’Ithanktheeoutofmyheart！’exclaimedHendon，withafervencywhichshowedthathewastouched。Thekingadded，withthesamegentlesimplicity：
’Dostthoudoubtme？’
AguiltyconfusionseizeduponHendon，andhewasgratefulthatthedooropenedtoadmitHugh，atthatmoment，andsavedhimthenecessityofreplying。
Abeautifullady，richlyclothed，followedHugh，andafterhercameseveralliveriedservants。Theladywalkedslowly，withherheadbowedandhereyesfixeduponthefloor。Thefacewasunspeakablysad。MilesHendonsprangforward，cryingout：
’Oh，myEdith，mydarling—’
ButHughwavedhimback，gravely，andsaidtothelady：
’Lookuponhim。Doyouknowhim？’
AtthesoundofMiles’svoicethewomanhadstartedslightly，andhercheekshadflushed；shewastremblingnow。Shestoodstill，duringanimpressivepauseofseveralmoments；thenslowlyliftedupherheadandlookedintoHendon’seyeswithastonyandfrightenedgaze；thebloodsankoutofherface，dropbydrop，tillnothingremainedbutthegraypallorofdeath；thenshesaid，inavoiceasdeadastheface，’Iknowhimnot！’andturned，withamoanandstifledsob，andtotteredoutoftheroom。
MilesHendonsankintoachairandcoveredhisfacewithhishands。Afterapause，hisbrothersaidtotheservants：
’Youhaveobservedhim。Doyouknowhim？’
Theyshooktheirheads；thenthemastersaid：
’Theservantsknowyounot，sir。Ifearthereissomemistake。Youhaveseenthatmywifeknewyounot。’
’Thywife！’InaninstantHughwaspinnedtothewall，withanirongripabouthisthroat。’Oh，thoufox—heartedslave，Iseeitall！
Thou’stwritthelyingletterthyself，andmystolenbrideandgoodsareitsfruit。There—nowgettheegone，lestIshameminehonorablesoldiershipwiththeslayingofsopitifulamanikin！’
Hugh，red—facedandalmostsuffocated，reeledtothenearestchair，andcommandedtheservantstoseizeandbindthemurderousstranger。Theyhesitated，andoneofthemsaid：
’Heisarmed，SirHugh，andweareweaponless。’
’Armed？Whatofit，andyesomany？Uponhim，Isay！’
ButMileswarnedthemtobecarefulwhattheydid，andadded：
’Yeknowmeofold—Ihavenotchanged；comeoh，anitlikeyou。’
Thisreminderdidnotheartentheservantsmuch；theystillheldback。
’Thengo，yepaltrycowards，andarmyourselvesandguardthedoors，whileIsendonetofetchthewatch，’saidHugh。Heturned，atthethreshold，andsaidtoMiles，’You’llfindittoyouradvantagetooffendnotwithuselessendeavoursatescape。’
’Escape？Sparethyselfdiscomfort，anthatisallthattroublesthee。ForMilesHendonismasterofHendonHallandallitsbelongings。Hewillremain—doubtitnot。’
CHAPTERXXVI
DisownedTHEkingsatmusingafewmoments，thenlookedupandsaid：
’’Tisstrange—moststrange。Icannotaccountforit。’
’No，itisnotstrange，myliege。Iknowhim，andthisconductisbutnatural。Hewasarascalfromhisbirth。’
’Oh，Ispakenotofhim，SirMiles。’
’Notofhim？Thenofwhat？Whatisitthatisstrange？’
’Thatthekingisnotmissed。’
’How？Which？IdoubtIdonotunderstand。’
’Indeed！Dothitnotstrikeyouasbeingpassingstrangethatthelandisnotfilledwithcouriersandproclamationsdescribingmypersonandmakingsearchforme？Isitnomatterforcommotionanddistressthattheheadofthestateisgone？—thatIamvanishedawayandlost？’
’Mosttrue，myking，Ihadforgot。’ThenHendonsighed，andmutteredtohimself。’Poorruinedmind—stillbusywithitspatheticdream。’
’ButIhaveaplanthatshallrightusboth。Iwillwriteapaper，inthreetongues—Latin，Greek，andEnglish—andthoushallhasteawaywithittoLondoninthemorning。Giveittononebutmyuncle，theLordHertford；whenheshallseeit，hewillknowandsayIwroteit。Thenhewillsendforme。’
’Mightitnotbebest，myprince，thatwewaithereuntilI
provemyselfandmakemyrightssecuretomydomains？Ishouldbesomuchthebetterablethento—’
Thekinginterruptedhimimperiously：
’Peace！Whatarethypaltrydomains，thytrivialinterests，contrastedwithmatterswhichconcernthewealofanationandtheintegrityofathrone！’Thenheadded，inagentlevoice，asifheweresorryforhisseverity，’Obeyandhavenofear；Iwillrightthee，Iwillmaketheewhole—yes，morethanwhole。Ishallremember，andrequite。’
Sosaying，hetookthepen，andsethimselftowork。Hendoncontemplatedhimlovinglyawhile，thensaidtohimself：
’Anitweredark，Ishouldthinkitwasakingthatspoke；there’snodenyingit，whenthehumor’suponhimhedoththunderandlightenlikeyourtrueking—nowwheregothethattrick？Seehimscribbleandscratchawaycontentedlyathismeaninglesspot—hooks，fancyingthemtobeLatinandGreek—andexceptmywitshallservemewithaluckydevicefordivertinghimfromhispurpose，Ishallbeforcedtopretendtopostawayto—morrowonthiswilderrandwhichhehathinventedforme。’
ThenextmomentSirMiles’sthoughtshadgonebacktotherecentepisode。Soabsorbedwasheinhismusings，thatwhenthekingpresentlyhandedhimthepaperwhichhehadbeenwriting，hereceiveditandpocketeditwithoutbeingconsciousoftheact。’Howmarvelousstrangesheacted，’hemuttered。’Ithinksheknewme—andI
thinkshedidnotknowme。Theseopinionsdoconflict，Iperceiveitplainly；Icannotreconcilethem，neithercanI，byargument，dismisseitherofthetwo，orevenpersuadeonetooutweightheother。
Thematterstandethsimplythus：shemusthaveknownmyface，myfigure，myvoice，forhowcoulditbeotherwise？yetshesaidsheknewmenot，andthatisproofperfect，forshecannotlie。Butstop—I
thinkIbegintosee。Peradventurehehathinfluencedher—commandedher—compelledhertolie。Thatisthesolution！Theriddleisunriddled。Sheseemeddeadwithfear—yes，shewasunderhiscompulsion。Iwillseekher；Iwillfindher；nowthatheisaway，shewillspeakhertruemind。Shewillremembertheoldtimeswhenwewerelittleplayfellowstogether，andthiswillsoftenherheart，andshewillnomorebetrayme，butwillconfessme。Thereisnotreacherousbloodinher—no，shewasalwayshonestandtrue。Shehaslovedmeinthoseolddays—thisismysecurity；forwhomonehasloved，onecannotbetray。’
Hesteppedeagerlytowardthedoor；atthatmomentitopened，andtheLadyEdithentered。Shewasverypale，butshewalkedwithafirmstep，andhercarriagewasfullofgraceandgentledignity。
Herfacewasassadasbefore。
