Hesatdowninachaironthehearth,overagainstMr.Lorry.Whentheywerealone,Mr.Lorryaskedhimwhathehaddone?
`Notmuch.IfitshouldgoillwiththeprisoneIhaveensuredaccesstohim,Once.\'
Mr.Lorry\'scountenancefell.
`ItisallIcoulddo,\'saidCarton.`Toproposetoomuch,wouldbetoputthisman\'sheadundertheaxe,and,ashehimselfsaid,nothingworsecouldhappentohimifheweredenounced.Itwasobviouslytheweaknessoftheposition.Thereisnohelpforit.\'
`Butaccesstohim,\'saidMr.Lorry,`ifitshouldgoillbeforetheTribunal,willnotsavehim.\'
`Ineversaiditwould.\'
Mr.Lorry\'seyesgraduallysoughtthefire;hissympathywithhisdarling,andtheheavydisappointmentofthissecondarrest,graduallyweakenedthem;hewasanoldmannow,overbornewithanxietyoflate,andhistearsfell.
`Youareagoodmanandatruefriend,\'saidCarton,inanalteredvoice.`ForgivemeifInoticethatyouareaffected.Icouldnotseemyfatherweep,andsitby,careless.AndIcouldnotrespectyoursorrowmore,ifyou,weremyfather.Youarefreefromthatmisfortune,however.
Thoughhesaidthelastwords,withaslipintohisusualmanner,therewasatruefeelingandrespectbothinhistoneandinhistouch,thatMr.Lorry,whohadneverseenthebettersideofhim,waswhollyunpreparedfor.Hegavehimhishand,andCartongentlypressedit.
`ToreturntopoorDarnay,\'saidCarton.`Don\'ttellHerofthisinterview,orthisarrangement.ItwouldnotenableHertogotoseehim.Shemightthinkitwascontrived,incaseoftheworst,toconveytohimthemeansofanticipatingthesentence.\'
Mr.Lorryhadnotthoughtofthat,andhelookedquicklyatCartontoseeifitwereinhismind.Itseemedtobe;hereturnedthelook,andevidentlyunderstoodit.
`Shemightthinkathousandthings,\'Cartonsaid,`andanyofthemwouldonlyaddtohertrouble.Don\'tspeakofmetoher.AsIsaidtoyouwhenIfirstcame,Ihadbetternotseeher.Icanputmyhandout,todoanylittlehelpfulworkforherthatmyhandcanfindtodo,withoutthat.Youaregoingtoher,Ihope?Shemustbeverydesolateto-night.
`Iamgoingnow,directly.\'
`Iamgladofthat.Shehassuchastrongattachmenttoyouandrelianceonyou.Howdoesshelook?\'
`Anxiousandunhappy,butverybeautiful.\'`Ah!\'
Itwasalong,grievingsound,likeasigh——almostlikeasob.ItattractedMr.Lorry\'seyestoCartonsface,whichwasturnedtothefire.Alight,orashade(theoldgentlemancouldnothavesaidwhich),passedfromitasswiftlyasachangewillsweepoverahill-sideonawildbrightday,andheliftedhisfoottoputbackoneofthelittleflaminglogs,whichwastumblingforward.Heworethewhiteriding-coatandtopboots,theninvogue,andthelightofthefiretouchingtheirlightsurfacesmadehimlookverypale,withhislongbrownhair,alluntrimmed,hanginglooseabouthim.HisindifferencetofirewassufficientlyremarkabletoelicitawordofremonstrancefromMr.Lorry;hisbootwasstilluponthehotembersoftheflaminglog,whenithadbrokenundertheweightofhisfoot.
`Iforgotit,\'hesaid.
Mr.Lorry\'seyeswereagainattractedtohisface.Takingnoteofthewastedairwhichcloudedthenaturallyhandsomefeatures,andhavingtheexpressionofprisoners\'facesfreshinhismind,hewasstronglyremindedofthatexpression.
`Andyourdutiesherehavedrawntoanend,sir?\'saidCarton,turningtohim.
`Yes.AsIwastellingyoulastnightwhenLuciecameinsounexpectedly,IhaveatlengthdoneallthatIcandohere.Ihopedtohavelefttheminperfectsafety,andthentohavequittedPass.IhavemyLeavetoPass.Iwasreadytogo.\'
Theywerebothsilent.
`Yoursisalonglifetolookbackupon,sir?\'saidCarton,wistfully.
