Itshearedoffheadssomany，thatit，andthegrounditmostpolluted，werearottenred。Itwastakentopieces，likeatoy-puzzleforayoungDevil，andwasputtogetheragainwhentheoccasionwantedit。Ithushedtheeloquent，struckdownthepowerful，abolishedthebeautifulandgood。Twenty-twofriendsofhighpublicmark，twenty-onelivingandonedead，ithadloppedtheheadsoff，inonemorning，inasmanyminutes。
ThenameofthestrongmanofOldScripturehaddescendedtothechieffunctionarywhoworkedit；but，soarmed，hewasstrongerthanhisnamesake，andblinder，andtoreawaythegatesofGod\'sownTempleeveryday。
Amongtheseterrors，andthebroodbelongingtothem，theDoctorwalkedwithasteadyhead:confidentinhispower，cautiouslypersistentinhisend，neverdoubtingthathewouldsaveLucie\'shusbandatlast。
Yetthecurrentofthetimesweptby，sostronganddeep，andcarriedthetimeawaysofiercely，thatCharleshadlaininprisononeyearandthreemonthswhentheDoctorwasthussteadyandconfident。SomuchmorewickedanddistractedhadtheRevolutiongrowninthatDecembermonth，thattheriversoftheSouthwereencumberedwiththebodiesoftheviolentlydrownedbynight，andprisonerswereshotinlinesandsquaresunderthesouthernwintrysun。Still，theDoctorwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead。
Nomanbetterknownthanhe，inParisatthatday；nomaninastrangersituation。Silent，humane，indispensableinhospitalandprison，usinghisartequallyamongassassinsandvictims，hewasamanapart。Intheexerciseofhisskill，theappearanceandthestoryoftheBastilleCaptiveremovedhimfromallothermen。Hewasnotsuspectedorbroughtinquestion，anymorethanifhehadindeedbeenrecalledtolifesomeeighteenyearsbefore，orwereaSpiritmovingamongmortals。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVTheWood-sawyerONEayearandthreemonths。DuringallthattimeLuciewasneversure，fromhourtohour，butthattheGuillotinewouldstrikeoffherhusband\'sheadnextday。Everyday，throughthestonystreets，thetumbrilsnowjoltedheavily，filledwithCondemned。Lovelygirls；brightwomen，brown-haired，black-haired，andgrey；youths；stalwartmenandold；gentlebornandpeasantborn；allredwineforLaGuillotine，alldailybroughtintolightfromthedarkcellarsoftheloathsomeprisons，andcarriedtoherthroughthestreettoslakeherdevouringthirst。Liberty，equality，fraternity，ordeath；——thelast，muchtheeasiesttobestow，OGuillotine!
Ifthesuddennessofhercalamity，andthewhirlingwheelsofthetime，hadstunnedtheDoctor\'sdaughterintoawaitingtheresultinidledespair，itwouldbuthavebeenwithherasitwaswithmany。But，fromthehourwhenshehadtakenthewhiteheadtoherfreshyoungbosominthegarretofshehadbeentruetoherduties。Shewastruesttothemintheseasonoftrial，asallthequietlyloyalandgoodwillalwaysbe。
Assoonastheywereestablishedintheirnewresidence，andherfatherhadenteredontheroutineofhisavocations，shearrangedthelittlehouseholdasexactlyasifherhusbandhadbeenthere。Everythinghaditsappointedplaceanditsappointedtime。LittleLucieshetaught，asregularly，asiftheyhadallbeenunitedintheirEnglishhome。Theslightdeviceswithwhichshecheatedherselfintotheshowofabeliefthattheywouldsoonbereunited-thelittlepreparationsforhisspeedyreturn，thesettingasideofhischairandhisbooks——these，andthesolemnprayeratnightforonedearprisonerespecially，amongthemanyunhappysoulsinprisonandtheshadowofdeath——werealmosttheonlyoutspokenreliefsofherheavymind。
Shedidnotgreatlyalterinappearance。Theplaindarkdresses，akintomourningdresses，whichsheandherchildwore，wereasneatandaswellattendedtoasthebrighterclothesofhappydays。Shelosthercolour，andtheoldandintentexpressionwasaconstant，notanoccasional，thing；otherwise，sheremainedveryprettyandcomely。Sometimes，atnightonkissingherfather，shewouldburstintothegriefshehadrepressedallday，andwouldsaythathersolereliance，underHeaven，wasonhim。
Healwaysresolutelyanswered:`Nothingcanhappentohimwithoutmyknowledge，andIknowthatIcansavehim，Lucie。\'
Theyhadnotmadetheroundoftheirchangedlifemanyweeks，whenherfathersaidtoher，oncominghomeoneevening:
`Mydear，thereisanupperwindowintheprison，towhichCharlescansometimesgainaccessatthreeintheafternoon。Whenhecangettoit-whichdependsonmanyuncertaintiesandincidents-hemightseeyouinthestreet，hethinks，ifyoustoodinacertainplacethatIcanshowyou。Butyouwillnotbeabletoseehim，mypoorchild，andevenifyoucould，itwouldbeunsafeforyoutomakeasignofrecognition。\'
`Oshowmetheplace，myfather，andIwillgothereeveryday。\'
Fromthattime，inallweathers，shewaitedtheretwohours。Astheclockstrucktwo，shewasthere，andatfoursheturnedresignedlyaway。Whenitwasnottoowetorinclementforherchildtobewithher，theywenttogether；atothertimesshewasalone；butshenevermissedasingleday。
Itwasthedarkanddirtycornerofasmallwindingstreet。Thehovelofacutterofwoodintolengthsforburning，wastheonlyhouseatthatend；allelsewaswall。Onthethirddayofherbeingthere，henoticedher。
