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The commander of the regiment was an elderly, choleric, stout,

and thick-set general with grizzled eyebrows and whiskers, and

wider from chest to back than across the shoulders. He had on a

brand-new uniform showing the creases where it had been folded

and thick gold epaulettes which seemed to stand rather than lie

down on his massive shoulders. He had the air of a man happily

performing one of the most solemn duties of his life. He walked

about in front of the line and at every step pulled himself up,

slightly arching his back. It was plain that the commander

admired his regiment, rejoiced in it, and that his whole mind was

engrossed by it, yet his strut seemed to indicate that, besides

military matters, social interests and the fair sex occupied no

small part of his thoughts.