e."

"Sent for you? No--oh yes, I remember. Well, sir, what excuse have you
to make for yourself?"

"None, your Highness," said the boy firmly.

"Humph! Defiant and obstinate?"

Frank shook his head. He could not trust himself to speak.

"Hah! that's better," said the Prince. "Well, what have you to say in
excuse for your conduct, before I order you to quit my service?"

"Nothing, your Highness."

"Humph! Very wise of you, sir. I hate lying excuses."

Frank darted a quick glance in the direction of the Princess, in the
hope that she would intercede for him, as he saw himself sent off in
disgrace, separated from the mother whom his father had bidden him to
watch over and protect. The idea was horrible, and with his hands
turning moist in the palms, and the dew gathering in fine drops about
his temples, he felt ready to promise anything to ensure his stay at the
Palace.

"I may tell you what I have heard from the officer in charge of the
guard last night--everything which took place. What am I to think of
one of my servants standing with his sword drawn to resist his Majesty's
officer in the execution of his duty?"

"It was to defend my mother, sir," said Frank firmly. "Oh! Well, that
is what a son should do, and that is some excuse. A lady I respect, and
whom the Princess esteems. But this is very serious at a time like
this, when his Majesty is surrounded by enemies; and there must be no
more such acts as this, Mr Gowan. If you were a man, I should not have
spoken as I do; you would have been dealt with by others. But as you
are a mere thoughtless boy, ready to act on the impulse of the moment,
and as, for your mother's sake, the Princess has interceded for you, I
am disposed to look over it."

"Thank your Royal Highness," cried Frank, drawing a long, deep breath,
full of relief.

"Now you may go back to your duties, and remember this: you are very
young, and have good prospects before you. You are my servant now you
are a boy; I hope you will be my servant still when you grow up to be a
man. I shall want men whom I can trust--men to whom I can say `Protect
me,' and who will do it."

"Yes, your Highness, and I will," cried Frank eagerly, as he took a
couple of steps forward. "So would my father, your Highness. He is a
fine, brave, true soldier, and--"

"He has a son who believes in him. Well?"

"He was forced to fight, your Highness. You would not have believed in
him as a soldie