第15章

Itshearedoffheadssomany，thatit，andthegrounditmostpolluted，werearottenred。Itwastakentopieces，likeatoy-puzzleforayoungDevil，andwasputtogetheragainwhentheoccasionwantedit。Ithushedtheeloquent，struckdownthepowerful，abolishedthebeautifulandgood。Twenty-twofriendsofhighpublicmark，twenty-onelivingandonedead，ithadloppedtheheadsoff，inonemorning，inasmanyminutes。

ThenameofthestrongmanofOldScripturehaddescendedtothechieffunctionarywhoworkedit；but，soarmed，hewasstrongerthanhisnamesake，andblinder，andtoreawaythegatesofGod"sownTempleeveryday。

Amongtheseterrors，andthebroodbelongingtothem，theDoctorwalkedwithasteadyhead:confidentinhispower，cautiouslypersistentinhisend，neverdoubtingthathewouldsaveLucie"shusbandatlast。

Yetthecurrentofthetimesweptby，sostronganddeep，andcarriedthetimeawaysofiercely，thatCharleshadlaininprisononeyearandthreemonthswhentheDoctorwasthussteadyandconfident。SomuchmorewickedanddistractedhadtheRevolutiongrowninthatDecembermonth，thattheriversoftheSouthwereencumberedwiththebodiesoftheviolentlydrownedbynight，andprisonerswereshotinlinesandsquaresunderthesouthernwintrysun。Still，theDoctorwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead。

Nomanbetterknownthanhe，inParisatthatday；nomaninastrangersituation。Silent，humane，indispensableinhospitalandprison，usinghisartequallyamongassassinsandvictims，hewasamanapart。Intheexerciseofhisskill，theappearanceandthestoryoftheBastilleCaptiveremovedhimfromallothermen。Hewasnotsuspectedorbroughtinquestion，anymorethanifhehadindeedbeenrecalledtolifesomeeighteenyearsbefore，orwereaSpiritmovingamongmortals。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVTheWood-sawyerONEayearandthreemonths。DuringallthattimeLuciewasneversure，fromhourtohour，butthattheGuillotinewouldstrikeoffherhusband"sheadnextday。Everyday，throughthestonystreets，thetumbrilsnowjoltedheavily，filledwithCondemned。Lovelygirls；brightwomen，brown-haired，black-haired，andgrey；youths；stalwartmenandold；gentlebornandpeasantborn；allredwineforLaGuillotine，alldailybroughtintolightfromthedarkcellarsoftheloathsomeprisons，andcarriedtoherthroughthestreettoslakeherdevouringthirst。Liberty，equality，fraternity，ordeath；——thelast，muchtheeasiesttobestow，OGuillotine!

Ifthesuddennessofhercalamity，andthewhirlingwheelsofthetime，hadstunnedtheDoctor"sdaughterintoawaitingtheresultinidledespair，itwouldbuthavebeenwithherasitwaswithmany。But，fromthehourwhenshehadtakenthewhiteheadtoherfreshyoungbosominthegarretofshehadbeentruetoherduties。Shewastruesttothemintheseasonoftrial，asallthequietlyloyalandgoodwillalwaysbe。

Assoonastheywereestablishedintheirnewresidence，andherfatherhadenteredontheroutineofhisavocations，shearrangedthelittlehouseholdasexactlyasifherhusbandhadbeenthere。Everythinghaditsappointedplaceanditsappointedtime。LittleLucieshetaught，asregularly，asiftheyhadallbeenunitedintheirEnglishhome。Theslightdeviceswithwhichshecheatedherselfintotheshowofabeliefthattheywouldsoonbereunited-thelittlepreparationsforhisspeedyreturn，thesettingasideofhischairandhisbooks——these，andthesolemnprayeratnightforonedearprisonerespecially，amongthemanyunhappysoulsinprisonandtheshadowofdeath——werealmosttheonlyoutspokenreliefsofherheavymind。

Shedidnotgreatlyalterinappearance。Theplaindarkdresses，akintomourningdresses，whichsheandherchildwore，wereasneatandaswellattendedtoasthebrighterclothesofhappydays。Shelosthercolour，andtheoldandintentexpressionwasaconstant，notanoccasional，thing；otherwise，sheremainedveryprettyandcomely。Sometimes，atnightonkissingherfather，shewouldburstintothegriefshehadrepressedallday，andwouldsaythathersolereliance，underHeaven，wasonhim。

Healwaysresolutelyanswered:`Nothingcanhappentohimwithoutmyknowledge，andIknowthatIcansavehim，Lucie。"

Theyhadnotmadetheroundoftheirchangedlifemanyweeks，whenherfathersaidtoher，oncominghomeoneevening:

`Mydear，thereisanupperwindowintheprison，towhichCharlescansometimesgainaccessatthreeintheafternoon。Whenhecangettoit-whichdependsonmanyuncertaintiesandincidents-hemightseeyouinthestreet，hethinks，ifyoustoodinacertainplacethatIcanshowyou。Butyouwillnotbeabletoseehim，mypoorchild，andevenifyoucould，itwouldbeunsafeforyoutomakeasignofrecognition。"

`Oshowmetheplace，myfather，andIwillgothereeveryday。"

Fromthattime，inallweathers，shewaitedtheretwohours。Astheclockstrucktwo，shewasthere，andatfoursheturnedresignedlyaway。Whenitwasnottoowetorinclementforherchildtobewithher，theywenttogether；atothertimesshewasalone；butshenevermissedasingleday。

Itwasthedarkanddirtycornerofasmallwindingstreet。Thehovelofacutterofwoodintolengthsforburning，wastheonlyhouseatthatend；allelsewaswall。Onthethirddayofherbeingthere，henoticedher。

`Goodday，citizeness。"

`Goodday，citizen。"

Thismodeofaddresswasnowprescribedbydecree。Ithadbeenestablishedvoluntarilysometimeago，amongthemorethoroughpatriots；

but，wasnowlawforeverybody。

`Walkinghereagain，citizeness?"

