advantage of first-rate
dancing lessons.«
    »Why should I waltz if I don't like it, aunt? It is not in the Catechism.«
    »My dear!« said Mrs. Gascoigne, in a tone of severe check, and Anna looked
frightened at Gwendolen's daring. But they all passed on without saying more.
    Apparently something had changed Gwendolen's mood since the hour of exulting
enjoyment in the archery-ground. But she did not look the worse under the
chandeliers in the ball-room, where the soft splendour of the scene and the
pleasant odours from the conservatory could not but be soothing to the temper,
when accompanied with the consciousness of being pre-eminently sought for.
Hardly a dancing man but was anxious to have her for a partner, and each whom
she accepted was in a state of melancholy remonstrance that she would not waltz
or polk.
    »Are you under a vow, Miss Harleth?« - »Why are you so cruel to us all?« -
»You waltzed with me in February.« - »And you who waltz so perfectly!« were
exclamations not without piquancy for her. The ladies who waltzed, naturally
thought that Miss Harleth only wanted to make herself particular; but her uncle
when he overheard her refusal supported her by saying -
    »Gwendolen has usually good reasons.« He thought she was certainly more
distinguished in not waltzing, and he wished her to be distinguished. The
archery ball was intended to be kept at the subdued pitch that suited all
dignities clerical and secular: it was not an escapement for youthful high
spirits, and he himself was of opinion that the fashionable dances were too much
of a romp.
    Among the remonstrant dancing men, however, Mr. Grandcourt was not numbered.
After standing up for a quadrille with Miss Arrowpoint, it seemed that he meant
to ask for no other partner. Gwendolen observed him frequently with the
Arrowpoints, but he never took an opportunity of approaching her. Mr. Gascoigne
was sometimes speaking to him; but Mr. Gascoigne was everywhere. It was in her
mind now that she would probably after all not have the least trouble about him:
perhaps he had looked at her without any particular admiration, and was too much
used to everything in the world to think of her as more than one of the girls
who were invited in that part of the country. Of course! It was ridiculous of
elders to entertain notions about what a man would do, without having seen him
even through a telescope. Probably he meant to marry Miss Arrowpoint. Whatever
might come