`MissProssathome?'`Wereyounewly,releasedontheoccasioninquestion?'
`Theytellmeso.`Haveyounoremembranceoftheoccasion?'
`None.Mymindisablank,fromsometime——Icannotevensaywhattime——whenIemployedmyself,inmycaptivity,inmakingshoes,tothetimewhenIfoundmyselflivinginLondonwithmydeardaughterhere.Shehadbecomefamiliartome,whenagraciousGodrestoredmyfaculties;but,Iamquiteunableeventosayhowshehadbecomefamiliar.Ihavenoremembranceoftheprocess.'
Mr.Attorney-Generalsatdown,andthefatheranddaughtersatdowntogether.
Asingularcircumstancethenaroseinthecase.Theobjectinhandbeingtoshowthattheprisonerwentdown,withsomefellow-plotteruntracked,intheDovermailonthatFridaynightinNovemberfiveyearsago,andgotoutofthemailinthenight,asablind,ataplacewherehedidnotremain,butfromwhichhetravelledbacksomedozenmilesormore,toagarrisonanddockyard,andtherecollectedinformation;awitnesswascalledtoidentifyhimashavingbeenattheprecisetimerequired,inthecoffee-roomofanhotelinthatgarrison-and-dockyardtown,waitingforanotherperson.Theprisoner'scounselwascross-examiningthiswitnesswithnoresult,exceptthathehadneverseentheprisoneronanyotheroccasion,whenthewiggedgentlemanwhohadallthistimebeenlookingattheceilingofthecourt,wroteawordortwoonalittlepieceofpaper,screweditup,andtossedittohim.Openingthispieceofpaperinthenextpause,thecounsellookedwithgreatattentionandcuriosityattheprisoner.
`Yousayagainyouarequitesurethatitwastheprisoner?'Thewitnesswasquitesure.`Didyoueverseeanybodyveryliketheprisoner?'Notsolikethewitnesssaidasthathecouldbemistaken.`Lookwelluponthatgentleman,mylearnedfriendthere,'pointingtohimwhohadtossedthepaperover,`andthenlookwellupontheprisoner.Howsayyou?Aretheyverylikeeachother?'
Allowingformylearnedfriend'sappearancebeingcarelessandslovenlyifnotdebauched,theyweresufficientlylikeeachothertosurprise,notonlythewitness,buteverybodypresent,whentheywerethusbroughtintocomparison.MyLordbeingprayedtobidmylearnedfriendlayasidehiswig,andgivingnoverygraciousconsent,thelikenessbecamemuchmoreremarkable.MyLordinquiredofMr.Stryvertheprisoner'scounsel,whethertheywerenexttotryMr.Cartonnameofmylearnedfriendfortreason?But,Mr.StryverrepliedtomyLord,no;buthewouldaskthewitnesstotellhimwhetherwhathappenedonce,mighthappentwice;whetherhewouldhavebeensoconfidentifhehadseenthisillustrationofhisrashnesssooner,whetherhewouldbesoconfident,havingseenit;andmore.Theupshotofwhichwas,tosmashthiswitnesslikeacrockeryvessel,andshiverhispartofthecasetouselesslumber.
Mr.Cruncherhadbythistimetakenquitealunchofrustoffhisfingersinhisfollowingoftheevidence.HehadnowtoattendwhileMr.Stryverfittedtheprisoner'scaseonthejury,likeacompactsuitofclothes;showingthemhowthepatriot,Barsad,wasahiredspyandtraitor,anunblushingtraffickerinblood,andoneofthegreatestscoundrelsuponearthsinceaccursedJudas——whichhecertainlydidlookratherlike.Howthevirtuousservant,Cly,washisfriendandpartner,andwasworthytobe;howthewatchfuleyesofthoseforgersandfalseswearershadrestedontheprisonerasavictim,becausesomefamilyaffairsinFrance,hebeingofFrenchextraction,didrequirehismakingthosepassagesacrosstheChannel——thoughwhatthoseaffairswere,aconsiderationforotherswhowerenearanddeartohim,forbadhim,evenforhislife,todisclose.Howtheevidencethathadbeenwarpedandwrestedfromtheyounglady,whoseanguishingivingittheyhadwitnessed,cametonothing,involvingthemerelittleinnocentgallantriesandpolitenesseslikelytopassbetweenanyyounggentlemanandyoungladysothrowntogether;——withtheexceptionofthatreferencetoGeorgeWashington,whichwasaltogethertooextravagantandimpossibletoberegardedinanyotherlightthanasamonstrousjoke.Howitwouldbeaweaknessinthegovernmenttobreakdowninthisattempttopractiseforpopularityonthelowestnationalantipathiesandfears,andthereforeMr.Attorney-Generalhadmadethemostofit;how,nevertheless,itresteduponnothing,savethatvileandinfamouscharacterofevidencetoooftendisfiguringsuchcases,andofwhichtheStateTrialsofthiscountrywerefull.But,theremyLordinterposedwithasgraveafaceasifithadnotbeentrue,sayingthathecouldnotsituponthatBenchandsufferthoseallusions.
Mr.Stryverthencalledhisfewwitnesses,andMr.CruncherhadnexttoattendwhileMr.Attorney-GeneralturnedthewholesuitofclothesMr.Stryverhadfittedonthejury,insideout;showinghowBarsadandClywereevenahundredtimesbetterthanhehadthoughtthem,andtheprisonerahundredtimesworse.ly,camemyLordhimselfturningthesuitofclothes,nowinsideout,nowoutsidein,butonthewholedecidedlytrimmingandshapingthemintograve-clothesfortheprisoner.
