they were not agreed, but signified his pleasure that they should

retire under watch and ward, and retired himself. The trial had

lasted all day, and the lamps in the court were now being lighted.

It began to be rumoured that the jury would be out a long while.

The spectators dropped off to get refreshment, and the prisoner

withdrew to the back of the dock, and sat down.

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Mr. Lorry, who had gone out when the young lady and her

father went out, now reappeared, and beckoned to Jerry: who, in

the slackened interest, could easily get near him.

“Jerry, if you wish to take something to eat, you can. But, keep

in the way. You will be sure to hear when the jury come in. Don’t

be a moment behind them, for I want you to take the verdict back

to the bank. You are the quickest messenger I know, and you will

get to Temple Bar long before I can.”

Jerry had just enough forehead to knuckle, and he knuckled it

in acknowledgment of this communication and a shilling. Mr.

Carton came up at the moment, and touched Mr. Lorry on the

arm.

“How is the young lady?”

“She is greatly distressed; but her father is comforting her, and

she feels the better for being out of court.”

“I’ll tell the prisoner so. It won’t do for a respectable bank

gentleman like you to be seen speaking to him publicly, you

know.”

Mr. Lorry reddened as if he were conscious of having debated

the point in his mind, and Mr. Carton made his way to the outside

of the bar. The way out of court lay in that direction, and Jerry

followed him, all eyes, ears, and spikes.

“Mr. Darnay!”

The prisoner came forward directly.

“You will naturally be anxious to hear of the witness, Miss

Manette. She will do very well. You have seen the worst of her

agitation.”

“I am deeply sorry to have been the cause of it. Could you tell

her so for me, with my fervent acknowledgments?”

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“Yes, I could. I will, if you ask it.”

Mr. Carton’s manner was so careless as to be almost insolent.

He stood, half turned from the prisoner, lounging with his elbow

against the bar.

“I do ask it. Accept my cordial thanks.”

“What,” said Carton, still only half turned towards him, “do you

expect, Mr. Darnay?”

“The worst.”

“It’s the wisest thing to expect, and the likeliest. But I think

their withdrawing is in your favour.”

Loitering on the way out of court not being allowed, Jerry

heard no more: but left themso like each other in feature, so

unlike each other in mannerstanding side by side, both reflected