e to, father?" Sir Robert drew a deep breath, and then
hoarsely: "No. I desire that you do not. Your mother has through the
Princess prayed and prayed in vain. No, Frank, you shall not do that."

"Very well, father," said the boy drearily. "Hist! Some one!"
whispered Sir Robert; and Frank turned sharply to see light gleaming
beneath the door, and his father stepped away from him, and something on
the table grated softly as it was taken up. Then a soft voice said:

"Wouldn't you like a light, Sir Robert? I saw yours was out."

"Yes," came from close to where Frank stood with his hands turning wet
in the darkness, and then he felt his father brush by him, the door was
unlocked, and the housekeeper's white face was seen lit up by the candle
she carried.

"Thank you, Berry," said Sir Robert; and he took the candle and relocked
the door after the woman.

The light dazzled Frank for a few minutes, and then he was gazing
wonderingly in his father's face, to see that it was thin and careworn,
while the lines in his forehead were deepened.

His sword and pistols lay upon the table close to some sheets of paper,
the inkstand showing that he had been writing when he was interrupted by
his visitor; and the boy noticed, too, that there was a heavy cloak over
a chair back, and the curtains were very closely drawn.

"Don't look so smart as in the old days, Frank, eh?" said Sir Robert,
with a sad smile.

"You look like my father," said the boy firmly.

"And you like my son," cried Sir Robert, patting the boy's head.

"Then you really would not like me to venture to ask the King, father?"

Sir Robert pointed to a chair close by his own, and they sat down, the
father still retaining his boy's hand.

"No, Frank," he said gravely. "I should not now. It is too late."

"But it would mean bringing you back, father."

"I am not a clever man, Frank lad," said Sir Robert. "I am fair as a
soldier, and I know my duties pretty well; but when we get into the maze
of politics and social matters, I am afraid that I am very stupid.
Here, however, I seem to see in a dim sort of way that such a thing as
you propose would be only weak and romantic. It sounds very nice, but
it would only be raising your hopes and--Stop. Does your mother know
that you think of doing this?"

"Oh no, father; the doctor only just suggested it--now that Steinberg
has recovered."

"Very good of the doctor, and I am deeply in his debt for saving tha