midnight
They no longer talked with him , but gave their orders to her , and she took charge of the sick-room at once with all its responsibilities and fatigues . After a consultation of very few moments , the physicians told her plainly that there was no hope ; her father might linger a short time , but any sudden emotion would kill him on the spot . During the day he rallied a little and in the evening was stronger . Esther , who had been all day in his room , rested till midnight and then took her regular watch by his side . She knew that there was no hope and that her father himself was only anxious for the end , yet to see him suffer and slowly fade out was terrible . At such moments , tears are forbidden . Esther had been told that she must not give way to agitation , under the risk of killing her father , who lay dozing , half-conscious , with his face turned towards her .