ten
o'clock
Bee , who stood near her like a maid of honor to a queen , was dressed with her usual simplicity and taste , in a fine white crêpe , with a single white lily on her bosom . Mrs. Middleton , standing also with Claudia , wore a robe of silver gray . And this pure white on one side and pale gray on the other did but heighten the effect of Claudia 's magnificent costume . The fashionable hour for assembling at evening parties was then ten o'clock . By a quarter past ten the company began to arrive , and by eleven the rooms were quite full . The Viscount Vincent arrived early , and devoted himself to Miss Merlin , standing behind her chair like a lord in waiting . Ishmael was also present with this group ostensibly in attendance upon Beatrice , but really and truly waiting every turn of Claudia 's countenance or conversation .