第3章

But，nowthatIremember，oneofyouhasalreadybeenthere，andcanshowtheway。Gentlemen，adieu!

Theypaidfortheirwine，andlefttheplace。TheeyesofMonsieurDefargewerestudyinghiswifeatherknittingwhentheelderlygentlemanadvancedfromhiscorner，andbeggedthefavourofaword。

`Willingly，sir，"saidMonsieurDefarge，andquietlysteppedwithhimtothedoor。

Theirconferencewasveryshort，butverydecided。Almostatthefirstword，MonsieurDefargestartedandbecamedeeplyattentive。Ithadnotlastedaminute，whenhenoddedandwentout。Thegentlemanthenbeckonedtotheyounglady，andthey，too，wentout。MadameDefargeknittedwithnimblefingersandsteadyeyebrows，andsawnothing。

Mr。JarvisLorryandMissManette，emergingfromthewine-shopthus，joinedMonsieurDefargeinthedoorwaytowhichhehaddirectedhisothercompanyjustbefore。Itopenedfromastinkinglittleblackcourt-yard，andwasthegeneralpublicentrancetoagreatpileofhouses，inhabitedbyagreatnumberofpeople。Inthegloomytile-pavedentrytothegloomytile-pavedstaircase，MonsieurDefargebentdownononekneetothechildofhisoldmaster，andputherhandtohislips。Itwasagentleaction，butnotatallgentlydone；averyremarkabletransformationhadcomeoverhiminafewseconds。Hehadnogood-humourinhisface，noranyopennessofaspectleft，buthadbecomeasecret，angry，dangerousman。

`Itisveryhigh；itisalittledifficult。Bettertobeginslowly。"

Thus，MonsieurDefarge，inasternvoice，toMr。Lorry，astheybeganascendingthestairs。

`Ishealone?"thelatterwhispered。

`Alone!Godhelphim，whoshouldbewithhim?"saidtheother，inthesamelowvoice。

`Ishe，alwaysalone，then?"

`Yes。

`Ofhisowndesire?"

`Ofhisownnecessity。Ashewas，whenIfirstsawhimaftertheyfoundmeanddemandedtoknowifIwouldtakehim，and，atmyperilbediscreet——hashewasthen，soheisnow。

`Heisgreatlychanged?"

`Changed!"

Thekeeperofthewine-shopstoppedtostrikethewallwithhishand，andmutteratremendouscurse。Nodirectanswercouldhavebeenhalfsoforcible。Mr。Lorry"sspiritsgrewheavierandheavier，asheandhistwocompanionsascendedhigherandhigher。

Suchastaircase，withitsaccessories，intheolderandmorecrowdedpartsofParis，wouldbebadenoughnow；but，atthattime，itwasvileindeedtounaccustomedandunhardenedsenses。Everylittlehabitationwithinthegreatfoulnestofonehighbuilding——thatistosay，theroomorroomswithineverydoorthatopenedonthegeneralstaircase——leftitsownheapofrefuseonitsownlanding，besidesRingingotherrefusefromitsownwindows。Theuncontrollableandhopelessmassofdecompositionsoengendered，wouldhavepollutedtheair，evenifpovertyanddeprivationhadnotloadeditwit!"theirintangibleimpurities；theMobadsourcescombinedmadeitalmostinsupportable。Throughsuchanatmosphere，byasteepdarkshaftofdirtandpoison，thewaylay。Yieldingtohisowndisturbanceofmind，andtohisyoungcompanion"sagitation，whichbecamegreatereveryinstant，Mr。JarvisLorrytwicestoppedtorest。Eachofthesestoppageswasmadeatadolefulgrating，bywhichanylanguishinggoodairsthatwereleftuncorruptedseemedtoescape，andallspoiltandsicklyvapoursseemedtocrawlin。Throughtherustedbars，tastes，ratherthanglimpses，werecaughtofthejumbledneighbourhood；andnothingwithinrange，nearerorlowerthanthesummitsofthetwo-greattowersofNotre-Dame，hadanypromiseonitofhealthylifeorwholesomeaspirations。

Atlast，thetopofthestaircasewasgained，andtheystoppedforthethirdtime。Therewasyetanupperstaircase，ofasteeperinclinationandofcontracteddimensions，tobeascended，beforethegarretstorywasreached。Thekeeperofthewine-shop，alwaysgoingalittleinadvance，andalwaysgoingonthesidewhichMr。Lorrytook，asthoughhedreadedtobeaskedanyquestionbytheyounglady，turnedhimselfabouthere，and，carefullyfeelinginthepocketsofthecoathecarriedoverhisshoulder，tookoutakey。

`Thedoorislockedthen，myfriend?"saidMr。Lorry"，surprised。

`Ay。Yes，"wasthegrimreplyofMonsieurDefarge。

`Youthinkitnecessarytokeeptheunfortunategentlemansoretired?"

