第18章

`No，no!Whathaveyoudone，whathaveyoudone，thatyoushouldkneeltous!Weknownow，whatastruggleyoumadeofold。Weknownow，whatyouunderwentwhenyoususpectedmydescent，andwhenyouknewit。

Weknownow，thenaturalantipathyyoustroveagainst，andconquered，forherdearsake。Wethankyouwithallourhearts，andallourloveandduty。

Heavenbewithyou!"

Herfather"sonlyanswerwastodrawhishandsthroughhiswhitehair，andwringthemwithashriekofanguish。

`Itcouldnotbeotherwise，"saidtheprisoner。`Allthingshaveworkedtogetherastheyhavefallenout。Itwasthealways-vainendeavourtodischargemypoormother"strustthatfirstbroughtmyfatalpresencenearyou。Goodcouldnevercomeofsuchevil，ahappierendwasnotinnaturetosounhappyabeginning。Becomforted，andforgiveme。Heavenblessyou!"

Ashewasdrawnaway，hiswifereleasedhim，andstoodlookingafterhimwithherhandstouchingoneanotherintheattitudeofprayer，andwitharadiantlookuponherface，inwhichtherewasevenacomfortingsmile。Ashewentoutattheprisoners"door，sheturned，laidherheadlovinglyonherfather"sbreast，triedtospeaktohim，andfellathisfeet。

Then，issuingfromtheobscurecornerfromwhichhehadnevermoved，SydneyCartoncameandtookherup。OnlyherfatherandMr。Lorrywerewithher。Hisarmtrembledasitraisedher，andsupportedherhead。

Yet，therewasanairabouthimthatwasnotallofpity——thathadaflushofprideinit。

`ShallItakehertoacoach?Ishallneverfeelherweight。"

Hecarriedherlightlytothedoor，andlaidhertenderlydowninacoach。Herfatherandtheiroldfriendgotintoit，andhetookhisseatbesidethedriver。

Whentheyarrivedatthegatewaywherehehadpausedinthedarknotmanyhoursbefore，topicturetohimselfonwhichoftheroughstonesofthestreetherfeethadtrodden，heliftedheragain，andcarriedherupthestaircasetotheirrooms。There，helaidherdownonacouch，whereherchildandMissProssweptoverher。

`Don"trecallhertoherself，"hesaid，softly，tothelatter，`sheisbetterso。Don"trevivehertoconsciousness，whilesheonlyfaints。"

`Oh，Carton，Carton，dearCarton!"criedlittleLucie，springingupandthrowingherarmspassionatelyroundhim，inaburstofgrief。`Nowthatyouhavecome，Ithinkyouwilldosomethingtohelpmamma，somethingtosavepapa!O，lookather，dearCarton!Canyou，ofallthepeoplewholoveher，beartoseeherso?"

Hebentoverthechild，andlaidherbloomingcheekagainsthisface。Heputhergentlyfromhim，andlookedatherunconsciousmother。

`BeforeIgo，"hesaid，andpaused——"Imaykissher?"

Itwasrememberedafterwardsthatwhenhebentdownandtouchedherfacewithhislips，hemurmuredsomewords。Thechild，whowasnearesttohim，toldthemafterwards，andtoldhergrandchildrenwhenshewasahandsomeoldlady，thatsheheardhimsay，`Alifeyoulove。"

Whenhehadgoneoutintothenextroom，heturnedsuddenlyonMr。Lorryandherfather，whowerefollowing，andsaidtothelatter:

`Youhadgreatinfluencebutyesterday，DoctorManette；letitatleastbetried。Thesejudges，andallthemeninpower，ireveryfriendlytoyou，andveryrecognisantofyourservices；aretheynot?"

`NothingconnectedwithCharleswasconcealedfromme。IhadthestrongestassurancesthatIshouldsavehim；andIdid。"Hereturnedtheansweringreattrouble，andveryslowly。

`Trythemagain。Thehoursbetweenthisandto-morrowafternoonarefewandshort，buttry。"

`Iintendtotry。Iwillnotrestamoment。"

`That"swell。Ihaveknownsuchenergyasyoursdogreatthingsbeforenow——thoughnever，"headded，withasmileandasightogether，`suchgreatthingsasthis。Buttry!Oflittleworthaslifeiswhenwemisuseit，itisworththateffort。Itwouldcostnothingtolaydownifitwerenot。"

`Iwillgo，"saidDoctorManette，`totheProsecutorandthePresidentstraight，andIwillgotootherswhomitisbetternottoname。Iwillwritetoo，and——Butstay!Thereisacelebrationinthestreets，andnoonewillbeaccessibleuntildark。"

`That"strue。Well!Itisaforlornhopeatthebest，andnotmuchtheforlornerforbeingdelayedtilldark。Ishouldliketoknowhowyouspeed；though，mind!Iexpectnothing!Whenareyoulikelytohaveseenthesedreadpowers，DoctorManette?"

