Theringingofthebellhadcausedtheadjoiningbedchambertobelighted.Itnowshonebrightly,throughthedoorofcommunication.TheMarquislookedthatway,andlistenedfortheretreatingstepofhisvalet.
　　`Englandisveryattractivetoyou,seeinghowindifferentlyyouhaveprosperedthere,'heobservedthen,turninghiscalmfacetohisnephewwithasmile.
　　`Ihavealreadysaid,thatformyprosperingthere,IamsensibleImaybeindebtedtoyou,sir.Fortherest,itismyRefuge.'
　　`Theysay,thoseboastfulEnglish,thatitistheRefugeofmany.YouknowacompatriotwhohasfoundaRefugethere?ADoctor?'
　　`Yes.'
　　`With,adaughter?'
　　`Yes,'saidtheMarquis.`Youarefatigued.Good-night!'
　　Ashebenthisheadinhismostcourtlymanner,therewasasecrecyinhissmilingface,andheconveyedanairofmysterytothosewords,whichstrucktheeyesandearsofhisnephewforcibly.Atthesametime,thethinstraightlinesofthesettingoftheeyes,andthethinstraightlips,andthemarkingsinthenose,curvedwithasarcasmthatlookedhandsomelydiabolic.
　　`Yes,'repeatedtheMarquis.`ADoctorwithadaughter.Yes.Socommencesthenewphilosophy!Youarefatigued.Good-night!'
　　Itwouldhavebeenofasmuchavailtointerrogateanystonefaceoutsidethechaateauastointerrogatethatfaceofhis.Thenephewlookedathiminvain,inpassingontothedoor.
　　`Good-night!'saidtheuncle.`Ilooktothepleasureofseeingyouagaininthemorning.Goodrepose!LightMonsieurmynephewtohischamberthere!——AndburnMonsieurmynephewinhisbed,ifyouwill,'headdedtohimself,beforeheranghislittlebellagain,andsummonedhisvalettohisownbedroom.
　　Thevaletcomeandgone,MonsieurtheMarquiswalkedtoandfroinhisloosechamber-robe,topreparehimselfgentlyforsleep,thathotstillnight.Rustlingabouttheroom,hissoftly-slipperedfeetmakingnonoiseonthefloor,hemovedlikearefinedtiger——lookedlikesomeenchantedmarquisoftheimpenitentlywickedsort,instory,whoseperiodicalchangeintotigerformwaseitherjustgoingoff,orjustcomingon.
　　Hemovedfromendtoendofhisvoluptuousbedroom,lookingagainatthescrapsoftheday'sjourneythatcameunbiddenintohismind;theslowtoilupthehillatsunset,thesettingsun,thedescent,themill,theprisononthecrag,thelittlevillageinthehollow,thepeasantsatthefountain,andthemenderofroadswithhisbluecappointingoutthechainunderthecarriage.ThatfountainsuggestedtheParisfountain,thelittlebundlelyingonthestep,thewomenbendingoverit,andthetallmanwithhisarmsup,crying,`Dead!'
　　`Iamcoolnow,'saidMonsieurtheMarquis,`andmaygotobed.'
　　So,leavingonlyonelightburningonthelargehearth,helethisthingauzecurtainsfallaroundhim,andheardthenightbreakitssilencewithalongsighashecomposedhimselftosleep.
　　Thestonefacesontheouterwallsstaredblindlyattheblacknightforthreeheavyhours;forthreeheavyhourstilehorsesinthestablesrattledattheirracks,thedogsbarked,andtheowlmadeanoisewithverylittleresemblanceinittothenoiseconventionallyassignedtotheowlbymen-poets.Butitistheobstinatecustomofsuchcreatureshardlyevertosaywhatissetdownforthem.
　　Forthreeheavyhours,thestonefacesofthechaateau,lionandhuman,staredblindlyatthenight.Deaddarknesslayonallthelandscape,deaddarknessaddeditsownhushtothehushingdustonalltheroads.Theburial-placehadgottothepassthatitslittleheapsofpoorgrasswereundistinguishablefromoneanother;thefigureontheCrossmighthavecomedown,foranythingthatcouldbeseenofit.Inthevillage,taxersandtaxedwerefastasleep.Dreaming,perhaps,ofbanquets,asthestarvedusuallydo,andofeaseandrest,asthedrivenslaveandtheyokedoxmay,itsleaninhabitantssleptsoundly,andwerefedandfreed.
