"That Lieutenant Fritz had made a strong impression on the company was
undoubted, yet none of the girls seemed inclined to dance with him. They
looked askance at his waxen face, with its staring eyes and fixed smile,
and shuddered. At last old Geibel came to the girl who had conceived the
idea.
"'It is your own suggestion, carried out to the letter,' said Geibel, 'an
electric dancer. You owe it to the gentleman to give him a trial.'
"She was a bright saucy little girl, fond of a frolic. Her host added
his entreaties, and she consented.
"Herr Geibel fixed the figure to her. Its right arm was screwed round
her waist, and held her firmly; its delicately jointed left hand was made
to fasten itself upon her right. The old toymaker showed her how to
regulate its speed, and how to stop it, and release herself.
"'It will take you round in a complete circle,' he explained; 'be careful
that no one knocks against you, and alters its course.'
"The music struck up. Old Geibel put the current in motion, and Annette
and her strange partner began to dance.
"For a while every one stood watching them. The figure performed its
purpose admirably. Keeping perfect time and step, and holding its little
partner tightly clasped in an unyielding embrace, it revolved steadily,
pouring forth at the same time a constant flow of squeaky conversation,
broken by brief intervals of grinding silence.
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