’Goodsir，Iwouldwashme。’
’Oh，isthatall！AsknopermissionofMilesHendonforaughtthoucravest。Makethyselfperfectlyfreehereandwelcome，withallthatarehisbelongings。’
Stilltheboystood，andmovednot；more，hetappedtheflooronceortwicewithhissmallimpatientfoot。Hendonwaswhollyperplexed。
Saidhe：
’Blessus，whatisit？’
’Prithee，pourthewater，andmakenotsomanywords！’
Hendon，suppressingahorse—laugh，andsayingtohimself，’Byallthesaints，butthisisadmirable！’steppedbrisklyforwardanddidthesmallinsolent’sbidding；thenstoodby，inasortofstupefaction，untilthecommand，’Come—thetowel！’wokehimsharplyup。Hetookupatowelfromundertheboy’snoseandhandedittohim，withoutcomment。Henowproceededtocomforthisownfacewithawash，andwhilehewasatithisadoptedchildseatedhimselfatthetableandpreparedtofallto。Hendondespatchedhisablutionswithalacrity，thendrewbacktheotherchairandwasabouttoplacehimselfattable，whentheboysaid，indignantly：
’Forbear！Wouldstsitinthepresenceoftheking？’
ThisblowstaggeredHendontohisfoundations。Hemutteredtohimself，’Lo，thepoorthing’smadnessisupwiththetime！ithathchangedwiththegreatchangethatiscometotherealm，andnowinfancyisheking！Goodlack，Imusthumortheconceit，too—thereisnootherway—faith，hewouldordermetotheTower，else！’
Andpleasedwiththisjest，heremovedthechairfromthetable，tookhisstandbehindtheking，andproceededtowaituponhiminthecourtliestwayhewascapableof。
Whenthekingate，therigorofhisroyaldignityrelaxedalittle，andwithhisgrowingcontentmentcameadesiretotalk。Hesaid：
’IthinkthoucallestthyselfMilesHendon，ifIheardtheearight？’
’Yes，sire，’Milesrepliedthenobservedtohimself，’IfImusthumorthepoorlad’smadness，Imustsirehim，Imustmajestyhim，I
mustnotgobyhalves，ImuststickatnothingthatbelongethtothepartIplay，elseshallIplayitillandworkeviltothischaritableandkindlycause。’
Thekingwarmedhisheartwithasecondglassofwine，andsaid：
’Iwouldknowthee—tellmethystory。Thouhastagallantwaywiththee，andanoble—artnoblyborn？’
’Weareofthetailofthenobility，goodyourmajesty。Myfatherisabaronet—oneofthesmallerlords，byknightservice*（8）—SirRichardHendon，ofHendonHall，byMonk’sHolminKent。’
’Thenamehasescapedmymemory。Goon—tellmethystory。’
’’Tisnotmuch，yourmajesty，yetperchanceitmaybeguileashorthalf—hourforwantofabetter。Myfather，SirRichard，isveryrich，andofamostgenerousnature。MymotherdiedwhilstIwasyetaboy。Ihavetwobrothers：Arthur，myelder，withasoulliketohisfather’s；andHugh，youngerthanI，ameanspirit，covetous，treacherous，vicious，underhanded—areptile。Suchwashefromthecradle；suchwashetenyearspast，whenIlastsawhim—ariperascalatnineteen，Ibeingtwentythen，andArthurtwenty—two。ThereisnoneotherofusbuttheLadyEdith，mycousin—shewassixteen，then—
beautiful，gentle，good，thedaughterofanearl，thelastofherrace，heiressofagreatfortuneandalapsedtitle。Myfatherwasherguardian。Ilovedherandshelovedme；butshewasbetrothedtoArthurfromthecradle，andSirRichardwouldnotsufferthecontracttobebroken。Arthurlovedanothermaid，andbadeusbeofgoodcheerandholdfasttothehopethatdelayandlucktogetherwouldsomedaygivesuccesstoourseveralcauses。HughlovedtheLadyEdith’sfortune，thoughintruthhesaiditwasherselfheloved—
butthen’twashisway，alway，tosayonethingandmeantheother。
Buthelosthisartsuponthegirl；hecoulddeceivemyfather，butnoneelse。Myfatherlovedhimbestofusall，andtrustedandbelievedhim；forhewastheyoungestchildandothershatedhim—
thesequalitiesbeinginallagessufficienttowinaparent’sdearestlove；andhehadasmoothpersuasivetongue，withanadmirablegiftoflying—andthesebequalitieswhichdomightilyassistablindaffectiontocozenitself。Iwaswild—introthImightgoyetfartherandsayverywild，though’twasawildnessofaninnocentsort，sinceithurtnonebutme，broughtshametonone，norloss，norhadinitanytaintofcrimeorbaseness，orwhatmightnotbeseemminehonorabledegree。
’YetdidmybrotherHughturnthesefaultstogoodaccount—heseeingthatourbrotherArthur’shealthwasbutindifferent，andhopingtheworstmightworkhimprofitwereIsweptoutofthepath—
so—but’twerealongtale，goodmyliege，andlittleworththetelling。Briefly，then，thisbrotherdiddeftlymagnifymyfaultsandmakethemcrimes；endinghisbaseworkwithfindingasilkenladderinmineapartments—conveyedthitherbyhisownmeans—anddidconvincemyfatherbythis，andsubornedevidenceofservantsandotherlyingknaves，thatIwasmindedtocarryoffmyEdithandmarrywithher，inrankdefianceofhiswill。
’ThreeyearsofbanishmentfromhomeandEnglandmightmakeasoldierandamanofme，myfathersaid，andteachmesomedegreeofwisdom。Ifoughtoutmylongprobationinthecontinentalwars，tastingsumptuouslyofhardknocks，privation，andadventure；butinmylastbattleIwastakencaptive，andduringthesevenyearsthathavewaxedandwanedsincethen，aforeigndungeonhathharboredme。
ThroughwitandcourageIwontothefreeairatlast，andfledhitherstraight；andambutjustarrived，rightpoorinpurseandraiment，andpoorerstillinknowledgeofwhatthesedullsevenyearshavewroughtatHendonHall，itspeopleandbelongings。Sopleaseyou，sir，mymeagertaleistold。’
’Thouhastbeenshamefullyabused！’saidthelittleking，withaflashingeye。’ButIwillrightthee—bythecrosswillI！Thekinghathsaidit。’
Then，firedbythestoryofMiles’swrongs，heloosedhistongueandpouredthehistoryofhisownrecentmisfortunesintotheearsofhisastonishedlistener。Whenhehadfinished，Milessaidtohimself。
’Lo，whatanimaginationhehath！Verilythisisnocommonmind；
else，crazedorsane，itcouldnotweavesostraightandgaudyataleasthisoutoftheairynothingswherewithithathwroughtthiscuriousromaunt。Poorruinedlittlehead，itshallnotlackfriendorshelterwhilstIbidewiththeliving。Heshallneverleavemyside；heshallbemypet，mylittlecomrade。Andheshallbecured！—
aye，madewholeandsound—thenwillhemakehimselfaname—andproudshallIbetosay，\"Yes，heismine—Itookhim，ahomelesslittleragamuffin，butIsawwhatwasinhim，andIsaidhisnamewouldbeheardsomeday—beholdhim，observehim—wasIright？\"’
