第7章

Yet，Monseigneurhadslowlyfoundthatvulgarembarrassmentscreptintohisaffairs，bothprivateandpublic；andhehad，astobothclassesofaffairs，alliedhimselfperforcewithaFarmer-General。Astofinancespublic，becauseMonseigneurcouldnotmakeanythingatallofthem，andmustconsequentlyletthemouttosomebodywhocould；astofinancesprivate，becauseFarmer-Generalswererich，andMonseigneur，aftergenerationsofgreatluxuryandexpense，wasgrowingpoor。HenceMonseigneurhadtakenhissisterfromaconvent，whiletherewasyettimetowardofftheimpendingveil，thecheapestgarmentshecouldwear，andhadbestowedherasaprizeuponaveryrichFarmer-General，poorinfamily。WhichFarmer-General，carryinganappropriatecanewithagoldenappleonthetopofit，wasnowamongthecompanyintheouterrooms，muchprostratedbeforebymankind——alwaysexceptingsuperiormankindofthebloodofMonseigneur，who，hisownwifeincluded，lookeddownuponhimwiththeloftiestcontempt。

AsumptuousmanwastheFarmer-General。Thirtyhorsesstoodinhisstables，twenty-fourmaledomesticssatinhishalls，sixbody-womenwaitedonhiswife。Asonewhopre-tendedtodonothingbutplunderandforagewherehecould，theFarmer-General——howsoeverhismatrimonialrelationsconducedtosocialmorality——wasatleastthegreatestrealityamongthepersonageswhoattendedatthehotelofMonseigneurthatday。

For，therooms，thoughabeautifulscenetolookat，andadornedwitheverydeviceofdecorationthatthetasteandskillofthetimecouldachieve，were，intruth，notasoundbusiness；consideredwithanyreferencetothescarecrowsintheragsandnightcapselsewhere(andnotsofaroff，either，butthatthewatchingtowersofNotreDame，almostequidistantfromthetwoextremes，couldseethemboth)，theywouldhavebeenanexceedinglyuncomfortablebusiness——ifthatcouldhavebeenanybody"sbusiness，atthehouseofMonseigneur。Militaryofficersdestituteofmilitaryknowledge；

navalofficerswithnoideaofaship；civilofficerswithoutanotionofaffairs；brazenecclesiastics，oftheworstworldworldly，withsensualeyes，loosetongues，andlooserlives；alltotallyunfitfortheirseveralcallings，alllyinghorriblyinpretendingtobelongtothem，butallnearlyorremotelyoftheorderofMonseigneur，andthereforefoistedonallpublicemploymentsfromwhichanythingwastobegot；theseweretobetoldoffbythescoreandthescore。PeoplenotimmediatelyconnectedwithMonseigneurortheState，yetequallyunconnectedwithanythingthatwasreal，orwithlivespassedintravellingbyanystraightroadtoanytrueearthlyend，werenolessabundant。Doctorswhomadegreatfortunesoutofdaintyremediesforimaginarydisordersthatneverexisted，smiledupontheircourtlypatientsintheante-chambersofMonseigneur。ProjectorswhohaddiscoveredeverykindofremedyforthelittleevilswithwhichtheStatewastouched，excepttheremedyofsettingtoworkinearnesttorootoutasinglesin，pouredtheirdistractingbabbleintoanyearstheycouldlayholdof，atthereceptionofMonseigneur。UnbelievingPhilosopherswhowereremodellingtheworldwithwords，andmakingcard-towersofBabeltoscaletheskieswith，talkedwithunbelievingChemistswhohadaneyeonthetransmutationofmetals，atthiswonderfulgatheringaccumulatedbyMonseigneur。Exquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreeding，whichwasatthatremarkabletime-andhasbeensince——tobeknownbyitsfruitsofindifferencetoeverynaturalsubjectofhumaninterest，wereinthemostexemplarystateofexhaustion，atthehotelofMonseigneur。SuchhomeshadthesevariousnotabilitiesleftbehindtheminthefineworldofParis，thatthespiesamongtheassembleddevoteesofMonseigneur——formingagoodlyhalfofthepolitecompany——wouldhavefoundithardtodiscoveramongtheangelsofthatsphereonesolitarywife，who，inhermannersandappearance，ownedtobeingaMother。Indeed，exceptforthemereactofbringingatroublesomecreatureintothisworld——whichdoesnotgofartowardstherealisationofthenameofmother——therewasnosuchthingknowntothefashion。Peasantwomenkepttheunfashionablebabiesclose，andbroughtthemup，andcharminggrandmammasofsixtydressedandsuppedasattwenty。

TheleprosyofunrealitydisfiguredeveryhumancreatureinattendanceuponMonseigneur。Intheoutermostroomwerehalfadozenexceptionalpeoplewhohadhad，forafewyears，somevaguemisgivinginthemthatthingsingeneralweregoingratherwrong。Asapromisingwayofsettingthemright，halfofthehalf-dozenhadbecomemembersofafantasticsectofConvulsionists，andwereeventhenconsideringwithinthemselveswhethertheyshouldfoam，rage，roar，andturncatalepticonthespot——therebysettingupahighlyintelligiblefinger-posttotheFuture，forMonseigneur"sguidance。BesidestheseDervishes，wereotherthreewhohadrushedintoanothersect，whichmendedmatterswithajargonabout`theCentreofTruth"

holdingthatManhadgotoutoftheCentreofTruth——whichdidnotneedmuchdemonstrationbuthadnotgotoutoftheCircumference，andthathewastobekeptfromflyingoutoftheCircumference，andwaseventobeshovedbackintotheCentre，byfastingandseeingofspirits。Amongthese，accordingly，muchdiscoursingwithspiritswenton——anditdidaworldofgoodwhichneverbecamemanifest。

