The next morning the troops were drawn up in splendid array, the bands were playing, and the general, magnificently mounted, came galloping upon the field, followed, at a little distance, by an elegant open carriage, in which was seated a beautiful and richly dressed woman.
The carriage stopped near where Lucas and his townsmen were formed at the end of a line.
“That is the general’s mistress,” said the man at Lucas’s right in a low tone. “Did I not tell you she was a sun?”
Lucas raised his eyes, and fixed them upon the woman, at the same instant starting so perceptibly as to attract the notice of his companions.
“What ails you, Lucas?”
“Nothing,” he answered calmly.
But the glances of the occupant
of the carriage had fallen upon the gallant-looking soldier who stood so near her, and a cry of delighted surprise burst from her lips.
“Lucas,” said his other neighbor in line, “that lady is looking this way, and making signs to you.”
Lucas, pale but perfectly composed, neither looked up nor replied.