As most of the gentlemen were standing, his position made him as conspicuous as Hamlet at Ophelia's feet, at the play.

Rowland was leaning, somewhat apart, against the chimney-piece.
There was a long, solemn pause before the music began, and in the midst of it Christina rose, left her place, came the whole length of the immense room, with every one looking at her, and stopped before him.

She was neither pale nor flushed; she had a soft smile.
"Will you do me a favor ?" she asked.
"A thousand!" "Not now, but at your earliest convenience.

Please remind Mr.Hudson that he is not in a New England village--that it is not the custom in Rome to address one's conversation exclusively, night after night, to the same poor girl, and that"....
The music broke out with a great blare and covered her voice.

She made a gesture of impatience, and Rowland offered her his arm and led her back to her seat.
The next day he repeated her words to Roderick, who burst into joyous laughter.