about nine o'clock
Mr. Kennedy had certainly mistaken the signs of things when he had accused his wife by saying that Phineas was her lover . Phineas had soon got over that early feeling ; and as far as he himself was concerned had never regretted Lady Laura 's marriage . He remained down by the water for a few minutes , giving Lady Laura time to escape , and then he wandered across the grounds towards the house . It was now about nine o'clock , and though there were still many walking about the grounds , the crowd of people were in the rooms . The musicians were ranged out on a verandah , so that their music might have been available for dancing within or without ; but the dancers had found the boards pleasanter than the lawn , and the Duke 's garden party was becoming a mere ball , with privilege for the dancers to stroll about the lawn between the dances . And in this respect the fun was better than at a ball , -- that let the engagements made for partners be what they might , they could always be broken with ease . No lady felt herself bound to dance with a cavalier who was displeasing to her ; and some gentlemen were left sadly in the lurch .