Принц и нищий
Tom’s meeting with the Prince
Atarespectfuldistanceweremanycountryfolk,andpeoplefromthecity,waitingforanychanceglimpseofroyaltythatmightoffer. Splendidcarriages,withsplendidpeopleinthemandsplendidservantsoutside,werearrivinganddepartingbyseveralothernoblegatewaysthatpiercedtheroyalenclosure.
PoorlittleTom,inhisrags,approached,andwasmovingslowlyandtimidlypastthesentinels,withabeatingheartandarisinghope,whenallatoncehecaughtsightthroughthegoldenbarsofaspectaclethatalmostmadehimshoutforjoy. Withinwasacomelyboy,tannedandbrownwithsturdyoutdoorsportsandexercises,whoseclothingwasalloflovelysilksandsatins,shiningwithjewels; athishipalittlejewelledswordanddagger; daintybuskinsonhisfeet,withredheels; andonhisheadajauntycrimsoncap,withdroopingplumesfastenedwithagreatsparklinggem. Severalgorgeousgentlemenstoodnear—hisservants,withoutadoubt. Oh!hewasaprince—aprince,alivingprince,arealprince—withouttheshadowofaquestion;andtheprayerofthepauper-boy’sheartwasansweredatlast.
Tom’sbreathcamequickandshortwithexcitement,andhiseyesgrewbigwithwonderanddelight. Everythinggavewayinhismindinstantlytoonedesire: thatwastogetclosetotheprince,andhaveagood,devouringlookathim. Beforeheknewwhathewasabout,hehadhisfaceagainstthegate-bars. Thenextinstantoneofthesoldierssnatchedhimrudelyaway,andsenthimspinningamongthegapingcrowdofcountrygawksandLondonidlers. Thesoldiersaid,—
"Mindthymanners,thouyoungbeggar!"
Thecrowdjeeredandlaughed;buttheyoungprincesprangtothegatewithhisfaceflushed,andhiseyesflashingwithindignation,andcriedout,—
