Принц и нищий
Disowned
Theseopinionsdoconflict,Iperceiveitplainly;Icannotreconcilethem,neithercanI,byargument,dismisseitherofthetwo,orevenpersuadeonetooutweightheother.Thematterstandethsimplythus:shemusthaveknownmyface,myfigure,myvoice,forhowcoulditbeotherwise?Yetshesaidsheknewmenot,andthatisproofperfect,forshecannotlie.Butstop—IthinkIbegintosee.Peradventurehehathinfluencedher,commandedher,compelledhertolie.Thatisthesolution.Theriddleisunriddled.Sheseemeddeadwithfear—yes,shewasunderhiscompulsion.Iwillseekher;Iwillfindher;nowthatheisaway,shewillspeakhertruemind.Shewillremembertheoldtimeswhenwewerelittleplayfellowstogether,andthiswillsoftenherheart,andshewillnomorebetrayme,butwillconfessme.Thereisnotreacherousbloodinher—no,shewasalwayshonestandtrue.Shehaslovedme,inthoseolddays—thisismysecurity;forwhomonehasloved,onecannotbetray."
Hesteppedeagerlytowardthedoor;atthatmomentitopened,andtheLadyEdithentered.Shewasverypale,butshewalkedwithafirmstep,andhercarriagewasfullofgraceandgentledignity.Herfacewasassadasbefore.
Milessprangforward,withahappyconfidence,tomeether,butshecheckedhimwithahardlyperceptiblegesture,andhestoppedwherehewas.Sheseatedherself,andaskedhimtodolikewise.Thussimplydidshetakethesenseofoldcomradeshipoutofhim,andtransformhimintoastrangerandaguest.
