he cried, stepping up to her and kissing her. "I can't
help it. Drew is right. I am so proud of you."

"Are you?" she said, smiling, as she returned his kiss, and her look
said that the pride was reciprocal.

They gazed in each other's eyes for a few moments, as if deaf to the
sounds below-stairs, which told that the soldiers had at last gained an
entrance.

Then a change came over Lady Gowan's face, her upper lip curled, and a
look of haughty scorn shone from her eyes.

"They are coming up, my boy," she cried. "Leave me to speak."

For answer Frank drew his sword, caught up the silver branch with its
three candles from the table, and took a couple of strides in front of
his mother toward the door, as it was dashed open, when, sword in hand,
followed by half a dozen men with fixed bayonets, the officer in command
rushed in.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

SAVED!

"Here, how dare you!" shouted Frank angrily; and, in utter astonishment,
the officer stopped short, and lowered the sword he had fully expected
to use, while the men threw up their bayonets and stood fast. "I don't
know you, but you belong to the Guards, I suppose, and--"

"Silence, Frank! Let me speak," said Lady Gowan, without a tremor in
her voice. "Then you are not an armed mob of rioters. Pray, what does
this outrage mean?"

"I ask your pardon, Lady Gowan," said the young officer, recovering
himself; "it is a painful act of duty."

"To break into my house, sir!" said Lady Gowan haughtily, while her son
felt more than ever that he was engaged in some madly exciting game.

"I was refused entrance, after repeatedly demanding it in the King's
name."

"In the King's name!" cried Lady Gowan scornfully. "How were I, my son,
or my servants to know that this was not the excuse made by one of the
riotous Jacobite bands to obtain entrance and plunder my home?"

"I cannot help fulfilling my duty, Lady Gowan," said the young officer
respectfully. "I must proceed to the arrest."

"Arrest?" cried Lady Gowan hurriedly. "Oh, Frank! But surely--ah, I
will speak to the Princess. Such a trivial act--a thoughtless boy.
Arrest him for absenting himself without leave--to meet his mother--at
his own home?"

"Your ladyship must be trifling with me," said the officer sternly, "and
I cannot be played with. Information was brought to the Palace that Sir
Robert Gowan is here, and at all costs my orders are to arrest him. I
beg that you will tell him to su