Принц и нищий

           Tomnoticedthis,anditstronglyinclinedhissympathiestowardherinherperilousandunfriendedsituation.Presentlyheasked—

           "Howwroughttheytobringthestorm?"

           "Bypullingofftheirstockings,sire."

           ThisastonishedTom,andalsofiredhiscuriositytofeverheat.Hesaid,eagerly—

           "Itiswonderful!Hathitalwaysthisdreadeffect?"

           "Always,myliege—atleastifthewomandesireit,anduttertheneedfulwords,eitherinhermindorwithhertongue."

           Tomturnedtothewoman,andsaidwithimpetuouszeal—

           "Exertthypower—Iwouldseeastorm!"

           Therewasasuddenpalingofcheeksinthesuperstitiousassemblage,andageneral,thoughunexpressed,desiretogetoutoftheplace—allofwhichwaslostuponTom,whowasdeadtoeverythingbuttheproposedcataclysm.Seeingapuzzledandastonishedlookinthewoman’sface,headded,excitedly—

           "Neverfear—thoushaltbeblameless.More—thoushaltgofree—noneshalltouchthee.Exertthypower."

           "Oh,mylordtheKing,Ihaveitnot—Ihavebeenfalselyaccused."

           "Thyfearsstaythee.Beofgoodheart,thoushaltsuffernoharm.Makeastorm—itmatterethnothowsmallaone—Irequirenoughtgreatorharmful,butindeedprefertheopposite—dothisandthylifeisspared—thoushaltgooutfree,withthychild,bearingtheKing’spardon,andsafefromhurtormalicefromanyintherealm."