refreshments, and to which the dancers may retire; and cakes and
biscuits, with wine negus, lemonade, and ices, handed round. A supper is
also mostly provided at the private parties of the middle classes; and
this requires, on the part of the hostess, a great deal of attention and
supervision. It usually takes place between the first and second parts
of the programme of the dances, of which there should be several
prettily written or printed copies distributed about the ball-room.
_In private parties_, a lady is not to refuse the invitation of
a gentleman to dance, unless she be previously engaged. The
hostess must be supposed to have asked to her house only those
persons whom she knows to be perfectly respectable and of
unblemished character, as well as pretty equal in position; and
thus, to decline the offer of any gentleman present, would be a
tacit reflection on the master and mistress of the house. It may
be mentioned here, more especially for the young who will read
this book, that introductions at balls or evening parties, cease
with the occasion that calls them forth, no introduction, at
these times, giving a gentleman a right to address, afterwards,
a lady. She is, consequently, free, next morning, to pass her
partner at a ball of the previous evening without the slightest
recognition.