`MissProssathome?\'`Wereyounewly,releasedontheoccasioninquestion?\'
`Theytellmeso.`Haveyounoremembranceoftheoccasion?\'
`None.Mymindisablank,fromsometime——Icannotevensaywhattime——whenIemployedmyself,inmycaptivity,inmakingshoes,tothetimewhenIfoundmyselflivinginLondonwithmydeardaughterhere.Shehadbecomefamiliartome,whenagraciousGodrestoredmyfaculties;but,Iamquiteunableeventosayhowshehadbecomefamiliar.Ihavenoremembranceoftheprocess.\'
Mr.Attorney-Generalsatdown,andthefatheranddaughtersatdowntogether.
Asingularcircumstancethenaroseinthecase.Theobjectinhandbeingtoshowthattheprisonerwentdown,withsomefellow-plotteruntracked,intheDovermailonthatFridaynightinNovemberfiveyearsago,andgotoutofthemailinthenight,asablind,ataplacewherehedidnotremain,butfromwhichhetravelledbacksomedozenmilesormore,toagarrisonanddockyard,andtherecollectedinformation;awitnesswascalledtoidentifyhimashavingbeenattheprecisetimerequired,inthecoffee-roomofanhotelinthatgarrison-and-dockyardtown,waitingforanotherperson.Theprisoner\'scounselwascross-examiningthiswitnesswithnoresult,exceptthathehadneverseentheprisoneronanyotheroccasion,whenthewiggedgentlemanwhohadallthistimebeenlookingattheceilingofthecourt,wroteawordortwoonalittlepieceofpaper,screweditup,andtossedittohim.Openingthispieceofpaperinthenextpause,thecounsellookedwithgreatattentionandcuriosityattheprisoner.
`Yousayagainyouarequitesurethatitwastheprisoner?\'Thewitnesswasquitesure.`Didyoueverseeanybodyveryliketheprisoner?\'Notsolike(thewitnesssaid)asthathecouldbemistaken.`Lookwelluponthatgentleman,mylearnedfriendthere,\'pointingtohimwhohadtossedthepaperover,`andthenlookwellupontheprisoner.Howsayyou?Aretheyverylikeeachother?\'
Allowingformylearnedfriend\'sappearancebeingcarelessandslovenlyifnotdebauched,theyweresufficientlylikeeachothertosurprise,notonlythewitness,buteverybodypresent,whentheywerethusbroughtintocomparison.MyLordbeingprayedtobidmylearnedfriendlayasidehiswig,andgivingnoverygraciousconsent,thelikenessbecamemuchmoreremarkable.MyLordinquiredofMr.Stryver(theprisoner\'scounsel),whethertheywerenexttotryMr.Carton(nameofmylearnedfriend)fortreason?But,Mr.StryverrepliedtomyLord,no;buthewouldaskthewitnesstotellhimwhetherwhathappenedonce,mighthappentwice;whetherhewouldhavebeensoconfidentifhehadseenthisillustrationofhisrashnesssooner,whetherhewouldbesoconfident,havingseenit;andmore.Theupshotofwhichwas,tosmashthiswitnesslikeacrockeryvessel,andshiverhispartofthecasetouselesslumber.
Mr.Cruncherhadbythistimetakenquitealunchofrustoffhisfingersinhisfollowingoftheevidence.HehadnowtoattendwhileMr.Stryverfittedtheprisoner\'scaseonthejury,likeacompactsuitofclothes;showingthemhowthepatriot,Barsad,wasahiredspyandtraitor,anunblushingtraffickerinblood,andoneofthegreatestscoundrelsuponearthsinceaccursedJudas——whichhecertainlydidlookratherlike.Howthevirtuousservant,Cly,washisfriendandpartner,andwasworthytobe;howthewatchfuleyesofthoseforgersandfalseswearershadrestedontheprisonerasavictim,becausesomefamilyaffairsinFrance,hebeingofFrenchextraction,didrequirehismakingthosepassagesacrosstheChannel——thoughwhatthoseaffairswere,aconsiderationforotherswhowerenearanddeartohim,forbadhim,evenforhislife,todisclose.Howtheevidencethathadbeenwarpedandwrestedfromtheyounglady,whoseanguishingivingittheyhadwitnessed,cametonothing,involvingthemerelittleinnocentgallantriesandpolitenesseslikelytopassbetweenanyyounggentlemanandyoungladysothrowntogether;——withtheexceptionofthatreferencetoGeorgeWashington,whichwasaltogethertooextravagantandimpossibletoberegardedinanyotherlightthanasamonstrousjoke.Howitwouldbeaweaknessinthegovernmenttobreakdowninthisattempttopractiseforpopularityonthelowestnationalantipathiesandfears,andthereforeMr.Attorney-Generalhadmadethemostofit;how,nevertheless,itresteduponnothing,savethatvileandinfamouscharacterofevidencetoooftendisfiguringsuchcases,andofwhichtheStateTrialsofthiscountrywerefull.But,theremyLordinterposed(withasgraveafaceasifithadnotbeentrue),sayingthathecouldnotsituponthatBenchandsufferthoseallusions.
Mr.Stryverthencalledhisfewwitnesses,andMr.CruncherhadnexttoattendwhileMr.Attorney-GeneralturnedthewholesuitofclothesMr.Stryverhadfittedonthejury,insideout;showinghowBarsadandClywereevenahundredtimesbetterthanhehadthoughtthem,andtheprisonerahundredtimesworse.ly,camemyLordhimselfturningthesuitofclothes,nowinsideout,nowoutsidein,butonthewholedecidedlytrimmingandshapingthemintograve-clothesfortheprisoner.
