eleven o'clock
He took an interest in books , in politics , and sport and motor cars , and a good many other things ; but on the terrace , the blue of the sea ; the opal lights on the mountains ; the gold glint of oranges among green , glittering leaves ; the pearly glimmer of white roses thrown up like a spray against the sky , struck at his heart , and made the ache come back more sharply than it had for a long time . If he had been a girl , tears would have blinded his eyes ; but being what he was , he merely muttered in anger against himself , `` Hang it all , what a wretched ass I am , '' and turning his back on the sea , made his way as fast as he could into the Casino . It was close upon twelve o'clock , and the `` Rooms '' had been open to the public for two hours . The `` early gamblers '' thronging the Atrium to wait till the doors opened , had run in and snatched seats for themselves at the first tables , or marked places to begin at eleven o'clock , if crowded away from the first . Later , less ardent enthusiasts had strolled in ; and now , though it was not by any means the `` high season '' yet , there were rows of players or lookers on , three deep round each table . The young man was from the South -- though a South very different from this . He had the warm blood of Virginia in his veins , and just so much of the gambler 's spirit as can not be divided from a certain recklessness in a man with a temperament .