"We shall all send our friends to call upon you!" Glared an officer of the 1st Guards. "Audley, this is piracy! Those wishing to dance with Lady Bab must present their credentials a full week beforehand!" Captain Chalmers, of the 52nd, said: "Send him about his business, Bab! These staff officers are not at all the thing. Stick to the Light Division!"
"These Light Division men, Lady Barbara," said Colonel Audley, "fancy themselves more important than the rest of the Army put together. I tell you in confidence, but you know it is a fact that they brag shockingly."
"An insult!" declared Chalmers. "An insult from a staff officer! Bab, I appeal to your sense of justice!"
Barbara laughed, and, laying her hand on Colonel Audley's arm, said: "Oh, the wishes of Royalty are tantamount to commands, gentlemen." She kissed her hand to her court, and walked back on to the floor with Colonel Audley.
He danced well, and she as though by instinct. Neither spoke for one or two turns, but presently Barbara raised her eyes to his face, and asked abruptly: "Why did you look at me so?"
He smiled down at her. "I don't know how I looked. I have been wanting to dance with you all evening. Does every man say that to you?"
"Yes," she replied nonchalantly.
"I was afraid it must be so. I wish I might think of something to say to you which would interest you by its novelty."
"Oh!… Can you not?"
"No. If I said the only thing I can think of to say you would find it abominably commonplace."