The coronation.-

In the meantime, in palace Tom was being prepared for the ceremony. His memories about the true King, with whom he had exchanged his beggar clothes for those of a prince, had faded away. He now behaved as if destinity had made posible for him to reach the England throne,

 





Also the memories of his mother and sisters, who so long he wanted to see on the first days, had followed the same road out if his mind, giving way to enjoying the palace pleasures. And everybody at the court , when they observed Tom, thought his madness belonged to the past.







Dressed, scented and adorned with invaluable jewels, Tom was helped to mount his horse. He had to cross the city and go to W Abbey, He left escorted by hundreds of guards. The former beggar was delighted seeing that, when he appeared, everybody gave him affected bows.Waving one way and another, from time to time he scattered a handful off Golden coins to the delirious multitude.


Suddenly, among the thousands of persons that were fighting to get closer to him, he caught sight of the pale and astounded face of his mother,









Tom, consternated, covered his face with his hands, with its palms outwards.It was an unmistakable gesture of his. The mother, then to reach the boys horse. She embraced Tom'leeg and covering it with kisses, exclaimed...





-Ah, mi child, my Darling.



The same instant an officer of the King'sguard snatched the woman away and sent her reeling back to the crowd.




-I do not know you, woman...said Tom.







But when he turned back and saw his mother being pushed away by the guard, with such and infinite sad face, the splendor of the parade and the sweetens of the day withered for him and he was again Tom Canty, born a beggar.



Ashamed, his heart filled with dark clouds, he neither saw nor Heard the crowd. He stopped saluting them with his radiant gesture.









The lord Protector approached and encouraged him to shake off the fatal humor, as if he did not the people'sjoy would also fade.








Tom tried to smile and scattered a few more coins, but it was useless. That seemed sad and forced. The Lord Protector told him.











-It has been that beggar the one who provoked the sadness of your highness.








-She is my mother-Tom answered.




-Oh my god!He is gone mad again....the Lord Protector groaned.