While chassezing and poussetting, thank Heaven, a very little talk goes a very long way.

My mind begins to grow more easy.
I am even sensible of a little feeling of funny elation at the sound of the fiddles gayly squeaking.

I can look about me and laugh inwardly at the distant sight of Tou Tou and the button-boy turning each other nimbly round; of father, in the fourth figure, blandly backing between Mrs.Mitchell and a cook-maid.
We have now reached the fifth.

At the few balls I have hitherto frequented it has been a harmless figure enough; hands all round, and a repetition of _l'ete_.

But _now_--oh, horror! what do I see?
Everybody far and near is standing in attitude to gallopade.