Two Cities

Chapter 42
"I repeat Mr. Darnay: I am sorry. I am sorry that you have asked such an unusual question. There is a man who has given up his property to The worst hooligan in the world and a man who educates youth knows him. You ask me why, well, I will tell you the answer. I believe that such bad people spread poison And to be disappointed, that's my reason."

Considering the need for secrecy, Darnay restrained himself with all his strength and said, "You may not know this gentleman well."

"But I know how to disprove what you say, Mr. Darnay," said the always condescending Stryver. "Let me tell you. If the fellow is a gentleman, I can't figure it out anyway. You can Say this in front of him - and give him my compliments. You can also tell him instead of me, I really can't figure out why he didn't become a grasshopper after giving up all his wealth and status in the world to these murderous thugs But, no, gentlemen," Stryver looked around, clacking his fingers loudly, "I know something about human nature, and I can tell you that a man like him is I would never put myself at the disposal of such precious subordinates. No, gentlemen, every time there is a movement, he has long since slipped away, and he is nowhere to be seen."

Having said this, Mr. Stryver clattered his hands together again, and rushed out the door to the applause of the audience, and set foot on Fleet Street.Mr. Lorry and Charles Darnay remained alone at the table after the others had gone.

"Can you deliver this letter for me?" said Mr. Lorry. "Do you know where to give the letter to the addressee?"

"I know." "Could you explain to the recipient that we estimate that the letter was sent here because we hoped that we could forward it. In fact, it has not been a day or two since the letter has been left here."

"I'll explain. Are you going to Paris from here?" "Yes. At eight." "I'll be right back to see you off."

Feeling uneasy about many people, Darnay walked to a quiet corner of the Law Society as soon as possible, opened the letter and read it. The letter reads as follows:
Paris, Monastery Prison, June 1792 Former Monsieur Marquis: After long risking death, I was finally caught, treated inhumanly and humiliated, and was taken to Paris on foot for a long distance, constantly were humiliated.And if that wasn't enough, my house was destroyed—a ruin.

Monsieur ex-Marquis, I hear them say, that the crime that will bring me to prison, to trial, and even to sacrifice (if not rescued by your generosity) is because I have served a fugitive nobleman, against the people, and betrayed the prestige of the people.I pleaded that I did them at your behest and did not stop them at all, but to no avail.I pleaded that I had exempted the fugitive nobles from their dues long before the property was confiscated, that no money had been collected, and that no suit had been brought, but still to no avail.

Their only answer was, since I was working for the fleeing nobles, where did the nobles flee to?
Ah, with mercy ex-Monsieur, where is the fugitive nobleman?I cry in my dream, where is he?I looked up at the sky, wondering if he would come to rescue me?But did not get an answer.O former Monsieur Marquis, I send abroad my sorrow, which I cannot tell to anyone, May it be heard by you through the great Tellson's Bank of Paris!

For the love of Heaven, of justice, of generosity, of your noble name, I sincerely hope that you, ex-Marquis, will help me and save me.It was my mistake to be sincere to you.Ah, former Monsieur Marquis, I also hope that you are sincere and honest with me!
From this dreadful prison, I pledge for you what little strength I have left, though I am always on the verge of ruin, former Monsieur the Marquis.

Your devastated Gabor's letter turned Darnay's deepest anxiety into deep remorse.A good old man whose only sin is loyalty to him and his family.The danger to him seemed to stare at him now with resentment.Therefore, when he was wandering in the Law Society and thinking of ways, he basically didn't have the courage to look at the crowds coming and going.

He knew well that, despite his abhorrence of the meanness and conduct that brought his old family into disrepute, despite his disgusting suspicion of his uncle, despite his conscience loathing the statement that should have been his support The declining family, but his approach is not thorough.He knew very well that although leaving the so-called position was not a new idea that had just emerged and had been carefully considered, since he fell in love with Lucy, he would inevitably speed up his pace and stop at the shallow end.He understands that a perfect overall arrangement should be made and supervised by him to complete it, but this is just an idea, and he has not actually done it.The bliss of his chosen English home and the need for perpetual active work, and the rapid changes of the times, the incessant troubles--one week's plans overturn the half-baked plans of the previous week, and the events of the next He also asked for a new deployment. Such a situation made him unable to follow his own plan and had to follow the development of the general environment.He was aware of this, and not without uneasiness, but without a continual and increasing resistance to it.He often pays attention to the pattern of the times, trying to find an opportunity to act, but the situation is constantly changing, which leads to delays.Then the aristocrats began to flee in large numbers through places in France where they could escape.The properties of the nobles were confiscated and destroyed one after another, and even the surnames were almost erased.In fact, all this is very clear, and he knows the new regime in France related to him.

