A glance was sufficient.

A regiment of cavalry was halted under the trees of the lawn, the men dismounted and standing at the heads of their horses.

Apparently they were, merely waiting orders.

Riding straight across the grass toward the porch came a little group of a dozen officers, as I judged, although this was largely conjecture, their uniforms so dust-covered as to be meaningless.

The carelessness of their approach, scarcely glancing toward the house, convinced me they had no thought of meeting any resistance from within--their only object the shade of the steps, or a possible glass of wine.