nine o'clock
The loud hoarse voice startled Katherine , and made Audrey shake with fright . His hand closed tightly on hers , and he sank back into unconsciousness . For two hours the two women kept watch together by his bed : Katherine at the head , holding Vincent in her strong arms ; Audrey sitting at the foot with her back turned to him , pressing her handkerchief to her mouth . At nine o'clock she shivered and looked round , as Vincent 's head sank forward on his breast . Katherine , standing at the back of the bed , first saw what had happened by the change on Audrey 's face . The corners of her mouth had suddenly straightened , and she started up , white and rigid . `` He 's dead !