A Little Maid of Picardy by Amy Ella Blanchard

Then suddenly appeared Victor on his second permission, and wearing a sergeant's stripes, won for his tact, his influence over the men, and for his bravery during a night raid. But of this exploit he would say nothing, merely laughing off the question when Lucie asked him how he had earned his promotion. "I did nothing at all, nothing more than any one would have done if he had had the same chance. They gave me my stripes simply because of my youthful beauty."

He came in with a rush and a dash, immediately making the whole place seem fuller of life and action. "What's all this I hear? What's all this? " he asked after the first salutations, "going away, are you? Well, I can scarcely blame you. Where are you going?"