It was over.

Her Majesty gave a smile and an inclination of the head, Mr.Greville a profound bow, and the next conversation began with the next gentleman.

When all the guests had been disposed of, the Duchess of Kent sat down to her whist, while everybody else was ranged about the round table.

Lord Melbourne sat beside the Queen, and talked pertinaciously--very often a propos to the contents of one of the large albums of engravings with which the round table was covered--until it was half-past eleven and time to go to bed.
(*) The Duke of Bedford told Greville he was "sure there was a battle between her and Melbourne...

He is sure there was one about the men's sitting after dinner, for he heard her say to him rather angrily, 'it is a horrid custom-' but when the ladies left the room (he dined there) directions were given that the men should remain five minutes longer." Greville Memoirs, February 26, 1840 (unpublished).
Occasionally, there were little diversions: the evening might be spent at the opera or at the play.