`Steadyitagain，andwritewhatIshalldictate。Quick，friend，quick!\'
Pressinghishandtohisbewilderedhead，Darnaysatdownatthetable。Carton，withhisrighthandinhisbreast，stoodclosebesidehim。
`WriteexactlyasIspeak。\'
`TowhomdoIaddressit?\'
`Tonoone。\'Cartonstillhadhishandinhisbreast。
`DoIdateit?\'
`No。\'
Theprisonerlookedup，ateachquestion。Carton，standingoverhimwithhishandinhisbreast，lookeddown。
```Ifyouremember，\'\'\'saidCarton，dictating，```thewordsthatpassedbetweenus，longago，youwillreadilycomprehendthiswhenyouseeit。Youdorememberthem，Iknow。Itisnotinyournaturetoforgetthem。\'\'\'
Hewasdrawinghishandfromhisbreast；theprisonerchancingtolookupinhishurriedwonderashewrote，thehandstopped，closinguponsomething。
`Haveyouwritten``forgetthem!\'\'Cartonasked。
`Ihave。Isthataweaponinyourhand?\'
`No；Iamnotarmed。\'
`Whatisitinyourhand?\'
`Youshallknowdirectly。Writeon；therearebutafewwordsmore。\'Hedictatedagain。```Iamthankfulthatthetimehascome，whenIcanprovethem。ThatIdosoisnosubjectforregretorgrief。\'\'\'Ashesaidthesewordswithhiseyesfixedonthewriter，hishandslowlyandsoftlymoveddownclosetothewriter\'sface。
ThependroppedfromDarnay\'sfingersonthetable，andhelookedabouthimvacantly。
`Whatvapouristhat?\'heasked。
`Vapour?\'
`Somethingthatcrossedme?\'
`Iamconsciousofnothing；therecanbenothinghere。Takeupthepenandfinish。Hurry，hurry!\'
Asifhismemorywereimpaired，orhisfacultiesdisordered，theprisonermadeanefforttorallyhisattention。AshelookedatCartonwithcloudedeyesandwithanalteredmannerofbreathing，Carton——hishandagaininhisbreast——lookedsteadilyathim。
`Hurry，hurry!`
Theprisonerbentoverthepaper，oncemore。
```Ifithadbeenotherwise；\'\'\'Carton\'shandwasagainwatchfullyandsoftlystealingdown；```Inevershouldhaveusedthelongeropportunity。
Ifithadbeenotherwise；\'\'\'thehandwasattheprisoner\'sface；```I
shouldbuthavehadsomuchthemoretoanswerfor。Ifithadbeenotherwise——\'\'\'
Cartonlookedatthepenandsawitwastrailingoffintounintelligiblesigns。
Carton\'shandmovedbacktohisbreastnomore。Theprisonersprangupwithareproachfullook，butCarton\'shandwascloseandfirmathisnostrils，andCarton\'sleftarmcaughthimroundthewaist。Forafewsecondshefaintlystruggledwiththemanwhohadcometolaydownhislifeforhim；but，withinaminuteorso，hewasstretchedinsensibleontheground。
Quickly，butwithhandsastruetothepurposeashisheartwas，Cartondressedhimselfintheclothestheprisonerhadlaidaside，combedbackhishair，andtieditwiththeribbontheprisonerhadworn。Then，hesoftlycalled，`Enterthere!Comein!\'andtheSpypresentedhimself。
`Yousee?\'saidCarton，lookingup，ashekneeledononekneebesidetheinsensiblefigure，puttingthepaperinthebreast:`isyourhazardverygreat?\'
`Mr。Carton，\'theSpyanswered，withatimidsnapofhisfingers，`myhazardisnotthat，inthethickofbusinesshere，ifyouaretruetothewholeofyourbargain。\'
`Don\'tfearme。Iwillbetruetothedeath。\'
`Youmustbe，Mr。Carton，ifthetaleoffifty-twoistoberight。
Beingmaderightbyyouinthatdress，Ishallhavenofear。
`Havenofear!Ishallsoonbeoutofthewayofharmingyou，andtherestwillsoonbefarfromhere，pleaseGod!Now，getassistanceandtakemetothecoach。\'
`You?\'saidtheSpynervously。
`Him，man，withwhomIhaveexchanged。Yougooutatthegatebywhichyoubroughtmein?
