midnight
In vain we tightly close the aching lids ; strange lurid lights flare around us , and mysterious forms glide to and fro . To the guilty , how fearful must the season of darkness prove , when , unable longer to escape from themselves , they yield to the pangs of remorse , and toss in unutterable anguish ! `` By night , an atheist half believes a God . '' And thousands , who in the sunny light of day rush madly on to ruin , pause , shudderingly , in the midnight hour , and look yearningly toward the narrow path where Virtue 's lamp , flashing into the deepest recesses of surrounding gloom , dispels all shadow ; and , in imagination , view the Christian peacefully descending the hill of life , fearlessly crossing the `` valley of the shadow of death , '' and resting at last on that blest shore , where night and darkness are unknown , `` swallowed up in endless day . '' It was very evident that Mr. Hamilton could survive but a few days ; and to every entreaty that she would take some rest , Florence but shook her head , and replied , that she would not leave him when he must die so soon . One evening Dr. Bryant , having administered a soothing potion , turned to her and said , `` My dear Miss Hamilton , you will seriously injure your health by such constant watching . Your father needs nothing now but quiet .