Page 69 - A Tale of Two Cities

‘I have already promised,’ said Carton. ‘Take him to Mr Lorry. Tell
Mr Lorry to give him nothing but air, and to remember my words of
last night and drive away! And be quick!’

In a moment, Barsad returned with two other offi cers, and
together they carried the unconscious fi gure away.
At two o’clock, the door of the cell opened once more.
‘Follow me, Evrémonde!’ said an officer, and he was taken to a

large room, where fifty-one others were waiting to be executed. A

young woman came to speak to him.
‘Citizen Evrémonde!’ she said. ‘I am the poor sewing girl who
was with you in La Force.’
‘Yes, of course,’ he said quickly.
As she lifted her eyes to his face, and saw that he was not

Evrémonde, he lifted his fingers to his lips.
‘Are you dying for him?’ she whispered.
‘And for his wife and child. Yes,’ he said.
‘You are very brave,’ she said. ‘Will you let me hold your hand? I
am not afraid, but I am little and weak, and if I can hold your hand, I
will feel stronger.’

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