She spun around, hoping to find the King, to get his attention, to explain all—but found herself looking into the face of a man dressed all in red. Jean Bart, putting his corsair skills to use, had hacked his way through a throng of female admirers to reach Eliza. "Mademoiselle," he said, "Madame la duchesse has announced that this is to be the last dance. If I might have the honor?"