ThePeriodItwasthebestoftimes，itwastheworstoftimes，itwastheageofwisdom，itwastheageoffoolishness，itwastheepochofbelief，itwastheepochofincredulity，itwastheseasonofLight，itwastheseasonofDarkness，itwasthespringofhope，itwasthewinterofdespair，wehadeverythingbeforeus，wehadnothingbeforeus，wewereallgoingdirecttoHeaven，wewereallgoingdirecttheotherway——inshort，theperiodwasso。farlikethepresentperiod，thatsomeofitsnoisiestauthoritiesinsistedonitsbeingreceived，forgoodorforevil，inthesuperlativedegreeofcomparisononly。
Therewereakingwithalargejawandaqueenwithaplainface，onthethroneofEngland；therewereakingwithalargejawandaqueenwithafairface，onthethroneofFrance。InbothcountriesitwasclearerthancrystaltothelordsoftheStatepreservesofloavesandfishes，thatthingsingeneralweresettledforever。
ItwastheyearofOurLordonethousandsevenhundredandseventy-five。
SpiritualrevelationswereconcededtoEnglandatthatfavouredperiod，asatthis。Mrs。Southcotthadrecentlyattainedherfive-and-twentiethblessedbirthday，ofwhomapropheticprivateintheLifeGuardshadheraldedthesublimeappearancebyannouncingthatarrangementsweremadefortheswallowingupofLondonandWestminster。EventheCock-laneghosthadbeenlaidonlyarounddozenofyears，afterrappingoutitsmessages，asthespiritsofthisveryyearlastpast(supernaturallydeficientinoriginality)
rappedouttheirs。MeremessagesintheearthlyorderofeventshadlatelycometotheEnglishCrownandPeople，fromacongressofBritishsubjectsinAmerica:which，strangetorelate，haveprovedmoreimportanttothehumanracethananycommunicationsyetreceivedthroughanyofthechickensoftheCock-lanebrood。
France，lessfavouredonthewholeastomattersspiritualthanhersisteroftheshieldandtrident，rolledwithexceedingsmoothnessdownhill，makingpapermoneyandspendingit。UndertheguidanceofherChristianpastors，sheentertainedherselfbesides，withsuchhumaneachievementsassentencingayouthtohavehishandscutoff，histonguetornoutwithpincers，andhisbodyburnedalive，becausehehadnotkneeleddownintheraintodohonourtoadirtyprocessionofmonkswhichpassedwithinhisview，atadistanceofsomefiftyorsixtyyards。Itislikelyenoughthat，rootedinthewoodsofFranceandNorway，thereweregrowingtrees，whenthatsuffererwasputtodeath，alreadymarkedbytheWoodman，Fate，tocomedownandbesawnintoboards，tomakeacertainmovableframeworkwithasackandaknifeinit，terribleinhistory。ItislikelyenoughthatintheroughouthousesoldsometillersoftheheavylandsadjacenttoParis，therewereshelteredfromtheweatherthatveryday，rudecarts，bespatteredwithrusticmire，snuffedaboutbypigs，androostedinbypoultry，whichtheFarmer，Death，hadalreadysetaparttobehistumbrilsoftheRevolution。ButthatWoodmanandthatFarmer，thoughtheyworkunceasingly，worksilently，andnooneheardthemastheywentaboutwithmuffledtread:
therather，forasmuchastoentertainanysuspicionthattheywereawake，wastobeatheisticalandtraitorous。