Andnow,thejuryturnedtoconsider,andthegreatfliesswarmedagain.
Mr.Carton,whohadsolongsatlookingattheceilingofthecourt,changedneitherhisplacenorhisattitude,eveninthisexcitement.Whilehislearnedfriend,Mr.Stryver,massinghispapersbeforehim,whisperedwiththosewhosatnear,andfromtimetotimeglancedanxiouslyatthejury;whileallthespectatorsmovedmoreorless,andgroupedthemselvesanew;whileevenmyLordhimselfarosefromhisseat,andslowlypacedupanddownhisplatform,notunattendedbyasuspicioninthemindsoftheaudiencethathisstatewasfeverish;thisonemansatleaningback,withhistorngownhalfoffhim,hisuntidywigputonjustasithadhappenedtolightonhisheadafteritsremoval,hishandsinhispockets,andhiseyesontheceilingastheyhadbeenallday.Somethingespeciallyrecklessinhisdemeanour,notonlygavehimadisreputablelook,butsodiminishedthestrongresemblanceheundoubtedlyboretotheprisoner(whichhismomentaryearnestness,whentheywerecomparedtogether,hadstrengthened),thatmanyofthelookers-on,takingnoteofhimnow,saidtooneanothertheywouldhardlyhavethoughtthetwoweresoalike.Mr.Crunchermadetheobservationtohisnextneighbour,andadded,`I\'dholdhalfaguineathathedon\'tgetnolaw-worktodo.Don\'tlooklikethesortofonetogetany,dohe?\'
Yet,thisMr.Cartontookinmoreofthedetailsofthescenethanheappearedtotakein;fornow,whenMissManette\'sheaddroppeduponherfather\'sbreast,hewasthefirsttoseeit,andtosayaudibly:`Officer!looktothatyounglady.Help,thegentlemantotakeherout.Don\'tyouseeshewillfall!\'
Therewasmuchcommiserationforherasshewasremoved,andmuchsympathywithherfather.Ithadevidentlybeenagreatdistresstohim,tohavethedaysofhisimprisonmentrecalled.Hehadshownstronginternalagitationwhenhewasquestioned,andthatponderingorbroodinglookwhichmadehimold,hadbeenuponhim,likeaheavycloud,eversince.Ashepassedout,thejury,whohadturnedbackandpausedamoment,spoke,throughtheirforeman.
Theywerenotagreed,andwishedtoretire.MyLord(perhapswithGeorgeWashingtononhismind)showedsomesurprisethattheywerenotagreed,butsignifiedhispleasurethattheyshouldretireunderwatchandward,andretiredhimself.Thetrialhadlastedallday,andthelampsinthecourtwerenowbeinglighted.Itbegantoberumouredthatthejurywouldbeoutalongwhile.Thespectatorsdroppedofftogetrefreshment,andtheprisonerwithdrewtothebackofthedock,andsatdown.
Mr.Larry,whohadgoneoutwhentheyoungladyandherfatherwentout,nowreappeared,andbeckonedtoJerry:who,intheslackenedinterest,couldeasilygetnearhim.
`Jerry,ifyouwishtotakesomethingtoeat,youcan.But,keepintheway.Youwillbesuretohearwhenthejurycomein.Don\'tbeamomentbehindthem,forIwantyoutotaketheverdictbacktothebank.YouarethequickestmessengerIknow,andwillgettoTempleBarlongbeforeIcan.\'
Jerryhadjustenoughforeheadtoknuckle,andheknuckledinacknowledgmentofthiscommunicationandashilling.
Mr.Cartoncameupatthemoment,andtouchedMr.Lorryonthearm.
`Howistheyounglady?\'
`Sheisgreatlydistressed;butherfatheriscomfortingher,andshefeelsthebetterforbeingoutofcourt.\'
`I\'lltelltheprisonerso.Itwon\'tdoforarespectablebankgentlemanlikeyou,tobeseenspeakingtohimpublicly,youknow.\'
Mr.Lorryreddenedasifhewereconsciousofhavingdebatedthepointinhismind,andMr.Cartonmadehiswaytotheoutsideofthebar.Thewayoutofcourtlayinthatdirection,andJerryfollowedhim,alleyes,ears,andspikes.
`Mr.Darnay!\'
Theprisonercameforwarddirectly.
`Youwillnaturallybeanxioustohearofthewitness,MissManette.Shewilldoverywell.Youhaveseentheworstofheragitation.\'
`Iamdeeplysorrytohavebeenthecauseofit.Couldyoutellhersoforme,withmyferventacknowledgments?\'
`Yes,Icould.Iwill,ifyouaskit.\'
Mr.Carton\'smannerwassocarelessastobealmostinsolent.Hestood,halfturnedfromtheprisoner,loungingwithhiselbowagainstthebar.
`Idoaskit.Acceptmycordialthanks.\'
`What,\'saidCarton,stillonlyhalfturnedtowardshim,`doyouexpect,Mr.Darnay?\'
`Theworst.\'
`It\'sthewisestthingtoexpect,andthelikeliest.ButIthinktheirwithdrawingisinyourfavour.
Loiteringonthewayoutofcourtnotbeingallowed,Jerryheardnomore:butleftthem——solikeeachotherinfeature,sounlikeeachotherinmanner——standingsidebyside,bothreflectedintheglassabovethem.
