Принц і жебрак
The Question of the Seal.
"AccordingtotheKing’scommand,soshallitbe.Will’tpleaseyourmajestytoorderthattheSealbenowrestoredtome,sothatImayforthuponthebusiness?"
"TheSeal?WhokeepeththeSealbutthou?"
"Pleaseyourmajesty,youdidtakeitfrommetwodayssince,sayingitshouldnomoredoitsofficetillyourownroyalhandshoulduseitupontheDukeofNorfolk’swarrant."
"Why,soinsoothIdid:Idoremember....WhatdidIwithit?...Iamveryfeeble....Sooftthesedaysdothmymemoryplaythetraitorwithme....‘Tisstrange,strange—"
TheKingdroppedintoinarticulatemumblings,shakinghisgreyheadweaklyfromtimetotime,andgropinglytryingtorecollectwhathehaddonewiththeSeal.AtlastmyLordHertfordventuredtokneelandofferinformation—
"Sire,ifthatImaybesobold,herebeseveralthatdorememberwithmehowthatyougavetheGreatSealintothehandsofhishighnessthePrinceofWalestokeepagainstthedaythat—"
"True,mosttrue!"interruptedtheKing."Fetchit!Go:timeflieth!"
LordHertfordflewtoTom,butreturnedtotheKingbeforeverylong,troubledandempty-handed.Hedeliveredhimselftothiseffect—
"Itgrievethme,mylordtheKing,tobearsoheavyandunwelcometidings;butitisthewillofGodthattheprince’safflictionabidethstill,andhecannotrecalltomindthathereceivedtheSeal.SocameIquicklytoreport,thinkingitwerewasteofprecioustime,andlittleworthwithal,thatanyshouldattempttosearchthelongarrayofchambersandsaloonsthatbelonguntohisroyalhigh—"
