the hour of Two
The nights were so long . She never lay down before twelve o'clock , knowing that it was useless ; then she would hear the heavy-tongued bells tolling each hour till nearly dawn . It was like the voice of a remorseless enemy . ` I am striking the hour of Two . You think that you will not hear me when I strike next ; you weep and pray that sleep may close your ears against me . But wait and see ! ' She would sometimes , in extremity of suffering , fling her body down , and let her arms fall straight , and whisper to herself : ` I look now so like death , that perchance death will come and take me . '