Page 66 - A Tale of Two Cities

That night, alone in his cell, Charles Darnay fought to prepare his
A Tale of Two Cities
mind for what was coming. His hold on life was very strong, but he
knew that his loved ones depended for their peace of mind on his
bravery at this time. He wrote letters to Lucie, to Doctor Manette
and to Mr Lorry, too.

When he lay down at last on his straw bed, he dreamed that he
was back in the Manettes’ old house in London. He slept deeply, and
when he woke the next morning, he could not think at first where he

was or what had happened.
He had been told that he would be executed at three o’clock in
the morning, and called some time before this, but at one o’clock, he
heard footsteps outside, and then the door was opened, and a man
said in English, ‘Be quick! I will wait here.’
Charles looked up, and saw before him Sydney Carton. There was
something so bright and unusual in Carton’s look, that for a moment
Charles could not believe that it was him.

‘I have an understanding with one of the officers here,’ Carton
said, ‘so I was able to see you. I have come from your wife, dear
Charles, and she asks you to do something for her. There is no time
for you to ask me why. First, take off your boots, and put on mine.’

‘Carton, no one can escape from this place. You will only die with
me,’ said Charles.
‘I am not asking you to try and escape,’ said Carton. ‘Now change
your tie for mine, and your coat. Quickly, my friend, quickly.’

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