midnight
She would not judge him ; but he had not kept that promise which was more solemn to her than any oath . There were many perils , both by sea and land ; the steamer might have run ashore , the train may have been delayed ; but if the appointment had been for her to keep she would have kept it in spite of all obstacles and all cost . She rose from her long dull watch ; she tried to cross the room and ring the bell , but the strength of her limbs failed her . She did not fall , she sunk into a senseless , almost helpless heap on the floor ; and there , long after midnight , her servants found her , and for some time believed her dead . That was the thirtieth of June -- for which she had hoped , worked , and prayed as woman never did before . They raised her from the ground and took her to her room . One kinder than the others sat by her until the dawn , when the dark eyes opened with a look in them which was never to die away again .