SCENE vii PART SECOND
Soon the babbling and glittering company rise from supper, and begin promenading through the rooms and tents, the REGENT setting the^ example, and mixing up and talking unceremoniously with his , §uesfe of every degree. He and the group round him disappear into Jthe remoter chambers; but many concentrate in the Grecian Hall, which forms the foreground of the scene, whence a glance can be obtained into the ball-room, now filled with dancers. - The band is playing the tune of the season, "The Regency Hornpipe," which is danced as a country-dance by some thirty couples; so that by the time the top couple have danced down the figure they are quite breathless. Two young lords talk desultorily as they survey the scene.
FIRST LORD
Are the rumours of the King of Rome's death confirmed ?
SECOND LORD
No. But they are probably true. He was a feeble brat from the first. I believe they had to baptize him on the day he was born. What can one expect after such presumption—calling him the New Messiah, and God knows what all. Ours is the only country which did not write fulsome poems about him. " Wise English!" the Tsar Alexander said drily when he heard it.
FIRST LORD
Ay! The affection between that Pompey and Caesar has begun to cool. Alexander's soreness at having his sister thrown over so cavalierly is not salved yet
SECOND LORD
There is much besides. I'd lay a guinea there will be a war between Russia and France before, another year has flown.
FIRST LORD
Prinny looks a little worried to-night
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