　　Thefountaininthevillageflowedunseenandunheard,andthefountainatthechaateaudroppedunseenandunheard——bothmeltingaway,liketheminutesthatwerefallingfromthespringofTime——throughthreedarkhours.Then,thegreywaterofbothbegantobeghostlyinthelight,andtheeyesofthestonefacesofthechaateauwereopened.
　　Lighterandlighter,untilatlastthesuntouchedthetopsofthestilltrees,andpoureditsradianceoverthehill.Intheglow,thewaterofthechaateaufountainseemedtoturntoblood,andthestonefacescrimsoned.Thecarolofthebirdswasloudandhigh,and,ontheweather-beatensillofthegreatwindowofthebedchamberofMonsieurtheMarquis,onelittlebirdsangitssweetestsongwithallitsmight.Atthis,theneareststonefaceseemedtostareamazed,and,withopenedmouthanddroppedunder-jaw,lookedawe-stricken.
　　Now,thesunwasfullup,andmovementbeganinthevillage.Casementwindowsopened,crazydoorswereunbarred,andpeoplecameforthshivering——chilled,asyet,bythenewsweetair.Thenbegantherarelylightenedtoilofthedayamongthevillagepopulation.Some,tothefountain;some,tothefields;menandwomenhere,todiganddelve;menandwomenthere,toseetothepoorlivestock,andleadthebonycowsout,tosuchpastureascouldbefoundbytheroadside.InthechurchandattheCross,akneelingfigureortwo;attendantonthelatterprayers,theledcow,tryingforabreakfastamongtheweedsatitsfoot.
　　Thechaateauawokelater,asbecameitsquality,butawokegraduallyandsurely.First,thelonelyboar-spearsandknivesofthechasehadbeenreddenedasofold;then,hadgleamedtrenchantinthemorningsunshine;now,doorsandwindowswerethrownopen,horsesintheirstableslookedroundovertheirshouldersatthelightandfreshnesspouringinatdoorways,leavessparkledandrustledatiron-gratedwindows,dogspulledhardattheirchains,andrearedimpatienttobeloosed.
　　Allthesetrivialincidentsbelongedtotheroutineoflife,andthereturnofmorning.Surely,notsotheringingofthegreathellofthechaateau,northerunningupanddownthestairs;northehurriedfiguresontheterrace;northebootingandtrampinghereandthereandeverywhere,northequicksaddlingofhorsesandridingaway?
　　Whatwindsconveyedthishurrytothegrizzledmenderofroads,alreadyatworkonthehill-topbeyondthevillage,withhisday'sdinnernotmuchtocarrylyinginabundlethatitwasworthnocrow'swhiletopeckat,onaheapofstones?Hadthebirds,carryingsomegrainsofittoadistance,droppedoneoverhimastheysowchanceseeds?Whetherorno,themenderofroadsran,onthesultrymorning,asifforhislife,downthehill,knee-highindust,andneverstoppedtillhegottothefountain.
　　Allthepeopleofthevillagewereatthefountain,standingaboutintheirdepressedmanner,andwhisperinglow,butshowingnootheremotionsthangrimcuriosityandsurprise.Theledcows,hastilybroughtinandtetheredtoanythingthatwouldholdthem,werelookingstupidlyon,orlyingdownchewingthecudofnothingparticularlyrepayingtheirtrouble,whichtheyhadpickedupintheirinterruptedsaunter.Someofthepeopleofthechaateau,andsomeofthoseoftheposting-house,andallthetaxingauthorities,werearmedmoreorless,andwerecrowdedontheothersideofthelittlestreetinapurposelessway,thatwashighlyfraughtwithnothing.Already,themenderofroadshadpenetratedintothemidstofagroupoffiftyparticularfriends,andwassmitinghimselfinthebreastwithhisbluecap.Whatdidallthisportend,andwhatportendedtheswifthoisting-upofMonsieurGabellebehindaservantonhorseback,andtheconveyingawayofthesaidGabelledouble-ladenthoughthehorsewas,atagallop,likeanewversionoftheGermanballadofLeonora?
