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
  • The Heritage of the Desert

    The Heritage of the Desert

    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。
  • 佛说解忧经

    佛说解忧经

    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。
  • 刘彦昺集

    刘彦昺集

    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。
  • 太上日月混元经

    太上日月混元经

    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。
  • 醒梦骈言

    醒梦骈言

    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
  • 星辰下的约定

    星辰下的约定

    生在红旗下,来自山里农村。某花花公子:“跟我在一起,将来你就是未来董事长夫人,这里是五十万支票。”某女:“滚开,我不要不劳而获的财富,我不输于男子,我是南方的女汉子,你驾驭不了。”可是,某花花公子就是这么执着。这是属于女汉子的故事,农家女要坚强,农家女同样有春天。PS:脸红已有完本保证,质量过硬,没有断更记录,字数少,可以先收藏起来,谢谢!脸红对于书名,简介不是太擅长,希望大家能够谅解,故事不会令大家失望的。
  • 神庐传说

    神庐传说

    向上游总是很累的!尤其在这个妖魔成风起的世界。丁鸣自认为他只是一个无意中穿越到修真世界的普通人,血脉,资质,通通与他无缘!可即使平庸,也不甘屈服!他坚信,知识能改变命运,即便在这修真世界,终有一天,他将开着元力战车踏上五彩祥云……(简介就是这个样,前面几章罗嗦了点,你可以耐着点心去看,也可以选择无视。)
  • 当我们相爱

    当我们相爱

    他从小看着她长大,捧在手心里宠着的宝,盼着她长大,掠夺她的整颗心,他沉溺在对她的宠爱中无法自拔。突然有一天她却告诉他,她有了喜欢,想要一起生活下去的人。祝福?掠夺?他怎么甘心!婚姻这场大戏,且看他们如何演绎。
  • 谢谢你我的小幸运

    谢谢你我的小幸运

    或许,木子从来都不是一个好女孩,但在她的身上,我们却能够找到自己的影子。谢谢你,我的小幸运
  • 浮光掠影游丝录

    浮光掠影游丝录

    本书是作者多年来发表的散文、杂文、随笔作品集,全书由“浮光”“掠影”“游丝”三部分组成,多为作者对人生、对生活、对事业、对家庭的感悟。作者笔锋锐利、文字朴实中带着优雅,全书语言通顺流畅,具有较强的可读性。
  • 勋鹿之致不再爱我的你

    勋鹿之致不再爱我的你

    世勋呐,哥走了,不要想我——鹿晗鹿哥,不要走,我爱你——吴世勋
  • 穿越之绝色乞丐

    穿越之绝色乞丐

    啊欧——“妈呀——”这是哪儿?清朝?明朝?这这这!这不是我家!大、大街?上天啊,赐个雷吧!把我劈回去吧!你看看他们的衣服,我我我、我的衣服怎么变形了?!破破烂烂的,哇呜呜……我我我、我以后听话,把我送回去吧!
  • 美丽大冒险之蝴蝶少女

    美丽大冒险之蝴蝶少女

    平凡女孩罗花言短短的时间经历了身世的巨变,先是成为了黎西公主心彩翼,转眼间又成为了一国之后!然而腹黑国王星空却是她的宿敌,完虐的开场让她楚楚可怜,但她会就此低头,还是努力反抗,精彩的对峙,虐心的情节,等你前来围观,和女主共同经历美丽的大冒险!本书灵感来自于EXO的《蝴蝶少女Don'tgo》书中乐曲可自行脑补此故事背景基于虚拟的魔法世界,情节虚构,切勿与现实世界相提并论
  • 荒古游戏之诡道人生

    荒古游戏之诡道人生

    当全世界都压在你身上,你是选择就此默默死去,还是宁愿粉身碎骨也要承担起无数人的希望。为了整个荒古宇宙的希望,为了家乡的自由,为了不辜负父尊和师尊的牺牲,萧赞重活一世。他不再是那个至尊之子,不再是那个万界少主,他不再浑浑噩噩。不在沉默中爆发,就在沉默中死亡!
  • tfboys之爱的密码

    tfboys之爱的密码

    她,小凯的青梅竹马,俩人从小一起长大,但是命运使他们俩分开了,十年后,他们长大了,再次相见。可是都没认出来是对方。就在谜底快要破解出来以后,竟然发现自己的兄弟易烊千玺也和自己喜欢上了同一个女孩。他到底应该怎么办?友情?爱情?他该如何抉择。她,一个普普通通的女生,却让王源深深地喜欢上了她,可是中间由于种种误会而分开。他们俩最后的结局又会怎样?如果想知道,那就赶紧进来看吧!QQ;1990734574