eleven o'clock
cried Jill , pouncing on him at the door ; `` I 've been hunting for you everywhere . You promised me , you know . '' And the little lady towed off her captive in triumph . The remainder of the evening passed uneventfully until at eleven o'clock the festivities in the drawing-room gave place to the more serious business of the `` county '' supper , at which , in a specially-erected tent , about one hundred guests sat down . Tom had taken care to procure an early and advantageous seat for the occasion , and , with one of the vicar 's daughters under his patronage and control , prepared to enjoy himself at last . He had had a bad time of it so far , for he was in the black-books of almost every youth in the room , and had been posted as a defaulter in whatever corner he had tried to hide from his creditors . `` It 's awful having a pretty sister , '' said he confidentially to his companion ; `` gets a fellow into no end of a mess .