　　Itportendedthattherewasonestonefacetoomany,upatthechaateau.
　　TheGorgonhadsurveyedthebuildingagaininthenight,andhadaddedtheonestonefacewanting;thestonefaceforwhichithadwaitedthroughabouttwohundredyears.
　　ItlaybackonthepillowofMonsieurtheMarquis.Itwaslikeafinemask,suddenlystartled,madeangry,andpetrified.Drivenhomeintotheheartofthestonefigureattachedtoit,wasaknife.Rounditshiltwasafrillofpaper,onwhichwasscrawled:
　　`Drivehimfasttohistomb.This,fromJACQUES.'
　　CHAPTERX
　　TwoPromises
　　MOREmonths,tothenumberoftwelve,hadcomeandgone,andMr.CharlesDarnaywasestablishedinEnglandasahigherteacheroftheFrenchlanguagewhowasconversantwithFrenchliterature.Inthisage,hewouldhavebeenaProfessor;inthatage,hewasaTutor.Hereadwithyoungmenwhocouldfindanyleisureandinterestforthestudyofalivingtonguespokenallovertheworld,andhecultivatedatasteforitsstoresofknowledgeandfancy.Hecouldwriteofthem,besides,insoundEnglish,andrenderthemintosoundEnglish.Suchmasterswerenotatthattimeeasilyfound;Princesthathadbeen,andKingsthatweretobe,werenotyetoftheTeacherclass,andnoruinednobilityhaddroppedoutofTellson'sledgers,toturncooksandcarpenters.Asatutor,whoseattainmentsmadethestudent'swayunusuallypleasantandprofitable,andasaneleganttranslatorwhobroughtsomethingtohisworkbesidesmeredictionaryknowledge,youngMr.Darnaysoonbecameknownandencouraged.Hewaswellacquainted,moreover,withthecircumstancesofhiscountry,andthosewereofever-growinginterest.So,withgreatperseveranceanduntiringindustry,heprospered.
　　InLondon,hehadexpectedneithertowalkonpavementsofgold,nortolieonbedsofroses:ifhehadhadanysuchexaltedexpectation,hewouldnothaveprospered.Hehadexpectedlabour,andhefoundit,anddidit,andmadethebestofit.Inthis,hisprosperityconsisted.
　　AcertainportionofhistimewaspassedatCambridge,wherehereadwithundergraduatesasasortoftoleratedsmugglerwhodroveacontrabandtradeinEuropeanlanguages,insteadofconveyingGreekandLatinthroughtheCustom-house.TherestofhistimehepassedinLondon.
　　Now,fromthedayswhenitwasalwayssummerinEden,tothesedayswhenitismostlywinterinfallenlatitudes,theworldofamanhasinvariablygoneoneway——CharlesDarnay'sway——thewayoftheloveofawoman.
　　HehadlovedLucieManettefromthehourofhisdanger.Hehadneverheardasoundsosweetanddearasthesoundofhercompassionatevoice;hehadneverseenafacesotenderlybeautiful,asherswhenitwasconfrontedwithhisownontheedgeofthegravethathadbeendugforhim.But,hehadnotyetspokentoheronthesubject;theassassinationatthedesertedchaateaufarawaybeyondtheheavingwaterandthelong,long,dustyroads——thesolidstonechaateauwhichhaditselfbecomethemeremistofadream——hadbeendoneayear,andhehadneveryet,bysomuchasasinglespokenword,disclosedtoherthestateofhisheart.
　　Thathehadhisreasonsforthis,heknewfullwell.Itwasagainasummerdaywhen,latelyarrivedinLondonfromhiscollegeoccupation,heturnedintothequietcornerinSoho,bentonseekinganopportunityofopeninghismindtoDoctorManette.Itwasthecloseofthesummerday,andheknewLucietobeoutwithMissPross.
