five minutes to
twelve
One thought , however , consoled the viscount : he would certainly never be recognized ! This ball was an exceptional affair , given some time before Shrovetide , in honor of the anniversary of the birth of a famous draftsman ; and it was expected to be much gayer , noisier , more Bohemian than the ordinary masked ball . Numbers of artists had arranged to go , accompanied by a whole cohort of models and pupils , who , by midnight , began to create a tremendous din . Raoul climbed the grand staircase at five minutes to twelve , did not linger to look at the motley dresses displayed all the way up the marble steps , one of the richest settings in the world , allowed no facetious mask to draw him into a war of wits , replied to no jests and shook off the bold familiarity of a number of couples who had already become a trifle too gay . Crossing the big crush-room and escaping from a mad whirl of dancers in which he was caught for a moment , he at last entered the room mentioned in Christine 's letter . He found it crammed ; for this small space was the point where all those who were going to supper in the Rotunda crossed those who were returning from taking a glass of champagne . The fun , here , waxed fast and furious .