`Havethegoodnesstogivemealittleglassofoldcognac,andamouthfulofcoolfreshwater,madame。\'
Madamecompliedwithapoliteair。
`Marvellouscognacthis,madame!\'
Itwasthefirsttimeithadeverbeensocomplimented,andMadameDefargeknewenoughofitsantecedentstoknowbetter。Shesaid,however,thatthecognacwasflattered,andtookupherknitting。Thevisitorwatchedherfingersforafewmoments,andtooktheopportunityofobservingtheplaceingeneral。
`Youknitwithgreatskill,madame。\'
`Iamaccustomedtoit。\'
`Aprettypatterntoo!\'
`Youthinkso?\'saidmadame,lookingathimwithasmile。
`Decidedly。Mayoneaskwhatitisfor?\'
`Pastime,\'saidmadame,stilllookingathimwithasmile,whileherfingersmovednimbly。
`Notforuse?\'
`Thatdepends。Imayfindauseforitoneday。IfIdo——well,\'
saidmadame,drawingabreathandnoddingherheadwithasternkindofcoquetry,`I\'lluseit!\'
Itwasremarkable:butthetasteofSaintAntoineseemedtobedecidedlyopposedtoaroseontheheaddressofMadameDefarge。Twomenhadenteredseparately,andhadbeenabouttoorderdrink,when,catchingsightofthatnovelty,theyfaltered,madeapretenceoflookingaboutasifforsomefriendwhowasnotthere,andwentaway。Nor,ofthosewhohadbeentherewhenthisvisitorentered,wasthereoneleft。Theyhadalldroppedoff。Thespyhadkepthiseyesopen,buthadbeenabletodetectnosign。Theyhadloungedawayinapoverty-stricken,purposeless,accidentalmanner,quitenaturalandunimpeachable。
`JOHN,\'thoughtmadame,checkingoffherworkasherfingersknitted,andhereyeslookedatthestranger。,`Staylongenough,andIshallknit``BARSAD\'\'beforeyougo。\'
`Youhaveahusband,madame?\'
`Ihave。\'
`Children?\'
`Nochildren。\'
`Businessseemsbad?\'
`Businessisverybad;thepeoplearesopoor。\'
`Ah,theunfortunate,miserablepeople!Sooppressed,too——asyousay。\'
`Asyousay,\'madameretorted,correctinghim,anddeftlyknittinganextrasomethingintohisnamethatbodedhimnogood。
`Pardonme;certainlyitwasIwhosaidso,butyounaturallythinkso。Ofcourse。\'
`Ithink?\'returnedmadame,inahighvoice。`Iandmyhusbandhaveenoughtodotokeepthiswine-shopopen,withoutthinking。
Allwethink,here,ishowtolive。Thatisthesubjectwethinkof,anditgivesus,frommorningtonight,enoughtothinkabout,withoutembarrassingourheadsconcerningothers。Ithinkforothers?No,no。\'
Thespy,whowastheretopickupanycrumbshecouldfindormake,didnotallowhisbaffledstatetoexpressitselfinhissinisterface;but,stoodwithanairofgossipinggallantry,leaninghiselbowonMadameDefarge\'slittlecounter,andoccasionallysippinghiscognac。
`Abadbusinessthis,madame,ofGaspard\'sexecution。Ah!thepoorGaspard!\'Withasighofgreatcompassion。
`Myfaith!\'returnedmadame,coollyandlightly,`ifpeopleuseknivesforsuchpurposes,theyhavetopayforit。Heknewbeforehandwhatthepriceofhisluxurywas;hehaspaidtheprice。\'
`Ibelieve,\'saidthespy,droppinghissoftvoicetoatonethatinvitedconfidence,andexpressinganinjuredrevolutionarysusceptibilityineverymuscleofhiswickedface:`Ibelievethereismuchcompassionandangerinthisneighbourhood,touchingthepoorfellow?Betweenourselves。\'
`Isthere?\'askedmadame,vacantly。
`Istherenot?\'
`——Hereismyhusband!\'saidMadameDefarge。
Asthekeeperofthewine-shopenteredatthedoor,thespysalutedhimbytouchinghishat,andsaying,withanengagingsmile,`Goodday,Jacques!\'Defargestoppedshort,andstaredathim。
`Goodday,Jacques!\'thespyrepeated;withnotquitesomuchconfidence,orquitesoeasyasmileunderthestare。
`Youdeceiveyourself,monsieur,\'returnedthekeeperofthewine-shop。
`Youmistakemeforanother。Thatisnotmyname。IamErnestDefarge。\'
`Itisallthesame,\'saidthespy,airily,butdiscomfitedtoo:
`goodday!\'
`Goodday!\'answeredDefarge,drily。
`Iwassayingtomadame,withwhomIhadthepleasureofchattingwhenyouentered,thattheytellmethereis——andnowonder!——muchsympathyandangerinSaintAntoine,touchingtheunhappyfateofpoorGaspard。\'
`Noonehastoldmeso,\'saidDefarge,shakinghishead。`Iknownothingofit。\'
Havingsaidit,hepassedbehindthelittlecounter,andstoodwithhishandonthebackofhiswife\'schair,lookingoverthatbarrieratthepersontowhomtheywerebothopposed,andwhomeitherofthemwouldhaveshotwiththegreatestsatisfaction。
Thespy,wellusedtohisbusiness,didnotchangehisunconsciousattitude,butdrainedhislittleglassofcognac,tookasipoffreshwater,andaskedforanotherglassofcognac。MadameDefargepoureditoutforhim,tooktoherknittingagain,andhummedalittlesongoverit。
`Youseemtoknowthisquarterwell;thatistosay,betterthanIdo?\'observedDefarge。
`Notatall,butIhopetoknowitbetter。Iamsoprofoundlyinterestedinitsmiserableinhabitants。\'
`Hah!\'mutteredDefarge。
`Thepleasureofconversingwithyou,MonsieurDefarge,recallstome,\'pursuedthespy,`thatIhavethehonourofcherishingsomeinterestingassociationswithyourname。\'
`Indeed!\'saidDefarge,withmuchindifference。
`Yes,indeed。WhenDr。Manettewasreleased,you,hisolddomestic,hadthechargeofhim,Iknow。Hewasdeliveredtoyou。YouseeIaminformedofthecircumstances?\'
`Suchisthefact,certainly,\'saidDefarge。Hehadhaditconveyedtohim,inanaccidentaltouchofhiswife\'selbowassheknittedandwarbled,thathewoulddobesttoanswer,butalwayswithbrevity。
