`Youaretheyoungladyjustnowreferredto?\'
`O!mostunhappily，Iam。\'
TheplaintivetoneofhercompassionmergedintothelessmusicalvoiceoftheJudge，ashesaidsomethingfiercely:`Answerthequestionsputtoyou，andmakenoremarkuponthem。\'
`MissManette，hadyouanyconversationwiththeprisoneronthatpassageacrosstheChannel?\'
`Yes，sir。\'
`Recallit。\'
Inthemidstofaprofoundstillness，shefaintlybegan:`Whenthegentlemancameonboard\'
`Doyoumeantheprisoner?\'inquiredtheJudge，knittinghisbrows。
`Yes，myLord。\'
`Thensaytheprisoner。\'
`Whentheprisonercameonboard，henoticedthatmyfather，\'
turninghereyeslovinglytohimashestoodbesideher，wasmuchfatiguedandinaveryweakstateofhealth。MyfatherwassoreducedthatIwasafraidtotakehimoutoftheair，andIhadmadeabedforhimonthedecknearthecabinsteps，andIsatonthedeckathissidetotakecareofhim。Therewerenootherpassengersthatnight，butwefour。TheprisonerwassogoodastobegpermissiontoadvisemehowIcouldsheltermyfatherfromthewindandweather，betterthanIhaddone。Ihadnotknownhowtodoitwell，notunderstandinghowthewindwouldsetwhenwewereoutoftheharbour。Hediditforme。Heexpressedgreatgentlenessandkindnessformyfather\'sstate，andIamsurehefeltit。Thatwasthemannerofourbeginningtospeaktogether。\'
`Letmeinterruptyouforamoment。Hadhecomeonboardalone?\'
`No。\'
`Howmanywerewithhim?\'
`TwoFrenchgentlemen。\'
`Hadtheyconferredtogether?\'
`Theyhadconferredtogetheruntilthelastmoment，whenitwasnecessaryfortheFrenchgentlementobelandedintheirboat。\'
`Hadanypapersbeenhandedaboutamongthem，similartotheselists?\'
`Somepapershadbeenhandedaboutamongthem，butIdon\'tknowwhatpapers。\'
`Liketheseinshapeandsize?\'
`Possibly，butindeedIdon\'tknow，althoughtheystoodwhisperingveryneartome:becausetheystoodatthetopofthecabinstepstohavethelightofthelampthatwashangingthere；itwasadulllamp，andtheyspokeverylow，andIdidnothearwhattheysaid，andsawonlythattheylookedatpapers。\'
`Now，totheprisoner\'sconversation，MissManette。\'
`Theprisonerwasasopeninhisconfidencewithme-whicharoseoutofmyhelplesssituation-ashewaskind，andgood，andusefultomyfather。Ihope，\'burstingintotears，`Imaynotrepayhimbydoinghimharmto-day。\'
Buzzingfromtheblue-flies。
`MissManette，iftheprisonerdoesnotperfectlyunderstandthatyougivetheevidencewhichitisyourdutytogive——whichyoumustgive——andwhichyoucannotescapefromgiving——withgreatunwillingness，heistheonlypersonpresentinthatcondition。Pleasetogoon。
`Hetoldmethathewastravellingonbusinessofadelicateanddifficultnature，whichmightgetpeopleintotrouble，andthathewasthereforetravellingunderanassumedname。Hesaidthatthisbusinesshad，withinafewdays，takenhimtoFrance，andmight，atintervals，takehimbackwardsandforwardsbetweenFranceandEnglandforalongtimetocome。\'
`DidhesayanythingaboutAmerica，MissManette?Beparticular。\'
`Hetriedtoexplaintomehowthatquarrelhadarisen，andhesaidthat，sofarashecouldjudge，itwasawrongandfoolishoneonEngland\'spart。Headded，inajestingway，thatperhapsGeorgeWashingtonmightgainalmostasgreatanameinhistoryasGeorgetheThird。Buttherewasnoharminhiswayofsayingthis:itwassaidlaughingly，andtobeguilethetime。\'
Anystronglymarkedexpressionoffaceonthepartofachiefactorinasceneofgreatinteresttowhommanyeyesaredirected，willbeunconsciouslyimitatedbythespectators。Herforeheadwaspainfullyanxiousandintentasshegavethisevidence，and，inthepauseswhenshestoppedfortheJudgetowriteitdown，watcheditseffectuponthecounselforandagainst。Amongthelookers-ontherewasthesameexpressioninallquartersofthecourt；insomuch，thatagreatmajorityoftheforeheadsthere，mighthavebeenmirrorsreflectingthewitness，whentheJudgelookedupfromhisnotestoglareatthattremendousheresyaboutGeorgeWashington。