`Ofcourse。\'
`Iwasweakandfaintwhenyoubroughtmein，andIamfainternowyoutakemeout。Thepartinginterviewhasoverpoweredme。Suchathinghashappenedhere，often，andtoooften。Yourlifeisinyourownhands。
Quick!Callassistance!\'
`Youswearnottobetrayme?\'saidthetremblingSpy，ashepausedforalastmoment。
`Man，man!\'returnedCarton，stampinghisfoot；`haveIswornbynosolemnvowalready，togothroughwiththis，thatyouwastethepreciousmomentsnow?Takehimyourselftothecourt-yardyouknowof，placehimyourselfinthecarriage，showhimyourselftoMr。Lorry，tellhimyourselftogivehimnorestorativebutair，andtoremembermywordsoflastnight，andhispromiseoflastnight，anddriveaway!\'
TheSpywithdrew，andCartonseatedhimselfatthetable，restinghisforeheadonhishands。TheSpyreturnedimmediately，withtwomen。
`How，then?\'saidoneofthem，contemplatingthefallenfigure。
`SoafflictedtofindthathisfriendhasdrawnaprizeinthelotteryofSainteGuillotine?\'
`Agoodpatriot，\'saidtheother，`couldhardlyhavebeenmoreafflictediftheAristocrathaddrawnablank。\'
Theyraisedtheunconsciousfigure，placeditonalittertheyhadbroughttothedoor，andbenttocarryitaway。`Thetimeisshort，Evré；monde，\'saidtheSpy，inawarningVoice。
`Iknowitwell，\'answeredCarton。`Becarefulofmyfriend，I
entreatyou，andleaveme。
`Come，then，mychildren，\'saidBarsad。`Lifthim，andcomeaway!\'
Thedoorclosed，andCartonwasleftalone。Straininghispowersoflisteningtotheutmost，helistenedforanysoundthatmightdenotesuspicionoralarm。Therewasnone。Keysturned，doorsclashed，footstepspassedalongdistantpassages:nocrywasraised，orhurrymade，thatseemedunusual。Breathingmorefreelyinalittlewhile，hesatdownatthetable，andlistenedagainuntiltheclockstruckTwo。Soundsthathewasnotafraidof，forhedivinedtheirmeaning，thenbegantobeaudible。Severaldoorswereopenedinsuccession，andfinallyhisown。Agaoler，withalistinhishand，lookedin，merelysaying，`Followme，Evré；monde!\'andhefollowedintoalargedarkroom，atadistance。Itwasadarkwinterday，andwhatwiththeshadowswithin，andwhatwiththeshadowswithout，hecouldbutdimlydiscerntheotherswhowerebroughttheretohavetheirarmsbound。Somewerestanding；someseated。Somewerelamenting，andinrestlessmotion；but，thesewerefew。Thegreatmajorityweresilentandstill，lookingfixedlyattheground。
Ashestoodbythewallinadimcorner，whilesomeofthefifty-twowerebroughtinafterhim，onemanstoppedinpassing，toembracehim，ashavingaknowledgeofhim。Itthrilledhimwithagreatdreadofdiscovery；
butthemanwenton。Averyfewmomentsafterthat，ayoungwoman，withaslightgirlishform，asweetsparefaceinwhichtherewasnovestigeofcolour，andlargewidelyopenedpatienteyes，rosefromtheseatwherehehadobservedhersitting，andcametospeaktohim。
`CitizenEvré；monde，\'shesaid，touchinghimwithhercoldhand。`Iamapoorlittleseamstress，whowaswithyouinLaForce。
Hemurmuredforanswer:`True。Iforgetwhatyouwereaccusedof?\'
`Plots。ThoughthejustHeavenknowsIaminnocentofany。Isitlikely?Whowouldthinkofplottingwithapoorlittleweakcreaturelikeme?\'
Theforlornsmilewithwhichshesaidit，sotouchedhim，thattearsstartedfromhiseyes。
`Iamnotafraidtodie，CitizenEvré；monde，butIhavedonenothing。Iamnotunwillingtodie，iftheRepublicwhichistodosomuchgoodtouspoor，willprofitbymydeath；butIdonotknowhowthatcanbe，CitizenEvreé；monde。Suchapoorweaklittlecreature!\'
Asthelastthingonearththathisheartwastowarmandsoftento，itwarmedandsoftenedtothispitiablegirl。
