But,thoughtheDoctortriedhard,andneverceasedtrying,togetCharlesDarnaysetatliberty,oratleasttogethimbroughttotrial,thepubliccurrentofthetimesettoostrongandfastforhim.Thenewerabegan;thekingwastried,doomed,andbeheaded;theRepublicofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,declaredforvictoryordeathagainsttheworldinarms;theblackflagwavednightanddayfromthegreattowersofNotreDame;threehundredthousandmen,summonedtoriseagainstthetyrantsoftheearth,rosefromallthevaryingsoilsofFrance,asifthedragon'steethhadbeensownbroadcast,andhadyieldedfruitequallyonhillandplain,onrock,ingravel,andalluvialmud,underthebrightskyoftheSouthandunderthecloudsoftheNorth,infellandforest,inthevineyardsandtheolive-groundsandamongthecroppedgrassandthestubbleofthecorn,alongthefruitfulbanksofthebroadrivers,andinthesandofthesea-shore.WhatprivatesolicitudecouldrearitselfagainstthedelugeoftheYearOneofLiberty——thedelugerisingfrombelow,notfallingfromabove,andwiththewindowsofHeavenshut,notopened!
  Therewasnopause,nopity,nopeace,nointervalofrelentingrest,nomeasurementoftime.Thoughdaysandnightscircledasregularlyaswhentimewasyoung,andtheeveningandmorningwerethefirstday,othercountoftimetherewasnone.Holdofitwaslostintheragingfeverofanation,asitisinthefeverofonepatient.Now,breakingtheunnaturalsilenceofawholecity,theexecutionershowedthepeopletheheadoftheking-andnow,itseemedalmostinthesamebreath,theheadofhisfairwifewhichhadhadeightwearymonthsofimprisonedwidowhoodandmisery,toturnitgrey.
  Andyet,observingthestrangelawofcontradictionwhichobtainsinallsuchcases,thetimewaslong,whileitflamedbysofast.Arevolutionarytribunalinthecapital,andfortyorfiftythousandrevolutionarycommitteesallovertheland;alawoftheSuspected,whichstruckawayallsecurityforlibertyorlife,anddeliveredoveranygoodandinnocentpersontoanybadandguiltyone;prisonsgorgedwithpeoplewhohadcommittednooffence,andcouldobtainnohearing;thesethingsbecametheestablishedorderandnatureofappointedthings,andseemedtobeancientusagebeforetheyweremanyweeksold.Aboveall,onehideousfiguregrewasfamiliarasifithadbeenbeforethegeneralgazehornthefoundationsoftheworld——thefigureofthesharpfemalecalledLaGuillotine.
  Itwasthepopularthemeforjests;itwasthebestcureforheadache,itinfalliblypreventedthehairfromturninggrey,itimpartedapeculiardelicacytothecomplexion,itwastheNationalRazorwhichshavedclose:whokissedLaGuillotine,lookedthroughthelittlewindowandsneezedintothesack.Itwasthesignoftheregenerationofthehumanrace.ItsupersededtheGross.ModelsofitwerewornonbreastsfromwhichtheGrosswasdiscarded,anditwasboweddowntoandbelievedinwheretheGrosswasdenied.
  Itshearedoffheadssomany,thatit,andthegrounditmostpolluted,werearottenred.Itwastakentopieces,likeatoy-puzzleforayoungDevil,andwasputtogetheragainwhentheoccasionwantedit.Ithushedtheeloquent,struckdownthepowerful,abolishedthebeautifulandgood.Twenty-twofriendsofhighpublicmark,twenty-onelivingandonedead,ithadloppedtheheadsoff,inonemorning,inasmanyminutes.ThenameofthestrongmanofOldScripturehaddescendedtothechieffunctionarywhoworkedit;but,soarmed,hewasstrongerthanhisnamesake,andblinder,andtoreawaythegatesofGod'sownTempleeveryday.
  Amongtheseterrors,andthebroodbelongingtothem,theDoctorwalkedwithasteadyhead:confidentinhispower,cautiouslypersistentinhisend,neverdoubtingthathewouldsaveLucie'shusbandatlast.Yetthecurrentofthetimesweptby,sostronganddeep,andcarriedthetimeawaysofiercely,thatCharleshadlaininprisononeyearandthreemonthswhentheDoctorwasthussteadyandconfident.SomuchmorewickedanddistractedhadtheRevolutiongrowninthatDecembermonth,thattheriversoftheSouthwereencumberedwiththebodiesoftheviolentlydrownedbynight,andprisonerswereshotinlinesandsquaresunderthesouthernwintrysun.Still,theDoctorwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead.Nomanbetterknownthanhe,inParisatthatday;nomaninastrangersituation.Silent,humane,indispensableinhospitalandprison,usinghisartequallyamongassassinsandvictims,hewasamanapart.Intheexerciseofhisskill,theappearanceandthestoryoftheBastilleCaptiveremovedhimfromallothermen.Hewasnotsuspectedorbroughtinquestion,anymorethanifhehadindeedbeenrecalledtolifesomeeighteenyearsbefore,orwereaSpiritmovingamongmortals.
