g will."

Andrew was silent for some minutes, and they walked on, inadvertently
going down by the water-side, and directing their steps to the clump of
trees where the duel had taken place.

They passed over the ground in silence, each picturing the scene, and
then went slowly on, so as to pass round the end of the canal--for such
it was in those days--and return by the other side.

Andrew was the first to break the silence, Frank being plunged in deep
thought over the doctor's advice.

"You ought to be very proud of your father, Frank," he said.

"I am," was the laconic reply.

"My father, when I told him, said he behaved most gallantly, but that he
ought to have killed his man."

"Your father!" cried Frank, staring. "Why, when did you see your
father?"

"Can't people write?" said Andrew hastily; and he looked slightly
confused. "I did learn how to read and write," he added, with a forced
laugh.

Frank was silent for a few moments.

"I say," he said at last, "doesn't it seem strange that we should be
both like this--each with his father obliged to keep abroad?"

"Very," said Andrew drily, and he glanced sidewise at his companion; but
Frank was thinking with his brow all in lines, till they came round
opposite to the house overlooking the Park, where he stopped to gaze up
at the windows.

"Poor old place looks dismal," said Andrew, "with its shutters to and
blinds drawn-down. I wonder your mother doesn't let it."

"What, our house?" cried Frank, flushing. "Oh, they wouldn't do that."

"Seems a pity for such a nice place to be empty. But there is some one
in it of course?"

"Only our old housekeeper and a maid. Come along; it makes me feel
miserable to look at the place."

"But doesn't your mother go there now?"

"No; she has not been since--since--"

He did not finish his sentence, for a curious sensation of huskiness
affected his throat, and he felt determined now to follow out the
doctor's suggestion, so that there might be some one to take interest in
the old town house again.

He took a step or two, and then waited, for Andrew appeared to be
attracted more than repelled by the gloomy aspect of the blank-looking
place, and then, all at once, Frank's heart seemed to stand still, and a
stifling sense of suffocation to affect him, so that it was some moments
before he could speak, and then it was in a tone of voice that startled
his companion.

"Come away!" cried Frank angrily, and with