Chapter 28 Chapter 20 - A Request

The first to congratulate the newlyweds upon their return home was Sydney Carlton.He showed up within hours of their arrival.There had been no improvement in his habits, appearance, or manner, but he had acquired an air of rude devotion which was new to Charles Darnay. He saw an opportunity to draw Darnay to a corner of a window, and said a few words to him that no one else could hear. "Mr. Darnay," said Carton, "I wish we could be friends." "We're already friends, I hope." "As a courtesy, that's all right, but I don't mean polite. It's not really what I want to be friends with in that sense."

Naturally Charles Darnay asked him what that meant--quite cheerfully and kindly. "I swear on my life," said Carlton, smiling, "I think it's easier to understand it in my heart than it is in yours. I'm willing to try, though. Do you remember the time I lost my mind when I was drunk?" "I remember once you made me admit that you were drunk." "I remember it too. The guilt of being sober always weighed on me, and I will never forget it. I hope that one day - when my life is all over - I will be able to give an account! Take it easy, I am not preaching plan."

"I'm not nervous at all. Your candor never made me nervous." "Ah!" Carlton waved his hand casually, as if to wave away the tension. "During that drunken time I was talking about, that time (you know that was one of my many times) I acted badly about liking or disliking you. I want you to take that forget." "I've long since forgotten about it." "Playing with form again, isn't it! Mr. Darnay, it's not so easy to forget me forever, not as easy as you said. I haven't forgotten, and an understatement answer can't help me forget."

"If my answer is too light," replied Darnay, "I beg your pardon. I am very surprised that you should be so sorry for an event of insignificance which I could only forget. I offer it with the conviction of an honest man." You assure me, I have indeed forgotten all about it. God, what is there to care about! Isn't it the most important thing I can't forget that you helped me so much that day?" "As for the great favor," said Carton, "since you say it so solemnly, I cannot help swearing to you that it was only a device for sensationalism. As to what it will do to you, I will Didn't take it to heart at the time. Watch out! I said then, and I meant the past."

"You are belittling your kindness to me," replied Darnay, "but I will not dispute your belittling." "Quite the truth, Mr. Darnay, believe me! I'm getting off the subject. I was talking about our friendship. You know what I am; you know I can't be noble. That's brilliant. If you don't believe me, ask Stryver, and he'll tell you." "I'd rather not have his help in forming my own opinion." "Well! All in all, you know I'm an indulgent character who has never done anything good and never will." "I never knew your 'never'."

"But I know, you'll have to trust me. Come on! If you'll put up with such a worthless, disreputable person who comes by now and then, I'd like you to give me the privilege of walking around now and then. I I wish to be treated as a useless (I would add, if it were not for my discovery of the similarity of our shapes: not adorning a hall) furniture, tolerated because of years of use, though not Attention. I doubt I'll break your promise. I doubt I'll use this privilege four times in a year (I don't think the odds are 1 in 100). But I dare say , as long as you allow me, I will be satisfied."

"will you come?" "Your words are tantamount to agreeing to the position I demand. Thank you, Darnay. May I enjoy this freedom in your name?" "I agree now, Carlton." They shook hands for that, and Sidney turned away.Within a minute after that his expression was exactly as nonchalant as ever. After he left, Charles Darnay passed the evening with Miss Rose, the doctor, and Mr. Lorry.In the meantime he referred to the conversation in general, and regarded Sidney Carton's question as muddled and reckless, but on the whole his words were not sharp or accusing to him, only Look at him in the way that ordinary people usually hold him from his appearance.

He didn't expect that these words would arouse some thoughts of his young and beautiful wife.Later, when he met her in the inner room, he found her frowning beautifully, looking at him with her usual striking expression. "We've got things on our minds tonight!" Darnay put his arms around her. "Yes, dearest Charles," she said, putting her hand on his chest, and gazing at him intently and questioningly, "we have a lot on our minds tonight, because I feel heavy." "Why, my Lucy?" "If I beg you not to ask, will you promise that you will never force me to answer any questions?"

"Can I promise? What else can I not promise to my heart?" Indeed, what could not promise her?He brushed her blond hair from her face with one hand, and took the heart that beat for him with the other. "I think poor Mr. Carleton deserves more attention and respect. He's a lot better than you make out tonight." "Really, my baby, why?" "That's exactly what you can't ask me. But I think—I know—he does." "Since you know, that's enough. What do you want me to do, my life?" "I want to ask you, my dearest, to always be very generous and generous to him, and to be very tolerant of his faults in his absence. I want you to believe that he has something he seldom shows to anyone. Confidential heart, and a heavy wound in it. My dear, I have seen his heart bleed."

"You are reprimanding me," said Charles Darnay, greatly astonished, "that I have wronged him. It never occurred to me that he was so." "My husband, he is like this. I am afraid that he cannot be changed. There is no hope of changing his character or destiny. But I believe that he can do good things, do noble things, and even excel. something." Her pure faith in this lost man made her so beautiful that her husband could look at her like this for hours. "And, oh, my dearest," urged she, drawing closer to him, laying her head on his breast, and looking up into his eyes, "remember how strong our happiness makes us, and he And how weak his pain made him."

The request moved him deeply. "I will always remember your words, dear darling! I shall remember them as long as I live." He bent over the blond head, pressed the rosy lips to his own, and took her in his arms.Had a forlorn wanderer wandering the dark streets at this moment heard her innocence poured out, and seen the tears kissed by her husband from her beloved blue eyes, he might have looked into the night Shouting, and this may not be the first time that words burst from his lips: "For her sweet sympathy, God bless her!"