Thekingspoke—inathoughtful，measuredvoice：
’Thoudidstsavemeinjuryandshame，perchancemylife，andsomycrown。Suchservicedemandethrichreward。Namethydesire，andsoitbewithinthecompassofmyroyalpower，itisthine。’
ThisfantasticsuggestionstartledHendonoutofhisreverie。Hewasabouttothankthekingandputthematterasidewithsayinghebadonlydonehisdutyanddesirednoreward，butawiserthoughtcameintohishead，andheaskedleavetobesilentafewmomentsandconsiderthegraciousoffer—anideawhichthekinggravelyapproved，remarkingthatitwasbesttobenottoohastywithathingofsuchgreatimport。
Milesreflectedduringsomemoments，thensaidtohimself，’Yes，thatisthethingtodo—byanyothermeansitwereimpossibletogetatit—andcertes，thishour’sexperiencehastaughtme’twouldbemostwearingandinconvenienttocontinueitasitis。Yes，Iwillproposeit；’twasahappyaccidentthatIdidnotthrowthechanceaway。’Thenhedroppedupononekneeandsaid：
’Mypoorservicewentnotbeyondthelimitofasubject’ssimpleduty，andthereforehathnomerit；butsinceyourmajestyispleasedtoholditworthysomereward，Itakeheartofgracetomakepetitiontothiseffect。Nearfourhundredyearsago，asyourgraceknoweth，therebeingillbloodbetwixtJohn，kingofEngland，andthekingofFrance，itwasdecreedthattwochampionsshouldfighttogetherinthelists，andsosettlethedisputebywhatiscalledthearbitramentofGod。Thesetwokings，andtheSpanishking，beingassembledtowitnessandjudgetheconflict，theFrenchchampionappeared；butsoredoubtablewashethatourEnglishknightsrefusedtomeasureweaponswithhim。Sothematter，whichwasaweightyone，wasliketogoagainsttheEnglishmonarchbydefault。NowintheTowerlaytheLorddeCourcy，themightiestarminEngland，strippedofhishonorsandpossessions，andwastingwithlongcaptivity。Appealwasmadetohim；hegaveassent，andcamefortharrayedforbattle；
butnosoonerdidtheFrenchmanglimpsehishugeframeandhearhisfamousnamebuthefledaway，andtheFrenchking’scausewaslost。
KingJohnrestoredDeCourcy’stitlesandpossessions，andsaid，\"Namethywishandthoushalthaveit，thoughitcostmehalfmykingdom\"；
whereatDeCourcy，kneeling，asIdonow，madeanswerer，\"This，then，Iask，myliege；thatIandmysuccessorsmayhaveandholdtheprivilegeofremainingcoveredinthepresenceofthekingsofEngland，henceforthwhilethethroneshalllast。\"Theboonwasgranted，asyourmajestyknoweth；andtherehathbeennotime，thesefourhundredyears，thatthatlinehasfailedofanheir；andso，evenuntothisday，theheadofthatancienthousestillwearethhishatorhelmbeforetheking’smajesty，withoutletorhindrance，andthisnoneothermaydo。*（9）Invokingthisprecedentinaidofmyprayer，Ibeseechthekingtogranttomebutthisonegraceandprivilege—tomymorethansufficientreward—andnoneother，towit：thatIandmyheirs，forever，maysitinthepresenceofthemajestyofEngland！’
’Rise，SirMilesHendon，knight，’saidtheking，gravely—givingtheaccoladewithHendon’ssword—’rise，andseatthyself。Thypetitionisgranted。WhileEnglandremains，andthecrowncontinues，theprivilegeshallnotlapse。’
Hismajestywalkedapart，musing，andHendondroppedintoachairattable，observingtohimself，’’Twasabravethought，andhathwroughtmeamightydeliverance；mylegsaregrievouslywearied。AnIhadnotthoughtofthat，Imusthavehadtostandforweeks，tillmypoorlad’switsarecured。’Afteralittlehewenton，’AndsoIambecomeaknightoftheKingdomofDreamsandShadows！Amostoddandstrangeposition，truly，foronesomatter—of—factasI。Iwillnotlaugh—no，Godforbid，forthisthingwhichissosubstancelesstomeisrealtohim。Andtome，also，inoneway，itisnotafalsity，foritreflectswithtruththesweetandgenerousspiritthatisinhim。’Afterapause：’Ah，whatifheshouldcallmebymyfinetitlebeforefolk！—there’dbeamerrycontrastbetwixtmygloryandmyraiment！Butnomatter；lethimcallmewhathewill，soitpleasehim；Ishallbecontent。’
CHAPTERXIII
TheDissappearanceofthePrinceAHEAVYdrowsinesspresentlyfelluponthetwocomrades。Thekingsaid：
’Removetheserags’—meaninghisclothing。
Hendondisappareledtheboywithoutdissentorremark，tuckedhimupinbed，thenglancedabouttheroom，sayingtohimself，ruefully，’Hehathtakenmybedagain，asbefore—marry，whatshallIdo？’Thelittlekingobservedhisperplexity，anddissipateditwithaword。Hesaid，sleepily：
’Thouwiltsleepathwartthedoor，andguardit。’Inamomentmorehewasoutofhistroubles，inadeepslumber。
’Dearheart，heshouldhavebeenbornaking！’mutteredHendon，admiringly，’heplayeththeparttoamarvel。’
Thenhestretchedhimselfacrossthedoor，onthefloor，sayingcontentedly：
’Ihavelodgedworseforsevenyears；’twouldbebutillgratitudetoHimabovetofindfaultwiththis。’
Hedroppedasleepasthedawnappeared。Towardnoonherose，uncoveredhisunconsciousward—asectionatatime—andtookhismeasurewithastring。Thekingawoke，justashehadcompletedhiswork，complainedofthecold，andaskedwhathewasdoing。
’’Tisdonenow，myliege，’saidHendon；’Ihaveabitofbusinessoutside，butwillpresentlyreturn；sleepthouagain—thouneedestit。There—letmecoverthyheadalso—thou’ltbewarmthesooner。’
Thekingwasbackindreamlandbeforethisspeechwasended。Milesslippedsoftlyout，andslippedassoftlyinagain，inthecourseofthirtyorfortyminutes，withacompletesecond—handsuitofboy’sclothing，ofcheapmaterial，andshowingsignsofwear；buttidy，andsuitedtotheseasonoftheyear。Heseatedhimselfandbegantooverhaulhispurchase，mumblingtohimself：
’Alongerpursewouldhavegotabettersort，butwhenonehasnotthelongpurseonemustbecontentwithwhatashortonemaydo—
’\"Therewasawomaninourtown，Inourtowndiddwell\"—
’Hestirred，methinks—Imustsinginalessthunderouskey；
’tisnotgoodtomarhissleep，withthisjourneybeforehimandhesoweariedout，poorchap……Thisgarment—’tiswellenough—astitchhereandanotheronetherewillsetitaright。Thisotherisbetter，albeitastitchortwowillnotcomeamissinit，likewise……Thesebeverygoodandsound，andwillkeephissmallfeetwarmanddry—
anoddnewthingtohim，belike，sincehehasdoubtlessbeenusedtofootitbare，wintersandsummersthesame……Wouldthreadwerebread，seeingonegettethayear’ssufficiencyforafarthing，andsuchabravebigneedlewithoutcost，formerelove。NowshallI
