A Tale of Two Cities

chapter 4

I beg you, sir, carry on.

- Certainly, I will say everything. Do you have the strength to hear it?

- I want to put up with everything, if not for the uncertainty.

- Perfectly ! You have more composure, you own yourself better. (Mr. Lorry's accent belied his words). A simple affair! do not consider it otherwise; a case that must be finished. I continue: if the doctor's wife had conceived so much grief before the birth ...

- From his daughter, sir.

- Precisely. This is a simple matter, miss, don't be sorry. If the doctor's wife, wishing to spare her daughter the anguish which the captive's tortures made her undergo, had told the child, as soon as she could understand her, that her father was dead! ... In the name of Heaven why you kneel.

- So that you tell me the truth; please sir, you are so good!

- A simple matter, miss, you confuse me; how can I deal with it, if you trouble me like that? We have to keep our cool. If you were good enough to tell me what the total of nine pence is multiplied by nine; or how many shillings are in thirty guineas, I would be much more at my ease, more reassured about you. "Miss Manette, without answering this question directly, regained enough self-control to calm Mr. Lorry in her turn.

"Very well," said the bank man, "very good, dear young lady; courage ! this is serious business. Your mother therefore resolved to hide the doctor's imprisonment from you; and, when she died of grief, without having been able to obtain the slightest news from her husband, she left you a calm and peaceful future which enabled you to grow in beauty, without your youth being darkened by the devouring anxiety that had broken heart. "

As he said these words, he lowered a moving gaze to Miss Manette's wavy hair, which he pictured to himself as white before age with hopeless pain.

“The doctor and his wife,” he continued, “were of meager fortune, and today you own everything that ever belonged to them. We haven't discovered anything in this regard; for you, it is not about any sum or any property ... "He felt the girl's fingers grip his wrist tighter, and stop short. The expressive lines of Miss Manette’s forehead, which had struck Mr. Lorry so vividly, bore witness to deep pain and horror.

"We have found him," stammered the worthy man; he still lives. He is well changed, well aged; it’s just a shadow; but still he is alive. A former servant who lives in Paris gave him asylum, and it is for this reason that we are going to France, me to establish his identity, if it is possible to recognize him, and you, dear young lady, to remind him of him. life, and surround it with care and love. "

A shiver ran through all of the girl's limbs.

"He's not the one I'm going to find," she said in a low voice, "he's a specter.

"Come, dear miss," interrupted M. Lorry, clapping his companion's hands; you know everything now, you have nothing to fear. We are leaving for France, where your father is waiting for us; the weather is nice ; favorable tide; our journey will not be long or difficult.I was free, I was happy, continued Miss Manette, still speaking as in a dream; and his shadow never appeared to reproach me for my joy!

"One more thing," resumed Mr. Lorry, pressing on his words, hoping to attract the young girl's attention; the doctor no longer bears his name. It is useless to wonder why; no need to investigate whether he had been forgotten in his dungeon, or whether the detention he was to undergo was of a fixed length. The slightest inquiry into him would not only be a vain thing, but it could be dangerous; it is much wiser not to say a word about it to anyone, and to return immediately to London with the ex-prisoner. Myself, who am covered by my dual status as an Englishman and agent of a house very important for the credit of France, I believe I should avoid alluding to this affair. I do not have a single writing in which the fact is mentioned; my credentials, the papers that must open certain doors for me, the words that I must answer, everything is included in this simple word: Risen! But she can't hear me! What is it, Miss Manette? ... "Completely still, not even leaning back in her chair, eyes open and terror on her forehead, the girl had passed out. She still squeezed the gentleman's arm so tightly that the gentleman, not daring to tear himself away from her embrace, for fear of hurting her, called for help, without moving.

A terrified woman, whose red hair, colorful face, narrow dress, disheveled headdress, crowned with a bushel-like hat, hurried into the room, and hastily snatched the representative off, in spite of his emotion. of Tellsone to the young girl's clenched fingers, and sent her, with the back of his hand, falling against the wall.

She was made to be a man, thought Mr. Lorry, touching the wall.

- What are you doing here? the virago bellowed, addressing the people at the hotel. Why don't you go get some vinegar instead of looking at me like a curious beast? I am not something so beautiful to see. Quick, a bottle, some salts, some cold water! "As everyone fled in search of these comforters, the woman in the odd hat would stretch Miss Manette down on the sofa, and take care of her with as much gentleness as skill.

"My beautiful! my warbler! murmured this woman, in a voice moved, spreading with pride the hair of the young girl. And you, the man in brown! she cried, turning to Mr. Lorry, couldn't you tell him your news without putting her in this condition? Do you see his pallor, his cold hands, his dead eyes! Is it the act of a banker, I ask you? "

Excessively embarrassed to answer this question, Mr. Lorry looked away humbly and contrite, while the strong woman, having once again kicked the people out of the hotel with a: "You will see! Who threatened them with some sort of correction, gradually brought the young girl to herself, and managed, with her caresses, to make her rest her head on his vigorous shoulder.

"I hope she's completely recovered," Mr. Lorry whispered.