- It’s now noon of the next day. The doctor still hasn’t returned.
- Mr. Lorry wants to be worried about the Manettes, but bank business must come first.
- At the moment, bank business also involves making sure that Lucie and her child aren’t hanging out in the bank.
- If worse comes to worst, their presence could make trouble for Tellson’s.
- We can’t fault the guy’s reasoning. It’s a bit strange, maybe, but it’s probably accurate.
- Accordingly, Mr. Lorry moves Lucie, her child, and Miss Pross into his own rooms.
- Back at Tellson’s, he waits anxiously for the end of the day.
- Right as the business day is about to end, a man shows up at the door. He’s accompanied by two women, one of whom is knitting.
- He waits for Mr. Lorry to recognize him.
- Mr. Lorry doesn’t.
- The man prompts Mr. Lorry a bit: they last saw each other at the wine-shop he runs.
- That’s right, folks, it’s Defarge.
- Wait, didn’t he say that he wouldn’t help Darnay?
- Well, yes. But this is different. He comes with a letter from Dr. Manette to Mr. Lorry, asking Mr. Lorry to let Defarge see Lucie.
- In Lucie’s room, Defarge hands over a letter from Darnay.
- It’s short, but it lets them all know that he’s still okay.
- Overwhelmed, Lucie reaches up and kisses Madame Defarge’s hand.
- The hand doesn’t stop knitting.
- Madame Defarge is a real piece of work.
- Lucie looks up at her, terrified. Something just doesn’t seem right...
- Mr. Lorry quickly explains that Madame Defarge likes to look at those whom she may be able to help in times of crisis.
- Calling in Miss Pross and little Lucie so that Madame Defarge can see them, too, Mr. Lorry asks for her help in the future.
- Lucie pleads for mercy for her husband.
- Madame Defarge ignores this cry. She says that she’s here for the daughter of Dr. Manette (and not the wife of Evrémonde).
- Frantic, Lucie asks her to protect her husband because he’s the doctor’s son-in-law.
- She begs for pity as a wife and a mother.
- Madame Defarge stares at her coldly and says that the wives and mothers of France have been suffering for a very long time.
- She leaves without ever promising to help.