`Itwastoyou,\'saidthespy,`thathisdaughtercame;anditwasfromyourcarethathisdaughtertookhim,accompaniedbyaneatbrownmonsieur;howishecalled?——inalittlewig——Lorry——ofthebankofTellsonandCompany——overtoEngland。\'
`Suchisthefact,\'repeatedDefarge。
`Veryinterestingremembrances\'saidthespy。`IhaveknownDr。
Manetteandhisdaughter,inEngland。\'
`Yes?\'saidDefarge。
`Youdon\'thearmuchaboutthemnow?\'saidthespy。
`No,\'saidDefarge。
`Ineffect,\'madamestruckin,lookingupfromherworkandherlittlesong,`weneverhearaboutthem。Wereceivedthenewsoftheirsafearrival,andperhapsanotherletter,orperhapsMo;but,sincethen,theyhavegraduallytakentheirroadinlife——we,ours——andwehaveheldnocorrespondence。\'
`Perfectlyso,madame,\'repliedthespy。`Sheisgoingtobemarried。\'
`Going?\'echoedmadame。`Shewasprettyenoughtohavebeenmarriedlongago。YouEnglisharecold,itseemstome。\'
`Oh!YouknowIamEnglish。\'
`Iperceiveyourtongueis,\'returnedmadame;`andwhatthetongueis,Isupposethemanis。\'
Hedidnottaketheidentificationasacompliment;buthemadethebestofit,andturneditoffwithalaugh。Aftersippinghiscognactotheend,headded:
`Yes,MissManetteisgoingtobemarried。ButnottoanEnglishman;
toonewho,likeherself,isFrenchbybirth。AndspeakingofGaspard(ah,poorGaspard!Itwascruel,cruel!)itisacuriousthingthatsheisgoingtomarrythenephewof\'MonsieurtheMarquis,forwhomGaspardwasexaltedtothatheightofsomanyfeet;inotherwords,thepresentMarquis。ButhelivesunknowninEngland,heisnoMarquisthere;heisMr。CharlesDarnay。D\'Aulnaisisthenameofhismother\'sfamily。\'
MadameDefargeknittedsteadily,buttheintelligencehadapalpableeffectuponherhusband。Dowhathewould,behindthelittlecounter,astothestrikingofalightandthelightingofhispipe,hewastroubled,andhishandwasnottrustworthy。Thespywouldhavebeennospyifhehadfailedtoseeit,ortorecorditinhismind。
Havingmade,atleast,thisonehit,whateveritmightprovetobeworth,andnocustomerscomingintohelphimtoanyother,Mr。Barsadpaidforwhathehaddrunk,andtookhisleave:takingoccasiontosay,inagenteelmanner,beforehedeparted,thathelookedforwardtothepleasureofseeingMonsieurandMadameDefargeagain。ForsomeminutesafterhehademergedintotheouterpresenceofSaintAntoine,thehusbandandwiferemainedexactlyashehadleftthem,lestheshouldcomeback。
`Canitbetrue,\'saidDefarge,inalowvoice,lookingdownathiswifeashestoodsmokingwithhishandonthebackofherchair:`whathehassaidofMa\'amselleManette?\'
`Ashehassaidit,\'returnedmadame,liftinghereyebrowsalittle,`itisprobablyfalse。Butitmaybetrue。\'
`Ifitis——\'Defargebegan,andstopped。
`Ifitis?\'repeatedhiswife。
`——Andifitdoescome,whilewelivetoseeittriumph——Ihope,forhersake,DestinywillkeepherhusbandoutofFrance。\'
`Herhusband\'sdestiny,\'saidMadameDefarge,withherusualcomposure,`willtakehimwhereheistogo,andwillleadhimtotheendthatistoendhim。ThatisallIknow。\'
`Butitisverystrange——now,atleast,isitnotverystrange\'——saidDefarge,ratherpleadingwithhiswifetoinducehertoadmitit,`that,afteralloursympathyforMonsieurherfather,andherself,herhusband\'snameshouldbeproscribedunderyourhandatthismoment,bythesideofthatinfernaldog\'swhohasjustleftus?\'
`Strangerthingsthanthatwillhappenwhenitdoescome,\'answeredmadame。`Ihavethembothhere,ofacertainty;andtheyarebothherefortheirmerits;thatisenough。\'
Sherolledupherknittingwhenshehadsaidthosewords,andpresentlytooktheroseoutofthehandkerchiefthatwaswoundaboutherhead。EitherSaintAntoinehadaninstinctivesensethattheobjectionabledecorationwasgoneorSaintAntoinewasonthewatchforitsdisappearance;
howbeit,theSainttookcouragetoloungein,veryshortlyafterwards,andthewine-shoprecovereditshabitualaspect。
Intheevening,atwhichseasonofallothersSaintAntoineturnedhimselfinsideout,andsatondoorstepsandwindow-ledges,andcametothecornersofvilestreetsandcourts,forabreathofair,MadameDefargewithherworkinherhandwasaccustomedtopassfromplacetoplaceandfromgrouptogroup:aMissionary——thereweremanylikeher——suchastheworldwilldowellnevertobreedagain。Allthewomenknitted。Theyknittedworthlessthings;but,themechanicalworkwasamechanicalsubstituteforeatinganddrinking;thehandsmovedforthejawsandthedigestiveapparatus:ifthebonyfingershadbeenstill,thestomachswouldhavebeenmorefamine-pinched。
But,asthefingerswent,theeyeswent,andthethoughts。AndasMadameDefargemovedonfromgrouptogroup,allthreewentquickerandfierceramongeverylittleknotofwomenthatshehadspokenwith,andleftbehind。
Herhusbandsmokedathisdoor,lookingafterherwithadmiration。
`Agreatwoman,\'saidhe,`astrongwoman,agrandwoman,afrightfullygrandwoman!\'
Darknessclosedaround,andthencametheringingofchurchbellsandthedistantbeatingofthemilitarydrumsinthePalaceCourt-Yard,asthewomensatknitting,knitting。Darknessencompassedthem。Anotherdarknesswasclosinginassurely,whenthechurchbells,thenringingpleasantlyinmanyanairysteepleoverFrance,shouldbemeltedintothunderingcannon;whenthemilitarydrumsshouldbebeatingtodrownawretchedvoice,thatnightall-potentasthevoiceofPowerandPlenty,FreedomandLife。
