"I fancy we have rather a good action in this figure. Do you think she's noticing it? I hope she knows that we could stand on one leg without moving the other one at all. I mean I don't want her to think—— Hallo, here we are. Good-bye. See you again in the next figure but one." And the Duchess of Kirkcudbright (N.B.) trips off.
I put in the "N.B." because she is very particular about it; and I say "trips" because I know the ground.
II. AT A DANCE
"Then you really are coming?" said Queen Elizabeth, as she gave me my third cup of tea.
"Yes, I really am," I sighed.
"What as?"
"I don't know at all—something with a cold. I leave it to you, partner, only don't go a black suit."
"What about Richelieu?"
"I should never be able to pronounce that," I confessed. "Besides, I always think that these great scientists—I should say, philos—that is, of course, that these generals—er, which room is the encyclopædia in?"
"You might go as one of the kings of England. Which is your favourite king?"