Milessprangforward，withahappyconfidence，tomeether，butshecheckedhimwithahardlyperceptiblegesture，andhestoppedwherehewas。Sheseatedherself，andaskedhimtodolikewise。Thussimplydidshetakethesenseofold—comradeshipoutofhim，andtransformhimintoastrangerandaguest。Thesurpriseofit，thebewilderingunexpectednessofit，madehimbegintoquestion，foramoment，ifhewasthepersonhewaspretendingtobe，afterall。TheLadyEdithsaid：
’Sir，Ihavecometowarnyou。Themadcannotbepersuadedoutoftheirdelusions，perchance；butdoubtlesstheymaybepersuadedtoavoidperils。Ithinkthisdreamofyourshaththeseemingofhonesttruthtoyou，andthereforeisnotcriminal—butdonottarryherewithit；forhereitisdangerous。’ShelookedsteadilyintoMiles’sfaceamoment，thenadded，impressively，’Itisthemoredangerousforthatyouaremuchlikewhatourlostladmusthavegrowntobe，ifhehadlived。’
’Heavens，madam，butIamhe！’
’Itrulythinkyouthinkit，sir。Iquestionnotyourhonestyinthat—Ibutwarnyou，thatisall。Myhusbandismasterinthisregion；hispowerhathhardlyanylimit；thepeopleprosperorstarve，ashewills。Ifyouresemblednotthemanwhomyouprofesstobe，myhusbandmightbidyoupleasureyourselfwithyourdreaminpeace；
buttrustme，Iknowhimwell，Iknowwhathewilldo；hewillsaytoallthatyouarebutamadimpostor，andstraightwayallwillechohim。’ShebentuponMilesthatsamesteadylookoncemore，andadded：’IfyouwereMilesHendon，andheknewitandalltheregionknewit—considerwhatIamsaying，weighitwell—youwouldstandinthesameperil，yourpunishmentwouldbenolesssure；hewoulddenyyouanddenounceyou，andnonewouldbeboldenoughtogiveyoucountenance。’
’MosttrulyIbelieveit，’saidMiles，bitterly。’Thepowerthatcancommandonelifelongfriendtobetrayanddisownanother，andbeobeyed，maywelllooktobeobeyedinquarterswherebreadandlifeareonthestakeandnocobwebtiesofloyaltyandhonorareconcerned。’
Afainttingeappearedforamomentinthelady’scheek，andshedroppedhereyestothefloor；buthervoicebetrayednoemotionwhensheproceeded：
’Ihavewarnedyou，Imuststillwarnyou，togohence。Thismanwilldestroyyouelse。Heisatyrantwhoknowsnopity。I，whoamhisfetteredslave，knowthis。PoorMiles，andArthur，andmydearguardian，SirRichard，arefreeofhim，andatrest—betterthatyouwerewiththemthanthatyoubidehereintheclutchesofthismiscreant。Yourpretensionsareamenacetohistitleandpossessions；
youhaveassaultedhiminhisownhouse—youareruinedifyoustay。
Go—donothesitate。Ifyoulackmoney，takethispurse，Ibegofyou，andbribetheservantstoletyoupass。Oh，bewarned，poorsoul，andescapewhileyoumay。’
Milesdeclinedthepursewithagesture，androseupandstoodbeforeher。
’Grantmeonething，’hesaid。’Letyoureyesrestuponmine，sothatImayseeiftheybesteady。There—nowanswerme。AmIMilesHendon？’
’No。Iknowyounot。’
’Swearit！’
Theanswerwaslow，butdistinct：
’Iswear。’
’Oh，thispassesbelief！’
’Fly！Whywillyouwastetheprecioustime？Flyandsaveyourself。’
Atthatmomenttheofficersburstintotheroomandaviolentstrugglebegan；butHendonwassoonoverpoweredanddraggedaway。
Thekingwastakenalso，andbothwereboundandledtoprison。
CHAPTERXXVII
InPrisonTHEcellswereallcrowded；sothetwofriendswerechainedinalargeroomwherepersonschargedwithtriflingoffenseswerecommonlykept。Theyhadcompany，forthereweresometwentymanacledorfetteredprisonershere，ofbothsexesandofvaryingages—anobsceneandnoisygang。Thekingchafedbitterlyoverthestupendousindignitythusputuponhisroyalty，butHendonwasmoodyandtaciturn。Hewasprettythoroughlybewildered。Hehadcomehome，ajubilantprodigal，expectingtofindeverybodywildwithjoyoverhisreturn；andinsteadhadgotthecoldshoulderandajail。Thepromiseandthefulfilmentdifferedsowidely，thattheeffectwasstunning；hecouldnotdecidewhetheritwasmosttragicormostgrotesque。Hefeltmuchasamanmightwhohaddancedblithelyouttoenjoyarainbow，andgotstruckbylightning。
Butgraduallyhisconfusedandtormentingthoughtssettleddownintosomesortoforder，andthenhismindcentereditselfuponEdith。
Heturnedherconductover，andexamineditinalllights，buthecouldnotmakeanythingsatisfactoryoutofit。Didsheknowhim？—
ordidn’tsheknowhim？Itwasaperplexingpuzzle，andoccupiedhimalongtime；butheended，finally，withtheconvictionthatshedidknowhim，andhadrepudiatedhimforinterestedreasons。Hewantedtoloadhernamewithcursesnow；butthisnamehadsolongbeensacredtohimthathefoundhecouldnotbringhistonguetoprofaneit。
Wrappedinprisonblanketsofasoiledandtatteredcondition，Hendonandthekingpassedatroublednight。Forabribethejailerhadfurnishedliquortosomeoftheprisoners；singingofribaldsongs，fighting，shouting，andcarousing，wasthenaturalconsequence。
Atlast，awhileaftermidnight，amanattackedawomanandnearlykilledherbybeatingherovertheheadwithhismanaclesbeforethejailercouldcometotherescue。Thejailerrestoredpeacebygivingthemanasoundclubbingabouttheheadandshoulders—thenthecarousingceased；andafterthat，allhadanopportunitytosleepwhodidnotmindtheannoyanceofthemoaningsandgroaningsofthetwowoundedpeople。
Duringtheensuingweek，thedaysandnightswereofamonotonoussameness，astoevents；menwhosefacesHendonrememberedmoreorlessdistinctlycame，byday，togazeatthe’impostor’andrepudiateandinsulthim；andbynightthecarousingandbrawlingwenton，withsymmetricalregularity。However，therewasachangeofincidentatlast。Thejailerbroughtinanoldman，andsaidtohim：
’Thevillainisinthisroom—castthyoldeyesaboutandseeifthoucanstsaywhichishe。’
Hendonglancedup，andexperiencedapleasantsensationforthefirsttimesincehehadbeeninthejail。Hesaidtohimself，’ThisisBlakeAndrews，aservantallhislifeinmyfather’sfamily—agoodhonestsoul，witharightheartinhisbreast。Thatis，formerly。
Butnonearetruenow；allareliars。Thismanwillknowme—andwilldenyme，too，liketherest。’
Theoldmangazedaroundtheroom，glancedateachfaceinturn，andfinallysaid：
’Iseenoneherebutpaltryknaves，scumo’thestreets。Whichishe？’
Thejailerlaughed。
’Here，’hesaid；’scanthisbiganimal，andgrantmeanopinion。’
Theoldmanapproached，andlookedHendonover，longandearnestly，thenshookhisheadandsaid：
’Marry，thisisnoHendon—noreverwas！’
’Right！Thyoldeyesaresoundyet。AnIwereSirHugh，Iwouldtaketheshabbycarleand—’
Thejailerfinishedbyliftinghimselfa—tiptoewithanimaginaryhalter，atthesametimemakingagurglingnoiseinhisthroatsuggestiveofsuffocation。Theoldmansaid，vindictively：
’LethimblessGodanhefarenoworse。AnIhadthehandlingo’
thevillain，heshouldroast，orIamnotrueman！’
Thejailerlaughedapleasanthyenalaugh，andsaid：
’Givehimapieceofthymind，oldman—theyalldoit。Thou’ltfinditgooddiversion。’
Thenhesaunteredtowardhisanteroomanddisappeared。Theoldmandroppeduponhiskneesandwhispered：
’Godbethanked，thou’rtcomeagain，mymaster！Ibelievedthouwertdeadthesesevenyears，andlo，herethouartalive！IknewtheethemomentIsawthee；andmainhardworkitwastokeepastonycountenanceandseemtoseenoneherebuttuppennyknavesandrubbisho’thestreets。Iamoldandpoor，SirMiles；butsaythewordandIwillgoforthandproclaimthetruththoughIbestrangledforit。’
’No，’saidHendon，’thoushaltnot。Itwouldruinthee，andyethelpbutlittleinmycause。ButIthankthee；forthouhastgivenmebacksomewhatofmylostfaithinmykind。’
TheoldservantbecameveryvaluabletoHendonandtheking；forhedroppedinseveraltimesadayto’abuse’theformer，andalwayssmuggledinafewdelicaciestohelpouttheprisonbilloffare；healsofurnishedthecurrentnews。Hendonreservedthedaintiesfortheking；withoutthemhismajestymightnothavesurvived，forhewasnotabletoeatthecoarseandwretchedfoodprovidedbythejailer。
Andrewswasobligedtoconfinehimselftobriefvisits，inordertoavoidsuspicion；buthemanagedtoimpartafairdegreeofinformationeachtime—informationdeliveredinalowvoice，forHendon’sbenefit，andinterlardedwithinsultingepithetsdeliveredinaloudervoice，forthebenefitofotherhearers。
So，littlebylittle，thestoryofthefamilycameout。Arthurhadbeendeadsixyears。Thisloss，withtheabsenceofnewsfromHendon，impairedhisfather’shealth；hebelievedhewasgoingtodie，andhewishedtoseeHughandEdithsettledinlifebeforehepassedaway；butEdithbeggedhardfordelay，hopingforMiles’sreturn；thenthelettercamewhichbroughtthenewsofMiles’sdeath；theshockprostratedSirRichard；hebelievedhisendwasverynear，andheandHughinsisteduponthemarriage；Edithbeggedforandobtainedamonth’srespite；thenanother，andfinallyathird；themarriagethentookplace，bythedeath—bedofSirRichard。Ithadnotprovedahappyone。Itwaswhisperedaboutthecountrythatshortlyafterthenuptialsthebridefoundamongherhusband’spapersseveralroughandincompletedraftsofthefatalletter，andhadaccusedhimofprecipitatingthemarriage—andSirRichard’sdeath，too—byawickedforgery。TalesofcrueltytotheLadyEdithandtheservantsweretobeheardonallhands；andsincethefather’sdeathSirHughhadthrownoffallsoftdisguisesandbecomeapitilessmastertowardallwhoinanywaydependeduponhimandhisdomainsforbread。
TherewasabitofAndrews’sgossipwhichthekinglistenedtowithalivelyinterest：
’Thereisrumorthatthekingismad。ButincharityforbeartosayImentionedit，for’tisdeathtospeakofit，theysay。’
Hismajestyglaredattheoldmanandsaid：
’Thekingisnotmad，goodman—andthou’ltfindittothyadvantagetobusythyselfwithmattersthatnearerconcerntheethanthisseditiousprattle。’
’Whatdoththeladmean？’saidAndrews，surprisedatthisbriskassaultfromsuchanunexpectedquarter。Hendongavehimasign，andhedidnotpursuehisquestion，butwentonwithhisbudget：
’ThelatekingistobeburiedatWindsorinadayortwo—thesixteenthofthemonth—andthenewkingwillbecrownedatWestminsterthetwentieth。’
’Methinkstheymustneedsfindhimfirst，’mutteredhismajesty；
thenadded，confidently，’buttheywilllooktothat—andsoalsoshallI。’
’Inthenameof—’
Buttheoldmangotnofurther—awarningsignfromHendoncheckedhisremark。Heresumedthethreadofhisgossip。
’SirHughgoethtothecoronation—andwithgrandhopes。Heconfidentlylookethtocomebackapeer，forheishighinfavorwiththeLordProtector。’
’WhatLordProtector？’askedhismajesty。
’HisgracetheDukeofSomerset。’
’WhatDukeofSomerset？’
’Marry，thereisbutone—Seymour，EarlofHertford。’
Thekingaskedsharply：
’Sincewhenisheaduke，andLordProtector？’
’SincethelastdayofJanuary。’
’And，prithee，whomadehimso？’
’HimselfandtheGreatCouncil—withthehelpoftheking。’
Hismajestystartedviolently。’Theking！’hecried。’Whatking，goodsir？’
’Whatking，indeed！（God—a—mercy，whataileththeboy？）Sithwehavebutone，’tisnotdifficulttoanswer—hismostsacredmajestyKingEdwardtheSixth—whomGodpreserve！Yea，andadearandgraciouslittleurchinishe，too；andwhetherhebemadorno—andtheysayhemendethdaily—hispraisesareonallmen’slips；andallblesshimlikewise，andofferprayersthathemaybesparedtoreignlonginEngland；forhebeganhumanely，withsavingtheoldDukeofNorfolk’slife，andnowishebentondestroyingthecruelestofthelawsthatharryandoppressthepeople。’
Thisnewsstruckhismajestydumbwithamazement，andplungedhimintosodeepanddismalareveriethatheheardnomoreoftheoldman’sgossip。Hewonderedifthe’littleurchin’wasthebeggar—boywhomheleftdressedinhisowngarmentsinthepalace。Itdidnotseempossiblethatthiscouldbe，forsurelyhismannersandspeechwouldbetrayhimifhepretendedtobethePrinceofWales—thenhewouldbedrivenout，andsearchmadeforthetrueprince。Coulditbethatthecourthadsetupsomesprigofthenobilityinhisplace？No，forhisunclewouldnotallowthat—hewasall—powerfulandcouldandwouldcrushsuchamovement，ofcourse。Theboy’smusingsprofitedhimnothing；themorehetriedtounriddlethemysterythemoreperplexedhebecame，themorehisheadached，andtheworseheslept。HisimpatiencetogettoLondongrewhourly，andhiscaptivitybecamealmostunendurable。
Hendon’sartsallfailedwiththeking—hecouldnotbecomforted，butacoupleofwomenwhowerechainednearhim，succeededbetter。
