Ben didn't understand her question, but he'd understood will you, and he was sure there was nothing a well-bred young woman could ask of him at a dance that he wouldn't agree to. "Of course," he said with a nod and a smile, before realizing that she had indicated her shoe. She wanted help with her shoe? He was quite certain that he'd done all the repair work necessary for it already, so did she mean... she couldn't be asking for help putting it on, could she? That would be far too bold, but — well, she was French, and he was in France, and he'd actually already agreed to it...

After glancing towards the doorways to see if anyone was close enough to see, Ben dropped to one knee in front of her and held his hand out for the shoe again.

---