tertainment it is quite beyond her power to attend to all the claims
upon her time.

The sons of the house, and sometimes a few other especially deputized
young men, must sacrifice their own preferences in order to give
pleasure to others. If the number of ladies exceed that of gentlemen,
these aids frequently take two out to supper.

Daughters of the house, together with receiving ladies and the
hostess, do not go out to supper until the last guests are supplied
with partners. However, should the hostess be expected to accompany
some distinguished gentleman to the table, she will delegate her
duties to another.

General Rules for Observance.

Gentlemen may introduce other men to ladies of their own family or to
friends, first asking their permission or the permission of their
chaperons. In case of a chaperon, the introduction is made first to
her and then to the young lady, and the gentleman at close of the
dance returns his partner to her chaperon.

Where the gentleman is well acquainted with the lady, a short
promenade is often indulged in; but if the gentleman be a stranger to
her, she should not expect this, for he may have another engagement,
and will return her immediately to the side of her chaperon or some
lady friend she may designate. In Europe this promenading is not
allowed, the young lady being at once escorted back to her chaperon
after dancing.

Supper being announced, a gentleman, having no other engagement,
offers his arm to the lady with whom he may be talking or dancing and
escorts her out, unless some previous partner arrives to claim her
before his invitation is given. Once given, a lady is not free
(unusual circumstances excepted) to decline it, even though she may
have expected another to offer her the same attention. If she be
accompanied by a chaperon, the elder lady is invited at the same time,
and it is to her that his arm is offered, the younger lady walking by
her side. For two ladies to each take an arm is not good form.

A gentleman requesting a lady for a certain dance, should never ask if
she is engaged for it. He may request the pleasure or honor of her
company for the next dance, and he will learn from her answer whether
she be free, without compelling her to acknowledge at the last moment
that she has been hitherto unsought.

Formality of Introductions.

The request for a dance should be accompanied by a bow on the part of
the gentlemen. At its close he should thank h