midnight
The women raised the girl ; every one crowded up ; a hundred hands were proffered to help , and she was borne to the carriage like one hovering in air , whilst from every lip broke blessings on the kind lady who had saved her from arrest and criminal trial . Madelon lay for many hours in deep unconsciousness , but at length the efforts of Seron -- then the most celebrated physician in Paris -- were successful in restoring her . Mademoiselle Scuderi completed what Seron had commenced , by letting many a gentle ray of hope stream into the girl 's heart , till at length a violent flood of tears , which started to her eyes , brought her relief , and she was able to tell what had befallen , with only occasional interruptions , when the overmastering might of her sorrow turned her words into sobbing . She had been awakened at midnight by a soft knocking at her door , and had recognised the voice of Olivier , imploring her to get up at once , as her father lay dying . She sprung up , terrified , and opened the door . Olivier , pale and distorted , bathed in perspiration , led the way , with tottering steps , to the workshop ; she followed . There her father was lying with his eyes set , and the deathrattle in his throat .