midnight
The girls had not brought their bridesmaids ' dresses along with them , as Mrs. Curtis had asked to be allowed to present them with their gowns . It was all that Madge could do not to beg Mrs. Curtis to show them their frocks . She hoped that their hostess would offer to do so , but during the rest of the day their time was occupied in seeing Madeleine , her hundreds of beautiful wedding gifts , meeting Judge Hilliard all over again , and being introduced to Mrs. Curtis 's other guests . The four girls went to bed at midnight , thinking of their bridesmaids ' gowns , but without having had the chance even to inquire about them . Mrs. Curtis belonged to the old and infinitely more aristocratic portion of New York society . She did not belong to the new smart set , which numbers nearer four thousand , and does so much to make society ridiculous . Madeleine had asked that she might be married very quietly .