'Throughout the whole of
Cheapside, from every penthouse and window, hung banners and
streamers; and the richest carpets, stuffs, and cloth-of-gold
tapestried the streets- specimens of the great wealth of the stores
within; and the splendor of this thoroughfare was equaled in the other
streets, and in some even surpassed.'
'And all these wonders and these marvels are to welcome me- me!'
murmured Tom Canty.
The mock king's cheeks were flushed with excitement, his eyes were
flashing, his senses swam in a delirium of pleasure. At this point,
just as he was raising his hand to fling another rich largess, he
caught sight of a pale, astounded face which was strained forward
out of the second rank of the crowd, its intense eyes riveted upon
him, A sickening consternation struck through him; he recognized his
mother! and up flew his hand, palm outward, before his eyes- that
old involuntary gesture, born of a forgotten episode, and
perpetuated by habit. In an instant more she had torn her way out of
the press, and past the guards, and was at his side. She embraced
his leg, she covered it with kisses, she cried, 'O, my child, my
darling!' lifting toward him a face that was transfigured with joy and
love. The same instant an officer of the King's Guard snatched her
away with a curse, and sent her reeling back whence she came with a
vigorous impulse from his strong arm. The words 'I do not know you,
woman!' were falling from Tom Canty's lips when this piteous thing
occurred; but it smote him to the heart to see her treated so; and
as she turned for a last glimpse of him, whilst the crowd was
swallowing her from his sight, she seemed so wounded, so
broken-hearted, that a shame fell upon him which consumed his pride to
ashes, and withered his stolen royalty.
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