“But his Majesty—” began the boy excitedly.
“I cannot ask his Majesty, boy,” said the Prince sternly. “I am very angry to find that one of my attendants was mixed up with last night’s troubles; but, as I told you, at the intercession of the Princess, I am disposed to look over it, if you promise me that in future you will be more careful, and do your duty as my servant should.”
“I will, your Highness.—But my poor father?”
“Must wait until his Majesty is disposed to pardon his offence. Go.”
The Prince waved his hand toward the door, and then for a moment or two he looked startled, for in a quick, impulsive way the boy darted forward and caught the raised hand.
The sudden movement startled the Princess too, and she sprang from her chair; but the look of alarm passed from her eyes as she saw the boy bending down to kiss the Prince’s hand, and as he let it fall she held out her own.
Frank saw the movement, and the next instant he was down on one knee, kissing it, and rose to give the Princess a smile full of gratitude.
At that moment he felt his shoulder heavily grasped by the Prince.
“Good lad!” he said. “Go to your duties. I see I shall have in you a servant I can trust.”
Frank did not know how he got out of the room, for his head was in a whirl, and he did not thoroughly come to himself till he had been seated for some time by his mother’s couch and had told her all that had passed.