Frank, flushing. "I don't want to take my father's
place. I want to see him back in it."

"Well said!" cried the colonel; "what we all want. But get to be a bit
more of a man, and then coax the Prince to give you a commission. I
think we can make room for Robert Gowan's son in the corps, gentlemen?"

There was a chorus of assent at this; and the colonel went on:

"Come and sit by me, my lad. We can find a chair for you and your
guest, Murray, at this end. Why, you're not fit for a page, my lad;
they want soft, smooth, girlish fellows for that sort of thing. A young
firebrand like you, ready to whip out his sword and use it, is the stuff
for a soldier."

Frank wished the old officer would hold his tongue, and not draw
attention to him, for every one at the table was listening, and Captain
Murray sat smiling with grim satisfaction. But the colonel went on:

"Very glad to see you here this evening, my boy. Why, I hear that you
are quite a favourite with the Prince."

"It does not seem like it, sir," said Frank, who was beginning to feel
irritated. "I am a prisoner."

There was a laugh at this, which ran rippling down the table.

"Not bad quarters for a prisoner, eh, gentlemen?" said the colonel.
"Pooh! my lad, you are only under arrest; and we are very glad you are,
for it gives us the opportunity of having the company of Robert Gowan's
son."

Frank flushed with pleasure to find how warmly his father's name was
received; and the colonel went on:

"Don't you trouble your head about being under arrest, boy. The Prince
was obliged to have you marched off. It wouldn't do for him to have
every young spark drawing and getting up a fight in the Palace. By the
way, what was the quarrel about? You struck young Forbes?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, of course he would draw upon you; but how came you to strike
him?"

The boy hesitated; but the colonel's keen eyes were fixed upon him so
steadfastly, that he felt that he must speak and clear himself of the
suspicion of being a mere quarrelsome schoolboy, and he said firmly:

"He said insulting things about my father, sir." There was a chorus of
approval at this; and as soon as there was silence, the colonel looked
smilingly round the table:

"I think we might forgive this desperate young culprit for committing
that heinous offence, gentlemen. What do you say?"

There was a merry laugh at this; and the colonel turned to the lad.

"We all forgive you, Mr Gowa