第5章

`Youaretheyoungladyjustnowreferredto?"

`O!mostunhappily，Iam。"

TheplaintivetoneofhercompassionmergedintothelessmusicalvoiceoftheJudge，ashesaidsomethingfiercely:`Answerthequestionsputtoyou，andmakenoremarkuponthem。"

`MissManette，hadyouanyconversationwiththeprisoneronthatpassageacrosstheChannel?"

`Yes，sir。"

`Recallit。"

Inthemidstofaprofoundstillness，shefaintlybegan:`Whenthegentlemancameonboard"

`Doyoumeantheprisoner?"inquiredtheJudge，knittinghisbrows。

`Yes，myLord。"

`Thensaytheprisoner。"

`Whentheprisonercameonboard，henoticedthatmyfather，"

turninghereyeslovinglytohimashestoodbesideher，wasmuchfatiguedandinaveryweakstateofhealth。MyfatherwassoreducedthatIwasafraidtotakehimoutoftheair，andIhadmadeabedforhimonthedecknearthecabinsteps，andIsatonthedeckathissidetotakecareofhim。Therewerenootherpassengersthatnight，butwefour。TheprisonerwassogoodastobegpermissiontoadvisemehowIcouldsheltermyfatherfromthewindandweather，betterthanIhaddone。Ihadnotknownhowtodoitwell，notunderstandinghowthewindwouldsetwhenwewereoutoftheharbour。Hediditforme。Heexpressedgreatgentlenessandkindnessformyfather"sstate，andIamsurehefeltit。Thatwasthemannerofourbeginningtospeaktogether。"

`Letmeinterruptyouforamoment。Hadhecomeonboardalone?"

`No。"

`Howmanywerewithhim?"

`TwoFrenchgentlemen。"

`Hadtheyconferredtogether?"

`Theyhadconferredtogetheruntilthelastmoment，whenitwasnecessaryfortheFrenchgentlementobelandedintheirboat。"

`Hadanypapersbeenhandedaboutamongthem，similartotheselists?"

`Somepapershadbeenhandedaboutamongthem，butIdon"tknowwhatpapers。"

`Liketheseinshapeandsize?"

`Possibly，butindeedIdon"tknow，althoughtheystoodwhisperingveryneartome:becausetheystoodatthetopofthecabinstepstohavethelightofthelampthatwashangingthere；itwasadulllamp，andtheyspokeverylow，andIdidnothearwhattheysaid，andsawonlythattheylookedatpapers。"

`Now，totheprisoner"sconversation，MissManette。"

`Theprisonerwasasopeninhisconfidencewithme-whicharoseoutofmyhelplesssituation-ashewaskind，andgood，andusefultomyfather。Ihope，"burstingintotears，`Imaynotrepayhimbydoinghimharmto-day。"

Buzzingfromtheblue-flies。

`MissManette，iftheprisonerdoesnotperfectlyunderstandthatyougivetheevidencewhichitisyourdutytogive——whichyoumustgive——andwhichyoucannotescapefromgiving——withgreatunwillingness，heistheonlypersonpresentinthatcondition。Pleasetogoon。

`Hetoldmethathewastravellingonbusinessofadelicateanddifficultnature，whichmightgetpeopleintotrouble，andthathewasthereforetravellingunderanassumedname。Hesaidthatthisbusinesshad，withinafewdays，takenhimtoFrance，andmight，atintervals，takehimbackwardsandforwardsbetweenFranceandEnglandforalongtimetocome。"

`DidhesayanythingaboutAmerica，MissManette?Beparticular。"

`Hetriedtoexplaintomehowthatquarrelhadarisen，andhesaidthat，sofarashecouldjudge，itwasawrongandfoolishoneonEngland"spart。Headded，inajestingway，thatperhapsGeorgeWashingtonmightgainalmostasgreatanameinhistoryasGeorgetheThird。Buttherewasnoharminhiswayofsayingthis:itwassaidlaughingly，andtobeguilethetime。"

Anystronglymarkedexpressionoffaceonthepartofachiefactorinasceneofgreatinteresttowhommanyeyesaredirected，willbeunconsciouslyimitatedbythespectators。Herforeheadwaspainfullyanxiousandintentasshegavethisevidence，and，inthepauseswhenshestoppedfortheJudgetowriteitdown，watcheditseffectuponthecounselforandagainst。Amongthelookers-ontherewasthesameexpressioninallquartersofthecourt；insomuch，thatagreatmajorityoftheforeheadsthere，mighthavebeenmirrorsreflectingthewitness，whentheJudgelookedupfromhisnotestoglareatthattremendousheresyaboutGeorgeWashington。

Mr。Attorney-GeneralnowsignifiedtomyLord，thathedeemeditnecessary，asamatterofprecautionandform，tocalltheyounglady"sfather，DoctorManette。Whowascalledaccordingly。

`DoctorManette，lookupontheprisoner。Haveyoueverseenhimbefore?"