`Ithinkitnecessarytoturnthekey。"MonsieurDefargewhispereditcloserinhisear，andfrownedheavily。

`Why?"

`Why!Becausehehaslivedsolong，lockedup，thathewouldbefrightened——rave——tearhimselftopieces——die——cometoIknownotwhatharm-ifhisdoorwasleftopen。"

`Isitpossible?"exclaimedMr。Lorry。

`Isitpossible?"repeatedDefarge，bitterly。`Yes。Andabeautifulworldwelivein，whenitispossible，andwhenmanyothersuchthingsarepossible，andnotonlypossible，butdone——done，seeyou!——underthatskythere，everyday。LonglivetheDevil。Letusgoon。"

Thisdialoguehadbeenheldinsoverylowawhisper，thatnotawordofithadreachedtheyounglady"sears。But，bythistimeshetrembledundersuchstrongemotion，andherfaceexpressedsuchdeepanxiety，and，aboveall，suchdreadandterror，thatMr。Lorryfeltitincumbentonhimtospeakawordortwoofreassurance。

`Courage，dearmiss!Courage!Business!Theworstwillbeoverinamoment；itisbutpassingtheroom-door，andtheworstisover。Then，allthegoodyoubringtohim，alltherelief，allthehappinessyoubringtohim，begin。Letourgoodfriendhere，assistyouonthatside。That"swell，friendDefarge。Come，now。Business，business!"

Theywentupslowlyandsoftly。Thestaircasewasshort，andtheyweresoonatthetop。There，asithadanabruptturninit，theycameallatonceinsightofthreemen，whoseheadswerebentdownclosetogetheratthesideofadoor，andwhowereintentlylookingintotheroomtowhichthedoorbelonged，throughsomechinksorholesinthewall。Onhearingfootstepscloseathand，thesethreeturned，androse，andshowedthemselvestobethethreeofonenamewhohadbeendrinkinginthewine-shop。

`Iforgottheminthesurpriseofyourvisit，"explainedMonsieurDefarge。`Leaveus，goodboys；wehavebusiness"here。"

Thethreeglidedby，andwentsilentlydown。

Thereappearingtobenootherdooronthatfloor，andthekeeperofthewine-shopgoingstraighttothisonewhentheywereleftalone，Mr。Lorryaskedhiminawhisper，withlittleanger:

`DoyoumakeashowofMonsieurManette?"

`Ishowhim，inthewayyouhaveseen，toachosenfew。"

`Isthatwell?"

`Ithinkitiswell。"

`Whoarethefew?Howdoyouchoosethem?"

`Ichoosethemasrealmen，ofmyname——Jacquesismyname——towhomthesightislikelytodogood。EnoughyouareEnglish；thatisanotherthing。Staythere，ifyouplease，alittlemoment。"

Withanadmonitorygesturetokeepthemback，hestooped，andlookedinthroughthecreviceinthewall。Soonraisinghisheadagain，hestrucktwiceorthriceuponthedoor——evidentlywithnootherobjectthantomakeanoisethereWiththesameintention，hedrewthekeyacrossit，threeorfourtimes，beforeheputitclumsilyintothelock，andturneditasheavilyashecould。

Thedoorslowlyopenedinwardunderhishand，andhelookedintotheroomandsaidsomething。Afaintvoiceansweredsomething。Littlemorethanasinglesyllablecouldhavebeenspokenoneitherside。

Helookedbackoverhisshoulder，andbeckonedthemccenter。

Mr。Lorrygothisarmsecurelyroundthedaughterwaist，andheldher；

forhefeltthatshewassinking。

`A——a——a——business，business!"heurged，withamoisturethatwasnotofbusinessshiningonhischeek。`Comeincomein!"

`Iamafraidofit，"sheanswered，shuddering。

`Ofit?What?"

`Imeanofhim。Ofmyfather。"

Renderedinamannerdesperate，byherstateandbythebeckoningoftheirconductor，hedrewoverhisneckthearmthatshookuponhisshoulder，liftedheralittle，andhurriedherintotheroom。Hesetherdownjustwithinthedoorandheldher，clingingtohim。

Defargedrewoutthekey，closedthedoor，lockeditontheinside，tookoutthekeyagain，andhelditinhishand。Allthishedid，methodically，andwithasloudandharshanaccompanimentofnoiseashecouldmake。

Finally，hewalkedacrosstheroomwithameasuredtreadtowherethewindowwas。Hestoppedthere，andfacedround。

Thegarret，builttobeadepositoryforfirewoodandthelike，wasdimanddark:forthewindowofdormershape，wasintruthadoorintheroof，withalittlecraneoveritforthehoistingupofstoresfromthestreet:unglazed，analclosingupthemiddleintwopieces，likeanyotherdoorofFrenchconstruction。Toexcludethecold，onehalfofthindoorwasfastclosed，andtheotherwasopenedbutaverylittleway。Suchascantyportionoflightwasadmittedthroughthesemeans，thatitwasdifficult，onfirstcomingin，toseeanything；andlonghabitalonecouldhaveslowlyformedinanyone，theabilitytodoanyworkrequiringnicetyinsuchobscurity。Yet，workofthatkindwasbeingdoneinthegarret；

for，withhisbacktowardsthedoor，andhisfacetowardsthewindowwherethekeeperofthewine-shopstoodlookingathim，awhite-hairedmansatonalowbench，stoopingforwardandverybusy，makingshoes。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVITheShoemaker`GOODDAY!"saidMonsieurDefarge，lookingdownathewhiteheadthatbentlowovertheshoemaking。

Itwasraisedforamoment，andaveryfaintvoicerespondedtothesalutation，asifitwereatadistance:

`Goodday!"

