`Youarethefellowwewant,'saidDefarge,inhisear;`youmakethesefoolsbelievethatitwilllastforever.Then,theyarethemoreinsolent,anditisthenearerended.'
　　`Hey!'criedthemenderofroads,reflectively;`that'strue.'`Thesefoolsknownothing.Whiletheydespiseyourbreath,andwouldstopitforeverandever,inyouorinahundredlikeyouratherthaninoneoftheirownhorsesordogs,theyonlyknowwhatyourbreathtellsthem.Letitdeceivethem,then,alittlelonger;itcannotdeceivethemtoomuch.'
　　MadameDefargelookedsuperciliouslyattheclient,andnoddedinconfirmation.
　　`Astoyou,'saidshe,`youwouldshoutandshedtearsforanything,ifitmadeashowandanoise.Say!Wouldyounot?'
　　`Truly,madame,Ithinkso.Forthemoment.'
　　`Ifyouwereshownagreatheapofdolls,andweresetuponthemtopluckthemtopiecesanddespoilthemforyourownadvantage,youwouldpickouttherichestandgayest.Say!Wouldyounot?'
　　`Trulyyes,madame.'
　　`Yes.Andifyouwereshownaflockofbirds,unabletofly,andweresetuponthemtostripthemoftheirfeathersforyourownadvantage,youwouldsetuponthebirdsofthefinestfeathers;wouldyounot?'
　　`Itistrue,madame.'
　　`Youhaveseenbothdollsandbirdstoday,'saidMadameDefarge,withawaveofherhandtowardstheplacewheretheyhadlastbeenapparent;`now,gohome!'
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　Stillknitting
　　MADAMEDEFARGEandmonsieurherhusbandreturnedamicablytothebosomofSaintAntoine,whileaspeckinabluecaptoiledthroughthedarkness,andthroughthedust,anddownthewearymilesofavenuebythewayside,slowlytendingtowardsthatpointofthecompasswherethechateauofMonsieurtheMarquis,nowinhisgrave,listenedtothewhisperingtrees.Suchampleleisurehadthestonefaces,now,forlisteningtothetreesandtothefountain,thatthefewvillagescarecrowswho,intheirquestforherbstoeatandfragmentsofdeadsticktoburn,strayedwithinsightofthegreatstonecourtyardandterracestaircase,haditborneinupontheirstarvedfancythattheexpressionofthefaceswasaltered.Arumourjustlivedinthevillage——hadafaintandbareexistencethere,asitspeoplehadthatwhentheknifestruckhome,thefaceschanged,fromfacesofpridetofacesofangerandpainalso,thatwhenthatdanglingfigurewashauledupfortyfeeabovethefountain,theychangedagain,andboreacruellookofbeingavenged,whichtheywouldhenceforthbearforever.Inthestonefaceoverthegreatwindowofthebed-chamberwherethemurderwasdone,twofinedintswerepointedoutinthesculpturednose,whicheverybodyrecognised,andwhichnobodyhadseenofold;andonthescarceoccasionswhentwoorthreeraggedpeasantsemergedfromthecrowdtotakeahurriedpeepatMonsieurtheMarquispetrified,askinnyfingerwouldnothavepointedtoitforaminute,beforetheyallstartedawayamongthemossandleaves,likethemorefortunatehareswhocouldfindalivingthere.
　　Chateauandhut,stonefaceanddanglingfigure,theredstainonthestonefloor,andthepurewaterinthevillagewell——thousandsofacresofland——awholeprovinceofFrance——allFranceitself——layunderthenightsky,concentratedintoafainthairbreadthline.Sodoesawholeworld,withallitsgreatnessesandlittlenesses,lieinatwinklingstar.Andasmerehumanknowledgecansplitarayoflightandanalysethemannerofitscomposition,so,sublimerintelligencesmayreadinthefeebleshiningofthisearthofours,everythoughtandact,everyviceandvirtue,ofeveryresponsiblecreatureonit.
　　TheDefarges,husbandandwife,camelumberingunderthestarlight,intheirpublicvehicle,tothatgateofPariswhereuntotheirjourneynaturallytended.Therewastheusualstoppageatthebarrierguardhouse,andtheusuallanternscameglancingforthfortheusualexaminationandinquiry.MonsieurDefargealighted;knowingoneortwoofthesoldierythere,andoneofthepolice.Thelatterhewasintimatewith,andaffectionatelyembraced.
　　WhenSaintAntoinehadagainenfoldedtheDefargesinhisduskywings,andthey,havingfinallyalightedneartheSaint'sboundaries,werepickingtheirwayonfootthroughtheblackmudandoffalofhisstreets,MadameDefargespoketoherhusband:
　　`Saythen,myfriend;whatdidJacquesofthepolicetellthee?'
　　`Verylittletonight,butallheknows.Thereisanotherspycommissionedforourquarter.Theremaybemanymore,forallthathecansay,butheknowsofone.'
　　`Ehwell!'saidMadameDefarge,raisinghereyebrowswithacoolbusinessair.`Itisnecessarytoregisterhim.Howdotheycallthatman?'
　　`HeisEnglish.'
　　`Somuchthebetter.Hisname?'
　　`Barsad,'saidDefarge,makingitFrenchbypronunciation.But,hehadbeensocarefultogetitaccurately,thathethenspeltitwithperfectcorrectness.
　　`Barsad,,'repeatedmadame.`Good.Christianname?'
