Yet，Monseigneurhadslowlyfoundthatvulgarembarrassmentscreptintohisaffairs，bothprivateandpublic；andhehad，astobothclassesofaffairs，alliedhimselfperforcewithaFarmer-General。Astofinancespublic，becauseMonseigneurcouldnotmakeanythingatallofthem，andmustconsequentlyletthemouttosomebodywhocould；astofinancesprivate，becauseFarmer-Generalswererich，andMonseigneur，aftergenerationsofgreatluxuryandexpense，wasgrowingpoor。HenceMonseigneurhadtakenhissisterfromaconvent，whiletherewasyettimetowardofftheimpendingveil，thecheapestgarmentshecouldwear，andhadbestowedherasaprizeuponaveryrichFarmer-General，poorinfamily。WhichFarmer-General，carryinganappropriatecanewithagoldenappleonthetopofit，wasnowamongthecompanyintheouterrooms，muchprostratedbeforebymankind——alwaysexceptingsuperiormankindofthebloodofMonseigneur，who，hisownwifeincluded，lookeddownuponhimwiththeloftiestcontempt。
AsumptuousmanwastheFarmer-General。Thirtyhorsesstoodinhisstables，twenty-fourmaledomesticssatinhishalls，sixbody-womenwaitedonhiswife。Asonewhopre-tendedtodonothingbutplunderandforagewherehecould，theFarmer-General——howsoeverhismatrimonialrelationsconducedtosocialmorality——wasatleastthegreatestrealityamongthepersonageswhoattendedatthehotelofMonseigneurthatday。
For，therooms，thoughabeautifulscenetolookat，andadornedwitheverydeviceofdecorationthatthetasteandskillofthetimecouldachieve，were，intruth，notasoundbusiness；consideredwithanyreferencetothescarecrowsintheragsandnightcapselsewhereandnotsofaroff，either，butthatthewatchingtowersofNotreDame，almostequidistantfromthetwoextremes，couldseethemboth，theywouldhavebeenanexceedinglyuncomfortablebusiness——ifthatcouldhavebeenanybody\'sbusiness，atthehouseofMonseigneur。Militaryofficersdestituteofmilitaryknowledge；
navalofficerswithnoideaofaship；civilofficerswithoutanotionofaffairs；brazenecclesiastics，oftheworstworldworldly，withsensualeyes，loosetongues，andlooserlives；alltotallyunfitfortheirseveralcallings，alllyinghorriblyinpretendingtobelongtothem，butallnearlyorremotelyoftheorderofMonseigneur，andthereforefoistedonallpublicemploymentsfromwhichanythingwastobegot；theseweretobetoldoffbythescoreandthescore。PeoplenotimmediatelyconnectedwithMonseigneurortheState，yetequallyunconnectedwithanythingthatwasreal，orwithlivespassedintravellingbyanystraightroadtoanytrueearthlyend，werenolessabundant。Doctorswhomadegreatfortunesoutofdaintyremediesforimaginarydisordersthatneverexisted，smiledupontheircourtlypatientsintheante-chambersofMonseigneur。ProjectorswhohaddiscoveredeverykindofremedyforthelittleevilswithwhichtheStatewastouched，excepttheremedyofsettingtoworkinearnesttorootoutasinglesin，pouredtheirdistractingbabbleintoanyearstheycouldlayholdof，atthereceptionofMonseigneur。UnbelievingPhilosopherswhowereremodellingtheworldwithwords，andmakingcard-towersofBabeltoscaletheskieswith，talkedwithunbelievingChemistswhohadaneyeonthetransmutationofmetals，atthiswonderfulgatheringaccumulatedbyMonseigneur。Exquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreeding，whichwasatthatremarkabletime-andhasbeensince——tobeknownbyitsfruitsofindifferencetoeverynaturalsubjectofhumaninterest，wereinthemostexemplarystateofexhaustion，atthehotelofMonseigneur。SuchhomeshadthesevariousnotabilitiesleftbehindtheminthefineworldofParis，thatthespiesamongtheassembleddevoteesofMonseigneur——formingagoodlyhalfofthepolitecompany——wouldhavefoundithardtodiscoveramongtheangelsofthatsphereonesolitarywife，who，inhermannersandappearance，ownedtobeingaMother。Indeed，exceptforthemereactofbringingatroublesomecreatureintothisworld——whichdoesnotgofartowardstherealisationofthenameofmother——therewasnosuchthingknowntothefashion。Peasantwomenkepttheunfashionablebabiesclose，andbroughtthemup，andcharminggrandmammasofsixtydressedandsuppedasattwenty。
