第1章

ThePeriodItwasthebestoftimes，itwastheworstoftimes，itwastheageofwisdom，itwastheageoffoolishness，itwastheepochofbelief，itwastheepochofincredulity，itwastheseasonofLight，itwastheseasonofDarkness，itwasthespringofhope，itwasthewinterofdespair，wehadeverythingbeforeus，wehadnothingbeforeus，wewereallgoingdirecttoHeaven，wewereallgoingdirecttheotherway——inshort，theperiodwasso。farlikethepresentperiod，thatsomeofitsnoisiestauthoritiesinsistedonitsbeingreceived，forgoodorforevil，inthesuperlativedegreeofcomparisononly。

Therewereakingwithalargejawandaqueenwithaplainface，onthethroneofEngland；therewereakingwithalargejawandaqueenwithafairface，onthethroneofFrance。InbothcountriesitwasclearerthancrystaltothelordsoftheStatepreservesofloavesandfishes，thatthingsingeneralweresettledforever。

ItwastheyearofOurLordonethousandsevenhundredandseventy-five。

SpiritualrevelationswereconcededtoEnglandatthatfavouredperiod，asatthis。Mrs。Southcotthadrecentlyattainedherfive-and-twentiethblessedbirthday，ofwhomapropheticprivateintheLifeGuardshadheraldedthesublimeappearancebyannouncingthatarrangementsweremadefortheswallowingupofLondonandWestminster。EventheCock-laneghosthadbeenlaidonlyarounddozenofyears，afterrappingoutitsmessages，asthespiritsofthisveryyearlastpast(supernaturallydeficientinoriginality)

rappedouttheirs。MeremessagesintheearthlyorderofeventshadlatelycometotheEnglishCrownandPeople，fromacongressofBritishsubjectsinAmerica:which，strangetorelate，haveprovedmoreimportanttothehumanracethananycommunicationsyetreceivedthroughanyofthechickensoftheCock-lanebrood。

France，lessfavouredonthewholeastomattersspiritualthanhersisteroftheshieldandtrident，rolledwithexceedingsmoothnessdownhill，makingpapermoneyandspendingit。UndertheguidanceofherChristianpastors，sheentertainedherselfbesides，withsuchhumaneachievementsassentencingayouthtohavehishandscutoff，histonguetornoutwithpincers，andhisbodyburnedalive，becausehehadnotkneeleddownintheraintodohonourtoadirtyprocessionofmonkswhichpassedwithinhisview，atadistanceofsomefiftyorsixtyyards。Itislikelyenoughthat，rootedinthewoodsofFranceandNorway，thereweregrowingtrees，whenthatsuffererwasputtodeath，alreadymarkedbytheWoodman，Fate，tocomedownandbesawnintoboards，tomakeacertainmovableframeworkwithasackandaknifeinit，terribleinhistory。ItislikelyenoughthatintheroughouthousesoldsometillersoftheheavylandsadjacenttoParis，therewereshelteredfromtheweatherthatveryday，rudecarts，bespatteredwithrusticmire，snuffedaboutbypigs，androostedinbypoultry，whichtheFarmer，Death，hadalreadysetaparttobehistumbrilsoftheRevolution。ButthatWoodmanandthatFarmer，thoughtheyworkunceasingly，worksilently，andnooneheardthemastheywentaboutwithmuffledtread:

therather，forasmuchastoentertainanysuspicionthattheywereawake，wastobeatheisticalandtraitorous。

InEngland，therewasscarcelyanamountoforderandprotectiontojustifymuchnationalboasting。Daringburglariesbyarmedmen，andhighwayrobberies，tookplaceinthecapitalitselfeverynight；familieswerepubliclycautionednottogooutoftownwithoutremovingtheirfurnituretoupholsterers"warehousesforsecurity；thehighwaymaninthedarkwasaCitytradesmaninthelight，and，beingrecognisedandchallengedbyhisfellow-tradesmanwhomhestoppedinhischaracterof`theCaptain，"gallantlyshothimthroughtheheadandrodeaway；themailwaswaylaidbysevenrobbers，andtheguardshotthreedead，andthengotshotdeadhimselfbytheotherfour，`inconsequenceofthefailureofhisammunition:"

