or those who are to marry to become
thoroughly acquainted, they should together mingle with other people,
for so are the actual traits of character best brought out. This does
not mean that they should avoid or neglect being alone together at
times, but they should not obviously and selfishly absent themselves.

The young woman should be formally courteous to her affianced husband,
and should never slight him because he is pledged to her, nor unduly
exalt him for the same reason. She should now remember that the broad
world of her social interests is narrowing as they intensify, and she
should not attempt in any way to break the bounds set for the engaged
girl. She should not go alone with other young men to places of
amusement or entertainment. She should maintain her dignity so
carefully as an affianced wife, that her betrothed shall not have the
slightest reason to be jealous of the attention she gives to the men
whom she meets in society. On the other hand she must not cater to the
man she is to marry, to the extent of failing to do her social duty,
or of making others feel that she has no interest in them.

As members of the same social set, the engaged couple will naturally
meet much in society. They should not meet with effusion, or
sufficiently marked discrimination to make others about them
embarrassed. They should not spend too much time with each other.
Their hostess will send them out to dinner together,--which is in
marked contrast to the custom later when they are married, for then
they will always be separated when in society. The young woman should
be careful not to permit her fiance to take her away in a corner from
other guests for a long time, and he should remember to do his social
duty by other young ladies present, even if he wishes to devote
himself to one.

The task of meeting each other's friends, after the engagement is
announced, is one which should be most interesting and enjoyable, and
should have nothing of that embarrassment which comes from the sense
of critical scrutiny. The great ordeal of winning each other is
decided, and the die cast. The smaller matter of establishing
friendships on a mutual basis should be a pleasure and not an object
of dread. Real affection and deep sincerity will make all prominent
roughnesses smooth.

An engaged couple are apt to be in the foreground of any social event
which they may both grace with their presence. The common human
interest of the unengag