第6章

’Ithanktheeoutofmyheart！’exclaimedHendon，withafervencywhichshowedthathewastouched。Thekingadded，withthesamegentlesimplicity：

’Dostthoudoubtme？’

AguiltyconfusionseizeduponHendon，andhewasgratefulthatthedooropenedtoadmitHugh，atthatmoment，andsavedhimthenecessityofreplying。

Abeautifullady，richlyclothed，followedHugh，andafterhercameseveralliveriedservants。Theladywalkedslowly，withherheadbowedandhereyesfixeduponthefloor。Thefacewasunspeakablysad。MilesHendonsprangforward，cryingout：

’Oh，myEdith，mydarling—’

ButHughwavedhimback，gravely，andsaidtothelady：

’Lookuponhim。Doyouknowhim？’

AtthesoundofMiles’svoicethewomanhadstartedslightly，andhercheekshadflushed；shewastremblingnow。Shestoodstill，duringanimpressivepauseofseveralmoments；thenslowlyliftedupherheadandlookedintoHendon’seyeswithastonyandfrightenedgaze；thebloodsankoutofherface，dropbydrop，tillnothingremainedbutthegraypallorofdeath；thenshesaid，inavoiceasdeadastheface，’Iknowhimnot！’andturned，withamoanandstifledsob，andtotteredoutoftheroom。

MilesHendonsankintoachairandcoveredhisfacewithhishands。Afterapause，hisbrothersaidtotheservants：

’Youhaveobservedhim。Doyouknowhim？’

Theyshooktheirheads；thenthemastersaid：

’Theservantsknowyounot，sir。Ifearthereissomemistake。Youhaveseenthatmywifeknewyounot。’

’Thywife！’InaninstantHughwaspinnedtothewall，withanirongripabouthisthroat。’Oh，thoufox—heartedslave，Iseeitall！

Thou’stwritthelyingletterthyself，andmystolenbrideandgoodsareitsfruit。There—nowgettheegone，lestIshameminehonorablesoldiershipwiththeslayingofsopitifulamanikin！’

Hugh，red—facedandalmostsuffocated，reeledtothenearestchair，andcommandedtheservantstoseizeandbindthemurderousstranger。Theyhesitated，andoneofthemsaid：

’Heisarmed，SirHugh，andweareweaponless。’

’Armed？Whatofit，andyesomany？Uponhim，Isay！’

ButMileswarnedthemtobecarefulwhattheydid，andadded：

’Yeknowmeofold—Ihavenotchanged；comeoh，anitlikeyou。’

Thisreminderdidnotheartentheservantsmuch；theystillheldback。

’Thengo，yepaltrycowards，andarmyourselvesandguardthedoors，whileIsendonetofetchthewatch，’saidHugh。Heturned，atthethreshold，andsaidtoMiles，’You’llfindittoyouradvantagetooffendnotwithuselessendeavoursatescape。’

’Escape？Sparethyselfdiscomfort，anthatisallthattroublesthee。ForMilesHendonismasterofHendonHallandallitsbelongings。Hewillremain—doubtitnot。’

CHAPTERXXVI

DisownedTHEkingsatmusingafewmoments，thenlookedupandsaid：

’’Tisstrange—moststrange。Icannotaccountforit。’

’No，itisnotstrange，myliege。Iknowhim，andthisconductisbutnatural。Hewasarascalfromhisbirth。’

’Oh，Ispakenotofhim，SirMiles。’

’Notofhim？Thenofwhat？Whatisitthatisstrange？’

’Thatthekingisnotmissed。’

’How？Which？IdoubtIdonotunderstand。’

’Indeed！Dothitnotstrikeyouasbeingpassingstrangethatthelandisnotfilledwithcouriersandproclamationsdescribingmypersonandmakingsearchforme？Isitnomatterforcommotionanddistressthattheheadofthestateisgone？—thatIamvanishedawayandlost？’

’Mosttrue，myking，Ihadforgot。’ThenHendonsighed，andmutteredtohimself。’Poorruinedmind—stillbusywithitspatheticdream。’

’ButIhaveaplanthatshallrightusboth。Iwillwriteapaper，inthreetongues—Latin，Greek，andEnglish—andthoushallhasteawaywithittoLondoninthemorning。Giveittononebutmyuncle，theLordHertford；whenheshallseeit，hewillknowandsayIwroteit。Thenhewillsendforme。’

’Mightitnotbebest，myprince，thatwewaithereuntilI

provemyselfandmakemyrightssecuretomydomains？Ishouldbesomuchthebetterablethento—’

Thekinginterruptedhimimperiously：

’Peace！Whatarethypaltrydomains，thytrivialinterests，contrastedwithmatterswhichconcernthewealofanationandtheintegrityofathrone！’Thenheadded，inagentlevoice，asifheweresorryforhisseverity，’Obeyandhavenofear；Iwillrightthee，Iwillmaketheewhole—yes，morethanwhole。Ishallremember，andrequite。’

Sosaying，hetookthepen，andsethimselftowork。Hendoncontemplatedhimlovinglyawhile，thensaidtohimself：

’Anitweredark，Ishouldthinkitwasakingthatspoke；there’snodenyingit，whenthehumor’suponhimhedoththunderandlightenlikeyourtrueking—nowwheregothethattrick？Seehimscribbleandscratchawaycontentedlyathismeaninglesspot—hooks，fancyingthemtobeLatinandGreek—andexceptmywitshallservemewithaluckydevicefordivertinghimfromhispurpose，Ishallbeforcedtopretendtopostawayto—morrowonthiswilderrandwhichhehathinventedforme。’

ThenextmomentSirMiles’sthoughtshadgonebacktotherecentepisode。Soabsorbedwasheinhismusings，thatwhenthekingpresentlyhandedhimthepaperwhichhehadbeenwriting，hereceiveditandpocketeditwithoutbeingconsciousoftheact。’Howmarvelousstrangesheacted，’hemuttered。’Ithinksheknewme—andI

thinkshedidnotknowme。Theseopinionsdoconflict，Iperceiveitplainly；Icannotreconcilethem，neithercanI，byargument，dismisseitherofthetwo，orevenpersuadeonetooutweightheother。

Thematterstandethsimplythus：shemusthaveknownmyface，myfigure，myvoice，forhowcoulditbeotherwise？yetshesaidsheknewmenot，andthatisproofperfect，forshecannotlie。Butstop—I

thinkIbegintosee。Peradventurehehathinfluencedher—commandedher—compelledhertolie。Thatisthesolution！Theriddleisunriddled。Sheseemeddeadwithfear—yes，shewasunderhiscompulsion。Iwillseekher；Iwillfindher；nowthatheisaway，shewillspeakhertruemind。Shewillremembertheoldtimeswhenwewerelittleplayfellowstogether，andthiswillsoftenherheart，andshewillnomorebetrayme，butwillconfessme。Thereisnotreacherousbloodinher—no，shewasalwayshonestandtrue。Shehaslovedmeinthoseolddays—thisismysecurity；forwhomonehasloved，onecannotbetray。’

