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Show CHAPTER XI THE BALL IN the morning I went around by the Senbys' to say that I would call to go with them to the ball. Lucy did not come in to see me, and though Mrs. Senby accepted the offer of my escort for her niece her manner lacked the friendly warmth that I had ~orne to expect of her. I knew that this was due to the art with which Cora had made me appear to be paying her assiduous attentwns all dunng our call. But I said nothing. After a night's reflection, I had decided that it would be better to wait and see if Lucy's affection for me would not ripen into a deeper feehng. I thought that this would be better than to attempt to force her into marrymg me wh1le her. modesty still quivered from the shock of the revelatiOns at the Tabernacle. Also .I thought I had divined the subtle game that Cora was playing, and I hoped that her scheme to reawaken Ch1lcott's love would serve to stir Lucy's womanly pique, if not her jealousy. For this reason I made no excuses to Mrs. Sen by. And that evening, on our way to the ball, I assented warmly to Lucy's praise of Cora's beauty and charm. Smcere as was the dear girl's admiration for the older lady, she quickly became silent and distrait when I went on to tell of Cora's singing and the kindliness with which she had entertained me. We soon arrived at the Social Hall. As Brigham was to be present, the place was ornately decorated with flags and pine boughs, and the best players of the Temple band occupied the musicians' platform. •o6 THE MORMON LION I07 Brother Chilcott, Amanda, Cora and the bride entered the ballroom immediately before us. While we were exchanging bows and curtseys with them Bngham h1mscl! appeared. He came in between Emmeline and his f1rst wife, and was followed by four other favoured members of his harem. The musicians saluted the Prophet with an inspiring selection from Mehul. He then opened the ball with a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for the joys bestowed upon His Saints. As the band began to play the introductory music to the first cotilhon his moody face brightened and he swung out into the middle of the floor between Emmeline and his first wife. I looked to sec him hand over one of his partners to another man. He nodded in our direction. Chilcott hastened forward, with his bride and Amanda on his arms. Puzzled at this novel proceeding, I stared-and caught a gracious glance and nod from the Prophet. Before my hesitancy became noticeable Cora placed her hand on my unoccupied arm and urged me forward. :· It is the cotillion invented to comply with the pnnciples of plurality," she smilingly explained. " Each gentleman dances with two ladies." " Oh I " murmured Lucy, and she started to withdraw her hand from my other arm. "You promised me the first dance," I remonstrated. I turned to reply to Cora as we moved forward : " So this is the quadrille with which the ball starts? I know now why the ladies present so greatly outnumber the men. For the next figure I suppose three gentlemen of each set w1ll retire and the e1ght ladies will dance around the one man l~ft, as a MayJ?.ole." " What a brilliant idea I " she exclaimed. ' I shall at once suggest it to Brother Brigham." "No, no," I replied. " I might be chosen for the pole. There are numbers of charming ladies present, but I am content With the two loveliest of all." |
