Принц і жебрак

           Itwasdone.Noneremainedbutthetwoofficials,theaccused,theaccuser,andMilesHendon.Thislatterwasrigidandcolourless,andonhisforeheadbigdropsofcoldsweatgathered,brokeandblendedtogether,andtrickleddownhisface.Thejudgeturnedtothewomanagain,andsaid,inacompassionatevoice—

           "‘Tisapoorignorantlad,andmayhapwasdrivenhardbyhunger,forthesebegrievoustimesfortheunfortunate;markyou,hehathnotanevilface—butwhenhungerdriveth—Goodwoman!dostknowthatwhenonestealsathingabovethevalueofthirteenpenceha’pennythelawsaithheshallhangforit?"

           ThelittleKingstarted,wide-eyedwithconsternation,butcontrolledhimselfandheldhispeace;butnotsothewoman.Shesprangtoherfeet,shakingwithfright,andcriedout—

           "Oh,goodlack,whathaveIdone!God-a-mercy,Iwouldnothangthepoorthingforthewholeworld!Ah,savemefromthis,yourworship—whatshallIdo,whatcanIdo?"

           Thejusticemaintainedhisjudicialcomposure,andsimplysaid—

           "Doubtlessitisallowabletorevisethevalue,sinceitisnotyetwritupontherecord."

           "TheninGod’snamecallthepigeightpence,andheavenblessthedaythatfreedmyconscienceofthisawesomething!"

           MilesHendonforgotalldecoruminhisdelight;andsurprisedtheKingandwoundedhisdignity,bythrowinghisarmsaroundhimandhugginghim.Thewomanmadehergratefuladieuxandstartedawaywithherpig;andwhentheconstableopenedthedoorforher,hefollowedheroutintothenarrowhall.