Col. Diamond. John!

[Colonel's servant advances two paces towards the Colonel.]

Servant. Sir!

Col. Diamond. Why don't the band play?

All the Mess. Ay, ay, the band—where's the band?

[This question restored the countenances of the blushers to their ordinary hue; for the little discord was drowned in the harmonious call for one band.]

Servant. They have been in the hall since eight o'clock, Sir, waiting for orders to play.

Col. Diamond. Oh! ah! I ordered them not to play until after dinner. Tell them to proceed now.

[Exit Servant at a gallop.]

Major Flowers. That's a good idea, Colonel. We should be two hours later, certainly, than the heavy dragoons in this parti-cu-lar.