Hestuckthepaperonafile,inanill-humour,andCharlesDarnayawaitedhisfurtherpleasureforhalfanhour:sometimes,pacingtoandfrointhestrongarchedroom:sometimes,restingonastoneseat:ineithercasedetainedtobeimprintedonthememoryofthechiefandhissubordinates.
`Come!\'saidthechief,atlengthtakinguphiskeys,`comewithme,emigrant.\'
Throughthedismalprisontwilight,hisnewchargeaccompaniedhimbycorridorandstaircase,manydoorsclangingandlockingbehindthem,untiltheycameintoalarge,low,vaultedchamber,crowdedwithprisonersofbothsexes.Thewomenwereseatedatalongtable,readingandwriting,knitting,sewing,andembroidering;themenwereforthemostpartstandingbehindtheirchairs,orlingeringupanddowntheroom.
Intheinstinctiveassociationofprisonerswithshamefulcrimeanddisgrace,thenewcomerrecoiledfromthiscompany.Butthecrowningunrealityofhislongunrealride,was,theirallatoncerisingtoreceivehim,witheveryrefinementofmannerknowntothetime,andwithalltheengaginggracesandcourtesiesoflife.
Sostrangelycloudedweretheserefinementsbytheprisonmannersandgloom,sospectraldidtheybecomeintheinappropriatesqualorandmiserythroughwhichtheywereseen,thatCharlesDarnayseemedtostandinacompanyofthedead.Ghostsall!Theghostofbeauty,theghostofstateliness,theghostofelegance,theghostofpride,theghostoffrivolity,theghostofwit,theghostofyouth,theghostofage,allwaitingtheirdismissalfromthedesolateshore,allturningonhimeyesthatwerechangedbythedeaththeyhaddiedincomingthere.
Itstruckhimmotionless.Thegaolerstandingathisside,andtheothergaolersmovingabout,whowouldhavebeenwellenoughastoappearanceintheordinaryexerciseoftheirfunctions,lookedsoextravagantlycoarsecontrastedwithsorrowingmothersandbloomingdaughterswhoweretherewiththeapparitionsofthecoquette,theyoungbeauty,andthematurewomandelicatelybred——thattheinversionofallexperienceandlikelihoodwhichthesceneofshadowspresented,washeightenedtoitsutmost.Surely,ghostsall.Surely,thelongunrealridesomeprogressofdiseasethathadbroughthimtothesegloomyshades!
`Inthenameoftheassembledcompanionsinmisfortune,\'saidagentlemanofcourtlyappearanceandaddress,comingforward,`IhavethehonourofgivingyouwelcometoLaForce,andofcondolingwithyouonthecalamitythathasbroughtyouamongus.Mayitsoonterminatehappily!Itwouldbeanimpertinenceelsewhere,butitisnotsohere,toaskyournameandcondition?\'
CharlesDarnayrousedhimself,andgavetherequiredinformation,inwordsassuitableashecouldfind.
`ButIhope,\'saidthegentleman,followingthechiefgaolerwithhiseyes,whomovedacrosstheroom,`thatyouarenotinsecret?\'
`Idonotunderstandthemeaningoftheterm,butIhaveheardthemsayso.\'
`Ah,whatapity!Wesomuchregretit!Buttakecourage;severalmembersofoursocietyhavebeeninsecret,atfirst,andithaslastedbutashorttime.\'Thenheadded,raisinghisvoice,`Igrievetoinformthesociety——insecret.
TherewasamurmurofcommiserationasCharlesDarnaycrossedtheroomtoagrateddoorwherethegaolerawaitedhim,andmanyvoices——amongwhich,thesoftandcompassionatevoicesofwomanwereconspicuous——gavehimgoodwishesandencouragement.Heturnedatthegrateddoor,torenderthethanksofhisheart;itclosedunderthegaoler\'shand;andtheapparitionsvanishedfromhissightforever.
Thewicketopenedonastonestaircase,leadingupward.Whentheyhadascendedfortysteps(theprisonerofhalfanhouralreadycountedthem),thegaoleropenedalowblackdoor,andtheypassedintoasolitarycell.Itstruckcoldanddamp,butwasnotdark.
`Yours,\'saidthegaoler.
