Anthony Trollope- The Warden (1855)

The party went off as such partie do. There were old fat ladies, in fine silk dresses, and slim
young ladies, in gauzy muslin frocks; old gentlemen stood with their backs to the empty fire-
place, looking by no means so comfortable as they would have done in their own arm-chairs
at home; and young gentlemen, rather stiff about the neck, clustered near the door, up in a
semicircular array. The warden endeavoured to induce a charge, but failed signally, not
having the tact of a general; his daughter did what she could to comfort the forces for the
coming engagement: but she herself, Eleanor, had no spirit for the work; the only enemy
whose lance she cared to encounter was not there, and she and the others were somewhat
dull.

What is your reaction to the choice of metaphor?

Why do you think Trollope chose this?