thanks expressed; in fact,
there was a peculiar quiver in his voice and a slight huskiness of which
he was self-conscious, and he hurriedly continued:

"Oh yes, I like you. I did at first; you seemed so fresh and daisy-like
amongst all this heavy Dutch formality. I'll tell you everything; and
if you can't have the country, I'll see that you do have some fun.
We'll go out together, and you must see my father. He's a fine, dashing
officer; he ought to have had a good command given him. I say, Frank,
he's great friends with Sir Robert."

"Is he? My father never said so."

"Mine did; but--er--I think there are reasons just now why they don't
want it to be known. You see your father's in the King's Guards."

"Yes."

"Well, and mine isn't. He is not very fond of the House of Brunswick."

"I say, mind what you are saying."

"Of course. I shouldn't say it to any one else. But, I say, what made
you burst put into that roar of laughter about nothing?"

"It wasn't about nothing," said Frank, with a mirthful look in his eyes.

"What was it then? See anything out of the window?"

"Oh no; it was in this room."

"Well, what was it?"

"Oh, never mind."

"Here, I thought we were going to be great friends."

"Of course."

"Then friends must confide in one another. Why don't you speak?"

"I don't want to offend you."

"Come, out with it."

"Well, I was laughing at you."

"Why?"

"To see you admiring yourself in the glass there."

Andrew Forbes made an angry gesture, but laughed it off.

"Well, the Prince's pages are expected to look well," he said.

"You always look well without. But I wish you wouldn't do that sort of
thing; it makes you seem so girlish."

There was another angry gesture.

"I can't help my looks."

"There, now, you're put out again."

"No, not a bit," said the youth hastily. "I say, though, you don't
think much of the King, do you?"

"Oh yes," said Frank thoughtfully; "of course."

"Why?"

"Why? Well, because he's the King, of course. Don't you?"

"No! I don't think anything of him. He's only a poor German prince,
brought over by the Whigs. I always feel ready to laugh in his face."

"I say," cried Frank, looking at his companion in horror, "do you know
what you are saying?"

"Oh yes; and I don't think a great deal of the Prince. My father got me
here; but I don't feel in my place, and I'm not going to sacrifice
myself, even if I am one of the pages. I belie