English
“I,AlexandreManette,unfortunatephysician,nativeofBeauvais,andafterwardsresidentinParis,writethismelancholypaperinmydolefulcellintheBastille,duringthelastmonthoftheyear,1767.
Iwriteitatstolenintervals,undereverydifficulty.
Idesigntosecreteitinthewallofthechimney,whereIhaveslowlyandlaboriouslymadeaplaceofconcealmentforit.
Somepityinghandmayfinditthere,whenIandmysorrowsaredust.
“ThesewordsareformedbytherustyironpointwithwhichIwritewithdifficultyinscrapingsofsootandcharcoalfromthechimney,mixedwithblood,inthelastmonthofthetenthyearofmycaptivity.Hopehasquitedepartedfrommybreast.
IknowfromterriblewarningsIhavenotedinmyselfthatmyreasonwillnotlongremainunimpaired,butIsolemnlydeclarethatIamatthistimeinthepossessionofmyrightmind—thatmymemoryisexactandcircumstantial—andthatIwritethetruthasIshallanswerforthesemylastrecordedwords,whethertheybeeverreadbymenornot,attheEternalJudgment-seat.
“Onecloudymoonlightnight,inthethirdweekofDecember(Ithinkthetwenty-secondofthemonth)intheyear1757,IwaswalkingonaretiredpartofthequaybytheSeinefortherefreshmentofthefrostyair,atanhour’sdistancefrommyplaceofresidenceintheStreetoftheSchoolofMedicine,whenacarriagecamealongbehindme,drivenveryfast.
AsIstoodasidetoletthatcarriagepass,apprehensivethatitmightotherwiserunmedown,aheadwasputoutatthewindow,andavoicecalledtothedrivertostop.
“Thecarriagestoppedassoonasthedrivercouldreininhishorses,andthesamevoicecalledtomebymyname.Ianswered.
ThecarriagewasthensofarinadvanceofmethattwogentlemenhadtimetoopenthedoorandalightbeforeIcameupwithit.
Iobservedthattheywerebothwrappedincloaks,andappearedtoconcealthemselves.
Astheystoodsidebysidenearthecarriagedoor,Ialsoobservedthattheybothlookedofaboutmyownage,orratheryounger,andthattheyweregreatlyalike,instature,manner,voice,and(asfarasIcouldsee)facetoo.
”`YouareDoctorManette?’saidone.
“Iam.”
”`DoctorManette,formerlyofBeauvais,’saidtheother;`theyoungphysician,originallyanexpertsurgeon,whowithinthelastyearortwohasmadearisingreputationinParis?’
”`Gentlemen,’Ireturned,`IamthatDoctorManetteofwhomyouspeaksograciously.’
”`Wehavebeentoyourresidence,’saidthefirst,`andnotbeingsofortunateastofindyouthere,andbeinginformedthatyouwereprobablywalkinginthisdirection,wefollowed,inthehopeofovertakingyou.Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?’
“Themannerofbothwasimperious,andtheybothmoved,asthesewordswerespoken,soastoplacemebetweenthemselvesandthecarriagedoor.Theywerearmed.Iwasnot.
”`Gentlemen,’saidI,`pardonme;butIusuallyinquirewhodoesmethehonourtoseekmyassistance,andwhatisthenatureofthecasetowhichIamsummoned.’
“Thereplytothiswasmadebyhimwhohadspokensecond.
‘Doctor,yourclientsarepeopleofcondition.
Astothenatureofthecase,ourconfidenceinyourskillassuresusthatyouwillascertainitforyourselfbetterthanwecandescribeit.Enough.Willyoupleasetoenterthecarriage?’
“Icoulddonothingbutcomply,andIentereditinsilence.Theybothenteredafterme—thelastspringingin,afterputtingupthesteps.Thecarriageturnedabout,anddroveonatitsformerspeed.
“Irepeatthisconversationexactlyasitoccurred.
Ihavenodoubtthatitis,wordforword,thesame.
Idescribeeverythingexactlyasittookplace,constrainingmymindnottowanderfromthetask.
WhereImakethebrokenmarksthatfollowhere,Ileaveoffforthetime,andputmypaperinitshiding-place.
