The Lord St. John made a deep obeisance (лорд Сент-Джон отвесил глубокий поклон) — and it was observed (и было замечено = заметно) that it was a significantly cautious and non-committal one (что это был весьма осторожный и ни к чему не обязывающий поклон: «один»), it not being delivered (который не предназначался: «он не будучи сделан») at either of the kings (ни одному из королей), but at the neutral ground (но нейтральному пространству: «земле») about half-way (примерно на полдороги) between the two (между двумя) — and took his leave (и удалился: «взял свой уход»).
commune [`kOmju:n], dynasty [`dınəstı], artisan [a:tı`zæn], remote [ri`mqut]
The tide was turning very fast now, very fast, indeed — but in the wrong direction; it was leaving poor Tom Canty stranded on the throne, and sweeping the other out to sea. The Lord Protector communed with himself — shook his head — the thought forced itself upon him, 'It is perilous to the state and to us all, to entertain so fateful a riddle as this; it could divide the nation and undermine the throne.' He turned and said:
'Sir Thomas, arrest this — No, hold!' His face lighted, and he confronted the ragged candidate with this question:
'Where lieth the Great Seal? Answer me this truly, and the riddle is unriddled; for only he that was Prince of Wales can so answer! On so trivial a thing hang a throne and a dynasty!'
It was a lucky thought, a happy thought. That it was so considered by the great officials was manifested by the silent applause that shot from eye to eye around their circle in the form of bright approving glances. Yes, none but the true prince could dissolve the stubborn mystery of the vanished Great Seal — this forlorn little impostor had been taught his lesson well, but here his teachings must fail, for his teacher himself could not answer that question — ah, very good, very good indeed; now we shall be rid of this troublesome and perilous business in short order! And so they nodded invisibly and smiled inwardly with satisfaction, and looked to see this foolish lad stricken with a palsy of guilty confusion. How surprised they were, then, to see nothing of the sort happen — how they marveled to hear him answer up promptly, in a confident and untroubled voice, and say: