第6章

Stryver，gaily，ashelookedamonghispapers。

`Howmuch?"

`Onlytwosetsofthem。"

`Givemetheworstfirst。"

`Theretheyare，Sydney。Fireaway!"

Thelionthencomposedhimselfonhisbackonasofaononesideofthedrinking-table，whilethejackalsatathisownPaperbestrewntableproper，ontheothersideofit，withthebottlesandglassesreadytohishand。Bothresortedtothedrinking-tablewithoutstint，buteachinadifferentway；thelionforthemostpartrecliningwithhishandsinhiswaistband，lookingatthefire，oroccasionallyflirtingwithsomelighterdocument；thejackal，withknittedbrowsandintentface，sodeepinhistask，thathiseyesdidnotevenfollowthehandhestretchedoutforhisglass——whichoftengropedabout，foraminuteormore，beforeitfoundtheglassforhislips。Twoorthreetimes，thematterinhandbecamesoknotty，thatthejackalfounditimperativeonhimtogetup，andsteephistowelsanew。Fromthesepilgrimagestothejugandbasin，hereturnedwithsucheccentricitiesofdampheadgearasnowordscandescribe；whichweremadethemoreludicrousbyhisanxiousgravity。

Atlengththejackalhadgottogetheracompactrepastforthelion，andproceededtoofferittohim。Theliontookitwithcareandcaution，madehisselectionsfromit，andhisremarksuponit，andthejackalassistedboth。Whentherepastwasfullydiscussed，thelionputhishandsinhiswaistbandagain，andlaydowntomeditate。Thejackaltheninvigoratedhimselfwithabumperforhisthrottle，andafreshapplicationtohishead，andappliedhimselftothecollectionofasecondmeal；thiswasadministeredtothelioninthesamemanner，andwasnotdisposedofuntiltheclocksstruckthreeinthemorning。

`Andnowwehavedone，Sydney，fillabumperofpunch，"saidMr。

Stryver。

Thejackalremovedthetowelsfromhishead，whichhadbeensteamingagain，shookhimself，yawned，shivered，andcomplied。

`Youwereverysound，Sydney，inthematterofthosecrownwitnessesto-day。Everyquestiontold。"

`Ialwaysamsound；amInot?"

`Idon"tgainsayit。Whathasroughen"edyourtemper?Putsomepunchtoitandsmoothitagain。

Withadeprecatorygrunt，thejackalagaincomplied。

`TheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchool，"saidStryver，noddinghisheadoverhimashereviewedhiminthepresentandthepast，`theoldseesawSydney。Uponeminuteanddownthenext；nowinspiritsandnowindespondency!"

`Ah!"returnedtheother，sighing:`yes!ThesameSydney，withthesameluck。Eventhen，Ididexercisesforotherboys，andseldomdidmyown。"

`Andwhynot?"`Godknows。Itwasmyway，Isuppose。"

Hesat，withhishandsinhispocketsandhislegsstretchedoutbeforehim，lookingatthefire。

`Carton，"saidhisfriend，squaringhimselfathimwithabullyingair，asifthefire-gratehadbeenthefurnaceinwhichsustainedendeavourwasforged，andtheonedelicatethingtobedonefortheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchoolwastoshoulderhimintoit，`yourwayis，andalwayswas，alameway。Yousummonnoenergyandpurpose。Lookatme。

`Oh，botheration!"returnedSydney，withalighterandmoregood-humouredlaugh，`don"t*youbemoral!"

`HowhaveIdonewhatIhavedone?"saidStryver；`howdoIdowhatIdo?"

`Partlythroughpayingmetohelpyou，Isuppose。Butit"snotworthyourwhiletoapostrophiseme，ortheair，aboutit；whatyouwanttodo，youdo。Youwerealwaysinthefrontrank，andIwasalwaysbehind。"

`Ihadtogetintothefrontrank；Iwasnotbornthere，wasI?"

`Iwasnotpresentattheceremony；butmyopinionisyouwere，"

saidCarton。Atthis，helaughedagain，andtheybothlaughed。

`BeforeShrewsbury，andatShrewsbury，andeversinceShrewsbury，"

pursuedCarton，`youhavefallenintoyourrank，andIhavefallenintomine。EvenwhenwewerefellowstudentsintheStudent-QuarterofParis，pickingupFrench，andFrenchlaw，andotherFrenchcrumbsthatwedidn"tgetmuchgoodof，youwerealwayssomewhere，andIwasalways——nowhere。"

`Andwhosefaultwasthat?"

`Uponmysoul，Iamnotsurethatitwasnotyours。Youwerealwaysdrivingandrivingandshoulderingandpressing，tothatrestlessdegreethatIhadnochanceformylifebutinrustandrepose。It"sagloomything，however，totalkaboutone"sOwnpast，withthedaybreaking。TurnmeinsomeotherdirectionbeforeIgo。"

`Wellthen!Pledgemetotheprettywitness，"saidStryver，holdinguphisglass。`Areyouturnedinapleasantdirection?"

