about six o'clock
But by and by it was the turn of the clanspeople to look on while the lady of the house and her sons danced a quadrille or two with their visitors ; after which the chief and his brother pairing with the two elder girls , the ladies were astonished to find them the best they had ever waltzed with , although they did not dance quite in the London way . Ian 's dancing , Christina said , was French ; Mercy said all she knew was that the chief took the work and left her only the motion : she felt as in a dream of flying . Before the evening was over , the young men had so far gained on Christina that Mr. Sercombe looked a little commonplace . The dancing began about six o'clock , and at ten it was time for supper . It was ready , but there was no room for it except the barn ; the dancing therefore had to cease for a while , that the table might again be covered . The ladies put on their furs and furry boots and gloves , and went out into the night with the rest . The laird and Christina started together , but , far from keeping at her side , Alister went and came , now talking to this couple , now to that , and adding to the general pleasure with every word he spoke .