Mr。Attorney-GeneralnowsignifiedtomyLord，thathedeemeditnecessary，asamatterofprecautionandform，tocalltheyounglady\'sfather，DoctorManette。Whowascalledaccordingly。
`DoctorManette，lookupontheprisoner。Haveyoueverseenhimbefore?\'
`Once。WhenhecalledatmylodgingsinLondon。Somethreeyears，orthreeyearsandahalfago。\'
`Canyouidentifyhimasyourfellow-passengeronboardthepacket，orspeaktohisconversationwithyourdaughter?\'
`Sir，Icandoneither。\'
`Isthereanyparticularandspecialreasonforyourbeingunabletodoeither?\'
Heanswered，inalowvoice，`Thereis。\'
`Hasitbeenyourmisfortunetoundergoalongimprisonment，withouttrial，orevenaccusation，inyournativecountry，DoctorManette?\'
Heanswered，inatonethatwenttoeveryheart，`Alongimprisonment。\'
`Wereyounewly，releasedontheoccasioninquestion?\'
`Theytellmeso。`Haveyounoremembranceoftheoccasion?\'
`None。Mymindisablank，fromsometime——Icannotevensaywhattime——whenIemployedmyself，inmycaptivity，inmakingshoes，tothetimewhenIfoundmyselflivinginLondonwithmydeardaughterhere。Shehadbecomefamiliartome，whenagraciousGodrestoredmyfaculties；but，Iamquiteunableeventosayhowshehadbecomefamiliar。Ihavenoremembranceoftheprocess。\'
Mr。Attorney-Generalsatdown，andthefatheranddaughtersatdowntogether。
Asingularcircumstancethenaroseinthecase。Theobjectinhandbeingtoshowthattheprisonerwentdown，withsomefellow-plotteruntracked，intheDovermailonthatFridaynightinNovemberfiveyearsago，andgotoutofthemailinthenight，asablind，ataplacewherehedidnotremain，butfromwhichhetravelledbacksomedozenmilesormore，toagarrisonanddockyard，andtherecollectedinformation；awitnesswascalledtoidentifyhimashavingbeenattheprecisetimerequired，inthecoffee-roomofanhotelinthatgarrison-and-dockyardtown，waitingforanotherperson。Theprisoner\'scounselwascross-examiningthiswitnesswithnoresult，exceptthathehadneverseentheprisoneronanyotheroccasion，whenthewiggedgentlemanwhohadallthistimebeenlookingattheceilingofthecourt，wroteawordortwoonalittlepieceofpaper，screweditup，andtossedittohim。Openingthispieceofpaperinthenextpause，thecounsellookedwithgreatattentionandcuriosityattheprisoner。
`Yousayagainyouarequitesurethatitwastheprisoner?\'Thewitnesswasquitesure。`Didyoueverseeanybodyveryliketheprisoner?\'
Notsolike(thewitnesssaid)asthathecouldbemistaken。`Lookwelluponthatgentleman，mylearnedfriendthere，\'pointingtohimwhohadtossedthepaperover，`andthenlookwellupontheprisoner。Howsayyou?
Aretheyverylikeeachother?\'
Allowingformylearnedfriend\'sappearancebeingcarelessandslovenlyifnotdebauched，theyweresufficientlylikeeachothertosurprise，notonlythewitness，buteverybodypresent，whentheywerethusbroughtintocomparison。MyLordbeingprayedtobidmylearnedfriendlayasidehiswig，andgivingnoverygraciousconsent，thelikenessbecamemuchmoreremarkable。MyLordinquiredofMr。Stryver(theprisoner\'scounsel)，whethertheywerenexttotryMr。Carton(nameofmylearnedfriend)fortreason?But，Mr。StryverrepliedtomyLord，no；buthewouldaskthewitnesstotellhimwhetherwhathappenedonce，mighthappentwice；whetherhewouldhavebeensoconfidentifhehadseenthisillustrationofhisrashnesssooner，whetherhewouldbesoconfident，havingseenit；andmore。Theupshotofwhichwas，tosmashthiswitnesslikeacrockeryvessel，andshiverhispartofthecasetouselesslumber。
