’Goodsir，Iwouldwashme。’

’Oh，isthatall！AsknopermissionofMilesHendonforaughtthoucravest。Makethyselfperfectlyfreehereandwelcome，withallthatarehisbelongings。’

Stilltheboystood，andmovednot；more，hetappedtheflooronceortwicewithhissmallimpatientfoot。Hendonwaswhollyperplexed。

Saidhe：

’Blessus，whatisit？’

’Prithee，pourthewater，andmakenotsomanywords！’

Hendon，suppressingahorse—laugh，andsayingtohimself，’Byallthesaints，butthisisadmirable！’steppedbrisklyforwardanddidthesmallinsolent’sbidding；thenstoodby，inasortofstupefaction，untilthecommand，’Come—thetowel！’wokehimsharplyup。Hetookupatowelfromundertheboy’snoseandhandedittohim，withoutcomment。Henowproceededtocomforthisownfacewithawash，andwhilehewasatithisadoptedchildseatedhimselfatthetableandpreparedtofallto。Hendondespatchedhisablutionswithalacrity，thendrewbacktheotherchairandwasabouttoplacehimselfattable，whentheboysaid，indignantly：

’Forbear！Wouldstsitinthepresenceoftheking？’

ThisblowstaggeredHendontohisfoundations。Hemutteredtohimself，’Lo，thepoorthing’smadnessisupwiththetime！ithathchangedwiththegreatchangethatiscometotherealm，andnowinfancyisheking！Goodlack，Imusthumortheconceit，too—thereisnootherway—faith，hewouldordermetotheTower，else！’

Andpleasedwiththisjest，heremovedthechairfromthetable，tookhisstandbehindtheking，andproceededtowaituponhiminthecourtliestwayhewascapableof。

Whenthekingate，therigorofhisroyaldignityrelaxedalittle，andwithhisgrowingcontentmentcameadesiretotalk。Hesaid：

’IthinkthoucallestthyselfMilesHendon，ifIheardtheearight？’

’Yes，sire，’Milesrepliedthenobservedtohimself，’IfImusthumorthepoorlad’smadness，Imustsirehim，Imustmajestyhim，I

mustnotgobyhalves，ImuststickatnothingthatbelongethtothepartIplay，elseshallIplayitillandworkeviltothischaritableandkindlycause。’

Thekingwarmedhisheartwithasecondglassofwine，andsaid：

’Iwouldknowthee—tellmethystory。Thouhastagallantwaywiththee，andanoble—artnoblyborn？’

’Weareofthetailofthenobility，goodyourmajesty。Myfatherisabaronet—oneofthesmallerlords，byknightservice*（8）—SirRichardHendon，ofHendonHall，byMonk’sHolminKent。’

’Thenamehasescapedmymemory。Goon—tellmethystory。’

’’Tisnotmuch，yourmajesty，yetperchanceitmaybeguileashorthalf—hourforwantofabetter。Myfather，SirRichard，isveryrich，andofamostgenerousnature。MymotherdiedwhilstIwasyetaboy。Ihavetwobrothers：Arthur，myelder，withasoulliketohisfather’s；andHugh，youngerthanI，ameanspirit，covetous，treacherous，vicious，underhanded—areptile。Suchwashefromthecradle；suchwashetenyearspast，whenIlastsawhim—ariperascalatnineteen，Ibeingtwentythen，andArthurtwenty—two。ThereisnoneotherofusbuttheLadyEdith，mycousin—shewassixteen，then—

beautiful，gentle，good，thedaughterofanearl，thelastofherrace，heiressofagreatfortuneandalapsedtitle。Myfatherwasherguardian。Ilovedherandshelovedme；butshewasbetrothedtoArthurfromthecradle，andSirRichardwouldnotsufferthecontracttobebroken。Arthurlovedanothermaid，andbadeusbeofgoodcheerandholdfasttothehopethatdelayandlucktogetherwouldsomedaygivesuccesstoourseveralcauses。HughlovedtheLadyEdith’sfortune，thoughintruthhesaiditwasherselfheloved—

butthen’twashisway，alway，tosayonethingandmeantheother。

Buthelosthisartsuponthegirl；hecoulddeceivemyfather，butnoneelse。Myfatherlovedhimbestofusall，andtrustedandbelievedhim；forhewastheyoungestchildandothershatedhim—

thesequalitiesbeinginallagessufficienttowinaparent’sdearestlove；andhehadasmoothpersuasivetongue，withanadmirablegiftoflying—andthesebequalitieswhichdomightilyassistablindaffectiontocozenitself。Iwaswild—introthImightgoyetfartherandsayverywild，though’twasawildnessofaninnocentsort，sinceithurtnonebutme，broughtshametonone，norloss，norhadinitanytaintofcrimeorbaseness，orwhatmightnotbeseemminehonorabledegree。

’YetdidmybrotherHughturnthesefaultstogoodaccount—heseeingthatourbrotherArthur’shealthwasbutindifferent，andhopingtheworstmightworkhimprofitwereIsweptoutofthepath—

so—but’twerealongtale，goodmyliege，andlittleworththetelling。Briefly，then，thisbrotherdiddeftlymagnifymyfaultsandmakethemcrimes；endinghisbaseworkwithfindingasilkenladderinmineapartments—conveyedthitherbyhisownmeans—anddidconvincemyfatherbythis，andsubornedevidenceofservantsandotherlyingknaves，thatIwasmindedtocarryoffmyEdithandmarrywithher，inrankdefianceofhiswill。

’ThreeyearsofbanishmentfromhomeandEnglandmightmakeasoldierandamanofme，myfathersaid，andteachmesomedegreeofwisdom。Ifoughtoutmylongprobationinthecontinentalwars，tastingsumptuouslyofhardknocks，privation，andadventure；butinmylastbattleIwastakencaptive，andduringthesevenyearsthathavewaxedandwanedsincethen，aforeigndungeonhathharboredme。

ThroughwitandcourageIwontothefreeairatlast，andfledhitherstraight；andambutjustarrived，rightpoorinpurseandraiment，andpoorerstillinknowledgeofwhatthesedullsevenyearshavewroughtatHendonHall，itspeopleandbelongings。Sopleaseyou，sir，mymeagertaleistold。’

’Thouhastbeenshamefullyabused！’saidthelittleking，withaflashingeye。’ButIwillrightthee—bythecrosswillI！Thekinghathsaidit。’

Then，firedbythestoryofMiles’swrongs，heloosedhistongueandpouredthehistoryofhisownrecentmisfortunesintotheearsofhisastonishedlistener。Whenhehadfinished，Milessaidtohimself。

’Lo，whatanimaginationhehath！Verilythisisnocommonmind；

else，crazedorsane，itcouldnotweavesostraightandgaudyataleasthisoutoftheairynothingswherewithithathwroughtthiscuriousromaunt。Poorruinedlittlehead，itshallnotlackfriendorshelterwhilstIbidewiththeliving。Heshallneverleavemyside；heshallbemypet，mylittlecomrade。Andheshallbecured！—

aye，madewholeandsound—thenwillhemakehimselfaname—andproudshallIbetosay，"Yes，heismine—Itookhim，ahomelesslittleragamuffin，butIsawwhatwasinhim，andIsaidhisnamewouldbeheardsomeday—beholdhim，observehim—wasIright？"’

