`——Iwouldabandonit，andliveotherwiseandelsewhere。Itislittletorelinquish。Whatisitbutawildernessofmiseryandruin?\'
`Hah!\'saidtheMarquis，glancingroundtheluxuriousroom。`Totheeyeitisfairenough，here；butseeninitsintegrity，underthesky，andbythedaylight，itisacrumblingtowerofwaste，mismanagement，extortion，debt，mortgage，oppression，hunger，nakedness，andsuffering。\'
`Hah!\'saidtheMarquisagain，inawell-satisfiedmanner。
`Ifiteverbecomesmine，itshallbeputintosomehandsbetterqualifiedtofreeitslowly(ifsuchathingispossible)fromtheweightthatdragsitdown，sothatthemiserablepeopleWhocannotleaveitandwhohavebeenlongwrungtothelastpointofendurance，may，inanothergeneration，sufferless；batitisnotforme。Thereisacurseonit，andonallthisland。\'
`Andyou?\'saidtheuncle。`Forgivemycuriosity；doyou，underyournewphilosophy，graciouslyintendtolive?\'
`Imustdo，tolive，whatothersofmycountrymen，evenwithnobilityattheirbacks，mayhavetodosomeday——work。\'
`InEngland，forexample?\'
`Yes。Thefamilyhonour，sir，issafefrommeinthiscountry。
Thefamilynamecansufferfrommeinnoother，forIbearitinnoother。\'
Theringingofthebellhadcausedtheadjoiningbedchambertobelighted。Itnowshonebrightly，throughthedoorofcommunication。TheMarquislookedthatway，andlistenedfortheretreatingstepofhisvalet。
`Englandisveryattractivetoyou，seeinghowindifferentlyyouhaveprosperedthere，\'heobservedthen，turninghiscalmfacetohisnephewwithasmile。
`Ihavealreadysaid，thatformyprosperingthere，IamsensibleI
maybeindebtedtoyou，sir。Fortherest，itismyRefuge。\'
`Theysay，thoseboastfulEnglish，thatitistheRefugeofmany。
YouknowacompatriotwhohasfoundaRefugethere?ADoctor?\'
`Yes。\'
`With，adaughter?\'
`Yes，\'saidtheMarquis。`Youarefatigued。Good-night!\'
Ashebenthisheadinhismostcourtlymanner，therewasasecrecyinhissmilingface，andheconveyedanairofmysterytothosewords，whichstrucktheeyesandearsofhisnephewforcibly。Atthesametime，thethinstraightlinesofthesettingoftheeyes，andthethinstraightlips，andthemarkingsinthenose，curvedwithasarcasmthatlookedhandsomelydiabolic。
`Yes，\'repeatedtheMarquis。`ADoctorwithadaughter。Yes。Socommencesthenewphilosophy!Youarefatigued。Good-night!\'
Itwouldhavebeenofasmuchavailtointerrogateanystonefaceoutsidethechâ；ateauastointerrogatethatfaceofhis。Thenephewlookedathiminvain，inpassingontothedoor。
`Good-night!\'saidtheuncle。`Ilooktothepleasureofseeingyouagaininthemorning。Goodrepose!LightMonsieurmynephewtohischamberthere!——AndburnMonsieurmynephewinhisbed，ifyouwill，\'headdedtohimself，beforeheranghislittlebellagain，andsummonedhisvalettohisownbedroom。
Thevaletcomeandgone，MonsieurtheMarquiswalkedtoandfroinhisloosechamber-robe，topreparehimselfgentlyforsleep，thathotstillnight。Rustlingabouttheroom，hissoftly-slipperedfeetmakingnonoiseonthefloor，hemovedlikearefinedtiger——lookedlikesomeenchantedmarquisoftheimpenitentlywickedsort，instory，whoseperiodicalchangeintotigerformwaseitherjustgoingoff，orjustcomingon。
Hemovedfromendtoendofhisvoluptuousbedroom，lookingagainatthescrapsoftheday\'sjourneythatcameunbiddenintohismind；theslowtoilupthehillatsunset，thesettingsun，thedescent，themill，theprisononthecrag，thelittlevillageinthehollow，thepeasantsatthefountain，andthemenderofroadswithhisbluecappointingoutthechainunderthecarriage。ThatfountainsuggestedtheParisfountain，thelittlebundlelyingonthestep，thewomenbendingoverit，andthetallmanwithhisarmsup，crying，`Dead!\'
`Iamcoolnow，\'saidMonsieurtheMarquis，`andmaygotobed。\'
So，leavingonlyonelightburningonthelargehearth，helethisthingauzecurtainsfallaroundhim，andheardthenightbreakitssilencewithalongsighashecomposedhimselftosleep。
Thestonefacesontheouterwallsstaredblindlyattheblacknightforthreeheavyhours；forthreeheavyhourstilehorsesinthestablesrattledattheirracks，thedogsbarked，andtheowlmadeanoisewithverylittleresemblanceinittothenoiseconventionallyassignedtotheowlbymen-poets。Butitistheobstinatecustomofsuchcreatureshardlyevertosaywhatissetdownforthem。
