`Youarethefellowwewant,\'saidDefarge,inhisear;`youmakethesefoolsbelievethatitwilllastforever.Then,theyarethemoreinsolent,anditisthenearerended.\'
`Hey!\'criedthemenderofroads,reflectively;`that\'strue.\'`Thesefoolsknownothing.Whiletheydespiseyourbreath,andwouldstopitforeverandever,inyouorinahundredlikeyouratherthaninoneoftheirownhorsesordogs,theyonlyknowwhatyourbreathtellsthem.Letitdeceivethem,then,alittlelonger;itcannotdeceivethemtoomuch.\'
MadameDefargelookedsuperciliouslyattheclient,andnoddedinconfirmation.
`Astoyou,\'saidshe,`youwouldshoutandshedtearsforanything,ifitmadeashowandanoise.Say!Wouldyounot?\'
`Truly,madame,Ithinkso.Forthemoment.\'
`Ifyouwereshownagreatheapofdolls,andweresetuponthemtopluckthemtopiecesanddespoilthemforyourownadvantage,youwouldpickouttherichestandgayest.Say!Wouldyounot?\'
`Trulyyes,madame.\'
`Yes.Andifyouwereshownaflockofbirds,unabletofly,andweresetuponthemtostripthemoftheirfeathersforyourownadvantage,youwouldsetuponthebirdsofthefinestfeathers;wouldyounot?\'
`Itistrue,madame.\'
`Youhaveseenbothdollsandbirdstoday,\'saidMadameDefarge,withawaveofherhandtowardstheplacewheretheyhadlastbeenapparent;`now,gohome!\'
CHAPTERXVI
Stillknitting
MADAMEDEFARGEandmonsieurherhusbandreturnedamicablytothebosomofSaintAntoine,whileaspeckinabluecaptoiledthroughthedarkness,andthroughthedust,anddownthewearymilesofavenuebythewayside,slowlytendingtowardsthatpointofthecompasswherethechateauofMonsieurtheMarquis,nowinhisgrave,listenedtothewhisperingtrees.Suchampleleisurehadthestonefaces,now,forlisteningtothetreesandtothefountain,thatthefewvillagescarecrowswho,intheirquestforherbstoeatandfragmentsofdeadsticktoburn,strayedwithinsightofthegreatstonecourtyardandterracestaircase,haditborneinupontheirstarvedfancythattheexpressionofthefaceswasaltered.Arumourjustlivedinthevillage——hadafaintandbareexistencethere,asitspeoplehadthatwhentheknifestruckhome,thefaceschanged,fromfacesofpridetofacesofangerandpainalso,thatwhenthatdanglingfigurewashauledupfortyfeeabovethefountain,theychangedagain,andboreacruellookofbeingavenged,whichtheywouldhenceforthbearforever.Inthestonefaceoverthegreatwindowofthebed-chamberwherethemurderwasdone,twofinedintswerepointedoutinthesculpturednose,whicheverybodyrecognised,andwhichnobodyhadseenofold;andonthescarceoccasionswhentwoorthreeraggedpeasantsemergedfromthecrowdtotakeahurriedpeepatMonsieurtheMarquispetrified,askinnyfingerwouldnothavepointedtoitforaminute,beforetheyallstartedawayamongthemossandleaves,likethemorefortunatehareswhocouldfindalivingthere.
Chateauandhut,stonefaceanddanglingfigure,theredstainonthestonefloor,andthepurewaterinthevillagewell——thousandsofacresofland——awholeprovinceofFrance——allFranceitself——layunderthenightsky,concentratedintoafainthairbreadthline.Sodoesawholeworld,withallitsgreatnessesandlittlenesses,lieinatwinklingstar.Andasmerehumanknowledgecansplitarayoflightandanalysethemannerofitscomposition,so,sublimerintelligencesmayreadinthefeebleshiningofthisearthofours,everythoughtandact,everyviceandvirtue,ofeveryresponsiblecreatureonit.
TheDefarges,husbandandwife,camelumberingunderthestarlight,intheirpublicvehicle,tothatgateofPariswhereuntotheirjourneynaturallytended.Therewastheusualstoppageatthebarrierguardhouse,andtheusuallanternscameglancingforthfortheusualexaminationandinquiry.MonsieurDefargealighted;knowingoneortwoofthesoldierythere,andoneofthepolice.Thelatterhewasintimatewith,andaffectionatelyembraced.
WhenSaintAntoinehadagainenfoldedtheDefargesinhisduskywings,andthey,havingfinallyalightedneartheSaint\'sboundaries,werepickingtheirwayonfootthroughtheblackmudandoffalofhisstreets,MadameDefargespoketoherhusband:
`Saythen,myfriend;whatdidJacquesofthepolicetellthee?\'
`Verylittletonight,butallheknows.Thereisanotherspycommissionedforourquarter.Theremaybemanymore,forallthathecansay,butheknowsofone.\'
`Ehwell!\'saidMadameDefarge,raisinghereyebrowswithacoolbusinessair.`Itisnecessarytoregisterhim.Howdotheycallthatman?\'
`HeisEnglish.\'
`Somuchthebetter.Hisname?\'
`Barsad,\'saidDefarge,makingitFrenchbypronunciation.But,hehadbeensocarefultogetitaccurately,thathethenspeltitwithperfectcorrectness.
