up and throwing her arms passionately round him, in a burst of

grief. “Now that you have come, I think you will do something to

help mamma, something to save papa! O, look at her, dear Carton!

Can you, of all the people who love her, bear to see her so?”

He bent over the child, and laid her blooming cheek against his

face. He put her gently from him, and looked at her unconscious

mother.

“Before I go,” he said, and paused“I may kiss her?”

It was remembered afterwards that when he bent down and

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

touched her face with his lips, he murmured some words. The

child, who was nearest to him, told them afterwards, and told her

grandchildren when she was a handsome old lady, that she heard

him say, “A life you love.”

When he had gone out into the next room, he turned suddenly

on Mr. Lorry and her father, who were following, and said to the

latter:

“You had great influence but yesterday, Doctor Manette; let it

at least be tried. These judges, and all the men in power are very

friendly to you, and very recognisant of your services; are they

not?”

“Nothing connected with Charles was concealed from me. I had

the strongest assurances that I should save him; and I did.” He

returned the answer in great trouble, and very slowly.

“Try them again. The hours between this and tomorrow

afternoon are few and short, but try.”

“I intend to try. I will not rest a moment.”

“That’s well. I have known such energy as yours do great things

before nowthough never,” he added. with a smile and a sigh

together, “such great things as this. But try! Of little worth as life

is when we misuse it, it is worth that effort. It would cost nothing

to lay down if it were not.”

“I will go,” said Doctor Manette, “to the Prosecutor and the

President straight, and I will go to others whom it is better not to

name. I will write too, andBut stay! There is a celebration in the

streets, and no one will be accessible until dark.”

“That’s true. Well! It is a forlorn hope at the best, and not much

the forlorner for being delayed till dark. I should like to know how

you speed; though mind! I expect nothing! When are you likely to

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have seen these dread powers, Doctor Manette?”

“Immediately after dark, I should hope. Within an hour or two

from this?”

“It will be dark soon after four. Let us stretch the hour or two. If

I go to Mr. Lorry’s at nine, shall I hear what you have done, either

from our friend or from yourself?”

“Yes.”

“May you prosper!”

Mr. Lorry followed Sydney to the outer door, and, touching him

on the shoulder as he was going away, caused him to turn.