A few second and third-rate people had made a formal call, or left a card.

But it was merely as a matter of ceremony.
Mr.Pinks, the elegant old beau of the Green, who was looked up to by first-rate society everywhere, and considered himself born to stand guard over it and protect it from vulgar contact, and who was accepted as authority in all matters of etiquette, and had standing invitations to dinner with all the best families, had called to pay his respects and congratulate the lady.

But Pinks considered this strictly a matter of duty--to make an observation.
When Beau Pinks reported the result of his call to the Warburton family, who were first-rate people, and the Warburton family spread it through West Bowling Green, there was great amusement in the neighborhood.
"Won't do, the lady won't," said Pinks, lowering his voice to a whisper, and shaking his head.

"Lady weighs two hundred pounds and more.

A dead weight on the back of any society.