Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/194

 prodigious colour, high cheek bones, and a turned-up nose, sing with what was termed "great archness," words to this effect:

"Yes, Sir! I can waltz! I can flirt! I'm out of the school-room at last! Pa' says I'm a romp, Ma' says I'm a pert, I say, I am fast! I am fast!

"We girls love a lark! It's the men who are stiff. Why, that little Lord John's such a tease, If I ask him to dance, he turns off in a tiff, Law, Sir! that is ease! that is ease!

"I handle the ribbons! I smoke my cigar! I polk till Aunt Jane looks aghast. I swim like a fish! ride like young Lochinvar! In short, I am fast! I am fast!"

This last verse illustrated by appropriate gestures of driving, riding, puffing smoke, &c., was received with thunders of applause, which were led by Baron Moses, and acknowledged by an imitation rustic courtesy, by the singer, Miss Corban, who, being eighteen, had quite outlived any youthful shyness. Some of the guests, who were what she