"A Tale of Two Cities"
by Charles Dickens

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     "In secret, too," grumbled the gaoler, looking at the written paper. "As if I was not already full to bursting!"

     He stuck the paper on a file, in an ill-humour, and Charles Darnay awaited his further pleasure for half an hour: sometimes, pacing to and fro in the strong arched room: sometimes, resting on a stone seat: in either case detained to be imprinted on the memory of the chief and his subordinates.

     "Come!" said the chief, at length taking up his keys, "come with me, emigrant."

 

     Through the dismal prison twilight, his new charge accompanied him by corridor and staircase, many doors clanging and locking behind them, until they came into a large, low, vaulted chamber, crowded with prisoners of both sexes. The women were seated at a long table, reading and writing, knitting, sewing, and embroidering; the men were for the most part standing behind their chairs, or lingering up and down the room.

 
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