`Iheardyouwerereleased，Citizen`Evré；monde。Ihopeditwastrue?\'
`Itwas。But，Iwasagaintakenandcondemned。\'
`IfImayridewithyou，CitizenEvré；monde，willyouletmeholdyourhand?Iamnotafraid，hutIamlittleandweak，anditwillgivememorecourage。\'
Asthepatienteyeswereliftedtohisface，hesawasuddendoubtinthem，andthenastonishment。Hepressedthework-worn，hunger-wornyoungfingers，andtouchedhislips。
`Areyoudyingforhim?\'shewhispered。
`Andhiswifeandchild。Hush!Yes。\'
`Oyouwillletmeholdyourbravehand，stranger?\'
`Hush!Yes，mypoorsister；tothelast。
Thesameshadowsthatarefallingontheprison，arefalling，inthatsamehouroftheearlyafternoon，ontheBarrierwiththecrowdaboutit，whenacoachgoingoutofParisdrivesuptobeexamined。
`Whogoeshere?Whomhavewewithin?Papers!\'
Thepapersarehandedout，andread。
`AlexandreManette。Physician。French。Whichishe?\'
Thisishe；thishelpless，inarticulatelymurmuring，wanderingoldmanpointedout。
`ApparentlytheCitizen-Doctorisnotinhisrightmind?TheRevolution-feverwillhavebeentoomuchforhim?\'
Greatlytoomuchforhim。
`Hah!Manysufferwithit。Lucie。Hisdaughter。French。Whichisshe?\'
Thisisshe。
`Apparentlyitmustbe。Lucie，thewifeofEvré；monde；isitnot\'。\"
Itis。
`Hah!Evré；mondehasanassignationelsewhere。Lucie，herchild。English。Thisisshe?\'
Sheandnoother。
`Kissme，childofEvré；monde。Now，thouhastkissedagoodRepublican；somethingnewinthyfamily；rememberit!SydneyCarton。Advocate。
English。Whichishe?\'
Helieshere，inthiscornerofthecarriage。He，too，ispointedout。
`ApparentlytheEnglishadvocateisinaswoon?\'
Itishopedhewillrecoverinthefresherair。Itisrepresentedthatheisnotinstronghealth，andhasseparatedsadlyfromafriendwhoisunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic。
`Isthatall?Itisnotagreatdeal，that!ManyareunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic，andmustlookoutatthelittlewindow。JarvisLorry。Banker。English。Whichishe?\'
`Iamhe。Necessarily，beingthelast。\'
ItisJarvisLorrywhohasrepliedtoallthepreviousquestions。
ItisJarvisLorrywhohasalightedandstandswithhishandonthecoachdoor，replyingtoagroupofofficials。Theyleisurelywalkroundthecarriageandleisurelymountthebox，tolookatwhatlittleluggageitcarriesontheroof；thecountry-peoplehangingabout，pressnearertothecoachdoorsandgreedilystarein；alittlechild，carriedbyitsmother，hasitsshortarmheldoutforit，thatitmaytouchthewifeofanaristocratwhohasgonetotheGuillotine。
`Beholdyourpapers，JarvisLorry，countersigned。\'
`Onecandepart，citizen?\'
`Onecandepart。Forward，mypostilions!Agoodjourney!\'
`Isaluteyou，citizens——Andthefirstdangerpassed!\'
TheseareagainthewordsofJarvisLorry，asheclaspshishands，andlooksupward。Thereisterrorinthecarriage，thereisweeping，thereistheheavybreathingoftheinsensibletraveller。
`Arewenotgoingtooslowly?Cantheynotbeinducedtogofaster?\'
asksLucie，clingingtotheoldman。
`Itwouldseemlikeflight，mydarling。Imustnoturgethemtoomuch；itwouldrousesuspicion。\'
`Lookback，lookback，andseeifwearepursued!\'
`Theroadisclear，mydearest。Sofar，wearenotpursued。\'
Housesintwosandthreespassbyus，solitaryfarms，ruinousbuildings，dye-works，tanneries，andthelike，opencountry，avenuesofleaflesstrees。Thehardunevenpavementisunderus，thesoftdeepmudisoneitherside。Sometimes，westrikeintotheskirtingmud，toavoidthestonesthatclatterusandshakeus；sometimeswestickinrutsandsloughsthere。Theagonyofourimpatienceisthensogreat，thatinourwildalarmandhurryweareforgettingoutandrunning——hiding——doinganythingbutstopping。
