a quarter before one
Mrs Proudie knew this , and made the most of it ; she had therefore a huge gas lamp with a dozen burners hanging from each of the ceilings . People were to arrive at ten , supper was to last from twelve to one , and at half-past one everybody was to be gone . Carriages were to come in at the gate in the town and depart at the gate outside . They were desired to take up at a quarter before one . It was managed excellently , and Mr Slope was invaluable . At half-past nine the bishop and his wife and their three daughters entered the great reception-room , and very grand and very solemn they were . Mr Slope was down-stairs giving the last orders about the wine .