“Shall I tell you?” he said, as they reached the great carpeted hall, with its two generous fireplaces, and seated themselves on a large Eastern divan. “A native syce, who had the good luck to obtain a peep of his master in a ball-room, was overheard describing his performances, something in this way--to a brother syce: “‘First he gallops her about, then he walks her slowly round to cool her, then he gives her water, then he gives her gram’--(that is to say, refreshments)--‘then he goes and gallops some one else.’” “I don’t think many people will gallop _me_,” said Betty, laughing, “I know so few! But, at any rate, I shall not do like a friend of Miss Pink’s. She goes and stays in the ladies’ dressing-room, when she is not engaged--lest people should see her sitting out!” “There is no fear that you will be driven to such a desperate expedient,” returned George with twinkling eyes. “I hope you are going to give me the first waltz.” “No, I promised it to Fred a week ago. You _know_ I did.” “The first dance, then,” he urged, “even if it is a square. I am not proud.” She shook her head emphatically as she replied, “Ghosty bespoke that a year ago.” “Hang Ghosty! I am sorry I did not leave him at the bottom of that ditch! At any rate you will give me two waltzes, and the supper dance to begin with?” “Yes, to begin with and end with. Miss Dopping says that in _her_ day it was not correct to dance with any one more than twice.” “Minuets I presume! and as they took up best part of an hour, I am with her there. Here comes Fred, chortling to himself as he walks. Look at his beautiful shoes, and the gold buttons on his waistcoat.” “Hullo,” he exclaimed, “down first; Betty, you are an early bird--we will not say anything about the worm,” glancing at George. “What a ripping bouquet! Now I know what old Ghosty was fuming and fussing about, he got it over from Covent Garden.” “From Covent Garden,” echoed the young lady, “when there are lovely flowers in the hothouses here.” “Yes, but it’s more swagger to get ’em from town. Remember the first waltz is ours--we will show them how it _ought_ to be done.” “Speak for yourself! I know I dance abominably. I only hope that I shall not make too humbling an exhibition of myself.” “At least you don’t waltz as if you were going to sit down, nor cling to a fellow as if you were drowning,” said Fred consolingly. “Here they come at last. Miss Pink, you are the pink of perfection. I guess you are going to give me 2, and 5 and 9.” “No, I expect you will have to guess again,” said Miss Pink drily. “Of course I know you are engaged. The knowledge has aged me by years.” “I wonder you ain’t ashamed, Mr. Fred! I truly do. Your jokes throw a gloom over the whole place--why should you try to damp our little pleasure?”