第16章

MissPross，shakingherlovinganddejectedhadatherbynomeansaffectionatebrother，saidthroughhertears，`Mr。Cruncher。"

`Lethimcomeouttoo，"saidSolomon。`Doeshethinkmeaghost?"

Apparently，Mr。Cruncherdid，tojudgefromhislooks。Hesaidnotaword，however，andMissPross，exploringthedepthsofherreticulethroughhertearswithgreatdifficulty，paidforherwine。Asshedidso，SolomonturnedtothefollowersoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity，andofferedafewwordsofexplanationintheFrenchlanguage，whichcausedthemalltorelapseintotheirformerplacesandpursuits。

`Now，"saidSolomon，stoppingatthedarkstreetcorner，`whatdoyouwant?"

`Howdreadfullyunkindinabrothernothinghaseverturnedmyloveawayfrom!"criedMissPross，`togivemesuchagreeting，andshowmenoaffection。"

`There。Con-foundit!There，"saidSolomon，makingadabatMissPross"slipswithhisown。`Nowareyoucontent?"

MissProssonlyshookherheadandweptinsilence。

`Ifyouexpectmetobesurprised，"saidherbrotherSolomon，`Iamnotsurprised；Iknewyouwerehere；Iknowofmostpeoplewhoarehere。Ifyoureallydon"twanttoendangermyexistence——whichIhalfbelieveyoudo——goyourwaysassoonaspossible，andletmegomine。Iambusy。

Iamanofficial。"

`MyEnglishbrotherSolomon，"mournedMissPross，castinguphertear-fraughteyes，`thathadthemakingsinhimofoneofthebestandgreatestofmeninhisnativecountry，anofficialamongforeigners，andsuchforeigners!Iwouldalmostsoonerhaveseenthedearboylyinginhis——"

`Isaidso!"criedherbrother，interrupting。`Iknewit。Youwanttobethedeathofme。IshallberenderedSuspected，bymyownsister。

JustasIamgettingon!"

`ThegraciousandmercifulHeavensforbid!"criedMissPross。

`FarratherwouldIneverseeyouagain，dearSolomon，thoughIhaveeverlovedyoutruly，andevershall。Saybutoneaffectionatewordtome，andtellmethereisnothingangryorestrangedbetweenus，andIwilldetainyounolonger。"

GoodMissPross!Asiftheestrangementbetweenthemhadcomeofanyculpabilityofhers。AsifMr。Lorryhadnotknownitforafact，yearsago，inthequietcornerinSoho，thatthispreciousbrotherhadspenthermoneyandlefther!

Hewassayingtheaffectionateword，however，withafarmoregrudgingcondescensionandpatronagethanliecouldhaveshowniftheirrelativemeritsandpositionshadbeenreversed(whichisinvariablythecase，alltheworldover)，whenMr。Cruncher，touchinghimontheshoulder，hoarselyandunexpectedlyinterposedwiththefollowingsingularquestion:

`Isay!MightIaskthefavour?AstowhetheryournameisJohnSolomon，orSolomonJohn?"

Theofficialturnedtowardshimwithsuddendistrust。Hehadnotpreviouslyutteredaword。

`Come!"saidMr。Cruncher。`Speakout，youknow。"(Which，bytheway，wasmorethanhecoulddohimself。)`JohnSolomon，orSolomonJohn?

ShecallsyouSolomon，andshemustknow，beingyoursister。AndIknowyou"reJohn，youknow。Whichofthetwogoesfirst?AndregardingthatnameofPross，likewise。Thatwarn"tyournameoverthewater。

`Whatdoyoumean?"

`Well，Idon"tknowallImean，，forIcan"tcalltomindMatyournamewas，overthewater。

`No。ButI"llswearitwasanameoftwosyllables。"

`Indeed?"

`Yes。T"otherone"swasonesyllable。Iknowyou。Youwa，aspy-witnessattheBailey。What，inthenameoftheFatherofLies，ownfathertoyourselfwasyoucalledatthattime?"

`Barsad，"saidanothervoice，strikingin。

`That"sthenameforathousandpound!"criedJerry。

Thespeakerwhostruckin，wasSydneyCarton。Hehadhishandsbehindhimundertheskirtsofhisriding-coat，andhestoodatMr。Cruncher"selbowasnegligentlyashemighthavestoodattheOldBaileyitself。

`Don"tbealarmed，mydearMissPross。IarrivedatMr。Lorry"s，tohissurprise，yesterdayevening；weagreedthatIwouldnotpresentmyselfelsewhereuntilallwaswell，orunlessIcouldbeuseful；Ipresentmyselfhere，tobegalittletalkwithyourbrother。IwishyouhadabetteremployedbrotherthanMr。Barsad。IwishforyoursakeMr。BarsadwasnotaSheepofthePrisons。

Sheepwasacantwordofthetimeforaspy，underthegaolers。

Thespy，whowaspale，turnedpaler，andaskedhimhowhedared——

`I"lltellyou，"saidSydney。`Ilightedonyou，Mr。Barsad，comingoutoftheprisonoftheConciergeriewhileIwascontemplatingthewalls，anhourormoreago。Youhaveafacetoberemembered，andIrememberfaceswell。Madecuriousbyseeingyouinthatconnection，andhavingareason，towhichyouarenostranger，forassociatingyouwiththemisfortunesofafriendnowveryunfortunate，Iwalkedinyourdirection。Iwalkedintothewine-shophere，closeafteryou，andsatnearyou。Ihadnodifficultyindeducingfromyourunreservedconversation，andtherumouropenlygoingaboutamongyouradmirers，thenatureofyourcalling。Andgradually，whatIhaddoneatrandom，seemedtoshapeitselfintoapurpose，Mr。Barsad。"

`Whatpurpose?"thespyasked。

`Itwouldbetroublesome，andmightbedangerous，toexplaininthestreet。Couldyoufavourme，inconfidence，withsomeminutesofyourcompany——attheofficeofTellson"sBank，forinstance?"