`Youarestillhardatwork，Isee?"

Afteralongsilence，theheadwasliftedforanothermoment，andthevoicereplied，`Yes——Iamworking。"Thistime，apairofhaggardeyeshadlookedatthequestioner，beforethefacehaddroppedagain。

Thefaintnessofthevoicewaspitiableanddreadful。Itwasnotthefaintnessofphysicalweakness，thoughconfinementandhardfarenodoubthadtheirpartinit。Itsdeplorablepeculiaritywas，thatitwasthefaintnessofsolitudeanddisuse。Itwaslikethelastfeebleechoofasoundmadelongandlongago。Soentirelyhaditlostthelifeandresonanceofthehumanvoice，thatitaffectedthesenseslikeaoncebeautifulcolourfadedawayintoapoorweakstain。Sosunkenandsuppresseditwas，thatitwaslikeavoiceunder-ground。Soexpressiveitwas，ofahopelessandlostcreature，thatafamishedtraveller，weariedOutbylonelywanderinginawilderness，wouldhaverememberedhomeandfriendsinsuchatonebeforelyingdowntodie。

Someminutesofsilentworkhadpassed:andthehaggardeyeshadlookedupagain:notwithanyinterestorcuriosity，butwithadullmechanicalperception，beforehand，thatthespotwheretheonlyvisitortheywereawareofhadstood，wasnotyetempty。

`Iwant，"saidDefarge，whohadnotremovedhisgazefromtheshoemaker，`toletinalittlemorelighthere。Youcanbearalittlemore?"

Theshoemakerstoppedhiswork；lookedwithavacantairoflistening，atthefloorononesideofhim；thensimilarly，atthefloorontheothersideofhim；then，upwardatthespeaker。

`Whatdidyousay?"

`Youcanbearalittlemorelight?"

`Imustbearit，ifyouletitin。"(Layingthepalestshadowofastressuponthesecondword。)

Theopenedhalf-doorwasopenedalittlefurther，andsecuredatthatangleforthetime。Abroadrayoflightfellintothegarret，andshowedtheworkmanwithanun-finishedshoeuponhislap，pausinginhislabour。Hisfewcommontoolsandvariousscrapsofleatherwereathisfeetandonhisbench。Hehadawhitebeard，raggedlycut，butnotverylong，ahollowface，andexceedinglybrighteyes。Thehollownessandthinnessofhisfacewouldhavecausedthemtolooklarge，underhisyetdarkeyebrowsandhisconfusedwhitehair，thoughtheyhadbeenreallyotherwise；but，theywerenaturallylarge，andlookedun-naturallyso。

Hisyellowragsofshirtlayopenatthethroat，andshowedhisbodytobewitheredandworn。He，andhisoldcanvasfrock，andhisloosestockings，andallhispoortattersofclothes，had，inalongseclusionfromdirectlightandair，fadeddowntosuchadulluniformityofparchment-yellow，thatitwouldhavebeenhardtosaywhichwaswhich。

Hehadputupahandbetweenhiseyesandthelight，andtheverybonesofitseemedtransparent。Sohesat，withasteadfastlyvacantgaze，pausinginhiswork。Heneverlookedatthefigurebeforehim，withoutfirstlookingdownonthissideofhimself，thenonthat，asifhehadlostthehabitofassociatingplacewithsound；heneverspoke，withoutfirstpanderinginthismanner，andforgettingtospeak。

`Areyougoingtofinishthatpairofshoesto-day?"askedDefarge，motioningtoMr。Lorrytocomeforward。

`Whatdidyousay?"

`Doyoumeantofinishthatpairofshoesto-day?"`Ican"tsaythatImeanto。Isupposeso。Idon"tknow。"

But，thequestionremindedhimofhiswork，andhebentoveritagain。

Mr。Lorrycamesilentlyforward，leavingthedaughterbythedoor。

Whenhehadstood，foraminuteortwo，bythesideofDefarge，theshoemakerlookedup。Heshowednosurpriseatseeinganotherfigure，buttheunsteadyfingersofoneofhishandsstrayedtohislipsashelookedatit(hislipsandhisnailswereofthesamepalelead-colour)，andthenthehanddroppedtohiswork，andheoncemorebentovertheshoe。Thelookandtheactionhadoccupiedbutaninstant。

`Youhaveavisitor，yousee，"saidMonsieurDefarge。

`Whatdidyousay?"

