登陆注册
3554300000101

第101章 BOOK THE THIRD:THE TRACK OF A STORM(16)

XXXVII.A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

I have saved him.'It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back;he was really here. And yet his wife trembled,and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

All the air round was so thick and dark,the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful,the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice,it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her,every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched,that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be. The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall,and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.Her mind pursued them,looking for him among the condemned;and then she clung closer to his real presence and trembled more.

Her father,cheering her,showed a compassionate superiority to this woman's weakness,which was wonderful to see. No garret,no shoemaking,no One Hundred and Five,North Tower,now!He had accomplished the task he had set himself,his promise was redeemed,he had saved Charles.Let them all lean upon him.

Their housekeeping was of a very frugal kind:not only because that was the safest way of life,involving the least offence to the people,but because they were not rich,and Charles,throughout his imprisonment,had had to pay heavily for his bad food,and for his guard,and towards the living of the poorer prisoners. Partly onthis account,and partly to avoid a domestic spy,they kept no servant;the citizen and citizeness who acted as porters at the court-yard gate,rendered them occasional service;and Jerry(almost wholly transferred to them by Mr.Lorry)had become their daily retainer,and had his bed there every night.

It was an ordinance of the Republic One and Indivisible,of Liberty,Equality,Fraternity,or Death,that on the door or door-post of every house,the name of every inmate must be legibly inscribed in letters of a certain size,at a certain convenient height from the ground. Mr.Jerry Cruncher's name,therefore,duly embellished the door-post down below;and,as the afternoon shadows deepened,the owner of that name himself appeared,from overlooking a painter whom Doctor Manette had employed to add to the list the name of Charles Evremonde,called Darnay.

In the universal fear and distrust that darkened the time,all the usual harmless ways of life were changed. In the Doctor's little household,as in very many others,the articles of daily consumption that were wanted were purchased every evening,in small quantities and at various small shops.To avoid attracting notice,and to give as little occasion as possible for talk and envy,was the general desire.

For some months past,Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher had discharged the office of purveyors;the former carrying the money;the latter,the basket.Every afternoon at about the time when the public lamps were lighted,they fared forth on this duty,and made and brought home such purchases as were needful.Although Miss Pross,through her long associations with a French family,might have known as much of their language as of her own,if she had had a mind,she had no mind in that direction;consequently sheknew no more of that'nonsense'(as she was pleased to call it)than Mr.Cruncher did.So her manner of marketing was to plump a noun-substantive at the head of a shop-keeper without any introduction in the nature of an article,and,if it happened not to be the name of the thing she wanted,to look round for that thing,lay hold of it,and hold on by it until the bargain was concluded.She always made a bargain for it,by holding up,as a statement of its just price,one finger less than the merchant held up,whatever his number might be.

'Now,Mr. Cruncher,'said Miss Pross,whose eyes were red with felicity;'if you are ready,I am.'

Jerry hoarsely professed himself at Miss Pross's service. He had worn all his rust off long ago,but nothing would file his spiky head down.

'There's all manner of things wanted,'said Miss Pross,'and we shall have a precious time of it. We want wine,among the rest.Nice toasts these Redheads will be drinking,wherever we buy it.'

'It will be much the same to your knowledge,miss,I should think,'retorted Jerry,'whether they drink your health or the Old Un's.'

'Who's he?'said Miss Pross.

Mr. Cruncher,with some diffidence,explained himself as meaning'Old Nick's.'

'Ha!'said Miss Pross,'it doesn't need an interpreter to explain the meaning of these creatures. They have but one,and it's Midnight Murder,and Mischief.''Hush,dear!Pray,pray,be cautious!'cried Lucie.

'Yes,yes,yes,I'll be cautious,'said Miss Pross;'but I may say among ourselves,that I do hope there will be no oniony andtobaccoy smotherings in the form of embracings all round,going on in the streets. Now,Ladybird,never you stir from that fire till I come back!Take care of the dear husband you have recovered,and don't move your pretty head from his shoulder as you have it now,till you see me again!May I ask a question,Doctor Manette,before I go?'

'I think you may take that liberty,'the Doctor answered,smiling.

