ised. Doctor Manette sat

down, with his eyes looking around, and his lips trembling; his

daughter drew closer to him. The craving man on the jury rubbed

his hands together, and restored the usual hand to his mouth.

Defarge was produced, when the court was quiet enough to

admit of his being heard, and rapidly expounded the story of the

imprisonment, and of his having been a mere boy in the Doctor’s

service, and of the release, and of the state of the prisoner when

released and delivered to him. This short examination followed.

for the court was quick with its work.

“You did good service at the taking of the Bastille, citizen?”

“I believe so.”

Here an excited woman screeched from the crowd: “You were

one of the best patriots there. Why not say so? You were a

cannonier that day there, and you were among the first to enter

the accursed fortress when it fell. Patriots, I speak the truth!”

It was The Vengeance who, amidst the warm commendations of

the audience, thus assisted the proceedings. The President rang

his bell; but, The Vengeance, warming with encouragement,

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

shrieked, “I defy that bell!” wherein she was likewise much

commended.