Принц і жебрак
Tom as a Patrician
Thenshefledawayinfright;andTom,smittenwithdespair,sankdown,murmuring—
"Thereisnohelp,thereisnohope.Nowwilltheycomeandtakeme."
Whilsthelaytherebenumbedwithterror,dreadfultidingswerespeedingthroughthepalace.Thewhisper—foritwaswhisperedalways—flewfrommenialtomenial,fromlordtolady,downallthelongcorridors,fromstorytostory,fromsaloontosaloon,"Theprincehathgonemad,theprincehathgonemad!"Sooneverysaloon,everymarblehall,haditsgroupsofglitteringlordsandladies,andothergroupsofdazzlinglesserfolk,talkingearnestlytogetherinwhispers,andeveryfacehadinitdismay.Presentlyasplendidofficialcamemarchingbythesegroups,makingsolemnproclamation—
"INTHENAMEOFTHEKING!
Letnonelisttothisfalseandfoolishmatter,uponpainofdeath,nordiscussthesame,norcarryitabroad.InthenameoftheKing!"
Thewhisperingsceasedassuddenlyasifthewhisperershadbeenstrickendumb.
Soontherewasageneralbuzzalongthecorridors,of"Theprince!See,theprincecomes!"
PoorTomcameslowlywalkingpastthelow-bowinggroups,tryingtobowinreturn,andmeeklygazinguponhisstrangesurroundingswithbewilderedandpatheticeyes.