“Thecarriageleftthestreetsbehind,passedtheNorthBarrier,andemergeduponthecountryroad.
Attwo-thirdsofaleaguefromtheBarrier—Ididnotestimatethedistanceatthattime,butafterwardswhenItraversedit—itstruckoutofthemainavenue,andpresentlystoppedatasolitaryhouse,Weallthreealighted,andwalked,byadampsoftfootpathinagardenwhereaneglectedfountainhadoverflowed,tothedoorofthehouse.
Itwasnotopenedimmediately,inanswertotheringingofthebell,andoneofmytwoconductorsstruckthemanwhoopenedit,withhisheavyridingglove,acrosstheface.
“Therewasnothinginthisactiontoattractmyparticularattention,forIhadseencommonpeoplestruckmorecommonlythandogs.
But,theotherofthetwo,beingangrylikewise,struckthemaninlikemannerwithhisarm;thelookandbearingofthebrotherswerethensoexactlyalike,thatIthenfirstperceivedthemtobetwinbrothers.
“Fromthetimeofouralightingattheoutergate(whichwefoundlocked,andwhichoneofthebrothershadopenedtoadmitus,andhadrelocked),Ihadheardcriesproceedingfromanupperchamber.
Iwasconductedtothischamberstraight,thecriesgrowinglouderasweascendedthestairs,andIfoundapatientinahighfeverofthebrain,lyingonabed.
“Thepatientwasawomanofgreatbeauty,andyoung;assuredlynotmuchpasttwenty.
Herhairwastornandragged,andherarmswereboundtohersideswithsashesandhandkerchiefs.
Inoticedthatthesebondswereallportionsofagentleman’sdress.
Ononeofthem,whichwasafringedscarfforadressofceremony,IsawthearmorialbearingsofaNoble,andtheletterE.
“Isawthis,withinthefirstminuteofmycontemplationofthepatient;for,inherrestlessstrivingsshehadturnedoveronherfaceontheedgeofthebed,haddrawntheendofthescarfintohermouth,andwasindangerofsuffocation.
Myfirstactwastoputoutmyhandtorelieveherbreathing;andinmovingthescarfaside,theembroideryinthecornercaughtmysight.
“Iturnedhergentlyover,placedmyhandsuponherbreasttocalmherandkeepherdown,andlookedintoherface.
Hereyesweredilatedandwild,andsheconstantlyutteredpiercingshrieks,andrepeatedthewords,`Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!’
andthencounteduptotwelve,andsaid,`Hush!’
Foraninstant,andnomore,shewouldpausetolisten,andthenthepiercingshriekswouldbeginagain,andshewouldrepeatthecry,`Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!’
andwouldcountuptotwelve,andsay,`Hush!’
Therewasnovariationintheorder,orthemanner.
Therewasnocessation,buttheregularmoment’spause,intheutteranceofthesesounds.
”`Howlong,’Iasked,`hasthislasted?’
“Todistinguishthebrothers,Iwillcallthemtheelderandtheyounger;bytheelder,Imeanhimwhoexercisedthemostauthority.Itwastheelderwhoreplied,`Sinceaboutthishourlastnight.’
”`Shehasahusband,afather,andabrother?’
”`Abrother.’
”`Idonotaddressherbrother?’
“Heansweredwithgreatcontempt,`No.’
”`Shehassomerecentassociationwiththenumbertwelve?’
“Theyoungerbrotherimpatientlyrejoined,`Withtwelveo’clock?’
”`See,gentlemen,’saidI,stillkeepingmyhandsuponherbreast,‘howuselessIam,asyouhavebroughtme!
IfIhadknownwhatIwascomingtosee,Icouldhavecomeprovided.Asitis,timemustbelost.
Therearenomedicinestobeobtainedinthislonelyplace.’
“Theelderbrotherlookedtotheyounger,whosaidhaughtily,`Thereisacaseofmedicineshere;’andbroughtitfromacloset,andputitonthetable.
“Iopenedsomeofthebottles,smeltthem,andputthestopperstomylips.
IfIhadwantedtouseanythingsavenarcoticmedicinesthatwerepoisonsinthemselves,Iwouldnothaveadministeredanyofthose.
”`Doyoudoubtthem?’askedtheyoungerbrother.