`Underathreat?"

`Oh!DidIsaythat?"

`Then，whyshouldIgothere?"

`Really，Mr。Barsad，Ican"tsay，ifyoucan"t。"

`Doyoumeanthatyouwon"tsay，sir?"thespyirresolutelyasked。

`Youapprehendmeveryclearly，Mr。Barsad。Iwon"t。"

Carton"snegligentrecklessnessofmannercamepowerfullyinaidofhisquicknessandskill，insuchabusinessashehadinhissecretmind，andwithsuchamanashehadtodowith。Hispractisedeyesawit，andmadethemostofit。

`Now，Itoldyouso，"saidthespy，castingareproachfullookathissister；`ifanytroublecomesofthis，it"syourdoing。"

`Come，come，Mr。Barsad!"exclaimedSydney。`Don"tbeungrateful。

Butformygreatrespectforyoursister，ImightnothaveledupsopleasantlytoalittleproposalthatIwishtomakeforourmutualsatisfaction。DoyougowithmetotheBank?"

`I"llhearwhatyouhavegottosay。Yes，I`llgowithyou。"

`Iproposethatwefirstconductyoursistersafelytothecornerofherownstreet。Letmetakeyourarm，MissPross。Thisisnotagoodcity，atthistime，foryoutobeoutin，unprotected；andasyourescortknowsMr。Barsad，IwillinvitehimtoMr。Lorry"swithus。Areweready?Comethen!"

MissProssrecalledsoonafterwards，andtotheendofherliferemembered，thatasshepressedherhandsonSydney"sarmandlookedupinhisface，imploringhimtodonohurttoSolomon，therewasabracedpurposeinthearmandakindofinspirationintheeyes，whichnotonlycontradictedhislightmanner，butchangedandraisedtheman。Shewastoomuchoccupiedthenwithfearsforthebrotherwhosolittledeservedheraffection，andwithSydney"sfriendlyreassurances，adequatelytoheedwhatsheobserved。

Theyleftheratthecornerofthestreet，andCartonledthewaytoMr。Lorry"s，whichwaswithinafewminutes"walk。JohnBarsad，orSolomonPross，walkedathisside。

Mr。Lorryhadjustfinishedhisdinner，andwassittingbeforeacheerylittlelogortwooffire——perhapslookingintotheirblazeforthepictureofthatyoungerelderlygentlemanfromTellson"s，whohadlookedintotheredcoalsattheRoyalGeorgeatDover，nowagoodmanyyearsago。Heturnedhisheadastheyentered，andshowedthesurprisewithwhichhesawastranger。

`MissPross"sbrother，sir，"saidSydney。`Mr。Barsad。"

`Barsad?"repeatedtheoldgentleman，`Barsad?Ihaveanassociationwiththename-andwiththeface。"

`Itoldyouyouhadaremarkableface，Mr。Barsad，"observedCarton，coolly`Praysitdown。"

AshetookachairhimselfhesuppliedthelinkthatMr。Lorrywanted，bysayingtohimwithafrown，`Witnessatthattrial。"Mr。Lorryimmediatelyremembered，andregardedhisnewvisitorwithanundisguisedlookofabhorrence。

`Mr。BarsadhasbeenrecognisedbyMissProssastheaffectionatebrotheryouhaveheardof"saidSydney，`andhasacknowledgedtherelationship。

Ipasstoworsenews。Darnayhasbeenarrestedagain。"

Struckwithconsternation，theoldgentlemanexclaimed，`WhatdoyoutellmeIlefthimsafeandfreewithinthesetwohours，andamabouttoreturntohim!"

`Arrestedforallthat。Whenwasitdone，Mr。Barsad?"

`Justnow，ifatall。"

`Mr。Barsadisthebestauthoritypossible，sir，"saidSydney，`andIhaveitfromMr。Barsad"scommunicationtoafriendandbrotherSheepoverabottleofwine，thatthearresthastakenplace。Heleftthemessengersatthegate，andsawthemadmittedbytheporter。Thereisnoearthlydoubtthatheisretaken。"

Mr。Lorry"sbusinesseyereadinthespeaker"sfacethatitwaslossoftimetodwelluponthepoint。Confused，butsensiblethatsomethingmightdependonhispresenceofmind，hecommandedhimselfandwassilentlyattentive。

`Now，Itrust，"saidSydneytohim，`thatthenameandinfluenceofDoctorManettemaystandhiminasgoodsteadto-morrowyousaidhewouldbebeforetheTribunalagainto-morrow，Mr。Barsad?——"

`Yes；Ibelieveso。"

`——Inasgoodsteadto-morrowasto-day。Butitmaynotbeso。

Iowntoyou，Iamshaken，Mr。Lorry，byDoctorManette"snothavinghadthepowertopreventthisarrest。

`Hemaynothaveknownofitbeforehand，"saidMr。Lorry。`Butthatverycircumstancewouldbealarming，whenwerememberhowidentifiedheiswithhisson-in-law。"

`That"strue，"Mr。Lorryacknowledged，withhistroubledhandathischin，andhistroubledeyesonCarton。

`Inshort，"saidSydney，`thisisadesperatetime，whendesperategamesareplayedfordesperatestakes。LettheDoctorplaythewinninggame；Iwillplaythelosingone。Noman"slifehereisworthpurchase。

