Chapter 44 Chapter Twelve

Sidney Carton stopped in the street.He didn't know where to go. "Meet me at Tellson's Bank Building at nine," he thought. "Wouldn't it be nice for me to go out and show my face at this hour? I don't think so. It'd be better to let them know that there's a man like me here. It's a precaution, and perhaps a necessary preparation. Still, Be careful, be careful! I have to think carefully!" He was walking towards a goal, but stopped, and walked up the darkened street.He turned a corner or two, weighing the possible consequences of his thoughts.He confirmed his first impression. "Better," he finally decided, "let these people know that there's someone like me." So he turned and walked towards the Saint-Antoine Quarter.

Defarge had stated that day that he was an innkeeper in the suburb of Saint-Antoine.People who are familiar with the city can find his house without asking.Having ascertained the location of the house, Mr. Carton came out of the narrow street, dined in a snack bar, and fell asleep after dinner.For the first time in many years he was free of hard liquor.Since last night, he has only drank a little light wine with low alcohol content.He had slowly poured brandy into Mr. Lorry's fireplace the night before, and seemed to be done with it forever. When he woke up with a clear head, it was already seven o'clock.He went to the street again.On the way to St. Antoine he stopped at a shop window.There was a mirror there, and he adjusted his crooked bow, coat collar, and unkempt hair a little, then went straight to the Defarge Hotel and walked in.

It happened that there were no customers in the shop except the scratching Jacques Three with his low voice.He had seen this man in the jury, and he was standing in front of the cabinet, drinking and chatting with the Defarges.Nemesis also talks to them like a full member of the hotel. Carlton went in, sat down, and ordered a small amount of wine in very broken French.Madame Defarge glanced at him casually, then took a good look at him, then looked at him a little while longer, and finally went up to him herself, and asked what he would like. He repeats what he has said. "English?" asked Madame Defarge, raising her black eyebrows questioningly.

He looked at her, as if the French word had taken him a long time to understand, and replied, with that strong foreign accent, "Yes, ma'am, yes, I am English." Madame Defarge went back to the bar to get her wine.As he picked up a Jacobin newspaper and pretended to read it with difficulty, guessing its meaning, he heard her say, "I swear to you, it's like Evremonde!" Defarge brought him wine and said "good evening." "what?" "good evening." "Ah! good evening, citizen," he poured into his glass. "Ah! Good wine. To the Republic."

Defarge returned to the counter and said, "It's a bit similar." The proprietress retorted with a serious face, "I said it was very similar." Jacques No. 3 said calmly, "That's because you always have that person in your heart, do you understand? Madame." Fury smiled cheerfully, "Yes, you are right! You are looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow with all your heart!" Carleton pointed slowly at the newspaper with his finger, and read it intently, line by line.The few people huddled together with their arms on the platform and talked in low voices.They stared at him for a while in silence, without disturbing his concentration on the editor of the Jacobin newspaper, and then resumed their conversation.

"The proprietress is right," said Jacques Three. "Why should we stop here? There is still a lot of potential, why should we stop here?" "Well, well," said Defarge, "let's end somewhere! So where?" "Until the weeds are cut and rooted," said the proprietress. "Excellent," said Jacques Three in a low voice.Nemesis is also very much in favor. "Extermination is a good theory, my wife," said Defarge, perplexed. "In general, I have no objection. But the doctor has suffered too much. You have seen how he is today. When you read the manuscript Also observed his face.",

"I've watched his face," said the landlady, angrily, contemptuously. "Yes, I have looked at his face. I have observed that it is not the face of a true friend of the Republic. He had better be careful with that face!" "Observe, too, madam," begged Defarge, "his daughter's pain, which is also a terrible torment to the doctor!"' "I have observed his daughter," repeated the landlady, "yes, I have observed his daughter, more than once. I have observed it today, and I have observed it at other times. In the courtroom, in the prison I also observed it on the street next to it. I only need to raise a finger_" She roughly raised her finger (the audience's eyes were fixed on the newspaper), and chopped it on the shelf in front of her, as if it had been chopped off by an axe. .

"Excellent female citizen," said the juror in a low voice. "Simply an angel!" Fury said and hugged her. "As for you," the proprietress said unceremoniously to her husband, "fortunately, this matter is not up to you to decide. If it were up to you, you might go to save that person right now." "No!" protested Defarge. "Even if lifting this cup could save him, I wouldn't! But I hope to stop here. I said, stop here." "Look, Jacques," said Madame Defarge furiously, "see also, my little revenge. Come and see, both of you! Listen! In my records I have also recorded the rest of the family. The crimes of rampant domineering and oppressing the people are destined to be wiped out and wiped out. You ask me if it is like this."

