按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
om which the colour rushed to his heart。 The buzz of the great flies was loud again。
‘Miss Manette; have you seen the prisoner before?'
‘Yes; sir。'
‘Where?'
‘On board of the packet…ship just now referred to; sir; and on the same occasion。'
‘You are the young lady just now referred to?'
‘O! most unhappily; I am。'
The plaintive tone of her passion merged into the less musical voice of the Judge; as he said something fiercely: ‘Answer the questions put to you; and make no remark upon them。'
‘Miss Manette; had you any conversation with the prisoner on that passage across the Channel?'
‘Yes; sir。'
‘Recall it。'
In the midst of a profound stillness; she faintly began: ‘When the gentleman came on board'
‘Do you mean the prisoner?' inquired the Judge; knitting his brows。
‘Yes; my Lord。'
‘Then say the prisoner。'
‘When the prisoner came on board; he noticed that my father;' turning her eyes lovingly to him as he stood beside her; was much fatigued and in a very weak state of health。 My father was so reduced that I was afraid to take him out of the air; and I had made a bed for him on the deck near the cabin steps; and I sat on the deck at his side to take care of him。 There were no other passengers that night; but we four。 The prisoner was so good as to beg permission to advise me how I could shelter my father from the wind and weather; better than I had done。 I had not known how to do it well; not understanding how the wind would set when we were out of the harbour。 He did it for me。 He expressed great gentleness and kindness for my father's state; and I am sure he felt it。 That was the manner of our beginning to speak together。'
‘Let me interrupt you for a moment。 Had he e on board alone?'
‘No。'
‘How many were with him?'
‘Two French gentlemen。'
‘Had they conferred together?'
‘They had conferred together until the last moment; when it was necessary for the French gentlemen to be landed in their boat。'
‘Had any papers been handed about among them; similar to these lists?'
‘Some papers had been handed about among them; but I don't know what papers。'
‘Like these in shape and size?'
‘Possibly; but indeed I don't know; although they stood whispering very near to me: because they stood at the top of the cabin steps to have the light of the lamp that was hanging there; it was a dull lamp; and they spoke very low; and I did not hear what they said; and saw only that they looked at papers。'
‘Now; to the prisoner's conversation; Miss Manette。'
‘The prisoner was as open in his confidence with me…which arose out of my helpless situation…as he was kind; and good; and useful to my father。 I hope;' bursting into tears; ‘I may not repay him by doing him harm to…day。'
Buzzing from the blue…flies。
‘Miss Manette; if the prisoner does not perfectly understand that you give the evidence which it is your duty to give……which you must give……and which you cannot escape from giving……with great unwillingness; he is the only person present in that condition。 Please to go on。
‘He told me that he was travelling on business of a delicate and difficult nature; which might get people into trouble; and that he was therefore travelling under an assumed name。 He said that this business had; within a few days; taken him to France; and might; at intervals; take him backwards and forwards between France and England for a long time to e。'
‘Did he say anything about America; Miss Manette? Be particular。'
‘He tried to explain to me how that quarrel had arisen; and he said that; so far as he could judge; it was a wrong and foolish one on England's part。 He added; in a jesting way; that perhaps George Washington might gain almost as great a name in history as George the Third。 But there was no harm in his way of saying this: it was said laughingly; and to beguile the time。'
Any strongly marked expression of face on the part of a chief actor in a scene of great interest to whom many eyes are directed; will be unconsciously imitated by the spectators。 Her forehead was painfully anxious and intent as she gave this evidence; and; in the pauses when she stopped for the Judge to write it down; watched its effect upon the counsel for and against。 Among the lookers…on there was the same expression in all quarters of the court; insomuch; that a great majority of the foreheads there; might have been mirrors reflecting the witness; when the Judge looked up from his notes to glare at that tremendous heresy about George Washington。
Mr。 Attorney…General now signified to my Lord; that he deemed it necessary; as a matter of precaution and form; to call the young lady's father; Doctor Manette。 Who was called accordingly。
‘Doctor Manette; look upon the prisoner。 Have you ever seen him before?'
‘Once。 When he called at my lodgings in London。 Some three years; or three years and a half ago。'
‘Can you identify him as your fellow…passenger on board the packet; or speak to his conversation with your daughter?'
‘Sir; I can do neither。'
‘Is there any particular and special reason for your being unable to do either?'
He answered; in a low voice; ‘There is。'
‘Has it been your misfortune to undergo a long imprisonment; without trial; or even accusation; in your native country; Doctor Manette?'
He answered; in a tone that went to every heart; ‘A long imprisonment。'
‘Were you newly; released on the occasion in question?'
‘They tell me so。 ‘Have you no remembrance of the occasion?'
‘None。 My mind is a blank; from some time……I cannot even say what time……when I employed myself; in my captivity; in making shoes; to the time when I found myself living in London with my dear daughter here。 She had bee familiar to me; when a gracious God restored my faculties; but; I am quite unable even to say how she had bee familiar。 I have no remembrance of the process。'
Mr。 Attorney…General sat down; and the father and daughter sat down together。
A singular circumstance then arose in the case。 The object in hand being to show that the prisoner went down; with some fellow…plotter untracked; in the Dover mail on that Friday night in November five years ago; and got out of the mail in the night; as a blind; at a place where he did not remain; but from which he travelled back some doze