`Youseeme，citizen!"

Thewood-sawyer，whowasalittlemanwitharedundancyofgesture(hehadoncebeenamenderofroads)，castaglanceattheprison，pointedattheprison，andputtinghistenfingersbeforehisfacetorepresentbars，peepedthroughthemjocosely。

`Butit"snotmybusiness，"saidhe。Andwentonsawinghiswood。

Nextdayhewaslookingoutforher，andaccostedherthemomentsheappeared。

`What?Walkinghereagain，citizeness?"

`Yes，citizen。"

`Ah!Achildtoo!Yourmother，isitnot，mylittlecitizeness?"

`DoIsayyes，mamma?"whisperedlittleLucie，drawingclosetoher。

`Yes，dearest。"

`Yes，citizen。"

`Ah!Butit"snotmybusiness。Myworkismybusiness。Seemysaw!IcallitmyLittleGuillotine。La，la，la；La，la，la!Andoffhisheadcomes!"

Thebilletfellashespoke，andhethrewitintoabasket。

`IcallmyselftheSamsonofthefirewoodguillotine。Seehereagain!Loo，loo，loo；Loo，loo，loo!Andoffherheadcomes!Now，achild。

Tickle，tickle；Pickle，pickle!Andoffitsheadcomes。Allthefamily!"

Lucieshudderedashethrewtwomorebilletsintohisbasket，butitwasimpossibletobetherewhilethewood-sawyerwasatwork，andnotbeinhissight。Thenceforth，tosecurehisgoodwill，shealwaysspoketohimfirst，andoftengavehimdrink-money，whichhereadilyreceived。

Hewasaninquisitivefellow，andsometimeswhenshehadquiteforgottenhimingazingattheprisonroofandgrates，andinliftingherheartuptoherhusband，shewouldcometoherselftofindhimlookingather，withhiskneeonhisbenchandhissawstoppedinitswork。`Butit"snotmybusiness!"hewouldgenerallysayatthosetimes，andwouldbrisklyfalltohissawingagain。

Inallweathers，inthesnowandfrostofwinter，inthebitterwindsofspring，inthehotsunshineofsummer，intherainsofautumn，andagaininthesnowandfrostofwinter，Luciepassedtwohoursofeverydayatthisplace；andeverydayonleavingit，shekissedtheprisonwall。

Herhusbandsawher(soshelearnedfromherfather)itmightbeonceinfiveorsixtimes:itmightbetwiceorthricerunning:itmightbe，notforaweekorafortnighttogether。Itwasenoughthathecouldanddidseeherwhenthechancesserved，andonthatpossibilityshewouldhavewaitedouttheday，sevendaysaweek。

TheseoccupationsbroughtherroundtotheDecembermonth，whereinherfatherwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead。Onalightly-snowingafternoonshearrivedattheusualcorner。Itwasadayofsomewildrejoicing，andafestival。Shehadseenthehouses，asshecamealong，decoratedwithlittlepikes，andwithlittleredcapsstuckuponthem；also，withtricolouredribbons；also，withthestandardinscription(tricolouredletterswerethefavourite)，RepublicOneandIndivisible。Liberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath!

Themiserableshopofthewood-sawyerwassosmall，thatitswholesurfacefurnishedveryindifferentspaceforthislegend。Hehadgotsomebodytoscrawlitupforhim，however，whohadsqueezedDeathinwithmostinappropriatedifficulty。Onhishouse-top，hedisplayedpikeandcap，asagoodcitizenmust，andinawindowhehadstationedhissawinscribedashis`LittleSainteGuillotine"——forthegreatsharpfemalewasbythattimepopularlycanonised。Hisshopwasshutandhewasnotthere，whichwasarelieftoLucie，andleftherquitealone。

But，hewasnotfaroff，forpresentlysheheardatroubledmovementandashoutingcomingalong，whichfilledherwithfear。Amomentafterwards，andathrongofpeoplecamepouringroundthecornerbytheprisonwall，inthemidstofwhomwasthewood-sawyerhandinhandwithTheVengeance。

Therecouldnotbefewerthanfivehundredpeople，andtheyweredancinglikefivethousanddemons。Therewasnoothermusicthantheirownsinging。

TheydancedtothepopularRevolutionsong，keepingaferocioustimethatwaslikeagnashingofteethinunison。Menandwomendancedtogether，womendancedtogether，mendancedtogether，ashazardhadbroughtthemtogether。Atfirst，theywereamerestormofcoarseredcapsandcoarsewoollenrags；but，astheyfilledtheplace，andstoppedtodanceaboutLucie，someghastlyapparitionofadance-figuregoneravingmadaroseamongthem。Theyadvanced，retreated，struckatoneanother"shands，clutchedatoneanother"sheads，spunroundalone，caughtoneanotherandspunroundinpairs，untilmanyofthemdropped。Whilethoseweredown，therestlinkedhandinhand，andallspunroundtogether:thentheringbroke，andinseparateringsoftwoandfourtheyturnedandturneduntiltheyallstoppedatonce，beganagain，struck，clutched，andtore，andthenreversedthespin，andallspunroundanotherway。Suddenlytheystoppedagain，paused，struckoutthetimeafresh，formedintolinesthewidthofthepublicway，and，withtheirheadslowdownandtheirhandshighup，swoopedscreamingoff。Nofightcouldhavebeenhalfsoterribleasthisdance。Itwassoemphaticallyafallensport——asomething，onceinnocent，deliveredovertoalldevilry——ahealthypastimechangedintoameansofangeringtheblood，bewilderingthesenses，andsteelingtheheart。Suchgraceaswasvisibleinit，madeittheuglier，showinghowwarpedandpervertedallthingsgoodbynaturewerebecome。Themaidenlybosombaredtothis，theprettyalmost-child"sheadthusdistracted，thedelicatefootmincinginthissloughofbloodanddirt，weretypesofthedisjointedtime。"

