"I trust that my age may be of no detriment to me as it regards your
majesty's good feelings towards me," said Lorenzo Bezan,
respectfully.
"By no means, sir; you have served us gallantly in the field, and
your bravery and good judgment in battle have highly commended
themselves to our notice."
"I am little used, your majesty, to courtly presence, and find that
even now I have come hither accoutred as I would have ridden on to
the field of battle; but if a heart devoted to the service of your
majesty, and a willing hand to wield this trusty weapon, are any
excuses in your sight, I trust for lenient judgment at your royal
hands."
"A brave soldier needs no excuse in our presence, Colonel Bezan,"
replied the queen, warmly. "When we have heard of your prowess in
the field, and have seen the stands of colors you have taken from
the enemy, far outnumbering your own force, we have thought you were
some older follower of the bugle and the drum-some hardy and gray
old soldier, whose life had been spent in his country's service, and
therefore when we find an soldier like yourself, so young, and yet
so wise, we were surprised."
"Your majesty has made too much of my poor deserts.
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