as to appearance in the ordinary exercise of their functions, looked

so extravagantly coarse contrasted with sorrowing mothers and

blooming daughters who were therewith the apparitions of the

coquette, the young beauty, and the mature woman delicately

bredthat the inversion of all experience and likelihood which the

scene of shadows presented, was heightened to its utmost. Surely,

ghosts all. Surely, the long unreal ride some progress of disease

that had brought him to these gloomy shades!

“In the name of the assembled companions in misfortune,” said

a gentleman of courtly appearance and address, coming forward,

“I have the honour of giving you welcome to La Force, and of

condoling with you on the calamity that has brought you among

us. May it soon terminate happily! It would be an impertinence

elsewhere, but it is not so here, to ask your name and condition?”

Charles Darnay roused himself, and gave the required

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information, in words as suitable as he could find.

“But I hope,” said the gentleman, following the chief gaoler

with his eyes, who moved across the room, “that you are not in

secret?”

“I do not understand the meaning of the term, but I have heard

them say so.”

“Ah, what a pity! We so much regret it! But take courage;

several members of our society have been in secret,