Forthreeheavyhours，thestonefacesofthechâ；ateau，lionandhuman，staredblindlyatthenight。Deaddarknesslayonallthelandscape，deaddarknessaddeditsownhushtothehushingdustonalltheroads。Theburial-placehadgottothepassthatitslittleheapsofpoorgrasswereundistinguishablefromoneanother；thefigureontheCrossmighthavecomedown，foranythingthatcouldbeseenofit。Inthevillage，taxersandtaxedwerefastasleep。Dreaming，perhaps，ofbanquets，asthestarvedusuallydo，andofeaseandrest，asthedrivenslaveandtheyokedoxmay，itsleaninhabitantssleptsoundly，andwerefedandfreed。
Thefountaininthevillageflowedunseenandunheard，andthefountainatthechâ；ateaudroppedunseenandunheard——bothmeltingaway，liketheminutesthatwerefallingfromthespringofTime——throughthreedarkhours。Then，thegreywaterofbothbegantobeghostlyinthelight，andtheeyesofthestonefacesofthechâ；ateauwereopened。
Lighterandlighter，untilatlastthesuntouchedthetopsofthestilltrees，andpoureditsradianceoverthehill。Intheglow，thewaterofthechâ；ateaufountainseemedtoturntoblood，andthestonefacescrimsoned。Thecarolofthebirdswasloudandhigh，and，ontheweather-beatensillofthegreatwindowofthebedchamberofMonsieurtheMarquis，onelittlebirdsangitssweetestsongwithallitsmight。Atthis，theneareststonefaceseemedtostareamazed，and，withopenedmouthanddroppedunder-jaw，lookedawe-stricken。
Now，thesunwasfullup，andmovementbeganinthevillage。Casementwindowsopened，crazydoorswereunbarred，andpeoplecameforthshivering——chilled，asyet，bythenewsweetair。Thenbegantherarelylightenedtoilofthedayamongthevillagepopulation。Some，tothefountain；some，tothefields；
menandwomenhere，todiganddelve；menandwomenthere，toseetothepoorlivestock，andleadthebonycowsout，tosuchpastureascouldbefoundbytheroadside。InthechurchandattheCross，akneelingfigureortwo；attendantonthelatterprayers，theledcow，tryingforabreakfastamongtheweedsatitsfoot。
Thechâ；ateauawokelater，asbecameitsquality，butawokegraduallyandsurely。First，thelonelyboar-spearsandknivesofthechasehadbeenreddenedasofold；then，hadgleamedtrenchantinthemorningsunshine；now，doorsandwindowswerethrownopen，horsesintheirstableslookedroundovertheirshouldersatthelightandfreshnesspouringinatdoor+ways，leavessparkledandrustledatiron-gratedwindows，dogspulledhardattheirchains，andrearedimpatienttobeloosed。
Allthesetrivialincidentsbelongedtotheroutineoflife，andthereturnofmorning。Surely，notsotheringingofthegreathellofthechâ；ateau，northerunningupanddownthestairs；northehurriedfiguresontheterrace；northebootingandtrampinghereandthereandeverywhere，northequicksaddlingofhorsesandridingaway?
Whatwindsconveyedthishurrytothegrizzledmenderofroads，alreadyatworkonthehill-topbeyondthevillage，withhisday\'sdinner(notmuchtocarry)lyinginabundlethatitwasworthnocrow\'swhiletopeckat，onaheapofstones?Hadthebirds，carryingsomegrainsofittoadistance，droppedoneoverhimastheysowchanceseeds?Whetherorno，themenderofroadsran，onthesultrymorning，asifforhislife，downthehill，knee-highindust，andneverstoppedtillhegottothefountain。
Allthepeopleofthevillagewereatthefountain，standingaboutintheirdepressedmanner，andwhisperinglow，butshowingnootheremotionsthangrimcuriosityandsurprise。Theledcows，hastilybroughtinandtetheredtoanythingthatwouldholdthem，werelookingstupidlyon，orlyingdownchewingthecudofnothingparticularlyrepayingtheirtrouble，whichtheyhadpickedupintheirinterruptedsaunter。Someofthepeopleofthechâ；ateau，andsomeofthoseoftheposting-house，andallthetaxingauthorities，werearmedmoreorless，andwerecrowdedontheothersideofthelittlestreetinapurposelessway，thatwashighlyfraughtwithnothing。Already，themenderofroadshadpenetratedintothemidstofagroupoffiftyparticularfriends，andwassmitinghimselfinthebreastwithhisbluecap。Whatdidallthisportend，andwhatportendedtheswifthoisting-upofMonsieurGabellebehindaservantonhorseback，andtheconveyingawayofthesaidGabelle(double-ladenthoughthehorsewas)，atagallop，likeanewversionoftheGermanballadofLeonora?
