Note 1 — CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH.
Reading edition
Rere-suppers (quasi arrière) belonged to a species of luxury introduced in the jolly days of King James’s extravagance, and continued through the subsequent reign. The supper took place at an early hour, six or seven o’clock at latest—the rere-supper was a postliminary banquet, a hors d’œuvre, which made its appearance at ten or eleven, and served as an apology for prolonging the entertainment till midnight.