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When he was gone, and in the course of an evening passed with

Miss Pross, the Doctor, and Mr. Lorry, Charles Darnay made some

mention of this conversation in general terms, and spoke of

Sydney Carton as a problem of carelessness and recklessness. He

spoke of him, in short, not bitterly or meaning to bear hard upon

him, but as anybody might who saw him as he showed himself.

He had no idea that this could dwell in the thoughts of his fair

young wife; but, when he afterwards joined her in their own

rooms, he found her waiting for him with the old pretty lifting

of the forehead strongly marked.

"We are thoughtful to-night!" said Darnay, drawing his arm about

her.

"Yes, dearest Charles," with her hands on his breast, and the

inquiring and attentive expression fixed upon him; "we are rather

thoughtful to-night, for we have something on our mind to-night."

"What is it, my Lucie?"

"Will you promise not to press one question on me, if I beg you

not to ask it?"