'I have nothing to do till twelve o'clock; and not much then.' So there he remained.

At a quarter to twelve children and idlers began to gather against the railings of Havill's house.

A few minutes past twelve the noise of an arriving host was heard at the entrance to the town.

Thereupon Dare and Havill went to the window.
The X and Y Batteries of the Z Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, were entering Markton, each headed by the major with his bugler behind him.
In a moment they came abreast and passed, every man in his place; that is to say: Six shining horses, in pairs, harnessed by rope-traces white as milk, with a driver on each near horse: two gunners on the lead-coloured stout-wheeled limber, their carcases jolted to a jelly for lack of springs: two gunners on the lead-coloured stout-wheeled gun-carriage, in the same personal condition: the nine-pounder gun, dipping its heavy head to earth, as if ashamed of its office in these enlightened times: the complement of jingling and prancing troopers, riding at the wheels and elsewhere: six shining horses with their drivers, and traces white as milk, as before: two more gallant jolted men, on another jolting limber, and more stout wheels and lead-coloured paint: two more jolted men on another drooping gun: more jingling troopers on horseback: again six shining draught-horses, traces, drivers, gun, gunners, lead paint, stout wheels and troopers as before.
So each detachment lumbered slowly by, all eyes martially forward, except when wandering in quest of female beauty.
'He's a fine fellow, is he not ?' said Dare, denoting by a nod a mounted officer, with a sallow, yet handsome face, and black moustache, who came up on a bay gelding with the men of his battery.
'What is he ?' said Havill.
'A captain who lacks advancement.' 'Do you know him ?' 'I know him ?' 'Yes; do you ?' Dare made no reply; and they watched the captain as he rode past with his drawn sword in his hand, the sun making a little sun upon its blade, and upon his brilliantly polished long boots and bright spurs; also warming his gold cross-belt and braidings, white gloves, busby with its red bag, and tall white plume.
Havill seemed to be too indifferent to press his questioning; and when all the soldiers had passed by, Dare observed to his companion that he should leave him for a short time, but would return in the afternoon or next day.
After this he walked up the street in the rear of the artillery, following them to the barracks.

On reaching the gates he found a crowd of people gathered outside, looking with admiration at the guns and gunners drawn up within the enclosure.