Принц и нищий
In Prison
TheKingnowheardtalking,backandforth,asifquestionswerebeingaskedandanswered,buthecouldnotmakeoutwhatwassaid.Nexttherewasadealofbustleandpreparation,andmuchpassingandrepassingofofficialsthroughthatpartofthecrowdthatstoodonthefurthersideofthewomen;andwhilstthisproceededadeephushgraduallyfelluponthepeople.
Now,bycommand,themassespartedandfellaside,andtheKingsawaspectaclethatfrozethemarrowinhisbones.Faggotshadbeenpiledaboutthetwowomen,andakneelingmanwaslightingthem!
Thewomenbowedtheirheads,andcoveredtheirfaceswiththeirhands;theyellowflamesbegantoclimbupwardamongthesnappingandcracklingfaggots,andwreathsofbluesmoketostreamawayonthewind;theclergymanliftedhishandsandbeganaprayer—justthentwoyounggirlscameflyingthroughthegreatgate,utteringpiercingscreams,andthrewthemselvesuponthewomenatthestake.Instantlytheyweretornawaybytheofficers,andoneofthemwaskeptinatightgrip,buttheotherbrokeloose,sayingshewoulddiewithhermother;andbeforeshecouldbestoppedshehadflungherarmsabouthermother’sneckagain.Shewastornawayoncemore,andwithhergownonfire.Twoorthreemenheldher,andtheburningportionofhergownwassnatchedoffandthrownflamingaside,shestrugglingallthewhiletofreeherself,andsayingshewouldbealoneintheworld,now;andbeggingtobeallowedtodiewithhermother.
