Whenbreakfastwasover，thehousewifetoldthekingtowashupthedishes。Thiscommandwasastaggererforamoment，andthekingcamenearrebelling；butthenhesaidtohimself，’AlfredtheGreatwatchedthecakes；doubtlesshewouldhavewashedthedishes，too—
thereforewillIessayit。’
Hemadeasufficientlypoorjobofit；andtohissurprise，too，forthecleaningofwoodenspoonsandtrenchershadseemedaneasythingtodo。Itwasatediousandtroublesomepieceofwork，buthefinisheditatlast。Hewasbecomingimpatienttogetawayonhisjourneynow；howeverhewasnottolosethisthriftydame’ssocietysoeasily。Shefurnishedhimsomelittleoddsandendsofemployment，whichhegotthroughwithafterafairfashionandwithsomecredit。
Thenshesethimandthelittlegirlstoparingsomewinterapples；
buthewassoawkwardatthisservicethatsheretiredhimfromitandgavehimabutcher—knifetogrind。AfterwardshekepthimcardingwooluntilhebegantothinkhehadlaidthegoodKingAlfredaboutfarenoughintheshadeforthepresent，inthematterofshowymenialheroismsthatwouldreadpicturesquelyinstory—booksandhistories，andsohewashalfmindedtoresign。Andwhen，justafterthenoondaydinner，thegoodwifegavehimabasketofkittenstodrown，hedidresign。Atleasthewasjustgoingtoresign—forhefeltthathemustdrawthelinesomewhere，anditseemedtohimthattodrawitatkitten—drowningwasabouttherightthing—whentherewasaninterruption。TheinterruptionwasJohnCanty—withapeddler’spackonhisback—andHugo！
Thekingdiscoveredtheserascalsapproachingthefrontgatebeforetheyhadhadachancetoseehim；sohesaidnothingaboutdrawingtheline，buttookuphisbasketofkittensandsteppedquietlyoutthebackway，withoutaword。Heleftthecreaturesinanouthouse，andhurriedonintoanarrowlaneattherear。
CHAPTERXX
ThePrinceandtheHermitTHEhighhedgehidhimfromthehousenow；andso，undertheimpulseofadeadlyfright，heletoutallhisforcesandspedtowardawoodinthedistance。Heneverlookedbackuntilhehadalmostgainedtheshelteroftheforest；thenheturnedanddescriedtwofiguresinthedistance。Thatwassufficient；hedidnotwaittoscanthemcritically，buthurriedon，andneverabatedhispacetillhewasfarwithinthetwilightdepthsofthewood。Thenhestopped；
beingpersuadedthathewasnowtolerablysafe。Helistenedintently，butthestillnesswasprofoundandsolemn—awful，even，anddepressingtothespirits。Atwideintervalshisstrainingeardiddetectsounds，buttheyweresoremote，andhollow，andmysterious，thattheyseemednottoberealsounds，butonlythemoaningandcomplainingghostsofdepartedones。Sothesoundswereyetmoredrearythanthesilencewhichtheyinterrupted。
Itwashispurpose，inthebeginning，tostaywherehewas，therestoftheday；butachillsooninvadedhisperspiringbody，andhewasatlastobligedtoresumemovementinordertogetwarm。Hestruckstraightthroughtheforest，hopingtopiercetoaroadpresently，buthewasdisappointedinthis。Hetraveledonandon；butthefartherhewent，thedenserthewoodbecame，apparently。Thegloombegantothicken，byandby，andthekingrealizedthatthenightwascomingon。Itmadehimshuddertothinkofspendingitinsuchanuncannyplace；sohetriedtohurryfaster，butheonlymadethelessspeed，forhecouldnotnowseewellenoughtochoosehisstepsjudiciously；consequentlyhekepttrippingoverrootsandtanglinghimselfinvinesandbriers。
Andhowgladhewaswhenatlasthecaughttheglimmerofalight！
Heapproacheditwarily，stoppingoftentolookabouthimandlisten。Itcamefromanunglazedwindow—openinginalittlehut。Heheardavoicenow，andfeltadispositiontorunandhide；buthechangedhismindatonce，forhisvoicewaspraying，evidently。Heglidedtotheonewindowofthehut，raisedhimselfontiptoe，andstoleaglancewithin。Theroomwassmall；itsfloorwasthenaturalearth，beatenhardbyuse；inacornerwasabedofrushesandaraggedblanketortwo；nearitwasapail，acup，abasin，andtwoorthreepotsandpans；therewasashortbenchandathree—leggedstool；onthehearththeremainsofafagotfireweresmoldering；
beforeashrine，whichwaslightedbyasinglecandle，kneltanagedman，andonanoldwoodenboxathissidelayanopenbookandahumanskull。Themanwasoflarge，bonyframe；hishairandwhiskerswereverylongandsnowywhite；hewasclothedinarobeofsheepskinswhichreachedfromhisnecktohisheels。
’Aholyhermit！’saidthekingtohimself；’nowamIindeedfortunate。’
Thehermitrosefromhisknees；thekingknocked。Adeepvoiceresponded：
’Enter！—butleavesinbehind，forthegroundwhereonthoushaltstandisholy！’
Thekingentered，andpaused。Thehermitturnedapairofgleaming，unrestfuleyesuponhim，andsaid：
’Whoartthou？’
’Iamtheking，’cametheanswer，withplacidsimplicity。
’Welcome，king！’criedthehermit，withenthusiasm。Then，bustlingaboutwithfeverishactivity，andconstantlysaying’Welcome，welcome，’hearrangedhisbench，seatedthekingonit，bythehearth，threwsomefagotsonthefire，andfinallyfelltopacingthefloor，withanervousstride。
’Welcome！Manyhavesoughtsanctuaryhere，buttheywerenotworthy，andwereturnedaway。Butakingwhocastshiscrownaway，anddespisesthevainsplendorsofhisoffice，andclotheshisbodyinrags，todevotehislifetoholinessandthemortificationoftheflesh—heisworthy，heiswelcome！—hereshallheabideallhisdaystilldeathcome。’Thekinghastenedtointerruptandexplain，butthehermitpaidnoattentiontohim—didnotevenhearhimapparently，butwentrightonwithhistalk，witharaisedvoiceandagrowingenergy。’Andthoushaltbeatpeacehere。NoneshallfindoutthyrefugetodisquiettheewithsupplicationstoreturntothatemptyandfoolishlifewhichGodhathmovedtheetoabandon。Thoushaltprayhere；thoushaltstudytheBook；thoushaltmeditateuponthefolliesanddelusionsofthisworld，anduponthesublimitiesoftheworldtocome；thoushaltfeeduponcrustsandherbs，andscourgethybodywithwhipsdaily，tothepurifyingofthysoul。Thoushaltwearahairshirtnextthyskin；thoushaltdrinkwateronly；andthoushaltbeatpeace；yes，whollyatpeace；forwhosocomestoseektheeshallgohiswayagainbaffled；heshallnotfindthee，heshallnotmolestthee。’
Theoldman，stillpacingbackandforth，ceasedtospeakaloud，andbegantomutter。Thekingseizedthisopportunitytostatehiscase；andhediditwithaneloquenceinspiredbyuneasinessandapprehension。Butthehermitwentonmuttering，andgavenoheed。