Anyonecarriedhomebythepeopleto-day，maybecondemnedto-morrow。

Now，thestakeIhaveresolvedtoplayfor，incaseoftheworst，isafriendintheConciergerie。AndthefriendIpurposetomyselftowin，isMr。Barsad。"

`Youneedhavegoodcards，sir，"saidthespy。

`I"llrunthemover。I"llseewhatIhold——Mr。Lorry，youknowwhatabruteIam；Iwishyou"dgivemealittlebrandy。"

Itwasputbeforehim，andhedrankoffaglassful——rankoffanotherglassful——pushedthebottlethoughtfullyaway。

`Mr。Barsad，"hewentone`inthetoneofonewhoreallywaslookingoverahandatcards:`Sheepoftheprisons，emissaryofRepublicancommittees，nowturnkey，nowprisoner，alwaysspyandsecretinformer，somuchthemorevaluablehereforbeingEnglishthatanEnglishmanislessopentosuspicionofsubornationinthosecharactersthanaFrenchman，representshimselftohisemployersunderafalsename。That"saverygoodcard。Mr。

Barsad，nowintheemployoftherepublicanFrenchgovernment，wasformer!yintheemployofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment，theenemyofFranceandfreedom。That"sanexcellentcard。Inferenceclearasdayinthisregionofsuspicion，thatMr。Barsad，stillinthepayofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment，isthespyofPitt，thetreacherousfoeoftheRepubliccrouchinginitsbosom，theEnglishtraitorandagentofallmischiefsomuchspokenofandsodifficulttofind。That"sacardnottobebeaten。Haveyoufollowedmyhand，Mr。Barsad?"

`Notto`understandyourplay，"returnedthespy，somewhatuneasily。

`IplaymyAce，DenunciationofMr。BarsadtothenearestSectionCommittee。Lookoveryourhand，Mr。Barsad，andseewhatyouhave。Don"thurry。"

Hedrewthebottlenear，pouredoutanotherglassfulofbrandy，anddrankitoff。Hesawthatthespywasfearfulofhisdrinkinghimselfintoafitstatefortheimmediatedenunciationofhim。Seeingit，hepouredoutanddrankanotherglassful。

Lookoveryourhandcarefully，Mr。Barsad。Taketime。"Itwasapoorerhandthanhesuspected。Mr。BarsadsawlosingcardsinitthatSydneyCartonknewnothingof。ThrownoutofhishonourableemploymentinEngland，throughtoomuchunsuccessfulhardswearingthere——notbecausehewasnotwantedthere:ourEnglishreasonsforvauntingoursuperioritytosecrecyandspiesareofverymoderndate——heknewthathehadcrossedtheChannel，andacceptedserviceinFrance:first，asatempterandaneavesdropperamonghisowncountrymenthere:gradually，asatempterandaneavesdropperamongthenatives。HeknewthatundertheoverthrowngovernmenthehadbeenaspyuponSaintAntoineandDefarge"swine-shop；hadreceivedfromthewatchfulpolicesuchheadsofinformationconcerningDoctorManette"simprisonment，release，andhistory，asshouldservehimforanintroductiontofamiliarconversationwiththeDefarges；andtriedthemonMadameDefarge，andhadbrokendownwiththemsignally。Healwaysrememberedwithfearandtrembling，thatthatterriblewomanhadknittedwhenhetalkedwithher，andhadlookedominouslyathimasherfingersmoved。Hehadsinceseenher，intheSectionofSaintAntoine，overandoveragainproduceherknittedregisters，anddenouncepeoplewhoselivestheguillotinethensurelyswallowedup。Heknew，aseveryoneemployedashewasdid，thathewasneversafe；thatflightwasimpossible；thathewastiedfastundertheshadowoftheaxe；andthatinspiteofhisutmosttergiversationandtreacheryinfurtheranceofthereigningterror，awordmightbringitdownuponhim。Oncedenounced，andonsuchgravegroundsashadjustnowbeensuggestedtohismind，heforesawthatthedreadfulwomanofwhoseunrelentingcharacterhehadseenmanyproofs，wouldproduceagainsthimthatfatalregister，andwouldquashhislastchanceoflife。Besidesthatallsecretmenaremensoonterrified，hereweresurelycardsenoughofoneblacksuit，tojustifytheholderingrowingratherlividasheturnedthemover。

`Youscarcelyseemtolikeyourhand，"saidSydney，withthegreatestcomposure。`Doyouplay?"

`Ithink，sir，"saidthespy，inthemeanestmanner，asheturnedtoMr。Lorry，`Imayappealtoagentlemanofyouryearsandbenevolence，toputittothisothergentleman，somuchyourjunior，whetherhecanunderanycircumstancesreconcileittohisstationtoplaythatAceofwhichhehasspoken。IadmitthatIamaspy，andthatitisconsideredadiscreditablestation——thoughitmustbefilledbysomebody；butthisgentlemanisnospy，andwhyshouldhesodemeanhimselfastomakehimselfone?"

`IplaymyAce，Mr。Barsad，"saidCarton，takingtheansweronhimself，andlookingathiswatch，`withoutanyscrupleinaveryfewminutes。"

`Ishouldhavehoped，gentlemenboth，"saidthespy，alwaysstrivingtohookMr。Lorryintothediscussion，`thatyourrespectformysister——"

`Icouldnotbettertestifymyrespectforyoursisterthanbyfinallyrelievingherofherbrother，"saidSydneyCarton。

`Youthinknot，sir?"

