But，nowthatIremember，oneofyouhasalreadybeenthere，andcanshowtheway。Gentlemen，adieu!
Theypaidfortheirwine，andlefttheplace。TheeyesofMonsieurDefargewerestudyinghiswifeatherknittingwhentheelderlygentlemanadvancedfromhiscorner，andbeggedthefavourofaword。
`Willingly，sir，'saidMonsieurDefarge，andquietlysteppedwithhimtothedoor。
Theirconferencewasveryshort，butverydecided。Almostatthefirstword，MonsieurDefargestartedandbecamedeeplyattentive。Ithadnotlastedaminute，whenhenoddedandwentout。Thegentlemanthenbeckonedtotheyounglady，andthey，too，wentout。MadameDefargeknittedwithnimblefingersandsteadyeyebrows，andsawnothing。
Mr。JarvisLorryandMissManette，emergingfromthewine-shopthus，joinedMonsieurDefargeinthedoorwaytowhichhehaddirectedhisothercompanyjustbefore。Itopenedfromastinkinglittleblackcourt-yard，andwasthegeneralpublicentrancetoagreatpileofhouses，inhabitedbyagreatnumberofpeople。Inthegloomytile-pavedentrytothegloomytile-pavedstaircase，MonsieurDefargebentdownononekneetothechildofhisoldmaster，andputherhandtohislips。Itwasagentleaction，butnotatallgentlydone；averyremarkabletransformationhadcomeoverhiminafewseconds。Hehadnogood-humourinhisface，noranyopennessofaspectleft，buthadbecomeasecret，angry，dangerousman。
`Itisveryhigh；itisalittledifficult。Bettertobeginslowly。'
Thus，MonsieurDefarge，inasternvoice，toMr。Lorry，astheybeganascendingthestairs。
`Ishealone?'thelatterwhispered。
`Alone!Godhelphim，whoshouldbewithhim?'saidtheother，inthesamelowvoice。
`Ishe，alwaysalone，then?'
`Yes。
`Ofhisowndesire?'
`Ofhisownnecessity。Ashewas，whenIfirstsawhimaftertheyfoundmeanddemandedtoknowifIwouldtakehim，and，atmyperilbediscreet——hashewasthen，soheisnow。
`Heisgreatlychanged?'
`Changed!'
Thekeeperofthewine-shopstoppedtostrikethewallwithhishand，andmutteratremendouscurse。Nodirectanswercouldhavebeenhalfsoforcible。Mr。Lorry'sspiritsgrewheavierandheavier，asheandhistwocompanionsascendedhigherandhigher。
Suchastaircase，withitsaccessories，intheolderandmorecrowdedpartsofParis，wouldbebadenoughnow；but，atthattime，itwasvileindeedtounaccustomedandunhardenedsenses。Everylittlehabitationwithinthegreatfoulnestofonehighbuilding——thatistosay，theroomorroomswithineverydoorthatopenedonthegeneralstaircase——leftitsownheapofrefuseonitsownlanding，besidesRingingotherrefusefromitsownwindows。Theuncontrollableandhopelessmassofdecompositionsoengendered，wouldhavepollutedtheair，evenifpovertyanddeprivationhadnotloadeditwit!'theirintangibleimpurities；theMobadsourcescombinedmadeitalmostinsupportable。Throughsuchanatmosphere，byasteepdarkshaftofdirtandpoison，thewaylay。Yieldingtohisowndisturbanceofmind，andtohisyoungcompanion'sagitation，whichbecamegreatereveryinstant，Mr。JarvisLorrytwicestoppedtorest。Eachofthesestoppageswasmadeatadolefulgrating，bywhichanylanguishinggoodairsthatwereleftuncorruptedseemedtoescape，andallspoiltandsicklyvapoursseemedtocrawlin。Throughtherustedbars，tastes，ratherthanglimpses，werecaughtofthejumbledneighbourhood；andnothingwithinrange，nearerorlowerthanthesummitsofthetwo-greattowersofNotre-Dame，hadanypromiseonitofhealthylifeorwholesomeaspirations。
Atlast，thetopofthestaircasewasgained，andtheystoppedforthethirdtime。Therewasyetanupperstaircase，ofasteeperinclinationandofcontracteddimensions，tobeascended，beforethegarretstorywasreached。Thekeeperofthewine-shop，alwaysgoingalittleinadvance，andalwaysgoingonthesidewhichMr。Lorrytook，asthoughhedreadedtobeaskedanyquestionbytheyounglady，turnedhimselfabouthere，and，carefullyfeelinginthepocketsofthecoathecarriedoverhisshoulder，tookoutakey。
`Thedoorislockedthen，myfriend?'saidMr。Lorry'，surprised。
`Ay。Yes，'wasthegrimreplyofMonsieurDefarge。
`Youthinkitnecessarytokeeptheunfortunategentlemansoretired?'
`Ithinkitnecessarytoturnthekey。'MonsieurDefargewhispereditcloserinhisear，andfrownedheavily。
`Why?'