Apparentlynot，forhebecamegloomyagain。

`Prettywitness，"hemuttered，lookingdownintohisglass。`I

havehadenoughofwitnessesto-dayandto-night；who"syourprettywitness?"

`Thepicturesquedoctor"sdaughter，MissManette。"

`Shepretty?"

`Isshenot?"

`No。"

`Why，manalive，shewastheadmirationofthewholeCourt!"

`RottheadmirationofthewholeCourt!WhomadetheOldBaileyajudgeofbeauty?Shewasagolden-haireddoll!"

`Doyouknow，Sydney，"saidMr。Stryver，lookingathimwithsharpeyes，andslowlydrawingahandacrosshisfloridface:`doyouknow，I

ratherthought，atthetime，thatyousympathisedwiththegolden-haireddoll，andwerequicktoseewhat=happenedtothegolden-haireddoll?"

`Quicktoseewhathappened!Ifagirl，dollornodoll，swoonswithinayardortwoofaman"snose，hecanseeitwithoutaperspective-glass。

Ipledgeyou，butIdenythebeauty。AndnowI"llhavenomoredrink；I"llgettobed。"

Whenhishostfollowedhimoutonthestaircasewithacandle，tolighthimdownthestairs，thedaywascoldlylookinginthroughitsgrimywindows。Whenhegotoutofthehouse，theairwascoldandsad，thedullskyovercast，theriverdarkanddim，thewholescenelikealifelessdesert。Andwreathsofdustwerespinningroundandroundbeforethemorningblast，asifthedesert-sandhadrisenfaraway，andthefirstsprayofitinitsadvancehadbeguntooverwhelmthecity。

Wasteforceswithinhim，andadesert"allaround，thismanstoodstillonhiswayacrossasilentterrace，andsawforamoment，lyinginthewildernessbeforehim，amirageofhonourableambition，self-denial，andperseverance。Inthefaircityofthisvision，therewereairygalleriesfromwhichthelovesandgraceslookeduponhim，gardensinwhichthefruitsoflifehungripening，watersofHopethatsparkledinhissight。Amoment，anditwasgone。Climbingtoahighchamberinawellofhouses，hethrewhimselfdowninhisclothesonaneglectedbed，anditspillowwaswetwithwastedtears。

Sadly，sadly，thesunrose；itroseuponnosaddersightthanthemanofgoodabilitiesandgoodemotions，incapableoftheirdirectedexercise，incapableofhisownhelpandhisownhappiness，sensibleoftheblightonhim，andresigninghim-selftoletitcathimaway。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIHundredsofPeopleTHEquietlodgingsofDoctorManettewereinaquietstreet-cornernotfarfromSoho-square。OntheafternoonofacertainfineSundaywhenthewavesoffourmonthshadrolledoverthetrialfortreason，andcarriedit，astothepublicinterestandmemory，farouttosea，Mr。JarvisLorrywalkedalongthesunnystreetsfromClerkenwellwherehelived，onhiswaytodinewiththeDoctor。Afterseveralrelapsesintobusiness-absorption，Mr。LorryhadbecometheDoctor"sfriend，andthequietstreet-cornerwasthesunnypartofhislife。

OnthiscertainfineSunday，Mr。LorrywalkedtowardsSoho，earlyintheafternoon，forthreereasonsofhabit。Firstly，because，onfineSundays，heoftenwalkedout，beforedinner，withtheDoctorandLucie；

secondly，because，onunfavourableSundays，hewasaccustomedtobewiththemasthefamilyfriend，talking，reading，lookingoutofwindow，andgenerallygettingthroughtheday；thirdly，becausehehappenedtohavehisownlittleshrewddoubtstosolve，andknewhowthewaysoftheDoctor"shouseholdpointedtothattimeasalikelytimeforsolvingthem。

AquaintercornerthanthecornerwheretheDoctorlived，wasnottobefoundinLondon。Therewasnowaythroughit，andthefrontwindowsoftheDoctor"slodgingscommandedapleasantlittlevistaofstreetthathadacongenialairofretirementonit。Therewerefewbuildingsthen，northoftheOxford-road，andforest-treesflourished，andwildflowersgrew，andthehawthornblossomed，inthenowvanishedfields。Asaconsequence，countryairscirculatedinSohowithvigorousfreedom，insteadoflanguishingintotheparishlikestraypauperswithoutasettlement；andtherewasmanyagoodsouthwall，notfaroff，onwhichthepeachesripenedintheirseason。