`Immediatelyafterdark，Ishouldhope。Withinanhourortwofromthis。"

`Itwillbedarksoonafterfour。Letusstretchthehourortwo。

IfIgotoMr。Lorry"satnine，shallIhearwhatyouhavedone，eitherfromourfriendorfromyourself?"

`Yes。"`Mayyouprosper!"

Mr。LorryfollowedSydneytotheouterdoor，and，touchinghimontheshoulderashewasgoingaway，causedhimtoturn。

`Ihavenohope，"saidMr。Lorry，inalowandsorrowfulwhisper。

`NorhaveI。"

`Ifanyoneofthesemen，orallofthesemen，weredisposedtosparehim——whichisalargesupposition；forwhatishislife，oranyman"stothem!——Idoubtiftheydurstsparehimafterthedemonstrationinthecourt。"

`AndsodoI。Iheardthefalloftheaxeinthatsound。"

Mr。Lorryleanedhisarmuponthedoor-post，andbowedhisfaceuponit。

`Don"tdespond，"saidCarton，verygently；`don"tgrieve。IencouragedDoctorManetteinthisidea，becauseIfeltthatitmightonedaybeconsolatorytoher。Otherwise，shemightthink"hislifewaswantonlythrownawayorwasted，"andthatmighttroubleher。"

`Yes，yes，yes，"returnedMr。Lorry，dryinghiseyes，`youareright。Buthewillperish；thereisnorealhope。

`Yes。Hewillperish:thereisnorealhope，"echoedCarton。Andwalkedwithasettledstep，down-stairs。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIIDarknessSYDNEYCARTONpausedinthestreet，notquitedecidedwheretogo。`AtTellson"sbanking-houseatnine，"hesaid，withamusingface。`ShallI

dowell，inthemeantime，toshowmyself?Ithinkso。ItisbestthatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere；itisasoundprecaution，andmaybeanecessarypreparation。Butcare，care，care!Letmethinkitout!"

Checkinghissteps，whichhadbeguntotendtowardsanobject，hetookaturnortwointhealreadydarkeningstreet，andtracedthethoughtinhismindtoitspossibleconsequences。Hisfirstimpressionwasconfirmed。

`Itisbest，"hesaid，finallyresolved，`thatthesepeopleshouldknowthereissuchamanasIhere。"AndheturnedhisfacetowardsSaintAntoine。

Defargehaddescribedhimself，thatday，asthekeeperofawine-shopintheSaintAntoinesuburb。Itwasnotdifficultforonewhoknewthecitywell，tofindhishousewithoutaskinganyquestion。Havingascertaineditssituation，Cartoncameoutofthosecloserstreetsagain，anddinedataplaceofrefreshmentandfellsoundasleepafterdinner。Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears，hehadnostrongdrink。Sincelastnighthehadtakennothingbutalittlelightthinwine，andlastnighthehaddroppedthebrandyslowlydownonMr。Lorry"shearthlikeamanwhohaddonewithit。

Itwasaslateasseveno"clockwhenheawokerefreshed，andwentoutintothestreetsagain。AshepassedalongtowardsSaintAntoine，hestoppedatashop-windowwheretherewasamirror，andslightlyalteredthedisorderedarrangementofhisloosecravat，andhiscoat-collar，andhiswildhair。Thisdone，hewentondirecttoDefarge"s，andwentin。

TherehappenedtobenocustomerintheshopbutJacquesThree，oftherestlessfingersandthecroakingvoice。Thisman，whomhehadseenupontheJury，stooddrinkingatthelittlecounter，inconversationwiththeDefarges，manandwife。TheVengeanceassistedintheconversation，likearegularmemberoftheestablishment。

AsCartonwalkedin，tookhisseatandasked(inveryindifferentFrench)forasmallmeasureofwine，MadameDefargecastacarelessglanceathim，andthenakeener，andthenakeener，andthenadvancedtohimherself，andaskedhimwhatitwashehadordered。

Herepeatedwhathehadalreadysaid。

`English?"askedMadameDefarge，inquisitivelyraisingherdarkeyebrows。

Afterlookingather，asifthesoundofevenasingleFrenchwordwereslowtoexpressitselftohim，heanswered，inhisformerstrongforeignaccent，`Yes，madame，yes。IamEnglish!"