Mr。Cruncherhadbythistimetakenquitealunchofrustoffhisfingersinhisfollowingoftheevidence。HehadnowtoattendwhileMr。Stryverfittedtheprisoner\'scaseonthejury，likeacompactsuitofclothes；showingthemhowthepatriot，Barsad，wasahiredspyandtraitor，anunblushingtraffickerinblood，andoneofthegreatestscoundrelsuponearthsinceaccursedJudas——whichhecertainlydidlookratherlike。Howthevirtuousservant，Cly，washisfriendandpartner，andwasworthytobe；howthewatchfuleyesofthoseforgersandfalseswearershadrestedontheprisonerasavictim，becausesomefamilyaffairsinFrance，hebeingofFrenchextraction，didrequirehismakingthosepassagesacrosstheChannel——thoughwhatthoseaffairswere，aconsiderationforotherswhowerenearanddeartohim，forbadhim，evenforhislife，todisclose。
Howtheevidencethathadbeenwarpedandwrestedfromtheyounglady，whoseanguishingivingittheyhadwitnessed，cametonothing，involvingthemerelittleinnocentgallantriesandpolitenesseslikelytopassbetweenanyyounggentlemanandyoungladysothrowntogether；——withtheexceptionofthatreferencetoGeorgeWashington，whichwasaltogethertooextravagantandimpossibletoberegardedinanyotherlightthanasamonstrousjoke。
Howitwouldbeaweaknessinthegovernmenttobreakdowninthisattempttopractiseforpopularityonthelowestnationalantipathiesandfears，andthereforeMr。Attorney-Generalhadmadethemostofit；how，nevertheless，itresteduponnothing，savethatvileandinfamouscharacterofevidencetoooftendisfiguringsuchcases，andofwhichtheStateTrialsofthiscountrywerefull。But，theremyLordinterposed(withasgraveafaceasifithadnotbeentrue)，sayingthathecouldnotsituponthatBenchandsufferthoseallusions。
Mr。Stryverthencalledhisfewwitnesses，andMr。CruncherhadnexttoattendwhileMr。Attorney-GeneralturnedthewholesuitofclothesMr。Stryverhadfittedonthejury，insideout；showinghowBarsadandClywereevenahundredtimesbetterthanhehadthoughtthem，andtheprisonerahundredtimesworse。Lastly，camemyLordhimselfturningthesuitofclothes，nowinsideout，nowoutsidein，butonthewholedecidedlytrimmingandshapingthemintograve-clothesfortheprisoner。
Andnow，thejuryturnedtoconsider，andthegreatfliesswarmedagain。
Mr。Carton，whohadsolongsatlookingattheceilingofthecourt，changedneitherhisplacenorhisattitude，eveninthisexcitement。
Whilehislearnedfriend，Mr。Stryver，massinghispapersbeforehim，whisperedwiththosewhosatnear，andfromtimetotimeglancedanxiouslyatthejury；whileallthespectatorsmovedmoreorless，andgroupedthemselvesanew；whileevenmyLordhimselfarosefromhisseat，andslowlypacedupanddownhisplatform，notunattendedbyasuspicioninthemindsoftheaudiencethathisstatewasfeverish；thisonemansatleaningback，withhistorngownhalfoffhim，hisuntidywigputonjustasithadhappenedtolightonhisheadafteritsremoval，hishandsinhispockets，andhiseyesontheceilingastheyhadbeenallday。Somethingespeciallyrecklessinhisdemeanour，notonlygavehimadisreputablelook，butsodiminishedthestrongresemblanceheundoubtedlyboretotheprisoner(whichhismomentaryearnestness，whentheywerecomparedtogether，hadstrengthened)，thatmanyofthelookers-on，takingnoteofhimnow，saidtooneanothertheywouldhardlyhavethoughtthetwoweresoalike。Mr。Crunchermadetheobservationtohisnextneighbour，andadded，`I\'dholdhalfaguineathathedon\'tgetnolaw-worktodo。Don\'tlooklikethesortofonetogetany，dohe?\'
Yet，thisMr。Cartontookinmoreofthedetailsofthescenethanheappearedtotakein；fornow，whenMissManette\'sheaddroppeduponherfather\'sbreast，hewasthefirsttoseeit，andtosayaudibly:
`Officer!looktothatyounglady。Help，thegentlemantotakeherout。
Don\'tyouseeshewillfall!\'
Therewasmuchcommiserationforherasshewasremoved，andmuchsympathywithherfather。Ithadevidentlybeenagreatdistresstohim，tohavethedaysofhisimprisonmentrecalled。Hehadshownstronginternalagitationwhenhewasquestioned，andthatponderingorbroodinglookwhichmadehimold，hadbeenuponhim，likeaheavycloud，eversince。Ashepassedout，thejury，whohadturnedbackandpausedamoment，spoke，throughtheirforeman。