Outoftheopencountry，inagainamongruinousbuildings，solitaryfarms，dye-works，tanneries，andthelike，cottagesintwosandthrees，avenuesofleaflesstrees。Havethesemendeceivedus，andtakenusbackbyanotherroad?Isnotthisthesameplacetwiceover?ThankHeaven，no。
Avillage。Lookback，lookback，andseeifwearepursued!Hush!theposting-house。
Leisurely，ourfourhorsesaretakenout；leisurely，thecoachstandsinthelittlestreet，bereftofhorses，andwithnolikelihooduponitofevermovingagain；leisurely，thenewhorsescomeintovisibleexistence，onebyone；leisurely，thenewpostilionsfollow，suckingandplaitingthelashesoftheirwhips；leisurely，theoldpostilionscounttheirmoney，makewrongadditions，andarriveatdissatisfiedresults。Allthetime，ouroverfraughtheartsarebeatingataratethatwouldfaroutstripthefastestgallopofthefastesthorseseverfoaled。
Atlengththenewpostilionsareintheirsaddles，andtheoldareleftbehind。Wearethroughthevillage，upthehill，anddownthehill，andonthelowwaterygrounds。Suddenly)\'，thepostilionsexchangespeechwithanimatedgesticulation，andthehorses-arepulledup，almostontheirhaunches。Wearepursued。
`Ho!Withinthecarriagethere。Speakthen!\'
`Whatisit?\'asksMr。Lorry，lookingoutatwindow。
`Howmanydidtheysay?
`Idonotunderstandyou。\'
`Atthelastpost。HowmanytotheGuillotineto-day?\'
`Fifty-two。\'
`Isaidso!Abravenumber!Myfellow-citizenherewouldhaveitforty-two；tenmoreheadsareworthhaving。TheGuillotinegoeshandsomely。
Iloveit。Hiforward。Whoop!\'
Thenightcomesondark。Hemovesmore；heisbeginningtorevive，andtospeakintelligibly；hethinkstheyarestilltogether；heaskshim，byhisname，whathehasinhishand。Dpityus，kindHeaven，andhelpus!Lookout，lookout，andseeifwearepursued。
Thewindisrushingafterus，andthecloudsareflyingafterus，andthemoonisplungingafterus，andthewholewildnightisinpursuitofus；but，sofarwearepursuedbynothingelse。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIVTheKnittingDoneINthatsamejunctureoftimewhentheFifty-Twoawaitedtheirfate，MadameDefargehelddarklyominouscouncilwithTheVengeanceandJacquesThreeoftheRevolutionaryJury。Notinthewine-shopdidMadameDefargeconferwiththeseministers，butintheshedofthewood-sawyer，erstamenderofroads。Thesawyerhimselfdidnotparticipateintheconference，butabidedatalittledistance，likeanoutersatellitewhowasnottospeakuntilrequired，ortoofferanopinionuntilinvited。
`ButourDefarge，\'saidJacquesThree，`isundoubtedlyagoodRepublican?Eh?\'
`Thereisnobetter，\'thevolubleVengeanceprotestedinhershrillnotes，`inFrance。
`Peace，littleVengeance，\'saidMadameDefarge，layingherhandwithaslightfrownonherlieutenant\'slips，`hearmespeak。Myhusband，fellow-citizen，isagoodRepublicanandaboldman；hehasdeservedwelloftheRepublic，andpossessesitsconfidence。Butmyhusbandhashisweaknesses，andheissoweakastorelenttowardsthisDoctor。\'
`Itisagreatpity，\'croakedJacquesThree，dubiouslyshakinghishead，withhiscruelfingersathishungrymouth；`itisnotquitelikeagoodcitizen；itisathingtoregret。
`Seeyou，\'saidmadame，`IcarenothingforthisDoctor，I。Hemaywearhisheadorloseit，foranyinterestIhaveinhim；itisallonetome。But，theEvré；mondepeoplearetobeexterminated，andthewifeandchildmustfollowthehusbandandfather。\'
`Shehasafineheadforit，\'croakedJacquesThree。`Ihaveseenblueeyesandgoldenhairthere，andtheylookedcharmingwhenSamsonheldthemup。\'Ogrethathewas，hespokelikeanepicure。
