The Dalberg principle is similar to the American; that the
Army is the guardian of the civilian, not his oppressor; and that its
business is to protect not to browbeat. For generations, it has been
instilled into the Valerian soldier that his uniform could be smirched
only by himself--and stern, indeed, was the judgment of him who
ventured to think and do otherwise. For an officer to strike a
civilian without just cause meant to be cashiered; and to kill one,
save as justified by the civil law, meant to be hung as a common felon.
I had seen enough of the other Continental Armies to be very proud of
the Army of Valeria.
It was a pretty sight--the long line of white uniformed Cuirassiers in
burnished corselets and black-plumed helmets; with the Lake for a
background, and rank on rank of spectators on either side. In front,
were the carriages of the Aristocracy of the Capital; and, as I
galloped down to take post after the review, I could not but wonder how
many of all that crowd regarded me with a friendly eye. Behind me
clattered a brilliant Staff, and in my hand was the Baton of a Marshal,
yet, never in my life, had I felt so utterly alone as at that moment.
And Lotzen's recent sneer, that I could hope to hold the Crown only if
the Princess Dehra were my Queen, struck me in all its truth.
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