Poor Phyllis danced as awkwardly as was expected, but Adeline seemed
likely to be a pupil in whom a master might rejoice; Marianne was
very attentive and not ungraceful, but Alethea soon saw reason to
regret the arrangement that had been made, for she perceived that
Jane considered the master a fair subject for derision, and her 'nods
and becks, and wreathed smiles,' called up corresponding looks in
Marianne's face.
'Oh Brownie, you are a naughty thing!' said Emily, as soon as M. le
Roi had departed.
'He really was irresistible!' said Jane.
'I suppose ridicule is one of the disagreeables to which a dancing-
master makes up his mind,' said Alethea.
'Yes,' said Jane, 'one can have no compunction in quizzing that
species.'
'I do not think I can quite say that, Jane,' said Miss Weston.
'This man especially lays himself open to ridicule,' said Jane; 'do
you know, Alethea, that he is an Englishman, and his name is King,
only he calls himself Le Roi, and speaks broken English!'
Though Alethea joined in the general laugh, she did not feel quite
satisfied; she feared that if not checked in time, Jane would proceed
to actual impertinence, and that Marianne would be tempted to follow
her example, but she did not like to interfere, and only advised
Marianne to be on her guard, hoping that Emily would also speak
seriously to her sister.
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