nly-looking boy who hurried to meet her; and court
etiquette did not hinder a loving exchange of kisses. She shook hands
directly after with Andrew Forbes.

"I am afraid that you two find it very dull here sometimes," she said.

"Well, yes, Lady Gowan," said the youth, "I often do. I'm not like
Frank here, with his friends at court."

"But I have so few opportunities for seeing him, Mr Forbes. After a
few weeks, though, I shall be at home yonder, and then you must come and
spend as much time there as you can with Frank."

Andrew bowed and smiled, and said something about being glad.

"Frank dear," said Lady Gowan, "I have had a letter from your father
this morning, and I have written an answer. He wants to see you for a
little while. He is at home for a couple of days. You can take the
note across."

"Yes," cried Frank, flushing with pleasure; but the next moment he
turned to Andrew with an apologetic look.

"What is the matter?" said Lady Gowan. "Am I interrupting some plans?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing, Lady Gowan," said Andrew, warmly.

"I was going out with Drew, mother; but we can go another time. He will
not mind."

"But it was only this afternoon."

"Oh!" cried Lady Gowan, "he will be back in an hour or so. I am glad
that you were going out, my boy; it will make a little change for you.
And I am very glad, Mr Forbes, that he has found so kind a companion."

Andrew played the courtier to such perfection, that as soon as she had
passed out of the room with her son Lady Gowan laughed merrily.

"In confidence, Frank," she said, "and not to hurt Mr Forbes's
feelings, do not imitate his little bits of courtly etiquette. They
partake too much of the dancing-master. I like to see my boy natural
and manly. There, quick to your father, with my dear love, and tell him
I am longing for his leave, when we can have, I hope, a couple of months
in Hampshire."

"Hah!" ejaculated Frank, as he hurried across the Park; "a couple of
months in Hampshire. I wonder how long it will be?"

Ten minutes later he was going up two steps at a time to the room
affected by his father in the spacious house in Queen Anne Street,
where, as soon as he threw open the door, he caught sight of the lightly
built but vigorous and active-looking officer in scarlet, seated at the
window overlooking the Park, deep in a formidable-looking letter.

"Ah, Frank, my dear boy," he cried, hurriedly thrusting the letter into
his breast,