afterwhichthemailwasrobbedinPeace；thatmagnificentpotentate，theLordMayorofLondon，wasmadetostandanddeliveronTurnhamGreen，byonehighwayman，whodespoiledtheillustriouscreatureinsightofallhisretinue；prisonersinLondongaolsfoughtbattleswiththeirturnkeys，andthemajestyofthelawfiredblunderbussesinamongthem，loadedwithroundsofshotandball；thievessnippedoffdiamondcrossesfromthenecksofnoblelordsatCourtdrawing-rooms；musketeerswentintoSt。Giles"s，tosearchforcontrabandgoods，andthemobfiredonthemusketeers，andthemusketeersfiredonthemob，andnobodythoughtanyoftheseoccurrencesmuchoutofthecommonway。Inthemidstofthem，thehangman，everbusyandeverworsethanuseless，wasinconstantrequisition；now，stringinguplongrowsofmiscellaneouscriminals；now，hangingahouse-breakeronSaturdaywhohadbeentakenonTuesday；now，burningpeopleinthehandatNewgatebythedozen，andnowburningpamphletsatthedoorofWestminsterHall；to-day，takingthelifeofanatrociousmurderer，andto-morrowofawretchedpilfererwhohadrobbedafarmer"sboyofsixpence。

Allthesethings，andathousandlikethem，cametopassinandcloseuponthedearoldyearonethousandsevenhundredandseventy-five。

Environedbythem，whiletheWoodmanandtheFarmerworkedunheeded，thosetwoofthelargejaws，andthoseothertwooftheplainandthefairlaces，trodwithstirenough，andcarriedtheirdivinerightswithahighhand。

Thusdidtheyearonethousandsevenhundredandseventy-fiveconducttheirGreatnesses，andmyriadsofsmallcreatures——thecreaturesofthischronicleamongtherest——alongtheroadsthatlaybeforethem。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIITheMailItwastheDoverroadthatlay，onaFridaynightlateinNovember，beforethefirstofthepersonswithwhomthishistoryhasbusiness。TheDoverroadlay，astohim，beyondtheDovermail，asitlumberedupShooter"sHill。Hewalkeduphillinthemirebythesideofthemail，astherestofthepassengersdid；notbecausetheyhadtheleastrelishforwalkingexercise，underthecircumstances，butbecausethehill，andtheharness，andthemud，andthemail，wereallsoheavythatthehorseshadthreetimesalreadycometoastop，besideoncedrawingthecoachacrosstheroad，withthemutinousintentoftakingitbacktoBlackheath。Reinsandwhipandcoachmanandguard，however，incombination，hadreadthatarticleofwarwhichforbadapurposeotherwisestronglyinfavouroftheargument，thatsomebruteanimalsareenduedwithReason；andtheteamhadcapitulatedandreturnedtotheirduty。

Withdroopingheadsandtremuloustails，theymashedtheirwaythroughthethickmud，flounderingandstumblinghebetweenwhiles，asiftheywerefallingtopiecesatthelargejoints。Asoftenasthedriverrestedthemandbroughtthemtoastand，withawary`Wo-ho!so-hothen!"

thenearleaderviolentlyshookhisheadandeverythinguponit——likeanunusuallyemphatichorse，denyingthatthecoachcouldbegotupthehill。

Whenevertheleadermadethisrattle，thepassengerstarted，asanervouspassengermight，andwasdisturbedinmind。

Therewasasteamingmistinallthehollows，andithatroamedinitsforlornnessupthehill，likeanevilspirit，seekingrestandfindingnone。Aclammyandintenselycoldmist，madeitsslowwaythroughtheairinripplesthatvisiblyfollowedandoverspreadoneanother，asthewavesofanunwholesomeseamightdo。Itwasdenseenoughtoshutouteverythingfromthelightofthecoach-lampsbuttheseitsownworkingsandafewyardsofroad；andthereekofthelabouringhorsesteamedintoit，asiftheyhadmadeitall。

