VIX. 23 



had in getting my commission, but, judging by 

 the manner of the other field officers of the regi- 

 ment, she was evidently regarded as the better 

 half of the new acquisition. The pomp and cir- 

 cumstance of glorious war suited her temper 

 exactly, and it was ludicrous to see her satisfac- 

 tion in first wearing her gorgeous red-bordered 

 shabrack; for a time she carried her head on 

 one side to see it. She conceived a new affec- 

 tion for me from the moment when she saw me 

 bedecked with the dazzling bloom that preceded 

 the serious fruitage of the early New York vol- 

 unteer organizations. 



At last the thrilling day came. Broadway 

 was alive from end to end with flags and white 

 cambric and sad faces. Another thousand were 

 going to the war. With Swiss bugle-march and 

 chanted Marseillaise, we made our solemn way 

 through the grave and anxious throng. To us 

 it was naturally a day of sore trial; but with 

 brilliant, happy Vixen it was far different; she 

 was leaving no friends behind, was going to meet 

 no unknown peril. She was showing her royal, 



