About midnight
Disease had struck her at first like a sharp poignard , but life flowed away from the wound without much after suffering . The greater part of the time she lay in a comatose state , from which it was difficult to rouse her . Arthur sat by the fire , with a book in his hand , which at times seemed deeply to interest him , and at others , he dropped it in his lap , and gazing intently into the glowing coals , appeared absorbed in the mysteries of thought . About midnight , when reverie had deepened into slumber , he was startled by a low knock at the door . He had not fastened it as elaborately as Helen had done , and quickly and noiselessly opening it , he demanded who was there . It was a young boy , bearing him a note from the family he had visited the preceding night . His patient was attacked with some very alarming symptoms , and begged his immediate attendance .