Thekingspoke—inathoughtful，measuredvoice：

’Thoudidstsavemeinjuryandshame，perchancemylife，andsomycrown。Suchservicedemandethrichreward。Namethydesire，andsoitbewithinthecompassofmyroyalpower，itisthine。’

ThisfantasticsuggestionstartledHendonoutofhisreverie。Hewasabouttothankthekingandputthematterasidewithsayinghebadonlydonehisdutyanddesirednoreward，butawiserthoughtcameintohishead，andheaskedleavetobesilentafewmomentsandconsiderthegraciousoffer—anideawhichthekinggravelyapproved，remarkingthatitwasbesttobenottoohastywithathingofsuchgreatimport。

Milesreflectedduringsomemoments，thensaidtohimself，’Yes，thatisthethingtodo—byanyothermeansitwereimpossibletogetatit—andcertes，thishour’sexperiencehastaughtme’twouldbemostwearingandinconvenienttocontinueitasitis。Yes，Iwillproposeit；’twasahappyaccidentthatIdidnotthrowthechanceaway。’Thenhedroppedupononekneeandsaid：

’Mypoorservicewentnotbeyondthelimitofasubject’ssimpleduty，andthereforehathnomerit；butsinceyourmajestyispleasedtoholditworthysomereward，Itakeheartofgracetomakepetitiontothiseffect。Nearfourhundredyearsago，asyourgraceknoweth，therebeingillbloodbetwixtJohn，kingofEngland，andthekingofFrance，itwasdecreedthattwochampionsshouldfighttogetherinthelists，andsosettlethedisputebywhatiscalledthearbitramentofGod。Thesetwokings，andtheSpanishking，beingassembledtowitnessandjudgetheconflict，theFrenchchampionappeared；butsoredoubtablewashethatourEnglishknightsrefusedtomeasureweaponswithhim。Sothematter，whichwasaweightyone，wasliketogoagainsttheEnglishmonarchbydefault。NowintheTowerlaytheLorddeCourcy，themightiestarminEngland，strippedofhishonorsandpossessions，andwastingwithlongcaptivity。Appealwasmadetohim；hegaveassent，andcamefortharrayedforbattle；

butnosoonerdidtheFrenchmanglimpsehishugeframeandhearhisfamousnamebuthefledaway，andtheFrenchking’scausewaslost。

KingJohnrestoredDeCourcy’stitlesandpossessions，andsaid，"Namethywishandthoushalthaveit，thoughitcostmehalfmykingdom"；

whereatDeCourcy，kneeling，asIdonow，madeanswerer，"This，then，Iask，myliege；thatIandmysuccessorsmayhaveandholdtheprivilegeofremainingcoveredinthepresenceofthekingsofEngland，henceforthwhilethethroneshalllast。"Theboonwasgranted，asyourmajestyknoweth；andtherehathbeennotime，thesefourhundredyears，thatthatlinehasfailedofanheir；andso，evenuntothisday，theheadofthatancienthousestillwearethhishatorhelmbeforetheking’smajesty，withoutletorhindrance，andthisnoneothermaydo。*（9）Invokingthisprecedentinaidofmyprayer，Ibeseechthekingtogranttomebutthisonegraceandprivilege—tomymorethansufficientreward—andnoneother，towit：thatIandmyheirs，forever，maysitinthepresenceofthemajestyofEngland！’

’Rise，SirMilesHendon，knight，’saidtheking，gravely—givingtheaccoladewithHendon’ssword—’rise，andseatthyself。Thypetitionisgranted。WhileEnglandremains，andthecrowncontinues，theprivilegeshallnotlapse。’

Hismajestywalkedapart，musing，andHendondroppedintoachairattable，observingtohimself，’’Twasabravethought，andhathwroughtmeamightydeliverance；mylegsaregrievouslywearied。AnIhadnotthoughtofthat，Imusthavehadtostandforweeks，tillmypoorlad’switsarecured。’Afteralittlehewenton，’AndsoIambecomeaknightoftheKingdomofDreamsandShadows！Amostoddandstrangeposition，truly，foronesomatter—of—factasI。Iwillnotlaugh—no，Godforbid，forthisthingwhichissosubstancelesstomeisrealtohim。Andtome，also，inoneway，itisnotafalsity，foritreflectswithtruththesweetandgenerousspiritthatisinhim。’Afterapause：’Ah，whatifheshouldcallmebymyfinetitlebeforefolk！—there’dbeamerrycontrastbetwixtmygloryandmyraiment！Butnomatter；lethimcallmewhathewill，soitpleasehim；Ishallbecontent。’

CHAPTERXIII

TheDissappearanceofthePrinceAHEAVYdrowsinesspresentlyfelluponthetwocomrades。Thekingsaid：

’Removetheserags’—meaninghisclothing。

Hendondisappareledtheboywithoutdissentorremark，tuckedhimupinbed，thenglancedabouttheroom，sayingtohimself，ruefully，’Hehathtakenmybedagain，asbefore—marry，whatshallIdo？’Thelittlekingobservedhisperplexity，anddissipateditwithaword。Hesaid，sleepily：

’Thouwiltsleepathwartthedoor，andguardit。’Inamomentmorehewasoutofhistroubles，inadeepslumber。

’Dearheart，heshouldhavebeenbornaking！’mutteredHendon，admiringly，’heplayeththeparttoamarvel。’

Thenhestretchedhimselfacrossthedoor，onthefloor，sayingcontentedly：

’Ihavelodgedworseforsevenyears；’twouldbebutillgratitudetoHimabovetofindfaultwiththis。’

Hedroppedasleepasthedawnappeared。Towardnoonherose，uncoveredhisunconsciousward—asectionatatime—andtookhismeasurewithastring。Thekingawoke，justashehadcompletedhiswork，complainedofthecold，andaskedwhathewasdoing。

’’Tisdonenow，myliege，’saidHendon；’Ihaveabitofbusinessoutside，butwillpresentlyreturn；sleepthouagain—thouneedestit。There—letmecoverthyheadalso—thou’ltbewarmthesooner。’

Thekingwasbackindreamlandbeforethisspeechwasended。Milesslippedsoftlyout，andslippedassoftlyinagain，inthecourseofthirtyorfortyminutes，withacompletesecond—handsuitofboy’sclothing，ofcheapmaterial，andshowingsignsofwear；buttidy，andsuitedtotheseasonoftheyear。Heseatedhimselfandbegantooverhaulhispurchase，mumblingtohimself：

’Alongerpursewouldhavegotabettersort，butwhenonehasnotthelongpurseonemustbecontentwithwhatashortonemaydo—

’"Therewasawomaninourtown，Inourtowndiddwell"—

’Hestirred，methinks—Imustsinginalessthunderouskey；

’tisnotgoodtomarhissleep，withthisjourneybeforehimandhesoweariedout，poorchap……Thisgarment—’tiswellenough—astitchhereandanotheronetherewillsetitaright。Thisotherisbetter，albeitastitchortwowillnotcomeamissinit，likewise……Thesebeverygoodandsound，andwillkeephissmallfeetwarmanddry—

anoddnewthingtohim，belike，sincehehasdoubtlessbeenusedtofootitbare，wintersandsummersthesame……Wouldthreadwerebread，seeingonegettethayear’ssufficiencyforafarthing，andsuchabravebigneedlewithoutcost，formerelove。NowshallI

havethedemon’sowntimetothreadit！’