Itportendedthattherewasonestonefacetoomany，upatthechâ；ateau。
TheGorgonhadsurveyedthebuildingagaininthenight，andhadaddedtheonestonefacewanting；thestonefaceforwhichithadwaitedthroughabouttwohundredyears。
ItlaybackonthepillowofMonsieurtheMarquis。Itwaslikeafinemask，suddenlystartled，madeangry，andpetrified。Drivenhomeintotheheartofthestonefigureattachedtoit，wasaknife。Rounditshiltwasafrillofpaper，onwhichwasscrawled:
`Drivehimfasttohistomb。This，fromJACQUES。\'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXTwoPromisesMOREmonths，tothenumberoftwelve，hadcomeandgone，andMr。CharlesDarnaywasestablishedinEnglandasahigherteacheroftheFrenchlanguagewhowasconversantwithFrenchliterature。Inthisage，hewouldhavebeenaProfessor；inthatage，hewasaTutor。Hereadwithyoungmenwhocouldfindanyleisureandinterestforthestudyofalivingtonguespokenallovertheworld，andhecultivatedatasteforitsstoresofknowledgeandfancy。Hecouldwriteofthem，besides，insoundEnglish，andrenderthemintosoundEnglish。Suchmasterswerenotatthattimeeasilyfound；Princesthathadbeen，andKingsthatweretobe，werenotyetoftheTeacherclass，andnoruinednobilityhaddroppedoutofTellson\'sledgers，toturncooksandcarpenters。Asatutor，whoseattainmentsmadethestudent\'swayunusuallypleasantandprofitable，andasaneleganttranslatorwhobroughtsomethingtohisworkbesidesmeredictionaryknowledge，youngMr。Darnaysoonbecameknownandencouraged。Hewaswellacquainted，moreover，withthecircumstancesofhiscountry，andthosewereofever-growinginterest。So，withgreatperseveranceanduntiringindustry，heprospered。
InLondon，hehadexpectedneithertowalkonpavementsofgold，nortolieonbedsofroses:ifhehadhadanysuchexaltedexpectation，hewouldnothaveprospered。Hehadexpectedlabour，andhefoundit，anddidit，andmadethebestofit。Inthis，hisprosperityconsisted。
AcertainportionofhistimewaspassedatCambridge，wherehereadwithundergraduatesasasortoftoleratedsmugglerwhodroveacontrabandtradeinEuropeanlanguages，insteadofconveyingGreekandLatinthroughtheCustom-house。TherestofhistimehepassedinLondon。
Now，fromthedayswhenitwasalwayssummerinEden，tothesedayswhenitismostlywinterinfallenlatitudes，theworldofamanhasinvariablygoneoneway——CharlesDarnay\'sway——thewayoftheloveofawoman。
HehadlovedLucieManettefromthehourofhisdanger。Hehadneverheardasoundsosweetanddearasthesoundofhercompassionatevoice；hehadneverseenafacesotenderlybeautiful，asherswhenitwasconfrontedwithhisownontheedgeofthegravethathadbeendugforhim。But，hehadnotyetspokentoheronthesubject；theassassinationatthedesertedchâ；ateaufarawaybeyondtheheavingwaterandthelong，long，dustyroads——thesolidstonechâ；ateauwhichhaditselfbecomethemeremistofadream——hadbeendoneayear，andhehadneveryet，bysomuchasasinglespokenword，disclosedtoherthestateofhisheart。
Thathehadhisreasonsforthis，heknewfullwell。Itwasagainasummerdaywhen，latelyarrivedinLondonfromhiscollegeoccupation，heturnedintothequietcornerinSoho，bentonseekinganopportunityofopeninghismindtoDoctorManette。Itwasthecloseofthesummerday，andheknewLucietobeoutwithMissPross。
HefoundtheDoctorreadinginhisarm-chairatawindow。Theenergywhichhadatoncesupportedhimunderhisoldsufferingsandaggravatedtheirsharpness，hadbeengraduallyrestoredtohim。Hewasnowaveryenergeticmanindeedwithgreatfirmnessofpurpose，strengthofresolution，andvigourofaction。Inhisrecoveredenergyhewassometimesalittlefitfulandsudden，ashehadatfirstbeenintheexerciseofhisotherrecoveredfaculties；but，thishadneverbeenfrequentlyobservable，andhadgrownmoreandmorerare。
Hestudiedmuch，sleptlittle，sustainedagreatdealoffatiguewithease，andwasequablycheerful。Tohim，nowenteredCharlesDarnay，atsightofwhomhelaidasidehisbookandheldouthishand。
