sulting way at our English ladies. Ugh! I
wonder your father doesn't stop it. Look at him yonder, standing as if
he were made of stone. I shall tell him what I think to-night."

"You would never be so foolish and insulting," said Frank warmly. "He
would be angry."

"No, I suppose I must not," said Andrew gloomily. "He would say it was
the impertinence of a boy."

They had to separate directly after, and a few minutes later Frank saw
his father crossing the room toward the door. Frank was nearest, and by
a quick movement reached it first, and stepped outside so as to get a
word or two from him as he came out. But Sir Robert was stopped on his
way, and some minutes elapsed before Frank saw the manly, upright figure
emerge from the gaily dressed crowd which filled the anteroom, and
stride toward him, but evidently without noticing his presence.

"Father," he whispered.

Sir Robert turned upon him a fierce, angry face, his eyes flashing, and
lips moving as if he were talking to himself. But the stern looks
softened to a smile as he recognised his son, and he spoke hurriedly:

"Don't stop me, my boy; I'm not fit to talk to you now. Oh, absurd!"

"Is anything the matter, father?" said Frank anxiously, as he laid his
hand on his father's arm.

"Matter? Oh, nothing, boy. Just a trifle put out. The rooms are very
hot. There, I must go. Don't forget to-night, you and young Forbes."

He nodded and strode on, leaving his son wondering; for he had never
seen such a look before upon his father's face.

He thought no more of it then, for his attention was taken up by the
coming of the Princess with her ladies, the reception being at an end;
while soon after Andrew Forbes joined him, and began questioning him
again about Lady Gowan, and what she had said about his dead mother,
ending by turning Frank's attention from the emotion he could hardly
hide by saying banteringly:

"You'll have to be very strict with me, Frank, or you'll have a great
deal of trouble to make me a good boy."

"I shall manage it," said Frank, with a laugh; and not very long after
they were on their way to the Guards' messroom, both trying to appear
cool and unconcerned, but each feeling nervous at the idea of dining
with the officers.

Sir Robert was there, looking rather flushed and excited, as he stood
talking to a brother-officer in the large room set apart for the Guards;
but his face lit up with a pleasant smile as the boys enter