ThiswastheCarmagnole。Asitpassed，leavingLuciefrightenedandbewilderedinthedoorwayofthewood-sawyer"shouse，thefeatherysnowfellasquietlyandlayaswhiteandsoft，asifithadneverbeen。

`Omyfather!"forhestoodbeforeherwhenshelifteduptheeyesshehadmomentarilydarkenedwithherhand；`suchacruel，badsight。"

`Iknow，mydear，Iknow。Ihaveseenitmanytimes。Don"tbefrightened!Notoneofthemwouldharmyou。"

`Iamnotfrightenedformyself，myfather。ButwhenIthinkofmyhusband，andthemerciesofthesepeople——"

`Wewillsethimabovetheirmerciesverysoon。Ilefthimclimbingtothewindow，andIcametotellyou。Thereisnooneheretosee。Youmaykissyourhandtowardsthathighestshelvingroof。"

`Idoso，father，andIsendhimmySoulwithit!"

`Youcannotseehim，mypoordear?"

`No，father，"said，Lucie，yearningandweepingasshekissedherhand，`no。

Afootstepinthesnow。MadameDefarge。`Isaluteyou，citizeness，"

fromtheDoctor。`Isaluteyou，citizen。"Thisinpassing。Nothingmore。

MadameDefargegone，likeashadowoverthewhiteroad。

`Givemeyourarm，mylove。Passfromherewithanairofcheerfulnessandcourage，forhissake。Thatwaswelldone；"theyhadleftthespot；

`itshallnotbeinvain。Charlesissummonedforto-morrow。"

`Forto-morrow!"

`Thereisnotimetolose。Iamwellprepared，butthereareprecautionstobetaken，thatcouldnotbetakenuntilhewasactuallysummonedbeforetheTribunal。Hehasnotreceivedthenoticeyet，butIknowthathewillpresentlybesummonedforto-morrow，andremovedtotheConciergerie；I

havetimelyinformation。Youarenotafraid?"

Shecouldscarcelyanswer，`Itrustinyou。"

`Doso，implicitly。Yoursuspenseisnearlyended，mydarling；

heshallberestoredtoyouwithinafewhours；Ihaveencompassedhimwitheveryprotection。ImustseeLorry。"

Hestopped。Therewasaheavylumberingofwheelswithinhearing。

Theybothknewtoowellwhatitmeant。One。Two。Three。Threetumbrilsfaringawaywiththeirdreadloadsoverthehushingsnow。

`ImustseeLorry，"theDoctorrepeated，turningheranotherway。

Thestauncholdgentlemanwasstillinhistrust；hadneverleftit。Heandhisbookswereinfrequentrequisitionastopropertyconfiscatedandmadenational。Whathecouldsavefortheowners，hesaved。NobettermanlivingtoholdfastbywhatTellson"shadinkeeping，andtoholdhispeace。

Amurkyredandyellowsky，andarisingmistfromtheSeine，denotedtheapproachofdarkness。ItwasalmostdarkwhentheyarrivedattheBank。ThestatelyresidenceofMonseigneurwasaltogetherblightedanddeserted。Aboveaheapofdustandashesinthecourt，rantheletters:

NationalProperty。RepublicOneandIndivisible。Liberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath!

WhocouldthatbewithMr。Lorry——theOwneroftheriding-coatuponthechair——whomustnotbeseen?Fromwhomnewlyarrived，didhecomeout，agitatedandsurprised，totakehisfavouriteinhisarms?Towhomdidheappeartorepeatherfalteringwords，when，raisinghisvoiceandturninghisheadtowardsthedooroftheroomfromwhichhehadissued，hesaid:`RemovedtotheConciergerie，andsummonedforto-morrow?"

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVITriumphTHEdreadTribunaloffiveJudges，PublicProsecutor，anddeterminedJury，sateveryday。Theirlistswentfortheveryevening，andwerereadoutbythegaolersofthevariousprisonstotheirprisoners。Thestandardgaoler-jokewas，`ComeoutandlistentotheEveningPaper，youinsidethere!"

`CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay!"SoatlastbegantheEveningPaperatLaForce。

Whenanamewascalled，itsownersteppedapartintoaspotreservedforthosewhowereannouncedasbeingthusfatallyrecorded。CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay，hadreasontoknowtheusage；hehadseenhundredspassawayso。

Hisbloatedgaoler，whoworespectaclestoreadwith，glancedoverthemtoassurehimselfthathehadtakenhisplace，andwentthroughthelist，makingasimilarshortpauseateachname。Thereweretwenty-threenames，butonlytwentyhererespondedto；foroneoftheprisonerssosummonedhaddiedingaolandbeenforgotten，andtwohadalreadybeenguillotinedandforgotten。Thelistwasread，inthevaultedchamberwhereDarnayhadseentheassociatedprisonersonthenightofhisarrival。Everyoneofthosehadperishedinthemassacre；everyhumancreaturehehadsincecaredforandpartedwith，haddiedonthescaffold。

