ts, side by side.
Gentlemen likewise, but on arriving in the dining-room, each gentleman
should place himself by the side of a lady, or between two ladies,
at table.

The hostess should sit at the top of the table and the host at the
bottom, as at dinner, but it is immaterial where the guests sit,
although as a rule the lady of highest rank sits by the host, and the
gentleman of highest rank by the hostess.

A late arrival should, on being ushered into the dining-room, make his
or her way to the top of the table to shake hands with the hostess,
making some polite excuse for being late.

A hostess should rise from her seat to welcome a lady, but she should
not do so to welcome a gentleman.

Luncheon is either served _a la Russe_ or not, according to inclination,
both ways being in equally good taste, although, as a rule, the joint is
served from the _buffet_ or side-table, while the _entrees_, game, or
poultry are placed on the table.

For further information respecting the arrangements for luncheon, see
the work entitled "Waiting at Table."

Formerly it was the custom in some houses for the servants to leave the
dining-room as soon as they had helped the various guests to the joint
or joints, and handed round the vegetables and the wine, in which case
the host and hostess helped the guests to the _entrees_ and sweets, or
the gentlemen present did so; but now it is invariably the rule for the
servants to remain in the room during the whole of luncheon, and to hand
the dishes and wine, etc., to the guests as at dinner-parties.

Luncheon usually lasts about half an hour, during which time the hostess
should endeavour to render conversation general.

As at dinner, it is the duty of a hostess to give the signal for leaving
the room, which she does by attracting the attention of the lady of
highest rank present by means of a smile and a bow, rising at the same
time from her seat.

The host, or the gentleman nearest the door, should open it for the
ladies to pass out.

The ladies should leave the dining-room as far as possible in the order
in which they have entered it, the hostess following last.

* * * * *

=When the host is not present=, the gentlemen should follow the ladies
to the drawing-room; but when the host is present, the gentlemen should
remain in the dining-room with the host a short time before joining the
ladies in the drawing-room.

It is optional on the part of t