learn, that for a higher service, in that he saved his sovereign
stripes and shame, taking these upon himself, he is a peer of
England, Earl of Kent, and shall have gold and lands meet for the
dignity. More–the privilege which he hath just exercised is his
by royal grant; for we have ordained that the chiefs of his line
shall 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 kindling eye–
“Strip this robber of his false show and stolen estates, and put
him under lock and key till I have need of him.”
The late Sir Hugh was led away.
There was a stir at the other end of the room, now; the assemblage
fell apart, and Tom Canty, quaintly but richly clothed, marched
down, between these living walls, preceded by an usher. He knelt
before the King, who said–
“I have learned the story of these past few weeks, and am well
pleased with thee. Thou hast governed the realm with right royal
gentleness and mercy. Thou hast found thy mother and thy sisters
again? Good; they shall be cared for–and thy father shall hang,
if thou desire it and the law consent. Know, all ye that hear my
voice, that from this day, they that abide in the shelter of
Christ’s Hospital and share the King’s bounty shall have their
minds and hearts fed, as well as their baser parts; and this boy
shall dwell there, and hold the chief place in its honourable body
of governors, during life. And for that he hath been a king, it
is meet that other than common observance shall be his due;
wherefore note this his dress of state, for by it he shall be
known, and none shall copy it; and wheresoever he shall come, it
shall remind the people that he hath been royal, in his time, and
none shall deny him his due of reverence or fail to give him
salutation. He hath the throne’s protection, he hath the crown’s
support, he shall be known and called by the honourable title of
the King’s Ward.”
The proud and happy Tom Canty rose and kissed the King’s hand, and
was conducted from the presence. He did not waste any time, but
flew to his mother, to tell her and Nan and Bet all about it and
get them to help him enjoy the great news. {1}
Conclusion. Justice and retribution.
When the mysteries were all cleared up, it came out, by confession
of Hugh Hendon, that his wife had repudiated Miles by his command,
that day at Hendon Hall–a command assisted and supported by the
perfectly trustworthy promise that if she did not deny that he was
Miles Hendon, and stand firmly to it, he would have her life;
whereupon she said, “Take it!”–she did not value it–and she
would not repudiate Miles; then the husband said he would spare