Andstillmuttering，heapproachedthekingandsaid，impressively：
’’Sh！Iwilltellyouasecret！’Hebentdowntoimpartit，butcheckedhimself，andassumedalisteningattitude。Afteramomentortwohewentontiptoetothewindow—opening，puthisheadoutandpeeredaroundinthegloaming，thencametiptoeingbackagain，puthisfaceclosedowntotheking’sandwhispered：
’Iamanarchangel！’
Thekingstartedviolently，andsaidtohimself，’WouldGodIwerewiththeoutlawsagain；forlo，nowamItheprisonerofamadman！’
Hisapprehensionswereheightened，andtheyshowedplainlyinhisface。Inalow，excitedvoice，thehermitcontinued：
’Iseeyoufeelmyatmosphere！There’saweinyourface！Nonemaybeinthisatmosphereandnotbethusaffected；foritistheveryatmosphereofheaven。Igothitherandreturn，inthetwinklingofaneye。Iwasmadeanarchangelonthisveryspot，itisfiveyearsago，byangelssentfromheaventoconferthatawfuldignity。Theirpresencefilledthisplacewithanintolerablebrightness。Andtheyknelttome，king！yes，theyknelttome！forIwasgreaterthanthey。
Ihavewalkedinthecourtsofheaven，andheldspeechwiththepatriarchs。Touchmyhand—benotafraid—touchit。There—nowthouhasttouchedahandwhichhasbeenclaspedbyAbraham，andIsaac，andJacob！ForIhavewalkedinthegoldencourts，IhaveseentheDeityfacetoface！’Hepaused，togivethisspeecheffect；thenhisfacesuddenlychanged，andhestartedtohisfeetagain，saying，withangryenergy，’Yes，Iamanarchangel；amerearchangel！—I
thatmighthavebeenpope！Itisverilytrue。Iwastolditfromheaveninadream，twentyyearsago；ah，yes，Iwastobepope！—andI
shouldhavebeenpope，forHeavenhadsaidit—butthekingdissolvedmyreligioushouse，andI，poorobscureunfriendedmonk，wascasthomelessupontheworld，robbedofmymightydestiny！’Herehebegantomumbleagain，andbeathisforeheadinfutilerage，withhisfist；nowandthenarticulatingavenomouscurse，andnowandthenapathetic’WhereforeIamnaughtbutanarchangel—Ithatshouldhavebeenpope！’
Sohewentonforanhour，whilethepoorlittlekingsatandsuffered。Thenallatoncetheoldman’sfrenzydeparted，andhebecameallgentleness。Hisvoicesoftened，hecamedownoutofhisclouds，andfelltoprattlingalongsosimplyandsohumanely，thathesoonwontheking’sheartcompletely。Theolddevoteemovedtheboynearertothefireandmadehimcomfortable；doctoredhissmallbruisesandabrasionswithadeftandtenderhand；andthensetaboutpreparingandcookingasupper—chattingpleasantlyallthetime，andoccasionallystrokingthelad’scheekorpattinghishead，insuchagentlycaressingwaythatinalittlewhileallthefearandrepulsioninspiredbythearchangelwerechangedtoreverenceandaffectionfortheman。
Thishappystateofthingscontinuedwhilethetwoatethesupper；
then，afteraprayerbeforetheshrine，thehermitputtheboytobed，inasmalladjoiningroom，tuckinghiminassnuglyandlovinglyasamothermight；andso，withapartingcaress，lefthimandsatdownbythefire，andbegantopokethebrandsaboutinanabsentandaimlessway。Presentlyhepaused；thentappedhisforeheadseveraltimeswithhisfingers，asiftryingtorecallsomethoughtwhichhadescapedfromhismind。Apparentlyhewasunsuccessful。Nowhestartedquicklyup，andenteredhisguest’sroom，andsaid：
’Thouartking？’
’Yes，’wastheresponse，drowsilyuttered。
’Whatking？’
’OfEngland。’
’OfEngland。ThenHenryisgone！’
’Alack，itisso。Iamhisson。’
Ablackfrownsettleddownuponthehermit’sface，andheclenchedhisbonyhandswithavindictiveenergy。Hestoodafewmoments，breathingfastandswallowingrepeatedly，thensaidinahuskyvoice：
’Dostknowitwashethatturnedusoutintotheworldhouselessandhomeless？’
Therewasnoresponse。Theoldmanbentdownandscannedtheboy’sreposefulfaceandlistenedtohisplacidbreathing。’Hesleeps—
sleepssoundly’；andthefrownvanishedawayandgaveplacetoanexpressionofevilsatisfaction。Asmileflittedacrossthedreamingboy’sfeatures。Thehermitmuttered，’So—hisheartishappy’；andheturnedaway。Hewentstealthilyabouttheplace，seekinghereandthereforsomething；nowandthenhaltingtolisten，nowandthenjerkinghisheadaroundandcastingaquickglancetowardthebed；andalwaysmuttering，alwaysmumblingtohimself。Atlasthefoundwhatheseemedtowant—arustyoldbutcher—knifeandawhetstone。Thenhecrepttohisplacebythefire，sathimselfdown，andbegantowhettheknifesoftlyonthestone，stillmuttering，mumbling，ejaculating。
Thewindssighedaroundthelonelyplace，themysteriousvoicesofthenightfloatedbyoutofthedistances。Theshiningeyesofventuresomemiceandratspeeredoutattheoldmanfromcracksandcoverts，buthewentonwithhiswork，rapt，absorbed，andnotednoneofthesethings。
Atlongintervalshedrewhisthumbalongtheedgeofhisknife，andnoddedhisheadwithsatisfaction。’Itgrowssharper，’hesaid；
’yes，itgrowssharper。’
Hetooknonoteoftheflightoftime，butworkedtranquillyon，entertaininghimselfwithhisthoughts，whichbrokeoutoccasionallyinarticulatespeech：
’Hisfatherwroughtusevil，hedestroyedus—andisgonedownintotheeternalfires！Yes，downintotheeternalfires！Heescapedus—butitwasGod’swill，yesitwasGod’swill，wemustnotrepine。Buthehathnotescapedthefires！no，hehathnotescapedthefires，theconsuming，unpitying，remorselessfires—andtheyareeverlasting！’
Andsohewrought；andstillwrought；mumbling—chucklingalowraspingchuckleattimes—andattimesbreakingagainintowords：
’Itwashisfatherthatdiditall。Iambutanarchangel—butforhim，Ishouldbepope！’
Thekingstirred。Thehermitsprangnoiselesslytothebedside，andwentdownuponhisknees，bendingovertheprostrateformwithhisknifeuplifted。Theboystirredagain；hiseyescameopenforaninstant，buttherewasnospeculationinthem，theysawnothing；thenextmomenthistranquilbreathingshowedthathissleepwassoundoncemore。
Thehermitwatchedandlistenedforatime，keepinghispositionandscarcelybreathing；thenheslowlyloweredhisarm，andpresentlycreptaway，saying：
’Itislongpastmidnight—itisnotbestthatheshouldcryout，lestbyaccidentsomeonebepassing。’