`Once。WhenhecalledatmylodgingsinLondon。Somethreeyears，orthreeyearsandahalfago。"

`Canyouidentifyhimasyourfellow-passengeronboardthepacket，orspeaktohisconversationwithyourdaughter?"

`Sir，Icandoneither。"

`Isthereanyparticularandspecialreasonforyourbeingunabletodoeither?"

Heanswered，inalowvoice，`Thereis。"

`Hasitbeenyourmisfortunetoundergoalongimprisonment，withouttrial，orevenaccusation，inyournativecountry，DoctorManette?"

Heanswered，inatonethatwenttoeveryheart，`Alongimprisonment。"

`Wereyounewly，releasedontheoccasioninquestion?"

`Theytellmeso。`Haveyounoremembranceoftheoccasion?"

`None。Mymindisablank，fromsometime——Icannotevensaywhattime——whenIemployedmyself，inmycaptivity，inmakingshoes，tothetimewhenIfoundmyselflivinginLondonwithmydeardaughterhere。Shehadbecomefamiliartome，whenagraciousGodrestoredmyfaculties；but，Iamquiteunableeventosayhowshehadbecomefamiliar。Ihavenoremembranceoftheprocess。"

Mr。Attorney-Generalsatdown，andthefatheranddaughtersatdowntogether。

Asingularcircumstancethenaroseinthecase。Theobjectinhandbeingtoshowthattheprisonerwentdown，withsomefellow-plotteruntracked，intheDovermailonthatFridaynightinNovemberfiveyearsago，andgotoutofthemailinthenight，asablind，ataplacewherehedidnotremain，butfromwhichhetravelledbacksomedozenmilesormore，toagarrisonanddockyard，andtherecollectedinformation；awitnesswascalledtoidentifyhimashavingbeenattheprecisetimerequired，inthecoffee-roomofanhotelinthatgarrison-and-dockyardtown，waitingforanotherperson。Theprisoner"scounselwascross-examiningthiswitnesswithnoresult，exceptthathehadneverseentheprisoneronanyotheroccasion，whenthewiggedgentlemanwhohadallthistimebeenlookingattheceilingofthecourt，wroteawordortwoonalittlepieceofpaper，screweditup，andtossedittohim。Openingthispieceofpaperinthenextpause，thecounsellookedwithgreatattentionandcuriosityattheprisoner。

`Yousayagainyouarequitesurethatitwastheprisoner?"Thewitnesswasquitesure。`Didyoueverseeanybodyveryliketheprisoner?"

Notsolike(thewitnesssaid)asthathecouldbemistaken。`Lookwelluponthatgentleman，mylearnedfriendthere，"pointingtohimwhohadtossedthepaperover，`andthenlookwellupontheprisoner。Howsayyou?

Aretheyverylikeeachother?"

Allowingformylearnedfriend"sappearancebeingcarelessandslovenlyifnotdebauched，theyweresufficientlylikeeachothertosurprise，notonlythewitness，buteverybodypresent，whentheywerethusbroughtintocomparison。MyLordbeingprayedtobidmylearnedfriendlayasidehiswig，andgivingnoverygraciousconsent，thelikenessbecamemuchmoreremarkable。MyLordinquiredofMr。Stryver(theprisoner"scounsel)，whethertheywerenexttotryMr。Carton(nameofmylearnedfriend)fortreason?But，Mr。StryverrepliedtomyLord，no；buthewouldaskthewitnesstotellhimwhetherwhathappenedonce，mighthappentwice；whetherhewouldhavebeensoconfidentifhehadseenthisillustrationofhisrashnesssooner，whetherhewouldbesoconfident，havingseenit；andmore。Theupshotofwhichwas，tosmashthiswitnesslikeacrockeryvessel，andshiverhispartofthecasetouselesslumber。

Mr。Cruncherhadbythistimetakenquitealunchofrustoffhisfingersinhisfollowingoftheevidence。HehadnowtoattendwhileMr。Stryverfittedtheprisoner"scaseonthejury，likeacompactsuitofclothes；showingthemhowthepatriot，Barsad，wasahiredspyandtraitor，anunblushingtraffickerinblood，andoneofthegreatestscoundrelsuponearthsinceaccursedJudas——whichhecertainlydidlookratherlike。Howthevirtuousservant，Cly，washisfriendandpartner，andwasworthytobe；howthewatchfuleyesofthoseforgersandfalseswearershadrestedontheprisonerasavictim，becausesomefamilyaffairsinFrance，hebeingofFrenchextraction，didrequirehismakingthosepassagesacrosstheChannel——thoughwhatthoseaffairswere，aconsiderationforotherswhowerenearanddeartohim，forbadhim，evenforhislife，todisclose。

