A Tale of Two Cities

«You think it necessary to keep the unfortunate gentleman so retired?»

«I think it necessary to turn the key.» Monsieur Defarge whispered it closer in his ear, and frowned heavily.

«Why?»

«Why! Because he has lived so long, locked up, that he would be frightened-rave-tear himself to pieces-die-come to I know not what harm-if his door was left open.»

«Is it possible!» exclaimed Mr. Lorry.

«Is it possible!» repeated Defarge, bitterly. «Yes. And a beautiful world we live in, when it is possible, and when many other such things are possible, and not only possible, but done-done, see you!-under that sky there, every day. Long live the Devil. Let us go on.»

This dialogue had been held in so very low a whisper, that not a word of it had reached the young lady's ears. But, by this time she trembled under such strong emotion, and her face expressed such deep anxiety, and, above all, such dread and terror, that Mr. Lorry felt it incumbent on him to speak a word or two of reassurance.

«Courage, dear miss! Courage! Business! The worst will be over in a moment; it is but passing the room-door, and the worst is over. Then, all the good you bring to him, all the relief, all the happiness you bring to him, begin. Let our good friend here, assist you on that side. That's well, friend Defarge. Come, now. Business, business!»

They went up slowly and softly. The staircase was short, and they were soon at the top. There, as it had an abrupt turn in it, they came all at once in sight of three men, whose heads were bent down close together at the side of a door, and who were intently looking into the room to which the door belonged, through some chinks or holes in the wall. On hearing footsteps close at hand, these three turned, and rose, and showed themselves to be the three of one name who had been drinking in the wine-shop.

«I forgot them in the surprise of your visit,» explained Monsieur Defarge. «Leave us, good boys; we have business here.»

The three glided by, and went silently down.

There appearing to be no other door on that floor, and the keeper of the wine-shop going straight to this one when they were left alone, Mr. Lorry asked him in a whisper, with a little anger: