eleven o'clock
Trennahan , who was to have arrived in time to dine with the Belmonts and Yorbas , missed his train and took his dinner alone . Afterward , he saw Magdaléna for a few moments in the Yorbas ' private parlour , but she had to dress , and he went off to smoke in the grounds with Don Roberto , Mr. Polk , Mr. Washington , and Colonel Belmont . They subsequently had a game of bowls , and -- excepting Colonel Belmont -- several cocktails . When they suddenly remembered that a ball was in progress to which they were expected , it was eleven o'clock , and Trennahan was not dressed . It was Helena 's ball , but she had made every man promise to look after the wall-flowers , that she might be at liberty to enjoy herself . Her aunt , Mrs. Yorba , and Magdaléna received with her ; and as all the guests had arrived by the same train , and had dressed at about the same time , the arduous duty of receiving was soon over . Helena left the stragglers to her chaperons and prepared to amuse herself .