conference. A struggle was evidently in his face; a struggle with that occasional look which had a tendency in it to dark doubt and dread.

`You speak so feelingly and so manfully, Charles Darnay, that I thank you with all my heart, and will open all my heart--or nearly so. Have you any reason to believe that Lucie loves you?'

`None. As yet, none.

`Is it the immediate object of this confidence, that you may at once ascertain that, with my knowledge?'

`Not even so. I might not have the hopefulness to do it for weeks; I might (mistaken or not mistaken) have that hopefulness to-morrow.

`Do you seek any guidance from me?'

`I ask none, sir. But I have thought it possible that you might have it in your power, if you should deem it right, to give me some.'

`Do you seek any promise from me?'

`I do seek that.

`What is it?'

`I well understand that, without you, I could have no hope. I well understand that, even if Miss Manette held me at this moment in her innocent heart--do not think I have the presumption to assume so much--I could retain no place in it against her love for her father.'

If that be so, do you sec what, on the other hand, is involved in it?'

`I understand equally well, that a word from her father in any suitor's favour, would outweigh herself and all the world. For which reason, Doctor Manette,' said Darnay, modestly but firmly, `I would not ask that word, to save my life.'

`I am sure of it. Charles Darnay, mysteries arise out of close love, as well as out of wide division; in the former case, they are subtle and delicate, and difficult to penetrate. My daughter Lucie is, in this one respect, such a mystery to me; I can make no guess at the state of her heart.'

`May I ask, sir, if you think she is---' As he hesitated, her father supplied the rest.

`Is sought by any other suitor?'

`It is what I meant to say.'

Her father considered a little before he answered:

`You have seen Mr. Carton here, yourself. Mr. Stryver is here too, occasionally. If it be at all, it can only be by one of these.'

`Or both,' said Darnay.

`I had not thought of both; I should not think either, likely. You want a promise from me. Tell me what it is.

`It is, that if Miss Manette should bring to you at any time, on her own part, such a confidence as I have ventured to lay before you, you will bear testimony to what I have said, and to your belief in it. I hope you may be able to think so well of me, as to urge no influence against me. I say nothing more of my