Anhourandahalflimpedheavilyawayinthethief-and-rascalcrowdedpassagesbelow,eventhoughassistedoffwithmuttonpiesandale.Thehoarsemessenger,uncomfortablyseatedonaformaftertakingthatrefection,haddroppedintoadoze,whenaloudmurmurandarapidtideofpeoplesettingupthestairsthatledtothecourt,carriedhimalongwiththem.
`Jerry!Jerry!\'Mr.Lorrywasalreadycallingatthedoorwhenhegotthere.
`Here,sir!It\'safighttogetbackagain.HereIam,sir!\'
Mr.Lorryhandedhimapaperthroughthethrong.`Quick!Haveyougotit?\'
`Yes,sir!\'
Hastilywrittenonthepaperwastheword`ACQUITTED\'.
`Ifyouhadsentthemessage,\"RecalledtoLife,\"again,mutteredJerry,asheturned,`Ishouldhaveknownwhatyoumeant,thistime.\'
Hehadnoopportunityofsaying,orsomuchasthinking,anythingelse,untilhewasclearoftheOldBailey;for,thecrowdcamepouringoutwithavehemencethatnearlytookhimoffhislegs,andaloudbuzzsweptintothestreetasifthebaffledblue-fliesweredispersinginsearchofothercarrion.
CHAPTERIV
Congratulatory
FROMthedimly-lightedpassagesofthecourt,thelastsedimentofthehumanstewthathadbeenboilingthereallday,wasstrainingoff,whenDoctorManette,LucieManette,hisdaughter,Mr.Lorry,thesolicitorforthedefence,anditscounsel,Mr.Stryver,stoodgatheredroundMr.CharlesDarnay——justreleased——congratulatinghimonhisescapefromdeath.
Itwouldhavebeendifficultbyafarbrighterlight,torecogniseinDoctorManette,intellectualoffaceanduprightofbearing,theshoemakerofthegarretinParis.Yet,noonecouldhavelookedathimtwice,withoutlikingagain:eventhoughtheopportunityofobservationhadnotextendedtothemournfulcadenceofhislowgravevoice,andtotheabstractionthatovercloudedhimfitfully,withoutanyapparentreason.Whileoneexternalcause,andthatareferencetohislonglingeringagony,wouldalways——asonthetrial——evokethisconditionfromthedepthsofhissoul,itwasalsoinitsnaturetoariseofitself,andtodrawagloomoverhim,asincomprehensibletothoseunacquaintedwithhisstoryasiftheyhadseentheshadowoftheactualBastillethrownuponhimbyasummersun,whenthesubstancewasthreehundredmilesaway.
Onlyhisdaughterhadthepowerofcharmingthisblackbroodingfromhismind.ShewasthegoldenthreadthatunitedhimtoaPastbeyondhismisery,andtoaPresentbeyondhismisery:andthesoundofhervoice,thelightofherface,thetouchofherhand,hadastrongbeneficialinfluencewithhimalmostalways.Notabsolutelyalways,forshecouldrecallsomeoccasionsonwhichherpowerhadfailed;buttheywerefewandslight,andshebelievedthemover.
Mr.Darnayhadkissedherhandferventlyandgratefully,andhadturnedtoMr.Stryver,whomhewarmlythanked.Mr.Stryver,amanoflittlemorethanthirty,butlookingtwentyyearsolderthanhewas,stout,loud,red,bluff,andfreefromanydrawbackofdelicacy,hadapushingwayofshoulderinghimself(morallyandphysically)intocompaniesandconversations,thatarguedwellforhisshoulderinghiswayupinlife.
Hestillhadhiswigandgownon,andhesaid,squaringhimselfathislateclienttothatdegreethathesqueezedtheinnocentMr.Lorrycleanoutofthegroup:`Iamgladtohavebroughtyouoffwithhonour,Mr.Darnay.Itwasaninfamousprosecution,grosslyinfamous;butnotthelesslikelytosucceedonthataccount.
`Youhavelaidmeunderanobligationtoyouforlife-intwosenses,\'saidhislateclient,takinghishand.
`Ihavedonemybestforyou,Mr.Darnay;andmybestisasgoodasanotherman\'s,Ibelieve.\'
Itclearlybeingincumbentonsomeonetosay,`Muchbetter,\'Mr.Lorrysaidit;perhapsnotquitedisinterestedly,butwiththeinterestedobjectofsqueezinghimselfbackagain.
`Youthinkso?\'saidMr.Stryver.`Well!youhavebeenpresentallday,,andyououghttoknow.Youareamanofbusiness,too.
`Andassuch,\'quothMr.Larry,whomthecounsellearnedinthelawhadnowshoulderedbackintothegroup,justashehadpreviouslyshoulderedhimoutofit——`assuchIwillappealtoDoctorManette,tobreakupthisconferenceandorderusalltoourhomes.MissLucielooksill,Mr.Darnayhashadaterribleday,wearewornout.\'
`Speakforyourself,Mr.Lorry,\'saidStryver;`Ihaveanight\'sworktodoyet.Speakforyourself.\'
`Ispeakformyself,\'answeredMr.Lorry,`andforMr.Darnay,andforMissLucie,and——MissLucie,doyounotthinkImayspeakforusall?\'Heaskedherthequestionpointedly,andwithaglanceatherfather.
Hisfacehadbecomefrozen,asitwere,inaverycuriouslookatDarnay:anintentlook,deepeningintoafrownofdislikeanddistrust,notevenunmixedwithfear.Withthisstrangeexpressiononhimhisthoughtshadwanderedaway.