Thesummerlightstruckintothecornerbrilliantlyintheearlierpartoftheday；but，whenthestreetsgrewhot，thecornerwasinshadow，thoughnotinshadowsoremotebutthatyoucouldseebeyonditintoaglareofbrightness。Itwasacoolspot，staidbutcheerful，awonderfulplaceforechoes，andaveryharbourfromtheragingstreets。

Thereoughttohavebeenatranquilbarkinsuchananchorage，andtherewas。TheDoctoroccupiedtwofloorsofalargestillhouse，whereseveralcallingspurportedtobepursuedbyday，butwhereoflittlewasaudibleanyday，andwhichwasshunnedbyallofthematnight。Inabuildingattheback，attainablebyacourt-yard"whereaplane-treerustleditsgreenleaves，church-organsclaimedtobemade，andsilvertobechased，andlikewisegoldtobebeatenbysomemysteriousgiantwhohadagoldenarmstartingoutofthewallofthefronthall——asifhehadbeatenhimselfprecious，andmenacedasimilarconversionofallvisitors。Verylittleofthesetrades，orofalonelylodgerrumouredtoliveup-stairs，orofadimcoach-trimmingmakerassertedtohaveacounting-housebelow，waseverheardorseen。Occasionally，astrayworkmanputtinghiscoaton，traversedthehall，orastrangerpeeredaboutthere，oradistantclinkwasheardacrossthecourt-yard，orathumpfromthegoldengiant。These，how-ever，wereonlytheexceptionsrequiredtoprovetherulethatthesparrowsintheplane-treebehindthehouse，andtheechoesinthecornerbeforeit，hadtheirownwayfromSundaymorninguntoSaturdaynight。

DoctorManettereceivedsuchpatientshereashisoldreputation，anditsrevivalinthefloatingwhispersofhisstory，broughthim。Hisscientificknowledge，andhisvigilanceandskillinconductingingeniousexperiments，broughthimother-wiseintomoderaterequest，andheearneda，muchashewanted。

ThesethingswerewithinMr。JarvisLorry"sknowledge，thoughts，andnotice，whenherangthedoor-bellofthetranquilhouseinthecorner，onthefineSundayafternoon。

`DoctorManetteathome?"

Expectedhome。

`MissLucieathome?"

Expectedhome。

`MissProssathome?"

Possiblyathome，butofacertaintyimpossibleforhand-maidtoanticipateintentionsofMissPross，astoadmissionordenialofthefact。

`AsIamathomemyself，"saidMr。Lorry，`I"llgoup-stairs。"

AlthoughtheDoctor"sdaughterhadknownnothingofthecountryofherbirth，sheappearedtohaveinnatelyderivedfromitthatabilitytomakemuchoflittlemeans，whichisoneofitsmostusefulandmostagreeablecharacteristics。Simpleasthefurniturewas，itwassetoffbysomanylittleadornments，ofnovaluebutfortheirtasteandfancy，thatitseffectwasdelightful。Thedispositionofeverythingintherooms，fromthelargestobjecttotheleast；thearrangementofcolours，theelegantvarietyandcontrastobtainedbythriftintrifles，bydelicatehands，cleareyes，andgoodsense；wereatoncesopleasantinthemselves，andsoexpressiveoftheiroriginator，that，asMr。Lorrystoodlookingabouthim，theverychairsandtablesseemedtoaskhim，withsomethingofthatpeculiarexpressionwhichheknewsowellbythistime，whetherheapproved?

Therewerethreeroomsonafloor，and，thedoorsbywhichtheycommunicatedbeingputopenthattheairmightpassfreelythroughthemall，Mr。Lorry，smilinglyobservantofthatfancifulresemblancewhichhedetectedallaroundhim，walkedfromonetoanother。Thefirstwasthebestroom，andinitwereLucie"sbirds，andflowers，andbooks，anddesk，andwork-table，andboxofwater-colours；thesecondwastheDoctor"sconsulting-room，usedalsoasthedining-room；thethird，changinglyspeckledbytherustleoftheplane-treeintheyard，wastheDoctor"sbedroom，andthere，inacorner，stoodthedisusedshoemaker"sbenchandtrayoftools，muchasithadstoodonthefifthfloorofthedismalhousebythewine-shop，inthesuburbofSaintAntoineinParis。

`Iwonder，"saidMr。Lorry，pausinginhislookingabout，`thathekeepsthatreminderofhissufferingsabouthim!"

`Andwhywonderatthat?"wastheabruptinquirythatmadehimstart。

ItproceededfromMissPross，thewildredwoman，strongofhand，whoseacquaintancehehadfirstmadeattheRoyalGeorgeHotelatDover，andhadsinceimproved。

`Ishouldhavethought——`Mr。Lorrybegan。

`Pooh!You"dhavethought!"saidMissPross；andMr。Lorryleftoff。

`Howdoyoudo?"inquiredthatladythen——sharply，andyetasiftoexpressthatsheborehimnomalice。

`Iamprettywell，Ithankyou，"answeredMr。Lorry，withmeekness；

`howareyou?"

