`No，no!Whathaveyoudone，whathaveyoudone，thatyoushouldkneeltous!Weknownow，whatastruggleyoumadeofold。Weknownow，whatyouunderwentwhenyoususpectedmydescent，andwhenyouknewit。
Weknownow，thenaturalantipathyyoustroveagainst，andconquered，forherdearsake。Wethankyouwithallourhearts，andallourloveandduty。
Heavenbewithyou!\'
Herfather\'sonlyanswerwastodrawhishandsthroughhiswhitehair，andwringthemwithashriekofanguish。
`Itcouldnotbeotherwise，\'saidtheprisoner。`Allthingshaveworkedtogetherastheyhavefallenout。Itwasthealways-vainendeavourtodischargemypoormother\'strustthatfirstbroughtmyfatalpresencenearyou。Goodcouldnevercomeofsuchevil，ahappierendwasnotinnaturetosounhappyabeginning。Becomforted，andforgiveme。Heavenblessyou!\'
Ashewasdrawnaway，hiswifereleasedhim，andstoodlookingafterhimwithherhandstouchingoneanotherintheattitudeofprayer，andwitharadiantlookuponherface，inwhichtherewasevenacomfortingsmile。Ashewentoutattheprisoners\'door，sheturned，laidherheadlovinglyonherfather\'sbreast，triedtospeaktohim，andfellathisfeet。
Then，issuingfromtheobscurecornerfromwhichhehadnevermoved，SydneyCartoncameandtookherup。OnlyherfatherandMr。Lorrywerewithher。Hisarmtrembledasitraisedher，andsupportedherhead。
Yet，therewasanairabouthimthatwasnotallofpity——thathadaflushofprideinit。
`ShallItakehertoacoach?Ishallneverfeelherweight。\'
Hecarriedherlightlytothedoor，andlaidhertenderlydowninacoach。Herfatherandtheiroldfriendgotintoit，andhetookhisseatbesidethedriver。
Whentheyarrivedatthegatewaywherehehadpausedinthedarknotmanyhoursbefore，topicturetohimselfonwhichoftheroughstonesofthestreetherfeethadtrodden，heliftedheragain，andcarriedherupthestaircasetotheirrooms。There，helaidherdownonacouch，whereherchildandMissProssweptoverher。
`Don\'trecallhertoherself，\'hesaid，softly，tothelatter，`sheisbetterso。Don\'trevivehertoconsciousness，whilesheonlyfaints。\'
`Oh，Carton，Carton，dearCarton!\'criedlittleLucie，springingupandthrowingherarmspassionatelyroundhim，inaburstofgrief。`Nowthatyouhavecome，Ithinkyouwilldosomethingtohelpmamma，somethingtosavepapa!O，lookather，dearCarton!Canyou，ofallthepeoplewholoveher，beartoseeherso?\'
Hebentoverthechild，andlaidherbloomingcheekagainsthisface。Heputhergentlyfromhim，andlookedatherunconsciousmother。
`BeforeIgo，\'hesaid，andpaused——\'Imaykissher?\'
Itwasrememberedafterwardsthatwhenhebentdownandtouchedherfacewithhislips，hemurmuredsomewords。Thechild，whowasnearesttohim，toldthemafterwards，andtoldhergrandchildrenwhenshewasahandsomeoldlady，thatsheheardhimsay，`Alifeyoulove。\'
Whenhehadgoneoutintothenextroom，heturnedsuddenlyonMr。Lorryandherfather，whowerefollowing，andsaidtothelatter:
`Youhadgreatinfluencebutyesterday，DoctorManette；letitatleastbetried。Thesejudges，andallthemeninpower，ireveryfriendlytoyou，andveryrecognisantofyourservices；aretheynot?\'
`NothingconnectedwithCharleswasconcealedfromme。IhadthestrongestassurancesthatIshouldsavehim；andIdid。\'Hereturnedtheansweringreattrouble，andveryslowly。
`Trythemagain。Thehoursbetweenthisandto-morrowafternoonarefewandshort，buttry。\'
`Iintendtotry。Iwillnotrestamoment。\'
`That\'swell。Ihaveknownsuchenergyasyoursdogreatthingsbeforenow——thoughnever，\'headded，withasmileandasightogether，`suchgreatthingsasthis。Buttry!Oflittleworthaslifeiswhenwemisuseit，itisworththateffort。Itwouldcostnothingtolaydownifitwerenot。\'
`Iwillgo，\'saidDoctorManette，`totheProsecutorandthePresidentstraight，andIwillgotootherswhomitisbetternottoname。Iwillwritetoo，and——Butstay!Thereisacelebrationinthestreets，andnoonewillbeaccessibleuntildark。\'
`That\'strue。Well!Itisaforlornhopeatthebest，andnotmuchtheforlornerforbeingdelayedtilldark。Ishouldliketoknowhowyouspeed；though，mind!Iexpectnothing!Whenareyoulikelytohaveseenthesedreadpowers，DoctorManette?\'
`Immediatelyafterdark，Ishouldhope。Withinanhourortwofromthis。\'
`Itwillbedarksoonafterfour。Letusstretchthehourortwo。
IfIgotoMr。Lorry\'satnine，shallIhearwhatyouhavedone，eitherfromourfriendorfromyourself?\'
`Yes。\'`Mayyouprosper!\'
Mr。LorryfollowedSydneytotheouterdoor，and，touchinghimontheshoulderashewasgoingaway，causedhimtoturn。
