The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid by Thomas Hardy
page 20 of 132 (15%)
page 20 of 132 (15%)
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'Never think of my objecting. What I have found out is something which simplifies matters amazingly. In addition to your Yeomanry Ball at Exonbury, there is also to be one in the next county about the same time. This ball is not to be held at the Town Hall of the county-town as usual, but at Lord Toneborough's, who is colonel of the regiment, and who, I suppose, wishes to please the yeomen because his brother is going to stand for the county. Now I find I could take you there very well, and the great advantage of that ball over the Yeomanry Ball in this county is, that there you would be absolutely unknown, and I also. But do you prefer your own neighbourhood?' 'O no, sir. It is a ball I long to see--I don't know what it is like; it does not matter where.' 'Good. Then I shall be able to make much more of you there, where there is no possibility of recognition. That being settled, the next thing is the dancing. Now reels and such things do not do. For think of this--there is a new dance at Almack's and everywhere else, over which the world has gone crazy.' 'How dreadful!' 'Ah--but that is a mere expression--gone mad. It is really an ancient Scythian dance; but, such is the power of fashion, that, having once been adopted by Society, this dance has made the tour of the Continent in one season.' 'What is its name, sir?' |
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