`Nothingtoboastof，"saidMissPross。

`Indeed?"

`Ah!indeed!"saidMissPross。`IamverymuchputoutaboutmyLadybird。"

`Indeed?"

`Forgracioussakesaysomethingelsebesides``indeed，""oryou"llfidgetmetodeath，"saidMissPross:whosecharacter(dissociatedfromstature)wasshortness。"

`Really，then?"saidMr。Lorry，asanamendment。

`Really，isbadenough，"returnedMissPross，`butbetter。Yes，Iamverymuchputout。"

`MayIaskthecause?"

`Idon"twantdozensofpeoplewhoarenotatallworthyofLadybird，tocomeherelookingafterher，"saidMissPross。

`Dodozenscomeforthatpurpose?"

`Hundreds，"saidMissPross。

Itwascharacteristicofthislady(asofsomeotherpeoplebeforehertimeandsince)thatwheneverheroriginalpro-positionwasquestioned，sheexaggeratedit。

`Dearme!"saidMr。Lorry，asthesafestremarkhecouldthinkof。

`Ihavelivedwiththedarling——orthedarlinghaslivedwithme，andpaidmeforit；whichshecertainlyshouldneverhavedone，youmaytakeyouraffidavit，ifIcouldhaveaffordedtokeepeithermyselforherfornothing——sinceshewastenyearsold。Andit"sreallyveryhard，"

saidMissPross。

Notseeingwithprecisionwhatwasveryhard，Mr。Lorryshookhishead；usingthatimportantpartofhimselfasasortoffairycloakthatwouldfitanything。

`Allsortsofpeoplewhoarenotintheleastdegreeworthyofthepet，arealwaysturningup，"saidMissPross。`Whenyoubeganit——"

`Ibeganit，MissPross?"

`Didn"tyou?Whobroughtherfathertolife?"

`Oh!Ifthatwasbeginningit——"saidMr。Lorry。

`Itwasn"tendingit，Isuppose?Isay，whenyoubeganit，itwashardenough；notthatIhaveanyfaulttofindwithDoctorManette，exceptthatheisnotworthyofsuchadaughter，whichisnoimputationonhim，foritwasnottobeexpectedthatanybodyshouldbe，underanycircumstances。Butitreallyisdoublyandtreblyhardtohavecrowdsandmultitudesofpeopleturningupafterhim(Icouldhaveforgivenhim)，totakeLadybird"saffectionsawayfromme。"

Mr。LorryknewMissProsstobeveryjealous，buthealsoknewherbythistimetobe，beneaththesurfaceofhereccentricity，oneofthoseunselfishcreatures——foundonlyamongwomen——whowill，forpureloveandadmiration，bindthemselveswillingslaves，toyouthwhentheyhavelostit，tobeautythattheyneverhad，toaccomplishmentsthattheywereneverfortunateenoughtogain，tobrighthopesthatnevershoneupontheirownsombrelives。Heknewenoughoftheworldtoknowthatthereisnothinginitbetterthanthefaithfulserviceoftheheart；sorenderedandsofreefromanymercenarytaint，hehadsuchanexaltedrespectforit，thatintheretributivearrangementsmadebyhisownmind——weallmakesucharrangements，moreorless——hestationedMissProssmuchnearertothelowerAngelsthanmanyladiesimmeasurablybettergotupbothbyNatureandArt，whohadbalancesatTellson"s。

`Thereneverwas，norwillbe，butonemanworthyofLady-bird，"

saidMissPross；`andthatwasmybrotherSolomon，ifhehadn"tmadeamistakeinlife。"

Hereagain:Mr。Lorry"sinquiriesintoMissPross"spersonalhistoryhadestablishedthefactthatherbrotherSolomonwasaheartlessscoundrelwhohadstrippedherofeverythingshepossessed，asastaketospeculatewith，andhadabandonedherinherpovertyforevermore，withnotouchofcompunction。MissPross"sfidelityofbeliefinSolomon(deductingameretrifleforthisslightmistake)wasquiteaseriousmatterwithMr。

Lorry，andhaditsweightinhisgoodopinionofher。

`Aswehappentobealoneforthemoment，andarebothpeopleofbusiness，"hesaid，whentheyhadgotbacktothedrawing-roomandhadsatdownthereinfriendlyrelations，`letmeaskyou——doestheDoctor，intalkingwithLucie，neverrefertotheshoemakingtime，yet?"

`Never。"

`Andyetkeepsthatbenchandthosetoolsbesidehim?"

`Ah!"returnedMissPross，shakingherhead。`ButIdon"tsayhedon"trefertoitwithinhimself。"

`Doyoubelievethathethinksofitmuch?"

