one o'clock before
Good-night , Mr. Palma . '' She shut her eyes . This man of bronze who could terrify witnesses , torture and overwhelm the opposition , and thunder so successfully from the legal rostrum , sat there abashed by the child 's tone and manner , and as he watched her he could not avoid smiling at her imperious mandate . Although silent , it was one o'clock before she fell into a deep , sound slumber , and then the lawyer leaned forward and studied the dreamer . The light from the lamp shone upon her , and the long silky black lashes lay heavily on her white cheeks . Now and then a sigh passed her lips , and once a dry sob shook her frame , as if she were again passing through the painful ordeal of parting ; but gradually the traces of emotion disappeared , and that marvellous peace which we find only in children 's countenances , or on the faces of the dead , -- and which is nowhere more perfect than in old Greek statuary , -- settled like a benediction over her features . Her frail hands clasped over her breast still held the faded lilies , and to Erle Palma she seemed too tender and fair for rude contact with the selfish world , in which he was so indefatigably carving out fame and fortune .