midnight
And that night Cynthia sat beside Ann Walden and kept watch and guard while faithful Sally slept . The bedchamber was very quiet and only a tallow candle lighted the gloom . The figure stretched out upon the bed was deathlike in its rigid motionlessness , and Cynthia 's hand lay over the thin , old wrinkled ones for fear in a drowsy moment the woman might elude her . It was past midnight when Ann Walden stirred and opened her eyes . Cynthia was alert at once , but the light that shone on the old face revealed an expression which had not rested there for many a day . `` Queenie ! '' A cold horror overcame Cynthia , but she held her position and whispered : `` Yes . ''