“Yes,” said Frank obediently. “Now tell me, please.”
“I was in there long, but there is little to tell you, boy,” said the captain, in a harsh, brusque way to conceal the agony of disappointment he felt. “I appealed again and again to the Prince to give me an order to admit us to the prison, but he sternly refused me, and I have angered him terribly by my obstinate return to the assault. Frank boy, it is like this. The Prince told me that, before your father joined the Pretender, he had made a direct appeal, at his wife’s wish, for your father’s pardon, and been refused. He says that now, after this open act of rebellion, it is impossible for him to appeal again. That the King is furious because one of the most important prisoners has been allowed to escape—there is a rumour that it was Prince James Francis himself—and that it would be madness to ask for any permission. Men who rebel against their lawful sovereign have no wives or children; they are outlaws without rights. That it is sad for those who love them, but that they must suffer, as they have made others suffer by causing so much blood to be shed.”
“He said those cruel words?” said Frank, with his eyes flashing.
“Yes,” said the captain sadly.
“Knowing what my poor mother suffers, and my despair?”
“He was angry, and spoke more hardly than he meant, my boy. There is another thing too; the Prince and his Majesty are not on friendly terms. I hear that they have quarrelled, and that they parted in great anger. Frank, you must wait and hope.”
“Wait and hope—wait and hope!” said Frank bitterly. “Is that the way a son should seek to comfort his father, and try to save his life? Sit still, and do nothing but wait and hope! Oh, it is of no use! I cannot bear it. I will not stay chained up in this dreadful place. I cannot, I will not serve either the prince or king who would hurry my father to the block.”
“Stop! Think what you are saying, boy. What rash thing are you going to do?”
“Rash? Nothing can be rash at such a time. I am going to try and save my father.”
“Once more, boy—your mother, have you forgotten her?”