`Iaminmyseventy-eighthyear.\'
`Youhavebeenusefulallyourlife;steadilyandconstantlyoccupied;trusted,respected,andlookedupto?\'
`Ihavebeenamanofbusiness,eversinceIhavebeenaman.Indeed,ImaysaythatIwasamanofbusinesswhenaboy.\'
`Seewhataplaceyoufillatseventy-eight.Howmanypeoplewillmissyouwhenyouleaveitempty!\'
`Asolitaryoldbachelor,\'answeredMr.Lorry,shakinghishead.`Thereisnobodytoweepforme.\'
`Howcanyousaythat?Wouldn\'tSheweepforyou?Wouldn\'therchi!d?\'
`Yes,yes,thankGod.Ididn\'tquitemeanwhatIsaid.\'
`ItisathingtothankGodfor;isitnot?\'
`Surely,surely.\'
`Ifyoucouldsay,withtruth,toyourownsolitaryheart,to-night,\"Ihavesecuredtomyselftheloveandattachment,thegratitudeorrespect,ofnohumancreature;Ihavewonmyselfatenderplaceinnoregard;Ihavedonenothinggoodorserviceabletoberememberedby!\"yourseventy-eightyearswouldbeseventy-eightheavycurses;wouldtheynot?\'
`Yousaytruly,Mr.Carton;Ithinktheywouldhe.
Sydneyturnedhiseyesagainuponthefire,and,afterasilenceofafewmoments,said:
`Ishouldliketoaskyou:——Doesyourchildhoodseemfaroff?Dothedayswhenyousatatyourmother\'sknee,seemdaysofverylongago?\'
Respondingtohissoftenedmanner,Mr.Lorryanswered:`Twentyyearsback,yes;atthistimeofmylife,no.For,asIdrawcloserandclosertotheend,Itravelinthecircle,nearerandnearertothebeginning.Itseemstobeoneofthekindsmoothingsandpreparingsoftheway.Myheartistouchednow,bymanyremembrancesthathadlongfallenasleep,ofmyprettyyoungmother(andIsoold!),andbymanyassociationsofthedayswhenwhatwecalltheWorldwasnotsorealwithme,andmyfaultswerenotconfirmedinme.\'
`Iunderstandthefeeling!\'exclaimedCarton,withabrightflush.`Andyouarethebetterforit?\'
`Ihopeso.
Cartonterminatedtheconversationhere,byrisingtohelphimonwithhisoutercoat;`butyou,\'saidMr.Lorry,revertingtothetheme,`youareyoung.\'
`Yes,\'saidCarton.`Iamnotold,butmyyoungwaywasneverthewaytoage.Enoughofme.
`Andofme,Iamsure,\'saidMr.Lorry.`Areyougoingout?\'
`I\'llwalkwithyoutohergate.Youknowmyvagabondandrestlesshabits.IfIshouldprowlaboutthestreetsalongtime,don\'tbeuneasy;Ishallreappearinthemorning.YougototheCourtto-morrow?\'
Yes,unhappily.\'
`Ishallbethere,butonlyasoneofthecrowd.MySpywillfindaplaceforme.Takemyarm,sir.\'
Mr.Lorrydidso,andtheywentdown-stairsandoutinthestreets.AfewminutesbroughtthemtoMr.Lorry\'sdestination.Cartonlefthimthere;butlingeredatalittledistance,andturnedbacktothegateagainwhenitwasshut,andtouchedit.Hehadheardofhergoingtotheprisoneveryday.`Shecameouthere,\'hesaid,lookingabouthim,`turnedthisway,musthavetrodonthesestonesoften.Letmefollowinhersteps.
Itwasteno\'clockatnightwhenhestoodbeforetheprisonofLaForce,whereshehadstoodhundredsoftimes.Alittlewood-sawyer,havingclosedhisshop,wassmokinghispipeathisshop-door.
`Goodnight,citizen,\'saidSydneyCarton,pausingingoingby;for,themaneyedhiminquisitively.
`Goodnight,citizen.\'
`HowgoestheRepublic?\'
`YoumeantheGuillotine.Notill.Sixty-threeto-day.Weshallmounttoahundredsoon.Samsonandhismencomplainsometimes,ofbeingexhausted.Ha,ha,ha!Heissodroll,thatSamson.SuchaBarber!\'
`Doyouoftengotoseehim——\'
`Shave?Always.Everyday.Whatabarber!Youhaveseenhimatwork?\'
`Never.\'
`Goandseehimwhenhehasagoodbatch.Figurethistoyourselfcitizen;heshavedthesixty-threeto-day,inlessthantwopipes!Lessthantwopipes.Wordofhonour!\'
Asthegrinninglittlemanheldoutthepipehewassmoking,toexplainhowhetimedtheexecutioner,Cartonwassosensibleofarisingdesiretostrikethelifeoutofhim,thatheturnedaway.
