noon
The only really good thing would be to die and to have done with it all , -- to die before she had utterly thrown away all hope , all chance of happiness in that future world in which she thoroughly believed . She was ill now , and if it might be that her illness would bring her to death ; -- but would bring her slowly , so that she might yet repent , and all would be right . Madame Staubach said nothing more to her about Peter till the morning of that day on which Peter was to come for his answer . A little before noon Madame Staubach brought to her niece some weak broth , as she had done once before , on that morning . But Linda , who was sick and faint at heart , would not take it . `` Try , my dear , '' said Madame Staubach . `` I can not try , '' said Linda .