”`Yousee,monsieur,Iamgoingtousethem,’Ireplied,andsaidnomore.
“Imadethepatientswallow,withgreatdifficulty,andaftermanyefforts,thedosethatIdesiredtogive.
AsIintendedtorepeatitafterawhile,andasitwasnecessarytowatchitsinfluence,Ithensatdownbythesideofthebed.
Therewasatimidandsuppressedwomaninattendance(wifeofthemandown-stairs),whohadretreatedintoacorner.
Thehousewasdampanddecayed,indifferentlyfurnished—evidently,recentlyoccupiedandtemporarilyused.
Somethickoldhangingshadbeennailedupbeforethewindows,todeadenthesoundoftheshrieks.
Theycontinuedtobeutteredintheirregularsuccession,withthecry,`Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!’thecountinguptotwelve,and`Hush!’
Thefrenzywassoviolent,thatIhadnotunfastenedthebandagesrestrainingthearms;but,Ihadlookedtothem,toseethattheywerenotpainful.
Theonlysparkofencouragementinthecase,was,thatmyhanduponthesufferer’sbreasthadthismuchsoothinginfluence,thatforminutesatatimeittranquillisedthefigure.
Ithadnoeffectuponthecries;nopendulumcouldbemoreregular.
“Forthereasonthatmyhandhadthiseffect(Iassume),Ihadsatbythesideofthebedforhalfanhour,withthetwobrotherslookingon,beforetheeldersaid:
”`Thereisanotherpatient.’
“Iwasstartled,andasked,`Isitapressingcase?’
”`Youhadbettersee,’hecarelesslyanswered;andtookupalight.
“Theotherpatientlayinabackroomacrossasecondstaircase,whichwasaspeciesofloftoverastable.
Therewasalowplasteredceilingtoapartofit;therestwasopen,totheridgeofthetiledroof,andtherewerebeamsacross.
Hayandstrawwerestoredinthatportionoftheplace,fagotsforfiring,andaheapofapplesinsand.
Ihadtopassthroughthatpart,togetattheother.
Mymemoryiscircumstantialandunshaken.
Itryitwiththesedetails,andIseethemall,inthismycellintheBastille,nearthecloseofthetenthyearofmycaptivity,asIsawthemallthatnight.
“Onsomehayontheground,withacushionthrownunderhishead,layahandsomepeasantboy—aboyofnotmorethanseventeenatthemost.
Helayonhisback,withhisteethset,hisrighthandclenchedonhisbreast,andhisglaringeyeslookingstraightupward.
Icouldnotseewherehiswoundwas,asIkneeledononekneeoverhim;but,Icouldseethathewasdyingofawoundfromasharppoint.
”`Iamadoctor,mypoorfellow,’saidI.`Letmeexamineit.’
”`Idonotwantitexamined,’heanswered;`letitbe.’
“Itwasunderhishand,andIsoothedhimtoletmemovehishandaway.
Thewoundwasasword-thrust,receivedfromtwentytotwenty-fourhoursbefore,butnoskillcouldhavesavedhimifithadbeenlookedtowithoutdelay.Hewasthendyingfast.
AsIturnedmyeyestotheelderbrother,Isawhimlookingdownatthishandsomeboywhoselifewasebbingout,asifhewereawoundedbird,orhare,orrabbit;notatallasifhewereafellow-creature.
”`Howhasthisbeendone,monsieur?’saidI.
”`Acrazedyoungcommondog!Aserf!Forcedmybrothertodrawuponhim,andhasfallenbymybrother’ssword—likeagentleman.’
“Therewasnotouchofpity,sorrow,orkindredhumanity,inthisanswer.
Thespeakerseemedtoacknowledgethatitwasinconvenienttohavethatdifferentorderofcreaturedyingthere,andthatitwouldhavebeenbetterifhehaddiedintheusualobscureroutineofhisverminkind.
Hewasquiteincapableofanycompassionatefeelingabouttheboy,orabouthisfate.
“Theboy’seyeshadslowlymovedtohimashehadspoken,andtheynowslowlymovedtome.
”`Doctor,theyareveryproud,theseNobles;butwecommondogsareproudtoo,sometimes.
