Book III, Chapter Eight – A Hand at Cards

While Charles is being arrested at home, Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher are still out shopping for his feast. All of a sudden, Miss Pross sees a man and starts to scream. Miss Pross runs up to him, calling out his name. Soloman, the man, drags her into an alley and tells her to shut up. Mr. Cruncher follows them into the alley. He’s a bit confused. Angry, Soloman wants to know what Miss Pross wants. Miss Pross, teary-eyed, introduces Soloman to Mr. Cruncher as her beloved brother. Of course, our narrator is quick to tell us that Soloman stole Miss Pross’ money. Suddenly, Mr. Cruncher takes an interest in Soloman. As he remembers it, however, Soloman wasn’t his name back in England. In fact, he thinks that Soloman used to be a spy. What was the name Soloman used to use?

While Mr. Cruncher thinks, a new voice breaks into the conversation. It’s Sydney. He informs Cruncher that Solomon’s old name was Barsad. Sydney reassures Miss Pross that everything is alright. He showed up a day ago; he’s been to see Mr. Lorry, and he’s now trying to be of some help to the Manettes. Now, though, he’s here to see Barsad.

Apparently Soloman/Barsad has become a spy in the French prisons. Sydney explains that he’d like to have a conversation with Barsad at Mr. Lorry’s. When Barsad seems inclined to say no, Sydney gently tells him that he has information which could make life pretty sticky for Barsad. That changes Barsad’s mind! 

At Mr. Lorry’s, Sydney introduces Barsad. Next, he breaks the bad news to Mr. Lorry: Charles has been arrested again. Not to worry, though: Sydney has a plan. To make the plan work, though, he needs Barsad’s help. Luckily, however, Sydney as some dirt on Barsad.  Barsad has been spying on the prisoners for the French revolutionaries, but he’s also been spying on the French for the English. No one likes a double-crossing spy.

Moreover, Sydney knows that Barsad’s friend is passing as a Frenchman – but he’s really an Englishman, Roger Cly. Mr. Cruncher suddenly pays close attention. He wants to know why Roger Cly never got properly buried. In fact, he asks Barsad. Barsad can’t figure out how Cruncher would know this…until Jerry informs them that he tried to dig Roger up. In Roger’s place, however, he found an empty coffin.  Barsad wants to know what Sydney wants from him. As it turns out, Sydney doesn’t want much. Barsad is a keyholder of the prison. He can pass in and out at will, right? 

Sydney asks Barsad to step into the next room so that they can have a word together in private...and unfortunately, we don’t get to read about that particular conversation.

Book III, Chapter Seven – A Knock at the Door

The Manettes decide to have a little feast to celebrate Charles’ return. Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher leave to take care of the shopping. 

The Manettes stay at home and suddenly, Lucie starts. She thinks she hears footsteps on the stairs. The doctor assures her that nothing can be wrong now. He’s saved Charles. Sure enough, though, soldiers appear at the door. They ask for Charles. He’s been denounced by Saint Antoine. The doctor demands to know why he’s denounced.

Soldiers reply that the doctor shouldn’t ask questions. Finally, though, the soldier relents. Charles has been denounced by Monsieur and Madame Defarge…and one other. When the doctor asks who the other person is, the soldier stares at him for a minute. He doesn’t know?

Book III, Chapter Six – Triumph

It’s the morning of Charles’ trial. One woman sits in the front row, knitting. Beside her, Charles sees Defarge. Doctor Manette sits right beneath the President of the Tribunal, ready to testify. Charles’ charges are read: he’s an emigrant, and all emigrants are subject to death. Charles testifies that he’s been living in England and earning his own money there. He’s even married a woman in England. When asked, Charles announces that his wife is Lucie, the daughter of Doctor Manette. The crowd gasps in astonishment. 

The president asks why Charles chose to return to France. Charles explains that he felt a moral obligation to return, even though he’d given up any claim to his own lands long ago. He’d come back to save a citizen’s life. How could this be criminal? The audience now agrees with Charles. They shout pretty loudly to save him. 

 When Dr. Manette testifies that Charles had actually been on trial in England for being a friend of the United States, the crowd goes crazy. The French helped the U.S. in the American Revolution, remember? Therefore, Charles must be a good guy! 

Crying "Long Live the Republic!," the crowd hoists Charles on people’s shoulders and carries him out of the courtroom. The Manettes manage to get him home. Smiling, the doctor announces that he’s saved Charles.

Book III, Chapter Five – The Wood-Sawyer

A year passes. Then another three months pass. Nothing’s s changed. Lucie, in particular, seems to have weathered the calamity pretty well. One day, the doctor comes home with some news: every now and then, Charles can get to a little window which looks out on the street. He usually manages to be there at three in the afternoon. It’s not every day…in fact, it’s only about once a week. Nonetheless, he asked if Lucie would be willing to come stand in front of the window at three so that he could see her.

From that time on, Lucie goes to the street next to the window every afternoon. A woodcutter happens to realize that she’s standing on his street every day. One day, he’s not in his shop. Lucie’s relieved – until she sees him dancing with The Vengeance and a mob of hundreds of other people. They’re dancing a wild, bloody, violent dance. Apparently it involves lots of teeth gnashing. It’s called the Carmagnole.

Lucie stares at them, frightened. Her father comes up to lead them away, and she asks him about the horrible dance. He tries to calm her, although he’s seen it several times before. Suddenly, Madame Defarge appears right beside them. Manette tells Lucie that Charles has been summoned to the Tribunal. He’s supposed to have a trial tomorrow.

Book III, Chapter Four – Calm in a Storm

Doctor Manette doesn’t return for four days. When he finally makes it back to the house, he tells Lorry he saw Charles brought before the court and almost released. At the last minute, however, the President of the Tribunal gets some new information. He orders that Charles be held in prison. He won’t be executed, but he won’t be set free. Dr. Manette describes the Tribunals as madness. There’s not any justice or even any attempt at observing any laws. The doctor becomes the head medical inspector of three prisons. In that position, he’s able to bring back occasional news of Charles. 

In this chapter, we’re introduced to the real star of this novel: the Guillotine.Our narrator takes a good long time to describe the ways that it influences and symbolizes the new Republic. The doctor moves through all the madness of this time. The guillotine chops off heads right and left, Charles remains in prison, and Lucie…waits.

Book III, Chapter Three – The Shadow

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. 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. Hmmm… The man reminds Lorry that they know one another: 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 Charles? Well, yes. But this is different. He comes with a letter from Doctor Manette to Mr. Lorry, asking Mr. Lorry to let Defarge see Lucie. Why does this feel like a VERY BAD IDEA?!?!?!?  In Lucie’s room, Defarge hands over a letter from Charles. It’s short, but it lets them know that he’s still OK. Overwhelmed, Lucie reaches up and kisses Madame Defarge’s hand. The hand doesn’t stop knitting. DUM DUM DUMMMM… 

Apparently, Madame Defarge likes to look at those whom she may be able to help in times of crisis.  (Are you buying any of this?  Me neither.) Miss Pross and Little Lucie are also viewed by Madame Defarge. Lucie pleads for mercy for her husband. Madame Defarge leaves without ever promising to help.