about a quarter past ten o’clock
Kitty , therefore , accompanied Mrs Riller to the ball , but the guardianship of that lady was more nominal than anything else , as she went off with Mr Bellthorp after introducing Kitty to Mrs Meddlechip , and flirted and danced with him the whole evening . Kitty , however , did not in the least mind being left to her own devices , for being an extremely pretty girl she soon had plenty of young men round her anxious to be introduced . She filled her programme rapidly and kept two valses for Vandeloup , as she knew he was going to be present , but he as yet had not made his appearance . He arrived about a quarter past ten o'clock , and was strolling leisurely up to the house , when he saw Pierre , standing amid a number of idlers at the gate . The dumb man stepped forward , and Vandeloup paused with a smile on his handsome lips , though he was angry enough at the meeting . ` Money again , I suppose ? ' he said to Pierre , in a low voice , in French ; ` do n't trouble me now , but come to my rooms to-morrow . '