Undertheirgentleministrationshefoundpeaceandlearnedadegreeofpatience。Hewasverygrateful，andcametolovethemdearlyandtodelightinthesweetandsoothinginfluenceoftheirpresence。Heaskedthemwhytheywereinprison，andwhentheysaidtheywereBaptists，hesmiled，andinquired：
’Isthatacrimetobeshutupforinaprison？NowIgrieve，forIshallloseye—theywillnotkeepyelongforsuchalittlething。’
Theydidnotanswer；andsomethingintheirfacesmadehimuneasy。
Hesaid，eagerly：
’Youdonotspeak—begoodtome，andtellme—therewillbenootherpunishment？Prithee，tellmethereisnofearofthat。’
Theytriedtochangethetopic，buthisfearswerearoused，andhepursuedit：
’Willtheyscourgethee？No，no，theywouldnotbesocruel！Saytheywouldnot。Come，theywillnot，willthey？’
Thewomenbetrayedconfusionanddistress，buttherewasnoavoidingananswer，sooneofthemsaid，inavoicechokedwithemotion：
’Oh，thou’ltbreakourhearts，thougentlespirit！Godwillhelpustobearour—’
’Itisaconfession！’thekingbrokein。’Thentheywillscourgethee，thestony—heartedwretches！Butoh，thoumustnotweep，Icannotbearit。Keepupthycourage—Ishallcometomyownintimetosavetheefromthisbitterthing，andIwilldoit！’
Whenthekingawokeinthemorning，thewomenweregone。
’Theyaresaved！’hesaid，joyfully；thenadded，despondently，’butwoeisme！—fortheyweremycomforters。’
Eachofthemhadleftashredofribbonpinnedtohisclothing，intokenofremembrance。Hesaidhewouldkeepthesethingsalways；andthatsoonhewouldseekoutthesedeargoodfriendsofhisandtakethemunderhisprotection。
Justthenthejailercameinwithsomesubordinatesandcommandedthattheprisonersbeconductedtothejail—yard。Thekingwasoverjoyed—itwouldbeablessedthingtoseetheblueskyandbreathethefreshaironcemore。Hefrettedandchafedattheslownessoftheofficers，buthisturncameatlastandhewasreleasedfromhisstapleandorderedtofollowtheotherprisoners，withHendon。
Thecourt，orquadrangle，wasstone—paved，andopentothesky。
Theprisonersentereditthroughamassivearchwayofmasonry，andwereplacedinfile，standing，withtheirbacksagainstthewall。A
ropewasstretchedinfrontofthem，andtheywerealsoguardedbytheirofficers。Itwasachillandloweringmorning，andalightsnowwhichhadfallenduringthenightwhitenedthegreatemptyspaceandaddedtothegeneraldismalnessofitsaspect。Nowandthenawintrywindshiveredthroughtheplaceandsentthesnoweddyinghitherandthither。
Inthecenterofthecourtstoodtwowomen，chainedtoposts。A
glanceshowedthekingthatthesewerehisgoodfriends。Heshuddered，andsaidtohimself，’Alack，theyarenotgonefree，asIhadthought。
Tothinkthatsuchastheseshouldknowthelash！—inEngland！Ay，there’stheshameofit—notinHeathenesse，butChristianEngland！
Theywillbescourged；andI，whomtheyhavecomfortedandkindlyentreated，mustlookonandseethegreatwrongdone；itisstrange，sostrange！thatI，theverysourceofpowerinthisbroadrealm，amhelplesstoprotectthem。Butletthesemiscreantslookwelltothemselves，forthereisadaycomingwhenIwillrequireofthemaheavyreckoningforthiswork。Foreveryblowtheystrikenowtheyshallfeelahundredthen。’
Agreatgateswungopenandacrowdofcitizenspouredin。Theyflockedaroundthetwowomen，andhidthemfromtheking’sview。A
clergymanenteredandpassedthroughthecrowd，andhealsowashidden。Thekingnowheardtalking，backandforth，asifquestionswerebeingaskedandanswered，buthecouldnotmakeoutwhatwassaid。Nexttherewasadealofbustleandpreparation，andmuchpassingandrepassingofofficialsthroughthatpartofthecrowdthatstoodonthefurthersideofthewomen；andwhilethisproceededadeephushgraduallyfelluponthepeople。
Now，bycommand，themassespartedandfellaside，andthekingsawaspectaclethatfrozethemarrowinhisbones。Fagotshadbeenpiledaboutthetwowomen，andakneelingmanwaslightingthem！
Thewomenbowedtheirheads，andcoveredtheirfaceswiththeirhands；theyellowflamesbegantoclimbupwardamongthesnappingandcracklingfagots，andwreathsofbluesmoketostreamawayonthewind；theclergymanliftedhishandsandbeganaprayer—justthentwoyounggirlscameflyingthroughthegreatgate，utteringpiercingscreams，andthrewthemselvesuponthewomenatthestake。
Instantlytheyweretornawaybytheofficers，andoneofthemwaskeptinatightgrip，buttheotherbrokeloose，sayingshewoulddiewithhermother；andbeforeshecouldbestoppedshehadflungherarmsabouthermother’sneckagain。Shewastornawayoncemore，andwithhergownonfire。
Twoorthreemenheldher，andtheburningportionofhergownwassnatchedoffandthrownflamingaside，shestrugglingallthewhiletofreeherself，andsayingshewouldbealoneintheworldnow，andbeggingtobeallowedtodiewithhermother。Boththegirlsscreamedcontinually，andfoughtforfreedom；butsuddenlythistumultwasdrownedunderavolleyofheart—piercingshrieksofmortalagony。Thekingglancedfromthefranticgirlstothestake，thenturnedawayandleanedhisashenfaceagainstthewall，andlookednomore。Hesaid，’ThatwhichIhaveseen，inthatonelittlemoment，willnevergooutfrommymemory，butwillabidethere；andIshallseeitallthedays，anddreamofitallthenights，tillI
die。WouldGodIhadbeenblind！’
Hendonwaswatchingtheking。Hesaidtohimself，withsatisfaction，’Hisdisordermendeth；hehathchanged，andgrowethgentler。Ifhehadfollowedhiswont，hewouldhavestormedatthesevarlets，andsaidhewasking，andcommandedthatthewomenbeturnedlooseunscathed。Soonhisdelusionwillpassawayandbeforgotten，andhispoormindwillbewholeagain。Godspeedtheday！’
Thatsamedayseveralprisonerswerebroughtintoremainovernight，whowerebeingconveyed，underguard，tovariousplacesinthekingdom，toundergopunishmentforcrimescommitted。Thekingconversedwiththese—hehadmadeitapoint，fromthebeginning，toinstructhimselfforthekinglyofficebyquestioningprisonerswhenevertheopportunityoffered—andthetaleoftheirwoeswrunghisheart。Oneofthemwasapoorhalf—wittedwomanwhohadstolenayardortwoofclothfromaweaver—shewastobehangedforit。