`Ihavenohope，\'saidMr。Lorry，inalowandsorrowfulwhisper。
`NorhaveI。\'
`Ifanyoneofthesemen，orallofthesemen，weredisposedtosparehim——whichisalargesupposition；forwhatishislife，oranyman\'stothem!——Idoubtiftheydurstsparehimafterthedemonstrationinthecourt。\'
`AndsodoI。Iheardthefalloftheaxeinthatsound。\'
Mr。Lorryleanedhisarmuponthedoor-post，andbowedhisfaceuponit。
`Don\'tdespond，\'saidCarton，verygently；`don\'tgrieve。IencouragedDoctorManetteinthisidea，becauseIfeltthatitmightonedaybeconsolatorytoher。Otherwise，shemightthink\"hislifewaswantonlythrownawayorwasted，\"andthatmighttroubleher。\'
`Yes，yes，yes，\'returnedMr。Lorry，dryinghiseyes，`youareright。Buthewillperish；thereisnorealhope。
`Yes。Hewillperish:thereisnorealhope，\'echoedCarton。Andwalkedwithasettledstep，down-stairs。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIIDarknessSYDNEYCARTONpausedinthestreet，notquitedecidedwheretogo。`AtTellson\'sbanking-houseatnine，\'hesaid，withamusingface。`ShallI
dowell，inthemeantime，toshowmyself?Ithinkso。ItisbestthatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere；itisasoundprecaution，andmaybeanecessarypreparation。Butcare，care，care!Letmethinkitout!\'
Checkinghissteps，whichhadbeguntotendtowardsanobject，hetookaturnortwointhealreadydarkeningstreet，andtracedthethoughtinhismindtoitspossibleconsequences。Hisfirstimpressionwasconfirmed。
`Itisbest，\'hesaid，finallyresolved，`thatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere。\'AndheturnedhisfacetowardsSaintAntoine。
Defargehaddescribedhimself，thatday，asthekeeperofawine-shopintheSaintAntoinesuburb。Itwasnotdifficultforonewhoknewthecitywell，tofindhishousewithoutaskinganyquestion。Havingascertaineditssituation，Cartoncameoutofthosecloserstreetsagain，anddinedataplaceofrefreshmentandfellsoundasleepafterdinner。Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears，hehadnostrongdrink。Sincelastnighthehadtakennothingbutalittlelightthinwine，andlastnighthehaddroppedthebrandyslowlydownonMr。Lorry\'shearthlikeamanwhohaddonewithit。
Itwasaslateasseveno\'clockwhenheawokerefreshed，andwentoutintothestreetsagain。AshepassedalongtowardsSaintAntoine，hestoppedatashop-windowwheretherewasamirror，andslightlyalteredthedisorderedarrangementofhisloosecravat，andhiscoat-collar，andhiswildhair。Thisdone，hewentondirecttoDefarge\'s，andwentin。
TherehappenedtobenocustomerintheshopbutJacquesThree，oftherestlessfingersandthecroakingvoice。Thisman，whomhehadseenupontheJury，stooddrinkingatthelittlecounter，inconversationwiththeDefarges，manandwife。TheVengeanceassistedintheconversation，likearegularmemberoftheestablishment。
AsCartonwalkedin，tookhisseatandasked(inveryindifferentFrench)forasmallmeasureofwine，MadameDefargecastacarelessglanceathim，andthenakeener，andthenakeener，andthenadvancedtohimherself，andaskedhimwhatitwashehadordered。
Herepeatedwhathehadalreadysaid。
`English?\'askedMadameDefarge，inquisitivelyraisingherdarkeyebrows。
Afterlookingather，asifthesoundofevenasingleFrenchwordwereslowtoexpressitselftohim，heanswered，inhisformerstrongforeignaccent，`Yes，madame，yes。IamEnglish!\'
MadameDefargereturnedtohercountertogetthewine，and，ashetookupaJacobinjournalandfeignedtoporeoveritpuzzlingoutitsmeaning，heheardhersay，`Isweartoyou，likeEvré；monde!\'
Defargebroughthimthewine，andgavehimGoodEvening。
`How?\'
`Goodevening。\'
`Oh!Goodevening，citizen，\'fillinghisglass。`Ah!andgoodwine。IdrinktotheRepublic。\'
Defargewentbacktothecounter，andsaid，`Certainly，alittlelike。\'Madamesternlyretorted，`Itellyouagooddeallike。\'JacquesThreepacificallyremarked，`Heissomuchinyourmind，seeyou，madame。\'
TheamiableVengeanceadded，withalaugh，`Yes，myfaith!Andyouarelookingforwardwithsomuchpleasuretoseeinghimoncemoreto-morrow!\'
Cartonfollowedthelinesandwordsofhispaper，withaslowforefinger，andwithastudiousandabsorbedface。Theywereallleaningtheirarmsonthecounterclosetogether，speakinglow。Afterasilenceofafewmoments，duringwhichtheyalllookedtowardshimwithoutdisturbinghisoutwardattentionfromtheJacobineditor，theyresumedtheirconversation。
`Itistruewhatmadamesays，\'observedJacquesThree。`Whystop?