havethedemon’sowntimetothreadit！’
Andsohehad。Hedidasmenhavealwaysdone，andprobablyalwayswilldo，totheendoftime—heldtheneedlestill，andtriedtothrustthethreadthroughtheeye，whichistheoppositeofawoman’sway。Timeandtimeagainthethreadmissedthemark，goingsometimesononesideoftheneedle，sometimesontheother，sometimesdoublingupagainsttheshaft；buthewaspatient，havingbeenthroughtheseexperiencesbefore，whenhewassoldiering。Hesucceededatlast，andtookupthegarmentthathadlainwaiting，meantime，acrosshislap，andbeganhiswork。’Theinnispaid—thebreakfastthatistocome，included—andthereiswherewithallefttobuyacoupleofdonkeysandmeetourlittlecostsforthetwoorthreedaysbetwixtthisandtheplentythatawaitsusatHendonHall—
’\"Shelovedherhus\"—
’Bodyo’me！Ihavedriventheneedleundermynail！……Itmatterslittle—’tisnotanovelty—yet’tisnotaconvenience，neither……Weshallbemerrythere，littleone，neverdoubtit！Thytroubleswillvanishthere，andlikewisethysaddistemper—
’\"Shelovedherhusbanddearilee，Butanotherman\"—
’Thesebenoblelargestitches！’—holdingthegarmentupandviewingitadmiringly—’theyhaveagrandeurandamajestythatdocausethesesmallstingyonesofthetailor—mantolookmightypaltryandplebeian—
’\"Shelovedherhusbanddearilee，Butanothermanhelovedshe，\"—
’Marry，’tisdone—agoodlypieceofwork，too，andwroughtwithexpedition。NowwillIwakehim，apparelhim，pourforhim，feedhim，andthenwillwehieustothemartbytheTabardinninSouthwarkand—bepleasedtorise，myliege！—heanswerethnot—whatho，myliege！—ofatruthmustIprofanehissacredpersonwithatouch，sithhisslumberisdeaftospeech。What！’
Hethrewbackthecovers—theboywasgone！
Hestaredabouthiminspeechlessastonishmentforamoment；
noticedforthefirsttimethathisward’sraggedraimentwasalsomissing，thenhebegantorageandstorm，andshoutfortheinn—keeper。Atthatmomentaservantenteredwiththebreakfast。
’Explain，thoulimbofSatan，orthytimeiscome！’roaredthemanofwar，andmadesosavageaspringtowardthewaiterthatthislattercouldnotfindhistongue，fortheinstant，forfrightandsurprise。
’Whereistheboy？’
Indisjointedandtremblingsyllablesthemangavetheinformationdesired。
’Youwerehardlygonefromtheplace，yourworship，whenayouthcamerunningandsaiditwasyourworship’swillthattheboycometoyoustraight，atthebridge—endontheSouthwarkside。Ibroughthimthither；andwhenhewoketheladandgavehismessage，theladdidgrumblesomelittleforbeingdisturbed’soearly，’ashecalledit，butstraightwaytrussedonhisragsandwentwiththeyouth，onlysayingithadbeenbettermannersthatyourworshipcameyourself，notsentastranger—andso—’
’Andsothou’rtafool！—afool，andeasilycozened—hangallthybreed！Yetmayhapnohurtisdone。Possiblynoharmismeanttheboy。Iwillgofetchhim。Makethetableready。Stay！thecoveringsofthebedweredisposedasifonelaybeneaththem—happenedthatbyaccident？’
’Iknownot，goodyourworship。Isawtheyouthmeddlewiththem—hethatcamefortheboy。’
’Thousanddeaths！’twasdonetodeceiveme—’tisplain’twasdonetogaintime。Harkye！Wasthatyouthalone？’
’Allalone，yourworship。’
’Artsure？’
’Sure，yourworship。’
’Collectthyscatteredwits—bethinkthee—taketime，man。’
Afteramoment’sthought，theservantsaid：
’Whenhecame，nonecamewithhim；butnowIremembermethatasthetwosteppedintothethrongoftheBridge，aruffian—lookingmanplungedoutfromsomenearplace；andjustashewasjoiningthem—’
’Whatthen？—outwithit！’thunderedtheimpatientHendon，interrupting。
’Justthenthecrowdlappedthemupandclosedthemin，andI
sawnomore，beingcalledbymymaster，whowasinaragebecauseajointthatthescrivenerhadorderedwasforgot，thoughItakeallthesaintstowitnessthattoblamemeforthatmiscarriagewerelikeholdingtheunbornbabetojudgmentforsinscom—’
’Outofmysight，idiot！Thypratingdrivesmemad！Hold！
whitherartflying？Canstnotbidestillaninstant？WenttheytowardSouthwark？’
’Evenso，yourworship—for，asIsaidbefore，astothatdetestablejoint，thebabeunbornisnowhitmoreblamelessthan—’
’Arthereyet！Andpratingstill？Vanish，lestIthrottlethee！’
Theservitorvanished。Hendonfollowedafterhim，passedhim，andplungeddownthestairstwostepsatastride，muttering，’’Tisthatscurvyvillainthatclaimedhewashisson。Ihavelostthee，mypoorlittlemadmaster—itisabitterthought—andIhadcometolovetheeso！No！bybookandbell，notlost！Notlost，forIwillransackthelandtillIfindtheeagain。Poorchild，yonderishisbreakfast—andmine，butIhavenohungernow—so，lettheratshaveit—speed，speed！thatistheword！’AshewormedhisswiftwaythroughthenoisymultitudesupontheBridge，heseveraltimessaidtohimself—clingingtothethoughtasifitwereaparticularlypleasingone：’Hegrumbledbuthewent—hewent，yes，becausehethoughtMilesHendonaskedit，sweetlad—hewouldne’erhavedoneitforanother，Iknowitwell！’
CHAPTERXIV
’LeRoiestMort—ViveleRoi’
TOWARDdaylightofthesamemorning，TomCantystirredoutofaheavysleepandopenedhiseyesinthedark。Helaysilentafewmoments，tryingtoanalyzehisconfusedthoughtsandimpressions，andgetsomesortofmeaningoutofthem，thensuddenlyheburstoutinarapturousbutguardedvoice：
’Iseeitall，Iseeitall！NowGodbethanked，Iam，indeed，awakeatlast！Come，joy！vanish，sorrow！Ho，Nan！Bet！kickoffyourstrawandhieyehithertomyside，tillIdopourintoyourunbelievingearsthewildestmadcapdreamthateverthespiritsofnightdidconjureuptoastonishthesoulofmanwithal！……Ho，Nan，I
say！Bet！’……
Adimformappearedathisside，andavoicesaid：
’Wiltdeigntodeliverthycommands？’
’Commands？……Oh，woeisme，Iknowthyvoice！Speak，thou—whoamI？’
’Thou？Insooth，yesternightwertthouthePrinceofWales，to—dayartthoumymostgraciousliege，Edward，kingofEngland。’
Tomburiedhisheadamonghispillows，murmuringplaintively：
’Alack，itwasnodream！Gotothyrest，sweetsir—leavemetomysorrows。’
Tomsleptagain，andafteratimehehadthispleasantdream。Hethoughtitwassummerandhewasplaying，allalone，inthefairmeadowcalledGoodman’sFields，whenadwarfonlyafoothigh，withlongredwhiskersandahumpedback，appearedtohimsuddenlyandsaid，’Dig，bythatstump。’Hedidso，andfoundtwelvebrightnewpennies—wonderfulriches！Yetthiswasnotthebestofit；forthedwarfsaid：
