midnight
Her strange composure awed the violent grief of the others into silence , and they followed her mechanically as she led the way to the piazza ; involuntarily they all took the positions of the previous evening , and , with Bessie standing alone in the centre , they waited for their dead . The young men bore their burden up the walk slowly and solemnly , and behind followed a train of sorrowing friends , two and two , thus rendering respect to the youth who had so suddenly been taken from them in all the flush and vigor of early manhood . On came the sad procession , and when the bearers reached the piazza , the friends fell back and stood with uncovered heads , as up the steps , and under the faded triumphal arch , Hugh Warrington came home for the last time to the old stone house . At midnight Aunt Faith went softly into the parlor ; a faint light shone from the chandelier upon the still figure beneath , and Bessie with her face hidden in her hands , sat by its side . She did not move as Aunt Faith came to her ; she did not answer when Aunt Faith spoke to her ; she seemed almost as cold and rigid as the dead . `` Bessie dear , I have something to show you , '' said Aunt Faith , in a low tone ; `` I have a letter to you from Hugh . '' Bessie started and looked up ; her face was pinched and colorless , and her dark eyes wild and despairing .