Chapters 2, 3, and 4 Summary

Sharpe attends the gala and is presented to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. The Prince Regent is presented as slightly confused but enthusiastic about military matters. After much tutelage on how to approach and address the Prince Regent, Sharpe executed a creditable but not flawless presentation. The Prince Regent is much impressed by Sharpe whom he sees as a true soldier and a hero of the empire. When Sharpe broaches the subject of the second battalion the Prince Regent summons Lord Fenner to account; an expectant Sharpe is demoralized as Fenner easily deflects the situation with promises of future inquiries. Sharpe's appeal to royalty is thus foiled by the craft of the polished politician. Much of the remaining evening is spent in detailed consideration of the battle of Vitoria. In that combat, fully described in a previous novel of...