TheshiningBull'sEyeoftheCourtwasgone,oritwouldhavebeenthemarkforahurricaneofnationalbullets.Ithadneverbeenagoodeyetoseewith——hadlonghadthemoteinitofLucifer'spride,Sardanapalus'sluxury,andamole'sblindness——butithaddroppedoutandwasgone.TheCourt,fromthatexclusiveinnercircletoitsoutermostrottenringofintrigue,corruption,anddissimulation,wasallgonetogether.Royaltywasgone;hadbeenbesiegedinitsPalaceand`suspended,'whenthelasttidingscameover.
　　TheAugustoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety-twowascome,andMonseigneurwasbythistimescatteredfarandwide.
　　Aswasnatural,thehead-quartersandgreatgathering-placeofMonseigneur,inLondon,wasTellson'sBank.Spiritsaresupposedtohaunttheplaceswheretheirbodiesmostresorted,andMonseigneurwithoutaguineahauntedthespotwherehisguineasusedtobe.Moreover,itwasthespottowhichsuchFrenchintelligenceaswasmosttobereliedupon,camequickest.Again:Tellson'swasamunificenthouse,andextendedgreatliberalitytooldcustomerswhohadfallenfromtheirhighestate.Again:thosenobleswhohadseenthecomingstormintime,andanticipatingplunderorconfiscation,hadmadeprovidentremittancestoTellson's,werealwaystobeheardoftherebytheirneedybrethren.TowhichitmustbeaddedthateverynewcomerfromFrancereportedhimselfandhistidingsatTellson's,almostasamatterofcourse.Forsuchvarietyofreasons,Tellson'swasatthattime,astoFrenchintelligence,akindofHighExchange;andthiswassowellknowntothepublic,andtheinquiriesmadetherewereinconsequencesonumerous,thatTellson'ssometimeswrotethelatestnewsoutinalineorsoandposteditintheBankwindows,forallwhoranthroughTempleBartoread.
　　Onasteaming,mistyafternoon,Mr.Lorrysatathisdesk,andCharlesDarnaystoodleaningonit,talkingwithhiminalowvoice.ThepenitentialdenoncesetapartforinterviewswiththeHouse,wasnowthenews-Exchange,andwasfilledtooverflowing.Itwaswithinhalfanhourorsoofthetimeofclosing.
　　`But,althoughyouaretheyoungestmanthateverlived,'saidCharlesDarnay,ratherhesitating,`Imuststillsuggesttoyou——'
　　`Iunderstand.ThatIamtooold?'saidMr.Lorry.
　　`Unsettledweather,alongjourney,uncertainmeansoftravelling,adisorganisedcountry,acitythatmaynotbeevensafeforyou.'
　　`MydearCharles,'saidMr.Lorry,withcheerfulconfidence,youtouchsomeofthereasonsformygoing:notformystayingaway.Itissafeenoughforme;nobodywillcaretointerferewithanoldfellowofharduponfour-scorewhentherearesomanypeopletheremuchbetterworthinterferingwith.Astoitsbeingadisorganisedcity,ifitwerenotadisorganisedcitytherewouldbenooccasiontosendsomebodyfromourHouseheretoourHousethere,whoknowsthecityandthebusiness,ofold,andisinTellson'sconfidence.Astotheuncertaintravelling,thelongjourney,andthewinterweather,ifIwerenotpreparedtosubmitmyselftoafewinconveniencesforthesakeofTellson's,afteralltheseyears,whooughttobe?'
　　`IwishIweregoingmyself,'saidCharlesDarnay,somewhatrestlessly,andlikeonethinkingaloud.
　　`Indeed!Youareaprettyfellowtoobjectandadvise!'exclaimedMr.Lorry.`Youwishyouweregoingyourself?AndyouaFrenchmanborn?Youareawisecounsellor.'
　　`MydearMr.Lorry,itisbecauseIamaFrenchmanborn,thatthethoughtwhichIdidnotmeantoutterhere,howeverhaspassedthroughmymindoften.Onecannothelpthinking,havinghadsomesympathyforthemiserablepeople,andhavingabandonedsomethingtothem,'hespokehereinhisformerthoughtfulmanner,`thatonemightbelistenedto,andmighthavethepowertopersuadetosomerestraint.Onlylastnight,afteryouhadleftus,whenIwastalkingtoLucie——'
　　`WhenyouweretalkingtoLucie,'Mr.Lorryrepeated.`Yes.IwonderyouarenotashamedtomentionthenameofLucie!WishingyouweregoingtoFranceatthistimeofday!'
　　`However,Iamnotgoing,'saidCharlesDarnay,withasmile.`Itismoretothepurposethatyousayyouare.'
　　`AndIam,inplainreality.Thetruthis,mydearCharles,'Mr.LorryglancedatthedistantHouse,andloweredhisvoice,`youcanhavenoconceptionofthedifficultywithwhichourbusinessistransacted,andoftheperilinwhichourbooksandpapersoveryonderareinvolved.TheLordaboveknowswhatthecompromisingconsequenceswouldbetonumbersofpeople,ifsomeofourdocumentswereseizedordestroyed;andtheymightbe,atanytime,youknow,forwhocansaythatParisisnotseta-fireto-day,orsackedto-morrow!Now,ajudiciousselectionfromthesewiththeleastpossibledelay,andtheburyingofthem,orotherwisegettingofthemoutofharm'sway,iswithinthepowerwithoutlossofprecioustimeofscarcelyanyonebutmyself,ifanyone.AndshallIhangback,whenTellson'sknowsthisandsaysthis——Tellson's,whosebreadIhaveeatenthesesixtyyears——becauseIamalittlestiffaboutthejoints?Why,Iamaboy,sir,tohalfadozenoldcodgershere!'
