a quarter past ten
Mrs. Middleton , standing also with Claudia , wore a robe of silver gray . And this pure white on one side and pale gray on the other did but heighten the effect of Claudia 's magnificent costume . The fashionable hour for assembling at evening parties was then ten o'clock . By a quarter past ten the company began to arrive , and by eleven the rooms were quite full . The Viscount Vincent arrived early , and devoted himself to Miss Merlin , standing behind her chair like a lord in waiting . Ishmael was also present with this group ostensibly in attendance upon Beatrice , but really and truly waiting every turn of Claudia 's countenance or conversation . While they were all standing , grouped in this way , to receive all comers , Judge Merlin approached , smiling , and accompanied by an officer in the uniform of the United States army , whom he presented in these words : `` Claudia , my love , I bring you an old acquaintance -- a very old acquaintance -- Captain Burghe . ''