nearly one o'clock
He called it recuperating . ` Frank ought to be delightfully fresh , for he recuperated all the way down , ' said his wife , when they alighted in the dewy garden at Twickenham , in front of the lamp-lit portico . ` I would n't have minded his recuperating if he had n't snored so abominably , ' remarked Colonel Delville . It was nearly one o'clock , and the ball had thinned a little , which made it all the better for those who remained . Mr. Smithson 's orders had been given two days ago , and the very best of the waiters had been told off for his especial service . The ladies went upstairs to take off their wrappings and mufflings , and Lesbia emerged dazzling from her brown velvet Newmarket , while Lady Kirkbank , bending closely over the looking-glass , like a witch over a caldron , repaired her complexion with cotton wool . They went through the conservatory to the octagon dining-room , where the supper was ready , a special supper , on a table by a window , a table laden with exotics and brilliant with glass and silver .