part of either lady, it should be explained when
they are again alone, as were either of the ladies to exclude the other
from the conversation it would be considered discourteous towards the
one excluded. When two ladies accidentally meet when out walking, and
are subsequently joined by two or more ladies, introductions should not
be made by either of the ladies, unless some special reason exists for
so doing. A lady, as a rule, should not introduce gentlemen to each
other unless one of them is her host, when it would be correct to do so.

* * * * *

=How to act on the Occasion of an Introduction= is determined almost
entirely upon the reason for its being made, and by whom and to whom the
person is introduced. Even the _locale_ has something to do with it, and
thus a variety of issues are raised, upon which an instantaneous
judgment has to be given. The mind has to travel with lightning rapidity
over the ground to arrive at a correct course of action; but the mind
does not always respond to the call made upon it: it hesitates, and acts
not upon the outcome of reflection, but upon the spur of the moment.

* * * * *

=The Received Rule is not to shake hands=, but merely to bow on being
introduced; but this rule under certain circumstances would not meet the
case; it would disappoint the one introducing and the one introduced.
For instance if a relative of the former is the person introduced a bow
would be a very chilling response to the introduction made; to shake
hands, on the contrary, would be the correct thing to do, and both
persons should offer at the same moment this cordial recognition. On the
other hand, if a casual introduction is made without any premeditation,
and those introduced are totally unknown to each other, an exchange of
bows is all that is required of them.

* * * * *

=Amongst the Exceptions for not merely bowing= on being introduced are
the introductions made between young ladies and elderly ones, and
between young ladies themselves. An elderly lady, as a general rule,
shakes hands with a girl introduced to her with the idea of being
cordial and kind, not to say condescending, and girls generally shake
hands with each other in place of bowing, as acquaintanceships formed by
them have not the importance that attaches to those of older ladies;
besides, a greater readiness to make friends is the privileg