"A Tale of Two Cities"
by Charles Dickens

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     "My brave wife," returned Defarge, standing before her with his head a little bent, and his hands clasped at his back, like a docile and attentive pupil before his catechist, "I do not question all this. But it has lasted a long time, and it is possible--you know well, my wife, it is possible--that it may not come, during our lives."

     "Eh well! How then?" demanded madame, tying another knot, as if there were another enemy strangled.

     "Well!" said Defarge, with a half complaining and half apologetic shrug. "We shall not see the triumph."

 

     "We shall have helped it," returned madame, with her extended hand in strong action. "Nothing that we do, is done in vain. I believe, with all my soul, that we shall see the triumph. But even if not, even if I knew certainly not, show me the neck of an aristocrat and tyrant, and still I would--"

     Then madame, with her teeth set, tied a very terrible knot indeed.

     "Hold!" cried Defarge, reddening a little as if he felt charged with cowardice; "I too, my dear, will stop at nothing."

 
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