be released that night. The lights were nearly all extinguished in

the passages, the iron gates were being closed with a jar and a

rattle, and the dismal place was deserted until tomorrow

morning’s interest of gallows, pillory, whipping-post, and

branding-iron, should re-people it. Walking between her father

and Mr. Darnay, Lucie Manette passed into the open air. A

hackney-coach was called, and the father and daughter departed

in it.

Mr. Stryver had left them in the passages, to shoulder his way

back to the robing-room. Another person, who had not joined the

group, or interchanged a word with any one of them, but who had

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been leaning against the wall where its shadow was darkest, had

silently strolled out after the rest, and had looked on until the

coach drove away. He now stepped up to where Mr. Lorry and Mr.

Darnay stood upon the pavement.

“So, Mr. Lorry! Men of business may speak to Mr. Darnay

now?”

Nobody had made any acknowledgement of Mr. Carton’s part

in the day’s proceedings; nobody had known of it. He was

unrobed, and was none the better for it in appearance.

“If you knew what a conflict goes on in the business mind,

when the business mind is divided between good-natured impulse

and business appearances, you would be amused, Mr. Darnay.”

Mr. Lorry reddened, and said, warmly, “You have mentioned

that before, sir. We men of business, who serve a House, are not

our own masters. We have to think of the House more than

ourselves.”

“I know, I know,” rejoined Mr. Carton, carelessly. “Don’t be

nettled, Mr. Lorry. You are as good as another, I have no doubt:

better, I daresay.”

“And indeed, sir,” pursued Mr. Lorry, not minding him, “I

really don’t know what you have to do with the matter. If you’ll

excuse me, as very much your elder, for saying so, I really don’t

know that it is your business.”

“Business! Bless you, I have no business,” said Mr. Carton.

“It is a pity you have not, sir.”

“I think so, too.”

“If you had,” pursued Mr. Lorry, “perhaps you would attend to

it.”

“Lord love you, no!I shouldn’t,” said Mr. Carton.

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“Well, sir!” cried Mr. Lorry, thoroughly heated by his

indifference, “business is a very good thing, and a very respectable

thing. And, sir, if business imposes its restraints and its silences

and impediments, Mr. Darnay as a young gentleman of generosity

knows how to make allowance for that circumstance. Mr. Darnay,

good night, God bless you, sir! I hope you have been this day

preserved for a prosperous and happy life.Chair there!”

Perhaps a little angry with himself, as well as with the barrister,