midnight
_ I _ thought she would linger until morning , perhaps through the day . Indeed , I was so sure , that I ventured to keep my worst fears from Mr. Vane . I wanted him to rest to-night . I am sorry -- it would have been better to have prepared him ; but ` At even , or at midnight , or at the cock-crowing , or in the morning ' -- you see we know not which . I thank God that to Florence it did not matter . '' Those days which followed were days of great opportunity to Ester , if she had but known how to use them . Sadie 's sad , softened heart , into which grief had entered , might have been turned by a few kind , skillful words , from thoughts of Florence to Florence 's Savior .