`CharlesDarnay!Irejoicetoseeyou。Wehavebeencountingonyourreturnthesethreeorfourdayspast。Mr。StryverandSydneyCartonwerebothhereyesterday，andbothmadeyououttobemorethandue。
`Iamobligedtothemfortheirinterestinthematter，\'heanswered，alittlecoldlyastochem，thoughverywarmlyastotheDoctor。`MissManette——\'
`Iswell，\'saidtheDoctor，ashestoppedshort，`andyourreturnwilldelightusall。Shehasgoneoutonsomehouseholdmatters，butwillsoonbehome。\'
`DoctorManette，Iknewshewasfromhome。Itooktheopportunityofherbeingfromhome，tobegtospeaktoyou。\'
Therewasablanksilence。
`Yes?\'saidtheDoctor，withevidentconstraint。`Bringyourchairhere，andspeakon。\'
Hecompliedastothechair，butappearedtofindthespeakingonlesseasy。
`Ihavehadthehappiness，DoctorManette，ofbeingsointimatehere，\'soheatlengthbegan，`forsomeyearandahalf，thatIhopethetopiconwhichIamabouttotouchmaynot——\'
HewasstayedbytheDoctor\'sputtingouthishandtostophim。
Whenhehadkeptitsoalittlewhile，hesaid，drawingitback:
`IsLuciethetopic?\'
`Sheis。\'
`Itishardformetospeakofheratanytime。Itisveryhardformetohearherspokenofinthattoneofyours，CharlesDarnay。\'
`Itisatoneofferventadmiration，truehomage，anddeeplove，DoctorManette!\'hesaiddeferentially。
Therewasanotherblanksilencebeforeherfatherrejoined:`I
believeit。Idoyoujustice；Ibelieveit。\'
Hisconstraintwassomanifest，anditwassomanifest，too，thatitoriginatedinanunwillingnesstoapproachthesubject，thatCharlesDarnayhesitated。
`ShallIgoon，sir?\'
Anotherblank。
`Yes，goon。\'
`YouanticipatewhatIwouldsay，thoughyoucannotknowhowearnestlyIsayit，howearnestlyIfeelit，withoutknowingmysecretheart，andthehopesandfearsandanxietieswithwhichithaslongbeenladen。DearDoctorManette，Iloveyourdaughterfondly，dearly，disinterestedly，devotedly。
Ifevertherewereloveintheworld，Iloveher。Youhavelovedyourself；
letyouroldlovespeakforme!\'
TheDoctorsatwithhisfaceturnedaway，andhiseyesbentontheground。Atthelastwords，hestretchedouthishandagain，hurriedly，andcried:
`Notthat，sir!Letthatbe!Iadjureyou，donotrecallthat!\'
Hiscrywassolikeacryofactualpain，thatitranginCharlesDarnay\'searslongafterhehadceased。Hemotionedwiththehandhehadextended，anditseemedtobeanappealtoDarnaytopause。Thelattersoreceivedit，andremainedsilent。
`Iaskyourpardon，\'saidtheDoctor，inasubduedtone，aftersomemoments。`IdonotdoubtyourlovingLucie；youmaybesatisfiedofit。\'
Heturnedtowardshiminhischair，butdidnotlookathim，orraisehiseyes。Hischindroppeduponhishand，andhiswhitehairovershadowedhisface:
`HaveyouspokentoLucie?\'
`No。\'
`Norwritten?\'
`Never。\'
`Itwouldbeungeneroustoaffectnottoknowthatyourself-denialistobereferredtoyourconsiderationforherfather。Herfatherthanksyou。
Heofferedhishand；buthiseyesdidnotgowithit。
`Iknow，\'saidDarnay，respectfully，`howcanIfailtoknow，DoctorManette，Iwhohaveseenyoutogetherfromdaytoday，thatbetweenyouandMissManettethereisanaffectionsounusual，sotouching，sobelongingtothecircumstancesinwhichithasbeennurtured，thatitcanhavefewparallels，eveninthetendernessbetweenafatherandchild。
Iknow，Dr。Manette——howcanIfailtoknow——that，mingledwiththeaffectionanddutyofadaughterwhohasbecomeawoman，thereis，inherheart，towardsyou，alltheloveandrelianceofinfancyitself。Iknowthat，asinherchildhoodshehadnoparent，sosheisnowdevotedtoyouwithalltheconstancyandfervourofherpresentyearsandcharacter，unitedtothetrustfulnessandattachmentoftheearlydaysinwhichyouwerelosttoher。Iknowperfectlywellthatifyouhadbeenrestoredtoherfromtheworldbeyondthislife，youcouldhardlybeinvested，inhersight，withamoresacredcharacterthanthatinwhichyouarealwayswithher。
