Повесть о двух городах / A Tale of Two Cities

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.

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.