Andnow,thejuryturnedtoconsider,andthegreatfliesswarmedagain.
Mr.Carton,whohadsolongsatlookingattheceilingofthecourt,changedneitherhisplacenorhisattitude,eveninthisexcitement.Whilehislearnedfriend,Mr.Stryver,massinghispapersbeforehim,whisperedwiththosewhosatnear,andfromtimetotimeglancedanxiouslyatthejury;whileallthespectatorsmovedmoreorless,andgroupedthemselvesanew;whileevenmyLordhimselfarosefromhisseat,andslowlypacedupanddownhisplatform,notunattendedbyasuspicioninthemindsoftheaudiencethathisstatewasfeverish;thisonemansatleaningback,withhistorngownhalfoffhim,hisuntidywigputonjustasithadhappenedtolightonhisheadafteritsremoval,hishandsinhispockets,andhiseyesontheceilingastheyhadbeenallday.Somethingespeciallyrecklessinhisdemeanour,notonlygavehimadisreputablelook,butsodiminishedthestrongresemblanceheundoubtedlyboretotheprisonerwhichhismomentaryearnestness,whentheywerecomparedtogether,hadstrengthened,thatmanyofthelookers-on,takingnoteofhimnow,saidtooneanothertheywouldhardlyhavethoughtthetwoweresoalike.Mr.Crunchermadetheobservationtohisnextneighbour,andadded,`I'dholdhalfaguineathathedon'tgetnolaw-worktodo.Don'tlooklikethesortofonetogetany,dohe?'
Yet,thisMr.Cartontookinmoreofthedetailsofthescenethanheappearedtotakein;fornow,whenMissManette'sheaddroppeduponherfather'sbreast,hewasthefirsttoseeit,andtosayaudibly:`Officer!looktothatyounglady.Help,thegentlemantotakeherout.Don'tyouseeshewillfall!'
Therewasmuchcommiserationforherasshewasremoved,andmuchsympathywithherfather.Ithadevidentlybeenagreatdistresstohim,tohavethedaysofhisimprisonmentrecalled.Hehadshownstronginternalagitationwhenhewasquestioned,andthatponderingorbroodinglookwhichmadehimold,hadbeenuponhim,likeaheavycloud,eversince.Ashepassedout,thejury,whohadturnedbackandpausedamoment,spoke,throughtheirforeman.
Theywerenotagreed,andwishedtoretire.MyLordperhapswithGeorgeWashingtononhismindshowedsomesurprisethattheywerenotagreed,butsignifiedhispleasurethattheyshouldretireunderwatchandward,andretiredhimself.Thetrialhadlastedallday,andthelampsinthecourtwerenowbeinglighted.Itbegantoberumouredthatthejurywouldbeoutalongwhile.Thespectatorsdroppedofftogetrefreshment,andtheprisonerwithdrewtothebackofthedock,andsatdown.
Mr.Larry,whohadgoneoutwhentheyoungladyandherfatherwentout,nowreappeared,andbeckonedtoJerry:who,intheslackenedinterest,couldeasilygetnearhim.
`Jerry,ifyouwishtotakesomethingtoeat,youcan.But,keepintheway.Youwillbesuretohearwhenthejurycomein.Don'tbeamomentbehindthem,forIwantyoutotaketheverdictbacktothebank.YouarethequickestmessengerIknow,andwillgettoTempleBarlongbeforeIcan.'
Jerryhadjustenoughforeheadtoknuckle,andheknuckledinacknowledgmentofthiscommunicationandashilling.
Mr.Cartoncameupatthemoment,andtouchedMr.Lorryonthearm.
`Howistheyounglady?'
`Sheisgreatlydistressed;butherfatheriscomfortingher,andshefeelsthebetterforbeingoutofcourt.'
`I'lltelltheprisonerso.Itwon'tdoforarespectablebankgentlemanlikeyou,tobeseenspeakingtohimpublicly,youknow.'
Mr.Lorryreddenedasifhewereconsciousofhavingdebatedthepointinhismind,andMr.Cartonmadehiswaytotheoutsideofthebar.Thewayoutofcourtlayinthatdirection,andJerryfollowedhim,alleyes,ears,andspikes.
`Mr.Darnay!'
Theprisonercameforwarddirectly.
`Youwillnaturallybeanxioustohearofthewitness,MissManette.Shewilldoverywell.Youhaveseentheworstofheragitation.'
`Iamdeeplysorrytohavebeenthecauseofit.Couldyoutellhersoforme,withmyferventacknowledgments?'
`Yes,Icould.Iwill,ifyouaskit.'
Mr.Carton'smannerwassocarelessastobealmostinsolent.Hestood,halfturnedfromtheprisoner,loungingwithhiselbowagainstthebar.
`Idoaskit.Acceptmycordialthanks.'
`What,'saidCarton,stillonlyhalfturnedtowardshim,`doyouexpect,Mr.Darnay?'
`Theworst.'
`It'sthewisestthingtoexpect,andthelikeliest.ButIthinktheirwithdrawingisinyourfavour.
Loiteringonthewayoutofcourtnotbeingallowed,Jerryheardnomore:butleftthem——solikeeachotherinfeature,sounlikeeachotherinmanner——standingsidebyside,bothreflectedintheglassabovethem.
