midnight
The idlers of the club perceived this , and commented on the fact . `` Douglas Dale and his cousin are not on speaking terms , '' they said : `` they have quarrelled about that beautiful Austrian widow , at whose house there used to be such high play . '' In Paulina 's society , Douglas tried to forget the cruel shadow which darkened , and which , in all likelihood , would for ever darken , her name ; and while in her society he contrived to banish from his mind all bitter thought of the world 's harsh verdict and cruel condemnation . But away from Paulina he was tortured by the recollection of that scene at the Phoenix Club ; tormented by the thought that , let him make what sacrifice he might , he could never wipe out the stain which those midnight assemblies of gamesters had left on his future wife 's reputation . `` We will leave England for ever after the marriage , '' he said to himself sometimes . `` We will make our home in some fair Italian city , where my Paulina will be respected and admired as if she were a queen , as well as the loveliest and sweetest of women . '' If he asked Paulina where their future life was to be spent she always replied to him in the same manner .