TheleprosyofunrealitydisfiguredeveryhumancreatureinattendanceuponMonseigneur。Intheoutermostroomwerehalfadozenexceptionalpeoplewhohadhad，forafewyears，somevaguemisgivinginthemthatthingsingeneralweregoingratherwrong。Asapromisingwayofsettingthemright，halfofthehalf-dozenhadbecomemembersofafantasticsectofConvulsionists，andwereeventhenconsideringwithinthemselveswhethertheyshouldfoam，rage，roar，andturncatalepticonthespot——therebysettingupahighlyintelligiblefinger-posttotheFuture，forMonseigneur\'sguidance。BesidestheseDervishes，wereotherthreewhohadrushedintoanothersect，whichmendedmatterswithajargonabout`theCentreofTruth\'
holdingthatManhadgotoutoftheCentreofTruth——whichdidnotneedmuchdemonstrationbuthadnotgotoutoftheCircumference，andthathewastobekeptfromflyingoutoftheCircumference，andwaseventobeshovedbackintotheCentre，byfastingandseeingofspirits。Amongthese，accordingly，muchdiscoursingwithspiritswenton——anditdidaworldofgoodwhichneverbecamemanifest。
But，thecomfortwas，thatallthecompanyatthegrandhotelofMonseigneurwereperfectlydressed。IftheDayofJudgmenthadonlybeenascertainedtobeadressday，everybodytherewouldhavebeeneternallycorrect。Suchfrizzlingandpowderingandstickingupofhair，suchdelicatecomplexionsartificiallypreservedandmended，suchgallantswordstolookat，andsuchdelicatehonourtothesenseofsmell，wouldsurelykeepanythinggoing，foreverandever。Theexquisitegentlemenofthefinestbreedingworelittlependenttrinketsthatchinkedastheylanguidlymoved；thesegoldenfettersranglikepreciouslittlebells；andwhatwiththatringing，andwiththerustleofsilkandbrocadeandfinelinen，therewasaflutterintheairthatfannedSaintAntoineandhisdevouringhungerfaraway。
Dresswastheoneunfailingtalismanandcharmusedforkeepingallthingsintheirplaces。EverybodywasdressedforaFancyBallthatwasnevertoleaveoff。FromthePalaceoftheTuileries，throughMonseigneurandthewholeCourt，throughtheChambers，theTribunalsofJustice，andallsocietyexceptthescarecrows，theFancyBalldescendedtothecommonExecutioner:who，inpursuanceofthecharm，wasrequiredtoofficiate`frizzled，powdered，inagold-lacedcoat，pumps，andwhitesilkstockings。\'
Atthegallowsandthewheel——theaxewasararity——MonsieurParis，asitwastheepiscopalmodeamonghisbrotherProfessorsoftheprovinces，MonsieurOrleans，andtherest，tocallhim，presidedinthisdaintydress。
AndwhoamongthecompanyatMonseigneur\'sreceptioninthatseventeenhundredandeightiethyearofourLord，couldpossiblydoubt，thatasystemrootedinafrizzledhangman，powdered，gold-laced，pumped，andwhite-silkstockinged，wouldseetheverystarsout!
Monseigneurhavingeasedhisfourmenoftheirburdensandtakenhischocolate，causedthedoorsoftheHoliestofHolieststobethrownopen，andissuedforth。Then，whatsubmission，whatcringingandfawning，whatservility，whatabjecthumiliation!Astobowingdowninbodyandspirit，nothinginthatwaywasleftforHeaven——whichmayhavebeenoneamongotherreasonswhytheworshippersofMonseigneurnevertroubledit。
Bestowingawordofpromisehereandasmilethere，awhisperononehappyslaveandawaveofthehandonanother，MonseigneuraffablypassedthroughhisroomstotheremoteregionoftheCircumferenceofTruth。
There，Monseigneurturned，andcamebackagain，andsoinduecourseoftimegothimselfshutupinhissanctuarybythechocolatesprites，andwasseennomore。
Theshowbeingover，theflutterintheairbecamequitealittlestorm，andthepreciouslittlebellswentringingdown-stairs。Therewassoonbutonepersonleftofallthecrowd，andhe，withhishatunderhisarmandhissnuff-boxinhishand，slowlypassedamongthemirrorsonhiswayout。
`Idevoteyou，\'saidthisperson，stoppingatthelastdooronhisway，andturninginthedirectionofthesanctuary，`totheDevil!\'
Withthat，heshookthesnufffromhisfingersasifhehadshakenthedustfromhisfeet，andquietlywalkeddownstairs。
Hewasamanofaboutsixty，handsomelydressed，haughtyinmanner，andwithafacelikeafinemask。Afaceofatransparentpaleness；everyfeatureinitclearlydefined；onesetexpressiononit。Thenose:beautifullyformedotherwise，wasveryslightlypinchedatthetopofeachnostril。