`Ido，"saidMissPross。

`Doyouimagine——"Mr。Lorryhadbegun，whenMissProsstookhimupshortwith:

`Neverimagineanything。Havenoimaginationatall。"

`Istandcorrected，；doyousuppose——yougosofarastoSuppose，sometimes?

`Nowandthen，"saidMissPross。

`Doyousuppose，"Mr。Lorrywenton，withalaughingtwinkleinhisbrighteye，asitlookedkindlyather，`thatDoctorManettehasanytheoryofhisown，preservedthroughallthoseyears，relativetothecauseofhisbeingsooppressed；perhaps，eventothenameofhisoppressor?"

`Idon"tsupposeanythingaboutitbutwhatLadybirdtellsme。"

`Andthatis——?"

`Thatshethinkshehas。"

`Nowdon"tbeangryatmyaskingallthesequestions；becauseIamameredullmanofbusiness，andyouareawomanofbusiness。"

`Dull?"MissProssinquired，withplacidity。

Ratherwishinghismodestadjectiveaway，Mr。Lorryreplied，`No，no，no。Surelynot。Toreturntobusiness:-IsitnotremarkablethatDoctorManette，unquestionablyinnocentofanycrimeasweareallwellassuredheis，shouldnevertouchuponthatquestion?Iwillnotsaywithme，thoughhehadbusinessrelationswithmemanyyearsago，andwearenowintimate；

Iwillsaywiththefairdaughtertowhomheissodevotedlyattached，andwhoissodevotedlyattachedtohim?Believeme，MissPross，Idon"tapproachthetopicwithyou，outofcuriosity，butoutofzealousinterest。"

`Well!Tothebestofmyunderstanding，andbad"sthebest，you"lltellme，"saidMissPross，softenedbythetoneoftheapology，`heisafraidofthewholesubject。

`Afraid?"

`It"splainenough，Ishouldthink，whyhemaybe。It"sadreadfulremembrance。Besidesthat，hislossofhimselfgrewoutofit。Notknowinghowhelosthimself，orhowhere-coveredhimself，hemayneverfeelcertainofnotlosinghimselfagain。Thatalonewouldn"tmakethesubjectpleasant，Ishouldthink。"

ItwasaprofounderremarkthanMr。Lorryhadlookedfor。`True，"

saidhe，`andfearfultoreflectupon。Yet，adoubtlurksinmymind，MissPross，whetheritisgoodforDoctorManettetohavethatsuppressionalwaysshutupwithinhim。Indeed，itisthisdoubtandtheuneasinessitsometimescausesmethathasledmetoourpresentconfidence。"

`Can"tbehelped，"saidMissPross，shakingherhead。`Touchthatstring，andheinstantlychangesfortheworse。Betterleaveitalone。

Inshort，mustleaveitalone，likeornolike。Sometimes，liegetsupinthedeadofthenight，andwillbeheard，byusoverheadthere，walkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，inhisroom。Ladybirdhaslearnttoknowthenthathismindiswalkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，inhisoldprison。Shehurriestohim，andtheygoontogether，walkingupanddown，walkingupanddown，untilheiscomposed。Butheneversaysawordofthetruereasonofhisrestlessness，toher，andshefindsitbestnottohintatittohim。Insilencetheygowalkingupanddowntogether，walkingupanddowntogether，tillherloveandcompanyhavebroughthimtohimself。"

NotwithstandingMissPross"sdenialofherownimagination，therewasaperceptionofthepainofbeingmonotonouslyhauntedbyonesadidea，inherrepetitionofthephrase，walkingupanddown，whichtestifiedtoherpossessingsuchathing。

Thecornerhasbeenmentionedasawonderfulcornerforechoes；

ithadbeguntoechosoresoundinglytothetreadofcomingfeet，thatitseemedasthoughtheverymentionofthatwearypacingtoandfrohadsetitgoing。

`Heretheyare!"saidMissPross，risingtobreakuptheconference；

`andnowweshallhavehundredsofpeopleprettysoon!"

