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persuade himself that his sweet temper was soured, and that he

grumbled, “but I am determined to be peevish after my long day’s

botheration. Where is Manette?”

“Here he is,” said the Doctor, entering the dark room at the

moment.

“I am quite glad you are at home; for these hurries and

forebodings by which I have been surrounded all day long, have

made me nervous without reason. You are not going out, I hope?”

“No; I am going to play backgammon with you, if you like,” said

the Doctor.

“I don’t think I do like, if I may speak my mind. I am not fit to

be pitted against you tonight. Is the teaboard still there, Lucie? I

can’t see.”

“Of course, it has been kept for you.”

“Thank ye, my dear. The precious child is safe in bed?”

“And sleeping soundly.”

“That’s right; all safe and well! I don’t know why anything

should be otherwise than safe and well here, thank God; but I have

been so put out all day, and I am not as young as I was! My tea, my

dear! Thank ye. Now, come and take your place in the circle, and

let us sit quiet, and hear the echoes about which you have your

theory.”

“Not a theory; it was a fancy.”

“A fancy, then, my wise pet,” said Mr. Lorry, patting her hand.

“They are very numerous and very loud, though, are they not?

Only hear them!”

Headlong, mad, and dangerous footsteps to force their