But，thecomfortwas，thatallthecompanyatthegrandhotelofMonseigneurwereperfectlydressed。IftheDayofJudgmenthadonlybeenascertainedtobeadressday，everybodytherewouldhavebeeneternallycorrect。Suchfrizzlingandpowderingandstickingupofhair，suchdelicatecomplexionsartificiallypreservedandmended，suchgallantswordstolookat，andsuchdelicatehonourtothesenseofsmell，wouldsurelykeepanythinggoing，foreverandever。Theexquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreedingworelittlependenttrinketsthatchinkedastheylanguidlymoved；thesegoldenfettersranglikepreciouslittlebells；andwhatwiththatringing，andwiththerustleofsilkandbrocadeandfinelinen，therewasaflutterintheairthatfannedSaintAntoineandhisdevouringhungerfaraway。

Dresswastheoneunfailingtalismanandcharmusedforkeepingallthingsintheirplaces。EverybodywasdressedforaFancyBallthatwasnevertoleaveoff。FromthePalaceoftheTuileries，throughMonseigneurandthewholeCourt，throughtheChambers，theTribunalsofJustice，andallsociety(exceptthescarecrows)，theFancyBalldescendedtothecommonExecutioner:who，inpursuanceofthecharm，wasrequiredtoofficiate`frizzled，powdered，inagold-lacedcoat，pumps，andwhitesilkstockings。"

Atthegallowsandthewheel——theaxewasararity——MonsieurParis，asitwastheepiscopalmodeamonghisbrotherProfessorsoftheprovinces，MonsieurOrleans，andtherest，tocallhim，presidedinthisdaintydress。

AndwhoamongthecompanyatMonseigneur"sreceptioninthatseventeenhundredandeightiethyearofourLord，couldpossiblydoubt，thatasystemrootedinafrizzledhangman，powdered，gold-laced，pumped，andwhite-silkstockinged，wouldseetheverystarsout!

Monseigneurhavingeasedhisfourmenoftheirburdensandtakenhischocolate，causedthedoorsoftheHoliestofHolieststobethrownopen，andissuedforth。Then，whatsubmission，whatcringingandfawning，whatservility，whatabjecthumiliation!Astobowingdowninbodyandspirit，nothinginthatwaywasleftforHeaven——whichmayhavebeenoneamongotherreasonswhytheworshippersofMonseigneurnevertroubledit。

Bestowingawordofpromisehereandasmilethere，awhisperononehappyslaveandawaveofthehandonanother，MonseigneuraffablypassedthroughhisroomstotheremoteregionoftheCircumferenceofTruth。

There，Monseigneurturned，andcamebackagain，andsoinduecourseoftimegothimselfshutupinhissanctuarybythechocolatesprites，andwasseennomore。

Theshowbeingover，theflutterintheairbecamequitealittlestorm，andthepreciouslittlebellswentringingdown-stairs。Therewassoonbutonepersonleftofallthecrowd，andhe，withhishatunderhisarmandhissnuff-boxinhishand，slowlypassedamongthemirrorsonhiswayout。

`Idevoteyou，"saidthisperson，stoppingatthelastdooronhisway，andturninginthedirectionofthesanctuary，`totheDevil!"

Withthat，heshookthesnufffromhisfingersasifhehadshakenthedustfromhisfeet，andquietlywalkeddownstairs。

Hewasamanofaboutsixty，handsomelydressed，haughtyinmanner，andwithafacelikeafinemask。Afaceofatransparentpaleness；everyfeatureinitclearlydefined；onesetexpressiononit。Thenose:beautifullyformedotherwise，wasveryslightlypinchedatthetopofeachnostril。

Inthosetwocompressions，ordints，theonlylittlechangethatthefaceevershowed，resided。Theypersistedinchangingcolourcome-times，andtheywouldbeoccasionallydilatedandcontractedbysomethinglikeafaintpulsation；then，theygavealookoftreachery，andcruelty，tothewholecountenance。Examinedwithattention，itscapacityofhelpingsuchalookwastobefoundinthelineofthemouth，andthelinesoftheorbitsoftheeyes，beingmuchtoohorizontalandthin；still，intheeffectthefacemade，itwasahandsomeface，andaremarkableone。

Itsownerwentdownstairsintothecourt-yard，gotintohiscarriage，anddroveaway。Notmanypeoplehadtalkedwithhimatthereception；hehadstoodinalittlespaceapart，andMonseigneurmighthavebeenwarmerinhismanner。Itappeared，underthecircumstances，ratheragreeabletohimtoseethecommonpeopledispersedbeforehishorses，andoftenbarelyescapingfrombeingrundown。Hismandroveasifhewerecharginganenemy，andthefuriousrecklessnessofthemanbroughtnocheckintotheface，ortothelips，ofthemaster。Thecomplainthadsometimesmadeitselfaudible，eveninthatdeafcityanddumbage，that，inthenarrowstreetswithoutfootways，thefiercepatriciancustomofharddrivingendangeredandmaimedthemerevulgarinabarbarousmanner。But，fewcaredenoughforthattothinkofitasecondtime，and，inthismatter，asinallothers，thecommonwretcheswerelefttogetoutoftheirdifficultiesastheycould。