`WhyamIconfinedalone?\'
`HowdoIknow!\'
`Icanbuypen,ink,andpaper?\'
`Sucharenotmyorders.Youwillbevisited,andcanaskthen.Atpresent,youmaybuyyourfood,andnothingmore.\'
Therewereinthecell,achair,atable,andastrawmattress.Asthegaolermadeageneralinspectionoftheseobjects,andofthefourwalls,beforegoingout,awanderingfancywanderedthroughthemindoftheprisonerleaningagainstthewalloppositetohim,thatthisgaolerwassounwholesomelybloated,bothinfaceandperson,astolooklikeamanwhohadbeendrownedandfilledwithwater.Whenthegaolerwasgone,hethoughtinthesamewanderingway,`NowamIleft,asifIweredead.\'Stoppingthen,tolookdownatthemattress,heturnedfromitwithasickfeeling,andthought,`Andhereinthesecrawlingcreaturesisthefirstconditionofthebodyafterdeath.\'
`Fivepacesbyfourandahalffivepacesbyfourandahalf,fivepacesbyfourandahalf.\'Theprisonerwalkedtoandfroinhiscell,countingitsmeasurement,andtheroarofthecityaroselikemuffleddrumswithawildswellofvoicesaddedtothem.`Hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes.\'Theprisonercountedthemeasurementagain,andpacedfaster,todrawhismindwithhimfromthatlatterrepetition.`Theghoststhatvanishedwhenthewicketclosed.Therewasoneamongthem,theappearanceofaladydressedinblack,whowasleaningintheembrasureofawindow,andshehadalightshininguponhergoldenhair,andshelookedlike****Letusrideonagain,forGod\'ssake,throughtheilluminatedvillageswiththepeopleallawake!****Hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes,hemadeshoes.****Fivepacesbyfourandahalf.\'Withsuchscrapstossingandrollingupwardfromthedepthsofhismind,theprisonerwalkedfasterandfaster,obstinatelycountingandcounting;andtheroarofthecitychangedtothisextent-thatitstillrolledinlikemuffleddrums,butwiththewailofvoicesthatheknew,intheswellthatroseabovethem.
CHAPTERII
TheGrindstone
TELLSON\'SBANK,establishedintheSaintGermainQuarterofParis,wasinawingofalargehouse,approachedbyacourt-yardandshutofffromthestreetbyahighwallandastronggate.Thehousebelongedtoagreatnoblemanwhohadlivedinituntilhemadeaflightfromthetroubles,inhisowncook\'sdress,andgotacrosstheborders.Amerebeastofthechaseflyingfromhunters,hewasstillinhismetempsychosisnootherthanthesameMonseigneur,thepreparationofwhosechocolateforwhoselipshadonceoccupiedthreestrongmenbesidesthecookinquestion.
Monseigneurgone,andthethreestrongmenabsolvingthemselvesfromthesinofhavingdrawnhishighwages,bybeingmorethanreadyandwillingtocuthisthroatonthealtarofthedawningRepubliconeandindivisibleofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,Monseigneur\'shousehadbeenfirstsequestrated,andthenconfiscated.For,allthingsmovedsofast,anddecreefolloweddecreewiththatfierceprecipitation,thatnowuponthethirdnightoftheautumnmonthofSeptember,patriotemissariesofthelawwereinpossessionofMonseigneur\'shouse,andhadmarkeditwiththetricolour,andweredrinkingbrandyinitsstateapartments.
AplaceofbusinessinLondonlikeTellson\'splaceofbusinessinParis,wouldsoonhavedriventheHouseoutofitsmindandintotheGazette.For,whatwouldstaidBritishresponsibilityandrespectabilityhavesaidtoorange-treesinboxesinaBankcourt-yard,andeventoaCupidoverthecounter?Yetsuchthingswere.Tellson\'shadwhitewashedtheCupid,buthewasstilltobeseenontheceiling,inthecoolestlinen,aiming(asheveryoftendoes)atmoneyfrommorningtonight.BankruptcymustinevitablyhavecomeofthisyoungPagan,inLombardstreet,London,andalsoofacurtainedalcoveintherearoftheimmortalboy,andalsoofalooking-glassletintothewall,andalsoofclerksnotatallold,whodancedinpublicontheslightestprovocation.Yet,aFrenchTellson\'scouldgetonwiththesethingsexceedinglywell,and,aslongasthetimesheldtogether,nomanhadtakenfrightatthem,anddrawnouthismoney.
WhatmoneywouldbedrawnoutofTellson\'shenceforth,andwhatwouldliethere,lostandforgotten;whatplateandjewelswouldtarnishinTellson\'shiding-places,whilethedepositorsrustedinprisons,andwhentheyshouldhaveviolentlyperished;howmanyaccountswithTellson\'snevertobebalancedinthisworld,mustbecarriedoverintothenext;nomancouldhavesaid,thatnight,anymorethanMr.JarvisLorrycould,thoughhethoughtheavilyofthesequestions.Hesatbyanewly-lightedwoodfire(theblightedandunfruitfulyearwasprematurelycold),andonhishonestandcourageousfacetherewasadeepershadethanthependentlampcouldthrow,oranyobjectintheroomdistortedlyreflect——ashadeofhorror.