Anotherwasamanwhohadbeenaccusedofstealingahorse；hesaidtheproofhadfailed，andhehadimaginedthathewassafefromthehalter；butno—hewashardlyfreebeforehewasarraignedforkillingadeerintheking’spark；thiswasprovedagainsthim，andnowhewasonhiswaytothegallows。Therewasatradesman’sapprenticewhosecaseparticularlydistressedtheking；thisyouthsaidhefoundahawkoneeveningthathadescapedfromitsowner，andhetookithomewithhim，imagininghimselfentitledtoit；butthecourtconvictedhimofstealingit，andsentencedhimtodeath。
Thekingwasfuriousovertheseinhumanities，andwantedHendontobreakjailandflywithhimtoWestminster，sothathecouldmounthisthroneandholdouthisscepterinmercyovertheseunfortunatepeopleandsavetheirlives。’Poorchild，’sighedHendon，’thesewoefultaleshavebroughthismaladyuponhimagain—alack，butforthisevilhap，hewouldhavebeenwellinalittletime。’
Amongtheseprisonerswasanoldlawyer—amanwithastrongfaceandadauntlessmien，Threeyearspast，hehadwrittenapamphletagainsttheLordChancellor，accusinghimofinjustice，andhadbeenpunishedforitbythelossofhisearsinthepilloryanddegradationfromthebar，andinadditionhadbeenfinedL3，000andsentencedtoimprisonmentforlife。Latelyhehadrepeatedhisoffense；andinconsequencewasnowundersentencetolosewhatremainedofhisears，payafineofL5，000，bebrandedonbothcheeks，andremaininprisonforlife。
’Thesebehonorablescars，’hesaid，andturnedbackhisgrayhairandshowedthemutilatedstubsofwhathadoncebeenhisears。
Theking’seyeburnedwithpassion。Hesaid：
’Nonebelieveinme—neitherwiltthou。Butnomatter—withinthecompassofamonththoushaltbefree；andmore，thelawsthathavedishonoredthee，andshamedtheEnglishname，shallbesweptfromthestatute—books。Theworldismadewrong，kingsshouldgotoschooltotheirownlawsattimes，andsolearnmercy。’*（20）
CHAPTERXXVIII
TheSacrificeMEANTIMEMileswasgrowingsufficientlytiredofconfinmentandinaction。Butnowhistrialcameon，tohisgreatgratification，andhethoughthecouldwelcomeanysentenceprovidedafurtherimprisonmentshouldnotbeapartofit。Buthewasmistakenaboutthat。Hewasinafinefurywhenhefoundhimselfdescribedasa’sturdyvagabond’andsentencedtosittwohoursinthepilloryforbearingthatcharacterandforassaultingthemasterofHendonHall。
Hispretensionsastobrothershipwithhisprosecutor，andrightfulheirshiptotheHendonhonorsandestates，wereleftcontemptuouslyunnoticed，asbeingnotevenworthexamination。
Heragedandthreatenedonhiswaytopunishment，butitdidnogood；hewassnatchedroughlyalongbytheofficers，andgotanoccasionalcuff，besides，forhisunreverentconduct。
Thekingcouldnotpiercethroughtherabblethatswarmedbehind；sohewasobligedtofollowintherear，remotefromhisgoodfriendandservant。Thekinghadbeennearlycondemnedtothestockshimself，forbeinginsuchbadcompany，buthadbeenletoffwithalectureandawarning，inconsiderationofhisyouth。Whenthecrowdatlasthalted，heflittedfeverishlyfrompointtopointarounditsouterrim，huntingaplacetogetthrough；andatlast，afteradealofdifficultyanddelay，succeeded。Theresathispoorhenchmaninthedegradingstocks，thesportandbuttofadirtymob—
he，thebodyservantofthekingofEngland！Edwardhadheardthesentencepronounced，buthehadnotrealizedthehalfthatitmeant。
Hisangerbegantoriseasthesenseofthisnewindignitywhichhadbeenputuponhimsankhome；itjumpedtosummerheatthenextmoment，whenhesawaneggsailthroughtheairandcrushitselfagainstHendon’scheek，andheardthecrowdroaritsenjoymentoftheepisode。
Hesprangacrosstheopencircleandconfrontedtheofficerincharge，crying：
’Forshame！Thisismyservant—sethimfree！Iamthe—’
’Oh，peace！’exclaimedHendon，inapanic，’thou’ltdestroythyself。Mindhimnot，officer，heismad。’
’Givethyselfnotroubleastothematterofmindinghim，goodman，Ihavesmallmindtomindhim；butastoteachinghimsomewhat，tothatIamwellinclined。’Heturnedtoasubordinateandsaid，’Givethelittlefoolatasteortwoofthelash，tomendhismanners。’
’Halfadozenwillbetterservehisturn，’suggestedSirHugh，whohadriddenupamomentbeforetotakeapassingglanceattheproceedings。
Thekingwasseized。Hedidnotevenstruggle，soparalyzedwashewiththemerethoughtofthemonstrousoutragethatwasproposedtobeinflicteduponhissacredperson。HistorywasalreadydefiledwiththerecordofthescourgingofanEnglishkingwithwhips—itwasanintolerablereflectionthathemustfurnishaduplicateofthatshamefulpage。Hewasinthetoils，therewasnohelpforhim；hemusteithertakethispunishmentorbegforitsremission。Hardconditions；
hewouldtakethestripes—akingmightdothat，butakingcouldnotbeg。
Butmeantime，MilesHendonwasresolvingthedifficulty。’Letthechildgo，’saidhe；’yeheartlessdogs，doyenotseehowyoungandfrailheis？Lethimgo—Iwilltakehislashes。’
’Marry，agoodthought—andthanksforit，’saidSirHugh，hisfacelightingwithasardonicsatisfaction。’Letthelittlebeggargo，andgivethisfellowadozeninhisplace—anhonestdozen，welllaidon。’Thekingwasintheactofenteringafierceprotest，butSirHughsilencedhimwiththepotentremark，’Yes，speakup，do，andfreethymind—only，markye，thatforeachwordyouutterheshallgetsixstrokesthemore。’
Hendonwasremovedfromthestocks，andhisbacklaidbare；andwhilethelashwasappliedthepoorlittlekingturnedawayhisfaceandallowedunroyaltearstochannelhischeeksunchecked。’Ah，bravegoodheart，’hesaidtohimself，’thisloyaldeedshallneverperishoutofmymemory。Iwillnotforgetit—andneithershallthey！’headded，withpassion。Whilehemused，hisappreciationofHendon’smagnanimousconductgrewtogreaterandstillgreaterdimensionsinhismind，andsoalsodidhisgratefulnessforit。
Presentlyhesaidtohimself，’Whosaveshisprincefromwoundsandpossibledeath—andthishedidforme—performshighservice；butitislittle—itisnothing！—oh，lessthannothing！—when’tisweighedagainsttheactofhimwhosaveshisprincefromSHAME！’