`Myfather,\'saidLucie,softlylayingherhandonhis.
Heslowlyshooktheshadowoff,andturnedtoher.
`Shallwegohome,myfather?\'
Withalongbreath,heanswered`Yes.\'
Thefriendsoftheacquittedprisonerhaddispersed,undertheimpressionwhichhehimselfhadoriginated——thathewouldnotbereleasedthatnight.Thelightswerenearlyallextinguishedinthepassages,theirongateswerebeingclosedwithajarandarattle,andthedismalplacewasdeserteduntilto-morrowmorning\'sinterestofgallows,pillory,whipping-post,andbranding-iron,shouldre-peopleit.WalkingbetweenherfatherandMr.Darnay,LucieManettepassedintotheopenair.Ahackney-coachwascalled,andthefatheranddaughterdepartedinit.
Mr.Stryverhadlefttheminthepassages,toshoulderhiswaybacktotherobing-room.Anotherperson,whohadnotjoinedthegroup,orinterchangedawordwithanyoneofthem,butwhohadbeenleaningagainstthewallwhereitsshadowwasdarkest,hadsilentlystrolledoutaftertherest,andhadlookedonuntilthecoachdroveaway.HenowsteppeduptowhereMr.LorryandMr.Darnaystooduponthepavement.
`So,Mr.Lorry!MenofbusinessmayspeaktoMr.Darnaynow?\'
NobodyhadmadeanyacknowledgmentofMr.Carton\'spartintheday\'sproceedings;nobodyhadknownofit.Hewasunrobed,andwasnonethebetterforitinappearance.
`Ifyouknewwhataconflictgoesoninthebusinessmind,whenthebusinessmindisdividedbetweengood-naturedimpulseandbusinessappearances,youwouldbeamused,Mr.Darnay.\'
Mr.Lorryreddened,andsaid,warmly,`Youhavementionedthatbefore,sir.Wemenofbusiness,whoserveaHouse,arenotourownmasters.WehavetothinkoftheHousemorethanourselves.\'
`Iknow,Iknow,\'rejoinedMr.Carton,carelessly.`Don\'tbenettled,Mr.Lorry.Youareasgoodasanother,Ihavenodoubt:better,Idaresay.\'
`Andindeed,sir,\'pursuedMr.Lorry,notmindinghim,`Ireallydon\'tknowwhatyouhavetodowiththematter.Ifyou\'llexcuseme,asverymuchyourcider,forsayingso,Ireallydon\'tknowthatitisyourbusiness.\'
`Business!Blessyou,Ihavenobusiness,\'saidMr.Carton.`Itisapityyouhavenot,sir.\'
`Ithinkso,too.\'
`Ifyouhad,\'pursuedMr.Lorry,`perhapsyouwouldattendtoit.\'
`Lordloveyou,no!——Ishouldn\'t,\'saidMr.Carton.
`Well,sir!\'criedMr.Lorry,thoroughlyheatedbyhisindifference,`businessisaverygoodthing,andaveryrespectablething.And,sir,ifbusinessimposesitsrestraintsanditssilencesandimpediments,Mr.Darnayasayounggentlemanofgenerosityknowshowtomakeallowanceforthatcircumstance.Mr.Darnay,good-night,Godblessyou,sir!Ihopeyouhavebeenthisdaypreservedforaprosperousandhappylife——Chairthere!\'
Perhaps\'alittleangrywithhimselfaswellaswiththebarrister,Mr.Lorryhustledintothechair,andwascarriedofftoTellson\'s.Carton,whosmeltofportwine,anddidnotappeartobequitesober,laughedthen,andturnedtoDarnay:
`Thisisastrangechancethatthrowsyouandmetogether.Thismustbeastrangenighttoyou,standingaloneherewithyourcounterpartonthesestreetstones?\'
`Ihardlyseemyet,\'returnedCharlesDarnay,`tobelongtothisworldagain.\'
`Idon\'twonderatit;it\'snotsolongsinceyouwereprettyfaradvancedonyourwaytoanother.Youspeakfaintly.\'
`IbegintothinkIamfaint.\'
`Thenwhythedevildon\'tyoudine?Idined,myselfwhilethosenumskullsweredeliberatingwhichworldyoushouldbelongto——this,orsomeother.Letmeshowyouthenearesttaverntodinewellat.\'
Drawinghisarmthroughhisown,hetookhimdownLudgate-hilltoFleet-street,andso,upacoveredway,intoatavern.Here,theywereshownintoalittleroom,whereCharlesDarnaywassoonrecruitinghisstrengthwithagoodplaindinnerandgoodwine:whileCartonsatoppositetohimatthesametable,withhisseparatebottleofportbeforehim,andhisfullyhalf-insolentmanneruponhim.
`Doyoufeel,yet,thatyoubelongtothisterrestrialschemeagain,Mr.Darnay?\'
`Iamfrightfullyconfusedregardingtimeand\'place;butIamsofarmendedastofeelthat.\'
`Itmustbeanimmensesatisfaction!\'
Hesaiditbitterly,andfilleduphisglassagain:whichwasalargeone.
`Astome,thegreatestdesireIhave,istoforgetthatIbelongtoit.Ithasnogoodinitforme——exceptwinelikethis——norIforit.Sowearenotmuchalikeinthatparticular.Indeed,Ibegintothinkwearenotmuchalikeinanyparticular,youandI.\'
Confusedbytheemotionoftheday,andfeelinghisbeingtherewiththisDoubleofcoarsedeportment,tobelikeadream,CharlesDarnaywasatalosshowtoanswer;finally,answerednotatall.
