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There was something so bright and remarkable in his look, that,

for the first moment, the prisoner misdoubted him to be an

apparition of his own imagining. But, he spoke, and it was his

voice; he took the prisoner's hand, and it was his real grasp.

"Of all the people upon earth, you least expected to see me?" he

said.

"I could not believe it to be you. I can scarcely believe it now.

You are not"--the apprehension came suddenly into his mind--"a

prisoner?"

"No. I am accidentally possessed of a power over one of the

keepers here, and in virtue of it I stand before you. I come from

her--your wife, dear Darnay."

The prisoner wrung his hand.

"I bring you a request from her."

"What is it?"

"A most earnest, pressing, and emphatic entreaty, addressed to

you in the most pathetic tones of the voice so dear to you, that

you well remember."

The prisoner turned his face partly aside.