'My good maiden, Gott bless you!' said he warmly.'I cannot help thinking of that morning! I was too much over-shadowed at first to take in the whole force of it.You do not know all; but your presence was a miraculous intervention.Now to more cheerful matters.I have a great deal to tell--that is, if your wish about the ball be still the same?'
'O yes, sir--if you don't object.'
'Never think of my objecting.What I have found out is something which simplifies matters amazingly.In addition to your Yeomanry Ball at Exonbury, there is also to be one in the next county about the same time.This ball is not to be held at the Town Hall of the county-town as usual, but at Lord Toneborough's, who is colonel of the regiment, and who, I suppose, wishes to please the yeomen because his brother is going to stand for the county.Now I find I could take you there very well, and the great advantage of that ball over the Yeomanry Ball in this county is, that there you would be absolutely unknown, and I also.But do you prefer your own neighbourhood?'
'O no, sir.It is a ball I long to see--I don't know what it is like; it does not matter where.'
'Good.Then I shall be able to make much more of you there, where there is no possibility of recognition.That being settled, the next thing is the dancing.Now reels and such things do not do.For think of this--there is a new dance at Almack's and everywhere else, over which the world has gone crazy.'
'How dreadful!'
'Ah--but that is a mere expression--gone mad.It is really an ancient Scythian dance; but, such is the power of fashion, that, having once been adopted by Society, this dance has made the tour of the Continent in one season.'
'What is its name, sir?'
'The polka.Young people, who always dance, are ecstatic about it, and old people, who have not danced for years, have begun to dance again, on its account.All share the excitement.It arrived in London only some few months ago--it is now all over the country.Now this is your opportunity, my good Margery.To learn this one dance will be enough.They will dance scarce anything else at that ball.
While, to crown all, it is the easiest dance in the world, and as Iknow it quite well I can practise you in the step.Suppose we try?'
Margery showed some hesitation before crossing the stile: it was a Rubicon in more ways than one.But the curious reverence which was stealing over her for all that this stranger said and did was too much for prudence.She crossed the stile.
Withdrawing with her to a nook where two high hedges met, and where the grass was elastic and dry, he lightly rested his arm on her waist, and practised with her the new step of fascination.Instead of music he whispered numbers, and she, as may be supposed, showed no slight aptness in following his instructions.Thus they moved round together, the moon-shadows from the twigs racing over their forms as they turned.
The interview lasted about half an hour.Then he somewhat abruptly handed her over the stile and stood looking at her from the other side.
'Well,' he murmured, 'what has come to pass is strange! My whole business after this will be to recover my right mind!'