Howtheevidencethathadbeenwarpedandwrestedfromtheyounglady，whoseanguishingivingittheyhadwitnessed，cametonothing，involvingthemerelittleinnocentgallantriesandpolitenesseslikelytopassbetweenanyyounggentlemanandyoungladysothrowntogether；——withtheexceptionofthatreferencetoGeorgeWashington，whichwasaltogethertooextravagantandimpossibletoberegardedinanyotherlightthanasamonstrousjoke。

Howitwouldbeaweaknessinthegovernmenttobreakdowninthisattempttopractiseforpopularityonthelowestnationalantipathiesandfears，andthereforeMr。Attorney-Generalhadmadethemostofit；how，nevertheless，itresteduponnothing，savethatvileandinfamouscharacterofevidencetoooftendisfiguringsuchcases，andofwhichtheStateTrialsofthiscountrywerefull。But，theremyLordinterposed(withasgraveafaceasifithadnotbeentrue)，sayingthathecouldnotsituponthatBenchandsufferthoseallusions。

Mr。Stryverthencalledhisfewwitnesses，andMr。CruncherhadnexttoattendwhileMr。Attorney-GeneralturnedthewholesuitofclothesMr。Stryverhadfittedonthejury，insideout；showinghowBarsadandClywereevenahundredtimesbetterthanhehadthoughtthem，andtheprisonerahundredtimesworse。Lastly，camemyLordhimselfturningthesuitofclothes，nowinsideout，nowoutsidein，butonthewholedecidedlytrimmingandshapingthemintograve-clothesfortheprisoner。

Andnow，thejuryturnedtoconsider，andthegreatfliesswarmedagain。

Mr。Carton，whohadsolongsatlookingattheceilingofthecourt，changedneitherhisplacenorhisattitude，eveninthisexcitement。

Whilehislearnedfriend，Mr。Stryver，massinghispapersbeforehim，whisperedwiththosewhosatnear，andfromtimetotimeglancedanxiouslyatthejury；whileallthespectatorsmovedmoreorless，andgroupedthemselvesanew；whileevenmyLordhimselfarosefromhisseat，andslowlypacedupanddownhisplatform，notunattendedbyasuspicioninthemindsoftheaudiencethathisstatewasfeverish；thisonemansatleaningback，withhistorngownhalfoffhim，hisuntidywigputonjustasithadhappenedtolightonhisheadafteritsremoval，hishandsinhispockets，andhiseyesontheceilingastheyhadbeenallday。Somethingespeciallyrecklessinhisdemeanour，notonlygavehimadisreputablelook，butsodiminishedthestrongresemblanceheundoubtedlyboretotheprisoner(whichhismomentaryearnestness，whentheywerecomparedtogether，hadstrengthened)，thatmanyofthelookers-on，takingnoteofhimnow，saidtooneanothertheywouldhardlyhavethoughtthetwoweresoalike。Mr。Crunchermadetheobservationtohisnextneighbour，andadded，`I"dholdhalfaguineathathedon"tgetnolaw-worktodo。Don"tlooklikethesortofonetogetany，dohe?"

Yet，thisMr。Cartontookinmoreofthedetailsofthescenethanheappearedtotakein；fornow，whenMissManette"sheaddroppeduponherfather"sbreast，hewasthefirsttoseeit，andtosayaudibly:

`Officer!looktothatyounglady。Help，thegentlemantotakeherout。

Don"tyouseeshewillfall!"

Therewasmuchcommiserationforherasshewasremoved，andmuchsympathywithherfather。Ithadevidentlybeenagreatdistresstohim，tohavethedaysofhisimprisonmentrecalled。Hehadshownstronginternalagitationwhenhewasquestioned，andthatponderingorbroodinglookwhichmadehimold，hadbeenuponhim，likeaheavycloud，eversince。Ashepassedout，thejury，whohadturnedbackandpausedamoment，spoke，throughtheirforeman。

Theywerenotagreed，andwishedtoretire。MyLord(perhapswithGeorgeWashingtononhismind)showedsomesurprisethattheywerenotagreed，butsignifiedhispleasurethattheyshouldretireunderwatchandward，andretiredhimself。Thetrialhadlastedallday，andthelampsinthecourtwerenowbeinglighted。Itbegantoberumouredthatthejurywouldbeoutalongwhile。Thespectatorsdroppedofftogetrefreshment，andtheprisonerwithdrewtothebackofthedock，andsatdown。

