which relaxed into the polished urbanity of an old courtier as often as
the Emperor addressed him. When bowing to the mane of his charger, he
seemed the very type of courtesy; while, as he retired his horse, there
was all the address and ease of a practised rider.

"There, to the left of Walmoden, on the powerful black horse, do you see
that handsome old man in the purple tunic?" said Waldstein.

"I have been watching him for several minutes back," replied Frank.
"What a singular uniform!"

"Yes. It was the dress of the Artillery of the Imperial Guard in the
days of Wagram and Lobau; and he is permitted to retain it, by a special
leave of the Emperor, a favor he only avails himself of on occasions
like the present."

"What a mass of orders he wears!"

"He has all that the Empire can bestow, from the 'Iron Cross' to the
'Maria Teresa.' He has the 'Legion of Honor,' too, sent him by Napoleon
himself! It was that officer who at Elchingen rode up to the head of a
French column, and told them that the wagons they were pursuing were the
'ammunition of the rear-guard!' 'If you advance,' said he, 'we 'll fire
them, and blow you and ourselves to atoms!' The coolness and heroism of
the daring were well acknowledged by a brave enemy. The French halted,
and our train proceeded on its way. Mayhap you have heard the anecdote
before?"

"Never," said Frank, still gazing with admiration at the old soldier.

"Then I may as well tell you that he is the Count Dalton von Auersberg,"
said Walstein, lying back to enjoy the youth's amazement.

"What! Uncle Stephen? Is that our uncle?" burst out Frank, in delight.

"I wish I could call him 'ours,' with all my heart," said Walstein,
laughing. "Any man might well be proud of such a relative."

But Frank never heard or heeded the remark; his whole soul was wrapped
up in the contemplation of the old field marshal, on whom he gazed as a
devotee might have done upon his saint.

"He 's like my father," muttered Frank, half aloud; "but
haughtier-looking, and older. A true Dalton in every feature! How I long
to speak to him, to tell him who I am."

"Not here, though, not here!" said Walstein, laying his hand on the
youth's arm; for he almost feared lest he should give way to the sudden
impulse. "Were you even the Colonel of your regiment, you could not
approach him now."

Frank stared with some surprise at a remark which seemed to treat so
slightingly the ties of blood and kindred; while