The Prince in the toils

           WeleftJohnCantydraggingtherightfulprinceintoOffalCourt,withanoisyanddelightedmobathisheels.Therewasbutonepersoninitwhoofferedapleadingwordforthecaptive,andhewasnotheeded;hewashardlyevenheard,sogreatwastheturmoil.ThePrincecontinuedtostruggleforfreedom,andtorageagainstthetreatmenthewassuffering,untilJohnCantylostwhatlittlepatiencewasleftinhim,andraisedhisoakencudgelinasuddenfuryoverthePrince’shead.Thesinglepleaderfortheladsprangtostoptheman’sarm,andtheblowdescendeduponhisownwrist.Cantyroaredout—

           "Thou’ltmeddle,wiltthou?Thenhavethyreward."

           Hiscudgelcrasheddownuponthemeddler’shead:therewasagroan,adimformsanktothegroundamongthefeetofthecrowd,andthenextmomentitlaythereinthedarkalone.Themobpressedon,theirenjoymentnothingdisturbedbythisepisode.

           PresentlythePrincefoundhimselfinJohnCanty’sabode,withthedoorclosedagainsttheoutsiders.Bythevaguelightofatallowcandlewhichwasthrustintoabottle,hemadeoutthemainfeaturesoftheloathsomeden,andalsotheoccupantsofit.Twofrowsygirlsandamiddle-agedwomancoweredagainstthewallinonecorner,withtheaspectofanimalshabituatedtoharshusage,andexpectinganddreadingitnow.Fromanothercornerstoleawitheredhagwithstreaminggreyhairandmalignanteyes.JohnCantysaidtothisone—

           "Tarry!There’sfinemummerieshere.