Принц і жебрак

           Whileallmindswerestrugglingtorightthemselves,theboystillmovedsteadilyforward,withhighportandconfidentmien;hehadneverhaltedfromthebeginning;andwhilethetangledmindsstillflounderedhelplessly,hesteppedupontheplatform,andthemock-Kingranwithagladfacetomeethim;andfellonhiskneesbeforehimandsaid—

           "Oh,mylordtheKing,letpoorTomCantybefirsttoswearfealtytothee,andsay,‘Putonthycrownandenterintothineownagain!’"

           TheLordProtector’seyefellsternlyuponthenew-comer’sface;butstraightwaythesternnessvanishedaway,andgaveplacetoanexpressionofwonderingsurprise.Thisthinghappenedalsototheothergreatofficers.Theyglancedateachother,andretreatedastepbyacommonandunconsciousimpulse.Thethoughtineachmindwasthesame:"Whatastrangeresemblance!"

           TheLordProtectorreflectedamomentortwoinperplexity,thenhesaid,withgraverespectfulness—

           "Byyourfavour,sir,Idesiretoaskcertainquestionswhich—"

           "Iwillanswerthem,mylord."

           TheDukeaskedhimmanyquestionsabouttheCourt,thelateKing,theprince,theprincesses—theboyansweredthemcorrectlyandwithouthesitating.Hedescribedtheroomsofstateinthepalace,thelateKing’sapartments,andthoseofthePrinceofWales.

           Itwasstrange;itwaswonderful;yes,itwasunaccountable—soallsaidthatheardit.