Anhourandahalflimpedheavilyawayinthethief-and-rascalcrowdedpassagesbelow,eventhoughassistedoffwithmuttonpiesandale.Thehoarsemessenger,uncomfortablyseatedonaformaftertakingthatrefection,haddroppedintoadoze,whenaloudmurmurandarapidtideofpeoplesettingupthestairsthatledtothecourt,carriedhimalongwiththem.
`Jerry!Jerry!'Mr.Lorrywasalreadycallingatthedoorwhenhegotthere.
`Here,sir!It'safighttogetbackagain.HereIam,sir!'
Mr.Lorryhandedhimapaperthroughthethrong.`Quick!Haveyougotit?'
`Yes,sir!'
Hastilywrittenonthepaperwastheword`ACQUITTED'.
`Ifyouhadsentthemessage,"RecalledtoLife,"again,mutteredJerry,asheturned,`Ishouldhaveknownwhatyoumeant,thistime.'
Hehadnoopportunityofsaying,orsomuchasthinking,anythingelse,untilhewasclearoftheOldBailey;for,thecrowdcamepouringoutwithavehemencethatnearlytookhimoffhislegs,andaloudbuzzsweptintothestreetasifthebaffledblue-fliesweredispersinginsearchofothercarrion.
CHAPTERIV
Congratulatory
FROMthedimly-lightedpassagesofthecourt,thelastsedimentofthehumanstewthathadbeenboilingthereallday,wasstrainingoff,whenDoctorManette,LucieManette,hisdaughter,Mr.Lorry,thesolicitorforthedefence,anditscounsel,Mr.Stryver,stoodgatheredroundMr.CharlesDarnay——justreleased——congratulatinghimonhisescapefromdeath.
Itwouldhavebeendifficultbyafarbrighterlight,torecogniseinDoctorManette,intellectualoffaceanduprightofbearing,theshoemakerofthegarretinParis.Yet,noonecouldhavelookedathimtwice,withoutlikingagain:eventhoughtheopportunityofobservationhadnotextendedtothemournfulcadenceofhislowgravevoice,andtotheabstractionthatovercloudedhimfitfully,withoutanyapparentreason.Whileoneexternalcause,andthatareferencetohislonglingeringagony,wouldalways——asonthetrial——evokethisconditionfromthedepthsofhissoul,itwasalsoinitsnaturetoariseofitself,andtodrawagloomoverhim,asincomprehensibletothoseunacquaintedwithhisstoryasiftheyhadseentheshadowoftheactualBastillethrownuponhimbyasummersun,whenthesubstancewasthreehundredmilesaway.
Onlyhisdaughterhadthepowerofcharmingthisblackbroodingfromhismind.ShewasthegoldenthreadthatunitedhimtoaPastbeyondhismisery,andtoaPresentbeyondhismisery:andthesoundofhervoice,thelightofherface,thetouchofherhand,hadastrongbeneficialinfluencewithhimalmostalways.Notabsolutelyalways,forshecouldrecallsomeoccasionsonwhichherpowerhadfailed;buttheywerefewandslight,andshebelievedthemover.
Mr.Darnayhadkissedherhandferventlyandgratefully,andhadturnedtoMr.Stryver,whomhewarmlythanked.Mr.Stryver,amanoflittlemorethanthirty,butlookingtwentyyearsolderthanhewas,stout,loud,red,bluff,andfreefromanydrawbackofdelicacy,hadapushingwayofshoulderinghimselfmorallyandphysicallyintocompaniesandconversations,thatarguedwellforhisshoulderinghiswayupinlife.
Hestillhadhiswigandgownon,andhesaid,squaringhimselfathislateclienttothatdegreethathesqueezedtheinnocentMr.Lorrycleanoutofthegroup:`Iamgladtohavebroughtyouoffwithhonour,Mr.Darnay.Itwasaninfamousprosecution,grosslyinfamous;butnotthelesslikelytosucceedonthataccount.
`Youhavelaidmeunderanobligationtoyouforlife-intwosenses,'saidhislateclient,takinghishand.
`Ihavedonemybestforyou,Mr.Darnay;andmybestisasgoodasanotherman's,Ibelieve.'
Itclearlybeingincumbentonsomeonetosay,`Muchbetter,'Mr.Lorrysaidit;perhapsnotquitedisinterestedly,butwiththeinterestedobjectofsqueezinghimselfbackagain.
`Youthinkso?'saidMr.Stryver.`Well!youhavebeenpresentallday,,andyououghttoknow.Youareamanofbusiness,too.
`Andassuch,'quothMr.Larry,whomthecounsellearnedinthelawhadnowshoulderedbackintothegroup,justashehadpreviouslyshoulderedhimoutofit——`assuchIwillappealtoDoctorManette,tobreakupthisconferenceandorderusalltoourhomes.MissLucielooksill,Mr.Darnayhashadaterribleday,wearewornout.'
`Speakforyourself,Mr.Lorry,'saidStryver;`Ihaveanight'sworktodoyet.Speakforyourself.'
`Ispeakformyself,'answeredMr.Lorry,`andforMr.Darnay,andforMissLucie,and——MissLucie,doyounotthinkImayspeakforusall?'Heaskedherthequestionpointedly,andwithaglanceatherfather.