MadameDefargereturnedtohercountertogetthewine，and，ashetookupaJacobinjournalandfeignedtoporeoveritpuzzlingoutitsmeaning，heheardhersay，`Isweartoyou，likeEvré；monde!"

Defargebroughthimthewine，andgavehimGoodEvening。

`How?"

`Goodevening。"

`Oh!Goodevening，citizen，"fillinghisglass。`Ah!andgoodwine。IdrinktotheRepublic。"

Defargewentbacktothecounter，andsaid，`Certainly，alittlelike。"Madamesternlyretorted，`Itellyouagooddeallike。"JacquesThreepacificallyremarked，`Heissomuchinyourmind，seeyou，madame。"

TheamiableVengeanceadded，withalaugh，`Yes，myfaith!Andyouarelookingforwardwithsomuchpleasuretoseeinghimoncemoreto-morrow!"

Cartonfollowedthelinesandwordsofhispaper，withaslowforefinger，andwithastudiousandabsorbedface。Theywereallleaningtheirarmsonthecounterclosetogether，speakinglow。Afterasilenceofafewmoments，duringwhichtheyalllookedtowardshimwithoutdisturbinghisoutwardattentionfromtheJacobineditor，theyresumedtheirconversation。

`Itistruewhatmadamesays，"observedJacquesThree。`Whystop?

Thereisgreatforceinthat。Whystop?"

`Well，well，"reasonedDefarge，`butonemuststopsomewhere。

Afterall，thequestionisstillwhere?"

`Atextermination，"saidmadame。

`Magnificent!"croakedJacquesThree。TheVengeance，also，highlyapproved。

`Exterminationisgooddoctrine，mywife，"saidDefarge，rathertroubled；`ingeneral，Isaynothingagainstit。ButthisDoctorhassufferedmuch；youhaveseenhimto-day；youhaveobservedhisfacewhenthepaperwasread。"

`Ihaveobservedhisface!"repeatedmadame，contemptuouslyandangrily。`Yes。Ihaveobservedhisface。IhaveobservedhisfacetobenotthefaceofatruefriendoftheRepublic。Lethimtakecareofhisface!"

`Andyouhaveobserved，mywife，"saidDefarge，inadeprecatorymanner，`theanguishofhisdaughter，whichmustbeadreadfulanguishtohim!"

`Ihaveobservedhisdaughter，"repeatedmadame；`yes，Ihaveobservedhisdaughter，moretimesthanone。Ihaveobservedherto-day，andIhaveobservedherotherdays。Ihaveobservedherinthecourt，andIhaveobservedherinthestreetbytheprison。Letmebutliftmyfinger——!"

Sheseemedtoraiseit(thelistener"seyeswerealwaysonhispaper)，andtoletitfallwitharattleontheledgebeforeher，asiftheaxehaddropped。

`Thecitizenessissuperb!"croakedtheJuryman。

`SheisanAngel!"saidTheVengeance，andembracedher。

`Astothee，"pursuedmadame，implacably，addressingherhusband，`ifitdependedonthee——which，happily，itdoesnot——thouwouldstrescuethismanevennow。

`No!"protestedDefarge。`Notiftoliftthisglasswoulddoit!

ButIwouldleavethematterthere。Isay，stopthere。"

`Seeyouthen，Jacques，"saidMadameDefarge，wrathfully；`andseeyou，too，mylittleVengeance；seeyouboth!Listen!Forothercrimesastyrantsandoppressors，Ihavethisracealongtimeonmyregister，doomedtodestructionandextermination。Askmyhusband，isthatso。"

`Itisso，"assentedDefarge，withoutbeingasked。

`Inthebeginningofthegreatdays，whentheBastillefalls，hefindsthispaperofto-day，andhebringsithome，andinthemiddleofthenightwhenthisplaceisclearandshut，wereadit，hereonthisspot，bythelightofthislamp。Askhim，isthatso。"

`Itisso，"assentedDefarge。

`Thatnight，Itellhim，whenthepaperisreadthrough，andthelampisburntout，andthedayisgleaminginabovethoseshuttersandbetweenthoseironbars，thatIhavenowasecrettocommunicate。Askhim，isthatso。"

`Itisso，"assentedDefargeagain。

`Icommunicatetohimthatsecret。IsmitethisbosomwiththesetwohandsasIsmiteitnow，andItellhim，"Defarge，Iwasbroughtupamongthefishermenofthesea-shore，andthatpeasantfamilysoinjuredbythetwoEvré；mondebrothers，asthatBastillepaperdescribes，ismyfamily。Defarge，thatsisterofthemortallywoundedboyuponthegroundwasmysister，thathusbandwasmysister"shusband，thatunbornchildwastheirchild，thatbrotherwasmybrother，thatfatherwasmyfather，thosedeadaremydead，andthatsummonstoanswerforthosethingsdescendstome!"Askhim，isthatso。"

