midnight
It lost its cool imperturbability , it grew paler , the veins on the fine forehead stood out , a new , flaring light came into the eyes . The old gambler 's spirit was alive . But even as it rose , sweeping him into that area of fiery abstraction where every nerve is strung to a fine tension and the surrounding world disappears , he saw the face of Diana Welldon , he remembered her words to him not an hour before , and the issue of the conflict , other considerations apart , was without doubt . But there was her brother and his certain fate if the two thousand dollars were not paid in by midnight . He was desperate . It was in reality for Diana 's sake . He approached the table , and his old calm returned .