about two in the morning
`` The next morning I had permission to visit Amelia , who received me in such a manner , that I now concluded my happiness to be complete . `` Everything was now agreed on all sides , and lawyers employed to prepare the writings , when an unexpected cloud arose suddenly in our serene sky , and all our joys were obscured in a moment . `` When matters were , as I apprehended , drawing near a conclusion , I received an express , that a sister whom I tenderly loved was seized with a violent fever , and earnestly desired me to come to her . I immediately obeyed the summons , and , as it was then about two in the morning , without staying even to take leave of Amelia , for whom I left a short billet , acquainting her with the reason of my absence . `` The gentleman 's house where my sister then was stood at fifty miles ' distance , and , though I used the utmost expedition , the unmerciful distemper had , before my arrival , entirely deprived the poor girl of her senses , as it soon after did of her life . `` Not all the love I bore Amelia , nor the tumultuous delight with which the approaching hour of possessing her filled my heart , could , for a while , allay my grief at the loss of my beloved Nancy . Upon my soul , I can not yet mention her name without tears .