InEngland，therewasscarcelyanamountoforderandprotectiontojustifymuchnationalboasting。Daringburglariesbyarmedmen，andhighwayrobberies，tookplaceinthecapitalitselfeverynight；familieswerepubliclycautionednottogooutoftownwithoutremovingtheirfurnituretoupholsterers'warehousesforsecurity；thehighwaymaninthedarkwasaCitytradesmaninthelight，and，beingrecognisedandchallengedbyhisfellow-tradesmanwhomhestoppedinhischaracterof`theCaptain，'gallantlyshothimthroughtheheadandrodeaway；themailwaswaylaidbysevenrobbers，andtheguardshotthreedead，andthengotshotdeadhimselfbytheotherfour，`inconsequenceofthefailureofhisammunition:'
afterwhichthemailwasrobbedinPeace；thatmagnificentpotentate，theLordMayorofLondon，wasmadetostandanddeliveronTurnhamGreen，byonehighwayman，whodespoiledtheillustriouscreatureinsightofallhisretinue；prisonersinLondongaolsfoughtbattleswiththeirturnkeys，andthemajestyofthelawfiredblunderbussesinamongthem，loadedwithroundsofshotandball；thievessnippedoffdiamondcrossesfromthenecksofnoblelordsatCourtdrawing-rooms；musketeerswentintoSt。Giles's，tosearchforcontrabandgoods，andthemobfiredonthemusketeers，andthemusketeersfiredonthemob，andnobodythoughtanyoftheseoccurrencesmuchoutofthecommonway。Inthemidstofthem，thehangman，everbusyandeverworsethanuseless，wasinconstantrequisition；now，stringinguplongrowsofmiscellaneouscriminals；now，hangingahouse-breakeronSaturdaywhohadbeentakenonTuesday；now，burningpeopleinthehandatNewgatebythedozen，andnowburningpamphletsatthedoorofWestminsterHall；to-day，takingthelifeofanatrociousmurderer，andto-morrowofawretchedpilfererwhohadrobbedafarmer'sboyofsixpence。
Allthesethings，andathousandlikethem，cametopassinandcloseuponthedearoldyearonethousandsevenhundredandseventy-five。
Environedbythem，whiletheWoodmanandtheFarmerworkedunheeded，thosetwoofthelargejaws，andthoseothertwooftheplainandthefairlaces，trodwithstirenough，andcarriedtheirdivinerightswithahighhand。
Thusdidtheyearonethousandsevenhundredandseventy-fiveconducttheirGreatnesses，andmyriadsofsmallcreatures——thecreaturesofthischronicleamongtherest——alongtheroadsthatlaybeforethem。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIITheMailItwastheDoverroadthatlay，onaFridaynightlateinNovember，beforethefirstofthepersonswithwhomthishistoryhasbusiness。TheDoverroadlay，astohim，beyondtheDovermail，asitlumberedupShooter'sHill。Hewalkeduphillinthemirebythesideofthemail，astherestofthepassengersdid；notbecausetheyhadtheleastrelishforwalkingexercise，underthecircumstances，butbecausethehill，andtheharness，andthemud，andthemail，wereallsoheavythatthehorseshadthreetimesalreadycometoastop，besideoncedrawingthecoachacrosstheroad，withthemutinousintentoftakingitbacktoBlackheath。Reinsandwhipandcoachmanandguard，however，incombination，hadreadthatarticleofwarwhichforbadapurposeotherwisestronglyinfavouroftheargument，thatsomebruteanimalsareenduedwithReason；andtheteamhadcapitulatedandreturnedtotheirduty。
Withdroopingheadsandtremuloustails，theymashedtheirwaythroughthethickmud，flounderingandstumblinghebetweenwhiles，asiftheywerefallingtopiecesatthelargejoints。Asoftenasthedriverrestedthemandbroughtthemtoastand，withawary`Wo-ho!so-hothen!'
