Claude was much surprised, for his cousin had never given him a hint of his intention.  It was a moment of great delight to all the young Mohuns when the cheer rose as loud and hearty as for the young lord himself, and Phyllis smiled, and wondered, when she saw her papa rise to make answer.  He said that he could not attempt to answer Lord Rotherwood, as he had not heard what he said, but that he was much gratified by his having thought of him on this occasion, and by the goodwill which all had expressed.  This was the last speech that was interesting; Lady Rotherwood’s health and a few more toasts followed, and the party then left the tent for the lawn, where the cool air was most refreshing, and the last beams of the evening sun were lighting the tops of the trees.

The dancing was now to begin, and this was the time for Claude to be useful.  He had spent so much time at home, and had accompanied his father so often in his rides, that he knew every one, and he was inclined to make every exertion in the cause of his cousin, and on this occasion seemed to have laid aside his indolence and disinclination to speak to strangers.

Lady Florence was also indefatigable, darting about, with a wonderful perception who everybody was, and with whom each would like to dance.  She seized upon little Devereux Aylmer for her own partner before any one else had time to ask her, and carried him about the lawn, hunting up and pairing other shy people.

’Why, Reginald, what are you about?  You can manage a country-dance.  Make haste; where is your partner?’

‘I meant to dance with Miss Weston,’ said Reginald, piteously.

‘Miss Weston?  Here she is.’

‘That is only Marianne,’ said Reginald.

’Oh!  Miss Weston is dancing with William.  Marianne, will you accept my apologies for this discourteous cousin of mine?  I am perfectly horror-struck.  There, Redgie, take her with a good grace; you will never have a better partner.’

Marianne was only too glad to have Reginald presented to her, ungracious as he was, but the poor little couple met with numerous disasters.  They neither of them knew the way through a country-dance, and were almost run over every time they went down the middle; Reginald’s heels were very inconvenient to his neighbours; so much so, that once Claude thought it expedient to admonish him, that dancing was not merely an elegant name for football without a ball.  Every now and then some of their friends gave them a hasty intimation that they were all wrong, but that they knew already but too well.  At last, just when Marianne had turned scarlet with vexation, and Reginald was growing so desperate that he had thoughts of running a way, the dance came to an end, and Reginald, with very scanty politeness to his partner, rushed away to her sister, saying, in rather a reproachful tone, ’Miss Weston, you promised to dance with me.’

‘I have not forgotten my promise,’ said Alethea, smiling.