MadameDefargecastdownhereyes，andreflectedalittle。`Thechildalso，\'observedJacquesThree，withameditativeenjoymentofhiswords，`hasgoldenhairandblueeyes。Andweseldomhaveachildthere。
Itisaprettysight!\'
`Inaword，\'saidMadameDefarge，comingoutofhershortabstraction，`Icannottrustmyhusbandinthismatter。
NotonlydoIfeel，sincelastnight，thatIdarenotconfidetohimthedetailsofmyprojects；butalsoIfeelthatifIdelay，thereisdangerofhisgivingwarning，andthentheymightescape。
`Thatmustneverbe，\'croakedJacquesThree；`noonemustescape。
Wehavenothalfenoughasitis。Weoughttohavesixscoreaday。\'
`Inaword，\'MadameDefargewenton，`myhusbandhasnotmyreasonforpursuingthisfamilytoannihilation，andIhavenothisreasonforregardingthisDoctorwithanysensibility。Imustactformyself，therefore。
Comehither，littlecitizen。
Thewood-sawyer，whoheldherintherespect，andhimselfinthesubmission，ofmortalfear，advancedwithhishandtohisredcap。
`Touchingthosesignals，littlecitizen，\'saidMadameDefarge，sternly，`thatshemadetotheprisoners；youarereadytobearwitnesstothemthisveryday?\'
`Ay，ay，whynot!\'criedthesawyer。`Everyday，inallweathers，fromtwotofour，alwayssignalling，sometimeswiththelittleone，sometimeswithout。IknowwhatIknow。Ihaveseenwithmyeyes。\'
Hemadeallmannerofgestureswhilehespoke，asifinincidentalimitationofsomefewofthegreatdiversityofsignalsthathehadneverseen。
`Clearlyplots，\'saidJacquesThree。`Transparently!\'
`ThereisnodoubtoftheJury?\'inquiredMadameDefarge，lettinghereyesturntohimwithagloomysmile。
`RelyuponthepatrioticJury，dearcitizeness。Ianswerformyfellow-Jurymen。\'
`Now，letmesee，\'saidMadameDefarge，ponderingagain。`Yetoncemore!CanIsparethisDoctortomyhusband?Ihavenofeelingeitherway。CanIsparehim?\'
`Hewouldcountasonehead，\'observedJacquesThree，inalowvoice。`Wereallyhavenotheadsenough；itwouldbeapity，Ithink。\'
`HewassignallingwithherwhenIsawher，\'arguedMadameDefarge；
`Icannotspeakofonewithouttheother；andImustnotbesilent，andtrustthecasewhollytohim，thislittlecitizenhere。For，Iamnotabadwitness。
TheVengeanceandJacquesThreeviedwitheachotherintheirferventprotestationsthatshewasthemostadmirableandmarvellousofwitnesses。Thelittlecitizen，nottobeoutdone，declaredhertobeacelestialwitness。
Hemusttakehischance，\'saidMadameDefarge。`No，Icannotsparehim!Youareengagedatthreeo\'clock；youaregoingtoseethebatchofto-dayexecuted——You?\'
Thequestionwasaddressedtothewood-sawyer，whohurriedlyrepliedintheaffirmative:seizingtheoccasiontoaddthathewasthemostardentofRepublicans，andthathewouldbeineffectthemostdesolateofRepublicans，ifanythingpreventedhimfromenjoyingthepleasureofsmokinghisafternoonpipeinthecontemplationofthedrollnationalbarber。Hewassoverydemonstrativeherein，thathemighthavebeensuspected(perhapswas，bythedarkeyesthatlookedContemptuouslyathimoutofMadameDefarge\'shead)ofhavinghissmallindividualfearsforhisownpersonalsafety，everyhourintheday。
`I，\'saidmadame，`amequallyengagedatthesameplace。Afteritisover-sayateightto-night——comeyoutome，inSaintAntoine，andwewillgiveinformationagainstthese\'peopleatmysection。\'
Thewood-sawyersaidhewouldbeproudandflatteredtoattendthecitizeness。Thecitizenesslookingathim，hebecameembarrassed，evadedherglanceasasmalldogwouldhavedone，retreatedamonghiswood，andhidhisconfusionoverthehandleofhissaw。
