“And suppose I refuse to give it to so bold and impudent a boy, what then?” and he gazed hard once more in the lad’s flushing face.
“I should be very, very sorry, sir; for you and the Princess have been very good and kind to my poor mother and me.”
“Yes, yes,” said the Prince, “too kind, perhaps, to have such a return as—”
He stopped short as he saw a spasm contract the boy’s features.
“But there,” he continued, “you are not to blame, and I do forgive you, boy. I liked the bold, brave way in which you showed your belief in your father.”
Captain Murray darted a quick glance at his young companion, as much as to say, “I told you so.”
“Go on, my boy, as you have begun, and you will make a firm, strong, trustworthy man; and, goodness knows, we want them badly enough. There, I will not say any more—yes, I will one word, my boy. I am sorry that your father was not recalled some time back. He was a brave soldier, for whom I felt respect.”
Frank could bear no more, and he bent his head to conceal the workings of his face.
“There, take him away, Murray, and keep him under your eye. There’s good stuff in the boy, and we must get him a commission as soon as he is old enough.”
“No, your Highness,” said Frank, recovering himself.