"Yes," he said abruptly; "come."

Frank sprang after him as he moved toward the door, and in a few minutes
they were in the antechamber, where a knot of officers were discussing
the proceedings of the previous night, but ceased upon their attention
being directed to the son of one of the prisoners.

The captain sent in his name as soon as he could; but his efforts to
gain an audience were not so successful as upon previous occasions.
There were many waiting, and the Prince made no exception in Captain
Murray's favour.

The order of precedence was rigidly adhered to, and hours had passed
away before the attendant came to where Frank and the captain were
seated waiting.

"His Royal Highness will see you, sir," said the gentleman-in-waiting.

Frank sprang to his feet as the captain rose, and moved toward the
curtained door.

"I am sorry," said the attendant, with a commiserating look, "but his
Royal Highness expressly said that Captain Murray was to come alone."

Frank's lips parted as a look of anguish came into his pale face, and he
turned his appealing eyes to the captain, who shook his head sadly.

"I will beg him to see you, my boy," he whispered. "I look to his
seeing you to get his consent."

Frank sank back into his seat, and turned his face to the window to hide
it from those present, and seemed to them to be gazing out at the gay
show of troops under arms and filling the courtyard; but, as he sat, he
saw only the interior of the Prince's room, with Captain Murray
appealing on his behalf: all else was non-existent.

He had not moved, he had not heard the low buzz of eager conversation
that went on, new-comers being unaware of his presence. Fortunate it
was that he was deaf to all that was said, for the fate of the prisoners
lodged like ordinary malefactors the previous night in Newgate was
eagerly discussed, and his father's name was mentioned by several in
connection with the axe.

He was still sitting in the same vacant way when, at the end of half an
hour, a hand was laid upon his shoulder, and the captain's voice said in
a low tone, "Come."

"He will see me?" cried Frank, rising quickly.

"Hush! Keep your sorrow to yourself, as an Englishman should,"
whispered the captain. "The room is full of people."

"But he will see me?"

"No. Come away," said the captain quietly.

Frank gave him a defiant look; then turned away and walked straight
toward the curtained door, which the attendant was