More than one kindly glance was bestowed
upon him; but he was impervious to the shafts of Cupid; he could
never suffer again; he could love but one, and she was far away from
here.
Lorenzo Bezan had never been at court. True that his father, and
indeed his elder brother, and other branches of the house had the
entree at court; but his early connection with the army, and a
naturally retiring disposition, had prevented his ever having been
presented, and he now stood there for the first time. The queen was
not present when he first entered, but she now appeared and took her
seat of state. Untaught in court etiquette, yet it came perfectly
natural for Lorenzo Bezan to kneel before her majesty, which he did
immediately, and was graciously bidden to rise.
"Count Basterio," said the queen, "where is this Colonel Bezan, whom
you were to bring to us to-day? have you forgotten your commission,
sir?"
"Your majesty, he stands before you," replied the complaisant
courtier.
"Where, count?"
"Your majesty, here," said the courtier, pointing more directly to
our hero.
"This youth, this Colonel Bezan! I had thought to sec an older
person," said the queen, gazing curiously upon the fine and noble
features of the young soldier.
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