Andsohehad。Hedidasmenhavealwaysdone，andprobablyalwayswilldo，totheendoftime—heldtheneedlestill，andtriedtothrustthethreadthroughtheeye，whichistheoppositeofawoman’sway。Timeandtimeagainthethreadmissedthemark，goingsometimesononesideoftheneedle，sometimesontheother，sometimesdoublingupagainsttheshaft；buthewaspatient，havingbeenthroughtheseexperiencesbefore，whenhewassoldiering。Hesucceededatlast，andtookupthegarmentthathadlainwaiting，meantime，acrosshislap，andbeganhiswork。’Theinnispaid—thebreakfastthatistocome，included—andthereiswherewithallefttobuyacoupleofdonkeysandmeetourlittlecostsforthetwoorthreedaysbetwixtthisandtheplentythatawaitsusatHendonHall—

’"Shelovedherhus"—

’Bodyo’me！Ihavedriventheneedleundermynail！……Itmatterslittle—’tisnotanovelty—yet’tisnotaconvenience，neither……Weshallbemerrythere，littleone，neverdoubtit！Thytroubleswillvanishthere，andlikewisethysaddistemper—

’"Shelovedherhusbanddearilee，Butanotherman"—

’Thesebenoblelargestitches！’—holdingthegarmentupandviewingitadmiringly—’theyhaveagrandeurandamajestythatdocausethesesmallstingyonesofthetailor—mantolookmightypaltryandplebeian—

’"Shelovedherhusbanddearilee，Butanothermanhelovedshe，"—

’Marry，’tisdone—agoodlypieceofwork，too，andwroughtwithexpedition。NowwillIwakehim，apparelhim，pourforhim，feedhim，andthenwillwehieustothemartbytheTabardinninSouthwarkand—bepleasedtorise，myliege！—heanswerethnot—whatho，myliege！—ofatruthmustIprofanehissacredpersonwithatouch，sithhisslumberisdeaftospeech。What！’

Hethrewbackthecovers—theboywasgone！

Hestaredabouthiminspeechlessastonishmentforamoment；

noticedforthefirsttimethathisward’sraggedraimentwasalsomissing，thenhebegantorageandstorm，andshoutfortheinn—keeper。Atthatmomentaservantenteredwiththebreakfast。

’Explain，thoulimbofSatan，orthytimeiscome！’roaredthemanofwar，andmadesosavageaspringtowardthewaiterthatthislattercouldnotfindhistongue，fortheinstant，forfrightandsurprise。

’Whereistheboy？’

Indisjointedandtremblingsyllablesthemangavetheinformationdesired。

’Youwerehardlygonefromtheplace，yourworship，whenayouthcamerunningandsaiditwasyourworship’swillthattheboycometoyoustraight，atthebridge—endontheSouthwarkside。Ibroughthimthither；andwhenhewoketheladandgavehismessage，theladdidgrumblesomelittleforbeingdisturbed’soearly，’ashecalledit，butstraightwaytrussedonhisragsandwentwiththeyouth，onlysayingithadbeenbettermannersthatyourworshipcameyourself，notsentastranger—andso—’

’Andsothou’rtafool！—afool，andeasilycozened—hangallthybreed！Yetmayhapnohurtisdone。Possiblynoharmismeanttheboy。Iwillgofetchhim。Makethetableready。Stay！thecoveringsofthebedweredisposedasifonelaybeneaththem—happenedthatbyaccident？’

’Iknownot，goodyourworship。Isawtheyouthmeddlewiththem—hethatcamefortheboy。’

’Thousanddeaths！’twasdonetodeceiveme—’tisplain’twasdonetogaintime。Harkye！Wasthatyouthalone？’

’Allalone，yourworship。’

’Artsure？’

’Sure，yourworship。’

’Collectthyscatteredwits—bethinkthee—taketime，man。’

Afteramoment’sthought，theservantsaid：

’Whenhecame，nonecamewithhim；butnowIremembermethatasthetwosteppedintothethrongoftheBridge，aruffian—lookingmanplungedoutfromsomenearplace；andjustashewasjoiningthem—’

’Whatthen？—outwithit！’thunderedtheimpatientHendon，interrupting。

’Justthenthecrowdlappedthemupandclosedthemin，andI

sawnomore，beingcalledbymymaster，whowasinaragebecauseajointthatthescrivenerhadorderedwasforgot，thoughItakeallthesaintstowitnessthattoblamemeforthatmiscarriagewerelikeholdingtheunbornbabetojudgmentforsinscom—’

’Outofmysight，idiot！Thypratingdrivesmemad！Hold！

whitherartflying？Canstnotbidestillaninstant？WenttheytowardSouthwark？’

’Evenso，yourworship—for，asIsaidbefore，astothatdetestablejoint，thebabeunbornisnowhitmoreblamelessthan—’

’Arthereyet！Andpratingstill？Vanish，lestIthrottlethee！’

Theservitorvanished。Hendonfollowedafterhim，passedhim，andplungeddownthestairstwostepsatastride，muttering，’’Tisthatscurvyvillainthatclaimedhewashisson。Ihavelostthee，mypoorlittlemadmaster—itisabitterthought—andIhadcometolovetheeso！No！bybookandbell，notlost！Notlost，forIwillransackthelandtillIfindtheeagain。Poorchild，yonderishisbreakfast—andmine，butIhavenohungernow—so，lettheratshaveit—speed，speed！thatistheword！’AshewormedhisswiftwaythroughthenoisymultitudesupontheBridge，heseveraltimessaidtohimself—clingingtothethoughtasifitwereaparticularlypleasingone：’Hegrumbledbuthewent—hewent，yes，becausehethoughtMilesHendonaskedit，sweetlad—hewouldne’erhavedoneitforanother，Iknowitwell！’

CHAPTERXIV

’LeRoiestMort—ViveleRoi’

TOWARDdaylightofthesamemorning，TomCantystirredoutofaheavysleepandopenedhiseyesinthedark。Helaysilentafewmoments，tryingtoanalyzehisconfusedthoughtsandimpressions，andgetsomesortofmeaningoutofthem，thensuddenlyheburstoutinarapturousbutguardedvoice：

’Iseeitall，Iseeitall！NowGodbethanked，Iam，indeed，awakeatlast！Come，joy！vanish，sorrow！Ho，Nan！Bet！kickoffyourstrawandhieyehithertomyside，tillIdopourintoyourunbelievingearsthewildestmadcapdreamthateverthespiritsofnightdidconjureuptoastonishthesoulofmanwithal！……Ho，Nan，I

say！Bet！’……

Adimformappearedathisside，andavoicesaid：

’Wiltdeigntodeliverthycommands？’

’Commands？……Oh，woeisme，Iknowthyvoice！Speak，thou—whoamI？’

’Thou？Insooth，yesternightwertthouthePrinceofWales，to—dayartthoumymostgraciousliege，Edward，kingofEngland。’

Tomburiedhisheadamonghispillows，murmuringplaintively：

’Alack，itwasnodream！Gotothyrest，sweetsir—leavemetomysorrows。’

