midnight
She was still very good friends with Lord Masque , for he had social influence , and could assist her ; but as for poor Tadpole , she had sadly neglected him , his sphere being merely political , and that being no longer interesting . The honest gentleman still occasionally buzzed about her , slavering portentous stories about malcontent country gentlemen , mumbling Maynooth , and shaking his head at Young England . Tadpole was wont to say in confidence , that for his part he wished Sir Robert had left alone religion and commerce , and confined himself to finance , which was his forte as long as he had a majority to carry the projects which he found in the pigeon-holes of the Treasury , and which are always at the service of every minister . Well , it was at Lady Bardolfs ball , close upon midnight , that Tancred , who had not long entered , and had not very far advanced in the crowded saloons , turning his head , recognised his heroine of the morning , his still more recent correspondent , Lady Bertie and Bellair . She was speaking to Lord Valentine . It was impossible to mistake her ; rapid as had been his former observation of her face , it was too remarkable to be forgotten , though the captivating details were only the result of his present more advantageous inspection . A small head and large dark eyes , dark as her rich hair which was quite unadorned , a pale but delicate complexion , small pearly teeth , were charms that crowned a figure rather too much above the middle height , yet undulating and not without grace .