, in

these times.”

“But I do ask why?”

“Then I tell you again, Mr. Darnay, I am sorry for it. I am sorry

to hear you putting any such extraordinary questions. Here is a

fellow who, infected by the most pestilent and blasphemous code

of devilry that ever was known, abandoned his property to the

vilest scum of the earth that ever did murder by wholesale, and

you ask me why I am sorry that a man who instructs youth knows

him? Well, but I’ll answer you. I am sorry because I believe there

is contamination in such a scoundrel. That’s why.”

Mindful of the secret, Darnay with great difficulty checked

himself, and said: “You may not understand the gentleman.”

“I understand how to put you in a corner, Mr. Darnay,” said

Bully Stryver, “and I’ll do it. If this fellow is a gentleman, I don’t

understand him. You may tell him so, with my compliments. You

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

may also tell him, from me, that after abandoning his worldly

goods and position to this butcherly mob, I wonder he is not at the

head of them. But, no, gentlemen,” said Stryver, looking all round,

and snapping his fingers, “I know something of human nature,

and I tell you that you’ll never find a fellow like this fellow,

trusting himself to the mercies of such precious proteges. No,

gentlemen; he’ll always show ’em a clean pair of heels very early