Chapter 22
When a crowd gathers in the street, there rises a babel of
voices, a confused and pointless clamor, no matter what the purpose
of the gathering, until some man who can think as well as shout
begins to speak. Then the crowd murmurs a moment, and after a few
seconds composes itself to listen.
So it was with the noise in the hall when Pierre and Jacqueline
began to dance. First there were smiles of derision and envy around
them, but after a moment a little hush came where they moved.
They could not help but dance well, for they had youth and grace
and strength, and the glances of applause and envy were like wine
to quicken their blood, while above all they caught the overtone of
the singing violins, and danced by that alone. The music ended with
a long flourish just as