  CHAPTERV
  TheWood-sawyer
  ONEayearandthreemonths.DuringallthattimeLuciewasneversure,fromhourtohour,butthattheGuillotinewouldstrikeoffherhusband'sheadnextday.Everyday,throughthestonystreets,thetumbrilsnowjoltedheavily,filledwithCondemned.Lovelygirls;brightwomen,brown-haired,black-haired,andgrey;youths;stalwartmenandold;gentlebornandpeasantborn;allredwineforLaGuillotine,alldailybroughtintolightfromthedarkcellarsoftheloathsomeprisons,andcarriedtoherthroughthestreettoslakeherdevouringthirst.Liberty,equality,fraternity,ordeath;——thelast,muchtheeasiesttobestow,OGuillotine!
  Ifthesuddennessofhercalamity,andthewhirlingwheelsofthetime,hadstunnedtheDoctor'sdaughterintoawaitingtheresultinidledespair,itwouldbuthavebeenwithherasitwaswithmany.But,fromthehourwhenshehadtakenthewhiteheadtoherfreshyoungbosominthegarretofshehadbeentruetoherduties.Shewastruesttothemintheseasonoftrial,asallthequietlyloyalandgoodwillalwaysbe.
  Assoonastheywereestablishedintheirnewresidence,andherfatherhadenteredontheroutineofhisavocations,shearrangedthelittlehouseholdasexactlyasifherhusbandhadbeenthere.Everythinghaditsappointedplaceanditsappointedtime.LittleLucieshetaught,asregularly,asiftheyhadallbeenunitedintheirEnglishhome.Theslightdeviceswithwhichshecheatedherselfintotheshowofabeliefthattheywouldsoonbereunited-thelittlepreparationsforhisspeedyreturn,thesettingasideofhischairandhisbooks——these,andthesolemnprayeratnightforonedearprisonerespecially,amongthemanyunhappysoulsinprisonandtheshadowofdeath——werealmosttheonlyoutspokenreliefsofherheavymind.
  Shedidnotgreatlyalterinappearance.Theplaindarkdresses,akintomourningdresses,whichsheandherchildwore,wereasneatandaswellattendedtoasthebrighterclothesofhappydays.Shelosthercolour,andtheoldandintentexpressionwasaconstant,notanoccasional,thing;otherwise,sheremainedveryprettyandcomely.Sometimes,atnightonkissingherfather,shewouldburstintothegriefshehadrepressedallday,andwouldsaythathersolereliance,underHeaven,wasonhim.Healwaysresolutelyanswered:`Nothingcanhappentohimwithoutmyknowledge,andIknowthatIcansavehim,Lucie.'
  Theyhadnotmadetheroundoftheirchangedlifemanyweeks,whenherfathersaidtoher,oncominghomeoneevening:
  `Mydear,thereisanupperwindowintheprison,towhichCharlescansometimesgainaccessatthreeintheafternoon.Whenhecangettoit-whichdependsonmanyuncertaintiesandincidents-hemightseeyouinthestreet,hethinks,ifyoustoodinacertainplacethatIcanshowyou.Butyouwillnotbeabletoseehim,mypoorchild,andevenifyoucould,itwouldbeunsafeforyoutomakeasignofrecognition.'
  `Oshowmetheplace,myfather,andIwillgothereeveryday.'
  Fromthattime,inallweathers,shewaitedtheretwohours.Astheclockstrucktwo,shewasthere,andatfoursheturnedresignedlyaway.Whenitwasnottoowetorinclementforherchildtobewithher,theywenttogether;atothertimesshewasalone;butshenevermissedasingleday.
  Itwasthedarkanddirtycornerofasmallwindingstreet.Thehovelofacutterofwoodintolengthsforburning,wastheonlyhouseatthatend;allelsewaswall.Onthethirddayofherbeingthere,henoticedher.
  `Goodday,citizeness.'
  `Goodday,citizen.'
  Thismodeofaddresswasnowprescribedbydecree.Ithadbeenestablishedvoluntarilysometimeago,amongthemorethoroughpatriots;but,wasnowlawforeverybody.
  `Walkinghereagain,citizeness?'
  `Youseeme,citizen!'
  Thewood-sawyer,whowasalittlemanwitharedundancyofgesturehehadoncebeenamenderofroads,castaglanceattheprison,pointedattheprison,andputtinghistenfingersbeforehisfacetorepresentbars,peepedthroughthemjocosely.
  `Butit'snotmybusiness,'saidhe.Andwentonsawinghiswood.
  Nextdayhewaslookingoutforher,andaccostedherthemomentsheappeared.
  `What?Walkinghereagain,citizeness?'
  `Yes,citizen.'
  `Ah!Achildtoo!Yourmother,isitnot,mylittlecitizeness?'