`Itisso，"assentedDefargeoncemore。

`ThentellWindandFirewheretostop，"returnedmadame；`butdon"ttellme。"

Bothherhearersderivedahorribleenjoymentfromthedeadlynatureofherwrath——thelistenercouldfeelhowwhiteshewas，withoutseeingher——andbothhighlycommendedit。Defarge，aweakminority，interposedafewwordsforthememoryofthecompassionatewifeoftheMarquis；butonlyelicitedfromhisownwifearepetitionofherlastreply。`TelltheWindandtheFirewheretostop；notme!"

Customersentered，andthegroupwasbrokenup。TheEnglishcustomerpaidforwhathehadhad，perplexedlycountedhischange，andasked，asastranger，tobedirectedtowardstheNationalPalace。MadameDefargetookhimtothedoor，andputherarmonhis，inpointingouttheroad。

TheEnglishcustomerwasnotwithouthisreflectionsthen，thatitmightbeagooddeedtoseizethatarm，liltit，andstrikeunderitsharpanddeep。

But，hewenthisway，andwassoonswallowedupintheshadowoftheprisonwall。Attheappointedhour，heemergedfromittopresenthimselfinMr。Lorry"sroomagain，wherehefoundtheoldgentlemanwalkingtoandfroinrestlessanxiety。HesaidhehadbeenwithLucieuntiljustnow，andhadonlyleftherforafewminutes，tocomeandkeephisappointment。

Herfatherhadnotbeenseen，sincehequittedthebankinghousetowardsfouro"clock。ShehadsomefainthopesthathismediationmightsaveCharles，buttheywereveryslight。Hehadbeenmorethanfivehoursgone:wherecouldhebe?

Mr。Lorrywaiteduntilten；but，DoctorManettenotreturning，andhebeingunwillingtoleaveLucieanylonger，itwasarrangedthatheshouldgobacktoher，andcometothebanking-houseagainatmidnight。

Inthemeanwhile，CartonwouldwaitalonebythefirefortheDoctor。Hewaitedandwaited，andtheclockstrucktwelve；butDoctorManettedidnotcomeback。Mr。Lorryreturned，andfoundnotidingsofhim，andbroughtnone。Wherecouldhebe?

Theywerediscussingthisquestion，andwerealmostbuildingupsomeweakstructureofhopeonhisprolongedabsence，whentheyheardhimonthestairs。Theinstantheenteredtheroom，itwasplainthatallwaslost。

Whetherhehadreallybeentoanyone，orwhetherhehadbeenallthattimetraversingthestreets，wasneverknown。Ashestoodstaringatthem，theyaskedhimnoquestion，forhisfacetoldthemeverything。

`Icannotfindit，"saidhe，`andImusthaveit。Whereisit?"

Hisheadandthroatwerebare，and，ashespokewithahelplesslookstrayingallaround，hetookhiscoatoff，andletitdroponthefloor。

`Whereismybench?Ihavebeenlookingeverywhereformybench，andIcan"tfindit。Whathavethey，donewithmywork?Timepresses:I

mustfinishthoseshoes。

Theylookedatoneanother，andtheirheartsdiedwithinthem。

`Come，come!"saidhe，inawhimperingmiserableway；`letmegettowork。Givememywork。"

Receivingnoanswer，hetorehishair，andbeathisfeetupontheground，likeadistractedchild。

`Don"ttortureapoorforlornwretch，"heimploredthem，withadreadfulcry；`butgivememywork!Whatistobecomeofus，ifthoseshoesarenotdoneto-night?"

Lost，utterlylost!

Itwassoclearlybeyondhopetoreasonwithhim，ortrytorestorehim，——that——asifbyagreement——theyeachputahanduponhisshoulder，andsoothedhimtositdownbeforethefire，withapromisethatheshouldhavehisworkpresently。Hesankintothechair，andbroodedovertheembers，andshedtears。Asifallthathadhappenedsincethegarrettimewereamomentaryfancy，oradream，Mr。LorrysawhimshrinkintotheexactfigurethatDefargehadhadinkeeping。

Affected，andimpressedwithterrorastheybothwere，bythisspectacleofruin，itwasnotatimetoyieldtosuchemotions。Hislonelydaughter，bereftofherfinalhopeandreliance，appealedtothembothtoostrongly。Again，asifbyagreement，theylookedatoneanotherwithonemeaningintheirfaces。Cartonwasthefirsttospeak:

`Thelastchanceisgone:Itwasnotmuch。Yes；hehadbetterbetakentoher。But，beforeyougo，willyou，foramoment，steadilyattendtome?Don"taskmewhyImakethestipulationsIamgoingtomake，andexactthepromiseIamgoingtoexact；Ihaveareason——agoodone。"

`Idonotdoubtit，"answeredMr。Lorry。`Sayon。"

Thefigureinthechairbetweenthem，wasallthetimemonotonouslyrockingitselftoandfro，andmoaning。Theyspokeinsuchatoneastheywouldhaveusediftheyhadbeenwatchingbyasick-bedintilenight。

Cartonstoopedtopickupthecoat，whichlayalmostentanglinghisfeet。Ashedidso，asmallcaseinwhichtheDoctorwasaccustomedtocarrythelistofhisday"sduties，felllightlyonthefloor。Cartontookitup，andtherewasafoldedpaperinit。`Weshouldlookatthis!"

hesaid。Mr。Lorrynoddedhisconsent。Heopenedit，andexclaimed，`ThankGOD"

`Whatisit?"askedMr。Lorry，eagerly。

`Amoment!Letmespeakofitinitsplace。First，"heputhishandinhiscoat，andtookanotherpaperfromit，`thatisthecertificatewhichenablesmetopassoutofthiscity。Lookatit。Yousee——SydneyCarton，anEnglishman?"

Mr。Lorryhelditopeninhishand，gazinginhisearnestface。

`Keepitformeuntilto-morrow。Ishallseehimto-morrow，youremember；andIhadbetternottakeitintotheprison。"

`Whynot?"

`Idon"tknow；Iprefernottodoso。Now，takethispaperthatDoctorManettehascarriedabouthim。Itisasimilarcertificate，enablinghimandhisdaughterandherchildatanytime，topassthebarrierandthefrontier?Yousee?"

`Yes!"

`Perhapsheobtaineditashislastandutmostprecautionagainstevil，yesterday。Whenisitdated?Butnomatter；don"tstaytolook；putitupcarefullywit!，mineandyourown。Now，observe!Ineverdoubteduntilwithinthishourortwo，tathehad，orcouldhavesuchapaper。

Itisgood，untilrecalled。Butitmaybesoonrecalled，and，Ihavereasontothink，willbe。"

`Theyarenotindanger?"

`Theyareingreatdanger。TheyareindangerofdenunciationbyMadameDefarge。Iknowitfromherownlips。Ihaveoverheardwordsofthatwoman"s，to-night，whichhavepresentedtheirdangertomeinstrongcolours。Ihavelostnotime，andsincethen，Ihaveseenthespy。Heconfirmsme。Heknowsthatawood-sawyer，livingbytheprison-wall，isunderthecontroloftheDefarges，andhasbeenrehearsedbyMadameDefargeastohishavingseenHer"——henevermentionedLucie"sname——"makingsignsandsignalstoprisoners。Itiseasytoforeseethatthepretencewillbethecommonone，aprisonplot，andthatitwillinvolveherlife——andperhapsherchild"s——andperhapsherfather"s——forbothhavebeenseenwithheratthatplace。Don"tlooksohorrified。Youwillsavethemall。"

`HeavengrantImay，Carton!Buthow?"

`Iamgoingtotellyouhow。Itwilldependonyou，anditcoulddependonnobetterman。Thisnewdenunciationwillcertainlynottakeplaceuntilafterto-morrow；probablynotuntiltwoorthreedaysafterwards；

moreprobablyaweekafterwards。Youknowitisacapitalcrime，tomournfor，orsympathisewith，avictimoftheGuillotine。Sheandherfatherwouldunquestionablybeguiltyofthiscrime，andthiswoman(theinveteracyofwhosepursuitcannotbedescribed)wouldwaittoaddthatstrengthtohercase，andmakeherselfdoublysure。Youfollowme?"

`Soattentively，andwithsomuchconfidenceinwhatyousay，thatforthemomentIlosesight，"touchingthebackoftheDoctor"schair，`evenofthisdistress。"

`Youhavemoney，andcanbuythemeansoftravellingtotileSea-coastasquicklyasthejourneycanbemade。Yourpreparationshavebeencompletedforsomedays，toreturntoEngland。Earlyto-morrowhaveyourhorsesready，sothattheymaybeinstartingtrimattwoo"clockintheafternoon。"

`Itshallbedone!"

