Sentence:  “Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to <WSD>lead</WSD> your cotillon, if you think of having one.” &para; “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” &para; I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To go or to be in advance of; to precede; hence, to be foremost or chief among.