Before he was half-way there the captain’s strong grasp was upon his shoulder.
“What are you going to do, boy?” he said sternly.
“See the Prince myself. He must—he shall give me leave to go.”
“Do you wish to destroy the last chance? Frank, for your mother’s sake!”
“No; don’t make me struggle before all these people to get free,” said the boy firmly; but as he spoke the captain’s last words stood out before him in their real significance.
“For your mother’s sake!”
He turned back without another word, and walked with his companion out of the room and down into the courtyard without a word.
“Take me somewhere,” he said, in a strange, dazed way. “My head feels confused. I hardly know what I am saying.”
Captain Murray drew the boy’s hand through his arm, and made as if to lead him to his quarters; but it meant passing crowded-together troops, and, altering his mind, he walked with him sharply out into the Park, till they reached a secluded place where there was a seat.
“Sit down, boy.”