　　`John.'
　　`JohnBarsad,'repeatedmadame,aftermurmuringitoncetoherself.`Good.Hisappearance;isitknown?'
　　`Age,aboutfortyyears;height,aboutfivefeetnine;blackhair;complexiondark;generally,ratherhandsomevisage;eyesdark,facethin,long,andsallow;noseaquiline,butnotstraight,havingapeculiarinclinationtowardstheleftcheek;expression,therefore,sinister.'
　　`Ehmyfaith.Itisaportrait!'saidmadame,laughing.`Heshallberegisteredtomorrow.'
　　Theyturnedintothewine-shop,whichwasclosedforitwasmidnightandwhereMadameDefargeimmediatelytookherpostatherdesk,countedthesmallmoneysthathadbeentakenduringherabsence,examinedthestock,wentthroughtheentriesinthebook,madeotherentriesofherown,checkedtheservingmanineverypossibleway,andfinallydismissedhimtobed.Thensheturnedoutthecontentsofthebowlofmoneyforthesecondtime,andbeganknottingthemupinherhandkerchief,inachainofseparateknots,forsafekeepingthroughthenight.Allthiswhile,Defarge,withhispipeinhismouth,walkedupanddown,complacentlyadmiring,butneverinterfering;inwhichcondition,indeed,astothebusinessandhisdomesticaffairs,hewalkedupanddownthroughlife.
　　Thenightwashot,andtheshop,closeshutandsurroundedbysofoulaneighbourhood,wasill-smelling.MonsieurDefarge'solfactorysensewasbynomeansdelicate,butthestockofwinesmeltmuchstrongerthanitevertasted,andsodidthestockofrumandbrandyandaniseed.Hewhiffedthecompoundofscentsaway,asheputdownhissmoked-outpipe.
　　`Youarefatigued,'saidmadame,raisingherglanceassheknottedthemoney.`Thereareonlytheusualodours.'
　　`Iamalittletired,'herhusbandacknowledged.
　　`Youarealittledepressed,too,'saidmadame,whosequickeyeshadneverbeensointentontheaccounts,buttheyhadhadarayortwoforhim.`Oh,themen,themen!'
　　`Butmydear!'beganDefarge.
　　`Butmydear!'repeatedmadame,noddingfirmly;`butmydear!Youarefaintofhearttonight,mydear!'
　　`Well,then,'saidDefarge,asifathoughtwerewrungOutofhisbreast,`itisalongtime.'
　　`Itisalongtime,'repeatedhiswife;`andwhenisitnotalongtime?Vengeanceandretributionrequirealongtime;itistherule.'
　　`ItdoesnottakealongtimetostrikeamanwithLightning,'saidDefarge.
　　`Howlong,'demandedmadame,composedly,`doesittaketomakeandstorethelightning?Tellme.'
　　Defargeraisedhisheadthoughtfully,asifthereweresomethinginthattoo.
　　`Itdoesnottakealongtime,'saidmadame,`foranearthquaketoswallowatown.Ehwell!Tellmehowlongittakestopreparetheearthquake?'
　　`Alongtime,Isuppose,'saidDefarge.
　　`Butwhenitisready,ittakesplace,andgrindstopieceseverythingbeforeit.Inthemeantime,itisalwayspreparing,thoughitisnotseenorheard.Thatisyourconsolation.Keepit.'
　　Shetiedaknotwithflashingeyes,asifitthrottledafoe.
　　`Itellthee,'saidmadame,extendingherrighthand,foremphasis,`thatalthoughitisalongtimeontheroad,itisontheroadandcoming.Itelltheeitneverretreats,andneverstops.Itelltheeitisalwaysadvancing.Lookaroundandconsiderthelivesofalltheworldthatweknow,considerthefacesofalltheworldthatweknow,considertherageanddiscontenttowhichtheJacquerieaddressesitselfwithmoreandmoreofcertaintyeveryhour.Cansuchthingslast?Bah!Imockyou.'
　　`Mybravewife,'returnedDefarge,standingbeforeherwithhisheadalittlebent,andhishandsclaspedathisback,likeadocileandattentivepupilbeforehiscatechist,`Idonotquestionallthis.Butithaslastedalongtime,anditispossible——youknowwell,mywife,itispossible——thatitmaynotcome,duringourlives.'
　　`Ehwell!Howthen?'demandedmadame,tyinganotherknot,asiftherewereanotherenemystrangled.
　　`Well!'saidDefarge,withahalf-complainingandhalfapologeticshrug.`Weshallnotseethetriumph.'
　　Weshallhavehelpedit,'returnedmadame,withherextendedhandinstrongaction.`Nothingthatwedo,isdoneinvain.Ibelieve,withallmysoul,thatweshallseethetriumph.Butevenifnot,evenifIknewcertainlynot,showmetheneckofanaristocratandtyrant,andstillIwould——'
　　Thenmadame,withherteethset,tiedaveryterribleknotindeed.
　　`Hold!'criedDefarge,reddeningalittleasifhefeltchargedwithcowardice;`Itoo,mydear,willstopatnothing.'
　　`Yes!Butitisyourweaknessthatyousometimesneedtoseeyourvictimandyouropportunity,tosustainyou.Sustainyourselfwithoutthat.Whenthetimecomes,letlooseatigerandadevil;butwaitforthetimewiththetigerandthedevilchained——notshown——yetalwaysready.'
