She was fond of blue, and the simplicity of it became her fresh youth.

Just as the soldiers halted the wind caught Nelly's blue bow, and, having played with it a little, sent it drifting down like a little blue flower among the men on horseback.
It was such a slight thing that the General might not have noticed it.
Anyhow, he made no comment, but watched the troops out of sight as usual.

The odd thing was that Nelly passed over her loss in silence, although she must have missed her blue ribbon, since without it her hair had become loose in the wind.
At breakfast, when the servants had left the room, the General made a remark.
"That young Langrishe sits his horse well," he said.

"He's a good soldier, Nelly, my girl.

A very good soldier, or I'm much mistaken." But Nelly was apparently too absorbed in her duty of making the tea to answer the remark.