It had originally been two rooms, but had been thrown into one, as some pillars and a slight arch testified.

The ceiling was rather low, but the many windows which opened on the piazza, and the unusual size of the room, made it very pretty for a dance.

Mary Leighton and the tutor were dancing; somebody was talking to me, but I only saw that.
"How well he dances," I heard some one exclaim.
I'm afraid it must have been Richard whom I forgot to answer just before: for I saw him twist his yellow moustache into his mouth and bite it; a bad sign with him.
Kilian was to lead with Mary Leighton, and he came up to where we stood, and said to Richard, "I suppose you have Miss Pauline for your partner ?" Now I had been very unhappy for some time, dreading the moment, but there was nothing for it but to tell the truth.

So I said, "I hope you are not counting upon me for dancing?
You know I cannot dance!" "Not dance!" cried Kilian, in amazement; "why, I never dreamed of that." "You don't like it, Pauline ?" said Richard, looking at me.
"Like it!" I said, impatiently.

"Why, I don't know how; who did I ever have to dance with in Varick-street?
Ann Coddle or old Peter?
And Uncle Leonard never thought of such a thing as sending me to school." "Why didn't you tell me before, and we wouldn't have bothered about this stupid dance," said Kilian; but I think he didn't mean it, for he enjoyed dancing very much.
Richard had to go away, for though he hated it, he was needed, as they had not gentlemen enough.
The one or two persons who had been introduced to me, on going to join the dance, also expressed regret.