] At the Upper rooms, Mrs. Allen is bemoaning the fact that she has no acquaintance. Was it not the Master of Ceremonies’ job to introduce people around? Is the fact that Mrs. Allen did not seek out Mr. King for introductions a clue as to her dereliction of duty where Catherine is concerned?

] So, how was Mr. King elected M.C.? Who elected him? And, I am assuming that balls and concerts, etc alternated between the Upper and Lower rooms?

I found this in NA notes:

James King, former officer in the American war, was appointed Master of Ceremonies of the Lower Rooms, 1785. He succeeded in 1805 to Upper Rooms on the retirement of the Master of Ceremonies there, Richard Tyson. The rules posted in the Lower Rooms over King's signature, 1787, show that dancers took their places in accordance with social precedence, provided they stood up in time. The last rule reveals a key mechanism for enabling King to get to know newcomers, and visitors to identify one another: 'Lastly, that Ladies and Gentlemen coming to town, give orders that their names and places of abode be entered in any of the Pump-room books; and the Master of Ceremonies thus publickly requests the favour of such Ladies and Gentlemen to whom he has not the honour of being personally known, to offer him some favourable occasion of being presented to them, that he may be enabled to show that attention, which is not more his duty than his inclination to observe.' See I, v, for the occasion when Catherine looks up Henry in the book.