nearly midnight
Montcornet stood like the king of the feast . In this moving picture he saw a complete presentment of the world , and he laughed at it as he found himself the object of inviting smiles from a hundred beautiful and elegant women . A Colonel of the Imperial Guard , a position equal to that of a Brigadier-General , was undoubtedly one of the best matches in the army . It was now nearly midnight . The conversation , the gambling , the dancing , the flirtations , interests , petty rivalries , and scheming had all reached the pitch of ardor which makes a young man exclaim involuntarily , `` A fine ball ! '' `` My sweet little angel , '' said Madame de Lansac to the Countess , `` you are now at an age when in my day I made many mistakes . Seeing you are just now enduring a thousand deaths , it occurred to me that I might give you some charitable advice .