Twootherpassengers，besidestheone，wereploddingupthehillbythesideofthemail。Allthreewerewrappedtothecheek-bonesandovertheears，andworejack-boots。Notoneofthethreecouldhavesaid，fromanythinghesaw，whateitheroftheothertwowaslike；andeachwashiddenunderalmostasmanywrappersfromtheeyesofthemind，asfromtheeyesofthebody，ofhistwocompanions。Inthosedays，travellerswereveryshyofbeingconfidentialonshortnotice，foranybodyontheroadmightbearobberorinleaguewithrobbers。Astothelatter，wheneveryposting-houseandale-housecouldproducesomebodyin`theCaptain"s"

pay，rangingfromthelandlordtotheloweststablenondescript，itwasthelikeliestthinguponthecards。SotheguardoftheDovermailthoughttohimself，thatFridaynightinNovember，onethousandsevenhundredandseventy-five，lumberingupShooter"sHill，ashestoodonhisownparticularperchbehindthemail，beatinghisfeet，andkeepinganeyeandahandonthearm-chestbeforehim，wherealoadedblunderbusslayatthetopofsixoreightloadedhorse-pistols，depositedonasubstratumofcutlass。

TheDovermailwasinitsusualgenialpositionthattheguardsuspectedthepassengers，thepassengerssuspectedoneanotherandtheguard，theyallsuspectedeverybodyelse，andthecoachmanwassureofnothingbutthehorses；astowhichcattlehecouldwithaclearconsciencehavetakenhisoathonthetwoTestamentsthattheywerenotfitforthejourney。

`Wo-ho!"saidthecoachman。`So，thenOnemorepullandyou"reatthetopandbedamnedtoyou，forIhavehadtroubleenoughtogetyoutoit——Joe!"

`Halloa"theguardreplied。

`Whato"clockdoyoumakeit，Joe?"

`Tenminutes，good，pasteleven。"

`Myblood"ejaculatedthevexedcoachman，`andnotatopofShooter"syet!Tst!Yah!Getonwithyou!"

Theemphatichorse，cutshortbythewhipinamostdecidednegative，madeadecidedscrambleforit，andthethreeotherhorsesfollowedsuit。

Oncemore，theDovermailstruggledon，withthejack-bootsofitspassengerssquashingalongbyitsside。Theyhadstoppedwhenthecoachstopped，andtheykeptclosecompanywithit。Ifanyoneofthethreehadhadthehardihoodtoproposetoanothertowalkonalittleaheadintothemistanddarkness，hewouldhaveputhimselfinafairwayofgettingshotinstantlyasahighwayman。

Thelastburstcarriedthemailtothesummitofthehill。Thehorsesstoppedtobreatheagain，andtheguardgotdowntoskidthewheelforthedescent，andopenthecoach-doortoletthepassengersin。

`TstJoe!"criedthecoachmaninawarningvoice，lookingdownfromhisbox。

Whatdoyousay，Tom?"

Theybothlistened。

`Isayahorseatacantercomingup，Joe。"

`Isayahorseatagallop，Tom，"returnedtheguard，leavinghisholdofthedoor，andmountingnimblytohisplace。`Gentlemen!Intheking"sname，allofyou!"

Withthishurriedadjuration，hecockedhisblunderbuss，andstoodontheoffensive。

Thepassengerbookedbythishistory，wasonthecoach-step:gettingin；thetwootherpassengerswereclosebehindhim，andabouttofollow。

Heremainedonthestep，halfinthecoachandhalfoutofit；theyremainedintheroadbelowhim。Theyalllookedfromthecoachmantotheguard，andfromtheguardtothecoachman，andlistened。Thecoachmanlookedbackandtheguardlookedback，andeventheemphaticleaderprickeduphisearsandlookedback，withoutcontradicting。

Thestillnessconsequentonthecessationoftherumblingandlabouringofthecoach，addedtothestillnessofhenightmadeitveryquietindeed。Thepantingofthehorsescommunicatedatremulousmotiontothecoach，asifitwereinastateo]agitation。Theheartsofthepassengersbeatloudenoughperhapstobeheard；butatanyrate，thequietpausewasaudiblyexpressiveofpeopleoutofbreath，andholdingthebreath，an"havingthepulsesquickenedbyexpectation。

Thesoundofahorseatagallopcamefastandfuriouslyupthehill。

`So-ho!"theguardsangout，asloudashecouldroar。`Yothere!

Stand!Ishallfire!"

Thepacewassuddenlychecked，and，withmuchsplashingandfloundering，aman"svoicecalledfromthemist，`IsthattheDovermail?"

`Neveryoumindwhatitis?"theguardretorted。`Whamareyou?"

`IsthattheDovermail?"