MadameDefargebeckonedtheJurymanandTheVengeancealittlenearertothedoor，andthereexpoundedherfurtherviewstothemthus:
`Shewillnowbeathome，awaitingthemomentofhisdeath。Shewillbemourningandgrieving。ShewillbeinastateofmindtoimpeachthejusticeoftheRepublic。Shewillbefullofsympathywithitsenemies。
Iwillgotoher。\'
`Whatanadmirablewoman；whatanadorablewoman!\'exclaimedJacquesThree，rapturously。`Ah，mycherished!\'criedTheVengeance；andembracedher。
`Takeyoumyknitting，\'saidMadameDefarge，placingitinherlieutenant\'shands，`andhaveitreadyformeinmyusualseat。Keepmemyusualchair。Goyouthere，straight，fortherewillprobablybeagreaterconcoursethanusual，to-day。\'
`IwillinglyobeytheordersofmyChief\'saidTheVengeancewithalacrity，andkissinghercheek。`Youwillnotbelate?\'
`Ishallbetherebeforethecommencement。\'
`Andbeforethetumbrilsarrive。Besureyouarethere，mysoul，\'
saidTheVengeance，callingafterher，forshehadalreadyturnedintothestreet，`beforethetumbrilsarrive!\'
MadameDefargeslightlywavedherhand，toimplythatsheheard，andmightbereliedupontoarriveingoodtime，andsowentthroughtilemud，androundthecorneroftheprisonwall。TheVengeanceandtheJuryman，lookingalterherasshewalkedaway，werehighlyappreciativeofherfinefigure，andhersuperbmoralendowments。
Thereweremanywomenatthattime，uponwhomthetimelaidadreadfullydisfiguringhand；but，therewasnotoneamongthemmoretobedreadedthanthisruthlesswoman，nowtakingherwayalongthestreets。
Ofastrongandfearlesscharacter，ofshrewdsenseandreadiness，ofgreatdetermination，ofthatkindofbeautywhichnotonlyseemstoimparttoitspossessorfirmnessandanimosity，buttostrikeintoothersaninstinctiverecognitionofthosequalities；thetroubledtimewouldhaveheavedherup，underanycircumstances。But，imbuedfromherchildhoodwithabroodingsenseof，wrong，andaninveteratehatredofaclass，opportunityhaddevelopedherintoatigress。Shewasabsolutelywithoutpity。Ifshehadeverhadthevirtueinher，ithadquitegoneoutofher。
Itwasnothingtoher，thataninnocentmanwastodieforthesinsofhisforefathers；shesaw，nothim，butthem。Itwasnothingtoher，thathiswifewastobemadeawidowandhisdaughteranorphan；thatwasinsufficientpunishment，becausetheywerehernaturalenemiesandherprey，andassuchhadnorighttolive。Toappealtoher，wasmadehopelessbyherhavingnosenseofpity，evenforherself。Ifshehadbeenlaidlowinthestreets，inanyofthemanyencountersinwhichshehadbeenengaged，shewouldnothavepitiedherself；nor，ifshehadbeenorderedtotheaxeto-morrow，wouldshehavegonetoitwithanysofterfeelingthanafiercedesiretochangeplaceswiththemanwhosentherthere。
SuchaheartMadameDefargecarriedunderherroughrobe。Carelesslyworn，itwasabecomingrobeenough，inacertainweirdway，andherdarkhairlookedrichunderhercoarseredcap。Lyinghiddeninherbosom，wasaloadedpistol。Lyinghiddenatherwaist，wasasharpeneddagger。Thusaccoutred，andwalkingwiththeconfidenttreadofsuchacharacter，andwiththesupplefreedomofawomanwhohadhabituallywalkedinhergirlhood，bare-footandbare-legged，onthebrownsea-sand，MadameDefargetookherwayalongthestreets。
