midnight
She stretched her arms out with a gesture of infinite longing , like a lost child that vainly seeks its mother . `` If I could only see France once more ! France -- '' It was the last word upon her utterance ; her eyes met Cecil 's in one fleeting , upward glance of unutterable tenderness , then , with her hands still stretched out westward to where her country was , and with the dauntless heroism of her smile upon her face like light , she gave a tired sigh as of a child that sinks to sleep , and in the midst of her Army of Africa the Little One lay dead . In the shadow of his tent , at midnight he whom she had rescued stood looking down at a bowed , stricken form before him with an exceeding , yearning pity in his gaze . The words had at length been spoken that had lifted from him the burden of another 's guilt ; the hour at last had come in which his eyes had met the eyes of his friend , without a hidden thought between them . The sacrifice was ended , the martyrdom was over ; henceforth this doom of exile and of wretchedness would be but as a hideous dream ; henceforth his name would be stainless among men , and the desire of his heart would be given him . And in this hour of release the strongest feeling in him was the sadness of an infinite compassion ; and where his brother was stretched prostrate in shame before him , Cecil stooped and raised him tenderly .