“A gentleman,” he added, “has desired me to speak to you for him.”
Now, Susanna, for the grand moment!—the height—the zenith of my glory in the ton meridian! I again said I did not mean to dance, and to silence all objection, he expressively said,—
“Tis Captain Kaye[158] who sends me.”
Is not this magnificent? Pray congratulate me!
I was really very much surprised, but repeated my refusal, with all customary civilities to soften it. He was leaving me with this answer, when this most flashy young officer, choosing to trust his cause to himself, came forward, and desired to be introduced to me. Mr. Metcalf performed that ceremony, and he then, with as much respect and deference as if soliciting a countess, said,—
“May I flatter myself you will do me the honour of dancing with me?”
I thanked him, and said the same thing over again. He looked much disappointed, and very unwilling to give up his plan.
“If you have not,” he said, “any particular dislike to dancing, it will be doing, not only me, but the whole room much honour, if you will make one in a set.”
“You do me much honour, sir,” I answered, “but I must beg you to excuse me.”
“I hope not,” cried he, “I hope out of charity you will dance, as it is the last ball, and the company is so thin.”