Page 43 - A Tale of Two Cities

Charles walked and walked, his head busy with thoughts, until it
was time to say goodbye to Mr Lorry. The coach was already waiting
outside Tellson’s when he arrived there.

‘I have given that letter to the marquis,’ said Charles. ‘Could I ask
you to give a message from him to the person who sent it?’

‘Of course,’ said Mr Lorry.
‘The man is in the prison of the Abbaye,’ said Charles, ‘and his
name is Gabelle. Please tell him that the marquis has received the
letter, and will come.’
‘Did he give a time?’

‘He said that he would leave tomorrow night.’

‘I shall get the message to him as soon as possible,’ said Mr
Lorry, climbing into his coach. ‘Give my love to Lucie, and to little
Lucie, and take good care of them.’ Then he was gone, driving away
through the misty London air, and Charles stood shaking his head at
his old friend’s last words.

That night, he stayed up late and wrote two long letters: one to
Lucie and one to the doctor, explaining why he had to go to Paris,
and giving them the many reasons why he believed that he would
be quite safe. The following night, he left the letters with a servant,
asking that they should not be delivered before midnight. Having
told Lucie and her father that he had an evening appointment,
he said goodbye to them both and went out. He set out for Dover
with a heavy heart, and only the words of the prisoner Gabelle
could push him on in his journey: ‘I beg you to come and help me,
Marquis. I have been true to you and I beg that you will be true to
me.’

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