Near the orchestra, Serge was dancing with the Mayor's daughter opposite Micheline, whose partner was the mayor himself.

An air of joyful gravity lit up the municipal officer's face.

He was enjoying the honor which the Princess had done him.

His pretty young daughter, dressed, in her confirmation dress, which had been lengthened with a muslin flounce, a rose in her hair, and her hands encased in straw-colored one-button kid gloves, hardly dared raise her eyes to the Prince, and with burning cheeks, answered in monosyllables the few remarks Serge felt forced to address to her.
The orchestra bellowed, the floor shook; the two lines of dancers had advanced in a body.

Madame Desvarennes, leaning against the door-post, followed with her eyes her daughter, whose light footsteps contrasted strangely with the heavy tread of the women around her.