Принц і жебрак
The Prince in the toils
AndheaddedthattheKinghisfatherwouldnotletherloyalkindnessanddevotiongounrewarded.Thisreturntohis‘madness’brokeherheartanew,andshestrainedhimtoherbreastagainandagain,andthenwentback,drownedintears,toherbed.
Asshelaythinkingandmourning,thesuggestionbegantocreepintohermindthattherewasanundefinablesomethingaboutthisboythatwaslackinginTomCanty,madorsane.Shecouldnotdescribeit,shecouldnottelljustwhatitwas,andyethersharpmother-instinctseemedtodetectitandperceiveit.Whatiftheboywerereallynotherson,afterall?Oh,absurd!Shealmostsmiledattheidea,spiteofhergriefsandtroubles.Nomatter,shefoundthatitwasanideathatwouldnot‘down,’butpersistedinhauntingher.Itpursuedher,itharassedher,itclungtoher,andrefusedtobeputawayorignored.Atlastsheperceivedthattherewasnotgoingtobeanypeaceforheruntilsheshoulddeviseatestthatshouldprove,clearlyandwithoutquestion,whetherthisladwashersonornot,andsobanishthesewearingandworryingdoubts.Ah,yes,thiswasplainlytherightwayoutofthedifficulty;thereforeshesetherwitstoworkatoncetocontrivethattest.Butitwasaneasierthingtoproposethantoaccomplish.Sheturnedoverinhermindonepromisingtestafteranother,butwasobligedtorelinquishthemall—noneofthemwereabsolutelysure,absolutelyperfect;andanimperfectonecouldnotsatisfyher.
