Does anyone know of another contemporary meaning of this word other than "courtesan" or "mistress"?

I've found three women in the 1900 census in Campbell County whose occupation is clearly "Demimonde" or "Demi Monde."  The three women were all single, white, and ranging in age from 25 to 32.  Two lived alone; one lived with her father.  I wonder if the census taker was really trying to connote an occupation more "respectable" than "prostitute," or if he was just being polite.

Ted


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Ted Delaney
Archivist & Curator
Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum
Lynchburg, Virginia
(434) 847-1465
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