I knew they wouldn't let you sit here long." Aldous brought up a young Guardsman, who boldly asked Miss Boyce for the pleasure of a dance.

Marcella consented; and off they swept into a room which was only just beginning to fill for the new dance, and where, therefore, for the moment the young grace of both had free play.
Marcella had been an indefatigable dancer in the old London days at those students' parties, with their dyed gloves and lemonade suppers, which were running in her head now, as she swayed to the rhythm of this perfect band.

The mere delight in movement came back to her; and while they danced, she danced with all her heart.

Then in the pauses she would lean against the wall beside her partner, and rack her brain to find a word to say to him.

As for anything that _he_ said, every word--whether of Ascot, or the last Academy, or the new plays, or the hunting and the elections--sounded to her more vapid than the last.
Meanwhile Aldous stood near Mary Harden and watched the dancing figure.
He had never seen her dance before.