"That's right," Defarge answered without asking. "The great days had just begun. When the Bastille was captured, he found today's manuscript and brought it home. When the door was closed in the middle of the night and no one was there, we were together in this place and under this lamp." Read it. Ask him if that's the case." "Yes," agreed Defarge. "That night, after the manuscript was read, the lights were out, and it was beginning to get dark outside the shutters and fences. I told him then that I had a secret to tell him. Ask him if that's the case."

"Yes," admitted Defarge for the second time. "I told him the secret. I told him, beating my chest with both hands as I do now, 'Defarge, I was brought up among fishermen by the sea. That Bastille manuscript describes The peasant family that Brother Evremonde ravaged is my family, Defarge, the sister of the young man lying mortally wounded, is my sister, and the husband is my sister's husband, that The child who has not seen the light of day is their child, the father is my father, the dead are my blood, and the call to settle blood falls on me. Ask him, is it It's not like this."

"Yes," admitted Defarge again. "Then you go and tell Feng and Huo how to do this," the proprietress replied, "don't talk nonsense with me." The two who listened to her had a terrible enjoyment of her fatal rage, and both praised her words--though the spectator did not look at her, But also felt that she had already turned pale.Defarge, who was in the slight minority, said something like "You should remember the Marquise who sympathized with them", but his wife only replied by repeating the last sentence, "Go tell the wind and Let Huo Jiahe stop here, don't talk nonsense with me." A customer came in, and several people dispersed.The English customer paid his bill, counted with difficulty the change given to him, and asked, as a stranger, the way to the Palais des Nations.Madame Defarge led him to the door, leaning her arm on his, and showed him the way.The British customers were not unresponsive: it would be a great act of kindness if they could grab that arm and lift it up, then stab it deeply. Still, he made his way, and was soon swallowed up by the shadows of the prison walls.At the appointed time, he stepped out of the shadows and went to Mr. Lorry's house to attend the appointment.He found that the old gentleman was walking up and down.Mr. Lorry said anxiously that he had been with Lucy, and had only been here a few minutes before.Lucy's father left the bank at four o'clock and has not returned.Lucy held out some hope that his intervention might save Charles, but the hope was slim.He has been gone for more than five hours, where might he have gone? Mr. Lorry, we waited until ten o'clock. There was still no news from Dr. Manette. He was worried about leaving Lucy, so he made arrangements: he would go back to Lucy himself first, and then return to the bank at midnight.During this time Carlton waited for the doctor by the fire alone. Carlton waited and waited, the clock struck twelve, and Dr. Manette did not return.Mr. Lorry came back, but he had not heard from him.Where did the doctor go? They were discussing it, and there was almost hope in his long absence.At this time, the sound of the doctor's footsteps coming upstairs was heard.As soon as he entered the door, everything became clear: it was over. Whether he really went to see someone, or has been wandering the streets, no one knows.He stood there staring at them.They didn't ask him, because his face said it all. "I can't find it," he said. "I must. Where is it?" With his head bald and his collar unbuttoned, he looked around helplessly and said.He took off his coat, but let it fall to the ground. "Where's my stool? I've searched everywhere and can't find it. What's my job? Where have they got it? I'm running out of time. I have to finish the shoes." The two looked at each other: it was all over. ． "There, now!" he whispered bitterly, "let me work. Give me my work." He pulled his hair and stomped his feet when he didn't get an answer, like a wayward child. "Don't torture a poor lonely old man," he begged them mournfully, "give me the work! If we can't finish the shoes tonight, what shall we?" It's over, it's over! Trying to reason with him, trying to make him sober, was obviously useless.There seemed to be a perfect agreement between them--one put a hand on his shoulder, persuaded him to sit down before the fire, and told him to find work for him at once.The doctor collapsed in the chair and stared at the ashes, weeping.Mr. Lorry watched him completely shrink back to the appearance when Defarge took care of him, as if everything that happened after the attic period was just a momentary illusion. Though both were terrified by the spectacle of soul-destroying, time did not allow them to reveal their emotions.His lonely daughter was too much for both of them. She had lost her last hope and support.The two once again showed a tacit understanding, looking at each other, with the same meaning on their faces.Carlton was the first to speak: "There were not many chances, and now there are none. Yes, the doctor had better go to his daughter. But before you go, can you take a moment to listen to me carefully? I want Put forward some conditions, and ask you to promise me to do something -- don't ask me why, I have reasons, and I have good reasons." "I don't doubt it," replied Mr. Lorry, "tell me!" The person sitting between the two had been sobbing monotonously up and down.The two chatted in the tone of people who were waiting by the hospital bed