`Goodday，citizeness。\'
`Goodday，citizen。\'
Thismodeofaddresswasnowprescribedbydecree。Ithadbeenestablishedvoluntarilysometimeago，amongthemorethoroughpatriots；
but，wasnowlawforeverybody。
`Walkinghereagain，citizeness?\'
`Youseeme，citizen!\'
Thewood-sawyer，whowasalittlemanwitharedundancyofgesture(hehadoncebeenamenderofroads)，castaglanceattheprison，pointedattheprison，andputtinghistenfingersbeforehisfacetorepresentbars，peepedthroughthemjocosely。
`Butit\'snotmybusiness，\'saidhe。Andwentonsawinghiswood。
Nextdayhewaslookingoutforher，andaccostedherthemomentsheappeared。
`What?Walkinghereagain，citizeness?\'
`Yes，citizen。\'
`Ah!Achildtoo!Yourmother，isitnot，mylittlecitizeness?\'
`DoIsayyes，mamma?\'whisperedlittleLucie，drawingclosetoher。
`Yes，dearest。\'
`Yes，citizen。\'
`Ah!Butit\'snotmybusiness。Myworkismybusiness。Seemysaw!IcallitmyLittleGuillotine。La，la，la；La，la，la!Andoffhisheadcomes!\'
Thebilletfellashespoke，andhethrewitintoabasket。
`IcallmyselftheSamsonofthefirewoodguillotine。Seehereagain!Loo，loo，loo；Loo，loo，loo!Andoffherheadcomes!Now，achild。
Tickle，tickle；Pickle，pickle!Andoffitsheadcomes。Allthefamily!\'
Lucieshudderedashethrewtwomorebilletsintohisbasket，butitwasimpossibletobetherewhilethewood-sawyerwasatwork，andnotbeinhissight。Thenceforth，tosecurehisgoodwill，shealwaysspoketohimfirst，andoftengavehimdrink-money，whichhereadilyreceived。
Hewasaninquisitivefellow，andsometimeswhenshehadquiteforgottenhimingazingattheprisonroofandgrates，andinliftingherheartuptoherhusband，shewouldcometoherselftofindhimlookingather，withhiskneeonhisbenchandhissawstoppedinitswork。`Butit\'snotmybusiness!\'hewouldgenerallysayatthosetimes，andwouldbrisklyfalltohissawingagain。
Inallweathers，inthesnowandfrostofwinter，inthebitterwindsofspring，inthehotsunshineofsummer，intherainsofautumn，andagaininthesnowandfrostofwinter，Luciepassedtwohoursofeverydayatthisplace；andeverydayonleavingit，shekissedtheprisonwall。
Herhusbandsawher(soshelearnedfromherfather)itmightbeonceinfiveorsixtimes:itmightbetwiceorthricerunning:itmightbe，notforaweekorafortnighttogether。Itwasenoughthathecouldanddidseeherwhenthechancesserved，andonthatpossibilityshewouldhavewaitedouttheday，sevendaysaweek。
TheseoccupationsbroughtherroundtotheDecembermonth，whereinherfatherwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead。Onalightly-snowingafternoonshearrivedattheusualcorner。Itwasadayofsomewildrejoicing，andafestival。Shehadseenthehouses，asshecamealong，decoratedwithlittlepikes，andwithlittleredcapsstuckuponthem；also，withtricolouredribbons；also，withthestandardinscription(tricolouredletterswerethefavourite)，RepublicOneandIndivisible。Liberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath!
Themiserableshopofthewood-sawyerwassosmall，thatitswholesurfacefurnishedveryindifferentspaceforthislegend。Hehadgotsomebodytoscrawlitupforhim，however，whohadsqueezedDeathinwithmostinappropriatedifficulty。Onhishouse-top，hedisplayedpikeandcap，asagoodcitizenmust，andinawindowhehadstationedhissawinscribedashis`LittleSainteGuillotine\'——forthegreatsharpfemalewasbythattimepopularlycanonised。Hisshopwasshutandhewasnotthere，whichwasarelieftoLucie，andleftherquitealone。
But，hewasnotfaroff，forpresentlysheheardatroubledmovementandashoutingcomingalong，whichfilledherwithfear。Amomentafterwards，andathrongofpeoplecamepouringroundthecornerbytheprisonwall，inthemidstofwhomwasthewood-sawyerhandinhandwithTheVengeance。
Therecouldnotbefewerthanfivehundredpeople，andtheyweredancinglikefivethousanddemons。Therewasnoothermusicthantheirownsinging。
TheydancedtothepopularRevolutionsong，keepingaferocioustimethatwaslikeagnashingofteethinunison。Menandwomendancedtogether，womendancedtogether，mendancedtogether，ashazardhadbroughtthemtogether。Atfirst，theywereamerestormofcoarseredcapsandcoarsewoollenrags；but，astheyfilledtheplace，andstoppedtodanceaboutLucie，someghastlyapparitionofadance-figuregoneravingmadaroseamongthem。Theyadvanced，retreated，struckatoneanother\'shands，clutchedatoneanother\'sheads，spunroundalone，caughtoneanotherandspunroundinpairs，untilmanyofthemdropped。Whilethoseweredown，therestlinkedhandinhand，andallspunroundtogether:thentheringbroke，andinseparateringsoftwoandfourtheyturnedandturneduntiltheyallstoppedatonce，beganagain，struck，clutched，andtore，andthenreversedthespin，andallspunroundanotherway。Suddenlytheystoppedagain，paused，struckoutthetimeafresh，formedintolinesthewidthofthepublicway，and，withtheirheadslowdownandtheirhandshighup，swoopedscreamingoff。Nofightcouldhavebeenhalfsoterribleasthisdance。Itwassoemphaticallyafallensport——asomething，onceinnocent，deliveredovertoalldevilry——ahealthypastimechangedintoameansofangeringtheblood，bewilderingthesenses，andsteelingtheheart。Suchgraceaswasvisibleinit，madeittheuglier，showinghowwarpedandpervertedallthingsgoodbynaturewerebecome。Themaidenlybosombaredtothis，theprettyalmost-child\'sheadthusdistracted，thedelicatefootmincinginthissloughofbloodanddirt，weretypesofthedisjointedtime。\'
