nine o'clock
He saw a flash of pleasure on her face . But his heart was full , and he turned away his head as he handed the gift to her . Her eyes were upon the sparkling jewel , as he led her into the house , saying with a great sigh : `` Come on , my dear -- let 's go in . '' At nine o'clock that night , the great foundry of a house , with its half a score of chimneys , marking its various epochs of growth , literally was stuffed with smilax , ferns , roses , orange blossoms , and daisy chains . In the mazes of these aisles of verdure , a labyrinth of Van Dorns and Satterthwaites and visiting statesmen with highly powdered womankind was packed securely . George Brotherton , who was born a drum major , wearing all of his glittering insignia of a long line of secret societies , moved as though the welding humanity were fluid . He had presided at too many funerals not to know the vast importance of keeping the bride 's kin from the groom 's kin , and when he saw that they were ushered into the wedding supper , in due form and order , it was with the fine abandon of a grand duke lording it over the populace .