Mr。Larry，whohadgoneoutwhentheyoungladyandherfatherwentout，nowreappeared，andbeckonedtoJerry:who，intheslackenedinterest，couldeasilygetnearhim。

`Jerry，ifyouwishtotakesomethingtoeat，youcan。But，keepintheway。Youwillbesuretohearwhenthejurycomein。Don"tbeamomentbehindthem，forIwantyoutotaketheverdictbacktothebank。

YouarethequickestmessengerIknow，andwillgettoTempleBarlongbeforeIcan。"

Jerryhadjustenoughforeheadtoknuckle，andheknuckledinacknowledgmentofthiscommunicationandashilling。

Mr。Cartoncameupatthemoment，andtouchedMr。Lorryonthearm。

`Howistheyounglady?"

`Sheisgreatlydistressed；butherfatheriscomfortingher，andshefeelsthebetterforbeingoutofcourt。"

`I"lltelltheprisonerso。Itwon"tdoforarespectablebankgentlemanlikeyou，tobeseenspeakingtohimpublicly，youknow。"

Mr。Lorryreddenedasifhewereconsciousofhavingdebatedthepointinhismind，andMr。Cartonmadehiswaytotheoutsideofthebar。

Thewayoutofcourtlayinthatdirection，andJerryfollowedhim，alleyes，ears，andspikes。

`Mr。Darnay!"

Theprisonercameforwarddirectly。

`Youwillnaturallybeanxioustohearofthewitness，MissManette。

Shewilldoverywell。Youhaveseentheworstofheragitation。"

`Iamdeeplysorrytohavebeenthecauseofit。Couldyoutellhersoforme，withmyferventacknowledgments?"

`Yes，Icould。Iwill，ifyouaskit。"

Mr。Carton"smannerwassocarelessastobealmostinsolent。

Hestood，halfturnedfromtheprisoner，loungingwithhiselbowagainstthebar。

`Idoaskit。Acceptmycordialthanks。"

`What，"saidCarton，stillonlyhalfturnedtowardshim，`doyouexpect，Mr。Darnay?"

`Theworst。"

`It"sthewisestthingtoexpect，andthelikeliest。ButIthinktheirwithdrawingisinyourfavour。

Loiteringonthewayoutofcourtnotbeingallowed，Jerryheardnomore:butleftthem——solikeeachotherinfeature，sounlikeeachotherinmanner——standingsidebyside，bothreflectedintheglassabovethem。

Anhourandahalflimpedheavilyawayinthethief-and-rascalcrowdedpassagesbelow，eventhoughassistedoffwithmuttonpiesandale。

Thehoarsemessenger，uncomfortablyseatedonaformaftertakingthatrefection，haddroppedintoadoze，whenaloudmurmurandarapidtideofpeoplesettingupthestairsthatledtothecourt，carriedhimalongwiththem。

`Jerry!Jerry!"Mr。Lorrywasalreadycallingatthedoorwhenhegotthere。

`Here，sir!It"safighttogetbackagain。HereIam，sir!"

Mr。Lorryhandedhimapaperthroughthethrong。`Quick!Haveyougotit?"

`Yes，sir!"

Hastilywrittenonthepaperwastheword`ACQUITTED"。

`Ifyouhadsentthemessage，"RecalledtoLife，"again，mutteredJerry，asheturned，`Ishouldhaveknownwhatyoumeant，thistime。"

Hehadnoopportunityofsaying，orsomuchasthinking，anythingelse，untilhewasclearoftheOldBailey；for，thecrowdcamepouringoutwithavehemencethatnearlytookhimoffhislegs，andaloudbuzzsweptintothestreetasifthebaffledblue-fliesweredispersinginsearchofothercarrion。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIVCongratulatoryFROMthedimly-lightedpassagesofthecourt，thelastsedimentofthehumanstewthathadbeenboilingthereallday，wasstrainingoff，whenDoctorManette，LucieManette，hisdaughter，Mr。Lorry，thesolicitorforthedefence，anditscounsel，Mr。Stryver，stoodgatheredroundMr。CharlesDarnay——justreleased——congratulatinghimonhisescapefromdeath。