thenearleaderviolentlyshookhisheadandeverythinguponit——likeanunusuallyemphatichorse，denyingthatthecoachcouldbegotupthehill。
Whenevertheleadermadethisrattle，thepassengerstarted，asanervouspassengermight，andwasdisturbedinmind。
Therewasasteamingmistinallthehollows，andithatroamedinitsforlornnessupthehill，likeanevilspirit，seekingrestandfindingnone。Aclammyandintenselycoldmist，madeitsslowwaythroughtheairinripplesthatvisiblyfollowedandoverspreadoneanother，asthewavesofanunwholesomeseamightdo。Itwasdenseenoughtoshutouteverythingfromthelightofthecoach-lampsbuttheseitsownworkingsandafewyardsofroad；andthereekofthelabouringhorsesteamedintoit，asiftheyhadmadeitall。
Twootherpassengers，besidestheone，wereploddingupthehillbythesideofthemail。Allthreewerewrappedtothecheek-bonesandovertheears，andworejack-boots。Notoneofthethreecouldhavesaid，fromanythinghesaw，whateitheroftheothertwowaslike；andeachwashiddenunderalmostasmanywrappersfromtheeyesofthemind，asfromtheeyesofthebody，ofhistwocompanions。Inthosedays，travellerswereveryshyofbeingconfidentialonshortnotice，foranybodyontheroadmightbearobberorinleaguewithrobbers。Astothelatter，wheneveryposting-houseandale-housecouldproducesomebodyin`theCaptain's'
pay，rangingfromthelandlordtotheloweststablenondescript，itwasthelikeliestthinguponthecards。SotheguardoftheDovermailthoughttohimself，thatFridaynightinNovember，onethousandsevenhundredandseventy-five，lumberingupShooter'sHill，ashestoodonhisownparticularperchbehindthemail，beatinghisfeet，andkeepinganeyeandahandonthearm-chestbeforehim，wherealoadedblunderbusslayatthetopofsixoreightloadedhorse-pistols，depositedonasubstratumofcutlass。
TheDovermailwasinitsusualgenialpositionthattheguardsuspectedthepassengers，thepassengerssuspectedoneanotherandtheguard，theyallsuspectedeverybodyelse，andthecoachmanwassureofnothingbutthehorses；astowhichcattlehecouldwithaclearconsciencehavetakenhisoathonthetwoTestamentsthattheywerenotfitforthejourney。
`Wo-ho!'saidthecoachman。`So，thenOnemorepullandyou'reatthetopandbedamnedtoyou，forIhavehadtroubleenoughtogetyoutoit——Joe!'
`Halloa'theguardreplied。
`Whato'clockdoyoumakeit，Joe?'
`Tenminutes，good，pasteleven。'
`Myblood'ejaculatedthevexedcoachman，`andnotatopofShooter'syet!Tst!Yah!Getonwithyou!'
Theemphatichorse，cutshortbythewhipinamostdecidednegative，madeadecidedscrambleforit，andthethreeotherhorsesfollowedsuit。
Oncemore，theDovermailstruggledon，withthejack-bootsofitspassengerssquashingalongbyitsside。Theyhadstoppedwhenthecoachstopped，andtheykeptclosecompanywithit。Ifanyoneofthethreehadhadthehardihoodtoproposetoanothertowalkonalittleaheadintothemistanddarkness，hewouldhaveputhimselfinafairwayofgettingshotinstantlyasahighwayman。
Thelastburstcarriedthemailtothesummitofthehill。Thehorsesstoppedtobreatheagain，andtheguardgotdowntoskidthewheelforthedescent，andopenthecoach-doortoletthepassengersin。
`TstJoe!'criedthecoachmaninawarningvoice，lookingdownfromhisbox。
Whatdoyousay，Tom?'
Theybothlistened。
`Isayahorseatacantercomingup，Joe。'
`Isayahorseatagallop，Tom，'returnedtheguard，leavinghisholdofthedoor，andmountingnimblytohisplace。`Gentlemen!Intheking'sname，allofyou!'
Withthishurriedadjuration，hecockedhisblunderbuss，andstoodontheoffensive。
Thepassengerbookedbythishistory，wasonthecoach-step:gettingin；thetwootherpassengerswereclosebehindhim，andabouttofollow。
Heremainedonthestep，halfinthecoachandhalfoutofit；theyremainedintheroadbelowhim。Theyalllookedfromthecoachmantotheguard，andfromtheguardtothecoachman，andlistened。Thecoachmanlookedbackandtheguardlookedback，andeventheemphaticleaderprickeduphisearsandlookedback，withoutcontradicting。
Thestillnessconsequentonthecessationoftherumblingandlabouringofthecoach，addedtothestillnessofhenightmadeitveryquietindeed。Thepantingofthehorsescommunicatedatremulousmotiontothecoach，asifitwereinastateo]agitation。Theheartsofthepassengersbeatloudenoughperhapstobeheard；butatanyrate，thequietpausewasaudiblyexpressiveofpeopleoutofbreath，andholdingthebreath，an'havingthepulsesquickenedbyexpectation。
Thesoundofahorseatagallopcamefastandfuriouslyupthehill。
`So-ho!'theguardsangout，asloudashecouldroar。`Yothere!
Stand!Ishallfire!'
Thepacewassuddenlychecked，and，withmuchsplashingandfloundering，aman'svoicecalledfromthemist，`IsthattheDovermail?'
`Neveryoumindwhatitis?'theguardretorted。`Whamareyou?'
`IsthattheDovermail?'