ThiswastheCarmagnole。Asitpassed，leavingLuciefrightenedandbewilderedinthedoorwayofthewood-sawyer\'shouse，thefeatherysnowfellasquietlyandlayaswhiteandsoft，asifithadneverbeen。
`Omyfather!\'forhestoodbeforeherwhenshelifteduptheeyesshehadmomentarilydarkenedwithherhand；`suchacruel，badsight。\'
`Iknow，mydear，Iknow。Ihaveseenitmanytimes。Don\'tbefrightened!Notoneofthemwouldharmyou。\'
`Iamnotfrightenedformyself，myfather。ButwhenIthinkofmyhusband，andthemerciesofthesepeople——\'
`Wewillsethimabovetheirmerciesverysoon。Ilefthimclimbingtothewindow，andIcametotellyou。Thereisnooneheretosee。Youmaykissyourhandtowardsthathighestshelvingroof。\'
`Idoso，father，andIsendhimmySoulwithit!\'
`Youcannotseehim，mypoordear?\'
`No，father，\'said，Lucie，yearningandweepingasshekissedherhand，`no。
Afootstepinthesnow。MadameDefarge。`Isaluteyou，citizeness，\'
fromtheDoctor。`Isaluteyou，citizen。\'Thisinpassing。Nothingmore。
MadameDefargegone，likeashadowoverthewhiteroad。
`Givemeyourarm，mylove。Passfromherewithanairofcheerfulnessandcourage，forhissake。Thatwaswelldone；\'theyhadleftthespot；
`itshallnotbeinvain。Charlesissummonedforto-morrow。\'
`Forto-morrow!\'
`Thereisnotimetolose。Iamwellprepared，butthereareprecautionstobetaken，thatcouldnotbetakenuntilhewasactuallysummonedbeforetheTribunal。Hehasnotreceivedthenoticeyet，butIknowthathewillpresentlybesummonedforto-morrow，andremovedtotheConciergerie；I
havetimelyinformation。Youarenotafraid?\'
Shecouldscarcelyanswer，`Itrustinyou。\'
`Doso，implicitly。Yoursuspenseisnearlyended，mydarling；
heshallberestoredtoyouwithinafewhours；Ihaveencompassedhimwitheveryprotection。ImustseeLorry。\'
Hestopped。Therewasaheavylumberingofwheelswithinhearing。
Theybothknewtoowellwhatitmeant。One。Two。Three。Threetumbrilsfaringawaywiththeirdreadloadsoverthehushingsnow。
`ImustseeLorry，\'theDoctorrepeated，turningheranotherway。
Thestauncholdgentlemanwasstillinhistrust；hadneverleftit。Heandhisbookswereinfrequentrequisitionastopropertyconfiscatedandmadenational。Whathecouldsavefortheowners，hesaved。NobettermanlivingtoholdfastbywhatTellson\'shadinkeeping，andtoholdhispeace。
Amurkyredandyellowsky，andarisingmistfromtheSeine，denotedtheapproachofdarkness。ItwasalmostdarkwhentheyarrivedattheBank。ThestatelyresidenceofMonseigneurwasaltogetherblightedanddeserted。Aboveaheapofdustandashesinthecourt，rantheletters:
NationalProperty。RepublicOneandIndivisible。Liberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath!
WhocouldthatbewithMr。Lorry——theOwneroftheriding-coatuponthechair——whomustnotbeseen?Fromwhomnewlyarrived，didhecomeout，agitatedandsurprised，totakehisfavouriteinhisarms?Towhomdidheappeartorepeatherfalteringwords，when，raisinghisvoiceandturninghisheadtowardsthedooroftheroomfromwhichhehadissued，hesaid:`RemovedtotheConciergerie，andsummonedforto-morrow?\'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVITriumphTHEdreadTribunaloffiveJudges，PublicProsecutor，anddeterminedJury，sateveryday。Theirlistswentfortheveryevening，andwerereadoutbythegaolersofthevariousprisonstotheirprisoners。Thestandardgaoler-jokewas，`ComeoutandlistentotheEveningPaper，youinsidethere!\'
`CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay!\'SoatlastbegantheEveningPaperatLaForce。
Whenanamewascalled，itsownersteppedapartintoaspotreservedforthosewhowereannouncedasbeingthusfatallyrecorded。CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay，hadreasontoknowtheusage；hehadseenhundredspassawayso。
Hisbloatedgaoler，whoworespectaclestoreadwith，glancedoverthemtoassurehimselfthathehadtakenhisplace，andwentthroughthelist，makingasimilarshortpauseateachname。Thereweretwenty-threenames，butonlytwentyhererespondedto；foroneoftheprisonerssosummonedhaddiedingaolandbeenforgotten，andtwohadalreadybeenguillotinedandforgotten。Thelistwasread，inthevaultedchamberwhereDarnayhadseentheassociatedprisonersonthenightofhisarrival。Everyoneofthosehadperishedinthemassacre；everyhumancreaturehehadsincecaredforandpartedwith，haddiedonthescaffold。
Therewerehurriedwordsoffarewellandkindness，butthepartingwassoonover。Itwastheincidentofeveryday，andthesocietyofLaForcewereengagedinthepreparationofsomegamesofforfeitsandalittleconcert，forthatevening。Theycrowdedtothegratesandshedtearsthere；
