nearly three o'clock
here you are ! '' said Madame Deberle , as she appeared beside them . `` I have been looking for you everywhere . It is nearly three o'clock ; they had better begin . '' `` Certainly ; at once , '' was his reply . The drawing-room was now crowded . All round it , in the brilliant glare thrown from the chandelier , sat the fathers and mothers , their walking costumes serving to fringe the circle with less vivid colors .