Whereby it befell that the pair footed in a way to gather observant spectators; and if it had not been that the man from whom the maid was willy-nilly snatched, conceived resentment, things might have passed comfortably; for Kit's quips and cuts and high capers, and the Sunday gravity of the barge face while the legs were at their impish trickery, double motion to the music, won the crowd to cheer.

They conjectured him to be a British sailor.

But the destituted man said, sailor or no sailor,--bos'en be hanged! he should pay for his whistle.
Honourably at the close of the quadrille, Kit brought her back; none the worse for it, he boldly affirmed, and he thanked the man for the short loan of her .-- The man had an itch to strike.

Choosing rather to be struck first, he vented nasty remarks.

My lord spoke to Kit and moved on.