AND TEE DUKES OF RICHMOND. 57 



to reside, where there were already many English 

 families, who amused themselves frequently with 

 balls and other entertainments. At the frequent 

 reviews and inspections of the troops. Lady Georgiana 

 was generally to be seen on horseback, among the 

 staff-officers who surrounded the Commander-in-Chief. 



One day in June, 1815, the officers wanted to have 

 a pleasure-party or excursion from Brussels. They 

 begged Lady Georgiana to ask the Duke of Wel- 

 lington's leave. 



When her Ladyship mentioned it to him, he at 

 once said, " No ; better let that drop," well knowing 

 the danger which might arise from the French out- 

 posts. For some time prior to the 15th of June, 

 rumours of the approach of the French had cir- 

 culated, but not much importance was attached 

 to them ; and so little were they heeded that the 

 Duchess of Richmond gave her great ball on the eve 

 of the 15th of June, to which 175 invitations were 

 issued, a list of which Lady Georgiana Lennox, after- 

 wards Lady de Ros, furnished in the reminiscences 

 of her family and friends, published by Mr. John 

 Murray in 1893. 



Her Ladyship wrote these reminiscences when in 

 her ninety-sixth year, and their precision and accu- 

 racy are unquestionable. She states that when the 

 Duke of Wellington arrived rather late at the ball, 

 she was dancing, but at once went up to him to ask 