  `DoIsayyes,mamma?'whisperedlittleLucie,drawingclosetoher.
  `Yes,dearest.'
  `Yes,citizen.'
  `Ah!Butit'snotmybusiness.Myworkismybusiness.Seemysaw!IcallitmyLittleGuillotine.La,la,la;La,la,la!Andoffhisheadcomes!'
  Thebilletfellashespoke,andhethrewitintoabasket.
  `IcallmyselftheSamsonofthefirewoodguillotine.Seehereagain!Loo,loo,loo;Loo,loo,loo!Andoffherheadcomes!Now,achild.Tickle,tickle;Pickle,pickle!Andoffitsheadcomes.Allthefamily!'
  Lucieshudderedashethrewtwomorebilletsintohisbasket,butitwasimpossibletobetherewhilethewood-sawyerwasatwork,andnotbeinhissight.Thenceforth,tosecurehisgoodwill,shealwaysspoketohimfirst,andoftengavehimdrink-money,whichhereadilyreceived.
  Hewasaninquisitivefellow,andsometimeswhenshehadquiteforgottenhimingazingattheprisonroofandgrates,andinliftingherheartuptoherhusband,shewouldcometoherselftofindhimlookingather,withhiskneeonhisbenchandhissawstoppedinitswork.`Butit'snotmybusiness!'hewouldgenerallysayatthosetimes,andwouldbrisklyfalltohissawingagain.
  Inallweathers,inthesnowandfrostofwinter,inthebitterwindsofspring,inthehotsunshineofsummer,intherainsofautumn,andagaininthesnowandfrostofwinter,Luciepassedtwohoursofeverydayatthisplace;andeverydayonleavingit,shekissedtheprisonwall.Herhusbandsawhersoshelearnedfromherfatheritmightbeonceinfiveorsixtimes:itmightbetwiceorthricerunning:itmightbe,notforaweekorafortnighttogether.Itwasenoughthathecouldanddidseeherwhenthechancesserved,andonthatpossibilityshewouldhavewaitedouttheday,sevendaysaweek.
  TheseoccupationsbroughtherroundtotheDecembermonth,whereinherfatherwalkedamongtheterrorswithasteadyhead.Onalightly-snowingafternoonshearrivedattheusualcorner.Itwasadayofsomewildrejoicing,andafestival.Shehadseenthehouses,asshecamealong,decoratedwithlittlepikes,andwithlittleredcapsstuckuponthem;also,withtricolouredribbons;also,withthestandardinscriptiontricolouredletterswerethefavourite,RepublicOneandIndivisible.Liberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath!
  Themiserableshopofthewood-sawyerwassosmall,thatitswholesurfacefurnishedveryindifferentspaceforthislegend.Hehadgotsomebodytoscrawlitupforhim,however,whohadsqueezedDeathinwithmostinappropriatedifficulty.Onhishouse-top,hedisplayedpikeandcap,asagoodcitizenmust,andinawindowhehadstationedhissawinscribedashis`LittleSainteGuillotine'——forthegreatsharpfemalewasbythattimepopularlycanonised.Hisshopwasshutandhewasnotthere,whichwasarelieftoLucie,andleftherquitealone.
  But,hewasnotfaroff,forpresentlysheheardatroubledmovementandashoutingcomingalong,whichfilledherwithfear.Amomentafterwards,andathrongofpeoplecamepouringroundthecornerbytheprisonwall,inthemidstofwhomwasthewood-sawyerhandinhandwithTheVengeance.Therecouldnotbefewerthanfivehundredpeople,andtheyweredancinglikefivethousanddemons.Therewasnoothermusicthantheirownsinging.TheydancedtothepopularRevolutionsong,keepingaferocioustimethatwaslikeagnashingofteethinunison.Menandwomendancedtogether,womendancedtogether,mendancedtogether,ashazardhadbroughtthemtogether.Atfirst,theywereamerestormofcoarseredcapsandcoarsewoollenrags;but,astheyfilledtheplace,andstoppedtodanceaboutLucie,someghastlyapparitionofadance-figuregoneravingmadaroseamongthem.Theyadvanced,retreated,struckatoneanother'shands,clutchedatoneanother'sheads,spunroundalone,caughtoneanotherandspunroundinpairs,untilmanyofthemdropped.Whilethoseweredown,therestlinkedhandinhand,andallspunroundtogether:thentheringbroke,andinseparateringsoftwoandfourtheyturnedandturneduntiltheyallstoppedatonce,beganagain,struck,clutched,andtore,andthenreversedthespin,andallspunroundanotherway.Suddenlytheystoppedagain,paused,struckoutthetimeafresh,formedintolinesthewidthofthepublicway,and,withtheirheadslowdownandtheirhandshighup,swoopedscreamingoff.Nofightcouldhavebeenhalfsoterribleasthisdance.Itwassoemphaticallyafallensport——asomething,onceinnocent,deliveredovertoalldevilry——ahealthypastimechangedintoameansofangeringtheblood,bewilderingthesenses,andsteelingtheheart.Suchgraceaswasvisibleinit,madeittheuglier,showinghowwarpedandpervertedallthingsgoodbynaturewerebecome.Themaidenlybosombaredtothis,theprettyalmost-child'sheadthusdistracted,thedelicatefootmincinginthissloughofbloodanddirt,weretypesofthedisjointedtime.'