`Ihavethoroughlymadeupmymindaboutit。"

Thesmoothmannerofthespy，curiouslyindissonancewithhisostentatiouslyroughdress，andprobablywithhisusualdemeanour，receivedsuchacheckfromtheinscrutabilityofCarton，——whowasamysterytowiserandhonestermenthanhe，——thatitfalteredhereandfailedhim。Whilehewasataloss，Cartonsaid，resuminghisformerairofcontemplatingcards:

`Andindeed，nowIthinkagain，IhaveastrongimpressionthatIhaveanothergoodcardhere，notyetenumerated。Thatfriendandfellow-Sheep，whospokeofhimselfaspasturinginthecountryprisons；whowashe?"

`French。Youdon"tknowhim，"saidthespyquickly。

`French，eh!"repeatedCarton，musing，andnotappearingtonoticehimatall，thoughheechoedhisword。`Well；hemaybe。"

`Is，Iassureyou，"saidthespy；`thoughit"snotimportant。"

`Thoughit"snotimportant，"repeatedCartoninthesamemechanicalway——"thoughit"snotimportantNo，it"snotimportant。No。YetIknowtheface。"

`Ithinknot。Iamsurenot。Itcan"tbe，"saidthespy。

`It——can"t——be，"mutteredSydneyCarton，retrospectively，andfillinghisglass(whichfortunatelywasasmallone)again。`Can"t——be。

SpokegoodFrench。Yetlikeaforeigner，Ithought?"

`Provincial，"saidthespy。

`No。Foreign!"criedCarton，strikinghisopenhandonthetable，asalightbrokeclearlyonhismind。`Cly!Disguised，butthesameman。

WehadthatmanbeforeusattheOldBailey。"

`Now，thereyouarehasty，sir，"saidBarsad，withasmilethatgavehisaquilinenoseanextrainclinationtooneside；`thereyoureallygivemeanadvantageoveryou。Cly(whoIwillunreservedlyadmit，atthisdistanceoftime，wasapartnerofmine)hasbeendeadseveralyears。I

attendedhiminhislastillness。HewasburiedinLondon，atthechurchofSaintPancras-in-the-Fields。Hisunpopularitywiththeblackguardmultitudeatthemomentpreventedmyfollowinghisremains，butIhelpedtolayhiminhiscoffin。"

Here，Mr。Lorrybecameaware，fromwherehesat，ofamostremarkablegoblinshadowonthewall。Tracingittoitssource，hediscoveredittobecausedbyasuddenextraordinaryrisingandstiffeningofalltherisenandstiffhaironMr。Cruncher"shead。

`Letusbereasonable，"saidthespy，`andletusbefair。Toshowyouhowmistakenyouare，andwhatanunfoundedassumptionyoursis，IwilllaybeforeyouacertificateofCly"sburial，whichIhappentohavecarriedinmypocket-book，"withahurriedhandheproducedandopenedit，`eversince。Thereitis。Oh，lookatit，lookatit!Youmaytakeitinyourhand；it"snoforgery。"

Here，Mr。Lorryperceivedthereflectiononthewalltoelongate，andMr。Cruncherroseandsteppedforward。Hishaircouldnothavebeenmoreviolentlyonend，ifithadbeenthatmomentdressedbytheCowwiththecrumpledhorninthehousethatJackbuilt。

Unseenbythespy，Mr。Cruncherstoodathisside，andtouchedhimontheshoulderlikeaghostlybailiff。

`ThatthereRogerCly，master，"saidMr。Cruncher，withataciturnandiron-boundvisage。`Soyoubuthiminhiscoffin?"

`Idid。"

`Whotookhimoutofit?"

Barsadleanedbackinhischair，andstammered，`Whatdoyoumean?"

`Imean，"saidMr。Cruncher，`thathewarn"tneverinit。No!

Nothe!I"llhavemyheadtookoff，ifhewaseverinit。"

Thespylookedroundatthetwogentlemen；theybothlookedinunspeakableastonishmentatJerry。

`Itellyou，"saidJerry，`thatyouburiedpaving-stonesandearthinthattherecoffin。Don"tgoandtellmethatyouburiedCly。

Itwasatakein。Meandtwomoreknowsit。"

`Howdoyouknowit?"

`What"sthattoyou?Ecod!"growledMr。Cruncher，`it"syouI

havegotaoldgrudgeagain，isit，withyourshamefulimpositionsupontradesmen!I"dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea。"

SydneyCarton，who，withMr。Lorry，hadbeenlostinamazementatthisturnofthebusiness，hererequestedMr。Crunchertomoderateandexplainhimself。

`Atanothertime，sir，"hereturned，evasively，`thepresenttimeisill-conwenientforexplainin"。WhatIstandto，is，thatheknowswellwotthatthereClywasneverinthattherecoffin。Lethimsayliewas，insomuchasawordofonesyllable，andI"lleithercatchholdofhisthroatandchokehimforhalfaguinea；"Mr。Cruncherdweltuponthisasquitealiberaloffer；`orI"lloutandannouncehim。"

`Humph!Iseeonething，"saidCarton。`Iholdanothercard，Mr。

Barsad。Impossible，hereinragingParis，withSuspicionfillingtheair，foryoutooutlivedenunciation，whenyouareincommunicationwithanotheraristocraticspyofthesameantecedentsasyourselfwho，moreover，hasthemysteryabouthimofhavingfeigneddeathandcometolifeagain!A

plotintheprisons，oftheforeigneragainsttheRepublic。Astrongcard——acertainGuillotinecard!Doyouplay?"

