about three o’clock in
the morning
The curiosity of both the physicians was greatly excited . Dr. D -- resolved at once to remain with the patient all night , while Dr. F -- took leave with a promise to return at daybreak . Mr. L -- l and the nurses remained . We left M. Valdemar entirely undisturbed until about three o'clock in the morning , when I approached him and found him in precisely the same condition as when Dr. F -- went away -- that is to say , he lay in the same position ; the pulse was imperceptible ; the breathing was gentle -LRB- scarcely noticeable , unless through the application of a mirror to the lips -RRB- ; the eyes were closed naturally ; and the limbs were as rigid and as cold as marble . Still , the general appearance was certainly not that of death . As I approached M. Valdemar I made a kind of half effort to influence his right arm into pursuit of my own , as I passed the latter gently to and fro above his person . In such experiments with this patient I had never perfectly succeeded before , and assuredly I had little thought of succeeding now ; but to my astonishment , his arm very readily , although feebly , followed every direction I assigned it with mine .