at night. Carton stooped to pick up the doctor's coat - it nearly caught his feet.A small box slipped to the floor, which the doctor used to log his work schedule.Carlton picked it up, and there was a folded note in it. "We should take a look!" he said.Mr. Lorry nodded in agreement.Carlton opened the note and exclaimed, "Thank God!" "What is it?" asked Mr. Lorry hastily. "Wait a minute! We'll talk about that later." He took another slip of paper from his pocket. "First of all, here's my pass. Look, Sidney Carton, English, isn't he?" Mr. Lorry held the opened note and looked into his earnest face. "Keep this thing for me until tomorrow. You remember, I'm going to see Erles tomorrow, and I'd better not take this pass to jail." "why?" "I can't tell, but I think it's better not to carry it. You keep this certificate on Dr. Manette's body. It's the same document. With it, he and his daughter and grandson can pass the barricade at any time." And borders, right? You see that clearly?" "See clearly!" "Perhaps he got this certificate yesterday, as a last resort against misfortune. When was it issued? But that doesn't matter. Don't read it. Keep it carefully with my certificate and yours. Note ! An hour or two ago I believed he had or might have signed such a certificate. The certificate is valid until revoked, but it may be revoked immediately, and I have reason to believe it will be Revoked." "Are they even in danger?" "Very dangerous. They may be accused by Madame Defarge. I heard her say it herself. I heard the woman's voice very severely this evening, and I realized that they were also in danger. I wasted no time, Immediately went for a spy, who confirmed my opinion. He knew that Mr. and Mrs. Defarge had a sawyer who lived near the prison wall. Madame Defarge had rehearsed with him, and asked him to Said, 'saw her' ___ he never mentioned Lucy's name--'signed to the prisoner, gave the signal.' Their lives are in danger, maybe even her children, maybe even her father, because they were also seen by the big wall. You don't have to be panic-stricken, you can save them." "God bless me if I can, Carton! But how can I save them?" "Let me tell you. It's up to you, you're the most reliable person. This revelation will definitely not take place until after tomorrow, maybe two or three days later, more likely a week later. You know To express mourning or sympathy for the victims of the guillotine is the crime of decapitation. She and her father would no doubt be charged with this crime, and this woman (whose wicked, determined temper is beyond description) will bide her time. Adding this charge makes him invincible. Do you understand what I mean?" "I listened very carefully and believed your words so much that I even forgot his pain for a moment," he said, touching the back of the doctor's chair. "You have money, and you can hire transport if you can arrange departure. Go to the sea as quickly as possible. You have already made preparations to return to England for a few days. Get the carriage ready early tomorrow morning, and start at two o'clock in the afternoon. " "Be sure to be prepared." Carleton was warm and encouraging, and Mr. Lorry was kindled by his fire with the joy of a young man. "You have a noble heart. Didn't I say you were the surest of men? Tell her tonight what you know: her own danger, her child's danger, and her father's danger. Emphasize the child's and father's danger, because she It is possible to put her beautiful head and her husband's head happily together." He hesitated for a moment, then continued as before, "let her understand that for the safety of the child and the father, she must be at that moment. Take them both and leave Paris with you. Tell her that this is her husband's last arrangement. Tell her that it may have results that she cannot believe nor hope for. You believe that her father, even at the present Will you obey her in such a miserable situation?" "I believe it will." "I believe it too. Be quiet, be solid, and get ready! Wait in the yard below, and even get in the car to sit. Just let me get in the car and go as soon as I arrive." "Do you mean that I will wait for you no matter what happens?" "You've got a pass for me and someone else, you know, and you've got a seat for me. You don't care about anything else, but go back to England when my seat is filled." "Then," said Mr. Lorry, taking his eager and firm hand, "it's not just an old man, but an enthusiastic young man beside me!" "God bless, it is! Please solemnly assure me that the plan we have committed to each other at this moment will not be changed by any influence." "I promise, Carlton.", "Keep this in mind tomorrow: If, for whatever reason, a plan is changed or time is delayed, lives will not be saved. Several lives will be lost in vain." "I remember. I hope to get the job done reliably." "I also hope to complete my task. Goodbye!" Although he smiled solemnly and even put the old man's hand to his lips and kissed it, he didn't leave immediately.He helped him to rouse the invalid who was heaving before the fire, put on his coat and cap, and advised him to seek out the hiding place of the bench and work, for he was still whimpering, and he walked among the sick. On the other side, protecting him came to the yard of another building.There was an aching heart in the dreadful torment of the long night--to which on one memorable day he had confessed his lonely heart, and that had been his happy hour.He walked into the yard, looked up at the lights in her room, stood alone for a long time, and then bid farewell to the lights and left.