The night was dark but starry, the road showed black in the snow that had fallen the previous day--the day of the battle.

Reviewing his impressions of the recent battle, picturing pleasantly to himself the impression his news of a victory would create, or recalling the send-off given him by the commander in chief and his fellow officers, Prince Andrew was galloping along in a post chaise enjoying the feelings of a man who has at length begun to attain a long-desired happiness.

As soon as he closed his eyes his ears seemed filled with the rattle of the wheels and the sensation of victory.