Iknowthatwhensheisclingingtoyou，thehandsofbaby，girl，andwoman，allinone，areroundyourneck。Iknowthatinlovingyousheseesandloveshermotheratherownage，seesandlovesyouatmyage，loveshermotherbroken+hearted，lovesyouthroughyourdreadfultrialandinyourblessedrestoration。Ihaveknownthis，nightandday，sinceIhaveknownyouinyourhome。\'
Herfathersatsilent，withhisfacebentdown。Hisbreathingwasalittlequickened；butherepressedallothersignsofagitation。
`DearDoctormanettealwaysknowingthis，alwaysseeingherandyouwiththishallowedlightaboutyou，Ihaveforborne，andforborne，aslongasitwasinthenatureofmantodoit。Ihavefelt，anddoevennowfeel，thattobringmylove——evenmine——betweenyou，istotouchyourhistorywithsomethingnotquitesogoodasitself。ButIloveher。HeavenismywitnessthatIloveher!\'
`Ibelieveit，\'answeredherfather，mournfully。`Ihavethoughtsobeforenow。Ibelieveit。\'
`But，donotbelieve，\'saidDarnay，uponwhoseearthemournfulvoicestruckwithareproachfulsound，`thatifmyfortuneweresocastasthat，beingonedaysohappyastomakehermywife，Imustatanytimeputanyseparationbetweenherandyou，IcouldorwouldbreatheawordofwhatInowsay。BesidesthatIshouldknowittobehopeless，Ishouldknowittobeabaseness。IfIhadanysuchpossibility，evenataremotedistanceofyears，harbouredinmythoughts，and`hiddeninmyheart——ifiteverhadbeenthere——ifitevercouldbethere——Icouldnotnowtouchthishonouredhand。\'
Helaidhisownuponitashespoke。
`No，dearDoctorManette。Likeyou，avoluntaryexilefromFrance；
likeyou，drivenfromitbyitsdistractions，oppressions，andmiseries；
likeyou，strivingtoliveawayfromitbymyownexertions，andtrustinginahappierfuture；Ilookonlytosharingyourfortunes，sharingyourlifeandhome，andbeingfaithfultoyoutothedeath。NottodividewithLucieherprivilegeasyourchild，companion，andfriend；buttocomeinaidofit，andbindherclosertoyou，ifsuchathingcanbe。\'
Histouchstilllingeredonherfather\'shand。Answeringthetouchforamoment，butnotcoldly，herfatherrestedhishandsuponthearmsofhischair，andlookedupforthefirsttimesincethebeginningoftheconference。Astrugglewasevidentlyinhisface；astrugglewiththatoccasionallookwhichhadatendencyinittodarkdoubtanddread。
`Youspeaksofeelinglyandsomanfully，CharlesDarnay，thatIthankyouwithallmyheart，andwillopenallmyheart——ornearlyso。
HaveyouanyreasontobelievethatLucielovesyou?\'
`None。Asyet，none。
`Isittheimmediateobjectofthisconfidence，thatyoumayatonceascertainthat，withmyknowledge?\'
`Notevenso。Imightnothavethehopefulnesstodoitforweeks；
Imight(mistakenornotmistaken)havethathopefulnessto-morrow。
`Doyouseekanyguidancefromme?\'
`Iasknone，sir。ButIhavethoughtitpossiblethatyoumighthaveitinyourpower，ifyoushoulddeemitright，togivemesome。\'
`Doyouseekanypromisefromme?\'
`Idoseekthat。
`Whatisit?\'
`Iwellunderstandthat，withoutyou，Icouldhavenohope。I
wellunderstandthat，evenifMissManetteheldmeatthismomentinherinnocentheart——donotthinkIhavethepresumptiontoassumesomuch——I
couldretainnoplaceinitagainstherloveforherfather。\'
Ifthatbeso，doyousecwhat，ontheotherhand，isinvolvedinit?\'
`Iunderstandequallywell，thatawordfromherfatherinanysuitor\'sfavour，wouldoutweighherselfandalltheworld。Forwhichreason，DoctorManette，\'saidDarnay，modestlybutfirmly，`Iwouldnotaskthatword，tosavemylife。\'
`Iamsureofit。CharlesDarnay，mysteriesariseoutofcloselove，aswellasoutofwidedivision；intheformercase，theyaresubtleanddelicate，anddifficulttopenetrate。MydaughterLucieis，inthisonerespect，suchamysterytome；Icanmakenoguessatthestateofherheart。\'
`MayIask，sir，ifyouthinksheis——\'Ashehesitated，herfathersuppliedtherest。
`Issoughtbyanyothersuitor?\'
`ItiswhatImeanttosay。\'
Herfatherconsideredalittlebeforeheanswered:
`YouhaveseenMr。Cartonhere，yourself。Mr。Stryverisheretoo，occasionally。Ifitbeatall，itcanonlybebyoneofthese。\'
`Orboth，\'saidDarnay。
`Ihadnotthoughtofboth；Ishouldnotthinkeither，likely。
