A very few days after my arrival, the Duchess of X invited Frank and me to dinner.

The powdered footmen were the chief novelty of the occasion for us.

But I was much confused because nobody introduced anybody to anybody else.

If a juxtaposition, as at the dinner table, made an introduction imperative, the name of the lady next you was so slurred that you couldn't possibly understand it.
Party succeeded party.

I went to them because they gave me a chance to become acquainted with people.
But very early after my arrival, I was of course summoned by the King.