　　HefoundtheDoctorreadinginhisarm-chairatawindow.Theenergywhichhadatoncesupportedhimunderhisoldsufferingsandaggravatedtheirsharpness,hadbeengraduallyrestoredtohim.Hewasnowaveryenergeticmanindeedwithgreatfirmnessofpurpose,strengthofresolution,andvigourofaction.Inhisrecoveredenergyhewassometimesalittlefitfulandsudden,ashehadatfirstbeenintheexerciseofhisotherrecoveredfaculties;but,thishadneverbeenfrequentlyobservable,andhadgrownmoreandmorerare.
　　Hestudiedmuch,sleptlittle,sustainedagreatdealoffatiguewithease,andwasequablycheerful.Tohim,nowenteredCharlesDarnay,atsightofwhomhelaidasidehisbookandheldouthishand.
　　`CharlesDarnay!Irejoicetoseeyou.Wehavebeencountingonyourreturnthesethreeorfourdayspast.Mr.StryverandSydneyCartonwerebothhereyesterday,andbothmadeyououttobemorethandue.
　　`Iamobligedtothemfortheirinterestinthematter,'heanswered,alittlecoldlyastochem,thoughverywarmlyastotheDoctor.`MissManette——'
　　`Iswell,'saidtheDoctor,ashestoppedshort,`andyourreturnwilldelightusall.Shehasgoneoutonsomehouseholdmatters,butwillsoonbehome.'
　　`DoctorManette,Iknewshewasfromhome.Itooktheopportunityofherbeingfromhome,tobegtospeaktoyou.'
　　Therewasablanksilence.
　　`Yes?'saidtheDoctor,withevidentconstraint.`Bringyourchairhere,andspeakon.'
　　Hecompliedastothechair,butappearedtofindthespeakingonlesseasy.
　　`Ihavehadthehappiness,DoctorManette,ofbeingsointimatehere,'soheatlengthbegan,`forsomeyearandahalf,thatIhopethetopiconwhichIamabouttotouchmaynot——'
　　HewasstayedbytheDoctor'sputtingouthishandtostophim.Whenhehadkeptitsoalittlewhile,hesaid,drawingitback:
　　`IsLuciethetopic?'
　　`Sheis.'
　　`Itishardformetospeakofheratanytime.Itisveryhardformetohearherspokenofinthattoneofyours,CharlesDarnay.'
　　`Itisatoneofferventadmiration,truehomage,anddeeplove,DoctorManette!'hesaiddeferentially.
　　Therewasanotherblanksilencebeforeherfatherrejoined:`Ibelieveit.Idoyoujustice;Ibelieveit.'
　　Hisconstraintwassomanifest,anditwassomanifest,too,thatitoriginatedinanunwillingnesstoapproachthesubject,thatCharlesDarnayhesitated.
　　`ShallIgoon,sir?'
　　Anotherblank.
　　`Yes,goon.'
　　`YouanticipatewhatIwouldsay,thoughyoucannotknowhowearnestlyIsayit,howearnestlyIfeelit,withoutknowingmysecretheart,andthehopesandfearsandanxietieswithwhichithaslongbeenladen.DearDoctorManette,Iloveyourdaughterfondly,dearly,disinterestedly,devotedly.Ifevertherewereloveintheworld,Iloveher.Youhavelovedyourself;letyouroldlovespeakforme!'
　　TheDoctorsatwithhisfaceturnedaway,andhiseyesbentontheground.Atthelastwords,hestretchedouthishandagain,hurriedly,andcried:
　　`Notthat,sir!Letthatbe!Iadjureyou,donotrecallthat!'
　　Hiscrywassolikeacryofactualpain,thatitranginCharlesDarnay'searslongafterhehadceased.Hemotionedwiththehandhehadextended,anditseemedtobeanappealtoDarnaytopause.Thelattersoreceivedit,andremainedsilent.
　　`Iaskyourpardon,'saidtheDoctor,inasubduedtone,aftersomemoments.`IdonotdoubtyourlovingLucie;youmaybesatisfiedofit.'
　　Heturnedtowardshiminhischair,butdidnotlookathim,orraisehiseyes.Hischindroppeduponhishand,andhiswhitehairovershadowedhisface:
　　`HaveyouspokentoLucie?'
　　`No.'
　　`Norwritten?'
　　`Never.'
　　`Itwouldbeungeneroustoaffectnottoknowthatyourself-denialistobereferredtoyourconsiderationforherfather.Herfatherthanksyou.