Therewerehurriedwordsoffarewellandkindness，butthepartingwassoonover。Itwastheincidentofeveryday，andthesocietyofLaForcewereengagedinthepreparationofsomegamesofforfeitsandalittleconcert，forthatevening。Theycrowdedtothegratesandshedtearsthere；

but，twentyplacesintheprojectedentertainmentshadtoberefilled，andthetimewas，atbest，shorttothelock-uphour，whenthecommonroomsandcorridorswouldbedeliveredovertothegreatdogswhokeptwatchtherethroughthenight。Theprisonerswerefarfrominsensibleorunfeeling；

theirwaysaroseoutoftheconditionofthetime。Similarly，thoughwithasubtledifference，aspeciesoffervourorintoxication，known，withoutdoubt，tohaveledsomepersonstobravetheguillotineunnecessarily，andtodiebyit，wasnotmereboastfulness，butawildinfectionofthewildlyshakenpublicmind。Inseasonsofpestilence，someofuswillhaveasecretattractiontothedisease——aterriblepassinginclinationtodieofit。Andallofushavelikewondershiddeninourbreasts，onlyneedingcircumstancestoevokethem。

ThepassagetotheConciergeriewasshortanddark；thenightinitsvermin-hauntedcellswaslongandcold。Nextday，fifteenprisonerswereputtothebarbeforeCharlesDarnay"snamewascalled。Allthefifteenwerecondemned，andthetrialsofthewholeoccupiedanhourandahalf。

`CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay，"wasatlengtharraigned。

HisjudgessatupontheBenchinfeatheredhats；buttheroughredcapandtricolouredcockadewasthehead-dressotherwiseprevailing。

LookingattheJuryandtheturbulentaudience，hemighthavethoughtthattheusualorderofthingswasreversed，andthatthefelonsweretryingthehonestmen。Thelowest，cruelest，andworstpopulaceofacity，neverwithoutitsquantityoflow，cruel，andbad，werethedirectingspiritsofthescene:noisilycommenting，applauding，disapproving，anticipating，andprecipitatingtheresult，withoutacheck。Ofthemen，thegreaterpartwerearmedinvariousways；ofthewomen，someworeknives，somedaggers，someateanddrankastheylookedon，manyknitted。Amongtheselast，wasone，withasparepieceofknittingunderherarmassheworked。Shewasinafrontrow，bythesideofamanwhomhehadneverseensincehisarrivalattheBarrier，butwhomhedirectlyrememberedasDefarge。Henoticedthatsheonceortwicewhisperedinhisear，andthatsheseemedtobehiswife；but，whathemostnoticedinthetwofigureswas，thatalthoughtheywerepostedasclosetohimselfastheycouldbe，theyneverlookedtowardshim。Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethingwithadoggeddetermination，andtheylookedattheJury，butatnothingelse。UnderthePresidentsatDoctorManette，inhisusualquietdress。Aswellastheprisonercouldsee，heandMr。Lorryweretheonlymenthere，unconnectedwiththeTribunal，whoworetheirusualclothes，andhadnotassumedthecoarsegarboftheCarmagnole。

CharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay，wasaccusedbythepublicprosecutorasanemigrant，whoselifewasforfeittotheRepublic，underthedecreewhichbanishedallemigrantsonpainofDeath。ItwasnothingthatthedecreeboredatesincehisreturntoFrance。Therehewas，andtherewasthedecree；hehadbeentakeninFrance，andhisheadwasdemanded。

`Takeoffhishead!"criedtheaudience。`AnenemytotheRepublic!"

ThePresidentranghisbelltosilencethosecries，andaskedtheprisonerwhetheritwasnottruethathehadlivedmanyyearsinEngland?

Undoubtedlyitwas。

Washenotanemigrantthen?Whatdidhecallhimself?

Notanemigrant，hehoped，withinthesenseandspiritofthelaw。

Whynot?thePresidentdesiredtoknow。

Becausehehadvoluntarilyrelinquishedatitlethatwasdistastefultohim，andastationthatwasdistastefultohim，andhadlefthiscountry——hesubmittedbeforethewordemigrantinthepresentacceptationbytheTribunalwasinuse——tolivebyhisownindustryinEngland，ratherthanontheindustryoftheoverladenpeopleofFrance。

Whatproofhadheofthis?

Hehandedinthenamesoftwowitnesses:Thé；ophileGabelle，andAlexandreManette。

ButhehadmarriedinEngland?thePresidentremindedhim。

True，butnotanEnglishwoman。

AcitizenessofFrance?

Yes。Bybirth。

Hernameandfamily?

`LucieManette，onlydaughterofDoctorManette，thegoodphysicianwhositsthere。"

Thisanswerhadahappyeffectupontheaudience。Criesinexaltationofthewell-knowngoodphysicianrentthehall。Socapriciouslywerethepeoplemoved，thattearsimmediatelyrolleddownseveralferociouscountenanceswhichhadbeenglaringattheprisoneramomentbefore，asifwithimpatiencetopluckhimoutintothestreetsandkillhim。

Onthesefewstepsofhisdangerousway，CharlesDarnayhadsethisfootaccordingtoDoctorManette"sreiteratedinstructions。Thesamecautiouscounseldirectedeverystepthatlaybeforehim，andhadpreparedeveryinchofhisroad。

ThePresidentasked，whyhadhereturnedtoFrancewhenhedid，andnotsooner?

Hehadnotreturnedsooner，hereplied，simplybecausehehadnomeansoflivinginFrance，savethosehehadresigned；whereas，inEngland，helivedbygivinginstructionintheFrenchlanguageandliterature。Hehadreturnedwhenhedid，onthepressingandwrittenentreatyofaFrenchcitizen，whorepresentedthathislifewasendangeredbyhisabsence。Hehadcomeback，tosaveacitizen"slife，andtobearhistestimony，atwhateverpersonalhazard，tothetruth。WasthatcriminalintheeyesoftheRepublic?