`Barsad,,\'repeatedmadame.`Good.Christianname?\'
`John.\'
`JohnBarsad,\'repeatedmadame,aftermurmuringitoncetoherself.`Good.Hisappearance;isitknown?\'
`Age,aboutfortyyears;height,aboutfivefeetnine;blackhair;complexiondark;generally,ratherhandsomevisage;eyesdark,facethin,long,andsallow;noseaquiline,butnotstraight,havingapeculiarinclinationtowardstheleftcheek;expression,therefore,sinister.\'
`Ehmyfaith.Itisaportrait!\'saidmadame,laughing.`Heshallberegisteredtomorrow.\'
Theyturnedintothewine-shop,whichwasclosed(foritwasmidnight)andwhereMadameDefargeimmediatelytookherpostatherdesk,countedthesmallmoneysthathadbeentakenduringherabsence,examinedthestock,wentthroughtheentriesinthebook,madeotherentriesofherown,checkedtheservingmanineverypossibleway,andfinallydismissedhimtobed.Thensheturnedoutthecontentsofthebowlofmoneyforthesecondtime,andbeganknottingthemupinherhandkerchief,inachainofseparateknots,forsafekeepingthroughthenight.Allthiswhile,Defarge,withhispipeinhismouth,walkedupanddown,complacentlyadmiring,butneverinterfering;inwhichcondition,indeed,astothebusinessandhisdomesticaffairs,hewalkedupanddownthroughlife.
Thenightwashot,andtheshop,closeshutandsurroundedbysofoulaneighbourhood,wasill-smelling.MonsieurDefarge\'solfactorysensewasbynomeansdelicate,butthestockofwinesmeltmuchstrongerthanitevertasted,andsodidthestockofrumandbrandyandaniseed.Hewhiffedthecompoundofscentsaway,asheputdownhissmoked-outpipe.
`Youarefatigued,\'saidmadame,raisingherglanceassheknottedthemoney.`Thereareonlytheusualodours.\'
`Iamalittletired,\'herhusbandacknowledged.
`Youarealittledepressed,too,\'saidmadame,whosequickeyeshadneverbeensointentontheaccounts,buttheyhadhadarayortwoforhim.`Oh,themen,themen!\'
`Butmydear!\'beganDefarge.
`Butmydear!\'repeatedmadame,noddingfirmly;`butmydear!Youarefaintofhearttonight,mydear!\'
`Well,then,\'saidDefarge,asifathoughtwerewrungOutofhisbreast,`itisalongtime.\'
`Itisalongtime,\'repeatedhiswife;`andwhenisitnotalongtime?Vengeanceandretributionrequirealongtime;itistherule.\'
`ItdoesnottakealongtimetostrikeamanwithLightning,\'saidDefarge.
`Howlong,\'demandedmadame,composedly,`doesittaketomakeandstorethelightning?Tellme.\'
Defargeraisedhisheadthoughtfully,asifthereweresomethinginthattoo.
`Itdoesnottakealongtime,\'saidmadame,`foranearthquaketoswallowatown.Ehwell!Tellmehowlongittakestopreparetheearthquake?\'
`Alongtime,Isuppose,\'saidDefarge.
`Butwhenitisready,ittakesplace,andgrindstopieceseverythingbeforeit.Inthemeantime,itisalwayspreparing,thoughitisnotseenorheard.Thatisyourconsolation.Keepit.\'
Shetiedaknotwithflashingeyes,asifitthrottledafoe.
`Itellthee,\'saidmadame,extendingherrighthand,foremphasis,`thatalthoughitisalongtimeontheroad,itisontheroadandcoming.Itelltheeitneverretreats,andneverstops.Itelltheeitisalwaysadvancing.Lookaroundandconsiderthelivesofalltheworldthatweknow,considerthefacesofalltheworldthatweknow,considertherageanddiscontenttowhichtheJacquerieaddressesitselfwithmoreandmoreofcertaintyeveryhour.Cansuchthingslast?Bah!Imockyou.\'
`Mybravewife,\'returnedDefarge,standingbeforeherwithhisheadalittlebent,andhishandsclaspedathisback,likeadocileandattentivepupilbeforehiscatechist,`Idonotquestionallthis.Butithaslastedalongtime,anditispossible——youknowwell,mywife,itispossible——thatitmaynotcome,duringourlives.\'
`Ehwell!Howthen?\'demandedmadame,tyinganotherknot,asiftherewereanotherenemystrangled.
`Well!\'saidDefarge,withahalf-complainingandhalfapologeticshrug.`Weshallnotseethetriumph.\'
Weshallhavehelpedit,\'returnedmadame,withherextendedhandinstrongaction.`Nothingthatwedo,isdoneinvain.Ibelieve,withallmysoul,thatweshallseethetriumph.Butevenifnot,evenifIknewcertainlynot,showmetheneckofanaristocratandtyrant,andstillIwould——\'
Thenmadame,withherteethset,tiedaveryterribleknotindeed.
`Hold!\'criedDefarge,reddeningalittleasifhefeltchargedwithcowardice;`Itoo,mydear,willstopatnothing.\'
`Yes!Butitisyourweaknessthatyousometimesneedtoseeyourvictimandyouropportunity,tosustainyou.Sustainyourselfwithoutthat.Whenthetimecomes,letlooseatigerandadevil;butwaitforthetimewiththetigerandthedevilchained——notshown——yetalwaysready.\'
Madameenforcedtheconclusionofthispieceofadvicebystrikingherlittlecounterwithherchainofmoneyasifsheknockeditsbrainsout,andthengatheringtheheavyhandkerchiefunderherarminaserenemanner,andobservingthatitwastimetogotobed.
