Just as the gentleman had made the alteration in the card Frederick came up, and protested against being deprived of the waltz.
“You made me promise to stop and dance,” he said, “and I will dance with no other lady in the room but you.”
“Why,” said Mrs. Holdfast, “there are fifty pretty girls here, who will be delighted to dance with you.”
“I have no eyes for any lady but yourself,” he said, offering her his arm. “You wear the crown of beauty.”
Surprised as she was at this sudden change in him, it was so much better than the systematically cold manner in which he had hitherto treated her, that she humoured him and was quite disposed to yield to his caprices. He told her during the evening that he was jealous of any person dancing with her but himself; he paid her a thousand compliments; he was most devoted in his attentions.
“Frederick is a changed man,” she said to her husband, when he came from the whist to inquire how she was enjoying herself; “he has been the most attentive of cavaliers.”
Mr. Holdfast expressed his satisfaction to his son.
“You have commenced your new leaf well, Frederick,” he said; “I hope you will go on as you have begun.”
“I intend to do so, sir,” replied Frederick.