In the era when women were a mysterious and secretive lot, several of her accessories just had to figure in conveying her thoughts. The Fan was the way to go especially when flirting was allowed through its use. A slow fanning of herself would be a signal that you bore her and an advice "Don't waste your time". If she proceeded to carry the closed fan loosely on her left side would give you the reason for the rebuff "I am engaged". A newly acquainted gent who caught a lady's fancy will get the hand to hand transfer of the fan, begging "Don't forget me".
Hidden romances flourished behind the scenes because of the creative ways the fan was used as a lover's code. A quick fanning of the lady followed by the folding of the fan and punctuated by the the fan resting awhile over her heart means "I love you so much, I belong to you" and "My love for you is breaking my heart".
Mind you, this was the time duels existed. A husband catching the fan signals will have given two of his…fist shaking towards the lover, "I'll get you for this!" and if not yet contented, will slap the other gent on both cheeks with his glove "Give me back my honor, let's duel".