And young Torode immediately took up his post there to claim his dance as soon as she returned.
I was vexed with myself for giving him first chance.

But truly my thoughts had not been on the dancing, but only on Carette herself, and I would have been content to look at her and listen to her all the evening without a thought of anything more.
Young Torode's visible intention of keeping to himself as much of her company as possible put me on my mettle, however, and when he dropped her into a seat after that dance, I immediately claimed the next.
I could dance as well, I think, as any man in Sercq at that time, but I felt myself but a clumsy sailorman after watching young Torode.

For his easy grace and confidence put us all into the shade, and did not, I am afraid, tend to goodwill and fellowship on our part.
The other men, I noticed, had but little to say to him or he to them.

He danced now and then with one or other of the girls, and they seemed to regard it more as an honourable experience than as matter of great enjoyment.

And the man with whose special belle-amie he was dancing would sit and eye the pair gloomily the while, and remain silent and sulky for a time afterwards.
But, except for such little matters as that, we had a right merry time of it.