登陆注册
12109300000027

第27章 BOOK THE SECOND:THE GOLDEN THREAD(10)

Mr. Carton,who had so long sat looking at the ceiling of the court,changed neither his place nor his attitude,even in this excitement.While his learned friend,Mr.Stryver,massing his papers before him,whispered with those who sat near,and from time to time glanced anxiously at the jury;while all the spectators moved more or less,and grouped themselves anew;while even my Lord himself arose from his seat,and slowly paced up and down his platform,not unattended by a suspicion in the minds of the audience that his state was feverish;this one man sat leaning back,with his torn gown half off him,his untidy wig put on just as it happened to light on his head after its removal,his hands in his pockets,and his eyes on the ceiling as they had been all day.Something especially reckless in his demeanour,not only gavehim a disreputable look,but so diminished the strong resemblance he undoubtedly bore to the prisoner(which his momentary earnestness,when they were compared together,had strengthened),that many of the lookers-on,taking note of him now,said to one another they would hardly have thought the two were so alike.Mr.Cruncher made the observation to his next neighbour,and added,'I'd hold a half a guinea that he don't get no law-work to do.Don't look like the sort of one to get any,do he?'

Yet,this Mr. Carton took in more of the details of the scene than he appeared to take in;for now,when Miss Manette's head dropped upon her father's breast,he was the first to see it,and to say audibly:'Officer!look to that young lady.Help the gentleman to take her out.Don't you see she will fall!'

There was much commiseration for her as she was removed,and much sympathy with her father. It had evidently been a great distress to him,to have the days of his imprisonment recalled.He had shown strong internal agitation when he was questioned,and that pondering or brooding look which made him old,had been upon him,like a heavy cloud,ever since.As he passed out,the jury,who had turned back and paused a moment,spoke,through their foreman.

They were not agreed,and wished to retire. My Lord(perhaps with George Washington on his mind)showed some surprise that they were not agreed,but signified his pleasure that they should retire under watch and ward,and retired himself.The trial had lasted all day,and the lamps in the court were now being lighted.It began to be rumoured that the jury would be out a long while.The spectators dropped off to get refreshment,and the prisoner withdrew to the back of the dock,and sat down.

Mr. Lorry,who had gone out when the young lady and her father went out,now reappeared,and beckoned to Jerry:who,in the slackened interest,could easily get near him.

'Jerry,if you wish to take something to eat,you can. But,keep in the way.You will be sure to hear when the jury come in.Don't be a moment behind them,for I want you to take the verdict back to the bank.You are the quickest messenger I know,and you will get to Temple Bar long before I can.'

Jerry had just enough forehead to knuckle,and he knuckled it in acknowledgment of this communication and a shilling. Mr.Carton came up at the moment,and touched Mr.Lorry on the arm.

'How is the young lady?'

'She is greatly distressed;but her father is comforting her,and she feels the better for being out of court.'

'I'll tell the prisoner so. It won't do for a respectable bank gentleman like you to be seen speaking to him publicly,you know.'

Mr. Lorry reddened as if he were conscious of having debated the point in his mind,and Mr.Carton made his way to the outside of the bar.The way out of court lay in that direction,and Jerry followed him,all eyes,ears,and spikes.

'Mr. Darnay!'

The prisoner came forward directly.

'You will naturally be anxious to hear of the witness,Miss Manette. She will do very well.You have seen the worst of her agitation.'

'I am deeply sorry to have been the cause of it. Could you tell her so for me,with my fervent acknowledgments?'

'Yes,I could. I will,if you ask it.'

Mr. Carton's manner was so careless as to be almost insolent.He stood,half turned from the prisoner,lounging with his elbow against the bar.

'I do ask it. Accept my cordial thanks.'

'What,'said Carton,still only half turned towards him,'do you expect,Mr. Darnay?'

'The worst.'

'It's the wisest thing to expect,and the likeliest. But I think their withdrawing is in your favour.'

Loitering on the way out of court not being allowed,Jerry heard no more:but left them—so like each other in feature,so unlike each other in manner—standing side by side,both reflected in the glass above them.

An hour and a half limped heavily away in the thief-and-rascal crowded passages below,even though assisted off with mutton pies and ale. The hoarse messenger,uncomfortably seated on a form after taking that refection,had dropped into a doze,when a loud murmur and a rapid tide of people setting up the stairs that led to the court,carried him along with them.

'Jerry!Jerry!'Mr. Lorry was already calling at the door when he got there.

'Here,sir!It's a fight to get back again. Here I am,sir!'

Mr. Lorry handed him a paper through the throng.'Quick!Have you got it?'