Withawildrattleandclatter，andaninhumanabandonmentofconsiderationnoteasytobeunderstoodinthesedays，thecarriagedashedthroughstreetsandsweptroundcorners，withwomenscreamingbeforeit，andmenclutchingeachotherandclutchingchildrenoutofitsway。Atlast，swoopingatastreetcornerbyafountain，oneofitswheelscametoasickeninglittlejolt，andtherewasaloudcryfromanumberofvoices，andthehorsesrearedandplunged。

Butforthelatterinconvenience，thecarriageprobablywouldnothavestopped；carriageswereoftenknowntodriveon，andleavetheirwoundedbehind，andwhynot?Butthefrightenedvalethadgotdowninahurry，andthereweretwentyhandsatthehorses"bridles。

`Whathasgonewrong?"saidMonsieur，calmlylookingout。

Atallmaninanightcaphadcaughtupabundlefromamongthefeetofthehorses，andhadlaiditonthebasementofthefountain，andwasdowninthemudandwet，howlingoveritlikeawildanimal。

`Pardon，MonsieurtheMarquis!"saidaraggedandsubmissiveman，`itisachild。"

`Whydoeshemakethatabominablenoise?Isithischild?"

`Excuseme，MonsieurtheMarquis——itisapity——yes。"

Thefountainwasalittleremoved；forthestreetopened，whereitwas，intoaspacesometenortwelveyardssquare。Asthetallmansuddenlygotupfromtheground，andcamerunningatthecarriage，MonsieurtheMarquisclappedhishandforaninstantonhissword-hilt。"

`Killed!"shriekedtheman，inwilddesperation，extendingbotharmsattheirlengthabovehishead，andstaringathim。`Dead!"

Thepeopleclosedround，andlookedatMonsieurtheMarquis。Therewasnothingrevealedbythemanyeyesthatlookedathimbutwatchfulnessandeagerness；therewasnovisiblemenacingoranger。Neitherdidthepeoplesayanything；afterthefirstcry，theyhadbeensilent，andtheyremainedso。Thevoiceofthesubmissivemanwhohadspoken，wasflatandtameinitsextremesubmission。MonsieurtheMarquisranhiseyesoverthemall，asiftheyhadbeenmereratscomeoutoftheirholes。

Hetookouthispurse。

`Itisextraordinarytome，"saidhe，`thatyoupeoplecannottakecareofyourselvesandyourchildren。Oneortheotherofyouisforeverintheway。HowdoIknowwhatinjuryyouhavedonemyhorses?See!

Givehimthat。"

Hethrewoutagoldcoinforthevalettopickup，andalltheheadscranedforwardthatalltheeyesmightlookdownatitasitfell。

Thetallmancalledoutagainwithamostunearthlycry，`Dead!"

Hewasarrestedbythequickarrivalofanotherman，forwhomtherestmadeway。Onseeinghim，themiserablecreaturefelluponhisshoulder，sobbingandcrying，andpointingtothefountain，wheresomewomenwerestoopingoverthemotionlessbundle，andmovinggentlyaboutit。Theywereassilent，however，asthemen。

`Iknowall，Iknowall，"saidthelastcomer。`Beabraveman，myGaspard!Itisbetterforthepoorlittleplaythingtodieso，thantolive。Ithasdiedinamomentwithoutpain。Couldithavelivedanhourashappily?"

`Youareaphilosopher，youthere，"saidtheMarquis，smiling。

`Howdotheycallyou?"

`TheycallmeDefarge。"

`Ofwhattrade?"

`MonsieurtheMarquis，vendorofwine。"

`Pickupthat，philosopherandvendorofwine，"saidtheMarquis，throwinghimanothergoldcoin，`andspenditasyouwill。Thehorsesthere；

aretheyright?

Withoutdeigningtolookattheassemblageasecondtime，MonsieurtheMarquisleanedbackinhisseat，andwasjustbeingdrivenawaywiththeairofagentlemanwhohadaccidentallybrokensomecommonthing，andhadpaidforit，andcouldaffordtopayforit；whenhiseasewassuddenlydisturbedbyacoinflyingintohiscarriage，andringingonitsfloor。

`Hold!"saidMonsieurtheMarquis。`Holdthehorses!Whothrewthat?"

HelookedtothespotwhereDefargethevendorofwinehadstood，amomentbefore；butthewretchedfatherwasgrovellingonhisfaceonthepavementinthatspot，andthefigurethatstoodbesidehimwasthefigureofadarkstoutwoman，knitting。

`Youdogs!"saidtheMarquis，butsmoothly，andwithanunchangedfront，exceptastothespotsonhisnose:`Iwouldrideoveranyofyouverywillingly，andexterminateyoufromtheearth。IfIknewwhichrascalthrewatthecarriage，andifthatbrigandweresufficientlynearit，heshouldbecrushedunderthewheels。"

Socowedwastheircondition，andsolongandhardtheirexperienceofwhatsuchamancoulddotothem，withinthelawandbeyondit，thatnotavoice，orahand，orevenaneyewasraised。Amongthemen，notone。

Butthewomanwhostoodknittinglookedupsteadily，andlookedtheMarquisintheface。Itwasnotforhisdignitytonoticeit；hiscontemptuouseyespassedoverher，andoveralltheotherrats；andheleanedbackinhisseatagain，andgavetheword`Goon!"

