, 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.

And still the time went on.

Baron Steinberg was declared by the doctor well enough to take his
journey; and one day, to Frank's relief, Andrew met him with the news
that the German noble had taken his departure.

"I saw him go," said Andrew; "and, as he came out to the carriage,
looking as thin as a herring, I couldn't help smiling, for all the
bounce seemed to be gone out of him, and he was walking with a stick."

"Poor wretch!" said Frank.

"Nonsense! Got what he deserved. Some of these foreign officers seem
to think that they wear swords and learn to use them for nothing else
but to enable them to play the part of bullies and insult better men,
force them to a fight, and then kill them. I'm only too glad one of
them has had his lesson."

"But it's very horrible," said Frank thoughtfully.

"Of course i