`Nowyourdinnerisdone,\'Cartonpresentlysaid,`whydon\'tyoucallahealth,Mr.Darnay;whydon\'tyougiveyourtoast?\'
`Whathealth?Whattoast?\'
`Why,it\'sonthetipofyourtongue.Itoughttobe,itmustbe,I\'llswearit\'sthere.
`MissManette,then!\'
`MissManette,then!\'
Lookinghiscompanionfullinthefacewhilehedrankthetoast,Cartonflunghisglassoverhisshoulderagainstthewall,whereitshiveredtopieces;then,rangthebell,andorderedinanother.
`That\'safairyoungladytohandtoacoachinthedark,Mr.Darnay!\'hesaid,fillinghisnewgoblet.
Aslightfrownandalaconic`Yes,\'weretheanswer.
`That\'safairyoungladytobepitiedbyandweptforby!Howdoesitfeel?Isitworthbeingtriedforone\'slife,tobetheobjectofsuchsympathyandcompassion,Mr.Darnay?\'
AgainDarnayanswerednotaword.
`Shewasmightilypleasedtohaveyourmessage,whenIgaveither.Notthatsheshowedshewaspleased,butIsupposeshewas.\'
TheallusionservedasatimelyremindertoDarnaythatthisdisagreeablecompanionhad,ofhisownfreewill,assistedhiminthestraitoftheday.Heturnedthedialoguetothatpoint,andthankedhimforit.
`Ineitherwantanythanks,normeritany,\'wasthecarelessrejoinder.`Itwasnothingtodo,inthefirstplace;andIdon\'tknowwhyIdidit,inthesecond.Mr.Darnay,let\'measkyouaquestion.\'
`Willingly,andasmallreturnforyourgoodoffices.\'
`DoyouthinkIparticularlylikeyou?\'
`Really,Mr.Carton,\'returnedtheother,oddlydisconcerted,`Ihavenotaskedmyselfthequestion.\'
`Butaskyourselfthequestionnow.\'
`Youhaveactedasifyoudo;butIdon\'tthinkyoudo.\'
`1don\'tthinkIdo,\'saidCarton.`Ibegintohaveaverygoodopinionofyourunderstanding.\'
`Nevertheless,\'pursuedDarnay,risingtoringthebell,`thereisnothinginthat,Ihope,topreventmycallingthereckoning,andourpartingwithoutill-bloodoneitherside.\'
Cartonrejoining,`Nothinginlife!\'Darnayrang.`Doyoucallthewholereckoning?\'saidCarton.Onhisansweringintheaffirmative,`Thenbringmeanotherpintofthissamewine,drawer,andcomeandwakemeatten.\'
Thebillbeingpaid,CharlesDarnayroseandwishedhimgood-night.Withoutreturningthewish,Cartonrosetoo,withsomethingofathreatofdefianceinhismanner,andsaid,`Alastword,Mr.Darnay:youthinkIamdrunk?\'
`Ithinkyouhavebeendrinking,Mr.Carton.\'
`Think?YouknowIhavebeendrinking.\'
`SinceImustsayso,Iknowit.\'
`Thenyoushalllikewiseknowwhy.Iamadisappointeddrudge,sir.Icarefornomanonearth,andnomanonearthcaresforme.\'
`Muchtoberegretted.Youmighthaveusedyourtalentsbetter.\'
`Maybeso,Mr.Darnay;maybenot.Don\'tletyoursoberfaceelateyou,however;youdon\'tknowwhatitmaycometo.Good-night!\'
Whenhewasleftalone,thisstrangebeingtookupacandle,wenttoaglassthathungagainstthewall,andsurveyedhimselfminutelyinit.
`Doyouparticularlyliketheman?\'hemuttered,athisownimage;`whyshouldyouparticularlylikeamanwhoresemblesyou?Thereisnothinginyoutolike;youknowthat.Ah,confoundyou!Whatachangeyouhavemadeinyourself!Agoodreasonfortakingtoaman,thatheshowsyouwhatyouhavefallenawayfrom,andwhatyoumighthavebeen!Changeplaceswithhim,andwouldyouhavebeenlookedatbythoseblueeyesashewas,andcommiseratedbythatagitatedfaceashewas?Comeon,andhaveitoutinplainwords!Youhatethefellow.\'
Heresortedtohispintofwineforconsolation,drankitallinafewminutes,andfellasleeponhisarms,withhishairstragglingoverthetable,andalongwinding-sheetinthecandledrippingdownuponhim.
CHAPTERV
TheJackal
THOSEweredrinkingdays,andmootmendrankhard.SoverygreatistheimprovementTimehasbroughtaboutinsuchhabits,thatamoderatestatementofthequantityofwineandpunchwhichonemanwouldswallowinthecourseofanight,withoutanydetrimenttohisreputationasaperfectgentleman,wouldseem,inthesedays,aridiculousexaggeration.ThelearnedprofessionofthelawwascertainlynotbehindanyotherlearnedprofessioninitsBacchanalianPropensities;neitherwasMr.Stryver,alreadyfastshoulderinghiswaytoalargeandlucrativepractice,behindhiscompeersinthisparticular,anymorethaninthedrierpartsofthelegalrace.
