four o'clock in the
morning
There were many visitors from various parts of the country . Miss Clayton attended the ball , the honors of which she carried away easily . She danced with several partners , and was introduced to innumerable people whom she had never seen before , and whom she hardly expected ever to meet again . She went away from the ball , at four o'clock in the morning , in a glow of triumph , and with a confused impression of senators and representatives and lawyers and doctors of all shades , who had sought an introduction , led her through the dance , and overwhelmed her with compliments . She returned home the next day but one , after the most delightful week of her life . One afternoon , about three weeks after her return from Washington , Alice received a letter through the mail . The envelope bore the words `` House of Representatives '' printed in one corner , and in the opposite corner , in a bold running hand , a Congressman 's frank , `` Hamilton M. Brown , M.C. '' The letter read as follows : -- House of Representatives , Washington , D.C. , March 30 , 187 - .