A Tale of Two Cities

But when they came to the town of Beauvais-which they did at eventide, when the streets were filled with people-he could not conceal from himself that the aspect of affairs was very alarming. An ominous crowd gathered to see him dismount of the posting-yard, and many voices called out loudly, «Down with the emigrant!»

He stopped in the act of swinging himself out of his saddle, and, resuming it as his safest place, said:

«Emigrant, my friends! Do you not see me here, in France, of my own will?»

«You are a cursed emigrant,» cried a farrier, making at him in a furious manner through the press, hammer in hand; «and you are a cursed aristocrat!»

The postmaster interposed himself between this man and the rider's bridle (at which he was evidently making), and soothingly said, «Let him be; let him be! He will be judged at Paris.»

«Judged!» repeated the farrier, swinging his hammer. «Ay! and condemned as a traitor.» At this the crowd roared approval.

Checking the postmaster, who was for turning his horse's head to the yard (the drunken patriot sat composedly in his saddle looking on, with the line round his wrist), Darnay said, as soon as he could make his voice heard:

«Friends, you deceive yourselves, or you are deceived. I am not a traitor.»

«He lies!» cried the smith. «He is a traitor since the decree. His life is forfeit to the people. His cursed life is not his own!»

At the instant when Darnay saw a rush in the eyes of the crowd, which another instant would have brought upon him, the postmaster turned his horse into the yard, the escort rode in close upon his horse's flanks, and the postmaster shut and barred the crazy double gates. The farrier struck a blow upon them with his hammer, and the crowd groaned; but, no more was done.

«What is this decree that the smith spoke of?» Darnay asked the postmaster, when he had thanked him, and stood beside him in the yard.