about midnight
When Noel came , early next morning , a scant bit of black drapery , tied with a white ribbon , told him that the thing had happened which deprived Christine of all she loved on earth . The desire of her eyes was taken from her and her house was left unto her desolate . Eliza opened the door , and he came inside the hall and asked her a few questions . The baby had died about midnight , the woman said . Dr. Belford had stayed until it was over . The child was now prepared for burial , the mother having done everything herself , seeming perfectly calm . She would not eat , however , and was lying on the bed by the baby .