midnight
`` A very short time now , '' he said . Ten o'clock , eleven o'clock ; the moon had risen over the hills , the midsummer moon , and all the garden was bathed in the white light . They had opened the windows and drawn up the blinds to give him more air , but it was very near now -- very near indeed -- only a matter of minutes . The clock on the mantelshelf struck midnight , and he opened his eyes . He could see through the open door right away down the gully , just as he had seen that afternoon . `` How lovely it is , '' he said . ' `` Bessie , kiss me , Bessie .