“When the whole noble society of our aristocracy has honoured him with their choice,” said the newly-elected Captain of Police, who had already drunk a good deal, “he should on no account transgress in the face of the whole society …”
The Count’s entrance interrupted the conversation. Everyone wished to be introduced to him, and the Captain of Police especially kept pressing the Count’s hand with both his own for a long time, and repeatedly asked him not to refuse to accompany him (the Captain) to the new restaurant, where, after the ball, he was going to treat the gentlemen, and where the gipsies were going to sing. The Count promised to go without fail, and drank some glasses of champagne with him.
“But why are you not dancing, gentlemen?” said the Count, as he was about to leave the room.
“We are not dancers,” replied the Captain of Police, laughing, “wine is more in our line, Count. … And besides, I have seen them all grow up—those young ladies, Count! But I can walk through an ecossaise now and then, Count. … I can do it, Count.”
“Then come and walk through one now,” said Toúrbin; “it will brighten us up before going to hear the gipsies.”
“Very well, gentlemen! let’s come and please our host.”
And three of the nobles, who had been drinking in the study since the commencement of the ball, put on black or silk knitted gloves, and with their red faces were just about to follow the Count into the ballroom, when they were stopped by the scrofulous young man, who, pale and hardly restraining his tears, accosted Toúrbin.
“You think that because you are a Count you can jostle people about as if at a fair,” he said, breathing hard, “because that is impolite. …”