'For gracious sake,don't talk about Liberty;we have quite enough of that,'said Miss Pross.

'Hush,dear!Again?'Lucie remonstrated.

'Well,my sweet,'said Miss Pross,nodding her head emphatically,'the short and the long of it is,that I am a subject of His Most Gracious Majesty King George the Third';Miss Pross curtseyed at the name;'and as such,my maxim is,Confound their politics,Frustrate their knavish tricks,On him our hopes we fix,God save the King!'

Mr. Cruncher in an access of loyalty,growlingly repeated the words after Miss Pross,like somebody at church.

同类推荐
  • 沙弥律仪要略增注

    沙弥律仪要略增注

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 耳目记

    耳目记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 百花历

    百花历

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 运甓漫稿

    运甓漫稿

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 净土或问

    净土或问

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 独宠二手娇妻

    独宠二手娇妻

    他紧紧地锁住她,霸道地宣布:“你是我的女人,在我面前你不需要伪装。你可以哭,可以笑,只要你想。”为什么,她的眼眶这样热,泪水不听话地流下来,却不是因为悲伤。为什么他张开的双臂这么诱人这么温暖,让她好想就此扑进去?幸福好像就要来临了,曾经的灾难却又再次降临。他的怀抱,真的能够替她将这一切伤痛都挡去吗?他明白她心中的怀疑,却只是将她抱住。她所不知道的是,他是一个平凡的大学生,却更是让人闻风丧胆的煞魂。当然,这个没必要说出来吓她。但是他会向全世界证明,他能够保护自己的女人,幸福一辈子。......他是如和风一样的温柔男子,在她最绝望的时候将她带向希望。一直以为她只是妹妹,却不知道这份情已在不知不觉中改变。“我不想做你的哥哥,我,要照顾你一辈子。”温柔突然消失,一向温和的男子也为爱狂肆霸道起来。......因为年少无知,因为那无厘头的嫉妒,他任由姐姐将她推进了万劫不复的深渊。十年以后再相遇,本以为只是内疚,可为什么牵挂越来越深?“我知道我对不起你,但是,从今以后,我会把所有的爱都给你。盛妖,让我来好好地疼你保护你!”本以为会恨的,却为什么做不到?......“烟儿,尽管我比你大二十多年,尽管我知道这样很自私,但我绝对不要你做我的儿媳妇,你该是让我宠一辈子的人。”烟儿?这个名字本就是她最深的伤,他却叫得如此顺口。......到底谁是我的避风港?......PS:看看一个男人,是如何去保护自己所爱的女人的。若爱希望自己的文字,能够带给你们属于爱的感动。推荐若爱自己的新文《俘虏皇后》:“我知道鞭打对你来说,无异于家常便饭了。”直到那些泛着禽兽一样目光的人出现在我面前,我方明白。更残忍的惩罚,要来了。“要怪就只能怪你的命了…你们不要弄死她。”说完他不再看第二眼,很快的走出去了。原来,我连死都不能。连死,都不能。…当凤冠霞帔着身,我依然恍如梦中。你当真赐我后位,许我一生一世。却不知道,在你辗转后宫时。我的心,早已裂成点点碎片。…岁月荏苒,你已君临天下,我站在人群中,静相望。转身,离去。你要这天下,我便为你夺取。而荣华富贵,我无福消受。…他坐拥天下,却不见了,那一抹水色身影。几许无情,几许残忍。只为,将你庇护。而你,却不懂。
  • 规范内部审计的28个技巧

    规范内部审计的28个技巧

    ·审计无小事,本书将告诉你怎样在一个审计较为混乱无章的中小企业建立一套切实可行的审计系统,探寻适合中小企业的一套审计方法和制度·没有规矩就不成方圆,没有监督就不成体系。如何建立审计规范、确立审计标准,本书提供了切实可行的方法,更关键的是,它的故事性让人读起来倍感亲切。·简单的描述,平实的语言,日记式的导读,让你一看就明白,一用就上手。“新手”学习,“老手”回炉的内部审计宝典。
  • 假如木棉不曾盛开