Thereisgreatforceinthat。Whystop?\'
`Well，well，\'reasonedDefarge，`butonemuststopsomewhere。
Afterall，thequestionisstillwhere?\'
`Atextermination，\'saidmadame。
`Magnificent!\'croakedJacquesThree。TheVengeance，also，highlyapproved。
`Exterminationisgooddoctrine，mywife，\'saidDefarge，rathertroubled；`ingeneral，Isaynothingagainstit。ButthisDoctorhassufferedmuch；youhaveseenhimto-day；youhaveobservedhisfacewhenthepaperwasread。\'
`Ihaveobservedhisface!\'repeatedmadame，contemptuouslyandangrily。`Yes。Ihaveobservedhisface。IhaveobservedhisfacetobenotthefaceofatruefriendoftheRepublic。Lethimtakecareofhisface!\'
`Andyouhaveobserved，mywife，\'saidDefarge，inadeprecatorymanner，`theanguishofhisdaughter，whichmustbeadreadfulanguishtohim!\'
`Ihaveobservedhisdaughter，\'repeatedmadame；`yes，Ihaveobservedhisdaughter，moretimesthanone。Ihaveobservedherto-day，andIhaveobservedherotherdays。Ihaveobservedherinthecourt，andIhaveobservedherinthestreetbytheprison。Letmebutliftmyfinger——!\'
Sheseemedtoraiseit(thelistener\'seyeswerealwaysonhispaper)，andtoletitfallwitharattleontheledgebeforeher，asiftheaxehaddropped。
`Thecitizenessissuperb!\'croakedtheJuryman。
`SheisanAngel!\'saidTheVengeance，andembracedher。
`Astothee，\'pursuedmadame，implacably，addressingherhusband，`ifitdependedonthee——which，happily，itdoesnot——thouwouldstrescuethismanevennow。
`No!\'protestedDefarge。`Notiftoliftthisglasswoulddoit!
ButIwouldleavethematterthere。Isay，stopthere。\'
`Seeyouthen，Jacques，\'saidMadameDefarge，wrathfully；`andseeyou，too，mylittleVengeance；seeyouboth!Listen!Forothercrimesastyrantsandoppressors，Ihavethisracealongtimeonmyregister，doomedtodestructionandextermination。Askmyhusband，isthatso。\'
`Itisso，\'assentedDefarge，withoutbeingasked。
`Inthebeginningofthegreatdays，whentheBastillefalls，hefindsthispaperofto-day，andhebringsithome，andinthemiddleofthenightwhenthisplaceisclearandshut，wereadit，hereonthisspot，bythelightofthislamp。Askhim，isthatso。\'
`Itisso，\'assentedDefarge。
`Thatnight，Itellhim，whenthepaperisreadthrough，andthelampisburntout，andthedayisgleaminginabovethoseshuttersandbetweenthoseironbars，thatIhavenowasecrettocommunicate。Askhim，isthatso。\'
`Itisso，\'assentedDefargeagain。
`Icommunicatetohimthatsecret。IsmitethisbosomwiththesetwohandsasIsmiteitnow，andItellhim，\"Defarge，Iwasbroughtupamongthefishermenofthesea-shore，andthatpeasantfamilysoinjuredbythetwoEvré；mondebrothers，asthatBastillepaperdescribes，ismyfamily。Defarge，thatsisterofthemortallywoundedboyuponthegroundwasmysister，thathusbandwasmysister\'shusband，thatunbornchildwastheirchild，thatbrotherwasmybrother，thatfatherwasmyfather，thosedeadaremydead，andthatsummonstoanswerforthosethingsdescendstome!\"Askhim，isthatso。\'
