After reading · Part II · Chapter 16
Part II · Chapter 16Barsad at the Wine-Shop
Reading boundary
Start: Madame Defarge and monsieur her husband returned amicably
Stop after: counting dropping heads.
Summary
Defarge learns that the police spy John Barsad will visit. Madame Defarge memorizes his appearance and knits his name into her register while he tries to provoke treasonous remarks. Barsad reveals that Lucie Manette is to marry Charles Darnay, nephew of the murdered Marquis and heir to the château.
After Barsad leaves, Defarge is troubled that Lucie’s husband should be registered through his family. Madame Defarge remains unmoved: both men’s names are recorded under their rules, though neither knows when action will come. At night, she leads the women’s knitting as church bells toll above Saint Antoine.
Who’s who
- John Barsad — Police spy already discredited at Darnay’s London trial.
- Madame Defarge — Unshaken keeper of the register.
- Monsieur Defarge — Startled by news concerning Lucie and Darnay.
- Charles Darnay — Identified by Barsad as the Marquis’s nephew.