from which they had a viewof the room

A single turn proved to them that their methods were incompatible;instead of fitting into each other their bones seemed to jut outin angles making smooth turning an impossibility, and cutting,moreover, into the circular progress of the other dancers. 　　"Shall we stop?" said Hirst. Rachel gathered from his expressionthat he was annoyed. 　　They staggered to seats in the corner, from which they had a viewof the room. It was still surging, in waves of blue and yellow,striped by the black evening-clothes of the gentlemen. 　　"An amazing spectacle," Hirst remarked. "Do you dance muchin London?" They were both breathing fast, and both a little excited,though each was determined not to show any excitement at all. 　　"Scarcely ever. Do you?""My people give a dance every Christmas.""This isn't half a bad floor," Rachel said. Hirst did not attemptto answer her platitude. He sat quite silent, staring at the dancers. 　　After three minutes the silence became so intolerable to Rachelthat she was goaded to advance another commonplace about the beautyof the night. Hirst interrupted her ruthlessly. 　　"Was that all nonsense what you said the other day about beinga Christian and having no education?" he asked. 　　"It was practically true," she replied. "But I also play the pianovery well," she said, "better, I expect than any one in this room. 　　You are the most distinguished man in England, aren't you?"she asked shyly. 　　"One of the three," he corrected. 　　Helen whirling past here tossed a fan into Rachel's lap. 　　"She is very beautiful," Hirst remarked. 　　They were again silent. Rachel was wondering whether he thoughther also nice-looking; St. John was considering the immensedifficulty of talking to girls who had no experience of life.