midnight
There had been a great deal of gossip about it without anyone knowing the exact truth . Different tales were in circulation . It was whispered that an elopement had taken place , but no one was certain about anything . According to the servants , Madame Walter , who would no longer speak to her future son-in-law , had poisoned herself out of rage the very evening the match was decided on , after having taken her daughter off to a convent at midnight . She had been brought back almost dead . Certainly , she would never get over it . She had now the appearance of an old woman ; her hair had become quite gray , and she had gone in for religion , taking the Sacrament every Sunday .