`No!"returnedthespy。`Ithrowup。Iconfessthatweweresounpopularwiththeoutrageousmob，thatIonlygotawayfromEnglandattheriskofbeingduckedtodeath，andthatClywassoferretedupanddown，thatheneverwouldhavegotawayatallbut[orthatsham。Thoughhowthismanknowsitwasasham，isawonderofwonderstome。"

`Neveryoutroubleyourheadaboutthisman，"retortedthecontentiousMr。Cruncher；`you"llhavetroubleenoughwithgivingyourattentiontothatgentleman。Andlookhere!Oncemore!"——Mr。Crunchercouldnotberestrainedfrommakingratheranostentatiousparadeofhisliberality——`I"dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea。"

TheSheepoftheprisonsturnedfromhimtoSydneyCarton，andsaid，withmoredecision，`Ithascometoapoint。Igoondutysoon，andcan"toverstaymytime。Youtoldmeyouhadaproposal；whatisit?Now，itisofnouseaskingtoomuchofme。Askmetodoanythinginmyoffice，puttingmyheadingreatextradanger，andIhadbettertrustmylifetothechancesofarefusalthanthechancesofconsent。Inshort，Ishouldmakethatchoice。Youtalkofdesperation。Wearealldesperatehere。Remember!

ImaydenounceyouifIthinkproper，andIcanswearmywaythroughstonewalls，andsocanothers。Now，whatdoyouwantwithme?"

`Notverymuch。YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?"

`Itellyouonceforall，thereisnosuchthingasanescapepossible，"saidthespy，firmly。

`WhyneedyoutellmewhatIhavenotasked?YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?"

`Iamsometimes。"

`Youcanbewhenyouchoose。"

`IcanpassinandoutwhenIchoose。"

`SydneyCartonfilledanotherglasswithbrandy，poureditslowlyoutuponthehearth，andwatcheditasitdropped。Itbeingallspent，hesaid，rising:

`Sofar，wehavespokenbeforethesetwo，becauseitwasaswellthatthemeritsofthecardsshouldnotrestsolelybetweenyouandme。

Comeintothedarkroomhere，andletushaveonefinalwordalone。"

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIXTheGameMadeWHILESydneyCartonandtheSheepoftheprisonswereintheadjoiningdarkroom，speakingsolowthatnotasoundwasheard，Mr。LorrylookedatJerryinconsiderabledoubtandmistrust。Thathonesttradesman"smannerofreceivingthelook，didnotinspireconfidence；hechangedthelegonwhichherested，asoftenasifhehadfiftyofthoselimbs，andweretryingthemall；heexaminedhisfinger-nailswithaveryquestionableclosenessofattention；andwheneverMr。Lorry"seyecaughthis，hewastakenwiththatpeculiarkindofshortcoughrequiringthehollowofahandbeforeit，whichisseldom，ifever，knowntobeaninfirmityattendantonperfectopennessofcharacter。

`Jerry，"saidMr。Lorry。`Comehere。"

Mr。Crunchercameforwardsideways，withoneofhisshouldersinadvanceofhim。

`Whathaveyoubeen，besidesamessenger?"

Aftersomecogitation，accompaniedwithanintentlookathispatron，Mr。Cruncherconceivedtheluminousideaofreplying，`Agricultooralcharacter。"

`Mymindmisgivesmemuch，"saidMr。Lorry，angrilyshakingaforefingerathim，`thatyouhaveusedtherespectableandgreathouseofTellson"sasablind，andthatyouhavehadanunlawfuloccupationofaninfamousdescription。Ifyouhave，don"texpectmetobefriendyouwhenyougetbacktoEngland。Ifyouhave，don"texpectmetokeepyoursecret。

Tellson"sshallnotbeimposedupon。"

`Ihope，sir，"pleadedtheabashedMr。Cruncher，`thatagentlemanlikeyourselfwotI"vehadthehonourofoddjobbingtillI"mgreyatit，wouldthinktwiceaboutharmingofme，evenifitwos，——soIdon"tsayitis，butevenifitwos。Andwhichitistobetookintoaccountthatifitwos，itwouldn"t，eventhen，beallo"oneside。There"dbetwosidestoit。Theremightbemedicaldoctorsatthepresenthour，apickinguptheirguineaswhereahonesttradesmandon"tpickuphisfardens——fardens!

no，noryethishalffardens——halffardens!no，noryethisquarter——abankingawaylikesmokeatTellson"s，andacockingtheirmedicaleyesatthattradesmanonthesly，agoinginandgoingouttotheirowncarriages——ah!

equallylikesmoke，ifnotmoreso。Well，that"udbeimposing，too，onTellson"s。Foryoucannotsarsethegooseandnotthegander。Andhere"sMrs。Cruncher，orleastwayswosintheOldEnglandtimes，andwouldbeto-morrow，ifcausegiven，afloppin"againthebusinesstothatdegreeasisruinatingstarkruinating!Whereasthemmedicaldoctors"wivesdon"tflop——catch"ematit!Or，iftheyflop，theirfloppingsgoesinfavourofmorepatients，andhowcanyourightlyhaveonewithoutthet"other?

