Page 318 of 896

"Now, don't let my announcement of the name make you

uncomfortable, Sydney," said Mr. Stryver, preparing him with

ostentatious friendliness for the disclosure he was about to

make, "because I know you don't mean half you say; and if you

meant it all, it would be of no importance. I make this little

preface, because you once mentioned the young lady to me in

slighting terms."

"I did?"

"Certainly; and in these chambers."

Sydney Carton looked at his punch and looked at his complacent

friend; drank his punch and looked at his complacent friend.