AfavouriteattheOldBailey,andekeattheSessions,Mr.Stryverhadbeguncautiouslytohewawaythelowerstavesoftheladderonwhichhemounted.SessionsandOldBaileyhadnowtosummontheirfavourite,specially,totheirlongingarms;andshoulderingitselftowardsthevisageoftheLordChiefJusticeintheCourtofKing\'sBench,thefloridcountenanceofMr.Stryvermightbedailyseen,burstingoutofthebedofwigs,likeagreatsunflowerpushingitswayatthesunfromamongarankgardenfullofflaringcompanions.
adoncebeennotedattheBar,thatwhileMr.Stryverwasaglibman,andanunscrupulous,andaready,andabold,hehadnotthatfacultyofextractingtheessencefromaheapofstatements,whichisamongthemoststrikingandnecessaryoftheadvocate\'saccomplishments.Butaremarkableimprovementcameuponhimastothis.Themorebusinesshegot,thegreaterhispowerseemedtogrowofgettingatitspithandmarrow;andhoweverlateatnighthesatcarousingwithSydneyCarton,healwayshadhispointsathisfingers\'endsinthemorning.
SydneyCarton,idlestandmostunpromisingofmen,wasStryver\'sgreatally.Whatthetwodranktogether,betweenHilaryTermandMichaelmas,mighthavefloatedaking\'sship.Stryverneverhadacaseinhand,anywhere,butCartonwasthere,withhishandsinhispockets,staringattheceilingofthecourt;theywentthesameCircuit,andeventheretheyprolongedtheirusualorgieslateintothenight,andCartonwasrumouredtobeseenatbroadday,goinghomestealthilyandunsteadilytohislodgings,likeadissipatedcat.Atlast,itbegantogetabout,amongsuchaswereinterestedinthematter,thatalthoughSydneyCartonwouldneverbealion,hewasanamazinglygoodjackal,andthatherenderedsuitandservicetoStryverinthathumblecapacity.
`Teno\'clock,sir,\'saidthemanatthetavern,whomhehadchargedtowakehim——\'teno\'clock,sir.\'
`What\'sthematter?\'
`Teno\'clock,sir.\'
`Whatdoyoumean?Teno\'clockatnight?\'
`Yes,sir.Yourhonourtoldmetocallyou.\'
`Oh!Iremember.Verywell,verywell.\'
Afterafewdulleffortstogettosleepagain,whichthemandexterouslycombatedbystirringthefirecontinuouslyforfiveminutes,hegotup,tossedhishaton,andwalkedout.HeturnedintotheTemple,and,havingrevivedhimselfbytwicepacingthepavementsofKing\'sBench-walkandPaper-buildings,turnedintotheStryverchambers.
TheStryverclerk,whoneverassistedattheseconferences,hadgonehome,andtheStryverprincipalopenedthedoor.Hehadhisslipperson,andaloosebed-gown,andhisthroatwasbareforhisgreaterease.Hehadthatratherwild,strained,searedmarkingabouttheeyes,whichmaybeobservedinallfreeliversofhisclass,fromtheportraitofJeffriesdownward,andwhichcanbetraced,undervariousdisguisesofArt,throughtheportraitsofeveryDrinkingAge.
`Youarealittlelate,Memory,\'saidStryver.
`Abouttheusualtime;itmaybeaquarterofanhourlater.\'
Theywentintoadingyroomlinedwithbooksandlitteredwithpapers,wheretherewasablazingfire.Akettlesteameduponthehob,andinthemidstofthewreckofpapersatableshone,withplentyofwineuponit,andbrandy,andrum,andsugar,andlemons.
`Youhavehadyourbottle,Iperceive,Sydney.\'
`Twoto-night,Ithink.Ihavebeendiningwiththeday\'sclient;orseeinghimdine——it\'sallone!\'
`Thatwasararepoint,Sydney,thatyoubroughttobearupontheidentification.Howdidyoucomebyit?Whendiditstrikeyou?\'
`Ithoughthewasratherahandsomefellow,andIthoughtIshouldhavebeenmuchthesamesortoffellow,ifIhadhadanyluck.\'
Mr.Stryverlaughedtillheshookhisprecociouspaunch.
`Youandyourluck,Sydney!Gettowork,gettowork.\'Sullenlyenough,thejackalloosenedhisdress,wentintoanadjoiningroom,andcamebackwithalargejugofcoldwater,abasin,andatowelortwo.Steepingthetowelsinthewater,andpartiallywringingthemout,hefoldedthemonhisheadinamannerhideoustobehold,satdownatthetable,andsaid,`NowIamready!\'
`Notmuchboilingdowntobedoneto-night,Memory,\'saidMr.Stryver,gaily,ashelookedamonghispapers.
`Howmuch?\'
`Onlytwosetsofthem.\'
`Givemetheworstfirst.\'
`Theretheyare,Sydney.Fireaway!\'
Thelionthencomposedhimselfonhisbackonasofaononesideofthedrinking-table,whilethejackalsatathisownPaperbestrewntableproper,ontheothersideofit,withthebottlesandglassesreadytohishand.Bothresortedtothedrinking-tablewithoutstint,buteachinadifferentway;thelionforthemostpartrecliningwithhishandsinhiswaistband,lookingatthefire,oroccasionallyflirtingwithsomelighterdocument;thejackal,withknittedbrowsandintentface,sodeepinhistask,thathiseyesdidnotevenfollowthehandhestretchedoutforhisglass——whichoftengropedabout,foraminuteormore,beforeitfoundtheglassforhislips.Twoorthreetimes,thematterinhandbecamesoknotty,thatthejackalfounditimperativeonhimtogetup,andsteephistowelsanew.Fromthesepilgrimagestothejugandbasin,hereturnedwithsucheccentricitiesofdampheadgearasnowordscandescribe;whichweremadethemoreludicrousbyhisanxiousgravity.
