In the country, an unpremeditated dance was very allowable; but in London, where the reputation of elegance was more important and less easily attained, it was risking too much for the gratification of a few girls, to have it known that Lady Middleton had given a small dance of eight or nine couple, with two violins, and a mere side-board collation.
En el campo, un baile improvisado era muy aceptable; pero en Londres, donde la reputación de elegancia era más importante y más difícil de ganar, era arriesgar mucho, para complacer a unas pocas muchachas, que se supiera que lady Middleton había ofrecido un pequeño baile para ocho o nueve parejas, con dos violines y un simple refrigerio en el aparador.