First came Marya Dmitrievna and the count, both with merry countenances.

The count, with playful ceremony somewhat in ballet style, offered his bent arm to Marya Dmitrievna.

He drew himself up, a smile of debonair gallantry lit up his face and as soon as the last figure of the ecossaise was ended, he clapped his hands to the musicians and shouted up to their gallery, addressing the first violin: "Semen! Do you know the Daniel Cooper?" This was the count's favorite dance, which he had danced in his youth.