Theywerenotagreed，andwishedtoretire。MyLord(perhapswithGeorgeWashingtononhismind)showedsomesurprisethattheywerenotagreed，butsignifiedhispleasurethattheyshouldretireunderwatchandward，andretiredhimself。Thetrialhadlastedallday，andthelampsinthecourtwerenowbeinglighted。Itbegantoberumouredthatthejurywouldbeoutalongwhile。Thespectatorsdroppedofftogetrefreshment，andtheprisonerwithdrewtothebackofthedock，andsatdown。
Mr。Larry，whohadgoneoutwhentheyoungladyandherfatherwentout，nowreappeared，andbeckonedtoJerry:who，intheslackenedinterest，couldeasilygetnearhim。
`Jerry，ifyouwishtotakesomethingtoeat，youcan。But，keepintheway。Youwillbesuretohearwhenthejurycomein。Don\'tbeamomentbehindthem，forIwantyoutotaketheverdictbacktothebank。
YouarethequickestmessengerIknow，andwillgettoTempleBarlongbeforeIcan。\'
Jerryhadjustenoughforeheadtoknuckle，andheknuckledinacknowledgmentofthiscommunicationandashilling。
Mr。Cartoncameupatthemoment，andtouchedMr。Lorryonthearm。
`Howistheyounglady?\'
`Sheisgreatlydistressed；butherfatheriscomfortingher，andshefeelsthebetterforbeingoutofcourt。\'
`I\'lltelltheprisonerso。Itwon\'tdoforarespectablebankgentlemanlikeyou，tobeseenspeakingtohimpublicly，youknow。\'
Mr。Lorryreddenedasifhewereconsciousofhavingdebatedthepointinhismind，andMr。Cartonmadehiswaytotheoutsideofthebar。
Thewayoutofcourtlayinthatdirection，andJerryfollowedhim，alleyes，ears，andspikes。
`Mr。Darnay!\'
Theprisonercameforwarddirectly。
`Youwillnaturallybeanxioustohearofthewitness，MissManette。
Shewilldoverywell。Youhaveseentheworstofheragitation。\'
`Iamdeeplysorrytohavebeenthecauseofit。Couldyoutellhersoforme，withmyferventacknowledgments?\'
`Yes，Icould。Iwill，ifyouaskit。\'
Mr。Carton\'smannerwassocarelessastobealmostinsolent。
Hestood，halfturnedfromtheprisoner，loungingwithhiselbowagainstthebar。
`Idoaskit。Acceptmycordialthanks。\'
`What，\'saidCarton，stillonlyhalfturnedtowardshim，`doyouexpect，Mr。Darnay?\'
`Theworst。\'
`It\'sthewisestthingtoexpect，andthelikeliest。ButIthinktheirwithdrawingisinyourfavour。
Loiteringonthewayoutofcourtnotbeingallowed，Jerryheardnomore:butleftthem——solikeeachotherinfeature，sounlikeeachotherinmanner——standingsidebyside，bothreflectedintheglassabovethem。
Anhourandahalflimpedheavilyawayinthethief-and-rascalcrowdedpassagesbelow，eventhoughassistedoffwithmuttonpiesandale。
Thehoarsemessenger，uncomfortablyseatedonaformaftertakingthatrefection，haddroppedintoadoze，whenaloudmurmurandarapidtideofpeoplesettingupthestairsthatledtothecourt，carriedhimalongwiththem。
`Jerry!Jerry!\'Mr。Lorrywasalreadycallingatthedoorwhenhegotthere。
`Here，sir!It\'safighttogetbackagain。HereIam，sir!\'
Mr。Lorryhandedhimapaperthroughthethrong。`Quick!Haveyougotit?\'
`Yes，sir!\'
Hastilywrittenonthepaperwastheword`ACQUITTED\'。
`Ifyouhadsentthemessage，\"RecalledtoLife，\"again，mutteredJerry，asheturned，`Ishouldhaveknownwhatyoumeant，thistime。\'
Hehadnoopportunityofsaying，orsomuchasthinking，anythingelse，untilhewasclearoftheOldBailey；for，thecrowdcamepouringoutwithavehemencethatnearlytookhimoffhislegs，andaloudbuzzsweptintothestreetasifthebaffledblue-fliesweredispersinginsearchofothercarrion。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIVCongratulatoryFROMthedimly-lightedpassagesofthecourt，thelastsedimentofthehumanstewthathadbeenboilingthereallday，wasstrainingoff，whenDoctorManette，LucieManette，hisdaughter，Mr。Lorry，thesolicitorforthedefence，anditscounsel，Mr。Stryver，stoodgatheredroundMr。CharlesDarnay——justreleased——congratulatinghimonhisescapefromdeath。