Hesteppedeagerlytowardthedoor；atthatmomentitopened，andtheLadyEdithentered。Shewasverypale，butshewalkedwithafirmstep，andhercarriagewasfullofgraceandgentledignity。

Herfacewasassadasbefore。

Milessprangforward，withahappyconfidence，tomeether，butshecheckedhimwithahardlyperceptiblegesture，andhestoppedwherehewas。Sheseatedherself，andaskedhimtodolikewise。Thussimplydidshetakethesenseofold—comradeshipoutofhim，andtransformhimintoastrangerandaguest。Thesurpriseofit，thebewilderingunexpectednessofit，madehimbegintoquestion，foramoment，ifhewasthepersonhewaspretendingtobe，afterall。TheLadyEdithsaid：

’Sir，Ihavecometowarnyou。Themadcannotbepersuadedoutoftheirdelusions，perchance；butdoubtlesstheymaybepersuadedtoavoidperils。Ithinkthisdreamofyourshaththeseemingofhonesttruthtoyou，andthereforeisnotcriminal—butdonottarryherewithit；forhereitisdangerous。’ShelookedsteadilyintoMiles’sfaceamoment，thenadded，impressively，’Itisthemoredangerousforthatyouaremuchlikewhatourlostladmusthavegrowntobe，ifhehadlived。’

’Heavens，madam，butIamhe！’

’Itrulythinkyouthinkit，sir。Iquestionnotyourhonestyinthat—Ibutwarnyou，thatisall。Myhusbandismasterinthisregion；hispowerhathhardlyanylimit；thepeopleprosperorstarve，ashewills。Ifyouresemblednotthemanwhomyouprofesstobe，myhusbandmightbidyoupleasureyourselfwithyourdreaminpeace；

buttrustme，Iknowhimwell，Iknowwhathewilldo；hewillsaytoallthatyouarebutamadimpostor，andstraightwayallwillechohim。’ShebentuponMilesthatsamesteadylookoncemore，andadded：’IfyouwereMilesHendon，andheknewitandalltheregionknewit—considerwhatIamsaying，weighitwell—youwouldstandinthesameperil，yourpunishmentwouldbenolesssure；hewoulddenyyouanddenounceyou，andnonewouldbeboldenoughtogiveyoucountenance。’

’MosttrulyIbelieveit，’saidMiles，bitterly。’Thepowerthatcancommandonelifelongfriendtobetrayanddisownanother，andbeobeyed，maywelllooktobeobeyedinquarterswherebreadandlifeareonthestakeandnocobwebtiesofloyaltyandhonorareconcerned。’

Afainttingeappearedforamomentinthelady’scheek，andshedroppedhereyestothefloor；buthervoicebetrayednoemotionwhensheproceeded：

’Ihavewarnedyou，Imuststillwarnyou，togohence。Thismanwilldestroyyouelse。Heisatyrantwhoknowsnopity。I，whoamhisfetteredslave，knowthis。PoorMiles，andArthur，andmydearguardian，SirRichard，arefreeofhim，andatrest—betterthatyouwerewiththemthanthatyoubidehereintheclutchesofthismiscreant。Yourpretensionsareamenacetohistitleandpossessions；

youhaveassaultedhiminhisownhouse—youareruinedifyoustay。

Go—donothesitate。Ifyoulackmoney，takethispurse，Ibegofyou，andbribetheservantstoletyoupass。Oh，bewarned，poorsoul，andescapewhileyoumay。’

Milesdeclinedthepursewithagesture，androseupandstoodbeforeher。

’Grantmeonething，’hesaid。’Letyoureyesrestuponmine，sothatImayseeiftheybesteady。There—nowanswerme。AmIMilesHendon？’

’No。Iknowyounot。’

’Swearit！’

Theanswerwaslow，butdistinct：

’Iswear。’

’Oh，thispassesbelief！’

’Fly！Whywillyouwastetheprecioustime？Flyandsaveyourself。’

Atthatmomenttheofficersburstintotheroomandaviolentstrugglebegan；butHendonwassoonoverpoweredanddraggedaway。

Thekingwastakenalso，andbothwereboundandledtoprison。

CHAPTERXXVII

InPrisonTHEcellswereallcrowded；sothetwofriendswerechainedinalargeroomwherepersonschargedwithtriflingoffenseswerecommonlykept。Theyhadcompany，forthereweresometwentymanacledorfetteredprisonershere，ofbothsexesandofvaryingages—anobsceneandnoisygang。Thekingchafedbitterlyoverthestupendousindignitythusputuponhisroyalty，butHendonwasmoodyandtaciturn。Hewasprettythoroughlybewildered。Hehadcomehome，ajubilantprodigal，expectingtofindeverybodywildwithjoyoverhisreturn；andinsteadhadgotthecoldshoulderandajail。Thepromiseandthefulfilmentdifferedsowidely，thattheeffectwasstunning；hecouldnotdecidewhetheritwasmosttragicormostgrotesque。Hefeltmuchasamanmightwhohaddancedblithelyouttoenjoyarainbow，andgotstruckbylightning。

Butgraduallyhisconfusedandtormentingthoughtssettleddownintosomesortoforder，andthenhismindcentereditselfuponEdith。

Heturnedherconductover，andexamineditinalllights，buthecouldnotmakeanythingsatisfactoryoutofit。Didsheknowhim？—

ordidn’tsheknowhim？Itwasaperplexingpuzzle，andoccupiedhimalongtime；butheended，finally，withtheconvictionthatshedidknowhim，andhadrepudiatedhimforinterestedreasons。Hewantedtoloadhernamewithcursesnow；butthisnamehadsolongbeensacredtohimthathefoundhecouldnotbringhistonguetoprofaneit。

Wrappedinprisonblanketsofasoiledandtatteredcondition，Hendonandthekingpassedatroublednight。Forabribethejailerhadfurnishedliquortosomeoftheprisoners；singingofribaldsongs，fighting，shouting，andcarousing，wasthenaturalconsequence。

Atlast，awhileaftermidnight，amanattackedawomanandnearlykilledherbybeatingherovertheheadwithhismanaclesbeforethejailercouldcometotherescue。Thejailerrestoredpeacebygivingthemanasoundclubbingabouttheheadandshoulders—thenthecarousingceased；andafterthat，allhadanopportunitytosleepwhodidnotmindtheannoyanceofthemoaningsandgroaningsofthetwowoundedpeople。

Duringtheensuingweek，thedaysandnightswereofamonotonoussameness，astoevents；menwhosefacesHendonrememberedmoreorlessdistinctlycame，byday，togazeatthe’impostor’andrepudiateandinsulthim；andbynightthecarousingandbrawlingwenton，withsymmetricalregularity。However，therewasachangeofincidentatlast。Thejailerbroughtinanoldman，andsaidtohim：

’Thevillainisinthisroom—castthyoldeyesaboutandseeifthoucanstsaywhichishe。’

Hendonglancedup，andexperiencedapleasantsensationforthefirsttimesincehehadbeeninthejail。Hesaidtohimself，’ThisisBlakeAndrews，aservantallhislifeinmyfather’sfamily—agoodhonestsoul，witharightheartinhisbreast。Thatis，formerly。