Itwouldhavebeendifficultbyafarbrighterlight，torecogniseinDoctorManette，intellectualoffaceanduprightofbearing，theshoemakerofthegarretinParis。Yet，noonecouldhavelookedathimtwice，withoutlikingagain:eventhoughtheopportunityofobservationhadnotextendedtothemournfulcadenceofhislowgravevoice，andtotheabstractionthatovercloudedhimfitfully，withoutanyapparentreason。Whileoneexternalcause，andthatareferencetohislonglingeringagony，wouldalways——asonthetrial——evokethisconditionfromthedepthsofhissoul，itwasalsoinitsnaturetoariseofitself，andtodrawagloomoverhim，asincomprehensibletothoseunacquaintedwithhisstoryasiftheyhadseentheshadowoftheactualBastillethrownuponhimbyasummersun，whenthesubstancewasthreehundredmilesaway。

Onlyhisdaughterhadthepowerofcharmingthisblackbroodingfromhismind。ShewasthegoldenthreadthatunitedhimtoaPastbeyondhismisery，andtoaPresentbeyondhismisery:andthesoundofhervoice，thelightofherface，thetouchofherhand，hadastrongbeneficialinfluencewithhimalmostalways。Notabsolutelyalways，forshecouldrecallsomeoccasionsonwhichherpowerhadfailed；buttheywerefewandslight，andshebelievedthemover。

Mr。Darnayhadkissedherhandferventlyandgratefully，andhadturnedtoMr。Stryver，whomhewarmlythanked。Mr。Stryver，amanoflittlemorethanthirty，butlookingtwentyyearsolderthanhewas，stout，loud，red，bluff，andfreefromanydrawbackofdelicacy，hadapushingwayofshoulderinghimself(morallyandphysically)intocompaniesandconversations，thatarguedwellforhisshoulderinghiswayupinlife。

Hestillhadhiswigandgownon，andhesaid，squaringhimselfathislateclienttothatdegreethathesqueezedtheinnocentMr。Lorrycleanoutofthegroup:`Iamgladtohavebroughtyouoffwithhonour，Mr。Darnay。Itwasaninfamousprosecution，grosslyinfamous；butnotthelesslikelytosucceedonthataccount。

`Youhavelaidmeunderanobligationtoyouforlife-intwosenses，"

saidhislateclient，takinghishand。

`Ihavedonemybestforyou，Mr。Darnay；andmybestisasgoodasanotherman"s，Ibelieve。"

Itclearlybeingincumbentonsomeonetosay，`Muchbetter，"

Mr。Lorrysaidit；perhapsnotquitedisinterestedly，butwiththeinterestedobjectofsqueezinghimselfbackagain。

`Youthinkso?"saidMr。Stryver。`Well!youhavebeenpresentallday，，andyououghttoknow。Youareamanofbusiness，too。

`Andassuch，"quothMr。Larry，whomthecounsellearnedinthelawhadnowshoulderedbackintothegroup，justashehadpreviouslyshoulderedhimoutofit——`assuchIwillappealtoDoctorManette，tobreakupthisconferenceandorderusalltoourhomes。MissLucielooksill，Mr。Darnayhashadaterribleday，wearewornout。"

`Speakforyourself，Mr。Lorry，"saidStryver；`Ihaveanight"sworktodoyet。Speakforyourself。"

`Ispeakformyself，"answeredMr。Lorry，`andforMr。Darnay，andforMissLucie，and——MissLucie，doyounotthinkImayspeakforusall?"Heaskedherthequestionpointedly，andwithaglanceatherfather。

Hisfacehadbecomefrozen，asitwere，inaverycuriouslookatDarnay:anintentlook，deepeningintoafrownofdislikeanddistrust，notevenunmixedwithfear。Withthisstrangeexpressiononhimhisthoughtshadwanderedaway。

`Myfather，"saidLucie，softlylayingherhandonhis。

Heslowlyshooktheshadowoff，andturnedtoher。

`Shallwegohome，myfather?"

Withalongbreath，heanswered`Yes。"

Thefriendsoftheacquittedprisonerhaddispersed，undertheimpressionwhichhehimselfhadoriginated——thathewouldnotbereleasedthatnight。Thelightswerenearlyallextinguishedinthepassages，theirongateswerebeingclosedwithajarandarattle，andthedismalplacewasdeserteduntilto-morrowmorning"sinterestofgallows，pillory，whipping-post，andbranding-iron，shouldre-peopleit。WalkingbetweenherfatherandMr。Darnay，LucieManettepassedintotheopenair。Ahackney-coachwascalled，andthefatheranddaughterdepartedinit。

Mr。Stryverhadlefttheminthepassages，toshoulderhiswaybacktotherobing-room。Anotherperson，whohadnotjoinedthegroup，orinterchangedawordwithanyoneofthem，butwhohadbeenleaningagainstthewallwhereitsshadowwasdarkest，hadsilentlystrolledoutaftertherest，andhadlookedonuntilthecoachdroveaway。HenowsteppeduptowhereMr。LorryandMr。Darnaystooduponthepavement。

`So，Mr。Lorry!MenofbusinessmayspeaktoMr。Darnaynow?"

