The lady directress of the ball, thinking she
was overcome by the heat of the place, had her conveyed to
another room, where she soon recovered so well, as to return and
join in the country dances, in which the Scotch lasses acquit
themselves with such spirit and agility, as put their partners to
the height of their mettle. I believe our aunt, Mrs Tabitha, had
entertained hopes of being able to do some execution among the
cavaliers at this assembly. She had been several days in
consultation with milliners and mantua-makers, preparing for the
occasion, at which she made her appearance in a full suit of
damask, so thick and heavy, that the sight of it alone, at this
season of the year, was sufficient to draw drops of sweat from
any man of ordinary imagination -- She danced one minuet with our
friend Mr Mitchelson, who favoured her so far, in the spirit of
hospitality and politeness; and she was called out a second time
by the young laird of Ballymawhawple, who, coming in by accident,
could not readily find any other partner; but as the first was a
married man, and the second payed no particular homage to her
charms, which were also over-looked by the rest of the company,
she became dissatisfied and censorious -- At supper, she observed
that the Scotch gentlemen made a very good figure, when they were
a little improved by travelling; and therefore it was pity they
did not all take the benefit of going abroad.
Pages:
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410