　　Madameenforcedtheconclusionofthispieceofadvicebystrikingherlittlecounterwithherchainofmoneyasifsheknockeditsbrainsout,andthengatheringtheheavyhandkerchiefunderherarminaserenemanner,andobservingthatitwastimetogotobed.
　　Nextnoontidesawtheadmirablewomaninherusualplaceinthewine-shop,knittingawayassiduously.Aroselaybesideher,andifshenowandthenglancedattheflower,itwaswithnoinfractionofherusualpreoccupiedair.Therewereafewcustomers,drinkingornotdrinking,standingorseated,sprinkledabout.Thedaywasveryhot,andheapsofflies,whowereextendingtheirinquisitiveandadventurousperquisitionsintoalltheglutinouslittleglassesnearmadame,felldeadatthebottom.Theirdeceasemadenoimpressionontheotherfliesoutpromenading,wholookedattheminthecoolestmannerasiftheythemselveswereelephants,orsomethingasfarremoved,untiltheymetthesamefate.Curioustoconsiderhowheedlessfliesare!——perhapstheythoughtasmuchatCourtthatsunnysummerday.
　　AfigureenteringatthedoorthrewashadowonMadameDefargewhichshefelttobeanewone.Shelaiddownherknitting,andbegantopinherroseinherhead-dress,beforeshelookedatthefigure.
　　Itwascurious.ThemomentMadameDefargetookuptherose,thecustomersceasedtalking,andbegangraduallytodropoutofthewine-shop.
　　`Goodday,madame,'saidthenewcomer.
　　`Goodday,monsieur.'
　　Shesaiditaloud,butaddedtoherselfassheresumedherknitting:`Hah!Goodday,ageaboutforty,heightaboutfivefeetnine,blackhair,generallyratherhandsomevisage,complexiondark,eyesdark,thinlongandsallowface,aquilinenosebutnotstraight,havingapeculiarinclinationtowardstheleftcheekwhichimpartsasinisterexpression!Goodday,oneandall!'
　　`Havethegoodnesstogivemealittleglassofoldcognac,andamouthfulofcoolfreshwater,madame.'
　　Madamecompliedwithapoliteair.
　　`Marvellouscognacthis,madame!'
　　Itwasthefirsttimeithadeverbeensocomplimented,andMadameDefargeknewenoughofitsantecedentstoknowbetter.Shesaid,however,thatthecognacwasflattered,andtookupherknitting.Thevisitorwatchedherfingersforafewmoments,andtooktheopportunityofobservingtheplaceingeneral.
　　`Youknitwithgreatskill,madame.'
　　`Iamaccustomedtoit.'
　　`Aprettypatterntoo!'
　　`Youthinkso?'saidmadame,lookingathimwithasmile.
　　`Decidedly.Mayoneaskwhatitisfor?'
　　`Pastime,'saidmadame,stilllookingathimwithasmile,whileherfingersmovednimbly.
　　`Notforuse?'
　　`Thatdepends.Imayfindauseforitoneday.IfIdo——well,'saidmadame,drawingabreathandnoddingherheadwithasternkindofcoquetry,`I'lluseit!'
　　Itwasremarkable:butthetasteofSaintAntoineseemedtobedecidedlyopposedtoaroseontheheaddressofMadameDefarge.Twomenhadenteredseparately,andhadbeenabouttoorderdrink,when,catchingsightofthatnovelty,theyfaltered,madeapretenceoflookingaboutasifforsomefriendwhowasnotthere,andwentaway.Nor,ofthosewhohadbeentherewhenthisvisitorentered,wasthereoneleft.Theyhadalldroppedoff.Thespyhadkepthiseyesopen,buthadbeenabletodetectnosign.Theyhadloungedawayinapoverty-stricken,purposeless,accidentalmanner,quitenaturalandunimpeachable.
　　`JOHN,'thoughtmadame,checkingoffherworkasherfingersknitted,andhereyeslookedatthestranger.,`Staylongenough,andIshallknit``BARSAD''beforeyougo.'
　　`Youhaveahusband,madame?'
　　`Ihave.'
　　`Children?'
　　`Nochildren.'
　　`Businessseemsbad?'
　　`Businessisverybad;thepeoplearesopoor.'
　　`Ah,theunfortunate,miserablepeople!Sooppressed,too——asyousay.'
　　`Asyousay,'madameretorted,correctinghim,anddeftlyknittinganextrasomethingintohisnamethatbodedhimnogood.
　　`Pardonme;certainlyitwasIwhosaidso,butyounaturallythinkso.Ofcourse.'
　　`Ithink?'returnedmadame,inahighvoice.`Iandmyhusbandhaveenoughtodotokeepthiswine-shopopen,withoutthinking.Allwethink,here,ishowtolive.Thatisthesubjectwethinkof,anditgivesus,frommorningtonight,enoughtothinkabout,withoutembarrassingourheadsconcerningothers.Ithinkforothers?No,no.'
　　Thespy,whowastheretopickupanycrumbshecouldfindormake,didnotallowhisbaffledstatetoexpressitselfinhissinisterface;but,stoodwithanairofgossipinggallantry,leaninghiselbowonMadameDefarge'slittlecounter,andoccasionallysippinghiscognac.
　　`Abadbusinessthis,madame,ofGaspard'sexecution.Ah!thepoorGaspard!'Withasighofgreatcompassion.
