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delicate muslin. For my part I have not seen anything I like so
well in the whole room, I assure you."
"How uncomfortable it is," whispered Catherine, "not to have a
single acquaintance here!"
"Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Allen, with perfect serenity, "it is
very uncomfortable indeed."
"What shall we do? The gentlemen and ladies at this table look
as if they wondered why we came here -- we seem forcing ourselves
into their party."
"Aye, so we do. That is very disagreeable. I wish we had a large
acquaintance here."
"I wish we had any -- it would be somebody to go to."
"Very true, my dear; and if we knew anybody we would join them
directly. The Skinners were here last year -- I wish they were
here now."
"Had not we better go away as it is? Here are no tea-things for
us, you see."
"No more there are, indeed. How very provoking! But I think we
had better sit still, for one gets so tumbled in such a crowd! How
is my head, my dear? Somebody gave me a push that has hurt it, I
am afraid."
"No, indeed, it looks very nice. But, dear Mrs. Allen, are you
sure there is nobody you know in all this multitude of people? I
think you must know somebody."
"I don't, upon my word -- I wish I did. I wish I had a large
acquaintance here with all my heart, and then I should get you
a partner. I should be so glad to have you dance. There goes
a strange-looking woman! What an odd gown she has got on! How
old-fashioned it is! Look at the back."
After some time they received an offer of tea from one of their
neighbours; it was thankfully accepted, and this introduced a light
conversation with the gentleman who offered it, which was the only
time that anybody spoke to them during the evening, till they were
discovered and joined by Mr. Allen when the dance was over.
"Well, Miss Morland," said he, directly, "I hope you have had an
agreeable ball."
"Very agreeable indeed," she replied, vainly endeavouring to hide
a great yawn.
"I wish she had been able to dance," said his wife; "I wish we could
have got a partner for her. I have been saying how glad I should
be if the Skinners were here this winter instead of last; or if
the Parrys had come, as they talked of once, she might have danced
with George Parry. I am so sorry she has not had a partner!"
"We shall do better another evening I hope," was Mr. Allen's
consolation.
The company began to disperse when the dancing was over -- enough
to leave space for the remainder to walk about in some comfort;
and now was the time for a heroine, who had not yet played a very
distinguished part in the events of the evening, to be noticed and
admired. Every five minutes, by removing some of the crowd, gave
greater openings for her charms. She was now seen by many young
men who had not been near her before. Not one, however, started
with rapturous wonder on beholding her, no whisper of eager inquiry
ran round the room, nor was she once called a divinity by anybody.
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