Принц і жебрак

           "Ithanktheeoutofmyheart!"exclaimedHendonwithafervencywhichshowedthathewastouched.TheKingadded,withthesamegentlesimplicity—

           "Dostthoudoubtme?"

           AguiltyconfusionseizeduponHendon,andhewasgratefulthatthedooropenedtoadmitHugh,atthatmoment,andsavedhimthenecessityofreplying.

           Abeautifullady,richlyclothed,followedHugh,andafterhercameseveralliveriedservants.Theladywalkedslowly,withherheadbowedandhereyesfixeduponthefloor.Thefacewasunspeakablysad.MilesHendonsprangforward,cryingout—

           "Oh,myEdith,mydarling—"

           ButHughwavedhimback,gravely,andsaidtothelady—

           "Lookuponhim.Doyouknowhim?"

           AtthesoundofMiles’svoicethewomanhadstartedslightly,andhercheekshadflushed;shewastremblingnow.Shestoodstill,duringanimpressivepauseofseveralmoments;thenslowlyliftedupherheadandlookedintoHendon’seyeswithastonyandfrightenedgaze;thebloodsankoutofherface,dropbydrop,tillnothingremainedbutthegreypallorofdeath;thenshesaid,inavoiceasdeadastheface,"Iknowhimnot!"andturned,withamoanandastifledsob,andtotteredoutoftheroom.

           MilesHendonsankintoachairandcoveredhisfacewithhishands.Afterapause,hisbrothersaidtotheservants—

           "Youhaveobservedhim.Doyouknowhim?"

           Theyshooktheirheads;thenthemastersaid—

           "Theservantsknowyounot,sir.Ifearthereissomemistake.Youhaveseenthatmywifeknewyounot."