Somuchwasclosinginaboutthewomenwhosatknitting,knitting,thattheytheirveryselveswereclosinginaroundastructureyetunbuilt,wheretheyweretositknitting,knitting,countingdroppingheads。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXVIIOneNightNEVERdidthesungodownwithabrightergloryonthequietcomerinSoho,thanonememorableeveningwhenDoctorandhisdaughtersatundertheplane-treetogether。NeverdidthemoonrisewithamilderradianceovergreatLondon,thanonthatnightwhenitfoundthemstillseatedunderthetree,andshoneupontheirfacesthroughitsleaves。
Luciewastobemarriedto-morrow。Shehadreservedthislasteveningforherfather,andtheysataloneundertheplane-tree。
`Youarehappy,mydearfather?\'
`Quite,mychild。\'
Theyhadsaidlittlethoughtheyhadbeentherealongtime。Whenitwasyetlightenoughtoworkandread,shehadneitherengagedherselfinherusualwork,norhadshereadtohim。Shehademployedherselfinbothways,athissideunderthetree,manyandmanyatime;but,thistimewasnotquitelikeanyother,andnothingcouldmakeitso。
AndIamveryhappyto-night,dearfather。IamdeeplyhappyinthelovethatHeavenhassoblessed——myloveforCharles,andCharles\'sloveforme。But,ifmylifewerenottobestillconsecratedtoyou,orifmymarriageweresoarrangedasthatitwouldpartus,evenbythelengthofafewofthesestreets,Ishouldbemoreunhappyandself-reproachfulnowthanIcantellyou。Evenasitis——\'
Evenasitwas,shecouldnotcommandhervoice。
Inthesadmoonlight,sheclaspedhimbytheneck,andladherfaceuponhisbreast。Inthemoonlightwhichisalwayssad,asthelightofthesunitselfBasthelightcalledhumanlifeis——atitscominganditsgoing。
`Dearestdear!Canyoutellme,thislasttime,thatyoufeelquite,quitesure,nonewaffectionsofmine,andnonewdutiesofmine,willeverinterposebetweenus?Iknowitwell,butdoyouknowit?Inyourownheart,doyoufeelquitecertain?\'
Herfatheranswered,withacheerfulfirmnessofconvictionhecouldscarcelyhaveassumed,`Quitesure,mydarling!Morethanthat,\'
headded,ashetenderlykissedher:`myfutureisfarbrighter,Lucie,seenthroughyourmarriage,thanitcouldhavebeen——nay,thaniteverwas——withoutit。\'
`IfIcouldhopethat,myfather!——\'
`Believeit,love!Indeeditisso。Considerhownaturalandhowplainitis,mydear,thatitshouldbeso。You,devotedandyoung,cannotfullyappreciatetheanxietyIhavefeltthatyourlifeshouldnotbewasted\'
Shemovedherhandtowardshislips,buthetookitinhis,andrepeatedtheword。
`——wasted,mychild——shouldnotbewasted,struckasidefromthenaturalorderofthings——formysake。Yourunselfishnesscannotentirelycomprehendhowmuchmymindhasgoneonthis;but,onlyaskyourselfhowcouldmyhappinessbeperfect,whileyourswasincomplete?\'
`IfIhadneverseenCharles,myfather,Ishouldhavebeenquitehappywithyou。\'
HesmiledatherunconsciousadmissionthatshewouldhavebeenunhappywithoutCharles,havingseenhim;andreplied:
`Mychild,youdidseehim,anditisCharles。IfithadnotbeenCharles,itwouldhavebeenanother。Or,ifithadbeennoother,Ishouldhavebeenthecause,andthenthedarkpartofmylifewouldhavecastitsshadowbeyondmyselfandwouldhavefallenonyou。\'
Itwasthefirsttime,exceptatthetrial,ofhereverhearinghimrefertotheperiodofhissuffering。Itgaveherastrangeandnewsensationwhilehiswordswereinherears;andsheremembereditlongafterwards。
`See!\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais,raisinghishandtowardsthemoon。`Ihavelookedatherfrommyprison-window,whenIcouldnotbearherlight。IhavelookedatherwhenithasbeensuchtorturetometothinkofhershininguponwhatIhadlost,thatIhavebeatenmyheadagainstmyprison-walls。Ihavelookedather,inastatesodullandlethargic,thatIhavethoughtofnothingbutthenumberofhorizontallines`Icoulddrawacrossheratthefull,andthenumberofperpendicularlineswithwhichIcouldintersectthem。\'Headdedinhisinwardandponderingmanner,ashelookedatthemoon,`Itwastwentyeitherway,Iremember,andthetwentiethwasdifficulttosqueezein。\'
Thestrangethrillwithwhichsheheardhimgobacktothattime,deepenedashedweltuponit;but,therewasnothingtoshockherinthemannerofhisreference。Heonlyseemedtocontrasthispresentcheerfulnessandfelicitywiththedireendurancethatwasover。
`Ihavelookedather,speculatingthousandsoftimesupontheunbornchildfromwhomIhadbeenrent。Whetheritwasalive。Whetherithadbeenbornalive,orthepoormother\'sshockhadkilledit。Whetheritwasasonwhowouldsomedayavengehisfather。(Therewasatimeinmyimprisonment,whenmydesireforvengeancewasunbearable。)Whetheritwasasonwhowouldneverknowhisfather\'sstory;whomightevenlivetoweighthepossibilityofhisfather\'shavingdisappearedofhisownwillandact。Whetheritwasadaughterwhowouldgrowtobeawoman。\'
Shedrewclosertohim,andkissedhischeekandhishand。`I
havepicturedmydaughter,tomyself,asperfectlyforgetfulofme——rather,altogetherignorantofme,andunconsciousofme。Ihavecastuptheyearsofherage,yearafteryear。Ihaveseenhermarriedtoamanwhoknewnothingofmyfate。Ihavealtogetherperishedfromtheremembranceoftheliving,andinthenextgenerationmyplacewasablank。\'
`Myfather!Eventohearthatyouhadsuchthoughtsofadaughterwhoneverexisted,strikestomyheartasifIhadbeenthatchild。\'
`You,Lucie?Itisoutoftheconsolationandrestorationyouhavebroughttome,thattheseremembrancesarise,andpassbetweenusandthemoononthislastnight——whatdidIsayjustnow?\'
Sheknewnothingofyou。Shecarednothingforyou。\'