　　Heofferedhishand;buthiseyesdidnotgowithit.
　　`Iknow,'saidDarnay,respectfully,`howcanIfailtoknow,DoctorManette,Iwhohaveseenyoutogetherfromdaytoday,thatbetweenyouandMissManettethereisanaffectionsounusual,sotouching,sobelongingtothecircumstancesinwhichithasbeennurtured,thatitcanhavefewparallels,eveninthetendernessbetweenafatherandchild.Iknow,Dr.Manette——howcanIfailtoknow——that,mingledwiththeaffectionanddutyofadaughterwhohasbecomeawoman,thereis,inherheart,towardsyou,alltheloveandrelianceofinfancyitself.Iknowthat,asinherchildhoodshehadnoparent,sosheisnowdevotedtoyouwithalltheconstancyandfervourofherpresentyearsandcharacter,unitedtothetrustfulnessandattachmentoftheearlydaysinwhichyouwerelosttoher.Iknowperfectlywellthatifyouhadbeenrestoredtoherfromtheworldbeyondthislife,youcouldhardlybeinvested,inhersight,withamoresacredcharacterthanthatinwhichyouarealwayswithher.Iknowthatwhensheisclingingtoyou,thehandsofbaby,girl,andwoman,allinone,areroundyourneck.Iknowthatinlovingyousheseesandloveshermotheratherownage,seesandlovesyouatmyage,loveshermotherbrokenhearted,lovesyouthroughyourdreadfultrialandinyourblessedrestoration.Ihaveknownthis,nightandday,sinceIhaveknownyouinyourhome.'
　　Herfathersatsilent,withhisfacebentdown.Hisbreathingwasalittlequickened;butherepressedallothersignsofagitation.
　　`DearDoctormanettealwaysknowingthis,alwaysseeingherandyouwiththishallowedlightaboutyou,Ihaveforborne,andforborne,aslongasitwasinthenatureofmantodoit.Ihavefelt,anddoevennowfeel,thattobringmylove——evenmine——betweenyou,istotouchyourhistorywithsomethingnotquitesogoodasitself.ButIloveher.HeavenismywitnessthatIloveher!'
　　`Ibelieveit,'answeredherfather,mournfully.`Ihavethoughtsobeforenow.Ibelieveit.'
　　`But,donotbelieve,'saidDarnay,uponwhoseearthemournfulvoicestruckwithareproachfulsound,`thatifmyfortuneweresocastasthat,beingonedaysohappyastomakehermywife,Imustatanytimeputanyseparationbetweenherandyou,IcouldorwouldbreatheawordofwhatInowsay.BesidesthatIshouldknowittobehopeless,Ishouldknowittobeabaseness.IfIhadanysuchpossibility,evenataremotedistanceofyears,harbouredinmythoughts,and`hiddeninmyheart——ifiteverhadbeenthere——ifitevercouldbethere——Icouldnotnowtouchthishonouredhand.'
　　Helaidhisownuponitashespoke.
　　`No,dearDoctorManette.Likeyou,avoluntaryexilefromFrance;likeyou,drivenfromitbyitsdistractions,oppressions,andmiseries;likeyou,strivingtoliveawayfromitbymyownexertions,andtrustinginahappierfuture;Ilookonlytosharingyourfortunes,sharingyourlifeandhome,andbeingfaithfultoyoutothedeath.NottodividewithLucieherprivilegeasyourchild,companion,andfriend;buttocomeinaidofit,andbindherclosertoyou,ifsuchathingcanbe.'
　　Histouchstilllingeredonherfather'shand.Answeringthetouchforamoment,butnotcoldly,herfatherrestedhishandsuponthearmsofhischair,andlookedupforthefirsttimesincethebeginningoftheconference.Astrugglewasevidentlyinhisface;astrugglewiththatoccasionallookwhichhadatendencyinittodarkdoubtanddread.
　　`Youspeaksofeelinglyandsomanfully,CharlesDarnay,thatIthankyouwithallmyheart,andwillopenallmyheart——ornearlyso.HaveyouanyreasontobelievethatLucielovesyou?'
　　`None.Asyet,none.