Tomsleptagain，andafteratimehehadthispleasantdream。Hethoughtitwassummerandhewasplaying，allalone，inthefairmeadowcalledGoodman’sFields，whenadwarfonlyafoothigh，withlongredwhiskersandahumpedback，appearedtohimsuddenlyandsaid，’Dig，bythatstump。’Hedidso，andfoundtwelvebrightnewpennies—wonderfulriches！Yetthiswasnotthebestofit；forthedwarfsaid：

’Iknowthee。Thouartagoodladanddeserving；thydistressesshallend，forthedayofthyrewardiscome。Dighereeveryseventhday，andthoushaltfindalwaysthesametreasure，twelvebrightnewpennies。Tellnone—keepthesecret。’

Thenthedwarfvanished，andTomflewtoOffalCourtwithhisprize，sayingtohimself，’EverynightwillIgivemyfatherapenny；hewillthinkIbeggedit，itwillgladhisheart，andI

shallnomorebebeaten。Onepennyeveryweekthegoodpriestthatteachethmeshallhave；mother，Nan，andBettheotherfour。Webedonewithhungerandragsnow，donewithfearsandfretsandsavageusage。’

Inhisdreamhereachedhissordidhomealloutofbreath，butwitheyesdancingwithgratefulenthusiasm；castfourofhispenniesintohismother’slapandcriedout：

’Theyareforthee！—allofthem，everyone！—fortheeandNanandBet—andhonestlycomeby，notbeggednorstolen！’

Thehappyandastonishedmotherstrainedhimtoherbreastandexclaimed：

’Itwaxethlate—mayitpleaseyourmajestytorise？’

Ah，thatwasnottheanswerhewasexpecting。Thedreamhadsnappedasunder—hewasawake。

Heopenedhiseyes—therichlycladFirstLordoftheBedchamberwaskneelingbyhiscouch。Thegladnessofthelyingdreamfadedaway—

thepoorboyrecognizedthathewasstillacaptiveandaking。Theroomwasfilledwithcourtiersclothedinpurplemantles—themourningcolor—andwithnobleservantsofthemonarch。Tomsatupinbedandgazedoutfromtheheavysilkencurtainsuponthisfinecompany。

Theweightybusinessofdressingbegan，andonecourtierafteranotherkneltandpaidhiscourtandofferedtothelittlekinghiscondolencesuponhisheavyloss，whilethedressingproceeded。Inthebeginning，ashirtwastakenupbytheChiefEquerryinWaiting，whopassedittotheFirstLordoftheBuckhounds，whopassedittotheSecondGentlemanoftheBedchamber，whopassedittotheHeadRangerofWindsorForest，whopassedittotheThirdGroomoftheStole，whopassedittotheChancellorRoyaloftheDuchyofLancaster，whopassedittotheMasteroftheWardrobe，whopassedittoNorroyKing—at—Arms，whopassedittotheConstableoftheTower，whopassedittotheChiefStewardoftheHousehold，whopassedittotheHereditaryGrandDiaperer，whopassedittotheLordHighAdmiralofEngland，whopassedittotheArchbishopofCanterbury，whopassedittotheFirstLordoftheBedchamber，whotookwhatwasleftofitandputitonTom。Poorlittlewonderingchap，itremindedhimofpassingbucketsatafire。

Eachgarmentinitsturnhadtogothroughthisslowandsolemnprocess；consequentlyTomgrewverywearyoftheceremony；sowearythathefeltanalmostgushinggratefulnesswhenheatlastsawhislongsilkenhosebeginthejourneydownthelineandknewthattheendofthematterwasdrawingnear。Butheexultedtoosoon。TheFirstLordoftheBedchamberreceivedthehoseandwasabouttoencaseTom’slegsinthem，whenasuddenflushinvadedhisfaceandhehurriedlyhustledthethingsbackintothehandsoftheArchbishopofCanterburywithanastoundedlookandawhispered，’See，mylord！’—pointingtoasomethingconnectedwiththehose。TheArchbishoppaled，thenflushed，andpassedthehosetotheLordHighAdmiral，whispering’See，mylord！’TheAdmiralpassedthehosetotheHereditaryGrandDiaperer，andhadhardlybreathenoughinhisbodytoejaculate，’See，mylord！’

Thehosedriftedbackwardalongtheline，totheChiefStewardoftheHousehold，theConstableoftheTower，NorroyKing—at—Arms，theMasteroftheWardrobe，theChancellorRoyaloftheDuchyofLancaster，theThirdGroomoftheStole，theHeadRangerofWindsorForest，theSecondGentlemanoftheBedchamber，theFirstLordoftheBuckhounds—accompaniedalwayswiththatamazedandfrightened’See！see！’—tilltheyfinallyreachedthehandsoftheChiefEquerryinWaiting，whogazedamoment，withapallidface，uponwhathadcausedallthisdismay，thenhoarselywhispered’Bodyofmylife，ataggonefromatrusspoint！—totheTowerwiththeHeadKeeperoftheKing’sHose！’—afterwhichheleanedupontheshoulderoftheFirstLordoftheBuckhoundstoregatherhisvanishedstrengthwhilefreshhose，withoutanydamagedstringstothem，werebrought。

Butallthingsmusthaveanend，andsointimeTomCantywasinaconditiontogetoutofbed。Theproperofficialpouredwater，theproperofficialengineeredthewashing，theproperofficialstoodbywithatowel，andbyandbyTomgotsafelythroughthepurifyingstageandwasreadyfortheservicesoftheHairdresser—Royal。Whenheatlengthemergedfromhismaster’shands，hewasagraciousfigureandasprettyasagirl，inhismantleandtrunksofpurplesatin，andpurple—plumedcap。Henowmovedinstatetowardhisbreakfast—room，throughthemidstofthecourtlyassemblage；andashepassed，thesefellback，leavinghiswayfree，anddroppedupontheirknees。

Afterbreakfasthewasconducted，withregalceremony，attendedbyhisgreatofficersandhisguardoffiftyGentlemenPensionersbearinggiltbattle—axes，tothethrone—room，whereheproceededtotransactbusinessofstate。His’uncle’LordHertford，tookhisstandbythethrone，toassistheroyalmindwithwisecounsel。

Thebodyofillustriousmennamedbythelatekingashisexecutors，appeared，toaskTom’sapprovalofcertainactsoftheirs—ratheraform，andyetnotwhollyaform，sincetherewasnoProtectorasyet。TheArchbishopofCanterburymadereportofthedecreeoftheCouncilofExecutorsconcerningtheobsequiesofhislatemostillustriousmajesty，andfinishedbyreadingthesignaturesoftheexecutors，towit：theArchbishopofCanterbury；theLordChancellorofEngland；WilliamLordSt。John；JohnLordRussell；EdwardEarlofHertford；JohnViscountLisle；CuthbertBishopofDurham—

Tomwasnotlistening—anearlierclauseofthedocumentwaspuzzlinghim。AtthispointheturnedandwhisperedtoLordHertford：

’Whatdaydidhesaytheburialhathbeenappointedfor？’

’The16thofthecomingmonth，myliege。’

’’Tisastrangefolly。Willhekeep？’

Poorchap，hewasstillnewtothecustomsofroyalty；hewasusedtoseeingtheforlorndeadofOffalCourthustledoutofthewaywithaverydifferentsortofexpedition。However，theLordHertfordsethismindatrestwithawordortwo。