But he oppressed no one, never imprisoned anyone.Not only did he stay away from excessive taxation, but he also voluntarily gave up his share of income, and went to a fair world, where he found his status and obtained what he deserved by himself.Mr Garber followed his written instructions to dispose of his decaying estate.He asked Gabor to be sympathetic to the people and give them everything he could pay them—the firewood left after paying off their debts in winter, and the agricultural products left for them in summer.Mr. Garber, for his own safety, has no doubt put forward the relevant information in his own defense, and now he has to make all this known to everyone.

This idea prompted Charles Darnay to finally make a decision: to go to Paris.

Yes, like the old sailor in the old story, the wind and the current had carried him into the magnetosphere of the magnetic reef, as if the reef held him there with great allurement.Everything that occurred to him was pushing him more and more swiftly and forcefully toward that terrible magnetism.There was a trace of uneasiness in his heart: some bad people in his own country were pursuing their so-called expectations.He knew he was better than them, but he was not there to try to stop the bloodshed, to uphold the demands of love and humanity.He was both oppressed and guilty, and he couldn't help drawing a sharp contrast between himself and the brave old man with a strong sense of responsibility.The uninterested comparison immediately made him feel that the Marquis was sneering, and that kind of laughter made him unable to face himself.He felt Stryver's sneer, too, a sneer that was especially wild and bewildering.Not to mention Gabor's letter: a prisoner who did not commit a crime, whose life was in danger, demanded justice, honor, and a real reputation.

He made up his mind: he must go to Paris.Yes, the magnetic reef attracts him, and he must go on until he hits the reef.He does not know what difficulties are, and sees no difficulties.What he had done, though not impeccable, had a purpose to be felt by others, and he felt that he would be grateful if he showed signs of it in France.Then, all kinds of fantasies of the glory of doing good rose before him, which are the optimistic mirages of so many people with lofty ideals.He even had an illusion that he could do something and lead the current unbridled revolution onto the right path.

Even though he has made a decision, he is still hesitating.He felt that neither Lucy nor her father should know about it until he was gone.He didn't want Lucy to suffer the pain of parting, and the past was a sensitive topic for her father that needed to be avoided all the time, so he could only let him accept the fait accompli instead of letting him suffer the pain of worry and trance all the time.As to how much her father should be made aware of the disadvantages of his situation, he did not think much of the question, for he took pains not to bring up the old French memory in the old man's mind.This is one of the reasons why he left without saying goodbye.

He paced the room, thinking hastily, until it was time to go back to the bank and say good-bye to Mr. Lorry.He planned to see his old friend as soon as he arrived in Paris, but now his plans were known only to himself.

There was a carriage in front of the bank, the horses were ready, Jerry had his boots on, everything was ready.

"I have delivered that letter," Charles Darnay told Rory. "I don't agree with asking you to bring a written answer, but if you are asked to bring a message, you should have no objection?"

"Yes, I should be glad," said Mr. Lorry, "if there is no danger."

"Of course not, though it was brought to a prisoner at the Priory Gaol." "What's his name?" said Mr. Lorry, holding the open notebook.

"Gabbar." "Gabbar. What message do I need to take to the poor Gabor in prison?"

"It's simple: 'The letter has been received and he's coming right away.'" "Has he let you know when?" "He's leaving tomorrow night." "Anyone else mentioned?"

"No." He helped Mr. Lorry put on his heavy clothes and wrapped himself up, and walked with him out of the warm air of the old bank and into the mist of Fleet Street. "Send my love to Lucy and little Lucy," said old Rory when they parted, "take good care of them until I come back." Charles Darnay shook his head as the carriage left, and smiled deeply.

He stayed up late on the night of August [-]th to write two passionate letters.One to Lucy, explaining that he had an important mission to go to Paris, explaining to her in detail the grounds for his belief that he would be safe there.The other letter was to the doctor, begging him to take care of Lucy and their dear child, giving likewise reasons why it would be safe, and trying to make sure nothing happened.To both he promised to write as soon as they arrived in Paris saying they were safe.

Time seemed to pass very slowly that day, and it was really unbearable to deceive them in good faith who were honest and innocent.He looked tenderly at his wife, who was happily busy, and decided in his heart that he would not tell her what was going to happen (he had almost tried to tell her, because he felt awkward doing anything without her) .The day flew by.At dusk he hugged her and her baby, who had the same name as her and was just as cute, pretending to be back soon.Thus he entered into the heavy fog of the street, with a very heavy heart.

Leaving the two letters in the hands of a trusty porter to deliver them at 11:30 p.m., as he must, he mounted his horse for Dover and set off on his journey. "For love of Heaven, of justice, of generosity, of your noble name!" was the cry of the poor prisoner.It was with this call that he summoned up courage, and he gave up everything he held dear here, and headed for the magnetic reef that drew him.

(End of this chapter)