assed on, and although every eye was directed to
the long avenue of lime-trees by which the general must arrive, nothing
moved along it; and the bright streaks of sunlight that peeped between
the trees were unbroken by any passing shadow. Whispers passed along
the ranks,--some fearing he might have forgotten the whole appointment;
others suspecting that another review elsewhere had engrossed his
attention; and at last a half murmur of dissatisfaction crept through
the mass, which only the presence of the _chef_ restrained within due
bounds.

One o'clock struck, and yet no rider appeared; the alley remained silent
and deserted as before. The minutes now seemed like hours; weariness and
lassitude appeared everywhere. The ranks were broken, and many wandered
from their posts, and forgot all discipline. At last a cloud of dust
was seen to rise at a distance, and gradually it approached the long
avenue, and every eye was turned in the direction, and in an instant
the stragglers resumed their places, and all was attention and anxiety,
while every look pierced eagerly the dense cloud, to see whether it was
not the long-wished-for staff which was coming. At length the object
burst upon our sight; but what was our disappointment to see that it
was only a travelling carriage with four post-horses that approached.
No appearance of a soldier was there,--not one solitary dragoon. A
half-uttered shout announced our dissatisfaction, for we at once guessed
it was merely some chance visitor, or perhaps the friends of some of the
scholars, who had thus excited our false hopes.

The chef himself participated in our feelings; and passing down the
lines, he announced that if the general did not arrive within ten
minutes, he would himself dismiss us, and set us at liberty. A cheer
of gratitude received this speech, and we stood patiently awaiting our
liberation, when suddenly, from the guard-house at the gate, the clash
of arms was heard, and the roll of drums in salute, and the same instant
the carriage we had seen rolled into the courtyard and took up its
station in the middle of the square. The next moment the door was opened
and the steps lowered, and an officer in a splendid uniform assisted
three ladies to alight. Before we recovered from the surprise of the
proceeding, the master had approached the party, and by his air of
deference and deep respect denoted that they were no ordinary visitors.
But our attention was quickly drawn from