SOLVED. Revenge plot, fiction, 1800s England, poor boy at rich kids school [s]

[Kathryn]

I read this book in the early 2000s. Young boy suffers at the hands of schoolmates, 1800s, England. He's poor at a rich kid school. The plot is his life long pursuit of revenge.
The cover is dark blue or black with an image of a weapon (I think a sword) with a swirl of a cape or long coat.
The book had the feel of "Gentlemen & Players" by Joanna Harris or "Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. I think the title had the word "night" in it and the title was in cursive.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Is it YA or adult? Cover art - painting, design, or photograph? Did the writing and the book design make you think it was recently published (around 2000) or older?

[Kathryn]

Adult fiction. The cover was designed. I think is was a published around 2000.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

The Meaning of Night? Cover matches.

[Kathryn]

Yes! OMG, thank you!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

You're welcome.