nce is well-disposed toward me. You must stay
here for the present."

"But I am sure that her Royal Highness will wish me to leave her service
now."

"And I am not," said Sir Robert. "For the present I wish you to stay."

Lady Gowan bent down and kissed his hand in obedience to her husband's
wishes.

"But you will take me with you, father?" cried Frank.

"You, my boy? No. You cannot leave your mother. She and I both look
to you to fill my place till the happier days come, when I can return to
England. You hear me, Frank?"

A protest was on the lad's lips; but there was a stern decision in Sir
Robert's eyes and tones which silenced it, and with quivering lip he
stood listening to his father's instructions, till there was a tap at
the door, and an officer appeared to announce that the visitors must
leave.

"Very well," said Sir Robert quietly, and the officer withdrew.

"Oh, father!" cried Frank, "let me go and ask for another hour."

"No, my boy," said Sir Robert, firmly. "It is better so. Why should we
try to prolong pain? Good-bye, Frank, till we meet again. You must be
a man now, young as you are. I leave your mother in your care."

His farewell to Lady Gowan was very brief, and then at his wish she tore
herself away, and with her veil drawn-down to hide her emotion, she
hurried out, resting on Frank's arm; while he, in spite of his father's
recent words, was half choked as he felt how his mother was sobbing.

"Don't speak to me, dear," she whispered, as they reached her
apartments. "I cannot bear it. I feel as if we were forsaking your
father in the time of his greatest need."

It was painful to leave her suffering; but there was a feeling of desire
urging the lad away, and he hurried out, finding Andrew faithfully
waiting at the door, and ready to press his hand in sympathy.

"It's terribly hard, lad," he said. "Oh, dear; what a wicked world it
is! But you are coming to see him go?"

Frank nodded--he could not trust himself to speak--and they started back
for Sir Robert's quarters.

They were none too soon; for already a couple of coaches were at the
door, and a military guard was drawn up, keeping back a little crowd,
the wind of the approaching departure having got abroad.

The lads noticed that fully half were soldiers; but they had little time
for making observations, for already Sir Robert was at the door, and the
next minute he had stepped into the first coach, the second, sta