Theyplunderus,outrageus,beatus,killus;butwehavealittleprideleft,sometimes.She—haveyouseenher,Doctor?’
“Theshrieksandthecrieswereaudiblethere,thoughsubduedbythedistance.Hereferredtothem,asifshewerelyinginourpresence.
“Isaid,`Ihaveseenher.’
”`Sheismysister,Doctor.Theyhavehadtheirshamefulrights,theseNobles,inthemodestyandvirtueofoursisters,manyyears,butwehavehadgoodgirlsamongus.
Iknowit,andhaveheardmyfathersayso.Shewasagoodgirl.
Shewasbetrothedtoagoodyoungman,too:atenantofhis.
Wewerealltenantsofhis—thatman’swhostandsthere.
Theotherishisbrother,theworstofabadrace.’
“Itwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheboygatheredbodilyforcetospeak;but,hisspiritspokewithadreadfulemphasis.
”`Weweresorobbedbythatmanwhostandsthere,asanwecommondogsarebythosesuperiorBeings—taxedbyhimwithoutmercy,obligedtoworkforhimwithoutpay,obligedtogrindourcornathismill,obligedtofeedscoresofhistamebirdsonourwretchedcrops,andforbiddenforourlivestokeepasingletamebirdofourown,pillagedandplunderedtothatdegreethatwhenwechancedtohaveabitofmeat,weateitinfear,withthedoorbarredandtheshuttersclosed,thathispeopleshouldnotseeitandtakeitfromus—Isay,weweresorobbed,andhunted,andweremadesopoor,thatourfathertoldusitwasadreadfulthingtobringachildintotheworld,andthatwhatweshouldmostprayfor,was,thatourwomenmightbebarrenandourmiserableracedieout!’
“Ihadneverbeforeseenthesenseofbeingoppressed,burstingforthlikeafire.
Ihadsupposedthatitmustbelatentinthepeoplesomewhere;but,Ihadneverseenitbreakout,untilIsawitinthedyingboy.
”`Nevertheless,Doctor,mysistermarried.
Hewasailingatthattime,poorfellow,andshemarriedherlover,thatshemighttendandcomforthiminourcottage—ourdog-hut,asthatmanwouldcallit.
Shehadnotbeenmarriedmanyweeks,whenthatman’sbrothersawherandadmiredher,andaskedthatmantolendhertohim—forwhatarehusbandsamongus!
Hewaswillingenough,butmysisterwasgoodandvirtuous,andhatedhisbrotherwithahatredasstrongasmine.
Whatdidthetwothen,topersuadeherhusbandtousehisinfluencewithher,tomakeherwilling?’
“Theboy’seyes,whichhadbeenfixedonmine,slowlyturnedtothelooker-on,andIsawinthetwofacesthatallhesaidwastrue.
Thetwoopposingkindsofprideconfrontingoneanother,Icansee,eveninthisBastille;thegentleman’s,allnegligentindifference;thepeasants,alltrodden-downsentiment,andpassionaterevenge.
”`Youknow,Doctor,thatitisamongtheRightsoftheseNoblestoharnessuscommondogstocarts,anddriveus.Theysoharnessedhimanddrovehim.
YouknowthatitisamongtheirRightstokeepusintheirgroundsallnight,quietingthefrogs,inorderthattheirnoblesleepmaynotbedisturbed.
Theykepthimoutintheunwholesomemistsatnight,andorderedhimbackintohisharnessintheday.Buthewasnotpersuaded.No!
Takenoutofharnessonedayatnoon,tofeed—ifhecouldfindfood—hesobbedtwelvetimes,onceforeverystrokeofthebell,anddiedonherbosom.’
“Nothinghumancouldhaveheldlifeintheboybuthisdeterminationtotellallhiswrong.
Heforcedbackthegatheringshadowsofdeath,asheforcedhisclenchedrighthandtoremainclenched,andtocoverhiswound.
”`Then,withthatman’spermissionandevenwithhisaid,hisbrothertookheraway;inspiteofwhatIknowshemusthavetoldhisbrother—andwhatthatis,willnotbelongunknowntoyou,Doctor,ifitisnow—hisbrothertookheraway—forhispleasureanddiversion,foralittlewhile.Isawherpassmeontheroad.