`Whydoyouwanttoknow?'
`Iwantapassenger，ifitis。'
`Whatpassenger?'，`Mr。JarvisLorry。'
Ourbookedpassengershowedinamomentthatitwashisname。
Theguard，thecoachman，andthetwootherpassengerseyedhimdistrustfully。
`Keepwhereyouare，'theguardcalledtothevoiceinthemist，`because，ifIshouldmakeamistake，itcouldneverbesetrightinyourlifetime。GentlemanofthenameofLorryanswerstraight。'
`Whatisthematter?'askedthepassenger，then，withmildlyquaveringspeech。`Whowantsme?IsitJerry?'
(`Idon'tlikeJerry'svoice，ifitisJerry，'growledtheguardtohimself。`He'shoarserthansuitsme，isJerry。')
`Yes，Mr。Lorry。'
`Whatisthematter?'
`Adespatchsentafteryoufromoveryonder。T。andCo。'
`Iknowthismessenger，guard，'saidMr。Lorry，gettingdownintotheroad——assistedfrombehindmoreswiftlythanpolitelybytheothertwopassengers，whoimmediatelyscrambledintohecoach，shutthedoor，andpulled，upthewindow。`Hemaycomeclose；there'snothingwrong。'
`Ihopethereain't，butIcan'tmakeso`Nationsureofthat，'
saidtheguard，ingruffsoliloquy。`Halloyou!'
`Well!Andhalloyou!'saidJerry，morehoarselythanbefore。
`Comeonatafootpace!d'yemindme?Andifyou'vegotholsterstothatsaddleo'yourn，don'tletmeseeyourhandgonigh'em。ForI'madevilataquickmistake，andwhenImakeoneittakestheformofLead。
Sonowlet'slookatyou。'
Thefiguresofahorseandridercameslowlythroughtheeddyingmist，andcametothesideofthemail，wherethepassengerstood。Theriderstooped，and，castinguphiseyesattheguard，handedthepassengerasmallfoldedpaper。Therider'shorsewasblown，andbothhorseandriderwerecoveredwithmud，fromthehoofsofthehorsetothehatoftheman。
`Guard!'saidthepassenger，inatoneofquietbusinessconfidence。
Thewatchfulguard，withhisrighthandatthestockofhisraisedblunderbuss，hisleftatthebarrel，andhiseyeOnthehorseman，answeredcurtly，`Sir。'
`Thereisnothingtoapprehend。IbelongtoTellson'sBank。YoumustknowTellson'sBankinLondon。IamgoingtoParisonbusiness。A
crowntodrink。Imayreadthis?'
`Ifsobeasyou'requick，sir。'
Heopeneditinthelightofthecoach-lamponthatside，andread——firsttohimselfandthenaloud:`"WaitatDoorforMam'selle。"It'snotlong，yousee，guard。Jerry，saythatmyanswerwas，RECALLEDTOLIFE。'
Jerrystartedinhissaddle。`That`saBlazingstrangeanswer，too，'saidhe，athishoarsest。
`Takethatmessageback，andtheywillknowthatIreceivedthis，aswellasifIwrote。Makethebestofyourway。Goodnight。'
Withthosewordsthepassengeropenedtilecoach-doorandgotin；notatallassistedbyhisfellow-passengers，whohadexpeditiouslysecretedtheirwatchesandpursesintheirboots，andwerenowmakingageneralpretenceofbeingasleep。Withnomoredefinitepurposethantoescapethehazardoforiginatinganyotherkindofaction。
Thecoachlumberedonagain，withheavierwreathsofmistclosingrounditasitbeganthedescent。Theguardsoonreplacedhisblunderbussinhisarm-chest，and，havinglookedtotherestofitscontents，andhavinglookedtothesupplementarypistolsthatheworeinhisbelt，lookedtoasmallerchestbeneathhisseat，inwhichtherewereafewsmith'stools，acoupleoftorches，andatinder-box。Forhewasfurnishedwiththatcompletenessthatifthecoach-lampshadbeenblownandstormedout，whichdidoccasionallyhappen，hehadonlytoshuthimselfupinside，keeptheflintandsteelsparkswelloffthestraw，andgetalightwithtolerablesafetyandease(ifhewerelucky)infiveminutes。
`Tom!'softlyoverthecoach-roof。
`Hallo，Joe。'
`Didyouhearthemessage?'
