g wound from front to back, and takes time. Be a lesson to him. I
say, how's Lady Gowan?"

"Very miserable and low-spirited."

"Humph!" ejaculated Andrew; and he glanced in a curious, furtive way at
his companion. "I say, I thought the Princess was to speak to the King,
and get your father pardoned."

"She did speak to him, and the Prince has too."

"Well?"

"We don't know any more yet. I suppose my father is kept under arrest
so as to punish him."

"Yes," said Andrew, with a strange hesitation, which took Frank's
attention.

"Why did you say `_yes_' like that?" he cried, with his dull, listless
manner passing off, and a keen, eager look in his eyes.

"Did I say `_yes_' like that?"

"You know you did. What is it you are keeping back, Drew?"

"I say, don't talk like that," said Andrew petulantly. "I never saw
such a fellow as you are. Here, only the other day you looked up to me
in everything, and I tried to teach you how to behave like a young man
of the world in courtly society."

"Yes, you did, and I am greatly obliged; but--"

"Seems like it," said Andrew sharply. "Then all at once you set up your
hackles, and show fight like a young cockerel, and begin bouncing over
me--I mean trying to; and it won't do, young Gowan. I'm your senior."

"Yes, yes, I know," cried Frank angrily; "but this is all talk, just for
the sake of saying something to put me off. Now speak out; what is it
you're keeping back?"

"There you go again, bully Gowan! Here, I say, you know I'm not going
to stand this. You keep your place."

"Don't, don't, Drew, when I'm in such trouble!" cried Frank appealingly.

"Ah! that's better. Now you've dropped into your place again, boy."

"You have something fresh--some great trouble--and you are hiding it
from me."

"Well, how can I help it?" said Andrew. "You're bad enough as it is,
and I don't want to make matters worse."

"But that's what you are doing. Why don't you speak?"

"Because you'll go and tell dear Lady Gowan, and it will half kill her."

"What!" cried Frank, springing at his companion, and catching him by the
shoulder.

"And I look upon her as if she was my mother as well as yours, and I'd
cut off my hand sooner than hurt her feelings more."

"I knew there was something fresh," cried Frank excitedly; "and,
whatever it is, I must tell her, Drew. I promised her that I'd be quite
open, and keep nothing from her."

"There, I knew I was right. How can I