Повесть о двух городах / A Tale of Two Cities

’

�It must be an immense satisfaction!’

He said it bitterly, and filled up his glass again: which was a large one.

�As to me, the greatest desire I have, is to forget that I belong to it. It has no good in it for me – except wine like this – nor I for it. So we are not much alike in that particular. Indeed, I begin to think we are not much alike in any particular, you and I.’

Confused by the emotion of the day, and feeling his being there with this Double of coarse deportment, to be like a dream, Charles Darnay was at a loss how to answer; finally, answered not at all.

�Now your dinner is done,’ Carton presently said, �why don’t you call a health,[60 - to call a health – выпить за здоровье.] Mr. Darnay; why don’t you give your toast?’

�What health? What toast?’

�Why, it’s on the tip of your tongue. It ought to be, it must be, I’ll swear it’s there.’

�Miss Manette, then!’

�Miss Manette, then!’

Looking his companion full in the face while he drank the toast, Carton flung his glass over his shoulder against the wall, where it shivered to pieces; then, rang the bell, and ordered in another.

�That’s a fair young lady to hand to a coach in the dark, Mr. Darnay!’ he said, ruing his new goblet.

A slight frown and a laconic �Yes,’ were the answer.

�That’s a fair young lady to be pitied by and wept for by! How does it feel? Is it worth being tried for one’s life, to be the object of such sympathy and compassion, Mr.

Again Darnay answered not a word.

�She was mightily pleased to have your message, when I gave it her. Not that she showed she was pleased, but I suppose she was.’

The allusion served as a timely reminder to Darnay that this disagreeable companion had, of his own free will, assisted him in the strait of the day. He turned the dialogue to that point, and thanked him for it.

�I neither want any thanks, nor merit any,’ was the careless rejoinder.

�Willingly, and a small return for your good offices.’

�Do you think I particularly like you?’

�Really, Mr. Carton,’ returned the other, oddly disconcerted, �I have not asked myself the question.’

�But ask yourself the question now.’

�You have acted as if you do; but I don’t think you do.