Hisfacehadbecomefrozen,asitwere,inaverycuriouslookatDarnay:anintentlook,deepeningintoafrownofdislikeanddistrust,notevenunmixedwithfear.Withthisstrangeexpressiononhimhisthoughtshadwanderedaway.
`Myfather,'saidLucie,softlylayingherhandonhis.
Heslowlyshooktheshadowoff,andturnedtoher.
`Shallwegohome,myfather?'
Withalongbreath,heanswered`Yes.'
Thefriendsoftheacquittedprisonerhaddispersed,undertheimpressionwhichhehimselfhadoriginated——thathewouldnotbereleasedthatnight.Thelightswerenearlyallextinguishedinthepassages,theirongateswerebeingclosedwithajarandarattle,andthedismalplacewasdeserteduntilto-morrowmorning'sinterestofgallows,pillory,whipping-post,andbranding-iron,shouldre-peopleit.WalkingbetweenherfatherandMr.Darnay,LucieManettepassedintotheopenair.Ahackney-coachwascalled,andthefatheranddaughterdepartedinit.
Mr.Stryverhadlefttheminthepassages,toshoulderhiswaybacktotherobing-room.Anotherperson,whohadnotjoinedthegroup,orinterchangedawordwithanyoneofthem,butwhohadbeenleaningagainstthewallwhereitsshadowwasdarkest,hadsilentlystrolledoutaftertherest,andhadlookedonuntilthecoachdroveaway.HenowsteppeduptowhereMr.LorryandMr.Darnaystooduponthepavement.
`So,Mr.Lorry!MenofbusinessmayspeaktoMr.Darnaynow?'
NobodyhadmadeanyacknowledgmentofMr.Carton'spartintheday'sproceedings;nobodyhadknownofit.Hewasunrobed,andwasnonethebetterforitinappearance.
`Ifyouknewwhataconflictgoesoninthebusinessmind,whenthebusinessmindisdividedbetweengood-naturedimpulseandbusinessappearances,youwouldbeamused,Mr.Darnay.'
Mr.Lorryreddened,andsaid,warmly,`Youhavementionedthatbefore,sir.Wemenofbusiness,whoserveaHouse,arenotourownmasters.WehavetothinkoftheHousemorethanourselves.'
`Iknow,Iknow,'rejoinedMr.Carton,carelessly.`Don'tbenettled,Mr.Lorry.Youareasgoodasanother,Ihavenodoubt:better,Idaresay.'
`Andindeed,sir,'pursuedMr.Lorry,notmindinghim,`Ireallydon'tknowwhatyouhavetodowiththematter.Ifyou'llexcuseme,asverymuchyourcider,forsayingso,Ireallydon'tknowthatitisyourbusiness.'
`Business!Blessyou,Ihavenobusiness,'saidMr.Carton.`Itisapityyouhavenot,sir.'
`Ithinkso,too.'
`Ifyouhad,'pursuedMr.Lorry,`perhapsyouwouldattendtoit.'
`Lordloveyou,no!——Ishouldn't,'saidMr.Carton.
`Well,sir!'criedMr.Lorry,thoroughlyheatedbyhisindifference,`businessisaverygoodthing,andaveryrespectablething.And,sir,ifbusinessimposesitsrestraintsanditssilencesandimpediments,Mr.Darnayasayounggentlemanofgenerosityknowshowtomakeallowanceforthatcircumstance.Mr.Darnay,good-night,Godblessyou,sir!Ihopeyouhavebeenthisdaypreservedforaprosperousandhappylife——Chairthere!'
Perhaps'alittleangrywithhimselfaswellaswiththebarrister,Mr.Lorryhustledintothechair,andwascarriedofftoTellson's.Carton,whosmeltofportwine,anddidnotappeartobequitesober,laughedthen,andturnedtoDarnay:
`Thisisastrangechancethatthrowsyouandmetogether.Thismustbeastrangenighttoyou,standingaloneherewithyourcounterpartonthesestreetstones?'
`Ihardlyseemyet,'returnedCharlesDarnay,`tobelongtothisworldagain.'
`Idon'twonderatit;it'snotsolongsinceyouwereprettyfaradvancedonyourwaytoanother.Youspeakfaintly.'
`IbegintothinkIamfaint.'
`Thenwhythedevildon'tyoudine?Idined,myselfwhilethosenumskullsweredeliberatingwhichworldyoushouldbelongto——this,orsomeother.Letmeshowyouthenearesttaverntodinewellat.'
Drawinghisarmthroughhisown,hetookhimdownLudgate-hilltoFleet-street,andso,upacoveredway,intoatavern.Here,theywereshownintoalittleroom,whereCharlesDarnaywassoonrecruitinghisstrengthwithagoodplaindinnerandgoodwine:whileCartonsatoppositetohimatthesametable,withhisseparatebottleofportbeforehim,andhisfullyhalf-insolentmanneruponhim.
`Doyoufeel,yet,thatyoubelongtothisterrestrialschemeagain,Mr.Darnay?'
`Iamfrightfullyconfusedregardingtimeand'place;butIamsofarmendedastofeelthat.'
`Itmustbeanimmensesatisfaction!'
Hesaiditbitterly,andfilleduphisglassagain:whichwasalargeone.
`Astome,thegreatestdesireIhave,istoforgetthatIbelongtoit.Ithasnogoodinitforme——exceptwinelikethis——norIforit.Sowearenotmuchalikeinthatparticular.Indeed,Ibegintothinkwearenotmuchalikeinanyparticular,youandI.'
