She hadn’t been best pleased to learn that the bachelor who had asked her to dance would not be delivering on his promise; she was also not very interested in one of her dances at her debut being thrown away on a man who had stepped in only out of guilt or consolation. But it wouldn’t do to look put out – and he was not unhandsome, either – so when Mattie had shelved her disappointment and tuned back into the conversation, she had resolved to remain attentive for the rest of the dance.
And she had to admit the story was – a little amusing. (Was Mr. Thomas in real danger from the mishap? She wasn’t sure, but in his ill-timed absence it was hard to feel too sorry for him.) “But it was all a great mistake, I’m sure – or did you have any particular reason to take the poor gentleman out of commission for the night, Mr... Not-Thomas?” She was joking, naturally; although she would have enjoyed spinning up a tale of rivals and strategic, nefarious incapacitations just as much. Nevertheless, she wasn’t sure of her replacement dance partner’s identity yet, so she waited expectantly to see whether he would fill her in.
And she had to admit the story was – a little amusing. (Was Mr. Thomas in real danger from the mishap? She wasn’t sure, but in his ill-timed absence it was hard to feel too sorry for him.) “But it was all a great mistake, I’m sure – or did you have any particular reason to take the poor gentleman out of commission for the night, Mr... Not-Thomas?” She was joking, naturally; although she would have enjoyed spinning up a tale of rivals and strategic, nefarious incapacitations just as much. Nevertheless, she wasn’t sure of her replacement dance partner’s identity yet, so she waited expectantly to see whether he would fill her in.
