"Oh, no; only a country dance," says Mona, blushing.
"Well, it was perfect: wasn't it, Violet?"
"I wish I could have seen it better," returns Violet, "but, you see, I was playing."
"I wish I could have seen it forever," says Mr. Darling, gallantly, addressing Mona; "but all good things have an end too soon. Do you remember some lines like these? they come to me just now:
When you do dance, I wish you
A wave o' the sea, that you might ever do
Nothing but that."
"Yes, I recollect; they are from the 'Winter's Tale.' I think," says Mona, shyly; "but you say too much for me."
"Not half enough," says Mr. Darling, enthusiastically.
"Don't you think, sir, you would like to get ready for dinner?" says Geoffrey, with mock severity. "You can continue your attentions to my wife later on,—at your peril."
"I accept the risk," says Nolly, with much stateliness and forthwith retires to make himself presentable.