but，twentyplacesintheprojectedentertainmentshadtoberefilled，andthetimewas，atbest，shorttothelock-uphour，whenthecommonroomsandcorridorswouldbedeliveredovertothegreatdogswhokeptwatchtherethroughthenight。Theprisonerswerefarfrominsensibleorunfeeling；
theirwaysaroseoutoftheconditionofthetime。Similarly，thoughwithasubtledifference，aspeciesoffervourorintoxication，known，withoutdoubt，tohaveledsomepersonstobravetheguillotineunnecessarily，andtodiebyit，wasnotmereboastfulness，butawildinfectionofthewildlyshakenpublicmind。Inseasonsofpestilence，someofuswillhaveasecretattractiontothedisease——aterriblepassinginclinationtodieofit。Andallofushavelikewondershiddeninourbreasts，onlyneedingcircumstancestoevokethem。
ThepassagetotheConciergeriewasshortanddark；thenightinitsvermin-hauntedcellswaslongandcold。Nextday，fifteenprisonerswereputtothebarbeforeCharlesDarnay\'snamewascalled。Allthefifteenwerecondemned，andthetrialsofthewholeoccupiedanhourandahalf。
`CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay，\'wasatlengtharraigned。
HisjudgessatupontheBenchinfeatheredhats；buttheroughredcapandtricolouredcockadewasthehead-dressotherwiseprevailing。
LookingattheJuryandtheturbulentaudience，hemighthavethoughtthattheusualorderofthingswasreversed，andthatthefelonsweretryingthehonestmen。Thelowest，cruelest，andworstpopulaceofacity，neverwithoutitsquantityoflow，cruel，andbad，werethedirectingspiritsofthescene:noisilycommenting，applauding，disapproving，anticipating，andprecipitatingtheresult，withoutacheck。Ofthemen，thegreaterpartwerearmedinvariousways；ofthewomen，someworeknives，somedaggers，someateanddrankastheylookedon，manyknitted。Amongtheselast，wasone，withasparepieceofknittingunderherarmassheworked。Shewasinafrontrow，bythesideofamanwhomhehadneverseensincehisarrivalattheBarrier，butwhomhedirectlyrememberedasDefarge。Henoticedthatsheonceortwicewhisperedinhisear，andthatsheseemedtobehiswife；but，whathemostnoticedinthetwofigureswas，thatalthoughtheywerepostedasclosetohimselfastheycouldbe，theyneverlookedtowardshim。Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethingwithadoggeddetermination，andtheylookedattheJury，butatnothingelse。UnderthePresidentsatDoctorManette，inhisusualquietdress。Aswellastheprisonercouldsee，heandMr。Lorryweretheonlymenthere，unconnectedwiththeTribunal，whoworetheirusualclothes，andhadnotassumedthecoarsegarboftheCarmagnole。
CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay，wasaccusedbythepublicprosecutorasanemigrant，whoselifewasforfeittotheRepublic，underthedecreewhichbanishedallemigrantsonpainofDeath。ItwasnothingthatthedecreeboredatesincehisreturntoFrance。Therehewas，andtherewasthedecree；hehadbeentakeninFrance，andhisheadwasdemanded。
`Takeoffhishead!\'criedtheaudience。`AnenemytotheRepublic!\'
ThePresidentranghisbelltosilencethosecries，andaskedtheprisonerwhetheritwasnottruethathehadlivedmanyyearsinEngland?
Undoubtedlyitwas。
Washenotanemigrantthen?Whatdidhecallhimself?
Notanemigrant，hehoped，withinthesenseandspiritofthelaw。
Whynot?thePresidentdesiredtoknow。
Becausehehadvoluntarilyrelinquishedatitlethatwasdistastefultohim，andastationthatwasdistastefultohim，andhadlefthiscountry——hesubmittedbeforethewordemigrantinthepresentacceptationbytheTribunalwasinuse——tolivebyhisownindustryinEngland，ratherthanontheindustryoftheoverladenpeopleofFrance。
Whatproofhadheofthis?
Hehandedinthenamesoftwowitnesses:Thé；ophileGabelle，andAlexandreManette。
ButhehadmarriedinEngland?thePresidentremindedhim。
True，butnotanEnglishwoman。
AcitizenessofFrance?
Yes。Bybirth。
Hernameandfamily?
`LucieManette，onlydaughterofDoctorManette，thegoodphysicianwhositsthere。\'
Thisanswerhadahappyeffectupontheaudience。Criesinexaltationofthewell-knowngoodphysicianrentthehall。Socapriciouslywerethepeoplemoved，thattearsimmediatelyrolleddownseveralferociouscountenanceswhichhadbeenglaringattheprisoneramomentbefore，asifwithimpatiencetopluckhimoutintothestreetsandkillhim。
Onthesefewstepsofhisdangerousway，CharlesDarnayhadsethisfootaccordingtoDoctorManette\'sreiteratedinstructions。Thesamecautiouscounseldirectedeverystepthatlaybeforehim，andhadpreparedeveryinchofhisroad。
ThePresidentasked，whyhadhereturnedtoFrancewhenhedid，andnotsooner?
Hehadnotreturnedsooner，hereplied，simplybecausehehadnomeansoflivinginFrance，savethosehehadresigned；whereas，inEngland，helivedbygivinginstructionintheFrenchlanguageandliterature。Hehadreturnedwhenhedid，onthepressingandwrittenentreatyofaFrenchcitizen，whorepresentedthathislifewasendangeredbyhisabsence。Hehadcomeback，tosaveacitizen\'slife，andtobearhistestimony，atwhateverpersonalhazard，tothetruth。WasthatcriminalintheeyesoftheRepublic?