Asecretaryofstatepresentedanorderofthecouncilappointingthemorrowatelevenforthereceptionoftheforeignambassadors，anddesiredtheking’sassent。

TomturnedaninquiringlooktowardHertford，whowhispered：

’Yourmajestywillsignifyconsent。Theycometotestifytheirroyalmasters’senseoftheheavycalamitywhichhathvisitedyourgraceandtherealmofEngland。’

Tomdidashewasbidden。Anothersecretarybegantoreadapreambleconcerningtheexpensesofthelateking’shousehold，whichhadamountedtoL28，000duringtheprecedingsixmonths—asumsovastthatitmadeTomCantygasp；hegaspedagainwhenthefactappearedthatL20，000ofthismoneywerestillowingandunpaid；*（10）andoncemorewhenitappearedthattheking’scofferswereaboutempty，andhistwelvehundredservantsmuchembarrassedforlackofthewagesduethem。Tomspokeout，withlivelyapprehension。

’Webegoingtothedogs，’tisplain。’Tismeetandnecessarythatwetakeasmallerhouseandsettheservantsatlarge，siththeybeofnovaluebuttomakedelay，andtroubleonewithofficesthatharassthespiritandshamethesoul，theymisbecominganybutadoll，thathathnorbrainsnorhandstohelpitselfwithal。Iremembermeofasmallhousethatstandethoveragainstthefish—market，byBillingsgate—’

AsharppressureuponTom’sarmstoppedhisfoolishtongueandsentablushtohisface；butnocountenancetherebetrayedanysignthatthisstrangespeechhadbeenremarkedorgivenconcern。

AsecretarymadereportthatforasmuchasthelatekinghadprovidedinhiswillforconferringtheducaldegreeupontheEarlofHertfordandraisinghisbrother，SirThomasSeymour，tothepeerage，andlikewiseHertford’ssontoanearldom，togethersimilaraggrandizementstoothergreatservantsofthecrown，thecouncilhadresolvedtoholdasittingonthe16thFebruaryforthedeliveringandconfirmingofthesehonors；andthatmeantimethelatekingnothavinggranted，inwriting，estatessuitabletothesupportofthesedignities，thecouncil，knowinghisprivatewishesinthatregard，hadthoughtpropertogranttoSeymour’500poundlands’andtoHertford’sson’800poundlands，and300poundofthenextbishop’slandswhichshouldfallvacant，’—hispresentmajestybeingwilling。*（11）

Tomwasabouttoblurtoutsomethingabouttheproprietyofpayingthelateking’sdebtsfirstbeforesquanderingallhismoney；butatimelytouchuponhisarm，fromthethoughtfulHertford，savedhimthisindiscretion；whereforehegavetheroyalassent，withoutspokencomment，butwithmuchinwarddiscomfort。Whilehesatreflectingamomentovertheeasewithwhichhewasdoingstrangeandglitteringmiracles，ahappythoughtshotintohismind：whynotmakehismotherDuchessofOffalCourtandgiveheranestate？Butasorrowfulthoughtsweptitinstantlyaway；hewasonlyakinginname，thesegraveveteransandgreatnobleswerehismasters；tothemhismotherwasonlythecreatureofadiseasedmind；theywouldsimplylistentohisprojectwithunbelievingears，thensendforthedoctor。

Thedullworkwenttediouslyon。Petitionswereread，andproclamations，patents，andallmannerofwordy，repetitiousandwearisomepapersrelatingtothepublicbusiness；andatlastTomsighedpatheticallyandmurmuredtohimself，’InwhathaveIoffended，thatthegoodGodshouldtakemeawayfromthefieldsandthefreeairandthesunshine，toshutmeuphereandmakemeakingandafflictmeso？’Thenhispoormuddledheadnoddedawhile，andpresentlydroppedtohisshoulder；andthebusinessoftheempirecametoastandstillforwantofthataugustfactor，theratifyingpower。Silenceensuedaroundtheslumberingchild，andthesagesoftherealmceasedfromtheirdeliberations。

Duringtheforenoon，Tomhadanenjoyablehour，bypermissionofhiskeepers，HertfordandSt。John，withtheLadyElizabethandthelittleLadyJaneGrey；thoughthespiritsoftheprincesseswererathersubduedbythemightystrokethathadfallenupontheroyalhouse；andattheendofthevisithis’eldersister’—afterwardthe’BloodyMary’ofhistory—chilledhimwithasolemninterviewwhichhadbutonemeritinhiseyes，itsbrevity。Hehadafewmomentstohimself，andthenaslimladofabouttwelveyearsofagewasadmittedtohispresence，whoseclothing，excepthissnowyruffandthelacesabouthiswrists，wasofblack—doublet，hoseandall。Heborenobadgeofmourningbutaknotofpurpleribbononhisshoulder。Headvancedhesitatingly，withheadbowedandbare，anddroppedupononekneeinfrontofTom。Tomsatstillandcontemplatedhimsoberlyforamoment。Thenhesaid：

’Rise，lad。Whoartthou？Whatwouldsthave？’

Theboyrose，andstoodatgracefulease，butwithanaspectofconcerninhisface。Hesaid：

’Ofasuretythoumustrememberme，mylord。Iamthywhipping—boy。

’Mywhipping—boy？’

’Thesame，yourgrace，IamHumphrey—HumphreyMarlow。’

Tomperceivedthatherewassomeonewhomhiskeepersoughttohavepostedhimabout。Thesituationwasdelicate。Whatshouldhedo？—

pretendheknewthislad，andthenbetray，byhiseveryutterance，thathehadneverheardofhimbefore？No，thatwouldnotdo。Anideacametohisrelief：accidentslikethismightbelikelytohappenwithsomefrequency，nowthatbusinessurgencieswouldoftencallHertfordandSt。Johnfromhisside，theybeingmembersofthecouncilofexecutors；thereforeperhapsitwouldbewelltostrikeoutaplanhimselftomeettherequirementsofsuchemergencies。Yes，thatwouldbeawisecourse—hewouldpractiseonthisboy，andseewhatsortofsuccesshemightachieve。Sohestrokedhisbrow，perplexedly，amomentortwo，andpresentlysaid：

’NowIseemtoremembertheesomewhat—butmywitiscloggedanddimwithsuffering—’

’Alack，mypoormaster！’ejaculatedthewhipping—boy，withfeeling；adding，tohimself，’Intruth’tisastheysaid—hismindisgone—alas，poorsoul！Butmisfortunecatchme，howamI

forgetting！theysaidonemustnotseemtoobservethataughtiswrongwithhim。’

’’Tisstrangehowmymemorydothwantonwithmethesedays，’

saidTom。’Butminditnot—Imendapace—alittlecluedothoftenservetobringmebackagainthethingsandnameswhichhadescapedme。（Andnotthey，only，forsooth，bute’ensuchasIne’erheardbefore—asthisladshallsee。）Givethybusinessspeech。’

’’Tismatterofsmallweight，myliege，yetwillItouchuponit，anitpleaseyourgrace。Twodaysgoneby，whenyourmajestyfaultedthriceinyourGreek—inthemorninglessons—dostrememberit？’

’Ye—e—s—methinksIdo。（Itisnotmuchofalie—anIhadmeddledwiththeGreekatall，Ihadnotfaultedsimplythrice，butfortytimes）。Yes，Idorecallitnow—goon。’

