two o'clock
She took his hand , and for some time he lay with his eyes open , as though watching her . She could only wonder what was in his mind ; perhaps disconnected dreams with intervals of partial consciousness , as now , followed by more vague visions and hurrying phantasms ; but she imagined that he had meant not so much to ask for the strength of her hand as to give her die will and courage of his own , and she felt only the wish that he might not doubt her answer to the call . Although he soon dozed again , she did not alter her position , but sat hour after hour , only making way for the nurse who came to give him stimulants which had less and less effect . Her watch ended at two o'clock , when she sent Catherine to bed , but remained herself until the gray dawn had passed and the sun was high in the heavens . She meant her father to know , as long as he knew any thing , that her hand was in his . Not until the doctor assured her that he was no longer conscious , did her long walk into the shadow of death at last end . When Mrs. Murray came , she found Esther still there , her face paler than ever , with dark rings round her eyes , and looking worn and old .