Itwouldhavebeendifficultbyafarbrighterlight，torecogniseinDoctorManette，intellectualoffaceanduprightofbearing，theshoemakerofthegarretinParis。Yet，noonecouldhavelookedathimtwice，withoutlikingagain:eventhoughtheopportunityofobservationhadnotextendedtothemournfulcadenceofhislowgravevoice，andtotheabstractionthatovercloudedhimfitfully，withoutanyapparentreason。Whileoneexternalcause，andthatareferencetohislonglingeringagony，wouldalways——asonthetrial——evokethisconditionfromthedepthsofhissoul，itwasalsoinitsnaturetoariseofitself，andtodrawagloomoverhim，asincomprehensibletothoseunacquaintedwithhisstoryasiftheyhadseentheshadowoftheactualBastillethrownuponhimbyasummersun，whenthesubstancewasthreehundredmilesaway。
Onlyhisdaughterhadthepowerofcharmingthisblackbroodingfromhismind。ShewasthegoldenthreadthatunitedhimtoaPastbeyondhismisery，andtoaPresentbeyondhismisery:andthesoundofhervoice，thelightofherface，thetouchofherhand，hadastrongbeneficialinfluencewithhimalmostalways。Notabsolutelyalways，forshecouldrecallsomeoccasionsonwhichherpowerhadfailed；buttheywerefewandslight，andshebelievedthemover。
Mr。Darnayhadkissedherhandferventlyandgratefully，andhadturnedtoMr。Stryver，whomhewarmlythanked。Mr。Stryver，amanoflittlemorethanthirty，butlookingtwentyyearsolderthanhewas，stout，loud，red，bluff，andfreefromanydrawbackofdelicacy，hadapushingwayofshoulderinghimself(morallyandphysically)intocompaniesandconversations，thatarguedwellforhisshoulderinghiswayupinlife。
Hestillhadhiswigandgownon，andhesaid，squaringhimselfathislateclienttothatdegreethathesqueezedtheinnocentMr。Lorrycleanoutofthegroup:`Iamgladtohavebroughtyouoffwithhonour，Mr。Darnay。Itwasaninfamousprosecution，grosslyinfamous；butnotthelesslikelytosucceedonthataccount。
`Youhavelaidmeunderanobligationtoyouforlife-intwosenses，\'
saidhislateclient，takinghishand。
`Ihavedonemybestforyou，Mr。Darnay；andmybestisasgoodasanotherman\'s，Ibelieve。\'
Itclearlybeingincumbentonsomeonetosay，`Muchbetter，\'
Mr。Lorrysaidit；perhapsnotquitedisinterestedly，butwiththeinterestedobjectofsqueezinghimselfbackagain。
`Youthinkso?\'saidMr。Stryver。`Well!youhavebeenpresentallday，，andyououghttoknow。Youareamanofbusiness，too。
`Andassuch，\'quothMr。Larry，whomthecounsellearnedinthelawhadnowshoulderedbackintothegroup，justashehadpreviouslyshoulderedhimoutofit——`assuchIwillappealtoDoctorManette，tobreakupthisconferenceandorderusalltoourhomes。MissLucielooksill，Mr。Darnayhashadaterribleday，wearewornout。\'
`Speakforyourself，Mr。Lorry，\'saidStryver；`Ihaveanight\'sworktodoyet。Speakforyourself。\'
`Ispeakformyself，\'answeredMr。Lorry，`andforMr。Darnay，andforMissLucie，and——MissLucie，doyounotthinkImayspeakforusall?\'Heaskedherthequestionpointedly，andwithaglanceatherfather。
Hisfacehadbecomefrozen，asitwere，inaverycuriouslookatDarnay:anintentlook，deepeningintoafrownofdislikeanddistrust，notevenunmixedwithfear。Withthisstrangeexpressiononhimhisthoughtshadwanderedaway。
`Myfather，\'saidLucie，softlylayingherhandonhis。
Heslowlyshooktheshadowoff，andturnedtoher。
`Shallwegohome，myfather?\'
Withalongbreath，heanswered`Yes。\'
Thefriendsoftheacquittedprisonerhaddispersed，undertheimpressionwhichhehimselfhadoriginated——thathewouldnotbereleasedthatnight。Thelightswerenearlyallextinguishedinthepassages，theirongateswerebeingclosedwithajarandarattle，andthedismalplacewasdeserteduntilto-morrowmorning\'sinterestofgallows，pillory，whipping-post，andbranding-iron，shouldre-peopleit。WalkingbetweenherfatherandMr。Darnay，LucieManettepassedintotheopenair。Ahackney-coachwascalled，andthefatheranddaughterdepartedinit。
