Принц и нищий
Hendon Hall
Theendofthevillagewassoonreached;thenthetravellersstruckintoacrooked,narrowroad,walledinwithtallhedges,andhurriedbrisklyalongitforhalfamile,thenpassedintoavastflowergardenthroughanimposinggateway,whosehugestonepillarsboresculpturedarmorialdevices.Anoblemansionwasbeforethem.
"WelcometoHendonHall,myKing!"exclaimedMiles."Ah,‘tisagreatday!Myfatherandmybrother,andtheLadyEdithwillbesomadwithjoythattheywillhaveeyesandtonguefornonebutmeinthefirsttransportsofthemeeting,andsothou’ltseembutcoldlywelcomed—butminditnot;‘twillsoonseemotherwise;forwhenIsaythouartmyward,andtellthemhowcostlyismyloveforthee,thou’ltseethemtaketheetotheirbreastsforMilesHendon’ssake,andmaketheirhouseandheartsthyhomeforeverafter!"
ThenextmomentHendonsprangtothegroundbeforethegreatdoor,helpedtheKingdown,thentookhimbythehandandrushedwithin.Afewstepsbroughthimtoaspaciousapartment;heentered,seatedtheKingwithmorehurrythanceremony,thenrantowardayoungmanwhosatatawriting-tableinfrontofagenerousfireoflogs.