HeoccupiedroomsintheBank,inhisfidelitytotheHouseofwhichhehadgrowntobeapart,likeastrongroot-ivy.Itchancedthattheyderivedakindofsecurityfromthepatrioticoccupationofthemainbuilding,butthetrue-heartedoldgentlemannevercalculatedaboutthat.Allsuchcircumstanceswereindifferenttohim,sothathedidhisduty.Ontheoppositesideofthecourt-yard,underacolonnade,wasextensivestandingforcarriages——where,indeed,somecarriagesofMonseigneuryetstood.Againsttwoofthepillarswerefastenedtwogreatflaringflambeaux,andinthelightofthese,standingoutintheopenair,wasalargegrindstone:aroughlymountedthingwhichappearedtohavehurriedlybeenbroughttherefromsomeneighbouringsmithy,orotherworkshop.Risingandlookingoutofwindowattheseharmlessobjects,Mr.Lorryshivered,andretiredtohisseatbythefire.Hehadopened,notonlytheglasswindow,butthelatticeblindoutsideit,andhehadclosedbothagain,andheshiveredthroughhisframe.
Fromthestreetsbeyondthehighwallandthestronggate,therecametheusualnighthumofthecity,withnowandthenanindescribableringinit,weirdandunearthly,asifsomeunwontedsoundsofaterriblenatureweregoinguptoHeaven.
`ThankGod,\'saidMr.Lorry,claspinghishands,`thatnoonenearanddeartomeisinthisdreadfultownto-night.MayHehavemercyonallwhoareindanger!\'
Soonafterwards,thebellatthegreatgatesounded,andhethought,`Theyhavecomeback!\'andsatlistening.But,therewasnoloudirruptionintothecourt-yard,ashehadexpected,andheheardthegateclashagain,andallwasquiet.
ThenervousnessanddreadthatwereuponhiminspiredthatvagueuneasinessrespectingtheBank,whichagreatchangewouldnaturallyawaken,withsuchfeelingsroused.Itwaswellguarded,andhegotuptogoamongthetrustypeoplewhowerewatchingit,thenhisdoorsuddenlyopened,andtwofiguresrushedin,atsightofwhichhefellbackinamazement.
Lucieandherfather!Luciewithherarmsstretchedouttohim,andwiththatoldlookofearnestnesssoconcentratedandintensified,thatitseemedasthoughithadbeenstampeduponherfaceexpresslytogiveforceandpowertoitinthisonepassageofherlife.
`Whatisthis?\'criedMr.Lorry,breathlessandconfused.`Whatisthematter?Lucie!Manette!Whathashappened?Whathasbroughtyouhere?Whatisit?\'
Withthelookfixeduponhim,inherpalenessandwildness,shepantedoutinhisarms,imploringly,`Omydearfriend!Myhusband!\'
`Yourhusband,Lucie?\'
`Charles.\'
`WhatofCharles?\'
`Here.\'
`Here,inParis?\'
`Hasbeenheresomedays——threeorfour——Idon\'tknowhowmany——Ican\'tcollectmythoughts.Anerrandofgenerositybroughthimhereunknowntous;hewasstoppedatthebarrier,andsenttoprison.\'
Theoldmanutteredanirrepressiblecry.Almostatthesamemoment,thebellofthegreatgaterangagain,andaloudnoiseoffeetandvoicescamepouringintothecourt-yard.
`Whatisthatnoise?\'saidtheDoctor,turningtowardsthewindow.
`Don\'tlook!\'criedMr.Lorry.`Don\'tlookout!Manette,foryourlife,don\'ttouchtheblind!\'
TheDoctorturned,withhishanduponthefasteningofthewindow,andsaid,withacoolboldsmile:
`Mydearfriend,Ihaveacharmedlifeinthiscity.IhavebeenaBastilleprisoner.ThereisnopatriotinParis——inParis?InFrance——who,knowingmetohavebeenaprisonerintheBastille,wouldtouchme,excepttooverwhelmmewithembraces,orcarrymeintriumph.Myoldpainhasgivenmeapowerthathasbroughtusthroughthebarrier,andgainedusnewsofCharlesthere,andbroughtushere.Iknewitwouldbeso;IknewIcouldhelpCharlesoutofalldanger;ItoldLucieso——Whatisthatnoise?\'Hishandwasagainuponthewindow.
`Don\'tlook!\'criedMr.Lorry,absolutelydesperate.`No,Lucie,mydear,noryou!\'Hegothisarmroundher,andheldher.`Don\'tbesoterrified,mylove.IsolemnlysweartoyouthatIknowofnoharmhavinghappenedtoCharles;thatIhadnosuspicionevenofhisbeinginthisfatalplace.Whatprisonishein?\'
`LaForce!\'
`LaForce!Lucie,mychild,ifeveryouwerebraveandserviceableinyourlife——andyouwerealwaysboth——youwillcomposeyourselfnow,todoexactlyasIbidyou;formoredependsuponitthanyoucanthink,orIcansay.Thereisnohelpforyouinanyactiononyourpartto-night;youcannotpossiblystirout.Isaythis,becausewhatImustbidyoutodoforCharles\'ssake,isthehardestthingtodoofall.Youmustinstantlybeobedient,still,andquiet.Youmustletmeputyouinaroomatthebackhere.Youmustleaveyourfatherandmealonefortwominutes,andasthereareLifeandDeathintheworldyoumustnotdelay.\'
`Iwillbesubmissivetoyou.IseeinyourfacethatyouknowIcandonothingelsethanthis.Iknowyouaretrue.\'
Theoldmankissedher,andhurriedherintohisroom,andturnedthekey;then,camehurryingbacktotheDoctor,andopenedthewindowandpartlyopenedtheblind,andputhishandupontheDoctor\'sarm,andlookedoutwithhimintothecourt-yard.
