"Sapristi! it seems that all the ladies have been engaged beforehand!" cried Cherami, glaring at the benches in turn; "I am refused all along the line!"
But at every ball there is sure to be some elderly woman, ugly, dowdily dressed, who still has the assurance to take her place among the dancers. Our Arthur finally espied a lady of that type, sitting in a corner; on her head was a sort of turban, laden with an appalling mass of flowers, feathers, and lace.
"I shall be unlucky indeed, if this creature is engaged!" said Cherami to himself, boldly directing his steps toward the turbaned dame.
He had not delivered half of his invitation, when she rose as if impelled by a spring, and seized his gloved hand, saying:
"With pleasure; yes, monsieur; I accept. Oh! I will dance as long as you please."
"In that case, fair lady, let us take our places."
Almost all the sets were full. But Cherami was not to be denied; he planted himself in front of a short youth and his partner; and when the youth remonstrated: "But, monsieur, this place is taken, we were here before you," he replied, in a supercilious tone: "I don't know whether you were before us, my good man; but I do know that I have the honor to be here now with madame, and that I will not stir except at the point of the bayonet!"
The young man dared not make any further resistance; moreover, the guests were whispering to one another on all sides:
"That original is dancing with Aunt Merlin!"
"What! Aunt Merlin dancing?"