Four o’clock
Death was to be very painful ; he must endure to the end his martyrdom , as a man and a scientist . His wandering gaze still seemed to seek the clock , to ascertain the hour . And Ramond , seeing his lips move , bent down and placed his ear to the mouth of the dying man . The latter , in effect , was stammering some vague words , so faint that they scarcely rose above a breath : `` Four o'clock -- the heart is stopping ; no more red blood in the aorta -- the valve relaxes and bursts . '' A dreadful spasm shook him ; his breathing grew fainter . `` Its progress is too rapid . Do not leave me ; the key is under the pillow -- Clotilde , Clotilde -- '' At the foot of the bed Martine was kneeling , choked with sobs .