A Tale of Two Cities

Twelve months after his uncle’s murder, Darnay has successfully established himself as a French tutor. Although he has been in love with Lucie since his trial, however, he has hesitated to speak to her about it. Instead, he chooses to visit Doctor Manette when he knows Lucie will be out.

Manette is visibly pained as Darnay confesses his love for Lucie, although he reassures Darnay that he doesn’t doubt his sincerity or selflessness. He also realizes that Darnay hasn’t spoken to Lucie out of respect for him, which Darnay confirms, noting that the two share a particularly strong bond because of Manette’s long imprisonment. He assures him, however, that he would not separate Lucie from her father if he married her; he has still not decided whether (or if) he will tell Lucie how he feels, but he asks Doctor Manette to “bear testimony to what [he has] said” (140) if Lucie ever confesses that she herself is in love. Manette promises that he will, and assures Darnay that “any fancies, any reasons any apprehensions, anything whatsoever, new or old, against the man [Lucie] really loved—the direct responsibility not lying on his head—they should all be obliterated for her sake” (141).