"The queen seems very kind to you, general," said the countess, to him.
"She is more than kind-she lavish rewards upon me."
"She loves bravery."
"She repays good fortune in round sums," replied the officer.
"But why do you ever wear that sober, sombre, and sad look upon that manly and intellectual face?"
"Do I look thus?" asked the soldier, with a voice of surprise.
"Often."
"I knew it not," replied Lorenzo Bezan, somewhat earnestly.
"It seems a mystery to me that General Bezan, honored by the queen, with a purse well filled with gold, and promoted beyond all precedent in his profession, should not rather smile than frown; but perhaps there is some reason for grief in your heart, and possibly I am careless, and probing to the quick a wound that may yet be fresh."
The soldier breathed an involuntary sigh, but said nothing.