Butnonearetruenow；allareliars。Thismanwillknowme—andwilldenyme，too，liketherest。’

Theoldmangazedaroundtheroom，glancedateachfaceinturn，andfinallysaid：

’Iseenoneherebutpaltryknaves，scumo’thestreets。Whichishe？’

Thejailerlaughed。

’Here，’hesaid；’scanthisbiganimal，andgrantmeanopinion。’

Theoldmanapproached，andlookedHendonover，longandearnestly，thenshookhisheadandsaid：

’Marry，thisisnoHendon—noreverwas！’

’Right！Thyoldeyesaresoundyet。AnIwereSirHugh，Iwouldtaketheshabbycarleand—’

Thejailerfinishedbyliftinghimselfa—tiptoewithanimaginaryhalter，atthesametimemakingagurglingnoiseinhisthroatsuggestiveofsuffocation。Theoldmansaid，vindictively：

’LethimblessGodanhefarenoworse。AnIhadthehandlingo’

thevillain，heshouldroast，orIamnotrueman！’

Thejailerlaughedapleasanthyenalaugh，andsaid：

’Givehimapieceofthymind，oldman—theyalldoit。Thou’ltfinditgooddiversion。’

Thenhesaunteredtowardhisanteroomanddisappeared。Theoldmandroppeduponhiskneesandwhispered：

’Godbethanked，thou’rtcomeagain，mymaster！Ibelievedthouwertdeadthesesevenyears，andlo，herethouartalive！IknewtheethemomentIsawthee；andmainhardworkitwastokeepastonycountenanceandseemtoseenoneherebuttuppennyknavesandrubbisho’thestreets。Iamoldandpoor，SirMiles；butsaythewordandIwillgoforthandproclaimthetruththoughIbestrangledforit。’

’No，’saidHendon，’thoushaltnot。Itwouldruinthee，andyethelpbutlittleinmycause。ButIthankthee；forthouhastgivenmebacksomewhatofmylostfaithinmykind。’

TheoldservantbecameveryvaluabletoHendonandtheking；forhedroppedinseveraltimesadayto’abuse’theformer，andalwayssmuggledinafewdelicaciestohelpouttheprisonbilloffare；healsofurnishedthecurrentnews。Hendonreservedthedaintiesfortheking；withoutthemhismajestymightnothavesurvived，forhewasnotabletoeatthecoarseandwretchedfoodprovidedbythejailer。

Andrewswasobligedtoconfinehimselftobriefvisits，inordertoavoidsuspicion；buthemanagedtoimpartafairdegreeofinformationeachtime—informationdeliveredinalowvoice，forHendon’sbenefit，andinterlardedwithinsultingepithetsdeliveredinaloudervoice，forthebenefitofotherhearers。

So，littlebylittle，thestoryofthefamilycameout。Arthurhadbeendeadsixyears。Thisloss，withtheabsenceofnewsfromHendon，impairedhisfather’shealth；hebelievedhewasgoingtodie，andhewishedtoseeHughandEdithsettledinlifebeforehepassedaway；butEdithbeggedhardfordelay，hopingforMiles’sreturn；thenthelettercamewhichbroughtthenewsofMiles’sdeath；theshockprostratedSirRichard；hebelievedhisendwasverynear，andheandHughinsisteduponthemarriage；Edithbeggedforandobtainedamonth’srespite；thenanother，andfinallyathird；themarriagethentookplace，bythedeath—bedofSirRichard。Ithadnotprovedahappyone。Itwaswhisperedaboutthecountrythatshortlyafterthenuptialsthebridefoundamongherhusband’spapersseveralroughandincompletedraftsofthefatalletter，andhadaccusedhimofprecipitatingthemarriage—andSirRichard’sdeath，too—byawickedforgery。TalesofcrueltytotheLadyEdithandtheservantsweretobeheardonallhands；andsincethefather’sdeathSirHughhadthrownoffallsoftdisguisesandbecomeapitilessmastertowardallwhoinanywaydependeduponhimandhisdomainsforbread。

TherewasabitofAndrews’sgossipwhichthekinglistenedtowithalivelyinterest：

’Thereisrumorthatthekingismad。ButincharityforbeartosayImentionedit，for’tisdeathtospeakofit，theysay。’

Hismajestyglaredattheoldmanandsaid：

’Thekingisnotmad，goodman—andthou’ltfindittothyadvantagetobusythyselfwithmattersthatnearerconcerntheethanthisseditiousprattle。’

’Whatdoththeladmean？’saidAndrews，surprisedatthisbriskassaultfromsuchanunexpectedquarter。Hendongavehimasign，andhedidnotpursuehisquestion，butwentonwithhisbudget：

’ThelatekingistobeburiedatWindsorinadayortwo—thesixteenthofthemonth—andthenewkingwillbecrownedatWestminsterthetwentieth。’

’Methinkstheymustneedsfindhimfirst，’mutteredhismajesty；

thenadded，confidently，’buttheywilllooktothat—andsoalsoshallI。’

’Inthenameof—’

Buttheoldmangotnofurther—awarningsignfromHendoncheckedhisremark。Heresumedthethreadofhisgossip。

’SirHughgoethtothecoronation—andwithgrandhopes。Heconfidentlylookethtocomebackapeer，forheishighinfavorwiththeLordProtector。’

’WhatLordProtector？’askedhismajesty。

’HisgracetheDukeofSomerset。’

’WhatDukeofSomerset？’

’Marry，thereisbutone—Seymour，EarlofHertford。’

Thekingaskedsharply：

’Sincewhenisheaduke，andLordProtector？’

’SincethelastdayofJanuary。’

’And，prithee，whomadehimso？’

’HimselfandtheGreatCouncil—withthehelpoftheking。’

Hismajestystartedviolently。’Theking！’hecried。’Whatking，goodsir？’

’Whatking，indeed！（God—a—mercy，whataileththeboy？）Sithwehavebutone，’tisnotdifficulttoanswer—hismostsacredmajestyKingEdwardtheSixth—whomGodpreserve！Yea，andadearandgraciouslittleurchinishe，too；andwhetherhebemadorno—andtheysayhemendethdaily—hispraisesareonallmen’slips；andallblesshimlikewise，andofferprayersthathemaybesparedtoreignlonginEngland；forhebeganhumanely，withsavingtheoldDukeofNorfolk’slife，andnowishebentondestroyingthecruelestofthelawsthatharryandoppressthepeople。’

Thisnewsstruckhismajestydumbwithamazement，andplungedhimintosodeepanddismalareveriethatheheardnomoreoftheoldman’sgossip。Hewonderedifthe’littleurchin’wasthebeggar—boywhomheleftdressedinhisowngarmentsinthepalace。Itdidnotseempossiblethatthiscouldbe，forsurelyhismannersandspeechwouldbetrayhimifhepretendedtobethePrinceofWales—thenhewouldbedrivenout，andsearchmadeforthetrueprince。Coulditbethatthecourthadsetupsomesprigofthenobilityinhisplace？No，forhisunclewouldnotallowthat—hewasall—powerfulandcouldandwouldcrushsuchamovement，ofcourse。Theboy’smusingsprofitedhimnothing；themorehetriedtounriddlethemysterythemoreperplexedhebecame，themorehisheadached，andtheworseheslept。HisimpatiencetogettoLondongrewhourly，andhiscaptivitybecamealmostunendurable。

