Принц і жебрак

           Thetidewasbeginningtoturn,andTomCanty’shopestorunhigh,whentheLordProtectorshookhisheadandsaid—

           "Itistrueitismostwonderful—butitisnomorethanourlordtheKinglikewisecando."Thisremark,andthisreferencetohimselfasstilltheKing,saddenedTomCanty,andhefelthishopescrumblingfromunderhim."Thesearenotproofs,"addedtheProtector.

           Thetidewasturningveryfastnow,veryfastindeed—butinthewrongdirection;itwasleavingpoorTomCantystrandedonthethrone,andsweepingtheotherouttosea.TheLordProtectorcommunedwithhimself—shookhishead—thethoughtforceditselfuponhim,"ItisperiloustotheStateandtousall,toentertainsofatefulariddleasthis;itcoulddividethenationandunderminethethrone."Heturnedandsaid—

           "SirThomas,arrestthis—No,hold!"Hisfacelighted,andheconfrontedtheraggedcandidatewiththisquestion—

           "WherelieththeGreatSeal?Answermethistruly,andtheriddleisunriddled;foronlyhethatwasPrinceofWalescansoanswer!Onsotrivialathinghangathroneandadynasty!"

           Itwasaluckythought,ahappythought.Thatitwassoconsideredbythegreatofficialswasmanifestedbythesilentapplausethatshotfromeyetoeyearoundtheircircleintheformofbrightapprovingglances.