about eight o'clock
Cecilia , unwilling to be too officious , began then to express her admiration of the goodness and generosity of Mr Arnott ; taking frequent occasion , in the course of her praise , to insinuate that those only can be properly liberal , who are just and economical . She had prepared no masquerade habit for this evening , as Mrs Harrel , by whose direction she was guided , informed her it was not necessary for ladies to be masked at home , and said she should receive her company herself in a dress which she might wear upon any other occasion . Mr Harrel , also , and Mr Arnott made not any alteration in their appearance . At about eight o'clock the business of the evening began ; and before nine , there were so many masks that Cecilia wished she had herself made one of the number , as she was far more conspicuous in being almost the only female in a common dress , than any masquerade habit could have made her . The novelty of the scene , however , joined to the general air of gaiety diffused throughout the company , shortly lessened her embarrassment ; and , after being somewhat familiarized to the abruptness with which the masks approached her , and the freedom with which they looked at or addressed her , the first confusion of her situation subsided , and in her curiosity to watch others , she ceased to observe how much she was watched herself . Her expectations of entertainment were not only fulfilled but surpassed ; the variety of dresses , the medley of characters , the quick succession of figures , and the ludicrous mixture of groups , kept her attention unwearied : while the conceited efforts at wit , the total thoughtlessness of consistency , and the ridiculous incongruity of the language with the appearance , were incitements to surprise and diversion without end . Even the local cant of , _ Do you know me ?