    假如木棉不曾盛开

    这是一个关于暗恋的故事,我想暗恋总是少年时期最美也最青涩的一段回忆,对于大多数人,不过就是回忆罢了。可是,总有那么一些人,把这近乎于卑微的感情延续了下去,三年,五年,十年,无关等待,无关信仰。我讲的是这样一个女孩子的故事,爱情,其实只是一个人的事。或许会觉得慢热,但是你也许会看到这里面有你,有我,有我们当时那些年少的日子。
  • 重生之来自魔界的不死少年

    重生之来自魔界的不死少年

    长久以来,很多使世界陷入混乱的事……还有那些看起来毫无关联的灾难片段,在谁都无法察觉的瞬间,以“命运”之名自行联系起来……而那些被“命运之指”选中的人,可能会认为那些灾难是偶然发生的悲剧……但……这其实是巨大的命运齿轮,按早已契合的轨道,开始缓缓旋转的信号……
  • 台阳见闻录

    台阳见闻录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 与老板的雇佣婚姻

    与老板的雇佣婚姻

    夏可可终于明白流年不利是什么意思?相恋九年的老公被小三抢了。本来想留着养老的工作也被新人挤了,净身出户,总的找个临时工作养家糊口。还要遇上欠抽的老板大人,天天呼来喝去的压榨剥削,不过为什么这个号称离婚三次,冷血无情的财阀二代,独独对她那么人情味?--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 易幻幽径之断界语录

    易幻幽径之断界语录

    一段时光;一个空间,被定格,被无法更改。没能被拯救的命运,也许会到它想要的地方去,被其延续。美妙的是岁月所创造的故事,脆弱的是生命。心灵的歌声,永远是最真实的声音。我需要你;你需要这样的我嘛?-断界语录。-断界神所留!每个人都有一次再命运面前选择的机会;就看当事人如何去把握。这是一个关于时空与救赎的故事,敬请期待。-断界,一个与世隔绝的地方,那是时神;也就是时间之神的居所。
  • 孔子弟子考

    孔子弟子考

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 女治天下

    女治天下

    (此文已设为半价,一次性全文订阅的话,打半折)他是风国唯一的皇位继承人,俊美的外表,腹黑的个性,文能处理朝政,武能驰骋沙场。贵为太子,却没有实力,为了江山,与四大王展开权力之争。不近女色,却置佳丽无数,后宫因他而争风吃醋,敌国皇上对他爱恨交织,只恨他是男儿身。有谁知道,一朝真相揭露,却是红颜治天下。…………夏擎天:她初次临朝作出的一个决定加重了他父皇的病情,让他对她心生怨恨。烽烟四起,两人最终在战场上相见,无数次交锋,无数次较量,从最初的敌对到惺惺相惜,再到暗生情愫。各自的身份,各自的抱负能否为他们带来一个圆满的结局?南宫夜(慕容笑):他本是江湖自由身,意外的相见让他对她兴起猎取之心。一场交易让他成为她的谋臣,为她夺权,替她除去政敌,随她征战沙场,无数次的出谋策划,无数次的出生入死,当她站在皇权最高点时,他最终成为局外人,他是否甘愿退出把她供手让人?(简介改动,男主共两人,结局一对一)此文属慢热文,主打权力宫斗,爱情为辅。喜欢的亲们请点“收藏”,不喜欢的请绕道。推荐自己的文:爱上离婚女人:友情推荐:银面修罗:(花释棱)火夫人:(雪藏玄琴)半妖:(三木哲)侵夺:(紫若熙)热心的亲们帮我开了一个读者群,群号是:130713131,支持我的亲们有兴趣的话可以加入群内共讨剧情。
  • 新续红楼

    新续红楼

    给黛玉一个幸福的未来,给宝钗一个满意的婚姻。给红楼女儿们一个好的结局。向大家推荐自己的新作《情牵红楼》推荐自己的新作:《红楼梦断之大漠潇湘》向大家推荐自己的新作品《问君惜妾否》《红楼梦中梦之瑕不掩玉》推荐自己的新作《红楼别梦》《红楼遗梦潇湘情》欢迎大家来看哟!欢迎大家的收藏、票票哟36840339欢迎大家到这里说红楼聊红楼!