Then，wotwithundertakers，andwotwithparishclerks，andwotwithsextons，andwotwithprivatewatchmen(allawariciousandallinit)，amanwouldn"tgetmuchbyit，evenifitwosso。Andwotlittleamandidget，wouldneverprosperwithhim，Mr。Lorry。He"dneverhavenogoodofit；he"dwantallalongtobeoutoftheline，ifhecouldseehiswayout，beingoncein——evenifitwosso。"

`Ugh!"criedMr。Lorry，ratherrelenting，nevertheless。`Iamshockedatthesightofyou。"

`Now，whatIwouldhumblyoffertoyou，sir，"pursuedMr。Cruncher，`evenifitwosso，whichIdon"tsayitis——"

`Don"tprevaricate，"saidMr。Lorry。

`No，Iwillnot，sir，"returnedMr。Cruncher，asifnothingwerefurtherfromhisthoughtsorpractice——`whichIdon"tsayitis——wotI

wouldhumblyoffertoyou，sir，wouldbethis。Uponthattherestool，atthatthereBar，setsthatthereboyofmine，broughtupandgroweduptobeaman，wotwillerrandyou，messageyou，general-light-jobyou，tillyourheelsiswhereyourheadis，ifsuchshouldbeyourwishes。Ifitwosso，whichIstilldon"tsayitis(forIwillnotprewaricatetoyou，sir)，letthatthereboykeephisfather"splace，andtakecareofhismother；don"tblowuponthatboy"sfather——donotdoit，sir——andletthatfathergointothelineofthereg"lardiggin"，andmakeamendsforwhathewouldhaveun-dug——ifitwosso——bydiggin"of"eminwithawill，andwithconwictionsrespectin"thefutur"keepin"of"emsafe。That，Mr。Lorry，"

saidMr。Cruncher，wipinghisforeheadwithhisarm，asanannouncementthathehadarrivedattheperorationofhisdiscourse，`iswotIwouldrespectfullyoffertoyou，sir。Amandon"tseeallthishereagoin"ondreadfulroundhim，inthewayofSubjectswithoutheads，dearme，plentifulenoughfurtobringthepricedowntoporterageandhardlythat，withouthavin"hisseriousthoughtsofthings。Andtheseherewouldbemine，ifitwosso，entreatin"ofyoufurtobearinmindthatwotIsaidjustnow，IupandsaidinthegoodcausewhenImighthavekep"itback。"

`Thatatleastistrue，"saidMr。Lorry。`Saynomorenow。ItmaybethatIshallyetstandyourfriend，ifyoudeserveit，and，repentinaction——notinwords。IwantnomoreMr。Cruncherknuckledhisforehead，asSydneyCartonandthespyreturnedfromthedarkroom。`Adieu，Mr。Barsad，"saidtheformer；`ourarrangementthusmade，youhavenothingtofearfromme。"

Hesatdowninachaironthehearth，overagainstMr。Lorry。

Whentheywerealone，Mr。Lorryaskedhimwhathehaddone?

`Notmuch。IfitshouldgoillwiththeprisoneIhaveensuredaccesstohim，Once。"

Mr。Lorry"scountenancefell。

`ItisallIcoulddo，"saidCarton。`Toproposetoomuch，wouldbetoputthisman"sheadundertheaxe，and，ashehimselfsaid，nothingworsecouldhappentohimifheweredenounced。Itwasobviouslytheweaknessoftheposition。Thereisnohelpforit。"

`Butaccesstohim，"saidMr。Lorry，`ifitshouldgoillbeforetheTribunal，willnotsavehim。"

`Ineversaiditwould。"

Mr。Lorry"seyesgraduallysoughtthefire；hissympathywithhisdarling，andtheheavydisappointmentofthissecondarrest，graduallyweakenedthem；hewasanoldmannow，overbornewithanxietyoflate，andhistearsfell。

`Youareagoodmanandatruefriend，"saidCarton，inanalteredvoice。`ForgivemeifInoticethatyouareaffected。Icouldnotseemyfatherweep，andsitby，careless。AndIcouldnotrespectyoursorrowmore，ifyou，weremyfather。Youarefreefromthatmisfortune，however。

Thoughhesaidthelastwords，withaslipintohisusualmanner，therewasatruefeelingandrespectbothinhistoneandinhistouch，thatMr。Lorry，whohadneverseenthebettersideofhim，waswhollyunpreparedfor。Hegavehimhishand，andCartongentlypressedit。

`ToreturntopoorDarnay，"saidCarton。`Don"ttellHerofthisinterview，orthisarrangement。ItwouldnotenableHertogotoseehim。

Shemightthinkitwascontrived，incaseoftheworst，toconveytohimthemeansofanticipatingthesentence。"

Mr。Lorryhadnotthoughtofthat，andhelookedquicklyatCartontoseeifitwereinhismind。Itseemedtobe；hereturnedthelook，andevidentlyunderstoodit。

`Shemightthinkathousandthings，"Cartonsaid，`andanyofthemwouldonlyaddtohertrouble。Don"tspeakofmetoher。AsIsaidtoyouwhenIfirstcame，Ihadbetternotseeher。Icanputmyhandout，todoanylittlehelpfulworkforherthatmyhandcanfindtodo，withoutthat。Youaregoingtoher，Ihope?Shemustbeverydesolateto-night。

`Iamgoingnow，directly。"

`Iamgladofthat。Shehassuchastrongattachmenttoyouandrelianceonyou。Howdoesshelook?"

`Anxiousandunhappy，butverybeautiful。"`Ah!"

