noon
He drew the line at those who had been unkind to Dandy . And now he was hurrying back to Russell to conduct a large body of recruits and horses up to `` the Hills '' to meet the regiment ; and a party of young officers had joined , many of them graduates of that very year 's class at the Point , young fellows whom Mrs. Truscott had known well but a few months previous , when they wore the gray under Jack 's tuition at squadron drill and riding-hall work . Their regiments being in the field on active campaign , they abandoned much of the leave of absence due them and hastened to report for duty . Their services were most needed in getting the recruits into shape , and here they were at Russell enthusiastic at the prospect of seeing Captain Truscott again , devoting themselves to the ladies at his army home , and eager to a man to see and know Ray , whose name was on every lip , whom every man of them envied , and who would arrive at noon on the morrow . Mrs. Stannard 's piazza was the scene of a levee this lovely , sunshiny autumn afternoon . She was there with Miss Sanford and Mrs. Truscott , who was reclining in a comfortable wicker chair , and vastly enjoying the sunshine , the bracing air , and above all the merry chat of these young troopers , and envying them their northward march . Would they not be with Jack in a fortnight ?