A story is told of a certain great lady who visited at the court of a
reigning monarch on a secret matrimonial mission. The monarch had three
daughters; the emperor of her own country had a marriageable son. Before
overtures were made for an alliance, the lady was to see the three
princesses and decide which one should be honored by the proposal. It was
her whim to rely upon "the carriage test." She watched the young
princesses as they alighted from the royal carriage. The oldest one
descended clumsily, displaying too much of the royal lingerie. The second
skipped out, disdaining the step. The third descended gracefully and with
dignity, and Cupid's ambassador decided she would make the most fitting
empress.
At certain finishing schools, lessons in deportment include training in
how to enter and leave a vehicle gracefully. Stepping out on the
right-hand side, the right foot is placed on the step, the left naturally
falls on the ground. Entering, the left foot is first advanced. In this
way the other foot clears the body of the carriage without awkwardness.
Minor Items.--The rule that the owner of the carriage occupies the
right-hand seat even when accompanied by a guest, is almost universally
observed. The only exception seems to be when the guest is a person of
unusual distinction.
To place one's carriage at the disposal of a friend is a great courtesy,
and should never be abused by the recipient. In case of accident the
occupant should pay the bills for repairs, or at least urge that she be
allowed to do so.
If a lady invites a friend to pay calls with her, dropping her companion
to call on some acquaintance while she goes on to see a friend of her own,
the lady thus favored must not keep her waiting on her return, more than
the few moments necessary to make her adieux.