and in a mysterious and guilty manner, Mr. Lorry hacked the

shoemaker’s bench to pieces, while Miss Pross held the candle as

if she were assisting at a murderfor which, indeed, in her

grimness, she was no unsuitable figure. The burning of the body

(previously reduced to pieces convenient for the purpose) was

commenced without delay in the kitchen fire; and the tools, shoes,

and leather, were buried in the garden. So wicked do destruction

and secrecy appear to honest minds, that Mr. Lorry and Miss

Pross, while engaged in the commission of their deed and in the

removal of its traces, almost felt, and almost looked, like

accomplices in a horrible crime.

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Chapter XXVI

A PLEA

W

hen the newly-married pair came home, the first person

who appeared, to offer his congratulations, was Sydney

Carton. They had not been at home many hours, when

he presented himself. He was not improved in habits, or in looks,

or in manner; but there was a certain rugged air of fidelity about

him, which was new to the observation of Charles Darnay.

He watched his opportunity of taking Darnay aside into a

window, and of speaking to him when no one overheard.

“Mr. Darnay,” said Carton, “I wish we might be friends.”

“We are already friends, I hope.”

“You are good enough to say so, as a fashion of speech; but, I

don’t mean any fashion of speech. Indeed, when I say I wish we

might be friends, I scarcely mean quite that, either.”

Charles Darnayas was naturalasked him, in all good

humour and good-fellowship, what he did mean?

“Upon my life,” said Carton, smiling, “I find that easier to

comprehend in my own mind, than to convey to yours. However,

let me try. You remember a certain famous occasion when I was

more drunk thanthan usual?”

“I remember a certain famous occasion when you forced me to

confess that you had been drinking.”

“I remember it too. The curse of those occasions is heavy upon

me, for I always remember them. I hope it may be taken into

account one day, when all days are at an end for me! Don’t be

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

alarmed; I am not going to preach.”

“I am not at all alarmed. Earnestness in you, is anything but

alarming to me.”

“Ah!” said Carton, with a careless wave of his hand, as if he

waved that away. “On the drunken occasion in question (one of a

large number, as you know), I was insufferable about liking you,

and not liking you. I wish you would forget it.”

“I forgot it long ago.”

“Fashion of speech again! But, Mr. Darnay, oblivion is not so

easy to me, as you represent it to be to you. I have by no means