Thepopulacecriedenthusiastically，`No!\'andthePresidentranghisbelltoquietthem。Whichitdidnot，fortheycontinuedtocry`No!\'
untiltheyleftofoftheirownwill。
ThePresidentrequiredthenameofthatcitizen?Theaccusedexplainedthatthecitizenwashisfirstwitness。Healsoreferredwithconfidencetothecitizen\'sletter，whichhadbeentakenfromhimattheBarrier，butwhichhedidnotdoubtwouldbefoundamongthepapersthenbeforethePresident。
TheDoctorhadtakencarethatitshouldbethere——hadassuredhimthatitwouldbethere——andatthisstageoftheproceedingsitwasproducedandread。CitizenGabellewascalledtoconfirmit，anddidso。
CitizenGabellehinted，withinfinitedelicacyandpoliteness，thatinthepressureofbusinessimposedontheTribunalbythemultitudeofenemiesoftheRepublicwithwhichithadtodeal，hehadbeenslightlyoverlookedinhisprisonoftheAbbaye——infact，hadratherpassedoutoftheTribunal\'spatrioticremembrance——untilthreedaysago；whenhehadbeensummonedbeforeit，andhadbeensetatlibertyontheJury\'sdeclaringthemselvessatisfiedthattheaccusationagainsthimwasanswered，astohimself，bythesurrenderofthecitizenEvré；mondecalledDarnay。
DoctorManettewasnextquestioned。Hishighpersonalpopularity，andtheclearnessofhisanswers，madeagreatimpression；but，asheproceeded，asheshowedthattheAccusedwashisfirstfriendonhisreleasefromhislongimprisonment；that，theaccusedhadremainedinEngland，alwaysfaithfulanddevotedtohisdaughterandhimselfintheirexile；that，sofarfrombeinginfavourwiththeAristocratgovernmentthere，hehadactuallybeentriedforhislifebyit，asthefoeofEnglandandfriendoftheUnitedStates——ashebroughtthesecircumstancesintoview，withthegreatestdiscretionandwiththestraightforwardforceoftruthandearnestness，theJuryandthepopulacebecameone。Atlast，whenheappealedbynametoMonsieurLorry，anEnglishgentlemanthenandtherepresent，who，likehimself，hadbeenawitnessonthatEnglishtrialandcouldcorroboratehisaccountofit，theJurydeclaredthattheyhadheardenough，andthattheywerereadywiththeirvotesifthePresidentwerecontenttoreceivethem。
Ateveryvote(theJurymenvotedaloudandindividually)，thepopulacesetupashoutofapplause。Allthevoiceswereintheprisoner\'sfavour，andthePresidentdeclaredhimfree。
Then，beganoneofthoseextraordinarysceneswithwhichthepopulacesometimesgratifiedtheirfickleness，ortheirbetterimpulsestowardsgenerosityandmercy，orwhichtheyregardedassomesetoffagainsttheirswollenaccountofcruelrage。Nomancandecidenowtowhichofthesemotivessuchextraordinarysceneswerereferable；itisprobable，toablendingofallthethree，withthesecondpredominating。Nosoonerwastheacquittalpronounced，thantearswereshedasfreelyasbloodatanothertime，andsuchfraternalembraceswerebestowedupontheprisonerbyasmanyofbothsexesascouldrushathim，thatafterhislongandunwholesomeconfinementhewasindangeroffaintingfromexhaustion；nonethelessbecauseheknewverywell，thattheverysamepeople，carriedbyanothercurrent，wouldhaverushedathimwiththeverysameintensity，torendhimtopiecesandstrewhimoverthestreets。
Hisremoval，tomakewayforotheraccusedpersonswhoweretobetried，rescuedhimfromthesecaressesforthemoment。Fiveweretobetriedtogether，next，asenemiesoftheRepublic，forasmuchastheyhadnotassisteditbywordordeed。SoquickwastheTribunaltocompensateitselfandthenationforachancelost，thatthesefivecamedowntohimbeforehelefttheplace，condemnedtodiewithintwenty-fourhours。Thefirstofthemtoldhimso，withthecustomaryprisonsignofDeath——araisedfinger——andtheyalladdedinwords，`LonglivetheRepublic。\'
Thefivehadhad，itistrue，noaudiencetolengthentheirproceedings，forwhenheandDoctorManetteemergedfromthegate，therewasagreatcrowdaboutit，inwhichthereseemedtobeeveryfacehehadseeninCourt——excepttwo，forwhichhelookedinvain。Onhiscomingout，theconcoursemadeathimanew，weeping，embracing，andshouting，allbyturnsandalltogether，untiltheverytideoftheriveronthebankofwhichthemadscenewasacted，seemedtorunmad，likethepeopleontheshore。
Theyputhimintoagreatchairtheyhadamongthem，andwhichtheyhadtakeneitheroutoftheCourtitself，oroneofitsroomsorpassages。
Overthechairtheyhadthrownaredflag，andtothebackofittheyhadboundapikewitharedcaponitstop。Inthiscaroftriumph，noteventheDoctor\'sentreatiescouldpreventhisbeingcarriedtohishomeonmen\'sshoulders，withaconfusedseaofredcapsheavingabouthim，andcastinguptosightfromthestormydeepsuchwrecksoffaces，thathemorethanoncemisdoubtedhismindbeinginconfusion，andthathewasinthetumbrilonhiswaytotheGuillotine。