　　`HowIadmirethegallantryofyouryouthfulspirit,Mr.Lorry.'
　　`Tut!Nonsense,sir!——And,mydearCharles,'saidMr.Lorry,glancingattheHouseagain,`youaretoremember,thatgettingthingsoutofParisatthispresenttime,nomatterwhatthings,isnexttoanimpossibility.PapersandpreciousmatterswerethisverydaybroughttoushereIspeakinstrictconfidence;itisnotbusiness-liketowhisperit,eventoyou,bythestrangestbearersyoucapimagine,everyoneofwhomhadhisheadhangingonbyasinglehairashepassedtheBarriers.Atanothertime,ourparcelswouldcomeandgo,aseasilyasinbusiness-likeOldEngland;butnow,everythingisstopped.'
　　`Anddoyoureallygoto-night?'
　　`Ireallygoto-night,forthecasehasbecometoopressingtoadmitofdelay.'
　　`Anddoyoutakenoonewithyou?'
　　`Allsortsofpeoplehavebeenproposedtome,butIwillhavenothingtosaytoanyofthem.IintendtotakeJerry.Jerryhasbeenmybody-guardonSundaynightsforalongtimepast,andIamusedtohim.NobodywillsuspectJerryofbeinganythingbutanEnglishbull-dog,orofhavinganydesigninhisheadbuttoflyatanybodywhotoucheshismaster.'
　　`ImustsayagainthatIheartilyadmireyourgallantryandyouthfulness.'
　　`Imustsayagain,nonsense,nonsense!WhenIhaveexecutedthislittlecommission,Ishall,perhaps,acceptTellson'sproposaltoretireandliveatmyease.Timeenough,then,tothinkaboutgrowingold.'
　　ThisdialoguehadtakenplaceatMr.Lorry'susualdesk,withMonseigneurswarmingwithinayardortwoofit,boastfulofwhathewoulddotoavengehimselfontherascal-peoplebeforelong.ItwastoomuchthewayofMonseigneurunderhisreversesasarefugee,anditwasmuchtoomuchthewayofnativeBritishorthodoxy,totalkofthisterribleRevolutionasifitweretheoneonlyharvesteverknownundertheskiesthathadnotbeensown——asifnothinghadeverbeendone,oromittedtobedone,thathadledtoit——asifobserversofthewretchedmillionsinFrance,andofthemisusedandpervertedresourcesthatshouldhavemadethemprosperous,hadnotseenitinevitablycoming,yearsbefore,andhadnotinplainwordsrecordedwhattheysaw.Suchvapouring,combinedwiththeextravagantplotsofMonseigneurfortherestorationofastateofthingsthathadutterlyexhausteditself,andwornoutHeavenandearthaswellasitself,washardtobeenduredwithoutsomeremonstrancebyanysanemanwhoknewthetruth.Anditwassuchvapouringallabouthisears,likeatroublesomeconfusionofbloodinhisownhead,addedtoalatentuneasinessinhismind,whichhadalreadymadeCharlesDarnayrestless,andwhichstillkepthimso.
　　Amongthetalkers,wasStryver,oftheKing'sBenchBar,faronhiswaytostatepromotion,and,therefore,loudonthetheme:broachingtoMonseigneur,hisdevicesforblowingthepeopleupandexterminatingthemfromthefaceoftheearth,anddoingwithoutthem:andforaccomplishingmanysimilarobjectsakinintheirnaturetotheabolitionofeaglesbysprinklingsaltonthetailsoftherace.Him,Darnayheardwithaparticularfeelingofobjection;andDarnaystooddividedbetweengoingawaythathemighthearnomore,andremainingtointerposehisword,whenthethingthatwastobewentontoshapeitselfout.
　　TheHouseapproachedMr.Lorry,andlayingasoiledandunopenedletterbeforehim,askedifhehadyetdiscoveredanytracesofthepersontowhomitwasaddressed?TheHouselaidtheletterdownsoclosetoDarnaythathesawthedirection——themorequicklybecauseitwashisownrightname.Theaddress,turnedintoEnglish,ran:
　　`Verypressing.ToMonsieurheretoforetheMarquisSt.Evrémonde,ofFrance.ConfidedtothecaresofMessrs.TellsonandGo.,Bankers,London,England.'
　　Onthemarriagemorning,Dr.ManettehadmadeithisoneurgentandexpressrequesttoCharlesDarnay,thatthesecretofthisnameshouldbe——unlesshe,theDoctor,dissolvedtheobligation——keptinviolatebetweenthem.Nobodyelseknewittobehisname;hisownwifehadnosuspicionofthefact;Mr.Lorrycouldhavenone.
　　`No,'saidMr.Lorry,inreplytotheHouse;`Ihavereferredit,Ithink,toeverybodynowhere,andnoonecantellmewherethisgentlemanistobefound.'
　　ThehandsoftheclockverginguponthehourofclosingtheBank,therewasageneralsetofthecurrentoftalkerspastMr.Lorry'sdesk.Heheldtheletteroutinquiringly;andMonseigneurlookedatit,inthepersonofthisplottingandindignantrefugee;andMonseigneurlookedatit,inthepersonofthatplottingandindignantrefugee;andThis,That,andTheOther,allhadsomethingdisparagingtosay,inFrenchorinEnglish,concerningtheMarquiswhowasnottobefound.
　　`Nephew,Ibelieve——butinanycasedegeneratesuccessor——ofthepolishedMarquiswhowasmurdered,'saidone.`Happytosay,Ineverknewhim.'
　　`Acravenwhoabandonedhispost,'saidanother——thisMonseigneurhadbeengotoutofParis,legsuppermostandhalfsuffocated,inaloadofhay——`someyearsago.'
