ten o'clock
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had promised to be present . He was coming on presently from the opera . Lord Grenville himself had listened to the two first acts of _ Orpheus _ , before preparing to receive his guests . At ten o'clock -- an unusually late hour in those days -- the grand rooms of the Foreign Office , exquisitely decorated with exotic palms and flowers , were filled to overflowing . One room had been set apart for dancing , and the dainty strains of the minuet made a soft accompaniment to the gay chatter , the merry laughter of the numerous and brilliant company . In a smaller chamber , facing the top of the fine stairway , the distinguished host stood ready to receive his guests . Distinguished men , beautiful women , notabilities from every European country had already filed past him , had exchanged the elaborate bows and curtsies with him , which the extravagant fashion of the time demanded , and then , laughing and talking , had dispersed in the ball , reception , and card rooms beyond .