midnight
He wandered aimlessly about the house for hours that night . At one moment he found himself in the blue room , Auntie Nan 's workroom , so full of her familiar things -- the spinning-wheel , the frame of the sampler , the old-fashioned piano , the scent of lavender -- all the little evidences of her presence , so dainty , so orderly , so sweet A lamp was burning for the convenience of the doctor , but there was no fire . The doctor came again towards ten o'clock . There was nothing to be done ; nothing to be hoped ; still she might live until morning , if -- At midnight Philip crept noiselessly to the bedroom . The condition was unaltered . He was going to lie down , but wished to be awakened if there was any change . It was long before he dropped off , and he seemed to have slept only a moment when there was a knocking at his door .