Lookedoutuponathrongofmenandwomen:notenoughinnumber,ornearenough,tofillthecourt-yard:notmorethanfortyorfiftyinall.Thepeopleinpossessionofthehousehadlettheminatthegate,andtheyhadrushedintoworkatthegrindstone;ithadevidentlybeensetuptherefortheirpurpose,asinaconvenientandretiredspot.
But,suchawfulworkers,andsuchawfulwork!
Thegrindstonehadadoublehandle,and,turningatitmadlyweretwomen,whosefaces,astheirlonghairflappedbackwhenthewhirlingsofthegrindstonebroughttheirfacesup,weremorehorribleandcruelthanthevisagesofthewildestsavagesintheirmostbarbarousdisguise.Falseeye-browsandfalsemoustacheswerestuckuponthem,andtheirhideouscountenanceswereallbloodyandsweaty,andallawrywithhowling,andallstaringandglaringwithbeastlyexcitementandwantofsleep.Astheseruffiansturnedandturned,theirmattedlocksnowflungforwardovertheireyes,nowflungbackwardovertheirnecks,somewomenheldwinetotheirmouthsthattheymightdrink;andwhatwithdroppingblood,andwhatwithdroppingwine,andwhatwiththestreamofsparksstruckoutofthestone,alltheirwickedatmosphereseemedgoreandfire.Theeyecouldnotdetectonecreatureinthegroupfreefromthesmearofblood.Shoulderingoneanothertogetnextatthesharpening-stone,weremenstrippedtothewaist,withthestainallovertheirlimbsandbodies;meninallsortsofrags,withthestainuponthoserags;mendevilishlysetoffwithspoilsofwomen\'slaceandsilkandribbon,withthestaindyeingthosetriflesthroughandthrough.Hatchets,knives,bayonets,swords,allbroughttobesharpened,wereallredwithit.Someofthehackedswordsweretiedtothewristsofthosewhocarriedthem,withstripsoflinenandfragmentsofdress:ligaturesvariousinkind,butalldeepoftheonecolour.Andasthefranticwieldersoftheseweaponssnatchedthemfromthestreamofsparksandtoreawayintothestreets,thesameredhuewasredintheirfrenziedeyes;——eyeswhichanyunbrutalisedbeholderwouldhavegiventwentyyearsoflife,topetrifywithawell-directedgun.
Allthiswasseeninamoment,asthevisionofadrowningman,orofanyhumancreatureatanyverygreatpass,couldseeaworldifitwerethere.Theydrewbackfromthewindow,andtheDoctorlookedforexplanationinhisfriend\'sashyface.
`Theyare,\'Mr.Lorrywhisperedthewords,glancingfearfullyroundatthelockedroom,`murderingtheprisoners.Ifyouaresureofwhatyousay;ifyoureallyhavethepoweryouthinkyouhave——asIbelieveyouhave——makeyourselfknowntothesedevils,andgettakentoLaForce.Itmaybetoolate,Idon\'tknow,butletitnotbeaminutelater!\'
DoctorManettepressedhishand,hastenedbareheadedoutoftheroom,andwasinthecourt-yardwhenMr.Lorryregainedtheblind.
Hisstreamingwhitehair,hisremarkableface,andtheimpetuousconfidenceofhismanner,asheputtheweaponsasidelikewater,carriedhiminaninstanttotheheartoftheconcourseatthestone.Forafewmomentstherewasapause,andahurry,andamurmur,andtheunintelligiblesoundofhisvoice;andthenMr.Lorrysawhim,surroundedbyall,andinthemidstofalineoftwentymenlong,alllinkedshouldertoshoulder,andhandtoshoulder,hurriedoutwithcriesof——\'LivetheBastilleprisoner!HelpfortheBastilleprisoner\'skindredinLaForce!RoomfortheBastilleprisonerinfrontthere!SavetheprisonerEvrémondeatLaForce!\'andathousandansweringshouts.
Heclosedthelatticeagainwithaflutteringheart,closedthewindowandthecurtain,hastenedtoLucie,andtoldherthatherfatherwasassistedbythepeople,andgoneinsearchofherhusband.HefoundherchildandMissProsswithher;but,itneveroccurredtohimtobesurprisedbytheirappearanceuntilalongtimeafterwards,whenhesatwatchingtheminsuchquietasthenightknew.
