All the cavaliers seemed choosing partners, but the master of the ceremonies would only allow four couples in the first quadrille. These were himself and Clotilde, Tom Tankard and Flora, Harry Netterville and Rose, and Sigebert and Laura.
“Will you be our vis-a-vis, Monsieur Grandpot?” he said to Tom.
“With the greatest pleasure, Chevalier,” replied our young friend. “But my name's not Grandpot; I'm Mr. Tom Tankard.”
“Mille pardons!” exclaimed Zephyrus. “But we call a tankard a grand pot d'argent. Be pleased to take your place, Monsieur Tom.”
The quadrille then commenced.
Monsieur Zephyrus danced with wonderful spirit and lightness, cutting cross capers, forward capers, side capers, back capers—now executing the boree step, the courant step, and the gaillard step—hopping, jumping, bounding, and ending with a pirouette that astonished all the beholders.
Tom Tankard tried to imitate him, but the performance was a mere caricature, and though it excited laughter, must be pronounced a failure.
Sigebert was more successful. He had figured at the Grand Chaumière at Paris, and treated the company to some of the fantastic steps he had seen performed there and at other salles de danse in the Bois de Boulogne.
Though very much amused by what he beheld, Harry Netterville did not indulge in any of these absurdities.
Both Flora and Clotilde danced very well, as they had had some practice at Cremorne, but Rose was very quiet.