Принц і жебрак

           Itwaswhisperedaboutthecountrythatshortlyafterthenuptialsthebridefoundamongherhusband’spapersseveralroughandincompletedraftsofthefatalletter,andhadaccusedhimofprecipitatingthemarriage—andSirRichard’sdeath,too—byawickedforgery.TalesofcrueltytotheLadyEdithandtheservantsweretobeheardonallhands;andsincethefather’sdeathSirHughhadthrownoffallsoftdisguisesandbecomeapitilessmastertowardallwhoinanywaydependeduponhimandhisdomainsforbread.

           TherewasabitofAndrew’sgossipwhichtheKinglistenedtowithalivelyinterest—

           "ThereisrumourthattheKingismad.ButincharityforbeartosayImentionedit,for‘tisdeathtospeakofit,theysay."

           HisMajestyglaredattheoldmanandsaid—

           "TheKingisnotmad,goodman—andthou’ltfindittothyadvantagetobusythyselfwithmattersthatnearerconcerntheethanthisseditiousprattle."

           "Whatdoththeladmean?"saidAndrews,surprisedatthisbriskassaultfromsuchanunexpectedquarter.Hendongavehimasign,andhedidnotpursuehisquestion,butwentonwithhisbudget—

           "ThelateKingistobeburiedatWindsorinadayortwo—the16thofthemonth—andthenewKingwillbecrownedatWestminsterthe20th."

           "Methinkstheymustneedsfindhimfirst,"mutteredhisMajesty;thenadded,confidently,"buttheywilllooktothat—andsoalsoshallI."

           "Inthenameof—"

           Buttheoldmangotnofurther—awarningsignfromHendoncheckedhisremark.