YOUNGER LADY
“Enrico,” the “Copenhagen Waltz” and the “Hanoverian,” and the
“Prime of Life.”
ELDER LADY
It was very foolish to fall in love on the strength of four dances.
YOUNGER LADY [evasively]
Fall in love? Who said I had fallen in love? What a funny idea!
ELDER 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.]