NobodyhadmadeanyacknowledgmentofMr。Carton"spartintheday"sproceedings；nobodyhadknownofit。Hewasunrobed，andwasnonethebetterforitinappearance。

`Ifyouknewwhataconflictgoesoninthebusinessmind，whenthebusinessmindisdividedbetweengood-naturedimpulseandbusinessappearances，youwouldbeamused，Mr。Darnay。"

Mr。Lorryreddened，andsaid，warmly，`Youhavementionedthatbefore，sir。Wemenofbusiness，whoserveaHouse，arenotourownmasters。

WehavetothinkoftheHousemorethanourselves。"

`Iknow，Iknow，"rejoinedMr。Carton，carelessly。`Don"tbenettled，Mr。Lorry。Youareasgoodasanother，Ihavenodoubt:better，Idaresay。"

`Andindeed，sir，"pursuedMr。Lorry，notmindinghim，`Ireallydon"tknowwhatyouhavetodowiththematter。Ifyou"llexcuseme，asverymuchyourcider，forsayingso，Ireallydon"tknowthatitisyourbusiness。"

`Business!Blessyou，Ihavenobusiness，"saidMr。Carton。`Itisapityyouhavenot，sir。"

`Ithinkso，too。"

`Ifyouhad，"pursuedMr。Lorry，`perhapsyouwouldattendtoit。"

`Lordloveyou，no!——Ishouldn"t，"saidMr。Carton。

`Well，sir!"criedMr。Lorry，thoroughlyheatedbyhisindifference，`businessisaverygoodthing，andaveryrespectablething。And，sir，ifbusinessimposesitsrestraintsanditssilencesandimpediments，Mr。

Darnayasayounggentlemanofgenerosityknowshowtomakeallowanceforthatcircumstance。Mr。Darnay，good-night，Godblessyou，sir!Ihopeyouhavebeenthisdaypreservedforaprosperousandhappylife——Chairthere!"

Perhaps"alittleangrywithhimselfaswellaswiththebarrister，Mr。Lorryhustledintothechair，andwascarriedofftoTellson"s。Carton，whosmeltofportwine，anddidnotappeartobequitesober，laughedthen，andturnedtoDarnay:

`Thisisastrangechancethatthrowsyouandmetogether。Thismustbeastrangenighttoyou，standingaloneherewithyourcounterpartonthesestreetstones?"

`Ihardlyseemyet，"returnedCharlesDarnay，`tobelongtothisworldagain。"

`Idon"twonderatit；it"snotsolongsinceyouwereprettyfaradvancedonyourwaytoanother。Youspeakfaintly。"

`IbegintothinkIamfaint。"

`Thenwhythedevildon"tyoudine?Idined，myselfwhilethosenumskullsweredeliberatingwhichworldyoushouldbelongto——this，orsomeother。Letmeshowyouthenearesttaverntodinewellat。"

Drawinghisarmthroughhisown，hetookhimdownLudgate-hilltoFleet-street，andso，upacoveredway，intoatavern。Here，theywereshownintoalittleroom，whereCharlesDarnaywassoonrecruitinghisstrengthwithagoodplaindinnerandgoodwine:whileCartonsatoppositetohimatthesametable，withhisseparatebottleofportbeforehim，andhisfullyhalf-insolentmanneruponhim。

`Doyoufeel，yet，thatyoubelongtothisterrestrialschemeagain，Mr。Darnay?"

`Iamfrightfullyconfusedregardingtimeand"place；butIamsofarmendedastofeelthat。"

`Itmustbeanimmensesatisfaction!"

Hesaiditbitterly，andfilleduphisglassagain:whichwasalargeone。

`Astome，thegreatestdesireIhave，istoforgetthatIbelongtoit。Ithasnogoodinitforme——exceptwinelikethis——norIforit。

Sowearenotmuchalikeinthatparticular。Indeed，Ibegintothinkwearenotmuchalikeinanyparticular，youandI。"

Confusedbytheemotionoftheday，andfeelinghisbeingtherewiththisDoubleofcoarsedeportment，tobelikeadream，CharlesDarnaywasatalosshowtoanswer；finally，answerednotatall。

`Nowyourdinnerisdone，"Cartonpresentlysaid，`whydon"tyoucallahealth，Mr。Darnay；whydon"tyougiveyourtoast?"

`Whathealth?Whattoast?"

`Why，it"sonthetipofyourtongue。Itoughttobe，itmustbe，I"llswearit"sthere。

`MissManette，then!"

`MissManette，then!"