Youwantapromisefromme。Tellmewhatitis。
`Itis，thatifMissManetteshouldbringtoyouatanytime，onherownpart，suchaconfidenceasIhaveventuredtolaybeforeyou，youwillbeartestimonytowhatIhavesaid，andtoyourbeliefinit。
Ihopeyoumaybeabletothinksowellofme，astourgenoinfluenceagainstme。Isaynothingmoreofmystakeinthis；thisiswhatIask。
TheconditiononwhichIaskit，andwhichyouhaveanundoubtedrighttorequire，Iwillobserveimmediately。\'
`Igivethepromise，\'saidtheDoctor，`withoutanycondition。Ibelieveyourobjecttobe，purelyandtruthfully，asyouhavestatedit。Ibelieveyourintentionistoperpetuate，andnottoweaken，thetiesbetweenmeandmyotherandfardearerself。Ifsheshouldevertellmethatyouareessentialtoherperfecthappiness，Iwillgivehertoyou。Iftherewere——CharlesDarnay，iftherewere——\'
Theyoungmanhadtakenhishandgratefully；theirhandswerejoinedastheDoctorspoke:
`——anyfancies，anyreasons，anyapprehensions，anythingwhatsoever，neworold，againstthemanshereallyloved——thedirectresponsibilitythereofnotlyingonhishead——theyshouldallbeobliteratedforhersake。
Sheiseverythingtome；moretomethansuffering，moretomethanwrong，moretome——Well!Thisisidletalk。\'
Sostrangewasthewayinwhichhefadedintosilence，andsostrangehisfixedlookwhenhehadceasedtospeak，thatDarnayfelthisownhandturncoldinthehandthatslowlyreleasedanddroppedit。
`Yousaidsomethingtome，\'saidDoctorManette，breakingintoasmile。`Whatwasityousaidtome?\'
Hewasatalosshowtoanswer，untilherememberedhavingspokenofacondition。Relievedashismindrevertedtothat，heanswered:
`Yourconfidenceinmeoughttobereturnedwithfullconfidenceonmypart。Mypresentname，thoughbutslightlychangedfrommymother\'s，isnot，asyouwillremember，myOwn。Iwishtotellyouwhatthatis，andwhyIaminEngland。\'
`Stop!\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais。
`Iwishit，thatImaythebetterdeserveyourconfidence，andhavenosecretfromyou。
`Stop!\'
Foraninstant，theDoctorevenhadhistwohandsathisears；
foranotherinstant，evenhadhistwohandslaidonDarnay\'slips。
`TellmewhenIaskyou，notnow。Ifyoursuitshouldprosper，ifLucieshouldloveyou，youshalltellmeonyourmarriagemorning。Doyoupromise?\'
`Willingly。\'
`Givemeyourhand。Shewillbehomedirectly，anditisbettersheshouldnotseeustogetherto-night。Go!Godblessyou!\'
ItwasdarkwhenCharlesDarnaylefthim，anditwasanhourlateranddarkerwhenLuciecamehome；shehurriedintotheroomalone——forMissProsshadgonestraightupstairs——andwassurprisedtofindhisreading-chairempty。
`Myfather!\'shecalledtohim。`Fatherdear!\'
Nothingwassaidinanswer，butsheheardalowhammeringsoundinhisbedroom。Passinglightlyacrosstheintermediateroom，shelookedinathisdoorandcamerunningbackfrightened，cryingtoherself，withherbloodallchilled，`WhatshallIdo!WhatshallIdo!\'
Heruncertaintylastedbutamoment；shehurriedback，andtappedathisdoor，andsoftlycalledtohim。Thenoiseceasedatthesoundofhervoice，andhepresentlycameouttoher，andtheywalkedupanddowntogetherforalongtime。
Shecamedownfromherbed，tolookathiminhissleepthatnight。
Hesleptheavily，andhistrayofshoemakingtools，andhisoldunfinishedwork，wereallasusual。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIACompanionPicture`SYDNEY，\'saidMr。Stryver，onthatself-samenight，ormorning，tohisjackal；`mixanotherbowlofpunch；Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。\'
Sydneyhadbeenworkingdoubletidesthatnight，andthenightbefore，andthenightbeforethat，andagoodmanynightsinsuccession，makingagrandclearanceamongMr。Stryver\'spapersbeforethesettinginofthelongvacation。Theclearancewaseffectedatlast；theStryverarrearswerehandsomelyfetchedup；everythingwasgotridofuntilNovembershouldcomewithitsfogsatmosphericandfogslegal，andbringgristtothemillagain。