  ThiswastheCarmagnole.Asitpassed,leavingLuciefrightenedandbewilderedinthedoorwayofthewood-sawyer'shouse,thefeatherysnowfellasquietlyandlayaswhiteandsoft,asifithadneverbeen.
  `Omyfather!'forhestoodbeforeherwhenshelifteduptheeyesshehadmomentarilydarkenedwithherhand;`suchacruel,badsight.'
  `Iknow,mydear,Iknow.Ihaveseenitmanytimes.Don'tbefrightened!Notoneofthemwouldharmyou.'
  `Iamnotfrightenedformyself,myfather.ButwhenIthinkofmyhusband,andthemerciesofthesepeople——'
  `Wewillsethimabovetheirmerciesverysoon.Ilefthimclimbingtothewindow,andIcametotellyou.Thereisnooneheretosee.Youmaykissyourhandtowardsthathighestshelvingroof.'
  `Idoso,father,andIsendhimmySoulwithit!'
  `Youcannotseehim,mypoordear?'
  `No,father,'said,Lucie,yearningandweepingasshekissedherhand,`no.
  Afootstepinthesnow.MadameDefarge.`Isaluteyou,citizeness,'fromtheDoctor.`Isaluteyou,citizen.'Thisinpassing.Nothingmore.MadameDefargegone,likeashadowoverthewhiteroad.
  `Givemeyourarm,mylove.Passfromherewithanairofcheerfulnessandcourage,forhissake.Thatwaswelldone;'theyhadleftthespot;`itshallnotbeinvain.Charlesissummonedforto-morrow.'
  `Forto-morrow!'
  `Thereisnotimetolose.Iamwellprepared,butthereareprecautionstobetaken,thatcouldnotbetakenuntilhewasactuallysummonedbeforetheTribunal.Hehasnotreceivedthenoticeyet,butIknowthathewillpresentlybesummonedforto-morrow,andremovedtotheConciergerie;Ihavetimelyinformation.Youarenotafraid?'
  Shecouldscarcelyanswer,`Itrustinyou.'
  `Doso,implicitly.Yoursuspenseisnearlyended,mydarling;heshallberestoredtoyouwithinafewhours;Ihaveencompassedhimwitheveryprotection.ImustseeLorry.'
  Hestopped.Therewasaheavylumberingofwheelswithinhearing.Theybothknewtoowellwhatitmeant.One.Two.Three.Threetumbrilsfaringawaywiththeirdreadloadsoverthehushingsnow.
  `ImustseeLorry,'theDoctorrepeated,turningheranotherway.
  Thestauncholdgentlemanwasstillinhistrust;hadneverleftit.Heandhisbookswereinfrequentrequisitionastopropertyconfiscatedandmadenational.Whathecouldsavefortheowners,hesaved.NobettermanlivingtoholdfastbywhatTellson'shadinkeeping,andtoholdhispeace.
  Amurkyredandyellowsky,andarisingmistfromtheSeine,denotedtheapproachofdarkness.ItwasalmostdarkwhentheyarrivedattheBank.ThestatelyresidenceofMonseigneurwasaltogetherblightedanddeserted.Aboveaheapofdustandashesinthecourt,rantheletters:NationalProperty.RepublicOneandIndivisible.Liberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath!
  WhocouldthatbewithMr.Lorry——theOwneroftheriding-coatuponthechair——whomustnotbeseen?Fromwhomnewlyarrived,didhecomeout,agitatedandsurprised,totakehisfavouriteinhisarms?Towhomdidheappeartorepeatherfalteringwords,when,raisinghisvoiceandturninghisheadtowardsthedooroftheroomfromwhichhehadissued,hesaid:`RemovedtotheConciergerie,andsummonedforto-morrow?'
  CHAPTERVI
  Triumph
  THEdreadTribunaloffiveJudges,PublicProsecutor,anddeterminedJury,sateveryday.Theirlistswentfortheveryevening,andwerereadoutbythegaolersofthevariousprisonstotheirprisoners.Thestandardgaoler-jokewas,`ComeoutandlistentotheEveningPaper,youinsidethere!'
  `CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay!'SoatlastbegantheEveningPaperatLaForce.
  Whenanamewascalled,itsownersteppedapartintoaspotreservedforthosewhowereannouncedasbeingthusfatallyrecorded.CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,hadreasontoknowtheusage;hehadseenhundredspassawayso.
