Mr. Collins obsequiously held her ice-plate. "Will you dance to-night?" he asked, leaning over her.
"Why—I think I will take a few turns when the waltzing begins," she replied.
The Mazourka finished, Margaret went to claim her bouquet of Mr. Gage; but to her dismay, she found him leaning against the pillar in profound thought, and the floor quite strewn with the delicate leaves of her blush roses. He started on seeing her; seemed rather confused, a most unusual thing for him, and began to attempt some apology for his depredations.
He could only hope that Miss Capel would not again leave him to the mercy of his own reflections, now that she saw how badly he employed his leisure. He scarcely knew how to palliate his offence, for he was aware of the importance of a lady's bouquet.
Margaret, smiling archly, received the remains of her bouquet with a very good grace, and said that she suspected Mr. Gage had a better right to dispose of the flowers than she had.
He replied by a gracious bow and smile, and begged her with much humility to allow him to conduct her to the refreshment room.
There they found Harriet and the Spanish Count, standing eating ice and wafers. Harriet laughing and talking, the Conde keeping his eyes fixed upon her with that watchful admiration, that is very nearly allied to a more tender feeling.
Harriet turned quickly round to Margaret, leaned close to her ear, and exclaimed:
"My dear Margaret, such a discovery! Did you notice a large woman, superbly dressed, who came in during the Mazourka?"
"Yes," replied Margaret.