`So!Butonothermoonlightnights,whenthesadnessandthesilencehavetouchedmeinadifferentway——haveaffectedmewithsomethingaslikeasorrowfulsenseofpeace,asanyemotionthathadpainforitsfoundationscould——Ihaveimaginedherascomingtomeinmycell,andleadingmeoutintothefreedombeyondthefortress。Ihaveseenherimageinthemoonlightoften,asInowseeyou;exceptthatIneverheldherinmyarms;itstoodbetweenthelittlegratedwindowandthedoor。But,youunderstandthatthatwasnotthechildIamspeakingof?\'
`Thefigurewasnot;the——the——image;thefancy?\'
`No。Thatwasanotherthing。Itstoodbeforemydisturbedsenseofsight,butitnevermoved。Thephantomthatmymindpursued,wasanotherandmorerealchild。OfheroutwardappearanceIknownomorethanthatshewaslikehermother。Theotherhadthatlikenesstoo——asyouhave——butwasnotthesame。Canyoufollowme,Lucie?Hardly,IthinkI`doubtyoumusthavebeer,asolitaryprisonertounderstandtheseprisonerperplexeddistinctions。
Hiscollectedandcalmmannercouldnotpreventherbloodfromrunningcold,ashethustriedtoanatomisehisoldcondition。
`Inthatmorepeacefulstate,Ihaveimaginedher,inthemoonlight,comingtomeandtakingmeouttoshowmethatthehomeofhermarriedlifewaslullofherlovingremembranceofherlostfather。Mypicturewasinherroom,andIwasinherprayers。Herlifewasactive,cheerful,useful;hutmypoorhistorypervadeditall。\'
`Iwasthatchild,myfather。Iwasnothalfsogood,butinmylovethatwasI。\'
`Andsheshowedmeherchildren,\'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais,`andtheyhadheardofme,andhadbeentaughttopityme。WhentheypassedaprisonoftheState,theykeptfarfromitsfrowningwalls,andlookedupatitsbars,andspokeinwhispers。Shecouldneverdeliverme;Iimaginedthatshealwaysbroughtmebackaftershowingmesuchthings。Butthen,blessedwiththereliefoftears,Ifelluponmyknees,andblessedher。\'
`Iamthatchild,Ihope,myfather。Omydear,mydear,willyoublessmeasferventlyto-morrow?\'
`Lucie,IrecalltheseoldtroublesinthereasonthatIhaveto-nightforlovingyoubetterthanwordscantell,andthankingGodformygreathappiness。Mythoughts,whentheywerewildest,neverrosenearthehappinessthatIhaveknownwithyou,andthatwehavebeforeus。
Heembracedher,solemnlycommendedhertoHeaven,andhumblythankedHeavenforhavingbestowedheronhim。By-and-by,theywentintothehouse。
TherewasnoonehiddentothemarriagebutMr。Lorry;therewaseventobenobridesmaidbutthegauntMissPross。Themarriagewastomakenochangeintheirplaceofresidence;theyhadbeenabletoextendit,bytakingtothemselvestheupperroomsformerlybelongingtotheapocryphalinvisiblelodger,andtheydesirednothingmore。
DoctorManettewasverycheerfulatthelittlesupper。Theywereonlythreeattable,andMissProssmadethethird。HeregrettedthatCharleswasnotthere;wasmorethanhalfdisposedtoobjecttothelovinglittleplotthatkepthimaway;anddranktohimaffectionately。
So,thetimecameforhimtobidLuciegoodnight,andtheyseparated。
But,inthestillnessofthethirdhourofthemorning,Luciecamedownstairsagain,andstoleintohisroom;notfreefromunshapedfears,beforehand。
Allthings,however,wereintheirplaces;allwasquiet;andhelayasleep,hiswhitehairpicturesqueontheuntroubledpillow,andhishandslyingquietonthecoverlet。Sheputherneedlesscandleintheshadowatadistance,creptuptohisbed,andputherlipstohis;then,leanedoverhim,andlookedathim。
Intohishandsomeface,thebitterwatersofcaptivityhadworn;
but,hecovereduptheirtrackswithadeterminationsostrong,thatheheldthemasteryofthemeveninhissleep。Amoreremarkablefaceinitsquiet,resolute,andguardedstrugglewithanunseenassailant,wasnottobebeheldinallthewidedominionsofsleep,thatnight。
Shetimidlylaidherhandonhisdearbreast,andputupaprayerthatshemighteverbeastruetohimasherloveaspiredtobe,andashissorrowsdeserved。Then,shewithdrewherhand,andkissedhislipsoncemore,andwentaway。So,thesunrisecame,andtheshadowsoftheleavesoftheplane-treemoveduponhisface,assoftlyasherlipshadmovedinprayingforhim。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXVIIINineDaysTHEmarriage-daywasshiningbrightly,andtheywerereadyoutsidethecloseddooroftheDoctor\'sroom,wherehewasspeakingwithCharlesDarnay。
Theywerereadytogotochurch;thebeautifulbride,Mr。Lorry,andMissPross——towhomtheevent,throughagradualprocessofreconcilementtotheinevitable,wouldhavebeenoneofabsolutebliss,butfortheyetlingeringconsiderationthatherbrotherSolomonshouldhavebeenthebridegroom。
`Andso,\'saidMr。Lorry,whocouldnotsufficientlyadmirethebride,andwhohadbeenmovingroundhertotakeineverypointofherquiet,prettydress;`andsoitwasforthis,mysweetLucie,thatIbroughtyouacrosstheChannel,suchababy!Lordblessme!HowlittleIthoughtwhatIwasdoing!HowlightlyIvaluedtheobligationIwasconferringonmyfriendMr。Charles!\'
`Youdidn\'tmeanit,\'remarkedthematter-of-factMissPross,`andthereforehowcouldyouknowit?Nonsense!\'
`Really?Well;butdon\'tcry,\'saidthegentleMr。Lorry。
`Iamnotcrying,\'saidMissPross;`youare。
`I,myPross?\'(Bythistime,Mr。Lorrydaredtobepleasantwithher,onoccasion。)
`Youwere,justnow;Isawyoudoit,andIdon\'twonderatit。
Suchapresentofplateasyouhavemade`em,isenoughtobringtearsintoanybody\'seyes。There\'snotaforkoraspooninthecollection,\'
saidMissPross,`thatIdidn\'tcryover,lastnightaftertheboxcame,tillIcouldn\'tseeit。\'
