midnight
`` Yes , but to-morrow you must come and dine with me , '' she answered , with an eloquent glance . `` It is our night at the Italiens . '' `` I shall go to the pit , '' said her father . It was midnight . Mme. de Nucingen 's carriage was waiting for her , and Father Goriot and the student walked back to the Maison Vauquer , talking of Delphine , and warming over their talk till there grew up a curious rivalry between the two violent passions . Eugene could not help seeing that the father 's self-less love was deeper and more steadfast than his own . For this worshiper Delphine was always pure and fair , and her father 's adoration drew its fervor from a whole past as well as a future of love .