`ButyouarenotEnglish,\'saidthewood-sawyer,`thoughyouwearEnglishdress?\'
`Yes,\'saidCarton,pausingagain,andansweringoverhisshoulder.
`YouspeaklikeaFrenchman.\'
`Iamanoldstudenthere.\'
`Aha,aperfectFrenchman!Goodnight,Englishman.\'
`Goodnight,citizen.\'
`Butgoandseethatdrolldog,\'thelittlemanpersisted,callingafterhim.`Andtakeapipewithyou!\'
Sydneyhadnotgonefaroutofsight,whenhestoppedinthemiddleofthestreetunderaglimmeringlamp,andwrotewithhispencilonascrapofpaper.Then,traversingwiththedecidedstepofonewhorememberedthewaywell,severaldarkanddirtystreets——muchdirtierthanusual,forthebestpublicthoroughfaresremaineduncleansedinthosetimesofterror——hestoppedatachemist\'sshop,whichtheownerwasclosingwithhisownhands.Asmall,dim,crookedshop,keptinatortuous,up-hillthoroughfares,byasmall,dim,crookedman.
Givingthiscitizen,too,goodnight,asheconfrontedhimathiscounter,helaidthescrapofpaperbeforehim.`Whew!\'thechemistwhistledsoftly,ashereadit.`Hi!hi!hi!\'
SydneyCartontooknoheed,andthechemistsaid:
`Foryou,citizen?\'
`Forme.
`Youwillbecarefultokeepthemseparate,citizen?Youknowtheconsequencesofmixingthem?\'
`Perfectly.\'
Certainsmallpacketsweremadeandgiventohim.Heputthem,onebyone,inthebreastofhisinnercoat,countedoutthemoneyforthem,anddeliberatelylefttheshop.`Thereisnothingmoretodo,\'saidhe,glancingupwardatthemoon,`untilto-morrow.Ican\'tsleep.
Itwasnotarecklessmanner,themannerinwhichhesaidthesewordsaloudunderthefast-sailingclouds,norwasitmoreexpressiveofnegligencethandefiance.Itwasthesettledmannerofatiredman,whohadwanderedandstruggledandgotlost,butwhoatlengthstruckintohisroadandsawitsend.
Longago,whenhehadbeenfamousamonghisearliestcompetitorsasayouthofgreatpromise,hehadfollowedhisfathertothegrave.Hismotherhaddied,yearsbefore.Thesesolemnwords,whichhadbeenreadathisfather\'sgrave,aroseinhismindashewentdownthedarkstreets,amongtheheavyshadows,withthemoonandthecloudssailingonhighabovehim.`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife,saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme,shallneverdie.\'
Inacitydominatedbytheaxe,aloneatnight,withnaturalsorrowrisinginhimforthesixty-threewhohadbeenthatdayputtodeath,andforto-morrow\'svictimsthenawaitingtheirdoomintheprisons,andstillofto-morrow\'sandtomorrow\'s,thechainofassociationthatbroughtthewordshome,likearustyoldship\'sanchorfromthedeep,mighthavebeeneasilyfound.Hedidnotseekit,butrepeatedthemandwenton.
Withasolemninterestinthelightedwindowswherethepeopleweregoingtorest,forgetfulthroughafewcalmhoursofthehorrorssurroundingthem;inthetowersofthechurches,wherenoprayersweresaid,forthepopularrevulsionhadeventravelledthatlengthofself-destructionfromyearsofpriestlyimpostors,plunderers,andprofligates;inthedistantburial-places,reserved,astheywroteuponthegates,forEternalSleep;intheaboundinggaols;andinthestreetsalongwhichthesixtiesrolledtoadeathwhichhadbecomesocommonandmaterial,thatnosorrowfulstoryofahauntingSpiriteveraroseamongthepeopleoutofalltheworkingoftheGuillotine;withasolemninterestinthewholelifeanddeathofthecitysettlingdowntoitsshortnightlypauseinfury;SydneyCartoncrossedtheSeineagainforthelighterstreets.
Fewcoacheswereabroad,forridersincoacheswereliabletoliesuspected,andgentilityhiditsheadinrednightcaps,andputonheavyshoes,andtrudged.But,thetheatreswereallwellfilled,andthepeoplepouredcheerfullyoutashepassed,andwentchattinghome.Atoneofthetheatredoors,therewasalittlegirlwithamother,lookingforawayacrossthestreetthroughthemud.Hecarriedthechildover,andbeforethetimidarmwasloosedfromhisneckaskedherforakiss.
