midnight
Then you will first make yourself worthy of the dear imperilled life in yonder little bed . '' Thrice , four times , and oftener still , Barbara raised her hands to utter this vow , but ere she did so she said to herself that never , never could she wholly fulfil it , and , to save herself from a fresh sin , she did not make it . But with what anxiety she now gazed at the glowing face of the fevered boy whenever the warning voice again rose ! At midnight the little sufferer 's eyes seemed to her to shine with a glassy look , and when , pleading for help , he raised them to her , her heart melted , and in fervent , silent prayer she cried to the Queen of Heaven , `` Spare me this child , make it well , and I will not think of the Emperor 's son more frequently nor , if I can compass it , with warmer love than this clear creature and his little brother in the cradle . '' Scarcely had these words died on her lips than she again felt that she had promised more than she had the power to perform . Yet she repeated the vow several times . During the whole terrible night her husband stood beside her , obeying every sign , eagerly and skilfully helping in many ways ; and when in the morning the doctor appeared she was firmly convinced that her vow had saved the sick boy 's life .