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"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.