Принц і жебрак
Tom as King
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."