`Iamhighlygratified,\'saidMr。Lorry,`though,uponmyhonour,Ihadnointentionofrenderingthosetriflingarticlesofremembranceinvisibletoanyone。Dearme!Thisisanoccasionthatmakesamanspeculateonallhehaslost。Dear,dear,dear!TothinkthattheremighthavebeenaMrs。Lorry,anytimethesefiftyyearsalmost!\'
`Notatall!\'FromMissPross。
`YouthinktherenevermighthavebeenaMrs。Lorry?\'askedthegentlemanofthatname。
`Pooh!\'rejoinedMissPross;`youwereabachelorinyourcradle。\'
`Well!\'observedMr。Lorry,beaminglyadjustinghislittlewig,`thatseemsprobable,too。
`Andyouwerecutoutforabachelor,\'pursuedMissPross,`beforeyouwereputinyourcradle。\'
`Then,Ithink,\'saidMr。Lorry,`thatIwasveryunhandsomelydealtwith,andthatIoughttohavehadavoiceintheselectionofmypattern。Enough!Now,mydearLucie,\'drawinghisarmsoothinglyroundherwaist,`Ihearthemmovinginthenextroom,andMissProssandI,astwoformalfolksofbusiness,areanxiousnottolosethefinalopportunityofsayingsomethingtoyouthatyouwishtohear。Youleaveyourgoodfather,mydear,inhandsasearnestandaslovingasyourown;heshallbetakeneveryconceivablecareof;duringthenextfortnight,whileyouareinWarwickshireandthereabouts,evenTellson\'sshallgotothewall(comparativelyspeaking)beforehim。Andwhen,atthefortnight\'send,hecomestojoinyouandyourbelovedhusband,onyourotherfortnight\'stripinWales,youshallsaythatwehavesenthimtoyouinthebesthealthandinthehappiestframe。NowIhearSomebody\'sstepcomingtothedoor。Letmekissmydeargirlwithanold-fashionedbachelorblessing,beforeSomebodycomestoclaimhisown。\'
Foramoment,heheldthefairfacefromhimtolookatthewell-rememberedexpressionontheforehead,andthenlaidthebrightgoldenhairagainsthislittlebrownwig,withagenuinetendernessanddelicacywhich,ifsuchthingsbeold-fashioned,wereasoldasAdam。
ThedooroftheDoctor\'sroomopened,andhecameoutwithCharlesDarnay。Hewassodeadlypale——whichhadnotbeenthecasewhentheywentintogether——thatnovestigeofcolourwastobeseeninhisface。But,inthecomposureofhismannerhewasunaltered,exceptthattotheshrewdglanceofMr。Lorryitdisclosedsomeshadowyindicationthattheoldairofavoidanceanddreadhadlatelypassedoverhim,likeacoldwind。
Hegavehisarmtohisdaughter,andtookherdownstairstothechariotwhichMr。Lorryhadhiredinhonouroftheday。Therestfollowedinanothercarriage,andsoon,inaneighbouringchurch,wherenostrangeeyeslookedon,CharlesDarnayandLucieManettewerehappilymarried。
Besidestheglancingtearsthatshoneamongthesmilesofthelittlegroupwhenitwasdone,somediamonds,verybrightandsparkling,glancedonthebride\'shand,whichwerenewlyreleasedfromthedarkobscurityofoneofMr。Lorry\'spockets。Theyreturnedhometobreakfast,andallwentwell,andinduecoursethegoldenhairthathadmingledwiththepoorshoemaker\'swhitelocksintheParisgarret,weremingledwiththemagaininthemorningsunlight,onthethresholdofthedooratparting。
Itwasahardparting,thoughitwasnotforlong。Butherfathercheeredher,andsaidatlast,gentlydisengaginghimselffromherenfoldingarms,`Takeher,Charles!Sheisyours!\'
Andheragitatedhandwavedtothemfromachaisewindow,andshewasgone。
Thecornerbeingoutofthewayoftheidleandcurious,andthepreparationshavingbeenverysimpleandfew,theDoctor,Mr。Lorry,andMissPross,wereleftquitealone。Itwaswhentheyturnedintothewelcomeshadeofthecoololdhall,thatMr。LorryobservedagreatchangetohavecomeovertheDoctor;asifthegoldenarmupliftedthere,hadstruckhimapoisonedblow。
Hehadnaturallyrepressedmuch,andsomerevulsionmighthavebeenexpectedinhimwhentheoccasionforrepressionwasgone。But,itwastheoldscaredlostlookthattroubledMr。Lorry;andthroughhisabsentmannerofclaspinghishead\'anddrearilywanderingawayintohisownroomwhentheygotup-stairs,Mr。LorrywasremindedofDefargethewine-shopkeeper,andthestarlightride。
`Ithink,\'hewhisperedtoMissPross,afteranxiousconsideration,`Ithinkwehadbestnotspeaktohimjustnow,oratalldisturbhim。
ImustlookinatTellson\'s;soIwillgothereatonceandcomebackpresently。
Then,wewilltakehimarideintothecountry,anddinethere,andallwillbewell。\'
ItwaseasierforMr。LorrytolookinatTellson\'s,thantolookoutofTellson\'s。Hewasdetainedtwohours。Whenhecameback,heascendedtheoldstaircasealone,havingaskednoquestionoftheservant;goingthusintotheDoctorsrooms,hewasstoppedbyalowsoundofknocking。
`GoodGod!\'hesaid,withastart。`What\'sthat?\'
MissPross,withaterrifiedface,wasathisear。`Ome,Ome!
Allislost!\'criedshe,wringingherhands。`WhatistobetoldtoLadybird?
Hedoesn\'tknowme,andismakingshoes!\'
Mr。Lorrysaidwhathecouldtocalmher,andwenthimselfintotheDoctor\'sroom。Thebenchwasturnedtowardsthelight,asithadbeenwhenhehadseentheshoemakerathisworkbefore,andhisheadwasbentdown,andhewasverybusy。
`DoctorManette。Mydearfriend,DoctorManette!\'
TheDoctorlookedathimforamoment——halfinquiringly,halfasifhewereangryatbeingspokento——andbentoverhisworkagain。
Hehadlaidasidehiscoatandwaistcoat;hisshirtwasopenatthethroat,asitusedtobewhenhedidthatwork;andeventheoldhaggard,fadedsurfaceoffacehadcomebacktohim。Heworkedhard——impatiently——asifinsomesenseofhavingbeeninterrupted。
Mr。Lorryglancedattheworkinhishand,andobservedthatitwasashoeoftheoldsizeandshape。Hetookupanotherthatwaslyingbyhim,andaskedwhatitwas?