Nextnoontidesawtheadmirablewomaninherusualplaceinthewine-shop,knittingawayassiduously.Aroselaybesideher,andifshenowandthenglancedattheflower,itwaswithnoinfractionofherusualpreoccupiedair.Therewereafewcustomers,drinkingornotdrinking,standingorseated,sprinkledabout.Thedaywasveryhot,andheapsofflies,whowereextendingtheirinquisitiveandadventurousperquisitionsintoalltheglutinouslittleglassesnearmadame,felldeadatthebottom.Theirdeceasemadenoimpressionontheotherfliesoutpromenading,wholookedattheminthecoolestmanner(asiftheythemselveswereelephants,orsomethingasfarremoved),untiltheymetthesamefate.Curioustoconsiderhowheedlessfliesare!——perhapstheythoughtasmuchatCourtthatsunnysummerday.
AfigureenteringatthedoorthrewashadowonMadameDefargewhichshefelttobeanewone.Shelaiddownherknitting,andbegantopinherroseinherhead-dress,beforeshelookedatthefigure.
Itwascurious.ThemomentMadameDefargetookuptherose,thecustomersceasedtalking,andbegangraduallytodropoutofthewine-shop.
`Goodday,madame,\'saidthenewcomer.
`Goodday,monsieur.\'
Shesaiditaloud,butaddedtoherselfassheresumedherknitting:`Hah!Goodday,ageaboutforty,heightaboutfivefeetnine,blackhair,generallyratherhandsomevisage,complexiondark,eyesdark,thinlongandsallowface,aquilinenosebutnotstraight,havingapeculiarinclinationtowardstheleftcheekwhichimpartsasinisterexpression!Goodday,oneandall!\'
`Havethegoodnesstogivemealittleglassofoldcognac,andamouthfulofcoolfreshwater,madame.\'
Madamecompliedwithapoliteair.
`Marvellouscognacthis,madame!\'
Itwasthefirsttimeithadeverbeensocomplimented,andMadameDefargeknewenoughofitsantecedentstoknowbetter.Shesaid,however,thatthecognacwasflattered,andtookupherknitting.Thevisitorwatchedherfingersforafewmoments,andtooktheopportunityofobservingtheplaceingeneral.
`Youknitwithgreatskill,madame.\'
`Iamaccustomedtoit.\'
`Aprettypatterntoo!\'
`Youthinkso?\'saidmadame,lookingathimwithasmile.
`Decidedly.Mayoneaskwhatitisfor?\'
`Pastime,\'saidmadame,stilllookingathimwithasmile,whileherfingersmovednimbly.
`Notforuse?\'
`Thatdepends.Imayfindauseforitoneday.IfIdo——well,\'saidmadame,drawingabreathandnoddingherheadwithasternkindofcoquetry,`I\'lluseit!\'
Itwasremarkable:butthetasteofSaintAntoineseemedtobedecidedlyopposedtoaroseontheheaddressofMadameDefarge.Twomenhadenteredseparately,andhadbeenabouttoorderdrink,when,catchingsightofthatnovelty,theyfaltered,madeapretenceoflookingaboutasifforsomefriendwhowasnotthere,andwentaway.Nor,ofthosewhohadbeentherewhenthisvisitorentered,wasthereoneleft.Theyhadalldroppedoff.Thespyhadkepthiseyesopen,buthadbeenabletodetectnosign.Theyhadloungedawayinapoverty-stricken,purposeless,accidentalmanner,quitenaturalandunimpeachable.
`JOHN,\'thoughtmadame,checkingoffherworkasherfingersknitted,andhereyeslookedatthestranger.,`Staylongenough,andIshallknit``BARSAD\'\'beforeyougo.\'
`Youhaveahusband,madame?\'
`Ihave.\'
`Children?\'
`Nochildren.\'
`Businessseemsbad?\'
`Businessisverybad;thepeoplearesopoor.\'
`Ah,theunfortunate,miserablepeople!Sooppressed,too——asyousay.\'
`Asyousay,\'madameretorted,correctinghim,anddeftlyknittinganextrasomethingintohisnamethatbodedhimnogood.
`Pardonme;certainlyitwasIwhosaidso,butyounaturallythinkso.Ofcourse.\'
`Ithink?\'returnedmadame,inahighvoice.`Iandmyhusbandhaveenoughtodotokeepthiswine-shopopen,withoutthinking.Allwethink,here,ishowtolive.Thatisthesubjectwethinkof,anditgivesus,frommorningtonight,enoughtothinkabout,withoutembarrassingourheadsconcerningothers.Ithinkforothers?No,no.\'
Thespy,whowastheretopickupanycrumbshecouldfindormake,didnotallowhisbaffledstatetoexpressitselfinhissinisterface;but,stoodwithanairofgossipinggallantry,leaninghiselbowonMadameDefarge\'slittlecounter,andoccasionallysippinghiscognac.
`Abadbusinessthis,madame,ofGaspard\'sexecution.Ah!thepoorGaspard!\'Withasighofgreatcompassion.
