Принц и нищий
Tom receives instructions
Morethanonce,intruth,Tomwasneartobreakingdownandconfessinghimselfunequaltohistremendouspart;butthetactofthePrincessElizabethsavedhim,orawordfromoneortheotherofthevigilantlords,throwninapparentlybychance,hadthesamehappyeffect.OncethelittleLadyJaneturnedtoTomanddismayedhimwiththisquestion,—
"HastpaidthydutytotheQueen’smajestyto-day,mylord?"
Tomhesitated,lookeddistressed,andwasabouttostammeroutsomethingathazard,whenLordSt.Johntookthewordandansweredforhimwiththeeasygraceofacourtieraccustomedtoencounterdelicatedifficultiesandtobereadyforthem—
"Hehathindeed,madam,andshedidgreatlyheartenhim,astouchinghismajesty’scondition;isitnotso,yourhighness?"
Tommumbledsomethingthatstoodforassent,butfeltthathewasgettingupondangerousground.SomewhatlateritwasmentionedthatTomwastostudynomoreatpresent,whereuponherlittleladyshipexclaimed—
"‘Tisapity,‘tisapity!Thouwertproceedingbravely.Butbidethytimeinpatience:itwillnotbeforlong.Thou’ltyetbegracedwithlearninglikethyfather,andmakethytonguemasterofasmanylanguagesashis,goodmyprince."
"Myfather!"criedTom,offhisguardforthemoment."Itrowhecannotspeakhisownsothatanybuttheswinethatkennelinthestyesmaytellhismeaning;andasforlearningofanysortsoever—"
HelookedupandencounteredasolemnwarninginmyLordSt.John’seyes.