　　`Isittheimmediateobjectofthisconfidence,thatyoumayatonceascertainthat,withmyknowledge?'
　　`Notevenso.Imightnothavethehopefulnesstodoitforweeks;Imightmistakenornotmistakenhavethathopefulnessto-morrow.
　　`Doyouseekanyguidancefromme?'
　　`Iasknone,sir.ButIhavethoughtitpossiblethatyoumighthaveitinyourpower,ifyoushoulddeemitright,togivemesome.'
　　`Doyouseekanypromisefromme?'
　　`Idoseekthat.
　　`Whatisit?'
　　`Iwellunderstandthat,withoutyou,Icouldhavenohope.Iwellunderstandthat,evenifMissManetteheldmeatthismomentinherinnocentheart——donotthinkIhavethepresumptiontoassumesomuch——Icouldretainnoplaceinitagainstherloveforherfather.'
　　Ifthatbeso,doyousecwhat,ontheotherhand,isinvolvedinit?'
　　`Iunderstandequallywell,thatawordfromherfatherinanysuitor'sfavour,wouldoutweighherselfandalltheworld.Forwhichreason,DoctorManette,'saidDarnay,modestlybutfirmly,`Iwouldnotaskthatword,tosavemylife.'
　　`Iamsureofit.CharlesDarnay,mysteriesariseoutofcloselove,aswellasoutofwidedivision;intheformercase,theyaresubtleanddelicate,anddifficulttopenetrate.MydaughterLucieis,inthisonerespect,suchamysterytome;Icanmakenoguessatthestateofherheart.'
　　`MayIask,sir,ifyouthinksheis——'Ashehesitated,herfathersuppliedtherest.
　　`Issoughtbyanyothersuitor?'
　　`ItiswhatImeanttosay.'
　　Herfatherconsideredalittlebeforeheanswered:
　　`YouhaveseenMr.Cartonhere,yourself.Mr.Stryverisheretoo,occasionally.Ifitbeatall,itcanonlybebyoneofthese.'
　　`Orboth,'saidDarnay.
　　`Ihadnotthoughtofboth;Ishouldnotthinkeither,likely.Youwantapromisefromme.Tellmewhatitis.
　　`Itis,thatifMissManetteshouldbringtoyouatanytime,onherownpart,suchaconfidenceasIhaveventuredtolaybeforeyou,youwillbeartestimonytowhatIhavesaid,andtoyourbeliefinit.Ihopeyoumaybeabletothinksowellofme,astourgenoinfluenceagainstme.Isaynothingmoreofmystakeinthis;thisiswhatIask.TheconditiononwhichIaskit,andwhichyouhaveanundoubtedrighttorequire,Iwillobserveimmediately.'
　　`Igivethepromise,'saidtheDoctor,`withoutanycondition.Ibelieveyourobjecttobe,purelyandtruthfully,asyouhavestatedit.Ibelieveyourintentionistoperpetuate,andnottoweaken,thetiesbetweenmeandmyotherandfardearerself.Ifsheshouldevertellmethatyouareessentialtoherperfecthappiness,Iwillgivehertoyou.Iftherewere——CharlesDarnay,iftherewere——'
　　Theyoungmanhadtakenhishandgratefully;theirhandswerejoinedastheDoctorspoke:
　　`——anyfancies,anyreasons,anyapprehensions,anythingwhatsoever,neworold,againstthemanshereallyloved——thedirectresponsibilitythereofnotlyingonhishead——theyshouldallbeobliteratedforhersake.Sheiseverythingtome;moretomethansuffering,moretomethanwrong,moretome——Well!Thisisidletalk.'
　　Sostrangewasthewayinwhichhefadedintosilence,andsostrangehisfixedlookwhenhehadceasedtospeak,thatDarnayfelthisownhandturncoldinthehandthatslowlyreleasedanddroppedit.
　　`Yousaidsomethingtome,'saidDoctorManette,breakingintoasmile.`Whatwasityousaidtome?'
　　Hewasatalosshowtoanswer,untilherememberedhavingspokenofacondition.Relievedashismindrevertedtothat,heanswered:
　　`Yourconfidenceinmeoughttobereturnedwithfullconfidenceonmypart.Mypresentname,thoughbutslightlychangedfrommymother's,isnot,asyouwillremember,myOwn.Iwishtotellyouwhatthatis,andwhyIaminEngland.'