Inthosetwocompressions，ordints，theonlylittlechangethatthefaceevershowed，resided。Theypersistedinchangingcolourcome-times，andtheywouldbeoccasionallydilatedandcontractedbysomethinglikeafaintpulsation；then，theygavealookoftreachery，andcruelty，tothewholecountenance。Examinedwithattention，itscapacityofhelpingsuchalookwastobefoundinthelineofthemouth，andthelinesoftheorbitsoftheeyes，beingmuchtoohorizontalandthin；still，intheeffectthefacemade，itwasahandsomeface，andaremarkableone。
Itsownerwentdownstairsintothecourt-yard，gotintohiscarriage，anddroveaway。Notmanypeoplehadtalkedwithhimatthereception；hehadstoodinalittlespaceapart，andMonseigneurmighthavebeenwarmerinhismanner。Itappeared，underthecircumstances，ratheragreeabletohimtoseethecommonpeopledispersedbeforehishorses，andoftenbarelyescapingfrombeingrundown。Hismandroveasifhewerecharginganenemy，andthefuriousrecklessnessofthemanbroughtnocheckintotheface，ortothelips，ofthemaster。Thecomplainthadsometimesmadeitselfaudible，eveninthatdeafcityanddumbage，that，inthenarrowstreetswithoutfootways，thefiercepatriciancustomofharddrivingendangeredandmaimedthemerevulgarinabarbarousmanner。But，fewcaredenoughforthattothinkofitasecondtime，and，inthismatter，asinallothers，thecommonwretcheswerelefttogetoutoftheirdifficultiesastheycould。
Withawildrattleandclatter，andaninhumanabandonmentofconsiderationnoteasytobeunderstoodinthesedays，thecarriagedashedthroughstreetsandsweptroundcorners，withwomenscreamingbeforeit，andmenclutchingeachotherandclutchingchildrenoutofitsway。Atlast，swoopingatastreetcornerbyafountain，oneofitswheelscametoasickeninglittlejolt，andtherewasaloudcryfromanumberofvoices，andthehorsesrearedandplunged。
Butforthelatterinconvenience，thecarriageprobablywouldnothavestopped；carriageswereoftenknowntodriveon，andleavetheirwoundedbehind，andwhynot?Butthefrightenedvalethadgotdowninahurry，andthereweretwentyhandsatthehorses\'bridles。
`Whathasgonewrong?\'saidMonsieur，calmlylookingout。
Atallmaninanightcaphadcaughtupabundlefromamongthefeetofthehorses，andhadlaiditonthebasementofthefountain，andwasdowninthemudandwet，howlingoveritlikeawildanimal。
`Pardon，MonsieurtheMarquis!\'saidaraggedandsubmissiveman，`itisachild。\'
`Whydoeshemakethatabominablenoise?Isithischild?\'
`Excuseme，MonsieurtheMarquis——itisapity——yes。\'
Thefountainwasalittleremoved；forthestreetopened，whereitwas，intoaspacesometenortwelveyardssquare。Asthetallmansuddenlygotupfromtheground，andcamerunningatthecarriage，MonsieurtheMarquisclappedhishandforaninstantonhissword-hilt。\'
`Killed!\'shriekedtheman，inwilddesperation，extendingbotharmsattheirlengthabovehishead，andstaringathim。`Dead!\'
Thepeopleclosedround，andlookedatMonsieurtheMarquis。Therewasnothingrevealedbythemanyeyesthatlookedathimbutwatchfulnessandeagerness；therewasnovisiblemenacingoranger。Neitherdidthepeoplesayanything；afterthefirstcry，theyhadbeensilent，andtheyremainedso。Thevoiceofthesubmissivemanwhohadspoken，wasflatandtameinitsextremesubmission。MonsieurtheMarquisranhiseyesoverthemall，asiftheyhadbeenmereratscomeoutoftheirholes。
Hetookouthispurse。
`Itisextraordinarytome，\'saidhe，`thatyoupeoplecannottakecareofyourselvesandyourchildren。Oneortheotherofyouisforeverintheway。HowdoIknowwhatinjuryyouhavedonemyhorses?See!
Givehimthat。\'
Hethrewoutagoldcoinforthevalettopickup，andalltheheadscranedforwardthatalltheeyesmightlookdownatitasitfell。
Thetallmancalledoutagainwithamostunearthlycry，`Dead!\'
Hewasarrestedbythequickarrivalofanotherman，forwhomtherestmadeway。Onseeinghim，themiserablecreaturefelluponhisshoulder，sobbingandcrying，andpointingtothefountain，wheresomewomenwerestoopingoverthemotionlessbundle，andmovinggentlyaboutit。Theywereassilent，however，asthemen。
`Iknowall，Iknowall，\'saidthelastcomer。`Beabraveman，myGaspard!Itisbetterforthepoorlittleplaythingtodieso，thantolive。Ithasdiedinamomentwithoutpain。Couldithavelivedanhourashappily?\'
`Youareaphilosopher，youthere，\'saidtheMarquis，smiling。
`Howdotheycallyou?\'
`TheycallmeDefarge。\'
`Ofwhattrade?\'
`MonsieurtheMarquis，vendorofwine。\'
`Pickupthat，philosopherandvendorofwine，\'saidtheMarquis，throwinghimanothergoldcoin，`andspenditasyouwill。Thehorsesthere；
aretheyright?