Itwassuchacuriouscomerinitsacousticalproperties，suchapeculiarEarofaplace，thatasMr。Lorrystoodattheopenwindow，lookingforthefatheranddaughterwhosestepsheheard，hefanciedtheywouldneverapproach。Notonlywouldtheechoesdieaway，asthoughthestepshadgone；but，echoesofotherstepsthatnevercamewouldbeheardintheirstead，andwoulddieawayforgoodwhentheyseemedcloseathand。

However，fatheranddaughterdidatlastappear，andMissProsswasreadyatthestreetdoortoreceivethem。

MissProsswasapleasantsight，albeitwild，andred，andgrim，takingoffherdarling"sbonnetwhenshecameup-stairs，andtouchingitupwiththeendsofherhandkerchief，andblowingthedustoffit，andfoldinghermantlereadyforlayingby，andsmoothingherrichhairwithasmuchprideasshecouldpossiblyhavetakeninherownhairifshehadbeenthevainestandhandsomestofwomen。Herdarlingwasapleasantsighttoo，embracingherandthankingher，andprotestingagainsthertakingsomuchtroubleforher——whichlastsheonlydaredtodoplayfully，orMissPross，sorelyhurt，wouldhaveretiredtoherownchamberandcried。

TheDoctorwasapleasantsighttoo，lookingonatthem，andtellingMissProsshowshespoiltLucie，inaccentsandwitheyesthathadasmuchspoilinginthemasMissProsshad，andwouldhavehadmoreifitwerepossible。

Mr。Lorrywasapleasantsighttoo，beamingatallthisinhislittlewig，andthankinghisbachelorstarsforhavinglightedhiminhisdecliningyearstoaHome。But，noHundredsofpeoplecametoseethesights，andMr。LorrylookedinvainforthefulfilmentofMissPross"sprediction。

Dinner-time，andstillnoHundredsofpeople。Inthearrangementsofthelittlehousehold，MissProsstookchargeofthelowerregions，andalwaysacquittedherselfmarvellously。Herdinners，ofaverymodestquality，weresowellcookedandsowellserved，andsoneatintheircontrivances，halfEnglishandhalfFrench，thatnothingcouldbebetter。MissPross"sfriendshipbeingofthethoroughlypracticalkind，shehadravagedSohoandtheadjacentprovinces，insearchofimpoverishedFrench，who，temptedbyshillingsandhalf-crowns，wouldimpartculinarymysteriestoher。FromthesedecayedsonsanddaughtersofGaul，shehadacquiredsuchwonderfularts，thatthewomanandgirlwhoformedthestaffofdomesticsregardedherasquiteaSorceress，orCinderella"sGodmother:whowouldsendoutforafowl，arabbit，avegetableortwofromthegarden，andchangethemintoany-thingshepleased。

OnSundays，MissProssdinedattheDoctor"stable，butonotherdayspersistedintakinghermealsatunknownperiods，eitherinthelowerregions，orinherownroomonthesecondfloor——abluechamber，towhichnoonebutherLadybirdevergainedadmittance。Onthisoccasion，MissPross，respondingtoLadybird"spleasantfaceandpleasanteffortstopleaseher，unbentexceedingly；sothedinnerwasverypleasant，too。

Itwasanoppressiveday，and，afterdinner，Lucieproposedthatthewineshouldbecarriedoutundertheplane-tree，andtheyshouldsitthereintheair。Aseverythingturneduponher，andrevolvedabouther，theywentoutundertheplane-tree，andshecarriedthewinedownforthespecialbenefitofMr。Lorry。Shehadinstalledherself，sometimebefore，asMr。Lorry"scup-bearer；andwhiletheysatundertheplane-tree，talking，shekepthisglassreplenished。Mysteriousbacksandendsofhousespeepedatthemastheytalked，andtheplane-treewhisperedtotheminitsownwayabovetheirheads。

Still，theHundredsofpeopledidnotpresentthemselves。Mr。

Darnaypresentedhimselfwhiletheyweresittingundertheplane-tree，buthewasonlyOne。

DoctorManettereceivedhimkindly，andsodidLucie。But，MissProsssuddenlybecameafflictedwithatwitchingintheheadandbody，andretiredintothehouse。Shewasnotunfrequentlythevictimofthisdisorder，andshecalledit，infamiliarconversation，`afitofthejerks。"

TheDoctorwasinhisbestcondition，andlookedspeciallyyoung。

TheresemblancebetweenhimandLuciewasverystrongatsuchtimes，andastheysatsidebyside，sheleaningonhisshoulder，andherestinghisarmonthebackofherchair，itwasveryagreeabletotracethelikeness。

Hehadbeentalkingallday，onmanysubjects，andwithunusualvivacity。`Pray，DoctorManette，"saidMr。Darnay，astheysatundertheplane-tree——andhesaiditinthenaturalpursuitofthetopicinhand，whichhappenedtobetheoldbuildingsofLondon-haveyouseenmuchoftheTower?"