Confusedbytheemotionoftheday,andfeelinghisbeingtherewiththisDoubleofcoarsedeportment,tobelikeadream,CharlesDarnaywasatalosshowtoanswer;finally,answerednotatall.
`Nowyourdinnerisdone,'Cartonpresentlysaid,`whydon'tyoucallahealth,Mr.Darnay;whydon'tyougiveyourtoast?'
`Whathealth?Whattoast?'
`Why,it'sonthetipofyourtongue.Itoughttobe,itmustbe,I'llswearit'sthere.
`MissManette,then!'
`MissManette,then!'
Lookinghiscompanionfullinthefacewhilehedrankthetoast,Cartonflunghisglassoverhisshoulderagainstthewall,whereitshiveredtopieces;then,rangthebell,andorderedinanother.
`That'safairyoungladytohandtoacoachinthedark,Mr.Darnay!'hesaid,fillinghisnewgoblet.
Aslightfrownandalaconic`Yes,'weretheanswer.
`That'safairyoungladytobepitiedbyandweptforby!Howdoesitfeel?Isitworthbeingtriedforone'slife,tobetheobjectofsuchsympathyandcompassion,Mr.Darnay?'
AgainDarnayanswerednotaword.
`Shewasmightilypleasedtohaveyourmessage,whenIgaveither.Notthatsheshowedshewaspleased,butIsupposeshewas.'
TheallusionservedasatimelyremindertoDarnaythatthisdisagreeablecompanionhad,ofhisownfreewill,assistedhiminthestraitoftheday.Heturnedthedialoguetothatpoint,andthankedhimforit.
`Ineitherwantanythanks,normeritany,'wasthecarelessrejoinder.`Itwasnothingtodo,inthefirstplace;andIdon'tknowwhyIdidit,inthesecond.Mr.Darnay,let'measkyouaquestion.'
`Willingly,andasmallreturnforyourgoodoffices.'
`DoyouthinkIparticularlylikeyou?'
`Really,Mr.Carton,'returnedtheother,oddlydisconcerted,`Ihavenotaskedmyselfthequestion.'
`Butaskyourselfthequestionnow.'
`Youhaveactedasifyoudo;butIdon'tthinkyoudo.'
`1don'tthinkIdo,'saidCarton.`Ibegintohaveaverygoodopinionofyourunderstanding.'
`Nevertheless,'pursuedDarnay,risingtoringthebell,`thereisnothinginthat,Ihope,topreventmycallingthereckoning,andourpartingwithoutill-bloodoneitherside.'
Cartonrejoining,`Nothinginlife!'Darnayrang.`Doyoucallthewholereckoning?'saidCarton.Onhisansweringintheaffirmative,`Thenbringmeanotherpintofthissamewine,drawer,andcomeandwakemeatten.'
Thebillbeingpaid,CharlesDarnayroseandwishedhimgood-night.Withoutreturningthewish,Cartonrosetoo,withsomethingofathreatofdefianceinhismanner,andsaid,`Alastword,Mr.Darnay:youthinkIamdrunk?'
`Ithinkyouhavebeendrinking,Mr.Carton.'
`Think?YouknowIhavebeendrinking.'
`SinceImustsayso,Iknowit.'
`Thenyoushalllikewiseknowwhy.Iamadisappointeddrudge,sir.Icarefornomanonearth,andnomanonearthcaresforme.'
`Muchtoberegretted.Youmighthaveusedyourtalentsbetter.'
`Maybeso,Mr.Darnay;maybenot.Don'tletyoursoberfaceelateyou,however;youdon'tknowwhatitmaycometo.Good-night!'
Whenhewasleftalone,thisstrangebeingtookupacandle,wenttoaglassthathungagainstthewall,andsurveyedhimselfminutelyinit.
`Doyouparticularlyliketheman?'hemuttered,athisownimage;`whyshouldyouparticularlylikeamanwhoresemblesyou?Thereisnothinginyoutolike;youknowthat.Ah,confoundyou!Whatachangeyouhavemadeinyourself!Agoodreasonfortakingtoaman,thatheshowsyouwhatyouhavefallenawayfrom,andwhatyoumighthavebeen!Changeplaceswithhim,andwouldyouhavebeenlookedatbythoseblueeyesashewas,andcommiseratedbythatagitatedfaceashewas?Comeon,andhaveitoutinplainwords!Youhatethefellow.'
Heresortedtohispintofwineforconsolation,drankitallinafewminutes,andfellasleeponhisarms,withhishairstragglingoverthetable,andalongwinding-sheetinthecandledrippingdownuponhim.
CHAPTERV
TheJackal
THOSEweredrinkingdays,andmootmendrankhard.SoverygreatistheimprovementTimehasbroughtaboutinsuchhabits,thatamoderatestatementofthequantityofwineandpunchwhichonemanwouldswallowinthecourseofanight,withoutanydetrimenttohisreputationasaperfectgentleman,wouldseem,inthesedays,aridiculousexaggeration.ThelearnedprofessionofthelawwascertainlynotbehindanyotherlearnedprofessioninitsBacchanalianPropensities;neitherwasMr.Stryver,alreadyfastshoulderinghiswaytoalargeandlucrativepractice,behindhiscompeersinthisparticular,anymorethaninthedrierpartsofthelegalrace.