Itwasalong，grievingsound，likeasigh——almostlikeasob。

ItattractedMr。Lorry"seyestoCartonsface，whichwasturnedtothefire。Alight，orashade(theoldgentlemancouldnothavesaidwhich)，passedfromitasswiftlyasachangewillsweepoverahill-sideonawildbrightday，andheliftedhisfoottoputbackoneofthelittleflaminglogs，whichwastumblingforward。Heworethewhiteriding-coatandtopboots，theninvogue，andthelightofthefiretouchingtheirlightsurfacesmadehimlookverypale，withhislongbrownhair，alluntrimmed，hanginglooseabouthim。HisindifferencetofirewassufficientlyremarkabletoelicitawordofremonstrancefromMr。Lorry；hisbootwasstilluponthehotembersoftheflaminglog，whenithadbrokenundertheweightofhisfoot。

`Iforgotit，"hesaid。

Mr。Lorry"seyeswereagainattractedtohisface。Takingnoteofthewastedairwhichcloudedthenaturallyhandsomefeatures，andhavingtheexpressionofprisoners"facesfreshinhismind，hewasstronglyremindedofthatexpression。

`Andyourdutiesherehavedrawntoanend，sir?"saidCarton，turningtohim。

`Yes。AsIwastellingyoulastnightwhenLuciecameinsounexpectedly，IhaveatlengthdoneallthatIcandohere。Ihopedtohavelefttheminperfectsafety，andthentohavequittedPass。IhavemyLeavetoPass。

Iwasreadytogo。"

Theywerebothsilent。

`Yoursisalonglifetolookbackupon，sir?"saidCarton，wistfully。

`Iaminmyseventy-eighthyear。"

`Youhavebeenusefulallyourlife；steadilyandconstantlyoccupied；

trusted，respected，andlookedupto?"

`Ihavebeenamanofbusiness，eversinceIhavebeenaman。

Indeed，ImaysaythatIwasamanofbusinesswhenaboy。"

`Seewhataplaceyoufillatseventy-eight。Howmanypeoplewillmissyouwhenyouleaveitempty!"

`Asolitaryoldbachelor，"answeredMr。Lorry，shakinghishead。

`Thereisnobodytoweepforme。"

`Howcanyousaythat?Wouldn"tSheweepforyou?Wouldn"therchi!d?"

`Yes，yes，thankGod。Ididn"tquitemeanwhatIsaid。"

`ItisathingtothankGodfor；isitnot?"

`Surely，surely。"

`Ifyoucouldsay，withtruth，toyourownsolitaryheart，to-night，"Ihavesecuredtomyselftheloveandattachment，thegratitudeorrespect，ofnohumancreature；Ihavewonmyselfatenderplaceinnoregard；I

havedonenothinggoodorserviceabletoberememberedby!"yourseventy-eightyearswouldbeseventy-eightheavycurses；wouldtheynot?"

`Yousaytruly，Mr。Carton；Ithinktheywouldhe。

Sydneyturnedhiseyesagainuponthefire，and，afterasilenceofafewmoments，said:

`Ishouldliketoaskyou:——Doesyourchildhoodseemfaroff?

Dothedayswhenyousatatyourmother"sknee，seemdaysofverylongago?"

Respondingtohissoftenedmanner，Mr。Lorryanswered:`Twentyyearsback，yes；atthistimeofmylife，no。For，asIdrawcloserandclosertotheend，Itravelinthecircle，nearerandnearertothebeginning。

Itseemstobeoneofthekindsmoothingsandpreparingsoftheway。Myheartistouchednow，bymanyremembrancesthathadlongfallenasleep，ofmyprettyyoungmother(andIsoold!)，andbymanyassociationsofthedayswhenwhatwecalltheWorldwasnotsorealwithme，andmyfaultswerenotconfirmedinme。"

`Iunderstandthefeeling!"exclaimedCarton，withabrightflush。

`Andyouarethebetterforit?"

`Ihopeso。

Cartonterminatedtheconversationhere，byrisingtohelphimonwithhisoutercoat；`butyou，"saidMr。Lorry，revertingtothetheme，`youareyoung。"

`Yes，"saidCarton。`Iamnotold，butmyyoungwaywasneverthewaytoage。Enoughofme。

`Andofme，Iamsure，"saidMr。Lorry。`Areyougoingout?"

`I"llwalkwithyoutohergate。Youknowmyvagabondandrestlesshabits。IfIshouldprowlaboutthestreetsalongtime，don"tbeuneasy；

Ishallreappearinthemorning。YougototheCourtto-morrow?"

Yes，unhappily。"

`Ishallbethere，butonlyasoneofthecrowd。MySpywillfindaplaceforme。Takemyarm，sir。"

Mr。Lorrydidso，andtheywentdown-stairsandoutinthestreets。

AfewminutesbroughtthemtoMr。Lorry"sdestination。Cartonlefthimthere；butlingeredatalittledistance，andturnedbacktothegateagainwhenitwasshut，andtouchedit。Hehadheardofhergoingtotheprisoneveryday。`Shecameouthere，"hesaid，lookingabouthim，`turnedthisway，musthavetrodonthesestonesoften。Letmefollowinhersteps。

Itwasteno"clockatnightwhenhestoodbeforetheprisonofLaForce，whereshehadstoodhundredsoftimes。Alittlewood-sawyer，havingclosedhisshop，wassmokinghispipeathisshop-door。

`Goodnight，citizen，"saidSydneyCarton，pausingingoingby；

for，themaneyedhiminquisitively。

`Goodnight，citizen。"

`HowgoestheRepublic?"

`YoumeantheGuillotine。Notill。Sixty-threeto-day。Weshallmounttoahundredsoon。Samsonandhismencomplainsometimes，ofbeingexhausted。Ha，ha，ha!Heissodroll，thatSamson。SuchaBarber!"

`Doyouoftengotoseehim——"

`Shave?Always。Everyday。Whatabarber!Youhaveseenhimatwork?"

`Never。"

`Goandseehimwhenhehasagoodbatch。Figurethistoyourselfcitizen；heshavedthesixty-threeto-day，inlessthantwopipes!Lessthantwopipes。Wordofhonour!"

