第17章

类别:其他 作者:Charles Dickens字数:16594更新时间:18/12/14 10:56:46
Thestrongtide,soswift,sodeep,andcertain,waslikeacongenialfriend,inthemorningstillness。Hewalkedbythestream,farfromthehouses,andinthelightaridwarmthofthesunfellasleeponthebank。 Whenheawokeandwasafootagain,helingeredthereyetalittlelonger,watchinganeddythatturnedandturnedpurposeless,untilthestreamabsorbedit,andcarrieditontothesea——`Likeme!\' Atrading-boat,withasailofthesoftenedcolourofadeadleaf,thenglidedintohisview,floatedbyhim,anddiedaway。Asitssilenttrackinthewaterdisappeared,theprayerthathadbrokenupoutofhisheartforamercifulconsiderationofallhispoorblindnessesanderrors,endedinthewords,`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife。\' Mr。Lorrywasalreadyoutwhenhegotback,anditwaseasytosurmisewherethegoodoldmanwasgone。SydneyCartondranknothingbutalittlecoffee,atesomebread,and,havingwashedandchangedtorefreshhimself,wentouttotheplaceoftrial。 Thecourtwasallastiranda-buzz,whentheblacksheep——whommanyfellawayfromindread——pressedhimintoanobscurecorneramongthecrowd。Mr。Lorrywasthere,andDoctorManettewasthere。Shewasthere,sittingbesideherfather。 Whenherhusbandwasbroughtin,sheturnedalookuponhim,sosustaining,soencouraging,sofullofadmiringloveandpityingtenderness,yetsocourageousforhissake,thatitcalledthehealthybloodintohisface,brightenedhisglance,andanimatedhisheart。Iftherehadbeenanyeyestonoticetheinfluenceofherlook,onSydneyCarton,itwouldhavebeenseentobethesameinfluenceexactly。 BeforethatunjustTribunal,therewaslittleornoorderofprocedure,ensuringtoanyaccusedpersonanyreasonablehearing。TherecouldhavebeennosuchRevolution,ifalllaws,forms,andceremonies,hadnotfirstbeensomonstrouslyabused,thatthesuicidalvengeanceoftheRevolutionwastoscatterthemalltothewinds。 Everyeyewasturnedtothejury。Thesamedeterminedpatriotsandgoodrepublicansasyesterdayandthedaybefore,andto-morrowandthedayafter。Eagerandprominentamongthem,onemanwithacravingface,andhisfingersperpetuallyhoveringabouthislips,whoseappearancegavegreatsatisfactiontothespectators。Alife-thirsting,canniballooking,bloody-mindedjuryman,theJacquesThreeofSt。Antoine。Thewholejury,asajuryofdogsempannelledtotrythedeer。 Everyeyethenturnedtothefivejudgesandthepublicprosecutor。 Nofavourableleaninginthatquarterto-day。Afell,uncompromising,murderousbusiness-meaningthere。Everyeyethensoughtsomeothereyeinthecrowd,andgleamedatitapprovingly;andheadsnoddedatoneanother,beforebendingforwardwithastrainedattention。 CharlesEvré;monde,calledDarnay。Releasedyesterday。Re-accusedandretakenyesterday。Indictmentdeliveredtohimlastnight。SuspectedandDenouncedenemyoftheRepublic,Aristocrat,oneofafamilyoftyrants,oneofaraceproscribed,forthattheyhadusedtheirabolishedprivilegestotheinfamousoppressionofthepeople。CharlesEvré;monde,calledDarnay,inrightofsuchproscription,absolutelyDeadinLaw。 Tothiseffect,inasfeworfewerwords,thePublicProsecutor。 ThePresidentasked,wastheAccusedopenlydenouncedorsecretly? `Openly,President。\' `Bywhom?\' `Threevoices。ErnestDefarge,wine-vendorofSt。Antoine。\' `Good。\' `Thé;rè;seDefarge,hiswife。\' `Good。\' `AlexandreManette,physician。\' Agreatuproartookplaceinthecourt,andinthemidstofit,DoctorManettewasseen,paleandtrembling,standingwherehehadbeenseated。 `President,Iindignantlyprotesttoyouthatthisisaforgeryandafraud。Youknowtheaccusedtobethehusbandofmydaughter。Mydaughter,andthosedeartoher,arefardearertomethanmylife。WhoandwhereisthefalseconspiratorwhosaysthatIdenouncethehusbandofmychild! `CitizenManette,betranquil。TofailinsubmissiontotheauthorityoftheTribunalwouldbetoputyourselfoutofLaw。Astowhatisdearertoyouthanlife,nothingcanbesodeartoagoodcitizenastheRepublic。\' Loudacclamationshailedthisrebuke。ThePresidentranghisbell,andwithwarmthresumed。 `IftheRepublicshoulddemandofyouthesacrificeofyourchildherselfyouwouldhavenodutybuttosacrificeherListentowhatistofollow。Inthemeanwhile,besilent!\' Franticacclamationswereagainraised。DoctorManettesatdown,withhiseyeslookingaround,andhislipstrembling;hisdaughterdrewclosertohim。Thecravingmanonthejuryrubbedhishandstogether,andrestoredtheusualhandtohismouth。 Defargewasproduced,whenthecourtwasquietenoughtoadmitofhisbeingheard,andrapidlyexpoundedthestoryoftheimprisonment,andofhishavingbeenamereboyintheDoctor\'sservice,andoftherelease,andofthestateoftheprisonerwhenreleasedanddeliveredtohim。