eight o'clock in the morning
but sleep is not always sent upon missions of refreshment . Sleep is sometimes the secret chamber in which death arranges his machinery . Sleep is sometimes that deep mysterious atmosphere , in which the human spirit is slowly unsettling its wings for flight from earthly tenements . It is now eight o'clock in the morning ; and , to all appearance , if Kate should receive no aid before noon , when next the sun is departing to his rest , Kate will be departing to hers ; when next the sun is holding out his golden Christian signal to man , that the hour is come for letting his anger go down , Kate will be sleeping away for ever into the arms of brotherly forgiveness . What is wanted just now for Kate , supposing Kate herself to be wanted by this world , is , that this world would be kind enough to send her a little brandy before it is too late . The simple truth was , and a truth which I have known to take place in more ladies than Kate , who died or did _ not _ die , accordingly , as they had or had not an adviser like myself , capable of giving so sound an opinion , that the jewelly star of life had descended too far down the arch towards setting , for any chance of re-ascending by _ spontaneous _ effort . The fire was still burning in secret , but needed to be rekindled by potent artificial breath .