As the energetic figures pranced and paraded around the dance floor in a whirl of coloured silks and satins, broadcloth and buckskin, perspiration and pomade, his Grace reflected that in spite of all the finery, the basic function of the occasion was almost exactly the same as the livestock market in any local town. The aim was to match buyer and seller. But there lay the rub: how was he to conclude a deal with such an outrageous rider in the contract? And failure was simply not an option.