impressing of Madame Angelique, he cried,
'Surely, surely, let us have a Scottish dance from our gallant friend,
Comte Farquharfils!'

"He ennobled me in one breath, and in the next made French of the
ancient surname I bear, but that was of no consequence, and his cry was
taken up instantly by his guests: 'Beautiful ladies and gallant
gentlemen,' he went on, 'the Chevalier Ecossais--more ennobling of
me!--will entertain us with a dance of his native country!'

"For a moment I was abashed with confusion, yes, sir, believe it or
not, because this was a thing which had not come into my plans. But I
have not lived for ten years by my wits and my sword without learning
to make rapid resolutions, and I decided to dance, not alone! The
gallants and the ladies had now formed a circle, and I said very
quietly, 'I am honoured, Monsieur L'Intendant, and your desire will be
to me a pleasure, if Madame will permit.'

"A glance of curious inquiry went round the circle as I looked at
Madame Angelique, a radiant and bewitching picture, standing at the end
of the room, eager to see the Scottish dance for which she had made
measurements--yes, yes! Perhaps some of the company had penetrated the
real purpose of Monsieur Bigot's interference as being what I have
said, and in that case they saw a challenge in my acceptance of his
invitation.

"But he was prompt to the occasion, for he said in his lordliest
fashion, 'Madame, I am sure, will be happy to permit,' and he bowed to
Angelique, who, in turn, bowed to me her gracious permission for a
dance Eccosais. Neither had counted on what was to happen, for I
quietly walked over to her, invited her to take my arm, and, while
every one wondered, led her into the middle of the room. I did this
amid a buzz of surprise, and I heard one gallant say, 'Parbleu, this
Scotsman asked the lady's patronage and takes herself.' Neatly put, I
thought, and the French mind is neat, as well as swift.

"The music struck up as I passed my right hand about the responding
waist of Madame and lifted her elegance through a Highland round-dance.
There was no need to lift her through it a second time, because the god
of dancing was in that woman's feet, and between us we fairly wove
poetry on the polished floor. Never, after the first moment, was there
such a partner as Angelique; never, perhaps, if I may be allowed the
conceit, such a pair of partners, a picture, my friend, a picture!

"As we warmed to the