“Well, that fellow did; he spoke to her twice, and I saw him staring at her insolently nearly all the time the Princess and her ladies were there.”
“Well?”
“That is all,” said Andrew shortly. “They’ll be at her drawing-room this afternoon, and if I were you I should go and stop near Lady Gowan as much as I could.”
“I should like to,” said Frank, looking at his friend wonderingly; “but of course I can’t go where I like.”
A few minutes later one of the servants brought in a note and handed it to Frank, who opened it eagerly.
“No answer,” he said to the man; and then he turned to his companion. “Read,” he said. “From my father.”
“‘Come and dine at the mess this evening, and bring Andrew Forbes,’” read the lad, and he flushed with pleasure.
“Of course you will not come,” said Frank mockingly. “You could not be comfortable with such a loyal party.”
“With such a host as Captain Sir Robert Gowan!” cried Andrew. “Oh yes, I could. I like him.” He smiled rather meaningly, and then the conversation turned upon the treat to come, both lads being enthusiastic about everything connected with the military.
This was broken into by the same servant entering with another note.