“But his name is not mentioned in the despatch.”
“No,” said Lady Gowan sadly. “Nor is that of Colonel Forbes.”
“Ah!” cried Frank; “and poor Drew, he would be there.”
At last he was compelled to quit the poor, suffering woman; but before going to his own chamber, he went over to the officers’ quarters, to try and see Captain Murray.
There was a light in his room, and the sound of voices in earnest conversation; and Frank was turning back, to go and sit alone in his despair, when he recognised the doctor’s tones, and he knocked and entered.
The eager conversation stopped on the instant, as the two occupants of the room saw the boy’s anxious, white face looking inquiringly from one to the other.
“Come in and sit down,” said Captain Murray, in a voice which told of his emotion; “sit down, my boy.”
Frank obeyed in silence, trying hard to read the captain’s thoughts.
“You have come from your mother?”
“Yes; she is very ill.”