midnight
The hoofbeats echoed for a time from the garden wall , until sound and echo gradually died away . At length Casanova 's luck turned . The Marchese staked more and more boldly . By midnight Casanova was as poor as at the beginning ; nay , poorer , for he had lost the few ducats with which he had made his first venture . Pushing the cards away , he stood up with a smile , saying : `` Thank you , gentlemen , for a pleasant game . '' Olivo stretched out both hands towards Casanova . `` Dear friend , let us go on with the game ... .