`Itisso，\'assentedDefargeoncemore。
`ThentellWindandFirewheretostop，\'returnedmadame；`butdon\'ttellme。\'
Bothherhearersderivedahorribleenjoymentfromthedeadlynatureofherwrath——thelistenercouldfeelhowwhiteshewas，withoutseeingher——andbothhighlycommendedit。Defarge，aweakminority，interposedafewwordsforthememoryofthecompassionatewifeoftheMarquis；butonlyelicitedfromhisownwifearepetitionofherlastreply。`TelltheWindandtheFirewheretostop；notme!\'
Customersentered，andthegroupwasbrokenup。TheEnglishcustomerpaidforwhathehadhad，perplexedlycountedhischange，andasked，asastranger，tobedirectedtowardstheNationalPalace。MadameDefargetookhimtothedoor，andputherarmonhis，inpointingouttheroad。
TheEnglishcustomerwasnotwithouthisreflectionsthen，thatitmightbeagooddeedtoseizethatarm，liltit，andstrikeunderitsharpanddeep。
But，hewenthisway，andwassoonswallowedupintheshadowoftheprisonwall。Attheappointedhour，heemergedfromittopresenthimselfinMr。Lorry\'sroomagain，wherehefoundtheoldgentlemanwalkingtoandfroinrestlessanxiety。HesaidhehadbeenwithLucieuntiljustnow，andhadonlyleftherforafewminutes，tocomeandkeephisappointment。
Herfatherhadnotbeenseen，sincehequittedthebankinghousetowardsfouro\'clock。ShehadsomefainthopesthathismediationmightsaveCharles，buttheywereveryslight。Hehadbeenmorethanfivehoursgone:wherecouldhebe?
Mr。Lorrywaiteduntilten；but，DoctorManettenotreturning，andhebeingunwillingtoleaveLucieanylonger，itwasarrangedthatheshouldgobacktoher，andcometothebanking-houseagainatmidnight。
Inthemeanwhile，CartonwouldwaitalonebythefirefortheDoctor。Hewaitedandwaited，andtheclockstrucktwelve；butDoctorManettedidnotcomeback。Mr。Lorryreturned，andfoundnotidingsofhim，andbroughtnone。Wherecouldhebe?
Theywerediscussingthisquestion，andwerealmostbuildingupsomeweakstructureofhopeonhisprolongedabsence，whentheyheardhimonthestairs。Theinstantheenteredtheroom，itwasplainthatallwaslost。
Whetherhehadreallybeentoanyone，orwhetherhehadbeenallthattimetraversingthestreets，wasneverknown。Ashestoodstaringatthem，theyaskedhimnoquestion，forhisfacetoldthemeverything。
`Icannotfindit，\'saidhe，`andImusthaveit。Whereisit?\'
Hisheadandthroatwerebare，and，ashespokewithahelplesslookstrayingallaround，hetookhiscoatoff，andletitdroponthefloor。
`Whereismybench?Ihavebeenlookingeverywhereformybench，andIcan\'tfindit。Whathavethey，donewithmywork?Timepresses:I
mustfinishthoseshoes。
Theylookedatoneanother，andtheirheartsdiedwithinthem。
`Come，come!\'saidhe，inawhimperingmiserableway；`letmegettowork。Givememywork。\'
Receivingnoanswer，hetorehishair，andbeathisfeetupontheground，likeadistractedchild。
`Don\'ttortureapoorforlornwretch，\'heimploredthem，withadreadfulcry；`butgivememywork!Whatistobecomeofus，ifthoseshoesarenotdoneto-night?\'
Lost，utterlylost!