`Whydoyouwanttoknow?"

`Iwantapassenger，ifitis。"

`Whatpassenger?"，`Mr。JarvisLorry。"

Ourbookedpassengershowedinamomentthatitwashisname。

Theguard，thecoachman，andthetwootherpassengerseyedhimdistrustfully。

`Keepwhereyouare，"theguardcalledtothevoiceinthemist，`because，ifIshouldmakeamistake，itcouldneverbesetrightinyourlifetime。GentlemanofthenameofLorryanswerstraight。"

`Whatisthematter?"askedthepassenger，then，withmildlyquaveringspeech。`Whowantsme?IsitJerry?"

(`Idon"tlikeJerry"svoice，ifitisJerry，"growledtheguardtohimself。`He"shoarserthansuitsme，isJerry。")

`Yes，Mr。Lorry。"

`Whatisthematter?"

`Adespatchsentafteryoufromoveryonder。T。andCo。"

`Iknowthismessenger，guard，"saidMr。Lorry，gettingdownintotheroad——assistedfrombehindmoreswiftlythanpolitelybytheothertwopassengers，whoimmediatelyscrambledintohecoach，shutthedoor，andpulled，upthewindow。`Hemaycomeclose；there"snothingwrong。"

`Ihopethereain"t，butIcan"tmakeso`Nationsureofthat，"

saidtheguard，ingruffsoliloquy。`Halloyou!"

`Well!Andhalloyou!"saidJerry，morehoarselythanbefore。

`Comeonatafootpace!d"yemindme?Andifyou"vegotholsterstothatsaddleo"yourn，don"tletmeseeyourhandgonigh"em。ForI"madevilataquickmistake，andwhenImakeoneittakestheformofLead。

Sonowlet"slookatyou。"

Thefiguresofahorseandridercameslowlythroughtheeddyingmist，andcametothesideofthemail，wherethepassengerstood。Theriderstooped，and，castinguphiseyesattheguard，handedthepassengerasmallfoldedpaper。Therider"shorsewasblown，andbothhorseandriderwerecoveredwithmud，fromthehoofsofthehorsetothehatoftheman。

`Guard!"saidthepassenger，inatoneofquietbusinessconfidence。

Thewatchfulguard，withhisrighthandatthestockofhisraisedblunderbuss，hisleftatthebarrel，andhiseyeOnthehorseman，answeredcurtly，`Sir。"

`Thereisnothingtoapprehend。IbelongtoTellson"sBank。YoumustknowTellson"sBankinLondon。IamgoingtoParisonbusiness。A

crowntodrink。Imayreadthis?"

`Ifsobeasyou"requick，sir。"

Heopeneditinthelightofthecoach-lamponthatside，andread——firsttohimselfandthenaloud:`"WaitatDoorforMam"selle。"It"snotlong，yousee，guard。Jerry，saythatmyanswerwas，RECALLEDTOLIFE。"

Jerrystartedinhissaddle。`That`saBlazingstrangeanswer，too，"saidhe，athishoarsest。

`Takethatmessageback，andtheywillknowthatIreceivedthis，aswellasifIwrote。Makethebestofyourway。Goodnight。"

Withthosewordsthepassengeropenedtilecoach-doorandgotin；notatallassistedbyhisfellow-passengers，whohadexpeditiouslysecretedtheirwatchesandpursesintheirboots，andwerenowmakingageneralpretenceofbeingasleep。Withnomoredefinitepurposethantoescapethehazardoforiginatinganyotherkindofaction。

Thecoachlumberedonagain，withheavierwreathsofmistclosingrounditasitbeganthedescent。Theguardsoonreplacedhisblunderbussinhisarm-chest，and，havinglookedtotherestofitscontents，andhavinglookedtothesupplementarypistolsthatheworeinhisbelt，lookedtoasmallerchestbeneathhisseat，inwhichtherewereafewsmith"stools，acoupleoftorches，andatinder-box。Forhewasfurnishedwiththatcompletenessthatifthecoach-lampshadbeenblownandstormedout，whichdidoccasionallyhappen，hehadonlytoshuthimselfupinside，keeptheflintandsteelsparkswelloffthestraw，andgetalightwithtolerablesafetyandease(ifhewerelucky)infiveminutes。

`Tom!"softlyoverthecoach-roof。

`Hallo，Joe。"

`Didyouhearthemessage?"

