midnight
Beverly was entranced . She had seen brilliant affairs at home , but none of them compared to this in regal splendor . It was the sensuous , overpowering splendor of the east . Prince Dantan joined the throng just before midnight . He made his way direct to the little circle of which Beverly and Candace formed the center . His rich , full military costume gave him a new distinction that quite overcame Beverly . They fell into an animated conversation , exchanging shafts of wit that greatly amused those who could understand the language .