　　`Infectedwiththenewdoctrines,'saidathird,eyeingthedirectionthroughhisglassinpassing;`sethimselfinoppositiontothelastMarquis,abandonedtheestateswhenheinheritedthem,andleftthemtotheruffianherd.Theywillrecompensehimnow,Ihope,ashedeserves.'
　　`Hey?'criedtheblatantStryver.`Didhethough?Isthatthesortoffellow?Letuslookathisinfamousname.D——nthefellow!'
　　Darnay,unabletorestrainhimselfanylonger,touchedMr.Stryverontheshoulder,andsaid:
　　`Iknowthefellow.'
　　`Doyou,byJupiter?'saidStryver.`Iamsorryforit.'
　　`Why?'
　　`Why,Mr.Darnay?D'yehearwhathedid?Don'task,why,inthesetimes.'
　　`ButIdoaskwhy.'
　　`ThenItellyouagain,Mr.Darnay,Iamsorryforit.Iamsorrytohearyouputtinganysuchextraordinaryquestions.Hereisafellow,who,infectedbythemostpestilentandblasphemouscodeofdevilrythateverwasknown,abandonedhispropertytothevilestscumoftheearththateverdidmurderbywholesale,andyouaskmewhyIamsorrythatamanwhoinstructsyouthknowshim?Well,butI'llansweryou.IamsorrybecauseIbelievethereiscontaminationinsuchascoundrel.That'swhy.'
　　Mindfulofthesecret,Darnaywithgreatdifficultycheckedhimself,andsaid:`Youmaynotunderstandthegentleman.'
　　`Iunderstandhowtoputyouinacorner,Mr.Darnay,'saidBullyStryver,`andI'lldoit.Ifthisfellowisagentleman,Idon'tunderstandhim.Youmaytellhimso,withmycompliments.Youmayalsotellhim,fromme,thatafterabandoninghisworldlygoodsandpositiontothisbutcherlymob,Iwonderheisnotattheheadofthem.But,no,gentlemen,'saidStryver,lookingallround,andsnappinghisfingers,`Iknowsomethingofhumannature,andItellyouthatyou'llneverfindafellowlikethisfellow,trustinghimselftothemerciesofsuchpreciousprotégés.No,gentlemen;he'llalwaysshow`emacleanpairofheelsveryearlyinthescuffle,andsneakaway.'
　　Withthosewords,andafinalsnapofhisfingers,Mr.StryvershoulderedhimselfintoFleet-street,amidstthegeneralapprobationofhishearers.Mr.LorryandCharlesDarnaywereleftaloneatthedesk,inthegeneraldeparturefromtheBank.
　　`Willyoutakechargeoftheletter?'saidMr.Lorry.`Youknowwheretodeliverit?'
　　`Ido.'
　　`Willyouundertaketoexplain,thatwesupposeittohavebeenaddressedhere,onthechanceofourknowingwheretoforwardit,andthatithasbeenheresometime?'
　　`Iwilldoso.DoyoustartforParisfromhere?'
　　`Fromhere,ateight.'
　　`Iwillcomeback,toseeyouoff.'
　　Veryillateasewithhimself,andwithStryverandmostothermen,DarnaymadethebestofhiswayintothequietoftheTemple,openedtheletter,andreadit.Thesewereitscontents:
　　`PrisonoftheAbbaye,Paris.
　　June21,1792.
　　MONSIEURHERETOFORETHEMARQUIS,
　　`Afterhavinglongbeenindangerofmylifeatthehandsofthevillage,Ihavebeenseized,withgreatviolenceandindignity,andbroughtalongjourneyonfoottoParis.OntheroadIhavesufferedagreatdeal.Noristhatall;myhousehasbeendestroyed——razedtotheground.
　　`ThecrimeforwhichIamimprisoned,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,andforwhichIshallbesummonedbeforethetribunal,andshalllosemylifewithoutyoursogeneroushelp,is,theytellme,treasonagainstthemajestyofthepeople,inthatIhaveactedagainstthemforanemigrant.ItisinvainIrepresentthatIhaveactedforthem,andnotagainst,accordingtoyourcommands.ItisinvainIrepresentthat,beforethesequestrationofemigrantproperty,Ihadremittedtheimpoststheyhadceasedtopay;thatIhadcollectednorent;thatIhadhadrecoursetonoprocess.Theonlyresponseis,thatIhaveactedforanemigrant,andwhereisthatemigrant?
　　`Ah!mostgraciousMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,whereisthatemigrant?Icryinmysleepwhereishe?IdemandofHeaven,willhenotcometodeliverme?Noanswer.AhMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,Isendmydesolatecryacrossthesea,hopingitmayperhapsreachyourearsthroughthegreatbankofTilsonknownatParis!
　　`FortheloveofHeaven,ofjustice,ofgenerosity,ofthehonourofyournoblename,Isupplicateyou,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,tosuccourandreleaseme.Myfaultis,thatIhavebeentruetoyou.OhMonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,Iprayyoubeyoutruetome!
　　`Fromthisprisonhereofhorror,whenceIeveryhourtendnearerandnearertodestruction,Isendyou,MonsieurheretoforetheMarquis,theassuranceofmydolorousandunhappyservice.
　　`Yourafflicted
　　`GABELLE'
　　ThelatentuneasinessinDarnay'smindwasrousedtovigorouslifebythisletter.Theperilofanoldservantandagoodone,whoseonlycrimewasfidelitytohimselfandhisfamily,staredhimsoreproachfullyintheface,that,ashewalkedtoandfrointheTempleconsideringwhattodo,healmosthidhisfacefromthepassers-by.
