ten o'clock
`` Four hands all round ? '' shouted the first violin , -- and Mr. Bernard found himself seized and whirled in a circle out of which he could not escape , and then forced to `` cross over , '' and then to `` dozy do , '' as the maestro had it , -- and when , on getting back to his place , he looked for Elsie Venner , she was gone . The dancing went on briskly . Some of the old folks looked on , others conversed in groups and pairs , and so the evening wore along , until a little after ten o'clock . About this time there was noticed an increased bustle in the passages , with a considerable opening and shutting of doors . Presently it began to be whispered about that they were going to have supper . Many , who had never been to any large party before , held their breath for a moment at this announcement .