THE VETERAN. 305 



officers and ladies of distinction; which 

 elicited the praise of all around, 

 evinced by waving of handkerchiefs 

 and other expressions of unalloyed delight. 



My friend, in spite of his indepen- 

 dent spirit, was infected with the same 

 desire to prove his exultation and par- 

 take of the general joy; but the old 

 Prussian commander was his favourite 

 object, and I need not say I agreed 

 with him in all his sentiments. Rely- 

 ing on his tact and address for an in- 

 terview with this brave old man, whom 

 I had seen from the street smoking his 

 pipe at the window, I waited outside, 

 when, watching his opportunity, he said 



"Come along with me." 



Entering the house, we ascended the 

 staircase, and met the veteran on the 

 landing alone. My friend, with his 

 usual self-possession, addressed him thus 

 briefly : 



VOL. I. X 