Hendon’sartsallfailedwiththeking—hecouldnotbecomforted，butacoupleofwomenwhowerechainednearhim，succeededbetter。

Undertheirgentleministrationshefoundpeaceandlearnedadegreeofpatience。Hewasverygrateful，andcametolovethemdearlyandtodelightinthesweetandsoothinginfluenceoftheirpresence。Heaskedthemwhytheywereinprison，andwhentheysaidtheywereBaptists，hesmiled，andinquired：

’Isthatacrimetobeshutupforinaprison？NowIgrieve，forIshallloseye—theywillnotkeepyelongforsuchalittlething。’

Theydidnotanswer；andsomethingintheirfacesmadehimuneasy。

Hesaid，eagerly：

’Youdonotspeak—begoodtome，andtellme—therewillbenootherpunishment？Prithee，tellmethereisnofearofthat。’

Theytriedtochangethetopic，buthisfearswerearoused，andhepursuedit：

’Willtheyscourgethee？No，no，theywouldnotbesocruel！Saytheywouldnot。Come，theywillnot，willthey？’

Thewomenbetrayedconfusionanddistress，buttherewasnoavoidingananswer，sooneofthemsaid，inavoicechokedwithemotion：

’Oh，thou’ltbreakourhearts，thougentlespirit！Godwillhelpustobearour—’

’Itisaconfession！’thekingbrokein。’Thentheywillscourgethee，thestony—heartedwretches！Butoh，thoumustnotweep，Icannotbearit。Keepupthycourage—Ishallcometomyownintimetosavetheefromthisbitterthing，andIwilldoit！’

Whenthekingawokeinthemorning，thewomenweregone。

’Theyaresaved！’hesaid，joyfully；thenadded，despondently，’butwoeisme！—fortheyweremycomforters。’

Eachofthemhadleftashredofribbonpinnedtohisclothing，intokenofremembrance。Hesaidhewouldkeepthesethingsalways；andthatsoonhewouldseekoutthesedeargoodfriendsofhisandtakethemunderhisprotection。

Justthenthejailercameinwithsomesubordinatesandcommandedthattheprisonersbeconductedtothejail—yard。Thekingwasoverjoyed—itwouldbeablessedthingtoseetheblueskyandbreathethefreshaironcemore。Hefrettedandchafedattheslownessoftheofficers，buthisturncameatlastandhewasreleasedfromhisstapleandorderedtofollowtheotherprisoners，withHendon。

Thecourt，orquadrangle，wasstone—paved，andopentothesky。

Theprisonersentereditthroughamassivearchwayofmasonry，andwereplacedinfile，standing，withtheirbacksagainstthewall。A

ropewasstretchedinfrontofthem，andtheywerealsoguardedbytheirofficers。Itwasachillandloweringmorning，andalightsnowwhichhadfallenduringthenightwhitenedthegreatemptyspaceandaddedtothegeneraldismalnessofitsaspect。Nowandthenawintrywindshiveredthroughtheplaceandsentthesnoweddyinghitherandthither。

Inthecenterofthecourtstoodtwowomen，chainedtoposts。A

glanceshowedthekingthatthesewerehisgoodfriends。Heshuddered，andsaidtohimself，’Alack，theyarenotgonefree，asIhadthought。

Tothinkthatsuchastheseshouldknowthelash！—inEngland！Ay，there’stheshameofit—notinHeathenesse，butChristianEngland！

Theywillbescourged；andI，whomtheyhavecomfortedandkindlyentreated，mustlookonandseethegreatwrongdone；itisstrange，sostrange！thatI，theverysourceofpowerinthisbroadrealm，amhelplesstoprotectthem。Butletthesemiscreantslookwelltothemselves，forthereisadaycomingwhenIwillrequireofthemaheavyreckoningforthiswork。Foreveryblowtheystrikenowtheyshallfeelahundredthen。’

Agreatgateswungopenandacrowdofcitizenspouredin。Theyflockedaroundthetwowomen，andhidthemfromtheking’sview。A

clergymanenteredandpassedthroughthecrowd，andhealsowashidden。Thekingnowheardtalking，backandforth，asifquestionswerebeingaskedandanswered，buthecouldnotmakeoutwhatwassaid。Nexttherewasadealofbustleandpreparation，andmuchpassingandrepassingofofficialsthroughthatpartofthecrowdthatstoodonthefurthersideofthewomen；andwhilethisproceededadeephushgraduallyfelluponthepeople。

Now，bycommand，themassespartedandfellaside，andthekingsawaspectaclethatfrozethemarrowinhisbones。Fagotshadbeenpiledaboutthetwowomen，andakneelingmanwaslightingthem！

Thewomenbowedtheirheads，andcoveredtheirfaceswiththeirhands；theyellowflamesbegantoclimbupwardamongthesnappingandcracklingfagots，andwreathsofbluesmoketostreamawayonthewind；theclergymanliftedhishandsandbeganaprayer—justthentwoyounggirlscameflyingthroughthegreatgate，utteringpiercingscreams，andthrewthemselvesuponthewomenatthestake。

Instantlytheyweretornawaybytheofficers，andoneofthemwaskeptinatightgrip，buttheotherbrokeloose，sayingshewoulddiewithhermother；andbeforeshecouldbestoppedshehadflungherarmsabouthermother’sneckagain。Shewastornawayoncemore，andwithhergownonfire。

Twoorthreemenheldher，andtheburningportionofhergownwassnatchedoffandthrownflamingaside，shestrugglingallthewhiletofreeherself，andsayingshewouldbealoneintheworldnow，andbeggingtobeallowedtodiewithhermother。Boththegirlsscreamedcontinually，andfoughtforfreedom；butsuddenlythistumultwasdrownedunderavolleyofheart—piercingshrieksofmortalagony。Thekingglancedfromthefranticgirlstothestake，thenturnedawayandleanedhisashenfaceagainstthewall，andlookednomore。Hesaid，’ThatwhichIhaveseen，inthatonelittlemoment，willnevergooutfrommymemory，butwillabidethere；andIshallseeitallthedays，anddreamofitallthenights，tillI

die。WouldGodIhadbeenblind！’

Hendonwaswatchingtheking。Hesaidtohimself，withsatisfaction，’Hisdisordermendeth；hehathchanged，andgrowethgentler。Ifhehadfollowedhiswont，hewouldhavestormedatthesevarlets，andsaidhewasking，andcommandedthatthewomenbeturnedlooseunscathed。Soonhisdelusionwillpassawayandbeforgotten，andhispoormindwillbewholeagain。Godspeedtheday！’

