noon
A sudden smile -- a burnished glow -- and night had vanished . Adrian still slept ; not a muscle seemed to have stirred ; the sleep was even heavier than before ; the silence became a burthen upon the air . Now , in that exceeding torpor so like unto death , the solitary watcher became alarmed and terrified . Time passed -- morning glided to noon -- still not a sound nor motion . The sun was midway in Heaven -- the Friar came not . And now again touching Adrian 's pulse , she felt no flutter -- she gazed on him , appalled and confounded ; surely nought living could be so still and pale . `` Was it indeed sleep , might it not be -- '' She turned away , sick and frozen ; her tongue clove to her lips .