Heglidedabouthishovel，gatheringaraghere，athongthere，andanotheroneyonder；thenhereturned，andbycarefulandgentlehandlinghemanagedtotietheking’sanklestogetherwithoutwakinghim。Nextheessayedtotiethewrists；hemadeseveralattemptstocrossthem，buttheboyalwaysdrewonehandortheotheraway，justasthecordwasreadytobeapplied；butatlast，whenthearchangelwasalmostreadytodespair，theboycrossedhishandshimself，andthenextmomenttheywerebound。Nowabandagewaspassedunderthesleeper’schinandbroughtupoverhisheadandtiedfast—andsosoftly，sogradually，andsodeftlyweretheknotsdrawntogetherandcompacted，thattheboysleptpeacefullythroughitallwithoutstirring。
CHAPTERXXI
HendontotheRescueTheoldmanglidedaway，stooping，stealthily，catlike，andbroughtthelowbench。Heseatedhimselfuponit，halfhisbodyinthedimandflickeringlight，andtheotherhalfinshadow；andso，withhiscravingeyesbentupontheslumberingboy，hekepthispatientvigilthere，heedlessofthedriftoftime，andsoftlywhettedhisknife，andmumbledandchuckled；andinaspectandattitudeheresemblednothingsomuchasagrizzly，monstrousspider，gloatingoversomehaplessinsectthatlayboundandhelplessinhisweb。
Afteralongwhile，theoldman，whowasstillgazing—yetnotseeing，hismindhavingsettledintoadreamyabstraction—observedonasuddenthattheboy’seyeswereopen—wideopenandstaring！—
staringupinfrozenhorrorattheknife。Thesmileofagratifieddevilcreptovertheoldman’sface，andhesaid，withoutchanginghisattitudeoroccupation：
’SonofHenrytheEighth，hastthouprayed？’
Theboystruggledhelplesslyinhisbonds；andatthesametimeforcedasmotheredsoundthroughhisclosedjaws，whichthehermitchosetointerpretasanaffirmativeanswertohisquestion。
’Thenprayagain。Praytheprayerforthedying！’
Ashuddershooktheboy’sframe，andhisfaceblenched。Thenhestruggledagaintofreehimself—turningandtwistinghimselfthiswayandthat；tuggingfrantically，fiercely，desperately—butuselessly—
tobursthisfetters；andallthewhiletheoldogresmileddownuponhim，andnoddedhishead，andplacidlywhettedhisknife，mumbling，fromtimetotime，’Themomentsareprecious，theyarefewandprecious—praytheprayerforthedying！’
Theboyutteredadespairinggroan，andceasedfromhisstruggles，panting。Thetearscame，then，andtrickled，oneaftertheother，downhisface；butthispiteoussightwroughtnosofteningeffectuponthesavageoldman。
Thedawnwascomingnow；thehermitobservedit，andspokeupsharply，withatouchofnervousapprehensioninhisvoice：
’Imaynotindulgethisecstasylonger！Thenightisalreadygone。
Itseemsbutamoment—onlyamoment；wouldithadenduredayear！
SeedoftheChurch’sspoiler，closethyperishingeyes，anthoufearesttolookupon……’
Therestwaslostininarticulatemutterings。Theoldmansankuponhisknees，hisknifeinhishand，andbenthimselfoverthemoaningboy—
Hark！Therewasasoundofvoicesnearthecabin—theknifedroppedfromthehermit’shand；hecastasheepskinovertheboyandstartedup，trembling。Thesoundsincreased，andpresentlythevoicesbecameroughandangry；thencameblows，andcriesforhelp；
thenaclatterofswiftfootstepsretreating。Immediatelycameasuccessionofthunderingknocksuponthecabindoor，followedby：
’Hullo—o—o！Open！Anddespatch，inthenameofallthedevils！’
Oh，thiswastheblessedestsoundthathadevermademusicintheking’sears；foritwasMilesHendon’svoice！
Thehermit，grindinghisteethinimpotentrage，movedswiftlyoutofthebedchamber，closingthedoorbehindhim；andstraightwaythekingheardatalk，tothiseffect，proceedingfromthe’chapel’：
’Homageandgreeting，reverendsir！Whereistheboy—myboy？’
’Whatboy，friend？’
’Whatboy！Liemenolies，sirpriest，playmenodeceptions！Iamnotinthehumorforit。NeartothisplaceIcaughtthescoundrelswhoIjudgeddidstealhimfromme，andImadethemconfess；theysaidhewasatlargeagain，andtheyhadtrackedhimtoyourdoor。Theyshowedmehisveryfootprints。Nowpalternomore；forlookyou，holysir，anthouproducehimnot—Whereistheboy？’
’Oh，goodsir，peradventureyoumeantheraggedregalvagrantthattarriedherethenight。Ifsuchasyoutakeinterestinsuchashe，know，then，thatIhavesenthimofanerrand。Hewillbebackanon。’
’Howsoon？Howsoon？Come，wastenotthetime—cannotIovertakehim？Howsoonwillhebeback？’
’Thouneedstnotstir；hewillreturnquickly。’
’Sobeitthen。Iwilltrytowait。Butstop！—yousenthimofanerrand？—you！Verily，thisisalie—hewouldnotgo。Hewouldpullthyoldbeard，anthoudidstofferhimsuchaninsolence。Thouhastlied，friend；thouhastsurelylied！Hewouldnotgofortheenorforanyman。’
’Foranyman—no；haplynot。ButIamnotaman。’
’What！Nowo’God’snamewhatartthou，then？’
’Itisasecret—markthourevealitnot。Iamanarchangel！’
TherewasatremendousejaculationfromMilesHendon—notaltogetherunprofane—followedby：
’Thisdothwellandtrulyaccountforhiscomplaisance！RightwellIknewhewouldbudgenorhandnorfootinthemenialserviceofanymortal；butLord，evenakingmustobeywhenanarchangelgivesthewordo’command！Letme—’sh！Whatnoisewasthat？’
Allthiswhilethekinghadbeenyonder，alternatelyquakingwithterrorandtremblingwithhope；andallthewhile，too，hehadthrownallthestrengthhecouldintohisanguishedmoanings，constantlyexpectingthemtoreachHendon’sear，butalwaysrealizing，withbitterness，thattheyfailed，oratleastmadenoimpression。
Sothislastremarkofhisservantcameascomesarevivingbreathfromfreshfieldstothedying；andheexertedhimselfoncemore，andwithallhisenergy，justasthehermitwassaying：
’Noise？Iheardonlythewind。’
’Mayhapitwas。Yes，doubtlessthatwasit。Ihavebeenhearingitfaintlyallthe—thereitisagain！Itisnotthewind！Whatanoddsound！Come，wewillhuntitout！’
Now，theking’sjoywasnearlyinsupportable。Histiredlungsdidtheirutmost—andhopefully，too—butthesealedjawsandthemufflingsheepskinsadlycrippledtheeffort。Thenthepoorfellow’sheartsank，tohearthehermitsay：
’Ah，itcamefromwithout—Ithinkfromthecopseyonder。Come，Iwillleadtheway。’
Thekingheardthetwopassouttalking；heardtheirfootstepsdiequicklyaway—thenhewasalonewithaboding，brooding，awfulsilence。
Itseemedanagetillheheardthestepsandvoicesapproachingagain—andthistimeheheardanaddedsound—thetramplingofhoofs，apparently。ThenheheardHendonsay：
’Iwillnotwaitlonger。Icannotwaitlonger。Hehaslosthiswayinthisthickwood。Whichdirectiontookhe？Quick—pointitouttome。’
’He—butwait；Iwillgowiththee。’
’Good—good！Why，trulythouartbetterthanthylooks。Marry，I
dothinkthere’snotanotherarchangelwithsorightaheartasthine。
