The narrator reminds me of something in chapter 23: and all minuteness of praise, all praise that had much meaning, was supplied by the general. She very much takes charge of the discourse.

This has the sad effect of denying us any memorable parting speeches from Henry. The narrator summarises briskly, and he mainly just gets to blush. Twice. But perhaps it's a stage of the story when plain speech is more appropriate, without the lively flourishes.