Twelve o'clock
The flush had faded , leaving her wan as death , and the little hands were now at rest . She looked like the figures which all have seen on cenotaphs , and anxiously and often the doctor felt the slow pulse , that seemed weary of its mission . He kept the room quiet , and maintained his faithful watch , refusing to leave her for a moment . Twelve o'clock rolled round , and it appeared , indeed , as if Nellie 's prognostication would prove true , the sleeper was so motionless . At three o'clock the doctor counted the pulse , and , reassured , threw his head back against the velvet lining of the chair , and shut his aching eyes . Before five minutes had elapsed , he heard a faint , sweet voice say , `` Paragon . '' Springing to his feet , he saw her put out her hand to pat the head of her favourite , who could not be kept out of the room , and howled so intolerably when they chained him , that they were forced to set him free .