nearly three o’clock
`` Well , I danced for the most part with her , and did not notice how time was passing . The musicians kept playing the same mazurka tunes over and over again in desperate exhaustion -- you know what it is towards the end of a ball . Papas and mammas were already getting up from the card-tables in the drawing-room in expectation of supper , the men-servants were running to and fro bringing in things . It was nearly three o'clock . I had to make the most of the last minutes . I chose her again for the mazurka , and for the hundredth time we danced across the room . ``` The quadrille after supper is mine , ' I said , taking her to her place .