`Idid，Joe。"

`Whatdidyoumakeofit，Tom?"

`Nothingatall，Joe。"

`That"sacoincidence，too，"theguardmused，`forImadethesameofitmyselfJerry，leftaloneinthemistanddarkness，dismountedmeanwhile，notonlytoeasehisspenthorse，buttowipethemudfromhisface，andshakethewetoutofhishat-brim，whichmightbecapableofholdingabouthalfagallon。Afterstandingwiththebridleoverhisheavily-splashedarm，untilthewheelsofthemailwerenolongerwithinhearingandthenightwasquitestillagain，heturnedtowalkdownthehill。

`AfterthattheregallopfromTempleBar，oldlady，Iwon"ttrustyourfore-legstillIgetyouonthelevel，"saidthishoarsemessenger，glancingathismare。`"Recalledtolife。"That"saBlazingstrangemessage。

Muchofthatwouldn"tdoforyouJerry!Isay，Jerry!You"dbeinaBlazingbadway，ifrecallingtolifewastocomeintofashion，Jerry!"

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIIITheNightShadowsWonderfulfacttoreflectupon，thateveryhumancreatureisconstitutedtobethatprofoundsecretandmysterytoeveryother。Asolemnconsideration，whenenteragreatcitybynight，thateveryoneofthosedarklyclusteredhousesenclosesitsownsecret；thateveryroomineveryoneofthemenclosesitsownsecret；thateverybeatingheartinthehundredsofthousandsofbreaststhere，is，ifsomeofitsimaginings，asecrettotheheartnearestit!Somethingoftheawfulness，evenofDeathitself，isreferabletothis。

NomorecanIturntheleavesofthisdearbookthatloved，andvainlyhopeintimetoreaditall。NomorecanIlookintothedepthsofthisunfathomablewater，whereinasmomentarylightsglancedintoit，Ihavehadglimpsesofburiedtreasureandotherthingssubmerged。Itwasappointedthatthebookshouldshutwithaspring，foreverandforever，whenI

hadreadbutapage。Itwasappointedthatthewatershouldbelockedinaneternalfrost，whenthelightwasplayingonitssurface，andIstoodinignoranceontheshore。Myfriendisdead，myneighbourisdead，mylovethedarlingofmysoul，isdead；itistheinexorableconsolidationandperpetuationofthesecretthatwasalwaysinthatindividuality，andwhichIshallcarryinminetomylife"send。Inanyoftheburial-placesofthiscitythroughwhichIpass，isthereasleepermoreinscrutablethanitbusyinhabitantsare，intheirinnermostpersonality，tomeorthanIamtothem?

Astothis，hisnaturalandnottobealienatedinheritancethemessengeronhorsebackhadexactlythesamepossessionastheKing，thefirstMinisterofState，ortherichestmerchantinLondon。Sowiththethreepassengersshutupi"thenarrowcompassofonelumberingoldmail-coach；

theweremysteriestooneanother，ascompleteasifeachhabeeninhisowncoachandsix，orhisowncoachandsixty，withthebreadthofacountybetweenhimandthenext。

Themessengerrodebackataneasytrot，stoppingprettyoftenatale-housesbythewaytodrink，butevincingtendencytokeephisowncounsel，andtokeephishatcockedoverhiseyes。Hehadeyesthatassortedverywellwiththatdecoration，beingofasurfaceblack，withnodepthinthecolourorform，andmuchtooneartogether——asiftheywereafraidofbeingfoundoutinsomething，singly，iftheykepttoofarapart。Theyhadasinisterexpression，underanoldcocked-hatlikeathree-corneredspittoon，andoveragreatmufflerforthechinandthroat，whichdescendednearlytothewearer"sknees。Whenhestoppedfordrink，hemovedthismufflerwithhislefthand，onlywhilehepouredhisliquorinwithhisright；assoonasthatwasdone，hemuffledagain。

No，Jerry，no!"saidthemessenger，harpingononethemeasherode。`Itwouldn"tdoforyou，Jerry。Jerry，youhonesttradesman，itwouldn"tsuityourlineofbusiness!Recalled——!BustmeifIdon"tthinkhe"dbeenadrinking!"

