morning, noon
Caroline was the most convenient companion to go out with , for she never crossed her ladyship about partners , or admirers , never vied with her for admiration , or seemed to mind her _ flirtations _ ; but quietly suffering her to draw off all the fashionable beaux , whom Lady Jane stationed upon duty , she let Lady Frances Arlington talk , or dance , to her heart 's content , and was satisfied often to sit still and be silent . The variety of words and ideas , facts and remarks , which her lively and practised companion poured into her mind , Caroline was left to class for herself , to generalize , and to make her own conclusions . Now she had means of amusement , she took pleasure in observing all that was going on , and she knew something of the characters and motives of the actors in such different scenes . As a spectator , she was particularly struck by the eagerness of all the players , at their different games of love , interest , or ambition ; and in various sets of company , she was diverted by observing how each thought themselves the whole world : here a party of young ladies and gentlemen , practising , morning , noon , and night , steps for their _ quadrille _ ; and while they are dancing the _ quadrille _ , jockey gentlemen ranged against the wall in the ball-room , talking of their horses ; grave heads and snuff-boxes in a corner settling the fate of Europe , proving that , they were , are , or ought to be , behind the scenes ; at the card-tables , sharpened faces seeing nothing in the universe but their cards ; and at the piano-forte a set of signers and signoras , and ladies of quality , mingled together , full of duets , solos , overtures , cavatinas , expression , execution , and thorough bass -- mothers in agonies , daughters pressed or pressing forward -- some young and trembling with shame -- more , though young , yet confident of applause -- others , and these the saddest among the gay , veteran female exhibitors , tired to death , yet forced to continue the unfruitful glories . In one grand party , silence and state ; in another group , rival matrons chasing round the room the heir presumptive to a dukedom , or wedging their daughters closer and closer to that door-way through which Lord William * * * * * must pass . Here a poet acting enthusiasm with a _ chapeau bras _ -- there another dying of ennui to admiration ; here a wit cutting and slashing right or wrong ; there a man of judgment standing by , silent as the grave -- all for notoriety . Whilst others of high rank , birth , or wealth , without effort or merit , secure of distinction , looked down with sober contempt upon the poor stragglers and wranglers for fame .