Hendonmadenooutcryunderthescourge，butboretheheavyblowswithsoldierlyfortitude。This，togetherwithhisredeemingtheboybytakinghisstripesforhim，compelledtherespectofeventhatforlornanddegradedmobthatwasgatheredthere；anditsgibesandhootingsdiedaway，andnosoundremainedbutthesoundofthefallingblows。ThestillnessthatpervadedtheplacewhenHendonfoundhimselfoncemoreinthestocks，wasinstrongcontrastwiththeinsultingclamourwhichhadprevailedtheresolittleawhilebefore。
ThekingcamesoftlytoHendon’sside，andwhisperedinhisear：
’Kingscannotennoblethee，thougood，greatsoul，forOnewhoishigherthankingshathdonethatforthee；butakingcanconfirmthynobilitytomen。’Hepickedupthescourgefromtheground，touchedHendon’sbleedingshoulderslightlywithit，andwhispered，’EdwardofEnglanddubstheeearl！’
Hendonwastouched。Thewaterwelledtohiseyes，yetatthesametimethegrislyhumorofthesituationandcircumstancessounderminedhisgravitythatitwasallhecoulddotokeepsomesignofhisinwardmirthfromshowingoutside。Tobesuddenlyhoisted，nakedandgory，fromthecommonstockstotheAlpinealtitudeandsplendorofanearldom，seemedtohimthelastpossibilityinthelineofthegrotesque。Hesaidtohimself，’NowamIfinelytinseled，indeed！Thespecter—knightoftheKingdomofDreamsandShadowsisbecomeaspecter—earl！—adizzyflightforacallowwing！Anthisgoon，IshallpresentlybehunglikeaveryMay—polewithfantasticgaudsandmake—believehonors。ButIshallvaluethem，allvaluelessastheyare，forthelovethatdothbestowthem。Betterthesepoormockdignitiesofmine，thatcomeunaskedfromacleanhandandarightspirit，thanrealonesboughtbyservilityfromgrudgingandinterestedpower。’
ThedreadedSirHughwheeledhishorseabout，and，ashespurredaway，thelivingwalldividedsilentlytolethimpass，andassilentlyclosedtogetheragain。Andsoremained；nobodywentsofarastoventurearemarkinfavoroftheprisoner，orincomplimenttohim；
butnomatter，theabsenceofabusewasasufficienthomageinitself。
Alatecomerwhowasnotpostedastothepresentcircumstances，andwhodeliveredasneeratthe’impostor’andwasintheactoffollowingitwithadeadcat，waspromptlyknockeddownandkickedout，withoutanywords，andthenthedeepquietresumedswayoncemore。
CHAPTERXXIX
ToLondonWHENHendon’stermofserviceinthestockswasfinished，hewasreleasedandorderedtoquittheregionandcomebacknomore。Hisswordwasrestoredtohim，andalsohismuleandhisdonkey。Hemountedandrodeoff，followedbytheking，thecrowdopeningwithquietrespectfulnesstoletthempass，andthendispersingwhentheyweregone。
Hendonwassoonabsorbedinthought。Therewerequestionsofhighimporttobeanswered。Whatshouldhedo？Whithershouldhego？
Powerfulhelpmustbefoundsomewhere，orhemustrelinquishhisinheritanceandremainundertheimputationofbeinganimpostorbesides。Wherecouldhehopetofindthispowerfulhelp？Where，indeed！Itwasaknottyquestion。Byandbyathoughtoccurredtohimwhichpointedtoapossibility—theslenderestofslenderpossibilities，certainly，butstillworthconsidering，forlackofanyotherthatpromisedanythingatall。HerememberedwhatoldAndrewshadsaidabouttheyoungking’sgoodnessandhisgenerouschampionshipofthewrongedandunfortunate。Whynotgoandtrytogetspeechofhimandbegforjustice？Ah，yes，butcouldsofantasticapaupergetadmissiontotheaugustpresenceofamonarch？Nevermind—letthatmattertakecareofitself；itwasabridgethatwouldnotneedtobecrossedtillheshouldcometoit。Hewasanoldcampaigner，andusedtoinventingshiftsandexpedients；nodoubthewouldbeabletofindaway。Yes，hewouldstrikeforthecapital。Maybehisfather’soldfriend，SirHumphreyMarlow，wouldhelphim—’goodoldSirHumphrey，HeadLieutenantofthelateking’skitchen，orstables，orsomething’—Milescouldnotrememberjustwhatorwhich。
Nowthathehadsomethingtoturnhisenergiesto，adistinctlydefinedobjecttoaccomplish，thefogofhumiliationanddepressionthathadsettleddownuponhisspiritsliftedandblewaway，andheraisedhisheadandlookedabouthim。Hewassurprisedtoseehowfarhehadcome；thevillagewasawaybehindhim。Thekingwasjoggingalonginhiswake，withhisheadbowed；forhe，too，wasdeepinplansandthinkings。AsorrowfulmisgivingcloudedHendon’snewborncheerfulness；wouldtheboybewillingtogoagaintoacitywhere，duringallhisbrieflife，hehadneverknownanythingbutillusageandpinchingwant？Butthequestionmustbeasked；itcouldnotbeavoided；soHendonreinedup，andcalledout：
’Ihadforgottentoinquirewhitherwearebound。Thycommands，myliege？’
’ToLondon！’
Hendonmovedonagain，mightilycontentedwiththeanswer—butastonishedatit，too。
Thewholejourneywasmadewithoutanadventureofimportance。
Butitendedwithone。Aboutteno’clockonthenightofthenightofthe19thofFebruary，theysteppeduponLondonBridge，inthemidstofawrithing，strugglingjamofhowlingandhurrahingpeople，whosebeer—jollyfacesstoodoutstronglyintheglarefrommanifoldtorches—andatthatinstantthedecayingheadofsomeformerdukeorothergrandeetumbleddownbetweenthem，strikingHendonontheelbowandthenboundingoffamongthehurryingconfusionoffeet。Soevanescentandunstablearemen’sworksinthisworld！—thelategoodkingisbutthreeweeksdeadandthreedaysinhisgrave，andalreadytheadornmentswhichhetooksuchpainstoselectfromprominentpeopleforhisnoblebridgearefalling。Acitizenstumbledoverthathead，anddrovehisownheadintothebackofsomebodyinfrontofhim，whoturnedandknockeddownthefirstpersonthatcamehandy，andwaspromptlylaidouthimselfbythatperson’sfriend。Itwastherightripetimeforafreefight，forthefestivitiesofthemorrow—CoronationDay—werealreadybeginning；
everybodywasfullofstrongdrinkandpatriotism；withinfiveminutesthefreefightwasoccupyingagooddealofground；withintenortwelveitcoveredanacreorso，andwasbecomeariot。BythistimeHendonandthekingwerehopelesslyseparatedfromeachotherandlostintherushandturmoiloftheroaringmassesofhumanity。Andsoweleavethem。
CHAPTERXXX
Tom’sProgressWHILSTthetruekingwanderedabouttheland，poorlyclad，poorlyfed，cuffedandderidedbytrampsonewhile，herdingwiththievesandmurderersinajailanother，andcalledidiotandimpostorbyallimpartially，themockKingTomCantyenjoyedaquitedifferentexperience。
