In Which May Be Found Divers Rules and Maxims for the Art of Bowing

"To know how, and when, and to whom to bow,
is in itself an art. The bow is, indeed, an
all-important accomplishment,--it is the
'Open Sesame' of the 'Polite World.' To bow
gracefully, therefore, may be regarded as
the most important part of a gentlemanly
deportment."

"Hum!" said Barnabas, beginning to frown at this; and yet, according
to the title-page, these were the words of a "Person of Quality."

"To bow gracefully,"--the Person of Quality
chattered on,--"the feet should be primarily
disposed as in the first position of dancing."

Barnabas sighed, frowning still.

"The left hand should be lifted airily and laid
upon the bosom, the fingers kept elegantly spread.
The head is now stooped forward, the body following
easily from the hips, the right hand, at the same
moment, being waved gracefully in the air. It is,
moreover, very necessary that the expression of the
features should assume as engaging an air as possible.
The depth of the bow is to be regulated to the rank
of the person saluted."

And so forth and so on for two pages more.

Barnabas sighed and shook his head hopelessly.

"Ah!" said he, "under these circumstances it is perhaps just as well
that I forgot to try. It would seem I should have bungled it quite
shamefully. Who would have thought a thing so simple could become a
thing so very complicated!" Saying which, he shut the book, and
thrust it back into his pocket, and thus became aware of a certain
very small handful of dainty lace and cambric, and took it out, and,
looking at it, beheld again the diminutive stain, while there stole
to his nostrils a perfume, faint and very sweet.