’Iknowthee。Thouartagoodladanddeserving；thydistressesshallend，forthedayofthyrewardiscome。Dighereeveryseventhday，andthoushaltfindalwaysthesametreasure，twelvebrightnewpennies。Tellnone—keepthesecret。’
Thenthedwarfvanished，andTomflewtoOffalCourtwithhisprize，sayingtohimself，’EverynightwillIgivemyfatherapenny；hewillthinkIbeggedit，itwillgladhisheart，andI
shallnomorebebeaten。Onepennyeveryweekthegoodpriestthatteachethmeshallhave；mother，Nan，andBettheotherfour。Webedonewithhungerandragsnow，donewithfearsandfretsandsavageusage。’
Inhisdreamhereachedhissordidhomealloutofbreath，butwitheyesdancingwithgratefulenthusiasm；castfourofhispenniesintohismother’slapandcriedout：
’Theyareforthee！—allofthem，everyone！—fortheeandNanandBet—andhonestlycomeby，notbeggednorstolen！’
Thehappyandastonishedmotherstrainedhimtoherbreastandexclaimed：
’Itwaxethlate—mayitpleaseyourmajestytorise？’
Ah，thatwasnottheanswerhewasexpecting。Thedreamhadsnappedasunder—hewasawake。
Heopenedhiseyes—therichlycladFirstLordoftheBedchamberwaskneelingbyhiscouch。Thegladnessofthelyingdreamfadedaway—
thepoorboyrecognizedthathewasstillacaptiveandaking。Theroomwasfilledwithcourtiersclothedinpurplemantles—themourningcolor—andwithnobleservantsofthemonarch。Tomsatupinbedandgazedoutfromtheheavysilkencurtainsuponthisfinecompany。
Theweightybusinessofdressingbegan，andonecourtierafteranotherkneltandpaidhiscourtandofferedtothelittlekinghiscondolencesuponhisheavyloss，whilethedressingproceeded。Inthebeginning，ashirtwastakenupbytheChiefEquerryinWaiting，whopassedittotheFirstLordoftheBuckhounds，whopassedittotheSecondGentlemanoftheBedchamber，whopassedittotheHeadRangerofWindsorForest，whopassedittotheThirdGroomoftheStole，whopassedittotheChancellorRoyaloftheDuchyofLancaster，whopassedittotheMasteroftheWardrobe，whopassedittoNorroyKing—at—Arms，whopassedittotheConstableoftheTower，whopassedittotheChiefStewardoftheHousehold，whopassedittotheHereditaryGrandDiaperer，whopassedittotheLordHighAdmiralofEngland，whopassedittotheArchbishopofCanterbury，whopassedittotheFirstLordoftheBedchamber，whotookwhatwasleftofitandputitonTom。Poorlittlewonderingchap，itremindedhimofpassingbucketsatafire。
Eachgarmentinitsturnhadtogothroughthisslowandsolemnprocess；consequentlyTomgrewverywearyoftheceremony；sowearythathefeltanalmostgushinggratefulnesswhenheatlastsawhislongsilkenhosebeginthejourneydownthelineandknewthattheendofthematterwasdrawingnear。Butheexultedtoosoon。TheFirstLordoftheBedchamberreceivedthehoseandwasabouttoencaseTom’slegsinthem，whenasuddenflushinvadedhisfaceandhehurriedlyhustledthethingsbackintothehandsoftheArchbishopofCanterburywithanastoundedlookandawhispered，’See，mylord！’—pointingtoasomethingconnectedwiththehose。TheArchbishoppaled，thenflushed，andpassedthehosetotheLordHighAdmiral，whispering’See，mylord！’TheAdmiralpassedthehosetotheHereditaryGrandDiaperer，andhadhardlybreathenoughinhisbodytoejaculate，’See，mylord！’
Thehosedriftedbackwardalongtheline，totheChiefStewardoftheHousehold，theConstableoftheTower，NorroyKing—at—Arms，theMasteroftheWardrobe，theChancellorRoyaloftheDuchyofLancaster，theThirdGroomoftheStole，theHeadRangerofWindsorForest，theSecondGentlemanoftheBedchamber，theFirstLordoftheBuckhounds—accompaniedalwayswiththatamazedandfrightened’See！see！’—tilltheyfinallyreachedthehandsoftheChiefEquerryinWaiting，whogazedamoment，withapallidface，uponwhathadcausedallthisdismay，thenhoarselywhispered’Bodyofmylife，ataggonefromatrusspoint！—totheTowerwiththeHeadKeeperoftheKing’sHose！’—afterwhichheleanedupontheshoulderoftheFirstLordoftheBuckhoundstoregatherhisvanishedstrengthwhilefreshhose，withoutanydamagedstringstothem，werebrought。
Butallthingsmusthaveanend，andsointimeTomCantywasinaconditiontogetoutofbed。Theproperofficialpouredwater，theproperofficialengineeredthewashing，theproperofficialstoodbywithatowel，andbyandbyTomgotsafelythroughthepurifyingstageandwasreadyfortheservicesoftheHairdresser—Royal。Whenheatlengthemergedfromhismaster’shands，hewasagraciousfigureandasprettyasagirl，inhismantleandtrunksofpurplesatin，andpurple—plumedcap。Henowmovedinstatetowardhisbreakfast—room，throughthemidstofthecourtlyassemblage；andashepassed，thesefellback，leavinghiswayfree，anddroppedupontheirknees。
Afterbreakfasthewasconducted，withregalceremony，attendedbyhisgreatofficersandhisguardoffiftyGentlemenPensionersbearinggiltbattle—axes，tothethrone—room，whereheproceededtotransactbusinessofstate。His’uncle’LordHertford，tookhisstandbythethrone，toassistheroyalmindwithwisecounsel。
Thebodyofillustriousmennamedbythelatekingashisexecutors，appeared，toaskTom’sapprovalofcertainactsoftheirs—ratheraform，andyetnotwhollyaform，sincetherewasnoProtectorasyet。TheArchbishopofCanterburymadereportofthedecreeoftheCouncilofExecutorsconcerningtheobsequiesofhislatemostillustriousmajesty，andfinishedbyreadingthesignaturesoftheexecutors，towit：theArchbishopofCanterbury；theLordChancellorofEngland；WilliamLordSt。John；JohnLordRussell；EdwardEarlofHertford；JohnViscountLisle；CuthbertBishopofDurham—
Tomwasnotlistening—anearlierclauseofthedocumentwaspuzzlinghim。AtthispointheturnedandwhisperedtoLordHertford：
’Whatdaydidhesaytheburialhathbeenappointedfor？’
’The16thofthecomingmonth，myliege。’
’’Tisastrangefolly。Willhekeep？’
Poorchap，hewasstillnewtothecustomsofroyalty；hewasusedtoseeingtheforlorndeadofOffalCourthustledoutofthewaywithaverydifferentsortofexpedition。However，theLordHertfordsethismindatrestwithawordortwo。
Asecretaryofstatepresentedanorderofthecouncilappointingthemorrowatelevenforthereceptionoftheforeignambassadors，anddesiredtheking’sassent。
