Five o'clock
Presently he heard the footsteps of Dr. Letsom ; and the next minute the doctor was standing before him , with a grave look on his face . `` You have a little daughter , '' he said -- `` a beautiful little girl -- but your wife is in danger ; you had better come and see her . '' Even he -- the doctor -- accustomed to scenes of sorrow and desolation was startled by the cry of pain that came from the young man 's lips . Five o'clock ! The chimes had played the hour , the church clock had struck ; the laborers were going to the fields , the dairy-maids were beginning their work ; the sky had grown clear and blue , the long night of agony was over . The Angel of Death had spread his wings over the doctor 's house , and awaited only the moment when his sword should fall . Inside , the scene had hardly changed .