`Myfaith!\'returnedmadame,coollyandlightly,`ifpeopleuseknivesforsuchpurposes,theyhavetopayforit.Heknewbeforehandwhatthepriceofhisluxurywas;hehaspaidtheprice.\'
`Ibelieve,\'saidthespy,droppinghissoftvoicetoatonethatinvitedconfidence,andexpressinganinjuredrevolutionarysusceptibilityineverymuscleofhiswickedface:`Ibelievethereismuchcompassionandangerinthisneighbourhood,touchingthepoorfellow?Betweenourselves.\'
`Isthere?\'askedmadame,vacantly.
`Istherenot?\'
`——Hereismyhusband!\'saidMadameDefarge.
Asthekeeperofthewine-shopenteredatthedoor,thespysalutedhimbytouchinghishat,andsaying,withanengagingsmile,`Goodday,Jacques!\'Defargestoppedshort,andstaredathim.
`Goodday,Jacques!\'thespyrepeated;withnotquitesomuchconfidence,orquitesoeasyasmileunderthestare.
`Youdeceiveyourself,monsieur,\'returnedthekeeperofthewine-shop.`Youmistakemeforanother.Thatisnotmyname.IamErnestDefarge.\'
`Itisallthesame,\'saidthespy,airily,butdiscomfitedtoo:`goodday!\'
`Goodday!\'answeredDefarge,drily.
`Iwassayingtomadame,withwhomIhadthepleasureofchattingwhenyouentered,thattheytellmethereis——andnowonder!——muchsympathyandangerinSaintAntoine,touchingtheunhappyfateofpoorGaspard.\'
`Noonehastoldmeso,\'saidDefarge,shakinghishead.`Iknownothingofit.\'
Havingsaidit,hepassedbehindthelittlecounter,andstoodwithhishandonthebackofhiswife\'schair,lookingoverthatbarrieratthepersontowhomtheywerebothopposed,andwhomeitherofthemwouldhaveshotwiththegreatestsatisfaction.
Thespy,wellusedtohisbusiness,didnotchangehisunconsciousattitude,butdrainedhislittleglassofcognac,tookasipoffreshwater,andaskedforanotherglassofcognac.MadameDefargepoureditoutforhim,tooktoherknittingagain,andhummedalittlesongoverit.
`Youseemtoknowthisquarterwell;thatistosay,betterthanIdo?\'observedDefarge.
`Notatall,butIhopetoknowitbetter.Iamsoprofoundlyinterestedinitsmiserableinhabitants.\'
`Hah!\'mutteredDefarge.
`Thepleasureofconversingwithyou,MonsieurDefarge,recallstome,\'pursuedthespy,`thatIhavethehonourofcherishingsomeinterestingassociationswithyourname.\'
`Indeed!\'saidDefarge,withmuchindifference.
`Yes,indeed.WhenDr.Manettewasreleased,you,hisolddomestic,hadthechargeofhim,Iknow.Hewasdeliveredtoyou.YouseeIaminformedofthecircumstances?\'
`Suchisthefact,certainly,\'saidDefarge.Hehadhaditconveyedtohim,inanaccidentaltouchofhiswife\'selbowassheknittedandwarbled,thathewoulddobesttoanswer,butalwayswithbrevity.
`Itwastoyou,\'saidthespy,`thathisdaughtercame;anditwasfromyourcarethathisdaughtertookhim,accompaniedbyaneatbrownmonsieur;howishecalled?——inalittlewig——Lorry——ofthebankofTellsonandCompany——overtoEngland.\'
`Suchisthefact,\'repeatedDefarge.
`Veryinterestingremembrances\'saidthespy.`IhaveknownDr.Manetteandhisdaughter,inEngland.\'
`Yes?\'saidDefarge.
`Youdon\'thearmuchaboutthemnow?\'saidthespy.
`No,\'saidDefarge.
`Ineffect,\'madamestruckin,lookingupfromherworkandherlittlesong,`weneverhearaboutthem.Wereceivedthenewsoftheirsafearrival,andperhapsanotherletter,orperhapsMo;but,sincethen,theyhavegraduallytakentheirroadinlife——we,ours——andwehaveheldnocorrespondence.\'
`Perfectlyso,madame,\'repliedthespy.`Sheisgoingtobemarried.\'
`Going?\'echoedmadame.`Shewasprettyenoughtohavebeenmarriedlongago.YouEnglisharecold,itseemstome.\'
`Oh!YouknowIamEnglish.\'
`Iperceiveyourtongueis,\'returnedmadame;`andwhatthetongueis,Isupposethemanis.\'
Hedidnottaketheidentificationasacompliment;buthemadethebestofit,andturneditoffwithalaugh.Aftersippinghiscognactotheend,headded:
`Yes,MissManetteisgoingtobemarried.ButnottoanEnglishman;toonewho,likeherself,isFrenchbybirth.AndspeakingofGaspard(ah,poorGaspard!Itwascruel,cruel!)itisacuriousthingthatsheisgoingtomarrythenephewof\'MonsieurtheMarquis,forwhomGaspardwasexaltedtothatheightofsomanyfeet;inotherwords,thepresentMarquis.ButhelivesunknowninEngland,heisnoMarquisthere;heisMr.CharlesDarnay.D\'Aulnaisisthenameofhismother\'sfamily.\'
MadameDefargeknittedsteadily,buttheintelligencehadapalpableeffectuponherhusband.Dowhathewould,behindthelittlecounter,astothestrikingofalightandthelightingofhispipe,hewastroubled,andhishandwasnottrustworthy.Thespywouldhavebeennospyifhehadfailedtoseeit,ortorecorditinhismind.
