Принц і жебрак
A Victim of Treachery
AllingoodtimeHugostrolledofftoaneighbouringvillagewithhisprey;andthetwodriftedslowlyupanddownonestreetafteranother,theonewatchingsharplyforasurechancetoachievehisevilpurpose,andtheotherwatchingassharplyforachancetodartawayandgetfreeofhisinfamouscaptivityforever.
Boththrewawaysometolerablyfair-lookingopportunities;forboth,intheirsecrethearts,wereresolvedtomakeabsolutelysureworkthistime,andneithermeanttoallowhisfevereddesirestoseducehimintoanyventurethathadmuchuncertaintyaboutit.
Hugo’schancecamefirst.Foratlastawomanapproachedwhocarriedafatpackageofsomesortinabasket.Hugo’seyessparkledwithsinfulpleasureashesaidtohimself,"Breatho’mylife,an’Icanbutputthatuponhim,‘tisgood-denandGodkeepthee,KingoftheGame-Cocks!"Hewaitedandwatched—outwardlypatient,butinwardlyconsumingwithexcitement—tillthewomanhadpassedby,andthetimewasripe;thensaid,inalowvoice—
"TarryheretillIcomeagain,"anddartedstealthilyaftertheprey.
TheKing’sheartwasfilledwithjoy—hecouldmakehisescape,now,ifHugo’squestonlycarriedhimfarenoughaway.
Buthewastohavenosuchluck.Hugocreptbehindthewoman,snatchedthepackage,andcamerunningback,wrappingitinanoldpieceofblanketwhichhecarriedonhisarm.Thehueandcrywasraisedinamoment,bythewoman,whoknewherlossbythelighteningofherburden,althoughshehadnotseenthepilferingdone.
