That being settled, the next
thing is the dancing. Now reels and such things do not do. For
think of this--there is a new dance at Almack's and everywhere else,
over which the world has gone crazy.'
'How dreadful!'
'Ah--but that is a mere expression--gone mad. It is really an
ancient Scythian dance; but, such is the power of fashion, that,
having once been adopted by Society, this dance has made the tour of
the Continent in one season.'
'What is its name, sir?'
'The polka. Young people, who always dance, are ecstatic about it,
and old people, who have not danced for years, have begun to dance
again, on its account. All share the excitement. It arrived in
London only some few months ago--it is now all over the country. Now
this is your opportunity, my good Margery. To learn this one dance
will be enough. They will dance scarce anything else at that ball.
While, to crown all, it is the easiest dance in the world, and as I
know it quite well I can practise you in the step. Suppose we try?'
Margery showed some hesitation before crossing the stile: it was a
Rubicon in more ways than one. But the curious reverence which was
stealing over her for all that this stranger said and did was too
much for prudence. She crossed the stile.
Withdrawing with her to a nook where two high hedges met, and where
the grass was elastic and dry, he lightly rested his arm on her
waist, and practised with her the new step of fascination.
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