Hismessageperplexedhismindtothatdegreethathewasfain，severaltimes，totakeoffhishattoscratchhishead。Exceptonthecrown，whichwasraggedlybald，hehadstiffblackhair，standingjaggedlyalloverit，andgrowingdownhillalmosttohisbroad，bluntnose。Itwassolikesmith"swork，somuchmorelikethetopofastronglyspikedwallthanaheadofhair，thatthebestofplayersatleap-frogmighthavedeclinedhim，asthemostdangerousmanintheworldtogoover。

WhilehetrottedbackwiththemessagehewastodelivertothenightwatchmaninhisboxatthedoorofTellson"sBank，byTempleBar，whowastodeliverittogreaterauthoritieswithin，theshadowsofthenighttooksuchshapestohimasaroseoutofthemessage，andtooksuchshapestothemareasaroseoutofherprivatetopicsofuneasiness。

Theyseemedtobenumerous，forsheshiedateveryshadowontheroad。

Whattime，themail-coachlumbered，jolted，rattled，andbumpeduponitstediousway，withitsthreefellow-inscrutablesinside。Towhom，likewise，theshadowsofthenightrevealedthemselves，intheformstheirdozingeyesandwanderingthoughtssuggested。

Tellson"sBankhadarunuponitinthemail。Asthebankpassenger——withanarmdrawnthroughtheleathernstrap，whichdidwhatlayinittokeephimfrompoundingagainstthenextpassenger，anddrivinghimintohiscomer，wheneverthecoachgotaspecialjolt——noddedinhisplace，withhalf-shuteyes，thelittlecoach-windows，andthecoach-lampdimlygleamingthroughthem，andthebulkybundleofoppositepassenger，becamethebank，anddidagreatstrokeofbusiness。Therattleoftheharnesswasthechinkofmoney，andmoredraftswerehonouredinfiveminutesthanevenTellson"s，withallitsforeignandhomeconnexion，everpaidinthricethetime。

Thenthestrong-roomsunderground，atTellson"s，withsuchoftheirvaluablestoresandsecretsaswereknowntothepassenger(anditwasnotalittlethatheknewaboutthem)，openedbeforehim，andhewentinamongthemwiththegreatkeysandthefeebly-burningcandle，andfoundthemsafe，andstrong，andsound，andstill，justashehadlastseenthem。

But，thoughthebankwasalmostalwayswithhim，andthoughthecoach(inaconfusedway，likethepresenceofpainunderanopiate)wasalwayswithhim，therewasanothercurrentofimpressionthatneverceasedtorun，allthroughthenight。Hewasonhiswaytodigsomeoneoutofagrave。

Now，whichofthemultitudeoffacesthatshowedthemselvesbeforehimwasthetruefaceoftheburiedperson，theshadowsofthenightdidnotindicate；buttheywereallthefacesofamanoffive-and-fortybyyears，andtheydifferedprincipallyinthepassionstheyexpressed，andintheghastlinessoftheirwornandwastedstate。Pride，contempt，defiance，stubbornness，submission，lamentation，succeededoneanother；sodidvarietiesofsunkencheek，cadaverouscolour，emaciatedhandsandfigures。Butthefacewasinthemainoneface，andeveryheadwasprematurelywhite。A

hundredtimesthedozingpassengerinquiredofthisspectre:

`Buriedhowlong?"

Theanswerwasalwaysthesame:`Almosteighteenyears。"

`Youhadabandonedallhopeofbeingdugout?"

`Longago。"

`Youknowthatyouarerecalledtolife?"

`Theytellmeso。

`Ihopeyoucaretolive?"

`Ican"tsay。"

`ShallIshowhertoyou?Willyoucomeandseehe""

Theanswerstothisquestionwerevariousandcontradictory。Sometimesthebrokenreplywas，`Wait!ItwouldkillmeifIsawhertoosoon。"Sometimes，itwasgiveninatenderrainoftears，andthenitwas`Takemetoher。"

Sometimesitwasstaringandbewildered，andthenitwas，`Idon"tknowher。Idon"tunderstand。"

Aftersuchimaginarydiscourse，thepassengerinhisfancywoulddig，anddig，dig——now，withaspade，nowwithagreatkey，nowwithhishands——todigthiswretchedcreatureout。Gotoutatlast，withearthhangingabouthisfaceandhair，hewouldsuddenlyfallawaytodust。Thepassengerwouldthenstarttohimselfandlowerthewindow，togettherealityofmistandrainonhischeek。

