A Tale of Two Cities Book 2, Chapter 2

Jerry is instructed to go to the court and wait for Mr. Lorry. Jerry inquires about the nature of the trial and is told that it is for treason. When he arrives at the court, he asks about the sentencing of the case. A man tells him that if found guilty, the defendant will be drawn on a hurdle to be half hanged, then sliced, then his insides will be removed and burned as he looks on, and his head will be chopped off, and he will be cut into quarters. The man assures Jerry that the defendant will be found guilty. The prisoner is brought in, and everyone in the court looks at him anxiously. The prisoner is about twentyfive, handsome and well-dressed with sunburned cheeks and dark eyes. His long dark hair is tied at the back of his neck with a ribbon. The defendant, Charles Darnay, had pleaded not guilty the day before. The accusation against Darnay is that he is guilty of treason against the crown for conspiring to aid the French king, Lewis, in wars against England. After the spectators withdraw their attention from him, they notice an elderly gentleman sitting with a beautiful young woman, with her arm linked through his. Their appearance prompts much whispering amongst the spectators, who want to know who they are and why they are here.