h; 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