"What sort of dances are in fashion there?"
"Quadrilles, country dances. Mr. C. brought them to St. Helena."
"Oh, he is a great dandy!"
"Yes; he will sit with his feet above his head an hour before dressing, the more readily to squeeze them into tight shoes. He wore an epaulette nearly down to his elbow, and his sword hilt was embroidered with golden oak leaves. The same embroidery confined his stockings, on each knee, like the order of the garter. When he first arrived he was disgusted that St. Helena ladies knew only kitchen dances and reels, and finally he drilled quadrilles and other new dances into them."
Betsy's description of the young dandy amused Napoleon. "Bring him to Longwood some day," he said.
A pass was obtained for the young man and Napoleon received him most politely. "I hear from Mees Betsee that you are a great dandy,—and what a fine coat!"
The young man, who had been in some fear of the Emperor, felt better.
"You are more fortunate than myself," continued Napoleon, "for I have to wear my coat turned." Although this was true, it was only because there was no cloth his shade of green on the island.
On the whole Napoleon liked the young dandy, especially as he spoke French fluently.
But Napoleon was not always glad, or even willing, to receive visitors. In fact, after the first few months on the island, he practically refused to allow strangers to be presented to him, unless there was some special reason for his seeing them.