Thatsamedayseveralprisonerswerebroughtintoremainovernight，whowerebeingconveyed，underguard，tovariousplacesinthekingdom，toundergopunishmentforcrimescommitted。Thekingconversedwiththese—hehadmadeitapoint，fromthebeginning，toinstructhimselfforthekinglyofficebyquestioningprisonerswhenevertheopportunityoffered—andthetaleoftheirwoeswrunghisheart。Oneofthemwasapoorhalf—wittedwomanwhohadstolenayardortwoofclothfromaweaver—shewastobehangedforit。

Anotherwasamanwhohadbeenaccusedofstealingahorse；hesaidtheproofhadfailed，andhehadimaginedthathewassafefromthehalter；butno—hewashardlyfreebeforehewasarraignedforkillingadeerintheking’spark；thiswasprovedagainsthim，andnowhewasonhiswaytothegallows。Therewasatradesman’sapprenticewhosecaseparticularlydistressedtheking；thisyouthsaidhefoundahawkoneeveningthathadescapedfromitsowner，andhetookithomewithhim，imagininghimselfentitledtoit；butthecourtconvictedhimofstealingit，andsentencedhimtodeath。

Thekingwasfuriousovertheseinhumanities，andwantedHendontobreakjailandflywithhimtoWestminster，sothathecouldmounthisthroneandholdouthisscepterinmercyovertheseunfortunatepeopleandsavetheirlives。’Poorchild，’sighedHendon，’thesewoefultaleshavebroughthismaladyuponhimagain—alack，butforthisevilhap，hewouldhavebeenwellinalittletime。’

Amongtheseprisonerswasanoldlawyer—amanwithastrongfaceandadauntlessmien，Threeyearspast，hehadwrittenapamphletagainsttheLordChancellor，accusinghimofinjustice，andhadbeenpunishedforitbythelossofhisearsinthepilloryanddegradationfromthebar，andinadditionhadbeenfinedL3，000andsentencedtoimprisonmentforlife。Latelyhehadrepeatedhisoffense；andinconsequencewasnowundersentencetolosewhatremainedofhisears，payafineofL5，000，bebrandedonbothcheeks，andremaininprisonforlife。

’Thesebehonorablescars，’hesaid，andturnedbackhisgrayhairandshowedthemutilatedstubsofwhathadoncebeenhisears。

Theking’seyeburnedwithpassion。Hesaid：

’Nonebelieveinme—neitherwiltthou。Butnomatter—withinthecompassofamonththoushaltbefree；andmore，thelawsthathavedishonoredthee，andshamedtheEnglishname，shallbesweptfromthestatute—books。Theworldismadewrong，kingsshouldgotoschooltotheirownlawsattimes，andsolearnmercy。’*（20）

CHAPTERXXVIII

TheSacrificeMEANTIMEMileswasgrowingsufficientlytiredofconfinmentandinaction。Butnowhistrialcameon，tohisgreatgratification，andhethoughthecouldwelcomeanysentenceprovidedafurtherimprisonmentshouldnotbeapartofit。Buthewasmistakenaboutthat。Hewasinafinefurywhenhefoundhimselfdescribedasa’sturdyvagabond’andsentencedtosittwohoursinthepilloryforbearingthatcharacterandforassaultingthemasterofHendonHall。

Hispretensionsastobrothershipwithhisprosecutor，andrightfulheirshiptotheHendonhonorsandestates，wereleftcontemptuouslyunnoticed，asbeingnotevenworthexamination。

Heragedandthreatenedonhiswaytopunishment，butitdidnogood；hewassnatchedroughlyalongbytheofficers，andgotanoccasionalcuff，besides，forhisunreverentconduct。

Thekingcouldnotpiercethroughtherabblethatswarmedbehind；sohewasobligedtofollowintherear，remotefromhisgoodfriendandservant。Thekinghadbeennearlycondemnedtothestockshimself，forbeinginsuchbadcompany，buthadbeenletoffwithalectureandawarning，inconsiderationofhisyouth。Whenthecrowdatlasthalted，heflittedfeverishlyfrompointtopointarounditsouterrim，huntingaplacetogetthrough；andatlast，afteradealofdifficultyanddelay，succeeded。Theresathispoorhenchmaninthedegradingstocks，thesportandbuttofadirtymob—

he，thebodyservantofthekingofEngland！Edwardhadheardthesentencepronounced，buthehadnotrealizedthehalfthatitmeant。

Hisangerbegantoriseasthesenseofthisnewindignitywhichhadbeenputuponhimsankhome；itjumpedtosummerheatthenextmoment，whenhesawaneggsailthroughtheairandcrushitselfagainstHendon’scheek，andheardthecrowdroaritsenjoymentoftheepisode。

Hesprangacrosstheopencircleandconfrontedtheofficerincharge，crying：

’Forshame！Thisismyservant—sethimfree！Iamthe—’

’Oh，peace！’exclaimedHendon，inapanic，’thou’ltdestroythyself。Mindhimnot，officer，heismad。’

’Givethyselfnotroubleastothematterofmindinghim，goodman，Ihavesmallmindtomindhim；butastoteachinghimsomewhat，tothatIamwellinclined。’Heturnedtoasubordinateandsaid，’Givethelittlefoolatasteortwoofthelash，tomendhismanners。’

’Halfadozenwillbetterservehisturn，’suggestedSirHugh，whohadriddenupamomentbeforetotakeapassingglanceattheproceedings。

Thekingwasseized。Hedidnotevenstruggle，soparalyzedwashewiththemerethoughtofthemonstrousoutragethatwasproposedtobeinflicteduponhissacredperson。HistorywasalreadydefiledwiththerecordofthescourgingofanEnglishkingwithwhips—itwasanintolerablereflectionthathemustfurnishaduplicateofthatshamefulpage。Hewasinthetoils，therewasnohelpforhim；hemusteithertakethispunishmentorbegforitsremission。Hardconditions；

hewouldtakethestripes—akingmightdothat，butakingcouldnotbeg。

Butmeantime，MilesHendonwasresolvingthedifficulty。’Letthechildgo，’saidhe；’yeheartlessdogs，doyenotseehowyoungandfrailheis？Lethimgo—Iwilltakehislashes。’

’Marry，agoodthought—andthanksforit，’saidSirHugh，hisfacelightingwithasardonicsatisfaction。’Letthelittlebeggargo，andgivethisfellowadozeninhisplace—anhonestdozen，welllaidon。’Thekingwasintheactofenteringafierceprotest，butSirHughsilencedhimwiththepotentremark，’Yes，speakup，do，andfreethymind—only，markye，thatforeachwordyouutterheshallgetsixstrokesthemore。’

Hendonwasremovedfromthestocks，andhisbacklaidbare；andwhilethelashwasappliedthepoorlittlekingturnedawayhisfaceandallowedunroyaltearstochannelhischeeksunchecked。’Ah，bravegoodheart，’hesaidtohimself，’thisloyaldeedshallneverperishoutofmymemory。Iwillnotforgetit—andneithershallthey！’headded，withpassion。Whilehemused，hisappreciationofHendon’smagnanimousconductgrewtogreaterandstillgreaterdimensionsinhismind，andsoalsodidhisgratefulnessforit。

