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a tale of two cities(双城记)-第82章

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 Charles Evrémonde; 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; tile 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 association 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 she knew 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 shopkeeper 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 and tobaccoey 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。 
 ‘I am glad you have so much of the Englishman in you; though I wish you had never taken that cold in your voice;' said Miss Pross; approvingly。 ‘But the question; Doctor Manette。 Is there'it was the good creature's way to affect to make light of anything that was a great anxiety with them all; and to come at it in this chance manner'is there any prospect yet; of our getting out of this place?' 
 ‘I fear not yet。 It would be dangerous for Charles yet。' 
 ‘Heigh…ho…hum!' said Miss Pross; cheerfully repressing a sigh as she glanced at her darling's golden hair in the light of the fire; ‘then we must have patience and wait: that's all。 We must hold up our heads and fight low; as my brother Solomon used to say。 Now; Mr。 Cruncher!Don't you move; Ladybird!' 
They went out; leaving Lucie; and her husband; her father; and the child; by a bright fire。 Mr。 Lorry was expected back presently from the Banking House。 Miss Pross had lighted the lamp; but had put it aside in a corner; that they might enjoy the fire…light undisturbed。 Little Lucie sat by her grandfather with her hands clasped through his arm: and he; in a tone not rising much above a whisper; began to tell her a story of a great and powerful Fairy who had opened a prison…wall and let out a captive who had once done the Fairy a service。 All was subdued and quiet; and Lucie was more at ease than she had been。 
 ‘What is that?' she cried; all at once。 
 ‘My dear!' said her father; stopping in his story; and laying his hand on hers; ‘command yourself。 What a disordered state you are in! The least thingnothingstartles you! You; your father's daughter!' 
 ‘I thought; my father;' said Lucie; excusing herself; with a pale face and in a faltering voice; ‘that I heard strange feet upon the stairs。' 
 ‘My love; the staircase is as still as Death。' As he said the word; a blow was struck upon the door。 
 ‘Oh father; father。 What can this be! Hide Charles。 Save him!' 
 ‘My child;' said the Doctor; rising; and laying his hand upon her shoulder; ‘I have saved him。 What weakness is this; my dear! Let me go to the door。' 
 He took the lamp in his hand; crossed the two intervening outer rooms; and opened it。 A rude clattering of feet over the floor; and four rough men in red caps; armed with sabres and pistols; entered the room。 
 ‘The Citizen Evrémonde; called Darnay;' said the first。 ‘Who seeks him?' answered Darnay。 
 ‘I seek him。 We seek him。 I know you; Evrémonde; I saw you before the Tribunal to…day。 You are again the prisoner of the Republic。' 
 The four surrounded him; where he stood with his wife and child clinging to him。 
 ‘Tell me how and why am I again a prisoner?' 
 ‘It is enough that you return straight to the Conciergerie; and will know to…morrow。 You are summoned for to…morrow。' 
 Dr。 Manette; whom this visitation had so turned into stone; that he stood with the lamp in his hand; as if he were a statue made to hold it; moved after these words were spoken; put the lamp down; and confronting the speaker; and taking him; not ungently; by the loose front of his red woollen shirt; said: 
 ‘You know him; you have said。 Do you know me?' 
 ‘Yes; I know you; Citizen Doctor。' 
 ‘We all know you; Citizen Doctor;' said the other three。 
 He looked abstractedly from one to another; and said; in a lower voice; after a pause: 
 ‘Will you answer his question to me then? How does this happen?' 
 ‘Citizen Doctor;' said the first; reluctantly; ‘he has been denounced to the Section of Saint Antoine。 This citizen;' pointing out the second who had entered; ‘is from Saint Antoine。' 
 The citizen here indicated nodded his head; and added: ‘He is accused by Saint Antoine。' 
 ‘Of what?' asked the Do
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