midnight
It was the night after the drawing-room . Lord Cadurcis was at Brookes ' dining at midnight , having risen since only a few hours . Being a malcontent , he had ceased to attend the Court , where his original reception had been most gracious , which he had returned by some factious votes , and a caustic lampoon . A party of young men entered , from the Court Ball , which in those days always terminated at midnight , whence the guests generally proceeded to Ranelagh ; one or two of them seated themselves at the table at which Cadurcis was sitting . They were full of a new beauty who had been presented . Their violent and even extravagant encomiums excited his curiosity . Such a creature had never been seen , she was peerless , the most radiant of acknowledged charms had been dimmed before her .