After reading · Part III · Chapter 11
Part III · Chapter 11Farewell at Dusk
Reading boundary
Start: The wretched wife of the innocent man thus doomed to die
Stop after: And walked with a settled step, down-stairs.
Summary
Lucie masters her shock to comfort Darnay. Allowed one brief embrace, she assures him they will meet again in heaven. He asks her to comfort Doctor Manette and not blame him for the manuscript. After Darnay is taken away, Lucie collapses; Carton carries her to the coach and asks little Lucie for a kiss on behalf of a man she loves.
Manette rushes away to make one final appeal. Carton tells Lorry there is no real hope, though Lucie might be spared the knowledge for a while. When Lorry notices Carton’s resemblance to Darnay, Carton redirects him from the thought, then leaves with a firm purpose.
Who’s who
- Lucie Manette — Suppresses her own anguish to give Darnay courage.
- Charles Darnay — Faces death while protecting Lucie from blame and despair.
- Doctor Manette — Goes to make a final attempt to save Darnay.
- Sydney Carton — Helps Lucie and acts with increasing resolution.
- Mr. Lorry — Waits with Carton and reluctantly accepts that hope is gone.