DER LADY

Is it?... Now here come the Highland Brigade with their pipes
and their "Hieland Laddie." How the sweethearts cling to the men's
arms. [Reaching forward.] There are more regiments following.
But look, that gentleman opposite knows us. I cannot remember his
name. [She bows and calls across.] Sir, which are these?

GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE

The Ninety-second. Next come the Forty-ninth, and next the Forty-
second--Sir Denis Pack's brigade.

ELDER LADY

Thank you.--I think it is that gentleman we talked to at the
Duchess's, but I am not sure. [A pause: another band.]

GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE

That's the Twenty-eighth. [They pass, with their band and colours.]
Now the Thirty-second are coming up--part of Kempt's brigade. Endless,
are they not?

ELDER LADY

Yes, Sir. Has the Duke passed out yet?

GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE

Not yet. Some cavalry will go by first, I think. The foot coming
up now are the Seventy-ninth. [They pass.]... These next are
the Ninety-fifth. [They pass.]... These are the First Foot-
guards now. [They pass, playing "British Grenadiers."]... The
Fusileer-guards now. [They pass.] Now the Coldstreamers. [They
pass. He looks up towards the Parc.] Several Hanoverian regiments
under Colonel Best are coming next. [They pass, with their bands
and colours. An interval.]

ELDER LADY [to daughter]

Here are the hussars. How much more they carry to battle than at
reviews. The hay in those great nets must encumber them. [She
turns and sees that her daughter has become pale.] Ah, now I know!
HE has just gone by. You exchanged signals with him, you wicked
girl! How do you know what his character is, or if he'll ever come
back?

[The younger lady goes and flings herself on her face upon the
bed, sobbing silently. Her mother glances at her, but leaves
her alone. An interval. The prancing of a group of horsemen
is heard on the cobble-stones without.]

GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE [calling]

Here comes the Duke!

ELDER LADY [to younger]

You have left the window at the most important time! The Duke of
Wellington and his staff-officers are passing out.

YOUNGER LADY

I don't want to see him. I don't want to see anything any more!

[Riding down the street comes WELLINGTON in a grey frock-coat and
small cocked hat, frigid and undemonstrative; accompanied by four