Hewasdrivenon，andothercarriagescamewhirlingbyinquicksuccession；theMinister，theState-Projector，theFarmer-General，theDoctor，theLawyer，theEcclesiastic，theGrandOpera，theComedy，thewholeFancyBallinabrightcontinuousflow，camewhirlingby。Theratshadcreptoutoftheirholestolookon，andtheyremainedlookingonforhours；soldiersandpoliceoftenpassingbetweenthemandthespectacle，andmakingabarrierbehindwhichtheyslunk，andthroughwhichtheypeeped。

Thefatherhadlongagotakenuphisbundleandhiddenhimselfawaywithit，whenthewomenwhohadtendedthebundlewhileitlayonthebaseofthefountain，sattherewatchingtherunningofthewaterandtherollingoftheFancyBall——whentheonewomanwhohadstoodconspicuous，knitting，stillknittedonwiththesteadfastnessofFate。Thewaterofthefountainran，theswiftriverran，thedayranintoevening，somuchlifeinthecityranintodeathaccordingtorule，timeandtidewaitedfornoman，theratsweresleepingclosetogetherintheirdarkholesagain，theFancyBallwaslightedupatsupper，allthingsrantheircourse。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIIMonseigneurintheCountryABEAUTIFULlandscape，withthecornbrightinit，butnotabundant。Patchesofpoorryewherecornshouldhavebeen，patchesofpoorpeasandbeans，patchesofmostcoarsevegetablesubstitutesforwheat。Oninanimatenature，asonthemenandwomenwhocultivatedit，aprevalenttendencytowardsanappearanceofvegetatingunwillingly——dejecteddispositiontogiveup，andwitheraway。

MonsieurtheMarquisinhistravellingcarriage(whichmighthavebeenlighter)，conductedbyfourpost-horsesandtwopostilions，faggedupasteephill。AblushonthecountenanceofMonsieurtheMarquiswasnoimpeachmentofhishighbreeding；itwasnotfromwithin；itwasoccasionedbyanexternalcircumstancebeyondhiscontrol——thesettingsungiveup，andwitherawaygiveup，andwitheraway。

Thesunsetstrucksobrilliantlyintothetravellingcarriagewhenitgainedthehill-top，thatitsoccupantwassteepedincrimson。

`Itwilldieout，"saidMonsieurtheMarquis，glancingathishands，`directly。"

Ineffect，thesunwassolowthatitdippedatthemoment。Whentheheavydraghadbeenadjustedtothewheel，andthecarriagesliddownhill，withacinderoussmell，inacloudofdust，theredglowdepartedquickly；thesunandtheMarquisgoingdowntogether，therewasnoglowleftwhenthedragwastakenoff。

But，thereremainedabrokencountry，boldandopen，alittlevillageatthebottomofthehill，abroadsweepandrisebeyondit，achurch-tower，awindmill，aforestforthechase，andacragwithafortressonitusedasaprison。Rounduponallthesedarkeningobjectsasthenightdrewon，theMarquislooked，withtheairofonewhowascomingnearhome。

Thevillagehaditsonepoorstreet，withitspoorbrewery，poortannery，poortavern，poorstable-yardforrelayofpost+horses，poorfountain，allusualpoorappointments。Ithaditspoorpeopletoo。Allitspeoplewerepoor，andmanyofthemweresittingattheirdoors，shreddingspareonionsandthelikeforsupper，whilemanywereatthefountain，washingleaves，andgrasses，andanysuchsmallyieldingsoftheearththatcouldbeeaten。Expressivesignsofwhatmadethempoor，werenotwanting；thetaxforthestate，thetaxforthechurch，thetaxforthelord，taxlocalandtaxgeneral，weretobepaidhereandtobepaidthere，accordingtosolemninscriptioninthelittlevillage，untilthewonderwas，thattherewasanyvillageleftunswallowed。

Fewchildrenweretobeseen，andnodogs。Astothemenandwomen，theirchoiceonearthwasstatedintheprospect——Lifeonthelowesttermsthatcouldsustainit，downinthelittlevillageunderdiemill；orcaptivityandDeathinthedominantprisononthecrag。

Heraldedbyacourierinadvance，andbythecrackingofhispostilions"

whips，whichtwinedsnake-likeabouttheirheadsintheeveningair，asifhecameattendedbytheFuries，MonsieurtheMarquisdrewupinhistravellingcarriageattheposting-housegate。Itwashardbythefountain，andthepeasantssuspendedtheiroperationstolookathim。Helookedatthem，andsawinthem，withoutknowingit，theslowsurefilingdownofmisery-wornfaceandfigure，thatwastomakethemeagernessofFrenchmenanEnglishsuperstitionwhichshouldsurvivethetruththroughthebestpartofahundredyears。

MonsieurtheMarquiscasthiseyesoverthesubmissivefacesthatdroopedbeforehim，asthelikeofhimselfhaddroopedbeforeMonseigneuroftheCourt——onlythedifferencewas，thatthesefacesdroopedmerelytosufferandnottopropitiate——whenagrizzledmenderoftheroadsjoinedthegroup。

`Bringmehitherthatfellow!"saidtheMarquistothecourier。

Thefellowwasbrought，capinhand，andtheotherfellowsclosedroundtolookandlisten，inthemannerofthepeopleattheParisfountain。

`Ipassedyouontheroad?"