Wiltride？Wilttaketheweedonkeythat’sformyboy，orwiltthouforkthyholylegsoverthisill—conditionedslaveofamulethatI
haveprovidedformyself？—andhadbeencheatedin，too，hadhecostbuttheindifferentsumofamonth’susuryonabrassfarthinglettoatinkeroutofwork。’
’No—ridethymule，andleadthineass；Iamsureronmineownfeet，andwillwalk。’
’Then，prithee，mindthelittlebeastformewhileItakemylifeinmyhandsandmakewhatsuccessImaytowardmountingthebigone。’
Thenfollowedaconfusionofkicks，cuffs，tramplingsandplungings，accompaniedbyathunderousinterminglingofvolleyedcurses，andfinallyabitterapostrophetothemule，whichmusthavebrokenitsspirit，forhostilitiesseemedtoceasefromthatmoment。
Withunutterablemiserythefetteredlittlekingheardthevoicesandfootstepsfadeawayanddieout。Allhopeforsookhimnowforthemoment，andadulldespairsettleddownuponhisheart。’Myonlyfriendisdeceivedandgotridof，’hesaid；’thehermitwillreturnand—’Hefinishedwithagasp；andatoncefelltostrugglingsofranticallywithhisbondsagain，thatheshookoffthesmotheringsheepskin。
Andnowheheardthedooropen！Thesoundchilledhimtothemarrow—alreadyheseemedtofeeltheknifeathisthroat。Horrormadehimclosehiseyes；horrormadehimopenthemagain—andbeforehimstoodJohnCantyandHugo！
Hewouldhavesaid’ThankGod！’ifhisjawshadbeenfree。
Amomentortwolaterhislimbswereatliberty，andhiscaptors，eachgrippinghimbyanarm，werehurryinghimwithallspeedthroughtheforest。
CHAPTERXXII
AVictimofTreacheryONCEmore’KingFoo—footheFirst’wasrovingwiththetrampsandoutlaws，abuttfortheircoarsejestsanddull—wittedrailleries，andsometimesthevictimofsmallspitefulnessesatthehandsofCantyandHugowhentheRuffler’sbackwasturned。NonebutCantyandHugoreallydislikedhim。Someoftheotherslikedhim，andalladmiredhispluckandspirit。Duringtwoorthreedays，Hugo，inwhosewardandchargethekingwas，didwhathecovertlycouldtomaketheboyuncomfortable；andatnight，duringthecustomaryorgies，heamusedthecompanybyputtingsmallindignitiesuponhim—alwaysasifbyaccident。Twicehesteppedupontheking’stoes—accidentally—andtheking，asbecamehisroyalty，wascontemptuouslyunconsciousofitandindifferenttoit；butthethirdtimeHugoentertainedhimselfinthatway，thekingfelledhimtothegroundwithacudgel，totheprodigiousdelightofthetribe。Hugo，consumedwithangerandshame，sprangup，seizedacudgel，andcameathissmalladversaryinafury。Instantlyaringwasformedaroundthegladiators，andthebettingandcheeringbegan。ButpoorHugostoodnochancewhatever。Hisfranticandlubberly’prentice—workfoundbutapoormarketforitselfwhenpittedagainstanarmwhichhadbeentrainedbythefirstmastersofEuropeinsingle—stick，quarter—staff，andeveryartandtrickofswordsmanship。Thelittlekingstood，alertbutatgracefulease，andcaughtandturnedasidethethickrainofblowswithafacilityandprecisionwhichsetthemotleyonlookerswildwithadmiration；andeverynowandthen，whenhispractisedeyedetectedanopening，andalightning—swiftrapuponHugo’sheadfollowedasaresult，thestormofcheersandlaughterthatswepttheplacewassomethingwonderfultohear。Attheendoffifteenminutes，Hugo，allbattered，bruised，andthetargetforapitilessbombardmentofridicule，slunkfromthefield；andtheunscathedheroofthefightwasseizedandbornealoftupontheshouldersofthejoyousrabbletotheplaceofhonorbesidetheRuffler，wherewithvastceremonyhewascrownedKingoftheGame—Cocks；hismeanertitlebeingatthesametimesolemnlycanceledandannulled，andadecreeofbanishmentfromthegangpronouncedagainstanywhoshouldhenceforthutterit。
Allattemptstomakethekingserviceabletothetroophadfailed。
Hehadstubbornlyrefusedtoact；moreover，hewasalwaystryingtoescape。Hehadbeenthrustintoanunwatchedkitchen，thefirstdayofhisreturn；henotonlycameforthempty—handed，buttriedtorousethehousemates。Hewassentoutwithatinkertohelphimathiswork；
hewouldnotwork；moreover，hethreatenedthetinkerwithhisownsoldering—iron；andfinallybothHugoandthetinkerfoundtheirhandsfullwiththemerematterofkeepinghimfromgettingaway。Hedeliveredthethundersofhisroyaltyupontheheadsofallwhohamperedhislibertiesortriedtoforcehimtoservice。Hewassentout，inHugo’scharge，incompanywithaslatternlywomanandadiseasedbaby，tobeg；buttheresultwasnotencouraging—hedeclinedtopleadforthemendicants，orbeapartytotheircauseinanyway。
Thusseveraldayswentby；andthemiseriesofthistrampinglife，andthewearinessandsordidnessandmeannessandvulgarityofit，becamegraduallyandsteadilysointolerabletothecaptivethathebeganatlasttofeelthathisreleasefromthehermit’sknifemustproveonlyatemporaryrespitefromdeath，atbest。
Butatnight，inhisdreams，thesethingswereforgotten，andhewasonhisthrone，andmasteragain。This，ofcourse，intensifiedthesufferingsoftheawakening—sothemortificationsofeachsucceedingmorningofthefewthatpassedbetweenhisreturntobondageandthecombatwithHugo，grewbitterer，andharderandhardertobear。
Themorningafterthatcombat，Hugogotupwithaheartfilledwithvengefulpurposesagainsttheking。Hehadtwoplansinparticular。Onewastoinflictupontheladwhatwouldbe，tohisproudspiritand’imagined’royalty，apeculiarhumiliation；andifhefailedtoaccomplishthis，hisotherplanwastoputacrimeofsomekinduponthekingandthenbetrayhimintotheimplacableclutchesofthelaw。
Inpursuanceofthefirstplan，heproposedtoputa’clime’
upontheking’sleg，rightlyjudgingthatthatwouldmortifyhimtothelastandperfectdegree；andassoonastheclimeshouldoperate，hemeanttogetCanty’shelp，andforcethekingtoexposehisleginthehighwayandbegforalms。’Clime’wasthecanttermforasore，artificiallycreated。Tomakeaclime，theoperatormadeapasteorpoulticeofunslakedlime，soap，andtherustofoldiron，andspreadituponapieceofleather，whichwasthenboundtightlyupontheleg。Thiswouldpresentlyfretofftheskin，andmakethefleshrawandangry—looking；bloodwasthenrubbeduponthelimb，which，beingfullydried，tookonadarkandrepulsivecolor。Thenabandageofsoiledragswasputoninacleverlycarelesswaywhichwouldallowthehideousulcertobeseenandmovethecompassionofthepasser—by。*（18）