Mr。Stryverhadlefttheminthepassages，toshoulderhiswaybacktotherobing-room。Anotherperson，whohadnotjoinedthegroup，orinterchangedawordwithanyoneofthem，butwhohadbeenleaningagainstthewallwhereitsshadowwasdarkest，hadsilentlystrolledoutaftertherest，andhadlookedonuntilthecoachdroveaway。HenowsteppeduptowhereMr。LorryandMr。Darnaystooduponthepavement。
`So，Mr。Lorry!MenofbusinessmayspeaktoMr。Darnaynow?\'
NobodyhadmadeanyacknowledgmentofMr。Carton\'spartintheday\'sproceedings；nobodyhadknownofit。Hewasunrobed，andwasnonethebetterforitinappearance。
`Ifyouknewwhataconflictgoesoninthebusinessmind，whenthebusinessmindisdividedbetweengood-naturedimpulseandbusinessappearances，youwouldbeamused，Mr。Darnay。\'
Mr。Lorryreddened，andsaid，warmly，`Youhavementionedthatbefore，sir。Wemenofbusiness，whoserveaHouse，arenotourownmasters。
WehavetothinkoftheHousemorethanourselves。\'
`Iknow，Iknow，\'rejoinedMr。Carton，carelessly。`Don\'tbenettled，Mr。Lorry。Youareasgoodasanother，Ihavenodoubt:better，Idaresay。\'
`Andindeed，sir，\'pursuedMr。Lorry，notmindinghim，`Ireallydon\'tknowwhatyouhavetodowiththematter。Ifyou\'llexcuseme，asverymuchyourcider，forsayingso，Ireallydon\'tknowthatitisyourbusiness。\'
`Business!Blessyou，Ihavenobusiness，\'saidMr。Carton。`Itisapityyouhavenot，sir。\'
`Ithinkso，too。\'
`Ifyouhad，\'pursuedMr。Lorry，`perhapsyouwouldattendtoit。\'
`Lordloveyou，no!——Ishouldn\'t，\'saidMr。Carton。
`Well，sir!\'criedMr。Lorry，thoroughlyheatedbyhisindifference，`businessisaverygoodthing，andaveryrespectablething。And，sir，ifbusinessimposesitsrestraintsanditssilencesandimpediments，Mr。
Darnayasayounggentlemanofgenerosityknowshowtomakeallowanceforthatcircumstance。Mr。Darnay，good-night，Godblessyou，sir!Ihopeyouhavebeenthisdaypreservedforaprosperousandhappylife——Chairthere!\'
Perhaps\'alittleangrywithhimselfaswellaswiththebarrister，Mr。Lorryhustledintothechair，andwascarriedofftoTellson\'s。Carton，whosmeltofportwine，anddidnotappeartobequitesober，laughedthen，andturnedtoDarnay:
`Thisisastrangechancethatthrowsyouandmetogether。Thismustbeastrangenighttoyou，standingaloneherewithyourcounterpartonthesestreetstones?\'
`Ihardlyseemyet，\'returnedCharlesDarnay，`tobelongtothisworldagain。\'
`Idon\'twonderatit；it\'snotsolongsinceyouwereprettyfaradvancedonyourwaytoanother。Youspeakfaintly。\'
`IbegintothinkIamfaint。\'
`Thenwhythedevildon\'tyoudine?Idined，myselfwhilethosenumskullsweredeliberatingwhichworldyoushouldbelongto——this，orsomeother。Letmeshowyouthenearesttaverntodinewellat。\'
Drawinghisarmthroughhisown，hetookhimdownLudgate-hilltoFleet-street，andso，upacoveredway，intoatavern。Here，theywereshownintoalittleroom，whereCharlesDarnaywassoonrecruitinghisstrengthwithagoodplaindinnerandgoodwine:whileCartonsatoppositetohimatthesametable，withhisseparatebottleofportbeforehim，andhisfullyhalf-insolentmanneruponhim。
`Doyoufeel，yet，thatyoubelongtothisterrestrialschemeagain，Mr。Darnay?\'
`Iamfrightfullyconfusedregardingtimeand\'place；butIamsofarmendedastofeelthat。\'
`Itmustbeanimmensesatisfaction!\'
Hesaiditbitterly，andfilleduphisglassagain:whichwasalargeone。
`Astome，thegreatestdesireIhave，istoforgetthatIbelongtoit。Ithasnogoodinitforme——exceptwinelikethis——norIforit。
Sowearenotmuchalikeinthatparticular。Indeed，Ibegintothinkwearenotmuchalikeinanyparticular，youandI。\'
Confusedbytheemotionoftheday，andfeelinghisbeingtherewiththisDoubleofcoarsedeportment，tobelikeadream，CharlesDarnaywasatalosshowtoanswer；finally，answerednotatall。
`Nowyourdinnerisdone，\'Cartonpresentlysaid，`whydon\'tyoucallahealth，Mr。Darnay；whydon\'tyougiveyourtoast?\'
`Whathealth?Whattoast?\'
`Why，it\'sonthetipofyourtongue。Itoughttobe，itmustbe，I\'llswearit\'sthere。
`MissManette，then!\'
`MissManette，then!\'