`Idid，Joe。'
`Whatdidyoumakeofit，Tom?'
`Nothingatall，Joe。'
`That'sacoincidence，too，'theguardmused，`forImadethesameofitmyselfJerry，leftaloneinthemistanddarkness，dismountedmeanwhile，notonlytoeasehisspenthorse，buttowipethemudfromhisface，andshakethewetoutofhishat-brim，whichmightbecapableofholdingabouthalfagallon。Afterstandingwiththebridleoverhisheavily-splashedarm，untilthewheelsofthemailwerenolongerwithinhearingandthenightwasquitestillagain，heturnedtowalkdownthehill。
`AfterthattheregallopfromTempleBar，oldlady，Iwon'ttrustyourfore-legstillIgetyouonthelevel，'saidthishoarsemessenger，glancingathismare。`"Recalledtolife。"That'saBlazingstrangemessage。
Muchofthatwouldn'tdoforyouJerry!Isay，Jerry!You'dbeinaBlazingbadway，ifrecallingtolifewastocomeintofashion，Jerry!'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIIITheNightShadowsWonderfulfacttoreflectupon，thateveryhumancreatureisconstitutedtobethatprofoundsecretandmysterytoeveryother。Asolemnconsideration，whenenteragreatcitybynight，thateveryoneofthosedarklyclusteredhousesenclosesitsownsecret；thateveryroomineveryoneofthemenclosesitsownsecret；thateverybeatingheartinthehundredsofthousandsofbreaststhere，is，ifsomeofitsimaginings，asecrettotheheartnearestit!Somethingoftheawfulness，evenofDeathitself，isreferabletothis。
NomorecanIturntheleavesofthisdearbookthatloved，andvainlyhopeintimetoreaditall。NomorecanIlookintothedepthsofthisunfathomablewater，whereinasmomentarylightsglancedintoit，Ihavehadglimpsesofburiedtreasureandotherthingssubmerged。Itwasappointedthatthebookshouldshutwithaspring，foreverandforever，whenI
hadreadbutapage。Itwasappointedthatthewatershouldbelockedinaneternalfrost，whenthelightwasplayingonitssurface，andIstoodinignoranceontheshore。Myfriendisdead，myneighbourisdead，mylovethedarlingofmysoul，isdead；itistheinexorableconsolidationandperpetuationofthesecretthatwasalwaysinthatindividuality，andwhichIshallcarryinminetomylife'send。Inanyoftheburial-placesofthiscitythroughwhichIpass，isthereasleepermoreinscrutablethanitbusyinhabitantsare，intheirinnermostpersonality，tomeorthanIamtothem?
Astothis，hisnaturalandnottobealienatedinheritancethemessengeronhorsebackhadexactlythesamepossessionastheKing，thefirstMinisterofState，ortherichestmerchantinLondon。Sowiththethreepassengersshutupi'thenarrowcompassofonelumberingoldmail-coach；
theweremysteriestooneanother，ascompleteasifeachhabeeninhisowncoachandsix，orhisowncoachandsixty，withthebreadthofacountybetweenhimandthenext。
Themessengerrodebackataneasytrot，stoppingprettyoftenatale-housesbythewaytodrink，butevincingtendencytokeephisowncounsel，andtokeephishatcockedoverhiseyes。Hehadeyesthatassortedverywellwiththatdecoration，beingofasurfaceblack，withnodepthinthecolourorform，andmuchtooneartogether——asiftheywereafraidofbeingfoundoutinsomething，singly，iftheykepttoofarapart。Theyhadasinisterexpression，underanoldcocked-hatlikeathree-corneredspittoon，andoveragreatmufflerforthechinandthroat，whichdescendednearlytothewearer'sknees。Whenhestoppedfordrink，hemovedthismufflerwithhislefthand，onlywhilehepouredhisliquorinwithhisright；assoonasthatwasdone，hemuffledagain。
No，Jerry，no!'saidthemessenger，harpingononethemeasherode。`Itwouldn'tdoforyou，Jerry。Jerry，youhonesttradesman，itwouldn'tsuityourlineofbusiness!Recalled——!BustmeifIdon'tthinkhe'dbeenadrinking!'