Itwassoclearlybeyondhopetoreasonwithhim，ortrytorestorehim，——that——asifbyagreement——theyeachputahanduponhisshoulder，andsoothedhimtositdownbeforethefire，withapromisethatheshouldhavehisworkpresently。Hesankintothechair，andbroodedovertheembers，andshedtears。Asifallthathadhappenedsincethegarrettimewereamomentaryfancy，oradream，Mr。LorrysawhimshrinkintotheexactfigurethatDefargehadhadinkeeping。
Affected，andimpressedwithterrorastheybothwere，bythisspectacleofruin，itwasnotatimetoyieldtosuchemotions。Hislonelydaughter，bereftofherfinalhopeandreliance，appealedtothembothtoostrongly。Again，asifbyagreement，theylookedatoneanotherwithonemeaningintheirfaces。Cartonwasthefirsttospeak:
`Thelastchanceisgone:Itwasnotmuch。Yes；hehadbetterbetakentoher。But，beforeyougo，willyou，foramoment，steadilyattendtome?Don\'taskmewhyImakethestipulationsIamgoingtomake，andexactthepromiseIamgoingtoexact；Ihaveareason——agoodone。\'
`Idonotdoubtit，\'answeredMr。Lorry。`Sayon。\'
Thefigureinthechairbetweenthem，wasallthetimemonotonouslyrockingitselftoandfro，andmoaning。Theyspokeinsuchatoneastheywouldhaveusediftheyhadbeenwatchingbyasick-bedintilenight。
Cartonstoopedtopickupthecoat，whichlayalmostentanglinghisfeet。Ashedidso，asmallcaseinwhichtheDoctorwasaccustomedtocarrythelistofhisday\'sduties，felllightlyonthefloor。Cartontookitup，andtherewasafoldedpaperinit。`Weshouldlookatthis!\'
hesaid。Mr。Lorrynoddedhisconsent。Heopenedit，andexclaimed，`ThankGOD\'
`Whatisit?\'askedMr。Lorry，eagerly。
`Amoment!Letmespeakofitinitsplace。First，\'heputhishandinhiscoat，andtookanotherpaperfromit，`thatisthecertificatewhichenablesmetopassoutofthiscity。Lookatit。Yousee——SydneyCarton，anEnglishman?\'
Mr。Lorryhelditopeninhishand，gazinginhisearnestface。
`Keepitformeuntilto-morrow。Ishallseehimto-morrow，youremember；andIhadbetternottakeitintotheprison。\'
`Whynot?\'
`Idon\'tknow；Iprefernottodoso。Now，takethispaperthatDoctorManettehascarriedabouthim。Itisasimilarcertificate，enablinghimandhisdaughterandherchildatanytime，topassthebarrierandthefrontier?Yousee?\"
`Yes!\'
`Perhapsheobtaineditashislastandutmostprecautionagainstevil，yesterday。Whenisitdated?Butnomatter；don\'tstaytolook；putitupcarefullywit!，mineandyourown。Now，observe!Ineverdoubteduntilwithinthishourortwo，tathehad，orcouldhavesuchapaper。
Itisgood，untilrecalled。Butitmaybesoonrecalled，and，Ihavereasontothink，willbe。\'
`Theyarenotindanger?\'
`Theyareingreatdanger。TheyareindangerofdenunciationbyMadameDefarge。Iknowitfromherownlips。Ihaveoverheardwordsofthatwoman\'s，to-night，whichhavepresentedtheirdangertomeinstrongcolours。Ihavelostnotime，andsincethen，Ihaveseenthespy。Heconfirmsme。Heknowsthatawood-sawyer，livingbytheprison-wall，isunderthecontroloftheDefarges，andhasbeenrehearsedbyMadameDefargeastohishavingseenHer\'——henevermentionedLucie\'sname——\'makingsignsandsignalstoprisoners。Itiseasytoforeseethatthepretencewillbethecommonone，aprisonplot，andthatitwillinvolveherlife——andperhapsherchild\'s——andperhapsherfather\'s——forbothhavebeenseenwithheratthatplace。Don\'tlooksohorrified。Youwillsavethemall。\'
`HeavengrantImay，Carton!Buthow?\'
`Iamgoingtotellyouhow。Itwilldependonyou，anditcoulddependonnobetterman。Thisnewdenunciationwillcertainlynottakeplaceuntilafterto-morrow；probablynotuntiltwoorthreedaysafterwards；
moreprobablyaweekafterwards。Youknowitisacapitalcrime，tomournfor，orsympathisewith，avictimoftheGuillotine。Sheandherfatherwouldunquestionablybeguiltyofthiscrime，andthiswoman(theinveteracyofwhosepursuitcannotbedescribed)wouldwaittoaddthatstrengthtohercase，andmakeherselfdoublysure。Youfollowme?\'
`Soattentively，andwithsomuchconfidenceinwhatyousay，thatforthemomentIlosesight，\'touchingthebackoftheDoctor\'schair，`evenofthisdistress。\'
