Pagina 307 van 896

"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."