“I have no hope,” said Mr. Lorry, in a low and sorrowful

whisper.

“Nor have I.”

“If any one of these men, or all of these men, were disposed to

spare himwhich is a large supposition; for what is his life, or any

man’s to them!I doubt if they durst spare him after the

demonstration in the court.”

“And so do I. I heard the fall of the axe in that sound.”

Mr. Lorry leaned his arm upon the door-post and bowed his

face upon it.

“Don’t despond,” said Carton, very gently; “don’t grieve. I

encouraged Doctor Manette in this idea, because I felt that it

might one day be consolatory to her. Otherwise, she might think

‘his life was wantonly thrown away or wasted,’ and that might

trouble her.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” returned Mr. Lorry, drying his eyes, “you are

right. But he will perish; there is no real hope.”

“Yes. He will perish: there is no real hope,” echoed Carton. And

he walked with a settled step, down-stairs.

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

Chapter XLII

DARKNESS

S

ydney Carton paused in the street, not quite decided where

to go. “At Tellson’s banking-house at nine,” he said, with a

musing face. “Shall I do well, in the meantime, to show

myself? I think so. It is best that these people should know there is

such a man as I here; it is a sound precaution, and may be a

necessary preparation.