midnight
Men surrounded her and paid her marked attentions , fought with each other , good-naturedly , for portions of dances , and served her as a princess at the suppers . Yet , in spite of her bewildering success , she never forgot the object that had taken her there , and was more than repaid . Her manner to her husband was faultless , and it kept him regardful of her slightest wish . Her mission was to charm all , her husband in particular , so that Mrs. Dalton 's humiliation should be complete ; and before midnight , victory was achieved . Mrs. Dalton ordered her ` rickshaw at the stroke of twelve , and retired from the ball , her almost empty programme in pieces on the floor . She had been overlooked by men , cut by women , and obliged to look on , with a raging heart , at Mrs. Meredith 's triumph . Ray Meredith , with the rudeness of utter contempt , had left her absolutely alone .