midnight
`` I must go back to-morrow , and as it is a fatiguing journey you will not mind my retiring early , '' she said to excuse her absence from the supper party that was assembled after the play . On reaching the railroad settlement Helen found the doctor in charge of Thurston willing to avail himself of her assistance . The physician had barely held his own in several encounters with her aunt , whom he suspected of endeavoring to administer unauthorized preparations to his patient , while on her part Mrs. Savine freely admitted that at her age she could not sit up all night forever . So Helen was installed , and it was midnight when she commenced her first watch . `` You will call me at once if the patient wakes complaining of any pain , '' said the surgeon . `` Do I think he is out of danger ? Well , he is very weak yet , my dear young lady , but if you will carry out my orders , I fancy we may hope for the best .