Two Cities

Chapter 59
Mr. Lorry, there was still no news of Dr. Manette until ten o'clock. He was worried about always leaving Lucy, so he made the following arrangement: he would go back to Lucy himself, and return to the bank at midnight.During this time Carleton waited for the doctor by the fire alone.

Carlton waited for a long time, the clock struck twelve, and Dr. Manette had not returned.Mr. Lorry is back, but he has no news of him either.Where the hell is the doctor?

They were talking about it, and there was almost some hope in his long absence.At this time, I heard the sound of the doctor coming upstairs.As soon as he entered the hall they saw his face and knew: it was over.

Who did he actually go to, or whether he was wandering the streets all the time, no one knew.He stood there looking at them stupidly.They didn't ask him because his face told it all.

"It's gone," he said. "I'm absolutely going to find it. Where has it gone?"

With his head bald and his collar unbuttoned, he looked around helplessly and said.He took off his coat, only to let it fall on the floor.

"Where's my stool? I've looked everywhere, and there's nothing. What about my work? Where have they got it? There's not much time, and I must finish my shoes."

The two looked at each other: absolutely nothing.

"There, now!" he whispered bitterly, "let me work. Give me back my work."

Without answering, he would pull his hair and stamp his feet like a wayward child. "Stop torturing such poor lonely old men," he begged them mournfully, "give me the work! What shall we do if we can't finish the shoes tonight?"

It's over, it's all over!Attempts to reason with him and try to bring him to his senses were evidently in vain.They seemed to agree with each other, and each of them put a hand on his shoulder, urged him to sit down before the fire, and promised to find him a job at once.The doctor collapsed in the chair and looked at Ashes foolishly, weeping.Mr. Lorry saw him shrink back to the state when Defarge took care of him at first, as if everything that happened after the attic period was just a momentary illusion.

Though both men were terrified by the spectacle of soul-destruction, time did not allow them to express their emotions.His lonely daughter made the two of them very sad. She had no hope and support at all.Once again, the two had a tacit understanding and looked at each other with the same meaning on their faces.Carlton spoke first:

"Originally there were few opportunities, but now even the opportunity behind him is lost. Yes, the doctor had better go to his daughter. But before you leave, can you take a moment to listen to me carefully? I have some conditions , and you promise to do something—don’t ask me why, I have reasons, good reasons.”

"I believe it," replied Mr. Lorry; "speak!" The man seated between the two was sobbing up and down without change.The two chatted in the tone of guarding a patient at night.Carlton bent to pick up the doctor's coat - it even caught his foot.A small box fell to the floor. It was the doctor's work diary.Carlton picked it up, and there was a folded note in it.We have to take a look!He said.Mr. Lorry nodded his approval.Carlton opened the note and exclaimed, "Thank God!"

"What's the matter?" Mr. Lorry asked quickly. "Wait a minute! Let's talk about this opportunity," he took out another one from his pocket. "First, this is my passport. Look carefully, Sidney Carton, an Englishman, is there anything wrong?"

Mr. Lorry stared into his stern face, holding the open note. "Keep this for me until tomorrow. You must not have forgotten that I am going to visit Darnay to-morrow, and it is better not to take this pass to prison."

"Why?" "I don't know, I always think it's better not to bring it. You put this certificate on Dr. Manette's body. This is an equally valid document. With it, he, his daughter and grandson will have a good time." Can go through roadblocks and borders at any time, right? You see that right?"

"Hmm!" "He probably got this certificate yesterday, as a last resort to prevent misfortune. When was it issued? But it doesn't matter, don't look at it, and keep it carefully with my certificate and yours Listen! I thought until an hour or two ago that he had, or might have, the certificate. It is valid until it is revoked, but it may be revoked soon, and I believe it will eventually be revoked. Revoked." "Are they even in danger?" "Extremely dangerous. They may be sued by Madame Defarge. I heard it from her own mouth. I overheard the woman's words tonight, quite severely, I found out that they were also in danger. Without delay, I went to the spy, who confirmed my opinion. He knew that the Defarges had a sawyer who lived by the prison wall. Defarge Madame had rehearsed it with him, asked him to say, seen her—he never mentioned Lucy's name—gesturing and signaling with prisoners. The fabricated charges were easy to estimate, very commonplace: Prison Conspiracy. It would put her life in danger, not even her children, maybe even her father, because they were seen at the wall too. Don't worry, you can save them."

"May God help me to do it, Carton! But how shall I save them?"

"Let me tell you. It depends on you, you are the most reliable person. The denunciation will definitely not take place until after tomorrow, or even two or three days later, or even a week later. You are very clear about the victims of the guillotine. Mourning or sympathy would be beheaded. She and her father would certainly be charged with the crime, and this woman (whose willful temper is beyond description) would pick the occasion to add it, making herself Victory. Do you know what I mean?"

"I listened carefully and believed your words so much that I even forgot his pain," he said, touching the back of the doctor's chair. "You have money, and you can hire transportation as long as you can leave. You must go to the seaside at top speed. You have been planning to return to England for a while. Get the carriage ready early tomorrow morning, and start at two o'clock in the afternoon."

"Absolutely get ready." Carlton was enthusiastic and exciting, and Mr. Lorry was ignited by his flame, as refreshing as a young man. "You have a good heart, and have I not said that you are the most reliable? Tell her tonight all you know: her own danger, her child's danger, and her father's danger. Highlight the child's and father's danger , because she is willing to put her beautiful head and her husband's head together." He paused for a moment, and then continued as before, to let her understand that for the safety of the child and her father, she absolutely must be at that moment Take them and escape Paris with you.Tell her it's her husband's decision.Tell her that this may have consequences that she cannot believe and dare not hope for.Do you think it is possible for her father to obey her even in his present miserable state?
"I think so." "I think so too. Be quiet, steady, and get ready! Wait in the yard below, get in the car and sit down first. I'll start as soon as I arrive." "You mean to Do I have to wait for you anyway?" "You have a pass for me and other people in your hand, you understand, and you have to reserve a seat for me. Don't worry about anything else, just wait for someone to take my seat and run away England." "Well," said Mr. Lorry, taking his warm hand, "it depends not only on an old man, but on an enthusiastic young man!" I solemnly swear that the plans we have now committed to each other will not be altered by any influence." "I swear, Carlton."

"Tomorrow, we must never forget this sentence: no matter what the reason is, as long as the plan is touched or the time is delayed, it will not save lives. Several lives will be lost."

"I remember. I look forward to completing the task satisfactorily." "Me too. Goodbye!" Although he smiled seriously and almost put the old man's hand to his lips and kissed it, he did not leave immediately.He helped him to rouse the sick who huddled before the fire, helped him to put on his coat and hat, and persuaded him to look for the place where the bench and work were hidden, for he was still whimpering, and he walked on the side of the sick , took him to another yard.There was a heart that was suffering the long night—to that heart he confessed his solitude on a day to be remembered, and that was his happy time.He walked into the yard, looked up at the lights in her room, stood alone for a long time, and then left after blessing the lights.

(End of this chapter)