`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife,saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme,shallneverdie.\'
Now,thatthestreetswerequiet,andthenightworeon,thewordswereintheechoesofhisfeet,andwereintheair.Perfectlycalmandsteady,hesometimesrepeatedthemtohimselfashewalked;but,heheardthemalways.
Thenightworeout,and,ashestooduponthebridgelisteningtothewaterasitsplashedtheriver-wallsoftheIslandofParis,wherethepicturesqueconfusionofhousesandcathedralshonebrightinthelightofthemoon,thedaycamecoldly,lookinglikeadeadfaceoutofthesky.Then,thenight,withthemoonandthestars,turnedpaleanddied,andforalittlewhileitseemedasifCreationweredeliveredovertoDeath\'sdominion.
But,theglorioussun,rising,seemedtostrikethosewords,thatburdenofthenight,straightandwarmtohisheartinitslongbrightrays.Andlookingalongthem,withreverentlyshadedeyes,abridgeoflightappearedtospantheairbetweenhimandthesun,whiletheriversparkledunderit.
Thestrongtide,soswift,sodeep,andcertain,waslikeacongenialfriend,inthemorningstillness.Hewalkedbythestream,farfromthehouses,andinthelightaridwarmthofthesunfellasleeponthebank.Whenheawokeandwasafootagain,helingeredthereyetalittlelonger,watchinganeddythatturnedandturnedpurposeless,untilthestreamabsorbedit,andcarrieditontothesea——`Likeme!\'
Atrading-boat,withasailofthesoftenedcolourofadeadleaf,thenglidedintohisview,floatedbyhim,anddiedaway.Asitssilenttrackinthewaterdisappeared,theprayerthathadbrokenupoutofhisheartforamercifulconsiderationofallhispoorblindnessesanderrors,endedinthewords,`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife.\'
Mr.Lorrywasalreadyoutwhenhegotback,anditwaseasytosurmisewherethegoodoldmanwasgone.SydneyCartondranknothingbutalittlecoffee,atesomebread,and,havingwashedandchangedtorefreshhimself,wentouttotheplaceoftrial.
Thecourtwasallastiranda-buzz,whentheblacksheep——whommanyfellawayfromindread——pressedhimintoanobscurecorneramongthecrowd.Mr.Lorrywasthere,andDoctorManettewasthere.Shewasthere,sittingbesideherfather.
Whenherhusbandwasbroughtin,sheturnedalookuponhim,sosustaining,soencouraging,sofullofadmiringloveandpityingtenderness,yetsocourageousforhissake,thatitcalledthehealthybloodintohisface,brightenedhisglance,andanimatedhisheart.Iftherehadbeenanyeyestonoticetheinfluenceofherlook,onSydneyCarton,itwouldhavebeenseentobethesameinfluenceexactly.
BeforethatunjustTribunal,therewaslittleornoorderofprocedure,ensuringtoanyaccusedpersonanyreasonablehearing.TherecouldhavebeennosuchRevolution,ifalllaws,forms,andceremonies,hadnotfirstbeensomonstrouslyabused,thatthesuicidalvengeanceoftheRevolutionwastoscatterthemalltothewinds.
Everyeyewasturnedtothejury.Thesamedeterminedpatriotsandgoodrepublicansasyesterdayandthedaybefore,andto-morrowandthedayafter.Eagerandprominentamongthem,onemanwithacravingface,andhisfingersperpetuallyhoveringabouthislips,whoseappearancegavegreatsatisfactiontothespectators.Alife-thirsting,canniballooking,bloody-mindedjuryman,theJacquesThreeofSt.Antoine.Thewholejury,asajuryofdogsempannelledtotrythedeer.
Everyeyethenturnedtothefivejudgesandthepublicprosecutor.Nofavourableleaninginthatquarterto-day.Afell,uncompromising,murderousbusiness-meaningthere.Everyeyethensoughtsomeothereyeinthecrowd,andgleamedatitapprovingly;andheadsnoddedatoneanother,beforebendingforwardwithastrainedattention.
CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay.Releasedyesterday.Re-accusedandretakenyesterday.Indictmentdeliveredtohimlastnight.SuspectedandDenouncedenemyoftheRepublic,Aristocrat,oneofafamilyoftyrants,oneofaraceproscribed,forthattheyhadusedtheirabolishedprivilegestotheinfamousoppressionofthepeople.CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,inrightofsuchproscription,absolutelyDeadinLaw.
Tothiseffect,inasfeworfewerwords,thePublicProsecutor.
ThePresidentasked,wastheAccusedopenlydenouncedorsecretly?