`Monseigneur，itistrue。Ihadthehonourofbeingpassedontheroad。"

`Comingupthehill，andatthetopofthehill，both?"

`Monseigneur，itistrue。

`Whatdidyoulookat，sofixedly?"

`Monseigneur，Ilookedattheman。"

Hestoopedalittle，andwithhistatteredbluecappointedunderthecarriage。Allhisfellowsstoopedtolookunderthecarriage。

`Matman，pig?Andwhylookthere?"

`Pardon，Monseigneur；heswungbythechainoftheshoethedrag。"

`Who?"demandedthetraveller。

`Monseigneur，theman。"

`MaytheDevilcarryawaytheseidiots!Howdoyoucalltheman?

Youknowallthemenofthispartofthecountry。Whowashe?"

`Yourclemency，Monseigneur!Hewasnotofthispartofthecountry。

Ofallthedaysofmylife，Ineversawhim。"

`Swingingbythechain?Tobesuffocated?"

`Withyourgraciouspermission，thatwasthewonderofit，Monseigneur。

Hisheadhangingover——likethis!"

Heturnedhimselfsidewaystothecarriage，andleanedback，withhisfacethrownuptothesky，andhisheadhangingdown；thenrecoveredhimself，fumbledwithhiscap，andmadeabow。

`whatwashelike?"

`Monseigneur，hewaswhiterthanthemiller。Allcoveredwithdust，whiteasaspectre，tallasaspectre!"

Thepictureproducedanimmensesensationinthelittlecrowd；

butalleyes，withoutcomparingnoteswithothereyes，lookedatMonsieurtheMarquis。Perhaps，toobservewhetherhehadanyspectreonhisconscience。

`Truly，youdidwell，"saidtheMarquis，felicitouslysensiblethatsuchverminwerenottorufflehim，`toseeathiefaccompanyingmycarriage，andnotopenthatgreatmouthofyours。Bah!Puthimaside，MonsieurGabelle!"

MonsieurGabellewasthePostmaster，andsomeothertaxingfunctionaryunited；hehadcomeoutwithgreatobsequiousnesstoassistatthisexamination，andhadheldtheexaminedbythedraperyofhisarminanofficialmanner。

`Bah!Goaside!"saidMonsieurGabelle。

`Layhandsonthisstrangerifheseekstolodgeinyourvillageto-night，andbesurethathisbusinessishonest，Gabelle。"

`Monseigneur，Iamflatteredtodevotemyselftoyourorders。"

`Didherunaway，fellow?——hereisthatAccursed?"

Theaccursedwasalreadyunderthecarriagewithsomehalf-dozenparticularfriends，pointingoutthechainwithhisbluecap。Somehalf-dozenotherparticularfriendspromptlyhauledhimout，andpresentedhimbreathlesstoMonsieurtheMarquis。

`Didthemanrunaway，Dolt，whenwestoppedforthedrag?"

`Monseigneur，heprecipitatedhimselfoverthehill-side，headfirst，asapersonplungesintotheriver。"

`Seetoit，Gabelle。Goon!"

Thehalf-dozenwhowerepeeringatthechainwerestillamongthewheels，likesheep；thewheelsturnedsosuddenlythattheywereluckytosavetheirskinsandbones；theyhadverylittleelsetosave，ortheymightnothavebeensofortunate。

Theburstwithwhichthecarriagestartedoutofthevillageanduptherisebeyond，wassooncheckedbythesteepnessofthehill。Gradually，itsubsidedtoafootpace，swingingandlumberingupwardamongthemanysweetscentsofasummernight。Thepostilions，withathousandgossamergnatscirclingabouttheminlieuoftheFuries，quietlymendedthepointstothelashesoftheirwhips；thevaletwalkedbythehorses；thecourierwasaudible，trottingonaheadintothedimdistance。

Atthesteepestpointofthehilltherewasalittleburialground，withaCrossandanewlargefigureofOurSaviouronit；itwasapoorfigureinwood，donebysomeinexperiencedrusticcarver，buthehadstudiedthefigurefromthelife——isownlife，maybe——oritwasdreadfullyspareandthin。

Tothisdistressfulemblemofagreatdistressthathadlongbeengrowingworse，andwasnotatitsworst，awomanwaskneeling。Sheturnedherheadasthecarriagecameuptoher，rosequickly，andpresentedherselfatthecarriage-door。

`Itisyou，Monseigneur!Monseigneur，apetition。"

Withanexclamationofimpatience，butwithhisUn+changeableface，Monseigneurlookedout。

`How，then!Whatisit?Alwayspetitions!"

`Monseigneur。FortheloveofthegreatGod!Myhusband，theforester。"

`Whatofyourhusband，theforester?Alwaysthesamewithyoupeople。Hecannotpaysomething?"

`Hehaspaidall，Monseigneur。Heisdead。"

`Well!Heisquiet。CanIrestorehimtoyou?"

`Alas，no，Monseigneur!Butheliesyonder，underalittleheapofpoorgrass。"

`Well?"

`Monseigneur，，therearesomanylittleheapsofpargrass?"

`Again，well?"

Shelookedanoldwoman，butwasyoung。Hermannerwasoneofpassionategrief；byturnssheclaspedherveinousandknottedhandstogetherwithwildenergy，andlaidoneofthemonthecarriage-door——tenderly，caressingly，asifithadbeenahumanbreast，andcouldbeexpectedtofeeltheappealingtouch。

`Monseigneur，hearme!Monseigneur，hearmypetition!Myhusbanddiedofwant；somanydieofwant；somanymorewilldieofwant。"

`Again，well?CanIfeedthem?"