  Hisbloatedgaoler,whoworespectaclestoreadwith,glancedoverthemtoassurehimselfthathehadtakenhisplace,andwentthroughthelist,makingasimilarshortpauseateachname.Thereweretwenty-threenames,butonlytwentyhererespondedto;foroneoftheprisonerssosummonedhaddiedingaolandbeenforgotten,andtwohadalreadybeenguillotinedandforgotten.Thelistwasread,inthevaultedchamberwhereDarnayhadseentheassociatedprisonersonthenightofhisarrival.Everyoneofthosehadperishedinthemassacre;everyhumancreaturehehadsincecaredforandpartedwith,haddiedonthescaffold.
  Therewerehurriedwordsoffarewellandkindness,butthepartingwassoonover.Itwastheincidentofeveryday,andthesocietyofLaForcewereengagedinthepreparationofsomegamesofforfeitsandalittleconcert,forthatevening.Theycrowdedtothegratesandshedtearsthere;but,twentyplacesintheprojectedentertainmentshadtoberefilled,andthetimewas,atbest,shorttothelock-uphour,whenthecommonroomsandcorridorswouldbedeliveredovertothegreatdogswhokeptwatchtherethroughthenight.Theprisonerswerefarfrominsensibleorunfeeling;theirwaysaroseoutoftheconditionofthetime.Similarly,thoughwithasubtledifference,aspeciesoffervourorintoxication,known,withoutdoubt,tohaveledsomepersonstobravetheguillotineunnecessarily,andtodiebyit,wasnotmereboastfulness,butawildinfectionofthewildlyshakenpublicmind.Inseasonsofpestilence,someofuswillhaveasecretattractiontothedisease——aterriblepassinginclinationtodieofit.Andallofushavelikewondershiddeninourbreasts,onlyneedingcircumstancestoevokethem.
  ThepassagetotheConciergeriewasshortanddark;thenightinitsvermin-hauntedcellswaslongandcold.Nextday,fifteenprisonerswereputtothebarbeforeCharlesDarnay'snamewascalled.Allthefifteenwerecondemned,andthetrialsofthewholeoccupiedanhourandahalf.
  `CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,'wasatlengtharraigned.
  HisjudgessatupontheBenchinfeatheredhats;buttheroughredcapandtricolouredcockadewasthehead-dressotherwiseprevailing.LookingattheJuryandtheturbulentaudience,hemighthavethoughtthattheusualorderofthingswasreversed,andthatthefelonsweretryingthehonestmen.Thelowest,cruelest,andworstpopulaceofacity,neverwithoutitsquantityoflow,cruel,andbad,werethedirectingspiritsofthescene:noisilycommenting,applauding,disapproving,anticipating,andprecipitatingtheresult,withoutacheck.Ofthemen,thegreaterpartwerearmedinvariousways;ofthewomen,someworeknives,somedaggers,someateanddrankastheylookedon,manyknitted.Amongtheselast,wasone,withasparepieceofknittingunderherarmassheworked.Shewasinafrontrow,bythesideofamanwhomhehadneverseensincehisarrivalattheBarrier,butwhomhedirectlyrememberedasDefarge.Henoticedthatsheonceortwicewhisperedinhisear,andthatsheseemedtobehiswife;but,whathemostnoticedinthetwofigureswas,thatalthoughtheywerepostedasclosetohimselfastheycouldbe,theyneverlookedtowardshim.Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethingwithadoggeddetermination,andtheylookedattheJury,butatnothingelse.UnderthePresidentsatDoctorManette,inhisusualquietdress.Aswellastheprisonercouldsee,heandMr.Lorryweretheonlymenthere,unconnectedwiththeTribunal,whoworetheirusualclothes,andhadnotassumedthecoarsegarboftheCarmagnole.
  CharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay,wasaccusedbythepublicprosecutorasanemigrant,whoselifewasforfeittotheRepublic,underthedecreewhichbanishedallemigrantsonpainofDeath.ItwasnothingthatthedecreeboredatesincehisreturntoFrance.Therehewas,andtherewasthedecree;hehadbeentakeninFrance,andhisheadwasdemanded.
  `Takeoffhishead!'criedtheaudience.`AnenemytotheRepublic!'
  ThePresidentranghisbelltosilencethosecries,andaskedtheprisonerwhetheritwasnottruethathehadlivedmanyyearsinEngland?
  Undoubtedlyitwas.
  Washenotanemigrantthen?Whatdidhecallhimself?
  Notanemigrant,hehoped,withinthesenseandspiritofthelaw.
  Whynot?thePresidentdesiredtoknow.
  Becausehehadvoluntarilyrelinquishedatitlethatwasdistastefultohim,andastationthatwasdistastefultohim,andhadlefthiscountry——hesubmittedbeforethewordemigrantinthepresentacceptationbytheTribunalwasinuse——tolivebyhisownindustryinEngland,ratherthanontheindustryoftheoverladenpeopleofFrance.
  Whatproofhadheofthis?
  Hehandedinthenamesoftwowitnesses:ThéophileGabelle,andAlexandreManette.
  ButhehadmarriedinEngland?thePresidentremindedhim.
  True,butnotanEnglishwoman.
