Putting on Airs Read Online Free PDF Page A

good-humored, that as soon as he entered the room and was introduced to a lady, he entered into the dance with her.  The elder son, Henry, was quite the handsomest man in the room, and Anthony's admirers were soon lost to the elder Mr. Cole.  The youngest of the family was the daughter, Nell, whose warm smile dazzled brighter than the chandelier.
          Avoiding her cousin, Imogene joined Jane in speaking to Mrs. and Ms. Cole, and they each obliged when asked to dance by Phillip.  It was a wonderful addition to Imogene's scheme as well, and she hoped that Mr. Campbell was watching as she danced with the young, charming Phillip.  And the dance was wonderful—they had some conversation as they danced, getting to know one another, and she laughed genuinely for the first time that evening.
          Mr. Cole, unlike his younger brother, did not dance at all, but rather kept to himself, sitting down on a chair near the band.  Many ladies tried talking to him, hoping for a dance, but no offer was made, and hardly a word was spoken.  Upset that he was no longer the center of attention, Anthony approached Mr. Cole where the ladies were gathered.
          "Excuse me, ladies, but I have no partner for the next dance."
     
          "I have no inclination to oblige any of you," Mr. Cole told his surrounding admirers, "so perhaps you should draw your attentions to this young man.  What is your name, sir?"
          "Mr. Anthony Cartwright."
          "Very well; Mr. Cartwright, make your choice.  Excuse me, ladies."
          With that, Mr. Cole left Anthony to the ladies and was allowed to sit at the pianoforte to accompany the band in the next dance.  He played remarkably well, his fingers gliding over the keys with speed and poise.  Imogene, interested in meeting him after getting on so well with his brother, approached the pianoforte to watch over his shoulder as he played.  When the song finished, she tried talking to him.
          "You played that beautifully, sir."
          He turned to face her and furrowed his brow, having trouble remembering her name, though they had met when he arrived.
          She believed him to be upset, so she apologized, "I am sorry if I bothered you by standing here during the song."
          "If that were the case, then you would not have done it in the first place."
          He moved to rise from the bench, but Imogene detained him, "Really, I am sorry to have disturbed you.  Do not leave the instrument on my account; your playing will be missed."
          He said nothing; only stared at her.  She could not tell if he was irritated or confused by what she said.  Feeling very awkward and foolish, she left the pianoforte and crossed to the punch bowl, Mr. Campbell right behind her.
          "Your behavior has been quite unusual tonight, madam," he said.  "And what were you doing dancing with that man?"
          "What I was doing was dancing; you answered it yourself."
     
          The music then began for the next dance.  "Come; we will dance."  He requested it in such as way that suggested he did not particularly want to dance, but had to, and she in turn had to oblige.
          "I do not want to dance now, sir."
          "We have not danced yet all evening; we must."
          "I must not do anything I do not want to do, sir.  I crossed this way in order to have some punch, and that is what I will do."
          "You may have some after the dance; now come before it starts."
          He reached out to take her hand, but halted, his attention turning elsewhere.  Just entering the room were Mr. Archer and Clarice.  Mr. Cartwright was welcoming them graciously, expressing his sincere delight at their attending the ball.  Imogene smiled at her scheme and made her way to the newly arrived guests immediately.  Clarice smiled happily upon greeting Imogene, but Mr. Archer remained stiff in his manner, warily scanning the