesofMr.JeremiahCruncher,sittingonhisstoolinFleetStreetwithhisgrislyurchinbesidehim,avastnumberandvarietyofobjectsinmovementwereeverydaypresented.WhocouldsituponanythinginFleetStreetduringthebusyhoursoftheday,andnotbedazedanddeafenedbytwoimmenseprocessions,oneevertendingwestwardwiththesun,theotherevertendingeastwardfromthesun,bothevertendingtotheplainsbeyondtherangeofredandpurplewherethesungoesdown!
　　Withhisstrawinhismouth,Mr.Crunchersatwatchingthetwostreams,liketheheathenrusticwhohasforseveralcenturiesbeenondutywatchingonestream——savingthatJerryhadnoexpectationoftheireverrunningdry.Norwouldithavebeenanexpectationofahopefulkind,sinceBallpartofhisincomewasderivedfromthepilotageoftimidwomenmostlyofafullhabitandpastthemiddleoflifefromTellson'ssideofthetidestotheoppositeore.Briefassuchcompanionshipwasineveryseparateinstance,Mr.Cruncherneverfailedtobecomesointerestedtheladyastoexpressastrongdesiretohavethehonourdrinkingherverygoodhealth.Anditwasfromthegiftstoweduponhimtowardstheexecutionofthisbenevolentpurpose,thatherecruitedhisfinances,asjustnowobserved.
　　Timewas,whenapoetsatuponastoolinapublicplace,andmusedinthesightofmen.Mr.Cruncher,sittingonstoolinapublicplace,butnotbeingapoet,musedaslittleaspossible,andlookedabouthim.
　　Itfelloutthathewasthusengagedinaseasonwhencrowdswerefew,andbelatedwomenfew,andwhenhisaffairsingeneralweresounprosperousastoawakenastrongsuspicioninhisbreastthatMrs.Crunchermusthavebeen`flopping'insomepointedmanner,whenanunusualconcoursepouringdownFleetStreetwestward,attractedhisattention.Lookingthatway,Mr.Crunchermadeoutthatmekindoffuneralwascomingalong,andthattherewaspopularobjectiontothisfuneral,whichengendereduproar.
　　`YoungJerry,'saidMr.Cruncher,turningtohisoffspring,`it'saburyin'.'
　　`Hooroar,father!'criedYoungJerry.
　　Theyounggentlemanutteredthisexultantsoundwithmysterioussignificance.Theeldergentlemantookthecrysoill,thathewatchedhisopportunity,andsmotetheyounggentlemanontheear.
　　`Whatd'yemean?Whatareyouhooroaringat?Whatdoyouwanttoconweytoyourownfather,youyoungRip?Thisboyisagettingtoomanyforme!'saidMr.Cruncher,surveyinghim.`Himandhishooroars.Don'tletmehearnomoreofyou,oryoushallfeelsomemoreofme.D'yehear?'
　　`Iwarn'tdoingnoharm,'YoungJerryprotested,rubbinghischeek.
　　`Dropitthen,'saidMr.Cruncher;`Iwon'thavenoneofyournoharms.Getatopofthatthereseat,andlookatthecrowd.'
　　Hissonobeyed,andthecrowdapproached;theywerebawlingandhissingroundadingyhearseanddingymourningcoach,inwhichmourningcoachtherewasonlyonemourner,dressedinthedingytrappingsthatwereconsideredessentialtothedignityoftheposition.Thepositionappearedbynomeanstopleasehim,however,withanincreasingrabblesurroundingthecoach,deridinghim,makinggrimacesathim,andincessantlygroaningandcallingout:`Yah!Spies!Tst!Yaha!Spies!'withmanycomplimentstoonumerousandforcibletorepeat.
　　FuneralshadatalltimesaremarkableattractionforMr.Cruncher;healwaysprickeduphissenses,andbecameexcited,whenafuneralpassedTellson's.Naturally,therefore,afuneralwiththisuncommonattendanceexcitedhimgreatly,andheaskedofthefirstmanwhoranagainsthim:
　　`Whatisit,brother?What'sitabout?'
　　`Idon'tknow,'saidtheman.`Spies!Yaha!Tst!Spies!'
　　Heaskedanotherman.`Whoisit?'
　　`Idon'tknow,'returnedtheman,clappinghishandstohismouthnevertheless,andvociferatinginasurprisingheatandwiththegreatestardour,`Spies!Yaha!Tst,tst!Spi-ies!'
　　Atlength,apersonbetterinformedonthemeritsofthecase,tumbledagainsthim,andfromthispersonhelearnedthatthefuneralwasthefuneralofOneRogerCly.
　　`WasHeaspy?'askedMr.Cruncher.
　　`OldBaileyspy,'returnedhisinformant.`YahaTst!Yah!OldBaileySpi-i-ies!'
　　`Why,tobesure!'exclaimedJerry,recallingtheTrialatwhichhehadassisted.`I'veseenhim.Dead,ishe?'
　　`Deadasmutton,'returnedtheother,`andcan'tbetoodead.Have`emout,thereSpies!Pull`emout,there!Spies!'
　　Theideawassoacceptableintheprevalentabsenceofanyidea,thatthecrowdcaughtitupwitheagerness,and,loudlyrepeatingthesuggestiontohave`emout,andtopullemout,mobbedthetwovehiclessocloselythattheycametoastop.Onthecrowd'sopeningthecoachdoors,theonemournerscuffledoutofhimselfandwasintheirhandsforamoment;buthewassoalert,andmadesuchgooduseofhistime,thatinanothermomenthewasscouringawayupabystreet,aftersheddinghiscloak,hat,longhatband,whitepockethandkerchief,andothersymbolicaltears.