For what it's worth, Jane Austen recorded bowing silently as a repsonse to a question (Chapter 6, Pride and Prejudice, published 1813). The conversation takes place between two gentlemen:
"You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir." "Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?" "Never, sir." "Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?" "It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it." "You have a house in town, I conclude?" Mr. Darcy bowed. "I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself.for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas." To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
