The Prince and the Pauper: Chapter 25 Summary & Analysis

Once Hendon and Edward are out of the constable’s sight, Hendon directs Edward to an area where he can change into the nicer clothes that Hendon bought him in London and wait while Hendon gets his own belongings from the inn. Hendon and Edward head toward Hendon Hall, stopping at inns and sharing stories of their adventures the whole time. Hendon is horrified to learn that the kindly old hermit meant to kill Edward—he wishes he had killed the hermit on the spot. As they get closer to Hendon Hall, Hendon chatters incessantly about his brothers, father, and Lady Edith. The area around the Hall is quaint but picturesque. Hugh recognizes different buildings and people, though none recognize him. He brags about how many rooms the Hall has and he assures Edward that everyone the family will be very happy to meet Edward when they know how much Hendon loves him.

As soon as they reach the Hall, Hendon grabs Edward’s hand and rushes into a large apartment. A young man is at a desk and Hendon runs up and asks Hugh to hug him and call for their father. Hugh, however, only looks surprised and confused. He says Hendon must be mad and asks who Hendon thinks he is. Hendon says he’s Miles Hendon, and Hugh brings him over to the light to scan him, wondering if the dead can come back to life. Hendon laughingly tells Hugh to look him all over—he is indeed Miles Hendon. Hendon loses patience and asks Hugh to hug him before he dies of joy, but Hugh puts a hand up and says that although he resembles Miles, Hendon can’t be Miles, since Miles Hendon died six or seven years prior.

Hendon tells Hugh to call Sir Richard, Arthur, Lady Edith, or even some of the old servants—one of these will surely recognize him. Hugh explains that Richard and Arthur have passed away, but that Lady Edith is alive and well. Furthermore, only five of the old servants remain and Hugh names them. Hugh then leaves the apartment to go get Lady Edith. Alone with Edward, Hendon says it is strange that the only five servants left are the “arch villains” instead of the honest ones. Edward tries to comfort Hendon, saying that other people have their identities denied by others. Hendon assures Edward that he’s no impostor but the real Miles Hendon. Edward says he believes Hendon, for which Hendon thanks him. Edward asks if Hendon believes his story in return. Hendon is embarrassed but he is saved from having to answer when Hugh returns.

Hugh, Lady Edith, and the servants walk in. Hendon steps toward Edith, but Hugh stops him. Edith looks very sad and keeps her head down until Hugh tells her to look up. When she does, all the blood drains from her face in an instant, but she still says she doesn’t recognize Hendon. With a sob, Edith runs out of the room. The servants, too, say that Hendon isn’t Miles. Hugh says Hendon has made a mistake because not even Hugh’s wife recognizes him. Hendon is shocked and he grabs Hugh by the throat. Hendon says he knows exactly what happened: Hugh forged Hendon’s death notification so that Hugh could marry Edith. Hugh orders the servants to take Hendon, but they refuse because he’s armed. Hugh runs out to get help and he tells Hendon there’s no hope of escape. Hendon says that he is the master of Hendon Hall and that he will remain.