`Monseigneur，thegoodGodknows；butIdon"taskit。Mypetitionis，thatamorselofstoneorwood，withmyhusband"sname，maybeplacedoverhimtoshowwherehelies。Otherwise，theplacewillbequicklyforgotten，itwillneverbefoundwhenIamdeadofthesamemalady，Ishallbelaidundersomeotherheapofpoorgrass。Monseigneur，theyaresomany，theyincreasesofast，thereissomuchwant。Monseigneur!Monseigneur!"

Thevalethadputherawayfromthedoor，thecarriagehadbrokenintoabrisktrot，thepostilionshadquickenedthepace，shewasleftfarbehind，andMonseigneur，againescortedbytheFuries，wasrapidlydiminishingtheleagueortwoofdistancethatremainedbetweenhimandhischâ；teau。

Thesweetscentsofthesummernightroseallaroundhim，androse，astherainfalls，impartially，onthedusty，ragged，andtoil-worngroupatthefountainnotfaraway；towhomthemenderofroads，withtheaidofthebluecapwithoutwhichhewasnothing，stillenlargeduponhismanlikeaspectre，aslongastheycouldbearit。Bydegrees，astheycouldbearnomore，theydroppedoffonebyone，andlightstwinkledinlittlecasements；whichlights，asthecasementsdarkened，andmorestarscameout，seemedtohaveshotupintotheskyinsteadofhavingbeenextinguished。

Theshadowofalargehigh-roofedhouse，andofmanyoverhangingtrees，wasuponMonsieurtheMarquisbythattime；andtheshadowwasexchangedforthelightofaflambeau，ashiscarriagestopped，andthegreatdoorofhischâ；teauwasopenedtohim。

`MonsieurCharles，whomIexpect:ishearrivedfromEngland?"

`Monseigneur，notyet。"

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIXTheGorgon"sHeadITwasaheavymassofbuilding，thatchâ；ateauofMonsieurtheMarquis，withalargestonecourt-yardbeforeit，andtwostonesweepsofstaircasemeetinginastoneterracebeforetheprincipaldoor。Astonybusinessaltogether，withheavystonebalustrades，andstoneurns，andstoneflowers，andstonefacesofmen，andstoneheadsoflions，inalldirections。AsiftheGorgon"sheadhadsurveyedit，whenitwasfinished，twocenturiesago。

Upthebroadflightofshallowsteps，MonsieurtheMarquis，flambeaupreceded，wentfromhiscarriage，sufficientlydisturbingthedarknesstoelicitloudremonstrancefromanowlintheroofofthegreatpileofstablebuildingawayamongthetrees。Allelsewassoquiet，thattheflambeaucarriedupthesteps，andtheotherflambeauheldatthegreatdoor，burntasiftheywereinacloseroomofstate，insteadofbeingintheopennight-air。Othersoundthantheowl"svoicetherewasnone，savethefallingofafountainintoitsstonebasin；for，itwasoneofthosedarknightsthatholdtheirbreathbythehourtogether，andthenheavealonglowsigh，andholdtheirbreathagain。

Thegreatdoorclangedbehindhim，andMonsieurtheMarquiscrossedahallgrimwithcertainoldboar-spears，swords，andknivesofthechase；

grimmerwithcertainheavyriding-rodsandriding-whips，ofwhichmanyapeasant，gonetohisbenefactorDeath，hadfelttheweightwhenhislordwasangry。

Avoidingthelargerrooms，whichweredarkandmadefastforthenight，MonsieurtheMarquis，withhisflambeau-bearergoingonbefore，wentupthestaircasetoadoorinacorridor。Thisthrownopen，admittedhimtohisownprivateapartmentofthreerooms:hisbed-chamberandtwoothers。Highvaultedroomswithcooluncarpetedfloors，greatdogsuponthehearthsfortheburningofwoodinwintertime，andallluxuriesbefittingthestateofamarquisinaluxuriousageandcountry。ThefashionofthelastLouisbutone，oftilelinethatwasnevertobreak——thefourteenthLouis——wasconspicuousintheirrichfurniture；but，itwasdiversifiedbymanyobjectsthatwereillustrationsofoldpagesinthehistoryofFrance。

Asupper-tablewaslaidfortwo，inthethirdoftherooms；aroundroom，inoneofthechâ；ateau"sfourextinguisher-toppedtowers。

Asmallloftyroom，withitswindowwideopen，andthewoodenjalousie-blindsclosed，sothatthedarknightonlyshowedinslighthorizontallinesofblack，alternatingwiththeirbroadlinesofstonecolour。

`Mynephew，"saidtheMarquis，glancingatthesupperpreparation；

`theysaidhewasnotarrived。"

Norwashe；but，hehadbeenexpectedwithMonseigneur。

`Ah!Itisnotprobablehewillarriveto-night；nevertheless，leavethetableasitis。Ishallbereadyinaquarterofanhour。"InaquarterofanhourMonseigneurwasready，andsatdownalonetohissumptuousandchoicesupper。Hischairwasoppositetothewindow，andhehadtakenhissoup，andwasraisinghisglassofBordeauxtohislips，whenheputitdown。

`Whatisthat?"hecalmlyasked，lookingwithattentionatthehorizontallinesofblackandstonecolour"。

`Monseigneur?That?"

`Outsidetheblinds。Opentheblinds。"

Itwasdone。

`well?"

`Monseigneur，itisnothing。Thetreesandthenightareallthatarehere。"

Theservantwhospoke，hadthrowntheblindswide，hadlookedoutintothevacantdarkness，andstood，withthatblankbehindhim，lookingroundforinstructions。

`Good，"saidtheimperturbablemaster。`Closethemagain。"Thatwasdonetoo，andtheMarquiswentonwithhissupper。Hewashalfwaythroughit，whenheagainstoppedwithhisglassinhishand，hearingthesoundofwheels。Itcameonbriskly，andcameuptothefrontofthechâ；ateau。

`Askwhoisarrived。"

ItwasthenephewofMonseigneur。HehadbeensomefewleaguesbehindMonseigneur，earlyintheafternoon。Hehaddiminishedthedistancerapidly，butnotsorapidlyastocomeupwithMonseigneurontheroad。

HehadheardofMonseigneur，attheposting-houses，asbeingbeforehim。

Hewastobetold(saidMonseigneur)thatsupperawaitedhimthenandthere，andthathewasprayedtocometoit。Inalittlewhilehecame。

HehadbeenknowninEnglandasCharlesDarnay。

Monseigneurreceivedhiminacourtlymanner，buttheydidnotshakehands。

`YouleftParisyesterday，sir?"hesaidtoMonseigneur，ashetookhisseatattable。

`Yesterday。Andyou?"

`Icomedirect。

`FromLondon?"

`Yes。"

`Youhavebeenalongtimecoming，"saidtheMarquis，withasmile。

`Onthecontrary；Icomedirect。"

`Pardonme!Imean，notalongtimeonthejourney；alongtimeintendingtheJourney。

`Ihavebeendetainedby"——thenephewstoppedamomentinhisanswer——variousbusiness。"

`Withoutdoubt，"saidthepolisheduncle。

Solongasaservantwaspresent，nootherwordspassedbetweenthem。Whencoffeehadbeenservedandtheywerealonetogether，thenephew，lookingattheuncleandmeetingtheeyesofthefacethatwaslikeafinemask，openedaconversation。

`Ihavecomeback，sir，asyouanticipate，pursuingtheobjectthattookmeaway。Itcarriedmeintogreatandunexpectedperil；butitisasacredobject，andifithadcarriedmetodeathIhopeitwouldhavesustainedme。"

`Nottodeath，"saidtheuncle；`itisnotnecessarytosay，todeath。"

`Idoubt，sir，"returnedthenephew，`whether，ifithadcarriedmetotheutmostbrinkofdeath，youwouldhavecaredtostopmethere。"

Thedeepenedmarksinthenose，andthelengtheningofthefinestraightlinesinthecruelface，lookedominousastothat；theunclemadeagracefulgestureofprotest，whichwassoclearlyaslightformofgoodbreedingthatitwasnotreassuring。

`Indeed，sir，"pursuedthenephew，`foranythingIknow，youmayhaveexpresslyworkedtogiveamoresuspiciousappearancetothesuspiciouscircumstancesthatsurroundedme。

`No，no，no，"saidtheuncle，pleasantly。

`But，howeverthatmaybe，"resumedthenephew，glancingathimwithdeepdistrust，`Iknowthatyourdiplomacywouldstopmebyanymeans，andwouldknownoscrupleastomeans。

`Myfriend，Itoldyouso，"saidtheuncle，withafinepulsationinthetwomarks。`DomethefavourtorecallthatItoldyouso，longago。"

`Irecallit。"

`Thankyou，"saidtheMarquis——verysweetlyindeed。

Histonelingeredintheair，almostlikethetoneofamusicalinstrument。

`Ineffect，sir，"pursuedthenephew，`Ibelieveittobeatonceyourbadfortune，andmygoodfortune，thathaskeptmeoutofaprisoninFrancehere。"

`Idonotquiteunderstand，"returnedtheuncle，sippinghiscoffee。

`DareIaskyoutoexplain?"

`IbelievethatifyouwerenotindisgracewiththeCourt，andhadnotbeenovershadowedbythatcloudforyearspast，aletterdecachetwouldhavesentmetosomefortressindefinitely。"

`Itispossible，"saidtheuncle，withgreatcalmness。`Forthehonourofthefamily，Icouldevenresolvetoincommodeyoutothatextent。

Prayexcuseme!"

`Iperceivethat，happilyforme，theReceptionofthedaybeforeyesterdaywas，asusual，acoldone，"observedthenephew。

`Iwouldnotsayhappily，myfriend，"returnedtheuncle，withrefinedpoliteness；`Iwouldnotbesureofthat。Agoodopportunityforconsideration，surroundedbytheadvantagesofsolitude，mightinfluenceyourdestinytofargreateradvantagethanyouinfluenceitforyourself。

Butitisuselesstodiscussthequestion。Iam，asyousay，atadisadvantage。

Theselittleinstrumentsofcorrection，thesegentleaidstothepowerandhonouroffamilies，theseslightfavoursthatmightsoincommodeyou，areonlytobeobtainednowbyinterestandimportunity。Theyaresoughtbysomany，andtheyaregranted(comparatively)tosofew!Itusednottobeso，butFranceinallsuchthingsischangedfortheworse。Ournotremoteancestorsheldtherightoflifeanddeathoverthesurroundingvulgar。Fromthisroom，manysuchdogshavebeentakenouttobehanged；

inthenextroom(mybedroom)，onefellow，toourknowledge，wasponiardedonthespotforprofessingsomeinsolentdelicacyrespectinghisdaughter——hisdaughter?Wehavelostmanyprivileges；anewphilosophyhasbecomethemode；andtheassertionofourstation，inthesedays，might(Idonotgosofarastosaywould，butmight)causeusrealinconvenience。Allverybad，verybad!"