`Openly,President.\'
`Bywhom?\'
`Threevoices.ErnestDefarge,wine-vendorofSt.Antoine.\'
`Good.\'
`ThérèseDefarge,hiswife.\'
`Good.\'
`AlexandreManette,physician.\'
Agreatuproartookplaceinthecourt,andinthemidstofit,DoctorManettewasseen,paleandtrembling,standingwherehehadbeenseated.
`President,Iindignantlyprotesttoyouthatthisisaforgeryandafraud.Youknowtheaccusedtobethehusbandofmydaughter.Mydaughter,andthosedeartoher,arefardearertomethanmylife.WhoandwhereisthefalseconspiratorwhosaysthatIdenouncethehusbandofmychild!
`CitizenManette,betranquil.TofailinsubmissiontotheauthorityoftheTribunalwouldbetoputyourselfoutofLaw.Astowhatisdearertoyouthanlife,nothingcanbesodeartoagoodcitizenastheRepublic.\'
Loudacclamationshailedthisrebuke.ThePresidentranghisbell,andwithwarmthresumed.
`IftheRepublicshoulddemandofyouthesacrificeofyourchildherselfyouwouldhavenodutybuttosacrificeherListentowhatistofollow.Inthemeanwhile,besilent!\'
Franticacclamationswereagainraised.DoctorManettesatdown,withhiseyeslookingaround,andhislipstrembling;hisdaughterdrewclosertohim.Thecravingmanonthejuryrubbedhishandstogether,andrestoredtheusualhandtohismouth.
Defargewasproduced,whenthecourtwasquietenoughtoadmitofhisbeingheard,andrapidlyexpoundedthestoryoftheimprisonment,andofhishavingbeenamereboyintheDoctor\'sservice,andoftherelease,andofthestateoftheprisonerwhenreleasedanddeliveredtohim.Thisshortexaminationfollowed,forthecourtwasquickwithitswork.
`YoudidgoodserviceatthetakingoftheBastille,citizen?\'
`Ibelieveso.\'
Here,anexcitedwomanscreechedfromthecrowd:`Youwereoneofthebestpatriotsthere.Whynotsayso?Youwereacannonierthatdaythere,andyouwereamongthefirsttoentertheaccursedfortresswhenitfell.Patriots,Ispeakthetruth!\'
ItwasTheVengeancewho,amidstthewarmcommendationsoftheaudience,thusassistedtheproceedings.ThePresidentranghisbell;but,TheVengeance,warmingwithencouragement,shrieked,`Idefythatbell!\'whereinshewaslikewisemuchcommended.
`InformtheTribunalofwhatyoudidthatdaywithintheBastille,citizen.\'
`Iknew,\'saidDefarge,lookingdownathiswife,whostoodatthebottomofthestepsonwhichhewasraised,lookingsteadilyupathim;`Iknewthatthisprisoner,ofwhomIspeak,hadbeenconfinedinacellknownasOneHundredandFive,NorthTower.Iknewitfromhimself.HeknewhimselfbynoothernamethanOneHundredandFive,NorthTower,whenhemadeshoesundermycare.AsIservemygunthatday,Iresolve,whentheplaceshallfall,toexaminethatcell.Itfalls.Imounttothecell,withafellow-citizenwhoisoneoftheJury,directedbyagaoler.Iexamineit,veryclosely.Inaholeinthechimney,whereastonehasbeenworkedoutandreplaced,Ifindawrittenpaper.Thisisthatwrittenpaper.IhavemadeitmybusinesstoexaminesomespecimensofthewritingofDoctorManette.ThisisthewritingofDoctorManette.Iconfidethispaper,inthewritingofDoctorManette,tothehandsofthePresident.
`Letitberead.\'
Inadeadsilenceandstillness——theprisonerundertriallookinglovinglyathiswife,hiswifeonlylookingfromhimtolookwithsolicitudeatherfather,DoctorManettekeepinghiseyesfixedonthereader,MadameDefargenevertakinghersfromtheprisoner,Defargenevertakinghisfromhisfeastingwile,andalltheothereyesthereintentupontheDoctor,whosawnoneofthem——thepaperwasread,asfollows.
CHAPTERX
TheSubstanceoftheShadow
`I,ALEXANDREMANETTE,unfortunatephysician,nativeofBeauvais,andafterwardsresidentinParis,writethismelancholypaperinmydolefulcellintheBastille,duringthelastmonthoftheyear1767.Iwriteitatstolenintervals,undereverydifficulty.Idesigntosecreteitinthewallofthechimney,whereIhaveslowlyandlaboriouslymadeaplaceofconcealmentforit.Somepityinghandmayfinditthere,whenIandmysorrowsaredust.