`Ayounglady\'swalkingshoe,\'hemuttered,withoutlookingup\'
`Itoughttohavebeenfinishedlongago。Letitbe。\'
`But,DoctorManette。Lookatme\'
Heobeyed,intheoldmechanicallysubmissivemanner,withoutpausinginhiswork。
`Youknowme,mydearfriend?Thinkagain。Thisisnotyourproperoccupation。Think,dearfriend!\'
Nothingwouldinducehimtospeakmore。Helookedup,foraninstantatatime,whenhewasrequestedtodoso;but,nopersuasionwouldextractawordfromhim。Heworked,andworked,andworked,insilence,andwordsfellonhimastheywouldhavefallenonanecholesswall,orontheair。
TheonlyrayofhopethatMr。Lorrycoulddiscover,was,thathesometimesfurtivelylookedupwithoutbeingasked。Inthat,thereseemedafaintexpressionofcuriosityorperplexity——asthoughheweretryingtoreconcilesomedoubtsinhismind。
TwothingsatonceimpressedthemselvesonMr。Lorry,asimportantaboveallothers;thefirst,thatthismustbekeptsecretfromLucie;
thesecondthatitmustbekeptsecretfromallwhoknewhim。InconjunctionwithMissPross,hetookimmediatestepstowardsthelatterprecaution,bygivingoutthattheDoctorwasnotwell,andrequiredafewdaysofcompleterest。Inaidofthekinddeceptiontobepractisedonhisdaughter,MissProsswastowrite,describinghishavingbeencalledawayprofessionally,andreferringtoanimaginaryletteroftwoorthreehurriedlinesinhisownhand,representedtohavebeenaddressedtoherbythesamepost。
Thesemeasures,advisabletobetakeninanycase,Mr。Lorrytookinthehopeofhiscomingtohimself。Ifthatshouldhappensoon,hekeptanothercourseinreserve;whichwas,tohaveacertainopinionthathethoughtthebest,ontheDoctor\'scase。
Inthehopeofhisrecovery,andofresorttothisthirdcoursebeingtherebyrenderedpracticable,Mr。Lorryresolvedtowatchhimattentively,withaslittleappearanceaspossibleofdoingso。HethereforemadearrangementstoabsenthimselffromTellson\'sforthefirsttimeinhislife,andtookhispostbythewindowinthesameroom。
Hewasnotlongindiscoveringthatitwasworsethanuselesstospeaktohim,since,onbeingpressed,hebecameworried。Heabandonedthatattemptonthefirstday,andresolvedmerelytokeephimselfalwaysbeforehim,asasilentprotestagainstthedelusionintowhichhehadfallen,orwasfalling。Heremained,therefore,inhisseatnearthewindow,readingandwriting,andexpressinginasmanypleasantandnaturalwaysashecouldthinkofthatitwasafreeplace。
DoctorManettetookwhatwasgivenhimtoeatanddrink,andworkedon,thatfirstday,untilitwastoodarktosee——workedon,halfanhourafterMr。Lorrycouldnothaveseen,forhislife,toreadorwrite。Whenheputhistoolsasideasuseless,untilmorning,Mr。Lorryroseandsaidtohim:
`Willyougoout?\'\"
Helookeddownattheflooroneithersideofhimintheoldmanner,lookedupintheoldmanner,andrepeatedintheoldlowvoice:
`Out?\'
`Yes;forawalkwithme。Whynot?\'
Hemadenoefforttosaywhynot,andsaidnotawordmore。But,Mr。Lorrythoughthesaw,asheleanedforwardonhisbenchinthedusk,withhiselbowsonhiskneesandhisheadinhishands,thathewasinsomemistywayaskinghimself`Whynot?\'Thesagacityofthemanofbusinessperceivedanadvantagehere,anddeterminedtoholdit。
MissProssandhedividedthenightintotwowatches,andobservedhimatintervalsfromtheadjoiningroom。Hepacedupanddownforalongtimebeforehelaydown;but,whenhedidfinallylayhimselfdown,hefellasleep。Inthemorning,hewasupbetimes,andwentstraighttohisbenchandtowork。
Onthissecondday,Mr。Lorrysalutedhimcheerfullybyhisname,andspoketohimontopicsthathadbeenoflatefamiliartothem。Hereturnednoreply,butitwasevidentthatheheardwhatwassaid,andthathethoughtaboutit,howeverconfusedly。ThisencouragedMr。LorrytohaveMissProssinwithherwork,severaltimesduringtheday;atthosetimes,theyquietlyspokeofLucie,andofherfatherthenpresent,preciselyintheusualmanner,andasiftherewerenothingamiss。Thiswasdonewithoutanydemonstrativeaccompaniment,notlongenough,oroftenenoughtoharasshim;anditlightenedMr。Lorry\'sfriendlyhearttobelievethathelookedupoftener,andthatheappearedtobestirredbysomeperceptionofinconsistenciessurroundinghim。
Whenitfelldarkagain,Mr。Lorryaskedhimasbefore:
`DearDoctor,willyougoout?\'
Asbefore,herepeated,`Out?\'
`Yes;forawalkwithme。Whynot?\'
Thistime,Mr。Lorryfeignedtogooutwhenhecouldextractnoanswerfromhim,and,afterremainingabsentforanhour,returned。Inthemeanwhile,theDoctorhadremovedtotheseatinthewindow,andhadsattherelookingdownattheplane-tree;but,onMr。Lorry\'sreturn,heslippedawaytohisbench。
Thetimewentveryslowlyon,andMr。Lorry\'shopedarkened,andhisheartgrewheavieragain,andgrewyetheavierandheaviereveryday。
Thethirddaycameandwent,thefourth,thefifth。Fivedays,sixdays,sevendays,eightdays,ninedays。
Withahopeeverdarkening,andwithaheartalwaysgrowingheavierandheavier,Mr。Lorrypassedthroughthisanxioustime。Thesecretwaswellkept,andLuciewasunconsciousandhappy;buthecouldnotfailtoobservethattheshoemaker,whosehandhadbeenalittleoutatfirst,wasgrowingdreadfullyskilful,andthathehadneverbeensointentonhiswork,andthathishandshadneverbeensonimbleandexpert,asintheduskoftheninthevening。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIXAnOpinionWORNoutbyanxiouswatching,Mr。Lorryfellasleepathispost。Onthetenthmorningofhissuspense,hewasstartledbytheshiningofthesunintotheroomwhereaheavyslumberhadovertakenhimwhenitwasdarknight。
Herubbedhiseyesandrousedhimself;buthedoubted,whenhehaddoneso,whetherhewasnotstillasleep。For,goingtothedooroftheDoctor\'sroomandlookingin,heperceivedthattheshoemaker\'sbenchandtoolswereputasideagain,andthattheDoctorhimselfsatreadingatthewindow。Hewasinhisusualmorningdress,andhisface(whichMr。
Lorrycoulddistinctlysee),thoughstillverypale,wascalmlystudiousandattentive。
Evenwhenhehadsatisfiedhimselfthathewasawake,Mr。Lorryfeltgiddilyuncertainforsomefewmomentswhetherthelateshoemakingmightnotbeadisturbeddreamofhisown;for,didnothiseyesshowhimhisfriendbeforehiminhisaccustomedclothingandaspect,andemployedasusual;andwasthereanysignwithintheirrange,thatthechangeofwhichhehadsostronganimpressionhadactuallyhappened?
