midnight
Dancing followed , and the governor led Mrs. Noury to the floor . The rajah asked Mrs. Blossom to dance with him ; but she did not know a step , and if she ever in her life regretted that she could not dance , it was on this occasion . The commander of the citadel and chief officer of the army of Cochin China led out Mrs. Noury , and the next in rank to His Excellency who could speak English was favored by Miss Blanche . It was kept up till after midnight ; and then the tourists returned to the ships , visiting the hotel the next forenoon to obtain their baggage . All the party at the _ fête _ of the governor had been invited to the ships ; and the Blanchita conveyed them from the landing in two trips , one to the Guardian-Mother , and the other to the Blanche . The guests were shown over both steamers , and they expressed their admiration in both languages . All the officers were kept busy , especially Mr. Gaskette , who spoke French .