Inwilddreamlikeprocession，embracingwhomtheymetandpointinghimout，theycarriedhimon。ReddeningthesnowystreetswiththeprevailingRepublicancolour，inwindingandtrampingthroughthem，astheyhadreddenedthembelowthesnowwithadeeperdye，theycarriedhimthusintothecourt-yardofthebuildingwherehelived。Herfatherhadgoneonbefore，toprepareher，andwhenherhusbandstooduponhisfeet，shedroppedinsensibleinhisarms。
Asheheldhertohisheartandturnedherbeautifulheadbetweenhisfaceandthebrawlingcrowd，sothathistearsandherlipsmightcometogetherunseen，afewofthepeoplefelltodancing。Instantly，alltherestfelltodancing，andthecourt-yardoverflowedwiththeCarmagnole。
Then，theyelevatedintothevacantchairayoungwomanfromthecrowdtobecarriedastheGoddessofLiberty，andthenswellingandoverflowingoutintotheadjacentstreets，andalongtheriver\'sbank，andoverthebridge，theCarmagnoleabsorbedthemeveryoneandwhirledthemaway。
AftergraspingtheDoctor\'shand，ashestoodvictoriousandproudbeforehim；aftergraspingthehandofMr。Lorry，whocamepantinginbreathlessfromhisstruggleagainstthewaterspoutoftheCarmagnole；afterkissinglittleLucie，whowaslifteduptoclaspherarmsroundhisneck；andafterembracingtheeverzealousandfaithfulProsswholiftedher；hetookhiswifeinhisarms，andcarriedheruptotheirrooms。
`Lucie!Myown!Iamsafe。\'
`OdearestCharles，letmethankGodforthisonmykneesasI
haveprayedtoHim。\'
Theyallreverentlybowedtheirheadsandhearts。Thenshewasagaininhisarms，hesaidtohem:
`Andnowspeaktoyourfather，dearest。NoothermaninallthisFrancecouldhavedonewhathehasdoneforme。\'
Shelaidherheaduponherfather\'sbreast，asshehadlaidhispoorheadonherownbreast，long，longago。Hewashappyinthereturnhehadmadeher，hewasrecompensedforhissuffering，hewasproudofhisstrength。`Youmustnotbeweak，mydarling，\'heremonstrated；`don\'ttrembleso。Ihavesavedhim。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIAKnockattheDoor`IHAVEsavedhim。\'Itwasnotanotherofthedreamsinwhichhehadoftencomeback；hewasreallyhere。Andyethiswifetrembled，andavaguebutheavyfearwasuponher。
Alltheairaroundwassothickanddark，thepeopleweresopassionatelyrevengefulandfitful，theinnocentweresoconstantlyputtodeathonvaguesuspicionandblackmalice，itwassoimpossibletoforgetthatmanyasblamelessasherhusbandandasdeartoothersashewastoher，everydaysharedthefatefromwhichhehadbeenclutched，thatherheartcouldnotbeaslightenedofitsloadasshefeltitoughttobe。Theshadowsofthewintryafternoonwerebeginningtofall，andevennowthedreadfulcartswererollingthroughthestreets。Hermindpursuedthem，lookingforhimamongtheCondemned；andthensheclungclosertohisrealpresenceandtrembledmore。
Herfather，cheeringher，showedacompassionatesuperioritytothiswoman\'sweakness，whichwaswonderfultosee。Nogarret，noshoemaking，noOneHundredandFive，NorthTower，now!Hehadaccomplishedthetaskhehadsethimself，hispromisewasredeemed，hehadsavedCharles。Letthemallleanuponhim。
Theirhousekeepingwasofaveryfrugalkind:notonlybecausethatwasthesafestwayoflife，involvingtheleastoffencetothepeople，butbecausetheywerenotrich，andCharles，throughouthisimprisonment，hadhadtopayheavilyforhisbadfood，andforhisguard，andtowardsthelivingofthepoorerprisoners。Partlyonthisaccount，andpartlytoavoidadomesticspy，theykeptnoservant；thecitizenandcitizenesswhoactedasportersatthecourt-yardgate，renderedthemoccasionalservice；
andJerry(almostwhollytransferredtothembyMr。Lorry)hadbecometheirdailyretainer，andhadhisbedthereeverynight。
ItwasanordinanceoftheRepublicOneandIndivisibleofLiberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath，thatonthedoorordoorpostofeveryhouse，thenameofeveryinmatemustbelegiblyinscribedinlettersofacertainsize，atacertainconvenientheightfromtheground。Mr。JerryCruncher\'sname，therefore，dulyembellishedthedoorpostdownbelow；and，astheafternoonshadowsdeepened，theownerofthatnamehimselfappeared，fromoverlookingapainterwhomDoctorManettehademployedtoaddtothelistthenameofCharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay。
Intheuniversalfearanddistrustthatdarkenedthetime，alltheusualharmlesswaysoflifewerechanged。IntheDoctor\'slittlehousehold，asinverymanyothers，thearticlesofdailyconsumptionthatwerewantedwerepurchasedeveryevening，insmallquantitiesandatvarioussmallshops。Toavoidattractingnotice，andtogiveaslittleoccasionaspossiblefortalkandenvy，wasthegeneraldesire。
