Yes, Buckstone was contented for the moment; things were going just as he wished to see them; and yet--so ungrateful a creature is man--he could not help suspecting even his own satisfaction. What made Nan so happy? When had anyone seen her look like this before when she had to dance with Jacob Flynt? Was this duty or--or what? The "Lady of the Lake" was followed by the "Portland Fancy;" that by the splendid romp of the "Tempest." Ah! these were dances! Happy the neighbourhood where the real dances, the wreathing, linked garlands of grace and lightness and youth, still form part of a ball! The waltz is pretty enough, when well done; but who has not tired of the endless whirl of revolving couples, dual teetotums, spinning round and round, till sight and brain are dizzy alike? You shall not find, in painting or sculpture, any showing forth of waltz or polka as Nature's expression of joy and motion. But what Greek vase or tablet, what glowing canvas of Giorgione, or Veronese, but might be glad to catch the rhythmic swing of the "Tempest," as the long line wavers to and fro, and the bold dancers in the middle sweep down the hall and back again,--to catch and fix it in immortal lines of carving or of colour? "Gents choose partners for 'Pop goes the Weasel!'" There had been an intermission, during which the hall had hummed like a hive of vari-coloured bees. People were thoroughly at ease now, and speech flowed freely, as the couples promenaded up and down. "A festive occasion, truly, Mr. Bumpus!" said Miss Selina Leaf, with gentle dignity. "Bustin'! bustin'!" replied Mr. Bumpus, with effusion. "Haven't seen such goin's on in the village, _I_ d'no when! Does a person good to limber out the j'ints once in a while; dancin's better than bar's grease any day in the week! Haw! haw!" Miss Selina considered this remark vulgar, and bridled gently, but made no reply. "Surprisin' thing, too," Mr. Bumpus went on. "Bethesdy Pool--now, you'd ha' said her dancin' days were over, if anyone had ha' asked you, wouldn't you,--same as yours and mine?" Miss Selina winced again, and looked toward a seat, but the bold Bumpus went on, unconscious. "We'd ha' said that, surely,--you and me; yet there she is, looking most as young as the girls, I do maintain. Don't know as there's any manner of use in gettin' old before you're obleeged ter; never enj'yed a 'Lady of the Lake' more than I did that one with you, ma'am. What's that? 'Pop goes the Weasel?' Now you don't mean to say! Why, I haint danced 'Pop goes the Weasel!' since my Maria was a baby, and look at her dancin' it with her husband! Reckon I must look up my woman and dance this with her, or she'll be castin' up at you, Miss Selina; so if you'll excuse _me_!--" and the good man bustled off, leaving Miss Selina rigid with indignation.