The Charge of the Light Brigade Page #4

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I'm sorry too, Geoff.

Why, it's been so long,

I hardly know what to say to you.

We'll have plenty of time now, though.

I hate these separations.

You didn't tell him, did you?

I haven't had a chance.

Oh, I hate this deception.

Elsa, darling, they're watching.

His Highness Surat Khan,

amir of Suristan.

Count Igor Volonoff.

His Excellency the wazir of Suristan.

The nawab of Dargul.

-Take charge, my friend. I'm on duty.

-Take charge of what?

My, how you've changed.

For the better, I hope.

I always liked the cavalry.

-May I have a word with you, Sir?

-Certainly.

-Surat Khan's just arrived.

-Well?

He's got a Count Igor Volonoff with him.

Volonoff. That's a deuced clever gesture.

Ostentatiously flirting with Russia, eh?

Two strings to his bow. Well, we'll see.

-Of course, it might be just a coincidence.

-The sun might rise in the west.

Well, I'll finish my drink.

I have a cowardly aversion

to meeting reptiles socially...

...till I've had

at least one sherry and bitters.

-Good evening, Sir Charles, Captain Vickers.

-Good evening, Your Highness.

Sir Charles, may I have

the pleasure of presenting Count Volonoff.

-Captain Vickers, Count Volonoff.

-How do you do?

-How do you do?

-How do you do?

It's very pleasant, Your Highness,

to find you in these frivolous surroundings.

Well, since your kindly government...

...has spared me the burden of dispensing

its annual appreciation to my countrymen...

...I am blessed with more leisure.

Well, come with me. I'll present

some really amusing people to you.

-There's my daughter now.

-She's entrancing.

Elsa is a fine gal.

And the gallant young cavalier

who holds her so tenderly in his arms.

-Her fianc, of course?

-Oh, certainly not.

-But she is engaged, you said she--

-To Captain Geoffrey Vickers of the 27th.

This lad's merely his brother,

a diplomat of sorts.

Seconded from his regiment for duty

with the Political Department.

Oh, dear, how silly of me.

They do seem to be enjoying

each other's company.

Let's get away from here, Elsa.

Charming and motherless.

Well, as I always say, colonel,

it's never too late.

I must start looking around right away

to find a suitable wife for you.

-Really, you must be more guarded--

-Keep quiet, Benjy.

Colonel Campbell has just been

begging me to find him a wife.

Now, what particular quality

do you most admire in a woman?

The quality of silence.

Now, colonel, you're flattering me,

just as dear Lord Melvourne did...

...once when we sat next to each other

at an intolerable banquet.

"Lady Warrenton," he said,

"You have the power to drive men mad."

I can believe that.

Forgive me.

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