Set to partners, or balances; turn your partners. (This occupies the second eight bars.) Ladies, chain, or chaine des dames. (Eight bars more.) Each couple crosses to opposite couple’s place, gentleman giving his hand to his partner:  this is called half-promenade.  Couples recross right and left to their places, without giving hands, which completes another eight bars, and ends the figure.

The side couples repeat what the top and bottom couples have done.

Second Figure.—­L’Ete

The ladies in all the top couples, and their vis-a-vis gentlemen, advance four steps, and retire the same, repeating this movement once again, which makes the first eight bars.

Top ladies and vis-a-vis gentlemen cross to each other’s places; advance four steps; retreat ditto; cross back towards partners, who set to them as they advance; turn partners; which ends first half of figure.

Second ladies and top vis-a-vis gentlemen execute the same movements.  Then side couples begin, the privilege of commencement being conferred on those ladies who stand at the right of the top couples.

This figure is sometimes performed in a different manner, known as double L’Ete.  Instead of the top lady and vis-a-vis gentleman advancing alone, they advance with partners joining hands; cross and return, as in the single figure.  This variation is, however, somewhat out of vogue, except (as will presently be seen) in the last figure of the quadrille, where it is still frequently introduced.

Third Figure—­La Poule.

Top lady and vis-a-vis gentleman cross to each other’s places, giving right hand in passing; cross back again with left hand. (Eight bars.) The two couples form in a line, and join hands, the left hand of one holding the right hand of his or her neighbour, so that each faces different ways; in this position all four balancez, then half promenade with partner to opposite place; top lady and vis-a-vis gentleman advance four steps and retire ditto. (2nd eight bars.) Both top and bottom couples advance together, and retire the same; then re-cross right and left to places. (3rd eight bars.) Second lady and first opposite gentleman repeat figure.  Side couples repeat, observing same rule for commencement as in L’Ete.

Fourth Figure.—­La Trenise.

Top couples join hands, advance four steps and retreat ditto:  advance again, gentleman leaving lady at left hand of vis-a-vis gentleman, and retiring alone, (1st eight bars.) Two ladies advance, crossing to opposite side; gentleman advances to meet his partner, vis-a-vis lady returns to hers. (2nd eight bars.) Balancez; turn partners to places. (3rd eight bars.) Second couple performs same figure; side couples repeat as before.