Every one else stood by the wall, many of the ladies hoping to see the new maid fail, and all of the gentlemen eager to behold her and to comment.
The coranto is a difficult movement to perform gracefully.

It consists of a step forward, a pause during which the dancer balances on one foot, holding the other suspended forward for a moment, then another step, followed by a bow on the gentleman's part and a deep courtesy by the lady.
I confess that I was uneasy, for Frances was a country girl, and the coranto was the most trying, though, if well done, the most beautiful of all dances.
Mary clasped my hand in alarm for Frances and whispered: "I do hope she dances well.

The lack of grace in a woman is inexcusable.

She had better not dance at all than poorly." Mary's hopes were realized at once, for the king and Frances had not been on the floor three minutes till the gentlemen began to clap their hands softly, and in a moment a round of applause came from the entire audience, as often happened in those informal balls.
The king turned to Frances, saying: "They are applauding your dancing.
Take your bow." "No, it's all for your Majesty," she returned.
"No, no, my dancing is an old story to them.

It is your grace they are applauding." "Spare me, your Majesty," she pleaded, laughing.
As the applause continued, they stopped dancing for a moment, and Frances made her courtesy to the audience.