midnight
The day was so inclement that only Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and Russell 's employer attended the funeral . These few followed the gentle sleeper , and laid her down to rest till the star of eternity dawns ; and the storm chanted a long , thrilling requiem as the wet mound rose above the coffin . The kind-hearted pastor and his wife urged the orphans to remove to their house for a few days at least , until the future could be mapped ; but they preferred to meet and battle at once with the spectre which they knew stood waiting in the desolate cottage . At midnight a heavy sleep fell on Russell , who had thrown himself upon his mother 's couch ; and , softly spreading a shawl over him , Electra sat down by the dying fire on the kitchen hearth , and looked her future in the face . A few days sufficed to prepare for her journey ; and a gentleman from New York , who had met her cousin in Mr. Campbell 's office , consented to take charge of her , and commit her to Mr. Clifton 's hands . The scanty furniture was sent to an auction-room , and a piece of board nailed to the gatepost announced that the cottage was for rent . Russell decided to take his meals at a boarding-house , and occupy a small room over the office , which Mr. Campbell had placed at his disposal .