The Three Ages of Woman

She had never seen him softened, and was much distressed. He knew her to be so, without looking at her, and said: ¡¡¡¡"Pray forgive me, Miss Manette. I break down before the knowledge of what I want to say to you. Will you hear me?" ¡¡¡¡"If it will do you any good, Mr. Carton, if it would make you happier, it would make me very glad!" ¡¡¡¡"God bless you for your sweet compassion!" ¡¡¡¡He unshaded his face after a little while, and spoke steadily. ¡¡¡¡"Don't be afraid to hear me. Don't shrink from anything I say. I am like one who died young. All my life might have been." ¡¡¡¡"No, Mr. Carton. I am sure that the best part of it might still be; I am sure that you might be much, much worthier of yourself." ¡¡¡¡"Say of you, Miss Manette, a

nd although I know better- although in the mystery of my own wretched heart I know better- I shall never forget it!" ¡¡¡¡She was pale and trembling. He came to her relief with a fixed despair of himself which made the interview unlike any other that could have been holden. ¡¡¡¡"If it had been possible, Miss Manette, that you could have returned the love of the man you see before you- self-flung away, wasted, drunken, poor creature