midnight
Here his friend interrupted him to inquire what this discovery might be , but Melchior had the force to keep his secret , and only handed over to him the phial of the elixir , which he had previously packed carefully in a jewel casket of Bianca 's , of Italian workmanship , and then wrapped in parchment , and tied , and fastened , with many seals . He also entrusted his school companion with the letters which he had written , saying that his days were numbered , and giving him many instructions . Finally he made the notary swear to be a faithful guardian and second father to Zeno if he should be taken away . At midnight the friends parted , deeply moved , and Herr Winckler told his wife that he had never seen any man , let alone the solemn Melchior , so bubbling over and beaming with happiness , and if one could judge by the radiance of his glance , and the fire of his youthful enthusiasm , his friend had many more good years to live . But what had pleased him in the appearance of the doctor was , alas ! only the expiring flicker of the burnt-out candle . The intense excitement of the last few days had exhausted the sick man , and before dawn Frau Schimmel was roused by his bell .