Atlengththejackalhadgottogetheracompactrepastforthelion,andproceededtoofferittohim.Theliontookitwithcareandcaution,madehisselectionsfromit,andhisremarksuponit,andthejackalassistedboth.Whentherepastwasfullydiscussed,thelionputhishandsinhiswaistbandagain,andlaydowntomeditate.Thejackaltheninvigoratedhimselfwithabumperforhisthrottle,andafreshapplicationtohishead,andappliedhimselftothecollectionofasecondmeal;thiswasadministeredtothelioninthesamemanner,andwasnotdisposedofuntiltheclocksstruckthreeinthemorning.
`Andnowwehavedone,Sydney,fillabumperofpunch,\'saidMr.Stryver.
Thejackalremovedthetowelsfromhishead,whichhadbeensteamingagain,shookhimself,yawned,shivered,andcomplied.
`Youwereverysound,Sydney,inthematterofthosecrownwitnessesto-day.Everyquestiontold.\'
`Ialwaysamsound;amInot?\'
`Idon\'tgainsayit.Whathasroughen\'edyourtemper?Putsomepunchtoitandsmoothitagain.
Withadeprecatorygrunt,thejackalagaincomplied.
`TheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchool,\'saidStryver,noddinghisheadoverhimashereviewedhiminthepresentandthepast,`theoldseesawSydney.Uponeminuteanddownthenext;nowinspiritsandnowindespondency!\'
`Ah!\'returnedtheother,sighing:`yes!ThesameSydney,withthesameluck.Eventhen,Ididexercisesforotherboys,andseldomdidmyown.\'
`Andwhynot?\'`Godknows.Itwasmyway,Isuppose.\'
Hesat,withhishandsinhispocketsandhislegsstretchedoutbeforehim,lookingatthefire.
`Carton,\'saidhisfriend,squaringhimselfathimwithabullyingair,asifthefire-gratehadbeenthefurnaceinwhichsustainedendeavourwasforged,andtheonedelicatethingtobedonefortheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchoolwastoshoulderhimintoit,`yourwayis,andalwayswas,alameway.Yousummonnoenergyandpurpose.Lookatme.
`Oh,botheration!\'returnedSydney,withalighterandmoregood-humouredlaugh,`don\'t*youbemoral!\'
`HowhaveIdonewhatIhavedone?\'saidStryver;`howdoIdowhatIdo?\'
`Partlythroughpayingmetohelpyou,Isuppose.Butit\'snotworthyourwhiletoapostrophiseme,ortheair,aboutit;whatyouwanttodo,youdo.Youwerealwaysinthefrontrank,andIwasalwaysbehind.\'
`Ihadtogetintothefrontrank;Iwasnotbornthere,wasI?\'
`Iwasnotpresentattheceremony;butmyopinionisyouwere,\'saidCarton.Atthis,helaughedagain,andtheybothlaughed.
`BeforeShrewsbury,andatShrewsbury,andeversinceShrewsbury,\'pursuedCarton,`youhavefallenintoyourrank,andIhavefallenintomine.EvenwhenwewerefellowstudentsintheStudent-QuarterofParis,pickingupFrench,andFrenchlaw,andotherFrenchcrumbsthatwedidn\'tgetmuchgoodof,youwerealwayssomewhere,andIwasalways——nowhere.\'
`Andwhosefaultwasthat?\'
`Uponmysoul,Iamnotsurethatitwasnotyours.Youwerealwaysdrivingandrivingandshoulderingandpressing,tothatrestlessdegreethatIhadnochanceformylifebutinrustandrepose.It\'sagloomything,however,totalkaboutone\'sOwnpast,withthedaybreaking.TurnmeinsomeotherdirectionbeforeIgo.\'
`Wellthen!Pledgemetotheprettywitness,\'saidStryver,holdinguphisglass.`Areyouturnedinapleasantdirection?\'
Apparentlynot,forhebecamegloomyagain.
`Prettywitness,\'hemuttered,lookingdownintohisglass.`Ihavehadenoughofwitnessesto-dayandto-night;who\'syourprettywitness?\'
`Thepicturesquedoctor\'sdaughter,MissManette.\'
`Shepretty?\'
`Isshenot?\'
`No.\'
`Why,manalive,shewastheadmirationofthewholeCourt!\'
`RottheadmirationofthewholeCourt!WhomadetheOldBaileyajudgeofbeauty?Shewasagolden-haireddoll!\'
`Doyouknow,Sydney,\'saidMr.Stryver,lookingathimwithsharpeyes,andslowlydrawingahandacrosshisfloridface:`doyouknow,Iratherthought,atthetime,thatyousympathisedwiththegolden-haireddoll,andwerequicktoseewhat=happenedtothegolden-haireddoll?\'
`Quicktoseewhathappened!Ifagirl,dollornodoll,swoonswithinayardortwoofaman\'snose,hecanseeitwithoutaperspective-glass.Ipledgeyou,butIdenythebeauty.AndnowI\'llhavenomoredrink;I\'llgettobed.\'
Whenhishostfollowedhimoutonthestaircasewithacandle,tolighthimdownthestairs,thedaywascoldlylookinginthroughitsgrimywindows.Whenhegotoutofthehouse,theairwascoldandsad,thedullskyovercast,theriverdarkanddim,thewholescenelikealifelessdesert.Andwreathsofdustwerespinningroundandroundbeforethemorningblast,asifthedesert-sandhadrisenfaraway,andthefirstsprayofitinitsadvancehadbeguntooverwhelmthecity.
