The upper floor of the Angel Hotel had been decorated with flowers and little model boats as a reference to the regatta. Electrical lighting lit up the hundreds of lamps in the crystal chandeliers above. Pink silk curtains were elegantly draped around the full windows. As it was a muggy evening – sweltering heat had followed that morning’s rain –, these windows were opened, allowing guests to step out on to a terraced balcony from whence they could catch a glimpse of the vulgar party going on at Tate Hill Pier and feel better about themselves. It didn’t matter that the coarse tunes from downstream carried across the harbour and occasionally mixed with the elegant tunes of the orchestra inside; for how could the resulting dissonance instil anything in its cultured audience but gratitude for their own sophisticated tastes?
 
This fundraiser ball was only for the people who could afford it. At a table right by the stairs several philanthropic middle-aged ladies who weren’t interested in dancing or chaperoning daughters or nieces, selflessly dedicated their time to collect the ten shillings entrance fees. The expenses for the ball itself had already been covered by some of the wealthiest members of the local community. In one of the rooms a list displayed the names of contributors, such as The Right Hon Lord and Lady McPadraic, Captain Fintan McKenna and his wife the Vicomtesse Aurore McKenna, Lady Lailani McKenzie, and Mr. and Mrs. Ennington. A list right beside it allowed guest to warrant additional donations and stare at their own name the entire night. All proceeds of the event would go to charitable purposes, such as the education of the less fortunate the balcony dwellers sneered at.
 
The central, largest, and most elegant room served as ballroom. An orchestra that the Queen herself was said to endorse had been brought in all the way from London and was now playing a slow waltz. There was a table with food and drinks in an adjacent room to complement the staff walking around with trays. There were also tables and chairs for those who preferred to sit and talk. Yet another room contained Whitby and other paintings by local and international artists. A perfect location to exchange gossip or flirtations while pretending to admire art.
 
The chairman of the Regatta organizing committee had already held an opening speech – mercifully (or mercilessly) uninterrupted this time – and the chairwoman of the Angel Fundraiser Ball organizing committee had already formally opened the Ball, but elegantly dressed guests continued to arrive.