`Why!Becausehehaslivedsolong，lockedup，thathewouldbefrightened——rave——tearhimselftopieces——die——cometoIknownotwhatharm-ifhisdoorwasleftopen。'
`Isitpossible?'exclaimedMr。Lorry。
`Isitpossible?'repeatedDefarge，bitterly。`Yes。Andabeautifulworldwelivein，whenitispossible，andwhenmanyothersuchthingsarepossible，andnotonlypossible，butdone——done，seeyou!——underthatskythere，everyday。LonglivetheDevil。Letusgoon。'
Thisdialoguehadbeenheldinsoverylowawhisper，thatnotawordofithadreachedtheyounglady'sears。But，bythistimeshetrembledundersuchstrongemotion，andherfaceexpressedsuchdeepanxiety，and，aboveall，suchdreadandterror，thatMr。Lorryfeltitincumbentonhimtospeakawordortwoofreassurance。
`Courage，dearmiss!Courage!Business!Theworstwillbeoverinamoment；itisbutpassingtheroom-door，andtheworstisover。Then，allthegoodyoubringtohim，alltherelief，allthehappinessyoubringtohim，begin。Letourgoodfriendhere，assistyouonthatside。That'swell，friendDefarge。Come，now。Business，business!'
Theywentupslowlyandsoftly。Thestaircasewasshort，andtheyweresoonatthetop。There，asithadanabruptturninit，theycameallatonceinsightofthreemen，whoseheadswerebentdownclosetogetheratthesideofadoor，andwhowereintentlylookingintotheroomtowhichthedoorbelonged，throughsomechinksorholesinthewall。Onhearingfootstepscloseathand，thesethreeturned，androse，andshowedthemselvestobethethreeofonenamewhohadbeendrinkinginthewine-shop。
`Iforgottheminthesurpriseofyourvisit，'explainedMonsieurDefarge。`Leaveus，goodboys；wehavebusiness'here。'
Thethreeglidedby，andwentsilentlydown。
Thereappearingtobenootherdooronthatfloor，andthekeeperofthewine-shopgoingstraighttothisonewhentheywereleftalone，Mr。Lorryaskedhiminawhisper，withlittleanger:
`DoyoumakeashowofMonsieurManette?'
`Ishowhim，inthewayyouhaveseen，toachosenfew。'
`Isthatwell?'
`Ithinkitiswell。'
`Whoarethefew?Howdoyouchoosethem?'
`Ichoosethemasrealmen，ofmyname——Jacquesismyname——towhomthesightislikelytodogood。EnoughyouareEnglish；thatisanotherthing。Staythere，ifyouplease，alittlemoment。'
Withanadmonitorygesturetokeepthemback，hestooped，andlookedinthroughthecreviceinthewall。Soonraisinghisheadagain，hestrucktwiceorthriceuponthedoor——evidentlywithnootherobjectthantomakeanoisethereWiththesameintention，hedrewthekeyacrossit，threeorfourtimes，beforeheputitclumsilyintothelock，andturneditasheavilyashecould。
Thedoorslowlyopenedinwardunderhishand，andhelookedintotheroomandsaidsomething。Afaintvoiceansweredsomething。Littlemorethanasinglesyllablecouldhavebeenspokenoneitherside。
Helookedbackoverhisshoulder，andbeckonedthemccenter。
Mr。Lorrygothisarmsecurelyroundthedaughterwaist，andheldher；
forhefeltthatshewassinking。
`A——a——a——business，business!'heurged，withamoisturethatwasnotofbusinessshiningonhischeek。`Comeincomein!'
`Iamafraidofit，'sheanswered，shuddering。
`Ofit?What?'
`Imeanofhim。Ofmyfather。'
Renderedinamannerdesperate，byherstateandbythebeckoningoftheirconductor，hedrewoverhisneckthearmthatshookuponhisshoulder，liftedheralittle，andhurriedherintotheroom。Hesetherdownjustwithinthedoorandheldher，clingingtohim。
Defargedrewoutthekey，closedthedoor，lockeditontheinside，tookoutthekeyagain，andhelditinhishand。Allthishedid，methodically，andwithasloudandharshanaccompanimentofnoiseashecouldmake。
Finally，hewalkedacrosstheroomwithameasuredtreadtowherethewindowwas。Hestoppedthere，andfacedround。
Thegarret，builttobeadepositoryforfirewoodandthelike，wasdimanddark:forthewindowofdormershape，wasintruthadoorintheroof，withalittlecraneoveritforthehoistingupofstoresfromthestreet:unglazed，analclosingupthemiddleintwopieces，likeanyotherdoorofFrenchconstruction。Toexcludethecold，onehalfofthindoorwasfastclosed，andtheotherwasopenedbutaverylittleway。Suchascantyportionoflightwasadmittedthroughthesemeans，thatitwasdifficult，onfirstcomingin，toseeanything；andlonghabitalonecouldhaveslowlyformedinanyone，theabilitytodoanyworkrequiringnicetyinsuchobscurity。Yet，workofthatkindwasbeingdoneinthegarret；
for，withhisbacktowardsthedoor，andhisfacetowardsthewindowwherethekeeperofthewine-shopstoodlookingathim，awhite-hairedmansatonalowbench，stoopingforwardandverybusy，makingshoes。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheFirst[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVITheShoemaker`GOODDAY!'saidMonsieurDefarge，lookingdownathewhiteheadthatbentlowovertheshoemaking。
Itwasraisedforamoment，andaveryfaintvoicerespondedtothesalutation，asifitwereatadistance:
`Goodday!'