　　Heknewverywell,thatinhishorrorofthedeedwhichhadculminatedthebaddeedsandbadreputationoftheoldfamilyhouse,inhisresentfulsuspicionsofhisuncle,andintheaversionwithwhichhisconscienceregardedthecrumblingfabricthathewassupposedtouphold,hehadactedimperfectly.Heknewverywell,thatinhisloveforLucie,hisrenunciationofhissocialplace,thoughbynomeansnewtohisownmind,hadbeenhurriedandincomplete.Heknewthatheoughttohavesystematicallyworkeditoutandsupervisedit,andthathehadmeanttodoit,andthatithadneverbeendone.
　　ThehappinessofhisownchosenEnglishhome,thenecessityofbeingalwaysactivelyemployed,theswiftchangesandtroublesofthetimewhichhadfollowedononeanothersofast,thattheeventsofthisweekannihilatedtheimmatureplansoflastweek,andtheeventsoftheweekfollowingmadeallnewagain;heknewverywell,thattotheforceofthesecircumstanceshehadyielded:——notwithoutdisquiet,butstillwithoutcontinuousandaccumulatingresistance.Thathehadwatchedthetimesforatimeofaction,andthattheyhadshiftedandstruggleduntilthetimehadgoneby,andthenobilityweretroopingfromFrancebyeveryhighwayandbyway,andtheirpropertywasincourseofconfiscationanddestruction,andtheirverynameswereblottingout,wasaswellknowntohimselfasitcouldbetoanynewauthorityinFrancethatmightimpeachhimforit.
　　But,hehadoppressednoman,hehadimprisonednoman;hewassofarfromhavingharshlyexactedpaymentofhisdues,thathehadrelinquishedthemofhisownwill,thrownhimselfonaworldwithnofavourinit,wonhisownprivateplacethere,andearnedhisownbread.MonsieurGabellehadheldtheimpoverishedandinvolvedestateonwritteninstructions,tosparethepeople,togivethemwhatlittletherewastogive——suchfuelastheheavycreditorswouldletthemhaveinthewinter,andsuchproduceascouldbesavedfromthesamegripinthesummer——andnodoubthehadputthefactinpleaandproof,forhisownsafety,sothatitcouldnotbutappearnow.
　　ThisfavouredthedesperateresolutionCharlesDarnayhadbeguntomake,thathewouldgotoParis.
　　Yes.Likethemarinerintheoldstory,thewindsandstreamshaddrivenhimwithintheinfluenceoftheLoadstoneRock,anditwasdrawinghimtoitself,andhemustgo.Everythingthatarosebeforehisminddriftedhimon,fasterandfaster,moreandmoresteadily,totheterribleattraction.Hislatentuneasinesshadbeen,thatbadaimswerebeingworkedoutinhisownunhappylandbybadinstruments,andthathewhocouldnotfailtoknowthathewasbetterthanthey,wasnotthere,tryingtodosomethingtostaybloodshed,andasserttheclaimsofmercyandhumanity.Withthisuneasinesshalfstifled,andhalfreproachinghim,hehadbeenbroughttothepointedcomparisonofhimselfwiththebraveoldgentlemaninwhomdutywassostrong;uponthatcomparisoninjurioustohimselfhadinstantlyfollowedthesneersofMonseigneur,whichhadstunghimbitterly,andthoseofStryver,whichaboveallwerecoarseandgalling,foroldreasons.Uponthose,hadfollowedGabelle'sletter:theappealofaninnocentprisoner,indangerofdeath,tohisjustice,honour,andgoodname.
　　Hisresolutionwasmade.HemustgotoParis.
　　Yes.TheLoadstoneRockwasdrawinghim,andhemustsailon,untilhestruck.Heknewofnorock;hesawhardlyanydanger.Theintentionwithwhichhehaddonewhathehaddone,evenalthoughhehadleftitincomplete,presenteditbeforehiminanaspectthatwouldbegratefullyacknowledgedinFranceonhispresentinghimselftoassertit.Then,thatgloriousvisionofdoinggood,whichissooftenthesanguinemirageofsomanygoodminds,arosebeforehim,andheevensawhimselfintheillusionwithsomeinfluencetoguidethisragingRevolutionthatwasrunningsofearfullywild.
　　Ashewalkedtoandfrowithhisresolutionmade,heconsideredthatneitherLucienorherfathermustknowofituntilhewasgone.Lucieshouldbesparedthepainofseparation;andherfather,alwaysreluctanttoturnhisthoughtstowardsthedangerousgroundofold,shouldcometotheknowledgeofthestep,asasteptaken,andnotinthebalanceofsuspenseanddoubt.Howmuchoftheincompletenessofhissituationwasreferabletoherfather,throughthepainfulanxietytoavoidrevivingoldassociationsofFranceinhismind,hedidnotdiscusswithhimself.But,thatcircumstancetoo,hadhaditsinfluenceinhiscourse.
　　Hewalkedtoandfro,withthoughtsverybusy,untilitwastimetoreturntoTellson'sandtakeleaveofMr.Lorry.AssoonashearrivedinParishewouldpresenthimselftothisoldfriend,buthemustsaynothingofhisintentionnow.
　　Acarriagewithpost-horseswasreadyattheBankdoor,andJerrywasbootedandequipped.
　　`Ihavedeliveredthatletter,'saidCharlesDarnaytoMr.Lorry.`Iwouldnotconsenttoyourbeingchargedwithanywrittenanswer,butperhapsyouwilltakeaverbalone?'
　　`ThatIwill,andreadily,'saidMr.Lorry,`ifitisnotdangerous.'
　　`Notatall.ThoughitistoaprisonerintheAbbaye.'
　　`Whatishisname?'saidMr.Lorry,withhisopenpocket-bookinhishand.
