He could only speculate whether or not the duke would give up Brussels, and retire for reinforcements.

If the two armies could effect a union, they would be near about the strength of the French, but then the Prussians were cut to pieces; so the curate broke down, and became the worst of the three.
Cheer up, good souls! for he you love shall not die yet for many long years.

While you are standing there before the porch, dreading the long anxious night, Waterloo has been won, and he--having stood the appointed time in the serried square, watching the angry waves of French cavalry dash in vain against the glittering wall of bayonets--is now leaning against a gun in the French position, alive and well, though fearfully tired, listening to the thunder of the Prussian artillery to the north, and watching the red sun go down across the wild confusion of the battle-field.
But home at Clere none slept that night, but met again next morning weary and harassed.

All the long three days none of them spoke much, but wandered about the house uneasily.

About ten o'clock on the Wednesday night they went to bed, and the old man sleeps from sheer weariness.
It was twelve o'clock when there came a clang at the gate, and a sound of horses' feet on the gravel.