—’Themaster，beingwrothwithwhathetermedsuchslovenlyanddoltishwork，didpromisethathewouldsoundlywhipmeforit—and—’

’Whipthee！’saidTom，astonishedoutofhispresenceofmind。

’Whyshouldhewhiptheeforfaultsofmine？’

’Ah，yourgraceforgettethagain。Healwaysscourgethme，whenthoudostfailinthylessons。’

’True，true—Ihadforgot。Thouteachestmeinprivate—thenifIfail，heargueththatthyofficewaslamelydone，and—’

’Oh，myliege，whatwordsarethese？I，thehumblestofthyservants，presumetoteachthee！’

’Thenwhereisthyblame？Whatriddleisthis？AmIintruthgonemad，orisitthou？Explain—speakout。’

’But，goodyourmajesty，there’snaughtthatneedethsimplifying。NonemayvisitthesacredpersonofthePrinceofWaleswithblows；whereforewhenhefaulteth，’tisIthattakethem；andmeetitisandright，forthatitismineofficeandmylivelihood。’*（12）

Tomstaredatthetranquilboy，observingtohimself，’Lo，itisawonderfulthing—amoststrangeandcurioustrade；Imarveltheyhavenothiredaboytotakemycombingsandmydressingsforme—

wouldheaventheywould！—antheywilldothisthing，Iwilltakemylashingsinmineownperson，givingthankstoGodforthechange。’

Thenhesaidaloud：

’Andhastthoubeenbeaten，poorfriend，accordingtothepromise？’

’No，goodyourmajesty，mypunishmentwasappointedforthisday，andperadventureitmaybeannulled，asunbefittingtheseasonofmourningthatiscomeuponus；Iknownot，andsohavemadeboldtocomehitherandremindyourgraceaboutyourgraciouspromisetointercedeinmybehalf—’

’Withthemaster？Tosavetheethywhipping？’

’Ah，thoudostremember！’

’Mymemorymendeth，thouseest。Setthymindatease—thybackshallgounscathed—Iwillseetoit。’

’Oh，thanks，mygoodlord！’criedtheboy，droppinguponhiskneeagain。’MayhapIhaveventuredfarenow；andyet’……

SeeingMasterHumphreyhesitate，Tomencouragedhimtogoon，sayinghewas’inthegrantingmood。’

’ThenwillIspeakitout，foritliethnearmyheart。SiththouartnomorePrinceofWalesbutking，thoucanstordermattersasthouwilt，withnonetosaytheenay；whereforeitisnotinreasonthatthouwiltlongervexthyselfwithdrearystudies，butwiltburnthybooksandturnthymindtothingslessirksome。ThenamIruined，andmineorphansisterswithme！’

’Ruined？Prithee，how？’

’Mybackismybread，Omygraciousliege！ifitgoidle，I

starve。Anthouceasefromstudy，mineofficeisgone，thou’ltneednowhipping—boy。Donotturnmeaway！’

Tomwastouchedwiththispatheticdistress。Hesaid，witharightroyalburstofgenerosity：

’Discomfortthyselfnofurther，lad。Thineofficeshallbepermanentintheeandthyline，forever。’Thenhestrucktheboyalightblowontheshoulderwiththeflatofhissword，exclaiming，’Rise，HumphreyMarlow，HereditaryGrandWhipping—BoytotheroyalhouseofEngland！Banishsorrow—Iwillbetakemetomybooksagain，andstudysoillthattheymustinjusticetreblethywage，somightilyshallthebusinessofthineofficebeaugmented。’

ThegratefulHumphreyrespondedfervidly：

’Thanks，oh，mostnoblemaster，thisprincelylavishnessdothfarsurpassmymostdistempereddreamsoffortune。NowshallIbehappyallmydays，andallthehouseofMarlowafterme。’

Tomhadwitenoughtoperceivethatherewasaladwhocouldbeusefultohim。HeencouragedHumphreytotalk，andhewasnothingloath。HewasdelightedtobelievethathewashelpinginTom’s’cure’；foralways，assoonashehadfinishedcallingbacktoTom’sdiseasedmindthevariousparticularsofhisexperiencesandadventuresintheroyalschoolroomandelsewhereaboutthepalace，henoticedthatTomwasthenableto’recall’thecircumstancesquiteclearly。AttheendofanhourTomfoundhimselfwellfreightedwithveryvaluableinformationconcerningpersonagesandmatterspertainingtothecourt；soheresolvedtodrawinstructionfromthissourcedaily；andtothisendhewouldgiveordertoadmitHumphreytotheroyalclosetwheneverhemightcome，providedthemajestyofEnglandwasnotengagedwithotherpeople。

HumphreyhadhardlybeendismissedwhenmyLordHertfordarrivedwithmoretroubleforTom。Hesaidthatthelordsofthecouncil，fearingthatsomeoverwroughtreportoftheking’sdamagedhealthmighthaveleakedoutandgotabroad，theydeemeditwiseandbestthathismajestyshouldbegintodineinpublicafteradayortwo—

hiswholesomecomplexionandvigorousstep，assistedbyacarefullyguardedreposeofmannerandeaseandgraceofdemeanor，wouldmoresurelyquietthegeneralpulse—incaseanyevilrumorshadgoneabout—thananyotherschemethatcouldbedevised。

Thentheearlproceeded，verydelicately，toinstructTomastotheobservancespropertothestatelyoccasion，undertheratherthindisguiseof’reminding’himconcerningthingsalreadyknowntohim；buttohisvastgratificationitturnedoutthatTomneededverylittlehelpinthisline—hehadbeenmakinguseofHumphreyinthatdirection，forHumphreyhadmentionedthatwithinafewdayshewastobegintodineinpublic；havinggathereditfromtheswift—wingedgossipofthecourt。Tomkeptthesefactstohimself，however。

Seeingtheroyalmemorysoimproved，theearlventuredtoapplyafewteststoit，inanapparentlycasualway，tofindouthowfaritsamendmenthadprogressed。Theresultswerehappy，hereandthere，inspots—spotswhereHumphrey’stracksremained—and，onthewhole，mylordwasgreatlypleasedandencouraged。Soencouragedwashe，indeed，thathespokeupandsaidinaquitehopefulvoice：

’NowamIpersuadedthatifyourmajestywillbuttaxyourmemoryyetalittlefurther，itwillresolvethepuzzleoftheGreatSeal—alosswhichwasofmomentyesterday，althoughofnoneto—day，sinceitstermofserviceendedwithourlatelord’slife。Mayitpleaseyourgracetomakethetrial？’

Tomwasatsea—aGreatSealwasasomethingwhichhewastotallyunacquaintedwith。Afteramoment’shesitationhelookedupinnocentlyandasked：

’Whatwasitlike，mylord？’

Theearlstarted，almostimperceptibly，mutteringtohimself，’Alack，hiswitsareflownagain！—itwasillwisdomtoleadhimontostrainthem—’thenhedeftlyturnedthetalktoothermatters，withthepurposeofsweepingtheunluckySealoutofTom’sthoughts—apurposewhicheasilysucceeded。