`ThesewordsareformedbytherustyironpointwithwhichIwritewithdifficultyinscrapingsofsootandcharcoalfromthechimney,mixedwithblood,inthelastmonthofthetenthyearofmycaptivity.Hopehasquitedepartedfrommybreast.IknowfromterriblewarningsIhavenotedinmyselfthatmyreasonwillnotlongremainunimpaired,butIsolemnlydeclarethatIamatthistimeinthepossessionofmyrightmind——thatmymemoryisexactandcircumstantial——andthatIwritethetruthasIshallanswerforthesemylastrecordedwords,whethertheybeeverreadbymenornot,attheEternalJudgment-seat.
`Onecloudymoonlightnight,inthethirdweekofDecember(Ithinkthetwenty-secondofthemonth)intheyear1757,IwaswalkingonaretiredpartofthequaybytheSeinefortherefreshmentofthefrostyair,atanhour\'sdistancefrommyplaceofresidenceintheStreetoftheSchoolofMedicine,whenacarriagecamealongbehindme,drivenveryfast.AsIstoodasidetoletthatcarriagepass,apprehensivethatitmightotherwiserunmedown,aheadwasputoutatthewindow,andavoicecalledtothedrivertostop.
`Thecarriagestoppedassoonasthedrivercouldreininhishorses,andthesamevoicecalledtomebymyname.Ianswered.ThecarriagewasthensofarinadvanceofmethattwogentlemenhadtimetoopenthedoorandalightbeforeIcameupwithit.Iobservedthattheywerebothwrappedincloaksandappearedtoconcealthemselves.Astheystoodcarriagedoor,Ialsoobservedthattheybothlookedofaboutmyownage,orratheryounger,andthattheyweregreatlyalike,instature,manner,voice,and(asfarasIcouldsee)facetoo.
`\"YouareDoctorManette?\"saidone.
`\"Iam.\"
`\"DoctorManette,formerlyofBeauvais,\"saidtheother;\"theyoungphysician,originallyanexpertsurgeon,whowithinthelastyearortwohasmadearisingreputationinParis?\"
`\"Gentlemen,\"Ireturned,\"IamthatDoctorManetteofwhomyouspeaksograciously.\"
`\"wehavebeentoyourresidence,\"saidthefirst,\"andnotbeingsofortunateastofindyouthere,andbeinginformedthatyouwereprobablywalkinginthisdirection,wefollowed,inthehopeofovertakingyou.Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?\"
`Themannerofbothwasimperious,andtheybothmoved,asthesewordswerespoken,soastoplacemebetweenthemselvesandthecarriagedoor.Theywerearmed.Iwasnot.
`\"Gentlemen,\"saidI,\"pardonme;butIusuallyinquirewhodoesmethehonourtoseekmyassistance,andwhatisthenatureofthecasetowhichIamsummoned.\"
`Thereplytothiswasmadebyhimwhohadspokensecond.\"Doctor,yourclientsarepeopleofcondition.Astothenatureofthecase,ourconfidenceinyourskillassuresusthatyouwillascertainitforyourselfbetterthanwecandescribeit.Enough.Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?\"
`Icoulddonothingbutcomply,andIentereditinsilence.Theybothenteredafterme——thelastspringingin,afterputtingupthesteps.Thecarriageturnedabout,anddroveonasitsformerspeed.
`Irepeatthisconversationexactlyasitoccurred.Ihavenodoubtthatitis,wordforword,thesame.Idescribeeverythingexactlyasittookplace,constrainingmymindnottowanderfromthetask.WhereImakethebrokenmarksthatfollowhere,Ileaveoffforthetime,andputmypaperinitshiding-place.****
`Thecarriageleftthestreetsbehind,passedtheNorthBarrier,andemergeduponthecountryroad.Attwo-thirdsofaleaguefromtheBarrier——Ididnotestimatethedistanceatthattime,butafterwardswhenItraversedit——itstruckoutofthemainavenue,andpresentlystoppedatasolitaryhouse.Weallthreealighted,andwalked,byadampsoftfootpathinagardenwhereaneglectedfountainhadoverflowed,tothedoorofthehouse.Itwasnotopenedimmediately,inanswertotheringingofthebell,andoneofmytwoconductorsstruckthemanwhoopenedit,withhisheavyriding-glove,acrosstheface.
`Therewasnothinginthisactiontoattractmyparticularattention,forIhadseencommonpeoplestruckmorecommonlythandogs.But,theotherofthetwo,beingangrylike-wise,struckthemaninlikemannerwithhisarm;thelookandbearingofthebrotherswerethensoexactlyalike,thatIthenfirstperceivedthemtobetwinbrothers.
