Повесть о двух городах / A Tale of Two Cities

Her forehead was painfully anxious and intent as she gave this evidence, and, in the pauses when she stopped for the Judge to write it down, watched its effect upon the counsel for and against. Among the lookers – on there was the same expression in all quarters of the court; insomuch, that a great majority of the foreheads there, might have been mirrors reflecting the witness, when the Judge looked up from his notes to glare at that tremendous heresy about George Washington.

Mr. Attorney-General now signified to my Lord, that he deemed it necessary, as a matter of precaution and form, to call the young lady’s father, Doctor Manette. Who was called accordingly.

�Doctor Manette, look upon the prisoner. Have you ever seen him before?’

�Once. When he called at my lodgings in London. Some three years, or three years and a half ago.

�Can you identify him as your fellow-passenger on board the packet, or speak to his conversation with your daughter?’

�Sir, I can do neither.’

�Is there any particular and special reason for your being unable to do either?’

He answered, in a low voice, �There is.’

�Has it been your misfortune to undergo a long imprisonment, without trial, or even accusation, in your native country, Doctor Manette?’

He answered, in a tone that went to every heart, �A long imprisonment.

�Were you newly released on the occasion in question?’

�They tell me so.’

�Have you no remembrance of the occasion?’

�None. My mind is a blank, from some time – I cannot even say what time – when I employed myself, in my captivity, in making shoes, to the time when I found myself living in London with my dear daughter here.

Mr. Attorney-General sat down, and the father and daughter sat down together.

A singular circumstance then arose in the case.