Hugogotthehelpofthetinkerwhomthekinghadcowedwiththesoldering—iron；theytooktheboyoutonatinkeringtramp，andassoonastheywereoutofsightofthecamptheythrewhimdownandthetinkerheldhimwhileHugoboundthepoulticetightandfastuponhisleg。
Thekingragedandstormed，andpromisedtohangthetwothemomentthescepterwasinhishandagain；buttheykeptafirmgripuponhimandenjoyedhisimpotentstrugglingandjeeredathisthreats。Thiscontinueduntilthepoulticebegantobite；andinnolongtimeitsworkwouldhavebeenperfected，iftherehadbeennointerruption。Buttherewas；foraboutthistimethe’slave’whohadmadethespeechdenouncingEngland’slaws，appearedonthesceneandputanendtotheenterprise，andstrippedoffthepoulticeandbandage。
Thekingwantedtoborrowhisdeliverer’scudgelandwarmthejacketsofthetworascalsonthespot；butthemansaidno，itwouldbringtrouble—leavethemattertillnight；thewhole，tribebeingtogether，then，theoutsideworldwouldnotventuretointerfereorinterrupt。HemarchedthepartybacktocampandreportedtheaffairtotheRuffler，wholistened，pondered，andthendecidedthatthekingshouldnotbeagaindetailedtobeg，sinceitwasplainhewasworthyofsomethinghigherandbetter—wherefore，onthespothepromotedhimfromthemendicantrankandappointedhimtosteal！
Hugowasoverjoyed。Hehadalreadytriedtomakethekingsteal，andfailed；buttherewouldbenomoretroubleofthatsortnow，for，ofcourse，thekingwouldnotdreamofdefyingadistinctcommanddelivereddirectlyfromheadquarters。Soheplannedaraidforthatveryafternoon，purposingtogetthekinginthelaw’sgripinthecourseofit；andtodoit，too，withsuchingeniousstrategy，thatitshouldseemtobeaccidentalandunintentional；fortheKingoftheGame—Cockswaspopularnow，andthegangmightnotdealover—gentlywithanunpopularmemberwhoplayedsoseriousatreacheryuponhimasthedeliveringhimovertothecommonenemy，thelaw。
Verywell。AllingoodtimeHugostrolledofftoaneighboringvillagewithhisprey；andthetwodriftedslowlyupanddownonestreetafteranother，theonewatchingsharplyforasurechancetoachievehisevilpurpose，andtheotherwatchingassharplyforachancetodartawayandgetfreeofhisinfamouscaptivityforever。
Boththrewawaysometolerablyfair—lookingopportunities；forboth，intheirsecrethearts，wereresolvedtomakeabsolutelysureworkthistime，andneithermeanttoallowhisfevereddesirestoseducehimintoanyventurethathadmuchuncertaintyaboutit。
Hugo’schancecamefirst。Foratlastawomanapproachedwhocarriedafatpackageofsomesortinabasket。Hugo’seyessparkledwithsinfulpleasureashesaidtohimself，’Breatho’mylife，anI
canbutputthatuponhim，’tisgood—denandGodkeepthee，KingoftheGame—Cocks！’Hewaitedandwatched—outwardlypatient，butinwardlyconsumingwithexcitement—tillthewomanhadpassedby，andthetimewasripe；thensaid，inalowvoice；’TarryheretillI
comeagain，’anddartedstealthilyaftertheprey。
Theking’sheartwasfilledwithjoy—hecouldmakehisescapenow，ifHugo’squestonlycarriedhimfarenoughaway。
Buthewastohavenosuchluck。Hugocreptbehindthewoman，snatchedthepackage，andcamerunningback，wrappingitinanoldpieceofblanketwhichhecarriedonhisarm。Thehueandcrywasraisedinamomentbythewoman，whoknewherlossbythelighteningofherburden，althoughshehadnotseenthepilferingdone。Hugothrustthebundleintotheking’shandswithouthalting，saying：
’Nowspeedyeaftermewiththerest，andcry\"Stopthief！\"butmindyeleadthemastray。’
ThenextmomentHugoturnedacorneranddarteddownacrookedalley—andinanothermomentortwoheloungedintoviewagain，lookinginnocentandindifferent，andtookupapositionbehindaposttowatchresults。
Theinsultedkingthrewthebundleontheground；andtheblanketfellawayfromitjustasthewomanarrived，withanaugmentingcrowdatherheels；sheseizedtheking’swristwithonehand，snatchedupherbundlewiththeother，andbegantopouroutatiradeofabuseupontheboywhilehestruggled，withoutsuccess，tofreehimselffromhergrip。
Hugohadseenenough—hisenemywascapturedandthelawwouldgethimnow—soheslippedaway，jubilantandchucklingandwendedcampward，framingajudiciousversionofthemattertogivetotheRuffler’screwashestrodealong。
Thekingcontinuedtostruggleinthewoman’sgrasp，andnowandthencriedout，invexation：
’Unhandme，thoufoolishcreature；itwasnotIthatbereavedtheeofthypaltrygoods。’
Thecrowdclosedaround，threateningthekingandcallinghimnames；abrawnyblacksmithinleatherapron，andsleevesrolledtohiselbows，madeareachforhim，sayinghewouldtrouncehimwell，foralesson；butjustthenalongswordflashedintheairandfellwithconvincingforceupontheman’sarm，flat—sidedown，thefantasticownerofitremarking，pleasantlyatthesametime：
’Marry，goodsouls，letusproceedgently，notwithillbloodanduncharitablewords。Thisismatterforthelaw’sconsideration，notprivateandunofficialhandling。Loosethyholdfromtheboy，goodwife。’
Theblacksmithaveragedthestalwartsoldierwithaglance，thenwentmutteringaway，rubbinghisarm；thewomanreleasedtheboy’swristreluctantly；thecrowdeyedthestrangerunlovingly，butprudentlyclosedtheirmouths。Thekingsprangtohisdeliverer’sside，withflushedcheeksandsparklingeyesexclaiming：
’Thouhastlaggedsorely，butthoucomestingoodseasonnow，SirMiles；carvemethisrabbletorags！’
CHAPTERXXIII
ThePrinceaPrisonerHENDONforcedbackasmile，andbentdownandwhisperedintheking’sear：
’Softly，softlymyprince，wagthytonguewarily—nay，sufferitnottowagatall。Trustinme—allshallgowellintheend。’Thenheadded，tohimself：’SirMiles！Blessme，IhadtotallyforgotIwasaknight！Lordhowmarvelousathingitis，thegriphismemorydothtakeuponhisquaintandcrazyfancies！……Anemptyandfoolishtitleismine，andyetitissomethingtohavedeservedit，forI
thinkitismorehonortobeheldworthytobeaspecter—knightinhisKingdomofDreamsandShadows，thantobeheldbaseenoughtobeanearlinsomeoftherealkingdomsofthisworld。’
Thecrowdfellaparttoadmitaconstable，whoapproachedandwasabouttolayhishandupontheking’sshoulder，whenHendonsaid：
’Gently，goodfriend，withholdyourhand—heshallgopeaceably；I
amresponsibleforthat。Leadon，wewillfollow。’
Theofficerled，withthewomanandherbundle；Milesandthekingfollowedafter，withthecrowdattheirheels。Thekingwasinclinedtorebel；butHendonsaidtohiminalowvoice：
