Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/175

Rh with the charms of the princess, at once made her an offer of his hand and heart, all love for a hermit life and for tapa having vanished when the young girl plucked him from the vase.

The dance or ballet founded on this story, called the Buksan, is a great favourite with every native.

After one or two other representations of a warlike nature, we all adjourned to the supper-room. As this apartment was across the court-yard, the Javanese gentlemen, following the example of the Europeans, offered their arms to the ladies. The innovation, however, did not seem to be generally acceptable. As I was leading in a lady, I saw one of the princesses without a partner, and, advancing towards her, offered my other arm. She hesitated at first, but on seeing some of her friends and relations handed in in the same manner, she appeared inclined to accept my polite offer. All at once, however, as if overcome by mauvaise honte, she