have and hold the right to sit in the presence of the Majesty of England

henceforth, age after age, so long as the crown shall endure. Molest him

not."

Two persons, who, through delay, had only arrived from the country during

this morning, and had now been in this room only five minutes, stood

listening to these words and looking at the King, then at the scarecrow,

then at the King again, in a sort of torpid bewilderment. These were Sir

Hugh and the Lady Edith. But the new Earl did not see them. He was

still staring at the monarch, in a dazed way, and muttering--

"Oh, body o' me! THIS my pauper! This my lunatic! This is he whom _I_

would show what grandeur was, in my house of seventy rooms and

seven-and-twenty servants! This is he who had never known aught but rags

for raiment, kicks for comfort, and offal for diet! This is he whom _I_

adopted and would make respectable! Would God I had a bag to hide my

head in!"

Then his manners suddenly came back to him, and he dropped upon his

knees, with his hands between the King's, and swore allegiance and did

homage for his lands and titles. Then he rose and stood respectfully

aside, a mark still for all eyes--and much envy, too.

Now the King discovered Sir Hugh, and spoke out with wrathful voice and

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The Prince and The Pauper