`Youhavemoney，andcanbuythemeansoftravellingtotileSea-coastasquicklyasthejourneycanbemade。Yourpreparationshavebeencompletedforsomedays，toreturntoEngland。Earlyto-morrowhaveyourhorsesready，sothattheymaybeinstartingtrimattwoo\'clockintheafternoon。\'
`Itshallbedone!\'
Hismannerwassoferventandinspiring，thatMr。Lorrycaughttheflame，andwasasquickasyouth。
`Youareanobleheart。DidIsaywecoulddependuponnobetterman?Tellher，to-night，whatyouknowofherdangerasinvolvingherchildandherfather。Dwelluponthat，forshewouldlayherownfairheadbesideherhusband\'scheerfully。\'Hefalteredforaninstant；thenwentonasbefore。`Forthesakeofherchildandherfather，pressuponherthenecessityofleavingParis，withthemandyou，atthathour。Tellherthatitwasherhusband\'slastarrangement。Tellherthatmoredependsuponitthanshedarebelieve，orhope。Youthinkthatherfather，eveninthissadstate，willsubmithimselftoher；doyounot?\'
`Iamsureofit。\'
`Ithoughtso。Quietlyandsteadilyhaveallthesearrangementsmadeinthecourt-yardhere，eventothetakingofyourownseatinthecarriage。ThemomentIcometoyou，takemein，anddriveaway。\'
`IunderstandthatIwaitforyouunderallcircumstances?\'
`Youhavemycertificateinyourhandwiththerest，youknow，andwillreservemyplace。Waitfornothingbuttohavemyplaceoccupied，andthenforEngland!\'
`Why，then，\'saidMr。Lorry，graspinghiseagerbutsofirmandsteadyhand，`itdoesnotalldependononeoldman，butIshallhaveayoungandardentmanatmyside。\'
`BythehelpofHeavenyoushall!Promisemesolemnlythatnothingwillinfluenceyoutoalterthecourseonwhichwenowstandpledgedtooneanother。\'
`Nothing，Carton。\'
`Rememberthesewordsto-morrow:changethecourse，ordelayinit——foranyreason——andnolifecanpossiblybesaved，andmanylivesmustinevitablybesacrificed。\'
`Iwillrememberthem。Ihopetodomypartfaithfully。\'`AndIhopetodomine。Now，good-bye!\'
Thoughhesaiditwithagravesmileofearnestness，andthoughlieevenputtheoldman\'shandtohislips，hedidnotpartfromhimthen。
Hehelpedhimsofartoarousetherockingfigurebeforethedyingembers，astogetacloakandhatputuponit，andtotemptitforthtofindwherethebenchandworkwerehiddenthatitstillmoaninglybesoughttohave。
Hewalkedontheothersideofitandprotectedittothecourt-yardofthehousewheretheafflictedheart——sohappyinthememorabletimewhenhehadrevealedhisowndesolatehearttoit——outwatchedtheawfulnight。
Heenteredthecourt-yardandremainedthereforafewmomentsalone，lopingupatthelightinthewindowofherroom。Beforehewentaway，hebreathedablessingtowardsit，andaFarewell。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIIIFifty-twoINtheblackprisonoftheConciergerie，thedoomedofthedayawaitedtheirfate。Theywereinnumberastheweeksoftheyear。Fifty-twoweretorollthatafternoononthelife-tideofthecitytotheboundlesseverlastingsea。Beforetheircellswerequitofthem，newoccupantswereappointed；
beforetheirbloodranintothebloodspilledyesterday，thebloodthatwastominglewiththeirsto-morrowwasalreadysetapart。
TwoscoreandtwelveweretoldoffFromthefarmer-generalofseventy，whoserichescouldnotbuyhislife，totheseamstressoftwenty，whosepovertyandobscuritycouldnotsaveher。Physicaldiseases，engenderedinthevicesandneglectsofmen，willseizeonvictimsofalldegrees；
andthefrightfulmoraldisorder，bornofunspeakablesuffering，intolerableoppression，andheartlessindifference，smoteequallywithoutdistinction。
CharlesDarnay，aloneinacell，hadsustainedhimselfwithnoflatteringdelusionsincehecametoitfromtheTribunal。Ineverylineofthenarrativehehadheard，hehadheardhiscondemnation。Hehadfullycomprehendedthatnopersonalinfluencecouldpossiblysavehim，thathewasvirtuallysentencedbythemillions，andthatunitscouldavailhimnothing。
Nevertheless，itwasnoteasy，withthefaceofhisbelovedwifefreshbeforehim，tocomposehismindtowhatitmustbear。Hisholdonlifewasstrong，anditwasvery，veryhardtoloosen；bygradualeffortsanddegreesunclosedalittlehere，itclenchedthetighterthere；andwhenhebroughthisstrengthtobearonthathandandityielded，thiswasclosedagain。Therewasahurry，too，inallhisthoughts，aturbulentandheatedworkingofhisheart，thatcontendedagainstresignation。Ifforamoment，hedidfeelresigned，thenhiswifeandchildwhohadtoliveafterhim，seemedtoprotestandtomakeitaselfishthing。
