“If I were only free,” cried Andrew, turning fiercely on the officer, “you would not dare to insult me then.”
“Then I’m very glad you are not. I say, why in the name of wonder are you not in the service, my young fire-eater? You are not in your right place as a page.”
“Because—because—”
“Stop! that will do, young man,” said Captain Murray sternly. “Let him be,” he continued to his brother-officer. “The lad is beside himself with passion.”
“Oh, I’ve done; but are they to be put together? They’ll be at each other’s throats again.”
“No, they will not,” said Captain Murray. “Frank, give me your word as your father’s son that this quarrel is quite at an end.”
“Oh yes, I’ve done,” said the boy quickly.
“And you, Mr Forbes?”
“No,” cried Andrew fiercely. “I shall make no promises. And as for you, Frank Gowan, I repeat what I said to you: every word is true.”
“You think it is,” said Frank quietly, “or you wouldn’t have said it. But it isn’t true. It couldn’t be.”