It is a pretty ceremony, and it is said that of old in kingly days the monarch always set much store by it.

The custom is that, when she approaches the honoured guest (he need not be royal), she bends--or more properly kneels--before him and kisses his hand.

It has been explained by historians that the symbolism is that the woman, showing obedience to her husband, as the married woman of the Blue Mountains always does, emphasizes that obedience to her husband's guest.

The custom is always observed in its largest formality when a young wife receives for the first time a guest, and especially one whom her husband wishes to honour.

The Voivodin was, of course, aware that Mr.Melton was your kinsman, and naturally wished to make the ceremony of honour as marked as possible, so as to show overtly her sense of her husband's worth.
When we came into the courtyard, I held back, of course, for the honour is entirely individual, and is never extended to any other, no matter how worthy he may be.