#dignity ball

A country dance was now called for, which was more acceptable to all parties, as none of Mr. Apollo Johnson’s pupils were very perfect in their cotillon, and none of the officers, except O'Brien, knew any thing about them. O'Brien’s superior education on this point, added to his lieutenant’s epaulet and handsome person, made him much courted; but he took up with Miss Eurydice after I had left her, and remained with her the whole evening; thereby exciting the jealousy of Mr. Apollo Johnson, who, it appears, was amorous in that direction.

— Frederick Marryat, Peter Simple. 1837 illustration of the Barbados Dignity Ball by Robert W. Buss.