  AcitizenessofFrance?
  Yes.Bybirth.
  Hernameandfamily?
  `LucieManette,onlydaughterofDoctorManette,thegoodphysicianwhositsthere.'
  Thisanswerhadahappyeffectupontheaudience.Criesinexaltationofthewell-knowngoodphysicianrentthehall.Socapriciouslywerethepeoplemoved,thattearsimmediatelyrolleddownseveralferociouscountenanceswhichhadbeenglaringattheprisoneramomentbefore,asifwithimpatiencetopluckhimoutintothestreetsandkillhim.
  Onthesefewstepsofhisdangerousway,CharlesDarnayhadsethisfootaccordingtoDoctorManette'sreiteratedinstructions.Thesamecautiouscounseldirectedeverystepthatlaybeforehim,andhadpreparedeveryinchofhisroad.
  ThePresidentasked,whyhadhereturnedtoFrancewhenhedid,andnotsooner?
  Hehadnotreturnedsooner,hereplied,simplybecausehehadnomeansoflivinginFrance,savethosehehadresigned;whereas,inEngland,helivedbygivinginstructionintheFrenchlanguageandliterature.Hehadreturnedwhenhedid,onthepressingandwrittenentreatyofaFrenchcitizen,whorepresentedthathislifewasendangeredbyhisabsence.Hehadcomeback,tosaveacitizen'slife,andtobearhistestimony,atwhateverpersonalhazard,tothetruth.WasthatcriminalintheeyesoftheRepublic?
  Thepopulacecriedenthusiastically,`No!'andthePresidentranghisbelltoquietthem.Whichitdidnot,fortheycontinuedtocry`No!'untiltheyleftofoftheirownwill.
  ThePresidentrequiredthenameofthatcitizen?Theaccusedexplainedthatthecitizenwashisfirstwitness.Healsoreferredwithconfidencetothecitizen'sletter,whichhadbeentakenfromhimattheBarrier,butwhichhedidnotdoubtwouldbefoundamongthepapersthenbeforethePresident.
  TheDoctorhadtakencarethatitshouldbethere——hadassuredhimthatitwouldbethere——andatthisstageoftheproceedingsitwasproducedandread.CitizenGabellewascalledtoconfirmit,anddidso.CitizenGabellehinted,withinfinitedelicacyandpoliteness,thatinthepressureofbusinessimposedontheTribunalbythemultitudeofenemiesoftheRepublicwithwhichithadtodeal,hehadbeenslightlyoverlookedinhisprisonoftheAbbaye——infact,hadratherpassedoutoftheTribunal'spatrioticremembrance——untilthreedaysago;whenhehadbeensummonedbeforeit,andhadbeensetatlibertyontheJury'sdeclaringthemselvessatisfiedthattheaccusationagainsthimwasanswered,astohimself,bythesurrenderofthecitizenEvrémondecalledDarnay.
  DoctorManettewasnextquestioned.Hishighpersonalpopularity,andtheclearnessofhisanswers,madeagreatimpression;but,asheproceeded,asheshowedthattheAccusedwashisfirstfriendonhisreleasefromhislongimprisonment;that,theaccusedhadremainedinEngland,alwaysfaithfulanddevotedtohisdaughterandhimselfintheirexile;that,sofarfrombeinginfavourwiththeAristocratgovernmentthere,hehadactuallybeentriedforhislifebyit,asthefoeofEnglandandfriendoftheUnitedStates——ashebroughtthesecircumstancesintoview,withthegreatestdiscretionandwiththestraightforwardforceoftruthandearnestness,theJuryandthepopulacebecameone.Atlast,whenheappealedbynametoMonsieurLorry,anEnglishgentlemanthenandtherepresent,who,likehimself,hadbeenawitnessonthatEnglishtrialandcouldcorroboratehisaccountofit,theJurydeclaredthattheyhadheardenough,andthattheywerereadywiththeirvotesifthePresidentwerecontenttoreceivethem.
  AteveryvotetheJurymenvotedaloudandindividually,thepopulacesetupashoutofapplause.Allthevoiceswereintheprisoner'sfavour,andthePresidentdeclaredhimfree.
  Then,beganoneofthoseextraordinarysceneswithwhichthepopulacesometimesgratifiedtheirfickleness,ortheirbetterimpulsestowardsgenerosityandmercy,orwhichtheyregardedassomesetoffagainsttheirswollenaccountofcruelrage.Nomancandecidenowtowhichofthesemotivessuchextraordinarysceneswerereferable;itisprobable,toablendingofallthethree,withthesecondpredominating.Nosoonerwastheacquittalpronounced,thantearswereshedasfreelyasbloodatanothertime,andsuchfraternalembraceswerebestowedupontheprisonerbyasmanyofbothsexesascouldrushathim,thatafterhislongandunwholesomeconfinementhewasindangeroffaintingfromexhaustion;nonethelessbecauseheknewverywell,thattheverysamepeople,carriedbyanothercurrent,wouldhaverushedathimwiththeverysameintensity,torendhimtopiecesandstrewhimoverthestreets.
