This was a grave misfortune for the allies.  French sharpshooters now lined the walls of the farm and pushed up the ridge, pressing our front very hard, so that, for a time, the space behind La Haye Sainte was practically bare of defenders.  This was the news that Kennedy took to Wellington.  He received it with the calm that bespoke a mighty soul; for, as Sir A. Frazer observed, however indifferent or apparently careless he might appear at the beginning of battles, as the crisis came he rose superior to all that could be imagined.  Such was his demeanour now.  Riding to the Brunswickers posted in reserve, he led them to the post of danger; Kennedy rallied the wrecks of Alten’s division and brought up Germans from the left wing; the cavalry of Vandeleur and Vivian, moving in from the extreme left, also helped to steady the centre; and the approach of Chasse’s Dutch-Belgian brigade, lately called in from Braine-la-Leud, strengthened our supports.

Had Napoleon promptly launched his Old and Middle Guard at Wellington’s centre, victory might still have crowned the French eagles.  But to Ney’s request for more troops he returned the petulant answer:  “Troops? where do you want me to get them from?  Am I to make them?” At this time the Prussians were again masters of Planchenoit.  Once more, then, he turned on them, and sent in two battalions, one of the Old, the other of the Middle Guard.  In a single rush with the bayonet these veterans mastered the place and drove Buelow’s men a quarter of a mile beyond, while Lobau regained ground further north.  But the head of Pirch’s corps was near at hand to strengthen Buelow; while, after long delays caused by miry lanes and an order from Bluecher to make for Planchenoit, Ziethen’s corps began to menace the French right at Smohain.  Reiche soon opened fire with sixteen cannon, somewhat relieving the pressure on Wellington’s left.[520]

Still the Emperor was full of hope.  He did not know of the approach of Pirch and Ziethen.  Now and again the muttering of Grouchy’s guns was heard on the east, and despite that Marshal’s last despatch, Napoleon still believed that he would come up and catch the Prussians.  Satisfied, then, with holding off Buelow for a while, he staked all on a last effort with the Old and Middle Guard.  Leaving two battalions of these in Planchenoit, and three near Rossomme as a last reserve, he led forward nine battalions formed in hollow squares.  A thrill ran through the line regiments, some of whom were falling back, as they saw the bearskins move forward; and, to revive their spirits, the Emperor sent on Labedoyere with the news that Grouchy was at hand.