Now，whenthejourneyofthetravellingcoach，atthatverymomentwaitingforthecompletionofitsload，hadbeenplannedoutlastnight，thedifficultyoftakingMissProssinithadmuchengagedMr。Lorry\'sattention。Itwasnotmerelydesirabletoavoidoverloadingthecoach，butitwasofthehighestimportancethatthetimeoccupiedinexaminingitanditspassengers，shouldbereducedtotheutmost；sincetheirescapemightdependonthesavingofonlyafewsecondshereandthere。Finally，hehadproposed，afteranxiousconsideration，thatMissProssandJerry，whowereatlibertytoleavethecity，shouldleaveitatthreeo\'clockinthelightest-wheeledconveyanceknowntothatperiod。Unencumberedwithluggage，theywouldsoonovertakethecoach，and，passingitandprecedingitontheroad，wouldorderitshorsesinadvance，andgreatlyfacilitateitsprogressduringtheprecioushoursofthenight，whendelaywasthemosttobedreaded。
Seeinginthisarrangementthehopeofrenderingrealserviceinthatpressingemergency，MissProsshaileditwithjoy。SheandJerryhadbeheldthecoachstart，hadknownwhoitwasthatSolomonbrought，hadpassedsometenminutesintorturesofsuspense，andwerenowconcludingtheirarrangementstofollowthecoach，evenasMadameDefarge，takingherwaythroughthestreets，nowdrewnearerandnearertotheelse-desertedlodginginwhichtheyheldtheirconsultation。
`Nowwhatdoyouthink，Mr。Cruncher，\'saidMissPross，whoseagitationwassogreatthatshecouldhardlyspeak，orstand，ormove，orlive:`whatdoyouthinkofournotstartingfromthiscourt-yard?Anothercarriagehavingalreadygonefromhereto-day，itmightawakensuspicion。
`Myopinion，miss，\'returnedMr。Cruncher，`isas，you\'reright。
LikewisewotI\'llstandbyyou，rightorwrong。
`Iamsodistractedwithfearandhopeforourpreciouscreatures，\'
saidMissPross，wildlycrying，`thatIamincapableofforminganyplan。
Areyoucapableofforminganyplan，mydeargoodMr。Cruncher?\'
`Respectin\'afuturespearo\'life，miss，\'returnedMr。Cruncher，`Ihopeso。Respectin\'anypresentuseo\'thishereblessedoldheado\'
mine，Ithinknot。Wouldyoudomethefavour，miss，totakenoticeo\'
twopromisesandwowswotitismywishesfurtorecordinthisherecrisis?\'
`Oh，forgracioussake!\'criedMissPross，stillwildlycrying，`recordthematonce，andgetthemoutoftheway，likeanexcellentman。
`First，\'saidMr。Cruncher，whowasallinatremble，andwhospokewithanashyandsolemnvisage，`thempoorthingswellouto\'this，nevernomorewillIdoit，nevernomore!\'
`Iamquitesure，Mr。Cruncher，\'returnedMissPross，`thatyouneverwilldoitagain，whateveritis，andIbegyounottothinkitnecessarytomentionmoreparticularlywhatitis。\'
`No，miss，\'returnedJerry，`itshallnotbenamedtoyou。Second:
thempoorthingswellouto\'this，andnevernomorewillIinterferewithMrs。Cruncher\'sflopping，nevernomore!\'
`Whateverhousekeepingarrangementthatmaybe，\'saidMissPross，strivingtodryhereyesandcomposeherself，`IhavenodoubtitisbestthatMrs。Crunchershouldhaveitentirelyunderherownsuperintendence——O
mypoordarlings!\'
`Igosofarastosay，miss，morehover，\'proceededMr。Cruncher，withamostalarmingtendencytoholdforthasfromapulpit——`andletmywordsbetookdownandtooktoMrs。Cruncherthroughyourself——thatwotmyopinionsrespectin\'floppinghasundergoneachange，andthatwotIonlyhopewithallmyheartasMrs。Crunchermaybeafloppingatthepresenttime。\'
There，there，there!Ihopesheis，mydearman，\'criedthedistractedMissPross，`andIhopeshefindsitansweringherexpectations。\'
`Forbidit，\'proceededMr。Cruncher，withadditionalsolemnity，additionalslowness，andadditionaltendencytoholdforthandholdout，`asanythingwotIhaveeversaidordoneshouldbewisitedonmyearnestwishesforthempoorcreetursnow!Forbiditasweshouldn\'tallflop(ifitwasanywaysconwenient)toget`emouto\'thisheredismalrisk!Forbidit，miss!WotIsay，for——BIDit!\'ThiswasMr。Cruncher\'sconclusionafteraprotractedbutvainendeavourtofindabetterone。