'Yes,sir!'

Hastily written on the paper was the word'ACQUITTED.'

'If you had sent the message,'Recalled to Life,'again,'muttered Jerry,as he turned,'I should have known what youmeant,this time.'

He had no opportunity of saying,or so much as thinking,anything else,until he was clear of the Old Bailey;for,the crowd came pouring out with a vehemence that nearly took him off his legs,and a loud buzz swept into the street as if the baffled blue-flies were dispersing in search of other carrion.

同类推荐
  • 如意轮陀罗尼经

    如意轮陀罗尼经

    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。
  • 续补永平志

    续补永平志

    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。
  • 乐邦遗稿

    乐邦遗稿

    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。
  • 李商隐诗选

    李商隐诗选

    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。
  • 梁朝傅大士颂金刚经

    梁朝傅大士颂金刚经

    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。
热门推荐
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 夜幽灵

    夜幽灵

    韩平离开部队后才知道他根本不能适应社会的生活,没钱,没房,没车,有的只是一身杀人的本事这可怎么办。
  • 彼岸花开之时间之约

    彼岸花开之时间之约

    从小长大的青梅竹马,关系要好。却在一个贵妃的手上毁掉。叶绯深受打击,但慕染发现了其中的奥妙,展开调查……
  • 青少年一定要了解的文化艺术:中国篇

    青少年一定要了解的文化艺术:中国篇

    本书主要内容分为文学篇、戏曲篇、书法篇、绘画篇、音乐舞蹈篇、陶瓷篇、建筑篇、民间工艺篇。
  • 杀千花

    杀千花

    爱情为主,阴谋为辅,她是心狠毒辣的杀贵妃,被囚禁在宫闱之中,被权力无情的压榨,她最终选择自杀。转世重生后,她告诉自己,“尼玛,老娘这辈子一定要开心的活!!!”重生之前——杀贵妃Round1,“才侍寝几个晚上,果真如此深情?你可知道他不过是把你当个随手可弃的棋子?”Round2,,“我吗?自然是遇神杀神,遇佛杀佛,我平生杀了那么多人,就算被人杀了,也不亏。”重生之后——杀千花Round1,“你们公子到底何方神圣?”“你们公子家住哪里,年芳几何,是否婚配?”
  • 漂流的大树

    漂流的大树

    一些人,一些事,一段故事。PS,名字随便起的...
  • 单色旋律

    单色旋律

    悲涩青春:单色旋律一届不如意的高考过后,色盲少年威廉遇见了分手以久的恋人,林旖旎引起了一段悠长的记忆,现实终于还是现实,他与早就在网络上认识得人慕容遥上了同一所大学并相恋了。而失踪音信很多年的夏羽绯与威廉本身就颇具渊源,而知道了夏羽绯与威廉相爱的林旖旎,却与其反目成仇。四个少年只因为网络纠结在一起解不开的爱情故事,爱到悲伤覆盖了整个世界……
  • 邂逅神秘总裁,重生不重婚

    邂逅神秘总裁,重生不重婚

    重生是为了报仇还是为了遇见他?用爱情与财富换来的新生是否值得?通过神秘古树的相助,她获得了神奇异能,找到了复仇的捷径,可爱情的路上,她的磕磕碰碰才刚刚开始。凭空出现的丈夫,错乱的鸳鸯谱,被篡改的历史……她该如何面对这既熟悉又陌生的世界?费尽心思将她锁定为猎物的男人,为什么非她不爱?
  • 终焉启示录

    终焉启示录

    由于人类频繁的进行核实验,终于有一天,一种病毒变异了。被感染的生物拥有普通人类无法击破的坚韧皮肤以及强大的力量,存活下来的人最终能够夺回家园吗?审判宣言吾等「圆桌会议」成员将于此审判汝等异族赐予汝神圣的的裁决愿以满腔热血洗刷汝之罪恶高举手中的「器」吾亚瑟·潘德拉贡;兰斯洛特;高文;杰兰特……莫德雷德以「圆桌骑士」之名于此宣誓——吾辈愿为人类的未来献出属于圆桌骑士的全部将侵略、破坏吾等家园的异族—「不洁之妖」就此驱逐让幸存的人类们重归昔日的家园即便付出性命,高贵的骑士也不会向破坏者屈服为了骑士的荣耀「圆桌会议」!全员拔剑!!!From「圆桌会议」全体成员PS.本书书友群:551012985
  • 血敖

    血敖

    这是作者影月我第一次发表作品,希望大家喜欢!希望大家喜欢看!有什么需要修改的地方还请大家指出来哦!