Lookinghiscompanionfullinthefacewhilehedrankthetoast，Cartonflunghisglassoverhisshoulderagainstthewall，whereitshiveredtopieces；then，rangthebell，andorderedinanother。

`That"safairyoungladytohandtoacoachinthedark，Mr。

Darnay!"hesaid，fillinghisnewgoblet。

Aslightfrownandalaconic`Yes，"weretheanswer。

`That"safairyoungladytobepitiedbyandweptforby!Howdoesitfeel?Isitworthbeingtriedforone"slife，tobetheobjectofsuchsympathyandcompassion，Mr。Darnay?"

AgainDarnayanswerednotaword。

`Shewasmightilypleasedtohaveyourmessage，whenIgaveither。Notthatsheshowedshewaspleased，butIsupposeshewas。"

TheallusionservedasatimelyremindertoDarnaythatthisdisagreeablecompanionhad，ofhisownfreewill，assistedhiminthestraitoftheday。Heturnedthedialoguetothatpoint，andthankedhimforit。

`Ineitherwantanythanks，normeritany，"wasthecarelessrejoinder。

`Itwasnothingtodo，inthefirstplace；andIdon"tknowwhyIdidit，inthesecond。Mr。Darnay，let"measkyouaquestion。"

`Willingly，andasmallreturnforyourgoodoffices。"

`DoyouthinkIparticularlylikeyou?"

`Really，Mr。Carton，"returnedtheother，oddlydisconcerted，`Ihavenotaskedmyselfthequestion。"

`Butaskyourselfthequestionnow。"

`Youhaveactedasifyoudo；butIdon"tthinkyoudo。"

`1don"tthinkIdo，"saidCarton。`Ibegintohaveaverygoodopinionofyourunderstanding。"

`Nevertheless，"pursuedDarnay，risingtoringthebell，`thereisnothinginthat，Ihope，topreventmycallingthereckoning，andourpartingwithoutill-bloodoneitherside。"

Cartonrejoining，`Nothinginlife!"Darnayrang。`Doyoucallthewholereckoning?"saidCarton。Onhisansweringintheaffirmative，`Thenbringmeanotherpintofthissamewine，drawer，andcomeandwakemeatten。"

Thebillbeingpaid，CharlesDarnayroseandwishedhimgood-night。

Withoutreturningthewish，Cartonrosetoo，withsomethingofathreatofdefianceinhismanner，andsaid，`Alastword，Mr。Darnay:youthinkIamdrunk?"

`Ithinkyouhavebeendrinking，Mr。Carton。"

`Think?YouknowIhavebeendrinking。"

`SinceImustsayso，Iknowit。"

`Thenyoushalllikewiseknowwhy。Iamadisappointeddrudge，sir。Icarefornomanonearth，andnomanonearthcaresforme。"

`Muchtoberegretted。Youmighthaveusedyourtalentsbetter。"

`Maybeso，Mr。Darnay；maybenot。Don"tletyoursoberfaceelateyou，however；youdon"tknowwhatitmaycometo。Good-night!"

Whenhewasleftalone，thisstrangebeingtookupacandle，wenttoaglassthathungagainstthewall，andsurveyedhimselfminutelyinit。

`Doyouparticularlyliketheman?"hemuttered，athisownimage；

`whyshouldyouparticularlylikeamanwhoresemblesyou?Thereisnothinginyoutolike；youknowthat。Ah，confoundyou!Whatachangeyouhavemadeinyourself!Agoodreasonfortakingtoaman，thatheshowsyouwhatyouhavefallenawayfrom，andwhatyoumighthavebeen!Changeplaceswithhim，andwouldyouhavebeenlookedatbythoseblueeyesashewas，andcommiseratedbythatagitatedfaceashewas?Comeon，andhaveitoutinplainwords!Youhatethefellow。"

Heresortedtohispintofwineforconsolation，drankitallinafewminutes，andfellasleeponhisarms，withhishairstragglingoverthetable，andalongwinding-sheetinthecandledrippingdownuponhim。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVTheJackalTHOSEweredrinkingdays，andmootmendrankhard。SoverygreatistheimprovementTimehasbroughtaboutinsuchhabits，thatamoderatestatementofthequantityofwineandpunchwhichonemanwouldswallowinthecourseofanight，withoutanydetrimenttohisreputationasaperfectgentleman，wouldseem，inthesedays，aridiculousexaggeration。ThelearnedprofessionofthelawwascertainlynotbehindanyotherlearnedprofessioninitsBacchanalianPropensities；neitherwasMr。Stryver，alreadyfastshoulderinghiswaytoalargeandlucrativepractice，behindhiscompeersinthisparticular，anymorethaninthedrierpartsofthelegalrace。

