I had the honor to receive his salute, and to
press his hand, and then I set out with General Stuart for Fleetwood.
In passing through the Court-House we observed the windows of a large
building all ablaze with lights, and heard the merry notes of music.
Stuart drew rein.
"I think I will drop in for a few minutes, in spite of every thing!" he
said. "See the end of all my excellent resolutions, Surry!"
And rapidly dismounting, Stuart entered the ball-room. I followed.
If the review was imposing, the ball was charming. Youths and maidens
had assembled promptly at the sound of music, and, if I were a poet or
a penny-a-liner, my dear reader, I would compose a fine description of
the merry spectacle. But alas! I am neither; and feel unequal to the
"ornate" style of writing. I am only a battered old _militaire_, with a
number of great events to speak of. Look in the newspapers of that
period for an account of the assembly.
Let me say, however, in passing, that there was something sad as well
as joyful, gloomy as well as brilliant, in all that echoing laughter,
and the movements of these gay figures, on the eve of the bloody battle
of Fleetwood. Girls were smiling upon youths who in twelve hours would
be dead. Lips were shaping gallant compliments--soon they were going to
utter the death-groan.
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