Pagina 195 de 3800

In the midst of the third ecossaise there was a clatter of chairs

being pushed back in the sitting room where the count and Marya

Dmitrievna had been playing cards with the majority of the more

distinguished and older visitors. They now, stretching themselves

after sitting so long, and replacing their purses and

pocketbooks, entered the ballroom. First came Marya Dmitrievna

and the count, both with merry countenances. The count, with

playful ceremony somewhat in ballet style, offered his bent arm

to Marya Dmitrievna. He drew himself up, a smile of debonair

gallantry lit up his face and as soon as the last figure of the

ecossaise was ended, he clapped his hands to the musicians and

shouted up to their gallery, addressing the first violin:

"Semen! Do you know the Daniel Cooper?"

This was the count's favorite dance, which he had danced in his

youth. (Strictly speaking, Daniel Cooper was one figure of the

anglaise.)