Lookinghiscompanionfullinthefacewhilehedrankthetoast，Cartonflunghisglassoverhisshoulderagainstthewall，whereitshiveredtopieces；then，rangthebell，andorderedinanother。
`That\'safairyoungladytohandtoacoachinthedark，Mr。
Darnay!\'hesaid，fillinghisnewgoblet。
Aslightfrownandalaconic`Yes，\'weretheanswer。
`That\'safairyoungladytobepitiedbyandweptforby!Howdoesitfeel?Isitworthbeingtriedforone\'slife，tobetheobjectofsuchsympathyandcompassion，Mr。Darnay?\'
AgainDarnayanswerednotaword。
`Shewasmightilypleasedtohaveyourmessage，whenIgaveither。Notthatsheshowedshewaspleased，butIsupposeshewas。\'
TheallusionservedasatimelyremindertoDarnaythatthisdisagreeablecompanionhad，ofhisownfreewill，assistedhiminthestraitoftheday。Heturnedthedialoguetothatpoint，andthankedhimforit。
`Ineitherwantanythanks，normeritany，\'wasthecarelessrejoinder。
`Itwasnothingtodo，inthefirstplace；andIdon\'tknowwhyIdidit，inthesecond。Mr。Darnay，let\'measkyouaquestion。\'
`Willingly，andasmallreturnforyourgoodoffices。\'
`DoyouthinkIparticularlylikeyou?\'
`Really，Mr。Carton，\'returnedtheother，oddlydisconcerted，`Ihavenotaskedmyselfthequestion。\'
`Butaskyourselfthequestionnow。\'
`Youhaveactedasifyoudo；butIdon\'tthinkyoudo。\'
`1don\'tthinkIdo，\'saidCarton。`Ibegintohaveaverygoodopinionofyourunderstanding。\'
`Nevertheless，\'pursuedDarnay，risingtoringthebell，`thereisnothinginthat，Ihope，topreventmycallingthereckoning，andourpartingwithoutill-bloodoneitherside。\'
Cartonrejoining，`Nothinginlife!\'Darnayrang。`Doyoucallthewholereckoning?\'saidCarton。Onhisansweringintheaffirmative，`Thenbringmeanotherpintofthissamewine，drawer，andcomeandwakemeatten。\'
Thebillbeingpaid，CharlesDarnayroseandwishedhimgood-night。
Withoutreturningthewish，Cartonrosetoo，withsomethingofathreatofdefianceinhismanner，andsaid，`Alastword，Mr。Darnay:youthinkIamdrunk?\'
`Ithinkyouhavebeendrinking，Mr。Carton。\'
`Think?YouknowIhavebeendrinking。\'
`SinceImustsayso，Iknowit。\'
`Thenyoushalllikewiseknowwhy。Iamadisappointeddrudge，sir。Icarefornomanonearth，andnomanonearthcaresforme。\'
`Muchtoberegretted。Youmighthaveusedyourtalentsbetter。\'
`Maybeso，Mr。Darnay；maybenot。Don\'tletyoursoberfaceelateyou，however；youdon\'tknowwhatitmaycometo。Good-night!\'
Whenhewasleftalone，thisstrangebeingtookupacandle，wenttoaglassthathungagainstthewall，andsurveyedhimselfminutelyinit。
`Doyouparticularlyliketheman?\'hemuttered，athisownimage；
`whyshouldyouparticularlylikeamanwhoresemblesyou?Thereisnothinginyoutolike；youknowthat。Ah，confoundyou!Whatachangeyouhavemadeinyourself!Agoodreasonfortakingtoaman，thatheshowsyouwhatyouhavefallenawayfrom，andwhatyoumighthavebeen!Changeplaceswithhim，andwouldyouhavebeenlookedatbythoseblueeyesashewas，andcommiseratedbythatagitatedfaceashewas?Comeon，andhaveitoutinplainwords!Youhatethefellow。\'
Heresortedtohispintofwineforconsolation，drankitallinafewminutes，andfellasleeponhisarms，withhishairstragglingoverthetable，andalongwinding-sheetinthecandledrippingdownuponhim。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVTheJackalTHOSEweredrinkingdays，andmootmendrankhard。SoverygreatistheimprovementTimehasbroughtaboutinsuchhabits，thatamoderatestatementofthequantityofwineandpunchwhichonemanwouldswallowinthecourseofanight，withoutanydetrimenttohisreputationasaperfectgentleman，wouldseem，inthesedays，aridiculousexaggeration。ThelearnedprofessionofthelawwascertainlynotbehindanyotherlearnedprofessioninitsBacchanalianPropensities；neitherwasMr。Stryver，alreadyfastshoulderinghiswaytoalargeandlucrativepractice，behindhiscompeersinthisparticular，anymorethaninthedrierpartsofthelegalrace。
