If a gentleman takes a lady's seat during a dance, he must rise from it as soon as the dance is over, not waiting for her to actually return to it, as she may hesitate to do if she sees that it is occupied. No lady must enter or cross a ball-room unescorted. No lady may refuse to be introduced to a gentleman at a private ball; but at a public ball she may with perfect propriety refuse any introduction made by the master of ceremonies, or by mere acquaintances. Confidential conversation in a ball-room is in extreme bad taste. Do not be too particular about dancing. Taking steps in a quadrille is out of date, all the figures being executed to a graceful walk. To remain too late at a ball is not well-bred, and seems to imply that you are unaccustomed to such pleasures. Do not engage yourself, therefore, for the last two or three dances. No gentleman should take the vacant seat next to a lady unless he is acquainted with her, and not then without first asking permission. A gentleman must offer his arm, never his hand, to lead a lady to and from the dance. A lady must be very careful not to engage herself to two gentlemen for the same dance, unless, for a round dance, she states: "I am engaged for the first half of the waltz, but will dance the second part with you." In that case, she must tell her first partner of her second engagement, that she may not offend him when she takes another partner after leaving him. If a lady wishes to decline dancing, whether from dislike to the gentleman who invites her, or from whatever cause, she must make some excuse; but she must never refuse point blank, nor must she, after having refused to dance with one gentleman, consent to dance with another. When introduced, it is sufficient for a gentleman to say to a lady, "May I have the pleasure of dancing this waltz with you, Miss C---?" or if the lady be engaged for the first dance following the introduction, he may request the favor of putting his name upon her engagement card for another. A young lady should not dance more than twice with the same gentleman, unless she wants to be noticed, or is indifferent whether she be so or not. A lady may consult her own pleasure about recognizing a ballroom acquaintance at a future meeting. Every gentleman must make a point of inviting the ladies of the house to dance; and if he be kind, he will certainly devote himself--for a portion of the evening, at least--to those ladies for whom the May of life has bloomed and passed away, and who generally sit round the room looking wistfully disconsolate. After every dance following the announcement of supper, offer your partner your arm, and invite her to the supper-room (at a ball, refreshments are never handed round). Should she decline going, or has already been there, take her back to her chaperon, or party, and, procuring a seat for her, thank her for the pleasure the dance has afforded you.