Luciehad,bythattime,fallenintoastuporonthefloorathisfeet,clingingtohishand.MissProsshadlaidthechilddownonhisownbed,andherhadhadgraduallyfallenonthepillowbesideherprettycharge.Othelong,longnight,withthemoansofthepoorwife!AndOthelong,longnight,withnoreturnofherfatherandnotidings!
Twicemoreinthedarknessthebellatthegreatgatesounded,andtheirruptionwasrepeated,andthegrindstonewhirledandspluttered.`Whatisit?\'criedLucie,affrighted.`Hush!Thesoldiers\'swordsaresharpenedthere,\'saidMr.Lorry.`Theplaceisnationalpropertynow,andusedasakindofarmoury,mylove.\'
Twicemoreinall;but,thelastspellofworkwasfeebleandfitful.Soonafterwardsthedaybegantodawn,andhesoftlydetachedhimselffromtheclaspinghand,andcautiouslylookedoutagain.Aman,sobesmearedthathemighthavebeenasorelywoundedsoldiercreepingbacktoconsciousnessonafieldofslain,wasrisingfromthepavementbythesideofthegrindstone,andlookingabouthimwithavacantair.Shortly,thisworn-outmurdererdescriedintheimperfectlightoneofthecarriagesofMonseigneur,and,staggeringtothatgorgeousvehicle,climbedinatthedoor,andshuthimselfuptotakehisrestonitsdaintycushions.
Thegreatgrindstone,Earth,hadturnedwhenMr.Lorrylookedoutagain,andthesunwasredonthecourt-yard.But,thelessergrindstonestoodalonethereinthecalmmorningair,withareduponitthatthesunhadnevergiven,andwouldnevertakeaway.
CHAPTERIII
TheShadow
ONEofthefirstconsiderationswhicharoseinthebusinessmindofMr.Lorrywhenbusinesshourscameround,wasthis:——thathehadnorighttoimperilTellson\'sbyshelteringthewifeofanemigrantprisonerundertheBankroof.Hisownpossessions,safety,life,hewouldhavehazardedforLucieandherchild,withoutamoment\'sdemur;butthegreattrustheheldwasnothisown,andastothatbusinesschargehewasastrictmanofbusiness.
Atfirst,hismindrevertedtoDefarge,andhethoughtoffindingoutthewine-shopagainandtakingcounselwithitsmasterinreferencetothesafestdwelling-placeinthedistractedstateofthecity.But,thesameconsiderationthatsuggestedhim,repudiatedhim;helivedinthemostviolentQuarter,anddoubtlesswasinfluentialthere,anddeepinitsdangerousworkings.
Nooncoming,andtheDoctornotreturning,andeveryminute\'sdelaytendingtocompromise,Tellson\'s,Mr.LorryadvisedwithLucie.Shesaidthatherfatherhadspokenofhiringalodgingforashortterm,inthatQuarter,neartheBanking-house.Astherewasnobusinessobjectiontothis,andasheforesawthatevenifitwereallwellwithCharles,andheweretobereleased,hecouldnothopetoleavethecity,Mr.Lorrywentoutinquestofsuchalodging,andfoundasuitableone,highupinaremovedby-streetwheretheclosedblindsinalltheotherwindowsofahighmelancholysquareofbuildingsmarkeddesertedhomes.
TothislodgingheatonceremovedLucieandherchild,andMissPross:givingthemwhatcomforthecould,andmuchmorethanhehadhimself.HeleftJerrywiththem,asafiguretofilladoorwaythatwouldbearconsiderableknockingonthehead,andreturnedtohisownoccupations.Adisturbedanddolefulmindhebroughttobearuponthem,andslowlyandheavilythedaylaggedonwithhim.
Itworeitselfout,andworehimoutwithit,untiltheBankclosed.Hewasagainaloneinhisroomofthepreviousnight,consideringwhattodonext,whenheheardafootuponthestair.Inafewmoments,amanstoodinhispresence,who,withakeenlyobservantlookathim,addressedhimbyhisname.
`Yourservant,\'saidMr.Lorry.`Doyouknowme?\'
Hewasastronglymademanwithdarkcurlinghair,fromforty-fivetofiftyyearsofae.Foranswerherepeated,withoutanychangeofemphasis,thewords:
`Doyouknowme?\'
`Ihaveseenyousomewhere.\'
`Perhapsatmywine-shop?\'
Muchinterestedandagitated,Mr.Lorrysaid:`YoucomefromDoctorManette?\'
`Yes.IcomefromDoctorManette.\'
`Andwhatsayshe?Whatdoeshesendme?\'
Defargegaveintohisanxioushand,anopenscrapofpaper.ItborethewordsintheDoctor\'swriting:
`Charlesissafe,butIcannotsafelyleavethisplaceyet.IhaveobtainedthefavourthatthebearerhasashortnotefromCharlestohiswife.Letthebearerseehiswife.\'
ItwasdatedfromLaForce,withinanhour.
`Willyouaccompanyme,\'saidMr.Lorry,joyfullyrelievedafterreadingthisnotealoud,`towherehiswiferesides?\'
`Yes,\'returnedDefarge.