AndstillMadameDefarge，pursuingherwayalongthestreets，camenearerandnearer。
`Ifweevergetbacktoournativeland，\'saidMissPross，`youmayrelyuponmytellingMrs。CruncherasmuchasImaybeabletorememberandunderstandofwhatyouhavesoimpressivelysaid；andatalleventsyoumaybesurethatIshallbearwitnesstoyourbeingthoroughlyinearnestatthisdreadfultime。Now，prayletusthink!MyesteemedMr。Cruncher，letusthink!\'
Still，MadameDefarge，pursuingherwayalongthestreets，camenearerandnearer。
`Ifyouweretogobefore，\'saidMissPross，`andstopthevehicleandhorsesfromcominghere，andweretowaitsomewhereforme；wouldn\'tthatbebest?\'
Mr。Cruncherthoughtitmightbebest。
`Wherecouldyouwaitforme?\'askedMissPross。
Mr。CruncherwassobewilderedthathecouldthinkofnolocalitybutTempleBar。Alas!TempleBarwashundredsofmilesaway，andMadameDefargewasdrawingverynearindeed。
`Bythecathedraldoor，\'saidMissPross。`Woulditbemuchoutoftheway，totakemein，nearthegreatcathedraldoorbetweenthetwotowers?\'
`No，miss，\'answeredMr。Cruncher。
`Then，likethebestofmen，\'saidMissPross，`gototheposting-housestraight，andmakethatchange。\'
`Iamdoubtful，\'saidMr。Cruncher，hesitatingandshakinghishead，`aboutleavingofyou，yousee。Wedon\'tknowwhatmayhappen。\'
`Heavenknowswedon\'t，\'returnedMissPross，`buthavenofearforme。Takemeinatthecathedral，atThreeo\'clock，orasnearitasyoucan，andIamsureitwillbebetterthanourgoingfromhere。Ifeelcertainofit。There!Blessyou，Mr。Cruncher!Think——notofme，butofthelivesthatmaydependonbothofus!\'
Thisexordium，andMissPross\'stwohandsinquiteagonisedentreatyclaspinghis，decidedMr。Cruncher。Withanencouragingnodortwo，heimmediatelywentouttoalterthearrangements，andleftherbyherselftofollowasshehadproposed。
Thehavingoriginatedaprecautionwhichwasalreadyincourseofexecution，wasagreatrelieftoMissPross。ThenecessityofComposingherappearancesothatitshouldattractnospecialnoticeinthestreets，wasanotherreliefShelookedatherwatch，anditwastwentyminutespasttwo。Shehadnotimetolose，butmustgetreadyatonce。
Afraid，inherextremeperturbation，ofthelonelinessofthedesertedrooms，andofhalf-imaginedfacespeepingfrombehindeveryopendoorinthem，MissProssgotabasinofcoldwaterandbeganlavinghereyes，whichwereswollenandred。Hauntedbyherfeverishapprehensions，shecouldnotbeartohavehersightobscuredforaminuteatatimebythedrippingwater，butconstantlypausedandlookedroundtoseethattherewasnoonewatchingher。Inoneofthosepausessherecoiledandcriedout，forshesawafigurestandingintheroom。
Thebasinfelltothegroundbroken，andthewaterflowedtothefeetofMadameDefarge。Bystrangesternways，andthroughmuchstainingblood，thosefeethadcometomeetthatwater。
MadameDefargelookedcoldlyather，andsaid，`ThewifeofEvré；monde；
whereisshe?\'
ItflasheduponMissPross\'smindthatthedoorswereallstandingopen，andwouldsuggesttheflight。Herfirstactwastoshutthem。Therewerefourintheroom，andsheshutthemall。ShethenplacedherselfbeforethedoorofthechamberwhichLuciehadoccupied。
MadameDefarge\'sdarkeyesfollowedherthroughthisrapidmovement，andrestedonherwhenitwasfinished。MissProsshadnothingbeautifulabouther；yearshadnottamedthewildness，orsoftenedthegrimness，ofherappearance；but，shetoowasadeterminedwomaninherdifferentway，andshemeasuredMadameDefargewithhereyes，everyinch。
`Youmight，fromyourappearance，bethewifeofLucifer，\'saidMissPross，inherbreathing。`Nevertheless，youshallnotgetthebetterofme。IamanEnglishwoman。
