"
Fernando looked at him in amazement and, after a moment, he said:
"Terrence, if the ball is to be such a grand affair, please to inform me
how we are to gain admission."
"Now, me boy, lave that to me. Will ye go?"
"Yes."
"And ye don't mind it if it's a thrifle of an adventure, do yez?"
"No."
"That's it. I always said ye was a lad after me own heart; but,
Fernando, don't yez say one word to Sukey. He's too slow and careful. He
might make trouble with us and upset all our plans."
At first, Fernando, who hated anything like deceit, opposed secresy; but
his Irish friend brought so many excellent arguments to bear, that he
virtually carried his point.
"Terrence, I fear I will make an awkward figure in a ball room!"
declared Fernando. "I am not accustomed to such things."
"A glass or two of champagne will do it for ye."
"But I never danced in my life."
"I'll teach ye mesilf, and, bedad, ye'll be as foine a terpechorian
artist be the toime, as will be at the ball."
The last objection swept away, Fernando began secretly to take lessons
in the waltz, cotillon and other dances of the day.
Whatever may be said against Terrence, one thing is quite certain, he
was no bad dancing master, and Fernando was an apt pupil. Somehow, there
was a spice of adventure in the escapade, which seemed to thrill
Fernando with pleasure, and he entered into it with a zeal that was
remarkable.
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