登陆注册
5251900000015

第15章

Tom's First Royal DinnerSOMEWHAT after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the ordeal of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed, from his ruff to his stockings. He was presently conducted with much state to a spacious and ornate apartment, where a table was already set for one. Its furniture was all of massy gold, and beautified with designs which well-nigh made it priceless, since they were the work of Benvenuto. The room was half filled with noble servitors. Achaplain said grace, and Tom was about to fall to, for hunger had long been constitutional with him, but was interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley, who fastened a napkin about his neck; for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of Wales was hereditary in this nobleman's family. Tom's cupbearer was present, and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to wine. The Taster to his Highness the Prince of Wales was there also, prepared to taste any suspicious dish upon requirement, and run the risk of being poisoned. He was only an ornamental appendage at this time, and was seldom called to exercise his function; but there had been times, not many generations past, when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d'Arcy, First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what; but there he was- let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was there, and stood behind Tom's chair overseeing the solemnities, under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook, who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants besides these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.

All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head, and to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These 'vagaries' were soon on exhibition before them; but they only moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their mirth. It was a heavy affliction to them to see the beloved prince so stricken.

Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or even seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously and with deep interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful fabric, then said with simplicity:

'Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled.'

The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and without word or protest of any sort.

同类推荐
  • 麹头陀传

    麹头陀传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 郊庙歌辞 德明兴圣

    郊庙歌辞 德明兴圣

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 脉理求真

    脉理求真

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 元始洞真决疑经

    元始洞真决疑经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 至真子龙虎大丹诗

    至真子龙虎大丹诗

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 维多利亚的秘密:贝嫂的25堂辣尚幸福课

    维多利亚的秘密:贝嫂的25堂辣尚幸福课

    “万人迷球星贝克汉姆的妻子”、“英国的女歌手”、“时尚设计师”、“前流行组合辣妹合唱团的成员之一”、“英国海外形象推广大使”……这些耀眼的光环降临到了这个的70后女孩身上。维多利亚·贝克汉姆,一个成功实现从平凡到非凡转变的魅力女人。从自卑到自信,成长、成熟,充实自己,从辣妹到贝嫂,从平凡到时尚,从邻家女孩到话题女王。维多利亚一路走来,自有其独特智慧。翻开本书,将给你最全面细致的辣尚、魅力指导,为你的幸福导航,关于智慧,关于心态,关于爱情,关于个性,关于成功,关于家庭;合上本书,你也可以成为与维多利亚一样的辣尚、魅力、幸福的女人。
  • 对类

    对类

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 亚玄迷途

    亚玄迷途

    为了寻找十年前失踪的母亲。宫羽芊穿越到了异度空间——亚玄界,在这个术法、古武和科技并存的神秘世界里,末世的阴影一步步逼近,而好似救世主一般的师傅,却有着不为人知的秘密,她能够揭开层层迷雾,得偿所愿,挽救亲人与挚爱的残酷命运吗?巾帼群像(不仅仅是女主,就是其他女性角色也都十分的独立。)女主无CP。
  • 末世之我的妹妹

    末世之我的妹妹

    “恭喜宿主,您被本系统选中,现在开始,你将要肩负起拯救末世所有软妹子的责任,您准备好了吗?”
  • 女丹十则

    女丹十则

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 第五纪元始

    第五纪元始

    第四纪元即将结束,第五纪元还未到来。新的风暴已经出现……
  • 荷马史诗:伊利亚特·奥德赛(套装合卷本)(译文名著精选)

    荷马史诗:伊利亚特·奥德赛(套装合卷本)(译文名著精选)

    《伊利亚特》全诗分24卷,15693行,主要叙述的是希腊联军围攻小亚细亚的城市特洛伊的故事,以希腊联军统帅阿伽门农和希腊英雄阿基琉斯的争吵为中心,集中描写了战争结束前五十天发生的事情。希腊英雄阿基琉斯因女俘为主帅阿伽门农所夺,盛怒之下拒绝作战,希腊联军因此受挫。后因好友帕特罗克洛斯战死,阿基琉斯再度披挂上阵,终于杀死特洛伊主将赫克托耳,使希腊联军转败为胜。《奥德赛》全诗共24卷,12110行,叙述特洛伊战争后,希腊联军英雄、伊萨卡王奥德修斯在海上漂流十年,历经艰难险阻,终于返回故国,夫妻团圆的故事。
  • 逆天废材腹黑如他

    逆天废材腹黑如他

    她是21世纪穿越的一个杀手,别人说她是废材,她逆天改命,丹药对她来说不值一提,神兽她不稀罕。他是她为珍宝,“王爷,太子跟你抢未来王妃”“通知皇帝叫他二废太子”=王爷,王妃把皇上的后宫烧了”,“影一去帮王妃”“主子,主母被人劫走成亲去了”一听他愤怒的说:“谁这么大胆?敢跟本君抢王妃,召集人马本君亲自去一趟”……
  • 天地逆贼

    天地逆贼

    仰望苍穹,琼楼玉宇,仙高居于九霄之上,三界众生皆为刍狗。李小天总有一种愤懑难以舒之于胸襟:凭什么你们就可以高高在上、奴役众生;凭什么你们就能随意安排别人的人生、主宰别人的命运;凭什么我就得匍匐于尔等的脚下、俯首帖耳、任凭宰割!我的人生我做主!天作囚笼吾就捅破这天,仙为桎梏吾就打破这枷锁!吾之志,天地一逆贼尔!
  • 江河秘闻录:长江诡话

    江河秘闻录:长江诡话

    长江,比黄河更神秘的母亲河。蛊术,赶尸,过阴……无不诞生流传于长江流域。祝融官,长江秘密的守护者,一个传承千年的隐秘组织,和一个从不公开的惊天秘闻,中国最神秘的“有关部门”。一场诡异的中毒事件,将江淼牵扯进迷离的漩涡。无数江湖奇人,匪夷所思的事件背后,都隐藏着难以置信的真相!数不清的暗地交锋,道不尽的上古秘辛,都围绕着神秘的长江展开……