In Honour's Cause Part 33

"Given up what?"

"Going to those dangerous meetings; and, I say, give up being so fond of staring at yourself in the gla.s.s. I never did see such a vain c.o.xcomb of a fellow."

"H-r-r-ur!" growled Andrew, as he swung round fiercely upon his fellow-page. "Oh, if I had not made up my mind that I wouldn't quarrel with a brother! Ah! you may laugh; but you'll repent it one of these days."

The lad clenched his fist as he spoke; but he was met by such a good-tempered smile that he turned away again more angry than ever.

"I can't hit you--I won't hit you!" he gasped.

"I know that," cried Frank. "You can't hit a fellow who is fighting hard to make you sensible. I say, who is this Mr George Selby?"

"Never you mind."

"But I do mind. I want to know."

"Well, a great friend of him over the water."

"How came you to get acquainted with him first?"

"You wait, and you'll know."

"Don't tell me without you like; but he's a dangerous friend, and I'm very glad you've given up seeing him."

"Are you?" said Andrew, with a curious smile. "Why, I've seen him again and again."

"You have!" cried Frank, in astonishment. "When?"

"Oh, at different times. Last evening, for instance, in the Park, while you were with your mother. He came to feed the ducks."

"You won't be happy till you are sent away in disgrace."

"That's very true, Franky; but I don't think I shall feel the disgrace.

What would you say, too, if I told you that I have been three times to the city?"

"Impossible!"

"Oh no; these things are not impossible to one who wants to do them."

"Oh, Drew, Drew!" cried Frank.

"There, don't you pity me. You are the one to be pitied."

"I say, hadn't we better talk about something else?"

"Yes. Has Lady Gowan heard from Sir Robert?"

Frank shook his head gloomily.

"What, not written yet?"

"No."

"Then they're stopping his letters!" cried Andrew.

Frank started violently.

"That's it. Just the mean thing that these people would do. I'm sure your father would not have let all this time pa.s.s without sending news."

"Oh, they would not do that!" cried Frank. "He is waiting till he is settled down, and then we shall go and join him."

"You will not," said Andrew. "They'll keep you both here, as you'll see. But, I say, hadn't we better talk about something else?"

"If you like," said Frank coldly.

"Well, then, I haven't heard, for I haven't seen Captain Murray or the doctor. What news have you heard of Steinberg?"

"He's getting better, and going home to Hanover as soon as he can bear to travel."

"That's good news," cried Andrew. "I wish he'd take the King and his court with him."

Frank gave him an angry look, then a sharp glance round to see if his companion's words had been heard, and the latter burst out laughing.

"Poor old Frank!" he said merrily. "There, I won't tease you by saying all these disloyal things. But, I say, your acts give the lie to your words. You're as true to us as steel. Come, don't be cross."

This sort of skirmis.h.i.+ng went on often enough, for the two lads were always at work trying to undermine each other's principles; but they dropped into the habit of leaving off at the right time, so as to avoid quarrelling, and the days glided on in the regular routine of the court.

But a great change had taken place in one who so short a time before was a mere schoolboy, and Lady Gowan could not help remarking it in the rather rare occasions when she had her son alone, and talked to him and made him the repository of her troubles.

"I could not bear all this, Frank," she said one day, "if it were not for the Princess's kindness. Some day we shall have your father forgiven, and he will be back."

"But some day is so long coming, mother. Why don't we go to him?"

"Because he wishes us to stay here, and he will not expose me to the miseries and uncertainties of the life he is leading."

"But we would not mind," cried Frank.

"No, we would not mind; but we must do that which he wishes, my dear."

This was three months after Sir Robert's enforced departure from the court, and when Andrew Forbes's words respecting the communications sent by Sir Robert being stopped had long proved to be unjust.

"Is he still in France?" asked Frank.

"Yes, still there," said Lady Gowan, with a sigh.

"And we can't join him. Don't you think, if you tried again, the Princess might succeed in getting him recalled?"

"I have tried till I dare try no more, for fear of disgusting one who has proved herself my great friend by my importunity. We must be content with knowing that some day your father will be recalled, and then all will be well again."

Lady Gowan did not explain to her son by what means she had letters from her husband, and once when he asked her point-blank she did not speak out, and he did not dare to press the matter.