TomturnedaninquiringlooktowardHertford，whowhispered：
’Yourmajestywillsignifyconsent。Theycometotestifytheirroyalmasters’senseoftheheavycalamitywhichhathvisitedyourgraceandtherealmofEngland。’
Tomdidashewasbidden。Anothersecretarybegantoreadapreambleconcerningtheexpensesofthelateking’shousehold，whichhadamountedtoL28，000duringtheprecedingsixmonths—asumsovastthatitmadeTomCantygasp；hegaspedagainwhenthefactappearedthatL20，000ofthismoneywerestillowingandunpaid；*（10）andoncemorewhenitappearedthattheking’scofferswereaboutempty，andhistwelvehundredservantsmuchembarrassedforlackofthewagesduethem。Tomspokeout，withlivelyapprehension。
’Webegoingtothedogs，’tisplain。’Tismeetandnecessarythatwetakeasmallerhouseandsettheservantsatlarge，siththeybeofnovaluebuttomakedelay，andtroubleonewithofficesthatharassthespiritandshamethesoul，theymisbecominganybutadoll，thathathnorbrainsnorhandstohelpitselfwithal。Iremembermeofasmallhousethatstandethoveragainstthefish—market，byBillingsgate—’
AsharppressureuponTom’sarmstoppedhisfoolishtongueandsentablushtohisface；butnocountenancetherebetrayedanysignthatthisstrangespeechhadbeenremarkedorgivenconcern。
AsecretarymadereportthatforasmuchasthelatekinghadprovidedinhiswillforconferringtheducaldegreeupontheEarlofHertfordandraisinghisbrother，SirThomasSeymour，tothepeerage，andlikewiseHertford’ssontoanearldom，togethersimilaraggrandizementstoothergreatservantsofthecrown，thecouncilhadresolvedtoholdasittingonthe16thFebruaryforthedeliveringandconfirmingofthesehonors；andthatmeantimethelatekingnothavinggranted，inwriting，estatessuitabletothesupportofthesedignities，thecouncil，knowinghisprivatewishesinthatregard，hadthoughtpropertogranttoSeymour’500poundlands’andtoHertford’sson’800poundlands，and300poundofthenextbishop’slandswhichshouldfallvacant，’—hispresentmajestybeingwilling。*（11）
Tomwasabouttoblurtoutsomethingabouttheproprietyofpayingthelateking’sdebtsfirstbeforesquanderingallhismoney；butatimelytouchuponhisarm，fromthethoughtfulHertford，savedhimthisindiscretion；whereforehegavetheroyalassent，withoutspokencomment，butwithmuchinwarddiscomfort。Whilehesatreflectingamomentovertheeasewithwhichhewasdoingstrangeandglitteringmiracles，ahappythoughtshotintohismind：whynotmakehismotherDuchessofOffalCourtandgiveheranestate？Butasorrowfulthoughtsweptitinstantlyaway；hewasonlyakinginname，thesegraveveteransandgreatnobleswerehismasters；tothemhismotherwasonlythecreatureofadiseasedmind；theywouldsimplylistentohisprojectwithunbelievingears，thensendforthedoctor。
Thedullworkwenttediouslyon。Petitionswereread，andproclamations，patents，andallmannerofwordy，repetitiousandwearisomepapersrelatingtothepublicbusiness；andatlastTomsighedpatheticallyandmurmuredtohimself，’InwhathaveIoffended，thatthegoodGodshouldtakemeawayfromthefieldsandthefreeairandthesunshine，toshutmeuphereandmakemeakingandafflictmeso？’Thenhispoormuddledheadnoddedawhile，andpresentlydroppedtohisshoulder；andthebusinessoftheempirecametoastandstillforwantofthataugustfactor，theratifyingpower。Silenceensuedaroundtheslumberingchild，andthesagesoftherealmceasedfromtheirdeliberations。
Duringtheforenoon，Tomhadanenjoyablehour，bypermissionofhiskeepers，HertfordandSt。John，withtheLadyElizabethandthelittleLadyJaneGrey；thoughthespiritsoftheprincesseswererathersubduedbythemightystrokethathadfallenupontheroyalhouse；andattheendofthevisithis’eldersister’—afterwardthe’BloodyMary’ofhistory—chilledhimwithasolemninterviewwhichhadbutonemeritinhiseyes，itsbrevity。Hehadafewmomentstohimself，andthenaslimladofabouttwelveyearsofagewasadmittedtohispresence，whoseclothing，excepthissnowyruffandthelacesabouthiswrists，wasofblack—doublet，hoseandall。Heborenobadgeofmourningbutaknotofpurpleribbononhisshoulder。Headvancedhesitatingly，withheadbowedandbare，anddroppedupononekneeinfrontofTom。Tomsatstillandcontemplatedhimsoberlyforamoment。Thenhesaid：
’Rise，lad。Whoartthou？Whatwouldsthave？’
Theboyrose，andstoodatgracefulease，butwithanaspectofconcerninhisface。Hesaid：
’Ofasuretythoumustrememberme，mylord。Iamthywhipping—boy。
’Mywhipping—boy？’
’Thesame，yourgrace，IamHumphrey—HumphreyMarlow。’
Tomperceivedthatherewassomeonewhomhiskeepersoughttohavepostedhimabout。Thesituationwasdelicate。Whatshouldhedo？—
pretendheknewthislad，andthenbetray，byhiseveryutterance，thathehadneverheardofhimbefore？No，thatwouldnotdo。Anideacametohisrelief：accidentslikethismightbelikelytohappenwithsomefrequency，nowthatbusinessurgencieswouldoftencallHertfordandSt。Johnfromhisside，theybeingmembersofthecouncilofexecutors；thereforeperhapsitwouldbewelltostrikeoutaplanhimselftomeettherequirementsofsuchemergencies。Yes，thatwouldbeawisecourse—hewouldpractiseonthisboy，andseewhatsortofsuccesshemightachieve。Sohestrokedhisbrow，perplexedly，amomentortwo，andpresentlysaid：
’NowIseemtoremembertheesomewhat—butmywitiscloggedanddimwithsuffering—’
’Alack，mypoormaster！’ejaculatedthewhipping—boy，withfeeling；adding，tohimself，’Intruth’tisastheysaid—hismindisgone—alas，poorsoul！Butmisfortunecatchme，howamI
forgetting！theysaidonemustnotseemtoobservethataughtiswrongwithhim。’
’’Tisstrangehowmymemorydothwantonwithmethesedays，’
saidTom。’Butminditnot—Imendapace—alittlecluedothoftenservetobringmebackagainthethingsandnameswhichhadescapedme。（Andnotthey，only，forsooth，bute’ensuchasIne’erheardbefore—asthisladshallsee。）Givethybusinessspeech。’
’’Tismatterofsmallweight，myliege，yetwillItouchuponit，anitpleaseyourgrace。Twodaysgoneby，whenyourmajestyfaultedthriceinyourGreek—inthemorninglessons—dostrememberit？’
’Ye—e—s—methinksIdo。（Itisnotmuchofalie—anIhadmeddledwiththeGreekatall，Ihadnotfaultedsimplythrice，butfortytimes）。Yes，Idorecallitnow—goon。’
