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"My dear Manette, I am anxious to have your opinion, in

confidence, on a very curious case in which I am deeply

interested; that is to say, it is very curious to me; perhaps, to

your better information it may be less so."

Glancing at his hands, which were discoloured by his late work,

the Doctor looked troubled, and listened attentively. He had

already glanced at his hands more than once.

"Doctor Manette," said Mr. Lorry, touching him affectionately on

the arm, "the case is the case of a particularly dear friend of

mine. Pray give your mind to it, and advise me well for his

sake--and above all, for his daughter's--his daughter's, my dear

Manette."

"If I understand," said the Doctor, in a subdued tone, "some

mental shock--?"

"Yes!"

"Be explicit," said the Doctor. "Spare no detail."

Mr. Lorry saw that they understood one another, and proceeded.