Asthegrinninglittlemanheldoutthepipehewassmoking，toexplainhowhetimedtheexecutioner，Cartonwassosensibleofarisingdesiretostrikethelifeoutofhim，thatheturnedaway。

`ButyouarenotEnglish，"saidthewood-sawyer，`thoughyouwearEnglishdress?"

`Yes，"saidCarton，pausingagain，andansweringoverhisshoulder。

`YouspeaklikeaFrenchman。"

`Iamanoldstudenthere。"

`Aha，aperfectFrenchman!Goodnight，Englishman。"

`Goodnight，citizen。"

`Butgoandseethatdrolldog，"thelittlemanpersisted，callingafterhim。`Andtakeapipewithyou!"

Sydneyhadnotgonefaroutofsight，whenhestoppedinthemiddleofthestreetunderaglimmeringlamp，andwrotewithhispencilonascrapofpaper。Then，traversingwiththedecidedstepofonewhorememberedthewaywell，severaldarkanddirtystreets——muchdirtierthanusual，forthebestpublicthoroughfaresremaineduncleansedinthosetimesofterror——hestoppedatachemist"sshop，whichtheownerwasclosingwithhisownhands。Asmall，dim，crookedshop，keptinatortuous，up-hillthoroughfares，byasmall，dim，crookedman。

Givingthiscitizen，too，goodnight，asheconfrontedhimathiscounter，helaidthescrapofpaperbeforehim。`Whew!"thechemistwhistledsoftly，ashereadit。`Hi!hi!hi!"

SydneyCartontooknoheed，andthechemistsaid:

`Foryou，citizen?"

`Forme。

`Youwillbecarefultokeepthemseparate，citizen?Youknowtheconsequencesofmixingthem?"

`Perfectly。"

Certainsmallpacketsweremadeandgiventohim。Heputthem，onebyone，inthebreastofhisinnercoat，countedoutthemoneyforthem，anddeliberatelylefttheshop。`Thereisnothingmoretodo，"saidhe，glancingupwardatthemoon，`untilto-morrow。Ican"tsleep。

Itwasnotarecklessmanner，themannerinwhichhesaidthesewordsaloudunderthefast-sailingclouds，norwasitmoreexpressiveofnegligencethandefiance。Itwasthesettledmannerofatiredman，whohadwanderedandstruggledandgotlost，butwhoatlengthstruckintohisroadandsawitsend。

Longago，whenhehadbeenfamousamonghisearliestcompetitorsasayouthofgreatpromise，hehadfollowedhisfathertothegrave。Hismotherhaddied，yearsbefore。Thesesolemnwords，whichhadbeenreadathisfather"sgrave，aroseinhismindashewentdownthedarkstreets，amongtheheavyshadows，withthemoonandthecloudssailingonhighabovehim。`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife，saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme，shallneverdie。"

Inacitydominatedbytheaxe，aloneatnight，withnaturalsorrowrisinginhimforthesixty-threewhohadbeenthatdayputtodeath，andforto-morrow"svictimsthenawaitingtheirdoomintheprisons，andstillofto-morrow"sandtomorrow"s，thechainofassociationthatbroughtthewordshome，likearustyoldship"sanchorfromthedeep，mighthavebeeneasilyfound。Hedidnotseekit，butrepeatedthemandwenton。

Withasolemninterestinthelightedwindowswherethepeopleweregoingtorest，forgetfulthroughafewcalmhoursofthehorrorssurroundingthem；inthetowersofthechurches，wherenoprayersweresaid，forthepopularrevulsionhadeventravelledthatlengthofself-destructionfromyearsofpriestlyimpostors，plunderers，andprofligates；inthedistantburial-places，reserved，astheywroteuponthegates，forEternalSleep；

intheaboundinggaols；andinthestreetsalongwhichthesixtiesrolledtoadeathwhichhadbecomesocommonandmaterial，thatnosorrowfulstoryofahauntingSpiriteveraroseamongthepeopleoutofalltheworkingoftheGuillotine；withasolemninterestinthewholelifeanddeathofthecitysettlingdowntoitsshortnightlypauseinfury；SydneyCartoncrossedtheSeineagainforthelighterstreets。

Fewcoacheswereabroad，forridersincoacheswereliabletoliesuspected，andgentilityhiditsheadinrednightcaps，andputonheavyshoes，andtrudged。But，thetheatreswereallwellfilled，andthepeoplepouredcheerfullyoutashepassed，andwentchattinghome。Atoneofthetheatredoors，therewasalittlegirlwithamother，lookingforawayacrossthestreetthroughthemud。Hecarriedthechildover，andbeforethetimidarmwasloosedfromhisneckaskedherforakiss。

`Iamtheresurrectionandthelife，saiththeLord:hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive:andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinme，shallneverdie。"

Now，thatthestreetswerequiet，andthenightworeon，thewordswereintheechoesofhisfeet，andwereintheair。Perfectlycalmandsteady，hesometimesrepeatedthemtohimselfashewalked；but，heheardthemalways。

Thenightworeout，and，ashestooduponthebridgelisteningtothewaterasitsplashedtheriver-wallsoftheIslandofParis，wherethepicturesqueconfusionofhousesandcathedralshonebrightinthelightofthemoon，thedaycamecoldly，lookinglikeadeadfaceoutofthesky。

Then，thenight，withthemoonandthestars，turnedpaleanddied，andforalittlewhileitseemedasifCreationweredeliveredovertoDeath"sdominion。

But，theglorioussun，rising，seemedtostrikethosewords，thatburdenofthenight，straightandwarmtohisheartinitslongbrightrays。Andlookingalongthem，withreverentlyshadedeyes，abridgeoflightappearedtospantheairbetweenhimandthesun，whiletheriversparkledunderit。