Thepopulacecriedenthusiastically，`No!"andthePresidentranghisbelltoquietthem。Whichitdidnot，fortheycontinuedtocry`No!"

untiltheyleftofoftheirownwill。

ThePresidentrequiredthenameofthatcitizen?Theaccusedexplainedthatthecitizenwashisfirstwitness。Healsoreferredwithconfidencetothecitizen"sletter，whichhadbeentakenfromhimattheBarrier，butwhichhedidnotdoubtwouldbefoundamongthepapersthenbeforethePresident。

TheDoctorhadtakencarethatitshouldbethere——hadassuredhimthatitwouldbethere——andatthisstageoftheproceedingsitwasproducedandread。CitizenGabellewascalledtoconfirmit，anddidso。

CitizenGabellehinted，withinfinitedelicacyandpoliteness，thatinthepressureofbusinessimposedontheTribunalbythemultitudeofenemiesoftheRepublicwithwhichithadtodeal，hehadbeenslightlyoverlookedinhisprisonoftheAbbaye——infact，hadratherpassedoutoftheTribunal"spatrioticremembrance——untilthreedaysago；whenhehadbeensummonedbeforeit，andhadbeensetatlibertyontheJury"sdeclaringthemselvessatisfiedthattheaccusationagainsthimwasanswered，astohimself，bythesurrenderofthecitizenEvré；mondecalledDarnay。

DoctorManettewasnextquestioned。Hishighpersonalpopularity，andtheclearnessofhisanswers，madeagreatimpression；but，asheproceeded，asheshowedthattheAccusedwashisfirstfriendonhisreleasefromhislongimprisonment；that，theaccusedhadremainedinEngland，alwaysfaithfulanddevotedtohisdaughterandhimselfintheirexile；that，sofarfrombeinginfavourwiththeAristocratgovernmentthere，hehadactuallybeentriedforhislifebyit，asthefoeofEnglandandfriendoftheUnitedStates——ashebroughtthesecircumstancesintoview，withthegreatestdiscretionandwiththestraightforwardforceoftruthandearnestness，theJuryandthepopulacebecameone。Atlast，whenheappealedbynametoMonsieurLorry，anEnglishgentlemanthenandtherepresent，who，likehimself，hadbeenawitnessonthatEnglishtrialandcouldcorroboratehisaccountofit，theJurydeclaredthattheyhadheardenough，andthattheywerereadywiththeirvotesifthePresidentwerecontenttoreceivethem。

Ateveryvote(theJurymenvotedaloudandindividually)，thepopulacesetupashoutofapplause。Allthevoiceswereintheprisoner"sfavour，andthePresidentdeclaredhimfree。

Then，beganoneofthoseextraordinarysceneswithwhichthepopulacesometimesgratifiedtheirfickleness，ortheirbetterimpulsestowardsgenerosityandmercy，orwhichtheyregardedassomesetoffagainsttheirswollenaccountofcruelrage。Nomancandecidenowtowhichofthesemotivessuchextraordinarysceneswerereferable；itisprobable，toablendingofallthethree，withthesecondpredominating。Nosoonerwastheacquittalpronounced，thantearswereshedasfreelyasbloodatanothertime，andsuchfraternalembraceswerebestowedupontheprisonerbyasmanyofbothsexesascouldrushathim，thatafterhislongandunwholesomeconfinementhewasindangeroffaintingfromexhaustion；nonethelessbecauseheknewverywell，thattheverysamepeople，carriedbyanothercurrent，wouldhaverushedathimwiththeverysameintensity，torendhimtopiecesandstrewhimoverthestreets。

Hisremoval，tomakewayforotheraccusedpersonswhoweretobetried，rescuedhimfromthesecaressesforthemoment。Fiveweretobetriedtogether，next，asenemiesoftheRepublic，forasmuchastheyhadnotassisteditbywordordeed。SoquickwastheTribunaltocompensateitselfandthenationforachancelost，thatthesefivecamedowntohimbeforehelefttheplace，condemnedtodiewithintwenty-fourhours。Thefirstofthemtoldhimso，withthecustomaryprisonsignofDeath——araisedfinger——andtheyalladdedinwords，`LonglivetheRepublic。"

Thefivehadhad，itistrue，noaudiencetolengthentheirproceedings，forwhenheandDoctorManetteemergedfromthegate，therewasagreatcrowdaboutit，inwhichthereseemedtobeeveryfacehehadseeninCourt——excepttwo，forwhichhelookedinvain。Onhiscomingout，theconcoursemadeathimanew，weeping，embracing，andshouting，allbyturnsandalltogether，untiltheverytideoftheriveronthebankofwhichthemadscenewasacted，seemedtorunmad，likethepeopleontheshore。

Theyputhimintoagreatchairtheyhadamongthem，andwhichtheyhadtakeneitheroutoftheCourtitself，oroneofitsroomsorpassages。

Overthechairtheyhadthrownaredflag，andtothebackofittheyhadboundapikewitharedcaponitstop。Inthiscaroftriumph，noteventheDoctor"sentreatiescouldpreventhisbeingcarriedtohishomeonmen"sshoulders，withaconfusedseaofredcapsheavingabouthim，andcastinguptosightfromthestormydeepsuchwrecksoffaces，thathemorethanoncemisdoubtedhismindbeinginconfusion，andthathewasinthetumbrilonhiswaytotheGuillotine。

Inwilddreamlikeprocession，embracingwhomtheymetandpointinghimout，theycarriedhimon。ReddeningthesnowystreetswiththeprevailingRepublicancolour，inwindingandtrampingthroughthem，astheyhadreddenedthembelowthesnowwithadeeperdye，theycarriedhimthusintothecourt-yardofthebuildingwherehelived。Herfatherhadgoneonbefore，toprepareher，andwhenherhusbandstooduponhisfeet，shedroppedinsensibleinhisarms。