—’Themaster，beingwrothwithwhathetermedsuchslovenlyanddoltishwork，didpromisethathewouldsoundlywhipmeforit—and—’
’Whipthee！’saidTom，astonishedoutofhispresenceofmind。
’Whyshouldhewhiptheeforfaultsofmine？’
’Ah，yourgraceforgettethagain。Healwaysscourgethme，whenthoudostfailinthylessons。’
’True，true—Ihadforgot。Thouteachestmeinprivate—thenifIfail，heargueththatthyofficewaslamelydone，and—’
’Oh，myliege，whatwordsarethese？I，thehumblestofthyservants，presumetoteachthee！’
’Thenwhereisthyblame？Whatriddleisthis？AmIintruthgonemad，orisitthou？Explain—speakout。’
’But，goodyourmajesty，there’snaughtthatneedethsimplifying。NonemayvisitthesacredpersonofthePrinceofWaleswithblows；whereforewhenhefaulteth，’tisIthattakethem；andmeetitisandright，forthatitismineofficeandmylivelihood。’*（12）
Tomstaredatthetranquilboy，observingtohimself，’Lo，itisawonderfulthing—amoststrangeandcurioustrade；Imarveltheyhavenothiredaboytotakemycombingsandmydressingsforme—
wouldheaventheywould！—antheywilldothisthing，Iwilltakemylashingsinmineownperson，givingthankstoGodforthechange。’
Thenhesaidaloud：
’Andhastthoubeenbeaten，poorfriend，accordingtothepromise？’
’No，goodyourmajesty，mypunishmentwasappointedforthisday，andperadventureitmaybeannulled，asunbefittingtheseasonofmourningthatiscomeuponus；Iknownot，andsohavemadeboldtocomehitherandremindyourgraceaboutyourgraciouspromisetointercedeinmybehalf—’
’Withthemaster？Tosavetheethywhipping？’
’Ah，thoudostremember！’
’Mymemorymendeth，thouseest。Setthymindatease—thybackshallgounscathed—Iwillseetoit。’
’Oh，thanks，mygoodlord！’criedtheboy，droppinguponhiskneeagain。’MayhapIhaveventuredfarenow；andyet’……
SeeingMasterHumphreyhesitate，Tomencouragedhimtogoon，sayinghewas’inthegrantingmood。’
’ThenwillIspeakitout，foritliethnearmyheart。SiththouartnomorePrinceofWalesbutking，thoucanstordermattersasthouwilt，withnonetosaytheenay；whereforeitisnotinreasonthatthouwiltlongervexthyselfwithdrearystudies，butwiltburnthybooksandturnthymindtothingslessirksome。ThenamIruined，andmineorphansisterswithme！’
’Ruined？Prithee，how？’
’Mybackismybread，Omygraciousliege！ifitgoidle，I
starve。Anthouceasefromstudy，mineofficeisgone，thou’ltneednowhipping—boy。Donotturnmeaway！’
Tomwastouchedwiththispatheticdistress。Hesaid，witharightroyalburstofgenerosity：
’Discomfortthyselfnofurther，lad。Thineofficeshallbepermanentintheeandthyline，forever。’Thenhestrucktheboyalightblowontheshoulderwiththeflatofhissword，exclaiming，’Rise，HumphreyMarlow，HereditaryGrandWhipping—BoytotheroyalhouseofEngland！Banishsorrow—Iwillbetakemetomybooksagain，andstudysoillthattheymustinjusticetreblethywage，somightilyshallthebusinessofthineofficebeaugmented。’
ThegratefulHumphreyrespondedfervidly：
’Thanks，oh，mostnoblemaster，thisprincelylavishnessdothfarsurpassmymostdistempereddreamsoffortune。NowshallIbehappyallmydays，andallthehouseofMarlowafterme。’
Tomhadwitenoughtoperceivethatherewasaladwhocouldbeusefultohim。HeencouragedHumphreytotalk，andhewasnothingloath。HewasdelightedtobelievethathewashelpinginTom’s’cure’；foralways，assoonashehadfinishedcallingbacktoTom’sdiseasedmindthevariousparticularsofhisexperiencesandadventuresintheroyalschoolroomandelsewhereaboutthepalace，henoticedthatTomwasthenableto’recall’thecircumstancesquiteclearly。AttheendofanhourTomfoundhimselfwellfreightedwithveryvaluableinformationconcerningpersonagesandmatterspertainingtothecourt；soheresolvedtodrawinstructionfromthissourcedaily；andtothisendhewouldgiveordertoadmitHumphreytotheroyalclosetwheneverhemightcome，providedthemajestyofEnglandwasnotengagedwithotherpeople。
HumphreyhadhardlybeendismissedwhenmyLordHertfordarrivedwithmoretroubleforTom。Hesaidthatthelordsofthecouncil，fearingthatsomeoverwroughtreportoftheking’sdamagedhealthmighthaveleakedoutandgotabroad，theydeemeditwiseandbestthathismajestyshouldbegintodineinpublicafteradayortwo—
hiswholesomecomplexionandvigorousstep，assistedbyacarefullyguardedreposeofmannerandeaseandgraceofdemeanor，wouldmoresurelyquietthegeneralpulse—incaseanyevilrumorshadgoneabout—thananyotherschemethatcouldbedevised。
Thentheearlproceeded，verydelicately，toinstructTomastotheobservancespropertothestatelyoccasion，undertheratherthindisguiseof’reminding’himconcerningthingsalreadyknowntohim；buttohisvastgratificationitturnedoutthatTomneededverylittlehelpinthisline—hehadbeenmakinguseofHumphreyinthatdirection，forHumphreyhadmentionedthatwithinafewdayshewastobegintodineinpublic；havinggathereditfromtheswift—wingedgossipofthecourt。Tomkeptthesefactstohimself，however。
Seeingtheroyalmemorysoimproved，theearlventuredtoapplyafewteststoit，inanapparentlycasualway，tofindouthowfaritsamendmenthadprogressed。Theresultswerehappy，hereandthere，inspots—spotswhereHumphrey’stracksremained—and，onthewhole，mylordwasgreatlypleasedandencouraged。Soencouragedwashe，indeed，thathespokeupandsaidinaquitehopefulvoice：
’NowamIpersuadedthatifyourmajestywillbuttaxyourmemoryyetalittlefurther，itwillresolvethepuzzleoftheGreatSeal—alosswhichwasofmomentyesterday，althoughofnoneto—day，sinceitstermofserviceendedwithourlatelord’slife。Mayitpleaseyourgracetomakethetrial？’
Tomwasatsea—aGreatSealwasasomethingwhichhewastotallyunacquaintedwith。Afteramoment’shesitationhelookedupinnocentlyandasked：
’Whatwasitlike，mylord？’
Theearlstarted，almostimperceptibly，mutteringtohimself，’Alack，hiswitsareflownagain！—itwasillwisdomtoleadhimontostrainthem—’thenhedeftlyturnedthetalktoothermatters，withthepurposeofsweepingtheunluckySealoutofTom’sthoughts—apurposewhicheasilysucceeded。
CHAPTERXV
