“Yes,” smiled Justin, “I have my company at last, Elfie.”
“But you said nothing about it!”
“I wanted to see whether you would notice the straps without my pointing them out.”
“Well, I declare!—Ladies and gentlemen I have the honor to present to you—Captain Rosenthal!” said Elfie, solemnly.
“I saw your new straps, Justin dear—I saw them at once. What change could take place in you that I should not see?” said Erminie, in a low voice.
“I understood you, my sister,” murmured Justin. Then he turned his eyes on Britomarte.
She met the glance and answered gravely:
“When you are promoted for services rendered on the battle-field, Justin, then I will congratulate you.”
Captain Rosenthal bowed in silence.
“Certainly; what have we all been thinking of? He has risen from the ranks without ever having been under fire; he has been advanced upon the small merits of keeping himself clean and minding his drill. Bosh! When you have seen twenty well-fought fields and come to us with one arm and both legs off and the stars of a major-general on, then we’ll make much of you,” said Elfie.