midnight
During this day , Emily never left Madame Montoni , except to prepare such little nourishing things as she judged necessary to sustain her , and which Madame Montoni received with quiet acquiescence , though she seemed sensible that they could not save her from approaching dissolution , and scarcely appeared to wish for life . Emily meanwhile watched over her with the most tender solicitude , no longer seeing her imperious aunt in the poor object before her , but the sister of her late beloved father , in a situation that called for all her compassion and kindness . When night came , she determined to sit up with her aunt , but this the latter positively forbade , commanding her to retire to rest , and Annette alone to remain in her chamber . Rest was , indeed , necessary to Emily , whose spirits and frame were equally wearied by the occurrences and exertions of the day ; but she would not leave Madame Montoni , till after the turn of midnight , a period then thought so critical by the physicians . Soon after twelve , having enjoined Annette to be wakeful , and to call her , should any change appear for the worse , Emily sorrowfully bade Madame Montoni good night , and withdrew to her chamber . Her spirits were more than usually depressed by the piteous condition of her aunt , whose recovery she scarcely dared to expect . To her own misfortunes she saw no period , inclosed as she was , in a remote castle , beyond the reach of any friends , had she possessed such , and beyond the pity even of strangers ; while she knew herself to be in the power of a man capable of any action , which his interest , or his ambition , might suggest .