  Hisremoval,tomakewayforotheraccusedpersonswhoweretobetried,rescuedhimfromthesecaressesforthemoment.Fiveweretobetriedtogether,next,asenemiesoftheRepublic,forasmuchastheyhadnotassisteditbywordordeed.SoquickwastheTribunaltocompensateitselfandthenationforachancelost,thatthesefivecamedowntohimbeforehelefttheplace,condemnedtodiewithintwenty-fourhours.Thefirstofthemtoldhimso,withthecustomaryprisonsignofDeath——araisedfinger——andtheyalladdedinwords,`LonglivetheRepublic.'
  Thefivehadhad,itistrue,noaudiencetolengthentheirproceedings,forwhenheandDoctorManetteemergedfromthegate,therewasagreatcrowdaboutit,inwhichthereseemedtobeeveryfacehehadseeninCourt——excepttwo,forwhichhelookedinvain.Onhiscomingout,theconcoursemadeathimanew,weeping,embracing,andshouting,allbyturnsandalltogether,untiltheverytideoftheriveronthebankofwhichthemadscenewasacted,seemedtorunmad,likethepeopleontheshore.
  Theyputhimintoagreatchairtheyhadamongthem,andwhichtheyhadtakeneitheroutoftheCourtitself,oroneofitsroomsorpassages.Overthechairtheyhadthrownaredflag,andtothebackofittheyhadboundapikewitharedcaponitstop.Inthiscaroftriumph,noteventheDoctor'sentreatiescouldpreventhisbeingcarriedtohishomeonmen'sshoulders,withaconfusedseaofredcapsheavingabouthim,andcastinguptosightfromthestormydeepsuchwrecksoffaces,thathemorethanoncemisdoubtedhismindbeinginconfusion,andthathewasinthetumbrilonhiswaytotheGuillotine.
  Inwilddreamlikeprocession,embracingwhomtheymetandpointinghimout,theycarriedhimon.ReddeningthesnowystreetswiththeprevailingRepublicancolour,inwindingandtrampingthroughthem,astheyhadreddenedthembelowthesnowwithadeeperdye,theycarriedhimthusintothecourt-yardofthebuildingwherehelived.Herfatherhadgoneonbefore,toprepareher,andwhenherhusbandstooduponhisfeet,shedroppedinsensibleinhisarms.
  Asheheldhertohisheartandturnedherbeautifulheadbetweenhisfaceandthebrawlingcrowd,sothathistearsandherlipsmightcometogetherunseen,afewofthepeoplefelltodancing.Instantly,alltherestfelltodancing,andthecourt-yardoverflowedwiththeCarmagnole.Then,theyelevatedintothevacantchairayoungwomanfromthecrowdtobecarriedastheGoddessofLiberty,andthenswellingandoverflowingoutintotheadjacentstreets,andalongtheriver'sbank,andoverthebridge,theCarmagnoleabsorbedthemeveryoneandwhirledthemaway.
  AftergraspingtheDoctor'shand,ashestoodvictoriousandproudbeforehim;aftergraspingthehandofMr.Lorry,whocamepantinginbreathlessfromhisstruggleagainstthewaterspoutoftheCarmagnole;afterkissinglittleLucie,whowaslifteduptoclaspherarmsroundhisneck;andafterembracingtheeverzealousandfaithfulProsswholiftedher;hetookhiswifeinhisarms,andcarriedheruptotheirrooms.
  `Lucie!Myown!Iamsafe.'
  `OdearestCharles,letmethankGodforthisonmykneesasIhaveprayedtoHim.'
  Theyallreverentlybowedtheirheadsandhearts.Thenshewasagaininhisarms,hesaidtohem:
  `Andnowspeaktoyourfather,dearest.NoothermaninallthisFrancecouldhavedonewhathehasdoneforme.'
  Shelaidherheaduponherfather'sbreast,asshehadlaidhispoorheadonherownbreast,long,longago.Hewashappyinthereturnhehadmadeher,hewasrecompensedforhissuffering,hewasproudofhisstrength.`Youmustnotbeweak,mydarling,'heremonstrated;`don'ttrembleso.Ihavesavedhim.
  '
  CHAPTERVII
  AKnockattheDoor
  `IHAVEsavedhim.'Itwasnotanotherofthedreamsinwhichhehadoftencomeback;hewasreallyhere.Andyethiswifetrembled,andavaguebutheavyfearwasuponher.
  Alltheairaroundwassothickanddark,thepeopleweresopassionatelyrevengefulandfitful,theinnocentweresoconstantlyputtodeathonvaguesuspicionandblackmalice,itwassoimpossibletoforgetthatmanyasblamelessasherhusbandandasdeartoothersashewastoher,everydaysharedthefatefromwhichhehadbeenclutched,thatherheartcouldnotbeaslightenedofitsloadasshefeltitoughttobe.Theshadowsofthewintryafternoonwerebeginningtofall,andevennowthedreadfulcartswererollingthroughthestreets.Hermindpursuedthem,lookingforhimamongtheCondemned;andthensheclungclosertohisrealpresenceandtrembledmore.
