About midnight
As he read , his convictions deepened the inspired declaration that `` without holiness no man shall see the Lord , '' and the solemn warning , `` See that ye refuse not him that speaketh . For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth , much more shall not we escape , if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven , '' filled him with fear of the wrath to come ; for well he remembered how all his life he had turned away from the Saviour of sinners , despising that blood of sprinkling , and rejecting all the offers of mercy ; and he trembled lest he should not escape . Several times during the day and evening he laid the book aside , and stole softly into Elsie 's room to learn if there had been any change ; but there was none , and at length , quite worn out with fatigue and sorrow -- for he had been several nights without any rest -- he threw himself down on a couch , and fell into a heavy slumber . About midnight Adelaide came and woke him to say that Elsie had become calm , the fever had left her , and she had fallen asleep . `` The doctor , '' she added , `` says this is the crisis , and he begins to have a _ little _ hope -- very faint , indeed , but still a _ hope _ -- that she may awake refreshed from this slumber ; yet it might be -- he is fearful it is -- only the precursor of death . '' The last word was almost inaudible . Mr. Dinsmore trembled with excitement .