FIRST CH. Bella has been out so much this week, that she doesn't care to dance except with a really first-rate partner. She is not so easily pleased as your Ethel, I'm afraid. SECOND CH. Ethel is _young_, you see, and, when one is pressed so much to dance, one can hardly refuse, _can_ one? When she has had as many seasons as BELLA, she will be less energetic, I dare say. [MR. BOLDOVER _has at last succeeded in approaching_ MISS ROUNDARM, _and even in inducing her to sit out a dance with him_; _but, having led her to a convenient alcove, he finds himself totally unable to give any adequate expression to the rapture he feels at being by her side_. MR. B. (_determined to lead up to it somehow_). I--I was rather thinking--(_he_ meant _to say_, "_devoutly hoping_," _but, to his own bitter disgust, it comes out like this_)--I should meet you here to-night. MISS R. Were you? Why? MR. B. (_with a sudden dread of going too far just yet_). Oh (_carelessly_), you know how one _does_ wonder who will be at a place, and who won't. MISS R. No, indeed, I don't--_how_ does one wonder? MR. B. (_with a vague notion of implying a complimentary exception in her case_). Oh, well, generally--(_with the fatal tendency of a shy man to a sweeping statement_)--one may be pretty sure of meeting just the people one least wants to see, you know. MISS R. And so you thought you would probably meet me. I _see_. MR. B. (_overwhelmed with confusion, and not in the least knowing what he says_). No, no, I didn't think that--I hoped you mightn't--I mean, I was afraid you might-- [_Stops short, oppressed by the impossibility of explaining._ MISS R. You are not very complimentary to-night, are you? MR. B. I can't pay compliments--to _you_--I don't know how it is, but I never can talk to you as I can to other people! MISS R. Are you amusing when you are with other people? MR. B. At all events I can find things to say to _them_. _Enter_ ANOTHER MAN. ANOTHER MAN (_to_ MISS R.). Our dance, I think? MISS R. (_who had intended to get out of it_). I was wondering if you ever meant to come for it. (_To_ MR. B., _as they rise_.) Now I sha'n't feel I am depriving the other people! (_Perceives the speechless agony in his expression, and relents._) Well, you can have the next after this if you care about it--only _do_ try to think of something in the meantime! (_As she goes off._) You will--won't you? MR. B. (_to himself_). She's given me another chance! If only I can rise to it. Let me see--what shall I begin with? _I_ know--_Supper!_ She hasn't been down yet. HIS HOSTESS. Oh, Mr. Boldover, you're not dancing this--do be good and take some one down to supper--those poor Chaperons are dying for some food. [Mr. B. _takes down a Matron whose repast is protracted through three waltzes and a set of Lancers_--_he comes up to find_ MISS ROUNDARM _gone_, _and the Musicians putting up their instruments_.