WhenItookthetidingshome,ourfather’sheartburst;heneverspokeoneofthewordsthatfinedit.
Itookmyyoungsister(forIhaveanother)toaplacebeyondthereachofthisman,andwhere,atleast,shewillneverbeHISvassal.
Then,Itrackedthebrotherhere,andlastnightclimbedin—acommondog,butswordinhand.—Whereistheloftwindow?Itwassomewherehere?’
“Theroomwasdarkeningtohissight;theworldwasnarrowingaroundhim.Iglancedaboutme,andsawthatthehayandstrawweretrampledoverthefloor,asiftherehadbeenastruggle.
”`Sheheardme,andranin.Itoldhernottocomenearustillhewasdead.
Hecameinandfirsttossedmesomepiecesofmoney;thenstruckatmewithawhip.
ButI,thoughacommondog,sostruckathimastomakehimdraw.
Lethimbreakintoasmanypiecesashewill,theswordthathestainedwithmycommonblood;hedrewtodefendhimself—thrustatmewithallhisskillforhislife.’
“Myglancehadfallen,butafewmomentsbefore,onthefragmentsofabrokensword,lyingamongthehay.Thatweaponwasagentleman’s.
Inanotherplace,layanoldswordthatseemedtohavebeenasoldier’s.
”`Now,liftmeup,Doctor;liftmeup.Whereishe?’
”`Heisnothere,’Isaid,supportingtheboy,andthinkingthathereferredtothebrother.
”`He!Proudasthesenoblesare,heisafraidtoseeme.Whereisthemanwhowashere?turnmyfacetohim.’
“Ididso,raisingtheboy’sheadagainstmyknee.
But,investedforthemomentwithextraordinarypower,heraisedhimselfcompletely:obligingmetorisetoo,orIcouldnothavestillsupportedhim.
”`Marquis,’saidtheboy,turnedtohimwithhiseyesopenedwide,andhisrighthandraised,`inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyouandyours,tothelastofyourbadrace,toanswerforthem.
Imarkthiscrossofblooduponyou,asasignthatIdoit.
Inthedayswhenallthesethingsaretobeansweredfor,Isummonyourbrother,theworstofthebadrace,toanswerforthemseparately.
Imarkthiscrossofblooduponhim,asasignthatIdoit.’
“Twice,heputhishandtothewoundinhisbreast,andwithhisforefingerdrewacrossintheair.
Hestoodforaninstantwiththefingeryetraised,andasitdropped,hedroppedwithit,andIlaidhimdowndead.
“WhenIreturnedtothebedsideoftheyoungwoman,Ifoundherravinginpreciselythesameorderofcontinuity.
Iknewthatthismightlastformanyhours,andthatitwouldprobablyendinthesilenceofthegrave.
“IrepeatedthemedicinesIhadgivenher,andIsatatthesideofthebeduntilthenightwasfaradvanced.
Sheneverabatedthepiercingqualityofhershrieks,neverstumbledinthedistinctnessortheorderofherwords.
Theywerealways`Myhusband,myfather,andmybrother!
One,two,three,four,five,six,seven,eight,nine,ten,eleven,twelve.Hush!’
“Thislastedtwenty-sixhoursfromthetimewhenIfirstsawher.
Ihadcomeandgonetwice,andwasagainsittingbyher,whenshebegantofalter.
Ididwhatlittlecouldbedonetoassistthatopportunity,andby-and-byeshesankintoalethargy,andlaylikethedead.
“Itwasasifthewindandrainhadlulledatlast,afteralongandfearfulstorm.
Ireleasedherarms,andcalledthewomantoassistmetocomposeherfigureandthedressshehadtom.
ItwasthenthatIknewherconditiontobethatofoneinwhomthefirstexpectationsofbeingamotherhavearisen;anditwasthenthatIlostthelittlehopeIhadhadofher.
”`Isshedead?’askedtheMarquis,whomIwillstilldescribeastheelderbrother,comingbootedintotheroomfromhishorse.
”`Notdead,’saidI;`butliketodie.’
”`Whatstrengththereisinthesecommonbodies!’hesaid,lookingdownatherwithsomecuriosity.
”`Thereisprodigiousstrength,’Iansweredhim,`insorrowanddespair.’
“Hefirstlaughedatmywords,andthenfrownedatthem.Hemovedachairwithhisfootneartomine,orderedthewomanaway,andsaidinasubduedvoice,
”`Doctor,findingmybrotherinthisdifficultywiththesehinds,Irecommendedthatyouraidshouldbeinvited.
Yourreputationishigh,and,asayoungmanwithyourfortunetomake,youareprobablymindfulofyourinterest.
Thethingsthatyouseehere,arethingstobeseen,andnotspokenof.’
“Ilistenedtothepatient’sbreathing,andavoidedanswering.
”`Doyouhonourmewithyourattention,Doctor?’
”`Monsieur,’saidI,`inmyprofession,thecommunicationsofpatientsarealwaysreceivedinconfidence.’Iwasguardedinmyanswer,forIwastroubledinmymindwithwhatIhadheardandseen.
“Herbreathingwassodifficulttotrace,thatIcarefullytriedthepulseandtheheart.Therewaslife,andnomore.LookingroundasIresumedmyseat,Ifoundboththebrothersintentuponme.
“Iwritewithsomuchdifficulty,thecoldissosevere,Iamsofearfulofbeingdetectedandconsignedtoanundergroundcellandtotaldarkness,thatImustabridgethisnarrative.
Thereisnoconfusionorfailureinmymemory;itcanrecall,andcoulddetail,everywordthatwaseverspokenbetweenmeandthosebrothers.
“Shelingeredforaweek.Towardsthelast,Icouldunderstandsomefewsyllablesthatshesaidtome,byplacingmyearclosetoherlips.
Sheaskedmewhereshewas,andItoldher;whoIwas,andItoldher.
ItwasinvainthatIaskedherforherfamilyname.
Shefaintlyshookherheaduponthepillow,andkepthersecret,astheboyhaddone.
“Ihadnoopportunityofaskingheranyquestion,untilIhadtoldthebrothersshewassinkingfast,andcouldnotliveanotherday.
Untilthen,thoughnoonewaseverpresentedtoherconsciousnesssavethewomanandmyself,oneorotherofthemhadalwaysjealouslysatbehindthecurtainattheheadofthebedwhenIwasthere.
Butwhenitcametothat,theyseemedcarelesswhatcommunicationImightholdwithher;asif—thethoughtpassedthroughmymind—Iweredyingtoo.
“Ialwaysobservedthattheirpridebitterlyresentedtheyoungerbrother’s(asIcallhim)havingcrossedswordswithapeasant,andthatpeasantaboy.
Theonlyconsiderationthatappearedtoaffectthemindofeitherofthemwastheconsiderationthatthiswashighlydegradingtothefamily,andwasridiculous.
AsoftenasIcaughttheyoungerbrother’seyes,theirexpressionremindedmethathedislikedmedeeply,forknowingwhatIknewfromtheboy.
Hewassmootherandmorepolitetomethantheelder;butIsawthis.
IalsosawthatIwasanincumbranceinthemindoftheelder,too.
“Mypatientdied,twohoursbeforemidnight—atatime,bymywatch,answeringalmosttotheminutewhenIhadfirstseenher.
Iwasalonewithher,whenherforlornyoungheaddroopedgentlyononeside,andallherearthlywrongsandsorrowsended.
“Thebrotherswerewaitinginaroomdown-stairs,impatienttorideaway.Ihadheardthem,aloneatthebedside,strikingtheirbootswiththeirriding-whips,andloiteringupanddown.
”`Atlastsheisdead?’saidtheelder,whenIwentin.
”’Sheisdead,’saidI.
”`Icongratulateyou,mybrother,’werehiswordsasheturnedround.
“Hehadbeforeofferedmemoney,whichIhadpostponedtaking.Henowgavemearouleauofgold.
Itookitfromhishand,butlaiditonthetable.
Ihadconsideredthequestion,andhadresolvedtoacceptnothing.
”`Prayexcuseme,’saidI.`Underthecircumstances,no.’
“Theyexchangedlooks,butbenttheirheadstomeasIbentminetothem,andwepartedwithoutanotherwordoneitherside.
