seven o'clock
until ten
Any chance of passing unnoticed in company I dislike is worth retaining . No one will be here this evening whom I care to please . '' She was mistaken ; other company had been invited besides those whom the maid mentioned . But Miss Beaufort continued from seven o'clock until ten , the period at which the ladies left the table , the annoyed victim of the insipid and pert compliments of Lord Elesmere . Sick of his subjectless and dragging conversation , she gladly followed Lady Dundas to the drawing-room , where , opening her knitting case , she took her station in a remote corner . After half an hour had elapsed , the gentlemen from below , recruited by fresh company , thronged in fast ; and , notwithstanding it was styled a family party , Miss Beaufort saw many new faces , amongst whom she observed an elderly clergyman , who was looking about for a chair . The yawning Lascelles threw himself along the only vacant sofa , just as the reverend gentleman approached it .