Hismannerwassoferventandinspiring，thatMr。Lorrycaughttheflame，andwasasquickasyouth。

`Youareanobleheart。DidIsaywecoulddependuponnobetterman?Tellher，to-night，whatyouknowofherdangerasinvolvingherchildandherfather。Dwelluponthat，forshewouldlayherownfairheadbesideherhusband"scheerfully。"Hefalteredforaninstant；thenwentonasbefore。`Forthesakeofherchildandherfather，pressuponherthenecessityofleavingParis，withthemandyou，atthathour。Tellherthatitwasherhusband"slastarrangement。Tellherthatmoredependsuponitthanshedarebelieve，orhope。Youthinkthatherfather，eveninthissadstate，willsubmithimselftoher；doyounot?"

`Iamsureofit。"

`Ithoughtso。Quietlyandsteadilyhaveallthesearrangementsmadeinthecourt-yardhere，eventothetakingofyourownseatinthecarriage。ThemomentIcometoyou，takemein，anddriveaway。"

`IunderstandthatIwaitforyouunderallcircumstances?"

`Youhavemycertificateinyourhandwiththerest，youknow，andwillreservemyplace。Waitfornothingbuttohavemyplaceoccupied，andthenforEngland!"

`Why，then，"saidMr。Lorry，graspinghiseagerbutsofirmandsteadyhand，`itdoesnotalldependononeoldman，butIshallhaveayoungandardentmanatmyside。"

`BythehelpofHeavenyoushall!Promisemesolemnlythatnothingwillinfluenceyoutoalterthecourseonwhichwenowstandpledgedtooneanother。"

`Nothing，Carton。"

`Rememberthesewordsto-morrow:changethecourse，ordelayinit——foranyreason——andnolifecanpossiblybesaved，andmanylivesmustinevitablybesacrificed。"

`Iwillrememberthem。Ihopetodomypartfaithfully。"`AndIhopetodomine。Now，good-bye!"

Thoughhesaiditwithagravesmileofearnestness，andthoughlieevenputtheoldman"shandtohislips，hedidnotpartfromhimthen。

Hehelpedhimsofartoarousetherockingfigurebeforethedyingembers，astogetacloakandhatputuponit，andtotemptitforthtofindwherethebenchandworkwerehiddenthatitstillmoaninglybesoughttohave。

Hewalkedontheothersideofitandprotectedittothecourt-yardofthehousewheretheafflictedheart——sohappyinthememorabletimewhenhehadrevealedhisowndesolatehearttoit——outwatchedtheawfulnight。

Heenteredthecourt-yardandremainedthereforafewmomentsalone，lopingupatthelightinthewindowofherroom。Beforehewentaway，hebreathedablessingtowardsit，andaFarewell。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIIIFifty-twoINtheblackprisonoftheConciergerie，thedoomedofthedayawaitedtheirfate。Theywereinnumberastheweeksoftheyear。Fifty-twoweretorollthatafternoononthelife-tideofthecitytotheboundlesseverlastingsea。Beforetheircellswerequitofthem，newoccupantswereappointed；

beforetheirbloodranintothebloodspilledyesterday，thebloodthatwastominglewiththeirsto-morrowwasalreadysetapart。

TwoscoreandtwelveweretoldoffFromthefarmer-generalofseventy，whoserichescouldnotbuyhislife，totheseamstressoftwenty，whosepovertyandobscuritycouldnotsaveher。Physicaldiseases，engenderedinthevicesandneglectsofmen，willseizeonvictimsofalldegrees；

andthefrightfulmoraldisorder，bornofunspeakablesuffering，intolerableoppression，andheartlessindifference，smoteequallywithoutdistinction。

CharlesDarnay，aloneinacell，hadsustainedhimselfwithnoflatteringdelusionsincehecametoitfromtheTribunal。Ineverylineofthenarrativehehadheard，hehadheardhiscondemnation。Hehadfullycomprehendedthatnopersonalinfluencecouldpossiblysavehim，thathewasvirtuallysentencedbythemillions，andthatunitscouldavailhimnothing。

Nevertheless，itwasnoteasy，withthefaceofhisbelovedwifefreshbeforehim，tocomposehismindtowhatitmustbear。Hisholdonlifewasstrong，anditwasvery，veryhardtoloosen；bygradualeffortsanddegreesunclosedalittlehere，itclenchedthetighterthere；andwhenhebroughthisstrengthtobearonthathandandityielded，thiswasclosedagain。Therewasahurry，too，inallhisthoughts，aturbulentandheatedworkingofhisheart，thatcontendedagainstresignation。Ifforamoment，hedidfeelresigned，thenhiswifeandchildwhohadtoliveafterhim，seemedtoprotestandtomakeitaselfishthing。