Sydneywasnonethelivelierandnonethesobererforsomuchapplication。Ithadtakenadealofextrawet-towellingtopullhimthroughthenight；acorrespondinglyextraquantityofwinehadprecededthetowelling；
andhewasinaverydamagedcondition，ashenowpulledhisturbanoffandthrewitintothebasininwhichhehadsteepeditatintervalsforthelastsixhours。
`Areyoumixingthatotherbowlofpunch?\'saidStryvertheportly，withhishandsinhiswaistband，glancingroundfromthesofawherehelayonhisback，`Iam。\'
`Now，lookhere!Iamgoingtotellyousomethingthatwillrathersurpriseyou，andthatperhapswillmakeyouthinkmenotquiteasshrewdasyouusuallydothinkme。Iintendtomarry。
`Doyou?\'
`Yes。Andnotformoney。Whatdoyousaynow?\'
`Idon\'tfeeldisposedtosaymuch。Whoisshe?\'
`Guess。\'
`DoIknowher?\'
`Guess。\'
`Iamnotgoingtoguess，atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，withmybrainsfryingandsputteringinmy，head。Ifyouwantmetoguess，youmustaskmetodinner。
`Wellthen，I\'lltellyou，\'saidStryver，comingslowlyintoasittingposture。`Sydney，Iratherdespairofmakingmyselfintelligibletoyou，becauseyouaresuchaninsensibledog。\'
`Andyou，\'returnedSydney，busyconcoctingthepunch，`aresuchasensitiveandpoeticalspirit。\'
`Come!\'rejoinedStryver，laughingboastfully，`thoughIdon\'tpreferanyclaimtobeingthesoulofRomance(forIhopeI，knowbetter)，stillIamatenderersortoffellowthanyou。
`Youarealuckier，ifyoumeanthat。\'
`Idon\'tmeanthat。ImeanIamamanofmore——more——\'
`Saygallantry，whileyouareaboutit，\'suggestedCarton。
`Well!I\'llsaygallantry。MymeaningisthatIamaman，\'saidStryver，inflatinghimselfathisfriendashemadethepunch，`whocaresmoretobeagreeable，Whotakesmorepainstobeagreeable，whoknowsbetterhowtobeagreeable，inawoman\'ssociety，thanyoudo。\'
`Goon，\'saidSydneyCarton。
`No；butbeforeIgoon，\'saidStryver，shakinghisheadinhisbullyingway，`I\'llhavethisoutwithyou。You\'vebeenatDr。Manette\'shouseasmuchasIhave，ormorethanIhave。Why，Ihavebeenashamedofyourmorosenessthere!Yourmannershavebeenofthatsilentandsullenandhang-dogkind，that，uponmylifeandsoul，Ihavebeenashamedofyou，Sydney!\'
`Itshouldbeverybeneficialtoamaninyourpracticeatthebar，tobeashamedofanything，\'returnedSydney；`yououghttobemuchobligedtome。
`YoushallnotgetoffinthatWay，\'rejoinedStryver，shoulderingtherejoinderathim；`no，Sydney，it\'smydutytotellyou——andItellyoutoyourfacetodoyougood——thatyouareadevilishill-conditionedfellowinthatsortofsociety。Youareadisagreeablefellow。\'
Sydneydrankabumperofthepunchhehadmade，andlaughed。
`Lookatme!\'saidStryver，squaringhimself:`Ihavelessneedtomakemyselfagreeablethanyouhave，beingmoreindependentincircumstances。
WhydoIdoit?\'
`Ineversawyoudoityet，\'mutteredCarton。
`Idoitbecauseit\'spolitic；Idoitonprinciple。Andlookatme!Igeton。\'
`Youdon\'tgetonwithyouraccountofyourmatrimonialintentions，\'
answeredCarton，withacarelessair；`Iwishyouwouldkeeptothat。Astome——willyouneverunderstandthatIamincorrigible?\'
Heaskedthequestionwithsomeappearanceofscorn。
`Youhavenobusinesstobeincorrigible，\'washisfriend\'sanswer，deliveredinnoverysoothingtone。
`Ihavenobusinesstobe，atall，thatIknowof，\'saidSydneyCarton。`Whoisthelady?\'
`Now，don\'tletmyannouncementofthenamemakeyouuncomfortable，Sydney，\'saidMr。Stryver，preparinghimwithostentatiousfriendlinessforthedisclosurehewasabouttomake，`becauseIknowyoudon\'tmeanhalfyousay；andifyoumeantitall，itwouldbeofnoimportance。I
makethislittlepreface，because，youoncementionedtheyoungladytomeinslightingterms。
`Idid?\'
`Certainly；andinthesechambers。\'
SydneyCartonlookedathispunchandlookedathiscomplacentfriend；drankhispunchandlookedathiscomplacentfriend。
`Youmadementionoftheyoungladyasagolden-haireddoll。TheyoungladyisMissManette。Ifyouhadbeenafellowofanysensitivenessordelicacyoffeelinginthatkindofway，Sydney，Imighthavebeenalittleresentfulofyouremployingsuchadesignation；butyouarenot。