Whenwesawhimlast，royaltywasjustbeginningtohaveabrightsideforhim。Thisbrightsidewentonbrighteningmoreandmoreeveryday；inaverylittlewhileitwasbecomealmostallsunshineanddelightfulness。Helosthisfears；hismisgivingsfadedoutanddied；hisembarrassmentsdeparted，andgaveplacetoaneasyandconfidentbearing。Heworkedthewhipping—boyminetoever—increasingprofit。
HeorderedmyLadyElizabethandmyLadyJaneGreyintohispresencewhenhewantedtoplayortalk，anddismissedthemwhenhewasdonewiththem，withtheairofonefamiliarlyaccustomedtosuchperformances。Itnolongerconfusedhimtohavetheseloftypersonageskisshishandatparting。
Hecametoenjoybeingconductedtobedinstateatnight，anddressedwithintricateandsolemnceremonyinthemorning。Itcametobeaproudpleasuretomarchtodinnerattendedbyaglitteringprocessionofofficersofstateandgentlemen—at—arms；insomuch，indeed，thathedoubledhisguardofgentlemen—at—arms，andmadethemahundred。Helikedtohearthebuglessoundingdownthelongcorridors，andthedistantvoicesresponding，’WayfortheKing！’
Heevenlearnedtoenjoysittinginthronedstateincouncil，andseemingtobesomethingmorethantheLordProtector’smouthpiece。
Helikedtoreceivegreatambassadorsandtheirgorgeoustrains，andlistentotheaffectionatemessagestheybroughtfromillustriousmonarchswhocalledhim’brother。’Oh，happyTomCanty，lateofOffalCourt！
Heenjoyedhissplendidclothes，andorderedmore；hefoundhisfourhundredservantstoofewforhispropergrandeur，andtrebledthem。Theadulationofsalaamingcourtierscametobesweetmusictohisears。Heremainedkindandgentle，andasturdyanddeterminedchampionofallthatwereoppressed，andhemadetirelesswaruponunjustlaws；yetuponoccasion，beingoffended，hecouldturnuponanearl，orevenaduke，andgivehimalookthatwouldmakehimtremble。Once，whenhisroyal’sister，’thegrimlyholyLadyMary，setherselftoreasonwithhimagainstthewisdomofhiscourseinpardoningsomanypeoplewhowouldotherwisebejailed，orhanged，orburned，andremindedhimthattheiraugustlatefather’sprisonshadsometimescontainedashighassixtythousandconvictsatonetime，andthatduringhisadmirablereignhehaddeliveredseventy—twothousandthievesandrobbersovertodeathbytheexecutioner，*（21）
theboywasfilledwithgenerousindignation，andcommandedhertogotohercloset，andbeseechGodtotakeawaythestonethatwasinherbreast，andgiveherahumanheart。
DidTomCantyneverfeeltroubledaboutthepoorlittlerightfulprincewhohadtreatedhimsokindly，andflownoutwithsuchhotzealtoavengehimupontheinsolentsentinelatthepalacegate？Yes；
hisfirstroyaldaysandnightswereprettywellsprinkledwithpainfulthoughtsaboutthelostprince，andwithsincerelongingsforhisreturnandhappyrestorationtohisnativerightsandsplendors。Butastimeworeon，andtheprincedidnotcome，Tom’smindbecamemoreandmoreoccupiedwithhisnewandenchantingexperiences，andbylittleandlittlethevanishedmonarchfadedalmostoutofhisthoughts；andfinally，whenhedidintrudeuponthematintervals，hewasbecomeanunwelcomespecter，forhemadeTomfeelguiltyandashamed。
Tom’spoormotherandsisterstraveledthesameroadoutofhismind。Atfirsthepinedforthem，sorrowedforthem，longedtoseethem；butlater，thethoughtoftheircomingsomedayintheirragsanddirt，andbetrayinghimwiththeirkisses，andpullinghimdownfromhisloftyplaceanddragginghimbacktopenuryanddegradationandtheslums，madehimshudder。Atlasttheyceasedtotroublehisthoughtsalmostwholly。Andhewascontent，evenglad；for，whenevertheirmournfulandaccusingfacesdidrisebeforehimnow，theymadehimfeelmoredespicablethanthewormsthatcrawl。
Atmidnightofthe19thofFebruary，TomCantywassinkingtosleepinhisrichbedinthepalace，guardedbyhisloyalvassals，andsurroundedbythepompsofroyalty，ahappyboy；forto—morrowwasthedayappointedforhissolemncrowningaskingofEngland。Atthatsamehour，Edward，thetrueking，hungryandthirsty，soiledanddraggled，wornwithtravel，andclothedinragsandshreds—hisshareoftheresultsoftheriot—waswedgedinamongacrowdofpeoplewhowerewatchingwithdeepinterestcertainhurryinggangsofworkmenwhostreamedinandoutofWestminsterAbbey，busyasants；
theyweremakingthelastpreparationfortheroyalcoronation。
CHAPTERXXXI
TheRecognitionProcessionWHENTomCantyawokethenextmorning，theairwasheavywithathunderousmurmur；allthedistanceswerechargedwithit。Itwasmusictohim；foritmeantthattheEnglishworldwasoutinitsstrengthtogiveloyalwelcometothegreatday。
PresentlyTomfoundhimselfoncemorethechieffigureinawonderfulfloatingpageantontheThames；forbyancientcustomthe’recognitionprocession’throughLondonmuststartfromtheTower，andhewasboundthither。
Whenhearrivedthere，thesidesofthevenerablefortressseemedsuddenlyrentinathousandplaces，andfromeveryrentleapedaredtongueofflameandawhitegushofsmoke；adeafeningexplosionfollowed，whichdrownedtheshoutingsofthemultitude，andmadethegroundtremble；theflame—jets，thesmoke，andtheexplosionswererepeatedoverandoveragainwithmarvelouscelerity，sothatinafewmomentstheoldTowerdisappearedinthevastfogofitsownsmoke，allbuttheverytopofthetallpilecalledtheWhiteTower；this，withitsbanners，stoodoutabovethedensebankofvaporasamountainpeakprojectsaboveacloud—rack。
TomCanty，splendidlyarrayed，mountedaprancingwar—steed，whoserichtrappingsalmostreachedtotheground；his’uncle，’theLordProtectorSomerset，similarlymounted，tookplaceinhisrear；theKing’sGuardformedinsingleranksoneitherside，cladinburnishedarmor；aftertheProtectorfollowedaseeminglyinterminableprocessionofresplendentnoblesattendedbytheirvassals；afterthesecamethelordmayorandthealdermanicbody，incrimsonvelvetrobes，andwiththeirgoldchainsacrosstheirbreasts；andafterthesetheofficersandmembersofalltheguildsofLondon，inrichraiment，andbearingtheshowybannersoftheseveralcorporations。
