She showed him her ball book with demure satisfaction when he strolled instead of rushed up to claim her for the next , a glorious polka redowa . But his polite regrets did n't impose upon her , and when she galloped away with the Count , she saw Laurie sit down by her aunt with an actual expression of relief . That was unpardonable , and Amy took no more notice of him for a long while , except a word now and then when she came to her chaperon between the dances for a necessary pin or a moment 's rest . Her anger had a good effect , however , for she hid it under a smiling face , and seemed unusually blithe and brilliant . Laurie 's eyes followed her with pleasure , for she neither romped nor sauntered , but danced with spirit and grace , making the delightsome pastime what it should be . He very naturally fell to studying her from this new point of view , and before the evening was half over , had decided that ` little Amy was going to make a very charming woman ' . It was a lively scene , for soon the spirit of the social season took possession of everyone , and Christmas merriment made all faces shine , hearts happy , and heels light . The musicians fiddled , tooted , and banged as if they enjoyed it , everybody danced who could , and those who could n't admired their neighbors with uncommon warmth . The air was dark with Davises , and many Joneses gamboled like a flock of young giraffes . The golden secretary darted through the room like a meteor with a dashing French-woman who carpeted the floor with her pink satin train . The serene Teuton found the supper-table and was happy , eating steadily through the bill of fare , and dismayed the garcons by the ravages he committed . But the Emperor 's friend covered himself with glory , for he danced everything , whether he knew it or not , and introduced impromptu pirouettes when the figures bewildered him . The boyish abandon of that stout man was charming to behold , for though he ` carried weight ' , he danced like an India-rubber ball . He ran , he flew , he pranced , his face glowed , his bald head shown , his coattails waved wildly , his pumps actually twinkled in the air , and when the music stopped , he wiped the drops from his brow , and beamed upon his fellow men like a French Pickwick without glasses . Amy and her Pole distinguished themselves by equal enthusiasm but more graceful agility , and Laurie found himself involuntarily keeping time to the rhythmic rise and fall of the white slippers as they flew by as indefatigably as if winged . When little Vladimir finally relinquished her , with assurances that he was ` desolated to leave so early ' , she was ready to rest , and see how her recreant knight had borne his punishment . It had been successful , for at three-and-twenty , blighted affections find a balm in friendly society , and young nerves will thrill , young blood dance , and healthy young spirits rise , when subjected to the enchantment of beauty , light , music , and motion . Laurie had a waked-up look as he rose to give her his seat , and when he hurried away to bring her some supper , she said to herself , with a satisfied smile , `` Ah , I thought that would do him good ! '' `` You look like Balzac 's ' Femme Peinte Par Elle-Meme ' , '' he said , as he fanned her with one hand and held her coffee cup in the other . `` My rouge wo n't come off . ''
and XXXXX rubbed her brilliant cheek , and showed him her white glove with a sober simplicity that made him laugh outright .
Amy Balzac Count Davises French-woman balm evening giraffes pirouettes redowa