`Fromthetimeofouralightingattheoutergate(whichwefoundlocked,andwhichoneofthebrothershadopenedtoadmitus,andhadre-locked),Ihadheardcriesproceedingfromanupperchamber.Iwasconductedtothischamberstraight,thecriesgrowinglouderasweascendedthestairs,andIfoundapatientinahighfeverofthebrain,lyingonabed.
`Thepatientwasawomanofgreatbeauty,andyoung;assuredlynotmuchpasttwenty.Herhairwastornandragged,andherarmswereboundtohersideswithsashesandhandkerchiefs.Inoticedthatthesebondswereallportionsofagentleman\'sdress.Ononeofthem,whichwasafringedScarfforadressofceremony,IsawthearmorialbearingsofaNoble,andtheletterE.
`Isawthis,withinthefirstminuteofmycontemplationofthepatient;for,inherrestlessstrivingsshehadturnedoveronherfaceontheedgeofthebed,haddrawntheendofthescarfintohermouth,andwasindangerofsuffocation.Myfirstactwastoputoutmyhandtorelieveherbreathing;andinmovingthescarfaside,theembroideryinthecornercaughtmysight.
`Iturnedhergentlyover,placedmyhandsuponherbreasttocalmherandkeepherdown,andlookedintoherface.Hereyesweredilatedandwild,andsheconstantlyutteredpiercingshrieks,andrepeatedthewords,\"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!\"andthencounteduptotwelve,andsaid,\"Hush!\"Foraninstant,andnomore,shewouldpausetolisten,andthenthepiercingshriekswouldbeginagain,andshewouldrepeatthecry,\"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!\"andwouldcountuptotwelve,andsay\"Hush!\"Therewasnovariationintheorder,orthemanner.Therewasnocessation,buttheregularmoment\'spause,intheutteranceofthesesounds.
`\"Howlong,\"Iasked,\"hasthislasted?\"
`Todistinguishthebrothers,Iwillcallthemtheelderandtheyounger;bytheelder,Imeanhimwhoexercisedthemostauthority.Itwastheelderwhoreplied,\"Sinceaboutthishourlastnight.\"
`\"ShehasaHusband,afather,andabrother?\"
`\"Abrother.\"
`\"Idonotaddressherbrother?\"
`Heansweredwithgreatcontempt,\"No.\"
`\"Shehassomerecentassociationwiththenumbertwelve?\"
`Theyoungerbrotherimpatientlyrejoined,\"Withtwelveo\'clock?\"
`\"See,gentlemen,\"saidI,stillkeepingmyhandsuponherbreast,\"howuselessIam,asyouhavebroughtme!IfIhadknownwhatIwascomingtosee,Icouldhavecomeprovided.Asitis,timemustbelost.Therearenomedicinestobeobtainedinthislonelyplace.\"
`Theelderbrotherlookedtotheyounger,whosaidhaughtily,\"Thereisacaseofmedicineshere;\"andbroughtitfromacloset,andputitonthetable.***
`Iopenedsomeofthebottles,smeltthem,andputthestopperstomylips.IfIhadwantedtouseanythingsavenarcoticmedicinesthatwerepoisonsinthemselves,Iwouldnothaveadministeredanyofthose.
`\"Doyoudoubtthem?\"askedtheyoungerbrother.
`\"Yousee,monsieur,Iamgoingtousethem,\"Ireplied,andsaidnomore.
`Imadethepatientswallow,withgreatdifficulty,andaftermanyefforts,thedosethatIdesiredtogive.AsIintendedtorepeatitafterawhile,andasitwasnecessarytowatchitsinfluence,Ithensatdownbythesideofthebed.Therewasatimidandsuppressedwomaninattendance(wifeofthemandown-stairs),whohadretreatedintoacorner.Thehousewasdampanddecayed,indifferentlyfurnished——evidently,recentlyoccupiedandtemporarilyused.Somethickoldhangingshadbeennailedupbeforethewindows,todeadenthesoundoftheshrieks.Theycontinuedtobeutteredintheirregularsuccession,withthecry,\"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!\"thecountinguptotwelve,and\"Hush!\"Thefrenzywassoviolent,thatIhadnotunfastenedthebandagesrestrainingthearms,but,Ihadlookedtothem,toseethattheywerenotpainful.Theonlysparkofencouragementinthecase,was,thatmyhanduponthesufferer\'sbreasthadthismuchsoothinginfluence,thatforminutesatatimeittranquillisedthefigure.Ithadnoeffectuponthecries:nopendulumcouldbemoreregular.
