"if it was a light answer," returned darnay, "i beg your forgiveness for it. i had no other object than to turn a slight thing, which, to my surprise, seems to trouble you too much, aside. i declare to you, on the faith of a gentleman, that i have long dismissed it from my mind. good heaven, what was there to dismiss! have i had nothing more important to remember, in the great service you rendered me that day?"