In Honour's Cause Part 30

I shan't be fit to be seen."

"Then why don't you speak? It's cruel, horrible," cried Frank hoa.r.s.ely.

"Because it comes so hard, old lad. I feel just as you told me you felt when you had to go and tell Lady Gowan that morning."

"Yes, yes, I know; but do--do speak! You've tortured me enough."

"I've just seen Captain Murray."

"Ah!"

"He was coming out of the colonel's quarters."

"Well? Be quick--oh, do be quick!"

"I ran to him, and he took me into his room and told me."

"Yes--told you--what?"

"He said he was very sorry for you and Lady Gowan, but the King was as hard as a rock. The Prince had been at him, and the Princess too; but he would hardly listen to them, and the most he would do was--It seems that Steinberg is a very old favourite."

"Oh, I knew all that long ago! Why do you break off in that tantalising way?"

"There is to be no regular court-martial, such as was to have been as soon as the doctor said Sir Robert could bear it."

"Yes, yes."

"Oh, it's no, no, Frank. He's to be dismissed from his regiment."

"I was afraid so," cried Frank. "But to exchange into another. What regiment is he to go in?"

Andrew was silent.

"Well, go on! Why don't you speak?" cried Frank wildly. "I asked you what regiment he was to go in."

"No regiment at all. He's dismissed from the King's service, and he is to leave the country. If he comes back, he is to be severely punished."

"Oh, they could not punish him more severely," cried Frank, with an angry stamp of the foot.

"Yes, they could. His Majesty"--Andrew Forbes said the two last words with bitter irony in his tones--"might order his execution."

"Then we are all to go away," said Frank, frowning.

"I don't know about that," replied Andrew. "But it's a good thing for your father."

"What! A good thing?"

"Yes; to get out of the service of such a miserable usurper. If it were not for the terrible upset to Lady Gowan, I should be ready to congratulate her."

"That will do," said Frank sharply. "Don't get introducing your principles here."

"Our principles," whispered Andrew, with a meaning look.

"Your principles," continued Frank, with emphasis. "I'm in no temper for that, and I don't want to quarrel. I must go and tell her as soon as I'm off duty. She'll be ready to hate the sight of me for always bringing her bad news."

But before the boy was relieved from his daily duties in the anteroom, a note was brought to him from Lady Gowan confirming Andrew's words. In fact, Frank's mother had known the worst over-night. But there was other news in the letter which told the lad that his father was to leave London that evening, that he was to accompany his mother to see him for a farewell interview, and that she wished him to be ready to go with her at seven o'clock.

Frank read the letter twice, and felt puzzled. He read it again, and sought out his friend.

"Been to see Lady Gowan?" Andrew asked.

"No; read this."

The lad took the letter, shrugged his shoulders as he read it, and handed it back.

"That's plain enough," he said bitterly.

"Do you think so? I don't. I can't make out the end."

"You are to call for Lady Gowan, and take her to Sir Robert's quarters."

"No, no, I mean about a farewell visit."

"Well, isn't that plain?"

"But we shall go too."

"I don't think so. Your mother is the Princess's friend, and she does not wish to lose her. You will both have to stay."

"Impossible!" cried Frank excitedly.

"Well, we shall see," said Andrew meaningly.

That evening Frank took his mother, closely veiled, to Sir Robert's quarters, where he had been ever since the duel, with a sentry beneath his window, another stationed at his door.

The pa.s.s Lady Gowan bore admitted them at once, and the next minute they were in Sir Robert's room, to find him looking pale and stern, busily finis.h.i.+ng with his servant the preparations for an immediate start.

The man was dismissed, and father, mother, and son were alone.

Lady Gowan was the first to speak.

"You know the orders that have been given, Robert?" she said.

"Yes; I travel with a strong escort to Harwich, where I am to take s.h.i.+p and cross."

"Of course we are going with you, Robert," said Lady Gowan.

Sir Robert was silent for a few moments, and Frank stood watching him anxiously, eager to hear his reply.