The sun dipped below the horizon.
Even though the main banquet had not yet started, the early arrival of the two dukes had livened the atmosphere in the banquet hall.
Outside the hall, logistics officer Stone and the chief of staff of Mindis Hall had their plates full cataloging the carriages and gifts and bickering with drivers and attendants that spoke in various accents.
Inside the hall, the personal attendants that arrived with the guests bustled about, occasionally having to argue with the servants in the secondary hall in fulfilling the needs and requests of their masters.
Gilbert had no choice but to arrange for the clowns, dancers, and minstrels to start performing earlier. He provided entertainment and food to reciprocate (distract) the enthusiasm (attention) of the guests. Reportedly, many who could not enter because they did not receive invites had rushed to the venue to try their luck on this special day.