But，allthiswasatfirst。Beforelong，theconsiderationthattherewasnodisgraceinthefatehemustmeet，andthatnumberswentthesameroadwrongfully，andtroditfirmlyeveryday，spranguptostimulatehim。Nextfollowedthethoughtthatmuchofthefuturepeaceofmindenjoyablebythedearones，dependedonhisquietfortitude。So，bydegreeshecalmedintothebetterstate，whenhecouldraisehisthoughtsmuchhigher，anddrawcomfortdown。

Beforeithadsetindarkonthenightofhiscondemnation，hehadtravelledthusfaronhislastway。Beingallowedtopurchasethemeansofwriting，andalight，hesatdowntowriteuntilsuchtimeastheprisonlampsshouldbeextinguished。

HewrotealonglettertoLucie，showingherthathehadknownnothingofherfather"simprisonment，untilhehadheardofitfromherself，andthathehadbeenasignorantassheofhisfather"sanduncle"sresponsibilityforthatmisery，untilthepaperhadbeenread。Hehadalreadyexplainedtoherthathisconcealmentfromherselfofthenamehehadrelinquished，wastheonecondition——fullyintelligiblenow——thatherfatherhadattachedtotheirbetrothal，andwastheonepromisehehadstillexactedonthemorningoftheirmarriage。Heentreatedher，forherfather"ssake，nevertoseektoknowwhetherherfatherhadbecomeobliviousoftheexistenceofthepaper，orhadhaditrecalledtohim(forthemoment，orforgood)，bythestoryoftheTower，onthatoldSundayunderthedearoldplane-treeinthegarden。Ifhehadpreservedanydefiniteremembranceofit，therecouldbenodoubtthathehadsupposeditdestroyedwiththeBastille，whenhehadfoundnomentionofitamongtherelicsofprisonerswhichthepopulacehaddiscoveredthere，andwhichhadbeendescribedtoalltheworld。Hebesoughther——thoughheaddedthatheknewitwasneedless——toconsoleherfather，byimpressinghimthrougheverytendermeansshecouldthinkof，withthetruththathehaddonenothingforwhichhecouldjustlyreproachhimself，buthaduniformlyforgottenhimselffortheirjointsakes。

Nexttoherpreservationofhisownlastgratefulloveandblessing，andherovercomingofhersorrow，todevoteherselftotheirdearchild，headjuredher，astheywouldmeetinHeaven，tocomfortherfather。

Toherfatherhimselfhewroteinthesamestrain；but，hetoldherfatherthatheexpresslyconfidedhiswifeandchildtohiscare。Andhetoldhimthis，verystrongly，withthehopeofrousinghimfromanydespondencyordangerousretrospecttowardswhichheforesawhemightbetending。

ToMr。Lorry，hecommendedthemall，andexplainedhisworldlyaffairs。

Thatdone，withmanyaddedsentencesofgratefulfriendshipandwarmattachment，allwasdone。HeneverthoughtofCarton。Hismindwassofulloftheothers，thatheneveroncethoughtofhim。

Hehadtimetofinishtheselettersbeforethelightswereputout。Whenhelaydownonhisstrawbed，hethoughthehaddonewiththisworld。

But，itbeckonedhimbackinhissleep，andshoweditselfinshiningforms。Freeandhappy，backintheoldhouseinSoho(thoughithadnothinginitliketherealhouse)，unaccountablyreleasedandlightofheart，hewaswithLucieagain，andshetoldhimitwasalladream，andhehadnevergoneaway。Apauseofforgetfulness，andthenliehadevensuffered，andhadcomebacktoher，deadandatpeace，andyettherewasnodifferenceinhim。Anotherpauseofoblivion，andheawokeinthesombremorning，unconsciouswherehewasorwhathadhappened，untilitflasheduponhismind，`thisisthedayofmydeath"

Thus，hadhecomethroughthehours，tothedaywhenthefifty-twoheadsweretofall。Andnow，whilehewascomposed，andhopedthathecouldmeettheendwithquietheroism，anewactionbeganinhiswakingthoughts，whichwasverydifficulttomaster。

Hehadneverseentheinstrumentthatwastoterminatehislife。

Howhighitwasfromtheground，howmanystepsithad，wherehewouldbestood，howhewouldbetouched，whetherthetouchinghandswouldbedyedred，whichwayhisfacewouldbeturned，whetherhewouldbethefirst，ormightbethelast:theseandmanysimilarquestions，innowisedirectedbyhiswill，obtrudedthemselvesoverandoveragain，countlesstimes。