TomasKingTHEnextdaytheforeignambassadorscame，withtheirgorgeoustrains；andTom，thronedinawfulstate，receivedthem。Thesplendorsofthescenedelightedhiseyeandfiredhisimaginationatfirst，buttheaudiencewaslonganddreary，andsoweremostoftheaddresses—wherefore，whatbeganasapleasure，grewintowearinessandhomesicknessbyandby。TomsaidthewordswhichHertfordputintohismouthfromtimetotime，andtriedhardtoacquithimselfsatisfactorily，buthewastoonewtosuchthings，andtooillateasetoaccomplishmorethanatolerablesuccess。Helookedsufficientlylikeaking，buthewasillabletofeellikeone。
Hewascordiallygladwhentheceremonywasended。
Thelargerpartofhisdaywas’wasted’—ashetermedit，inhisownmind—inlaborspertainingtohisroyaloffice。Eventhetwohoursdevotedtocertainprincelypastimesandrecreationswereratheraburdentohimthanotherwise，theyweresofetteredbyrestrictionsandceremoniousobservances。However，hehadaprivatehourwithhiswhipping—boywhichhecountedcleargain，sincehegotbothentertainmentandneedfulinformationoutofit。
ThethirddayofTomCanty’skingshipcameandwentmuchastheothershaddone，buttherewasaliftingofhiscloudinoneway—hefeltlessuncomfortablethanatfirst；hewasgettingalittleusedtohiscircumstancesandsurroundings；hischainsstillgalled，butnotallthetime；hefoundthatthepresenceandhomageofthegreatafflictedandembarrassedhimlessandlesssharplywitheveryhourthatdriftedoverhishead。
Butforonesingledread，hecouldhaveseenthefourthdayapproachwithoutseriousdistress—thedininginpublic；itwastobeginthatday。Thereweregreatermattersintheprogram—foronthatdayhewouldhavetopresideatacouncilwhichwouldtakehisviewsandcommandsconcerningthepolicytobepursuedtowardvariousforeignnationsscatteredfarandnearoverthegreatglobe；onthatday，too，HertfordwouldbeformallychosentothegrandofficeofLordProtector；otherthingsofnotewereappointedforthatfourthdayalso，buttoTomtheywereallinsignificantcomparedwiththeordealofdiningallbyhimselfwithamultitudeofcuriouseyesfasteneduponhimandamultitudeofmouthswhisperingcommentsuponhisperformance—anduponhismistakes，ifheshouldbesounluckyastomakeany。
Still，nothingcouldstopthatfourthday，andsoitcame。ItfoundpoorTomlow—spiritedandabsent—minded，andthismoodcontinued；hecouldnotshakeitoff。Theordinarydutiesofthemorningdraggeduponhishands，andweariedhim。Oncemorehefeltthesenseofcaptivityheavyuponhim。
Lateintheforenoonhewasinalargeaudiencechamber，conversingwiththeEarlofHertfordanddulyawaitingthestrikingofthehourappointedforavisitofceremonyfromaconsiderablenumberofgreatofficialsandcourtiers。
AfteralittlewhileTom，whohadwanderedtoawindowandbecomeinterestedinthelifeandmovementofthegreathighwaybeyondthepalacegates—andnotidlyinterested，butlongingwithallhishearttotakepartinpersoninitsstirandfreedom—sawthevanofahootingandshoutingmobofdisorderlymen，women，andchildrenofthelowestandpoorestdegreeapproachingfromuptheroad。
’IwouldIknewwhat’tisabout！’heexclaimed，withallaboy’scuriosityinsuchhappenings。
’Thouarttheking！’solemnlyrespondedtheearl，withareverence。’HaveIyourgrace’sleavetoact？’
’Oh，blithely，yes！Oh，gladly，yes！’exclaimedTom，excitedly，addingtohimselfwithalivelysenseofsatisfaction，’Intruth，beingakingisnotalldreariness—ithathitscompensationsandconveniences。’
Theearlcalledapage，andsenthimtothecaptainoftheguardwiththeorder：
’Letthemobbehalted，andinquirymadeconcerning，theoccasionofitsmovement。Bytheking’scommand！’
Afewsecondslateralongrankoftheroyalguards，casedinflashingsteel，filedoutatthegatesandformedacrossthehighwayinfrontofthemultitude。Amessengerreturned，toreportthatthecrowdwerefollowingaman，awoman，andayounggirltoexecutionforcrimescommittedagainstthepeaceanddignityoftherealm。
Death—andaviolentdeath—forthesepoorunfortunates！ThethoughtwrungTom’sheartstrings。Thespiritofcompassiontookcontrolofhim，totheexclusionofallotherconsiderations；heneverthoughtoftheoffendedlaws，orofthegrieforlosswhichthesethreecriminalshadinflictedupontheirvictims，hecouldthinkofnothingbutthescaffoldandthegrislyfatehangingovertheheadsofthecondemned。Hisconcernmadehimevenforget，forthemoment，thathewasbutthefalseshadowofaking，notthesubstance；andbeforeheknewithehadblurtedoutthecommand：
’Bringthemhere！’
Thenheblushedscarlet，andasortofapologysprungtohislips；
butobservingthathisorderhadwroughtnosortofsurpriseintheearlorthewaitingpage，hesuppressedthewordshewasabouttoutter。Thepage，inthemostmatter—of—courseway，madeaprofoundobeisanceandretiredbackwardoutoftheroomtodeliverthecommand。
Tomexperiencedaglowofprideandarenewedsenseofthecompensatingadvantagesofthekinglyoffice。Hesaidtohimself，’TrulyitislikewhatIusedtofeelwhenIreadtheoldpriest’stales，anddidimaginemineownselfaprince，givinglawandcommandtoall，saying，\"Dothis，dothat，\"whilenonedurstofferletorhindrancetomywill。’
Nowthedoorsswungopen；onehigh—soundingtitleafteranotherwasannounced，thepersonagesowningthemfollowed，andtheplacewasquicklyhalffilledwithnoblefolkandfinery。ButTomwashardlyconsciousofthepresenceofthesepeople，sowroughtupwasheandsointenselyabsorbedinthatotherandmoreinterestingmatter。Heseatedhimself，absently，inhischairofstate，andturnedhiseyesuponthedoorwithmanifestationsofimpatientexpectancy；seeingwhich，thecompanyforboretotroublehim，andfelltochattingamixtureofpublicbusinessandcourtgossiponewithanother。
Inalittlewhilethemeasuredtreadofmilitarymenwasheardapproaching，andtheculpritsenteredthepresenceinchargeofanunder—sheriffandescortedbyadetailoftheking’sguard。ThecivilofficerkneltbeforeTom，thenstoodaside；thethreedoomedpersonskneltalso，andremainedso；theguardtookpositionbehindTom’schair。Tomscannedtheprisonerscuriously。Somethingaboutthedressorappearanceofthemanhadstirredavaguememoryinhim。’MethinksIhaveseenthismanerenow……butthewhenorthewherefailme’—suchwasTom’sthought。Justthenthemanglancedquicklyup，andquicklydroppedhisfaceagain，notbeingabletoenduretheawfulportofsovereignty；buttheonefullglimpseoftheface，whichTomgot，wassufficient。Hesaidtohimself：’Nowisthematterclear；thisisthestrangerthatpluckedGilesWittoutoftheThames，andsavedhislifethatwindy，bitterfirstdayoftheNewYear—abrave，gooddeed—pityhehathbeendoingbaseronesandgothimselfinthissadcase……Ihavenotforgottheday，neitherthehour；byreasonthatanhourafter，uponthestrokeofeleven，I
