Good humor swayed that crowd, laughter rippled from
parted lips, while voices here and there began a spontaneous demand for
a speech. Miss Spencer shook her flossy head helplessly, feeling too
deeply agitated to utter a word; and Moffat, now oblivious to
everything but the important part he was playing in the brilliant
spectacle, stepped before her, waving the clamorous assembly into
temporary and expectant silence.
"Our charming guest," he announced, in tones vibrant with authority,
"is so deeply affected by this spontaneous outpouring of your good-will
as to be unable to respond in words. Let us respect her natural
embarrassment; let us now exhibit that proud Western chivalry which
will cause her to feel perfectly at home in our midst. The orchestra
will strike up, and amid the mazy whirling of the dance we will at once
sink all formality, as becomes citizens of this free and boundless
West, this land of gold, of sterling manhood, and womanly beauty. To
slightly change the poet's lines, written of a similar occasion:
"There was a sound of revelry by night,
And proud Glencaid had gathered then
Her beauty and her chivalry, and bright
The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men.
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