Forsomemonthspast，MissProssandMr。Cruncherhaddischargedtheofficeofpurveyors；theformercarryingthemoney；thelatter，tilebasket。Everyafternoonataboutthetimewhenthepubliclampswerelighted，theyfaredforthonthisduty，andmadeandbroughthomesuchpurchasesaswereneedful。AlthoughMissPross，throughherlongassociationwithaFrenchfamily，mighthaveknownasmuchoftheirlanguageasofherown，ifshehadhadamind，shehadnomindinthatdirection；consequentlysheknewnomoreofthat`nonsense\'(asshewaspleasedtocallit)thanMr。Cruncherdid。Sohermannerofmarketingwastoplumpanoun-substantiveattheheadofashopkeeperwithoutanyintroductioninthenatureofanarticle，and，ifithappenednottobethenameofthethingshewanted，tolookroundforthatthing，layholdofit，andholdonbyituntilthebargainwasconcluded。Shealwaysmadeabargainforit，byholdingup，asastatementofitsjustprice，onefingerlessthanthemerchantheldup，whateverhisnumbermightbe。
`Now，Mr。Cruncher，\'saidMissPross，whoseeyeswereredwithfelicity；`ifyouareready，Iam。\'
JerryhoarselyprofessedhimselfatMissPross\'sservice。Hehadwornallhisrustofflongago，butnothingwouldfilehisspikyheaddown。
`There\'sallmannerofthingswanted，\'saidMissPross，`andweshallhaveaprecioustimeofit。Wewantwine，amongtherest。NicetoaststheseRedheadswillbedrinking，whereverwebuyit。\'
`Itwillbemuchthesametoyourknowledge，miss，Ishouldthink，\'
retortedJerry，`whethertheydrinkyourhealthortheOldUn\'s。
`Who\'she?\'saidMissPross。
Mr。Cruncher，withsomediffidence，explainedhimselfasmeaning`OldNick\'s。\'
`Ha!\'saidMissPross，`itdoesn\'tneedaninterpretertoexplainthemeaningofthesecreatures。Theyhavebutone，andit\'sMidnightMurder，andMischief\'
`Hush，dear!Pray，pray，becautious!\'criedLucie。
`Yes，yes，yes，I\'llbecautious，\'saidMissPross；`butImaysayamongourselves，thatIdohopetherewillbenoonionyandtobaccoeysmotheringsintheformofembracingsallround，goingoninthestreets。
Now，Ladybird，neveryoustirfromthatfiretillIcomeback!Takecareofthedearhusbandyouhaverecovered，anddon\'tmoveyourprettyheadfromhisshoulderasyouhaveitnow，tillyouseemeagain!MayIaskaquestion，DoctorManette，beforeIgo?\'
`Ithinkyoumaytakethatliberty，\'theDoctoranswered，smiling。
`Forgracioussake，don\'ttalkaboutLiberty；wehavequiteenoughofthat，\'saidMissPross。
`Hush，dear!Again?\'Lucieremonstrated。
`Well，mysweet，\'saidMissPross，noddingherheademphatically，`theshortandthelongofitis，thatIamasubjectofHisMostGraciousMajestyKingGeorgetheThird；\'MissProsscurtseyedatthename；`andassuch，mymaximis，Confoundtheirpolitics，Frustratetheirknavishtricks，Onhimourhopeswefix，GodsavetheKing!\'
Mr。Cruncher，inanaccessofloyalty，growlinglyrepeatedthewordsafterMissPross，likesomebodyatchurch。
`IamgladyouhavesomuchoftheEnglishmaninyou，thoughI
wishyouhadnevertakenthatcoldinyourvoice，\'saidMissPross，approvingly。
`Butthequestion，DoctorManette。Isthere\'——itwasthegoodcreature\'swaytoaffecttomakelightofanythingthatwasagreatanxietywiththemall，andtocomeatitinthischancemanner——\'isthereanyprospectyet，ofourgettingoutofthisplace?\'
`Ifearnotyet。ItwouldbedangerousforCharlesyet。\'
`Heigh-ho-hum!\'saidMissPross，cheerfullyrepressingasighassheglancedatherdarling\'sgoldenhairinthelightofthefire，`thenwemusthavepatienceandwait:that\'sall。Wemustholdupourheadsandfightlow，asmybrotherSolomonusedtosay。Now，Mr。Cruncher!——Don\'tyoumove，Ladybird!\'
Theywentout，leavingLucie，andherhusband，herfather，andthechild，byabrightfire。Mr。LorrywasexpectedbackpresentlyfromtheBankingHouse。MissProsshadlightedthelamp，buthadputitasideinacorner，thattheymightenjoythefire-lightundisturbed。LittleLuciesatbyhergrandfatherwithherhandsclaspedthroughhisarm:andhe，inatonenotrisingmuchaboveawhisper，begantotellherastoryofagreatandpowerfulFairywhohadopenedaprison-wallandletoutacaptivewhohadoncedonetheFairyaservice。Allwassubduedandquiet，andLuciewasmoreateasethanshehadbeen。
`Whatisthat?\'shecried，allatonce。
`Mydear!\'saidherfather，stoppinginhisstory，andlayinghishandonhers，`commandyourself。Whatadisorderedstateyouarein!
Theleastthing——nothing——startlesyou!You，yourfather\'sdaughter!\'
`Ithought，myfather，\'saidLucie，excusingherself，withapalefaceandinafalteringvoice，`thatIheardstrangefeetuponthestairs。\'
`Mylove，thestaircaseisasstillasDeath。\'Ashesaidtheword，ablowwasstruckuponthedoor。
`Ohfather，father。Whatcanthisbe!HideCharles。Savehim!\'
`Mychild，\'saidtheDoctor，rising，andlayinghishanduponhershoulder，`Ihavesavedhim。Whatweaknessisthis，mydear!
