t. She naturally wishes the ball to be confined to her own set,
to the exclusion of what she terms all outsiders.

Ladies are always more or less reluctant to yield up their ball to the
exclusion of their old friends, however anxious they may be to make new
ones. But when a ball is thus given it is thoroughly understood that
conditions, however stringent, must be complied with.

* * * * *

=A Hostess should receive her Guests= at the head of the staircase at a
ball given in town, and at the door of the ball-room at a country house
ball. She should shake hands with each guest in the order of their
arrival.

The ladies of a party should advance towards the hostess, followed by
the gentlemen of their party.

A lady and gentleman should not ascend the staircase arm-in-arm, or make
their entrance into the ball-room arm-in-arm. The gentlemen invariably
enter the ball-room after the ladies of their party, and never before
them, or arm-in-arm with them. A ball is usually opened either by the
hostess herself, or by one of her daughters.

* * * * *

=Opening a Fancy Dress Ball= simply signifies dancing in the first
quadrille. Opening a dance means dancing the first valse.

When a member of the Royal Family, or a foreign prince, is expected,
dancing should not commence until the arrival of the royal guest; and
when the royal guest is a lady, the host should open the ball with her,
having his wife or daughter as _vis-a-vis_. When the royal guest is a
prince, the hostess or her daughter should open the ball with him.

When a prince wishes to dance with any lady present, with whom he is
unacquainted, his equerry informs her of the prince's intention, and
conducts her to the prince, saying as he does so, "Mrs. A----, your
Royal Highness" or "Miss B----, your Royal Highness." The prince bows
and offers her his arm; the lady should curtsey and take it. She should
not address him until addressed by him, it not being considered
etiquette to do so. The same course is followed by a princess; strangers
to the princess should not ask her to dance, but the host has the
privilege of doing so. When more than one royal personage is present,
the one of the highest rank leads the way, with either hostess or host.
(See Chapter V.)

* * * * *

=Royal Guests= should be received by the host and hostess at the
entrance of the mansion, and by them co