Page:Helen Leah Reed - Napoleons young neighbour.djvu/228

200 Talma himself as a sign that I was considered to hold myself well on it."

Napoleon often displayed his powers of mimicry, to the great entertainment of the children.

A large ball, given by Sir George Bingham in return for the civilities that had been shown the Fifty-third Regiment, took place not far from Longwood, and practically every one on the island was invited.

"It was the very prettiest affair I ever saw," said Betsy, "and you ought to have seen it."

Glancing at Napoleon, she thought she caught a certain meaning in the smile with which he greeted her remark. "I really believe you were there," she exclaimed. "Some one told us you were going to take a peep at us incognito, but I did not see you."

Without deigning to reply, Napoleon began an ungraceful imitation of the saraband, a dance that had been seen at this ball for the first time in St. Helena. The young lady who waltzed in this dance had been very awkward, and Napoleon's imitation of her movements was so perfect that the girls were sure he had really seen her. Moreover he had so many