"  Om*  family ;  our  honourable  family,  whose  honour  is  of
so  much  account  to  both  of  us,  in  such  different  ways.  Even
in  my  father''s  time,  we  did  a  world  of  wrong,  injuring  every
human  creature  who  came  between  us  and  our  pleasure,  what-
ever it  was.  Why  need  I  speak  of  my  father's  time,  when
it  is  equally  yours  ?  Can  I  separate  my  father''s  twin-brother,
joint  inheritor,  and  next  successor,  from  himself.'"
"  Death  has  done  that !  "  said  the  Marquis.
"  And  has  left  me,"  answered  the  nephew,  "  bound  to  a
system  that  is  frightful  to  me,  responsible  for  it,  but  power-
less in  it ;  seeking  to  execute  the  last  request  of  my  dear
mother's  lips,  and  obey  the  last  look  of  my  dear  mother's
eyes,  which  implored  me  to  have  mercy  and  to  redress ;  and
tortured  by  seeking  assistance  and  power  in  vain."

"  Seeking  them  from  me,  my  nephew,"  said  the  Marquis,
touching  him  on  the  breast  with  his  forefinger — they  were
now  standing  by  the  hearth — "you  will  for  ever  seek  them
in  vain,  be  assured."

Every  fine  straight  line  in  the  clear  whiteness  of  his  face,
was  cruelly,  craftily,  and  closely  compressed,  while  he  stood
looking  quietly  at  his  nephew,  with  his  snuff-box  in  his  hand.
142  A  TALE   OF  TWO   CITIES.
Once  again  he  touched  him  on  the  breast,  as  though  his
finger  were  the  fine  point  of  a  small  sword,  with  which,  in
delicate  finesse,  he  ran  him  through  the  body,  and  said,

"My  friend,  I  will  die,  perpetuating  the  system  under
which  I  have  lived."

When  he  had  said  it,  he  took  a  culminating  pinch  of  snuff",
and  put  his  box  in  his  pocket.
