ten o’clock
Till late night Cissie sat in her rocking-chair , her hands pressed over her throbbing temples ; at length wearied nature came to her relief , and compelled her to retire to bed . Being fatigued , she soon fell fast asleep , and on the morrow when she awoke , although she remembered clearly all that had passed on the previous evening , she had not the same sensitive feelings , or the same sharp prickings of conscience , and , as she walked towards the office , she began to anticipate the ball with the greatest pleasure . As Miss Smith had said , Cissie , beautiful before , was ten times as beautiful now that she was adorned with all that art could do in the matters of dress and jewellery . Miss Williams fairly gnashed her teeth with envy , and left the hall shortly after ten o'clock , disgusted with _ that thing _ from the telegraph office , while the gentlemen eagerly sought for an introduction to the acknowledged belle of the ball-room . Miss Smith was as proud of Cissie 's success as if it had been her own . With all her faults the girl possessed a good heart , and in doing as she did fancied she was doing the innocent country girl a kindness in opening to her the highway to fame and fortune , even though it were reached by the gate of dishonor . It is needless to give in detail the particulars of Cissie Wilson 's career ; suffice it to say , that the brilliant triumph at the Oddfellows ' ball was too much for her weak nature .