　　`Myfaith!'returnedmadame,coollyandlightly,`ifpeopleuseknivesforsuchpurposes,theyhavetopayforit.Heknewbeforehandwhatthepriceofhisluxurywas;hehaspaidtheprice.'
　　`Ibelieve,'saidthespy,droppinghissoftvoicetoatonethatinvitedconfidence,andexpressinganinjuredrevolutionarysusceptibilityineverymuscleofhiswickedface:`Ibelievethereismuchcompassionandangerinthisneighbourhood,touchingthepoorfellow?Betweenourselves.'
　　`Isthere?'askedmadame,vacantly.
　　`Istherenot?'
　　`——Hereismyhusband!'saidMadameDefarge.
　　Asthekeeperofthewine-shopenteredatthedoor,thespysalutedhimbytouchinghishat,andsaying,withanengagingsmile,`Goodday,Jacques!'Defargestoppedshort,andstaredathim.
　　`Goodday,Jacques!'thespyrepeated;withnotquitesomuchconfidence,orquitesoeasyasmileunderthestare.
　　`Youdeceiveyourself,monsieur,'returnedthekeeperofthewine-shop.`Youmistakemeforanother.Thatisnotmyname.IamErnestDefarge.'
　　`Itisallthesame,'saidthespy,airily,butdiscomfitedtoo:`goodday!'
　　`Goodday!'answeredDefarge,drily.
　　`Iwassayingtomadame,withwhomIhadthepleasureofchattingwhenyouentered,thattheytellmethereis——andnowonder!——muchsympathyandangerinSaintAntoine,touchingtheunhappyfateofpoorGaspard.'
　　`Noonehastoldmeso,'saidDefarge,shakinghishead.`Iknownothingofit.'
　　Havingsaidit,hepassedbehindthelittlecounter,andstoodwithhishandonthebackofhiswife'schair,lookingoverthatbarrieratthepersontowhomtheywerebothopposed,andwhomeitherofthemwouldhaveshotwiththegreatestsatisfaction.
　　Thespy,wellusedtohisbusiness,didnotchangehisunconsciousattitude,butdrainedhislittleglassofcognac,tookasipoffreshwater,andaskedforanotherglassofcognac.MadameDefargepoureditoutforhim,tooktoherknittingagain,andhummedalittlesongoverit.
　　`Youseemtoknowthisquarterwell;thatistosay,betterthanIdo?'observedDefarge.
　　`Notatall,butIhopetoknowitbetter.Iamsoprofoundlyinterestedinitsmiserableinhabitants.'
　　`Hah!'mutteredDefarge.
　　`Thepleasureofconversingwithyou,MonsieurDefarge,recallstome,'pursuedthespy,`thatIhavethehonourofcherishingsomeinterestingassociationswithyourname.'
　　`Indeed!'saidDefarge,withmuchindifference.
　　`Yes,indeed.WhenDr.Manettewasreleased,you,hisolddomestic,hadthechargeofhim,Iknow.Hewasdeliveredtoyou.YouseeIaminformedofthecircumstances?'
　　`Suchisthefact,certainly,'saidDefarge.Hehadhaditconveyedtohim,inanaccidentaltouchofhiswife'selbowassheknittedandwarbled,thathewoulddobesttoanswer,butalwayswithbrevity.
　　`Itwastoyou,'saidthespy,`thathisdaughtercame;anditwasfromyourcarethathisdaughtertookhim,accompaniedbyaneatbrownmonsieur;howishecalled?——inalittlewig——Lorry——ofthebankofTellsonandCompany——overtoEngland.'
　　`Suchisthefact,'repeatedDefarge.
　　`Veryinterestingremembrances'saidthespy.`IhaveknownDr.Manetteandhisdaughter,inEngland.'
　　`Yes?'saidDefarge.
　　`Youdon'thearmuchaboutthemnow?'saidthespy.
　　`No,'saidDefarge.
　　`Ineffect,'madamestruckin,lookingupfromherworkandherlittlesong,`weneverhearaboutthem.Wereceivedthenewsoftheirsafearrival,andperhapsanotherletter,orperhapsMo;but,sincethen,theyhavegraduallytakentheirroadinlife——we,ours——andwehaveheldnocorrespondence.'
　　`Perfectlyso,madame,'repliedthespy.`Sheisgoingtobemarried.'
　　`Going?'echoedmadame.`Shewasprettyenoughtohavebeenmarriedlongago.YouEnglisharecold,itseemstome.'
　　`Oh!YouknowIamEnglish.'
　　`Iperceiveyourtongueis,'returnedmadame;`andwhatthetongueis,Isupposethemanis.'
　　Hedidnottaketheidentificationasacompliment;buthemadethebestofit,andturneditoffwithalaugh.Aftersippinghiscognactotheend,headded:
　　`Yes,MissManetteisgoingtobemarried.ButnottoanEnglishman;toonewho,likeherself,isFrenchbybirth.AndspeakingofGaspardah,poorGaspard!Itwascruel,cruel!itisacuriousthingthatsheisgoingtomarrythenephewof'MonsieurtheMarquis,forwhomGaspardwasexaltedtothatheightofsomanyfeet;inotherwords,thepresentMarquis.ButhelivesunknowninEngland,heisnoMarquisthere;heisMr.CharlesDarnay.D'Aulnaisisthenameofhismother'sfamily.'
