'
A silence ensued, undisturbed by a movement or a whisper, and
all eyes were fixed upon the new-comer, who stood, with bent head
and corrugated brow, groping in his memory among a thronging multitude
of valueless recollections for one single little elusive fact, which
found, would seat him upon a throne- unfound, would leave him as he
was, for good and all- a pauper and an outcast. Moment after moment
passed- the moments built themselves into minutes- still the boy
struggled silently on, and gave no sign. But at last he heaved a sigh,
shook his head slowly, and said, with a trembling lip and in a
despondent voice:
'I call the scene back- all of it- but the Seal hath no place in
it.' He paused, then looked up, and said with gentle dignity, 'My
lords and gentlemen, if ye will rob your rightful sovereign of his own
for lack of this evidence which he is not able to furnish, I may not
stay ye, being powerless. But-'
'O folly, O madness, my king!' cried Tom Canty, in a panic,
'wait!- think! Do not give up!- the cause is not lost! Nor shall be,
neither! List to what I say- follow every word- I am going to bring
that morning back again, every hap just as it happened. We talked- I
told you of my sisters, Nan and Bet- ah, yes, you remember that; and
about mine old grandam- and the rough games of the lads of Offal
Court- yes, you remember these things also; very well, follow me
still, you shall recall everything. You gave me food and drink, and
did with princely courtesy send away the servants, so that my low
breeding might not shame me before them- ah, yes, this also you
remember.
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