Youwantthatsensealtogether；thereforeIamnomoreannoyedwhenIthinkoftheexpression，thanIshouldbeannoyedbyaman\'sopinionofapictureofmine，whohadnoeyeforpictures:orofapieceofmusicofmine，whohadnoearformusic。\'
SydneyCartondrankthepunchatagreatrate；drankitbybumpers，lookingathisfriend。
`Nowyouknowallaboutit，Syd，\'saidMr。Stryver。`Idon\'tcareaboutfortune:sheisacharmingcreature，andIhavemadeupmymindtopleasemyself:onthewhole，IthinkIcanaffordtopleasemyself。Shewillhaveinmeamanalreadyprettywelloffandarapidlyrisingman，andamanofsomedistinction:itisapieceofgoodfortuneforher，butsheisworthyofgoodfortune。Areyouastonished?\'
Carton，stilldrinkingthepunch，rejoined，`WhyshouldIbeastonished?\'
`Youapprove?\'
Carton，stilldrinkingthepunch，rejoined，`WhyshouldInotapprove?\'`Well!\'saidhisfriendStryver，`youtakeitmoreeasilythanIfanciedyouwould，andarelessmercenaryonmybehalfthanIthoughtyouwouldbe；though，tobesure，youknowwellenoughbythistimethatyourancientchumisamanofaprettystrongwill。Yes，Sydney，Ihavehadenoughofthisstyleoflife，withnootherasachangeiron\'it；I
feelthatitisapleasantthingforamantohaveahomewhenhefeelsinclinedtogotoit(whenhedoesn\'t，hecanstayaway)，andIfeelthatMissManettewilltellwellinanystation，andwillalwaysdomecredit。
SoIhavemadeupmymind。Andnow，Sydney，oldboy，Iwanttosayawordtoyouaboutyourprospects。Youareinabadway，youknow；
youreallyareinabadway。Youdon\'tknowthevalueofmoney，youlivehard，you\'llknockuponeofthesedays，andbeillandpoor；youreallyoughttothinkaboutanurse。
Theprosperouspatronagewithwhichhesaidit，madehimlooktwiceasbigashewas，andfourtimesasoffensive。
`Now，letmerecommendyou，\'pursuedStryver，`tolookitintheface。Ihavelookeditintheface，inmydifferentway；lookitintheface，you，inyourdifferentway。Marry。Providesomebodytotakecareofyou。Nevermindyourhavingnoenjoymentofwomen\'ssociety，norunderstandingofit，nortactforit。Findoutsomebody。Findoutsomerespectablewomanwithalittleproperty——somebodyinthelandladyway，orlodging-lettingway——andmarryher，againstarainyday。That\'sthekindofthingforyou。
Nowthinkofit，Sydney。\'
`I\'llthinkofit，\'saidSydney。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIITheFellowofDelicacyMR。STRYVERhavingmadeuphismindtothatmagnanimousbestowalofgoodfortuneontheDoctor\'sdaughter，resolvedtomakeherhappinessknowntoherbeforehelefttownfortheLongVacation。Aftersomementaldebatingofthepoint，hecametotheconclusionthatitwouldbeaswelltogetallthepreliminariesdonewith，andtheycouldthenarrangeattheirleisurewhetherheshouldgiveherhishandaweekortwobeforeMichaelmasTerm，orinthelittleChristmasvacationbetweenitandHilary。
Astothestrengthofhiscase，hehadnotadoubtaboutit，butclearlysawhiswayto\'theverdict。Arguedwiththejuryonsubstantialworldlygrounds——theonlygroundseverworthtakingintoaccount——itwasaplaincase，andhadnotaweakspotinit。Hecalledhimselffortheplaintiff，therewasnogettingoverhisevidence，thecounselforthedefendantthrewuphisbrief，andthejurydidnoteventurntoconsider。
Aftertryingit，Stryver，C。J。，wassatisfiedthatnoplainercasecouldbe。
Accordingly，Mr。StryverinauguratedtheLongVacationwithaformalproposaltotakeMissManettetoVauxhallGardens；thatfailing，toRanelagh；thatunaccountablyfailingtoo，itbehovedhimtopresenthimselfinSoho，andtheredeclarehisnoblemind。
TowardsSoho，therefore，Mr。SteershoulderedhiswayfromtheTemple，whilethebloomoftheLongVacation\'sinfancywasstilluponit。
AnybodywhohadseenhimprojectinghimselfintoSohowhilehewasyetonSaintDunstan\'ssideofTempleBar，burstinginhisfull-blownwayalongthepavement，tothejostlementofallweakerpeople，mighthaveseenhowsafeandstronghewas。