Withoutdeigningtolookattheassemblageasecondtime，MonsieurtheMarquisleanedbackinhisseat，andwasjustbeingdrivenawaywiththeairofagentlemanwhohadaccidentallybrokensomecommonthing，andhadpaidforit，andcouldaffordtopayforit；whenhiseasewassuddenlydisturbedbyacoinflyingintohiscarriage，andringingonitsfloor。
`Hold!\'saidMonsieurtheMarquis。`Holdthehorses!Whothrewthat?\'
HelookedtothespotwhereDefargethevendorofwinehadstood，amomentbefore；butthewretchedfatherwasgrovellingonhisfaceonthepavementinthatspot，andthefigurethatstoodbesidehimwasthefigureofadarkstoutwoman，knitting。
`Youdogs!\'saidtheMarquis，butsmoothly，andwithanunchangedfront，exceptastothespotsonhisnose:`Iwouldrideoveranyofyouverywillingly，andexterminateyoufromtheearth。IfIknewwhichrascalthrewatthecarriage，andifthatbrigandweresufficientlynearit，heshouldbecrushedunderthewheels。\'
Socowedwastheircondition，andsolongandhardtheirexperienceofwhatsuchamancoulddotothem，withinthelawandbeyondit，thatnotavoice，orahand，orevenaneyewasraised。Amongthemen，notone。
Butthewomanwhostoodknittinglookedupsteadily，andlookedtheMarquisintheface。Itwasnotforhisdignitytonoticeit；hiscontemptuouseyespassedoverher，andoveralltheotherrats；andheleanedbackinhisseatagain，andgavetheword`Goon!\'
Hewasdrivenon，andothercarriagescamewhirlingbyinquicksuccession；theMinister，theState-Projector，theFarmer-General，theDoctor，theLawyer，theEcclesiastic，theGrandOpera，theComedy，thewholeFancyBallinabrightcontinuousflow，camewhirlingby。Theratshadcreptoutoftheirholestolookon，andtheyremainedlookingonforhours；soldiersandpoliceoftenpassingbetweenthemandthespectacle，andmakingabarrierbehindwhichtheyslunk，andthroughwhichtheypeeped。
Thefatherhadlongagotakenuphisbundleandhiddenhimselfawaywithit，whenthewomenwhohadtendedthebundlewhileitlayonthebaseofthefountain，sattherewatchingtherunningofthewaterandtherollingoftheFancyBall——whentheonewomanwhohadstoodconspicuous，knitting，stillknittedonwiththesteadfastnessofFate。Thewaterofthefountainran，theswiftriverran，thedayranintoevening，somuchlifeinthecityranintodeathaccordingtorule，timeandtidewaitedfornoman，theratsweresleepingclosetogetherintheirdarkholesagain，theFancyBallwaslightedupatsupper，allthingsrantheircourse。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERVIIIMonseigneurintheCountryABEAUTIFULlandscape，withthecornbrightinit，butnotabundant。Patchesofpoorryewherecornshouldhavebeen，patchesofpoorpeasandbeans，patchesofmostcoarsevegetablesubstitutesforwheat。Oninanimatenature，asonthemenandwomenwhocultivatedit，aprevalenttendencytowardsanappearanceofvegetatingunwillingly——dejecteddispositiontogiveup，andwitheraway。
MonsieurtheMarquisinhistravellingcarriagewhichmighthavebeenlighter，conductedbyfourpost-horsesandtwopostilions，faggedupasteephill。AblushonthecountenanceofMonsieurtheMarquiswasnoimpeachmentofhishighbreeding；itwasnotfromwithin；itwasoccasionedbyanexternalcircumstancebeyondhiscontrol——thesettingsungiveup，andwitherawaygiveup，andwitheraway。
Thesunsetstrucksobrilliantlyintothetravellingcarriagewhenitgainedthehill-top，thatitsoccupantwassteepedincrimson。
`Itwilldieout，\'saidMonsieurtheMarquis，glancingathishands，`directly。\'
Ineffect，thesunwassolowthatitdippedatthemoment。Whentheheavydraghadbeenadjustedtothewheel，andthecarriagesliddownhill，withacinderoussmell，inacloudofdust，theredglowdepartedquickly；thesunandtheMarquisgoingdowntogether，therewasnoglowleftwhenthedragwastakenoff。
But，thereremainedabrokencountry，boldandopen，alittlevillageatthebottomofthehill，abroadsweepandrisebeyondit，achurch-tower，awindmill，aforestforthechase，andacragwithafortressonitusedasaprison。Rounduponallthesedarkeningobjectsasthenightdrewon，theMarquislooked，withtheairofonewhowascomingnearhome。
Thevillagehaditsonepoorstreet，withitspoorbrewery，poortannery，poortavern，poorstable-yardforrelayofposthorses，poorfountain，allusualpoorappointments。Ithaditspoorpeopletoo。Allitspeoplewerepoor，andmanyofthemweresittingattheirdoors，shreddingspareonionsandthelikeforsupper，whilemanywereatthefountain，washingleaves，andgrasses，andanysuchsmallyieldingsoftheearththatcouldbeeaten。Expressivesignsofwhatmadethempoor，werenotwanting；thetaxforthestate，thetaxforthechurch，thetaxforthelord，taxlocalandtaxgeneral，weretobepaidhereandtobepaidthere，accordingtosolemninscriptioninthelittlevillage，untilthewonderwas，thattherewasanyvillageleftunswallowed。
Fewchildrenweretobeseen，andnodogs。Astothemenandwomen，theirchoiceonearthwasstatedintheprospect——Lifeonthelowesttermsthatcouldsustainit，downinthelittlevillageunderdiemill；orcaptivityandDeathinthedominantprisononthecrag。
Heraldedbyacourierinadvance，andbythecrackingofhispostilions\'
whips，whichtwinedsnake-likeabouttheirheadsintheeveningair，asifhecameattendedbytheFuries，MonsieurtheMarquisdrewupinhistravellingcarriageattheposting-housegate。Itwashardbythefountain，andthepeasantssuspendedtheiroperationstolookathim。Helookedatthem，andsawinthem，withoutknowingit，theslowsurefilingdownofmisery-wornfaceandfigure，thatwastomakethemeagernessofFrenchmenanEnglishsuperstitionwhichshouldsurvivethetruththroughthebestpartofahundredyears。
MonsieurtheMarquiscasthiseyesoverthesubmissivefacesthatdroopedbeforehim，asthelikeofhimselfhaddroopedbeforeMonseigneuroftheCourt——onlythedifferencewas，thatthesefacesdroopedmerelytosufferandnottopropitiate——whenagrizzledmenderoftheroadsjoinedthegroup。
`Bringmehitherthatfellow!\'saidtheMarquistothecourier。
Thefellowwasbrought，capinhand，andtheotherfellowsclosedroundtolookandlisten，inthemannerofthepeopleattheParisfountain。
`Ipassedyouontheroad?\'
`Monseigneur，itistrue。Ihadthehonourofbeingpassedontheroad。\'
`Comingupthehill，andatthetopofthehill，both?\'
`Monseigneur，itistrue。
`Whatdidyoulookat，sofixedly?\'
`Monseigneur，Ilookedattheman。\'
Hestoopedalittle，andwithhistatteredbluecappointedunderthecarriage。Allhisfellowsstoopedtolookunderthecarriage。
`Matman，pig?Andwhylookthere?\'
`Pardon，Monseigneur；heswungbythechainoftheshoethedrag。\'
`Who?\'demandedthetraveller。
`Monseigneur，theman。\'
`MaytheDevilcarryawaytheseidiots!Howdoyoucalltheman?