Havingmade,atleast,thisonehit,whateveritmightprovetobeworth,andnocustomerscomingintohelphimtoanyother,Mr.Barsadpaidforwhathehaddrunk,andtookhisleave:takingoccasiontosay,inagenteelmanner,beforehedeparted,thathelookedforwardtothepleasureofseeingMonsieurandMadameDefargeagain.ForsomeminutesafterhehademergedintotheouterpresenceofSaintAntoine,thehusbandandwiferemainedexactlyashehadleftthem,lestheshouldcomeback.
`Canitbetrue,\'saidDefarge,inalowvoice,lookingdownathiswifeashestoodsmokingwithhishandonthebackofherchair:`whathehassaidofMa\'amselleManette?\'
`Ashehassaidit,\'returnedmadame,liftinghereyebrowsalittle,`itisprobablyfalse.Butitmaybetrue.\'
`Ifitis——\'Defargebegan,andstopped.
`Ifitis?\'repeatedhiswife.
`——Andifitdoescome,whilewelivetoseeittriumph——Ihope,forhersake,DestinywillkeepherhusbandoutofFrance.\'
`Herhusband\'sdestiny,\'saidMadameDefarge,withherusualcomposure,`willtakehimwhereheistogo,andwillleadhimtotheendthatistoendhim.ThatisallIknow.\'
`Butitisverystrange——now,atleast,isitnotverystrange\'——saidDefarge,ratherpleadingwithhiswifetoinducehertoadmitit,`that,afteralloursympathyforMonsieurherfather,andherself,herhusband\'snameshouldbeproscribedunderyourhandatthismoment,bythesideofthatinfernaldog\'swhohasjustleftus?\'
`Strangerthingsthanthatwillhappenwhenitdoescome,\'answeredmadame.`Ihavethembothhere,ofacertainty;andtheyarebothherefortheirmerits;thatisenough.\'
Sherolledupherknittingwhenshehadsaidthosewords,andpresentlytooktheroseoutofthehandkerchiefthatwaswoundaboutherhead.EitherSaintAntoinehadaninstinctivesensethattheobjectionabledecorationwasgoneorSaintAntoinewasonthewatchforitsdisappearance;howbeit,theSainttookcouragetoloungein,veryshortlyafterwards,andthewine-shoprecovereditshabitualaspect.
Intheevening,atwhichseasonofallothersSaintAntoineturnedhimselfinsideout,andsatondoorstepsandwindow-ledges,andcametothecornersofvilestreetsandcourts,forabreathofair,MadameDefargewithherworkinherhandwasaccustomedtopassfromplacetoplaceandfromgrouptogroup:aMissionary——thereweremanylikeher——suchastheworldwilldowellnevertobreedagain.Allthewomenknitted.Theyknittedworthlessthings;but,themechanicalworkwasamechanicalsubstituteforeatinganddrinking;thehandsmovedforthejawsandthedigestiveapparatus:ifthebonyfingershadbeenstill,thestomachswouldhavebeenmorefamine-pinched.
But,asthefingerswent,theeyeswent,andthethoughts.AndasMadameDefargemovedonfromgrouptogroup,allthreewentquickerandfierceramongeverylittleknotofwomenthatshehadspokenwith,andleftbehind.
Herhusbandsmokedathisdoor,lookingafterherwithadmiration.`Agreatwoman,\'saidhe,`astrongwoman,agrandwoman,afrightfullygrandwoman!\'
Darknessclosedaround,andthencametheringingofchurchbellsandthedistantbeatingofthemilitarydrumsinthePalaceCourt-Yard,asthewomensatknitting,knitting.Darknessencompassedthem.Anotherdarknesswasclosinginassurely,whenthechurchbells,thenringingpleasantlyinmanyanairysteepleoverFrance,shouldbemeltedintothunderingcannon;whenthemilitarydrumsshouldbebeatingtodrownawretchedvoice,thatnightall-potentasthevoiceofPowerandPlenty,FreedomandLife.Somuchwasclosinginaboutthewomenwhosatknitting,knitting,thattheytheirveryselveswereclosinginaroundastructureyetunbuilt,wheretheyweretositknitting,knitting,countingdroppingheads.
CHAPTERXVII
OneNight
NEVERdidthesungodownwithabrightergloryonthequietcomerinSoho,thanonememorableeveningwhenDoctorandhisdaughtersatundertheplane-treetogether.NeverdidthemoonrisewithamilderradianceovergreatLondon,thanonthatnightwhenitfoundthemstillseatedunderthetree,andshoneupontheirfacesthroughitsleaves.
Luciewastobemarriedto-morrow.Shehadreservedthislasteveningforherfather,andtheysataloneundertheplane-tree.
`Youarehappy,mydearfather?\'
`Quite,mychild.\'
Theyhadsaidlittlethoughtheyhadbeentherealongtime.Whenitwasyetlightenoughtoworkandread,shehadneitherengagedherselfinherusualwork,norhadshereadtohim.Shehademployedherselfinbothways,athissideunderthetree,manyandmanyatime;but,thistimewasnotquitelikeanyother,andnothingcouldmakeitso.