Presentlyhesaidtohimself，’Whosaveshisprincefromwoundsandpossibledeath—andthishedidforme—performshighservice；butitislittle—itisnothing！—oh，lessthannothing！—when’tisweighedagainsttheactofhimwhosaveshisprincefromSHAME！’

Hendonmadenooutcryunderthescourge，butboretheheavyblowswithsoldierlyfortitude。This，togetherwithhisredeemingtheboybytakinghisstripesforhim，compelledtherespectofeventhatforlornanddegradedmobthatwasgatheredthere；anditsgibesandhootingsdiedaway，andnosoundremainedbutthesoundofthefallingblows。ThestillnessthatpervadedtheplacewhenHendonfoundhimselfoncemoreinthestocks，wasinstrongcontrastwiththeinsultingclamourwhichhadprevailedtheresolittleawhilebefore。

ThekingcamesoftlytoHendon’sside，andwhisperedinhisear：

’Kingscannotennoblethee，thougood，greatsoul，forOnewhoishigherthankingshathdonethatforthee；butakingcanconfirmthynobilitytomen。’Hepickedupthescourgefromtheground，touchedHendon’sbleedingshoulderslightlywithit，andwhispered，’EdwardofEnglanddubstheeearl！’

Hendonwastouched。Thewaterwelledtohiseyes，yetatthesametimethegrislyhumorofthesituationandcircumstancessounderminedhisgravitythatitwasallhecoulddotokeepsomesignofhisinwardmirthfromshowingoutside。Tobesuddenlyhoisted，nakedandgory，fromthecommonstockstotheAlpinealtitudeandsplendorofanearldom，seemedtohimthelastpossibilityinthelineofthegrotesque。Hesaidtohimself，’NowamIfinelytinseled，indeed！Thespecter—knightoftheKingdomofDreamsandShadowsisbecomeaspecter—earl！—adizzyflightforacallowwing！Anthisgoon，IshallpresentlybehunglikeaveryMay—polewithfantasticgaudsandmake—believehonors。ButIshallvaluethem，allvaluelessastheyare，forthelovethatdothbestowthem。Betterthesepoormockdignitiesofmine，thatcomeunaskedfromacleanhandandarightspirit，thanrealonesboughtbyservilityfromgrudgingandinterestedpower。’

ThedreadedSirHughwheeledhishorseabout，and，ashespurredaway，thelivingwalldividedsilentlytolethimpass，andassilentlyclosedtogetheragain。Andsoremained；nobodywentsofarastoventurearemarkinfavoroftheprisoner，orincomplimenttohim；

butnomatter，theabsenceofabusewasasufficienthomageinitself。

Alatecomerwhowasnotpostedastothepresentcircumstances，andwhodeliveredasneeratthe’impostor’andwasintheactoffollowingitwithadeadcat，waspromptlyknockeddownandkickedout，withoutanywords，andthenthedeepquietresumedswayoncemore。

CHAPTERXXIX

ToLondonWHENHendon’stermofserviceinthestockswasfinished，hewasreleasedandorderedtoquittheregionandcomebacknomore。Hisswordwasrestoredtohim，andalsohismuleandhisdonkey。Hemountedandrodeoff，followedbytheking，thecrowdopeningwithquietrespectfulnesstoletthempass，andthendispersingwhentheyweregone。

Hendonwassoonabsorbedinthought。Therewerequestionsofhighimporttobeanswered。Whatshouldhedo？Whithershouldhego？

Powerfulhelpmustbefoundsomewhere，orhemustrelinquishhisinheritanceandremainundertheimputationofbeinganimpostorbesides。Wherecouldhehopetofindthispowerfulhelp？Where，indeed！Itwasaknottyquestion。Byandbyathoughtoccurredtohimwhichpointedtoapossibility—theslenderestofslenderpossibilities，certainly，butstillworthconsidering，forlackofanyotherthatpromisedanythingatall。HerememberedwhatoldAndrewshadsaidabouttheyoungking’sgoodnessandhisgenerouschampionshipofthewrongedandunfortunate。Whynotgoandtrytogetspeechofhimandbegforjustice？Ah，yes，butcouldsofantasticapaupergetadmissiontotheaugustpresenceofamonarch？Nevermind—letthatmattertakecareofitself；itwasabridgethatwouldnotneedtobecrossedtillheshouldcometoit。Hewasanoldcampaigner，andusedtoinventingshiftsandexpedients；nodoubthewouldbeabletofindaway。Yes，hewouldstrikeforthecapital。Maybehisfather’soldfriend，SirHumphreyMarlow，wouldhelphim—’goodoldSirHumphrey，HeadLieutenantofthelateking’skitchen，orstables，orsomething’—Milescouldnotrememberjustwhatorwhich。

Nowthathehadsomethingtoturnhisenergiesto，adistinctlydefinedobjecttoaccomplish，thefogofhumiliationanddepressionthathadsettleddownuponhisspiritsliftedandblewaway，andheraisedhisheadandlookedabouthim。Hewassurprisedtoseehowfarhehadcome；thevillagewasawaybehindhim。Thekingwasjoggingalonginhiswake，withhisheadbowed；forhe，too，wasdeepinplansandthinkings。AsorrowfulmisgivingcloudedHendon’snewborncheerfulness；wouldtheboybewillingtogoagaintoacitywhere，duringallhisbrieflife，hehadneverknownanythingbutillusageandpinchingwant？Butthequestionmustbeasked；itcouldnotbeavoided；soHendonreinedup，andcalledout：

’Ihadforgottentoinquirewhitherwearebound。Thycommands，myliege？’

’ToLondon！’

Hendonmovedonagain，mightilycontentedwiththeanswer—butastonishedatit，too。

Thewholejourneywasmadewithoutanadventureofimportance。

Butitendedwithone。Aboutteno’clockonthenightofthenightofthe19thofFebruary，theysteppeduponLondonBridge，inthemidstofawrithing，strugglingjamofhowlingandhurrahingpeople，whosebeer—jollyfacesstoodoutstronglyintheglarefrommanifoldtorches—andatthatinstantthedecayingheadofsomeformerdukeorothergrandeetumbleddownbetweenthem，strikingHendonontheelbowandthenboundingoffamongthehurryingconfusionoffeet。Soevanescentandunstablearemen’sworksinthisworld！—thelategoodkingisbutthreeweeksdeadandthreedaysinhisgrave，andalreadytheadornmentswhichhetooksuchpainstoselectfromprominentpeopleforhisnoblebridgearefalling。Acitizenstumbledoverthathead，anddrovehisownheadintothebackofsomebodyinfrontofhim，whoturnedandknockeddownthefirstpersonthatcamehandy，andwaspromptlylaidouthimselfbythatperson’sfriend。Itwastherightripetimeforafreefight，forthefestivitiesofthemorrow—CoronationDay—werealreadybeginning；

everybodywasfullofstrongdrinkandpatriotism；withinfiveminutesthefreefightwasoccupyingagooddealofground；withintenortwelveitcoveredanacreorso，andwasbecomeariot。BythistimeHendonandthekingwerehopelesslyseparatedfromeachotherandlostintherushandturmoiloftheroaringmassesofhumanity。Andsoweleavethem。