`LucieandIhavebeenthere；butonlycasually。Wehaveseenenoughofit，toknowthatitteemswithinterest；littlemore。"

`Ihavebeenthere，asyouremember，"saidDarnay，withasmile，thoughreddeningalittleangrily，`inanothercharacter，andnotinacharacterthatgivesfacilitiesforseeing，muchofit。TheytoldmeacuriousthingwhenIwasthere。

`Whatwasthat?"Lucieasked。

`Inmakingsomealterations，theworkmencameuponanolddungeon，whichhadbeen，formanyyears，builtupandforgotten。Everystoneofitsinnerwallwascoveredbyinscriptionswhichhadbeencarvedbyprisoners——dates，names，complaints，andprayers。Uponacornerstoneinanangleofthewall，oneprisoner，whoseemedtohavegonetoexecution，hadcutashislastwork，threeletters。Theyweredonewithsomeverypoorinstrument，andhurriedly，withanunsteadyhand。Atfirst，theywerereadasD。I。

C。；but，onbeingmorecarefullyexamined，thelastletterwasfoundtobeG。Therewasnorecordorlegendofanyprisonerwiththoseinitials，andmanyfruitlessguessesweremadewhatthenamecouldhavebeen。Atlength，itwassuggestedthattheletterswerenotinitials，butthecompleteword，DIG。Thefloorwasexaminedverycarefullyundertheinscription，and，intheearthbeneathastone，ortile，orsomefragmentofpaving，werefoundtheashesofapaper，mingledwiththeashesofasmallleatherncaseorbag。Whattheunknownprisonerhadwrittenwillneverberead，buthehadwrittensomething，andhiddenitawaytokeepitfromthegaoler。"

`Myfather，"exclaimedLucie，`youareill!"

Hehadsuddenlystartedup，withhishandtohishead。Hismannerandhislookquiteterrifiedthemall。

`No，mydear，notill。Therearelargedropsofrainfalling，andtheymademestart。Wehadbettergoin。"

Herecoveredhimselfalmostinstantly。Rainwasreallyfallinginlargedrops，andheshowedthebackofhishandwithrain-dropsonit。

But，hesaidnotasinglewordinreferencetothediscoverythathadbeentoldof，and，astheywentintothehouse，thebusinesseyeofMr。Lorryeitherdetected，orfancieditdetected，onhisface，asitturnedtowardsCharlesDarnay，thesamesingularlookthathadbeenuponitwhenitturnedtowardshiminthepassagesoftheCourtHouse。

Herecoveredhimselfsoquickly，however，thatMr。Lorryhaddoubtsofhisbusinesseye。Thearmofthegoldengiantinthehallwasnotmoresteadythanhewas，whenhestoppedunderittoremarktothemthathewasnotyetproofagainstslightsurprises(ifheeverwouldbe)，andthattherainhadstartledhim。

Tea-time，andMissProssmakingtea，withanotherfitofthejerksuponher，andyetnoHundredsofpeople。Mr。Gartonhadloungedin，buthemadeonlyTwo。

Thenightwassoverysultry，thatalthoughtheysatwithdoorsandwindowsopen，theywereoverpoweredbyheat。Whenthetea-tablewasdonewith，theyallmovedtooneofthewindows，andlookedoutintotheheavytwilight。Luciesatbyherfather；Darnaysatbesideher；Cartonleanedagainstawindow。Thecurtainswerelongandwhite，andsomeofthethunder-guststhatwhirledintothecorner，caughtthemuptotheceiling，andwavedthemlikespectralwings。

`Therain-dropsarestillfalling，large，heavy，andfew，"saidDoctorManette。`Itcomesslowly。

`Itcomessurely，"saidCarton。

Theyspokelow，aspeoplewatchingandwaitingmostlydo；aspeopleinadarkroom，watchingandwaitingforLightning，alwaysdo。

Therewasagreathurryinthestreets，ofpeoplespeedingawaytogetshelterbeforethestormbroke；thewonderfulcornerforechoesresoundedwiththeechoesoffootstepscomingandgoing，yetnotafootstepwasthere。

`Amultitudeofpeople，andyetasolitude!"saidDarnay，whentheyhadlistenedforawhile。

`Isitnotimpressive，Mr。Darnay?"askedLucie。`Sometimes，I

havesathereofanevening，untilIhavefancied——buteventheshadeofafoolishfancymakesmeshudderto-night，whenallissoblackandsolemn——"

`Letusshuddertoo。Wemayknowwhatitis。"

`Itwillseemnothingtoyou。Suchwhimsareonlyimpressiveasweoriginatethem，Ithink；theyarenottobecommunicated。Ihavesometimessatalonehereofanevening，listening，untilIhavemadetheechoesouttobetheechoesofallthefootstepsthatarecomingby-and-byintoourlives。"

`Thereisagreatcrowdcomingonedayintoourlives，ifthatbeso，"SydneyCartonstruckin，inhismoodyway。

Thefootstepswereincessant，andthehurryofthembecamemoreandmorerapid。Thecornerechoedandre-echoedwiththetreadoffeet；

some，asitseemed，underthewindows；some，asitseemed，intheroom；

somecoming，somegoing，somebreakingoff，somestoppingaltogether；allinthedistantstreets，andnotonewithinsight。

`Areallthesefootstepsdestinedtocometoallofus，MissManette，orarewetodividethemamongus?"

