 When dinner was still at the early time, eating a lighter supper in the evening was very common; indeed it was not always the last meal of the day, as there might be a tea later.Reflecting the typical custom of 17th century elites, Louis XIV dined at noon, with a supper at 10pm.Even when dinner was in the early evening, supper was served at, or on return from, a ball, and might be after other evening excursions.