Thisshortexaminationfollowed,forthecourtwasquickwithitswork。 `YoudidgoodserviceatthetakingoftheBastille,citizen?\' `Ibelieveso。\' Here,anexcitedwomanscreechedfromthecrowd:`Youwereoneofthebestpatriotsthere。Whynotsayso?Youwereacannonierthatdaythere,andyouwereamongthefirsttoentertheaccursedfortresswhenitfell。Patriots,Ispeakthetruth!\' ItwasTheVengeancewho,amidstthewarmcommendationsoftheaudience,thusassistedtheproceedings。ThePresidentranghisbell;but,TheVengeance,warmingwithencouragement,shrieked,`Idefythatbell!\' whereinshewaslikewisemuchcommended。 `InformtheTribunalofwhatyoudidthatdaywithintheBastille,citizen。\' `Iknew,\'saidDefarge,lookingdownathiswife,whostoodatthebottomofthestepsonwhichhewasraised,lookingsteadilyupathim;`Iknewthatthisprisoner,ofwhomIspeak,hadbeenconfinedinacellknownasOneHundredandFive,NorthTower。Iknewitfromhimself。 HeknewhimselfbynoothernamethanOneHundredandFive,NorthTower,whenhemadeshoesundermycare。AsIservemygunthatday,Iresolve,whentheplaceshallfall,toexaminethatcell。Itfalls。Imounttothecell,withafellow-citizenwhoisoneoftheJury,directedbyagaoler。 Iexamineit,veryclosely。Inaholeinthechimney,whereastonehasbeenworkedoutandreplaced,Ifindawrittenpaper。Thisisthatwrittenpaper。IhavemadeitmybusinesstoexaminesomespecimensofthewritingofDoctorManette。ThisisthewritingofDoctorManette。Iconfidethispaper,inthewritingofDoctorManette,tothehandsofthePresident。 `Letitberead。\' Inadeadsilenceandstillness——theprisonerundertriallookinglovinglyathiswife,hiswifeonlylookingfromhimtolookwithsolicitudeatherfather,DoctorManettekeepinghiseyesfixedonthereader,MadameDefargenevertakinghersfromtheprisoner,Defargenevertakinghisfromhisfeastingwile,andalltheothereyesthereintentupontheDoctor,whosawnoneofthem——thepaperwasread,asfollows。 [NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXTheSubstanceoftheShadow`I,ALEXANDREMANETTE,unfortunatephysician,nativeofBeauvais,andafterwardsresidentinParis,writethismelancholypaperinmydolefulcellintheBastille,duringthelastmonthoftheyear1767。Iwriteitatstolenintervals,undereverydifficulty。Idesigntosecreteitinthewallofthechimney,whereIhaveslowlyandlaboriouslymadeaplaceofconcealmentforit。Somepityinghandmayfinditthere,whenIandmysorrowsaredust。 `ThesewordsareformedbytherustyironpointwithwhichIwritewithdifficultyinscrapingsofsootandcharcoalfromthechimney,mixedwithblood,inthelastmonthofthetenthyearofmycaptivity。Hopehasquitedepartedfrommybreast。IknowfromterriblewarningsIhavenotedinmyselfthatmyreasonwillnotlongremainunimpaired,butIsolemnlydeclarethatIamatthistimeinthepossessionofmyrightmind——thatmymemoryisexactandcircumstantial——andthatIwritethetruthasI shallanswerforthesemylastrecordedwords,whethertheybeeverreadbymenornot,attheEternalJudgment-seat。 `Onecloudymoonlightnight,inthethirdweekofDecember(I thinkthetwenty-secondofthemonth)intheyear1757,IwaswalkingonaretiredpartofthequaybytheSeinefortherefreshmentofthefrostyair,atanhour\'sdistancefrommyplaceofresidenceintheStreetoftheSchoolofMedicine,whenacarriagecamealongbehindme,drivenveryfast。AsIstoodasidetoletthatcarriagepass,apprehensivethatitmightotherwiserunmedown,aheadwasputoutatthewindow,andavoicecalledtothedrivertostop。 `Thecarriagestoppedassoonasthedrivercouldreininhishorses,andthesamevoicecalledtomebymyname。Ianswered。ThecarriagewasthensofarinadvanceofmethattwogentlemenhadtimetoopenthedoorandalightbeforeIcameupwithit。Iobservedthattheywerebothwrappedincloaksandappearedtoconcealthemselves。Astheystoodcarriagedoor,Ialsoobservedthattheybothlookedofaboutmyownage,orratheryounger,andthattheyweregreatlyalike,instature,manner,voice,and(asfarasIcouldsee)facetoo。 `\"YouareDoctorManette?\"saidone。 `\"Iam。\" `\"DoctorManette,formerlyofBeauvais,\"saidtheother;\"theyoungphysician,originallyanexpertsurgeon,whowithinthelastyearortwohasmadearisingreputationinParis?\" `\"Gentlemen,\"Ireturned,\"IamthatDoctorManetteofwhomyouspeaksograciously。\" `\"wehavebeentoyourresidence,\"saidthefirst,\"andnotbeingsofortunateastofindyouthere,andbeinginformedthatyouwereprobablywalkinginthisdirection,wefollowed,inthehopeofovertakingyou。 Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?\" `Themannerofbothwasimperious,andtheybothmoved,asthesewordswerespoken,soastoplacemebetweenthemselvesandthecarriagedoor。Theywerearmed。Iwasnot。 `\"Gentlemen,\"saidI,\"pardonme;butIusuallyinquirewhodoesmethehonourtoseekmyassistance,andwhatisthenatureofthecasetowhichIamsummoned。\" `Thereplytothiswasmadebyhimwhohadspokensecond。\"Doctor,yourclientsarepeopleofcondition。Astothenatureofthecase,ourconfidenceinyourskillassuresusthatyouwillascertainitforyourselfbetterthanwecandescribeit。Enough。Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?\" `Icoulddonothingbutcomply,andIentereditinsilence。Theybothenteredafterme——thelastspringingin,afterputtingupthesteps。 Thecarriageturnedabout,anddroveonasitsformerspeed。 `Irepeatthisconversationexactlyasitoccurred。Ihavenodoubtthatitis,workforword,thesame。Idescribeeverythingexactlyasittookplace,constrainingmymindnottowanderfromthetask。WhereImakethebrokenmarksthatfollowhere,Ileaveoffforthetime,andputmypaperinitshiding-place。**** `Thecarriageleftthestreetsbehind,passedtheNorthBarrier,andemergeduponthecountryroad。Attwo-thirdsofaleaguefromtheBarrier——I didnotestimatethedistanceatthattime,butafterwardswhenItraversedit——itstruckoutofthemainavenue,andpresentlystoppedatasolitaryhouse。Weallthreealighted,andwalked,byadampsoftfootpathinagardenwhereaneglectedfountainhadoverflowed,tothedoorofthehouse。 Itwasnotopenedimmediately,inanswertotheringingofthebell,andoneofmytwoconductorsstruckthemanwhoopenedit,withhisheavyriding-glove,acrosstheface。 `Therewasnothinginthisactiontoattractmyparticularattention,forIhadseencommonpeoplestruckmorecommonlythandogs。But,theotherofthetwo,beingangrylike-wise,struckthemaninlikemannerwithhisarm;thelookandbearingofthebrotherswerethensoexactlyalike,thatIthenfirstperceivedthemtobetwinbrothers。 `Fromthetimeofouralightingattheoutergate(whichwefoundlocked,andwhichoneofthebrothershadopenedtoadmitus,andhadre-locked),Ihadheardcriesproceedingfromanupperchamber。Iwasconductedtothischamberstraight,thecriesgrowinglouderasweascendedthestairs,andIfoundapatientinahighfeverofthebrain,lyingonabed。 `Thepatientwasawomanofgreatbeauty,andyoung;assuredlynotmuchpasttwenty。Herhairwastornandragged,andherarmswereboundtohersideswithsashesandhandkerchiefs。Inoticedthatthesebondswereallportionsofagentleman\'sdress。Ononeofthem,whichwasafringedScarfforadressofceremony,IsawthearmorialbearingsofaNoble,andtheletterE。 `Isawthis,withinthefirstminuteofmycontemplationofthepatient;for,inherrestlessstrivingsshehadturnedoveronherfaceontheedgeofthebed,haddrawntheendofthescarfintohermouth,andwasindangerofsuffocation。Myfirstactwastoputoutmyhandtorelieveherbreathing;andinmovingthescarfaside,theembroideryinthecornercaughtmysight。 `Iturnedhergentlyover,placedmyhandsuponherbreasttocalmherandkeepherdown,andlookedintoherface。Hereyesweredilatedandwild,andsheconstantlyutteredpiercingshrieks,andrepeatedthewords,\"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!\"andthencounteduptotwelve,andsaid,\"Hush!\"Foraninstant,andnomore,shewouldpausetolisten,andthenthepiercingshriekswouldbeginagain,andshewouldrepeatthecry,\"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!\"andwouldcountuptotwelve,andsay\"Hush!\"Therewasnovariationintheorder,orthemanner。Therewasnocessation,buttheregularmoment\'spause,intheutteranceofthesesounds。 `\"Howlong,\"Iasked,\"hasthislasted?\" `Todistinguishthebrothers,Iwillcallthemtheelderandtheyounger;bytheelder,Imeanhimwhoexercisedthemostauthority。Itwastheelderwhoreplied,\"Sinceaboutthishourlastnight。\" `\"ShehasaHusband,afather,andabrother?\" `\"Abrother。\" `\"Idonotaddressherbrother?\" `Heansweredwithgreatcontempt,\"No。\" `\"Shehassomerecentassociationwiththenumbertwelve?\" `Theyoungerbrotherimpatientlyrejoined,\"Withtwelveo\'clock?\" `\"See,gentlemen,\"saidI,stillkeepingmyhandsuponherbreast,\"howuselessIam,asyouhavebroughtme!IfIhadknownwhatIwascomingtosee,Icouldhavecomeprovided。Asitis,timemustbelost。Therearenomedicinestobeobtainedinthislonelyplace。\" `Theelderbrotherlookedtotheyounger,whosaidhaughtily,\"Thereisacaseofmedicineshere;\"andbroughtitfromacloset,andputitonthetable。