`Hereisavisitor。"

Theshoemakerlookedupasbefore，butwithoutremovingahandfromhiswork。

`Come!"saidDefarge。`Hereismonsieur，whoknowsawell-madeshoewhenheseesone。Showhimthatshoeyouareworkingat。Takeit，monsieur。"

Mr。Lorrytookitinhishand。

`Tellmonsieurwhatkindofshoeitis，andthemaker"sname。"

Therewasalongerpausethanusual，beforetheshoe-makerreplied:

`Iforgetwhatitwasyouaskedme。Whatdidyousay?"

`Isaid，couldn"tyoudescribethekindofshoe，formonsieur"sinformation?"

`Itisalady"sshoe。Itisayounglady"swalking-shoe。Itisinthepresentmode。Ineversawthemode。Ihavehadapatterninmyhand。"

Heglancedattheshoewithsomelittlepassingtouchofpride。

`Andthemaker"sname?"saidDefarge。

Nowthathehadnoworktohold，helaidtheknucklesoftherighthandinthehollowoftheleft，andthentheknucklesofthelefthandinthehollowoftheright，andthenpassedahandacrosshisbeardedchin，andsooninregularchanges，withoutamoment"sintermission。Thetaskofrecallinghimfromthevacancyintowhichhealwayssankwhenhehadspoken，waslikerecallingsomeveryweakpersonfromaswoon，orendeavouring，inthehopeofsomedisclosure，tostaythespiritofafast-dyingman。

`Didyouaskmeformyname?"

`AssuredlyIdid。"

`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower。"

`Isthatall?"

`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower。"

Withawearysoundthatwasnotasigh，noragroan，hebenttoworkagain，untilthesilencewasagainbroken。

`Youarenotashoemakerbytrade?"saidMr。Lorry，lookingsteadfastlyathim。

HishaggardeyesturnedtoDefargeasifhewouldhavetransferredthequestiontohim:butasnohelpcamefromthatquarter，theyturnedbackonthequestionerwhentheyhadsoughttheground。

`Iamnotashoemakerbytrade?No，Iwasnotashoe-makerbytrade。I——Ilearn"tithere。Itaughtmyself。Iaskedleaveto——"

Helapsedaway，evenforminutes，ringingthosemeasuredchangesonhishandsthewholetime。Hiseyescameslowlyback，atlast，tothefacefromwhichtheyhadwandered；whentheyrestedonit，hestarted，andresumed，inthemannerofasleeperthatmomentawake，revertingtoasubjectoflastnight。

`Iaskedleavetoteachmyself，andIgotitwithmuchdifficultyafteralongwhile，andIhavemadeshoeseversince。"

Asheheldouthishandfortheshoethathadbeentakenfromhim，Mr。Lorrysaid，stilllookingsteadfastlyinhisface:

`MonsieurManette，doyouremembernothingofme?"

Theshoedroppedtotheground，andhesatlookingfixedlyatthequestioner。

`MonsieurManette；"Mr。LorrylaidhishanduponDefarge"sarm；

`doyouremembernothingofthisman?Lookathim。Lookatme。Istherenooldbanker，nooldbusiness，nooldservant，nooldtime，risinginyourmind，MonsieurManette?"

Asthecaptiveofmanyyearssatlookingfixedly，byturns，atMr。LorryandatDefarge，somelongobliteratedmarksofanactivelyintentintelligenceinthemiddleofthefore-head，graduallyforcedthemselvesthroughtheblackmistthathadfallenonhim。Theywereovercloudedagain，theywerefainter，theyweregone；buttheyhadbeenthere。Andsoexactlywastheexpressionrepeatedonthefairyoungfaceofherwhohadcreptalongthewalltoapointwhereshecouldseehim，andwhereshenowstoodlookingathim，withhandswhichatfirsthadbeenonlyraisedinfrightenedcompassion，ifnoteventokeephimoffandshutoutthesightofhim，butwhichwerenowextendingtowardshim，tremblingwitheagernesstolaythespectralfaceuponherwarmyoungbreast，andloveitbacktolifeandhope——soexactlywastheexpressionrepeated(thoughinstrongercharacters)

onherfairyoungface，thatitlookedasthoughithadpassedlikeamovinglight，fromhimtoher。

Darknesshadfallenonhiminitsplace。Helookedatthetwo，lessandlessattentively，andhiseyesingloomyabstractionsoughtthegroundandlookedabouthimintheoldway。Finally，withadeeplongsigh，hetooktheshoeup，andresumedhiswork。

`Haveyourecognisedhim，monsieur?"askedDefargeinawhisper。

`Yes；foramoment。AtfirstIthoughtitquitehope-less，butIhaveunquestionablyseen，forasinglemoment，thefacethatIonceknewsowell。Hush!Letusdrawfurtherback。Hush!"

