about midnight
It set in for a heavy dance at about eleven o'clock , and then were seen as many elaborate verses in the poetry of motion , as any pair of eyes could wish to enjoy . `` Fifty 's '' foreman , who danced with a very pretty dotted muslin , produced a very striking and picturesque effect by rolling his inexpressibles up over his boots , and giving a life-like imitation of the working of an engine with his heels and toes ; whereupon the assistant foreman of `` Thirty 's Truck '' suddenly threw off his dress-coat and appeared in full red shirt , simultaneously striking into a fine , artistic shuffle , intended to imitate the hauling-in and reeling-up of the wet hose after a conflagration . These and other graceful novelties were greatly admired by the ladies , each of whom said so many spicy and spiteful things about the other 's bare arms and forward manners , that a stranger might have taken them all for the very cream of Fifth Avenue or any other Best Society . It was about midnight when `` Fifty 's '' foreman , growing reckless with the passionate splendors of excitement , scuffled away with his flushed dotted muslin to a luxurious chintz sofa near one of the windows , and intemperately whispered in her ear , `` Miss Perkins , it were madness for me longer to conceal my insanity , and to remain silent would but render me speechless . Here let me lay my heart and trumpet at your feet , and '' -- She had fainted ! Ay , sir , swooned ! Instantly the whole brilliant saloon was in confusion ; the dancing ceased , the dust commenced to settle , and the assistant foreman of `` Thirty 's Truck '' was seen to put on his coat .