show if I can fight."

[Footnote 1: Fact.]

With which words Stuart broke into a song, cantered on more rapidly,
and passing without drawing rein through the Court-House, soon reached
General Lee's head-quarters on an eminence beyond.

Here he remained for an hour, in private interview with the
commander-in-chief. Finally, they came out together. General Lee in his
plain uniform, with that sedate dignity of bearing which made the gray
old cavalier so superb. I had the honor to receive his salute, and to
press his hand, and then I set out with General Stuart for Fleetwood.

In passing through the Court-House we observed the windows of a large
building all ablaze with lights, and heard the merry notes of music.
Stuart drew rein.

"I think I will drop in for a few minutes, in spite of every thing!" he
said. "See the end of all my excellent resolutions, Surry!"

And rapidly dismounting, Stuart entered the ball-room. I followed.

If the review was imposing, the ball was charming. Youths and maidens
had assembled promptly at the sound of music, and, if I were a poet or
a penny-a-liner, my dear reader, I would compose a fine description of
the merry spectacle. But alas! I am neither; and feel unequal to the
"ornate" style of writing. I am only a battered old _militaire_, with a
number of great events to speak of. Look in the newspapers of that
period for an account of the assembly.