Itwasbuttheinquiryofhisfirstconfusionandastonishment,theanswerbeingobvious。Iftheimpressionwerenotproducedbyarealcorrespondingandsufficientcause,howcamehe,JarvisLorry,there?Howcamehetohavefallenasleep,inhisclothes,onthesofainDr。Manette\'sconsulting-room,andtobedebatingthesepointsoutsidetheDoctor\'sbedroomdoorintheearlymorning?
Withinafewminutes,MissProssstoodwhisperingathisside。
Ifhehadhadanyparticleofdoubtleft,hertalkwouldofnecessityhaveresolvedit;buthewasbythattimeclearheaded,andhadnone。Headvisedthattheyshouldletthetimegobyuntiltheregularbreakfast-hour,andshouldthenmeettheDoctorasifnothingunusualhadoccurred。Ifheappearedtobeinhiscustomarystateofmind,Mr。Lorrywouldthencautiouslyproceedtoseekdirectionandguidancefromtheopinionhehadbeen,inhisanxiety,soanxioustoobtain。
MissProsssubmittingherselftohisjudgment,theschemewasworkedoutwithcare。Havingabundanceoftimeforhisusualmethodicaltoilette,Mr。Lorrypresentedhimselfatthebreakfast-hourinhisusualwhitelinen,andwithhisusualneatleg。TheDoctorwassummonedintheusualway,andcametobreakfast。
SofarasitwaspossibletocomprehendhimwithoutoversteppingthosedelicateandgradualapproacheswhichMr。Lorryfelttobetheonlysafeadvance,heatfirstsupposedthathisdaughter\'smarriagehadtakenplaceyesterday。Anincidentalallusion,purposelythrownout,tothedayoftheweek,andthedayofthemonth,sethimthinkingandcounting,andevidentlymadehimuneasy。Inallotherrespects,however,hewassocomposedlyhimself,thatMr。Lorrydeterminedtohavetheaidhesought。Andthataidwashisown。
Therefore,whenthebreakfastwasdoneandclearedaway,andheandtheDoctorwerelefttogether,Mr。Lorrysaid,feelingly:
`MydearManette,Iamanxioustohaveyouropinion,inconfidence,onaverycuriouscaseinwhichIamdeeplyinterested;thatistosay,itisverycurioustome;perhaps,toyourbetterinformationitmaybelessso。\'
Glancingathishands,whichwerediscolouredbyhislatework,theDoctorlookedtroubled,andlistenedattentively。Hehadalreadyglancedathishandsmorethanonce。
`DoctorManette,\'saidMr。Lorry,touchinghimaffectionatelyonthearm,`thecaseisthecaseofaparticularlydearfriendofmine。
Praygiveyourmindtoit,andadvisemewellforhissake——andaboveall,forhisdaughter\'s——hisdaughter\'s,mydearManette。\'
`IfIunderstand,\'saidtheDoctor,inasubduedtone,`somementalshock——?\'
`Yes!\'
`Beexplicit,\'saidtheDoctor。`Sparenodetail。\'
Mr。Lorrysawthattheyunderstoodoneanother,andproceeded。
`MydearManette,itisthecaseofanoldandaprolongedshock,ofgreatacutenessandseveritytotheaffections,thefeelings,the——the——asyouexpressit——themind。Themind。Itisthecaseofashockunderwhichthesuffererwasbornedown,onecannotsayforhowlong,becauseIbelievehecannotcalculatethetimehimself,andtherearenoothermeansofgettingatit。Itisthecaseofashockfromwhichthesuffererrecovered,byaprocessthathecannottracehimself——asIonceheardhimpubliclyrelateinastrikingmanner。Itisthecaseofashockfromwhichhehasrecovered,socompletely,astobeahighlyintelligentman,capableofcloseapplicationofmind,andgreatexertionofbody,andofconstantlymakingfreshadditionstohisstockofknowledge,whichwasalreadyverylarge。But,unfortunately,therehasbeen\'——hepausedaddtookadeepbreath——`aslightrelapse。\'
TheDoctor,inalowvoice,asked,`Ofhowlongduration?\'
`Ninedaysandnights。\'
`Howdiditshowitself?Iinfer,\'glancingathishandsagain,`intheresumptionofsomeoldpursuitconnectedwiththeshock?\'
`Thatisthefact。\'
`Now,didyoueverseehim,\'askedtheDoctor,distinctlyandcollectedly,thoughinthesamelowvoice,`engagedinthatpursuitoriginally?\'
`Once。\'
`Andwhentherelapsefellonhim,washeinmostrespects——orinallrespects——ashewasthen?\'
`Ithinkinallrespects。\'
`Youspokeofhisdaughter。Doeshisdaughterknowoftherelapse?\'
`No。Ithasbeenkeptfromher,andIhopewillalwaysbekeptfromher。Itisknownonlytomyself,andtooneotherwhomaybetrusted。\'
TheDoctorgraspedhishand,andmurmured,`Thatwasverykind。
Thatwasverythoughtful!\'Mr。Lorrygraspedhishandinreturn,andneitherofthetwospokeforalittlewhile。
`Now,mydearManette,\'saidMr。Lorry,atlength,inhismostconsiderateandmostaffectionateway,`Iamameremanofbusiness,andunfittocopewithsuchintricateanddifficultmatters。Idonotpossessthekindofinformationnecessary;Idonotpossessthekindofintelligence;