Wasteforceswithinhim,andadesert\'allaround,thismanstoodstillonhiswayacrossasilentterrace,andsawforamoment,lyinginthewildernessbeforehim,amirageofhonourableambition,self-denial,andperseverance.Inthefaircityofthisvision,therewereairygalleriesfromwhichthelovesandgraceslookeduponhim,gardensinwhichthefruitsoflifehungripening,watersofHopethatsparkledinhissight.Amoment,anditwasgone.Climbingtoahighchamberinawellofhouses,hethrewhimselfdowninhisclothesonaneglectedbed,anditspillowwaswetwithwastedtears.
Sadly,sadly,thesunrose;itroseuponnosaddersightthanthemanofgoodabilitiesandgoodemotions,incapableoftheirdirectedexercise,incapableofhisownhelpandhisownhappiness,sensibleoftheblightonhim,andresigninghim-selftoletitcathimaway.
CHAPTERVI
HundredsofPeople
THEquietlodgingsofDoctorManettewereinaquietstreet-cornernotfarfromSoho-square.OntheafternoonofacertainfineSundaywhenthewavesoffourmonthshadrolledoverthetrialfortreason,andcarriedit,astothepublicinterestandmemory,farouttosea,Mr.JarvisLorrywalkedalongthesunnystreetsfromClerkenwellwherehelived,onhiswaytodinewiththeDoctor.Afterseveralrelapsesintobusiness-absorption,Mr.LorryhadbecometheDoctor\'sfriend,andthequietstreet-cornerwasthesunnypartofhislife.
OnthiscertainfineSunday,Mr.LorrywalkedtowardsSoho,earlyintheafternoon,forthreereasonsofhabit.Firstly,because,onfineSundays,heoftenwalkedout,beforedinner,withtheDoctorandLucie;secondly,because,onunfavourableSundays,hewasaccustomedtobewiththemasthefamilyfriend,talking,reading,lookingoutofwindow,andgenerallygettingthroughtheday;thirdly,becausehehappenedtohavehisownlittleshrewddoubtstosolve,andknewhowthewaysoftheDoctor\'shouseholdpointedtothattimeasalikelytimeforsolvingthem.
AquaintercornerthanthecornerwheretheDoctorlived,wasnottobefoundinLondon.Therewasnowaythroughit,andthefrontwindowsoftheDoctor\'slodgingscommandedapleasantlittlevistaofstreetthathadacongenialairofretirementonit.Therewerefewbuildingsthen,northoftheOxford-road,andforest-treesflourished,andwildflowersgrew,andthehawthornblossomed,inthenowvanishedfields.Asaconsequence,countryairscirculatedinSohowithvigorousfreedom,insteadoflanguishingintotheparishlikestraypauperswithoutasettlement;andtherewasmanyagoodsouthwall,notfaroff,onwhichthepeachesripenedintheirseason.
Thesummerlightstruckintothecornerbrilliantlyintheearlierpartoftheday;but,whenthestreetsgrewhot,thecornerwasinshadow,thoughnotinshadowsoremotebutthatyoucouldseebeyonditintoaglareofbrightness.Itwasacoolspot,staidbutcheerful,awonderfulplaceforechoes,andaveryharbourfromtheragingstreets.
Thereoughttohavebeenatranquilbarkinsuchananchorage,andtherewas.TheDoctoroccupiedtwofloorsofalargestillhouse,whereseveralcallingspurportedtobepursuedbyday,butwhereoflittlewasaudibleanyday,andwhichwasshunnedbyallofthematnight.Inabuildingattheback,attainablebyacourt-yard\'whereaplane-treerustleditsgreenleaves,church-organsclaimedtobemade,andsilvertobechased,andlikewisegoldtobebeatenbysomemysteriousgiantwhohadagoldenarmstartingoutofthewallofthefronthall——asifhehadbeatenhimselfprecious,andmenacedasimilarconversionofallvisitors.Verylittleofthesetrades,orofalonelylodgerrumouredtoliveup-stairs,orofadimcoach-trimmingmakerassertedtohaveacounting-housebelow,waseverheardorseen.Occasionally,astrayworkmanputtinghiscoaton,traversedthehall,orastrangerpeeredaboutthere,oradistantclinkwasheardacrossthecourt-yard,orathumpfromthegoldengiant.These,how-ever,wereonlytheexceptionsrequiredtoprovetherulethatthesparrowsintheplane-treebehindthehouse,andtheechoesinthecornerbeforeit,hadtheirownwayfromSundaymorninguntoSaturdaynight.
DoctorManettereceivedsuchpatientshereashisoldreputation,anditsrevivalinthefloatingwhispersofhisstory,broughthim.Hisscientificknowledge,andhisvigilanceandskillinconductingingeniousexperiments,broughthimother-wiseintomoderaterequest,andheearneda,muchashewanted.
ThesethingswerewithinMr.JarvisLorry\'sknowledge,thoughts,andnotice,whenherangthedoor-bellofthetranquilhouseinthecorner,onthefineSundayafternoon.
`DoctorManetteathome?\'
Expectedhome.
`MissLucieathome?\'
Expectedhome.
