I have wealth, birth, a tolerable employment, and am of some consequence
in France; but I would not have failed, for all I am worth, to compose
this air which I am going to let you hear. (_He tries his voice_).
La, la; hum, hum; listen attentively, I beg. (_he sings an air of a
Couranto_). Is it not fine?

ER. Ah!

LIS. This close is pretty. (_He sings the close over again four or
five times successively_). How do you like it?

ER. Very fine, indeed.

LIS. The steps which I have arranged are no less pleasing, and the
figure in particular is wonderfully graceful. (_He sings the words,
talks, and dances at the same time; and makes Eraste perform the lady's
steps_). Stay, the gen-man crosses thus; then the lady crosses again:
together: then they separate, and the lady comes there. Do you observe
that little touch of a faint? This fleuret? These coupes running after
the fair one.

[Footnote: A fleuret was an old step in dancing formed of two half
coupees and two steps on the point of the toes.]

[Footnote: A coupe is a movement in dancing, when one leg is a little
bent, and raised from the ground, and with the other a motion is made
forward.]

Back to back: face to face, pressing up close to her. (_After