Iwantguiding。ThereisnomaninthisworldonwhomIcouldsorelyforrightguidance,asonyou。Tellme,howdoesthisrelapsecomeabout?Istheredangerofanother?Couldarepetitionofitbeprevented?Howshouldarepetitionofitbetreated?Howdoesitcomeaboutatall?WhatcanIdoformyfriend?Nomanevercanhavebeenmoredesirousinhishearttoserveafriend,thanIamtoservemine,ifIknewhow。ButIdon\'tknowhowtooriginate,insuchacase。Ifyoursagacity,knowledge,andexperience,couldputmeontherighttrack,Imightbeabletodosomuch;
unenlightenedandundirected,Icandosolittle。Praydiscussitwithme;prayenablemetoseeitalittlemoreclearly,andteachmehowtobealittlemoreuseful。\'
DoctorManettesatmeditatingaftertheseearnestwordswerespoken,andMr。Lorrydidnotpresshim。
`Ithinkso\'itprobable,\'saidtheDoctor,breakingsilencewithaneffort,`thattherelapseyouhavedescribed,mydearfriend,wasnotquiteunforeseenbyitssubject。\'
`Wasitdreadedbyhim?\'Mr。Lorryventuredtoask。
`Verymuch。\'Hesaiditwithaninvoluntaryshudder。
`Youhavenoideahowsuchanapprehensionweighsonthesufferer\'smind,andhowdifficult——howalmostimpossible——itis,forhimtoforcehimselftoutteraworduponthetopicthatoppresseshim。\'
`Wouldhe,\'askedMr。Lorry,`hesensiblyrelievedifhecouldprevailuponhimselftoimpartthatsecretbroodingtoanyone,whenitisonhim?\'
`Ithinkso。Butitis,asIhavetoldyou,nexttoimpossible。
Ievenbelieveit——insomecases——tobequiteimpossible。\'
`Now,\'saidMr。Lorry,gentlylayinghishandontheDoctor\'sarmagain,afterashortsilenceonbothsides,`towhatwouldyoureferthisattack?\'
`Ibelieve,\'returnedDoctorManette,`thattherehadbeenastrongandextraordinaryrevivalofthetrainofthoughtandremembrancethatwasthefirstcauseofthemalady。Someintenseassociationsofamostdistressingnaturewerevividlyrecalled,Ithink。Itisprobablethattherehadlongbeenadreadlurkinginhismind,thatthoseassociationswouldberecalled——say,undercertaincircumstances——say,onaparticularoccasion。Hetriedtopreparehimselfinvain;perhapstheefforttopreparehimselfmadehimlessabletobearit。\'
`Wouldherememberwhattookplaceintherelapse?\'askedMr。
Lorry,withnaturalhesitation。
TheDoctorlookeddesolatelyroundtheroom,shookhishead,andanswered,inalowvoice,`Notatall。\'
`Now,astothefuture,\'hintedMr。Lorry。
`Astothefuture,\'saidtheDoctor,recoveringfirmness,`Ishouldhavegreathope。AsitpleasedHeaveninitsmercytorestorehimsosoon,Ishouldhavegreathope。He;yieldingunderthepressureofacomplicatedsomething,longdreadedandlongvaguelyforeseenandcontendedagainst,andrecoveringafterthecloudhadburstandpassed,Ishouldhopethattheworstwasover。\'
`Well,well!That\'sgoodcomfort。Iamthankful!\'saidMr。Lorry。
`Iamthankful!\'repeatedtheDoctor,bendinghisheadwithreverence。
`Therearetwootherpoints,\'saidMr。Lorry,`onwhichIamanxioustobeinstructed。Imaygoon?
`Youcannotdoyourfriendabetterservice。\'TheDoctorgavehimhishand。
`Tothefirst,then。Heisofastudioushabit,andunusuallyenergetic;heapplieshimselfwithgreatardourtotheacquisitionofprofessionalknowledge,totheconductingofexperiments,tomanythings。Now,doeshedotoomuch?\'
`Ithinknot。Itmaybethecharacterofhismind,tobealwaysinsingularneedofoccupation。Thatmaybe,inpart,naturaltoit;inpart,theresultofaffliction。Thelessitwasoccupiedwithhealthythings,themoreitwouldbeindangerofturningintheunhealthydirection。Hemayhaveobservedhimself,andmadethediscovery。\'
`Youaresurethatheisnotundertoogreatastrain?\'
`IthinkIamquitesureofit。\'
`MydearManette,ifhewereoverworkednow\'
`MydearLorry,Idoubtifthatcouldeasilybe。Therehasbeenaviolentstressinonedirection,anditneedsacounter-weight。\'
`Excuseme,asapersistentmanofbusiness。Assumingforamoment,thathewasoverworked;itwouldshowitselfinsomerenewalofthisdisorder?\'
`Idonotthinkso。Idonotthink,\'saidDoctorManettewiththefirmnessofself-conviction,`thatanythingbuttheonetrainofassociationwouldrenewit。Ithinkthat,hence-forth,nothingbutsomeextraordinaryjarringofthatchordcouldrenewit。Alterwhathashappened,andafterhisrecovery,Ifinditdifficulttoimagineanysuchviolentsoundingofthatstringagain。Itrust,andIalmostbelieve,thatthecircumstanceslikelytorenewitareexhausted。\'
Hespokewiththediffidenceofamanwhoknewhowslightathingwouldoversetthedelicateorganisationofthemind,andyetwiththeconfidenceofamanwhohadslowlywonhisassuranceoutofpersonalenduranceanddistress。Itwasnotforhisfriendtoabatethatconfidence。Heprofessedhimselfmorerelievedandencouragedthanhereallywas,andapproachedhissecondandlastpoint。Hefeltittobethemostdifficultofall;
but,rememberinghisoldSundaymorningconversationwithMissPross,andrememberingwhathehadseeninthelastninedays,heknewthathemustfaceit。