`Youarestillhardatwork，Isee?'
Afteralongsilence，theheadwasliftedforanothermoment，andthevoicereplied，`Yes——Iamworking。'Thistime，apairofhaggardeyeshadlookedatthequestioner，beforethefacehaddroppedagain。
Thefaintnessofthevoicewaspitiableanddreadful。Itwasnotthefaintnessofphysicalweakness，thoughconfinementandhardfarenodoubthadtheirpartinit。Itsdeplorablepeculiaritywas，thatitwasthefaintnessofsolitudeanddisuse。Itwaslikethelastfeebleechoofasoundmadelongandlongago。Soentirelyhaditlostthelifeandresonanceofthehumanvoice，thatitaffectedthesenseslikeaoncebeautifulcolourfadedawayintoapoorweakstain。Sosunkenandsuppresseditwas，thatitwaslikeavoiceunder-ground。Soexpressiveitwas，ofahopelessandlostcreature，thatafamishedtraveller，weariedOutbylonelywanderinginawilderness，wouldhaverememberedhomeandfriendsinsuchatonebeforelyingdowntodie。
Someminutesofsilentworkhadpassed:andthehaggardeyeshadlookedupagain:notwithanyinterestorcuriosity，butwithadullmechanicalperception，beforehand，thatthespotwheretheonlyvisitortheywereawareofhadstood，wasnotyetempty。
`Iwant，'saidDefarge，whohadnotremovedhisgazefromtheshoemaker，`toletinalittlemorelighthere。Youcanbearalittlemore?'
Theshoemakerstoppedhiswork；lookedwithavacantairoflistening，atthefloorononesideofhim；thensimilarly，atthefloorontheothersideofhim；then，upwardatthespeaker。
`Whatdidyousay?'
`Youcanbearalittlemorelight?'
`Imustbearit，ifyouletitin。'(Layingthepalestshadowofastressuponthesecondword。)
Theopenedhalf-doorwasopenedalittlefurther，andsecuredatthatangleforthetime。Abroadrayoflightfellintothegarret，andshowedtheworkmanwithanun-finishedshoeuponhislap，pausinginhislabour。Hisfewcommontoolsandvariousscrapsofleatherwereathisfeetandonhisbench。Hehadawhitebeard，raggedlycut，butnotverylong，ahollowface，andexceedinglybrighteyes。Thehollownessandthinnessofhisfacewouldhavecausedthemtolooklarge，underhisyetdarkeyebrowsandhisconfusedwhitehair，thoughtheyhadbeenreallyotherwise；but，theywerenaturallylarge，andlookedun-naturallyso。
Hisyellowragsofshirtlayopenatthethroat，andshowedhisbodytobewitheredandworn。He，andhisoldcanvasfrock，andhisloosestockings，andallhispoortattersofclothes，had，inalongseclusionfromdirectlightandair，fadeddowntosuchadulluniformityofparchment-yellow，thatitwouldhavebeenhardtosaywhichwaswhich。
Hehadputupahandbetweenhiseyesandthelight，andtheverybonesofitseemedtransparent。Sohesat，withasteadfastlyvacantgaze，pausinginhiswork。Heneverlookedatthefigurebeforehim，withoutfirstlookingdownonthissideofhimself，thenonthat，asifhehadlostthehabitofassociatingplacewithsound；heneverspoke，withoutfirstpanderinginthismanner，andforgettingtospeak。
`Areyougoingtofinishthatpairofshoesto-day?'askedDefarge，motioningtoMr。Lorrytocomeforward。
`Whatdidyousay?'
`Doyoumeantofinishthatpairofshoesto-day?'`Ican'tsaythatImeanto。Isupposeso。Idon'tknow。'
But，thequestionremindedhimofhiswork，andhebentoveritagain。
Mr。Lorrycamesilentlyforward，leavingthedaughterbythedoor。
Whenhehadstood，foraminuteortwo，bythesideofDefarge，theshoemakerlookedup。Heshowednosurpriseatseeinganotherfigure，buttheunsteadyfingersofoneofhishandsstrayedtohislipsashelookedatit(hislipsandhisnailswereofthesamepalelead-colour)，andthenthehanddroppedtohiswork，andheoncemorebentovertheshoe。Thelookandtheactionhadoccupiedbutaninstant。
`Youhaveavisitor，yousee，'saidMonsieurDefarge。
`Whatdidyousay?'
