ng very important on his mind.

"I have chosen a bad time," thought Fred. "I'll go away and wait."

"No, no," he said, half aloud; "how can I be so foolish? I will go up
and speak to him like a man. It is mean and cowardly to hang back."

He stepped toward the colonel again, but there was another reprieve for
him, the general riding up; and for the next quarter of an hour the two
officers were in earnest converse.

"Yes," said Fred; "I have chosen a bad time. I'll go."

But he did not stir, for at the same moment he felt that the general
might be planning with his father that which he sought to prevent.

"I'll go and speak now they are together," he said to himself,
desperately. "General Hedley likes me, I think, and he could not be
very cross."

"No, I dare not," he muttered; and he paced to and fro again till the
general touched his horse's flanks, and rode slowly away, Colonel
Forrester following him thoughtfully for some distance, till in a fit of
desperation Fred hurried to his side.

"Want me, my boy?" said the colonel, gravely.

"Yes, father. I want to ask you something."

"Yes; go on. I am very much occupied just now."

Fred looked at him piteously, his words upon his lips, but refusing to
be spoken.

"Well, my boy, what is it? Are you in some great trouble?"

The words came in so much more kindly a tone, that Fred made a step
toward his father, and the barrier of discipline gave way, and it seemed
to be no longer the stern officer but the father of the old Manor house
days he was longing to address.

"Well, my boy, what is the trouble?" said Colonel Forrester, kindly.

"It is about--"

Fred did not finish his sentence, but pointed across the lake.

"Ah, yes, about the Hall!" said the colonel, with a sigh. "Well, my
boy, what do you wish to say?"

"Are they keeping to what was in Sir Godfrey's message, father?"

"Yes, my boy," sternly.

"But don't you think they could be persuaded to surrender?"

"Yes, Fred."

"Oh, father, I am glad," cried the boy, joyously.

"Yes, persuaded," continued Colonel Forrester, in measured tones, "with
sword and gun, not till they are utterly helpless. Then they may."

"Oh, father!"

"Yes, my boy; it is very sad, but they will not see that their case is
desperate."

"Is the attack to be made to-day, father?"

"I am not the general in command, my boy. That is a matter for another
to decide."

"Yes; but you know, father, and you can trust