“I dislike him as much as ever. I fear him more than ever, and I keep away from him. But it is not natural for a Defarge to fear anybody, and my heart grows hot when I think he has brought me to this pitiful state. I would harm him somehow! If I cannot do it with my own hand, at least I can use my brain to do it.”
“And succeed as you have in the past—by getting it in the neck.”
“Not this time.”
“Why not?”
“Because I shall bring to bear on him something of which he has no knowledge, and, so long as I keep out of his way, can have no intimation. But I need assistance.”
“That’s why you sent for me?”
“Exactly.”
“Do you mean that I am to pull your chestnuts out of the fire?”
“Not that. You dislike him as much as I.”
“Well?”