midnight
he soliloquized , `` what can have befallen him , that this should be his end ? I thought there was nothing left in life that could surprise me , and yet here is something that really does . '' The days and scenes of his college life passed in a sorrowful panorama before the misty eyes of the young man as he strode along the silent street in the gray of the early morning , and as the beginning and the close of this happy period were reviewed before him , they passed into another phase of his life and clouded the frank young , face with a shadow of regret and pain -- `` at least '' -- he muttered to himself -- `` I might have spared myself this , after I had taught myself that it was madness to remember and wisdom to forget . '' A trio of midnight revelers , deserting their haunt of debauchery on a dilapidated street corner , here interrupted the strain of his meditation , and as he raised his eyes to look upon the ragged figures , and bloated , forbidden countenances of these men , there passed over his pensive features , a look of contentment and resignation which said -- `` At least , if my life has been a bitter and an unfortunate one , I have been spared these rags and this degradation . And yet , '' he continued , as he walked rapidly along the by-ways and thoroughfares of the great city , `` it is a wonder that I escaped it , for in my time we were just as degraded , only we disguised our hideousness under the garb of respectability . '' Then a look of bitter , almost hopeless disappointment came over his face , as he told himself secretly , `` And I struggled against all these propensities , fought with and overcame all these follies for the sake of _ her _ , who has cast me so easily , so willingly out of her life . '' He was turning the broad paved corner that led to Dr Belford 's house , and quickening his step he reached the door just as the old doctor himself was passing out into the hall .