nearly
midnight
Twice an hour she rose , went to the sick woman 's side and gave her medicine , or drink , or merely smoothed the pillow a little , as the case might be , and then came back to the table . The Princess was not so restless as most people are in fever , and she did not try to talk , but took whatever was given her like a model of resignation . The delirium had left her for the present . Reading slowly , and often meditating on what she read , Sister Giovanna did not finish the office for the day and close her book till nearly midnight . Her old watch lay on the table beside the candlestick , and her eyes were on the hands as she waited till it should be exactly twelve before taking the patient 's temperature again . But it still wanted three minutes of the hour when the Princess 's voice broke the profound silence . The words were spoken quietly , in a far-away tone : ` I stole it . '