`Hereisavisitor。'
Theshoemakerlookedupasbefore，butwithoutremovingahandfromhiswork。
`Come!'saidDefarge。`Hereismonsieur，whoknowsawell-madeshoewhenheseesone。Showhimthatshoeyouareworkingat。Takeit，monsieur。'
Mr。Lorrytookitinhishand。
`Tellmonsieurwhatkindofshoeitis，andthemaker'sname。'
Therewasalongerpausethanusual，beforetheshoe-makerreplied:
`Iforgetwhatitwasyouaskedme。Whatdidyousay?'
`Isaid，couldn'tyoudescribethekindofshoe，formonsieur'sinformation?'
`Itisalady'sshoe。Itisayounglady'swalking-shoe。Itisinthepresentmode。Ineversawthemode。Ihavehadapatterninmyhand。'
Heglancedattheshoewithsomelittlepassingtouchofpride。
`Andthemaker'sname?'saidDefarge。
Nowthathehadnoworktohold，helaidtheknucklesoftherighthandinthehollowoftheleft，andthentheknucklesofthelefthandinthehollowoftheright，andthenpassedahandacrosshisbeardedchin，andsooninregularchanges，withoutamoment'sintermission。Thetaskofrecallinghimfromthevacancyintowhichhealwayssankwhenhehadspoken，waslikerecallingsomeveryweakpersonfromaswoon，orendeavouring，inthehopeofsomedisclosure，tostaythespiritofafast-dyingman。
`Didyouaskmeformyname?'
`AssuredlyIdid。'
`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower。'
`Isthatall?'
`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower。'
Withawearysoundthatwasnotasigh，noragroan，hebenttoworkagain，untilthesilencewasagainbroken。
`Youarenotashoemakerbytrade?'saidMr。Lorry，lookingsteadfastlyathim。
HishaggardeyesturnedtoDefargeasifhewouldhavetransferredthequestiontohim:butasnohelpcamefromthatquarter，theyturnedbackonthequestionerwhentheyhadsoughttheground。
`Iamnotashoemakerbytrade?No，Iwasnotashoe-makerbytrade。I——Ilearn'tithere。Itaughtmyself。Iaskedleaveto——'
Helapsedaway，evenforminutes，ringingthosemeasuredchangesonhishandsthewholetime。Hiseyescameslowlyback，atlast，tothefacefromwhichtheyhadwandered；whentheyrestedonit，hestarted，andresumed，inthemannerofasleeperthatmomentawake，revertingtoasubjectoflastnight。
`Iaskedleavetoteachmyself，andIgotitwithmuchdifficultyafteralongwhile，andIhavemadeshoeseversince。'
Asheheldouthishandfortheshoethathadbeentakenfromhim，Mr。Lorrysaid，stilllookingsteadfastlyinhisface:
`MonsieurManette，doyouremembernothingofme?'
Theshoedroppedtotheground，andhesatlookingfixedlyatthequestioner。
`MonsieurManette；'Mr。LorrylaidhishanduponDefarge'sarm；
`doyouremembernothingofthisman?Lookathim。Lookatme。Istherenooldbanker，nooldbusiness，nooldservant，nooldtime，risinginyourmind，MonsieurManette?'
Asthecaptiveofmanyyearssatlookingfixedly，byturns，atMr。LorryandatDefarge，somelongobliteratedmarksofanactivelyintentintelligenceinthemiddleofthefore-head，graduallyforcedthemselvesthroughtheblackmistthathadfallenonhim。Theywereovercloudedagain，theywerefainter，theyweregone；buttheyhadbeenthere。Andsoexactlywastheexpressionrepeatedonthefairyoungfaceofherwhohadcreptalongthewalltoapointwhereshecouldseehim，andwhereshenowstoodlookingathim，withhandswhichatfirsthadbeenonlyraisedinfrightenedcompassion，ifnoteventokeephimoffandshutoutthesightofhim，butwhichwerenowextendingtowardshim，tremblingwitheagernesstolaythespectralfaceuponherwarmyoungbreast，andloveitbacktolifeandhope——soexactlywastheexpressionrepeated(thoughinstrongercharacters)
onherfairyoungface，thatitlookedasthoughithadpassedlikeamovinglight，fromhimtoher。
Darknesshadfallenonhiminitsplace。Helookedatthetwo，lessandlessattentively，andhiseyesingloomyabstractionsoughtthegroundandlookedabouthimintheoldway。Finally，withadeeplongsigh，hetooktheshoeup，andresumedhiswork。
`Haveyourecognisedhim，monsieur?'askedDefargeinawhisper。
`Yes；foramoment。AtfirstIthoughtitquitehope-less，butIhaveunquestionablyseen，forasinglemoment，thefacethatIonceknewsowell。Hush!Letusdrawfurtherback。Hush!'
