`` We are young ! We are young ! '' they cried , exultingly . Youth , like the extremity of age , had effaced the strongly-marked characteristics of middle life and mutually assimilated them all . They were a group of merry youngsters almost maddened with the exuberant frolicsomeness of their years . The most singular effect of their gayety was an impulse to mock the infirmity and decrepitude of which they had so lately been the victims . They laughed loudly at their old-fashioned attire -- the wide-skirted coats and flapped waistcoats of the young men and the ancient cap and gown of the blooming girl . One limped across the floor like a gouty grandfather ; one set a pair of spectacles astride of his nose and pretended to pore over the black-letter pages of the book of magic ; a third seated himself in an arm-chair and strove to imitate the venerable dignity of Dr. Heidegger . Then all shouted mirthfully and leaped about the room . The widow Wycherly -- if so fresh a damsel could be called a widow -- tripped up to the doctor 's chair with a mischievous merriment in her rosy face . `` Doctor , you dear old soul , '' cried she , `` get up and dance with me ; '' and then the four young people laughed louder than ever to think what a queer figure the poor old doctor would cut . `` Pray excuse me , '' answered the doctor , quietly . `` I am old and rheumatic , and my dancing-days were over long ago . But either of these gay young gentlemen will be glad of so pretty a partner . '' `` Dance with me , Clara , '' cried Colonel Killigrew . `` No , no ! I will be her partner , '' shouted Mr. Gascoigne . `` She promised me her hand fifty years ago , '' exclaimed Mr. Medbourne . They all gathered round her . One caught both her hands in his passionate grasp , another threw his arm about her waist , the third buried his hand among the glossy curls that clustered beneath the widow 's cap .
Blushing , panting , struggling , chiding , laughing , her warm breath fanning each XXXXX their faces by turns , she strove to disengage herself , yet still remained in their triple embrace .
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