Принц и нищий
Tom receives instructions
Thespeakerhesitated,andfinallystopped.Heevidentlyfeltthathewasupondelicateground.LordHertfordstoppedbeforehim,lookedintohisfacewithaclear,frankeye,andsaid—
"Speakon—thereisnonetohearbutme.Misgivingsastowhat?"
"Iamfulllothtowordthethingthatisinmymind,andthousoneartohiminblood,mylord.ButcravingpardonifIdooffend,seemethitnotstrangethatmadnesscouldsochangehisportandmanner?—notbutthathisportandspeechareprincelystill,butthattheydiffer,inoneunweightytrifleoranother,fromwhathiscustomwasaforetime.Seemethitnotstrangethatmadnessshouldfilchfromhismemoryhisfather’sverylineaments;thecustomsandobservancesthatarehisduefromsuchasbeabouthim;and,leavinghimhisLatin,striphimofhisGreekandFrench?Mylord,benotoffended,buteasemymindofitsdisquietandreceivemygratefulthanks.Ithauntethme,hissayinghewasnottheprince,andso—"
"Peace,mylord,thouutteresttreason!HastforgottheKing’scommand?RememberIampartytothycrimeifIbutlisten."
St.Johnpaled,andhastenedtosay—
"Iwasinfault,Idoconfessit.Betraymenot,grantmethisgraceoutofthycourtesy,andIwillneitherthinknorspeakofthisthingmore.Dealnothardlywithme,sir,elseamIruined."
"Iamcontent,mylord.Sothouoffendnotagain,hereorintheearsofothers,itshallbeasthoughthouhadstnotspoken.Butthouneed’stnothavemisgivings.Heismysister’sson;arenothisvoice,hisface,hisform,familiartomefromhiscradle?Madnesscandoalltheoddconflictingthingsthouseestinhim,andmore.