But，allthiswasatfirst。Beforelong，theconsiderationthattherewasnodisgraceinthefatehemustmeet，andthatnumberswentthesameroadwrongfully，andtroditfirmlyeveryday，spranguptostimulatehim。Nextfollowedthethoughtthatmuchofthefuturepeaceofmindenjoyablebythedearones，dependedonhisquietfortitude。So，bydegreeshecalmedintothebetterstate，whenhecouldraisehisthoughtsmuchhigher，anddrawcomfortdown。
Beforeithadsetindarkonthenightofhiscondemnation，hehadtravelledthusfaronhislastway。Beingallowedtopurchasethemeansofwriting，andalight，hesatdowntowriteuntilsuchtimeastheprisonlampsshouldbeextinguished。
HewrotealonglettertoLucie，showingherthathehadknownnothingofherfather\'simprisonment，untilhehadheardofitfromherself，andthathehadbeenasignorantassheofhisfather\'sanduncle\'sresponsibilityforthatmisery，untilthepaperhadbeenread。Hehadalreadyexplainedtoherthathisconcealmentfromherselfofthenamehehadrelinquished，wastheonecondition——fullyintelligiblenow——thatherfatherhadattachedtotheirbetrothal，andwastheonepromisehehadstillexactedonthemorningoftheirmarriage。Heentreatedher，forherfather\'ssake，nevertoseektoknowwhetherherfatherhadbecomeobliviousoftheexistenceofthepaper，orhadhaditrecalledtohim(forthemoment，orforgood)，bythestoryoftheTower，onthatoldSundayunderthedearoldplane-treeinthegarden。Ifhehadpreservedanydefiniteremembranceofit，therecouldbenodoubtthathehadsupposeditdestroyedwiththeBastille，whenhehadfoundnomentionofitamongtherelicsofprisonerswhichthepopulacehaddiscoveredthere，andwhichhadbeendescribedtoalltheworld。Hebesoughther——thoughheaddedthatheknewitwasneedless——toconsoleherfather，byimpressinghimthrougheverytendermeansshecouldthinkof，withthetruththathehaddonenothingforwhichhecouldjustlyreproachhimself，buthaduniformlyforgottenhimselffortheirjointsakes。
Nexttoherpreservationofhisownlastgratefulloveandblessing，andherovercomingofhersorrow，todevoteherselftotheirdearchild，headjuredher，astheywouldmeetinHeaven，tocomfortherfather。
Toherfatherhimselfhewroteinthesamestrain；but，hetoldherfatherthatheexpresslyconfidedhiswifeandchildtohiscare。Andhetoldhimthis，verystrongly，withthehopeofrousinghimfromanydespondencyordangerousretrospecttowardswhichheforesawhemightbetending。
ToMr。Lorry，hecommendedthemall，andexplainedhisworldlyaffairs。
Thatdone，withmanyaddedsentencesofgratefulfriendshipandwarmattachment，allwasdone。HeneverthoughtofCarton。Hismindwassofulloftheothers，thatheneveroncethoughtofhim。
Hehadtimetofinishtheselettersbeforethelightswereputout。Whenhelaydownonhisstrawbed，hethoughthehaddonewiththisworld。
But，itbeckonedhimbackinhissleep，andshoweditselfinshiningforms。Freeandhappy，backintheoldhouseinSoho(thoughithadnothinginitliketherealhouse)，unaccountablyreleasedandlightofheart，hewaswithLucieagain，andshetoldhimitwasalladream，andhehadnevergoneaway。Apauseofforgetfulness，andthenliehadevensuffered，andhadcomebacktoher，deadandatpeace，andyettherewasnodifferenceinhim。Anotherpauseofoblivion，andheawokeinthesombremorning，unconsciouswherehewasorwhathadhappened，untilitflasheduponhismind，`thisisthedayofmydeath\'
Thus，hadhecomethroughthehours，tothedaywhenthefifty-twoheadsweretofall。Andnow，whilehewascomposed，andhopedthathecouldmeettheendwithquietheroism，anewactionbeganinhiswakingthoughts，whichwasverydifficulttomaster。
Hehadneverseentheinstrumentthatwastoterminatehislife。
Howhighitwasfromtheground，howmanystepsithad，wherehewouldbestood，howhewouldbetouched，whetherthetouchinghandswouldbedyedred，whichwayhisfacewouldbeturned，whetherhewouldbethefirst，ormightbethelast:theseandmanysimilarquestions，innowisedirectedbyhiswill，obtrudedthemselvesoverandoveragain，countlesstimes。