AfavouriteattheOldBailey，andekeattheSessions，Mr。Stryverhadbeguncautiouslytohewawaythelowerstavesoftheladderonwhichhemounted。SessionsandOldBaileyhadnowtosummontheirfavourite，specially，totheirlongingarms；andshoulderingitselftowardsthevisageoftheLordChiefJusticeintheCourtofKing\'sBench，thefloridcountenanceofMr。Stryvermightbedailyseen，burstingoutofthebedofwigs，likeagreatsunflowerpushingitswayatthesunfromamongarankgardenfullofflaringcompanions。
adoncebeennotedattheBar，thatwhileMr。Stryverwasaglibman，andanunscrupulous，andaready，andabold，hehadnotthatfacultyofextractingtheessencefromaheapofstatements，whichisamongthemoststrikingandnecessaryoftheadvocate\'saccomplishments。Butaremarkableimprovementcameuponhimastothis。Themorebusinesshegot，thegreaterhispowerseemedtogrowofgettingatitspithandmarrow；andhoweverlateatnighthesatcarousingwithSydneyCarton，healwayshadhispointsathisfingers\'endsinthemorning。
SydneyCarton，idlestandmostunpromisingofmen，wasStryver\'sgreatally。Whatthetwodranktogether，betweenHilaryTermandMichaelmas，mighthavefloatedaking\'sship。Stryverneverhadacaseinhand，anywhere，butCartonwasthere，withhishandsinhispockets，staringattheceilingofthecourt；theywentthesameCircuit，andeventheretheyprolongedtheirusualorgieslateintothenight，andCartonwasrumouredtobeseenatbroadday，goinghomestealthilyandunsteadilytohislodgings，likeadissipatedcat。Atlast，itbegantogetabout，amongsuchaswereinterestedinthematter，thatalthoughSydneyCartonwouldneverbealion，hewasanamazinglygoodjackal，andthatherenderedsuitandservicetoStryverinthathumblecapacity。
`Teno\'clock，sir，\'saidthemanatthetavern，whomhehadchargedtowakehim——\'teno\'clock，sir。\'
`What\'sthematter?\'
`Teno\'clock，sir。\'
`Whatdoyoumean?Teno\'clockatnight?\'
`Yes，sir。Yourhonourtoldmetocallyou。\'
`Oh!Iremember。Verywell，verywell。\'
Afterafewdulleffortstogettosleepagain，whichthemandexterouslycombatedbystirringthefirecontinuouslyforfiveminutes，hegotup，tossedhishaton，andwalkedout。HeturnedintotheTemple，and，havingrevivedhimselfbytwicepacingthepavementsofKing\'sBench-walkandPaper-buildings，turnedintotheStryverchambers。
TheStryverclerk，whoneverassistedattheseconferences，hadgonehome，andtheStryverprincipalopenedthedoor。Hehadhisslipperson，andaloosebed-gown，andhisthroatwasbareforhisgreaterease。
Hehadthatratherwild，strained，searedmarkingabouttheeyes，whichmaybeobservedinallfreeliversofhisclass，fromtheportraitofJeffriesdownward，andwhichcanbetraced，undervariousdisguisesofArt，throughtheportraitsofeveryDrinkingAge。
`Youarealittlelate，Memory，\'saidStryver。
`Abouttheusualtime；itmaybeaquarterofanhourlater。\'
Theywentintoadingyroomlinedwithbooksandlitteredwithpapers，wheretherewasablazingfire。Akettlesteameduponthehob，andinthemidstofthewreckofpapersatableshone，withplentyofwineuponit，andbrandy，andrum，andsugar，andlemons。
`Youhavehadyourbottle，Iperceive，Sydney。\'
`Twoto-night，Ithink。Ihavebeendiningwiththeday\'sclient；
orseeinghimdine——it\'sallone!\'
`Thatwasararepoint，Sydney，thatyoubroughttobearupontheidentification。Howdidyoucomebyit?Whendiditstrikeyou?\'
`Ithoughthewasratherahandsomefellow，andIthoughtIshouldhavebeenmuchthesamesortoffellow，ifIhadhadanyluck。\'
Mr。Stryverlaughedtillheshookhisprecociouspaunch。
`Youandyourluck，Sydney!Gettowork，gettowork。\'Sullenlyenough，thejackalloosenedhisdress，wentintoanadjoiningroom，andcamebackwithalargejugofcoldwater，abasin，andatowelortwo。
Steepingthetowelsinthewater，andpartiallywringingthemout，hefoldedthemonhisheadinamannerhideoustobehold，satdownatthetable，andsaid，`NowIamready!\'
`Notmuchboilingdowntobedoneto-night，Memory，\'saidMr。