　　MadameDefargeknittedsteadily,buttheintelligencehadapalpableeffectuponherhusband.Dowhathewould,behindthelittlecounter,astothestrikingofalightandthelightingofhispipe,hewastroubled,andhishandwasnottrustworthy.Thespywouldhavebeennospyifhehadfailedtoseeit,ortorecorditinhismind.
　　Havingmade,atleast,thisonehit,whateveritmightprovetobeworth,andnocustomerscomingintohelphimtoanyother,Mr.Barsadpaidforwhathehaddrunk,andtookhisleave:takingoccasiontosay,inagenteelmanner,beforehedeparted,thathelookedforwardtothepleasureofseeingMonsieurandMadameDefargeagain.ForsomeminutesafterhehademergedintotheouterpresenceofSaintAntoine,thehusbandandwiferemainedexactlyashehadleftthem,lestheshouldcomeback.
　　`Canitbetrue,'saidDefarge,inalowvoice,lookingdownathiswifeashestoodsmokingwithhishandonthebackofherchair:`whathehassaidofMa'amselleManette?'
　　`Ashehassaidit,'returnedmadame,liftinghereyebrowsalittle,`itisprobablyfalse.Butitmaybetrue.'
　　`Ifitis——'Defargebegan,andstopped.
　　`Ifitis?'repeatedhiswife.
　　`——Andifitdoescome,whilewelivetoseeittriumph——Ihope,forhersake,DestinywillkeepherhusbandoutofFrance.'
　　`Herhusband'sdestiny,'saidMadameDefarge,withherusualcomposure,`willtakehimwhereheistogo,andwillleadhimtotheendthatistoendhim.ThatisallIknow.'
　　`Butitisverystrange——now,atleast,isitnotverystrange'——saidDefarge,ratherpleadingwithhiswifetoinducehertoadmitit,`that,afteralloursympathyforMonsieurherfather,andherself,herhusband'snameshouldbeproscribedunderyourhandatthismoment,bythesideofthatinfernaldog'swhohasjustleftus?'
　　`Strangerthingsthanthatwillhappenwhenitdoescome,'answeredmadame.`Ihavethembothhere,ofacertainty;andtheyarebothherefortheirmerits;thatisenough.'
　　Sherolledupherknittingwhenshehadsaidthosewords,andpresentlytooktheroseoutofthehandkerchiefthatwaswoundaboutherhead.EitherSaintAntoinehadaninstinctivesensethattheobjectionabledecorationwasgoneorSaintAntoinewasonthewatchforitsdisappearance;howbeit,theSainttookcouragetoloungein,veryshortlyafterwards,andthewine-shoprecovereditshabitualaspect.
　　Intheevening,atwhichseasonofallothersSaintAntoineturnedhimselfinsideout,andsatondoorstepsandwindow-ledges,andcametothecornersofvilestreetsandcourts,forabreathofair,MadameDefargewithherworkinherhandwasaccustomedtopassfromplacetoplaceandfromgrouptogroup:aMissionary——thereweremanylikeher——suchastheworldwilldowellnevertobreedagain.Allthewomenknitted.Theyknittedworthlessthings;but,themechanicalworkwasamechanicalsubstituteforeatinganddrinking;thehandsmovedforthejawsandthedigestiveapparatus:ifthebonyfingershadbeenstill,thestomachswouldhavebeenmorefamine-pinched.
　　But,asthefingerswent,theeyeswent,andthethoughts.AndasMadameDefargemovedonfromgrouptogroup,allthreewentquickerandfierceramongeverylittleknotofwomenthatshehadspokenwith,andleftbehind.
　　Herhusbandsmokedathisdoor,lookingafterherwithadmiration.`Agreatwoman,'saidhe,`astrongwoman,agrandwoman,afrightfullygrandwoman!'
　　Darknessclosedaround,andthencametheringingofchurchbellsandthedistantbeatingofthemilitarydrumsinthePalaceCourt-Yard,asthewomensatknitting,knitting.Darknessencompassedthem.Anotherdarknesswasclosinginassurely,whenthechurchbells,thenringingpleasantlyinmanyanairysteepleoverFrance,shouldbemeltedintothunderingcannon;whenthemilitarydrumsshouldbebeatingtodrownawretchedvoice,thatnightall-potentasthevoiceofPowerandPlenty,FreedomandLife.Somuchwasclosinginaboutthewomenwhosatknitting,knitting,thattheytheirveryselveswereclosinginaroundastructureyetunbuilt,wheretheyweretositknitting,knitting,countingdroppingheads.
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　OneNight
　　NEVERdidthesungodownwithabrightergloryonthequietcomerinSoho,thanonememorableeveningwhenDoctorandhisdaughtersatundertheplane-treetogether.NeverdidthemoonrisewithamilderradianceovergreatLondon,thanonthatnightwhenitfoundthemstillseatedunderthetree,andshoneupontheirfacesthroughitsleaves.
　　Luciewastobemarriedto-morrow.Shehadreservedthislasteveningforherfather,andtheysataloneundertheplane-tree.
　　`Youarehappy,mydearfather?'
　　`Quite,mychild.'
　　Theyhadsaidlittlethoughtheyhadbeentherealongtime.Whenitwasyetlightenoughtoworkandread,shehadneitherengagedherselfinherusualwork,norhadshereadtohim.Shehademployedherselfinbothways,athissideunderthetree,manyandmanyatime;but,thistimewasnotquitelikeanyother,andnothingcouldmakeitso.