TheMarquistookagentlelittlepinchofsnuff，andshookhishead；aselegantlydespondentashecouldbecominglybeofacountrystillcontaininghimself，thatgreatmeansofregeneration。

`Wehavesoassertedourstation，bothintheoldtimeandinthemoderntimealso，"saidthenephew，gloomily，`thatIbelieveournametobemoredetestedthananynameinFrance。"

`Letushopeso，"saidtheuncle。`Detestationofthehighistheinvoluntaryhomageofthelow。"

`Thereisnot，"pursuedthenephew，inhisformertone，`afaceIcanlookat，inallthiscountryroundaboutus，whichlooksatmewithanydeferenceonitbutthedarkdeferenceoffearandslavery。"

`Acompliment，"saidtheMarquis，`tothegrandeurofthefamily，meritedbythemannerinwhichthefamilyhassustaineditsgrandeur。Hah!"

Andhetookanothergentlelittlepinchofsnuff，andlightlycrossedhislegs。

But，whenhisnephew，leaninganelbowonthetable，coveredhiseyesthoughtfullyanddejectedlywithhishand，thefinemasklookedathimsidewayswithastrongerconcentrationofkeenness，closeness，anddislike，thanwascomportablewithitswearer"sassumptionofindifference。

`Repressionistheonlylastingphilosophy。Thedarkdeferenceoffearandslavery，myfriend，"observedtheMarquis，`willkeepteedogsobedienttothewhip，aslongasthisroof，"lookinguptoit，`shutsoutthesky。"

ThatmightnotbesolongastheMarquissupposed。Ifapictureofthechâ；ateauasitwastobeaveryfewyearshence，andoffiftylikeitastheytooweretobeaveryfewyearshence，couldhavebeenshowntohimthatnight，hemighthavebeenatalosstoclaimhisownfromtheghastly，fire-charred，plunder-wreckedruins。Asfortheroofhevaunted，hemighthavefoundthatshuttingouttheskyinanewway——towit，forever，fromtheeyesofthebodiesintowhichitsleadwasfired，outofthebarrelsofahundredthousandmuskets。

`Meanwhile，"saidtheMarquis，`Iwillpreservethehonourandreposeofthefamily，ifyouwillnot。Butyoumustbefatigued。ShallweterminateourConferenceforthenight?"

`Amomentmore。"

`Anhour，ifyouplease。"

`Sir，"saidthenephew，`wehavedonewrong，andarereapingthefruitsofwrong。"

`Wehavedonewrong?"repeatedtheMarquis，withaninquiringsmile，anddelicatelypointing，firsttohisnephew，thentohimself。

`Ourfamily；ourhonourablefamily，whosehonourisofsomuchaccounttobothofus，insuchdifferentways。Eveninmyfather"stime，wedidaworldofwrong，injuringeveryhumancreaturewhocamebetweenusandourpleasure，whateveritwas。WhyneedIspeakofmyfather"stime，whenitisequallyyours?CanIseparatemyfather"stwin-brother，jointinheritor，andnextsuccessor，fromhimself?"

`Deathhasdonethat!"saidtheMarquis。

`Andhasleftme，"answeredthenephew，`boundtoasystemthatisfrightfultome，responsibleforit，butpowerlessinit；seekingtoexecutethelastrequestofmydearmother"slips，andobeythelastlookofmydearmother"seyes，whichimploredfiletohavemercyandtoredress；

andtorturedbyseekingassistanceandpowerinvain?

`Seekingthemfromme，mynephew，"saidtheMarquis，touchinghimonthebreastwithhisforefinger——theywerenowstandingbythehearth——youwillforeverseektheminvain，beassured。

Everyfinestraightlineintheclearwhitenessofhisface，wascruelly，craftily，andcloselycompressed，whilehestoodlookingquietlyathisnephew，withhissnuff-boxinhishand。

Onceagainhetouchedhimonthebreast，asthoughhisfingerwerethefinepointofasmallsword，withwhich，indelicatefinesse，heranhimthroughthebody，andsaid，`Myfriend，Iwilldie，perpetuatingthesystemunderwhichI

havelived。"

Whenhehadsaidit，hetookaculminatingpinchofSnuff，andputhisboxinhispocket。

`Bettertobearationalcreature，"headdedthen，afterringingasmallbellonthetable，`andacceptyournaturaldestiny。Butyouarelost，MonsieurCharles，Isee。"

`ThispropertyandFrancearelosttome，"saidthenephew，sadly；`I

renouncethem。"

`Aretheybothyourstorenounce?Francemaybe，butistheproperty?

Itisscarcelyworthmentioning；but，isityet?"

`Ihadnointention，inthewordsIused，toclaimityet。Ifitpassedtomefromyou，to-morrow——

`WhichIhavethevanitytohopeisnotprobable。"

`——ortwentyyearshence——"

`Youdometoomuchhonour，"saidtheMarquis；`still，Ipreferthatsupposition。"