noon
Montague had now been officially pronounced complete by his tailor ; and Reval had sent home the first of Alice 's street gowns , elaborately plain , but fitting her conspicuously , and costing accordingly . So the next morning they were ready to be taken to call upon Mrs. Devon . Of course Montague had heard of the Devons , but he was not sufficiently initiated to comprehend just what it meant to be asked to call . But when Oliver came in , a little before noon , and proceeded to examine his costume and to put him to rights , and insisted that Alice should have her hair done over , he began to realize that this was a special occasion . Oliver was in quite a state of excitement ; and after they had left the hotel , and were driving up the Avenue , he explained to them that their future in Society depended upon the outcome of this visit . Calling upon Mrs. Devon , it seemed , was the American equivalent to being presented at court . For twenty-five years this grand lady had been the undisputed mistress of the Society of the metropolis ; and if she liked them , they would be invited to her annual ball , which took place in January , and then for ever after their position would be assured .