Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers

Help / FAQ



<- Previous | Table of Contents | Next ->
PinkMonkey.com Digital Library - PinkMonkey.com-The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain


surprised into obeying. He even made a movement as if to go, but quickly
recovered his tranquil attitude and confessed his blunder with a blush. Tom
Canty turned upon him and said, sharply: ‘Why dost thou hesitate? Hast not
heard the king’s command? Go!’ The Lord St. John made a deep obeisance-and
it was observed that it was a significantly cautious and non-committal one, it not
being delivered at either of the kings, but at the neutral ground about half-way
between the two-and took his leave.

Now began a movement of the gorgeous particles of that official group which
was slow, scarcely perceptible, and yet steady and persistent-a movement such
as is observed in a kaleidoscope that is turned slowly, whereby the components
of one splendid cluster fall away and join themselves to another-a movement
which, little by little, in the present case, dissolved the glittering crowd that
stood about Tom Canty and clustered it together again in the neighborhood of
the new-comer.

Tom Canty stood almost alone. Now ensued a brief season of deep suspense and
waiting-during which even the few faint-hearts still remaining near Tom Canty
gradually scraped together courage enough to glide, one by one, over to the
majority. So at last Tom Canty, in his royal robes and jewels, stood wholly alone
and isolated from the world, a conspicuous figure, occupying an eloquent
vacancy.

Now the Lord St. John was seen returning. As he advanced up the mid-aisle the
interest was so intense that the low murmur of conversation in the great
assemblage died out and was succeeded by a profound hush, a breathless
stillness, through which his footfalls pulsed with a dull and distant sound. Every
eye was fastened upon him as he moved along. He reached the platform, paused
a moment, then moved toward Tom Canty with a deep obeisance, and said:
‘Sire, the Seal is not there!’ A mob does not melt away from the presence of a
plague-patient with more haste than the band of pallid and terrified courtiers
melted away from the presence of the shabby little claimant of the Crown. In a
moment he stood all alone, without a friend or supporter, a target upon which
was concentrated a bitter fire of scornful and angry looks. The Lord Protector
called out fiercely: ‘Cast the beggar into the street, and scourge him through the
town-the paltry knave is worth no more consideration!’ Officers of the guard
sprang forward to obey, but Tom Canty waved them off and said:
‘Back! Whoso touches him perils his life!’ The Lord Protector was perplexed in
the last degree. He said to the Lord St. John: ‘Searched you well?- but it boots not
to ask that. It doth seem passing strange.

Little things, trifles, slip out of one’s ken, and one does not think it matter for
surprise; but how a so bulky thing as the Seal of England can vanish away and
no man be able to get track of it again-a massy golden disk-’ Tom Canty, with
beaming eyes, sprang forward and shouted: ‘Hold, that is enough! Was it
round?- and thick?- and had it letters and devices graved upon it?- Yes? Oh, now
I know what this Great Seal is that there’s been such worry and pother about! An
ye had described it to me, ye could have had it three weeks ago. Right well I
<- Previous | Table of Contents | Next ->
PinkMonkey.com Digital Library - PinkMonkey.com-The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain



All Contents Copyright © All rights reserved.
Further Distribution Is Strictly Prohibited.

About Us | Advertising | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Home Page


Search:
Keywords:
In Association with Amazon.com