CHAPTERXV

TomasKingTHEnextdaytheforeignambassadorscame，withtheirgorgeoustrains；andTom，thronedinawfulstate，receivedthem。Thesplendorsofthescenedelightedhiseyeandfiredhisimaginationatfirst，buttheaudiencewaslonganddreary，andsoweremostoftheaddresses—wherefore，whatbeganasapleasure，grewintowearinessandhomesicknessbyandby。TomsaidthewordswhichHertfordputintohismouthfromtimetotime，andtriedhardtoacquithimselfsatisfactorily，buthewastoonewtosuchthings，andtooillateasetoaccomplishmorethanatolerablesuccess。Helookedsufficientlylikeaking，buthewasillabletofeellikeone。

Hewascordiallygladwhentheceremonywasended。

Thelargerpartofhisdaywas’wasted’—ashetermedit，inhisownmind—inlaborspertainingtohisroyaloffice。Eventhetwohoursdevotedtocertainprincelypastimesandrecreationswereratheraburdentohimthanotherwise，theyweresofetteredbyrestrictionsandceremoniousobservances。However，hehadaprivatehourwithhiswhipping—boywhichhecountedcleargain，sincehegotbothentertainmentandneedfulinformationoutofit。

ThethirddayofTomCanty’skingshipcameandwentmuchastheothershaddone，buttherewasaliftingofhiscloudinoneway—hefeltlessuncomfortablethanatfirst；hewasgettingalittleusedtohiscircumstancesandsurroundings；hischainsstillgalled，butnotallthetime；hefoundthatthepresenceandhomageofthegreatafflictedandembarrassedhimlessandlesssharplywitheveryhourthatdriftedoverhishead。

Butforonesingledread，hecouldhaveseenthefourthdayapproachwithoutseriousdistress—thedininginpublic；itwastobeginthatday。Thereweregreatermattersintheprogram—foronthatdayhewouldhavetopresideatacouncilwhichwouldtakehisviewsandcommandsconcerningthepolicytobepursuedtowardvariousforeignnationsscatteredfarandnearoverthegreatglobe；onthatday，too，HertfordwouldbeformallychosentothegrandofficeofLordProtector；otherthingsofnotewereappointedforthatfourthdayalso，buttoTomtheywereallinsignificantcomparedwiththeordealofdiningallbyhimselfwithamultitudeofcuriouseyesfasteneduponhimandamultitudeofmouthswhisperingcommentsuponhisperformance—anduponhismistakes，ifheshouldbesounluckyastomakeany。

Still，nothingcouldstopthatfourthday，andsoitcame。ItfoundpoorTomlow—spiritedandabsent—minded，andthismoodcontinued；hecouldnotshakeitoff。Theordinarydutiesofthemorningdraggeduponhishands，andweariedhim。Oncemorehefeltthesenseofcaptivityheavyuponhim。

Lateintheforenoonhewasinalargeaudiencechamber，conversingwiththeEarlofHertfordanddulyawaitingthestrikingofthehourappointedforavisitofceremonyfromaconsiderablenumberofgreatofficialsandcourtiers。

AfteralittlewhileTom，whohadwanderedtoawindowandbecomeinterestedinthelifeandmovementofthegreathighwaybeyondthepalacegates—andnotidlyinterested，butlongingwithallhishearttotakepartinpersoninitsstirandfreedom—sawthevanofahootingandshoutingmobofdisorderlymen，women，andchildrenofthelowestandpoorestdegreeapproachingfromuptheroad。

’IwouldIknewwhat’tisabout！’heexclaimed，withallaboy’scuriosityinsuchhappenings。

’Thouarttheking！’solemnlyrespondedtheearl，withareverence。’HaveIyourgrace’sleavetoact？’

’Oh，blithely，yes！Oh，gladly，yes！’exclaimedTom，excitedly，addingtohimselfwithalivelysenseofsatisfaction，’Intruth，beingakingisnotalldreariness—ithathitscompensationsandconveniences。’

Theearlcalledapage，andsenthimtothecaptainoftheguardwiththeorder：

’Letthemobbehalted，andinquirymadeconcerning，theoccasionofitsmovement。Bytheking’scommand！’

Afewsecondslateralongrankoftheroyalguards，casedinflashingsteel，filedoutatthegatesandformedacrossthehighwayinfrontofthemultitude。Amessengerreturned，toreportthatthecrowdwerefollowingaman，awoman，andayounggirltoexecutionforcrimescommittedagainstthepeaceanddignityoftherealm。

Death—andaviolentdeath—forthesepoorunfortunates！ThethoughtwrungTom’sheartstrings。Thespiritofcompassiontookcontrolofhim，totheexclusionofallotherconsiderations；heneverthoughtoftheoffendedlaws，orofthegrieforlosswhichthesethreecriminalshadinflictedupontheirvictims，hecouldthinkofnothingbutthescaffoldandthegrislyfatehangingovertheheadsofthecondemned。Hisconcernmadehimevenforget，forthemoment，thathewasbutthefalseshadowofaking，notthesubstance；andbeforeheknewithehadblurtedoutthecommand：

’Bringthemhere！’

Thenheblushedscarlet，andasortofapologysprungtohislips；

butobservingthathisorderhadwroughtnosortofsurpriseintheearlorthewaitingpage，hesuppressedthewordshewasabouttoutter。Thepage，inthemostmatter—of—courseway，madeaprofoundobeisanceandretiredbackwardoutoftheroomtodeliverthecommand。

Tomexperiencedaglowofprideandarenewedsenseofthecompensatingadvantagesofthekinglyoffice。Hesaidtohimself，’TrulyitislikewhatIusedtofeelwhenIreadtheoldpriest’stales，anddidimaginemineownselfaprince，givinglawandcommandtoall，saying，"Dothis，dothat，"whilenonedurstofferletorhindrancetomywill。’

Nowthedoorsswungopen；onehigh—soundingtitleafteranotherwasannounced，thepersonagesowningthemfollowed，andtheplacewasquicklyhalffilledwithnoblefolkandfinery。ButTomwashardlyconsciousofthepresenceofthesepeople，sowroughtupwasheandsointenselyabsorbedinthatotherandmoreinterestingmatter。Heseatedhimself，absently，inhischairofstate，andturnedhiseyesuponthedoorwithmanifestationsofimpatientexpectancy；seeingwhich，thecompanyforboretotroublehim，andfelltochattingamixtureofpublicbusinessandcourtgossiponewithanother。

Inalittlewhilethemeasuredtreadofmilitarymenwasheardapproaching，andtheculpritsenteredthepresenceinchargeofanunder—sheriffandescortedbyadetailoftheking’sguard。ThecivilofficerkneltbeforeTom，thenstoodaside；thethreedoomedpersonskneltalso，andremainedso；theguardtookpositionbehindTom’schair。Tomscannedtheprisonerscuriously。Somethingaboutthedressorappearanceofthemanhadstirredavaguememoryinhim。’MethinksIhaveseenthismanerenow……butthewhenorthewherefailme’—suchwasTom’sthought。Justthenthemanglancedquicklyup，andquicklydroppedhisfaceagain，notbeingabletoenduretheawfulportofsovereignty；buttheonefullglimpseoftheface，whichTomgot，wassufficient。Hesaidtohimself：’Nowisthematterclear；thisisthestrangerthatpluckedGilesWittoutoftheThames，andsavedhislifethatwindy，bitterfirstdayoftheNewYear—abrave，gooddeed—pityhehathbeendoingbaseronesandgothimselfinthissadcase……Ihavenotforgottheday，neitherthehour；byreasonthatanhourafter，uponthestrokeofeleven，I

didgetahidingbythehandofGammerCantywhichwasofsogoodlyandadmiredseveritythatallthatwentbeforeorfollowedafteritwerebutfondlingsandcaressesbycomparison。’