’Reflect，sire—yourlawsarethewholesomebreathofyourownroyalty；shalltheirsourcerejectthem，yetrequirethebranchestorespectthem？Apparently，oneoftheselawshasbeenbroken；whenthekingisonhisthroneagain，canitevergrievehimtorememberthatwhenhewasseeminglyaprivatepersonheloyallysunkthekinginthecitizenandsubmittedtoitsauthority？’
’Thouartright；saynomore；thoushaltseethatwhatsoeverthekingofEnglandrequiresasubjecttosufferunderthelaw，hewillhimselfsufferwhileheholdeththestationofasubject。’
Whenthewomanwascalledupontotestifybeforethejusticeofthepeace，shesworethatthesmallprisoneratthebarwasthepersonwhohadcommittedthetheft；therewasnoneabletoshowthecontrary，sothekingstoodconvicted。Thebundlewasnowunrolled，andwhenthecontentsprovedtobeaplumplittledressedpig，thejudgelookedtroubled，whileHendonturnedpale，andhisbodywasthrilledwithanelectricshiverofdismay；butthekingremainedunmoved，protectedbyhisignorance。Thejudgemeditated，duringanominouspause，thenturnedtothewoman，withquestion：
’Whatdostthouholdthispropertytobeworth？’
Thewomancourtesiedandreplied：
’Threeshillingsandeightpence，yourworship—Icouldnotabateapennyandsetforththevaluehonestly。’
Thejusticeglancedarounduncomfortablyuponthecrowd，thennoddedtotheconstableandsaid：
’Clearthecourtandclosethedoors。’
Itwasdone。Noneremainedbutthetwoofficials，theaccused，theaccuser，andMilesHendon。Thislatterwasrigidandcolorless，andonhisforeheadbigdropsofcoldsweatgathered，brokeandblendedtogether，andtrickleddownhisface。Thejudgeturnedtothewomanagain，andsaid，inacompassionatevoice：
’’Tisapoorignorantlad，andmayhapwasdrivenhardbyhunger，forthesebegrievoustimesfortheunfortunate；markyou，hehathnotanevilface—butwhenhungerdriveth—Goodwoman！dostknowthatwhenonestealsathingabovethevalueofthirteenpenceha’pennythelawsaithheshallhangforit？’
Thelittlekingstarted，wide—eyedwithconsternation，butcontrolledhimselfandheldhispeace；butnotsothewoman。Shesprangtoherfeet，shakingwithfrightandcriedout：
’Oh，goodlack，whathaveIdone！God—a—mercy，Iwouldnothangthepoorthingforthewholeworld！Ah，savemefromthis，yourworship—whatshallIdo，whatcanIdo？’
Thejusticemaintainedhisjudicialcomposure，andsimplysaid：
’Doubtlessitisallowabletorevisethevalue，sinceitisnotyetwritupontherecord。’
’TheninGod’snamecallthepigeightpence，andheavenblessthedaythatfreedmyconscienceofthisawesomething！’
MilesHendonforgotalldecoruminhisdelight；andsurprisedthekingandwoundedhisdignitybythrowinghisarmsaroundhimandhugginghim。
Thewomanmadehergratefuladieuxandstartedawaywithherpig；andwhentheconstableopenedthedoorforher，hefollowedheroutintothenarrowhall。Thejusticeproceededtowriteinhisrecord—book。Hendon，alwaysalert，thoughthewouldliketoknowwhytheofficerfollowedthewomanout；soheslippedsoftlyintotheduskyhallandlistened。Heheardaconversationtothiseffect：
’Itisafatpig，andpromisesgoodeating；Iwillbuyitofthee；
hereistheeightpence。’
’Eightpence，indeed！Thou’ltdonosuchthing。Itcostmethreeshillingsandeightpence，goodhonestcoinofthelastreign，thatoldHarrythat’sjustdeadne’ertouchednortamperedwith。Afigforthyeightpence！’
’Standsthewindinthatquarter？Thouwastunderoath，andsosworefalselywhenthousaidstthevaluewasbuteightpence。Comestraightwaybackwithmebeforehisworship，andanswerforthecrime！—andthentheladwillhang。’
’There，there，dearheart，saynomore，Iamcontent。Givemetheeightpence，andholdthypeaceaboutthematter。’
Thewomanwentoffcrying；Hendonslippedbackintothecourtroom，andtheconstablepresentlyfollowed，afterhidinghisprizeinsomeconvenientplace。Thejusticewroteawhilelonger，thenreadthekingawiseandkindlylecture，andsentencedhimtoashortimprisonmentinthecommonjail，tobefollowedbyapublicflogging。Theastoundedkingopenedhismouthandwasprobablygoingtoorderthegoodjudgetobebeheadedonthespot；buthecaughtawarningsignfromHendon，andsucceededinclosinghismouthagainbeforehelostanythingoutofit。Hendontookhimbythehand，nowmadereverencetothejustice，andthetwodepartedinthewakeoftheconstabletowardthejail。Themomentthestreetwasreached，theinflamedmonarchhalted，snatchedawayhishand，andexclaimed：
’Idiot，dostimagineIwillenteracommonjailalive？’
Hendonbentdownandsaid，somewhatsharply：
’Willyoutrustinme？Peace！andforbeartoworsenourchanceswithdangerousspeech。WhatGodwills，willhappen；thoucanstnothurryit，thoucanstnotalterit；thereforewait；andbepatient—
’twillbetimeenowtorailorrejoicewhenwhatistohappenhashappened。’*（19）
CHAPTERXXIV
TheEscapeTHEshortwinterdaywasnearlyended。Thestreetsweredeserted，saveforafewrandomstragglers，andthesehurriedstraightalong，withtheintentlookofpeoplewhowereonlyanxioustoaccomplishtheirerrandsasquicklyaspossibleandthensnuglyhousethemselvesfromtherisingwindandthegatheringtwilight。Theylookedneithertotherightnortotheleft；theypaidnoattentiontoourparty，theydidnotevenseemtoseethem。EdwardtheSixthwonderedifthespectacleofakingonhiswaytojailhadeverencounteredsuchmarvelousindifferencebefore。Byandbytheconstablearrivedatadesertedmarket—squareandproceededtocrossit。Whenhehadreachedthemiddleofit，Hendonlaidhishanduponhisarm，andsaidinalowvoice：
’Bideamoment，goodsir，thereisnoneinhearing，andIwouldsayawordtothee。’
’Mydutyforbidsit，sir；prithee，hindermenot，thenightcomeson。’
’Stay，nevertheless，forthematterconcernstheenearly。Turnthybackmomentandseemnottosee；letthispoorladescape。’
’Thistome，sir！Iarresttheein—’
’Nay，benottoohasty。Seethoubecarefulandcommitnofoolisherror’—thenheshuthisvoicedowntoawhisper，andsaidintheman’sear—’thepigthouhastpurchasedforeightpencemaycosttheethyneck，man！’
Thepoorconstable，takenbysurprise，wasspeechlessatfirst，thenfoundhistongueandfelltoblusteringandthreatening；butHendonwastranquil，andwaitedwithpatiencetillhisbreathwasspent；thensaid：
