but think that he would wish you to try and strike one blow for
his--Bah!"

Andrew turned away in bitter contempt and rage, for strong in his
determination not to be stung into a fresh quarrel, the boy he
addressed, as soon as he heard his companion begin to reiterate his
assertion that Sir Robert Gowan had gone over to the Pretender's side,
turned slowly away, and, with his elbows once more resting on the
window-sill, thrust a finger into each ear, and stopped them tight. So
effectually was this done, that he started round angrily on feeling a
hand laid upon his shoulder.

"It's of no use, Drew, I won't--Oh, it's you, Captain Murray!"

"Yes, my lad. Has he been saying things you don't like?"

Frank nodded.

"Well, that's one way of showing you don't want to listen. Your mother
wishes to see you, and you can go to her."

"Ah!" cried the boy eagerly.

"Give me your word as a gentleman that you will go to her and return at
once, and I will let you cross to Lady Gowan's apartments without an
escort."

"Escort, sir?" said Frank wonderingly.

"Well, without a corporal and a file of men as guard."

"Oh, of course I'll come back," said the boy, smiling. "I'm not going
to run away."

"Go, then, at once."

Captain Murray walked with him to the door, made a sign to the sentry,
who drew back to stand at attention, and the boy began to descend.

"How long may I stay, sir?" he asked.

"As long as Lady Gowan wishes; but be back before dark."

"Poor old Drew!" thought Frank, as he hurried across to the courtyard
upon which his mother's apartments opened; "it's a deal worse for him
than it is for me. But he's half mad with his rightful-king ideas, and
ready to say or do anything to help them on. But to say such a thing as
that about my father! Oh!"

He was ushered at once into his mother's presence, but she did not hear
the door open or close; and as she lay on a couch, with her head turned
so that her face was buried in her hands, he thought she was asleep.

"Mother," he said softly, as he bent over her.

Lady Gowan sprang up at once; but instead of holding out her arms to him
as he was about to drop on his knees before her, her wet eyes flashed
angrily, and she spoke in a voice full of bitter reproach.

"I have just heard from the Princess that my son, whom I trusted in
these troublous times to be my stay and help, has been brawling
disgracefully during his duties at the court."

"Brawling disgracefu