Принц и нищий
Coronation Day
Whileallmindswerestrugglingtorightthemselves,theboystillmovedsteadilyforward,withhighportandconfidentmien;hehadneverhaltedfromthebeginning;andwhilethetangledmindsstillflounderedhelplessly,hesteppedupontheplatform,andthemock-Kingranwithagladfacetomeethim;andfellonhiskneesbeforehimandsaid—
"Oh,mylordtheKing,letpoorTomCantybefirsttoswearfealtytothee,andsay,‘Putonthycrownandenterintothineownagain!’"
TheLordProtector’seyefellsternlyuponthenew-comer’sface;butstraightwaythesternnessvanishedaway,andgaveplacetoanexpressionofwonderingsurprise.Thisthinghappenedalsototheothergreatofficers.Theyglancedateachother,andretreatedastepbyacommonandunconsciousimpulse.Thethoughtineachmindwasthesame:"Whatastrangeresemblance!"
TheLordProtectorreflectedamomentortwoinperplexity,thenhesaid,withgraverespectfulness—
"Byyourfavour,sir,Idesiretoaskcertainquestionswhich—"
"Iwillanswerthem,mylord."
TheDukeaskedhimmanyquestionsabouttheCourt,thelateKing,theprince,theprincesses—theboyansweredthemcorrectlyandwithouthesitating.Hedescribedtheroomsofstateinthepalace,thelateKing’sapartments,andthoseofthePrinceofWales.
Itwasstrange;itwaswonderful;yes,itwasunaccountable—soallsaidthatheardit.