’Ihavealikingtothee，friend，andwouldnotwillinglyseetheecometoharm。Observe，Ihearditall—everyword。Iwillproveittothee。’Thenherepeatedtheconversationwhichtheofficerandthewomanhadhadtogetherinthehall，wordforword，andendedwith：
’There—haveIsetitforthcorrectly？ShouldnotIbeabletosetitforthcorrectlybeforethejudge，ifoccasionrequired？’
Themanwasdumbwithfearanddistressforamoment；thenheralliedandsaidwithforcedlightness：
’’Tismakingamightymatterindeed，outofajest；Ibutplaguedthewomanformineamusement。’
’Keptyouthewoman’spigforamusement？’
Themanansweredsharply：
’Naughtelse，goodsir—Itellthee’twasbutajest。’
’Idobegintobelievethee，’saidHendon，withaperplexingmixtureofmockeryandhalf—convictioninhistone；’tarrythouhereamomentwhilstIrunandaskhisworship—fornathless，hebeingamanexperiencedinlaw，injests，in—’
Hewasmovingaway，stilltalking；theconstablehesitated，fidgeted，spatanoathortwo，thencriedout：
’Hold，hold，goodsir—prithee，waitalittle—thejudge！whyman，hehathnomoresympathywithajestthanhathadeadcorpse！—come，andwewillspeakfurther。Odsbody！Iseemtobeinevilcase—andallforaninnocentandthoughtlesspleasantry。Iamamanoffamily；andmywifeandlittleones—Listtoreason，goodyourworship；whatwouldstthouofme？’
’Onlythatthoubeblindanddumbandparalyticwhilstonemaycountahundredthousand—countingslowly，’saidHendon，withtheexpressionofamanwhoasksbutareasonablefavor，andthataverylittleone。
’Itismydestruction！’saidtheconstabledespairingly。’Ah，bereasonable，goodsir；onlylookatthismatter，onallitssides，andseehowmereajestitis—howmanifestlyandhowplainlyitisso。Andevenifonegranteditwerenotajest，itisafaultsosmallthate’enthegrimmestpenaltyitcouldcallforthwouldbebutarebukeandwarningfromthejudge’slips。’
Hendonrepliedwithasolemnitywhichchilledtheairabouthim：
’Thisjestofthinehathanameinlaw—wotyouwhatitis？’
’Iknewitnot！PeradventureIhavebeenunwise。Ineverdreamedithadaname—ah，sweetheaven，Ithoughtitwasoriginal。’
’Yes，ithathaname。InthelawthiscrimeiscalledNoncomposmentislextalionissictransitgloriaMundi。’
’Ah，myGod！’
’Andthepenaltyisdeath！’
’Godbemercifultome，asinner！’
’Byadvantagetakenofoneinfault，indireperil，andatthymercy，thouhastseizedgoodsworthabovethirteenpenceha’penny，payingbutatrifleforthesame；andthis，intheeyeofthelaw，isconstructivebarratry，misprisionoftreason，malfeasanceinoffice，adhominemexpurgatisinstatuquo—andthepenaltyisdeathbythehalter，withoutransom，commutation，orbenefitofclergy。’
’Bearmeup，bearmeup，sweetsir，mylegsdofailme！Bethoumerciful—sparemethisdoom，andIwillturnmybackandseenaughtthatshallhappen。’
’Good！nowthou’rtwiseandreasonable。Andthou’ltrestorethepig？’
’Iwill，Iwill，indeed—norevertouchanother，thoughheavensenditandarchangelfetchit。Go—Iamblindforthysake—Iseenothing。Iwillsaythoudidstbreakinandwresttheprisonerfrommyhandsbyforce。Itisbutacrazy，ancientdoor—Iwillbatteritdownmyselfbetwixtmidnightandthemorning。’
’Doit，goodsoul，noharmwillcomeofit；thejudgehathalovingcharityforthispoorlad，andwillshednotearsandbreaknojailer’sbonesforhisescape。’
CHAPTERXXV
HendonHallASsoonasHendonandthekingwereoutofsightoftheconstable，hismajestywasinstructedtohurrytoacertainplaceoutsidethetown，andwaitthere，whilstHendonshouldgototheinnandsettlehisaccount。HalfanhourlaterthetwofriendswereblithelyjoggingeastwardonHendon’ssorrysteeds。Thekingwaswarmandcomfortablenow，forhehadcasthisragsandclothedhimselfinthesecond—handsuitwhichHendonhadboughtonLondonBridge。
Hendonwishedtoguardagainstover—fatiguingtheboy；hejudgedthathardjourneys，irregularmeals，andilliberalmeasuresofsleepwouldbebadforhiscrazedmind，whilerest，regularity，andmoderateexercisewouldbeprettysuretohastenitscure；helongedtoseethestrickenintellectmadewellagainanditsdiseasedvisionsdrivenoutofthetormentedlittlehead；thereforeheresolvedtomovebyeasystagestowardthehomewhencehehadsolongbeenbanished，insteadofobeyingtheimpulseofhisimpatienceandhurryingalongnightandday。
Whenheandthekinghadjourneyedabouttenmiles，theyreachedaconsiderablevillage，andhaltedthereforthenight，atagoodinn。
Theformerrelationswereresumed；Hendonstoodbehindtheking’schairwhilehedined，andwaiteduponhim；undressedhimwhenhewasreadyforbed；thentookthefloorforhisownquarters，andsleptathwartthedoor，rolledupinablanket。
Thenextday，andthenextdayafter，theyjoggedlazilyalongtalkingovertheadventurestheyhadmetsincetheirseparation，andmightilyenjoyingeachother’snarratives。Hendondetailedallhiswidewanderingsinsearchoftheking，anddescribedhowthearchangelhadledhimafool’sjourneyallovertheforest，andtakenhimbacktothehutfinally，whenhefoundhecouldnotgetridofhim。Then—
hesaid—theoldmanwentintothebed—chamberandcamestaggeringbacklookingbroken—hearted，andsayinghehadexpectedtofindthattheboyhadreturnedandlaindownintheretorest，butitwasnotso。Hendonhadwaitedatthehutallday；hopeoftheking’sreturndiedoutthen，andhedeparteduponthequestagain。
’AndoldSanctumSanctorumwastrulysorryyourHighnesscamenotback，’saidHendon；’Isawitinhisface。’
’Marry，Iwillneverdoubtthat！’saidtheking—andthentoldhisownstory；afterwhichHendonwassorryhehadnotdestroyedthearchangel。
Duringthelastdayofthetrip，Hendon’sspiritsweresoaring。
Histongueranconstantly。Hetalkedabouthisoldfather，andhisbrotherArthur，andtoldofmanythingswhichillustratedtheirhighandgenerouscharacters；hewentintolovingfrenziesoverhisEdith，andwassoglad—heartedthathewasevenabletosaysomegentleandbrotherlythingsaboutHugh。HedweltadealonthecomingmeetingatHendonHall；whatasurpriseitwouldbetoeverybody，andwhatanoutburstofthanksgivinganddelighttherewouldbe。
Itwasafairregion，dottedwithcottagesandorchards，andtheroadledthroughbroadpasture—landswhoserecedingexpanses，markedwithgentleelevationsanddepressions，suggestedtheswellingandsubsidingundulationsofthesea。Intheafternoonthereturningprodigalmadeconstantdeflectionsfromhiscoursetoseeifbyascendingsomehillockhemightnotpiercethedistanceandcatchaglimpseofhishome。Atlasthewassuccessful，andcriedoutexcitedly：