AfavouriteattheOldBailey，andekeattheSessions，Mr。Stryverhadbeguncautiouslytohewawaythelowerstavesoftheladderonwhichhemounted。SessionsandOldBaileyhadnowtosummontheirfavourite，specially，totheirlongingarms；andshoulderingitselftowardsthevisageoftheLordChiefJusticeintheCourtofKing"sBench，thefloridcountenanceofMr。Stryvermightbedailyseen，burstingoutofthebedofwigs，likeagreatsunflowerpushingitswayatthesunfromamongarankgardenfullofflaringcompanions。

adoncebeennotedattheBar，thatwhileMr。Stryverwasaglibman，andanunscrupulous，andaready，andabold，hehadnotthatfacultyofextractingtheessencefromaheapofstatements，whichisamongthemoststrikingandnecessaryoftheadvocate"saccomplishments。Butaremarkableimprovementcameuponhimastothis。Themorebusinesshegot，thegreaterhispowerseemedtogrowofgettingatitspithandmarrow；andhoweverlateatnighthesatcarousingwithSydneyCarton，healwayshadhispointsathisfingers"endsinthemorning。

SydneyCarton，idlestandmostunpromisingofmen，wasStryver"sgreatally。Whatthetwodranktogether，betweenHilaryTermandMichaelmas，mighthavefloatedaking"sship。Stryverneverhadacaseinhand，anywhere，butCartonwasthere，withhishandsinhispockets，staringattheceilingofthecourt；theywentthesameCircuit，andeventheretheyprolongedtheirusualorgieslateintothenight，andCartonwasrumouredtobeseenatbroadday，goinghomestealthilyandunsteadilytohislodgings，likeadissipatedcat。Atlast，itbegantogetabout，amongsuchaswereinterestedinthematter，thatalthoughSydneyCartonwouldneverbealion，hewasanamazinglygoodjackal，andthatherenderedsuitandservicetoStryverinthathumblecapacity。

`Teno"clock，sir，"saidthemanatthetavern，whomhehadchargedtowakehim——"teno"clock，sir。"

`What"sthematter?"

`Teno"clock，sir。"

`Whatdoyoumean?Teno"clockatnight?"

`Yes，sir。Yourhonourtoldmetocallyou。"

`Oh!Iremember。Verywell，verywell。"

Afterafewdulleffortstogettosleepagain，whichthemandexterouslycombatedbystirringthefirecontinuouslyforfiveminutes，hegotup，tossedhishaton，andwalkedout。HeturnedintotheTemple，and，havingrevivedhimselfbytwicepacingthepavementsofKing"sBench-walkandPaper-buildings，turnedintotheStryverchambers。

TheStryverclerk，whoneverassistedattheseconferences，hadgonehome，andtheStryverprincipalopenedthedoor。Hehadhisslipperson，andaloosebed-gown，andhisthroatwasbareforhisgreaterease。

Hehadthatratherwild，strained，searedmarkingabouttheeyes，whichmaybeobservedinallfreeliversofhisclass，fromtheportraitofJeffriesdownward，andwhichcanbetraced，undervariousdisguisesofArt，throughtheportraitsofeveryDrinkingAge。

`Youarealittlelate，Memory，"saidStryver。

`Abouttheusualtime；itmaybeaquarterofanhourlater。"

Theywentintoadingyroomlinedwithbooksandlitteredwithpapers，wheretherewasablazingfire。Akettlesteameduponthehob，andinthemidstofthewreckofpapersatableshone，withplentyofwineuponit，andbrandy，andrum，andsugar，andlemons。

`Youhavehadyourbottle，Iperceive，Sydney。"

`Twoto-night，Ithink。Ihavebeendiningwiththeday"sclient；

orseeinghimdine——it"sallone!"

`Thatwasararepoint，Sydney，thatyoubroughttobearupontheidentification。Howdidyoucomebyit?Whendiditstrikeyou?"

`Ithoughthewasratherahandsomefellow，andIthoughtIshouldhavebeenmuchthesamesortoffellow，ifIhadhadanyluck。"

Mr。Stryverlaughedtillheshookhisprecociouspaunch。

`Youandyourluck，Sydney!Gettowork，gettowork。"Sullenlyenough，thejackalloosenedhisdress，wentintoanadjoiningroom，andcamebackwithalargejugofcoldwater，abasin，andatowelortwo。

Steepingthetowelsinthewater，andpartiallywringingthemout，hefoldedthemonhisheadinamannerhideoustobehold，satdownatthetable，andsaid，`NowIamready!"

`Notmuchboilingdowntobedoneto-night，Memory，"saidMr。