“Iamweary,weary,weary-worndownbymisery.IcannotreadwhatIhavewrittenwiththisgaunthand.
“Earlyinthemorning,therouleauofgoldwasleftatmydoorinalittlebox,withmynameontheoutside.
Fromthefirst,IhadanxiouslyconsideredwhatIoughttodo.
Idecided,thatday,towriteprivatelytotheMinister,statingthenatureofthetwocasestowhichIhadbeensummoned,andtheplacetowhichIhadgone:ineffect,statingallthecircumstances.
IknewwhatCourtinfluencewas,andwhattheimmunitiesoftheNobleswere,andIexpectedthatthematterwouldneverbeheardof;but,Iwishedtorelievemyownmind.
Ihadkeptthematteraprofoundsecret,evenfrommywife;andthis,too,Iresolvedtostateinmyletter.
Ihadnoapprehensionwhateverofmyrealdanger;butIwasconsciousthattheremightbedangerforothers,ifotherswerecompromisedbypossessingtheknowledgethatIpossessed.
“Iwasmuchengagedthatday,andcouldnotcompletemyletterthatnight.
Iroselongbeforemyusualtimenextmorningtofinishit.Itwasthelastdayoftheyear.
Theletterwaslyingbeforemejustcompleted,whenIwastoldthataladywaited,whowishedtoseeme.
“IamgrowingmoreandmoreunequaltothetaskIhavesetmyself.Itissocold,sodark,mysensesaresobenumbed,andthegloomuponmeissodreadful.
“Theladywasyoung,engaging,andhandsome,butnotmarkedforlonglife.Shewasingreatagitation.
ShepresentedherselftomeasthewifeoftheMarquisSt.Evremonde.
Iconnectedthetitlebywhichtheboyhadaddressedtheelderbrother,withtheinitialletterembroideredonthescarf,andhadnodifficultyinarrivingattheconclusionthatIhadseenthatnoblemanverylately.
“Mymemoryisstillaccurate,butIcannotwritethewordsofourconversation.
IsuspectthatIamwatchedmorecloselythanIwas,andIknownotatwhattimesImaybewatched.
Shehadinpartsuspected,andinpartdiscovered,themainfactsofthecruelstory,ofherhusband’sshareinit,andmybeingresortedto.
Shedidnotknowthatthegirlwasdead.
Herhopehadbeen,shesaidingreatdistress,toshowher,insecret,awoman’ssympathy.
HerhopehadbeentoavertthewrathofHeavenfromaHousethathadlongbeenhatefultothesufferingmany.
“Shehadreasonsforbelievingthattherewasayoungsisterliving,andhergreatestdesirewas,tohelpthatsister.
Icouldtellhernothingbutthattherewassuchasister;beyondthat,Iknewnothing.
Herinducementtocometome,relyingonmyconfidence,hadbeenthehopethatIcouldtellherthenameandplaceofabode.
Whereas,tothiswretchedhourIamignorantofboth.
“Thesescrapsofpaperfailme.Onewastakenfromme,withawarning,yesterday.Imustfinishmyrecordto-day.
“Shewasagood,compassionatelady,andnothappyinhermarriage.Howcouldshebe!
Thebrotherdistrustedanddislikedher,andhisinfluencewasallopposedtoher;shestoodindreadofhim,andindreadofherhusbandtoo.
WhenIhandedherdowntothedoor,therewasachild,aprettyboyfromtwotothreeyearsold,inhercarriage.
”`Forhissake,Doctor,’shesaid,pointingtohimintears,`IwoulddoallIcantomakewhatpooramendsIcan.
Hewillneverprosperinhisinheritanceotherwise.
Ihaveapresentimentthatifnootherinnocentatonementismadeforthis,itwillonedayberequiredofhim.
WhatIhavelefttocallmyown—itislittlebeyondtheworthofafewjewels—Iwillmakeitthefirstchargeofhislifetobestow,withthecompassionandlamentingofhisdeadmother,onthisinjuredfamily,ifthesistercanbediscovered.’
“Shekissedtheboy,andsaid,caressinghim,`Itisforthineowndearsake.Thouwiltbefaithful,littleCharles?’Thechildansweredherbravely,`Yes!’