Shehadmovedfromthewallofthegarret，veryneartothebenchonwhichhesat。Therewassomethingawfulinhisunconsciousnessofthefigurethatcouldhaveputoutitshandandtouchedhimasliestoopedoverhislabour。

Notawordwasspoken，notasoundwasmade。Shestood，likeaspirit，besidehim，andhebentoverhiswork。

Ithappened，atlength，thathehadoccasiontochangetheinstrumentinhishand，forhisshoemaker"sknife。Itlayonthatsideofhimwhichwasnotthesideonwhichshestood。Hehadtakenitup，andwasstoopingtoworkagain，whenhiseyescaughttheskirtofherdress。Heraisedthem，andsawherface。Thetwospectatorsstartedforward，hutshestayedthemwithamotionofherhand。Shehadnofearofhisstrikingatherwiththeknife，thoughtheyhad。

Hestaredatherwithafearfullook，andafterawhilehislipsbegantoformsomewords，thoughnosoundproceededfromthem。Bydegrees，inthepausesofhisquickandlabouredbreathing，hewasheardtosay:

`Whatisthis?"

Withthetearsstreamingdownherface，sheputhertwohandstoherlips，andkissedthemtohim；thenclaspedthemonherbreast，asifshelaidhisruinedheadthere。

`Youarenotthegaoler"sdaughter?"

Shesighed`No。"

`Whoareyou?"

Notyettrustingthetonesofhervoice，shesatdownonthebenchbesidehim。Herecoiled，butshelaidherhanduponhisarm。Astrangethrillstruckhimwhenshedidso，andvisiblypassedoverhisframe；helaidtheknifedownsoftly，ashesatstaringather。

Hergoldenhair，whichsheworeinlongcurls，hadbeenhurriedlypushedaside，andfelldownoverherneck。Advancinghishandbylittleandlittle，hetookitupandlookedatit。Inthemidstoftheactionhewentastray，and，withanotherdeepsigh，felltoworkathisshoemaking。

Butnotforlong。Releasinghisarm，shelaidherhanduponhisshoulder。Afterlookingdoubtfullyatit，twoorthreetimes，asiftobesurethatitwasreallythere，helaiddownhiswork，puthishandtohisneck，andtookoffablackenedstringwithascrapoffoldedragattachedtoit。Heopenedthis，carefully，onhisknee，anditcontainedaverylittlequantityofhair:notmorethanoneortwolonggoldenhairs，whichhehad，insomeoldday，woundonuponhisfinger。

Hetookherhairintohishandagain，andlookedcloselyatit。

`Itisthesame。Howcanitbe!Whenwasit!Howwasit!"

Astheconcentratingexpressionreturnedtohisforehead，heseemedtobecomeconsciousthatitwasinherstoo。Heturnedherfulltothelight，andlookedather。

`Shehadlaidherheaduponmyshoulder，thatnightwhenIwassummonedout——shehadafearofmygoing，thoughIhadnone——andwhenI

wasbroughttotheNorthTowertheyfoundtheseuponmysleeve。"Youwillleavemethem?Theycanneverhelpmetoescapeinthebody，thoughtheymayinthespirit。"ThosewerethewordsIsaid。Irememberthemverywell。"

Heformedthisspeechwithhislipsmanytimesbeforehecouldutterit。Butwhenhedidfindspokenwordsforit，theycametohimcoherently，thoughslowly。

`Howwasthis?——Wasityou?"

Oncemore，thetwospectatorsstarted，asheturneduponherwithafrightfulsuddenness。Butshesatperfectlystillinhisgrasp，andonlysaid，inalowvoice，`Ientreatyou，goodgentlemen，donotcomenearus，donotspeak，donotmove!"

`Hark!"heexclaimed。`Whosevoicewasthat?"

Hishandsreleasedherasheutteredthiscry，andwentuptohiswhitehair，whichtheytoreinafrenzy。Itdiedout，aseverythingbuthisshoemakingdiddieoutofhim，andherefoldedhislittlepacketandtriedtosecureitinhisbreast；buthestilllookedather，andgloomilyshookhishead。

`No，no，no；youaretooyoung，tooblooming。Itcan"tbe。Seewhattheprisoneris。Thesearenotthehandssheknew，thisisnotthefacesheknew，thisisnotavoicesheeverheard。No，no。Shewas——andHewas——beforetheslowyearsoftheNorthTower——agesago。Whatisyourname，mygentleangel?"

Hailinghissoftenedtoneandmanner，hisdaughterfelluponherkneesbeforehim，withherappealinghandsuponhisbreast。

`O，sir，atanothertimeyoushallknowmyname，andwhomymotherwas，andwhomyfather，andhowIneverknewtheirhard，hardhistory。

ButIcannottellyouatthistime，andIcannottellyouhere。AllthatImaytellyou，hereandnow，is，thatIpraytoyoutotouchmeandtoblessme。Kissme，kissme!Omydear，mydear!"