　　AndIamveryhappyto-night,dearfather.IamdeeplyhappyinthelovethatHeavenhassoblessed——myloveforCharles,andCharles'sloveforme.But,ifmylifewerenottobestillconsecratedtoyou,orifmymarriageweresoarrangedasthatitwouldpartus,evenbythelengthofafewofthesestreets,Ishouldbemoreunhappyandself-reproachfulnowthanIcantellyou.Evenasitis——'
　　Evenasitwas,shecouldnotcommandhervoice.
　　Inthesadmoonlight,sheclaspedhimbytheneck,andladherfaceuponhisbreast.Inthemoonlightwhichisalwayssad,asthelightofthesunitselfBasthelightcalledhumanlifeis——atitscominganditsgoing.
　　`Dearestdear!Canyoutellme,thislasttime,thatyoufeelquite,quitesure,nonewaffectionsofmine,andnonewdutiesofmine,willeverinterposebetweenus?Iknowitwell,butdoyouknowit?Inyourownheart,doyoufeelquitecertain?'
　　Herfatheranswered,withacheerfulfirmnessofconvictionhecouldscarcelyhaveassumed,`Quitesure,mydarling!Morethanthat,'headded,ashetenderlykissedher:`myfutureisfarbrighter,Lucie,seenthroughyourmarriage,thanitcouldhavebeen——nay,thaniteverwas——withoutit.'
　　`IfIcouldhopethat,myfather!——'
　　`Believeit,love!Indeeditisso.Considerhownaturalandhowplainitis,mydear,thatitshouldbeso.You,devotedandyoung,cannotfullyappreciatetheanxietyIhavefeltthatyourlifeshouldnotbewasted'
　　Shemovedherhandtowardshislips,buthetookitinhis,andrepeatedtheword.
　　`——wasted,mychild——shouldnotbewasted,struckasidefromthenaturalorderofthings——formysake.Yourunselfishnesscannotentirelycomprehendhowmuchmymindhasgoneonthis;but,onlyaskyourselfhowcouldmyhappinessbeperfect,whileyourswasincomplete?'
　　`IfIhadneverseenCharles,myfather,Ishouldhavebeenquitehappywithyou.'
　　HesmiledatherunconsciousadmissionthatshewouldhavebeenunhappywithoutCharles,havingseenhim;andreplied:
　　`Mychild,youdidseehim,anditisCharles.IfithadnotbeenCharles,itwouldhavebeenanother.Or,ifithadbeennoother,Ishouldhavebeenthecause,andthenthedarkpartofmylifewouldhavecastitsshadowbeyondmyselfandwouldhavefallenonyou.'
　　Itwasthefirsttime,exceptatthetrial,ofhereverhearinghimrefertotheperiodofhissuffering.Itgaveherastrangeandnewsensationwhilehiswordswereinherears;andsheremembereditlongafterwards.
　　`See!'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais,raisinghishandtowardsthemoon.`Ihavelookedatherfrommyprison-window,whenIcouldnotbearherlight.IhavelookedatherwhenithasbeensuchtorturetometothinkofhershininguponwhatIhadlost,thatIhavebeatenmyheadagainstmyprison-walls.Ihavelookedather,inastatesodullandlethargic,thatIhavethoughtofnothingbutthenumberofhorizontallines`Icoulddrawacrossheratthefull,andthenumberofperpendicularlineswithwhichIcouldintersectthem.'Headdedinhisinwardandponderingmanner,ashelookedatthemoon,`Itwastwentyeitherway,Iremember,andthetwentiethwasdifficulttosqueezein.'
　　Thestrangethrillwithwhichsheheardhimgobacktothattime,deepenedashedweltuponit;but,therewasnothingtoshockherinthemannerofhisreference.Heonlyseemedtocontrasthispresentcheerfulnessandfelicitywiththedireendurancethatwasover.
　　`Ihavelookedather,speculatingthousandsoftimesupontheunbornchildfromwhomIhadbeenrent.Whetheritwasalive.Whetherithadbeenbornalive,orthepoormother'sshockhadkilledit.Whetheritwasasonwhowouldsomedayavengehisfather.Therewasatimeinmyimprisonment,whenmydesireforvengeancewasunbearable.Whetheritwasasonwhowouldneverknowhisfather'sstory;whomightevenlivetoweighthepossibilityofhisfather'shavingdisappearedofhisownwillandact.Whetheritwasadaughterwhowouldgrowtobeawoman.'
　　Shedrewclosertohim,andkissedhischeekandhishand.`Ihavepicturedmydaughter,tomyself,asperfectlyforgetfulofme——rather,altogetherignorantofme,andunconsciousofme.Ihavecastuptheyearsofherage,yearafteryear.Ihaveseenhermarriedtoamanwhoknewnothingofmyfate.Ihavealtogetherperishedfromtheremembranceoftheliving,andinthenextgenerationmyplacewasablank.'
　　`Myfather!Eventohearthatyouhadsuchthoughtsofadaughterwhoneverexisted,strikestomyheartasifIhadbeenthatchild.'
　　`You,Lucie?Itisoutoftheconsolationandrestorationyouhavebroughttome,thattheseremembrancesarise,andpassbetweenusandthemoononthislastnight——whatdidIsayjustnow?'
　　Sheknewnothingofyou.Shecarednothingforyou.'