Asheheldhertohisheartandturnedherbeautifulheadbetweenhisfaceandthebrawlingcrowd，sothathistearsandherlipsmightcometogetherunseen，afewofthepeoplefelltodancing。Instantly，alltherestfelltodancing，andthecourt-yardoverflowedwiththeCarmagnole。

Then，theyelevatedintothevacantchairayoungwomanfromthecrowdtobecarriedastheGoddessofLiberty，andthenswellingandoverflowingoutintotheadjacentstreets，andalongtheriver"sbank，andoverthebridge，theCarmagnoleabsorbedthemeveryoneandwhirledthemaway。

AftergraspingtheDoctor"shand，ashestoodvictoriousandproudbeforehim；aftergraspingthehandofMr。Lorry，whocamepantinginbreathlessfromhisstruggleagainstthewaterspoutoftheCarmagnole；afterkissinglittleLucie，whowaslifteduptoclaspherarmsroundhisneck；andafterembracingtheeverzealousandfaithfulProsswholiftedher；hetookhiswifeinhisarms，andcarriedheruptotheirrooms。

`Lucie!Myown!Iamsafe。"

`OdearestCharles，letmethankGodforthisonmykneesasI

haveprayedtoHim。"

Theyallreverentlybowedtheirheadsandhearts。Thenshewasagaininhisarms，hesaidtohem:

`Andnowspeaktoyourfather，dearest。NoothermaninallthisFrancecouldhavedonewhathehasdoneforme。"

Shelaidherheaduponherfather"sbreast，asshehadlaidhispoorheadonherownbreast，long，longago。Hewashappyinthereturnhehadmadeher，hewasrecompensedforhissuffering，hewasproudofhisstrength。`Youmustnotbeweak，mydarling，"heremonstrated；`don"ttrembleso。Ihavesavedhim。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIAKnockattheDoor`IHAVEsavedhim。"Itwasnotanotherofthedreamsinwhichhehadoftencomeback；hewasreallyhere。Andyethiswifetrembled，andavaguebutheavyfearwasuponher。

Alltheairaroundwassothickanddark，thepeopleweresopassionatelyrevengefulandfitful，theinnocentweresoconstantlyputtodeathonvaguesuspicionandblackmalice，itwassoimpossibletoforgetthatmanyasblamelessasherhusbandandasdeartoothersashewastoher，everydaysharedthefatefromwhichhehadbeenclutched，thatherheartcouldnotbeaslightenedofitsloadasshefeltitoughttobe。Theshadowsofthewintryafternoonwerebeginningtofall，andevennowthedreadfulcartswererollingthroughthestreets。Hermindpursuedthem，lookingforhimamongtheCondemned；andthensheclungclosertohisrealpresenceandtrembledmore。

Herfather，cheeringher，showedacompassionatesuperioritytothiswoman"sweakness，whichwaswonderfultosee。Nogarret，noshoemaking，noOneHundredandFive，NorthTower，now!Hehadaccomplishedthetaskhehadsethimself，hispromisewasredeemed，hehadsavedCharles。Letthemallleanuponhim。

Theirhousekeepingwasofaveryfrugalkind:notonlybecausethatwasthesafestwayoflife，involvingtheleastoffencetothepeople，butbecausetheywerenotrich，andCharles，throughouthisimprisonment，hadhadtopayheavilyforhisbadfood，andforhisguard，andtowardsthelivingofthepoorerprisoners。Partlyonthisaccount，andpartlytoavoidadomesticspy，theykeptnoservant；thecitizenandcitizenesswhoactedasportersatthecourt-yardgate，renderedthemoccasionalservice；

andJerry(almostwhollytransferredtothembyMr。Lorry)hadbecometheirdailyretainer，andhadhisbedthereeverynight。

ItwasanordinanceoftheRepublicOneandIndivisibleofLiberty，Equality，Fraternity，orDeath，thatonthedoorordoorpostofeveryhouse，thenameofeveryinmatemustbelegiblyinscribedinlettersofacertainsize，atacertainconvenientheightfromtheground。Mr。JerryCruncher"sname，therefore，dulyembellishedthedoorpostdownbelow；and，astheafternoonshadowsdeepened，theownerofthatnamehimselfappeared，fromoverlookingapainterwhomDoctorManettehademployedtoaddtothelistthenameofCharlesEvré；monde，calledDarnay。

Intheuniversalfearanddistrustthatdarkenedthetime，alltheusualharmlesswaysoflifewerechanged。IntheDoctor"slittlehousehold，asinverymanyothers，thearticlesofdailyconsumptionthatwerewantedwerepurchasedeveryevening，insmallquantitiesandatvarioussmallshops。Toavoidattractingnotice，andtogiveaslittleoccasionaspossiblefortalkandenvy，wasthegeneraldesire。

Forsomemonthspast，MissProssandMr。Cruncherhaddischargedtheofficeofpurveyors；theformercarryingthemoney；thelatter，tilebasket。Everyafternoonataboutthetimewhenthepubliclampswerelighted，theyfaredforthonthisduty，andmadeandbroughthomesuchpurchasesaswereneedful。AlthoughMissPross，throughherlongassociationwithaFrenchfamily，mighthaveknownasmuchoftheirlanguageasofherown，ifshehadhadamind，shehadnomindinthatdirection；consequentlysheknewnomoreofthat`nonsense"(asshewaspleasedtocallit)thanMr。Cruncherdid。Sohermannerofmarketingwastoplumpanoun-substantiveattheheadofashopkeeperwithoutanyintroductioninthenatureofanarticle，and，ifithappenednottobethenameofthethingshewanted，tolookroundforthatthing，layholdofit，andholdonbyituntilthebargainwasconcluded。Shealwaysmadeabargainforit，byholdingup，asastatementofitsjustprice，onefingerlessthanthemerchantheldup，whateverhisnumbermightbe。