AfavouriteattheOldBailey,andekeattheSessions,Mr.Stryverhadbeguncautiouslytohewawaythelowerstavesoftheladderonwhichhemounted.SessionsandOldBaileyhadnowtosummontheirfavourite,specially,totheirlongingarms;andshoulderingitselftowardsthevisageoftheLordChiefJusticeintheCourtofKing'sBench,thefloridcountenanceofMr.Stryvermightbedailyseen,burstingoutofthebedofwigs,likeagreatsunflowerpushingitswayatthesunfromamongarankgardenfullofflaringcompanions.
adoncebeennotedattheBar,thatwhileMr.Stryverwasaglibman,andanunscrupulous,andaready,andabold,hehadnotthatfacultyofextractingtheessencefromaheapofstatements,whichisamongthemoststrikingandnecessaryoftheadvocate'saccomplishments.Butaremarkableimprovementcameuponhimastothis.Themorebusinesshegot,thegreaterhispowerseemedtogrowofgettingatitspithandmarrow;andhoweverlateatnighthesatcarousingwithSydneyCarton,healwayshadhispointsathisfingers'endsinthemorning.
SydneyCarton,idlestandmostunpromisingofmen,wasStryver'sgreatally.Whatthetwodranktogether,betweenHilaryTermandMichaelmas,mighthavefloatedaking'sship.Stryverneverhadacaseinhand,anywhere,butCartonwasthere,withhishandsinhispockets,staringattheceilingofthecourt;theywentthesameCircuit,andeventheretheyprolongedtheirusualorgieslateintothenight,andCartonwasrumouredtobeseenatbroadday,goinghomestealthilyandunsteadilytohislodgings,likeadissipatedcat.Atlast,itbegantogetabout,amongsuchaswereinterestedinthematter,thatalthoughSydneyCartonwouldneverbealion,hewasanamazinglygoodjackal,andthatherenderedsuitandservicetoStryverinthathumblecapacity.
`Teno'clock,sir,'saidthemanatthetavern,whomhehadchargedtowakehim——'teno'clock,sir.'
`What'sthematter?'
`Teno'clock,sir.'
`Whatdoyoumean?Teno'clockatnight?'
`Yes,sir.Yourhonourtoldmetocallyou.'
`Oh!Iremember.Verywell,verywell.'
Afterafewdulleffortstogettosleepagain,whichthemandexterouslycombatedbystirringthefirecontinuouslyforfiveminutes,hegotup,tossedhishaton,andwalkedout.HeturnedintotheTemple,and,havingrevivedhimselfbytwicepacingthepavementsofKing'sBench-walkandPaper-buildings,turnedintotheStryverchambers.
TheStryverclerk,whoneverassistedattheseconferences,hadgonehome,andtheStryverprincipalopenedthedoor.Hehadhisslipperson,andaloosebed-gown,andhisthroatwasbareforhisgreaterease.Hehadthatratherwild,strained,searedmarkingabouttheeyes,whichmaybeobservedinallfreeliversofhisclass,fromtheportraitofJeffriesdownward,andwhichcanbetraced,undervariousdisguisesofArt,throughtheportraitsofeveryDrinkingAge.
`Youarealittlelate,Memory,'saidStryver.
`Abouttheusualtime;itmaybeaquarterofanhourlater.'
Theywentintoadingyroomlinedwithbooksandlitteredwithpapers,wheretherewasablazingfire.Akettlesteameduponthehob,andinthemidstofthewreckofpapersatableshone,withplentyofwineuponit,andbrandy,andrum,andsugar,andlemons.
`Youhavehadyourbottle,Iperceive,Sydney.'
`Twoto-night,Ithink.Ihavebeendiningwiththeday'sclient;orseeinghimdine——it'sallone!'
`Thatwasararepoint,Sydney,thatyoubroughttobearupontheidentification.Howdidyoucomebyit?Whendiditstrikeyou?'
`Ithoughthewasratherahandsomefellow,andIthoughtIshouldhavebeenmuchthesamesortoffellow,ifIhadhadanyluck.'
Mr.Stryverlaughedtillheshookhisprecociouspaunch.
`Youandyourluck,Sydney!Gettowork,gettowork.'Sullenlyenough,thejackalloosenedhisdress,wentintoanadjoiningroom,andcamebackwithalargejugofcoldwater,abasin,andatowelortwo.Steepingthetowelsinthewater,andpartiallywringingthemout,hefoldedthemonhisheadinamannerhideoustobehold,satdownatthetable,andsaid,`NowIamready!'
`Notmuchboilingdowntobedoneto-night,Memory,'saidMr.Stryver,gaily,ashelookedamonghispapers.
`Howmuch?'
`Onlytwosetsofthem.'
`Givemetheworstfirst.'
`Theretheyare,Sydney.Fireaway!'
Thelionthencomposedhimselfonhisbackonasofaononesideofthedrinking-table,whilethejackalsatathisownPaperbestrewntableproper,ontheothersideofit,withthebottlesandglassesreadytohishand.Bothresortedtothedrinking-tablewithoutstint,buteachinadifferentway;thelionforthemostpartrecliningwithhishandsinhiswaistband,lookingatthefire,oroccasionallyflirtingwithsomelighterdocument;thejackal,withknittedbrowsandintentface,sodeepinhistask,thathiseyesdidnotevenfollowthehandhestretchedoutforhisglass——whichoftengropedabout,foraminuteormore,beforeitfoundtheglassforhislips.Twoorthreetimes,thematterinhandbecamesoknotty,thatthejackalfounditimperativeonhimtogetup,andsteephistowelsanew.Fromthesepilgrimagestothejugandbasin,hereturnedwithsucheccentricitiesofdampheadgearasnowordscandescribe;whichweremadethemoreludicrousbyhisanxiousgravity.