Scarcelynoticingasyet,inwhatacuriouslyreservedandmechanicalwayDefargespoke,Mr.Lorryputonhishatandtheywentdownintothecourt-yard.There,theyfoundtwowomen;one,knitting.
`MadameDefarge,surely!\'saidMr.Lorry,whohadleftherinexactlythesameattitudesomeseventeenyearsago.
`Itisshe,\'observedherhusband.
`Doesmadamegowithus?\'inquiredMr.Lorry,seeingthatshemovedastheymoved.
`Yes.Thatshemaybeabletorecognisethefacesandknowthepersons.Itisfortheirsafety.\'
BeginningtobestruckbyDefarge\'smanner,Mr.Lorrylookeddubiouslyathim,andledtheway.Boththewomenfollowed;thesecondwomanbeingTheVengeance.
Theypassedthroughtheinterveningstreetsasquicklyastheymight,ascendedthestaircaseofthenewdomicile,wereadmittedbyJerry,andfoundLucieweeping,alone.ShewasthrownintoatransportbythetidingsMr.Lorrygaveherofherhusband,andclaspedthehandthatdeliveredhisnote——littlethinkingwhatithadbeendoingnearhiminthenight,andmight,butforachance,havedonetohim.
`DEAREST,——Takecourage.Iamwell,andyourfatherhasinfluencearoundme.Youcannotanswerthis.Kissourchildforme.\'
Thatwasallthewriting.Itwassomuch,however,toherwhoreceivedit,thatsheturnedfromDefargetohiswife,andkissedoneofthehandsthatknitted.Itwasapassionate,loving,thankful,womanlyaction,butthehandmadenoresponse——droppedcoldandheavy,andtooktoitsknittingagain.
TherewassomethinginitstouchthatgaveLucieacheck.Shestoppedintheactofputtingthenoteinherbosom,and,withherhandsyetatherneck,lookedterrifiedatMadameDefarge.MadameDefargemettheliftedeyebrowsandforeheadwithacold,impassivestare.
`Mydear,\'saidMr.Lorry,strikingintoexplain;`therearefrequentrisingsinthestreets;and,althoughitisnotlikelytheywillevertroubleyou,MadameDefargewishestoseethosewhomshehasthepowertoprotectatsuchtimes,totheendthatshemayknowthem——thatshemayidentifythem.Ibelieve,\'saidMr.Lorry,ratherhaltinginhisreassuringwords,asthestonymannerofallthethreeimpresseditselfuponhimmoreandmore,`Istatethecase,CitizenDefarge?\'
Defargelookedgloomilyathiswife,andgavenootheranswerthanagruffsoundofacquiescence.
`Youhadbetter,Lucie,\'saidMr.Lorry,doingallhecouldtopropitiate,bytoneandmanner,`havethedearchildhere,andourgoodPross.OurgoodPross,Defarge,isanEnglishlady,andknowsnoFrench.\'
Theladyinquestion,whoserootedconvictionthatshewasmorethanamatchforanyforeigner,wasnottobeshakenbydistressanddanger,appearedwishfoldedarms,andobservedinEnglishtoTheVengeance,whomhereyesfirstencountered,`Well,Iamsure,Boldface!Ihopeyouareprettywell!\'ShealsobestowedaBritishcoughonMadameDefarge;but,neitherofthetwotookmuchheedofher.
`Isthathischild?\'saidMadameDefarge,stoppinginherworkforthefirsttime,andpointingherknitting-needleatlittleLucieasifitwerethefingerofFate.
`Yes,madame,\'answeredMr.Lorry;`thisisourpoorprisoner\'sdarlingdaughter,andonlychild.\'
TheshadowattendantonMadameDefargeandherpartyseemedtofallsothreateninganddarkonthechild,thathermotherinstinctivelykneeledonthegroundbesideher,andheldhertoherbreast.TheshadowattendantonMadameDefargeandherpartyseemedthentofall,threateninganddark,onboththemotherandthechild.
`Itisenough,myhusband,\'saidMadameDefarge.`Ihaveseenthem.Wemaygo.
But,thesuppressedmannerhadenoughofmenaceinit——notvisibleandpresented,butindistinctandwithheld——toalarmLucieintosaying,asshelaidherappealinghandonMadameDefarge\'sdress:
`Youwillbegoodtomypoorhusband.Youwilldohimnoharm.Youwillhelpmetoseehimifyoucan?\'
`Yourhusbandisnotmybusinesshere,\'returnedMadameDefarge,lookingdownatherwithperfectcomposure.`Itisthedaughterofyourfatherwhoismybusinesshere.\'
`Formysake,then,bemercifultomyhusband.Formychild\'ssake!Shewillputherhandstogetherandprayyoutobemerciful.Wearemoreafraidofyouthanoftheseothers.\'
MadameDefargereceiveditasacompliment,andlookedatherhusband.Defarge,whohadbeenuneasilybitinghisthumb-nailandlookingather,collectedhisfaceintoasternerexpression.
