ten o'clock
Her thick dark hair was simply put back from her temples , as she always wore it , contrasting beautifully with the delicate white flowers there . Her brocade silk , fitting closely to her still graceful figure , and the magnificent diamond pin that she wore in her bosom ; the perfect fitness of every part of her apparel gave a dignity and beauty to her appearance , that might have induced many a gay lady who mixes , winter after winter , in the amusements of our city , to go and do likewise . When youth is gone forever , it is better to glide gracefully into middle age ; and if half the time and thought that is expended on the choice of gay colors and costly material , were passed in properly arranging what is suitable to age and appearance , the fashionable assemblies of the present day would not afford such spectacles , as can not fail both to pain and amuse . Mr. Weston turned to the door as it opened , expecting the girls to enter ; and a little impatient , too , as it was already half-past ten o'clock . The gentlemen had been punctual to their appointed hour of ten , but declared that three quarters of an hour was an unusually short time to be kept waiting by ladies . Ellen came first , her tall but well-proportioned figure arrayed in a rose-colored silk of the most costly material . She wore a necklace and bracelet of pearl , and a string of the same encircled her beautifully-arranged hair .