Twelve o'clock
Then she wept softly , and it seemed that , in this hour of keen repentance , the errors of the past would be atoned for -- that a new life would dawn around her ; that in prodigal 's attire of repentance and tears , she would return humbly to her Father 's house . But the spirit of the world had wound its deadly fetters too closely around her ; the time of her return and purification , and welcome -- if it ever came , was veiled in the future ; but that passionate soul-felt appeal to the Refuge of Sinners was registered where it would return in benedictions when the soul weary of its wanderings , sought for forgiveness and peace -- if it ever did . And , after all , ere sleep visited her eyelids , she was plunged again in plans of petty ambition , vanity , and the pride of life , -- so impotent is the human heart , unsupported by the grace of God . Twelve o'clock chimed from the old French clock over the mantel , and May , all unconscious of Helen 's struggle with conscience , still waited to hear any sound that might come from Mr. Stillinghast 's chamber : but everything remained quiet , and she was wrapping her shawl around her to go up to bed , when she thought she heard a groan -- then footsteps , followed by a peculiar muffled sound . In a moment she was in the hall , where she heard it more distinctly , and springing up the staircase , rushed into her uncle 's room . By some rare forgetfulness , or bewilderment , he had left his door unfastened . The candle was still burning , and May saw him lying on the floor , where he had fallen in his endeavor to reach the door to call for assistance ; his face purple and swollen , and his breath gurgling up with a choking , spasmodic sound .