Hiscoldwhiteheadmingledwithherradianthair，whichwarmedandlighteditasthoughitwerethelightofFreedomshiningonhim。

`Ifyouhearinmyvoice——Idon"tknowthatitisso，butIhopeitis——ifyouhearinmyvoiceanyresemblancetoavoicethatoncewassweetmusicinyourears，weepforit，weepforit!Ifyoutouch，intouchingmyhair，anythingthatrecallsabelovedheadthatlayonyourbreastwhenyouwereyoungandfree，weepforit，weepforit!If，whenIhinttoyouofaHomethatisbeforeus，whereIwillbetruetoyouwithallmydutyandwithallmyfaithfulservice，IbringbacktheremembranceofaHomelongdesolate，whileyourpoorheartpinedaway，weepforit，weepforit!"

Sheheldhimcloserroundtheneck，androckedhimonherbreastlikeachild。

`If"whenItellyou，dearestdear，thatyouragonyisover，andthatIhavecomeheretotakeyoufromit，andthatwegotoEnglandtobeatpeaceandatrest，Icauseyoutothinkofyourusefullifelaidwaste，andofournativeFrancesowickedtoyou，weepforit，weepforit!Andif"whenIshalltellyouofmyname，andofmyfatherwhoisliving，andofmymotherwhoisdead，youlearnthatIhavetokneeltomyhonouredfather，andimplorehispardonforhavingneverforhissakestrivenalldayandlainawakeandweptallnight，becausetheloveofmypoormotherhidhistorturefromme，weepforit，weepforit!Weepforher，then，andforme!Goodgentlemen，thankGod!Ifeelhissacredtearsuponmyface，andhissobsstrikeagainstmyheart。O，seeThankGodforus，thankGod!"

Hehadsunkinherarms，andhisfacedroppedonherbreast:asightsotouching，yetsoterribleinthetremendouswrongandsufferingwhichhadgonebeforeit，thatthetwobeholderscoveredtheirfaces。

Whenthequietofthegarrethadbeenlongundisturbed，andhisheavingbreastandshakenformhadlongyieldedtothecalmthatmustfollowallstorms——emblemtohumanity，oftherestandsilenceintowhichthestormcalledLifemusthushatlast——theycameforwardtoraisethefatheranddaughterfromtheground。Hehadgraduallydroppedtothefloor，andlaythereinalethargy，wornout。Shehadnestleddownwithhim，thathisheadmightlieuponherarm；andherhairdroopingoverhimcurtainedhimfromthelight。

`If，withoutdisturbinghim，"shesaid，raisingherhandtoMr。

Lorryashestoopedoverthem，afterrepeatedblowingsofhisnose，`allcouldbearrangedforourleavingParisatonce，sothat，fromtheverydoor，hecouldbetakenaway——"

`But，consider。Ishefitforthejourney?"askedMr。Lorry。

`Morefitforthat，Ithink，thantoremaininthiscity，sodreadfultohim。"

`Itistrue，"saidDefarge，whowaskneelingtolookonandhear。

`Morethanthat；MonsieurManetteis，forallreasons，bestoutofFrance。

Say，shallIhireacarriageandpost-horses?"

`That"sbusiness，"saidMr。Lorry，resumingontheshortestnoticehismethodicalmanners；`andifbusinessistobedune，Ihadbetterdoit。"

`Thenbesokind，"urgedMissManette，`astoleaveushere。Youseehowcomposedhehasbecome，andyoucannotbeafraidtoleavehimwithmenow。Whyshouldyoube?Ifyouwilllockthedoortosecureusfrominterruption，Idonotdoubtthatyouwillfindhim，whenyoucomeback，asquietasyouleavehim。Inanycase，Iwilltakecareofhimuntilyoureturn，andthenwewillremovehimstraight。"

BothMr。LorryandDefargewereratherdisinclinedtothiscourse，andinfavourofoneofthemremaining。But，astherewerenotonlycarriageandhorsestobeseento，buttravellingpapers；andastimepressed，forthedaywasdrawingtoanend，itcameatlasttotheirhastilydividingthebusinessthatwasnecessarytobedone，andhurryingawaytodoit。

Then，asthedarknessclosedin，thedaughterlaidherheaddownonthehardgroundcloseatthefather"sside，andwatchedhim。Thedarknessdeepenedanddeepened，andtheybothlayquiet，untilalightgleamedthroughthechinksinthewall。

Mr。LorryandMonsieurDefargehadmadeallreadyforthejourney，andhadbroughtwiththem，besidestravellingcloaksandwrappers，breadandmeat，wine，andhotcoffee。MonsieurDefargeputthisprovender，andthelamphecarried，ontheshoemaker"sbench(therewasnothingelseinthegarretbutapalletbed)，andheandMr。Lorryrousedthecaptive，andassistedhimtohisfeet。

