In honest truth the sands of the seashore are not adapted for the exercise.

It was all very well for Venus to make the promise, but when making it she knew that Adonis would not keep her to her word.

Let any lightest-limbed nymph try it, and she will find that she leaves most palpable footing.

The sands in question were doubtless compact, firm, and sufficiently moist to make walking on them comfortable; but they ruffled themselves most uncomfortably under the unwonted pressure to which they were subjected.
Nevertheless our friends did dance on the sands; finding, however, that quadrilles and Sir Roger de Coverley suited them better than polkas and waltzes.
"No, my friend, no," Mrs Greenow said to Mr Cheesacre when that gentleman endeavoured to persuade her to stand up; "Kate will be delighted I am sure to join you,--but as for me, you must excuse me." But Mr Cheesacre was not inclined at that moment to ask Kate Vavasor to dance with him.

He was possessed by an undefined idea that Kate had snubbed him, and as Kate's fortune was, as he said, literally nothing, he was not at all disposed to court her favour at the expense of such suffering to himself.
"I'm not quite sure that I'll dance myself," said he, seating himself in a corner of the tent by Mrs Greenow's side.