AndIamveryhappyto-night,dearfather.IamdeeplyhappyinthelovethatHeavenhassoblessed——myloveforCharles,andCharles\'sloveforme.But,ifmylifewerenottobestillconsecratedtoyou,orifmymarriageweresoarrangedasthatitwouldpartus,evenbythelengthofafewofthesestreets,Ishouldbemoreunhappyandself-reproachfulnowthanIcantellyou.Evenasitis——\'
Evenasitwas,shecouldnotcommandhervoice.
Inthesadmoonlight,sheclaspedhimbytheneck,andladherfaceuponhisbreast.Inthemoonlightwhichisalwayssad,asthelightofthesunitselfBasthelightcalledhumanlifeis——atitscominganditsgoing.
`Dearestdear!Canyoutellme,thislasttime,thatyoufeelquite,quitesure,nonewaffectionsofmine,andnonewdutiesofmine,willeverinterposebetweenus?Iknowitwell,butdoyouknowit?Inyourownheart,doyoufeelquitecertain?\'
Herfatheranswered,withacheerfulfirmnessofconvictionhecouldscarcelyhaveassumed,`Quitesure,mydarling!Morethanthat,\'headded,ashetenderlykissedher:`myfutureisfarbrighter,Lucie,seenthroughyourmarriage,thanitcouldhavebeen——nay,thaniteverwas——withoutit.\'
`IfIcouldhopethat,myfather!——\'
`Believeit,love!Indeeditisso.Considerhownaturalandhowplainitis,mydear,thatitshouldbeso.You,devotedandyoung,cannotfullyappreciatetheanxietyIhavefeltthatyourlifeshouldnotbewasted\'
Shemovedherhandtowardshislips,buthetookitinhis,andrepeatedtheword.
`——wasted,mychild——shouldnotbewasted,struckasidefromthenaturalorderofthings——formysake.Yourunselfishnesscannotentirelycomprehendhowmuchmymindhasgoneonthis;but,onlyaskyourselfhowcouldmyhappinessbeperfect,whileyourswasincomplete?\'
`IfIhadneverseenCharles,myfather,Ishouldhavebeenquitehappywithyou.\'
HesmiledatherunconsciousadmissionthatshewouldhavebeenunhappywithoutCharles,havingseenhim;andreplied:
`Mychild,youdidseehim,anditisCharles.IfithadnotbeenCharles,itwouldhavebeenanother.Or,ifithadbeennoother,Ishouldhavebeenthecause,andthenthedarkpartofmylifewouldhavecastitsshadowbeyondmyselfandwouldhavefallenonyou.\'
Itwasthefirsttime,exceptatthetrial,ofhereverhearinghimrefertotheperiodofhissuffering.Itgaveherastrangeandnewsensationwhilehiswordswereinherears;andsheremembereditlongafterwards.
`See!\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais,raisinghishandtowardsthemoon.`Ihavelookedatherfrommyprison-window,whenIcouldnotbearherlight.IhavelookedatherwhenithasbeensuchtorturetometothinkofhershininguponwhatIhadlost,thatIhavebeatenmyheadagainstmyprison-walls.Ihavelookedather,inastatesodullandlethargic,thatIhavethoughtofnothingbutthenumberofhorizontallines`Icoulddrawacrossheratthefull,andthenumberofperpendicularlineswithwhichIcouldintersectthem.\'Headdedinhisinwardandponderingmanner,ashelookedatthemoon,`Itwastwentyeitherway,Iremember,andthetwentiethwasdifficulttosqueezein.\'
Thestrangethrillwithwhichsheheardhimgobacktothattime,deepenedashedweltuponit;but,therewasnothingtoshockherinthemannerofhisreference.Heonlyseemedtocontrasthispresentcheerfulnessandfelicitywiththedireendurancethatwasover.
`Ihavelookedather,speculatingthousandsoftimesupontheunbornchildfromwhomIhadbeenrent.Whetheritwasalive.Whetherithadbeenbornalive,orthepoormother\'sshockhadkilledit.Whetheritwasasonwhowouldsomedayavengehisfather.(Therewasatimeinmyimprisonment,whenmydesireforvengeancewasunbearable.)Whetheritwasasonwhowouldneverknowhisfather\'sstory;whomightevenlivetoweighthepossibilityofhisfather\'shavingdisappearedofhisownwillandact.Whetheritwasadaughterwhowouldgrowtobeawoman.\'
Shedrewclosertohim,andkissedhischeekandhishand.`Ihavepicturedmydaughter,tomyself,asperfectlyforgetfulofme——rather,altogetherignorantofme,andunconsciousofme.Ihavecastuptheyearsofherage,yearafteryear.Ihaveseenhermarriedtoamanwhoknewnothingofmyfate.Ihavealtogetherperishedfromtheremembranceoftheliving,andinthenextgenerationmyplacewasablank.\'
`Myfather!Eventohearthatyouhadsuchthoughtsofadaughterwhoneverexisted,strikestomyheartasifIhadbeenthatchild.\'
`You,Lucie?Itisoutoftheconsolationandrestorationyouhavebroughttome,thattheseremembrancesarise,andpassbetweenusandthemoononthislastnight——whatdidIsayjustnow?\'
Sheknewnothingofyou.Shecarednothingforyou.\'
`So!Butonothermoonlightnights,whenthesadnessandthesilencehavetouchedmeinadifferentway——haveaffectedmewithsomethingaslikeasorrowfulsenseofpeace,asanyemotionthathadpainforitsfoundationscould——Ihaveimaginedherascomingtomeinmycell,andleadingmeoutintothefreedombeyondthefortress.Ihaveseenherimageinthemoonlightoften,asInowseeyou;exceptthatIneverheldherinmyarms;itstoodbetweenthelittlegratedwindowandthedoor.But,youunderstandthatthatwasnotthechildIamspeakingof?\'
`Thefigurewasnot;the——the——image;thefancy?\'
`No.Thatwasanotherthing.Itstoodbeforemydisturbedsenseofsight,butitnevermoved.Thephantomthatmymindpursued,wasanotherandmorerealchild.OfheroutwardappearanceIknownomorethanthatshewaslikehermother.Theotherhadthatlikenesstoo——asyouhave——butwasnotthesame.Canyoufollowme,Lucie?Hardly,IthinkI`doubtyoumusthavebeer,asolitaryprisonertounderstandtheseprisonerperplexeddistinctions.
