Pagina 567 van 896

"I understand how to put you in a corner, Mr. Darnay," said Bully

Stryver, "and I'll do it. If this fellow is a gentleman, I don't

understand him. You may tell him so, with my compliments. You may

also tell him, from me, that after abandoning his worldly goods

and position to this butcherly mob, I wonder he is not at the

head of them. But, no, gentlemen," said Stryver, looking all

round, and snapping his fingers, "I know something of human

nature, and I tell you that you'll never find a fellow like this

fellow, trusting himself to the mercies of such precious

proteges. No, gentlemen; he'll always show 'em a clean pair of

heels very early in the scuffle, and sneak away."

With those words, and a final snap of his fingers, Mr. Stryver

shouldered himself into Fleet-street, amidst the general

approbation of his hearers. Mr. Lorry and Charles Darnay were

left alone at the desk, in the general departure from the Bank.