Atlengththejackalhadgottogetheracompactrepastforthelion,andproceededtoofferittohim.Theliontookitwithcareandcaution,madehisselectionsfromit,andhisremarksuponit,andthejackalassistedboth.Whentherepastwasfullydiscussed,thelionputhishandsinhiswaistbandagain,andlaydowntomeditate.Thejackaltheninvigoratedhimselfwithabumperforhisthrottle,andafreshapplicationtohishead,andappliedhimselftothecollectionofasecondmeal;thiswasadministeredtothelioninthesamemanner,andwasnotdisposedofuntiltheclocksstruckthreeinthemorning.
`Andnowwehavedone,Sydney,fillabumperofpunch,'saidMr.Stryver.
Thejackalremovedthetowelsfromhishead,whichhadbeensteamingagain,shookhimself,yawned,shivered,andcomplied.
`Youwereverysound,Sydney,inthematterofthosecrownwitnessesto-day.Everyquestiontold.'
`Ialwaysamsound;amInot?'
`Idon'tgainsayit.Whathasroughen'edyourtemper?Putsomepunchtoitandsmoothitagain.
Withadeprecatorygrunt,thejackalagaincomplied.
`TheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchool,'saidStryver,noddinghisheadoverhimashereviewedhiminthepresentandthepast,`theoldseesawSydney.Uponeminuteanddownthenext;nowinspiritsandnowindespondency!'
`Ah!'returnedtheother,sighing:`yes!ThesameSydney,withthesameluck.Eventhen,Ididexercisesforotherboys,andseldomdidmyown.'
`Andwhynot?'`Godknows.Itwasmyway,Isuppose.'
Hesat,withhishandsinhispocketsandhislegsstretchedoutbeforehim,lookingatthefire.
`Carton,'saidhisfriend,squaringhimselfathimwithabullyingair,asifthefire-gratehadbeenthefurnaceinwhichsustainedendeavourwasforged,andtheonedelicatethingtobedonefortheoldSydneyCartonofoldShrewsburySchoolwastoshoulderhimintoit,`yourwayis,andalwayswas,alameway.Yousummonnoenergyandpurpose.Lookatme.
`Oh,botheration!'returnedSydney,withalighterandmoregood-humouredlaugh,`don't*youbemoral!'
`HowhaveIdonewhatIhavedone?'saidStryver;`howdoIdowhatIdo?'
`Partlythroughpayingmetohelpyou,Isuppose.Butit'snotworthyourwhiletoapostrophiseme,ortheair,aboutit;whatyouwanttodo,youdo.Youwerealwaysinthefrontrank,andIwasalwaysbehind.'
`Ihadtogetintothefrontrank;Iwasnotbornthere,wasI?'
`Iwasnotpresentattheceremony;butmyopinionisyouwere,'saidCarton.Atthis,helaughedagain,andtheybothlaughed.
`BeforeShrewsbury,andatShrewsbury,andeversinceShrewsbury,'pursuedCarton,`youhavefallenintoyourrank,andIhavefallenintomine.EvenwhenwewerefellowstudentsintheStudent-QuarterofParis,pickingupFrench,andFrenchlaw,andotherFrenchcrumbsthatwedidn'tgetmuchgoodof,youwerealwayssomewhere,andIwasalways——nowhere.'
`Andwhosefaultwasthat?'
`Uponmysoul,Iamnotsurethatitwasnotyours.Youwerealwaysdrivingandrivingandshoulderingandpressing,tothatrestlessdegreethatIhadnochanceformylifebutinrustandrepose.It'sagloomything,however,totalkaboutone'sOwnpast,withthedaybreaking.TurnmeinsomeotherdirectionbeforeIgo.'
`Wellthen!Pledgemetotheprettywitness,'saidStryver,holdinguphisglass.`Areyouturnedinapleasantdirection?'
Apparentlynot,forhebecamegloomyagain.
`Prettywitness,'hemuttered,lookingdownintohisglass.`Ihavehadenoughofwitnessesto-dayandto-night;who'syourprettywitness?'
`Thepicturesquedoctor'sdaughter,MissManette.'
`Shepretty?'
`Isshenot?'
`No.'
`Why,manalive,shewastheadmirationofthewholeCourt!'
`RottheadmirationofthewholeCourt!WhomadetheOldBaileyajudgeofbeauty?Shewasagolden-haireddoll!'
`Doyouknow,Sydney,'saidMr.Stryver,lookingathimwithsharpeyes,andslowlydrawingahandacrosshisfloridface:`doyouknow,Iratherthought,atthetime,thatyousympathisedwiththegolden-haireddoll,andwerequicktoseewhat=happenedtothegolden-haireddoll?'
`Quicktoseewhathappened!Ifagirl,dollornodoll,swoonswithinayardortwoofaman'snose,hecanseeitwithoutaperspective-glass.Ipledgeyou,butIdenythebeauty.AndnowI'llhavenomoredrink;I'llgettobed.'