　　`So!Butonothermoonlightnights,whenthesadnessandthesilencehavetouchedmeinadifferentway——haveaffectedmewithsomethingaslikeasorrowfulsenseofpeace,asanyemotionthathadpainforitsfoundationscould——Ihaveimaginedherascomingtomeinmycell,andleadingmeoutintothefreedombeyondthefortress.Ihaveseenherimageinthemoonlightoften,asInowseeyou;exceptthatIneverheldherinmyarms;itstoodbetweenthelittlegratedwindowandthedoor.But,youunderstandthatthatwasnotthechildIamspeakingof?'
　　`Thefigurewasnot;the——the——image;thefancy?'
　　`No.Thatwasanotherthing.Itstoodbeforemydisturbedsenseofsight,butitnevermoved.Thephantomthatmymindpursued,wasanotherandmorerealchild.OfheroutwardappearanceIknownomorethanthatshewaslikehermother.Theotherhadthatlikenesstoo——asyouhave——butwasnotthesame.Canyoufollowme,Lucie?Hardly,IthinkI`doubtyoumusthavebeer,asolitaryprisonertounderstandtheseprisonerperplexeddistinctions.
　　Hiscollectedandcalmmannercouldnotpreventherbloodfromrunningcold,ashethustriedtoanatomisehisoldcondition.
　　`Inthatmorepeacefulstate,Ihaveimaginedher,inthemoonlight,comingtomeandtakingmeouttoshowmethatthehomeofhermarriedlifewaslullofherlovingremembranceofherlostfather.Mypicturewasinherroom,andIwasinherprayers.Herlifewasactive,cheerful,useful;hutmypoorhistorypervadeditall.'
　　`Iwasthatchild,myfather.Iwasnothalfsogood,butinmylovethatwasI.'
　　`Andsheshowedmeherchildren,'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais,`andtheyhadheardofme,andhadbeentaughttopityme.WhentheypassedaprisonoftheState,theykeptfarfromitsfrowningwalls,andlookedupatitsbars,andspokeinwhispers.Shecouldneverdeliverme;Iimaginedthatshealwaysbroughtmebackaftershowingmesuchthings.Butthen,blessedwiththereliefoftears,Ifelluponmyknees,andblessedher.'
　　`Iamthatchild,Ihope,myfather.Omydear,mydear,willyoublessmeasferventlyto-morrow?'
　　`Lucie,IrecalltheseoldtroublesinthereasonthatIhaveto-nightforlovingyoubetterthanwordscantell,andthankingGodformygreathappiness.Mythoughts,whentheywerewildest,neverrosenearthehappinessthatIhaveknownwithyou,andthatwehavebeforeus.
　　Heembracedher,solemnlycommendedhertoHeaven,andhumblythankedHeavenforhavingbestowedheronhim.By-and-by,theywentintothehouse.
　　TherewasnoonehiddentothemarriagebutMr.Lorry;therewaseventobenobridesmaidbutthegauntMissPross.Themarriagewastomakenochangeintheirplaceofresidence;theyhadbeenabletoextendit,bytakingtothemselvestheupperroomsformerlybelongingtotheapocryphalinvisiblelodger,andtheydesirednothingmore.
　　DoctorManettewasverycheerfulatthelittlesupper.Theywereonlythreeattable,andMissProssmadethethird.HeregrettedthatCharleswasnotthere;wasmorethanhalfdisposedtoobjecttothelovinglittleplotthatkepthimaway;anddranktohimaffectionately.
　　So,thetimecameforhimtobidLuciegoodnight,andtheyseparated.But,inthestillnessofthethirdhourofthemorning,Luciecamedownstairsagain,andstoleintohisroom;notfreefromunshapedfears,beforehand.
　　Allthings,however,wereintheirplaces;allwasquiet;andhelayasleep,hiswhitehairpicturesqueontheuntroubledpillow,andhishandslyingquietonthecoverlet.Sheputherneedlesscandleintheshadowatadistance,creptuptohisbed,andputherlipstohis;then,leanedoverhim,andlookedathim.
　　Intohishandsomeface,thebitterwatersofcaptivityhadworn;but,hecovereduptheirtrackswithadeterminationsostrong,thatheheldthemasteryofthemeveninhissleep.Amoreremarkablefaceinitsquiet,resolute,andguardedstrugglewithanunseenassailant,wasnottobebeheldinallthewidedominionsofsleep,thatnight.
　　Shetimidlylaidherhandonhisdearbreast,andputupaprayerthatshemighteverbeastruetohimasherloveaspiredtobe,andashissorrowsdeserved.Then,shewithdrewherhand,andkissedhislipsoncemore,andwentaway.So,thesunrisecame,andtheshadowsoftheleavesoftheplane-treemoveduponhisface,assoftlyasherlipshadmovedinprayingforhim.
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　NineDays
　　THEmarriage-daywasshiningbrightly,andtheywerereadyoutsidethecloseddooroftheDoctor'sroom,wherehewasspeakingwithCharlesDarnay.Theywerereadytogotochurch;thebeautifulbride,Mr.Lorry,andMissPross——towhomtheevent,throughagradualprocessofreconcilementtotheinevitable,wouldhavebeenoneofabsolutebliss,butfortheyetlingeringconsiderationthatherbrotherSolomonshouldhavebeenthebridegroom.
