Принц і жебрак

           Death—andaviolentdeath—forthesepoorunfortunates!ThethoughtwrungTom’sheart-strings.Thespiritofcompassiontookcontrolofhim,totheexclusionofallotherconsiderations;heneverthoughtoftheoffendedlaws,orofthegrieforlosswhichthesethreecriminalshadinflictedupontheirvictims;hecouldthinkofnothingbutthescaffoldandthegrislyfatehangingovertheheadsofthecondemned.Hisconcernmadehimevenforget,forthemoment,thathewasbutthefalseshadowofaking,notthesubstance;andbeforeheknewithehadblurtedoutthecommand—

           "Bringthemhere!"

           Thenheblushedscarlet,andasortofapologysprungtohislips;butobservingthathisorderhadwroughtnosortofsurpriseintheEarlorthewaitingpage,hesuppressedthewordshewasabouttoutter.Thepage,inthemostmatter-of-courseway,madeaprofoundobeisanceandretiredbackwardsoutoftheroomtodeliverthecommand.Tomexperiencedaglowofprideandarenewedsenseofthecompensatingadvantagesofthekinglyoffice.Hesaidtohimself,"TrulyitislikewhatIwasusedtofeelwhenIreadtheoldpriest’stales,anddidimaginemineownselfaprince,givinglawandcommandtoall,saying‘Dothis,dothat,’whilstnonedurstofferletorhindrancetomywill."

           Nowthedoorsswungopen;onehigh-soundingtitleafteranotherwasannounced,thepersonagesowningthemfollowed,andtheplacewasquicklyhalf-filledwithnoblefolkandfinery.