Youknowallthemenofthispartofthecountry。Whowashe?\'
`Yourclemency，Monseigneur!Hewasnotofthispartofthecountry。
Ofallthedaysofmylife，Ineversawhim。\'
`Swingingbythechain?Tobesuffocated?\'
`Withyourgraciouspermission，thatwasthewonderofit，Monseigneur。
Hisheadhangingover——likethis!\'
Heturnedhimselfsidewaystothecarriage，andleanedback，withhisfacethrownuptothesky，andhisheadhangingdown；thenrecoveredhimself，fumbledwithhiscap，andmadeabow。
`whatwashelike?\'
`Monseigneur，hewaswhiterthanthemiller。Allcoveredwithdust，whiteasaspectre，tallasaspectre!\'
Thepictureproducedanimmensesensationinthelittlecrowd；
butalleyes，withoutcomparingnoteswithothereyes，lookedatMonsieurtheMarquis。Perhaps，toobservewhetherhehadanyspectreonhisconscience。
`Truly，youdidwell，\'saidtheMarquis，felicitouslysensiblethatsuchverminwerenottorufflehim，`toseeathiefaccompanyingmycarriage，andnotopenthatgreatmouthofyours。Bah!Puthimaside，MonsieurGabelle!\'
MonsieurGabellewasthePostmaster，andsomeothertaxingfunctionaryunited；hehadcomeoutwithgreatobsequiousnesstoassistatthisexamination，andhadheldtheexaminedbythedraperyofhisarminanofficialmanner。
`Bah!Goaside!\'saidMonsieurGabelle。
`Layhandsonthisstrangerifheseekstolodgeinyourvillageto-night，andbesurethathisbusinessishonest，Gabelle。\'
`Monseigneur，Iamflatteredtodevotemyselftoyourorders。\'
`Didherunaway，fellow?——hereisthatAccursed?\'
Theaccursedwasalreadyunderthecarriagewithsomehalf-dozenparticularfriends，pointingoutthechainwithhisbluecap。Somehalf-dozenotherparticularfriendspromptlyhauledhimout，andpresentedhimbreathlesstoMonsieurtheMarquis。
`Didthemanrunaway，Dolt，whenwestoppedforthedrag?\'
`Monseigneur，heprecipitatedhimselfoverthehill-side，headfirst，asapersonplungesintotheriver。\'
`Seetoit，Gabelle。Goon!\'
Thehalf-dozenwhowerepeeringatthechainwerestillamongthewheels，likesheep；thewheelsturnedsosuddenlythattheywereluckytosavetheirskinsandbones；theyhadverylittleelsetosave，ortheymightnothavebeensofortunate。
Theburstwithwhichthecarriagestartedoutofthevillageanduptherisebeyond，wassooncheckedbythesteepnessofthehill。Gradually，itsubsidedtoafootpace，swingingandlumberingupwardamongthemanysweetscentsofasummernight。Thepostilions，withathousandgossamergnatscirclingabouttheminlieuoftheFuries，quietlymendedthepointstothelashesoftheirwhips；thevaletwalkedbythehorses；thecourierwasaudible，trottingonaheadintothedimdistance。
Atthesteepestpointofthehilltherewasalittleburialground，withaCrossandanewlargefigureofOurSaviouronit；itwasapoorfigureinwood，donebysomeinexperiencedrusticcarver，buthehadstudiedthefigurefromthelife——isownlife，maybe——oritwasdreadfullyspareandthin。
Tothisdistressfulemblemofagreatdistressthathadlongbeengrowingworse，andwasnotatitsworst，awomanwaskneeling。Sheturnedherheadasthecarriagecameuptoher，rosequickly，andpresentedherselfatthecarriage-door。
`Itisyou，Monseigneur!Monseigneur，apetition。\'
Withanexclamationofimpatience，butwithhisUnchangeableface，Monseigneurlookedout。
`How，then!Whatisit?Alwayspetitions!\'
`Monseigneur。FortheloveofthegreatGod!Myhusband，theforester。\'
`Whatofyourhusband，theforester?Alwaysthesamewithyoupeople。Hecannotpaysomething?\'
`Hehaspaidall，Monseigneur。Heisdead。\'
`Well!Heisquiet。CanIrestorehimtoyou?\'
`Alas，no，Monseigneur!Butheliesyonder，underalittleheapofpoorgrass。\'
`Well?\'
`Monseigneur，，therearesomanylittleheapsofpargrass?\'
`Again，well?\'
Shelookedanoldwoman，butwasyoung。Hermannerwasoneofpassionategrief；byturnssheclaspedherveinousandknottedhandstogetherwithwildenergy，andlaidoneofthemonthecarriage-door——tenderly，caressingly，asifithadbeenahumanbreast，andcouldbeexpectedtofeeltheappealingtouch。
`Monseigneur，hearme!Monseigneur，hearmypetition!Myhusbanddiedofwant；somanydieofwant；somanymorewilldieofwant。\'
`Again，well?CanIfeedthem?\'
`Monseigneur，thegoodGodknows；butIdon\'taskit。Mypetitionis，thatamorselofstoneorwood，withmyhusband\'sname，maybeplacedoverhimtoshowwherehelies。Otherwise，theplacewillbequicklyforgotten，itwillneverbefoundwhenIamdeadofthesamemalady，Ishallbelaidundersomeotherheapofpoorgrass。Monseigneur，theyaresomany，theyincreasesofast，thereissomuchwant。Monseigneur!Monseigneur!\'
