One o'clock
The headmaster passed down our ranks , narrowly inspecting our equipments and scrutinizing every detail of our costume ; but a stronger impulse than ordinary was now at work , and not the slightest irregularity was anywhere detectable . Meanwhile the time passed on , and although every eye was directed to the long avenue of lime-trees by which the general must arrive , nothing moved along it ; and the bright streaks of sunlight that peeped between the trees were unbroken by any passing shadow . Whispers passed along the ranks , -- some fearing he might have forgotten the whole appointment ; others suspecting that another review elsewhere had engrossed his attention ; and at last a half murmur of dissatisfaction crept through the mass , which only the presence of the _ chef _ restrained within due bounds . One o'clock struck , and yet no rider appeared ; the alley remained silent and deserted as before . The minutes now seemed like hours ; weariness and lassitude appeared everywhere . The ranks were broken , and many wandered from their posts , and forgot all discipline . At last a cloud of dust was seen to rise at a distance , and gradually it approached the long avenue , and every eye was turned in the direction , and in an instant the stragglers resumed their places , and all was attention and anxiety , while every look pierced eagerly the dense cloud , to see whether it was not the long-wished-for staff which was coming .