CHAPTERXXX

Tom’sProgressWHILSTthetruekingwanderedabouttheland，poorlyclad，poorlyfed，cuffedandderidedbytrampsonewhile，herdingwiththievesandmurderersinajailanother，andcalledidiotandimpostorbyallimpartially，themockKingTomCantyenjoyedaquitedifferentexperience。

Whenwesawhimlast，royaltywasjustbeginningtohaveabrightsideforhim。Thisbrightsidewentonbrighteningmoreandmoreeveryday；inaverylittlewhileitwasbecomealmostallsunshineanddelightfulness。Helosthisfears；hismisgivingsfadedoutanddied；hisembarrassmentsdeparted，andgaveplacetoaneasyandconfidentbearing。Heworkedthewhipping—boyminetoever—increasingprofit。

HeorderedmyLadyElizabethandmyLadyJaneGreyintohispresencewhenhewantedtoplayortalk，anddismissedthemwhenhewasdonewiththem，withtheairofonefamiliarlyaccustomedtosuchperformances。Itnolongerconfusedhimtohavetheseloftypersonageskisshishandatparting。

Hecametoenjoybeingconductedtobedinstateatnight，anddressedwithintricateandsolemnceremonyinthemorning。Itcametobeaproudpleasuretomarchtodinnerattendedbyaglitteringprocessionofofficersofstateandgentlemen—at—arms；insomuch，indeed，thathedoubledhisguardofgentlemen—at—arms，andmadethemahundred。Helikedtohearthebuglessoundingdownthelongcorridors，andthedistantvoicesresponding，’WayfortheKing！’

Heevenlearnedtoenjoysittinginthronedstateincouncil，andseemingtobesomethingmorethantheLordProtector’smouthpiece。

Helikedtoreceivegreatambassadorsandtheirgorgeoustrains，andlistentotheaffectionatemessagestheybroughtfromillustriousmonarchswhocalledhim’brother。’Oh，happyTomCanty，lateofOffalCourt！

Heenjoyedhissplendidclothes，andorderedmore；hefoundhisfourhundredservantstoofewforhispropergrandeur，andtrebledthem。Theadulationofsalaamingcourtierscametobesweetmusictohisears。Heremainedkindandgentle，andasturdyanddeterminedchampionofallthatwereoppressed，andhemadetirelesswaruponunjustlaws；yetuponoccasion，beingoffended，hecouldturnuponanearl，orevenaduke，andgivehimalookthatwouldmakehimtremble。Once，whenhisroyal’sister，’thegrimlyholyLadyMary，setherselftoreasonwithhimagainstthewisdomofhiscourseinpardoningsomanypeoplewhowouldotherwisebejailed，orhanged，orburned，andremindedhimthattheiraugustlatefather’sprisonshadsometimescontainedashighassixtythousandconvictsatonetime，andthatduringhisadmirablereignhehaddeliveredseventy—twothousandthievesandrobbersovertodeathbytheexecutioner，*（21）

theboywasfilledwithgenerousindignation，andcommandedhertogotohercloset，andbeseechGodtotakeawaythestonethatwasinherbreast，andgiveherahumanheart。

DidTomCantyneverfeeltroubledaboutthepoorlittlerightfulprincewhohadtreatedhimsokindly，andflownoutwithsuchhotzealtoavengehimupontheinsolentsentinelatthepalacegate？Yes；

hisfirstroyaldaysandnightswereprettywellsprinkledwithpainfulthoughtsaboutthelostprince，andwithsincerelongingsforhisreturnandhappyrestorationtohisnativerightsandsplendors。Butastimeworeon，andtheprincedidnotcome，Tom’smindbecamemoreandmoreoccupiedwithhisnewandenchantingexperiences，andbylittleandlittlethevanishedmonarchfadedalmostoutofhisthoughts；andfinally，whenhedidintrudeuponthematintervals，hewasbecomeanunwelcomespecter，forhemadeTomfeelguiltyandashamed。

Tom’spoormotherandsisterstraveledthesameroadoutofhismind。Atfirsthepinedforthem，sorrowedforthem，longedtoseethem；butlater，thethoughtoftheircomingsomedayintheirragsanddirt，andbetrayinghimwiththeirkisses，andpullinghimdownfromhisloftyplaceanddragginghimbacktopenuryanddegradationandtheslums，madehimshudder。Atlasttheyceasedtotroublehisthoughtsalmostwholly。Andhewascontent，evenglad；for，whenevertheirmournfulandaccusingfacesdidrisebeforehimnow，theymadehimfeelmoredespicablethanthewormsthatcrawl。

Atmidnightofthe19thofFebruary，TomCantywassinkingtosleepinhisrichbedinthepalace，guardedbyhisloyalvassals，andsurroundedbythepompsofroyalty，ahappyboy；forto—morrowwasthedayappointedforhissolemncrowningaskingofEngland。Atthatsamehour，Edward，thetrueking，hungryandthirsty，soiledanddraggled，wornwithtravel，andclothedinragsandshreds—hisshareoftheresultsoftheriot—waswedgedinamongacrowdofpeoplewhowerewatchingwithdeepinterestcertainhurryinggangsofworkmenwhostreamedinandoutofWestminsterAbbey，busyasants；

theyweremakingthelastpreparationfortheroyalcoronation。

CHAPTERXXXI

TheRecognitionProcessionWHENTomCantyawokethenextmorning，theairwasheavywithathunderousmurmur；allthedistanceswerechargedwithit。Itwasmusictohim；foritmeantthattheEnglishworldwasoutinitsstrengthtogiveloyalwelcometothegreatday。

PresentlyTomfoundhimselfoncemorethechieffigureinawonderfulfloatingpageantontheThames；forbyancientcustomthe’recognitionprocession’throughLondonmuststartfromtheTower，andhewasboundthither。

Whenhearrivedthere，thesidesofthevenerablefortressseemedsuddenlyrentinathousandplaces，andfromeveryrentleapedaredtongueofflameandawhitegushofsmoke；adeafeningexplosionfollowed，whichdrownedtheshoutingsofthemultitude，andmadethegroundtremble；theflame—jets，thesmoke，andtheexplosionswererepeatedoverandoveragainwithmarvelouscelerity，sothatinafewmomentstheoldTowerdisappearedinthevastfogofitsownsmoke，allbuttheverytopofthetallpilecalledtheWhiteTower；this，withitsbanners，stoodoutabovethedensebankofvaporasamountainpeakprojectsaboveacloud—rack。

TomCanty，splendidlyarrayed，mountedaprancingwar—steed，whoserichtrappingsalmostreachedtotheground；his’uncle，’theLordProtectorSomerset，similarlymounted，tookplaceinhisrear；theKing’sGuardformedinsingleranksoneitherside，cladinburnishedarmor；aftertheProtectorfollowedaseeminglyinterminableprocessionofresplendentnoblesattendedbytheirvassals；afterthesecamethelordmayorandthealdermanicbody，incrimsonvelvetrobes，andwiththeirgoldchainsacrosstheirbreasts；andafterthesetheofficersandmembersofalltheguildsofLondon，inrichraiment，andbearingtheshowybannersoftheseveralcorporations。

