It was not his fault: the rules of the service compelled him thus to dress.

But he needed no brass or cloth of gold.

There was not a male head among all the others to compare with his.
He was an accomplished waltzer, after the manner of that day, when one went round and round like some mechanical toy wound up.

Strauss and Waldteufel tingled his feet; and he whirled ambassadors' wives till they were breathless and ambassadors' daughters till they no longer knew or cared where they were.

He was full of subtle deviltry this night, with an undercurrent of malice toward every one and himself in particular.
This would be the last affair of the kind for him, and he wanted a full memory of it.