"I would not have come--indeed, I did not wish to come; but Anthony insisted. He said he would not come without me; you had told him that, and--I did not wish to stand in the way of his pleasures. He has worked very hard; he has been cut off from his usual associates; he has had no holiday--so I thought it well to come."
"Yes, you did right. You will find Anthony exacting. That he always was, but good at heart," said Bessie.
"I do not dance myself--I cannot dance," said Urith, in further self-excuse; "so that it will not seem so very strange my being here, if I simply look on."
"You will have to dance--to open the ball with Anthony, I suppose, as you are the bride."
"I! Oh, but I do not know how to dance. I never have danced. I do not understand the figures. I do not distinguish between a brawl, a rant, and a jig."
"That is unfortunate--but it will serve to excuse you; yet I think you must essay to foot it once with Anthony. He is certain to insist on it."
"But I do not know----" Urith flushed. "How can I dance when I have never practised the measures and the paces?"
"Come, Urith," said he; "we must open the ball. All are waiting for you."
He made a movement of impatience. "Nonsense, you must!" That was in his old imperious manner, which Bessie knew so well.
Bessie said aside to Urith, "Make the attempt. You cannot well go wrong."
Urith stood up--nervous, trembling, turning white and red, and with the tears very near the surface.
"Look here," said Anthony. "Father thinks, because I am thrust out of Hall, that everyone may kick at me--that I am of no account any more. Let us show that it is otherwise. Let them see that I am something still, and that my wife is not a nobody. Come!" He whisked her to her place at the head of the room.
Urith saw that all eyes were on her, and this increased her nervousness. As she passed Fox she caught his malicious eye, and saw the twirl of laughter and cruel jest on his lip.
"I cannot--and let me alone, Anthony," escaped her again. She was frightened.
"Have done. I do not want you here to make a fool of yourself and me; and that you will do if you slink back to your place."
"Folly! I will put you to-rights. With half a pinch of wit you cannot go wrong."