*** `Iopenedsomeofthebottles,smeltthem,andputthestopperstomylips。IfIhadwantedtouseanythingsavenarcoticmedicinesthatwerepoisonsinthemselves,Iwouldnothaveadministeredanyofthose。 `\"Doyoudoubtthem?\"askedtheyoungerbrother。 `\"Yousee,monsieur,Iamgoingtousethem,\"Ireplied,andsaidnomore。 `Imadethepatientswallow,withgreatdifficulty,andaftermanyefforts,thedosethatIdesiredtogive。AsIintendedtorepeatitafterawhile,andasitwasnecessarytowatchitsinfluence,Ithensatdownbythesideofthebed。Therewasatimidandsuppressedwomaninattendance(wifeofthemandown-stairs),whohadretreatedintoacorner。 Thehousewasdampanddecayed,indifferentlyfurnished——evidently,recentlyoccupiedandtemporarilyused。Somethickoldhangingshadbeennailedupbeforethewindows,todeadenthesoundoftheshrieks。Theycontinuedtobeutteredintheirregularsuccession,withthecry,\"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!\"thecountinguptotwelve,and\"Hush!\"Thefrenzywassoviolent,thatIhadnotunfastenedthebandagesrestrainingthearms,but,Ihadlookedtothem,toseethattheywerenotpainful。Theonlysparkofencouragementinthecase,was,thatmyhanduponthesufferer\'sbreasthadthismuchsoothinginfluence,thatforminutesatatimeittranquillisedthefigure。Ithadnoeffectuponthecries:nopendulumcouldbemoreregular。 `Forthereasonthatmyhandhadthiseffect(Iassume),Ihadsatbythesideofthebedforhalfanhour,withthetwobrotherslookingon,beforetheeldersaid: `\"Thereisanotherpatient。\" `Iwasstartledandasked,\"Isitapressingcase?\" `\"Youhadbettersee,\"hecarelesslyanswered;andtookupalight。 *** `Theotherpatientlayinabackroomacrossasecondstaircase,whichwasaspeciesofloftoverastable。Therewasalowplasteredceilingtoapartofit;therestwasopen,totheridgeofthetiledroof,andtherewerebeamsacross。Hayandstrawwerestoredinthatportionoftheplace,fagotsforfiring,andaheapofapplesinsand。Ihadtopassthroughthatpart,togetattheother。Mymemoryiscircumstantialandunshaken。 Itryitwiththesedetails,andIseethemall,inthismycellintheBastille,nearthecloseofthetenthyearofmycaptivity,asIsawthemallthatnight。 `Onsomehayontheground,withacushionthrownunderhishead,layahandsomepeasant-boy-aboyofnotmorethanseventeenatthemost。 Helayonhisback,withhisteethset,hisrighthandclenchedonhisbreast,andhisglaringeyeslookingstraightupward。Icouldnotseewherehiswoundwas,asIkneeledononekneeoverhim;but,Icouldseethathewasdyingofawoundfromasharppoint。 `\"Iamadoctor,mypoorfellow,\"saidI。\"Letmeexamineit。\" `\"Idonotwantitexamined,\"heanswered;\"letitbe。\" `Itwasunderhishand,andIsoothedhimtoletmemovehishandaway。Thewoundwasasword-thrust,receivedfromtwentytotwenty-fourhoursbefore,butnoskillcouldhavesavedhimifithadbeenlookedtowithoutdelay。Hewasthendyingfast。AsIturnedmyeyestotheelderbrother,Isawhimlookingdownatthishandsomeboywhoselifewasebbingout,asifhewereawoundedbird,orhare,orrabbit;notatallasifhewereafellow-creature。 `\"Howhasthisbeendone,monsieur?\"saidI。 `\"Acrazedyoungcommondog!Aserf!Forcedmybrothertodrawuponhim,andhasfallenbymybrother\'sSword——likeagentleman。\" `Therewasnotouchofpity,sorrow,orkindredhumanity,inthisanswer。Thespeakerseemedtoacknowledgethatitwasinconvenienttohavethatdifferentorderofcreaturedyingthere,andthatitwould\'havebeenbetterifhehaddiedintheusualobscureroutineofhisverminkind。 Hewasquiteincapableofanycompassionatefeelingabouttheboy,orabouthisfate。 `Theboy\'seyeshadslowlymovedtohimashehadspoken,andtheynowslowlymovedtome。 `\"Doctor,theyareveryproud,theseNobles;butwecommondogsareproudtoo,sometimes。Theyplunderus,outrageus,beatus,killus; butwehavealittleprideleft,sometimes。She——haveyouseenher,Doctor?\" `Theshrieksandthecrieswereaudiblethere,thoughsubduedbythedistance。Hereferredtothem,asifshewerelyinginourpresence。 `Isaid,\"Ihaveseenher。\" `\"Sheismysister,Doctor。Theyhavehadtheirshamefulrights,theseNobles,inthemodestyandvirtueofoursisters,manyyears,butMhavehadgoodgirlsamongus。Iknowit,andhaveheardmyfathersayso。Shewasagoodgirl。Shewasbetrothedtoagoodyoungman,too:atenantofhis。Wearealltenantsofhis——thatman\'swhostandsthere。 Theotherishisbrother,theworstofabadrace。\" `Itwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheboygatheredbodilyforcetospeak;but,hisspiritspokewithadreadfulemphasis。 `Weweresorobbedbythatmanwhostandsthere,asallwecommondogsarebythosesuperiorBeings——taxedbyhimwithoutmercy,obligedtoworkforhimwithoutpay,obligedtogrindourcornathismill,obligedtofeedscoresofhistamebirdsonourwretchedcrops,andforbiddenforourlivestokeepasingletamebirdofourown,pillagedandplunderedtothatdegreethatwhenwechancedtohaveabitofmeat,weateitinfear,withthedoorbarredandtheshuttersclosed,thathispeopleshouldnotseeitandtakeitfromus——Isay,weweresorobbed,andhunted,andweremadesopoor,thatourfathertoldusitwasadreadfulthingtobringachildintotheworld,andthatwhatweshouldmostprayfor,was,thatourwomenmightbebarrenandourmiserableracedieout!\" `Ihadneverbeforeseenthesenseofbeingoppressed,burstingforthlikeafire。Ihadsupposedthatitmustbelatentinthepeoplesomewhere;but,Ihadneverseenitbreakout,untilIsawitinthedyingboy。 `\"Nevertheless,Doctor,mysistermarried。Hewasailingatthattime,poorfellow,andshemarriedherlover,thatshemighttendandcomforthiminourcottage——ourdog-hut,asthatmanwouldcallit。Shehadnotbeenmarriedmanyweeks,whenthatman\'sbrothersawherandadmiredher,andaskedthatmantolendhertohim——forwhatarehusbandsamongus! Hewaswillingenough,butmysisterwasgoodandvirtuous,andhatedhisbrotherwithahatredasstrongasmine。Whatdidthetwothen,topersuadeherhusbandtousehisinfluencewithher,tomakeherwilling?\" `Theboy\'seyes,whichhadbeenfixedonmine,slowlyturnedtothelooker-on,andIsawintheMofacesthatallhesaidwastrue。Thetwoopposingkindsofprideconfrontingoneanother,Icansee,eveninthisBastille;thegentleman\'sallnegligentindifference;thepeasant\'s,alltrodden-downsentiment,andpassionaterevenge。 `\"Youknow,Doctor,thatitisamongtheRightsoftheseNoblestoharnessuscommondogstocarts,anddriveus。Theysoharnessedhimanddrovehim。YouknowthatitisamongtheirRightstokeepusintheirgroundsallnight,quietingthefrogs,inorderthattheirnoblesleepmaynotbedisturbed。Theykepthimoutintheunwholesomemistsatnight,andorderedhimbackintohisharnessintheday。Buthewasnotpersuaded。 No!Takenoutofharnessonedayatnoon,tofeed——ifhecouldfindfood——hesobbedtwelvetimes,onceforeverystrokeofthebell,anddiedonherbosom。\" `Nothinghumancouldhaveheldlifeintheboybuthisdeterminationtotellallhiswrong。Heforcedbackthegatheringshadowsofdeath,asheforcedhisclenchedrighthandtoremainclenched,andtocoverhiswound。 `\"Then,withthatman\'spermissionandevenwithhisaid,hisbrothertookheraway;inspiteofwhatIknowshemusthavetoldhisbrother——andwhatthatis,willnotbelongunknowntoyou,Doctor,ifitisnow——hisbrothertookheraway——forhispleasureanddiversion,foralittlewhile。 Isawherpassmeontheroad。WhenItookthetidingshome,ourfather\'sheartburst;heneverspokeoneofthewordsthatfilledit。Itookmyyoungsister(forIhaveanother)toaplacebeyondthereachofthisman,andwhere,atleast,shewillneverbehisvassal。Then,Itrackedthebrotherhere,andlastnightclimbedin-acommondog,butswordinhand——Whereistheloftwindow?Itwassomewherehere?\" `Theroomwasdarkeningtohissight;theworldwasnarrowingaroundhim。Iglancedaboutme,andsawthatthehayandstrawweretrampledoverthefloor,asiftherehadbeenastruggle。 `\"Sheheardme,andranin。Itoldhernottocomenearustillhewasdead。Hecameinandfirsttossedmesomepiecesofmoney;thenstruckatmewithawhip。ButI,thoughacommondog,sostruckathimastomakehimdraw。Lethimbreakintoasmanypiecesashewill,theswordthathestainedwithmycommonblood;hedrewtodefendhimself——thrustatmewithallhisskillforhislife。\" `Myglancehadfallen,butafewmomentsbefore,onthefragmentsofabrokensword,lyingamongthehay。Thatweaponwasagentleman\'s。 Inanotherplace,layanoldswordthatseemedtohavebeenasoldier\'s。 `\"Now,liftmeup,Doctor;liftmeup。Whereishe?\" `\"Heisnothere,\"Isaid,supportingtheboy,andthinkingthathereferredtothebrother。 `\"He!Proudasthesenoblesare,heisafraidtoseeme。Whereisthemanwhowashere?Turnmyfacetohim。\" `Ididso,raisingtheboy\'sheadagainstmyknee。But,investedforthemomentwithextraordinarypower,heraisedhimselfcompletely: obligingmetorisetoo,orIcouldnothavestillsupportedhim。 `\"Marquis,\"saidtheboy,turnedtohimwithhiseyesopenedwide,andhisrighthandraised,\"inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyouandyours,tothelastofyourbadrace,toanswerforthem。Imarkthiscrossofblooduponyou,asasignthatI doit。Inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyourbrother,theworstofthebadrace,toanswerforthemseparately。 Imarkthiscrossofblooduponhim,asasignthatIdoit。 `Twice,heputhishandtothewoundinhisbreast,andwithforefingerdrewacrossintheair。Hestoodforaninstantwiththefingeryetraised,and,asitwithit,andIlaidhimdowndead。**** `WhenIreturnedtothebedsideoftheyoungwoman,Ifoundherravinginpreciselythesameorderandcontinuity。Iknewthatthismightlastformanyhours,andthatitwouldprobablyendinthesilenceofthegrave。 `IrepeatedthemedicinesIhadgivenher,andIsatatthesideofthebeduntilthenightwasfaradvanced。Sheneverabatedthepiercingqualityofhershrieks,neverstumbledinthedistinctnessortheorderofherwords。Theywerealways\"Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother! One,two,three,four,five,six,seven,eight,nine,ten,eleven,twelve。 Hush!\" `Thislastedtwenty-sixhoursfromthetimewhenIfirstsawher。 Ihadcomeandgonetwice,andwasagainsittingbyher,whenshebegantofalter。Ididwhatlittlecouldbedonetoassistthatopportunity,andby-and-byshesankintoalethargy,andlaylikethedead。 `Itwasasifthewindandrainhadlulledatlast,afteralongandfearfulstorm。Ireleasedherarms,andcalledthewomantoassistmetocomposeherfigureandthedressshehadtorn。ItwasthenthatI knewherconditiontobethatofoneinwhomthefirstexpectationsofbeingamotherhavearisen;anditwasthenthatIlostthelittlehopeIhadhadofher。 `\"Isshedead?\"askedtheMarquis,whomIwillstilldescribeastheelderbrother,comingbootedintotheroomfromhishorse。 `\"Notdead,\"saidI;\"butliketodie。\" `\"whatstrengththereisinthesecommonbodies!\"hesaid,lookingdownatherwithsomecuriosity。 `\"Thereisprodigiousstrength,\"Iansweredhim,\"insorrowanddespair。\" `Hefirstlaughedatmywords,andthenfrownedatthem。Hemovedachairwithhisfootneartomine,orderedthewomanaway,andsaidinasubduedvoice,`\"Doctor,findingmybrotherinthisdifficultywiththesehinds,Irecommendedthatyouraidshouldbeinvited。Yourreputationishigh,and,asayoungmanwithyourfortunetomake,youareprobablymindfulofyourinterest。Thethingsthatyouseehere,arethingstobeseen,andnotspokenof。\" `Ilistenedtothepatient\'sbreathing,andavoidedanswering。 `\"Doyouhonourmewithyourattention,Doctor? `\"Monsieur,\"saidI,\"inmyprofession,thecommunicationsofpatientsarealwaysreceivedinconfidence。\"Iwasguardedinmyanswer,forIwastroubledinmymindwithwhatIhadheardandseen。 `Herbreathingwassodifficulttotrace,thatIcarefullytriedthepulseandtheheart。Therewaslife,andnomore。LookingroundasIresumedmyseat,Ifoundthebrothersintentuponme。**** `Iwritewithsomuchdifficulty,thecoldissosevere,Iamsofearfulofbeingdetectedandconsignedtoanundergroundcellandtotaldarkness,thatImustabridgethisnarrative。Thereisnoconfusionorfailureinmymemory;itcanrecall,andcoulddetail,everywordthatwaseverspokenbetweenmeandthosebrothers。 `Shelingeredforaweek。Towardsthelast,Icouldunderstandsomefewsyllablesthatshesaidtome,byplacingmyearclosetoherlips。Sheaskedmewhereshewas,andItoldher;whoIwas,andItoldher。ItwasinvainthatIaskedherforherfamilyname。Shefaintlyshookherheaduponthepillow,andkepthersecret,astheboyhaddone。 `Ihadnoopportunityofaskingheranyquestion,untilIhadtoldthebrothersshewassinkingfast,andcouldnotliveanotherday。 Untilthen,thoughnoonewaseverpresentedtoherconsciousnesssavethewomanandmyself,oneorotherofthemhadalwaysjealouslysatbehindthecurtainattheheadofthebedwhenIwasthere。Butwhenitcametothat,theyseemedcarelesswhatcommunicationImightholdwithher;asif——thethoughtpassedthroughmymind——Iweredyingtoo。 `Ialwaysobservedthattheirpridebitterlyresentedtheyoungerbrother\'s(asIcallhim)havingcrossedswordswithapeasant,andthatpeasantaboy。Theonlyconsiderationthatappearedtoaffectthemindofeitherofthemwastheconsiderationthatthiswashighlydegradingtothefamily,andwasridiculous。AsoftenasIcaughttheyoungerbrother\'seyes,theirexpressionremindedmethathedislikedmedeeply,furknowingwhatIknewfromtheboy。Hewassmootherandmorepolitetomethantheelder;butIsawthis。IalsosawthatIwasanincumbranceinthemindoftheelder,too。 `Mypatientdied,twohoursbeforemidnight——atatime,bymywatch,answeringalmosttotheminutewhenIhadfirstseenher。Iwasalonewithher,whenherforlornyoungheadtroopedgentlyononeside,andallherearthlywrongsandsorrowsended。 `Thebrotherswerewaitinginaroomdown-stairs,impatienttorideaway。Ihadheardthem,aloneatthebedside,strikingtheirbootswiththeirriding-whips,andloiteringupanddown。 `\"Atlastsheisdead?\"saidtheelder,whenIwentin。 `\"Sheisdead,\"saidI。 `\"Icongratulateyou,mybrother,\"werehiswordsasheturnedround。 `Hehadbeforeofferedmemoney,whichIhadpostponedtaking。 Henowgavemearouleauofgold。Itookitfromhishand,butlaiditonthetable。Ihadconsideredthequestion,andhadresolvedtoacceptnothing。 `\"Prayexcuseme,\"saidI。\"Underthecircumstances,no。\"`Theyexchangedlooks,butbenttheirheadstomeasIbentminetothem,andwepartedwithoutanotherwordoneitherside。**** `Iamweary,weary,weary——worndownbymisery。IcannotreadwhatIhavewrittenwiththisgaunthand。 `Earlyinthemorning,therouleauofgoldwasleftatm\'doorinalittlebox,withmynameontheoutside。Fromthefirst,IhadanxiouslyconsideredwhatIoughttodo。Idecided,thatday,towriteprivatelytotheMinister,statingthenatureofthetwoeasestowhichIhadbeensummoned,andtheplacetowhichIhadgone:ineffect,statingallthecircumstances。IknewwhatCourtinfluencewas,andwhattheimmunitiesoftheNobleswere,andIexpectedthatthematterwouldneverbeheardof;but,Iwishedtorelievemyownmind。Ihadkeptthematteraprofoundsecret,evenfrommywife;andthis,too,Iresolvedtostateinmyletter。 Ihadnoapprehensionwhateverofmyrealdanger;butIwasconsciousthattheremightbedangerforothers,ifotherswerecompromisedbypossessingtheknowledgethatIpossessed。 `Iwasmuchengagedthatday,andcouldnotcompletemyletterthatnight。Iroselongbeforemyusualtimenextmorningtofinishit。 Itwasthelastdayoftheyear。Theletterwaslyingbeforemejustcompleted,whenIwastoldthataladywaited,whowishedtoseeme。**** `IamgrowingmoreandmoreunequaltothetaskIhavesetmyself。 Itissocold,sodark,mysensesaresobenumbed,andthegloomuponmeissodreadful。 `Theladywasyoung,engaging,andhandsome,butnotmarkedforlonglife。Shewasingreatagitation。ShepresentedherselftomeasthewifeoftheMarquisSt。Evré;monde。Iconnectedthetitlebywhichtheboyhadaddressedtheelderbrother,withtheinitialletterembroideredonthescarf,andhadnodifficultyinarrivingattheconclusionthatIhadseenthatnoblemanverylately。 `Mymemoryisstillaccurate,butIcannotwritethewordsofOurconversation。IsuspectthatIamwatchedmorecloselythanIwas,andIknownotatwhattimesImaybewatched。Shehadinpartsuspected,andinpartdiscovered,themainfactsofthecruelstory,ofherhusband\'sshareinit,andmybeingresortedto。Shedidnotknowthatthegirlwasdead。Herhopehadbeen,shesaidingreatdistress,toshowher,insecret,awoman\'ssympathy。HerhopehadbeentoavertthewrathofHeavenfromaHousethathadlongbeenhatefultothesufferingmany。 `Shehadreasonsforbelievingthattherewasayoungsisterliving,andhergreatestdesirewas,tohelpthatsister。Icouldtellhernothingbutthattherewassuchasister;beyondthat,Iknewnothing。Herinducementtocometome,relyingonmyconfidence,hadbeenthehopethatIcouldtellherthenameandplaceofabode。Whereas,tothiswretchedhourI amignorantofboth。**** `Thesescrapsofpaperfailme。Onewastakenfromme,withawarning,yesterday。Imustfinishmyrecordto-day。 `Shewasagood,compassionatelady,andnothappyinhermarriage。 Howcouldshebe!Thebrotherdistrustedanddislikedher,andhisinfluencewasallopposedtoher;shestoodindreadofhim,andindeadofherhusbandtoo。WhenIhandedherdowntothedoor,therewasachild,aprettyboyfromtwotothreeyearsold,inhercarriage。 `\"Forhissake,Doctor,\"shesaid,pointingtohimintears,\"I woulddoallIcantomakewhatpooramendsIcan。Hewillneverprosperinhisinheritanceotherwise。Ihaveapresentimentthatifnootherinnocentatonementismadeforthis,itwillonedayberequiredofhim。WhatI havelefttocallmyown——itislittlebeyondtheworthofafewjewels——I willmakeitthefirstchargeofhislifetobestow,withthecompassionandlamentingofhisdeadmother,onthisinjuredfamily,ifthesistercanbediscovered。\" `Shekissedtheboy,andsaid,caressinghim,\"Itisforthineowndearsake。Thouwiltbefaithful,littleCharles?\"Thechildansweredherbravely,\"Yes!\"Ikissedherhand,andshetookhiminherarms,andwentawaycaressinghim。Ineversawhermore。 `Asshehadmentionedherhusband\'snameinthefaiththatIknewit,Iaddednomentionofittomyletter。Isealedmyletter,and,nottrustingitoutofmyownhands,delivereditmyselfthatday。 `Thatnight,thelastnightoftheyear,towardsnineo\'clock,amaninablackdressrangatmygate,demandedtoseeme,andsoftlyfollowedmyservant,ErnestDefarge,ayouth,upstairs。WhenmyservantcameintotheroomwhereIsatwithmywife——Omywife,belovedofmyheart! MyfairyoungEnglishwife!——wesawtheman,whowassupposedtobeatthegate,standingsilentbehindhim。 `AnurgentcaseintheRueSt。Honoré;\',hesaid。