　　`Andso,'saidMr.Lorry,whocouldnotsufficientlyadmirethebride,andwhohadbeenmovingroundhertotakeineverypointofherquiet,prettydress;`andsoitwasforthis,mysweetLucie,thatIbroughtyouacrosstheChannel,suchababy!Lordblessme!HowlittleIthoughtwhatIwasdoing!HowlightlyIvaluedtheobligationIwasconferringonmyfriendMr.Charles!'
　　`Youdidn'tmeanit,'remarkedthematter-of-factMissPross,`andthereforehowcouldyouknowit?Nonsense!'
　　`Really?Well;butdon'tcry,'saidthegentleMr.Lorry.
　　`Iamnotcrying,'saidMissPross;`youare.
　　`I,myPross?'Bythistime,Mr.Lorrydaredtobepleasantwithher,onoccasion.
　　`Youwere,justnow;Isawyoudoit,andIdon'twonderatit.Suchapresentofplateasyouhavemade`em,isenoughtobringtearsintoanybody'seyes.There'snotaforkoraspooninthecollection,'saidMissPross,`thatIdidn'tcryover,lastnightaftertheboxcame,tillIcouldn'tseeit.'
　　`Iamhighlygratified,'saidMr.Lorry,`though,uponmyhonour,Ihadnointentionofrenderingthosetriflingarticlesofremembranceinvisibletoanyone.Dearme!Thisisanoccasionthatmakesamanspeculateonallhehaslost.Dear,dear,dear!TothinkthattheremighthavebeenaMrs.Lorry,anytimethesefiftyyearsalmost!'
　　`Notatall!'FromMissPross.
　　`YouthinktherenevermighthavebeenaMrs.Lorry?'askedthegentlemanofthatname.
　　`Pooh!'rejoinedMissPross;`youwereabachelorinyourcradle.'
　　`Well!'observedMr.Lorry,beaminglyadjustinghislittlewig,`thatseemsprobable,too.
　　`Andyouwerecutoutforabachelor,'pursuedMissPross,`beforeyouwereputinyourcradle.'
　　`Then,Ithink,'saidMr.Lorry,`thatIwasveryunhandsomelydealtwith,andthatIoughttohavehadavoiceintheselectionofmypattern.Enough!Now,mydearLucie,'drawinghisarmsoothinglyroundherwaist,`Ihearthemmovinginthenextroom,andMissProssandI,astwoformalfolksofbusiness,areanxiousnottolosethefinalopportunityofsayingsomethingtoyouthatyouwishtohear.Youleaveyourgoodfather,mydear,inhandsasearnestandaslovingasyourown;heshallbetakeneveryconceivablecareof;duringthenextfortnight,whileyouareinWarwickshireandthereabouts,evenTellson'sshallgotothewallcomparativelyspeakingbeforehim.Andwhen,atthefortnight'send,hecomestojoinyouandyourbelovedhusband,onyourotherfortnight'stripinWales,youshallsaythatwehavesenthimtoyouinthebesthealthandinthehappiestframe.NowIhearSomebody'sstepcomingtothedoor.Letmekissmydeargirlwithanold-fashionedbachelorblessing,beforeSomebodycomestoclaimhisown.'
　　Foramoment,heheldthefairfacefromhimtolookatthewell-rememberedexpressionontheforehead,andthenlaidthebrightgoldenhairagainsthislittlebrownwig,withagenuinetendernessanddelicacywhich,ifsuchthingsbeold-fashioned,wereasoldasAdam.
　　ThedooroftheDoctor'sroomopened,andhecameoutwithCharlesDarnay.Hewassodeadlypale——whichhadnotbeenthecasewhentheywentintogether——thatnovestigeofcolourwastobeseeninhisface.But,inthecomposureofhismannerhewasunaltered,exceptthattotheshrewdglanceofMr.Lorryitdisclosedsomeshadowyindicationthattheoldairofavoidanceanddreadhadlatelypassedoverhim,likeacoldwind.
　　Hegavehisarmtohisdaughter,andtookherdownstairstothechariotwhichMr.Lorryhadhiredinhonouroftheday.Therestfollowedinanothercarriage,andsoon,inaneighbouringchurch,wherenostrangeeyeslookedon,CharlesDarnayandLucieManettewerehappilymarried.
　　Besidestheglancingtearsthatshoneamongthesmilesofthelittlegroupwhenitwasdone,somediamonds,verybrightandsparkling,glancedonthebride'shand,whichwerenewlyreleasedfromthedarkobscurityofoneofMr.Lorry'spockets.Theyreturnedhometobreakfast,andallwentwell,andinduecoursethegoldenhairthathadmingledwiththepoorshoemaker'swhitelocksintheParisgarret,weremingledwiththemagaininthemorningsunlight,onthethresholdofthedooratparting.
　　Itwasahardparting,thoughitwasnotforlong.Butherfathercheeredher,andsaidatlast,gentlydisengaginghimselffromherenfoldingarms,`Takeher,Charles!Sheisyours!'
　　Andheragitatedhandwavedtothemfromachaisewindow,andshewasgone.
　　Thecornerbeingoutofthewayoftheidleandcurious,andthepreparationshavingbeenverysimpleandfew,theDoctor,Mr.Lorry,andMissPross,wereleftquitealone.Itwaswhentheyturnedintothewelcomeshadeofthecoololdhall,thatMr.LorryobservedagreatchangetohavecomeovertheDoctor;asifthegoldenarmupliftedthere,hadstruckhimapoisonedblow.