’Thereisthevillage，myprince，andthereistheHallcloseby！Youmayseethetowersfromhere；andthatwoodthere—thatismyfather’spark。Ah，nowthou’ltknowwhatstateandgrandeurbe！A
housewithseventyrooms—thinkofthat！—andsevenandtwentyservants！Abravelodgingforsuchaswe，isitnotso？Come，letusspeed—myimpatiencewillnotbrookfurtherdelay。’
Allpossiblehurrywasmade；still，itwasafterthreeo’clockbeforethevillagewasreached。Thetravelersscamperedthroughit，Hendon’stonguegoingallthetime。’Hereisthechurch—coveredwiththesameivy—nonegone，noneadded。’’Yonderistheinn，theoldRedLion—andyonderisthemarket—place。’’HereistheMaypole，andherethepump—nothingisaltered；nothingbutthepeople，atanyrate；tenyearsmakeachangeinpeople；someoftheseIseemtoknow，butnoneknowme。’Sohischatranon。Theendofthevillagewassoonreached；thenthetravelersstruckintoacrooked，narrowroad，walledinwithtallhedges，andhurriedbrisklyalongitforahalf—mile，thenpassedintoavastflower—gardenthroughanimposinggatewaywhosehugestonepillarsboresculpturedarmorialdevices。Anoblemansionwasbeforethem。
’WelcometoHendonHall，myking！’exclaimedMiles。’Ah，’tisagreatday！MyfatherandmybrotherandtheLadyEdithwillbesomadwithjoythattheywillhaveeyesandtonguefornonebutmeinthefirsttransportsofthemeeting，andsothou’ltseembutcoldlywelcomed—butminditnot；’twillsoonseemotherwise；forwhenI
saythouartmyward，andtellthemhowcostlyismyloveforthee，thou’ltseethemtaketheetotheirbreastsforMilesHendon’ssake，andmaketheirhouseandheartsthyhomeforeverafter！’
ThenextmomentHendonsprangtothegroundbeforethegreatdoor，helpedthekingdown，thentookhimbythehandandrushedwithin。A
fewstepsbroughthimtoaspaciousapartment；heentered，seatedthekingwithmorehurrythanceremony，thenrantowardayoungmanwhosatatawriting—tableinfrontofagenerousfireoflogs。
’Embraceme，Hugh，’hecried，’andsaythou’rtgladIamcomeagain！andcallourfather，forhomeisnothometillIshalltouchhishand，andseehisface，andhearhisvoiceoncemore！’
ButHughonlydrewback，afterbetrayingamomentarysurprise，andbentagravestareupontheintruder—astarewhichindicatedsomewhatofoffendeddignityatfirst，thenchanged，inresponsetosomeinwardthoughtorpurpose，toanexpressionofmarvelingcuriosity，mixedwitharealorassumedcompassion。Presentlyhesaid，inamildvoice：
’Thywitsseemtouched，poorstranger；doubtlessthouhastsufferedprivationsandrudebuffetingsattheworld’shands；thylooksanddressbetokenit。Whomdostthoutakemetobe？’
’Takethee？Prithee，forwhomelsethanwhomthouart？ItaketheetobeHughHendon，’saidMiles，sharply。
Theothercontinued，inthesamesofttone：
’Andwhomdostthouimaginethyselftobe？’
’Imaginationhathnaughttodowithit！DostthoupretendthouknowestmenotforthybrotherMilesHendon？’
AnexpressionofpleasedsurpriseflittedacrossHugh’sface，andheexclaimed：
’What！thouartnotjesting！canthedeadcometolife？Godbepraisedifitbeso！Ourpoorlostboyrestoredtoourarmsafterallthesecruelyears！Ah，itseemstoogoodtobetrue，itistoogoodtobetrue—Ichargethee，havepity，donottriflewithme！
Quick—cometothelight—letmescantheewell！’
HeseizedMilesbythearm，draggedhimtothewindow，andbegantodevourhimfromheadtofootwithhiseyes，turninghimthiswayandthat，andsteppingbrisklyaroundhimandabouthimtoprovehimfromallpointsofview；whilstthereturnedprodigal，allaglowwithgladness，smiled，laughed，andkeptnoddinghisheadandsaying：
’Goon，brother，goon，andfearnot；thou’ltfindnorlimbnorfeaturethatcannotbidethetest。Scourandscanmetothycontent，mydearoldHugh—IamindeedthyoldMiles，thysameoldMiles，thylostbrother，is’tnotso？Ah，’tisagreatday—Isaid’twasagreatday！Givemethyhand，givemethycheek—lord，Iamliketodieofveryjoy！’
Hewasabouttothrowhimselfuponhisbrother；butHughputuphishandindissent，thendroppedhischinmournfullyuponhisbreast，sayingwithemotion：
’Ah，Godofhismercygivemestrengthtobearthisgrievousdisappointment！’
Miles，amazed，couldnotspeakforamoment；thenhefoundhistongue，andcriedout：
’Whatdisappointment？AmInotthybrother？’
Hughshookhisheadsadly，andsaid：
’Iprayheavenitmayproveso，andthatothereyesmayfindtheresemblancesthatarehidfrommine。Alack，Ifearmetheletterspokebuttootruly。’
’Whatletter？’
’Onethatcamefromoversea，somesixorsevenyearsago。Itsaidmybrotherdiedinbattle。’
’Itwasalie！Callthyfather—hewillknowme。’
’Onemaynotcallthedead。’
’Dead？’Miles’svoicewassubdued，andhislipstrembled。’Myfatherdead！—oh，thisisheavynews。Halfmynewjoyiswitherednow。
Prithee，letmeseemybrotherArthur—hewillknowme；hewillknowmeandconsoleme。’
’He，also，isdead。’
’Godbemercifultome，astrickenman！Gone—bothgone—theworthytakenandtheworthlesssparedinme！Ah！Icraveyourmercy！—donotsaytheLadyEdith—’
’Isdead？No，shelives。’
’ThenGodbepraised，myjoyiswholeagain！Speedthee，brother—lethercometome！AnshesayIamnotmyself—butshewillnot；no，no，shewillknowme，Iwereafooltodoubtit。Bringher—bringtheoldservants；they，too，willknowme。’
’Allaregonebutfive—Peter，Halsey，David，Bernard，andMargaret。’
Sosaying，Hughlefttheroom。Milesstoodmusingawhile，thenbegantowalkthefloor，muttering：
’Thefivearchvillainshavesurvivedthetwo—and—twentylealandhonest—’tisanoddthing。’
Hecontinuedwalkingbackandforth，mutteringtohimself；hehadforgottenthekingentirely。Byandbyhismajestysaidgravely，andwithatouchofgenuinecompassion，thoughthewordsthemselveswerecapableofbeinginterpretedironically：
’Mindnotthymischance，goodman；therebeothersintheworldwhoseidentityisdenied，andwhoseclaimsarederided。Thouhastcompany。’
’Ah，myking，’criedHendon，coloringslightly，’donotthoucondemnme—wait，andthoushaltsee。Iamnoimpostor—shewillsayit；youshallhearitfromthesweetestlipsinEngland。Ianimpostor？WhyIknowthisoldhall，thesepicturesofmyancestors，andallthesethingsthatareaboutus，asachildknowethitsownnursery。HerewasIbornandbred，mylord；Ispeakthetruth；Iwouldnotdeceivethee；andshouldnoneelsebelieve，Ipraytheedonotthoudoubtme—Icouldnotbearit。’
’Idonotdoubtthee，’saidtheking，withachildlikesimplicityandfaith。