eight o'clock
Knowing the young man 's high-toned feelings -- and how utterly he must , from his character , condemn anything like play , he had purposely sought to obscure his perceptions by inducing him to drink freely . In this , he had succeeded . As soon as night had thrown her dark shadows over the city , the two young men took their steps towards one of those haunts , known , too appropriately , by the name of `` hells . '' At eight o'clock , Theodore went in , with two hundred dollars in his pocket -- all the money he possessed ; -- and at ten o'clock , came out penniless . Lonely and long was the afternoon to the young bride , giving opportunity to many thoughts of a sober , and even saddening nature . Evening came at last , and then night with its deeper gloom . Eight o'clock arrived , and nine , but her husband did not return .