Thevalethadputherawayfromthedoor，thecarriagehadbrokenintoabrisktrot，thepostilionshadquickenedthepace，shewasleftfarbehind，andMonseigneur，againescortedbytheFuries，wasrapidlydiminishingtheleagueortwoofdistancethatremainedbetweenhimandhischâ；teau。
Thesweetscentsofthesummernightroseallaroundhim，androse，astherainfalls，impartially，onthedusty，ragged，andtoil-worngroupatthefountainnotfaraway；towhomthemenderofroads，withtheaidofthebluecapwithoutwhichhewasnothing，stillenlargeduponhismanlikeaspectre，aslongastheycouldbearit。Bydegrees，astheycouldbearnomore，theydroppedoffonebyone，andlightstwinkledinlittlecasements；whichlights，asthecasementsdarkened，andmorestarscameout，seemedtohaveshotupintotheskyinsteadofhavingbeenextinguished。
Theshadowofalargehigh-roofedhouse，andofmanyoverhangingtrees，wasuponMonsieurtheMarquisbythattime；andtheshadowwasexchangedforthelightofaflambeau，ashiscarriagestopped，andthegreatdoorofhischâ；teauwasopenedtohim。
`MonsieurCharles，whomIexpect:ishearrivedfromEngland?\'
`Monseigneur，notyet。\'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIXTheGorgon\'sHeadITwasaheavymassofbuilding，thatchâ；ateauofMonsieurtheMarquis，withalargestonecourt-yardbeforeit，andtwostonesweepsofstaircasemeetinginastoneterracebeforetheprincipaldoor。Astonybusinessaltogether，withheavystonebalustrades，andstoneurns，andstoneflowers，andstonefacesofmen，andstoneheadsoflions，inalldirections。AsiftheGorgon\'sheadhadsurveyedit，whenitwasfinished，twocenturiesago。
Upthebroadflightofshallowsteps，MonsieurtheMarquis，flambeaupreceded，wentfromhiscarriage，sufficientlydisturbingthedarknesstoelicitloudremonstrancefromanowlintheroofofthegreatpileofstablebuildingawayamongthetrees。Allelsewassoquiet，thattheflambeaucarriedupthesteps，andtheotherflambeauheldatthegreatdoor，burntasiftheywereinacloseroomofstate，insteadofbeingintheopennight-air。Othersoundthantheowl\'svoicetherewasnone，savethefallingofafountainintoitsstonebasin；for，itwasoneofthosedarknightsthatholdtheirbreathbythehourtogether，andthenheavealonglowsigh，andholdtheirbreathagain。
Thegreatdoorclangedbehindhim，andMonsieurtheMarquiscrossedahallgrimwithcertainoldboar-spears，swords，andknivesofthechase；
grimmerwithcertainheavyriding-rodsandriding-whips，ofwhichmanyapeasant，gonetohisbenefactorDeath，hadfelttheweightwhenhislordwasangry。
Avoidingthelargerrooms，whichweredarkandmadefastforthenight，MonsieurtheMarquis，withhisflambeau-bearergoingonbefore，wentupthestaircasetoadoorinacorridor。Thisthrownopen，admittedhimtohisownprivateapartmentofthreerooms:hisbed-chamberandtwoothers。Highvaultedroomswithcooluncarpetedfloors，greatdogsuponthehearthsfortheburningofwoodinwintertime，andallluxuriesbefittingthestateofamarquisinaluxuriousageandcountry。ThefashionofthelastLouisbutone，oftilelinethatwasnevertobreak——thefourteenthLouis——wasconspicuousintheirrichfurniture；but，itwasdiversifiedbymanyobjectsthatwereillustrationsofoldpagesinthehistoryofFrance。
Asupper-tablewaslaidfortwo，inthethirdoftherooms；aroundroom，inoneofthechâ；ateau\'sfourextinguisher-toppedtowers。
Asmallloftyroom，withitswindowwideopen，andthewoodenjalousie-blindsclosed，sothatthedarknightonlyshowedinslighthorizontallinesofblack，alternatingwiththeirbroadlinesofstonecolour。
`Mynephew，\'saidtheMarquis，glancingatthesupperpreparation；
`theysaidhewasnotarrived。\'
Norwashe；but，hehadbeenexpectedwithMonseigneur。
`Ah!Itisnotprobablehewillarriveto-night；nevertheless，leavethetableasitis。Ishallbereadyinaquarterofanhour。\'InaquarterofanhourMonseigneurwasready，andsatdownalonetohissumptuousandchoicesupper。Hischairwasoppositetothewindow，andhehadtakenhissoup，andwasraisinghisglassofBordeauxtohislips，whenheputitdown。
`Whatisthat?\'hecalmlyasked，lookingwithattentionatthehorizontallinesofblackandstonecolour\'。
`Monseigneur?That?\'
`Outsidetheblinds。Opentheblinds。\'
Itwasdone。
`well?\'
`Monseigneur，itisnothing。Thetreesandthenightareallthatarehere。\'
