"Oh, they've been engaged for a fortnight or more! Look, there they both are!"
A moment later Barbara was startled by an arm being put familiarly round her waist. "Hallo, Bab, my girl!" said his lordship.
She turned quickly in his embrace, an exclamation on her lips. "George! You wretch, to creep up behind me like that!"
He kissed her cheek, and continued to hold her round the waist. "What's all this I hear about your engagement?" He glanced at Colonel Audley, and held out his free hand. "You're Audley, aren't you? How d'ye do? Think we've met before, but can't recall where. What the devil do you mean by getting engaged to my sister? You'll regret it, you know!"
"But you must see that I can't, in honour, draw back now," returned the Colonel, shaking hands. "When did you arrive? At Liedekerke, aren't you? We're deuced glad to see you fellows, I can tell. How strong are you?"
"Two squadrons. What are these Dutchmen like,hey? Saw some of them on our way up from Ostend. They're not so badly mounted, but they can't ride."
"That's the trouble," admitted the Colonel. "A great many of them are shocking bad riders.You know we are not getting Combermere to command the cavalry after all. The Horse Guards are sending Lord Uxbridge out to us."
"Oh, he's a good fellow! You'll like him. But you've served under him, of course. You were with Moore, weren't you? I say, Audley, you Peninsular fellows have the advantage of us - and by Jove, don't you mean to let us know it! A damned rifleman I met tonight called my lot Hyde Park soldiers!"
"So you knocked him down, and poor Vidal will be faced with another scandal!" remarked Barbara.
"No, I didn't. Fellow was my host. But when it comes to fighting we'll show you what Hyde Park soldiers can do!"