Hismessageperplexedhismindtothatdegreethathewasfain，severaltimes，totakeoffhishattoscratchhishead。Exceptonthecrown，whichwasraggedlybald，hehadstiffblackhair，standingjaggedlyalloverit，andgrowingdownhillalmosttohisbroad，bluntnose。Itwassolikesmith'swork，somuchmorelikethetopofastronglyspikedwallthanaheadofhair，thatthebestofplayersatleap-frogmighthavedeclinedhim，asthemostdangerousmanintheworldtogoover。
WhilehetrottedbackwiththemessagehewastodelivertothenightwatchmaninhisboxatthedoorofTellson'sBank，byTempleBar，whowastodeliverittogreaterauthoritieswithin，theshadowsofthenighttooksuchshapestohimasaroseoutofthemessage，andtooksuchshapestothemareasaroseoutofherprivatetopicsofuneasiness。
Theyseemedtobenumerous，forsheshiedateveryshadowontheroad。
Whattime，themail-coachlumbered，jolted，rattled，andbumpeduponitstediousway，withitsthreefellow-inscrutablesinside。Towhom，likewise，theshadowsofthenightrevealedthemselves，intheformstheirdozingeyesandwanderingthoughtssuggested。
Tellson'sBankhadarunuponitinthemail。Asthebankpassenger——withanarmdrawnthroughtheleathernstrap，whichdidwhatlayinittokeephimfrompoundingagainstthenextpassenger，anddrivinghimintohiscomer，wheneverthecoachgotaspecialjolt——noddedinhisplace，withhalf-shuteyes，thelittlecoach-windows，andthecoach-lampdimlygleamingthroughthem，andthebulkybundleofoppositepassenger，becamethebank，anddidagreatstrokeofbusiness。Therattleoftheharnesswasthechinkofmoney，andmoredraftswerehonouredinfiveminutesthanevenTellson's，withallitsforeignandhomeconnexion，everpaidinthricethetime。
Thenthestrong-roomsunderground，atTellson's，withsuchoftheirvaluablestoresandsecretsaswereknowntothepassenger(anditwasnotalittlethatheknewaboutthem)，openedbeforehim，andhewentinamongthemwiththegreatkeysandthefeebly-burningcandle，andfoundthemsafe，andstrong，andsound，andstill，justashehadlastseenthem。
But，thoughthebankwasalmostalwayswithhim，andthoughthecoach(inaconfusedway，likethepresenceofpainunderanopiate)wasalwayswithhim，therewasanothercurrentofimpressionthatneverceasedtorun，allthroughthenight。Hewasonhiswaytodigsomeoneoutofagrave。
Now，whichofthemultitudeoffacesthatshowedthemselvesbeforehimwasthetruefaceoftheburiedperson，theshadowsofthenightdidnotindicate；buttheywereallthefacesofamanoffive-and-fortybyyears，andtheydifferedprincipallyinthepassionstheyexpressed，andintheghastlinessoftheirwornandwastedstate。Pride，contempt，defiance，stubbornness，submission，lamentation，succeededoneanother；sodidvarietiesofsunkencheek，cadaverouscolour，emaciatedhandsandfigures。Butthefacewasinthemainoneface，andeveryheadwasprematurelywhite。A
hundredtimesthedozingpassengerinquiredofthisspectre:
`Buriedhowlong?'
Theanswerwasalwaysthesame:`Almosteighteenyears。'
`Youhadabandonedallhopeofbeingdugout?'
`Longago。'
`Youknowthatyouarerecalledtolife?'
`Theytellmeso。
`Ihopeyoucaretolive?'
`Ican'tsay。'
`ShallIshowhertoyou?Willyoucomeandseehe''
Theanswerstothisquestionwerevariousandcontradictory。Sometimesthebrokenreplywas，`Wait!ItwouldkillmeifIsawhertoosoon。'Sometimes，itwasgiveninatenderrainoftears，andthenitwas`Takemetoher。'
Sometimesitwasstaringandbewildered，andthenitwas，`Idon'tknowher。Idon'tunderstand。'
Aftersuchimaginarydiscourse，thepassengerinhisfancywoulddig，anddig，dig——now，withaspade，nowwithagreatkey，nowwithhishands——todigthiswretchedcreatureout。Gotoutatlast，withearthhangingabouthisfaceandhair，hewouldsuddenlyfallawaytodust。Thepassengerwouldthenstarttohimselfandlowerthewindow，togettherealityofmistandrainonhischeek。
Yetevenwhenhiseyeswereopenedonthemistandrain，onthemovingpatchoflightfromthelamps，andthehedgeattheroadsideretreatingbyjerks，thenightshadow'soutsidethecoachwouldfallintothetrainofthenightshadowswithin。TherealBanking-housebyTempleBar，therealbusinessofthepastday，therealstrong-rooms，therealexpresssentafterhim，andtherealmessagereturned，wouldallbethere。Outofthemidstofthem，theghostlyfacewouldrise，andhewouldaccostitagain。
`Buriedhowlong?'