Ikissedherhand,andshetookhiminherarms,andwentawaycaressinghim.Ineversawhermore.
“Asshehadmentionedherhusband’snameinthefaiththatIknewit,Iaddednomentionofittomyletter.Isealedmyletter,and,nottrustingitoutofmyownhands,delivereditmyselfthatday.
“Thatnight,thelastnightoftheyear,towardsnineo’clock,amaninablackdressrangatmygate,demandedtoseeme,andsoftlyfollowedmyservant,ErnestDefarge,ayouth,up-stairs.
WhenmyservantcameintotheroomwhereIsatwithmywife—Omywife,belovedofmyheart!MyfairyoungEnglishwife!
—wesawtheman,whowassupposedtobeatthegate,standingsilentbehindhim.
“AnurgentcaseintheRueSt.Honore,hesaid.Itwouldnotdetainme,hehadacoachinwaiting.
“Itbroughtmehere,itbroughtmetomygrave.
WhenIwasclearofthehouse,ablackmufflerwasdrawntightlyovermymouthfrombehind,andmyarmswerepinioned.
Thetwobrotherscrossedtheroadfromadarkcorner,andidentifiedmewithasinglegesture.
TheMarquistookfromhispockettheletterIhadwritten,showeditme,burntitinthelightofalanternthatwasheld,andextinguishedtheasheswithhisfoot.Notawordwasspoken.
Iwasbroughthere,Iwasbroughttomylivinggrave.
“IfithadpleasedGODtoputitinthehardheartofeitherofthebrothers,inallthesefrightfulyears,tograntmeanytidingsofmydearestwife—somuchastoletmeknowbyawordwhetheraliveordead—ImighthavethoughtthatHehadnotquiteabandonedthem.
But,nowIbelievethatthemarkoftheredcrossisfataltothem,andthattheyhavenopartinHismercies.
Andthemandtheirdescendants,tothelastoftheirrace,I,AlexandreManette,unhappyprisoner,dothislastnightoftheyear1767,inmyunbearableagony,denouncetothetimeswhenallthesethingsshallbeansweredfor.
IdenouncethemtoHeavenandtoearth.”
Aterriblesoundarosewhenthereadingofthisdocumentwasdone.
Asoundofcravingandeagernessthathadnothingarticulateinitbutblood.
Thenarrativecalledupthemostrevengefulpassionsofthetime,andtherewasnotaheadinthenationbutmusthavedroppedbeforeit.
Littleneed,inpresenceofthattribunalandthatauditory,to&howhowtheDefargeshadnotmadethepaperpublic,withtheothercapturedBastillememorialsborneinprocession,andhadkeptit,bidingtheirtime.
LittleneedtoshowthatthisdetestedfamilynamehadlongbeenanathematisedbySaintAntoine,andwaswroughtintothefatalregister.
Themannevertrodgroundwhosevirtuesandserviceswouldhavesustainedhiminthatplacethatday,againstsuchdenunciation.
Andalltheworseforthedoomedman,thatthedenouncerwasawell-knowncitizen,hisownattachedfriend,thefatherofhiswife.
Oneofthefrenziedaspirationsofthepopulacewas,forimitationsofthequestionablepublicvirtuesofantiquity,andforsacrificesandself-immolationsonthepeople’saltar.
ThereforewhenthePresidentsaid(elsehadhisownheadquiveredonhisshoulders),thatthegoodphysicianoftheRepublicwoulddeservebetterstilloftheRepublicbyrootingoutanobnoxiousfamilyofAristocrats,andwoulddoubtlessfeelasacredglowandjoyinmakinghisdaughterawidowandherchildanorphan,therewaswildexcitement,patrioticfervour,notatouchofhumansympathy.
“Muchinfluencearoundhim,hasthatDoctor?”murmuredMadameDefarge,smilingtoTheVengeance.“Savehimnow,myDoctor,savehim!”
Ateveryjuryman’svote,therewasaroar.Anotherandanother.Roarandroar.
Unanimouslyvoted.AtheartandbydescentanAristocrat,anenemyoftheRepublic,anotoriousoppressorofthePeople.BacktotheConciergerie,andDeathwithinfour-and-twentyhours!
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