Sentence:  ... with all his good and agreeable qualities, there was a sort of <WSD>parade</WSD> in his speeches which was very apt to incline her to laugh. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Pompous show; formal display or exhibition; outward show (as opposed to substance).<ref>(Thomas Blount), "Glossographia," London: George Sawbridge, 1661: “"Parade" (Fr.) an appearance or shew, a bravado or vaunting offer; Also a term of War, and is commonly used for that appearance of Souldiers in a Garison about two or three of the clock in the afternoon, to hear prayers, and after that to receive Orders from the Major for the Watch and Guards next night.”[http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A28464.0001.001]</ref>