six o'clock
Raffles dead was the image that brought release , and indirectly he prayed for that way of release , beseeching that , if it were possible , the rest of his days here below might be freed from the threat of an ignominy which would break him utterly as an instrument of God 's service . Lydgate 's opinion was not on the side of promise that this prayer would be fulfilled ; and as the day advanced , Bulstrode felt himself getting irritated at the persistent life in this man , whom he would fain have seen sinking into the silence of death : imperious will stirred murderous impulses towards this brute life , over which will , by itself , had no power . He said inwardly that he was getting too much worn ; he would not sit up with the patient to-night , but leave him to Mrs. Abel , who , if necessary , could call her husband . At six o'clock , Raffles , having had only fitful perturbed snatches of sleep , from which he waked with fresh restlessness and perpetual cries that he was sinking away , Bulstrode began to administer the opium according to Lydgate 's directions . At the end of half an hour or more he called Mrs. Abel and told her that he found himself unfit for further watching . He must now consign the patient to her care ; and he proceeded to repeat to her Lydgate 's directions as to the quantity of each dose . Mrs. Abel had not before known anything of Lydgate 's prescriptions ; she had simply prepared and brought whatever Bulstrode ordered , and had done what he pointed out to her .