`Whatisitthatyourhusbandsaysinthatlittleletter?\'askedMadameDefarge,withaloweringsmile.`Influence;hesayssomethingtouchinginfluence?\'
`Thatmyfather,\'saidLucie,hurriedlytakingthepaperfromherbreast,butwithheralarmedeyesonherquestionerandnotonit,`hasmuchinfluencearoundhim.\'
`Surelyitwillreleasehim!\'saidMadameDefarge.`Letitdoso.\'
`Asawifeandmother,\'criedLucie,mostearnestly,`Iimploreyoutohavepityonmeandnottoexerciseanypowerthatyoupossess,againstmyinnocenthusband,buttouseitinhisbehalf.Osister-woman,thinkofme.Asawifeandmother!\'
MadameDefargelooked,coldlyasever,atthesuppliant,andsaid,turningtoherfriendTheVengeance:
`Thewivesandmotherswehavebeenusedtosee,sincewewereaslittleasthischild,andmuchless,havenotbeengreatlyconsidered?Wehaveknowntheirhusbandsandfatherslaidinprisonandkeptfromthem,oftenenough?Allourlives,wehaveseenoursister-womensuffer,inthemselvesandintheirchildren,poverty,nakedness,hunger,thirst.sickness,misery,oppressionandneglectofallkinds?\'
`Wehaveseennothingelse,\'returnedTheVengeance.
`Wehavebornethisalongtime,\'saidMadameDefarge,turninghereyesagainuponLucie.`Judgeyou!Isitlikelythatthetroubleofonewifeandmotherwouldbemuchtousnow?\'
Sheresumedherknittingandwentout.TheVengeancefollowed.Defargewentlast,andclosedthedoor.
`Courage,mydearLucie,\'saidMr.Lorry,asheraisedher.`Courage,courage!Sofarallgoeswellwithus——much,muchbetterthanithasoflategonewithmanypoorsouls.Cheerup,andhaveathankfulheart.\'
`Iamnotthankless,Ihope,butthatdreadfulwomanseemstothrowashadowonmeandonallmyhopes.\'
`Tut,tut!\'saidMr.Lorry;`whatisthisdespondencyinthebravelittlebreast?Ashadowindeed!Nosubstanceinit,Lucie.\'
ButtheshadowofthemanneroftheseDefargeswasdarkuponhimself,forallthat,andinhissecretmindittroubledhimgreatly.
CHAPTERIV
CalminStorm
DOCTORMANETTEdidnotreturnuntilthemorningofthefourthdayofhisabsence.SomuchofwhathadhappenedinthatdreadfultimeascouldbekeptfromtheknowledgeofLuciewassowellconcealedfromher,thatnotuntillongafterwards,whenFranceandshewerefarapart,didsheknowthatelevenhundreddefencelessprisonersofbothsexesandallageshadbeenkilledbythepopulace;thatfourdaysandnightshadbeendarkenedbythisdeedofhorror;andthattheairaroundherhadbeentaintedbytheslain.Sheonlyknewthattherehadbeenanattackupontheprisons,thatallpoliticalprisonershadbeenindanger,andthatsomehadbeendraggedoutbythecrowdandmurdered.
ToMr.Lorry,theDoctorcommunicatedunderaninjunctionofsecrecyonwhichhehadnoneedtodwell,thatthecrowdhadtakenhimthroughasceneofcarnagetotheprisonofLaForce.That,intheprisonhehadfoundaself-appointedTribunalsitting,beforewhichtheprisonerswerebroughtsingly,andbywhichtheywererapidlyorderedtobeputforthtobemassacred,ortobereleased,or(inafewcases)tobesentbacktotheircells.That,presentedbyhisconductorstothisTribunal,hehadannouncedhimselfbynameandprofessionashavingbeenforeighteenyearsasecretandunaccusedprisonerintheBastille;that,oneofthebodysosittinginjudgmenthadrisenandidentifiedhim,andthatthismanwasDefarge.
That,hereuponhehadascertained,throughtheregistersonthetable,thathisson-in-lawwasamongthelivingprisoners,andhadpleadedhardtotheTribunal——ofwhomsomememberswereasleepandsomeawake,somedirtywithmurderandsomeclean,somesoberandsomenot——forhislifeandliberty.That,inthefirstfranticgreetingslavishedonhimselfasanotablesuffererundertheover-thrownsystem,ithadbeenaccordedtohimtohaveCharlesDarnaybroughtbeforethelawlessCourt,andexamined.That,heseemedonthepointofbeingatoncereleased,whenthetideinhisfavourmetwithsomeunexplainedcheck(notintelligibletotheDoctor),whichledtoafewwordsofsecretconference.That,themansittingasPresidenthadtheninformedDoctorManettethattheprisonermustremainincustody,butshouldforhissake,beheldinviolateinsafecustody.That,immediately,onasignal,theprisonerwasremovedtotheinterioroftheprisonagain;but,thatlie,theDoctor,hadthensostronglypleadedforpermissiontoremainandassurehimselfthathisson-in-lawwas,throughnomaliceormischance,deliveredtotheconcoursewhosemurderousyellsoutsidethegatehadoftendrownedtheproceedings,thatliehadobtainedthepermission,andhadremainedinthatHallofBlooduntilthedangerwasover.