Whenhishostfollowedhimoutonthestaircasewithacandle,tolighthimdownthestairs,thedaywascoldlylookinginthroughitsgrimywindows.Whenhegotoutofthehouse,theairwascoldandsad,thedullskyovercast,theriverdarkanddim,thewholescenelikealifelessdesert.Andwreathsofdustwerespinningroundandroundbeforethemorningblast,asifthedesert-sandhadrisenfaraway,andthefirstsprayofitinitsadvancehadbeguntooverwhelmthecity.
Wasteforceswithinhim,andadesert'allaround,thismanstoodstillonhiswayacrossasilentterrace,andsawforamoment,lyinginthewildernessbeforehim,amirageofhonourableambition,self-denial,andperseverance.Inthefaircityofthisvision,therewereairygalleriesfromwhichthelovesandgraceslookeduponhim,gardensinwhichthefruitsoflifehungripening,watersofHopethatsparkledinhissight.Amoment,anditwasgone.Climbingtoahighchamberinawellofhouses,hethrewhimselfdowninhisclothesonaneglectedbed,anditspillowwaswetwithwastedtears.
Sadly,sadly,thesunrose;itroseuponnosaddersightthanthemanofgoodabilitiesandgoodemotions,incapableoftheirdirectedexercise,incapableofhisownhelpandhisownhappiness,sensibleoftheblightonhim,andresigninghim-selftoletitcathimaway.
CHAPTERVI
HundredsofPeople
THEquietlodgingsofDoctorManettewereinaquietstreet-cornernotfarfromSoho-square.OntheafternoonofacertainfineSundaywhenthewavesoffourmonthshadrolledoverthetrialfortreason,andcarriedit,astothepublicinterestandmemory,farouttosea,Mr.JarvisLorrywalkedalongthesunnystreetsfromClerkenwellwherehelived,onhiswaytodinewiththeDoctor.Afterseveralrelapsesintobusiness-absorption,Mr.LorryhadbecometheDoctor'sfriend,andthequietstreet-cornerwasthesunnypartofhislife.
OnthiscertainfineSunday,Mr.LorrywalkedtowardsSoho,earlyintheafternoon,forthreereasonsofhabit.Firstly,because,onfineSundays,heoftenwalkedout,beforedinner,withtheDoctorandLucie;secondly,because,onunfavourableSundays,hewasaccustomedtobewiththemasthefamilyfriend,talking,reading,lookingoutofwindow,andgenerallygettingthroughtheday;thirdly,becausehehappenedtohavehisownlittleshrewddoubtstosolve,andknewhowthewaysoftheDoctor'shouseholdpointedtothattimeasalikelytimeforsolvingthem.
AquaintercornerthanthecornerwheretheDoctorlived,wasnottobefoundinLondon.Therewasnowaythroughit,andthefrontwindowsoftheDoctor'slodgingscommandedapleasantlittlevistaofstreetthathadacongenialairofretirementonit.Therewerefewbuildingsthen,northoftheOxford-road,andforest-treesflourished,andwildflowersgrew,andthehawthornblossomed,inthenowvanishedfields.Asaconsequence,countryairscirculatedinSohowithvigorousfreedom,insteadoflanguishingintotheparishlikestraypauperswithoutasettlement;andtherewasmanyagoodsouthwall,notfaroff,onwhichthepeachesripenedintheirseason.
Thesummerlightstruckintothecornerbrilliantlyintheearlierpartoftheday;but,whenthestreetsgrewhot,thecornerwasinshadow,thoughnotinshadowsoremotebutthatyoucouldseebeyonditintoaglareofbrightness.Itwasacoolspot,staidbutcheerful,awonderfulplaceforechoes,andaveryharbourfromtheragingstreets.
Thereoughttohavebeenatranquilbarkinsuchananchorage,andtherewas.TheDoctoroccupiedtwofloorsofalargestillhouse,whereseveralcallingspurportedtobepursuedbyday,butwhereoflittlewasaudibleanyday,andwhichwasshunnedbyallofthematnight.Inabuildingattheback,attainablebyacourt-yard'whereaplane-treerustleditsgreenleaves,church-organsclaimedtobemade,andsilvertobechased,andlikewisegoldtobebeatenbysomemysteriousgiantwhohadagoldenarmstartingoutofthewallofthefronthall——asifhehadbeatenhimselfprecious,andmenacedasimilarconversionofallvisitors.Verylittleofthesetrades,orofalonelylodgerrumouredtoliveup-stairs,orofadimcoach-trimmingmakerassertedtohaveacounting-housebelow,waseverheardorseen.Occasionally,astrayworkmanputtinghiscoaton,traversedthehall,orastrangerpeeredaboutthere,oradistantclinkwasheardacrossthecourt-yard,orathumpfromthegoldengiant.These,how-ever,wereonlytheexceptionsrequiredtoprovetherulethatthesparrowsintheplane-treebehindthehouse,andtheechoesinthecornerbeforeit,hadtheirownwayfromSundaymorninguntoSaturdaynight.
DoctorManettereceivedsuchpatientshereashisoldreputation,anditsrevivalinthefloatingwhispersofhisstory,broughthim.Hisscientificknowledge,andhisvigilanceandskillinconductingingeniousexperiments,broughthimother-wiseintomoderaterequest,andheearneda,muchashewanted.
ThesethingswerewithinMr.JarvisLorry'sknowledge,thoughts,andnotice,whenherangthedoor-bellofthetranquilhouseinthecorner,onthefineSundayafternoon.
`DoctorManetteathome?'
Expectedhome.
`MissLucieathome?'
Expectedhome.