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:whosecharacter(dissociatedfromstature)wasshortness.\'
`Really,then?\'saidMr.Lorry,asanamendment.
`Really,isbadenough,\'returnedMissPross,`butbetter.Yes,Iamverymuchputout.\'
`MayIaskthecause?\'
`Idon\'twantdozensofpeoplewhoarenotatallworthyofLadybird,tocomeherelookingafterher,\'saidMissPross.
`Dodozenscomeforthatpurpose?\'
`Hundreds,\'saidMissPross.
Itwascharacteristicofthislady(asofsomeotherpeoplebeforehertimeandsince)thatwheneverheroriginalpro-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.Butitreallyisdoublyandtreblyhardtohavecrowdsandmultitudesofpeopleturningupafterhim(Icouldhaveforgivenhim),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\'sfidelityofbeliefinSolomon(deductingameretrifleforthisslightmistake)wasquiteaseriousmatterwithMr.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,whenhestoppedunderittoremarktothemthathewasnotyetproofagainstslightsurprises(ifheeverwouldbe),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;afourth(heofthetwooldwatches),pouredthechocolateout.ItwasimpossibleMonseigneurtodispensewithoneoftheseattendantsonthechocolateandholdhishighplaceundertheadmiringHeavens.Deepwouldhavebeentheblotuponhisescutcheonifhischocolatehadbeenignoblywaitedonbyonlythreemen;hemusthavediedoftwo.
Monseigneurhadbeenoutatalittlesupperlastnight,wheretheComedyandtheGrandOperawerecharminglyrepresented.Monseigneurwasoutatalittlesuppermostnights,withfascinatingcompany.SopoliteandsoimpressiblewasMonseigneur,thattheComedyandtheGrandOperahadfarmoreinfluencewithhiminthetiresomearticlesofstateaffairsandstatesecrets,thantheneedsofallFrance.AhappycircumstanceforFrance,asthelikealwaysisforallcountriessimilarlyfavoured!——alwayswasforEngland(bywayofexample),intheregretteddaysofthemerryStuartwhosoldit.
Monseigneurhadonetrulynobleideaofgeneralpublicbusiness,whichwas,toleteverythinggooninitsownway;ofparticularpublicbusiness,Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleideathatitmustallgohisway——tendtohisownpowerandpocket.Ofhispleasures,generalandparticular,Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleidea,thattheworldwasmadeforthem.Thetextofhisorder(alteredfromtheoriginalbyonlyapronoun,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;consideredwithanyreferencetothescarecrowsintheragsandnightcapselsewhere(andnotsofaroff,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,andallsociety(exceptthescarecrows),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.
MonsieurtheMarquisinhistravellingcarriage(whichmighthavebeenlighter),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-yardforrelayofpost+horses,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.
