3-074-915 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sir Roger de Coverley, drawn by W. H. Overend, 1883. 'Christmas Eve at Colonel Stalmont's! No Christmas Party could have been jollier...May, just budding into womanhood, as charming an English girl, in her simple white muslin gown, as one could wish to see, was Queen of the Revels. And the duties of our winning hostess were none the lighter by reason of the assiduous court paid her by Mr. Whytie, a starched young Stock Exchange sprig of the "Masher" order, and Captain Graham, of the Colonel's old regiment. The comedy ran from the sedate opening quadrille to the jovial "Sir Roger," [a dance] which wound up the festivities...the witching smiles were only the outcome of a naturally joyous temperament. They dimpled her flushed cheeks when she whirled round in one of Strauss' most seductive waltzes with Captain Graham; and May fairly beamed with animation when her military worshipper claimed her soon after for a galop of delight...Graham was fortunate enough, however, to gain May's hand for the final Country Dance; and what good use Captain Graham made of his opportunity may be imagined from the blank look his frigid rival, Mr. Whytie, is portrayed as bestowing upon the happy couple in the Illustration of "Sir Roger De Coverley".' J. Latey, Jun. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.