The Prince a prisoner
Hendonforcedbackasmile,andbentdownandwhisperedintheKing’sear—
"Softly,softly,myprince,wagthytonguewarily—nay,sufferitnottowagatall.Trustinme—allshallgowellintheend."Thenheaddedtohimself:"SirMiles!Blessme,IhadtotallyforgotIwasaknight!Lord,howmarvellousathingitis,thegriphismemorydothtakeuponhisquaintandcrazyfancies!...Anemptyandfoolishtitleismine,andyetitissomethingtohavedeservedit;forIthinkitismorehonourtobeheldworthytobeaspectre-knightinhisKingdomofDreamsandShadows,thantobeheldbaseenoughtobeanearlinsomeoftherealkingdomsofthisworld."
Thecrowdfellaparttoadmitaconstable,whoapproachedandwasabouttolayhishandupontheKing’sshoulder,whenHendonsaid—
"Gently,goodfriend,withholdyourhand—heshallgopeaceably;Iamresponsibleforthat.Leadon,wewillfollow."
Theofficerled,withthewomanandherbundle;MilesandtheKingfollowedafter,withthecrowdattheirheels.