Itwouldnotdetainme,hehadacoachinwaiting。 `Itbroughtmehere,itbroughtmetomygrave。WhenIwasclearofthehouse,ablackmufflerwasdrawntightlyovermymouthfrombehind,andmyarmswerepinioned。Thetwobrotherscrossedtheroadfromadarkcorner,andidentifiedmewithasinglegesture。TheMarquistookfromhispockettheletterIhadwritten,showeditme,burntitinthelightofalanternthatwasheld,andextinguishedtheasheswithhisfoot。Notawordwasspoken。Iwasbroughthere,Iwasbroughttomylivinggrave。 `IfithadpleasedGODtoputitinthehardheartofeitherofthebrothers,inallthesefrightfulyears,tograntmeanytidingsofmydearestwife——somuchastoletmeknowbyawordwhetheraliveordead——I mighthavethoughtthatHehadnotquiteabandonedthem。But,nowIbelievethatthemarkoftheredcrossisfataltothem,andthattheyhavenopartinHismercies。Andthemandtheirdescendants,tothelastoftheirrace,I,AlexandreManette,unhappyprisoner,dothislastnightoftheyear1767,inmyunbearableagony,denouncetothetimeswhenallthesethingsshallbeansweredfor。IdenouncethemtoHeavenandtoearth。\' Aterriblesoundarosewhenthereadingofthisdocumentwasdone。 Asoundofcravingandeagernessthathadnothingarticulateinitbutblood。Thenarrativecalledupthemostrevengefulpassionsofthetime,andtherewasnotaheadinthenationbutmusthavedroppedbeforeit。 Littleneed,inpresenceofthattribunalandthatauditory,toshowhowtheDefargeshadnotmadethepaperpublic,withtheothercapturedBastillememorialsborneinprocession,andhadkeptit,bidingtheirtime。 LittleneedtoshowthatthisdetestedfamilynamehadlongbeenanathematisedbySaintAntoine,andwaswroughtintothefatalregister。ThemannevertrodgroundwhosevirtuesandServiceswouldhavesustainedhiminthatplacethatday,againstsuchdenunciation。 Andalltheworseforthedoomedman,thatthedenouncerwasawell-knowncitizen,hisownattachedfriend,thefatherofhiswife。Oneofthefrenziedaspirationsofthepopulacewas,forimitationsofthequestionablepublicvirtuesofantiquity,andforsacrificesandself-immolationsonthepeople\'saltar。ThereforewhenthePresidentsaid(elsehadhisownheadquiveredonhisshoulders),thatthegoodphysicianoftheRepublicwoulddeservebetterstilloftheRepublicbyrootingoutanobnoxiousfamilyofAristocrats,andwoulddoubtlessfeelasacredglowandjoyinmakinghisdaughterawidowandherchildanorphan,therewaswildexcitement,patrioticfervour,notatouchofhumansympathy。 `Muchinfluencearoundhim,hasthatDoctor?\'murmuredMadameDefarge,smilingtoTheVengeance。`Savehimnow,myDoctor,savehim!\' Ateveryjuryman\'svote,therewasaroar。Anotherandanother。 Roarandroar。 Unanimouslyvoted。AtheartandbydescentanAristocrat,anenemyoftheRepublic,anotoriousoppressorofthePeople。BacktotheConciergerie,andDeathwithinfour-and-twentyhours! [NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIDuskTHEwretchedwifeoftheinnocentmanthusdoomedtodie,underthesentence,asifshehadbeenmortallystricken。But,sheutterednosound;andsostrongwasthevoicewithinher,representingthatitwassheofalltheworldwhomustupholdhiminhismiseryandnotaugmentit,thatitquicklyraisedher,evenfromthatshock。 Thejudgeshavingtotakepartinapublicdemonstrationoutofdoors,thetribunaladjourned。Thequicknoiseandmovementofthecourt\'semptyingitselfbymanypassageshadnotceased,whenLuciestoodstretchingoutherarmstowardsherhusband,withnothinginherfacebutloveandconsolation。 `IfImighttouchhim!IfImightembracehimonce!O,goodcitizens,ifyouwouldhavesomuchcompassionforus!\' Therewasbutagaolerleft,alongwithtwoofthefourmenwhohadtakenhimlastnight,andBarsad。Thepeoplehadallpouredouttotheshowinthestreets。Barsadproposedtotherest,`Letherembracehimthen;itisbutamoment。\'Itwassilentlyacquiescedin,andtheypassedherovertheseatsinthehalltoaraisedplace,wherehe,byleaningoverthedock,couldfoldherinhisarms。 `Farewell,deardarlingofmysoul。Mypartingblessingonmylove。Weshallmeetagain,wherethewearyareatrest!\' Theywereherhusband\'swords,asheheldhertohisbosom。 `Icanbearit,dearCharles。Iamsupportedfromabove:don\'tsufferforme。Apartingblessingforourchild。\' `Isendittoherbyyou。Ikissherbyyou。Isayfarewelltoherbyyou。\' `Myhusband。No!Amoment!\'Hewastearinghimselfapartfromher。`Weshallnotbeseparatedlong。Ifeelthatthiswillbreakmyheartby-and-by;butIwilldomydutywhileIcan,andwhenIleaveher,Godwillraiseupfriendsforher,asHedidforme。\' Herfatherhadfollowedher,andwouldhavefallenonhiskneestobothofthem,butthatDarnayputoutahandandseizedhim,crying: