l grow old soon enough. He says what I think,
that you never go out, and that you will break down."

"Oh, absurd! I don't want exercise."

For answer the captain clapped him on the shoulder, and twisted him
round.

"Look at your white face in the glass, my boy. Don't risk illness. You
will want all your strength directly in the fight for life to come.
Your father will, in all probability, reach London to-morrow."

"Ah!" cried Frank excitedly.

"Yes; we had news this morning by the messenger who brought the royal
despatches. The colonel had a brief letter. Get leave to go out
to-morrow, and come with me."

"Yes, where?"

"We'll try and meet the escort, and see your father, even if we cannot
speak."

"Oh!" ejaculated Frank; and, utterly worn out with anxiety and want of
proper food, he reeled, a deathly feeling of sickness seized him, and
his eyes closed.

When he opened them again he was lying upon the captain's couch, with
his temples and hair wet, and he looked wonderingly in the face of his
father's friend.

"Better?"

"Yes; what is it? Oh my head! the room's going round."

"Drink," said the captain. "That's better. It will soon go off."

"But why did I turn like that?"

"From weakness, lad. Shall I send for the doctor?"

"No, no," cried Frank, struggling up into a sitting position. "I'm
better now. How stupid of me!"

"Nature telling you she has been neglected, my lad. You have not eaten
much lately?"

"I couldn't."

"Nor slept well?"

"Horribly. I could only lie and think."

"And you have not been outside the walls?"

"No; I have felt ashamed to be seen, and as if people would look at me
and say, `His father is one of the prisoners.'"

"All signs of weakness, as the doctor would say. Now you want to be
strong enough to go with me to-morrow--mounted?"

"Of course."

"Then try and do something to make yourself fit. I shouldn't perhaps be
able to catch you as I did just now if you fainted on horseback, and in
a London crowd; for we should be under the wing of the troops sent to
meet the prisoners coming in."

"I shall be all right, sir," said the boy firmly.

"Go and have a walk in the fresh air, then, now."

"Must I?" said Frank dismally.

"If you wish to go with me."

"Where shall I go, then?"

"Anywhere; go and have a turn in the Park."

"What, go and walk up and down there, where people may know me!"

"Yes, let them. Don't take any notice. Try and amuse