`Idon"tknow，Mr。Darnay；Itoldyouitwasafoolishfancy，butyouaskedforit。WhenIhaveyieldedmyselftoit，Ihavebeenalone，andthenIhaveimaginedthemthefoot-stepsthepeoplewhoaretocomeintomylife，andmyfather"s。"

`Itakethemintomine!"saidCarton。`Iasknoquestionsandmakenostipulations。Thereisagreatcrowdbearingdownuponus，MissManette，andIseethem——bytheLightning。"Headdedthelastwords，aftertherehadbeenavividflashwhichhadshownhimlounginginthewindow。

`AndIhearthem。"headdedagain，afterapealofthunder。

`Heretheycome，fast，fierce，andfurious。"

Itwastherushandroarofrainthathetypified，anditstoppedhim，fornovoicecouldbeheardinit。Amemorablestormofthunderandlightningbrokewiththatsweepofwater，andtherewasnotamoment"sintervalincrash，andWe，andrain，untilafterthemoonroseatmidnight。

ThegreatbellofSaintPaul"swasstrikingOneintheclearedair，whenMr。Lorry，escortedbyJerry，high-booted。andbearingalantern，setforthonhisreturn-passagetoClerkenwell。ThereweresolitarypatchesofroadonthewaybetweenSohoandClerkenwell，andMr。Lorry，mindfuloffootpads，alwaysretainedJerryforthisservice:thoughitwasusuallyperformedagoodtwohoursearlier。

`Whatanightithasbeen!Almostanight，`Jerry，"saidMr。Lorry，`tobringthedeadoutoftheirgraves。

`Ineverseethenightmyself，master——noryetIdon"texpectto——whatwoulddothat，"answeredJerry。

`Good-night，Mr。Carton，"saidthemanofbusiness。`Good-night，Mr。Darnay。Shallweeverseesuchanightagain，together!"

Perhaps。Perhaps，seethegreatcrowdofpeoplewithitsrushandroar，bearingdownuponthem，too。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIMonseigneurinTownMONSEIGNEUR，oneofthegreatlordsinpowerattheCourt，heldhisfortnightlyreceptioninhisgrandhotelinParis。Monseigneurwasinhisinnerroom，hissanctuaryofsanctuaries，theHoliestofHolieststothecrowdofworshippersinthesuiteofroomswithout。Monseigneurwasabouttotakehischocolate。

Monseigneurcouldswallowagreatmanythingswithease，andwasbysomefewsullenmindssupposedtoberatherrapidlyswallowingFrance；but，hismorning"schocolatecouldnotsomuchasgetintothethroatofMonseigneur，withouttheaidoffourstrongmenbesidestheCook。

Yes。Ittookfourmen，allfoura-blazewithgorgeousdecoration，andtheChiefofthemunabletoexistwithfewerthantwogoldwatchesinhispocket，emulativeofthenobleandchastefashionsetbyMonseigneur，toconductthehappychocolatetoMonseigneur"slips。Onelacqueycarriedthechocolate-potintothesacredpresence；asecond，milledandfrothedthechocolatewiththelittleinstrumentheboreforthatfunction；athird，presentedthefavourednapkin；afourth(heofthetwooldwatches)，pouredthechocolateout。ItwasimpossibleMonseigneurtodispensewithoneoftheseattendantsonthechocolateandholdhishighplaceundertheadmiringHeavens。Deepwouldhavebeentheblotuponhisescutcheonifhischocolatehadbeenignoblywaitedonbyonlythreemen；hemusthavediedoftwo。

Monseigneurhadbeenoutatalittlesupperlastnight，wheretheComedyandtheGrandOperawerecharminglyrepresented。Monseigneurwasoutatalittlesuppermostnights，withfascinatingcompany。SopoliteandsoimpressiblewasMonseigneur，thattheComedyandtheGrandOperahadfarmoreinfluencewithhiminthetiresomearticlesofstateaffairsandstatesecrets，thantheneedsofallFrance。AhappycircumstanceforFrance，asthelikealwaysisforallcountriessimilarlyfavoured!——alwayswasforEngland(bywayofexample)，intheregretteddaysofthemerryStuartwhosoldit。

Monseigneurhadonetrulynobleideaofgeneralpublicbusiness，whichwas，toleteverythinggooninitsownway；ofparticularpublicbusiness，Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleideathatitmustallgohisway——tendtohisownpowerandpocket。Ofhispleasures，generalandparticular，Monseigneurhadtheothertrulynobleidea，thattheworldwasmadeforthem。Thetextofhisorder(alteredfromtheoriginalbyonlyapronoun，whichisnotmuch)`ran:`Theearthandthefulnessthereofaremine，saithMonseigneur。"