rrender at once."

"Go back to those who sent you, sir, and tell them that Sir Robert Gowan
is not here."

"Then where is he, madam?"

"You have no right to question me, sir," said Lady Gowan haughtily;
"but, to end this interview, I will answer your question. I do not
know."

"Your ladyship tells me that?" cried the officer quickly.

"I refuse to be questioned by you, sir," said Lady Gowan with dignity.
"You are in the King's Guards; you have a duty to perform. I am
helpless at this moment. Pray do it, and go. But I insist, in the name
of the lady whom I have the honour to serve, that you do not go without
leaving a proper guard to protect this house from pillage by the mob
outside."

The officer looked puzzled and confused for a moment or two, and then he
spoke again sharply.

"I am bound to take your ladyship's word," he said; "but you know!" he
cried, turning suddenly upon Frank, and so fiercely intended as to throw
him off his guard. "Come, sir; it is of no use to prevaricate. Where
is Sir Robert?"

But Frank was as firm as his mother, and he met the young officer's eyes
without flinching.

"Where is my father?" he said quietly. "I don't know, and if I did I
wouldn't tell you."

A flush of anger suffused the young Guardsman's face; but the boy's
manner touched him home, and the anger passed away in a laugh.

"Well," he said, "that's not a bad answer. Unfortunately, young
gentleman, I can't be satisfied with it.--Lady Gowan, I regret having
this duty placed in my hands to carry out, but I must perform it. I am
compelled to disbelieve you and your son, and search the house."

"Do your duty then, sir," said Lady Gowan coldly; "but I cannot stay
here to submit to the insult. I insist upon my house being protected."

"My men are at the door, madam, and no one will be allowed to pass. I
answer for the place being safe."

"Thank you, sir," said Lady Gowan courteously. "I do not blame you for
all this. I presume my son and I can pass your men?"

"Of course, madam," said the officer; and his manner changed, for these
words impressed him more than any denial that Sir Robert was there. "I
thank you for going, though," he said, recovering his composure. "You
relieve me from the painful duty of arresting Sir Robert in your
presence."

Lady Gowan smiled, and drew her hood over her head.

"Come, Frank," she said; "see me back to the Palace; you will not need
your sword."

The officer took u