　　`Gabelle.'
　　`Gabelle.AndwhatisthemessagetotheunfortunateGabelleinprison?'
　　`Simply,"thathehasreceivedtheletter,andwillcome."'
　　`Anytimementioned?'
　　`Hewillstartuponhisjourneyto-morrownight.'
　　`Anypersonmentioned?'
　　`No.'
　　HehelpedMr.Lorrytowraphimselfinanumberofcoatsandcloaks,andwentoutwithhimfromthewarmatmosphereoftheoldBank,intothemistyairofFleet-street.`MylovetoLucie,andtolittleLucie,'saidMr.Lorryatparting,`andtakepreciouscareofthemtillIcomeback.'CharlesDarnayshookhisheadanddoubtfullysmiled,asthecarriagerolledaway.
　　Thatnight——itwasthefourteenthofAugust——hesatuplate,andwrotetwoferventletters;onewastoLucie,explainingthestrongobligationhewasundertogotoParis,andshowingher,atlength,thereasonsthathehad,forfeelingconfidentthathecouldbecomeinvolvedinnopersonaldangerthere;theotherwastotheDoctor,confidingLucieandtheirdearchildtohiscare,anddwellingonthesametopicswiththestrongestassurances.Toboth,hewrotethathewoulddespatchlettersinproofofhissafety,immediatelyafterhisarrival.
　　Itwasahardday,thatdayofbeingamongthem,withthefirstreservationoftheirjointlivesonhismind.Itwasahardmattertopreservetheinnocentdeceitofwhichtheywereprofoundlyunsuspicious.But,anaffectionateglanceathiswife,sohappyandbusy,madehimresolutenottotellherwhatimpendedhehadbeenhalfmovedtodoit,sostrangeitwastohimtoactinanythingwithoutherquietaid,andthedaypassedquicklyaway.Earlyintheeveningheembracedher,andherscarcelylessdearnamesake,pretendingthathewouldreturnby-and-byanimaginaryengagementtookhimout,andhehadsecretedavaliseofclothesready,andsoheemergedintotheheavymistoftheheavystreets,withaheavierheart.
　　Theunseenforcewasdrawinghimfasttoitself,now,andallthetidesandwindsweresettingstraightandstrongtowardsit.Helefthistwoletterswithatrustyporter,tobedeliveredhalfanhourbeforemidnight,andnosooner;tookhorseforDover;andbeganhisjourney.`FortheloveofHeaven,ofjustice,ofgenerosity,ofthehonourofyournoblename!'wasthepoorprisoner'scrywithwhichhestrengthenedhissinkingheart,asheleftallthatwasdearonearthbehindhim,andfloatedawayfortheLoadstoneRock.
　　THEENDOFTHESECONDBOOK
　　BOOKTHETHIRD
　　THETRACKOFASTORM
　　CHAPTERI
　　InSecret
　　THEtravellerfaredslowlyonhisway,whofaredtowardsParisfromEnglandintheautumnoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety-two.Morethanenoughofbadroads,badequipages,andbadhorses,hewouldhaveencounteredtodelayhim,thoughthefallenandunfortunateKingofFrancehadbeenuponhisthroneinallhisglory;but,thechangedtimeswerefraughtwithotherobstaclesthanthese.Everytown-gateandvillagetaxing-househaditsbandofcitizen-patriots,withtheirnationalmusketsinamostexplosivestateofreadiness,whostoppedallcomersandgoers,cross-questionedthem,inspectedtheirpapers,lookedfortheirnamesinlistsoftheirown,turnedthemback,orsentthemon,orstoppedthemandlaidtheminhold,astheircapriciousjudgmentorfancydeemedbestforthedawningRepublicOneandIndivisible,ofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath.
　　AveryfewFrenchleaguesofhisjourneywereaccomplished,whenCharlesDarnaybegantoperceivethatforhimalongthesecountryroadstherewasnohopeofreturnuntilheshouldhavebeendeclaredagoodcitizenatParis.Whatevermightbefallnow,hemustontohisjourney'send.Notameanvillagecloseduponhim,notacommonbarrierdroppedacrosstheroadbehindhim,butheknewittobeanotherirondoorintheseriesthatwasbarredbetweenhimandEngland.Theuniversalwatchfulnesssoencompassedhim,thatifhehadbeentakeninanet,orwerebeingforwardedtohisdestinationinacage,hecouldnothavefelthisfreedommorecompletelygone.
　　Thisuniversalwatchfulnessnotonlystoppedhimonthehighwaytwentytimesinastage,hutretardedhisprogresstwentytimesinaday,byridingafterhimandtakinghimback,ridingbeforehimandstoppinghimbyanticipation,ridingwithhimandkeepinghimincharge.HehadbeendaysuponhisjourneyinFrancealone,whenhewenttobedtiredout,inalittletownonthehighroad,stillalongwayfromParis.
　　NothingbuttheproductionoftheafflictedGabelle'sletterfromhisprisonoftheAbbayewouldhavegothimonsofar.Hisdifficultyattheguard-houseinthissmallplacehadbeensuch,thathefelthisjourneytohavecometoacrisis.Andhewas,therefore,aslittlesurprisedasamancouldbe,tofindhimselfawakenedatthesmallinntowhichhehadbeenremitteduntilmorning,inthemiddleofthenight.
　　Awakenedbyatimidlocalfunctionaryandthreearmedpatriotsinroughredcapsandwithpipesintheirmouths,whosatdownonthebed.
　　`Emigrant,'saidthefunctionary,`IamgoingtosendyouontoParis,underanescort.'
　　`Citizen,IdesirenothingmorethantogettoParis,thoughIcoulddispensewiththeescort.'
