midnight
She felt in the very depths of her being that some solemn event was approaching its consummation that very moment . She ceased to listen for Chester 's coming , but hushing her tread , as if in the close presence of death , crept away to a corner and prayed silently . There are moments in human life when persons linked together in a series of events may form tableaux , which stand out from ordinary grouping , like an illustration stamped in strong light and shadow on the book of destiny . Thus was Chester 's household revealed on that solemn midnight . Mary Fuller , upon her knees , her small hands uplifted , her face turned to the wall ; Isabel , with her lovely head pillowed on her arms ; and , through an open door , Jane Chester , in her feverish sleep , with the pale lamplight glimmering over them all -- this was one picture . Another , equally distinct in its mournful outline , was revealed to the all-seeing One alone . Upon that dark wharf , among the motionless ships , that seemed like spectres gazing upon his hushed agony , Chester still lay , shrouded by the heavy clinging fog .