Nohumanintelligencecouldhavereadthemysteriesofhismind，inthescaredblankwonderofhisface。Whetherheknewwhathadhappened，whetherherecollectedwhattheyhadsaidtohim，whetherheknewthathewasfree，werequestionswhichnosagacitycouldhavesolved。Theytriedspeakingtohim；but，hewassoconfused，andsoveryslowtoanswer，thattheytookfrightathisbewilderment，andagreedforthetimetotamperwithhimnomore。Hehadawild，lostmannerofoccasionallyclaspinghisheadinhishands，thathadnotbeenseeninhimbefore；yet，hehadsomepleasureinthemeresoundofhisdaughter"svoice，andinvariablyturnedtoitwhenshespoke。

Inthesubmissivewayofonelongaccustomedtoobeyundercoercion，heateanddrankwhattheygavehimtoeatanddrink，andputonthecloakandotherwrappings，thattheygavehimtowear。Hereadilyrespondedtohisdaughter"sdrawingherarmthroughhis，andtook——andkept——herhandinbothhisown。

Theybegantodescend；MonsieurDefargegoingfirstwiththelamp，Mr。Lorryclosingthelittleprocession。Theyhadnottraversedmanystepsofthelongmainstaircasewhenhestopped，andstaredattheroofandroundatthewalls。

`Youremembertheplace，myfather?Youremembercominguphere?

`Whatdidyousay?"

But，beforeshecouldrepeatthequestion，hemurmuredananswerasifshehadrepeatedit。

`Remember?No，Idon"tremember。Itwassoverylongago。"

Thathehadnorecollectionwhateverofhishavingbeenbroughtfromhisprisontothathouse，wasapparenttothem。Theyheardhimmutter，`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower；"andwhenhelookedabouthim，itevidentlywasforthestrongfortress-wallswhichhadlongencompassedhim。Ontheirreachingthecourtyardheinstinctivelyalteredhistread，asbeinginexpectationofadrawbridge；andwhentherewasnodrawbridge，andhesawthecarriagewaitingintheopenstreet，hedroppedhisdaughter"shandandclaspedhisheadagain。

Nocrowdwasaboutthedoor；nopeoplewerediscernibleatanyofthemanywindows；notevenachancepasser-bywasinthestreet。Anunnaturalsilenceanddesertionreignedthere。Onlyonesoulhastobeseen，andthatwasMadameDefarge——wholeanedagainstthedoor-post，knitting，andsawnothing。

Theprisonerhadgotintoacoach，andhisdaughterhadfollowedhim，whenMr。Lorry"sfeetwerearrestedonthestepbyhisasking，miserably，forhisshoemakingtoolsandtheunfinishedshoes。MadameDefargeimmediatelycalledtoherhusbandthatshewouldgetthem，andwent，knitting，outofthelamplight，throughthecourt-yard。Shequicklybroughtthemdownandhandedthemin；——andimmediatelyafterwardsleanedagainstthedoor-post，knitting，andsawnothing。

Defargegotuponthebox，andgavetheword`TotheBarrier!"

Thepostilioncrackedhiswhip，andtheyclatteredawayundertheFeebleoverswinginglamps。

Undertheover-swinginglamps——swingingeverbrighterinthebetterstreets，andeverdimmerintheworse——andbylightedshops，gaycrowds，illuminatedcoffee-houses，andtheatre-doors，tooneofthecitygates。

Soldierswithlanterns，attheguard-housethere。`Yourpapers，travellers!"

`Seeherethen，MonsieurtheOfficer，"saidDefarge，gettingdown，andtakinghimgravelyapart，`thesearethepapersofmonsieurinside，withthewhitehead。Theywereconsignedtome，withhim，atthe——"Hedroppedhisvoice，therewasaflutteramongthemilitarylanterns，andoneofthembeinghandedintothecoachbyanarminuniform，theeyesconnectedwiththearmlooked，notanevery-dayoranevery-nightlook，atmonsieurwiththewhitehead。`Itiswell。Forward!"fromtheuniform。`Adieu!"

fromDefarge。Andso，underashortgroveoffeeblerandfeebleroverswinginglamps，outunderthegreatgroveofstars。

Beneaththatarchofunmovedandeternallights；some，soremotefromthislittleearththatthelearnedtellusitisdoubtfulwhethertheirrayshaveevenyetdiscoveredit，asapointinspacewhereanythingissufferedordone:theshadowsofthenightwerebroadandblack。Allthroughthecoldandrestlessinterval，untildawn，theyoncemorewhisperedintheearsofMr。JarvisLorry——sittingoppositetheburiedmanwhohadbeendugout，andwonderingwhatsubtlepowerswereforeverlosttohim，andwhatwerecapableofrestoration——theoldinquiry:

`Ihopeyoucaretoberecalledtolife?"