Thesightshehadseenthere,withbriefsnatchesoffoodandsleepbyintervals,shallremainuntold.Themadjobovertheprisonerswhoweresaved,hadastoundedhimscarcelylessthanthemadferocityagainstthosewhowerecuttopieces.Oneprisonertherewas,liesaid,whohadbeendischargedintothestreetfree,butatwhomamistakensavagehadthrustapikeasliepassedout.Beingbesoughttogotohimanddressthewound,theDoctorhadpassedoutatthesamegate,andhadfoundhiminthearmsofacompanyofSamaritans,whowereseatedonthebodiesoftheirvictims.Withaninconsistencyasmonstrousasanythinginthisawfulnightmare,theyhadhelpedthehealer,andtendedthewoundedmanwiththegentlestsolicitude——hadmadealitterforhimandescortedhimcarefullyfromthespot——hadthencaughtuptheirweaponsandplungedanewintoabutcherysodreadful,thattheDoctorhadcoveredhiseyeswithhishands,andswoonedawayinthemidstofit.
AsMr.Lorryreceivedtheseconfidences,andashewatchedthefaceofhisfriendnowsixty-twoyearsofage,amisgivingarosewithinhimthatsuchdreadexperienceswouldrevisetheolddanger.But,hehadneverseenhisfriendinhi,presentaspect:hehadneveratallknownhiminhispresentcharacter.ForthefirsttimetheDoctorfelt,now,thathissufferingwasstrengthandpower.Forthefirsttimeheleftthatinthatsharpfire,liehadslowlyforgedtheironwhichcouldbreaktheprisondoorofhisdaughter\'shusband,anddeliverhim.`Italltendedtoagoodend,myfriend;itwasnotmerewasteandruin.Asmybelovedchildwashelpfulinrestoringmetomyself,Iwillbehelpfulnowinrestoringthedearestpartofherselftoher;bytheaidofHeavenIwilldoit!\'Thus,DoctorManette.AndwhenJarvisLorrysawthekindledeyes,theresoluteface,thecalmstronglookandbearingofthemanwhoselifealwaysseemedtohimtohavebeenstopped,likeaclock,forsomanyyears,andthensetgoingagainwithanenergywhichhadlaindormantduringthecessationofitsusefulness,hebelieved.
GreaterthingsthantheDoctorhadatthattimetocontendwith,wouldhaveyieldedbeforehisperseveringpurpose.Whilehekepthimselfinhisplace,asaphysician,whosebusinesswaswithalldegreesofmankind,bondandfree,richandpoor,badandgood,heusedhispersonalinfluencesowisely,thathewassoontheinspectingphysicianofthreeprisons,andamongthemofLaForce.HecouldnowassureLuciethatherhusbandwasnolongerconfinedalone,butwasmixedwiththegeneralbodyofprisoners;hesawherhusbandweekly,andbroughtsweetmessagestoher,straightfromhislips;sometimesherhusbandhimselfsentalettertoher(thoughneverbytheDoctor\'shand),butshewasnotpermittedtowritetohim:for,amongthemanywildsuspicionsofplotsintheprisons,thewildestofallpointedatemigrantswhowereknowntohavemadefriendsorpermanentconnectionsabroad.
ThisnewlifeoftheDoctor\'swasananxiouslife,nodoubt;still,thesagaciousMr.Lorrysawthattherewasanewsustainingprideinit.Nothingunbecomingtingedthepride;itwasanaturalandworthyone;butheobserveditasacuriosity.TheDoctorknew,thatuptothattime,hisimprisonmenthadbeenassociatedinthemindsofhisdaughterandhisfriend,withhispersonalaffliction,deprivation,andweakness.Nowthatthiswaschanged,andheknewhimselftobeinvestedthroughthatoldtrialwithforcestowhichtheybothlookedforCharles\'sultimatesafetyanddeliverance,hebecamesofarexaltedbythechange,thathetooktheleadanddirection,andrequiredthemastheweak,totrusttohimasthestrong.TheprecedingrelativepositionsofhimselfandLuciewerereversed,yetonlyastheliveliestgratitudeandaffectioncouldreversethem,forhecouldhavehadnopridebutinrenderingsomeservicetoherwhohadrenderedsomuchtohim.`Allcurioustosee,\'thoughtMr.Lorry,inhisamiablyshrewdway,`butallnaturalandright;so,takethelead,mydearfriend,andkeepit;itcouldn\'tbeinbetterhands.\'
