Midnight
Not apprehending death so soon the physician acquiesced in this arrangement , stipulating , however , that Phillis should sleep upon the lounge in Dr. Griswold 's chamber , but the care , the responsibility , should all be Nina 's , he said , and with childish alacrity she hastened to her post . It was the first time she had kept the watch alone , but from past experience the physician believed she could be trusted , and he left her without a moment 's hesitation . Slowly the hours went by , and Nina heard no sound save the low breathing of the sleepers near , the dropping of the rain , and the mournful sighing of the wind through the maple trees . Midnight came , and then the eyes of the sick man opened wide and wandered about the room as if in quest of some one . `` Nina , '' he said , faintly , `` Are you here ? Why has the lamp gone out ? It 's so dark that I ca n't see your face . ''