Neitherweretheyconnectedwithfear:hewasconsciousofnofear。Rather，theyoriginatedinastrangebesettingdesiretoknowwhattodowhenthetimecame；adesiregiganticallydisproportionatetothefewswiftmomentstowhichitreferred；awonderingthatwasmorelikethewonderingofsomeotherspiritwithinhis，thanhisown。

Thehourswentonasliewalkedtoandfro，andtheclocksstruckthenumbershewouldneverhearagain。Nineconeforever，tengoneforever，elevengoneforever，twelvecomingontopassaway。Afterahardcontestwiththateccentricactionofthoughtwhichhadlastperplexedhim，hehadgotthebetterofit。Hewalkedupanddown，softlyrepeatingtheirnamestohimself。Theworstofthestrifewasover。Hecouldwalkupanddown，freefromdistractingfancies，prayingforhimselfandforthem。

Twelvegoneforever。

HehadbeenapprisedthatthefinalhourwasThree，andheknewhewouldbesummonedsometimeearlier，inasmuchasthetumbrilsjoltedheavilyandslowlythroughthestreets。Therefore，heresolvedtokeepTwobeforehismind，asthehour，andsotostrengthenhimselfintheintervalthathemightbeable，afterthattime，tostrengthenothers。

Walkingregularlytoandfrowithhisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，averydifferentmanfromtheprisoner，whohadwalkedtoandfroatLaForce，heheardOnestruckawayfromhim，withoutsurprise。Thehourhadmeasuredlikemostotherhours。DevoutlythankfultoHeavenforhisrecoveredself-possession，hethought，`Thereisbutanothernow，"andturnedtowalkagain。

Footstepsinthestonepassageoutsidethedoor。Hestopped。

Thekeywasputinthelock，andturned。Beforethedoorwasopened，orasitopened，amansaidinalowvoice，inEnglish:`Hehasneverseenmehere；Ihavekeptoutofhisway。Goyouinalone；Iwaitnear。Losenotime!"

Thedoorwasquicklyopenedandclosed，andtherestoodbeforehimfacetoface，quiet，intentuponhim，withthelightofasmileonhisfeatures，andacautionaryfingeronhislip，SydneyCarton。

Therewassomethingsobrightandremarkableinhislook，that，forthefirstmoment，theprisonermisdoubtedhimtobeanapparitionofhisownimagining。But，hespoke，anditwashisvoice；hetooktheprisoner"shand，anditwashisrealgrasp。

`Ofallthepeopleuponearth，youleastexpectedtoseeme?"

hesaid。

`Icouldnotbelieveittobeyou。Icanscarcelybelieveitnow。

Youarenot"——theapprehensioncamesuddenlyintohismind——`aprisoner?"

`No。Iamaccidentallypossessedofapoweroveroneofthekeepershere，andinvirtueofitIstandbeforeyou。Icomefromher——yourwife，dearDarnay。"

Theprisonerwrunghishand。

`Ibringyouarequestfromher。"

`Whatisit?"

`Amostearnest，pressing，andemphaticentreaty，addressedtoyouinthemostpathetictonesofthevoicesodeartoyou，thatyouwellremember。"

Theprisonerturnedhisfacepartlyaside。

`YouhavenotimetoaskmewhyIbringit，orwhatitmeans；

Ihavenotimetotellyou。Youmustcomplywithit——takeoffthosebootsyouwear，anddrawontheseofmine。"

Therewasachairagainstthewallofthecell，behindtheprisoner。

Carton，pressingforward，hadalready，withthespeedoflightning，gothimdownintoit，andstoodoverhim，barefoot。

`Drawonthesebootsofmine。Putyourhandstothem；putyourwilltothem。Quick!"

`Carton，thereisnoescapingfromthisplace；itnevercanbedone。Youwillonlydiewithme。Itismadness。"

`ItwouldbemadnessifIaskedyoutoescape；butdoI?

WhenIaskyoutopassoutatthatdoor，tellmeitismadnessandremainhere。Changethatcravatforthisofmine，thatcoatforthisofmine。

Whileyoudoit，letmetakethisribbonfromyourhair，andshakeoutyourhairlikethisofmine!"

Withwonderfulquickness，andwithastrengthbothofwillandaction，thatappearedquitesupernatural，heforcedallthesechangesuponhim。Theprisonerwaslikeayoungchildinhishands。

`Carton!DearCarton!Itismadness。Itcannotbeaccomplished，itnevercanbedone，ithasbeenattempted，andhasalwaysfailed。Iimploreyounottoaddyourdeathtothebitternessofmine。

`DoIaskyou，mydearDarnay，topassthedoor?WhenIaskthat，refuse。Therearepenandinkandpaperonthistable。Isyourhandsteadyenoughtowrite?"

`Itwaswhenyoucamein。