In Chapter 18 of Book the Second of A Tale of
Two Cities, after the wedding day of Charles Darnay and Lucie Manette, a day
on which Darnay reveals his true identity to Doctor Manette, the burden of this
knowledge causes a great change to occur in the physician; the "old frightened look"
returns and Dr. Manette regresses to Number One Hundred and Five North Tower and takes
up again his old occupation of shoemaker. Observing this, Mr. Lorry takes certain
measures in the hope that Manette will return to his sane self. However, if he does not
Mr. Lorry
kept
another course in reserve; which was, to have a certain opinion that he thought the
best, on the Doctor's
case.
When the Doctor does
not return to himself, Mr. Lorry asks the physician for his opinion, in confidence, on
"a very curious case" in which he is deeply interested. By asking Dr. Manette his
advise about a supposed friend, Mr. Lorry pays the physician his professional respect as
well as reminding him what his profession really is. As though welcoming this
opportunity to discuss his case impersonally, Dr. Manette responds, "Be
explicit....Spare no detail."
As Mr. Lorry continues, Dr.
Manette looks oddly at his own hands. He asks Mr. Lorry if the man appeared as he had
been and if the daughter knew of his renewed affliction. When Mr. Lorry
returns,
"No.
It has been kept from her, and I hope will always be dept from her. It is known only to
myself, and to one other who may be
trusted."
Dr. Manette thanks
Lorry; he is grateful for his discretion and for so kindly making him aware of his
relapse into insanity without injuring his pride. Through the guise of speaking about
another man, Manette is able to reveal much about himeself without embarrassment.
Finally, Mr. Lorry persuades him that the subject of their discussion should have the
object of his obsessive behavior taken away when he does not know it so he can be
cured.
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