Alsointheprocession，asaspecialguardofhonorthroughthecity，wastheAncientandHonorableArtilleryCompany—anorganizationalreadythreehundredyearsoldatthattime，andtheonlymilitarybodyinEnglandpossessingtheprivilege（whichitstillpossessesinourday）ofholdingitselfindependentofthecommandsofParliament。Itwasabrilliantspectacle，andwashailedwithacclamationsallalongtheline，asittookitsstatelywaythroughthepackedmultitudesofcitizens。Thechroniclersays，’Theking，asheenteredthecity，wasreceivedbythepeoplewithprayers，welcomings，cries，andtenderwords，andallsignswhichargueanearnestloveofsubjectstowardtheirsovereign；andtheking，byholdinguphisgladcountenancetosuchasstoodafaroff，andmosttenderlanguagetothosethatstoodnighhisGrace，showedhimselfnolessthankfultoreceivethepeople’sgoodwillthantheytoofferit。Toallthatwishedhimwell，hegavethanks。Tosuchasbade"GodsavehisGrace，"hesaidinreturn，"Godsaveyouall！"andaddedthat"hethankedthemwithallhisheart。"Wonderfullytransportedwerethepeoplewiththelovinganswersandgesturesoftheirking。’

InFenchurchStreeta’fairchild，incostlyapparel，’stoodonastagetowelcomehismajestytothecity。Thelastverseofhisgreetingwasinthesewords：

Welcome，OKing！asmuchasheartscanthink；

Welcomeagain，asmuchastonguecantell—

Welcometojoyoustongues，andheartsthatwillnotshrink；

Godtheepreserve，wepray，andwishtheeeverwell。

Thepeopleburstforthinagladshout，repeatingwithonevoicewhatthechildhadsaid。TomCantygazedabroadoverthesurgingseaofeagerfaces，andhisheartswelledwithexultation；andhefeltthattheonethingworthlivingforinthisworldwastobeaking，andanation’sidol。Presentlyhecaughtsight，atadistance，ofacoupleofhisraggedOffalCourtcomrades—oneofthemthelordhighadmiralinhislatemimiccourt，theotherthefirstlordofthebedchamberinthesamepretentiousfiction；andhisprideswelledhigherthanever。Oh，iftheycouldonlyrecognizehimnow！Whatunspeakablegloryitwouldbe，iftheycouldrecognizehim，andrealizethatthederidedmockkingoftheslumsandbackalleyswasbecomearealking，withillustriousdukesandprincesforhishumblemenials，andtheEnglishworldathisfeet！Buthehadtodenyhimself，andchokedownhisdesire，forsucharecognitionmightcostmorethanitwouldcometo；soheturnedawayhishead，andleftthetwosoiledladstogoonwiththeirshoutingsandgladadulations，unsuspiciousofwhomitwastheywerelavishingthemupon。

Everynowandthenrosethecry，’Alargess！alargess！’andTomrespondedbyscatteringahandfulofbrightnewcoinsabroadforthemultitudetoscramblefor。

Thechroniclersays，’AttheupperendofGracechurchStreet，beforethesignoftheEagle，thecityhaderectedagorgeousarch，beneathwhichwasastage，whichstretchedfromonesideofthestreettotheother。Thiswasahistoricalpageant，representingtheking’simmediateprogenitors。TheresatElizabethofYorkinthemidstofanimmensewhiterose，whosepetalsformedelaboratefurbelowsaroundher；byhersidewasHenryVII，issuingoutofavastredrose，disposedinthesamemanner；thehandsoftheroyalpairwerelockedtogether，andthewedding—ringostentatiouslydisplayed。Fromtheredandwhiterosesproceededastem，whichreacheduptoasecondstage，occupiedbyHenryVIII，issuingfromared—and—whiterose，withtheeffigyofthenewking’smother，JaneSeymour，representedbyhisside。Onebranchsprangfromthispair，whichmountedtoathirdstage，wheresattheeffigyofEdwardVIhimself，enthronedinroyalmajesty；andthewholepageantwasframedwithwreathsofroses，redandwhite。’

Thisquaintandgaudyspectaclesowroughtupontherejoicingpeople，thattheiracclamationsutterlysmotheredthesmallvoiceofthechildwhosebusinessitwastoexplainthethingineulogisticrhymes。ButTomCantywasnotsorry；forthisloyaluproarwassweetermusictohimthananypoetry，nomatterwhatitsqualitymightbe。

WhithersoeverTomturnedhishappyyoungface，thepeoplerecognizedtheexactnessofhiseffigy’slikenesstohimself，theflesh—and—bloodcounterpart；andnewwhirlwindsofapplauseburstforth。

Thegreatpageantmovedon，andstillon，underonetriumphalarchafteranother，andpastabewilderingsuccessionofspectacularandsymbolicaltableaux，eachofwhichtypifiedandexaltedsomevirtue，ortalent，ormerit，ofthelittleking’s。’ThroughoutthewholeofCheapside，fromeverypenthouseandwindow，hungbannersandstreamers；andtherichestcarpets，stuffs，andcloth—of—goldtapestriedthestreets—specimensofthegreatwealthofthestoreswithin；andthesplendorofthisthoroughfarewasequaledintheotherstreets，andinsomeevensurpassed。’

’Andallthesewondersandthesemarvelsaretowelcomeme—me！’

murmuredTomCanty。

Themockking’scheekswereflushedwithexcitement，hiseyeswereflashing，hissensesswaminadeliriumofpleasure。Atthispoint，justashewasraisinghishandtoflinganotherrichlargess，hecaughtsightofapale，astoundedfacewhichwasstrainedforwardoutofthesecondrankofthecrowd，itsintenseeyesriveteduponhim，Asickeningconsternationstruckthroughhim；herecognizedhismother！andupflewhishand，palmoutward，beforehiseyes—thatoldinvoluntarygesture，bornofaforgottenepisode，andperpetuatedbyhabit。Inaninstantmoreshehadtornherwayoutofthepress，andpasttheguards，andwasathisside。Sheembracedhisleg，shecovereditwithkisses，shecried，’O，mychild，mydarling！’liftingtowardhimafacethatwastransfiguredwithjoyandlove。ThesameinstantanofficeroftheKing’sGuardsnatchedherawaywithacurse，andsentherreelingbackwhenceshecamewithavigorousimpulsefromhisstrongarm。Thewords’Idonotknowyou，woman！’werefallingfromTomCanty’slipswhenthispiteousthingoccurred；butitsmotehimtothehearttoseehertreatedso；andassheturnedforalastglimpseofhim，whilstthecrowdwasswallowingherfromhissight，sheseemedsowounded，sobroken—hearted，thatashamefelluponhimwhichconsumedhispridetoashes，andwitheredhisstolenroyalty。Hisgrandeurswerestrickenvalueless；theyseemedtofallawayfromhimlikerottenrags。