`Now，Mr。Cruncher，"saidMissPross，whoseeyeswereredwithfelicity；`ifyouareready，Iam。"

JerryhoarselyprofessedhimselfatMissPross"sservice。Hehadwornallhisrustofflongago，butnothingwouldfilehisspikyheaddown。

`There"sallmannerofthingswanted，"saidMissPross，`andweshallhaveaprecioustimeofit。Wewantwine，amongtherest。NicetoaststheseRedheadswillbedrinking，whereverwebuyit。"

`Itwillbemuchthesametoyourknowledge，miss，Ishouldthink，"

retortedJerry，`whethertheydrinkyourhealthortheOldUn"s。

`Who"she?"saidMissPross。

Mr。Cruncher，withsomediffidence，explainedhimselfasmeaning`OldNick"s。"

`Ha!"saidMissPross，`itdoesn"tneedaninterpretertoexplainthemeaningofthesecreatures。Theyhavebutone，andit"sMidnightMurder，andMischief"

`Hush，dear!Pray，pray，becautious!"criedLucie。

`Yes，yes，yes，I"llbecautious，"saidMissPross；`butImaysayamongourselves，thatIdohopetherewillbenoonionyandtobaccoeysmotheringsintheformofembracingsallround，goingoninthestreets。

Now，Ladybird，neveryoustirfromthatfiretillIcomeback!Takecareofthedearhusbandyouhaverecovered，anddon"tmoveyourprettyheadfromhisshoulderasyouhaveitnow，tillyouseemeagain!MayIaskaquestion，DoctorManette，beforeIgo?"

`Ithinkyoumaytakethatliberty，"theDoctoranswered，smiling。

`Forgracioussake，don"ttalkaboutLiberty；wehavequiteenoughofthat，"saidMissPross。

`Hush，dear!Again?"Lucieremonstrated。

`Well，mysweet，"saidMissPross，noddingherheademphatically，`theshortandthelongofitis，thatIamasubjectofHisMostGraciousMajestyKingGeorgetheThird；"MissProsscurtseyedatthename；`andassuch，mymaximis，Confoundtheirpolitics，Frustratetheirknavishtricks，Onhimourhopeswefix，GodsavetheKing!"

Mr。Cruncher，inanaccessofloyalty，growlinglyrepeatedthewordsafterMissPross，likesomebodyatchurch。

`IamgladyouhavesomuchoftheEnglishmaninyou，thoughI

wishyouhadnevertakenthatcoldinyourvoice，"saidMissPross，approvingly。

`Butthequestion，DoctorManette。Isthere"——itwasthegoodcreature"swaytoaffecttomakelightofanythingthatwasagreatanxietywiththemall，andtocomeatitinthischancemanner——"isthereanyprospectyet，ofourgettingoutofthisplace?"

`Ifearnotyet。ItwouldbedangerousforCharlesyet。"

`Heigh-ho-hum!"saidMissPross，cheerfullyrepressingasighassheglancedatherdarling"sgoldenhairinthelightofthefire，`thenwemusthavepatienceandwait:that"sall。Wemustholdupourheadsandfightlow，asmybrotherSolomonusedtosay。Now，Mr。Cruncher!——Don"tyoumove，Ladybird!"

Theywentout，leavingLucie，andherhusband，herfather，andthechild，byabrightfire。Mr。LorrywasexpectedbackpresentlyfromtheBankingHouse。MissProsshadlightedthelamp，buthadputitasideinacorner，thattheymightenjoythefire-lightundisturbed。LittleLuciesatbyhergrandfatherwithherhandsclaspedthroughhisarm:andhe，inatonenotrisingmuchaboveawhisper，begantotellherastoryofagreatandpowerfulFairywhohadopenedaprison-wallandletoutacaptivewhohadoncedonetheFairyaservice。Allwassubduedandquiet，andLuciewasmoreateasethanshehadbeen。

`Whatisthat?"shecried，allatonce。

`Mydear!"saidherfather，stoppinginhisstory，andlayinghishandonhers，`commandyourself。Whatadisorderedstateyouarein!

Theleastthing——nothing——startlesyou!You，yourfather"sdaughter!"

`Ithought，myfather，"saidLucie，excusingherself，withapalefaceandinafalteringvoice，`thatIheardstrangefeetuponthestairs。"

`Mylove，thestaircaseisasstillasDeath。"Ashesaidtheword，ablowwasstruckuponthedoor。

`Ohfather，father。Whatcanthisbe!HideCharles。Savehim!"

`Mychild，"saidtheDoctor，rising，andlayinghishanduponhershoulder，`Ihavesavedhim。Whatweaknessisthis，mydear!

Letmegotothedoor。"

Hetookthelampinhishand，crossedthetwointerveningouterrooms，andopenedit。Arudeclatteringoffeetoverthefloor，andfourroughmeninredcaps，armedwithsabresandpistols，enteredtheroom。

`TheCitizenEvré；monde，calledDarnay，"saidthefirst。

`Whoseekshim?"answeredDarnay。

`Iseekhim。Weseekhim。Iknowyou，Evré；monde；IsawyoubeforetheTribunalto-day。YouareagaintheprisoneroftheRepublic。"

Thefoursurroundedhim，wherehestoodwithhiswifeandchildclingingtohim。

`TellmehowandwhyamIagainaprisoner?"

`ItisenoughthatyoureturnstraighttotheConciergerie，andwillknowto-morrow。Youaresummonedforto-morrow。"

Dr。Manette，whomthisvisitationhadsoturnedintostone，thathestoodwiththelampinhishand，asifhewereastatuemadetoholdit，movedafterthesewordswerespoken，putthelampdown，andconfrontingthespeaker，andtakinghim，notungently，bytheloosefrontofhisredwoollenshirt，said:

`Youknowhim，youhavesaid。Doyouknowme?"

