For the past few weeks the Germans had been driving the Russians farther and farther back beyond the boundaries of Poland and near the heart of Russia. Here at Grovno the Russian army was expected to make a victorious stand. The faith of the Russian people was centered in General Dmitri Alexis.
Unlike most Russian officers, he had always been devoted to the interests of the common people, although a son of one of Russia’s noble families. But he was known to be a shy, quiet man with little to say for himself, who had risen to his present rank by sheer ability.
To Mildred’s eyes he seemed almost an old man; in fact, he must have been about fifty. His hair was iron gray, but unlike most Russians his eyes were a dark blue. As he wore no beard, the lines about his mouth were so stern as to be almost forbidding.
Mildred knew that he was an intimate personal friend of the Czar and realized just to what extent he must feel the weight of his present responsibilities.
Therefore she was the more surprised at his appearance in the hospital ward.
Except for a courtly inclination of his head the great man paid no attention to the greetings that were offered him by the nurses and doctors. Walking down the center of the room he had eyes only for the wounded men who lined the two walls. Then his sternness relaxed and his smile became a curious compound of pity and regret.
Mildred found herself staring without regard to good manners or breeding. Why should this man create such an atmosphere of trust and respect? She had seen other great generals in the armies of the Allies before today, but never one who had made such an impression.
General Alexis and the priest paused by the bedside of the Russian boy who was Mildred’s patient.
There the great man’s face softened until it became almost womanish in its sympathy. Slowly and reverently the dying boy attempted to raise his general’s hand to his lips.
General Alexis said a few words in Russian which the young soldier understood, but Mildred could not. For he attempted to shake his head, to whisper a denial, then smiling dropped his arms down by his sides.