Shehadmovedfromthewallofthegarret，veryneartothebenchonwhichhesat。Therewassomethingawfulinhisunconsciousnessofthefigurethatcouldhaveputoutitshandandtouchedhimasliestoopedoverhislabour。
Notawordwasspoken，notasoundwasmade。Shestood，likeaspirit，besidehim，andhebentoverhiswork。
Ithappened，atlength，thathehadoccasiontochangetheinstrumentinhishand，forhisshoemaker'sknife。Itlayonthatsideofhimwhichwasnotthesideonwhichshestood。Hehadtakenitup，andwasstoopingtoworkagain，whenhiseyescaughttheskirtofherdress。Heraisedthem，andsawherface。Thetwospectatorsstartedforward，hutshestayedthemwithamotionofherhand。Shehadnofearofhisstrikingatherwiththeknife，thoughtheyhad。
Hestaredatherwithafearfullook，andafterawhilehislipsbegantoformsomewords，thoughnosoundproceededfromthem。Bydegrees，inthepausesofhisquickandlabouredbreathing，hewasheardtosay:
`Whatisthis?'
Withthetearsstreamingdownherface，sheputhertwohandstoherlips，andkissedthemtohim；thenclaspedthemonherbreast，asifshelaidhisruinedheadthere。
`Youarenotthegaoler'sdaughter?'
Shesighed`No。'
`Whoareyou?'
Notyettrustingthetonesofhervoice，shesatdownonthebenchbesidehim。Herecoiled，butshelaidherhanduponhisarm。Astrangethrillstruckhimwhenshedidso，andvisiblypassedoverhisframe；helaidtheknifedownsoftly，ashesatstaringather。
Hergoldenhair，whichsheworeinlongcurls，hadbeenhurriedlypushedaside，andfelldownoverherneck。Advancinghishandbylittleandlittle，hetookitupandlookedatit。Inthemidstoftheactionhewentastray，and，withanotherdeepsigh，felltoworkathisshoemaking。
Butnotforlong。Releasinghisarm，shelaidherhanduponhisshoulder。Afterlookingdoubtfullyatit，twoorthreetimes，asiftobesurethatitwasreallythere，helaiddownhiswork，puthishandtohisneck，andtookoffablackenedstringwithascrapoffoldedragattachedtoit。Heopenedthis，carefully，onhisknee，anditcontainedaverylittlequantityofhair:notmorethanoneortwolonggoldenhairs，whichhehad，insomeoldday，woundonuponhisfinger。
Hetookherhairintohishandagain，andlookedcloselyatit。
`Itisthesame。Howcanitbe!Whenwasit!Howwasit!'
Astheconcentratingexpressionreturnedtohisforehead，heseemedtobecomeconsciousthatitwasinherstoo。Heturnedherfulltothelight，andlookedather。
`Shehadlaidherheaduponmyshoulder，thatnightwhenIwassummonedout——shehadafearofmygoing，thoughIhadnone——andwhenI
wasbroughttotheNorthTowertheyfoundtheseuponmysleeve。"Youwillleavemethem?Theycanneverhelpmetoescapeinthebody，thoughtheymayinthespirit。"ThosewerethewordsIsaid。Irememberthemverywell。'
Heformedthisspeechwithhislipsmanytimesbeforehecouldutterit。Butwhenhedidfindspokenwordsforit，theycametohimcoherently，thoughslowly。
`Howwasthis?——Wasityou?'
Oncemore，thetwospectatorsstarted，asheturneduponherwithafrightfulsuddenness。Butshesatperfectlystillinhisgrasp，andonlysaid，inalowvoice，`Ientreatyou，goodgentlemen，donotcomenearus，donotspeak，donotmove!'
`Hark!'heexclaimed。`Whosevoicewasthat?'
Hishandsreleasedherasheutteredthiscry，andwentuptohiswhitehair，whichtheytoreinafrenzy。Itdiedout，aseverythingbuthisshoemakingdiddieoutofhim，andherefoldedhislittlepacketandtriedtosecureitinhisbreast；buthestilllookedather，andgloomilyshookhishead。
`No，no，no；youaretooyoung，tooblooming。Itcan'tbe。Seewhattheprisoneris。Thesearenotthehandssheknew，thisisnotthefacesheknew，thisisnotavoicesheeverheard。No，no。Shewas——andHewas——beforetheslowyearsoftheNorthTower——agesago。Whatisyourname，mygentleangel?'
Hailinghissoftenedtoneandmanner，hisdaughterfelluponherkneesbeforehim，withherappealinghandsuponhisbreast。
`O，sir，atanothertimeyoushallknowmyname，andwhomymotherwas，andwhomyfather，andhowIneverknewtheirhard，hardhistory。
ButIcannottellyouatthistime，andIcannottellyouhere。AllthatImaytellyou，hereandnow，is，thatIpraytoyoutotouchmeandtoblessme。Kissme，kissme!Omydear，mydear!'
