madamhood

It is, however, to be observed, that the office of Hofdame confers in Germany the same title of Madame, and that every one of the charming “ Misses” who surround our Queen would in Germany be invested with the dignity of Madamhood.

However derivative, a woman's status translated into real differences in daily working conditions, personal control over income, and possibilities for negotiating an advantageous exit from prostitution into concubinage or madamhood.