Edward knew he should leave his half-hidden position by the windows and solicit the hand of one of the young ladies for the next dance, but he was reluctant to enjoy the gaiety. His health was much improved, but he still lacked the stamina to dance for long without it tiring him. He wished he might return to his hotel, but after Colonel Wentworth's kindness in assisting him in his efforts to clear Sir John Moore's name, he could not leave Mrs. Wentworth's ball so early. A frown marred Edward's expression as he thought of his futile attempts on Sir John's behalf. Colonel Wentworth had obtained audiences for him with Canning and Castlereagh, but his appeals to them had been to no avail. Castlereagh, the war secretary, had listened politely but had been unhelpful, and as for Canning! Edward had thought, since Castlereagh and Canning, the war minister, were rivals, that Canning would assist him if Castlereagh would not. But Canning seemed to have an actual hatred for Moore. Remembering Sir John's impatience with inept politicians, Edward imagined that some of the pointed comments in the dispatches sent to London had been directed at the war minister.