Hiscoldwhiteheadmingledwithherradianthair，whichwarmedandlighteditasthoughitwerethelightofFreedomshiningonhim。
`Ifyouhearinmyvoice——Idon'tknowthatitisso，butIhopeitis——ifyouhearinmyvoiceanyresemblancetoavoicethatoncewassweetmusicinyourears，weepforit，weepforit!Ifyoutouch，intouchingmyhair，anythingthatrecallsabelovedheadthatlayonyourbreastwhenyouwereyoungandfree，weepforit，weepforit!If，whenIhinttoyouofaHomethatisbeforeus，whereIwillbetruetoyouwithallmydutyandwithallmyfaithfulservice，IbringbacktheremembranceofaHomelongdesolate，whileyourpoorheartpinedaway，weepforit，weepforit!'
Sheheldhimcloserroundtheneck，androckedhimonherbreastlikeachild。
`If'whenItellyou，dearestdear，thatyouragonyisover，andthatIhavecomeheretotakeyoufromit，andthatwegotoEnglandtobeatpeaceandatrest，Icauseyoutothinkofyourusefullifelaidwaste，andofournativeFrancesowickedtoyou，weepforit，weepforit!Andif'whenIshalltellyouofmyname，andofmyfatherwhoisliving，andofmymotherwhoisdead，youlearnthatIhavetokneeltomyhonouredfather，andimplorehispardonforhavingneverforhissakestrivenalldayandlainawakeandweptallnight，becausetheloveofmypoormotherhidhistorturefromme，weepforit，weepforit!Weepforher，then，andforme!Goodgentlemen，thankGod!Ifeelhissacredtearsuponmyface，andhissobsstrikeagainstmyheart。O，seeThankGodforus，thankGod!'
Hehadsunkinherarms，andhisfacedroppedonherbreast:asightsotouching，yetsoterribleinthetremendouswrongandsufferingwhichhadgonebeforeit，thatthetwobeholderscoveredtheirfaces。
Whenthequietofthegarrethadbeenlongundisturbed，andhisheavingbreastandshakenformhadlongyieldedtothecalmthatmustfollowallstorms——emblemtohumanity，oftherestandsilenceintowhichthestormcalledLifemusthushatlast——theycameforwardtoraisethefatheranddaughterfromtheground。Hehadgraduallydroppedtothefloor，andlaythereinalethargy，wornout。Shehadnestleddownwithhim，thathisheadmightlieuponherarm；andherhairdroopingoverhimcurtainedhimfromthelight。
`If，withoutdisturbinghim，'shesaid，raisingherhandtoMr。
Lorryashestoopedoverthem，afterrepeatedblowingsofhisnose，`allcouldbearrangedforourleavingParisatonce，sothat，fromtheverydoor，hecouldbetakenaway——'
`But，consider。Ishefitforthejourney?'askedMr。Lorry。
`Morefitforthat，Ithink，thantoremaininthiscity，sodreadfultohim。'
`Itistrue，'saidDefarge，whowaskneelingtolookonandhear。
`Morethanthat；MonsieurManetteis，forallreasons，bestoutofFrance。
Say，shallIhireacarriageandpost-horses?'
`That'sbusiness，'saidMr。Lorry，resumingontheshortestnoticehismethodicalmanners；`andifbusinessistobedune，Ihadbetterdoit。'
`Thenbesokind，'urgedMissManette，`astoleaveushere。Youseehowcomposedhehasbecome，andyoucannotbeafraidtoleavehimwithmenow。Whyshouldyoube?Ifyouwilllockthedoortosecureusfrominterruption，Idonotdoubtthatyouwillfindhim，whenyoucomeback，asquietasyouleavehim。Inanycase，Iwilltakecareofhimuntilyoureturn，andthenwewillremovehimstraight。'
BothMr。LorryandDefargewereratherdisinclinedtothiscourse，andinfavourofoneofthemremaining。But，astherewerenotonlycarriageandhorsestobeseento，buttravellingpapers；andastimepressed，forthedaywasdrawingtoanend，itcameatlasttotheirhastilydividingthebusinessthatwasnecessarytobedone，andhurryingawaytodoit。
Then，asthedarknessclosedin，thedaughterlaidherheaddownonthehardgroundcloseatthefather'sside，andwatchedhim。Thedarknessdeepenedanddeepened，andtheybothlayquiet，untilalightgleamedthroughthechinksinthewall。
Mr。LorryandMonsieurDefargehadmadeallreadyforthejourney，andhadbroughtwiththem，besidestravellingcloaksandwrappers，breadandmeat，wine，andhotcoffee。MonsieurDefargeputthisprovender，andthelamphecarried，ontheshoemaker'sbench(therewasnothingelseinthegarretbutapalletbed)，andheandMr。Lorryrousedthecaptive，andassistedhimtohisfeet。
Nohumanintelligencecouldhavereadthemysteriesofhismind，inthescaredblankwonderofhisface。Whetherheknewwhathadhappened，whetherherecollectedwhattheyhadsaidtohim，whetherheknewthathewasfree，werequestionswhichnosagacitycouldhavesolved。Theytriedspeakingtohim；but，hewassoconfused，andsoveryslowtoanswer，thattheytookfrightathisbewilderment，andagreedforthetimetotamperwithhimnomore。Hehadawild，lostmannerofoccasionallyclaspinghisheadinhishands，thathadnotbeenseeninhimbefore；yet，hehadsomepleasureinthemeresoundofhisdaughter'svoice，andinvariablyturnedtoitwhenshespoke。
Inthesubmissivewayofonelongaccustomedtoobeyundercoercion，heateanddrankwhattheygavehimtoeatanddrink，andputonthecloakandotherwrappings，thattheygavehimtowear。Hereadilyrespondedtohisdaughter'sdrawingherarmthroughhis，andtook——andkept——herhandinbothhisown。
Theybegantodescend；MonsieurDefargegoingfirstwiththelamp，Mr。Lorryclosingthelittleprocession。Theyhadnottraversedmanystepsofthelongmainstaircasewhenhestopped，andstaredattheroofandroundatthewalls。
`Youremembertheplace，myfather?Youremembercominguphere?