`Almosteighteenyears。
`Ihopeyoucaretolive?'
`Ican'tsay。'
Dig——dig——dig——untilanimpatientmovementfromoneofthetwopassengerswouldadmonishhimtopullupthewindow，drawhisarmsecurelythroughtheleathernstrap，andspeculateuponthetwoslumberingforms，untilhismindlostitsholdofthem，andtheyagainslidawayintothebankandthegrave。
`Buriedhowlong?'
`Almosteighteenyears。'
`Youhadabandonedallhopeofbeingdugout?'
`Longago。'
Thewordswerestillinhishearingasjustspoken——distinctlyinhishearingaseverspokenwordshadbeeninhislife——whenthewearypassengerstartedtotheconsciousnessofdaylight，andfoundthattheshadowsofthenightweregone。
Heloweredthewindow，andlookedoutattherisingsun。Therewasaridgeofploughedland，withaploughuponitwhereithadbeenleftlastnightwhenthehorseswereunyoked；beyond，aquietcoppice-wood，inwhichmanyleavesofburningredandgoldenyellowstillremaineduponthetrees。Thoughtheearthwascoldandwet，theskywasclear，andthesunrosebright，placid，andbeautiful。
`Eighteenyears!'saidthepassenger，lookingatthesun。`GraciousCreatorofday!Tobeburiedaliveforeighteenyears!'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIVThePreparationWHENthemailgotsuccessfullytoDover，inthecourseoftheforenoon，theheaddrawerattheRoyalGeorgeHotelopenedthecoach-doorashiscustomwas。Hediditwithsomeflourishofceremony，foramailjourneyfromLondoninwinterwasanachievementtocongratulateanadventuroustravellerupon。
Bythattime，therewasonlyoneadventuroustravellerlefttobecongratulated；forthetwoothershadbeensetdownattheirrespectiveroadsidedestinations。Themildewyinsideofthecoach，withitsdampanddirtystraw，itsdisagreeablesmell，anditsobscurity，wasratherlikealargerdog-kennel。Mr。Lorry，thepassenger，shakinghimselfoutofitinchainsofstraw，atangleofshaggywrapper，flappinghat，andmuddylegs，wasratherlikealargersortofdog。
`TherewillbeapackettoCalais，to-morrow，drawer?'
`Yes，sir，iftheweatherholdsandthewindsetstolerablefair。
Thetidewillserveprettynicelyatabouttwointheafternoon，sir。Bed，sir?'
`Ishallnotgotobedtillnight；butIwantabedroomandabarber。'
`Andthenbreakfast，sir?Yes，sir。Thatway，sir，ifyouplease。
ShowConcord!Gentleman'svaliseandhotwatertoConcord。Pulloffgentleman'sbootsinConcord。(Youwillfindafinesea-coalfire，sir。)FetchbarbertoConcord。Stiraboutthere，now，forConcord!'
TheConcordbed-chamberbeingalwaysassignedtopassengerbythemail，andpassengersbythemailbeingalwaysheavilywrappedupfromheadtofoot，theroomha'theoddinterestfortheestablishmentoftheRoyalGeorgethatalthoughbutonekindofmanwasseentogointoit，allkindsandvarietiesofmencameoutofit。Consequentlyanotherdrawer，andtwoporters，andseveralmaidsandthelandlady，wereallloiteringbyaccidentatvariouspointsoftheroadbetweentheConcordandthecoffee-room，whenagentle-manofsixty，formallydressedinabrownsuitofclothes，prettywellworn，butverywellkept，withlargesquarecuffsandlargeflapstothepockets，passedalongonhiswaytohisbreakfast。
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