Tomnoworderedthatthewomanandthegirlberemovedfromthepresenceforalittletime；thenaddressedhimselftotheunder—sheriff，saying：

’Goodsir，whatisthisman’soffense？’

Theofficerknelt，andanswered：

’Sopleaseyourmajesty，hehathtakenthelifeofasubjectbypoison。’

Tom’scompassionfortheprisoner，andadmirationofhimasthedaringrescuerofadrowningboy，experiencedamostdamagingshock。

’Thethingwasprovenuponhim？’heasked。

’Mostclearly，sire。’

Tomsighed，andsaid：

’Takehimaway—hehathearnedhisdeath。’Tisapity，forhewasabraveheart—na—na，Imeanhehaththelookofit！’

Theprisonerclaspedhishandstogetherwithsuddenenergy，andwrungthemdespairingly，atthesametimeappealingimploringlytothe’king’inbrokenandterrifiedphrases：

’Oh，mylordtheking，anthoucanstpitythelost，havepityuponme！Iaminnocent—neitherhaththatwherewithIamchargedbeenmorethanbutlamelyproved—yetIspeaknotofthat；thejudgmentisgoneforthagainstmeandmaynotsufferalteration；yetinmineextremityIbegaboon，formydoomismorethanIcanbear。A

grace，agrace，mylordtheking！inthyroyalcompassiongrantmyprayer—givecommandmentthatIbehanged！’

Tomwasamazed。Thiswasnottheoutcomehehadlookedfor。

’Oddsmylife，astrangeboon！Wasitnotthefateintendedthee？’

’Oh，goodmyliege，notso！ItisorderedthatIbeboiledalive！’

ThehideoussurpriseofthesewordsalmostmadeTomspringfromhischair。Assoonashecouldrecoverhiswitshecriedout：

’Havethywish，poorsoul！anthouhadpoisonedahundredmenthoushouldstnotsuffersomiserableadeath。’

Theprisonerbowedhisfacetothegroundandburstintopassionateexpressionsofgratitude—endingwith：

’Ifeverthoushouldstknowmisfortune—whichGodforbid！—maythygoodnesstomethisdayberememberedandrequited！’

TomturnedtotheEarlofHertford，andsaid：

’Mylord，isitbelievablethattherewaswarrantforthisman’sferociousdoom？’

’Itisthelaw，yourgrace—forpoisoners。InGermanycoinersbeboiledtodeathinoil—notcastinofasudden，butbyaropeletdownintotheoilbydegrees，andslowly；firstthefeet，thenthelegs，then—’

’Oh，prithee，nomore，mylord，Icannotbearit！’criedTom，coveringhiseyeswithhishandstoshutoutthepicture。’Ibeseechyourgoodlordshipthatorderbetakentochangethislaw—oh，letnomorepoorcreaturesbevisitedwithitstortures。’

Theearl’sfaceshowedprofoundratification，forhewasamanofmercifulandgenerousimpulses—athingnotverycommonwithhisclassinthatfierceage。

Hesaid：

’Theseyourgrace’snoblewordshavesealeditsdoom。Historywillrememberittothehonorofyourroyalhouse。’

Theunder—sheriffwasabouttoremovehisprisoner；Tomgavehimasigntowait；thenhesaid：

’Goodsir，Iwouldlookintothismatterfurther。Themanhassaidhisdeedwasbutlamelyproved。Tellmewhatthouknowest。’

’Iftheking’sgraceplease，itdidappearuponthetrial，thatthismanenteredintoahouseinthehamletofIslingtonwhereonelaysick—threewitnessessayitwasattenoftheclockinthemorningandtwosayitwassomeminuteslater—thesickmanbeingaloneatthetime，andsleeping—andpresentlythemancameforthagain，andwenthisway。Thesickmandiedwithinthehour，beingtornwithspasmandretchings。’

’Didanyseethepoisongiven？Waspoisonfound？’

’Marry，no，myliege。’

’Thenhowdothoneknowtherewaspoisongivenatall？’

’Pleaseyourmajesty，thedoctorstestifiedthatnonediewithsuchsymptomsbutbypoison。’

Weightyevidence，this—inthatsimpleage。Tomrecognizeditsformidablenature，andsaid：

’Thedoctorknowethhistrade—beliketheywereright。Thematterhathanilllookforthispoorman。’

’Yetwasnotthisall，yourmajesty；thereismoreandworse。Manytestifiedthatawitch，sincegonefromthevillage，noneknowwhither，didforetell，andspeakitprivatelyintheirears，thatthesickmanwoulddiebypoison—andmore，thatastrangerwouldgiveit—astrangerwithbrownhairandclothedinawornandcommongarb；andsurelythisprisonerdothanswerwoundilytothebill。

Please，yourmajesty，togivethecircumstancethatsolemnweightwhichisitsdue，seeingitwasforetold。’

Thiswasanargumentoftremendousforce，inthatsuperstitiousday。Tomfeltthatthethingwassettled；ifevidencewasworthanything，thispoorfellow’sguiltwasproved。Stillheofferedtheprisonerachance，saying：

’Ifthoucanstsayaughtinthybehalf，speak。’

’Naughtthatwillavail，myking。Iaminnocent，yetcannotImakeitappear。Ihavenofriends，elsemightIshowthatIwasnotinIslingtonthatday；soalsomightIshowthatatthathourtheynameI

wasabovealeagueaway，seeingIwasatWappingOldStairs；yeamore，myking，forIcouldshow，thatwhiletheysayIwastakinglife，I

wassavingit。Adrowningboy—’

’Peace！Sheriff，namethedaythedeedwasdone！’

’Atteninthemorning，orsomeminuteslater，thefirstdayofthenewyear，mostillustrious—’

’Lettheprisonergofree—itistheking’swill！’

Anotherblushfollowedthisunregaloutburst，andhecoveredhisindecorumaswellashecouldbyadding：

’Itenragethmethatamanshouldbehangeduponsuchidle，hare—brainedevidence！’

Alowbuzzofadmirationsweptthroughtheassemblage。ItwasnotadmirationofthedecreethathadbeendeliveredbyTom，fortheproprietyorexpediencyofpardoningaconvictedpoisonerwasathingwhichfewtherewouldhavefeltjustifiedineitheradmittingoradmiring—no，theadmirationwasfortheintelligenceandspiritwhichTomhaddisplayed。Someofthelow—voicedremarksweretothiseffect：

’Thisisnomadking—hehathhiswitssound。’

’Howsanelyheputhisquestions—howlikehisformernaturalselfwasthisabrupt，imperiousdisposalofthematter！’

’Godbethankedhisinfirmityisspent！Thisisnoweakling，butaking。Hehathbornehimselfliketohisownfather。’

Theairbeingfilledwithapplause，Tom’searnecessarilycaughtalittleofit。Theeffectwhichthishaduponhimwastoputhimgreatlyathisease，andalsotochargehissystemwithverygratifyingsensations。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读