Andtheoldanswer:

`Ican"tsay。"

THEENDOFTHEFIRSTBOOK

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]BOOKTHESECONDTHEGOLDENTHREADCHAPTERIFiveYearsLaterTELLSON"SBankbyTempleBarwasanold-fashionedplace，evenintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandeighty。Itwasverysmall，verydark，veryugly，veryincommodious。Itwasanold-fashionedplace，moreover，inthemoralattributethatthepartnersintheHousewereproudofitssmallness，proudofitsdarkness，proudofitsugliness，proudofitsincommodiousness。

Theywereevenboastfulofitseminenceinthoseparticulars，andwerefiredbyanempressconvictionthat，ifitwerelessobjectionable，itwouldbelessrespectable。Thiswasnopassivebelief，butanactiveweaponwhichtheyflashedatmoreconvenientplacesofbusiness。Tellson"s(theysaid)wantednoelbow-room，Tellson"swantednolight，Tellson"swantednoembellishment。NoakesandCo。"smight，orSnooksBrothers"might；butTellson"s，thankHeaven!——

AnyoneofthesepartnerswouldhavedisinheritedhissononthequestionofrebuildingTellson"s。InthisrespecttheHousewasmuchonaparwiththeCountry；whichdidveryoftendisinherititssonsforsuggestingimprovementsinlawsandcustomsthathadlongbeenhighlyobjectionable，butwereonlythemorerespectable。

Thusithadcometopass，thatTellson"swasthetriumphantperfectionofinconvenience。Afterburstingopenadoorofidioticobstinacywithaweakrattleinitsthroat，youfellintoTellson"sdowntwosteps，andcametoyoursensesinamiser-ablelittleshop，withtwolittlecounters，wheretheoldestofmenmadeyourchequeshakeasifthewindrustledit，whiletheyexaminedthesignaturebythedingiestofwindows，whichwerealwaysunderashower-bathofmudfromFleet-street，andwhichweremadethedingierbytheirownironbarsproper，andtheheavyshadowofTempleBar。Ifyourbusinessnecessitatedyourseeing`theHouse，"youwereputintoaspeciesofCondemnedHoldattheback，whereyoumeditatedonamisspentlife，untiltheHousecamewithitshandsinitspockets，andyoucouldhardlyblinkatitinthedismaltwilight。Yourmoneycameoutof"orwentinto，wormyoldwoodendrawers，particlesofwhichflewupyournoseanddownyourthroatwhentheywereopenedandshut。Yourbank-noteshadamustyodour，asiftheywerefastdecomposingintoragsagain。Yourplatewasstowedawayamongtheneighbouringcesspools，andevilcommunicationscorrupteditsgoodpolishinadayortwo。Yourdeedsgotintoextemporisedstrong-roomsmadeofkitchensandsculleries，andfrettedallthefatoutoftheirparchmentsintothebankinghouseair。Yourlighterboxesoffamilypaperswentup-stairsintoaBarmecideroom，thatalwayshadagreatdining-tableinitandneverhadadinner，andwhere，evenintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandeighty，thefirstletterswrittentoyoubyyouroldlove，orbyyourlittlechildren，werebutnewlyreleasedfromthehorrorofbeingogledthroughthewindows，bytheheadsexposedonTempleBarwithaninsensatebrutalityandferocityworthyofAbyssiniaorAshantee。

Butindeed，atthattime，puttingtodeathwasarecipemuchinvoguewithalltradesandprofessions，andnotleastofallwithTellson"s。

DeathisNature"sremedyforallthings，andwhynotLegislation"s?Accordingly，theforgerwasputtodeath；theuttererofabadnotewasputtoDeath；

theunlawfulopenerofaletterwasputtoDeath；thepurloineroffortyshillingsandsixpencewasputtoDeath；theholderofahorseatTellson"sdoor，whomadeoffwithit，wasputtoDeath；thecoinerofabadshillingwasputtoDeath；thesoundersofthree-fourthsofthenotesinthewholegamutofGrime，wereputtoDeath。Notthatitdidtheleastgoodinthewayofprevention——itmightalmosthavebeenworthremarkingthatthefactwasexactlythereverse——but，itclearedoff(astothisworld)thetroubleofeachparticularcase，andleftnothingelseconnectedwithittobelookedafter。Thus，Tellson"s，initsday，likegreaterplacesofbusiness，itscontemporaries，hadtakensomanylives，that，iftheheadslaidlowbeforeithadbeenrangedonTempleBarinsteadofbeingprivatelydisposedof"theywouldprobablyhaveexcludedwhatlittlelightthegroundfloorhad，inarathersignificantmanner。

CrampedinallkindsofdimcupboardsandhutchesatTellson"s，theoldestofmencarriedonthebusinessgravely。

WhentheytookayoungmanintoTellson"sLondonhouse，theyhidhimsomewheretillhewasold。Theykepthiminadarkplace，likeacheese，untilhehadthefullTellsonflavourandblue-moulduponhim。Thenonlywashepermittedtobeseen，spectacularlyporingoverlargebooks，andcastinghisbreechesandgaitersintothegeneralweightoftheestablishment。