`Whatdidyousay?'
But，beforeshecouldrepeatthequestion，hemurmuredananswerasifshehadrepeatedit。
`Remember?No，Idon'tremember。Itwassoverylongago。'
Thathehadnorecollectionwhateverofhishavingbeenbroughtfromhisprisontothathouse，wasapparenttothem。Theyheardhimmutter，`OneHundredandFive，NorthTower；'andwhenhelookedabouthim，itevidentlywasforthestrongfortress-wallswhichhadlongencompassedhim。Ontheirreachingthecourtyardheinstinctivelyalteredhistread，asbeinginexpectationofadrawbridge；andwhentherewasnodrawbridge，andhesawthecarriagewaitingintheopenstreet，hedroppedhisdaughter'shandandclaspedhisheadagain。
Nocrowdwasaboutthedoor；nopeoplewerediscernibleatanyofthemanywindows；notevenachancepasser-bywasinthestreet。Anunnaturalsilenceanddesertionreignedthere。Onlyonesoulhastobeseen，andthatwasMadameDefarge——wholeanedagainstthedoor-post，knitting，andsawnothing。
Theprisonerhadgotintoacoach，andhisdaughterhadfollowedhim，whenMr。Lorry'sfeetwerearrestedonthestepbyhisasking，miserably，forhisshoemakingtoolsandtheunfinishedshoes。MadameDefargeimmediatelycalledtoherhusbandthatshewouldgetthem，andwent，knitting，outofthelamplight，throughthecourt-yard。Shequicklybroughtthemdownandhandedthemin；——andimmediatelyafterwardsleanedagainstthedoor-post，knitting，andsawnothing。
Defargegotuponthebox，andgavetheword`TotheBarrier!'
Thepostilioncrackedhiswhip，andtheyclatteredawayundertheFeebleoverswinginglamps。
Undertheover-swinginglamps——swingingeverbrighterinthebetterstreets，andeverdimmerintheworse——andbylightedshops，gaycrowds，illuminatedcoffee-houses，andtheatre-doors，tooneofthecitygates。
Soldierswithlanterns，attheguard-housethere。`Yourpapers，travellers!'
`Seeherethen，MonsieurtheOfficer，'saidDefarge，gettingdown，andtakinghimgravelyapart，`thesearethepapersofmonsieurinside，withthewhitehead。Theywereconsignedtome，withhim，atthe——'Hedroppedhisvoice，therewasaflutteramongthemilitarylanterns，andoneofthembeinghandedintothecoachbyanarminuniform，theeyesconnectedwiththearmlooked，notanevery-dayoranevery-nightlook，atmonsieurwiththewhitehead。`Itiswell。Forward!'fromtheuniform。`Adieu!'
fromDefarge。Andso，underashortgroveoffeeblerandfeebleroverswinginglamps，outunderthegreatgroveofstars。
Beneaththatarchofunmovedandeternallights；some，soremotefromthislittleearththatthelearnedtellusitisdoubtfulwhethertheirrayshaveevenyetdiscoveredit，asapointinspacewhereanythingissufferedordone:theshadowsofthenightwerebroadandblack。Allthroughthecoldandrestlessinterval，untildawn，theyoncemorewhisperedintheearsofMr。JarvisLorry——sittingoppositetheburiedmanwhohadbeendugout，andwonderingwhatsubtlepowerswereforeverlosttohim，andwhatwerecapableofrestoration——theoldinquiry:
`Ihopeyoucaretoberecalledtolife?'