Letmegotothedoor。\'
Hetookthelampinhishand，crossedthetwointerveningouterrooms，andopenedit。Arudeclatteringoffeetoverthefloor，andfourroughmeninredcaps，armedwithsabresandpistols，enteredtheroom。
`TheCitizenEvré；monde，calledDarnay，\'saidthefirst。
`Whoseekshim?\'answeredDarnay。
`Iseekhim。Weseekhim。Iknowyou，Evré；monde；IsawyoubeforetheTribunalto-day。YouareagaintheprisoneroftheRepublic。\'
Thefoursurroundedhim，wherehestoodwithhiswifeandchildclingingtohim。
`TellmehowandwhyamIagainaprisoner?\'
`ItisenoughthatyoureturnstraighttotheConciergerie，andwillknowto-morrow。Youaresummonedforto-morrow。\'
Dr。Manette，whomthisvisitationhadsoturnedintostone，thathestoodwiththelampinhishand，asifhewereastatuemadetoholdit，movedafterthesewordswerespoken，putthelampdown，andconfrontingthespeaker，andtakinghim，notungently，bytheloosefrontofhisredwoollenshirt，said:
`Youknowhim，youhavesaid。Doyouknowme?\'
`Yes，Iknowyou，CitizenDoctor。\'
`Weallknowyou，CitizenDoctor，\'saidtheotherthree。
Helookedabstractedlyfromonetoanother，andsaid，inalowervoice，afterapause:
`Willyouanswerhisquestiontomethen?Howdoesthishappen?\'
`CitizenDoctor，\'saidthefirst，reluctantly，`hehasbeendenouncedtotheSectionofSaintAntoine。Thiscitizen，\'pointingoutthesecondwhohadentered，`isfromSaintAntoine。\'
Thecitizenhereindicatednoddedhishead，andadded:`HeisaccusedbySaintAntoine。\'
`Ofwhat?\'askedtheDoctor。
`CitizenDoctor，\'saidthefirst，withhisformerreluctance，`asknomore。IftheRepublicdemandssacrificesfromyou，withoutdoubtyouasagoodpatriotwillbehappytomakethem。TheRepublicgoesbeforeall。ThePeopleissupreme。Evré；monde，wearepressed。\'
`Oneword，\'theDoctorentreated。`Willyoutellmewhodenouncedhim?\'
`Itisagainstrule，\'answeredthefirst；`butyoucanaskHimofSaintAntoinehere。\'
TheDoctorturnedhiseyesuponthatman。Whomoveduneasilyonhisfeet，rubbedhisbeardalittle，andatlengthsaid:
`Well!Trulyitisagainstrule。Butheisdenounced-andgravely-bytheCitizenandCitizenessDefarge。Andbyoneother。
`Whatother?\'
`Doyouask，CitizenDoctor?\'
`Yes。\'
`Then，\'saidheofSaintAntoine，withastrangelook，`youwillbeansweredto-morrow。Now，Iamdumb!\'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIIAHandatCardsHAPPILYunconsciousofthenewcalamityathome，MissProssthreadedherwayalongthenarrowstreetsandcrossedtheriverbythebridgeofthePont-Neufreckoninginhermindthenumberofindispensablepurchasesshehadtomake。Mr。Cruncher，withthebasket，walkedatherside。Theybothlookedtotherightandtotheleftintomostoftheshopstheypassed，hadawaryeyeforallgregariousassemblagesofpeople，andturnedoutoftheirroadtoavoidanyveryexcitedgroupoftalkers。Itwasarawevening，andthemistyriver，blurredtotheeyewithblazinglightsandtotheearwithharshnoises，showedwherethebargeswerestationedinwhichthesmithsworked，makinggunsfortheArmyoftheRepublic。WoetothemanwhoplayedtrickswiththatArmy，orgotundeservedpromotioninit!Betterforhimthathisbeardhadnevergrown，fortheNationalRazorshavedhimclose。
Havingpurchasedafewsmallarticlesofgrocery，andameasureofoilforthelamp，MissProssbethoughtherselfofthewinetheywanted。
Afterpeepingintoseveralwine-shops，shestoppedatthesignofTheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，notfarfromtheNationalPalace，once(andtwice)theTuileries，wheretheaspectofthingsrathertookherfancy。
Ithadaquieterlookthananyotherplaceofthesamedescriptiontheyhadpassed，and，thoughredwithpatrioticcaps，wasnotsoredastherest。SoundingMr。Cruncher，andfindinghimofheropinion，MissProssresortedtoTheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，attendedbyhercavalier。
Slightlyobservantofthesmokylights；ofthepeople，pipeinmouth，playingwithlimpcardsandyellowdominoes；oftheonebare-breasted，bare-armed，soot-begrimedworkmanreadingajournalaloud，andoftheotherslisteningtohim；oftheweaponsworn，orlaidasidetoberesumed；ofthetwoorthreecustomersfallenforwardasleep，whointhepopularhigh-
shoulderedshaggyblackspencerlooked，inthatattitude，likeslumberingbearsordogs；thetwooutlandishcustomersapproachedthecounter，andshowedwhattheywanted。
Astheirwinewasmeasuringout，amanpartedfromanothermaninacomer，androsetodepart。Ingoing，hehadtofaceMissPross。Nosoonerdidhefaceher，thanMissProssutteredascream，andclappedherhands。
Inamoment，thewholecompanywereontheirfeet。Thatsomebodywasassassinatedbysomebodyvindicatingadifferenceofopinionwasthelikeliestoccurrence。Everybodylookedtoseesomebodyfall，butonlysawamanandawomanstandingstaringateachother；themanwithalltheoutwardaspectofaFrenchmanandathoroughRepublicansthewoman，evidentlyEnglish。
Whatwassaidinthisdisappointinganti-climax，bythedisciplesoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，exceptthatitwassomethingveryvolubleandloud，wouldhavebeenassomuchHebreworChaldeantoMissProssandherprotector，thoughtheyhadbeenallears。But，theyhadnoearsforanythingintheirsurprise。For，itmustberecorded，thatnotonlywasMissProsslostinamazementandagitation，but，Mr。Cruncher——thoughitseemedonhisownseparateandindividualaccount——wasinastateofthegreatestwonder。
`Whatisthematter?\'saidthemanwhohadcausedMissProsstoscream；speakinginavexed，abruptvoice(thoughinalowtone)，andinEnglish。
`Oh，Solomon，dearSolomon!\'criedMissPross，clappingherhandsagain。`Alternotsettingeyesuponyouorhearingofyouforsolongatime，doIfindyouhere!\'
Don\'tcallmeSolomon。Doyouwanttobethedeathofme?\'askedtheman，inafurtive，frightenedway。
`Brother，brother!\'criedMissPross，burstingintotears。`HaveIeverbeensohardwithyouthatyouaskmesuchacruelquestion?\'
Thenholdyourmeddlesometongue，\'saidSolomon，`andcomeout，ifyouwanttospeaktome。Payforyourwine，andcomeout。Who\'sthisman?\'