Theservantwhospoke，hadthrowntheblindswide，hadlookedoutintothevacantdarkness，andstood，withthatblankbehindhim，lookingroundforinstructions。
`Good，\'saidtheimperturbablemaster。`Closethemagain。\'Thatwasdonetoo，andtheMarquiswentonwithhissupper。Hewashalfwaythroughit，whenheagainstoppedwithhisglassinhishand，hearingthesoundofwheels。Itcameonbriskly，andcameuptothefrontofthechâ；ateau。
`Askwhoisarrived。\'
ItwasthenephewofMonseigneur。HehadbeensomefewleaguesbehindMonseigneur，earlyintheafternoon。Hehaddiminishedthedistancerapidly，butnotsorapidlyastocomeupwithMonseigneurontheroad。
HehadheardofMonseigneur，attheposting-houses，asbeingbeforehim。
HewastobetoldsaidMonseigneurthatsupperawaitedhimthenandthere，andthathewasprayedtocometoit。Inalittlewhilehecame。
HehadbeenknowninEnglandasCharlesDarnay。
Monseigneurreceivedhiminacourtlymanner，buttheydidnotshakehands。
`YouleftParisyesterday，sir?\'hesaidtoMonseigneur，ashetookhisseatattable。
`Yesterday。Andyou?\'
`Icomedirect。
`FromLondon?\'
`Yes。\'
`Youhavebeenalongtimecoming，\'saidtheMarquis，withasmile。
`Onthecontrary；Icomedirect。\'
`Pardonme!Imean，notalongtimeonthejourney；alongtimeintendingtheJourney。
`Ihavebeendetainedby\'——thenephewstoppedamomentinhisanswer——variousbusiness。\'
`Withoutdoubt，\'saidthepolisheduncle。
Solongasaservantwaspresent，nootherwordspassedbetweenthem。Whencoffeehadbeenservedandtheywerealonetogether，thenephew，lookingattheuncleandmeetingtheeyesofthefacethatwaslikeafinemask，openedaconversation。
`Ihavecomeback，sir，asyouanticipate，pursuingtheobjectthattookmeaway。Itcarriedmeintogreatandunexpectedperil；butitisasacredobject，andifithadcarriedmetodeathIhopeitwouldhavesustainedme。\'
`Nottodeath，\'saidtheuncle；`itisnotnecessarytosay，todeath。\'
`Idoubt，sir，\'returnedthenephew，`whether，ifithadcarriedmetotheutmostbrinkofdeath，youwouldhavecaredtostopmethere。\'
Thedeepenedmarksinthenose，andthelengtheningofthefinestraightlinesinthecruelface，lookedominousastothat；theunclemadeagracefulgestureofprotest，whichwassoclearlyaslightformofgoodbreedingthatitwasnotreassuring。
`Indeed，sir，\'pursuedthenephew，`foranythingIknow，youmayhaveexpresslyworkedtogiveamoresuspiciousappearancetothesuspiciouscircumstancesthatsurroundedme。
`No，no，no，\'saidtheuncle，pleasantly。
`But，howeverthatmaybe，\'resumedthenephew，glancingathimwithdeepdistrust，`Iknowthatyourdiplomacywouldstopmebyanymeans，andwouldknownoscrupleastomeans。
`Myfriend，Itoldyouso，\'saidtheuncle，withafinepulsationinthetwomarks。`DomethefavourtorecallthatItoldyouso，longago。\'
`Irecallit。\'
`Thankyou，\'saidtheMarquis——verysweetlyindeed。
Histonelingeredintheair，almostlikethetoneofamusicalinstrument。
`Ineffect，sir，\'pursuedthenephew，`Ibelieveittobeatonceyourbadfortune，andmygoodfortune，thathaskeptmeoutofaprisoninFrancehere。\'
`Idonotquiteunderstand，\'returnedtheuncle，sippinghiscoffee。
`DareIaskyoutoexplain?\'
`IbelievethatifyouwerenotindisgracewiththeCourt，andhadnotbeenovershadowedbythatcloudforyearspast，aletterdecachetwouldhavesentmetosomefortressindefinitely。\'
`Itispossible，\'saidtheuncle，withgreatcalmness。`Forthehonourofthefamily，Icouldevenresolvetoincommodeyoutothatextent。
Prayexcuseme!\'
`Iperceivethat，happilyforme，theReceptionofthedaybeforeyesterdaywas，asusual，acoldone，\'observedthenephew。
`Iwouldnotsayhappily，myfriend，\'returnedtheuncle，withrefinedpoliteness；`Iwouldnotbesureofthat。Agoodopportunityforconsideration，surroundedbytheadvantagesofsolitude，mightinfluenceyourdestinytofargreateradvantagethanyouinfluenceitforyourself。
Butitisuselesstodiscussthequestion。Iam，asyousay，atadisadvantage。
Theselittleinstrumentsofcorrection，thesegentleaidstothepowerandhonouroffamilies，theseslightfavoursthatmightsoincommodeyou，areonlytobeobtainednowbyinterestandimportunity。Theyaresoughtbysomany，andtheyaregrantedcomparativelytosofew!Itusednottobeso，butFranceinallsuchthingsischangedfortheworse。Ournotremoteancestorsheldtherightoflifeanddeathoverthesurroundingvulgar。Fromthisroom，manysuchdogshavebeentakenouttobehanged；