　　`Stop!'saidtheDoctorofBeauvais.
　　`Iwishit,thatImaythebetterdeserveyourconfidence,andhavenosecretfromyou.
　　`Stop!'
　　Foraninstant,theDoctorevenhadhistwohandsathisears;foranotherinstant,evenhadhistwohandslaidonDarnay'slips.
　　`TellmewhenIaskyou,notnow.Ifyoursuitshouldprosper,ifLucieshouldloveyou,youshalltellmeonyourmarriagemorning.Doyoupromise?'
　　`Willingly.'
　　`Givemeyourhand.Shewillbehomedirectly,anditisbettersheshouldnotseeustogetherto-night.Go!Godblessyou!'
　　ItwasdarkwhenCharlesDarnaylefthim,anditwasanhourlateranddarkerwhenLuciecamehome;shehurriedintotheroomalone——forMissProsshadgonestraightupstairs——andwassurprisedtofindhisreading-chairempty.
　　`Myfather!'shecalledtohim.`Fatherdear!'
　　Nothingwassaidinanswer,butsheheardalowhammeringsoundinhisbedroom.Passinglightlyacrosstheintermediateroom,shelookedinathisdoorandcamerunningbackfrightened,cryingtoherself,withherbloodallchilled,`WhatshallIdo!WhatshallIdo!'
　　Heruncertaintylastedbutamoment;shehurriedback,andtappedathisdoor,andsoftlycalledtohim.Thenoiseceasedatthesoundofhervoice,andhepresentlycameouttoher,andtheywalkedupanddowntogetherforalongtime.
　　Shecamedownfromherbed,tolookathiminhissleepthatnight.Hesleptheavily,andhistrayofshoemakingtools,andhisoldunfinishedwork,wereallasusual.
　　CHAPTERXI
　　ACompanionPicture
　　`SYDNEY,'saidMr.Stryver,onthatself-samenight,ormorning,tohisjackal;`mixanotherbowlofpunch;Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou.'
　　Sydneyhadbeenworkingdoubletidesthatnight,andthenightbefore,andthenightbeforethat,andagoodmanynightsinsuccession,makingagrandclearanceamongMr.Stryver'spapersbeforethesettinginofthelongvacation.Theclearancewaseffectedatlast;theStryverarrearswerehandsomelyfetchedup;everythingwasgotridofuntilNovembershouldcomewithitsfogsatmosphericandfogslegal,andbringgristtothemillagain.
　　Sydneywasnonethelivelierandnonethesobererforsomuchapplication.Ithadtakenadealofextrawet-towellingtopullhimthroughthenight;acorrespondinglyextraquantityofwinehadprecededthetowelling;andhewasinaverydamagedcondition,ashenowpulledhisturbanoffandthrewitintothebasininwhichhehadsteepeditatintervalsforthelastsixhours.
　　`Areyoumixingthatotherbowlofpunch?'saidStryvertheportly,withhishandsinhiswaistband,glancingroundfromthesofawherehelayonhisback,
　　`Iam.'
　　`Now,lookhere!Iamgoingtotellyousomethingthatwillrathersurpriseyou,andthatperhapswillmakeyouthinkmenotquiteasshrewdasyouusuallydothinkme.Iintendtomarry.
　　`Doyou?'
　　`Yes.Andnotformoney.Whatdoyousaynow?'
　　`Idon'tfeeldisposedtosaymuch.Whoisshe?'
　　`Guess.'
　　`DoIknowher?'
　　`Guess.'
　　`Iamnotgoingtoguess,atfiveo'clockinthemorning,withmybrainsfryingandsputteringinmy,head.Ifyouwantmetoguess,youmustaskmetodinner.
　　`Wellthen,I'lltellyou,'saidStryver,comingslowlyintoasittingposture.`Sydney,Iratherdespairofmakingmyselfintelligibletoyou,becauseyouaresuchaninsensibledog.'
　　`Andyou,'returnedSydney,busyconcoctingthepunch,`aresuchasensitiveandpoeticalspirit.'