Alsointheprocession，asaspecialguardofhonorthroughthecity，wastheAncientandHonorableArtilleryCompany—anorganizationalreadythreehundredyearsoldatthattime，andtheonlymilitarybodyinEnglandpossessingtheprivilege（whichitstillpossessesinourday）ofholdingitselfindependentofthecommandsofParliament。Itwasabrilliantspectacle，andwashailedwithacclamationsallalongtheline，asittookitsstatelywaythroughthepackedmultitudesofcitizens。Thechroniclersays，’Theking，asheenteredthecity，wasreceivedbythepeoplewithprayers，welcomings，cries，andtenderwords，andallsignswhichargueanearnestloveofsubjectstowardtheirsovereign；andtheking，byholdinguphisgladcountenancetosuchasstoodafaroff，andmosttenderlanguagetothosethatstoodnighhisGrace，showedhimselfnolessthankfultoreceivethepeople’sgoodwillthantheytoofferit。Toallthatwishedhimwell，hegavethanks。Tosuchasbade\"GodsavehisGrace，\"hesaidinreturn，\"Godsaveyouall！\"andaddedthat\"hethankedthemwithallhisheart。\"Wonderfullytransportedwerethepeoplewiththelovinganswersandgesturesoftheirking。’
InFenchurchStreeta’fairchild，incostlyapparel，’stoodonastagetowelcomehismajestytothecity。Thelastverseofhisgreetingwasinthesewords：
Welcome，OKing！asmuchasheartscanthink；
Welcomeagain，asmuchastonguecantell—
Welcometojoyoustongues，andheartsthatwillnotshrink；
Godtheepreserve，wepray，andwishtheeeverwell。
Thepeopleburstforthinagladshout，repeatingwithonevoicewhatthechildhadsaid。TomCantygazedabroadoverthesurgingseaofeagerfaces，andhisheartswelledwithexultation；andhefeltthattheonethingworthlivingforinthisworldwastobeaking，andanation’sidol。Presentlyhecaughtsight，atadistance，ofacoupleofhisraggedOffalCourtcomrades—oneofthemthelordhighadmiralinhislatemimiccourt，theotherthefirstlordofthebedchamberinthesamepretentiousfiction；andhisprideswelledhigherthanever。Oh，iftheycouldonlyrecognizehimnow！Whatunspeakablegloryitwouldbe，iftheycouldrecognizehim，andrealizethatthederidedmockkingoftheslumsandbackalleyswasbecomearealking，withillustriousdukesandprincesforhishumblemenials，andtheEnglishworldathisfeet！Buthehadtodenyhimself，andchokedownhisdesire，forsucharecognitionmightcostmorethanitwouldcometo；soheturnedawayhishead，andleftthetwosoiledladstogoonwiththeirshoutingsandgladadulations，unsuspiciousofwhomitwastheywerelavishingthemupon。
Everynowandthenrosethecry，’Alargess！alargess！’andTomrespondedbyscatteringahandfulofbrightnewcoinsabroadforthemultitudetoscramblefor。
Thechroniclersays，’AttheupperendofGracechurchStreet，beforethesignoftheEagle，thecityhaderectedagorgeousarch，beneathwhichwasastage，whichstretchedfromonesideofthestreettotheother。Thiswasahistoricalpageant，representingtheking’simmediateprogenitors。TheresatElizabethofYorkinthemidstofanimmensewhiterose，whosepetalsformedelaboratefurbelowsaroundher；byhersidewasHenryVII，issuingoutofavastredrose，disposedinthesamemanner；thehandsoftheroyalpairwerelockedtogether，andthewedding—ringostentatiouslydisplayed。Fromtheredandwhiterosesproceededastem，whichreacheduptoasecondstage，occupiedbyHenryVIII，issuingfromared—and—whiterose，withtheeffigyofthenewking’smother，JaneSeymour，representedbyhisside。Onebranchsprangfromthispair，whichmountedtoathirdstage，wheresattheeffigyofEdwardVIhimself，enthronedinroyalmajesty；andthewholepageantwasframedwithwreathsofroses，redandwhite。’
Thisquaintandgaudyspectaclesowroughtupontherejoicingpeople，thattheiracclamationsutterlysmotheredthesmallvoiceofthechildwhosebusinessitwastoexplainthethingineulogisticrhymes。ButTomCantywasnotsorry；forthisloyaluproarwassweetermusictohimthananypoetry，nomatterwhatitsqualitymightbe。
WhithersoeverTomturnedhishappyyoungface，thepeoplerecognizedtheexactnessofhiseffigy’slikenesstohimself，theflesh—and—bloodcounterpart；andnewwhirlwindsofapplauseburstforth。
Thegreatpageantmovedon，andstillon，underonetriumphalarchafteranother，andpastabewilderingsuccessionofspectacularandsymbolicaltableaux，eachofwhichtypifiedandexaltedsomevirtue，ortalent，ormerit，ofthelittleking’s。’ThroughoutthewholeofCheapside，fromeverypenthouseandwindow，hungbannersandstreamers；andtherichestcarpets，stuffs，andcloth—of—goldtapestriedthestreets—specimensofthegreatwealthofthestoreswithin；andthesplendorofthisthoroughfarewasequaledintheotherstreets，andinsomeevensurpassed。’
’Andallthesewondersandthesemarvelsaretowelcomeme—me！’
murmuredTomCanty。
Themockking’scheekswereflushedwithexcitement，hiseyeswereflashing，hissensesswaminadeliriumofpleasure。Atthispoint，justashewasraisinghishandtoflinganotherrichlargess，hecaughtsightofapale，astoundedfacewhichwasstrainedforwardoutofthesecondrankofthecrowd，itsintenseeyesriveteduponhim，Asickeningconsternationstruckthroughhim；herecognizedhismother！andupflewhishand，palmoutward，beforehiseyes—thatoldinvoluntarygesture，bornofaforgottenepisode，andperpetuatedbyhabit。Inaninstantmoreshehadtornherwayoutofthepress，andpasttheguards，andwasathisside。Sheembracedhisleg，shecovereditwithkisses，shecried，’O，mychild，mydarling！’liftingtowardhimafacethatwastransfiguredwithjoyandlove。ThesameinstantanofficeroftheKing’sGuardsnatchedherawaywithacurse，andsentherreelingbackwhenceshecamewithavigorousimpulsefromhisstrongarm。Thewords’Idonotknowyou，woman！’werefallingfromTomCanty’slipswhenthispiteousthingoccurred；butitsmotehimtothehearttoseehertreatedso；andassheturnedforalastglimpseofhim，whilstthecrowdwasswallowingherfromhissight，sheseemedsowounded，sobroken—hearted，thatashamefelluponhimwhichconsumedhispridetoashes，andwitheredhisstolenroyalty。Hisgrandeurswerestrickenvalueless；theyseemedtofallawayfromhimlikerottenrags。