Yetevenwhenhiseyeswereopenedonthemistandrain，onthemovingpatchoflightfromthelamps，andthehedgeattheroadsideretreatingbyjerks，thenightshadow"soutsidethecoachwouldfallintothetrainofthenightshadowswithin。TherealBanking-housebyTempleBar，therealbusinessofthepastday，therealstrong-rooms，therealexpresssentafterhim，andtherealmessagereturned，wouldallbethere。Outofthemidstofthem，theghostlyfacewouldrise，andhewouldaccostitagain。

`Buriedhowlong?"

`Almosteighteenyears。

`Ihopeyoucaretolive?"

`Ican"tsay。"

Dig——dig——dig——untilanimpatientmovementfromoneofthetwopassengerswouldadmonishhimtopullupthewindow，drawhisarmsecurelythroughtheleathernstrap，andspeculateuponthetwoslumberingforms，untilhismindlostitsholdofthem，andtheyagainslidawayintothebankandthegrave。

`Buriedhowlong?"

`Almosteighteenyears。"

`Youhadabandonedallhopeofbeingdugout?"

`Longago。"

Thewordswerestillinhishearingasjustspoken——distinctlyinhishearingaseverspokenwordshadbeeninhislife——whenthewearypassengerstartedtotheconsciousnessofdaylight，andfoundthattheshadowsofthenightweregone。

Heloweredthewindow，andlookedoutattherisingsun。Therewasaridgeofploughedland，withaploughuponitwhereithadbeenleftlastnightwhenthehorseswereunyoked；beyond，aquietcoppice-wood，inwhichmanyleavesofburningredandgoldenyellowstillremaineduponthetrees。Thoughtheearthwascoldandwet，theskywasclear，andthesunrosebright，placid，andbeautiful。

`Eighteenyears!"saidthepassenger，lookingatthesun。`GraciousCreatorofday!Tobeburiedaliveforeighteenyears!"

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIVThePreparationWHENthemailgotsuccessfullytoDover，inthecourseoftheforenoon，theheaddrawerattheRoyalGeorgeHotelopenedthecoach-doorashiscustomwas。Hediditwithsomeflourishofceremony，foramailjourneyfromLondoninwinterwasanachievementtocongratulateanadventuroustravellerupon。

Bythattime，therewasonlyoneadventuroustravellerlefttobecongratulated；forthetwoothershadbeensetdownattheirrespectiveroadsidedestinations。Themildewyinsideofthecoach，withitsdampanddirtystraw，itsdisagreeablesmell，anditsobscurity，wasratherlikealargerdog-kennel。Mr。Lorry，thepassenger，shakinghimselfoutofitinchainsofstraw，atangleofshaggywrapper，flappinghat，andmuddylegs，wasratherlikealargersortofdog。

`TherewillbeapackettoCalais，to-morrow，drawer?"

`Yes，sir，iftheweatherholdsandthewindsetstolerablefair。

Thetidewillserveprettynicelyatabouttwointheafternoon，sir。Bed，sir?"

`Ishallnotgotobedtillnight；butIwantabedroomandabarber。"

`Andthenbreakfast，sir?Yes，sir。Thatway，sir，ifyouplease。

ShowConcord!Gentleman"svaliseandhotwatertoConcord。Pulloffgentleman"sbootsinConcord。(Youwillfindafinesea-coalfire，sir。)FetchbarbertoConcord。Stiraboutthere，now，forConcord!"

TheConcordbed-chamberbeingalwaysassignedtopassengerbythemail，andpassengersbythemailbeingalwaysheavilywrappedupfromheadtofoot，theroomha"theoddinterestfortheestablishmentoftheRoyalGeorgethatalthoughbutonekindofmanwasseentogointoit，allkindsandvarietiesofmencameoutofit。Consequentlyanotherdrawer，andtwoporters，andseveralmaidsandthelandlady，wereallloiteringbyaccidentatvariouspointsoftheroadbetweentheConcordandthecoffee-room，whenagentle-manofsixty，formallydressedinabrownsuitofclothes，prettywellworn，butverywellkept，withlargesquarecuffsandlargeflapstothepockets，passedalongonhiswaytohisbreakfast。