didgetahidingbythehandofGammerCantywhichwasofsogoodlyandadmiredseveritythatallthatwentbeforeorfollowedafteritwerebutfondlingsandcaressesbycomparison。’
Tomnoworderedthatthewomanandthegirlberemovedfromthepresenceforalittletime；thenaddressedhimselftotheunder—sheriff，saying：
’Goodsir，whatisthisman’soffense？’
Theofficerknelt，andanswered：
’Sopleaseyourmajesty，hehathtakenthelifeofasubjectbypoison。’
Tom’scompassionfortheprisoner，andadmirationofhimasthedaringrescuerofadrowningboy，experiencedamostdamagingshock。
’Thethingwasprovenuponhim？’heasked。
’Mostclearly，sire。’
Tomsighed，andsaid：
’Takehimaway—hehathearnedhisdeath。’Tisapity，forhewasabraveheart—na—na，Imeanhehaththelookofit！’
Theprisonerclaspedhishandstogetherwithsuddenenergy，andwrungthemdespairingly，atthesametimeappealingimploringlytothe’king’inbrokenandterrifiedphrases：
’Oh，mylordtheking，anthoucanstpitythelost，havepityuponme！Iaminnocent—neitherhaththatwherewithIamchargedbeenmorethanbutlamelyproved—yetIspeaknotofthat；thejudgmentisgoneforthagainstmeandmaynotsufferalteration；yetinmineextremityIbegaboon，formydoomismorethanIcanbear。A
grace，agrace，mylordtheking！inthyroyalcompassiongrantmyprayer—givecommandmentthatIbehanged！’
Tomwasamazed。Thiswasnottheoutcomehehadlookedfor。
’Oddsmylife，astrangeboon！Wasitnotthefateintendedthee？’
’Oh，goodmyliege，notso！ItisorderedthatIbeboiledalive！’
ThehideoussurpriseofthesewordsalmostmadeTomspringfromhischair。Assoonashecouldrecoverhiswitshecriedout：
’Havethywish，poorsoul！anthouhadpoisonedahundredmenthoushouldstnotsuffersomiserableadeath。’
Theprisonerbowedhisfacetothegroundandburstintopassionateexpressionsofgratitude—endingwith：
’Ifeverthoushouldstknowmisfortune—whichGodforbid！—maythygoodnesstomethisdayberememberedandrequited！’
TomturnedtotheEarlofHertford，andsaid：
’Mylord，isitbelievablethattherewaswarrantforthisman’sferociousdoom？’
’Itisthelaw，yourgrace—forpoisoners。InGermanycoinersbeboiledtodeathinoil—notcastinofasudden，butbyaropeletdownintotheoilbydegrees，andslowly；firstthefeet，thenthelegs，then—’
’Oh，prithee，nomore，mylord，Icannotbearit！’criedTom，coveringhiseyeswithhishandstoshutoutthepicture。’Ibeseechyourgoodlordshipthatorderbetakentochangethislaw—oh，letnomorepoorcreaturesbevisitedwithitstortures。’
Theearl’sfaceshowedprofoundratification，forhewasamanofmercifulandgenerousimpulses—athingnotverycommonwithhisclassinthatfierceage。
Hesaid：
’Theseyourgrace’snoblewordshavesealeditsdoom。Historywillrememberittothehonorofyourroyalhouse。’
Theunder—sheriffwasabouttoremovehisprisoner；Tomgavehimasigntowait；thenhesaid：
’Goodsir，Iwouldlookintothismatterfurther。Themanhassaidhisdeedwasbutlamelyproved。Tellmewhatthouknowest。’
’Iftheking’sgraceplease，itdidappearuponthetrial，thatthismanenteredintoahouseinthehamletofIslingtonwhereonelaysick—threewitnessessayitwasattenoftheclockinthemorningandtwosayitwassomeminuteslater—thesickmanbeingaloneatthetime，andsleeping—andpresentlythemancameforthagain，andwenthisway。Thesickmandiedwithinthehour，beingtornwithspasmandretchings。’
’Didanyseethepoisongiven？Waspoisonfound？’
’Marry，no，myliege。’
’Thenhowdothoneknowtherewaspoisongivenatall？’
’Pleaseyourmajesty，thedoctorstestifiedthatnonediewithsuchsymptomsbutbypoison。’
Weightyevidence，this—inthatsimpleage。Tomrecognizeditsformidablenature，andsaid：
’Thedoctorknowethhistrade—beliketheywereright。Thematterhathanilllookforthispoorman。’
’Yetwasnotthisall，yourmajesty；thereismoreandworse。Manytestifiedthatawitch，sincegonefromthevillage，noneknowwhither，didforetell，andspeakitprivatelyintheirears，thatthesickmanwoulddiebypoison—andmore，thatastrangerwouldgiveit—astrangerwithbrownhairandclothedinawornandcommongarb；andsurelythisprisonerdothanswerwoundilytothebill。
Please，yourmajesty，togivethecircumstancethatsolemnweightwhichisitsdue，seeingitwasforetold。’
Thiswasanargumentoftremendousforce，inthatsuperstitiousday。Tomfeltthatthethingwassettled；ifevidencewasworthanything，thispoorfellow’sguiltwasproved。Stillheofferedtheprisonerachance，saying：
’Ifthoucanstsayaughtinthybehalf，speak。’
’Naughtthatwillavail，myking。Iaminnocent，yetcannotImakeitappear。Ihavenofriends，elsemightIshowthatIwasnotinIslingtonthatday；soalsomightIshowthatatthathourtheynameI
wasabovealeagueaway，seeingIwasatWappingOldStairs；yeamore，myking，forIcouldshow，thatwhiletheysayIwastakinglife，I
wassavingit。Adrowningboy—’
’Peace！Sheriff，namethedaythedeedwasdone！’
’Atteninthemorning，orsomeminuteslater，thefirstdayofthenewyear，mostillustrious—’
’Lettheprisonergofree—itistheking’swill！’
Anotherblushfollowedthisunregaloutburst，andhecoveredhisindecorumaswellashecouldbyadding：
’Itenragethmethatamanshouldbehangeduponsuchidle，hare—brainedevidence！’
Alowbuzzofadmirationsweptthroughtheassemblage。ItwasnotadmirationofthedecreethathadbeendeliveredbyTom，fortheproprietyorexpediencyofpardoningaconvictedpoisonerwasathingwhichfewtherewouldhavefeltjustifiedineitheradmittingoradmiring—no，theadmirationwasfortheintelligenceandspiritwhichTomhaddisplayed。Someofthelow—voicedremarksweretothiseffect：
’Thisisnomadking—hehathhiswitssound。’
’Howsanelyheputhisquestions—howlikehisformernaturalselfwasthisabrupt，imperiousdisposalofthematter！’
’Godbethankedhisinfirmityisspent！Thisisnoweakling，butaking。Hehathbornehimselfliketohisownfather。’
Theairbeingfilledwithapplause，Tom’searnecessarilycaughtalittleofit。Theeffectwhichthishaduponhimwastoputhimgreatlyathisease，andalsotochargehissystemwithverygratifyingsensations。