the hour of three
So the night wore on , and save the doctor returning for a moment , utter silence reigned . Olive never moved from her low seat by the bed , with her face hid . Bettine dropped asleep in her chair , and Roger , over by the window , found that his busy thoughts kept him awake for hours , but that he finally grew drowsy , and at last dropped into a doze , with his head against the casing . As the city bell tolled the hour of three , Ernestine opened her eyes slowly , with a weary air that seemed like regret , and looked about the dimly lighted room , with only a half conscious air . Roger received a slow wondering look , then Bettine , and then her eyes fell on the figure by the bed , with crushed white flowers in her hair , and face bowed from sight ; but it seemed to matter little who they all were , for she made no move and looked away beyond them all , with a dreamy air of lingering stupor , that still held thoughts and memory in check . But presently a brighter light of reason crept into the eyes that made them open wider and look about once more at the three silent figures , with more wonder and closer attention , and at last she put out her hand slowly , and touched the bowed head beside her ; and startled by the light pressure , Olive raised her head quickly , and they looked at each other . For a moment her heart stood still in terror , as the dark eyes rested on her face , then there came a feeble , husky moan of delirious joy .