The “Coquette” was followed by the “Basket,” and then by “Malbrook,” and lastly by the “Fire Brigade,” which finished the set.
When Mrs. Anglesea, out of breath with her great exertions, was being led to her seat by her handsome, young partner, she passed Miss Sibby, who was sitting in an armchair, actively fanning herself with a hand screen.
“Too bad! Too bad, indeed!” said the lady from the mines, with more good nature than discretion; “too bad that you should have to dance, at your age, to make up a set!”
“What’s that you say?” demanded Miss Sibby, with much spirit. “Me dance to make up a set, when all them five young gals was waiting? Me? Why, ’oman, I dote on dancing! I think it’s heavenly—perfectly heavenly! It ought to be a lawful part of worship, sez I!”
“Oh, if that’s your sort, I have no more to say! I only thought you looked kind o’ played out and done for, that’s all!” said Mrs. Anglesea.
“It does sort o’ try one’s breath; but it is heavenly, for all that! Perfectly heavenly! And I mean to dance the next set, too, if I can only get a partner!”
In other parts of the room other talk was going on.
“Odalite,” said Leonidas, “will you give me the next dance?”
“Certainly I will, Le! I would have given you the first one, only I wanted you to dance with Miss Sibby!”
“Well, I obeyed you, and danced with her.”