Hiscollectedandcalmmannercouldnotpreventherbloodfromrunningcold,ashethustriedtoanatomisehisoldcondition.
`Inthatmorepeacefulstate,Ihaveimaginedher,inthemoonlight,comingtomeandtakingmeouttoshowmethatthehomeofhermarriedlifewaslullofherlovingremembranceofherlostfather.Mypicturewasinherroom,andIwasinherprayers.Herlifewasactive,cheerful,useful;hutmypoorhistorypervadeditall.\'
`Iwasthatchild,myfather.Iwasnothalfsogood,butinmylovethatwasI.\'
`Andsheshowedmeherchildren,\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais,`andtheyhadheardofme,andhadbeentaughttopityme.WhentheypassedaprisonoftheState,theykeptfarfromitsfrowningwalls,andlookedupatitsbars,andspokeinwhispers.Shecouldneverdeliverme;Iimaginedthatshealwaysbroughtmebackaftershowingmesuchthings.Butthen,blessedwiththereliefoftears,Ifelluponmyknees,andblessedher.\'
`Iamthatchild,Ihope,myfather.Omydear,mydear,willyoublessmeasferventlyto-morrow?\'
`Lucie,IrecalltheseoldtroublesinthereasonthatIhaveto-nightforlovingyoubetterthanwordscantell,andthankingGodformygreathappiness.Mythoughts,whentheywerewildest,neverrosenearthehappinessthatIhaveknownwithyou,andthatwehavebeforeus.
Heembracedher,solemnlycommendedhertoHeaven,andhumblythankedHeavenforhavingbestowedheronhim.By-and-by,theywentintothehouse.
TherewasnoonehiddentothemarriagebutMr.Lorry;therewaseventobenobridesmaidbutthegauntMissPross.Themarriagewastomakenochangeintheirplaceofresidence;theyhadbeenabletoextendit,bytakingtothemselvestheupperroomsformerlybelongingtotheapocryphalinvisiblelodger,andtheydesirednothingmore.
DoctorManettewasverycheerfulatthelittlesupper.Theywereonlythreeattable,andMissProssmadethethird.HeregrettedthatCharleswasnotthere;wasmorethanhalfdisposedtoobjecttothelovinglittleplotthatkepthimaway;anddranktohimaffectionately.
So,thetimecameforhimtobidLuciegoodnight,andtheyseparated.But,inthestillnessofthethirdhourofthemorning,Luciecamedownstairsagain,andstoleintohisroom;notfreefromunshapedfears,beforehand.
Allthings,however,wereintheirplaces;allwasquiet;andhelayasleep,hiswhitehairpicturesqueontheuntroubledpillow,andhishandslyingquietonthecoverlet.Sheputherneedlesscandleintheshadowatadistance,creptuptohisbed,andputherlipstohis;then,leanedoverhim,andlookedathim.
Intohishandsomeface,thebitterwatersofcaptivityhadworn;but,hecovereduptheirtrackswithadeterminationsostrong,thatheheldthemasteryofthemeveninhissleep.Amoreremarkablefaceinitsquiet,resolute,andguardedstrugglewithanunseenassailant,wasnottobebeheldinallthewidedominionsofsleep,thatnight.
Shetimidlylaidherhandonhisdearbreast,andputupaprayerthatshemighteverbeastruetohimasherloveaspiredtobe,andashissorrowsdeserved.Then,shewithdrewherhand,andkissedhislipsoncemore,andwentaway.So,thesunrisecame,andtheshadowsoftheleavesoftheplane-treemoveduponhisface,assoftlyasherlipshadmovedinprayingforhim.
CHAPTERXVIII
NineDays
THEmarriage-daywasshiningbrightly,andtheywerereadyoutsidethecloseddooroftheDoctor\'sroom,wherehewasspeakingwithCharlesDarnay.Theywerereadytogotochurch;thebeautifulbride,Mr.Lorry,andMissPross——towhomtheevent,throughagradualprocessofreconcilementtotheinevitable,wouldhavebeenoneofabsolutebliss,butfortheyetlingeringconsiderationthatherbrotherSolomonshouldhavebeenthebridegroom.
