Принц и нищий
Tom receives instructions
MyLordofHertfordspeakethofthecity’sbanquetwhichtheKing’smajestydidpromise,sometwomonthsflown,yourhighnessshouldattend.Thourecallestitnow?"
"Itgrievesmetoconfessithadindeedescapedme,"saidTom,inahesitatingvoice;andblushedagain.
AtthismomenttheLadyElizabethandtheLadyJaneGreywereannounced.Thetwolordsexchangedsignificantglances,andHertfordsteppedquicklytowardthedoor.Astheyounggirlspassedhim,hesaidinalowvoice—
"Iprayye,ladies,seemnottoobservehishumours,norshowsurprisewhenhismemorydothlapse—itwillgrieveyoutonotehowitdothstickateverytrifle."
MeantimeLordSt.JohnwassayinginTom’sear—
"Pleaseyou,sir,keepdiligentlyinmindhismajesty’sdesire.Rememberallthoucanst—seemtorememberallelse.Letthemnotperceivethatthouartmuchchangedfromthywont,forthouknowesthowtenderlythyoldplay-fellowsbeartheeintheirheartsandhow‘twouldgrievethem.Artwilling,sir,thatIremain?—andthineuncle?"
Tomsignifiedassentwithagestureandamurmuredword,forhewasalreadylearning,andinhissimpleheartwasresolvedtoacquithimselfasbesthemight,accordingtotheKing’scommand.
Inspiteofeveryprecaution,theconversationamongtheyoungpeoplebecamealittleembarrassingattimes.
