"Will _you_ be our _vis-a-vis_ ?" "All right," replies the Brat, gayly, "but I have not got a partner yet." Off he goes in search of one, and Ashton and I remain _tete-a-tete_.

I suppose I ought to take his arm, and lead him to the top of the room.
After a moment of hot hesitation, I do this.

Here we are, arrived.

Oh, why did I ask him so soon?
Two or three minutes elapse before the Brat's return.
"How nicely you have all done the decorations!" "I am glad you think so, my lady." "They are better than ours at the church." "Do you think so, my lady ?" A pause.

Everybody is choosing partners.