at a house, should not, if previously
invited, inquire if the mistress of the house is at home, but should
say, on the servant opening the door, "Mrs. A. expects me to luncheon."

When the guests are self-invited, they should inquire if the mistress of
the house is at home.

Guests are conducted to the drawing-room before luncheon. The servant
precedes them, as at morning calls.

When guests arrive after the hour named for luncheon, they should be at
once ushered into the dining-room, and their names announced.

When the guests are unacquainted with each other, the hostess should
make a sort of general introduction or introductions; that is to say,
she should introduce one gentleman to two or three ladies, thus, "Mr.
A., Mrs. B., Mrs. C., and Miss D.," making but one introduction in place
of three separate introductions, this being the less formal mode of
making unimportant introductions.

It is not always possible for a host to be present at luncheon, owing to
occupation and engagements, but courtesy to his wife's guests demands
his presence when practicable. He should either join them in the
drawing-room or in the dining-room, according to his convenience.

Guests are not sent in to luncheon as they are to dinner.

Ladies should not remove their hats at luncheon. They should remove
their fur coats and wraps. These should either be left in the hall on
arrival or taken off in the drawing-room or dining-room. Short gloves
should be removed; elbow gloves may be retained.

Gentlemen should not take their hats with them into the drawing-room,
but should leave them in the hall.

Ten minutes is the usual time allowed between the arrival of the guests
and serving luncheon, which is usually served at the hour named, the
received rule being not to wait for guests.

* * * * *

=Going in to Luncheon.=--When the luncheon gong sounds the hostess
should say to the lady of highest rank present, "Shall we go in to
luncheon?" or some such phrase. (See "The Art of Conversing.") The
visitor should then move towards the door. If the host is present, he
should walk beside her; if not, the hostess should do so. The other
ladies should follow as far as possible according to precedency, the
gentlemen going last. Thus the hostess either follows with the ladies
or leads the way.

Guests should not go in to luncheon arm-in-arm as at a dinner-party, but
singly, each lady by herself, or, when space permi