The Prince and The Pauper


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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 neighbourhood 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--  
302  


Page
300 301 302 303 304

Quick Jump
1 85 169 254 338