　　`Silence!'growledared-cap,strikingatthecoverletwiththebutt-endofhismusket.`Peace,aristocrat!'
　　`Itisasthegoodpatriotsays,'observedthetimidfunctionary.`Youareanaristocrat,andmusthaveanescort-andmustpayforit.'
　　`Ihavenochoice,'saidCharlesDarnay.
　　`Choice,Listentohim!'criedthesamescowlingred-cap.`Asifitwasnotafavourtobeprotectedfromthelamp-iron!'
　　`Itisalwaysasthegoodpatriotsays,'observedthefunctionary.`Riseanddressyourself,emigrant.'
　　Darnaycomplied,andwastakenbacktotheguard-house,whereotherpatriotsinroughredcapsweresmoking,drinking,andsleeping,byawatch-fire.Herehepaidaheavypriceforhisescort,andhencehestartedwithitonthewet,wetroadsatthreeo'clockinthemorning.
　　Theescortweretwomountedpatriotsinredcapsandtricolouredcockades,armedwithnationalmusketsandsabres,whorodeoneoneithersideofhim.Theescortedgovernedhisownhorse,butalooselinewasattachedtohisbridle,theendofwhichoneofthepatriotskeptgirdedroundhiswrist.Inthisstatetheysetforthwiththesharpraindrivingintheirfaces:clatteringataheavydragoontrotovertheuneventownpavement,andoutuponthemire-deeproads.Inthisstatetheytraversedwithoutchange,exceptofhorsesandpace,allthemire-deepleaguesthatlaybetweenthemandthecapital.
　　Theytravelledinthenight,haltinganhourortwoafterdaybreak,andlyingbyuntilthetwilightfell.Theescortweresowretchedlyclothed,thattheytwistedstrawroundtheirbarelegs,andthatchedtheirraggedshoulderstokeepthewetoffApartfromthepersonaldiscomfortofbeingsoattended,andapartfromsuchconsiderationsofpresentdangerasarosefromoneofthepatriotsbeingchronicallydrunk,andcarryinghismusketveryrecklessly,CharlesDarnaydidnotallowtherestraintthatwaslaiduponhimtoawakenanyseriousfearsinhisbreast;for,hereasonedwithhimselfthatitcouldhavenoreferencetothemeritsofanindividualcasethatwasnotyetstated,andofrepresentations,confirmablebytheprisonerintheAbbaye,thatwerenotyetmade.
　　ButwhentheycantotothetownofBeauvais——whichtheydidateventide,whenthestreetswerefilledwithpeople——hecouldnot`concealfromhimselfthattheaspectofaffairswasveryalarming.Anominouscrowdgatheredtoseehimdismountattheposting-yard,andmanyvoicescalledoutloudly,`Downwiththeemigrant!'
　　Hestoppedintheactofswinginghimselfoutofhissaddledand,resumingitashissafestplace,said:
　　`Emigrant,myfriends!Doyounotseemehere,inFrance,ofmyownwill?'
　　`Youareacursedemigrant,'criedafarrier,makingathimInafuriousmannerthroughthepress,hammerinhand;`andyouareacursedaristocrat!'
　　Thepostmasterinterposedhimselfbetweenthismanandtherider'sbridleatwhichhewasevidentlymaking,andsoothinglysaid,`Lethimbe;lethimbe!HewillbejudgedatParis.'
　　`Judged!'repeatedthefarrier,swinginghishammer.`Ay!andcondemnedasatraitor.'Atthisthecrowdroaredapproval.
　　Checkingthepostmaster,whowasforturninghishorse'sheadtotheyardthedrunkenpatriotsatcomposedlyinhissaddlelookingon,withthelineroundhiswrist,Darnaysaid,assoonashecouldmakehisvoiceheard:
　　`Friends,youdeceiveyourselves,oryouaredeceived.Iamnotatraitor.'
　　`Helies!'criedthesmith.`Heisatraitorsincethedecree.Hislifeisforfeittothepeople.Hiscursedlifeisnothisown!'
　　AttheinstantwhenDarnaysawarushintheeyesofthecrowd,whichanotherinstantwouldhavebroughtuponhim,thepostmasterturnedhishorseintotheyard,theescortrodeincloseuponhishorse'sflanks,andthepostmastershutandbarredthecrazydoublegates.Thefarrierstruckablowuponthemwithhishammer,andthecrowdgroaned;but,nomorewasdone.
　　`Whatisthisdecreethatthesmithspokeof?'Darnayaskedthepostmaster,whenhehadthankedhim,andstoodbesidehimintheyard.
　　`Truly,adecreeforsellingthepropertyofemigrants.'
　　`Whenpassed?'
　　`Onthefourteenth.'
　　`ThedayIleftEngland!'
　　`Everybodysaysitisbutoneofseveral,andthattherewillbeothers——iftherearenotalready——banishingallemigrants,andcondemningalltodeathwhoreturn.Thatiswhathemeantwhenhesaidyourlifewasnotyourown.'
　　`Buttherearenosuchdecreesyet?'
　　`WhatdoIknow!'saidthepostmaster,shrugginghisshoulders;`theremaybe,ortherewillbe.Itisallthesame.Whatwouldyouhave?'
　　Theyrestedonsomestrawinaloftuntilthemiddleofthenight,andthenrodeforwardagainwhenallthetownwasasleep.Amongthemanywildchangesobservableonfamiliarthingswhichmadethiswildrideunreal,nottheleastwastheseemingrarityofsleep.Afterlongandlonelyspurringoverdrearyroads,theywouldcometoaclusterofpoorcottages,notsteepedindarkness,butallglitteringwithlights,andwouldfindthepeople,inaghostlymannerinthedeadofthenight,circlinghandinhandroundashrivelledtreeofLiberty,oralldrawnuptogethersingingaLibertysong.Happily,however,therewassleepinBeauvaisthatnighttohelpthemoutofit,andtheypassedononcemoreintosolitudeandloneliness:jinglingthroughtheuntimelycoldandwet,amongimpoverishedfieldsthathadyieldednofruitsoftheearththatyear,diversifiedbytheblackenedremainsofburnthouses,andbythesuddenemergencefromambuscade,andsharpreiningupacrosstheirway,ofpatriotpatrolsonthewatchonalltheroads.