`Andso,\'saidMr.Lorry,whocouldnotsufficientlyadmirethebride,andwhohadbeenmovingroundhertotakeineverypointofherquiet,prettydress;`andsoitwasforthis,mysweetLucie,thatIbroughtyouacrosstheChannel,suchababy!Lordblessme!HowlittleIthoughtwhatIwasdoing!HowlightlyIvaluedtheobligationIwasconferringonmyfriendMr.Charles!\'
`Youdidn\'tmeanit,\'remarkedthematter-of-factMissPross,`andthereforehowcouldyouknowit?Nonsense!\'
`Really?Well;butdon\'tcry,\'saidthegentleMr.Lorry.
`Iamnotcrying,\'saidMissPross;`youare.
`I,myPross?\'(Bythistime,Mr.Lorrydaredtobepleasantwithher,onoccasion.)
`Youwere,justnow;Isawyoudoit,andIdon\'twonderatit.Suchapresentofplateasyouhavemade`em,isenoughtobringtearsintoanybody\'seyes.There\'snotaforkoraspooninthecollection,\'saidMissPross,`thatIdidn\'tcryover,lastnightaftertheboxcame,tillIcouldn\'tseeit.\'
`Iamhighlygratified,\'saidMr.Lorry,`though,uponmyhonour,Ihadnointentionofrenderingthosetriflingarticlesofremembranceinvisibletoanyone.Dearme!Thisisanoccasionthatmakesamanspeculateonallhehaslost.Dear,dear,dear!TothinkthattheremighthavebeenaMrs.Lorry,anytimethesefiftyyearsalmost!\'
`Notatall!\'FromMissPross.
`YouthinktherenevermighthavebeenaMrs.Lorry?\'askedthegentlemanofthatname.
`Pooh!\'rejoinedMissPross;`youwereabachelorinyourcradle.\'
`Well!\'observedMr.Lorry,beaminglyadjustinghislittlewig,`thatseemsprobable,too.
`Andyouwerecutoutforabachelor,\'pursuedMissPross,`beforeyouwereputinyourcradle.\'
`Then,Ithink,\'saidMr.Lorry,`thatIwasveryunhandsomelydealtwith,andthatIoughttohavehadavoiceintheselectionofmypattern.Enough!Now,mydearLucie,\'drawinghisarmsoothinglyroundherwaist,`Ihearthemmovinginthenextroom,andMissProssandI,astwoformalfolksofbusiness,areanxiousnottolosethefinalopportunityofsayingsomethingtoyouthatyouwishtohear.Youleaveyourgoodfather,mydear,inhandsasearnestandaslovingasyourown;heshallbetakeneveryconceivablecareof;duringthenextfortnight,whileyouareinWarwickshireandthereabouts,evenTellson\'sshallgotothewall(comparativelyspeaking)beforehim.Andwhen,atthefortnight\'send,hecomestojoinyouandyourbelovedhusband,onyourotherfortnight\'stripinWales,youshallsaythatwehavesenthimtoyouinthebesthealthandinthehappiestframe.NowIhearSomebody\'sstepcomingtothedoor.Letmekissmydeargirlwithanold-fashionedbachelorblessing,beforeSomebodycomestoclaimhisown.\'
Foramoment,heheldthefairfacefromhimtolookatthewell-rememberedexpressionontheforehead,andthenlaidthebrightgoldenhairagainsthislittlebrownwig,withagenuinetendernessanddelicacywhich,ifsuchthingsbeold-fashioned,wereasoldasAdam.
ThedooroftheDoctor\'sroomopened,andhecameoutwithCharlesDarnay.Hewassodeadlypale——whichhadnotbeenthecasewhentheywentintogether——thatnovestigeofcolourwastobeseeninhisface.But,inthecomposureofhismannerhewasunaltered,exceptthattotheshrewdglanceofMr.Lorryitdisclosedsomeshadowyindicationthattheoldairofavoidanceanddreadhadlatelypassedoverhim,likeacoldwind.
Hegavehisarmtohisdaughter,andtookherdownstairstothechariotwhichMr.Lorryhadhiredinhonouroftheday.Therestfollowedinanothercarriage,andsoon,inaneighbouringchurch,wherenostrangeeyeslookedon,CharlesDarnayandLucieManettewerehappilymarried.
Besidestheglancingtearsthatshoneamongthesmilesofthelittlegroupwhenitwasdone,somediamonds,verybrightandsparkling,glancedonthebride\'shand,whichwerenewlyreleasedfromthedarkobscurityofoneofMr.Lorry\'spockets.Theyreturnedhometobreakfast,andallwentwell,andinduecoursethegoldenhairthathadmingledwiththepoorshoemaker\'swhitelocksintheParisgarret,weremingledwiththemagaininthemorningsunlight,onthethresholdofthedooratparting.
Itwasahardparting,thoughitwasnotforlong.Butherfathercheeredher,andsaidatlast,gentlydisengaginghimselffromherenfoldingarms,`Takeher,Charles!Sheisyours!\'
Andheragitatedhandwavedtothemfromachaisewindow,andshewasgone.
Thecornerbeingoutofthewayoftheidleandcurious,andthepreparationshavingbeenverysimpleandfew,theDoctor,Mr.Lorry,andMissPross,wereleftquitealone.Itwaswhentheyturnedintothewelcomeshadeofthecoololdhall,thatMr.LorryobservedagreatchangetohavecomeovertheDoctor;asifthegoldenarmupliftedthere,hadstruckhimapoisonedblow.
