Poverty  parted  us,  and  she  knows  nothing  of  my  fate — for  I
cannot  write — and  if  I  could,  how  should  I  tell  her!  It  is
better  as  it  is."

"  Yes,  yes ;  better  as  it  is."

"  What  I  have  been  thinking  as  we  came  along,  and  what
I  am  still  thinking  now,  as  I  look  into  your  kind  strong  face
which  gives  me  so  much  support,  is  this : — If  the  Republic
really  does  good  to  th^  poor,  and  they  come  to  be  less
hungry,  and  in  all  ways  to  suffer  less,  she  may  hve  a  long
time :  she  may  even  live  to  be  old."

"What  then,  my  gentle  sister.''"

"  Do  you  think : "  the  uncomplaining  eyes  in  which  there
is  so  much  endurance,  fill  with  tears,  and  the  lips  part  a
little  more  and  tremble :  "  that  it  will  seem  long  to  me,
while  I  wait  for  her  in  the  better  land  where  I  trust  both
you  and  I  will  be  mercifully  sheltered  .-* "


436  A  TALE  OF  TWO  CITIES.
"It  cannot  be,  my  child;  there  is  no  Time  there,  and  no
trouble  there.'"

"  You  comfort  me  so  much  !  I  am  so  ignorant.  Am  I  to
kiss  you  now.?     Is  the  moment  come?"

"  Yes."

She  kisses  his  lips  ;  he  kisses  hers  ;  they  solemnly  bless  each
other.  The  spare  hand  does  not  tremble  as  he  releases  it;
nothing  worse  than  a  sweet,  bright  constancy  is  in  the
patient  face.  She  goes  next  before  him — is  gone;  the
knitting-women  count  Twenty-Two.