　　DaylightatlastfoundthembeforethewallofParis.Thebarrierwasclosedandstronglyguardedwhentheyrodeuptoit.
　　`Wherearethepapersofthisprisoner?'demandedaresolute-lookingmaninauthority,whowassummonedoutbytheguard.
　　Naturallystruckbythedisagreeableword,CharlesDarnayrequestedthespeakertotakenoticethathewasafreetravellerandFrenchcitizen,inchargeofanescortwhichthedisturbedstateofthecountryhadimposeduponhim,andwhichhehadpaidfor.
　　`Where,'repeatedthesamepersonage,withouttakinganyheedofhimwhatever,`arethepapersofthisprisoner?'
　　Thedrunkenpatriothadtheminhiscap,andproducedthem.CastinghiseyesoverGabelle'sletter,thesamepersonageinauthorityshowedsomedisorderandsurprise,andlookedatDarnaywithacloseattention.
　　Heleftescortandescortedwithoutsayingaword,however,andwentintotheguard-room;meanwhile,theysatupontheirhorsesoutsidethegate.Lookingabouthimwhileinthisstateofsuspense,CharlesDarnayobservedthatthegatewasheldbyamixedguardofsoldiersandpatriots,thelatterfaroutnumberingtheformer;andthatwhileingressintothecityforpeasantscartsbringinginsupplies,andforsimilartrafficandtraffickers,waseasyenough,egress,evenforthehomeliestpeople,wasverydifficult.Anumerousmedleyofmenandwomen,nottomentionbeastsandvehiclesofvarioussorts,waswaitingtoissueforth;but,thepreviousidentificationwassostrict,thattheyfilteredthroughthebarrierveryslowly.Someofthesepeopleknewtheirturnforexaminationtobesofaroff,thattheylaydownonthegroundtosleeporsmoke,whileotherstalkedtogether,orloiteredabout.Theredcapandtricolourcockadewereuniversal,bothamongmenandwomen.
　　Whenhehadsatinhissaddlesomehalf-hour,takingnoteofthesethings,Darnayfoundhimselfconfrontedbythesamemaninauthority,whodirectedtheguardtoopenthebarrier.Thenhedeliveredtotheescort,drunkandsober,areceiptfortheescorted,andrequestedhimtodismount.Hedidso,andthetwopatriots,leadinghistiredhorse,turnedandrodeawaywithoutenteringthecity.
　　Heaccompaniedhisconductorintoaguard-room,smellingofcommonwineandtobacco,wherecertainsoldiersandpatriots,asleepandawake,drunkandsober,andinvariousneutralstatesbetweensleepingandwaking,drunkennessandsobriety,werestandingandlyingabout.Thelightintheguard-house,halfderivedfromthewaningoil-lampsofthenight,andhalffromtheovercastday,wasinacorrespondinglyuncertaincondition.Someregisterswerelyingopenonadesk,andanofficerofacoarse,darkaspect,presidedoverthese.
　　`CitizenDefarge,'saidhetoDarnay'sconductor,ashetookaslipofpapertowriteon.`IsthistheemigrantEvrémonde?'
　　`Thisistheman.'
　　`Yourage,Evrémonde?'
　　`Thirty-seven.'
　　`Married,Evrémonde?'
　　`Yes.'
　　`Wheremarried?'
　　`InEngland.'
　　`Withoutdoubt.Whereisyourwife,Evrémonde?'
　　`InEngland.'
　　`Withoutdoubt.Youareconsigned,Evrémonde,totheprisonofLaForce.'
　　`JustHeaven!'exclaimedDarnay.`Underwhatlaw,andforwhatoffence?'
　　Theofficerlookedupfromhisslipofpaperforamoment.
　　`Wehavenewlaws,Evrémonde,andnewoffences,sinceyouwerehere.'Hesaiditwithahardsmile,andwentonwriting.
　　`IentreatyoutoobservethatIhavecomeherevoluntarily,inresponsetothatwrittenappealofafellow-countrymanwhichliesbeforeyou.Idemandnomorethantheopportunitytodosowithoutdelay.Isnotthatmyright?'
　　`Emigrantshavenorights,Evrémonde,'wasthestolidreply.Theofficerwroteuntilhehadfinished,readovertohimselfwhathehadwritten,sandedit,andhandedittoDefarge,withthewords`Insecret.'
　　Defargemotionedwiththepapertotheprisonerthathemustaccompanyhim.Theprisonerobeyed,andaguardoftwoarmedpatriotsattendedthem.
　　`Isityou,'saidDefarge,inalowvoice,astheywentdowntheguard-housestepsandturnedintoParis,`whomarriedthedaughterofDoctorManette,onceaprisonerintheBastillethatisnomore?'
　　`Yes,'repliedDarnay,lookingathimwithsurprise.
　　`MynameisDefarge,andIkeepawine-shopintheQuarterSaintAntoine.Possiblyyouhaveheardofme.'
　　`Mywifecametoyourhousetoreclaimherfather?Yes!'
　　Theword`wife'seemedtoserveasagloomyremindertoDefarge,tosaywithsuddenimpatience,`Inthenameofthatsharpfemalenewly-born,andcalledLaGuillotine,whydidyoucometoFrance?'
　　`Youheardmesaywhy,aminuteago.Doyounotbelieveitisthetruth?'
　　`Abadtruthforyou,'saidDefarge,speakingwithknittedbrows,andlookingstraightbeforehim.
　　`IndeedIamlosthere.Allhereissounprecedented,sochanged,sosuddenandunfair,thatIamabsolutelylost.Willyourendermealittlehelp?'
　　`None.'Defargespoke,alwayslookingstraightbeforehim.
　　`Willyouanswermeasinglequestion?'
　　`Perhaps.Accordingtoitsnature.Youcansaywhatitis.'
　　`InthisprisonthatIamgoingtosounjustly,shallIhavesomefreecommunicationwiththeworldoutside?'
　　`Youwillsee.'
　　`Iamnottobeburiedthere,prejudged,andwithoutanymeansofpresentingmycase?'
　　`Youwillsee.But,whatthen?Otherpeoplehavebeensimilarlyburiedinworseprisons,beforenow.
　　`Butneverbyme,CitizenDefarge.'
　　Defargeglanceddarklyathimforanswer,andwalkedoninasteadyandsetsilence.Thedeeperhesankintothissilence,thefainterhopetherewas——orsoDarnaythought——ofhissofteninginanyslightdegree.He,therefore,madehastetosay:
　　`Itisoftheutmostimportancetomeyouknow,Citizen,evenbetterthanI,ofhowmuchimportance,thatIshouldbeabletocommunicatetoMr.LorryofTellson'sBank,anEnglishgentlemanwhoisnowinParis,thesimplefact,withoutcomment,thatIhavebeenthrownintotheprisonofLaForce.Willyoucausethattobedoneforme?'
　　`Iwilldo,'Defargedoggedlyrejoined,`nothingforyou.MydutyistomycountryandthePeople.Iamtheswornservantofboth,againstyou.Iwilldonothingforyou.'
　　CharlesDarnayfeltithopelesstoentreathimfurther,andhispridewastouchedbesides.Astheywalkedoninsilence,hecouldnotbutseehowusedthepeopleweretothespectacleofprisonerspassingalongthestreets.Theverychildrenscarcelynoticedhim.Afewpassersturnedtheirheads,andafewshooktheirfingersathimasanaristocrat;otherwise,thatamaningoodclothesshouldbegoingtoprison,wasnomoreremarkablethanthatalabourerinworkingclothesshouldbegoingtowork.Inonenarrow,dark,anddirtystreetthroughwhichtheypassed,anexcitedorator,mountedonastool,wasaddressinganexcitedaudienceonthecrimesagainstthepeople,ofthekingandtheroyalfamily.Thefewwordsthathecaughtfromthisman'slips,firstmadeitknowntoCharlesDarnaythatthekingwasinprison,andthattheforeignambassadorshadoneandallleftParis.OntheroadexceptatBeauvaishehadheardabsolutelynothing.Theescortandtheuniversalwatchfulnesshadcompletelyisolatedhim.
　　ThathehadfallenamongfargreaterdangersthanthosewhichhaddevelopedthemselveswhenheleftEngland,heofcourseknewnow.Thatperilshadthickenedabouthimfast,andmightthickenfasterandfasteryet,heofcourseknewnow.Hecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthathemightnothavemadethisjourney,ifhecouldhaveforeseentheeventsofafewdays.Andyethismisgivingswerenotsodarkas,imaginedbythelightofthislatertime,theywouldappear.Troubledasthefuturewas,itwastheunknownfuture,andinitsobscuritytherewasignoranthope.Thehorriblemassacre,daysandnightslong,which,withinafewroundsoftheclock,wastosetagreatmarkofbloodupontheblessedgarneringtimeofharvest,wasasfaroutofhisknowledgeasifithadbeenahundredthousandyearsaway.The`sharpfemalenewly-born,andcalledLaGuillotine,'washardlyknowntohim,ortothegeneralityofpeople,byname.Thefrightfuldeedsthatweretobesoondone,wereprobablyunimaginedatthattimeinthebrainsofthedoers.Howcouldtheyhaveaplaceintheshadowyconceptionsofagentlemind?
　　Ofunjusttreatmentindetentionandhardship,andincruelseparationfromhiswifeandchild,heforeshadowedthelikelihood,orthecertainty;but,beyondthis,hedreadednothingdistinctly.Withthisonhismind,whichwasenoughtocarryintoadrearyprisoncourt-yard,hearrivedattheprisonofLaForce.
　　Amanwithabloatedfaceopenedthestrongwicket,towhomDefargepresented`TheEmigrantEvrémonde.'
　　`WhattheDevil!Howmanymoreofthem!'exclaimedthemanwiththebloatedface.
　　Defargetookhisreceiptwithoutnoticingtheexclamation,andwithdrew,withhistwofellow-patriots.
　　`WhattheDevil,Isayagain!'exclaimedthegaoler,leftwithhiswife.`Howmanymore!'
　　Thegaoler'swife,beingprovidedwithnoanswertothequestion,merelyreplied,`Onemusthavepatience,mydear!'Threeturnkeyswhoenteredresponsivetoabellsherang,,echoedthesentimentandoneadded,`FortheloveofLiberty;whichsoundedinthatplacelikeaninappropriateconclusion.
　　TheprisonofLaForcewasagloomyprison,darkandfilthy,andwithahorriblesmelloffoulsleepinit.Extraordinaryhowsoonthenoisomeflavourofimprisonedsleep,becomesmanifestinallsuchplacesthatareillcaredfor!
　　`Insecret,too,'grumbledthegaoler,lookingatthewrittenpaper.`AsifIwasnotalreadyfulltobursting!'