they frequently came to town as a trio , with only a quadroon governess to watch over them , staying in a lavish suite at the st louis hotel and buying out the fashionable stores before their return to the country there was a shocking story at the time that katherine wanted to see the famous quadroon balls where the young women of mixed blood danced with their white suitors ; and so she went with her quadroon maid to the balls , and had herself presented there as being of mixed blood , and fooled everyone .