It was merely from carelessness that the Ottleys had never been asked before.
When Edith and Bruce found themselves in the large square country-house-looking hall, with its oak beams and early English fireplace, about twenty people had arrived, and as many more were expected.

A lively chatter had already begun; for each woman had been offered on her arrival a basket from which she had to choose a brightly coloured ribbon.

These ribbons matched the rosettes presented in an equally haphazard way to every man.

As Vincy observed, it gave one the rather ghastly impression that there was going to be a cotillion at once, on sight, before dinner; which was a little frightening.

In reality it was merely so that the partners for the meal should be chosen by chance.