Andtheoldanswer:
`Ican'tsay。'
THEENDOFTHEFIRSTBOOK
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]BOOKTHESECONDTHEGOLDENTHREADCHAPTERIFiveYearsLaterTELLSON'SBankbyTempleBarwasanold-fashionedplace，evenintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandeighty。Itwasverysmall，verydark，veryugly，veryincommodious。Itwasanold-fashionedplace，moreover，inthemoralattributethatthepartnersintheHousewereproudofitssmallness，proudofitsdarkness，proudofitsugliness，proudofitsincommodiousness。
Theywereevenboastfulofitseminenceinthoseparticulars，andwerefiredbyanempressconvictionthat，ifitwerelessobjectionable，itwouldbelessrespectable。Thiswasnopassivebelief，butanactiveweaponwhichtheyflashedatmoreconvenientplacesofbusiness。Tellson's(theysaid)wantednoelbow-room，Tellson'swantednolight，Tellson'swantednoembellishment。NoakesandCo。'smight，orSnooksBrothers'might；butTellson's，thankHeaven!——
AnyoneofthesepartnerswouldhavedisinheritedhissononthequestionofrebuildingTellson's。InthisrespecttheHousewasmuchonaparwiththeCountry；whichdidveryoftendisinherititssonsforsuggestingimprovementsinlawsandcustomsthathadlongbeenhighlyobjectionable，butwereonlythemorerespectable。
Thusithadcometopass，thatTellson'swasthetriumphantperfectionofinconvenience。Afterburstingopenadoorofidioticobstinacywithaweakrattleinitsthroat，youfellintoTellson'sdowntwosteps，andcametoyoursensesinamiser-ablelittleshop，withtwolittlecounters，wheretheoldestofmenmadeyourchequeshakeasifthewindrustledit，whiletheyexaminedthesignaturebythedingiestofwindows，whichwerealwaysunderashower-bathofmudfromFleet-street，andwhichweremadethedingierbytheirownironbarsproper，andtheheavyshadowofTempleBar。Ifyourbusinessnecessitatedyourseeing`theHouse，'youwereputintoaspeciesofCondemnedHoldattheback，whereyoumeditatedonamisspentlife，untiltheHousecamewithitshandsinitspockets，andyoucouldhardlyblinkatitinthedismaltwilight。Yourmoneycameoutof'orwentinto，wormyoldwoodendrawers，particlesofwhichflewupyournoseanddownyourthroatwhentheywereopenedandshut。Yourbank-noteshadamustyodour，asiftheywerefastdecomposingintoragsagain。Yourplatewasstowedawayamongtheneighbouringcesspools，andevilcommunicationscorrupteditsgoodpolishinadayortwo。Yourdeedsgotintoextemporisedstrong-roomsmadeofkitchensandsculleries，andfrettedallthefatoutoftheirparchmentsintothebankinghouseair。Yourlighterboxesoffamilypaperswentup-stairsintoaBarmecideroom，thatalwayshadagreatdining-tableinitandneverhadadinner，andwhere，evenintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandeighty，thefirstletterswrittentoyoubyyouroldlove，orbyyourlittlechildren，werebutnewlyreleasedfromthehorrorofbeingogledthroughthewindows，bytheheadsexposedonTempleBarwithaninsensatebrutalityandferocityworthyofAbyssiniaorAshantee。
Butindeed，atthattime，puttingtodeathwasarecipemuchinvoguewithalltradesandprofessions，andnotleastofallwithTellson's。
DeathisNature'sremedyforallthings，andwhynotLegislation's?Accordingly，theforgerwasputtodeath；theuttererofabadnotewasputtoDeath；
theunlawfulopenerofaletterwasputtoDeath；thepurloineroffortyshillingsandsixpencewasputtoDeath；theholderofahorseatTellson'sdoor，whomadeoffwithit，wasputtoDeath；thecoinerofabadshillingwasputtoDeath；thesoundersofthree-fourthsofthenotesinthewholegamutofGrime，wereputtoDeath。Notthatitdidtheleastgoodinthewayofprevention——itmightalmosthavebeenworthremarkingthatthefactwasexactlythereverse——but，itclearedoff(astothisworld)thetroubleofeachparticularcase，andleftnothingelseconnectedwithittobelookedafter。Thus，Tellson's，initsday，likegreaterplacesofbusiness，itscontemporaries，hadtakensomanylives，that，iftheheadslaidlowbeforeithadbeenrangedonTempleBarinsteadofbeingprivatelydisposedof'theywouldprobablyhaveexcludedwhatlittlelightthegroundfloorhad，inarathersignificantmanner。
CrampedinallkindsofdimcupboardsandhutchesatTellson's，theoldestofmencarriedonthebusinessgravely。
WhentheytookayoungmanintoTellson'sLondonhouse，theyhidhimsomewheretillhewasold。Theykepthiminadarkplace，likeacheese，untilhehadthefullTellsonflavourandblue-moulduponhim。Thenonlywashepermittedtobeseen，spectacularlyporingoverlargebooks，andcastinghisbreechesandgaitersintothegeneralweightoftheestablishment。
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