inthenextroommybedroom，onefellow，toourknowledge，wasponiardedonthespotforprofessingsomeinsolentdelicacyrespectinghisdaughter——hisdaughter?Wehavelostmanyprivileges；anewphilosophyhasbecomethemode；andtheassertionofourstation，inthesedays，mightIdonotgosofarastosaywould，butmightcauseusrealinconvenience。Allverybad，verybad!\'
TheMarquistookagentlelittlepinchofsnuff，andshookhishead；aselegantlydespondentashecouldbecominglybeofacountrystillcontaininghimself，thatgreatmeansofregeneration。
`Wehavesoassertedourstation，bothintheoldtimeandinthemoderntimealso，\'saidthenephew，gloomily，`thatIbelieveournametobemoredetestedthananynameinFrance。\'
`Letushopeso，\'saidtheuncle。`Detestationofthehighistheinvoluntaryhomageofthelow。\'
`Thereisnot，\'pursuedthenephew，inhisformertone，`afaceIcanlookat，inallthiscountryroundaboutus，whichlooksatmewithanydeferenceonitbutthedarkdeferenceoffearandslavery。\'
`Acompliment，\'saidtheMarquis，`tothegrandeurofthefamily，meritedbythemannerinwhichthefamilyhassustaineditsgrandeur。Hah!\'
Andhetookanothergentlelittlepinchofsnuff，andlightlycrossedhislegs。
But，whenhisnephew，leaninganelbowonthetable，coveredhiseyesthoughtfullyanddejectedlywithhishand，thefinemasklookedathimsidewayswithastrongerconcentrationofkeenness，closeness，anddislike，thanwascomportablewithitswearer\'sassumptionofindifference。
`Repressionistheonlylastingphilosophy。Thedarkdeferenceoffearandslavery，myfriend，\'observedtheMarquis，`willkeepteedogsobedienttothewhip，aslongasthisroof，\'lookinguptoit，`shutsoutthesky。\'
ThatmightnotbesolongastheMarquissupposed。Ifapictureofthechâ；ateauasitwastobeaveryfewyearshence，andoffiftylikeitastheytooweretobeaveryfewyearshence，couldhavebeenshowntohimthatnight，hemighthavebeenatalosstoclaimhisownfromtheghastly，fire-charred，plunder-wreckedruins。Asfortheroofhevaunted，hemighthavefoundthatshuttingouttheskyinanewway——towit，forever，fromtheeyesofthebodiesintowhichitsleadwasfired，outofthebarrelsofahundredthousandmuskets。
`Meanwhile，\'saidtheMarquis，`Iwillpreservethehonourandreposeofthefamily，ifyouwillnot。Butyoumustbefatigued。ShallweterminateourConferenceforthenight?\'
`Amomentmore。\'
`Anhour，ifyouplease。\'
`Sir，\'saidthenephew，`wehavedonewrong，andarereapingthefruitsofwrong。\'
`Wehavedonewrong?\'repeatedtheMarquis，withaninquiringsmile，anddelicatelypointing，firsttohisnephew，thentohimself。
`Ourfamily；ourhonourablefamily，whosehonourisofsomuchaccounttobothofus，insuchdifferentways。Eveninmyfather\'stime，wedidaworldofwrong，injuringeveryhumancreaturewhocamebetweenusandourpleasure，whateveritwas。WhyneedIspeakofmyfather\'stime，whenitisequallyyours?CanIseparatemyfather\'stwin-brother，jointinheritor，andnextsuccessor，fromhimself?\'
`Deathhasdonethat!\'saidtheMarquis。
`Andhasleftme，\'answeredthenephew，`boundtoasystemthatisfrightfultome，responsibleforit，butpowerlessinit；seekingtoexecutethelastrequestofmydearmother\'slips，andobeythelastlookofmydearmother\'seyes，whichimploredfiletohavemercyandtoredress；
andtorturedbyseekingassistanceandpowerinvain?
`Seekingthemfromme，mynephew，\'saidtheMarquis，touchinghimonthebreastwithhisforefinger——theywerenowstandingbythehearth——youwillforeverseektheminvain，beassured。
Everyfinestraightlineintheclearwhitenessofhisface，wascruelly，craftily，andcloselycompressed，whilehestoodlookingquietlyathisnephew，withhissnuff-boxinhishand。
Onceagainhetouchedhimonthebreast，asthoughhisfingerwerethefinepointofasmallsword，withwhich，indelicatefinesse，heranhimthroughthebody，andsaid，`Myfriend，Iwilldie，perpetuatingthesystemunderwhichI
havelived。\'
Whenhehadsaidit，hetookaculminatingpinchofSnuff，andputhisboxinhispocket。
`Bettertobearationalcreature，\'headdedthen，afterringingasmallbellonthetable，`andacceptyournaturaldestiny。Butyouarelost，MonsieurCharles，Isee。\'
`ThispropertyandFrancearelosttome，\'saidthenephew，sadly；`I
renouncethem。\'
`Aretheybothyourstorenounce?Francemaybe，butistheproperty?
Itisscarcelyworthmentioning；but，isityet?\'
`Ihadnointention，inthewordsIused，toclaimityet。Ifitpassedtomefromyou，to-morrow——
`WhichIhavethevanitytohopeisnotprobable。\'
`——ortwentyyearshence——\'
`Youdometoomuchhonour，\'saidtheMarquis；`still，Ipreferthatsupposition。\'