`Forthereasonthatmyhandhadthiseffect(Iassume),Ihadsatbythesideofthebedforhalfanhour,withthetwobrotherslookingon,beforetheeldersaid:
`\"Thereisanotherpatient.\"
`Iwasstartledandasked,\"Isitapressingcase?\"
`\"Youhadbettersee,\"hecarelesslyanswered;andtookupalight.***
`Theotherpatientlayinabackroomacrossasecondstaircase,whichwasaspeciesofloftoverastable.Therewasalowplasteredceilingtoapartofit;therestwasopen,totheridgeofthetiledroof,andtherewerebeamsacross.Hayandstrawwerestoredinthatportionoftheplace,fagotsforfiring,andaheapofapplesinsand.Ihadtopassthroughthatpart,togetattheother.Mymemoryiscircumstantialandunshaken.Itryitwiththesedetails,andIseethemall,inthismycellintheBastille,nearthecloseofthetenthyearofmycaptivity,asIsawthemallthatnight.
`Onsomehayontheground,withacushionthrownunderhishead,layahandsomepeasant-boy-aboyofnotmorethanseventeenatthemost.Helayonhisback,withhisteethset,hisrighthandclenchedonhisbreast,andhisglaringeyeslookingstraightupward.Icouldnotseewherehiswoundwas,asIkneeledononekneeoverhim;but,Icouldseethathewasdyingofawoundfromasharppoint.
`\"Iamadoctor,mypoorfellow,\"saidI.\"Letmeexamineit.\"
`\"Idonotwantitexamined,\"heanswered;\"letitbe.\"
`Itwasunderhishand,andIsoothedhimtoletmemovehishandaway.Thewoundwasasword-thrust,receivedfromtwentytotwenty-fourhoursbefore,butnoskillcouldhavesavedhimifithadbeenlookedtowithoutdelay.Hewasthendyingfast.AsIturnedmyeyestotheelderbrother,Isawhimlookingdownatthishandsomeboywhoselifewasebbingout,asifhewereawoundedbird,orhare,orrabbit;notatallasifhewereafellow-creature.
`\"Howhasthisbeendone,monsieur?\"saidI.
`\"Acrazedyoungcommondog!Aserf!Forcedmybrothertodrawuponhim,andhasfallenbymybrother\'sSword——likeagentleman.\"
`Therewasnotouchofpity,sorrow,orkindredhumanity,inthisanswer.Thespeakerseemedtoacknowledgethatitwasinconvenienttohavethatdifferentorderofcreaturedyingthere,andthatitwould\'havebeenbetterifhehaddiedintheusualobscureroutineofhisverminkind.Hewasquiteincapableofanycompassionatefeelingabouttheboy,orabouthisfate.
`Theboy\'seyeshadslowlymovedtohimashehadspoken,andtheynowslowlymovedtome.
`\"Doctor,theyareveryproud,theseNobles;butwecommondogsareproudtoo,sometimes.Theyplunderus,outrageus,beatus,killus;butwehavealittleprideleft,sometimes.She——haveyouseenher,Doctor?\"
`Theshrieksandthecrieswereaudiblethere,thoughsubduedbythedistance.Hereferredtothem,asifshewerelyinginourpresence.
`Isaid,\"Ihaveseenher.\"
`\"Sheismysister,Doctor.Theyhavehadtheirshamefulrights,theseNobles,inthemodestyandvirtueofoursisters,manyyears,butMhavehadgoodgirlsamongus.Iknowit,andhaveheardmyfathersayso.Shewasagoodgirl.Shewasbetrothedtoagoodyoungman,too:atenantofhis.Wearealltenantsofhis——thatman\'swhostandsthere.Theotherishisbrother,theworstofabadrace.\"
`Itwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheboygatheredbodilyforcetospeak;but,hisspiritspokewithadreadfulemphasis.
`Weweresorobbedbythatmanwhostandsthere,asallwecommondogsarebythosesuperiorBeings——taxedbyhimwithoutmercy,obligedtoworkforhimwithoutpay,obligedtogrindourcornathismill,obligedtofeedscoresofhistamebirdsonourwretchedcrops,andforbiddenforourlivestokeepasingletamebirdofourown,pillagedandplunderedtothatdegreethatwhenwechancedtohaveabitofmeat,weateitinfear,withthedoorbarredandtheshuttersclosed,thathispeopleshouldnotseeitandtakeitfromus——Isay,weweresorobbed,andhunted,andweremadesopoor,thatourfathertoldusitwasadreadfulthingtobringachildintotheworld,andthatwhatweshouldmostprayfor,was,thatourwomenmightbebarrenandourmiserableracedieout!\"