Neitherweretheyconnectedwithfear:hewasconsciousofnofear。Rather，theyoriginatedinastrangebesettingdesiretoknowwhattodowhenthetimecame；adesiregiganticallydisproportionatetothefewswiftmomentstowhichitreferred；awonderingthatwasmorelikethewonderingofsomeotherspiritwithinhis，thanhisown。
Thehourswentonasliewalkedtoandfro，andtheclocksstruckthenumbershewouldneverhearagain。Nineconeforever，tengoneforever，elevengoneforever，twelvecomingontopassaway。Afterahardcontestwiththateccentricactionofthoughtwhichhadlastperplexedhim，hehadgotthebetterofit。Hewalkedupanddown，softlyrepeatingtheirnamestohimself。Theworstofthestrifewasover。Hecouldwalkupanddown，freefromdistractingfancies，prayingforhimselfandforthem。
Twelvegoneforever。
HehadbeenapprisedthatthefinalhourwasThree，andheknewhewouldbesummonedsometimeearlier，inasmuchasthetumbrilsjoltedheavilyandslowlythroughthestreets。Therefore，heresolvedtokeepTwobeforehismind，asthehour，andsotostrengthenhimselfintheintervalthathemightbeable，afterthattime，tostrengthenothers。
Walkingregularlytoandfrowithhisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，averydifferentmanfromtheprisoner，whohadwalkedtoandfroatLaForce，heheardOnestruckawayfromhim，withoutsurprise。Thehourhadmeasuredlikemostotherhours。DevoutlythankfultoHeavenforhisrecoveredself-possession，hethought，`Thereisbutanothernow，\'andturnedtowalkagain。
Footstepsinthestonepassageoutsidethedoor。Hestopped。
Thekeywasputinthelock，andturned。Beforethedoorwasopened，orasitopened，amansaidinalowvoice，inEnglish:`Hehasneverseenmehere；Ihavekeptoutofhisway。Goyouinalone；Iwaitnear。Losenotime!\'
Thedoorwasquicklyopenedandclosed，andtherestoodbeforehimfacetoface，quiet，intentuponhim，withthelightofasmileonhisfeatures，andacautionaryfingeronhislip，SydneyCarton。
Therewassomethingsobrightandremarkableinhislook，that，forthefirstmoment，theprisonermisdoubtedhimtobeanapparitionofhisownimagining。But，hespoke，anditwashisvoice；hetooktheprisoner\'shand，anditwashisrealgrasp。
`Ofallthepeopleuponearth，youleastexpectedtoseeme?\'
hesaid。
`Icouldnotbelieveittobeyou。Icanscarcelybelieveitnow。
Youarenot\'——theapprehensioncamesuddenlyintohismind——`aprisoner?\'
`No。Iamaccidentallypossessedofapoweroveroneofthekeepershere，andinvirtueofitIstandbeforeyou。Icomefromher——yourwife，dearDarnay。\'
Theprisonerwrunghishand。
`Ibringyouarequestfromher。\'
`Whatisit?\'
`Amostearnest，pressing，andemphaticentreaty，addressedtoyouinthemostpathetictonesofthevoicesodeartoyou，thatyouwellremember。\'
Theprisonerturnedhisfacepartlyaside。
`YouhavenotimetoaskmewhyIbringit，orwhatitmeans；
Ihavenotimetotellyou。Youmustcomplywithit——takeoffthosebootsyouwear，anddrawontheseofmine。\'
Therewasachairagainstthewallofthecell，behindtheprisoner。
Carton，pressingforward，hadalready，withthespeedoflightning，gothimdownintoit，andstoodoverhim，barefoot。
`Drawonthesebootsofmine。Putyourhandstothem；putyourwilltothem。Quick!\'
`Carton，thereisnoescapingfromthisplace；itnevercanbedone。Youwillonlydiewithme。Itismadness。\'
`ItwouldbemadnessifIaskedyoutoescape；butdoI?
WhenIaskyoutopassoutatthatdoor，tellmeitismadnessandremainhere。Changethatcravatforthisofmine，thatcoatforthisofmine。
Whileyoudoit，letmetakethisribbonfromyourhair，andshakeoutyourhairlikethisofmine!\'
Withwonderfulquickness，andwithastrengthbothofwillandaction，thatappearedquitesupernatural，heforcedallthesechangesuponhim。Theprisonerwaslikeayoungchildinhishands。
`Carton!DearCarton!Itismadness。Itcannotbeaccomplished，itnevercanbedone，ithasbeenattempted，andhasalwaysfailed。Iimploreyounottoaddyourdeathtothebitternessofmine。
`DoIaskyou，mydearDarnay，topassthedoor?WhenIaskthat，refuse。Therearepenandinkandpaperonthistable。Isyourhandsteadyenoughtowrite?\'
`Itwaswhenyoucamein。