  Herfather,cheeringher,showedacompassionatesuperioritytothiswoman'sweakness,whichwaswonderfultosee.Nogarret,noshoemaking,noOneHundredandFive,NorthTower,now!Hehadaccomplishedthetaskhehadsethimself,hispromisewasredeemed,hehadsavedCharles.Letthemallleanuponhim.
  Theirhousekeepingwasofaveryfrugalkind:notonlybecausethatwasthesafestwayoflife,involvingtheleastoffencetothepeople,butbecausetheywerenotrich,andCharles,throughouthisimprisonment,hadhadtopayheavilyforhisbadfood,andforhisguard,andtowardsthelivingofthepoorerprisoners.Partlyonthisaccount,andpartlytoavoidadomesticspy,theykeptnoservant;thecitizenandcitizenesswhoactedasportersatthecourt-yardgate,renderedthemoccasionalservice;andJerryalmostwhollytransferredtothembyMr.Lorryhadbecometheirdailyretainer,andhadhisbedthereeverynight.
  ItwasanordinanceoftheRepublicOneandIndivisibleofLiberty,Equality,Fraternity,orDeath,thatonthedoorordoorpostofeveryhouse,thenameofeveryinmatemustbelegiblyinscribedinlettersofacertainsize,atacertainconvenientheightfromtheground.Mr.JerryCruncher'sname,therefore,dulyembellishedthedoorpostdownbelow;and,astheafternoonshadowsdeepened,theownerofthatnamehimselfappeared,fromoverlookingapainterwhomDoctorManettehademployedtoaddtothelistthenameofCharlesEvrémonde,calledDarnay.
  Intheuniversalfearanddistrustthatdarkenedthetime,alltheusualharmlesswaysoflifewerechanged.IntheDoctor'slittlehousehold,asinverymanyothers,thearticlesofdailyconsumptionthatwerewantedwerepurchasedeveryevening,insmallquantitiesandatvarioussmallshops.Toavoidattractingnotice,andtogiveaslittleoccasionaspossiblefortalkandenvy,wasthegeneraldesire.
  Forsomemonthspast,MissProssandMr.Cruncherhaddischargedtheofficeofpurveyors;theformercarryingthemoney;thelatter,tilebasket.Everyafternoonataboutthetimewhenthepubliclampswerelighted,theyfaredforthonthisduty,andmadeandbroughthomesuchpurchasesaswereneedful.AlthoughMissPross,throughherlongassociationwithaFrenchfamily,mighthaveknownasmuchoftheirlanguageasofherown,ifshehadhadamind,shehadnomindinthatdirection;consequentlysheknewnomoreofthat`nonsense'asshewaspleasedtocallitthanMr.Cruncherdid.Sohermannerofmarketingwastoplumpanoun-substantiveattheheadofashopkeeperwithoutanyintroductioninthenatureofanarticle,and,ifithappenednottobethenameofthethingshewanted,tolookroundforthatthing,layholdofit,andholdonbyituntilthebargainwasconcluded.Shealwaysmadeabargainforit,byholdingup,asastatementofitsjustprice,onefingerlessthanthemerchantheldup,whateverhisnumbermightbe.
  `Now,Mr.Cruncher,'saidMissPross,whoseeyeswereredwithfelicity;`ifyouareready,Iam.'
  JerryhoarselyprofessedhimselfatMissPross'sservice.Hehadwornallhisrustofflongago,butnothingwouldfilehisspikyheaddown.
  `There'sallmannerofthingswanted,'saidMissPross,`andweshallhaveaprecioustimeofit.Wewantwine,amongtherest.NicetoaststheseRedheadswillbedrinking,whereverwebuyit.'
  `Itwillbemuchthesametoyourknowledge,miss,Ishouldthink,'retortedJerry,`whethertheydrinkyourhealthortheOldUn's.
  `Who'she?'saidMissPross.
  Mr.Cruncher,withsomediffidence,explainedhimselfasmeaning`OldNick's.'
  `Ha!'saidMissPross,`itdoesn'tneedaninterpretertoexplainthemeaningofthesecreatures.Theyhavebutone,andit'sMidnightMurder,andMischief'
  `Hush,dear!Pray,pray,becautious!'criedLucie.
  `Yes,yes,yes,I'llbecautious,'saidMissPross;`butImaysayamongourselves,thatIdohopetherewillbenoonionyandtobaccoeysmotheringsintheformofembracingsallround,goingoninthestreets.Now,Ladybird,neveryoustirfromthatfiretillIcomeback!Takecareofthedearhusbandyouhaverecovered,anddon'tmoveyourprettyheadfromhisshoulderasyouhaveitnow,tillyouseemeagain!MayIaskaquestion,DoctorManette,beforeIgo?'