`Yes，Iknowyou，CitizenDoctor。"

`Weallknowyou，CitizenDoctor，"saidtheotherthree。

Helookedabstractedlyfromonetoanother，andsaid，inalowervoice，afterapause:

`Willyouanswerhisquestiontomethen?Howdoesthishappen?"

`CitizenDoctor，"saidthefirst，reluctantly，`hehasbeendenouncedtotheSectionofSaintAntoine。Thiscitizen，"pointingoutthesecondwhohadentered，`isfromSaintAntoine。"

Thecitizenhereindicatednoddedhishead，andadded:`HeisaccusedbySaintAntoine。"

`Ofwhat?"askedtheDoctor。

`CitizenDoctor，"saidthefirst，withhisformerreluctance，`asknomore。IftheRepublicdemandssacrificesfromyou，withoutdoubtyouasagoodpatriotwillbehappytomakethem。TheRepublicgoesbeforeall。ThePeopleissupreme。Evré；monde，wearepressed。"

`Oneword，"theDoctorentreated。`Willyoutellmewhodenouncedhim?"

`Itisagainstrule，"answeredthefirst；`butyoucanaskHimofSaintAntoinehere。"

TheDoctorturnedhiseyesuponthatman。Whomoveduneasilyonhisfeet，rubbedhisbeardalittle，andatlengthsaid:

`Well!Trulyitisagainstrule。Butheisdenounced-andgravely-bytheCitizenandCitizenessDefarge。Andbyoneother。

`Whatother?"

`Doyouask，CitizenDoctor?"

`Yes。"

`Then，"saidheofSaintAntoine，withastrangelook，`youwillbeansweredto-morrow。Now，Iamdumb!"

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIIAHandatCardsHAPPILYunconsciousofthenewcalamityathome，MissProssthreadedherwayalongthenarrowstreetsandcrossedtheriverbythebridgeofthePont-Neufreckoninginhermindthenumberofindispensablepurchasesshehadtomake。Mr。Cruncher，withthebasket，walkedatherside。Theybothlookedtotherightandtotheleftintomostoftheshopstheypassed，hadawaryeyeforallgregariousassemblagesofpeople，andturnedoutoftheirroadtoavoidanyveryexcitedgroupoftalkers。Itwasarawevening，andthemistyriver，blurredtotheeyewithblazinglightsandtotheearwithharshnoises，showedwherethebargeswerestationedinwhichthesmithsworked，makinggunsfortheArmyoftheRepublic。WoetothemanwhoplayedtrickswiththatArmy，orgotundeservedpromotioninit!Betterforhimthathisbeardhadnevergrown，fortheNationalRazorshavedhimclose。

Havingpurchasedafewsmallarticlesofgrocery，andameasureofoilforthelamp，MissProssbethoughtherselfofthewinetheywanted。

Afterpeepingintoseveralwine-shops，shestoppedatthesignofTheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，notfarfromtheNationalPalace，once(andtwice)theTuileries，wheretheaspectofthingsrathertookherfancy。

Ithadaquieterlookthananyotherplaceofthesamedescriptiontheyhadpassed，and，thoughredwithpatrioticcaps，wasnotsoredastherest。SoundingMr。Cruncher，andfindinghimofheropinion，MissProssresortedtoTheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，attendedbyhercavalier。

Slightlyobservantofthesmokylights；ofthepeople，pipeinmouth，playingwithlimpcardsandyellowdominoes；oftheonebare-breasted，bare-armed，soot-begrimedworkmanreadingajournalaloud，andoftheotherslisteningtohim；oftheweaponsworn，orlaidasidetoberesumed；ofthetwoorthreecustomersfallenforwardasleep，whointhepopularhigh-

shoulderedshaggyblackspencerlooked，inthatattitude，likeslumberingbearsordogs；thetwooutlandishcustomersapproachedthecounter，andshowedwhattheywanted。

Astheirwinewasmeasuringout，amanpartedfromanothermaninacomer，androsetodepart。Ingoing，hehadtofaceMissPross。Nosoonerdidhefaceher，thanMissProssutteredascream，andclappedherhands。

Inamoment，thewholecompanywereontheirfeet。Thatsomebodywasassassinatedbysomebodyvindicatingadifferenceofopinionwasthelikeliestoccurrence。Everybodylookedtoseesomebodyfall，butonlysawamanandawomanstandingstaringateachother；themanwithalltheoutwardaspectofaFrenchmanandathoroughRepublicansthewoman，evidentlyEnglish。

Whatwassaidinthisdisappointinganti-climax，bythedisciplesoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，exceptthatitwassomethingveryvolubleandloud，wouldhavebeenassomuchHebreworChaldeantoMissProssandherprotector，thoughtheyhadbeenallears。But，theyhadnoearsforanythingintheirsurprise。For，itmustberecorded，thatnotonlywasMissProsslostinamazementandagitation，but，Mr。Cruncher——thoughitseemedonhisownseparateandindividualaccount——wasinastateofthegreatestwonder。

`Whatisthematter?"saidthemanwhohadcausedMissProsstoscream；speakinginavexed，abruptvoice(thoughinalowtone)，andinEnglish。

`Oh，Solomon，dearSolomon!"criedMissPross，clappingherhandsagain。`Alternotsettingeyesuponyouorhearingofyouforsolongatime，doIfindyouhere!"

Don"tcallmeSolomon。Doyouwanttobethedeathofme?"askedtheman，inafurtive，frightenedway。

`Brother，brother!"criedMissPross，burstingintotears。`HaveIeverbeensohardwithyouthatyouaskmesuchacruelquestion?"

Thenholdyourmeddlesometongue，"saidSolomon，`andcomeout，ifyouwanttospeaktome。Payforyourwine，andcomeout。Who"sthisman?"