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.

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

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 speec