midnight
`` But , Lord bless us , he might n't be clean gone : he might be recovered , poor gentleman ! Smith can run for Dr Marjoribanks ; he is nearer nor Dr Rider , '' cried the curious excited landlady , with her hand upon the locked door . Nettie made no answer . She took them into the room in solemn silence , and showed them the stark and ghastly figure , for which all possibilities had been over in the dark midnight waters hours ago . The earliest gleam of sunshine came shining in at that moment through the window which last night Nettie had opened that Fred might see the light in it and be guided home . It seemed to strike like a reproach upon that quick-throbbing impatient heart , which felt as a sin against the dead its own lack of natural grief and affection . She went hurriedly to draw down the blinds and close out the unwelcome light .