Tuesday, May 6, 2014

How does Lucie react upon hearing her father is alive? Between chapters 1-6 of A Tale of Two Cities

After the Dover stage arrives in France in Chapter IV of
Book the First in Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities,  Mr. Lorry takes
a room at an inn where he is to meet Miss Lucie Manette.  As they meet, Mr. Lorry
introduces himself as a representative of Tellson's Bank, and he delicately broaches the
subject of the physician of Beauvais. As Lucie begins to put together the details and
realize that Mr. Lorry speaks of the possibility of Dr. Manette's not having died, Lucie
entreats him to continue.  When Mr. Lorry asks, "You can bear it?" Lucie responds, "I
can bear anything but the uncertainty you leave me in at this
moment."


Continuing, Mr. Lorry emphasizes that he speaks
merely of "a matter of business."  But, Lucie grips his wrist more tightly.  Then, when
Mr. Lorry informs her that her father is yet alive and has been taken to the home of an
old servant in Paris where they will go to identify him.  At this news, Lucie has a
shiver that runs through her body, and she speaks "as if she were saying it in a
dream,"



"I am
going to see his Ghost!  It will be his Ghost--not
him!"



Finally, as Mr. Lorry
urges Lucie that it is futile to inquire about Dr. Manette's treatment in prison as it
may be dangerous, Lucie stares blankly and grips his arm.  She is in a faint as a
typical Victorian heroine.  Mr. Lorry calls out, and the faithful Miss Pross rushes in,
scolding him,  "And you in brown!...Couldn't you tell her what you had to tell her,
without firghtening her to death?"  With smelling-salts, cold water, and vinegar the
loving servant revives Miss Manette.

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